celestiakores - Tumblr blog

celestiakores · 12 days ago

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Alright, here is part one of the horror binary star x reader series. This is just the beginning. Setting up the scene and give life to the people in the story! So, enjoy. Drawing at the end! I like to illustrate my stories, a scene or two! Just one this time.

⚠️ warning: manipulation⚠️ (the list will grow later on in the future chapters.)

The star at night

Part one: Setting up

The “warehouse” hummed with chatter and plotting as you entered the familiar confined space. You always called it the warehouse but it wasn’t really a grand warehouse that most would imagine. It was just a storage unit. A place where old cameras didn’t work as the signs say they did, low pay, and few people. In short, calling it the warehouse felt like an inside joke. The orange shutter slid down with ease as you lowered it to the ground softly. “Well look what the cat drug in.” A familiar voice expressed with joy. Without turning around you knew it was Joe. Turning around he was already waiting for you to embrace and so you did. “You’re late Snat.” Snat was a code name he gave you. Short for snatcher. Joe pulled away with a hardened stare. Chastising you with his eyes. “You can’t keep being late. I expect better from you.” He definitely was getting on to you. “Joe, lay off my love.” The voice of Carol carried in the space. “I’m sure work didn’t let you go early with all the sick people you told me about. Especially having to deal with that traffic after.” She stated with a smile and a wink making you smile.

Carol and Joe were older, Joe being 63 and Carol being 65. Joe had silver hair cut into an undercut with spiked hair on top, he maintained his physique well, wrinkles, crows feet, laugh lines, the whole bit. He definitely has good genes and takes good care of himself. Thick hair, all the good stuff. Carol had a very similar circumstance, good genes. Her hair was grey, a bob that curled at the ends, framing her thin face nicely. She was just as fit too. It was amazing how well they rubbed off of each other, been married for about 43 years. Met young through friends, been together since then. Almost a fantasy in this day and dating pool.

Joe and Carol were like your second parents. About three years ago, you moved to the city for reasons you still didn’t really want to acknowledge. You didn’t want to remember nor share. Money was hard to come by but the new start was worth it to you. Desperately needed. You don’t even remember how you met them, you just remember how safe they made you feel. Cared for when you had no one else. The married couple invited you to dinner, movies, and eventually bringing in the people who were part of the group as hangouts. Then after a few months, you were told about the heist group. What they did behind the scenes. At first, you were upset, they were such nice people. A good group of people but they stole some serious things of high value. Jewels, paintings, all of it. Eventually, you were convinced to join it. Offering to make your life better, have money to pay rent and have what you want in life. Slowly, you eased into the role of being the snatcher. Moreover, eventually you felt a thrill from it. An adrenaline rush that made you feel alive. The feeling of getting away with crime made you feel on top of the world to some degree.

“You should take it from her paycheck for her tardiness.” Kent said flatly, earning a glare from you. “Easy there, no need to shoot daggers at me, it’s just a suggestion.” Kent sighed with his hands up feigning innocence. Kent was your worst enemy but also your best friend. Like an older brother that bothered the fire out of you any chance he could get. He’d been here long before you, 36, and his job was the look out. “You are a jerk.” Mary said, punching him in the shoulder, making you laugh in return. Mary was our tech wizard. Smart and sweet. “Come have a seat, we’ve been waiting for you. Even brought a charcuterie board.” Carol beckoned you to the empty seat. The snacking and plan run down beginning.

“This is our biggest project yet.” Joe started with excitement evident in his tone. Looking at Carol, her crowd feels becoming more defined with the smile on his face. As if there was a small secret between them. More than just a loving glance. “Mable’s Museum.” He dropped the title like a bomb shell. Your jaw dropped and you swear you heard Mary gasp audibly. “Seriously?!” Kent exclaimed. “That’s a seriously tall order. That place is popular and there is a lot of valuable stuff there. Like, that’s crazy.” Carol chuckled. “We’ve been planning this one for a while.” Another glance between the two. You can’t help but wonder, if something more was actually happening behind the scenes. It was undeniable that there was something else.

Joe continued on, “tomorrow is the night we execute it.” Mary chirped in, “isn’t that really soon? Too soon?” Joe shook his head. “Of course not, I have full faith in this team. We can do this with ease.” Mary nodded, not seemingly fully convinced. Carol picked up where Joe left off. “This museum had many exhibits, medieval, paintings, statues, and many other valuable things. However, there is only one thing that we are after. In the hero exhibit. The mask of the retired hero, Steel Sheriff is there. Well take it. It sells well.” Brows furrowed, you inquired, “what about the NAHA? Wouldn't they be all over that if it went missing?” It seemed like a very ambitious thing to go after…no. A foolish thing to go after. “We don’t have to worry about that. As soon as we obtain it, we have a buyer who will meet up with us. We'll take it directly to them.” Joe assured you and the rest of the table.

Somehow, that didn’t bring you peace. Just an odd sinking feeling you couldn’t quite explain. “So, Mary, you’ll be in charge of redirecting the cameras.” Carol began speaking as she pulled out the layout of the museum on a large piece of paper. Placing it on the round table. “We’ll stick to this middle hall, directly accessed through the front of the museum. The cameras are here, here, and here.” Carol’s slender finger glided across the paper with ease and confidence. Joe picked up the conversation. “This is the exhibit, there are a total of seven cameras in the room. I’ve circled them for you. You’ll need to hack the severity system and make it a looping video if we can. Covering our tracks. The night guard doesn’t do too good of a job of guarding. Sleeps often. Two very long naps. He’s only awake one hour out of the night. That’s what we’ve observed, so it should be easy. Is your Roel clear?” Mary nodded, “Got it.”

Carol's gaze shifted to settle on Kent. “Okay, you are the look out, you will watch the front and down the hall. That’s it, keep it tight and do not wander.” This was serious, really tight. No room for failure. “Sure thing, don’t wander. Got it.” He gave a smile and thumbs up. Joe spoke up, regarding you. “You, are going

To help Carol get the mask. I will be watching outside, patrolling the outside of the building. We’ll start at 1:30 am sharp. Be. On. Time.” Kent let out a snort. “Better make sure (y/n) can do that. You know…since she’s got a “normal” job and better things to do.” Rolling your eyes you retort. “Well at least she I’m not unemployed and living in my moms spare bedroom cause I blow through my money.” Kent went quiet making you feel a small hint of guilt in your chest. “Please, you aren’t children.” Carol sighed. “Dismissed.”

Just as you got up to leave, so crackers and pepperonis in hand Joe whistled to snatch your attention. “Not you. You stay.” Without missing a beat Kent erupted into a series of ooooohs and aaaaahs as if you were in trouble. Mary giggled in response. “Out you two. We’ll see you tomorrow.” The shutter door slid up and the two left. Once out of earshot, you speak up. “What is this about?” You ask them. The two look at each other before settling their attention on you. Joe began “I wanted to be the one to tell you. Wanted you to be the first to know before the other two.” Brows furrowed in contrition you reply. “Tell me…what exactly.” There was a moment of silence before your world shifted. “Laying all the cars out on the table, this is our last heist. It’s time for us to retire. We are hoping to rekindle our relationship with our daughter and…we think you should take over.”

Your mind drew a blank, sure, it made sense. Quit, retire, try and fix the relationship of their kin. Their daughter, they only spoke of her seldomly. She didn’t agree with their thieving lifestyle. There was a whole screaming fight that ended poorly. So, about four years ago at eighteen their daughter, Carmella, left. As far as you were aware she lived in the same city. That was all fine in your eyes, made sense but you leading? Taking control of the whole group? Planning all future heists? That was a big pill to try and choke down. “Uh, okay…I…me lead? Sure, retire, that's fine but me? Take your place? That’s a huge role to fill. I don’t think I can do that.” You argue your view.

Carol looks at you with a loving gaze. Darling, you have been with us for a while now. We’ve been teaching you everything from the start. Everything that we know. In the past few years you’ve even surprised us with your own skill and quick thinking.” Joe nodded in agreement. “Don’t seek yourself short. You are art, quick, and we know you would do absolutely everything in your power to keep everyone safe. In your care, we just know that you are a leader.” Their words were kind, heck, they made you feel as if you could do anything you wanted but, there was still doubt in your heart and mind. Before you could respond Carol whispered. “I need to see my daughter. My Carmella.” Those words, the pleasing look in her eyes made your heart overcast with guilt. How could you say no? Who are you to deny them what their hearts desire? Pushing down the uncertainty you agree. “Okay. I can do it.” Joe smiled. “Glad to hear it. Don’t worry too much. We won’t throw you to the wolves. We’ll be on call, help with planning if needed.” Carol nodded, In agreement. “We knew you wouldn’t let us down. Dismissed.” She finally dismissed you from the meeting.

As you began your small journey to your car while nibbling on the pepperonis that left a greasy feeling on your fingers, you were left with confliction. Tomorrow was a hefty task, and leading is a huge shift in your world. You l or them though, you owe them right? They gave you so much when you needed it. Of course you would do it. They needed you.

Earlier that day 10:01 pm

Ray slid the sweatpants up his waist and adjusted accordingly. The shower was much needed after todays to-do list and side mission on the way. Interviews, rescuing people from a hostage situation in some bank, and the cherry on top? Hershel was trying to convince him to take another trainee. Long day. Ray didn’t put much effort into dinner. He craved simplicity tonight. What was more simple than a sandwich? The sandwich wasn’t fancy,just spinach, ham, and whatever else he felt like. Wolfed it down and called it good. He felt tired. He craved rest, good thing his day off was tomorrow.

Cleaning up after himself, Ray brushed his teeth and finished up his night routine. Today was done. No more suffering. Ray stilled in the middle of his room. The space was minimal. He never cared to make his home a home. He’s hardly home anyway. Bland was the word he would use to describe it. It was quiet. A sweet contrast to the constant noise of the day. Tonight, everything seems a little quieter outside. Usually off putting but, he’ll take it anyway. Maybe the city does sleep sometimes. However, in the quiet there was something deeper. Loneliness. The kind of loneliness that grip at his very flesh daring to pull him apart if he thought about it too much.

Before Ray could shove the feelings out of his heart and mind, his phone rang. An obnoxious sound that he dreads, more so than usual as of late. “You can’t be serious,” Ray said aloud to himself, his voice and chest filling with annoyance. Grabbing the phone he sat on the edge of his bed, the bed dipping with a small squeak. “Yes?” He already knew. Hershel. “To things, I’m sending you the file on

The trainee for you to look over. I want you to reconsider.” Rats pushed his hand through his hair before resting both of his elbows on his knees. “What else.” If Ray at least pretended he’d look over the file, give it a few days, say no. They would give the trainee to someone else. Hopefully.

Hershel spoke again. “I need you to work tomorrow's night shift.” Anger immediately bubbled up in his chest, burning in his stomach. “No. Tomorrow is my day off. I am not clocking in.” Hershel didn’t miss a beat, “exactly Ray, your day off. Not night.” There was a silence before Ray cursed under his breath at the audacity. Ray could easily snap this old man’s neck like nothing and call it a day. He could help the smirk on his face at the thought before replying. “Why should I Hershel?” He inquired with challenge. “People are getting or comfortable Ray. Crime rate is on the rise again. We need another “accident” to reel it back in.” Ray grimaced, the implications are clear. This is the last thing he wanted to do. It was more work than he wanted to put in. Was it even worth it? What if he wanted to let it all go. Let chaos ensue?

“I’ll give you the next two days off.” Hershel bargained. Ray knew better than to believe that empty promise. “Try again.” Ray felt frustrated, and didn't even try to mask it in his tone. A sigh came from the other side of the phone call. “I won’t put you on night shift for the next two nights and I’ll push your interviews and photoshoots back two days as well. That should be more than fair.” Ray considered for a moment. It was as good as he could get so, might as well take it. “Fine.” With that, he hung. Up and let the device float over or the nightstand as he laid. In his bed. So much for a day off. He thought before drifting to sleep.

(Unshaded)

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celestiakores · 1 month ago

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First Ray and now Nik, I am once again under attack by a hot blonde yandere with superpowers. I was inspired by all the asks about people shipping Oracle and Chronos and I had to write something @criminallyyoursvn CW for Nik being a horny flirt, the internet being horny in general, and also guns.

"I don't know why you're so mad, Oracle," Chronos said, tilting his head to avoid the roundhouse kick you had aimed at his face. Your leg sailed gracefully through the air, dipping into a sweeping kick that he avoided with just as much ease. "If anything I did this city a service."

"You blew up a person's car! What kind of service is that?!"

"First of all, I thought we all agreed that billionaires aren't people," he caught the punch coming for his face, and then the next one, and all the ones after that. It was infuriating how easily he seemed to read you and respond in turn. "Second, it's not like anyone got hurt. Well, anyone important. Don't I deserve a reward for my hard work?"

"You deserve to be locked up in chains!"

"Oooh, kinky," Chronos's modulated voice purred, and you could almost hear the feral grin under the mask. "I'd let you lock me up any time baby, just say when. I'll even bring my own handcuffs."

"For fuck's sake!" Does this man have an off switch?! Your mother was right, you should have known better than to continue quipping with the villain, but you couldn't help it. The smugness rolling off his broad shoulders was aggravating. It needled you, made you want to have him on his knees begging for mercy.

Suddenly his head twitched, gaze slipping to something behind you. Not missing a second, you took advantage of his distraction and lunged.

"Get down!" To your surprise, the villain grabbed your hand and pulled you into his arms, dipping you smoothly into a ballroom-worthy move.

Compounding your surprise was the sound of gunshots colliding with the tarmac. Your neck dropped backwards and you caught sight of a police officer clutching a gun that was still pointed at the two of you.

"What are you doing?!" You weren't sure who you were talking to at that moment, especially when Chronos twirled you up and out of the way until his body was squarely between you and the pistol. One arm wrapped around your waist while the hand of the other flung something at the panicked officer who began to scream and convulse as heavy volts of electricity shot through him.

"Looks like the party's over Oracle." His voice sounded forced, something gritty and dark bubbling beneath the usual grandiosity. "Until next time honey."

"Don't you dare-!" Before you could grab him, Chronos released you into a spin and vanished over the edge of the building. By the time you'd sprinted to the edge the villain had vanished into thin air.

Damn it.

You woke to the warmth of sunlight on your cheeks and flashes of your office space in your mind. You squeezed your eyes shut tighter, focusing on the vision forming behind tired eyelids. It used to be such a disorienting experience, "seeing" in what should be abject darkness, but you'd gotten used to it.

The day's vision seemed rather innocuous: you presumably seated at your cubicle while several members of the office stood gathered around someone's else's a few feet away. Without sound you couldn't tell what they were talking about but you could see smiles and laughter. A birthday perhaps? Party planning?

Nik's not there. Instantly your cheeks heated at the realization that you'd been hoping to catch a peek of the gorgeous blonde in the vision. Your hands flew to your face with a groan before you finally rolled out of bed and forced your mind to turn to more important things. No vision of your arch-nemesis, so hopefully today would be perfectly normal.

A frustrated groan left your lips. You were still smarting from last night's failure, especially after almost getting shot by the same people who were supposed to be on your side! The Oracle suit was bulletproof to an extent, but not getting shot was preferable.

Breakfast with your mother, a lecture that turned into fussing and rant about police incompetence, and then you were out the door. At work, you were surprised to hear music coming from somewhere in the room. A look around quickly revealed the source.

A tiny vintage radio sat on one of the desk tables, the dulcet lyrics of Smooth Operator pouring from silver speaker flanked by spinning knobs and dials all set in a smooth wooden body. Save for a few signs of modern flare it looked like something your mom would have owned.

Curiosity drove you closer, fingertips itching to play with something new and unexpected.

"You like it?"

"Nik!" You spun around, belatedly realizing that this was his desk.

"Good morning," he grinned down at you, that heart-stopping smile that never failed to send the butterflies in your stomach into a veritable frenzy. "So?"

"Huh? Oh," you glanced back at the radio. "I do! It's cool. I didn't know they still sold things like this."

"They don't. Not really," Nik smirked at you conspiratorially. "Got it at an auction for a steal and fixed it myself. Modified it too, these older models can't pick up new FM signals above 88MHz. Ah, sorry. Am I boring you?"

"No!" Truthfully you could have listened to him read out the list of ingredients at a grocery store for hours. God, how was he so perfect? Perfect face, perfect body, perfect memory, smart, and good with his hands too? Nikolaos was so out of your league it was criminal. "Uh, so why'd you bring it in? I feel like Dick is gonna make a stink about 'workplace distractions'."

"Well, I wasn't planning to use it all day," Nik fingered the dial, tuning through static until he found what sounded like a talk show. "I figured it looked nice. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I kinda wanted to show it off a little."

You shook your head, utterly endeared. "It's not embarrassing! Like I said, it's really cool. You deserve to feel proud. I can't even fix my own plumbing, let alone a 70 year old radio."

"Yeah?" Nik smiled at you, the corners of those mismatched eyes creasing sweetly and revealing those charming dimples that you wanted to kiss so badly. "Well, if you ever have trouble, feel free to give me a call. I'll be happy to clean out the pipes for you."

You giggled, cheeks heating up as your mind went sailing into the gutter before you immediately dragged it back out. You retreated back to your cubicle, berating yourself all the way. Get a grip you pervert! He obviously didn't mean it like that!

Clearing your mind, you flew through your tasks for the day before deciding to take a break. In the distance you heard other employees moving through the office, many stopping by Nik's desk to admire the radio and ask questions. His low laughter settled your mind as you casually navigated to another screen to check the most recent hero news for the day.

Then nearly choked on your saliva when the headlines flashed before your eyes.

Caught in the Crossfire...or His Arms? Tension Heats Up Between Oracle and Chronos! Does Oracle Have a Type? Sources Say It's "Tall, Blonde, and Criminal!" City's Favorite Hero Playing Both Sides? Caught Red-Handed (And Red-Faced!) If Loving Him is a Crime, Arrest Us Too: Why the Internet Can't Get Enough of This Forbidden Duo!

What the actual fuck?! You stared at the trashy, sensationalist, borderline fanfiction-esque titles with mounting dread, and the pictures only made your stomach sink further. You, Oracle, wrapped in Chronos's arms like the leading lady of some 90s romantic drama. Whoever had taken the picture had cropped out the police and neatly edited out most of the debris, leaving the two of you alone in the shot; bodies pressed together chest to thighs, gazing into each others eyes with your figures framed by the night sky.

It was damning, so damning that - had you not been right there - you would have been left wondering as well. Sheer willpower kept you from digging your hands into your hair and tearing the strands out.

"Oracle and Chronos, huh?" You shot up straight, taken aback for the second time in the day by Nik. The man leaned over the back of your chair, lips quirked as he scanned the headlines. "Now there's a pairing I wasn't expecting the press to go for."

"It's ridiculous, right?" You scoffed, heart beating quick from a combination of nerves and annoyance. "I mean, a man died last night and all these reporters care about is shipping clickbait? Like, he's a villain!"

"Well, you know what they say. Sex sells," Nik chuckled. "Don't pay too much attention to the gossip rags, they'll say anything to get views."

"Well it must be working because its all over my front page!" You pulled up your social media and grimaced at the flood of edits, fanart, and heart emojis between eyes and triangles that was all over your page.

Nik whistled lowly. "Oh wow. People really love this."

"Can't imagine why," you scoffed, balking at a detailed piece depicting Oracle bound in rope while Chronos loomed behind behind, a hand tilting their chin up. Lava bubbled under your skin as you nearly broke the button turning it off. "For fuck's sake, this is unhinged! As if Oracle would ever let themself be tied up by a villain. If anything, they would be the one tying him up!"

"Uh huh," Nik was still staring at your phone with a dazed expression. It disappeared in a blink, replaced by a wry smile and shrug. "Don't worry so much. It'll blow over soon enough once the internet finds some other scandal to froth over."

Not soon enough, you thought darkly. "I hope so," you said aloud, just as a burst of static cut through the air. You turned to see a sight that was only familiar because you had seen it that morning: a small crowd gathered around the radio on Nik's desk. Even Dick was among them, equally susceptible to the allure of retro electronics.

"Up next we've got something for all you brand new TimeGazers out there! From Definitely Not Chronos - what a name! - this one's 'Like You Mean It'."

TimeGazers? You mouthed the name bemusedly just as the rough, Latin twang of a man's voice began to drip from the speakers. One of your coworkers gasped, clearly recognizing the lyrics. You swayed to the piano and horns, sharing a glance with Nik who met it with a shrug and his own grin.

Yours quickly dropped from your face when the chorus roared through the office.

"Fuck me like you mean it (like you mean it)! Make me believe it (me believe it)! Walk the wire, it's alright!"

Several hands lunged for the radio, scrabbling to turn it off or turn it down. One of the dials popped clean off, but in the end the room was blessedly silent.

No one spoke for a long second, only the sound of shuffling feet and the clicking of keyboards. Finally Dick coughed and handed Nik the broken dial with a brusque nod and a clap on the shoulder before power-walking back to his own closed office.

Nik glanced down at the broken piece with a wry smile. "Well, there goes that. At least it's not too serious."

"I, uh," you fiddled with your phone. "You were telling me about how you fixed it earlier. I'd like to hear more about that, if that's okay. Only if you want to!"

"Yeah, I do." The butterflies resurrected, fanning themselves into a tornado when he sat down by your desk, knees touching yours under the table. "I'd love to."

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