with your partner yearning for an approachable gateway and immersion into your culture as well as an official introduction into your family, what better way to do that than with dumplings?
catalogue. fluff, modern au, pre-established relationship, written with fem!reader in mind; but no pronouns specified. cw: food preparation/ intended consumption, mildly suggestive (?) cultural traditions, domestic family teasing, mentions of children, alcohol consumption/ age not explicitly specified; but intended to be over 21 per US laws. wc: 1.2k
theaβs preamble. by definition a dumpling is a small mound of dough flattened, maintaining a certain thickness for chew or absolute thinness, then filled with a well-seasoned paste/mixture, usually meat. like, gyoza ι€ε, mandu λ§λ, xiao long bao ε°η¬Όε which is my primary inspiration. BUT there's also lumpia from Indonesia and the Philippines, Italian ravioli, Indian modak, Polish pierogi, South American empanadas (i fucking love empanadas), pasteles, Ukrainian vareniky, Botswanan madombi, British pasty. my point is if you don't read into it too intensely, this is for anyone.
it was intended to be such an intimate moment and in their eyes the official inauguration to your family, as well as the perfect entry point into learning about your culture that youβve only grown stronger and more confident in with age. and what better way to immerse yourself in anotherβs culture than through food?
with that being saidβ¦they tried, they really did.
it seemed simple in theory, add a decent bundle of the filling to the center of the wrapper, fold the wrapper over itself, and apply the liquid adhesive to seal the seams, crimping, folding, or rolling the seams shut as needed. simple right?
well apparently not, thereβs a tray full of βcompleteβ dumplings with tears in the dough and the filling either smeared or oozing out, over-filled, or not enoughβ¦ and it's quite obvious who made those. the intricacy and swiftness that you and your parents achieved thus producing a quarter sheet panβs worth, overwhelmed the poor baby. they certainly have their strengths lying primarily in physicality, but the agility and patience needed for such a small product outcome were not in their capabilities.
you reassured them that it wasn't uncommon to have such results, frankly, it was impressive for a first-timer that they didn't collapse from frustration. "you'll get it eventually, today you just relax." you consoled, rubbing your hand on top of theirs.
"plus, you're still considered a guest, you have plenty of time before you're officially let into the pack and forced to do the mountain of dishes or babysit." you chuckled.
to which they agreed, today their strengths would lie in being the human ladder to get objects from high-up places, refilling wine and liquor for the adults, providing sliced fruits, and just sitting at the table supervising the unspoken competition of who can make the most dumplings, replenishing scarce ingredients as needed to. salivating at the sight as well as the uncooked aroma from the fresh herbs and spices used. surrounded by family, engaging in lively or even profound conversations, no matter how shy they were initially.
rest assured, thereβs nothing to be ashamed of, and maybe another time theyβll give it another shot, but for now, theyβll leave it to the pros.
EREN, JEAN ANNIE, GOJO, TOJI
their initial attempts wereβ¦ admirable, but they werenβt satisfied with that. they wanted to do right by you, secure the approval of your family, and not feel absolute guilt at only contributing to the conversation and not the actual meal assembly process.
simply put, they're quite stubborn. they carefully studied each family member, the differing methods, and tendencies. from the angle of spooning the filling in the wrapper to the adhesive sealingβ plain water vs. starch water?
they were determined, and with patience and encouragement from family, they were finally able to produce a perfect little flavor receptacle, savory and hearty. shrieking out an unexpected, "i did it!" that garnered a reaction that you couldn't help but laugh at either.
but they would not yet allow themselves even a minute victory until they garnered 100% of the acceptance, mainly from their own inner conflict of merit.
this may be their first time truly comprehending the phrase, βtasting the fruits of your laborβ. and never had they had a sweeter meal, not in the literal sense of a saccharine feast. but the resolve and dogged attitude (stubbornness) was a taste that they would savor in the complete dish, something they would come to value greatly come the next culinary undertaking. "i made this!" they'd think to themself.
try not to be too surprised if you catch them in the early morning, meticulously crimping, folding, and rolling the edges of the wrapper, ensuring as little air as possible gets in the center, just as your grandmother taught them.
more than that it was an amusing sight seeing them nearly nude only wearing a pink frilly apron that you were gifted from relatives, "what do you think?" they teased, a question which you rolled your eyes at, considering they weren't asking about the food.
though you must admit, they did look incredible, for a rookie. and it was a beautiful sight to behold, an incredibly attractive person cooking in your kitchen, insistent on making you proud. i guess now the only issue lies in the lack of space in your freezer in contrast to the large batches of dumplings that are sure to last you months. let's hope this is an acceptable housewarming gift for the new neighbors.
BERTHOLDT, REINER, CONNIE , SUKUNA (hear me out), CHOSO
are we surprised? though they may not seem like the kinds to thrive in arts and crafts, their handiwork is nimble, and their dexterity is unmatched. they were initially slow to follow the instructions given to them, but after diligent observation, it was a task pursued and completed well. almost as if they too partook in similar repetitive affairs in their youth. sitting around the dining table, with heaps of filling and a lofty stack of dough wrappers, sometimes thereβd be music in the back, but even if there was it would always be drowned out by the conversation that were being had. an endless variety of discussion topics, filled with light-hearted quarrels and absolute fits of laughter.
and if youβre being completely honest, itβs been approximately 5 minutes since the laughter erupted, and you canβt even remember what was so funny that youβre now clutching your stomach in what may be the best kind of pain, struggling to catch your breath and maintain composure. those were some of the memories you held dearly when you were younger, and itβs no different now. and with them by your side, falling in love over again with what seems like the acme of your joy, one theyβd hope to preserve and maintain for as long as possible. a pride that one simply can't explain.
but where there is pride and inflated egos, there are grandmothers and aunties to humble you, making remarks comparing your tray to your partners.
"wowww, this is your first time, and they look perfect!" they'd exclaim, making their way around the table. "you should take lessons from them." they'd continue teasing you, whilst pinching your partner's cheek or slapping them on the back just a little too hard.
by the end of the feast, your partner certainly got the elders' approvals, no less by your parents, who absolutely adore them. itβs also a food they loved eating, lovingly introduced by you, and now youβve made them even more of a fiend then they already were. fully enjoying the bonding experience this has facilitated, as well a first-hand experience to the little things that helped maintain your cultural identity.
and they would be lying if they werenβt completely consumed by the thought that one day you would be the ones your ancestors depended on to carry on the traditions. with the future generations of your bloodline, if not your own children by preference, then your nieces, nephews, and cousins, who are currently wrapped around their very finger. to them, a jungle gym to be climbed, a pristine and willing model for a family-renowned makeup artist, an unsuspecting outsider that could be the green light for some sweets that the parentals refused earlier, but they donβt need to know that.
Little things they do/say that show how much they love you:Β Modern setting
Mikasa: When you are sleepy she gets super protective. She will get so worried and try to get you to sleep or take a small nap. Even if you are in public she will let you sleep on her shoulder or lay your head on her lap or if you are feeling extra clingy she will let you sit on her lap and rest your head on the crook of her neck. Thatβs her favorite position since she can hear your soft breathing.
Sasha: Gives you random things that reminded her of you. Sometimes itβs things she buys at a store: a shirt that she thought would look cute on you, your favorite snack, a random thing she found at the dollar store. But other times itβs things she finds: a perfectly round rock or small flowers she saw on a patch of grass. She always gives you something at night, and pairs it with a soft kiss on your forehead; a reminder that she loves you.
Yelena: She takes a bath with you every night after work.Β She prepares the warm bath with your favorite scents. Lets you lay on her chest while you talk to her about your day. Her hands caress your bare sides and she canβt help but smile when you giggle because it tickles. Sometimes you sit on the opposite end of the tub while the two of you speak, legs touching, and she canβt help but pout and plead you to come lay on her chest. Other times, she needs to lay on your chest, and you let her happily playing with her short hair and kissing her pretty face.
Hange: Carries you to bed when you fall asleep on the couch. They know how tired you get and how you canβt fall asleep without them. So, when they get home after a long day and they see you in the uncomfortable coach sleeping in their shirt their heart shatters. They carry you and take you to bed to cuddle you and keep you safe. If you wake up they whisper apologies and pepper kisses on your face lovingly.
Pieck: gives you her annotated books. What makes this so special is how every annotation is for you. Cute little notes of how much she misses you, how you are sleeping in her arms while she reads, how certain things in the book remind her of you. Your favorite part is how she always leave a kiss with lipstick on the first page, the wordsΒ βfor my princess,β written in her neat handwriting in every book she gives you.
Annie: Cooks you breakfast every morning, and if she manages to cook it before you make it out of bed she will bring it to your room. She loves it when she is cooking for you in the morning and your arms wrap around her waist from behind, a raspy,Β βmorning,β leaving your lips as you inhale the delicious smell of the food. She also likes feeding you sometimes, and when you share your food with her it makes her heart melt.
Historia:Β Helps you get dressed for work in the morning. She tucks your button up inside your pants, her hands caressing the soft skin of your tummy through the fabric. She places the belt in your belt loops and tightens it just enough. She buttons your shirt skillfully, her lip bit in concentration. And she ties your tie, talking through the steps every single time in case she is not there to tie it one day. After she always tugs your tie and pulls you in for a soft goodbye kiss.
A/N: The reader is gender-neutral, I didn't use any pronouns. Also, this could be platonic or romantic - your choice :)
Eren
Stiff at first, doesn't think he deserves a hug.
Gets really surprised; his eyes widen tremendously.
Kinda slips into it awkwardly.
You opened the door to Eren's mostly empty room, smiling at him as he put a shirt on. "Hey," He greeted, inviting you in. "Do you need somethi- oh-." You embraced him, engulfed in his foresty scent. His arms were outstretched with bewilderment and his expression turned blank. Slowly, his arms wrapped around your waist, reciprocating the hug. He closed his eyes and let it happen, enjoying the moment of pure bliss that you were offering him.
Mikasa
Gentle and protective at the same time
Lingers in the hug
Mikasa was training outside, punching and kicking targets, grunting as she did. You smiled as you watched her kick the head off of a target. "Amazing," you whispered to yourself, beginning to walk out to the training grounds with her. "Mikasa, do you need a training partner?" Her eyes softened as she nodded, putting her fists up. "Let's do some hand-to-hand combat." She said, her quiet voice making you grin.
After training, you were completely out of breath. It hurt to stand, to breathe, and to walk. You gazed at her again and put your arms around her. She gasped softly but held you too. With the feeling of her arms around you, you couldn't help but smile. You were in a warm little haven, completely safe for you; just for you. Though, it was getting late. You began to pull away but she held on tight for a few more moments.
Armin
Wraps his arms under yours and places them both on your back (??? not sure if that describes it right)
Rubs your back in the hug
Will wait for you to pull away
It had been a long ride, but you were finally there - the sea! Eren was fascinated with what seemed to be on the other side while Mikasa took a splash in the water. You turned to Armin excitedly and jumped in the air, landing clumsily while you held onto him for support. The support turned more into a hug, in which you rested your head on him as you both stared at the beautiful monstrosity of the sea. His hands rubbed your back gently, relieving any tension and making the sea such a relaxing sight. You enjoyed the way his arms bent at your sides, with his hand pointed upwards. (Oh god, I did a horrible job explaining that, sorry <3)
Reiner
BEAR HUG.
Melts into the hug and squeezes you tight.
Loves hugs :)
You cracked an egg against a pan and opened it, enjoying the sound it made as you opened it. The sunlit kitchen was a beautiful sight, with Reiner adding to the beauty of it all. He smiled at you, opening his arms as he did every morning. You rushed into them and he hugged you tightly, lifting you off of the ground for a second. His musky scent drifted into your nose as you smiled up at him and he grinned back. "Good morning, Y/n."
"Good morning, Rei."
Jean
Jean had been not-himself all day. You weren't sure what to do to help, so you wrapped your arms around Jean, holding him tight. His arms were awkwardly glued to his sides before he exhaled, closed his eyes, and hugged back gently. "Are you sure you wanna hug me?" He asked gently, rubbing your back.
Probably wouldn't hug back at first; he doesn't feel like he deserves it :(
He loves hugs but he hasn't had one in so long. (he's slightly scared that he'll do it wrong)
Will close his eyes when hugging
(edited because I barely described his and that's unfair)
"Positive." You responded with a soft smile.
He squeezed you tightly. It seemed to cheer him up and he thanked you after.
Annie
Rough but affectionate
Really brief, too.
She secretly enjoys it but probably wouldn't admit it
"Rookie!" Annie called, forcing you to hurry over to her. You'd always hated that nickname - you were the same age and rank, yet she still called you a rookie. You looked at her furrowed eyebrows. She had seemed so stressed lately, but you knew what to do.
You gently wrapped your arms around her, an uneasy smile growing on her face as she began to think you were attacking her. But you didn't, and it felt good. She hugged back quickly and roughly, putting her arms around you and patting your back a bit too hard.
Ymir
Similar to Annie but more gentle.
Would probably pat your head while hugging you :)
Long hug.
"Ymir, are you alright?" You asked. It was the third time you'd asked her that this week, but she simply responded with, "I'm fine." Her face said otherwise, though. She was staring off, out into the window. Her legs dangled under her chair as she frowned even deeper. You sighed, helping her up. You hugged her and she hugged back, a bit rough but comforting. Her arms rubbed your back, making you feel closer to her. She patted your head, making you grin. "Thanks." She whispered, not letting you go.
Historia
Sweet and tight hug.
Sways while hugging you.
Usually has a smile on her face while hugging you :)
Historia smiled as you came into her room, getting up from her desk. "Hey, what's up?" She asked. "Nothing. I just wanted a hug." You replied, and she opened her arms and smiled sweetly. Truthfully, Historia needed a hug as much as you did. She hugged you tightly, swaying from left to right, shifting her weight and keeping a tight hold on you. When you looked at her, she was still smiling. You both pulled away and sighed, content with each other. Who knew such a small act could bring so much joy and relief to both of you?
Sasha
Another bear-hugger!
Supportive and warm :)
VERY affectionate.
"Y/NNNNN!" Sasha shouted, running over to you and hugging you from behind. She nearly tackled you as she embraced you tightly, her warm body pressed up against yours. She smelled like... potatoes. Her hair was sticking up in all the wrong places, frizzy but cute. Her smile was radiant as she rubbed your back gently.
(I think that Connie would hug the same way as her, so I didn't write one for Connie :/ sorry!)
Hange
Suffocatingly Affectionate :)
Surprise hugs!
Probably shifts around aggressively.
Hange had been working all night on her titan studies, making sure she was up to date on every piece of knowledge she had. Her eyes had heavy bags, purple and grey like a swarming storm under her sunny eyes. She smiled in relief as she saw you, ranting about titans and everything she had just read. You listened along cheerily, nodding at every bit of information. You didn't necessarily understand it all, but you enjoyed talking to her.
When you began to leave, she stopped you and hugged you tightly, to your surprise. You could barely breathe in her embrace, but it was necessary for her. She swayed left and right roughly, practically breaking your back. It was sweet, though. In an extra-tight hugged way.
Levi
Brief and uncommon but embarrassingly intimate.
Tries to be professional but he just melts into the hug because he needs it too.
Levi put a teabag in his mug, crossing his legs as he sat. You entered the room and gazed at him. His eyebrows were permanently furrowed as he stared down at his tea. When he noticed you, he stood, surprised. That was when you wrapped your arms around him gently and his eyes widened. His arms hung out of the hug for a few seconds, unsure of what to do, but he patted your back gently. When you didn't let go, he wrapped his arms around you, all of the tension leaving his body. He closed his eyes and enjoyed it - after all, everyone needs a hug every now and then.
sasha has that jock bimbo energy, the type to pick you up off the ground in a bone crushing hug with a stupid grin on her face
Sasha is such a himbo:(( she/they Sasha who has the fattest thighs and biggest shouldersπ₯Ίπ₯Ίwho scoops you up every time they see you with the biggest fucking smile and she whirls you around too fast that you both fall over and roll aroundπ₯Ίπ₯Ί theyβre so fucking giggly, kissing all over your face, caging you in with their big beefy arms and asking you to this one college party theyβre going toπ₯Ίπ₯Ί and you keep pushing them away cause the kisses turn to sloppy licks all over your face and neck till you agreeπ₯Ίπ₯Ί but you know the second she gets alcohol in her system, Sasha is crowding you into a corner nd shoving her big veiny hands up your dressππ
A/N: THIS IS MY FIRST FLUFF!! okay it's not that fluffy...a little suggestive content, but not bad LOL
I take requests!!
Warnings: Fluff, Suggestive NSFW, Cussing
*770 words*
Songs I listened to while writing:
Imagination by Shawn Mendez
Mikasa:
-You met her when you two were in the scout regiment
-You never talked to her because she was unapproachable and you didn't want to embarrass yourself, but Mikasa knew who you were.
-When you weren't paying attention she would watch every move you made. She would watch as you put on your gear or how you would chew on your nails when you were thinking.
-You were too oblivious to even notice.
-One day the cadets were given the task to carry supplies and you took that chance to ask Mikasa for help.
-Mikasa knew she didn't need you, but the way your eyes stared into hers she couldn't say no.
-It was awkward at first, but after that encountered you found yourself talking with her more.
-Each day you found yourself enjoying Mikasa's presence and a crush was developed.
-You didn't start picking up hints that Mikasa also liked you until Armin said you guys looked good together. (stole ya girl eren haha)
-You would catch her staring at you and how she tried to look away, but you smiled knowing she was looking at you.
-During dinner, one of your hands were resting in your lap and you suddenly felt a hand interlaced with your free one. It was Mikasa.
-They were cold, skinny, and long compared to yours. This became a habit every time you guys ate together.
-You decided to confess to Mikasa one night and you strangely weren't nervous.
-The moment you told her how you felt, Mikasa grabbed your face with both of her hands and pulled you into a kiss.
-It was soft, gentle, and there was nothing but love behind it, which made your heart swell.
-Your relationship with MIkasa was nothing but pure and passion afterward.
Ymir:
-This bitch was annoying when you first met her.
-she would make fun of how you ran, talked, breathed, Anything!! You hated that freckled bitch.
-You did everything in your power to avoid her.
-Ymir liked teasing you just to see your reactions. She liked getting you worked up because she knew she was the only one that could get under your skin.
-She enjoyed watching your face would fall whenever she was near. What she loved the most about your facial expressions was that your lip would slightly hang and she would quickly look at it, wanting nothing more than to rub her thumb across it.
-She also enjoyed saying things like "I know you want me." when you try to fight back.
-She also the type to say "when or where." When you say "fuck you."
-You reached your breaking point one night when you two were trapped in a snow storm and couldn't find the cabin.
-Ymir kept saying things like it was your fault and how you were useless, until you turned around and finally stood your ground.
-Ymir tried to hold back her smirk as she watched you rage.
-When you were done, she noticed the pout you had and pulled your to her chest, giving you a messy kiss.
-you were confused but the feeling of her lips against yours felt so good you couldn't resist.
-Ymir was a messy kisser. She stuck her tongue in your mouth and tasted every part of it trying not to moan.
-she then told you to stick out her tongue so she could suck on it.
-You two no lingered were cold because of the warmth of the kiss spread throughout you two bodies.
-When she pulled away, she had a smirk plastered on her face and you smacked her.
-She was shock but then smiled again, pulling you into another kiss
-In conclusion this bitch is crazy....but only for you ;)
Sasha:
-you met Sasha when you caught her trying to steal meat from the kitchen.
-You thought she was adorable and offered to help her. From that movement you two were inseparable.
-You two would have picnics three times a week and it never got tiring.
-You enjoyed watching Sasha stuff her face with bread and tried to stuff pieces in your mouth too.
-Sasha was usually stingy with her food, but when it came to you she would always share ( some meaning a tiny bite).
-Sasha was the first to confess on of your picnic dates
-she was stuttering a lot and kept stuffing food in her mouth until you grabbed her wrists and gave her a warm smile. "I like you Sasha."
-You tried not laugh as the food fell from her mouth and her face turned red. But then she smiled and said, "I like you too...Even more than food."
ATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAPPY 500 !! WOOT WOOT !! for ur event, song of choice would be pancakes for dinner OR when she loved me (i cannot choose for the life of me waha) and fandom is sa ano na lang, hmm, aot !!
there were many times where you felt hopeless, but with her, it was a different kind. soft and loving, a reminder of just how good it feels to be committed, to have a hand to hold, to adore someone.
βwhat are you doing?β
you were caught off guard when someone hugged you from behind while you were doing your work, but there wasnβt a surprise on who it wasβ the arms holding you were very familiar, it was your known embodiment of home. after seeing that it wasnβt a bother, Sasha stayed there for a while.
βdo you want to go on a date today?β she asks.
βwhat did you have in mind?β you ask sheepishly before turning to glance at her, and there was a knowing look. βanother picnic?β
βi didnβt say that,β she giggles, βbut if you insist!β she places a quick kiss on your cheeks before detaching from the embrace to get ready, of course heading to the kitchen first. you shake your head, holding in your laughter, jokingly disappointed while she exits, grinning and even dancing excitedly.
when she loved you, you were hopeless. hopelessly happy and in love.
a/n: TNX AIKO TWINNY !! sige abangan mo movie ko ah π
