#[[ or will when she gets over the suspiciousness x3 ]]

[countlessrealities]

Vaggie muttered a grumpy "good" when the imp assured that he was absolutely not trying to hit on her. Yet, the way her shoulders relaxed, just slightly, betrayed that she was feeling a bit more at ease.

Of course, she had learnt pretty quickly that in Hell plenty of taken people were free to seek out other partners, since polyamorous and open relationships were extremely common, but in this specific case? Her guts instinct told her that it was safe to believe him.

And, in any case, even if she had been wrong to trust him, she could have summoned her spear and dealt with it. Charlie wouldn't have been too happy, but the former Exorcist was sure that she would have understood.

"Is it that obvious?" She asked, abandoning those thoughts. Hers was basically a rhetorical question. If they hadn't been so caught up in their "fun activities", most likely every single demon in the room could have told that she wasn't having a great time.

She scanned the crow until she found Charlie. The princess was babbling animatedly, waving her arms with obvious enthusiasm, a sentiment that the couple she had chosen to talk to obviously wasn't sharing.

"But yeah, you're right. I'd never set foot in a place like this without a really good reason," she went on, turning back towards the imp. "No offence or judgement. It just isn't my cup of tea. And that's an understatement." She played with her glass. "My partner is here on...business too, and she really wanted me to tag along, so...you know how it is. I'd be a shitty girlfriend if I wasn't here to support her."

If she couldn't help Charlie with her dream, she was nothing. So, no matter what was asked of her, no matter how dangerous, unpleasant, uncomfortable. No matter how much she hated it. She would have done it without hesitation.

Vaggie allowed herself a chuckle at her companion's flair, but then her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the results of his work. She would have never managed to braid her hair so well.

"...Alright, I'll give you this. It looks pretty cool."

It had been a surprising peaceful night thus far, or at least as far as any party in the lust ring could ever be. While usually he'd be dodging the unwanted attention of those drawn in by his public persona it seemed that Ozzie dropping the bombshell of their relationship was enough of a deterrent to keep that to a minimum. That didn't mean they weren't talking though, and that had been what brought him to the quiet section of the bar alone. Ozzie had been drawn away by personal business, a neice visiting - which had been news to him but he wasn't about to suddenly deal with family introductions. Maybe a good few drinks had made him just a little too comfortable interacting with others, taking it upon himself to braid the stranger's hair - spurred on only with the thought of how inconvenient it must be with all these people around to brush past and snag it. He'd about to explain as such when the assumption of flirting was brought up, pulling a rasped laugh from the imp.

-- ❝Oh- no, no no. I wasnt- haha wow. No.❞ Realising just how rude that could sound, he was quick to backpedal ans explain himself. Clearly she either didn't realise who he was, or didn't even know in the first place. -- ❝I've got a partner too, a guy I'm with.❞ - and how wrong it felt to just call Asmodeus 'a guy' but he didn't want to spoil the novelty of anonymity too soon. - ❝But he's off dealing with some business- and you looked as out of place as anyone possibly could be. Let me guess, not your idea to come out here tonight? Am I right or am I right?❞ He remarked with a smirk, finishing the end of the braid neatly and making sure that her bangs kept her missing eye covered. He could empathise with the insecurity there, he'd not dare fuck with that just to style her hair. With that done he draw back with an exaggerated sweeping gesture of his robotic arms and a wide grin. -- ❝Ta-da! That should hold for the rest of the night, you're very welcome.❞

[wulflynn]

Cullen Rutherford Fanfiction Recommendation...

This is a list of AO3 fics that I've really enjoyed reading, and I wouldn't have found them myself if it weren't for other recommendation posts on Tumblr. There are still plenty more that I've yet to find that I know I'll enjoy, but as of right now, these have been amazing reads that I'm sure others are bound to enjoy as well if they're fond of Cullen c:

WARNING: pretty sure they're all rated for mature audiences, but if you click on any of these please check the tags to decide if you'd like to read any further.

I hope the formatting for this is correct, if there is a correct-or typical-way to format these recommendations. I just did it how it'd made sense to me *shrug. Correct me, otherwise. Teach me how to Tumblr.

Thank you to the authors for your creative prowess and for giving me permission to add your stories to this list! I'll add more over time, I'm sure. May you receive all of the kudos and feedback, and continue to find joy in creating your stories. <3

Wrong fandom but I'm always compelled to say, "kill write well...and often." x3

Updated 04/08/2023: A couple more have been added! c:

Summary: When the Inquisition disbands, Cullen disappears without a trace. After he is found begging in the streets of Val Chevin, his long-time friend and former lover, Mira, comes to find and bring him home. As she tries to help him quit lyrium for good, they discuss their past and finally say all the things between them previously left unsaid.

Summary: Everyone around her seemed incomprehensibly eager to have the rebel mages close the Breach. Never mind that it made her a funnel in some magical experiment, one that they didn't know for sure would even work. No, much better if they found the templars instead - for herself and for Myca. Yet it was only the suspicious commander who shared this view. Suddenly she had a reason to get on his good side.

Broken Song by Decim

Summary: Remy Hawke and Knight-Captain Cullen have been entangled with each other since their first meeting… she’s made sure of that. What started out as an ill-advised affair quickly grew into something more, though circumstances made that certain lines could never be crossed. Once she leaves the city and her position as Viscountess, they say goodbye for good, not anticipating that only a year later they will meet again when the world is coming to an end.

An alternate version of Dragon Age: Inquisition in which Hawke attended the Conclave and became the Herald, with flashbacks to Dragon Age 2.

Thank you to @decimdraws on Tumblr! ✨

Wander the Drifting Roads - Pt. 1 of Nothing Wrought Shall be Lost by mortonsspoon

Summary: After defeating Corypheus, Lavellan thought the worst was behind them. When Cullen is captured and exposed to red lyrium, the Inquisition loses its Commander and Lavellan loses the man she loves.

The two face diverging paths forward: Lavellan attempts to find purpose in life after the end of the organization they built together, and Cullen must find a way to come to terms with the darkness he's faced for a decade before he loses his memories of her forever.

Book of Memories - Pt. 2 of Nothing Wrought Shall Be Lost by mortonsspoon

Summary: There is a book in Comtesse Lavellan’s library in Kirkwall. It has been meticulously bound in leather, with the shape of a tall, spreading tree and a lion embossed on the front. Inside, there are a number of writings: recollections from a darker time, hopes and fears, and moments archived in writing for their own safekeeping.

Or: An anthology of what happened to Emmaera and Cullen before, during, and after the events of Wander the Drifting Roads.

*Tags will be updated as chapters are posted

Thank you to @shivunin on Tumblr! ✨

This is a series of works and I will post the description and notes rather than the summary like with others c:

Description: "When your skies are grey, and your whole world is shaking, to the Moon and back, I'll love you more than that."

Notes: A collection of short fics and drabbles about Cullen Rutherford and Eurydice Lavellan.

Thank you to @star--nymph on Tumblr! ✨

In Waking Dreams by AParisianShakespearean

Summary: They fall in love slowly during the war at the height of the Inquisition. During their romantic and eventually sexual relationship, the former Circle mage and former templar discover they love one another as more than the Commander and Inquisitor, more than the rose that survived and endured the winter, and more than a forgotten goddess of old. Then war, like everything, ends. They dream of dawn after stars. *** The love story between Inquisitor Lydia Trevelyan and her Commander. As the Inquisition begins and unravels, so do their own personal struggles, issues, torrid pasts, and feelings for one another. Sprinklings of other characters here and there. Slightly diverges from canon. Rated E for later chapters.

Thank you to @a-shakespearean-in-paris on Tumblr! ✨

Description: Take a look at the Thedas with Inquisitor Trevelyan, a noble, a mage and a leader. Her adventures weren't filled with just action and fighting, but it came with a hint of drama and romance - something the nobles would often gossip about.

Thank you to PoptartCandy (I'm not sure if they're on tumblr, but this can be amended if so)!

Summary:

Evelyn Trevelyan, once on her way to become a Senior Enchanter at the Circle of Ostwick, now an apostate, has had a very hard last couple of years. And it looks like she can expect to have very hard years ahead of her, too.

Luckily for her, she has plenty of experience hiding just how awkward, clumsy, and terrified she is of everything. Also luckily for her, she discovers that there are people she doesn't have to hide from. Friendships, family, and even love can be found and forged in the unlikeliest of places. Bridges are built to span the breach between warring peoples and hearts even as they fight the Breach in the sky and the one that caused it.

Yet another retelling of the adventures that occur in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Mostly canon, divergences are like a scenic route. Filling in the holes, building the friendships and relationships, and connecting the dots that we don't see in-game. From the light and playful moments to the dark and violent twists and turns, joy and angst, eventual smut, thus the M rating.

Thank you to Kartoonist (I don't know if they're on tumblr either, but if so this will be amended)!

[princesseevee06]

would love to know more about ytr ranmaru!

absolutely! ranmaru is my fave sopping wet dog /j

i talked about him a liiiittle bit in that one kurumada post i did, so i’m just gonna briefly go over those points so everything is conveniently in one post

basically ranmaru’s parents are both detectives, and so ranmaru knows a lot about the business (as well as feeling pressured to take it up himself :,) ). kurumada becomes sort of like a mentor figure to him, but in their first trial together ranmaru ultimately snaps under the pressure and ends up getting kurumada killed so that he can survive

ironically, this guilt ends up primarily being what motivates his survival instinct (which is both a good and a bad thing 😭), because he feels like if he has to carry the weight of kurumada’s death bc he wanted to survive, he has to get out so that the whole thing wasn’t meaningless

in the beginning of the death game, he tries to take charge a lot because he has ~experience~ with crime, and ends up mostly working with ryoko and sara because they’re kind, reliable figures. he actually…doesn’t end up liking most of the other cast 😭 whether that be he finds them suspicious or just Straight Up doesn’t like them (i think the funniest example of this is him having one-sided beef with mishima for literally zero reason other than he just does not like the man)

actually, now that i think about it, he does get along with hinako. they have an annoying sibling dynamic where even if they don’t really talk to each other much if you put them in the same room they get each other’s vibes immediately. psychic connection

but of course the main relationship i focus on for him is with ryoko, as ranmaru is one of the major supporting chrs! :) ranmaru’s pretty quick to get back on his feet after the first main game (not that he isn’t affected by it, just trying to keep everyone going steady) and so he helps ryoko a lot in trying to recover. some of his most major moments are A. in the chap 2 subgame and B. in the second main game

in the subgame, ranmaru is trapped on the platform (i literally forgot what it’s called) with ryoko and maple. he’s actually the first person to jump on the idea that maple could be a doll (she’s the one who gets switched out in the room of lies. i thought it’d make sense both since maple takes reko’s role and cause it’s a little ode to her obstructor form in actual yttd x3), and tries to logically lead the conversation along while everyone else is freaking out (i SO need to make a post about the chap 2 subgame, it’s a complete mess 😭😭😭)

one of the most interesting bits of characterization i’ve come up with for him imo is on the route where the ai maple gets pushed into the spikes. like nao, ranmaru is the one who pushes her, but unlike nao’s reasoning behind it which was that she didn’t want sara to carry any more burdens, ranmaru remarks that he didn’t want ryoko to have any blood on her hands (even though, it’s technically not blood since she’s a doll…but you get the idea)

^ to add onto that, ranmaru does really care for ryoko as a friend but he feels like he can’t really fully open up to her bc he deems himself a murderer + is paranoid that if he gets found out everyone will try to vote him out. his constant secrecy ends up coming to bite him in the ass when kugie happens to buy kurumada’s victim video, though 😭 it gets brought up in the second main game and of course he has to come clean. he does garner some sympathy (mostly from ryoko and maple/hinako), but it also makes some ppl more suspicious of him as well (like kugie and shin).

SPEAKING OF the second main game hooooo boy is ranmaru a central figure of it. he gets completely screwed over and sent the sacrifice card due to gashu’s tampering, and this man FREAKS the hell out. he doesn’t wanna die, he’s only 16 and he hasn’t even done anything he can consider worthwhile yet (that and, if it’s true that every terrible thing he did was for nothing, maybe his guilt will finally catch up with him 😞)

sooooooo yeah massacre ending is with ryoko and ranmaru. it’s Bad. ranmaru convinces himself that he has to do this and that he has to Win and escape with ryoko, but even if they go thru with it it’s clear neither of them really wanted this outcome anyways. i think this note i made for myself sums it up pretty well:

ahhh, i hope this satisfies your curiosity about the maru!!!! i kind of turned him into a miserable figure in this au sorry ;-; i promise i love him, i just have to put my blorbos through the Horrors sometimes

[gudsouplady]

Watching Sherlock (S2,E1) A scandal in Belgravia (Tw: This show has a lot of showing and mentioning of guns,Dead bodies,Drugs,War etc.If you don’t like that stuff then I advise you to not read this post) (spoilers)

• He came back

• Why is he going to shoot the bomb jacket

• “stayin alive” as Moriarty’s ringtone

• Who is Moriarty talking to ?????

• “Wrong day to die”

“Did you get a better offer”

• “I’ll make you into shoes”

• He’s gone again

• Who is Miss alder and the other woman ????

• The glorious intro

• Annoying clients

• “The geek interpreter”

• Sherlock just left

• Don’t traumatise the kids

• What happened to the guy in the car boot

• “people want to know your human”

• Sherlock is famous now

• Sherlock is in the newspaper

• Why does the woman have a whip

• Time for what ????

• What does Sherlock keep in his fridge

• I thought the guy that wondered into Baker Street dropped dead

• He’s car broke down in a fields

• Where did the guy in the red jacket go

• He died

• “Try not to punch him”

• Fields have Wi-Fi ????

• Why is Sherlock dressed in a bedsheet

• “Shut up”

• “Pass me over”

• Who wants Sherlock to go with them ?????

• “Who the hell are you”

• Why is there a helicopter for John ?????

• Buckingham palace ????

• why did John look behind Sherlock like that ????

• I love it when they laugh

• “I am seriously fighting the impulse to steal an ashtray”

• Sherlock called Mycroft the queen

• “Sherlock Holmes, Put your trousers on”

• Mycroft is done with the pair of the them

• The sheet almost went off

• He finally put his clothes on

• “I’ll be mother”

“ and there is a whole childhood in a nutshell”

• Irene Adler

• “how would you know”

• Irene and Sherlock both know of each other

• John you might want to put that cup back in your saucer

• “laters”

• He stole the ashtray

• Who is taking photos of them

• They’re both trying on clothes

• “ I always hear “punch me in the face” when your speaking but it’s usually subtext”

• Having a public street fight

• Sherlock being stupid at the door and Kate playing along

• Irene put something on, please

• Get off of Sherlock

• John definitely missed a lot

• He can’t deduct anything about Irene

• “Somebody loves you” Every single person looks at John

• “ I confiscate it��

• How does she know ???

• John managed to set the fire alarm off

• What in magical fire places is that ????

• Who shot the alarm ???

• It’s a robbery

• John almost died

• “Vatican cameos”

• Fight scene Intensifies

• He Took the phone

• Sherlock’s way of calling the police is shooting a gun

• John disappeared ???

• What happened to Kate

• What did Sherlock get injected with

• The woman who beat Sherlock Holmes’s

• she jumped out the window

• The hiker was hit by a boomerang

• The way he fell out of bed

• The text alert..

• Irene got his number

• The alert x2

• I love Mrs Hudson

• Mycroft Holmes don’t disrespect Mrs Hudson

• Text alert x3

• Everyone is suspicious of the text alert

• It’s Christmas time

• Molly looks lovely

• “ You have a photograph of me wearing that hat”

• Poor Molly

• Irene gave Sherlock the phone

• Mycroft hates Christmas

• is Irene going to die

• Irene died :(

• Sherlock never smokes

• Both brothers are sociopaths

• Another drugs bust

• They broke up

• Sherlock isn’t eating

• He got the code wrong

• John and Mrs Hudson really do care about Sherlock

• who is she

• Irene is alive

• Sherlock doesn’t reply to Irene’s texts

• Sherlock followed John

• Mrs Hudson !!!!!!!

• Sherlock saved Mrs Hudson

• John take care of Mrs Hudson

• Sherlock just shoved him out the window

• Mrs Hudson is in shock

• “You clot”

• “England would fall”

• He finally text her back

• He got the passcode wrong again

• Irene is back

• “if you were looking for baby names”

• MORIARTY IS INVOLVED

• even Mycroft but he’s ashamed

• He always talk to himself

• Irene get your hands off him

• He got taken away by the same person

• No one is ever going to put a bullet in Sherlock’s brain

• Why is the plane dark and the passengers are passed out ????

• Of course Mycroft is there

• It’s been Mycroft and Irene all this time

• Mycroft isn’t going to do anything

• What happened to Kate ??? Where did she go ???

• “ I am Sherlocked”

• The phone is unlocked

• Irene died :(

• Don’t lie to Sherlock

• Give Sherlock the phone

• She got saved by Sherlock

• “The woman”

I rate this episode a 10/10 because it was a very interesting episode

[littlec4tg1rl]

Maybe I could hire you as a house keeper so the wife doesn't get suspicious then just bend you over and use your body every chance I get. Although she might catch on when you only wear skirts and seem to always be missing your panties. 😘😈

I’m not really into cheating scenarios but id love to get used whenever x3

[reuinx]

Jealousy (Yelena Belova x Reader)

Summary: Yelena has wanted to keep your relationship a secret, especially from Natasha. A party is a perfect opportunity for you to taunt her using Wanda Maximoff.

Word Count: ​2,468

Translations:  Printsessa (Princess), Krasivaya (Beautiful)

Yelena has kept you a secret for a while now, and she prefers it that way. As she suspected Natasha was becoming suspicious of your relationship, she instructed you both to cool it. Well, if you could even call it that. With her, you never knew where you stood. Many things with Yelena weren't clear to you. There was no way of knowing how she felt about you, what she was thinking, or what she would do next. You knew, however, that you were hopelessly in love with her.

Yelena had asked you to keep your distance from her, but that did not mean you couldn't have some fun, right? If she wasn't willing to commit, then why should you? You found yourself at an outdoor party during the summer heat. It was the usual thing for people to show off their cars. The speakers in the truck of an expensive vehicle blared music. You were beckoned by Natasha, who was sitting on the bonnet of her blue BMW X3 SUV as the cars were parked in a circle. You approached her without much caution. If you become nervous, it would be more evident that something was going on between you and Yelena if you avoided her.

"Mommy and Daddy let you bring the car, huh?" You called out playfully as Natasha shot you a look of disapproval, patting the bonnet beside her. As you climbed up beside her, you stared out at the familiar faces drinking, chatting, and dancing.

"Very funny. I see you didn't bring my sister" Natasha reached for a Budweiser, biting the cap with her teeth as she twisted it open while looking straight ahead. 

"Why would I bring Yelena?" Your voice was laced with nervousness as you asked. You and Yelena have always been friends before all of that happened!

"Why wouldn’t you?" Natasha responded. During your attempts to assemble your thoughts, everything always went back to Yelena. What did she mean by that?

"A peace offering," Natasha offered as she handed you the Budweiser. Yelena wasn't going to like you drinking, she established how you were a lightweight, but there are no rules anymore; you might as well break them all. Fuck it. Without hesitation, you raised the beer bottle to your lips and took a sip of the crisp as she smiled at you, interrupting your chance to speak.

"For what?" What was she talking about?

"Fucking my sister," She said nonchalantly as you choked on your beer as you were in the middle of drinking. She gently slapped your back while leaning across to help you breathe again.

"I..I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't?"

"No."

"Huh, that's funny."

"What is?"

"The walls are paper thin. I can hear everything, and I mean everything. Especially your name being moaned-"

"I get it, I get it!"

"I'm guessing El didn't want me to know?"

"She doesn't want anyone to know."

"I've known. I see how she looks at you. She always looks at you like you're the only one in the room. It's cute but she is my little sister so I will be teasing her about it in the near future."

"That obvious?"

"Very"

"She's just keeping me as a little secret for now, I guess."

"You'll have to change that now, won't you?" As the familiar engine rumbled in the distance, Natasha teased you. When Yelena's car was brought to your attention, you and Natasha both drank simultaneously.

"Speaking of the devil," Natasha commented against her drink. As Yelena's arm hung out the window, the yellow Mustang made its grand entrance. Her car stood out like a sore thumb, attracting everyone's attention. Especially yours.

"The one and only" As you shook your head, you climbed off the bonnet slowly, feeling eyes on you already, but they weren't just Yelena's. The eyes of a stranger caught your attention - a girl with auburn hair and green eyes.

"Oh hey! The beer trick with the teeth? Don't try that. You'll probably smash your teeth considering you can barely walk and chew gum at the same time." Natasha grins widely as she calls after you.

"Noted!" Your voice filled with laughter as you acknowledged your clumsiness. As you lifted the beer to your lips, you took a sip. As you watched from the corner of your eye, Yelena had climbed out of the Mustang. Her blonde hair was perfectly straightened between her shoulder blades. Her makeup was applied perfectly. She had a red dress that looked like it belonged in a Lana Del Rey music video. It clung firmly to every curve of her body. There was no doubt in her mind that she was sexy. Dressed up for your attention and your attention only. Without hesitation, Yelena made her way to you and yearned for your gaze, but you declined her. 

That didn't sit well with her at all. To get a reaction from her, you would do anything you could to get her to want you. While you walked past her, you tipped your head back and continued to drink. While walking, she looked over her shoulder to see where you were going. To sulk beside Natasha, of course. When you approached the auburn-haired girl, she gave you a look of surprise. As she slowly tilted her head at you, she adjusted her red leather jacket.

"Maximoff.. Wanda Maximoff" She introduced herself to you, her eyes fluttering as she did so. Her smile was soft but loving, and her eyes were friendly but held a wicked streak behind them.

"I'm-"

"I know who you are, beautiful. I've been paying attention, especially to your little blonde girlfriend. The Belova girl, Yelena right?" Wanda commented as her eyes flickered towards Yelena, who was sitting beside Natasha on the bonnet, observing every move you made. You glanced over your shoulder at Yelena, who was mouthing something to Natasha: "What's she looking at?" referring to Wanda.

"That would be her."

"It seems she doesn't like me that much now?" The corner of Wanda's lips curled into a smirk; she didn't seem to mind.

"She'll get over it."

"Me and Natasha go way back. She's already given me the run down on Belova. She's just hung up on you that she realizes I'm not a threat… unless I want to be," Wanda teased you as you raised your eyebrow at her.

"Is that so?"

"Mhm. Want me to put on a show for you?"

"Tempted"

"Come on then" Wanda extended her hand for you to take, and you put your hand into hers. It did not feel right when it wasn't Yelena's hand, but it was worth it to see her reaction. To be closer to the music, you followed her into the clearing. As you giggled, she spun you on the spot, holding the bottle to your lips as you finished it. They seemed to be enjoying themselves to the fullest, with Wanda in on it with Natasha. 

Playfully, you wrapped your arm around Wanda's neck as your eyes fluttered to Yelena. Uncomfortably, she had now shifted on the bonnet. While watching the scene play out before her, she tightened her lips. She began to bite the inside of her mouth impatiently. She hated the idea of anyone touching you. Anyone that wasn't her. Yelena's face showed an expression you had never seen before, she was openly jealous of what was happening in front of her eyes.

"I'll give her three seconds before she comes over….one…two…." As Wanda leaned in slowly, she whispered to you, pulling you closer to her. Her breath was close to your lips, too close. From behind, you felt arms wrap around your stomach, tugging you back from the girl with the Auburn hair. You knew who it was by her gentle touch. Yelena. Your Yelena.

"I've got it from here, Maximoff" In response, Yelena snapped at Wanda, who clapped in surrender, bursting out in laughter.

"I was only teasing, Belova. Play nice now," Wanda playfully spoke as she made her way over to Natasha. They high-fived one another as Wanda climbed up on the bonnet beside her.

"You can look but you can't touch, Maximoff." 

"Who said I was only going to look, Belova?" Playfully sticking her tongue out, Wanda added fuel to the fire. 

"I did." Yelena explained each word laced with her accent before turning her attention to you. Now you're in for it.

"Drinking and chatting up Maximoff now? Haven't I taught you any better?" Yelena's question was directed at you now.

"Seems you haven't."

"Have you forgotten who you belong to, Printsessa?"

"I don't belong to anyone."

"Is that so?"

"According to you, "I don't belong to anyone," You replied bubbly; Your eyes peered up at the green-eyed girl whose lips parted. Observing her tense face, you could tell she was not happy with what you did. Your body was equipped with enough alcohol to make you brave.

"What are you going to do about it, Yelena Belova?" As she scowled at your sudden words, taken aback by your approach, you taunted her. Yelena didn't respond; she remained silent.

"Nothing, you'll do nothing" You rolled your eyes at her, turning on the heels of your shoes as you walked away from her once again.

"I'll show you what I'm going to do about it." Yelena finally spoke, snapping out at you as she quickly caught up to you. Now she was high on adrenaline. When she grabbed your arm, she spun you around so that you faced her. Alcohol could not save you from the intimidation you felt. She leaned in quickly, shoving her lips against yours, grasping your cheek with her hand. 

As your body pressed up against hers in need, you swooned at her sudden movement. Lips moving in perfect sync. You craved her; you craved this. It caught you by surprise when Wanda and Natasha started cheering. Your face turned red as you pulled away from Yelena's lips. She whispered in your ear quietly with her lipstick now smudged.

"Lets go somewhere else. I want you to myself tonight. All mine." Her voice was alluring as you nodded at her. She grabbed your hand, tugging you over to her car. As you looked at Natasha, who gave you a thumbs up, you smiled widely. Once you reached the Mustang, Yelena put you in the passenger side, ensuring you secure your seatbelt. Before closing the door and climbing into the driver's seat, she made sure you were safe.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see" While starting the car, she spoke in a calm and collected manner. The rumbling of the engine begins to soothe you. As you both left the party, you rested your head against the window and gazed out.

"Natasha knows by the way," You muttered.

"I know. I told her before the party but she already had an idea because she could hear us through-"

"The thin walls, she said." Laughing, you finished her sentence as your face turned red with embarrassment. As the world around you began to fade into darkness, you both sat in comfortable silence.

"El?"

"Hm?"

"I forgot to tell you… well.. not that I forgot to tell you but you're beautiful."

"I'm glad you noticed."

"Of course, I noticed. I always notice."

"I was too busy looking at you, Krasivaya." She explained to you as you suddenly turned to face her, your eyes studying her face as she smiled at you. The sight of her filled your heart with joy. As you quickly glanced out the window, you frowned at the sight of where she had taken you. She took the keys out, climbed out, and opened the door as she made her way to you. Suddenly, you felt breathless and scrambled out. You were both alone, just you and her. Her parking spot was elevated so that you could see the night sky from a greater height. You joined her on the bonnet of her car, leaning back as you stared up at the stars in delight.

"Jealous of Wanda then?" You called out to Yelena, who was getting comfortable on the bonnet; she suddenly darted her eyes at you with the sudden mention.

"Me? Jealous? Please."

"So you won't mind if I go back and just happen to dance with her again then?"

"Don't." The tone of her voice was stern and direct, but you took it as a challenge.

"Why not?"

"Jealous doesn't even describe what I felt. You got lucky."

"I got lucky?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"If you continued your little act you were going to be put in the backseat of my car and I was going to show you who you belong to infront of everyone."

"Maybe that's exactly what I wanted"

"Maybe I should have made that a reality then but you would've enjoyed it too much," She explained as she broke out in a chuckle; the way she laughed made you fall in love with her all over again. She slowly climbed off the bonnet as you gulped, your eyes studying her every movement. She made her way to the front of the car, pressing her knees against the registration plate. 

She grabbed your legs, pulling you forward as she stood between them. Her green eyes were wild as they gazed at you; you leaned back ever so slightly so she could tower over you. She liked being in control, and you gave it up so quickly for her. She studied your face; what was she thinking about? You could tell she was lost in thought. Maybe this was your time to ask her? 

"Yelena?"

"Huh?" You caught her by surprise as she rapidly blinked; she carefully rested her hands on your thighs as she waited for you question. How you approached it made her nervous, you could tell. The lines on her face had become apart as she frowned at you. For once, she didn't know what you were going to say.

"Why did you keep "us" a secret?" Her entire face changed the moment you asked. As if relief had suddenly overtaken her. As she had difficulty managing her words, she shut her eyes and tried to manage her frown.

"I don't know..I guess.."

"You guess?"

"I guess I was afraid."

"Yelena Belova afraid? I doubt that."

"I'm being serious." Her voice wasn't as bubbly as usual, but it had a sincere tone to it.

“Afraid of what?"

"To fall in love with you." Her hands were adjusted off your thighs so that she could play with the rings. When she played with her rings, you knew she was nervous. She twirled her rings around her fingers.  Since making things official made them real to her, she was afraid that the end result of all this would be hurting you.

"And now?" While you traced your eyes across the beautiful blonde nearby, you questioned nervously. As you watched her slowly turn toward you, you suddenly gulped. She was nervous; it was nice that it was the other way around.

"It's too late I've already fallen." 

[sunkoi]

hi there! i'd like to make a request for my fav train boy enmu, he doesnt get enough attention imho and i feel like your blog is the perfect place for this! (ps. i love your blog!! x3)

so i was thinking: he and his female s/o (who is a demon) go to the infinity castle for some errands and there they meet douma. douma saw them hand in hand and heard enmu shower his s/o with compliments, so he starts teasing them like "aww look at you two, youre so cute together" and other similar things. this gets on enmus nerves a bit but he doesnt say anything because douma is his superior and he doesnt want to get in trouble. but then douma steps closer to the s/o and starts to compliment her appearance and everything, kinda flirting with her, but he was still doing that just to make enmu more mad. at this point enmu is really angry at douma (despite trying to keep a normal expression on his face) so he grabs his s/os hand and announces that they had to leave. douma ofc laughs at this behind his handfan like "aww did poor enmu get jealous? don't worry little moon, im not going to steal your precious girlfriend from you" which makes enmu even more mad and he leads you away while douma keeps laughing. when he and his s/o are back at their house, she sees that enmu is still a bit nervous because of what happened so she decides to cheer him up with cuddles and kisses! then from here you can make it as fluffy and as lovey dovey as possible! >w<

im super sorry for the long description, i didnt think it would be this much whoopsie ^^'' but thanks a lot in advance if you find the time to write this and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Ofc! I’m glad you like my blog!

I am a huge simp for Enmu I love him so much lmao-

Enjoy!

Jealousy

You and Enmu were currently walking around the endless halls of the Infinity Castle. Enmu had just finished a mission and reported back to Muzan on his success. You wanted to tag along too so he brought you with him. Muzan didn't care since Enmu got the job done, but if he didn't that would be a different story.

Enmu suggested that you would take a little stroll before you guys left and you agreed. You both were holding hands as you walked and talked about random things.

“It’s really strange here. One minute your upside down, the next your walking sideways!” Y/n exclaimed, looking around the maze of rooms.

Enmu chuckled at your amazement.

“Indeed my sweet y/n. It’s almost hard to believe that this entire place was build by our own Lord Muzan.” Enmu replied.

“Is this place underground or something?” you asked Enmu.

Enmu thought for a moment before cracking a smile.

“I. I honestly couldn’t tell you. It’s...complicated to say where the exact location is.” he replied smiling towards you.

As you guys were walking, you noticed on how Enmu kept sneaking little glances at your face. you ignored it at first but now you were wondering what the heck he was looking at.

“What is it? Do I have something on my face?” you asked him, feeling your cheeks for anything on them.

Enmu giggled at you actions.

“There’s nothing on you face I can assure you that!” Enmu laughed.

“Then what is it?” you asked, playfully crossing your arms.

“Can’t I look at my beautiful lady without her being suspicious?” Enmu giggled, placing a hand on your head.

You got flustered at his word and your face was redder than the tips on his hair. He took this opportunity to tease the ever loving shit out of you.

“Aww, Is my y/n turning red?~ I must say it’s a lovely shade that suit you.” He teased, getting very close to your face.

You covered your flustered face with one hand and tried to push his away with the other.

“Your making me blush too much!” you whined at him.

He giggled and took you hand that was pushing him away into his, locking your fingers together and giving your hand a gentle kiss. You felt like you were going to melt away into a puddle.

“Ooo, whats going on over here?~” A voice called out from right behind you two. You look back and was met with beautiful rainbow eyes, that gave away who it was.

“Hello Douma.” Enmu greeted.

“Hello! What are you two lovebirds up to today?” Douma asked, fanning himself.

“We were just going for a walk before we left.” you replied, slowly inching to Enmu’s side.

“Aww how cute! You two look very cute together.” Douma complemented. 

“Thank you.” you shyly replied.

“Anytime! I’ts not much I get to see one of my fellow moons with a lovely lady walking around.” Douma replied, getting closer to you two.

You didn’t know what was happening or what to say so your mouth hung open a little as you scrambled to say something. Luckily, Enmu saw your reaction and stepped in.

“Indeed not many of us moons have a partner of our own.” he replied.

“Indeed Indeed. Say, your lady is really pretty Enmu! She’s got really nice eyes that go with her h/c hair.” Douma complimented, leaning down and getting close in your face.

“Thank you.” you quietly replied, face turning red from how close he was and his compliment.

“Aww, are you shy? You look cute when your shy~” Douma teased even more.

You were too embarrassed to look at Douma. He was a way higher rank than you and yet he kept teasing you and making you embarrassed. Your eyes darted towards Enmu, hoping he would have a solution. Enmu was standing there, acting like he was fine, but you knew in his mind he was thinking of multiple ways to end Douma’s “life”.

I didn’t know Enmu could get jealous. 

“All quiet now? Whats wrong? I want to see another smile on your cute little face Douma teased yet again.

This pushed Enmu to the edge. He grabbed your hand and pulled you towards him.

“I think me and y/n are going to take our leave now. She’s had a long day and we’ve been here awhile.” Enmu tried to get you two out of the situation.

“What?! Already?? We were just starting a conversation.” Douma replied.

“Yes well, we should head out before the sun come up.” Enmu said, trying to walk away.

Douma stood there for a moment before he realised what was going on with Enmu. He let out a laugh behind one of his fan and wrapped his other arm around Enmu’s shoulders.

“Aww, did poor Enmu get jealous? Don’t worry little moon! I won’t steal your cute girlfriend from you.~” Douma laughed.

Enmu slipped from Douma’s arm and grabbed y/n’s hand once again and walked away. You looked back and saw Douma waving good-bye to the both of you. You gave a small wave back and continued walking with Enmu.

After walking away from Douma and making sure the both of you were out of sight from him, Enmu called for Nakime to teleport you guys back to the house you stayed during the day.

The floor opened beneath you and you both fell into it and landed on the floor of the main room # your house. You thanked her and waved good-bye to Nakime before she closed the portal door.

You look over to Enmu, who was standing beside you still, and saw that his face was a little bit calmer than it was when you were talking with Douma. You also noticed now on how tigthly he was holding your hand. It’s wasn’t hurting you but it definitely looked like your circulation was cut off from your hand.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you jealous.” You teased him with a smile.

He turned his head towards you.

“I wasn’t THAT jealous.” He tried and defended.

“Mhm, okay. Says the one who dragged me out there.” You teased.

He just gave you a look on his face showed a mixture of disappointment with a smile.

“I could tell that you were getting a little uncomfortable too y know.” He said, letting go of your hand and taking off his black coat. He was wearing a white t-shirt underneath that was tucked into his pants and overalls that sat tightly around his shoulders.

“I just don’t do good with compliments. You see how red my face gets!” You defended playfully, sitting down on the couch.

Enmu just gave you a smile and began to pace around the room. You noticed this and knew exactly what he wanted. Every time he paced around, he would wait for you to invite him to join you on the couch, or wherever you were, for a good old cuddle session. You sighed and stretched out your arms to him.

“Fine, cm’here. I made you jealous so I’ll make up for it with as many cuddles and kisses you want.” You invited.

Enmu gladly accepted you invitation and practically fell into your arms. He laid his head on your chest and wrapped his arms around your waist tight enough so you couldn’t leave. You giggled at this and started to stroke your fingers through his hair. He gave a bigger smile and melted more into your arms.

“It’s not your fault. Douma is just so comfortable around everyone.” He mumbled, your relaxing touches almost sending him to sleep.

“Yeah. I can tell.” You giggled and Enmu giggled with you.

You leaned forward to give Enmu a small peck on his cheek and leaned back. He lifted his head up towards you and stared into your eyes.

“What?” You questioned.

“If that’s your apology kiss, your going to have to try harder my dear.” He teased.

“Oh yeah? What’s an acceptable apology kiss then?” You playfully flirted.

“This.”

Before you could even react, Enmu flipped you over so that you were laying on top of his chest, and pulled you into a sloppy yet romantic kiss. You were shocked at first but kissed him back neither less. After a minute, you pulled away and Enmu giggled.

“There. That can be your apology.” He playfully responded, hugging you tighter to his chest.

You closed you eyes and relaxed into his chest. The smell of lavender and metal from the train, with a tiny faint smell of blood, was calming and made you feel secure and safe. You closed your eyes and relaxed more.

“Done.” You replied.

Enmu smiled once more before giving you a few more kisses on you cheeks, forehead and nose. You blushed and hid your face in his chest more, making him let out a giggle.

He pulled a blanket over the both of you and decided to relax with you. The rest of the day was spent with you two cuddling the day away without a worry in the world.

==================================================

[ars0nistalex]

Jay Hong Backstory Theory

Almost anyone who reads Lookism would probably agree that Jay is one of the most mysterious characters in the series. He’s silent, shy, and has strange interactions with his family. We don’t even know what his eyes look like. I’ve developed a theory about what could have happened in Jay’s backstory and I’ve analyzed him as much as I can to make it as accurate it possible! So I decided I’d share that with some of y’all 😊 btw, there was someone that helped me come up this theory, but they don’t have a tumblr so i can’t really credit them. So just know that this was the work of two brains, not just mine 😆

Previously Given Information

Most of what I’ll be discussing in this section is Jay’s family life and pretty much all the information on that they’ve given so far. I’m gonna start talking about something that happened very early in the series around episodes 40-45. Towards the beginning of the “Pavlov’s Dog” arc, Jay was talking on the phone with someone who was probably a relative. The told Jay that they couldn’t see him for Thanksgiving because everyone involved, including Jay himself, would feel too uncomfortable. Afterwards, Jay somehow communicated to the person that he would be going on a solo trip and the conversation ended very quickly after that. This interaction gives off the impression that Jay definitely is not close with his family.

The next notable detail is a very long jump ahead in the series and it occurred during the “Picnic” arc. Not long before the arc, Jay’s little sister Joy Hong (Hong Jae-hye) was introduced and the elder brother Kitae Hong was introduced much before Joy, at some around episode 60 if I’m not mistaken. Despite this, it was only revealed in the picnic arc that Kitae was related to them even though it had been hinted at before and it was very obvious that Jay is much closer to Joy than he is to Kitae. He openly engages in physical touch and playful quarrel with Joy, which is something the timid and silent Jay does with no one else. On the other hand, he seemed tense and distant around Kitae, even moreso than he does around anyone else. In addition to that, the eldest brother was openly rude and discriminatory towards his brother and clearly prioritized his sister’s happiness and wellbeing over Jay’s. Kitae told Jay he should be “living quietly” and asked him why he “dragged Joy” to the J High, which is a very low-end school. Joy defended Jay, but Kitae’s behavior was suspicious nonetheless. What’s even more suspicious is that when Crystal arrived, she thought that “they don’t seem close at all!” Furthermore, she had no idea that H Group had a second son. This is something she definitely should have known as the daughter of the chairman of HNH, an organization that H Group works closely with. Kitae’s remarks and Crystal’s observations only make it more obvious that Jay isn’t close with his family at all and brings a new idea to light: Jay’s presence as a higher-up in his company is strongly concealed from those outside H Group itself.

Moving forward, Jay’s relationship with his father is the strangest one I’ve seen. Before I start, I’ll mention that we don’t know anything about his mother so it’s hard to assume anything about his relationship with her or if he has a mother in the first place. However, what we do know is that his father, Steve Hong (sorry y’all i have no idea what his korean name is), is the CEO of H Group, a group that works closely with HNH. He’s a pretty suspicious man based on how blunt and and strange he is, and the fact that he often passive aggressively threatens people like the HNH Chairman, Charles Choi (Choi Dong-soo), or Jay himself. During the epilogue episode of the “Runaway Fam” arc, Jay met with his father and they discussed the fight Jay had with people from the organization that impersonated Joy (btw that organization was Hostel A, Steve just didn’t know that). He was clearly disappointed in Jay’s actions and told him not to call him again. But remember, Jay only fought with these people to protect loved ones (and Daniel, but in my mind he’s definitely one of Jay’s loved ones ;]]]]]). Of course, fighting isn’t the best way to handle any situation, but Jay took care of it. It would make sense if Steve was a bit disappointed that Jay got in a fight, but shouldn’t he have been more grateful that Jay did something about it rather than just letting the situation go unattended to? It almost seems like he didn’t want Jay to stand at all.

At this point, most of you are probably wondering why all of this is happening to our sweet Jay. After a lot of thought, I think I’ve come up with a pretty good answer to the question 😁

The Backstory Theory

I imagine that Jay grew up in a rather strict and potentially lonesome environment due to the fact that his father runs H Group and it has been hinted at that he’s been a businessman for a long time. He was most likely close with his siblings as a child, but he seems to have distanced a lot from Kitae since then.

Jay displayed shock when he first saw Daniel Park (Park Hyungsuk) in the series and has gone to many extents to get Daniel’s attention and put a smile on his face. After endlessly protecting him and doing just about everything to get closer to Daniel, even obscure things, (i.e. trying to buy Daniel from the slate auction in the festival arc), I can assume that Jay has romantic feelings for Daniel. In the past, he probably knew that he was homosexual and most likely hid it from his family for a while because people in South Korea typically aren’t very accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This information leads perfectly into the main theory. Jay most likely came out as gay to his father, who was most likely homophobic and completely disappointed in Jay (which is very wrong by the way 😾). Remember when Jay couldn’t see his family for Thanksgiving because it would be “uncomfortable”? From this point on, Steve probably took all of Jay’s happiness away from him, forcing him to move away from home and go to a cheap high school and made him grow his hair over his eyes to avoid association with the company. Remember that Crystal had no idea H Group had a second son? That was because Jay’s presence was concealed. Since Kitae is one of the main representatives of H Group, we can assume that he was either forced to distance from Jay or just didn’t support his brother altogether. This explains why Kitae told Jay he should be “living quietly” and why they seemed so uncomfortable around one another. However, Joy doesn’t seem to represent H Group as much and hangs out with Jay whenever they get the chance to be together. She even finds a way to communicate with him despite his mutism (I have a small theory about Jay’s mutism and a few other things about him, but that’s too unrelated to put in this post). So, we can assume that Joy was probably one of he only people in the family that was accepting and supportive of Jay. This is probably why he seemed much closer to Joy and was comfortable with touching her physically.

Conclusion

In short, my theory states Jay’s freedom was taken away from him after coming out as gay to his family. He distanced a lot from people who he was close to before and had to hide his identity so he wasn’t associated with H Group because Steve felt ashamed of Jay. However, Jay still has Joy left, who is a family member who never rejected him and accepted him no matter what.

a/n

this theory actually sounded a lot better in my head 😅 it ended kinda abruptly cause i really don’t know how to end it.. well, if you’ve made it this far, thank you very much for reading! this is my first post like this so tell me how I did and if you have any additional thoughts 😁

i would also like to hear input from @prompt-disaster @jaeyeolla and @biigdeal who are some awesome lookism comrades x3

[sailfish-serum]

Ok here me out. The song 'Replay' by lady gaga has HUUUGE among us vibes

Like the lyrics scream it for instance

"Am i still alive? Where am i, i cry" a now ghost speaking about their death,

"Who was it who pulled the trigger, was it you or I?" And "I'm completely numb, why you acting dumb? I won't blame myself because we both know you're they one" both sound like a crew meeting after a body was found and theyre arguing over who is the most suspicious.

Continuing, the lines "I don't know what to do, you don't know what to say" sound like the impostors panicking to come up with an alibi.

"The scars on my mind are on replay" gives the air that a crewmate saw an impostor kill and are looking back at it trying to provide information for the rest of the crew. When she proceeds with "The monster inside you is torturing me" sounds as if the crewmate who witnessed it is calling the impostor out.

"Every single day, i dig a grave and sit inside it wondering if i'll behave" a crewmate wonders if they're accidentally acting sus and don't want to be thrown off.

"Psychologically its not something i can explain, scratch my nails into the dirt to pull me out of pain" the impostor's guilt.

"Does it matter, does it matter? Damage is done. Does it matter, does it matter? You had the gun, you had the gun, YOU had the gun, YOU HAD THE GUN." A crewmate had the blame pinned on them by an impostor and was voted off in near unison by the remaining players.

"Your monsters torture me" x3, the previously mentioned remaining players all get mad at one another for not voting the correct person off and continue blaming one another till no one else remains.

Thank you for coming to my ted talk *dramatically bows and exits through the garbage disposal*

[psychosistr]

Green-Eyed Monsters- Chapter 2

Summary: Dominic and Steelbeak successfully sneak into the soiree and identify their target, but personal feelings and a pair of lovely ladies from SHUSH might throw a wrench into their plans.

Notes: Behold, the first OC’s outside of Domino to be featured in this series- @starlightmoth ‘s SHUSH OC Xaviera, and my double-agent OC Maravilla! These two are very sweet together and I was super excited to include them, so I hope you guys will enjoy them too x3 Also, I slipped a few references to my previous stories in this chapter- see if you can guess them before reaching the end ;3

-First Chapter-

Steelbeak’s flashy gold-painted Lincoln Continental drove up the winding driveway leading to the duo’s destination for the evening. In any other situation, the car would stand out like a purebred show-dog at a junkyard. For tonight, however, it was just another gaudy and over-decorated transport lining the absurdly long path to a building larger and more brightly lit than any skyscraper in Saint Canard could ever HOPE to be.

Choosing to park his car rather than leave it in the hands of the valet (no one touched that car without his permission- forget about actually driving it), Steelbeak pulled into a parking space further away from the main driveway but closer to the back entrance. The location would make it easier to sneak in and out unnoticed, though it would also be a more suspicious location if security noticed the vehicle; they’d have to get in and out as quickly as possible.

When they exited the vehicle, the chief officer and his partner were dressed in outfits far different from their usual attire: Dominic had left behind his iconic coat and hat, instead donning a simple white button up shirt with a turn down collar beneath a more elaborate black tailcoat with thin vertical white stripes, black buttons, and bright red lapels with a matching red boater flat top hat that had a white hat band with a black buckle, giving it the vague semblance of a domino- the whole outfit accessorized simply with a dark red tie, a domino-shaped tie pin, and a black diamond-studded Crowlex hidden beneath the cuff of his sleeve. Never one to be outdone by his partner, Steelbeak had also left his usual white suit behind in favor of a far more expensive tuxedo featuring a white pleated button up shirt with a turn down collar and clear gemstone-style button studs, a black tuxedo jacket with a shimmering silver shawl collar and another pair of clear gemstone-style buttons, matching black pants, black pleated cummerbund, and a pair of freshly shined black patent leather cap toe shoes- all accessorized with the equally flashy additions of a black pointed-style bowtie, diamond cufflinks, a four-peak folded white silk pocket square, and a shiny silver watch emblazoned with diamonds. While a far cry from their usual style, the high-class suits would do a better job of camouflaging them with the high-society crowd mingling within the walls of their target’s billion dollar mansion.

Their target for the night was the owner of the lavish mansion before them, Emelia Malton- more specifically, they were after a pair of very valuable items that she had on her. According to FOWL’s intel, Emelia’s family was repeatedly ranked as the richest family in the world due to their cumulative net-worth amassed after years of running one of the most successful chain-stores on the planet. Despite her parents passing away a few months ago, the company had flourished under the young heiress and was now celebrating its ranking as the top-grossing chain-store in the world by hosting an extravagant party at her family’s home. Everyone on the guest list was considered the richest and/or most influential in their respective fields of business, so it was the perfect way for the wealthy woman to flaunt her affluence over her peers.

And what better way to do so than to show off her family’s prized possessions- the “Goddess’ Eyes”.

These “eyes” were the deadly duo’s target: A pair of nearly-impossible to acquire naturally green diamonds that could easily be priced at thirty-million dollars each. In addition to being ludicrously valuable, the gemstones were also the perfect conductors for FOWL’s newest thermonuclear based weapon for mass larceny and extortion on a global scale. They needed at least one of the incredibly rare diamonds for the device to function properly- preferably both so they could construct a second if the tests proved fruitful.

The only obstacle to obtaining the jewels was the mansion’s high-ranking security that was efficient enough to give the secret service a run for their money. Most of the time, the mansion’s security was so tight that even an army couldn’t breach their defenses. The only time the security was marginally lowered was for grand events- hence the required presence of the chief officer and his partner at the evening’s soiree.

Tonight would be the only chance for quite some time for FOWL to get their hands on the “Goddess’ Eyes” and they could NOT let it slip away.

With this goal in mind, Dominic and Steelbeak carefully made their way around the house to the garden and back-patio that had been converted into a slightly less-crowded outdoor lounge area for those seeking a reprieve from the bright lights and loud music indoors. Avoiding the cameras and creeping under the windows to avoid detection, the pair of fowls managed to sneak unnoticed into the outdoor crowd before seamlessly slipping through the wide open back doors to join the larger crowd within the mansion’s main ballroom.

Steelbeak gave a low, impressed whistle once they were inside, looking around at the myriad of (likely over-priced) paintings, statues, and crystal adorned light fixtures. “Wow, this is some shindig, eh, Dom?”

“More like an excuse for people who’ve never known a hard day’s work in their lives to show off how much money they have in an attempt to feel superior to everyone else in the room.” The (truthful) observation was accompanied by a slight scowl when an older woman in a satin dress wearing more jewelry than her plastic-surgery altered body should have been able to support without falling over passed by the two less ostentatiously dressed fowls.

Steelbeak gave a quiet snicker at his partner’s cynical view as they weaved their way through the crowd in an attempt to find a less heavily clustered spot with a better view of their surroundings. “Can’t argue with ya there, short fuse. I’m fightin’ my instincts REAL’ hard right now- I used t’ swipe rocks an’ cash offa chumps like these all the time when I was a kid…pick a few pockets here an’ we’d be set for life…”

“Focus on the rocks we’re after first, then you can have your fun on the way out.” Reaching one of the multiple full bars setup along the sides of the room, Dominic took a moment to properly observe his surroundings. It was hard to pick out any particular faces in such a large crowd, but, as red eyes caught sight of the grand bifurcated marble staircase draped in red carpet and ornate black handrails, a thought occurred to him: What better place to lord your wealth over a room full of billionaires than the highest point where they’d all have to literally look up to you? “Up there.”

Grey eyes soon followed the darker fowl’s gaze up the split stairs to where they met again on the next floor to form a small balcony overlooking the ballroom before branching out to the rest of the upper level. Leaning against the railing to look down on the party below was a tall, statuesque pearl white marble fox with long silver hair that fell past her shoulders in elegant waves. She was dressed in a classy black strapless evening gown with a beaded sweetheart-cut top in a snug mermaid cut that left very little to the imagination about her rather curvy figure and long legs, even with the gown reaching the floor beneath her. Like many other women attending the grand gala, she was bedecked with an arrangement of jewels such as a silver cocktail ring with a sizeable emerald at its center surrounded by much smaller white diamonds, a set of bangles encrusted with green garnets, a three-strand choker necklace of shimmering green stones with silver chains and white diamond accents, and, most noticeably of all, the pair of very large and very flashy drop-pendant earrings hanging from the base of each of her black-spotted ears with a plethora of small white diamonds around both the connecting points on her ears and around the sizeable brilliant-cut green diamonds in the center that perfectly matched the fox’s own sparkling green eyes. Everything about the woman screamed elegance and superiority compared to nearly everyone else in attendance.

Even without seeing her picture during High Command’s earlier briefing, the woman would be unmistakable as the party’s hostess, Emelia Malton. While Dominic knew she would be showing off her family’s most valuable possessions, he hadn’t expected her to have the “Goddess’ Eyes” turned into such readily visible trinkets. Then again, he mused, having them fashioned into a pair of earrings certainly made a statement that was impossible to ignore and, admittedly, would be harder to swipe than something like a necklace or ring. The woman was also no fool, it seemed, for while her security had been lowered enough for two uninvited guests to sneak in, Emelia herself (and likely most of the other valuables on the upper floor), were being diligently guarded by several large men in basic black suits spread out across the length of the staircase. Keen red eyes noted that each man was carrying at least one concealed firearm, and that there were a few more guards scattered about the lower floor near all of the doorways.

This definitely ruled out the chance of sneaking up on the fox since the security would see them coming from a mile away. A simple swiping was off the table as well, even if they could get close to her, as there was no way they’d be able to remove the earrings undetected. And, to top it all off, even if they DID somehow manage to get the diamonds off of her person, they’d be forced to fight their way through a small battalion of heavily armed guards and a crowd of frightened party-goers. Somehow, they needed to not only get on the same level as Emelia, but also draw her away from her security detail if they were to have any chance of-

“Dang, now that’s what I call a sweet pair.”

Dominic could swear he heard the bones in his neck pop from the speed and intensity with which he turned his head to stare incredulously at his partner. The expression soon hardened into a stern glare as the loon crossed his arms over his chest. “You are talking about the earrings, RIGHT?”

Steelbeak seemed completely unphased by the chilling amount of ice that the darker bird addressed him with- he seemed far too preoccupied examining the heiress with a look that was far too appreciative for the aquatic avian’s liking. “I’m talkin’ ‘bout alotta things, red eyes…” He gave another impressed whistle before (finally) tearing his eyes away from the woman on the upper floor to look down at his (clearly agitated) partner. “Why didn’t ya warn me she was such a knockout?”

“I wouldn’t know, she’s not exactly my type.” The loon huffed and rolled his eyes with a displeased scowl. “Now, if you’re done drooling over her, can we please get back to figuring out a way to get what we came here for?”

Steelbeak was either too distracted looking at the foxy woman above him or was just plain feigning ignorance of the other man’s soured mood, and, honestly, Dominic wasn’t sure which would have angered him more at this point. “Oh, don’t think for a sec’ that I can’t do both- I’m a pretty good multitasker.” Dark grey eyes drifted back up to admire the lady of the manor while the gleaming beak below them had a smirk that spoke volumes’ worth of its owner’s intentions.

Before Dominic could decide between hitting the taller fowl in the back of the head to forcefully change his focus or the equally tempting option of grabbing an unattended drink from the nearby bar-top and dumping it on the rooster to help him cool his head off, a female voice surprised them both.

“Well, well…if it isn’t Chief Officer Steelbeak. Long time no see~” The deadly duo turned their heads just in time to see a lady in a sleeveless red gown with a semi-sweetheart neckline, an asymmetrical cut that ended at one knee before diagonally ending an inch below the other, and a rather provocative slit cut into the shorter side above her black-stocking covered legs was holding a half-full glass of red wine in her purple hand while regarding them with an amused expression. The woman appeared to be a purplish jay, judging by the plumage on her exposed arms and her purple beak accentuated with black lipstick that matched her eyeliner (which was only a few shades darker than the black feathers of her face). Her black hair was tied back in a simple but elegant bun with a few stray locks left out to frame her face, the bun itself held in place with a decorative golden hair-comb that made it look like she had several gleaming marigolds holding her hair back. Marigolds, Dominic quickly noted, seemed to be a theme among the woman’s accessories, as she also had one made of black onyx on a golden chain around her neck, a matching stone on her golden cocktail ring, and the pair of spiraled golden bracelets styled like leaf vines that covered her wrists and forearms with small golden marigolds placed sporadically across the intricate golden loops; even her shoes, which at first glance appeared to be a simple pair of black suede t-strap shoes with a tall, thick golden heel, secretly contained a small red marigold locked away in their see-through midsection.

Steelbeak, who seemed unphased by the woman’s knowledge of his name, simply smirked down at the jaybird knowingly. “Well, look what the cat dragged in…ain’t seen you in a while, Mara- was beginnin’ t’ think ya ditched us for a cushy desk job under ol’ grizzle-face.”

The marigold-bedecked lady gave a dry chuckle as she swirled the wine in her glass. “And miss out on the chance to see you make a fool of yourself for thinking you actually know how to talk to a woman? Not on your life~”

Rather than looking offended, Steelbeak just laughed his usual nasally, clipped laughter and shook his head. “Hey, I know how t’ talk t’ women- just not women like you.”

“Of course not.” The purpled fowl said before taking a sip of her wine. “After all, you never were very good at handling women you had no chance with.” Looking up from the depths of her drink, she found a pair of eyes in an even more intense shade of red boring into her. “I don’t believe we’ve met. You are…?”

“I’m his partner- agent Domino.” Dominic gave the brightly dressed jay a once over, but still couldn’t shake the sense of unease and agitation this woman’s presence seemed to bring him. The feeling bothered him so much that he completely missed the slightly disappointed look in the chief officer’s eyes before he buried whatever feeling had surfaced in the back of his mind again. “High Command didn’t say anything about dispatching any other agents for this mission…”

Black lipstick curled upwards ever so slightly as the purple beak gained a small smirk to it. “That’s because I’m not here with FOWL……I’m here with SHUSH.”

Steelbeak must have anticipated his partner’s reaction, because no sooner had Dominic started reaching for his concealed weapons than the lighter fowl’s hand had positioned itself in front of the loon’s chest to stop any potential altercations. “Agent Maravilla here’s one of the best double agents we’ve got: She’s been spyin’ on SHUSH for years now an’ helps us take ‘em down from the inside.”

Dominic’s stance relaxed just enough that he no longer looked like he was going to shoot the double agent…for now… “Why is SHUSH here?”

“Oh, there’s a few targets of interest here.” Maravilla’s dark eyes glanced up towards the party’s hostess, a knowing look clear behind the playful smirk on her face. “SHUSH may have also gotten a tip that FOWL would be making a move tonight…though I have no idea who they would have heard that from~”

Red eyes narrowed suspiciously at the purplish jay. “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t…”

Steelbeak, once again sensing his partner’s growing tension and ire, chose to redirect the conversation while keeping his attention on the femme fatale. “If ya know why we’re here, then ya wanna lend a hand? We could use a distraction for the guards t’ shoot at.”

“That does sound like a good time…” The jay’s dark eyes went back to Steelbeak, looking seriously like she was contemplating the offer, but ultimately decided against it. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline this time.” With a sigh, she tilted the remnants of her wine within its glass at a sharp angle, the movement indicating something behind her. “Gryzlikoff doesn’t trust me on my own in the field anymore, so he’s started giving me babysitters..”

The pair of fiendish fowls followed the angle of the red liquid with their eyes to one of the other bars set up across the room on the other side of the dance floor. While there were several people crowded around the high-dollar booze, there was one person in particular who seemed to be purposefully avoiding looking in their direction…or rather, avoiding looking directly at them- they were subtly keeping an eye on the FOWL trio’s exchange using the reflection of their half-full glass on the bar-top (it looked like a simple shirley temple, judging by the clear soda and cherries, a far cry from the champagne and various hard liquors of the other barflies). A sneaky little trick that only someone as cunning and secretive as a spy or special agent would think to utilize.

The person in question appeared to be a vulture with feathers in a multitude of shades ranging from white on her head, to slightly darker shades of grey, yellow, brown, and even black the lower down one looked on the exposed parts of her plumage, with the feathers on her hand and the ends of her tail feathers both being the darkest points. Her hair was…interesting, to say the least- it appeared to have been shaved away along the sides to a peak in the center before being allowed to grow freely and flow down to the middle of her back, almost like a long Mohawk but without the necessary and excessive amounts of hair gel. A pair of rectangular-rimmed glasses rested on her beak as she kept a vigilant eye on her fellow SHUSH agent, the makeup around them kept simple with black wingtip eyeliner and a modest amount of golden eyeshadow. The eye shadow matched both the sheer golden shawl draped over her shoulders that kept her right arm hidden from view, the golden goddess-style sandals that peeked out from the hem of her dress whenever she moved her long legs, and the glittering golden pattern of vertical lines along the bottom of her green sleeveless floor-length halter-top gown.

Steelbeak gave the agent a subtle once-over before looking back down at Maravilla. “She don’t look that tough…want us t’ help ya get a little more breathin’ room without your nanny there watchin’ ya like a hawk?”

The double agent was quick to shake her head, but kept her expression calm and impassive. “It would be best not to. If anything happens to her, you’ll have more SHUSH agents swarming this party than you’d care to deal with- the only reason she hasn’t called them in already is because I told her you’d probably escape in the chaos.” The corner of her purple beak quirked up in an amused smirk. “Besides…this one’s fun, I think I’ll keep her around for a while~”

The larger bird shrugged his shoulders. “If ya say so, Mara.” Dark grey eyes went back up to the party’s hostess. “Guess we’ve just got one more obstacle between us an’ that pretty little thing up there.”

Maravilla looked up towards the balcony as well, her expression briefly mirroring Steelbeak’s earlier appreciative glances before she looked back to the man in question with a mischievous gleam in her dark eyes. “You know…we could do what we did back in Rio…”

Steelbeak let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Ya mean when ya left ME holdin’ the bomb? No thanks, doll- a little fun with you ain’t worth THAT much trouble.”

A giggle born of dark amusement was barely covered up by the jaybird’s purple fingertips. “Aw, it wasn’t that bad, was it? It did work, after all~” She leaned in closer to the metal mouthed fowl, two fingers from her free hand slowly walking up his chest as she spoke. “Besides…you know you enjoyed it…even if I did come out on top in the end~”

Dominic could feel the already frayed thread holding his last bit of patience beginning to snap. A much darker hand blocked the purple one’s path and, once the multicolored bird stepped away just enough, he placed himself solidly between his partner and the infuriating femme fatale- red eyes glaring down with more venom than even his heavily-laced voice could muster. “I think we’ll be just fine thinking of a plan without you.”

The lady in red seemed momentarily taken aback by the loon’s defensiveness, but it didn’t last more than a second before her face had resumed its seemingly natural state of amusement. “Very well, if you insist.” She turned to leave, but not before looking at the chief officer over her shoulder with a wink that was either flirty, conspiratorial, or both. “If you change your mind, you know what to do~” And with that, she vanished into the vibrant crowd.

Dominic glared after her with a rather noticeable scowl on his face, even after she was long gone from his sight. If she tried that sort of thing again, he’d-

“Wow, didn’t know you were the jealous type, short fuse.” An amused voice teased him from behind.

“I am not jealous.” Looking over his shoulder, Dominic was not at all surprised to see the taller man smirking down at him. “I just don’t trust agents like her..” Moles, infiltrators, spies, double agents- whatever name they went by, Dominic had a VERY negative outlook on them in general after the fall of his base up north.

“Uh huh.” One of the lighter fowl’s eyebrows was quirked in a way that matched his sarcastic tone perfectly. “An’ I’m sure Mara puttin’ her hands on me had nothin’ t’ do with it, right?”

The loon felt his face heat up, but kept his stern scowl firmly in place. “I was just making sure she didn’t try anything. She IS working for SHUSH right now- they could order her to attack at any moment, and I don’t believe for a second she’d have a problem following that command. Looking out for your safety is part of my job- I’m your partner.” If called out for it, he would have vehemently denied any accusations regarding the possessive tone that had slipped into his voice on that last statement.

Dark grey eyes rolled slightly as the rooster huffed. “Yeah, so ya keep sayin’…”

That…actually gave the darker fowl pause. Steelbeak sounded almost…offended? Disappointed? Frustrated? “What d-”

Before he could get his question out- or even figure out what it was going to be- Steelbeak had slipped out from behind him and was venturing into the crowd in a different direction than Maravilla had gone. “Forget it- I’m takin’ Mara up on her offer. Just stand by an’ watch my back, partner.”

Dominic was so taken aback by his partner’s attitude that he just stood there- frustrated, confused, and wondering what else could possibly go wrong tonight…

____________________________________________________________

Across the room, Maravilla had returned to the vacant seat next to her fellow SHUSH agent- said agent looking less than thrilled with her antics. “Have you lost your mind? Do you know who that is?!” While she tried to look stern, it was clear that the taller bird was more worried than angry.

Maravilla took her seat and looked up at the vulture with a calm expression. “Yes, I know who he is. More importantly, he knows me from work.” She set her now-empty glass down on the bar-top. “If he saw me and I didn’t say anything to him first, it would look suspicious- I have to maintain my cover, Xaviera.”

Xaviera’s previous look lost its façade of sternness, leaving just the concern. “I…suppose you have a point there…” She quickly shook her head, giving the purplish jay a pleading look. “But you have to be more careful from now on. If Steelbeak or that other one find out you’re here with SHUSH, things could get dangerous.”

Instead of looking scared or worried by her fellow agent’s (very accurate and completely valid) warning, an almost daydreamy smile found its way to Maravilla’s face. “Oooh, I hope it does~” A purple fingertip began idly tracing the rim of her empty glass as she stared off into space, apparently fantasizing over the possibilities. “His partner looked like he wanted to shoot me- do you think he would? He certainly seems the type~ Maybe they’ll try using me as a living shield so they can escape~ I wonder if they have a helicopter waiting to pick them up- do you think they’d throw me out of-?”

“Mari, please.” The blond bird placed her hand over one of Maravilla’s with a sincere, worried look easily visible in her eyes. “I know this is all fun and games to you, but it worries me when you put yourself in danger like that. Please promise me- no getting shot at, no drinking poison, no crashing through windows, and no jumping out of helicopters. Please…for me…?”

Maravilla looked up into the taller woman’s eyes and, after a moment, gave a soft sigh. “Fine…for you, mi cielo.” She then turned her hand over so that their fingers were now entwined before lifting both of their hands up so she could place a light kiss to the darker fingers laced between her own. “You’re lucky I can’t say ‘no’ to such a lovely lady~”

Xaviera’s face instantly flushed red all the way down to her neck, her demeanor changing instantly from concerned to flustered. “I-I..uh..that is..I-I just..!” Her attempts to find the proper words were completely dashed when the jaybird winked at her, causing the vulture to (somehow) turn even redder. The only thing that came out of her beak after that was a chirp before she gave up and pressed her overheated forehead against the cool bar-top in front of her.

In doing so, the golden shawl that had been draped around her shoulders came loose, revealing the rest of her previously hidden right arm. The arm ended just before the area where her elbow should have been, the feathers a bit darker around the end of the limb and some scar tissue visible within her plumage at the very bottom of the stump. A few of the more nosy and gossip-loving individuals nearby took notice and started to whisper amongst themselves.

When a stern, almost threatening pair of purple eyeshadow rimmed eyes looked at each of them, however, they suddenly found better things to entertain themselves with and either walked away or simply averted their attention before the vulture even lifted her head to notice their presence. “Getting back to the matter at hand,” Maravilla said while gently readjusting the taller woman’s shawl back to its previous position. “I think I have a way for us to get access to Ms.Malton’s personal files.”

That seemed to snap the bespectacled bird out of her embarrassment. Quickly sitting back up, she looked down at the darker fowl with intrigue. “Really? How?” When the double agent’s eyes flicked briefly in the direction she’d come from earlier, Xaviera instantly shook her head. “You just said-”

“I won’t do anything dangerous, I promise.” Maravilla gave the darker hand still held in hers a reassuring squeeze before continuing. “Those two are after the ‘Goddess’ Eyes’ on Ms.Malton’s earrings, so they’ll try to get her alone. If our data is right, the best place to do that will be in her room. We’ll use them as bait to lure her away from the party, then I can slip in behind them and get my hands on the information Gryzlikoff and Hooter asked for. I’ll be in and out before those two figure out I’ve played them.”

“And if they do figure it out?” Xaviera asked with a mix of skepticism and concern.

Maravilla just smiled coyly up at the taller woman. “Then I’ll have you nearby to bail me out, mi cielo~” While her companion clearly had more to say on the matter, a change in the style of music the band was playing caught the purple fowl’s attention. “Ah, looks like Steelbeak’s taking me up on my offer.” She stood up, removed her flowery hair-comb, and placed it in the vulture’s hand with a wink. “Hold onto this for me, Xavi~” And with that she shook her hair out, allowing the natural waves to cascade down to her lower back and reveal the vibrant purple undertone that had previously been hidden while it was pinned, and made her way towards the dance floor- leaving behind a very confused (and flustered) Xaviera.

<--Previous Chapter Next Chapter-->

End Notes: Okay, so, here are all of the references I packed into this chapter-

Steelbeak’s suit is brand new because he followed through on his promise to himself to burn the suit he wore on his first failed dinner-date with Domino.

Domino is wearing the watch that Steelbeak gifted him way back in the first chapter of the series x3

Steelbeak’s cuff-links are the same as the ones he gave Domino as a gift during their first failed dinner-date.

Also, not related to the rest of the series, but I based Emelia’s family off of the Walton’s- the absurdly wealthy family that founded Wal~Mart.

[peachlolitasevillacourtstuff]

Stratos and Oona (story part 4)

* A week has passed since the last part of the president's story, Pac, cyli, spiral, they were still very puzzled by the attitude of the president in the end, Sir.c was suspicious about the date of birth of cedrick, he kept watching doubtfully to the president *

Pac: Sir Sir.c, Still still baffled

Sir.c: yes pacman, I still doubt that the behavior of the president...

Pac: and I haven't asked him

Sir.c: no, I don't want to be reckless with my friend, but I don't know if you want to talk to me..:v

Pac: and if we ask his mom

Sir.c: I don't think you know ..

PAc: neither his sister, nor Elli

Sir.c: elli and arimette I don't think they will respond to that either ... I think we have to leave it at that.

Pac: good * says discouraged *

*outside*

Pinky: hello pac chan ... x3 how's my favorite yellow doing x3

Pac: very discouraged guys ..

Clyde: what's up dude? * asks as usual in his slimy eyes *

Pac: it's about the president's son

Inky: Are you talking about that boy who looks like a dwarf betrayus?🙄

PAc: uh .. yes ..

Blinky: hey pacman do you remember the day we met that boy?

Pac: HAHAHAHA That was a crazy adventure

Pinky: and when I looked at him I wanted to give him lots of kisses and hugs ..> 3 <

Clyde: you always want to give kisses and hugs, fresona yandere

Pac: changing the subject, he has betrayus in his hands again: c

Blinky: well you know how to always try to steal the warehouse ..

* in the round house *

Stratos: Yes, collapse that place, it has been there for almost nine 9, I know it was a commander base and it is a historical area, but it is already forgotten, I do not care! just destroy that betrayus base and now!

* Sir.c enters *

Stratos: hello Sir.c !? How can I help you..

Sir.c: well friend I have no other things to do, but tell me what you do

Stratos: well, I ordered the demolition of a base by my brother, since that base had been inactive for 9 years now, it seemed too stupid to continue having it there.

Sir.c: which base do you mean, hey, was that base where you went to check some more men, to discover all the observatories of Commander Betrayus' tactics?

Stratos: hehe yes ... now if you'll excuse me I'm going to have dinner, together with my son, if you don't mind of course ..

Sir.c: yes of course .. there is no doubt. Heh ..

* betrayus looking from his slimy camera *

Dr.Buttocks: haha ​​without a doubt the very heavy of your brother barely knows how to hide .. xD

Betrayus: It is incredible that after almost 10 years I continue to cultivate that story, although when I think about it I never get to know crush, although the name oona is not so well known to me

Buttler: there is love, the sweet love of the old man

Betrayus: nobody asked your opinion buttler ¬-¬

Buttler: you have to be rude 7-7

Betrayus: well let's see what my older brother is holding  * laughs evilly *

*in the dinner*

Cedrick: Dad for dinner 

Stratos: toasted bread, and fruit jam ..

Cedrick: again? Why don't we have dinner like Molly's family? >:T

Stratos: no complaints drick, it's all we'll eat .. 

Cedrick: oh so bad, do you think we can have a mashed potato tomorrow?

Stratos: I'll see, now he has dinner * he says while eating his toast *

* in his bed late at night *

Stratos: shit .. what do I do with my son and my past .. * she says looking at the ceiling while her past recovers in her mind *

"stratos"

Stratos: OONA! 

Oona: I see you very anxious, because you can't sleep 

Stratos: Tomorrow Sir.c, the sergeant spheria and more soldiers who do not know will go to a new platoon, which would be a death sentence, in which one of them will not return .. and the worst thing is that it will last 7 days and 7 nights indefinitely

Oona: it's good that you don't go, I don't know what our baby would do without you, or without me

Stratos: oona when all this is over we will get married.. and we will form a great and perfect family I feel it inside me * he says as he touches oona's belly *

* The next morning Stratos had risen early to make simple coffee, he was looking at the cloudy morning of the day, the sky seemed to be depressing, today would start that platoon in which his friend and the sergeant would fight to the death *

Stratos: I wonder how others will go without me * he says taking a sip *

"NGH! S..STRATOS"

Stratos: oona !?

Oona: ngh .. I think it's time .. it's time ..! ngh! 

Stratos: OH in the name of world pac! the baby is already to come!

Oona: PLEASE! TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! * she says while amniotic fluids and a little blood come out of her crotch *

Stratos: Don't worry, everything will be fine! just hold on!

Oona: Ngh! Thank you..

*at the hospital*

Stratos: Someone help! my girlfriend is going to give birth!

Doctor: So soon! please take Oona winefrida to the delivery room!

Stratos: you will be fine love and you will be with our baby

"MR. PRESIDENT"

Stratos: WAAAAAAHH! What happens!

Guard: Mr. President, it is already 9 am .. your son did not go to school and the worst thing is that the alarm has been ringing for almost an hour .. 

Stratos: oh hell .. I was having a very deep sleep .. 

* eight hours later *

Cedrick: SIIIII, THREE DAYS WITHOUT CLASS 

Stratos: good son (damn it was my fault it wasn't, tomorrow I will have to give a summons to the school principal)  

Pac: good morning Mr. President

Cyli: because cedrick is not at school

Stratos: I fell asleep from more boys ... I really sleep like a wintering bear ^^;

Pac: Well we are 2

Spiral: and that counts again sir

Stratos: not at all guys? and how was it in this mission against the underworld

Pac: as always sir ..

Stratos: I'm glad to hear that

Pac: But we hear they demolished an abandoned base of Commander Betrayus.

Cyli: yes and as soon as we found out that on that same base you and a group of other soldiers investigated that place.

Spiral: what was it like to be in that place ...

Stratos: terrifying, it was as if my brother caught me with his shadow of death on my back ..

Pac, cyli and spiral: woaaaa ...

Stratos: We found all the plans and strategies of this same one ... which fortunately were discarded before they came to light ...

Pac: or that sounds great

Stratos: hehehe .. yes ..

Sir.c: and speaking of that mission ... I also heard that in that same place there was an area where there were probably experiments that are currently unknown. 

Stratos: I had forgotten that, but at the same time it was disgusting.

*after that the boys and the president continued with their daily routines of the day, stratos still could not sleep because of what Sir.c had said, experiments on that basis, stratos knew what it meant*

Stratos: god of pac-world kill me ..

"stratos ..."

*said a calm voice in the background*

Stratos: who is!

"many years have passed.."

Stratos: that voice, it seems so familiar to me ..

"That's right, it's me, you remind me"

*suddenly a ghostly light appeared, its color was white and it had the appearance of a fish, she approached stratos carefully*

Stratos: oona! it's really you! are you her spirit

Oona: s stratos, they have let me come to the surface world to see you but my time is limited...

Stratos: where are you now?

Oona: in the heavenly kingdom, it is a wonderful place, only pac-worldes who were good in your life are welcome ..

Stratos: Oona, why are you here?

Oona: I see that you don't sleep well, you don't think clearly, but you can't stay like this at will.

Stratos: cedrick what have you seen? even if it's not your blood and flesh ..

Oona: although it is not my blood and my flesh, I love it, although it does not replace the pain we have been through since our baby was born.

Stratos: I ... I still remember that fateful day, I was supposed to be the happiest, but fate took it from us ...

Doctor: Mister spheros ..

Stratos: how is she doing?

Doctor: even at rest, sir, but there were many complications in childbirth.

Stratos: what happened? she and the baby?

Doctor: the baby is a girl, but how strong is it ..?

Stratos: how strong am I, well how strong to face the commander ^^;

Doctor: I'm very sorry sir .. look at it for your own eyes ..

Stratos: those words froze me, when I entered the room I could find you resting, while next to you our baby in her crib, but when I held her, I realized that her tender and soft cold skin told me that nothing was right with she .. couldn't even hear any single heartbeat in her. Because I wasn't crying ...

Doctor: I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Spheros, the girl died within oona 2 days before birth. We have analyzed it. You and Winefrida were not compatible with having children, it is hard but they must overcome it.

Stratos: Incopatible! ..

Doctor: .. you cannot have children with another person ..

Stratos: I .. no .. * he says as he hugged his crying baby *

Continue...

[k-liight]

moar batshit crazy dreams lmao

okay so I had a LOT of crazy bullshit happen in my dreams last night and I gotta write it down before I forget it all because I remember a lot aksdklehgskf;sl the entire Lupin squad plus Zenigata was there... and so was Tom Holland, for some reason. XD"

so at first the gang and I were somehow lured into this trap where we were inside this force field and if we couldn't get out in 24 hours it'd, y'know... *gestures to throat* and for some reason solving the puzzle to get out involved digging into Zenigata's childhood, and apparently he was actually a little shit as a kid before shaping up sometime in his teen years lmao. somehow we were able to escape, I don't actually remember how, but once we did Goemon went absolutely HAM on the people responsible for trapping us, especially we found out they were being uhh, not very nice to innocent children. he got beat up pretty badly but the babies were saved ;w;

and that was just the pregame lmfao, the main dream started out with me walking past this castle and immediately wanting to see if it was open four tourism, so I kinda walked up, peeked in, and the place was absolutely BUSTLING. apparently the queen who owned and lived in it had most of it double as a recreation center to the public and everyone thought she was really sweet. I did too, at first, because she personally gave me a tour of the castle and even showed me her room and everything. everything in the castle was elaborate and intricate and beautiful, and I remember giving her requested advice on how to adjust the lighting in her suite so that it'd look less old-fashioned and more seductive even though she was in her mid-sixties lmao (still not looking that bad though XD)

then, by some crazy omniscience that often happens in dreams, I was able to witness the queen sleeping in her suite long after the castle was closed for the night. she somehow woke up in the middle of the night only to find that her bedroom had completely inversed it's color scheme somehow and all her floral paintings and Romanesque statues had turned demonic. she was scared shitless and went to see if the rest of the castle had changed- and it had. the walls and ceiling of the ballroom were completely black and everything else was glowing eerie colors, and all the other rooms seemed to haunt her just the same. she was too frightened to go back to sleep, and when daylight came everything returned back to normal but she was furious. the castle was open to the public again, and she asked all her employees if they had fucked around with the lights in the middle of the night without her permission, but nobody knew. I was visiting the castle again, but hiding from her because I was scared that she'd think I'd inadvertedly caused the mishap from that night. she got so mad that she ordered everything shut down until shit was figured out. for some reason, she also ordered her employees to pull out all the stops in investigating but refused to pay them shit until the mystery was solved or someone fessed up. they were pissed and threatened to quit, so there was a big arguement. in the midst of this chaos, Tom Holland casually strutted up the the stairs from the first floor below to the second, and somehow he seemed to know I was in danger so he discreetly gestured for me to come follow him. I stayed close behind him as he acted as casually as possible so to not look suspicious, and apparently he was a frequent visitor to this castle as he knew where everything was. for some reason he said the best idea was to go up to the third floor ballet studio, so we snuck up the grand stairs, but when we got there the doors to the studio were locked so we were stuck in the foyer. and then we heard the sound of angry guards approaching. oh dear. luckily just outside the foyer was a balcony, and the other floors had balconies directly below, so we sneaked out and climbed over the railing, lowering ourselves onto the balcony below until we reached the ground. we hid underneath the lowermost balcony until we were sure the queen and her guards had left the lookout from which we escaped. after that we made a run for it through the snow, but somehow we lost our shoes? so we were forced to run through cold snow in just our socks until we reached a sloping street. that's when we realized the guards had seen us run away somehow. thankfully for us, we were able to literally slide down the hill on our bellies not only for a quicker escape but also to keep our feet from getting any wetter. the good news was that Tom had parked his car not too far down the hill. the bad news was... he couldn't find it. he insisted that he parked it down the hill but all he saw was mediocre cheap cars and not his own. with the guards still chasing us, we were somehow able to slide through the streets and winded around to lose the guards. eventually it worked, and we stopped at this old store that just so happened to have both shoes and hand and foot warmers. the second we arrived suddenly Tom Holland was no longer Tom Holland but now my dear Goemon, and because this was already a batshit-crazy dream I didn't even think twice about the change lmao. (I was just happy to see Goemon ngl LOL.) he went into the shop- dunno why I didn't go in with him- and he came out with old sneakers big enough for me to fit some foot-warmers inside. they were actually a little loose at first, but I was able to get them on eventually lol.

after that we were off, but instead of running away from the castle more, we went back to it, because apparently Goemon wanted to fuck shit up with his Zantetsuken lmao. so he charged right in, me following close behind him, and just went completely ham, going straight through shit and cutting everything in his way. whether he was getting revenge on the queen for treating me badly or just wanted to cause mass destruction, I'm not sure lmao. at some point we ran into some guards who also had swords, but in true Goemon fashion, he kicked their asses and had them running for their lives after he sliced their own swords clean off. making one last cut through the back doors, he put an arm around me and just... casually strutted out of the castle rather than running away more lmao. at first I was like oh shit what if more guards come after us but I felt safe with him by my side, nothing to worry about X3 but then we heard ol' Zenigata yelling for us but Goemon just straight-up ignored him... and then I woke up. yeah, it was pretty crazy shit XD"

[cl-babydew]

Guess what I’m rewriting/editing for combined Wattpad request...

Since my writing has semi-developed, I’ll be rewriting/editing a certain long fic! X3 Answer in tags! I got a few request of sentences for Debbigail on Wattpad that I used in a certain oneshot, sooo I decided to combine them all and rewrite/edit this oneshot!!

Sneak peak:

“We need to talk.” Webby shut the door behind her, standing in front of Dewey. He hasn’t been himself lately, she picked up on his behavior whenever she invited him to join her in search of an agent artifact. His reaction wasn’t the only thing off, but his reply as well, amplifying her curiosity. He told her that he wasn’t in the mood for an adventure. Whenever has he not been in the mood for an adventure?! It’s like his middle name — okay his middle name is Deuteronomy, but still! At first she didn’t really think much of it, picking out her suspicious as quick as they sprouted. At least, that was until he began to avoid her. Not only adventures, but her too. Every moment she would make eye contact with him, he’d tense up and dart away.

The boy she was cornering stumbled up from his younger brother’s creaky bed, rubbing circles into his left arm. Her eyes watched his movements, his fingers brushing over what seemed to be pricked off feathers. “Look, Webby...” his voice caught her attention, blinking away from his nimble fingers. She could hear the shiver in his voice. Why was he so scared all the time? Why was he scared of her? Swallowing down a knot welling in her throat, she continued to listen. “I just-...it’s hard to explain.” His eyes dared a look at her, mustering up to what she assumed was pleading eyes, “Please just leave me alone.” His voice was just enough to be called a whisper, lightly feathering past her ears. Her eyes didn’t falter, even when he turned his back to her, staying glued on her target, a sting developing in her eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was from tears, or just her eyes yearning to blink. All she knew in that moment, was her own frustrations starting to bubble, she didn’t want to allow that emotion to slip out. She could easily tell he was vulnerable, and yelling at him would only lead to more disasters. Disasters she couldn’t afford to have right now. So trying her best not to step on eggshells, she matched his tone of need,

“Please, talk to me.” She fiddled her fingers through her hair, frustration showing on her face, but holding it off from leaking into her voice. She bit down on her bottom beak, tasting iron at her next few words, “Did I do something wrong?..” She would shudder as her fingers tangled in between her strands of hair, catching knot after knot. The girl could’ve sworn she saw him flinch, but she couldn’t be too sure. She smiled bitterly down at her webbed feet, nipping at herself, “Just tell me that much,” taking in a shaky breath, “then I’ll drop all this and leave you be.” Her wavering voice demanded, squeaking against the hitches that would crack up her words.

This time she did get to witness him flinch, his voice coming off in a muffle as he shoved past her, “You wouldn’t understand.” Frozen, her eyes followed on in silence; he fumbled with the door knob for a second before staggering out, the door stopping just enough to allow a crack.

Finally allowing herself to breathe again, and blink, she clutched at her heart, trying to regain her bearings. “Dew--“ She gasped out, still out of breath from the previous events. Her numb legs backed her into a chair, squeaking to her surprise as she fell onto soft cushion, the chair gliding her back. Once the chair gently slowed to a stop, her eyes began to blink furiously, flickering back to the appealing crack in the door,

“What went wrong?”

[veridium]

in my way

alright (x3) okay gamers, guess what? COLLEGE AU UPDATE COMING AT YOU LIVE!

THAT’S RIGHT, HIATUS WHOMST?

I’m thrilled to finally be able to post this sucker. I’m naming it after one of my favorite MUNA songs, and it’s pretty fitting for where we are and where we’re going. Poor Olivia is gonna have some character development in this chili’s tonight. 

Thank you to Isabella @bitchesofostwick for being patient with me as I get my cats wrangled. You’re the MVP. 

fic masterpost / last chapter

--

When the high of the game weekend subsides, two truths remain:

1. Cassandra called her her girlfriend in public, in front of like, two dozen witnesses. Can’t walk that back. 

2). Cassandra has a fucked up ankle. The doctors recommended a boot, not a brace. Olivia knows enough about sports injuries -- particularly in the feet in legs -- to know it won’t be a quick and easy recovery. 

Luckily for Cass, walking boots have become a fashion, and she will only have to be in one for a short time. But that also means she can’t do certain things as easily as she could without it. Though as much of a soldier as they come, by the end of Monday, she’s in a shitty mood when Olivia calls her shortly after getting out of a work at the gym:

“It’s bullshit that they put me in this thing, the sprain wasn’t that bad. I saw the x-rays!”

Olivia tosses her bag in the trunk of her mini and slams the door down, phone tucked between shoulder and ear. “It’s only for a couple of weeks, right? Just rest up and--”

“--already tired of it knocking into things, what the fuck is the--”

“--Cass, er, hold on, let me…”

“I shouldn’t have called, you were at work--”

“No no!” Olivia slides into the driver’s seat, hurriedly trying to set up the bluetooth. She slides the key into the ignition and twists, but she can still hear Cassandra grumbling and ranting, and she’s not even on speaker. When the bluetooth makes her live on the car stereo, she’s thundering so much Olivia has to turn her down several clicks. 

“Babe, hey!” Olivia cuts in. The speaker goes sharply quiet. “Are you home?”

Quiet, and then a curt sigh. “...Yes.”

“Good. Is Cullen there?” Maybe he can talk her off the ledge. But by the sounds of it, though, he isn’t. 

“No,” Cassandra confirms, “he’s out.”

“Got it,” Olivia sighs as silently as she can. “Okay, how about I come over and cook up something, and you can work on that RICE thing they told you to do--”

“Ugh, the amount of times they said that fucking acronym bull--”

“Rest, ice, compression, and elevation! Yes, that bullshit.” She’s rubbing her hands in the lotion stocked in her console. “I can run to the store if you need anything?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“...Cassandra.”

“I’m fine.” Her voice digs into a dreaded monotone. No longer on a rampage, but seething. Olivia can’t pick which is worse. Instead of ragging on her, she puts the car into drive and pulls out of her spot. Just as she’s about to go forward, Cass says something:

“Actually, I have a lot to do tonight. Would you mind if you didn’t come over?”

Olivia stars suspiciously at the stereo, the best proxy she has for her hardass girlfriend. She blurts out a confused sound, her hands falling from the steering wheel down into her lap.

“Uh, are you sure? I mean, are you going to be okay without Cullen around? Is he going to be home soon?”

“I don’t need Cullen around. I’ll be fine. I just have to get homework done.” There’s some background noise of things shuffling, like papers or binders or something. Cassandra wouldn’t be the type to orchestrate a lie like that -- at least, Olivia hopes not.

Unfortunately, no matter what it is, Olivia can’t push her way into her apartment. So, taking hold of the wheel again, she checks to make sure no one else is waiting on her spot.

“I, uh, I’m good with that!” she says, a bit distracted as she drives out toward the parking lot entrance. “Rain check, then?”

“Yeah.”

“...Okay.” She slides to a stop waiting for the 4:30pm rush to pass by. “Let me know if you need anything, alright? I can still stop by and drop off things. I’ll just be doing homework.”

“Thank you, but I should be fine.”

Fine. Fine, fine, fine. Always fine. 

“Okay...um, alright. Well, I’ll talk to you soon, then?”

“Sure.” 

Olivia scrunches her nose, missing a chance to pull onto the road by the sudden spike of frustration. She twists her lips shut and nods, as if Cass can see it.

“Cool. Bye.” She hangs up before Cassandra can do the honors herself. It feels kind of awful, and rests on her shoulders as she drives back to her part of campus. I shouldn’t be so impatient with her, it’s only been a couple days. Maybe she thought it would be too easy: the night of the party was all about celebrating them, and Cassandra was riding the euphoria of victory. Sunday was good, too: she stayed home from Church, a rarity for her, and they stayed home and watched movies. Sure she was tired, and a bit overwhelmed, but she wasn’t angry. 

--

“I don’t get it. I mean, if she’s been an athlete her whole life, shouldn’t she be used to this stuff?”

It’s Tuesday morning and Olivia is trying not to think about the fact that Cassandra didn’t so much as text her for the rest of the night. Perhaps she should have been more explicit when she said “let me know if you need anything,” and said “please don’t shut me out.” 

Josephine, walking beside her, is un-phased. “Cassandra seems to be the type to not let anything get in her way. I’m sure she’s just frustrated she has to consider limitations. That never gets easier, no matter how much you get hurt.”

“Yeah, but…” Olivia takes another long sip while she adjusts her shoulder bag strap. “I don’t know. Maybe I should take a step back.”

“Psh, Olivia,” Josephine gives her a look as they start up some stairs. “She announced you were her girlfriend, what, three days ago? That’s a step!”

“I know it is, but like…okay, I feel like injury care is kind of a step on its own, right? I mean, you wouldn’t just start becoming someone’s bedside physician a week into dating.”

“Is that what’s going on?”

“...Uh, no, but…”

“Then...?”

“I don’t know. I feel like...I mean, if she needed anything, I would be there. I took her to the hospital! I sat there for over an hour and waited for them to let her go. I picked up painkillers. I know enough to know that she’ll need help -- that she needs help. She can’t drive or walk very much, and I know it’s causing her pain. I just want to...you know...I want to make sure she’s taken care of. Is that intrusive? Am I skipping a step here?”

Josephine smiles as she holds the door open for Olivia to walk in first. Once inside, she bumps her shoulder into hers encouragingly. “I think it’s just a matter of getting used to things. Does Cassandra have people in her life she regularly depends on like that?”

“Yes! Totally.”

“I mean, like, ‘can you help me with this task I would otherwise have no problem doing by myself, but now I need special assistance with it, and it requires me to be sort of humble and take up someone else’s time and energy’ kind of way?”

Olivia is about to say yes again, but she stops. Josephine’s knowing stare only compounds her mistaken confidence. 

“Uh. Hm.”

Josephine is sense incarnate, and if she’s not saying to back off, then maybe the problem isn’t Olivia’s over-caring. But the fact remains: they haven’t exactly followed a traditional timeline. And this one is making Olivia confront some odd feelings she did not expect to come up so fiercely. 

As they near the hall outside their classroom, a last-minute topic is brought up. “Oh, I forgot,” Josephine says, finger pointed up in the air. “The festival is coming up. Are you going? You are going, right?”

Oh fuck, the festival. The event that happens right before break. Carnival games, cider, the whole autumnal enchilada. Josephine’s question makes the domino effect kick in: the festival is this weekend, meaning thanksgiving break is next week, meaning exams are less than three weeks from now, which means…

“Uh, Olivia?” Josephine snaps her back into reality with another cool smile. “You look like I asked if you remembered what your last school picture was like!”

Olivia shudders. “Ugh, no, no,” she clarifies, “I’m good. Um, the festival? I thought so, but, with everything that’s been going on I kinda forgot. Are you and Theia going?”

Josephine’s cheery facade subsides, and she holds the books in her arms close to her chest. “Oh. Um, not together, no.”

Suddenly it feels as though they’ve crashed through several floors of drama and into hell’s furnace. What the fuck? 

“Wait, what? Josie, what happ--”

“Shh, sh,” Josie takes hold of Olivia’s forearm and draws nearer. “Nothing, just...just a break. It is alright.”

“Alright?! I--”

“Olivia! Inside voice,” Josephine interrupts.

With as much as she can muster Olivia tries to slow her heartbeat, taking a breath that feels utterly useless. The Kill Bill sirens are sounding off in her head again. Seems like they have become a permanent fixture. 

“We are just taking some time. That is all.”

Olivia’s brow furrows. “Time? Is it because...is it…”

Josephine grins sorely and releases her gentle hold. “There is a lot to it. Too much to chat about before class. You’ve had your own stuff to attend to. I don’t blame you at all!”

Blame. Olivia didn’t think of the word yet, but hearing her say it, it’s pretty damning. Blame would be the way she’d describe how she feels: to blame, more like. If anything else has been going on between them, she has no clue. They were always good at putting on a stunning show of lovers. Now it’s like a “the parents are divorcing” saga all over again. Nevertheless, Olivia swallows her need to know everything all at once.

“Okay. We’ll talk about it, though, right? Soon?”

“Yes, sure,” Josephine says, “I just have a lot to do this week, and then break, and…”

“I get it, no, it’s fine.” Olivia says her least favorite word. “Whenever you can and want to. I’m here!”

They conclude their counseling of each other’s issues -- or, more like Olivia’s, ft. a mention of Josephine’s -- and head to class. Strangely enough it is like a vacation getting to think about anything except what she’s currently overthinking. As soon as the 55 minutes of class are up she goes right back to spinning, except now it has the added ingredients of whatever the fuck is going on with Theia and Josie. 

She checks her phone. No new messages from Theia since their reunion special at the pizza shop. 

Olivia: Hey, Theia. I was talking to Josie. Are you okay?

She sends it, but receives nothing back. At least not for the rest of the afternoon before she texts Cassandra, who is also stonewalling her: 

Olivia: Hey! You feeling better today?

Thankfully, within ten minutes, a response: 

Cassandra: Not really. I went home early and moved my office hours to Thursday. How are you?

Olivia: Oh, ok. I’m glad you’re resting. I’m doing good, just got out of classes for the day. 

Cassandra: Anything interesting?

Olivia: That Chad guy brought up Lenin again. Didn’t think he could do it, but he did! Lol :)

Cassandra stops responding, and after 30 minutes Olivia has arrived back at her dorm. She hops onto her bed and sees nothing, no typing ellipses. Feeling the sinking gut reaction again, she pries a little:

Olivia: Anyway, I know it’s only been a day, but are you up for company? 

Five minutes later, a quick and surprising reply: 

Cassandra: I would, but Leliana is here, actually. Filling me in on what I missed on Sunday. 

Olivia’s turns off her screen and tosses the phone across her bed. What, did a new Apostle get named? Apostle Jerry, or something? Fuck Apostle Jerry. She doesn’t respond; instead she’s disturbed by how much she cares, and how protective she’s being. Leliana is not her favorite person in the world, but she’s no villain. What the hell is going on with emotions this week?

Another half hour goes by of her trying to reign herself in. Her mind says “calm the fuck down, it’s nothing, it’s been a couple of days,” and her heart says, well, a number of inappropriate expletives. 

“Knock, knock,” says an infamous voice from behind the door. 

Olivia groans. 

“Good, you’re here,” Ellinor chuckles as she lets herself in. Dressed in jeans and no shirt, but a nice flannel that compliments her sports bra. She, too, must be trying to unwind from the day.

“Yep, here,” Olivia gripes, falling onto her back on the comforter. “Always here, just at the ready, willing to report for duty!”

By the sounds of it, Ellinor is chomping on something. Maybe a granola bar, or a handful of men’s hopes. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing. Just...just a long day.”

“I totally believe that. Anyway,” Ellinor takes another bite of whatever it is, and remains standing in the center of the room. “You want to go get something to eat? I’m out of ramen an--”

“Yes. Yes, 100% yes,” Olivia jumps up and heads for her closet, zooming past without so much as a hey, hi, hello. “Let’s go. Sushi? Sushi.”

“Hey, woah, there, woman,”

Olivia’s sliding on a pullover sweater, shimmying her cares away, before she hears Ellinor protest again: “Liv! Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Y-yeah! Fuck yeah,” Olivia laughs nervously, pulling her hair up into a bun using a hairtye on her wrist. “I’m so good. You set to go?”

They stare at each other, Olivia’s semi-heavy breathing the only noise. Ellinor, is holding a granola bar wrapper in one hand, the last piece of it in the other.

“Uh, well, seeing as how I don’t have a shirt on,” she says warily, “I would have to have a minute to prepare…”

Olivia, bounding up onto her toes, is not one to criticize. “Sure! Yeah, no, take your time. I mean, it’s just a shirt, it shouldn’t take too long, right?”

“....No….” Ellinor’s side-eyeing intensifies. “Luckily, I just...did laundry…”

“Cool! That’s awesome, congratu--”

“Okay Olivia, what the hell? Did you shotgun three red bulls in a row, or are you hiding something?”

“I...I did not shoot a...yuck!” She groans in displeasure. “No, I’m just...just ready to get off campus. Midterms have been a nightmare.”

“Yeah, for you? Sure.” Ellinor rolls her eyes, dragging her feet as she makes for the door. “Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll hear about it in between the first and second roll…”

“...Wait, roll…?”

“Of sushi!” Ellinor says from the hall, a bit outraged. “How would I ever mean anything else besides sushi?!”

Relieved to no longer have her best and dearest friend who has x-ray vision into her mania, Olivia takes a deep exhale to herself and begins assembling her items: wallet, keys, and so on. Her phone is the last one she looks for, and indeed the last one she wants to have contact with now. When she grabs it, she checks the screen: no new messages from either of her problematic women. At this point, she’s almost glad. 

She pulls up Cassandra’s thread and begins typing:

Oh, that’s nice of her! On second thought, I forgot I had dinner plans tonight, so nevermind. 

Just as she is about to hit send, she bites her lip and stalls. Yesterday she got on herself for being too impatient with Cassandra and her wants and needs. Or, lack thereof. Maybe it’s fine to just leave well enough alone, since she obviously isn’t caring too much about what Olivia has to say. 

“Hey, ready?” she hears Ellinor from the hall, making the whole deliberation on a time crunch. 

Olivia erases the message, choosing silence as the best reply. If Cassandra has a problem with that, she can very-well rectify it. She slides the phone into her back pocket and leaves her dorm for the night. 

“Where do you want to go?” she asks Ellinor as they get outside, starting for the parking lot.

“Let’s go to that place on the corner by Parsons’ street,” Ellinor says whilst typing on her own phone. “The one with the big boat thing in the front lobby?”

“We never go there,” Olivia says curiously, “why start now?”

“Because Cullen and I have ordered too much from our usual spot and now the guy on the phone knows I’ve taken a lover because of how different my order is now.”

“Got it. Too bad Cullen doesn’t like my kind of sushi,” Olivia bemoans in a teasing way. She sees her beloved mini down the aisle of cars and hits the unlock button. 

“Yeah, well, it’s hard to say it’s you when I have to explicitly ask how spicy the spicy tuna is and if they can put all the wasabi in my box, just in case,” Ellinor says it with a giggle, but it’s a damning detail about Cullen’s beloved taste buds.

“He makes you ask?” Olivia laughs.

“No, I just do it anyway. I think he’s trying to prove to me he can handle spicy foods, he’s been asking to taste my plate. Then he starts sweating and turning red, and I ask if he wants anything to drink, and he tries to laugh it off.” They both get into the car, and Ellinor reaches for her seat belt. “It’s...tragically cute.”

“Yeah, sounds like it,” Olivia grins and shuts her door. After her own seat belt is secure she turns on the car and lets it warm up. Her phone gets tossed into the center console without so much as a second thought or concern. This attracts Ellinor’s attention rather fast. 

“How’s Cass the Boot--”

“Ellinor,” Olivia glances.

“Okay, okay, fine. How is she, though?”

“She’s fine.”

Olivia once again is putting her car into gear for the second time in 24 hours all the while pretending she isn’t bothered by something definitely bothersome. While she reverses, Ellinor proves that bluetooth communication is the better method for saving face, and continues her questioning. 

“Fine? That’s all? I thought…”

“She’s resting up at home. Not much to say, it’s only been a few days since the game.”

After a delay, Ellinor settles back into her seat. “Okay. I see.”

Once they’re on the road, and music gets put on, it’s far less difficult to breathe. If Olivia can just get over it and not treat every day like a make-it-or-break-it moment, she will be fine. Cassandra is just frustrated with herself and tired. She’ll be okay. It’s not the end of the world. It’s not her job. 

Just as they’re hitting downtown, Ellinor tries again to strike up conversation: “Cullen’s excited about the fall festival, apparently he and the guys get super competitive about the games.”

“Really? That’s unsurprising,” Olivia smirks. 

“Yeah, something tells me I’m going to hit the jackpot with stuffed animals won in my honor. Are you excited?”

“M-me? Yeah. Totally. I’ve been looking forward to it for the last couple weeks.”

“Me, too.”

Another few minutes of no talking. The conversation was dead on arrival. Olivia can’t help but think about going, or not going, or going and being alone. What would be worse, going somewhere with Cassandra being grumpy, or going alone and watching all the couples have fun? It felt rather anticlimactic. She wanted to share it with the woman she’s got it bad for. 

“It’s up a few more blocks, right?” she asks.

“Uh, yeah,” Ellinor checks the directions on her phone briefly. 

“Cool.”

“You sure everything’s okay?”

Olivia grips the wheel harder, and fortunately the light in front of her finally turns green. “Yes, just on edge with midterms.”

“...that is the thing, though, exams never phase you.”

“Yeah, well.”

Ellinor gives a “mhm” sound and goes back to scrolling through her phone. Olivia knows better than to think her ignorant. But what else can she do when she herself doesn’t understand why she’s so nervous and upset? Why, if Cassandra texted her in this moment asking for her help and presence, she’d flip a U-turn and tell sushi to go fuck itself? Relationships have steps. There are steps for a reason. 

This isn’t Cassandra’s fault, Olivia tells herself. Over and over, but she barely believes it. This is a me thing. It has to be. 

As she gets out of the car in the parking lot outside the restaurant, Olivia finds herself holding tight to her bundle of keys. Tight onto something in particular: a keychain, one of only two on the ring. As they approach she takes a look at it in her hand: an old baseball keychain, so old the white on the ball has worn off. What’s more worn down are the letters that read “World’s No. 1 Daughter” on the back. 

“Hey, ready?” Ellinor asks, holding onto the door but not opening it yet. She sounds sweeter, now, like she noticed and understands. Ellinor always understands. 

Olivia shakes her head, smiling as she puts her keys in her sweater pocket. “Yeah! I’m starving, holy shit.”

Nothing pairs with sushi quite like anxiety.

[some-cookie-crumbz]

If it isn't too much to ask for a fic request, "Wanna bet?"/"Please stay here"/"This is the stupidest plan you ever had, of course I'm in" as possible sentence prompts with Kamijirou? Either of them is fine. Sorry if it is a bothersome request, and thank you in advance even for reading this :)

How about I go one step further and do all three??? Because I have no self-control and I had ideas for all three of these!

And please don’t ever think making a request is bothersome to me! I love when people request fics from me! x3

Each fic will have a little bream between them to indicate when I switched prompts, as well.

"Wanna bet?" he growled lowly, slapping a hand down on the table in an uncharacteristic display of aggression. If this wasn't the same guy she'd seen electrocute himself down to the IQ of a potato on multiple occasions, she might have been intimidated.

Key word being 'might'.

As it stood, though, she merely smirked and nudged the small dish of stemmed cherries closer to him. "If you're ready to piss away money, sure thing," she goaded, cocking her head to the side.

"How much we talkin'?" he asked suspiciously.

"If you can actually do the whole bowl, I'll fork up 4,000 yen. If you can't, then you pay up 4,000. Sound fair?" she suggested. He regarded her for a second before nodding and pulling the bowl closer to himself.

It was at that moment, as if sensing something was going on, a familiar face peered around the corner to stare at them. "Kaminari, Jirou, what's up?" he asked, a grin turning up on his lips.

"Not now, Sero. There's a matter of pride on the line!" Kaminari snapped, holding one hand up as he picked a cherry from the bowl and ate it.

Sero's brow furrowed as he looked from her to the other boy. "Kaminari claims he's a phenomenal kisser. I call bull. And so, to prove his merit, he has to tie the stems on all the cherries in that bowl into knots," she explained with a shrug, crossing her arms over her chest.

Sero blinked then burst out laughing. "Oh, what? Hold up, don't start! We gotta get the others involved in this!" he said excitedly while fishing out his phone. Jirou gave him an exasperated look before rolling her eyes and slumping back in her seat.

In a matter of ten minutes, the entirety of class 1-A was clamored in the commons room adjacent the dining area. Uraraka was poised on Midoriya's shoulders, the two sporting matching bookie visors, with her calling out bets and him carrying a large cardboard box for the others to dump their wagers into. Part of Jirou wondered why the brunette wasn't using her own Quirk to just float above the others and take their bets, but she wasn't curious enough to actually bother with asking. Yaomomo was walking with the pair, a clipboard in hand as she took down the wagers from the other students. Everyone was making such a fuss - like usual - but a small part of her couldn't help but be curious to see how it would all go down.

Across from her, Kirishima and Sero were giving a "pep talk" of sorts to Kaminari. The red-headed student was rubbing his shoulders as if he was about to step into a boxing ring or something. "You got this, dude," he whispered softly.

Sero was kneeling close, one hand on the table. "Just remember who you are, bro. You're freakin' Chargebolt! Those cherries can't take you down! No one can take you down!" 

Iida cleared his throat loudly as he set a new bowl of cherries as well as a second empty bowl in front of the blonde male. "Has everybody had sufficient time to make their wagers and prepare for the test?" he called out.

"Yup!" Uraraka called back happily, swiping the collection from Midoriya and jingling it in the air proudly.

He nodded. "Very good! Yaoyorozu, what is the final ranking total and common bets?" he asked as the other student president came to his side.

She cleared her throat politely. "The total amount I counted being wagered came out to a total of 32,127 yen, give or take some coin pieces Of the 20 betters, the two polar opposites are, obviously, Kaminari and Jirou themselves; Kaminari set that he can tie all the stems, and Jirou wagering that he cannot. Of the remaining 18 betters, 11 believe that Kaminari will be unable to successfully knot less than 25, and the remaining seven wager he will succeed with only between 25 and 50," she explained.

Kamimari gawked at them for a moment. "Wait, what? None of you think I can actually do this?" he wailed, whipping around to cast a scandalized look at the now sheepish duo that had been encouraging him just seconds before.

Jirou giggles to herself. "Oh, wow, even your boys don't have your back. That's gotta sting," she whistled lowly.

"Whatever. I'm not going to lose, so I guess I'll just be taking home a fat stack of cash tonight," he huffed.

Iida nodded before addressing everyone again. "Excellent! Uraraka, Midoriya, I trust the two of you with counting the funds to assure the amount Yaoyorozu calculated is accounted for before we name the winner!" he instructed, receiving a small salute from the pair. "Now, the rules are simple! Kaminari shall eat a total of fifty cherries and then must tie their remaining stems into a knot. Upon completion of tying, he must hold the stem up for ua to verify that the knot is, in fact, tied. All knots that are properly tied shall be placed in the empty bowl and added to the tally. Whoever bet the closest to the amount he manages to tie, wins the total amount in the box. For Kaminari and Jirou themselves, the winner receives bragging rights for being correct. Are the rules understood?" he asked, looking between the pair curiously. Upon getting a nod from both, he brought his hand down. "Begin!"

Jirou felt smugly satisfied in her success as she watched him toss the first stem into his mouth, expression shifting drastically with his attempts, then she closed her eyes to await his inevitable surrender. There was just no way that Kaminari Denki, of all guys, had any kind of kiss game. This was the wholesome class pervert, the guy known for sparking off too many watts and leaving himself a total space case. There was just no way he could do something like-!

"One stem tied!" Yaomomo suddenly declared, causing her eyes to snap open, gawking in disbelief.

But there, sporting a smug grin and a perfectly tied cherry stem between two fingers, Kaminari sat. He held her gaze as he dropped the first one into the bowl, gleaming gold clashing with darkened violet. "Beginner's luck," she grit out.

"We'll see about that," he quipped back, still grinning, as he plucked up the next one.

It took a full hour of time, but by the time it was over, Jirou was left speechless.

“And the winner is… Kaminari!” Iida said, a bit of his surprise betraying him from the slight question in his tone as the other dropped the last little stem into the bowl.

“Aw, yeah! Our man!” Sero laughed, reaching to clap him on the back.

Instead, the other whipped around and pointed at him accusingly. “Liar! You didn’t think I could get even close to doing all fifty!” he barked.

Sero held his hands up and looked away sheepishly. “Aw, man, come on!”

“No, you come on!”

Jirou shook her head as she pushed up out of her seat. “Okay, okay. I’ll admit that I was wrong. Good job, Kaminari; you earned the money,” she said, walking over to offer him her hand. He blinked in surprise as he turned to face her before slowly taking her hand and shaking her.

Midoriya approached and offered the box, Uraraka still poised on his shoulders. “Here you go, Kaminari-Kun! We made sure all the money was in there and accounted for,” he said happily.

“Well, except for the security deposit fees. I kept that, for convenience sake,” Uraraka said, waving one hand evenly.

The green haired man sighed heavily and glanced up at her, clearly exhausted. “Uraraka-Chan,” he drawled out warningly.

“Deku-Kun, come on! It was just the loose coins! I let him keep all the actual, important paper stuff!” she whined in response. When he only continued to stare up at her like a scolding parent, she grumbled and rummaged into her pockets, leaning over to drop the coins back into the little slit in the box.

Todoroki appeared behind them, clearing his throat. “If we’re done here, can we get back to studying? Midoriya, I still needed you assistance regarding the timeline for the History of Heroics class,” he said evenly. She could see the others already starting to file back out of the room,some heading to the elevators and others heading for the front door.

“Oh, sure thing, Todoroki-Kun! Congrats again, Kaminari-Kun!” he chuckled, waving with one hand before walking off again. As he did, Uraraka remained where she was and Iida joined the other three on their trek back to the elevators. She was never going to understand those four, she thought with another shake of her head, before perking up and looking around. Just as quickly as they’d all crashed the place, they were gone.

“Geez, not even gonna offer to help us clean up?” she mumbled sarcastically, moving to grab the bowls from the table. She paused when a few yen bills were held out towards her, Kaminari watching her with a surprising serious expression. She looked from his face to the money and then back again. “Kaminari?”

“Here, you can keep the money you put in,” he said, waving it a bit. “I’m not gonna give the others there’s back, out of principle now, but… It was always just about proving that I wasn’t lying with you. If the others hadn’t showed up, I wouldn’t have taken the money anyway.”

“So your ego is worth more than 4,000 yen, huh?” she teased, taking the money back regardless. “Well, thank you. And, just so you know, this didn’t really prove anything about kissing. Just that you can tie cherry stems with your mouth.”

He stared at her in disbelief before setting the box aside. “Well, do I have to show you, then?” he prompted.

She jumped, cheeks smudging with pink immediately. “W-What?” she squeaked.

“Show you that I can kiss? Should I do that to prove my point?” he asked, reaching out to cup the side of her face with one hand. She could feel her heart skip at the action and she closed her eyes tight, holding her breath in preparation. She felt a small puff of his breath against the cheek he wasn’t holding, the smell of cherries filling her senses, and then the soft, warm brush of lips…

Against her cheek.

Her eyes snapped open as he pulled back, hand still resting on her cheek. “W-What?” she breathed out shakily.

“I’m not gonna kiss a girl on the lips without her permission. That’s just gross and rude,” he said gently, starting to pull his hand away.

They both froze when his hand was pulled back. They both glanced down to see one of her earlobes had wrapped around his wrist, like a sneaky little serpent. She quickly looked back up at him. “W-Well, how about this, then? You just won a pretty nice chunk of change from the others, so why don’t we… Do something. Just you and I. And I can decide after that if I want to test your supposed skills for myself?” she suggested, forcing her voice to keep from wavering too much, trying to thrust as much of her usual aloof confidence into her words as possible.

His eyes lit up as bright as a shooting star and he grinned, wide and sincere and dazzling, before nodding enthusiastically. “It’s a date!”

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“Please stay here,” For a moment he wasn’t sure he actually heard anything, until there was a small tug at the back of his shirt. Her voice was a bit muffled by the decorative pillow her face was partially burrowed into, but when he peered over his shoulder he could see one eye half-lidded and fixed on him, gleaming like a precious stone. In that one visible eye, though, he could see the vulnerability she was laying bear for him. “Denki, please.”

He flushed a little bit at her using his first name, carefully closing his laptop. “Are you sure? It’s kinda risky, you know,” he mumbled worriedly, carefully adjusting his bum leg stretched out in front of him.

It had been a hectic couple of weeks for the students of UA, though that wasn’t really new. What was new was who, exactly, got involved in the whole rigamaroo.

Normally if something happened, there were a few select students that could be pointed to as the main culprits; Midoriya, Todoroki, Bakugo and Kirishima were the five most frequent offenders and the “frequent fuck-up fliers”, according to Aizawa-Sensei. That had been how their experiences started and even now, during their senior year, that hadn’t really changed much. Nine times out of ten, if something was happening that involved villains, breaking school rules, being exceptionally reckless or all of the above, at least one of them - Midoriya - had a hand in it. The big spectacle this time had involved rumblings of a human trafficking ring being set up somewhere downtown. And, as expected, Midoriya led the charge to take the place down, but his normal squad weren’t the other players this round. No, this time around, Kaminari had been adamant about going along to help and gotten repaid handsomely for his insistence to do the right thing.

Specifically in that he’d nearly gotten himself killed while protecting hostages as they escaped.

The damage had been amongst some of the worst he’d ever suffered in his time at UA; four full days unconscious as a side effect of a concussion, black eye, cracked rib and his left ankle got busted. When he’d come to in the hospital, he’d felt terrible from both the injuries and how his family had panicked over him. Once they had parted for the day and his classmates came in, there’d been a bit of teasing about him “pulling a Midoriya” from Sero and Kirishima, but he’d noticed how Jirou had hovered in the back of the room, posture guarded and usual playful demeanor completely gone. When the others left, she had lingered a little bit, sitting in silence but clutching his hand as if she’d drown without it. The whole experience reminded him why he didn’t normally pull stunts like the ones Midoriya did.

He had no idea how the other boy could handle the guilt from worrying others and the pain of the injuries like he did.

But that brought him back to the present, with her clutching the back of his shirt and studying him quietly, seemingly pondering over his question. They’d been dating for a little over a year but they hadn’t told their classmates. Part of it was because they were going lowkey about their relationship so as to avoid complicating things with their work study and school assignments. The other reason was because, for as much as they loved Mina, she was incredibly nosy. They’d watched how she had chased after Yaomomo when word got back that she had gone to coffee non-platonically with Kendou from class 3-B, frantic to get the latest in relationship tea. Or how, when it became public knowledge that Bakugo and Kirishima were a thing, she’d hounded them with so many invasive questions she’d left the explosive blonde as a flustered mess that could barely garble out a threat.

If they got caught together, there was the risk of Aizawa finding out, sure, but the scarier threat was Mina Ashido.

“Let’s risk it then. I want you to stay,” she said after a pregnant, thoughtful pause.

He took in a breath and nodded, moving to stand up carefully. “Okay. Let me just get changed and brush my teeth and stuff, okay? But I promise I’ll be right back, fast as can be,” he said, holding one hand up while tucking the laptop under his other arm.

She let out a small hum, pushing herself upright to presumably do the same while he was gone. He hobbled his way to the elevator, making sure to be careful of how much pressure he put down on his left. It was mostly healed at this point, so the doctor’s had cleared him to return to light duty with the instruction to keep it wrapped so he could walk. He plugged his laptop into the charger, made quick work of changing into his sleep clothes, grabbed his pillows and then went to brush his teeth. He brushed them twice, just to be safe.

When he returned to her room, he gave a little knock instead of just letting himself in. She opened the door and ushered him in quietly. “Do you still need to keep your foot elevated?” she asked, pointing at his pillows.

“Um, no, they’re for me to sleep with. I figured I’d take the floor,” he said, clearly confused.

She blinked before giggling and shaking her hair, running her fingers through her hair. She had started to let it grow out a little bit, so that it just grazed her shoulder blades. While he’s always thought she looked great with the shorter, framed bang style, he had to admit there was also an appeal to the slightly longer style, too. “You’re not… We can just share my bed. I mean, just sleep in the bed together,” she said, walking over to take his pillows and tossing them on the bed.

He tensed slightly. “Are… Are you sure?” he asked, holding his hands up.

She nodded, walking over to wrap her arms around his waist and rested her head against the upper half of his chest. Even though they were older, she hadn’t gotten as much of a height jump as she’d hoped. The top of her head still just barely reached his chin, but he kind of liked it. He gently wrapped his arms around her in turn, tilting his head down to gently kiss the top of her head. “I just… I need to know you’re here,” she breathed quietly, her voice catching slightly. His eyes widened for a moment before he tightened his grip on her a bit more.

“Let’s get some rest then,” he muttered softly. How could he tell her ‘no’, when he wanted that same comfort just as badly?

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“This is the stupidest plan you’ve ever had,” she said with an inhale, lips twisting into a huge grin, “so of course I’m in.”

His grin turned wide as he pulled the walkie-talkie in his hand back up to his mouth. “Exploding Eagle, this is Pika-Dude, over. Sinister Siren is on board. I repeat; Sinister Siren is on board,” he said over the line, his voice dead serious despite the smirk on his lips.

“You had a code name picked out for me already?” she asked with a quirked brow and small grin.

He pressed a hand to his chest and nodded. “But of course! I had a hunch you’d want in on this, once you found out about it,” he mused.

There was static on the walkie for a moment, before an familiar shout of “Just tell me what the fuck you’re going on about normally, you extra fuck!”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. God, Bakugo just had to zap all of the fun out of everything, didn’t he? “Jirou’s on board. I’ll bring her with me to the meet-up spot; be there in ten,”

“Don’t tell me what the fuck to do!”

“See you guys in a bit!” Kirishima’s voice chimed in next, as chipper and giddy as ever.

UA was going to be hosting a huge event for the Hero Commision, and had decided to offer live entertainment. In hopes of buttering the commision up after the many scandals they’d been involved in over the last year - as well as to save on money for a real, professional band - they had decided to allow the students to try out for the role of entertainment for the night. By all technicality, the band Jirou had put together with herself, Kaminari, Tokoyami and Yaomomo should have been the ones to take the crown, but then Monoma from 1-B had to go and mess things up.

They hadn’t caught him in the act, but they had gleaned from his goading later that he’d rigged the results so that a band of 1-B students got selected instead. And, not to be outdone through dishonest means, he and Bakugo had started plotting. Kirishima was eager to jump in to help, but they had yet to approach Yaomomo and Tokoyami. They had the distinct feeling that the duo wouldn’t be keen on playing to get even.

He had known, however, that Jirou would see the practicality in some practical jokes. If the class 1-B students wanted to play dirty, then so would they.

As they slipped out the front door, she looked at him curiously. “Aren’t you worried about what Aizawa-Sensei will say if we get caught?” she pointed out.

“If I worried about what Aizawa-Sensei would do if he found out about half of the things I’ve done, I wouldn’t live,” he laughed. A small part of him was still impressed that their teacher hadn’t found out about the Beast Man incident, but he also wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. “And don’t worry; if he finds out, I’ll take the heat for it. I’ll make sure you live, so you can fight another day.”

She snorted and gently bopped his hip with hers as they walked. “Such a noble sacrifice from a valiant hero,” she teased.

“I try,” he grinned, rubbing the back of his neck meekly.

[zoocross0vers]

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A/N: Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone! :D

This is primarily based on the Mickey Christmas Carol. What can I say, it’s my favorite version of all the Christmas Carol adaptations out there (along with the Flintstone’s Christmas Carol)! X3

Which is your favorite Christmas Carol adaptation? :D

…

                              A Zootopian Christmas Carol

Chapter 1: The Warning

Zootopia 1843

Christmas was always a wonderful and joyous time of the year to many, but to one miser of a cape buffalo, it was just another day of the year. Ebeneezer Bogo, the middle aged and grouchy cape buffalo in question, hated the season. He found it to be such a waste and an unnecessary excuse to get mammals a day off work and not make money for that day.

Yes, to Bogo there was absolutely nothing more important than money. He cared little for trivial things like family, friends, or other things he considered to be unimportant distractions, like Christmas. 

He’d never admit it to himself, but he wasn't always like this. He knew that he was cold hearted, but he had never taken the time to think about why he had become this way. All he knew was that he was bitter, hated Christmas, and loved money. 

He owned his own counting house, which used to be a shared business with his former business partner, Dawn Bellwether. She was cruel and money hungry, just like her business partner, Bogo. And today Christmas Eve, marked seven years on the dot since she had died.

But to Bogo, none of it mattered. They were close in their youth, but as the years passed, they each began to grow more and more selfish. The profits of their counting house came to be all that mattered to them, as was evident when Bellwether died -- Bogo was to have her buried at her family's mausoleum, but he instead had her buried at sea.

It brought an amused smirk on his face as he made his way toward his counting house. He saw that the sign hanging outside of the counting house still read ‘Bogo and Bellwether's Counting House’. “Ah Bellwether, my old partner,” he said, “Seven long years since you’ve been gone and my personal profits have more than doubled since then. I hope there are no hard feelings between us. I remember that you did love to swim, so perhaps my choice of burial for you was more than appropriate.” He chuckled quietly and went inside.

Inside the counting house, was Bogo’s only employee, Nicholas Wilde. He was a thin red fox with a black tipped tail, though given his current state he might as well have been a pawpsicle seeing how much he was struggling to keep warm. Not even his thick winter coat was enough to keep him warm.

He was standing by the coal stove with a single piece of coal in paw as he heard the bell above the door ring, signaling to him that someone had just entered. He immediately turned in a panic, hiding the piece of coal behind his back as he saw that it was none other than his boss who had entered. “Mister Bogo! How are you doing this fine day!” he exclaimed with a false excitement, hoping that the buffalo hadn't noticed anything, “Is that a new coat? You know it really brings out the color of your eyes and--”

“Shut your mouth, Wilde,” said the buffalo as he simply walked past the fox. 

Nicholas watched him go, as he quietly sighed in relief. It appeared that he hadn’t noticed that one of the pieces of coal was missing.

“Wilde?”

Spoke too soon, thought Nicholas. “Yes sir?”

“It feels much warmer here than it should. Did you put it another piece of coal without my permission?” questioned the buffalo.

“Wha--?” Nicholas exclaimed with an affronted paw to his chest. “What kind of mammal do you take me for? Of course I'd never go against your wishes without your permission.”

Suspicious, the buffalo lightly kicked at the bucket of fresh coal, “Are you certain about that? I counted eleven pieces yesterday and there appear to be only about ten in here.”

“You actually count them?” Nicholas asked incredulously.

“That's not the point!” Bogo scolded, “You better have a good excuse for using my coal, or I’ll have to deduct that piece from your pay.” 

“But I promise you sir, I haven’t taken anything,” he lied as he dropped the piece of coal from his paw onto his tail and let it roll down as he cautiously led it back inside the bucket.

“That's not true. Show me what you're hiding behind your other paw,” ordered the buffalo.

“Okay, but I don't think you’ll find anything.” Nicholas brought forth his hidden paw, “See nothing.”

“Mm,” huffed the buffalo with a low annoyed rumble in his throat, “Your never can tell with your kind. Sneaky red devils is what you foxes are.”

“Of course, sir,” Nicholas agreed sarcastically under his breath, “And you cape buffaloes are just such kind and chipper fellows, am I right?”

Bogo eyed him suspiciously, searching for the hidden malice in his words. Nicholas shrunk in front of him, “Hehe, I mean that with the utmost sincerity, sir.”

“You better for your sake. Now get back to work,” said the buffalo as he headed toward his office.

“Actually, sir,” Nicholas said, causing the buffalo to stop and turn to him, “Would you mind if I use that piece of coal?”

“And waste my valuable resources? You foxes have winter coats. How can you possibly be cold?”

“It’s not for me,” replied the fox, “I can’t work with frozen ink.” Nicholas held the frozen quill pen as it was stuck inside the ink vial. “Unless we suddenly want to start selling ink pawpsicles. Get it?” Nicholas laughed, “Because it kind of looks like…” Nicholas slowly stopped his laughing when he noticed that Bogo was not at all amused, “...a pawpsicle…I’ll be quiet now.”

Bogo thought for a moment and huffed, “Take one of the ink vials from my office and get to work. No coal. I spend enough on your salary as it is already.”

“I take it this would be a bad time to ask for a raise then?” asked Nicholas with a cheeky grin.

“Get to work Wilde!”

Nicholas cowered a little and walked past the buffalo, “Speaking of work Mister Bogo, tomorrow is Christmas and I was wondering if I could have...half a day off?”

Bogo snorted, “Christmas eh? First you ask me for a raise and now this.”

“But sir, I never ask anything from you and I have worked for ten consecutive Christmases in the past. Wouldn’t it be alright to have just one Christmas where I could spend at least half a day with my family?”

“Hmm, well...I suppose so. But! I’ll deduct you half a day’s pay.”

“Really? Thank you sir! And just so you know, I really mean that kind and chipper comment from before now.”

“Just get to work Wilde.”

“Yes, sir!” Nicholas said with a hopeful smile as he rushed into Bogo’s office to fetch a vial of ink.

Bogo just rolled his eyes as the fox disappeared inside the office. 

Just then, the bell hanging above the entrance to their office rang. Ah, a customer, thought Bogo. 

His smile faded however, when he saw that it was just his nephew, Fred Bogo. “Merry Christmas uncle Bogo!” cheered the thin young cape buffalo. He bore a striking resemblance to Bogo, with the only two exceptions being Fred’s more lively demeanor and his thinner build.

“Fred! Is that really you?” asked a smiling Nicholas when he came back out from the office.

“Hello Mr. Wilde! Merry Christmas!” cheered the actually chipper young twenty year old buffalo.

“And a Merry Christmas to you too Master Fred!” replied Nicholas in return.

“Bah. Humbug,” muttered Bogo as he headed into his office. Fred shrugged at Nicholas and followed his uncle into his office. “Come now uncle, surely you don’t mean that.”

Bogo plopped down at his work desk to count coins on a scale, “Then tell me nephew, what is Christmas to you? But another day for mammals to get a day off from work and not an hour richer. Humbug, I say to such a lazy custom.”

“Well uncle, perhaps I haven’t profited from it but I believe that Christmas is a time for giving and to be with one’s family. It’s a time when mammals can come together and find the good in their hearts. And though it has never put any gold or silver in my pocket, I believe it has done me good and will do me good and I say, God bless it!”

“Hear! Hear!” Nicholas cheered from outside Bogo’s office.

“Wilde!” Bogo shouted, “Do you want to get fired?”

“I’m shutting up now sir!” shouted Nicholas in return.

Bogo huffed, then turned back to his nephew. “Are you done yet, nephew? I am quite busy.”

“I’m not uncle. I’ve come to ask you to Christmas dinner with my wife and I.”

“No thank you,” Bogo huffed.

“Why not?” asked his nephew innocently.

“Why did you marry that penniless girl? You’re just as bad as Wilde out there. Marrying a rabbit. Puh, ridiculous.”

“But uncle, if Mr. Wilde and I chose to marry our respective wives out of love, then I don’t see the harm in our unions,” argued Fred.

“Love,” scoffed Bogo, “Love without profit is a bad investment. It can’t possibly compare to the profits of a good dowry. I told you that when you turned down that rich girl in favor of the poor one you married! What a waste! So if there’s nothing more important to discuss nephew, then I must ask you to take your leave!” Bogo loomed over his nephew.

“But uncle,” his nephew tried to object. The next thing the young cape buffalo knew, he was being escorted out from his uncle’s office and out the front door.

“I already said no. So good day, nephew!”

“But, but, but--”

SLAM!

Bogo slammed the door right to his nephew’s face. “Merry Christmas just the same uncle,” Fred muffled through the door.

“Humbug,” said Bogo.

Nicholas shook his head in disapproval of Bogo’s behavior. “He forgot to add the ‘buffalo’ in front of all those 'buts’.” Nicholas muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” asked the irritated buffalo.

“Nothing! I said, 'he’s a kind buffalo but not at all practical like his uncle.’”

“Ah, well, I suppose my nephew always has been a little bit peculiar,” Bogo said as the front door’s bell rang once more, “And stubborn.” For a moment, he thought that his nephew had returned, but it turned out to be a hare and vixen couple at the front door. “Oh, customers,” said Bogo, delighted. “You keep busy Wilde, I shall handle this. Good evening sir and madam. How may I help you today?”

“Good evening, sir,” answered the vixen by the name of Skye Savage. “My husband and I are seeking donations for the Zootopia Charitable Foundation and would really appreciate your help.”

“I’m sorry, for what?” asked Bogo.

The striped hare accompanying the vixen -- by the name of Jack Savage -- politely removed his hat, “We’re collecting money for the poor, sir.”

“Oh... I see,” replied Bogo through greedy, gritted teeth. “Well I wish you much luck in your charitable venture. Good day.” Bogo said turning his back to them.

“But Mr. Bogo, surely someone as well off as yourself can afford to donate something,” argued the hare.

“I certainly can, but I won't,” responded the cold hearted buffalo. “I support the workhouses already. They cost enough. If the poor are so needy, then they must go there.”

“But many can't go there and many would rather die,” cried the vixen, solemnly.

“If they would rather die, then they best do it fast and decrease the surplus population. Most notably you pesky hares and rabbits who don't stop overpopulating society enough as it is,” spat the buffalo with a glare at the hare.

The vixen's eyes widened, offended for her husband. “Now wait just a min--!” Her husband brought an arm up to stop her from stepping forward and arguing further. He kept his eyes on the buffalo, glaring at him with a single flare of his nostrils.

“It's alright Skye.” The striped hare turned to the buffalo, “I pity you if that's what you truly think of us.”

“It is,” he replied simply, and opened the door for the couple. “Good day.”

“Come dear,” said Jack, taking his wife's paw and walked out the door with her. Skye gave the buffalo one final humph and left with her husband.

Bogo slammed the door behind them. “Tsk, tsk, tsk...what is this world coming to Wilde?” Bogo asked his employee, who had clearly seen everything. Despite all the criticism that Nicholas wanted to give him, he said nothing. “You work hard all your life and then they want to take it all away. Unbelievable.”

“Yeah, unbelievable. Just like you never giving me a raise,” Nicholas mumbled.

“What was that?”

“Nothing! I just said, 'all that stress must really raise your blood pressure.’”

Bogo snorted, suspicious, but decided not to press further. Bogo headed toward his office when Nicholas spoke up again. “Uh sir, seriously though,” began the fox with a tremble in his voice and a nervous rub to the back of his neck. “Now that we're on the subject, I was wondering if I, well...if I could have a raise?”

“What?” asked the buffalo, looking annoyed.

“A raise?” said Nicholas with an accompanying nervous chuckle immediately after.

“Why should I give you a raise, Wilde? You’ve hardly earned it. Not to mention, that I already so generously have given you half of tomorrow off.”

“You have, you have,” Nicholas agreed, “But I have worked for you for ten years and in that time I’ve been yours and Miss Bellwether's only employee -- God rest her soul. And I've helped increase profits with my bookkeeping and business savvy. But, most importantly I also really need a raise because I have a very sick boy at hom--”

“Enough,” said the buffalo, not even taking a moment to actually listen to any of the fox’s points. “I don't need your life story Wilde. I’m afraid you already work more than the required hours for me to give you a raise.”

“But sir,” Nicholas attempted to argue.

“No buts Wilde! You should be thankful a mammal in my line of work even bothered to give you a job in the first place. Most wouldn't trust you to be honest with their business’ money. Little did they know that you are a bit of a gold mine since you're so good with numbers.” Bogo chuckled, proud. “Keep up the good work, Wilde. Maybe you’ll get that raise some day.”

“Yes, sir,” Nicholas agreed, glum and with his ears down. He turned back to his work, stress evident all over his face. “What am I going to tell them,” he sighed quietly to himself.”

Bogo meanwhile returned to his office without a care in the world.

Some hours passed and it finally came time for both mammals to go home. Nicholas in particular watched the grandfather clock as its big hand finally moved forward, signaling that it was 5 o’clock. “I’m done for the day sir!” Nicholas called to his boss. 

Inside his office, Bogo checked his pocket watch and saw that it had two minutes left until five o’clock. “Not by my watch Wilde! There's still two minutes left.”

“Are you serious?” Nicholas mumbled quietly to himself. He took the quill pen at his desk and continued writing until Bogo called out once more.

“Actually, never mind those last two minutes. You may go Wilde.”

Nicholas’ ears perked up in joy. He shut the book closed and hopped off the seat of his tall desk. “Thank you sir! There's that kind, chipper side of yours showing again!” He called to the buffalo who had his office door open.

“Enough jokes Wilde. Just go home and be sure to be here all the earlier the next day!” he ordered of the fox.

“Yes sir! And a Merry Christmas to you! Even if you won't take it,” saluted the fox, as he slapped on his small top hat atop his head and headed out the door.

Bogo meanwhile huffed a, “Bah, humbug.” 

After getting a bit more work done for the day, Bogo closed up shop and headed home himself.

With his top hat and cane in hoof, he walked the cobblestone path leading to his enormous mansion. He searched for his key in his pocket to enter as usual...but! Little did he know that this night would be anything but usual. 

As he fished for his key, the knocker on his door suddenly transformed from a brass buffalo shaped face to a ghostly see through sheep face. “Bogo…” whispered the glasses wearing ghostly apparition.

“Dawn Bellwether?” breathed Bogo in surprise as he took notice of the face. “No, it can't be,” he looked away in denial. When he looked back, the face was gone and he sighed in relief. Bogo carried on as usual, latching the key into the keyhole and opening the door. When he looked back up, he came face to face with the ghostly face again.

“Bogo!”

Bogo gasped and rushed inside! He slammed the door shut. The buffalo stood staring at the door, hyperventilating and hoping that what he had seen was nothing more but a figment of his imagination. “I-I’ve been working too hard, I’m seeing things.” Bogo's stomach then growled in hunger, “Perhaps some dinner should take my mind off things.”

So Bogo did just that. He poured himself a bowl of leftover gruel and dressed himself in his nightshirt. He ate in his bedroom, ready to spend Christmas Eve as he always did -- alone.

At first, it seemed as though a nice hot meal and a good nap at his favorite chair by the fireplace had done the trick. He had completely forgotten about his frightening encounter with his old partner. Bogo slept peacefully in his chair with a full belly...when suddenly…

rattle, rattle, rattle

The sounds of chains began to rattle in the distance. “Bogo…” the eerily haunting voice of Dawn Bellwether called to him. “Bogo…!” Her voice grew louder as did the sound of rattling chains.

“Mm?” Bogo moaned as he stirred in his sleep. 

“Bogo…”

Bogo peeked an eye open as he heard the sound again. “Must be the wind,” he figured as he settled himself in his seat. He snored peacefully for a moment when…

“BOGO!”

Said buffalo jumped in his seat, wide awake. “Wha--? What?!”

“BOGO!”

Through Bogo's bedroom door, a phantasmic sheep with glasses and rattling chains entered. “Bogo!” she moaned with a haunting wail.

“D-Dawn?” Bogo stuttered. “No...it can't be!” he said as he shut his eyes in denial.

“Bogo…” the ghost approached him with her rattling chains. “Don’t deny what your eyes clearly see Bogo.”

Bogo opened his eyes and gazed upon her, “No, this can’t be real. You can’t be here! Y-You’ve been dead for seven years!”

“Believe what you see Bogo!” shouted the ghost sheep right to his face. “Bogo, do you remember when I was alive how I used to rob the widowers and swindled the poor?”

“Yes, and all in the same day. You were such a good business mammal Dawn,” Bogo complimented proudly of her accomplishments. 

The sheep, giggled modestly with a wave of her hoof. “Oh stop, you’re too kin--N-No!” she yelled, correcting herself. “I was wrong! And as punishment, I’m forced to bear the chains I forged in life, now in death!” the ghost of Bellwether lifted the heavy chains and rattled them to emphasize her point. It was then that Bogo noticed that each of her chains was attached to a heavy safe or other money box. “Now, I’ve come here to warn you! Ebeneezer Bogo! Or the same thing will happen to you!”

“Th-That can’t happen. That’s impossible! I’ve done nothing wrong do deserve a fate such as yours!”

“Haven’t you?!” countered the sheep, angrily. “Have you any idea the weight of the very chains you bear yourself? The ones you’ve created and continue to link together each greedy day you live?!”

Bogo swallowed hard, sinking into his seat.

“Listen and listen well Bogo, my time on this earth is nearly gone. I have come here to warn you that you still have a hope of escaping my horrid fate,” said the ghostly sheep.

“W-What must I do?” asked a terrified Bogo.

“Tonight, you will be visited by three spirits. Listen to them and be sure to do as they say, or your chains will be heavier than mine. Expect the first when the clock strikes midnight,” said the sheep as she pointed to the grandfather clock in the room. 

“But, that’s in an hour. How can they all visit me in one night?” 

“Don’t underestimate them Bogo. And remember to take into account what they have to say,” Dawn said as she phased through Bogo’s window. 

“Wait! Dawn!” he called after her as he pulled open the wooden shutters. He gasped when he witnessed a sea of other ghostly apparitions floating about the night sky alongside Dawn Bellwether.

“Farewell Bogo. Expect me no more and remember all that I’ve told you and what will await you if you don’t…” she said as she gradually disappeared with a haunting breath.

Bogo rubbed his eyes and gazed back out the window. The sky was now clear with no one there -- not a living soul nor a dead one. The buffalo’s erratic breathing slowly returned to normal. “No, no. None of this could have been real. Bah, ridiculous!” he spat in denial, “Ghosts, spirits, humbug!”

He headed to bed and crawled in. “Surely when I awaken, this will all prove to be nothing more but an absurd dream.” he blew out the candle and laid down. In no time, he was snoring, fast asleep and dreaming good dreams to forget about his troubles. 

But little did he know...his troubles were only just beginning.

…

A/N: I apologize again for not being able to have the whole thing ready today, but the rest should come soon before the month’s over. Even if Christmas will be over by the time the rest is out, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, a joyous New Year, and just happy days in general, because why should the season of giving and goodwill be limited only to Christmas? ;)

P.S. Don’t know why I went with the name Ebenezer Bogo, but just roll with it, lol! What is his real name anyway? Does he have one?