#//he’s even showing his shoulders in this one! that’s an improvement of sorts right?

[mechahero]

redesign of this outfit i did last year! i think this one is way cuter than the old one

[servicpop]

✶ ﹑ㅤtutoring seshㅤ﹏

NOW STARRING : adrien x bottom m!reader

「ㅤNSFWㅤ」ㅤtutor sesh w/ your deliquent situationship but he can't focus on the studying, only you!

✙ warnings — parents are home , manhandling(?) , obsessive 'n a little pervy adrien , slight hair pulling , bodyworship(?) , Adrien is a little silly in this fic

notes ,, this was supposed to be short but I got carried away ^^;

Adrien had called you over to his house for a "tutoring session." For past few weeks, Adrien has been near-failing practically every single class except for gym class and whatnot. Realising he needed to improve his grades or he'll never graduate with you, he called you on one faithful evening to come over and help him study.

Obviously you complied; it was nice to see Adrien showing some sort of motivation to improve, so you changed into some casual clothes and began to walk to his house. You had prepared your laptop, pencil case, and textbooks, all ready to put in a few hours of tutoring. When you arrived at his front door, you grazed the back of your knuckles against the wood and knocked once or twice, expecting Adrien to show up with a proud smirk like he always did.

But it wasn't Adrien. When the door swung open, you saw his mother. You've only seen her once or twice but never up-close like this. The words caught in your throat as you clutched the straps of your bags, trying to find the words that never came. As if heaven answered your prayers, you saw Adrien jogging down the stairs and to the door, leaning on the door frame with his arm held above his head.

"You came," He grinned, taking the bag from your shoulders as he pulled you inside by your wrist. He helped you take off your shoes cinderella style and neatly placed them beside the doorway. He was awfully caring right now. Your hands felt crammy as you took a glance at Adrien's mother watching the two of you interact, a small blush dusted your ears while you quickly turned away. It must've looked like you were dating with the way she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, mom, we'll be in my room if you'd excuse us," Adrien flashed a toothy smile at his mother before snaking an arm around your waist and pulling you to his side. As he walked you up the stairs, Adrien found an opportunity to tease you, "You nervous meeting my mom?" He asked, squeezing your sides playfully. You shoot him an unamused gaze and he lets out a hearty chuckle from that. Adrien's hand wrapped around his gold doorknob, twisting it before he halted for a second. "Uh, wait here for a second, I gotta clean up my room," he didn't even wait for a response before slipping into his bedroom and closing the door behind him.

"Shit," Adrien muttered under his breath as he quickly shoved the polaroids and photos of you from his desk and into his drawer. He couldn't let you see how god damn obsessed he was about you. He couldn't let you see the photos of yourself stained with a white sheen, no, he wouldn't want to scare you off.

Adrien finally emerged from his room, pushing the door wide open for you to come in with a smile. You didn't question it. As you walked in, you were instantly hit with the scent of his cologne and natural musk. It wasn't a strong enough scent to burn your nose but it would still take you awhile to get used to it. Besides the scent, Adrien's bedroom was relatively clean for a guy who was titled 'the school deliquent.' He had a few sports posters plastered on the walls and his shelf had a few trophies from his childhood. You spotted the baseball bat leaned up against the wall alongside with the volleyball and basketball resting next to eachother. Adrien was sure athletic.

As you two sat down beside your desk, you pulled out all the equipment needed for studying and turned to Adrien, "What do you wanna study?" You asked him and got a small shrug in response. Well, why not start with biology since you conveniently happen to have a textbook that covered the subject.

Around 30 minutes pasted and you were diligently teaching him about human anatomy, glancing over to see him nodding once or twice. You thought it was going well but Adrien on the other hand... He was too focused on the way your hands glided against the pages, tapping the pen against the paper rhythmically, and how your eyes fluttered to him ever so often. Shit, he was horny as hell right now. Just the thought of those hands intertwining with his as he fucks the intelligence out of you is enough to get his blood pumping to the wrong places.

"Adrien? Are you listening?" Your voice snaps him out of his twisted fantasies and he leaned in closer to you, his voice dropping down to a whisper, "You know, I'm a hands-on, visual learner..." That shit-eating grin spread across his face as Adrien pat his lap enticingly, trying to draw your attention to the print in his sweatpants. But knowing you, you wouldn't give in so easily — you were called here to tutor him, not anything else.

"Just answer one more question and I'll—" Before you could even finish your sentence, Adrien's arms wrapped around your waist and he hoisted you up from the chair, practically slinging you over his shoulder. His forearms flexed around you, making sure you didn't fall before placing you on his bed, the mattress dipped from the sudden weight. "Try to be quiet 'kay? My parents are home," He nipped at the shell of your ear before hastily undoing your belt and sliding your pants off. Did he care that his parents could come in at any moment? No, but it was much more exciting to see you try and keep quiet.

"Can we kiss?" Adrien's voice was almost whiny, his eyelashes batted at you innocently — even though he was far from innocent. Nonetheless, you didn't respond, you've set certain boundaries that prevented you and him from getting attached (even though you may or may not have broken it a couple of times). "No," it was a simple, sharp answer that Adrien grumbled at. He understood where you were coming from, he was a bad influence and you were this goody-two-shoes. But he couldn't deny the part of him that wanted something more than just meaningless flings. He huffed, murmuring a small, "How can I study the muscles of a tongue then?"

Scooping you up back into his arms, Adrien ignored your small protests and shifted your position so that your stomach would lay flat against his bed. His hands met the back of yours, pinning you down as he slotted each of his fingers in the spaces between yours. "What happened to studying, Adrien?" Your scolds were muffled by Adrien's pillow and seemed to fall short of his ears. As he held you down, he grinded his hips against your ass, groaning softly from the pure excitement he felt. It had been a few months since he was about to get his hands on you, your pictures just wasn't as good as the real thing.

"Calvin klein hm?" Adrien chuckled softly, trailing his hands from the back of your palm, to your shoulders, down your spine, and to the waistband of your boxers, "Next time don't wear anything." His fingers hooked the elastic before pulling it down and off your legs. You couldn't see what he was doing from your position, and every touch made your skin jump, he was so unpredictable. His fingers traced the curve of your ass before spreading them apart to see your hole. "This is the anus right?" He asked, and you could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"—Yes," you hesitated to answer him, he was obviously playing games with you, but there was no harm in humoring him. You heard the faint rustling of clothes before you felt something prod at your entrance. You sucked in through your teeth, was he seriously going to do this with no lube? "Sorry, don't got any on me right now." It was like he read your mind and instead dipped his head down to lick a stripe over your hole. It tickled, and your body naturally jerked away from it before he grabbed your hips and held them down one more. Weirdo.

He shuffled behind you, placing two knees on either side of your legs and his fingers angled your hips a little bit up. The slight burn of Adrien pushing into you made your fingers curl around his pillow, gripping it like your life depended on it. He slowly pushed in, filling you up until his hips met your ass. Even if your skin was flushed against his, Adrien pushed impossibly deeper inside of you until he could feel his tip press against your prostate. His hands tightened around your waist, stopping you from squirming and forcing you to take it.

"Is this your prostate?" He asked, his voice slightly trembled from the pleasure that coursed his veins, he was trying so hard to control himself. This time you ignore him, you know well that he knew. From the lack of a response, Adrien let out a breathy laugh before he finally decided to move, pulling out almost all the way before slamming into you. Your eyes flew open and your knuckles grew pale from how hard you were holding onto his pillow, your whines were muffled quite well, thankfully.

Adrien groaned ruggedly as he pounded you into his bed, the headboard knocked on his wall with every thrust. "You're being so quiet," He chuckled, reaching a hand out to ruffle your hair affectionate before moving to grab your hand. You couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic enough with the way he kept slamming into you like it was a punishment. Everytime he pulled out, he cooed at the way your hole would suck him back in like it missed him. "Fuck, I just can't with you," He let out a shaky breath as he rolled his hips against you, pushing further and further, trying to reach places he couldn't before.

He was reaching so deep that tears began to blur your vision, everything felt so overwhelming but numb at the same time. He leaned down to press kisses on your knuckles as he held your hand tightly under his own. His hips were relentless, slapping against yours, you were sure he'd leave your bruised and sore tomorrow. It was like he completely forgot they weren't alone in his house. In fact, Adrien's fingers moved from your hand to your hair, threading them through each strand and grabbing a handful, tugging it gently so your head would lift from the pillow.

"Kiss?" He asked once more, his lips already ghosting over yours. At this point you didn't care, all you could feel was how Adrien was throbbing inside you and how your dick rubbed against his white sheets with every thrust. "Fine," you exhale and he took the opportunity almost immediately, capturing your mouth in a heated kiss as he pulled your hair back for more access. His tongue pushed past your lips, exploring your mouth while simultaneously keeping your moans contained.

The dim lighting, the way your eyes fluttered and threatened to roll back, his dick pulsing inside you, it was all too much for his perverted brain. "Gonna cum," he muttered against your lips, biting on your bottom lip. He his hands return to your hips and his head falls over your shoulder. You could feel your own orgasm building up as your body started to squirm, you cock growing sensitive from the constant rubbing against Adrien's sheets. Adrien paused his thrusting just to pull out completely and shove himself back in, causing a loud whine rip from your throat and you body jolting.

Your cum splattered across the bed as Adrien smiled against your shoulder, keeping you from squirming as he came inside you, filling you with his semen. With a few more wet thrusts, Adrien finally stilled, watching as his own cum bubbled around his dick as he nestled deep inside you. "We should do this again, hm? Next time we can study our chemistry," his arms snaked up your body to wrap them around your shoulders, capturing you in a bear hug as he looked up at you with a goofy smile.

"What's with you and being so corny?" You groan, pushing his face away from you.

a/n: i luv adrien sosososo much ... wish he real ,, also not sure if he was a bit ooc here ,, a bit sillier than usual but I hope you guys like it ♡

[thewritetofreespeech]

Hello! I was wondering if I could request some bleach fluff?

Could I please have grimmjow being jealous of an Arrancar! Reader who is quite friendly and affectionate towards others? Like, they used to hold Nel in her child form ( and later gets many hugs from her), patted Ichigo on the head and so on?

Thank you!

He never thought this would happen. Fighting on the side of those shitty Shinigami, but here he was. Grimmjow almost had to laugh.

How desperate and weak these idiots must be to have to rely on their mortal enemy to save them. With their heads held so high, they must not have been able to see the shit storm coming, which made it all the sweeter when they reached out to his kind. The glee in his heart at their begging almost as exhilarating as Grimmjow’s thrill of killing these pathetic Quincy.

His blade cut down another one, their blood spraying over him in a maddening sort of mist, as he turned to look at [Y/N]. A part of him hoping they had been watching and was proud of him. Proud of how strong he had become. Proud of how even their enemies recognized his strength now. Proud to be his.

“Wow Nell-sama! That’s incredible!” [Y/N] cheered with a tiny little clap at the diminutive Arrancar’s shadow puppets. “It looks just like Gillian. You’re right!”

“What the hell?!” Grimmjow growled at [Y/N] and Nell, both stopping to look at him in confusion. “I’m out here fighting for my life, and you’re making shadow puppets!”

“But…Nell-sama wanted to show me how much she’s improved….”

“Yeah Grimm-Grimm! I’m real good now!”

Grimmjow growled again and stormed off across the battlefield. “Wait Grimmjow! Are you really upset?”

“Yes!” He barked. “I’m going all the work and you’re playing around!”

“But you said you wanted to fight all the Quincy on your own. I thought this was what you wanted.”

“I did want to fight them but not completely alone.” He wanted to fight by [Y/N]’s side. Their bond….their body…it wasn’t fair that their attention was split between him and others. “I thought you would at least try to help me and—put that little moron down!!”

Nell started to cry in [Y/N]’s arm. Calling him a bully. “Don’t yell at her Grimmjow. She’s just a little girl.”

“She’s old then you!” He reminded her.

Grimmjow growled again and stalked off. Finding a more remote portion of the battlefield to sulk amongst the wasteland. “You’re really mad, hn?” He looked up at [Y/N] standing their beside him. Alone. They could always seem to find him. “You were having so much fun though.”

“How would you know.” He muttered. “You were just playing with Nelliel Tu.”

“I was watching you know.” They sit beside him on the rumble. Grimmjow doesn’t try to stop them. “You looked so happy. Bloody and brilliant. Those stupid humans, Quincy though they may be, are no match for you, my heart.” Grimmjow shrugged his shoulder away when they leaned into him but did not move away. He wanted to touch them back, but he was still annoyed. “I thought you were having fun, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“It would have been more fun with you.” He muttered. Annoyingly glancing at them out of the corner of his eye. “It’s no fun to play on my own anymore.”

[Y/N] smiled at him, then took his hand. They leaned in like they were coming in for a kiss, but instead licked the blood from his cheek. “It’s no fun without you either.” They confess. Eyes bright. Grimmjow felt his heart pounding.

[Y/N] stood and offered him their hand. “Nell is entertained on her own now. What do you say we go find some more people to kill, together.”

Grimmjow grinned wildly and leapt to his feet. Already excited. “Those fools don’t stand a chance.” He preened, and raced off to a new battlefield with his love to dance their dance of death upon some new soon to be corpses.

[dyns33]

Flufftober 2024 - 24 Dream of the Endless

It was perfectly natural for mortals to dream that they were someone else. That was also the purpose of dreams, to allow beings to escape from the "real" world for a moment, to forget their sorrows, their worries, but also to find the inspiration needed to try to improve their daily lives when they woke up.

This was embodied by great decisions, as well as wonderful creations, novels, films, songs, plays. Once again, men played roles, to entertain others while conveying an important message.

Despite this, Morpheus did not fully understand the principle of Halloween.

He could not make sense of this celebration, which had changed a lot over the centuries.

No one seemed to learn a moral lesson by dressing up as a monster. No one wanted to become a monster. There was nothing fun in comparing yourself to these poor creatures, or in scaring children without the goal of teaching them something.

Next to him, Y/N didn't seem to understand his incomprehension.

"It's just for fun. I know you're very serious and goth, but unlike some of your siblings, I'm sure you know the definition of that word."

"It seems like there are several definitions, otherwise I would laugh at Desire and Despair's pranks."

"That's different, their pranks are cruel. But don't you see what's funny about Halloween at all ?"

"Not really."

Knowing his stubborn side, Y/N didn't insist, simply shrugging her shoulders. She wouldn't have been against celebrating it with him, but it didn't matter if they didn't do anything that night. In any case, the king of dreams was too busy for this kind of thing. It was already a miracle that he found time for her in his schedule.

She should have been wary, because it wasn't normal for Dream to give up on a debate so easily. Not only did he have the right not to understand, but Y/N had to agree with him.

The nightmare didn't last long. Y/N wondered if she had screamed as loudly in her bed as in her dream she found herself facing this huge, dark monster trying to catch her. She had never been so scared in her entire life.

"Happy Halloween." the thing said, grabbing her in its hand.

"… Morpheus ?!"

"Yes. I still don't see the funny side. Can you explain it to me ?"

"… It's not funny ! Put me down and take back your normal form !"

"My 'normal' form as you say cannot be understood by mere mortals, what you see is just…"

"You know very well what I meant !"

Dream put her back on the ground and resumed his usual appearance, with his little pout. He was still waiting for an answer though.

After all, he had dressed up as a monster, and he had made a sort of farce at her, exactly as Halloween tradition required. It was obvious that Y/N had not wanted to laugh.

"There is a huge difference between dressing up and literally turning into a monster. People know that it is fake, that there is no risk, that is why it is funny."

"We are in a dream, and I will never hurt you. There was no risk."

"Dream…" Y/N sighed as she approached to caress his shoulders. "What if you came to the waking world so I could show you ? Hmm ?"

"… As long as I am with you, it will definitely be fun."

Next to Y/N who was wearing her best bunny costume, Morpheus continued to claim that he didn't really understand the point in seeing children running around in the street and adults playing pranks on each other.

But he smiled the whole time, never letting go of her hand, so he must have had a good time. And he seemed to enjoy her costume too, even if he showed it more with his hands than with words later.

[eyecan02]

Charlie's Relationships Analysis

Charlie gives me the impression of someone that is at a place in her life where "she's really into her career." Because of that, narratively, it doesn't make sense for Charlie to be in a relationship with anyone at this point in the story.

I understand that Viv is trying to give Charlie the "Barbie" treatment- the beautiful blonde who has it all. She's a princess, she has a business, a loving father, friends and a supportive girlfriend. The only problem is that Charlie's career seemingly comes first and her relationship feels more like an after thought.

On top of that, the co-dependency feels so unhealthy. I was so alarmed when Vaggie said, "What good am I to you if I can't make your dream come true?" This question encapsulates Vaggie's character.

Vaggie wants to be Charlie's night in shining armor but Charlie has told her "I can take care of myself." She appreciates the support, and it must feel comforting to have someone to cuddle with and be intimate with after a long day. But I'll say it again, Charlie just isn't emotionally/in the right head space to be in a serious relationship right now.

Vaggie really believes her only purpose for existing is to make Charlie happy and that's so unhealthy for them. Viv said this about Chaggie, "It didn't feel like I wanted to spend time doing the 'will they won't they' thing. Or them getting together or just them being together. It just didn't really make sense."

"Didn't want to spend time..." So in the other words...she didn't want to put in the effort to give Chaggie a more fleshed out relationship the way they deserved. It doesn't make sense because they're literally the main couple, and Vaggie plays the important role of one of the managers.

But it sounds like Viv is focusing more on the representation rather than the chemistry. It's the angel and demon romance trope. It had so much potential. Before season one dropped, I thought I was gonna be multishipping Huskerdust, Charlastor and Chaggie. I wanted Viv to prove me wrong and show everyone that they actually are an interesting couple.

The "sexy" scene she has planned for them sounds so forced and shoe horned in and feels like she's just saying "Here's a horny Chaggie song. See? They have chemistry." Chaggie had potential but there's literally little to no chemistry there unfortunately. Story wise, they just don't make sense.

As for Charlie's relationship with Alastor, I find it interesting the way they mirror each other. She's a business woman and Alastor is a business man of sorts. Think of the way they changed her pilot outfit to match Alastor more- the hot pink is almost a dark red, they both have bow ties and they both even have shoulder pads. Sometimes they say couples/partners start to "resemble" each other the longer they remain in close proximity to each other.

Speaking of close proximity, Charlastor really sped run their relationship and moved in together after one day. Alastor didn't necessarily have to move in to help Charlie. He could've gotten a house close by. Instead, his radio tower is at the same level as her room and for the new and improved hotel, they're literally staying on the same floor together once more.

The decision to live together was probably made in order to be more accessible to Charlie. It doesn't matter why Alastor has to be at the hotel, the point is he's there because for some reason he has to make her happy (I made a separate analysis for this involving Al's microphone staff).

Keeping Charlie happy also means doing things he's not particularly fond of. There's other ways to advertise but he chose to use technology and went out of his way to film a commercial all for Charlie. As he said, he would've preffered to advertise through radio but she "insisted" on a TV ad so since that's what she wanted, he didn't make too big of a fuss about it.

Al honestly sounds like Charlie's husband. The husband does his best to please his wife and sometimes does things he doesn't like just to please his wife.

On top of working with technology, Al chose to team up with Vaggie for another commercial, he played along with Charlie's forgiveness game and "forgave" Pen for ruining his coat and allowed Pen to stay there even after the betrayal. All this to make himself look good in front of Charlie.

When things seemed desperate and even out of Alastor's power, he picked a fight with Charlie's (popular theory) dad in order to push them together so that she could get that meeting with heaven. Even when it seems Alastor can't directly help Charlie, he finds other ways to help her from the shadows.

And when Alastor DOES have the right connections to help Charlie, he really delivers and goes all out after a bit of teasing. He shows her how to use a smile as a power move so that she feels more in control. That's what Charlie wants- to be more in control and confident.

Alastor just always seems to know Charlie's wants and needs. He seems to know her better than she knows herself. Storywise it's giving twin flames. Think of their love of song and dance. They both have very high opinions of each other.

Charlie has a clear praise kink that seems to ONLY come out around our favorite deer man. Alastor would rather draw 20 cards while playing Uno than stop touching Charlie. He finds her charming and fun and she finds him dependable and encouraging, which is the kind of support she truly needs right now in the story.

I understand that Vaggie is meant to "ground" Charlie, but Charlie isn't a character that's meant to be tamed. She's easily excited and she's a dreamer just like her dad. She's also insecure and doesn't have much confidence in herself. But Alastor helps boost Charlie's confidence, and let's her thrive by letting her just be herself.

He told Rosie, "Surprised? I knew she could do it all along." Vaggie knew Charlie for three years and Alastor only knew Charlie for five months when he said that line to Rosie. Yet, he believes in Charlie so much. No matter what lies behind Alastor's original intentions for being at the hotel, the fact is that he is fond of Charlie and they have undeniable chemistry.

In my eyes, their contract is sort of like a marriage because it binds them together until Alastor cashes in on the favor. Depending on what the favor is, the favor might bind her even more to him. "She's filled with potential I could guide." That line sounds like he wants Charlie in his life long term.

[edosianorchids901]

On Moonless Nights

@flashfictionfridayofficial prompt - "singing in the candlelight"

Cw: war and injury-related PTSD

Night after night, the battlefield invaded Watson’s sleep. Sometimes he was haunted by the fighting itself, with the whistle of bullets, cries of wounded soldiers, the urgency of an army surgeon to get his patients to safety. Those dreams were upsetting, but manageable.

There was another sort of dream, though, one that left him shaken and frequently incapable of getting back to sleep at all. That nightmare, which returned all too often, concerned his war wounds.

Tonight’s dream had started like the others, with the battlefield itself. And then the sharp, searing pain in his shoulder and thigh, the sound of his own screams, the smell of his own blood. Other doctors working on him, trying to put him back together while he screamed and screamed and…

And then there was singing, soft and soothing. It drifted through the dream, across the battlefield and through the field hospital, a strange serenade that interrupted even the pain.

Watson jolted awake, heart racing, but it was hard to be terrified when he was so confused. Why had there been singing? Had his sleep become so disturbed that he had started singing in his sleep?

Then he felt the gentle hand on his aching shoulder, and saw the flickering candlelight. Still in a daze, he turned towards the light. “Mr. Holmes?”

“Quite right, my dear fellow.” A gentle smile curved Holmes’ lips. “There is no need to fret. You are at Baker Street, and exceedingly far from Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan was far away, yes, but still so present in Watson’s mind. He could still smell the blood, and pain throbbed through his shoulder and thigh. “My wounds…”

“Are no doubt paining you because you have been extremely tense. I presumed you were having bad dreams again, and thought I might be of some assistance.”

Watson blinked at him. The candlelight cast heavy shadows across Holmes’ sharp features, but his keen eyes gleamed. “Again?”

“You have bad dreams nearly every night, so far as I can tell.” Expression intent, Holmes touched a finger to his lips and studied Watson. “I wonder whether you would be better off if you did not have to ascend the stairs before bed, and thus aggravate your injuries? Perhaps we ought to exchange rooms.”

“I do not think that is the problem, my dear chap.” The pressure of fear lifted from Watson’s chest, and he smiled as he struggled into a seated position. “I had nightmares at my previous lodgings as well.”

Holmes frowned, studying him. “They have not worsened since you and I began to share rooms?”

“Not at all.” They had been here together for some months now, and participating in Holmes’ cases was strangely helpful. It had given Watson something to do rather than just drifting, and Holmes was fascinating if strange company. “They have improved, actually.”

“Ah!” A lightning fast smile flashed across Holmes’ face before his expression sharpened to curious concern. “Tell me, is there anything I might do to be of assistance?”

Watson eyed him, recognizing the intense look. “I am not a case to be solved, Holmes.”

Holmes chuckled and sat back, rubbing his hands together. “Pray forgive my curiosity. I have been told that I am somewhat lacking in my understanding of social conventions.”

That was certainly true, although Watson could not mind. In many ways, Holmes was deeply reserved, unwilling to speak of his own emotions and often failing to participate in the usual social call and response. He often did not seem to realize when he ought to say thank you, or that he should respond to a simple “good night”.

But he did show his care in other ways, from sharing his interests to purchasing favorite cigars for Watson. This current barrage of questions, if awkward, was well intended.

“There is nothing to forgive,” Watson said, massaging his shoulder as he leaned back against the headboard of the narrow bed. Afghanistan seemed further away now, at least, for it was hard to think of the battlefield while so distracted by his friend practically vibrating with eagerness. “My dreams are just to to be expected, and I don’t believe they can be solved as easily as you solve murders.”

Holmes let out a short gust of laughter, then folded his hands together in his lap. He had perched as lightly as a bird on the edge of the bed, and still looked as if ready to spring into action at any second. “Yes, I fear I am a little more skilled at solving murders than at friendship.”

“Holmes, that’s not true at all! You’re very good at friendship.” Watson couldn’t help smiling at the look of surprise on Holmes’ face, although it made his heart ache a bit. They had both been very alone until now. “A little unconventional, but that is not a bad thing.”

“Well, well. It occurs to me now that my singing to you may have been a somewhat strange gesture.” Holmes’ expression tightened, as if he was annoyed with himself. “I was merely concerned by the length of your nightmares, and uncertain if touching you at once might prove startling.”

“It was a very effective means of waking me up. I… I was very frightened.” It was strange to talk so openly about this, to discuss his dreams and feelings even in passing. But Holmes, despite his own reticence, was easy to talk to. “I am very glad you roused me. But how did you know I was having nightmares?”

“Your bed creaks in a certain way when you tense, and I have something of an abnormally acute sense of hearing.” Holmes smiled, then swiftly stood, picked up the candle, and gestured to the door. “Would you care to share a pipe and some conversation?”

It was certainly better than going back to sleep, and to the battlefield. “I would like that very much.”

[collisvng]

CHAPTER 2 | THE MEANING OF PAS DE DEUX

THE END ZONE 🏈🩰✨

Pairing 🤎 Seo Changbin x Fem! Reader︎

Genre 🤎 SMAU, University/College AU, Ballett/Football AU, Fluff, Angst, Crack—all of that good shit lol︎

Synopsis 🤎 By recommendation of his coach, Changbin decides to take a ballet class in order to improve his agility and coordination on the field. It seems like a harmless and fun activity at first. But what happens when his ballet partner starts to make him choose between the two?

Warnings 🤎 Slight swearing, brief mention of food, Felix being annoying (but we love him tho lol)

Taglist 🤎 Open!︎ ✨

Word Count 🤎 2,173 + 10 sm screenshots!

In Collaboration With 🤎 @channie-143

✨️MASTERLIST✨️

©collisvng (2023) — all rights reserved. reposts/modification of our work is not tolerated.

THE UNIVERSITY’S FOOTBALL FIELD WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU EVER EXPECTED TO FIND YOURSELF. 

After being given very specific instructions to go through a specific way that led you specifically to the perfect spot on the bleachers for you to be easily noticed—courtesy of Felix who totally isn’t the university’s mascot—you found yourself setting your bag next to you as you sat down to watch the boys do their thing.

It was strange being there. You never considered yourself a sports person and knew quite little about anything to do with the sort. The most experience you ever had with even just the topic of sports being brought up was the few times Seungmin would go on one of his little tangents about baseball. There were also the few times Felix would slip up about football, but it was never prominent enough for you to take notice of.

Legs crossed, phone in hand, you stayed in your spot hoping for someone to say something about your presence. After a while, a few guys on the field started to look your way. Most looked confused while others almost seemed as if they were trying to show off. You didn’t see Changbin though. Or at least you couldn’t make out which guy was him.

After Felix’s 5th wrap-around of the field (ignoring you while doing so, I might add) and noticing your phone battery was at a lower percentage than you expected, you almost decided to give up.

It wasn’t until you heard a slight nasally yell followed by a giggly chuckle that you finally spotted the man.

He ran across the field to promptly smack one of his teammates for messing around and teasing him about his height. He started yelling. Curly black hair fell into his eyes as he took his helmet off, continuing his scolding. His incessant bickering was abnormally adorable to you.

And the laugh that left his teammates’ mouth was lighthearted and cheerful… and almost strangely familiar. 

It was around this time you started to notice all eyes were on you except Changbin’s. You debated calling for him, but your actions swayed when you noticed one of his other teammates waving at you. He was somewhat taller, his hair was dark and short, and he had what you could only describe as the nose of a Greek god. The guy nodded in your direction as if to ask why you were there, to which you responded with a quick point in Changbin’s direction and exaggeratingly mouthing his name.

A quick, “Oh, okay!” was mouthed to you in response alongside him giving you a thumbs up.

The teammate walked over Changbin amidst his rant and tapped him on the shoulder. He seemed annoyed, probably assuming he was simply about to be told to quit fighting. It wasn’t until his teammate pointed to you standing up from your seat with a shy smile on your face did his expression suddenly change into the biggest grin you had ever seen. 

He jogged over in your direction with his helmet under his arm as you made your way down the bleachers. When you reached the bottom, you gripped the handrail barrier separating you from the field. One of your knees rested against one of the smaller beams of the railing as you leaned forward with anticipation. 

The moment a small ‘hi’ left his lips, the happiness embedded in your nervous system was hard to hide.

“Hey.”

“What are you doing here?” He questioned, raising his brow. “I didn’t really take you as a sports-type.”

“That would be correct,” you nodded. “Which is why I am not here for sports…”

You quickly unlocked your phone and held it out to him, leaning into the railing a bit more for support.

“… I’m here for you.”

Changbin stood there dumbfounded. He just stared down at your screen as if the concept of giving a girl his number was the most foreign thing in the world to him. His grip on his helmet grew tighter as he let out the most tense laugh in the universe. It became obvious to you that this ordeal seemed completely different to you then it was to him.

“Oh my gosh, stop overreacting.” The roll of your eyes came out a little less playful then you had hoped. “It’s not like I’m asking you out or anything, okay? I’m just asking for your number because we agreed I would catch you up on stuff for class.”

He nervously nodded as he took your phone in hand.

“Right, yeah, I knew that…”

As he proceeded to put his number in your phone, you looked off into the distance to see the teammate he was yelling at previously staring at you as if you seemed familiar to him; akin to the way you looked back at him.

“That guy you were talking to looks familiar.”

“Oh, Jeongin?” Changbin handed you the phone back.

“Ah, that name sounds familiar…” You nodded. “I think he’s friends with my friend Seungmin.”

“We all kinda know Seungmin,” he shrugged in response. “Since he’s also in charge of the sports section for the school paper, we see him a lot.”

“Makes sense.”

After a bit of awkward small talk, the two of you concluded that you would reserve a room in the dance hall over the weekend. You’d go over the basics he needed to know before the next class, and if he had any questions that needed extensive explanation you promised you’d answer them.

He walked back to his teammates with a cheeky grin as they all began asking him questions about who you were and why you had given him your phone. It amused you to see the group of men all huddled up together like a bunch of high schoolers spilling rumors to each other.

Hearing them faintly ask who the pretty girl was…

It strangely gave you a boost of confidence.

As you grabbed your things and began to exit, you gave a quick wave to your roommate. He waved back for a brief moment, dropping his facade for what seemed like a mili-second before halting and turning to walk away.

“You can’t ignore me forever!” You yelled after him. “We all know you’re the mascot Felix!”

He held onto the mascot head for dear life as he began picking up his pace. Suddenly, he was sprinting.

“NO YOU DON’T! ”

The first class of the next week seemed to go well.

Changbin had picked up on things quite quickly, which impressed you.

He obviously wasn’t going to become a dance prodigy overnight, but he did good with the basic exercises and was fairly good at keeping you level while on pointe.

There was a lot less dropping with him then there was when Han was your partner. And in all honesty, that was all you could ever ask for. 

You found yourself laughing here and there whenever Changbin would mess up slightly, giving him encouraging words that he would get it right the second time. And thankfully, you’d be right each time. He seemed so determined.

He had even made the effort to get everything you told him he needed for class. When you saw him walk on the first day back from the weekend with a pair of black ballet flats in hand, you let out a sigh of relief. The man sat there on the floor in front of you, carefully putting them on and looking up at you waiting for some sort of praise. It almost made your heart skip a beat.

By the time the second class of the week had come around, there was a mutual acquaintanceship between you both. When he walked into class and met you at the barre, a mutual smile was shared.

“Mornin’ boss,” Changbin winked as he saluted you.

You let out a short groan in response which only made him laugh. His little maniacal giggle filled your ears and you stood in front of him with your head hung.

“You know you don’t have to be so formal with me,” you slowly rubbed your eyes with your middle and index fingers. “I’m your dance partner, not your boss. I’m here to help you, not boss you around.”

“Eh, it’s fine.” He shrugged. “I kinda like it when you boss me around.”

The words came out with a sense of normality behind them. There were no flirtatious undertones, no coquettish teasing—just a statement with an accidental provocative undercurrent. 

The affirmation was enough to make you silently turn away. And when your gaze shifted, you could see Minho (who had been standing by) smirking at you.

“Not a word,” you mumbled low enough for only him to hear.

Minho’s smile faltered for a second before staring straight ahead once more.

When the instructor walked in, the vibe seemed very different than usual.

She was dressed more casually, which was strange, and her intimidating sense of self seemed non-existent for once—but not quite completely gone. You had never seen this side of her before and it left the whole class in astonishment.  The woman stood in front of you all, hands behind her back, with her eyes scanning the room.

The room was dead silent until she eventually spoke.

“What is the meaning of pas de deux?”

Her question sent the class into a silenced frenzy. Everyone’s eyes darted at each other in the room waiting for someone to answer.

Eventually, Han’s new dance partner raised her hand and spoke.

“It means a dance for two people. Or step of two.”

“That’s its literal definition, Regina. I’m asking for the meaning.”

The instructor went on to explain how pas de deux is about two bodies coming together to create one soul; two partners coming together to produce one palpable emotion. That emotion differed from performance piece to another, and to construct those emotions through nothing but movement took a sense of dexterity to convey.

There were 3 rules of pas de deux:

You needed to trust your partner.

Unity between your partner and yourself was detrimental.

And most important of all, communication was key.

“Without those things, what we do here is simply just dancing,” your instructor shrugged. “What creates the magic of pas de deux is the harmony of two bodies. And in order to have that harmony, you must get to know your partner. Which is what we are going to do today.”

She proceeded to say that class was actually canceled today, and instead she wanted you to use your class time to get to know your partners more. It made sense, given the recent switch of partners that took place in class a few days ago. You and Changbin had already started practicing together a bit outside of class and the two of you barely knew each other. Perhaps this was a sign.

“I expect you to know your partner by the next class. You don’t have to know every dying detail of their life, but you should know enough to give a brief description of them and some of their interests in front of your fellow classmates. You will be graded on this.”

Once you all were dismissed and everyone seemed to be making their way out of the class, Changbin looked at you with a sort of desperation in his eyes.

“Heyyyy… sooo…”

“What do you want?”

“‘Kay so,” he began, “I actually had some homework that’s due later. I was gonna try to do it during practice but since class is canceled…”

“You want to know if I’m okay with you doing it now?”

He nodded vigorously with the most pouty face you had ever seen. “Please? We can meet up on the weekend again or something to make up for it. I’ll even be the one to reserve the room this time if you want. Just…please…?”

Laughing a bit, you realized how different Changbin made you feel. Normally if it were anyone else, you would have made an effort to force them to stay. You were just getting to know each other, but it was still an assignment after all. You took stuff like that when it came to dance very seriously. But something about him made you feel like you could trust him.

And so you did.

“Yeah that's fine,” you smiled. “I have some stuff to catch up on as well so that works out.”

Changbin stood there, eyebrows raised as if to ask ‘are you sure?’

You nodded, telling him to go.

He smiled, pressing a kiss to the palm of his hands then pretending to throw it at you as he bolted for his gym bag.

“I love you, oh my gosh. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The boys watched the whole ordeal as they began to gather around you, surprised you let him off so easily.

“We’ve lost her guys,” Hyunjin sighed. “She’s becoming soft.”

A swift kick to his shin shut him right up.

“There we go,” Han smirked. “She's back.”

taglist: @marcillfll @jiisungllvr  @chrizzlaptop @babrieeee @soupbinlily @pissmori @chlodavids @marnz1990 @worcesheshestershiresauce @hafrenstay @s00buwu @ismelllikechlorine247 @teenyfinds

[roguishcat]

ooooh what is ‘a welcome distraction’???

Thank you for the ask! 💖I subscribe to the idea that Astarion is very much a cat. 🙂 Neil showing the cat that he adopted and commenting on how long it took to gain the said cat's trust was really helpful in terms of understanding what Astarion is likely to do. I'm not saying that I write Astarion perfectly, but watching that live stream helped me to improve.

With that in mind, I started writing and this wrote itself. It's not done, but it's becoming something.

Astarion stretched out languidly on Tav’s bedroll, watching her as she looked through their magic trinkets to decide which ones they could do without. Ever since Gale came to her, confessing everything, telling her of his folly, Tav has taken extra care to set aside an item or two that the wizard could consume.

Now, if this was done out of sense of self-preservation, that would be completely understandable. It would be quite unfortunate for that orb in his chest to get so volatile it would just explode at random. Such a waste that would be. The world would lose its most beautiful creature! And just as he was starting to enjoy his freedom! And he supposed the wizard had his uses too.

Astarion blinked slowly and sighed. As nice as it was to have no one try to murder them for a change, he was getting bored. And his favourite source of entertainment seemed to have no time on her hands for him.

Now that just wouldn’t do.

He moved closer to Tav and lifted his hand to rest on her head, running his fingers through her hair and then lower down to caress the exposed skin of her neck. Astarion knew that he was distracting her, that was the whole point of the gentle, feather-light touches that made goosebumps rise on her exposed arms. And when that garnered no reaction, Astarion lifted himself up to press his chest against her back, snaking his arms around her middle.

“Darling,” he said smoothly, kissing her shoulder, making a move to lift her shirt enough with insistent hands to expose skin and trace slow patterns just above her hipbones, “don’t you think it’s time for a break?”

“As nice as that sounds, I still have to go through all the scrolls and potions.”

“Nice? I can’t promise anything that uninspired,” he scoffed. Nothing about him was even remotely nice. Such a bland, plain word that carried little to no meaning.

“Something wicked, however,” he drawled, his lips almost touching Tav’s ear “that I could definitely provide.”

“Well, as delicious as that sounds, I’m not moving until I get this done. But perhaps you could help?”

“Tsk, you are no fun,” he pouted, lifting a necklace with the tip of his finger. “What’s this one supposed to do?”

“Let me just check��� Misty Step.”

“Keeping it,” he would have squirreled it away earlier, but a part of him felt a sick sort of dread at taking something without waiting for permission first. It was almost like a reflex. Not to take without permission, lest he be punished.

“If you want,” Tav shrugged with a smile. “Put it into your pile, it’s that one.”

Astarion inwardly preened when he noted it was one of the bigger piles. He spied a nice bow and two rings perched on top of a set of armour. He supposed getting nice new things was worth an hour of boredom.

It was still a novel concept. Having things of his own. Being given what he needed or simply wanted with no strings attached. And it wasn’t just him that got such treatment. Tav tried her best to make sure that everyone was taken care of to the best of her ability.

Astarion would probably never admit it unless faced with decapitation, but Tav has really started to grow on him. The pleasant manner in which she carried herself, the ferocious way in which she fought, the unwavering loyalty to those she considered friends.

That was yet another novel concept, having friends.

 “Darling, I can’t help but notice that you didn’t choose anything for yourself.”

“I don’t need anything right now.”

That was a lie. Her armour breathed its last when they went up against the goblins to protect the Grove. She could definitely use a new pair of boots too.

“As sweet as you are for thinking of others before yourself, I would rather you not become a pincushion next time we are ambushed. Here,” he picked a set of armour at random, “take this.”

“And Shadowheart will have to do without, I suppose?”

“She’s a cleric. She can heal herself.”

[theghostoficarus]

MK Brain Rot Part 2 :D

I need help.

Part 1

Still, her death haunts him and this is seen so clearly at the start of season 4, now I wouldn't say this is another stage as much as a continuation of stage 3. With how she died and that planting of the idea that all his actions and choices will lead to one single result he has no way of escaping from, how could he talk about that with his friends or family? Why would he choose to make them all the more stressed? Mk lets these ideas fester in the back of his mind and you can see that in the way he acts. He's more mature now, he's less funny, he doesn't go out with Mei as often and he's always either working or training or fighting. this constant cycle prevents him from ever-improving that mindset and if anything he just gets so much worse as time goes on. He blames himself for every single attack on the city, every action he's ever made he thinks of as a mistake. When he once used to see things so happily and in such a bright light, now he can only see the worst because that's what he sees in himself and it's eating him alive. Once he opens the scroll his fears are only even more confirmed no matter how hard Wukong tries to back peddle and take back the responsibilities he gave to MK he can't MK won't let him. That sort of change in their dynamic, from fanboy and superhero to apprentice and mentor, to the fixer and the broken is just so interesting. Mk feels obligated to take everything on his own if there's a chance his friends will get hurt. When Azure lends that helping hand that knowledge that MK wants so badly is the power, the authority, and the ability to actually help. Azure is what MK wants to be. Unbothered, kind, respected. Mk holds Azure to the standard he used to have Wukong on, and because of that reverts back to that mindset of happy-go-lucky, and childish because there's a stronger more authoritative figure he can rely on when needed. yet when MK finds out what Azure's plan is, his goals, MK FLIPS. He was betrayed and lied to by someone he had trusted there was no being eased into that realization that they are human and flawed no sign of Azure trying to improve. Mk sees what he aspires to be and now knows the flaws and faults of that goal. Because of that, it makes MK wonder even further what he wants to be WHO he wants to be who he IS. WHAT. HE. IS. Enter, Ink MK. the embodiment of his fatal flaws. The physical form of his fears, of what he sees himself becoming. His mistakes take the form of a monster with his face, it's terrifying. But what's even scarier is the fact that there's this little voice in MK's head that gets louder as the show continues that Ink Mk was RIGHT. Ink Mk verbalizes the questions that had been festering in MK from the start of stage 2. Who is he? Why is he here? and, does he have a choice in all of this? Enter stage 4. The final one. Mk runs. Runs from his friends and headfirst into his problems thinking some way somehow he has to figure it all out while the world is falling apart. Enter Macaque. Showing Mk that, no matter the choice there will always be a consequence and he just has to live with it, and that's okay. There's no one right or wrong he has to forge his own path. This doesn't really sink in for Mk even into season 5. He's so stuck in his ways this mindset that he can't choose anymore that it hangs on his shoulders, but at least now he realizes he doesn't have to make that choice alone. An improvement, even if it's just a small one. he reforms those connections and even though he's terrified of himself he fights. Now throughout stage 4, MK is still very much so terrified of what he is of who he is, he doesn't want to realize this because he fears change. in comes season 5 now I don't want to spoil anything so I won't yap as much here also because I need to rewatch it again BUT stage 4 of Mk's Arch is pushed full force in season 5 especially when it comes to the ending and that final choice MK makes. The stage 4 arch ends with, in a weird way, self-acceptance. Even if it's the smallest dose it's still there.

This was my Ted Talk.

[deadbydangit]

I hope you're well!! I have a sort of silly request if that's okay. Could you maybe do Ghostface, Michael, and Pig with a very stealthy survivor? Like the killers are stalking someone and reader's been behind them the whole time over their shoulder -w-

I believe I can do that. I am not going to have it be specifically a survivor. Please enjoy.

With a stealthy reader: Ghostface, Shape, Pig

Ghostface

What?

But how did you get over there?

I just saw you, you were...

"You're a sneaky little thing."

"That's hot."

And he will say that with no shame.

"Hey, being sneaky is hot."

To him, and only him.

But that means you do have something in common.

Now you guys can work to scare each other.

Despite being the one who scares people most of the time, Danny is easily scared.

And he screams like a little girl.

"Me? I didn't scream. That's your imagination."

So make sure you record him freaking out sometime.

"Okay, seriously, do not show that to anyone."

So he'll get you back by sneaking up on you a lot.

Even if he isn't as sneaky as you, pretend to be afraid.

Otherwise it hurts his pride too much.

He may think he's hot shit, but compared to the other killers, he doesn't have much going for him.

His stealth is the thing that sets him apart from most killers.

But he will take this new opportunity to learn new tricks.

Despite being an idiot, Danny can be smart.

Street smart.

I said, he picks up new things quickly.

He'll want to observe you sneaking up on others. It's a way for him to learn new techniques.

He's always looking for a way to up his game.

And you'll be learning from him.

You'll learn from each other, and be everybody's pain.

That's what true love is, right?

Shape

For once in his life, he's surprised.

He's never been snuck up on.

He... He doesn't like it.

He's supposed to be the one sneaking up on others.

Not you.

Stop it.

Micheal does not like that.

But, it's not like he could stop you from doing it.

And, he's still the master of sneaking up on people.

You can never beat him.

After a while, he'll pick up on a little signs that you're around.

Little tiptoes.

Small creeks.

Even smells.

He'll know you're there.

But, he does find it a little fun.

Even if he doesn't know it's fun.

Sure, he'll act annoyed, but he's enjoying himself.

And, if you pick up on any of his sneaking habits, he'll feel really proud.

Like you're the student, slowly mastering the art of being sneaky.

He might even stick you on some survivors. Just to see what will happen.

He'll even try and sneak you into a trial.

Well, the Entity didn't like that, so it didn't happen.

But, he'll take you out in a few hunts here and there.

Stalking and killing people.

Sharing something he loves with you.

Pig

Oh, look at you go.

Out of the three, Amanda is the most perceptive.

Learning to make traps she has mastered the art of finding fine details.

So sneaking up on her is very difficult.

But, that doesn't mean you can't try.

She even welcomes it.

It's a chance to hone and improve her skills.

Yes, she's powerful now. But you can never truly stop learning.

And, if you do manage to sneak up on her, expect to be praised.

And then question.

Thoroughly.

"What technique did you use?"

"Did you use tools?"

"Was there another party involved?"

"Were you distracting me with something?"

Like a full-on interrogation.

She'll also probably be taking notes.

Physical notes.

Don't take it as her being irritated.

Take it as her wanting to better herself.

"The better I can be, the better I can protect you."

She may have other reasons, other motivations for being great at sneaking around.

But, most of it is because she wants to protect you.

[blueberry-pride]

Love language hcs for savanaclaw please and thank you lol

Speak From The Heart

warnings: none!

Berry: YOU GUYS ARE GORGEOUS MWA, we managed to reach 800 followers and I just thanked you guys for 700 not too long ago TvT please enjoy this extra long one as this wraps up all the requests from this year <3 srsly thank you all for making 2022 awesome for me and this blog <3

Leona Kingscholar

How he shows it: Physical Touch and Quality Time

I'd say pretty early on in the relationship, things are still a bit rocky as one would guess with a guy like Leona. He's not one to talk or do all of the pretty things you'd find in most ordinary relationships. I'd like to describe Leona as a brick wall, sturdy and rough around the edges so his personality would not change simply because he's in a relationship with you.

you'd slowly start to learn that the small gestures of hand holding underneath the desk during lectures, patting your head when you've aced a test, or just sitting beside you while you're doing homework is his way of telling you you're important to this beastman. But the sweetest and most endearing show of affection is nuzzling close to your head or neck.

He's the type to drag you along when he's napping cuz he really does find your presence comforting. He enjoys the silent moments you two would share, it allows him to really sink in that there's someone rooting for him on the sidelines.

He's the type to be pretty hands-off, makes sure to not smother you, letting you do your own thing while he observes just in case something or someone would come in your way. I also see him as the kind of bf that would help you improve be it in academics or even in sports. Sort of like a tutor/coach cuz he really does want you to be the best version of yourself.

Slowly as this relationship goes on, I see Leona as the type to warm up to the idea of other ways of showing you that what you two have is special. Like dates off-campus, or an expensive ornate accessory or two. <3

What he needs: Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch

Being raised in a place where you're constantly compared does a lot of damage, and we can visibly see that with Leona. I'd imagine him spacing out, often recalling all of the complaints, comparisons, etc. and he's just quiet...so be the one to help break that train of thought of his.

He's a thinker, and with that comes the good and bad so having you, his S/O telling him small comments that he's enough, and that you're proud of him would catch him off-guard (in a good way) Though I do want to add that it's not your responsibility to fix him, it's still up to this lion to accept your compliments or not. With the way I see things tho, he'd be in denial but it does warm his heart.

Like I said earlier, he thinks a lot and sometimes genuine words aren't enough to get through his thick head. So hold his hand, or comb through his hair. pet his ears even! It soothes him. Taking naps throughout the day would often lead to muscle/body aches so a simple shoulder massage gets Leona's heart fluttering even just for a little bit.

We all know his unique magic is dangerous, to the point it almost killed Ruggie. I believe that he takes precautions with his hands (guess that's why he wears gloves) so a gesture that would really seal; Guide both of his hands toward your face so you're in between them and just...enjoy the feeling.

I believe another gesture would be sweet to him. Kiss his scar. He probably hates it and the guy doesn't even remember how he got it in the first place! He'd be a bit dumbfounded that you'd pick that area of his face but he'd like it (tho he won't admit it) Embrace his scars <3 (be it literal and/or figurative)

Ruggie Bucchi

How he shows it: Act of Service and Gift Giving

Ruggie's known for doing things all for the right price be it in the shape of favor or monetary. But for you, I see him doing small tasks for you in hopes that it would get your attention. I'm talking about carrying your books to class, and picking up your fave drink/snack while getting Leona's order.

Ruggie would be the type to save up some extra models on the side just so he can do a little splurging on you from time to time. He'd take note of your interests cuz he is genuinely curious and so he would try to buy stuff related to them <3 Oh! another thing I see him doing is helping you buy stuff at good deals, making sure your model and his are well spent which is always a plus cuz you get to see his serious expression as he bargains. a cute sight really~

He'd probably ask Leona for some extra tips on homework just so he can impress you while you guys are doing homework together. Cash in a few favors to give you a heads-up on upcoming "surprise" tests from Professor Trein. But another way I could see this is he'll lean towards you for help instead of Leona. sometimes teasing or messing with you while doing so just to see you puff your cheeks from his antics.

His grandma raised him right and I'm pretty sure she'd be the type to tell Ruggie "the quickest way to a person's heart is through their stomach" so you can imagine probably in the early hours in Savanaclaw, Ruggie fumbling in the kitchen as he tries to cook tomorrow's lunch. He'd insist on you taking it, "It helps save your money~" he'd say. He doesn't have much time with all the small jobs he's doing around campus so getting to spend time with you in these short moments eases him from all that stress.

When you're upset about something, he's the type to have a box of tissues on hand while he sits there as you let him cry it out. He'd even let you pet his ears if it calms you down during these rough times. To me, Ruggie won't give out advice unless you asked him for one but he knows you're capable enough to solve it while he's there to lend an ear...with snacks <3

What he needs: Gift Giving and Quality Time

Ruggie would really appreciate it if you give something in return. He genuinely doesn't mind if you spend a thousand madol (he'd probably tear up if you tell him the price) or give him something handmade. He's the type to appreciate the thought behind them especially if it's coming from his s/o.

He'd put your gifts on a shelf or his bedside table just so he could see them before he goes to bed and as soon as he woke up. If you love to cook and give him his meal, he'd stood there dumbfounded. He'd eat every part of it even if you add a little too much of something. He does appreciate the gesture and would ask you if you could cook him some more.

Speaking of food, I see you guys cooking together, be it teaching you how to make certain meals or just craving something in your or his dorm's kitchen. He'd shoo away any prying eyes or wandering beastmen just so it's just the two of you. casually flicking flour in your direction or stealing a utensil and only giving it back if you kiss him ~

Even when he's busy doing work or odd tasks from Leona, he'd appreciate you being there just to chat or even help out. What you can also do is ask him to personally show you how to do certain tasks to get all close and personal with him. He might know what you're up to but he ain't complaining~

Ruggie's always on the move, working his tail off and making sure he's stable enough once he graduates from NRC so have some quiet time with him. he might be twitching to get going but a couple of strokes in his ear would ease the tension on his shoulders. Let this hyena relax once in a while TvT and oftentimes this happens, you'd find a cute hyena beastman sleeping soundly on your lap.

Jack Howl

How he shows it: Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service

He may be a bit stand-offish and distant at the start of the relationship but he does mean well. You'd notice pretty early on that he's a bit awkward when he's around you but there are certain ways that he treats you differently from his friends. Take sports for example.

He'd be the type to personally help you if it's something PE or sports related. Make sure you're in top form and all that <3 A cute moment I see with this is that he'll get so wrapped up in helping you work out that it would take a while before he notices the proximity between you two. You'd know once you hear him slow down his speech and that he'd avert his gaze from yours.

Jack would be the type to be there at your side as you two walk to class in case anyone would want to mess with you. He'd nonchalantly carry your entire backpack and even more which is his earnest and cute way to show off his strength to you. Another way he shows affection is by also helping you in academics. You two would be shushed by Professor Trein pretty often when you guys study in the library. I see Jack as someone who'd hype someone up if they get a question right after so many tries.

At times when you're upset, he'd hold you close as he tries his best to say the right words but would be quiet throughout most of it. It does depend if what made you upset would determine his next course of action. sometimes it would upset you when Jack just gives you straight-up advice when what you want was comfort. You'd just have to talk to him about what you want from him and he'd understand. But if what troubles you is a 'who'… honestly good luck to that guy.

He's not much of a talker but what gets him passionate is at times when you need some words of encouragement when you're feeling insecure about something. Jack is the kind to be straight to the point and won't sugarcoat but would acknowledge your strong feats for whatever you're dealing with at the time.

What he needs: Quality Time and Gift Giving

The kind of guy that would appreciate actions rather than words from their s/o. Jack would describe himself as a lone wolf (no pun intended) so seeing you genuinely want to hang out with him, makes him feel something inside <3 Get him talking about his interests like gardening where you'll get his eyes light up which is always a highlight of your day~

A way to spend time with him is through his morning jogs. it's a way to get some alone time between the two of you and you guys to be active together. Sure the sacrifice would be to wake up early than expected but seeing his face light up whenever you join him for a run is worth it! It also allows you two to talk while around campus. We all know Jack is a pretty private individual so having a genuine conversation with you as you two work out early in the day, not only strengthens your bond as a couple but also increases his appreciation for you <3

Surprise him with small genuine gifts! it could be seed packets that you guys could plant together, new sporting gloves, or even a beverage after his club activities. He wouldn't know what to say at first cuz he's trying to reboot himself internally from your sweet gesture. Sometimes he's confused about how you affect him with whatever gesture you do but he lets you do it anyway because it leads you to have this glint in your eye.

Give him a challenge. Be a little competitive with him cuz it not only excites him but fuels him to do activities with you. challenge him on who can finish all their homework for the day or race him to the cafeteria and the loser has to buy lunch. He enjoys the playfulness, which keeps him on his toes and helps to study for him fun cuz he gets to do it with you.

Like in most cases with Savanaclaw, Jack is oftentimes pretty stubborn and would like to be left alone. Besides all of the bonding moments and receiving gifts, what he'd appreciate is if his s/o would cut it straight with him or in other words, call him out. He can take your words so long as it doesn't cross any boundaries of his but otherwise, he'll understand where you're coming from. He's gonna make mistakes but so long as you, his s/o, are gonna talk it out with him, his will heart skip a beat every time. All the more reason to be with you more.

[sgojoenthusiast]

Could I request Miguel O’Hara x Fem Scientist who has been rivals with him before he became Spiderman, and over the years has developed a crush on him

equation.

✧.* miguel o’hara x reader

cw: pining, miguel is oblivious to his feelings, rivalry.

word count: 0.9k

nsfw part two

likes, comments and reposts are deeply appreciated! <3 enjoy.

-`♡´-

you were the bane of miguel o’hara’s entire existence. every teasing remark and smirk of victory made him seethe with anger.

however, he had to give you some credit. nobody challenged him or motivated him as well as you did. of course, he was only motivated to do better than you.

still, the way you made him feel helpless and lose his composure with a single comment would never fail to make him even more determined to beat you in anything and everything.

you both worked in science and had hoped to improve the lives of others by using it. and whilst people would continuously praise miguel for all his accomplishments, he couldn’t deny how smart and impressive you were - and that bugged him constantly.

he was in a slump. the new project he’d been working on showed little progress, and when he saw your face walk into the room, a bounce in your step, he internally groaned. he knew he was in for about ten minutes of your bored pestering.

when you noticed him, you absentmindedly turned in the opposite direction you were supposed to be going in just so you’d have an excuse to walk by his desk and speak to him. a small habit you had developed over the time you've known him, along with some other irritating routines.

of course, he had never noticed. his mind was always clouded by a sort of one-sided rivalry between the two of you for him to notice the little crush that had developed within you. and he was certainly too blind to see his own reciprocation of those feelings.

"o'hara." you greeted as you reached his desk, tilting your head to look at him as he gave a slight reluctant grunt. "thats not the same project that you've been working on for a while now is it? and here i thought you were almost as smart as me. shame." you teased.

he raised an annoyed eyebrow at you as he ran his hand through his tousled hair. you noticed the bags under his eyes and tension in his shoulders, causing a confusing amount of concern inside of you.

"let me take a look." you said, as you pulled up a chair next to him. he stared at your lips when you spoke to him, yet he caught himself in the act and prayed you hadn't noticed. why did he do that?

"i'd rather you didn't-" he was cut off by you sliding a few sheets of work over to where you sat. he huffed as he gave up. "help yourself, i guess."

"did you expect more from me?" you nudged his shoulder as he leaned back.

a grin formed on his face for the first time in a long time. "no, not at all."

after a few minutes of scanning through his notes, your eye had been caught by an equation that seemed off. before pointing it out, because god forbid you be wrong in front of miguel - you'd never hear the end of it, you looked closer and tried to put your finger on what could be the issue. finally, you realised, and a winning smirk appeared on your face as you realised you were about to point out such an obvious flaw in miguel's project. maybe this rivalry isn't so one-sided.

"this equation is wrong." you began to explain to him the problem with the mistake you had seen as you scribbled over his incorrect notes. "it's all dependant on that one equation, really."

you laid back in your chair as miguel scanned over your scribblings with wide eyes in hopes to find something wrong about what you were saying. but no. you were completely right.

"you- i-" he stuttered over his words in shock, when finally, he sighed with a look of defeat.

"go on, say it big boy." you teased leaning over to him, your heart picked up when you saw a slight flush on his cheeks when you did so. no, he's just embarrassed.

he rolled his eyes at you, annoyed. "you're right." he grumbled.

"how very kind of you, miguel." you smirked and stood up. "this reminds me of the first time i corrected you. maybe it's time to understand that i'm just the better scientist. really, you should just retire early." you shrugged, as though your words were a plain fact, obvious to anyone but the stubborn miguel.

ever since meeting miguel, you were drawn to him entirely. yet he never paid much attention to you until the first time you corrected him, which pissed him off. ever since then, he had done everything in his power to save his ego and prove himself the better scientist, much like a child.

yet for some unknown reason, you loved his competitiveness. and you loved how determined he was to prove himself. you also loved the idea of always being on his mind.

if such a childish dispute would keep his attention on you, it was completely worth it.

"go home and sleep, miguel. you've worked hard enough." you gave him a tight lipped smile, yet refused to look at him after showing him some affection.

yet, when his eyes did meet yours, his mind began to race, feelings of adoration circling around him as he felt hearts in his eyes, before he pushed any abnormal feelings away. "since when did you care so much?"

your shoulders slumped. is he really that oblivious? surely such a smart man couldn't possibly miss the hints you've sent him.

"i've always cared, miguel."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

a/n: i'm so tired but i rlly wanted to get this request done so most likely lazy writing and spelling errors im so sorry lol i'll improve it in the morning. this is my first request and i'm not really used to it but i hope you like it nevertheless anon <3

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟsgojoenthusiast

[sunshinebingo]

@gwynweekofficial Day 5 - Powers

Synopsis: Gwyn gets frustrated during her lesson with Lucien as he tries to teach her to control her fire. It turns out that her biggest distraction is not her friends talking nearby, but the arrival of a certain Shadowsinger. Alternative summary:- Literal sparks fly when Gwyn stares at the Shadowsinger. Word Count: 1.5k

Read on Ao3 or below the cut

Gwyn held in a groan and focused on her hand again. Her shirt was stuck to her skin from all the sweat, most of which was not from the afternoon sun. A few tendrils of hair had escaped her high ponytail and were stuck to her neck and forehead.

“Don’t allow whatever you are feeling to overwhelm you,” Lucien reminded her from where he sat cross-legged across from her.

“I’m trying,” she retorted. She was not angry at him. But at the fact that she had been trying to master this basic exercise for the past two hours and yet she hadn’t gotten much closer to controlling her power. Causing a forest fire was far too easy compared to summoning the small flame that Lucien had been trying to get out of her.

Although one never stopped learning and improving, Gwyn had successfully tackled every technique she had learned during the Valkyries’ physical and mental training. Even mind stilling now came as natural to her as existing. But learning to control her newfound magic was harder than she had expected. She had certainly not assumed that it would be easy-peasy. But she did not think that learning to tame it on such a small scale would be harder than unleashing it.

Lucien had told her when he had proposed to teach her to use her Autumn powers that it would be take time, effort and patience, and that her emotions would sometimes be her worst enemy. But it had been months since Gwyn had let herself be deterred by any possible obstacle. Learning to use her powers was not only for herself after all but for the safety of everyone around her. The circumstances in which such powers had awoken in her were a solid proof of that. It had also given her a taste of the weapon that ran through her veins. It was a wonder. But a hazardous one. One that she was desperately trying to learn how to control.

“Try harder,” Lucien said. She was so tired right now that his calm demeanour was somehow annoying her even more. Even the conversation between her sisters, Cassian and Elain on the veranda behind the River House had become harder to tune out. Nesta and Emerie, who had insisted on being present today to encourage her, had quickly found something more interesting to do. Gorging themselves in tea and Elain’s pastries was undoubtedly more fun than watching her achieve nothing.

“Why don’t you do it,” Gwyn snapped, her rising temper causing flames to erupt on the tips of her fingers.

Lucien threw her that mischievous smirk that was sort of a signature expression for Eris and him. Gwyn wondered if she had also inherited that specific look from them.

She realised how stupid it was to challenge a veteran fire wielder when a rope of flame formed around Lucien’s arm without him having to expose his hand like she was still doing. The rope grew bigger and brighter, until it expanded in a dome of heatless flames around the both of them.

“Show off” Gwyn muttered loud enough for him to hear.

Lucien chuckled and sucked his fire back in.

“You fire freaks are okay over there?” Cassian asked from where he was lounging in his chair, his feet up and resting on Nesta's thighs.

Elain swatted Cassian’s shoulder with a napkin. “Be nice, Cass.”

He put his hands up in front of him. “I’m always nice.”

Emerie and Nesta snorted in unison, winning themselves a scowl from the general. What followed was a semi heated back and forth among the four of them about showing support, burnt fighting leathers and other things that did not all make much sense.

“You’ll get there, Gwyn.” Lucien pulled her attention back to him. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Gwyn gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

He smiled back. “There’s no need to thank me. I couldn’t leave you to Eris without the risk of you two burning Prythian to the ground.”

Gwyn threw her head back and laughed. She squared her shoulders and breathed deeply before she extended her hand again. Just when she thought that was ready to focus, the biggest distraction of all magically appeared on the lawn in a cloud of black smoke.

Azriel stepped out of his shadows and into the afternoon light. He looked like he had just battled a shark with his black shirt soaking wet and sticking to him like a second skin. His pants were in a similar state, outlining every inch of his strong legs and thighs.

“How did the encounter with the leviathan go, brother?” Cassian loudly asked as soon as he dragged his eyes away from the females at his side and spotted the Shadowsinger.

“Fine,” Azriel mumbled in response.

He brought his hands to his back and took his shirt off in one fluid motion before throwing it carelessly on the grass. This left his tanned, tattooed chest on display. A few droplets of water escaped the strands of his wet, dishevelled hair and dripped onto his shoulder. Gwyn’s eyes followed them as they ran down his chest, lower and lower. From where she sat on the ground, she couldn’t help but notice how Azriel’s form was gilded by the sunlight even with the shadows wreathing around him.

“Hey, Berdara.” He winked and smiled at her with a warmth that rivalled any fire. Or perhaps it was her own blood that had suddenly risen in temperature. Something prickled the palm of her hand from within.

Gwyn didn’t know if the smile she had intended on giving him in return had actually spread out on her lips, nor if the words that she had wanted to say had come out or were still dangling on the tip of her open mouth.

Azriel dipped his head in Lucien’s direction as he walked past them and towards the veranda. Gwyn did not notice Lucien’s amused look directed at her since her own eyes were still glued on the Shadowsinger. When he stopped by the others, Azriel reached down on the table to grab a pastry, his arm and back muscles rippling from the movement. Her skin flushed further from the increasing heat and her extended hand started tingling.

“You want some tea, Az?” Emerie offered.

“No thanks,” he said around a mouthful. His fingers glistened from the syrup that coated his pastry. Gwyn was so focused on those glistening scarred fingers that she did not feel the increased tingling in her own hand. She did not hear Lucien calling her name either.

“I need a stronger drink,” Azriel added before he made his way inside the house. Gwyn’s eyes were on his backside when Lucien snapped his fingers in front of her face. Gwyn blinked for the first time in a while and turned at him.

“What-”

A firework suddenly exploded in Gwyn’s extended hand. She yelped at the abrupt sparks that flew in all directions, one of which went straight forward and –

“Oh shit,” Gwyn exclaimed, closing her hand into a fist and bringing it to her chest.

Lucien was frozen in front of her, his mouth agape, his eyes wide, and…a tendril of smoke fading away from the strand of his hair that had just been burned by Gwyn’s fire.

The garden went quiet for the few seconds it took for everyone to process what just happened. Until the silence was broken by Cassian’s boisterous laugh. It was soon echoed by Nesta and Emerie, even Elain who had quickly recovered from the initial shock.

Gwyn winced when Lucien brought his hand to the shortened section of hair that fell in front of his face.

“Sorry Elain,” Gwyn said to the female who was trying to conceal her laughter by stuffing her face with orange cake.

Lucien looked at Gwyn in puzzlement. “I’m sorry. You’re sorry for Elain?”

Gwyn shrugged, all traces of frustration replaced by amusement, and a little guilt as well. “She’s the one who likes it the most.”

Elain coughed as she swallowed but ended up giggling. Beside her, Cassian was on the floor holding his side as he laughed.

“Gwyneth –”

“No one will notice if you braid it,” Gwyn cut Lucien off. She grabbed the burnt strand and twisted it to prove her point. “See?”

Lucien only stared at her. “I will braid your limbs together.”

Gwyn placed her hands in her lap and pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling at the sight of the small section of twisted hair that was already unravelling.

“I won’t do it again,” she promised when he said nothing. “Pinkie promise,” she added, lifting her little finger between them. She did not know what had caused it but for Lucien’s sake, and everyone else, she would find out and prevent it from happening.

Lucien let out a heavy sigh and shook his head with a huff. He stood.

“Lucien, I’m sorry,” Gwyn said as she followed him.

“I know Valkyrie.” He chuckled. He sighed again and brushed his hair back. “I also need a drink.”

[theonetruegnome]

Slice o' life #2

The Shifted Critters were all looking up into the tree's branches with awe and shock. Well, six of them at least. Callum and Munch were both hanging upside-down from branches about three metres up.

After much pressure from the others and a spelling bee incident at school Callum was working on improving his self-esteem, and wanted to be braver. So, he had challenged Munch to a contest, claiming that he'd been training himself at home and could stay upside-down longer than him and beat his forty five minute record. Obviously, you can't take that sort of thing sitting down, so the two agreed to settle it like grown 11-year-olds.

At first, the whole thing seemed easy. True, his nerves were making his whole body shake, but the hardest part up to now had been climbing the tree. But now, Callum was having second thoughts. All the blood had gone to his head, and he was feeling incredibly unwell;

His vision was blurring, his face flushed an even more prominent red, his eyes felt like they were about to pop out and his skull felt six sizes too small for his brain.

*THUMP*

Callum opened his eyes to see the others crowded around him. He was on the ground spreadeagled, his face uncomfortably warm. Conk helped him up, and he looked up at Mana.

'How'd I do?' His voice was clearly not hopeful. Mana slowly shook her head and showed him her pocket watch.

'Fifteen minutes thirty six. Sorry Cal'.'

His lip trembled and head drooped. Sunny pulled him in for a hug.

'Awww, don't beat yourself up Bud! Now, look at me-' She grabbed his shoulders and swivelled him to face her. 'None of us can beat Munch. Not even Dandy! But you did so well on your one attempt! Much better than any of us, right Mana?' 'Oh yes! So far, the closest we've gotten to Munch's record of forty five minutes is sixteen minutes seven seconds. And you were really close with that attempt!' 'Right, so we're going to take a deep breath in-' *SNIIIIIIF* '...' 'And breathe out.'

The smol cat's chest deflated. 'Better?' 'Better!' He hugged himself around Sunny's waist and squeezed her tight. He knew could always count on Sunny to cheer him up, no matter what.

'Hey! I'm still up here you know!'

Callum and the rest looked up to see Munch still hanging by the legs upside-down in the tree. He didn't look uncomfortable or anything, just concerned.

'Munch? You ok? You're looking kinda...' Dandy nodded at Eli, who had already started pulling a grotesque face, sticking his tongue out, pulling one of his eyelids down and wrinkling up the other side of his face.

*SNAP!* Both Eli and Dandy slowly turned to look at Leah, their faces deadpan. She quailed and shrunk back under their scrutiny, holding her camera tightly. '…Why, Leah?' 'Ummm... I just... umm... thought it was... funny... I'm Sorry!' The two scowled and Leah started to panic, before they suddenly smiled. Leah found herself hoisted onto Eli's arms while Dandy thumped her on the back, laughing. 'We're only joking Leah!' 'Yeah, didja really think we'd hurt you?' 'Uhh, well-' 'I mean, how could we? Just look at that face! You're far too cute to hurt!'

Leah muttered something like 'That's not true...' while Eli set her back down.

'Uhhh, I hate to interrupt!'

Mana looked up at Munch and sighed.

'Munch, there's no point being upset with us, we haven't done anything.' 'Yes, and that's the point!' 'What on earth are you talking about?' 'I'm... I'm stuck...' 'Wha- What do you mean you're stuck?' 'I can't sit up far enough to get upright!' 'Oh, sorry Munchy, I never meant-' 'I accept the apology, just get me down! Please!'

Mana looked up at where Munch was hanging, thought for a second, then turned to face the others.

'Conk, could you-?'

Conk was fast asleep on his feet, his fringe feathers fluttering slightly as he breathed. Mana gently tapped him on the face and he jumped awake

'HUH- WHAT- OH, IMSORRYMISSIDIDN'TMEANTO- Oh... *Phew* Oh thank the lord, I thought I'd fallen asleep in physics again.'

He yawned and stretched. The others were all looking at him.

'...What?'

'Conk, do you think you could flutter up and help Munch upright?' 'Ooof, uhh... I mean I- I- *Yaawwwwn* Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to try.'

Conk stretched and swung his arms for another minute or two, before he backed far away from the tree and got into a crouch like he was about to begin sprinting. Then he sprung forward and ran a few steps, launching himself upwards. He flapped frantically and strained himself not to fall. Loose purple feathers were knocked free by the rapid flapping and fluttered to the ground. Conk managed to perch himself on a branch a few feet above Munchy, panting slightly from overexerting himself.

He gripped on with his talons and began climbing down to the hanging pup, who tried to see where Conk was from over his prominent tummy. He suddenly felt the bird's wings grab his legs.

'Ready Munchy?' 'One thing, could you grab my hands instead? I'd feel better if you did' '*Yaawwwn* Oh, sorry Munch, I would, but I can't lean down that far without falling off' '...Ok, just do your best with my legs then'

Conk gave a '3,2,1' and began heaving, while Munch tried his best to sit up. Conk, was straining with all his might, claws firmly planted on the bark. Then one of them slipped.

'BRAWK!!' 'CONK!'

He released his grip on Munch and flailed his wings to try and dampen his fall.

*THUMP!*

Conk hit the ground and lay there in a pile for a minute. With a groan, Conk sat up and began making sure none of his fragile bones were broken.

'Conk! What happened? You ok?' 'Yeah... Yeah I don't think anything is broken or twisted... And I don't know, I just slipped I guess... Hold on, lemme try again-' 'Conk, no. What if you slipped and fell again? It's too dangerous, I'm sorry. We'll just have to try another way...'

'Umm... Mana?' 'Yes Leah dear?' ''Dear'?' 'Oh shush up Eli, my mother calls us all dear, it's just a dialect. Carry on Leah?' 'Well it's a stupid idea, and tell me to shut up if I'm wrong! But couldn't you just magic Munch down or something?' Laddie turns to mumble to Eli; 'I'm surprised neither of us suggested that-'

Mana gets flustered and rubs the back of her head 'Well, err, I mean, um... I- I guess?' Sunny reached up slightly to put her hand on Mana's shoulder and looked at her, concerned. 'Mana? You don't have to if something's wrong. We can find another-' 'No! No, it's fine, I'll just, uhhh.... Yeah.'

She pushed Sunny away gently. She pointed her horn up at the branch where Munch was and started muttering under her breath. The grooves along her horn started glowing deep blue. Soon, the glow spread to entire appendage. Munch giggled slightly as what felt like a pleasant breeze washed over him.

Then her horn began fizzing. The spiral grooves turned to a muddy vermillion. Mana strained to stop it and right the spell, but it had already gone wonky. Munch stopped feeling the pleasant breeze and started to scratch at his stomach.

'Ow. What the-? Oww! AHH! AAAAAHHHH!! OH GOD IT ITCHES! MANA, WHAT-?!' 'Mana, what're you doing to him?!' 'I Don't Know!' 'Well turn it off!' 'You're hurting him Mana, stop it!' 'PLEASE!' 'I- AAAAHHH, I CAN'T!'

Mana started jerking her head around, but the now-smoking horn seemed glued onto Munch. Taking up the mantle, Dandy ran up and started tugging on Mana's horn.

'Dandy, What're you going?! Stop, you'll pull it off!' 'I'm trying to help you Dumdum! *Huff**Puff* HNNNGGGG! Gah, it's *Pant* It's not budging! *Pant, pant, pant* Uh- A LITTLE HELP MAYBE YOU GUYS?!' Eli and Sunny quickly ran up and pulled and pushed against Mana with Dandy. Finally, the spell-tether broke and Mana was sent falling backwards, into Conk's awaiting arms.

'You ok Mana?' 'Y-y-y-yes I-I T-th-think so... I-I'll ju-just-just be a b-bit Sh-shaky for a-a-a b-bit' 'Okay, we're just glad you're okay...' 'Ok-k-kay, let me t-try again-'

'No, Mana! Don't!' 'Yeah, no, there's no way that can be healthy for you.' 'B-Bu-But-!' 'You wouldn't let me try again, why should I let you?' 'I- I- I can D-Do it! J-Just lemme t-try-' 'Mana, even WE think it's a bad idea. US.' Eli stood with his arm around Dandy. '...Ok, F-Fine...' Mana sounded on the verge of tears, until Conk draped his wings around her shoulders like a feathery blanket. 'You're ok Mana, you tried your best, and that's all we can ask of you.' Mana grinned at being told her own advice again, and at the small cat hugging her tightly.

'I'm really sorry! But-' 'Ok, look, we're out of options, Leah, just come here a second...' 'Umm, what for?' 'Look, just trust me on this. Bend over slightly please?' 'Sunny, what're you-?'

Sunny hoisted herself onto Leah's back and jumped off, barely grabbing onto the lowest branch. She apologised to Leah and began to shimmy up the branch.

'Sunny! Don't, you'll hurt yourself!' 'Seriously sunny, I don't think this is that smart' 'Y-Yeah, I c-can th-th-think of at-at least 7 Dif-different ways this c-could-' 'Look, I've climbed a tree before guys! Just get underneath Munch incase he drops, ok?'

The others obeyed. Sunny must have a plan, she had that tone in her voice, the one that says she knows what to do and how to do it. 'Ok, now link arms to make a sort of net!' They did. Callum and Leah stood together and put their arms atop each others' since they were both so small together.

Sunny inched her way across to Munch, who watched her with fear and hope in equal measure in his eyes.

'Ready Munch?' 'I guess as ready as I can be!' 'We're gonna get you down buddy.' 'You guys ready down there?'

'Ready Sunny!'

Munch grinned and tried to lean up so Sunny could grab his hands. Sunny looked at him, somewhat sadly. Munch's grin faltered.

'W-What is it Sun'?' 'Sorry Munchy...'

She grabbed his ankles and flipped him up off of the branch

'WOAHH!'

Munch Closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands, ready to hit the ground. Instead, he fell into the arm-net his friends had sat up. Panting and shocked he was still alive, Munchypup got slowly to his feet. He was visibly shaking, both from nerves and his legs going to sleep.

'I am alive...' He sat down heavily 'Oh thank you merciful sweet Dog...'

Sunny herself simply jumped down, landing crouched on all fours. 'Sorry Munchy, that was just the easiest way I could think to get you down without getting the fire department involved.' He stayed silent. '...Munch?' 'Hello? Planet earth to Munchypup, do you copy?' '*KRRRRSHhTT* Negative flight coordinator, subject does not copy, possible brain fault-' 'Guys.'

Slowly, so as not to startle him, Callum made his way over to him. He then proceeded to hug Munch around the shoulders. 'I'm so sorry Munchy! This is my fault, I made the stupid dare, I was the one who suggested the taller tree, I never meant-!' Munch looks up at him with a blank face. His eyes though. They're light and kindly. He then smiles. 'It's ok Callum, you didn't know this'd happen! Plus, it was kinda fun now I think about it!' 'AHH- ...YOU SCREAMED AT US TO GET YOU DOWN!!' 'I ALMOST BROKE MY NECK-' 'YOU HAD US ALL SO WORRIED!!'

'OK! Ok! No need to argue and make things worse, the point is that He's safe and sound now, right? Right...' 'I-I s-say it's only f-f-fair that- that Munch p-picks what we d-d-do now, don't y-you agree?' '*Sigh*, thanks Mana, but I think I'd prefer if we just took it slowly.' '*Yawwn* Already way ahead of you...'

Really, despite being really tired, Munch felt fine! He just took it easy and decided to hang out with the others around the park for a bit. He even convinced some of the others to hang from the monkey bars/climbing frame so he could show them how to train their endurance for hanging upside-down.

But, for now at least, this is where our story for today ends...

[plscallmeeren]

C A U S E F O R A H O W L E R

Hermione Jean Granger x Reader

Request: yes @JulzLovDraco4Eva

Summary: you've been friends with the trio since first year (You, being Draco's twin sister, sorted into Gryffindor...... ouch) and obvs ur parents don't approve. You've been hiding the fact that you've been dating Hermione for two years now. It's the day before battling Voldemort lol

Warnings: Swearing; allusions to sex; family disowns child

Word Count: 1.9K+

You stared at Draco, groaning when he wouldn't back down. "Oh, come on!"

"Father said I should keep an eye on you, so I will."

"Well, since you like taking his words literally so much - he said an eye. Not both, at all times, relentlessly and to the point of murder with motive."

"You're so dramatic," he scoffed, crossing his legs formerly on the bench opposite you. Beside him, Blaise snickered, nibbling absently on his jacket potato.

"Priss," you spat back. "Don't know why father thinks your 'keeping an eye on me' will do any good, anyway..."

"I don't know, to protect you?" he deadpanned, as if this were blatantly obvious.

"You're a pussy, Draco. And I'm three times as good as you at Charms and DADA."

"That, my dear friend, is definitely true," Blaise added helpfully, smiling at Draco as he glared.

"Okay, well, on that note, I'm off," you announced, standing up briskly.

"Well, I suppose that means I'm off, too," your twin replied, trying to stuff as many beans down his throat as possible before he had to go.

"Don't be stupid. You're not finished, and I need to go to the bathroom, anyway."

"Yeah, but-"

"What are you gonna do? Guard the door? Or are you going to join me? We can go to the haunted one, if you want. I know Myrtle loves you-"

"Fine! Okay! I'll meet you at the courtyard after, alright?" he retracted quickly, throwing up his hands.

You only grinned, taking even prouder strides when you heard him mutter 'I'm never finding her again, am I?' to Blaise.

Walking the corridors, you could feel your shoulders sagging, your fingers fidgeting with the fabric of your robe. It had been a long week. A long month. Maybe a long year. You felt like crashing into bed, Hermione in your arms, doing nothing for days and only really getting up to cook something for her.

You could picture it perfectly: A bed the size of a small room, the two of you surrounded by books that you'd read to each other as the record player lazily hums 'San Tropez' by Pink Floyd. A week spent fucking, eating home-cooked, Mediterranean food, reading, talking, fucking again.

But that was a dream for another life. Maybe there was still hope for it sometime else - a time far removed from war, from exams, from your goddamn father.

"Password?" the fat lady asked coldly.

"Flobberworm," you murmured, stepping through the round door immediately after she swung open.

"There you are!" Harry's voice surprised you inside. "We were wondering whether you had relocated to the dungeons for good now, given Malfoy's insistence on-"

"Oh, shut up," Ron interrupted, slapping his shoulder. "She's tryna get away from him, not meet his fan club."

"Right. Glad to have you back."

"I've missed you," Hermione said sweetly, throwing a leg over your own as soon as you sat down.

"Get a room," Ron complained, grimacing. He had dealt a deck of Exploding Snap and was looking very unhappy about his own cards.

"And here I was thinking you'd turned over a new leaf of empathy," you sighed, wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders.

"Yeah, right. Ever since Hermione called me a teaspoon, I thought I'd give up."

"Room for improvement is no reason to forgo emotion entirely. In fact, I'd argue the fact that it bothers you shows that you already have."

He scowled, making a ridiculously bad move to top things off. Harry grinned, giving you a thumbs up.

"Hey, you okay?" your girlfriend asked after a moment, in which your sprightly face must have slacked. "You look a bit... worse for wear."

"I'm fine. Just tired of my bodyguard, that's all. Pretty sure he has less muscle mass than me, though, so I should probably come up with a new title."

"'Tis true," she agreed. "But still... you wanna go for a walk? Just the two of us? We can steal Harry's cloak until we're out of your brother's way?"

"You can what?" Harry piped up, failing glaring at you because of how miserable he was making Ron.

"Well, can't we?" Hermione asked testily, looking unimpressed.

"Of course, I just wish you'd ask first."

"Well, here I am, asking."

"Yes, you're welcome to take the sole material inheritance I have received from my father, also my insurance for survival should one Dark Lord choose to search for me this fine afternoon-"

"In that case," Hermione smiled, "I'll be glad to take it off your hands." The two friends stared at each other momentarily before she took your hand, dragging you up to the boys' dormitories.

Twenty minutes later you were walking by the lake, feet dangerously close to the dark water.

"So, what is it?"

"What's what?"

"Whatever is ruining your mood."

"Oh, so you're saying I'm not delightful? Uncalled for, that is."

"Oh, come on, just tell me," she said impatiently, glaring at you.

You smiled, swinging your arms restlessly. "Well, as I said, I'm not too chuffed my brother is following me around everywhere, making me live in fear."

Hermione only stared at you, unimpressed, waiting.

"Yeah, I guess I just feel guilty still, in a weird way. Not that there's anything remotely wrong with dating you, it's just... it's our two-year anniversary and all I could think about while planning was how to celebrate incognito. It's kinda... tiring, I suppose." You looked back at her, chewing on your tongue. "Sorry, I'm rambling."

"No, I understand. And there's nothing to feel guilty about. If my family were so district, if they would disown me if I told them who I loved, I know I would... well, I don't know what I'd do, but I know it would be hard to handle." She smiled at you, the kind that made the skin around her eyes crinkle and her freckles catch a different ray of sunlight. "Let's just make today special."

"I wholeheartedly agree," you said firmly, placing a hand on her waist and stopping her. "Which is why I'd like to give you this."

You pulled out a small, indeterminate box with a ribbon around it. The size and shape didn't hint at what was within, so that you could watch as Hermione's brow furrowed, clever eyes searching for clues.

"Can I open it?" she asked timidly, quickly untying the ribbon when you nodded. Inside lay a multitude of things: A necklace with 'Hermione' spelt in Japanese characters (へみおね), a small line drawing you had created of the two of you, and a folded list of book recommendations, each addressed to a certain aspect of her. (For example, to her expression when she is in 'survival mode': The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. To her fast-paced wit and love of puzzles: The Collected Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.)

"(Y/n), I-"

Before she could thank you, you slid off one of your rings from your index finger, one that you wore every day, placing it on her middle finger instead. She stared at it, as if it were a legendary artifact that might still surprise her.

Hermione looked around then, but there was no one. No one to stop her kissing you like her life depended on it.

"Hermione," you murmured, detaching herself from her mouth, ignoring the surprising turn, "you sure you wanna do this here..."

"Thank you," she whispered instead, slinging herself against you. "Thank you so, so, so much."

"I'm glad you like it, darling," you managed between kisses, lips colliding in waves. Your other hand leaped to her waist, holding her impossibly close to your body. Hers travelled the muscles of your back, reaching for the plane of your nape where her fingers surpassed your hairline.

"'Mione," you groaned, hardly gaining her attention.

"Dorm?" she managed.

"Yeah," you panted, reluctantly breaking away.

"Right."

The way up to and through the castle under the cloak was hard, even while walking past your brother. Hermione kept whispering 'thank you's and 'you're perfect's and kissing you, anywhere, everywhere, and it took a ridiculous amount of willpower not to rail her next to the Hogswatch team.

Your shared dorm was mercifully empty, and the cloak was quickly discarded. You pulled her down onto the bed by her hips, groaning as she grinded against your lap, face connected to yours.

She slipped off her jacket with the box inside the front pocket, followed by her jumper, the heat within you now deafening.

"Are you sure?" she asked, pained to have jeopardized the mood. "I know we haven't done anything since your brother's been following you around and I understand if you're worried he'll find out somehow-"

"I'm sure. I have you, don't I?"

Hermione's lips were on yours again, hungry, insatiable, moaning your name-

A sharp cry emanated from the door, some sort of terrified surprise.

You jumped up, one hand still on your girlfriend's thigh, but Draco was already leaving, running away - his job was done, and it had not been to protect. You loved your brother, but you knew just as well that he would do anything to feel more secure in his own home.

You knew that that home would no longer be yours.

"I can see him in the Owlery right now, trying to understand how this could've happened under his watch," You laughed dryly, staring at the open door. Hermione stepped before you, closing it.

"I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

And yet, mere hours later your father's owl arrived - a grey one, shivers of green down the spines of his feathers. The letter was easy to remove from his leg and you knew before opening it that it would be loud. Hermione cast a silencing charm on the room wordlessly, because even she knew.

And the letter lived up to its namesake, a howling cacophony of your father's disappointment. It tore itself apart with the knowledge that it had forbidden you from returning to your childhood home. You did not move to clean the remnants away. You didn't dare look at Hermione, who you could picture with a hand over her mouth and a look of pity in her eyes that made you want to disappear completely.

"You have me," Hermione said eventually, meekly, as if she wasn't sure how much that was worth. "You can stay with me and my family. You know you'll never be alone. I mean, if you want to. I know so far I've already been cause for a howler."

"Yeah," you whispered. You didn't know whether you could manage more in that moment.

"Yes?" she asked, seeking confirmation, but you didn't miss the hint of betrayal in her voice.

"Yeah, that would be great," you stuttered, trying to sound sure of yourself. "Merlyn knows I'll need a new bodyguard with less muscle than me."

She smiled, even though it was watery, and gently leaned in for another kiss.

You knew you had chosen right. You knew this might someday lead to heaven on earth. You knew Hermione was forever for you.

[bite-the-bloody-hand]

Dramatis Personae

For the sake of having the most important details of Zell's person and history written down somewhere, I have been compelled to create this character sheet of sorts. FULL of spoilers for Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous.

Name: Grenzel 'Zell' Marion Hellsing Birth name: Salyut Pronouns: He/Him Gender: Trans Man Species: Dhampir (Vampire King Ancestry) Age: He thinks he's 19, but he's off by a few decades. Birthday: 20th Gozran :weed emoji: Star Sign: The Bridge (or The Daughter, I think he's right on the cusp?)/The Underworld Dragon Sexuality: Pansexual, Panromantic Deity/Religion: None Class: Bloodrager Primalist - Celestial & Arcane bloodline. Background: Nomad- Honglian and Ustlavic Alignment: Chaotic Neutral to Chaotic Good Path: Azata+ Love interest: Daeran Arendae Starting Stats: (Level one): STR 16 DEX 8 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 16 Top 3 Skills: Perception, Athletics, Persuasion Hobbies: Spinning thread, bug hunting, venue crashing (plays drums, flute, trumpet, and lute as cover) Horseback riding, various kinds of entertainment-derived mischief, Improv theater, bone carving Accent: Ustlavic - while fluent in Common he prefers to let people think otherwise. His accent will get thicker when he's tired, annoyed, or fucking with someone. Will speak in broken Ustlavic or a paint-blisteringly thick Honglian regional accent at the drop of a hat.

Quotes: "Come drink with me, friend." "Even foul water puts out wildfires." "Echh… we're really in the rice now."

Appearance: 5'5", broad shouldered with a somewhat wolfish appearance. Works out, but wouldn't say no to a cookie kind of physique. His hands and feet are oversized and a bit paw-like. He has hip-length, greying black hair that he keeps braided - usually in two simple plaits but he does love a fancy set of braids when time allows. His skin is a dusty gold-grey, as if undeath has left an actual tarnish behind.

His face is wedge-shaped, with high cheekbones, square jaw, and a slightly large nose crooked from catching one too many right hooks. Eyes are sharp, with small pupils and colored a bright blue-green - like the afterglow of a lightning strike - that reflect eerily in darkness or low light. Heavy, sharp eyebrows give him a somewhat cynical, predatory look that gets enhanced by his easy grin - he's not shy about showing off his fangs. He has one large deep scar bisecting his right eyebrow that sadly doesn't have a cool origin - a clay pot fell on him when he was trying to get it off a tall shelf. Otherwise he bears a few cut marks on his arms and legs from skirmishes, a deeper set of clawmarks over his ribs from a bad run-in with a wolverine, and the scars from affirming surgery. Finally, the fatal gutwound from his 'death' in the Stolen Lands, and the subsequent chest scar from Areelu's botched experiment.

Generally he gives off the air of a wolf desperately trying to domesticate itself, or a half-feral stray hunting dog. Real freak on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere energy. In the kindest of terms he can be described as unsettling but beautiful.

He favors jade, carnelian, and silver accessories when he can get them, and has simple bar earrings in each ear that he can't quite recall ever getting. (They're tracker tags from Areelu on account of his habit of fucking off in a random direction and getting stuck or lost somewhere upsetting.) He has issues with the joints in his hands being hypermobile that he corrects with silver splint rings. He favors primarily black outfits with pops of bright color, and minimal armor to avoid any issues with spellcasting. He has long debated the merits of getting a tongue piercing but hasn't decided whether to commit yet. He has a tattoo around his left leg of reindeer stones, and plans on getting more but isn't sure on the designs yet.

Personality: Zell by nature is an exhuberant, friendly, genuinely loving person who has learned the hard way to be extremely reseved with his trust and care. He affects an easygoing, relaxed demeanor that covers an anxious intensity soaked by deep, deep rage that is difficult to percieve until that switch flips. He leans on his innate charisma as social currency, is something of a barfly and enjoys sneaking himself into events by claiming to be 'with the band.' He especially loves crashing weddings and birthdays in this manner. Is generally known as The Guy to go to if you need something delivered, furniture moved, wood chopped, or defensive horseback riding lessons. Sometimes given to bouts of deep introspection, he has something he's searching for or working towards that drives him obsessively. Suffers from chronic joint pain and light-induced migraines, dyslexia, and severe abandonment issues. Runs hot, therefore gets heat exhausted easily.

Archetypes: Ringleader, Bon Vivant, Ambitious Sorceror.

Merits: Kind, supportive, loyal, gentle.

Flaws: Bloodthirsty, capricious, self-destructive, deceptive.

History: CW for forced cultural assimilation, forced detransition, child abuse

Zell was born under mysterious circumstances in the Hongli steppe. His mother was absent - whether she died or abandoned him was never explained - but he was raised within her tribe to be a happy and healthy child. Nobody was over concerned with gender, so he identified as a boy from early on and easily fell in with his peers. He excelled at riding horses, but had difficulty with a bow, so he trained in polearms and sword instead. While he doesn't remember much of his earliest childhood, he fondly recalls the parts of his youth leading a gaggle of youngsters across the steppe and icy desert, hunting for the tribe, herding goats and reindeer, finding cool bugs, and generally reveling in his freedom.

Unfortunately, it was not to last. When he was close to coming of age, he began to develop strange sorcerous abilities. Arcane necromancy and suggestive, enchanting magic came easily to him, and his control was nebulous at best. Still, he had help from his tribe and rarely had any extreme issues.

Soon however, strangers in terrifying black armor came from across the land bridge. They met with the elders that had raised him, and demanded to take him over to distant Avistan. He was devastated when the elders agreed to let him go, and tried to run away on his own. He was caught after weeks of evasion, and severely punished by his new handlers. The next time he was fully conscious, they were already more than halfway over the land bridge.

He was brought to Lepistadt in Ustalav to live with the "Hellsing" family, a deeply interconnected group of nobles and high-ranking Hellknights dedicated to the obstruction of a specific group of malicious vampires... When they aren't running an anti-Iomedaen protestant shadow crusade. Under the auspice of being closer to his father - who he would never meet - and 'necessary' training of his sorcerous power, he was put under the care of Nora Hellsing: a vicious, rigid woman whose first and foremost goal was to forcibly erase as much of Zell's identity as possible. Treated like a burden and an atrocity, he was denied the comfort of his language, his name, and all freedoms he had been allowed in Hongli. Alongside this, Nora did everything she could to stoke Zell's bloodlust and rage, honing him into a devastating fighter and wicked spellcaster. As a capstone, he was put through the same military academy as the other youths in the Hellsing organization. Faced with culture shock, unwinnable tasks, and Nora's cruel attention, his teenage years were a nightmare.

Nora reshaped Zell into Marion Hellsing with the intent of creating the face of the organization's next generation of Vampire Hunters, a devastating half-vampire princess that could be used as much as propaganda as a weapon. She succeeded in making Zell more dangerous, but failed in nearly every other capacity. As Marion, Zell used enchantments, intimidation, and sheer physical prowess to rebell at every opportunity; taking Nora's progressively extreme punishments while fighting indoctrination with every weapon at his disposal. He quickly learned that Nora and the more retaliatory Hellknights would stop short of anything that would kill him - though whether it was because they didn't want to risk him becoming a vampire or wished to avoid the wrath of his absentee father he could not immediately guess. Unfortunately this meant that anyone close to him was fair game - so his closest companions had to either be strong enough to hold their own or they would feel the brunt of the punishment. This did not deter Zell in the slightest, instead only fueling his rage. Zell played the part of a delinquent, bratty punk: deliberately failed classes, slept around with teachers and upperclassmen, and refused to behave unless inspired to exploit the rules to his advantage. He led a small gang of other disaffected youths upset by their involuntary placement at the Academy, and was consistent annoyance to just about anyone in power.

Even so he had few friends, and those that did get close did so for safety more than a sense of genuine friendship. Zell secretly found more solace in the labyrinthine libraries of Lepistadt's universities, more concerned with researching things on his own terms than following the ridgid precepts of Hellknight military training (or literally anything Nora wanted him to read). Eventually, his curiosity -and perhaps the occasional supernatual nudge - led him to discover interesting secrets about Hellsing's origins, and his own.

He discovers during this time that Hellsing is connected by familial relation to the Vampire King - who before becoming a vampire was the last known Aasimar of the newly dead god, Aroden. After being turned, he had apparently wandered and spent some time briefly in Tian Xia - long enough to sire a single child: - Salyut, Zell's childhood name. The child is meant to be Zell, but would have been born decades before. It will be many years before Zell eventually learns that he was given to Areelu by his father, raised til about age seven, and then left nearly a century later with the children and grandchildren of his mortal siblings with only the vaguest memories attached.

He also discovers that Hellsing's Anti-Iomedaen bent is more than just superficial: all the families are either related by blood to the Vampire King (and therefore, Aroden himself) or former clerics and paladins of the fallen god. It is unclear whether they are working directly with Areelu Vorlesh or if her involvement is just a coincidence, but they seem to believe the Vampire King's scion potentially holds a piece of Aroden's soul.

This causes him great concern… after all, Hellsing as an organization doesn't care about him as a person - they only care about Marion Hellsing the figure, and what she can do for their legitimacy and power. If they think 'Marion' holds a piece of Aroden's soul and want to try and do something with that, he doubts he'll come out the other side with any sense of self.

Learning all of this, his goals soon shifted from being the most annoying little shit on the planet to securing his own safety and freedom from Hellsing. While chasing these leads and preparing his escape, he stumbled upon caches of research left behind by Nora… and eventually proof that she was planning on becoming a lich. The particulars of her research, and how she plans to use the power of lichdom, disgusted Zell, but there was no one within Hellsing he could turn to in order to stop her. His only choice was to flee, and hope that Nora never succeeded in her plans.

This time, escaping the Hellknights was a far easier task. Armed with years of learning their tactics and the surrounding lands, he easily slipped away from Lepistadt and made his way south. The plan was to make for Absalom - perhaps strike up with some scholars who could point him towards more information about fallen Aroden. Picking the name 'Grenzel' for himself, he began his new life.

After a year or so on the road taking courier work and odd jobs, he happened to meet the captain of a river barge while chartering passage for a job. Captain Aslan Ciardha soon blew through all Zell's barriers and became his dearest friend and brother in arms. They traveled together for several years before Zell broke away to follow a lead in the Tors of Levenies. The lead was a dead end however, which allowed Zell to rejoin his friend - now a Baron in the tumultuous Stolen Lands.

He had difficulty falling in with Aslan's new crew; having little in common with most of them and no tolerance for the particulars of running a kingdom. His foremost goal was to protect and champion his friend - who had apparently come under the thrall of the wicked fae at the heart of the blight in the Stolen Lands. While Zell could see the signs of his friend being perhaps a little too invested in redeeming a clearly evil fae, there was little he could do to sway his friend. And soon, sensing his interference, Nyrissa would ensure that Zell was just as distracted.

He had not expected Tristian - of all people - to show any interest in him beyond the seemingly genuine concern of a healer. Even so he was charmed by Tristian's gentle, if fumbling, persistence, and eventually started to worry less about Aslan's predicament. While bemused and a little terrified of the prospect, Zell let himself start to fall in love and relax more around the other companions, finally gaining a sense of ease among them.

When Tristian inevitably turned coat and betrayed them all in Vordekai's tomb, Zell was devastated. He went with Aslan to Candlemere to try and talk sense into Tristian, but learning how thoroughly he'd been played truly broke his heart. While Aslan was determined to prove Tristian could be saved and made for the Temple of the Elk, Zell opted instead to support Amiri in confronting Armag. While he wasn't seeking his own death in battle - distraction and a few unlucky breaks put him on the receiving end of a mortal gut wound.

Before any of his allies could return with help, Areelu Vorlesh whisked him from the battlefield to save his life and initiate her final experiment: Alchemizing his soul with Nahyndrian crystal. Now, with his soul so full of rage and heartbreak, seemed to her to be the best moment to strike. She threw in the top surgery for free, as a treat.

Delirious, heartbroken, and in a body slightly altered from normal was how Zell came to in Kenabras square, unsure how he even got there or even why he was still alive.