Djunkiejunk - DJunkie's Junk

I hope none of you disappear in the coming days. Seriously don't do anything that can't be undone.

Behind the Scenes: The Secret Omega MASTERLIST

Chapter 0 - First Encounters

Chapter 1 - Origin

Chapter 2 - Home is Where the Cat is

Chapter 3 - Moving In

*Chapter 4 - New Experiences

Chapter 5 - The Morning After

*Chapter 6 - Onsen Adventures

Chapter 7 - End of the Vaca Chapter 8 - The Agency Chapter 9 - The Meeting

*Chapter 10 - There's a First Time for Everything

*Chapter 11 - Holiday Rush

Writers on a random Tuesday: Sits down, locks in, giggles, writes 10k, does not sleep

Also writers on a random Tuesday: writes one sentence and then stares into the abyss for five fours

Behind the Scenes: The Secret Omega CHAPTER 7 - End of the Vaca

AO3 Link SUMMARY: The end of the hot springs vacation and the beginning of the rest of the week.

CHAPTER 7 - End of the Vaca

Kimi’s eyes open the following morning to Hizashi’s smushed face. Smiling, she takes note of where she is, on the edge of the bed facing towards Hizashi. Lifting her head up, she can see Shouta cuddled up to his back. Happiness fills her chest as she looks at her two mates cuddling with one another. Slowly, she manages to detangle herself from Hizashi so she can get up to use the restroom.

Coming out of the bathroom, she admires the telltale signs of the sun starting to rise from the windows. Not wanting to wake her mates, she quietly goes into the closet and grabs some clothes. She changes into a long-sleeved shirt and baggy sweatpants, grabbing her phone as she leaves the room. 

Strolling around the onsen, she enjoys the stillness of the morning and the colors that emerge from the sky. Stopping in an open hallway that shows off a rock garden, she takes a moment to close her eyes and enjoy the serenity of the morning. 

“Good morning, dear.”

Kimi squeaks as she opens her eyes to find the onsen owner at the end of the hallway.

“Good morning, so sorry,” Kimi says with a respectful bow.

“Oh no, dear. I’m sorry for spooking you.”

The onsen owner makes her way next to Kimi, looking out to the garden. 

“I was just enjoying the view. It’s so lovely this morning.”

“Isn’t it? You know, you should really take the opportunity to see the waterfall once the sun rises, the colors are just magnificent.”

Kimi looks at her with intrigue, making the owner smile.

“You should make it if you leave now. You remember where the trail was, right?”

“Yes, thank you. That sounds very lovely.”

“I’d go with you but I have some things to take care of before breakfast.”

“I understand, thank you so much. I’ll take a photo for you.” “Thank you, dear,” the onsen owner waves her off, and Kimi heads to the trail. 

The trail itself is not a difficult hike. The ground is pretty flat and there’s enough light that Kimi doesn’t need a flashlight. Not wanting to miss the display the owner was talking about, she hurries along the trail while quickly admiring the various plants she passes by.

The roar of the waterfall soon greets her as she rounds a curve of the trail. A long wall of waterfalls greets her with two heavier-flowing waterfalls in the middle. They fall into a large pool of water below that flows into the river that goes to the onsen. A plethora of rocks and plants surround the waterfalls, making the scene seem surreal. 

Kimi holds her breath as she gets closer to the rocks at the edge of the pool. The sun flirts right behind the waterfalls, still not high enough to be above them. Realizing she’s early, she makes her way to a larger rock further in the pond so she can get a good photo. The slippers she has on don’t give her a solid grip so she takes them on, slightly shivering at how cold the boulder is. She takes a few photos of the scene around her, getting lucky with snapping a couple of photos of the wildlife that flits by. 

After a few minutes of admiring the scene, a glare off the water flashes in her eyes. The sun peaks its way from the top of the waterfall and Kimi fills with excitement. She watches as the water glimmers and shines from the colors of the rising run. She stands in awe at the display before remembering she wanted to take photos. She nabs a couple of photos before putting her phone in her pocket.

Taking a deep breath, she once again takes a moment to absorb the morning peace. The past week went by in a blur and it feels to ground herself and focus on being in the moment. Taking a closer look at the boulder she sees that it’s flat enough and large enough for her to do some of her routine stretches comfortably. 

Focusing on her breathing, she gets through her basic warmups before moving on to some of the yoga poses she likes. She enjoys feeling the rumble from the power of the waterfall coming through the rock as she moves through it. 

Shouta and Hizashi come running up the trail and find her moving into one of her favorite positions. Her hips move above her head while moves her knees above her before extending out, essentially putting her in a headstand on her arms. So focused on what she’s doing, she doesn’t notice her mates watching her. 

Shouta shouts out her name a couple of times until it startled her out of her concentration. Her balance wavers for a moment until she catches herself and lowers herself. As she stands up, she catches the worried looks on her alpha’s faces and immediately a wave of guilt crashes over her. Silently, she grabs her shoes and makes her way over to the pair, head hung low. A pang of disappointment shoots through her chest and she knows immediately that she messed up. 

“Good morning, sorry, I-”

“What made you think this was a good idea?” Aizawa asks. His voice is harsher than Kimi has heard before and she’s physically taken aback. Immediately, she hangs her head, trying to appease the alpha.

“I’m sorry,-” Shouta interrupts her before she can continue. 

“You came out here by yourself, while it’s still partially dark out with no protection. What if there was something out here that wanted to hurt you? What would you have done?” 

Kimi silently takes the berating, keeping her head down. Hizashi slaps a hand on Shouta’s shoulder reassuringly, making him let out a frustrated breath.

“We were just really worried about you, hon,” Hizashi says, his voice far less harsh than Shouta’s.

“We woke up and you were gone, it startled us. Thankfully the owner told us where you went.” 

Kimi can tell that Hizashi’s still displeased and she can’t blame him. Waves of grief and guilt roll off of Kimi.

“You’re right, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking ahead. The owner was just telling me about how pretty the sunrise looks and I just got carried away. I’ll try to be more aware of my actions. I’m sorry to have worried you” 

Her voice is timid as she responds and she bows in submission, utterly disappointed in herself. When she stands up, she can’t bring herself to look her alphas in the face. Hizashi takes pity on her and tries to break the tension.

“You’re ok, hon. We’re just a bit on edge from the new marks.”

Realization hits Kimi like a bus as she connects the dots. Since they’re freshly mated, their instincts are yelling at them to keep her safe the way hers are yelling at her to keep them pleased. Of course, they would be so frantic. A pit forms in her stomach and tears prick her eyes. 

Impulsively, she wraps her hands around Shouta and tightly hugs him. It’s a bit awkward because his arms are crossed, but that doesn’t deter her from staying latched on.

“I am SO sorry. That was so cruel of me, I’m so sorry.”

She focuses on releasing calming waves to help soothe them and it seems to help because after a few moments, he relaxes and wiggles his arms out of her embrace to return the hug.

“It’s ok. I’m sorry for being so stern,” he responds slowly, his tone back to its usual level. Kimi releases him and tightly wraps her arms around Hizashi who gladly squeezes back.

“What do you say we head back and see if breakfast is ready?” 

Kimi smiles up at him and wordlessly nods. Hizashi smiles back in response before grabbing her hand and leading the group back to the onsen.

“So was it a really pretty sunrise?” 

“Yes,” Kimi responds shyly before pulling out her phone to show pictures.

“Oh wow! That is gorgeous,” he says before handing the phone to Shouta.

“Yeah, sorry. I thought I was going to be back before you woke up, just didn’t want to disturb you. Especially after you said you guys don’t sleep much.”

Hizashi playfully bumps Kimi and she tries not to run into Shouta.

“Don’t worry about it, hon. There are no hard feelings here, ok? Let’s try to bring back some positive vibes into this morning, yeah?” He shoots her finger guns and she can’t help but giggle.

“Yeah,” Kimi agrees, feeling a bit better. 

Shouta hands Kimi back her phone.

“It did look nice. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

“It’s ok. You’re right, I should have been more focused. I just got carried away, my bad.” 

“You enjoy doing yoga?” Shouta asks.

“Yeah, I haven’t gotten much of a chance since the interviews so I just kinda jumped at the opportunity.”

Shouta nods his head, taking in her words.

“You’ll have to show me some time then.”

“Yeah?” Kimi asks, voice laced with excitement.

“Yeah. I’ve heard yoga can be really good for you.”

“It is! It’s so good for you! I mean, it seems like you probably have a really good workout plan but it’s really good for joints and balance and things like that. I mean I could go on forever about how much it’s helped me. Oh hey, it might even help with your sleep.”

Kimi can tell she’s starting to ramble and cuts herself off.

“Oh, count me in,” Hizashi jokes. Kimi giggles.

They arrive back at the onsen shortly and are greeted by a staff member who informs them that breakfast will be prepared in their room shortly. They make their way into the room and wait in the living room for the meal.

It ends up being just as extravagant as the other meal. Though a different staff member is hosting this meal, it seems that the previous one informed the kitchen of Kimi’s food preferences. She’s thankful when she realizes that there are more options for her to eat and happily accepts more food than the previous meal. 

After their bellies are full, Hizashi lets Kimi know that the plan is to go into a nearby town to walk around.

“Oh good. I’m going to have to work off this meal. I ate too much,” she giggles.

“Saaaaame,” Hizashi whines. “But it was just so good!”  

“I agree,” Shouta adds, also dealing with a super full stomach.

Kimi’s instincts creep into her mind, making her hope that they’ll have the same reaction to her cooking.

“Well, I guess I should get ready,” she says, getting up to make her way to the bedroom.

“Sounds good. Just don’t worry about getting too dolled up, I’ve got a bit of a surprise in store.”

Kimi flashes Hizashi an intrigued look before making her way to the bedroom to get ready. 

Kimi’s back in the SUV about half an hour later. The boys piled into the vehicle as well after placing the boxes with the kimonos in the back. 

“The surprise doesn’t have anything to do with our kimonos, does it?” Kimi playfully asks Hizashi.

“Maaaaybe,” he teases, purposefully not answering her question.

They make the quick drive over to a small traditional town. Kimi fawns over the traditional-styled buildings and the people walking around dressed in traditional attire.

As she exits the vehicle, she starts to feel underdressed, but Hizashi assures her that she won’t be there for long before leading her into a nearby business. A group of three women immediately rush Kimiko away to a room in the back with a vanity. Flustered, Kimi asks for clarification while they sit her down and start working on various tasks.

The woman currently brushing out Kimi’s hair explains that Hizashi set up a photo shoot for the three of them in the kimonos he purchased. The woman pulling out various makeup brushes comments that the men will be joining her shortly, so they have to work quickly. Lastly, the woman pulling Kimi’s kimono out of the box Hizashi provided says that after the photo shoot they’ll be able to visit the town’s local temple and recommends some places for lunch.

For the next half an hour, they work on getting Kimi prepared for the shoot. Her kimono is wrinkle-free, her makeup is done and all the women work together to get Kimi’s hair done up in a half-up half-down style with various hair pieces and flowers that match her kimono.

When handed a mirror, Kimi stared for a couple of seconds too long, trying to recognize the woman in the mirror. While she can still see herself, parts of her she didn’t know existed have been highlighted and accentuated in a way that makes her feel like a princess. 

“Is everything ok?” one of the women asks, concerned by Kimi’s lack of response.

“Yes,” Kimi breathes out, breaking her trance. “I just. I look so beautiful. Thank you! I’ve never seen myself like this before.”

The women giggle and coo over Kimi’s reaction making her laugh as well. They help guide her to stand up and bring her to a floor-length mirror so they can get her in the kimono. Kimi watches with fascination, moving her body as they request. She can’t help but feel like the traditional dolls her grandmother would buy her when she was little. While she’s not in the most regal of attire, it’s hard for her not to feel like royalty.

“Ok, my dear. You’re all finished. Let’s get you into the next room to get some photos, ya?” 

The women guide Kimi into the studio the next room over and she pauses in the doorway. Her alphas turn to watch her enter the room and their eyes trail all over her face and kimono. She can’t help but blush under all the makeup under the heat of their glares. In return, she lets her eyes roam over their matching kimonos and slightly touched-up appearances. 

“Princess, you look amazing,” Hizashi blurts out.

Kimi smiles wide, making her way over to the pair. They all take a moment to look one another over before the photographer steps in and starts to get them in specific poses. They spend a good time in the studio taking various photos of each other and single portraits as well. Once satisfied with all of the shots, the photographer leads them outside to take photos amongst the town. They get a lot of candid shops of the throuple admiring various shops and also have them pose in front of some other places. 

About two hours after they start taking pictures, the photographer takes their leave and the throuple continues to explore the town. They get some lunch, tour the local temple, and leave their offerings before making their way back into the town. They pick up a couple of trinkets at a small gift shop before deciding to head back to the SUV.

Shouta texts the driver as they pass another business and Kimi stops, staring into the shop window.

“Something catch your eye?” Hizashi asks, moving to stand next to Kimi.

“Oh, kind of. Sorry, we can keep going. I thought I saw something but it’s not actually what I thought it was?”

Hizashi takes a closer look at the products, noticing it’s a variety of jewelry.

“What were you looking at?”

Kimi points to a series of hairpins.

“The green hairpin there kind of looked like my mom’s at a quick glance, but it’s the wrong flower.”

Kimi starts to walk away from the window, but Hizashi gently grabs her arm and starts to walk into the business.

“Well, it may not be what you thought it was, but let’s see if we can find anything you like, hm?”

Kimi pales.

“Oh, no. You’ve already spent so much. Really, I’m all good. Thank you.”

Hizashi ignores her protest and greets the owner before exploring the various glass cases. Kimi hugs the wall, eyes following Hizashi as he goes from case to case, asking questions to the owner. She can’t help but feel out of place in the shop. Shouta quietly stands next to her, also watching his partner.

“Was there a hairpin that you liked?” Hizashi asks Kimi from the other side of the shop. 

She shakes her head before realizing the action may come off as rude so she quickly tries to correct herself.

“Oh, they’re all nice. I just thought it was the one my mom had, but it wasn’t. But, again they’re all really nice!”

She looks up to Shouta, hoping he’ll say something to help her out. He merely looks down at her with a bored expression, making her more nervous.

“I was genuine when I said you have to get used to ‘Zash spending lots of money on you. I know it may be weird to get used to, but it’s kind of his thing. You can’t really fight it, trust me. You try to fight it and he just spends more money.”

He gives a knowing look to his partner, who gives a self-deprecating laugh back. 

“Okay,” Kimi timidly agrees before walking over to the case Hizashi is at and looking at the different pieces of jewelry. She ends up settling on a hairpin that matches the flowers on her kimono and the store owner even helps put it in her hair. They leave with the hairpiece and a few other pieces of jewelry that Hizashi liked. They walk back to the SUV with their goods from the day and head back to the onsen.

“Would you guys mind if we take a dip in the spring before dinner? My feet are really sore from the shoes.”

“I have no problems with that,” Shouta says from the passenger seat.

“Me neither,” Hizashi chimes in.

“Thank you,” Kimi says back with a smile. “Sorry, I’m used to heels, not sandals.”

“Ha, you sound like Nem,” Hizashi comments. “She wears heels for everything.”

“Sounds about right,” Kimi laughs. “I don’t know, I just got used to them so now flat shoes just hurt. I either need heels or something with a high arch.”

“Noted,” Hizashi teases. 

Later that evening, they all hug their bellies, full from another amazing dinner. They hopped in the spring when they got back and allowed themselves to relax for the evening. Currently, they all lay in bed, this time with Shouta in the middle and the other two on either arm.

“This has been so nice,” Hizashi comments, snuggled up into Shouta’s chest. 

“Mmhmm,” his partner vocalizes. “Thank you for getting this set up.”

“Of course. This was a one-in-a-million chance that we’d even be able to do this with how busy our schedules are. No way was I going to give up this opportunity.” 

“Mm, speaking of which. There are some things I need to take care of when we get back tomorrow.”

“Aw,” Hizashi says, dejected. “I thought you got this whole week off.” 

“I did, but I still need to go into the school to take care of some things for next week. I’m surprised you were able to get all caught up.”

“Well,” Hizashi trails off. “I figured I would just get caught up when I got back in.”

Shouta tsks. “‘Zash!” 

“I was just really excited to spend time with our lovely omega, ok?”

Shouta rubs his temple, annoyed.

“I swear, Nezu just hired me to keep you and Nem in check.”

“Aw, don’t be mad Sho’. I’ll get it done, promise.”

“You better,” Shouta warns. 

Kimi smiles into his side, enjoying watching the two playfully bicker. She enjoys getting to peek into what they were like before she entered the picture and she’s glad they can still be themselves. 

“What are you smilin’ about over there?” Shouta asks playfully.

“It’s just cute to see you two interact,” Kimi admits. “You’re like an old married couple.”

“Old?” Hizashi exclaims. 

“No, wait. I didn’t mean-”

“I heard that, ‘Zash. She called us old!”

“No, I’m sorry, I didn’t-”

“Well, I never!” Hizashi playfully scoffs. 

“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! You’re not old!” Kimi rushes to apologize and lets out a soothing wave to try and appease the alphas.

Shouta starts to laugh, making his partner laugh. Kimi’s face is red with embarrassment and she looks between the two, ensuring they’re not upset.

“I’m sorry,” Shouta says between laughs. “You’re just so cute when you’re flustered.”

Kimi breathes a sigh of relief and settles into the alpha more.

“It’s more of an ongoing joke with Hizashi because one of his students called him old. Now he does everything he can to prevent sounding like an old man to the kids.” “Kids these days can be so rude,” Hizashi groans.

“I’m just glad you’re not actually upset,” Kimi comments.

“Princess, I think it would take a lot for us to get mad at you.”

Kimi smiles at Hiashi’s words. 

“That’s good to know.” 

The three of them share a moment, enjoying basking in each other’s scents. 

“Have you been enjoying yourself, princess?”

Kimi giggles.

“Do you even need to ask? Yes! This has been all so great. Thank you for everything. I’m so grateful to be here and be in this pack. You guys are more than I could ever ask for.”

“I think it’s my turn to blush,” Hizashi teases. Shouta breathily laughs.

“I’m glad you’re having a good time. It’s going to be a lot different when we get into the swing of things, but I’m glad we can share this time together.” 

Kimi smiles up at him.

“Just let me know what I can do to make it easier on you guys.”

Shouta gives a non-committing nod and pulls his two partners closer. Kimi reaches her neck out and kisses him on the cheek before settling back into his arm. 

“Oh yeah? Two can play at that!” Hizashi says before mirroring Kimi’s actions.

“Hey, chill. There’s enough of me to go around.” 

“I’ll say,” Hizashi says, wiggling his brows. Kimi laughs and Shouta rolls his eyes. 

Returning back to the apartment the next day was both exciting and sad for Kimi. She was looking forward to getting into a routine, but she was sad that her vacation with the guys had ended. Even though she was still going to see them for a good majority of the week, she knew that her focus was going to be on getting things in order so she didn’t need them when they got back to work. 

Sushi greeted everyone at the door with loud meows and leg rubs before bounding back into the apartment. The trio dropped off their luggage in the bedroom before making their way to the living room to lounge. They discuss dinner plans and Hizashi mentions wanting to take out Kimi for some shopping tomorrow while Shouta takes care of some things at his work. 

Kimi finds herself staring at the two while her two alphas chat about the upcoming week. A long-lost feeling starts to creep from her stomach into her chest. She recognizes it as the comfort she felt when she was living with her parents. The warm, protective glow that would hug her like a comfy sweater embraced her like a long-lost friend. Tears come to her eyes and tumble over before she even recognizes she’s crying. Hizashi startles when he catches the change in her scent and locks eyes with her tear-stained face.

“Everything ok?” he asks, voice doused with concern. Shouta whips his head in her direction, also catching on to her sudden change in emotion. 

“Yes, yes,” she rushes to assure them. “I’m all good, I promise. It just really hit me all at once that this was my home.”

“Do you not like it?”

Kimi laughs.

“No, it’s not that at all. I love this. It’s just been a while since I’ve felt-. Well, like I’m a part of a family? I guess. I’m not really sure what this feeling is. It just feels good.”

Hizashi gets up from his spot on the couch and wraps his arms around Kimi tightly. 

“Ok, good. You scared me!”  

Kimi giggles.

“I’m sorry, I’m ok, I promise,” Kimi says, allowing herself to relax into Hizashi’s body. Shouta reaches over and lovingly strokes her hair, making her eyes close. She savors the moment, enjoying being encompassed by her alphas. She’s so happy to be able to be so open and she takes a second to be proud of herself for voicing what she feels. She knows most of the credit goes to her alphas for creating such a comfortable environment for her to speak up, but she’s still proud nonetheless. 

They spend the night cuddling up on the couch, watching some movies together, and enjoying being in one another’s presence. Shouta doesn’t get as snuggly at his two other packmates, but he does hold Kimi’s hand the whole night. She remembers him saying that he’s not the type to cuddle so she doesn’t take it personally overly. Occasionally she’d look over and he’d catch her eye, smiling at her and that was good enough for her. She’s sure that now that they’re back at home, his mind is probably focused on other things and he’s got more of his guard up. While she wishes he was as cuddly as he was back in the hot springs, she accepts that this is now the reality.

At one point in the night, Hizashi blurts out,

“Oh! Kimi.”

“Yes,” she says, slightly startled by his outburst.

“Do you still have that disguise you wore?”

Not expecting that question, she responds back with,

“Huh?”

“The one you wore when you met Sho’,” he explains.

Taking a second to think, she stares at him with a confused look before remembering the first actual time she met Shouta, not the interview.

“Oh. Um, I think so, I believe I packed it. But I can get rid of it if you need.”

“Actually, I’d love it if you held onto it. When we go out tomorrow, I’ll be in disguise just in case and I think you should do the same.”

“Oh, ok,” Kimi responds sheepishly. “I’m ok with that. Did you want me to use the alpha spray too?”

“Nah, that’s ok. I’m enough alpha to go around,” he boasts, causing Shouta to laugh.

“Ok, ‘Zash, sure,” Shouta teases.

“I am!” Hizashi pouts back, placing a hand on his hip. This causes Shouta to laugh more.

“Of course, of course.”

“ Anyways, ” Hizashi continues, “you should be good with just the disguise. That way if a reporter or paparazzi recognizes me, your identity will still be safe.”

“Makes sense,” Kimi agrees.

“Oh, we can also go get some more fun disguises! I know just the place. You can get different wigs and-” 

Hizashi continues spouting out different ideas, making Kimi smile.

Who knew the very thing I was worried would hurt my chances of being in this pack would actually be helpful, she thinks.

The next morning, Shouta leaves for his hero work and Hizashi and Kimi make their way to the local shopping district in disguise. They go through various shops looking at mostly clothes. Lots of things catch Kimi’s eyes but she fights herself by asking Hizashi to purchase them. Hizashi catches on when they reach a department store that has a whole section that Kimi likes.

“If you see something you like, just let me know. I was really surprised by how little clothes you have and I just want to make sure that my omega has the things she needs,” he chides.

“Yeah, I tried not to have a lot of things so I didn’t have to worry about packing a lot or needing a lot of room,” Kimi admits. “Plus, I’ve heard that some packs choose what their omega wears so I just didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Well don’t worry,” Hizashi says while pulling her closer. “You’re not a burden to us. Unless you make us guess what things you like. That would certainly be a huge issue to try and guess what you like.”

“Ok, ok. I’ll let you know what I like,” Kimi giggles. As they continue through the store, Kimi hands Hizashi a lot more clothes, making him smile. She gets a lot of simple but well-made dresses as well as a couple of pairs of shoes for both indoor and outdoor use. As they go to a couple more stores, Hizashi also adds a couple of bags of things to their collections full of clothes for both him and Shouta.

“I swear Shouta would be in rags if I didn’t buy anything for him,” Hizashi comments as they continue their walk through the shops.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one getting spoiled,” Kimi giggles. Her eyes catch a window display as she finishes her second. Hizashi follows her gaze and guides them into the store before Kimi can even think of denying him. 

She walks into a store she only ever dreamed of going into. The designer heel brand was always something she wanted to own but could never afford. Her current shoe selection mimicked their looks but didn’t have the same quality behind them. Her eyes wander over all of the different shoes on display, denial weighing heavy on her tongue. A worker comes over before she can voice her thoughts and starts talking with Hizashi.

“Yes, I’d love to get my darling new omega some heels here and maybe a matching bag to go with it. She wears heels all the time so we need to get some we don’t have to worry that will break on her.” 

“Of course, sir. Let’s get her foot measured so we can make sure that we’re getting her the best size as well. My dear, if you could please come take a seat over here.” 

The salesperson gestures to a dramatically large chair on the other side of the room. Kimi politely nods and makes her way over to the chair. Her mind holds onto Hizashi’s wording of “some” heels, meaning more than one, but tries not to freak out.

She settles into the chair and the salesperson sits in a smaller chair next to her feet. They take her measurements and come back with some various shoes in her size. They talk about the benefits of each shoe and she’s just glad that Hizashi seems to be listening because her head starts to swim when she sees how many numbers are on the price tag. She tries to focus back on what the salesperson is saying but gets distracted by a pair that’s next to her chair.

“Could I please try these on?” she asks, a bit shy.

“Of course!” the salesperson says enthusiastically. They help her into the shoes and she stands, admiring how comfy they feel without her having to break them in. 

“Oh wow, these are quite lovely,” she comments.

“Right? Don’t they just feel divine? Especially if you’re wearing heels all day, these are a must-have.”

“Oh perfect,” Hizashi notes. “We’ll get those then.”

“Any other’s stand out? I don’t think those have a matching bag, right?”

“No, but these ones over here do.”

The salesperson helps Kimi try on a couple more pairs and hands her a couple of purses. She can’t help but feel a bit out of place, not knowing what to look for or what she’s even looking at with some of the things she’s handed.

Hizashi seems to fill in for her lack of knowledge and soon there are a couple of pieces put to the side with the heels she liked. Guilt creeps into her stomach but she tries to fight it off, remembering what Shouta told her previously.

When Hizashi gives his card to the salesperson, Kimi gnaws at her bottom lip.

“Are you really sure?” she asks shyly.

“Yes,” he says, slight irritation in her voice. The salesperson comes back with Hizashi’s card and they all exchange a pleasant goodbye before the pair leaves the store. Kimi feels a bit bad about irritating her alpha and tries her best to explain.

“I’m really sorry. I’m genuinely not trying to offend you. I’m just not really used to having someone openly spend this much money on me. It’s been really tight since my parents passed and I’ve had people take advantage of me for that.”

Hizashi pauses before giving her a puzzled look.

“How so?”

“Well for starters, my friends would pay me to pretend to be an alpha when I really didn’t want to,” Kimi starts, knowing Hizashi was aware of that.

“That’s right,” he says, trailing off.

“But mainly it was my ex. He would just hold all of the purchases he made against me. If he bought something he knew I couldn’t repay, he acted like I was indebted to him forever, even if it was a gift. That’s what led to-,” Kimi stops, not sure if she’s ready to share that story with Hizashi yet. He looks at her expectantly and she continues, deciding to cut the story short.

“It just got really bad one night and he pushed it too far and that’s when I broke up with him.”

Hizashi puts a soothing hand on her shoulder before slowly pulling her into him. Embarrassed by her confession, she accepts the hug and relaxes into his chest. When she pulls away, her eyes are a bit teary.

“Thank you for listening,” she smiles up at him.

“Don’t thank me for that,” he jokes, though his voice is still gentle. “I could listen to you all day. I appreciate you sharing that with me though. I can say that Sho and I would never hold purchases above your head and if we think you’re spending too much, whichIhardlydoubtwillhappen, we’ll have a discussion about it, ok?”

“Ok,” Kimi beams. 

“You know, Sho’ had a similar issue when we first started dating,” Hizashi says, leading them through the shopping center again.

“He felt that he couldn’t reciprocate my gifts and would challenge me a lot if he thought I was buying him too much. So, we ended up agreeing to leave the really big gifts for birthdays and our anniversary.”

“That makes sense,” Kimi comments.

“I really hope you’ll let me spoil you a little more often than that though,” Hizashi says with a playful shove, making Kimi giggle.

“We’ll see,” she says with a playful smile.

“Well, that being said, there is one more purchase I would like to make today. Feel free to turn it down if it’s too much, but it would mean the world to me if you accepted it.”

Sheepishly, Kimi agrees and lets Hizashi take her to a very high-end jewelry store. They walk out with an adjustable necklace that allows Kimi to have it tight against her neck or below her clothes. Kimi accepts it without a fight, considering it to be an unofficial collar. Even though collars died out and became old-fashioned generations prior, she always thought the idea was charming and dreamed of having one someday. The segmented, graduated diamond necklace was more modern than the collars she had seen in classical paintings, but it still fulfilled the desire she had.

“Thank you again for all the amazing gifts, Hizashi,” Kimi says as they start to head back to the SUV. 

“Of course, honey,” Hizashi quips. “Anything for my sweet little omega.”

Later that evening, they share dinner with Shouta and fill him in on their day’s adventure. Shouta shares some small details about his day, saying that it was mostly uneventful. Kimi’s thankful that he’s safe but doesn’t voice her opinions. Rather, she directs her feelings into bringing out dessert for everyone. They chat a bit before Shouta once again reveals he will be absent the next day. He was called in for a quick bust in the afternoon but has to go in early for debriefing. Hizashi relays his displeasure but ultimately decides that it would be a good time to take Kimi to their agency for a tour.

He explains that not a lot of people know that he and Shouta are in a pack together so they definitely will be keeping Kimi a secret from his agency as well. Still, there are some things for Kimi at the agency, so he wanted to give a tour since she’ll be there pretty often. Kimi responds with exuberant interest and mentions how excited she is. She goes to sleep that night, excited for the following day where she can catch a glimpse into the other aspects of her alpha's lives.

PREVIOUS | NEXT

Quick little 500 word New Year Soap blurb that was on my mind. Not the usual guy I write about, but I feel like he'd fit best in this scenario. Best wishes to everyone in the new year! ✨

~

This year had been a relentless storm of chaos. You cycled through two different apartments, three different jobs, and four heartbreaks with boyfriends who seemed to fit your life about as well as shoes two sizes too small. The year ended in a crescendo of disaster with a holiday shouting match between you and your parents. They lectured you about responsibility, stability, and your future, while you barely resisted the urge to scream back that life wasn’t a neat little checklist.

Needing an escape, you found yourself at a dimly lit, slightly sketchy bar for New Year's Eve. It wasn’t fancy, but at least it wasn’t crowded. The bartenders were surprisingly pleasant for people stuck working on a holiday, and their strong pours had done an admirable job numbing your frustration. 

You perched on a creaky barstool, your gaze drifting to the overhead TV broadcasting the glitzy Times Square celebration. The screen showed bundled-up couples and families huddling together, their faces glowing with excitement as the clock ticked down. "60 seconds to midnight," one of the anchors chirped.

Your stomach churned, not just from the booze but from the creeping melancholy that always seemed to hit when you least wanted it. A year of missteps and failed connections had left you longing for something, anything, to cut through the static of loneliness. Your eyes wandered down the bar, scanning the room like a radar looking for a friendly signal.

That’s when you saw him. A broad-shouldered man with a charmingly confident grin and a slightly rebellious mohawk slid into the seat next to yours. His presence had an almost magnetic pull, and when he turned to meet your gaze, his smile was warm enough to melt a little of the ice inside you.

“Happy New Year,” you offered, your voice light but tinged with hope.

“Same to you,” he replied with a playful edge, the kind that promised an interesting story.

As the bar filled with the sound of the countdown, the bartender appeared with two glasses of champagne, sliding one in front of you and the stranger. “On the house,” he said with a wink.

“You got a New Year’s kiss lined up?” the man asked, his grin widening.

You felt your cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and excitement bubbling up. “Not yet,” you admitted, glancing down as the countdown hit 10 seconds.

Something bold and reckless surged through you, the kind of courage that only a New Year’s Eve countdown and a few too many drinks could summon. You turned to him, caught his gaze, and leaned in. 5 seconds.

Your lips met his just as the bar erupted in cheers and shouts of “Happy New Year!” The kiss was electric, a jolt of warmth that cut through the haze of the year gone by.

When you pulled back, he looked momentarily stunned, but a snarky grin quickly spread across his face. He raised a hand toward you, palm up. Sitting in his open hand was a single Hershey’s Kiss.

Paws and Effect Blurb

Read the full thing on: AO3

Paws and Effect - A Ghost/Reader/Soap Hyrbid AU fic.

Blurb - 4k words, Full on AO3 - 16k words (18+)

Summary: Soap was convinced that Ghost was hiding something. He was dead set on a secret missus tucked away in some flat in London. Nothing could have prepared him for the truth. A cozy little farmhouse, far removed from the chaos of their world, and a… fluffy cat? The biggest shock yet? The cat’s true identity.

Soap was certain that Ghost had a missus back home. His first clue? Ghost’s uniforms. They were always crisp and well-pressed. Don’t get him wrong, he was sure the big man knew how to use an iron, but there was something suspiciously meticulous about the way his clothes looked when he would come back from leave. Pressed to perfection, not a single wrinkle in sight.

Not only were they clean-pressed, but there was that scent that drove Soap’s nose crazy. It wasn’t just your standard laundry detergent, there was something warmer, floral, something… homey. Soap had sniffed every brand of detergent he could get his nose on, but nothing quite matched the lingering fragrance that was on Ghost’s clothes.

He tried asking once, tossing out the question casually. “So, you got a missus waiting for you back home, Ghost?”

The man barely spared him a glance, shaking his head. “Just a cat,” he said. His tone was even, but Soap swears he could see just the faintest twitch of a smile under his mask. 

What really got under his skin was how the rest of the 141 played along. When he pressed Gaz about it, all he got was a shrug. “He’s not lying, mate. He’s got a cat.”

Price wasn’t any better. “Sounds about right,” he said, offering nothing more. Soap wasn’t buying it though, because every so often he’d get another clue. 

Like when he overheard Ghost chatting with someone on base. He kept mentioning how she was doing, whether she was planning to visit soon and no matter how hard he tried, Soap couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t a cat. It was always just vague enough to be brushed off, yet it gnawed at Soap’s curiosity. 

The final clue was the phone calls. Ghost wasn’t the type to waste time on mindless chatter, but every now and then, he’d slip away with his phone, voice low and private. One night, Soap happened to walk down the hallway towards the rec room at the right time. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop… kind of. It just so happened that he could hear Ghost’s voice from where he so happened to be standing.

“Yeah… I miss you too.”

Soap nearly fell out of his pants. He finally caught him, but he couldn’t let him know. He needed something more solid and he had to find out just who this girl was.

Going back to square one, he decided to take another swing at asking questions. “So Ghost, what’s your cat’s name?”

Ghost barely looked up from his cards. Soap had figured the team’s weekly poker game was the perfect time to catch him off guard. It seemed like a solid plan so far, but Ghost was just as unreadable as ever.

“Callie,” Ghost answered simply.

Soap narrowed his eyes. “What kind of name is that for a cat?”

Price leaned back in his chair, gaze darting between Soap and Ghost. “Why do you care so much, Johnny?” he asked his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement.

“I don’t, I just-,” he huffed. “Look, I just know he’s full of shite, alright? There’s no way all he’s got at home is a bloody cat. And what’s worse is it that you lot seem to know it too.”

Across the table, Gaz snorted. “You sound jealous.”

Soap scowled. “I am not jealous. I just find it hard to believe.”

Before he could finish, Ghost’s phone buzzed.

The whole room went still.

Ghost barely reacted, checking the screen with his usual impassive air before typing out a quick response. Then, just as casually, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and placed his cards down with a satisfying ‘plap’.

“That was the cat,” he said flatly, revealing a full house. “Gotta make a call.”

Gaz nearly chokes on his drink, bursting out laughing. Price just sighed, leaning over to pat Soap on the shoulder. “Just give it up, mate.”

A month later, the task force was on the road, making their way back to base after a grueling week-long mission a few hours away. It was far too late for them to be out and exhaustion was starting to settle in. They had pushed to get back, desperate for their own beds, but the further they drove, the harder it was for everyone to stay awake.

“Why don’t we just crash at my place for the night,” Ghost offers, calm but firm. From behind the wheel, Price glances over, considering it for a second before nodding. 

“Sounds like a plan,” he says, speeding on into the night. 

Soap perks up immediately, practically bouncing forward to stick his head between the front seats. “Wait, we’re going to L.T.’s place?”

Ghost sighs, already regretting his offer. “On second thought…”

Soap playfully shoves his shoulder. “Aw, don’t be like that,” he grins. 

“It’s been a while,” Price cuts in, his voice carrying a note of familiarity. “It’ll be nice to visit again. Bet a lot’s changed since I was there last.”

Ghost doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he turns his gaze toward the dark scenery outside. “You have no idea…” he murmurs.

Soap blinks. “Wait, ye’ve been before, Captain?” 

Price nods. “A few times.”

From the back seat, Gaz casually raises a hand. “As have I.”

Soap reels back, scandilized “What?” he whines. “How come everyone else has got an invitation ‘cept me L.T.?”

Ghost cocks his head to the side, sizing up the Scotsman with an air of amusement. “You’re too rowdy. You’ll scare the cat.” 

Price and Ghost exchange a knowing glance, only adding fuel to the fire in Soap’s burning curiosity.

Soap huffs, flopping back into his seat with exaggerated indignation. “Unbelievable,” he mutters under his breath.

He turns his attention to the window, watching as the darkness of the countryside stretches endlessly around them. The road was essentially empty with vast, open fields on either side. Every so often, a streetlamp would flicker by, offering the briefest glimpse of the world outside before swallowing it back into the shadows.

Yet, despite the tranquil scenery around them, Soap’s mind was far from resting. If everyone had been to Ghost’s place before, that meant that there was definitely something worth seeing, something he was hiding. He was determined to be right. Ghost had a bird.

Further into the drive, Soap catches glimpses of distant lights moving across the fields. They bobbed and weaved in a uniform rhythm, eerily synchronized for lights, flickering through the darkness.

“Farmer’s dogs are out,” Ghost comments, his voice low and unreadable. “Must be chasin’ something.”

Before Soap could get a proper look at whatever something was, the car veered onto a narrow side road, cutting off his view.

“You live near a farm?” he asks, watching as the scenery shifts.

Ghost grunts an affirmative, offering nothing more. Before he could press any further, Price turns onto a long, gravel driveway, the tires crunching softly against the stones. 

Soap leans forward again as a modest yet charming farmhouse comes into view. A small porch light bathes the front of the house in a warm glow. It looked, cozy. Not how he would think one would describe Ghost’s home.

“That’s yer place?” he asks, heavy skepticism coating his tone.

Once again, Ghost merely grunts an affirmative. Then, with a slight edge to his voice, he adds, “Make sure you mind your manners.”

Soap smirks. “What, ye worried I’ll scare the cat?” Soap teases. 

The joke earns him a hard glare from the masked man, the kind that makes it very clear that he is treading on thin ice. Price parks up close to the house before anyone can say anything further. 

After stepping out, Soap takes a chance to look at his surroundings. The house was wrapped in lush greenery, flowers spilling over from well-kept garden beds and climbing trellises. It was once again a stark contrast to the man who owned it, comfy. And yet, it only fueled Soap’s suspicions.

They had barely grabbed their bags when a blood-curdling screech tore through the quiet night.

Soap froze, immediately on edge. “What the hell was that?”

A deep, guttural meowl followed and it felt long, drawn-out, and wrong. It echoes from somewhere near the tree line, making Soap’s pulse quicken.

Ghost barely reacts, simply glancing towards the forest. “Cat must’ve got out,” he mutters before heading toward the house.

Soap hesitates. That didn’t sound like any cat he’d ever heard.

Something about how Ghost said it so casually and dismissive sends a shiver down his spine. With a quick glance toward the others, he hurries after Ghost, not keen on lingering outside any longer than necessary.

Stepping inside, Soap was immediately hit with a wave of warmth and comfort. The living room was the exact opposite of what he had expected. Big, inviting couches piled high with plush pillows and blankets, soft lighting that cast a golden glow across the walls. Nearly every surface was adorned with plants, their vines spilling over shelves and trailing toward the floor in lazy curls.

And then there was the pet bed. It was huge, nestled in the corner like a throne. Soap stared at it, utterly surprised. “Just how big is your cat?”

Ghost’s answer dies on his tongue as another ungodly screech echoed from outside, this time followed by the unmistakable snap of jaws and a furious chorus of barking dogs.

Soap flinched, whipping toward the window in time to see three of the distant lights streaking past, tearing towards the forest with breakneck speed.

“Sounds like they caught whatever they were after,” Ghost says flatly, completely unfazed. 

Soap turns to him, concern plastered on his face. Slowly, Soap takes a step away from the window.

“Right,” Ghost continues as if nothing had happened. “One of you will need to take the couch. Guest bed’s not big enough for three.” 

Just as the words leave his mouth, a sudden noise comes from the kitchen. A faint but distinct shuffle, the sound of movement where there shouldn’t be any. Every head snaps toward the doorway. The team had faced enemy fire, brutal missions, and near-death situations. But after the week they’d had, their nerves were still wound tight, instincts sharp.

Suddenly, soft, quick footfalls break the silence, followed by a chorus of eager meows barreling into the living room. The team exhales, shoulders loosening as the true source of the “intruder” revealed itself.

“There she is,” Ghost says, his voice uncharacteristically warm as he kneels down.

A fluffy black cat, with a mosaic of white and orange splotches, practically launches into Ghost’s arms. Immediately a cacophony of loud, rumbling purrs fill the room as the cat chirps and rubs their head all over the masked man.

“There's my girl,” Ghost coos as he rubs a finger under the cat's chin. 

Soap swears he can see the damn cat smile, purrs growing even louder as it presses into the touch, completely and utterly smitten with the masked man.

“She's looking nice and healthy,” Price comments, watching the affectionate display.

At the sound of his voice, the cat perks up, ears twitching as it twists out of Ghost’s hold and trots over to rub against Price and Gaz’s legs. Both men reach down to scratch at its soft fur, their hands easily finding familiar spots.

“I forgot how soft you were,” Gaz chuckles as it twirls between them, soaking up the attention. Then, as if suddenly noticing the extra presence in the room, the cat pauses. Its bright green eyes land on Soap, studying him with a quiet curiosity. It tilts its head slightly, ears twitching as it takes a hesitant step forward. 

Soap freezes, glancing at Ghost who gives him a small nod.

“Let her sniff your hand,” Ghost instructs. 

Frowning slightly, Soap peels off his glove and extends his hand, palm up. The cat looks to Ghost first, as if waiting for some kind of confirmation. Ghost turns his attention to the cat, cocking his head to Soap. “That’s Soap,” he tells it, low and steady.

At that, its ears perk, and its tail flicks before it closes the distance, giving his hand a few, careful sniffs. Then, as if making its final judgment, it presses its head into his palm, purring into the touch.

“Soap, this is Callie,” Ghost says simply. “Seems she likes you.”

Soap blinks down at her as she gazes up at him with wide, trusting green eyes. Any lingering suspicions, theories, or conspiracies vanish in an instant. Ghost was telling the truth. There was no secret missus waiting back at home.

Just this cat. 

Callie.

“She’s a beaut,” Soap admits, scratching gently behind her ear.

Ghost gives a short nod. “Yeah.”

After another moment, Callie stretches lazily and trots back over to Ghost. She lets out a long, dramatic yawn before hopping effortlessly into his waiting arms, nesting into the crook of his elbow with a satisfied purr.

“Looks like she’s had a long night,” Ghost remarks, stroking her soft fur. “We’re gonna turn in, regroup in the morning.”

A murmur of sleepy agreements passes through the team. Ghost gave one last nod before retreating toward the downstairs bedroom with Callie still draped in his arms like a queen.

There was some lighthearted bickering over who got the couch, but Soap eventually ends up being the one collapsing onto the plush sofa. The second his head hits the pile of soft pillows and blankets, sleep takes him. For the first time in a long, long time, everything feels strangely peaceful.

The next morning, Soap stirred awake to the low murmur of voices drifting from the kitchen. The warmth of the blankets still clung to him, and for a moment, he considered rolling over and slipping back into his peaceful sleep. The tempting scent of fresh coffee ends up winning out and he stretches with a groggy yawn. He pushes himself upright, blinking blearily at the cozy living room around him before making his way toward the voices.

As he stepped into the kitchen, he was immediately met with two pairs of eyes watching him. Ghost and Price sit at a small dining table, mugs in hand, their conversation cutting off when they see him enter. There was something unreadable in their expressions, as if they were waiting for something. 

Soap narrowed his eyes, suspicious. Then, movement out of the corner of his eye has him whipping his head towards the other side of the kitchen. When his head turns, his thoughts grind to a screeching halt.

A woman.

A stunning woman.

She turns toward him and for a moment, all he can do is stare, slack-jawed. She has warm, sun-kissed skin and striking green eyes that seem to glow under the soft kitchen light. Long, dark black hair cascades down her back, streaked with vibrant patches of orange and white. But that wasn’t what had him frozen.

It was the ears.

Perched atop her head were two pointed, fur-covered ears, flicking slightly as they registered his presence. Behind her, a long, bushy tail stood proudly, curling slightly at the tip. His eyes dared to dart lower. 

She was dressed casually, wearing an old tank top that effortlessly hugged her figure paired with sweatpants with a cutout for her tail. But it was her feet that made his brain short-circuit. At first, he thought she was wearing oddly realistic slippers, but no, those were definitely not slippers. 

They were actual cat paws.

Soap’s mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. His brain finally clicked everything into place and suddenly, it all made way too much sense. His expression lit up in triumph as he spun on his heel, jabbing a finger towards Ghost.

“A-ha!”

Ghost let out a long, exhausted sigh, bringing a hand up to rub his temples. “Please don’t yell.”

Soap ignored him, grinning like a madman. “You said you didn’t have a bird!”

“He’s not wrong,” Price mused, smirking behind his coffee mug. “She’s definitely not a bird.”

Callie grins wickedly. “I eat birds.”

Soap crossed his arms, doubling down. “You also said you didn’t have a missus.”

The woman let out an amused hum, raising a delicate hand. “Not a missus either,” she purred, lips curling into a sharp smirk as she turned to Ghost. “You were right, master. This one is funny.”

Soap’s brain screeches to a second halt.

“Master?!” he gawks, whipping around to face Ghost like he had just grown a second head.

Ghost exhales through his nose, reaching for his tea like this entire conversation was already giving him a headache.

Soap took another second to let things sit in, completely stunned. Of all the things he had expected to find at Ghost’s house, this was not on the list. “Right. Okay. Just, hold on a minute.” Soap pinches the bridge of his nose like that would somehow help process the absolute madness in front of him. “So, let me get this straight. Ye’ve been lying to me this whole time? Playin’ me for a fool while I went on and on about you havin’ a secret missus?”

Ghost gives him a look over his mug, eyes flat and unimpressed. “Never lied to you, Johnny.”

Soap’s jaw drops. “Oh, bollocks ye didn’t!” He waves a hand at the woman, who was now watching him with an amused gleam in her eyes. “What’s all this then?”

Ghost takes another slow sip of tea, dragging it out just to piss him off, Soap is sure of it. “Told you I had a cat.”

Soap gawks at him. He turns to Price, who is doing a terrible job of hiding his smirk. Turning to the woman, her tail flicks lazily behind her as she sips from her own cup, utterly unbothered by his existential crisis.

Finally, his eyes settle on Gaz, who walks into the kitchen. He takes one look at the situation before sighing.

“Finally found out, huh?” He turned to the woman with an easy nod. “Morning, Callie.”

“Morning, Kyle,” she responds happily.

Soap whirls on him. “You knew too?!”

Gaz snorts, grabbing a cup from the counter and starting to pour himself some coffee. “Mate, everyone knew.”

Soap threw his hands in the air. “What the hell is wrong with all of you? How is this normal? This is not normal.”

A soft chuckle draws his attention back to Callie. “Relax, Johnny,” she teases, stepping closer. “You’re acting like you’ve never seen a shifter before.”

Soap takes a step back, bumping into the counter. “A what now?”

She arches a brow. “A shifter?” At his blank stare, she sighs, setting her cup down before gesturing to herself. “You know… a hybrid. A morph. I think in Japan I’m known as a nekomata.” She flicks her tail for emphasis. “Any of this ringing a bell?”

Soap blinks. Looks at Ghost. Back at her. Looks at her tail. Then back to Ghost.

“That's what all that racket was last night,” she says with a huff. “Sorry about that, by the way, I hope I didn’t scare you. Had to shift into my bigger form to deal with this nasty fox that's been causing issues and eating my chickens. Finally caught the fucker, so I called the neighbor's dogs for some assistance.”

Price chuckles at Soap's pale face. “Starting to make sense now, isn’t it?”

Soap once again jabs a finger at Ghost. “You… yer dating a bloody cat girl and just didn’t think to mention it?”

Ghost shrugged. “Not my fault you wouldn’t drop it.”

Callie grins, stepping even closer to Soap, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Would it make you feel better if I purred for you?”

Soap blanches. “Do not.”

Ghost sighs and stands up to put a steadying hand on her head. “Stop winding him up, love.”

She huffs playfully, ears and tail flicking in satisfaction. “Fine, fine.” Then she leans up on her toes and gives Ghost a quick peck on the cheek, right over the mask. “But you do make it too easy, Johnny.”

Soap slumps against the counter, dragging a hand over his face. He needed a drink or a nap. Probably both.

Price stands up, clapping him on the back with a chuckle. “You’ll get used to it.”

Soap peeks through his fingers at Ghost. The same Ghost who could make hardened men freeze with a single look was letting Callie nuzzle into him.

The contrast was striking. His harsh demeanor softened as he ran a gloved hand down Callie’s back. The sight pulled something deep into Soap’s chest, something warm and unfamiliar. His initial resistance crumbled instantly, and the fight left him like air from a punctured tire.

And yet, what he’s most surprised to realize, isn’t his surrender. Rather, it’s the quiet tug of longing that settled in its place.

Despite how comforting the kitchen now felt, reality was quick to settle back in. Price was the one to break up the moment, clearing his throat to grab the boy's attention. 

“Sorry to break this up, but we're going to be needed back at base today to give a debrief. Why don't we finish our drinks and be wheels up in 10?”

Soap pushes off the counter, glancing at Gaz, who is now determined to finish his coffee before they return to work mode. “I'll go grab my stuff.”

Callie, still tucked against Ghost's side, gives a small pout. “So soon? You boys just got here.”

Soap scoffs. “Aye, and I'm sure you’d love to keep watchin’ me lose my mind, but we do have jobs to get back to, lass.”  

She smirks. “Fair enough. But don’t be a stranger, Johnny.” 

Something in the way she says his name is light, a little teasing, but oddly warm. It makes his ears burn, and he quickly turns on his heel before anyone notices.

“It was really good to see you boys,” Soap can hear her say with a purr as he leaves the kitchen. “Promise you'll stay longer next time? Give me a chance to properly host you all?”

He hears the captain respond, but Price’s voice is too low to make out. A few minutes later, the team has their gear piled up in the living room, ready to head out. Ghost disappears into the downstairs bedroom while the others get things sorted.

Soap takes another slow look around the cozy space, trying to shake the weird sense of homeyness it leaves in his chest. He hadn't expected any of this, and he sure as hell didn't expect to feel… jealous? No, that couldn't be right. Whatever it is, it settles heavily in his stomach as he watches Ghost reappear, Callie trailing behind him with an easy grace.  

As they step outside, the crisp morning air cuts through the lingering warmth of the house, jolting Soap back into reality. Ghost pulls the door shut behind them, lingering there for a moment. Callie takes the opportunity to lean up on her feet, brushing a kiss against the side of his mask. He murmurs something to her, too low for Soap to hear, before stepping back and heading towards the car.  

Callie waves lazily as they load into the vehicle. “Safe travels, boys.”  

Soap leans his head against the window as Price pulls away, watching as Callie stands in the driveway, tail flicking. She stays there until they disappear down the road.  

Only then does he let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.  

Gaz nudges him with a knowing smirk. “What’s got you all quiet?”  

Soap scowls. “Nothin’.”  

Price chuckles from the front seat. “Give it time.”  

Soap had no idea what he meant by that. But as he watches the road stretch ahead of them, the warmth of Ghost’s home fading into the distance, he has a sinking feeling he’s going to be thinking about this for a long time.

A/N: Thought I would post a little snippet of this story here on Tumblr since I've noticed that's where I'm finding a lot of other hybrid things. I think the full story might be too long to post here so I've got the full thing linked below! Thank you for reading! 💜

Completed story on: AO3 (18+)

i hate it when i cant even write a poem about something because its too obvious. like in the airbnb i was at i guess it used to be a kids room cause you could see the imprint of one little glow in the dark star that had been missed and painted over in landlord white. like that's a poem already what's the point

decided to get started on the fanfiction oh/OH. print design. This one is getting released November 6. Selected chrysanthemums because of their meaning and cus they're pretty

there are

SO MANY FUCKING PETALS

i am going to BED

👻👻