#fluffruary

“Why did I agree to this?” Tim muttered, voice low and a little croaky, which indicated he needed water before attempting to speak more.

There was the sound of the sink turning on, and Tim mourned the loss of his sleep. Now that he is conscious enough to hold a conversation, he won’t be able to fall back asleep.

He got up with a small stretch that caused a satisfying whine, wiping at his eyes in an attempt to wake himself further.

“Because you love me,” Kon replied as he walked back in with a glass of water, still in his boxers but one of Tim's old shirts thrown on. Tim hummed a thanks as he accepted the glass, gulping down the water and trying not to let it trickle down his throat. “And you know how much I love shopping with you.”

“You mean you love my money.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Kon joked with a wink. Tim watched him head to the closet, eyeing the shape of his butt a little helplessly. God, he loves Kon so much.

“Is there anything we need to pick up while we’re out and about?” Kon called out, the sounds of hangers moving pausing as he considered his options. “You said we need to do grocery shopping soon, yeah?”

Tim got up and opened a drawer. Unlike Kon, he didn’t usually put that much effort into his outfits. For simple days like this, a simple hoodie and some pants work just fine. “We’re running a little low on some items, but we can do it after your store,” Tim affirmed as he changed out of his shorts and put on blue jeans.

“I’m guessing you made a list,” Kon didn’t even ask, already assuming because Tim always made lists.

“Mhm,” Tim replied as he looked for his GSU hoodie, something Steph got him as a gag gift. Except Tim really appreciated the thought, so it backfired on her. “I was thinking we can always stop by the media store next to your thrift store.”

Tim found the dark hoodie with a loud hmph, slipping it on and sighing at its bulky size. Steph didn’t even try to get it in Tim’s size, but that’s the thing that Tim loved about it. It made him feel like a child, but in a good way. Comforting, as if this was something that belonged to Bruce.

He turned around to find Kon wearing a black crop top that fit tight against his abs and muscles, his happy trail peeking like a tempting sin. He wore chino joggers, comfy but easy to change, and Tim swears his brain stuttered and restarted with the blue screen of a failing computer. Simple outfit or not, his partner will always be hot.

His face flushed at Kin’s sultry expression, and he couldn’t help but wrap his arms around Kon’s waist. “You’re trying to kill me,” he nibbled at Kon’s lips, pinching the taller man’s hips when his smile widened.

Kon squeezed his hips, love and adoration clear in his cyan eyes. Tim could easily get lost gazing into them. “We’ll head out after breakfast, okay with you?”

12:00 PM

Tim glanced up from his phone when Kon stepped out of the stall to show him the last outfit.

They’ve been at this one store for about two and a half hours. The first half was Kon looking between racks of clothing, trying to see if something would fit his build and if something needed some classic DIY love.

Tim, being someone who grew up rich, never truly saw the appeal of thrifting. But this was something Kon loved. The challenge of finding something good at the stores, the creativity needed to plan outfits and designs, the specialized skill of picking out the most horrendous design, and seeing potential in its pattern or texture.

Kon looked conflicted when he stepped out in a red cocktail dress full of lace, the sleeves cutting before his shoulders in a way that resembled ruffles and accentuate its vintage look, and tight-fitting in a way that accentuated his legs and butt nicely. However, as pretty as it was, the dress itself wasn’t Kon’s style.

“I was really hoping this would be a good one,” Kon muttered more to himself than Tim. “I really liked the shade.”

Tim tilted his head, trying not to yawn as his energy started crashing from staying still for so long. “You don’t think you can use the lace for anything?”

“Nah,” Kon twisted himself in the mirror, as if the new angle would make him love the dress more. “Not comfortable enough messing with lace.”

Tim opened his phone again, humming when Kon planted a kiss on his head. “Let me pay, and then we can head to a cafe close by.”

“I can pay instead,” Tim offered, but Kon shook his head in reply.

He reached out to squeeze Tim’s hands, an apology for taking as long as he did. Tim squeezed back, truly not minding.

12:40 PM

Tim sighed when Kon leaned over to take a sip out of his drink. “How many times are you going to do that?” He pouted as this was the fifth time Kon had done this, as if Tim didn’t ask if he also wanted something to drink from the cafe.

Kon squeezed his fingers from where he held them in the pockets of Tim’s hoodie, keeping them warm with his body heat. Kon always ran hot thanks to his Kryptonian biology, and while Tim loves this about Kon, that doesn’t mean this is a reasonable trade for his tea.

“Shouldn’t have bought something with peppermint then,” Kon teased, stealing another sip before Tim could shove his face away.

Tim pinched him on the hand, then rubbed the mark with his thumb. With Kon’s invulnerability, it won’t even turn pink, but Tim still wanted to soothe the touch. “You’re an ass.”

Kon leaned down to kiss him, and Tim hummed when Kon used his TTK to tug him closer, an invisible hand running down his hair and cupping the back of his neck, soothing and cool to the touch.  

“Are we looking for anything specific at the media store?”

Tim shook his head. “Just wanted to window shop. Will you let me know if there’s anything that catches your eye?”

Kon shook his head, exasperated by Tim’s insistence on buying everything today. “How ‘bout this,” the words were drawled in that good-hearted Kansas accent. Kon always spoke with an accent when thinking of the Kent farm and the family he made there with Ma and Pa, usually faint enough that most don't catch it. “Help me find something for Ma, and I’ll let you buy that.”

Tim smiled at the compromise. “Deal.”

1:20

“What’d you got there?” Kon leaned his head over Tim’s, arms wrapping around his waist to anchor him there. In response, Tim leaned onto Kon’s chest, tilting the book up for Kon to look.

“You know how Jason and Damian have that book club thing?”

“Oh, they’re still doing that?” Kon replied. “I think I remember Jon mentioning that a while back.”

Tim hummed. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard them talk about it.”

“Is that what that’s for?” Kon nodded his head, bringing his hand up to trace the book’s title. The words were crooked, the pressure changing to replicate handwriting in pen, with a picture of a muddy road surrounded by the outskirts of trees and bushes.

Despite popular belief, Tim was not a reader. He was the stereotypical math and science nerd, caring more for data and numbers than abstract themes and metaphors. Jason teases him and Dick about this all the time, citing that he and Damian were the only cultured people in the manor. Dick always hit back that Jason was just jealous that he was the only theater kid in the family.

Despite this, Tim knew the importance of literature and the arts. While he could never find enjoyment in reading, he knew how important the club was for Jason and Damian. It was a way for them to connect without being direct, a way to discuss thoughts and connections in a way that the rest of the family could never really understand.

It was tough finding books for them, though, with Jason reading books as if he needed them to breathe, and Damian with his picky ego making it hard to predict what he would like without the gift being disguised as a test of intelligence. But they both like reading various classics, hence the copy of As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner in Tim’s hands.

He hasn't touched the book since middle school, but he remembers themes of morality and existence, alienation and dysfunctional family dynamics, suffering, and hypocrisy. There was the chance that Jason had already read this, but…

“I don’t know,” Tim mumbled. “Feels kinda stupid trying to get something for them.”

“It’s not stupid,” Kon reassured, nuzzling the back of Tim’s head. “I think it’s nice. Thinking of them like that.”

Tim had nothing to say to that, except that, as much as Clark was a great hero, there will always be a bitter part of him that hates Clark's inaction towards Kon. It was the same bitter part that hated his parents neglect, understanding as to why but never able to comprehend the how.

“Did you find something for Mrs. Kent?” he squeezed a hand on Kon’s arm around him, letting the taller man maneuver the book into his own hands. Looks like they’re buying the book after all.

“Ma will have your head if she knows you still refer to her by her last name,” Kon chided lightly, the sound of him kissing Tim’s cheek loudly ruining any reprimand. “Do you remember how she mentioned that she lost her only CD of Billie Holiday?”

“The one that Rebecca lost back when she hosted a get-together at the old youth center?”

Kon reached for his pocket, and there was a brief tapping sound of nails hitting plastic as he tapped the album. “The very same one!” Kon shook the case in front of Tim’s face, laughing as Tim ended up cross-eyed from the closeness.

"Rebecca lost it, what, eight years ago?”

“Pretty sure that was the last time anyone has let Rebecca borrow anything.”

Tim nodded. “She already was making a reputation from it. Not surprising that was one of the last straws for everyone else.”

Kon hummed, putting CD on top of Tim's book. “Anything else you want to look at?”

Tim shook his head. “Let’s go pay, and then head for the groceries.”

4:00 PM

“Tim,” Kon calls out, voice weak from where he has his head in the fridge.

Tim pauses from where he’s trying to store canned foods in the pantry, a can of tomato sauce in his hands as he tries not to sweat. Please don’t say Kon spotted Tim’s stash of Zesti cans, please. “Yes?” He tries to tilt his voice sweetly. Innocent, if someone didn’t know him well. Kon knows him too well.

Kon barrels forward, no hesitation for shattering Tim’s heart. Tim turns his head to see Kon leaning against the doorframe, a Zetsi resting in his hand. Tim licks his lips, eyes sweeping to Kon’s and the can, debating if he can outmaneuver a being with superspeed.

“Pretty sure Alfred said you aren’t allowed any of these for the next two weeks.”

Tim steps closer, angling his head to look at Kon through his eyelashes. It always makes the Kryptonian weak, seeing piercing blue eyes look up at him through long lashes. “Alfred doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Kon exhales through his nose, hands lowering. Tim tries not to smirk. “Tim, I was there when Leslie and Alfred came to that agreement. Are you seriously questioning a doctor’s orders?”

It wouldn’t be the first time the bats don’t follow Leslie’s words. “It was a recommendation, not anything serious.”

Kon just stared at him in disbelief. Tim took the chance to snag forward, fingertips brushing the cold metal before Kon moved across the kitchen’s island. “Let’s make a deal!” Tim rushed out before Kon could say anything, “Please, love.”

Kon sighed at the blatant manipulation, and Tim's smile widened. “Honey bun, sweetheart, babe, my soulmate and love of my life—”

“Ok!” Kon chuckled out, a blush creeping over his cheeks. Tim wanted to run his hands on Kon's face, kissing and biting to see the blush grow. “What’s your proposition?”

Tim shuffled closer, wrapping his arms around Kon’s waist. “Let me keep the Zetsi’s, and you can monitor how much I drink.”

Kon put the drink down on the counter when Tim stepped further into his space, and now he was twisting the fabric of Tim’s shirt, his warm hands brushing against Tim’s sides. “Two cans a week?” He tried bargaining.

Tim gave him an unimpressed stare, daring him to try haggling to that extreme. They both know that if Tim doesn’t verbally agree with this deal, then he will stash them somewhere else. X-ray vision or not, Tim will find a way for Kon to never find them.

Tim leaned closer to Kon, chapped lips brushing over plump ones. Not a kiss, but close to one, depending on how these next minutes go. “A pack every week.”

Kon hummed. He wasn’t falling for Tim’s tricks anymore, causing Tim to pout; stupid partner and his stubborn consideration for Tim's health and well-being.

Kon kissed the corner of Tim’s mouth, bringing his hands up to scratch at the back of Tim’s skull. Tim melted in the touch, sagging like a kitten getting head scratches. Yeah, guess he can’t be too upset at Kon. Maybe he was becoming a little too dependent on energy drinks this month, but whatever. He’s never admitting to this.

“How about half a package every week?” Kon didn’t even try to suggest this offer, already knowing he won.

Tim kissed his lips; soft and slow, gentle and heartwarming. “You’re lucky I love you.”

Kon smiled into the kiss, hands moving to cup Tim’s cheeks, rubbing at the skin in a soothing gesture. “How about I make your favorite today? We finally have cheese to make burgers.”

“Hm,” Tim considered this. As much as he loves Kon’s cooking, he was still feeling a bit petty. “Nah, let’s order pizzas.”

Kon groaned, head thumping gently against Tim’s. “Does it have to be with that atrocious order of yours?”

Tim’s chest felt light and giddy. Eyes crinkling from his smile, Tim only laughed at Kon’s response. “You know it, clone boy. Come on, I thought you loved me?”

Kon thwacked Tim’s shoulder, the impact gentle enough that Tim barely felt it. “You have horrible taste buds, and literally everyone agrees to this.”

Luck was on their side: they found a cave relatively quickly, which upon further investigation was large enough to fit them both comfortably, as well as empty of anything that could cause problems.

Warriors politely ignored the way Legend sank to the ground with a quiet groan. Instead, he busied himself with setting up camp for the night, collecting stones for a fire pit and rolling out their bedrolls (notably, Legend didn’t say anything when Wars pulled the Vet’s from his pack, even though he despised anyone going through it on a good day).

“I’m going out to get wood,” Wars informed his brother. Legend gave a quiet sound of acknowledgement, eyes closed and head tilted back against the stone. “I shouldn’t be gone more than ten minutes.”

He stayed true to his word and gathered what was hopefully enough wood from the surrounding forest to last the night, stacking it against the opposite wall from Legend. After that, it was a matter of moments to get a fire going, and soon the walls were flickering with warm light.

Wars dug through his pack for something they could eat, mentally cursing the fact that the Champion had most of their food supplies. Normally he was fine with his standard military rations, but he felt something fresh and warm would do wonders to help his brother feel better. Unfortunately they’d have to settle for dried jerky, sesame seed cakes, and water tonight. Normally he’d try to make some rice, but he hadn’t found any water while he was out gathering wood, so that wasn’t an option.

“Here, Lege,” he called softly, holding out a seed cake for his brother. It was softer than the jerky, so it should be a bit easier to eat. Legend’s head lolled in his direction and he pried his eyes open with what seemed to be a fair amount of difficulty. He stared at the food in Wars’ hand, uncomprehending, until Warriors took pity on him and shifted closer to place the cake in limp hands. “Dinner,” he told him, helping Legend wrap his hands around it.

It took the Vet several more minutes to summon the energy to lift the seed cake to his mouth and take a bite. He chewed slowly, staring at the fire with vacant eyes.

While he ate, Warriors dug once more through his bag for his scar gel and heating pad. He wasn’t entirely sure what it was plaguing his brother this time, but it never hurt to be prepared. He didn’t have the goddess-send that was the Champion’s fire-chu jelly, but in his opinion a heating pad could be just as good.

Wars set the heating pad by the fire to warm up and moved back over to his brother. Legend had eaten most of the seed cake by now and was simply staring at the fire. Wars flicked his eyes over him and noticed the way his hands sat stiffly in his lap, his fingers swollen around his rings. An idea occurred to Wars, then, how he could help.

He tried to get his brother’s attention with a quiet, “Vet,” but the other didn’t stir. Wars used the tried and true method next. “Link.”

Legend squinted open an eye to look at him. “Want me to get your rings off? It might help your hands.”

Legend didn’t answer for a moment, his brain slow from the pain, then gave a small nod. “Mmhm.”

Wars let out a quiet sigh of relief at the reply. He dug - carefully - through Legend’s bag for his ring box before taking one scarred hand in his. He began slowly, gently working each ring off of crooked fingers, massaging each joint when it was free of rings and dropping the rings into the box.

He’d finished the first hand and begun the same process on the second when Legend shifted and sighed. Wars paused his ministrations, glancing up to see some of the tension had faded from his brother’s face. Thin eyebrows had lost some of their crease, leaving him looking younger- more like his actual age than the grizzled, experienced Veteran they’d all become familiar with.

Wars felt a small, sad smile make its way onto his face at the sight. His brother had done so much, gone through so much, and the effects were etched into his very bones.

He finished massaging Legend’s hands and moved to check on the heating pad, which was sufficiently hot by now. He passed it to Legend with a quiet, “Here, bud.”

Legend took it and pressed it against one hip with a relieved sigh.

While the heating pad did its job, Wars took the opportunity to eat something. He’d be a better help to his brother if he took care of himself as well. Being careful to ration their already limited supplies, he had a single seed cake and strip of jerky. Who knew how long it would take to meet back up with the rest of their group?

He was interrupted from his ruminating by a quiet groan before Legend’s voice sounded, creaky and worn. “…hey… Cap. I- You didn’t-” The shifting of fabric followed by a sigh. “You didn’t have t’ do all this. …For me.”

Wars turned to face him. “You’re right, I didn’t.” He watched long ears flick down and back, disquieted. “But you’re my friend and, more importantly, my brother. I want to help you- and not just because it will make me feel better,” he added when Legend opened his mouth to protest.

The other hero shut his mouth and looked away, cheeks darkening.

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes after that. Warriors packed his bag and began to ready himself for a long night of watch when Legend spoke again.

“…It- Thanks. It means a lot.”

Nakahara Chuuya

✧ Chuuya would be someone who will admire you from afar.

✧ Every single one of his close friends would notice his concern for you, his soft spot for you, how he would always smile with you, and of course, how much he likes– no loves you.

✧ Even his subordinates see it, seeing how much he cares for you on mission, yet the only ones who were blind enough to not notice were him and you.

✧ Koyou brought it up while they were drinking, but he refused to acknowledge it, it was only normal to care for a close friend... right?

✧ After that night it bothered him every single day to a point where he noticed things that he had never before like how:

- his heart always fluttered when you were near

- his fists clenched tight when someone was flirting w/ you

- his heart ached when he sees you smiling at someone

- his breath fell short when you were close

- his face became red when you showed worry towards him

✧ Maybe he does love you, he slowly started to accept that fact, but he couldn't have you.

✧ He thinks that you're someone who deserves to be with someone better.

✧ However he doesn't think that someone is and can be better than him in terms of loving you.

✧ So he will continue admire you from afar, maybe– no, hopefully he would be able to confess someday and you would reciprocate the feelings that he held for you and only you.

Kunikida Doppo

✧ Kunikida is someone who will be too oblivious and in denial of his liking towards you.

✧ When Yosano brought up the possibility he quickly dismissed it as an absurd thing, ridiculous even.

✧ But that night he couldn't even sleep, the thought that he may be in love with you filled his mind.

✧ In the end, he dismissed it as Yosano just trying to tease him.

✧ He reasoned to himself that you are too far from his ideal spouse.

✧ It bothered him, too much to say the least, and it came to a point where his asked his infamous womanizing partner, Dazai for advice.

✧ Yet his co worker's advice didn't help, or perhaps he refused to admit that fact.

✧ His so called "care" for you is only a disliking towards what happened towards you, that's what he told himself over and over.

✧ But Kunikida is the type to avoid the matter, he would refuse to admit it because that loving or even liking you is like stomping on the ideals he had set for himself.

✧ Maybe one say, he'll realize it but that will certainly be far from now.

Nikolai Gogol

✧ I feel like he knew it, from the very first second you opened up to each other, you occupied his mind.

✧ He would see love as both a key and a shackle.

✧ He'd think of it as a joke at first, a simple prank orchestrated by his heart.

✧ But little by little, he'll think of it as a problem to his future self, wanting to enjoy the things he felt while it lasts.

✧ He would start by looking over you everyday, giving small greetings and "how are you"s.

✧ Then as time passed he would start sending you fresh flowers weekly along with short hand-written messages.

Managing a Keep, and by extension a whole arling, and dealing with the darkspawn situation on top of it, was exhausting, and Declan still didn’t know if he really had what it took to be a Commander. They had agreed that Zevran needed to go to Antiva while Declan was needed here, but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t difficult and he didn’t miss him terribly.

So of course he would dream about having his beloved by his side again.

Zevran stirred beside him then, and, his eyes still half closed, leaned in for a kiss, and Declan met him halfway automatically. When their lips met, he realised that this was very much real.

Memories of last night came flooding back, and he couldn’t help but smile.

He had just been getting ready to go to bed, his robe neatly folded, his boots next to the door and his staff leaning in a corner, and clad in just loose trousers, he had walked over to the basin in his room – a privilege for the Commander’s chambers – to wash his face, when someone had jumped in through his window

In one swift motion, Declan had grabbed the dagger he had always strapped to his leg, crowding the intruder against the wall, holding their arms over their head with one hand, and the dagger to their neck with the other, magic ready at his fingertips, should the dagger not suffice.

Frowning, because that had been way too easy and the intruder hadn’t put up a fight at all, instead letting Declan manhandle them easily, he paused there, taking them in.

Their hood had come loose, revealing golden hair, elven ears, and a sharp smile.

“Zevran?”, Declan gasped, entirely incredulous. Last he’d known, he was in Antiva, hunting crows, not in his bedchamber, grinning at him.

“Hello, amore”, he replied conversationally, like he hadn’t just bypassed all of the Keep’s security and entered the Commander’s chambers undetected – or nearly undetected, as it was, since Declan’s dagger was currently still pressed against his neck, not that Zevran seemed to mind.

“You could have used the front door and have yourself announced properly, you know?”, Declan said with that thought in mind, and Zevran’s grin turned mischievous.

“Of course, but where’s the fun in that?” His golden eyes were glinting with mirth, and Declan took in their situation once more.

“You like this”, he realised, and Zevran lifted an eyebrow.

“Don’t tell me you don’t?”

He pressed himself marginally closer, as much as Declan’s grip on his wrists and the dagger against his neck would allow, and Declan really couldn’t argue with that.

He dropped the dagger in favour of pulling Zevran even closer, kissing him soundly, all thoughts of asking what he was even doing here forgotten, just focussing on showing his beloved just how much he liked having him back in his arms.

Now, in the light of the early morning, he remembered, and finally asked, and Zevran sighed.

“I know what we agreed. And I have been getting your letters. So, naturally, I worried.”

Declan smiled sadly. “I worried too.”

Zevran nodded. “So here I am.”

“Thank you.” Declan leaned in to kiss him softly, realising just how much he had needed this, needed him.

Reading his letters, deciphering what little they could share in writing and having to trust that he was alright, was one thing, but seeing him, being able to touch him again, was another altogether.

“I’m fine, love”, he said then, not wanting to worry Zevran even more. “I have good people at my side.

Zevran smiled. “I don’t doubt that. Everyone likes you. You make friends easily, no?”

At that, Declan grinned, knowing immediately how to lighten the mood. “There’s even a dashing rogue who tried to kill me.”

“Oh?” Zevran raised his eyebrows, clearly fighting a grin himself. “Should I be jealous?”

“Hm, I don’t know. He is quite handsome. But alas.” Declan sighed, mock-wistful. “I think he has already taken up with another mage.”

“Ah. A pity.” Zevran’s voice was serious, but his eyes were shining with amusement. “It would seem you will have to stay with the original.”

Declan nodded gravely. “A hardship indeed.”

“Is it?” Zevran’s hand travelled down Declan’s chest, then his stomach, slowly inching even lower, and Declan couldn’t stop himself from laughing any longer.

“Not that.” With a chuckle, he added “Yet”, and Zevran dissolved into giggles too.

Still grinning, Declan pulled him into another kiss, tasting Zevran’s joy on his lips.

“I wouldn’t stray”, he whispered then, serious once more, and Zevran hummed against his lips.

“I know, caro mio. I trust you.”

At that, Declan just had to kiss him again, his heart overflowing with happiness.