#// if anyone sent in ones lowering the counter they did NOT go through

[serial-designation-vee]

Lower it to 3 asks?

"thank you.."

[munson-blurbs]

https://www.tumblr.com/munson-blurbs/756854229024620544/i-wanna-write-a-smutty-blurb-either-eddie-x?source=share

A smutty blurb, huh? Ok what about phone sex with Eddie? Reader has been away for college and they miss each others a lot, miss touching each others and they get carried away during a phone call.

Or maybe, one where they are in a secret relationship but it's getting more and more difficult to not being affectionate towards each others when they are with others, so one day during a sleepover at one of their friends house, while everyone else is asleep, they go hide in a bathroom and they go from kissing to have sex on the counter

I went with the second option! My brain saw it and I sprinted to my Google Docs.

Warnings: smut (18+ only, minors DNI), an inconvenient boner, fingering, unprotected p in v, kind of public sex, secret relationship, sneaking around

WC: 1.5k

“Hey.”

Eddie’s soft voice was barely audible over the hum of the TV and Robin’s sporadic snores. Nancy and Jonathan had claimed the sofa bed and were currently curled up in the center of the Buckley’s living room. You had laid your blanket as far away from Eddie as possible, so as not to draw any suspicion from the rest of the group. 

But he stood above where you’d been trying to sleep, towering over you. Had he noticed you pressing your legs together as you tried to quell the desire building between them? Did he know that you were replaying memories of him kissing your neck as he pushed into you?

“Hey,” you managed, smiling up at him. “You okay?”

Eddie nodded. “Yeah. I’m good.” He glanced around the room, making sure everyone else was sound asleep. “I was just thinking about you, and, um…” 

Your eyes widened when he gestured to the tent in his pants, now backlit by the TV screen. 

“Was hoping you could help me out.” 

You nearly melted at the sheepishness in his smile. God, he was adorable even when he was horny; you didn’t realize that was possible. 

“Yeah, of course.” Your stomach flip-flopped when he offered out his hand; you took it and followed him to the bathroom. 

Eddie’s lips were on yours the moment the door locked behind you. You could feel his erection through his pajamas, pre-cum leaking through and giving evidence of the way his cock curved slightly left when he got hard. 

He moaned when you pressed your body against his. “I’m so hard, it hurts.” He nipped at your bottom lip, snaking a hand up your shirt and groaning again. “Love when you wear pajamas.” His thumb grazed your nipple. “Because it means you’re not wearing a bra.”

You hummed in agreement, though following even the simplest conversation seemed impossible now. 

Eddie’s other hand trailed down past the elastic waistband of your shorts. He all but whimpered when he felt the wetness awaiting him. 

“I was thinking about you, too,” you confessed. 

He grinned against your neck. “What about me?” His middle finger easily found your clit, making deliberate circles that sent pleasure rippling through you. 

You took a moment to collect yourself, already hypnotized by his touch. “About that time we cut class and you ate me out in your van.” Your breath hitched in your throat. “A-And then I offered to suck you off, but you al-already came.”

The memory came rushing back: his desperation to please you, culminating with a pair of ruined jeans and another sloppy make-out session. 

“I was a bad influence on you that day, huh? Ditching school…fooling around in public…” Eddie gripped your hips, supporting you as you hoisted yourself onto the bathroom counter. 

You shoved Robin’s hair dryer aside and scooted back. Eddie tugged down your pajama pants, then your panties, his tongue darting out over his lower lip when he saw you fully on display for him. 

“Anyone could’ve caught us,” he continued. Taking a step closer, he ran his middle finger through the wetness between your legs before sliding it inside you. “We’ve gotta be careful. Don’t want people getting suspicious.”

You could only manage a nod, gripping the counter’s edge, as he filled you with just one thick finger. He kept the rhythm slow and even, working you with a patience you hadn’t known existed. You wanted all of him, and you wanted him now, but he seemed perfectly content to focus on your pleasure. 

Eddie’s ring finger joined his middle, both curling upwards to hit your sweet spot. “How’s that?” He murmured in your ear. 

“G-Good. Little faster, maybe?” He eagerly complied, sending euphoric surges through your body. “Perfect. Oh my god, oh my fucking god, yes!”

The exclamation came out louder than you intended, sending Eddie into peals of laughter. “Sshh,” he managed, slowing his pace slightly. “We don’t want them waking up.”

Now that would be a conversation for the ages. How could you possibly explain to your friends why Eddie was two fingers deep inside of you? Sure, you all had been studying for the science final, but it wasn’t an anatomy class. It was awkward enough when you struggled to concentrate during Nancy’s rapid-fire quizzing. And then Robin had to repeat what she’d read from her notes because you kept staring at Eddie’s tongue poking between his lips. 

You clamped your lips shut now, focusing your energy on your trembling legs. He just knew how to touch you, how to make you feel good, after months of sneaking around. His fingers learned your body like they had once learned to play the guitar. 

And damn, if you two didn’t make some beautiful music together.

“Eddie.” You tried to tell him how close you were, that he was bringing you to the edge, but there was only one word you could utter. “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie…”

“That’s my girl. Let go for me.” His voice was husky, gaze meeting yours. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful when you come for me.”

You clenched around his fingers, chanting his name as quietly as you could. His pet name for you reverberated through your mind. My girl. You were Eddie’s girl, and every part of you ached for the world to know.

“Baby, can I…” Eddie’s breath tickled your neck as he gingerly withdrew his fingers and palmed the bulge straining against his pajama pants. As soon as you nodded, he loosened the drawstring and pulled his cock free. “Sh-Shit, fuckin’...” He trailed off as he stroked himself, using your arousal as a makeshift lubricant. 

The tip of his cock nudged at your entrance, your body welcoming him without resistance. A whine escaped your throat; this time, Eddie didn’t even attempt to quiet you.

His fingers gripped your hips to keep you in place, your own nails digging into his back with enough force to leave crescent-shaped indents through his t-shirt and into his skin. Each thrust had you holding him tighter as he grew harder still inside you. 

“Goddamn, you feel perfect.” Sweat matted Eddie’s curls to his face, and you pushed the strands out of his eyes and tucked them behind his ear. “Thanks, baby.” He kissed you, a token of his appreciation and his desire. 

Everything melted when his lips were on yours. They always did; it was as though the rest of the world faded away. The stress of final exams, the whirlwind of events between prom and graduation and college, the weighty expectations on your shoulders…they evaporated when Eddie kissed you. 

Eddie kept his nose to yours, sneaking kisses whenever he caught his breath. “Can never get close enough to you, I fuckin’ swear.” Each snap of his hips brought you both hurtling towards climax, and you could tell that Eddie was trying to hold out so you’d finish first. 

“I wanna come with you.” Your fingers weaved through his hair as you pulled yourself closer, wrapping your legs around his waist. “Don’t hold back, okay? I want you.”

He nodded, his kisses sloppier and only halfway on your lips as his orgasm neared. “Say that again for me?”

The slight tremor in his voice turned the command into a whine and weakened your minimal remaining resolve. “I want you. I want you so bad.”

“Yeah?” Eddie spoke through clenched teeth as he moved faster, harder, more determined. “Yeah, you want me? Or you need me?”

“Need you. Need you, I need you…oh my god, I need you!”

His mouth curved into a knowing smile, though you thought you spotted some relief behind it, too. As if he was glad that you wanted this as much as he did. How could you not? 

You grabbed one of his hands and brought it to your breast. Eddie squeezed, feeling your nipple pebbling beneath your shirt.

“Fuck, I…I’m gonna…” He thrusted into you—hard—and spilled into you with a groan. “Oh my god…holy shit…”

Eddie’s chest rose and fell as he caught his breath, his orgasm slowly releasing him from its alluring grasp. “Baby…” He looked at you, eyes widening in realization. “You didn’t get to come.”

“I did.”

“I’m not talking about earlier.” Eddie shook his head. “You didn’t get to come during, like, the actual sex.”

There was no use denying it; he knew all of your tells too well by now. “No,” you admitted. Dejection brought Eddie’s gaze from your eyes to the tile floor. “But it’s okay. Really.”

He shook his head again. “It’s not okay. I wanna make you feel good, y’know? You’re my girl.”

There was that name again, accompanied by butterflies in your stomach. “Guess that just means you owe me an extra orgasm next time.”

“Well, ‘next time’ better not be in my bathroom!” Robin’s disgusted voice rang through the door. “I swear, if there’s an ass print—or worse—on the counter…”

“Looks like they know now.” Eddie smiled as he kissed you, cupping your cheeks in his hands. “You ready for the interrogation of a lifetime?”

You laughed as he helped you down from the counter. “We should probably wipe off my ass print, first.”

“Very true. Your ass and its prints are for my eyes only, baby.”

--

[fookingmuffins]

it's time to go

James potter x reader

Summary: Angst. You love James, but it's time to go.

Warning: cheating, screaming and James being a dick.

A/n: lmao I really ran after posting like 4 fics, but I'm doing a little better and even though I'm stressed with uni I've been dying to write something, so I hope y'all enjoy. (This actually took me so long to finish and i dont lobe the ending but i needs to move on, oops)

You sighed as you prepared to open the door to the house you shared with James. Once upon a time, you would've rushed in without a second thought. But lately the war had taken a toll on the two of you. Once happy moments were now filled with fear and dread, making you feel like you were drowning. And no matter how hard you tried to hold on to the love of your life, you could feel him shutting you out. James had always been an open book anyone who ever met him knew that, but lately he had built this wall meant to keep you away, only you. At first, you tried to understand and be patient considering everything you two were going through, but after countless fights of you begging for him to talk to you, you were tired. You squeezed your eyes shut once before pushing the door open and plastering a fake smile in your face, maybe today would be different.

"Jamie, I'm home, I brought your favorite from the bakery by my work!" you shouted into the house buy were greeted with only silence. After checking the house you realized you were alone which immediately sent you into a spiral of worry since James was supposed to be here an hour ago but deciding that maybe he had gotten caught up with something you tried to ignore your panic and start getting ready for your friend's Alice’s engagement party.

You heard the door open and close while you were finishing up with your hair, causing you to get up and genuinely smile when you saw James make his way to the bedroom that the two of you shared.

"I was wondering where you were, I got you some pastries they are in the counter." you tried, but he just gave you a tight-lipped smile with a wave before passing by you to your shared bedroom. You went after him and saw he was getting ready to jump in the shower. Figuring it was going to be another quiet afternoon, you sat at your vanity staring at yourself in the mirror holding back the tears threatening to spill and ruin your makeup and just prayed that at the wedding maybe you two could have fun like you used to. You didn't even realize how long you sat there until you heard James get out of the bathroom and start getting ready, and you decided to just get dressed too and sit by the window with a book while you waited for James to be ready.

"Are you okay?" You were broken out of your train of thought by James’s question.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be. " You answered, giving him a similar smile to the one he gave you when he arrived.

"I don't know, you just keep staring into space, and it's kinda creepy." he tried to joke, but what once would've made you smile and roll your eyes instead caused a knot to form at your throat again, and you felt tears prickling your eyes once again.

"Well what am I supposed to do is not like I can talk to you anymore James you always shut me out, and I don’t know what to do anymore to get you to bring down the walls that keep shutting me out! I don't even know what I did for you to shut me out!" You couldn't help but let out everything for the millionth time, hoping that maybe today would be the last time you two were having this conversation and that he would finally open up and let you two go back to normal.

However, you soon realized that it was only wishful thinking because James immediately lowered his head and mumbled "For fuck's sake y/n not this again"

"Yes, this again, James! Please talk to me! Stop shutting me out, please!" you were a sobbing mess by this point, begging him to let you in, not caring if you ruined your makeup.

But James just shook his head and walked out, "I'll wait for you in the car while you get cleaned up, we can't do this right now, or we’ll be late." just like that, he left you alone frozen with mascara running down your cheeks. You felt numb and just quickly tried to clean up but when you were done and staring at your reflection stare back at you with puffy red eyes you just felt pathetic.

On the way neither one of you talked James kept his eyes on the road while you looked out the window too lost in your thoughts to realize your usual music that would usually be playing while the two of you drove was not playing, James realized, and he felt like he was suffocating in the empty car ride.

The wedding was beautiful and despite your problems you couldn't help but imagine that one day it would maybe be you and James standing in an altar professing your love in front of all your friends and family. You turned to look at him as Alice and Ben were sharing their vows, only to catch him staring at Lily, and she was staring right back at him. You felt something break in you as confusion overtook you. Why is he looking at her?

Was she the reason that you were slowly getting kicked to the curb? Back in Hogwarts everyone knew that James was obsessed with Lily but when she finally gave him a chance things just didn't work out. Then you caught James's attention, and the rest is history.

You tried to focus on the happy couple in the altar as the ceremony came to an end, but you felt someone was stabbing you and twisting the knife.

By some miracle during the reception James asked you to dance which shocked you, but his eyes seemed so sincere and like they were almost begging that you couldn't help but to foolishly be filled with hope once again. As you took his hand, he genuinely smiled at you again the way he used to with that same boyish grin that made you fall for him 5 years ago.

The two of you danced in the center of the dance floor spinning and laughing around, you had not been this happy in so long. After a particularly long fit of giggles, James pulled you closer and looked into your eyes with a spark that the two of you hadn't shared in months. When you two were about to lock lips, someone cleared their throat besides you two and the two of you pulled slightly away.

"James could I have a word with you please?" Lily asked looking at James who immediately pulled away from you and went with her after telling you he'd be right back. Just like that you were brought back to reality the cloud 9 that you had been in for a little bit long gone, and again the sinking feeling invaded you, feeling like you were drowning. You needed a drink.

You went to the bar and after getting your drink you decided it wasn't enough, and you needed air. You walked out of the salon where everybody was and made your way to the garden, and that's when you heard it.

"James! You said you two were over, but it sure as hell doesn't look like it! I can't beli-"

"I know, I know, but I can explain Lily please! I-I-I came here with her because she was embarrassed to come alone, so I promised this would be our last outing together." You felt your heart stop, air getting caught in your throat.

"What? That doesn't-" Lily started as you felt the glass in your hands slip and shatter on the ground.

Both of them froze and looked at where you were standing, you could feel a knot forming in your throat but glared at the pair in front of you with tears forming in your eyes.

"Y/n I can explain!"

" I think both of us want an explanation, James, but she deserves it more. Y/n/n I'm so sorry I had no idea you two were still together." Lily went to walk away and James was about to chase after her when she heard you scoff and as you turned around.

"Say goodbye to Alice and Ben for me, would you? I have to go." you rushed out before basically sprinting to the nearest exit, hearing James chase after you, which wasn't hard considering he was taller than you and an athlete. He grabbed your arm when you two had made it to the parking lot and turned you around.

"So that's why I'm getting the cold shoulder." you blurted out before whatever he was able to utter whatever shit excuse he was going to tell you. You almost wanted to laugh, which made you feel like you were insane, but you thought about all the hours you had spent over the past couple of months looking in the mirror trying to see what was wrong with you, overanalyzing every tiny detail in your face. Laying in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying everything you had done that day that might have set James off.

"No no baby, I swear it's not what it looks like, Lily is just bitter we didn't work out, and she's trying to sabotage us! I've just been so stressed because of it, and I am so sorry I let it out on you."

"Bullshit James! You were literally just talking shit about me before i showed up and ruined your little act." You were seething by this point, and James flinched after your outburst. You had never been one to scream, and he knew that, but right now you honestly felt like nothing was the same and you weren't the same. "A-and you wanted to chase after her and you know what? maybe you should. Maybe you have a better shot at getting her back because we are over James Potter! I-I am so tired... I-" You were crying from all the different emotions you were feeling at that moment. Finally getting some enlightenment about why your relationship was dying gave you some relief of the crushing pain you were feeling being hunted by the "what if's" and "why's" you weren't the problem.

James tried to get close and wrap his arms around you. god he felt like an idiot for hurting you. He honestly doesn't know what he was thinking. He had hoped you never found out and had planned to break up with Lily soon enough, but he just needed to explore a little what it could've been like if he had stayed with her. Plus the thrill of it was something that James had loved for the time being, but he never wanted to hurt you. His heart broke at the sight of you, he couldn't imagine what you were feeling.

"Don't even think about it! Don't ever touch me again don't ever look at me, I hate you so much Potter, I don't want to know anything about you from this day on James! We now mean nothing to me, we are strangers!" You glared at him in a way he had never seen you look at anyone, and felt his heart drop.

He tried to protest, feeling the tears leave his own eyes at the idea of losing you completely forever. But you just turned around and walked away.

[ivystoryweaver]

Day 1: I'm So Sorry (Outcome 3)

Angstember Prompt Post || Word Count: 1.4k

Notes: hurt/comfort, violence, wounds, blood. Happy ending.

You had a job to do. It was him or you.

You parachuted in to the remote area of Alaska he occupied. Then came the miles-long hike.

Thankful for the good shape you were in due to your intense training, you made it to his cabin by dusk. Probably stupid to hike to your mark during daylight, but more foolish to hike during frigid darkness.

The cabin was hidden enough, and no smoke billowed from the chimney. He probably froze on the regular just to further hide himself. You'd never met a more stubborn or determined man.

Determined to win you, long ago.

You paused a moment to collect your thoughts and steel yourself. Despite your stealthy efforts, he no doubt already knew you were here.

You didn't make it one step closer to his doorway when a shotgun cocked dramatically behind you.

"I've been waiting for you."

God, it had been so long since you'd heard his voice. But you were trained to be stronger than to melt at the sound of it.

"Whatever you came to do, it's not going to happen. I should kill you for even coming here," he added. The rough anguish in his voice reached deep inside you to stir forgotten yearnings.

Now to accomplish an improbable task: getting him to trust you. It was either win his trust or end his life. And the latter was not an option for you, despite your mission's directive.

"I came here to warn you. To give you a head start," you told him, an unplanned waver shaking your voice.

You thought he would have recognized you before, possibly from behind, or from surveillance. His next action alerted you to the fact that it was your voice that gave you away.

He stalked in determined strides around to face you, mouth open, dark eyes glistening with betrayal. "They sent you?" He never lowered his weapon.

You swallowed hard, drinking in the sight of him after so long apart - the years and the environment making him more ruggedly handsome than you could have imagined: stunning brown skin and inky curls against a curtain of white winter.

"I volunteered," you carefully admitted.

He withdrew, as if stung...wounded. "Why? It could have been anyone else."

Resisting the urge to approach him, you hoped he would listen. "Something's happening. They're...eliminating people. So many. Operation Outcome is being erased. I volunteered for this. To warn you. To get you out."

He shook his head, his stubbled jaw clenching. "Show me your weapons. Slowly."

You nodded, carefully removing several guns and daggers before holding your hands back up in surrender.

With a slight tip of his head, he indicated you should go inside. He motioned for you to take a seat at a creaky wooden kitchen table, securing your wrists before searching you for more weapons. The feel of his hands, even through your snow suit, sent memories flooding through your mind and body.

He found a dagger you neglected to produce outside. The corner of his mouth curled. "You used to keep this one on your right thigh."

That was back when both the dagger and you belonged to him.

He didn't arm himself to interrogate you, but simply leaned against the kitchen counter and folded his arms over his sweater covered chest. In another setting, he would appear almost cozy.

"You said you're here to warn me, but we both know that's not true," he said, regarding you carefully. "So, how far behind you are they? Or did you come to do the job yourself?"

You shook your head adamantly. "I'm here alone. This is my mission." Tugging against your restraints, you groaned. "Look, this is all the help you're going to get. They'll send a drone if I don't report back. They'll kill us both."

"That still doesn't explain why you're here." His eyes traveled up and down the curves of your bound body. "You really needed to see this through, didn't you?"

"I stayed with the company. That doesn't mean I want you dead," you passionately argued. "You're the one who - "

"Shh!" He hissed, extending his arm to hush you. Glancing at his security monitors, he realized a drone had arrived to fire on the cabin. With determined strides, he took your dagger and flicked it through your bonds.

Hauling you out of the chair, he dragged you out the back door, screaming at you to run.

A concussive blast sent your bodies flying, partially deafening you. Your world went black.

You awakened in cold darkness, save for a small, crackling fire. Attempting to talk, it came out as a whimper.

He shushed you, but gently this time. "I didn't know if you would wake up," he confessed, scooting closer to you.

His voice sounded garbled and everything hurt. He brought water to your lips and encouraged you to keep drinking small sips. He offered you a bite of the rabbit he killed, but your stomach roiled in protest.

All you wanted was to sleep.

"I'm pretty sure you have a concussion. You can't go back to sleep. Not all night anyway."

You didn't remember much except that he seemed to keep waking you up and asking you simple questions to check on your concussion. He also coaxed you to drink each time.

Dawn broke and you realized he was asleep with you, holding you. Your body quickly remembered the safety of his embrace and you sank into him gratefully. Even out here in the wilderness, he still smelled so familiar.

You felt physically awful, but marginally more clearheaded. At least enough to notice a scrape marring the side of his beautiful face. His lip was split and there was no telling what else might be wrong underneath his bulky sweater.

Brushing thick, dark curls away from his eyes, you gazed longingly at the man you used to love.

"I'm so sorry," you whispered, your head hurting too much to cry. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

His eyes flickered open and he flinched, seeing you so close.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” you soothed. “It’s just me. I’m sorry. So sorry.”

You reached for his face. "I couldn't let them kill you."

He managed a weak smile, reaching for the hem of his sweater. With difficulty, he raised the hem of the wool, as well as the thermal shirt underneath to reveal a sizable shard of metal lodged in his abdomen.

"Too late to stop that, I think."

Tears flooded your eyes as you inspected the wound with soft fingertips.

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Kinda busy," he huffed, easing onto his back with a groan, his breath labored.

You needed a hospital. You needed a lot of things. But you just wanted him to live. That was the whole point of you being here. So he would live.

"Busy saving my ass, as usual," you tearfully nodded, yanking off your scarf to tie tightly around his abdomen.

"Don't think that's gonna help, honey."

You swatted his hand away. "You don't get to die on me. Do you hear me?" You grabbed his sweater, twisting desperately. "I'm now unemployed and as much of a fugitive as you are. So you don't get to leave me."

"Why did you come back? Thought you'd never forgive me." His eyes struggled to remain open as his dark curls splayed across stark white snow.

"Please don't leave me." You whispered his name. His real name. The one he told you so long ago, when he had you underneath him, your bodies joined as secrets spilled out.

It was the last thing he heard.

He woke up underneath a shabby, handmade quilt, smelling of mothballs, with you by his bedside.

"Oh thank god," you breathed, blooming to life at the sight of him conscious.

"Where...am I?" He rasped, his throat raw with thirst.

"You're safe," you explained, offering him a sip of water. "I used all my savings to have a very questionable man operate on your stomach. But you'll live." Smiling softly down at him, you brushed his thick curls away from his eyes.

He tried to sit up, but immediately hissed in pain.

"Take it easy," you instructed him gently.

His eyes landed on yours, dark eyebrows arching pleadingly. "So this means you forgive me?"

Leaning in, you pressed a soft kiss to his parched lips. "You left to save my life. And you almost died saving me again." Touching your forehead to his, you whispered his name again. "You're forgiven."

He smiled, relief crinkling the corners of his eyes before he kissed you back.

"Oh, and we're Canadian now, by the way. Gotta lay low...for a long time."

"The rest of our lives?" His eyebrows shot up inquisitively.

"Yeah," you whispered, "the rest of our lives."

Angstember Masterlist || Misc. Masterlist || Main Masterlist

[thebadgerclan]

The Only Thing He Has Left

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x reader

Summary: You are the only thing he has left...

dragotsennaya devushka--precious girl

A/N: I have a pretty dark idea for a part 2, which I’m gonna write too bc I can’t be stopped 😂

She stood across from him, the War Room table between them.  Where was she, really?  That was what Aleksander wondered every time he saw her through the tether, where was his Summoner?  Alina appeared to him in her kefta from the Winter Fete, but he knew that particular garment was long long lost.  How did he appear to her?  Was he how she last saw him, or did she see his scars?

“I meant what I told you, all those months ago,” Aleksander said.  “I promised that you and I would change the world.”  “That is never going to happen,” Alina countered.  “I’ll destroy the only thing you have left.”  Her words were purposeful, her glare icy, and Aleksander immediately knew what she meant.  His Army was fractured, his nation was now embroiled in a Civil War, there was little that Aleksander still held dear.  Except…

“You wouldn’t dare,” he said, his hands tingling as panic filled him.  “Wouldn’t I?  You have no idea what I will or won't do.”  Aleksander stepped around the table, causing Alina to stumble backwards a bit.  “Mark my words, Miss Starkov, if you even think about harming my wife, I will make you suffer as you have never suffered before.”  Alina, to her credit, did not blanch, did not show the fear she no doubt felt, but drew herself up straighter.

“I’d like to see you try.”  Rage filled him, and Aleksander summoned the Cut, slicing the tether-version of Alina in two.  The map of Ravka on the far wall took the brunt of his anger, ironically directly over the ink symbolizing the Fold, and Aleksander let his anger carry him through the corridors to you.  “Inessa!” he called, summoning the head of his oprichniki.  “Yes, moi soverennyi?”

“Y/N is to be guarded at all times from this point out,” your husband ordered.  “I want at least 7 soldiers on her detail around the clock, our most skilled and deadliest.  No one gets within 20 feet of her without my say so, am I clear?”  Inessa nodded, keeping pace with Aleksander as he strode down the hall.  “Da, moi sovernnyi.  Is there anyone in particular you’d like on her detail?”

“Pasha and Liza, otherwise, use your judgment.”  “Yes, sir.”  Inessa bowed and turned to leave, preparing to make her new assignments.  Aleksander found you at your desk in your shared rooms, and as soon as he stepped through the door, he sent four of his nichevo’ya to stand watch.  “Aleksander, what’s going on?” you asked, rising from your seat.  “What happened?”

“Alina has threatened to…” he choked back tears, and you knew then that whatever had happened was serious.  “She threatened to kill you.”  “W-what?”  You hadn’t seen the Sun Summoner since the Winter Fete, but you’d heard how powerful she’d become, and you knew how deep her hatred for your husband ran.  Alina would do whatever was necessary to take him down, and you knew that if you got in her way, you’d be just another obstacle in her way.

Fear had your legs trembling, and you shakily lowered yourself back to your seat.  Aleksander took your hands and followed you down, kneeling at your side.  “Y/N, look at me, darling.  I will not let her hurt you.  If she even gets near you, she will die.  And it will be a slow, painful death.”  “Sasha?”  “Yes, dragotsennaya devushka?”  “I’m scared.”  Your husband gently tugged on your hands, and you fell into his lap, burying your face in his chest, his arms wrapping snugly around you.

“I know, Y/N,” he said.  “I am too.  But I will always protect you, until I am dust on the wind, I will defend you with my life.”  You said nothing, snuggling closer to your husband, letting the scent of his cologne calm you.  “I love you, Y/N,” Aleksander said, kissing your forehead and stroking your hair.  “My sweet darling, I love you so much.  I’ll always keep you safe.”  “I love you too, Aleksander,” you said.  The Sun Summoner could make whatever threats she liked; if she decided to move, Aleksander would be ready.

[fizziepopangel]

Hi, I was searching for a huskerdust angsty fic... I read the one you wrote, called "ain't the romantic type". I was searching for the part 2, but I could't find any. Do you plan on writing a second part? (Sorry if you already wrote it or if you already answered the question)☆

Hey! I am so sorry for the delay, my health has been up and down lately so I've mostly been working on headcanons and reblogging others posts since they're a little easier when my brain is kinda foggy, but here is part 2! Though this was mean to be a two part fic, it will enf up being three😅Part 3 will be the final installation, and it should be up in a much more timely manner!

For anyone who missed it, you can read part 1 here

"Ain't the Romantic Type" Pt2

“What’s going on?” Vaggie asked, her face set in a hard stare as she clutched her spear, ready

for a fight the second she burst through the door. “We heard yelling.”

Charlie came in behind her girlfriend, her horns on full display and her eyes red as she prepared to face whatever threat was in her hotel…. But it all faded when she saw the scene in front of her. Angel, sobbing and trembling on the ground and Husk standing over him….

Charlie pushed past her girlfriend, dropping to her knees beside Angel and immediately trying to comfort the spider demon. “Oh! Angel!” 

Vaggie’s eyes scanned the room one last time before she finally let herself lower her spear. She looked between where her other half sat on the ground attempting to calm their friend, and where Husk stood in front of them, Fat Nuggets still stood between him and where his boyfriend sat in a sobbing mess…. Her mouth hung open after a moment of staring at what they had walked into. “Did you… hit him?”

Husk’s head snapped in her direction, his mouth falling open. He knew he wasn’t the best man; he was in hell after all, but he wasn’t that type of man. The words stuck in his throat as he tried to find something, anything, to say to tell her that it was just a misunderstanding and that he would never…..

“Vaggie!” Charlie scolded, cutting off the hell cat’s thoughts. “Husk would never…. Right?”

Husk’s heart nearly stopped when Charlie’s confident tone turned questioning as she looked up at him. He looked at the princess, his boyfriend curled up in her arms sobbing and clinging to her as if she were his lifeline; as if he needed her to protect him.

“I…” Husk felt bile rising in his throat as tears began to blur the edges of his vision. He wanted so badly to defend himself, defend the situation… But before he could say anything, his body was moving. He was on autopilot and suddenly he had shoved past Vaggie and was halfway down the hall, ignoring the shouts coming from behind him as his hand outstretched for his door.

The door slammed shut behind him and he shot to his bathroom just in time to empty the meager contents of his stomach into the sink. 

As he wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his nice jacket, he caught a glimpse of himself in the broken mirror and the tears that had once blurred just the edges of his vision suddenly began to pour over. His shattered reflection looked pathetic.

“Fuck.” He grumbled, staring at the man in the mirror and wondering how everything had gone so wrong, wondering why he had even tried. 

“Fuck!” With one swipe, Husk sent everything from his bathroom counter crashing to the floor…. But it didn’t make him feel any better… It didn’t change anything that happened; didn’t change the way Charlie and Vaggie had assumed he’d hit Angel, didn’t change the way his boyfriend looked at him….

A hand flew to his mouth as he tried to muffle the end of the almost primal sob that tore out of him as he sank to his knees in front of the bathroom counter. He was trembling, his heart raced, his world seemed to be crumbling and the old demon wasn’t sure he could take it this time.

A hand on his shoulder made him jump, but he couldn’t bring himself to move from where he sat on the floor or even turn to face whoever was touching him as the tears fell down his cheeks. He felt the space beside him empty for a few moments before he felt someone place a bottle of whiskey in his hand. Though he still couldn’t bring himself to look at whoever was there, he took it and took a long swig before leaning his head back against the wall and just letting the tears fall.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there before the words came to him. “I didn’t hit him.” He muttered, his voice still thick with emotions he had wanted to keep contained. “I… I didn’t…”

“I know.” Husk looked up with tired, red eyes, finding an unusually calm and quiet Niffty standing at his side with an innocent, worried expression. “You’re not like the bad people. You don’t hurt the people you love… And you love Angel.”

His breath caught in his throat as he nodded. “Yeah…” Before he could say anything more, he felt the smaller demon wrap her arms around him, and although he had never been one for hugs or any of that touchy feely crap, he sank into the gentle hug, unable to keep himself from breaking again.

The Next Morning

Angel woke up in Charlie and Vaggie’s room, still wearing the clothes he came home from the studio in, Fat Nuggets snoring softly beside him. The spider demon sat up slowly, his body still feeling the aftermath of the night before, and his head was killing him after all the crying he had done… His heart sank as the events of the past 24 hours came flooding back.

“Ah fuck.” He sighed, his head falling into his hands. A fresh round of tears threatened to spill as he tried to take a deep breath, flashes of Husk’s face playing in his mind on loop. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” 

A soft oink pulls him from his thoughts as Fat Nuggets bumped his snout against his owner’s arm. Angel looked down to see the little pig staring up at him with a worried expression. Angel sighs, shaking his head a bit and running a hand down his face. “I’m ok, Nuggs….”

Angel felt a few tears slide down his cheeks as he looked at his sweet little friend. “I-Ijust… i think I fucked up.” He sniffled as the pig climbed into his lap. “I fucked up…. God, I fucked up. Fuck!” 

After a few moments of wrestling with the tears, Angel managed to swallow them and put on his usual mask before getting out of bed and grabbing Fat Nuggets before making his way out the door. 

Fat Nuggets didn’t question where he was being taken, though part of him worried as he watched his owner walk down the corridor and pass their room completely…. Although the pig hoped they would go to Husk’s room, a place his owner always seemed to smile and laugh, his worry grew as they approached the end of the hall and Angel set him down, staring at the air conditioning vent intently. He watched his beloved owner wrestle with the idea for a moment before reaching up and popping the vent open.

“Come on, Nuggs.” The spider demon said quietly as he pulled a small, powder filled baggie and tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

Fat Nuggets followed behind him, memories of the last time his friend brought one of those little bags home flooding his memories. The little creature wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he knew that whenever he brought one home, the owner he loved was…. different somehow. He didn’t like it.

As the pair reached the door to their room, Angel hesitated as his hand hovered over the door knob. Part of him was terrified that Husk would be there. He wasn’t afraid of his boyfriend, but after what happened the night before, he worried that Husk would decide he wasn’t worth the effort; he worried that he would open the door to find the Hellcat waiting to tell him that it was over… Angel wasn’t sure he could handle that.

After a deep breath, Angel opened the door.

The room seemed… bigger somehow…. Or maybe Angel felt smaller than he normally did as he stepped inside his room. He wasn’t sure what felt so different until the smell hit him; vanilla…

Angel  looked over to the coffee table where the sweet smell wafted from the smoke of the burnt out candles, mixing in the air with the savory smell of cold steak and the lingering scent of Husk’s cologne. The events of the previous night were still so fresh in his mind as he walked over to the little dinner his boyfriend had made.

“Candles…. Steak?” Angel felt tears brimming in his eyes. “He… he really went all out… And I… I ruined it.”

Turning away, he made his way toward his bathroom, baggie in hand.

Fat Nuggets watched from the doorway as Angel took the bag and poured some of the powder out on the counter, not sure how he could help his owner at this point when his squeals and oinks fell on deaf ears.

As Angel lined up the powder, his stomach twisted. He hadn’t used in quite a while, between Charlie’s therapy and redemption training, and his relationship with Husk, he hadn’t even really thought about using in months, but he needed…. He needed something to numb his senses, something to make him forget, something to make him feel good after everything that happened last night.

Angel looked from the line he had just set up to his own reflection. He hated what the mirror showed; the deep circles beneath his red rimmed eyes, the unkempt state of his hair, the torn fishnets from work the night before. “Pathetic.” He muttered at the man looking back at him from the mirror. “You fucked this up just like you fucked everything else up.”

Looking down at the line, he sighed before his head dipped down to the counter and he inhaled deeply, the powder burning his nose as the high hit him….

[onlyhereforthestories]

Cookies, Cuddles and Christmas Traditions (Mapi Leon x Reader)

Day 8! This is pure fluff and I love it. I can't wait to make traditions of my own with someone just like this. Does anyone have any they do around this time of the year? With an SO or family?

Christmas was only a few days away and you were sat in the cold at the Camp Nou stadium waiting for the Barca girls to play their final game of the calendar year. Mapi had made you promise to be there tonight and you were not one to let the love of your life down, even if you very really missed a game.

You were part of the back room staff at Barcelona football club and spent most of your time analysing the opposition teams and reporting your findings to the boss. That’s how you and Mapi met just over 5 years ago. The woman was new to the club and had been sent to try and find the trainers room, instead she stumbled into your office when you were midway through watching tapes of her at Atletico. After showing her where to go and praising her for her style of play you went your separate ways.

A few days later found the dyed haired woman back in your doorway but this time it was of her own accord. With slightly stuttered speech, something you still teased her about to the day, she had asked you if you wanted to get coffee and lunch with her after her training. Something you quickly agreed to. 5 years later, a few cats, a marriage and you were still going strong.

You are shaken out of your reminiscing by the ref blowing the whistle to start the game, which was a small shock being as you had been so far in your own head you hadn’t seen or heard the teams get on the pitch. Scanning the field you were quick to spot your wife running around the field, something you would never tire of watching.

The game was played at a relaxed pace for Barca, all the girls playing with a calmness you haven’t seen in ages. The ball was kept safe and played around the field without the other team getting a look in. Chances were created and some were scored and by the time the final whistle sounded, 6 goals had been racked up. Something that had all the fans and the girls dancing around to stadium celebrating for the final time in 2022.

When Mapi and the girls finally got to the section you were in you could see the adrenaline had started to wear off, the excitement still rotten all over their faces but the energy at which they moved had tapered off. When Mapi reached you she jumped and pulled herself up to your level using the railing and standing on the block when she could get the purchase.

“Hola Amor, how was that for a final game?” You smiled at the woman and pooped your arms round her shoulders to get that little bit closer.

“Wasn’t a bad way to end it, although you could have stopped a couple more of their shots if you got a little closer. Teams like Arsenal will take advantage of that if you aren’t careful.” You said it with a teasing but slightly serious tone of voice.

When Mapi rolled her eyes at you and smacked your shoulder you knew what you said had the desired effect. “Okay you goof, enough about football. I will just go get changed and then we can go home and start Christmas!” She pressed a quick but deep kiss to your lips before she was lowering herself down with strength that never failed to make you swoon. A fact she was fully aware of being as she sent a wink your way when her feet hit the ground before she turned and dashed for the tunnel.

About an hour later you found yourself standing in your kitchen looking at what could only be described as an hilarious sight. Mapi was stood at the kitchen counter looking at her phone with different ingredients scattered on the surface and a kiss the cook apron on that you had down right refused to follow. Even if she did look pretty hot with it on.

“What do you want me to do?” You stepped closer to her and pulled the sleeves of her hoodie you had stolen up your arms ready.

“You can sit up there and look pretty while I work pretty lady.” Doing as you were told you hopped up on the counter she pointed at and got yourself comfy. You pulled out your phone and connected it up to the kitchen speaker and put on some light Christmas music for some background noise.

You watched as Mapi concentrated weighing out the butter and sugar into the bowl. You laughed when she danced around the open space as she whisked the two ingredients together until the desired consistency was met. You jumped down briefly to put the stove top on in order to warm so of the mulled wine you had got from the shop on the way home, getting that into some warm mugs you passed one to your love before getting back into your spot.

By the time you had sorted that out Mapi was putting the flour into the mixture and getting the surface ready to kneed the dough before it had to be set in the fridge before the shape cutting fun could happen. Hopping off as soon as she started needing, you walked up behind her and wrapped your arms around her waist. “Can we do some coloured dough?” You tried to sweeten your request with a few soft kisses to the nape of the woman’s neck. When she hummed her agreement you stepped on your tip toes to reach her cheek and press a quick thank you kiss.

After routing through the cupboards for the colours you wanted, you were pleased to find the green, red and yellow in their boxes. When you got on the counter next to where Mapi was working you were please to find that she had already split to dough into 4 piles.

“Can you go get me some latex gloves please bebe. I don’t really want to have dyed hands for the Christmas break.” Nodding and jumping back down once again you ran off to your room to grab a few pairs.

By the time the dough was packed in the fridge to cool, Mapi had complained about her hands hurting about 12 times and you had at least 5 different streaks of dye on your thighs. Mapi always got handsy when she consumed any amount of alcohol, something you did not think of when you suggested the wine.

The 30 minute wait was spent cleaning up the kitchen and your body, before you knew it the timer you set was ringing. “Yay time to shape them!” Mapi couldn’t help but smile at your enthusiasm.

“Wait I did all the work, I get to shape them too.” She was joking but she couldn’t even keep that joke running for two seconds when she saw the sad pout on your face. “I’m joking silly girl, of course you can shape them. What do you want to do first?” She was happy with the grin you returned.

After making multiple shapes including candy canes, Christmas trees and stars you and Mapi were sat on the sofa sipping some more warm mulled wine and waiting for the oven timer to signify that the cookies were cooked. While you waited you were flicking through Netflix trying to find a Christmas movie to watch before bed. “What about elf?”

“But we normally watch that on Christmas Eve, can we save it?” You turned to the woman with your best please look which she caved to instantly and continued scrolling. You both settled on home alone 2 just as the timer went off, Mapi went to retrieve the cookies and when she came back in with a plate full of warm cookies you couldn’t have been more content with life.

You watched the film and ate more cookies than you probably should have being as they were meant to be for the get together you had planned with the girls the next day. You didn’t care about that though, not when you had one of those core memory evenings with the best woman you knew. A core memory that would turn into your and Mapi’s Christmas tradition for years and years and years to come.

[twistedwonderlandshenanigans]

Delinquent Deuce - Monster AU

Monster: Slime Word Count: ~0.75K Relationships mentioned: Deuce and Delia, (his mom), literally nobody else important. Chapter 1 spoilers for in game. TW: None, really??? He's a slime so a missing chunk of body or two isn't a graphic thing?? but wound/"blood"....and it was inside someone but thats mentioned in passing Also a lot of impromptu worldbuilding if it comes off like I don't know what I'm doing that would be Correct. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He thought he could avoid his mother's worry, slipping in under the door so as to not cause a ruckus with unlocking the door, and gave himself a light rinse on the cleaner. Anyone with feet may have called a boot cleaner, but for slimes like him and his mom, it simply diluted and made it easier to "push up" any dirt and grime they'd picked up during the day that might leave a trail when they went into the house, but they could rinse out later.

He looked down at his side, thin rivulets of liquid still dripping from the chunk he was missing and silently chided himself. There was no way he would be able to hide it from his mother before he was able to regenerate it on his own, and there was no way he wanted it back, even if he did summon it. It would just remind him of the promise he had broken to his mother....and the fact it had been inside someone else didn't make the thought appealing either. It made it back out but....yeah, he still didn't want it back. He made his way to the kitchen quietly, washing his hands, and then siphoning water through his hand down to the wound to flush it out back into the sink, cleaning the wound. Thankfully it wasn't that part that was too painful. He held his hand against the wound as he started to rummage under the sink for the first aid kit, and more specifically, the powder he could sprinkle onto the wound to congeal the thin internal fluids leaking from him, at least to hold him together til morning when his mom could help. He grumbled a little bit as he squished down lower to try and find the kit, until he felt what he could only assume was the packet, hit his back. He recoiled in surprise, his head hitting the counter and squishing, before he moved out from under the sink properly to stand up, staring like a deer in the headlights at his mom. "I was wondering when you were going to be home. I sent you a couple texts, but I didn't hear anything from you." She glanced down at where his hand clutched his side and sighed softly. "I guess I know why. Is it bad? Move your hand, let me see." She sludged over to him, not letting him protest as she picked the packet out from his back and squished down to see the wound better, before opening the package and sprinkling the contents over the area. Deuce hissed softly in pain. "I-I'm real sorry mom I didn't mean to get into another fight, its just this one kid he really got to me today and....I warned, him, I gave him a fair chance, I swear I did. I tried leaving too, but he kept following me and-" his voice cracked a bit as a few tears welled up in his eyes. "I didn't want to break my promise to you mom....I'm so sorry." He looked away from her as she scooped a safe amount of her own slime out and applied it to his side, holding it in place until it bound with him. Her side was able to regenerate in seconds, being an adult in good health. Her cool hand rested gently against his face as she tried to wipe away a few tears, and kissed his head softly as her son began to melt with his emotions. "You're home safe sweetheart, and that's what matters most. There's some leftover pumpkin pie in the fridge if you want some, but I really think it's time for you to get to bed before you need me to carry you around in a bucket." she chuckled softly, before pulling him into a hug and squeezing him gently. A small sob left Deuce as he snuggled into his mom, thankful, but disappointed in himself. Hopefully after some rest he could feel better. "Thanks mom." "Of course hon." She let him go before ruffling his "hair". "Tomorrow is a new day." She kissed his forehead once more before stretching and creeping towards her bedroom. "I'll see you tomorrow Deuce. Good night. I love you. Don't stay up too late." Deuce looked at the few dishes left in the sink before glancing back at his mom, already planning to wash them before bed. It wasn't much of an apology, but it was the least he could do. He would wait until she was back in bed though. "Love you too mom. I won't." ------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: A/N: Hiya, if you made it here, you might want to check out my other Twstober works here, or if you're looking for some fluff after that fic, you can check out my main masterlist here. Ask box is open if you have any questions! Thanks for reading!

[ejzah]

A/N: Based on a real life story about myself I shared with @mashmaiden and she then suggested would make a fun fic.

***

It’s All Fun and Games

June 2015

***

“Wow, you take me such romantic places,” Kensi drawled as Deeks pulled into the parking lot of the “Family Fun Center”, which boasted an arcade, bumper cars, cafe, batting cages, and a full mini golf course. On a Saturday afternoon, the lot was nearly full, parents with varying numbers of excited children darting from between cars.

“Hey, I spent hours here as a kid,” Deeks defended himself cheerfully. “Of course, back then the games were a little less high tech, but we could spend a whole day here when it wasn’t good day for surfing.

“I’m kidding,” Kensi assured him, lightly touching his shoulder to let him know she wasn’t truly dissing one of his adolescent staples. “How did you afford coming so often?”

At another time, Kensi would have edged around his lack of money. Oddly enough, he found it encouraging that they’d come this far.

Lowering his voice and looking around him to make sure no one was in hearing distance, he nodded to the back of the lot. “We used to hop that fence, join a big group of people, who were almost finished and somebody would take pity on us, and pass on a couple clubs and balls.”

“Martin A. Deeks!” Kensi exclaimed. “I’m shocked.”

“Hey, you know Ray and I got into trouble sometimes. Besides, we could have been doing so much worse than not paying for a couple rounds of golf,” he defended himself. “If we had a little extra money, we’d play a few arcade games.”

“And no one ever caught on or sold you out?”

“You’d be surprised at the average teenager’s desire to “stick it to the man”. Plus, we usually chose times when it was busy enough that the staff wouldn’t be likely to recall if they sold passes to another couple of kids. We didn’t go every week either.”

“Amazing the things you find out about a guy once you start dating,” Kensi said, shaking her head with mock remonstration in her voice

“I’ll have you know I made an anonymous donation once I graduated from law school,” he told her.

“Well, I suppose that’s something.”

Then finally made it into the main building, which was overrun with kids and teenagers. It brought back a wave of nostalgia.

Deeks nudged her shoulder, neatly moving them to the side to avoid being run over by a group of kids heading for the arcade.

“What about you? Any good memories from mini golfing?” Deeks asked.

“Actually, I’ve never been before,” Kensi responded.

“Seriously?” Kensi shrugged, and he chuckled, taking her hand to pull her towards the service counter. “Oh, then this is going to be amazing.” He stepped up to the counter. “Two passes for the golf course, please.”

Kensi Blye was amazing at a lot of things, particularly of the physical variety. She can run, fight, and shoot better than just about anyone. Even though she’d never really surfed before a couple years ago, she’d picked that up with surprising speed under Deeks’ tutelage. He was still better than her, but she could pull it off if needed.

Mini golf though, not so much. It was a revelation to watch Kensi struggle to hit the little ball across the small areas of green, needing several tries to make through the hole in a structure built to resemble a miniature wharf.

“Alright, bend your knees a little more, keep your head back, and aim slightly more towards the left,” Deeks instructed as Kensi walked to her golf ball, having bounced off the rock placed between the tee and whole 11.

Kensi sent him a swift glare, clearly in no mood for tips. “Deeks,” she said warningly.

“Sorry, sorry. Go ahead.”

She swung again, the ball somehow coming a few inches within the hole, but swerved to the right at the last moment. Kensi let out a frustrated growl, muttering under her breath. It wasn’t quite intelligible, but Deeks was pretty certain her words shouldn’t be spoken around small children.

A small crowd had begun to form behind them, waiting for their turn as Kensi continued her attempt. After a few minutes, they apparently gave up on waiting and moved on to the next spot.

Kensi lined up her next shot, bending her knees, and swung gently. It dropped in and Kensi shouted in victory, only for the ball to pop back out the other side of hole. She stared at it for a moment, her expression blank.

Then she raised the golf club above her head, let out a primal yell, and beat the green with the club repeatedly. Just leaned back slightly in surprise, but didn’t attempt to stop her. Maybe 20 seconds later, she dropped the club to her side, breathing heavily.

Deeks pressed his lips together, holding back a smirk with all his light. “Feel better?” he asked mildly.

“Yes,” Kensi said succinctly, tucking a few stray pieces of hair behind her ear. “I do.”

“Maybe we should switch to bumper cars,” he suggested.

“Yeah, that might be best.”

“Ok, I’ll just take that for you.” He gingerly removed the club from her hand like he was disarming a bomb.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, looking sheepish.

“Don’t worry about it. It was actually kind of entertaining to see Kensi Blye not be absolutely amazing at something,” he said.

“Oh hush.” She knocked his shoulder with her, the gesture affectionate. “I guess I do have to give concede that you are better at mini golf than I am.”

“I’m honored,” Deeks teased. “Now, how do you feel about bowling?”

***

A/N: I don’t know if there if a place called the Family Fun Center exists in LA, but there used to be one near my childhood home.

If you’re wondering, yes, I did once beat a suspecting mini golf course with my club. Bowling has been a source of frustration as well, but as of the other day, I have learned to curb my rage.

Hope you enjoyed this silly little fic!

[icey--stars]

Born For Tragedy: Part 5

Series Index

She was tragedy. Nothing except death, fear and pain followed in her wake. When she was young, she was beaten. Now she’s the one doing the beating as an assassin. A mysterious stranger comes to her, paying an absurd amount of money for her to kill Beron Vanserra, and protect the eldest son until the job is done. She stumbles across a story much similar to her own, and knows what must be done

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

Eris was swinging a blade around when she made it to the south end of the training yard. He was wearing a tight-fitting, yet sweat-soaked t-shirt, and leather pants. As he turned on the ball of his foot towards her, he paused, the sword in his hands lowered.

“Adira,” he acknowledged. “You’re late.”

Valda rolled her eyes. “And you’re sweaty,” she retorted.

He scoffed. “It means I’m training right,” he replied. “Now, summon your magic again.” She held back a roll of her eyes.

Valda did raise a brow, though. “What do you want me to do? Merely summoning darkness does nothing.”

“So it’s a visual?” Eris prompted.

“I mean…” Valda hesitated. “I can make it dark, blind people.”

Eris gestured with his hands.

“To you?” Valda emphasized. “I think I might be asking for someone to jump me.”

“I assure you, I can handle a bit of Night Court darkness,” Eris lifted a palm and sparked a small flame there for example. “Show me the power you almost killed your father with.”

“I can’t,” Valda lied.

Eris tilted his head. “Why not?”

“It was an in-the-moment kind of thing.” It was… at first. She could probably kill Eris right here, right now, if she wanted to.

“Well try,” Eris insisted. “Call it a service to the Autumn Court.”

Valda rolled her eyes and then took a deep breath, and let a trickle of her darkness flow through that veil, from the deep well of magic she could summon. A controlled amount that would put her with the “weak” High Fae. Of course, it was a more neutral version of darkness. Nothing like the raging darkness she used while an assassin. It was not soothing nor restful either. It simply existed.

“Attack me with it,” Eris ordered.

Valda lifted a brow, but shot her dark, floating mist forward swiftly, slamming it into Eris and blinding him. She stood still, watching as Eris shifted in his stance to try and sidestep out of it. She merely let the mist follow his movement.

Eris paused and settled for a moment. “Alright, I’m blind,” he admitted.

Valda let a small smile trail onto her face as she pulled her darkness back towards her. “It’s just a party trick,” she insisted. “I mean, besides a weak shield and blinding, it's useless.”

“No winnowing?”

“No,” Valda lied. She could winnow from here to the tip of the Illyrian mountains if she wanted to. She could winnow from here to anywhere.

“Tell me how to counter it,” Eris ordered. “How do I not let you blind me? How do you battle darkness?”

“I think the answer to that should be obvious,” Valda deadpanned. “Take a wild guess.”

Eris rolled his eyes. “You really do not care for respect.”

“What did you do that I should respect? I respect Lady Merle for her kindness. I don’t respect Jax. Nor you.”

“That’s going to get you killed one day,” Eris said. “Now tell me the answer.”

Already almost has, multiple times, Valda thought silently. “Try a little fire trick,” she suggested. She sent her little mob of dark mist forward again, only big enough to cover Eris’s head and shoulders, while the remaining half lay at her feet.

Eris’s fire magic came forth and he raised a flame to burn in front of his face, from his palm. The darkness shied away, as anyone intelligent could guess. Shadows exist only in the absence of light. Though, that was the thing for weak High Fae. She highly doubted the High Lord of the Night Court could be beaten by just a little light.

“Interesting,” Eris mused. “Does this work for all Night Court abilities?”

“Do you really think the High Lord of Night Court could be beaten by a little light?” Valda deadpanned. “No. Any lord I met under that stupid fucking mountain could never be beaten like this.” Neither could she. Eris was honestly stupid if he was going to summon a little flame like that to keep the Shadow at bay. Plus, it was only in close proximity that the darkness shied away, and only if the High Fae was that weak to not be able to hold it steady.

“Very well,” Eris hummed. “Can you spread it out more? Cover us both?”

“No,” she answered. “I’m not strong enough.” She was truly such a great liar.

“Fine then,” Eris dismissed. “What else can you do, Adira?”

“Nothing,” Valda answered. “I’m from a poor family in Hewn City, Eris. What did you expect?” A truth mixed in with lies always did make it easier for others to believe.

“Fair.”

“Can I go now? Nova was being pissy.”

“Fine,” Eris allowed.

Valda left promptly, yanking her darkness back forcefully behind the veil, and took a deep breath before going back to Nova to work.

-----

Three more weeks passed with very few interesting things occuring. On occasion, she saw Eris, but they never chatted and he never requested to see her magic again. Good riddance, she thought. The handsome heir of the Autumn Court was infuriating with his contradicting actions and words. Sometimes he seemed relaxed but at others? He seemed like a spring wound too tight and was withdrawn.

Jax had continued to be rude towards her, but she faked the required “respect" he wanted. However, she never went back to the High Lord’s chambers. She saw Lady Merle once in passing, but Beron had been beside her, and she’d not even raised her chin. Valda was enraged.

She wanted to rip the strings Beron Vanserra had on Merle and free her. Perhaps Merle would never forgive her for murdering her husband, but she hoped it might at least better her. Merle deserved a better life than this.

Valda had more and more reasons to kill Beron. It wasn’t just for the money and ease of time leniency now. Now? Now it was to protect the kind souls that still lived here, the kind souls that Beron was destroying. Mostly, it was just Merle, but she saw the tired eyes of the guards every once in a while.

When she was in Eris’s room one day, cleaning the bathroom, the door slammed open and there were squelching, marching noises as someone came in.

Eris, the eldest son she needed to protect, came into the bathroom covered in blood.

Valda nearly jumped out of her skin. “What the fuck,” she stated.

Eris jerked his head up. “Leave,” he ordered and began unlatching his forearm bracers. She hissed as she saw a cut. It wasn’t someone else’s blood then.

“What the fuck happened?” Valda asked, exasperated. Her heart was pounding in her chest though, from the surprise of it all. “Why aren’t you heading towards the healers?!”

Eris merely pointed to the door again.

Valda growled. “You’re a damned idiot,” she groaned and dropped the broom she’d been using. She had no reason to see him pass out in a puddle of his own blood anytime soon. “Stop poking it!” She ordered and yanked his blood-soaked hand away from his injury. “Damned idiot.”

“I said leave,” Eris snarled, yanking his hand away.

“Go to the healers,” she retorted.

“Can’t,” Eris replied, and began pulling up his sleeve. Valda blanched as she saw more cuts. One cut could be written up as some training accident, however, the ones further up his arm… she recognized that type. She had inflicted that type. It was a version of torture that was used for powerful High Fae. You used an ash dagger so that the wound didn’t heal quickly, and had sluggish human healing, and did it in such a precise manner that they didn’t bleed out and die… but rather just suffered. What she couldn’t understand was why he wasn’t at the healer. Healers could counteract that ash wood and allow the wound to heal normally. What did “can’t” mean?!

Valda heard more marching footsteps coming into the door. These were dry. It was now she noticed that Eris’s footsteps had been covered in blood.

Who had tortured him?

“Eris?” A male voice asked. “Where are you?”

“Go away Hue, I’m fine,” Eris snarled, and suddenly the blood and cuts were gone. Glamouring, she recognized.

Hue, the fourth oldest Vanserra, came into the bathroom. She recognized him by what she’d been told. He had longer, much curlier hair when compared to Eris. His hair reached past his shoulders and wasn’t tied up in a bun like she’d heard the servants say he often wore his hair.

Hue regarded Valda with a bit of caution but rushed towards Eris. “You alright?” Hue asked, directing the question toward Eris.

“Said I’m fine Hue,” Eris replied calmly. “See? Now go, make sure he doesn’t go for Kuhn or something.” Who was this he?

Hue looked at Valda again. “You,” he said, pointing at her. “Make sure he doesn’t pass out.”

Valda held back a smirk and instead just dipped her head. Hue quickly ran out, closing the door.

The glamor Eris had disappeared again and she lifted a brow. “You’re an idiot,” she stated plainly. “Now who is this he?”

“Classified,” Eris snarled. “Now leave.”

“I’m afraid, I’ve been ordered by Hue Vanserra to see you don’t pass out,” she said with a smirk. “Seeing as you refuse to see a healer, you’re at least going to let me clean the damned thing.”

“No,” Eris snarled. “You will leave or I’ll make you.”

Eris sparked a flame in between them, glaring at Valda as he continued to inspect the wounds.

“Who tortured you, Eris Vanserra?” Valda asked.

Eris snapped his gaze towards her. “I wasn’t tortured,” he lied. The lie was just so easy to detect when his voice seemed to shake. She also noted that his left foot shifted the weight to his other side. A characteristic of someone lying, she learned, was weight shifting.

Valda took a heaving breath before she moved to the small linen closet, got a washcloth, and began to run it under the water.

“What are you doing?” Eris asked.

“Getting you something to clean the wound with,” Valda answered.

“How do you have medical training?”

“Kids get hurt,” Valda answered. “I’ve had a child jump off a cliff before. I took it on myself to learn basic healer skills after that. Plus, I’m not a fucking dumbass.”

It was only partially a lie, that one. She had decided to learn to heal, not just stare off into space during the class, when she saw a young assassin leap to his death off a cliff, and she’d been unable to save him. Her healing magic was too weak to do much with, but she could at least seal a cut or two. However, after that training, she’d been able to seal a stab. But the other medical training? Beyond useful.

She wrung out the cloth and then offered it into the space towards Eris. “Your choice to take it,” Valda drawled. “But I highly suggest you wipe your wounds general. Those types get infected easily.”

“Those types?” Eris repeated back to her, the flame dying out as he reached forward to snatch the cloth from her hand.

Valda shut her jaw promptly. “You see some things under that mountain, in the aptly named Court of Nightmares,” she lied. She did see some things like that, very rarely though. No, she’d been taught with first-hand experience what those wounds were like to inflict and to endure. In fact, one of her experiences had been during the short time she’d spent in Beron’s dungeons.

“Then what are they?” Eris tested. He truly didn’t trust her, apparently.

“Ash dagger wounds, general. They heal like a human’s sluggish healing factor,” Valda answered and began to search the cabinets and closets for some sort of bandages. She made a hum of satisfaction as she pulled a wad of white bandages from under the sink.

Eris glanced at what she held and shook his head. “No bandages.”

Valda lifted a brow, concerned. No bandages? Was he trying to die? Honestly, if he was so prone to being a fucking idiot, she should tie him to a tree and go kill Beron real quick and then knock some sense into him.

“Who said so?” Valda asked. “Who said no healers, no bandages and is hurting more than just you?”

“How do you know that?” Eris demanded.

“Hue came in, so clearly he knows something. And you mentioned Kuhn, the 5th in the Vanserra line,” Valda answered. “Do you think I’m dumb? Tell me who.”

“I-” Eris’s tone at first was defiant, but he gritted his teeth as he swiped water across an upper arm wound. Valda gestured for him to continue and he growled as if frustrated with himself. 

“Beron,” Eris finally answered.

Valda’s blood ran cold.

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

TAGLIST (see post for getting added)

@bunnymallowo, @officiallyunofficialperson, @margssstuff, @rebloggiest-reblogger, @inpraizeof, @graciereads, @eos-princess, @imma-too-many-fandoms, @mali22, @sassybluebird,

[justyoursicanon]

'iya, i found your account relatively fast and i love how you write, can you maybe do a story of a christmas party with everyone (saxton hale, ms pauling, the administrator, and the entire tf2 gang)

thanks so much!!

Awh why thank you anon! And I appreciate the feedback on my writing! Its always a pleasure to hear that I've done a well job on giving people well written content! :D

That being said, here is your request! Quite a long one but I hope you like it! :]

You may start reading! ^^

"Pyro! Keep your flamethrower steady there partner! Don't want to burn the cookies before anyone gets to even taste em!" Engineer alerted to the arsonist. Pyro, who had lowered the gas of their beloved flamethrower, nodded happily and replied with a muffled "You got it!" Engineer just chuckled, and turned back to cutting more of leftover cookie dough, using his mechanical hand to fix his turtleneck as his other hand pushed onto the cookie cutter.

"Yo hardhat! Ms. Pauling and Hale are coming soon, just wanted ya to know so you don't gotta rush much when they actually pop up yknow?" Scout came by, glancing at Pyro's freshly warmed up cookies and giving the masked merc a thumbs up. "Well thanks Scooter, do me a favor and gently put these in a pan would ya?" "You got it." And as requested, the Scout gently grabs and places them onto the steel pan, poking them away from each other to create space to each other as to not make them stick once they start baking.

Scout proceeds to push both filled pans into the even,clapping hs hands to dust away the excess crumbs. "Thanks again there son, why don't you go ahead and help Slim with the tree? Think I saw him havin a hard time putting a few ornaments up." Scout snorted at the mention, imagining the marksman on his tiptoes as he tries to hang the different colored decorations. "Alright, I'll go check on Legs and make sure he ain't climbing the damn thing. Cya!" Before Engineer could say his own goodbye, Scout was already gone.

Chuckling, Engineer fixes his goggles and glances at the cookies before hurrying to wrap the rest of his gifts for his friends.

~~

"Merry Swissmass Miss Pauling and Mister Hale, very delighted that you could join us!" Medic greeted as both Miss Pauling and Saxton Hale arrived. To everyone's surprise, Miss Pauling was for once not wearing the usual purple button up dress and and instead wore a nice lavender sweater, paired with a mint scarf around her neck, but still had her classic bun.

As for Hale, he was actually wearing a shirt, a maroon button up with the sleeves rolled up and dark brown shorts, along with his girlfriend, Mags, who wore a brown coat and a red sweater.

"Glad to see you guys too and look, someone else decided to come." As she stated, she gently places a small tv to the counter, turning it on. As static alarmed the room, the sigh of the Administrator appeared, and shockingly in different clothing as well. "Good evening Fortress, I am only doing this once and once only so please make this quick as possible." The Administrator's voice came through. The mercs waved with smiles.

"Alright are we moving on tot he gifts or what?- Hey!" Scout asked, then got a playful shove by Sniper, who acted as if he did nothing at all as he sipped his low sugar hot coco. "What're looking at me for mate? Did nothing to ya." He muttered, obviously hiding a smile. "Why ya little-" "Now now son, don't wanna start a mess before the clock even struck!" Engineer warned, chuckling at Scout's exaggerated sigh and pout, catching the small glares the runner sent to his best friend while Sniper tries to stifle his laughter.

"Actually its already past 12, you all have been too busy talking to notice." Spy spoke aloud, checking his watch underneath his suit sleeve and buries more of his face into his large scarf. The other mercs turned surprised. How could have they missed the time?

"Well then, lets start now. Shall we?" Medic asks aloud, getting multiple agreements. "Cookie time!" Pyro yelled through his muffled mask in the kitchen as he raised his flamethrower in the air. "Pyro be careful with the cookies!"

~~

Medic handed his first gift to Heavy, giving the Russian a soft smile ad Heavy ripped the wrapping paper. "Doktor got Heavy the book he wanted?.." Heavy muttered, genuinely surprised and thankful. "Well of course Misha! You would always talk about it, and it sounded very important to you. I had a few difficulties here and there but Ja, there it is." Heavy gently gripped the book, giving Medic a soft smile back. "Heavy is very thankful. Thank you Ludwig."

Spy removed himself from leaning on the wall in the corner of the living room, getting a small packaged gift out of his suit. He walks forward, nudging Scout's foot with his own. Scout pauses his little rant about on christmas disaster back in Boston to Sniper, and turns to look at Spy in confusion. "Merry Swissmas mon lapin." He states, handing the cleanly wrapped gift to his son. Scout raises an eyebrow but takes the gift, he eyes it before carefully ripping open the packaging and reveals a small sketchbook, about the size as Spy's disguise kit. "Since you have been doing art as of recent, this may be convenient rather then dragging around your rather large sketchbooks." Spy explains, blowing out a puff of smoke. Scout looks at the sketchbook then back at Spy, a smile breaks through his lips and he brings the masked merc into a hug. "Thanks Pa."

Spy freezes in his place, the smoke staying inside his lungs longer then expected. He gently pats the others back before stepping away and out the back door to smoke further. Scout just laughs and shakes his head.

"Miss Pauling." The voice from the monitor speaks up. Miss Pauling takes another bite of her cookie before placing it on the small pate and putting it aside. Turning to the monitor with a curious face. "As for this year's event. I have made the decision to be... Generous. And give from today to January 20th as your holiday. Now if you excuse me, I have more work to do. Merry Swissmas." And the monitor shuts off.

Miss Pauling was left speechless, the other voices in the background fading as she lets the information sink in. "Miss Pauling? Is everything alright?" Miss Pauling shakes her head, then turns to Mags with a tearful smile. "Everything is great, now lets go join the others." Mags smiled and walked along with her.

"Aye Solly! Pass me a cookie will ya?" Demo couldn't even finish his sentence as he was thrown 3-4 cookies from the Soldier. Which led to the other to yell and Soldier yelling back as he ran away from him.

The evening was wonderful, everyone laughing along and singing off tune to Engineer's guitar playing in the background. At some point Scout had convinced everyone to have a snow ball fight outside. Which was a great closing for the night.

The End ^^

[kaytrawrites]

Evil Plots Below

Summary In which Wasp Co tries to take over the community

Notes Jack and Tubbo curse because of course they do.

Story

“Gee, Tubbo, what do you want to do tonight?” Ranboo asked, leaning back slightly against the worktable.

Tubbo looked up from the plans and grinned. “I want to try to take over the world!”

Ranboo stared at the much shorter Bumblebee then let out a sigh. “I knew we shouldn’t have gone on that ‘Pinky and the Brain’ marathon last night.”

“You started it!” Tubbo accused. He frowned, “Really though, taking over the community seems kinda fun.”

“Tubbo…” Ranboo said, sitting up slightly.

“What? You started it.”

Ranboo sighed. “Tubbo.” He stated.

“I kinda agree with you, boss.” Sneeg commented from his perch on the shelf above the pair. “I want to try taking over the community.”

“Oh come on!” Ranboo groaned.

Tubbo hopped off his seat and flew toward a box on a higher shelf. He dragged it off and dumped it on the center table. It took a couple seconds to open the box, and he grinned. He reached in and grabbed the large object. It was silver and deep red-brown, and looked absolutely menacing.

The device was longer than Tubbo was tall, and almost as wide as his shoulders. The inside glowed with a neon blue light, which sent shivers down Ranboo’s spine.

Ranboo frowned. “Tubbo. Why did you make that?” He asked.

Tubbo shrugged, grinning. “I was bored. Now, I get to use this baby!”

Sneeg cackled and hopped down from his perch onto Tubbo’s shoulder. “Lead the way, boss!”

Ranboo sighed and vwooped to the bedroom. He picked up a box and exited the room just as Tubbo exited the workshop. “Hold up. If we are going to do this, we are doing it right.”

Tubbo paused, tilting his head.

Ranboo set the box down and opened it, pulling out one of the robes within. The material was dark and dramatic. Tubbo grinned as he dropped the device and began digging through the box. He pulled out a few items and flew into the bedroom to quickly change.

Ranboo only swapped his short cloak for a longer black one and grabbed a strip of cloth to obscure his eyes. When Tubbo emerged from the bedroom, instead of his usual overalls and striped shirt, he wore black all over with bright orange-yellow accents that brought to mind a Yellow Jacket rather than a Bee. He pulled his slightly oversized engineering goggles down, obscuring half his face, and he grabbed another piece of fabric to cover his lower face.

Sneeg glanced into the box and shook his head, only grabbing a bit of cloth to cover his armor. “I’ll be on protection detail, boss. I’ll meet you two up by the Ammo Shoppe.” He scurried up the wall effortlessly and raced up through the the vents toward the surface,

“Thanks Sneeg.” Tubbo said, scooping up the device again. “Alright, Wasp Co! Move out!” He flew toward the nether portal, diving through.

Ranboo stood and with a Vwoop , he appeared in the storage room of the Ammo Shoppe. He glanced down at the shop floor to see if there was anyone inside. Thankfully there wasn’t so he Vwooped down just as Sneeg popped out of his vent hole. The Inchling hopped up on the counter and nodded sharply. “Boss.”

Tubbo buzzed through the door. “Spotted.” He snapped. “Lake Sheep. Now!” He flew back out the door, looping around in the air to head for the center of the lake.

Ranboo sighed, and paused long enough for Sneeg to leap and grab onto his cloak. He Vwooped , and appeared on the small island where Tubbo was just arriving.

Tubbo dropped the machine in his arms, and flicked up his hud. He typed out a message and  paused before he sent it. “I’m not sure if sending a text message will work.”

Ranboo leaned slightly, trying to get a look at what Tubbo had written. “Send it to me. I can send a voice message.” Tubbo hesitated, but sent the message after a moment.

Ranboo glanced over the message, and began to speak. “Attention! All members of the OriginsSMP Community! Wasp Co is here, and will begin destroying various locations of significance if you do not fulfil our demands.” Ranboo proclaimed, his voice much deeper than usual. The tone and depth sent shivers down the spines of all who were listening, and all the ender particles that usually surrounded him froze in place.

Ranboo sent a quick message to Tubbo, and as soon as he saw it, Tubbo began cackling. It was a terrifying, deranged sound. Ranboo snapped off the broadcast just as Tubbo’s cackle began tapering off, and let out a sigh.

“Jesus Christ, big man!” Tubbo said, wiping a tear away from his eye. “I didn’t realize you had it in you.”

Ranboo looked away from his partner, toward The Pub. A black winged figure streaked across the blue sky, flying straight into The Pub.

Sneeg shook himself, and dropped down from Ranboo’s cloak. “Wait, aside from control of the community, what other demands do you have?” He asked.

Tubbo paused. “Um...um. I didn’t think about that.” He giggled, looking away from his companions.

“Riches.” Sneeg proposed.

Ranboo considered it for a moment. “Yeah, that’s about it.”

Tubbo considered for a moment. “Yeah. Control of the community is the only thing I can think of. Ranboo. Say just that.”

Ranboo sighed, and flicked open his hud again. “We demand total control and authority over the greater OriginsSMP Community. If it is not turned over within fifteen minutes, we will fire on The Pub and remove it from the skies.” He clearly stated. As he spoke, the ender particles froze again, but began vibrating erratically part way through his speech. Ranboo closed his hud and swatted at the particles. “Shut.” He hissed.

Tubbo reached down and picked up the weapon. He pointed it up in the air, and pressed the button to fire. As it shot off a ball of unknown energy into the air, he began giggling, which turned into a laugh then into a deranged cackle.

As the ball of energy reached its peak height, it froze in the air and began vibrating and stretching strangely before ripping itself apart with a massive crack of sound.

A black figure flew out from The Pub, quickly followed by a golden-red ball of fire. Just as the black figure started flying over the lake, a gold and red figure dropped, and spread his wings, gliding toward the trio on the island. The black figure back-winged, sending a powerful gust of wind toward the trio. Bits of slivered armor glinted over the black garb, their face totally obscured by the dark veil from their wide-brimmed hat. Loosely, yet expertly held in his hand was a well tended and powerful darkly colored bow.

The ball of flame came to a halt slightly behind the Crow Father, and solidified into one of the co-owners of The Pub, who was shaking as he glared down at the trio on the island.

Tommy came to a hovering stop, his much weaker wings working hard to keep him aloft.

“You bastards.” Jack growled. “We will never turn control of the community over to you.” Sparks began flowing around him, several sparking into small flames as they caught bits that could burn.

Tubbo scowled. Ranboo stood to his full height, towering over his companions. He pitched his voice down. “Crow Father.” He said, clearly and calmly. He hoped this would work. “It has been some time,” He tilted his head slightly, letting a wide grin spread across his face, letting the neon purple glow of his mouth shine. “Old friend.”

The Crow Father’s hands were quick. He knocked an arrow and let it fly in barely a second. It whizzed past Ranboo’s cheek.

Ranboo chuckled, admittedly terrified. “As fine a shot as ever.” He commented.  He tilted his head the other way. “It seems age has begun to creep up on you already.”

A second arrow whizzed past his other cheek. “Leave.” The Crow Father stated. He quickly knocked a third arrow, drew it back, and fired.

“What the fuck!” Tubbo yelped, indignantly. The arrow was planted very solidly in his machine, and the glow within was quickly dying.

“Lost cause, boss!” Sneeg yelped, diving into the lake. “Bail!” Was the last word he got out before he was fully submerged and retreating to the underground base.

Ranboo grabbed Tubbo and the now broken machine, and with a Vwoop , teleported the pair of them to the base. “Well, that failed.” Ranboo commented, as Tubbo dropped to his knees, cradling the machine.

“Bruuuuuh.” Tubbo groaned. “He broke it.”

Ranboo shook his head and sighed.

-oOo-

Tubbo was droopy as he and Ranboo walked into The Pub. Jack glanced up and leveled the pair with a glare. “You two.” He stated.

Ranboo cocked his head, giving Jack an innocent look. “Us two?”

Jack was silent for a long few moments before letting out an aggravated sigh. “Mischievous little cunts, the pair of you.” He turned and grabbed the back of Sneeg’s coat as he tried to sneak past. “More so when this one gets involved.” He said, dropping the Inchling on the bar counter. He shook his head. “Well, at least you didn’t actually try to destroy The Pub, or I would have had to set up a way to Spawn Kill you for a very, very,” He paused, leveling a glare at the pair, “Very. Long. Time.”

Ranboo nodded, quickly followed by Tubbo.

Philza slid down the ladder from upstairs. “Hey mate.” He drawled. “What was all the fuss about?”

Jack jerked a thumb at the trio. “Those lot threatened to blow up The Pub. Me, Tommy and The Crow Father stepped in and stopped them.”

Phil nodded. “Sounds like you had fun.” He chuckled. “Could I get something to drink, Jack? I did a bit of quick flying today.”

“Sure thing.”

[atonalginger]

I'm Your Huckleberry, Final Update!

Howdy y'all and happy Friday! We did it, we made it through the party and now it's time for the adults to have some fun! Will the universe let them have the evening to unwind? (we all know the answer to that is no)

This story was an idea that's been percolating in my head since spring and I've been chipping away with, with far more revisions and restructuring than most of my stories to find the balance of angst and comfort I felt was needed. Hopefully I pulled it off.

To hop in at Chapter 13 and read the last two chapters you can click HERE!

To start from the very beginning you can click here.

And as always, a snippet under a read more:

“Becker’s supposed to be getting the crew out of the telegraph station,” Bog mentioned, “Shinya spotted some vials on feed that shouldn’t be here.”

“It was inevitable,” Delgado shrugged, “anyone go with our snake kisser?”

Jamie slowly turned to look at him, surprised not at what he said, she had known Becker’s family worshiped the Great Serpent for most of her life, but that he knew at all. Becker was tight lipped about their faith, only sharing it with a rare few people.

He smiled at her, clicking his glass with hers before taking a sip and answering her unspoken question, “they’re addicted to jumping. Physically can’t stand staying in the same system for more than a few days.”

“Plenty of adrenaline junkies stay on the move,” Jamie countered.

“How many of those junkies keep shines to the Great Serpent on their ships?” Delgado leaned forward, “had enough snake kissers in the fleet to know the signs.”

“Wrecker went with Becker,” Bog chuckled at the rhyme, “said he was going to knock the dingbats’ heads together before banishing them to a ship for the night.”

“Good,” Delgado raised his glass to Bog, “you taking care of yourself?”

“Nursing a beer,” Bog smiled, “it’s been a good day.”

“That it has,” Jamie raised her glass.

There was a commotion outside in the direction of the ships. Shouting no one in the saloon could make out over the music and chatter of the party. Fox made a face and ticked his tongue, clearly assuming his deputy was involved.

“Someone tell them to keep it down,” Delgado pointed with his glass never leaving his hand, the brown liquor splashing up the side, “if any of them wake up the kids Bella will have their fucking hides.”

Through the windows Jamie thought she saw Cora and Manny hustling toward the ships. She frowned and put her glass down, wondering what those two were up to at this hour. Maybe Samina and Daiyu had sent the pair to quiet the zoned pirates but something gnawed at her, telling her that wasn’t the case. Fox shared a look with her, letting her know he too felt it. Something was wrong. Wrong enough to tickle the precognition gift the artifacts gave her. Her stomach went sour and her lower lips started to ache, Jamie reflexively sucking on it to sooth the pain of a phantom injury.

Bella stepped out of the saloon with Rokov as the shouting got worse, a few stray Spanish curses from Manny cutting through. Delgado slammed his glass down on the counter and bolted for the door without a word, a fire in his eyes as he turned to leave. 

“Well…that’s bad,” Bog said. He reached under the bar and killed the music before tossing his rag onto the counter and turning for the side door, “Shinya, what’s going on out there?”

From the small back office Shinya answered calmly, “Four newcomers. Landed as Wrecker was stuffing our zoned darlings onto their ship for the night. Old man with a cane and a lady on his arm plus a younger couple. Soon as Becker saw them they started shouting. Looks like when the kids got to the gate the younger couple lost their shit and Manny responded in kind.”

“Fuck,” Fox pushed off his stool, “it’s them.”

[toby-determined]

Day 12: Background NPC - Amanda Determined

“Come ooooon, Toby,” Amanda whined. “You used to be cool! Now you got your desk job and suddenly you forgot how.” 

“Thanks,” he snorted looking up at her from over his laptop, but the rhythmic tapping of his fingers over the keys didn’t stop. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go.”

She groaned, louder and from the gut this time. 

“Why don’t you just go alone?” 

Normally, she would have. Going places alone was an obstacle she had long overcome, much to their mother’s displeasure. But this was different. 

“I’ve already got the ticket,” she told him. Though she knew that wasn’t the only reason, it was just the only one she was willing to confess to. 

“You can sell it.”

“I can’t be bothered to do all that.” 

He shook his head, “I’m sorry your friends bailed on you.” 

“Me, too. And now my brother, my own flesh and blood, my bosom buddy, my ride or die, is also forsaking me. This is exactly why you can’t trust anyone these days,” she sighed to follow her over dramatic performance. 

This time when Toby looked up his fingers had stopped their typing. Amanda forced herself not to smile, knowing she’d gotten the hook in. Now all she had to do was reel him in and she was home free. 

“What day is it again?” 

“Saturday,” she replied. “Starts at 9.” 

“That’s so late.” 

“It is not,” she countered. “It’ll be done by 11, we’ll be home before 12!” 

“That’s only if traffic isn’t-”

“It won’t be. It's their first tour and it’s at a bar, Toby, there’ll be 100 people there, if even that.”

His mouth squished to one side, eyes flickering to his screen and her face. She pressed her palms together and laced her fingers, squeezing. Her lower lip stuck out and she did her best puppy dog eyes. It was always a crowd winner, and while Toby was less susceptible to it than others, it seemed to do the trick as he let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. 

“Fine.”

“Yes!” she said with a little fist pump. “I knew you’d come around.” 

“But-!” he said, sitting up again and holding up his index finger. “I have a deadline by Sunday. So, that means I’ve got to finish this tonight so I can edit it tomorrow before we go.” 

“Got it,” Amanda was up and on her feet, heading toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow! And wear something that’s not what you’re wearing now.” 

“What’s wrong with this?” he asked, looking down at himself. 

Ever since he’d graduated from uni and got the job at the newspaper all he had been wearing was the same get up. A white button down, black tire, and dark trousers with dark shoes. It did it’s job to make him look like nobody, a regular Clark Kent if Superman was a shrimpy little fucker who landed in Australia rather than the US of A, but it wasn’t something you wore to a concert. 

Toby was not the older brother that Amanda had been sold in various movies and television shows. He wasn’t cool and he wasn’t aloof. Her friends didn’t get crushes on him. He didn’t wear a leather jacket, he didn’t tell her who she should and shouldn’t go out with, he didn’t try to control her, and it never felt like he was the golden child who was favored by their parents who could do no wrong. He was what he was, which was a weirdo that she happened to be related to.  

Amanda let her brother be for the remainder of the night and all Saturday morning. She kept her phone on her at all times until he called to tell her that he had finished and sent in his little article. 

She picked him up later that day, laying on the horn until he came scrambling out. He tore open the passenger door and grabbed her arm to pull it off the steering wheel. He’d lost his balance on the curb, foot slipping down and making his body fall into the seat. She cracked up, pony tail hitting against the headrest. She hadn’t been able to see through her tears as he righted himself and got into the car, slamming the door shut after him.

“Will you go?” he asked, sinking down into the seat to peek out from the window. “The neighbors are going to hate me now.” 

The drive to get there was a bit of a task, traffic in the city was always a fucking nightmare, and parking was even worse. But they’d found a spot that Amanda had whipped into before the fucking pick-up could steal it from her. They walked over to the building that was around the block, Amanda pulling the tickets from her purse to get them in the door with little purple paper wristbands. She had to help Toby get his on, having to stand off to the side as they hunched over his wrist. 

Then they were in.

“There is way more than 100 people here,” she pretended she did not hear Toby say as she walked them over to the stage area. It was standing room, obviously, and everyone that was there was mostly crowded up by the front or trying to get a drink order in before the set started. She could feel her boots sticking to the floor as they kicked through plastic bottles and wadded up napkins. 

“How much did you pay for this?” he asked. 

“What does it matter to you? It’s not your money,” she replied, staking their claim on a spot by the wall. She liked having at least one side of her not surrounded by strangers who could potentially be fucking annoying. 

The opening band was fine. They weren’t something that she would seek out again on her own but were entertaining for the moment, the anticipation building up in her stomach. Toby, as she suspected he would be, was sort of the perfect companion. He was quiet when he needed to be and talked when she needed him to, like asking if she wanted water or a drink and bringing them just in time for the actual show to begin. 

It was great. The crowd was a little annoying with their lack of noise control when the band was trying to talk, and at one point someone had to be dragged out the front door when he’d taken a tumble, but other than that, it had been great. The music wasn’t a disappointment live and the girls on stage knew how to put on a show. Amanda was pleasantly toasted by the end of the set, shouting along with everyone else as they asked for an encore. And then the second encore. 

It was over far too soon, honestly. She wanted to live in that moment forever but knew she had to go home at some point. 

She hadn’t even noticed Toby had disappeared during the second encore until he reappeared at her side from behind a couple that were swaying together to the sound of the crowd shuffling into a line for merch. Ugh, she had wanted a shirt but she didn’t want to wait in-

“You still like to wear mediums instead of smalls, don’t you?” Toby asked, holding up a shirt. She blinked then grinned, snatching it from him to shove over her head. Amanda breathed in the absolutely disgusting smell of the room one last time before deflating. 

“Alright,” she sighed. “Let’s go.”

They started out the front door and when she went to go in the direction of her car, Toby caught her by saying her name. She stopped, turning to look at him, thinking maybe he’d forgotten his wallet or something at the table. 

“Where’re you going?” 

Amanda frowned. “The car?”

“...but…don’t you want to meet the band?” 

“What? No, they aren’t even doing a meet and greet.”

Toby snorted. “Come on.”

She did not follow him until he got too far without looking back at her for her to not jog after him. They walked down the street until there was a break in the buildings and they turned down the little alleyway that opened up on a back lot. Presumably where employees of the establishments put their cars and where deliveries came to drop off. There were a few cars there and toward the back was a large bus and truck behind it. 

An open door, stuck that way by a piece of wood sitting at the bottom, had people coming in and out of it. They were dressed in black, pushing black boxes on wheels with silver linings and buckles over to the truck to sit in neat rows. There were other random assortment of bags and boxes sitting in the lot by the car. 

Her eyes widened when she realized what it was and she turned to look at Toby. He was not looking at her though and she blinked at the person walking beside her. She fucking hated when people did this, because after the first 1,000 times it just became a grating joke that made her want to shout No, you’re not fucking original!!! at anyone who said it, but Toby looked…determined. 

She faltered, falling a step behind him when he didn’t stop as they got closer. Amanda figured they were just going to hang out by the bus. There was already a little crowd of people who weren’t doing anything but standing and talking by the nose of the bus, on the side with the door. She clocked their wrists, the purple bands. That’s where they belonged, surely. 

But Toby just kept going. Passed the crowd, passed the boxes, until someone cut in front of him.

“Uh uh,” said the guy. He was security, judging by the thick arms and chiseled jaw. 

“Oh, sorry there, mate!” Toby smiled up at the guy, who towered over both of them. They were both short, gifted by their mother’s genes. “We’re here for Bridget. We’re the cousins.” 

“Who?” asked the security guy. 

Toby made a face, then looked at Amanda like he was confused, too. She was pretty sure she was the most fucking confused out all three of them. He turned back, “Um, Bridget…she plays the drums?” 

“I thought her name was Taylor.” 

“For the opening band,” Toby said, like he was correcting the guy.

Aaaand Amanda had finally caught on to what her brother was trying to do here. She felt sick. It wasn’t that lying was a no-no to her, but she wasn’t big on being embarrassed, avoided it at all costs if she could, that's why she had built up her confidence to be an unmovable object and ability to not give a fuck an unstoppable force. It wasn’t easy to rattle her but the prospect of getting kicked out of the parking lot by this bands crew after trying to lie their way in, with a bunch of fellow fans to bare witness, after having a perfectly good night and knowing the walk of shame passed that crowd would fucking ruin it, she hated this. She hated her brother for doing this to her. Since when did he do shit like this? Or talk like this? Why hadn’t he told her he was going to do this? If she had known she wouldn’t have fucking followed him, she would have left his dumb ass here and driven home.  

She blinked. Suddenly there was someone else there dressed in all black. A woman, with a hoodie and cargo pants, she had a belt with clips and various things attached to it, too. 

“Yeah, no, that’s right,” she said, like she was confirming a question that had been asked of her. Her eyes found Amanda’s for a moment, then looked down to her shirt, before she returned to the conversation that was happening between Toby and the security guard. Amanda tuned back in, too. 

“-ust ask her. She said we were supposed to meet her back here. I mean, it’s fine if not, but I just don’t want her to think we didn’t come.” 

The security guard seemed to consider this, then he glanced to the woman who shrugged. She turned around, going back inside, narrowly avoiding someone who was carrying out a guitar case. Amanda’s eyes followed them as they brought it over to the bus, the doors opening to let them on. When they disappeared inside she refocused and found herself looking at the crowd of fans. They were all looking at her. Amanda quickly whipped back around. 

It took a few minutes. Some very painful minutes, though they did allow Amanda time to think about the ways she could kill her brother. 

“Hey, Garrett!” 

The security guard turned, Amanda leaned to see around his hulking mass to find the woman from before. She was leaning into the doorway, only her shoulders and up were visible as she was trying to stay out of the way of the people moving things still. And, seriously, it was a small ass venue? How much shit could they be carrying out of the place? 

“They’re good,” she said with a nod and thumbs up before disappearing. 

Amanda could not fucking believe it. The security guard led them over to the door, just letting them walk right inside. 

They ducked out of the way of a guy rolling one of those boxes, giving Amanda time to dig her nails into Toby’s arm and ask, “What the fuck! We’re not anyone’s cousins!” 

“Technically we do have-”

“Shut the fuck up,” she hissed before they both kept walking down the hall. “You know what I mean, you idiot! That wasn’t even a good lie! She’s going to know we aren’t-”

“No, she isn’t,” he assured her. “She doesn’t know what we look like.” 

“Does she even have cousins coming?” 

“Yeah, but we’ll be gone by the time they get here.” 

“How do you-”

“Come on,” he cut her off, leading her into a room. The walls and ceiling were covered with stickers. There was couches along the right and back walls. The left had a table with a bunch of snacks on it, and the front by the door sat a large mirror with bright lights. The table below it had a few little bags that Amanda recognized to be for make-up and toiletries. She had one herself, though not as cute as the ones sitting, opened and spilled out on the table. 

The band was in this room, all of them lounging on the various couches with food and water, talking excitedly to one another, before one of them noticed the two of them standing there. 

Amanda blushed furiously, eyes darting to Toby, waiting to see what he’d do. 

“Hi! Layne told me it’d be a good time?” 

“Uh…” said Cierra, the bass player. “...for what?” 

“The interview!” Toby said. He smiled and gestured to Amanda, who could only wave at the girls at this point. They all glanced at one another, waiting to see if the other knew something they didn’t. When no one seemed to know what was going on, they all looked back to Toby. His smile dimmed a little and then he tried again. He bumbled about to pat at his pockets, starting with his jacket and then his pants until was pulling out his stupid newspaper card to show them, “Uh, sorry, I…I’m from a local paper? The Yowie Mail. We contacted your manager and she said you’d all agreed to do an interview with a fan from the area. She just let us in.” 

“Did she tell you?” Frankie, the singer, asked their drum player, Dawn, who only shrugged and shook her head. No one else confirmed nor denied. 

“Oh, I’m- I’m so sorry,” Toby said, he looked at Amanda then back to the band, “We can wait while you confirm if you’d like?” 

“Yeah, uh- oh, hey! Layne!” Frankie stood, waving a hand. In the door, the woman from the back door stopped again, hand on the door frame pulling her back into view. “Did you just let these guys in?” 

“What?” the woman asked, then looked to Toby and Amanda. Toby smiled and waved at her. And she nodded, “Oh, yeah.” 

“Oh. Okay,” Frankie said. “Did-”

“Sorry, I need to- hey! Don! Don’t lift that!” she shouted and then was gone. 

Amanda looked back to the band, who seemed to be holding a silent conversation with one another as to whether or not they were going to do this. After a moment, they all looked over at Toby and Amanda. “Okay! We have a while before we can leave anyway. Come and sit!” 

And they did. 

It was actually pretty cool after Amanda managed to get over the hump of the initial awkwardness and mind fuck that had gotten them in the door. She kept waiting for the manager or the security guard to come in, pick them up, and toss them out on their asses. But they never did. Amanda got to ask all the questions she could think of, which was hard to do on the spot, but Toby stepped in when she had stuttered too much. It hadn’t taken her long to get comfortable, though. She wasn’t the kind of person who sat in the formal pleasantries, she liked conversations. 

Pretty soon the interview fell away into a hangout session and then Toby was standing and saying they’d better be on their way. Amanda hadn’t wanted to leave, had started to protest, but then saw the meaningful look on his face. Oop. Yep. Gotta go. 

She waved goodbye to the girls. 

“Wait!” Frankie said. “Can we sign something for you or anything?” 

“Oh,” Amanda blinked. “I don’t have…”

“What about your shirt?” Toby suggested. 

“Ooo! Yeah!” the band cooed in agreement. 

All the girls got up, using a marker that was on one of the tables for labeling the drink cups, and one by one signed a spot on the shirt. She thanked them, even getting a hug from Frankie, and then left with Toby. Out the back, passed the little group of fans, out the alley, and back onto the street until they got to the car. 

She sat in her seat for a minute before asking, again, “What the fuck?” 

“Jeez, it’s already 1:30?” Toby replied, leaning his seat back a little. “I’m getting too old to stay up this late anymore.” 

“Toby! Shut the fuck up about the time!” she said, punching him in the shoulder. He flinched away. 

“Ow!”

“What the fuck was that?” 

“I thought you wanted to meet the band!” 

“I-! I mean-!” her mouth worked to get all her thoughts that were smashing together but couldn’t get them to be coherent until she closed her eyes and took a breath. “Okay, I am going to ask a question and you’re going to answer it.”

“Right.”

“How the fuck did you know who Bridget was and that she had cousins?” 

“I’d gone to get you that drink after her band played,” Toby said. “And she was next to me, talking to the bar manager about how her cousins were coming and if they did before the show was done, to tell them to come see her. Then, when I was getting your shirt, she was asking if they’d seen them and they said no. So then she said to tell them to come around to the back. I figured, since they didn’t make it to the show, they probably weren’t coming at all.” 

“You figured,” she repeated then shook that off. “Okay. So, then, the manager? How did you know her name?” 

“I didn’t,” shrugged Toby. “Just got the drummer’s from-”

“No, no! I mean the band’s manager.”

“The security guard,” he said, looking at her funny. “He’d said it when we were talking to him?” 

“Oh,” Amanda frowned. It must have been when she was freaking the fuck out. “How did you know the interview thing would work? Like, what if she’d actually stuck around for them to ask about it?” 

“I didn’t. Just sorta hoped she’d be too busy dealing with the bad hired help to pay us much mind.”

“Fuck,” she sighed, finally sitting back in her seat to absorb all of this. “Fuck.” 

“Did you not want to meet them?”

“No, I-! That was great,” she said, smiling to herself as she remembered bits of the conversation. “It was really nice. I just…how the fuck did you learn to lie so well? You can barely keep a straight face when you tell mum that dad didn’t eat her leftovers.” 

“That’s different. That’s mum. And this was for you. Plus, now I have a story to pitch to my editor on Monday.” 

“Story?” 

“About the band! I have to make sure they see an article with their interview, don’t I?” 

Amanda looked over at him. He was slumped against the door, arms crossed over his chest. He sort of reminded her of their dad when he got to the couch, out like a light as soon as he turned on the tv after a long day of work. 

“Right,” she smiled and then patted his shoulder. 

“Ow,” he whined.  Yeah, Toby wasn’t the typical older brother, but he was her brother.

[glacialswordsman]

Kaeya’s gaze flitted towards Adelinde briefly when she mentioned Crepus’s thoughts on him. His brows pinched upwards, her statement shooting a pang through his heart.

Perhaps he did, but if he were still around… Oh, what would he think of him now?

Brushing those thoughts aside, he focused upon the letter and quietly read its contents, his expression giving way to most of his musings. Surprise, grief, hurt, remorse—but most of all, a deeply rooted understanding.

It seems even the old man harbored secrets.

To think that he was a Harbinger… To think that the Tsaritsa let him go. Or perhaps she didn’t. Perhaps she had an eye on them that night, when the Delusion backfired on Crepus, when Diluc snuffed out the flame of their father’s life in an act of mercy—when Kaeya was granted his Vision.

‘I do not want the Tsaritsa’s eyes or Pierro’s eyes to fall upon you, ever.’

Unfortunately, just like the rest of everything else in his life, Kaeya had no choice in that matter.

It felt as though the orb at his hip grew colder as he considered these thoughts, yet he continued on with the letter.

He should have known that Crepus had his speculations on why Kaeya may have shown up that eve to their home; that there was the possibility of this random, abandoned child being left behind on purpose. Even so, he was taken in anyway. He was given warmth and love, never once scorned or spurned. It didn’t matter to anyone at the Winery or manor that he was different. From that moment on, he was a Ragnivindr, regardless of what may have happened or may happen in the future.

Tears welled over his lone eye as he continued to read, his lower lip faintly quivering before he clenched his teeth tighter in attempts to keep his emotions at bay.

A soft huff left the current Cavalry Captain as his father asked for forgiveness in the letter to him, before a quiet sob left him when given assurance of his love. A hand brought itself to cover his mouth, unable to keep his tears at bay any longer. How could he not forgive him, when Kaeya’s entire life has been a carefully crafted lie to be used against the Ragnivindrs; against Mondstadt?

The sight of the crudely written Khaenri’ahn at the end of it all had him inhale sharply before the wind felt as though it was knocked out of him. All at once, the guilt crashed down on him and nearly sent him on his knees, had it not been for the loud whistling coming from the kettle. Stumbling to the kitchen, he turned off the fire from the stove and grasped the counter’s edge, wrinkling the letter within that same hand. Only then did he allow himself to collapse, his forehead pressing against the glass of the oven door. His eye drifted to the letter once more, holding it upon his lap as he wept, droplets soaking into the parchment.

“… I’m sorry,” he whispered to no one in particular—or perhaps, to the lingering shrouds over his shoulders.

Kaeya, ever since Crepus’s death, was not really given the opportunity to mourn for the man he came to consider his father. He remembers being the one to arrange the funeral procession for the late Ragnivindr man, along with Adelinde and Elzer’s help. Even with his wounds and burns still healing, he put in the work to make sure the man got the rest and peace he deserved. Perhaps it was a form of penance. Despite this, though, he didn’t give himself a moment to breathe after Mondstadt had bidden its farewells to its beloved son, as he then shifted his focus on recuperating and climbing ranks within the Ordo Favonius.

And now, it all came crashing down. The shame of the fascination and relief he felt after Crepus’s passing left him in a grave state of contrition, bringing him to curl in on himself as his weeps grew into cries, before he began to fully bawl.

What a failure of a son.

( 🧹 )       SHE LET OUT a soft exhale , shaking her head as she fiddled with the gloves on her hands , placing the leather items on her lap 'fore she blinked at kaeya's admission. a lot had happened since the late ragnvindr's passing but the thought that master kaeya didn't believe he'd be left with anything . . made her chest ache somewhat in sadness.

HE WAS SO well loved. still is --- even if currently it doesn't feel that way.

   ❝  HE THOUGHT THE world of you.     ❞      she looks at the box and then away as the man she saw as a son opened it -- revealing to him . . well , she didn't know just yet. until . .

ADELINDE LOOKED UP as kaeya's arm rose , following his movements to spy the insignia being raised to the light. ah. besides the letter that master diluc had her read she . . hadn't a clue what else had been left or found --- possibly some of the same , hence his reaction.

HER GAZE CONNECTED with the captain's , maintaining the look but gently urging him on --- it would do neither of them good to hold off much longer , as much she . . agonized over the aftermath to come.      

Dear Son, The only reason you must be reading this letter in your hands would be because I am no longer around, as this letter would be anywhere but in your hands currently. Know that I wouldn't have left yourself or Diluc if I could help it and that I extend my apologies for doing so.

Some of the contents of this box are no doubt a surprise to you, as it contains a past that I no longer am proud of but nonetheless is a part of me and who I used to be. I used to be the Eleventh of the Fatui's Harbingers. Brighella was the name I went by within their ranks at the time. I cannot write much more about what I do or don't know but know that I would have told you personally in time -- you and your brother both. But with you holding this letter .. it seems time was neither kind or on my side. If either one of you have found my delusion somewhere: do not touch it. Especially you, lad. You don't have a vision like your brother and i've seen how .. difficult .. it has been for you trying to keep up but I implore you to leave it be. Its not worth the risk and harm it could do to yourself with or without a vision. I trust that you, whenever you read this, still have that smart head on your shoulders. I have little doubt that the Fatui were involved in whatever capacity my death was like. They've been growing closer like a disease as of late and Mondstadt is growing less and less safe and I've not the physical or elemental strength I used to possess. Do not confront them directly. I do not want the Tsaritsa's eyes or Pierro's eyes to fall upon you ever. The moment you get close someone will speak it into their ear and all that I've tried to culminate in a normal life for you would fall apart. Well. As normal as possible, considering the impossibility and confounding circumstances of the hows and why's you found yourself in my care on that night. I know not of what plans or reasons that may have been set for you to be placed in my care but know that I never came to regret bringing you in. Watching you grow, learn and even excel at every single thing that found its way into your hands was astonishing to watch . . but I do hope that you rise and step out of Diluc's shadow in due time. May you receive a vision that helps you in your goals, no matter what they may be. I ask of you the most difficult task in looking out after Diluc if you could .. the boy is sensitive in the best and worst of ways -- his emotions can get the best of him. I don't want him to harm himself thinking he's doing the right thing when he's simply swallowed up in pain and grief. As Calvery Captain, Diluc must put the people first and his emotions and curiosity second, trust those closest to you and if nothing else … family is most important. Never forget that. No matter the troubles that come forward, you and your brother must stick together, trust in one another and persevere. All falls apart when one feels alone and deserving of it -- strive to patch up any squabble that the two of you have .. especially if it is over the truth that i've provided. Know that I've never not been proud of you and that you've always been a son to me and if i am gone that it was a priviledge to be your father. Look after Miss Adelinde and the rest if Diluc cannot. I hope you can forgive the lies and deceit that this truth has caused, if you cannot understand or curse my name after my death I understand. I love you, son, you've got so much potential and I hope you have a chance to show it as the Ragnvindr you were accepted into. May your lineage be kind to you. Stellae et ventus te ducet. Best wishes, Sire Crepus Ragnvindr, Master of the Dawn Winery.

[ryloriee678999]

Your Power Is Mine Now (Wanda Maximoff x Reader)

Summary: Dr Strange sends you to kill Wanda but when you find her, something else happens. Basically Wanda fucking you against her kitchen counter. (1600 words)

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI this fic includes smut , Dark!Wanda (sort of), Strap-on sex (Reader receiving),  AFAB Reader, Virgin!Reader, sort of dubcon, begging, brief breeding kink, squirting strap-on

A/N: My fav fic writer liked my last smut so I wrote more. Also, please give me feedback, I’m not used to writing smut. 

-

You tracked down Wanda's house as of request from Stephen Strange. As a young talented sorcerer, he decided you were perfect to try and find her. 

What happened next, you didn't expect. As you walked into her house uninvited, you expected to get flown across the room or yelled at. Instead, you found yourself pinned against the kitchen counter by the woman you were supposed to kill.

“What are you doing in my house?” She asked sternly, her accent strong. You couldn’t quite focus on what she said with her being so close. Her hands were on either side of your hips and her chest almost touched yours. You try leaning back but the counter behind you stops your movements. You knew you should probably fight back but your mind short-circuited as embarrassing as that sounds.  

“Answer me, who sent you?” she loudly snaps, you finally look at her. As she grew more impatient, her own hips pressed to yours. It was probably supposed to hurt you but it did more of the opposite.

“I- It was Stephen, he wanted me to find you,” you admit. You were terrified yes, but also felt like your entire body was on fire. Quickly though, you try to remove the thoughts you were having so you could wield some sort of power in your hands. She quickly grabs them though and pins them down to the counter. “And why would he send you?” She cocks her head. “He really isn't that smart is he.”

You feel yourself awkwardly gazing away as her eyes roamed your body. She then removes herself from you, seeing as you are no threat. After all, she was one of the most powerful beings, and you, you were a regular human being with some power. Not enough power to even leave a dent in the woman. “He says I'm the best,” you respond. 

Wanda lifts up one hand, holding your chin to look directly at her. “And do you really believe that?” She asks. “Because I think it’s because he doesn't care what happens to you.”

Wanda waits for you to say something but when you don't, she moves away from you. Shamefully, you frown at the contact that was lost and Wanda noticed. You stood there flushed and helplessly as red swirls appear around her fingers. You realize the power she’s using isn't to hurt you, but to invade your mind. 

“What are you doing? Stop that,” you say. When she continues going through your head, you take it as a chance to overpower her. The moment sparks of yellow became visible, Wanda took a step ahead of you and pinned you back against the counter, her hands on top of yours once again. 

“Now why are you thinking those thoughts when your job is to kill me?” She questions, you try moving away but her grip tightens. Her face gets closer so that you could feel her breath against your lips. “Stephen would be so disappointed if he knew what you were thinking, no?” 

You whimper as you try squirming away. Suddenly you feel a hand tracing down your stomach, getting lower and lower. You stop dead in your tracks, too afraid to move.

“You’ve never been touched like this?” Wanda questions as she pushes two fingers over your clothed core. You bit back any noise and she pressed harder against your clit. Your hips bucked into her hand involuntarily. 

“So responsive,” Wanda sighed, her index finger still rubbing over you. “Has anyone touched you here before?” She wondered out loud.

You shake your head, not trusting your voice. Thankfully, you didn’t need to respond again because Wanda moved forward to roughly kiss you. Her teeth painfully bit your lip but soothed it with her tongue brushing over it. 

Hesitantly you kissed back, it was so wrong what you two were doing but you couldn't care less right now with your body feeling hot all over. Your hips tried moving against her but stopped when you felt something hard under her jeans. You tried looking down to see what it was but Wanda grabs your face to look at her again. 

“You’re too curious for your own good,” she whispers against your lips. You lean forward to kiss her again but her face turns to the side. “You don't deserve anymore until you beg, can you do that for me baby? Tell me how much you want me.”

You weren't sure what to say, but you needed to be touched again by her. As much as it was uncomfortable, you wanted to make her happy so you said what you could think of at the moment.  “I want you, Wanda. Anything, please just do anything. I’ve never done this before, Wanda please,” you begged. You felt self-conscious about what you said when Wanda had no reaction. Her face was blank, leaving you to wonder whether your words were too much or too little. 

Wanda quickly eased your thoughts when she kissed you again, this time her tongue entering your mouth right away. A quiet moan left your lips as you felt your shirt being tugged at. You helped her take the clothing off of your body, leaving you in only undergarments. 

Her body connects with yours again, this time you could feel her warm skin against yours which made the ache become more intense. You still weren't allowed to look down but you felt something against your underwear, sometimes pressing into you when she moved closer. 

Your bra and underwear were taken off before Wanda held onto your hips to lift you up onto the counter. You didn't even notice Wanda took off her underwear until you felt yourself being entered. 

“You look so pretty like this, I wonder what Stephen would say if he saw you like this,” Wanda hums. You whimper at the feeling, not paying attention to what she’s saying. The tip of her strap-on slowly enters you, you almost stop breathing at the new sensation.

“It hurts,” you cry as she pushes into you, inch by inch. Tears pricked at your eyes as she softly pulled a strand of hair around your ear. The feeling of her stretching you out burned, but it felt so good when she slowly circled around your clit with her fingers. 

She stills her movements for you to take it all in, feeling so full from her being buried inside you. “Shh baby, you just have to get used to it. I’ll make you feel better soon.”

It took all in her power to stop herself from moving as you adjusted to the feeling. Soon enough you grabbed onto her back to try and push her deeper. Wanda’s breath hitched when you held onto her, everything you felt, she felt too. 

Slowly she pulled out so that only the tip was inside you, after a few seconds, she slammed herself back in. You finally got a look at the strap-on that was disappearing into you, your eyes rolled back at the sight. Her pace got faster and harder, reaching areas you didn't even know existed. 

Your nails dug into her shoulder and your legs wrapped around her waist moving with her every time she thrusted into you. Her mouth brushed against yours as she moved inside you, the pace was fast making you embarrassingly close. Along with her fingers roaming your body, touching every inch of your skin, you felt as if you could burst at any moment.

A familiar feeling burned in the pit of your stomach, but it was more intense than anything you have felt before. “Please don't stop,” you moan into her mouth, almost like a demand. “I’m close, Wanda.”

Wanda had no time to respond, her own orgasm approaching at the same speed as yours. The only thing she could let out before your vision turned white was a mumble of words. “Fuck, your never going back there. You’re mine, I'm going to fill you up so much, Strange will realize his mistake when you come back full of my children.”

“Uh-huh,” you breathlessly groan, agreeing with whatever she just said as your  orgasm took over.

You came, wetness dripping onto the strap and down your thighs. Wanda continued to pound into you until her own orgasm stopped her. You felt hot long spurts of cum entering you followed by some leaking onto the counter. 

Wanda could feel the way you were pulsating on her cock, so she stayed still for a moment, relishing in the feeling she just experienced. Your face was buried in her neck and out of breath, when you finally came down from your high, your eyes widened once you took in what just happened. You had forgotten about the whole mission after Wanda took your virginity, you almost forgot why you were even here.

When Wanda finally pulled out of you, you hastily jumped off of the counter and started to put your clothing on. You stumbled a bit but you were able to collect your shirt and underwear.

Wanda turned around, her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you think you're doing?” She asked as she discarded the toy, her clothing was suddenly back on, you guessed it had something to do with her magic. “I have to get back– I need to get back home, they’re probably waiting for me. Dr Strange, he’s waiting for me,” you respond as you scramble to find the rest of your outfit.

Wanda laughs, “You’re not going back there.” You look at her with concern, of course you were going back there and never coming back after the mistake you made. Your plan was dented with Wanda cornering you into another wall, “You’re with me now and you’re not going anywhere.”