- Benn lies on his stomach when he lies with you in the night, he has a few back problems with age and experience of being a pirate,
- Keeping that rifle steady and his shoulders squared whilst hes covering Shanks during enemy and ally encounters has done some damage,
- Benn usually slings an arm over your lower back, his calloused thumb rubbing patterns across your skin to help you fall asleep, moving his hands soothes him too. Hes always doing something with his hands, either cleaning his rifle, or pulling the ropes for the sails, or dragging you by the collar back to his side when a stray bullet hits,
- The pillows are covered in grey hairs, Benn always takes his low ponytail out when he goes to sleep, its long so sometimes you even braid it loosely to help him fall asleep when his back is giving him problems,
- Benn's voice is more raspy in the morning, his left eye always cracks open first, half lidded as he grins, watching you wake up,
"Mornin y/n, ready to face the day? Captains gonna be making barbeque out of that crews ship"
- Benn always makes the bed in the morning, sometimes, on the very rare occasions that Benn's tired, youll do it and pull the blanket back over his as you go on deck to get a few tasks done to make his day easier,
- Shanks has a habit of putting his cold feet by yours in the morning, usually to test if you're still aslewp so he can blame you that hes stayed in bed a bit longer, cat rules, he cant move because hed disturb the cat (you),
- Usually it ends up with you kicking him under the covers and he laughs,
- Shanks always sleeps shirtless so its usually soft muscle that you wake up on, Shanks is usually pretty cold so its damn good to sleep next to him with all of the summer weathered islands,
"Haha! Ow y/n, cmon! Im cold, you wouldnt hurt me, im your captain!"
- As much as the Red Haired pirates are usually quite chaotic, Shanks enjoys the peaceful and slow mornings immensley when your asleep beside him,
- Shanks, my my, that man loves to be the little spoon,
- Why the hell wouldnt he want to lay in your arms, with his head against your chest,
- Shanks' crimson eyes are half lidded as he just keeps his arm around your waist, feeling the blanket get pulled over his shoulders again,
- Usually Rayleighs cloak is draped over you when your asleep in his arms, Rayleigh always wears boxers and just a white linen shirt,
"Hmm, keeping it warm for me love? Good"
- Rayleigh sleeps on his back, with his arm around your waist, his other arm rested behind his head,
- If Rayleigh wakes up before you, hes usually reading some book that the Roger pirates had nabbed,
"You're staring again"
- Rayleigh says, a smirk on his lips, getting up,
- Rayleigh always has messed up hair in the morning, when he eventually gets up and pulls his cloak from the floor, he licks his hand and slicks his hair back, cracking his sword welding arm and pulling his glasses on, only to readjust them, and then take them off to clean them,
- Rayleigh makes a habit of pulling your shirt back over you in the morning, usually kissing your collarbone before buttoning up the rest and grinning,
- Off to deal with whatever nonsense the crew was getting up to next,
- Its quiet in the mornings at Shakky's bar in Sabaody, as with age, well, what's more to do whilst you wait then drink and share memories? So you were both hungover,
- Rayleigh finds it hard to sleep without the rocking waves, even all these decades later, he still misses the creaking wood planks of the Oro Jackson,
- But the quiet after a hangover? Maybe he was a bit thankful for that, and you still in his arms of course, though, Rayleigh usually sleeps on his side now, his arm usually rested under your head, his head rested against your upper back,
"Y/n, my arms going numb"
- But he never makes any attempt to move, you're no fool, age may have made Rayleigh age, but his body was still more put together then people believed,
- Sometimes Rayleigh presses a few kisses them. The long beard hed grown usually making you shift from how it tickled your skin,
- Rayleigh still pulls the cloak over you, still makes that same damn joke, Rayleigh won't admit it, but he really does like feeling the warmth of you when he wears it,
- This man has biceps that could crush mountains, let alone his axes, he always sleeps only in his boxers,
- There is no way that you are getting out of the cuddle in the morning until he wakes up. That man has a death grip on you lol,
- Gaban's axes are always rested by his side of the bed,
- Gaban usually drops his sunglasses on the nightstand or he just forgets to take them off all together and sleeps with them on,
"Ugh, damn things"
- Hed grumble as he goes to rub his eyes and ends up poking himself in the eye by pressing his fingers to the lense of his glasses,
- Gaban likes sleeping so hes facing you, laying on his side as he keeps you close, your head rested against his chest,
- Gaban is a deep sleeper, he doesnt wake up until he feels something off, or something coming, there have been moments where he has accidentally slept in and had to fight in his damn underwear before,
"Tch, we dont talk about that sweetheart"
- Is all Gaban says, as he can hear you start laughing, those encounters are something that the crew teases him about, but even then? Theres a sharp grin as he 'scolds' you,
- Gaban will quietly tap some sort of secret language that you'd both made up during your time together on your thigh to test if your still asleep, if you laugh? Then he knows you're not, if you dont? Then that means he gets a bit longer in bed,
- Gaban lies on his stomach now, man needs a damn hydraulic press on his back, and you my dear, will be his makeshift hydraulic press now. Sometimes you will press your elbow into part of his shoulder blades and hell groan as he wakes up, relief flooding through for a bit,
"Thanks sweetheart, thats been bothering me for a while"
- Gaban claims he is still the big spoon, absolutley no way would he ever be the little spoon, but over the years? He has become the little spoon, he loves it when you lay across his back, your head resting on his upper back as you sleep,
- Gaban keeps a calloused hand on your leg when you both cuddle. Your leg rested by his hip, usually he drags you by the leg, grinning like a moron as he drags you onto his back,
"Cmon. Time for bed."
- Gaban grunts and squints whenever the light filters in, he wakes up at the first light, usually leaning his head back and craning it over his shoulder to kiss you in the morning,
- Every morning, without fail, Gaban will defintley make some sort of sex joke, theres no escape and their always so bad,
- Roger keeps his chest pressed to your back, his head rested on the crook of your neck, the hairs from his moustache usually irritating your skin or tickling it,
- Roger is a stupidly tall man, so one of his legs is always hanging out from the blanket,
"Mhn. Ready for another adventure? We're getting close now, I can feel it. Just a bit longer"
- Roger would say as that sleep, wide grin would grace his lips,
- Roger usually drapes his cloak over you both to act like a blanket, that was in the very early days of the crew before you had done a marine raid and grabbed a few blankets for the boat,
"Stay a while love, Captain's orders"
- Unfortunately Captain's orders meant fuck all when he gets up pretty much immediately because Rayleigh and Gaban can only enable him with so much nonsense,
- As Rogers illness sets in, he starts sleeping on his back, sleeping on his side makes him cough more and you had found a few straw pillows to help prop him up,
- You'd rest your head near his heartbeat. Making sure you can still hear it but making sure your not putting pressure on anything,
Synopsis: A lover's embrace is often all the comfort one needs. Your companions show you, through their touch, just how much your bond means to them.
[Lae'zel x Reader/Tav, Gale x Tav, Astarion x Tav cuddle headcanons]
Genres: Romance, fluff, humour, angst.
Dividers by: @saradika-graphics
(This turned out a lot more romantic and sentimental than the humour/fluff I'd planned. Either way, hope you enjoy it, lovely readers!)
Lae'zel: Dodge and Feint
In all fairness, you hadn't expected her to be party to softer forms of affection.
When all of this had started between you, it had been the result of a rather bold proposition after a difficult battle. Lae'zel had warmed to your fighting prowess, and your first time with her had reflected all of that desire, and more.
What you hadn't expected was the depth of respect, passion and acceptance you'd received from her, when you considered that in her eyes, you'd started off as a specimen of a weaker species with a nose that was too long for comfort.
If you'd been in her shoes, you're not sure you'd find yourself attractive.
Those thoughts aside, you'd found yourself wondering at times, whether you'd be able to persuade her to appreciate other things too. The softer side of affection, touch specifically, had always appealed to you.
You hadn't dared suggest as such to her yet, but you'd be lying if you hadn't fantasized about her strong arms holding you close, the tickle of her braids over your collarbone, the steady beat of her heart against your back.
But how to proceed?
Lae'zel was a tough nut to crack. You'd considered the direct approach; simply asking her outright for a cuddle. The images your mind threw up as a response made you choke on your tea. She might just coldly turn you down, and somehow, that seemed a lot worse than being punched in the face.
And yet ...
On a particular afternoon, after trekking through the mountains, your exhausted band had camped out on a rocky outcrop. The sky was an embroidered masterpiece above you, adorned with pearly stars stitched by some heavenly hand.
Blanket draped across your shoulders, you'd brought a steaming drink of mulled wine to Lae'zel, courtesy of Gale's stash of recipes. She'd glanced up at you silently, accepting the vessel.
You seated yourself beside her, before inching closer. She showed no sign of feeling the cold.
"The stars look beautiful tonight."
She turned her gaze upward, fingers curling tightly around the cup in her hand.
"I've seen the stars, up close. Most are chunks of cold, empty rock, without even the memory of a single soul's tread. They are beautiful, I suppose, in their loneliness."
Something in her description caught at your mind, causing you to glance sideways at her.
"And once you leave your tread on them? Do you think they retain some fondness of that moment?"
"Stars have no soul."
"And if they did?"
She snorted and took a sip of her drink.
"You ask the oddest questions."
"You seem to like them. Most of the time."
You offer a cheeky grin in response to her sharp look.
"You assume a great deal."
Emboldened, you shift up until your side is pressed to hers, before passing the blanket across her shoulders and tugging the end snugly back towards you, effectively wrapping you both within the soft, comfortable folds.
She didn't move, but raised her eyebrow at your actions.
"I don't recall saying that I was cold."
"Maybe you're not. Maybe you are. It's my job as your chosen partner to wrap you in a blanket either way."
"Hmm. More presumption. What do you gain from this? You'd feel warmer if the blanket was wrapped more firmly around just you."
Your voice grew softer, almost hoping she'd let the comment pass without acknowledgement.
"I like this better."
"This?"
"Being close to you."
She remained still and silent for the rest of the time, but you noted that she'd made no move to remove herself from your proximity.
In the course of your short relationship with her, you'd found that Lae'zel was highly observant, mentally recording a lot of the things you said and did, only to produce that knowledge later in the most unexpected ways.
A few days after that night camped on the mountain, she'd suggested a sparring session, with no weapons involved. You'd eagerly agreed, deciding that your hand-to-hand combat skills needed some practice.
Not that you'd appreciate being flung down into the dirt multiple times, but it was certainly better than being caught lacking in a decisive battle.
And Lae'zel had proven herself an efficient, if somewhat ruthless teacher.
You readied yourself for the session, stretching your muscles and hopping back and forth, limbering up. Lae'zel took a sip of water from her canteen before closing the top, joining you in the open glade near camp that you'd chosen for this session.
She didn't give you the grace of an easy start, as you knew she wouldn't. Her hands darted out, landing a series of sharp jabs against your ribs, so rapid that you didn't feel anything at first, but then the impact kicked in and you winced.
You took courage from the fact that just a month ago, you'd probably have been doubled over in pain. Lae'zel had certainly conditioned you well.
Regaining your balance, you swept your leg out, watching as she nimbly leapt back. You hadn't managed to knock her over, but you'd put some space between you.
Circling, watching her follow your motions, you felt a shiver pass down your spine. Lae'zel's demeanour shifted, very subtly, during sparring. You gained a taste of the way she faced her opponents in battle, focused, predatory, a born hunter stalking its intended prey.
You feinted high and swung a blow that actually landed on her side. You felt the muscles of her abdomen clench, absorbing the impact before her hand closed around your wrist and she tugged sharply. The momentum behind your swing had you catapulting forward, off balance, right into her powerful hold.
Your feet left the ground, and you heard her grunt as you turned the tables, throwing your full weight back. She went down, but her hold on you never slackened.
Breathing hard, you squirmed in her grasp, but she stayed firm, one arm looped around your torso, keeping your arms trapped at your sides.
You huffed out a frustrated breath. You'd really thought you'd had her for a moment. More fool you.
Tilting your head back against her shoulder, you gave your concession.
"All right, this round goes to you."
"Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. It'll take much more training before you can best me."
"Thought I did get lucky for a moment there."
She remained silent, but you noticed that she hadn't released you from her hold.
"Lae'zel?"
"What is it?"
"Are we ... continuing?"
She didn't answer, but her grip around you loosened enough for you to free your arms. You turned slightly.
"Is everything all right?"
"Of course it is," she snapped.
"Then why have you stopped?"
Her put-upon sigh blew against the shell of your ear, warm, almost gentle.
"I thought you liked this."
"What? Being wrestled to the ground?"
"No, you imbecile! Being close to me."
The pieces suddenly slotted together in your head with stunning clarity.
She'd wanted to offer you physical proximity, and offering a sparring match in a secluded area, away from the prying eyes of others, had obviously been the logical conclusion in her mind.
You almost laughed, but then decided that this would be a very, very bad idea.
Instead, you sighed happily and leaned back in her embrace, head tucking beneath her chin.
"You thought right. I do like this."
"Hmph. So easily pleased. You should be glad I volunteered this training session. Otherwise, you'd just have to go without."
Her triumphant (rather smug) tone sparked a surge of something unbearable in your chest, a yearning you hadn't know you were capable of feeling.
How did she manage to do this to you?
Even with her clumsy, abrupt manner, her biting comments, her quick and sharp reprimands, her stand-offish nature, Lae'zel had somehow rendered herself so vulnerable to you.
You could feel it in the way she pressed her cheek to the top of your head, you could see it in the way she trusted you to lead her. You could sense it in the way her words reached you, always sincere and spoken from the purest of fires that burned within her, a warrior's constant in your cosmic equation.
And when her lips find yours, the latticework of the trees above you seem to open up further, exposing the arch of the sky, and your fingers find their way into her hair, sinking into the sweet hope of traversing that endless plane alongside her someday.
Gale: Materials and Method
"So, I've heard ... "
You downed the last of the healing potion and looked quizzically across at Gale.
He cleared his throat and stirred the pot with a little more vigour.
"I've heard ... no, read, a treatise on the healing power of touch. You know. To make you feel better after ... large and potentially traumatic events."
You grinned at him.
"And where did you find this treatise? Sharess's Caress?"
He shot you a reprimanding look, betrayed a little by the way his mouth twitched.
"Hmm. I don't think we're talking about the same written work on the subject of intimacy, although, dare I say, both have their merit."
You propped your chin on your hands, your breathing now a little easier as you felt the potion go to work on the bruising around your ribs.
The bandits you'd encountered in the hills had gone down fairly quickly to your party's combined attacks, but not before getting in a few blows of their own.
"So tell me, what does your treatise say?"
"Well, it speaks of the psychological benefits, all well researched, mind you, of maintaining skin to skin contact with someone you are already ... attached to. Someone you care for."
"And how are any of these things measurable?"
"Ah, through the release of certain hormones in the blood. Those can be measured."
"Is it really as simple as that?"
He was quiet for a time, gaze distracted.
"There was a time when I thought it was. That perhaps, love could be quantified. That its increments over time could be precisely measured by how much ... one gave. And how much was taken."
"And now?" you prompted him, gently.
"Now, I don't prescribe to the same school of thought."
He turned to you and smiled, that familiar warmth you'd come to associate with Gale's regard passing pleasantly over your features, as if touched by some invisible sun.
"Now ... well, I don't know what I believe. Let's just say that I'm ... open to conducting more research."
"Are you now?"
"Indeed, I am. A fortunate position to be in, don't you think?"
You laughed and watched him stir the stew for a while. You were fully aware of what he had done, setting out the offer for you, waiting patiently for you to turn it over in your hands, consider it from all angles, and decide if you'd give your consent or not.
In actuality, your mind had been made up some time ago.
"So, is there any way I could help you with your research?"
"There most certainly is."
His answer came a little too quickly, and your expression grew sly as you noticed the embarrassed flush steal up his neck.
"All right. Humour me, Master Gale. Where does all research begin?"
"With a question."
"How do I know if I'm asking the right one?"
"You have to refine it. Make it as concise as possible."
"Hmm. Here goes then. Gale, would you like to position your arms around me?"
"That's the wrong question. The real one should be- "
"About the benefits of embracing someone. I'm aware."
"Then - "
"Let's cut to the chase and begin experimenting?"
He uttered a soft laugh, one infinitely full of affection. Rising, he approached you with playful deliberation, pausing before you, one hand on his chin.
"I'm simply taking a moment to check whether you're ... receptive to my experiment."
You drew your knees together and raised your voice in a piteous falsetto.
"Oh, what foul Gods have sent this mountain breeze my way? I am so very cold. If only a warm and toasty man, of the scholarly persuasion, could come by and warm me."
Gale checked off a point on one of his fingers.
"It seems my services are required after all."
He resumed his steady pacing around your form.
"Next, I should observe the reactions before and after an embrace. Does it really have the intended effect, or can my subject survive quite well without it?"
You collapsed sideways across the log you were seated on.
"Oh, I am about to perish from this cold and loneliness. If only there was a man with a handsome beard, smelling slightly of stew, to come by and deliver sustenance to my soul."
"Ah. It seems they are both cold and lonely. A frightful combination, to be sure."
Gale was now right behind you, both hands coming to rest on your shoulders. His touch was light, but the weight of intention laid heavy across you both. He began to move his palms in soft soothing circles, beginning at the tops of your arms and slowly traversing the slope of your shoulders.
"Now, how does this feel?"
"Quite marvelous. I feel like I may be cured in no time."
"Never rush to conclusions like that. A true scholar would question the validity of what they feel in this moment. Does it really make you feel good?"
"Are you ... fishing for compliments under the guise of scientific inquiry?"
"I am merely following the method. Wiser men than me speak for its merits, you know."
"Well, wiser men seem to be beating about the bush an awful lot. It feels wonderful, Gale."
There was a pause before you felt him shift, the material of his trousers scraping across the log as he stepped over it and positioned himself in front of you. You took his outstretched hand, standing to face him.
"Looks like the spirit of experimentation is growing bolder."
He shook his head, shoulders heaving with silent laughter.
"You've played along wonderfully so far. Don't stop now."
"Oh, fine then."
You straightened and met his eye, shivering slightly in anticipation at what you'd seemingly kindled there.
"What next?"
"Put your hands on my shoulders."
When you complied, he stepped into your space, breath fanning along the flesh of your ear.
"And now for the final determination. The proving of my hypothesis, so to speak."
His arms slid around your waist, gentle, enclosing you in everything he was, his hold always considerate, but firm. You felt the light scratch of his beard against the side of your neck and inhaled sharply.
"And what is your hypothesis?"
"That this is most beneficial indeed."
"I have to agree."
You felt the curve of his lips against your skin, the tightening of his arms as he drew you close, enveloping you in his scent. Your hand found the nape of his neck, running up into the flow of his hair.
He inhaled deeply, taking you in, before he froze, gripping your waist and moving you a little further away. In the dim light, his eyes gleamed with amusement and chagrin.
"I do believe, in my desire to test this hypothesis, that I've managed to burn the stew."
Astarion: Practice makes perfect
He was staring again.
You could feel his gaze tracing along your skin, like molten threads of metal through a sword, fresh from the forge.
Making the journey from the Shadow-cursed lands (now no longer under the hold of Ketheric Thorm), had been slow at first. Your party was exhausted after the battle at Moonrise Towers.
Even though you had taken respite afterwards, the imperative nature of your mission to overthrow the Absolute was pressing. You compromised by setting a steady pace towards Baldur's Gate, frequently stopping to rest and re-supply.
As occupied as your thoughts were with what awaited you in the city, there was another puzzle to be unraveled.
Astarion's recent behaviour.
Since your encounter with the drow blood merchant, Araj Oblodra, there had been some revelations in your relationship with him. Astarion had come clean about his original 'plan' to seduce you, and his own budding feelings that had put an end to it.
As much as you were still processing what it all meant, you couldn't help the spark of hope that
flared every time you looked at him and saw the genuine softness and affection, the well-concealed pleasure he took in your company.
And now, there was something new. This ... watchfulness, for want of a better term.
You couldn't make head or tail of it.
He seemed to be waiting to ambush you at every dark corner in camp, his flowery drawl snaring you every time you passed his tent. He sat with you while you ate, even considering his distaste for regular food. Sometimes, you'd check your clothing and find new embroidery or repairs, probably done in the dead of night.
All this was well and good. You could accept the attention, and lavish him with your own, but he seemed to be ... expecting something from you, and you couldn't possibly make out what it was.
It was obvious that he was growing rather impatient with your lack of discernment. Once, you'd given him a peck on the cheek to say good night and you'd spied the flash of hurt that had lingered in his eyes for a moment, covered up instantly with charm and wit.
It was bothering you to no end.
What did he want from you? Why wouldn't he come out and say it?
On one particular night, the thoughts he'd inspired left you tossing and turning, sleep evading you. Rolling onto your back, you stared at the roof of your tent.
Right. No answers there.
It was then that you heard it; a soft tread just outside. Raising your head slightly, you listened carefully, one hand inching beneath your bedroll for the knife you kept handy there.
The footsteps stopped, then started up again. You realised that the person was pacing. Up and down. To and fro. It went on for some time, with pauses in between.
You put the knife back.
No assassin would be this indecisive. And besides, you recognised that tread. Your senses had all but made it highly familiar.
You called softly into the night.
"Astarion?"
The footfalls stopped abruptly.
"I know you're there. Come inside. It's so cold out."
There was a pause before he pushed the flap aside and crawled in. The dim glow from the campfire filtered into your tent, outlining him in flickering shadow.
He sat cross-legged, silent.
You waited for a few seconds before inching across to him, wrapping your blanket around his shoulders and retreating.
He uttered a small sound of frustration.
"Why do you do that? I'm not made of glass you know."
You frowned. He sounded ... tired. A trifle bitter.
"Do what?"
"You know what."
"Astarion."
You took his hand, feeling his strong, cool fingers clench convulsively around yours.
"You need to speak to me. I really have no idea what's been troubling you."
"You ... it's ... why do you avoid me? What have I done wrong? Are you ... regretting being together with me? Is it not enough? I knew it couldn't be enough. Why else would you ... "
You held up a hand to stem the confused flow of words, bewildered.
"What are you talking about? I've never once avoided you. I love being with you. You know that."
He was watching you again, eyes flicking between yours, as if to catch some hint of insincerity.
He found none, of course. You felt some of the tension leave his body, but your question still remained unanswered.
"You need to tell me. Why do you think I avoid you? And when?"
He shifted, dropping your hand and taking a deep, bracing breath.
"Do you remember the night we ... spoke. After meeting with that drow merchant?"
"Of course."
"Well ... why haven't you come to my tent since then?"
He waved his hands wildly, as if to grasp answers from the air.
"I'm pretty certain that I don't smell bad, for an undead being. And I'm beautiful, that much goes without saying. My hair hasn't been at its best in recent times, I admit, but plant extracts are rather hard to come by in the Shadowlands, darling, and I - "
You snorted incredulously.
"Are you serious? You really think any of that would put me off you?"
"Well, obviously something has. You don't ... you haven't ... "
He cut off, head lowered, hands braced on his knees. This was evidently difficult for him.
Reaching out, you gently stroked his cheek, a flutter of something vital and warm surfacing as he leaned into your touch.
This foolish, foolish man.
But you had to choose your words carefully.
"Astarion, I haven't been avoiding you at all. I was just ... giving you space. You trusted me with the knowledge of everything you've had to endure. I wanted to let you ... come to me on your own terms and ... oh."
As soon as the words left your mouth, you realised what you'd done. Falling silent, you lowered your gaze.
He folded his arms.
"Oh indeed. You're truly dense at times, my sweet."
"But I - "
His finger laid itself across your lips as you opened your mouth to protest.
"Gods, you're the most lovely, silly, frustrating ... idiot I've ever had the misfortune to meet."
You scowled under his silencing finger, but the relief in his voice was so palpable that you couldn't help the smile that bloomed in quick succession. You reached up and caught his wrist, lowering his hand.
"So, you want me to ... not be quite as considerate of your space as I've been."
"One would think you'd get the idea, considering how I've been invading yours. Not your brightest moment, my love."
A laugh bubbled up in your throat.
"So that's what all of that was about."
"I'm so glad you noticed my bounteous desire for your company."
"All right then. Now that we've cleared the air ... what would you like me to do?"
He scoffed, some of his old panache returning. A welcome change.
"Honestly. Can you not remember a thing about that night?"
"Wait, what?"
"The thing you did."
"Eh?"
"Gods below, I've developed feelings for a deep rothé."
"Can you just tell me - "
"This," he hissed, before leaning forward and wrapping both arms around you. He released you almost instantly, observing your face with attentiveness. The firelight turned the ruby hue of his eyes to something darker, more desperate. In spite of his light-hearted banter, he was -
"Astarion."
Your voice was so full of tenderness, so soft, that you saw him flinch from it.
"Why didn't you just say so?"
"Well, it's not exactly - "
It was your turn to silence him, finger lightly grazing his lips. He took a shaky breath.
"What the fuck is this? Why is this so damnably difficult?"
"It's not. We just ... both of us just ... need to learn how to speak about things, I suppose. That's ... simple. Once you get the hang of it."
His voice had lowered to a whisper.
"It is?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure myself. But we'll start with this."
You held out your arms and he approached eagerly, slinging the blanket over both your shoulders. His unusually graceless movement pushed you off balance, and you tumbled back with a huff of amusement, tugging him down with you, his head knocking against the bridge of your nose.
"Ouch!"
"Lae'zel was right. Your nose is too big."
"What are your elbows made of? Gondian steel?"
"All the better to prod you with, my dear."
After a series of scuffling movements, you finally found yourself lying on your back, his head propped on your shoulder, just beneath your chin. Soft curls brushed your cheek as he shifted, his arm curling possessively around your body, leg sliding over yours.
His scent was familiar, breathtakingly so. It pervaded your senses, the sharp stringency of the soap at the Last Light Inn, the faint citrus essence of his hair cream, the smokiness of burning wood from where he'd sat too close to the fire.
You hadn't realised, until that moment, how you'd needed to hold him like this once again, the immediacy of his presence a comfort beyond words.
He raised his head slightly, mouth now on level with your ear. You felt the shift of muscle beneath his shirt, the slide of his hand against your ribs.
"Can we fall asleep like this? Every night?"
"We can."
"You ... really don't mind?"
You turned over, now facing him, your breath dancing across his lips.
In the dark, you couldn't see much detail, but you knew the lie of his features as well as the most well-traced map. Reaching up, you passed fingers lightly over his eyes, mouth, ears, nose, chin.
Your devstatingly handsome rogue. Your shadow dancer. Yours, in all his vulnerability, within these fragile canvas walls.
"I want to wake up to your face. On every morning until ... "
His lips silenced you, opening in unspoken passion against yours. When he parted from you, it was no loss. His entire body was pressed against the length of yours, and your arms had found their way around him again, holding him the way he had desired beyond anything.
"Don't. Don't say more. Just fall asleep with me."
"Just like that?"
You felt him smile into your hair.
"I suppose it''s simple, darling. Once you get the hang of it."
Summary: How the DOA trio men are like when sleeping/cuddling.
Contains: Fluff, sfw, kind of silly and crack, Fyodor is kinda toxic(this is Fyodor we're talking about ya'll), Nikolai being Nikolai, mentions of Nikolai trying to suffocate you with a pillow, mentions of Nikolai trying to (affectionately) kill you, Nikolai's shenanigans, Manga spoilers, guns, knives etc.
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Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Does bro even sleep tho-
• He barely sleeps and usually like, really late at night. He's smart so he obviously realizes that as a human, he has to sleep.
• But here's the thing, you'll never see him when he gets in bed nor notice it. Even if you stay up all night out of curiosity, you will not notice this rat. Picture this: you're lying awake, trying to notice when Fyodor comes in. You blink and BAM- bro is in bed and you did not notice when. What's more is that he's looking at you like the picture above.
• Bro is judging heavily, but he's also mildly amused. You might or might not get jumpscared by how sudden it was, that depends on you.
• Oh yeah, he's anaemic, so obviously he didn't move so fast that you didn't notice. He just sneaked up on you. And entered secretly through a secret entrance that exists because, well, it's Fyodor. What else do you expect.
• If you ask him about it, he'll just talk in riddles like always and just smile his mischievous rat smile.
• Now, about cuddling, he's not exactly a very cuddly person. And you know how he sneaked up on you to get in bed without you noticing? I know for a fact he won't be able to cuddle you as stealthily. I headcanon that bro is cold af. He might not be cuddly but I know for a fact he randomly sneaks and trails his fingers/hands across your body at random to get a reaction from you. Argue with the wall, you cannot convince me otherwise.
• He's polite and refined so obviously he won't touch you in a perverse way, but he'll just randomly start trailing his cold ass fingers on your arm or spine to mess with you. He knows he runs cold and he is going to take advantage of that.
• He might cuddle you to get warmer, or because he just feels like it. He'll honestly treat you like some kind of cuddly pet, like a cat. He'll hold you and brush his fingers through your hair while mentioning how clingy you are.
• If you really wanna cuddle, he might let you sit on his lap and straddle and cuddle him. Given that you won't bother him.
• Bro would honestly just want you to sit on his lap like some obedient pet; I honestly don't think he'll be able to love someone like a person. He might see you as some kind of prize or pet, he's way too possessive and controlling to be healthy. But if you're into that ig you'll be fine?
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Nikolai Gogol
• Did you seriously think you could sleep when he's nearby?
• Cmon guys, this is Nikolai we're talking about.
• Bro will NOT let you sleep. You, Dazai and Fyodor are gonna become the insomniac trio with this one. Neither of you get any sleep, either because of Nikolai, sleep problems, or you're just busy planning world domination.
• Like maybe if he's feeling extra nice he might let you sleep. Still maximum 5-6 hours.
• He's going to be brushing your face with bird feathers and giggling maniacally as he does. He might trail knives and guns to get more of a reaction.
• Don't worry, he's not trying to kill you. Or is he?
• We will never know but sleep with your eyes open. I mean, we kinda do know, Nikolai tried to kill Fyodor because he thought his freedom would be limited. But at the same time he was kinda sad when he thought he died. So, uhhhh, yeaah😃😃.
• He once tried to (affectionately) suffocate you with a pillow. Moral of the story: Sleep with your eyes open if you can even sleep that is.
• And all of the sudden, Nikolai is being really sweet and is cozily tucked into the bed, eagerly waiting for you to get in. And obviously, you're suspicious, because what is this demonic jester up to this time?
• He begins coax you into getting in bed, cheerfully assuring you that nothing's wrong. liar
• And when you finally get in he quite literally snatches you, wraps himself around you and starts to roll around and giggle psychopathically. You are now trapped, best of luck trying to get out.
• As for cuddling in general, he's not really picky on who spoons who. He does prefer to be cuddled though. He'll just randomly teleport over to you and stuff his face in your chest.
• He does NOT care what gender you are or whether you have badonkers or not. He WILL stuff his face into your chest.
• The question isn't whether he's the big or small spoon, the question is when will he let you sleep peacefully without interruption, and if he'll ever stop trying to kill you.
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Sigma
• I just realized that 2/3 of DOA trio doesn't get any sleep. It's probabaly not canon, but think about it. He runs a casino, he's busy and stressed out. I feel like he has dark eye circles.
• As much as he looks like someone who'd love some sleep, cuddles and comfort, he does not get enough of it. He gets to bed really late at night, and he can't even sleep and cuddle for that long as he has to get up early💔💔. #Sigmadeservessleep
• He'd try his best to not wake you up when he gets in bed, and then he'll start snuggling against you for some comfort.
• If you're still awake please ask him about his day and tell him that he did great, it's written in the guidebooks that he'd love it if someone said that he did a great job💔.
• I feel like he'd be a little spoon; after a hard day of work, all he wants is to be cuddled and given princess treatment.
• He'd sleepily grumble about problematic clients while snuggling cozily against you.
• He reluctantly gets out of bed in the morning, no matter how much he just wants to stay in bed he'll have to go. He has a casino to run after all.
• If it's day off, he'll probably spend most of his time in bed cuddling with you. Until Nikolai breaks in to terrorize him.
• You cannot convince me otherwise, Nikolai would annoy Sigma to an inch of his life.
Billy Lenz cuddle headcanons with a gender neutral reader and my life is YOURS
Omg yes that man needs to be cuddled poor him
Billy Lenz x gn! Reader cuddle headcanons
This man is so touch starved it's heartbreaking.
He's really weird about physical contact. Sometimes he cannot get enough of it,he will cling to you desperately and refuse to let go,even if you're doing something. Other times,a light tap on his shoulder is enough to send him spiraling into a meltdown. You're never sure with Billy,he's extremely unstable and his mood changes very,very quickly. Best thing you can do is let him come to you first when he wants cuddles,so you can be sure not to trigger him.
He has alot of tics,they can be more or less intense depending on the day,but they're always there. Meowing,whispering to himself,fidgeting,sometimes he even lightly bites you or himself. You have to deal with them,because if you say they're annoying,it will make him very upset. Billy's so sorry,he can't control it! He'll say,and then he'll get up and walk away,hitting and insulting himself hysterically.
He likes to be held,no matter the position. As long as he can curl up and be held in your arms,he's happy. He especially likes laying on your chest.
He might make some sexual comments,but it's more of a tic than anything else. He doesn't really expect you to act on it,but he will be happy if you do. Also,his hands might wander on your body,but he'll stop if you tell him to.
He's very cold and skinny,and he also smells. His clothes are old and haven't seen a washing machine in a looooong time. You might convince him to take a shower,but it will probably take a while.
As I said,he's really cold and will use you as his personal heater. He might even sneak his head in your shirt and sleep on your bare chest like that. He loves to do it any chance he gets,and doesn't care if it might ruin your shirt.
He has bad insomnia and he's a very light sleeper,so if you move even just a bit,it will wake him up. And if you don't,he still can barely sleep.
He also has nightmares. After there are two things that could happen: either he clings to you even harder,to the point his nails are digging into your skin,as if you're gonna dissapear if he lets go,or he has a meltdown and doesn't want to be touched at all. In the secobd case,he might even get violent if you try to touch him. Just give him some time and space to calm down.
Sorry if it's a bit short,I'm going trought a very bad time and it's currently 1:31 a.m.
ᰔLittle spoon, 100%. Loves being held and loved. It makes her feel small but protected. Like nothing can hurt her when she’s in your arms.
ᰔAlso loves laying on you, listening to your heartbeat. It makes her safe and like she’s closer to you.
ᰔLikes to nuzzle and gently bite during cuddles. Not in a sexual way, shes just playfully affectionate. And cuteness aggression.
ᰔLoves to have her head scratched or hair played with while cuddling. She finds it really soothing and relaxing. She melts into it, becomes a puddle. A cuddly mess.
ᰔLikes to cuddle and play Minecraft with you. Normally on survival because she likes protecting you. But also on creative mode because she likes building a house with you. With LOTS of cats.
ᰔShe likes to bite and nuzzle yes. But she loves like kisses. Whether that be little peck or full kisses it doesn’t matter. Especially on the neck, she likes to give you little pecks on the neck.
ᰔI feel like she loves butterfly kisses, they make her giggle. Finding it cute and silly. She also loves Eskimo kisses. Where you rub the tips of your against each other gently.
ᰔLikes listening to soft music in the background, or a movie you guys have seen before. Because she’s 100% falling asleep during it.
ᰔShe’s the type to be so hyper at the start but be the first to fall asleep.
ᰔDrools in her sleep, and probably snores.
ᰔZoey loves teddy bear hugs. Just clinging to you. Her hugs are so warm, tight, grounding. She uses her whole body, arms, legs, wrapped around you in tight lock. Like she’s protecting you from the whole world.
ᰔWhen she is big spoon, her arms are staying tight around your waist. Not painfully tight, but enough to keep you there.
ᰔShe won’t let you get away when she’s holding you. When you try and move, not even to get up, just shift, she’ll grumble and tighten her grip. Like you moving personally offended her.
ᰔEven when you’re not cuddling, she’s the type of person to always have to be touching you. Whether that be holding hands or just butt to butt. She has to be touching you in some way to sleep.
ᰔAlso doesn’t hold still in her sleep, she’ll shift and move. Taking you with her or not. But you’ll almost always wake up with her either upside down or sprawled out across you.
Read a request you wrote about a year ago of platonic cuddling with white beard pirates, is it okay to request another one for Kid pirates members and/or heart pirates members ?
Honestly don't think Kid would let anyone hug him regardless if private or not but oh anyway
─ Kid pirates x reader
─ Summary: Do they like hugs? No, not much, but you do
─ Warnings: none
Heart Pirates ver. / Whitebeard Pirates ver.
I don't know if it's because it took so long, or I did it in the process, but I already have one of the Heart pirates, so now it's the Kid Pirates' turn hehe
─ Disappointment, disappointment is all you feel upon learning how little physical contact these men had with each other, masculinity? Who cares? You love hugs, no matter what they are, and you won't allow yourself to be without your favorite form of affection.
─ It's a game of surprises and chances, you choose your victim based on how distracted they are, because unsuspecting hugs have become routine, they're usually back hugs that you then take flight from.
─ Wire has learned to detect you more easily, at first, he'd simply push you away with a gentle shove, but since you were a persistent little shit, he just let you do it for a few seconds longer, just enough so no one would see, but still enough to satisfy you.
─ Heat sometimes doesn't notice, you're in a tight spot and your hands conveniently move to hug him from the side? You just need to grab one thing and he's right in the way! They're usually side hugs, as they're the easiest to hide, but he'll notice if you stay in the same position longer than you should.
─ He might be the first to accept your physical attitude, if you love physical contact so much, there's nothing he can do about it, he'll let you hug him properly from time to time, a soft, short, and warm hug.
─ Trying to hug Killer is an ordeal because he never lets his guard down, not even when cooking, so you resort to another method: begging, on your knees, seriously, telling him you could die if he doesn't hug you.
─ He just looks at you silently, slowly shaking his head in a "no" sign, so you become dramatic (if you can be more dramatic), Killer isn't used to someone so hungry for affection, and he'll be one of those who won't grant you that privilege.
─ Unless you're really sick (just to stop you from crying) or on your deathbed, then he'll allow you to be crushed by those pecs and biceps.
─ Kid is a bit strange, he doesn't dislike physical contact, but contact in a fight isn't what you're asking for, he seeks physical contact through punches, kicks, blows… you only seek affection, warmth… and that makes him look weak.
─ So sometimes you use training as an excuse to hug him, using the excuse that you're putting him in a wrestling hold.
─ But don't worry, your captain is a different person when he gets drunk, he's much more touchy and open to affection, he'll even initiate the hug, he likes to be dominant, so be prepared to be the little spoon.
I have been having mental images of Kal cuddling with the Nulls when they were little versus now.
It’s easy to be the big spoon when the person you’re cuddling is way smaller than you are. I imagine Kal does that to not just hold them close, but also so his body is the closet to the door in case someone comes in.
Present day Skirata would definitely still try to do it, though it is difficult when you’re 5’2 and they’re 6’5 something. They also like to point out how they can very easily take care of themselves if there is ever a possibility of someone attacking them, and Kal acknowledges it, but refuses to stop, claiming that it’s his job to protect them.
Cuddle piles were also easier since the Nulls didn’t take up so much room when they were smaller.
Now Skirata usually gets suffocated as six fully grown Null troopers all try and cuddle him at the same time, resulting in him getting piled on. He gets put on the bottom with only his face uncovered to breathe. At least he won’t be cold.
cuddle headcanons with our beloved cole cassidy, hanzo shimada, and junkrat!
OKAYYYYY IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS
☽ ༚ ༵ ۰ ✧ ۰ ༵ ༚ ༵ ۰ ✧ ۰
— cuddle chronicles
cuddle headcanons with cassidy, hanzo and junkrat.
COLE CASSIDY ♡
when cuddling with cassidy, you'd find yourself enveloped in his strong arms, feeling his warmth and the sense of security he exudes.
he might pull you closer, as if shielding you from the world, his calm presence making you feel safe.
cassidy can be quite playful with those he's close to. while cuddling, he might crack a joke or make a lighthearted remark, his signature cowboy charm shining through.
his calloused fingers would trace patterns on your back, their roughness contrasting with his gentle touch. it's as if he's silently reassuring you that he's there.
cassidy's occasional cocky attitude might manifest even during cuddle time. he might smirk and playfully boast about how he's 'the best cuddler in the west', all while squeezing you closer to him.
he might rest his chin on top of your head, his beard tickling your forehead.
just like he treats his weapons with care, cassidy treats you with gentleness and respect during cuddles.
cassidy might tilt your chin up to meet his gaze. his scarred eye holds a softness that's reserved only for you, and in that moment, you feel truly cherished.
tough cowboy on the outside, softie on the inside.
"you know you're stuck with me now, right?"
HANZO SHIMADA ♡
hanzo's serious and introspective nature might extend to cuddling as well.
he's not one to initiate cuddles readily, but when he does, it's a significant gesture.
his cuddles are filled with warmth and security, a quiet way of showing how much he cares for you.
due to his reserved personality, hanzo prefers cuddling in more private settings. whether it's a quiet evening at home or a serene spot outdoors, he feels most at ease when it's just the two of you.
hanzo's strong arms provide a sense of protection as he holds you close. you can feel his muscles tense and relax as he adjusts his hold, making sure you're as comfortable as possible.
his touch is gentle yet firm, reflecting his disciplined nature.
hanzo's company is soothing, even if he doesn't say much. often, his cuddles are accompanied by a comfortable silence. the two of you might watch the sunset or simply listen to the sounds of nature, the silence speaking volumes about your connection.
hanzo's preference might be to lay down together, side by side. he'll often pull you close, your head resting on his chest, and he'll wrap his arm around you. feeling the steady beat of his heart and his rhythmic breathing can be incredibly calming.
hanzo might unconsciously run his fingers through your hair as you cuddle, a soothing and comforting gesture.
"thank you for being the unexpected light in my life."
JUNKRAT ♡
junkrat's not the typical cuddler, but he has his moments. cuddling with him might involve a tangle of limbs and explosions-themed plushies strewn about. he might grumble about it being too sappy, but his mischievous glint betrays his enjoyment.
despite his wild exterior, junkrat gives surprisingly warm hugs. he might not admit it, but his tight grip and genuine smile show he values physical closeness.
he'd create a cozy corner in his hideout for cuddling. piled high with pillows and blankets, it's an explosion-free zone where you both can unwind.
for all his bluster, junkrat can be surprisingly cautious with his touches. he'd hover his hand over your shoulder before committing to the cuddle, almost as if he's not sure how you'll react.
he'd absentmindedly play with your hair, fascinated by its texture and colors. his fingers are deft, his touch gentle despite his typically explosive nature.
junkrat's cuddles are accompanied by his distinctive laughter, which often manages to light up the room even more than his explosive devices.
while cuddling, he might tell you silly stories.
if he's awake during the night, he'd keep watch over you while you sleep. his protective side shows as he softly brushes his fingers across your cheek.
every now and then, you catch him in quieter moments of introspection, and he pulls you in for a cuddle that's surprisingly tender.
