#no idea how he managed to end up with that kind of patience or tolerance | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yamanaka-shin · 2 years

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Beyond The Bounds

soooooo it is Exchange Day once again, this time for our server's Beach Episode. this marks my 4th time playing with characters and ships and plots for other people whomst I love so dearly. this time? @uchiharomance gets to be my beloved victim. with a heavy presence of an OC who belongs to @chojuuro because goddamn do I love Hiroki. Jess, beloved Fireball that I am so thankful for, I hope you enjoy this monsterpiece.

Characters: Itachi, Haruka (OC), Chojuuro, Hiroki (OC), Kagura, Ikada, Shisui + Mikoto (ItaHaru kids, OC's). with cameos from Mei and Mangetsu and mentions of Ao.

Ships: ItaHaru + HiroChoju (kind of hinted edge of HiroMan as well)

Rating: 18+ (mild content in the end)

Itachi is written as a trans man. And he's bisexual, as is Haruka. Chojuuro is portrayed as the adopted son of Ao and Mei, who are a couple. Kagura and Ikada are the adopted sons of Chojuuro and Hiroki.

It seemed like the perfect plan when it had come to her over the span of several days. Pack up the kids and the husband on the Thunder Train then catch a large ship out to Water Country. Stay in one of Kirigakure's newly constructed fancy inns and take the curious little Uchiha-lings to see a few of the nicer beaches around the westernmost coast. The truly easy part came in convincing Itachi of this plan, all she had to do was run it by him once and he had nodded his quiet agreement, accented with a small smile. A little display of emotion went a long way with him, after all. She could not help her own matching, larger smile that spread across her face when he made it clear that he loved the idea. In fact she spent the rest of the then-current day and the next practically on cloud nine at the idea that their family would get such a beautiful, enjoyable, much needed vacation together. Damn near nothing could bring her down to reality. Until she experienced spending several hours on the train with a couple of young, energized children.

Haruka learned the meaning of the phrase uphill climb on that day. If she didn't have her patient husband with her, in fact, she didn't know what she would do. His much more placid and tolerant energy compared to the boisterous energy of their children was as stark as night and day. Shisui was a little more manageable on his own, but Mikoto was something of a little wildfire even at her young age. And when she got started it wasn't hard to drag her brother into the fun and games like a domino effect. The Nohara woman had patience in spades, much like her husband, but she also had worries about if the other passengers would speak up about the rowdy children and their antics. Prayers repeated on loop in her head that nothing would crop up. There was no shame she felt for the unfettered high level of activity of her beloved son and daughter, even if it wore her out over time, but she was definitely wary of how strangers might react to and treat them. Even with Itachi here she couldn't help but worry to some notable degree. Not everyone has the capacity to handle children, after all, whether they were their own or a stranger's.

She spends a lot of time telling herself internally that it'll all be fine and there's no real need to worry, hoping that the mantra might just sway reality, and is thankful when her son is the first one to bow out of the ruckus. At some point he decides his dad makes a pretty nice pillow, actually, and that maybe it won't be so bad to lay against him and take a nap. Itachi is still as can be, though not stiff so as to make his lap uncomfortable, so his son can sleep undisturbed. Shisui is out for a grand total of eight minutes before Mikoto notices the lack of activity from her little brother. Her eyes scan for him and eventually manage to locate him curled up with their father, happily resting. Part of her still wants to play, but she also is a little jealous of how comfortable Shisui looks. So she concedes her act and finds a place on her dad's other side. Unlike Shisui, Mikoto is not quite tired enough to pass out yet. But she absolutely is happy to just spend the rest of the ride with her beloved dad. Haruka is so thankful as the sight unfolds before her eyes and mouths a quietly awed 'thank you' to her ever so patient husband. The look in his dark eyes, directed at her and her alone, conveys a type of love no words can quite encompass. Were they anywhere else and alone maybe she would have reciprocated further. Next time, though. Hopefully, in fact, at some point during their little trip this long weekend.

Itachi keeps both of his children close for the rest of the trip, even finding a moment to doze off without worry, and this gives Haruka time to look out the window at the world rushing by outside. It's not often that the two leave Fire Country at all these days, much less wander as far as the next major nation over. Water Country is an island nation at that so the journey requires two different forms of transportation. Once their train ride is over it will be time to switch to the next ferry over to the main island upon which sits their true destination, Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist. She thinks, idly, about how her children probably won't like being awoken and shuffled between vehicles. And that hopefully neither of them will discover they're seasick as this will be their first outing on a boat of any size. She's fortunate enough, as is Itachi, never to have had such complications. Her children deserve the same luck. They'll cross that metaphorical bridge when they come to it, though. For now there is still a good hour of train travel left. And she will use it to relax and think and plan what she wants to do with her family all the while in the reformed Village Hidden in the Mist.

It is just her very fortunate luck that the transition from train to boat goes very smoothly. Mikoto is too sleepy by that point to snap back to her bouncy ways and Shisui is happy enough to be carried by his mom without a fuss. The time they spend on the ship will be longer than what they had spent on the train, taking the entire rest of the day and the night that follows, but it doesn't bother either of the adults at all. Both of their children are up and aware by the time dinner is served and quickly scoff down the food offered to them. Not long after, they take off tearing around the ship, chasing each other and a couple of the other kids they find also on the ride over to Kirigakure. Haruka only has a moment of worry about letting her babies out of her sight before her husband comes over to reassure her.

"They'll be fine, we don't have to worry." He's looking out at the wake of water the vessel leaves behind it as it floats along steadily. "It will help them sleep well tonight if they can get their energy out now."

She bows her head just a little and relaxes her shoulders. "You're right, I'm worried over nothing. Hopefully they'll have a restful night and we will all be ready to explore the Mist tomorrow."

He turns his head in her direction as soon as she concludes her statement. "I'm looking forward to seeing the village with you. It's been a long time since I have been back there."

Oh, that's right. Itachi had a complicated history when it comes to the Hidden Mist. His former partner within the Akatsuki was one of the most infamous, feared ex-residents of the village in all of history. And the organization they had both belonged to were responsible for the kidnapping and deaths of two more important figures that hailed from Kiri. These days there really wasn't a significant level of bad blood between himself and the Hidden Mist, the Fifth Mizukage had not pursued any sort of action against him, but she could imagine that it was still a complex subject for him. Maybe this would help clear the air in some way. Maybe going back for the first time in ages would help dissipate the emotional haze between himself and the island village. She could only hope. But even if not much changed, as long as they had an enjoyable time, she could ask for nothing more.

Neither of them have a fully realized itinerary for what they want to do during their stay, but she comes to realize as she thinks on it that it might be more fun to see what unfolds as they go along. Perhaps they will even be able to see the Mizukage at some point and see how hard she has been at work reforming her once bloody village. There will definitely be plenty of time for trying out several of the delicacies and dishes that one would rarely find within the borders of Fire Country. In fact, she's heard of the recently perfected and well received confection known simply as Water Cinnamon Sweets and is eager to purchase some for Itachi. He's always a good sport about trying new foods she offers to him and his sweet tooth never fails him. If the sweet treats are a hit with him like she is hoping, they will have to make sure to bring plenty home with them when they depart.

Itachi takes a couple of steps so he is now standing beside her and extends his arms out a little as an invitation to her. "Thank you for taking all of us out of the village for some time away."

Haruka, thankful for his simple yet poignant show of gratitude, steps into his embrace and leans against him. He holds her close, wasting not a second of their time together. "Thank you for being open to it."

The two of them relax into each other's touch and allow the silence to surround them comfortably. Dark starry night skies pass overhead and the glow of the moon rises little by little with the hour. Eventually, a blanket of mist begins to cover their surroundings and reminds Haruka of how late it must be getting. She yawns widely and stretches her arms up over the head. Itachi loosens his hold on her enough to give her enough room to move and flex as much as she needs. As soon as she no longer feels the warm skin on skin contact she already misses it, having to stop herself from whining just a little, and the ever perceptive Itachi is keenly aware of her minor upset.

"I think it's time we turn in for the night. Mikoto and Shisui are already in bed." His voice is monotone but she can still detect a note of tiredness in it. He's just much more subtle than her at conveying it.

"I think you're right." The look of concession on her face is followed by a tired little chuckle. "Come on, we have to be fresh for when we land early in the morning."

He happily allows her to take him by the hand and guide him towards their temporary quarters below deck. When the two get back to their room they're greeted by the sight of both of their children passed out asleep. Mikoto is sprawled out on her back, spread eagle, snoring away. Shisui is curled up on his left side with a much quieter inhale and exhale of breath as he rests. Haruka thanks her lucky stars for this moment as she knows both of them will be full tilt when they wake up in the morning. It'll take both of their vigilance to keep an eye on the kids in the shuffle to leave the ship and get settled on solid unmoving ground for the first time in nearly an entire day. At least there will be much more space to move and breathe. Though, that brings its own challenges. She prays she won't lose site of either of the kids in the bustle.

"Sleep well, love. I will be sure to wake you soon after I am up if you are not already up before me." Finally, at the end of the sentence, Itachi allows himself to properly yawn. He rubs at his eyes immediately after and feels the weight of gravity pulling him down to lay flat.

His wife carefully guides him down into a proper laying position and holds him lovingly from her spot behind him. It takes a moment for his muscles to relax and his entire body to completely lose its tension but he manages in his own way. Haruka is thankful that it's getting easier and easier for him as he goes along. "Goodnight, my beautiful raven. I hope you have pleasant dreams."

"And to you the same. Goodnight, Haruka." His voice is half muffled as he is already being claimed by the demon of slumber. In only a few more minutes he's completely and peacefully out. Haruka snuggles her face into his back as she holds him and slowly allows sleep to claim her too. In several hours time they will be on Water Country grounds for the first time in ages. But for now, all she knows is the warmth and closeness of the beautiful Uchiha in her arms.

~~~~~~

When she wakes, the first sight to greet her still tired eyes is the visage of her husband looming over her like some sort of omen. His own sensitive eyes are currently shielded behind his reading glasses and he is speaking softly, using just her name as far as she can tell, trying to rouse her in the most non-intrusive way he can think to use. Slowly she brings herself into a sitting position without saying a word. Next comes the wide yawn, and then the careful stretching of limbs, mindful as she can be of their close proximity so as not to accidentally hit her husband in the process. It's a blissful few moments of coming back to the world of the living from the realm of sleep and dreams. As soon as the hellions are made aware that their mom is finally up, however, they flock to her like hummingbirds to sweet nectar. Mikoto leaps up on the bed to greet her mother while Shisui climbs up with a little less force. Any little bit of sleepiness still left in her body exits as she is no longer the only one left in the bed.

"Morning mommy!" Squeals the precious little oldest Uchiha child. Her face is just inches from Haruka's own. "Get up, get up, get up!"

Having almost been knocked back flat by her rambunctious daughter, Haruka has to steady herself once more before she can reply. A smile slowly makes its way to her face by the time her son has joined his sister in the verbal prodding. "Good morning you two, did you sleep well?" She offers both arms to the kids and they do not hesitate in coming in for the first hug of the day.

"C'mon mom, we gotta go!" Shisui may have been gentler about getting up onto the bed but he has just as much bouncy energy as she does when it comes to trying to get their mother out of said bed.

Every fiber of her emotional being wishes she could ready herself faster so she could take her beloved brood out to see what modern Kiri has to offer but she's just not as constantly springy anymore as they are. Thankfully though, it doesn't take her too long to at least fully get out of bed and shuffled over to the bathroom that thankfully was located just next door to their assigned ferry cabin. Itachi keeps a watch over her the entire time but says nothing and she's grateful for the fact that it doesn't add to the sensory input her brain has to sift through and make sense of. He has always been a good judge of what is and isn't too much when it comes to what his wife is dealing with. When she emerges from the bathroom and comes back to the cabin, she's fully dressed and much more prepared for the day.

"Are you two all dressed and ready to unboard?" Haruka thanks her most tolerant gods that her alertness is almost fully with her now as she asks them the question sweetly. "We don't want to be late."

"I made sure they got ready before you woke up so you didn't have more to worry about." Itachi confirms. He's so thoughtful and so thorough, always making sure things are in order no matter what is asked of him. How did she get so lucky to have a man like him by her side.

The Nohara woman pads up to her husband and places a kiss on his cheek to convey her deepest thanks. Upon pulling back, she looks up at him with a smile and his heart feels comfortably full at the sight of his happy wife. It's almost easy to forget the world around them that is actively happening when they share moments like this. This time, however, the impatient noises coming from their son and daughter serve as obvious reminders not to get too distracted. Haruka is the one to actually step away first, ready to get the show on the road. She's at the cabin door before long, making sure to pick up one of their smaller packed suitcases as she goes, and opens the door without another moment of waiting.

"Well let's go see what the Hidden Mist is like after all this time. After you." She bows her head in a playfully upbeat manner, signaling to the two eager children that they may go ahead of their parents. Itachi follows closely behind and wonders if his spouse would like to go next or not. But before he can ask, she settles his curiosity. "And after you, too, my love. Keep an eye on them and I will be right at your heels."

She takes in the sight of him standing there and revels in the look of gratitude he puts on after she lets him know he can go ahead of her. Perhaps some of her reasoning has to do with the fact that he's carrying the rest of their going away bags, but that is only part of it. Itachi knows how generous Haruka has always been even when it's small little gestures like this. He mentally thanks her for allowing him to exit first, both because he's got a lot in his hands and because she's such a considerate person, and makes his way out towards where the exit ramp off the ship is located. Mikoto and Shisui dart ahead of him and he has to remind them not to get out of sight a couple of times as the family treks towards their destination.

Unboarding is kind of a frustrating process as there are several other travelers also trying to leave the ferry at the same time. Some of the adults are accompanied by their own young children and that means having to be very careful about where you're going in order to avoid accidental collisions or anyone getting underfoot. Itachi and Haruka are just so grateful the moment they are on solid ground again as well as when the crowd they came with disperses. Setting his bags down beside him, Itachi rolls his stiff shoulders and takes a moment to gather himself. His wife makes sure to wrangle the children and keep them at her side while he takes the much needed quick breather. The hard part of shuffling through such a sizeable crowd of tourists is over and it will get easier for him from here on out. She is, however, still just a little worried that the strain may be taking an early toll on his heart and lungs which are already fragile. She'd have to make sure he took his medicine early before bed tonight.

He takes her by surprise when he speaks while she's lost in her train of thought. "We should find and check into the inn before we try to do anything else. Set down all of our things and maybe look at a map."

She has to commend his seamless logic just then. A map hadn't even crossed her mind. "I think you have a great point there. Get our room squared away, see the layout of the village before we try to go anywhere on a whim, and make at least a loose game plan." She beams at him and is once again grateful that he's a methodical person. Together they will make sure their vacation is as manageable as it is enjoyable.

Mikoto, while her parents are talking about something she's not paying attention to, steps up next to her father and picks up the smaller bag he had been carrying just moments ago. She had always been eager to help him out in any way she could and would not back down from a trivial challenge such as slightly heavy luggage. "Daddy, lemme help you!" She swings the bag around as the strap goes over her shoulder. Itachi melts a little at the sight and is confident she'll grow up to be a considerate, altruistic person just like her mother.

"I appreciate that, sweetheart." He reassures her with a fond tone. "Are you sure you want to carry that all the way to the inn? Let me know if or when you want me to take it back." There had never been a moment in all of his time as a father when he had ever desired to leave his children to handle things they weren't ready for. No matter if it was something as mindless as carrying a bag or something with greater stakes, he would always be there for them if and when they needed him.

It's not a complicated process, making their way to the inn that Haruka had planned for them to stay in for the duration of the trip, despite lacking an innate sense of directions in this village they were no longer familiar with. She thanks the gods that the trip there is so streamlined compared to how it has been just while they were disembarking from from Fire Country ferry. Itachi gently takes the bag back from his daughter when he observes her mounting excitement from taking in the sight of the inn's main lobby. In a way it's almost an indirect passing along of permission for her and her brother to go explore a little while their parents talk to the attendants at the main desk. As long as they don't wander too far, he doesn't mind them getting to know the lay of the fancy land. And if he doesn't mind then Haruka knows she has no reason to either.

"I'm glad I had this booked in advance so we don't have to jump through too many hoops getting the room keys. These two are already halfway to stir crazy. And I think I might be able to empathize a little too well." Haruka says to her beloved as they stand at the counter. She feels it more strongly by the second, the excitement to explore the new world around them. Even just the few sights she's seen already have been very visually enticing and if this is just how a modern inn looks and functions then she cannot wait to check out how it compares to the rest of the village. It was hard to argue with the aesthetic of a place that had such a huge and glorious fountain in the middle of it, after all.

"We have you up on the second floor. Here's everything you need and let us know if you have any concerns at all. The facilities close at 1 AM and checkout must be by noon at the end of your stay in three days. Thank you and I hope you enjoy your time with us." The clerk smiles at them after handing over the room keys and a small information booklet. She's thanked sincerely by the couple and then the two turn to locate their wandering children.

"Everything is all set. Mikoto, Shisui. Come along now so we can put all of our things away and then get out to see the sights." She's trying to sound like a gentle authority figure but failing to hide her own heightening excitement.

She's very lucky her voice reaches both of them effectively and that it doesn't take long for them to come running up to her and Itachi when they hear her call. Itachi grips his bags tighter and waits for his wife to lead the way to the elevator. Haruka is best suited to take the lead whenever the pair go somewhere unfamiliar, happy to take up navigational duties so it doesn't put undue strain on his already wavering eyesight if any sort of directional aids are involved. Shisui walks out in front of his mother but makes sure not to get too far ahead as he is quite aware that he has no idea where he is or how to get back to his family in the case they should get separated. Mikoto, on the other hand, keeps pace with her father in the case he might need her to take the bag she'd been carrying before once again.

The elevator is by far a better option for the quartet to take on the way up due to the bags they're carrying in combination with having to mind the two young children. It's a very short trip, thankfully, and then the act of locating their exact room was tackled with a sense of ease now that the hard part of getting up here was over with. Haruka is able to direct her family easily to their destination and gets the door open without a single word. When it swings open and unveils their temporary living quarters to them, it takes just a few seconds for Mikoto to spring into action. She vaults onto one of the generously sized beds with a peel of laughter. Shisui takes that as a sign to join her and soon the two are sprawled out on the bed they have undoubtedly claimed as their own. First come first serve.

This is the perfect opportunity for Itachi to set both of his bags down on the floor and give his shoulders a break. Taking the hint from him, Haruka sets her own beside his two and parks herself on the empty bed to fold out the little map they had picked up at the desk. Kiri had been transformed into quite a tourist-inclined hotspot under the rule of the beautiful and kind Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei. With the big changes came the need to make sure all visiting outsiders unfamiliar with it all were easily able to find their way around what was essentially a brand new village. Haruka could not thank the fact that the lobby supplied its guests with maps enough because it saved her the stress of figuring out where to pick one up so they could plan at like some of their day. She scanned the entirety of the map quickly with her eyes without uttering a word as her husband curiously watched from his standing position across from her. He seemed so calm and collected externally but even he had to admit there was a little fire of eagerness alighting in him as he observed her taking in all the details. Hell, he was almost surprised she did not ask him to take a look at the map himself so he could memorize it with a quick glance with his Sharingan.

"Have you figured out the itinerary for our first day here?" He could not help himself any longer so he asked the question as innocently as he could manage.

However, before she could make to reply, she suddenly found herself with company. Shisui had leapt over to her bed and pressed himself up against her side so he could look at the map too. She laughed a little and gave him a kiss on the head as a greeting. "Do you want to help me figure out where we're going first?"

The boy nods his head enthusiastically. "I'm hungry! Can we get breakfast first?" Of course, that is a very reasonable request. None of them had had any food yet and her son's reminder was the perfect chance for them to consider all of the notable restaurants in the area.

So the topic changed from sights to see right into places to eat. Haruka looked over her guide map in order to ascertain where all of the eating establishments were before she asked her husband his opinion on them. One by one she read off names to her family to see if they had a preference just based on how the names alone sounded. As soon as they had an idea of where they might like to grab a meal, they would make their way down to the ground floor, probably by the stairs this time since luggage was out of the equation, and then set out in search of the physical buildings. Only when they actually got to their choice of restaurant would they be able to look at the menu and really decide if that would be where they wanted to order from. Thankfully the troupe came to a unanimous decision without any discourse and thus began to head for the exit to the inn. She could practically already taste the specialties already. Just a little more and it would be a reality rather than just a hungry fantasy.

Her luck took an unexpected turn as she damn near collided with a passing resident while she admittedly wasn't properly watching where she was going on the way out. The stranger caught himself first and stepped back to give her ample space before sincerely apologizing. As she looked up to also give a genuine sorry, she noted how tall the man was. It was like looking up at one of the beautifully large trees growing on the Nara property. He had dark hair that contrasted with his yellow eyes in a very handsome way and the main color in his outfit was a fetching teal. And then she saw it, those imposingly sharp teeth exposed by the apologetic upturn of his lips. Truly only a sight one could get in Kiri.

"Sorry about that, didn't mean to nearly mow you down." The tall stranger scratches the back of his head in light embarrassment. He looks down at the women he indeed almost ran over and inspects her with his striking eyes, glad he didn't have to find out who would have won out in the scenario where the collision wasn't prevented.

"It's no problem, don't worry about it." She's quick to brush off the encounter without a second thought. That's what happens when you don't look before you leap. But, before she can finish her thought, something else catches her eye. A head pops out from behind the man who had been apologizing just a moment ago. Haruka could make out muted orange hair and a pair of truly unique eyes that were almost white yet had so much depth.

"Pops is sorry he almost hit you." The child beams up at what had just been confirmed to be his father. There is no resemblance, but everyone knows Kiri has quite an eccentric reputation when it came to the topic of families. For an accidental encounter first thing in the morning, she sure would be remembering these two for a while. "Let's go, we gotta find the lady."

"Sorry bout that sport, you're right." He nods his head at his child. "C'mon Ikada, dad and Kagura will have to catch up with us when they stop being so slow."

The duo are about to finally take off to wherever it was they were going when something catches their attention with a semi-distant shout. Both of them swivel on their heels to look towards whoever had just called out to them. Tracking their line of sight just out of sheer curiosity, Haruka got a good glimpse of just what her opposites were looking at. It was an approaching pair that seemed to mirror the current two people in front of her now, in an equally odd way. A man with short cut blue hair and goggle glasses caught up first because his adult sized legs were able to cover ground far more efficiently. But not to be lost in the shuffle, a small pale-blonde child who looked only a little older than the light eyed boy came to a full stop next to the adult he was with without overshooting his mark.

"Please try not to keep getting too far ahead. I don't want one of us to run into them and not be within earshot of the other." Sighed the shorter man, the one with the blue hair. He spoke pretty evenly despite the fact that he'd been almost full on running not even 90 seconds ago. And as he opened his mouth to speak again, turning towards the Uchiha family this time, every one of them got a good glimpse of those same sharp teeth lining both halves of his jaw. "I think you're exactly who we're looking for. Apologies for the slight chaos this has caused. My name is Terumi Chojuuro, primary aid to Lady Fifth."

Chojuuro. Haruka wracks her brain for why that name sounds so familiar. Try as she might, though, it just doesn't come to her like she wished it would. He seems to believe he knows her family in some way and she feels bad that he seems like a complete stranger to them. But he did say he was an aid to the Mizukage so obviously he had to have some merit of trustworthiness. Now came the part where she wanted to know exactly why he and what she presumed to be his family had been seeking out hers. There was no memory to be drawn upon of her requesting an escort brigade while she was here in the Mist. So, what gives?

"I really am sorry to sound so rude and blunt, but, may I ask why it is that you were looking for my family?" She cocks her head just a small degree in order to emphasize her perplexed state of mind.

"We're the ones that Ma asked to show you guys around out here for as long as you need during your stay." Chojuuro's much taller partner replies for him right before extending a friendly hand out. He is very forward and open with the way he talks. Confident, welcoming. "Name's Shimizu Hiroki. Anbu, keeper of this guy here."

Chojuuro breathes out through his nose in faux exasperation but doesn't miss a beat in picking up where Hiroki has left off. "He's correct. Lady Mei said you had quietly let her know you were coming ahead of time. So she asked us to stick with you at least until you know your way around or if you feel unsafe for any reason. I really hope that's all right."

This time it is one of her children that speaks up before any of the four gathered adults can. It's Shisui, he had gone up to the older looking boy who had accompanied Chojuuro on the scene. "Hi, I'm Shisui. Who're you?" He introduces himself joyfully, eager to make a new friend. His sister watches him work from her place beside her father and seemed to be weighing her own interaction options.

The boy that her son had just addressed seemed a little more skittish than he first appeared because as soon as Shisui had asked his name he pressed closer to Chojuuro and refused to speak. He clung to the one immediate safety net he knew he could trust when he wasn't sure of what else to do. Hiroki, who still had his hand extended to shake either Haruka's or Itachi's, put in down by his side in favor of choosing to address the boy glued to Chojuuro's side. "Kagura, buddy, don't worry about these two. I'm sure they just wanna get to know you." He gently reaches out and ruffles the blonde hair that makes the two look so different. It seems to work a little, just as Hiroki is hoping, and soon enough the boy lets go of his father. Sure he still sticks relatively close but baby steps were better progress than nothing.

But Kagura isn't the only child standing beside the two well decorated Kiri nin. Ikada, who had come with Hiroki, finally saw his chance to make a proper impression since these were indeed the people that Grandma Mei told them to go and find. He zeroes in on where Mikoto stands as she is still next to her father and trots up to her with no fear in his eyes or body language. If Chojuuro and Hiroki were indeed a couple, and if these were their kids, then Ikada sure was an immensely different sort of personality than his almost certainly older brother Kagura. It was like an old cliche about night and day. This fact seemed to entice Mikoto to close more of the distance between herself and the light eyed boy. Both of them now take a second to really look the other over before mirrored smiles of mischief get a grip on them. Oh boy. Itachi watches as his oldest makes a new friend with little effort and is amused by how easy it is for her no matter where she goes. He's so thankful for the dauntless way his daughter interacts with new people.

The eldest Uchiha child and the seemingly younger boy from the Mist take to each other like fish to water and soon begin chattering up a storm back and forth. Meanwhile, now that Kagura has been given reassurance by one of his dads, he has begun to come around to Shisui. The little wooden sword the boy carried at his hip, clipped to his belt, was drawn in an instant so he could show Shisui how he knows how to use it. Kenjutsu training apparently started very early here in the Hidden Mist and Itachi could see the stars in the eyes of his youngest at the display. This sort of engagement and sharing without necessity for violence was exactly what he wanted for both of his children. Shisui watched as his new friend showed off a couple of really impressive swings before the sword once again was tucked away in its little sheath. Kagura finally donned a little smile, indicative of his ever improving mood and trust now that he and the Uchiha boy had shared their moment with blessings from all of their parents.

Hiroki finally offers his hand again for one of the couple to shake. "It seems our boys are having a good time with their new friends. Why don't you let us get on with showing you the finer points of the village? It'll let them all have more time to bond as we go, too."

All of that was music to her ears. However, Haruka could not shake the feeling of hunger that had only gotten stronger with all the time they had spent standing around and talking. She extended her hand to take and shake his, regardless, and didn't let her hunger overpower her manners. Basic decency would not lose out to baser instincts here and now. "We would love to accompany you. Would it be all right if you made our first stop to get something to eat? We were on our way to do that before we ran into you and I think everyone will have a much more enjoyable time after they've gotten something in their stomachs."

"Of course, we can even show you to exactly where you were planning to go, if by chance you already had a place in mind." Chojuuro picked up the conversation from that point. "Just let us know so we can take you and I will cover the entire bill."

The expression of hospitality and generosity really struck her then. As she took her hand back from the handshake with Hiroki, she turned to his partner and gave him an appreciative look. "That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for the warm welcome, I hope we won't be too much trouble for you."

"No trouble at all." Hiroki chuckles. "Wouldn't have offered if we weren't ready for anything."

~~~~~~

Breakfast breezes by them faster than she realizes. But the food is good and the company is better so no one really has no room or desire to complain. Her children and Chojuuro's two boys seem even more energetic now that they've had something to eat and the combined energy between the four of them reminds their parents that they really should get going. She hopes that no one wanders off while they're exploring the village, but still understands that the newness of everything will certainly make it hard for her son and daughter to stay by her side. She's ready for them to excitedly flit between every little sight that catches their eyes even if it means also chasing them around so they don't get lost. And if she really needs to, she knows she can rely on her husband to help with that task.

"I apologize if my boys rile up your son and daughter." Chojuuro speaks up, catching her attention. "Ikada especially tends to be very excitable. Hopefully they stay within a reasonable distance from us."

He's more formal and polite than she would have expected from such a reputable Shinobi from the Hidden Mist. The atmosphere of Kiri these days was coasting on better waters but she knew very well that plenty of residents alive today remembered the harsher times quite plainly. Chojuuro was definitely old enough to have seen the tail end of those dismal days. The fact that he's such a welcoming and warm person reminds Haruka that even in the most severe conditions good people still find a way to persist. And with him in charge after Mei steps down, she is confident that he will continue her earnest work in turning their home into a much safer and happier place than it had been. Spending even just a little time in his company like this has taught her that much quite plainly.

"Don't worry about if the four of them get wrapped up in each other and disappear." Itachi replies before his wife has a chance to. He seems very at ease with everything, which does her heart good. "They're enjoying everything they have never seen before and we can find them again even if we lose them briefly. They should be allowed to roam if they want."

Hiroki laughs at this and claps the Uchiha on the shoulder a little roughly in turn. "I like the way you think. It's good for them to get the lay of the land without us holding their hands. Besides, Kagura would never wander too far. And he's the oldest so his brother will listen to him even if he puts up a fight at first. I'm not worried one little bit."

Haruka's first instincts are still to worry about her children getting lost in unfamiliar territory, but she quells them fairly quickly with the knowledge that her husband has faith that everything be okay. He's rarely wrong when it comes to their children and her trust in him outweighs any nerves she might have. Besides, they're being backed up by two of the most formidable Shinobi in the modern day Mist. The safety net afforded to the four youths could not be any more reinforced if they tried. So she breathes a hardy sigh of relief and puts a smile on her face without feeling guilty.

And her trust in both her love and her escorts pays off handsomely as the day wears on. There are a few moments when the children are out of even earshot but they don't last long enough to instill panic. Chojuuro guides the whole party to see the Academy where they are invited to sit in on a class that's currently in session. She observes his two boys as they watch the students practice with their wooden swords, skillfully dodging and aiming just right in order to come out on top. Kagura in particular seems very focused and even excited as he watches the others go back and forth with their swinging and stepping. When Mikoto catches sight of him locked on to the spectacle below them, she too steps up to the railing and zeroes in like a hawk on its prey. There may be a future for her in the art of Kenjutsu if that is something she truly wanted to learn.

After their little excursion to the Academy, they head off to the office of the Mizukage herself. Mei is a little busy when they get there but she allows the lot of them to come in and see her workspace anyway. Hiroki asks where "old man Ao" has gotten off to and when he gets his answer, clearly it isn't the one he's hoping to hear, judging by his petulant little sigh. Ao is off meeting with delegates from the Land of Waves. It's important official business even though is most likely extremely boring. Though Hiroki doesn't like the fact that the hunter nin vet is absent and therefore not available to be pestered, he will just have to learn to live with it. And live with it he does as he's soon distracted from his disappointment when he catches sight of another (mostly) friendly face passing through the hall. At this, he has to excuse himself for a moment in order to catch up with whoever it was. Unfortunately he doesn't notice that he's not alone until someone small collides with the back of his leg in the middle of his sentence.

"Mr. Anbu? Who's this?" The big, sweet dark eyes of Itachi's son look up at the tall man from the Land of Storms. He's quickly swept up in Hiroki's arms to get a better look at their guest.

"This is my favorite jackass in the whole world." Hiroki smirks, showing just a hint of teeth. Shisui gawks owlishly for a moment at the newcomer while he listens. "Hozuki Mangetsu."

Apparently the 6'3 guard and his much shorter blue haired spouse aren't the only ones with impressive teeth around here. Not to be outdone by his favorite rival and sparring partner, Mangetsu flashes his own pointed fangs in what many would assume to be a threatening snarl even if in reality it's a positively raucous expression. Shisui is awestruck at the sight of yet another ninja who looks like they could take a chunk out of someone if their mood was bad enough. This marks the third person with such teeth he's seen today, because he remembers that Mr. Chojuuro is just like Mr. Hiroki and now the new person. Later he has to ask mom and dad if maybe they'll let him get cool fangs like that someday.

"Anyway, loser. I assume you're here playing guard dog while Gramps is out? I sure hope you're covering all your bases." The way that Hiroki talks would make most people wonder just how much he hated the other man. He just loves ruffling feathers and the response he gets from Mangetsu pleases him. Their shared animosity is nothing more than play behavior in the end.

"Yeah, yeah. I got it." Mangetsu has always been a man of very few words. His tone of voice when he replies to Hiroki is no warmer seeming that the way he had just been spoken to. But, again, it was just more of the eccentric Kiri flavored affectionate banter between the two grown men.

Shisui gets to sit in on the entire conversation between Hiroki and Mangetsu while his folks and sister, and Mr. Chojuuro, are back in the office with the Mizukage. She is keenly aware that her guests still have much they must want to see and do around her village so she does her best not to keep them for very long. But before they go to part ways for the time being, Itachi knows he has something a little complicated to ask of Lady Fifth. The exact wording escapes him and thus he cannot find a way to breach the subject. Noticing the way the Uchiha man seems conflicted, Mei reaches out first.

"Is something the matter, Uchiha-san? You look like you have much weighing on your mind." She looks at him with sympathetic eyes as she speaks. With the way seems so torn, there's no doubt in her mind that what he's warring with won't be a simple matter.

"Forgive me for asking something so forward and insensitive." He clears his throat and dons his most put-together sober expression as he speaks. "But I have something to ask regarding your memorial stone."

Now it is Chojuuro who puts two and two together in his head before his mother can form a response. He steps forward and turns to his side so both parties can clearly see his face. Mei relaxes her shoulders a little when it clicks in her head that her beloved son is taking it upon himself to fill in the missing pieces for someone so clearly restless. It's a quality in him that proves exactly why he's going to make a great leader in the near future. So without waiting in awkward silence, the future Water Shadow speaks up.

"I think I know what it is that you're going to ask." Chojuuro makes it very clear that he's not looking to cause trouble in the way that he speaks to Itachi. They're both well respected Shinobi and this is a serious matter. "Due to backlash amongst many of the villagers, we have had to remove the Hoshigaki name from the stone. But I am currently trying to devise a way to either put it back on someday or create another sacred space to honor the family and all of those in a similar situation. You have my word that I will be doing everything I can to not let their name and legacy be lost to time."

Haruka keeps her eyes trained on her husband to see how he takes this sombre news. To her surprise, he seems to calm down a little whereas before he seemed on alert and antsy. She understands that the actions of his old Akatsuki partner have stained the family's name for a long time and she cannot blame the village for wanting to scrub all mention of them from such a sacred place as their memorial. She also is silently thankful that Chojuuro is looking into a solution for this impasse so the entire clan isn't forgotten or looked down upon for as long as Kiri may continue to exist. The village is trying to improve its image and standards constantly so reminders of the violent era, like the family name of his old partner, are going to cause a stir in the hearts of everyone begging to move forward with their lives. They just have to be confident in the future Lord Sixth that he will find good middle ground.

"Thank you, Lady Fifth." Itachi bows his head a little to her and then turns to Chojuuro and does the same. "And to you too, Lord Sixth."

"You're very welcome, Itachi. I do hope that Chojuuro can find a way to settle this in a way that satisfies everyone. And you're welcome to go see the stone yourself at any time if you feel the need to. I can send you along with some incense on your way out." Mei knows very well that this sensitive subject is something that has been simmering his mind for a long time. She can empathize with his plight, on some level, as she also knew Hoshigaki Kisame a long time ago. Back before he had accrued a criminal reputation. The least she can do is give him the opportunity to say his peace while he was here on her home turf.

"I would appreciate that very much, Mizukage-sama."

Hiroki chooses that moment to pop his head back into the office, wearing an expression that Chojuuro isn't sure he fully trusts. He sure has uncanny timing. "Sorry 'bout that, got caught up with a certain someone. What was everyone talking about?"

Shisui trots in behind the off duty Anbu agent and goes right up to his mother, pulling on her sleeve to communicate he would like to be picked up. Haruka swiftly scoops him up in her arms and presses a kiss to his cheek before he gets the chance to tell her what's on his mind. "Mommy, the man Mr. Hiroki talked to said something."

"What kind of something, sweetheart?" She patiently waited for her son to speak. Shisui was a very intelligent child with quite a way with words for his age.

"Something about a patrol. What's a patrol? He said he saw some jellyfish in the water while he was on whatever a patrol is."

This got her attention quickly and coaxed the gears in her head to turn in a new direction. Shisui had mentioned hearing about jellyfish and that made her think of one thing: the beach. While here in Water Country, they should try and make time for take the kids down to the actual shore so they could play in the sand and the water. It had been part of the game plan originally, forgotten temporarily as they were swept up in the awe of how different the village was now, so this was the perfect way to get back on track. But first she would have to ask her escorts if they had a place they'd recommend going to because she was still working on memorizing the lay of the land. Before she could ask the gathered residents of Water Country, however, first she had to answer her curious son. One thing at a time lest she trio herself up by accident.

Putting on her most gently informative voice, Haruka replied. "A patrol is when you go around an area to make sure it's safe. To check for bad people or places where bad people can get in. You said you heard something about jellyfish in the water, right? Well I would think that means the man Hiroki was speaking to was down by the shore for his patrol."

"Thank you mommy." Her boy beamed, pleased to have his answer. "Can we go down there and see the jellyfish too?"

Oh the stars sure we're aligning perfectly right now! She was almost visibly giddy now that she had confirmation that her youngest wanted to go to the shore! The smile that broke out on her face then had everyone turn to her and cock their heads in curiosity. Before she could answer, she carefully put her son back down on the ground and pivoted to face her husband directly. Itachi had to admit that his wife's sudden enthusiasm had him very eager to hear what she had to say and he had to school his own facial expression into staying as neutral as possible in order to give her the opportunity to get everything out. The good mood was infectious and it made waiting patiently for answers just a little tough.

"Itachi. Would you be all right with it if we took these two down for a beach day? Shisui mentioned jellyfish and that's where my thoughts went right away." Her tone does nothing to hide her currently elevated energy levels. It's a good look for her, this kind of happiness. How could he say no?

He finally allows himself to openly emote in response now that she's filled him in on her desires. He nods, accenting it with a pleased upturn at the corners of his mouth, and gives his blessing. "I think that would be a wonderful way to spend the majority of tomorrow." And then he turns to face his daughter to ask her, sure of what she would say but asking her her input anyway . "Would you like to make tomorrow a beach day?"

Mikoto cannot get her response out fast enough. "Please! I wanna go see the water!"

That's all the confirmation he really needs from her. Shisui had already asked his mother if they could go, but he needed to know how Mikoto felt on it as well. He still wanted to double check with his son again, though, just to make sure his mind was made up. "And do you still want to go see the jellyfish that Hiroki's friend mentioned, Shisui?"

The boy nodded vigorously. "Yes I do! Please, daddy, can we go?"

This was when Hiroki decided it was his turn to speak. Although Itachi was a little irritated at being cut off in the middle of a conversation with his children, he knew the residents of the village would know better about how to make this plan work. "Actually, I have a suggestion about that." He clears his throat before continuing. "As much as I'd love to take you down by where my idiot coworker went on his patrol, I think I have a better destination suggestion."

"Hiroki." Chojuuro is firm with his words. "What exactly are you thinking?"

"Relax, I promise I'm being genuine." Hiroki waves off his husband. Both of their own children keep their ears perked up at this because their more reckless father often had fun ideas. "I was thinking. That we head up about two hours north of here instead."

Is he talking about somewhere outside the Hidden Mist Village? Both Haruka and Itachi exchange looks of slight confusion with each other just then. Haruka had planned on the three day stay to be in Kirigakure as it had been ages since last she or her love had set foot there. Now here was one of her escorts suggesting they take the whole travel party up outside the destination village in order to enjoy a beach day. But to where? Both of them deeply wished in that moment that they had studied extensive maps of Water Country more thoroughly before making the trip out here. Even if this had not been in the plans before just now, and thus they would not have needed to pour over nation-wide maps so much, it still would have been nice.

"I think I know exactly where he's talking about going. It's another town along the western coast of this collection of islands. The Land of Lures, a nice little fishing based village with much nicer beaches than we have around here." Chojuuro rubs his chin with a couple of his fingers as he explains out loud what the forming plan seemed to be.

"What's that place like? And how come you never took us there before?" Ikada pouts a little as he speaks, directing his questions at Hiroki specifically.

Kagura shoots his younger brother a look but quickly switches to taking his dads' side. "Dad and pops are very busy here in the Mist. I'm sure they would have taken us someday."

Hiroki crosses his arms over his chest and dons a smug little tone of voice. "Well I'm taking us all there tomorrow, so you don't have to worry anymore. And I won't spoil what the village is like. You'll have to wait and see."

"That's no fair, tell me!" Ikada steps up in front of his much taller father, looking up at him and stamping his foot. "I wanna know."

"Be patient, squirt." The golden eyed man reaches down to ruffle the off-orange colored hair of his youngest. "You'll see tomorrow."

"Fine. But it better be cool." There is a mad little blush on the cheeks of the adopted Funato child, but his father knows him too well. He's excited to go and will forget all of this when he gets the lay of the new land.

Everyone, in the flurry of their conversation, seemed to have forgotten where they were holding said conversation and only were made to remember when the seated Mizukage cleared hee throat. Chojuuro had an embarrassed look on his face once his mother brought him back down to earth from the orbit he had been during the making of these new plans. He and Kagura were the first to apologize, always eager to keep the peace, followed shortly by Itachi and Haruka. Ikada mumbled a little 'sorry' under his breath because it was all he could manage amongst his barely contained excitement to explore.

"Thank you for your time and your answers, Lady Mizukage. We will be going now and leave you to your work. Please have a good rest of your evening." Itachi spoke for all of them with how he wrapped up the encounter.

"And I wish the same to you, Uchiha-san. We're happy to have you." Mei pushed aside her exasperation at what she had just bore witness to because she wasn't going to let a little petty squabbling ruin a good trip. "Please do enjoy our neighboring village."

And with that, the entire eight man band took their leave from the off of the Water Shadow. Chojuuro was the first to sigh in utter relief the second they had all stepped back into the sunshine outside. He ran one hand through his hair and tried to forget the humiliation of tuning out his own mother in favor of making plans to go outside of their village. Meanwhile, both of his boys looked like the stir craziness was starting to overflow. They wanted to resume their little trip around town badly. Standing around in that cramped office was no good for a five year old, a six year old, and two eight year olds.

"So." Hiroki starts. He refuses to let the silence grow awkward. "Tomorrow we set off for the Land of Lures. What say we take the rest of the day here to look around some more? Show our friends here the memorial stone and some of the renovated areas, then get some dinner. We can worry about the travel details in the morning. If I have to, I can ask to borrow some horses so the kids don't tire on the way up. Don't worry, I know a guy."

"Oh, horses. I don't have much experience with those but I think that sounds just fine." Haruka nods. "And the rest of it sounds wonderful too. We have one more day here after that, and I was thinking of doing a little shopping for at least part of it. There's some things I want to bring home with us."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. What time do you want to set off in the morning? Chojuuro looks from his husband to both of his guests as he speaks.

"We will see what time the kids are up. And then I will call for you both. Is that acceptable?" Itachi takes the chance to speak for both himself and his wife. Haruka slips in next to him and he puts an arm around her gently.

"Works for me. I know what inn you're staying at. So I'll get us all a room for the night too so you can find us easily. And maybe give the kids a chance to terrorize the other guests a little as a bonding activity in the meantime." Hiroki has yet another devious look, somehow different than his other ones he's shown to his guests so far, on his face as he confidently replies. Clearly life is a game to him and he's getting a lot of enjoyment out of this. Oh to have his level of sheer gall.

"I think that'll be good for them." Haruka kisses her husband's cheek before he even has time to mull over what Hiroki had just suggested. "Let them tire themselves out, too, so they sleep well for the trip over. I know they are probably tired of traveling already but it'll be worth it for a beach day."

That's all he needs to hear. If she is all for it, then he's equally on board. Now all that stands in between the party and their excursion up to the next village over is the remaining hours of daylight they have to explore the Mist more thoroughly. The promise to see the memorial stone is perfect motivation to focus on the here and now rather than just resigning and accepting the rest of their first vacation day is going to be a drag. Chojuuro surely has plenty of sights left to show them and they both want to see everyone one. When tomorrow comes they'll revel in the sea air, but for now they have four rowdy children to entertain as well as their own curiosities to sate.

"I know just the place I want you guys to try tonight when we go get dinner. Just trust me, the eel is to die for." Hiroki rambles a little. His mouth is already watering.

Even though he seems jazzed on it, his guests seem a little hesitant. But they smile and nod along with him anyway because they're quite willing to try new things. Especially things that get the seal of approval from someone who seems to be enjoying life here this much. Itachi lets his eyes wander then, from the grown Anbu to the gaggle of children damn near ready to wander off, and considers himself a very fortunate man. Getting this chance to be here with his family and with good company will do him a lot of good. He feels almost zero stress and his relaxed body posture reflects it well. His wife notices it quickly, and thanks her lucky stars that her beloved seems to be enjoying himself so much.

"We should get going so Mikoto and Shisui don't get too far ahead of us." He leans to whisper in Haruka's ear. She laughs at the way his breath tickles and sees that he's wearing a small smile as he speaks. "I want to see everything they see."

Her laughing tapers to a little chuckle as she responds to him. "We better not lag behind, then, love. Especially with Hiroki's oldest leading the way."

So the little sight seeing party takes off on the direction that Ikada and Mikoto have darted off. Kagura sticks closer to the adults and eventually Shisui sees fit to copy him. The rush of an unfamiliar place eventually turns into the wonder of passing through a land so very different from back home. It's an enjoyable evening that is capped off with food that is indeed surprisingly delicious. Hiroki is a weird and wild man but his suggestions are far more spot on than they have any right to be. And luckily by the time that all is said and done, the children are all quite worn out from the flurry of activity of the day. There will be no running up and down the halls like demons tonight.

Hiroki and Chojuuro secure a suite just five doors down from the one Itachi and Haruka are staying in. In the morning, Itachi will go over and knock on their door to let them know everyone is ready. But until then it is time to rest for the night and get some good sleep. Haruka makes sure he takes his medicine a little earlier than usual and that his reading glasses are put where he can easily find them before he turns in for the night. He thanks her for her diligence and thoroughness.

When he slides in bed beside her, she quickly sidles right up to him and takes him in her embrace. Her ear presses to his chest to get a good listen of his lungs for her peace of mind. It takes a few deep breaths, but eventually she is satisfied with what she hears and she settles in with him, eyes slowly closing and tiredness starting to claim her. Itachi manages to find sleep before his wife and she spends her final moments hanging on the edges of consciousness thanking the gods for the opportunity to take her family out for a much needed break from the Leaf. Tomorrow would be amazing, just like today had been. She knew this in her soul. And with that mantra in her head, she let sleep take over, sinking into dreamland.

~~~~~~

The plan for the morning had been that Itachi would have gone five doors down to let his escorts know when his family was up and ready to leave on the two hour long trek north out of Kiri. What actually happened was that a knock had been heard at the door to the suite Itachi's family was staying in, somewhere around seven am, and Shisui had bolted to the door to answer it. It was unfortunate for the boy that he had been far too short to undo the locks that were eye level with his adults. So he had to improvise in order to see who it was that was standing outside the room apparently looking for them. Itachi himself watched his son from afar, prepared to step in at any time in case something was amiss, but allowing his youngest to get to the bottom of the issue first until it proved to be over his head.

The surprise came when the voice calling from the other side of the door had belonged to Chojuuro's youngest, the adopted Funato boy Ikada. Apparently he had gotten too impatient and had too much energy so Hiroki must have let him go see if the Uchihas were at least awake at that time. It was just their luck that they were indeed up and getting ready for the day. Once it became clear that the child standing outside was no trouble, Itachi got up and undid the locks, opening the door and allowing the light eyed boy inside. Shisui was pleased with his father's actions but it was Mikoto who showed even more enthusiasm when she caught sight of their visitor.

For a good half an hour the Uchiha family entertained the stray Funato as they finished showering and dressing and packing what they needed for the day. Mikoto and Shisui had no problems keeping Ikada busy the entire time, though one at a time they had to join their mother in the bathroom so she could get them cleaned and dressed in fresh clothes ahead of their journey. By the time everyone was all set, Itachi had gone to uphold the end of his bargain by knocking on the door five rooms down the hallway from his own. Chojuuro opened it to reveal his charge for the three days the four of them were in Kiri and flashed a small smile of acknowledgement. Behind his father, Kagura stood and watched the conversation. He wasn't as overtly outgoing as his brother but he sure was a good kid and it was a joy to have him around while out and about.

At roughly 8:30 in the morning, the group of eight finally made their departure from the very lovely inn to head two hours north. The Land of Lures, somewhere Hiroki seemed to know well and yet he had never taken his own children there. It would be a collective new experience for all four of them. Surely when the Uchihas made their return to Konoha, their son and daughter would have plenty of stories to tell their friends and memories that would last them a lifetime. Good memories they could keep with them always. Haruka was thankful for such a serendipitous outcome that sprang from her arrangements to go to Water Country. The more of the world her children saw, the more they would appreciate life outside of their immediate bubble.

Horses were proposed by Hiroki both back in Mei's office and once again before his troupe officially hit the road. Itachi paused to consider it seriously, weighing the pros and cons in his head in order to be thorough, and made sure to ask his children what their thoughts were on the matter. Mikoto readily said she would be okay to travel even though it was pretty far. Shisui was a little unsure at first but upon seeing his big sister's reaction was quick to take her side. This was good enough for their father. If it really came down to it, he had no trouble carrying one of them on his shoulders. And Haruka surely would help in the case that both of them needed to be carried for some of the distance. It was Shisui who took that offer the last 20 minutes of the trip. He enjoyed the view from his newly acquired "height" as their destination came into view.

"Told ya you'd like it." Hiroki dons quite a smug smirk. "A nice little coastal village famous for its fresh seafood dishes and very chill atmosphere. Just wait till you see where we're headed."

Not wanting to waste any more time, the Anbu guard picks up his pace with longer strides. Ikada scurries to follow in his father's wake, not wanting to be left behind, being probably the most excited to see the realms beyond the Hidden Mist. The boy had metaphorical stars in his eyes as he took in the lay of this new land. All of the low rise housing with flat roofs perfect for standing on to look out at the horizon. Stone pathways that served as the main roads. Barrels of fish and pots of crabs that must have just been caught that day lining the outside of a few of the homes. In the short distance there were several docks and one long pier that jutted out over the sea which rolled in little waves back and forth. And, by that deeply blue ocean, was a structure much larger than any of the houses they could see around them.

"Pops? What's that building out there?" Ikada looks up at Hiroki with big, curious light eyes when he's finally able to tear his gaze away from the scenery out in front of him.

Hiroki, in turn, turns his yellow gaze down at his six year old son and speaks with a sort of reverence the boy cannot yet understand. "That's where we're going today. Gonna spend all day out on the beach out there next to that little school. All the classes are held in that building, the teachers think it's good for the kids to learn by the sea. And I think they're right."

Haruka watches the exchange happening before her eyes and feels just a little pang of envy for the fact that this little town can hold their schooling in such a unique spot. Konoha was landlocked and therefore the ocean was too far away to go and see regularly. Any time any of the children in the village wanted to go, their parents had to take them to the eastern edge of Fire Country in order to get a glimpse of the expansive blue waters. Kirigakure got to see it every day. And this village did, too. They even took it to the next level. Holding classes in the school building situated right on the beach. It sounded like something from a dream.

She was brought gently down from cloud nine when her daughter tugged on her sleeve. Focusing her attention on Mikoto, Haruka inquired about what might be on her mind. "What is it, my little magpie?"

"How come they get to have such a cool school here? Our academy isn't like that at all." Mikoto puffed out her cheeks just a little as she spoke. Clearly her mother wasn't the only jealous one.

"We're in Water Country, honey. It's called that because it's an island nation surrounded by the ocean. So places like this that see the sea get the chance to be near it more often. Unfortunately we back in the Leaf do not live by the sea." Her heart went out to her daughter's plight in that moment. It would be wonderful if she had the chance to show Mikoto more of the world beyond the forested village they called home. Maybe someday there would be an opportunity.

"You never know, maybe you can come study in Kiri with us someday." Hiroki flashes the yearning child a hopeful grin. He had been listening to the conversation and didn't want the girl to get too discouraged. "I'll put in a good word with Ma for ya. If you ever wanna come see the ocean more often, you're always welcome in the Mist."

These words seem to lift her spirits a little and she bids him a thank you. Haruka, equally grateful, knows she has find a way to make it up to the man before she leaves. But there is no time for the group to fool around anymore as it is Chojuuro who begins walking towards the school building with his day bag in hand. Kagura follows after him wordlessly and it leaves the other half of their family a bit scatterbrained for a moment. Ikada quickly gets his bearings back and skips ahead to catch up to his father and brother. Itachi takes that as his cue to herd his family in the same direction so they don't fall behind. Bringing up the rear, to the surprise of everyone, is Hiroki. He and Mikoto share a hush-hush conversation about the sea and her mother is just amazed at how enraptured her daughter is by all of it.

The band of eight make it down safely to the seaside beach and it's even more beautiful than it looked from a distance. The actual sand is so soft under feet. Shisui is the first to fling his shoes off in order to bury his toes in the sand, enamored with the feel of the grains on his bare feet. Ikada and Mikoto are not far behind in copying him. Kagura, of course, chooses to wait until their little area is all set up and he can take a minute to sit and look out at the water. He does not have the same almost fish-like draw to the water as Ikada does, but both of his fathers know before too long he'll join the light eyed boy for a swim all the same.

Itachi is the one to unfurl the oversized blanket before asking his wife to help him set it down and stretch it out. There are no trees and no one has brought an umbrella so there will be no shade to sit under, but thankfully the sun is not beating down directly on everyone in the first place. Even up here there is a cloudy sort of haze lingering in the air to protect the citizens from harshly direct sunlight, but not enough to cause too much of a chill. Perfect conditions for enjoying an extended period of time outside. He sits on the blanket beside his wife, legs loosely crossed, and witnesses the spectacle that is the future Sixth Mizukage prepping his husband and two children for the day. The second that the cold sunscreen hits Hiroki's naked back is the second the fierce Anbu guard yelps in surprise. It's funny only until it dawns on the dark haired Uchiha that it will be his turn soon.

"Dear." Haruka begins, sweetly. Here it comes. He gulps a little and hopes she doesn't see. "Would you please remove your shirt so I can make sure you've got enough sunscreen too?"

The former Akatsuki member sighs in resignation because he knows it's for the best. Still, it's going to make him shiver. At least his lovely wife won't just him. Too hard. "All right, I will just need a moment."

The "moment" in reality is him needing to prepare for warm skin to meet cold cream. Maybe they should have bought the spray on stuff instead, maybe if wouldn't have been so cool to the touch. Too late now. He carefully hooks two fingers under the bottom edge on his shirt and lifts it over his head in one fluid motion. The newly shed garment is set down next to him rather than chucked away to gather sand and get stepped on. Haruka takes the bottle from Chojuuro as soon as he's done and kneels in front of her waiting husband. He looks at her with almost pleading eyes but she is quite immune to the trickery. Not even Genjutsu could throw her off this trail. It's for the best, he just has to tell himself, it'll assure that sun burns won't make his life hell for the next week.

She dabs a little bit onto her two first fingers and motions for him to uncross his legs and stay still. At least it's a better place to start than his torso. Ease him into the temperature difference, yes that was good logic to go with. And it actually pays off when he feels her start to slather the off-white cream onto the skin of his very pale legs. She has to hike up his shorts just a little bit to make sure maximum coverage is achieved but it's easy work so she doesn't think anything of it. He will surely get some of it rubbed off on the towel but not enough to be a concern. Satisfied with the first stage of her work, she instructs him to hold out his arms in front of him next. One by one she gingerly holds them up with one hand while applying the sunscreen diligently with the other. It's a funky wet feeling, the cream on skin, but he'll be thanking her later for protecting him.

"Now comes the hard part. I'm sorry in advance, beloved." She really is sorry for what she has to do but both of them know it's better to be safe than take a chance. Especially when it comes to his chest. His scars may be fading with the years but he knows he has to take extra care of them when it involves being exposed to sunlight.

She reaches for the bottle that has been set down beside her and takes a generous helping into one hand. Itachi figures that he'd rather her get his back first, and then finish with his chest and face, so he swivels around to face away from her. She spreads the sunscreen evenly as she can into her other hand and then presses both palms to the slightly marked up skin of his lower back. He only shovers a fraction because the warmth of her hands manages to bleed through the temperature of the cream and it reminds him of all the hours she's spent mending him over the years. Soon he's relaxing into her work and it's almost like getting a massage. Haruka works the cream up along his back and the rear side of his neck because it's a spot frequently missed by most people, exacting in her work, and then pulls back when she's satisfied with the coverage. As she inspects her efforts he's left missing her touch already.

"Looking good." There is a smile threaded into her voice, he may not see her face in that moment but he can still tell. "Now turn around to face me again. I have to get the rest of you."

He finds that he's no longer opposed to her ministrations as the feeling of her hands on his back had been so soothing it took away his inhibitions. It takes all of three seconds for him to swivel back around and almost puff out his chest a little in order to give her the best access. Haruka giggles a little to herself as she watches her husband. She's not a fool, she sees the little ways that he leans into her actions. It's very very cute and she'll never get tired of it. But right now she has to focus on protecting him from the sun's rays rather than loving up on him. But she WILL make time for it later and that is very much a threat.

"It's nice to see you so eager." She keeps her voice low but the tenderness in it is still very present. "Thank you for cooperating with me."

"Anything you could ever ask of me. I will do it for you without question." She can see the mirrored tenderness written all over his face. If she's not careful it will distract her too much.

More of the sunscreen is squeezed out onto her hands and she is quick to press her palms flush up against his chest to apply it. She moves each hand in slow circular motions, making sure not to miss even a centimeter of his sensitive skin, paying extra attention to the areas where his mastectomy scars rest. The feel of the post-surgical skin has become much less pronounced as a different texture as the years have gone on. Itachi is healing, slowly but surely, and he is comfortable in his skin. It's all she could ever wish for him. Her skill hands continue to work in the cream over the rest of his front until he's got decent coverage and she can pull back once more. Just his face is left now.

"You're going to look a little silly after this. But it's okay, I think silly is a good look for you." She laughs again. But instead of grabbing the same bottle of sunscreen, she reaches for the pack that's just barely within reach and pulls out a smaller tube. Ahh yes, this is the variety better suited for facial application. Much gentler if it happens to get in one's eyes as well as tasteless in the case of it being snorted or licked. "Just this last bit and then you'll be all set, I promise."

He hums a little to confirm he understands what she's telling him and then is perfectly still once more. Haruka dabs just a little of the cream on her two first fingers of one hand and then brings them up to his cheek. Slowly the cream is worked into his skin, across his nose and into his other cheek. His temples and chin and the little bit of exposed forehead are also given careful attention. And with that, she is happy with her finished work, and pulls back for the final time. He does indeed look silly. Silly but guarded against burns and worse. Now he can lay back and bask and relax while the kids accompany Hiroki in the depths. She thinks she'll join them in due time, but not just yet.

A joyful shriek reaches her ears in that moment and she turns her head like an owl scoping out prey. It came from her son, who had already managed to follow Ikada into the water in what felt like record time. She must have been so focused on her husband that she entirely missed both her children booking it down the sand towards the water. But, of course, she knew Hiroki was with them. And he was a Kiri nin through and through so his swimming skills were on parr with that of the gods themselves. Mikoto and Shisui were in damn good hands.

"It sounds like he's having a wonderful time." Itachi observes, casually picking up the conversation.

Haruka settle into a sitting position beside her man and begins working the sunscreen all over her own self. "Time of his life, even. And Mikoto too."

Their daughter was currently standing on the long pier that reached out across a good portion of the water. It was a good perch to observe and plan from. And plan she was, because even from here her body language told all. She was looking for the perfect opening to drop in on her baby brother from. Ikada better watch out or he too risked being divebombed by a flying Uchiha. Thankfully he seemed to catch onto her plans quickly from just a glance up at her and ducked fully under the water without another word. Shisui looked down to where he vanished, entirely baffled, and was none the wiser when his older sister put her plan into motion. Mikoto leapt like a frog and landed a few feet from where he was and splashed a good sized wave all over the unsuspecting boy.

"Hey, that's not fair!" He squeals, indignant. But his sister only laughs. Mission accomplished.

That's when Ikada chooses to come back up for air. He manages to get a nice yelp out of Mikoto, too, as she has forgotten for a moment that he was still down below. "How's it feel!" He wears the biggest grin in his face while holding out one hand and pointing at her.

Before she can respond to save her dignity, though, Shisui gasps out loud. His eyes are laser focused on the finger Ikada is pointing at his sister. "Your hands!"

Hiroki, who had been treading water not far from the scene at hand, chose then to swim up to his gaggle of ducklings. First he looked at Shisui staring in wonder and then followed the boy's like of sight to find it fixated on Ikada's outstretched hand. Or, rather, his fingers and the *webbing* between each of them. That was new. That was crazy. He wracked his brain to try and figure out what could have caused such a thing and when nothing came up his used his last ditch effort. Calling for his husband. Yes, Chojuuro would know.

"Babe, c'mere, it's urgent!" Hiroki waves his arms over his head as he beckons his love to him.

Chojuuro sighs through his nose, not unkindly so much as unsure of what's going on, and wades into the water himself. Kagura remains on the edge and still seems to be contemplating if he wants to finally enter or not. Eventually he's persuaded mentally and slowly eases himself in bit by bit until he has to do a doggie paddle in order to stay afloat. Meanwhile, his dads have convened around his brother and he has to swim the best he can in order to get closer so he can hear the commotion. Shimizu Hiroki, thank the gods, makes it easy for him though because that man sure knows how to speak up.

"Babe, do you know what's making his hands webbed like that? I've never seen that before. It's pretty fuckin cool." Without watching his language around the kids, the yellow eyed man begins interrogating his husband.

"Yes, in fact, I do know the answer." Chojuuro is much calmer with the way he speaks. "He's from the Funato clan originally. And it is well known that members of that family carry a blessing from the sea dragon god. One part of that blessing is hands they become webbed when they enter water so that they may better navigate and swim under said water."

"Wow, holy crap." This time he *does* tone his language down just a notch. "That is cooler than I thought. Little man, I didn't know you could do that!"

Kagura, now floating lazily on his back, has drifted up beside the rest of his family and the Uchiha kids. He too had never bothered to ask his dad about what was up with his little brother. Sure he'd seen the webbing when Ikada would spray him with a hose or when he'd drink water from his cupped hands instead a glass. But it never occurred to him to ask about that little detail. Perhaps he was so used to it by now that he simply thought it was the most normal thing in the world. Either way, he had just learned something. And it was very impressive of Ikada Nii-san to have such a neat ability.

That's when Hiroki steered the subject into another direction. It seemed he had gotten an idea as everyone was basking in the marvel that was his youngest. "Hey, would you all like to join me up on the pier over there? I have an idea. I'll explain when we get up there."

"We'll pass, but thank you." Chojuuro spoke on behalf of himself and Kagura, knowing the boy would not be interested in whatever antics his other father was surely cooking up. "Please try not to lose any of them." And he accented the last words with a laugh, enjoying even the thought that his goofy husband could misplace a whole child let alone three.

The Anbu agent shrugs his broad shoulders and considers it his husband's loss. Oh well, can't waste time dwelling on minds that don't want to be changed. He makes a beeline for the shore then and looks over his shoulder to watch as two of the four gathered children make to follow him. Shisui hangs back with Chojuuro and Kagura rather than tailing his sister this time. This is okay too, he was the youngest of the group and probably was far safer staying right here while his big sister and new Funato friend followed Hiroki to hell and back.

Both land-bound parents continue to monitor the scene from their spot on the laid out blanket. The heat of the day had been increasing little by little as they sat and observed. Haruka shielded her eyes with her forearm as she quickly tipped her head up to look at the expansive sky overhead. Some of the oddly hazy mist had dissipated with time and made it easier for the sun to beat down harsher on those just trying to watch their children have a good time from afar. Haruka internally considered that maybe this was her cue to get up and go swimming herself finally. Maybe, just maybe, she could even convince her husband to come with her. It *was* a better idea than cooking in the sun, after all, even with skin protection.

She slowly stood up to her full height and stretched her arms out in front of her to bring back proper feeling into them before daring to head out towards the water. As soon as she got her bearings, she reached down to her still seated husband to offer him a hand up. He took it readily and held on tight as she carefully pulled him to his feet. Turns out he really needed the movement because his legs now felt like they had been trying to fall asleep.

"Would you like to join me for a swim, love?" It was an innocent question. Sure she also wanted a closer seat to watch what boisterous Hiroki was planning to do with Mikoto and Ikada, but she also just wanted to get in the water herself. Two birds with one stone.

"I would love to. Please, lead the way." He doesn't let go of her hand as he responds. In fact, she grips his just a bit tighter as she begins to lead him down to where the sand meets the sea.

Mikoto and Ikada have made it up into the impressively sized pier by the time Haruka and Itachi have entered the shallows. Hiroki is not far behind the children, shaking all the salt water out of his hair briefly before making any other moves. He watched as the two little hellions looked over the sides of the wooden pier to gaze into the water below them. They'd walked out farther onto it than they had been while still in the water so the ocean floor was not visible from this high up. It should have made them nervous. Instead, their excitement only heightened. It was a fun sort of danger. Though, honestly, it could barely be called danger because they had a watchful eye with them.

Said watchful eye strides up behind them, looming above them like an observant hawk, and opens his mouth to speak. "Who wants to take a dive into this deeper water? I'll be with you the whole time, I promise. And if you say no I will understand."

The suggestion he puts forward seemed to him like it could easily be turned down. But, between the two children with him now, he was quickly proven wrong. The duo chorused ME ME ME and that was all Hiroki needed to hear to confirm that his idea hadn't been such a long shot after all. He laughed off his uncertainty after that and began to step back away from the kids. Ikada looked back at his father with his head cocked in confusion but was far more eager to see what was coming next to bother to question him. Mikoto eventually turned herself around just enough as well so that she could keep the Kiri nin within her line of sight. All three of them seemed to be on the same page. So it was now or never.

"Are you two ready? It's gonna come at ya fast so make sure you hold your breaths." He calls over to them. Already he's rolling his shoulders and making sure his aim is true.

"Get on with it already, pops, I don't like waiting." Ikada gives him a challenging tone. He really is so like his father.

"How about you, little lady? Are you ready?" He covers all of his ground just in case.

Mikoto nods readily and flashes him her best imitation of his sharp toothed grin. "Yes I am! Bring it on!" Her arms raise over her head as she pumps her fists in the air. Ahh, the fearless nature of a baby Uchiha. It never disappoints.

Without another word, Hiroki digs in his heels and springs forward like a bullet. On his way to the water he scoops up both children, one in each arm, and flings the three of them off the side of the pier. Peels of laughter sound from all three of them as they plunge into the depths below before resurfacing mere moments later. Mikoto looks like she had never had such fun in her entire life. Without saying a word, one could tell her entire being was screaming AGAIN! AGAIN! with just one look in those adorable dark eyes. She wraps her arms around Hiroki's neck to cling to him since the water is so deep. Ikada, on the other hand holds on to his father from the front. Hiroki has him carefully balanced in his arms because all the needs to stay afloat is his powerfully kicking legs.

Itachi comes up for air, breaking the surface of the water, right then. He had bore witness to the shenanigans of his oldest as she allowed Lord Sixth's personal guard to take her for a wild ride into the sea. The sight of her feeling so overjoyed with the day's activities did wonders of good for him. He so badly wanted his children to grow up enjoying their lives to the fullest and being able to be bold without fear. This was certainly the best possible outcome. And then he looks over to where his son is still hanging with Chojuuro, this time taking tips from Kagura on how to float effortlessly on his back, and is thankful the boy doesn't feel left out. He had been given a choice and didn't seem to regret it one bit.

His wife swam up to him as he was thinking through all of this. She quickly dove under water and came back up in front of him, searching his eyes to gauge how he was handling all of this. And she truly liked what she saw. There was nothing but gratitude and tenderness as he observed his children feeling carefree and emotionally fulfilled. Hiroki had already brought the two back up onto the pier as they were being watched, no doubt planning another stunt like the last one. She almost felt another wave of envy. Oh, to be so fearless. Shisui and Mikoto would never grow up wanting.

There was a slight change up this time as Hiroki asked each of the children what they wanted to do. Ikada, without one second of hesitation, told his dear old dad he could handle being tossed into the waiting sea below them without holding onto anyone. He was a strong swimmer. Besides, *dear old dad* would obviously be right behind him in case anything were to happen. Mikoto opted to stick with the same process as last time. She wasn't yet ready to fly solo, and that was okay. Hiroki could work with both things. So he flexed all of his fingers and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead, and scooped up his son in his arms. Ikada only kept a loose grip on his father. One swing, two swing, and on the third swing he was released back into the ocean like a too small fish being out back where it came from. Everyone waited to see him come back up for air and felt utter relief when it only took a moment. And as soon as that event had finished, Hiroki had once more gotten a running start, picking up Mikoto as he went and leaping into the water. Both of them came back up without delay. The trio were all smiles and laughter and energy as they reveled in the little bit of chaos they shared.

"Maybe we should take her to the beach more often. She seems so happy." Itachi's words had an almost wistful quality to them. As if he was daydreaming of distant places.

"I think it would be good for them." Haruka swam back up to him again and placed a quick kiss on his wet cheek. "And I think it would be good for us, too."

How very like how considerate soulmate. Always thinking of the whole family. She had a point and he found himself already wishing for the next time they could travel somewhere together. Where he could watch his family enjoy life to the fullest extent and not have a single worry of any kind. Where he could let go, unwind, and just let himself exist without expectations. It felt wonderful to have these moments where the only things on his mind were the happiness of his wife and children, and how beautiful the lands beyond Fire Country truly were now that he could venture out to see them.

"I hope our next destination is as beautiful and enjoyable as this one has already been." He returns her kiss, this time pressing his lips to her forehead, before finishing his thought. "No matter where it is that we will go."

The two spend the next hour talking, floating, treading water, and watching their son and daughter fool around with one of their escorts and his son. After that the lot of them opt to take a little break back on shore in order to rest up just a little. There is just enough time for one more quick dip before the subject of dinner becomes the topic of interest. Haruka towels off her wet and happy son as she listens to Hiroki go on and on about the food that his favorite place around here serves. Again with the eel, but even she had to admit by now it has her more curious than wary. Itachi was working on packing in all of their supplies as she moved to dry off Mikoto. To the surprise of everyone it was Kagura who spoke up I'm the next moment. He confirmed that what his dad said about eel was true, they it really was so good, and they should all try it when they went to get dinner. Chojuuro was the only one who declined.

Dinner went exceedingly well. The eel, as highly spoken of as it was, actually lived up to much of the hype. And there were plenty of sweets on the dessert menu so Itachi took the chance to treat himself to a few before they knew they had to head back to Kiri. He looked around the table at each person in his company that evening and marveled at how easy the atmosphere was. Sure, he knew already he'd be carrying his son home most of the way because the boy was tired, but this was the most togetherness he had felt in so long with anyone outside of his family. Hopefully this would not be the last time the four adults and their collective brood could gather and enjoy some time off as one happy pack. Chojuuro would be busy when he took the hat, but hopefully not too busy they he couldn't take a couple days off to bring the hellions northward with him and Haruka again.

Their trek back to the Hidden Mist sure is a long one indeed. Shisui, as it turns out, wasn't the only one who was feeling the tiredness from expending so much energy that day. Kagura asked Hiroki halfway home if he could have a piggyback and promptly fell asleep as he was carried back into familiar territory. How Ikada and Mikoto had not also collapsed yet was a mystery, but surely they would be out like lights the second they got back to their suites. Because yes, Chojuuro and his group would be taking their room for another night. It was a good idea as they still had an entire day to spend with their new friends.

Even Hiroki was dog tired when his body finally had a chance to lay out on his extra large long sized bed. After laying Kagura down in the bed beside it, and after watching Ikada join his brother then pass out in record time, the Anbu agent was able to allow himself to relax. His husband joined him not long after and the two spent a little time cuddled up together as Chojuuro discussed how he felt about the day they'd had. Though his mind was hazed over with the desire for sleep, Hiroki happily listened to his love recount everything they had seen and done and how it would be enjoyable to return at some point. And when the conversation was over, and the two laid down together to give in to sleep, both knew damn well there wasn't a thing they would have done to change how it all went even if they were given a chance.

The future Water Shadow and his husband weren't the only ones basking in the company of each other as they reflected on the day. Itachi was laid out on his back with his wife pressed up close to him. They had both taken a very quick shower as soon as the kids were sound asleep, preferring not to go to bed smelling like salt water, before getting into their own bed. Neither of them could really encompass quite how they felt about today with words. What little words they did get out were simple, easy, and sweet. Eventually those tapered off into equally sweet silence. Sleep tugged at both of them slowly and they gave in little by little. One more day, they had just one more day here. What was to come was still partly unknown. But regardless of the agenda, it surely would be great. This was their mutual thought before allowing themselves to give in to the call of the sandman. One day left and it would definitely be unforgettable.

~~~~~~

Everyone enjoyed the luxury of being able to sleep in on the morning of the final day. Not having to rouse early, especially after such an eventful day as yesterday had been, was exactly what the proverbial doctor ordered. Both Shisui and Mikoto managed to stay soundly asleep for a couple of hours longer than usual due to how worn out they had been from the flurry of activity they'd enjoyed previously. Their parents were up before each of the children and got plenty of private time to cuddle and doze before they had to worry about what the plan for the day was. Itachi was perhaps the most thankful for this outcome. He truly enjoyed everything that they had done so far but it was also taking a toll on him. Haruka, after hearing him describe how he'd been feeling, took the time to apply a little medical Ninjutsu to his chest and aching muscles for a little relief. It provided him with just enough restored energy to get out of bed later and prepare for the day.

He was grateful to have received the energy boost from his wife's attention because by the time his children were awake he'd cleaned up all the wet clothes and taken a better shower than he was able to last night. Haruka took it upon herself to get first her son and then her daughter cleaned up just as their father had now that they had the time and energy for it. Mikoto even managed to sit still to allow her father to brush her freshly washed hair as her mother packed away the belongings Itachi had gathered up from the floor. It felt damn good to approach the day well rested, thoroughly clean, and excited for what the trip still had in store.

It isn't until 11 am that there comes s knock at the door. This time, it's Itachi who gets up to answer it. Just like yesterday the party who has come to greet them in the younger of Chojuuro's two boys. Ikada wears a big smile on his face and happily bounds into the room as soon as he's formally invited. The three children are joined shortly by Kagura, who seems less shy than usual but still as respectful as ever. Mikoto talks his ear off the second he gives her his attention and it allows her parents to discuss what the plan actually is before they decide to set out. Today is the final leg of their vacation, but there will still be one more sleep spent here in the inn room. And then in the morning the four of them will get on the ferry that will take them back to Fire Country, then catch the connecting Thunder Train into Konoha proper. Until then the first order of business was definitely food.

It's a wonder that the children had not bugged their parents for something to eat earlier. They must have been so exhausted that it overrode any other feeling or desire. But they sure were hungry now. And so we're Haruka and her husband. When they followed the two Kiri boys to where their dads were, this time Chojuuro made a suggestion for a restaurant before Hiroki could say anything. Details and nitpicking we t out the window immediately because everyone was plenty hungry enough to be down with anything. Like before, the entire tab was picked up by the escorts. They were thanked deeply and praised for having such intimate knowledge of the best places for visitors to visit to get a real taste of Kiri cuisine.

Conversation across the lunch table consisted mainly of questioning Haruka as to how she envisioned spending her final day in the Mist. Immediately she made it clear that there were some things she wanted to buy and bring home with her, and after that it would be nice to walk to the shore and see the jellyfish even if there would not be another repeat day full of swimming. She also made sure to mention a desire to go back to the memorial stone with fresh incense to burn. It would be a good way to cap off the day before retiring to their final overnight stay in the gorgeous inn in the heart of the village. Everyone else was asked if anything else sounded interesting to them, and of course Mikoto asked to see the Academy again. She really wanted to watch another class to see what it was like. The request was very reasonable so Chojuuro nodded his head and told her they definitely could make time for that. Haruka then informed her family that they would be choosing their destination for dinner that night, to which no one objected. Mom always had good ideas.

So Hiroki led the way to the best wing of the shopping district when lunch was officially over. He wasn't too knowledgeable about the finer points of the best shops but he had gotten enough advice in the past about where to go if one needed general types of items so he relied on that intel. Thankfully, Haruka did not have any complaints and even managed to find her way to other places that caught her attention once the suggestions ran out. She picked up a few informative texts on medical techniques and aids specific to Water Country, some extra sharp handmade kunai for the personal family arsenal, a couple of outfits for the kids in gorgeous cold color palettes, and a certain item she had been aiming to procure all along. Water cinnamon sweets. The little sweets shop that sold them had an abundance of supply so she made sure to snap up four boxes in the event they really were that good. Even if they somehow managed to not meet her hopes, they would all definitely get eaten. Between her and her husband the lifespan any sweet thing enjoyed in their household was always laughably short.

Every item the family had managed to buy took up a lot of arm space so the call was made to drop it all off back at the inn before they could continue on their way. By the time all of that was said and done, the nearest clock was showing a time of three in the afternoon. Perfect to catch the last Kenjutsu class of the day. And after that it would be time to head to the shore to see what the seabirds and aquatic dwellers were up to. Kagura seemed just as enthusiastic to head back to the Academy as Mikoto had been so the two of them led the charge. Perhaps it was because he would soon be enrolled himself, just as how Mikoto was already enrolled in basic studies back home, and neither could wait to take the next steps in their education. It did their parents' hearts good to know their children were so eager to learn.

The class that was in session were just as surprised to see the future Mizukage as his charges were to be watching the clashing of wooden swords as the children stood on top of the shallow water. He had graced the halls of the academy twice in just three days now. The observing senseis monitoring their students thought it good luck, a good omen, and hoped it would motivate the class as a whole to keep improving by leaps and bounds. Mikoto and Kagura, just as jazzed as before, decided between them that they should take a chance and ask Chojuuro or Hiroki to take them down closer to where there students were practicing. Hiroki confirmed with his husband that it was indeed okay and brought the two to the ground floor where the class gathered round the new faces.

"If you ever wanna study here with us, don't hesitate to ask." Hiroki repeated his sentiment from the other day. He genuinely meant it when he had extended the offer. Kirigakure prided itself in how it brought up its next generation now that it was safe to be a young Shinobi here, so Mikoto and her parents would have no cause for concern.

"I would love to have you as a classmate someday." Kagura spoke softly, his words accompanied by a shy little grin. He was such an easy to get along with and sweet boy. That made it even more tempting to take up the offer in the future.

Hiroki got permission from the highest ranked teacher sitting in on the lesson to allow the outsiders to handle their practice weaponry. As soon as that wooden sword passed to Mikoto's hands, her eyes lit up like bright stars. She was not ready yet to stand on the water with the other students but she had plenty of room on the sidelines to swing the sword up and down to get a feel for it. Shisui, watching his sister down there, found himself wishing he wasn't there years her junior so he could hold a sword too. Itachi saw the little pang of jealousy in his son's eyes and lifted the boy to sit on his shoulders. The cool new view helped him forget about how he wanted to touch a sword too. And as they watched her get a feel for the tool, Itachi promised his dear son to teach him how to hold a sword too someday.

A good 45 minutes was spent observing the class and having a close up with their ninja tools before Chojuuro brought them all back outside. The sun was just starting its descent down towards the horizon then and that meant they should make for the shore right away. A setting sun meant more manageable temperatures but it also meant fading daylight. And once they'd had their fill of watching the local wildlife in their natural habitat, it would be time to make one more trip out to burn incense at the memorial. Luckily Haruka had not left said incense behind when they made their rest stop at the inn. She had it tucked away in her hip pouch for safekeeping and hoped it would be an acceptable final offering for the beloved dead of Kirigakure.

As the troupe headed down to the nearest shore just beyond the urban reach of the village, Hiroki caught sight of someone standing out on one of the docks reaching out onto the water. He bounded ahead of the group to meet this person and everyone else kept their normal pace, simply watching him as he skidded to a halt then padded out onto the dock. He and his apparent acquaintance wasted not time in poking fun at each other at a volume that was impossible to hear from a distance. But as soon as his crew got near enough, Shisui was the one who had a lightbulb moment. The person who was speaking with the Anbu of their group was the same almost-grey haired man that was back at the office two days ago.

That is how Mangetsu joined up briefly with the party of eight. He informed Hiroki that Ao had finally returned so Mei had given him the day off since he'd been on duty for several days in a row by himself. Naturally his first instinct had been to come look out at the sea. He made sure the child he recognized was made aware of the jellyfish he'd seen here just the other day. A colorful swarm floated lazily beneath the surface of the water below the dock upon which they all perched. Shisui laid on his stomach to watch them pass, marveling at how carefree they seemed. Overhead the sound of gulls could be heard as they swooped across the waves fishing for dinner. It was a different sort of noisy than what could be found back home, but that was all part of experiencing new things.

Every member of the gang enjoyed their time idly walking along the water's edge as they spent time out next to the sea. Haruka watched as small vessels skates across the deeper ocean farther out and wondered what they carried on each of the boats. Fishermen with the daily catch, traders from Lightning Country here to do business, residents who wanted to get off land for a little while. All of them cruising on the relatively calm waters as the evening went on. She would miss these kinds of sights for a while. But all things had to come to an end, and when Hiroki began to herd them in the direction of the stone, she quietly said her goodbyes to the beautiful view.

The sun was working its way down down down the horizon on both the walk to where the stone sat and as the incense burned little by little as they sat and looked over the engraved names. Someday, just as Chojuuro promised, hopefully the Hoshigaki clan would see their family name restored here. Or at the very least, be given the dignity of a separate space for those families who deserved to be honored but still carried some heady stigma. Itachi had to keep the faith that it would be taken care of down the line. He had to believe that someday he would be able to return to this beautiful place and run his fingers over the name engraved in marble once more. It seemed like a far off dream, but he was a patient man and knew it would not remain a dream forever.

Colorful cirrus clouds littered the sky, highlighting the setting sun magnificently, by the time they were all ready to head back. Mangetsu took his leave first and departed with a casual wave that turned into a flipping of the bird when turned towards Hiroki. Naturally the yellow eyed Shimizu yelled at obscenity back at his Hozuki friend. Fondly, menacingly, portraying the friendly rivalry for the world to judge. And then it soon came time to bid farewell to Chojuuro's family. The next time they would see the four of them is right before boarding the ferry home. It was tough, all four of the assembled children had grown close, but promises to do this again someday soon helped soothe the parting. Mikoto in particular felt the loss of her new companions as she watches their retreating backs. Her father smoothed his hand gently over her hair, gently reassuring her that it would not be long before she could come here again and enjoy the company of both boys. They would miss her. Just as she missed them.

Their final leg of the trek back to the inn was met with a quick detour to pick up some food from a place Haruka had scoped out earlier. It was a take out sort of night, she reasoned, and neither her husband nor her beloved son and daughter could disagree. They would be able to enjoy their meal as a family in their comfortable suite together and then wind down a little before taking one last rest in those beds. In the morning it was homeward bound. But for now, it was dinner and conversation. They even ordered extra Kiri specialty dango for Itachi to try as a sort of farewell to the nuance of being able to try so many new foods several days in a row. He would go to bed fully satisfied that night. That was for sure.

Itachi and Haruka made quicker work of their dinner than their children did. Shisui seemed determined to play with his food a little, inspecting every angle of it before putting it in his mouth. His sister thought it was amusing and made to copy his actions like it was a game. To the delight of their parents, both seemed to have had a wonderful day. That was all they could really ask for. Unless... That was when the mental gears began to turn for Haruka. She had an idea, and leaned over to her husband to whisper it in his ear.

"Would you like to join me for a little swim in the inn's pool while the kids enjoy the rest of their dinner?" She is giddy just thinking about it. What's gotten into her, he wonders?

Itachi blinks a couple of times before making to respond. "Do you think they'll be all right on their own?"

"Of course." She nods. "I will instruct them not to open the door for anyone and then lock up behind us. We will have a key card with us so we can get back in later."

His uncertainty morphs to agreement before her eyes. "Then, yes, I would love to join you for that."

She kisses his cheek appreciatively and springs up to her feet next to the bed. Turning towards the children, she addresses them without missing a beat. "Shisui. Mikoto. Dears, would you both be okay if your father and I went to enjoy a swim together at the pool? The door will be locked and you will not be alone for too long."

It's Shisui who pipes up before he even swallows the bite he'd been chewing. "Yes, we will be okay." He wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve when some of his food threatens to fall out. An 'eww' from his sister has their mother chuckling.

In a couple of bounds she comes to stand next to the bed her babies share, placing a kiss to each of their foreheads as a token of thanks that they feel safe enough to let their folks enjoy some time alone. Their father, meanwhile, rises and grabs some clothing much better suited to a dip in the pool. He hands his wife her change as well when he passes her by. It only takes him two minutes to change in the bathroom and even less for her. Clearly she's looking forward to this very much. He wants to ask why. But something tells him he'll find out that answer when they get there. One last thing is picked up by her before the two make their way to the door and he wonders exactly what it is.

"Remember. Don't open this door for anyone. We will not be out terribly long and will have a key to get in with. If you two are in bed by the time we return, we promise not to make too much noise and wake you." She goes over the rules and regulations with them to make sure everyone is clear on what's happening.

"Seeya later mommy." Mikoto waves. "And daddy." She's too engrossed in her dinner to display an elaborate goodbye. That's okay, both of her parents understand.

And just like that they slip out the door and down the stairs to where they know the pool is. In the lobby is a beautiful fountain that had impressed the children earlier. Following the signs, they found what they were looking for and felt a sense of gratitude when no one else has been present at the time. That meant they had it all to themselves unless anyone else were to come in after them. Haruka could work with that. She placed their towels down on a pair of chairs off to the side as well as the other few things she'd brought with them. The key card, his medication in case of an emergency, and an odd scroll he did not recognize.

"What did you bring the scroll for?" He questions. There's no accusations hidden in his words. He's just genuinely unsure of what it's for.

"You'll see, I promise." She uses a very sweet voice when she answers. Then, without waiting any longer, she finds one of the ladders into the water and descends it until she's immersed we deep as she currently wants to be.

Not one to be left behind, Itachi takes the stairs in the shallow end in order to be extra careful. He wades slowly deeper until his feet barely touch the floor anymore and treads water over to where his wife is happily floating. She dives completely under in that moment, coming back up for air beside him, smoothing down her now long wet hair behind her so it's not in her eyes. He quietly observes her, thankful for the view for which he can watch the love of his life enjoy her swim, and wonders how she got the idea to come down here in the first place. At least they had the energy for it tonight. After yesterday, all the four of them wanted to do was pass out when they got back to the suite. Now they had both the energy and the alone time to enjoy a quick little night dip together. With no one else currently around to invade their space.

After circling him a few times while swimming on her back she comes back up to him and rights her body so they would be standing if there was any reachable floor under their feet. Both tread water in place to stay still and stay afloat. He enjoys the sight of her with her hair loose, smile stretched across both purple marked cheeks, zero signs of worry or stress in those beautiful brown eyes. And he's not the only one taking in the damn good view. Haruka looks her man up and down and marvels at the way his mastectomy scars look on his chest. They're fading, little by little, the scarred skin tone integrating once again with the rest of him. He's beautiful. He's happy. He's all she could want.

She closes the distance a little more when he puts his arms around her waist and tugs her close ever so carefully. Both of her palms rest on his chest and he touches his forehead to hers. This woman in his arms is his world. She's so beautiful, she's so wonderful, she always puts him and their children first. Uchiha-Nohara Haruka had cared for him diligently over the years when he struggled the most and kept him from slipping to the point of no return. All of what he owed her could not be paid back in a dozen lifetimes. It is nothing short of incredible how lucky they both feel they are to have each other. Forever, even long after their lives were gone from this world.

Haruka presses a kiss to his lips and he feels the flame of desire begin to flood his chest. It was just them, alone, without prying eyes. "Thank you for bringing us out here tonight."

"Thank you for coming out with me. I'm glad we got this chance." She whispers to him, kissing along his jawline more. That fire blazing in his ribcage clearly has spread to hers as well. "I brought something just for the two of us tonight, if you are up for it."

Each of his senses perks up when she admits this to him. All the can do is nod a little, too curious about what exactly she means, and she takes that cue to quickly slip from his hold and go to the place she had set down her things. The scroll in her hands is unfurled and she gets back into the water while the item is held firmly in her hands. Without revealing anything to him yet, keeping her prize hidden from view down in the pool, she swims back up to him with a smile edged with mischief.

"What do you have there, love?" He tries to dial up the sweet tone in order to get her to show him what she's holding.

With one finger, she motions for him to come in close so that she may whisper in his ear. The words uttered then turn his quaint little soul flame into a wildfire of desire. She has his attention fully and she knows it. So she chooses then to bring up her held item above the surface to confirm what she had told him. The leather harness was one he knew so well and hoped it would not need new adjustments since the last time he'd worn it a week ago. Never did he imagine that this much needed vacation would include such a private treat. Much less that it would be offered to him during a night swim in a fancy inn's pool.

Haruka holds it out for him to take and slip into without further words. Just the thought of sharing this with him has her laser focused, it's a thrill to get this kind of alone time without prior planning. He wasted no time in carefully slipping out of his clothing and replacing it with the harness, not bothering to mind the way the shorts seem to lazily float away from him. His wife gawks at him as she watches him change and has to be brought back down to earth by a gentle touch on the shoulder from him because it is now her turn to undress so he may have access to all of her sensitive spots.

First she pulls her top over her head to free her breasts, and then slowly the matching set's bottoms are stripped away. They too are set to float out of reach, to be fished back up when the two have finished having their way with each other. She wastes no more time in pressing against him once the boundaries have all been peeled away. He enjoys the feel of her flush against his chest, the feel of her breasts against his pecs, working one of his hands down lower and lower on her in order to find that sweet spot.

This was their first attempt at having sex while in a body of water, admittedly. The feeling of the water against their naked bodies was a new and fascinating sensation. Haruka enjoyed the weightless feeling it provided her as she let his skilled fingers wind her up on the way only he could. She grinded down on him, enjoying the way he applied just the right pressured with the pad of his thumb circling her clit, feeling two other fingers exploring her internal walls. There was no surprise to be had when she came with a little cry, holding tight to him, keeping afloat with her now slightly erratic treading of water with her legs. She was already panting and feeling lighter than air after one round. And it was far from over.

Itachi allows himself a little devilish smile as he swims up behind her. He knows all of her most sensitive spots, exactly what angles she loves to be fucked from, how to have her begging him for more. And he intends to use all of that knowledge again tonight. Tonight she will let him take her from behind before she returns the favor and brings him to his most deserved peak. The gradient red silicone dick attached to the harness he wears quickly lines up between her legs and she grinds on it a little, savoring the sensations it brings, before he can properly claim her.

"Does that feel good?" He speaks with a husky whisper into her ear, possessive edge peaking through, and she shudders. Fuck. "Allow me to make you feel even better."

"Please." Is all she can get out at first. "I need you. Please, Itachi, let me ride you."

"With pleasure." And his guides the light red tip of his piece to her pussy, teasing the entrance, slowly allowing it to sneak in. She wishes she had the side of the pool to hold onto right now.

He allows the length of the toy to slide up comfortably into her and then lets her settle around it before he even tries to get a rhythm going. It doesn't take long, but she is thankful that he gives her that adjustment period. Because when he does pick up the pace she's already seeing stars. The two of them should definitely try something like this more often because it really is working for them surprisingly well. Haruka rides his strap for an intense few minutes while he also makes sure to reach around and stroke her clit slowly once again with one hand as the other holds tight to her ass. She comes undone with an even louder cry this time and her bones need a moment to tune back solid after becoming jello temporarily.

When the two catch their breath, she leads him to the wall of the pool slowly and undoes the harness on him, setting it up on dry land so she may have better access to him without also losing their toy. His back is to the tiled wall as she wastes no time in working her healer's hands up and down the length of his T enhanced clit. He's really quite beautiful, more so than usual, when he's lost to the ecstasy she brings him. And he comes even quicker than she had during his first round touching her. It's okay, she forgives him, he is impossible to chastise when he's so beautiful. Her lips find his once more when their minds unfog and their wits return.

Eventually the two realize they really do need to make their way back to their room so the kids don't wonder why they've been gone so long, and of course so they can get a good night of sleep ahead of their departure for home. First comes the part where the have to find their discarded clothing. Haruka dives to the bottom of the pool and retrieves all three articles so the two of them can dress quickly and then get out of the water. The toy is safely stowed in the scroll once more than they wrap their wet bodies in the towels they had brought. And they leave, hand in hand, bound for the suite that had been their temporary abode for the past three days. Back to the kids and the comfortable bed and the mess they'd surely have to clean up before turning in for the night.

It's just their luck that both children are indeed passed out when they step back into the room. Being as quiet as they can, the two throw out the now empty food containers left on the floor and organize the other miscellaneous items strewn about the place. A quick shower is in order next to help wash off the pool chemicals. It's short and sweet, but it's warm and it's together, so neither can complain. They slip into bed one after another and pull the covers up without hesitation. She lets him be the big spoon again and simply enjoys the feeling of relaxing into his arms. His face presses against her neck and his mind drifts, slowly letting sleep take him, until only soft breathing can be heard. She's not far behind. It has been a wonderful day and the end could not have gone better if they'd planned it.

~~~~~~

Tragedy is a parting that is too soon and too sudden. This, thank the gods, was as far from a tragedy as humanly possible. It sure is sad all the same but that sadness is also layered with fulfillment and excitement at the idea of returning one day. The good trumps the bad and Haruka feels her zest for life beat out any melancholy she might have picked up while having to say farewell to the village and their escorts that had shown them the beauty of the world beyond Fire Country. Hiroki, Chojuuro, and their boys meet them at the exit to the inn as they carry all of their bags (now extra stuffed with what had been bought the day before) so they may all go to the ferry docking station together. At the end of the line they will go their separate ways but each of them will have the memories made here over the past three days to look back on fondly.

Shisui enjoys a lively conversation with Ikada about the jellyfish they saw yesterday, the school on the beach in the Land of Lures, and how cool webbed hands look. Their friendship will surely stay with them for a very long time and with any luck the two would be able to reunite and swap new stories within the next couple of years. Mikoto, meanwhile, watches Kagura like a crow that has something shiny in its sights. He's fidgety and extra nervous and she wants to know why. But when she looks to his parents for answers, each of them tell her to ask the boy instead. She will find a way to. If it's the last thing she does.

Their ferry comes into view before long and that means it is truly time to say goodbye. Haruka steps forward first and is treated to a wide grin from Hiroki as well as a more humble smile from Chojuuro. They tell her, we loved having you with us. We will see you again someday soon. Thank you for coming out to see the way Kirigakure has changed and we promise it will only keep getting better. Then, to Itachi, there is a quiet reassuring whisper. We swore that we would fix this ordeal and we meant it. One day you will see the name back where it belongs. Count on it, and take care of yourself in the meantime. He nods deeply to the future Lord Sixth and silently vows to hold him to that promise. One day, soon, he will come back to pay respects to his departed former teammate properly. Until then, he will hope for the best as the Mist changes with the times.

Mikoto has finally taken her chance to step up and ask Kagura why he seems so nervous, why he can't sit still. He swallows hard before daring to make a move to match her. It is hell to wait to see what will happen but she knows it is better not to rush a friend that is trying to communicate something important. And the payoff, she finds, is more than anything she could have guessed in a zillion years. As he holds out his hands there is something resting in them that he offers to her. Shaking a little, she reaches out to touch the item to make sure it's real. She looks up at her parents once to ask silent permission, and is grateful when they each nod wordlessly. The wooden sword passed to her then has her stunned into silence.

"Come back and train with me someday." Kagura says, quiet but fond, and those big pink eyes of his tell her that he really wants to see her again

"I promise I will. I can't wait." Small tears come to the corners of her eyes as she notices his hand outstretched for a shake. Forgoing the shake, and careful not to drop her new gift, she hugs the boy tightly.

The family settle into their temporary cabin, after they say their final goodbyes, with relative ease. Both children will go up later onto the deck to look out at the water that they have come to truly appreciate. Both of their parents are grateful to have given them the chance to see the world outside of Konoha, and know this won't be the last time they come here. For now they must go home. But down the line they will be able to walk the streets of Kiri again, head up to the Land of Lures again, will be able to eat the delicious food that this village is well known for again. Chojuuro, Hiroki, Kagura, and Ikada will all be there waiting for them. The next time the eight of them see each other, it will be like seeing family that has been away at sea for so long.

Haruka casts a loving glance over to her husband as he folds clothes to rearrange one of their packed bags. His dark eyes lock with hers, quickly shifting to a captivating red so he can savor the moment forever. She crosses the room to embrace him and thank him for having as much fun these three days as she has, as their children have. He holds her close, kissing her forehead once more, and whispers low enough so that only she could hear.

"Anytime, anywhere, with you, my love."

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worstloki · 4 years

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Loki in a relationship rather it be friends or romantic would pull tricks n pranks on his s/o/friend all the time for the chaos aspect of it but also as a show of affection

they would all be harmless things that the person would enjoy and he’d be gloating all “you have been fooled!! prank’d!! utterly bamboozled!!” for something like giving them hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows in it when they only asked for hot chocolate

#because mcu loki is actually an emotional soft boi who would actually cherish an actual friend #but he's also got a reputation to uphold and would want to not get too attached in case the person leaves bc trust issues ya know #maybe he'd play acts of affection off as harmless tricks or give excuses to ensure he ain't being a burden or in case he's unwanted #you won't have me believe that a thousand years of being alone and abused is going to have him be fine with a relationship straight away #he'd either have to cover up caring so he's ready for a rebuke of all love or he'd go 'it can't be worse than X' and blindly trust #and neither option is healthy per se #ah yes #the many many side effects of an abusive environment and neglect #at least loki is kind despite all the suffering #no idea how he managed to end up with that kind of patience or tolerance #seriously imagine having no positive affirmation of basically anything you do ever #loki is crazy resilient #he'd value someone even if they were only a neutral acquaintance #can you IMAGINE what loki would do for a friend??#he gave his life for thor who didn't even show he cared for him #TWICE #with no proof that his love was reciprocated #loki is precious okay

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workofheart · 3 years

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36+40 with Levi 👁

I love ur writing btw that bodyguard one was WOOOOOOO

this is honestly a fav thank u so much for the request, went kind of ham bc i love this idea. sorry if it hurts ur heart <3

one more | levi + “we’re not just friends and you fucking know it” + “if you’re going to act like a brat then i’m going to treat you like a brat”

warnings: angst/implied nsfw, aggressive levi, “hate to love you” kind of fucking, 18+ minors dni

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

“i have feelings for you. and i think you have them for me, too.”

levi is not a man of many words - that much is obvious. he keeps it short and to the point, not one for meaningless chatter or even thinking out loud, preferring to save his input for when it matters most.

rare is such a thing due to him being rendered speechless by another person, not able to speak even if he wanted. he’s never been struck so voiceless in his life, dumbfounded and heart sinking at your admission.

his silence is deafening. coming here so late at night, you thought you had all the aces in your palm. you were so sure, but his lack of reciprocation to what you were just so confident tells you all you need to know.

he can’t stand to look you in the eyes, averting them to the papers strewn across his desk. “...it’s not that simple,” is all he can manage.

feeling embarrassed, you swallow thickly. “then what is it?”

“we’re comrades,” he offers, but damage control doesn’t look good on him. you wonder why he’s even trying. “i’d even call you my friend.”

you let out a wounded laugh at that, crossing your arms over your chest.. “come on, levi, are you kidding?”

there you go again, as if you can hear the thoughts racing through his mind before he can think them himself. of course he feels it, probably more than you, if he’s completely honest. but he can’t do it to himself again. he’s not sure if he can love someone like he wants to love you and come out alive on the other end.

“listen-”

“we’re not just friends and you fucking know it” you mutter, turning away from him. you can’t even look him in the eyes, from the humility, from the chance that maybe you’ve been wrong this whole time, from the chance you’re truly just in denial. have you just been misreading it all these years?

patience thinning, he stands from his chair to look at you properly, on your level now. “okay, and so what? you know how things are. you know how this life gets.” his lips are pursed, unwavering, sour.

a bitter expression takes root on your face. he hates it.

“i’d rather love and lose than be a coward and never love at all.”

levi’s eyes narrow, a harrowing clench to his jaw ensues. it’s a shock to hear it coming from you. in fact, he’s astonished. he’s never seen your seething denunciations first hand, though he’s heard so much in passing, and such abrasiveness from you feels like a brutal strike to the jaw. your acrid words sting his pride, spear through his facade like you knew it would.

he could tolerate attitude: he couldn’t tolerate being called a coward.

his voice drops. “don’t talk to me like that.”

“someone has to say it. the stoic act isn’t doing anything for you.”

he scoffs, incredulous. “you’re acting like a child.”

“you’re the one denying your feelings because you’re scared of getting hurt,” you argue, volume rising, “that’s childish if i’ve ever seen it.” you voice bounces off the walls of the room, and you can’t even be bothered to care about people hearing you when you’re so beat down.

you don’t even see it coming. with a swift movement, levi is storming toward you, has his hands wrapping around your upper arms, pushing you back against the door you stand in front of. you barely get the chance to look into his eyes before he has his lips on yours, firm and rough and unrelenting and...

and so, so inviting. once the initial shock fades, you can’t help but kiss him back, trying to match his pace, trying to find something to do with your hands when they’re still pinned back. but as soon as he feels you reciprocate, he’s pulling away.

eyes widening, you shake your head at him. “what do you think you’re doing?” you ask, chest heaving as you try to collect your breath.

“if you’re going to act like a brat, then i’m going to treat you like one.”

his grip on your arms slides down to your wrists and then he’s dragging you across the room, pushing you inside his separate bedroom before you can even process what’s happening.

“you want me to tell you how i feel? fine.” he grumbles, pushing you down onto the bed and shrugging off his suit jacket. “you’re the only person around here who sees through me.”

he clamors out of his shoes and belt, discards his gear straps to the side. you’re frozen to your spot, unsure whether to undress, to walk away, or to wait for levi’s order. it’s almost laughable, how he has you collapsing so easily in a matter of moments.

“you look at me like you know what i’m thinking.”

he’s down to his trousers, shirt tosses carelessly over the footboard, before he’s crawling on top of you, movements calculated and intimidating as he pushes you back further and further like an animal toying with its prey. panting, he hovers over you, drinking up the hazy fear in your eyes.

“you make me so fucking frustrated.”

he grips your jaw in his hand, harshly locking his lips with yours, his rugged hold giving you nowhere to go.

levi presses another rough kiss to your mouth, swallowing the lewd sound you can’t hold back and pulls away, huffing as he forces you to look at him. “you make me feel like my life is fucking falling apart. and you’re right, that scares the shit out of me.”

he’s in a pit of turmoil, stuck between his desires and the thought of consequences, but his rash judgment pushes it all out. he’ll worry about regret later. it’s not like doesn’t already have an abundance of that hanging over him at every given moment - what’s one more?

“tell me you want me,” he grunts, stilling his movements. he needs you to say it, needs to hear you so he knows it’s real.

your arms reach up to tangle around his neck. “i want you,” you cry between his lips, hands tugging at his hair with greed, trying to pull him closer. it’s not just confirmation, it’s a plea.

warmth spreads through his body yet he feels himself shiver at the way you cling to him. it doesn’t take long to get you out of your clothes. he wants it off, off, off, and you’re not one to deny him. he bites at your neck, nips at the shell of your ear, whispers cruel teases there right where only you can hear him. each new expanse of skin you uncover for him is a new way to torture you, make you feel how much he wants you now, knowing he won’t let himself have you later in a way more than this.

his eyes are glued to you as he slips inside, staring down at the mess he’s made of you. purple lovebites blossom across your flushed, heaving chest. your cunt is dripping, aching for something only he can give you. you’re hot and needy and lewd, just for him, just how he made you, and you had the nerve to call him a coward.

your mouth falls open at the feeling of his cock dragging sweet against your walls, squeezing him in the best way possible. it draws a low groan from him; he can’t tear his gaze away from how you tremble, dying for the moment to last, the pure pleasure he’s giving you rewarding him with how absolutely beautiful you look like this.

leaning forward, he drops his forearms to the sheets so he has you caged, chest pressing to yours. by now his skin is glossy, struggling to keep himself together with the moans you let out for him.

reaching down your figure, his calloused fingers find your clit to rub tight, hard circles that have you shaking. he picks his head up just to see your reaction, the way your eyes squeeze together, the way your back arches beneath him, the way you say his name like a prayer when you cum.

levi can bring you to your climax as many times as he wants. he’s more than able, more than willing. your body bends to his commands at a single touch. but the both of you know that’s not really what you’re here for.

he grits his teeth as he chases his own high, savoring the feel of your hands in his hair and how you clutch to his every movement, letting the confession spill off the tip of his tongue.

“fuck, i love you,” he pants into your neck, his heavy breaths puffing against your dampening skin. he feels the start crash over him in more ways than one with tears brimming on his lash line. not letting up, his strokes are smooth and fast and deep, as if he’s trying to make up for lost time, as if he’s trying to coax every filthy sound of reassurance he can out of you in the only way he knows how. “you know i do, shit, and you still make me say it.”

levi is not a man of many words, but god if he won’t give them to you when you ask.

#levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman smut #levi ackerman angst #levi ackerman imagine #levi ackerman fanfic #aot smut #aot x reader #levi smut #levi x reader #levi angst

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fandom-monium · 3 years

Note

i finished for the holidays and i just *chefs kiss* beautiful talented amazing sajkgdkj no words i love that romance wasnt even the main point 🥺💘 anyway i love how you write reader and i wondered between her and spencer who gets jealous???

Unrivaled

Summary: In which you seem pretty close with the new intern, and Spencer is not happy about it. (ft. one of my fave white bois) “Have I ever told you how much I value your friendship?"

WC: 3.6k

Tags/Warnings: Spencer Reid x GN!Reader, fluff, cussing, Jealous!Spencer bc id like to see that, established relationships (blegh), Garvez if you squint, the lightest implication of smut ever, points to yall who can guess who the intern is before reading the end or the tags 😉

—

Spencer is not jealous. He’s not.

Why would he be?

He has no reason to be jealous, Spencer chants to himself as he sits at his desk. Even from across the bullpen he still manages to hear your voice, and while normally it’s music to his ears, even better than Mozart, now it just feels like nails against a chalkboard. Grating his eardrums, making him wince.

Because you’re laughing. Not with Spencer though. Not at his obscure references or lame jokes.

With the new intern.

Why did Emily have to put you in charge of him? She could’ve chosen anyone on the team to have him shadow, but it had to be you! Not that you’re incapable or unqualified; you’re experienced, talented, and the best person he knows.

… Okay, he can see why she picked you.

Why do they even have interns? Unnecessary, really, when the BAU has you and him and he guesses the other teams too (it’s weird, he’s never actually interacted with them but whatever). Maybe it’s time to start making budget cuts. He’ll discuss this with Emily when he gets the chance. He’s got some influence, working at the BAU as long as he has.

But he’s not jealous.

Logically, jealousy (like an intern) is unnecessary. The green-eyed monster (like an intern) is ugly and contributes nothing productive, and if Spencer’s being honest, the world (like an intern) would be much better off without it.

At least that’s what he keeps telling himself as he downs his coffee like a shot of whiskey, trying to quell the squirming beast in him. Despite 90% of it being sugar, it still tastes bitter. He sets his mug down with a thud, and it’s loud enough to make Luke, Garcia, and JJ turn their heads, exchanging concerned glances when he slumps back in his chair.

Spencer doesn’t care. The world’s ending; you’re apparently into younger guys, with neat dark hair and forearms that can probably snap someone’s neck, and he can’t do anything about it. What does it matter if his best friends catch him in a sour mood, right?

“Hey, Spence,” JJ's tone is soft as they slink over, Garcia and Luke leaning against the edge of his desk and JJ flanking the other side. “You alright?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Spencer gazes past them, his eyes never leaving you. He deflates; your stance is relaxed, completely open as you nod at whatever Intern is saying, his hands gesturing spastically. It must be interesting, the way you listen with rapt attention and respond just as enthusiastic.

Spencer scoffs. Not like that’s anything special. You do the same for him. And the rest of the team.

...What the hell are you guys talking about?

“Well, you look like you’re about to throw your mug across the room. Or at an intern.”

Spencer blinks, finally breaking away from you long enough to eye the ceramic octopus. “That’s a good idea actually.”

“Don’t,” Garcia and JJ both shoot him a warning and he huffs, resting his chin in his hand. Garcia looks horrified, betrayed even while JJ has that expression on, the one she gives when she scolds Henry and Michael.

Whatever. It’s not like he’d ever sacrifice Mildred. Garcia entrusted her to him, after all.

Unless...?

No, he couldn’t… Maybe.

“You know, Reid, if you’re jealous—”

Spencer snaps his head to Garcia, eyes wide and darting to you like you have super-hearing, “Jealous? Who’s jealous? Not me.” He cringes, his voice octaves higher and cracking like a prepubescent boy.

Garcia snorts, “Okay, sure. But if you are jealous, I was going to say you have no reason to be. You wanna know why?” Spencer raises an eyebrow at her and she continues, “Sure the guy’s smart enough to get a full-ride scholarship at GWU, and he’s top of his class at the academy—”

“Is this supposed to make me feel better?”

"And he’s one of the most good looking guys I've ever met—”

"How is that relevant—"

Luke frowns at her. "And have you met me?"

“My point is,” Garcia’s red lipstick curls into the most reassuring smile, “that you have nothing to worry about because (Your Name) loves you. A lot.”

Spencer perks up. “You really think so?”

“I know so. I see the way they look at you, and if that’s not love I don’t know what is," She shrugs, "And just because they’re talking doesn’t mean they’re into him.”

There's a collective nod of agreement and Spencer sags in relief. Of course they're right. He knows they are.

If you think about it, technically, he's got the advantage. You've known each other longer, bonded and shared experiences together good and bad, and you’re emotionally and even physically intimate with each other (something he's especially proud of, considering how long it takes you both to warm up to others).

And who knows? This is probably temporary! Whatever this is, the connection you seem to instantly make with Intern (faster than when you two had met, he realizes with a needle to his heart) is short-term at best. It'll peter out eventually, like most friendships do.

It’s sad, but a cruel fact of life.

(Is this selfish, wishful thinking? Nah.)

They’re right, there is no need to worry, Spencer thinks as a weight lifts off his chest, finally able to breathe. You love him and he loves you and eventually, everything will go back to normal.

There’s nothing to worry about.

—

The world’s ending.

“It’s really not.”

Yes, it is.

“Doc, come on.”

“Do not ‘Doc’ me,” Spencer grumbles, lifting his head from the comfort of his arms. He grimaces at Luke. “You didn’t see the way they looked at him. The way they talk about him.”

Two weeks. It’s been two weeks since you’ve taken Intern under your wing, and he’s had enough. If Hell is real, this is it. For days, he’s tried to resume some form of normalcy, and he was never one to be bold but desperate times call for desperate measures as he asks you out for lunch or invites you out on dates, even stuff he wouldn’t normally do because they’re more your thing. Something, anything to get you away from Intern. But...

At work: “Hey Spence, I'm teaching Intern (menial task that a 4 year old could do). Would you like to help—”

During break: “I’m taking Intern out for lunch. He’s still new to town, and I thought he could use a tour—”

In bed: “Did you know Intern’s a huge fan of Star Wars—”

Snap, and there went his patience.

Intern this, Intern that.

Spencer could tolerate this at work. At least he’s saving lives, being productive, getting paid. But under his roof? In his bed?

That was the last straw.

Spencer's not one to wish ill on another, he's not like that. But if something happened to the guy, say, get injured in the field, perhaps from a "stray" bullet, he'd be intern-ally grateful. Heh.

"Hey, you good?"

Spencer sighs, swiping a hand over his face and turning back to Luke. "Yeah, why?"

Luke waves a hand at his face, eyebrow raised, "For a second there, you kind of had a scary look on your face."

"Did I? Weird."

"Right," Clearly unconvinced, Luke brushes it off, deciding to get to the root of the matter. "As I was saying, I still think you have nothing to worry about. Although, I do think it's a little weird that (Your Name) is talking about Intern as much as you say they are." He offers Spencer a little smile, his hand falling heavy on his shoulder. It's the most comforting touch he's had in two weeks. "I'm not one to talk, but I suggest you speak to them. I'd also be uncomfortable if my partner were talking up someone else."

Spencer blinks, squints at Luke, before gripping his hand and standing up. "Have I ever told you how much I value your friendship?"

"You can stand to mention it more often," Luke shrugs, eyes crinkling with amusement as Spencer lets go and heads for the door.

"Noted."

—

Spencer nearly goes feral when he finds you.

Of course you're with him.

He searched the floor like a bloodhound, discovering you've been on your feet almost the entire day, running around the office, up and down the elevators, finishing your work and helping around. You must be exhausted. It's because of this he tracks you to your favorite break room, mostly quiet save for the buzzing drip of the old coffeemaker. He knows you need to be alone sometimes, recharge those social batteries.

So when he bursts into the room like he would hunting an unsub, eyes quickly scanning the immediate space, he expects nothing less but you. What he did not anticipate was to find you, just as soft and pretty as ever under the fluorescent lighting, leaning against the counter and sipping daintily at your favorite mug.

With Intern standing a little too close to his liking.

“Hey, Spencer,” You chirp as you lower your coffee mug, lips glossy from your drink. Spencer's quick to shake his stupor―he can’t afford to be distracted, but it’s difficult when you’re beaming at him, clearly excited. You nod at the home-wrecker, “Me and Intern here were just talking about demonology and he’s got this interesting theory on werewolves―" Lycanthropy? Are you fucking kidding him right now?

Just when he thought he couldn't hate the guy any more.

"CanItalktoyou?" It comes out rushed as Spencer gasps between breaths, leaving no room to second guess himself.

"Sure," You blink at his urgent tone.

For a second, you watch him expectantly, and Spencer's gaze darts between you and Intern. "Alone?"

"Oh! Okay. Be gone," You wave Intern off, and when you place a hand on his shoulder, Spencer sees red. Or green in this case.

Intern doesn't resist, but the noise Spencer releases is animalistic because the guy can’t seem to read the room, questioning you as you gently shove him towards the door. "What about the thing―"

"We'll talk about that later."

"But you still need to show me how to―"

"Don't worry, Intern. Just wait for me, I'll show you once the adults are done talking."

"You know at some point you're gonna have to call me by my name."

"Nah. If we get to call Luke a newbie, we get to call you Intern. Also I do not know how to say your first name."

"You could just call me St―"

Enough of this. Spencer closes the last stretch of distance, batting your hand away from Intern’s shoulders as he kicks him out himself, slamming the door in his face. Spencer turns on his heel to face you, caging you both. “You―” He pants, chest heaving for air.

“Me?”

“You-him-we―”

You’re unfazed, simply nodding at him and his odd behavior. If anything, you’re enjoying this as your lips twitch in a poor attempt to withhold your amusement, trying to cover it with a slurp of your cup. Then again, it’s not everyday you get to see Spencer, face flushed from exertion, speechless as he gasps for breath.

(At least not at work… In the break room specifically.)

It takes a minute as Spencer swallows a few times, but his heart’s erratic and it’s not just from running through the entire building. When he’s got enough air, he blurts out, “Did I do something?”

Your brow shoots up. “What?”

“Did I forget something important? Upset you in some way?”

“No? I don’t think so?” You frown at him, your answers more like questions.

It only spurs him on, and though his tone is frantic and his eyes just as wild as his hair, you’re more intrigued than frightened. Definitely confused.

“Okay, but you know I love you, right?”

“Yes and I love you too but Spence, what’s this about?" Setting down your mug, you look at him like he's grown another head.

Spencer sighs, "I just… you…" He frowns, glancing between you, the floor, and the empty space between you.

Spencer Reid is a man of words. Many, many words, according to all his friends and his coworkers. Mainly knowledge―he's never been great with feelings―but as you gaze at him, patiently waiting for him to gather his thoughts, he wants to melt into the floor. There's not a hint of annoyance on your features, your eyes warm and inviting.

He's so in love with you.

Then like scripture the words come, natural without much stuttering or hesitancy. He recounts the last two weeks. The internship so far, the times you've left Spencer behind for him, the times you just talked about him, like the guy (practically a stranger) is your new best friend. Usually, pretty people make him tongue-tied and you do―god, you do―but at the same time only you make it so easy. Talking, expressing without fear of―

"Pfft―"

―Judgement. Pausing mid-sentence, Spencer gawks as your nose twitches and your blink rate increases. You purse your lips, a hand slapped over your mouth as it threatens to break out into a grin.

"Are you-are you laughing right now?" When he just poured his feelings out to you?

That does it. You keel over, peels of laughter coming like a tsunami, crashing into him and Spencer loves your laugh but not when it's at him.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing," you wheeze, gripping your stomach. Spencer pouts. There's even tears in your eyes. "But you're telling me this is all because you're jealous?"

He stutters, "Well-I-no-It’s just…" He wants to say ‘you're mine’, but as your eyes crinkle he knows there’s no need.

"That's kinda hot."

"Wha-really?" Wide-eyed, Spencer squeaks as you step closer to him, backing him into the door. His hands come up to his chest in a kitten-like manner yet at the same time protective―you'd never hurt him and you both know that―but you admit your initial reaction was poor when he laid his feelings bare.

“Ahhhh Babe, you know there’s no one else for me but you.” Spencer blushes and you chuckle, taking his hands in yours. He let's you. “Also, as adorable as Intern is, one, I think I’d be able to tell if he was hitting on me, and two, he’s not really my type.”

Spencer swallows, “And what exactly is your type?”

“Hmm, let’s see,” Looking him up and down, you step closer, enough that your breath puffs against his chin. You smell like cheap coffee. “Tall, handsome doctors with messy, brown hair―” You lightly tug at one of his stray curls and he bites back a smile.

“―and a cute nose―” Your hand moves to cup his cheek, bringing him down to peck the tip of his nose. It scrunches as Spencer breaks out into giggles.

“―Who can recite classic literature. Who can bake like he belongs on The Great British Baking Show but can’t cook for shi―”

“Okay! Thank you, I get it,” Spencer says, almost completely relaxed now.

“Good,” You nod with finality. “And for your information, I wasn’t trying to make you jealous."

He raises an eyebrow. "So you just abandoned me and talked about another guy for the hell of it?"

Spencer's tone is casual, joking even but you know better. There's underlying bitterness and hurt and your heart squeezes because you did that. "No, of course not. There is a reason behind all that.“

“What could possibly excuse you going above and beyond your job as a mentor―”

“I was trying to set you guys up.”

Spencer deadpans. “Set me up? With him?” Oh god, he knows you’re weird, but he’s never considered you to be outright insane (is it weird he still loves you?).

As if reading his thoughts, you roll your eyes, “Spencer, how many friends do you have outside the team?”

“Not a lot.” No hesitation, but he accepted the fact a long time ago.

“Yeah and that’s okay. But if you’d talk to Intern, you’ll find you two have a lot in common. I know he’s younger than us, but he’s a good kid, real smart,” You give him a meaningful look and shrug, “Not like IQ 187 smart but he could definitely hold a conversation with you.”

Spencer murmurs, pulling you in so you're chest to chest, “This entire time, you were really trying to make us friends?”

You nod, your expression a mix of giddiness and hope that makes whatever feelings he felt before, the confusion and―yes, fine―the jealousy, dissolve like sugar in water. Spencer sinks into you, burying his face into the crook of your neck and inhaling your soap. Of course you had good intentions. Of course you wanted to do something nice for him.

Fuck, he loves you.

“So… we good?”

Spencer huffs, “I hope you realize how much I suffered the past few weeks.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Then yes, we’re good,” He mumbles into your shoulder, “I appreciate what you were trying to do.”

“And?”

His brow furrows and he pulls back, meeting your eyes. “And what?”

“Will you try to be friends?” You look at him expectantly.

Spencer opens his mouth to answer, a definitive no on his tongue, but then you’re giving him puppy-dog eyes and before he realizes it, “Okay.”

Wait, no. That is not what he meant to say.

“Yeah!” You throw your arms around him, and Spencer can’t stop you, grunting as you basically swing him around like a rag doll. But he finds he doesn’t care when you set him back down because you’re happy, happy for him, grinning ear to ear as you babble, “I can already tell you two are gonna be the best of friends! You guys have so much to talk about, all that nerdy stuff. Maybe even debate! And we could play chess and―”

There’s a knock and you both turn, a voice muffled by the door, “Hey, guys? I don’t want to interrupt in case you’re boning, but you didn’t exactly tell me where to wait for you? God, I hope you guys aren’t boning. Please tell me you’re not boning right now.”

You groan, “No Intern, we’re not boning! Right-uh-go ahead and meet me back at the office, I’ll be right with you.” You turn back to Spencer, sending him an apologetic look. “I will see you later, okay? And since you’ve been such a patient and understanding partner,” You plant him one last kiss before patting his cheek, and his eyes widen as your voice lowers in the way you know drives him crazy, your eyes glinting with mischief, “I’ll make it up to once we get home. Bye, love you!”

Before Spencer can fully register your words, you're out the door, cackling as you leave him to compose himself, his face beet red from running the possibilities. By the time he emerges from the break room, you’re long gone.

“Hi, Dr. Reid?”

Spencer almost snarls, cursing under his breath. Just when he thought the day was getting better. He turns back.

Intern stands tall, relaxed and shoulders back, black tie loose and cheap white-collar button up slightly wrinkled. No doubt from working hard and following your instructions throughout the day. Spencer respects the work ethic at least. Meanwhile, the younger man eyes him, and he’s certain it’s not from intimidation but with curiosity.

Spencer doesn’t linger on that. He’s used to it, not being intimidating to others.

He continues, “It’s nice to finally talk to you, one on one I mean. I’m a fan of your work. Seven degrees, huh?”

“Yeah,” Spencer says curtly. Recalling the earlier conversation with you, he stamps down his irritation and tries to extend an olive branch. “How did you know?”

“It’s the internet, sir,” Intern raises an eyebrow, offering an innocent smile.

“Right,” Spencer returns it with an awkward one of his own, “Hey, sorry for... literally kicking you out before. That was completely unprofessional.”

Intern waves him off, “No, it’s cool. I totally get it. I’m flattered, by the way.”

Spencer frowns. “Flattered?”

“Well, it’s not everyday you find out your superior’s jealous of you.”

Spencer blinks, and it takes all his experience as a profiler to mask his embarrassment. “You heard that.”

“The FBI’s got thin walls,” Intern shrugs and steps towards him. “Although I have to say, Agent (Your Last Name) is wrong about one thing.” Stopping short in front of him, for the first time Spencer is close enough to note the moles dotting his face. “They can’t tell that I’m flirting with them.”

He starts down the hall after you, and Spencer’s eyes trail after him as his brow furrows, until realization slams into him and his jaw drops. “Wait, you...”

“Oh and since (Your Last Name) wants us to be friends, I think we could be on a first-name basis,” He pauses to look back at Spencer, watching with a crooked smile as the older man sputters.

“So, you can call me Stiles, sir.”

Then once again, Spencer is left behind, frozen in the hallway as he processes what just happened.

And the next time he finds you and Special Agent Stilinski in the same room, whether it’s crowded or not, Spencer does not hesitate to cling to your side, putting as much distance between the intern and you as he can. Spencer’s grateful you don’t question it.

There may not be anyone else for you, but that doesn’t mean no one will try.

―

AN: ahhhhh thanks anon!! There was a similar request then i saw this tiktok (and listened to this tiktok the entire time) and i combined them. Id also like to emphasize that my version of reader is neutral across the board, race, gender, etc.

Yes, i have a type. No, i will not be taking criticism.

Been hella overwhelmed with classes and work so here’s my way of destressing. Also suggest checking those tiktoks if you wanna understand me :))) also you mean to tell me i have to write the threesome myself?? Bs tbh 😔

watched 15x4 and i was so sad when Spencer addressed Luke as his coworker like no bitch hes your new bro stfu

and i have no doubt that stiles and spencer would be one of the best crossover duos given the chance

#spencer reid x reader #mgg x reader #matthew gray gubler x reader #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x y/n #mgg fanfiction #mgg imagine #mgg x y/n #matthew gray gubler x oc #matthew gray gubler imagine #mgg fic #criminal minds x y/n #criminal minds x oc #criminal minds x reader #stiles stilinksi x reader

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alreadyblondenow · 3 years

Text

Cupid in love

Pairing: Cupid!Jaehyun x female!reader

Genre: SMUT, FLUFF, angst?

WC: 3,150k

Warnings: FANTASY GALORE. rough break up sex, unprotected sex, slight nipple play, swearing, mentions of other idols

A/N: NOT PROOFREAD. I’ll fix it once I have time.. For NCT-WRITERS Cafe Resonance

—————

Walking around the mall alone and witnessing yet another beautiful, and successful Valentines Day for the year of 2021 and you’re the only person in the world who knew the man behind this beautiful day.

“Alone during Valentine’s day Y/n? Jaehyun hyung can’t come?” Mark, the waiter from the cafe asked you while he serves you your third round of your favorite warm drink. This is where you and Jaehyun first met, and you have been celebrating Valentines day for nearly three years here now just because Jaehyun can see all the lovers holding hands through that clear glass. All his hard work has paid off.

But tonight, he is already two hours late and you wonder why because he has never been late on Valentine’s Day.

“Uhm, Jaehyun will be a little bit late. Business trip. But I completely understand his schedule” you smiled and thanked him.

Of course you’re not sad that Jaehyun couldn’t make it on time this year. Maybe he got caught up with a little work an emergency perhaps? But you do hope that this is nothing serious.

Three Valentine’s Day ago

You were sitting quietly at Cafe Resonance with a warm drink on your side. Just admiring the happy couples that are enjoying the day with flowers, sweets, and different kinds of surprises. It was a normal day for you, but not until a very handsome man sat in front of you on the other side of the table. Giving you three pieces of Cafe Resonance’s Valentine cookies.

A cupid in his human form. Came out to play and enjoy his day for his own selfish needs. The gods forbade Jaehyun to celebrate his own day so he could stay pure like the god that he is and remain sinless and worthy. But the young cupid is full of passion and curiosity that he took his chance to walk on Earth and make himself meet someone that can satisfy his physical wants.

“The cafe manager said that if I want someone to fall on love with me, I should give them a Valentine cookie” he said and flashed a very handsome smile at you. Knowing all too well that what the manager told him was complete bullshit, because no one can force love to happen with anyone but him.

At least that’s what he knew.

Your first encounter with Jaehyun was surprisingly refreshing and fun. You ate all the cookies that he gave and to be honest you only did that to show him that you’re interested with him too, and also it’s not so bad to fall in love with someone like him. He’s nice, decent and well mannered. Though it’s pretty obvious that he’s after for some Valentine’s sex, and you have no problem with that.

At the end of the day, the man made you scream in bed, fucked you on the wall and made you cum for more three times using his cock. He sure knew how to fuck, you thought.

But the bitter feeling and ugly thought of waking up without him by yourself the next day is something you don’t want to happen so even though you’re dead tired from the sex, you try si hard not to sleep yet and make the best of this moment by asking too much questions to him that he likes answering.

Was the valentine cookie from Cafe Resonance real? Is it really possible for you to fall in love with a stranger?

“Go sleep. I promise I’m still here when you wake up” he said.

And he kept his promise not only the day after Valentine’s Day, but also for the next few weeks. Who would expect that a cupid who just wanted to have fun during his day, wasn’t so immune with love after all. And who would expect that he’s willing to be punished by the gods because of you? But what amazes Jaehyun the most, is how you fell in love with him. Because even as a cupid, he didn’t made you like him or used his powers for his selfishness.

Either way, he still refused on believing that the Valentine cookie was real and effective. Such kind of love mustn’t be tolerated he thought.

Life with Jaehyun was sweet and real. Too beautiful to ruin. That’s why when Jaehyun said that he’s leaving, you didn’t take it lightly which soon lead to your first fight.

Jaehyun didn’t have much of a choice but to tell you the truth. Even though you just laughed at him when he finally said the words, he secretly hoped that you’d still understand because he believes that you love him.

“I don’t have a choice Y/n. I’ve been away for months now. I am neglecting my duty as a cupid, by this time the happy couples that we saw during Valentine’s day could have broken up already because I’m not around” he explains frustratedly.

“So you’re saying that you’re the cupid and couples can break up because you’re not around. Because you’ve been busy being happy with me?”

“Yes” he answered weakly and reached for your hand to kiss it. Promising you that he will come back and find you. “It’s just for a year. I’ll sort everything out and I promise I’ll give the love that you deserve”

And as Jaehyun left you as soon as the truth was revealed, you let him leave you with a big doubt and judgement in your heart. Is he secretly married and you’re a mistress now? Have you done something wrong to make him leave you like this? And these ugly thoughts ran thru your mind for months and months during his absence.

During your wait for Jaehyun’s return, you decided to move on and just date anyone to forget everything about Jaehyun. But every time that you plan a date with someone, the set date will be either cancelled or the guy won’t show up. Little did you know that Jaehyun is the man behind those unfortunate events. Secretly watching you from a cloud above you, guiding you towards patience until he returns and win your heart again.

It was not easy for Jaehyun to see you like this, purposely forgetting everything about him like he was just a dream to you. He can’t let that happen, for he knew that what you have is love.

On the next Valentine’s Day, you can’t believe who showed up in your doorstep. He didn’t change a bit, and neither his feelings for you.

“Can I come inside?” the cupid asked nervously.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but seriously what are you doing here Jae?”

“I told you I’d come back right? I’m here now, and we don’t have much time-“

“I have a boyfriend now so please leave me alone”

“That’s a lie. I know everything about you, I’ve watch you every day from above for a whole year. Please just believe me. Don’t push me away, I kept my promise didn’t I? I’m here now”

And the thought of Jaehyun keeping his promise was enough for you to welcome him in but your heart is still cold and broken because of what happened from the past.

As you and Jaehyun sit and have a decent conversation, he showed his wings which is enough proof to believe him that he really is the cupid. You were speechless for hours, and your apartment’s for corners was suffocating you so Jaehyun decided to have a walk with you.

He wanted to hold your hand like every couple he sees now. He wanted to whisper how much he misses you and loves you. Ironic isn’t it? He’s the cupid who spreads love on Earth but he can’t have love for himself.

“So how old are you?” you finally spoke. Those were your first words after seeing his wings, and that was four hours ago.

“Human age is 25, but cupid age... I have no idea but let’s say almost 127 years old? That’s still young in cupid years” he smiled and let out a small laugh. Completely missing that you’re shocked to the core upon hearing his age. But now that you know more truths about him, the normal thing you would do was react hysterically and make him leave you alone. Surprisingly, you wanted to hear more about him. To hear more about the truth.

“Tell me more?” You said shyly, slowly reaching for his hand for you to hold and hold it tightly. Oh you missed him.

He smiled so big and reached in for a kiss on the forehead before he tells you more about him and to what he do. The simple walk turned into a date, and of course he brought you to Cafe Resonance to celebrate your reunion and basically your first year of knowing each other. And when you got back to your apartment, he immediately brought you to your room and fucked you all night in different positions.

“When are you going to leave?” you asked while drawing circles on his chest and savouring his warmth.

“Tomorrow” he answered weakly and tightens his embrace, “I can’t be away from duty like what I did last year. The gods might not let me see you if I continue to be stubborn”

“It’s sad. But I understand, and at least now I have something to look forward to”

Three Valentine’s Day later

Thru the years of being together, even when you don’t see each other everyday, Jaehyun always finds a way to show his love for you thru unexpected things. Big or small.

Like during your birthdays, he always sends gifts to you with sweet and short notes. Or like whenever you wake up on your side of the bed and see a feather on his side of the bed. That simply means he’s always with you, like an angel.

This year’s Valentine’s day marks your three years if staying in love with each other, and you’re more than excited with seeing him today. But given that he was hours and hours late already, you decided to call it a day and go home to rest. Maybe he will come by the next day? Nonetheless, you still believe that he will do everything just to be with you.

Three days later, he’s still nowhere to be found and it’s weird how you can’t feel him watching you anymore. What is happening?

“Hi Y/n” Mark greeted you with his normal cheerful aura. “Were you and Jaehyun supposed to meet? You completely missed him. It’s weird actually, he came here not have some coffee but instead he had a talk with the manager”

“Uh- yeah, sorry. I guess I’ll see him at home then,” you answered awkwardly and forgot the cake that you purchased.

When you came back to your apartment, finally you see his unique figure standing by the window and staring blankly at the sky.

“I thought you forgot about me, are you okay? Jaehyun?” You hugged him from behind and kissed his broad shoulders.

“Sorry about that, how are you?” He turned around and return the hug and kisses. Saying that he’s really sorry for leaving you hanging on a very special day.

“I’m fine. What happened? Is there something wrong? You look troubled” you asked, but he didn’t answer your question but instead he kissed you deeply and motioned you towards your bedroom, making a trail of discarded clothes on the floor.

And once you landed on your bed, Jaehyun immediately went on top of you and kissed your neck, all the way down to the valley between your boobs while kneading them and sucking them. His breathing was heavy and you quickly noticed it. You wanted to make him stop and make him talk, but you’re too late.

He already spread your legs wide and positioned himself between your legs, kneeling in front of you so handsomely as he starts touching your pussy with his thumb. Up and down he makes you wet and sensitive, not to mention he was really gentle and slow. At first you thought he was going to fuck you already, but to you surprise he put his two fingers inside you and came closer to you again, to suck your nipples and bite them softly until he’s satisfied.

Swollen and sensitive, that’s how he left your nipples and starts lining his cock on your entrance, slowly pushing in his cock. “Fuck” he comments with a grunt. Putting every inch of his thick and veiny cock inside of you, moving his hips slowly. His head rests on the crook of you neck, his breath tickling you but all you can do now is moan.

Moan and keep him close with your arms wrapped around his frame. And when you whispered “I love you, Jaehyun” that instantly melted his heart and fucked you even more deliciously. But he also wished you didn’t say it to him because now he knows your love is not real. Cafe resonance put you in a spell and only your true love can break it.

He got up from his comfort close to your body and got a hold on your hips, slightly lifting it so he could fuck you harder and so he could see your boobs bounce up and down, grip it whenever he wants to, pinch it whenever he wants to and suck it whenever he wants to.

Suddenly, he pulled out completely only to push back in a little harsher that your head hit the head board. He did it again. Making you hiss with the stretch from your cunt, but the pleasure is driving you insane. He then started to lick your neck and chest, pinning your arms on your side while he fucks you harder. Your moans became louder and you started gripping the sheets and just stop fighting the feeling, and accepting the intensity of every thrust Jaehyun gives you.

“Why are you so rough tonight?” You asked with ragged breaths, toes started curling, and you begged him to go slower because you don’t want to cum yet but he didn’t listen.

He made you cum for the first time tonight and it wasn’t anything you’ve ever had before. You gripped the pillow so tight, moaned his name weakly, and let you shiver and curl beneath him while his hands still roams around your body, his cock still inside you and he hasn’t cum yet, a sign that he is not yet done with you.

Little did you know, he’s scanning every inch of you, engraving your beauty while you’re naked in his mind. For this is your last night together.

“I wanted to talk-“

Jaehyun started talking but to his surprise you voluntarily move your hips and started fucking yourself. He was sure he made you weak already and fucked you hard, how is possible that you still wanted to go for another round? But he wasn’t complaining, in fact he loves the image of you fucking yourself and using him to go off.

“That’s right baby, fuck me. Go deeper” and so you followed what he wanted, after all you’re not doing this for your own pleasure, you’re doing this because you wanted him to cum too.

With widely spread legs and bouncing tits, you moved your hips up and down while Jaehyun is kneeling in between your legs and you have a complete view of Jaehyun’s fucked out face. Eyebrows furrowing, parted swollen pink lips, chanting your name over and over again and telling you how much he loves what he’s seeing and feeling.

“Oh fuck Y/n, you feel so good”

“Fuck baby”

“Go slower, I don’t want to cum yet-“

But you didn’t gave into his request simply because he didn’t go slow earlier with you. So you moved your hips faster, up and down and put on a show for him by kneading your boobs in front of him and pinching your sensitive nipples to make yourself clench around him.

In a matter of seconds, Jaehyun’s hands are around your rib, perfectly placed under your boobs, and your legs are folded so he could go deeper. He took over until he’s finally shooting his warm, thick cum inside you. Satisfied for what you’ve done to him because he landed on top of your body, so weak and his legs are still shaking.

Too tired to clean the cum dripping from your hole, too comfortable in Jaehyun’s arms and presence that you never want to let go.

On the next day, you woke up quite late and you’re all alone in your cold bed. Though you’re completely cleaned and dressed, maybe Jaehyun took care of you last night before he leaves.

Scanning your apartment for something Jaehyun left, a small note or a flower placed somewhere... but you didn’t find anything. He usually leaves with a promise of seeing together again. Maybe he forgot?

When Jaehyun found out the truth about that Valentine cookie, he immediately hated himself for giving it to you and being the root of his heartbreak right now. He needs to fix this by looking for someone that will love you despite still having his effect on you. He’s positive that once your true love showed up, you will completely forget and move on from him.

It’s weird how this year, all you did was feel an unexplainable pain in your chest. A year full of pain and you dont know where your heartbreak is coming. Not to mention, Jaehyun hasn’t been making you feel his presence lately. That’s why you feel so lonely.

6 months have already passed since the last time that you saw him. And suitors always comes in the way, and you wonder how and why because you knew Jaehyun would get rid of them.

And as months passes by, you continue to fool yourself and still believe that Jaehyun will come back to you. Even tho you felt nothing from his presence the whole year.

Until finally, you received a note from him on Valentine’s day 2022.

Go to Cafe Resonance tonight -JH

And so you did, with a big smile on your face and with a new dress you bought specifically for this occasion. You waited for his arrival, looking at your watch every minute... but he never came. Instead, he sent you another note given bu the manager of Cafe Resonance.

“I’m sorry Y/n,” Manager Chenle said handling you the note that contains the saddest news you’ve ever received.

But just before you could open the note, someone sat in front of you and asked permission to share the table with you because everywhere else is full.

“Yes its fine,” you said without even looking at him and proceed to minding your own business. Reading Jaehyun’s last note to you that says.

He is a good man, full of love and has a heart of gold. He is the one destined for you, not me. The love I can give to you, has no match to what he can give to you. I’m sorry.

“By the way I’m Johnny”

The man reached out his hand for you to shake, smiling so handsomely at you. It’s weird how your heart instantly skipped a beat. Jaehyun how could you do this to me.

#neocafe #nct-writers #neosmutcollective #neowritingsnet #cznnet #kpopscape #nct smut #jaehyun smut #jaehyun fluff #jaehyung angst #jung jaehyun #jaehyun #jaehyun nct #nct jaehyun #jaehyun x reader #nct jaehyun x reader #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct 127 smut

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adorerdraco · 4 years

Text

Good Enough ✧ Draco x Hufflepuff!Reader

Request: hiii i love your writing!! can you write about a sweet hufflepuff and how everyone thinks they aren’t a good pair together so one day Pansy bullies the reader into breaking it off with Draco because she feels like she’s not good enough for him then draco finds out and he’s really mad at Pansy?

Another seventh year AU where Voldermort never existed !

Warnings: bullying, slight angst, crying, cursing (barely), sad!draco, angry!draco, implied smut towards the end (also extra mean slytherins for the purpose of this imagine but i have nothing against them i <3 them as much as any other house)

Words: 4.5K

A/N: hiii thank youuuu 🥺💗 !!!!!! but ahhhh omg im a hufflepuff so i hope i delivered good hufflepuff energy in this oneee :’))) i think this might be my new favorite thing ive written omg but i do not own gif

There was truly no explanation how you, a kind Hufflepuff, managed to become friends, let alone a couple, with the proud and arrogant Slytherin Prince, Draco Malfoy.

On the outside, your relationship to everyone seemed uncanny and plain wrong. Even your friends and housemates had looked down on it for a while but eventually came around and just let you be. You couldn’t say the same for the Slytherin’s, however, because if there was one house they disliked more than Gryffindor; it was Hufflepuff.

They berated you and Draco for weeks after they found out he had started a relationship with you. They scowled at you when you would walk by them sometimes calling you names depending on whether or not Draco was by your side. He always defended you and you did your best to ignore them, but they were relentless. You had only been dating for about a month now and the tantalizing comments from Slytherin’s and anyone else who wanted tear the two of you down were right now seeming endless.

“Why can’t people leave us alone,” you said sadly to him one night. You were lying with him in a patch of grass outside the castle, head against his chest as his hand lazily traced patterns onto your bicep.

“They’re only jealous,” he sneered quietly. “People get mad at what they can’t have or what they can't understand.”

Draco’s patience with people was worsening each and every day. His housemates, regularly, would corner him in the common room and interrogate him with questions that made him want to rip his hair out.

“Is this some sort of prank you haven’t told us about, Malfoy?”

“A Hufflepuff? Have you gone mad?”

“Is she blackmailing you with something, mate?”

“Haven’t you thought about how that makes us Slytherin’s look?”

“She’s a blood-traitor!”

The questioning would always lead to him yelling and threatening everyone aggressively before he locked himself in his Prefect dorm or would leave the common room altogether in a fury. Those were the days he would find you after he calmed down and would hug you tightly, pressing kisses all over your face as he praised you with everything he adored about you to how happy you made him and how perfect you were for him.

You, on the other hand, were dealing with much worse. You never told Draco some of the awful things people would say to you when he wasn’t around. You would stand up for yourself very rarely, confrontation not really being your first approach to handling things but when the insults were bad enough, you were forced to.

You would always hear a variation of the same things said either directly to you or from obvious whispering, majority of them being from Slytherin and the occasional judgmental comment from others.

“Filthy Hufflepuff!”

“Can’t believe one of them is dating one of ours.”

“What does Malfoy even see in her?”

“You’d think someone who’s supposed to be kind wouldn’t want anything to do with such an arse.”

More than ever, Draco found himself giving you an excessive amount of compliments and reassurances that he thought would balance out the insults and criticisms you would tell him about or he would witness. Everything he would tell you was true, of course, but you always felt like he said them out of pity or like he had to.

“I appreciate you trying to make it better, but you don’t have to keep complimenting me, Dray.” You’ve said to him countless times.

And he would often respond with, “but I need you to know how I feel about you.”

Despite the constant uphill battle, your relationship with the platinum blond was everything you hoped for and more. Considering your friendship had started on rocky beginnings a year ago, you would have never thought you’d be with him now. You couldn’t thank the stars more for when your aged and nearly blind owl had flown straight into the back of his head, pecking at him while he tried to swat it away which then led to him giving you a piece of his mind and trying to hex your owl - causing you to try to hex him just as McGonagall happened to be passing by the fiasco that landed both of you in a months-long detention for reckless magic usage. It was in detention when the two of you were forced to spend time together and realized that the other wasn’t as bad as they thought.

Draco, much like everyone else, always believed Hufflepuffs to be weak and cowardly, too kind for their own good - but he quickly learned how common of a misconception that was the longer he knew you. You always fought for what was morally right, defended those you love and are loyal to courageously, and were sweet and friendly with everyone you talked to whether you knew them or not.

He gravitated towards your kindness and empathetic approach to everything. He loved to see the smiles you put on people’s faces or the way animals would randomly come up to you and immediately trust you enough to give them gentle pets that they always leaned into. He even loved the way you talked to everyone as your equals, something he rarely saw in his environment. Everything you did was a vast difference to what he saw on the daily from his cold and aloof peers, but it was a difference he enjoyed. He wished so deeply that everyone could see and understand how amazing you were to him and he was determined to make it happen.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” You asked shyly as he held your hand tightly in his, walking you slowly over to his large group of his closest Slytherin friends that were all gathered around a bench under a tree in the courtyard.

The Prince of Slytherin believed that if he could get his friends to at least tolerate you, then everyone else would follow in suit. He only associated himself with the best and most influential of his house so if there was anyone that could improve his current situation; it would be them. You were a little uneasy about his plan, but later agreed when he had convinced you that his idea couldn’t and wouldn’t fail.

“Of course it is!” He exclaimed encouragingly. “Plus, I’m Draco Malfoy, they’ll like anything I tell them to like.”

“Okay,” you sighed, rolling your eyes slightly at his boast.

The closer you got to them, the more you felt your hands begin to sweat and the heat crawling up your face. They all began to turn towards the two of you, their eyes focusing on you and you only with a pointed gaze. You started to realize how greatly you underestimated how intimidating they looked. Especially the one girl who made it her mission to bother you every chance she could get - always from afar while she pointed at you and whispered something into her friend’s ears while they laughed or when she would pass by you and say something rude under her breath.

“Look what Malfoy’s dragged in!” Pansy Parkinson called out with a malicious smirk on her face as she eyed you.

“Give it a rest, Pansy,” Blaise sighed, “If Malfoy wants us to meet his little friend then so be it.”

“Not my little friend, my girlfriend,” Draco corrected angrily as the two of you finally reached the group. “This is Y/N and I wanted you all to meet her since I plan on having her around for a long while, so you might as well get used to it.”

“Long while? Poor thing can’t even introduce herself,” Pansy laughed tauntingly.

“I think Draco introduced me just fine right now but if you want, I’ll do it again to make you feel better,” you smiled a big fake toothy grin at her. “Hi, I’m Y/N.”

Everyone snickered at your response, watching for the girl’s reaction as her nostrils flared in irritation. Draco smiled to himself and gave your hand a quick squeeze, feeling proud that you found a way to talk back to her in the nicest way possible.

“Right, well, I’m sure you know this is; Goyle, Crabbe, Zabini, Pike, Flint, Nott, and...” Draco pointed to everyone, trailing off when he reached the only girl in the group, “I don’t think that one needs an introduction, she rather do it herself, right Parkinson?”

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, giving the blond a false squinty-eyed grin with attitude.

“So, you want us to be the nice to the Hufflepuff then?” Zabini questions, pointing a finger towards you.

“Yes, I want you to be nice to, Y/N,” Draco corrected again, his hand getting tighter in your grasp as he spoke. “That goes for all of you and everyone else in this bloody house. I don’t want to hear anything bad about her or us coming from anyone ever again or you’ll have me to answer to. I don’t care how friendly we are.”

“So he has to defend you too now?” Pansy spoke again, “Merlin, it’s a wonder how you Hufflepuff sort even survive in this world.”

Before anyone could say anything, you mustered up all the courage you had and stepped forward towards the irked girl in front of you.

“Listen, I don’t want any more trouble with you or anyone,” you rushed out. “I just want to go about my day without having to hear how disgusting and weak I am.”

She opened her mouth to retaliate but Blaise put a hand in front of her and pushed her back before she got any closer to you.

“Alright, we’ll try,” he answered for the group quickly in an annoyed tone, “but I can’t promise that for the rest of Slytherin. They really don’t like you guys together, thinks it makes them look bad. Eventually, they’ll get tired of it and move on to the next.”

“That’s as good as its gonna get,” Goyle guffawed, Crabbe and Pike snickering alongside him.

You sighed, looking up at Draco and slightly tugging at his hand while you silently begged him to take you out of there but he didn’t catch the hint and instead did the complete opposite when he had turned towards the only boy in the group who seemed to have brains.

“Zabini, can I talk to you really quick?” He asked gruffly. Blaise deeply sighed and nodded, the two boys breaking away from the group and stopping a few feet away before talking in angry hushed voices to each other.

You - all of a sudden felt very small and sick, your eyes frantically bouncing around the group as they watched you squirm. Pansy took this as her chance to step closer towards you, stopping a few inches away from you while a smirk made its way onto her face.

“Since you obviously don’t see the bigger picture, I’ll paint it for you,” she began contemptuously, “you and Draco really don’t belong together, at all. Sure, you might think everything’s fine right now, but what’ll happen when he gets tired of defending you and proving you to everyone. You think Hogwarts is your problem? Just wait until you meet the Malfoy’s. Do you really think his father would like or even tolerate a filthy blood traitor like you?”

You gaped at her, taking a few shaky steps away from her as her words hit you like a truck.

“Think about it, Y/L/N,” she gets in your face again, her hand reaching up to grip your shoulder tightly to hold you in place. “He needs to be with someone of his status, a pure-blooded Slytherin who comes from a good wealthy family who holds all the same beliefs as the Malfoy’s. If I were you, I’d end it before you ruin his life any more than you already have and end up leaving him without a family or his inheritance.”

“Are you trying to say that ‘someone’ should be you?” You question through gritted teeth, shrugging your shoulder hard out of her clawed grasp.

“I never said that,” she smiles, “but who am I to say it shouldn’t be?”

Pansy tauntingly walked away from you, a smug look on her face as she noticed just how obviously she had hurt you. You wanted to run away and cry, but you held it together for the sake of your last remaining dignity and so that you wouldn’t please your assailant even more than you already have.

Draco turned to stroll back towards the group with Blaise, his eyes landing on your shuddering figure and the broken look in your eyes as they met his. He looked around at the rest of the group who were talking amongst themselves, unknowing to them that Parkinson had just ripped a new one on you. She stood around them, looking at her nails with an uninterested look in her eyes and when she felt Draco’s eyes on her, she looked up and smiled at him innocently.

‘Bitch,’ you thought.

He slowly walked towards you, taking your hand and deeply frowning when you immediately slipped it out of his.

“What’s wrong?” His voice dripped with concern, his sad gray’s searching your face for any answer as to why you were suddenly acting so cold.

“I need to talk to you,” you breathed out. “Alone.”

He nodded, instinctively reaching out for your hand only for you to reject it again. He felt queasy at the response, his heart falling to his stomach as you turned around and began walking away. His legs were moving hastily behind you, a dooming tension had fallen between the two of you and he couldn’t for the life of him find a reason why.

Pansy’s words were like a game of pinball on a constant loop in your mind. Your thoughts were bumping and flying haphazardly as you tried to make sense of them and what you were about to do. And as much as you hated to admit it - the wench was right. You would never be able to offer Draco and his family anything that would ever be close to enough. You were just a sweet, regular Hufflepuff, someone far from who his family expected to date. And what if you did end up staying with him? You figured you would end up breaking up years later when he would be forced to marry someone else. Or in the slight chance, he fought against that, there was no way you’d forgive yourself if he lost his family and his future because of your own selfish needs.

You stopped at an empty corridor, sitting at one of the windowsills you regularly sat at with the platinum blond when the two of you snuck out at night to meet each other. Your head fell into your hands, your thoughts raging louder in your head and now through your body as you began to unwillingly shake. The held back tears had finally broken out in a waterfall of sadness, frustration, and grief.

Draco only watched, his heartbreaking at the sight as he kneeled in front of you, his hands resting on your knees while he tried to figure out what to say.

“Darling, please tell me what’s gotten you like this,” he pleads sadly. “If it’s about what Blaise said, I made a deal with him so he would try and help.”

“No, it’s not that,” you answered, choking back the lump in a feeble attempt to try and get yourself calmed down enough to talk to him.

He sat back on his heels, his hand running down his face in distress as he racked through his brain for anything else that might have gotten you like this. He let you cry for a bit, feeling useless as he watched you go through an internal battle he had no clue about.

“Then what is it? Tell me and I’ll fix it,” he says softly when he saw your tears had finally been reduced to stray droplets on your face.

“You can’t,” you sniffle. Your hand weakly brushed over his paled slender fingers that were holding your knee gently. He turned his palm upwards for you and you placed your shaking hand in his while you basked in the final moments of his warmth. You regrettably slipped out of his grip before you spoke the words you couldn’t take back. “We can’t be together anymore.”

Draco blinked, his stomach dropping as soon as the words left your mouth. “What?”

You stood up, backing away from him as you shook your head. “Everyone was right - I’ll never be good enough for you, for your friends, for your family. You deserve to be with someone who makes your life easier, not harder.”

“Where did all this come from?” He asks incredulously, standing up from his spot on the floor as he painfully watched your slowly retreating figure. “It’s all rubbish is what it is. You’ve never made my life harder.”

“Draco, look around you!” You exasperated, your arms flailing around you. “You had to make a deal with your own friends for them to even be nice to me. Your house can’t stand me and they take it out on the both of us! And what about your parents? You know for a fact they would hate me, don’t even try and deny it.”

Pale hands ran through his hair, his fingers pulling at the platinum strands in frustration.

“I thought you didn’t care about all that,” he said woefully. “I thought you’d know by now none of it matters.”

“Well, I care now,” you answer back gloomily. “And you should too.”

There was a spinning and nauseating feeling in the pit of the Slytherin’s stomach, his heart violently jumping around in his chest as he let you storm away from him.

He let his back fall against a pillar, a deep and burning exhale falling from his trembling lips while he stared at a live painting across from him. It was of three women, the chalices in their hands supposed to be joined in a toast above them while they smiled gleefully in celebration, 3 of Chalices, it read in the caption below the frame. Instead of being in their usual position, they stared at him with pity in their softly painted eyes as they slowly raised their cups towards him in a way of showing their condolences.

He nodded curtly at them before he kicked himself off the wall and dragged himself towards the Great Hall where they were serving dinner and where he would undoubtedly find his so-called friends. He prepared himself to break the news to them, knowing they would be over the moon about it and as much as he wanted to join them in their delight, he couldn’t push away the large ache that had settled itself in his chest.

“We’re done,” he muttered dreadfully to himself, “it’s over.”

He was testing out different ways he could tell everyone the long-awaited news but they all left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I think you’ll all be delighted to know, Y/N-” he tried again but he lost his train of thought when he spoke your name. It was like taking an invisible kick to his heart as if Peeves the Poltergeist had somehow crawled into his body and was wreaking his usual havoc on his insides.

The second he stepped into the Great Hall and saw his group sitting there, eating and laughing amongst everyone else, he felt sick all over again. There was no way he could stomach the triumph they were about to unleash, but he sucked it up and drudged towards them anyway.

“You look ghastly,” Pansy snickers, already having a feeling as to why he looked so rough. He stopped at the bench, hesitating to sit down because he knew he’d want to dash the second everyone started to relentlessly bash you.

“Deal’s off, Zabini,” the blond spoke lowly. “I’m not with Y/L/N anymore so it doesn’t matter.”

“You’re better off without her, Malfoy,” Blaise said delightedly. “Can’t believe you nearly had us associating with a blood traitor. It’s better that she’s gone.”

“Yeah, we ought to thank Pansy for that,” Crabbe laughed loudly through a mouthful of food. Pansy kicked his shin under the table, and he recoiled too fast, the food in his mouth getting shot in the wrong direction as he started choking.

“Pansy?” Draco repeated, his eyes falling towards the shying girl. “What did Pansy do?”

“What?” Crabbe coughed roughly, “did no one else see her talking to the ickle Hufflepuff?”

Pansy kicked him again and he wailed out a “stop kicking me, you donkey!”

Any ounce of sadness Draco had in his body was immediately washed out in rage. He wanted to flip over the table and scream at everyone in his path, but he only turned towards Pansy again and asked her calmly.

“What did you say to her?”

“I only told her the truth!” She said coyly, holding her hands up in defense.

“What” his fist had slammed onto the table making everyone sitting near the contact jump in surprise, “did you say to her!”

“The truth! Or are you too blind to see it too?” She sneered at him. “Do you honestly think the two of you would last? Look at who you are, Draco!”

“Talk to me ever again and I swear I’ll hex you,” he spat, turning hot on his heel as he stormed out of the Great Hall, his friends staring at his retreating figure in shock at the outburst.

Draco found himself rushing through stairs and corridors, his heart racing as he searched for the place he just knew you’d be. Now that he knew the full story, he needed to talk to you. Even if you didn’t change your mind, he wanted to at least try to fix what had been broken. The tall and bronzed doors were ajar, a small light filtering through the dark corridor he was nearly running down.

A mop of bright silver hair had peaked through the crack in the doors of the Hogwarts kitchen, worried gray eyes following in suit as they searched the room for its target. He found you hunched over a small dessert plate, a half-eaten cake being drenched in your tears that never seemed to stop. There was a house-elf next to you, looking up at you from the floor in concern while they patted your leg.

“Mister!” a scraggly voice croaked out from below him. He looked down to find a rugged looking house-elf staring up at him with furrowed eyebrows and hands on its hips. “Students are prohibited in the kitchen.”

“There’s a student right there,” he pointed towards you.

“She’s an exception!” the elf exclaimed wildly.

Draco shook his head before walking past the small creature, power walking straight towards you while it ran behind him.

“Wait till Gonpy tells the Headmaster about this!” The elf calls, “Gonby asks your name, sir!””

“Vincent Crabbe,” Draco answers mindlessly as he continued walking towards the far end of the room that very closely resembled the Great Hall and its vastness.

The familiar accent rang through your ears, your glassy eyes shooting up in surprise when you see the reason for your tears hurrying towards you.

“Before you say anything, you need to listen to me,” he starts desperately once he reaches you. “I know it was Pansy who put those thoughts into your head. I know you think you’re not enough for me. And I know you think I was always complimenting you out of pity, but you couldn’t be more wrong about any of that. I say all those things to you because I mean it. You are everything to me. You are more than enough for me just by being you. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been and sometimes I wonder if I’m even good enough for you. But you need to understand how much I love you.”

“Draco,” you breathe, heart leaping in your chest at his rambling speech, “I love you too. But what about everyone else, how are we even supposed to be with each other in peace?”

“To hell with everyone else,” he responds quickly, walking around the edge of the table so that he was now only mere centimeters away from you. “Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes, of course,” you blink at him, “but do you really think your parents would let this happen?”

“We’ll deal with them when the time comes,” he mumbles, his hand finding its way to your puffy cheek where he let it rest. “Besides, my mother likes anything that makes me happy, so I know for a fact at least she will end up loving you just as much as I do.”

You nodded happily, a new hope bubbling in your stomach as you lurched towards him and hugged the stressed boy against you tightly. The both of you let out a breath of relief at the same time from the contact, finally feeling back in balance after the short-lived sorrow.

He pulled away from you and leaned down into you, his lips capturing yours in a tender and passionate kiss. That was when the elves you had forgotten about had quickly stopped eavesdropping, scurrying themselves away from the table as they went to start cleaning up the kitchen.

It was minutes before you had finally pulled away, looking dreamily into the happy gray’s that gazed back at you. You admired him for a couple seconds, feeling very content before you reached up towards him again, tangling your hands in his hair and pressing another kiss onto his now swollen lips. He moved needily against you, pushing your body flush the table as he held you tightly against him.

“Ahem,” a small voice uncomfortably called out from below. It was the same elf who had chased Draco down the kitchen when he walked in, a frown on his face as he stared at the two of you. “Gonpy and the house-elves make food here!”

“I’m sorry, Gonpy,” you hurriedly apologize, ripping yourself away from a ragged breathing Draco as you bent down to shake hands with the elf. “Thank you for making me cake and letting me cry here, you’re a Hogwarts hero.”

“Gonpy thanks you, Miss Y/L/N! The truest, kindest Hufflepuff!”

Draco bit back a smile at the interaction. You stood up and reached your hand behind you for the Slytherin to take and as the two of you walked away, he yelled out a quick, “Thanks Gonpy!”

And once the two of you were near the exit, he wrapped his arms around you from behind and pressed his body against your back, lowering his mouth towards your ear and kissing the skin right below it before whispering, “do you want to go back to my dorm?”

You nodded eagerly, giggling loudly as the two of you stumbled out of the door underneath his hold and into the dimly lit corridor before pulling apart and racing towards the direction of the dungeons with his hand interlocked in yours.

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supervillain-smut · 3 years

Text

TES Domestic Headcannons

Ancano Ancano's demeanor doesn't really change in a domestic setting, he's still very uptight, serious and work driven, however he shows much more affection in a private setting. He'll wordlessly pull you into his lap while he's reading a report, or crawl into bed with you with it, lots of kisses to your forehead, shoulders, neck that sort of thing. His temper is also greatly improved, but not enough to leave a child in his care for too long.

Athis Athis is a very messy pup, and you will almost always be cleaning up after him. He shows lots of gratitude over it, though, and is very affectionate and attentive. He'll always do the heavy lifting, despite the fact you could bench-press him and always goes out with you if your business is in the city. He is absolutely going to cause trouble with a pup, should you decide to have one. There's so much flower, and it's everywhere! How?!

Brand-Shei Brand-Shei enjoys being the bread maker, but should you favor your adventuring you'll hear no complaints, so long as you're home within 3 days at least. He is the absolute best at balancing what he wants and what you want; if you want to go explore a cave near Riften, he'll go too but hang back in case you find anything that he can sell. If you're not adventuring than you can always help out at the stall, or take over when he's sick or needs a break. He's so nervous when children are brought up, but should you take the leap, he is the sweetest father, though he does spoil his child.

Cicero Cicero, as I'm sure you're aware, is a rare breed of man. He's always flip-flopping between whether he's capable and wanting to act like a complete child. This doesn't mean he won't spoil you rotten or won't do his end of the chores. Because he will, at the end of the day, you'll just hear him complain the whole time, but it's all playful. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let him near children. Why? "What do you have there?" "A KNIFE!"

Clavicus Vile Clavicus has no domesticity, he's always in his plane of Oblivion, he's always yelling at Barbas, and he's always... Him. There's small, fleeting moments of affection, but not any more than that. A Daedra is a bad idea for a life partner.

Enthir Enthir is a college student, through and through. His room gets cleaned once a month, by him, since he doesn't want you to touch anything (more like find anything), he wakes up at 12:00pm, and he is always kind of groggy and slightly grumpy. He does find time for you, however, should you wish to be a study buddy, or spend the weekends with him. That's when he shows how much he appreciates you and your tolerating him. Not ready for kids! He's at that point where should a child attach themselves to his leg he will attempt to kick them off.

Erandur Erandur is the softest domestic partner you could ever ask for. Need firewood? He's on it. Groceries? Don't worry about it, he's got it. Want to go adventuring? He'll tag along, just to make sure you're safe. And when it's just the two of you at home, he's smothering you in affection. Says he's too old for children... He is. He acts more like a grandfather, always falling asleep with bab.

Faendal Faendal is a slightly possessive lover, though he'll always listen to you. He loves doing things with you. Hunting, firewood, grocerie shopping, adventuring, you name it, Faendal wants to do it with you. He's very immaculate about the interior of the house, and will almost always get to the chores before you. A very enthusiastic father, constantly tries to teach his child way too young how to use a weapon. "Faendal!" "What? They're 3, they can learn to use a bow, surely!" as said tot falls over behind him because it's almost double their size.

Farkas Farkas is... He's a slob. He doesn't mean to be, he's just always over at Jorvaskr and doesn't really come home that often, and practically always needs a house maid of sorts; Vilkas is banned from his room because every time he sees how messy it is he practically fumes from the ears. Farkas is, however, probably the most doting lover, especially out of Jorvaskr. He just won't tolerate you venturing too far, at least without him. And should the Silver-Hands threaten again he won't hesitate to go full wolf on their ass. He is the most playful dad ever, though it looks rough, he's being very careful, lots of play fighting and wrestling, picking them up upside down on purpose.

Lucien Lachance Lucien is very distant, always busy with work. You'd have to really be willing to be put second to work, because you're not going to win against it. He's always busy, but he showers you with gifts and affection whenever he gets the chance, always telling you how much he apreciates your patience and devotion, completely spoiling you to help you last until the next time he does it again. Lucien is a very stern dad, but only because he cares. They WILL know how to protect themselves as soon as they're able, until then they go nowhere without mom or dad. Mostly dad, because even though mom is there, now he's worried about the both of you.

Malborn Malborn, depending on whether you were with him before or after the Thalmor Embassy, is either very angry or very frightened and paranoid. He just needs someone he can rely on and gauge whether things or ok or not. He frequently looks to you to ground him to reality, and is very needy in terms of affection and building up. Anything to do with outside is on you, and he strictly prohibits adventuring; what would he ever do without you? Oh gods he's far too nervous for children.

Marcurio Marcurio is a very patient lover, should you go adventuring and be longer than three days without him, he will worry, but he will stay put. When you come home, you're immediately smothered by hugs and kisses all over your face, he will tell you how much he missed you and how happy he is that you're home. He's a very independent man, so you won't have to worry about firewood or grocerie shopping, things like that, and he's a very capable cook. He's a very good dad, would actually prefer to adopt, he worries about the children on the street, and will probably come home with one himself.

Neloth Neloth... Is just the worst. I'm sorry, but it's true. He has zero capacity to think about anyone but himself, and most times if you pursue him for affection or compliments, you get a very grumpy Telvanni. However, does that stop him from coming to bed very late at night to pull you as physically close to him as possible? No, no it does not. He's very quiet and subtle with his affections, and the fact that he calls you his should speak volumes. Good lord no kids, do not. They will be ejected from the tower at the first accident.

Ondolemar Ondolemar surprises everyone with how affectionate and loving he can be, and he has everything under control when it comes to managing the firewood, groceries, hell he's even good with kids should you decide to adopt or have them (though he'd highly prefer if you gave him an heir, he would treat an adopted child no differently). Ondolemar has many things about him hidden away that only you get to see; and no one would believe you if you told them he fell asleep with your toddler in his arms on the couch while reading to them.

Ralis Sedarys Work, work, work. That's all he looks for, so should he actually take up a lover... They're going to be spoiled as hell, they are suddenly everything to him, and he will gladly put down his pickaxe to recieve affection, and will happily put it down again to give you affection, should you be in an ill mood or just seem like you could use it. Loves doing all the heavy lifting just to show off and have you proud of him, and he's even prouder should you challenge him or even show him up. In the end, you end up splitting all the chores in half between the two of you, even adventuring. Far too busy for kids, but he is very good with them! Maybe when he's ready to retire. Or even begins thinking about it.

Revyn Sadri Revyn is a very loving, we can take on the world so long as we have each other kind of lover, and he's very affectionate. He is fairly good with kids, and has zero problem with adopting. He can die a happy mer so long as he has you, a child, and the store. It's everything he's ever wanted in life.

Teldryn Sero Oh boy. He's usually out doing his work more than you, and is ecstatic to go adventuring with you. He enjoys taking care of you and treating you like royalty, so he'll insist on doing everything around the house, and he is fantastic with kids, especially bed time stories, although sometimes you may have to censor him when he gets too detailed. Other than that, he's 100 percent prepared to love, cherish and protect his family, even if it's just the two of you.

Vicente Valtieri Vicente is the last person you'd expect to be any variation of domestic, but you will very frequently catch him in a chair by the hearth reading a book or sorting contracts, and should you two actually have children, he will very quietly sneak into the nursery while babe and you are asleep, and he will cry. Not out of sadness, out of pure joy. You made this, he actually has a family! And Sithis have mercy on anyone who dares threaten it, because he won't.

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symphonicmetal101 · 3 years

Text

Brother Bonding(?) HCs

Lucifer

Mammon

He and Mammon have a bit of a complicated relationship, in that Mammon is always getting into trouble, and Lucifer always has to get him out of it, and then takes it upon himself to scold him for getting them into trouble. However, there are times when Lucifer helps Mammon pull pranks on the other brothers, under the condition that Mammon doesn't tell anyone, otherwise he loses Goldie permanently. The pranks are well executed, and often the blame is but on Belphie or Satan instead.

Levi

We know that Lucifer is responsible for Levi's obsession with Ruri-chan and anime as a whole. Lucifer is often concerned for Levi, as he is familiar with self-doubt, and sympathizes with Levi's constant stream of it. He tries to set aside at least one day a month where he will rewatch old anime with Levi, listen to his spiels, and leave him an allowance to use however he would like. If Lucifer is too busy with paperwork, he'll invite Levi to his office and ask him about the latest games and mangas, even if he isn't listening the entire time.

Satan

Ah, this is a little more complicated. Truthfully, they don't spend much time together. However, if Satan happens to mention a book he wanted, even offhandedly, Lucifer will make sure it ends up in Satan's possession somehow, even if it's through MC. Satan notices this, and as much as he wants to hate Lucifer, those days he makes an extra effort to try and not tease or humiliate Lucifer. It's almost like a silent truce.

Asmo

Yeah, yeah, Asmo paints everyone's nails. But Asmo also knows massage and aromatherapy. When Lucifer is particularly stressed, he'll take it upon himself to try and help him relax. If he has the patience, Lucifer will listen to Asmo explain the science between different scents and how they help the mind and body. Sometimes Asmo isn't sure if Lucifer is actually listens, but within three days of their chats, he finds a small package on his bed with different oils, and a note that says, "I look forward to learning what these oils can do." - Lucifer

Beel

Beel likes to cook, bake, etc. Because Lucifer is always on the go, Beel tries to come up with meals that are easy to walk around with. Lucifer is always the one Beel asks to taste test, (if Beel manages to resist eating the entire thing himself), because Lucifer will give him an honest opinion. It's rare that Lucifer has anything but praise for Beel, but on the off chance he doesn't, he'll walk him through a couple of ideas he could do to improve it, and Beel will deliver.

Note: this is also how Beel found out that Lucifer has the lowest spice tolerance out of the brothers, and he is not to mention it to anyone.

Belphie

Another relationship that serves to be more complex. Lucifer often finds himself wanting to reconcile with Belphie, almost to restore the kind of relationship they had when they were angels. But when you lock someone in an attic against their will, (even if it was to protect them), they tend to hold a grudge. Again, they don't really spend time together unless Beel is present, but Lucifer tries to help Belphie in little ways, like switching his linens weekly, fluffing his pillows, making sure he actually makes it to a bed when he goes to sleep. Belphie just assumes it's Beel doing these things though, and Lucifer lets him. He hopes one day Belphie will realize how much he really does care for him.

Mammon

Levi

They usually don't get along, mostly because of financial issues between them. However, when they are able to put that aside, they can actually enjoy each others company. Mammon has a lot of energy, and Levi likes video games. As a compromise, they regularly play games such as DDR or Just Dance. The whole time, they will insult each other, but lovingly.

Satan

Satan will actively look for books on finance, budgeting, business, etc. To help Mammon. He pitches it as ways to help him get rich, and they will spend hours together trying to form a business plan. While Mammon doesn't usually have the patience, for the sake of spending time with his little brother, he pushes through. Satan usually does this only after one of Mammon's bigger schemes fell through, or when Lucifer tells Mammon to stop.

Asmo

These guys both model. Mammon will set aside some money and time to go spend with Asmo on clothes, accessories, etc. Mammon is just as skilled behind the camera as he is in front of it, so whenever Asmo wants to model, doesn't matter where, Mammon is ready. Sometimes when they've planned their outing with enough notice, Mammon will have saved enough money to buy something for Asmo.

Beel

Whenever Beel is cooking for himself, he usually adds a lot seasonings. Sometimes, it's in hopes that spice will slow him down. Other times it's because he really likes the food, but has almost become desensitized to the taste😥 however, when he makes these batches of food, he'll sometimes invite Mammon to join him. Mammon has an ungodly high tolerance for spice, at least when he's eating. (His stomach may or may not suffer later). Mammon sometimes foolishly challenges Beel to a speed eating contest. Beel tries to decline; he just wants to eat, and he does not want to watch Mammon give himself indigestion or heartburn, but Mammon, persistent as ever, will try and eat as many servings of Beel's food as quickly as possible. This is one of the few times Beel doesn't get mad, he just watches with mild amusemeny and concern.

Belphie

Belphie and Mammon are surprisingly close, despite being complete foils of eacb other. Mammon has lots of energy, Belphie has none. Mammon likes to go out, Belphie likes to stay in. However, building forts? Hell yes, Belphie has enough energy for that. They usually build pillow and blanket forts in the observatory. Belphie will direct Mammon in how to build it for the most amount of comfort. Usually they'll just end up plugging in their headphones and listening to their own music in each other's company until they fall asleep and/or Beel joins them.

Levi

Satan

Levi introduced Satan to VR, and their relationship has taken a turn for the better since then. Satan is more interested in medical simulators and animal simulation games. Levi once made the mistake of playing Mario Kart with Satan, and his room was left in shambles, so now they only do sims to avoid the competition with other players. Satan also likes to play Among Us, as it gives him a chance to flex his detective skills. His self-control is much better with this, for whatever reason.

Asmo

Levi and Asmo are constantly at odds. Not like Mammon, but Asmo cringes every time he sees the way Levi is sitting, every time he hears Levi has ruined his sleep schedule, and every time he sees him sleeping in tje goddamn bathtub. Yes, it has lots of pillows, but none of them are really good for support. He is constantly trying to get Levi to at least stretch or do yoga every once in a while, as well as sit properly in his chair. These stretching session are also when Levi starts to talk about the next cosplay he's working on, which Asmo will undoubtedly want to help with.

(Ik that its implied that Levi taught Asmo how to sew and stuff, but that hc is everywhere, otherwise I would elaborate. It's really cute though.)

Beel

Although Levi spends a lot of his time in his room, he is still the Grand Admiral of Hell's Navy. He does dedicate some time to working out, and when he does, he does it with Beel, because he knows Beel will help keep him on track. Beel is also Levi's biggest source of encouragment. Levi thanks Beel in mass quantities of food from Akuzon later, sometimes in hopes of winning something from a draw, other times as a genuine thank you.

Belphie

Introvert buddies! Belphie doesn't really care for video games, Levi doesn't have the same speed as Mammon for building a pillow fort, but sometimes Belphie will ask to come into Levi's room to look at his aquarium. He finds it relaxing. They don't really talk to each other, they just enjoy each other's company. If Belphie is feeling curious or notices Levi is kind of upset, he'll start asking Levi about the different fish in his aquarium, which quickly cheers Levi up. Belphie's favourite thing about Levi though, is that he is usually awake the same time he is, helping him feel a little less lonely.

Satan

Asmo

I've mentioned this before in my random hcs post, but Asmo and Satan like to study astrology together. They find it fascinating in how accurate it can be, especially since they only get to see the *real* stars, moon, sun, and planets when they're in the human realm. Asmo actually introduced it to Satan, as he used to study it in the Celestial Realm as well.

Beel

Beel is constantly coming up with new recipes, so Satan documents them all for him. He'll be a scribe, while Beel tells him exactly what he's doing the whole time. The other brothers don't know, (Beel asked to keep t a secret), but Satan has helped Beel publish 3 cookbooks already.

Satan also attends Beel's games whenever possible, and Beel has attended Satan's debate team or sometimes book club meetings whenever possible. Because Satan and Belphie are close, so are Satan and Beel.

Belphie

>:)

They are constantly coming up with ways to inconvenience Lucifer, which is their main form of bonding. However, Belphie also taught Satan the constellations when they were younger, so now they will often go stargazing together. Satan doesn't remember, but he used to make up stories about the constellations, and Belphie has a written record of all of them. Sometimes, Belphie will retell the stories from memory to see if Satan recognizes it, but to no avail. Instead Satan will tell another story he has read about the stars. They tell each other stories and stargaze until they fall asleep.

Asmo

Beel

Beel will do warm ups with Asmo; basic stretches, a jog, etc. They will sometimes do yoga together. However, Beel works out a lot, and sometimes his muscles get sore, so Asmo gets to work. Being around Asmo brings out the gossip girl in Beel, so while Asmo is giving him a massage, he's also getting all the tea from all the clubs that Beel is a part of. Beel is very careful with his delivery, but he trusts Asmo to never spin his words the wrong way and to use the new info for good.

Belphie

Asmo has his own fashion line. He often asks Belphie to rate the comfort of his clothes, as he wants them to be fashionable, functional, and comfortable. Belphie never pulls his punches, and Asmo is grateful for the honest criticism. However, sometimes it does get on his nerves, but Belphie makes up for it later by getting Asmo new linens, often silk, because Belphie knows Asmo's preferences. Asmo always asks him where he finds it, but Belphie never answers.

Beel + Belphie

These two can bond almost over anything. However, one of their favorite things to do together is make Quetzalcoatl brain soup. Belphie stays awake long enough to remind Beel to leave some for him.

(My brain just left me here to rot apparently, I'm sorry.)

Oof

Masterlist

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me headcanons #obey me thoughts

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thatkidwholikesthunderbirds · 3 years

Text

TAG Mini Bang 2021

Hey fam, This is mine and the amazing @katblu42′s contribution to the @tagminibang. Katblu42 wrote the story, of which I love so much, and i made a couple of doodles to go with it.

We both worked really hard on it, hope you enjoy.

***

Deep Water

The summer is drawing to an end when an almost-twelve-year-old Virgil is lumped with looking after little bro Gordon for the day. When a simple walk in the woods becomes more than they bargained for, the pair must work together to overcome their fears.

Written by @katblu42

***

“Hey, Virgil. Whatcha doin’?” Gordon bounced down the stairs and watched his brother carefully pack his brand-new artist’s set of watercolour pencils, mini easel, and sketchbook into his backpack, using one of his hoodies for padding. “I’m gonna go out on the top track and try out my new pencils. It’s gonna be a really nice day for practicing landscapes. I want to try and capture the way the light filters through the trees and . . .” As Virgil excitedly rambled on about all the things he wanted to draw, Lucy emerged from the kitchen with a lunchbox packed with sandwiches and snacks and two water bottles for Virgil to add to his bag. She ignored the eye-rolling from the younger boy, who obviously didn’t share the enthusiasm for artistic inspiration. Placing a hand on Virgil’s shoulder as she handed him the last of the supplies, Lucy smiled. “Sounds like the two of you are going to see all kinds of wonders today,” she said. Virgil opened his mouth to question, but she didn’t give him a chance to speak. “You’re going to take your brother with you.” “But . . .” was all Virgil managed to squeak out, while Gordon sported a look of surprised incredulity. “It will do you both the world of good to spend some time together, just the two of you.”

Lucy knew these two didn’t always get along, mostly due to Gordon’s talent for finding exactly the right buttons to push to try Virgil’s patience. In fact, Gordon did that with everyone, but it somehow affected Virgil the most potently. Lucy, Jeff, and the other boys had little tolerance for Gordon’s annoying antics, but the fact that Virgil usually had an abundance of patience was exactly why Gordon got under his skin so much. With Virgil, Gordon would keep on pushing, keep needling, insistently nagging until that patience wore thin and caused Virgil to react in frustration. As a result, Lucy had noticed Virgil tending to avoid spending too much time with Gordon. But today she needed to pair them up together. Grandma would be by any minute to pick up Scott, as she was helping him log extra flying hours towards his pilot license while Jeff was away for work. John had already left for the library where they had been running a special summer program in the AV centre focussing on early space exploration because today was the last day he’d be able to see it. “Aw, Mom!” Virgil whined. “If he comes, I won’t get any drawing done.” “Yeah, Mom,” Gordon joined in, wrinkling his nose, “can’t I stay with you?” “Nope!” Lucy ruffled Gordon’s unruly blond locks. “I have errands to run today.” Gordon groaned. He hated being dragged all over town when his mom was running errands, mostly because the entire day was usually spent listening to her tell him he couldn’t run off too far or do anything fun – getting up to mischief, she called it. Lucy knew her day would be difficult enough with a toddler in tow without adding a hyperactive six-and-a-half-year-old to the mix. For a moment, she felt for Virgil. In a way, he had a point. He’d have to keep Gordon occupied, which would take his focus away from his artistic endeavours, but she had faith that the two of them would find a way to make it work. She stood between the two boys and, with a hand on a shoulder of each, pulled them into a hug. “You two go out and have fun.” She placed a kiss on first Virgil’s and then Gordon’s forehead. “Be good, look after each other, and don’t get into any trouble!” She ushered them through the door and watched them head out, turning back to wave goodbye to her from the front gate before continuing westward towards the top track. She would always worry about her boys out there on their own, but they all knew the rules and had repeatedly been warned of the various dangers contained within their little patch of wilderness. Virgil was not inclined to be reckless or break the rules, but the lure of an interesting view could distract him at times. Looking after a younger brother would help keep his attention more focused. It was one of Lucy’s secret weapons. Pairing a big brother with a little one always seemed to make the big brother more inclined to obey the rules and watch for dangers.

The two boys made quick progress across the open paddock towards the trees, Virgil striding out confidently, Gordon occasionally having to run for a few steps to catch up. Once they reached the track that wound its way through the trees, the pace began to slow. Virgil’s gaze wandered as he walked, noticing in great detail the colours of the foliage and tree bark, the stark contrasts formed by shafts of sunlight filtering between the trees and highlighting this branch or those leaves. He would hear the cry of a bird and look up, searching the treetops to see if he could catch sight of the culprit. Despite the distractions, however, Virgil didn’t stop walking. He had a destination in mind, and he was keen to get there so he could start drawing. Gordon found distractions of his own along the track. He’d hear skittering noises in the dirt and leaf litter beside the track and stop to see if he could spot the creature that had scuttled away. He found spiderwebs woven between the trees and bushes, and noted with interest whether or not the spider was home and if they’d caught anything. He, too, would search the trees and sky for birds that called out their various songs. Unlike Virgil, Gordon stopped often and would have to run to catch up to his bigger brother, usually after Virgil called out to him to hurry up. After falling behind for the fourth time, Gordon decided to run ahead along the track a bit. That way Virgil would have to catch up to him! He stopped short when he came to the fork in the track. An idea struck him, and he jogged back to his brother. “Hey, Virgil?” He had a glint in his eye that the older boy knew well enough to be worried about. “We should go down to the lake!” “No.” “Oh, come on! Why not?” His voice was verging on whiny and his expression close to a pout. “We’re not supposed to go to the lake on our own, it’s –” “We’re not on our own, we have each other!” Gordon didn’t want to give Virgil a chance to argue or talk about possible dangers. “We’re not gonna do anything dangerous or anything. It’s nice by the lake. Besides, you said your pencils were watercolours. Shouldn’t you draw something with water?” “That’s not . . . Uugghh!” Virgil sighed, rolled his eyes, and rubbed a hand through his hair. He knew steering this particular brother away from water was going to be a hard sell, and if he was honest with himself, his little brother was right about the lake being a good place to draw. It would give him an opportunity to practice drawing reflections, which was something he’d been wanting to experiment with. And the view across the lake was pretty spectacular. But swimming in the lake could be dangerous. If they went to the lake, Virgil knew his entire day would be spent watching Gordon in the water. Gordon studied the expression on his brother’s face for some sign of what he was thinking. He had that look of intense concentration he used when he was figuring out how to fix something. Virgil slowed to a stop and looked down at Gordon. “If we go to the lake –” As Virgil spoke, Gordon’s face broke out in a wide gap-toothed grin as he sensed he had won. “I said if! If we go to the lake, you have to promise me you won’t go for a swim. I came here to draw, not play lifeguard.” “Aww! Virge, it’s summer! It’s a great day for a swim.” His smile was gone, and he now had to trot alongside his brother as Virgil began walking again, setting a brisk pace. He was going to have to fight hard to get his way. “Pleeeeease!” No reaction. “What if I promise not to go in any deeper than up to here?” He indicated his waist. Virgil’s eyebrows drew down into somewhat of a scowl, but he slowed his walking pace again. “You have to stay dry above the knees,” he said. “Yes! Okay, I can do that.” Gordon’s big, infectious grin was back, and he literally bounced with happiness and excitement at his victory. “I promise I won’t go in past my knees, and I’ll be good so you can just do your drawings.” Virgil tried to keep his expression serious, but his little brother’s glee was so irresistible he couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Pretty soon he was grinning too, and they headed down the left fork in the track towards the lake. As they descended the narrow trail, weaving between trees and larger rocks, the hard-packed dirt underfoot gradually giving way to sandy soil, Gordon’s excitement was barely containable. He ran ahead down the track, calling to Virgil to hurry, ran back to his brother urging him to walk quicker, tugging at his hand, gave up, and ran ahead again before he could even see Virgil roll his eyes. The whole process was then repeated. Twice. Soon enough the trees lining the track thinned out, allowing glimpses of dark blue water. The track curved, and suddenly they emerged from the trees onto an expanse of silty sand with the lake spread out before them, rippling and glistening in the sunlight. The dark greens of the trees on the far side of the lake separated dark blue water from pale blue sky on the horizon. Gordon ran straight to the water’s edge, while Virgil took a moment to take in the entire scene. The lake itself didn’t cover a particularly large area, but it was very deep in places. Virgil estimated that it was more than half a mile from side to side, north to south, and possibly as far as three hundred metres to the trees on the other side from where Gordon now stood. The hills to the north funnelled water down into the lake via a network of creeks and streams. The surface of the lake looked relatively calm, but it hid unpredictable undercurrents as the water worked its way to the small stream that trickled away from the natural dam at the lake’s southern tip. There were a few tiny islands dotted throughout the lake, most of them closer to the far side, some large enough to have trees growing on them, others no more than large rocks with their tops protruding from the water. A short walk along the water’s edge northward took Virgil past a small wooden pier with a little dinghy tied to it, gently rocking and bumping with the lazy motion of the water. Beyond that, the flat sand gave way to a series of rocky, sloped banks. Picking his way up over some of the lower rocks, Virgil climbed up onto a large, relatively flat boulder that afforded him a good view and room to set out all his materials. He could see the beach (as Gordon called it) and his brother discarding his shoes and socks so he could explore the shallows and the little boat attached to the pier, with the water stretching away before him. Once he had carefully unpacked his easel and sketchbook and placed his pencils beside him within easy reach, Virgil began to sketch out some rough outlines. It wasn’t long before Gordon popped his head up over the edge of Virgil’s rock platform.

“Is that all you’ve done so far?” he asked with curious disbelief. “You should use more colours.” “Gordon.” Virgil’s tone was a warning. “Okay, okay,” Gordon said, raising his hands, palms outwards. “I just wondered if it’s lunchtime yet. I’m hungry.” Virgil resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he looked at his younger brother, searching for any signs of mischief and finding none. He realised Gordon was probably right, it was time for lunch. Virgil had been too caught up in what he was doing to notice how long it had been since they’d eaten breakfast. “All right, let’s see what Mom packed for us to eat.” He dug the lunchbox and water bottles out of his backpack while Gordon climbed up onto the rock and sat cross-legged beside him. Neither boy was surprised to find their mom had provided each of them with their favourite sandwich toppings, and they ate hungrily. Gordon would have polished off all the snacks too, but Virgil prudently suggested they should save those for later. They washed the sandwiches down with a hearty helping of water, making sure to save some of that too. When their little picnic was done, Gordon started to scamper back down over the rocks. “You can go back to drawing now,” he delivered a parting shot with that cheeky grin, “I’m gonna go see if I can find any fish.” “Stay out of the water,” Virgil warned. “You just ate.” “Ugh! I’m not stupid, Virgil! And besides, I’m only going in up to my knees, remember!” “I remember. I’ve just gotta make sure you do!” Virgil watched as Gordon started to clamber down the rocks. “Stay where I can see you!” he called after him. “And be careful! The rocks can get slippery.” “I’ll be fine!” Gordon yelled back, and added under his breath, “Spoilsport.” “I heard that!” Virgil didn’t see Gordon poke his tongue out before he ran off along the sand to go and get his feet wet again. He stood in the shallow water, running his hands over the slimy reeds looking for little fish. He spent some time digging his toes into the sand to see what little creatures came darting out into the water as it clouded around his feet. Virgil’s focus was split between the landscape that was rapidly developing on the paper and keeping tabs on Gordon. Every little, excited exclamation had Virgil looking along the beach, wondering what his brother had found. But his attention was inevitably pulled back to his watercolour sketch. Coming out of the water for a while, Gordon picked his way along the sand, gathering a pocketful of stones before finding a spot to stand and skip them across the surface of the lake. He was pretty proud of the one he managed to get to skip eight times before it sank. The clicky slap of the first skipped stone had Virgil’s head turning to watch, making sure his brother was still keeping out of trouble. He wondered who had taught Gordon to skip stones and fondly remembered Scott showing him how it was done. Gordon was actually pretty good at it, and he kept at it for quite a while. After that, Gordon wandered closer to the trees looking for beetles and interesting insects. He even took one or two of them over to show Virgil. He did the same with some of the smooth pebbles he’d found, especially the ones that had pretty colours or unusual patterns. Virgil liked those ones, he could tell. And every time he returned to Virgil up on his rock, while he munched on a snack or took a drink of water, he took a peek at what his brother was drawing. There was one main drawing of the view across the lake that was more and more detailed every time Gordon saw it, but there were some other smaller sketches too. Gordon wasn’t sure if they were like little practice drawings for things that Virgil wanted to add to the main one or if they were something else. It looked like some of those extra sketches included him, some were of the treasures he’d brought to show his brother, and some he couldn’t quite decipher yet. The afternoon sun beat down on them, too high in the sky for any shadows long enough to provide decent shade. Virgil barely noticed, but Gordon felt the heat. He had climbed back down from Virgil’s perch and was now sitting on the end of the little boat dock dangling his feet in the water. He kicked his feet, splashing and watching new ripples form. The water was pleasantly cool against his legs, but his head and shoulders yearned for that same refreshing feeling. He looked out across the lake, longing to jump in and immerse himself in liquid heaven. He was regretting his promise. “Gordon,” Virgil called down to him, “stop splashing around so much. I don’t want you falling in.” In response, Gordon just sighed. A gull squawked nearby, and he watched it wing its way to a large rock protruding from the water, joining other gulls and ibises sunning themselves. It was the closest island to where he sat, and it didn’t look too far to swim to. It was so hot. It would just be a quick swim. “Hey, Virgil,” Gordon called out, twisting his body around to look up at his brother, “how far do you think it is to that big rock out there?” Virgil took a moment to stand up and stretch muscles that he hadn’t really moved in nearly two hours. He looked where Gordon pointed and couldn’t help doing a rough calculation in his head to estimate the distance, but he knew where this question was leading. “Too far,” he answered. “You’re not going to swim to it. No deeper than your knees, remember?” “But, Virge . . .” “No, Gordon! It’s dangerous. We don’t swim out that far when Mom and Dad bring us down here, I’m not letting you go out there alone.” “But I’m a good swimmer, and the water’s really flat and calm, and it’s so hot . . .” “I said no!” Virgil was almost shouting now. Why wasn’t Gordon listening to him? Couldn’t he see how bad an idea this was? “It’s gotta be at least eighty metres out to that rock, and you can’t see the currents at work under the surface or the reeds or the cold spots or how deep it is. It’s not like swimming in the pool in town.” “Eighty metres is easy! I already have my two-hundred-meter freestyle achievement certificate. I’ll be out there and back in no time.” As he spoke, Gordon started removing his T-shirt. “Gordon, don’t!” Virgil’s heart was hammering at his rib cage like it was trying to break free, and he started making his way down the rocks towards the boat dock, knowing he wasn’t going to be quick enough. “Bet I’ll do it in the fastest time ever. Time me, Virgil.” And with a flash of a wicked grin, he turned and dived into the water. Virgil ran across the sand and onto the wooden dock, heart still pounding fit to burst as Gordon swam away. All he could do was stand there and watch. As scared as he was, he couldn’t help being a little bit in awe of his little brother. Even though he was little, he was a good swimmer. From his very first swimming lesson two years ago, he had been very much at home in the water. He learned fast and seemed to have the knack of skimming the surface of the water when he swam – unlike Virgil, who always felt like he was fighting the water, trying to stop it from pulling him down. He didn’t mind admitting that Gordon was a better swimmer than he was, but the little fish had no experience with open water – or getting out of trouble on his own. It wasn’t long before Gordon was halfway to the rock island, and everything seemed to be going fine. Virgil even managed to start to relax a bit. It seemed like he was going to make it out there just fine. His pace had slowed a little, but that was to be expected. Then suddenly something wasn’t right. Gordon had slowed right down, almost to a complete stop, his legs no longer breaking the surface with his kicks. He rolled onto his back and made a couple of awkward backstrokes, then he went under. Just for a millisecond. But it was enough to have Virgil scrambling to get into the dinghy. Gordon tried to shout, but the effort seemed to cause his head to bob under again. Virgil rowed as fast as he could, his head twisted to look over his shoulder, not wanting to take his eyes off his little brother, praying each time he went under that he’d see blond hair break the surface again. Swear words repeated over and over like a mantra with every stroke of the oars. Strong, long strokes propelled the little wooden boat through the water. He fought back panic. He would get there in time. He had to get there in time. He had to save his brother. Gordon seemed to be losing the battle to stay afloat, arms flailing, panicking, bobbing and spluttering. He knew Virgil was trying to get to him, and he was desperate to keep his head above water until he got there, but kicking was difficult and painful. His left leg was not obeying. He’d never experienced a cramp like this before. Virgil finally reached the spot where Gordon had just gone under again. Leaning over the side of the boat, mindful of leaning too far and capsizing, he grabbed a flailing arm with one hand and reached the other into the water to grab a handful of blond hair. He ignored the shock of the cold mere inches below the surface and hauled his brother up far enough for him to gasp for air. He adjusted his grip and dragged Gordon into the boat, where he lay coughing and spluttering, shivering and absolutely terrified. Virgil sat, boat rocking beneath them, breathing hard and equally terrified, watching his brother, grateful for the coughing because at least he knew he was still breathing. “You okay?” Virgil panted out once the coughing had died down a little. “Cramp!” Gordon gasped out in reply, indicating his left leg. “Calf muscle? Here?” Virgil was kneeling with Gordon’s left foot resting on his thigh, fingers gently kneading into his calf. Gordon responded with a nod and a little groan of pain. Virgil spent a few minutes massaging the cramped muscle. He wasn’t sure if Gordon’s tears were from the pain in his leg or fear or relief, but he suddenly felt like he’d do anything to stop them. All he could offer were words of reassurance. Words that comforted both of them. “It’s okay, Gords. You’re okay. You’re safe now.” Virgil’s fingers worked methodically, gently, gradually relaxing the muscle, relieving Gordon’s agony, and calming both of them down in the process. Gordon was soon wriggling his leg free of Virgil’s grasp to sit up on the floor of the little rowboat. He pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs, still shivering. “Hold on, Gordon.” Virgil shifted himself back onto the seat and took up the oars. “Let’s get you back to shore and then we can warm you up.” Rowing back to the wooden dock seemed to take so much longer than it had to row out into the lake. Virgil wasn’t sure if this was because there were currents working against him or if he was just a great deal more tired now. Or maybe it was the lack of terrifying urgency driving his actions on the return trip. Either way, he was grateful to make it safely to the dock and get the boat secured. Gordon was adamant he could get out of the boat on his own, but Virgil’s assistance was accepted readily when he found himself unsteady on his feet. Virgil retrieved the T-shirt Gordon had so hastily tossed aside earlier and draped it over his little brother’s back. It didn’t take much convincing for Gordon to remain sitting on the dock in the same knees-huddled-to-chest position he’d adopted in the boat while Virgil raced up to his rock platform to retrieve all his gear. He also made a quick dash across the sand to find Gordon’s discarded shoes before returning. He didn’t like how quiet and still the normally boisterous boy was. The paleness of his skin and the fact he was still shivering – or perhaps trembling – worried him even more. The now damp T-shirt had been pulled on over his head but offered little in the way of warmth. “Hey, Gordon. Arms up,” Virgil instructed, holding his own hoodie ready to slip over the blond head. Gordon did as he was told without comment or complaint, seeming to Virgil a little like some sort of robotic puppet. The hoodie was way too big, but it was soft and thick and most importantly dry. With head and arms now inserted into their correct holes, Virgil knelt in front of Gordon and pulled the hoodie down over his entire tucked-up body. Not even his feet protruded from beneath the hem. He then wrapped his arms around the whole bundle of little brother and rubbed vigorously to generate some heat. “Virgil?” Glossy brown eyes peeked out from beneath the sweater’s hood. The voice was quiet and had a quality to it that felt somehow small and uncertain. “I’m sorry.” The look in his brother’s eyes, more than the words, stung Virgil somewhere deep inside. “What?” Virgil answered. “What for?” “I didn’t listen. You told me not to and I . . .” “That doesn’t matter now.” Virgil’s arms tightened ever so slightly around him, and Gordon rested his head against his big brother’s shoulder. “All I care about right now is making sure you’re okay.” For a moment, the two boys stayed locked in the embrace, Gordon letting the feeling of safety envelop him, Virgil feeling the rise and fall of Gordon’s chest with every breath. He was relieved to find his brother relaxing into an even, steady pattern of deep breaths. There was no sign of any wheezing, and the coughs and splutters seemed long gone. “Come on. Let’s get you home,” Virgil said softly, giving Gordon’s back one final rub before releasing the hug. He slipped his backpack straps over his shoulders, held his hands out for Gordon to take so he could help him onto his feet, then lifted him up into a reverse piggyback hold. Gordon’s arms looped around his neck, and his legs wrapped around his waist without hesitation or protest, and Virgil set off for home at a slow but steady pace. The gentle but constant incline of the path back to the top track gave Virgil quite a workout with the additional weight he carried, but he took it in his stride. Gordon remained so still and quiet, hooded head resting against his left shoulder, Virgil thought he might have fallen asleep. He tried not to jostle his bundle of brother too much as he picked his way up the hill. When he reached the relative flat ground where the lake path rejoined the top track, Virgil took a moment to catch his breath, and Gordon stirred. “Hey, Virgil?” he said quietly. “When we get home . . . we don’t have to tell anyone what happened, do we?” “Gordon, we have to tell Mom. You nearly drowned!” Gordon caught his brother’s gaze and for the first time saw there was fear in those deep brown eyes. It made something in his insides feel fluttery. “But I’m okay,” he pleaded. “You saved me.” “I pulled you out of the water, but . . .” Virgil wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence and sighed. “If you got any water in your lungs, that would be bad. I’m not sure exactly how it works, but sometimes it can make a person have trouble breathing hours after they’ve been rescued from drowning.” “Oh.” The initial response was almost whispered, then Gordon’s features and tone brightened. “But –” “Did you swallow any water?” Virgil cut him off. “Because the water in the lake could make you sick if you did.” Gordon’s brow creased. “No. I don’t think so. Maybe?” Virgil sighed once more, then began walking again. “I don’t want to scare you, Gords, but what happened out there was a big deal.” “I know,” Gordon whimpered, and held on to Virgil a little tighter. “But I’m not scared now. I’m safe. I was afraid. In the water, when I thought . . . when I couldn’t . . . It was scary, but now I’m not scared because you’re here and you saved me.” Virgil remained silent. “Would it be less scary for you if you stay with me until you know I’m not going to get sick or stop breathing?” Gordon whispered. The rhythm of Virgil’s footfalls faltered for a step or two. “I promise I won’t leave your sight until you’re sure I’m okay. Then we don’t have to tell Mom unless I get sick. Okay?” For a moment, Virgil couldn’t say anything. The lump in his throat was too much of an obstacle. He blinked a few times to clear his swimming vision, huffed out a ragged sigh, and hitched his brother a little higher on his hips. “Okay, Little Fish. You got a deal. I won’t tell Mom, and you and I stick together like glue for tonight.” Not long after their deal was struck Virgil’s steady paces brought them out of the trees and into the paddock, with home in sight. It seemed they had beaten Lucy home, as her car wasn’t parked in its usual spot, but John’s bike was neatly leaned on its stand next to the others, and Virgil suspected Scott was already home too.

He was relieved to finally climb the stairs and deposit Gordon gently on his feet on the front porch. Slipping off his backpack and rolling his shoulders to ease tired muscles, Virgil followed his younger brother through the front door and into the kitchen. He might have known Gordon would gravitate towards food. At least this was a good sign – if Gordon was hungry, then he probably wasn’t feeling any ill effects from swallowing lake water. “Oh, look. It finally happened,” Scott said with a smirk and an elbow to John’s ribs. “One of Virgil’s hoodies grew legs and walked away.” “Ha-ha,” Gordon replied as he grabbed the jug of juice from the fridge. “Seriously, Gordon,” John spoke up from his seat at the kitchen table, where he and Scott had been finishing their afternoon snacks, “what’s with the hoodie? It’s gotta be ninety-six degrees outside.” “He just wanted to prove me wrong,” Virgil chimed in, walking straight to the cupboard and grabbing a couple of glasses. “I told him he would disappear completely inside one of my hoodies.” He noted the suspicious looks but ignored them as he poured juice for himself and Gordon. “How was the space thing at the library?” As John began eagerly explaining in great detail the highlights of the interactive exhibition, Virgil met Scott’s expression of curiosity with his best nothing-to-see-here shrug. He knew the innocent look he tried to project wouldn’t be enough to prevent Scott from seeing straight through the change of subject. Scott’s sapphire-blue eyes had the ability to cut like diamonds, and right at that moment Virgil felt the full weight of their scrutiny. He tried to give a reassuring smile and turn his attention to John’s increasingly fast-paced account of the space exhibit. “Actually, that sounds pretty cool,” Gordon said with an air of surprise and a warm smile at the conclusion of John’s animated description. He drained the dregs of his glass of juice and turned to Virgil. “I’m gonna go upstairs and change clothes.” “I’ll be up in a minute,” Virgil replied. Gordon left the room at a trot and bounded up the stairs. Scott and John were both back to studying Virgil intently. “What?” “Why’s Gordon so attached to you all of a sudden?” Scott asked. “He’s practically asking you for permission to leave the room.” Virgil’s gaze flicked between the blue and the turquoise, and he resisted the urge to squirm. “I don’t know. I guess we just had kind of a good day.” It was the only thing Virgil could think of to say. “You two spent the whole day together and you’re not sick of the sight of each other?” It was John’s turn to question the lack of frustrated bickering that would normally have surfaced between them. Virgil just shrugged, finished his own glass of juice, and picked up his backpack. “I’m gonna go put this stuff away.” He left the room, deliberately not hurrying but desperate to escape from the interrogation he felt was coming. As soon as he reached the top of the stairs, Gordon’s bedroom door opened. He was wearing his clownfish pyjamas, and Virgil couldn’t help but grin. “Virgil?” Gordon packed so much uncertainty into just his name Virgil was a little concerned at what might be coming. “Do you think maybe . . . I mean could we, maybe . . . Do you wanna build a blanket fort with me?” “Actually, I think that’s a pretty great idea.” When Lucy arrived home, wrangling a grizzly Alan who had missed his afternoon nap, and exhausted from a rather frustrating day full of unnecessary delays at every stop, she found Scott and John in the kitchen getting dinner started. Neither had seen the other two boys in a while, so she settled Alan in the living room with his favourite cartoon and headed upstairs to investigate. She found them in Gordon’s and Alan’s room. At least, she found evidence that this was where they had been for some time. Half of the room was obscured by a complex construction created out of pillows, blankets, and assorted bed linen supported by various pieces of furniture and some rather ingeniously rigged clothesline string. “Well, look at you two in here together, thick as thieves!” Lucy said as her head emerged from between two blankets that served as the entrance. “Hi, Mom! We’re building a blanket fort!” Gordon explained excitedly. Virgil rolled his eyes. “She can see that, doofus.” “And it is quite an impressive feat of engineering.” She winked and smiled. “What did you boys get up to on your walk today? Lots of exciting adventures, no doubt.” A look passed between the two. “Nothing,” Gordon blurted out, just as Virgil spoke. “Not much.” Virgil added a shrug and a somewhat apologetic expression. “Just . . . boy stuff.” “Yeah, Mom. Boy stuff,” Gordon repeated emphatically. “We can’t tell you because you’re a girl.” Lucy’s head tilted slightly, an eyebrow raised, and the corners of her mouth and eyes began a slow upward quirk into a smile. She wondered what they were up to, but she was happy the two of them were getting along well. “Hmm. Does this boy stuff include any drawings I’m allowed to see?” If they wouldn’t tell her where they’d been, perhaps she could discern something from Virgil’s sketches. “Can I show you later? Tomorrow maybe?” Virgil squirmed a little under the inquisitive gaze of those soft, honey-coloured eyes. Usually he loved sharing his artworks with Mom. She always praised the bits she thought he’d done well and knew exactly how to suggest little improvements without making it seem like he’d made mistakes. Sometimes it felt like she saw more in his drawings than what he’d put in them. “Okay,” she said, changing tack. “Are you two coming out of there to join the rest of us for dinner?” Another look between the brothers. The plot thickening before her eyes. “Can we come back in here after dinner?” Gordon asked. “Could we, maybe, both sleep in here for tonight?” Virgil followed up quickly. Lucy studied the faces of her two brown-eyed boys. These two were not regular partners in shenanigans. There was something going on here that she was not quite sure she understood just yet, but there didn’t seem to be any harm in what they were asking. “I don’t see why not,” she answered, and was rewarded with two beaming smiles. “Go wash up and you can set the table while I help your brothers finish up in the kitchen.” Dinner for the most part was about as chaotic as usual. Alan was still irritable and played with more of his food than he ate, making a mess of himself and the table in front of him in the process. Scott and John both gave lengthy answers to their mom’s enquiries about how they had spent the day. There were all the usual arguments over who would get the last helpings of this or that as plates and dishes were rapidly emptied, their contents hungrily devoured. Virgil and Gordon managed to talk about the more innocent parts of their day, clinging to descriptions of what plants were flowering, the types of birds they saw, the spiders and beetles and butterflies, rather than any specific mention of the lake. As the scrape of knives and forks on plates finally died down, Lucy began clearing serving dishes off the table. “How about tomorrow we all have a day at the pool?” Standing behind her water-baby as she spoke, she gave his hair a ruffle. John and Scott were both quick to answer with excited affirmatives, Alan enthusiastically exclaimed “Swim!”, but she didn’t see the panicked look that flashed across Gordon’s face as he looked across the table at Virgil. “That sounds great, Mom,” was Virgil’s reply as he kept his eyes firmly on Gordon, trying to relay a sense of calm reassurance that he didn’t really feel. If anyone noticed Gordon’s lack of enthusiasm at the suggestion, no one made mention of it. Perhaps his reaction was lost in the flurry of activity as the table was cleared and Alan was escorted upstairs for his bath. Virgil did notice an odd expression cross Scott’s face as he watched Gordon begin loading dirty cutlery into the dishwasher, but he said nothing before leaving the kitchen. John and Scott had helped cook dinner, so Virgil and Gordon were left to load the dishwasher and tidy the kitchen. “Gordon?” Virgil caught his little brother’s attention with a gentle flick of a tea towel, and a sullen expression was his reply. “Don’t you want to go to the pool tomorrow?” Gordon shrugged. Virgil kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to hear the conversation. “You always get excited about going to the pool. You’ve been begging Mom to take us every day for the entire summer. People will ask questions if you suddenly don’t want to go.” The look in Gordon’s eyes was a complicated mixture of fear, sadness, and uncertainty that had Virgil once again wanting to do anything he could to take away the pain. He was about to say something more when he heard John’s voice carry through from the living room and thought better of it. The discussion wasn’t over, but it would have to wait. The rest of their kitchen duty was completed in awkward silence. Chores done, they headed upstairs, back to their blanket fort. They had barely begun to settle into the pile of pillows and cushions when a small hand, followed by a headful of slightly damp blond hair, poked through from beneath a blanket wall. Bright blue eyes sparkled as a giggle escaped through a cheeky grin. “Peek-a-boo!” Alan exclaimed and wriggled his way into the enclosure. “Alan!?” Lucy parted the fort’s entrance with her arms so the blankets draped like a stage curtain. As her eyes came to rest on her littlest, a wave of relief was reflected in her fond smile. “Say good night to your brothers and I’ll read you a story.” Liberal good-night cuddles were dished out to both big brothers before Lucy ushered Alan out so she could bundle him into bed. “You two – shower or bath, teeth brushing – go!” she instructed. By the time Virgil and Gordon had washed and brushed and were attired for bed (again in Gordon’s case), Alan was asleep, the bedroom was illuminated only by Alan’s star projecting night light, and their mom was holding her finger up to her lips. “Shh. Try not to wake your little brother,” she whispered. She gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t stay up all night!” Virgil and Gordon were soon alone and comfortably secure in their plush fortress. Their flashlights had been propped between pillows and furniture so they provided a soft glow amid the cosy gloom. “Talk to me, Fish,” Virgil said softly. “You’ve been so quiet since dinner. Are you feeling okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” Gordon’s slumped posture added to Virgil’s impression that his brother looked pretty miserable. “It’s just . . .” A huge sigh escaped his tiny frame. “You’re worried about tomorrow?” Virgil finished for him. “Do you think I could tell Mom I have to do some reading for school or something?” Virgil’s eyes widened and his heart dropped into his stomach. His little brother might not be physically sick or injured, but he was not okay. “You know that’s not gonna work, Gordon. You’ve been pestering her all summer to take you to the pool. If you suddenly don’t want to go, she’s going to be super suspicious. And nobody will believe that you would ditch the pool in favour of schoolwork. Especially in summer!” “I know.” Another sigh. A long silence. “It’s just, when Mom said we’d all go to the pool tomorrow I . . . Normally I’d be really excited, but this time I kind of got scared.” “What are you scared of?” Gordon thought Virgil’s question was a pretty stupid one considering what had happened at the lake, and his scowling glare communicated as much. “I mean, what exactly scares you about going to the pool? Are you afraid you might get into trouble like you did in the lake?” Gordon’s expression turned more quizzical as he considered what Virgil was trying to say. “Because the pool is going to be very different from the lake. The water is clear. You can always see the bottom. The temperature is controlled and kept fairly warm. There’s a lifeguard on duty all the time keeping everyone safe, and we’ll all be there with you. You won’t be on your own, far from shore.” “I guess.” “Gordon, you love the water. You always have, even when you were tiny. You’re always happiest when you’re in the water – even if it’s just the bath or splashing in puddles.” “Not anymore.” “You have to get back on the horse,” Virgil said absently, almost to himself. “What? What horse? What does that have to do with the pool?” “It’s a figure of speech. Something Grandpa says. If you fall off the horse, you’ve gotta get right back on. You can’t let one bad experience make you scared forever, and the sooner you get back up on the horse after falling, the easier it is to ride again.” Gordon looked uncertain. “So, you’re saying that I have to go to the pool tomorrow and get back in the water or else I might be scared of swimming forever?” “I’m saying you have to go to the pool tomorrow because swimming makes you happy. You’re good at it, and you can’t let today stop you from doing something that makes you light up like Fourth of July fireworks and grin like the Cheshire Cat.” There was another long silence. Gordon scooted a little closer to his big brother and rested his head against Virgil’s shoulder. “Will you stay with me tomorrow? At the pool?” Virgil wriggled his arm under his brother and tugged him closer. “For as long as you need me to,” he affirmed. “We’ll start off in the shallow end. Mess around for a while, just getting wet, splashing about. Pretty soon you’ll be swimming like a fish and I won’t be able to keep up. But I promise I’ll stay close and watch out for you, okay?” “Okay.” Despite how tired he sounded, there was a brightness to Gordon’s voice that caused a wave of relief to sweep over Virgil. The day’s exploits had exhausted the two boys. Their little nest was cosy and warm, and the close contact between them helped relax them both as they quickly drifted off to sleep. But Virgil’s usually sound sleep was disturbed by unpleasant dreams. Twice he woke suddenly, heart pounding and breathing hard, certain that something terrible had happened and with an unshakable need to check on Gordon, only to find him safely asleep beside him. He lay awake after each nightmare, watching the even rise and fall of his brother’s chest, noticing every little twitch and murmur made as he slept. He had a feeling it would be a while before he could completely shake these nightmares, but it was comforting to think that Gordon had been spared the same kind of disruption through the night.

*** Morning dawned bright and warm, and despite the duvet cover preventing much sunlight penetrating the sanctuary of the fort, Gordon was awake with the dawn chorus. He tried to let his brother sleep, happy to listen to the soft snores and try not to giggle, but he quickly became impatient. Virgil woke to gentle but insistent poking to the ribs and the repeated whispering of his name. When he peeled his eyes open, he was greeted with brown eyes mere inches in front of his own and a beaming smile. “We’re going to the pool today, Virgil,” Gordon whispered with a hint of excitement. “You have to get up.” “Okay, okay,” Virgil managed to somewhat grunt as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. Then he registered the expression on his little brother’s face, the gleam in the eyes and the fact that the smile still hadn’t faltered, and a smile of his own spread from the depths of his heart and across his face. The mixture of nerves and eagerness thrumming through Gordon all morning was enough to give the rest of the family the impression he was full of barely contained excitement fitting for the day of a visit to the pool. He repeatedly asked when they would be leaving and was repeatedly told they would head out after lunch. He offered to pack everyone’s towels and Alan’s floaties into a bag ready for later, and he fidgeted and bounced his way through to lunchtime. After lunch, as promised, Lucy piled all the boys into the family car and drove them to the public pool. She paid their admission, and they all tumbled through the turnstile. As usual, Scott, who had never grown out of wanting to go everywhere at top speed, and Gordon raced away to find them a spot on the grass where bags and towels could be unceremoniously dumped before they hit the water. By the time Virgil and John joined them, T-shirts had already been discarded and comments about the fate of the last person into the water were being bandied about. When Lucy was finally able to set down her load of Alan and the bagful of necessities required for their day out, her four oldest boys were already racing towards the Olympic-sized pool. Scott first, John not far behind, and Gordon practically dragging Virgil by the hand.

Lucy kept an eye on her boys happily splashing about with each other in the shallow end of the pool while she got herself and Alan stripped down to their bathing suits and slid Alan’s floaties on over his head and arms. They had started a game of Chicken Fight by the time she slid herself into the water and lifted Alan down into her arms. John, sitting on Scott’s shoulders and Gordon atop Virgil’s, were locked in grappling combat. Scott and John had the advantage of both height and reach, and it was not long before Gordon toppled into the water. A rematch produced the same result in short order, and Gordon exacted revenge by distracting Scott with an underwater pantsing, causing him to break his hold on John, who overbalanced and slid from Scott’s shoulders into the pool. Lucy and Alan laughed along with the others as Scott protested foul play. Handstand competitions and a game of Freeze Tag followed. Lucy took Alan to the toddler pool where he could splash about more freely, instructing the older boys to behave and try not to bother other pool users too much while she was gone. Virgil was pleased to see that, just as he’d predicted, Gordon was happily swimming rings around them all as they played. He’d stuck close to Virgil at first, but after the Chicken Fights, he was swimming farther and faster in his efforts to escape being tagged and spending longer underwater with every passing minute. It seemed he had slipped right back into his home environment without any lasting dramas. As the afternoon shadows grew long, one by one Lucy’s boys returned to their spot on the grass. She and Alan had grown tired of the water first, and Alan had even had a short sleep amongst the pile of towels as they waited for the others to tire themselves out. Scott was first of the older boys to tire of swimming and return to towel off and dress in dry clothes, with John quick to follow. Lucy was a little surprised at how long Virgil lasted in the water until she spotted him sitting on the edge of the pool with just his feet and lower legs in the water watching Gordon as he shot back and forth across the free-play area, dodging strangers. She gave a shrill two-finger whistle. Virgil, recognising the signal, turned his head to look back at her, and she beckoned with her hand to indicate it was time to go. It seemed to take a while to convince Gordon to get out of the pool, but Lucy was not surprised. The car ride home was a fairly quiet one, the boys having spent a great deal of energy over the course of the afternoon. They brightened at the suggestion of ordering pizza for dinner when they got home, and there was a brief buzz of conversation when she mentioned their father would be home by the weekend. He had only been away for two weeks, but the older boys had never really grown out of getting excited by his return. This latest trip wasn’t as far away as Mars or even the moon, but the prospect of having Dad home again still triggered that same feeling of welcoming someone who had been long absent. He may not visit space for work any longer, and his absences could be measured in days instead of months or years, but it was always great to have him home again. “He already has big plans for this year’s Last Day of Summer,” Lucy mentioned with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “It’s only ten days away now!” While Scott and John speculated on what their dad might have in store for the annual family day at the lake on the last weekend before they went back to school, Virgil felt a small hand slip inside his and squeeze. He looked to his left at Gordon staring silently out the car window and gave a slight hand squeeze of his own in reply. While today had helped, it was obvious his little brother was still harbouring some fear of returning to the lake. There was no chance for Virgil to talk one-on-one with Gordon when they got home from the pool. As was fairly normal in the Tracy household, there always seemed to be someone else around or something that needed doing, and before he knew it, Gordon was already tucked in bed and reading a bedtime story with Mom. Virgil took a little longer than normal in the shower, needing the time alone with his thoughts. If Gordon acted anything less than excited about going to the lake for Last Day of Summer, it wouldn’t be long before their little secret would come to light. He had to find a way to get Gordon’s confidence back, but he was starting to wonder if he could manage on his own. With something like this, he would normally talk things out with Scott. It felt wrong to be hiding something from him and even more wrong to be hiding things from Mom. He was beginning to wonder whether he should just let the cat out of the bag and tell the truth, but he really didn’t want to let his little brother down either. Unable to face revealing how close he’d come to letting his brother drown, Virgil ended up avoiding any chance of conversation for the evening and shut himself away in his room until it was time for bed. John was in and out of the shared bedroom as he began preparing to turn in for the night, but it was not unusual for the two of them to quietly do their own thing without really exchanging words. When Lucy popped her head inside the door to check on her two quietest boys and say good night, Virgil tried his best to act like everything was normal. Her gaze fell heavily on him for a moment, and he had to fight the urge to tell her everything about the day at the lake and ask her advice. “Don’t stay up too late, boys,” she playfully warned them. “Lights out by 9:30 please, Virgil, and John, no more stargazing after lights out!” “Okay, Mom,” they both answered automatically and in chorus. “Good night.” It took a while for Virgil to fall asleep that night, mind whirling with the thought of his little brother being afraid of something that had always been a source of such joy. There had to be a way to fix it – every problem had a solution, you just had to find it, that’s what Dad would say. As tired as he was, his mind kept trying to focus on finding that solution before drifting away into a sleepy fog. Gordon didn’t know exactly what time it was, but he knew it was very late. The house was quiet. The room wasn’t dark – Alan’s night-light saw to that – but he couldn’t hear any voices, any indication of anyone moving around downstairs or in the bathrooms and bedrooms. Everyone must be asleep. He had startled awake, sitting bolt upright, breathless, heart pounding, eyes prickling with oncoming tears and really wishing he wasn’t so alone. He’d been dreaming about the lake, and now he didn’t want to go back to sleep. Slipping silently from his bed, he tiptoed across the floor, careful not to disturb Alan, and crept out into the hall. He hesitated for a moment. Normally he would head for his parents’ room, but Mom would ask what the dream was about, and he didn’t want to tell her about swimming in the lake. He didn’t want to get in trouble – or get Virgil into trouble. Gordon changed direction and headed for Virgil’s and John’s room. Being very careful to open the door without a sound and close it just as silently behind him, Gordon stood in the pitch-dark bedroom for a moment and let his eyes adjust. He couldn’t understand why his bigger brothers liked it so dark, he found it a bit creepy, but he couldn’t turn on the light and risk waking John. It wasn’t long before he could make out the shape of Virgil’s bed amongst the gloom, and he stealthily padded across the carpet to stand beside his sleeping brother. Now that he was here, he wasn’t really sure how to wake him or whether he should. He stood twisting the fingers of both hands around each other, close to tears again. “Virgil?” he whispered, barely above a breath. No response. “Virge?” This time a little louder, a little more desperate, a little more whiney and accompanied by a sniff. He tried tapping Virgil’s shoulder a few times, but his brother didn’t budge from where he lay curled on his side, facing the wall. In the end, not knowing what else to do, Gordon climbed across the bottom of the bed and squeezed his way past Virgil’s knees, wriggled himself under the covers and Virgil’s arm, and curled himself into the space between his brother and the wall. It was around three a.m. when Virgil woke to find he wasn’t alone in the bed. He didn’t know how or when Gordon had come to be there, but he could hear him softly whimpering and feel him shaking with the occasional sob. “Gordon,” he whispered softly, “are you okay?” He tugged his brother a little tighter to him, feeling him struggle to get the sobbing under control and even out his breathing. “Had a bad dream,” came the ever-so-quiet response. Virgil eased his grip and shuffled over on the bed, allowing Gordon to roll over and face him, but he kept his hand resting against his brother’s back. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and the quiet darkness seemed both comforting and ominous at the same time. Gordon heaved a deep breath in and let it out in a sigh before breaking the silence. He kept his voice low, but once he started, the words tumbled out in a torrent. “I can’t go back to the lake for Last Day of Summer, Virgil. I don’t want to go back in the water and everyone will know that’s not normal and want to know why and I don’t want them to know what I did and –” “Shh,” Virgil soothed, rubbing Gordon’s back as he spoke. “We’ll work something out together. I promise.” “You mean so we don’t have to go?” “No, I mean so you won’t be afraid anymore. We have to go. It’s tradition. And I think we both have to go back to the lake and confront our fears.” “You’re scared too? Wait, what are you scared of?” It was Virgil’s turn to let out a sigh. “Gordon, as annoying as you sometimes are, you are my little brother, and if anything happened to you – anything really bad, I mean – I’d be . . .” Another sigh. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. And I guess I’m scared of what might have happened. I keep having bad dreams where I couldn’t save you.” Gordon was suddenly wrapped around him like an octopus, his skinny little arms squeezing tight around Virgil like he was never going to let go and legs twining their way between bedding and body to latch on too. Despite feeling a little bit trapped within the many-limbed embrace, Virgil felt oddly comforted by it. “You don’t have to hold so tight, little octopus. I’m not going anywhere,” Virgil whispered into blond hair. “I’m not an octopus,” came the muffled reply, buried somewhere in Virgil’s neck, “I’m a squid.” “Okay then, Squid. How about we try and get some sleep and work this out tomorrow?” Gordon’s hold on his brother relaxed enough for them both to get a little more comfortable in the bed, but it was clear he wasn’t letting go. Virgil managed to get one arm disentangled enough to trace his hand back and forth across Gordon’s back, helping to lull him to sleep. Slumber quickly claimed the older brother soon after.

*** Morning crept up on them, dawning overcast and gloomy, despite being summer warm. As a result, Gordon slept later than he normally would and was woken by John’s quiet movements as he rolled out of the bed on the other side of the room and shuffled towards the bathroom. If John noticed the interloper in Virgil’s bed, he didn’t say anything, so Gordon took the opportunity to unceremoniously climb over his brother and hightail it back to his own room. Virgil woke with a start after yet another nightmare. Sitting up and trying to reacquaint himself with reality, he realised Gordon was no longer with him, and his heart rate ratcheted up a few more notches in brief panic. Catching sight of the clock and taking a few slow, deep breaths, Virgil managed to convince himself that everything was fine, Gordon had obviously just woken up earlier and was more than likely perfectly okay. But he needed to check. He tumbled out of bed and, after a brief detour to the bathroom, stumbled his way down the corridor in search of Gordon. Finding the tiny two’s bedroom deserted, he headed downstairs and found his target in the living room. Virgil stood in the doorway watching Gordon playing with Alan for a few minutes. Seeing his goofball brother being his normal, animated self and hearing the shrieks and giggles his antics prompted from Alan were enough to reassure him that yes, Gordon was just fine. Sometime after Virgil had found himself some breakfast and begun to consider himself properly awake, John found him sitting at the piano, absently staring out the window. John didn’t recall hearing Virgil play any practice exercises, and Virgil’s brow was furrowed in deep concentration, so John concluded that he was there more for the familiarity than the urge to play music. He did this sometimes – sat there just thinking, wheels turning, gears shifting, working something out in his head – and John always found it interesting to watch the thought process play out through Virgil’s expressions. But the expression wasn’t changing. “Virgil?” John prompted with some concern. “You okay?” With a jolt, Virgil tore his eyes away from the view he wasn’t really seeing out the window and focussed them on John. “Yeah.” Virgil sighed. “I just have something I need to do, something that needs fixing, and I don’t know how to do it.” “Look it up,” John answered with a shrug. “That’s what I’d do. There’s probably a book about it somewhere or a repair manual or instructional video. If I want to know how something works or how to do something, I start with research.” With that, John walked away, leaving Virgil to ponder how to research fixing a fear of swimming in a lake. And then it hit him. Research was the answer, he just had to look up the right thing – not how to fix the fear, but all the things there were to be afraid of. The more information you know about the thing you’re afraid of, the less scary it becomes. So, all he had to do was look up everything that could cause someone to get into trouble swimming in a lake – and maybe rivers, streams, and oceans too – and learn everything about them. If he knew how to spot the dangers or how to prevent them and how to get out of trouble, then maybe Gordon wouldn’t be afraid anymore. Virgil set off at a run to go and find Gordon. At first, Gordon wasn’t sure about this idea of Virgil’s. Sitting in front of a holoscreen looking up information sounded a lot like homework. But Virgil was insistent that they at least give it a try. After all, it couldn’t hurt to know more about different waterways. “Okay, so where do we start?” Gordon asked as they settled themselves at the big desk in the corner of the living room. “Well, what scares you most when you think about going swimming in the lake?” “Getting another cramp.” Gordon’s reply was quiet, and suddenly Virgil hated himself for making his little brother revisit that moment when everything had gone wrong. He put his hand on Gordon’s shoulder and offered a reassuring squeeze. “Then let’s start there. We can find out what causes cramps when you swim and learn how to prevent them or how to manage them.” Virgil found a great deal of information on muscle cramps related to swimmers, which he quickly became quite absorbed in. He had to remind himself to stick to the sites with simple wording and steer clear of the ones that crossed too far into medical jargon territory. The boys learned the importance of warming up before swimming, being careful not to overexert the muscles, and staying hydrated. They also found that cold water could increase the chance of cramping. Virgil physically shivered at the memory of plunging his arm into deceptively cold water to grab at one of the only parts of his little brother he could still see. They researched swimming in cold water, what caused cold spots in lakes and rivers and whether you could spot them, and ways you could avoid them or deal with them. They learned about different types of currents – ones you could see, and ones you wouldn’t know about until you felt them. Submerged objects, reeds and seaweed, rocks and tree roots . . . “What are you guys doing?” Scott startled them so badly Virgil jumped and Gordon squeaked. “Researching water safety.” Virgil decided honesty was the best way to go . . . to a point. “It’s for Rescue Scouts.” “But we don’t go back to Rescue Scouts until a week after school goes back.” Scott eyed both brothers suspiciously. “We know, but there’s no harm in getting in early, and Gordon really wants his Water Safety badge.” Virgil had to resist the urge to squirm under the scrutiny of his big brother’s gaze as Scott remained silent for what seemed like a whole minute. “Well, it’s time for lunch,” Scott finally said before turning his back on them and heading for the kitchen. Gordon grinned up at Virgil, who huffed out a long exhale in relief. He didn’t think Scott completely believed the Rescue Scout story, but it seemed as though they would be able to continue their research unquestioned. In fact, no one questioned the time these two spent together in snatches of an hour or two here and there over a couple of days, continuing to search out information on the best ways to stay safe in just about any body of water. Gordon had even made a scrapbook of notes and pictures so he could keep track of all the things they’d learned. Excuses aside, when Rescue Scouts resumed after the summer break, Gordon would already be well on his way to earning his Water Safety badge in earnest. As promised, Jeff was back home by the time the boys awoke on Saturday morning, and he began dropping hints about his plans for the best Last Day of Summer yet. It was to be bigger and better than ever before because, for the first time since they began making the end-of-summer vacation a celebration, it coincided with Virgil’s birthday. The first hints encouraged the boys to check their tents and sleeping bags. It wouldn’t just be a day out with a picnic lunch this year, it would be an overnight campout. There was a promise of campfire tales and s’mores and a special surprise that required the night sky as a backdrop. There were hints about guests that prompted a whole day of guessing who might be joining them at the lake. Grandma and Grandpa were the first confirmed additions to the guest list, along with “Uncle” Lee and a mysterious extra guest from England and his daughter, who was apparently around Virgil’s and John’s age. Amidst all the building excitement about the big event at the end of the week, signs of Gordon’s nervousness about returning to the lake were easily missed by the rest of the family. Only Virgil saw the signs – the slight frown at Scott’s mention that they’d all need to remember to bring their swimmers and towels, the look of horror at John wondering if he’d see more stars if he rowed out into the lake after dark. Virgil decided he’d have to take Gordon back to the lake before the weekend. They needed to return to the scene of the crime. Gordon, having come to much the same conclusion in his own way, approached Virgil after breakfast on the Wednesday. The day was clear and bright, much like it had been on the morning of that fateful day little more than a week before. It seemed like a good day to go back and face the monster that the lake had become. “Virgil,” Gordon said quietly, despite there being no one else in the living room at the time, “can we go back to the lake today? Can you take me?” “Today seems like a good day to me,” Virgil answered with a gentle smile. “We’ll have to tell Dad we’re going out for most of the day.” Now that Jeff was back from his trip and working from the home office, Lucy was spending more time at work. The boys were expected to look after each other and only interrupt their father if it was important, but Jeff would check up on them all throughout the day. “Do we have to say where we’re going?” Gordon twined his fingertips around each other, raising his eyes to meet Virgil’s from a head trying to look down at the floor. “We’ll tell him we’re going back to the place we visited last week to finish the drawing,” Virgil suggested. “It’s not exactly a lie. We are going back to the same place.” The knock on Jeff’s office door was tentative but loud enough that he heard it over the voice of the colleague on the other end of the video call. He muted his audio to tell his visitor to wait a moment before unmuting and bringing the phone conversation to a conclusion. “Come in,” he finally called towards the closed door. He was a little surprised by the request for this particular pair to spend a day out together on their own, but he remembered Lucy mentioning something about these two having been out on the top track the week before. He gave them permission to go provided they tell Scott and John where they were going and promise to be back by five. “Take something to eat and plenty of water, Virgil,” he reminded the older boy, “and look after your brother.” “I will, Dad.” Virgil gave a solemn nod, and the two boys slipped back out of the office, closing the door behind them. Bag packed with sandwiches and water bottles, art supplies for the sake of appearances, and towels, the boys were soon striding out across the paddock towards the top track. This time there were no lingering looks at the scenery as they walked – the birds, spiders, and bugs were largely ignored. Unlike the last time they had set out together, Virgil had no desire to hurry, and he let his younger brother set the pace. He noted with a small amount of pride the purposeful strides, the determination in the set of squared shoulders, and the fire in amber eyes as Gordon focused his energy on reaching their destination so he could do what needed to be done. Gordon’s determined march stuttered to a somewhat abrupt halt when they rounded the last curve and stepped onto the silty sand of the lake’s beach. With his eyes fixed on the water, shoulders drooping, it seemed Gordon’s fire had died. Without a word, Virgil placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder, the simple gesture having the desired effect – lending the younger boy enough resolve to steel himself once again, lengthen his spine, and straighten his shoulders. Virgil steered them over to a patch of sand where he could spread out a towel for them to sit on. Shoes were shed in preparation for the inevitable trip to the water’s edge, but the boys remained seated. “What do you see out there?” Virgil asked. “It’s the same. Calm. Flat. But it’s different from last time too.” Virgil waited for a moment before trying again, wanting Gordon to see past the feeling of fear. “Remember what we learned about studying the ripples?” he prompted. “Is it really flat and calm?” There was silence as Gordon’s gaze focused intently on the expanse of blue stretching before them. The embers of the fire that had previously lit his eyes seemed to ignite anew as he studied the surface, looking for telltale signs. “There are reeds just under the surface over there,” he said, pointing a little to their left, “and the ripples over here are different to that bit farther out where it looks really smooth.” Virgil could see Gordon’s confidence growing as he gestured to various parts of the lake, telling his big brother what the differences in the rippled and smooth areas were likely to mean in terms of what was going on beneath the surface. Pretty soon they were on their feet and striding into the shallows to test the waters. Gordon entered the water at a slow walk, which Virgil thought was through caution or trepidation at first, but then Gordon gently trailed fingertips through the reeds and beckoned his big brother over. “Virgil, come look,” he called, looking up at him with a grin. “There are fish that feed in the reeds.” The next half hour was spent following Gordon through the shallows exploring the aquatic life found therein. As the younger boy got more caught up in watching the fish, finding different types of reeds, discovering eels, and excitedly pondering all manner of life in the depths of the lake, they wandered deeper into the water. Virgil followed and listened, answering questions as best he could when asked, smiling fondly all the while. The Squid was in his element. “Hey Gordon,” Virgil said as he playfully splashed a well-aimed hand scoop of water into the side of his little brother’s head. “You realise you’re getting your shirt wet, right?” Gordon looked down at the water that was now up to the middle of his chest and back up at his brother with a grin. “Oops.” They briefly returned to the little beach, shed their shirts, and laid them down in the sun to dry. “You know, when we come back this weekend, we’ll mostly be swimming out here where we just were.” Virgil nodded his head back towards the little patch of lake they’d just explored. “We could go a little deeper, actually lift our feet off the bottom and swim for a while. This is the only part of the lake any of us have ever really swum in before.” Gordon’s eyes sparkled with light reflecting off the water as he pondered Virgil’s words for a moment. Mom and Dad had always suggested the boys shouldn’t swim out past where they could touch the bottom and definitely never past the end of the wooden pier. Looking at the pier and the dinghy tied securely to its mooring drew his eye to the rock island beyond, tantalisingly close, yet so terrifyingly far. Virgil watched his squid brother scanning the water, casting his gaze over the safe and familiar. He saw the moment the line was crossed and thoughts turned to the challenge just that little farther afield. Once again, he placed a hand on Gordon’s shoulder, hoping to redirect his thoughts. “Why don’t we just go back in, swim around for a while, have some fun where we know it’s safe?” “Yeah, okay,” Gordon agreed, a little half-heartedly. Virgil took his brother by the hand, and by the time they’d taken two steps, they were running towards the water. He only let go once they were in deep enough that a tug of the hand lifted Gordon’s feet off the bottom and propelled him a short distance through the water. He received a splash to the face for his efforts, but his little brother was smiling and treading water. In no time at all, Gordon was literally swimming rings around his big brother, splashing at him and darting away, taunting him, daring him to swim after him. It was hunger that drove them out of the water and back onto the dry sand sometime later. PB&J sandwiches were retrieved from the backpack and devoured. The late summer sun warmed their shoulders as they sat in content silence, listening to the lapping of the water and the cries of the birds. Virgil would have been happy to remain there soaking it all in, but Gordon soon became restless, his gaze drifting back to where water birds were drying their outstretched wings. “Virgil, I wanna swim to the rock.” The fire was back in Gordon’s eyes. Virgil studied him for a moment, seeing that same determination that had driven the march to the lake. He wasn’t asking for permission, he was making a statement. It was what he’d come here to do – the demon he needed to conquer. Virgil wasn’t feeling anywhere near as courageous as his little brother looked at that moment. “Gordon . . .” “I need to do it, Virgil.” He turned his head, those glowing embers burning straight into his big brother’s wide brown eyes. “But I need you.” “I can’t . . .” “Use the boat. I’ll swim, you row. If I get into trouble, you’ll be right there.” Virgil had to look away. The intensity in those eyes, the body language, the strength of will in his little brother were too much. But it was the faith Gordon was placing in him that was twisting his gut. He caught sight of the rock island, out there beyond the boat docked at the pier. He was suddenly very aware of his own heartbeat thumping just a little too hard and a little too fast. Gordon needed this – needed him to do this with him. He couldn’t let the Squid down. “Okay,” he agreed with a sigh. He had expected a look of triumph, a smile, a victory dance . . . something. Anything but the simple nod and determined knitting of Gordon’s brow that he received in reply. The younger boy then grabbed his water bottle and took a long draught. “Staying hydrated helps stop you getting cramps, right?” Gordon asked. Virgil nodded. “And I should do some warmup stretches before I swim out there.” “Right again.” Virgil was gladdened by the amount of thought and preparation Gordon was putting into the task ahead of him this time. “And you’ll stay close in the boat?” There it was, the uncertainty just below that confident façade. “Right beside you all the way, little brother.” Virgil tried to school his expression into one of reassurance, but he wasn’t sure he managed it. They made their way across the sand and onto the wooden planks of the pier, then stood studying the expanse of water for a moment, watching the ripples and trying to read currents. Looking for dangers. At last Virgil could put it off no longer. Gordon was warmed up and ready to go, they had assessed the risks and had plans in mind for just about any eventuality. It was time to untie the boat and take up the oars. Sitting in the gently rocking dinghy, Virgil had to take a moment to close his eyes and concentrate on a few deep breaths to quell the hammering in his ribcage before looking back up at Gordon and giving a nod. He was as ready as he’d ever be. This time when Gordon dived in, he began his swim with a measured pace rather than a burst of speed that he wouldn’t be able to maintain. Virgil didn’t have to work too hard on the oar strokes to keep up with him. Not far out there was a brief moment of panic when Gordon suddenly stopped his forward momentum and started treading water. An odd expression furrowed his brow, then he ducked his head under the water. Dropping the oars and preparing to make a grab for his brother, Virgil was sure his heart stopped beating altogether for a second before the blond head re-emerged above the surface. Seeing the panic in his big brother’s eyes, Gordon grinned and held up the weed he’d just untangled from his leg. “It’s okay, Virge, no cramps, just waterweed.” And with that, he resumed his swim with a flurry of swift kicks and smooth strokes. By the time Virgil could regather the oars – and his wits – his little brother was ten meters ahead of him. It took only a few strong pulls on the oars to catch up again, but Virgil knew his pulse rate was not going to climb down out of the stratosphere until they were both on dry land. It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few minutes before Gordon was able to lay his hands on the slippery surface of the rock. Finding a decent hold, he clambered up far enough to sit on a crag, feet still in the water, triumphant grin lighting up his features, water droplets catching the sunlight, causing his hair and skin to glisten as he caught his breath. “I knew I could do it!” he panted as Virgil drew the dinghy close beside him. “I never doubted you, Squiddo,” Virgil agreed, practically beaming with pride at his brother’s achievement. “Now, are you gonna swim back? Or do you want a lift?” Gordon’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t really thought about the return trip. Virgil chuckled. “Um, I think maybe I’ll just come back with you in the boat.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, dragging it back from where it was dripping into his eyes. “No problem, Fish. You’ve proved enough for one day.” With a bit of manoeuvring, jostling, and boat rocking, Gordon was able to climb into the dinghy and settle himself into the seat at the prow. To him, the journey back to the dock seemed to take no time at all. Virgil’s strong, steady strokes with the oars propelled them quickly and smoothly through the water as though it took no effort at all. He jumped out of the boat and onto the pier before Virgil had even finished drawing the oars into the boat, then waited for Virgil to climb out and secure the mooring. “Virgil?” It was all the warning the older boy got as he turned to face his little brother, who closed the space between them at a run and launched himself into what became a squid hug, arms and legs tightly wrapped around Virgil’s torso. It took Virgil a couple of backward steps before he could steady himself under the sudden additional weight. “Thank you. You are the best big brother.” Virgil returned the embrace, allowing a chuckle to escape as he rested his head against damp hair. “You are a pretty amazing little brother, Squid.”

*** The Last Day of Summer celebration, and Virgil’s twelfth birthday turned out to be a fantastic, fun-filled event for all involved. Nothing could hold Gordon back from spending as much time as possible in the water, and so no one knew there had ever been a problem. The nightmares had run their course too. Summer vacation came to an end, and with the start of the school term, life returned to normal. A few weeks later a chance meeting at school pickup resulted in a few puzzle pieces slotting into place for Lucy. Gordon’s class teacher spotted Lucy waiting in the Kiss & Drop zone and made a passing comment about his wonderful piece of creative writing for the obligatory “What I Did Over Summer” assignment. When they got home, with the boys all occupied with snacks or homework and various afterschool activities, Lucy dug out Gordon’s writing workbook and found the story in question titled “My Summer Vacation,” with a large A+ written in red at the top of the page. My Summer Vacation I did lots of things in summer with my big brothers and we had lots of fun but there was one scary day. I went swimming in the lake when I wasn’t supposed to and I nearly drowned but my brother was there and he saved me. After that I was scared to go swimming, but he told me it would make him sad if I didn’t swim anymore because he says swimming makes me happy. We looked up all the ways you can get into trouble swimming in lakes and rivers and oceans. We found out all the ways you can look for dangers and get out of trouble in the water and how to be safe. Now I’m not scared to go swimming anymore. Well, that explained a great deal. Lucy smiled to herself and shook her head a little. She would have words with Virgil about the kind of secrets that needed to be shared with an adult, but she was struck once again by how amazing her boys could be and just how far they would go for one another.

***

#thunderbirds are go #thunderfam #gordon tracy #virgil tracy #thunderbirds fanfiction #thunderbirds fanart #katblu42 #kidthunder's art #tag mini bang 2021

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amorevolous-chionophile · 3 years

Text

Mommy

❆ Fluff ❆ 5,710 words ❆ dad!Hongjoong x babysitter!reader ❆

@soft-black-teabag is the precious mastermind behind this idea 💜

"Yes I understand... Yes... Yes I will be there." Hongjoong sighed as he hung up the call and mentally cursed. His boss called, saying that he has to jump in to fill a shift urgently to help, as his co-worker called in sick last minute, since he lacks work hours. He glanced to the living room to check up on the reason of his lacking work hours, his little princess and he couldn't help but smile as he saw her happily playing with her designer's kit for children which he somehow managed to afford for her birthday since she proclaimed that she wants to be just like her daddy. Since he was taking care of her alone, he had to miss shifts from time to time as there were instances where none of his friends could fill in for him. He prayed that this wasn't one of those times because his boss warned him that if he doesn't show up to work in two hours he will get fired and he couldn't lose that job. Hongjoong took on a great number of jobs through the years to have his little minion live a nice and happy life. He keeps each of his jobs for as long as the boss is tolerant enough of him being late or missing whole shifts. He hates that he gives them a hard time, but raising a child as a single parent isn't an easy job and he is trying his best, he really is. Hiring a babysitter was an option sure, but Hongjoong couldn't afford one and even if he could, there was no way that he would ever leave his precious child to a complete stranger. He sighed once more before tapping in the message to the group chat, there are seven of them, surely one of them is free, right?

Wooyoung was in the middle of a game when a notification rang, signaling that a message had arrived on his phone. That wouldn't have been a problem if he wasn't in class and the notification didn't echo through the classroom. The college professor gave him a threatening look from above the rim of his glasses to what Wooyoung smiled nervously and pretended to move his phone back to his pocket before muting it and proceeding to read the message as soon as the professor looked away like nothing happened seconds ago. You eyed him judgingly from the seat next to him. "Wooyoung, you are going to get in trouble." Not that most professors at college care if you are on your phone, laptop, are you listening or not... But this one was a bit of a nitpicking pain that always says that you should respect the time which he is giving to you in order to gift you knowledge by at least listening. He always made it sound like he doesn't get any compensation for what he does, not like he gets paid. Wooyoung looked at you with the most offended face he could make. "Don't talk in class you'll get us in trouble." He put a finger to his lips and couldn't help but smile to what you rolled your eyes and smiled as well returning your attention to the professor as Wooyoung returned his gaze to his phone. He entered the group chat to find that everyone already responded. He scrolled to the first message to see what all that was about, just to find Hongjoong's panicked message about needing someone as fast as possible to look over his child. Wooyoung loved that child like he was her uncle, and not just him, all of the boys warmed up to that little ray of sunshine. As he scrolled he noticed that none of the other boys were available, for valid reasons and he mentally sighed as he had to tell Hongjoong that he wasn't either. Wooyoung: "I have a makeup exam. I must retake it, it's half of my mark. I'm really sorry." This time he audibly sighed. He had major respect for Hongjoong, the guy was torn on million sides, he sacrificed his college and his free time for the sake of his child. That's why he felt bad for not being able to do anything in this situation. Seonghwa: "Hongjoong, could you please reconsider all that about the babysitter?" Yunho: "Yes, please, if money is the problem we can help you with that." Hongjoong: "I know, but even if I agree, how can I get any babysitter to come in less than an hour? No worries guys, I'll just find another job." Wooyoung was too preoccupied with his phone and thoughts of how to help to notice the professor eyeing him suspiciously. You however noticed and nudged him to snap out of it or he won't even have the chance to take that makeup exam. He rapidly turned his head to you, his eyes widening and your face crunching from confusion. It was seconds before he returned his attention to his phone. Wooyoung: "I am a genius. I have solved all of your problems 😇" Yeosang: "This is gonna be good." Hongjoong: "?" Wooyoung: "Y/N!" Hongjoong: "Who?" San: "Oooh, nice!👍🏻👍🏻" Yeosang: "I am disappointed I am not disappointed with that answer. That is your first good idea since...ever." Jongho: "How come that idea never crossed our minds before." Mingi: "That would be so adorable to see. Just think of that cuteness duo!😸🥰" Hongjoong: "Guys, would you please concentrate and tell me who that is." You had to nudge Wooyoung again, stronger this time because he was visibly testing the professor's patience. "Wooyoung, leave that phone, the professor is giving you a death stare I think even the room temperature decreased." You whispered almost inaudibly to what he turned off his screen, nudged the phone to the side of his desk and shifted his gaze up smiling innocently to the professor. You couldn't help but pinch the bridge of your nose letting out a breathy laugh at his carefree attitude.

Hongjoong: "Wooyoung, who's y/n?" Seonghwa: "Seems like he's not here anymore." Jongho: "What... who leaves in a moment like that." San: "I think he and y/n have class with that ice drama queen professor." Yeosang: "He probably used all of his energy to come up with that idea, his system must have shut down." San: "Yeosang... Who hurt you young child?" Yeosang: "Whoever ate my fried chicken the last time we hung out." Mingi: "But why are you taking it out on Wooyoung when Yunho ate your chicken 😂" Yunho: "He. Didn't. Know. That." Mingi: "Oops, I didn't know that." Yeosang: "Well, it's only important that now I know that." Yunho: "🙃" Hongjoong: " G U Y S. I'm kinda running out of time here." Seonghwa: "You remember how we mentioned Wooyoung's neighbor that hung out with us probably every single time when you weren't there?" Hongjoong: "Oh yeah, I forgot her name, so y/n... I'm not so sure, how well do you guys know her?" Mingi: "Wooyoung knows her best since she was his neighbor and classmate from the very start of college." Jongho: "But since he's not here, your second best options are San, Yeosang and me. Well Yeosang and me." San: "Hey 🥺" Yeosang: "Yes, since we attend the same college we meet quite frequently so I assure you that she is a good choice." San: "Are you all ignoring me now 🥺" Jongho: " I strongly agree with Yeosang, not once did she leave a bad impression." San: "..." Hongjoong: "Well not like I have a choice at this point anyway." Seonghwa: "Since I sense that you are still unsure, I remember this one time when she got a call from her sister and had to leave to look after her nephews." Yunho: "So that means she knows with children. I mean you got a winning combo here." Hongjoong: "But I don't know, what if the two of them don't get along, what if something happens" Jongho: "I just wanna remind you that this was Wooyoung's idea to which even Yeosang agreed" Mingi: "I think that this is the first time something like this happened 😅" Seonghwa: "Come on Hongjoong, you know we love your child almost as much as you do. We would never propose something that would be potentially dangerous for her." Hongjoong: "Alright... Fine"

Finally, for what seemed ten times longer than the original ten minutes it should have lasted, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. You stretched your arms, still sitting down, while Wooyoung rapidly swiped trough his phone to catch up on the conversation that he missed, hoping to run into Hongjoong's agreement. You eyed him suspiciously when he jolted up with an excited "yes". You mirrored his actions and got up as well, gathering your stuff. "What happened, the makeup exam got postponed?" He let out a sad whining sound before gathering his stuff as well. "As if, not even in my dreams." He swung his backpack on his back and typed something in his phone excitedly. "Then what is..." Before you could finish, he grabbed your wrist and started speed walking towards the door and into the hallway, opposite of the direction of where his exam is supposed to be. "Wait Wooyoung, what is going on?" But you were not graced by any kind of answer in return. When you exited the building, you were even more puzzled to see Yeosang, San and Jongho there. Before you could ask again, Wooyoung went into medical commercial narrator mode. "So you remember how we mentioned our friend that has a rainbow sunshine pink sparkly precious child after who he looks after alone and that sometimes we fill in because he has to work and all. Well today we are all busy and if he doesn't go to work he will get fired and he really needs that job and he can't leave the child alone and so we thought that maybe, probably, eventually you could look after her because we don't have much time since he needs to go to work soon and pretty much we don't have any other option...please?" You blinked trying to process everything you just heard as Wooyoung grabbed your hand and shook it giving you the puppy dog eyes look. You closed your eyes trying to form a coherent question in return to all that. "Wha..." But San interrupted you, joining Wooyoung in the hand shaking puppy dog eyes squad. "Pleeease, the child is a sweetheart I swear. I promise you two will get along perfectly, and the cuteness oh God, you two will be the cutest duo ever." You shook your head, really trying to keep up with the both of them, looking around to find a spot to focus on in order to actually have a chance to think about the proposal, when you noticed Yeosang and Jongho standing on a greater distance from you than when they originally were, talking among themselves, pretending not to know you three. You couldn't blame them. "Wait you two, wait a second. I mean I am free now and I would love to help, but I am not sure about all this? To him I am a stranger and from what I have picked up from your stories he wouldn't leave his child with just anyone so I don't think he will agree to this. Also a child... I'm not sure, it's not the same as looking after my nephews." Wooyoung let go of your hand in order to swipe through his phone for a brief second before showing you a message of Hongjoong's agreement, more like shoving it in your face. "He already agreed, it's only left for you to agree so please." You almost winced from the frequency Wooyoung's voice managed to hit. You were kinda at a dead end in that moment. You had no reasons to refuse, not like you even wanted to refuse an opportunity to help someone in a tight situation so the answer was pretty obvious. "Okay, just tell me the address and..." Your proclamation was interrupted with Wooyoung and San squealing and, for the sake of their souls, let's say that those were manly squeals. They ran up to Yeosang and Jongho and excitedly announced that you have agreed before Wooyoung proceeded to run back to the college entrance in his style, shouting. "I'm late for the makeup exam, I will text you the address before I..." Was all you managed to hear before his voice became inaudible. "Wooyoung, I swear to God." You whispered in your chin before joining the remaining trio in order to say goodbye.

Hongjoong was running around his apartment, grabbing his necessities before a tiny voice called out to him. "Daddy?" The young girl was standing underneath the notably larger doorframe, questioningly tilting her head to the side. "You said you would stay home today." Her face welcomed a small pout. Hongjoong quickly squatted to her eye level, one hand on her shoulder, while the other caressed the crown of her head. "I know princess, but they called daddy to come today. I promise I will make it up to you." He smiled, hoping to reassure her. "I just miss you." She proclaimed sadly before wrapping her small arms around his neck. Saying that his heart shattered into million pieces would be an understatement. He sighed heavily and wrapped his hands around her, lifting her up. "I'm sorry it has to be this way." He said that more to himself before the melody of the doorbell filled the house. The girl looked in her dad's eyes with newfound interest. "Which uncle is coming today?" Hongjoong smiled nervously, not sure how to deliver the news and more importantly not knowing what the reaction will be. "About that..." He hesitated as he went towards the door with her still in his arms. "It's uncle Wooyoung's friend." He confessed, opening the door, not sure himself what to expect. What greeted him there was a warm, smiling figure, immediately putting him at ease. "Hello, I'm Wooyoung's classmate, y/n. It's nice to meet you Hongjoong." You gave a little wave before grinning to the little girl. "And this must be the princess I have heard so much about." The girl smiled in return, resting her head on her dad's shoulder, still a bit shy. "Hello." Hongjoong motioned you to enter before he closed the door behind you, a faint scent of his shampoo hitting you. "I should hurry now, thank you for coming on such short notice." You were in the process of taking off your shoes while you replied. "Don't worry, it's a pleasure to help." You rose back up stretching out your arms for Hongjoong to give the girl to you. "Oh there's no reason for that, she may be too heavy for you, besides she is daddy's big girl, she can walk." Hongjoong went to put her down, but to his surprise he ran into the girl's resentment, as she stretched her arms out to you in return. You smiled warmly and took the child in your arms, patting her back. "It's not a problem really." You reassured Hongjoong as you turned to the girl. "This way we can assist daddy together while he is getting ready for work, right?" The girl chimed happily in response. Hongjoong didn't notice or he didn't want to notice how his brain blocked all of his actions for a brief second wanting to absorb that moment and so he continued with tying his shoelaces a moment after as if nothing happened. Hongjoong was about to exit when you noticed a phone on the cupboard next to you, so you quickly stop him. "Hongjoong, I think you forgot your phone." He checked in all his pockets to check before he accepted the phone from you grasp and thanked you with a warm smile. "Daddy will be back before you know it princess, be nice to y/n." He bent down to plant a kiss on the girl's cheek, before her little hands grabbed his face and turned his head in order to do the same. The scene had you internally melting from all the cuteness. Hongjoong went out the door, and you trailed him standing on the doorframe. "Wave to daddy." You told the girl who shook her hand smiling from ear to ear, you copying her. There was it again, that moment that Hongjoong felt shoot through his heart and brain.

You caressed the girl's cheek before putting a blanket atop of her, snuggling her to sleep. You put the fairytale book you were reading her a bedtime story from on the shelf. You decided to leave the lamp on, just a bit more dimmed as you were not sure whether or not she was afraid of the dark. She fell asleep pretty quickly, and it was no wonder, for the whole day you were doing all kind of things together, playing pretend, fashion designer, telling stories, watching cartoons, eating. You tried to engage her in everything you could, you really gave it your all, and it was easy because she was indeed a pure angel child. You sat in the living room, lowering the volume of the tv in order to hear if she wakes up. You had time to peacefully look around the apartment which was an interesting fusion of an art and music studio, laced with the essence of a family home. You also noticed that the home was sparkly clean. You didn't know that that was Seonghwa's doing however. He was the last to babysit, just the day before you. He and the girl were playing fashion designer when Seonghwa made the grave mistake of commenting how she put too much glitter on a particular piece of clothing. Second after that he had a child proclaiming that he shouldn't question her fashion sense and glitter pretty much... everywhere. So after putting her to sleep he engaged himself in cleaning all the glitter, and cleaning glitter is not an easy job, not to mention that he himself resembled a disco ball with all the glitter he had in his hair. He somehow ended cleaning even the rest and who knows when he would have stopped if Hongjoong haven't arrived home. You basically absent mindedly gazed into the cartoon on the tv which was muted when your phone buzzed and brought you back to your senses. It was a message from an unknown number, but from the content of the message you figured it was Hongjoong. Hongjoong: I will be back about 10 minutes. You saved his contact before replying. You: Thanks for giving me a notice, I will wait for you. I put her to sleep, so you have nothing to worry about. And just like that you spent those 10 minutes watching a cartoon on mute before you heard a clatter of keys trying to unlock the door, but being unable to due the keys from the inside of the door. "I'm coming." You whisper-yelled, afraid not to wake the girl as you hurried to the door. You turned the keys and opened the door, smiling. "Welcome home." It was probably due to not having a chance to hear that often, but his heart slightly fluttered at your welcome and he couldn't help but smile a little. "As I already mentioned, she is sound asleep..." You trailed off as you went to pick up your belongings from the living room, not wanting to yell and as soon as you returned you started putting on your shoes. "She is a wonderful child, you raised her very well." You gave him a wide smile as you started putting on your coat. "We made dinner together and left you some in the refrigerator so you can heat it up if you want. You must be tired so I will be going now." As you took ahold of the knob, he took ahold of your forearm. You turned around, giving him a puzzled look as to which he just took out his wallet. "No Hongjoong please, I did not do this for money. Besides, that child already repaid me with her smile, I really had a nice time today." You shook your hands before your face in defense. "There's no way I can let you leave without anything, you lost your whole day." He took out his money and was handing it to you, but you were not an easy nut to crack. "Can we make a deal then? If I happen to look after her again, I will accept, okay?" He sighed in defeat, dropping the argument as it was leading nowhere. But that idea of you babysitting again, deep down he liked it. "Alright, alright." You exited the door waving at him. "Why don't you at least let me call you a cab? It's pretty dark outside for you to be walking alone." Shaking your head you turned to him. "Don't worry about me, go back to that precious little child." He nodded, closing the door. "Hongjoong..." He halted and looked at you expectantly. "See you." And like that, you parted.

Little did you know that she would want you to come look after her again and again and again. Hongjoong of course, refused her at first, not wanting to trouble you, but soon he just gave up. And you didn't mind really, that child grew onto you like on anyone she meets. This time you were just going to visit her for no particular reason, you just had free time. You knocked on the door you grew used to and the man you started to develop faint feelings for opened. "Oh hi, come on in." He gave you his usual smile and you obliged. Just after barely taking one shoe off you heard your name being shouted from across the hall by a little human who was running to tackle hug you. "How's my favourite princess doing?" She smiled from ear to ear, as she always did. "Good! Daddy and I were just talking about you!" You rose a brow as you shot a glance at Hongjoong who was smiling nervously. "Daddy asked me if I would want you..." She was unable to finish her sentence because Hongjoong interupted, cutting her mid sentence. "You know, we were just planning on going grocery shopping, so you don't have to take off your shoes if you wanna come with us." You returned your attention to the child, whispering into her ear. "You'll tell me later." You smooched her cheek before raising back up nodding at Hongjoong. "Let's go."

"Hongjoong, you forgot to get the tomatoes... How do you expect that we make the bolognese sauce without tomatoes?" You waved in front of his face with a wooden spoon threateningly. "Sorry, I was hindered by a certain small being that strongly wanted a package of gummy bears." You just chuckled at his troubled expression. "We can just improvise something then, I guess. At least she got what she wanted." You nodded in the direction where the previously mentioned small being was eating her gummy bears, her attention on the cartoon playing on the tv. "I have a weakness for her, what was I supposed to do." Hongjoong gave you a troubled smile as he was growing scared of that wooden spoon in your grip. You couldn't resist the urge to ruffle his hair. "Go rest, you were working for the whole day yesterday. Your eye bags are so big, they could be used as bowls." He shook his head. "I can't leave everything to you..." You squinted your eyes and raised the wooden spoon back in his sight. "We will all rest when we eat, how does that sound?" You rolled your eyes at him jokingly. "You were always a tough negotiator, have it your way." Smiling to your agreement he let out a breathy laugh, not really sure how to react to the given situation. You were gifting him precious moments he could only dream of before. Like having someone to welcome him, see him off, look after him and his baby, make a meal for him, and all that just made him wish that he could do the same for you.

"Hongjoong, I am actually amazed at your cooking skills." You confessed as you plopped yourself on the couch, the little minion automatically manifesting on your side hugging you. Hongjoong went to sit on the other side of the couch before he was stopped by his little girl. "Daddy, I want you to sit here." She patted the free spot next to her, and Hongjoong just obliged, placing himself next to you two. "Now I want you two to hug me." She giggled as if she knew exactly what she was doing. As you put your arms around the little minion and connected them on the small of Hongjoong's back, he did the same. Your head rested on his shoulder, inhaling the same scent from the first day when you met him, his head rested on your shoulder looking longingly at the one person he wished for from the first day he met you, and in-between you two, a brightly smiling child who loved both of you was seated.

And so again, you went to them, they came to you. When Hongjoong was working, you were babysitting and when he was free the three of you just casually spent time together. This one time, when Hongjoong returned from work you were still in the process of putting the minion to sleep. Hongjoong inspected you closely as you ran after the child while taking off his coat and boots and he couldn't help but smile. You halted for a minute to welcome him, while the minion was long gone from sight. As you turned back to go after her you could hear her voice from the room. "Mommy hurry, I want you to read me a story before I fall asleep." You froze to the spot and looked to Hongjoong wide eyed as he did the exact same thing. Your face welcomed a shade of pink as you turned around and marched forward, not being able to face him. "C-coming princess."

"Hey Hongjoong." You peeked inside the living room, finally mustering up the courage to face him after what happened earlier, but to your luck, or misfortune, he was asleep. You would have let him be and went home as it was that he even gave you the key to his apartment, but you couldn't leave him in such a uncomfortable position. He must have fell asleep while waiting for you. You shook him lightly by the shoulder, afraid not to startle him. Your heart fluttered the same time his tired eyes fluttered open. "I just didn't want to leave you in an uncomfortable position, I will be leaving now. Get some rest." You blabbered and were ready to leave. "Could you stay... a bit longer?" Originally, it would not have been a problem, but this time around your nerves were getting the better of you. However, not having a proper reason to refuse, you sat on the couch next to Hongjoong, sighing. "May I?" He was asking you to lay on your legs. Again, it wasn't the first time, but never before did he ask nor did you feel nervous while his soft features were beneath your reach. However, on instinct your fingers started playing with his hair and he momentarily relaxed. Feeling restless you just had the urge to start a talk about something, anything. "Hongjoong, you never told me what happened to your...uhm...her real m..." You found it quite difficult to word the sentence, luckily Hongjoong caught on and saved you the struggle. "We had my princess when we were nineteen..."

Hongjoong and his girlfriend at the time didn't even plan marriage, a baby? Even less. But she found out she was pregnant and after a lot of negotiations and talking, they decided to keep the baby and promised that they would handle every obstacle on their way. Neither of them ever dreamed that their first and biggest obstacle were their own parents. Both sides gave them the cold shoulder, but not all hope was lost. They believed that when the baby is born, their parents would change their mind. It was a brutal strike to both of them when, even with the birth of their baby girl, nothing changed. They weren't making much and they could barely take care of even themselves. That is when the girl wavered. She was scared for her future and she insisted that they give the baby for adoption. Hongjoong however, didn't want to hear about it. He didn't want to give his precious treasure to some random stranger. He also couldn't care less about his parents rejecting him. They always treated him as if he was a nuisance, so what was the difference now. His girlfriend, however, left and he never blamed her for that. She lied to her parents that she put her child up for adoption, she split up with Hongjoong and broke off every contact with him and the baby out of fear that her parents would kick her out again. Through all that time the only person Hongjoong kept contact with was his brother. Even against Hongjoong's will his brother keeps sending him money from time to time. Hongjoong on the other hand sends him back videos and pictures of the little minion doing whatnot. This is the exact reason why Hongjoong is making sure to make her real uncle a part of her life as much as possible. The number of times the uncle burst into tears after hearing a little voice through the phone calling him to come and meet her is a large one. There was nothing he could do about that as he lived on the other side of Korea. The only thing his brother didn't tell Hongjoong is that their parents greatly regret their choices and want to see their grandchild. But Hongjoong will find out himself when and if they decide to let go of their stupid idea of pride.

"...and that's how the two of us ended up like this." It was not until your tear fell on his face that he noticed that you were crying. "Hey, don't cry for that." He raised his hand in order to wipe away the watery paths that your tears left on your face. "She now finally has a mum as she said. I can't thank you enough for playing that role for her, no let me take that back, you are not playing that role. After all this time of looking after her you can call yourself her mum." His comment only turned on the faucet that let more tears fall. "Thank you for saying so Hongjoong." He rose from your legs and turned to face you. "I didn't plan to do it like this but here it goes." He cupped your chin and leaned into you, his only support being his other hand. Your heart went on a rampage, throwing itself randomly against your rib cage causing irregularities in your breath. Hongjoong softly smiled when he noticed your reaction, feeling reassured to carry on with his confession. "I started attaching myself to you from the first time you stood on that door. At first I wasn't sure if that was because..." You cut him off by placing your lips onto his in a sweet kiss unsure if your heart would be able to last through his whole speech. You pulled away shyly forcing yourself to look him in the eye. Now it was official, until now you were practically just a couple without that official stamp. It felt nice, it felt like home. "You will tell me later, I wasn't sure if I was able to survive through it all." You grinned and he shook his head, smiling as well before he leaned in again.

"Okay is everyone ready?" You asked eagerly after hearing Hongjoong approach the door. "I don't understand why we have to wear this." Yeosang retorted, not amused in the slightest before Yunho appeared from behind him and pulled him into the room to hide like he was pulling him in a back alley to kidnap him, what made the situation more amusing was Yeosang's uninterested face. "Come on Yeosang we don't have much time for questions." Yunho whispered in his ear as they both disappeared into the darkness of the room. You sighed in relief as everyone was finally on their position just as you heard the keys and the door knob. And then there on the door appeared Hongjoong. "Welcome home, come on sweetie." You welcomed Hongjoong and guided his, no, both of your child to him. "Daddy, mommy bought me a minion onesie, look!" She ran up to Hongjoong and extended her arms up to him. "It's beautiful love! What does it say here... I'm gonna be a sister..." Hongjoong's eyes widened as his heart skipped a few beats and he would have jumped to hug you right then and there if he wasn't startled by seven men who ran at him at the same time, wearing a "I'm going to be an uncle (again)" shirts, pink shirts. Hongjoong's eyes widened again before he passed the child to Seonghwa to come and finally hug you. "So another girl huh?" You smiled widely back to him, nodding and he returned an even wider smile. "What week are you?" He caressed your still unnoticeable bump. "The doctor said 15th, the stomach is going to start to show from here on." He hugged you careful not to squish you too much. "I love you, thank you for giving me everything and making me a happy man." He pressed his forehead to yours. "I should be the one thanking you, Joong." Your lips met again just like they did yesterday and just like they will tomorrow. "I want to hug with mommy and daddy too!" And just like that your little intimate moment became a group hug of all the people you considered family.

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