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luvdsc · 4 years

Text

mark lee sucks at technology.

tap the heart if you have a big, fat, embarrassing crush on your best friend!

pairing :: lee mark x reader genre :: fluff / best friend + social influencer au word count :: 5,883 words warnings :: none playlist :: dumb stuff (lany) ⋆ feeling (coin) ⋆ so far so good (gabrielle aplin) ⋆ electric love (børns) ⋆ love by mistake (bad suns) author’s note :: i was debating if i should post it on his bday instead, but i decided to drop it earlier, so uh, happy (approx. one week early) bday to mister absolutely fully capable (except when it comes to tech stuff) !!!! thank you for blessing us with your god tier raps ♡ ↳ part of the not clickbait series.

In your required upper division business course aptly titled “Essential Marketing Strategies,” you had learned about a concept called personal brands. A personal brand is explained as the first impression a person wishes to perceive based on their own experiences, qualifications, and achievements. Your professor had told you and your classmates to pick three words to define your own brand. For instance, you chose to label yourself as charismatic, fun, and creative.

Your best friend’s brand would be awkward, endearing, and technologically challenged.

Okay, so that is definitely more than three words, but who’s counting? You might as well tack on “Y/N’s big fat crush” at this rate because everyone and their mother knows that you carry a torch—or more accurately, a blazing wildfire that can easily be spotted from Pluto—for your best friend.

Well, to be more precise, you should probably say everyone, except Mark, knows. And that’s not for lack of trying either. You completely dropped the art of delicate subtlety months ago already. Maybe you should add “hopelessly oblivious” instead.

The rolling end credits to the sixth Harry Potter film are playing on the screen in front of you, signaling the nearing end of your magical movie marathon. You’re seated on the worn down couch in Mark and Donghyuck’s shared apartment, watching the former make his drink with the fancy, gently used Keurig newly settled on the scratched countertop. Johnny dropped it off a few days ago because he had splurged on a better coffee machine (“It even makes Instagram worthy whipped frappuccinos!”) and didn’t want his old, but still perfectly functioning caffeine provider going to waste.

“What’s wrong with this thing?” Mark slaps the side of the machine, and it starts to emit a low whirring noise. “Oh, that’s good, right? That sound is good, you think?”

His question is immediately answered by the sad squirt of hot water speckled with coffee grinds falling into his mug for a few seconds before the machine shuts off.

“What the hell?” he mutters angrily, carding his hand through his hair in frustration, and you finally decide to take pity on your best friend. Getting up from the comfy spot you know you sadly won’t be able to recreate perfectly again later, you stride over to where your best friend stands and flip open the top of the Keurig.

“Hyuck didn’t take out his used coffee pod,” you say, pulling out the incriminating evidence of your best friend’s roommate and disposing it in the trash can next to the refrigerator. “Where’s the espresso one you’re gonna use? Why didn’t you put that in?”

His jaw slackens, and he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, avoiding your gaze and mumbling, “I thought I’d just open it later and pour it into my hot water.”

“Mark,” you start, placing your hands on his shoulders firmly and staring into his eyes with a serious look on your face. “Please know that I’m saying this in the most loving way possible, but you are an absolute idiot.”

You release your grip on his shoulders and grab the espresso pod dangling from his fingertips before slotting it into the Keurig. You remove the mug he placed underneath the spout and wash out the accidental coffee water before placing it back in its original position and pressing the start button on the machine. With a sigh, you lean against the side of the counter, glancing at your friend who looks like a child being scolded for stealing from the cookie jar.

“If you pour the pod into your mug, are you just going to chug all the loose coffee grinds, too?”

“... I didn’t think that far ahead.” His lips start to unintentionally form a tiny pout, and your eyes (and your heart, too) soften.

You’re very relieved that Donghyuck is off filming with your friend because he definitely would be making fun of your heart eyes that frequently make an appearance around a certain Mark Lee. Which you always deny. Because you certainly do not have a gigantic crush on your technologically inept best friend.

You glance over at him again and have to physically fight yourself to resist the urge to kiss his cute pout away. Okay, so maybe you harbor a very respectable, medium sized crush. But it's no big deal. It’s completely under control. Unless you’re counting the fact that your best friend is still unaware, and you’re running out of ideas to try and see if he likes you back before you actually shoot your shot. Then it’s very much not under control because you’re losing sleep over it and you don’t know what to do to be any more obvious without stating the, well, obvious.

“Well, now you know. If you forget, you can FaceTime me and I’ll give you instructions on how it works.” You pat his shoulder reassuringly before pausing. “Wait, you do know how to FaceTime, right?”

“Yes!” he exclaims, sulking even more before confessing in a quieter, defeated tone, “Hyuck showed me last month.”

Mark grabs his finished drink and follows behind you, settling back onto the couch next to you. The streaming service already has Deathly Hallows Part 1 in the queue and ready to go, and your best friend is ready to click play until he notices your attention being focused on the smaller screen in your hands. He wonders if you’re about to post another one of your popular cooking videos on that app that shares a name with the most iconic song of the 2000s (hint: the name of the song’s singer is made up of four letters and a dollar sign).

“Are you uploading one of your videos?” he implores before taking a sip of his drink with a satisfied smile. Somehow, it always tastes better when you make it, and he can’t figure out why for the life of him. When he went to Johnny’s place, his older friend uses the exact same pod and water ratio for his espresso, and yet, it’s never as good as yours.

“Nah, I’m ordering my grocery delivery before I forget. Do you want anything?” You select the option to load your usual grocery items into your cart before debating on whether or not you should splurge on buying several packages of those seasonal Pillsbury sugar cookies that only come in stock during certain holidays. It seems like such an insult to the entire premise of your Tiktok account based on baking and cooking, but you’re an absolute sucker for those soft pastries.

“Yeah, can you get me a Shin Ramyun ten pack? Hyuck ate the last one two days ago and didn’t tell me.”

“You sure you don’t want ten boxes again?” You decide to get those Pillsbury sugary delights, happily adding three boxes to your cart. Everybody has a weakness, and yours just so happens to be a premade one way ticket to diabetes. You’re here for a good, delicious time, not a long time.

“No! That was an accident!” He objects, flailing his hands around, before falling back against the couch cushions in defeat. “But Hyuck does all the online grocery shopping now.”

“Thank god. You guys finally have quality toilet paper again.”

The past month of bathroom occurrences was plagued with scratchy tissue that felt more like goddamn sandpaper from the horrible depths of hell. To be honest, you probably would have rather used actual sandpaper, given the choice. You even made sure not to drink too much water any time you came over, but today, you decided to splurge on a venti passion fruit iced tea with sweetener from that very popular franchise sporting a mermaid logo and fiscally cosmic name. To your pleasant surprise, your trip to the toilet this time was wonderfully padded with Charmin Ultra Soft, not that absolutely awful off brand one with the gross texture of a dried pinecone from inferno.

“Hey, that toilet paper was a good steal! It was a three for one deal,” Mark protests, and you narrow your eyes at him.

“Wow, I wonder why it was priced so low.” You deadpan, and Mark blanches, recalling all those restroom incidents that were rather rough. Literally.

“Anyway, do you think my viewers wanna see me make chocolate crinkle cookies or mochi doughnuts?” You bring up the two recipes you managed to perfect and add your own spin to on your phone, eyes scanning the ingredient lists.

“Both. And tell me when you’re making them, so I can come over and eat them.” He gives you a wide grin, and you let out a snort at that. His smile only grows as he says happily, “I love your job.”

“You only love it because you can freeload off of me,” you jest, but nevertheless begin to start to add all the ingredients for both recipes to your shopping cart. You always film cooking videos on Tuesdays, edit on Wednesdays, keep Thursdays free for last minute touch ups and emergencies, and post one every week on Fridays with other various random videos uploaded whenever in between. With that in mind, you schedule your upcoming grocery delivery for Monday.

“Hey, you need me. I’m the best taste tester.” He puffs up his chest proudly before hastily tacking on a more genuine reason. “And because I’d starve without you. I can’t live off of instant ramen and frozen chicken nuggets forever. Gordon Ramsay already confirmed my shitty cooking skills. I need you to survive.”

“Oh my god, when I uploaded those pics of your scrambled eggs on Twitter, I lost like a hundred followers in less than a minute.” You confirm the delivery and place your phone on the coffee table, picking up the opened bag of Cheeto puffs before settling back in your seat. “My cooking credibility was completely shot. I had to explain to my fans that I didn’t make those.”

“Yeah, but now everyone calls me Eggy Boi online!” he whines, and you laugh. You have to admit, it’s quite a funny play on the whole “edgy boi” terminology. You wonder if Mark will find it amusing if he discovers his roommate is the culprit behind his new online persona (He probably won’t, and you reckon Donghyuck enjoys living in a safe space where he doesn’t have to sleep with one eye open, so you stay quiet about it. You’ll use it as leverage some other time).

“Okay, Eggy Boi, come by on Tuesday because I’ll be baking in the afternoon,” you say casually, grabbing the remote control from your best friend and pressing play.

You very narrowly avoid a green gummy bear to the face. It lands somewhere behind the couch, lost forever to the dust bunnies and other snacks that missed its target. You know for a fact that it’ll stay there until the boys decide to move to a new apartment. Mark grumbles at the miss, biting off the head of a red cherry flavored gummy bear perhaps a little harder than necessary.

“I hate you. But I’m still coming over next week because I want a doughnut.”

“No cookie?”

“... and a cookie. Maybe two.”

Wednesday comes faster than you expected, and you’re currently holed up in your apartment’s second bedroom—which you had transformed into a snazzy office space—completing the edits to your second video on mochi doughnuts. You already finished polishing the one about the cookies earlier, thank goodness. If you had to stare at your computer screen for another three hours, you would rather eat those pastries Mark tried to make two months ago, but had mistaken salt for sugar. Adding a cup of salt to any baked good is an extremely effective way to make anyone who tasted your best friend’s brownies experience a trip to the beach. Because they essentially just swallowed a mouthful of sand and ocean water. Because it’s salty as heck. Just like Mark was when you told him.

Speaking of your best friend, he’s currently puttering around in your kitchen doing god knows what. He knows better than to try another recipe and possibly blow up your number one moneymaker—your prized oven—in the process. Your heart nearly drops when your ears pick up the faint chopping sounds of a knife against your wooden cutting board. Is he going to try to temper chocolate again? He nearly burned through your entire stock of dark, milk, and white chocolate last time.

After much contemplation and deciding that you deserve a good procrastination break and a fully intact kitchen, you’re about to go out and see what he’s up to when Mark timidly appears in your doorway, clutching onto a white bowl of watermelon cubes with a fork tucked neatly in it. He shuffles in, dropping the snack on your desk before turning to walk out without a word, not wanting to disturb your work mode.

Your heart warms up at the sight, and you speak up, a small smile slipping into your face. “What’s this for?”

“Knowing you, you probably haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.” He pauses in the doorway and adds on sheepishly, “And I can't cook anything, so this is what you get.”

Your heart swells tenfold, and your smile widens even more as you spear a piece of fruit with the fork and quickly pop it into your mouth. “Thanks, Marky.”

His cheeks flush with a pretty shade of carmine, and he fails to suppress the little giddy smile that appears on his face at your nickname for him. He walks out of your office, reddened cheeks still rising up higher than ever. “Y-Yeah, of course. No problem.”

By the time you finish adding the final few touches to your edited video, the bowl of watermelon has been picked clean. You save your video and transfer both of your completed projects to your phone, making a mental note to schedule their uploads and add them to your account’s posting queue later. Shoving your phone in the pocket of your sweats after ensuring the successful transfer of your videos, you pick up the empty dish and walk out towards the kitchen, the silver fork clinking against the side of the bowl with every step.

As you wash the dish and utensil, Mark wanders over from his spot on the couch, leaning forward and casually placing his chin on your shoulder. Almost instantaneously, you feel the heat rising to your cheeks as you briefly fantasize about your best friend wrapping his arms around your waist and how domestic and sweet the two of you would look, like one of those cheesy couples the two of you always made fun of.

“What’s up?” you ask, making a conscious effort to hold your voice steady and not waver over the fact that Mark is basically draped over you. After you place the dish on the drying rack, you turn around to face your best friend, sorely miscalculating the distance as mere inches separate your face from his now.

“I—” Puberty decides to make an ugly appearance in the form of an ill timed voice crack, and he internally curses as he takes a step back, willing the incoming blush to go away. Letting out a small cough, he tries again, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

“I, um, Jisung sent me some kind of dance video. He said it’s a challenge? I kinda don’t know what to do with it? Like do I make a new dance, record myself, and send it back? Actually, isn't it easier to just do a dance battle face to face?”

“Can I see the video?” You already have a good idea on what the video will be, but you want to confirm it. Mark fumbles with his phone, pulling up the video in his text messages. He angles the phone towards you for you to see, and you grab his hand, bringing the device a little closer to you for a better look and clicking play.

“Oh, it’s a Tiktok challenge! He’s doing the Say So dance!” you exclaim, recognizing the song almost immediately as your eyes follow the fluid dance moves, completely enthralled. “So a challenge isn’t going up against someone, like a battle. It’s just some kind of trend or concept that you try to copy yourself. You’re supposed to learn the same dance and record yourself for this one. I can show you some other challenges and help you practice and record this one tomorrow if you wanna drop by after work!”

“O-Oh, okay, sounds good.” Mark stumbles over his words, attempting to focus on what you’re saying and the dance Jisung is doing, but all he can think about is the way your body is pressed against his side, hand comfortably wrapped around his. He freezes up as the tips of his ears grow redder and redder with every passing second, and his face sports a similar color. He silently prays for the telltale crimson to go away by the time the dance is over.

When the video ends, you once again realize the close proximity between you and your best friend. Your face burns at this revelation, and you awkwardly take a step back. Clearing your throat, you hastily release Mark’s hand (He inaudibly lets out the breath he’s been holding in this entire time, yet he also already misses the way your hand felt grasping his).

“Uh, anyway, I’m gonna make a latte. Do you want a drink, too?” You walk towards the other side of your kitchen with Mark trailing behind you. You take out a floral, peachy colored mug from your cupboards before pausing and looking at your best friend. “Wait, do you remember how to use a Keurig?”

“Yes!” He says, slightly exasperated as he picks out his own cup from your cabinet. He always uses the same one—a cerulean blue mug with squiggles all over it—and all of your friends and guests know not to use it because it’s unofficially officially Mark’s mug (And perhaps, you did indeed buy it from that overpriced kitschy tableware shop down the street two years ago with your best friend in mind).

“Really?” You select the latte option and press start after you had already positioned the mug beneath the spout and inserted a green tea matcha pod. He finally relents, shoulders sagging and a defeated expression on his face.

“... No.”

You chuckle, taking the mug from him and carefully putting it on the counter. You grab the espresso pod you know he likes from the drawer below and place it next to the cup. “It’s okay, I’ll teach you again.”

Mark tries. He really does. He tries very hard to concentrate on memorizing the simple process, but he keeps getting distracted. His eyes are focused on the correct button to push before they start to trail up to your fingertips. And then, they go from your hand to your arm, then up to the elegant curve of your neck, and finally, to the way your lashes frame your pretty eyes and how the tip of your tongue sticks out slightly as you concentrate until all he can focus on is you, you, you.

Suddenly, in what feels like a blink of an eye, you’re done and handing him his finished drink, complete with a perfectly whipped milk foam on top. You ask him if he knows how to make it now, and all he can do is lie and nod with a barely convincing smile.

After all, how can Mark tell his best friend that the reason he never remembers is because you’re the biggest distraction?

Mark should be here in five minutes, according to his most recent text message. And in the text message below that, your friend had sent you a challenge. More specifically, it’s the one she completed with Donghyuck a few weeks ago. When you said you wanted bold suggestions on how to figure out if your best friend feels the same way about you as you do about him, you didn’t want one this bold.

Yet, the video link to your friend’s “today I kissed my best friend” challenge along with a winky face from her is staring mockingly at you. While you aren’t one to back down from a challenge, the mere thought of kissing your best friend causes vast colonies of butterflies to erupt in your stomach and your ears to feel as if they have caught on fire. You’re already tongue tied with your head in the clouds, and he isn’t even here yet. How utterly fantastic.

However, your mother definitely did not raise a quitter, so you spring into action when you hear the faint jingling of a key being inserted into your apartment’s door (You had given Mark a copy of your key almost immediately after you had moved in). You move the pretty indoor fern given to you by Jaemin as a housewarming gift last year closer to the edge of your towering bookcase, leaning your phone against it. You quickly position the device to capture a good view of the couch area in your living room and press the record button, arranging a few of the leaves to hide as much of your phone as you possibly can without obstructing the lens.

You run full speed to your bedroom, letting out a sigh of relief when you’re safely inside and hear Mark finally unlocking the door successfully and shuffling in. When he calls out to you, you try to even out your breathing, walking out of your room with your tripod and laptop in hand.

“Hey,” you greet him in the most casual tone you can muster. You place the tripod down and sit before opening your laptop and setting it on the coffee table. “I thought we could watch a few challenges for fun before trying the Say So one. Have you watched Jisung’s videos before?”

“Um, well, no, not really,” he confesses sheepishly, taking a seat next to you on the couch, leg pressing against yours. He squints at the YouTube video you pulled up earlier before he had arrived, reading the title before clicking the space button to start it. “Savage Tiktok dance compilation part two?”

“Wait, hold up.” You pause the video and then turn to face him with an incredulous expression on your face. “You’ve never watched any of Jisung’s dance Tiktoks?”

“No… I don’t even have an account.” His cheeks are dusted with the lightest shade of pink as he quietly admits, “I watch all of yours though.”

Your eyes widen at his confession, face heating up as you stammer out, “O-Oh, well, I can help you make an account later to upload your video.”

“Sounds good.” There’s a few seconds of silence as you mull over his previous words before he speaks up again awkwardly, “Should I, uh, play the video?”

“Oh! Yes, right! Of course, hit play,” you laugh nervously, twisting and playing with the hair tie around your wrist. He starts the video again, and the two of you watch the compilation, slowly relaxing once more as you tap your fingers to the rhythm of the song and he bobs his head to the beat.

“Do I have to change outfits like that?” he questions a few minutes later, eyes growing round as he sees the girl on the screen switch between four different outfits throughout the dance. His closet basically consists of the same five black shirts that he stole from Jaehyun. Even if he did do an outfit swap, there would literally be no difference at all.

“You don’t have to,” you assure him, clicking the enter key to play the next video that’s recommended: another Tiktok dance challenge compilation. “All you have to do is copy the dance.”

Mark nods, taking a glance at the laptop screen before his hand shoots out and he pauses the video, leaning forward to take a closer look at the little recommended video title banner at the top. “Wait! What’s that one?”

He clicks on it, the new video now loading up. The two of you wait patiently for it to begin, waiting for the spinning disc to stop. But it doesn’t. In fact, the whole chrome page goes blank and then, the little pixelated Google Chrome dinosaur pops up on your monitor, announcing that you have no internet connection. Furrowing your eyebrows, you try to reload the page before trying to re-establish your laptop connection to your wifi. Unfortunately, you cannot find your appropriately named “drop it like it’s hotspot” wifi anywhere to connect to.

And that’s when it hits you. Your landlord had sent out a notice to the entire apartment complex last week about the electricity being powered down today from 4 to 6 p.m. for a maintenance check, and a quick glance at the digital clock on your laptop shows that it’s a little past four.

You groan, closing your laptop and flopping back against the couch cushions dramatically. Mark cocks his head, slightly confused, before he pokes you in the arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I completely forgot about the scheduled electricity shutdown for the entire building. We won’t have any wifi for the next two hours.” You pout, your bottom lip jutting out in the slightest, and Mark doesn’t think it’s fair that you get to be this cute and have this much of an effect on his racing heart rate.

“That’s okay, we can… play some board games?” he suggests offhandedly, pushing away the embarrassing thought and nudging your leg with his, and you smile before a sudden idea occurs to you.

“Or we can still do some Tiktok challenges! What was the challenge you clicked on?” You quickly sit upright, turning to face your best friend, eyes sparkling in excitement. “I memorized a few of the dance ones already! Was it Renegade? I can teach you that one. Jisung showed me how to do it.”

“Um,” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. His eyes dart everywhere, except you, as he lets out a feigned cough. “It wasn’t a dance one. It was about, uh, going up to your boyfriend… and um, hugging him... when he’s playing video games.”

“Oh.” You answer lamely, not knowing what to say. You unsuccessfully try to push away the image of you attempting that challenge with your best friend. “Those are really cute.”

“Really?” He says doubtfully, wrinkling his eyebrows and fiddling with the frayed sleeve of his sweater. “Wouldn’t the dude get mad?”

You don’t know what suddenly possessed you to do this (you’ll have to ask Renjun and his paranormal loving ass later), but you thank whatever demon did for that split second because you find yourself gently grabbing Mark’s arm and slipping your head underneath it. You swing one leg over his lap and settle down until you’re securely sitting in his lap, bent legs on either side of his hips, hands curled around the soft fabric of his sweater on both sides and resting on top of your thighs. His arms instinctively go around your waist, wrapping around you securely.

You tilt your head to the side slightly, studying the flustered boy in front of you with a teasing, albeit a little anxious, smile on your lips. “Are you feeling mad?”

Splotches of red litter his cheeks and decorate the tips of his ears, but your best friend furiously shakes his head at your question, bashfully ducking his head afterwards and muttering a soft “No.”

You swallow hard, heart pounding erratically in your chest as you timidly ask, “Would you be mad if I do this?”

Mark looks up at that, confusion written all over his face. His arms start to loosen around your figure, hands now resting on your waist. “If you do what?”

You take a deep breath. “This.”

You lean in and gently press your lips against his. Mark freezes in shock, and you quickly retreat soon after, gnawing at the inside of your cheek as you wait anxiously for his reaction. Your heart feels like it’s about to fall out of your chest and be buried six feet under.

A tiny noise of surprise belatedly escapes from him and crimson spreads across his cheeks like wildfire. His doe eyes are wide and sparkling, staring at you in bewilderment. Your best friend lets out a small laugh of disbelief before a full blown smile breaks out across his face. He gazes at you adoringly, breathing out softly, “I’m not mad at that.”

You perk up at that, draping your arms around his neck as you lean forward, beaming. “Really? You’re not?”

“Definitely not.”

This time, Mark meets you halfway, his lips slotting against yours perfectly and making you feel tingles up and down your spine. Your eyes are closed, and you are so hyper aware of the way his hands grip your hips, how he tugs you closer, and how his lips chase after yours. The number of butterflies from earlier multiply in your stomach, and you have ascended past cloud nine by now.

When the two of you break apart, your eyes flutter open, and you nudge your nose against his affectionately. The brightest grin blooms on his face once again, and he buries his face in the crook of your neck, muffling his little giggles and hiding the awfully vibrant cerise that rapidly blossoms on his face.

“Is this a good time to tell you congrats for completing your first challenge?” you say, resting your cheek against the crown of his head. You pull away when he lifts his head up, surprised.

“I wasn’t playing video games though,” he says slowly, processing your words and thinking back to the challenge that started this all.

“It was a different challenge. It’s the one that Hyuck did a few weeks ago,” you confess, and realization dawns on him, his face lighting up for a split second before a look of horror takes over.

“Oh, no. Is that why you had your phone recording on the bookshelf?” Mark asks, dread beginning to cloud his mind.

“Yes…” you say slowly, a little perplexed. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Oh my god, I ruined your video,” he moans, dropping his forehead onto your shoulder. “I saw your phone when I walked in and thought you were filming earlier and forgot to turn it off, so I turned it off for you.”

When the words finally register in your mind, you can’t stop the laughter from bubbling out of your throat, and he raises his head up to look at you with wide doe eyes at the pretty sound. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”

You can’t stop laughing at the situation, and he looks at you worriedly, gnawing on his bottom lip slightly. You force yourself to calm down, a soft chuckle leaving your lips before you beam at him, leaning in and placing the softest kiss on the tip of his nose. “It’s okay, Mark. I’m not mad. That video wasn’t important anyway.”

“But still,” he whines before letting out a groan and slapping his hand against his forehead when the realization sinks in even further. “I’m such an idiot.”

“But you’re my idiot now, right?” you say teasingly, albeit a little shyly as well, as you reach over to tug his hand away from his face and lace your fingers with his.

“I mean, I kinda thought I was always your idiot,” Mark laughs softly and a little embarrassedly, eyes averted and cheeks turning pinker than ever. The largest grin spreads across your face at that, and you turn away slightly to hide it. You didn’t think your best friend can possibly be any more endearing, but he manages to prove you wrong every time.

“Well, then now you can add ‘Y/N’s boyfriend’ to your resume,” you say, and he fails to suppress the pleased smile appearing on his face at your remark, his rosy cheeks rising even taller than skyscrapers.

“So, uh, what sort of job description does that have?” He gazes at your intertwined hands in wonder, still completely giddy at the reality of you being his best friend and something more.

“Sharing hoodies, giving me attention, kissing, holding my hand, going on dates, you know, the basics,” you answer, squeezing his hand tenderly, and his doe eyes instantly light up. Mark feels a little bolder than before, and it shows when he grins widely and says:

“Can we do number three again?”

“Yes, we can, Eggy Boi.”

He wrinkles his nose at the name, disgruntled and unimpressed, as he crosses his arms over his chest, sulking. You let out a laugh before leaning in and crashing your lips against his. He immediately relents at that, enthusiastically responding and hugging you closer to him, and you can’t help but smile into the kiss as you feel his own smile appear as well.

At that moment, you decide that you want to change Mark’s personal brand. Because his should be “absolutely wonderful, positively amazing, a cute kisser, your boyfriend, and your bestest friend.” And yes, that is most definitely more than the allotted three words, but again, who’s really counting?

Certainly not you when you’re too preoccupied with kissing your best friend. Correction: best friend and new boyfriend.

One new notification: donutkillmyvibe uploaded a new video!

moominjun commented:

so you’re saying the reason why we didn’t get the highly anticipated best friend challenge video is because @ marklyrawr turned the camera off?

donutkillmyvibe replied: yes 😔 I’m sorry to disappoint everyone 🤧

nanaislove replied: omg no bby it’s ok 🥺🥺💞💓💓💝💗 you didn’t have to make an apology video for that 🥺💗💓💘💖

goofys.chuckle replied: yeah it’s mark’s fault. he’s the disappointment here 🥴

morklyrawr replied: hahahahaha stfu hyuck

tytrack commented:

mark is going through puberty. I apologize

dobunny replied: @.@

goofys.chuckle commented:

are we getting whip(ped)lash pt 2 by eggy boi?

morklyrawr replied: YOU’RE THE ONE WHO STARTED THAT NAME?????

goofys.chuckle replied: uh gotta blast 🚀

showmethemonet replied: @ goofys.chuckle does this mean you’re staying over again?

goofys.chuckle replied: @ showmethemonet yes if you want your super cute, mega talented, very handsome boyfriend to still be alive 🥺

showmethemonet replied: @ goofys.chuckle oh my god I didn’t know I was dating bts jin???

moominjun replied: LMFAOOOOO

goofys.chuckle replied: heart 💔 been broke 📉 so many times ⏰ i don’t know 🤔 what to believe 💯 mama 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 said 🗣 it’s my fault 😢 it’s my fault 🤦🏻‍♂️i wear my heart ❤️ on my sleeve 💪 i think it’s best 👍🏻 I put my heart ❤️ on ice 🧊

jenojam commented:

why am I not surprised……

itsmebetch replied: just mark thingz 🍉

suhprisemf commented:

mark your head looks flat af

jungjaeprince replied: 😂😂😂

10vely replied: @ jungjaeprince be quiet don’t cry

letswonwon commented:

whoop whoop

junguwu commented:

OMG CONGRATS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP SWEETIE 😍😍

takoyaki_prince commented:

MARK!!!!! you look handsome !! 😘

jisungpwark commented:

rip to @ donutkillmyvibe ’s future videos that mark will ruin. press f in the chat to pay respects 🙏🏻

bigheadking replied: F ✊🏻😔

peachyangel replied: f 🥺🥺

yoitslucas replied: F 🤪🤪🤪 but glad you’re happy, man ❤️

donutkillmyvibe replied: F 💔

morklyrawr replied: @ donutkillmyvibe wtf babe????

officialgordonramsay commented:

didn’t i tell you to get back on tinder ?

apado_god commented:

nice 😎👍🏻

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shijas · 3 years

Note

HELLOOOOO ITAFUSHIKUGI IS SO CUTE. BYE IM SCREAMING,, omg share some of ur hcs ? 🥺

WOOOW YAY!! they defo toe the line between a full on relationship and qpr for me and i adore them!! some hcs:

these kids spend like 60% of their downtime napping!! megumi usually ends up in the middle because i live by thermodynamic sink megumi! nobara sleeps like a gremlin, in that she probably rolls around a lot and can end up kicking people (shameless projection i’m a horrible person to sleep next to), whereas yuji sleeps like the dead unless he’s super tired in which he will probably murmur under his breath. megumi thinks he has no sleeping habits but he definitely snores and/or wheezes at some part of his sleep cycle

i think its funny that they all had crushes on each other but didn’t realise it at all, like megumi and nobara both initially think i’m not gonna crush on yuji, it’s yuji for goodness sake and then nobara knocks on megumi’s door at midnight like you have to save me i have a crush on yuji and megumi is like oh my god you toooo????????? anyway this is all fine and stuff until nobara finds herself with a crush on megumi and she’s like wtf the tokyo air has ruined me and then by wild guess she realises yuji has a crush on megumi so now she’s playing double agent while she has a crush on BOTH of them and probably runs crying to maki like senpai,,,, put me out of my misery, meanwhile maki literally heard megumi and yuji dying over the fact they both called nobara cute out loud when she did something moderately evil to gojo in class. eventually they all figure it out and it’s a fun polypile

yuji does most of the cooking because he’s the most competent cook, if it’s a complaictsd enough dish that megumi helps, nobara gets stuck with dishwasher and dishes duty much to her chargin.... megumi usually helps her with that too tho so it’s never too bad! the only thing that yuji doesn’t usually cook is tea. nobara is the tea expert, saori taught nobara all the tips and tricks to the perfect cup of anything and especially after cold or rainy missions, her blends are super well appreciated. to round out the kitchen chores, megumi is in charge of the shopping list because he’ll actually take note of things that are running out before they run out and draft a list as time passes, while preparing coupons/checking for discounts,,, and because he probably had the best taste in snacks...

yuji definitely hits his hinted at growth spurt and just towers over everyone (gojo is so put out, where did his tiny cute student go ㅜㅜ) and his strength just seems to increase expontially. nobara and megumi weigh NOTHING to him, he abuses his new tall powers constantly, like he wasn’t already abusing them before. hugs already guaranteed that you’d be a few cms off the ground and now nobara literally shrieks at how high she’s lifted. megumi 100% doesn’t know how to behave around him too like one day he was using those 2cms to his advantage and tilting yuji’s head up slightly and now he’s literally walking into yuji’s chest in the mornings it’s surreal. yuji 1000% relishes in the beneath the lashes looks the other two send him but he goes horribly pink so it’s a double edged sword

yuji takes them to visit his grandfathers grave eventually but like there’s 1000% no angst, idk if any of yall have read csm but think of it like denji and power with aki just a bit more respectful. nobara is absolutely loosing it about going out to the countryside again even tho sendai is a pretty sizeable city; megumi feels kinda bad about the whole circumstances surrounding grandpa itadori’s death and so tries his best to be comforting and supportive only to bicker with nobara insistently by accident. yuji doesn’t mind tho, he didn’t want it to be a sombre event or anything and is pretty upbeat about, he probably makes a joke about how his grandpa didn’t expect him to gain bout a girlfriend AND boyfriend and how he was living double the high school experience. nobara and megumi probbaly promise to take care of yuji when in reality 80% time yuji is taking care of them and because they’re absurdly terrible at it

nobara and yuji definitely bond over self care stuff like face masks, nails, expensive bath stuff. megumi is rather impartial to it until they show him the wonders of self care tm. honestly he still wouldn’t go out of his way to do all the stuff they do without them but he can definitely appreciate how good nobara and yuji look in those animal print sheetmasks or the smell of yuji’s grapefruit conditioner and nobara’s rose water toner or whatever idk i’m bad at self care tooo sjsjsjjdjr

escape bunny shenanigans,,,,, megumi tries so hard to make the distinction that his shinigami are not pets and nobara and yuji do not listen they’ll be like megumi,,, bunny,,, and suddenly the room is full of bunnies who are just waiting for good pets and grapes or whatever fruit they’ve bought in surplus to feed the bunnies. the remaining divine dog definitely lives on the end of whoever’s bed they’re sleeping in that week, if gojo asks they’ll be like megumi is training his stamina and how much time he can keep his shingami around when in reality nobara has bought dog costumes and toys and yuji has like 9 different gourmet dog food recipes open on his phone

i think living together, even before swinging their relationships, comes with a certain number of boundaries they just kinda fall away and so eating off each other’s plates, drinking from the same bottle etc etc comes about pretty fast like megumi doesn’t like peppers cool nobara and yuji will happily eat them off his plate; oh there’s only one ramune left cool let’s split the bottle three ways you know what i’m saying? nobara is probably the first one to hit the clothing and skinship boundaries because she gives zero fucks like she’s walking around in her towel cuz she left her sheet mask in the fridge to get chilly and soothing and whatever and yuji sees her while doing dinner prep and she’s like what you never see a titty before? and he laughs so hard they just kinda forget about it. it’s super hot in summer and megumi is literally dying in just his shorts by the open door and nobara sees his stomach and is like is this a weather appropriate place to lay? and proceeds to belly flop ontology of him anyway. yuji and megumi deinftely have one of those hey, stop screaming it’s me moments in the shower. the boundaries blur and disappear and anything that needs to en addressed is and that’s that...

clearly... i have gotten carried away but yeah,,, them 🥰

#itafushikugi #or as i like to call it #nobara + silly boys #my hcs #the brainrot expands sigshdhjd #a lot of these again i’ve already mentioned or hinted at in my works where they’re all just friends cuz their relationship just strikes me #as like that you know? the seemless transition between strangers and friends and lovers #happy healthy teens falling in love #ofc you can read these totally platonic like most of my stuff actually since i am unable to fully commit to romance... it’s my poteintal aro #god this is so long i wrote four took a shower and ended up with four more #i just think they’re neat #this gucci!!

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beebrainedstudios · 3 years

Text

Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Here’s a little hint of the Swapped AU! Specifically a rewrite of ADSOM’s opening chapter from a slightly-different-Kell’s perspective. No particular warnings here besides the briefest mentions of blood. If you have any thoughts, please share them- I’m curious- and if you’re a little confused about the AU, check out the tag adsom swapped au below. Enjoy!

Kell wore a very peculiar coat. It had many sides and many secrets and a personality all its own. Sometimes it ate what was slid into its pockets. Sometimes it spat out something new.

Presently, it was covered in blood.

Kell sighed and stopped walking, causing a few of the bolder passerby to nearly walk right into him; he didn’t spare the grumbling commoners a glance, far more preoccupied with the crimson dotting his coat’s hem, a mass of patches ranging from the size of a single coin to as large as his palm staining the thick white fabric. The blood was fresh, still dark, wet, and rich, its scent thick in the air. It coated the edge of his train until the entire thing was damp with it, even leaving its mark along the top of his boots from where they had met it as he walked. Most of the spots were smudged (smeared by both his passage into Red and the brush of his heels) but a few had managed to keep a solid border, the extra liquid seeping instead into the seams that ran along the coat’s edge. It had even made its way to the lining, darkening the grey fabric until it was the color of a night on fire.

He huffed, his mood souring as he started to shrug the coat from his shoulders. What a waste. He’d liked this one- it made him look bigger and was long enough to swish around his ankles, covering every inch of the bony mess he’d become and blowing dramatically as he walked. Now it was ruined. Kell supposed he had no one to blame but himself; he should have known Astrid would make him clean up the square after Lila’s escapade that morning. He’d been caught off guard by the command- getting ready to travel, packing his knives and gloves- and had already switched the coat around, leaving him trapped in it after the bond had sent him scrambling to finish the task.

Note to self, swap coats after the transfer next time.

The warm, breezy air of Red London sparked along his skin; it was far warmer than the blistering air of White, but it wasn’t enough, and he shivered as what little heat he’d managed to trap with his coat fled into the atmosphere. Arnes was in full summer, he was in half-sleeves, and still he felt like he’d stepped bare-chested into the Sijlt. He expected a little chill as a matter of course- an Antari’s magic was their source of warmth, an inner fire, and his had been doused with a bucket of ice water- but this was ridiculous. His magical coat was the only thing that kept his teeth from chattering; now he’d been forced to take it off, and even the few seconds exposed it took to change was enough to plunge him back into shivers.

After a minute of swapping his items from pocket to pocket, Kell set off once again for the palace, a new, dusky-red coat slowly warming his shoulders and replacing the lost heat. He kept a brisk pace, knocking people aside in his haste, eager to get away from the crowds and their peering eyes. Even a world away from home he kept his guard up, the distraction cooling his annoyance back into simmering discontent; he wasn’t allowed to waste time and he didn’t need to scuffle over stolen tokens, though the idea of a fight briefly warmed his smoldering magic. It had been too long since he’d unleashed his strength, even just a little. Perhaps he should goad Lila into a fight when he arrived back in White (not that she needed much goading). He’d regret it, but it would at least pass the time until nightfall and perhaps sate her long enough for him to catch a little sleep.

Focus.

Kell shook himself out of his thoughts, unsure if it was Astrid’s voice or his own in his ears, and looked up just in time to see a pair of royal guards spot him among the crowd. He was nearing the palace bridge, the red light of the river Isle beneath it visible even in the afternoon sun, and as the streets had approached it they had held more and more soldiers. The sight of the guards’ faces blanching white beneath their helmets lifted Kell’s spirits slightly; he liked it when the guards saw him, trying not to cower as they ran to alert the king. He gave this particular pair a cheeky wave and one of his special smiles, feeling it slip onto his lips the moment a palace-goer's eyes landed on him. Astrid’s hold tightened on his heart then, a flash of pressure, and vindictive as he was feeling he didn’t mind it. Just this once.

Smile, Kell. Let them see your teeth.

He ran his tongue along his sharpened teeth as he watched them go, their cloaks little more than white flags, savoring the fear on their faces. Then, he turned away from the street and set a new course for a nearby alleyway, already prepped for his arrival with the marks that would carve him a door into the palace. Walking through the streets of London was only necessary insofar as to get the guards’ attention; he never used the front door to the palace, preferring to slip in undetected as the guards informed the royals of the looming correspondence. A surprise visit forced Maxim to be honest, catching him off guard in the middle of some other task and letting Kell and his world slip unwanted into the forefront of his mind. Astrid approved.

With the flash of a knife and a tiny flicker of pain, the world of Red London bent around him until he was pulled through the alley wall and into the palace. He’d landed in the royal gardens, beside a mossy stone wall and a massive apple tree, its boughs still laden with fruit despite the dozen full baskets that had been laid out beneath it. Kell squinted at a particularly shiny specimen on a lower branch, observing it for a moment before reaching up and tearing it away from the tree. The air was thick with the scent of summer fruit, so full of it that Kell could practically taste the sweetness- the apple in his hand was no exception. He admired its dappled surface, wondering what spell had been cast to grow it- apples weren’t in season for another month or two- and what would happen if he actually ate it. On one hand, neither his queen nor his empress had expressly forbidden him to eat today, a slip of the mind no doubt, but they would still probably take the chance to discipline him. On the other, traveling was exhausting, it was right here, and he’d already torn it off of the tree.

Kell looked around, shrugged, and took a bite, mentally organizing his excuses as he ate. Well, they were sitting there unguarded and I thought it would aggravate the queen. She’s so manners-driven, she’d take it as an affront… Another bite, so sweet he nearly choked. Besides, I brought some back for you both… He bent down to retrieve two more apples from the baskets, searching for the best ones before sliding them into his coat pockets, which held them well despite their size. And you might be able to taste it in dinner’s blood, so it’s beneficial for everyone...

Astrid and Lila would still tear him to pieces for eating without permission, but that wasn’t any different from his usual living, and if four years of servitude had taught him anything it was when to pick his battles. Sometimes you had to let things go. Other times, you accepted the blows and picked the fight anyway because you would never get to eat or bare your teeth otherwise. Speaking of which-

“Master Kell!”

Kell caught the scent of a guard- they always stank of metal, though here he could also catch the faint chill of an air magician- and with a sigh he finished his treat and set the core aflame. The acrid burning sugar filled the air, smothering the copper tone of the guard’s magic, but Kell could already guess where his voice had come from. He turned towards a small arch carved in the wall, letting the ashes of the stolen fruit fall from his hand. A royal guard stood red-faced in the doorway, obviously winded from what Kell assumed was the hunt to find him. The man’s eyes trailed the burnt dust until it hit the ground, but he wisely decided to ignore it, instead nodding his head the way he had come. Kell didn’t miss the way he kept his gaze carefully averted; he distantly appreciated the guard’s concern, even if it wasn’t for his benefit, but it wasn’t much use for either of them. Kell’s cheeks had twisted up anyway.

Kell didn’t bother letting him speak. “Lovely weather, isn’t it?” He said, pushing past the guard and into the rest of the gardens. He sniffed the air and started to walk, trailing the tangled scents of magic, searching for heat, for gold, for lilies and perfume. The guard huffed and trotted after him, unwilling either to stop him or to leave him alone. “Let’s see, it took ten minutes this time for one of you,” Kell mused, speaking idly to his companion. The guard behind him flushed- they were usually much quicker about finding him, but in their defense he’d been quieter about his entrance so he could eat without discovery. “And I was seen almost what, half an hour ago? The royal family must be close. Taking tea by the pond?” Queen Emira was predictable- she always took her tea where she could relax and watch the fish while Maxim and Rhy bickered.

“I will show you to them-”

“No need,” Kell cut him off with a laugh, watching with delight as the panting guard went even redder. He’d already caught the scent, confirming his suspicions about the royals’ whereabouts. “I’m very good at finding my way.” He stopped suddenly, letting his follower stumble past him, before he pointed in the direction of another arch, several voices heard spilling through it. Their destination. A booming laugh cracked through the air, echoing off of the path and walls. Kell’s smile widened, more snarl then grin, but he kept his tone light. “Tell you what, why don’t you go ahead and tell your king I’m here since he obviously hasn’t heard yet, and we can both pretend that you found me when I first came. Deal?” The guard didn’t move, and Kell could practically see his mind turning, weighing the choice between showing incompetence and leaving a foreign magician unguarded. Kell’s eyes narrowed, and his smile twisted further into an angry grimace. The man went white at the sight, his eyes darting along Kell’s teeth, no doubt surprised by the four sharpened fangs and the twisting scars beside them.

Kell nodded towards the arch, this time unable to hide his impatience. “Go. Shoo. Now.” The guard jumped at the growl and with no more contemplation sprinted for the archway. As soon as he was alone, Kell sighed and rubbed the rigor mortis out of his cheeks, drifting over to one of the numerous statues filling the square, a jagged image of a roaring lion, an armed soldier mounted on its back. The blood on his arm was still fresh, and it took him no time at all to paint a new mark along the soldier’s shield. The palace staff would probably find it- there was no time to find a better hiding place- but he still had plenty of entrances stashed around, and this one would serve fine as a decoy. He then pulled his sleeve back down and returned his knife to his sheath, wondering what mood he’d find the king in today. Perhaps if he was lucky he’d manage to avoid the princes; Rhy was little more than a minor annoyance, all too-bright sunshine and confidence, but the other…

Play nice, Kell. My brother will be your king one day.

“Master Kell, the king will see you now.”

Another smile spread like frost across his face, tight as cord and just as binding. Kell looked towards the attendant who’d summoned him, wondering if Astrid’s smiles ever met his eyes. As he walked through the arch and into the next garden, he could guess probably not; the king, the royals, and the staff all looked politely uncomfortable, as if a wolf had asked them out to tea. Good. He didn’t want to get too chummy.

“Hello, your majesties.” He said, too loudly and with too much charm. “Did I hear it was somebody’s birthday?”

#if you thought kell was snippy before #swapped kell is worse #though to be fair #dealing with astrid and lila together can be a little stressful #adsom #adsom fic #a darker shade of magic #kell maresh #lila bard #rhy maresh #astrid dane #athos dane #the dane twins #bee writes #adsom swapped au #adsom fanfic #a faded shade of magic

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candideangel · 4 years

Text

Outside Witnesses

Chrono, a worker in timepieces and spellwork, and Artemis watch as their superiors start from embarrassing moments to all out prank wars.

featuring moments from @meepsthemiqo‘s @emetspersephone‘s & @themadchemist‘s pieces which gave me a constant joy. Sorry if they were brief mentions or if something seemed off!

The small office was quiet, one of the window panels open and wafting in a breeze that brushed strands of red hair into a young man’s face as his green eyes with a hue of blue mixed in was silently sitting at a work desk, his tools lightly clicking and clinking against metals of the project in front of him. It was supposedly a simple project, something he was making for himself, but Chrono knew that it was for someone else completely. As his hand picked up a small set of clamps he used them to pick up a delicate piece of inner clockwork to set into its new discus shaped home.

Then came the knock on his door, making the master of time as he often been teased with looked up, reaching over to lightly push away a magnifying circular glass aside. “Enter.” his voice called calmly, and at first while he kept a straight face, absently reaching over for the white mask that was across on his desk, not sure if it was a mere guest looking for his opinion or someone he trusted. However, it was relief that washed over his features as a young woman opened the door with a soft creek of hinges, his heart doing a little jump, usually hooded features were free, a very pale gold head that could have been mistaken for white or even silver, of hair wound up in in intricate bun with a few added braids with a few feathers dangling off the ties, and piercing bright blue eyes glittered like gemstones when her gaze met Chrono’s.

“Artemis, what...what brings you in here?” the young man asked, cursing himself for the slight issue with his string of words he couldn’t quite seem to form.

“Oh, I figured you would like something to drink.” Artemis replied as Chrono’s eyes finally noticed the tray she had laden in her cloaked arm. It was a simple silver tray, but with a curious white pot that seemed to shine, painted with long branches with pink flowers with a matching set of cups nested on their saucers. A steam rose from the spout of the pot in an unrecognizable aroma, but it put his tense muscles relax a little even as the door shut. Walking over with a soft click of heels she would set the tray down on the side of his desk.

“It’s a rather cute pot if I must say.” Chrono muttered, being mindful and rolling up the set of tools to make sure he didn’t knock anything over while Artemis held the pot and would carefully pour a steaming stream of a clear yet bright red liquid would start filling the delicate white workings.

“Ah, thank you. It was...a design I’ve been fiddling around with. I hope it’ll keep the tea hot for a while longer.” She replied, pale cheeks dusting with a shade of pink that matched the flowers painted on the pot.

“Well, you certainly have always had an eye for aesthetics and color.” Chrono couldn’t help but tease, being someone who worked in the offices, they didn’t work in the seats, but they often helped with designs and prototypes. When Artemis offered him the cup of tea he would take hold and took a small sip, letting the flavor put him at ease; floral, slightly sweet, a hint of fruit dancing on his tongue until the after taste was slightly tart. “Mm, delicious…” he breathed relaxing in the chair with a soft creak of the wood under him.

“Heh, rosehip tea does wonders.” Artemis chuckled and poured herself a cup that was still on the tray before the pot was set down, she would go to a small metal can and went to the various flora that had been potted around Chrono’s office. It never used to be filled with greenery, just shelves and a mess of books and ruined prototypes...at least not until Artemis arrived into his life. One who could have looked so naive as an assistant, turned out to become a great friend and confidant...he often found himself happier, able to focus a little better without the clutter, but most importantly always felt his heart leap into his throat at her presence every time.

Chrono glanced over his shoulder a little and in the faint light of the sun that was streaming through it practically haloed the woman in his office while she watered the flowering plant in his window, the aroma coming in on the breeze. Even as he set the cup down into the saucer with a soft clink so he could go back to work, it all felt peaceful.

At least it HAD been peaceful, the foyer doors banged open as if by a nasty wind, reverberating into Chrono’s office, making the delicate work he had been working on break, and the tea in the cups ripple. “Earthquake?” Artemis muttered as she set the water can down into a stand made of thick wired material to walk to the door, Chrono in the meantime staring down at some of the parts that had broken free from his project...making it clear he would have to start over again with the inner workings. Just as Artemis reached the door however, they both froze, a set of heels clacking against the floor with utmost determination even though one of the other workers were obviously trying to get whoever it was to stop because of a meeting.

Slowly Artemis opened the door to peer outside curiously in time to see a sweeping motion of dark hair, a few pink flowers poking out, and eyes set most determined, and as she looked out more watched as she marched with purpose towards the meeting chamber for the Fourteen.

“It...seems that Lady Fae is on the warpath.” She spoke softly once the door clicked shut quietly.

“Oh...dear…” Chrono muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose and suddenly he startled when there was another equally loud bang that echoed again further down the hall.

“HAAAADEEEES!!!!” Fae’s voice echoed before there was a third and final bang as the doors slammed shut and silence fell hard and heavy between Chrono and Artemis. They stared at each other for a long moment, but it only took one of them to softly start chuckling, then they fell into soft gales of laughter, faintly hearing the voices carry their way. Little did they know it was only just the beginning.

---

Then the “prank war” began. Artemis had been carrying a stack of papers with Chrono’s help, though were brought to pause when they watched the pink haired Persephone walked by carrying a rather curious green colored creature in her arms and humming a delightful tune to Lady Fae’s office. When they had dropped off the work to where they needed to be, finishing off from Hades’ office Fae had just been...oddly coming from Lahabrea’s office, speaking to Elidibus.

“What do you think that was about?” Artemis asked curiously while glancing back over her shoulder at the pair. It was a little strange that Fae was acting rather dodgy around her bonded’s questions.

“Not sure.” Chrono muttered as his fingers were dancing a gemstone between them, a spark of golden dust pouring from it. “Lady Fae hasn’t always been in Lahabrea’s good graces, but perhaps she was just simply seeking him out.” Though the first part had always contained proof as the Speaker’s voice shouted from down the hall and almost as fast as she had come, Fae had disappeared into the shadows without warning. Leaving the two rather confused.

Artemis though as they went back to Chrono’s office, couldn’t help a wry smile. “I bet for a day off that Lady Fae has some kind of ulterior motive. It did seem rather odd that Miss Persephone had come in carrying a small creature and suddenly Lady Fae is coming out of Lahabrea’s office.” It was obviously broken logic, at best to be a jest as they leaned against the door just under the frame.

“Oh, what would you do if you won the bet?” Chrono was grinning a little bit and would lean against the door a bit, Artemis gave him a smile that made his heart practically rattle like a bird trying to break free from its cage.

“For a day off? I think...if I’d gotten the day off, it would be walking through that tree park. Maybe with some company…” her voice trailed off and her breath caught a little in her throat as Chrono, practically hypnotized by her words, her voice, his feelings were overrunning. But he stopped and they both jumped when there was a very loud, and very agonized scream come from down the corridor and they both looked over, but Chrono did the smart thing and pushed them both into his office just as Lahabrea was storming by, covered in NEEDLES and his robes looking rather holed, spitting venom as he looked for Lady Fae.

“P-Probably best we stay here for a bit.” Chrono muttered once he shut the door, Lahabrea had shot them a look that could whither all the blooms in his office. “At least until the storm dies down.” But his lips trembled a little bit and he couldn’t help a slightly nervous chuckle that escaped his lips as he slumped to the ground, knees weak as even Artemis was on her knees by his desk. “Looks like you won…” he breathed and gave the light haired woman a lopsided grin, “When do you want to go?”

---

The next few days that came were at relative peace, Elidibus and Fae were gone for a little while, but when the two had come back, it had been both Fae and Persephone who had become the targets for the next bout of revenge pranks. Artemis and Chrono had made playful banter that perhaps it would be one of them, this time placing a few coin bets for who would be next in line for either a tongue lashing or a prank in return. Chrono had been the one to place on Fae and Persephone perhaps both, at the time, just due to the logic after the curious Cactus creature had been talked about through the hall and had the earmarks of Miss Persephone’s design work.

While it had been a harmless one, the two women breaking out in rashes, sneezing like they had colds, and watery eyes. It was obvious they were having some kind of allergic reaction to something, but in their wake had been a very, very strong scent of roses. It was very possible that the harmless prank had come from Miss Anais, the alchemist and even a medic of the city. It...did make some logical form of sense.

Artemis sighed as she would hand over a bag of coin to Chrono, who pocketed into the sleeve of his robes and gave her another wry smile, his hand reaching over to gently tug her by the waist to pull her close.

“So, who do you think will be next?” he asked curiously, they had started to find this as some type of entertainment and a way for them to bond. And in a way bonding they did! Even if everything was trying to be subtle gestures.

Artemis still looked as if she were pouting from the loss of her money, but let Chrono lightly pull her to his side. “...I think Miss Anais will be up next possibly. I know Miss Persephone and Lady Fae won’t take this little though harmless prank lying down. Or maybe there will be some bonded prank wars with Hades and Persephone.” she chuckled in a hushed voice as they walked down the streets as Chrono who was often a reserved person before was offering to purchase Artemis dinner, waiting for their next little revenge show.

#enjoy the half-baked work of Chrono and Artemis #or the unsundered G'raha Tia and Angelique #they are just as nerds in this life as they are in the present #prank war series!#outsiders perspective #ffxiv writings #just for funsies #to get me out of the inspiration funk I've been having

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clearwillow · 4 years

Text

White Day

A/N: Tohru Honda’s sweet personality from Fruits Basket is the way to describe Rin’s kind personality within this one shot. I hope you all enjoy this short story.

White Day By: @kimmigirl9

Valentine’s Day came and went in a blink of an eye. Now today was March 14th, also known as White Day. A day where men return the favor by gifting the girl a sweet treat in return. I wasn’t a man of sweets but I thought about making a sweet treat from scratch. But I forgot I’m not that handy in the kitchen. I would end up burning the treats instead. I just decided to go out and just buy a sweet treat instead. “Maybe chocolate covered strawberries?” Finding a gift for Rin wouldn’t be too hard. She wasn’t picky when it came to gifts. I could pick a single flower just from a branch of a tree and she would appreciate it very much.

Walking through the city I looked through the windows of shops near my townhome. Nothing called to me. Though the sweet gifts were white, they weren’t the exact white I was looking for. Instead of a sweet treat I decided to look at jewelry. I’ve never gifted Rin jewelry before, but I know she would love whatever I presented her. After I walked a few blocks I found the jewelry shop. Looking through the glass window the perfect shade of white caught my eye. The necklace was the perfect white. The silver chained held a plum blossom flower. “Rin’s scent.” The flower necklace was in fact what Rin’s scent was. I knew I had to buy this before anyone else did.

I walked inside and was greeted by the manager I believe. “Good morning to you sir. My name is Jakotsu, how may I be of assistance to you on this fine day?” His voice had a bit of a girly tone to it. He was dressed in a woman’s festival kimono and his hair was pulled back with a hairpin.

I pointed over my shoulder, “the plum blossom necklace in the window. I would like to purchase the piece.”

“Ah, such a fine piece I have to agree.” He went over and picked the necklace from the bust it rested on. “Would you like it gift wrapped?” He asked cheerfully.

“Yes, it’s a white day gift,” I said quickly.

The dude’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “You must have a special girl in your life.” I only nodded to him. He placed the necklace in its proper box and then wrapped it up in shiny white paper and gold ribbon. “Is there anything else I could be of service to you or will this be it?”

“Just the necklace, how much?” I asked as I pulled out my wallet from my back pocket.

He rang me up, “that will be ¥11,000 yen sir,” he said with a smirk. I handed him my gold card to pay for Rin’s gift. “Thank you sir. You have a marvelous day. I do hope the special girl of yours enjoys your gift.” I only nodded my head and left without another word to him.

I looked at the time on my phone and it was almost noon. “I’m supposed to meet Rin at the white day festival at the park.” Turning into a ball of white light I shot towards Ueno Park. She wanted to have a picnic to celebrate today. I wasn’t the one for picnics but I didn’t want to let her down and went along with it.

Arriving at the park the festival was in full swing. Couples young and old were scattered around enjoying the festivities with one another. Vendors lined up and down the walkway selling anything from marshmallow treats, to white chocolates, and jewelry. It’s a good thing I found Rin’s gift in town. I hope she likes it when I present it to her later.

The wind blew around me and I could pick up Rin’s sweet scent not too far off from where I was. “So she’s near the lake?” I veered around the couples and walked down the paved path for a few minutes. Looking to my right, there she was. Rin was dressed elegantly in a long white kimono dress. I never seen her look this beautiful before. She is usually dressed like a tomboy since she plays different sports. Seeing her dressed this magnificent I realized she has an amazing frame. The white fabric wrapped around her body like art. I never knew she had such a delicate figure. Her hair was pulled back and wrapped up tight with a hairpin keeping it in place. While I’m dressed in a quarter sleeve white button up shirt and denim blue jeans. My long silver hair was pulled back in a braided ponytail. I look more like a university student studying to be a lawyer with the black glasses I’m wearing.

I walked over to her as she had her back to me, “Rin?” I called to her softly.

My voice I guess startled her as she jumped a few feet. When she turned around her eyes lit up. “Sesshomaru, you startled me. How are you?” She asked softly and bowed before me. Lifting her head she gestured a hand to sit down on the blanket she had set up.

“The same as always. I may as well ask you the same.” I took a seat across from her as she sat on her knees.

“I am well, thank you for asking,” she smiled brightly. “Are you hungry? I made some fish cutlets and a few other delicious foods?” She pulled out a plate of fried fish, a bowl of mixed fruits, and a plate of raw vegetables. I have to say Rin has a green thumb when it comes to cooking. I nodded to her question and picked up a piece of fish. Bringing the cutlet to my mouth I could smell it was cod. She knows my favorite fish all too well. I took a medium sized bite and chewed it quickly. “Is it to yourself liking?” She asked happily.

“It’s good. It’s very fresh and the cod has a juicy taste,” I let her know. Her chocolate eyes lit up with enjoyment. “Are you going to eat?” She hasn’t picked up any piece of food yet.

“Oh! Yes, I just wanted to ask if you liked my cooking. You know I’m going to get my culinary degree and I need someone’s feedback.” She picked up a small piece of cutlet and took a small bite. “It’s so good. This definitely will be one of the foods I’ll make for my entrance exam.” I know she’ll do well. “After our lunch is there anything you would like to do or go see?” Her smile is what attracted me to her. Though we haven’t hadn’t our first kiss yet and we are technically dating, I just wasn’t ready.

“We can walk around the perimeter of the lake or the festival,” I let her know. Her eyes keep lighting up.

“That would be wonderful and I really appreciate that very much,” she said as she took another bite of the meal she made. Her lips were calling to me. I know I won’t be able to resist them much longer. She picked up a bowl of fruit which had mango, strawberries, and cherries in it. “Here have some fruit and also some veggies.” She picked up the plate of carrots and broccoli. I grabbed a small plate and put a few pieces of each food she held in front of me.

“Do you happen to have anything to drink?”

“Oh how rude of me.” She placed the food down and pulled two water bottles out. “I’m so sorry Sesshomaru. I was so excited for you to try my food that I forgot that I brought water for us.”

“It’s quite alright,” I let her know. She can be a bit of a ditz, but that’s what I like about her personality. “When do you take your exam for culinary school?”

“At the end of the month. I’m a bit nervous though. The school I’m trying to get into, well they expect high results. So since I’m planning the cod cutlets I want to create a sauce to put as a drizzle on top. So far ones I’ve made in the past don’t taste great with it,” she said softly.

“Why not try salsa? Possibly mango?” I hope these ideas brighten her day.

“Mango salsa?” She thought. “Oh wow that actually could work. Thank you Sesshomaru,” she bowed to me with gratitude. “When I make it, will you be my first tester?”

“Are you trying to make me your guinea pig?” I asked, giving her an awkward smile.

“Haha, maybe. Besides no one else, even my other friends wouldn’t try my food. So you were the only one I knew would.”

I couldn’t turn her down for that. “I’ll be your guinea pig.”

“Yay! Thank you. I promise this will be a meal you’ll love the most.”

0/0/0/0

Later after we cleaned up our lunch, we went and looked around the festival. The vendors tried to persuade us into buying their products. The items weren’t equally as special as the gift I’ll present Rin later. The perfumes burnt my nose that I had to pull us away from them. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get away from the perfume vendors Sesshomaru. The aroma is too strong for me,” she said softly. “I prefer aromas that are light with a hint of citrus.” I smiled very quickly at her words.

As we veered around everyone dark clouds started to cover the sky. “Looks like it’s going to get bad here soon. Come Rin, let’s get under a pavilion.” I took her hand without asking and I booked us under the closest one near us. I guess others had the same thought. “We’ll wait here till the storm passes.” The rain came down in sheets. Lots of people were getting soaked. It’s a good thing I got us under here fast because we both would have been soaked like everyone else. Plus with Rin’s white kimono, she would be totally exposed and I couldn’t let that happen.

“Okay, let’s take a seat,” she pointed towards the dirty tables. I can’t let Rin get her white kimono dirty. So instead I took a seat and pulled her over my lap. “Umm, Sesshomaru?” She had a look of confusion in her eyes.

“You’ll get your kimono dirty if you sit on the bench. We’ll move here soon.” I can tell the storm won’t last long. Maybe ten minutes at most.

“Okay. Is there anything you want to do later? I know they’re having a fireworks show tonight.” I looked at my phone again and it was almost two-thirty.

“It’s still quite a while till the show starts. We can go get a cup of tea after the storm passes.”

“Tea sounds lovely. Do you want to go to one of the cafes in town or here at the park?”

“In town.” I don’t care for vendors’ tea. They aren’t worth the money. Rin suddenly moved and rested her head against my shoulder. “Are you cold Rin?” I thought I felt a slight shiver from her.

“A little, but I’ll be okay. I enjoy the cool breeze. I’m sorry, I should have asked if it was okay to lay my head against you,” she said as she tried to sit up. I pulled her back against me and released my mokomoko. This would be the first time she would see my tail. I wrapped it around her, not daring to let her go. “Umm…is this alright?”

“It’s quite alright. My tail will keep you warm.”

Her delicate hand slithered through my fur which actually felt comforting. “Your tail is so fluffy and cozy Sesshomaru. Why have you never shown me your true side before?”

“I just never thought about it. Is it something you wish to see?” I’ve kind of debated several times to show her my true form. But fear struck me thinking she would run off.

“Yes, but only if you are comfortable with showing me,” her voice was very smooth when she said those words. “If not today, maybe sometime in the future?”

“We’ll see, for now let’s go and get some tea.” The rain finally came to an end and the clouds started to disperse. Retrieving my mokomoko we both got to our feet and walked out towards the city.

The cafe was right across the street from the park. Inside I ordered us simple jasmine tea. “It seems that all the seats are taken, Sesshomaru. Why don’t we just go for a walk? I know there’s a path in the park that goes a bit into the woods. I heard rumors of a meadow that’s very beautiful and filled with lots of flowers.”

I knew of the meadow she spoke of. “Sure,” without asking I took her hand and we left the cafe and headed for the path. It took us a bit to get through the crowds of people since it was getting a lot busier than it was earlier. But after a few minutes we finally made it under the arbor of trees within the woods.

“I love the smell of the forest after a rainstorm. What about you, Sesshomaru?” She asked as she took a sip of her hot tea.

“Only during the night when the moon is out,” I explained to her.

“I have to agree with you on that Sesshomaru. The way the moon shines on the glistening raindrops has a calming effect,” I didn’t respond. “I love to listen to music during and after the rain,” She said joyfully.

“What music would that be?” I’m kind of curious because I don’t know what she listens to.

“I’m the weird type when it comes to music. But…I love to listen to Frédéric Chopin’s ‘Raindrop’. There’s something about his pieces I love to fall asleep to.” So she’s into piano music?

“It doesn’t make you weird. I too listen to different composers of the piano. The music stimulates the brain in a good way. It helps me focus on studying.”

I guess my response enlightened her. “That’s amazing Sesshomaru. It makes me happy knowing someone else enjoys the same type of music as me.”

I wonder if she’ll let me play some Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata? I’ll ask her at a later date. We both remained quiet for quite some time. We both finished our teas and threw them away in a proper trash can tear the meadow. I could tell we were the only ones that would be there. It was quiet and calm. The only sound of people were back at the park. Since no one else was here, I was now debating to show Rin my true form. “Rin?” I said her name so softly.

“Yes Sesshomaru?” We were now in the middle of meadow. The sun was slowly setting behind the trees with just enough light for her to see my form.

“Would you like to see my form?” I asked quickly.

I looked to see not only her expression, but her response. “I would love to see your true form Sesshomaru. Do I need to stand back? Is right here fine?”

“Right here is fine. Just allow me to step back a few feet. But promise me one thing,” I said as I held up a finger.

Her eyes became like saucers, “what’s that?” She asked quickly.

“Please do not run off under any circumstances. My form will be ten times the size of the normal size dog.”

“I promise. I bet your form will be amazing. Just promise not to chase me, haha,” she said jokingly.

I only nodded and stepped back several feet. Clearing my mind, a white cool wind blew around me and I allowed my eyes to turn red. The markings along my face changed shape and soon my body changed from my human form to my true form. I went from a five and ten inches man to almost thirty-five feet tall.

I never took my eyes off of Rin. I could tell she was holding her breath and she must be a bit nervous. I lowered myself in front of her. But it would be nice if I could talk but it’s one thing I lack in my true form. “Sess…Sesshomaru?” I nodded my head to reassure that it was me. “Wow!” She carefully lifted her hand to the side of my muzzle. “So soft,” she whispered softly. “Is there anything else you can do in this form?”

“I wonder if she’ll allow me to take her on a flight?” I turned my body to the side. Hopefully she’ll understand why I did this.

“Do you want me to get on your back?” I could tell she was a bit hesitant. I nodded my head to her again. “Okay, I’m guessing I’m going to need to hold on tight?” She asked as she climbed up on my back. I could feel she was side saddling.

I nodded my head again and bounded into the air. I could feel her body heat against my back and her head hiding within my neck. I guess I should have explained myself better of what she was about to face. I stopped midway into the air and lightly purred that it was okay to look up.

It took her a few minutes before I felt Rin lift herself up. I heard her lightly gasp, “oh wow. The view is magnificent Sesshomaru.” I brought her high into the sky as she viewed the city we live in from a different perspective. “Sesshomaru why didn’t you tell me you could fly? You’re amazing and very well gifted with such power.” She laid down again and started rubbing the fur along my neck. “I wished you would’ve shown me much sooner. I want to get to know you more, Sesshomaru, each and every day we’re together.”

With those words I transferred back to my human form, grabbed her before she could fall, and pulled her around so I could hold her waist. “You’ll learn in due time. Before you can ask your next question as I can see in your eyes, yes I can fly in my human form.”

Her bright smile turned to laughter, “you can read me like an open book Sesshomaru. Oh!” Her hand went to her head and I could see the tight bun it was in earlier was now a mess. She pulled the hairpin out and allowed her raven hair to fall down past her waist. “Much better. That hairpin has been bothering me all day,” she laughably said.

“Hmm, ready to go back to the festival?” I asked her.

She smiled brightly, “yes.”

0/0/0/0

Nighttime came and the festival was in full swing. The same couples young and old gathered all around the park. The fireworks show would be starting soon and everyone was trying to get the best spot. Rin and myself found a perfect spot on an island in the middle of the lake. We set the picnic blanket back up and took our seats. I left her for a few minutes and flew back with new cups of hot tea. “Just in time Sesshomaru, they’ll be starting soon.” I handed her the jasmine tea she requested. “Thank you.”

We took our seats again and sat there in silence for a few moments when I remember the gift for Rin I still had in my pocket. Placing my cup down I pulled the white box with gold ribbon out. “Here Rin, this is my White Day gift for you. I hope you like it,” I said softly.

She smiled happily, “Sesshomaru you didn’t have to get me anything. You just being with me today was the best gift I could ask for.” She gently took the gift from me and opened it. When she opened the velvet blue box her eyes lit up. “Sess…Sesshomaru, this necklace is beautiful, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I wanted to see how it looked on her. “Lift your hair up,” I said as I pulled the necklace from its resting spot. She did as I told her and I wrapped the necklace around her delicate neck and clipped it into place.

She turned around to face me, “so…how does it look?”

Only one word described how it presented on her exposed neck, “perfect.”

Suddenly bright lights shot into the sky across the lake from us. Different colors of white, gold, silver and many other colors lit before us.

“The sky is so beautiful Sesshomaru, I have to say today has to be the best day for us.”

“Indeed,” the only thing that was beautiful was the girl next to me.

As we watched the show Rin turned to face me. Her hair blew with the light wind, “Sesshomaru I want to try something.”

“What would that be?”

She leaned in till her lips were several inches from mine, “allow me to be your first kiss.” I didn’t even respond back. I nodded my head as we slowly leaned into one another and parted our lips. When we contacted skin to skin heat built up between us. It was just as I imagined how our first kiss would be. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I cupped her cheek. I even wrapped my free arm around her waist. Her lips were warm and I could taste her scent of plum blossoms. Abruptly as our first kiss started, it ended. Rin pulled back just a bit, but rested her forehead against mine. “I love you Sesshomaru,” she finally said.

“As do I my dear Rin.” I took her lips to mine again, as we ignored the finale of the fireworks for the White Day festival.

#inuyasha white day #sesshomaru #rin #sessrin #submission

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dracoqueen22 · 5 years

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The Caduceus Effect

Title: The Caduceus Effect Universe: Critical Role, Campaign Two, post episode 47 roundabout Series: Close to Home Characters: Caleb Widogast, Caduceus Clay Rated: K+/SFW Descriptions: Caleb didn’t know how he did it, but there was something calming about proximity to Caduceus Clay. For @claylebweek 2019, Day One, First Meeting/Early Days

Caleb didn't know what Jester and Nott were up to, and frankly, he assumed he was better off not knowing. The two of them were chattering and giggling over Nott's alchemic materials, and it alarmed him, but only half as much as it irritated him. Peace and quiet were not to be found in his quarters. He went elsewhere, seeking a calm spot on the ship to work on his spellbook (and his other book) without being disturbed. The Balleater, however, was small for all that it was a ship. There were few places a man could find solitude.

He tried the hold, but the lingering odor of Twiggy's week-long residence made his head spin. The deck was far too windy and noisy. Fjord was sleeping in his quarters after a night spent on watch, and that would not be conducive to studying either. Caleb found himself in the galley, drawn in part by the smells floating out of the open doorway, and by the realization Caduceus was inside, no doubt preparing their evening meal or one of the snacks he was known to produce, seemingly out of nowhere. He peeked into the galley, but couldn't see anyone other than their firbolg friend. Beau was not here trying to nick a bottle of liquor. There was no member of their crew chattering Caduceus' ear off. It was warm and inviting, and Caleb hovered in the doorway, books and paper tucked under his arm. Caduceus stood at the counter, chopping something, humming under his breath, tail a lazy sway behind him. He seemed perfectly at ease, and Caleb envied his ability to find calm no matter the storm. "You can come in, if you want. I don't mind company," Caduceus called out, though he hadn't glanced over his shoulder. Sometimes, Caleb agreed with Fjord. Caduceus' seemingly preternatural perception was a little off-putting. "I, uh, was looking for somewhere quiet to work," Caleb said as he stepped inside, casting around for a place to sit and finding a small table tucked off to the side, with just enough room for one. "If you don't mind my intrusion." Caduceus turned and gave him a lazy smile. "Hello, Mr. Caleb. No, I don't mind at all. Have a seat. My humming won't be a bother, will it?" Caleb slid into the chair and set his items on the table. "No. It is certainly preferable to Nott and Jester's chattering." "They are up to something," Caduceus said with a little laugh. "Perhaps something that will entertain all of us." He turned back toward his work, the steady sound of the knife slicking through some vegetable echoing through the galley. Caleb found it soothing. "We can only hope," Caleb said, and lapsed into silence. He opened his spellbook, procured his quill, and got to work. It was easy with Caduceus. There was no expectation of conversation. There was no subtle prying into his past or his present or his future. Caduceus might eye him, might peer at him as though trying to read him, but would never ask and would never presume. Caduceus took everything at its own pace, and that was quite refreshing. It helped that Caduceus seemed to emit a kind of peaceful aura. It soaked into Caleb, easing the tension gathering around him like a heavy cloak, and gradually seeping away the densest layers. "Just let me know if I'm a bother, I'll leave," Caleb said after a bit. He didn't want to wear out his welcome. Caduceus chuckled and appeared in Caleb's periphery with a cup and a small plate. "Not at all, Mr. Caleb. You're pleasant company." He set both by Caleb's left elbow. "Here. You have to keep up your energy if you want to stay focused." "I suppose now is a good time for a break." Caleb leaned back, bones in his spine popping as he did so. He winced. "You ought to stretch more," Caduceus observed. "I'm sure there are many things I ought to do more." Caleb offered Caduceus a thin smile and reached for the cup, inhaling the light fragrance. Hints of chamomile for certain, and anise? Ginger? All good things. "This is good. Thank you." Caduceus' smile was a thing of radiance, genuine all the way down to his heart. "Try the cookies. I made them with some of that fruit we picked up on Bisaft." Caleb picked up a cookie, gave it a careful sniff, before biting into it. Crumbs immediately erupted around his lips, while the cookie itself managed to both crunch and melt on his tongue. It had a tangy flavor to it, not overly sweet, and went quite well with the tea. His eyebrows crawled upward. “Very good,” Caleb said around a mouthful of crumbling cookie. He dabbed at his lips where crumbs kept emerging. “You’ve a talent for these. I’m glad I was able to taste them before Jester discovered they were here.” Caduceus chuckled and turned back toward his cooking, his tail lazily swaying behind him, swish-swish-swish. “I made a separate batch just for her. They’re sweeter.” “That was very astute of you.” “Well, sometimes I have good ideas,” Caduceus said over his shoulder. He picked up his cutting board and shifted over, scraping the chopped vegetables into a big pot. Caleb tilted his head. “More often than not, I’d say.” He sipped the tea, rolling the flavor over his tongue to enjoy it. “You have a… a presence about you, Mr. Clay. I know we all appreciate it.” Caduceus hummed and stirred the soup before placing the lid on it. “I don’t know about a presence, but it’s nice to know I’ve been of use.” He paused and tilted his head, tapping his bottom lip. “Though maybe ‘use’ isn’t the best word? Helpful maybe?” “Helpful is a good word, but you know, you are also our friend. We would return the favor,” Caleb said as he watched Caduceus pull a bowl from a high shelf and turn it out onto a floured counter. Long fingers kneaded a lump of dough, and Caleb watched for a few moments, as there was something hypnotic about the motion. “I know. Maybe once I figure out what it is I’m looking for, then I’ll know what to ask for,” Caduceus said, his shoulders flexing as he rolled and kneaded and punched the dough into a vaguely loaf-shape. “As soon as you do, I’m sure we will be ready to listen,” Caleb said as Caduceus scooped the dough back into the bowl and covered it with a cloth. Up onto the shelf it went, and Caduceus wiped his hands on the front of his apron, already liberally streaked with flour and other evidence of meal-prep. Caleb wasn’t sure where he’d gotten the apron, perhaps he’d brought it from home, but it suited Caduceus in a way he didn’t think it would suit anyone else in the Mighty Nein. There was something about Caduceus that felt like home, though Caleb couldn’t put into words why or precisely identify the reason. He ate another cookie, rolling the flavor around on his tongue as he contemplated. It was warm in the galley, probably because of the cooking fires and the lack of ventilation. The smell of damp and sea air wasn’t present, only that of Caduceus’ spices and the ever-present scent of earth Caduceus seemed to carry with him. It would be, Caleb thought, the perfect place for a nap. Not that he’d come here for such. He was supposed to be working on his spells. Caduceus started humming again. Caleb only recognized the tune because Caduceus hummed it often, usually when he was concentrating on something and didn’t realize he was humming. Sometimes, Caleb woke when Caduceus was on watch, and the firbolg was surveying their surroundings, hands on his knees while he sat lotus, humming under his breath. He never had nightmares those nights. Caduceus would probably say it was because Melora watched over his sleep. Caleb preferred to think of it as the ‘Caduceus Effect’. He finished his cookies. He finished his tea. He picked up his quill and worked and worked, only dimly registering when Caduceus took down the dough again, worked it with his hands, and this time, folded it onto a metal pan. Caleb watched him cut little slices into the top of it, and sprinkle it with some of his herbs before he slid it into the tiny oven, banking the flames with a few swirls of his fingers. “How’s that book, Mr. Clay?” Caleb asked because it felt a little too much like he was watching something he shouldn’t in that moment. “Hmm?” Caduceus asked as he looked away from the oven, his ears twitching in Caleb’s direction. “Oh. The book you gave me. Yes. That one.” He stood up, brushing his hair behind his ear. “I apologize, Mr. Caleb, I admit I haven’t gotten very far. I’m sure it’s a very interesting book, only I’m not the best reader.” “Oh.” Caleb sat up, realization tumbling through him. “I didn’t realize. I suppose I should have known better than to assume.” “It’s all right.” Caduceus swept up the kettle and brought it over, refilling Caleb’s cup with steaming water. “I’m not ashamed of it, I suppose. Never had reason to be.” He dug into his pocket, pulled out a packet of leaves, and sprinkled them over the water. “It was still a nice gift.” Caleb felt a bit ashamed of himself. Caduceus was so kind to them, and he worked hard to keep them alive and well, despite being such a stranger at first. He’d thought to offer the book as a kind gesture, and it had backfired. How had Caduceus felt, receiving a gift he couldn’t appreciate because Caleb had been too narrow-sighted to pay attention? “Does it bother you now?” Caleb asked. “Not particularly,” Caduceus said, only to pause and tilt his head, looking up toward the ceiling as he often did when he was reconsidering something they’d asked him. “Well, maybe a little. Only because I’d like to actually understand the book you gave me. I feel like it’s a waste to give me something so nice.” Caleb shook his head. “No, not a waste. It’s my fault really. I should have been paying better attention.” He curled his fingers around the cup, embracing the heat of the blooming tea through the hand-carved wood. “You know, I could… help you with it, if… if that was something you were interested in.” “Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly take up so much of your time,” Caduceus said, turning to hang the kettle back on the hook. He moved to the pot next, removing the lid to give the contents a quick stir. “You have more important things to do than try and fill this head with knowledge.” He tapped himself in the head, and though his words were light, there was something of self-deprecation in them. It was slight, very, very slight, and Caleb might not have recognized it, if he wasn’t so used to hearing the tone in his own words. “It’s no trouble at all,” Caleb said. “If you’re interested, I’d be happy to teach you.” He paused and gestured around them. “Fast as we are, it will take time before we’re back in Nicodranas, and even then, travel takes time, yes? So we have it. Time, that is.” Caduceus replaced the lid and turned, blessing Caleb with one of his blinding smiles. “Then yes. I’d like that very much.” He pulled a basket from another shelf and tucked it under his arm. “Let me just deliver these cookies to the others. Keep an eye on the soup, will you?” Caleb eyed the pot uneasily. “I’m not much of a cook, Mr. Clay.” “Oh, nothing so complicated. Just if it bubbles over, lift the lid and give it a quick stir. It shouldn’t, but you never know. Sometimes, you just can’t take your eyes off things under pressure.” Caduceus patted Caleb on the shoulder, giving him a brief squeeze. “I’ll be right back.” “And then we can get started, if you have time to fill.” “Sure.” Caduceus’ rumbly voice seemed to radiate with the same heat as his presence. “So long as it’s no trouble.” “No trouble at all.” Caleb managed a smile of his own, though it was slight and nowhere near as appealing as Caduceus’ genuine grin. “Then I appreciate the help.” Caduceus hummed and swept out of the galley, though he left warmth and comfort in his wake. How did he do that, Caleb wondered, and summoned Frumpkin to rest in his lap. He scritched behind his familiar’s ear, pondering. Caduceus Clay was still very much a mystery to Caleb. Fortunately, Caleb was quite certain there wasn’t anything in the world he couldn’t solve with a pinch of determination, and a fair amount of study.

****

a/n: Feedback is absolutely welcome and appreciated! I’d love to know what everyone thought! ^_^

#Caduceus Clay #Caleb Widogast #caleb widogast/caduceus clay #critical role fanfic #clayleb week 2019 #draco watches critical role #close to home series #draco writes critical role

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sfiddy · 5 years

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Silver Storms, PG13

Chapter 1

Leningrad in summertime was an easy place to survive. It was easy for Anya to sweep all day and relax in the afternoon, eating a ladle of cheap street stew bought with her slim wages and still each week lay a little by for travel. She had a tin cup for her stew, a bed roll to sleep, and enough clothes that she was never too ripe. She had enough for a slice of soap every week, and the Neva was a fair enough washtub. The breezes that rolled from her banks were refreshing on warm nights.

And it was a fine life in summertime.

There was even entertainment in the mornings. Speeches in the square. Marches, sometimes, too. Decorative uniforms and sleek words. Good words. They were plain and good and Anya understood work and it’s value. When she finished sweeping a street, it was cleaner. That was good, and she was paid and that was better. So she got her assignment every day and swept the street, usually in the area around the Prospekt and the square, and listened to the speeches as she did her work.

And if the man giving the speeches sometimes lingered when he looked at her, well, that was nothing to be concerned about. As long as he only looked, though worse fates had been suffered and occasionally enjoyed in the course of her treks, though not since arriving in Leningrad. Anya knew how delicate her situation was. It was enough that she had bad dreams. She did not need visitors in her patch under the bridge, too.

And thus, everything was such. A fine life. In summertime.

…

The weather hinted at change one day, and Anya needed her coat until mid morning. With winter coming, she would be able to save less– it took more food to survive and she’d need shelter some nights, though how to find it was yet to be worked out. The cold, too, brought its demons, waking her in the night with faded strains of a song full of sorrow. Images floated in the darkness, crowding her from peace with rhymes of wings and silver storms and other words not common to her speech. Ideas not safe for a simple Russian. Her nights were haunted by ghosts.

Her arms were slow to loosen that morning and, even working, it was chilly until the sun was quite bright. Even the commissar giving the morning speech had kept his great coat on. Anya was amused that there were medals on both the coat and the uniform underneath. Only the Cheka were permitted such duplication of goods, it seemed.

Even as he spoke– of a brave future, of shared work and shared rewards– his eyes followed her. But for the first time, it seemed, it was with concern. Anya looked away quickly, but had seen the way his sturdy brow knitted together. For winter came fast in Russia, and without warning. The same could be said for much else, if the occasional raids that resulted in new faces on the street and in the shops she swept the doorways of were any indication.

Warmth returned again, fading the song, the ghosts, and dreams of places far from Leningrad. Anya rose refreshed and gathered Russia’s dirt into piles, following her broom on a slow march across the Prospekt.

…

A pile of grit had knocked loose from a damaged concrete barrier and Anya spent her day chasing the debris. In the afternoon, nearing the time when Anya would return to the work station for pay, she stopped to survey her work.

“A good day’s work, comrade.”

She spun around, ready to hold off whoever had come so close without her knowledge but… it was the speech maker, his uniform glinting with medals.

“Ah, thank you. Just doing my part.”

He smiled, and nodded at the smooth pavement and the tidy seams along walkways. “And an excellent contribution. Russia is in your debt.” He gave a little bow, and offered her something in his hand. When she shied away, he unwrapped the package a bit. “Russia may not be able to offer many comforts at present, but just one will do no harm, eh?”

Crinkled white paper parted in his hand and inside was a small clutch of dried fruits and nuts. Sweets. Hardly decadent, but her mouth watered at the idea of a dried apricot, leathery and chewy and melting with sugar.

But who knew what this was? Perhaps it was a trick. Some test of loyalty or her adherence to austerity. “I shouldn’t.”

He gave the bag a little shake, jostling the treats around. “Well, if you just look, I’m sure you’ll find something you like. Oh look! I’ve got one more date!” He held it out proudly.

“No. I’m just doing my job.”

He looked a little defeated. “Oh. It’s the uniform, isn’t it?”

Anya looked down. “I can’t lose this job. They’re very hard to come by.”

“I understand. What is your name?”

She looked up sharply. “Why? Am I in trouble?”

“No!” he said quickly. “I just… I see you every day and I wanted to say hello properly.”

“By giving me candy?”

Curiously, he muttered to himself before clearing his throat and looking up again. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to do something nice. Just… just cup your hand behind you, like this.” He tucked his arm to his side and made a well with his hand. “I’ll walk by and your work leader won’t see, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“It’s not.” But she cupped her hand by her side anyway because you don’t turn down food and you certainly don’t say no to someone with two sets of medals. He passed by and her hand filled with various nuts and fruits.

He turned and showed that the bag was empty, glee painted in his smile. “I’m here every day!”

She already knew that, but she stuffed the nuts and fruits in her pocket and saved most of her wages that day.

…

The next morning she woke to the chilly breath of the Neva and finished the last of the fruit as her dream song full of sorrow faded. Then Anya spent her day thinking about the officer. He was sweet and charming. A fine example of a man, but not for her. Surely a man like that belonged to someone.

It was almost an accident. Anya was simply sweeping but found that her path crossed his before his speech, and he tipped his head towards her as he made his way to his podium. She saw the direction he came from and noted it. If she lingered over her broom later, she was marked for her efforts, and it gave her a view to the street he walked and the row of doors he approached before she had to mind her work once more.

It took nearly a week to find out which flat was his. And it was his. Only his. Two entire rooms and a bathroom. Running water and a kitchen and a little balcony with a few potted plants. Anya scurried back to her detail and worked fast to make up the time, but kept his shy smile at the back of her mind.

…

There were soggy, shredded pamphlets in the square today. Rain and wind during the night had turned stacks of them to mulch, spreading decomposing to slop in her usual work areas.

“I’m sorry, comrade.”

She knew his voice well by now. He was here everyday. “What for?”

“I had the pamphlets set out last night. I’d hoped to start early, but instead I added to your burdens.” When she turned, he was in his coat and had his hands clasped in front of him. He looked like a confessing child. “I’m sorry. I did not think of the weather.”

She shrugged. “It’s work.” He nodded at that, but lingered, watching her sweep the gobs of wet paper into neat piles for later collection. It was odd, his inspection of her broom’s harvest. While Russians were discouraged from idle chit chat, Anya realized she had not thanked him for the sweets the other day.

“I’m Anya.”

He held out his hand. “Gleb. Gleb Vaganov.” When her eyes travelled to the stacked rows of medals and the thick epaulets, he tipped his head to the side with a faint grimace. “Ah, Deputy Commissioner Gleb Vaganov.”

Anya took his hand, but only then. “Just Anya.”

The shy smile returned and Anya wondered what made him bashful. Was he shy or did he lack experience? Another idea to examine later in her bed roll.

“Anya. That’s a good name.” Gleb released her hand. “A strong name.”

“It’s the only one I’ve known.”

Gleb nodded. Russia was a place where you did not ask too many questions. There were ghosts everywhere.

“May I buy you a cup of tea, Anya? For the mess?”

Her mouth nearly watered. She’d not had good tea in weeks, usually contenting herself with herbs and pine boiled in her tin cup. But the broom… her job.

He caught her hesitation. “I will send a message to your work leader.”

It was just a cup of tea, and they were both here every day. And if Gleb slipped an extra biscuit onto her saucer, who was she to refuse?

…

Another day, another street full of chipped wood, sand, and… ice? Anya had dreaded it, but the first morning came when the edges of the gutters were wet with ice shards melting in the morning sun. Over the next week, the ice took longer to melt as the concrete cooled more every night, and Anya wrapped her scarf around her head and neck against the cold.

She looked up from her work as Gleb approached.

“Brisk morning, comrade!” He rubbed his hands together and clapped them. “I have risen early every morning this week and I have yet to see the first snow of the season. Tell me, my friend, have you seen snow yet?”

She laughed. “What a good Russian you are, Gleb. And no, I have not seen snow, only ice.”

He sighed dramatically. “A pity. I suppose we will have to find solace in this.” He held out his hand. Anya had grown accustomed to his offerings. Nuts one day, an egg another. She swept her way to him and looked at the waxy paper his hand.

She could not name the memory. She had no reference for it, but she recognized the glossy brown lump peeking from the waxed paper.

“Is that… chocolate?”

Gleb closed his hand. “Shh! It took me two weeks to get it! Here.” Artlessly, he took her hand and tucked the package into it. He backed away, cheeks blazing, and glanced down at his shoes. “Enjoy it later and tell me all about it!”

“Wait, don’t you want–”

But he was already walking to his office.

Anya curled one corner of the paper to see, then she dented the shiny crust with her fingernail. Definitely chocolate, though she wasn’t sure when the last time she’d had a taste.

He was nearly to his office on the Prospekt, and Anya watched as the door was opened for him.

She whispered to no one. “Don’t you want some?”

That night, Anya broke off a piece of the cold chocolate and slipped it into her mouth. It warmed and loosened. It slid across her tongue, melted smoothly, and coated her mouth in a polished, bittersweet glow. It made her mouth water but she didn’t want to swallow too often. Anything to make this last.

It didn’t, but that was alright. The taste slicked her mouth and was the most luxurious thing she could remember. It was tempting, the other half, but she wrapped it tightly in the waxed paper to tuck away in a spare pocket and then tucked herself in her cold bedroll. She would save the rest for a colder night. Maybe.

…

A colder day came soon enough. The ice lasted through the morning and the sun did not come out to melt it. The sky was gray and lightened only enough to make the darkening all the more ominous. Anya felt the chill of heavy wet air, and it was late afternoon when the first pellets began to fall. They bounced off her shoulders, then grew sticky. Before Anya could make her way back to the meager shelter of the bridge, the cold rain had passed into ice, then rain, and back again.

In the late afternoon, back at her patch, Anya shivered violently and tried to light a few coals but her matches were wet and so was the kindling, and she was shaking. There had been nothing to eat even with her few ready coins, and as much as she would have enjoyed the chocolate, it wouldn’t help her tonight.

With no way to get warm and no food, Anya searched her slowing mind for options and found only one. Using her broom to keep upright in the freezing rain, she picked her way past landmarks she knew well enough to know on which side the street filth accumulated, beneath the very few lamps burning dim with fish oil, and past the Nevsky Prospekt. She stumbled past the shops she swept, and finally slogged shakily to the row of doors.

The cold was so deep in her she could scarcely stand to knock on the door. It was a kittenish knock. If he did not hear then the doorway was good enough. A little warmth seeped from the chinks around the frame.

Exhaustion dimmed her sight, and she banged her thin fist against the door once more.

“Yes! Yes! I’m coming!” The door opened a crack as shoes shuffled about on the other side. “A terrible night, comrade. Do you have a message— Oh!”

It was warm inside. Gleb was in shirtsleeves.

“Anya! You’re freezing!”

She managed a weak smile. Blue-lipped, most likely. “A terrible night indeed, comrade.”

The swift motion made Anya’s head spin and she was suddenly inside, clutching at a wall as Gleb closed and locked his door. There was warmth but she could not feel it, not through all the wet and the crusts of ice.

“Get out of that! Here, in here.” Her coat was stripped away and Gleb led her to a washroom. “I’ll get you some blankets and hot water. Anya! Listen!”

She’d been cold before. Worse, maybe, and managed to live without help but she would not refuse it now. Not when she could sense heat on her face and smell the steam of a boiling kettle.

“Yes, Gleb.” Once she started loosening her clothes, Gleb let her be. Her wool skirt was sodden and slapped to the floor in a heavy heap. Next her undercoat and scarf, and she could hear pots moving around and water being pumped into them. A glance in the mirror showed that she was a fright, hair plastered down and her lips white. Her blue eyes were too bright in her pale face with no warmth for balance.

“Towels are there in the cabinet. Here,” he set a steaming tea kettle by the door and took her clothes. “You can use this.”

Anya used the basin to wash and wrapped her hair in a towel. It wasn’t much, but she was warmer and certainly cleaner than she’d been in days. It was dangerous to wash when the weather was turning.

She accepted a robe and a quilt he slipped through the door. The robe was warm and whole, and the blanket was soft with age and had places where the mismatched fabrics were cut by the threads that held it together. Surely an officer would have better finery?

In her bare feet and clutching his robe around her, Anya opened the washroom door and caught Gleb arranging food on a plate, her clothes carefully hanging near the stove to dry.

“I’m sorry, I interrupted your supper.”

“No! No, I already ate. I had some extra. Come and eat.” Anya did, eating her fill until her stomach warned her to stop. Gleb fussed over her, tucking the quilt over her legs, then went to the cooker, heating potfulls of water and his kettle again. “I’ll, uh, make tea.”

He left for the washroom and returned a moment later, his hair suspiciously smooth and combed. “How did you get caught in this storm, Anya?”

She shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.”

“It’s not a joke,” Gleb turned stern. Perhaps a touch fearful. “The first storms can be the most dangerous. People aren’t ready and don’t realize how long they can last.”

Stern did not suit him; not without the medals, at least. Anya thought back to one morning in the square. “I thought you did not think of the weather.”

Whatever severity had been there, relief swept away. “You frightened me.” A small smile. The one he offered when he had a treat. “You must be feeling better if you can tease me.” He set a cup of tea in front of her and Anya immediately cupped her hands around it.

“I think I should tease you no matter how I felt.”

Gleb looked away quickly and took his tea with him to stand by a window. He looked out and shook his head. “I can’t let you go back out tonight, even when your things are dry. I’ll only need a blanket or two and I can sleep by the stove.”

“I can’t take your bed, Gleb.”

“You need it. You need to keep warm tonight.”

After Gleb washed the few dishes and put things away, he went to fetch blankets from the chest in his bedroom and wash up for bed. Anya sat by the warm stove and stretched her toes, no longer wax-white from the cold. Her face was warm too, so she would not look so haunted. The ghost who walked across Russia only to risk freezing by the Neva.

Anya ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing it into something acceptable. If Gleb had made an effort, so could she. He gave her a shy smile and laid out a small rug, then stacked a few blankets on a chair next to Anya. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be out of the way in a few minutes.” He took a pot of hot water into the washroom and moments later Anya heard water splashing.

Experience had taught her that a meal before sleep kept bad dreams away. It also taught her that few things were as generous as a shared hearth and food. While Anya was hardly a woman of loose morals, she was not immune to generosity. Morality had little to do with it anyway; when your goal was survival, the means hardly mattered, and comfort was as valuable as food.

Still chilled, but warmer than she’d felt in days, Anya waited until there was a pause in the splashing. Gleb deserved her consideration, so it was only when she heard tapping on the sink and the sounds of his things being reordered that she set the quilt aside and approached.

The door was well oiled and did not squeak when she opened it.

“Anya!” Gleb was toweling his face when he saw her and startled. The edges of his cuffs were wet. “Did you need something?”

In the mirror, she caught sight of herself. Pale lips, but warm cheeks. Eyes bright with purpose. “No, I am very well. Don’t let me interrupt.”

He was lean in the way soldiers were. Strong and economical. Able to miss a meal or two without weakness, but had obviously known hunger. Everyone had. There were ghosts everywhere and that was why a little comfort went further than coin these days.

She stepped closer to him. Close enough to see where the shirt clung to him. “Your shirt is wet, Gleb.”

His breathing was louder. It bounced off the tiled walls. “I put it back on. I didn’t want to offend you.”

The fabric was translucent where it was wet and Anya lightly plucked at it. “It’s cold. You shouldn’t wear wet things to bed.” He was warm and the shirt would be dry soon, but that was not the point.

Gleb had gone very still but for his rapid breaths and his dark, searching eyes. Eyes that watched her so often from across a square watched her now in the glass, peeping at his edges, her head by his shoulder.

Her hands on his sides. “Let me help you, Gleb.” Slowly she reached around him in a loose hug from behind. Watching in the mirror, as his eyes glazed for just a moment, her fingers reached the top button and went to slip it free.

“Anya,” he said, and stopped her hands. “You don’t owe me anything. I won’t take from you.”

He was kinder than anyone could be allowed to know. Anyone but her. Others got his scowls and speeches but she got his smiles and chocolates.

“You aren’t taking, Gleb. I’m giving.”

His hold on her hands remained, but was not so strong. “I didn’t expect–”

“Shhh, Gleb,” she whispered by his ear. They were alone, and though the walls were thick a whisper says more than a shout and travels over the skin, into the bones. Like a benevolent twin to the violent cold howling outside.

Both could rattle the nerves.

Maybe it was a testament to how much he liked her, or perhaps it was just inexperience. Whichever it was, he did not strip hastily, did not leap at her, all hands and grabs.

She opened her arms.

Once, while traveling, Anya had fallen into a river and clutched a floating branch until she reached the shore. The cold had clenched her lungs and she nearly didn’t make it. The ghosts came that night, singing sadly.

Perhaps Gleb was drowning and that was why he held her the way he did. A kiss at her forehead, then her temple, then he lifted her hand to his cheek and pressed it to his lips. Anya shivered.

“You are still too cold, little sunshine,” he said as he rubbed her hands between his. He led her to the bed and laid the well-loved quilt over it and tucked a brick he’d warmed on the stove at the end for her feet.

“Thank you, Gleb.”

When she was tucked in, Gleb knelt at her side. “Good night, my Anya.”

“Good night.”

There were no ghosts that night.

…

The next morning found her clothes stiff and dry. Anya shook them out and dressed, and after a few bites of bread with Gleb, collected her broom from the doorway.

She left first. It would not do to walk together so early, and an hour later, Anya was sweeping the square. She was a little stiff from the previous day, but the Gleb’s bed had been warm, and the cold had not quite yet chased it from her bones yet.

“A fine morning, comrade.” He was bright and pink lipped despite the damp chill. Like a grin was fighting to break through the stern looks he kept for the day.

Anya smiled. Gleb’s voice was never this tender when he gave his speeches.

“It is,” she returned. “You should be cautious with your cheer, comrade. Someone might think you too happy for a good Russian.”

Gleb suppressed a smile now. The one he saved for her. “A good Russian loves the winter.” He was about to turn when he stopped, looking back. “Will I see you again, Anya?” he asked quietly.

She pushed her broom, shifting one mess closer to another. It was early in winter, who knew what it might bring?

Anya offered a little smile. “I’m here every day.”

#silver storms PG-13 version #chapter 1 #Pure Anon

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raendown · 7 years

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More shenanigans and denial, because that is apparently Madara’s life now.

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word Count: 3044 Story summary: Madara used to be a man feared even by those of his own clan. Life's really changed since the village was built. Among those changes is his relationship with one Senju Tobirama - and apparently everyone else knew about this even before he did.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

How many spices did one kitchen need, exactly? Alone in the house – by some kami-sent miracle – Madara stood in his kitchen staring suspiciously at the new addition tucked neatly in one corner of the countertop. Tobirama, when he dropped it off, had called it a spice rack and told him that every house should have one. Honestly Madara hadn’t even known there were this many different types of seasonings. Surely some of these were made up? Tobirama had to be playing some sort of practical joke here because they couldn’t all be real.

Each jar was labelled in tidy writing and Madara spun the rack to read them all, trying to see if there was anything he’d even heard of before. ‘Bay leaves’ struck him as odd because who the hell would want to put raw leaves in their food? What possible purpose could that have? Unless it was a salad being served, leaves generally belonged outside on the trees.

And that wasn’t even the weirdest one! What in the seven hells was ‘allspice’? Was it supposed to be a small bit of every other spice all put together? If that was the case it seemed rather stupid to have the rest of them all in separate containers as well. It would be so much simpler to just use this ‘allspice’ on everything since it seemed like it would cover the needs of every dish. If it had everything in it then it would work for every kind of food, as far as he could figure. And if it didn’t then what was the point of it?

Setting the allspice back in its slot, Madara was relieved to come across thyme and nutmeg just below it. He had at least heard of those two, although their exact usage escaped him. Feared across many nations’ battlefields he might be but Madara’s skills in the kitchen extended very little past boiling water and buttering toast. Usually he fed himself on poorly chopped fruits and vegetables, perhaps whatever half-cooked dishes his younger sibling brought over for him. His palette wasn’t exactly the most refined so he’d been getting along just fine with how things were until now. Now that he had a rack of mystery substances disguised as seasonings, that is.

‘Cloves’ had him scrunching his face in confusion. Wasn’t that a lucky plant? He’d thought it was supposed to be green with four leaves but whoever gathered this must have done it wrong because it appeared they only kept the stems, all brown and hard and none longer than his fingernails. Curious, he slipped the small cylinder out of its slot and twisted the cap off, bringing it up to his nose. The sweet, earthy scent which greeted him was a pleasant surprise despite being a little overpowering.

Madara twisted the rack again, eyeing the collection suspiciously. Now that he’d smelled one he was more curious than ever about the rest. Obviously he had to start with the ‘allspice’. The smell of it, though, only made him more confused. It was like pepper and cinnamon and wet paper – very much like every spice put together as he’d thought. So it really should be for everything!

There were four separate kind of pepper when he looked for it and Madara sniffed each of them in turn, wondering why it was necessary to have so many. The ‘lemongrass’ was pleasant, although he questioned the intelligence of anyone who put grass in their food. That seemed as strange as the leaves from before.

It was while he was putting the weird lemony grass back that his eyes caught on the little tin sitting next to the rack with a label which read ‘turmeric’. Tobirama had dropped it off with the rest but it was bigger than any of the other containers, unable to fit in to the rack, and Madara figured that meant it must be used more often. He’d never heard of ‘turmeric’ before. When he opened the tin he was a little put off by the violent yellow color of it. It didn’t look very pleasant at all and the smell was horrid. The only thing which came to mind was poison and burnt tree bark.

But it had to taste good, he reasoned, since it was obviously meant to be used so often that there was more than twice as much of this as any other spice. Without giving the matter much thought Madara grabbed a spoon from the cutlery drawer and filled it from the tin.

The moment he stuck the spoon in his mouth he regretted every single life choice which had brought him here to this moment. It was poison. It was disgusting. His eyes immediately began to water and when he coughed, sputtering out a large cloud of yellow powder, that certainly didn’t help to stop the tears. His mouth was burning from the awful taste and panic set in immediately. He needed to get this out of his mouth – now!

Madara did the only thing he could think of. He went to Hashirama.

Hashirama startled a little when his friend body flickered in to the Hokage’s office, dropping his ink brush and clutching a hand to his chest.

“You scared me!” he exclaimed. “Don’t just – hey, what’s wrong?”

“Hashirama I’m dying!”

“Uh, what?”

“I’ve been poisoned!”

“What?”

Madara clawed at his tongue with his gloved fingers, trying to scrub the powder off but only managing to add the taste of leather to the already disgusting mix. Hashirama tilted his head to the side, his eyes running up and down Madara’s figure, then he very carefully pushed the teacup at his elbow across the desk.

“I see. Why don’t you take a drink?”

“I don’t want your half-drunk tea,” Madara growled even as his hands shot out and snagged the cup. He downed the contents in two large gulps, gasping and hacking because the turmeric in his mouth destroyed what should have been a delicious oolong. Hashirama calmly reached for the teapot still sitting on its tray and held it up in a wordless offer of a second cup.

With a heavy frown, Madara stuck his arms out in grumpy acceptance. With most of the powder gone now, he was able to taste the fruity flavor of the oolong, Hashirama’s favorite kind. He usually disliked how sweet it was, preferring the earthy flavors of black tea instead, but anything was better than what was in his mouth right now so he swallowed it down with gusto and held his arms out once more for another refill. This one he sipped slowly, sloshing the liquid around in his mouth in search of any remaining pockets of powder which might not have been washed away.

Hashirama watched him with a shamelessly curious expression, eyes wide and mouth smiling while his hand blindly groped for the ink brush he had dropped.

“What were you doing eating raw turmeric?” he asked. Madara gaped, cup pausing just at the edge of his lips.

“Who said I was eating…whatever you just said?”

Instead of answer, Hashirama waved his brush at Madara’s form, making him look down and wince slightly as he caught sight of himself. His front was absolutely coated in patches of virulent yellow powder, clinging to his clothes even after he lowered one hand to beat at the dark purple cotton. Only after he’d given up did he notice that his fingers were also stained yellow. He let out a frustrated growl. Then he increased the volume when Hashirama giggled.

“Shut up,” he snarled. “How do I get this shit off of me?”

“You don’t,” Hashirama laughed.

“Don’t clam up on me now you useless fool. You blather on about nothing all day; well you can blather on and tell me how to get this off my skin!” Madara shook his free hand wildly in his friend’s direction and took an angry sip of tea using the other.

“I don’t know, Madara. Turmeric stains last forever. Mito won’t let me cook anything with turmeric in it anymore because I always get it everywhere.”

“Useless.”

Though he could tell that it was a pointless endeavor, Madara absently brushed at his clothing again. All it did was spread the stain in a couple places and deepen his scowl but the effort was there, at least.

He wasn’t at all prepared for the office door to swing open without warning or for Tobirama to step through and freeze in place at the sight of him. For a few moments no one moved, Tobirama’s eyes slowly dragging down his body and back up to take in the horrible state he had made of himself. The younger man tilted his head ever so slightly to one side and narrowed his eyes contemplatively. Madara gripped his tea cup tighter, wondering if it would provide enough distraction for him to get away if he threw it at the other’s head.

“Hey, Tobi might know!” Hashirama piped up from behind the desk and shattering the silence in a too-cheerful tone. “How do you get turmeric stains out of skin?”

“Don’t call me that,” Tobirama mumbled reflexively. Then slowly he raised a single eyebrow. “Madara…were you playing with the spices I left for you?”

“No!”

“Hm. Did you by any chance try to eat some of them?”

“No!”

Tobirama hummed again and crossed his arms, a hint of a smirk beginning to form. Madara cringed but refused to admit that he had been doing exactly what he was accused of. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know what those things were! Who had time to learn anything about cooking when one was tasked with running an entire clan?

He’d already come up with three different excuses for why there was yellow powder all down his front when Tobirama gave a small sigh and shook his head.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,” he said.

“I’m not a child!” Despite his words, Madara offered no fight when Tobirama took his arm. Hashirama gave them a happy wave and then suddenly he found himself back inside him home just as quickly as he had left it, following dazedly along as he was led down the hall towards his bedroom.

“Alright,” Tobirama said as he lightly pushed Madara towards his en suite and taking the tea cup still clasped in his fingers. “Strip.”

“What!?”

“Your clothing, you imbecile. You’re absolutely covered in what you would have me believe is something entirely unrelated to the spices I delivered this morning and if you want to clean yourself properly then you’d do well to get out of those clothes.” His hand was strangely gentle as he gave Madara one last push towards the bathroom. “Go shower.”

Flustered, Madara stumbled inside and only narrowly avoided having the door smack him on the bottom when it was swung closed behind him. He spent a few moments simply standing there, wondering when the world had stopped being afraid of him. There had been a time when Tobirama would have immediately raised his hackles upon spotted him, when shinobi and civilians alike had cowered before him. Even his own clan members had stepped carefully when he was present. It was beyond him how his life had changed so much in just the few short years since the village had been built.

He couldn’t deny that a shower would be a smart idea, though. Madara grumbled as he undressed, keeping one suspicious eye on the door until he was thoroughly distracted when he caught sight of himself in the mirror. A thick ring of bright yellow had stained his skin all the way around his mouth and turned his lips a disturbing color reminiscent of vomit. It was incredibly embarrassing to realize he’d been speaking with Tobirama face to face looking like this. Things like this were probably why it seemed as though no one feared him anymore.

With a resigned huff he turned away from the mirror to hop behind the shower curtain – and only just barely contained a high-pitched squeal when the water turned on ice cold at first. Barely a few minutes had passed, just enough time for the water to heat up, when the door opened and Madara turned bright red, hands automatically moving to cover himself even though he was safely hidden from view.

“What do you think you’re doing? Get out!” he shouted. “Do you have no propriety?” A low chuckle answered him.

“It’s not as though I can see you,” Tobirama’s disembodied voice pointed out. “Besides, I was only bringing you something that should help get the turmeric out. There’s some clean clothes for you here as well; I hope you don’t mind that I grabbed them from your room.”

“Just leave! I’m naked you barbarian! I don’t want you here!”

Another chuckle drifted through the steam as Tobirama took his leave. Madara waited for the click of the door closing, then waited another minute just to be sure, straining his ears to listen for the sounds of his guest retreating down the hall to be certain that he was alone once more. Only then did he peek around the curtain to see what the other man had brought that he claimed might help.

On the corner of the sink closest to him there rested a small bundle of clothing, obviously his by the coloring and the Uchiwa fan he could see within one of the folds. His mind skittered uneasily away from the idea of Tobirama rooting through his drawers to fetch him clean clothing (he had touched Madara’s underwear) and instead he forced himself to focus on the gift placed on top of his clothes. The small bar was a light brown color, obviously soap, and when Madara reached out for it and brought it to his nose he noted that it smelled pleasantly of sandalwood.

Also that it smelled of Tobirama and had obviously been used a few times already. He was holding Tobirama’s soap. This bar of soap in his hands had touched another man’s naked body.

Suddenly it seemed a lot hotter in the room than it had a minute ago, though he couldn’t remember turning up the heat of the water again.

The rest of his shower was completed in a meditative state. Madara dug deep in to his memories to remember all he had been taught about meditation and used that knowledge to detach himself, scrubbing at his skin in a perfunctory manner until he had covered every inch of himself in a scent that he didn’t want to admit was more familiar than it should have been. When he set the soap aside his skin was a light pink from head to toe, glowing softly in the light as he turned off the water and stepped out of the tub.

A quick swipe of his hand across the mirror revealed that Tobirama had been correct: the soap did help. His face was still colored with a splotch of yellow surrounding his mouth but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been before. Hopefully the rest of it would fade quickly. The tips of his fingers were in a similar state when he checked them, the yellow quite obvious on his pale skin. Before he could stop the thought he found himself wondering how much more obvious it would look on Tobirama, whose skin was even paler than his own.

Madara scowled, snatching up a towel from the rack to his left. Stupid Senju, invading his every thought for no reason, barging in to his house and bringing him stupid gifts. He could have found some sandalwood soap on his own!

When he stormed out of the bathroom at last Madara was wearing clean clothing and a grumpy expression. The light in the kitchen drew him in like a moth to a flame, guiding him towards his unwanted guest so he could give the younger man what for. There was no need, as far as Madara could see, for him to keep showing up and sticking his nose in to other people’s business. And it was about time someone told him that!

Unfortunately, his quickly prepared speech fell to the wayside the moment he stepped in to the kitchen. Tobirama turned to look at him over one shoulder, just enough that he could see the man was once again wearing that red and white apron.

“Good timing. Food’s done.”

Blinking rapidly, drained of irritation as quickly as it had gathered, Madara let himself be directed to a seat at the table. His thoughts were strangely empty of anything but the way Tobirama had rolled up his sleeves to expose his forearms, miles of pale skin dangled right in front of his face as the other set a heaping plate down before him.

“This is what you were supposed to do with the spices, you great buffoon.” In direct contrast with his teasing words, Tobirama’s hand brushed the base of Madara’s neck as he passed him by to go back to the stove. Madara jerked, craning his head from side to side as though he could see the spot which had been touched and determine if it had been deliberate or not.

“I never said you had to cook for me,” he grumbled petulantly.

“Someone has to show you what real food is supposed to look like,” Tobirama replied serenely. “Might as well be me.”

The younger man settled himself at the table across from his begrudging host, digging in to his own plate of food. Madara sat still and watching him for a moment, trying to figure out how he had ended up here. It seemed as though every time he saw Tobirama lately the other somehow managed to turn his entire world upside with very little to no effort. And worse: he appeared to have no idea that he was doing so.

Finally Madara sighed and reached for his chopsticks. He’d already forfeit any dignity he might have had today, possibly around the same time he had nearly choked to death on a mouthful of foreign spice. He might as well give in at this point.

Across the table, demurely eating his own plate of dinner, Tobirama smiled.

#the more we get together #rae writes #madatobi #madara #tobirama #fanfiction #naruto shippuden

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jouissezduprintemps · 7 years

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Something to Prove, Chapter Two: Down to Business

Rating: T Warnings: Swearing Words: 2795 Fandom: Naruto Summary: As Suna prepares for its first independently-held chunin exam since Gaara became kazekage, the sand siblings must make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.

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Temari turned over in her sleep, half-awake. Something heavenly was being cooked, and the scent gently prodded her out of her sleep. She reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up. Out of habit, she re-adjusted her shirt so that it covered her stomach before stretching. Her mouth was dry and bitter, and she eagerly drank the glass of water she had gotten herself the night before.

Not wanting to be rude, she made sure to fold and set aside the bedding she had used the night before and closed the door to the walkway, submerging the room in darkness. She ran a hand through her hair and quickly assessed her appearance, deciding that it was decent enough to be seen in the morning.

To her surprise, she found that she was the last one to have woken up. Kankuro and Choji sat side-by-side at the kitchen table, both eating as though they had never seen food before. A plump, pleasant woman bustled about the kitchen, humming to herself as she went. On the couch sat a man who appeared to be a much larger version of Choji, who got to his feet when Temari stepped through the doorway.

“Good morning,” Temari murmured, suddenly wondering how long she’d slept.

“Ah, Temari.” Gaara spoke up from beside a window, from which he turned to face her.

She was caught off guard when a massive hand came to rest on her shoulder. Her attention was pulled to the side, where Chozo offered her a large mug. “Akimichi family secret,” he informed her. “Your brother told me about your little odyssey last night. This’ll have you up and going, and kick the effects of sake. It tastes foul, but I’d bet my life on it.”

Temari took the mug from his hand and gave it a sniff, grimacing. Chozo only laughed and gave her a pat on the back. She murmured her thanks before sitting down at the table beside her brother, helping herself to the food prepared for them. She hesitated, staring down the mug and its foul contents. Like a true Suna kunoichi, she steeled her nerves and drained the contents in a single go. Her eyes watered, and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. It tasted like acid and rotten fruit, and it was almost enough to make her gag. With a look of distaste, she slid the empty mug across the table until it was an arm’s length away from her.

Chozo laughed, having seen the look on her face many times before. “Atta girl,” he praised, offering her a cup of coffee to wash away the taste. “Choji, have you heard from Shikamaru? I’m starting to worry about him.”

Choji shook his head, telling his father, “We couldn’t find him. I don’t know what happened. He’s usually not this bad.”

Chozo returned to his seat on the couch. “Maybe I should ask Shikaku…”

“No, don’t do that. I don’t want to get him in trouble,” Choji insisted.

Gaara slipped into the kitchen, returning his plate and glass while giving his thanks. “The hokage is expecting me,” he explained to their hosts. “Thank you again for opening your home to us.”

Chozo waved his hand. “Please, it’s our honor to host the Suna royal family, and Choji’s friends are always welcome here.”

Gaara offered a small smile in return before excusing himself.

Kankuro groaned, aware that he needed to get moving if he was going to be on time to meet with the jonin. Reluctantly, he excused himself from the table and returned to his room.

Temari made no move to get up, instead putting food in her plate.

“Do you have to be somewhere?” Choji asked her out of curiosity.

The sand ninja shook her head, and her loose bangs fell into her face. As she pushed them back, she commented “I can’t do anything until my fellow proctor decides to show up.”

“Just promise me you’ll go easy on him.”

Temari arched an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

“Hey, Choji!” Shikamaru’s voice called down the hallway. A series of rapid footsteps fell as his voice got closer. “Have you seen-?”

Choji looked over at his friend and pointed across the table at Temari.

Her eyes narrowed to slits as she looked her escort up and down. It didn’t look like he’d slept. He was out of breath, and his face had a look of mixed relief and hesitance.

“Where the hell is my hat?!” Kankuro’s voice bellowed throughout the house, breaking the silence.

Shikamaru looked down at the black cloth in his hand. “You left it at the barbecue,” he called.

Kankuro returned to the kitchen, clad in his usual black. He had painted his face, and his brown hair stood out against his clothing. “About time you found us,” he complained as he took his hat from Shikamaru. He pulled it over his head and gave a slight wave before going on his way. “Later, Temari.”

The tension in the air hung heavily throughout the kitchen. Even Chozo could feel it. He was more amused than anything else; he’d seen that look on Shikaku’s face more times than he could count.

Choji could tell Shikamaru was thinking. You didn’t have to be a genius to know he was screwed. He looked between Temari and his best friend, who were locked in a staring match. Wow, this is uncomfortable.

After a few moments, Temari broke her gaze away, choosing to drink from her coffee cup. Shikamaru let out a sigh of relief. Even though neither of them had spoken, he knew that he was forgiven, at least for the time being. He welcomed himself to the table, taking the plate offered to him by Choji’s mother.

“Man, where were you? We looked everywhere for you last night,” Choji remarked.

“I got held up in a meeting with the hokage,” Shikamaru explained. “By the time I got to the gate, Izumo and Kotetsu were gone. So I sat and waited.” He left out the part where he’d fallen asleep, trying to save a little face. “I was there all night. Izumo and Koetsu woke… got there this morning and told me they’d already arrived. So I came to ask you.”

Temari set her mug down on the table, doing her best not to let her annoyance show in front of their hosts. “Now that you’ve come out of hiding, we can get to work.” She rose from her chair and returned her dishes to the sink before turning on her heel and walking down the hallway. “Do me a favor and stay put long enough for me to get dressed.”

Shikamaru blinked once and groaned, resting his head in the palm of his hand. “She’s gonna kill me…”

Chozo couldn’t keep himself from laughing.

Shikamaru trudged along, his hands in his pockets. Temari was a few steps ahead of him, keeping an even pace. He’d been looking at her back ever since they left the Akimichi’s. She’d pulled her hair back into those four points, like usual. Her black dress and red sash were familiar, as was the fan secured to her back. By all appearances, it was just another day.

He let out a sigh and looked up, studying the single cloud that hung in the sky. “If you’re going to say something, just say it.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Come on, Temari, don’t do this.” He’d just wanted to get the scolding over with, not start a fight.

“I don’t have anything to say about it,” Temari informed him flatly. “We have bigger things to worry about.”

“I know you’re pissed at me.”

Temari stopped in her tracks, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. “Are you looking for an argument?”

Shikamaru was caught off guard. “No.”

“Then just leave it alone.”

God, she’s so frustrating. She gets pissed at me over nothing, and the one time I actually fuck up, she doesn’t want to talk about it. What’d I do to get stuck with her?

Shikamaru was the one to take up the pace, passing by Temari. A few quick steps had her strolling by his side. To his surprise, she didn’t seem angry. Maybe it was a trick.

He felt a slight tug on his left sleeve. Temari had captured the fabric by his wrist with her thumb and forefinger, prompting him to change direction with her. He followed her lead and took a seat on a wooden bench underneath the awning of a shop, where she bought herself a cup of tea. It was then that he noticed the slightly dark circles under her eyes. Absentmindedly, he wondered if she was just as tired as he was.

Temari sat her tea down on the bench beside her and pulled out a notebook, which was filled with hasty writing. “We’ve only got three days to make sure everything’s ready. You’ve finished the exam questions, right?”

Shikamaru studied her face as she flipped through the pages. “You’re not mad at me.”

“What?” Temari looked over at him. “I told you that.”

“Why?”

Was he sick or something? “Do you want me to be mad at you?”

“No,” he corrected hastily. “I just thought you would be.”

“Look, I’m willing to admit that I wasn’t thinking straight, either. We were late, and we didn’t wait more than a minute before leaving to get food. It’s not like we tried to hunt you down first thing. We’d all had some sake with dinner and didn’t think about going back to the gate to look for you.” Temari paused to take a sip of her tea. “I won’t say I wasn’t pissed, but I got it out of my system. You’re just lucky Choji was there; you almost had to pay for us to stay at an onsen.”

Ah, there it is. “I guess I owe him one.”

“I’d say so.” Behind her snide remark was a hint of a smile, which put Shikamaru’s mind at ease. “You’ll be making it up to me for the rest of our visit.”

Shikamaru took the notebook out of her hands and glanced over the page. “No one’s going to be able to pass the written exam on their own,” he assured her, changing the subject. “It’s a lot harder than last year’s.”

“Tell me that you came up with a tenth question that won’t have the genin trying to destroy the building,” Temari prompted, remembering the last, joint-effort chunin exam they had run.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it under control.”

“I’d hope so. I don’t want you embarrassing yourself.”

Shikamaru snorted. “Don’t you mean Suna?”

“We can handle a little embarrassment. You, well, I don’t know how much credibility you have left.”

Shikamaru drew air in through his teeth. “Ouch.” He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, which he thumped against his palm. “I guess you’ll be using the demon desert again?”

Temari nodded. “Kankuro is making sure that the jonin know the risk this time around. We don’t want to be responsible for any considerable loss of life.”

“That’s not funny, Temari.”

“No, it’s not.”

A heavy silence passed between them, punctuated when Shikamaru exhaled, polluting the air with hazy, grey smoke. He flicked the ashes from the end of his cigarette to the ground. “We haven’t gotten off to the best start this time around, have we?”

“Nope.”

“Three days?”

“Mmhm.” Temari nodded.

Shikamaru frowned, placing his elbows on his knees and leaning forward. He brought his cigarette back up to his lips. “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Temari blurted out, blindsided.

“This one’s on me. I know it.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m willing to admit it. I can’t spend three days in a stalemate.”

“Fair enough,” Temari relented. It wasn’t fun to walk on eggshells around one another. Neither of them was suited to it. “You know, it isn’t going to take us three days to iron this out.”

“What’re you suggesting?”

“It can wait until tomorrow.”

Shikamaru wasn’t about to protest. He was confident enough that he didn’t think they needed to go over the exam at all. All the same, if Gaara and Kankuro were working, he knew they’d get an earful from both kage if they were caught slacking off. “Shogi?”

“Why would I want to play a game you know you’re going to win?”

He shrugged. “Go?”

Temari shook her head as she closed her notebook. “Fine.”

Shikamaru stood up and dropped his cigarette, extinguishing it with his shoe. “Who knows, maybe we’ll get everything sorted tonight.”

“You just want to get it done so you don’t have to work the next two days.”

“Guilty.”

Temari turned her piece over between her fingers, studying the board. She settled on her move and set down her white marker, flipping over Shikamaru’s black pieces that she’d taken. She appreciated the silence. The two shinobi sat on the outside walkway, out of the sun. The breeze was light, and she assumed they were the only ones at the Nara residence.

She felt comfortable. Her fan leaned against a wooden pillar, out of the way. Shikamaru had taken off his vest, and he hunched over the board, his cheek in his palm. This was their fifth game. Even though they’d agreed not to keep score, both mentally weighed their wins and losses.

Shikamaru’s piece clinked against the board, and he flipped several of her white pieces over to black. Temari made a face, puffing out her right cheek in annoyance. At this point, there wasn’t any reason to continue this round. “Four-two,” she declared, sweeping half the pieces off the board and into her open palm.

“What happened to not keeping score?”

“As if you weren’t.”

He’d been caught, but he wasn’t ashamed of it. Meditatively, he set the board up for another game. He was enjoying himself, more than he had in a while. The fact that they hadn’t fought was a miracle, but he wasn’t going to complain. Between the two of them, they had finished everything Gaara expected of them. Pridefully, he thought, That’s what happens when you get the best mind of Suna and Konoha on a team.

“So,” Temari interrupted his thoughts. “Did you arrange for us to stay somewhere, or will we be staying with the Akimichi clan?” Her words were barbed, but only playfully.

“I’ve taken care of it.” Shikamaru assured her, sidestepping her snide remark.

It was Temari’s turn to start the game, but she set her pieces to the side instead. “I’m not leaving until I bathe in the hot springs.”

Her demand was her way of making a request, and Shikamaru had known her long enough to understand what she meant. “I’ll take you tomorrow.”

“We should invite Ino and Choji.”

Shikamaru sat up straight, surprised. Temari was picky when it came to company. For her to suggest inviting his teammates was new, and very unexpected. Temari caught on to his confusion, mildly amused.

“I enjoyed their company last night,” she explained.

“Huh. Alright.” It would be nice to have Choji come along, Shikamaru decided. It wasn’t as though they’d take advantage of the mixed bathing, and he wouldn’t enjoy himself as much if he were alone.

“We have to invite Gaara and Kankuro,” Temari mused. “I’ll never hear the end of it if we don’t.”

Shikamaru groaned, and Temari knew why. If Gaara came along, it was likely that Naruto and Lee would find excuses to tag along with them. It mattered little to Temari, but that was because she wouldn’t have to deal with them. Shikamaru, on the other hand, would get a strong dose of both hyperactive ninja.

“They might not come,” she pointed out, in a rare attempt to placate him. “I doubt they’re finished with what they need to do here.”

“I hope,” Shikamaru said bluntly, only because he knew she wouldn’t take offense. “Oh, by the way.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a key. “This is yours. We had to put you three up in different apartments this time; there wasn’t anything with three rooms.”

“You know, I’m okay with that.” Temari took the key from him, tucking it away for safekeeping. “Kankuro snores.” That also meant that she wouldn’t have to worry about her brothers. They could do what they wanted without having to move as a group, just like they could in Suna.

Shikamaru grinned when he saw her laugh to herself. He stood up and offered her his hand, which she took and allowed him to help her to her feet. He pulled on his vest as she secured her fan to her back. “Shall we?”

#shikatema #naruto #naruto shippuden #naruto fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic #gaara of the sand #kankuro of the sand #temari of the sand #shikamaru nara #choji akimichi

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geohoneylovers · 5 years

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POLYFLORAL HONEY

Beechwood Honey

It's popularly known as Honeydew honey and mainly produced in New Zealand's South Island. It has extraordinary aroma & comes from the sap produced by aphids on the bark of beechwood trees giving distinct stature in the honey index. Beechwood honey is fondly mixed into smoothies, sauces, pancakes, and fruits like a sweet drizzle. This honey is a good supplement for improving the body's immunity and digestive system.

Berry Honey

Berry Honey is a rich source of anthocyanin flavonoids having good anti-inflammatory properties. It's considered good for eyes and even helps in fighting against colon cancer.

Black Bee Honey

This is absolute form of raw honey- unpasteurized & unblended. Majorly found in Exmoor National Park has a smoky aroma and becomes runny on heating

Canola Honey (Brassica napus)

Canola is an ideal habitat and food source for honeybees: Canola flowers produce high amounts of nectar and this nectar has a good sugar profile for honey production. The large amounts of pollen offer a good nutritional balance of amino acids, protein and fats.

Canola honey is one of the most delicate in flavour, crystalize easily & have low acid levels. Being prepared from species of rapeseed, holding 80% of Canadian honey sales.

Golden Honey

Velvety-Smooth honey having a deep flavour with a blend of clover and wildflower honey varieties. It has a sweet taste entwined with delicate floral undertones.

Jamun Honey (Syzygium cumini)

Jamun Honey is sourced from bees that feed and forage primarily on Indian blackberry commonly known as JAMUN Jamun. It is collected from the south Karnataka region and is harvested in August when the Jamun flowers blossoms. It is dark amber in color and comparatively less sweet than other honey.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) honey is famous for its antihypoxic activity. A specific dose of this honey can be topically applied to cure the deadly Fournier gangrene.

Since it has high osmotic pressure and viscosity, it prevents microbial growth and promotes wound healing when applied to the affected areas.

Jamun honey is renowned for anti-hypoxic activity. A specific dose of this honey can be topically applied to cure the deadly gangrene. Since it has high osmotic pressure and viscosity, it helps in microbial growth and promotes wound healing when applied to the affected areas.

Kashmir Honey

Gently nourishes skin with natural single flora of Kashmir Honey. It has all beneficial components which help in boosting immunity.

Chestnut Honey (Castanea sativa)

Of the common species of Chestnut trees, the Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) grown mainly in Europe produces honey, and the Allegheny Chinkapin (C. pumila) grown in Eastern USA produces a strong and bitter honey.

The chestnut tree belongs to the same family as beeches and oaks. For thousands of years the chestnut was a primary source of nutrition in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean where grains did not grow well. The primary honey producer, the sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) is common in Europe where it was introduced from Sardis (in what is now Turkey) thousands of years ago, hence the name Sardinian Nut, now known simply as the chestnut…not to be confused with Sardinian honey, so called because it is produced on the Italian island of Sardinia.

It possesses a unique aroma and some of its varietals are reported to taste bitter. This amber-colour honey is mildly sweet and its low Glycemic Index makes it honey suitable for diabetics.

Maple Honey (Acer macrophyllum)

The western honey bee or European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the 7–12 species of honey bees worldwide. The genus name Apis is Latin for "bee", and mellifera is the Latin for "honey-bearing", referring to the species' production of honey.

Has the aroma of maple trees in bloom, with a sweet almost medicinal scent to it. Maple Blossom Honey is only available during the earliest days of spring from the blossoms of big leaf maple trees.

Cotton Honey (Gossypium hirsutum)

Cotton honey first sounded like a joke to me. I mean, cotton is for clothes, for good quality clothes, breathable and soft.

The only image I had in mind of the plant named cotton, was from an old movie where black slaves were gathering white balls of fluffy cotton from a huge field. I remember the contrast between their black ebony hands and the white balls.

I never imagined honey can be produced from those plants, because in my mind there were no flowers attached. But then, I thought the same when I first heard of pine honey. Pines don’t have flowers and yet honey can be produced from them.

Made from the visiting the flavours of cotton plants, it doesn't taste light cotton, but rather has a complex flavour with both sweetness and tartness, unique and delicious.

Neem Honey (Azadirachtaindica)

Neem honey is a popular Ayurvedic treatment and can be commonly found in India where Neem trees (Azadirachtaindica) are common. It is used to lower high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems, allergies, dental illnesses, and throat infections. Highly valued in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties, Neem honey is as appreciated as Maharishi honey. It is known to be anti-inflammatory, anti-coughing and antiseptic. Folk medicine uses it in lowering high blood pressure and to treat diabetes (!), skin problems, dental diseases, infected throat, and allergies.

Medicinally valued Neem honey is a Bitter-tasting variant mainly produced in warm tropical countries like India. It’s an Ayurveda medicine for lowering high blood pressure, treating diabetes, skin problems, dental diseases, infected throat, and allergies.

Pine Tree Honey (çam balı)

Pine honey Turkish: çam balı is a type of honeydew honey. It is a sweet and spicy honey, with some woody notes, a resinous fragrance and dark amber color. It is a common breakfast dish in Turkey, where it is drizzled over yoghurt and eaten with bread.

Pine honey is an unusual honey because it is not produced entirely by honey bees. It is produced by bees that collect honeydew (sugary secretions) from a scale insect species called Marchalinahellenica, which lives on the sap of certain pine trees. The marchalinahellenica can be found on the Turkish Pine (Pinus brutia), as well as the Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis), Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Stone Pine (Pinus pinea).

Pine honey is produced in eastern Mediterranean Pinus brutia forests. Turkey produces 92% of the world’s pine honey. Muğla Province accounts for 80% of Turkish pine honey production.

Pine Tree honey (also known as forest honey, fir honey, honeydew or tea tree honey) holds the majority of honey production in Greece. It is not particularly sweet and tastes a little bitter with a strong aroma. Relatively rich in minerals and proteins, this honey is resistant to crystallization.

Pumpkin Blossom Honey (Cucurbita)

Pumpkin honey is one of the rarest of honeys, so it is a special treat when available. It is an excellent honey for cooking, baking, canning, and wonderful for marinades, sauces, and dressings. Whip it into a tasty honey butter and you wont be disappointed. Pumpkin Honey is reminiscent of pumpkins and other squash, even having an orange cast to the color. It is wonderful for fall and winter cooking.

Pumpkin Blossom honey is dark amber-coloured having a light floral fragrance. It’s a suitable topping for dishes and desserts and tastes good when paired with savoury or spicy barbeque sauce. It also tastes great when drizzled with sweet potatoes, yoghurt, and desserts.

Rainforest Honey (Apis Dorsata)

The bees that produces this precious honey is called Apis dorsata or Giant Honey Bees, and they would only build hives on canopies of Koompassiaexcelsa, also known as Tualang tree - Hence the name Tualang honey.

Having a rich floral aroma, rainforest honey originates from rainforests of Brazil, Australia, Tasmania, Thailand, the US, etc. It is popularly used in cooking and baking and hailed as an excellent sauce ingredient, also favorite among the children & used as a breakfast jam or mixed into a honey drink

Rata Honey (Metrosiderosrobusta)

It contains live enzymes, minerals and vitamins, making it a tasty super food, perfect for displays with cheeses but also healthy and nutritious as well. Our Rata honey is sourced from the protected Rata tree found in New Zealand's National Forests.

Rata is one of several species of Rata found in New Zealand but is the one that most regularly produces a honey crop, although even this honey is sometimes in very short supply. Anyone who has seen the Rata flowering in January in the Otira Gorge west of Christchurch cannot forget the sight of this brilliant red carpet covering the mountains. This area produces the purest Rata honey, very white in colour with a subtle, distinctive flavour, mild and rich - but not sweet, almost salty, considered by many to be the best of New Zealand Honeys.

Rata honey is a light colour & buttery smooth varietal that has impressed many serious honey enthusiasts. It has a mild, subtle taste and yet very memorable, pleasantly sweet aroma. Rata honey has a relatively high glucose content. It crystallizes quickly and thus is usually processed into a cream, honey. When mixed with water, it makes an absolutely delicious, soothing tonic with a fruity hint.

Tualang Honey (Apis Dorsata)

Tualang honey (TH) is a Malaysian multifloral jungle honey. The honey is produced by the rock bee (Apis dorsata), which builds hives on branches of tall Tualang trees located mainly in the north-western region of Peninsular Malaysia.

It is claimed to contains more nutrients & minerals than Manuka Honey. Tualang Honey has one of the lowest glycemic index in honey, despite its savoury sweet taste. Eating it does not spike your blood sugar levels as much as other honey. It has half the GI of table sugar and even lower than white bread, making it the perfect, super healthy alternative for table sugar and can be easily incorporated into any diet or recipe. Tualang Honey contains the highest amount of antioxidants & anti-inflammatory agents in honey. It improves cardiovascular health, stimulates fast wound healing, reduces scarring and is extremely effective against persistent coughs & sore throats or other viral-borne diseases.

The tualang honey is a multifloral jungle honey, produced by an Asian type of bee called Apis dorsata, in nests hanging from the high branches of the tualang trees.

Referred as the "champagne of honeys" or "Queen of honey", this honey is produced in the Southeastern U.S. swamps. It is usually light golden amber with a mild, distinctive taste. Tualang honey is one of the sweetest honey varieties because of its high fructose content and it hardly granulates.

Tulsi Honey (Ocimumtenuiflorum)

Tulsi Honey is prepared by infusing Krishna tulsi leaves with unprocessed honey. Honey an elixir, when mixed with Tulsi, works out wonders for your body and mind. It strengthens the immune system and reduces stress and induces sleep when consumes at night with hot water. Good for throat infection, shows best result against anti-bacterial effect. Reduce cough.

Good for throat infection, reduce cough and shows the best result against the anti-bacterial effect.

Tupelo Flower Honey

Tupelo honey is a premium honey produced in northwest Florida. It is heavy-bodied and is usually light golden amber with a greenish cast and has a mild, distinctive taste. Because of the high fructose content in Tupelo honey, its granulates very slowly.

Tupelo Honey (Nyssa)

Named as the "champagne of honeys", "Queen of honey", "Southern Gold", Tupelo honey is a premium honey produced in the Southeastern U.S. swamps. It is usually light golden amber with a faint greenish glow, and has a mild, distinctive taste. Because of its high fructose content, Tupelo honey is one of the sweetest honey varieties and it hardly granulates. More details in: Tupelo Honey - Queen of Honey.

Tupelo Honey or the “Southern Gold”, as it is popularly known as, is produced in the Southeastern U.S. swamps. It is usually light golden or amber in colour with a faint greenish glow and a mild & distinctive taste. Tupelo honey is one of the sweetest honey varieties courtesy the high fructose content and its ability of not granulating like most other types of Honey.

Wildflower Honey

Wildflower is often described as polyfloral honey from miscellaneous and undefined flower sources. Its colour varies from very light to dark and flavour range from light and fruity to tangy and rich, depending on the mix from the different seasonal wildflowers.

Visit www.geohoney.com to get more details!

#wildflower honey #polyfloral honey

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summylise · 7 years

Text

Long Time, No See

A/N: yeah yeah I know I know. I'm supposed to be writing the next chapter of NSEND but DON’T WORRY because I still am. This was just a warm up with my OCs but then I realized that it could be a cute one-shot and tbh y’all are going to need it after this next chapter. soooo HAPPY B-DAY @unashamed-shipper !!!! You said the other day how you needed fluff so here ya go!!

prompt: imagine your otp, warm up

pairing: nalu

words: 2355

rating: T bc I say two swear words whoopsie

It’s been three years, two hundred and seventy days, and God knows how many hours since I last saw him but I could never forget him. Not the way his hair fluffed back when he ran his fingers through it, or the way he’d fiddle with the strings of his backpack and his Adam’s apple would bob when he was nervous, or the way his lips would quirk and light up any room he walked into. I can never forget the way his shoulders slumped and how he couldn’t meet my eyes when his drenched form stood in my doorway that night. I can’t forget the subtle way his breathing hitched when he told me and tears had pricked my eyes. I can’t remember the hint of salt I tasted when I kissed him for the last time, whether they were my tears or his didn’t matter. I won’t forget how I had laid in bed for the rest of that week, refusing to see anyone and responding only to my mother when she tried to console me.

He mentioned something about his work or danger or something, but frankly, my ears had stopped working after he said: “I’m leaving.”

It’s been three years since I’ve heard one word from him. Since I’d seen his face, heard his voice, felt his skin.

But today, something felt…different.

I get up a bit earlier than usual; sadly the only train straight to Narcís leaves at 4:30 opposed to my usual 9 am. Get out of bed is more of an overstatement though seeing as I about fall on my face when the alarm makes me about have a heart attack. If it isn’t the near-death experience that wakes me, it’s definitely the cause of the massive bruise probably forming on my lower back.

The rest of the morning goes by in a blur, but I’m luckily conscience enough to brew a fresh pot of straight black tea. If I’m going to make it to the train station without committing at least one felony, I’m going to have to down like a gallon of this shit.

I click the stove lighter and mentally go over the packing list in my head. I’ll only be gone a month, so the bare necessities are all I really need to worry about. Makeup isn’t that important; I’m just going for a personal vacation before college starts, so there’s no point in impressing anyone. I tap each finger as I check off box after box. Undergarments: check. Seven pairs of outfits: check. Toiletries: check. Spare money: check. Boarding pass:…

Dammit, where did I put that thing? My lip sneaks beneath my teeth as I fish for the ticket amongst the various piles on the dining room table. Probably should clean those up at some point.

Bill. Bill. Grocery ad. Bill. Bi-

The pot whistles just as I’m pulling out the white slip. I almost drop the darn thing when I race to stop the kettle before it wakes my mom in the other room. I let out a sigh of relief and tilt the water into my to-go cup. The pass goes in my purse, and I slip out the door with a whispered “I love you” to my mom.

The ride to Narcís was generally uneventful. It took about ten hours, but it honestly felt like three. Turns out sleeping through a vast majority of your trip distorts your perception of time a bit. Luckily though, I’m feeling much more refreshed and awake than I had that morning which is probably a blessing to those that have to deal with me for the rest of the day. I order a small lunch, just a sandwich, and some fruit along with a bottle of water to give me a bit more energy when the food cart rolls by.

I’m surprised at how much the scenery changes in the matter of a few states. Gone are the barren, rolling hills of Magnolia and here are the thick, colorful forests of Narcís. The sheer number of trees and wildlife astound me. I mean I had seen forests before when I had lived in Hargeon, but this was something else. They were everywhere, and where they were, they were deep. Thousands of pines lined the tracks for miles at a time. The area behind the vast rows was immersed in shadow due to the heavy presence of trees and brush and undergrowth. It was like I had entered a brand new world filled with life and comfort. Something about it felt…like home, like I belonged there and something was calling me back.

I snack on a sliver of pineapple as the last of a particularly thick patch of woods whizzed past my window. I quickly place the bowl on the empty seat across from me and leaned towards the window to see the town I would call home for a little while. It’s pretty small compared to those I had lived in in the Magnolia, its central area only spanning a few miles all around. Compared to my little pile of buildings in Hargeon, this might as well be a kingdom. The town itself was surrounded at all points by thick pine trees and maples. To the west sat the port to the ocean where they no doubt got their supplies seeing as the only way by land into the town is by train. The stores weren’t all that much, just a bunch of small, one-story buildings. They lined either side of a long road that spanned the entire length of the town, connecting it as a branch holds onto leaves.

I stumbled across this place when I was researching port towns for some history project in eighth grade or something and just happened to see my project when I was cleaning out my closet. The walls had been pressing in on me at that point, and I had decided to do something about it. I then started saving money and picking up hours at the coffee shop to begin funding my expedition. Now I was finally here, and the anticipation was killing me.

We pull into the main station, probably the biggest building in town, about five minutes later and I don’t waste one second before leaping onto the platform, almost losing my floppy hat in the process. I instantly collide with a gust of fresh, salty air and can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest. My stomach leaps. I was here. I was finally here. I pull my suitcase behind me and approach the overlook facing the sea.

My mouth about drops to the floor. Water. Dark and blue and everywhere. From as far right to as far left as I could see. That vast expanse spreads up and over the far horizon in the distance. White seagulls fly overhead, cawing and begging for scrap that the few visitors drop in their haste to leave the metal contraption. I don’t turn back though; I can’t turn back. My eyes are glued to the blue and how the sun peeks out from behind dark clouds above to shimmer on the ocean’s surface. It really was like a sapphire, I noticed. The blue was slightly off, opting more of a dark, midnight hue, but the way the sun caught waves that crested and moved was spot on.

Another gust rushes through me, ruffling my hair and raising the hair on my arms. I almost shudder with the wave of freshness and belonging that hits me when the spray of salt caresses my face. My eyes drift back open, and I realize that I can suddenly feel the sun on my head. It takes me a second to piece together that my hat was no longer on top of my head.

I whip around, eyes grazing the concrete floor searching for the golden straw and pink flowers of my hat, landing, luckily, only a few feet away. I start towards it. Then stop dead in my tracks.

Because I see it. I see him. I first notice his hair then his rich, sage eyes then the way his mouth parts. The handle to my suitcase slips from my grasp. The hat floats away, all concerns of it blowing right along with it. Time stills. People filter from my vision until it’s just him. Just him and me.

I feel my lips part, my hands rising to cover them. I feel myself mouth his name. I hear my own, his voice floating towards me effortlessly in all its deep, whispered glory.

Then I’m running. And he’s running. And I have my arms wrapped around him so tightly I don’t know if it’s too hard or rough, but I don’t care. I don’t care. Because it’s him. And he’s here. And…and…

“Natsu,” I murmur, my whispered voice breaking.

I feel the tears sliding down my cheeks. I don’t bother to hide my sobs, and I tighten my hold around his neck. He tightens his grip, making it hard for me to breath. I know he’s struggling too, but I can’t bring myself to let him go lest he slip between my fingers again. He nuzzles into my neck. He mutters something against my skin. I feel something wet slide down my skin, and I know he’s crying too. I don’t pull back to see. I don’t loosen my grip in the slightest even though my body is shaking violently.

I pull back when I’m finally unable to get enough air in my lungs, but I don’t untangle my arms from around his neck. I realize that I have to lean back to meet his eyes this time. His rich, olive eyes shimmer with tears that also streaked thin lines down his face. His features are harder, stronger than before and his hair a bit thicker, a bit lighter with sun-kissed streaks of gold mixed with the now light rose. He now stands a head taller than me opposed to level with me all those years ago.

“Lucy,” he mutters back.

I can’t help the way my heart leaps at how his deep timber whispers my name as if he can’t believe that I’m here just like I can’t believe that he is either. A smile explodes across my lips.

“Yeah. It’s me,” I say back.

A toothy grin spreads across his face, and a thick laugh rumbles out of his chest and into mine. The sound sends my heart into a frenzy and reminds me how much I missed that sound. I can’t help the laugh that bursts past my lips at that noise. I feel his grip around me tighten, and my feet lift off the ground, and he spins me. And I laugh more. Because it’s silly. Because I’m happy. Because it’s him.

He sets me back down a moment later. My breath hitches again as I stare back into his eyes. I realize then, with a crushing sense of finality that he’s actually here after all this time. I feel my vision blur and a ball rise in my throat when it hits me how much his presence means to me and how much it hurt when he was gone. Not because he was one of the very few in my heart. Not because we were together. But because with him, I felt home; I finally felt right. And it was Natsu. And he was now a part of me, and I was whole again. And I just…

“I missed you,” I choke out. “I missed you so much.”

His smile softens, and he lifts a hand to wipe the tears streaming down my cheek.

“I missed you so much it ached. I missed you too. So, so, so much.”

His own eyes shimmer, reminding me for a moment of the ocean and how the sun made it sparkle like a jewel.

My smile grows, and I hiccup. I pull him down until his lips meet mine. My eyes slip closed. And it’s just us.

I kiss him with everything I have, all the pain, the loneliness, the longing. I press my lips so hard against his own, I know they’re going to bruise. He presses back with just as much intensity if not more. I don’t care that our teeth clack together when we collide or how our lips tingle with the other or the roaring of the blood in my ears. I just want to drink in as much of him as possible. The taste of salt and strawberries slips across my tongue when I slip it between his parted lips. My fingers weave into his hair and slide against his skin, basking in the warm feel of his skin against my own, the way his hair glides through my fingers. He groans against my mouth but continues his assault. His hands slide up and down along my back, trying to feel as much of me as he can. His fingers find the bottom of my t-shirt and slide under. I try to hide my shudder, but struggling is proving pointless.

I have to pull back, whether it’s to breathe or stop myself from caving in, I’m not sure. We both stand there panting, foreheads pressed together, taking each other in. We still can’t believe our eyes, our lips, our hands. I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t bear to open my own. I don’t want this to be a dream. I don’t want to wake up again only to find him not next to me.

I slowly slide my hand down his neck, down his chest, and around his back. I lean forward and press my face into his shoulder. My fingers tighten on the fabric of his shirt. He lets out a sigh and wraps his warm arms around my back beneath my shirt. His head buries into my hair, the movement so familiar, so…him. I allow his scent, the warm smell of a campfire and sandalwood washing over me, covering me, swallowing me whole.

And I let it. Because it’s Natsu. And I’m home.

#summer writes #nalu #fairy tail #ft fanfics #nalu fanfics #nalu fanfiction

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tipsycad147 · 5 years

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Immune-Boosting Herbal Tea Blend

20 Dec By Katie Mae Stanley

When coughs and running noses are just waiting to take up residence in your body, start building up your immune system before a cold or flu settles in. This immune-boosting tea blend is simple, tasty, and effective!

This immune-boosting tea blend is quick to whip up when you have the herbs on hand, and tastes great too!

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but… it’s also the time of year when coughs and running noses are just waiting to take up residence in your body.

We are surely in the midst of cold and flu season. Holidays are a wonderful time of year but, they also tend to be the time of year when you get less rest and eat more sugar. Lack of sleep and sugar both weaken your immune system’s defence.

It is important to start building up your immune system before a cold or flu settles in. My favourite ways to do this is through immune-boosting herbs like echinacea, olive leaf, elderberry, rose hips, and hibiscus. This immune-boosting tea blend is simple, tasty, and effective!

Immune-boosting tinctures and elderberry syrup are usually my first go to when it comes to fighting off colds but sometimes, a hot cup of tea is more soothing, and let’s face it, most tinctures are not very tasty.

Immune-boosting tea is not hard to make. It contains herbs that are full of Vitamin C, which is essential for building up a strong immune system to fight off all the germs floating around. It also has herbs for helping the body to relax, which promotes better rest – something we all need this time of year.

You may be surprised to see that this immune-boosting tea is lacking possibly the most popular herb when it comes to fighting off a cold, echinacea. That is because echinacea is most effective when taken for more than two weeks at the onset of a cold or when you have been exposed to illness. (It also does not taste all that great.)

For this blend, I chose to go with herbs that can be consumed for longer periods of time so that you can benefit from it the entire season.

This immune-boosting tea is a combination of hibiscus, elderberries, olive leaf, rose hips, lemongrass, chamomile, and orange peel. The main flavor is hibiscus, which is common in many fruity tea blends, it has a similar flavor to cranberry juice. Lemongrass and orange peel add a perfect citrus note, while the remaining herbs add just a hint of flavor, blending in to create a soothing drink to warm and nourish the body.

When should I start boosting my immune system?

As soon as you’ve been exposed to illness or feel a tickle in the back of your throat, it’s time to start taking something. The sooner you stop a cold in its track – or better yet, prevent it from starting – the better. If you have this immune-boosting tea on hand then you will be ready when the germs come your way. As is common with a holistic approach to health, be sure to pair it with a variety of other natural remedies and immune-boosting techniques for best results. (Like the suggestions here for beating cold and flu season.)

Immune-Boosting Tea Herbs HIBISCUS

Hibiscus is not widely popular an immune booster, but it is widely popular in fruity herbal teas blends. It is known all over Mexico as “Agua de Jamaica” or Hibiscus water. It is high in Vitamin C which is essential for boosting and stimulating the immune system.

OLIVE LEAF

Olive leaf’s antiviral properties give it the ability to prevent the common cold. Unlike other herbs that are known for their immune-boosting properties, olive leaf can be used for an extended period of time. It can be taken indefinitely by adults, however for children it is suggested to not be taken for long periods of time to allow for their immune systems to be strengthened on their own.

ELDERBERRY

Elderberry has long been known as one of the kings of herbs when it comes to cold and flu season. I love to keep homemade syrup on hand from fall on. Studies have shown it to have strong anti-bacterial properties and stimulate the immune system, as well as to be effective in treating strep and various strands of the flu.

ROSE HIPS

Rose hips are extremely high in Vitamin C, containing more than citrus fruits, making it perfect for boosting the immune system. They also contain Vitamins A, B, and D, and as well as flavonoids. Flavonoids help the body to better assimilate Vitamin C, making rosehips a perfect pairing for elderberries and other herbs that contain Vitamin C.

CHAMOMILE

Chamomile has antibacterial and sedative properties, as well as many other therapeutic effects, such as promoting relaxation.

LEMONGRASS

Lemongrass is high in Vitamin C, known for strengthening the immune system. It helps to restore the body’s vital systems, allowing it to absorb important nutrients. It like chamomile promotes relaxation.

ORANGE PEEL

Oranges are noted for their high Vitamin C content, the peels, which are less frequently consumed contain almost twice the amount. They are also full of pectin, which feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

1 cup hibiscus flowers whole

1/2 cup elderberries

1/4 cup olive leaf cut

1/4 cup lemongrass cut

1/4 cup chamomile

1/4 cup orange peel cut

Instructions

Add all the herbs to a quart jar. Shake to mix.

To prepare, add two tablespoons of the tea for every 8 ounces of water to a sauce pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain, and drink while still warm. Add raw honey if desired.

Notes Where to buy herbs? My main sources are Mountain Rose Herbs, and The Bulk Herb Store. Amazon sometimes has herbs as well!

More Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Don’t simply stop with making this immune-boosting tea, there are several ways to build up your immune system.

Make rest a priority.

Exercise, even simple ways like a taking a walk or playing in the snow.

Eat less sugar. Sugar depresses the immune system, so keeping your sugar, even unrefined sugar to a low amount is important.

Consume more gut healing foods like gelatin. A healthy gut is key to a healthy immune system. This nourishing Thai soup is a great way to heal the gut and a cold at the same time.

Make immunity boosting tinctures like this simple version.

Enjoy some of these common beverages that have immune-boosting properties.

Katie Mae Stanley Katie Mae Stanley is the creator of Nourishing Simplicity, where she writes about crafting a made from scratch life with a heaping of grace. She spent 10 years as a missionary dorm "mama" for a bunch of amazing girls at a school for the deaf in Baja California, Mexico. Now she finds herself back in the Statesembracing God's next adventure. A cup of tea or coffee and a bit of dark chocolate make an appearance at some point in any given day.

https://redandhoney.com/immune-boosting-tea/

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prcdigia · 5 years

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really LONG CHARACTER SURVEY. RULES. repost , don’t reblog ! tag 10 ! good luck ! TAGGED. found it ! TAGGING. all of ya !

BASICS.

FULL NAME : Sherry Birkin. NICKNAME / ALIASES : Agent Birkin, Supergirl, Cherry, Little Miss, Raccoon Survivor, Test Subject AGE : 26 years [ verse dependent tho ] BIRTHDAY : March 7th, 1986 ETHNIC GROUP : American RACE / NATIONALITY : Caucasian / American LANGUAGE / S : English, bits and pieces of russian, chinese and german SEXUAL ORIENTATION : Heterosexual ROMANTIC ORIENTATION : Heteroromantic RELATIONSHIP STATUS : Single / Verse dependent CLASS : Middle class HOME TOWN / AREA : Raccoon City / The outskirts of Arklay CURRENT HOME : There’s no such thing she can call a firm home atm but the DSO’s offering different places for her to stay [ motels, cabins etc. ]. She’s usually kept under strict surveillance by the government, however. PROFESSION : US government agent [ unknown agency, ?-2012 ] ; DSO - 'Division of Security Operations' agent [ 2012-to now ]

PHYSICAL.

HAIR : Flaxen-haired, short with bangs, slightly curvy. A little bit longer than a pixie cut. EYES : Azure blue and bright, adorned by long, spidery lashes. Usually optimistic or gentle. NOSE : Small sloped, ordinary, knobbly at the peak FACE : Delicate, with soft & youthful features; middle-high cheekbones and a gently pointed chin; eyebrows are semi-thin, trimmed in a natural way & expressive LIPS : Sharp, semi-full lips; upper lip is thinner COMPLEXION : fair && smooth, almost porcelain-like, giving a false indication toward her age, her skin is thin enough for her veins to show through sometimes BLEMISHES : Slight freckles scatter across her nasal area && cheek bones, though they’re only to be seen from close-up SCARS : None. Or at least none of them are visible to the plain eye due to the G-virus' infection meddling with her DNA. TATTOOS : None so far HEIGHT : 5’4" [ 163 cm ] WEIGHT : 103 lb [ 47 kg ] BUILD : Fit, Athletic, Tiny / Something between Ecto- & Mesomorph/ Curvy but slender. An all around petite figure, which is quite beneficial for both her speed and agility in order to execute smooth combat moves FEATURES : Nothing extensively peculiar except for the fact that despite how many scratches and wounds Sherry has sustained over the years, they've all healed well and left no traces for the raw eye to be seen. She's also very pale, not in a sick but distinctive way. ALLERGIES : A mild form of hay fever USUAL HAIR STYLE : Mostly smoothed with some parts being curvy; a little touseld, but all in all nothing out of the ordinary. She likes to keep her hair style sportive but simple. USUAL FACE LOOK : Focused, determined, optimistic, thoughtful, melancholic, kind, caring, maybe even judgmental sometimes, although she really never does judge a book by its cover. USUAL CLOTHING : Formal when on duty, a white shirt with green capris, turtleneck sweaters & leggings, coats, something casual & comfortable, though she doesn’t mind to dress playful or elegant as well. She usually always wears a azul scarf around her neck & brown boots if the occasion allows it

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S : Mild form of Claustrophobia [ The fear of being enclosed in a small space or room and having no escape. ] Mild form of Achluophobia [ The fear of darkness. ] Mild form of Aichmophobia [ The morbid fear of sharp things, such as pencils, knives and especially needles. ] Severe form of Atychiphobia [ The irrational fear of failure or being incapable to help and protect. ] ASPIRATION / S : To bring peace to the world & restore balance, not wanting to end up like her parents, to fight bioterrorism & live up to her childhood friends & idols Claire & Leon. POSITIVE TRAITS : Organized ● Holistic ● Commited ● Idealistic ● Empathetic ● Compassionate ● Firece ● Kind ● Reserved ● Determined ● Optimistic ● Artistic ● Intuitive ● Gentle ● Wise ● Loyal ● Selfless ● Romantic ● Reflective ● Profound ● Trustworthy NEGATIVE TRAITS : Fearful ● Naive ● Overly trusting ● Sad ● Hurt ● Sceptic ● Self-Critical ● Stigmatized ● Mournful ● Gullible ● Anxious ● Self-doubting ● Emotional MBTI : ESFJ / The Caregiver ZODIAC : Pisces ♓ TEMPEREMENT : Phlegmatic ANIMALS : White Dove VICE HABIT / S : Tends to overthink her own actions a lot due to self-critical behavior / Keeps people at arms length sometimes in order to steer clear from the involvement of personal feelings FAITH : She doesn’t believe in God or the church or any other beliefs but she believes in fate GHOSTS ? : Well, if there can be such things as zombies & monsters . . . ? She probably does believe in higher forces the eye cannot perceive AFTERLIFE ? : Yes REINCARNATION ? : Yes ALIENS ? : She finds the thought amusing but . . . no. POLITICAL ALIGNMENT : Liberal ECONOMIC PREFERENCE : --- SOCIOPOLITICAL POSITION : Law Enforcer EDUCATION LEVEL : Upper secondary education

FAMILY.

FATHER : William Birkin [ Scientist, Virologist, Biologist ], deceased MOTHER : Annette Birkin, [ Scientist, Virologist ], deceased SIBLINGS : None EXTENDED FAMILY : None she knows of NAME MEANING / S : Sherry is French for "Cherie"; Darling, Dear One & Birkin is a simple, english surname that is locational from a place called Birkin near Knottingley, in the county of West Yorkshire. HISTORICAL CONNECTION ? : None

FAVORITES.

BOOK : Romance, Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Tragedy MOVIE : Disney Movies, sometimes love stories, sometimes crime or thrillers. That really depends on her mood. Though to be fair, she’s never really had the chance to watch a lot of movies in her life. 5 SONGS : Supergirl ; Drama for life ; Heal my wounds ; I want love ; Broken DEITY : Theia [ Titaness of sight and the shining light of the clear blue sky. ] HOLIDAY : Easter & Christmas MONTH : March SEASON : Spring PLACE : The beach at dawn or dusk, a lively room with broad, open windows, a balcony with view at the city lights below or the stars above, a market place or wild flower field WEATHER : She likes all kinds of weather conditions; the rain on her skin, the sun warming her up again, a gentle breeze tousling her hair & the snow giving her a chilly sensation. SOUND : A gentle breeze brushing the treetops & fields, the rush of ocean waves crushing against the shore, the sound of rain pitter-pattering against sturdy ground or the windows, the howl of a storm or the whistling of a gust, naked feet traipsing along cold linoleum, gentle & melodic hums. SCENT / S : A flowery soft, feminine essence that lingers and leaves a gentle impression, notes of sandalwood and cashmeran ground. It can be an exquisite blend of mandarine, magnolia and cedarwood for the natural, playful occasion, or a little more complex in theory for the starry, elegant nights with head notes of bergamot and orange, middle notes of rose, gardenia and orchid; and base notes of vanilla and coconut milk. Overall, she usually smells sweet and delightful, like a flower field after the rain, brisk with a hint of untouched innocence. TASTE / S : Something sweet that lingers but feels natural with a hint of sourness, like peaches or apples, kiwis & grapes. Sweet tea with fruits, green or jasmine tea, buttermilk & Orange juice. Creamy pies, hefty & extremely salty meals - she enjoys all of the sensations. FEEL / S : Soft linen against skin, mid-warm water in a bathtub or a shower, firm but warm hands around her hips, a breeze tickling her neck, a mild summer night where the sun shines down her back ANIMAL / S : Dogs, doves, horses, rabbits, storks NUMBER : 3 COLORS : Light blue, sky blue, cerulean, navy blue, silver, white, grey-blue, beige

#⭐･ﾟ: ι нσℓ∂ му вяєαтн αи∂ ѕтαяє ιитσ тнє αвуѕѕ. ✧ ━ ( HC )#⭐･ﾟ: α ѕтяσℓℓ тняσυgн тнє ∂αяк ωιтн α ℓα∂єи мιи∂; ρяσ¢яαѕтιиαтιиg. ✧ ━ ( MEME )

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writinginavacuum · 7 years

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My First, My Last, My Everything: First Date

Friends forever is a pretty long time, but caring for him was easy and loving her was easier. A collection of firsts.

Chapter 7: First Date

Or: Courage really has to come from both sides, but it's easier to be brave when Ven is still snoring away.

Read it on AO3

Aqua was used to being the first apprentice awake in the castle. Her normal morning routine usually meant that she was showered, dressed, and downstairs with a cup of perfectly-heated tea and something to eat by the time Terra came stumbling into the kitchen, his dark blue eyes bleary with sleep and his hair toeing the line between adorably mussed and just uncaring. Ven, the newest addition to the castle, was usually even later to the kitchen; he was just as likely to fall asleep in his bowl of cereal as he was to eat it. It made her heart light to think about, the quiet way she and her best friends had settled into a routine. It felt like they belonged together, the three of them. Like they’d been together their whole lives.

Aqua knew exactly how the routine should go, which was why she jumped when she turned the corner and noticed a shadow moving around the lit kitchen. She must have gasped, because the shadow froze before turning, revealing-

“Terra?” Aqua said, the surprise clear in her voice. Terra smiled sheepishly, a large hand coming up to rub against the back of his neck.

“Um, morning Aqua,” Terra responded, lowering his hand and turning back to the counter behind him. The muscles of his shoulders were tight, stiff with what Aqua assumed was embarrassment at being caught awake so early. Speaking of which…

“What’re you doing awake?” Aqua asked as she made her way to the fridge. “You’re not usually the type to be up before you have to.”

Terra shrugged, a movement so casual it had to be fake. “Wasn’t tired,” he tried, only for a yawn to sneak out anyway. Aqua laughed, turning back from the fridge with a bottle of water in her hands.

“Not tired, huh?” Aqua asked. Her lips quirked up in a wry smile, and she tried to pretend she didn’t notice the way Terra’s eyes flicked down to her mouth before darting back up.

“Okay, so maybe I just had plans,” he conceded with a smile of his own. Aqua took a cooling sip of her water and walked over to where Terra was working, hopping up on the counter and crossing her legs.

“Plans, huh?” Aqua asked, peeking over at the setup Terra was working in front of. Lunch meats, sliced bread, and husks of once whole fruits littered the counter top. On the other side of his cutting board, there was a slightly dusty wicker basket waiting with its lid open. She could see the white of the castle’s plates on top of what might’ve been Terra’s blanket, stripped from his bed and tucked into the bottom of the basket. “Are you running away or something? What’s with all the food?”

Terra laughed again, setting to work on a head of lettuce with a sharp knife in his right hand. “You sure love asking questions, don’t you?”

“One of us has to,” Aqua replied. Her foot bumped against his hip when he moved. She wiggled her toes, bare of shoes or socks, against the rough fabric of his pants until he swatted at her ankle. “Might as well be me.”

“That’s fair,” Terra said, “but I think Ven might have you beat.” He finished chopping the lettuce and dumped it into a plastic container before moving on to slicing cucumbers into what could almost pass for even circles. They sat in silence for a while, Terra’s knife clicking against the cutting board while Aqua sipped at her warming bottle of water.

“So what’re you doing today?” Terra finally asked, breaking the comfortable quiet that had descended. “Any plans for this rare day off?”

Aqua shrugged, rubbing her fingers through the condensation on her bottle. “Not much, I was going to read a book, maybe go down to the lake.” She could feel his eyes on her for a moment, weighing heavy on her shoulders, before the clicking of the knife resumed.

“D’you wanna go on a picnic with me?” he asked.

Aqua looked up in surprise just in time to see Terra determinedly not looking at her, instead focusing on the tomatoes he was quartering, a hint of red across his cheeks.

“I should’ve probably asked before I started putting the whole thing together, I know, but I forgot today was our day off until after we went to bed last night and I wanted to surprise you and you really don’t have to if you don’t want to, I’d completely understand, I just thought-”

Aqua leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, cutting off Terra’s rambling speech with a sound that she would gracefully pretend wasn’t a yelp of panic. Clearly she would have to be the one to press the issue.

“You mean like a date, Terra?” Aqua asked. Terra sputtered, his cheeks turning redder as Aqua giggled. It took him a moment to compose himself. Aqua loved how blue his eyes were when they were contrasted by his flushed cheeks.

“I mean, uh, d’you… want it to be? A date, I mean?” Terra finally asked. His eyes flicked everywhere but hers.

Aqua leaned in again, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. When she pulled away, Terra’s wide eyed stare forced a laugh from her. His mouth worked silently for a moment, clearly trying to make some sort of sound.

“Does that answer your question?” Aqua asked when it became clear that Terra had no intention of speaking any time soon.

“I don’t know,” Terra said after the shock had worn off, a grin now making itself known on his face. “Maybe you need to explain it to me again.”

Aqua loved the familiar sound of Terra’s surprised laughter, almost as much as she loved the new, unfamiliar feel of his lips against hers. “Nice try, mister. Now if you’ll excuse me, I apparently have a date to get ready for.” She grinned up at him. “Meet by the lake?”

Terra nodded, still looking mildly dumbstruck from the kiss, and returned to cutting fruit. Aqua watched him for a moment before turning and darting out of the room, worried he’d catch on before she had a chance to calm the raging panic and nervousness in her chest. A date! With Terra! She hardly dared believe it. She debated for a moment about pinching herself before deciding that such an action was too cliché for her tastes. Still, the other possibility, that she was awake and about to go on a date with her best friend, was more absurd by far.

The morning breeze was cool, bordering on biting as it nipped at her skin, but she appreciated it nonetheless as she made her way down to the almost lake she had started to think of as their spot, the spot where she’d first kissed him, where they’d discussed a future where they were masters together. She settled on the sandy shore, crossing her legs neatly underneath her. Now that she had the time to sit and really think about what she’d agreed to, she couldn’t help the anxiety that twisted in her chest. Would this go well, or would it only end in awkwardness? The idea of losing Terra as a friend hurt, but at the same time, she couldn’t let this chance slip away from her. The Master always said that they could not be steered wrong if they followed their hearts, and her heart wanted to be with Terra.

Aqua was so wound up in her own thoughts, one hand pressed against her chest as she watched the stars fade into the morning’s dawn, that she jumped when something was set down beside her.

“Hey,” Terra said as he crossed his arms, a playful grin crossing his face. “A little jumpy there?”

“I guess so,” Aqua responded with a laugh. “You know how I get caught up in my own head.”

Terra crouched down next to her, opening the basket and tugging out a blanket. Up close, Aqua could tell that it really was his blanket, dark brown and thin from repeated washings. Together, they laid the blanket across the sandy ground. Terra set the basket in the center of the blanket and knelt next to it, pulling sandwiches and fruit from inside it. Aqua hesitated for a moment, watching him work, before walking around and sitting next to him. He tensed for a moment, pointedly not making eye contact.

“Nervous?” Aqua asked.

“Of course not,” Terra responded, bravado in his tone. Aqua recognized it; it was how he sounded when the Master challeged him to try something new. Like it was a foregone conclusion that Terra was right. It also usually meant that Terra was not right.

“It’s okay to be nervous, you know,” Aqua responded after a moment of uncomfortable silence. “I am.”

Terra looked up from the spread of food in surprise. “You are?”

Aqua reached across the distance between them to rest her hand on top of his. “A little, yeah.”

Terra slowly relaxed, the hard line of his mouth softening into a smile. “Oh. That’s good. Me too.”

Aqua met his eyes for a moment before they both started laughing, and it was as though the tension was bleeding from them. When they finally went quiet, Aqua leaned against Terra’s side, allowing herself to appreciate the heat radiating from his skin and the comfort of his light so close to her. They ate their meal in a comfortable silence, listening to the sounds of their world coming alive around them. When Aqua had eaten her fill, she sighed and stretched out across Terra’s legs, resting her head gently on his thigh and closing her eyes.

“Thank you for this, Terra,” she murmured to him. The sun was warm and red through her eyelids as it rose higher in the clear sky.

“Thank you for agreeing,” Terra said. Aqua felt him move, but was surprised nonetheless when his hand came up to cup her cheek.

“So,” Aqua said, opening her eyes to make eye contact with him. “Does this mean we’re…?”

“Dating, you mean? Because, I’d like to, yeah,” Terra said. Aqua covered his hand with hers, tugging gently until he brought his hand close enough for her to kiss his palm.

“Oh, Aqua said with a smile, "that's good. Me too."

Terra looked pensive for a moment, his thumb brushing along the line of her jaw, before he started to grin. “So does that mean I get another kiss now?”

Aqua laughed, allowing her eyes to flutter closed once more as she released his hand. “I don’t know, Terra, what do you think?”

The lips pressed to hers were better than any answer Terra could have offered.

#terraqua #terra #aqua #terqua #teraqua #tequa #fanfiction #birth by sleep #wandering light #lost earth #we've finally gotten to the point where Ven is hereeee #I'm so glad #broken whirlwind #he's gonna feature more soon enough #BEACH DAY COMING SOON #the river swells to touch the earth

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