#request fulfilled!

Yep, it's a drawing of our poor balloon toon Looey struggling through labor with his first kiddo, but his lovely girlfriend Yatta is supporting him through words of kindness and back massages <3

I actually drew this one while this AU was in its early stages of development, which is why Yatta appears a liiiiiittle more joyful here ^^; I've since changed it so that she was four days postpartum around the time Looey went into labor and gave birth, so if I were to draw a remake of this, she would definitely be more sympathetic (and show her soft side too <3)

My PolyCircus loving self also wanted to include Blot in this sketch, but since my notebook was tiny as shit, I realised I couldn't fit him in in the end :< (I'LL DRAW HIM NEXT TIME I PROMMY ;0;)

Buuuut anyway, I hope you all like this little drawing of mine! It's also the first labor comfort pic I've drawn so hopefully it looks alright ^^ (even though it's old haha)

In early October, Tommy woke to the sound of tea pooling in a porcelain cup. His eyes creaked open to see a man in wireframe glasses moving smoothly through the motions as if he'd been doing this exact thing for weeks. His brown eyes met Tommy's, and he gave a soft smile before walking across the room and sitting in a nook by the window without a word. It only took a moment to see him sink into the space like he belonged there with a book in hand.

If Tommy hadn't hand-selected Daniel Peterson to be Charlie's live-in teacher, he would have had a dead man in his home. But instead, he had a raging curiosity.

"Thanks for letting me sleep," Tommy spoke as he reached for the cigarettes in his pocket.

"Well I'm always here first, so I really just go on my way," Daniel clarified. Tommy tried to think if he ever recalled another person in the space, but he always had one mission in mind.

"The tea is nice."

"Not when you get to it, it isn't."

"But you pour it anyway?" Tommy asked. There was a pause and the sound of the striking of a match was all there was.

"I do... pour it anyway. You're welcome."

Come November, Tommy understood the appeal of sitting in silence. He came to the solarium and checked for Daniel who was almost always reading. For a few hours, they existed in each other's presence with few words, just the pouring of tea. Tommy slept, but eventually, he began just sitting with his eyes closed and head tilted to the ceiling- the company being refreshing when the nap wasn't enough.

The day Daniel quietly came over and lit Tommy's cigarette when the man lost his own matches, was the day Tommy looked at him. He'd reread the studious teacher's file for reference, and then again recently like a good book. Daniel was a few months older than Tommy, but their lives were much different. He'd fought in the war but he was stable and bookish.

The day he was hired, it was how he spoke simply and straightforwardly, saying exactly what he could and could not do that made Francis and Tommy choose him. Now Tommy realized the teacher had a real steady charm about him. He was solid and responsible, or at least he didn't seem to need anything from him. And he had a nice smile, Tommy thought.

It was nearing December and the end of the school season, so Tommy checking in on more of Charlie's studies. He'd done it here and there before, but it was becoming a habit.

Daniel watched Charlie run off to play before approaching Tommy, cross-armed and leaning against the door.

"Light schedule today?" Daniel teased with a tilted head.

"I was just curious as always and when I'm working from home, why not stop by?" Tommy shrugged. "Since I'm here, do you want to have dinner with Charlie and I?"

"Are you sure? My silence is golden."

"Hardy har har, though I appreciate that too."

Tommy watches the man clean up and begins etching every bit of him in his mind. Shapely jaw, nimble fingers, a warm kindness and elegance. The lithe of his voice, his quietness and care. Tommy collected things one by one until his mind was filled with Daniel Peterson.

Dinners and silent solarium encounters were comfortable, pleasant even. Tommy was starting to think he didn't deserve it. This was peace, he thought, he just happened to be getting greedy about having so much more of it.

--

"What is love?" Charlie asked, this time to Daniel while he was supposed to be answering questions. Tommy stood at the door, watching, surprised Charlie was still on this. Daniel hummed and clasped his hands.

"Love is a shapeshifter and a mirror and disgustingly honest. You'll understand that when you're older. But for now, it's doing what you can to make sure someone is delighted, healthy, and well from the tiniest detail to the biggest things. But the most important thing is listening and respect. Unwanted consideration is not considerate. Good?" Daniel grinned at Charlie whose head was tilted.

"Ummm, alright, good." Charlie's nose scrunched when his teacher ruffled his hair, but he got back to work.

He could read a thousand books about love and each one would tell him something different, Tommy knew that much. And yet that brief explanation from Daniel stayed in his mind and seeped out of him. He started pouring tea and offering access to the Arrow House library. They shared lunches, breakfasts, and five-minute moments in each other's presence when Tommy wound up walking to Daniel's office in the middle of the day without even meaning to.

"Are you on drugs again?" Esme asked as she sat reports on Tommy's desk.

"Fuck off."

"Seriously, Thomas. They aren't good for you, and we can all tell," she scolded him. Tommy realized she was serious and he sighed.

"I'm not. So I guess you're all wrong."

"If it's not opium then you must be in love because you walk like a man hungry for something that's not at Watery Lane." Esme gave him a pointed look, and Tommy couldn't help but compare her to Polly as she left the office. She did seem to catch on quicker than he did. Tommy leaned back in his chair.

The harsh winter made Tommy decide it wasn't love, it was gratitude. For all the nights Daniel helped Charlie feel less like he was babysat and more like he was living. And when Daniel took care of the Shelbys in the house when they got sick at the same time.

It was more like, being impressed with him. He knew everything, it seemed. Not a genius per se, but an encyclopedia of a man no less. Even when it came to business, Daniel could point Tommy in the right direction.

Or even a natural closeness was a better description. Daniel wrapped his arms around Tommy on the anniversary of Grace's death and days that got rough. His touch became a welcome comfort that Tommy sought out again and again. It wasn't love, it was just greed. It was just wanting more of the kind of peace that only he could provide.

--

"Are you two in love?" Charlie asked. Daniel and Tommy turned their heartfelt eyes from each other to Charlie.

"What makes you ask that?" Daniel asked calmly, beating Tommy to speaking first.

"Dad said love was hard to explain and he told me to ask Polly. Polly said it was when you just want to stay by someone's side. And I asked Mr. Peterson and he said it was wanting to do what you can to make sure someone is delighted, healthy, and well from the tiniest detail to the biggest things," Charlie recited their answers precisely between bites of oatmeal. "Isn't that what you two do? You're always together when you're home, and even pour each other's tea. And you always look delighted when we all play together. You're in love, aren't you?"

Daniel tapped the table and leaned back in thought. His eyes turned to Tommy, deferring to him for once.

"Must be," Tommy said with a nod, then went back to his breakfast. Daniel's eyebrows raised at the confession, but both Shelbys had already moved on. When Charlie left for his piano lesson, Daniel turned to Tommy.

"What was that?"

"Charlie made excellent points. And it's been true for a while hasn't it?" Tommy flipped through his paper absentmindedly but with trembling hands.

"Well what are you going to do about it?"

"What do you mean? I'll just keep loving you."

"How romantic," Daniel mumbled then reached for toast. Tommy's hand reached out and caught his.

"You didn't say your piece yet."

"I think I've loved you since I poured tea for you just in case you woke up in time to drink it hot. I just didn't think I'd be found out by a six-year-old."

"My sister-in-law found me out, so we're even."

Tommy wasn't convinced he knew what love was anymore, or if he ever did. But he did know the morning breeze quieted them, and the sunlight drenched the acres of Arrow House in a way that made his breath catch a bit.

Tommy knew peace, and he knew what he wanted more of, which was having more moments hand in hand with Daniel. And at the end of the day, he was beginning to think that was enough.

>> Tommy Shelby x Reader Masterlist <<

>> Tommy Shelby x OC Masterlist <<

____________

Bakugou:

● He is very much concerned about you the whole time, he's just really good at hiding it

● As soon as he's allowed to visit you, he's there

● He'll come in quietly, scowling at the floor

● He has a bag with him that's got a container of food in it. He put a lot of effort into making it just for you, just the way you like, but it's likely he'll brush it off and claim it's leftovers

● Katsuki isn't exactly the best hospital buddy, but he'll try

● The thing is, he's not very talkative. He refuses to leave your room for too long, but he's more the type to just sit in the chair by the window (probably looking at his phone)

● You may think he's not paying you any attention, but he's spending time reading up on what condition you're in and how to make sure you recover properly

● He's there if you need him

●Will yell at the nurse / doctor if they're not taking care of you right

● Makes a comment at least once about how much he hates the smell (it's not you, it's the general hospital smell)

● Tries his best to cook for you as often as he can so you don't have to eat the hospital food there (might even give up trying to brush off how much he does for you)

● Gets you anything you need when you ask. As I said, he's not keen on leaving you in your room by yourself, but he won't say anything if you ask for something

● When it's time for you to go home, he'll just get even more clingy

● But not necessarily affectionate, oh no

● He was there when the doctor gave you guidelines for what to do during your recovery period, and he did his research

● You're not getting out of following it to the letter

● If you're supposed to stay in bed and rest, he'll make sure you're not getting up unless you absolutely have to. Also he'll do any kind of heavy lifting for you, just to be safe (and it’s totally not a bonus chance to lowkey show off how strong he is)

● If you need to incorporate more activity into your day, he'll be at your side. It's like a little date, taking a nice slow walk in the park

● He's also keeping tabs on how much water you're drinking. He always encourages you to drink plenty of water, but now he's even more on top of his game to remind you

● He'll also remind you to take your meds (aggressively but with love) :)

● And he'll drive you to your follow up visits with your doctor

● Bakugou will encourage you the best way he knows. He may come off harsh at times, but he just wants your healing process to go as smoothly as possible. He's not good with feelings and stuff, but this is how he shows you he cares

____________

Todoroki:

● Another sweet boi

● He knows what it's like to visit people in the hospital (ahem, his mom), so it wouldn't be too weird for him (not that it’s all that weird for any of them)

● He'd come and see you every day, and he'll bring you a little something each time, whether it's a snack, some flowers, a game or coloring book he thought you'd like, or even a little stuffed bear (or whatever your favorite animal is)

● His visits can be weirdly short though? Like, he doesn't know what to say, so he kind of just . . . leaves? Like wait come back

● He likes it when he can get you talking. He's not much of a talker himself, so it's easier if you can lead conversations

● But if you want him to, he will just keep you company in silence

● Master at staring off into space for long periods of time

● But every time he looks over at you, he gets this soft smile on his face and he's so cute

● He's trying his best

● He'll also help remind you of things when you're back home

● He's not the best at cooking, so he'll order you anything you want and eat it with you

● I'll state the obligatory "he provides that hot/cold treatment for any pain you might have" because he does and it works

● He'll go out with you to walk around, and just generally get you back into living your life

● Yeah, he's just really glad to see that you're healthy and he’s happy to help you out so your recovery is quick and easy

____________

Amajiki:

● Not gonna lie, he was a little nervous while you were having the surgery

● Not too bad, just some pacing around the waiting room, but he feels so much better once everything's over with

● Big on sitting next to your hospital bed and just holding your hand the whole time he's visiting

● Hates checking in every day (because ew, people, and also ew, walking through strange halls full of people and equipment and the lighting is funky and everything smells like hand sanitizer and—)

● But he does it for you, because you're the most important thing to him 🥺

● Oh, and he also gets really really quiet whenever the nurse comes in to check up on you and just kind of pretends like he doesn't exist for a moment while they do their thing

● He'll do something where he gets himself a boxed lunch or takeout and eat with you in your room at meal times

● Honestly though, he'll be happy when you're finally able to go back home

● He's a very sweet and doting boyfriend, and he'll make sure you're getting everything you need

● He'll do his best to help you readjust after everything, and he'll even stay by your side when you go for follow up appointments :]

● (His anxiety has that loophole where if you're ever anxious about doing something, he's able to take charge and help you out)

● Pls, I love him

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                                                       -/-/-

It had been late when the two of you had finished work, but that didn’t stop you from unwinding and decompressing between the sheets. You’d held him close and savoured in the sensation of Jay rocking into you, steady and deliberate.

“Ah - Jay...” you sighed against his lips as he hitched your leg higher up around his waist, allowing him a slightly more advantageous angle.

“Shit, Erin -” Silence fell. He tried to play it off.

“Jay, stop. Stop!” you exclaimed and he sat back to look at you. He knew what he’d done.

“What?”

“Don’t what me, Jay you said her name.” You sat up and pulled the sheets up to your chest, hurt.

“No - Y/N, I didn’t mean anything by it -” In your soured mood, you hastily shuffled to the edge of the bed and began to put your clothes back on.

“You said her name - Erin. You told me you were over her, Jay.”

“I was - am! I am!” he tried to reassure you whilst scrambling behind you to keep up.

“Jay! You were inside me and you said your ex girlfriend’s name! Excuse me if I think you’re spouting bullshit!” Half-dressed and with your ego bruised, you began to make your way through the apartment and gathered your things as you went.

“Y/N! Please, hear me out -”

“Fine! Go ahead, try and make the fact that you were thinking of another woman whilst we were having sex hurt a little less,” you prompted as you finally finished dressing yourself and reached for your jacket.

“One of the girls we brought in today, she just - reminded me of Erin, and I haven’t been able to shake it all day. I’m sorry, but I really didn’t mean anything by it,” he tried to reason with you but the tears were already shed.

“I can’t - I can’t do this. Not whilst you clearly still aren’t over her. So I’m gonna go and leave you to figure your shit out.”

“Please, Y/N -” He reached for your hand put you pulled away.

“No... You have to figure this out on your own. Take some time to work it out and call me when you have an answer,” you insisted and picked up your keys from the counter.

“So, that’s it?”