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tefanfics · 3 years

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Changes

Chapter 60

The light outside the windows was bright. The sun hit the white snow on the ground, causing the perfect sparkle. I sat comfortably on the sofa with a hot cup of tea nestled in my hands while Alexander sat in his play pin, surrounded by toys. The television was on but mostly for background noise. I was having a hard time paying attention to anything but my sweet boy, though occasionally I stole glances at the Christmas tree.

The tree was huge- bigger than anyone I had ever owned and it was real, which was also new to me. The smell of pine filled the living room and kitchen constantly and I had no complaints.

I leaned further back into the couch, taking a deep breath as I shut my eyes for just a moment. This year had gone so fast. Alexander had been born in May and I was having a hard time believing that almost seven months had passed already.

My eyes shot open as my phone began to ring. I smiled as I saw the picture on the screen, answering the FaceTime call immediately.

“Hello, handsome,” I answered.

“Hey, babe,” Taron greeted. He offered a grin of his own. “How’s my lovely wife?”

“Exhausted but good.” My eyes shifted from the screen, checking on Alexander.

“Did you sleep at all last night?” Taron questioned. He tried to hide the concern but there was no use. I recognized it immediately.

“Couple hours,” I said sheepishly. “I napped when Alex did though.”

Taron sighed. “You need sleep, Rose. I know it’s a struggle sometimes but you need it.”

At Taron’s words, Alexander began to babble. He turned himself around, reaching for me. I sat the phone down and stood up, pulling Alexander from the pin and putting him on my lap. I held up the phone again and both boys smiled.

“There he is!” Taron exclaimed. “Are you taking care of your mummy?” Alexander squealed, revealing a few teeth. The two went back and forth though I began to zone out.

“Babe. Babe? Rose?”

“Huh?” I blinked furiously and focused on my phone. “Sorry. Just sort of… yeah…”

Taron frowned. “It’s okay. Promise me you’ll try and sleep tonight.”

I nodded in agreement. “Okay.” Alexander began to squirm so I put him back in his play pin, focusing on him rather than my phone. “Three more sleeps, right?”

Taron stayed quiet. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him shifting in his seat.

“T… Only three more sleeps until Christmas Eve. You’ll be home on Christmas Eve, right?” I asked as I looked at him again. The look on his face said everything. “Babe, it’s his first Christmas… You can’t miss it.”

“I want to be there. I want to celebrate Christmas with you both,” he started. “One of the director’s assistants said they had my ticket and today I found out it had been double-booked. I’ve been looking all day to try and find a flight that will put me home Christmas Eve but every airline is booked.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes as he shook his head. “I know I can be home on the 26th, first thing in the morning!”

“That’s the day after Christmas, T.”

“I know… I’m so sorry. I’m trying to find another way, I promise you I am.”

My shoulders dropped, my heart sank and I looked away as I gave a little nod. “We’ll figure it out I guess,” I sighed. “I’m gonna get off here. Get us some dinner, maybe go to bed early…”

“Babe, it’s 4 in the afternoon.”

I tried to hide my disappointment but we both knew better. “Alex didn’t have his afternoon bottle so he’s probably hungry.” I was lying. I was hurt and sad but I didn’t want to make Taron feel worse about the situation. “I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”

“I promise I won’t miss Alexander’s first Christmas, Rose. I love you too,” Taron answered, though there was confusion in his voice.

I ended the call before either of us could say anything else. I knew it wasn’t his fault but it didn’t make me any less upset.

I tossed the phone down on the couch and went to grab Alexander a bottle. I warmed it up, chewing on my lower lip as I tried to ward off my thoughts. After testing the warmth of the milk, I grabbed Alexander and pulled him to my lap again. I cuddled him close as he ate. He truly looked like Taron, especially when he smiled.

The rest of the night went smoothly. Alexander went down easy for the night and I opted for a bubble bath before I tried to sleep. I poured myself a glass of wine before running the bath water. As the tub filled, I checked my phone and read the few messages from Taron.

I’m so sorry for earlier. I’m trying to figure out how to fix this. I won’t let either of you down, I promise.

Give our boy a kiss from me. I wish I were there so I could run you a bath. I hope you can relax and get some sleep. Love you xx

I smiled softly and snapped a photo of the tub, bubbles growing as the water rose. I sent it to him, followed by a short message.

Great minds. I love you too.

Maybe I should’ve responded to the Christmas problem but I wasn’t sure what else I could say. So instead I undressed and lowered myself into the tub. I turned on Christmas music on my phone and sipped on my wine, humming along as I shut my eyes. My favorite Christmas song started to play- Please Come Home for Christmas by the Eagles. Normally I got excited to hear the song. This time… Not so much. All I could think of was Taron and the possibility that he wouldn’t be here for Alexander’s first Christmas.

I shoved the thought aside for the rest of the night and the next couple of days. It was Christmas Eve and I was doing everything that I could to keep myself and Alexander happy. He wasn’t quite old enough to understand everything but truth be told, it was more for me than him. We made cookies- well I made cookies and he ate the frosting before I had a chance to put any on the cookies. We built a gingerbread house, where Alexander ate the gingerbread man. I kept up my parents’ tradition of one gift on Christmas Eve, which were always new pajamas. I dressed our son in his Santa Claus covered pajamas and made our way to the living room.

The tree was plugged in, the multicolored lights shining brightly and showing off all the ornaments and presents sitting proudly under the tree. I sat Alexander on the ground as I grabbed all the throw pillows and sat them on the ground in front of the sofa before grabbing the copy of The Night Before Christmas. I flipped off the lights, leaving the dim lights under the cabinets in the kitchen on and lowered myself down to sit in front of the sofa. I leaned back against the pillows and pulled Alexander closer to me.

“Hi, sweet boy,” I cooed, kissing him on the top of the head. “You ready for your first time hearing this classic?” Alexander let out a little squeal, clapping his hands together. I grinned and began the story. “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring. Not even a mouse…”

I carried on, accepting Tux at my other side and giving him scratches under his chin. Alexander barely made it through the whole story before falling asleep at my side. I laid down more, carefully cradling Alexander. I managed to pull the blanket off the sofa and over our laps as I held my boy.

I turned on Christmas music, letting it play softly as I laid there and took in the beauty of the Christmas tree. The longer I laid there, the more reluctant I was to move. I didn’t want to wake Alexander and I was growing tired myself. Finally I let myself begin to doze off.

I stirred, hearing something in the house. I checked around for Tux but he was nowhere to be seen. I assumed whatever the noise was had come from him before moving Alexander on to my chest. He stayed asleep the whole time, his pacifier in his mouth. I smoothed his hair and shut my eyes again, keeping my arms around him. I knew I needed to put Alexander in his crib but I wanted to take in as many cuddles with him as I could.

Sleep was threatening to take over again. I did my best to fight it off by focusing on everything around me. The tree, the music, the decorations in the room, Alexander snoozing… The feeling was magical but I was missing Taron more than anything. I let out a gentle sigh at the reminder that I had no clue when he’d be home. I kissed Alexander on the head again, reminding myself that I would still give him the best Christmas I could.

I heard a noise again, turning my head toward the direction of the entry way. I furrowed my brows, waiting patiently for Tux to appear on one of his late night run throughs of the house. I gave him a minute but he never came so I turned my attention back to the tree. I yawned, wondering if it was time to put Alexander and myself to bed.

“There he is!” A gentle voice came from the opening of the living room.

My head turned quickly, landing on the figure standing there. I slapped a hand to my mouth and did my best to stay quiet.

Taron shrugged off his coat and hurried to the spot beside me on the ground. He pulled the blanket over his lap and slid his arm under my neck and shoulders. He placed a kiss on my cheek and put a careful hand on Alexander’s back. He raised his phone, checking the time. “11:59, still Christmas Eve.” He smiled proudly at me.

A wave of relief ran through me. My shoulders relaxed and the breath it seemed like I was holding finally went free. “You made it,” I said quietly.

“With time to spare. Did you know that a train ride from Barcelona to London is about 12 hours?” He asked.

I shook my head, letting out a soft chuckle. “You rode a train for 12 hours?”

“I promised I wouldn’t miss his first Christmas,” Taron said, kissing my temple again and snuggling in close. The time on his phone ticked over to midnight, leaving Taron to look at me again. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

#taron egerton #taron #taron egerton x reader #taron x reader #taron imagine #taron egerton imagine #taron egerton imagines #taron fanfic #taron fanfiction #taron egerton fanfic #taron egerton fanfiction #Kingsman #kingsman secret service #kingsman golden circle #rocketman #eddie the eagle #robin hood #Billionaire Boys Club #TaronChanges

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personasintro · 4 years

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My Tiny Secret | 06; First Meet

𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒍𝒆 | 06; First Meet

⏤𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔; Pretty face doesn’t make it up for an ugly personality. And Kim Seokjin is the perfect proof of that.

⏤𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: seokjin x reader

⏤𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: angst, smut

⏤𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: toxic relationship, mistress au, strong language

⏤> 𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒙

buy me a coffee?♡

You pace around the living room, something that you’ve been doing for a couple of minutes, knowing Seokjin is going to be here any second. Even though you agreed to his recent text, you’re still not sure about it. It’s only fair for him to properly meet his son.

You never tried to contact him and neither did he, until a few days ago after your visit to his office. For a moment you thought he changed his mind – about wanting to be in Yoojin’s life – since he didn’t text you for a few days. But now he’s coming over and you feel like you’re going to throw up from the nerves.

When was the last time you were this nervous?

Breaking news to Hoseok after you came from Seokjin’s company wasn’t the easiest thing. He could see your pale face as soon as you came home, which only led him to ask you a million questions. So you told him – everything. From that time he visited the hospital to see Yoojin to when he sent you money, which was the cause of your visit.

Hoseok, the good friend he is, didn’t get angry for you not telling him sooner. In a way, he understands you and your decision

Maybe it’s better for everyone that he’s working now, so he won’t be here when Seokjin finally comes. Although, you’d appreciate some presence different than Seokjin himself, but this is for the best. Hoseok isn’t very fond of him and the same thing goes for Seokjin. The last thing you need is for them to fight, you know they’d be capable of that.

And when you finally hear a firm knock on the front door, you think about hiding somewhere so you don’t have to face him, but that’s just ridiculous. You’ve to overcome this feeling, he’s going to be in your life from now on. But he’s not here for you, he’s here to meet his son.

“You came,” you breathe out a shaky breath, looking at the tall man in surprise when you see him.

He’s not wearing his usual suit, the only thing you’ve ever seen him to wear and for a second you think if it’s really him. He wears a jeans, freaking jeans, with black oversized hoodie covering his broad shoulders. If he notices your stare, he doesn’t seem to be phased by it as he brushes his long fingers through his dark hair.

“I told you I’d came, didn’t I?” he says with no particiular emotion or tone behind it, which doesn’t help your nerves at all.

“You did.” you almost whisper, grabbing the door knob tighter in your hold as he coughs looking straight at you.

Rather feeling awkward you feel a weird tension between you two. You can’t be the only one who feels uncomfortable right now. He surely has to feel it as well.

Right?

“Well, are you going to let me in or?” he asks dumbfounded and you blush in embarrassment at his blunt question.

“Yeah, sure.” you nervously choke out, opening the door wider for him as he brushes past you.

He takes off his-- wait are those sneakers?

You never knew he actually owns any sneakers. You always saw him wear those expensive boots. It’s just another reminder that you barely know him. Rather than be surprised by his choice of clothes, considering the cold weather which only means he came here by a car, you nervously start walking to the living room.

It’s not the first time he stands in Hoseok’s living room, eyeing the whole place, but it sure feels like it is. There is a slight difference than when he was here the first time, a bunch of baby toys laying on the couch or on the floor now which you forgot to put away. There are a new pacifiers still in original package laying on the coffee table. Luckily, you managed to put away the breast pump that was there just an hour ago.

“Sorry about the mess.” you murmur awkwardly, embarrassed by the slight mess that you forgot to clean.

It’s not like you didn’t plan to, you’ve just been so distracted by your nerves that you just didn’t care.

He doesn’t really feels bothered by it nor reacts to it. “Is he sleeping?” he asks instead, looking around some more and you wonder if he avoids your eyes or he just feels curious about the apartment you live in.

Knowing him, or at least the small part you got to know, he doesn’t feel shy and is overly confident with holding an eye contact. Something you lack of.

“Yeah, but he keeps waking up and goes back to sleep. He’s not used to any routine right now, he’s too small for that.” you explain, coughing right after as you lead him to your bedroom.

Of course he’s too small. He was born three weeks ago!

You don’t expect him to react or voice his thoughts, so you’re not surprised by the silence coming from him as he slowly follows you.

Slowly opening the door, you reveal your bedroom that Hoseok gave up, since it used to be his bedroom. He took guest room, the smaller room, saying you both need a bigger room. Another thing to make you feel guilt about.

It’s nothing special and not that much, just a room with king sized bed taking most of the space with Yoojin’s crib right beside it. There is a chest of drawers right on the opposite side of the bed. There is just one frame on it that might be considered as a decoration and that is photo of ultrasound you got when you were nine months pregnant. You both walk in while you can feel his presence right behind you, his cologne filling the room you sleep in.

He does the same thing he did in the living room and that is a curious around himself. He slowly takes the white frame from your chest of drawers, looking at ultrasound photo with puzzled look. It looks like he finally recognizes his son’s features and his eyes slightly widen in realization while the corner of his lips slightly lift upwards.

“I wanna have a copy of this photo.” he speaks up quietly, or more like mumbling under his breath.

Well, you could just ask nicely you--

You just nod, biting your tongue as you walk up to a crib where Yoojin’s sleeps. Since the space is very limited, Seokjin is forced to stay at the end of the bed while he curiously peeks behind you. Your lips curl in a weird shape, amused by him. Slowly and carefully, you take the small bundle of joy into your hands causing him to stir in your hold as he starts whimpering.

“Shhh, it’s okay.” you whisper to him, cooing at him as he opens his small eyes but closes them right after. He calms down and you point at door to Seokjin, he seems to be taken back by the baby in your arms but he quickly recovers, nodding.

The bedroom is too small, too small for you to be so close in his presence. Also, you both could get more comfortable on Hoseok’s plushy couch.

Once you step out of the bedroom and come back to the living room, Seokjin turns around and stares at Yoojin’s with doe eyes.

“So, this is him.” you mumble, looking down and smile right after you see him.

You don’t purposely look at Seokjin, your attention focused on your son but you can feel him stare as he slowly walks up to you. He’s so damn close that you can smell his cologne again, but this time his own warmth as well. You look up, finally finding that courage to let your eyes linger on his face. You find him looking at Yoojin with unrecognizable eyes before he slightly bends down to get a better look.

He can smell the baby powder mixed with that soft smelling fabric softener you use – and probably your breast milk as well since he ate half an hour ago before Seokjin came. The new scent is something completely foreign to him but he finds it calming and oddly likes it.

“You wanna hold him?” you quietly ask, his eyes slightly widen as he looks straight at you.

He seems to be taken back, looking like a complete different person. This is something he’s not very familiar with, this is completely new to him. So is to you, but you spent your last three weeks with him. You’ve had enough time to get familiar with the new feelings of having a baby.

“I-are you sure?” he breathes out, scratching the back of his neck as the tip of his ears are reddening.

Is he blushing?

“Well, you’re here for him. Aren’t you?” you chuckle at his current state and for the first time, he doesn’t have any snarky remark aimed towards you.

He’s too focused on your son and the fact that he’s about to hold him for the first time. The last time he saw him was back at the hospital, through the glass which seemed unreachable back then, but he can already tell he grew up. He’s still as small as he can be, but he’s getting slightly chubbier in cheeks.

“Come on, I’ll show you. Let’s sit down in case you’d let him fall.” you tease him with a grin while he rolls his eyes at you.

“Very funny.” he grumbles but still follows you before he plops down at the seat beside you.

Yoojin starts to quietly blabbering at the movement while wiggling his tiny fingers with his eyes still closed. You swing him in your arms, gently so he wouldn’t start crying. Once he calms down, you adjust yourself before handing him to Seokjin who stares with wide eyes, but he’s quick to grab the tiny body wrapped in beige blanket with white dots.

“Support his head like this,” you tell him, holding Yoojin’s head before Seokjin’s huge palm replace your own. “And wrap your arm around him like this.” you end with grabbing his arm, ignoring jolting feeling once your hands touch his arm even through the thick material of his hoodie.

He places it around Yoojin, listening to all your instructions while he mindlessly stares at the sleeping baby. “Wow,” he breathes out, adjusting himself before he goes back to simply staring at him in awe.

You can see how new and unfamiliar it is to him, just like the sight of this is to you. You’ve no idea how you should feel about the current state of Kim Seokjin, holding your baby. You’re both parents. He’s a father now.

It’s crazy.

“We created this?” he asks quietly and you almost don’t hear him, but the room is filled with so much silence that you do.

You bite your lower lip, subtly nodding but he probably hasn’t even noticed it, too caught up in his thoughts. Maybe you weren’t even supposed to hear it. He seems like in daze.

“What’s his name?”

The fact that he doesn’t even know his son’s name never crossed your mind, not until he asks it without glancing your way. He never asked you that time in his office and you never told him. Not like it was done on purpose, more like you forgot to even mention that. You were too caught up in the fact that he’s about to be in Yoojin’s life from now on.

“Yoojin.” you answer with so soft tone, that sounds just plain vulnerable and you must look like it when he glances your way.

He stares at you, surprised that you actually took the tip he gave you, which you never asked for but are still grateful for. The name really suits him and it rolls off tongue nicely.

“Yoojin,” he whispers, looking down at him as the baby soundlessly sleeps in his father’s arm. “Does he have my surname?”

He has to ask now that he’s finally able to touch and hold his own child, a half part of him. You’re not surprised by the questions since he has every right to ask about his son. It’s weird, because all he ever cared about was to be in his life and now that he is, he asks basic informations. It’s like him being in his life was the most important thing and mission he had.

“Yes.” you whisper, looking away while fiddling with your fingers, using that fact that he’s not even looking at you.

You didn’t want him to be in his life, but you still wanted to have his father’s surname. Kim Yoojin. It definitely sounds better than with your surname. Yeah, that’s the reason.

“Kim Yoojin,” he says more like to himself, blinking couple of times, before he continues.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

#bts smut #bts angst #seokjin x reader #seokjin smut #seokjin angst #personasintro #bts au #mistress!au #unexpected pregnancy au

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ft-dads-au · 4 years

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Chance Encounter - Chapter 2

chapter moodboard by @oryu404

Home for the Holidays 2019 Prompt: Dress Up A collaboration by @mdelpin and @oryu404 AO3 | FF.Net | Prev: Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Next: Ch 3

Chapter 2

Rogue stretched out Haku’s blanket on the living room floor and moved him onto it, smiling at the happy coos that immediately gurgled out of his son as he grabbed objects with both fists and began to pull. He continued rummaging through the toy basket until he found the blanket Kuro preferred, stretching it out next to the other one. He moved Kuro on to it and watched for a few minutes to make sure the boys were settled before heading into the kitchen to deal with the dirty dishes and sterilize the bottles for the next feeding.

He settled in for a morning of play and cuddles, switching the music to lullabies about thirty minutes before their naptime. Once he’d changed their diapers, he put them down in their cribs and mentally prepared himself for the standard routine.

He let them cry on their own for a while and then came back for a few comforting words and touches, to pop a pacifier back in or help Kuro retrieve his beloved dragon, and then he left and let them settle again. He had to repeat this ritual a couple of times, but the boys quickly grew tired, and when they finally started to drift off, he waited for a few minutes to make sure they were asleep, and the monitor was on. He backed out quietly and closed the door behind him.

If he were lucky, he’d have about two hours to take a shower, check his email, and maybe get some research done for his book. Rogue hurried into his bedroom, taking off his sleep clothes as he went and throwing them into their overflowing hamper before grabbing the monitor base and walking into their bathroom.

Rogue turned on the water in their shower, waiting for it to warm up as he moved over to the sink, placing the monitor on the counter. He looked in the mirror, frowning at the ever-present bags under his eyes before brushing his teeth.

Getting into the shower and closing his eyes, he enjoyed the feel of the hot water on his skin for a few blessed minutes before reaching out for the shampoo bottle and lathering his hair. Right as he began to rinse, he heard a dreaded ringtone.

Cool, Cool, Cool… Cool, Cool, Cool…

Damn it, of course his editor would call while he was in the shower! It stopped ringing while he was debating whether to get out or not. Whatever, he’d call him back later.

Rogue put conditioner in his hair and grabbed the body wash and bath sponge from the shower caddy, every moment spent under the hot water loosening muscles he hadn’t even realized were tense. A simple shower was something he used to take for granted before they had the twins. Now it was one of his favorite parts of the day, some quality alone time that was scarce between all his responsibilities. The soothing hot water, the calming scent of the body wash Sting had bought him as a gift, and the peace and quiet of nothing but the sound of running water…

Cool, Cool, Cool… Cool, Cool, Cool…

For fuck’s sake, ten minutes. That’s all he asked for! He heard some static from the monitor and sighed, fuck my life.

Rinsing himself off quickly, he grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist as he hurried towards the nightstand where he’d placed his phone on the charger the previous night.

“What?!” Rogue grumbled, the sound of Jason chuckling irritating him more than the water that was dripping on the carpet.

“Shower?”

“If you know I’m taking a shower, why the fuck do you call me at this time?”

“Cause you’re fun to rile up. Anyways, I’ve got a coool job for you, right up your alley.”

Rogue found himself becoming curious, the subjects of the last few articles he’d gotten to work on had been far from anything that matched his interests. With his precious moment of relaxation already disrupted, he settled in to learn about the details.

“Alright, let’s hear it then,” he sighed as he put on a bathrobe and yanked the towel off his waist to dry off his hair with one hand.

Rogue could hear the rustling of papers as Jason tried to find something on his cluttered desk. “A club for dads just started up at the community center a few weeks ago. Our readers eat up that special interest crap.”

Rogue could only groan at the words, “Let me guess, I’m the only one you could sucker into this? Pass. I don’t want to go hang out with a bunch of middle-aged men who sit around drinking and competing about who’s kid is better.”

“Who said anything about that? From the little I got from talking to the guy running it, who you will be interviewing in about three hours by the way, this is the real deal. Dads supporting dads. Sounds like something you could get into,” Jason said with his usual enthusiasm before adding almost sheepishly, “Besides, you’re the only dad we have on staff.”

“Three hours? What am I supposed to do with the twins? I’ve told you before, you can’t schedule stuff for me like that.”

“Take them along, the guy probably won’t mind. He’s a dad too, isn’t he?”

“Unbelievable,” Rogue was not at all happy with how this conversation was turning out, their entire day was going to be disrupted. “Are you sure there aren’t any other assignments I could do instead?” He asked hopefully, dreading the idea of having to get all the gear ready, not to mention dragging his children to an interview.

“Nope, this is all we’ve got available for this week, I’ll send you all the details in an email. You’re the best!” Jason hung up before Rogue could get a word out, which was probably for the best.

Rogue looked at his watch with a frown, scratching his head as he tried to figure out how he was going to make everything work. He went into the bathroom to put away his wet towel and decided not to get dressed until right before they were ready to go knowing he’d probably end up covered in spit-up before long. He grabbed the monitor on his way out, peering into the screen to make sure both kids were still down before walking across the living room and into the spare bedroom he used as an office to grab his laptop.

Moving back into the living room and sitting on the sofa, he scanned through his emails until he found the one he wanted. The interview was with a Macao Conbolt, and it was taking place at the Community Center, which was about a fifteen-minute walk from the house. Rogue had to admit it could be worse, at least it wasn’t raining.

He opened up a browser window and entered Magnolia Dad’s Club, but all the results were from about ten years earlier or older. Next, he searched for Macao Conbolt. It looked like he was a chemistry teacher at the local high school.

With nothing to really go on, Rogue tried to come up with some questions.

~~~

It was just past 10am, meaning that nap time should be over any time now. On days like today, when Haku and Kuro had woken up a lot earlier than they were supposed to, Rogue just let them sleep until they woke up on their own, but thanks to Jason and his terrible last minute planning, he didn’t have that luxury right now. There were bottles to be fed, diapers to be changed, and all three of them still had to get dressed, and he only had about an hour and a half to get it all done.

“One day, when that bastard has kids of his own, I’ll pay him back for this in tenfold,” Rogue muttered to himself while getting up and preparing the formula, “assuming someone would ever be willing to put up with him enough to have his children.”

When he had both bottles at the ready, he headed to the nursery, where the boys were still sleeping peacefully. His chagrin faded away at the sight, they couldn’t get any cuter than when they were asleep. He hated having to rouse them awake, even though they never showed him any mercy, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it now. He just hoped they’d take it well enough and wouldn’t be fussy for the rest of the day.

“Wake up sunshine,” he spoke softly, running a hand through Kuro’s soft black hair. The boy didn’t make a sound, didn’t move a muscle aside from breathing steadily, and Rogue felt a stab through his chest at the thought that he had to try harder with his waking up efforts. He tapped Kuro’s shoulder gently, but all he got was a frown and a sleepy moan, so he decided to just pick him up and move to his next victim.

Haku wasn’t doing any better, he needed a lot of persuasion to wake up as well, but the displeased cries of his brother caused him to at least open his eyes and sit up before Rogue pulled him into his other arm and took them both to the living room. They were both crying loudly, so Rogue didn’t even try to put them in the highchairs this time.

“Yes, I know, I’m tired too,” he whined along with them. He sat down on the couch, laying them down on pillows next to his legs so he could hold both bottles and feed the twins at the same time. He double checked the temperature of the formula and gave one of the bottles to Haku, who pushed it away and rubbed at his eyes. Meanwhile, Kuro’s cries were reduced to soft sobs and hiccups. He curled himself up against Rogue’s side and tried to go back to sleep.

“Alexa, turn on Fire TV,” Rogue ordered, and as soon as the TV came to life, followed it up with, “Alexa, go to Baby TV channel,” cringing just as before as colorful cartoons he’d already seen too many times came on. At least it had the desired effect, both boys moving their heads towards the TV, mesmerized enough that he could nudge the nipples of the bottles between their lips, and much to his relief, they started drinking.

Not getting dressed yet turned out to be a smart decision. After the feeding and burping, his bathrobe had several stains of drool and milk, either fresh or regurgitated, that would have otherwise ended up on his clothes. Bringing his kids to an interview was bad enough already without showing up looking like a walking burp rag.

After another diaper change, Rogue strapped the twins into bouncers that he set in front of the TV, rushing to the kitchen to put the empty bottles in the sink. Even though he knew he was going to regret not cleaning them right away, he simply didn’t have the time to do it now.

Fuck! He only had twenty minutes left. Running to the bedroom closet, he put on some clean underwear and socks, dropping the dirty robe on the floor where he stood. Without even bothering to check if it was his or Sting’s, Rogue pulled out the first pair of black jeans he found along with a button-up shirt, taking it with him as he raided the twins’ closet for four sets of clothes. He’d made the mistake of leaving the house without a change of clothes for the boys once, and he would never make it again.

He ran- or more like slipped, with his socks on the laminate flooring- back through the dining and living rooms, dropping the pile of clothes on the armchair, before going to get the stroller out of the hallway closet.

A few simple motions unfolded it and locked it into place so he could roll it out into the living room to put the babies in as soon as they were dressed. What he feared would happen, the reason why he still hadn’t put on his own clothes yet, happened the moment he lifted Haku out of the bouncer. A burp loud enough to rival that of a grown man came out, cut off halfway by an estimated half a bottle’s worth of milk that flew onto the rug.

“... Alexa, add sanity to my shopping list, please?”

I’ve put sanity on your shopping list.

Haku sighed happily, and Rogue gave him a half-hearted smile as he tried to remove most of the stain with a baby wipe.

“Yeah, I’m sure that must be a huge relief for you,” Rogue remarked while patting his back in case there was still more to come.

Rogue grabbed some of the clothes and moved to the couch to get Haku dressed up, keeping an eye on Kuro in case he would start spitting up as well. He seemed fine, still watching cartoons with his dragon in a tight chokehold, frowning and grunting as his face was beginning to turn red. Rogue knew that face, and those sounds all too well.

Crap, he was going to be late.

He dressed and changed the babies as fast as he could and put them in the dual seat stroller with the straps secured. Some toys were attached to the stroller with a chain of plastic loops so they wouldn’t get lost, and that kept them busy for a while so Rogue could finally get himself dressed. He stuffed the extra baby clothes into the diaper bag along with some other supplies, packing a bag of his own with a recorder, a notebook, and a pencil case filled with pens, his phone, and his wallet, and put both bags in the stroller’s baskets.

The clock on the wall told him he should have left about five minutes ago, but he still had to put on his shoes and make his hair look somewhat presentable. A quick comb through was all he gave it before tying it up into a ponytail- a messy one, he had to admit, but he didn’t have the time nor the inclination to make it look any better. When he finally locked the door behind him, he was more than ten minutes late and tried not to think about the trail of mess he left throughout the house.

He arrived at the community center a good thirty minutes late, cursing Jason’s name in his head as he sang the theme song to some kid’s show he barely remembered to keep the boys from crying. A man was standing outside the building, and he began walking towards him with a friendly smile.

“Hi there, you Rogue Eucliffe?”

“Yes, you must be Macao Conbolt?” Rogue pushed down on the brake on the baby stroller and extended his arm for a handshake, “I’m so sorry I’m late, we had a bit of an accident on our way out.”

“It’s fine, I have a free period after lunch on Mondays, so no harm done. To tell the truth, I was a little surprised your magazine was interested in doing an article on us.”

“My editor was very excited by the concept.”

“Is that the cool cool cool guy?” Macao chuckled, and Rogue found himself liking the man right away. He looked to be in his forties, although he was still in decent shape, with short dark hair that was beginning to show signs of graying. His eyes, however, were his most noticeable trait, they were warm and welcoming.

“Yes, that would be him.”

“Twins, huh?” Macao looked into the stroller, smiling at Haku and Kuro, who were watching Macao uncertainly, “God, it’s hard to believe my kid was ever this small.”

“How old?” Rogue asked politely.

Macao’s smile grew even wider as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket, opening it up to show a picture of a handsome teen with eyes similar to his father. “Romeo is fifteen now. Time flies.”

“I like having a physical picture,” he explained once he’d put his wallet away, “Shall we go inside?”

When Rogue nodded, removing the brake from the stroller, Macao sped ahead, holding the doors open so Rogue could push the stroller into the building.

“Get stuck watching them today?” Macao asked, looking mildly amused at Rogue’s struggle with the large stroller.

“No, actually, I work from home, so I’m their prime caretaker.”

“Oh, wow! I bet your wife must love that!”

“Uhm, husband actually,” Rogue replied, trying to swallow the discomfort he always felt at this moment. He wasn’t ashamed of his lifestyle, never had been, he just hated the way people usually responded.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed like that,” Macao was quick to apologize, and Rogue was happily surprised to see his demeanor had not changed at all, “He must love it then.”

“He does, a little too much actually,” Rogue agreed with a smile.

“So, uhm, how do you want to do this? The last time I was interviewed was for my job, and it was a lifetime ago…”

“Usually I have a list of questions prepared, but I’m going to be honest here, I was just told I was going to meet with you a few hours ago, and these hellions didn’t make it easy to get ready, so I guess we’ll both just have to sort of wing it. Why don’t you tell me a little bit about the club.”

Rogue rummaged through his work bag, looking for the voice recorder he’d placed inside before he’d left the house. Once he found it, he checked the SD card slot to make sure there was a card inserted and turned it on.

“Hmm, okay. Well let’s see, we meet here every Tuesday evening. The daycare center lets us use their space so that fathers can bring their children with them if they want to. We have some high schoolers available to watch the kids during the meetings, all certified in babysitting.”

Rogue was listening to Macao’s words trying to think of some follow-up questions when it began. At first, it was just a whine which he was able to quiet with a quick toy grab from the baby bag. Macao had stopped talking, politely waiting for Rogue to finish tending to the kids, and Rogue was thankful that the man was so laid back. Once he was satisfied the kids were settled, he turned back to the subject of his interview.

“That actually sounds really good, I know I’d be more likely to attend if there was childcare available, “Rogue prompted, wanting Macao to continue talking.

“Yeah, it works out well, the students get community service hours, and the daycare center is set up to handle kids of all ages, so it’s great. The fathers seem to feel more comfortable as well since they can see their children and be readily available if something comes up. I’d show you the space, but it’s off-limits during business hours,” Macao looked down at the twins in the stroller, “I’m sure you understand.”

“Yes, of course,” Rogue was about to say something when he noticed Haku’s face turning the same angry red as his brother’s had done earlier, and he frowned, hoping it was a false alarm but knowing it wasn’t. The horrid smell confirmed his fears, and when Haku began to cry in discomfort, Rogue sighed, already knowing what was coming next.

“I don’t suppose there’s a changing area somewhere in this building?” Rogue asked, dreading the idea of having to change a diaper of that magnitude in the stroller.

He peered at Macao hopefully, trying to ignore the fact that the man looked like he was about to burst into a fit of laughter at any moment.

“All the men’s rooms in the building have one,” Macao walked them towards the nearest one and once again opened the door for Rogue. It was impossibly narrow though, there was no way the stroller was going to fit.

Rogue looked from the stroller to the door, not sure of what to do as Haku’s screams were beginning to draw attention, and Kuro seemed to be about two seconds from joining in.

“I can take the other one in if you’re okay with it, it’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure I remember the basics,” Macao grinned, cooing at Kuro who stared back at him with a curious expression.

Rogue debated back and forth, he wasn’t really comfortable with strangers touching his children, but Haku’s wails decided him. “Thank you, can you just bring him in here?”

“Sure,” Macao unstrapped Kuro from the stroller picking him up effortlessly and holding him up to his face so the baby could look at him easier before holding him in a more comfortable position and following Rogue into the bathroom.

“I never really thought about how much more difficult having twins was,” Macao admitted, watching as Rogue tried to change Haku’s diaper while also giving Kuro some attention to make sure he remained calm in Macao’s arms.

“I’d never taken care of a baby before these two, so yeah, it was a rude awakening.”

“Well, you seem to be doing a great job!” Macao praised him, and Rogue couldn’t help the sadness the compliment gave him. He often wondered what his dad would think of him as a father, but his parents hadn’t even met the twins yet.

“Thanks,” Rogue finished changing the almost unbelievably messy diaper, and they all left the bathroom, but when he tried to put the twins back in the stroller, neither one of them was having it, each screaming so loudly that everyone who walked past them turned to stare. Adding to his dismay, he could see Macao looking at his watch and remembered the man needed to return to his job soon.

Crap! Just as he’d expected, this whole experience had been a disaster. Stupid Jason.

“I’m really sorry, but I need to get going, I have a class I need to teach in about twenty-five minutes,” Macao declared, trying to make himself heard over the twins, “Maybe you could come to the meeting tomorrow? Gildarts, the other man who is doing this with me, will be there too. We can answer all your questions then.”

“You don’t happen to mean Gildarts Clive, do you?” Rogue asked, hoping there was another man with that name in Magnolia.

“Yeah, you know him?” When Rogue didn’t respond right away, Macao tried to help him put the wiggling kids back into the stroller.

They made their way back outside, Macao once again holding the door open for them, “I’m really sorry about this.”

“No need to apologize, thank you for your time,” Rogue shook Macao’s hand briefly and watched as the teacher walked back towards the high school.

Macao turned briefly, yelling out as he waved, “The meetings start around six, bring your husband too!”

Rogue waved back and turned back towards home, hoping the terrors would calm down once they started moving. His mind already going to the name Macao had said.

Gildarts Clive, just my fucking luck.

They passed the hospital on their way home, and Rogue was tempted to go inside, even if it was just so Sting could see the twins for a minute. And...well, after all the stress today had already brought him, a hug and a sympathetic ear would be really nice right now.

If he didn’t know for a fact that the coffee they served at the hospital had about the same flavor as you’d expect from a puddle of mud, he would have gotten a cup. But Sting was most likely busy at the moment, and the twins were still crying loudly in protest at being restrained in the stroller. The best thing to do right now was to just go home.

He stopped for just a minute, gazing at the hospital entrance with longing before shaking his head and sending a text instead.

‘Is there any kind of poison that can’t be traced during an autopsy? Asking for a friend, who happens to want my boss dead as well. Love you.’

Except he didn’t send it, deleting the words one by one, he replaced them with something that was less disconcerting.

‘Hope you’re having a good day, tonight can’t come soon enough for me.’

Rogue sent the message and was about to put his phone away again and continue on his way home when he got an idea that improved his mood a little. His fingers raced across the touchscreen keyboard and added another message as fast as he could, aware of the twins’ growing impatience.

‘Also, takeout= fewer dishes= more time for other things. But that’s just a suggestion.’

Satisfied with the thought that out of all the chores waiting for him back at home, cooking wasn't going to be one of them, he put his phone away and continued to push the stroller home. Finding both children asleep by the time he got there, he maneuvered the stroller into a shady spot of their backyard and sat on their bench swing to read a book from his phone.

~~~

Rogue sat at their dining room table, looking at his voice recorder in dismay. Somehow he’d managed to not record a single word Macao had said, leaving him with absolutely zero to work with for his feature article. Not that there had been much to begin with. That meant he’d have that many more interactions with Gildarts, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about that. He was so focused on his thoughts that he never even heard Sting arrive, only felt his hands begin to knead his shoulders.

“What happened today?” Sting asked, “I haven’t seen you look this tense in ages.”

“Mhmm,” Rogue moaned appreciatively, enjoying the feel of Sting’s fingers on his aching shoulder blades, “Just a rough day, had to take the kids on a job.”

“Jason?”

Rogue nodded his head in agreement, not wanting Sting to stop what he was doing.

“You know I can tell you about a few poisons no one will ever detect,” Rogue could almost hear Sting’s grin, and for a second, he worried he might have somehow sent the text earlier and then chuckled. Nope, Sting just knew him that well.

“If only.”

“Well, there’s no Jason here, just me and some takeout.”

The kneading stopped, and Rogue whined in disappointment. He didn’t get much time to sulk, though, as two boxes of delicious smelling pizza and a bottle of wine were dropped on the table in front of him.

“They were all out of sanity. Will this do?”

It took a moment before Rogue remembered what he had said to Alexa that morning, in a fit of exasperation. Looking at Sting, who had already dived into one of the kitchen cabinets to get the glasses, Rogue suddenly had a hard time remembering what had made his day so rough in the first place.

“You’re perfect,” he smiled, “though the pizza and the wine are a great help as well.”

Sting returned from the kitchen bearing wine glasses, an opener, and some plastic plates. He set everything down on the table, and while he opened the bottle and poured the wine, Rogue went ahead and dished out some slices, trading Sting a glass for a plate.

Sting began eating right away, making Rogue wonder if he’d skipped lunch again. Mouth full of food, he asked, “So what happened anyway?”

“Jason sent me to the community center on an assignment, with no warning or time to prepare. It was… stressful, and I wasn’t even able to finish the interview.” Rogue complained, “Now, I have to attend a meeting tomorrow night.”

“Huh, what kind of meeting?”

“It’s a club for dads, I don’t really know much about it yet. I was supposed to get all the info I needed from that interview, but I was embarrassingly late, and then I had to spend half of what little time I had trying to minimize the ear-splitting sounds our kids produced. And to cap it all, Haku chose that moment to have a diaper explosion.”

Sting almost choked on a bite of pizza, and if Rogue didn’t know any better, he’d think the coughing fit that followed was a result of discussing dirty diapers at the dinner table. The truth was, Sting just used it to cover up the fact that he was desperately trying not to laugh. He could hide his mouth behind his hand all he wanted, but his eyes betrayed him as per usual.

“It wasn’t funny!” Rogue tried to resist, keeping his jaw locked to prevent the corners of his mouth from curling up.

Wordlessly they found themselves in a competition of intense staredowns and making weird faces, and whatever it took to not be the first to burst out in laughter. Rogue came close to losing just from watching Sting try way too hard and forgetting to breathe. As a last resort, he crossed his eyes, delivering the final blow. Nevertheless, he didn’t have the resilience to control himself once Sting started laughing.

They laughed and talked about their days, and all the annoyances just melted away as they fed each other pizza and drank their wine, finishing the bottle much more quickly than they probably should have. Sting took care of all the cleanup, and soon they were both lying on the sofa, some random movie playing on Netflix that was given no more than ten minutes of attention. One look was enough for patience to be lost and cuddling to turn into heated kissing as clothes were thrown to the floor one by one.

Sting had already ditched his shirt, and Rogue was eager to get rid of his own as well, briefly interrupting their making out to make quick work of undoing the buttons and pulling his arms out of the sleeves. He blindly tossed it aside and went to descend upon Sting again but stopped when the latter lifted his head and observed him with a look of surprise.

“You’re wearing my pants,” Sting remarked.

Rogue looked down and saw that indeed, he was. It was at the bottom of his list of concerns at the moment. He felt heady with want, even more than he remembered feeling in a long time, and he blamed it on the decline in intimate moments between them. And he couldn’t deny the effect that half a bottle of wine had on him either.

“Problem?” he asked, though it was obvious from the way Sting was running his hands up and down his legs in adoration that it wasn’t.

“Huge problem. You look better in them than I do so I’m afraid they’re gonna have to come off,” and as his hands traveled up to fiddle with the button, he smirked and added, “but I like the idea that you’ve been dying to get into my pants since this morning.”

“I wasn’t.” Rogue reached for the remote to turn off the TV, not wanting Alexa to be a part of this conversation.

He couldn’t take the pants off in the position he was in, so while getting up, he used the interruption to pull Sting off the sofa with him and lead the way to the bedroom.

“But I am now,” he admitted, “so less you being a smartass, more us making good use of the time we have left before the monsters wake up again.”

And that they did, starting even before the bedroom door closed behind them.

@ftmlmages

#fairy tail #ftdadsau #ftlgbtholidays2019 #stingue #ftlgbtales #fics #update #prompt: dress up

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nyxwordsmithwrites · 5 years

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Chemically Imbalanced: Chapter 35: The Sanders Past

A/N: So this was fleshed out a long while ago with the help of my darling girlfriend, fellow angst conspirator and beta reader, @thestoryofme13. I just hadn’t found a means to put it into the story...until now. I hope you enjoy!

PLEASE HEED THE WARNINGS. MAJOR WARNINGS FOR DESCRIPTIONS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

Warnings: neglect, verbal abuse, physical abuse, fear, emotion manipulation, depersonalization, controlling behaviour, illness mention, minor character death mention, accident mention, abduction mention, cheating mention, panic, lying, shaking, crying, yelling, knife, Glass Injury, hair pulling, possessiveness, choking, scratching, PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, Blood, Imprisonment, Throw Up mention, Reckless Driving, Anxiety, Swearing, murder mention, death mention, belting, bruises, falling down the stairs, description of injuries, bones breaking, passing out, broken leg, rib pain

Chapter 34 | Masterpost | Chapter 36

Also available on AO3!

Many years ago…

This was the most exciting day of Patton’s life. He’d found the woman of his dreams, and now, here he was. Standing at the end of the aisle, fidgeting with the sleeves of his suit and waiting for the doors to open.

The air flooded from his lungs when he saw her for the first time, draped in (what he had been told was) white, looking like an angel among men.

Little did he know the turns his life would take then, even as he vowed to keep her forever and love her as dearly then as the day they met, through everything.

He didn’t know then that everything didn’t mean everything.

Things went bad quickly in hindsight, but at the time, Patton was a frog in a pan of water, unable to notice the temperature rising.

At first it had been small things. The cold shoulder over a forgotten ‘good morning’, a cold coffee when he slept poorly and kept her up all night, ‘forgetting’ the laundry or dishes because he was home late.

And then...they got worse.

He only really noticed when she started to call him names and by then...it also felt too late. Three years into their marriage, and he was only now realising what was happening. It was on that night that things went from bad to nightmare.

In hindsight, and with the training Patton had many years later, he knew he shouldn’t have tried to call her out on it. Sure, suffering in silence was not an option; but he hadn’t known then that he could have been able to get out without making her angrier.

That night he had seen her go from yelling and calling him names, to throwing things. Patton remembered how frightened he was, trying to dodge plates and the broken shards already on the floor.

He also remembered her teary eyed, apologetic face as she climbed down the stairs hours later, once the cleaning had been done, sweeping him away to something soft and romantic in hopes of making him feel better.

If only Patton had listened to his instincts that night.

Things only really got worse from there. Patton learned to hide his treasured photos, so she wouldn’t break the frames or tear them. He learned to hide anything important to him really, trinkets, games, cd’s...anything that meant more than a couple bucks.

He learned when he pushed too far, when she would ‘fly into a rage’, doing things that she would ‘regret later’ and that took ice packs and make up to deal with.

But it was also around that time that his job asked him to go and earn a certificate required to keep his job. She was against it from the beginning, he knew that, but if she wanted to stay at home and do nothing...she’d have to let him go.

So she did. But only on certain conditions. And by that point, Patton was far too tired to try and fight it.

As some kind of punishment, she dressed him in the worst kind of outfits known to man. Made him use pencils, limited his study time…

Patton learned quickly to spend as much time as possible at the college. He didn’t want to fail the course! He needed this job. And he didn’t care what she thought of him being out late. He was going to pass.

He couldn’t quite remember what had made him late that day. But it was because he was late he’d even noticed him at all.

Sure, it had been hard to miss the tall, quiet student with dark hair and icy eyes. He also looked more like a professor than a student. Always wearing polos or dress shirts and ridiculous ties. But it wasn’t that the man was pretty (which he was) that had made him hard to miss.

It was the young child he always had with him.

Though he had no friends in the lecture, he was no stranger to the gossip. But normally he paid no attention. The boy seemed quiet enough, easily distracted or shushed by his father, usually content to sit in his arms and watch the lecture hall behind him.

But because Patton was late, he’d noticed the boy was unusually fussy that day. And that the man who usually brought him in….something Sanders...looked unusually unkempt, tired and frustrated.

Patton still remembered staring as he rushed past with everything in hand, the boy on his shoulder crying and fussing and for the first time in years...Patton had followed his instinct.

He hadn’t really thought about it at the time...or what kind of backlash he’d receive, but he found the man sitting at a picnic table, his things scattered on the grass and flat surface. He was sitting with the fussy boy, trying to settle him in some way, pleading softly with the small child.

Patton moved toward him, picking up loose paper as he moved, tucking them into a binder he found on the way over. The dark haired man spotted him, but didn’t speak, obviously expecting nothing more than for his things to be collected and dumped at his feet.

He was surprised then when Patton continued to collect the textbooks, a pacifier and a stray toy from the table, setting them beside the stranger.

“Thank you.” his voice was deep, gravelly and splintering and now that Patton was so close, he could see frustrated tears shimmering in his eyes, even as he looked resolutely to the fussing tiny human in his hands.

Patton smiled as he sat beside him, “No problem.” he answered brightly, watching the child for a moment, “I’m Patton. We’re in the same lecture.”

That caught the stranger’s attention, “You should be-”

Patton shook his head, “You need help.” he answered gently, “May I?”

There was a dark look that crossed his face, “Virgil is...picky.”

Patton smiled warmly, “Virgil...that’s a very pretty name.” he looked to the youngster, “Hi, Virgil. I’m Patton.” the fussy child went quiet for a few moments, wiping his eyes, “You wanna come with me for a second?”

The man’s eyes widened when Virgil made grabby hands at Patton, relinquishing him over and watching as Patton wrapped him in folds of fabric and rocked him. Virgil was silent, eyelids heavy before finally-

A sneeze.

“I thought so.”

“He’s sick?” icy eyes widened in surprise, staring at the small boy and frowning, “Oh...Oh, starlight…”

An inexplicable softness fell over the strange man’s face, brushing long dark hair from the child’s eyes and Patton smiled warmly at him.

“I am Logan Sanders.” he explained finally, “And this is my son.”

Patton smiled down at the small tired bundle in his arms, “He’s an angel.” Patton answered softly, “If I may ask...is your partner unable to care for him during the day?”

A soft and sad smile spread over his face, “Wife.” he answered quietly, looking over Virgil’s face, “Though I appreciate you not simply assuming I’m het.” Patton grinned back as Logan sighed, “She...passed away recently.” he answered softly, “An accident.”

Patton’s smile slowly faded, “Oh...Logan, I’m so sorry.”

Logan flicked his gaze up to Patton then back down to Virgil, an attempt at a thank you, Patton figured, “I have no family here so...this is the best I can do.”

For a few moments, Patton thought over his options, wondering how he could help when it occurred to him.

“I can look after Virgil for you while you sit through the lecture.” He offered gently.

Logan’s eyes widened, eyes flashing with fear. Yeah, Patton wasn’t surprised by that at all, “No!” he cried, “I mean-” he cleared his throat, “No, thank you.”

And that was where the stand-off began. Patton didn’t want Logan to miss out on the lecture, and Logan didn’t want Patton to miss out either (or disappear with his son).

When the lecture ended, neither of them really noticed, their disagreement on the lecture turning into a fascinated discussion about Virgil and eventually turning into a playful debate on date spots.

The next time Logan saw Patton, he asked him to a coffee shop nearby, smiling when Patton agreed.

Extending time to study soon became extending time to study with Logan and even though he wanted nothing more than to spill everything to Logan...he feared what would happen if he did.

But...he didn’t need to.

He couldn’t remember now what it was that had made her angry. Turning the location off on his phone or something...something that made her believe he was cheating on her.

It had taken every ounce of his being to bite his tongue from saying ‘not yet’.

And the next day was a more private study session. It made it easier on Logan for Patton to come over, the pair more able to keep an eye on Virgil, though the boy seemed more than content to play with his toys nearby or nap as the pair studied.

It had started out pretty easy. Patton was used to acting fine by then, as though nothing were out of the ordinary. But that didn’t last long.

Patton had been distracted for a while, studying his notes, and he brushed a piece of hair behind his ear. He hadn’t noticed Logan watching him intently, studying his study partner.

Not until a soft, warm hand reached out and lifted his chin from across the coffee table and Patton nearly dropped his pen (well, the one he’d borrowed).

His eyes blew wide and his thoughts screeched to a halt when he saw the intense gaze on Logan’s face, realising now exactly how intimidating Logan was. His expression was hawkish, and even though Patton wanted to squirm and pull away, laugh it off and run home...the thought didn’t quite initiate.

These were probably the eyes everyone else saw. Intense, calculating...cold. But there was something in Patton that wanted Logan to know, to find what he was looking for, even if most of him was screaming to run, what will she do, get out-

Despite the intensity of his stare, Logan’s hold was gentle, even as he turned Patton’s face to the side. Now that panic was louder, the pen dropping from his grip as he closed his eyes and swallowed.

“Who hit you?”

Logan’s voice was soft, gentle and worried, and when Patton opened his eyes, Logan’s eyes were soft again. All the worry and care in his voice was reflected in his eyes, his hold staying gentle and careful...this was the Logan he knew...the ‘secret’ Logan.

“N-no one.” the automatic response fell out before Patton had really thought about it, and Logan’s hand hesitated when he went to withdraw, “I, uh, I fell.”

There was a moment of quiet, the gears working behind Logan’s eyes and Patton swallowed down a whimper as Logan’s hand withdrew completely. He wasn’t quite sure what to say, or if he wanted to say anything...but the gears behind Logan’s eyes clicked and he didn’t need to.

“Patton.” his voice was still low and careful, the single father inching his way around the coffee table, “You don’t have to tell me everything,” he assured as he knelt in front of Patton, noticing the trembling in his hands and gently taking Patton’s hands in his own. Patton hiccuped on air, swallowing as he looked down at the hands gently holding his, “But is someone hurting you?”

He wasn’t expected to answer. The touches were gentle. His voice gentle and kind…

How could Patton refuse?

Everything spilled out that afternoon, years of pain and fear and anguish, pouring out of him in half-formed sentences and panicked sobs. He didn’t expect Logan to handle it as well as he did, gently gathering Patton into his arms and carrying him to the couch, rocking gently as Patton let go of everything he’d been holding down.

Finally, someone had offered to listen.

He must have fallen asleep at some point, because he was waking several hours later, wrapped in a warm blanket with his supplies left on the coffee table. Logan’s low voice was in the air, almost lulling Patton back to sleep, his eyes drifting until he caught onto the conversation.

“I am aware it’s late, ma’am.” he spoke quietly, “Patton fell asleep during our study, and I am loathe to wake him yet. He seemed tired.” A moment of quiet as Patton shrank against the couch, “No, ma’am, it’s a group project-”

Logan was lying for him? Was he talking to her?

On impulse, he moved to sit up, shoving his filthy glasses on his face and looking up as Logan stood in the living room, half-turning to Patton as he stayed on the phone. Even half-awake and half-panicked, he saw that softness come over Logan’s face...the same soft, fond expression he gave Virgil…

And Patton’s heart stuttered, his words trapped in his throat as Logan returned to the conversation.

“He is unable to complete it on his own. Yes, it is bizarre, I am not fond of group projects myself...or people in general.” there was a barb in that last sentence, not that Patton wanted to unpack that yet, “I’ll send Patton on his way when he wakes-” an icy shot of panic struck Patton’s heart, “-probably sometime tomorrow morning.”

And that icy spike melted into something warm, coating around his fragile heart and he sank into the couch, resting his head on the pillow Logan had fished from somewhere.

He knew she’d keep him on the phone, fish for any kind of information, anything she could use against him, but Logan was already so guarded...Patton didn’t really worry about anything slipping that shouldn’t.

Patton hadn’t realised he’d dozed off until Logan sighed, setting something on the coffee table and kneeling by Patton’s head. His eyes fluttered open, feeling warm fingers tangle in his hair and brush it away.

“She...won’t like this.” Patton whispered, as though that would change anything.

Logan gave him a small smile, “I want to help you, Pat.” it was the first time Logan had used a nickname for Patton, and it showed when Patton blushed, “I...don’t like that she hurts you.” Something inexplicably warm flashed into Logan’s eyes, a different kind of fondness that Patton didn’t recognise, “But...I need to know what you want me to do.”

He had admitted then, a moment where pride was gone, that he didn’t know what to do. And Patton felt somewhere deep down that the conversation had ended. He wasn’t getting out and Logan no longer wanted to help.

Until the next time he arrived for study.

Never in his wildest dreams had he expected someone to not only want to help him escape his abusive marriage...but do all the research and planning that Patton couldn’t. He couldn’t ever forget the way Logan’s eyes darkened when Patton explained how deep her control ran, how Logan’s hand usually slid to his and squeezed, as though assuring himself that Patton was real whenever they discussed it.

It took years for them to inch toward progress. Virgil went through school, growing up with Patton like a surrogate Dad, still surprising Logan with how much he enjoyed his company.

They both completed their courses, though Logan went on to take more, but Patton would secret himself away, just to spend some time with them where he could.

Virgil had just graduated junior high. Patton had risked a chance to go see him graduate. The loner emo smiled widely and waved when he saw Patton, who waved back. It must have been a rare occurrence, because even teachers were curious to see who Virgil had been so happy to see.

It hadn’t occurred to Patton how badly that would backfire.

“You told me you were studying!”

Patton winced from the screeching, barely dodging a flying plate and whimpering softly when it shattered against the countertop.

“I was!” he lied, trying to keep the table between them as she picked up a glass.

He’d known something was wrong when he got home. The way she had ignored his ‘good afternoon’, the fact that she cooked, her glare as Patton slowly joined her and his good mood dissipated under her stare. He’d known but she’d waited until he finished eating…

Like she’d expected him to confess to some kind of crime.

“You want to sleep with him!” she screeched, throwing a steak knife at him and Patton barely dodged it with a yelp, stepping on shattered glass and yelping as he stumbled.

That was all the opportunity she needed. He blinked and she was right above him, her hand gripping his hair, shoving him against the wall. He used to love that she was taller than him. Now he hated that extra inch or two of height.

“You’re married to me!” she screamed in his face, pressing her forearm into Patton’s throat, leaning her weight into it until wheezed. He tried to pull her away, nails digging and scratching at her arm, yelping as she shifted her weight and cut off air, drawing him up to his toes. “You’re my husband!” Patton choked and fought, kicking for more balance, “How dare you?!”

The edges of Patton’s vision blurred and in a last ditch effort, he shoved her back with a foot, sliding to the floor and struggling to catch his breath, coughing harshly as he tried to breathe.

“He’s a friend!” Patton cried, feeling his heart twist when he wished it were more, “I’m not cheating on you!” his voice broke as tears rolled down his cheeks, “I promise!”

It didn’t matter what he said, it wouldn’t placate her. But still he tried.

She surged forward again, grabbing him by the hair and pulling him up to his feet, ignoring his yelps of pain as glass crunched under his bare feet and sliced into the sensitive skin, dragging him into the living room.

“You can’t leave me!” Patton whimpered as he tried to pull her hand away, his scalp burning with pain, “I won’t let you.” she growled, slapping Patton when he yelped and stumbled.

He cried as she dragged him up the stairs, throwing him into the their bedroom. He stumbled and fell to the floor, his blood staining the carpet as she loomed in the doorway.

She glared at him as she slammed the door shut. Patton knew he was locked in, knew the kinds of things she’d do when she came back, the kinds of things that made his dinner want to rush up. He still crawled to the door, trying to open it, sobbing when it only jittered against the doorjambs.

For a moment, he panicked, screaming as he pounded on the door and tried to break it open. Until a small thought occurred to him, a tiny moment of clarity…

He had to take it.

He crawled to the closet, closing the door behind him, curling himself into the darkest corners. At the beginning this was where he hid, listening to her get ready for bed and go to sleep before he’d slip out and go sleep on the couch. Recently though, she’d drag him out...but he still hoped that if he hid, if he was quiet enough, she’d leave him alone.

In this secret hiding place, he’d stashed a small pre-paid phone. It had only one number, and one purpose, but now...now it would come in handy.

He whimpered as he turned it on, hearing her storming around downstairs, kicking things and shattering them against the walls. He had to remind himself that his photos and knick knacks were all at Logan’s place. Safely packed.

His hands were shaking as he searched for Logan’s number, hiccuping between sobs as he struggled to send the two words he needed to, almost cheering through his tears when he managed to press send.

Just as he heard her open the bedroom door, he managed to hide the phone again, covering his head with his hands and sobbing.

Virgil still remembered how his father had responded on that day. How Logan’s cool expression had shifted to rage and fear when he glanced away from his essays to his phone. How the pages fluttered to the floor and he leapt for the stairs, how he came down in a t-shirt and heavy boots, how he looked at Virgil like he had murder on his mind.

It was no secret how wild Logan used to be. It was still surprising to see it.

His father’s eyes were dark as Virgil jumped in the car with him, a glare shared between them as Logan gripped the wheel.

Get out.

No.

You shouldn’t see this.

I’m not leaving.

It’s not safe.

I don’t care.

A silent argument, one of millions they’d had over the years, one that Virgil actually managed to win. The car spluttered to life and Virgil glared out the windshield. Patton had never made it a secret to Virgil what he was going through at home. As soon as he was old enough to understand, Virgil knew where the bruises came from.

Patton had never made it a secret how much her hate hurt him.

He gripped the door tightly, knuckles white as Logan tore through the streets, his hair wild and unkempt as he weaved through traffic.

Virgil was shaking as he gripped the door, trying to keep his anxiety in check, hoping his father didn’t notice how short of breath he was.

He bit his lip as Logan weaved, seemingly knowing where he was going. Virgil wasn’t sure how, but he also didn’t want to question it.

As soon as the car bounced into a driveway, Virgil leapt out, ignoring his father’s cries as he sprinted to the front door. He could already hear cries of pain, glimpsed a few curious eyes peeking out of curtains. Hadn’t those people thought to call the cops?! It sounded like someone was being fucking murdered!

He struggled with the front door, yanking and pushing at the door, yelping when Logan pulled him back. With a swift kick, the door broke open, slamming loudly against the other wall, Virgil tearing in before Logan did.

He didn’t want to think about how Logan knew how to do that, or where his father was going. All he knew, was that he had to stop her.

He froze when he got to the door, staring for a second as she drew a belt back and snapped it over Patton’s back. At some point she’d torn his shirt open, blood was pouring from his hands and back, his feet curled close and smearing blood onto the carpet. Virgil nearly threw up, seeing his father figure curled in a defensive position, screaming into his knees.

And then an unholy rage tore into him instead.

Feet moving before his mind did, he raced in, grabbing the belt when she pulled it back, holding it tight when she tried to swing.

“Surprise, bitch!” he shouted, tugging on it and growling as she turned. She swung for him, but Virgil stayed out of her reach for the most part, the pair fighting for the belt.

She swung wildly for his face, Virgil barely able to dodge most of them, the pair stumbling around the room, “Let go, you brat!”

“Fuck you, bitch!” Virgil snarled, barely dodging a swing for his face, yelping when she tugged hard on the belt and he lost his balance, stumbling forward. He collided with her elbow, tumbling to the floor onto his back.

He wasn’t able to stop her as she screeched at Patton, swinging again, but Virgil scrambled to his feet. He managed to get between Patton and the belt in time, crying out when the belt slapped his hoodie.

It didn’t hurt anywhere near as much as Patton’s did. “Virgil?” he whimpered, shaking as he looked up at him, blood pouring from his nose over swollen lips, one eye swollen shut and tears falling down over his cheeks, “Virgil, no!” he sobbed.

The belt slapped against his back, but it was fairly harmless and he winced but otherwise it barely hurt. He turned his head, catching the buckle across his cheek. He screamed from the flare of pain, his cheek wet immediately, feeling Patton flinch beneath him.

The anger flared again, growling as he turned and grabbed her wrists, pushing her toward the doorway. They wrestled as they stumbled, Virgil gripping her wrists tight enough to bruise, glaring as she screamed incoherently at him.

Logan paused halfway up the stairs, eyes widening at the sight. Virgil was as tall as the woman (when did he get so tall?), wrestling violently with her on the top of the landing. Blood was pouring from a gash in his cheek, and Logan felt his heart drop to his stomach.

He moved to race up the stairs, watching as she pushed Virgil against the wall, the teen growling and pushing back.

“Virgil, no! You can’t be here!” he heard Patton scream, Logan’s heart twisting at the pain in his voice.

Logan’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his lungs as she pushed again, neither of them aware of where they were. Virgil went to take a step back, his foot meeting air and Logan sprinted up the stairs as Virgil tipped back with a horrified yelp.

He felt Virgil collide with his chest, losing his own balance, holding tightly and curling protectively around his son as they tumbled down the stairs.

He heard cracks and screams, felt pain flare on his side and a cry of his own, the world going dark for a moment when his head collided with a wall.

It took some time to come to, his chest aching with every breath, his arms tight as they held someone still against him, realising quickly it was Virgil. And his leg was broken.

He was sobbing, his head tipped back, nails set on Logan’s arm, the skin stinging where Virgil must have struggled to get free. “Hey, starlight, hey.” he rasped out, holding him close as sirens and lights finally made themselves known, “Shh, hey.”

Virgil whimpered, his breathing uneven and tears mixing with the blood on his cheek, “Pa...Papa…”

“Shh, shh, starlight.” Logan rubbed his arm as heavy footfalls entered the home and he looked over at the police as they entered, “Papa’s here, I’ve got you.” at the top of the stairs, Patton was frozen, whimpering and covered in blood, staring down at the pile of bodies on the floor.

“My leg, Papa My leg-”

“I know.” Logan murmured, running a hand through his hair and kissing Virgil’s sweaty forehead, “I know, starlight, but Papa’s here, I’ve got you, someone will help soon.”

Logan stared in horror as the woman straightened, snarling as Virgil whimpered, raising a hand to swing at them when a voice barked at her to stop moving. It was a blur when she was pulled away, Patton racing down to them and curling up near Virgil and Logan as he sobbed and hid.

He turned his head into Patton’s hair, looking up as the paramedics appeared, but he kept his contact with Patton and Virgil, trying to breathe through the pain in his ribs.

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snootysith · 5 years

Text

Summary: Ru’s first encounter with the Voices of Nerat and Graven Ashe comes long before the events at Vendrien’s Well.

Fine etiquette was expected for all vassals under the Adjudicator’s banner. Even court pages like Ru. Scratch that, especially court pages like Ru. He'd been left to his own devices before he could count his age on one hand, making a living stealing anything that wasn't nailed to the ground. He still wasn’t sure what stayed Tunon’s hand after The Incident but there must have been something worth keeping if he had him learning letters and numbers and parading him around in trappings fit for a noble's son, not a street rat.

Rhogalus told him this was what it meant to be part of Kyros’ Empire. Nunoval told him to make the most of the cards he’d been dealt. Calio told him Tunon must be challenging himself.

(Ru liked Calio best. Not that he'd ever give her the satisfaction of knowing that.)

Court life ran like clockwork but today was different.

Today marked the Overlord’s victory over the Northern Kingdom, and petty strife in the Capital let up to make way for celebration.

From up a high window, Ru watched revelers stream past, laughing and chittering among lantern lights and music as Kyros’ emblem fluttered overhead. Vendors lined the street peddling their wares to everyone, sometimes a dazzled visitor from a far-flung corner of Terratus, sometimes a curious Archon surrounded by their retinue. Tunon was, officially speaking, obligated to attend certain social functions to exert his authority and maintain relations with other Archons. It was strictly political, and Ru suspected it greatly annoyed him to be dragged out his courtroom. He went and sent nearly every able-bodied Fatebinder out to keep the peace and the dormitory was notably quieter for it.

Court pages were excused from their daily lessons but that was all Tunon was willing to permit, expressly forbidding them from leaving palace grounds and partaking in festivities. Naturally, a few brave souls snuck out when the guard rotation changed. They invited Ru along but the lingering ache in his palms from a few hard swats of a ruler was a keen reminder of the price for playing hooky again. It wouldn’t be long until a Fatebinder caught them, rendered due punishment, and dumped them back here anyway. They'd content themselves with a board game or something until a more sympathetic Fatebinder smuggled in toys and treats and that was that. The holiday would come and go, and court would resume as usual.

Life was hard being ten-years-old.

Something soft and heavy dropped on top of Ru’s head. He pulled it off with a frown and stared at the rich, pinstripe red tunic in his hands for a moment before he looked over his shoulder. Calio leaned against the bedpost of his bunk bed wearing her best uniform and a wry smile.

“Spruce up,” she said. “We're putting those court manners to the test.”

Calio was on track to succeeding the Fatebinder of Balance and Ru looked forward to seeing her every day when she became a fixture under Tunon’s dais. For now, she navigated the ballroom with the ease and grace of a Fatebinder twice her age, engaging all manner of conversation with a clever quip and pacifying any argument before it escalated. She and Ru were only a decade apart but the disparity was enough to make him feel hopelessly out of depth.

That Tunon let him roam outside the Palace of Justice should be exciting but this place, with its shameless opulence and its dignitaries who, like Tunon, were Not-Quite-Right, made Ru’s stomach squirm anxiously. He hovered by Calio’s elbow for a time, scraping and bowing, suffering pats on the head and pinched cheeks, but it soon became clear that he was the only non-adult in attendance. The shadows were welcome reprieve and, hoping against hope, Ru waited for them to contort into Mark's familiar shape, but they never stirred. Disappointed, he latched to the banquet table, content to stuff his face with candied nuts and fruit until he got sick.

Then something caught his eye.

A handkerchief poking out from a woman's purse, shimmering silk, the color of the deepest sea, ripe for the taking.

He shouldn’t. He really, really shouldn’t.

Ru popped one last candied nut in his mouth, sharp spice bursting on his palate, and chewed slowly, letting the idea steep in his mind while the sensible part of him (that curiously possessed Tunon’s voice) railed desperately against it. Tunon floated slightly above the crowd but that could work to his disadvantage with Ru’s short stature. Even if Tunon wasn’t preoccupied with a gaggle of courtiers, it would be easy enough to slip behind a pillar or duck under a table if he altered his line of sight. If Ru tackled each area cross-wise from Tunon’s position at all times, then surely he'd reap the most rewards with minimal danger. Calio wouldn’t mind— unless he got caught. She liked him but not that much.

Ru swallowed and smirked.

The evening passed without a cry of alarm, just a few mutters of clumsiness and forgetfulness so far. Good. There was always a small thrill in giving people the slip, like he'd won a game. The opponents used to be district guards and, admittedly, he'd lost a few rounds to them but he always wriggled free one way or another, so it never counted. But as he targeted his next mark, he felt a prickle down the nape of his neck, a pin of a stare almost identical to Tunon’s, and he whirled around to find its source, noticing a strange... something lurking just beyond the crowd.

Never once did it occur to him that this thing, green incandescence wrapped in tattered red rags, was anything more than another eccentric Northern decoration. Some cantrip given human form. Maybe a novelty lamp. It stood in the shadow of a crumbling statue completely motionless save for the bronze helm that swiveled lazily above the flaming cavity of its neck. Hanging from its threadbare belt was a small pouch of curious marble balls that glittered like stars.

No would notice if one disappeared.

Ru approached the strange apparatus, curiosity compounding his intent as he looked it up and down, puzzling over how the inferno did not consume the very fabric that contained it. It was a passing fancy, however, and he made a swift grab towards the pouch.

Only for a hand to clamp on his wrist, flames biting at his tender skin.

Recoiling with a yelp, Ru clutched his arm to his chest and stared up at this thing— this person incredulously.

“A bold stroke! How charming. How terribly stupid.” Its helm snapped in place on the smiling visage and it bent low until they were face-to-face. A chuckle echoed in the chamber of its head when Ru scrambled backwards into a pillar. “You would have fared better pilfering another Archon. One with less eyes. Might we recommend Graven Ashe? We hear whispers he hides a treasure trove in that beard.”

“A-Archon?” This was it. This was how Ru died. A wet smear across the face of Terratus with pulpy bits of him still clinging to Tunon’s gavel. His eyes darted to the dark shape of the Adjudicator hovering across the room. Mercifully his back was turned to him but it wouldn’t be long until he sniffed out guilt like blood in the water. Getting caught robbing an Archon a second time wasn’t going to end with him pledging fealty again.

“You’re one of Tunon’s!” It emitted an odd, reedy laugh as it took notice of the object of Ru’s attention. “Surely not! You actually have character. Does he know how naughty you are?”

Ru played along. He must. Even if this Archon made his skin crawl it had yet to drag him before Tunon so he'd take what small mercies he could. “He does,” Ru admitted. “I’m... a work in progress.”

“Ah... he seeks to fix you. Such a waste. Were you under our care, you would have been allowed to embrace your talents. As it is, they need refinement. Don’t think your misadventure around the ballroom escaped our notice. Your pockets must be bursting at the seams! You even managed to lift a vial of Bane essence from the Archon of Entropy! Not that you really knew what it was, of course. You wanted it only because you liked how the cut of the bottle sparkled in the light.”

How did—

“We collect voices.” It flicked a finger against Ru’s forehead almost playfully. His skin stung. “Especially those unheard. Your mind is still young and untrained. We will forgive your ignorance just this once but you ought to know your betters. The Voices of Nerat do not answer to ‘it’.”

Ru’s face warmed. "Forgive me, my lord. Please don't tell Tunon about all this. I'll stop. I'll put it all back, I swear.”

“Oh? But he’s just over there...” Nerat took a step in Tunon’s direction and Ru’s heart leapt to his throat.

“Please! I’ll do anything!”

“Anything?” Nerat’s voice positively oozed with vicious glee. “Have a care with your promises, court page. Were you any older, we’d have asked for something far beyond the pale. However, our recommendation still stands.”

"What?"

“Ashe’s beard! We want you to plunder its mysteries!”

“What?”

Ru found himself drifting towards the Archon of War as if in a daze. He was in over his head. It would have been easier to fall on his own sword than doing this. Faster even. There couldn’t possibly be anything in Ashe’s beard but beard and more beard but what was a court page to do? Confess his crime to the Adjudicator and hope for the best? There was a limit to Tunon’s mercy and Ru had no intention of overstepping it.

How was he going to do this? Good evening, my lord, might I search your person? Purely professional, I swear. You see, section twenty-three of article one of the fourth chapter of Kyros' Law mandates all beards must be inspected for contraband. We understand each other, right? Ru wouldn't be surprised if he met the business end of the Archon’s mace for that.

Ru glanced over his shoulder and flinched away from Nerat’s leer. Had to be quick. Had to look like an accident. He bent and surreptitiously plucked loose one of his bootlaces, keeping an eye trained ahead on Ashe's position in the center of the room. He needed to face him directly and find some way to bypass the ring of Iron Guards surrounding their great general. Figured that they'd selfishly hoard his attention even here, but they were still only human under all the glossy purple armor and it wasn’t long until a platter of finger food compelled them to break formation. That was all he needed.

“Whoops!” Ru stepped hard on his shoelace and propelled himself forward, reaching for that mighty beard with both hands. Time seemed to slow on the descent. Ashe turned slightly at the sound of his voice, his brow furrowed. An Iron Guard shifted in front of Ashe to shield him, but Ru grit his teeth and awkwardly angled his body to the side, dodging them. He was so close he could practically—

Without warning, Ru’s momentum stopped dead and he hung in the air like a puppet with tightly wound strings. Heat crept up his neck as Ashe and his Iron Guard stared at him but the humiliation was short-lived. There was a sound of approaching footsteps behind Ru, and Ashe’s expression darkened.

“Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy!” A familiar voice rang out. “How fortunate that we caught you when we did. Wouldn’t that have been terribly embarrassing!”

Ashe scowled. “What are you doing here? Come to slander my name again?”

“You do that well enough yourself,” Nerat drawled, coming up beside Ru’s stock-still body. “Such cheek! One would think you’ve no arrogance left to spare after the Overlord put you in your place. You see, court page? Look at what a bit of poking will get you.” The power gripping Ru’s body abruptly relented, and he well and truly fell over, sprawling on cold marble with a grunt of pain. The Iron Guard eyed him as if he'd gone and pissed on their boots on the way down. Ru blew a lock of hair out of his face and favored them with a glare as he pushed himself off the floor.

“Leave it up to you to poach a child from the Adjudicator.” Ashe hardly so much as glanced in Ru’s direction.

Nerat crossed his arms. “Please. The two of us are bosom friends! Isn't that right, boy?” Uh. “What’s wrong with a perfectly innocent game between us?”

Ru wasn’t entirely convinced at this point and apparently neither was Ashe. No sooner did Ru find his footing when he found himself directly in the warpath of Ashe’s advance, bouncing off his gleaming armor and narrowly avoiding the scalding blaze of Nerat’s form as the distance closed between both Archons.

“Whatever scheme you’ve concocted to ruin me, to involve this foolish child—” Ashe growled.

“Oh, it’s always about you, isn’t it?”

“— remember just how I came to earn my place. Were it not for Kyros, I would have put you in the ground right next to that savage beast, Blood Echo.”

“At least your predecessor had a sense of humor. You’d think we’d gone and gobbled up your children the day we met.” Nerat’s helm wiggled in amusement. “Hm... did we? So difficult to keep track of all these voices from time to time...”

Ashe’s face turned a brilliant shade of red.

Their heated argument stirred to a frenzy, Ashe practically roaring over Nerat’s collective voices and shrieks of laughter, and Ru found himself in the unfortunate position of being wedged directly between them. Neither Archon paid him any heed as he squirmed to avoid flames and callous iron alike. He attempted to speak, to beg their leave or even one iota of their attention, but he would have been better served screaming into a hurricane.

It was a cold comfort when the commotion finally attracted the whole ballroom’s attention. Everyone gave them a wide berth but circled around them as if they were nothing more than a sideshow spectacle and it was starting to feel that way. Ru spotted Calio at the edge of the crowd, her expression alight with surprise, but she vanished before he could call out to her.

Then she returned with Tunon.

A hush fell over the crowd and they parted before Tunon as he glided towards the center, black smoke billowing in his wake, Calio flanked at his side.

“Archon of War. Archon of Secrets. Have the terms of Kyros’ directive been made unclear to you? All hostilities must be suspended until morning’s light. You would subvert her will so brazenly?” Tunon’s voice remained perfectly level but it reverberated in the room and down to Ru’s very bones. Power crackled in the air, setting his teeth on edge. Ashe and Nerat haven't failed to notice either. They stared up at the Adjudicator in the stretch of silence that followed and Ru seized the opportunity to break free, nearly stumbling into Tunon as he did but Calio was there to snatch him back, keeping an almost painful grip on his shoulders.

“Hostile is such a strong word, Adjudicator!” Nerat’s voice dropped to a cajoling simper. “We were having a spirited conversation! We do so love children and may have gotten rather excitable about the prospect of meeting one of your own. Isn’t that right, Ashe old chum?”

Ashe’s jaw clenched but he nodded.

“Have you anything to add to these claims?” Tunon asked, turning slightly to face Ru.

Ru awkwardly stood at attention under the room’s scrutiny. “I... um...” His gaze slid away from Tunon to the other Archons behind him. Ashe’s fingers subtly tightened around his mace but his face was otherwise impassive. Nerat’s spinning helm came to a stop on a scowling visage only briefly but his warning was clear as day. Whatever the outcome, neither Archon would forget this.

“I am addressing you, Xiaoru.” Darkness rose from behind the Adjudicator, a silent warning.

“I...” Ru wavered, uncertain and fearful. His education didn’t prepare him for this yet.

“Your Honor, perhaps it would be appropriate to move this discussion to a private venue,” Calio interjected.

“Your objection is noted,” Tunon said coldly. “However, I would collect his testimony without granting him time to embellish it.” Damn. The Adjudicator clung to a grudge tighter than a miser with rings. “Speak plainly, court page.”

The combined weight of Ashe and Nerat’s stares pressed even harder on Ru’s consciousness.

Ru took a deep, shuddering breath and dropped his gaze to the floor. He'd do what he did best: skulk around. “The Voices of Nerat introduced me to Graven Ashe after I fell down. Both were worried I would be taken advantage of, which led to a... passionate discussion in defense of children like me. I didn’t mean to start trouble but if I have then I humbly apologize.” Calio squeezed his shoulders only once and he remembered himself, pulling free to bow deeply at the waist like a Good and Proper Court Page, hoping Tunon didn’t notice how he trembled or how his pockets jingled. "I submit myself to your mercy, Your Honor." Again.

Tunon contemplated the matter in total silence and the ballroom seemed to hold its breath. “Do you both accept Xiaoru's apology?” he asked at length.

Ashe opened his mouth to speak but Nerat beat him to the punch. “But of course! Let bygones be bygones.”

“And you, Graven Ashe?”

The Archon of War gave Ru a long look with that impenetrable scowl on his face. “I am satisfied, Adjudicator.”

“Very well.” Tunon lifted his gavel and Ru braced for it to strike down upon him but a singular note resonated in the room as he merely tapped the floor. “I will deal with my page accordingly but do not forget: Kyros does not suffer dissidence in any way, shape, or form. Be mindful of your place. All of you.” His gaze swept across the crowd and it dispersed in a flurry of nervous mutters. Somewhere, a lute tentatively picked up the dance number again and other instruments gradually followed but for all the gaiety in the bouncing notes, there was a heaviness in the air that refused to budge.

Ashe retreated to a balcony outside with his Iron Guard in tow but Nerat lingered. He considered Ru with a curious tilt of his helm and dared to draw near. “Children can be terribly fickle but truth will out, yes? It'd be such a shame if something were to happen to this one. He made for a splendid diversion.” He aimed his words at Tunon, but Ru felt heat lick the inside of his skull and it made the hair on his neck stand on end. A voice not his own insinuated itself into his thoughts. Now wasn't that exciting?

“I did not expect to find you on familiar terms with my page,” Tunon said slowly. Ru swallowed nervously around the lump in his throat and kept his eyes trained somewhere above Tunon’s mask, silently pleading for a miracle as he felt the intensity of Tunon’s gaze boring into his skull.

“The holidays are a time for camaraderie,” Nerat crooned. “Don't you agree? We wished to bestow a token of our appreciation before we depart.” He plucked a marble ball from his pouch with two fingers and pressed it into Ru’s cupped hands, lingering there perhaps a few seconds longer than necessary. “Keep us in your thoughts, court page. We will most certainly keep you in ours.”

On the ride back to the Palace of Justice, Tunon prodded Ru for a more thorough account of what exchanged between him and the other Archons, but words failed Ru. He rolled the marble between his fingers, finding calm in the simple, repetitive motion and the rumble of Tunon’s voice. Calio said something in response to Tunon’s question but Ru had long shut away complex thought for the evening. The caravan bumped and rattled along the road, but he rested his head against Calio’s shoulder all the same and stared listlessly at the floor where air dragged the tail-end of Tunon's smoke out past the floorboards.

It was only once they finally arrive home that Ru realized the marble ball in his hands looked back at him.

#tyranny game #tunon the adjudicator #voices of nerat #graven ashe #obsidian entertainment #fatebinder #my fic #fic: archon's favorite #oc: xiaoru #hint hint for those who read my tags: ru almost got away with stealing evidence from tunon #but his escape plan went awry #and by awry i mean mark startled him as he was climbing down a rope and ru fell and broke his leg #mark never lets him forget this

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toomanyfandomsinonebrain · 6 years

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im not sure if ur taking request but, if u are, could u do 19. "i am being extremely polite, but if this knife comes a centimiter closer to her, i will tear you apart" midly angsty with loki where they are not lover before hand but confess their love afterwards kajdkajdkakjs it would be real nice if u could do it im in loki thirst since iw aajskajskkq anyway, have a nice dayy

Oh hi there sunshine!

Of course, let’s do some Loki!

Name: Do not touch herPrompt: 19. “I am being extremely polite, but if this knife moves a centimeter closer to her, I will tear you apart.”

If you knew that babysitting Loki after he was let out of prison would lead you to being tied up in a disgusting basement with a knife next to your throat, you probably would have told Allfather that you are not interested in spending time with his adorable son, when you were given this glorious mission. As you are stuck here either way, you wonder why you were given this amazing opportunity to get to know his highness, price Loki.

“So where is your Prince?” you hear your kidnapper’s growl next to your ear - his breath is hot and wet, like a dog’s.

“What Prince? Thor is somewhere in Midgard. Loki is…”

“I am here,” Loki walk in and shakes his head at the poor appearance of the basement. “Did you have to kidnap a person to get me here?”

“Well, you were hiding really well,” the knife is pressed harder against your arteries, and you passionately wish there was someone else babysitting Loki. Your death will probably be soon and unfortunate - you can’t really see Loki sacrificing anything for a random person taking care of him.

“Ok, let’s talk,” you want to raise an eyebrow, but there is no real point - no one is paying attention to you. Loki makes a step forward, and the knife actually cuts through your skin - the cut is deep, not just a tiny scratch. “I am being extremely polite, but if this knife comes an inch closer to her, I will tear you apart,” the knife actually is withdrawn, letting your blood flow freely down your neck. You wish the knife stayed in its place, at least there it blocked the blood. “I said do not touch her.”

“Then listen to me,” the kidnapper suddenly gets extremely cocky, and Loki frowns, looking at you instead of the guy - judging by the amount of blood on your shirt, you need the cut to be covered as soon as possible before you bleed out.

“I would advise you against that,” Loki raises his hands, as if giving up, and a long icicle goes straight through the guy’s throat, literally nailing him to the wall - you have seen this act way too many times. Well, usually it’s an Asgardian guard that is nailed to the wall (by his cape, Loki hasn’t killed anyone in a few months). Loki twists his head to one side, observing the body, then turns to you. “Are you alright?”

“Sure,” he smiles apologetically and rushes to heal your neck, covering the cut with one hand.

“I am sorry.”

“You do have a lot of enemies, don’t you?” Loki chuckles, carefully stroking your face to make sure there are no more cuts.

“Even more than you think,” he smiles and looks you in the eye. “I didn’t know they would just start grabbing people.”

“But thank you for saving me,” Loki helps you up and, after you almost collapse on the floor, picks you up.

“I don’t mind,” you rest your head on his shoulder, and Loki looks down with a smile. “Are you okay?”

“I am flattered. Prince Charming bringing me home… after I was almost killed.”

“Not that charming,” Loki corrects you, and you roll your eyes.

“Oh, don’t pretend to be a monster, everyone knows you are sweet and innocent…” Loki stops walking and looks you dead in the eye. “Sorry.”

“If you keep saying that, I will not be held responsible for…”

“Saying that nothing was your fault?” Loki frowns and sighs. “Loki? Is… Is everything ok?”

“I want to kiss you right now,” you chuckle, then realize that he is not kidding.

“You… You serious?” Loki nods. “Why?” he shrugs his shoulders and keeps walking, as you staring at his jawline, right over your face. “But why?”

“Because you are pure and innocent,” his hands are literally burning through your clothes, and you are highly uncomfortable being held so close. Well, you way too comfortable, which makes you uncomfortable. “I apologize, I should not have said it.”

“I did not think gods of tricks could be honest about something like that,” you murmur, and Loki smiles - a long sly smile.

“That’s because a particular god of tricks is also a god of fire, and some things burn bright and true, like a star,” you almost choke on your air - either you are going deaf and are hallucinating, or one of the most admired and feared magicians of Asgard has just claimed that his love for you is burning like a damn star. He realizes what he said and shuts up, just walking out of the intensely complicated basement with determination of a lonely moose.

“Did you just...”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does!”

“No, Y/N, it doesn’t.”

“Then why did...”

“Why what? Why did I ask my father to place you in the position of my ‘babysitter’?” well, at least that part gets cleared - still not that clear why the Allfather would actually grant his wayward son this wish, but that is probably Frigg’s doing. “Or why did I just save you? Or why I promised to actually behave myself?”

“You would never do that. What are you hiding?” he rolls his eyes.

“Nothing. There is nothing I am hiding. Not any more.”

“But...”

“Ice giants don’t love?”

“What? It’s not about it!”

“Oh, everything is about it. I am an ice giant, so I am inherently evil and horrible, so no one should ever love me to avoid being destroyed.”

“Can you stop with this crap?”

“Can you just give me an answer?” you look at him, considering how exactly you could kill him without falling to the ground. “Come on, just say no, and we will never see each other again, I’ll make sure of that!”

“I won’t.”

“You won’t? And why wouldn’t you? Would you like to be kissed by an ice monster?”

“And what if so?” he literally freezes and looks at your face in utter horror. He probably expected one of the famous snarky comments that Asgard has been filled with. You have heard about all the girls freezing when he is around, about him murdering his every lover with his coldness, about... well, some people just love hurting others, don’t they?

“That is very stupid of you.”

“Tell me about it,” you whisper and look at a wall (a very interesting wall, to be honest. You just love how the plain white color looks on it).

“Alright,” Loki nods awkwardly and continues his walk towards the stairs, climbs up and, after a bit of screaming, gets you beamed up to Asgard. The silence is beyond awkward - it is as uncomfortable as anything can ever get, surrounding you, no matter where you look and what you try to think about. You are very, very uncomfortable. As the nurses start patching your neck up, trying to restore the blood balance in your body, Loki suddenly smiles like a puppy that just came up with the idea to lick the master’s face in the morning. You do not like this utter excitement, but you can’t do anything, as Loki leans towards you, takes your hand and looks you dead in the eye. “I will see you tomorrow, dear.”

“Uhm, sure,” he winks, gently kisses your hand and leaves you with the awed nurses, staring at you like you just pacified a giant monstrous creature. You shake your head, understanding that you are very, very screwed right now.

#loki #Loki Laufeyson #Loki Love #loki fanfiction #loki fanfic #loki x reader #loki x you #loki x y/n #Loki Laufeyson x Reader #loki laufeyson x you #reader insert #request #prompts #Promt #marvel #marvel fluff #marvel reader insert #fluff

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noexit-ff · 6 years

Text

42.

Pulling up Maurice’ sweatpants, lifting his little butt up and fixing them around his waist “me and you about to be dripping in Bape today son, I am wearing Bape and you’re wearing Bape. Oh and momma said I got to to put these little ass gloves on you because you keep scratching your face, you need to stop doing this. Now this is your punishment” he hates these on his hands but when he gets angry and irritated he scratches his face and pulls his ear, we are going for his check up at seven weeks and it’s practically the second time we are taking him out of the house. We are trying to make sure everything is right, we have the changing bag packed, he is dressed, fed and diaper changed. I did all of it of course, I enjoy it. Robyn is fully back to normal, I am happy she is more active but I am still doing all of this for her “I know you hate it but your momma said it, sorry” he has a little temper on him, he started kicking his legs and moving his arms around “now, now big boy. Just because you seven weeks don’t mean you can start throwing your arms around like that” he scrunched his face up and let out a cry, a cry so hard like someone hurt him “I couldn’t even take a picture of your fit, man” turning around to search for his pacifier “I was just bringing it you” Robyn came out from the bathroom, taking it from her “did you cover his hands, I feel like he has an infection in his eye you know” walking back over to him “calm down my nigga” placing the pacifier in his mouth “look, see this. This yellow thing, I cleaned it in the morning but I think he’s done that to himself. I am glad he is having his check up” shaking my head at my son “your momma ain’t happy with you” Robyn always got some issue with him, it’s funny.

Dapping Cass “the man with baby breezy outfits for days, nigga your IG is constantly full of outfits of baby Breezy, everyone is waiting to see his face” placing the cigarette between my lips, patting my pockets for my lighter “we late! No” Robyn grabbed the cigarette out from my lips “that is literally your fault, you was busy doing god knows what” Cass chuckled walking around the car “I am listening to the wife” I guess I better get in the car “don’t you like the outfits I put on Cass?” I questioned “I do but check the comments, they are asking to see him” pulling open the car door “well Robyn says we can’t do that yet, he has his photo shoot with Dennis tomorrow. We get the pictures of the labour. So soon they will see my prince” sitting inside the car “I miss my Lamborghini so much, besides getting food I am missing the studio, the boys” switching the car engine on “gets to you, baby sick, feeding, crying and than their diaper. I be coming out here to you, when you on tour that is like heaven for me” nodding my head smiling “it’s nice, I feel like I have bonded with him a lot but Robyn is just like her mom. She don’t put up with shit” waiting for the gate to open “we both can’t be soft, I do spoil him but I am not putting up with his shit. He needs to learn” Robyn said, I snorted laughing “he is seven weeks babe” she already acting like he got to pay rent and shit “mhmmm I don’t care” she is funny my wife.

Sitting down next to Robyn in the waiting room “I forgot to tell you, well I didn’t forget but I am taking you out tonight, just for a meal. Just me and you, you’re better now and I want to take you out, just us. My mom said she will come over and look after him, I don’t want sex. I am not doing it because of that but I want to just spend some time away from the home, be us a little” I don’t want Robyn to think I am doing this because of sex, I am waiting on her for that and my mom said I shouldn’t push for sex, my mom is so annoying but she is right “well I mean if you want too, I will be happy to go out with you. It’s been so long since we have actually” smiling lightly at Robyn “then my beautiful wife we shall go out, just for some food and maybe dessert” placing my arm behind Robyn “do you actually see me as being sexy? I just feel like, after the tear. I might not feel the same way, you have seen all of the worse things. People out there see the beautiful Rihanna, the ever so perfect me but you see Robyn. The wrong, I just feel like I can’t live up to what I was, I don’t know. I am different” licking my lips ever slowly being ever so confused at Robyn “Mr and Mrs Brown, Sarah is ready to see you” I was about to speak, Robyn got up from the chair quickly “hey” grabbing her hand “we will talk after” picking up the baby car seat and getting up as I did. Walking into the office “good to see you walking without feeling any pain now” Sarah said to Robyn “I am happy to be pass that part in my life, I can actually be a mother” shaking Sarah’ hand “are you still waking him up on purpose?” placing the car seat down “uuuuhh, I don’t do that now. Come on Sarah” sitting down laughing “mhmmm he does still do it” Robyn said “only when I get bored” I added quickly.

Watching Sarah put his diaper back on “he will get it from his dad, nothing but big in the Brown gene” I added “I don’t expect anything less from you Chris but all is well in his genital area, even after the circumcision” furrowing my eyebrows “he’s having injections?” I questioned seeing the equipment out “yes he will be at the end, we just need to check a few more things. At seven weeks he weighs twelve pounds and thirteen ounces which is very good and healthy” my son is being ever so quiet “how is he sleeping at night?” Sarah asked “not including Chris waking him, he does sleep but at nights is when he tends to be more alive and awake, I am trying to get him out of that. I give him a bath every night, feed him about nine but like I said Chris likes to wake him, but he does go to sleep” I don’t know why Robyn is airing me out “well Mr Brown to keep your son in a good routine you need to stop waking him, Robyn what you are doing is perfect. You are whining him down, baths are the best thing but Chris. Waking him up has got to stop” I don’t care what she says, I will wake him up still “let’s see what your head strength is like Christopher Junior, do you place him on his stomach?” Sarah placed Maurice on his stomach, his little head wobbled but he lifted his head up “not really, why?” Robyn said “do it in the mornings, it’s good for his neck and head movements. Get him in the crawling mode, so last thing” she turned him back around “Robyn can you just interact with him for me” Robyn walked over to where Maurice is laid out “hello baby boy, you being so good for Sarah aren’t you. You love having your naked legs out” he got ever so excited to see Robyn “that is great, he responds well” Sarah said, Robyn cooed out “I am so proud of you my big boy, you didn’t cry” he is actually being so good.

Sarah walked back in “so having checked his eye, he has scratched his left eye. And as you said, he gets highly irritated and starts scratching his ear and face, does he go into a crying rage when he is like that?” I nodded my head “when I have him at night he does it a lot, it’s like he is angry. I just rock him and try to soothe him, his cries does get a lot” Sarah nodded her head “I am glad you both spilt it between you both, it’s something we called colic and a lot of babies get it. Nothing bad, it’s fine and it will pass. It’s the gas in his stomach, getting trapped, when he is crying he is taking too much air in and that is painful for him. It’s nothing bad, you both doing a great job and it will pass. Nothing to worry about, he will just need his parent to comfort him. Now this” she held out a little box “this is eye-drops for his eye, keep cleaning his eye every morning and night with a warm new wash cloth, place this in his eye for a few days and his eye will get better” taking the eye-drops from her “so we have the nasty part, his shots. It will be three altogether and it will be done on his thigh and the other is oral and I will leave you both to soothe him” I am going to let Robyn deal with this one, I will watch on.

Robyn side eyed me, she wanted me to help but she can do it “I can’t betray my son like that when I know what y’all are going to do to him, that’s my nigga right there. It’s blood code and I can’t do it” shaking my head unimpressed “he is not going to see my face before he feels that pain, it’s painful to watch” I would never do that “you’re so annoying, I can never take you seriously” Sarah is always laughing at us “Maurice drinks anything. I wouldn’t even accept what you are giving orally, I should have warned him earlier about this” Robyn stared at me, she is trying so hard to be annoyed me at me but smiled at me instead “I do wonder at times what goes on in your mind, but then I remember you’re my goofy baby and that you make smile” look at Robyn being all cute “I try, Robyn loves me really” Sarah finished giving him whatever the hell she gave him “what is your dad like Junior” it’s shame they about to ruin my son’ mood, he looks very happy “I know son, he is crazy” smiling at my son just kicking his legs and staring at Robyn, he looks at Robyn like I do, in awe. Getting my phone out, pressing the camera and pressing record “y’all setting my nigga up” kissing my teeth “anyways, Robyn if you would like to hold his hands so he doesn’t hit my hand during the injections” Robyn looked up at me “free Chris Junior, he doesn’t deserve this” flicking the camera to my face “for future reference son, I played no part in this. This was all your mother” stopping the recording.

Crossing my arms across my chest, shuffling to the side a little so I can see. Biting my thumb nail, I don’t like it. Maurice knows something is off “you trying to kick me away now?” Sarah said smiling at him as she wiped both of his thighs, Sarah picked up the first needle and held his left leg down and the first injection went in. The loud shriek of a cry left his mouth, she quickly did the second injection and at this point my poor son is crying his heart out. Sarah placed two band-aids on his thigh “I am sorry baby, I am here” Robyn said, nothing is going to make him calm down now, Sarah did the third injection and I was going to say something but then I stopped myself, seeing Robyn looking very emotional I felt bad “all done now, you can take him home when you both are ready” Sarah said, Robyn was quick to pick him up “I know, I am sorry son. This is the only pain you will feel” picking the pacifier out of the bag “why are you crying?” I said to Robyn, wiping the tear from her face “why are you emotional then?” Robyn retorted “I’m not” I shrugged placing the pacifier in his mouth hopefully to help him “it’s ok to show your feelings, you got upset too” clearing my throat playing it off.

Chris Junior is not having it, we have been here for twenty minutes now and we have just got his clothes on. He is crying and then goes quiet and then cries again “carry him down, the car seat will upset him more” Robyn said to me “I know son, I get it. It was horrible but it is all done now, we can go home” placing his hood up over his head “we won’t come back again, we can disown your mother for a while too” picking him up, placing him over my shoulder with my hand behind his head for support and my other hand holding his body, I am using two hands for this because he is too special “my baby is crying real tears, it’s ok baby” Robyn said, he went a little silent but still whimpering in my ear “are you ok now?” I asked Robyn, Robyn let out a grunt “why are these things heavy but yeah, I am ok now” she opened the door “I didn’t really laugh at you for getting upset, I was just you know. Sucking back the thug tears” Robyn held the door open for me “I know you Chris, I know you” stepping out onto the lobby , the nurses walking by smiled but kept trying to see Maurice but the hood is covering him.

Waiting for Robyn to get into the car and get comfortable “guess he took it bad?” Cass said “yeah, can babies take it well?” I retorted back, crouching down next to the car “babies should be ok after a while, some don’t” passing Robyn Junior slowly “it’s ok baby, I know. I am a terrible person, I am going to snuggle you now” getting up from my position and closing the door “glad it’s over with now, it’s tiring taking a baby out though. I can’t wait to go home” hearing him cry from inside the car “can we put music on?” Cass said looking at the Rolls Royce “not unless you want Robyn to beat your ass, I think not. I will try and get home quick” walking around the car, I just hope he calms down or maybe Robyn’ breasts can calm him because they can calm me down.

Holding Princess as I made my way up the stairs “I don’t think you’re allowed to see your brother today, he ain’t in a good mood so no funny business ma’am. You got to stay with me” stroking her head “you need to quit playing though, those dog’s out there want you so you need to not go out in the yard. Not unless you want sex but you too innocent for that baby girl” opening the bedroom door, Robyn has her head wrap on and is in bed with Maurice on her chest, he looks asleep “is he ok now?” I questioned walking over to the bed “not really, he keeps scrunching his face up and then lets out a sob, like now. Look” watching him poke his bottom lip out “awww no, look at him having nightmares” Robyn pressed a kiss to his forehead “it’s ok baby, I am here. I cancelled the photoshoot, he will be no good for it” nodding my head sitting on the edge of the bed “does that mean you cancelled the meal?” I really want to go out, the silence says it all “he needs us, how can I leave him like this” Robyn said “but we will be back but it’s cool now, you said it” Princess let out a whine placing her head down “I know girl, I will just go and tell my mom” getting up from the bed walking off, this is annoying.

I told my mom but she still came, she wanted to see us anyways “it’s not like you to be so quiet” my mom said, staring at the TV screen and there is nothing even on, just a blank screen “did you do something stupid?” my mom asked, shaking my head “if I knew these shots would make him feel this way I would have taken Robyn yesterday, I just wanted to get out of the house and have an adult conversation, without him just crying and then taking Robyn’ attention. Don’t give me that look, I am being good. I am a nigga that likes it, it’s been months and I am struggling but I didn’t even want sex. I just wanted a nice meal out but Robyn said no, so now I am stuck here again” I am having a tantrum “who said having a baby is easy, she is a mother and wants to be close to her baby, stop this ok. You can cause your own arguments sometimes. I know my son, just like Robyn knows her son. I know my son is not the kind to be sat at home, it’s getting you down being inside but she needs you. My grandbaby needs you, he is not an easy child and when they have colic it’s not easy. He will get over it but right now at this moment she needs rest and then he needs you, nobody will know their child more than the woman that carried them. You’re bored, I know. So what do you want to do about it?” my mom is mad annoying “go and watch more ebony lesbian porn and use my hand” resting my head back “I wonder where I went wrong with you sometimes, it’s her decision so you need to get over it” women are annoying.

I don’t know if my mom came to see me and make me feel better or came here to make me feel worse “doesn’t Tootie need you? You can go home now” I don’t want to know “no, my son needs me” I groaned out “I just need to be alone thank you” my mom doesn’t stop, hearing a pair of heels clicking away at the hard flooring. Turning my head in confusion waiting for that person “is Tootie here?” I asked my mom “no, I am alone” I am confused now, getting up from the couch to check on who the fuck that is “are you wearing that?” Robyn said coming from around the corner, the air got caught in my throat seeing the open toed heels, I know those toes. I felt the excitement go all the way down to my dick, I see some toes and I am gone, dragging my eyes slowly up “ok, what?” shaking my head blinking “you said you ain’t going out?” what is even happening “your leg is on show?” I said in disbelief “I know, you said you wanted to go out for a meal and we are. I did say no but he is settled, I saw the look on your face when I said no and it will only be for a few hours and Joyce will be fine with him” she looks beautiful “I mean we can stay in the house and I can admire you? Your thighs look juicy too, I like this after birth body. Shiiiit your boobs” Robyn ignored me, walking around me “momma, he is in his bedroom asleep. The monitor, you can see him. The bottles I will set out for you now while Chris cleans his drool” she looks so bomb in the long black dress with a high split on the left side, she knows she is sexy.

I thought I would bring Robyn to her favourite place, it’s been a while since she has been here at Giorgio Baldi. Sitting down across from Robyn “feels weird being out, I am used to being at home now. I kind of miss being at home” the waiter came along “we already got the finest wine we have on the menu for you Mrs Brown” Rihanna is popular here, the waiters bought a bucket of ice out “I want water too please” the waiter smiled at me “I will be back shortly to take your food orders” the lady poured the wine for the both of us “watch me get tipsy, I will have one glass. I can’t have more” pulling a face “I don’t fuck with wine, that shit is nasty but I am paying so we need to drink and eat all the food we order” Robyn licking her lips smiling “watching the money now?” she looked back down at the menu “those diapers are costing us” Robyn scoffed “you keep making a mess of them, you need to do better” it is mostly my fault, she is not wrong there.

Robyn loves the food here, it’s ok but I preferred something fried today. Wiping my mouth with the napkin “I want to go back to what you said earlier actually, I don’t get how you can say you don’t feel sexy when you walked out looking like a meal” shuffling my chair closer to Robyn, I am so far from her “I feel different, my body feels different. Just I feel it and like, when we have sex what if nothing is the same. You saw everything, how can you find me sexy after that? They practically had to put my pussy back together, I just feel like my body is not as it was and I am not unhappy. But I still want you to find me sexy, because if I can’t make you happy then what is the point of us” Robyn is so dramatic “did you not see my reaction earlier? I was literally a dog with a bone, how can you think it. I mean ok, I get it. From your perspective I saw what I saw, and you went through that but I am not put off you. I respect you more than ever. You did it, you gave birth to our son. I am so proud of you Robyn and god dammit woman I find you sexy!” I half shouted, other customers in the place stared at us “she is sexy right? My wife” I pointed at Robyn as I said it to this woman “shut up, I get it” Robyn hid her face with her hands “but seriously, I would tell you the truth. Your body is looking so right, I like it. I like when I see the little booty jiggle, it’s dangerous to be having your thigh out when I am on heat” Robyn placed her hand under my jaw and pulled me forward “I love you” she pressed a kiss to my lips “I love you too” to see the happiness in Robyn makes my heart happy.

Reaching behind me and into my jacket pocket, pulling two boxes out and placing them on the table in front of Robyn “what is that?” Robyn questioned, placing my hand on top of Robyn’ thigh “open them” I simply said, Robyn picked up the first box “it was a little last minute but I knew what to get you” she opened the box, she gasped “a charm for my bracelet” she got the charm out “awwww it’s a prince charm” she turned it around “May Sixth, CMBJ” she cooed out “this is perfect, it shows our journey and I love it so much” she placed the charm back in the box “the other box is gold with diamond encrusted spacers for the bracelet, you have eleven. Each spacer for every hour you was in labour” Robyn gawked at me “stop it, you’re going to make me cry” she opened the second box seeing the eleven spacers I got “now I am crying” Robyn sobbed out “no, don’t cry. I didn’t want you to cry, stop it” hugging Robyn “something like this, you are so attention to detail about the birth of our son. How you care even though you joke about things, I feel it. I feel your appreciation to me, thank you” pressing a kiss to Robyn’ lips “also, I want to take you away. Not yet, just a weekend away where we can get freaky in silence but also just have time away. When you are ready, on a real I ain’t pushing you or anything, as a woman your body has been through a lot and I saw it. My wife, the love of my life going through that, almost too weak to do anything and then bringing herself back to push our son out, I can’t ever top what you did. I know I joke a lot but I am leaving this on you. But when we do I want it to be special, make you feel like a virgin again” Robyn and I laughed “we can let my mom and your mom look after him, let them spend time with him” Robyn kissed my cheek “thank you so much, I feel a weight has been lifted” I didn’t want Robyn to feel obliged to be doing that.

Driving slowly to the next window at the McDonalds drive thru, stopping at the window waiting for the food “just waiting on your Filet o fish but here is your Strawberry Sundae” the lady said holding it out and then looked into the car “oh my god!” she froze staring at me “no way, it’s Chris Brown!” she shouted ever so loudly and not gave me the damn strawberry sundae “I love you so much, oh my god” taking the strawberry sundae from her “here baby” I said to Robyn “no, oh my god. Rihanna, that is Rihanna in the car” this girl is about to give herself a seizure “I love you both so much!” smiling at her “I love you too baby” I think this has made her night “I was just about to clock off too, on god. I love you both so much. Here is your food” grabbing the bag from her “can I just touch your hand? Please god” laughing as I held her hand “have good night ma” let me drive off before we get harassed being here.

I am having to drive and eat because my mom called, Junior won’t settle “here” Robyn held the Filet o Fish out for me to eat, taking a bite “I do hate being away from him so much, I feel incomplete when he is not close” Robyn said “I feel the same way about Princess” I said with my mouth full, swallowing down the food “I am playing, I know. I do want us to go away on holiday though, us three. Also Dennis giving us those photos, can we now just show him? I am dying to do baby breezy diary already” Robyn is being mad boring “fuck the world, I know you want to protect him. But fuck the world, our mini us deserves to be shown to the world. I am so excited to see the pictures because I know he caught some moments” catching Robyn eating my food “now you’re just being greedy” side eyeing her “sorry but we will, I am scared on how I look, thank you for today though Chris. You have really made me happy, my insecurities I had are now gone. You’re my hype man” smiling wide “and you’re my hype woman, you made me feel confident with Junior, you teach me too and I thank you for that” we both hype each other up.

I think tonight is going to be a long night, he is not happy about anything and also she put those eye drops in his eye which made him even more annoyed “temper like your dad’” Robyn said as she rocked him “or like his mom, that bajan anger” shuffling up in the bed, my back resting against the headboard “are you watching TV?” Robyn questioned as the TV came up from the bed “kind of yes, well I will try too but there is a lot of noise in this room” looking at Junior “let me have him, see if he gets comfortable with me” letting youtube load up, slowly taking him from Robyn “what are you even doing?” placing his pacifier back in his mouth “what up my man, it’s me again. I don’t know why your momma even awake, it’s meant to be father and son time. We disowned her didn’t we?” Maurice is just staring at me “I know why you was crying, you missed me at night. I get it son” he is very quiet now “don’t you bother!” Robyn spat, I chuckled as the beat started “this is what we do, we watch alien shows and that forehead here looks alien like in this video” Robyn wrapped arms around my arm, resting the side of her face against my arm “I fucking hate you” she mumbled laughing “Come Mr. DJ, song pon de replay. Come Mr. DJ, won't you turn the music up?” I sang along “I know son, that is your momma’ voice” looking down at Robyn “seriously, you’re so stupid and I hate this song of mine. Is this what you both do, laugh at me” shaking my head “no, I just be singing to him and shit. He is quiet though” she is never awake this late to see.

#Chrianna #Chrianna FF #Fanfiction

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gotstory · 7 years

Text

The Opposites : Part 15

PART 1 : PART 2 : PART 3 : PART 4 : PART 5 : PART 6 :PART 7 : PART 8 : PART 9 : PART 10 : PART 11 : PART 12 : PART 13 : PART 14 :

If stares could kills, both Mark and Jackson would have been murdered brutally from the intensity of their eyes that were fixed on each other.

“Mark?” you called out from the guest room.

Without even flinching or breaking his strong eye game with Mark, Jackson beat him to respond in a loud and firm voice, “What is it baby?” placing a deliberate emphasis on his term of endearment, more for Mark than you.

In the hallway, you had a towel over your head from the bath as you walked out, wanting to ask Mark for a hairdryer.

Of course, Mark wasn’t going to put up a silly fight with Jackson despite his sudden show of aggression.

You emerged, seeing them standing face to face with each other.

“Are you guys…? I mean – if I’m interrupting something I can come back again.”

Mark sighed and rolled his eyes, taking a quick glance at you before turning back to Jackson.

“I’m turning in early, you guys should too.” Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he walked the other way, completely ignoring the fact that you needed some help.

The mood was heavy and Jackson was still trying to piece things together. He’d just heard not just one shocking news but two - and both from his best friend, Mark.

He needed some time to put the pieces in his head before coming up with anything sensible.

Mark passed you by as you tried to stop him but he simply ignored you again.

Puzzled, you walk to Jackson, who was frowning in deep thought, placing a hand on his forearm. “Is something up with you both? Is it me?”

Jackson absent-mindedly shook his head, before realising it might be one of the last times he’d get to spend with you before he got taken away for interrogation by his gangster of a father.

He had too much to figure out and he didn’t know how much of everything you should know, or perhaps, already did.

“Gabrielle, we need to talk.”

—————————-

JB sat in his office, scrolling the many texts his assistant, Yugyeom, had been sending him about Jackson. He was now fully aware of their alleged plans to have him as the puppet successor of the conglomerate.

Sinking into his leather swivel chair, he jabbed the button of the intercom, speaking into it for Yugyeom to enter.

The door swung open to reveal a sharply dressed Yugyeom, who reached the desk of his boss in a few large strides.

“Have you got any news if they’ve found the boy?” he asked his assistant, referring to Jackson, whom he had entrusted you, his precious sister to.

“It seems like they believe he would return to his house so they concentrated their manpower around the area where you live.” Yugyeom responded as he tapped on one of the devices he had.

The Wang’s underground business plans were never in line with those of your family’s and as how your father would put it in much disdain, there was a clear ‘conflict of interest’. Now that word got out in the inner circle that both their youngest children were dating, Jackson’s father was bound to make the first move to extradite his son from this seemingly innocent puppy love story. There was no way the head of notoriety would allow himself to be joined in name with a government official, for their agendas of livelihood would never be aligned. (See Part 10 for background)

Since the day JB moved out, he made it clear to want nothing to do with politics, family successor-ship, or a link to the many business arms helmed by the Prime Minister’s office. They were too cumbersome and it meant giving up his freedom and passions. To many, it was leaving the life of luxury and the guaranteed path of comfort and stability. But to him, it was worse off living as a bird in that cage called home than to be hungry while roaming the streets on his own.

JB knew that Jackson was no ordinary young man despite his student identity. He was the young protégé of his father; the brightest, over-achieving, well-liked and most capable one among his brothers.

Despite being the youngest, his father knew he had the right combination of guts, wit, tenacity and loyalty. He’d intended to just let the reins loose while Jackson was in his rebellious phase of life but when he found out that his precious son was going down the path that would make his plans go to waste, there was no stopping his unscrupulousness.

To put things simply, Gabrielle and Jackson were Opposites, and nothing was going to change that fact - not unless either of them gave up their identities.

Yugyeom had followed under JB’s lead from the day he started the company and was his trusted aide. He knew JB like the back of his hand and knew that too much was at stake for you to be entangled with Jackson. It might even cost him the company that he built from scratch, the one he had established with his sheer hard work and no connections in this new place he now called home.

“Perhaps,” Yugyeom began slowly, breaking JB away from his wandering thoughts, “she should return to your family.”

JB looked up and frowned, “you want me to forcefully keep them apart?” letting out a delirious laugh, he stood to his feet and turned his back to Yugyeom.

“After what I’ve gone through, Yugyeom, we both know how painful it was - and still is.” His voice fading away as short moments of his memory flashed before his mind.

It was a fact that day after day, all that remained in his heart was the longing and void for the girl he loved, but no longer could be with. He never wanted you nor Jackson to be in the same painful plight.

Yugyeom walked a little closer, “But… you do know that there already are plans for her … erm, betrothal to the Tuan family, right?”

“Is it the second son, Mark? That kid seems kind. Not that I am for the idea of another arranged marriage and neither would she, but does she know this?”

Yugyeom cleared his throat, “I … did some deeper checks just to be safe, and you might want to know that… the three of them are together right now, and in his house.”

JB spun around, the deeply etched frown showing his displeasure. “What’s that about?”

“It appears that they’re classmates and it was Mark who saved them both from Wang’s men.”

He felt his jaw clench involuntarily as he shut his eyes and took in a long deep breath.

“Just.. WHY do things need to be so much of a coincidence all the time?”

———————–

Jackson watched as you stared back at him with wide-opened eyes.

“What did you say again?” You asked, wanting clarification.

Jackson began slowly, “I need to take you back with me… to my father.”

“But why? Who is your father?”

“Trust be, Gabby. You really won’t want to know.” Jackson sighed.

You felt it was the right time to inform him of your background since you wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret much longer.

“Jackson, I’m actually… the daughter of–”

“– The Prime Minister.” He took the words out of your mouth.

“How did you know?!” In surprise, you put a hand over your open mouth.

Jackson sighed, this time sitting back on the sofa as if to express how tired he was of repeating things. “Mark. He told me.”

“MARK?! How does he know these things? What does Mark’s family do? What else did he tell you?” You practically jumped onto the sofa beside him, demanding to know.

Jackson sat silent for a few moments until he heard shuffling of footsteps . “Maybe you want to ask him yourself, there he is.”

You turned to see Mark, with freshly washed hair peeking out of a towel. “Did someone call me?”

Hurriedly you walked right up to him before he could even reach where you were.

“Who ARE you?” Beneath gritted teeth, you searched his eyes wondering if he was someone you should have recognised. You didn’t care that you were just inches away from his face.

Mark stared back in silence, shifting a little to make eye contact with Jackson.

“No, I didn’t…. at least not all…” He denied quickly.

You couldn’t hear any of that since all you wanted to know was who Mark really was.

He took a small step backwards, clearly uncomfortable at the proximity of your closeness.

“What do you want to know?” he asked, calm and collected.

“How did you know about me?” You blurted, “and who are you to tell Jackson these things?”

Your irritation was building up at the things you weren’t knowing and you hated it that you were always the last to know. It reminded you again of how your family kept things from you, from the fiance, to JB’s departure, to the many other dealings you were forbidden to know until you realised you had a part to play in it.

Jackson got up and reached for your arm, pulling you away from Mark and towards himself.

“Babe, calm down.” He held you gently, hoping to ease some of the tension. “It’s not his fault.”

Mark leaned against the wall, looking down before he spoke in equal gentleness, “You really want to know?”

The three of you stood in the middle of his apartment, looking at each other. All of a sudden, you realised that this was more than a gathering of classmates after school.

Jackson broke the silence first, “Look, I’m the one that caused all this so let me explain.” He turned to you, holding both your hands in his. “Gabby, I come from a complicated family that your father doesn’t like. I ran away from them but it seems they’ve found me out and realised who you are - this, I promise I didn’t know until awhile ago. I swear, there’s nothing else I’m hiding from you.”

He then turned to Mark, “I don’t know what else you know but I trust that you know better than to tell me things I shouldn’t know. But I think she needs to know who you are.” With that, Jackson let go of your hands with a small smile and retreated to one of the rooms to let Mark explain himself.

Thanks to Jackson’s pacifying, you were able to remain calm while waiting for Mark to say something. It seemed like it would take him forever to speak but finally he did.

“I’m the second son of the Tuan Group, Mark Tuan.”

You continued your blank stare at him and it was obvious that the name didn’t register, making him continue.

“Your old neighbour.”

You inhaled a sharp breath.

Mark Tuan???? The… the… same Mark I grew up with??

————————————-

Memories flashed back to your childhood days when JB was still a boy and the annoying brother that would pull at your hair and splash water at you for no good reason, making you bawl in frustration until Mark came to your rescue.

You remembered Mark to be around all through your growing years until one fine day you hear your mother talking to the neighbours, only to find out that they had moved to another city. Like a crying brat, you pestered your brother to take you to Mark’s house every single day for you didn’t believe they had moved.

Eventually he had no choice but to bring you to their empty house that was put up for sale, only to hear you bawling your eyes out again in tantrums that no one could control. It took awhile but like all children do, they move on.

You never quite questioned who Mark was and why he disappeared but deep in your memory, you always knew of that young boy who always had your back.

————————————

Your eyes darted to his instantly, not recognising him one bit.

“Prove it.” You said.

“Who I am isn’t crucial right now, Gabs.” He said, ever so casually, calling out your name as he used to do when you were young. Taking a step closer, he held your gaze with his, biting his lip between his teeth.

You froze in your place, still searching his eyes for familiarity.

“I’m here for only one reason.” he said in a low and throaty voice.

Suddenly, things grew serious in the stillness of the air as you felt your heart pound harshly in your chest. The suspense was suffocating.

Hesitantly, you put across a wild guess.

“Umm… to look out for me?” It sounded stupid right off the bat as it were.

To your surprise, he shook his head with a small smile. But what he did next startled you even more.

You saw his hand raise very slowly from the corner of your eye. Before you knew it, his warm palm had landed on your head as he pat it lightly – just the way you remembered his comforting touch.

“To be with you.” He said.

—————————————————————

A/N: I finally published this chpt! It was so hard to continue this after so long and I am truly thankful and sorry for the wait I put everyone through :(

I am not sure if this series should continue on as it seems that the number of reads and votes are quite low (and lost?? from waiting haha). So, please let me know if you are still following this and if you still want a continuation! I’ll look out for your likes and comments! :)

#got7 opposites #got7 fanfics #got7 #got7 fanfiction #got7 the opposites #jackson fanfic #jaebum fanfic #mark fanfic #got7 imagines #got7 scenarios #kpop fanfiction #jackson wang #mark tuan #im jaebum #jackson imagines #mark imagines #jaebum imagines #got7 jb

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kittenwritesstuff · 7 years

Text

Careful what you say

Gif’s not mine!

Fandom: The Hobbit Pairing: Bard x (wife)reader Genres: angst, mild fluff Words: 1.921 Summary: based on an imagine: “Imagine Bard getting angry after one of the Dwarves insults you” - requested by @nouria-evenstar

“Ma, there are dwarves coming out of our toilet,” Sigrid announced, her voice disbelieving and shocked. She was pale and if you hadn’t known your daughter, you would laugh it off and call her silly for imaging such things.

However, Sigrid was never one to come up with fantasy stories and, by all means, she would never say something like that without witnessing it with her own eyes.

“What dwarves? There are no dwarves in Dale.”

“Well, there are now,” Bain entered the small kitchen you were all in, Tilda sitting by the table and finishing her supper.

“Bain, tell me what’s happening,” you demanded, your brain wouldn’t quite process the events. You had not seen a dwarf since Smaug attacked the Mountain and you were sure that it was impossible that their kin would come back there. Not with a dragon still living inside.

“They came in barrels. Dad brought them here,” your son explained and you inhaled sharply, trying your best to not curse. Of course, Bard would do it. He couldn’t refuse to help when it was needed and, considering that dwarves always carried gold with them, he was offered a pretty payment for sneaking them in the city.

“Sigrid, take Tilda to your room and stay there,” your older daughter nodded and took Tilda’s hand, waling her to their room. As of now, there was more urgent matter to take care of.

“How many of them are here?”

“I’ve counted more than ten. One of them seems to be hurt.”

“What have your father gotten himself into?” you murmured, cleaning the kitchen table quickly and frowning when a company of short men stepped into the room. It was thirteen of them and one even smaller one, who you recognized as a hobbit.

After them, entered Bard with an apologetic look on his face. You only shook your head at him, noting to scold him later.

“That’s Y/N, my wife. Dear, those are dwarves of Erebor. They need our help.”

“They surely do,” you agreed, gazing from one dwarf to another, taking in their ripped clothes, scratched faces. You noticed the injured one Bain told you earlier, and he seemed to be masking his wound pretty well. Not well enough for you, though.

“Bain, bring the blankets. I will add to the fire. You all must be freezing.”

You did as you said, throwing some logs into the fireplace as Bain handed the blankets over. You got a kettle on, making hot tea for those who wanted.

During it, you had learnt the names of every member of the Company of Thorin Oakenshild, as they called themselves. Some of them were quiet, apparently not trusting you enough, but Balin and Ori told you some about their quest and previous adventures. The hobbit, Bilbo, was kind enough to offer you his assistance but you thank him, suggesting that it would help you more if he warmed himself up first.

Bard was discussing something with the leader of the dwarves, Thorin but you couldn’t catch even a single word. You only assumed it was either about the black arrow, hidden in your house, or Bard’s collection of weapons or at least things that could be used as a weapon.

“You’re Fili, right?” you asked when golden-haired dwarf walked to you. You smiled softly, imaging Tilda’s gleeful squeak upon seeing such a beautiful hair. She would bug him to no end to let her play with it.

“Yes, why?” he turned suspicious, his gaze becoming hard.

“Your brother, Kili, is wounded. Yes, I have noticed,” you lowered your voice, guessing that it wasn’t something everyone knew. Fili opened his mouth to say something, but you caught him off with a shake of your head. “Can’t fool a healer, darling.”

“Thorin mustn’t know,” the dwarf said confidentially and you nodded.

“Tell me what happened.”

Fili looked around to check of there was someone who might hear but it appeared that the rest was deep in a conversation with your husband.

“As we were fleeing Mirkwood’s dungeon, Orcs had attacked us. Kili was shot with an arrow.”

“Have you seen the wound?”

“Aye. His skin is black around it,” Fili said, worry and fear crossing his features and decided that you had to act quickly. From what you understood, Kili was suffering not only from the shot itself but also from an infection it caused.

“Take him to my bedroom. Second door on the left. I will gather what I need and come to you soon,” you ordered, all the while watching the dwarves and your husband. None of them paid any attention to you and so you had to use the time you had to tend to Kili before it was too late.

Fili was acting fast, as well. He came to his brother, who was sitting by the fire, fighting with shivers. They were bickering for a moment, before the latter stood up and Fili led him out of the kitchen and into the short corridor.

Meanwhile, you filled a bowl with hot water and, balancing it carefully, stepped into bathroom to get clean towels.

Both of the dwarves looked terrified when you walked into the room and placed the bowl on a nightstand next to the bed. You spread one of the towels on it and told Kili to lay down, closing the door after checking if anyone followed you.

“I will need your help, Fili,” you said as you took a bag with your stuff from a drawer. You placed it on a bed next to Kili, meeting his frightened gaze.

“Don’t be scared, Kili. I will do my best, I promise. Now, I need you to show me the wound, can you do that?”

“Aye,” Kili mumbled and with trembling fingers untied the makeshift bandage, exposing a rip in his pants and a nasty injury. You hissed, your mind already working on what treatment you had to give and soon enough, you formed a plan. You asked Kili to take off his trousers, thanking him mentally for not fussing about disrobing in front of a stranger.

“Now, I will clean the cut. It will sting, but I must do it,” you informed as you took a foil with sanitizer and applied some of the fluid on a swab and pressed it to the injury, letting Kili adjust to unpleasant sensation. He whined and fidgeted, Fili running to his side but neither of them complained. They understood it was necessary.

You cleansed as much as you could and placed the swab aside to burn it later. Then, you took out a box with kingsfoil and a small mortar you used to crash the leafs. You do just that, adding a bit of hot water to create a sort of mash and just as you were about to put it on Kili’s leg, the door to your bedroom were pushed open, almost coming off of their hinges.

You jump up, startled and watch as Thorin stormed in, followed by some of the dwarves and your husband.

“What are you doing?!” he glanced around the room with furious gaze, his mouth fell agape upon noticing laying Kili.

“You hurt him! You’re harming my nephew! I knew I can’t trust you, you witch!”

“Mind your words, dwarf!” Bard roared, jumping to Thorin and with a one swift move pinning him to the wall. Both of them were panting, their faces twisted with anger. The tension in the room was thick, filled with readiness to fight, which could start any moment now.

Unless, someone would be reasonable enough to prevent it from happening. That someone, of course, being you.

“Stop it, both of you,” you called, your voice demanding and both, Bard and Thorin turned their heads to look at you. “Thorin, you have come here, seeking help and that it what I am doing. Kili is badly injured and I am tending to him. I am a healer, I know what I’m doing. And if you wish to remain hidden here, you will stay on my terms. It is my house you are in and you will respect it. I will not have any fights here, nor will I accept insults.”

“I understand your concern, yet I cannot allow Kili to stay in the state he’s in. So now, all of you will walk out of this room and let me do my thing. I also ask the healer from your company to assist me. Kili has a fever and I have run out of my medications for it.”

As you finished and turned to finally properly tend on fidgeting Kili, a painful silence was the only thing filling the room. In next moment, however, you heard footsteps and the door was closed, leaving only an old looking dwarf with a trumpet in his ear.

He was ready to assist you in any way you deemed necessary and after an hour, Kili’s wound was tended on, bandaged and he was given something for his fever. You also brought him a meal and warm tea.

Fili couldn’t stop thanking you and you left the room eventually, getting flustered by his gratefulness.

As you walked back to the kitchen, all eyes were immediately set on you. Oin must’ve already informed the rest about Kili’s state and Thorin hesitantly approached you, bowing his head lightly.

“Y/N, I wish to apologize. I was worried about my nephew and afraid when I couldn’t see him around. Yet, I shouldn’t have accused you of causing him more harm and for that I ask for your forgiveness.”

“Of course, I forgive you, Thorin,” you smiled warmly and the dwarf bowed again.

You sat in a chair, tired but joyous that you could help and when Bard crouched before you, you cupped his cheek.

“My knight, always ready to fight for the lady of his heart.”

“Aye, my darling, I will never allow anyone say a bad word about you.”

“If I wasn’t so tired, I would yell at you, you know that?”

“I do, and I will take my scolding with dignity. I also was told that I should be very proud of my wife for standing up to the King himself. There are not many who could do that. And who were listened to,” he quirked an eyebrow, taking your hands in his and kissing them.

“Are they pacified now?”

“Kind of. They are not pleased with my, as they called it, pitiful weapon collection, but I negotiated that they will not move a finger out of here until Kili will be able to walk.”

“In a day or two, if Valar allow.”

“You’ve nursed to health everyone that asked you for help. I’m sure he will be fine.”

“I hope so. How are children?”

“In their beds, sleeping.”

“Good,” you nodded, brushing your thumb tenderly against Bard’s cheek, “Kili will stay in our bed for now. I need your help in preparing places to sleep for the rest of our guests.”

“Well, Y/N, they took care of that already,” Bard tilted his head and you looked around the room, noticing that most of the company was already laying on their blankets, close to the fireplace. Only Thorin and Balin were up, still discussing something as they looked outside the window.

You sighed and rested your forehead against Bard’s, closing your eyes. Funny, how in a course of just few hours your home was taken over by dwarves, just as you thought nothing new would happen to you.

#bard #bard x reader #x reader #reader insert #the hobbit #hobbitfic #imaginexhobbit #nouria-evenstar

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808lionfire · 7 years

Text

Baby Blues

A Fairy Tail Fanfiction

Overview: Rated T for minor heat and some foul language. Modern!AU. Characters are in mid- to late-twenties. Fluff. The summary is low-key misleading. It sounds like there’s angst, but there really isn’t.

Pairing(s): Natsu/Lucy (Main), Implied Sting/Yukino, Implied Jellal/Erza, Implied Laxus/Mirajane, Natsu/Sting - Friendship, Sting/Lucy - Friendship, Implied Lucy/Yukino - Friendship.

Summary: With all the kids his friends were popping out, he never really found the urge to have any of his own. That feeling, however, was long before knew how wrong it felt when his weirdo best friend approached him with a child (that looked a little too much like her, and both draped in baby blues) on her arm, and it wasn't his.

Word Count: 4,343

A/N: Cross posted on FanFiction.Net. Inspiration is fickle and I still have to update my other story but lmfao. I’ll get to that when schooling calms down... probably.

Baby Blues

Natsu Dragneel wiped the sweat from his forehead, a bright grin on his lips.

Excited shrieks of children laughing around him, a few grabby hands tugging at the hems of his shirt. He tried to pacify their eager calling, one of his hand lifted in surrender as he dropped the ball he was holding in the other. The toddlers around him scooted to the side when he gently shooed them away. With a falsely anticipated voice, he slowly counted to three before he lightly kicked the ball and chuckled when three different children gave chase.

The salmon-haired man gave an exhausted sigh and walked over to break them apart when the kids started to tumble with each other, the soccer ball ways away from their small tussle. He noted to apologize to Makarov the next time he saw the old man, only now realizing how much grey hairs they must've given him when they were brats.

"Natsu Dragneel?" A voice called teasingly from the other end of the grassy clearing. "Breaking up a fight, and not being the cause of it? Now I'm sure I've seen everything."

The man in question looked up from where he was holding the collars of two different shirts, the children struggling in his grip to get at each other despite the obvious difference in their and their captor's strengths. Natsu had readied a glare and a sharp retort for the speaker, only to stop when a familiar mop of blonde hair and a playful smirk on the other man's face registered in his mind.

Sting Eucliffe, always the confident individual, swaggered over to where Natsu was, hands in his pockets and a sort of tired tint to his face. Natsu grinned as he let released the two kids and stood up to greet the blonde with a clasp of their hands and a brief bro-hug.

"What're you doin' here?" Natsu asked once they separated. "I thought you guys were on the first flight back to Crocus."

"We were stubbornly invited," Sting answered with a chuckle, glancing at the children who quickly forgot about the two adults and their previous squabbling and started chasing after the ball again. "Lucy insisted that we at least stay for Juvia's baby shower before we left. I figure she just wants us and Hugo to enjoy all the doting before we set off."

"Oh?" The pinkette's smile dropped, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"Yeah," the blonde man nodded, "but by how excited she looked, you guys must have some sort of surprise for us."

Natsu sighed, one of his hands slipping into his pockets while the other pulled his scarf away from his mouth. "Luce really doesn't know how to keep a secret."

"So I was right?" Sting looked a little shocked but then burst out into laughter. "Oh, man! It's a good thing Yuki is pretty oblivious to that kind of stuff. I guess also it helps that she still hasn't gotten used to taking care of Hugo on the go. That kid is an absolute monster at night, seriously."

"You and Yukino made Lucy happy though," Natsu chuckled. "She was really upset when she couldn't make it to Hugo's birth."

"Yuki too," Sting sighed. "That's why as soon as we got the green light from the doc, we got on the next flight here. I don't think I've seen my wife or our child the entire time we were here. It took six months, but my little family finally feels complete with Fairy Tail backing us up."

"You can count on us for anything," Natsu promised with an easy grin. "If it wasn't for your job back in the capital, Luce would've pestered you guys to move to Magnolia."

"Please. You wouldn't have to pester us," the blonde man admitted with a laugh. "If I know my wife, the she wouldn't let Lucy question before jumping at the offer. Yukino knows how important taking over the guild is for me though, and it would be a difficult move with Hugo so young."

"Congrats, by the way," Natsu told him with a chuckle of his own, "for the job and for the baby. Yukino must be relieved that he's not as ugly as you."

Sting punched his arm. "Screw off, man. I'm beautiful."

The pinkette laughed and opened his mouth to say more but an exclamation of surprise stole his focus and his head whipped to attention. "Oi, Simon Louis Fernandez! Put that down!" Natsu shouted across the clearing to the scarlet-haired toddler. "Your mother is going to have my head if she finds out I let you eat dirt again!"

The child, Simon, froze from where his dirt covered hand was poised halfway to his mouth and stared at him rounded eyes. Natsu sternly folded his arms across his chest when the child refused to budge and gave him the well-practiced 'eye' that Lucy always gave him when they first met. Mere moments later, Simon relented with a sag of his shoulders and dropped the fist full of earth back to the ground.

"Jeez," Natsu sighed when the child started after the other children again. "These brats stir up trouble the second you take your eyes off of them."

"That's why Uncle Natsu is here," Sting drawled in the most patronizing tone he could muster and snickered when the pinkette shoved him. "Kids are exhausting, man, but so worth it," the blonde man yawned and stretched his arms over his head. "So?" He asked, "when are we going to see little Natsu spawns running around and causing havoc?"

Natsu snorted. "These spawns are enough," he admitted, gesturing to the group of three children in front of him. "Erza and Mira synced their pregnancies with Simon and Elysia, so it's not like havoc is really a shortage in Fairy Tail. Thankfully they behave... sorta, with Asuka around." Natsu scratched the back of his neck, "I don't know how Jellal and Laxus can put up with this all day."

"Guess it's just something you won't really understand until it happens," Sting shrugged.

"Probably," Natsu agreed, "but don't count on it."

Elysia's gleeful shriek cut Sting's response as the four-year old broke away from the small crowd of children. "An' Usy!"

There was a quieter, but equally gleeful response and Natsu looked for the light-haired child's sudden interest. He knew, of course, that 'An' Usy' meant 'Aunt Lucy' in the child's warbled speech. He knew that Lucy wouldn't cause any harm to the kids, but constant cautious experience for the little humans developed a habit to always check what had gotten the kids so excited. Just for safe keeping.

What he wasn't expecting, though, was the sudden glow surrounding her as she held a lightly bundled child in her arms, beaming brightly at the children that ran up to her. She knelt in front of the kids, moved her body so she could cast a shadow over the bundle, and shifted the baby in her arms so the other kids' curious eyes could peek inside. Natsu couldn't hear what was said, but the excitement radiating off of the children had been enough to guess.

"There's the light of my life!" Sting exclaimed when Lucy stood back up to make her way over, a trail of duckling-children following closely behind her.

The blonde woman laughed, shooting the man a teasing look. "I'm flattered, Sting, I really am. But I don't go for married men."

"Oh, har har, Lucy. You're hilarious," Sting mocked in amusement.

"The talent oozes," Lucy shot back haughtily as she stopped in front of them, her chocolate-brown eyes glowing happily. "Hey, Natsu?" She grinned, bringing the baby up to her face and pressing their cheeks together, "doesn't he look like me? If I were twenty-three and a half or so years younger, we could be twins."

Natsu raised his eyebrow at her, but couldn't help but agree. The baby inherited Sting's blonde hair, just a shade paler than Lucy's, and Yukino's dark brown eyes. It wasn't the first time he was struck by Hugo's eerily likeness to the blonde woman; however, it was the first time they were close enough to compare. If he was a stranger looking in, he could have mistaken Hugo for Lucy's son.

And that really didn't sit well with him.

The grin on the woman's face slid off her lips, a frown of concern replacing it. "Natsu?" Lucy asked warily, cradling Hugo back into her arms. "Are you alright?"

Natsu blinked at her, his eyes focusing onto her own. "Huh? Wha– yeah. Of course I am, you weirdo. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You had a strange look on your face," Lucy replied, years of knowing him tuned out the weirdo comment. "I can take over watching the kids if you need a break."

"Nah," Natsu replied, an easy grin slipping onto his face as he shoved both of his hands into his pockets. "It's almost time for lunch anyway, right?" Lucy nodded, still hesitant. "See? I got them, Luce. Don't worry about it."

"If you're sure," she mused, eyeing him for a moment before turning back to Hugo with a affectionate smile on her lips. "Alright, Hue, you wanna go back to daddy?" Lucy's smile grew when the baby's arms slid out from the blanket and wiggled his fingers in the air. "What about daddy, huh? You think daddy's ready to take you back?"

In reply, Sting held his hands out and wiggled his fingers, mimicking Hugo's actions. Lucy snickered before she carefully passed the baby to his father and gave a final farewell coo before removing her hands entirely. The blond man loosed the blankets around his son, letting the baby's hands curiously explore his face as he playfully nuzzled their noses together.

"Hey there, little light," the blonde man cooed to his son, a finger lifted to move the blanket away from the baby's face. "Did you miss daddy? Mommy must have been desperate if she gave you to Aunt Lucy of all people."

The golden-haired woman rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. "Yukino wants you to change Hugo's diaper," she informed, a smirk on her lips when Sting's quickly dropped. "I couldn't really smell it through the blankets, but if your son is anything like you, it's a stinker."

The children that were waiting faithfully behind Lucy finally drew her attention with their giggles and she missed the scowl Sting sent her at the jab. Natsu, however, chuckled at the expression the other man was currently wearing and could only smile in amusement when the (grown) man started to complain to the bundled baby. The pinkette turned back to his best friend just in time to see the children trying to drag her to where they caught an earthworm nearly an hour before.

Knowing Lucy really wouldn't take as smoothly to the wiggling worm as he had, Natsu quickly jumped forward and caught the blonde's wrist in his hand. "Hey, guys?" He addressed the children, ignoring the curious look Lucy sent him, "I really don't think Aunt Lucy wants to see the worm you three caught earlier."

"Aw! Uncle Natsu!" Asuka complained, a pout in his direction. "You ruined the surprise!"

Lucy's eyes rounded, her mouth popping open slightly. "A-Ah, well. U-Uncle Natsu has a p-point. "

"But is really big!" Simon tried to reason, his eyes widening up at Lucy. "Really, really big!"

Natsu's eyes shot towards Lucy's face, knowing the blonde was the biggest sucker for their wide-eyed attacks. As he expected, the blonde's chocolate-brown orbs melted under the stare. It also didn't help that Elysia, the more reserved one of the three, had started to tug at her other hand and gave Lucy the pout that Mirajane had most likely taught her to use on Laxus.

He could feel Lucy's hand weaken under his fingers as she quickly turned and shot him a panicked look. Natsu, who surprisingly doesn't fare much better against the visual assault when it's directed towards him, just shrugged back helplessly. He had to hide his amused smile at the comical look of betrayal that shot across her face.

Taking pity on his best friend, Natsu sighed and tugged her under his arm, giving the children a wary look. "Maybe later, yeah?" He asked with a grin. "It's almost lunch time, so why don't we get all cleaned up before your moms skin me alive?"

"Natsu!" Lucy hissed under her breath, elbowing him in the side. "That is not something you tell children!"

Natsu snorted, keeping a close eye on the children as they jumped and squealed over each other to get to the campground first. "Please, Luce. They each saw me get my ass kicked at least twice this week."

Lucy set harsh eyes on him. "Don't encourage them then, you dolt!"

"It got them movin', didn't it?" He asked with a noncommittal shrug. "And 'sides, it wasn't like I was lyin'."

"Oh, whatever," the blonde woman huffed, ducking under his arm to address the quiet father behind them. "Yukino's expecting you," she told Sting with a defeated sigh. "Are you guys sure you can't move here? I'm going to miss this little guy."

Sting laughed at this. "We have responsibilities back home, Lucy, but the wife would definitely take you up on that offer."

"Yeah, I know," she huffed again, blowing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "That's why I didn't ask Yukino."

"Doesn't mean you can't visit us up in Crocus, though," Sting offered and then continued with a wink, cuddling his son closer. "Who knows? Maybe you might have started your own little spawn buy then."

"Right," Lucy snickered, leaning back to press herself against Natsu. The latter glaring at Sting before the words even fell from the man's lips. "I have enough of my hands full with this big baby," the blonde woman cooed, reaching up and playfully tapping the pinkette's cheek with her hand. "Isn't that right, Natsu?"

The man in question gave her a mocking smile. "I wonder who's takin' care of who, Luce," he returned, wrapping his arm around her again. "Wasn't it just last week when you was complaining that you were just too sick to move?"

Sting cut in through Lucy's sudden silence, a grin on his face. "I'm still expecting some happy news the next time we see each other."

"Don't hold your breath," the blonde woman grumbled. She then shook Natsu's arm away and separated herself from the group. "I'm going to go check on the kids. Only the stars know what kind of trouble they'll get into at the sinks."

"Check Simon, yeah?" Natsu asked her, catching her hand in his and tangling their fingers together. When Lucy turned to look back at him with curious eyes, he winced. "Kid tried to eat dirt. Again."

Lucy huffed out a knowing laugh, turning on her toes and lifting herself up to plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. "I'll make sure there's no evidence," she giggled, dropping back on her heels. "You get cleaned up too, okay? Juvia wants to keep her baby blue tablecloths spotless and I really don't want to spend the night by my boyfriend's hospital bed."

"If she can catch me," Natsu snickered. Lucy just fondly rolled her eyes in reply before untangling their hands and bounded off to where the children disappeared.

"I don't know why you two are so against having a kid," Sting commented when Natsu turned back to him. "Having Hugo changed my entire life– and don't say it's because you're both too busy to have a kid, because I just inherited the guild and Yukino had her new internship at the office. I think Yuki and I know a thing or two about being 'too busy.'"

"It's not that," Natsu sighed, reaching back to fluff the hair above his neck.

Sting shifted Hugo in his arms, smiling down at his son when the child let out a happy giggle. "Did you ask her?" He questioned without looking, letting tiny fingers reach out towards his own.

Natsu blinked. "What?"

"Did you ask her?" Sting repeated, looking up this time. "Did you ask Lucy if she even wanted to have kids?"

"Well... no," Natsu admitted. "But– c'mon, man. You heard her earlier. She told you not to hold your breath."

"Geez, Natsu," the blonde man sighed. "Think about it. You've been together for what? Four years? Your friends are popping up babies left and right. There's no way that she hadn't considered having a kid with you. Women talk, man. One of the only women left in your group who hasn't had a kid yet is Levy, and it's not like it's for the lack of trying."

"Just talk it out, yeah?" Sting asked, clapping a hand on Natsu's shoulder when the other man stayed quiet. "We should get going. I still gotta change Hue's diaper and you gotta get cleaned up. I really don't want you to send us off in a hospital bed."

Natsu landed face-first in exhaustion, the crisp, soft sheets under him giving his aching muscles some reprieve from the harsh day. A laugh sounded from behind him him shortly before he was nudged aside and was joined in a similar fashion. Not caring that hot and humid the day was still clinging to their skins, he rolled enough to pull the equally exhausted blonde into his arms. He nuzzled his way to the side of her face and pressed a kiss to her temple. She giggled affectionately and curled closer.

"Hey, Luce?"

"Hm?"

Natsu lazily dug his fingers between her shoulders, easing the knots out of her back. "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?" Lucy asked with a satisfied sigh, tension easing from her shoulders.

"When you told Sting not to hold his breath?" The blonde woman froze at his words, her body tensing appropriately. Natsu only continued his fingers' dance on her back until she was somewhat relaxed again. "Well, did you?" He prodded, the smug bastard's words willing him to continue.

Lucy blew out a breath, the air hot on his chest despite his shirt covering it. "Well... I can't say that I haven't thought about it," she admitted, her hand drifting up to rest on the area above his heart. "But, between our guild jobs, your work at the firehouse, and mine with Sorcerer's, I guess there really wasn't much time to really think about it. I mean, that's no excuse. Jason wasn't exactly being subtle when he said we could get maternity leave..."

"So... why don't we?" Natsu asked casually, his fingers falling on the bed when Lucy lifted herself up to look incredulously at him.

"This isn't the weather we're talking about, Natsu," she scowled at him, "this is a life we're talking about here! A baby is a lot of responsibility! Don't ask that so casually!"

He snorted. "As if asking if Hugo had any resemblance to you was such a complicated hint." The blonde went red, spluttering protests that only had the pinkette smiling. He reached up to pull her back onto his chest, quieting her protests but not the flame on her cheeks. "I'm not gonna lie. He does look like you and that doesn't sit well with me. If you have some secret kid, Luce, you better tell me about it."

"Shut up!" Lucy groaned at his chuckling, burying her heated face into his chest.

"But seriously," Natsu smiled, letting his hand drift to her hip. "I've thought about having a kid with you before. I didn't want to push it, though. I didn't want you to scare you off by bringing up a kid so soon. You know you mean the world to me, Luce, but you can do so much better."

"That's a lie and you know it," Lucy scoffed and shifted so she could press a loving kiss to the underside of his jaw. "No one can love me the way you can," she whispered quietly when she pulled back to lay her head back down. "You couldn't scare me off even if you wanted to."

"Unfortunately," Natsu admitted and laughed when she playfully hit his chest.

He shifted their positions, his elbows resting on either side of her as he hovered a breath above. Even in the dark, Lucy's dark-brown eyes gleamed mirthfully into his. He always loved the blissfully happy look on her face, so no one could blame him when he dipped his head to press a full kiss on his girlfriend's lips. She responded in kind, as she always did, submitting every inch of her body and soul to him.

He loves her in the only way he could; with every bend and twist and bit of strength that he could to keep her tethered so greedily to him. Each time their skin meets, he tries to leave a mark on her; a mark so bright and blinding that she would be reminded of him every time she remembered, but only as an act of retaliation because she so effortlessly leaves one on him without even trying. She had called him a greedy, hoarding dragon a few times before, mostly in the heat of a kiss when he robs her of her very breath. It makes him laugh and love her that much more.

Lucy reached places in him that no one dared to touch before, breaking down every carefully built wall he placed. Even through soft, pliant kisses, he monopolized all she had to offer while leaving himself bare for only her to see. For only her to feel. No one could love him the way she could.

Because she could be pretty greedy too.

"I want every piece of you."

It was a confession, soft but demanding in the limited air between them, and Natsu wasn't sure which one of them said it. Judging by the hot, mildly surprised breath that caressed his lips after the phrase was said, then it must have been him.

"You already own every bit."

The breathy reply made a small growling groan push past his lips.

Natsu drifted his hands up her arms, pushing them over her head and lacing their fingers tightly. He parted Lucy's lips with his own and delved deeper. He lost himself to the harsh breaths from her nose as she stubbornly refused to move back for air, and fell with each wanton whimper and desperate tug on his hair every time his sharp teeth scraped against her lip. Sometimes on accident, most times on purpose.

Phrases like before always stuck with him. They were promises. Vows. Guarantees for more without it becoming too obsessive. First came an admission, and then the reply. Like confessing what they already knew, but just making sure that they were still on the same page.

An admission: "I need you."

The reply: "I'm not going anywhere."

She tasted like spit and a bit like the s'mores they roasted over the campfire earlier, but he could swear that he never tasted anything more addicting. His heated hands detached themselves from hers and trailed a languid path down her arms, past the dip of her waist, and then clutched her hips where they stayed for a long moment. One dipped under her body to pull her closer, the other gripped the rising leg at his side and helped its path around his hips.

He liked surprising her in these kind of situations. Where she could easily be caught of guard, and where her reactions is always true. He liked bearing his soul in soft whispers despite being a man for action. That's why he confesses in this sort of way. So he takes leaps, and jumps without reserve. To honor that thought, the next admission came.

Well... sort of admission.

"Have a baby with me."

Lucy pulled back abruptly, breaking their kiss as a loud, surprised laugh erupted from her throat. Natsu chuckled at her mirth, his hand never ceasing their small patterns on her thigh.

"Is that a no?" He couldn't help but cheek, a grin on his face.

Lucy raised an amused eyebrow in his direction, her laughter slowly dying. "You didn't even ask a question, Natsu. Oh my god..."

Natsu blinked. "So that's a no on the no?"

The blonde shook in silent laughter and pulled him back down for another kiss, this one a bit more elated and, somehow, loving.

Later that night, when she was asleep in his arms, content and relaxed, he realizes that he never got his answer. He softly ran his hand down her bare back, slick with a layer of sweat, but he didn't mind in the slightest. At least it didn't feel like a no, he admitted quietly in his head. Natsu chuckled at the thought as he cuddled his loved girlfriend against his chest and dropped an affectionate kiss on the top of her head, following her quickly in slumber.

It definitely didn't feel like a no.

#fairy tail #fairy tail fanfic #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #sting eucliffe #Nalu #nalu fanfiction

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shanwrites · 5 years

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Baby White Space

Our son Thomas is seven months old today! He is super adorable. Seriously. People come up to us to tell us this all the time even when Thomas is just staring at them without smiling.

Having a baby is a truly life-altering experience -- I underestimated this before Thomas showed up. In the pre-Thomas era, I always questioned why new parents tend to post about their kids non-stop on social media. Now that I have Thomas, I can shed light on this phenomenon. Everything is a new experience, and on days when I’m not working, I spend 8-10 waking hours a day actively playing with him or doing related work like cooking baby food.

Because of how mentally and physically demanding babies are, there is naturally a huge economy around babies. Baby equipment, baby food, baby classes, you name it, there’s some over-priced baby version of it that you can buy as retail therapy for whatever baby woe you’re having that day. Fussy? Not eating well? Not sleeping well? Drooling too much? Google it and have Amazon ship you the solution, or better yet, multiple solutions! Yet all these products seem at odds with the way that many parents claim they want to raise their babies - more naturally, less obsessed with consumerism, less technology and more free play. We want to limit our babies’ screen time, even as we’re downloading tons of baby-related apps and monitoring their every sleeping breath on a custom baby cam.

It’s hard to embrace the ABSENCE of stuff. When I’m thinking about a subject all the time, a problem-solving shopping list naturally forms around it. Plus all the other parents are sharing what they’re doing and buying ... in a social media age where most posts are photos, no one’s posting about what toys they DIDN’T get their baby or what activity or destination they AREN’T taking their baby to. So much FOMO pressure on something you’re already spending so much time thinking about. In an age when people are locking down daycare spots before the baby is even conceived, is it a wonder that we feel the need to plan and buy everything before there is a manifest need for it?

So let’s take a break from all that. Let’s mindfully create some baby white space. Let’s find a way to talk about the good experiences that can happen when we’re not jam-packing their extremely young lives with trendy gear and photo posing and scheduled, structured activities.

I’ll start with this list of things we didn’t buy for Thomas and things we bought that we realized we didn’t need. This is not to shame anyone who have this stuff -- it’s simply articulating an alternative because people make a lot of gear recommendations, but not nearly as many people tell you how easy it is to live without them.

Bassinet - Thomas slept in a full-sized crib from Day 1. We also don’t have a bassinet for the stroller - you can use your car seat with the stroller until your baby is 3-4 months old for neck support; after that, the regular stroller seat is fine.

Changing table - he has a changing pad that we put on top of my old nightstand that has become his clothes dresser. It was really hard to find dressers that weren’t made of manufactured wood!

Diaper bag - I use a small canvas bag for the essentials that I dump into whatever shoulder bag or backpack I usually take out.

Travel crib - I got this after weeks of research and have used ours exactly once, and not from a lack of travel. Turns out every hotel has a crib, and plenty of Airbnbs too. We’ve never really had to take this on a trip with us, although it is nice to have a pack-n-play at the grandparents’ house for visits.

Nursing pillow - I had one and it always felt awkward. I used a normal pillow for a while, and now I just use my legs to prop up my arms.

Bottle sterilizer - We wash the bottles with warm soapy water then do a cold water rinse and let it dry on a dinner plate. He’s never gotten sick from it.

Bottle warmer - Just use the microwave! Thomas drinks about 5 oz per meal from glass bottles. Eric puts 30 seconds on the microwave timer, but stops the microwave in 6-7 second intervals to swirl the bottle to prevent any localized hot spots. We don’t like microwaving plastic, so I probably wouldn’t recommend this if you use plastic bottles.

Baby bathtub/related equipment - We got one of these, but we found out that he loved the regular bathtub way more. We get in the tub with him, hold his head up and let him splash to his heart’s content. In the first couple of weeks when we were scared about breaking him, we gave him sponge baths on the changing pad. He had no bath toys for the first 5 months, now he has one “toy” that’s actually just a mini shampoo bottle.

Baby shampoo and soap - We wash Thomas with plain water. This may soon change now that he is getting into eating solid foods though.

Bouncer/swing- We were trying not to make him (and ourselves) depend on too many crutches to fall asleep, so we resisted getting a bouncer. He was fine chilling on the cotton play mat and sleeping in his crib with a little training.

Sound machine - We’re lucky - he sleeps fine without one.

Pacifier - He didn’t cry much in the early days so we didn’t use one. When we finally got desperate enough to try one, he thought it was weird and rejected it.

Mittens - He has had a few minor scratches, but doesn’t seem to notice them. We wanted him to learn to use his fingers and how not to use them, and that’s what he did.

Baby cam - I almost got one when we moved him into his own room at 5.5 months old, but Eric was worried they weren’t secure. So we got the old fashioned walkie-talkie style monitors. Which we never opened because our apartment is all on one floor and we realized we could hear him crying all too well from anywhere in the unit. We returned them. Plus I think I also get more of a mental break from him after his bedtime when there isn’t data to monitor.

Baby classes - We go to free nursery rhymes hour at the library down the street. He also meets other babies at the park across the street.

Special thanks to Eric for talking me out of buying a bunch of things on this list. He is much better than me at resisting the urge to solve all problems with Amazon.

#baby #kidadvice #babyadvice #savingmoney

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nicksstoryvault · 7 years

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Brennen Barnes didn't like girls. Unlike the monumental sum of boys his age, he didn't think they had cooties or some weird jinx that came with getting too close to them. But as an only son growing up with what was now a trio of daughters—siblings—he thought girls were annoying and bossy. He didn't like to be bossed around. He hated it in fact. Each time he heard Rora's pushy voice telling him what to do or not to do, the young wolf felt a scratching sensation against his back, as if nails were being dragged up and down his body.

So the fact that all the young girls at the party kept following him to pull him into silly games like patty-cake, made him all the more frustrated. He hated this party. He hated the uncomfortable clothes daddy made him wear. He hated these girls who looked at him with stars in their eyes. And most of all, he hated the little punk who was the celebrating his birthday at this party. A pretty boy who was used to having everyone gush over him, and having everything. He was skinny, prissy and Brennen wanted to punch his face. But he promised daddy he'd behave. Sitting at a chair at a table with Rora and some of the other kids, he taps his foot impatiently, just waiting for the stupid cake to be served so they can go home. Dressed in the elegance of a young princess, with her virbrant chestnut whorls hair done up into a chignon that had a white rose pushed attached to the clip, Aurora embraced the air of royalty, wearing a sleeves crimson flower beaded dress, and matching ballet slippers; she truly carried the visage of a princess, caging her brazen fire as she tried to engage the other kids attention. That soon became obstructed when she gazed at her moody and irritable twin brother, ignoring the protesting growls that he emitted against his clenched teeth. Brennen looked menacingly adorable like a cantankerous kitten with unkempt fur and piercing frosted azure eyes.His wolfish mane of dark chestnut was tied back into a knotted ponytail, his slender and hardened body of chiseled muscle garbed in a tailored charcoal gray suit, with a few buttons undone. He carried the distinct and boyish visage of his father, the same lethal edge and stubborn temper --he was a dwarf sized version of the Winter Soldier; on the outside, he wore a semblance of a Brooklyn charm, behind that guise, he was little roguish pup who desired to roam back into the darkness. Smirking beautifully at his temperamental display, Aurora couldn't restrain a giggle, as she watched Brennen tighten a little hand into an effectual fist. She nudged him forcibly in the shoulder, feeling the vicious pulse teeming in his rigid body. "Bren, you gotta stop," she urged lowly, saddling him with an imploring stare of icy sapphire. "Daddy wants us to play nice, so no puttin' anyone crossed in your sights on the ropes tonight, kay?" Hearing the bossy voice of his twin, Brennen's eyes squint into a pinching frown. Rora wouldn't let up, even for one night. "Stop bossin' me. We're at a party, and it sucks," he felt the need to voice his displeasure, uncaring if any of the other kids heard him and decided to tell a grown-up. He glances at Aurora beside him with something resembling a pout. "I just wanna go already. Why can't they hurry up and serve this cake!" He whines, dropping his head back dramatically which seemed to incite the group of kids sitting with them. "Don't go eating the end piece, that's mine! I call dibs!" One of the kids, an enthusiastic Asian boy with glasses yells from over the table. Brennen glares at him as if spotting a challenger. "I wasn't talkin' to you! I don't even want cake!" Brennen huffs with agitation. This drew the attention of the son of the esteemed host. A snobby brat who thought he was so pretty and better than everyone. "Good because you're not getting any, chubby. It's my cake, and I decide who gets a piece." The little brat smirks cheekily, feeling as if he were a little prince among a crowd of peasants who didn't even deserve to be here. Brennen's face began to turn a shade of red, a throbbing pulse of fire ran through his veins that began to fuel his movements as he rose from his chair. "Oh yeah? I'll tell you what you can do with that cake you little—" "Bren, that's enough," Aurora growled tersely while flashing a kittenish smile at the arrogant raven haired host, who twirled a pale finger over the rim of his raspberry punch. Her chance of making friends was vanquished by her brother's sourness and untamed temper. He was a power keg of raw emotions, any little thing would trigger an explosive reaction. Extending an arm over Brennen's waist, she desperately tried to restrain him. "He's not worth it, Bren, back down..."

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The outdoors was a spacious arena of calm and levity for Bucky Barnes compared to the turbulent noise that waged inside the estate. Parties weren't his idea of fun, despite how outgoing and lively he had been as a kid in Brooklyn who took pretty dames out to dance. He wasn't sure if it was old age setting in, or the fact that he had changed so much in so little biological years that stretched to decades in history. But somehow, the sight of little children, so innocent and full of life, reminded him of happier times. They were the light which sparked a beacon from within, drawing his inner-child back into the older shell. He loved kids—to be exact—he loved HIS kids, which were by far his primary mission in his modern life he'd built for himself. The soft coos and baby gibberish in his ears warmed his heart while the smell of mint and baby formula touched his nostrils. Shifting his stare to the precious bundle he held against his chest, he smiles warmly at the sight of his 1 year old daughter, Frost, just beginning to come out of her small nap with a cute yawn. "Hey there, snowflake, did you sleep all right?" He whispers against her brunette locks.

Listening to her father's soothing timbre, so deep and jovial, the baby girl cooed in a hushed response, fluttering open her tiny eyelids, revealing the vivid shades of frosted azure, that were bright as distant starlight. She tilted her head against the crook of Bucky's angled cybertronic metallic arm, still nestled cozily against the solid planes of his thick chest, where the steady thump of his heartbeat served as a pacifying rhythm. Now, she was alert-fully engaged and ready to take on the night--wiggling slightly against the wake of hunger, she fussed and thrusted her fisting hands upwards, seizing his long dark tresses with a firm grip. "Dada..." she gurgled out, staring into his mirroring steel-blue depths.

A hearty chuckle blew past Bucky's lips as they pulled into a breathtaking grin. "Moroznyy (Frosty)…" he chimes, lifting up his little angel until she's carefully nestled against his chest. "Hope my little snowflake, had a nice rest. The party is just beginning." He says to her. Frost had only started talking a little over a month ago, tiny word fragments in the usual baby-talk pattern, but her first word had been clear as he just heard it seconds ago. She had been full of surprises since the moment she'd came into this world. The many people who saw her tonight were in awe of her natural pale skin and her icy blue eyes. They complemented her name as being quite fitting. He dressed her in a small baby-sized dress that was entirely cotton on the inside to keep her warm and cozy. Her growing length of hair was still short, but thickening strands were pulled into twin pigtails that rose off the top of the left and right of her head. Her tiny head bobs slightly as she gazes out with big blue eyes at their surroundings. They were in the garden of the estate, which was awash by the radiant colors of twilight. They sit against a stone stairway and watching the numerous little kids play with each other on the grass, among them being his precious Mattie. A few adults stood by also watching their children while catting among themselves. Bucky had politely withdrawn from a number of conversations, particularly with a few singles women who were enamored with his good-looks and the very sight of him being such a joy with children. He didn't come to make new friends. Which was why he and his kids were just enjoying their own company until the festivities came to their conclusion. "Look at your big sister, snezhinka (snowflake)." Bucky coos against Frost's ear, watching just as numerous kids were as little Mattie Barnes sways across the grass and stone floor with the grace and poise of a ballerina.

Evading herself from the cacophony of the opulent party goers inside the mansion, Madison carved to feel the soft caresses of the night air and the luminescent power of the moonlight. She welcomingly cherished the contrasts of darkness, an element she effortlessly mastered when she strayed away from parties. She was considered an outsider in social groups since her angelic and enchanting beauty was incomparable to most girls her age. She was a dark little swan, friendless and gracefully elegant in her lithe kittenish form. Tonight, Mattie wanted to sit with her twined siblings, pretend to wore the visage of a princess, but she had an audience to impress, watching her perform her balletic twirls with fluid precision and feline grace. Her movements flowed in sync as she balanced her lithe weight on an arched foot, hoisting the other with unfaltering control until she reached her acquired stance. Her Auntie Tasha would be so proud of her. Spinning around on a pivoted heel, she gazed at her father stood near an arched stone gate, looking dangerously alluring in the shadows, as he cradled little Frost in his arms, rocking with a gentle sway.

"Snova! (Encore!)" Bucky cheers with genuine awe at his little girl's natural display of grace and agility. Her form and skills had improved greatly over the last couple of years, especially since she had begun to practice with Romanoff each time he and the kids visited the Avengers compound in New York. His former Russian rival had even complimented Mattie as being a prodigy whose talent should be explored to its fullest potential, something that had thrilled his little girl and likewise, made Bucky proud. To show his encouragement, he softly claps his hands while keeping Frost secured in his arms. Surrounding them, even a few adults and kids shared in his support and appreciation of Mattie's display.

Performing a climactic bow, Mattie smiled brightly at her father's echoing applause, whipping her head up as long silken mahogany strands lashed over her cool alabaster features; suddenly her mother's cunning and hyper-aware instincts detected ominous danger, while her inner wolf spirit vigorously caught a wafting and reachable stench of rank fat coming from the other side of the lavish estate. Her delicate nose crinkled against the distinct redolence of distressed pig. Her uncertainty betrayed the delighted glints shining in her dark eyes, as she quickly grabbed her slippered shoes and raced towards Bucky. "Daddy, what's that smell?" she asked, her lyrical voice held an edge of alarming dread.

Confused at his daughter's question, Bucky concentrates on the scents surrounding them. At first, he could detect nothing unusual behind the smell of baby formula, pine and mint. "I don't smell…" Then there was the smell of something that reminded him of a filthy barnhouse where animals lived in squalor. That was when Bucky's sharp ears registered the sudden commotion that was as alarming as a sea of panic, and devastating as a car crash. It was coming from inside the estate. Dread clawed in his gut, one that he loathed as it brought him nothing but fear against the most terrifying of possibilities. His blue eyes are wide and unblinking as he sees a horde of guests exchanging shocked looks with each other.

His sense of danger and foreboding triggered inside of him, and that had Bucky rising to his feet and gesturing for Mattie to take Frost. "Hold your sister, Mattie." He is quick but careful to rest his baby into her arms before he makes a beeline for the inside of estate.

Feeling her little infant sister writhing stubbornly against her secure embrace, Mattie was dueling with rampant emotions, she refused to stay outside with the group of strangers, not when she detected an impending presence looming over the estate. Veering her dark eyes towards the patio, she watched Bucky slip back inside the glass doors, his movements frantic and unhinged. Gearing herself up to sprint across the grass, she cradled her hand delicately over Frost's tiny head, breathed deeply and then gunned with momentum to the glass door, instincts shot off an alarm, haphazardly as she felt an unnatural coldness rake over her svelte body. The apparitions of danger were close, as she resolved to call after her father."Daddy, wait, don't..."

Five minutes earlier… The mounting sense of irritation and anger had neared the tipping point for Brennen as he felt himself being dragged, like dead weight, towards the large banquet table where a crowd of kids and adults gathered just in time to see the rich snob get his precious cake. His little hands tightened into fists, but he made no move to fight back as Rora pulled him to join her and the others kids watchin'. "I can walk, Rora," Brennen scowled with a shrug as he forces himself to match her pace. He bumps into a fat man's stomach, then proceeds to glare at him as if he would eat him alive. "Hey, watch it," he grumbles, still following Rora's lead.

"Bren, stop actin' like a jerk," Aurora seethed against gritted teeth, her grip tightening with a pulse of urgency as she continued to drag him away from the chair before he unleashed his extent of his anger on the smug brat. His steel-blue irises radiated with an arresting gleam of predatory malice exhibiting a notch of his unrestrained aggression, as he sneered darkly at his target. She needed to cool him off. "C'mon, don't rise up to it, Bren, remember Uncle Stevie told us that stupid bullies are always lookin' for a fight?"

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