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sailorhyunjinz · 3 years

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~ ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕣!𝕁𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕚𝕟 ~

𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤; SMUT!!! gn!reader x inexperienced!sub!jeongin. pillowhumping, secret crush, best friends/childhood friends, first kiss, semi-public sex (ok not that but like getting caught?), orgasm (m), cum, mentions of blowjobs, mentions of cum eating.

𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥; 1,8 k

ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖; finding good gifs of jeongin that aren’t from when he was a minor and fit the concept at least a fucking crumb is DIFFICULT YALL so i present this cute gif ahssahsah

also i always make jeongin inexperienced?? I NEED TO WORK ON THAT

Here Jeongin was. Staring at the ceiling in the dark room, the only light coming from the streetlight outside the window of your bedroom. You were sleeping peacefully next to him but sleep was the last thing on Jeongin’s mind, his chest heaving nervously from lying so close to you. Usually this isn’t a weird occurence, the two of you best friends since childhood which equaled a lot of sleepovers but Jeongin couldn’t shake the feeling off longing. Longing to touch you.

He covered his face with a pillow, trying to put a physical barrier in order to stop the inappropriate thoughts that included everything from you kissing him to him being fucked by you hard enough to make him see stars. His delicate dick twitched in his boxers as the thoughts piled up in his brain, him not able to act on the urge to jerk off, not when you were sleeping soundly next to him.

The horny boy turned around to lie on his side, facing you as he grabbed the pillow and instead put it between his knees, huffing as he was hoping for a miracle, a miracle called falling asleep. Jeongin’s heart skipped a beat when he realised how close your face was to his, the air from your quiet breaths hitting his cheek. Your plushy lips formed into a pout as your cheek squished into the pillow, your eyelashes gently draping your weary eyes. Jeongin swore he could hear your heart beat next to his. The dark haired boy shuffled closer to you but almost gasped out loud as the pillow rubbed against his erection, his already sensitive cock twitching from the friction. He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, looking around in the room to distract the feeling but to no avail, his hips rutting against the pillow as if by magic, it simply felt too good to stop.

Jeongin thought he had gone crazy, what was he even doing? How could he be thinking such lewd thoughts about his best friend that was sleeping inches away from him, all whilst humping a pillow like a desperate mutt. The mattress that lied on the floor was shuffling in a questionable manner as the soft moans from between Jeongin’s scarlet red lips were now dripping out like sticky honey. His hand shifted from his mouth to his messy dark hair, ruffling it and tightly gripping it as he felt closer to his orgasm like never before, the sweat beading on his forehead from the slightly stuffy atmosphere in the room. His dark orbs shut tightly as he tried to grasp onto those last explicit thoughts before they all dripped out of his mind like his cum if it wasn’t for you groaning out into the night.

“J-jeongin,,,”

Silence errupted between the four walls as all his movements came to a standstill, his eyes springing open as he looked at you in panic but was met by you still asleep, looking just like you did moments earlier. The poor boy sighed, frustrated of having lost his impending orgasm but relieved, at least you didn’t see him.

Or did you?

Jeongin felt as if he could cry right on the spot, feeling frustrated and desperate for a release to calm his hard-on. He turned away from your sleeping face, thinking maybe that could help stop the intrusive thoughts. Maybe even closing his eyes completely would be even better, shielding himself from anything that could be associated with you. The poor boy nuzzles his face closer to the pillow, sighing for the last time before breathing peacefully. Just as a sweet slumber lingered close by he felt you shift and before he knew it you were dangerously close to him.

“Do you need help?”

Jeongin turned his head around in fear, thinking maybe this was a dream but it was a real as it could get. Your one hand slipped between his legs, palming him through his boxers that already had a wet spot from the precum that was leaking out. He opened his mouth in a loud gasp but you were quicker, muffling his sinful noises with your other hand over his spread lips. You lean into his ear, his head shying away from your close proximity as your lips almost touched the shell of his ear.

“Be quiet and I’ll make you feel good”

Jeongin bucked his hips against your warm hand, craving more of your touch as his face turned bright red, flustered at the words that came out of his best friend. Your eyelashes fluttered softly as his doe-like eyes were glued on yours, his eyebrows furrowing as you gave his hard member a squeeze before tracing the outline of his hard-on with your fingertip, the poor boy feeling all his blood rushing south as you slowly released your hand from his mouth.

“Pl-please,,y/n,,, help me out, I’m going crazy”

You smile softly at the pleading boy, crashing your soft lips against his slightly chapped ones, the kiss immedietly deepening as you slipped your tongue inside him, his body stiffening at the unfamilliar feeling before his entire body relaxed in your arms, him now sitting up on his knees. The soft mattrass dipped down from the two figures that were entangled with each other, hands roaming freely over your hot skin, the both of you barely wearing clothes to begin with. The wet sound of the kiss ringed in Jeongin’s ears, this new experience making the knot in his stomach tighten even more than it was before.

It felt wrong but so right.

Pulling away from the kiss, a line of saliva connected you, his eyes fluttering open sweetly. You smile, heat rising to your cheeks as you looked away for a moment, trying to find composure.

“T-the pillow felt good”

Jeongin spoke in a shy voice, scratching the back of his head as his puffy cheeks were on display, you wanting nothing more but to smother them in kisses. You looked at him, confusion dancing in your eyes which Jeongin noticed.

“N-not anything weird! I just happened to,, accidentally rub,,, against it,,, I’m sorry if it’s weird y/n, I was really frustrated, I’ve made you uncomfortable-”

You attach on your lips once again to stop the words spilling out of him, potentially waking someone else in the house. Your tongues swirled around each other, Jeongin gulping loudly as he felt nervous everytime you kissed him, filled with uncertainty, you were after all his best friend and he didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. As soon as you pulled away from the kiss for the second time you put a finger on his slightly swollen lips.

“It’s not weird, I can help you. Let me help you,,,babyboy”

You cringed at your own nickname, giggling and hiding your face behind your hands, sneaking a glance of the boy through the gaps between your fingers. To your surprise he didn’t laugh. He didn’t even smile. It was as if he’d frozen to ice in the stiffling room. Your smile quickly turned into concern, thinking that maybe you’d gone too far but all your worries were wiped away when Jeongin silently muttered;

“Call me that,,, I-I like it”

You eyes widened, never before seeing him this weak for you. You smirked, inching closer to him and gently stroking his hot cheek with the back of your hand.

“Only if you ride that pillow for me”

His dark eyes darted towards the pillow that was lying lazily on the carpeted floor, grabbing it in an instant.

“This one?”

Jeongin whispered, both his eyes and question filled with innocence. You nod slowly, watching him straddle it, his knees poking slightly inwards. You smiled at him, your bottom lip quivering in excitement, wanting to see him submit to you.

“W-what should I do?”

His eyes twinkled in the dim light that came from the window, his fluffy hair pointing all different directions and his lips slightly pursed. You scoffed, licking your lips that turned dry from the kiss.

“What you did when you thought I was asleep”

Jeongin blushed, his cheeks turning a light pink that was barely visible to you. He started humping the pillow, his twitching cock still in it’s clothed prison as the friction ignited a fire in his core, the previously ruined orgasm returning to it’s home. The delicate whimpers made their way out of his mouth in the softest manner, them being hardly audible due to him nibbling on the inside of his cheek, holding back on moaning. You traced your fingers up his exposed flexed thigh, eventually tracing circles over his tip, the wet patch making you snicker quietly from his desperation. You didn’t want to silence the pretty boy but his glistening lips leaving you with no other choice but to kiss him, Jeongin shortly moaning into the kiss, the sensation of release drawing closer with every second of your lips against his.

As his pace quickened the mattress started moving around, his hips rolling upwards against the edge of the pillow, the previously frustrated boy now feeling nothing more but pure euphoria as the knot tightened. You smiled against his lips, enjoying to see him desperatly chase his release. His arms trembled as his hands were grabbing onto the soft material beneath him for dear life, breaking the kiss hastly.

“y-y/n- agh,, can,, can i cum?”

His voice trailed to a whisper, the question sounding more like a statement. You nodded shyly, the so called question sounding too direct in your ears. The last couple of humps were uneven, the poor boy sweating enough to leave small sweatdrops around his temples, Jeongin’s soft hair failling in his face and covering his dark eyes with a even darker curtain. You opened your mouth to warn him from making too much noise but it was already too late.

“Jeongin, be quie-”

A loud groan escaped between his pretty lips making you slightly startled as the room was previously muted. His eyes shut tightly, a million cubes of colors flashing before his eyes as he slowly rode out his orgasm. The white sticky substance staining his underwear, forming a slightly darker shade on the black fabric he was wearing. In panic you smacked your hand across his lips like you’d done before but it was already too late, a beam of light shining through the crack of the bedroom door.

“y/n? are you ok?”

It was your moms voice. You pulled down the boy, covering him in a blanket as he was still lost in his pleasure, his breath shaky. Turning around and dragging the covers over yourself you closed your eyes it just in time before the door opened. You could hear your nervousness, imagining the different ways you could get out of this situation when morning came. The door closed quietly after a couple of seconds and the footsteps got fainter.

Facing the boy you saw him smile lazily, his eyes still closed. You poked him on the cheek causing the boy to giggle, his eyes slowly opening and meeting yours.

“thank you y/n”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Should I help you clean up babyboy?”

You smirked, insinuating something dirtier than what the innocent boy thought. His eyes widened as you plunged down beneath the blanket that covered his body.

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krispytidalwavesheep · 3 years

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Hopes and Dreams Part I

.I have this idea in my head since I saw the first trailer of Resident Evil 8, which was in March? This will be multichaptered and english isn’t my first language, so if anyone of you likes the story enough and is willing to be my beta, I would greatly appreciate it. *** About the story: Reader was Alcinas first lover and got reincarnated over the centuries. Alcina lost her everytime and after the fifth, she just gave up on ever finding reader again, because she couldn’t take losing her anymore times. But as fate would have it, the reader will find her.... Chapter One

Five. Five times Alcina has seen you reincarnated and crossing her way, and yet, fate always found a way to take you from her. The last one was particularly grueling. She remembered the day she lost you, as if it happened yesterday and considering her immortality, it may have been. You looked so happy and excited when you said your goodbyes, and Alcina could understand that. The titanic was a big thing then, even more so after the tragedy that unfolded. You were one of the many victims of the sheer stupidity of men, at least in her opinion and she hasn’t been the same since. Every single one of your deaths was devastating, but the last one was the one that broke her. Bela was there to take care of her, but something died within Alcina when she heard that fate had taken you away from her yet again.

When Cassandra and Daniela came into her life, it certainly helped, but she still grieved for you to this day. Usually, she would search to the ends of the world for you, but she couldn’t stand to lose you, if she ever found you again. She couldn’t do that to either you or herself.

She straightened her dress when she got to her feet again, gently stroking a hand over your grave. Well, the first you, anyway. The only one where any remains were found to be buried. You loved the lake near the castle, no matter in which life. Some asked about the tombstone, but she would just smile and say that it was someone she cherished when she was young, never revealing the whole truth. The first you lived the longest and happiest, before Alcina was turned. Centuries before Mother Miranda found out about her and the other lords.

Her musing was disrupted when she heard distant howling. It seemed like Heisenberg’s Lycans had found another victim, and they were oh so messy in their killing. She harrumphed and started her trek back to the castle, ignoring the ever-closer growing howling. That was until she heard rustling and a figure, cursing like a sailor rushed out from the bushes. Your eyes met and time seemed to stop for both of you.

***

You were furious with yourself for letting your guard down. You have been hiding away in this remote village for two years now, so far avoiding any supernatural beings. But it seems your luck had run out. You were checking your traps in the forest, never noticing them sneaking up on you. Which was a feat in and on itself, normally you could smell them miles away. During your travels you had to fight of many supernatural beings, a pack of Lycans shouldn’t be a problem, but the forest was dense in these parts and you knew when you were at a disadvantage. So, you ran, hoping to distract them with the chase long enough to form a plan.

Meeting her wasn’t part of the plan. You have never seen the lady of the castle, but you heard enough to know exactly who you were looking at, her height being one dead giveaway. Yet something about her made you stop dead in your tracks, the pack of Lycans chasing after you completely forgotten. Her honey-colored eyes stirred something in you, some feeling of familiarity you couldn’t quite place. Your heart clenched, not entirely in an uncomfortable way, because she was just so stunning. If you weren’t gay before you sure as hell were now. What intrigued you even more was the look of utter shock in her eyes, mixed with other emotions you could have named, if it weren’t for the Lycan crashing into you and propelling you down the small cliff you hadn’t noticed before.

“Motherfucking mutt!” you hissed and pulled the knife from your boot. You skillfully spin the Lycan underneath you, stabbing the knife into the Lycans chest to soften your fall. But another four already jumped right after you and you were still distracted by the lady, who apparently decided that watching you would be a nice way to kill some time. With a sickening crunch from the dead Lycan you landed on the edge of the lake. The others where circling you, growling menacingly. With another sickening crunch you pulled your knife free and took a defensive post. You kept most of your concentration on the Lycans, but the woman was still distracting you somewhat.

‘Might as well try to impress her’ you thought and grinned up at her, which was your second mistake that day. You felt sharp claws digging into your left leg and hissed in annoyance.

“Not cool, man!” you huffed and kicked him in the throat. The desire to impress equally impressive tall, beautiful women left your mind and you made quick process of the remaining Lycans standing in your way. You kicked the corpse of the one that got you for good measure, cursing under your breath. When you turned around you noticed that the lady had made your way to you, still staring you down as if you were the weirdest thing around here.

“I would help you, but it seems you have the situation under control,” she said, and a shiver ran down your spine. Her voice was like liquid honey and your heart clenched again. You absentmindedly rubbed your chest and said “Well, they are not the first supernatural being I have encountered, and they aren’t the most dangerous ones.”

She seemed impressed with your answer if the slight smirk was anything to go by. Her gaze wandered down to your leg and something in her eyes changed. Some far away voice in your head screamed for you to run from her, but you felt weirdly safe around her.

“Believe me when I say that I taste quite awful,” you said and grinned. That seemed to pull her out of her daze, and she stepped closer to you. You gulped a bit when the realization of how tall she truly was hit you, but you wouldn’t back down either. Craning your neck to keep looking at her face you stood still and waited. You should be scared shitless and still you felt as if no danger was coming your way. Yet.

“You should take care of that, before you attract more of them” she simply said and turned around. Sheer stupidity, paired with a malfunctioning brain to mouth barrier made you utter your next words “Well, shouldn’t you be the one to help me out, considering that I only got hurt, trying to impress you?”

She turned around so fast that you just knew she popped something. She was upon you in seconds and hissed “Excuse me?”

“I- I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” you stuttered and felt a blush creeping up your face. All her beauty and your weird feeling aside, she was still someone infinitely more dangerous than 200 Lycans combined. What exactly had you gotten yourself into?

***

Seeing you tumble out of the woods came as a shock to her system. No matter how many times you got reborn, she would always recognize you, though you certainly looked more different than ever before. Not that Alcina had much time to look at you, when just a few seconds after your eyes met a Lycan barreled into you. Her feet moved on her own, ignoring the other Lycans tumbling down the small cliff, when she rushed to the ledge of the small cliff just in time to see you landing on the dead Lycan.

You were certainly feisty and skilled this time around and the grin you threw her way made her feel things she thought long buried. Until one Lycan got to you and she saw red, but when she came down, she only saw you kicking a dead Lycan before he turned into dust. Alcina was rather impressed when you made that off-hand comment about encountering other beings before. Which would explain why you didn’t react to her like normal people do.

No matter how many times you two met in the course of history, there were certain things that never changed: you always looked similar to your you before, and your smell. Looking at you now, she realized that this time, a lot has changed. The most obvious being your smell. You still smelled like you, but something was underneath all that, that made you somehow all the more alluring to her. Something in your blood sang to her and it confused her a great deal.

You were always kind of shy and timid around her when you first met, but the confidence you oozed made you all the more attractive and Alcina felt as if she was betraying your past lives with that thought. Hearing that you encountered supernatural beings before made her stop dead in her tracks. What was your life like until you met? What happened to you to change you so fundamentally? But your next words shocked you more than she would ever admit

“Well, shouldn’t you be the one to help me out, considering that I only got hurt, trying to impress you?” you said with such an insufferable grin that Alicna had the impulse to strangle you for the first time in her long life.

“Excuse me?” she hissed and clenched her hands. Not that you would notice. But apparently you didn’t mean to say that, if your blush was anything to go by. Still, Alcina was fuming at the blatant rudeness, but also shocked at your bluntness. Your new personality was… still somehow endearing and interesting. She couldn’t fit your current you into the picture she had of you which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“What is your name?” Alcina asked and took a few steps back to get a better look at you. The smile you gave her was apologetic when you said “Excuse my poor manners, I really don’t know what has gotten into me today. My name is y/n.”

“I am Lady Alcina Dimitrescu, but you will call me Lady Dimitrescu or my lady. You would do good to remember your manners, little one.” She said and offered her hand to you. You gave her another stunning smile as you took her hand and bowed to give kiss to her knuckles that did ABSOLUTELY not fluster her, before you purred, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

You would be the certain death of her this time around. She was certain of that. She should keep her distance from you, it wouldn’t do to become to attached to your, your attitude would get you killed rather sooner than later. But what she said was: “Come now. The castle isn’t that far, and night is almost upon us. It wouldn’t do to stay out here, with you being injured.”

#alcina dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu x reader #alcina dimitrescu x reader

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moonbaby26 · 3 years

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Title: What the Heart Wants

Pairings: Young!Shota Aizawa x GN!Reader

Summary: You were a young hero in training, living in the United States. And when your high school offered an exchange internship to one of the hero agencies in Japan, you were first in line. But the last thing you expected was to fall for another of their young hopefuls.

Notes: Story features the other dumbigos as well. It’s implied that this story is just the reader reminiscing, and that the reader and Aizawa have been in an established relationship ever since.

Warnings: Mention of blood and a little battle damage, otherwise just superpowered teenage friends being pretty wholesome honestly.

My Masterlist

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The first time you’d ever met the now pro hero Eraser Head, he hadn’t been much more than another teenager in over their head so much like yourself.

Back then you hadn’t known how to say no to anything either. While most of your classmates had been taking the typical internship offers from your state’s local hero agencies, you’d heard about a new exchange program abroad. And of course you’d jumped at the opportunity, anything to set yourself even one hair’s edge above the amazing competition.

Your Japanese had been terrible too honestly, so much so that you’d almost been afraid to speak for fear of ridicule once you reached Japan.

Luckily, the hero you were assigned to, Stunner Man was fluent in several languages. And his quirk was something akin to fireworks from his body at will, like a human flash bang. It greatly complimented your own quirk of consuming light energy to then expel it as energy blasts as well.

For the first few jobs together, you’d likely grown too confident and complacent because of this. It was all too easy to replace your own energy by drawing in that light from his fireworks. Sometimes to the point that all around you went dark, before then expelling the energy again as concentrated blasts from your hands to help incapacitate the small time villains you both ran across.

But then had come that rainy night and reports of a much stronger villain taking out actual teams of heroes somewhere downtown. Multiple agencies had responded to this of course, but your hero had been adamant about you staying behind. This was real danger he said, and it would be unheroic to let your desire for success blind you to your own inexperience. You would be a liability in the main battle, and you could be just as valuable assisting firemen and police in their efforts to evacuate the nearby apartment buildings instead.

Of course you were obedient, and so there you’d been, running up the stairs and through the corridors as fire alarms blared and people cried in panic in these high rise buildings. You’d put on your best act of confidence, directing the scared people to exits, asking them to mind their neighbors. You told them not to push, to please help those that were elderly or disabled, and that it would all be all right. Surely it would be because so many pro heroes were now on the job.

But just as you were almost done clearing the last floor at the top of that building, a terrible crash had sounded from far down the hall. Maybe debris breaking through from the nearby battle? You were cautious enough though to make sure that the police and firemen safely exited this floor entirely with the last civilians before you went to investigate.

You would make sure no one was left behind, that no one was hurt or trapped. But as you’d rounded the corner, in a glitter of broken glass and blood, that was where you’d first seen Shota Aizawa…Eraser Head.

He was only a sidekick you thought immediately though just from his age, so similar to your own. Yet he was already trying to get back to his feet even as you called out to him. The hole he’d come through in the large windows and the cracked wall around it were letting the rain now blow fiercely inside.

“Get back!” He’d yelled right back to you in Japanese however. As if he wasn’t losing blood all over the floor as you did pause brief enough to hear an odd humming sound outside even over the rain.

It was reflex of course. He hadn’t even been facing you, but the way he tensed you’d assumed what was going to happen only that fraction of a second before it did. Before whatever villain had just thrown him through this window attacked again, you’d used your energy reserves to make a shield of light between Shota and the broken windows and wall.

The blast that came through the hole had likely been intended to finish the boy. As it was, it still exploded violently against your force field, the recoil sending pain through your arms as you’d dug your boots into the floor beneath you as much as you could just to keep from being knocked backwards with the force.

You wouldn’t be able to take another direct strike like that without gathering more energy. And in the confusion as the blast did dissipate, you ran forward, grabbing the boy by the wrist. “Come on!”

You only saw the surprise in his reddened eyes for just a moment, the first time he’d really looked at you. His shaggy black hair was dripping on you from the rain before you both ran together.

“It’s going to get dark. Just hold on to me and trust me!” You spoke as you pulled your goggles down from off your head to cover your eyes in mid run. The goggles were a support item developed especially for you. In darkness you could switch between night-vision and thermal imaging to allow you to still see when your opponents and even teammates could not. And when you used your light abilities to discharge energy again, the opacity of the lenses darkened instantly to keep you from being blinded by the brightness of your own quirk as well.

As you both ran, you activated your quirk to draw energy from the artificial lighting in the hallway. True to your word, the whole hall became almost pitch black in short time. Your skin darkening to an inhuman shade as well as you used your power, a color akin to the lightless void now around you as you led him to a stairwell in the center of the building.

“Will the villain follow us in?” You asked as you closed the door, but making sure not to absorb all the light of the stairwell as well as you could still hear people making their way down to evacuate below. You knew you couldn’t stay in this place long. You had to protect these people you had already been trying to rescue as well. But information was always crucial to having a better chance at victory, and you needed anything that the boy could tell you quickly now.

As you lifted your goggles back up in the light of the stairwell, you were already trying to assess his wounds as well. But when you realized he was just staring at you, you finally made eye contact with him again just before he spoke.

“He’s more powerful out in the open.” The boy said. “So I don’t think he’ll follow us inside yet. But you’re assuming I’m a hero?” He sounded somewhat surprised? But the way he was looking you over, he was also trying to discern your quirk even in his own confusion.

“You told me to get back when I found you in the hallway, even though you were hurt.” You saw now that most of the blood was coming from his lower abdomen. A puncture wound maybe? “Who else would worry about others even when being attacked themselves?”

You saw his eyes widen a little at the sort of compliment, but you kept on. “And I’m sorry if I’m hard to understand. My name is (Y/N). I’m from the United States. Part of the intern exchange. I’m working for Stunner Man right now.”

“I can understand you.” He admitted. Though still looking at you in that odd way. “My name is Shota Aizawa.” He paused, seeming a little less confident, before he admitted his nickname. “Codename Eraser Head. I’m interning from the UA with His Purple Highness.”

“Oh,” You said, impressed truthfully, as that school’s hero course was obviously world renowned. But from the quizzical look you couldn’t help but show at his codename, he clearly had already discerned your next question.

He answered before you could ask, but even as he did you could tell he was already steeling himself for your disappointment. “I can erase others’ quirks just by looking at them.”

“You can…what?” You stared helplessly, for a moment almost forgetting your training to always be cool and collected as you tried to fathom what on earth this boy could really mean.

But he just stared back at you, was he that surprised at your reaction?

When he said nothing more, you had to shake away your shock to press further. “I’m sorry. This might be the language barrier again, but I need you to explain that to me please.”

Hero work could lead to unexpected team up situations at any time. And if this was to be one of those times, you both needed to know what you would be dealing with.

He frowned slightly, like he was having to talk more about himself than he was comfortable with. But he did comply. “If I activate my quirk while someone is in my direct line of sight, it inactivates theirs. But I can only do it for so long. Once I blink, or the line of sight is broken, their powers will come back.”

Silence hung between you for one long moment after his admission, and you could sense the tangible unease building in him.

You didn’t mean to make him jump either when you just blurted out. “That’s amazing!”

You still didn’t yell, but it was loud enough to be unexpected. But you couldn’t help it. You’d never heard of such a quirk. How could anyone be so powerful to make someone else quirkless just by looking at them!?

And why the hell did he look so self conscious about this? “You can’t be this modest. How are you not believing me that this is amazing!? I bet you only got thrown in here then because the rain obscured your vision, right!?” Your voice was quickening with your excitement. Your strategies to victory also readily multiplying in your brain. You could make a shield of light to push away the rain and Shota could look at the villain to make them helpless, then you could take them out with a subsequent light blast!

“My quirk has no offensive merit.” He deadpanned.

“Not every quirk has to!” You retorted, but maybe yourself now finally starting to understand a hint to his self conscious nature. “There are always multiple ways to win! Don’t they teach you that at UA?”

“We need to get moving,” He grumbled still in resistance to this subject. “People could be being killed out there.”

He wasn’t wrong you knew, as you nodded. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to gather information.” Which fair was fair as you tried to keep your own explanation as straight forward as you could.

“As you saw, my quirk is that I can absorb visible light energy. It doesn’t matter what kind. I darken everything as I absorb the light around me. I can store it inside myself, then discharge it when I’m ready, to make force fields for defense…or light blasts for offense or distraction to blind opponents.” Like everyone though, there was always still a catch as you continued. “But the weakness is that once I’ve discharged what I have, I’m tapped out until I can absorb more light. Which, at night in a rainstorm like this…there’s not much to be had.”

He was mostly stone faced as he listened to you though. But there was an analytic sharpness to his eyes, like you were inputting information into a human calculator before abruptly he tried to walk back away from you as if to continue up the stairs.

“I have a plan then,” He announced quietly, his back already to you again.

As much as you somehow believed him already though, you grabbed his hand before he could get much farther. “And whatever that plan is, we still won’t be much help to anyone if you faint from blood loss.”

It was obvious he was someone not used to being touched, you could tell that from the instant way he stilled and looked back at you.

But you didn’t weaken at the stare, only offering him a slight smile. “I’ve been trained in emergency first aid as well. There are first aid kits all through this stairway.” You’d passed them on the way up. “I’ll be quick, alright?”

————————————

The logical side of him must have won out that night in that stairwell. He’d known you were right about at least stopping his bleeding. But that was the real beginning you thought. This odd relationship that would keep its hold on you both for so many years to come.

Him, still so skinny then and self conscious, quiet and awkward as he’d sat on one of the stairs, holding his shirt up so you could clean and disinfect the wound just above his belt while you kneeled in front of him. Luckily the injury was not as deep as it could have been. Just too wide to close or clot on its own as you’d wrapped his abdomen with the appropriate bandages after cleaning out the debris.

And you kept your word, you still weren’t negligent of your duty as a hero in training even then. You didn’t waste any time at all, being as quick and efficient as you could while working on him. But even if all your training told you to also keep your mind on the mission at hand, you’d still felt that warmth in you.

The intimacy was practical, professional. But it still had its effect as you’d run your fingers across his abdomen to finish securing the bandage. You felt him tremble just for the slightest moment, and then it was over. His shirt was back down and he was standing again.

He’d only muttered a quick “Thank you,” as you’d both headed for the roof to execute his plan.

And still only being teenagers then, the clumsiness of your yelling and waving to attract the villain’s attention again would be something you’d both have been embarrassed about now. But at the time, you’d really both done rather well considering your low experience levels.

That villain of course hadn’t been the only villain that night. The main heroes had had their hands full with the other, stronger one at the heart of downtown. This one had been more like the sidekick really, just trying to keep on the outskirts to run interference and keep even more heroes from joining the fray for his boss.

He’d picked off Shota earlier he thought, so he was easy to get worked up when he realized Aizawa was now back for more.

But that villain had drawn his power from the difference of electrical charges in the air. Obviously then at an even greater advantage over the two of you with the thunderstorm above. But the trick had only been avoiding his electrical blasts, but drawing the light energy from them enough times to eventually surprise him with a big enough blast in return.

There’d been a few miscues of course, as well as you using your shielding to protect Shota all the while trying not to get hit either before you could finally land that big enough return hit to stun the villain. Then Shota binding him up in his scarf like weapon and removing the enemy’s quirk long enough to deliver a decisive knockout kick to the villain’s head.

It was your first ever victory as a team.

—————————————

And it’d been a bit of a whirlwind afterward. The congratulations and acknowledgement from your respective heroes for the small, but positive role you had both played of course. But more personally for you, you had owed so much to one of Shota’s best friends you had met immediately in the hustle and bustle afterward.

Oboro Shirakumo, otherwise known as Loud Cloud had been there immediately, ecstatic to hear the story of Shota’s and your success. His extroverted and effervescent personality such a direct opposite to Aizawa’s quiet nature. But Oboro had been the one seemingly so excited to learn you were from the United States as well.

He’d insisted that he, Shota, and their fellow UA student and other best friend, Hizashi Yamada (codename Present Mic) show you the real young hero life in Japan before you would leave again in the coming weeks.

Without Oboro’s intervention, there was likely no way otherwise you would have gotten to see the shy Aizawa so many times again after that night.

As a group the four of you had gone to malls, out to eat, and to see the touristy sights you likely never would have gone to alone. They didn’t even make fun of your bad Japanese, well not seriously anyway. Hizashi did a few times, but in a way that had you laughing with him as he teasingly walked you through a few pronunciations you’d butchered yet again.

On your last night in Japan, you’d been feeling a little sad really though as you’d wished you had gotten to speak to Shota a little more one on one. Even though he’d accompanied you all on your excursions together in those few weeks, you still had noticed how little he really talked and how often he seemed to always be looking away from you.

In the end you just had to think you were being silly for the way you’d felt in the stairwell with him briefly that night and how often you’d thought of him ever since. You’d probably never see him again you knew.

That night though you’d all gone to a park together that met the beach and ocean. Oboro was insistent that you needed to see the view of the sea there before you flew back to the United States the next morning.

Oboro had made one of his clouds, taking just the two of you up high into the air. As Shota and Hizashi still on the ground grew smaller and smaller, you did look away to the horizon and the starlit ocean beyond. It was beautiful of course.

But what Oboro said next, made you forget all about that view entirely.

“He likes you you know. He just doesn’t know what to do about it.” The blue haired boy said as if it was as simple a truth as saying the sun would come up tomorrow.

Your head turned immediately, just to see Oboro smiling at you in an almost conspiring way. “And you feel the same don’t you?” He asked you. “You look at him the same way he looks at you.”

“He doesn’t look at me!” You blurted, stupidly protesting as if your stomach wasn’t already trying to tie itself into a knot.

But Oboro just laughed, that genuine, happy one you’d heard from him so many times already. “Well he knows what to do with his eyes doesn’t he? He has practice. Of course he doesn’t let you catch him staring!”

So many emotions ran through you at once then. Embarrassment at your naivety, sadness that you still had to be leaving the country regardless, shock that this could even be true, and….frustration that you would just be being told now!?

“I’m leaving tomorrow, Oboro. Why would you even tell me this now!?” You asked somewhat desperately, but still keeping your voice down in your escalating panic.

He raised his hands innocently, yet unafraid of you either way. “Hizashi and I have been encouraging him as much as we could to speak up, but Shota is like those stories where an unstoppable force meets an immovable object…but in this story both are Shota!”

You stared, the absurdity only mounting at his words.

He chuckled, looking a little embarrassed then. “He’s quite stubborn is what I mean? And he says it’s pointless because you’ll be thousands of miles away. And I said that’s what phones, email, and video calling are for! Of course conversation is not one of his better skills…”

“Oh, man” You sighed, yet trying to think in your nervousness. “Did he send you to tell me all this? Or does he even know we’re having this conversation right now?”

The boy just shook his head. “He didn’t tell me to, and I didn’t ask his permission, no. He would have only told me not to. But sometimes heroes have to do what heroes have to do, right?” A kind look overtook his face again. “I want to see him smile sometime. He actually has a nice smile you know. I think I’ve seen it all of twice,” Oboro joked.

And it was true, it’s not like Shota was cruel or anything. But he didn’t smile, he didn’t laugh. It was like he was always afraid to perhaps. You weren’t really sure yet. You hadn’t known him long enough. But surely Oboro and Hizashi had. You should at least be able to trust that they had made a correct assessment of their friend’s feelings.

“Well…” You hesitated. “If I told him I wanted to stay in contact…do you think he’d actually call or write me?” You looked at Oboro imploringly, unsure if it would hurt more to try this and be rejected later anyway if you still never heard from him again.

“I can only promise you that we’ll try to keep him from screwing up if it’s only his fear that’s holding him back. We all have to overcome fear in one way or another if we’re going to be pros one day.” He smirked then, before looking a little more boastful. “You know, when Shota, Hizashi, and I graduate, we’re going to start our own hero agency. I’m sure by then if you wanted to come and do some more work in Japan, we could make a space for you too. I’d be a bad manager to turn down foreign talent you know.”

He did seem so sincere, you couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’ll talk to Shota. But, whatever happens, thank you for trying to help either way.”

Oboro gave an exaggerated thumbs up with, what honestly you were guessing was his best imitation of an All Might type grin. “Of course! Plus Ultra! Always!”

———————————

It was something how quickly Oboro and Hizashi got themselves out of sight, now just you and Shota on the beach together. Yet you suspected they may still be in earshot somewhere in the distance. No doubt painfully curious of how this would go and silently cheering their best friend on.

At first you were afraid that Shota was angry actually, the way he’d visibly bristled, shooting his friends’ quite unhappy stares before they’d left as he fully realized what was about to happen.

But he didn’t ignore you, nor did he look away from you this time as you got closer to hopefully speak a little more privately. “I’m sorry if this is…weird.” You started awkwardly. “But I don’t think you should be too hard on your friends either. It’s obvious they really care about you.”

Your foot was kind of shifting in the sand. Nervousness still flowing freely as you just kept on. “But I’d still like to hear it from you…if you’re wanting to keep in touch. If you want to get to know me better, I’d like that…so…um-” Ah, this would be awful at any time, but stumbling over words you’d only recently learned made it all the worse. “So is it true, Shota? Do you want to keep talking after I’m back home…maybe I can come back again though…I’d like to see you again…I really would.”

He was silent at first, but he was clearly listening. Intently, as if analyzing your every movement, your every word.

But it was painful how long you had to wait for a response. Surely it wasn’t really as long as it felt though before he finally responded. His voice surprisingly even, almost emotionless?

“You’ll be a successful hero if you keep to your studies and training. I find it unlikely that you wouldn’t be able to start at any agency of your choosing in the United States once you graduate.”

A huge compliment to be sure, as you stared at him in surprise. But what did that have to do with the subject at hand? Was he trying to avoid your questioning entirely?

Yet his eyebrows lowered before you could interrupt as he kept on. “So I don’t understand why you would ever want to come back to Japan longterm where your reputation would have to be built back up again just to get equivalent job offers to what you could attain already in the US. The one instance with capturing the villain at that apartment complex isn’t enough for top placement at the agencies here in Japan. Especially without UA accreditation on your record. You would be putting yourself at a disadvantage to be here. It would be a mistake for your career.”

You could swear you almost heard a groan from somewhere in the distance. If you’d put your goggles on now, you were sure you’d probably see Oboro and Hizashi hanging on every word, wherever they were hiding to eavesdrop in the dark.

But your brain was also quite busy trying to digest the most words you’d ever heard from Shota at one time. Was this his excuse to reject you more lightly? To say he was only thinking of your career?

Of course he was under no obligation to feel anything for you. You knew there were certainly those with more powerful or interesting quirks than your own, or people more physically attractive. You weren’t anything amazing in your own mind compared to all the potential superstars you interacted with on a daily basis back home.

Yet if he didn’t feel how you did, you wanted to hear it outright instead of buried in a confusing way like this, and you couldn’t help but admit so then. “So you think I shouldn’t ever want to date you because it could make me spend too much time in Japan and not become as famous as I could have been otherwise? Nice that you assume working at a top tier agency is the only thing I would care about for my future….”

Perhaps you did come across a little harsher than you intended, but the way his normally tired looking eyes suddenly widened in shock had you realizing you had definitely brought some sort of emotion out of him at last with those words.

“You…wanted to…date me?” He uttered the words as if he never would have expected that combination of syllables to ever leave his mouth.

Well, you never would have been so forward if you didn’t feel he forced your hand with that strange insinuation of saying your personal choices should all be tied to a need for future fame and fortune.

You put one hand on your hip, trying not to sound as dumb as he was making you feel in this moment. “Well, not like tomorrow or anything. We’d need to get to know each other some more of course. But yes, I thought about it a lot these last few weeks. But if you didn’t like me like that, then friends is fine. I was hoping that was what we were going to talk about here. If you…liked me like that or not.”

Oh Lord, was this high school like it should be or was this elementary playground kind of drama? You didn’t have enough experience to be any more adult about this. But it was a yes or no type of question wasn’t it? Either he felt some sort of interest and attraction like you did, or he didn’t. You just needed to know.

“I…think you’re talented. And capable.” He said, like it was taking so much just to do this.

It was maddening somehow though. Could he not just say he felt nothing if that was the case? Was he so afraid of hurting your feelings? But honestly, he didn’t seem the type to ever mince words either. “Shota…” You tried. “You know you don’t have to worry about sparing my feelings. All you have to say is that you’re not interested. I’m not some delicate flower.”

Yet, you were starting to feel guilty yourself. Maybe this was all wrong, trying to force him out of his comfort zone too much. You should just take a hint right?

When he still said nothing more, your stomach finally sank as you stepped back from him a little again. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to know the truth, so I didn’t have to worry wondering later. If I’m not your type that’s okay. I appreciate you taking the time to try and talk to me like this.”

Oboro must have been wrong. That was all it could be. His friends had seen something that wasn’t there, and then pushed it this far in a sincere, but misguided attempt to help their friend.

But the let down still hurt. In the span of a short time, Oboro had gotten your hopes up and then they’d crashed down again. You’d been able to admit your feelings to Shota, just for it to end up as one sided.

Or so you thought.

You started to walk away, not wanting to be further embarrassed if the disappointment in your face had really started to show.

But you froze as soon as you felt his shockingly quick hand grab around your wrist. The memory of you doing the same to him in the apartment complex flashed through your mind.

“I didn’t say you weren’t my type…not that I’ve had a type before.” He spoke, but not in his usual even tone as you looked back at him.

And that was likely the very first time you’d ever seen a little bit of fear in his expression. He was still holding your wrist tightly, but it was like he didn’t know what else to say. He didn’t know how to express whatever it was that he was really thinking.

“Eraser really is that bad at this! Just run with it, (Y/N)!” Hizashi’s voice boomed in the distance even if he was only partially using his quirk. The vibration startling you both as Shota immediately shot a death glare in that direction, his hair levitating as he activated his quirk as if trying to lock on to Present Mic even in the dark.

And you couldn’t help it then, slipping your wrist out of Shota’s grip at his distraction, but just as quickly clasping your hand warmly around his own instead as you used your quirk to absorb some of the ambient starlight. It created a dark spot on the beach between the two of you and the others, just enough that Oboro and Hizashi would no longer be able to see. Though Shota would still be able to see you as you chose to take a risk, leaning in enough to kiss his pale cheek.

His hair fell back down at that very personal touch, the red glow also leaving his eyes as he looked back to you.

But you couldn’t read him then. You weren’t sure at all what would happen.

Yet he was still human wasn’t he? Even as stoic and calculating of a person as you’d ever met, he was still human, and still young then with that touch of recklessness you all had deep down.

And when you felt his lips touch yours not long afterward, it was as clumsy as could be expected for teenagers. But you didn’t care at all as you easily returned the kiss.

You knew immediately then that you would be coming back to Japan as soon as you could. Your goal was still to be a pro hero, but it didn’t really matter where.

A true hero’s spirit came from the heart. And if your heart ended up in Japan…who were you to tell it no?

———————————

(End for now. ❤️ I will likely write more of this pairing, but not sure of how soon. Thank you for reading!)

#shota aizawa #shouta aizawa #shota aizawa x reader #shouta aizawa x reader #shouta aizawa x you #shota aizawa x you #shouta x reader #eraser head #shouta x you #eraserhead #shouta x y/n #eraser head x reader #eraser head x you #my hero fanfic #my hero x reader #my hero academy fanfiction #my hero academia #my hero imagines

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baby-beelzeburger · 3 years

Text

♡Under Your Spell♡

❧ Summary: Y/n encounters a ferocious beast within the woods and retreats to a secluded cottage within the trees. The kind man who lives there offers shelter and care for their wounds, but he isn’t everything he appears to be at first glance. No, he’s much, much more.

❧ Warnings: Reader gets attacked by a beast in the woods, blood, descriptions of wounds, Izuku is so kind that your heart might explode

❧ A/N: I’m doing a very stupid thing by starting another series while I already have one going, but I’ve been very excited about this fic for weeks and couldn’t help it. I don’t know how popular fantasy AUs are in this fandom, but I always really love them. Often times fantasy is my favorite thing to write, so I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

❧ Word count: 9,109

Tag list: @sunshine-honeybaby // @gentlecourt // @snowymaltese // @honey-desires

If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, dm me or shoot me an ask to let me know. Thank you so much, and have a lovely day!♡

Wind raced past your face as you ran through the woods, your breath coming out in short pants. You ran deeper and deeper into the trees, getting yourself more and more lost by the second. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was getting away from that beast.

You had been attacked as soon as dusk rolled around. You had only just settled down in a small clearing to camp for the night when it jumped out from the bushes and ambushed you. It was a huge, hulking creature, as big as a bear, or maybe even bigger. Its fur was dirty and matted, colored black and bright orange. Its oddly shaped spines that trailed down its back glowed like fire. Its claws were so sharp that you knew it'd have no problem slicing through your flesh, same with its teeth. You found this out the hard way when its long tail swooped up under your feet and knocked you to the ground. As it roared, fire bubbled up from its throat and it slashed at you with his humongous paws. The claws dug into the flesh in the side of your calf, ripping a pained scream from your throat. It was just a cut, but it felt like your flesh was being burned from the inside out.

It swatted down at you and you rolled out of the way just before it made contact. It pounded against the forest floor, kicking up dirt into your eyes. You coughed and scrambled to your feet, managing to grab your bag and swing it into the beast’s face. It howled, staggering back, and you took the opportunity to run. You don't know how you were able to do such a thing with an open wound burning on your leg, but you managed it nonetheless.

You knew running wouldn't keep it off for long. You had stalled it for a moment, but it would undoubtedly catch up soon. That thing had to have been faster than you. You had to outsmart it.

Climbing wouldn't be an option. It could no doubt climb up after you. And if it didn't feel like doing that, then a gigantic beast like that would have no trouble knocking a flimsy tree down. Finding a river and crossing probably wouldn't do either. Even if it seems to be some sort of fire elemental, it can probably still swim with all its might. You could always attack it again, but you weren't sure if you'd survive another close encounter with that thing.

You knew you needed a plan, but the fear was making your mind blank. Your brain was in full flight mode, all it knew was to run. You decided that your best option was to make it as hard to follow you as possible. You bobbed and weaved through the thin gaps between the trees, hopped over rocks, and knocked over dead trees into the path behind you. Anything to give it a tough chase.

Sure enough, you heard the terrifying thump of its paws cease. You turn your head over your shoulder to look, then skid to a stop at what you see.

The beast stood mere yards away, still thrashing and howling at you, fire bursting from its maw like explosions. But it wasn't pursuing you any longer. It was like there was some kind of barrier keeping it back. Its glowing red eyes scowled at you in fury.

You turned and continued running. Something was keeping it back, but you didn't know what it was or for how long. No way were you going to take your chances to observe it more. Creatures like that fascinated you, but you valued your life more.

You weren't sure how much longer you ran for. Five, maybe ten minutes, until a stone cottage came into view. It was small, and the gigantic garden in the back was seemingly made to make it look even smaller. A large creek ran through the property, weaving through trees. You hopped over a tiny waterfall that the creek created, feeling soothed by the sounds of trickling water, and onto the damp dirt on the other side.

Finally, you felt safe enough to slow down. You felt a breath of relief leave your aching lungs. You took the moment to assess the damages to your leg.

It was bad. Your pantleg was soaked in blood and the wound stung like a nasty burn. The cut looked deep. So deep it might even reach the bone.

What a pain. Literally. Hopefully whoever lives inside the cottage will be kind enough to at least let you sit by the fire while you tend to your wounds.

When you reached the homely cottage you brought your knuckles to the wood of the door so hard it made them sting. You hoped that the owner of this lovely home would forgive you for banging on their door. But your situation was a little dire.

You stood there for long enough that you began to think the home was empty. You could've sworn you saw smoke rising from the chimney. But maybe they had accidentally left a fire going before leaving the home?

Your heart started to sink, your only option being swept away before you even had a chance to grasp at it. But then you saw the curtains of the window beside the door pull back. It was just enough that all you saw was a head of wild green curls and a pair of wide green eyes. The eyes glanced down at your bleeding leg. Then they were gone as fast as they appeared.

Moments later the door opened. A tall man, at least six foot, appeared before you. He was now wearing a cloak and a hood that hid his pretty curls, casting a shadow over his face.

"Oh Gods," he said opening the door fully for you, "Hurry, inside."

You didn't need to be told twice. You limped into the center of the room and took a look around. It was exactly how you'd expect a quaint little house in the woods to look.

The floorboards were creaky, but otherwise nice and polished. Curtains designed intricately with embroidered plants along the border hung from the numerous windows in the main room. Plants littered the surfaces of the home, and many flowers were nestled in pretty pots. The house was covered in earthy tones. It made you feel as though you were still one with nature while inside. He had a bookshelf full of old and tattered looking tomes, all of which you were aching to read.

In the kitchen there were jars and jars of dried spices. Herbs were hung in bundles from the ceiling to dry. Your mouth watered at the melding of smells. When was the last time you ate? You were starving.

At the other end of the home was a small little living room. An oval rug splayed out before a brick fireplace. A fire blazed inside of it, calling out to you. There was only one seat before the fireplace and your body ached to take it.

"Done investigating?" The owner of the home asked as he grabbed your arm and swooped it over his shoulders. He gently nudged you to follow him. You let him lead you to the fireplace and help you sit down.

"Sorry I made you wait out there. I get pretty skittish about visitors. Just wait here one moment, okay?"

He smiled at you, and it was almost as if every single anxiety was seeped out of your body. Then, he stood and hurried off to the other side of the room.

You shucked your bag off of your back and started sifting through the contents to look for your first aid supplies. You pulled out the small first aid kit and sighed. In hindsight, you definitely weren't prepared enough for a situation like this. Lesson learned. You'd have to prepare better next time.

In your defense, you didn't think you'd ever run into a gigantic bear-like demon creature. You'd never read about anything like that before.

You pulled at your ruined pants till the room filled with the sound of cloth tearing apart. They were already torn and soaked in blood, so who cares if you pulled it apart even more? You needed to get to the wound easier. That's all that mattered now.

You took the dirty, torn apart cloth of your pants and tried to press it against the wound to stop the bleeding. Before you could, however, a hand reached out and stopped you. You looked up to see the man returned, and with a much more impressive selection of first aid then you.

"No please, allow me," he said, kneeling beside you.

"Ah, that's alright. I couldn't burden you with that. I've already bothered you and am now taking up space in your home."

"It's no burden to me, really. Please, let me help you."

You relented and allowed him to take control. He just seemed so eager to help you. That, and the fact that the blood loss was starting to make you feel tired, allowed you to let him take the reigns.

He took the dirty cloth from your leg and replaced it with a clean towel. You had half a mind to feel bad for soiling said towel with your blood, but he really didn't seem to mind.

With the close proximity, you were able to get a good look at your host as he applied pressure to your wound. It gave you the chance to realize just how beautiful this man was. It seemed like everything about his appearance was totally effortless, right down to the unkempt curls that cascaded around his face. And yet he drew you in, made you admire how he looked. Made you desire to watch the way his long eyelashes fluttered over freckled cheekbones and the way his full lips moved into a concentrated pout.

"How did you hurt yourself like this, stranger?" He finally spoke, drawing you out of your trance.

"Some creature attacked me. I'd never seen anything like it. It's fur was black as night and it's eyes were blood red. I ran as best as I could, it's a miracle I escaped it.”

The man's eyebrows pulled together in a deep furrow.

"A black, red eyed beast, you say? Were the tips of its fur orange? Breathed fire?"

"Yes! You know of it?"

His face turned angry, grimacing as he took the towel from your leg. He set it aside and grabbed another clean towel, dunking it in a water bucket he brought over. He dabbed it gingerly against your wound, cleaning up the dried on blood. He chewed on the inside of his cheek while he thought.

"You could say that, yes. He's a... local in these woods."

"How could you live in the same woods as such a ferocious creature?" You asked, genuinely curious. If he's always that mean then you could imagine living near him would be troublesome.

"He’s not so bad all the time, but it’s best not to go out at night. He finds it hard to control himself when the sun goes down."

You watched him pick up a jar of something green colored as you hummed in response.

"I see. Would you mind telling me more about this creature?" You ask, reaching into your bag to extract your large, leather-bound notebook and quill. The stranger raised his eyebrow at you.

"Maybe when your wounds are all taken care of. Just rest for now," He said, taking your notebook from you and setting It aside.

"Ah, fine..." You agreed, though weren't sure if there would be a later. You wanted to leave as soon as possible.

The stranger used a cloth to reach into the jar and pull out a glob of the mysterious contents. If you had to guess, you would say it was some sort of herbal mixture meant to excel healing and keep infections from forming. But you didn't question. He seemed to know what he was doing.

"So, what's your name, sir?" You asked to keep off the quietness.

"Hm?" He asked, looking up at you like you were silly. Like he forgot that introducing yourself was a normal part of interaction.

But then it dawned on him that he had a stranger in his home and he didn't even think to ask for their name. He felt stupid that he skipped over such an important step. Though he had many other friends, It had been a while since he last interacted with another that wasn't a wild beast. So he was a little rusty, to say the least.

"I-I'm Izuku!" He said, his face apologetic for his rudeness, "What's yours?"

"Y/n," You said as he smeared the mysterious green goop onto your wound. You flinched and he apologized under his breath.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Y/n."

"You too, Izuku."

Without much more to say, you allowed silence to rest over you. The only sounds you could hear now were the crackles of the fire that you stared into while Izuku wrapped your wound in bandages. When he was finished, he gathered the first aid supplies and brought them back to where they came from.

"That cut was pretty nasty, but it should be healed in no time."

"How long is no time?" You ask with a laugh. You were sure that it must be an exaggeration. The cut was rather nasty, after all.

"No later than a week."

"I... beg your pardon?" You turned to face him, your features twisted into an incredulous look.

Izuku froze for a moment, a knee-jerk reaction to your accusatory tone.

"You can find healing herbs all over, if you know where to look. Some that you've probably never heard of, but do incredible things if you know how to use them."

You hummed in thought. You guessed that living in a place like this would force you to learn about the wildlife in excruciating detail. It was something you had wished to learn as well. It would be almost crucial if you intended to spend more time in these woods. You just always feared it, worried that you might pick the wrong thing and end up dead in a ditch somewhere.

"Must be nice to know all that stuff. I would like to learn someday. But that’s beside the point. Thank you, Izuku. I appreciate all your help."

You grab your bag and rise from your seat.

"Wait a moment. Are you leaving so soon?"

He looked a little disappointed, his proper posture deflating. He must’ve been lonely out here in these woods. No one to keep him company but beasts in the night. It made your heart pang with guilt.

"I should, if I want to avoid being an intrusion any longer."

"Nonsense! If you don't want to bother me then please stay here and rest. It’s the only way that I can be sure that you'll be okay."

The more you thought about it, the more you realized how many factors were stacked out of your favor. It was still the middle of the night. And although whatever was in that herbal mixture had started to dull the sting, it still hurt quite bad now that adrenaline was no longer pumping through your veins. Your whole leg felt like it was on fire. Even your head was telling you to stay in the way it throbbed and made you feel woozy.

"Well, if you're certain that I won't be any trouble..."

"I promise. It'll be no trouble at all. You take your seat. I'll get you some tea."

You nod, slowly lowering yourself onto the chair again. You settled back into the seat, allowing yourself to fully rest now that you knew you were staying the night. The light of the fire before you danced across your skin, enveloping you in a familiar glow. The heat of it warmed your body, lulling you into a relaxed state. Your eyes drooped a little while you waited for Izuku to return, but you forced yourself to keep them at least a little open, lest you fall asleep.

"I hope you like ginger tea. This should help with the pain," Izuku said as he returned, cradling an intricately painted and delicate looking teacup in his hands. You took it from him and held it within your palms with great care.

"Thank you so much," You said, feeling the tea's heat seep into your skin. You gently blew on the top, dispersing the steam that rose from the surface.

"Of course."

Izuku got back onto the floor beside you, settling onto his knees. You felt bad for taking up his only seat. But somehow, he didn't seem to mind one bit.

"So, tell me about yourself, Y/n. How did you end up all the way in these woods?"

"Well, my village is actually not too far from here. I came to study magical creatures of the forest. It's a little hobby of mine. Learning about that creature that attacked me tonight would actually help me tremendously."

Izuku's face brightened.

"Research on magical creatures, you say? How wonderful! I can tell you everything I know about the beast in the morning. I even have my own notes, if you would like to look at them."

"Oh, do you enjoy studying creatures as well?"

"I enjoy studying all manners of things. Learning about the world is a favorite pass time of mine."

His eyes sparkled a little as he spoke and you found security within his passion.

"I know what you mean. I-" You tried to continue the conversation when a loud yawn forced itself out passed your lips.

"Oh! How selfish of me. I'm keeping you up. You finish your tea. I'll get you something for you to change into so that you can get out of those dirty clothes."

With that, he was gone again, leaving you alone with the fire.

You sipped on your tea as you awaited your kind host's return. You had just finished your last sip from your teacup when he returned with a shirt and pants folded up in his arms.

"Here you go. I hope you find these comfortable enough. You can take my bed tonight."

You stood from your seat again, trading the teacup with him in exchange for the clothes.

"But... you've already done so much for me. I couldn't take your bed as well."

"I insist. I don't use it much anyway."

You raised an eyebrow at his offhanded comment, unsure what to make of it. Izuku's shoulders tensed when he realized what he said.

"What I meant to say was that I fall asleep at my desk a lot. Y-yeah, that's it." He laughed nervously, avoiding your eyes.

You furrowed your eyebrows at the suddenly odd behavior, but you didn't speak on it.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind sleeping on the floor for the night, really."

"No! I couldn't do that to my guest. I really mean it, you can take the bed for the night."

"If you're certain then... okay. Thank you, Izuku."

He offered you a solid nod in acknowledgement before leading you to his bedroom. Other than the front door, it was the only door in the building. A medium sized, cozy little room that matched the rest of the home waited for you on the other side of it. You noticed an interesting painting on the wall across from the large bed. A scene of a forest, half it burning and the other half frozen over. Izuku followed your gaze, and smiled gently at the sight of the painting.

"A friend of mine painted that. It's good, isn't?"

You nod, eyes never leaving the painting. It’s use of colors and intricate details made the work of art quite beautiful.

"Occasionally, he expresses himself through artwork like this one. I don't think he's very fond of them though, so he gives them away once he's finished."

You tilt your head as you examined the painting.

"What's this one supposed to mean, then?"

"To be honest, I don't think this one has much deep meaning to it. But who's to say," Izuku laughed, "He can be quite mysterious."

You felt like that wasn't the full story, considering Izuku himself was proving to be a little mysterious as well.

"Anyway, I'll leave you alone for the night. Sleep well, Y/n."

"Thank you, Izuku. You too," You responded. Though, as you thought of it, you still weren't fully clear on how he'd be sleeping tonight.

He beamed and waved as he left you alone in the room.

You changed into the clothes provided for you and plopped down onto the soft bed. All you really had left to do was go to sleep. You could really use it. You were exhausted from running through the woods. And from losing all that blood. The warmth of the sheets called to you and you let out a loud yawn in response. Without further hesitation, you crawled into the sheets and curled into yourself, letting sleep take you. It didn't take long, only but a few moments, before you were being pulled into a warm, comforting sleep.

Your nights rest didn't last as long as you would have liked it to. Sometime in the middle of the night you started to stir in your sleep, being awoken by something. As you came to, you noticed the tinge of a green glow behind your eyelids. You opened them wide to find the source of the mysterious light. It didn't take long. All you had to do was look down at your leg and find the slim, lithe hand that produced said glow.

The hand that rested against your shin glowed with some sort of green magic. Streaks of energy that you could only describe as tiny strikes of lightning sparked out around the hand, tingling your skin when they brushed against it. Your mind wanted to panic, frightened by the display, but there was something soothing about the magic's energy as it coursed through your veins.

You immediately knew that this wasn't any normal kind of magic. This was healing magic. A very special and very rare form of spell that few can master. You'd never been blessed enough to feel it yourself before but you'd read many accounts throughout the years from those lucky enough. It made your entire body feel warm and at ease, just like this.

Your eyes trailed up the scarred arm that was outstretched across the bed until your eyes landed on Izuku, sitting in a chair beside you. He looked so peaceful leaning against the mattress, head tucked into the crook of his unused arm. He had a lazy smile on his face, and his eyes were lidded half way in relaxation. And, most interestingly, those eyes of his that previously reminded you of the dark forest trees were now glowing bright green.

He looked so beautiful in the soft glow of his magic. More beautiful then before, somehow.

You shifted slightly, propping yourself up onto your elbow to watch him work his magic. You were completely entranced watching the energy radiate off of his palm. It was enchanting.

You didn't get to marvel for long, however, as Izuku's sleepy eyes glanced over to take a look at you. It seemed like he just wanted to peacefully gaze at you, but when his eyes met yours, he froze. What felt like a lifetime was only a short moment of pause. Then the energy on his palms began to crackle, the lightning bolts surrounding him becoming more fierce.

He reached his hand out to you, palm facing your forehead. You began to feel uncontrollably drowsy, your body falling limp and crashing back towards the mattress again.

There was only one thought you had before your consciousness slipped away.

Humans can't perform spells like this.

It must've only been an hour or so that you were out cold. The sun was just barely beginning to rise. Head still fuzzy, you pushed yourself back up onto your elbow.

Izuku paced at the foot of the bed, his mouth running a mile a minute.

"How could I have been so stupid? This is why I never allow people inside my home. Not like I had a choice. They could have died out there," He shook his head, as if to snap himself out of that thought.

"But still... now that they've seen me do magic, what will they do? They'll figure out what I am for sure. What if they tell their human friends? I should start packing immediately. I can't stay."

Had he been up this whole time just... pacing back and forth and muttering to himself?

Yeesh. Kinda scary...

Izuku turned on his heel to start gathering his things, only to meet your gaze. His entire body turned stiff as he let out a yelp.

"Y-y-you- you're awake!"

You nod.

"I-um-!" He cleared his throat when he realized his voice was a little high and tried again, "I'm sorry about knocking you out earlier, I just panicked. You weren't supposed to see me, uh... d-doing that. I only wanted to help you feel better I-"

You wanted to listen to him while he rambled on, you really did. But you were more focused on the fact that his hood was down, revealing a set of pointed ears that were protruding out of his curls. They were on full display, slightly pink from embarrassment and exasperation.

"You're an elf," You say, effectively cutting him off.

That explained the spells. Elves completely excelled in their magical abilities, much more so than most humans. And they especially excelled at healing magic.

Izuku shrunk under your gaze, folding into himself as some sort of defense mechanism. As if holding his body in his arms would really protect him from the cruel words he was expecting to come from your mouth at any moment.

Elves were often hated by humans. It was less common nowadays, but you would still hear folks from older generations, and even some younger, speak bad of the graceful forest folk. That hatred went back for centuries, deeply rooted in a history that you didn't understand. If anyone asked you, though, you'd say that humans were only jealous of the elven grace and magical prowess.

You, on the other hand, were purely fascinated.

"I've always wanted to meet one." You say, your eyes sparkling with excitement. Izuku's gaze jerked back to you in surprise.

"Wh... what?"

"Elves are fascinating creatures!" You exclaim, crawling out from under the blankets, "Graceful, wise, and intelligent people with an affinity for magic. I've always wanted a chance like this, but elves are very rare to find these days."

Izuku stared wide eyed.

"Then you're much different from other humans," Izuku says, letting the tension in his shoulders ease, if only a bit.

"Thank you!" You said, beaming under the praise, "My father taught me better than to be cruel to someone just because they were different. He was friends with all sorts of magical creatures, including a few elves! I never got to meet them before he passed, though."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your father," He said, not really sure what else to say. He was having a tough time keeping up, to be honest. The way you accepted him so easily was hard to process on its own.

"That's alright. It's been a few years now since he left, I've had plenty of time to grieve."

You got on your hands an knees and crawled down to the foot of the bed where Izuku still stood. You sat down on your knees once you reached him and smiled brightly.

"His stories about all the creatures he'd encountered was what inspired me to do my research. I hope to write many books about them someday. Maybe I'll even be able to help people resolve their hatred for creatures of magic. So, would you please tell me everything you can about you and your people?"

Izuku was a little thrown off. You had completely thrown his expectations of what you'd say to the wolves. Not that he wasn't pleasantly surprised, but he was expecting something much different.

"And what about the beast? Don't you want to learn about it too?"

"Later, maybe. This is more important."

You looked at him with such wide, hopeful eyes that he knew he couldn't resist. Even if he wanted to.

"Very well," He said with a hefty sigh.

"Yes! Thank you, Izuku!" You jumped forward and Izuku flinched, instincts thinking you were going to hit him. Instead, you flung your arms around his body and held him tight. His body stayed rigid, unsure how to respond to this type of affection. You seemed unbothered by that, as you still had that beaming smile when you pulled away.

"Now, where did I leave my bag? It has all my note-taking things," You asked, though it was clearly a question to yourself. You slid off the bed, your eyes trailing across the room.

"Your bag is still by the fireplace but... wouldn't you like to have breakfast first?"

"Breakfast? Oh yes, that would be lovely, actually," You said, laughing a little at yourself under your breath. You had gotten so excited that you skipped a few steps ahead and completely forgot about the essentials, like eating.

Izuku gave you a firm bow of his head before leaving the bedroom. You trailed behind, but instead of following him all the way into the kitchen area, you reclaimed your spot by the fireplace. The fire was still lit, though it was a little dimmer than the night before. Without it, the morning chill would've seeped in through the cold stone walls and froze you both.

Izuku came to your side moments later with a bowl of food that had your mouth watering. A collection of both foraged and grown foods, including assorted fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and even a slice of bread.

"I know it's not much, but I'm running low on food right now. I wasn't really expecting any visitors any time soon." He scratched the back of his head in a nervous gesture as he handed over the bowl. If this is what he considered "not much" then you wondered exactly what his meals usually looked like.

You took the bowl, bowing your head to him.

"I'm grateful for anything you have to offer. You've already been so kind to me, Izuku."

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just glad to help."

On cue your stomach grumbled loudly, reminding you of the task at hand. You let out an embarrassed sigh as Izuku giggled.

"From the sounds of it you haven't eaten in days! With your stomach growling like that, you sound like you’re starving."

"In truth, I didn't eat much before I left home yesterday morning. And I haven't eaten since then. So maybe I am a little starving." Though it is a true statement, you didn't mean it to be taken seriously. However, the concern that crosses Izuku's face makes you doubt the decision to say anything.

"Y/n, that's not very healthy. You need to eat regularly. You should have said something last night."

You open your mouth to refute with what was becoming your regular phrase at this point. That you didn't want to be a burden on him. But he hushes you with a wave of his hand before you can even start.

"I know what you're about to say, and I promise it wouldn't have been trouble at all. I want you to stop saying that, okay? As long as you're in my home, it's your home as well."

You felt touched that someone who was practically a stranger to you was so readily open to helping you. You didn't know how much longer you were going to stay, but in truth you never wanted to leave. You weren't sure if you'd ever felt so welcomed in any place for as long as you'd lived.

Izuku moved to feed wood into the fire while you sucked down your meal. You felt the familiar heat against your face as the fire ate a meal of its own, crackling in thanks to Izuku. When he was satisfied he leaned back and reclaimed his spot on the floor beside you.

"There we go. That should be better for you now."

"You kept that going all night?" You asked after swallowing down a mouthful of berries.

"Yeah. Elves are better at resisting cold then humans are, but we still do get chilly."

"Do you not need to sleep at all?" You ask him. It wouldn't exactly make sense for him to have a bed if he didn't sleep, but it would at least explain the weird comment he made last night about not using his bed.

"We do, just not as much. I can go a day or two without sleeping if I need to. All fae can. Though, many of us don't even need to sleep at all. They just choose to because they enjoy it."

You resisted the urge to toss your plate of food away now and take quill to paper. You kept a note of that in the back of your mind for later, once you were done.

Izuku moved a little closer to you, reaching out for the bottom of your pantleg. Or, rather, the bottom of his pantleg, which he had so generously let you borrow. He looked up at you, asking for silent permission to look at what was underneath. You hummed in affirmation, prompting him to grab the hem of the fabric and pull it up just enough to see the bandages underneath.

"Yesterday, when you said that should be healed in a week... Was that because you knew you were going to use your magic on me?"

"No, actually. That was kind of a spur of the moment thing. I was mainly referring to the herbs that I put on your wounds. I also enchant the herbs with extra healing before I mix them together. So even if I hadn't touched it last night, It still would've been healed within about a week."

"And now?"

"A few days, most likely. Though...Would you mind if I continued healing it while we speak? I would like for it to be as healed as possible before you leave."

By now your meal had been finished, so you set your bowl aside and hurried to retrieve your notebook, quill, and ink.

"Sure, if you would like. Though it doesn't really hurt anymore, so I don't know if it's needed."

You dip your quill into the ink and start writing what you had learned so far. In an instant you were lost to the world, now taken over by your little notes.

Izuku watched you, his face softening at the familiar sight before him. After all, he was very much the same way, often getting lost in writing and analysis for hours at a time. He saw a lot of himself in you, really. For some reason that was comforting.

Snapping himself out of his thoughts, both of his hands touched your bandages. Your eyes flickered up from your ink stained pages to watch. You hadn't gotten a chance to really see what he was doing last night before he knocked you out with that convenient spell of his.

His viridian eyes fluttered closed so he could focus solely on your wound. His breathing was steady, broad chest rising and falling with the careful movement of his breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

You felt the spell before you could see it. A warm numbness buzzing against your skin, washing your leg, then your entire body, in a feeling of comfort. Then his fingers began to glow and tiny strikes of lightning encircled him again. You reached out to touch one only to snap back when it zapped you, leaving a tingling sensation over the tip of your finger.

The lids of Izuku's eyes flipped open, satisfied with the work he'd started. Now that the process had begun, he turned his full attention to you. All his focus went into starting the spell, and after that it was as easy as breathing to keep it going.

As his eyes watched you, you remembered how they looked only a few hours back, glowing in the dark. It was breathtaking. Not to say that now, in the light of day, that they had looked any less pretty. He was a sight to behold, for sure, and you considered yourself the luckiest amongst the living that you got to see it for yourself.

"Do you have any other questions for me?"

Oh boy, did you.

"Last night, that strange spell you used on me when you noticed I was awake... It was some kind of sleeping spell, right?"

He nods, looking timid.

"Yeah... sorry again about that."

"No problem. But, that means you can cast all sorts of spells, right? Not just healing?"

"Mhm. Healing just comes most naturally to elves, but we can cast all kinds of magic."

You scribbled the new information into your journal. Your writing was messy from how fast you were scrawling, but you didn't care so long as you could read it later.

When you looked back up at him, he was watching you with a light smile on his face. You smiled back, though you found your eyes trailing to the sharp ears poking through his fluffy locks.

You reached out and touched his ear, but your fingers had only just grazed the shell of it when he gasped and jerked away. The soothing power of his magic dissipated as he left you, making both your mind and body feel more tense.

"Don't do that," He muttered, covering his face to hide the fact that it was turning pink.

"Oh! Elves have sensitive ears, do they?"

"N-no. Don’t talk about it."

"Ahh, I see. Not all elves have sensitive ears, just the cute freckled ones, right?"

"Cute?" Izuku taken aback, his face only flushing darker.

You took quill to paper and pretended to jot down more notes.

"Hey! You're not actually writing that down, are you!?”

"Adorable, fluffy haired elves have sensitive ears," You said aloud as you pretend to write those words. Izuku covered his face with his hands, groaning into his palm.

"Y/n! Stop teasing me!"

"Also easily flustered."

"Y/n!"

"Okay, okay. Sorry," You set your quill down, "I'm only joking of course. Well, not about the cute part."

Izuku huffed through his nose, his hands glowing green again as he returned them to your leg and that warm feeling washed over you once more. You watched him as his hands gently ghosted over your skin. You had many questions on your mind but for now, one really stood out.

"Izuku.. if you don't mind me asking, why are you out here all alone? I thought elves preferred to stick together?"

You saw his face fall a slight bit and realized that it was a story he didn't enjoy. Feeling bad that you potentially dug up bad memories, you changed your mind.

"I mean, you don't have to tell me. I don't need to know or anything."

"No, no, its okay. I don't mind. It was so long ago that it doesn't even bother me."

He cleared his throat and began his tale.

"Back when relations between the elves and humans were really strained, I ran into a human man while foraging for food. He was lost and injured, so I healed him and brought him home. I knew who he was immediately, of course. The sword on his hip was a give away. So I knew I had to help him!"

You blinked at him, head tilted to the side.

"Who was he, then?"

"His name is Sir Toshinori Yagi. One of the greatest knights to ever live. I had read so many books about him, so to meet him in person was a dream come true."

Your jaw dropped. Of course you knew of the knight as well. Anyone who wasn't living under a rock knew the name. And his nickname “All Might” might be even more recognizable. He was powerful and brave. And that enchanted sword he carried on his hip, the one named One For All, could slice through trees like they were butter. He was well into retirement now, after a fierce battle left him horribly injured. But he was still a legend, and he always would be.

"You know Sir Toshinori?"

Izuku nods so hard you fear his head might fall off.

"So then, what happened when you brought him to your village?"

"The elder was furious that I led a human there, but in the end I managed to convince him to let him stay until he could find out how to get home. I knew I was on thin ice then. My mother warned me not to push any further, but I didn't listen.

"I wanted to be a knight too, see. I wanted to learn to fight like Sir Toshinori, so that I could protect my village. So I asked him to take me under his wing. Ultimately though, it meant I would never get to stay in the place I wanted to keep safe. The moment I began training under him, I was breaking a law of my people. To willingly be in a lower position under a human, like a student for example, is viewed as demeaning. Not only demeaning for my own name, but in the name of all the elves of my clan. I meant to keep it a secret but the elder found out and I was exiled. I'm never allowed to return."

"Izuku... I'm so sorry."

Izuku looked at this lap, a bittersweet smile on his face. Despite the melancholy expression, he still looked so pretty. The firelight flickered across his skin and in his shimmering hair, casting him in its warm glow.

"It's okay, I don't regret what happened. I miss my mom, but she comes to visit every now and then. Oher then her, I didn't have anyone else. But I've made many friends after finding these woods, and now I have the skills to protect them should I have to."

"And what of Sir Toshinori?"

"I trained with him for many years. After he retired he passed on his sword to me. He told me that I was the only one he trusted with it."

"You have One For All!?"

Izuku chuckled at your enthusiasm.

"That's right. It's been passed down through many generations, from master to student. One day I hope to be just like Sir Toshinori, and like Sir Nana Shimura before him. But... well, I don't think I'm ready just yet."

"Wow... you must be something else for the legendary All Might to take a liking to you like that. Though I think I can already see what he saw in you. You've been my hero, that's for sure."

Izuku smiled warmly. It reminded you of the feeling of settling your aching body into a hot spring. Or maybe it was more like wrapping your body up in a blanket and sitting with a warm cup of tea after a long day. That cozy feeling of relief is how his smile made you feel. His entire presence felt that way, really.

"Thank you. I hope to help many good people like you some day, so I guess that this is good practice."

Izuku let his hands leave your leg for the final time as his magic dissipated to nothing. He unwrapped the bandages from your leg and assessed his work. It was like you hadn't just been injured the night before. Just a scar, only a ghost of what had been, remained.

You thanked Izuku for what felt like the millionth time, breathing in relief. Any sensation the wound had given you was gone. No pain, and none of the insufferable itchiness you had been left with this morning in the process of healing.

"No need to thank me. I'm happy to help."

“Maybe so, but you still deserve appreciation for your good deeds. In truth, just thanking you doesn’t feel like it’s enough.”

“You may not think you’re repaying me, but just having your company is payment enough. So, I’m sure you’d like to leave soon, but would you please stay a little longer? We can talk more about elves, and I’ll even let you see my notes on the beast.”

You knew you couldn’t stay too much longer if you wanted to make it home before night fell. But you couldn’t possibly say no to such a request. Especially if this could be your way of truly repaying his generosity.

“I suppose I could stay a little longer...”

Izuku grinned ridiculously wide and hopped up from his seat.

“I’ll be right back!” He said before vanishing into his room. You heard drawers opening and closing and the shuffling of papers. Then he returned, old parchment flailing around in his hands as he ran back.

He settled down onto the rug in front of the fireplace and you moved to join him. He shuffled through each paper, talking at length about the contents of each one. You followed along, hand and quill moving at great speed in order to stay caught up with him. That went on for hours, talking and laughing and learning all you could.

By the time you even remembered that you wanted to leave, the sun was nearly halfway in the sky. You could see it from the window, shining heat into the cottage. You felt sad that you had to go, but you told your family that you’d be back tonight and no later.

You stood from the floor and stretched out your body, which became stiff after hours of sitting on hardwood.

"I’ve had so much fun, Izuku, but I should probably get going."

"Already?" Izuku asked, standing up with you. His face looked like a small puppy that had just been denied a treat. Like before, you wondered if he was lonely out here. Although he said that he'd made friends, you don't know how many, or how often he saw them. Plus, he said he's wary of strangers, so his interaction to others is likely kept to a minimum. He must enjoy the company more than you thought.

Or perhaps there was something specific about you that he'd like to keep around?

"Yes, I'm sorry. I only intended to stay in these woods overnight, and I don't want to worry my family if I stay too long. I don’t want to get caught in the darkness again, either..."

"I understand. Will you at least let me walk you to the edge of the forest? So that I can make sure nothing attacks you on the way?"

"But what if someone sees you? We'll be pretty close to the village."

"I'll wear my hood in case any humans are around, don't worry."

You didn’t need much time to think about it. After all, it meant extra time with this person you had somehow already grown so fond of.

"In that case, I'd be very appreciative."

"I'll meet you outside, then."

He hurried into his room once again and you went for the front door. As soon as you stepped out into woods, the fresh morning air caressed your face. You breathed the chill deep into your lungs and slowly exhaled it. You always loved the way the morning air made you feel.

Izuku was with you moments later, the same cloak from before wrapped around his shoulders, the hood covering his poofy hair and knife shaped ears again.

"Ready?" He asks, shutting the door behind you both. When you affirm you were ready, he gestures out before you, "Then off we go."

As the cloak billows around him, you see a sword hanging from his hip. Even though its sheathed, you can still see a slight teal glow coming from the blade. Catching you staring at the sword in awe, he smiles and pats at the hilt gently.

"Just in case," he says, then winks.

The breeze picks up and the leaves start rustling as you lead him through the trees, back the way you came. You hop over the creek as you did the night before, and he follows suit.

You walk for a while but find yourself freezing when you remember what happened last night. The image of that beast growling and gnashing its teeth just beyond the trees, only a few feet ahead. You could remember it so vividly, it was almost like you were still seeing it before you. A shiver ran through you.

"Hey, Izuku," You say, twisting slightly to see him stumble back after nearly running into you. He fixes himself quick, pretending as though it didn't happen.

"Yeah?"

"Last night when I was running from that beast, it stopped chasing be a few yards ahead. Do you have some sort of ward around your home?"

"I do have one to stave off negative spirits, but that wouldn’t be what was keeping him away."

"What is, then? Is he afraid of you?"

"Not afraid, exactly. He just... he doesn't like me that much, so he keeps his distance."

You hold back a laugh.

"That beast seems like the last thing you'd want to dislike you but at least right now, I'm thankful for it. I probably wouldn't have gotten away if it weren't for that."

"In glad too, then."

You look out into the trees again, still hesitant. Izuku's hand presses into your shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"Remember what I said? He doesn't come out much during the day. And when he does, he's much less aggressive. If we encounter him, he should be easy to drive away."

"Okay... if you're sure."

You trusted the elf a lot more than maybe you should, considering he was still practically a stranger to you. But there was something so charming about him that made you want to believe him.

You walked along until you reached the edge of the forest. It was a little tough finding your way back, since it had been pretty dark when you came through the first time, but once you found your way to your destroyed campsite from the night before, you remembered the way back clearly.

You reached your destination without any trouble, but you couldn't help but feel like piercing red eyes were following your every move.

"You should probably stop here. My home is still a few miles that way," You say, pointing out through the grasslands that lay before you, "And I don't want you getting caught by anyone."

"That’s probably a good idea" He said, subconsciously pulling his hood tighter over his head, "I guess this goodbye then?"

It was a tough question, and one asked with a little bit of sadness. Izuku didn't want to part with you just as much as you didn't want to leave. It wasn't everyday you find someone so accepting as you.

You looked down at your feet, scuffing the toes of your boots onto the ground.

"Actually, I wanted to ask... Would you mind if I visited you again?"

When you peeked up at him, his eyes were wide.

“Really? You would like to come back?”

“Of course I would! You were so kind and welcoming. Plus, there was so much that I have yet to learn from you.”

"In that case, I would love if you visited again."

"Great! Then I'll return soon."

You waved him farewell and started the rest your long journey alone. If you hurried, you'd be able to make it home before dinner.

Izuku watched you leave, the wind swaying your clothes and the tall grass around your ankles. His heart was fit to burst over the joy of making a new friend. The joy didn't last long though, when he heard a stick crack and an angry presence radiate towards him. He didn't even have to turn around to know who it was because, like you, he felt the red eyes following you both through the woods.

"What do you think you're doing allowing a human here, moron? They'll kill us all."

"No, it's not like that."

"And how do you know that? You just met them. Are you really that naïve? Or just dumb?"

Izuku turned to face the beast as black as night, his narrowed green eyes meeting bright red ones.

"I just know, okay?" Izuku spat, offended on your behalf. How dare he challenge your trustworthiness? Izuku always considered himself a good judge of character, and he saw nothing wrong with yours, "You don't know anything about them."

"Oh, and you do?"

"Yes! Because you attacked them and they had no where else to run but my home."

The beast at least had the grace to look guilty, slinking back and lowering his head. Izuku knew that was a low blow. The beast didn't have a very good control over himself when the sun fell, so was his curse. But he had a short fuse when it came to others insulting his friends.

"Just back off, Katsuki. And leave them alone."

The beast growls.

"Fine. But when humans come burn our forest down, we'll all know who to blame."

The beast Izuku called Katsuki retreated back into the woods, disappearing behind the trees. Izuku turned to look again at your retreating form, becoming a dot in the distance. He might not have known you for long, but he knew you would never do something like that. He could tell that your excitement and benevolence were genuine.

Even if you did betray him, Izuku would never let anything happen to this forest. He sacrificed a place in his village for this very reason. So that he can protect who and what he loved. The beast should know better then to think Izuku would let anything bad happen.

But that was worse case scenario, and the probability of it happening was low. So he slunk back into the woods with a smile on his face and a feeling in his chest so warm it was keeping the morning chill at bay. And once he reached home, he begun his eager wait to see your bright face again.

#izuku midoriya #mha imagines #bnha imagines #mha x reader #bnha x reader #izuku x reader #midoriya x reader #midoriya izuku x reader #izuku x y/n #izuku midoriya x reader #midoriya x y/n #deku x reader #deku x y/n #mha fantasy au #gn reader #fluff

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onouwu · 3 years

Text

Witch Heart Hunter

From far away, the low din of celebration from the residential area made its way through the large windows of a bare loft, a typically empty unsold apartment. Sounds of people about to welcome the new year melded with the ringing of car alarms and the manufactured happiness of radio pop. A bright shaft of moonlight shone through the overhead skylight, illuminating the brick interior and pristine hardwood floor where a pale brunette trespasser lies in a revealing blue dress with her wide brim hat covering her face, waiting. Time seemed to stop as Daisy laid on her back absorbing the sounds and vibrations of the city around her. Her heart thrummed in anticipation. Goosebumps raised on her bare skin at the thought of what was to come.

“I’m ho~oome!” Crystal announced, always heard before she was seen. Short blue-silver haired with a devilish smile like a fallen angel. Her frame was lithe and frail compared to Daisy’s taller stature and defined curves. She materialized through a portal that appeared by their front door, revealing a beast of endless glowing blue tendrils on the other side before fading away into shadow. Looking up from her position on the floor, Daisy lifted the brim of her hat and gave her hungry look.

“Do you hear that?” Daisy sat up and cocked her head towards the city lights.

“Yes!” Crystal said “It’s like they’re begging to be taken,”

“Mmmh, I hope some do, the willing are fun to play with” Daisy let out “It’s been so long since we last feasted. We’d best be careful not to get overwhelmed”

Crystal laughed it off “You know, the hungrier I get, the stronger I am. Just guard the outside while I take my half and leave you the others, okay?”

Daisy just smirked as she got up “I’ll be counting”

The new year party goers were surrounded on three sides by towering evergreens, and to the north of their clearing was a partially frozen lake. A group of eight sat by the lakeshore, drinking beers, and listening to the radio for the countdown. A loner stood away from them on the ice, looking up at the moon and hugging himself for warmth. On a wooden log next to a crackling campfire, a couple sat kissing passionately. Scarves, gloves, and a white brassiere hung from the branches next to them like exotic flowers in the moonlight.

Daisy perched on a branch in the treetops, Crystal sat next to her, her excitement radiating off her as she peered into the crowd. And so, the pair sat and watched, waiting for midnight to strike when the group would converge. It was then that the witches would feed. “Get ready to say hello to the new year, folks! It’s currently 11:59!” The group hollered in response to the jovial radio host. “If you’re listening right now, I wish you good health, happiness, and safe travels home. We’ll leave it to the city timepiece to count us down. We’re signing off for the holidays! As always, stay safe. Stay inside.” To this, several of the group scoffed.

Crystal elbowed Daisy in the rib, interrupting her observation. She looked beside her to see Crystal, thighs straddling the branch they were on and swinging her legs without a care in the world.

“Hey Daisy, make it snow will ‘ya?”

With a bit of a laugh Daisy’s eyes fell shut and her right hand waved in the air with a bright blue glow. High above the treetops, a cloud swirled and grew. Soon, snowflakes fell to the ground above the opening.

“Hey check it out!” The partygoers oohed and aahed, momentarily distracted by the sudden snowfall. No one seemed to notice that it was only in their clearing that snow fell. As if on cue, their heads shot to the side as the first of many fireworks exploded in the distance. “Ten! Nine! Eight—” The group gathered around the campfire, bottles in hand. “Seven! Six!” The lovers finally separated. “Five! Four!” The loner slowly made his way to the group, avoiding the couple. “Three!” The snow fell harder. “Two!” The fireworks came faster. “One!” Crystal and Daisy stood. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

A sound like an explosion rang in their ears. The snowfall had evolved into a storm. A wall of ice sprung up from the ground, blocking the city skyline with what looked like a jagged translucent glacier encircling them. They began to realize the trap they had fallen into much too late.

These walls were soon dotted with portals to another realm where slippery glowing tendrils shot out and grabbed their helpless victims.

“All this energy is going to feed us for days!” Crystal cried out.

Daisy couldn’t think. All she could hear was the sound of the humans wailing and the ecstasy of feeding. She was drawn into the uproar by its momentum. It was hard for her to resist immediately draining the life from these trapped humans, but she walked along the ice wall to scout the area for any alerted human forces. Sure enough, it didn’t take long before she saw a bespectacled woman with dark skin in camos and a black tank top. Her long curly hair a crimson red and her eyes display an unsettling calm when looking at the witch’s trap.

Daisy heeded caution, but she could see from the well-developed physique of this woman that there was a lot of life in her that shouldn’t go to waste. She quickly raised her hand and formed a snowy tornado around her that instantly hardened into a cone of solid frosty ice.

“Ohh what a catch” Daisy let out as she slid down the ice tower and began walking toward the woman who stood eerily still despite her situation. Daisy took the cue however and didn’t get too close before she froze the woman’s feet to the ground.

“You’re full of delicious energy. What’s your name, sweetie?” Daisy let out joyfully as she felt the intense energy radiating off this woman – more than any human she has ever seen.

“Name’s Hilda, dead witch… I want you to scream it loud before I crush your throat” The woman let out. In an incredible display of strength, Hilda slammed her fists against the wall of ice and smashed a hole into it within a second.

Daisy’s heart jumped from seeing such a superhuman display of power, reminiscent of the witch hunters of old. She decided to quickly end it, and summoned sharp spears of ice beneath the woman to skewer her. However, as the ice shot up like a rocket, the woman freed her feet and moved from over the forming pillar, using it as leverage to leap toward Daisy.

Terror filled Daisy’s hungry eyes as Hilda landed within a few feet of her. Daisy could only form a flat wall before her and flee while giving herself a moment to figure out how to handle this mysteriously strong person. Daisy quickly summoned a blizzard behind her as she ran to gain more distance, but all she could hear was the cracking of the ice as soon as it formed. Every step she took those behind her felt closer. Her poor lungs started to wheeze while her heart slammed in her throat, filling her ears with its frantic thrumming.

She turned around to summon another barrier but was met with a heart-stopping gaze inches from her face and a deep agonizing pain in the pit of her stomach. the woman’s fist had just buried itself into her core and robbed her of what little breath she had.

Daisy dropped to her knees, clutching at her chest with one hand, croaking hoarsely as she gasped for air and heaved. This was a blow like she had never felt before. As she lay on the forest floor weak and breathless, she felt utterly helpless. She could only wonder what the woman had in store for her after that.

In her winded state, Daisy managed to roll onto her burning and aching stomach. She desperately clawed at the frozen earth.

“You’re pathetic.” A boot harshly turned her over onto her back. Daisy could only see the sadism shining through this woman’s cold and heartless gaze before she stomped on the pale bare flesh of Daisy’s midsection.

Daisy tried to curl into the fetal position but Hilda shoved her boot in harder, crushing her organs under the hard thick rubber of her boot.

Hilda knelt down and Sat on Daisy’s hips, the relief of that shoe leaving her body wouldn’t hast long before she felt a calloused hand wrapping around her throat and squeezing mercilessly

“Haahkk- aahk—" Daisy let out in a desperate plea for air, grabbing and forming icy shackles around Hilda’s arm. A bright blue glow came from her hands and the ice pushed upward to lift the hand. Despite the intense cold, the determined soldier doubled down her grip. The ice cracking, shards falling on Daisy’s body as her efforts proved futile.

“I hope you all make it this easy. Just give up so I can cut your heart out and add it to my trophy wall” Hearing that makes Daisy’s heart slam against her ribs as if trying to escape its fate, but while Hilda’s hand cuts off the vital route of blood to her brain, its efforts only hastened the end of her precious oxygen supply. Her vision blurred as drool overflowed from her lips. The thick blue veins in her neck standing on end, her purple face and throat bulging, looking as if her head would pop like a grape while she struggled to free herself.

“You know what… I can’t wait for that.” Hilda pulled out a knife, Daisy squirmed beneath the woman with all her might at the sight of the glossy silver blade, but to no avail. The last-ditch effort only brought a smile to Hilda’s face in its futility as her cold steel pressed against Daisy’s breathlessly squirming chest.

Daisy’s gaze rested upon that vengeful piercing stare as her vision faded, feeling the knife bite her skin. Despite her efforts to cling to consciousness and her frantic pleas to her eldritch patron, her body quickly calmed and succumbed to its fate. She could only lie there breathlessly while the cold blade slowly descended into her chest and inched closer to her pounding heart.

“Daaaaaayyyseeee, it’s dinner time” Crystal called out.

Crystal waited for a few seconds before getting impatient. She decided to see for herself what was going on and leapt up to a tentacle which she sat on as it towered above the icy wall “Ugh, don’t tell me you’re not sharing the-“ Crystal watched in complete shock as she saw Someone sitting on Daisy’s unconscious body, continuing to strangle her while slipping a knife beneath her ribs. That shock turned to a hot rage quickly before she lifted her staff and summoned a portal behind the woman

THWACK- massive and slick tendril sent the woman flying a few feet away from Daisy.

The woman let out a “GAH” as she bounced off the ground once and rolled to a stop on her stomach. Ignoring this, she raised her head and looked back to where she stood a moment before. A translucent blue tentacle undulated, its base emerging from a portal near Daisy’s supine body and its tip stroking her neck, another wrapped around the blade which twitched to the beat of the frantic organ writhing against its tip.

“Tsk, tsk. Oh, Daisy. I thought I taught you to last longer than that? Disappointing.” Crystal let out while Hilda looked up at her.

“Hello there! Who might you be, and how did you manage to do that?” Crystal pointed at Daisy.

“You’ll see” Hilda replied

“My friend Daisy back there is a bit of a lightweight, I admit. But still, I’ve never met a non-magical person who could do such a thing.” Crystal planted her staff on the ground and put her crossed arms on top of it. She perched her chin atop a forearm as she leaned against her staff, looking at Hilda with a pixieish smile. “Comeon… What’s your deal? I’d love to know before I… well, you know.”

Hilda, now on her feet, shot a death glare at Crystal. “Oh, you’ll find out what my deal is. Firsthand.”

“Dangerous and snappy! I love it.” Crystal said

Hilda took off and charged the witch where she stood. Crystal ripped her staff from the ground and held it out to her side as Hilda closed the distance between them. The redhead’s fist cut through the air like a bullet, inches away from Crystal’s neck but stopped short as she fell to the ground. She looked back to see a large tendril gripping her leg and pulling her back to the portal from where it came.

“Keep going, show me what you got, sweetie!” Crystal said while more slithered out from the portal and grabbed the woman’s body, slick and wet as they coiled around her limbs and slid down to her wrists and ankles

“Ngh!” A grunt of effort escaped as she struggled against them until she calmed down and let the witch close in. Crystal stood up against the bound woman.

“Looks like you were about to take my friends heart. If you want a witch’s heart so much, here…” Crystal grabbed Hilda’s hand gently and pressed it to her own chest. Her excited heart pounding into Hilda’s palm.

“You have mine already.” Crystal smiled

Hilda ripped her hand from Crystal’s body as disgust filled her eyes. Crystal’s own expression filled with disappointment

“Come on, don’t be so cruel… to yourself! It’s your last moment, don’t you think you should let yourself enjoy it?” Crystal said as she wrapped her arms around Hilda in a tight hug, closing her eyes to feel the nonverbal exchange between their pounding hearts, Crystal’s excitement and Hilda’s rage fueling eachother in every exasperated beat. The life in this woman made her drool, a powerful energy she had never felt before, all hers for the taking. A treat that must be savored. Hilda’s muscular body squirmed against her and moves her delicate and flimsy body around like nothing, held back only by the power of her spell.

After about a minute the captive woman stopped resisting, to Crystal’s disappointment.

“Mmmm, time to-“ Crystal opened her eyes to see Hilda staring down at her with a wicked smile. As she reached for her staff she felt the woman’s hand holding it, the tendril that was binding her wrist ending in a fleshy pulp.

“hey, give me that” Crystal let out as she backed off from arm’s length. The tendrils left Hilda’s body to Crystal’s horror, showing just how faithful her demonic deity was to her as it obeyed its new vessel.

Crystal’s heart sank, her legs began to shake as she weighed her options and held her composure.

“You think I need that? We speak telepathically, and you can’t understand the language of ancient Gods”

“Your guard dog speaks just fine… Nothing’s going to be quite as satisfying as what I am about to do to you now” Hilda let out as she raised the staff above her head. Crystal’s composure dropped and she fell back reflexively, crawling up to run, only to be tripped by a familiar slimy appendage. She frantically pulled at it to no avail

“What are you doing, stop!” she said to the demonic being, though she was met with silence.

Hilda approached with a grin from ear to ear. Crystal couldn’t stop herself from struggling in vain, putting on a pathetic show for her assailant. As Hilda closed in, Crystal puts her hand in front of her face. Hilda grabbed her wrist roughly and pulled her up. The staff glowed in Hilda’s hand and Crystal felt a warmth on her chest.

“Come on, you wanted to have some fun didn’t you?” Hilda let out, stabbing the staff in the ground beside her and grabbing the top of Crystal’s blouse, ripping it open and baring her naked body. Confused, Crystal looked down, her eyes widened at the sight -- her chest covered in the runes of a small portal into her body. The space inside the circle disappeared and Hilda’s hand reached in.

“Ahhh! Wait, wait!” Crystal cried out as she felt an intense pressure in her chest, the thrumming in her ears and body ceased.

Hilda grinned “You wanted to give me this? What a pathetic thing, I don’t even want it… now go ahead, do something, your arms are free.” Hilda let out harshly, sending a new explosion of agony through Crystal’s chest, radiating outward into her weary body while the woman’s fingers sank into the meat of her helplessly squirming life. As her fate set in, she stopped short of giving Hilda the satisfaction of token resistance for as long as she can.

“What a great stress relief, crushing a wretched witch’s heart” Hilda says with a twisted sense of amusement. Crystal remained silent, looking up and spitting in Hilda’s face.

“Come on, bitch, do something fun” Intense waves of unbearable pressure consumed Crystal as Hilda harshly pumped her heart.

“AHK!! Please!” Crystal let out, caving easily as she flailed and tried digging her fingernails into the intruding arm with all her might -- a smile cracking the frustrated frown on Hilda’s face. Crystal’s vision grew blurry, her head feeling light, but the cruel woman’s torment was fueled by her helpless struggling.

“I’d love to keep going but I need to finish what I started with your fri-“

Hilda’s words ended abruptly as a ball of solid ice slammed into the side of her head. When Hilda lets go and fell over unconscious, Crystal saw Daisy behind her, holding her own chest and panting heavily while forming an icy prison Hilda’s body

“Crystal… we need to be more careful” Daisy let out, sitting beside her partner, pulling her to her lap, watching over her while she took shallow labored breaths

Crystal couldn’t speak to tell Daisy how grateful she was to see her. As the portal on her chest closed, every heartbeat sent shockwaves through her body.

“Wh…what about her” Crystal mustered

“We’re going to study her… painfully. And figure out what this new power is.”

#cardiophile story #cardiophilia #heart

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battybatzgirl · 3 years

Text

Hey Mr. Sandman, You Missed a Spot

AO3

Summary:

It's not that Hunter doesn't ever sleep, Eda's come to realize. It was that he falls asleep sporadically, most of the time in really weird places.

Or: 5 times Eda catches Hunter taking a nap

Part 1 of the Finders Keepers Series

---

Here’s the thing about Eda: she loves naps. Eda likes to be cozy, so usually, that equated to curling up under a blanket, lazing around, and falling asleep. The Owl Beast shared that sentiment, the creature that lived within her constantly wanting to nest. Those animalistic instincts were weird, but when you lived in a house with a demon who also liked to bury himself under a pile of stuffed animals, you kind of got used to it.

Here’s the thing about Hunter: he doesn’t sleep.

The kid has been living with them for only about two weeks, officially replacing Eda as Public Enemy Numero Uno in the eyes of the Emperor. When he’d showed up on Hooty’s doorstep, all bloody and barely conscious, Eda thought it was some kind of cosmic trick. The Powers That Be had to be pulling her leg because this was the second time the leader of the Emperor’s Coven had shown up to the Owl House with nowhere else to go.

Luz had been ecstatic to welcome him in, apparently excited to finally fulfill her dreams of becoming a middle child in their weird little found family. King was less thrilled, but eventually warmed up to the idea of Hunter staying with them as long as he taught King his secrets on how to command an army.

Hunter himself even seemed unnerved at the thought of living with them. He tried to leave a few times when he was still wounded, but his little bird palisman (Rascal, she’s heard him say) effectively herded him back into the house by continuously dive-bombing him and nipping at his ears. And after Belos put out a wanted poster for the kid, making him the Isles’ number one most wanted traitor, leaving wasn’t really an option. Not if he wanted to stay alive.

So eventually, Hunter begrudgingly accepted that yeah, he lived in the Owl House now.

And alright, Eda isn’t heartless. The kid was lost, wounded, and an enemy of the Emperor. She can work with that.

Getting to know him has been a challenge, though. Hunter has a lot of weird quirks. He holds himself so seriously that Eda has a hard time remembering that he’s a teenager and not a fully grown middle-aged man. He hardly ever smiles. He’s jumpy, practically jolting out of his skin every time you walk into the same room. He’s clearly Going Through Some Shit, as Eda so eloquently calls it, remembering how Lily went through the same thing when she slowly broke free of Belos’s freaky subjugation.

But still. The kid doesn’t sleep.

Eda first notices it around day four of his residence. She’s up early to go to the market, stepping into the living room and nearly transforming into her Harpy Form out of pure shock when she sees a figure messing with her bookshelf in the back of the room. Wide maroon eyes lock on hers from across the room and she feels the feathers that sprung to her skin recede.

“Titan, kid,” she breaths, “You nearly killed me. What are you doing up? It’s Saturday, you should be sleeping in.”

“Um…I did sleep in,” Hunter responds, as if it’s obvious.

Eda feels a frown tug at her lips, “The sun isn’t even up yet.”

The kid just shrugs a little lamely, and Eda feels a twinge of concern in her chest. (And ugh, feeling concerned for a guy who dangled you over the Boiling Sea is certainly weird.) If this was sleeping in for him, he couldn’t have rested more than five hours.

She steps closer, taking a second look at what he’s doing. Half the books are spread out on the floor, the other half stacked neatly back on the shelves in some kind of order.

He notices her looking, “I, uh, took the liberty of reorganizing your bookshelf. Or organizing it, since it didn’t really seem to have a system.” The kid ducks his head, the tips of his ears flushing pink. “I- I can put it back the way it was if you want, or organize them in a different way.”

That’s another thing about Hunter: he always has to be doing something. Being useful. Without direction, he crumples. It was always, What do you want me to do now, Miss Clawthorne this and I completed this task, Miss Clawthorne, what’s next that. His brain operated on a transactional level—I do this thing for you, you do this thing for me. And since Eda was housing him, he felt like he had to constantly be doing things for her. Constantly proving himself worthy to be here, repaying her. Hunter couldn’t seem to wrap his head around that she didn’t want him to do anything except stay comfortable.

Eda has thought up a hundred different little tasks for him to do in just his first four days. She’s running out of odd jobs to give him, and if she has to keep telling him what to do she’s going to start pulling out her hair.

“You’re fine, kid,” she says. “Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ if it makes ya happy. But you shouldn’t be up this early. You should at least take a nap later.”

Hunter tilts his head. “But that wouldn’t be accomplishing anything.”

“You don’t hafta be working all the time,” Eda stresses. “It’s okay to sit around and just exist once and a while. Actually, I think that should be your priority. Take a nap, relax, go cloud watching, take a walk—any or all of the above.”

“That sounds like doing nothing.”

“That’s because it is doing nothing.”

His face hardens, taking on that soldier-like seriousness that encompasses his entire demeanor. “Being lazy can’t be a priority.”

“Don’t think of it like that, then,” Eda almost snaps, wishing for a nice hot mug of apple blood. It was too damn early to deal with the repercussions of Belos’s all-work-no-play mindset. “Think of it as acting your age. Did you ever get to take naps as a kid in the Emperor’s Coven? Is relaxing just a foreign concept to you?”

He doesn’t answer, staring at her with those bagged eyes and guarded expression, and Eda throws up her hands in defeat.

She leaves then, her patience running too thin to continue arguing with him. She doubts he’ll actually go back to sleep. He probably goes back to doing whatever he was doing with that bookshelf. Eda makes a mental note to tell King to knock all the books off, just so Hunter can reorganize it later. Just for something for him to keep him occupied.

Eda doesn’t even notice the first time it happens. It was one of Luz’s friends, Gus, who pointed it out.

The kids were gathered at her home after school, spread out on the floor of the living room along with various pillows and blankets. Luz found some card game she knew buried somewhere in the piles of human trash Eda has laying around, and the girl has been spending the better part of an hour trying to explain how it works.

“So the Wild Card doesn’t make you turn into a wild animal?” Willow questions, holding up a black card with looks like a colorful pie chart on it.

“Nope!” Luz says cheerfully. “It just becomes any color you want it to be to go with the rest of your hand.”

“But the card doesn’t actually change color?” Amity asks.

“No, it only represents the color,” Luz clarifies, and Eda has to admit, her girl has a ton of patience. She’s been quietly watching from her place on the couch, half-listening to their conversation, half-reading the Isles’ latest edition of You Gossipy Witch, a tabloid where a writer is speculating about her true form. Apparently, some people think she was raised by feral, wild owls on some far away barrier island, and has come to reside in Bonesborough just because she ran out of mutant rats to eat.

Weird.

But entertaining!

Gus holds up one of his cards, “So are blank cards bad, or—"

King jumps over his shoulder, landing on the deck of cards in the middle of their little circle and making them fly everywhere. “I have taken dominion over ALL YOUR CARDS. All of you must grovel for a taste of my wealth!”

“Actually, the point of the game is to get rid of all your cards,” Luz reminds him gently. “That way, when you get down to one card, you shout Uno! And you win! If no one else makes you draw anymore, that is.”

King deflates a little, apparently put off by the idea of less is more. “Oh.” Luz smiles and pats him on the head, and he brightens up. “Okay, let’s play, because I wanna make all of you draw as many cards as possible! You'll drown in your cards! Choke on them, even!”

As they start gathering up the cards that King threw everywhere, Gus lets out a little gasp. “You guys—is Hunter asleep?”

That immediately draws Eda’s attention away from the magazine. Her eyes flicker to the blond witch, laying on his stomach just on the edge of their group. He was still having a hard time socializing, especially with Amity, but Luz was determined to include him in all friendship activities. She said wanted to teach him how to be a kid, and hell, if anyone could knock some seriousness out of that boy it would be Luz.

Hunter is indeed asleep—his face is mushed into the forearms pillowed under his head, and his red palisman has weaseled its way to nestle in between the crook of his elbow. His breath comes out in soft little sighs, and Eda feels something in her melt.

“Awwww, he looks so peaceful,” Luz croons, mushing her palms against her cheeks. Amity’s already scooched past her, snapping photos on her scroll. Eda can’t blame her. She knows a good blackmail opportunity when she sees one.

Eda’s off the couch and catches King mid-pounce. “Whoa there, none of that buddy.”

“But Edaaaa,” the demon whines, his little arms and legs flailing in mid-air. “I have to conquer him when he least expects it!”

“Ehhh, let the kid sleep. Save your conquests for when he’s awake and can put up a fight.” Eda sets him down in his place in the circle, and the kids all glance at each other before turning back to the cards.

She notices that they’re more mindful to keep their tones softer, probably to not disturb the sleeping boy. And when Hunter wakes himself up about half an hour later, they don’t mention it, seamlessly integrating him back into their game.

The second time it happens, Raine is walking Eda home. It’s early in the evening, and the pair just got done with a fabulous date—a picnic with apple blood and sweet (and stolen) baked goods? Titan, take Eda now, she’s found her perfect match.

She’s still riding that high, not noticing Raine stopping until they tug on their clasped hands. “Hey, who’s that? Is he okay?”

Eda follows where they’re pointing their finger. It’s Hunter, slumped against the base of an oak tree, fast asleep. His chin is tipped forward and a book open on his chest, and even more strangely, there’s a small pile of leaves on his lap.

“Oh, that’s just my—” Eda stops herself, the word catching in her throat. Hunter was a child in her care, yes, but he wasn’t quite her kid. Not like Luz or King. The blond witch was still too jumpy, baring his teeth and snarling at anything that tried to get close to him.

He calls her Miss Clawthorne, for Titan’s sake.

“—Hunter,” Eda finishes lamely.

Raine raises an eyebrow. “Your Hunter?”

“He’s uhhh, one of Luz’s friends who just so happens to be living with us. Not a big thing.”

Raine shoots her a deadpan look but strides forward anyway, kneeling next to the sleeping blond. They keep their voice to a low murmur, “Should we wake him? That can’t be comfortable for his neck. He’ll probably be sore later.”

“Eh, let him rest. This is more sleep than he usually gets.” Eda steps closer, kneeling down on his other side. It’s the side that has his scar, the slightly raised red tissue standing out even more so than usual now that he wasn’t constantly moving. She’s almost asked him how he got it, but he’s clearly sensitive about the subject. She’s seen the similar marks on his arms, and something tells her there are a whole lot more scars that he’s hiding.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who gave them to him.

Still, it’s hard to ignore just how young he looks. When he’s stripped of all of his snappy comebacks, quick defenses, and that guarded demeanor Belos forced onto him, he’s reduced to exactly what he should be:

A kid.

“Oh!” Raine startles in surprise. Eda looks up to see the cardinal palisman fluttering down from above them, carrying a few leaves in its beak. It hops down onto Hunter’s lap and deposits the leaves in the little growing pile on his leg.

A smile worms its way onto Eda’s face. She runs a finger across the little bird’s head, “Trying to keep him warm, huh?” The bird lets out a trilling note of confirmation. She lets the bird be, turning back to Raine, “I think Rascal’s got this covered. If he hasn’t come in before nightfall I’ll come out and get ‘em.”

The bard casts one last glance down at the sleeping boy before they stand. “Y’know, he kind of reminds me of someone.”

“Oh yeah?” Eda weaves her arm through Raine’s as the pair reassumes their walk.

“Yeah,” Raine hums. “He kind of has the same build as someone I met when I was held hostage in the Emperor’s palace. The Golden Guard. Did you hear that he ran away from the palace? There've been rumors that the Emperor himself is tearing apart the Right Arm looking for him.”

“Uh, about that...”

Raine stops, turning to look at her square in the face. Eda gives them a sheepish, toothy grin.

“Oh my god,” Raine says. “You adopted the Golden Guard?”

“Hey now, adopted is a very strong word—”

The bard cuts her off with a delighted laugh. “How am I not surprised?” Eda feels heat rise to her face, but can’t help but return Raine’s infectious smile. “Only you, Eda. Only you.”

The third time it happens, Eda’s passing through the upstairs hallway, intent on curling up into her nest for an afternoon nap of her own. She hears a shuffling noise as she passes by the glorified storage closet that they gave Hunter as a room, and can’t resist a peek inside.

What she finds is definitely…not what she was expecting. Hunter is laying flat on his back on the floor, his feet elevated on the little cot they’d given him. Yeesh, that couldn’t be comfortable. Soft snores woosh past his open lips, his face turned toward a crystal ball that’s playing some cartoon he must have been watching before he fell asleep.

His body is nearly covered in stuffed animals.

“King,” Eda hisses. The horned perpetrator is in the middle of dumping his entire army onto the blond witch’s chest, pinning down his arms with plushies. “What did I tell you about burying people alive?”

The demon pauses from where he’s been slowly arranging his army over Hunter’s sleeping form. “He’s got plenty of room to breathe! I didn’t cover his face,” King protests. “Can’t subjugate someone who’s dead.”

“No subjugating—” your brother, she almost says, “—Hunter.”

King squints at her, but then grumbles and starts slowly taking the stuffed animals off the boy’s body. Crisis averted, Eda slips back out into the hall, mind swirling. That was the second time she’d almost referred to Hunter as hers in passing. The feeling is too raw to speak out loud yet, but there’s a growing warmth in her as she watches Hunter acclimate to his surroundings in the Owl House. With every day that goes by, he’s more comfortable around her, around Luz and King and Hooty, and he’s starting to come out of his shell. He’s growing softer, less quick to snarl, becoming more Hunter and less Golden Guard.

Unconsciously, Eda’s started viewing him as part of their little family. Two weeks ago, that thought would have made her uncomfortable. Now, she welcomes it with open arms.

Ugh, she’s getting so soft.

The fourth time it happens is when Eda’s flying home from visiting Lilith. She’s only been gone for the day, and is hoping that leaving Luz in charge hasn’t led to any freak fires, the resurrection of the dead, or other various natural disasters. Unfortunately, even her most responsible kid is pretty reckless, so Eda’s expectations are set pretty low.

It’s probably sometime around 2 a.m. when she makes it home sweet home. She swoops in close, intent on landing on the front door but stilling mid-air when she sees something on the roof of the tower. Even from up here, it’s not hard to distinguish the form of a looming body.

Eda’s heart leaps into her throat and she takes Owlbert down into a dive. Her body is tense when she lands, her staff already aimed toward the person lurking by the edge of the roof. “Alright listen bucko, you better step back or—wait.” She sees what looks like a lump of feathers sitting on top of the person’s head, and Eda squints in the darkness. She quickly pulls out a light glyph, sending the tiny ball of sun forward.

“Hunter?!” Eda’s tense posture relaxes. The kid doesn’t answer, and it takes her a beat to figure out why. He’s dead asleep, slumped precariously over the telescope they use for stargazing. Eda has no idea how he’s even standing at all. Kid probably had a ton of practice of falling asleep on his feet during long, boring meetings with the Emperor.

“Wakey, wakey.” She places her hand on his shoulder, gently, but he wakes up with a full-body jerk, startling the palisman on top of his head. The cardinal chirps once in irritation, fluttering to rest on Eda’s shoulder instead.

Hunter’s eyes are wild for a moment until he seems to register where he is and who he’s with. He relaxes then, letting out a yawn so huge it would put any lion to shame. “…Eda?”

“The one and only,” Eda says, ignoring how her heart squeezes at the kid finally calling her by her name. “Wanna tell me why you’re up here in the middle of the night?”

“Waitin’ for you,” he mumbles, voice rough with sleep. His eyelids drop and he sways dangerously on his feet. “Wanted to… t’make sure y’got home safe.”

The warmth in her chest expands and eclipses her entire body in that fuzzy feeling she gets whenever one of her kids does something particularly adorable. Thank Titan it’s dark and Hunter is too out of it to notice the smile that spreads across her face. If he was fully awake, Eda gets the feeling that A) he probably never would have admitted that he was worried about her, and B) would have snapped at her for smiling at him like that. “Well, I’m home now, so let’s get you to bed before you topple over.”

Eda wraps her arm around his waist and nudges him along, practically carrying him back downstairs, their palismen following close behind. She doesn’t mind. Someone had to make sure he didn’t fall off the roof.

“Night, kid,” she says, tucking him under the blankets on his cot. Hunter doesn’t respond, already having slipped back into unconsciousness. And if she brushes his bangs tenderly out of his face, no one ever has to be the wiser.

The fifth time it happens, Eda’s gotten used to it. It's not that Hunter doesn’t sleep, she’s come to realize. He just falls asleep in weird places. Why, she has no idea, but honestly, the kid looked so tired all the time, she wasn’t going to question it. They had bigger things to worry about.

The Day of Unity is just around the corner, and Belos has become more irritating than ever.

Eda hadn’t even thought that was possible for him, but apparently, it was. The scouts around Bonesborough have tripled, their captains leading more and more raids, butting into shops to check everyone’s papers, and invading random districts.

Oddly, Belos’s priorities seem to have shifted. He’s still sending out grunts to round up any wild witches, but the guards have been playing a weird sort of hide-and-seek, going beyond just patrolling the marketplaces to actually tearing into people’s homes. From what she’s heard, the guards never take anything, just searching the place top-to-bottom before leaving empty-handed and moving on to the next house.

Belos was looking for something.

And unfortunately, Eda’s got a pretty good idea of what he’s after.

Said thing just so happens to be slumped across from her at the kitchen table, dead to the world. It’s late into the night, and most of the kids have already gone to sleep. Too on edge to lie down, Eda’s been keeping herself busy by concocting more potions while the late-night news plays on her crystal ball in the background.

Hunter, striving to be helpful, volunteered to stay up and help.

It wasn’t long before the kid slowly started to nod off, face supported by his palm as his eyelids started to droop. He’d been in the middle of mixing two ingredients—highly flammable ingredients, mind you—and Eda plucked the vials out of his lax grip just in time. Honestly, it was a miracle the kid never killed himself in the Emperor’s Coven with how randomly he falls asleep.

He probably never got the chance to sleep at all, a voice reminds her. She remembers how dead-exhausted Lily was during her first few days at the Owl House. It was probably safe to assume that the Emperor had a habit of running the head of his Coven into the ground.

Hunter has been picking up on Belos’s tightening grip, too. He’s been getting quieter, more reserved. He’s come to the same conclusion that Eda has: the Emperor was tearing apart the whole of the Isles to get him back.

Why, though, is anyone’s guess. Hunter has long since explained that his uncle always said that the Titan had big plans for him, and it probably has something to do with the Day of Unity, but beyond that, the Emperor had always kept him in the dark. Luz has a crazy theory involving clones and blood magic, but that sounds like it’s a plot point straight out of one of her Azura books. King thinks Belos wants his artificial staff back, and Hooty predicts the Emperor is just sad because all his Coven leaders are leaving him to join Hooty’s superior best friends club.

Whatever the reason, Eda’s made it pretty clear that she’s not gonna bend to Belos’s intimidation tactics and turn him over. That smarmy gold jerk could set the whole Isles on fire and Eda still wouldn’t hand him over. Hunter’s part of the Bad Girl’s Coven now, and Belos can just suck it. And she’s not afraid to say that to his stupid face, either.

So when the cauldron at the end of the table that holds the scrying potion suddenly begins bubbling on its own, Eda may very well get her chance.

She’s up on her feet in an instant, dashing to the other end of the table just as the steam rising off the potion begins to warp into a familiar figure.

“Edalyn,” Belos greets, his voice sharp like a dagger. “I do hope I’m not interrupting your evening, but I needed a word with you.”

Ugh, scrying potions weren’t supposed to work both ways! Belos was too damn powerful. He could probably peer into their lives as much as they could peer into his.

“Sorry, but now’s a bad time,” Eda shoots back. “Why don’t you hang up and call back literally never?”

“It’s come to my attention that you have something of mine,” the masked man continues smoothly as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’d ever so appreciate it if you gave it back.”

Eda’s lip curls back, feeling the itch of feathers poking out of her joints. She wants to shift into her harpy form and leap through the potion to claw out his eyes. “Sorry, Belos,” she says, dripping smug bravado, “We wild witches operate solely under the laws of finders keepers. Your kid? Mine now.”

Eda expects that the Emperor would very much like to vaporize her. “Make your threats wisely, Owl Lady. You have no idea what you’re up against. Everything will be easier for you and your little friends if you just hand the boy back over to me.”

“Fat chance.” Eda throws back her shoulders and shoots him a sharp grin. “Sounds to me like you’re threatening one of my kids, and we weirdos stick together. Going after one of us is basically asking for all of us to bring you down. Remember how well that went last time? How my human cracked your mask and publicly humiliated you during your big let’s-turn-Eda-to-stone ceremony?”

The Emperor looks as though he has some choice words to say, but Eda doesn’t care. Hunter is her kid now. She glowers at him through that mist, voice lowering in with deadly promise. “You’ll have to drag him back to your Coven over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged,” sneers Belos.

“Try me, antler boy.” Then Eda whacks the cauldron and sends it tipping over the edge of the table. The connection is immediately severed as the potion goes splattering over the hardwood, and the resounding CLANG of the bowl makes Hunter shoot violently out of sleep.

“Huh?! Whassit—Eda? What happened? Are you alright?”

“Fine, kid,” she says, swallowing down the rage that’s still bubbling hot in her throat. “’S alright, just got a little clumsy and knocked over a cauldron. Sorry for waking you.”

“Sorry for falling asleep,” Hunter responds. He grabs a towel and hurries to clean up the oozing purple goo.

Eda waves him off, “Eh, I don’t mind. You kids need your rest. Growing bodies and all that.”

Hunter still hesitates, looking at her for a beat too long as if double-checking to make sure she wasn’t really upset. Eda holds back a sigh, a twinge of pity flickering through her that he’d even have to look at her like that in the first place. All the damage from Belos couldn’t be wrapped up in a month, she supposed.

She snatches up the cauldron, still dripping with the ruined potion. Peachy. She’ll have to call Lilith to get her scrying potion recipe. Though maybe not having this in the house was a good idea. Eda doesn’t want to risk His Royal Highness dropping in on any more unexpected house calls.

“Eda?”

She looks up at Hunter. The kid chewing on his bottom lip, wringing the half-soiled towel between scarred hands.

“I just…I wanted to say thank you,” Hunter says shyly. “I know having me here hasn’t exactly been easy—not only because of the fugitive thing, but because I’m…” He flounders for a moment, and Eda can only pretend to know what’s going through his mind right now. “…me,” he finishes finally. “You’ve been so kind and patient with me, it’s so much more than I deserve, and no matter what happens next—”

“Hey, no.” Eda cuts him off with a swift and gentle beratement. She sets the cauldron on the table and crowds closer to him, curling one hand around his cheek. The kid automatically leans into the touch, and Eda can’t help but wonder how Belos could have ever hurt a child who was as sweet as this one.

“You may be one bratty little shit, but you’re my bratty little shit. And Mama says you deserve all the smothering that comes with being a child of the Owl Lady.”

Then, to prove her point, she swoops down and quickly places feather-light kisses on the tip of his nose, forehead, and his scar, until Hunter squawks and shoves her away. He’s practically glowing, flushed all the way to the tips of his ears.

“Gross,” he snaps, rubbing furiously at his face. “I’m never helping you with your potions ever again.”

“I’ll accept your terms. Now get upstairs, it’s way past your bedtime.”

“I don’t have a bedtime, I’m not a baby.” Hunter sticks out his tongue but obeys, slipping out of the kitchen and disappearing into the rest of the house. Eda shakes her head as she watches him go.

Kids. What could ya do with ‘em?

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yespolkadotkitty · 3 years

Text

BEAUTIFUL art by @thepoisonofgod

Masterlist ~ Chapter 29

Words: 1800 Warnings: Unproctected sex, swears, intimacy.

Thanking the goddess that is @astroboots for the beta!

*********

As the sky got darker, the celebrations amped up.

Zach fit like he’d always been part of our family. He supported Ahma when she staggered a little while watching the lion dance - standing for long periods had never been her forte.

Later, when we watched the fireworks before heading back home, I came back from using the nearby restroom to see that he’d procured a folding chair for her. No one had asked him. I instinctively knew he’d just done it, and my Ahma beamed up at him like he’d hung the moon.

When we got back to Mom’s, she made tea while I changed into my new dress. The fabric felt cool and silky against my skin.

When I came out of the bedroom, Mom and Ahma were fussing over Zach, blocking my view of him.

“I can’t accept this,” he was saying, his voice low.

The two matriarchs in my family parted, giving me a view of the man I’d come to care for so much.

He wore a smart white shirt, open at the neck, and a pair of charcoal suit pants. A jacket in the same fabric lay over my Mom’s arm, and Ahma held a pair of smart, black sneakers - indistinguishable from dress shoes from a distance, but shoes he’d be able to wear every day.

My heart squeezed, hard.

“Aiyah!” Ahma cried. “You cannot tell me how to spend my money. I will be dead soon and what good will it do me then?”

Zach looked up at me, torn. I shrugged helplessly.

“I am too old to walk to the store to return the clothes,” Ahma said, affecting a feeble air. I swallowed back a laugh.

Mom cupped his face in her hands. “Just say thank you, Zach.”

Zach smiled slowly and nodded. “Thank you. Thank you both so much. Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year,” we all echoed.

Mom handed Zach the jacket and he bent and bussed her cheek.

Satisfied, Ahma and Mom disappeared into their respective bedrooms to change for dinner at our favourite Chinese place. The table had been booked for three hundred and sixty hour days, I reckoned.

Zach spread his hands, awe on his face. “Martha…”

“It’s useless to protest,” I murmured, smoothing my hand down the lapel of his shirt collar. “They got your size just right.”

“You didn’t know?”

“No, I didn’t. I assume that’s why they waited until I went to change to give it to you.” I slid my palm up and cupped his jaw, rubbing my thumb over his lower lip, over the little crease, the little kiss from the angels who made him. “You look very handsome.”

“You look…” Zach settled his hands on my hips, his gaze travelling from the top of my head to my feet and back again. “Wow. There are no words. Am I really the guy who gets to go home with you tonight?”

“Yes. You are.” I leaned in and kissed him softly. He drew me close, and his lips parted under mine. I felt his cock twitch through the dress pants and pulled back, sighing.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you, Martha Song.”

Mom and Ahma appeared as Zach put his new sneakers on. He looked so good. I was overwhelmed by the urge to unbutton that smart shirt and press my lips to every inch of tanned skin, to breathe in his scent and mark him as mine and never, ever let him go.

“Ready?” Ahma asked. She wore a red and gold embroidered jacket and a smart, pale grey top and trousers. Mom had donned her best cheongsam, a rich, dark green with coiled black brocade forming a floral pattern across her left shoulder. Her hair fell around her face in soft waves, and I was struck by how beautiful she was.

“Ready!” I said, slipping my arm through Zach’s.

He bent his head to mine. “Proud to be on my arm tonight, honey?”

“I’m always proud to be on your arm.”

He shook his head, muttering “Stupid,” like I wasn’t playing with a full deck, but he dropped a kiss on my forehead anyway. I could feel his smile.

Mom unlocked the door, and I tugged Zach towards it, but then remembered something. “Wait!”

I hurried to the kitchen drawer where Mom kept a little box with special knicknacks, and fished out Bryan’s dog tags, slid them around my neck, where they rested under my cheongsam, next to my heart.

Zach was watching me with softness in his gaze.

“I always bring him with us for New Year dinner,” I said quietly.

Mom caught me in a big hug, squeezing me tight. I squeezed her back, and felt the cold metal of Bryan’s dog tags between us, and it was momentarily like there were three of us again; and then we locked up and made our way to Da Mao Jia.

*****

“I had plans, I swear,” Zach groaned as we practically fell through the door of my apartment. “I did. But I can barely breathe right now, let alone engage in anything more… enthusiastic.”

Just the thought of him lying on top of me made me shake my head. “Unfortunately, I agree. We were no match for Da Mao Jia’s new year banquet.”

Zach closed the door behind him and shook his head. “I’ve never seen so much food. I have never eaten so much food.”

I hefted the takeout box in my hands. “I hope you want beef ho fun and har gow for breakfast.”

He made a face. “I need to lie down.”

I settled the box of leftovers in the fridge. Zach was sitting on the couch, eyes closed, hands on his stomach. “I may never need to eat again.”

“That’s a shame, because that takeout box begs to differ.”

He chuckled. “Stop talking about food and get over here.”

I started to sit, then thought better of it. “I need to change.”

I unbuttoned the cheongsam and slid down the side zip. I felt like I had a little food baby and I sighed with relief as it was given more space.

Zach watched me over the back of the couch as I shimmied into an old t-shirt and took my glasses off, setting them on the shelf above the futon.

“God! That’s better. I’m sorry we didn’t get to have fun with the dress.”

“Plenty of time for that.”

My pulse quickened. He was talking about the future. A future with me. I was careful not to mention it, though.

He patted the couch and I dropped down next to him. He curled his arm around me, and I snuggled in. Outside, the fireworks exploded in the black of the night sky, spears of red and plumes of gold splitting the darkness and shaming the pinprick stars.

Zach’s fingers played lazily in my hair. “Your Mom and Ahma are too generous,” he said eventually.

“No, they aren’t.”

He mulled this over for a few moments. He was so warm and solid beside me, and I never wanted to get up.

“While we were out - you were in that little fried chicken place with your Ahma - I asked about the pot washer job. They said yes.”

I sat up. “Zach, that’s amazing!”

He flushed. “Well. It’s a job.”

“Don’t downplay it. I’m pleased for you.” I pressed a kiss to his lips, felt them curve under mine. “I am. Congratulations.”

His arm tightened around me. “Don’t know how I’ll cope in the kitchen. It’s in their basement, so there’s more space than most places. We’ll see. I have to try.”

His quiet determination made me love him even more. If that was possible. “You’ll do great. I’m sure of it.” I kissed him again, felt interest stir between my legs. I sat up further, then turned and swung my leg over his thighs so I straddled him. “And I’m also sure that I’m ready for dessert.”

Zach’s eyebrow arched. “Oh, yeah?” He smoothed his palms up my bare legs to cup my ass through my thin underwear. His hands were warm, a little rough.

I shivered. “Very much yeah.”

He inhaled sharply when I unbuttoned his suit pants, my knuckles brushing against his cock, now at full mast. My muscles clenched greedily at the feel of him.

“You know,” I whispered against his neck. “Before you, I had a little scare. Had to get tested at the clinic. I was clean, and there’s been no one since. I take the pill to control irregular periods.”

I felt his cock jump in my hand. He blinked. “I’m trying to work out if you’re saying what I think you’re saying. It’s making all the blood leave my brain.” He cleared his throat as I palmed him eagerly, his breathing getting heavier. “Um. We had regular tests in the marines. There was someone, during, but we always wore condoms. So I’m clean. But you don’t have to….” He sucked in a breath as I twisted my wrist just so. “..take my word for it. I’ll wear a condom for as long as you want me to.”

“I trust you, Zach.” I used my free hand to push my underwear aside and rubbed the head of him where I was soft and wet.

Zach closed his eyes. “Fuck.”

He started to stroke me just where we were almost joined. Watching his thumb circle my clit while I rubbed his cock over my entrance made me wetter, more excited. “Zach.”

“I got you, baby girl,” he murmured, his eyes hazy, gazing at me with something that was maybe half lust, half love. “I got you. Let go for me.”

And I did, gasping into his neck as I rode the high. As my muscles clenched and spasmed, I slid myself down on him, feeling him inside me without barriers, and the heft and fit of him was divine.

“Martha,” Zach rasped, his palms hard on my hips. “Holy shit, Martha, you feel so good-”

I picked up the pace, riding him hard, his little grunts and quick inhales stoking the fire, until his hips stuttered under mine.

“Shit. I can’t - I’m coming, honey-”

I clenched hard around him and with a guttural murmur of my name, he spilled inside me, shuddering, his face buried in my neck.

I love you, Zach, I thought. I love you so much.

**********

Story taglist: @endlessearlgrey @knittingqueen13 @sarahjkl82-blog @disgruntledspacedad @theflightytemptressadventure @thirstworldproblemss @hopeamarsu @mouthymandalorian @absurdthirst @songsformonkeys @chattychell @the-feckless-wonder @cyantomatos @scorpionerd @mrsparknuts @chicken-nugget-puta @oceaninfourhours @buttercup–bee–bee–bee @heatherbel @f0rever15elf @fangirl-of-randomness @skvatnavle @poenariuniverse @booknerdswiftie @dornish-queen @lunaserenade @wigwitch @kindablackenedsuperhero @havenforafrazzledmind @yoohoo307 @sketchy-britt @frankiecatfish @skdubbs @ladygrey03 @pascal-rascal424 @miulola @badassbaker @voteforpedropascal @littlemissthistle @wowtory @the-ginger-hedge-witch @ennuiandthebourgeoisie @tardisfangurl @confusednerd09 @autumnleaves1991-blog @myoxisbroken @pedro4ever @idreamofboobear @reluctantshipper @leonieb @casualpalacebagelrascal @jazzelsaur @fangirl-life @lackofhonor @helloannbananalove @zaniasky @mrsparknuts @giselatropicana @nymphonet @hopeamarsu @pedro4ever @88dragon06 @missredherring @wantingpedropascal @browneyes-djarin @scorpionerd @kindablackenedsuperhero @pascalsky @pitaparka @myoxisbroken @ezraswife @thism00dymermaidisamess @charityjoy22 @feministmoodymermaid @pedro-pascal-wife @pascalslittlebrat @bison-writes @starlightmornings @winterboobear77 @cynic-spirit @lunar-lucky @a-skov @sebastianruinedme @motheroftrashbirds @annathewitch giizhkens-cedar @luminescentlily @pintsizemama @pascalslittlebrat @the-ginger-hedge-witch shsoba05 @silverwolf319 @hnt-escape @myoxisbroken

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#zach wellison x ofc #zach wellison fic #brothers and sisters au

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