[xenodykery]

to rebuild—1

y’all want some slow burn sevika and shoola?

summary: now a prominent leader of zaun and a representative for the community, sevika sits at the council, aided by a seasoned member.

chapter 2

heavy steps thudding, sevika makes her way toward the chair designated for her, onlookers’ sights heated at her appearance and inclusion in the rebuilt council. all sights except for one. settling into her seat with a responding piercing stare to the judgement, sevika’s right arm rests on the table, posture leaning slightly forward as she quietly takes in the others. 

sevika’s dark gray eyes flit to a more familiar figure and narrow in a mere analytic manner. she had stood beside this individual at the funeral, solemn introductions made after the event had dwindled. the feel of the other’s golden claws are still felt on her palm, their handshake having been firm, a lingering motion made by both parties as a silent understanding spoke through the touch. 

facing her new counterparts, shoola returns their pointed looks, a look of distaste blanketing her expression. after all that was done–joint efforts made to bring down the forces that threatened both zaun and piltover–individuals can still find it in themselves to look down on zaunites. if she had the power, she would deny the addition of such people, prompting a seat on the council if a bias is dismissed and a leveled mindset could be put forth. 

because that is what is needed. yet here they all sit, ready to continue a vile cycle that has done nothing but further divide a once united society. 

amid the first meeting of the renewed council, as expected, sevika’s words are cut into, demands scoffed at while attitude-filled responses are shot back. fist clenched, sevika’s brown skin heats, frustration building as she sees the obvious barricade made for her requests. her jaw clenches, teeth grinding against each other as she prepares to speak again. 

“if i may?” comes shoola’s silvery voice, her two-toned eyes looking at sevika. 

sevika remains tense, meeting shoola’s gaze, the stare a stark difference from the others of the council. a slight nod of her head is given. 

shoola brings her attention to the rest of the councilors sitting at the table, the adornments on her fingers glinting in the soft rays of sun pouring through the windows. “i don’t think willful ignorance is the right path to take following an event birthed from such an aspect.”

undeterred by the collective reactions to the accusation, shoola maintains an even look on her face. her voice raises in volume as she continues, “removing the factories that border the fissures should not be an abstract idea that brings all of you to disrespect a fellow member of the council; you are not here to fight against sevika’s wishes or ignore them, you are here to listen, learn, and aid the individuals, the families, the lives of zaun.” 

“councilor shoola, with all due respect, the removal of the factories would pose a massive loss for those who depend on jobs for their families and their lives,” is a response. 

shoola is reminded of her own words that reflected the response just given, but ultimately, people cannot be sacrificed to support another–there is a way to support both, there has to be. 

“with such an obstacle, being named the “city of progress” should be an embarrassment if we cannot even move forward to ensure our counterparts are safe and healthy,” shoola places her words with a firm force, holding eye contact with each individual sitting at the table. she looks at sevika lastly, face softening as she does. “do you have anything else to bring forward, councilor sevika?”

sevika points her words to shoola only, purposely ignoring the others, “all good for now. how fast can we get the supplies to start repairs?”

“as soon as they are needed,” shoola responds. 

examining her fellow councilor for a moment, sevika holds a smidge of approval for the other, yet keeps a controlled expression. she relaxes slightly in her chair, right index finger tapping with an aura of impatience as she has to sit through the rest of the meeting, listening to the topics with half a mind. when there is input from shoola, sevika looks her way, taking in her mannerisms that flow with grace, the sound of her claw adornments tapping the table as she makes a point settling into her mind. when any other councilor speaks, sevika lets out a tired exhale.  

 a sharp breath is taken as she settles back into reality once realizing ending statements are made and the impending end to the meeting is to come. 

sevika is the first to stand, chair legs groaning against the floor as the back of her legs push it away. concern bubbles inside of her thinking about isha and jinx still in recovery even though she is sure vi hasn’t left either of their sides. fuck, she thinks, get me anywhere but here. she can’t stand the demeanor the council holds, can’t fucking stand it. but she would endure worse if it meant aiding zaun and rebuilding it. heels hurriedly click behind her but her mind is focused on the young ones back home. 

hints of that familiar amber aroma makes sevika side-eye her right side, a gold claw coming into view. 

“have you taken a look at your office?” shoola questions, falling in step with sevika. 

fully turning her head, sevika quirks her brow, eyes following the shape of shoola’s face plate before darting to her lips then settling on her gaze. “i haven’t.” 

the mechanism of the door lightly chitters as the grand structure begins to open, letting the two individuals pass through. shoola guides the direction to the right, the long corridor holding various rooms in a simple pattern. it is quiet between the two as they walk together, having yet to move past a formidable barrier established simply from places of origin. sevika holds a deep-seated hatred for piltover, their forces onto zaun too embedded in her memory; for shoola, no bold sentiments can be made for the sibling society.  

“what sits at the council,” shoola starts, “have only a quarter of the minds of who filled the seats before.” 

“must have been small minds,” sevika slyly retorts, casting a glance toward shoola. “that what usually happened if anyone tried to get to zaun? a bunch of irrelevant responses and excuses?”

shoola accepts the shots taken. “usually, yes. and motions could have been fought against harder.” she focuses the guilt on herself. 

sevika huffs, shaking her head, movement in her jaw evident. “so what? takes a war to change your mind?”

“not a war–weakened hands and figures. mel would’ve stood along my thoughts. it is the majority that would’ve opposed.” shoola slows, reaching out to halt sevika’s agitation-fueled march, finger jewelry skimming the exposed skin on her bicep. “though i do think actions would’ve served better than to simply accept battered down propositions.” she opens the door to a clearly unused space, a sleight of hand bringing the key from her person to the slot. 

her trek slow and cautious into the room, sevika surveys the area. calculated steps lead her to the desk, a chair with a different structure from those in the main council room tucked under it. sevika brushes her fingertips along the desk, the mineral cool under her touch while she studies the shaped stone. shoola stays near the entrance, still clutching the key to the room; she is kept in sevika’s peripheral at all times.

“any supplies that you need, make it known and i’ll put it in place for you–”

“this part of a plan?” sevika’s voice is gruff, coated with suspicion. 

shoola’s head tilts as she narrows her eyes. “i’m sorry?”

sevika rounds the table and grips the back of the chair. “get one of the councilors to close in. do a couple of favors. then what?” her lips downturn, watching shoola walk closer, the sound of her heels echoing throughout the room. the darkened gray sights follow the motion of shoola’s hand setting down the key on the table then keeping it under her index and middle fingers as she slides it to the other side of the mineral desk. 

“then what?” shoola repeats, voice remaining gentle. “i have no reason to hold contempt for you. i am only your equal, prepared to aid you and zaun. if you want to do this alone, i can step aside; but the road here had enough obstacles, there shouldn’t be anymore.” she lifts her fingers off the key.

sevika looks at the key then back to shoola, ruminating on her words. she’d be lying to herself if she thought she didn’t have to have at least one ally for this line of work–a primary caretaker of zaun. vander had grayson. silco had marcus. though the power scales have altered a bit, it is still a significant factor in the relationship between the societies. 

seeing that sevika needs time to think, shoola backs up from the table and starts heading toward the door. her direction changes at the last moment, bringing her to one of the pneumatic tubes, her left index finger tapping the mechanism. “anything you need.” 

then sevika is alone in her office. 

[fofair]

Sevika crumbss

[xenodykery]

Lost Then Found

chloe frazer x nadine ross

1, 2, 3, 4

“could be a bit more careful on this trail.” nadine looks up from the map as the truck jostles for the umpteenth time. she casts a look to her companion who is focused on the bumpy road through the south african wilderness. “chloe.”

“yeah?”

“you’re riding the rocks on this side. stop hugging the right—there’s a clear path.” nadine’s eyes squint when she realizes. her tongue prods the inside of her lower lip lightly. “competing with a map so you have my attention. tell me what you want, before our tires go to waste.”

chloe huffs. “conceited.” she maneuvers the steering wheel to glide along the embedded, dirt path. “but since i have your attention now, i want to place a bet. you mentioned those cooking classes earlier…”

nadine side-eyes her companion then lowers the map from her face. “mhm. what have you been cooking up for the past three hours?” 

“i save your ass, you pay for a full month, you save mine, and it’s going on my card instead.” 

a soft laugh leaving her parted lips, nadine nods. “deal. considering you take multiple leaps of faith during our little trips.” she thinks for a couple of seconds, raising her left index finger. “and loser has to cook for the winner. a full course—appetizer, entree and dessert.” 

chloe lets out a loud ‘ha!’, looking over at her friend with a competitive glint in her gray eyes. “deal. should i start writing down my preferences or…?”

returning her focus to the map, nadine stifles her chuckles. “how about you get us there first?”

“mmm. that attitude will get you right back to that bumpy path you loved so much.” 

“i’ll show you a bumpy path.” 

cackling, chloe shakes her head. “oh, please do.”

catching her tone, nadine looks at her and groans, laying her head back on the headrest. “shut up.”

with a smile on her face, chloe continues down the route, careful with her precious cargo in the passenger seat. already having been on the path for nearly an hour, the lot holding other hiker’s cars appears and earn a simultaneous breath of relief from the adventurers, the truck guided in to park. 

hopping out first, nadine stretches her limbs, looking around the area before grabbing her things from the trunk. when chloe comes around for her supplies, she hands her things to her, nodding at the ‘thanks’ received. they both packed light, the activities today just meant to survey the area, coming back tomorrow at an earlier time to do their full journey. 

hooking on her utility belt, nadine peeks through her lashes to look at chloe, the other’s gaze settled on something to her left, a slight lean in her figure as she easily settles the belt to her hips, slender fingers sliding across the familiar structure. her eyes drop to crease in chloe’s pants near her pelvis, her hips cocking to the side in a subconscious taunt. muttering to herself, nadine gets herself together and pats her belt when she’s done. 

“you’ve got a tail,” chloe pipes up once she sees nadine lean toward the trunk to check for any straggling items. 

nadine scoffs at the statement. “i have a what?” she faces her friend again and then stares with a faint smile. “or are you talking just to talk…?” her words trail off once chloe comes toward her and circles around, the back of her waistband gripped lightly, before the back of her shirt moves, maneuvered to be tucked in like the rest of her top. 

“there.” chloe pats nadine’s lower back. “don’t know if that’ll be a matter of life and death, right?” 

“like it was dragging behind me.” nadine shoos her hands away and then smooths over the back of her shirt herself, her face warm. then she starts leading the way down the main path, dismissing the tingle on her lower back where chloe’s fingertips brushed against. “any excuse to put your paws on me, i guess.” 

chloe raises her hands and looks at them with a small scrunch of her lips. “and how wish i had claws, so when you’re not looking, i scratch up that hideous couch of yours. god, please, when are you going to get a better one? flattens my ass everytime i sit on it.” pulling out her phone, she snaps some pictures of the surrounding wilderness before sneaking some of nadine.

nadine hums, holding her response until she makes it up the incline in the trail, waiting for chloe to do the same. “so, i should get a new couch just because you’re uncomfortable. a guest. in my home.”

“a guest and your best friend.” chloe grunts and takes the final step up the incline, blinking at nadine’s unmoving body when her chest bumps hers. she tilts her head and looks her up and down fondly. “hi.” 

rolling her eyes, nadine turns and continues down the path.

chloe stays where she is for a short moment, getting a view of nadine from the back and feeling giddy all of the sudden. quickly, she follows and continues talking, “you roll your eyes, but you know i’m right. about the couch and being your best and—let’s be truthful—only friend. like you are to me.” 

“you think i’m your best friend?” 

“oh, i know it. matter of fact, i saw some lovely shops while my bladder was about to explode on the way to the hotel. we need to solidify this with a friendship bracelet, necklace, piercings. i’ll let you pick.” 

“our blood, sweat and tears during these little trips of ours isn’t enough to solidify it?” she looks over her shoulder but doesn’t meet chloe’s gaze. then she chuckles, the route becoming her focus again. “how can i already tell what piercings you have in mind?” 

chloe gets beside nadine, the back of their hands brushing against one another, twitching in the same moment as if the desire to cradle one another is a simultaneous thought. “i imagine…you get your left nipple and i’ll do my right. so we don’t have to go through doing both. something to symbolize how we complete each other.” 

scoffing, nadine waves her right hand through the air, eyes squinting as she tries to pick out what part of that sentence to respond to. but before she gets a reply out, she works her way up the winding path, chuckling quietly to herself. “why are you thinking about my nipples?” 

“ah ah. nipple.” 

“...right. and how many times has this scenario been on your mind?”

chloe purses her lips, her face warming at the inquiry. instead of the truth, she remains cheeky and says, “why? you flattered?” 

nadine shoots back, “by my pervert of a friend who takes pictures of me thinking i don’t know. sure.” 

“oh, nadine. your honesty is one of your best qualities.”

-

about an hour and a half into the hike, the two come to a point in the trail where they can map out their more tedious efforts for their search. nadine snaps some pictures of the potential path and then starts to get closer, cautious of the dropoffs to the side. when hands settle on her hips, she sighs and then gets another picture of the terrain taken before she speaks.

“why?”

“well, if you look to your right, you’ll see something close to a cliff but not really a cliff. when you settle with that realization, think of me as your…safety anchor,” chloe chirps, looking in the direction where nadine is. 

nadine makes a face her partner can’t see, yet remains humored by the response. “yeah? never thought safety anchors would be so touchy. and talk so much.”

chloe looks down and tilts her head, moving her thumbs over the fabric of her shirt to rest where she knows her companion’s back dimples are. “you wish they were.” 

“no…i really don’t—!” her back straightens and she looks at chloe, swatting at her hands. “what are you doing?” 

mouth dropping open, chloe chuckles. “oh-ho. are you ticklish here?” 

“talking about being a safety anchor while being a threat to my life. i almost fell over, frazer,” she huffs. moving up a couple steps, she is followed closely, the grip on her body firm and starting to be accepted despite her agitation from the last motion. “do it again and you’ll be sent off the side of this trail.” 

“you wouldn’t maroon me. i’m too good to you.” chloe leans into nadine’s left ear. “who would’ve thought the great nadine ross is all sensitive back here?”

bottling her shiver, nadine retorts, “i’d quite literally toss you for the fun of it.”

“tough but fair.” chloe settles her chin on her shoulder. “now take a picture of us.”

“no.”

choe smacks her lips and then takes out her own phone, putting it up at an angle before taking some pictures of herself and nadine. her face remaining cheerful, her uninterested friend’s expression remains modulated, before the photos slowly morph to nadine giving her attention to the camera, a glance given to chloe on her shoulder. then she looks at the camera and smiles softly. once that image is captured she moves along the trail, watching her steps closely. 

“watch out right here.” nadine points at the ground where a small dip is hidden. even after the warning, she watches chloe walk, waiting for her to stand alongside her. “after this, we get a good night’s rest and start up early in the morning. reach that side of the mountain over there.” she juts her chin in the direction, snapping a quick picture too. 

“yes, boss!”

nadine grunts. “don’t call me that.” 

her mischievousness beaming, chloe pokes her elbow into the side of nadine’s arm lightly. “ooh, why? you like it?” 

“no.” nadine’s lips downturn slightly while she shakes her head. “that’s an old title. feels weird to hear it now.” 

“ah…okay. what do you prefer then?” 

“chloe, i do have a name, you know that, right?” nadine takes the curve on the trail to get the final images captured. 

tilting her head, chloe weighs the response. “‘nadine’ is what everyone else calls you. but i’m not everyone else. i’m better. special.” she gets in front of nadine just as she snaps a picture, her curse at her ignored. “how about ‘dine. or miss ross.”

nadine enters her photo gallery to look over the last picture, prepared to delete it. unfortunately, it captures both the terrain and her companion perfectly, bringing her to dismiss her plan for the image. having enough pictures anyway, she puts her phone away and then crosses her arms, not missing her counterpart’s focus going to her arms once they tense and bulge from the change of position. “i don’t do nicknames.” 

“you didn’t ‘do’ me either. and yet here we stand, hand in hand, hunting for treasure together.” 

right brow raising at the way her sentence came out, nadine drops her head in defeat and then turns around to start walking down the path. “you really have a way with talking, frazer.”

“think so? i’ll tell you this, miss ross, you are the only one to be graced with this type of conversation.” 

her smile hidden as chloe trails her, she rolls her eyes. “i’m sure i am.” 

[xenodykery]

i just finished replaying lost legacy and went searching for fics, and omg i love how u characterize the two of them in lost then found!! like the banterrr 🧌

thank you! i literally took notes while watching the gameplay so i could get their characters right💀😭ty ty. now i gotta get some words in on this new chap for u🫡🫡🫡🫡

[jpxfrrd]

(by me op)

[red-enby]

it's been a while :)

[xenodykery]

[xenodykery]

scenario(s): a stranger blatantly ignoring one of you while trying to flirt with the other

sevika x (shy + introvert + oblivious) black gnc plus-size reader // (talkative + confident + extrovert) black gnc plus-size reader

note: if y’all see ‘i’ or ‘me’ dismiss it. i like writing self inserts for myself and forget i have wips for public posting🐦‍⬛

"where do you wanna sit, baby?" sevika asks, her hand on the small of your back, thumb rubbing against the fabric of your top.

your lips scrunch a bit while you peruse the pub, eyeing a cozy booth in the distance. pointing at it, you respond, "that one good?"

your partner hums and nods, taking the first steps that get your own to follow, guiding you through the crowd with her body making sure the path is clear for you. a brow raised, she meets the multiple gazes bestowed onto you, pride surging at the envious looks she tracks. she leans down slightly to murmur in your ear, “i told you how good you look tonight?”

tickled by her breath skimming your dark brown skin, you smile and nudge her with your shoulder gently. “mhm. been countin’ and that makes it a dozen just tonight. since we woke up though, you’ve been at it.”

a deep, sweet chuckle flows from sevika, your senses indulging in the sound while your body heats up after her paired kisses to your right temple. “it’s hard to hold back anything. gettin’ to look at this? all day? i’m more than grateful.”

closing in on the booth, sevika motions for you to enter first, looking at your backside with a heavy stare as you settle into the plush seating, scooting to make room for her. her large stature gets situated next to yours next, her left knee bumping yours. she grunts quietly, making eye contact with the bartender, a friend she knows well, and just nods, receiving the same motion back from the platinum-haired individual.

“wait. baby, you good with drinks first or you wanna eat?” sevika looks at you, her gray eyes watching your fidgeting fingers massage each other.

“i could do either,” you respond, thigh twitching once her left hand settles on it, the cold digits of her prosthetic pressing into your pants. when she touches you, the feel of fabric is absent, your skin reacting as if you’re bare. your index finger presses into the table, a certain adoration held for the mechanical limb. while your eyes travel up her arm, your heart skips a beat, her gaze already felt on you. the words you mean to say get stuck in your throat.

sevika tilts her head, a coy smile shaping her dark lips as she looks at you. “yes?”

you drop your gaze, biting the sides of your tongue. “i didn’t say anything.”

after placing a kiss on your forehead, sevika chuckles. “reading your silence is a skill of mine now. thought you knew.” she senses the approaching presence, looking to the other side of the table and giving the new face of the establishment a friendly smile.

"councilor sevika?" asks the individual, their golden eyes roaming her face before blatantly surveying her body. "i'm a very big supporter of yours. my name’s bonni.”

“i appreciate it.” sevika has an even expression, her left hand squeezing your thigh. “probably not as big as my partner here though,” she says with very light playfulness, glancing over at you for a moment.

a dry laugh projects from bonni. “right…” shifting their weight onto one foot slightly, they continue, “what can i get for you tonight?”

sevika glances at you, raising a brow expectantly.

a menu having been set on the table before arrival, you quickly scan the small, laminated item and choose a simple burger meal. “um, with no onions please,” you finish off, smiling politely at the waiter, an uncaring attitude directed at your words. assuming that’s just their face, you just settle in the feel of sevika’s hand and enjoy the music playing.

flatly, sevika orders another burger meal, purposely requesting the same exclusion of the onion. she watches the bright smile and nods come her way from the waiter, before they say they would be back with the beverages you each wanted in just a moment.

“ugh, this music is so good. what’s the band’s name?” you crane your neck to look at the people working the small stage.

“can i get a kiss?” is sevika’s response.

focus is on her immediately, then you hum with approval, her lips nearing yours in an instant, a depth to the intimacy pursued when her head tilts and her tongue brushes against yours.

you chuckle against her lips then muffled mumbling follows. when she pulls away, you’re dazed, heart thumping hard. “y-you know that’s for places more…private, sev.” chubby thighs rubbing against one another, the tips of her mechanical fingers are caught in between the motion. you absentmindedly widen your legs a bit to invite her grip further up.

sevika follows your lead and slides her hand along your inner thigh, pinky nuzzling into the crease where your pelvis and thigh meet. “band’s name is, the purple rays.” she leans into your right ear, playfully pushing her nose behind it before placing a kiss there.

“sevika.” the warning is paired with a small smile, your eyelids fluttering for a few seconds. “you’re havin’ too much fun.”

“i promise i’m not havin’ as much as we would like.”

you laugh airily. “including me is so devious when you’re all up on me like this—”

the cup full of your ordered beverage is nearly slammed in front of you, while sevika’s is positioned with care just in front of her, carving you out of your flustered state and putting you into a startled one. you look at the waiter and give a small smile, thanking them, then you glance at your cup after.

“no problem,” the waiter responds evenly. “food’ll be out in a few minutes.” they walk away, returning to the kitchen.

unwrapping your straw, you’re about to dip it into the refreshment to take a sip when sevika gently pulls the cup toward her.

“lemme see that first.”

you lift a brow in question before letting her do as she wishes, twiddling with the straw while you wait.

“you know this isn’t what you asked for, right?” she looks at the flat beverage when you had asked for a soda.

“it…i mean, it’s okay. i like most drinks anyway.” you shrug, reaching to grab the cup back. “plus, look how busy it is in here. they just forgot the order most likely.”

sevika keeps the cup out of reach, shaking her head. "a soda. that’s what you ordered, that’s what you’re getting.” she looks into the distance and waves over a different waiter, staring him down until he approaches. “can i get a fruit soda? this is the wrong drink. bonni is our server—tell them to bring it back for me. thank you.”

“no problem,” he chirps, grabbing the cup sevika is holding out before hurrying to get the drink order fulfilled.

you set your straw down on a napkin. “you didn’t have to do that.”

“just taking what you’re given isn’t the way to go about things.” she rubs her thumb against the top of your thigh. “sorry about the damn service so far, the people here are usually on top of things.” a kiss comes to your temple before she peppers more onto the apple of your cheek and your jaw. she soon falls into her innate adoration of you, nuzzling into your neck and nipping lightly, smiling as you laugh.

sevika retreats when you nudge your shoulder into her lightly, the action telling her to calm down while in the public’s eye. she keeps her gaze on you though, gray sights scintillating with fondness. her peripheral catches two servers closing in on the table, gaze settling on the same waiter who took the wrong drink, the new beverage is in his possession while the bonni trails him with the plates in their hands.

“thank you,” comes the simultaneous gratitude from you and your partner. more thirsty than you thought, you quickly pop your straw into the beverage and take a big, long sip, eyes squinting when that carbonation tickles your tongue and throat.

while you enjoy your drink, the aroma from your food makes you look over at the plates, sevika’s hands flying to the buns of the burger and lifting the top almost as soon as bonni sets them down.

“enjoy—”

“what the fuck is wrong with you?” sevika turns over the bun and sets it aside, showing the extra order of onions stacked inside the burger. “if they’re allergic, then what? am i missing something? this an off night for you?”

you put your hand on sevika’s arm, silently beckoning her to calm down.

she shakes her head. “no, because they’ve been messin’ with you all night and for what?” looking into the distance, sevika finds the owner behind the bar and raises her right hand, index and middle finger calling her over. she then gets out of the booth and stands up in front of bonni. “you got a hell of a lot of manners to learn.”

“sev…” you look around and wish you could make yourself smaller to lessen the attention from others. “just leave it alone.”

the owner, sam, approaches the table and looks at bonni. “what’s going on?”

“havin’ a problem with me, that’s fine. fucking with my partner crosses a line.” she glares at bonni. “you got somethin’ you wanna say to them?”

bonni’s mouth parts and they look at you, then the ground, before glancing at sam behind them. “j-just a rough shift—”

“stay home next time—”

“sev.” your tone a bit firmer, you garner her attention and once eye contact is made, her expression softens.

sam gives a look to bonni, her command clear with the silence.

“i-i’m sorry,” they say. “can i get you anything else?”

“no, we need to have a talk,” sam speaks with a firm tone. “my office, now.”

an acknowledging nod given to her, sevika watches the two depart from the table, sitting back down next to you. “we can go somewhere else,” she offers, “that shit was ridiculous. sorry, baby. “

“you heard ‘em. just a bad shift.” you pluck a fry from your plate and eat it, delighted by the taste. taking another, you hold it up to sevika’s lips, her mouth twitching into a smile before opening and accepting the food.

“having a bad shift doesn’t mean you should try and spread that bullshit to everyone else. and they were weird anyways, always gettin’ at you in some way. need you to be more aware of that, baby, okay? you gotta stop taking excuses for how people behave towards you.” sevika switches the plates that came, taking the one with onions. then she stops mid-motion. “or should we eat somewhere else?”

“it wasn’t taking an excuse. it was more of having emotional relativity. some people just can’t hide their irritation or whatever—doesn’t mean that it has to do with me.” you feed her another fry, pulling your fingers back when she targets them with a playful biting motion.

“well, they better hide it when they’re around you.”

scenario 2

with sevika in the bathroom, you hang around the bar, your familiarity with the bartender acting as your lifeline for the bustling club. you swivel on the stool, and swirl your straw in your cocktail, the ice clinking around in the glass.

“date went wrong?”

you look up from the sapphire-hued beverage and set your eyes on the barback, their hands busy with cleaning out a few glasses in front of them.

“hm?” you tilt your head. “what are you talking about?”

they jut their chin toward the empty seat next to you where sevika was sitting. “think she left you.”

you laugh and shake your head, fingers abandoning the straw. “oh, no no. she’s in the bathroom.” you angle your head in the direction she’s in. “thanks for the concern though.”

quirking a pierced brow, the barback can’t hide the disappointment from your response. they place the cleaned glass to the side and then pick up the next. “name’s ash. what’s yours? don’t see you around too often.”

after you take a sip of your cocktail, you hold out your hand. “nice to meet you, ash.” the introduction of your name follows the statement and a smile graces their lips, silver tooth caps adorning their canines. mouth parting in awe, you motion to their teeth once your hands depart from one another. “those are so damn cool. i’ve been looking for a place to get some for myself and sev. think they’d look really cute on her.”

ash hums, their midnight eyes roaming my face before their head tilts and their sights set on my hand circled around the condensation-covered cup. “they would look good on you. smile?”

you bare your teeth in an exaggerated manner, garnering a soft chuckle from the barback. checking on the area near the bathroom, you see your girlfriend, her expression even as she stares at ash. brightening, you sit up a bit straighter, smiling genuinely when she starts walking back to you, having missed her for the last few minutes.

ash follows your gaze to sevika and finishes cleaning the glasses in silence, still wanting to continue a conversation despite the approaching blockade.

sevika kisses your forehead before she sits down, her stool pulled closer to you, both your knees touching when she faces you. “how’s the drink, baby?” her voice heavy with affection, she glances at your cocktail, sparing a second to dart her eyes to ash, centering her attention on you after.

“perfect. i can barely taste all that liquor poured.” your lips wrap around the straw, the action tracked closely by the two individuals in front of you. “i wanted to order you a new drink before you got back but there’s, like, so many bottles of the brown liquor. didn’t wanna get you something that threw you off.”

she huffs and pats the side of your thigh. “not much that can do that.” once she catches the bartender’s attention, she asks for her preferred drink and then nestles her hand on top of your thigh. “get enough buzzed confidence for a dance yet?”

“almost there. finishing this might put me past that point though.” you look at ash. “you made this right? what’s the secret to covering up that bitter taste?”

flattered by the attention, ash puts the final cup they’re cleaning aside and gives you a lopsided smile. “exactly that—a secret.”

you wave them off, playfully rolling your eyes. then you remember something, patting sevika’s thigh repeatedly as you gather your thoughts. “you see ash’s tooth caps? don’t they look cool? i think they forgot to tell me the place though?”

ash motions to theirself. “i make ‘em.”

sevika quirks a brow at that, her drink finally set in front of her, a nod thanking the bartender, charlie. she sips the bitter, smoky drink, the hint of tang hitting her tastebuds just right. her sights land on ash’s left hand nearing yours just near your drink, their wandering eyes darting down to your lips every so often. sevika chuckles to herself and reaches into her pocket, pulling out a lighter and a metal, engraved casing that holds her joints, both random gifts from you.

“you make them? nice.” you glance at sevika just as she’s lighting up a joint. “ain’t it?”

“oh yeah. very cool.” her tone light and humored, she takes a puff before putting the filtered to to your balm-covered lips, the surface almost kissing her index finger and thumb.

ash is called over by charlie, their gaze lingering on you before heading over to their coworker.

“you’re so cute,” sevika murmurs, her left hand leaving a cool trail as she caresses your cheek when you blow the smoke downwards and away.

your face flushes, warmth prickling your dark brown skin. “well, i did just get this top and did my hair a little different—”

“i mean with the bartender.”

your head tilts and sevika swears the action mirrors a puppy trying to understand something.

“huh?” you clear your throat and then drink a bit more of your cocktail. “ash? what makes you say that?”

“they’re flirting with you.” sevika ashes the joint in a tray nearby.

your lips purse and you squint at her. “mmm…nah.”

“mmm…yeah. c’mere.” sevika gets a grip on your seat and pulls it closer. “i know some cues don’t click for you, but let’s not disappoint the poor bartender, okay?” she pops a kiss onto the apple of your cheek then another just at the corner of your lips, watching your head turn for your lips to meet next but she pulls back. instead she hands you the joint, reaching for her cup with her free hand to take a few sips of her drink.

“that liquor extra strong or what? they’re not flirting with me. maybe…you feel threatened and want to assert your dominance.” you pluck the joint from her fingers, the position she offered it in remaining as she takes in your words with a humorous glint in her gray eyes. “and who cares if someone is ‘flirting’ with me.” you face her fully and place your left hand high on her thigh, the thick muscles clenching under your touch while your thumb rubs her sensitive inner thigh, the fabric of her pants soft. “i mean, who really cares? i’m occupied and satisfied…” you take a hit, squeezing her thigh.

ash nods at charlie’s final sentence and returns to cleaning up around the bar, making sure to drop by to slide a card to you.

“if you wanna talk more about the tooth caps.” ash keeps their sight only on you. “i’m usually here around this time, doing what i do. you’re welcome anytime.”

you take the card and thank them, fluttering it in sevika’s face before tucking it away into your pocket. her chuckle makes you do so too, the excitement between her thighs building as your kneading turns to affectionate stroking. after a final puff, you ash the joint and bring it to her mouth, a brow raised at her kiss to your fingers before she traps the filtered tip with her dark lips.

a tap coming to her shoulder, sevika’s expression is immediately dampened, gray eyes splitting through the individual interrupting you and her. but once she sees it’s a trusted companion, reema, she stands from her stool with an exasperated sigh, looking at you and silently apologizing for her impending, temporary leave. when she is pulled aside you can hear her complaints to her friend, the playful reply from reema earning him a stale stare.

ash tracks sevika departure with a small smile, grateful for it. “how’d you end up with her? y’all don’t really match, if you get what i’m sayin’.”

your head jerks back as you’re sipping your cocktail. “no, i really don’t. and you’re saying ‘end up together’ like it’s a damn punishment when i asked her out in the first place.”

“if that’s what you think.” they busy theirself with taking the empty cups from customers nearby, adding them to the sink to start washing. “better things are out there.”

the corner of your nose twitches, agitation meeting with your building inebriation. “what, like you?”

flattered, ash meets your gaze, their expression dampening as they see the look you give them. they read the irritation and sense the attitude, sight refocusing on the sudsy cups in the sink. “well, don’t make it sound like it’s the worst thing imaginable.”

“or what?” you lean forward. “you can talk about my girlfriend, but i can’t react to whatever it is you’re doing?”

ash’s face warms and they catch an attitude too, flirtatious nature dismissed once the silent rejection takes place. “i don’t give a shit what you do.”

you hum and nod, reaching into the pocket that holds the card they gave you, the thin material in between your index and middle finger before you flick it back to them, watching it land in the sink, the water absorbed quickly.

the word ‘bitch’ barely forms before ash’s eyes land on the figure behind you, sevika’s glowering making the response falter fully. retreating to another sink, down the bar, ash’s jaw is clenched, body rigid as they continue their work.

sevika touches the middle of your back, her presence and warm palm making your demeanor soften. she sits back down next to you, handing the joint to you while she says, “grown and can’t handle rejection. horrible combination.”

your lips jut into a small pout, her body leaning toward you to kiss your cheek, content hums emitting from her until you start smiling.

“there we go,” she murmurs into your ear, her thumb rubbing up and down a small section on your spine. “ready for that dance yet?”

you hold up an index finger and start chugging your drink, dismissing the straw.

sevika drinks her own cup too, chuckling at your exhale once you’re finished. helping you off of the stool after, she lets you drag her to the middle of the establishment where the other individuals dancing to the music enjoy themselves, her eyes glimmering with joy as they look up and down your thick, pudgy figure, the outfit you picked still taking her mind elsewhere.

[xenodykery]

Lost Then Found

chloe frazer x nadine ross

1, 2, 4

snores escape chloe lightly, her face smushed into a pillow. a twitch of her toe starts her awakening, the sounds from her environment urging the action. she groans, back arching, seemingly searching and expecting a body to be behind her on the bed. chloe immediately halts her motions. bed? her eyes still closed, she squirms her body on the plush bedding, prodding at the surface as well. 

one eye now open, chloe confirms she was left on the bed, her hand slowly reaching out to the empty space beside her, that part of the bed untouched. she blinks and looks behind her, seeing the couch has been pulled out and set up, clearly having been slept in. her peripheral catches movement, sights darting to nadine who looks freshened up completely, curls unbound. 

“hey,” nadine greets, smiling at chloe. “how was your nap?” 

chloe rubs her eyes as she sits up. “surprised i wasn’t dragged off the bed and put on the couch after what you said.” she stretches her arms upwards, a few of her joints popping. “was it my sweet, beautiful sleeping expression that deterred you from kicking me off?” 

chuckling, nadine walks over to her luggage and puts it in a corner. “the opposite actually. i didn’t want to get your drool on me if i moved you. and…the pullout wasn’t that bad.”

looking at the empty space next to her, chloe stifles the cheeky suggestion, physically having to nip the inside of her lip. “how’d you rest?”

“good,” nadine answers. “do you know you talk when sleeping?” 

mid-sip of some water left by nadine on the nightstand, chloe narrows her eyes at her companion. she exhales once her lips part from the glass. “watching me sleep now are we?” 

skin warming, nadine scoffs and shakes her head. “was just going through our documents earlier and heard you. i can’t believe that motor keeps running.” 

a fake laugh projecting from chloe, she finally climbs out of bed, grunting as she stretches. her wrinkled shirt, showing the remnants of her fidgety sleep, is folded at the bottom, her muscle-loosening movements making it ride up and show the faint happy trail lining the middle of her lower abdomen. a couple more joints pop and then she opens her eyes and sighs heavily, gray eyes setting on nadine.

nadine ignores the feeling in her stomach, jerking her thumb toward the bathroom. “i’m all done if you need it. and hurry if you’re going to use it—we should get a layout of where we’re going before it gets dark.” 

chloe gives a short hum, walking to her luggage that is near the couch and unburying some fresh clothing. “since you’re taking charge, what are we eating before we go? you didn’t want to move me from the bed, wait until you have to hike back with me passed out on your shoulder.”

“already ordered some food for us, should be here in a few minutes.” nadine’s light brown eyes glimmer with humor, the scenario laid out making her shake her head as she holds back her laugh. “you’d trust me to make it all the way back with you unconscious? don’t flatter me.” 

“i’d trust you with my life and more,” is the genuine, soft response from chloe, before she yawns and walks to the bathroom, her chosen outfit and a bottle of lotion held in her left arm while her right extends upward for another stretch. she stops at the threshold of the bathroom. “except with cooking. i’ve seen you make your way around a kitchen—needs some work.” then she slips into space, the door shutting behind her. 

“maybe you should get us some classes then,” is nadine’s quick response. “ever see how many take out boxes you have back at your place?” 

chloe reaches out to feel the water pouring from the shower, the statement from her companion making her eyes squint while she thinks of a good reply. “i’m a busy person!”

“same as me. which is why i offered the classes.” 

-

breakfast is shared on the small table in the corner of the hotel room, a perfectly sculpted piece of wood tucked into the corner of the space, just beside the couch. 

the tv is on but scarcely looked at, the duo’s meal and one another the focus for most of breakfast. nadine steals glances at chloe, seeing if she’s enjoying what was ordered for her. having to hide her laugh at the other scarfing down her food, nadine covers up the action with a few sips of her water, the ice clinking as the cup tilts toward her mouth. 

what was ordered is sure to fill their stomachs for a good portion of the day, sorghum porridge and ting le tshohlo gracing their hunger. the tip of chloe’s right foot taps the top of nadine’s, trying to get her attention. when the light brown eyes are set on her again, she gives a comment to her companion. 

“we could make this,” she encourages, watching nadine’s expression turn from questioning to humored. “what? enough confidence and we definitely could. don’t make that face.” 

nadine finishes off her porridge. “that’s an idea. you make things from my homeland and i’ll make things from yours. when we get back, of course.” 

“why does it sound like a challenge?”

“because you make everything a challenge right in the middle of it.”

chloe gives a pointed look, taking another bite of her food. her cleaned off spoon points at nadine. “and you accept.”

nadine nods, poking the tip of her tongue into her canine to keep from laughing. “so i’m enabling you? good to know. that stops now.” she mirrors the small pout on chloe’s lips, mocking her. “how about you focus instead of trying to distract me?”

grabbing the map laid out beside her, chloe flaps the piece of paper with an exaggerated motion, clearing her throat and scanning it, a close study done for the moment. she sees where both her and nadine have marked the potential trails to take, their small notes highlighted with blue and red pens. she traces a route with her index finger and then turns the map toward her companion. “right here is an area open for hiking and camping. means the truck can make it through.” 

“mph.” nadine holds up a finger while chewing the rest of her food. “how far though?”

“you want me to fly a drone and see the land’s layout?”

“stop being cheeky and just look on your phone.” she takes a sip of her coffee, a few more following, before she puts down the mug, taking a beat before continuing to eat. nadine watches chloe open up her phone, tapping her foot on the ground next to her companion’s feet, their surfaces nearly touching. then she tilts her head and purposely lays her foot on top of chloe’s left one, waiting for a reaction. 

undeterred by the weight on her feet, chloe licks the taste of the food from her lips, massaging them against one another after. navigating to her map she locates the precise location on the map, humming as she changes the display and surveys the terrain from the satellite images. “how does that look?” 

nadine’s gaze drifts from chloe’s face to look at the phone. she takes the device and examines the map, nodding to herself while she traverses the planned route. “up until about here” —she points to an incline that is supposed to lead into the interior of the mountainous range— “then we’re on foot.” she hands the phone back to chloe, their fingers brushing one another during the exchange, movements slowed to take in the sensation for a moment longer. “don’t forget to check the supplies before we go.” 

“i won’t,” chloe scoffs. “i look like an amateur to you?” she watches nadine raise her brows and set her lips in a straight line. offended by the silent response, chloe whispers, “wow.” 

nadine chuckles softly. “make sure.”

chloe sets her phone down and gets the last of her breakfast nearly scarfed down to be able to check the gear ten times over. 

[coldfingertips1]

Post workout selfieeeee🫡🫡😝😝

(posted it on tt aswell)

[shigeoreum]

[seraphineatnight]

I’d ragebait her so hard just to get that look out of her

[skullestic]

just one chanceeeee😔✊✊

[lard100]

I miss her...

[lesspir]

For Arcane what if? zine🌸

[bunbunbewwii]

giraffe girl

[sksksscarlet]

I miss sevika sm💔 like fr…i need her physically so badddd😭 If I could only wish an arcane s3 just to see her AGAINN! I MISS MY WIFE!