Spaztastic-Headcannons

"How do you find these things?" Bofur asked, watching as Bilbo popped back from a bush, greenery clutched in both hands.

"It's hardly finding, Bofur. They were right there, plain as day," Bilbo replied, shoving his find in to his friend's hands to free his own up for another bundle.

"It's all just green. Leaves are leaves, what's so special about these leaves?"

"Leaves! This is goldenrod, medicinal as well as very tasty tea!"

Oin's head tilted toward them, hearing horn tuned in for anything to do with healing, "Medicinal you say? Let me see that, lads."

~~~~~~~

The Company had experienced that expertise multiple times on the road. Bombur was a big fan of what things their Hobbit would bring back to the fire at dinner time. The others, and especially Ori, became more so the further along their adventure they went. When supplies would dwindle and hunting-fishing-foraging became the way of the road. While there were plants that the dwarrow knew were safe, tasty, useful along the way, Bilbo had a keen eye to find ones they would never have recognized as edible or useful.

~~~~~~

"Here, Ori. This should help that rumbling belly."

Ori startled, mentally cursing the silent nature of hobbits. "What do you have there, Master Baggins?"

In a pouch, held out to Ori, stuck out dandelions, but the stained fingers hold it told a story of more in the little bag. Ori made a face still, he did not like green things. All the same, the grumbling of his stomach had him reach into the pouch, taking a couple dandelions and a handful of berries. "Berries, Master Baggins?"

Bilbo chuckled, biting the head off of a dandelion, though the stains on his lips and fingers gave away what he'd been eating with them. "Berries, Master Ori. There's an abundance in this area. It's fortunate that we're passing through while they're still ripe. Bifur and I have been well fed today and I figured I could share the wealth." He placed the entire thing in Ori's hand, "I'd appreciate the pouch back when you're done so I can refill it, but I can grab more as we go."

~~~~~~~

Nuts collected along the way, roasted in a pan for easy snacks the next day when walking. Roots dug up and dried hanging from packs for use on nights it was safe to light a fire, otherwise used immediately where needed. Herbs were separated by what Oin recognized as useful and whatever little knowledge Bilbo had picked up from his mother, years ago, in their use for healing as well as food. Even lichen was collected, to the amazement to Kili and Fili!

Even in the darkest parts of their journey, Bilbo could find some sort of greenery to make use of and share.

~~~~~~~

Mirkwood was sunless and cursed. The trail was surrounded by sickly greenery that suffered that sunlessness the most. Except for one, amazing little bit of greenery that Bilbo was thrilled to share with his dwarrow. Moss! Thick, carpeting moss, laid along the trail following alongside a river. None had the energy to even snap at the hobbit, his joy muffled even now.

"We should stop here." Bilbo declared, hands on thinning waist as he took in the bounty.

Thorin scowled, "No, we can continue on further. We don't have time to dawdle for halfling whims."

Bold Bilbo scoffed, "We can take a night to rest comfortably in this cursed forest. The moss will offer a soft place to rest our heads and an early night will be a boon to our tired bones."

"Or it'll delay us further getting out and back into the sunshine. We would rest best on the other side of this wood."

"Well," Balin stepped forward, eyeing the drooping company, "A single night of extra rest could do us well. We could rise earlier and go longer tomorrow. Think on it, Thorin. A small comfort in a dank place like this."

Thorin brooded, but when faced at the deep bags of his company, shoulders drooping as they looked to him for orders, he could only sigh. "Fine. One night of this, and then we push hard until we get out of this Mahal foresaken forest."

As one the company sighed, dropping bags alarmingly light in a pile.

"What are we to do with moss, Bilbo?" Kili asked, youth keeping him on his feet longer than the elder of the group.

"We rest on it. This type of moss is common in dark and damp places like this, and I can attest it's a comfortable place to sleep on the road. Softer than leaves or a bed mat, and certainly softer than the dirt trail we've been laying on for days on end." So said the hobbit stepped on the thick bed of moss, his foot sinking in proving what he said.

"And it's safe?" Dori fret.

"Yes, as safe as anything in this forest can be." Refusing to show any hesitation, Bilbo settled down on the moss bed, ignoring the slight damp to fully enjoy himself.

One by one the dwarrow lowered down to the moss, several sighing from the first comfort they'd felt since they left Beorn's home. Even the creases on Thorin's shoulders relaxed a smidge.

As promised, after a night of early, comfortable sleep, the company pushed on harder the next day. Mossy beds were long forgotten days later when the spiders came.

~~~~~~

Skypiea was a fantasy-esque, dream island. The place that one can literally walk on clouds! And yet somehow, in this fantasy land, there was chaos. Straw Hat branded chaos so it's not that surprising, but also chaos without their influence.

Which led you here: Upper Yard. Home of the one and only Vearth. Or dirt as it's commonly known on the Blue Sea thousands of meters below. A terrifying to reach, but incredibly educational: Robin finding ruins and you, taking samples and identifying the plants that made up the island.

As the crew's botanist-horticulturalist, you were well versed in the plants of the Blue Sea — mostly East Blue but the Grand Line has been an eye opening, educational experience of what you don't know — which is what made the plants on Upper Yard so concerning.

They weren't new, that's for damn sure. Every where you looked, every step you took, each bit of grass, leaves, flowers, and the massive trees told a story of exactly where you were. An old growth forest, ancient in how untouched it was (aside the cloudy rivers running through it), giant in how it evolved thousands of meters in the sky and surrounded by the unique climate that is Skypiea. And yet…and yet…

These plants were 800 plus years and a sky separated but they were the same ones. No matter how giant these were, these were the same plants found on Jaya below. With Robin's discovery of the other half of Nolan's hut, it just continued to confirm the theory.

Not that the enlarged similarities stopped you from collecting samples, curious if perhaps there was some deviation in their structure or other defining characteristics you can sus out on the Going Merry. Your notebook was gradually filling up with pages of drawings and notes on the plants, comparing them to what you knew was on Jaya. It's what took up your time before dinner, listening and offering what information you had when the crew met up to debrief — if that's what you can call whatever the Straw Hats did in situations like this.

Your collection was handy as Sanji cooked dinner from the giant plants you'd found earlier — notably a giant bulb of garlic! — and as Chopper fixed up the injuries caused by the Priests of Upper Yard with other herbs. If nothing else, you felt confident you'd ensure your crew was well stocked before leaving this island with safe to eat and preferred plants.

Of course then there was the fighting…and the running… and the big, fuck off snake! You weren't the best for this part in the adventure, relying on Usopp's help in creating a sort of dart/air-soft gun that allowed you to administer various mixtures from what you picked up. Pellets, darts, and a few memorable syringes approved by Chopper for emergencies. It's what helped you survive the trials that Enel put to the fighters of Upper Yard.

After the assured victory — seriously who would think lightening would win against a rubber man? Where the actual hell was Luffy that it took him so long to beat the fake god's ass? — it was time for breathing room. Healing, eating, partying, and dancing with the new friends made during the adventure. And time to really dig in to what's on the island, quite literally in Robin and your cases.

While she continued to explore the ruins, sharing her findings as she went with the curious few who followed her. The Shandians eager to see what their ancestors preserved.

You on the other hand, had a different group working with you. While the Shandians had been able to maintain at least some form of farming and growth in their village, this much abundance is more than they'd been able to see or work hands on with in generations! You took the time to point out the poisonous plants, the ones that could cause distress but otherwise safe, the medicinal ones, and tasty ones. With Usopp's help, when he wasn't partying like crazy, you were able to draw up a quick educational guide on the plants on the island, the ones most important to those who would be taking it back over from Enel and his priests — the Shandians, 800 something years after their ancestors were chased from it.

"See the leaves on this one?" You pointed at the leaf in question, holding it out to a curious group of Shandian children. "They're a bit pointy at the end, and one side is fuzzy. The less fuzzy side you can see the veins of the leaf a bit easier." You gestured to each bit you pointed out, "These belong to a bush that has some really nice berries in the summer! There's everywhere on this island that I've been able to see, so it'll be a good berry picking when you get the chance to this year!"

The children clamored to take a closer look, some rubbing gently at the fuzzy greenery, others sniffing it to see if it had any of that sweet berry smell yet.

One of the warriors had been sitting nearby, Kamakiri you think, listening as you talked to the kids. When they had their fill, they ran off, one little girl holding onto the leaf like a treasure. You returned to their notebook, the one you'd leave behind for anyone's use that needed it.

"You don't have to do that, you know?" Kamakiri said, breaking the silence.

You hummed a moment in thought, finishing the drawing with a little note at the bottom.

"No, I don't have to. But I'd like to. Knowledge is useless if we don't share with each other."

Silence a moment. Then he huffed, "Yeah, alright. Thanks."

You smiled as you flipped to a new page, now writing all that you knew of the plant you'd been able to catalog. He sounded almost surprised.

"No problem…want one?" You held out your hand, a bowl of roasted nuts Sanji had whipped up from the local supply offered to him.

Softness was new, he never had someone to practice softness on. But you — you who chose, stubbornly, to be soft and kind even to a monster like him — for you he was learning softness. Situational softness.

This was one such situation. A gift for you, one that show cased how damned soft he'd gotten in the time you'd inhabited his factory.

You, who didn't belong here, that he'd kept on a whim when Miranda decided she didn't need you, that had fought hard to hold on to kindness and directed it at him with fiery determination. You who craved sun and greenery and instead got snow, metal, and oil.

It's not like vitamin D came readily or naturally in this god-forsaken, hell-run valley. Add in that you rarely left the boarded up and dimly lit factory, you fought hard for your kindness and cheer, in spite of the lack of sun and light that carried your days in the before.

And that is what inspired this gift. The need to bring in some of that light. New shades of green. Useful, in that practical sense, with herbs, veggies, and fruits. But emotionally fulfilling too.

A green house.

Made of steel and glass. Dirt painstakingly curated to grow. Trial and error with lights that imitated the sun and seeds that The Duke bartered for with a vengeance. Only kept secret by the fact you rarely wandered the halls, well versed in the unpredictable-ness and danger of the Soldats that patrolled the lower halls.

At least until it was such time to show you the progress.

Soldats were cleared from the floor, the elevator locked to offer you the direct access to the green house level. Karl led you down, that first day, relieved, thrilled, and nervous in equal measures as he showed you your new path.

"You know the rules, sweetheart. Follow the path set out and only the path. This floor is cleared our for you but don't hit the other floors between with the usual warnings." He told you.

"Got it, normal rules, new floor added," you confirmed, following him slowly with the blindfold he'd asked you to wear. His hand was warm in yours, even through the leather gloves he habitually wore. His long steps were slow for your benefit, the hall swept clean of debris that could trip, slip, stutter your steps. Thankfully it was a short trip from elevator to greenhouse, nearly the entire floor taken up for the project.

"Ready for the grand reveal?" He asked, heart starting to run away, like the dish did with the spoon.

"Ready!" You cheered, smiling and squeezing his hand. Your enthusiasm and trust just made his heart squeeze all the harder between each frantic beat.

Opening the door, the humidity and heat hit first, convincing you that somehow, some way, he'd tricked you and the elevator ride had gone up, not down. But the drop in your stomach hadn't betrayed you yet, that elevator was a menace to speed and safety. But why did it feel like a tropical day and smell like healthy, freshly tilled dirt?

Karl squeezed your hand and let go right at the door way. You're moment to see was coming, but first…

"Welcome! One and all to the surprise of a lifetime," Karl started, his showman voice in full effect, "It's with great pleasure I introduce the newest addition to the Heisenberg factory, the freshest floor, the healthiest thing I've done since getting mold implanted in my bones…"

Your queue.

"The Garden!" He finished, your blindfold sweeping off in a practiced fashion, timed to the reveal of the title of his new place.

So used to his showmanship and flair, the title of the room barely registered for a moment as much as the timing to reveal.

And reveal you did.

Before you looked like a sunny day. Painted panels — simple sky blue and fluffy white at the top — hinted through glass that reflected back the light imitating the sun. The freshly tilled dirt was deep rich brown from the exact sprinklers installed in the ceiling to mimic rain in whatever quantities you needed it for the plants you'd introduce. And sprinkled out in the very front part of the garden was your starting seeds. Fresh sprouts, tiny and fragile, poked from the dirt, life finding a way.

Out of your line of sight was a whole cabinet filled with seeds and tools you'd need for this little slice of Eden. These were just the first batch, planted and watered to make sure growth could take place, love implied but never overtly stated.

You gasped, hands flying to your face to stop the tears that no doubt gathered in your eyes.

Desperate to ignore the tears, Karl continued on in his showman-TV voice:

"With plenty of room for fruits, veggies, herbs, and spices, the Garden is a practical Eden in our little Hell. The sprinklers are not only on timers, they're individually adjustable to the amount of water per plot they're over. Additionally, the lights are on a timer based on sun above, with some adjustment available if you have some summer time plants that need some extra warmth and sunburn!" His arms waved, gesturing at each feature as he spoke.

You stood frozen, grateful beyond words at what he's made. A slice of home, of comfort. Proof of his care.

The tiny sprouts in the dirt in front of you labeled for basil and cilantro, cared for before your influence to grow, to show this room's potential.

"Karl…" You whispered, interrupting him as he continued to speak logistics of the room. you reached for his hand, pulling on the warm, softened leather though it wasn't him that you pulled in but yourself. His silence was but a second as you tiptoed to reach his lips. Pressing every bit of gratitude and care into the motion as you could.

Karl didn't even hesitate, conditioned these days to take your affection as soon as and as much as you'd give.

It's a winter island, recently liberated from what has become the standard dictator/evil royalty/Marines/general jack ass-ery. Nothing unusual on the Straw Hat's journey, new location and new faces, similar joy and injuries that need to heal.

Taking the opportunity, Chopper stepped away from the party to catch his breath. The familiarity of the landscape tugged at his heart, the little reindeer finally in an environment that he felt he belong in. The crew complained about the cold, and often pulled him into cuddle piles for his warm fur — he loved how it felt like being pulled into a herd for warmth and safety in numbers. This was an ideal island to be on even just for a little while…especially right around his birthday!

Nonetheless, he needed to step away from the bonfires and dancing to breathe. Little hooves crunched through the snow, frost-crisp grass poking through where his feet once stood. There was an age old instinct to find whatever grass, grain, or bark to eat but he resisted — easily so when he was already so full of good food and good drink from Sanji.

His breath condensed in the air, rising up into the crisp night. Following the path of his own personal cloud he looked up to the sky. It was bare, naked of clouds and snow. Instead the stars and planets shone otherworldly bright, something about the cold making them seem larger and brighter than on any other island. The moon was bright enough to make him squint, even half-full. He could recall in his memory how the night sky looked on Drum, clear skies like this rarer but all the more beautiful for it.

Chopper didn't know when he'd gotten far enough away from the party that even the loudest singing was a distant echo, but he did know he noticed when the sound of footsteps came up behind him. His ears twitched, the snow making the footsteps unfamiliar to him, but the scent of books and coffee made him relax. It was just Robin — he could never be afraid of Robin!

"You've wandered, Chopper. Something on your mind?" Robin asked, stopping next to him.

Chopper looked from the stars to her, "Oh! No, I'm okay, I just needed to catch my breath. The stars are so pretty that I got distracted."

Robin looked up at the sky, Chopper's attention turning back to it as well.

"It is rather clear here. I imagine it's similar to your home island?" She asked, always perceptive.

"Hmm," Chopper hummed, "Yes and no, if that makes sense? I like the cold and snow, but it feels a lot calmer here. We haven't seen a big blizzard since we landed, just a few snow flurries."

Robin hummed, and they lapsed into silence together. The party behind them continued on, and it was only when Robin shivered that Chopper became aware how long they'd been away from the fires and warmth and company.

"We need to get you warm!" Chopper grabbed her hand, pulling her along back to the party and their friends. Robin chuckled, skin cold but heart warm from his concern and being able to sit and star-gaze with him.

Quickly, quicker than how they had left, they were back in the light and noise.

"Chopper! Where'd you go? Brook's gonna start another song, come on!" Luffy called out, meat on the bone swinging in one hand, Usopp wrapped up in his other. Together they cheered and danced, the locals joining in with them, pulled into the crew's orbit and energy.

Chopper looked up at Robin, checking first that she was ok. When she gave him a smile, he giggled and ran off.

Robin retook her seat near the fire, a spot perfect to observe her crew without being pulled too far into the wildness. It was from here that she'd seen Chopper wander off earlier — she became concerned when he had walked away so far and for so long. She'd worried he was feeling upset and didn't want him to be alone. Turns out it was more peaceful than that, though she's still glad he wasn't alone. They often took the chance to read together on the Sunny, so silent companionship wasn't new to either of them. Star-gazing was also a common pastime on the ship but it was something special to do with Chopper, on an island that reminded him of home. Yes and no, he'd said.

It’s cold outside. Frigid. The worst combination thanks to temperatures more temperamental than Jason. Sleet, ice, snow, and wicked wind. It made for a miserable night of patrol, no matter how insulated his uniform supposedly was. Dick even opted for the hat that his wonderful girlfriend made for him specifically for patrol! It was his colors and everything!

Even it couldn’t fight the wet and cold that permeated Bludhaven this cursed, winter night. While the thought behind it still warmed his heart, his ears were stinging from how cold it is, and with even thieves and villains opting out of crime on this cold night, he turned towards home.

The light was still on inside when he got near, landing on the small patio outside the living room. Sighing and slumping his shoulders dramatically at the warmth inside as soon as he opened the door, the mighty and fearsome Nightwing became silly, love-sick Dick Grayson between one breath and another.

Flicking the curtains closed, his mask was peeled off -harder than usual thanks to how the cold made everything sting – and shoes shucked off to prevent wet footprints on the clean carpet of the living room. Warm spices and citrus soaked into his brain, tempting him for a quick stop into the kitchen, where he knew it was sourced.

But with how cold he was, and just in from patrol, he knew his safest option was a quick shower before trodding too far.  To prevent worry and a loving scolding that would send him that way anyway. He wasn’t in the mood even for a gentle and loving scold. Just the gentle and loving.

A quick, scalding shower later, he was standing in the kitchen in sweats and a sweater that hung loose on his svelte frame but kept him warm anyway. Another gift, though years old now and sometimes pilfered.

And the sometimes thief of his sweater stood in the kitchen, fuzzy socks, pants, and a different hoodie of his swaying and tapping to the beat of easy listening on the speaker. Stirring something, no doubt, seasonally appropriate and warm in the Le Creuset he gifted them (her) two years ago.

“What’s cookin’ good looking?” he asked, sweeping in and wrapping his hands around the cozy beast he called his.

“Hey! Mulled wine! Feels right with the weather tonight. And you have tomorrow off so some alchy wouldn’t hurt any. I can’t imagine even villains want out in this mess.” She said, giving the pot another stir. With the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and quartered orange, it looked very much so like a witch’s pot.

“Sounds tasty! Want me to find something to watch while we’re sipping or is tonight a reading night?”

“I’m ambivalent. I was kinda expecting-slash-hoping you home early tonight with the weather like this so I’m up to whatever you’re feeling.” Hips swaying in his hold, he thought of how lucky he was.

“It’s a good night to sit in and chill. How about I put on the second Hobbit movie and we just hang out? We need to finish out the series anyway.” He offered. It was as much tradition now to watch anything Middle Earth related in December as to just lounge in each other’s company as much as work and extracurriculars allowed.

“Sounds good to me! This just needs to simmer for a few more minutes and I can pour us some mugs. Haley’s been pretty cuddly tonight so get comfy on the couch with her so we don’t need to worry about her tipping them when I come in.”  She shooed Dick out of the kitchen, content to finish up the mulled wine alone.

Dick gave her one more kiss on her jaw before retreating to the living room. On the couch, cuddled up and wrapped in her fuzzy blanket was Haley – explaining why she hadn’t come greet him when he got home – it was too cold even for his girl to leave her nest!

“Aw! Haley-butt! Look at you all cuddled up! Want some company, girl?” Dick cooed at the pup. The thump of her tail was muffled from the blankets but her chops were pulled back in a doggy grin for her boy.

Quickly but carefully, Dick flopped onto the couch, Haley taking the chance to climb halfway into his lap. With a lap full of dog, Dick pulled up the movie and got comfortable. It was only minutes later that she came into the room, smiling at the sight of her two loves cuddled up cozy on the couch.

She placed her cup on the side table closest to her spot before passing Dick his. It didn’t take much to get into their normal configuration: their legs entangled for contact and a dog spread out across their laps for maximum attention. Like this, they didn’t even need a blanket for themselves, already warm from the body heat and proximity.

“Damn, that’s good,” Dick huffed after taking a hearty sip.

Entirely unable to sip it while still piping hot like her boyfriend, she took her time blowing on the top and savoring the warm scent from her mug.

“I’m glad, it’s an easy thing to make but I can’t help but think it’s best on nights like tonight,” she took a careful sip, nose scrunching at the confirmation that it was still too hot for her. “Hit play, we’ve got to get as much of the movie in before we pass out.”

With a playful, “As you wish,” Dick hit play.

Under the Mistletoe (holly) – Bleach – Kenpachi

It was a stupid idea. One born of too much sake and time in the living world unsupervised during one of their many holidays. Which is how you ended up here, laying on the floor of the 11th division, staring up at what the humans called mistletoe, attached to one of the door ways.

Specifically, the doorway that your captain often came through – forgetting the fact that other people came through it too, often the vice-captain or his third and fifth seat – the office of one Kenpachi Zaraki.

It was late-late. Late enough that many of the more duty minded divisions likely were starting to wake to take to their tasks. The 11th division would never be among those, but here you were, awake anyway. Though an all-nighter would be iffy counting towards that duty-mindedness, but regardless here you lay.

And it’s only because you laid on the floor that you could feel foot steps coming your way, the echoing thump-thump-thump the only signal anyone was awake and coming by.  It couldn’t be another of the divisions, they avoided the 11th with named exceptions, and certainly they wouldn’t come by this early. And it was too steady to be one of the others who would be out this late drinking.  You opted to continue as you were, laying there looking up at the mistletoe – vibrant with its green leaves and red berries.

“The hell are you doing?”

Raspy. Familiar.

Ah, hell.

“Contemplating,” was your dry reply.

“The fuck are you contemplating?” Your captains face came into view, sharp features and jagged scar, wild black hair, and a hell of a mean scowl.

“D’ya know about mistletoe, captain?” You asked, sake helping you get straight to your goal.

Instead of answering, he followed your eyeline to see the plant messily pinned to the top of the door frame.  Massively unimpressed, he looked back at you.

“It’s a human tradition. Something, something about holiday and religion. But this! This is a fun one. Turns out humans kiss under these little plants. Tradition they say!” You continue, sensing the danger of having him actually answer your question. “Any two humans who happen under one gotta kiss.”

Silence. This was a dumbass gamble. Again, born of too much sake and an appreciative eye on your captain. Who wouldn’t want him? Strong, deadly, feral! Everything you could want, even just for a night (even if you didn’t survive the night – worth it!).

The brow over his eye patch lifted, taking in what you said and the location you were at. A wicked grin took over his face.

“This you tryin’ ta tell me something?” He asked, voice low and dangerous. The dangerous that sent shivers down your back and straight to your crotch and featured in your wildest dreams.

“Mehbeh.” You grumbled, frowning – pouting really – up at your captain, hoping this isn’t where you die for impertinence.

“Dumbass.”

You were being moved.

From the flat on the floor to horizontal and feet hanging in the air. Your collar pulled taught in one fist and your head being directed by another. Warm, chapped lips against yours, aggressive enough to feel the sharp edge of teeth biting into the soft flesh. Your eyes wide open to see your captain up close, closer than you’ve ever had the privilege.

Your eyes snap shut and you kiss back the best you can for the second you had the chance.

Free floating for a split second before gravity stole you back from your place, his hands no longer fighting to keep you from it. You stumbled, dazed that it worked. He kissed you!

“Keep it up. Kuchiki is coming by and I want to see his face when I point it out to him. See who we get him to kiss!”

With a feral grin, and a rough pat to your shoulder to get you moving, your captain entered his office (seeking out the hidden stash of sake he had there to keep up his own buzz tonight, bonus waking up in the office and seeming diligent to get another one up on that asshole Kuchiki.)

You walked away in a daze, autopilot directing you to bed where you’d miss those few hours of sleep anyway thinking about the most dangerous and sexy kiss of your life…

“That’s holly you fool.” Kuchiki Byakuya, several hours later and vastly more annoyed, spat at the demon 11th division captain.

It hadn’t happened overnight. It didn’t even happen in the first two years of retaking the mountain. It took exactly as long as needed for supplies and traders to become a luxury rather than a necessity to survive in the harsh winter that surrounded the Lonely Mountain, and the subsequent rebuilding of the farmlands and homes of the Dwarrow and Man that lived in its shadow. With several years of rebuilding of Dale and Erebor, both physically and of the population making up the new guilds, it was finally time to indulge in extra time and supplies to make something that had been missing for a long time.

Once upon a time, a journeyman tailor who had also cross-trained as an effective hunter, thanks to their father, had sewn together what they had called a Teddy bear. A soft, cuddly approximation of a bear from some extra fabric that was considered at the time, of low quality. The wool was pilled in such a way that few would care for it for clothing. So this journeyman, facing a creative block in his personal work, took the dark brown fabric and fashioned it in a rough form of a bear. With little glass beads as eyes, and a firm nose, they thought it ugly. A bare bear approximation. But his little sister, barely in her 20s, saw it and fell in love. It was soft – stuffed with old fabrics and pillow stuffing – and companionable. How could she not love it? It protected her from nightmares and the horrors of the night!

So began the age of Teddy Bears, named after them, Tedius son of Mattius. In fact, it became their magnum opus, gaining them their mastery. And in celebration, and in honor, of this success, their best bear was a gift upon the newly born princess of Erebor: Princess Dis, daughter of Thror, third in line to the throne. Made of proper bear fur and leather, made soft from rounds of treatment, it was sewn with emerald-gem eyes that sparkled almost deceptively with life and a threaded smile. The soft companion was a constant with the princess, well into her youngling years. Until, predictably now, the dragon came.

Very little left the mountains with the dwarrow who escaped, other than the clothes on their backs and the few rations they could manage from those on the mountainside the day Smaug came. Sadly, Teddy was not among these. But he was well remembered and loved even in his absence. Even in the absence and supposed death of the originator, Tedius. Many a cheap cloth teddy bear was created on the road for dwarrow children for comfort and for any others willing to buy the crafted creature. Soon, through tragedy and strife and survival, the Teddy Bear was known through many a land, defending children’s dreams and offering comfort in times of strife.

Today Dis sat, warmed by the fire of Erebor once more, many decades older than the last time, though. Her original Teddy sat on her bed, a comfort even now, though he was old and worn. The years had been as kind to him as they had been to her, but true dwarven craftsmanship kept him hearty and hale when she could hug him again. None could fault her for the comfort he brought her to this day. Even as a dwarrodame of over a century, a mother in her own right, he was her constant comfort. He was one loss she didn’t have to continue mourning.

And in celebration of this, she sat before this fire, deep in the mountain, slowly sewing one just like him. With the dimensions of the fabric she bought and cut, this bear would be smaller, but no less capable of providing the comfort and safety her one did. With each stitch, she thought of happy memories: where she felt safe, happy, content, loved. She pushed every bit of goodness into each stitch and piece of fabric that made up this bear, hoping the next generation who held it would feel each bit of every positive emotion and wish in it as they did. That they’d grow up in a liberated and thriving Erebor, with no fears of dragons, and no hatred of any type.

Blood, normally, doesn’t phase me.  It’s a fact of life and I can move on. It makes me effective at first aid in emergencies, and unphase-able during more bloody movie nights.

I think that’s what makes this moment so surprising to me. Two days past a very simple, nearly painless out-patient surgery that left a shallow hole in my arm. The pressure bandage came off the morning before and now here I was, removing the gauze covering the minor wound. It’s not the blood that phases me, but the little flap of something hanging outside the relatively little wound. Stuck to the gauze from dried blood, it pulls away painlessly before snapping back against my skin.

It’s not a piece of the gauze, which is the only thing I’m sure of. It’s a part of me…a part of me from below the skin. That’s not supposed to be outside…

I take a deep breath, already feeling my heartrate pick up a beat or two faster.

I’m calm, this is fine, it’s basic first aid and wound care. I’ve done it before for boo-boos I get and for others. It’s fine! I think to myself, pulling off the rest of the medical tape holding the gauze to my arm.

There is a bead of blood welling up but not spilling over, an opened scab expected when pulling off the gauze after 48 hours.  The little flap, though, is throwing me off. I take another deep breath and smile, opening the bathroom door to call out, “Jay? Could you come here?”

From the other side of the apartment I hear, “You ok?” then shuffling coming my way.

“Yeah, I just need some emotional support really quick!”

Despite my flippant tone, he’s hastily in the bathroom with me, brows bent inwards in worry.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing! Nothing, just…look, there’s a flap hanging out and I’m a bit freaked out by it. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about it.” I gesture to my arm, clean fingers framing the wound where I was about to clean it before putting a colorful bandaid on it.

He looked closely, unphased as he was by wounds of nearly any type from his night life. “Yuck. I’m sure it’s fine though. Does it hurt?”

“No, so I don’t think it’s a nerve or like, muscle fiber or anything,” I say with more confidence than is probably warranted.

He shook his head, “Nah, definitely not either of those.”

Hear that gave me the confidence to move back to the sink, wetting my fingers and gathering some gentle, scentless soap and cleaning the incision area. Wiping at the area, touching the flap – that shouldn’t be outside my body – cleaning it was brief and painless. Just like the sensation that came over my head.

My head became heavy, and my eyesight narrowed. Like a TV flashback, the outer edges of my view started to go gray then black. I felt heavy, dizzy, but at the same time strangely light headed. Like when I hold my breath a bit too long. 

I grip the sink edges, saying out loud, “I need to sit.”

Carefully as possible, feeling my knees weaken, I sat on the bathmat. Jason leans in close to me, watching carefully as I focus on breathing.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, just pass me the towel, I need to make sure this is dry before I put something on it.”

He did just that, well aware of basic first aid care, eyes never leaving my frame. I dab at the skin around the wound before pressing against the wound, carefully, itself. It has to be dry.

….

I forgot to take out my earbud before falling asleep? My side is cold. Why am I sweaty? My gums hurt.

“Hey, you’re ok, keep breathing, come on.” My name said firmly, demanding a response.

I gasp, pushing myself up to sitting. I’m waking up? But I shouldn’t be waking up, I was awake.  I take steady, controlled breaths, my heartrate spiking strangely, as if I’m catching my breath.

“Whoa, you’re ok. Babe? Babe, look at me,” Jason had a hand on my shoulder, steadying me as I sat there confused.

“What happened?” I ask, tongue pressing at the back of my front teeth, the ones that are sore. Why are my teeth sore?

“You fainted. Deep breathes, ok?”  His hand was warm on my skin, which was strange when I was so sweaty, so I should be hot?

“I did? Geez, what?”

“Yeah, come on, lets get you on the bed and we can finish taking care of that. Come on. Talk me through what you remember, where are you at right now?”  With barely a flinch he pulls me up, guiding me slowly to the bedroom and the bed right outside the bathroom. I sit there, shaking and catching up on the moment.

“I sat down because I felt dizzy. And…I was drying my skin off….and I woke up?”  I look up at him, shaken from the experience.

“Woke up? Alright, yeah you fainted but your eyes were open the entire time. You kept breathing and were only out for like 10 seconds but it probably wasn’t very fun.”  He kept his voice soft, moving away briefly to get a clean shirt for you to put on. “I’m going to finish cleaning and bandaging you, is that ok? Anything hurt?”

I shook my head, taking stock. “It doesn’t hurt, I think I just…I panicked. That’s not supposed to be outside, you know?”

He nodded, though I’m sure he’s been through and seen much worse. “I got you, it’s ok. Just don’t look while I’m taking care of it, ok? If you feel faint, let me know. You’ll lay down and I’ll lift your legs, ok?"

I nod, turning my head away as he moves to the bathroom to grab what he’ll need. Washed hands and fresh bandage, he comes back to quickly clean the site again, drying it gently.

“Ok?” He asks, noting my shaking fingers.

“Yeah, I don’t feel like I’m going down again.” I reassure him.

“Good, you’re taking it easy today.”

I nod again, a blessing of a nonverbal response.  Not even a second later I feel the adhesive of the bandage stick to my skin.

“There we go. All done. Let’s get you to the couch and some water in that system.” Jason said, fingers that gently pressed the bandage to my skin, tilting my head to look at him. He search my face, for what I’m not sure, before pressing the softest kiss to my forehead. “You’re ok. It happens.”

I sigh, relaxing some, ignoring the soreness from the bruised skin around the incision site, the ache in my gums, the shaking of my hands still, and the stuttering of my breath.

“Yeah, I’m ok. Thanks, handsome. Think you can handle that bit for me until it heals?” I stand slowly, paranoid now of weak knees.

“Hell yeah, we’re not doing this again if I can help it. And I can,” His hands held mine, giving me space to move at my own pace.

It was after I’d caught my breath on the couch, shaking subsided, that he spoke, “Kinda funny huh? You handle blood and guts on the regular, no problem. Who knew one little cut would knock you out?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End Notes: Same said sister from above is a nurse now and I called to ask her about that tiny flap: she told me what she thinks (not concerned) and reminded me to just upkeep basic wound care (my husband, not me to prevent another fainting episode) and she gave us a good reminder with additional info about how to handle if I do faint again. She's awesome, seriously. <3

Jonathan Joestar:

As soon as you state your goals and what you’re going to do to accomplish them, he’s all for it. 100% all in!

Your personal hype man and trainer! He’s gentle, patient, and pushes you to be the best you can be. He even teaches you some of the Hamon breathing to help you with breath control. It’s moderately effective, and with time, you adapt to it and adapt it to your style of running.

He wants to be with you every step of the way, literally! So, if that means running with you on each training run and then day of, that’s what he’ll do. While he could run faster and finish sooner, he’s not leaving you behind. This is your big moment, why wouldn’t he want to watch as all of your hard work pays off?

Now it’s different if it’s something you want to do alone. It pains him not to run with you, to reassure you that you’re doing amazing, that no, you aren’t slow, you’re steady! You hit your pace and you can go forever. But if that’s what you want, then that’s what he’ll do…

He’s going to find other ways to support you and celebrate you instead. Such as being at the finish line of the race, waiting for you heads and shoulders over the other family and friends there to support; he has a bouquet in hand and could not care less about the sweat when he scoops you into the grandest bear hug.  He’s so proud!

Joseph Joestar  (Can be young Joseph or Stardust Joseph)

An utter pest who loves you very much and is just trying to help, he swears!

He tries to teach you Hamon but it goes….eh. Like the idea is sound, but how he explains and then the faces he makes as he breathes is just….wow, how does he not hyperventilate?

Regardless he’s all in to support you and your efforts. He’d train with you sometimes, but honestly that long of a time running is really boring to him. Like it’s not running to or from something, so why would he bother with it?

It’s 50/50 if he’d run day of the race though. He’s fit enough to fight to the finish and do well, and be motivated by the people around him, the music, the crowd. It’s a party with cardio! Also, the fact he can win? Man’s competitive. Like damn. But that also means he’ll leave you well behind to finish as quick as possible.

Regardless of if he finishes first or is already at the end, he’d be so loud cheering you on as you cross that finish line.

I have this image he’d totally have a sign with your picture on it to make it very clear who he’s here for.

Another one for the sweaty hug club! He’d take your medal and wear it on the way home (and his if he ran).

If there was a photographer at the event, he’s totally buying your worst picture and framing it.

Jotero Kujo (Diamond is Unbreakable version!)

He’s not running.

End of story.

He’s too busy and just has no interest in running when he could be working or out on the ocean swimming. His natural element…

But he’s still supportive, just in the quiet, understated way.

He’d make sure you have all that you need to accomplish your goal. Shoes, running vest, energy chews/electrolyte powder-drink thing. He’d make sure the house chores were taken care of to give you time and space to get your runs in. He’d ask about your progress when he’s home for dinner and give fun facts and tips he’d read from research he did as soon as you stated your goal and started to work towards it. Man isn’t very present, but it doesn’t mean your not on his mind.

On race day, it’s iffy if he’s going to be there.

If he’s there, he’ll hold a bag of clothes for you to change into and other comfort items at the finish. He’s definitely not cheering or holding wild signs, but he’s there, and he’s solid when your legs are shaking. He won’t bear hug you but you will get a peck on the forehead or a pat. Depends on how he’s doing in a crowd.

If he’s not there, he’s subtly sent someone to get pictures and make sure you’re ok at the end.  Without a comment, a great picture of you crossing the finish line is framed and hung up with your medal on the walls of your home.

Regardless, dinner is on him. Whatever your feeling, dine in or take out, he’ll tolerate it to spend the time with you and hear about how the race was and the people you saw along the way.

Josuke Higashikata  (Aged up! Post college/secondary school definitely!)

Lol he’s not running.

If he went into the police force to follow his grandfather, he’ll run with you sometimes (gotta stay in fighting shape) but not all the way to race day and not every training day. If he went into nursing (which is my personal headcannon), he’ll do a few miles with you but when you start going on longer runs, that’s a no go.

But he’s so happy to help in other ways! He is your hype man, encourages you on your bad run days, makes sure you have good food and stretch regularly. Always happy to offer a massage 😉

Despite not really liking to run, this fool would be all over the course during race day. He’d have one of those goofy signs cheering you on or like a Mario mushroom with it saying “tap for a power up” and he’d be hustling between spots at the race just to try to catch you as many times as possible, and still manage to end up at the end still to holler and make a ruckus when you finish. Honestly, you think he ran about as much as you did despite him saying he wouldn’t dare do it! That’s love folks!

Giorno Giovanna (he’s well established as The Don of the Passione family here, and also aged up)

He’s going to support you obviously, but he doesn’t get it.

Like staying fit is an understandable goal but also, you guys already do that. And as someone who has always had such lofty goals, this seems…so regular. But regardless he and his empire are yours, and together you have their full support.

Only the best in terms of equipment, food, and training offered to you.

He probably has a controlled area for you to run in for safety, but if that gets boring to do over and over, he probably sends someone to run with you for protection. I think it’d be funny if it was Mista, but since that’s the Don’s personal guard, probably not. Regardless you’re safe no matter how long you’re running and how far.

On race day I lean towards he probably won’t be there in person. He’s a busy person and honestly, it’s dangerous for him to be out in a crowd like that. And if anyone recognizes him, he doesn’t want to take away from your accomplishment.

He’ll send a team to support you though! To cheer you on during the route, someone to run with you (probably your protection buddy since the beginning, you’re friends now!) Someone to get flattering pictures of you as you cross the finish line and get your medal. The works.

If you aren’t a fan of big parties, he’d happily set up an intimate evening to celebrate your accomplishment.

If you like parties, then one will be thrown in your honor, giving him a happy chance to brag about his partner in a new way.

Whether you choose to stop after this race, or continue on, there is a place of honor in your home where your picture and medals are kept from your one or each finish.

BONUS OKUYASU BECAUSE HE’S MY FAVE!

He’s going to run with you and with enthusiasm! I mean it’s a physical activity that really doesn’t take a ton of thought; he excels.

He’s a chef in my headcannon so he makes healthy, replenishing meals for you both, ensuring you get good recovery and plenty of energy to get in those miles/kilometers!

He’s fast! And you encourage him to take things at his pace, even if it means leaving you behind. He feels bad about it, but when he gets into the groove of it, he doesn’t always realize he’s pulling ahead.

That’s fine though! While he gets comfortable training at his own pace, he still ensures he runs with you at least once a week.  It’s a chance to spend time with you and also it’s a good chance to do a recovery run, though he won’t mention that since it’s still your pace he’s going and it’s your best effort! You do know but you appreciate it all the same.

On race day he takes off! He’s not the head of the pack, but he does finish fairly early. Which works for him perfectly fine because he can be at the finish to cheer you on to the end! He is so loud and goofy – big gestures and hilarious cheers welcome you over the finish line. There’s a good chance Josuke and Koichi are there as support too, holding signs and celebrating both of your medals.  The pic that they get of the two of you, sweaty and red faced but each with enthusiastic grins and medals held high, is one you get framed and hang up at home.