tubbo enjoys pressing his hand against frosted glass panes, staring at the size of his palm. Raised scars, metaphorical and physical taking prevalence in the outline. All accumulated across different walks of life: slipping at 6 years old, Tommy's birthday. The cake cutter peeling a piece off his index finger(now replaced by something mechanical, almost erased). Calluses on a paw that used to be so soft, from the labor of handling a sword, then a gun. Maybe mellowing out a bit now, treated with lotion & gently held by a loved one.
Send me a 🎄for one of my character’s reaction to being under a mistletoe with yours.
Korekaze was celebrating Starlight in Kugane upon his own request to keep To’zahni away from his work. They were at the hostelry where the Centurio Clan had gladly decorated the area to give a bit of that holiday vibe for all who entered the port city. Korekaze and his companion momentarily separated, the tiger off to go and gamble his usual ways away with other Triple Triad players close by. The Au Ra enjoyed the simplicity of the area being full of faces, plenty to greet or to just observe.
Leaning against the archway, he enjoyed what he was seeing. Smiles, drunkards laughing away, other’s getting into the spirit of the holiday even though it was just in one place. A Seeker passes by the archway, lightly brushing against him possibly an accident. The man stopped to look up to which Korekaze naturally nodded with a smile. Before he could speak, he noticed the man’s eyes were focused elsewhere. Looking up he took notice of it finally, a mistletoe.
“Oh… I did not see that there…” He muttered, he gives a shrug and gives a light press against the Seeker’s forehead. “But a tradition is a tradition. Happy Starlight to you.” He then waved off the Seeker as he remained at the archway. He gave another look to the decoration and sighs while rolling his eyes.
a drabble that has not left my brain since i heard this phrase. i let it haunt me (and subsequently cooper)
>:)
Nights were strange.
There was both the merciful break from the scorching sun, the heat, met with the reduced visibility (of course, that wasn’t new). The things that lurked in them however…
She shuddered.
“I’m not sure if you knew this.. But there are no dogs in the vault.” Lucy offered, mindlessly running her fingers through Dogmeat’s fur. It was nice to have a traveling companion that didn’t tell you to shut up and go to sleep. One who was always happy to see you and share snacks.
The five words were enough to slap the Ghoul in the face with his own memories. Barb. The phrase was enough to question who the fuck was making these rules in Vault-Tec. What else his own wife could be hiding from him.
He questioned the rule now as he did then. “No dogs in the fucking fault.” Coop found himself unable to hold her questioning stare and looked to the sky instead. “Sweetheart, I know all too well.”
Lucy did not appreciate in the slightest how much they had in common, nor that nickname. She stayed silent, grateful for any glances into the distant past.
“Before… all this. We had a dog.” He volunteered, somewhat out of character.
‘We?’ Was the immediate question upon vault-escapee’s lips, but she bit her tongue. She knew him well enough to know any further speech on her part would put the brakes on the conversation.
“A damn good dog. He.. he didn’t look like this.”
“Fuck.” Cooper spat quietly. He could almost remember the fur under his touch. Could almost remember his name upon his daughter’s lips. In the days when he started to lose Barb.. the name was rarely spoken. Part due to the fact that Rosevelt rarely left his side, and the only person speaking his name was under five foot tall.
He could barely stand to think about the dog, let alone Janey.
No dogs in the vault.
It was enough to go through his trash, question his decisions, plant another seed of mistrust between him and Barbara.
No dogs in the vault.
It was enough to make him bug his own wife.
Who made those damn rules? What else would they sprung upon him and his family, just trying to literally survive a nuclear war.
"They ever tell you why that is?"
Coop didn't wait for an answer, his voice low but his tone ominous. "They weren't designed for a real. Full. Life."
"Slava!" The bespectacled man turned in surprise and had just enough time to brace himself against the weight of a child barreling into him. "Oh, my god! Anna!" He regained his balance and grinned, "You've grown so much!" He looked past his wire-rimmed glasses that rested askew on his nose down at Anna who had her arms wrapped tightly around him. He looked up as Vladimir, his best friend, walked over to him. "Volodya." Vladimir grinned and took Svyatoslav into an embrace. "Anna, let him go, he needs to breathe." Anna shook her head, looking up at her brother's best friend, and by association, hers. "I'm not finished hugging him!" Volodya rolled his eyes, "She missed you." "I couldn't tell." Slava relaxed and fixed his glasses, nodding down at Anna. "I've brought them to keep them close." "Them?" "He brought the whole family." Behind Vladimir Marya descended from the horse, Ivan holding Kolya until she was on her feet. Her face, pale and worn from exhaustion and stress, lit up with a smile. "Sviatoslav," she extended an open arm in an inviting gesture and joined in the embracing. "How are you?" She gave him a kiss. "I am well, Marya Mikhailovna." Slava looked down and spotted the bundle. "And who is this?" "Our son, Nikolai." She pulled back her coat and revealed Kolya. Anna pulled a but away to look at her baby brother. His cheeks were pink from the cold, but his big, green eyes were wide open, taking everyone in with curiosity. "Congratulation, Marya Mikhailovna." Slava smiled and shook Kolya's small hand, then rubbed his small cheek with affection. "And your mother? I hope she is well." "She is." "I'm sorry to intrude. Mother." He smiled politely. "Of course. It is good to see you again, Slava." She received a likewise answer before Volodya escorted his mother and Anna, who finally released her prisoner, to the horses. "Stay by the horses," he whispered. "And should anyone ask, tell them I brought you and you are with me. Anna, watch Vecheraya and Morevna, okay?" "Where are you going?" Anna asked, taking the reigns. "Just over in there." He gestured to a large, imposing building. "I won't be long. I just have to clear up a few things." Marya frowned, not understanding at all, but pressed a hand to her son's chest, wiping away invisible dirt from his immaculate uniform. "Please, be careful." He gave her a smile and walked back to Slava and Ivan. "Do you think they will let him go get papa?" Anna asked after a while. "I don't know." Marya gripped the light post and leaned against it, sitting on the small concrete block around the base. "I'm so tired." Anna frowned and slipped her arms around Kolya. "I will hold Kolya. It's my turn." She cradled him close in her coat, watching as her mother closed her eyes. It dawned of Anna that they hadn't eaten since that morning and she quickly went to Morevna and searched through Volodya's pack. She pulled out a small parcel. "Stop! You thief!" An officer shouted and rushed to them. "Put that down!" Anna, terrified, froze, the parcel in one hand while she balanced Kolya in the other. She had never been yelled at by strangers and this man, in uniform and an angry, red face, reached for his sidearm. Marya immediately stood in front of Anna. "She's done nothing wrong. We are with Vladimir Mikhailovich Prakakhov." Marya's face became hard and full of importance. She bore herself with pride and a self-respect Anna once saw her do when she had gotten in a row with a trader a couple tears ago. The officer appeared to have been offended and became angrier. "Put that back or I will have you arrested." "She has done nothing wrong," Marya repeated. "I told you who we are with, and if you think we are liars then go into that building there and ask for him yourself. We will go with you so you don't think we'll run." The man suddenly looked doubtful, and even a bit afraid. "If what you say is true then I will wait with you until he comes out." Marya took Anna and stepped aside so that they were close to Volodya's horse. "As you wish, officer." To Anna, she spoke softly, "Put the parcel back, darling." Anna slipped it back and cradled Kolya. She was hungry, and wondered how her mother could stand there when just moments ago she was falling asleep from exhaustion. "Are you okay, mama? You should sit." "I'm fine. We'll just wait until Volodya comes back." Anna caught the side-glance the officer gave them upon the familiar form of Vladimir's name. She felt a surge of confidence and importance. Her brother must be someone important if his name caused such a reaction. People walked in and out of the building, but few of the same ever came out. Someone was even pulled in crying. Anna saw her mother deflate after that. "Excuse me," Anna approached the officer. "Anna, come here!" "My mama needs to sit. She has been holding my brother for a long time!" "Anna!" Marya went to grab her and suddenly fainted. The officer managed to grab her arms and keep her from falling on her front. "What is this?" Ivan Nevsky appeared and was rushing to them. "What happened here?" His casual demeanor was all but gone, his tone a lash against the officer. "She fainted, Comrade." What few people were walking around turned and quickly hurried past. Ivan helped sit her on a bench. "Anna." "Yes?" she was at her mother's side at once. "Stay with her. I am going to bring her water. What is your name?" Ivan's tone changed when he addressed the officer. "With respect, but I will speak to your commander, comrade." Anna saw the doors open and was relieved to see Vladimir and Slava. "Vova!" She waved at him. But he did not smile and his demeanor frightened her in its severity. "Volodya?" Ivan and the officer were on their feet, backs ramrod straight. "Commander," Ivan saluted. Vladimir halted and peered from beneath his peak cap, waiting in a stiff silence with an expression of coldness Anna had never seen. "Commander Prakakhov, sir." The officer saluted, fear in his wavering voice. Vladimir didn't even glance at Marya and demanded the officer wait for him inside the building. As soon as he was out of earshot Vladimir relaxed. His expression changed to one begging forgiveness. He leaned over his mother. Slava was back with a canteen of water and the parcel Anna had replaced. Volodya removed a glove and pressed the back of his hand to his mother's forehead. "She's running a fever. Thank you." He wet a cloth Ivan handed him and pressed it to her forehead, sitting down. "Anna, I'm sorry you had to see that. Did the officer give you any trouble?" Anna was taken aback at how her brother had acted and was silent. He took off his other glove with his teeth and removed his cap. "Come, help me with mama." She did and sat on the other side. "I'm sorry." "Why did you talk to him like that?" She asked, avoiding his eyes. "Because I thought he was being rude to you and mama. I didn't want him to hurt you. Did he hurt you?" She shook her head. "Did he yell at you? Say anything?" Anna only stared at him, afraid of what would happen if she answered. But her silence was answer enough. Ivan reached out, "Volodya, not now. Your mother and Anna need you." "I know. I just want the car to get here so we can get them somewhere warm." "I'll go and ask for a doctor. The same address?" When Vladimir nodded Ivan rushed back inside the large building. Slava kneeled and looked up at me while Voloda wet the cloth that steamed in the frigid air. "You know," he whispered, and leaned in close in a conspiratorial manner. "Your brother is an important man." Anna swung her legs to keep them warm, but kept herself closed off, huddling Kolya. "People are afraid of him, but only because he pretends to be scary." "It didn't look like he was pretending," Anna muttered. Vladimir raised an eyebrow and sighed, his breath clouding in front of him. If anyone was going to convince Anna he didn't mean any harm it was Svyatoslav. "Well, what good would it do if people knew he was only pretending? He's a good actor, and a good man." Slava looked up at Volodya. "That is why everyone respects him. But," he turned back to Anna and brought his voice down, "I know the real Vladimir." He leaned in closer, casting a careful glance over to his friend who was suddenly interested in what was happening on the other side of the street. "He's lazy," he whispered aloud. "What?" Anna leaned in. "Yeah, he doesn't brush his teeth in the morning." This drew a smile from Volodya who still looked the other way. "And he only showers once a week, sometimes not even for two." "What are you two talking about?" Vladimir turned around and turned the cloth over on his mother's forehead. Slava shook his head and straightened up, "Nothing." But Volodya stared at him. "You're lying." A smile crept onto Slava's lips. Volodya reached over and shoved his friend's shoulder. "What did you tell her?" "Only that you don't brush your teeth and that you shower once a week, sometimes not for two." Anna frowned, "You're disgusting, Vova. Just wait until mama hears!" "Why did you tell her that?" Volodya asked. When Slava shrugged innocently he was smacked again and was overcome with laughter. Slava put a finger over his smiling lips, and Anna giggled. "Are we friends again?" Volodya asked. Anna pretended to think and nodded. "I won't hug you, though! You smell!" "Who smells?" Volodya was up at once when Marya spoke. She opened her eyes and looked around unsure. "Mama!" Anna hugged her. "Are you okay?" She placed her hand on Marya's forehead like Volodya had. Volodya removed his coat and draped it around her shoulders. "They're bringing a car and a doctor to look at you. Here, drink this." He put a flask of water to her chapped lips and helped her drink. "Where are we going?" She asked, her voice weak. "Kolya...." Anna showed him to her. "I have him, mama." Volodya helped her up as a car rolled to a stop. "We're taking you to an apartment. I want a doctor to see you before we leave." "I'm sorry, Volodya," she coughed, the sound painful to hear. "No, mama. Do not apologize. You will rest for as long as you need. Here you will be safe." "Can we stay here, then?" "No, we must go to Moscow. There you will have an apartment of your own. It will be warm and have hot water. You will have three meals a day and Anna will be able to go to school." "School?" Marya looked up at her son and then her lips began to tremble. She bowed her head and started to cry. Vladimir sat beside her and took her hands in his. She trembled all over. "How is this happening? How did you manage all this, Vladimir?" "It comes with my position, mama. You won't have to pay for anything. And you won't have to work. But if you feel like doing something once you're better, you can volunteer. You can meet people and help like you did back home. Mama, life will be better here." Marya was quiet for a moment, then she patted her son's hand. "Thank you." A doctor came from the car and helped Volodya walk her. "Slava is going to go with you. I'll be right behind you, but first I must meet with someone about papa." Marya nodded, her tears returning. "Please, find your father. For Kolya and Anna's sake. Please." "I will. I will bring him so we can all leave together." He replaced his cap and helped Anna in. "First time in a car, Anna. Tell me all about it when I see you!" "Are you getting papa?" Anna held Kolya close. He was awake and squirming. "Yes. Take care of Kolya." "I will." And the car was off. Ivan stood beside his commander. "The officer is waiting for orders." "Have him released. I don't have time for him, but be sure he gets a warning. My family is to be left alone." Vladimir pulled on his gloves. "Get Kostov and Zhestocovich. I want them ready to leave in an hour." "Are we going to get your father?" "Yes."
Don't you hate it when you feel like you, no matter what, can't be loved unconditionally. Like here you handing out love to people and they leave because your broken and just haven't fixed yourself yet. When the people who called you family ask your significant other do you want to come home after finding out the person they love is suicidal and still to this day want to call you family like you know what I'm done lol I'm sick of this shit You know what's more selfish than suicide? Keeping me here to suffer because you don't want to go through the pain of dealing with a suicide.
Duet to say they were tired. Was an understatement.
Of course it was normal for Duet to be like this of course Vivi would still look at them worryingly, but Duet assured them they would be fine...
Even though they would fall asleep soon after...not like it mattered much anyways, as it seemed not a whole lot of people showed up when they did. That or Vivi took care of it.
Clara makes Dean promise not to tell anyone about last night. Then, they get into some trouble with Sam.
This is the sequel to the Long Night, but you don’t have to read it like that. I’m pretty sure both can stand alone. *shrugs*
Clara came to with a strong arm wrapped around her waist and a long warm body at her back. She blinked slowly, trying to figure out who it could be, when it all came back to her in a rush: Tears, memories, and Dean Winchester.
Her heart squeezed in a panic, making her jump up and away from his arm, and sure enough, there he was. His arm hit the bed, waking him. The lights came up, low and dim. Groaning, Dean rolled onto his back, bare arms covering his face.
“Oh my stars,” Clara uttered, horrified. She lifted the covers and a huge weight lifted from her chest in a sigh. “Oh, thank you. Clothes!”
She heard Dean’s muffled chortle. “I’m flattered, sweetheart,” he said, “but not even in my sleep am I that good.”
She leaned over him to look at the clock on the stand.
“Or maybe I am,” he reconsidered, smiling up at her.
She slapped his arms away from his face. “Don’t be stupid.” she told him. “Get up, quickly! We have to figure out how to get me out of here without anyone noticing.”
Dean sat up against the wall. “You sure know how to make a guy feel special.”
“Oh, I live to please,” she said, tugging her shoes on with one hand and smoothing her hair with the other. “Now, help.”
“Wow,” he said in reply. “You haven’t even noticed yet.”
She stood upright with her fist on her hip. “What?” she demanded.
“No nightmares.”
“No nightmares,” she repeated, her tone softening. She strode back over and gingerly sat on the edge of the bed in front of him. “No one can know about them.”
Dean’s forehead wrinkled. “The Doctor doesn’t already know?”
She shook her head. “Only you.”
He reconsidered the comment he made earlier about making a guy feel special because now he really did. For the first time, he knew something the Doctor didn’t.
“Promise me you won’t tell,” she asked of him.
“Yeah, sure.”
“No.” Clara held up her pinky like one of her students. “Pinky swear.”
“Seriously?” Dean scoffed wrapping his around hers. “I haven’t made one of these, like, ever.”
“Good. Then I’ll be your first.” Her finger squeezed his. “Now promise me you won’t tell anyone else.”
He looked up at her, green eyes meeting brown. “Clara,” he said genuinely. “I swear. I won’t tell”
She nodded, satisfied. But then she did something unexpected. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the intertwined fingers. It happened quickly, but Dean’s heart still stuttered as she slowly pulled away, opening her eyes like he imagined she would if she had actually kissed him.
“What the hell was that?” he demanded.
“A kiss,” she said simply. “I assume you do know about kissing?”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know about kissing. But why this?” He indicated the pinky swear.
“Kissing is powerful. Seals the deal.”
Dean scoffed. You don’t have to tell me twice, he thought. “Believe me, sweetheart, I know exactly how powerful that stuff can be.”
“Then you also know that I can kill you now if you break this promise.” Clara added quickly.
“What?”
She nodded seriously. “You’re legally bound to this swear, Dean Winchester.”
“That’s not fair!”
“Then tell me one of your secrets.” She smiled smugly at his expression. “C’mon, Dean. That’s you how you make it fair.” She leaned her chin on the fist between them and bat her eyes at him.
His jaw worked stubbornly. “Fine,” he relented. He looked at the ceiling, thinking for a moment. “I kind of wished I’d finished high school. There. Happy?”
Clara’s eyes fluttered as a small smile pulled at her lips. “Yeah.”
Then, slowly, Dean leaned forward as she moved back, their eyes never breaking contact. She was surprised at how quickly her heart beat when she felt his lip touch her finger and how disappointed she became when he pulled away.
The two stared at each other, unwilling to release their holds on the other, until someone pounded on the door. Clara jumped, letting go of his pinky and standing at the side of the bed as if it were a less compromising position if the door was to open.
But it didn’t.
“Dean!” Sam’s voice called out instead. “Get up. It’s almost noon.”
“In a sec!” Dean replied.
“C’mon! We’re all waiting on you!”
Clara’s eyes widened. She covered her mouth with her fist and crept over to the door, where she saw Sam’s shadow beneath the door. Dean pulled up his pants as he got out of bed and approached her.
Wait for my signal, he mouthed.
She nodded and stood on the side of the door opposite of the doorknob.
Dean tugged at his creased clothes and pulled open the door and slid out, quickly shutting it behind him. Sam turned, his expression impatient.
“It’s almost noon, Dean.” he told him, exasperated. “What, did you not get enough sleep last night?”
“Oh,” Dean scoffed. “I got plenty.”
“Then, what was it? Good dream?”
Dean glanced at the door, smirking. “Something like that.”
Sam rolled his eyes at the cryptic response. “C’mon, man. The Doctor’s waiting.”
Dean nodded and followed him down the hallway. When they reached the corner, Dean knocked discreetly on the wall, which echoed down to his bedroom where Clara was waiting with her ear pressed against the door. Taking that as the signal, she opened the door and started to slip out when-
“Hang on, I forgot something.” Sam said, turning back around the corner.
“Wait, no-”
But it was too late.
Dean’s door slammed behind Clara, where she stood smiling innocently. Sam stared, his head cocked at her incongruous surroundings. No doors in the corridor were marked with Clara’s name. In fact, she’d been AWOL since this morning, like Dean, which probably meant-
Sam smiled a smile that was both crooked and confused. He pointed a finger between Clara and Dean. “Were you two-”
“No!” they said in unison.
Sam outright smiled this time, crossing his arms. “Then what are you doing in this hallway?”
“Got lost,” said Clara as Dean said, “Just visiting.” They stared at each other, mouths agape at what the other thought was a lame excuse. Quickly, they recovered.
“Visiting,” said Clara as Dean said “Lost,” with a shrug.
Sam chuckled. “Well, I’ll let you two find your own way out.”
“No, wait!” Clara took a step, her hand extended towards Sam’s turned back.
He look back at her, completely amused, and they waited for what else she had to say.
Finally, Dean interrupted the awkward quiet. “Aren’t you gonna make him pinky swear, too?” he asked.
“No!” she said, quickly, her eyes searching for an answer. “Erm- Same rules apply to blood relatives!” And with that, she bolted down the opposite end of the corridor and disappeared around the corner.
“Y’know, part of me thinks you’re just making all this up!” Dean cried after her if only to get the last word.
Her head popped out around the corner. “No, I’m not!”
When Dean turned back to his brother, he saw his shoulders shudder with the force of his laughter. “I had no idea pinky promises were your style,” Sam joked.
He jabbed his finger at him. “Hey.” he growled. “If you tell anyone about this, she will literally kill you.”
Sam raised his eyebrows. “It’s just a pinky swear, Dean.”
Dean shoved past him. “it’s legally binding.” he told him, not even bothering to turn.
- - -
Clara managed to find the closet during her speedy getaway. When she looked in the mirror and found herself still blushing, she chalked it up to the run around the TARDIS instead of her racing heart and the memory of Dean’s lips against her hand. Absentmindedly, she pressed the back of the same hand against her lips as she glanced around the closet and tried to breathe. Once she’d realized what she was doing, she put her hand down and stared at it as if it had betrayed her.
Her mind wondered the kiss again but she quickly shook her head.
“No, no.” she scolded herself. “We’re mot going there again.”
- - -
She raced again to find the console room and stumbled down the steps to the Doctor. Surveying the room, she was satisfied to see the Winchesters barely entering, walking down the steps opposite her. Clara drifted away from them, towards the Doctor.
“Good morning, Doctor.” She smiled.
“G’morning, Clara.” greeted the Doctor. He wrinkled his nose. “Afternoon, really.” He shook it off. “Sleep well?”
She met Dean’s eyes across the room when she thought no one else was looking. “Very well, actually.” she said, honestly.
“Glad to hear it,” replied the Doctor, distractedly.
She spared Dean another smile before bending down to see what the Doctor was looking at.
Across the room, Dean gazed after her, a wistfully smiling. Sam bit the skin on his thumb to hide his own grin.
“Why are you smiling all stupid like that?” asked Dean when he noticed.
“Oh, nothing,” Sam sighed. “You guys just seemed so head-over-heels for a moment there that I thought I was gonna have to go out and rent a new suit for the wedding.”
“Shut up,” Dean grumbled.
“No, wait. Since the Doctor is technically the captain of a ship, does that still mean he can marry you two on the spot?”
Dean rolled his eyes, but not even Sam’s teasing can erase the skip in his step when he exited the TARDIS.
