#“ah so beautiful it looks like snowfall :|”

[icantdothistodaybruh]

yea sooooo I may have or may have not watched and instantly rewatched all kuro musicals in existence in a spawn of one week and now have roughly 40 screenshots to redraw from

I think I might be insane or something

[toournextadventure]

when you love it pt.2

Summary: Learning to accept yourself again is a hard task. Thankfully, you've got two lovely Outcasts to help you

Word Count: 5.4k Warnings: swearing, talk of blood, typical vampire violence Pairing: Wenclair x Reader (part 1) A/N: Surprise, this is not the last part, there will be one more. So sorry but... it gets better

“Have you ever eaten somebody?”

Ah, there they were. The Little Bane of your existence, as you had come to endearingly call them over the last few months. A menace at best, the little wolf had, for some unknown reason, made it a point to attach themself to your hip. Even on the full moon, the pup would sniff you out and remain with you until they turned back into the headache they truly were.

Admirable.

“Why do you ask?” You asked without looking down to meet their eyes. The eyes of an Addams, you thought.

“Mother said people go insane after eating human flesh,” the child said. “I’m trying to collect evidence to prove her wrong.”

The question was pure Addams.

“I believe it’s only if they eat the brain matter of a human,” you said, finally looking down.

“So you have then?” They asked. “Eaten someone?”

“What do you think?” You asked.

Their head tilted just like Enid's as they thought of an answer. After all this time, you were still finding more and more similarities between them and their mothers. It was almost comical. The toothy grin, the troublesome look in their eyes. A perfect mix of two perfect women.

“No,” they finally said. “I don’t think you have.”

You smiled, showing your fangs. “Correct.”

You both looked back out toward the scenery in front of the cabin. Winter was always the most beautiful time, if anyone asked your opinion. The snow coated the trees in the finest powder, creating an almost constant appearance of fresh snowfall. To the back of the cabin was a lake that froze over so thoroughly, you could skate for hours and never fall through.

Though falling through was always an adventure of its own, you would admit.

Perhaps you could get Enid to skate with you again. Oh, wouldn’t that be grand? It had been ages since you had last danced together upon the shimmering ice. The amount of trust that came with such an act… would you be able to skate as before? Could she put her life in your hands once again?

You deflated; you wouldn’t blame her if she couldn’t.

“Have you ever had blood from someone you know?”

Each cell in your dead body froze.

Teeth ripping through flesh. You could hear the blood pumping from the wounds, pouring out over your hands as you tried desperately to stop the flow. Your own blood cascaded down your throat, erasing any satisfaction you had previously received.

You could still smell the blood. It made your mouth water.

You still wanted more.

“What do you think?” You asked, looking back down at them.

They didn’t look away in contemplation. No, they kept their eyes locked with yours. It was uncomfortable. They had Wednesday’s stunning brown eyes. Eyes you had stared into night after night before watching the light slowly fade from one mistake. Just one.

“Yes,” they said.

“Aunt Yoko’s here!” One of the other children yelled from the house.

You looked back out to the scenery before your Little Bane ran off to join the others.

“Correct,” you mumbled with a sigh.

No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t forget the feel of her blood falling down your throat. The heat that pooled in your chest and had your dead heart wishing to beat. Each inch of scar tissue embedded in your skin ached at the memory. She’s just inside, your Instincts whispered. Just a sip.

Your lip caught on your fang as you snarled at the thought. An animalistic sound; pathetic. But the sound made you feel as if you could quiet the Instincts. You would not drink from her again. Had it learned nothing from the last time? There was blood in the fridge, you would survive just fine.

Heavy footsteps came up behind you.

“Aunt Yoko wants to speak with you,” your Little Bane said.

You exhaled slowly and nodded to yourself. Of course she would. She had never truly been your biggest fan. Vampires don’t trust other vampires, she had said, if you remembered correctly. Which you did. Her Instincts may have dulled over the generations, but her intelligence remained as sharp as ever.

“Lead the way,” you said.

Your Little Bane’s lip caught on their canine, so reminiscent of Enid you wanted to laugh. At times, the child was pure Addams. Every cell of their being practically screamed it. Yet, at moments like this, you were reminded that Enid was also an Addams in her own right. And that child, though outwardly appearing as Wednesday, was Enid’s little copy.

In the past, Yoko Tanaka had never intimidated you. After all, why would she? Her family had gone soft, adamantly refusing to drink from a source regardless of its humanity; or lack thereof. There had been a few instances during your college years where she had debated your own family beliefs, questioning the primality of it all. And it was, you wouldn’t deny it. Drinking from the source was what your ancestors had done, and the Instinct continued to flow through your veins whether you liked it or not.

You had silently agreed with her, though you would never let her know.

Now, however? After what Enid had jokingly titled The Beatdown - which neither you nor Wednesday found very humorous, but if that was how she coped then who were you to deny her such a trivial thing - Yoko terrified you. And given how she was looking at you as you walked closer…

She was aware of it.

“Tanaka,” you said with a polite nod and smile.

Her arms crossed tighter over her chest.

“In the car, pup,” she said in a tone that contradicted her body language.

“Aunt Div is in my spot,” they said without hesitation.

The immediate change in Yoko’s body was comical. She turned to look into the car where Divina - with whom you shared no ill will, though you knew it was no mutual feeling - was sitting in the front passenger seat. Her head was facing the back of the car where she was, supposedly, talking with the other Addams children.

Yoko rapped her knuckles against the window. “You’re being displaced, babe,” she called out.

Divina’s shoulders slumped, but she promptly unbuckled her sit and got out of the car. The look she gave you was anything but polite as she slid into the middle seat, pushing one of the children into the back. They were all laughing and smiling; truly Enid’s children.

“Good luck,” your Little Bane said to you.

“Thank you,” you mumbled back as they climbed into the car and shut the door, leaving you alone with Yoko.

How enjoyably torturous.

“Hello, Tanaka-”

“-Cut the bullshit,” she interrupted. Straight to the point as always. “No one wants you around them.” Her finger jabbed into your chest. “No one trusts you around them.”

“I understand,” you said.

“No, I don’t think you do.”

A wet gasp-

-snarling-

-relief-

-pain-

“I very much do,” you mumbled.

“I should rip your heart out now and eliminate any chance of the past repeating itself,” she said. Silence hung thick between you before she pulled her arms back to her body. “But I won’t, because Enid would cry and Wednesday would bury me six feet under.”

“This is my house, Tanaka,” you said. “I am more than prepared.”

“You’d better be,” she said as she started moving at a glacial pace toward the driver’s side of the car. “Because I’ll kill you and curse your entire line if you touch a hair on either of their heads.”

The threat was enough to have you shiver. Oh, if you failed and your family was cursed? They would never forgive you. They would start hunting you for sport, and it would be no less than you deserved.

Yoko stopped before opening her door.

“Not that I’ll need to,” she said. “You’re proof Enid can do it herself.”

Her words bounced around your skull as the car finally pulled away, taking all the Addams children with it. A part of you was almost… disappointed. You had grown to tolerate them over the past few months. They were rather enjoyable at times even, constantly inviting you for games. Or movies, once games had quickly become outlawed due to the… unruliness.

“I wish I had gotten another goodbye hug,” Enid said, appearing beside you seemingly out of nowhere.

You should have been able to smell her approach. Wolves were… not the most pleasant. Not horrific, simply not as appealing as humans. She had asked you to describe it once, what the difference was between her and Wednesday. Like a Christmas candle during the heat of summer, you had explained. So not like in Twilight? She had teased.

She’s my Christmas candle, you thought with a smile.

“It’s only for a weekend,” you told her. Her eyes sparkled. “Then you can have hello hugs instead.”

Her smile could have illuminated the world. “I do like hello hugs.”

“Come inside,” you said with a gesture toward the cabin, “I believe it’s going to snow.”

Enid’s joyful disposition had never waned over time. If anything, she almost seemed more joyous and carefree. Something lightened its load on your chest at the observation. You hadn’t ruined her outlook on life. She was, for all intents and purposes, outwardly okay.

A werewolf was across the room, hovering over Wednesday even as it transformed back into a person. Back into Enid. Her bare skin was shredded.

Wednesday was precisely where you had left her earlier; sitting in your small library, a book in hand and a cup of tea on the table. It was one of your more obscure books, having come from your long line of ancestors. In other words, from some murderous Frenchman’s basement. The pages were probably stained with blood.

“I had almost forgotten the joy of silence,” she said as Enid practically fell into her lap. With practised ease, she made way for her wolf without taking her eyes away from the book.

“It’s too quiet,” Enid said with a sigh.

You walked over to the record player you kept in the corner of the room as your married women talked silently amongst themselves. It was endearing to hear them talk of their young. To talk as if they truly loved them. What was that like, you wondered? To care for your young in such a deep, conditionless way?

Cold fingers ran against the thin spines of records in their cases, unsure of where to stop. Would they have ever had children if you had stayed with them? Younglings had never been in your future; you wouldn’t dare bring a child into your bloodline. But they seemed so very happy and content with their choices in life. Perhaps it was going to happen for them regardless.

Without looking, you picked a record out of its case and gently placed it on the player. Could you be trusted around their whelps? The children themselves seemed unconcerned, but what about Enid and Wednesday? Would they trust you? You weren’t even sure if you wanted them to trust you. Children were creatures you had yet to conquer.

You had attacked them. Both of them. The women you loved. They were bleeding out. Because of you.

The beautiful sounds of jazz fell from the record playing, encasing the room in a warmth that had previously been absent. Deep down you knew it wasn’t the music that made the house feel correct. But things were still new - again. You weren’t ready to make that admittance just yet.

“What are the plans for this weekend?” Enid asked when you sat in the second chair in the room. Only a small round end table was situated between you and your girls. Could… you still call them that?

“We should enjoy the silence while we can,” Wednesday said.

Enid huffed. “You know they aren’t that bad, Willa.”

They continued to bicker - lovingly, of course - while you just sat and watched. Unlike the soiree those few months ago, they were far more relaxed. Casual even, if you had to put a word on it.  Enid was bundled in warm clothes - funny, considering she ran hot - and Wednesday was in a simple black sweater and leggings.

Everything about them in that moment reminded you of college. When you would all relax in the evenings. You were usually stuck with your nose in a book, terrified you wouldn’t manage to pass your classes, let alone the bar exam. But you could never properly focus because Enid and Wednesday were always around, bickering like an old married couple even from the very beginning.

Would you ever have that relationship with them again? Simply existing with them without fear of injury or betrayal. Whether it was just you or all of you, there was tension so thick in the air it was suffocating. You didn’t want to keep a tense, cordial relationship with them. Though, it did no good to dwell on the fact. You would respect their wishes until your dying breath.

Something warm grabbed your hand. Something with claws that pressed deep into the palm of your hand. There would be indentations left behind. If she didn’t ease up, perhaps a spot or two of blood. With you, she had never learned to manage her strength; there was no real need.

You never minded.

“What do you normally do?” Enid asked.

You exhaled slowly. “I sit here, listen to jazz, and work.”

“Both of you are so boring,” Enid groaned. “It’s our one full weekend without the kids,” she continued. “We can’t waste it by working.”

“I’m not working,” Wednesday said as she placed the book down on the table and looked at her wife with the softest of smiles. “I’m reading.”

The way they looked at each other was mesmerising. It was pure, unadulterated love. You hadn’t known either of them back when Wednesday was - as Enid so endearingly described - emotionally stunted. You two hadn’t been as outwardly romantic as Enid - she set the bar rather high - but you would’ve never considered her stunted. Especially now, watching the way she looked at her wife.

“We should do something,” Enid said. Her hand squeezed yours; her nails pricked your skin. “All of us.”

“All of us, you say?” You inquired. She glared at you.

“What a scandal,” Wednesday chimed in.

“I forgot how annoying you both are,” Enid mumbled to herself with no attempt to hide her little smile.

Her smile. The thing you had looked forward to seeing every morning before everything had crashed down around you. Even on the worst of days, you knew her smile would be enough to fix everything. Just the same as you hoped you could have fixed everything for her.

Until you couldn’t.

Outside, you could hear the snow starting to fall.

“What is there to do around the cabin?” Wednesday asked; her eyes never left Enid’s. “So our winter wolf doesn’t get too antsy?”

Another squeeze of your hand, digging the sharp, colourful nails deeper.

“Well,” you drew out the word as you thought. “There’s a frozen lake down the path.” Enid’s ears perked up slightly. “Or the town over usually has a winter market around this time.”

That was what did it. At the mention of a market, Enid practically jumped up from Wednesday’s lap. You kept your eyes on her even as you saw Wednesday smile out of your periphery. Her hands clasped together and she looked between the both of you with an excitement you hadn’t seen from her since before that night.

“Grab your winter coats, we’re going to the market!” She proclaimed excitedly.

You looked over at Wednesday with a raised brow but didn’t bother stopping your smile. She smiled back; anything for your wolf.

—---

It had only been a year or two since you had last attended the market and, as such, everyone still remembered you. As such, it was a little more complicated to get through everything than you had initially thought. With everyone stopping you to talk and catch up, you felt like you were holding Enid and Wednesday back as opposed to letting them have their fun.

The sweet older lady who ran the flower shop was still talking to you when you saw Enid walking off, leaving Wednesday to sidle up beside you. Had she done that on purpose? Clearly, she hadn’t just abandoned Wednesday, right? Not in your care, at least. None of you had trusted you two alone just yet.

Even though it hurt, it was a necessary precaution.

Finally, after what had probably been an hour of conversation with the sweet flower lady, you managed to separate with a polite goodbye and a promise to stop by next time you were in town. Whether she knew of your… infliction or not, you had no clue. It didn’t matter. At least she was kind.

“Where did our pup run off to?” You asked as Wednesday all but led you through the market.

“She saw some hot cider,” Wednesday said softly, stopping at one of the little booths. “She can never turn down a sweet treat.”

“Oh, I remember. We spent far too much money on her sweet treats,” you grumbled.

If you had kept track, you would have been horrified at how much both you and Wednesday spent on Enid. It hadn’t been with the intent to brag, or show off, you just wanted her to have everything she wished. Most of the time, that included drinks and sweet treats. And you were nothing if not eager to please.

“At least it’s not chocolate,” Wednesday said in a voice so soft, you wouldn’t have imagined it had actually come from her.

She was looking down at some of the trinkets at the table. They were brilliantly made, and you smiled politely at the woman in charge before standing behind Wednesday. Over her shoulder, you could see it wasn’t particularly anything interesting. Not to her.

Her body tensed up when you brushed against her. This close, you could hear the blood coursing through her veins. It was enticing. More than enticing. Your fingers twitched with the very thought of tasting something so delectable once again. Pain pricked at the inside of your lips as you re-positioned your fangs. It would be a simple thing.

The scars on her neck looked angry; they held shame not even thousands of years of instinct could fight. You had done that to her. You had nearly killed her. She was deathly still as you lifted a shaking hand to lift the collar of her coat, hiding the guilt you could never erase.

“You look cold,” you said softly, pulling your hands back to clasp them behind your back.

You both knew you were lying.

“I’m quite warm, actually,” she said. “I figured you could tell.”

You swallowed loudly. It didn’t ease the ache that was growing in the back of your throat. If anything, it made it worse. Each time she breathed, you could see the pulse in her veins. Enid wasn’t around. Surely you could handle it this time, you were far more mature this go around.

“I still believe I was correct,” she said.

Your head tilted to the side. Correct about what?

“Your fears of being a monster are unwarranted,” she said as she gripped the blade tighter. “You wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

Right.

“We must remember that night very differently,” you said as you looked up; there was a mirror in front of you. She couldn’t see you, but you could very well see her. “I remember proving you wrong.”

You weren’t prepared for her to lean back into you. To be touching you after so long. She was cold; not from the snow starting to fall. And as ridiculous as it sounded, she felt like she trusted you. Did she? After you had very nearly killed her, could she trust you?

“You didn’t hurt me,” she said softly as she pulled your arms to wrap around her waist.

“My dear,” you whispered into her ear, “I very much did hurt you.”

“Yet I’m still here.”

You barely held back a laugh. “All that means is Enid kicked my ass.”

“And I would do it again.”

Part of you urged you to pull apart from Wednesday, like you had just been caught doing something you shouldn’t have. There was nothing wrong with holding her again; hell, your girls had practically encouraged it. But the last time Enid had seen you both together was… not pretty.

Wednesday was bleeding out from more than one bite mark.

“What are we talking about?” Enid asked after she practically squeezed herself directly in between you and Wednesday.

“Your sweet treats,” Wednesday said effortlessly. “Is it worth it?”

She wrapped her hands around the paper cup and shrugged her shoulders high. “Always.”

“I think there’s some chocolate covered strawberries a few booths away,” you said while Enid continued to shimmy her way into more warmth. “White and dark chocolate.” Both women’s eyes lit up. “My treat.”

Wednesday looked at you with soft eyes. A look she hadn’t given you since… it was nice. Without uttering a single word, you were left with a warmth in your chest that your dead heart could never replicate.

“Lead the way,” she said softly.

—---

For reasons unknown to you or Wednesday, Enid was still freezing hours after getting back to the cabin. Hot tea had been made. And remade. And remade again. Then you had finally given in and lit the fireplace, as well as setting up a pallet on the floor in front of it so she could curl up and try to warm her fur.

And she was still shivering.

“Cara mia, please.” Wednesday’s voice carried from the living room to the kitchen. “Will nothing ease your cold?”

Enid hummed. “I know something that could warm me up.”

Her quiet giggle was all you needed to hear to know what she was implying. Your darling pup was the most insatiable creature you had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Perhaps that was why she seemed to fit so well with two other partners; it would take at least two to keep her satisfied.

Outside, the front porch creaked. If you hadn’t already been accustomed to the sound, you would have brushed it off as wind. After all, it was still snowing steadily outside. But it wasn’t the sound of snow falling onto the porch. No, it was something else. Something that wasn’t supposed to be there.

In the living room, you could still hear the soft sounds of Enid and Wednesday enjoying their time together. As you passed, you could vaguely see them on the pallet in front of the fireplace. Every aspect of it reminded you of your times in university, each living your own lives, yet doing it together. Perhaps you could get back to that again. Surely their children wouldn’t mind another… parent? Hmm, that wasn’t quite right, you could figure it out-

“-Hello, bon ami.”

If you hadn’t been frozen in place, you would have slammed the door in his face. What the hell was he doing? In your home? No, he wasn’t supposed to be there. He was supposed to be back home, hunting humans for sport like everyone else. He knew better.

“You gonna let me in?” He asked in his thick accent that charmed some and repulsed others.

“Go home, Bas,” you said quietly.

“Why? You got company?” He inhaled deeply. “Oh, I’m a’comin’ in.”

He pushed his way past you into the cabin. If your mind hadn’t felt like mush, you would have had the good sense to stop him. Or at least to have warned Enid and Wednesday. But no, you were simply stuck wondering how he had even found you in the first place.

“I smell a rougarou.” His smile was sadistic and his fangs were sharp. Lethal. “What if Daddy found out, huh?”

“How about some tea?” You asked, gesturing to the kitchen.

He tilted his head to the side and looked at you. Just looked. Was that what Wednesday had seen in you that night? No, surely you had been more vicious. Nothing curious about you, that was for sure.

“Got some of that boudin left?” He asked.

You nodded once.

“Lead the way.”

He continued to look around as you did your best to lead him as far away from your girls as possible. If he wanted to make a pop-in visit, fine. But you weren’t going to let him torment everyone else in the cabin. He could have a cup of tea, some boudin, and be on his way back home.

“Make it the good way?” He asked as he practically fell into one of the chairs at the table. “I’d hate to have to help myself in this house of yours.”

Without waiting for him to finish, you tossed a bag of blood onto the table. It slid across the smooth wood until stopping directly in front of him. He didn’t even look down, just kept his cold eyes glued to yours.

“Keep your teeth to yourself,” you said.

He laughed while you turned back to the stove. The sooner you got the tea going and could get him fed, the sooner he would leave. That was all you really wanted. Things were going well, and Enid and Wednesday were in good moods. You didn’t need him to ruin it.

The stove lit with a single spark, and you gently placed the kettle on top. It would still take a minute to boil, and you had it all planned out. You would grab the blood and boudin from the fridge. Put the food in the oven, make the tea, and get him fed and out of your house.

But you should have known better.

“I smell meat,” Enid said as she practically skipped into the kitchen.

And stopped short when she saw someone at the table.

“Oh, couyon,” he said with a smile toward you once Wednesday walked in. “You naughty thing, you.”

You sighed and crossed your arms over your chest. Wednesday was looking at you with her “explain Or Else” look. Something you hadn’t minded before, but now? Now it made your skin crawl. Like spiderwebs caught on every inch of your body, and you couldn’t get them off.

The pan slid smoothly into the oven, and you started the timer.

“This is Bastien,” you said with a lazy gesture toward the parasite at the end of the table. “My brother.”

“Baby brother,” he corrected quickly. “And you two must be the delectable little snacks.”

“Told you to keep your teeth to yourself,” you said with a raised brow. You quickly looked at Enid with far softer eyes. “Food will just be a few more minutes.” Then to Wednesday. “I’m making tea.”

Carefully, slowly, both Enid and Wednesday sat down at the table. Across from each other, but not near Bastien. The whole time, he watched them like a predator. Biding his time, the way he had been taught. You met his eyes.

His gaze towards your girls turned softer.

“So,” Bastien said as you turned back to the stove and grabbed the kettle. “Which one of you gave my sweet sibling all those scars?”

You poured some blood into the bottom of two mugs.

“I did,” Enid said. “So don’t try anything or you’ll have some to match.”

Bastien howled; a deep, obnoxious belly laugh. It… was nice to hear. As much as you didn’t want him there, he was your brother. Baby brother, as he constantly reminded you. There was comfort in the sound of his laugh; there always had been.

“That’s good, I like that,” he said, still failing to keep his laughter in check. “So that means your witch was the blood bag.”

You practically slammed the mug onto the table in front of Bastien. He looked up at you again, tilting his head to the side. It reminded you of Enid. He reminded you too much of Enid. No, you weren’t going to be phased. You knew the vampire charm; you wouldn’t fall for it.

“Serve yourself,” you demanded.

“Come on, cher,” he said as you proceeded to pour tea into Wednesday’s and Enid’s mugs. “I’m just askin’ if that’s what you almost died for.” You set the teapot on the table and walked back to the oven. “Simple curiosity.”

“Almost died?” Enid asked.

You didn’t turn around.

“The scars didn’t give it away?” Bastien asked.

You grabbed the kitchen counter.

“How did you know?” Wednesday asked.

He started talking, but you couldn’t hear him. You didn’t have to. The entire night was engraved into every fold of your brain, etched into the walls of your skull. No amount of alcohol, or nicotine, or blood, or the occasional line would erase. It stayed there, taunting you. Teasing you.

Blood pumped in your ears. It was loud, but not loud enough to ease the growls and screams that were bouncing off your skull. The trees soared past you. Each step of your foot was jarring as it practically bounced off the hard ground.

Wednesday’s blood still coated your lips.

The pain in your throat was harsh; it wouldn’t heal fast enough to ease the ache. Miles and miles flew by without you ever noticing. The sun rose, then set, then rose, and finally set again. Each new day was a blur. It didn’t matter. It couldn’t matter.

You hoped Enid was okay.

And Wednesday was alive.

Oh. The thought of Wednesday, lying there with your teeth marks in her flesh. Blood pooling around her; her life pooling around her. All because of you. Because of you. You killed her. You killed one of the loves of your life.

Panting breaths came faster. You killed her. Everything slowly came to a stop. The bark was rough under your fingers as you leaned against a tree to stay upright. Around you, the bugs from the bayou were loud in your ears. Still not louder than the fight.

You killed her.

Possibly killed Enid as well.

You killed them both.

Something scratched against the soft tissue inside your throat. It grew and grew until you couldn’t tell where your exterior wounds ended and the interior ones began. Only when you inhaled deeply did you discover the cause.

“What you screamin’ for, cher?” Daddy said, appearing out of thin air. Or directly in front of you. You didn’t know. “Thought you were up at that fancy university of yours.”

“Looks like you brawled with a hunter, little monster,” Bastien said. “Did you at least get a snack out of it?”

A snack.

Wednesday.

You leaned over and expelled every bit of blood you had gotten into your body. It didn’t make you feel any better. If anything, it only exacerbated the sharp pain in your chest to see just how much you had taken from her. From your girl. Your Wednesday.

A chunk of the countertop broke off in your hand. The kitchen went silent. You blinked slowly before looking down. It wouldn’t be an easy fix. But you could do it, it would just take a weekend or two. Hopefully you wouldn’t have to replace the entire counter.

“Boudin’s burnin’, cher,” Bastien said softly from beside you. When had he gotten there? “Go sit down, I got it.”

Niceties would get him nowhere. And yet, you still went and sat at the table between Enid and Wednesday. They were looking at you, you could feel it. But you couldn’t take your eyes away from the scar on Wednesday’s hand.

The scars you had caused.

You killed her.

“I know I asked for dinner,” Bastien said, “but I think I should head out for the night.” His hand rested on your shoulder; it was cold and soft. “It was nice meeting you both.”

He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to your cheek. His lips - much like you believed of your own - were cold. It wasn’t long before he pulled away. His footsteps were loud against the wooden floor, slowly getting softer and softer until the door opened and clicked shut.

Leaving you alone with your two girls.

Your two girls you nearly killed.

A monster.

[lay-z]

🌲 Day 6 ‒  A Christmas tree disaster

Synopsis: This was supposed to be a relaxing, fun getaway for the three of you, – spending Christmas leave in a cosy cottage in the Scottish Highlands, – but for some reason, your two lovers just don’t seem to be getting along.

Pairing: Simon Ghost Riley x fem!Reader x John Soap MacTavish

Warnings/Info: NSFW, 18+ | multiple POV’s; military!Reader; established poly!relationship; cussing; humour; domesticity; sexual roleplay; dirty talk; breeding kink; voyeurism; angst; edging; orgasm denial; miscommunication (Don't worry, though!)

Word count: 2.9k

↳ back to 🎅🏼 Masterlist ☃️

Happy St. Nicholas’ Day! Hope you’ll enjoy this. 🎅🏼❤️

Blowing softly on the steaming cup of black tea clutched between your palms, you watch from the large kitchen window front as the snowy blanket covering the scenery outside thickens with the steady flutter of big, fluffy snowflakes.  

The snowfall is creating a beautiful, tranquil atmosphere that seems like a perfect setting for a romantic getaway, it’s been snowing consistently since you’ve arrived at the cottage last night and it doesn’t look like it will let up anytime soon, judging by the grey sky. 

You let out a soft sigh, your thoughts turning to the approaching Christmas Eve tomorrow.  

You're finally on leave with Simon and Johnny, who have rented a cosy cottage in the picturesque Scottish Highlands for some much-needed R&R, after Johnny had practically begged you two to visit Scotland with him over the holidays. 

“There ye are, hen,” Johnny coos as he approaches from behind; two warm, beefy arms, clad in a deep blue chequered lumberjack shirt, wrap around your waist from behind as he pulls you into himself, your back moulding against his bulky chest. 

“Enjoyin’ the bonnie view, hm?” He asks softly, voice muffled as he buries his face into your neck. 

Your heart flutters at his unexpected embrace, the warmth of his arms enveloping you like a comforting blanket. The snowy scenery outside might be beautiful, but the feeling of his strong, solid presence behind you is what truly captures your attention and helps you relax. 

“Hmmm,” you hum in contentment, putting the hot mug down on the counter in front of you before leaning back into him. “Yeah, it's gorgeous out here. Perfect for a cosy holiday getaway. Good job renting this place for us, baby.” 

Johnny grins, his voice a soft rumble. “Knew it'd be nice. Cannae wait ta spend the week all by ourselves – with ye and the Grinch.” His fingers splay across your abdomen, his arms wrapping around you tighter. 

“We can unwind here, or even go out some. Have a proper snowball war,” he suggests, nuzzling into your neck, “– or stay inside an’ have some fun.” He teases, the smirk evident in his deep voice, his warm breath fanning over you, sending a shiver down your spine. 

You squirm in his embrace, giggling softly, when his fingers sneak underneath the hem of your beige wool sweater, tickling along your warm skin. 

“Will you stop calling Simon a Grinch? Because he will clock you if he hears it again.” 

Johnny chuckles against your neck, his fingers roaming beneath your sweater and brushing over the underside of your bra-clad breasts, “But it's fitting, innit? He is grouchy as hell, more so than usual.” He objects, his featherlight touch sending sparks of desire to your core. 

“And let tha’ big geezer try. I can take him any day.” He murmurs jokingly, pressing a soft kiss to your nape as his hands cup your breasts over your soft bra, groping them sensually while he pushes the growing bulge inside his jeans against your rear. 

You moan softly at his teasing, your breath hitching as you feel his muscular body pressing flush against yours. Your hips instinctively push back against him, your head tilting as his mouth peppers kisses along the side of your neck, the rough stubble of his chin adding to the sensation. 

“Ah, careful… Johnny,” you murmur, your fingers reaching up and behind you to thread through his dark, short Mohawk while his hands cup your breasts, pinching your stiffening nipples through the fabric.  

“We need to help Simon relax and unwind. You know that he’s still adjusting to… this relationship. Plus, you know that the holidays aren’t easy for him.” Johnny hums along as you speak; still pre-occupied with kissing your neck and groping your body, so you give his Mohawk a tug that has him growling in return. 

“Where is he anyway?” You ask eventually, concern lacing your voice as you let out another contented sigh while you try not to get too distracted by your other boyfriend and his ministrations – or shenanigans. 

Johnny mutters in between teasing nips, “Said he’s gonna take a walk… Talkin’ about ‘checkin’ the bloody perimeter’.” He snorts, his breath puffing against your shoulder, “I was thinkin’ we could ah– christen the kitchen now, hm? Give him somethin’ nice ta look at when he comes back. Whaddaya think, hen?” 

Your fingers carding through his hair loosen their grip and your arm drops to your side, resolve crumbling when one of his big hands lets go of your breast to slip beneath the waistband of your matching beige leisure pants. 

“You–You can’t keep saying that Simon is a voyeur, baby,” you almost whine, your voice already breathless as his fingers start teasing your rapidly dampening slit and swelling clit through your panties. 

“Ach, our Grinch’s a bloody voyeur and ’m a nasty mutt and ye luv us both for it,” Johnny growls against your nape, biting down playfully as he pushes your panties aside and plunges a finger past your sopping entrance while his other hand pushes your bra up to free your breasts beneath your sweater.  

“Now… be a good wifey and let me fill you up with my cum, aye? Gonna breed you fuckin’ nicely over the holidays– make sure ye’re kept all warm an’ stuffed, an’ ask Simon ta take turns with me.” 

Your knees nearly buckle as he adds a second finger into your cunt, thick digits working their magic to prepare you for his girthy cock, your breath coming in ragged gasps. You can't deny the truth in his words. Yes, Simon is a voyeur, and yes, Johnny is a naughty, eager brat. And yes, you love them both more than anything. 

The mention of being Johnny’s ‘wifey’ causes a shiver to pass through your body and you feel like your pussy reacts even harder, gushing with arousal as he keeps pumping and scissoring his fingers, muttering filth into your ear with his Scottish brogue. The idea of submitting to him, to both of them, being their ‘good wife’... it's incredibly intoxicating. 

Eventually, your sweater is pulled over your head along with your bra and dropped onto the dark kitchen tiles; your skin pebbles with goose bumps when Johnny pushes you forward, making you brace your hands on the brown marble kitchen counter while you hear him fumble with his belt and zipper behind you. 

He pushes your soft pants and panties down your hips, letting the fabric pool at your feet as he nudges them apart with his boot, “Fuckin’ hell, look at tha’ bonnie cunt. Ye’re already drippin’ f’me, wifey.” 

Simon closes the heavy, dark cedar wood door behind him with his usual finesse, making little to no sound, even as he steps inside the spacious entrance area, gently placing the freshly chopped logs for the fireplace down in a corner, before brushing the powdery snow off of his warm black bomber jacket, kicking off his wet winter boots next. 

He feels better after his walk, having swept the perimeter and gotten familiar with the surroundings of the cottage where they will be residing at for the next couple of days; it eases his anxiety and soothes his paranoia, knowing his way around here, even though both you and Johnny are more than capable enough to handle possible danger and threats, no matter where. 

After hanging up his jacket next to yours and Johnny’s, he knows that the both of you are either still settling in or lounging around somewhere. 

However, when Simon saunters down the hallway toward the open living room area, his trained ears pick up the odd sound of rapid skin on skin contact coming from the kitchen and his stomach drops and tightens into knots, synapses firing in his brain, once he makes the connection and comes to the most logical conclusion. 

Of course, you two would be doing that.  

A part of him wants to simply leave and find some other way to occupy himself, but he has to admit, his curiosity and the shameless urge to watch you get fucked by Johnny wins out – always does. So, he slowly strides toward the kitchen, his sock-footed steps silent and measured, while the sound of slapping flesh, your wanton moans and Johnny’s hoarse groans become louder as he approaches. 

When Simon comes to stand inside the open kitchen doorway, a shockwave of blasting desire shoots through his lower abdomen, makes his groin throb and his cock chuff inside his boxers at the obscene sight in front of him. 

His sharp eyes land on Johnny’s bare ass and clothed torso, jeans pooling at his boot-clad ankles; plump ass cheeks and hairy thighs flexing as he pounds into you from behind while one of his meaty hands is wrapped around the back of your neck, pushing your naked body down against the counter while the fingers of his other hand dig into the fat of your hip to keep you steady.  

Simon tries to keep his breathing steady, but his blood starts rushing and simmering, knuckles turning white as he balls his hands into tight fists at his sides to keep his composure while heat starts licking up his spine, flushing his pale cheeks which are still stinging from the biting cold outside. 

The way your smooth back arches as you take Johnny’s fat cock, makes Simon want to jump into action himself and lick his flat tongue along your spine, get a good taste of your sweat and skin. He can clearly see your legs quaking; can hear how wet you are as Johnny’s heavy sac slaps against your flesh. It’s making him dizzy, and he bites back a low groan bubbling up in his chest. 

Simon’s painfully hard now, dick straining against his underwear, and he knows – one flick of your pretty tongue over his flushed cockhead would have him buckle and come undone within seconds, erupting like a bloody volcano.  

Suddenly, his right hand cups his throbbing erection through his black cargo pants, heart thudding violently against his ribcage as he rubs himself, sucking in a sharp breath through his nostrils as his own touch ease some of the pressure. 

Slowly, his dark eyes move lower, his gaze fixated on your face and the way it contorts in pleasure, lips parted with keening moans while your eyes are squeezed shut. He tries to keep his expression neutral, despite the ache between his thighs, but his jaw ticks and the vein in his neck throbs with restraint. Watching you and Johnny... despite how much it turns him on, it always makes him feel insignificant, inadequate, redundant... 

Simon hates how he’s feeling about this relationship lately. How envious he is and how he thinks of himself as an intruder rather than your equal lover and boyfriend. An equal with Johnny, despite slipping and sliding into your relationship later than the Scot.  

And now, he’s stuck with the two people who he cares most about and loves for vastly different reasons on this godforsaken planet, unable to enjoy this R&R, because he doesn’t know and has never learned how to relax and unwind and enjoy these holidays that everyone seems to love so bloody much. He’s sure neither you nor Johnny would bat an eyelash at those sentiments of his and he can’t even blame either of you for that. 

“Can feel ye squeezin’ me, hen, – Fuck! Ye gonna cum f’me, aye?” Johnny taunts you, his voice strained and husky with desire, “Ah, F–Fuck! ‘m close, baby! Ye ready?” 

The way you whimper and moan for Johnny, blabbering gibberish in ecstasy, has Simon gritting his teeth as his chest clenches and his cock throbs, ready to burst so soon with little to no stimulation, but he can’t – can’t allow himself to use you two and finish in his pants like this. It feels wrong and pathetic, like he doesn’t deserve nor earned it yet. 

Your words come out chopped, breath hitching with each thrust of Johnny’s powerful hips, his girthy cock dragging through your slick channel, thick tip nudging against that spongy spot that has your brain go fuzzy as your pitchy whines are torn from your throat and echo through the cottage, “Fuck– ah yes, yes, yes! John-ny–!” 

Even in the throes of passion, Johnny is aware of Simon’s presence; knowing the big bloke is probably standing completely still behind them in the kitchen’s doorway, trying to keep himself from whipping out his cock to stroke it. 

But the stubborn Scotsman has made it his personal mission for the holidays to keep you extra satisfied and happy, and finally make Simon let loose in the process of it. It just hasn’t been working too well so far with the latter, though he’s making progress with the former– 

His grip on your neck tightens as the tension in his lower belly coils deliciously, his balls getting taut with his impending release as he snaps his hips forward, making sure to keep the right angle, keep you moaning his name with that saccharine voice of yours as his meaty cock pistons in and out of your wet cunt while your rippling walls clench tightly around his shaft, trying to suck him in deeper. 

Johnny eases his grip on your neck with a deep grunt and lets his warm, big palm run down the curve of your back, arched so sweetly for him, before he lifts it to smack your right ass cheeks harshly, watching the fat jiggle as you yelp. 

As soon as you cry out in pleasure and your body starts tensing, Johnny knows you’re about ready to tip over the edge, so he grabs your hips with both hands and doubles the effort, eager to follow you into the abyss. 

“You better fuckin’ stop, MacTavish, and don’t you fuckin’ dare come inside her now.” 

Johnny’s breath stutters, thrusts faltering as soon as Simon’s booming, gravelly voice resounds behind him. And just like that, his chance to climax and fill you up with his cum is popped and broken like a flimsy balloon. 

The intensity in Simon's voice is like a bucket of cold water, snapping you out of your haze of pleasure, and you tense, perking up as you grip the kitchen counter before glancing over your shoulder with widened doe-eyes, shocked gaze flickering between Johnny and Simon. In an instant, the atmosphere changes and things get tense – the sexual tension in the air transforming into something more volatile, something potentially explosive. 

“We got stuff do to, shite to prepare for tomorrow and you two are shagging,” Simon scoffs, trying to keep his voice nonchalant while ignoring the obvious, raging boner in his cargo pants, “Typical.” 

“Stuff ta prepare?” Johnny huffs a laugh, raising his brows in amused disbelief while his hips keep grinding into your pulsating heat shamelessly, “Mate, we’re on vacation,” he says matter-of-factly, holding your hips tighter as you try to pull away, “There’s not a feckin’ thing more important than peace, love, food, and ‘specially this–” He gives your ass cheek a couple more teasing pats as Simon saunters into the kitchen, squaring his broad shoulders. 

Meanwhile, there is nothing else you’d rather do than melt into a puddle and seep into the floor in shame and embarrassment. 

Your cheeks heat up even hotter, when Simon comes to stand beside you, scrutinizing you thoroughly with his icy, unwavering gaze before he reaches out with one hand to brush his rough, cold knuckles over the side of your face lovingly. 

“You did want a Christmas tree, right, lovey?” 

Your whole body shudders and your throat goes dry, completely caught off guard by the sudden display of tenderness from Simon after catching you in such a vulnerable, obscene position. Still, your brows draw together in a thankful frown as you nod slowly. 

The corners of Simon’s eyes crinkle the tiniest bit as his gaze softens for you, “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he rumbles, brushing his knuckles along your tense jawline as you whimper, “Gonna make this Christmas special f’ya.” 

“Oh... fuck–” Johnny huffs, chest heaving before he chuckles with a playful glint in his cobalt blue eyes, “Our bonnie lass loves ye an’ yer voice, Si. Her pretty cunny is grippin’–” 

“Enough, Johnny!” Simon barks, making you flinch, “Now put your fuckin’ dick away and help her get dressed. We gotta go cut down that tree before the bloody sun sets.” 

[temiizpalace]

☆┊WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND !

SUMMARY: ah, it’s snowing at ramshackle. since there’s so much snow, you should invite somebody over just so there’s something to do. who do you invite, and what do you do together?

CHARACTERS: all dorms (+ grim)

GENRE: fluff

WARNINGS: cursing

CAN BE READ AS PLATONIC OR ROMANTIC (EXCEPT ORTHO)

reader gender is not mentioned, reader is yuu

snowball fight

he walks up to you, smiling innocently with his hands behind his back. you knew he was faking already. before you could even say anything, he had already chucked a snowball at your face. okay bitch it’s on. you form a ball and throw a snowball back at his head. snowballs could be seen flying left and right, hitting each other almost everywhere. you get the in the last hit before sprinting away and hiding behind the trees.

before you knew it, this was war.

grim, ace, leona, ruggie you forced leona outside

building snowmen

he already brought things to make snowmen in a little baggy before he left. it wasn’t stuff to make ONE snowman.. it was enough to make an entire army of them. somebody was excited.. still, it was fun! rolling the snow into 3 different sizes, stacking them on top of one another, finding sticks for the arms, it was great! you both decided to stop at 5 snowmen cause there’s only so many snowballs you could roll. obviously you named them. if you don’t where’s the fun in that? he loves these snowmen til the end of time, and would protect them for as long as he can. (don’t remind him about spring..)

deuce, trey, jack, kalim, ortho

sledding

there was a small slope at ramshackle, a sled in hand, and two people ready to go down at alarming speeds. he tells you it’ll be okay and that everything’s going to be fine, but as soon as he pushes off it feels like your life is flashing before your eyes. while he’s smiling and laughing, you’re worried about whether you were going to survive or not cause unfortunately you’re sitting in the front. thankfully you lived to see another day, and tell him it’s his turn to be in front. to your dismay, now that he’s in control you’re even more worried for your safety.

floyd, epel, lilia

ice skating

there was a large patch of ice nearby, and you couldn’t help but want to skate across it. finding skates was the problem though.. oh. nevermind, sam has those too! being such a generous person, he purchased the skates for you so you can save your money for more important things. you both stepped onto the ice, nearly slipping and falling right onto your face. it’s been too long since you’ve skated..

vil knew how to skate and glide gracefully across the ice. he looked so much like a figure skater right now.. just deadass elegant. it made you look like a noob.

however, if this isn’t vil you’re thinking of, he has ZERO experience on ice skating. there either was no snow where lived, or he wasn’t allowed to skate on his own. he requires some assistance. you held his hand, guiding him on the ice. almost falling over several times. exchanging smiles and laughter with each other as he learned along the way.

riddle, azul, jamil, vil, malleus

building a fort

you both decided to build a “secret base” together just for the heck of it. you and him were building the wall, occasionally throwing a snowball or two at each other, til finally the fort was complete. he was insanely proud of it and invited you in immediately. he was so excited, he even made some furniture inside. seriously there was a little booth and table when you walked in. it was kind of tight inside but at least you two being close together was keeping you warm.

cater, idia, sebek

walking in the snowfall

snow was falling from the sky as you both walked through the forest of snow covered trees. winter seemed like the only time of the year where ramshackle was a beautiful sight to see. you and him were having conversations about whatever the hell you wanted without any judgment whatsoever. he was also telling you about how beautiful the sky is at night during the winter. how the stars truly shine this time of year. he so graciously invited you to see it with him tonight as you accepted with a joking curtsy.

jade was totally freaking out about every pinecone though

jade, rook, silver

A/N: was thinking about jamil the entire ice skating segment 🫶🫶

date written: 11/26/23

© temiizpalce — don’t steal or copy my work!

[ang3lc]

Ophan!reader going to johnnies (bf/fiance/hubby) parents to meet them, and is like immediately accepted by his massive family (it’s cliche but cute)

the worms in my brain did a happy dance when I read this omg, ps I listened to all too well 10 min version while writing this

>> fluff, established relationship, Johnny x reader

The jolliest of seasons had arrived with December’s first snowfall. Soft, fluffy flakes floated down, tapping against the windowpane before gathering in a thick, gentle layer over the ground. Outside, string lights stretched from one side of the street to the other, casting a warm glow that made the whole block twinkle like a scene from a holiday postcard. The snow caught in the lights, making it look as though the whole street was dusted in stardust, each flake reflecting the winter wonderland that was forming.

Inside, the cozy warmth made the contrast even sweeter.

You and Johnny were nestled on the couch, wrapped up in each other's warmth as you watched the snow drift quietly outside. The low hum of the TV and the soft crackle of the fireplace were the only sounds in the room, creating a comforting, blissful silence. His warmth beside you, the steady rise and fall of his chest, made you feel safe and perfectly content despite the winter chill just beyond the walls.

"Edinburgh's beautiful this time of year, ya know?" Johnny murmured softly in your ear, his voice a gentle warmth against your skin. Your back was snugly pressed against his chest, the thick blanket you’d crocheted wrapped around the both of you, adding to the cozy cocoon.

"Ah was thinkin'," he continued, his tone a blend of tenderness and hope, "since ah ken how ye get around these times… maybe ye should come with me this year… meet my mam, my family."

You knew what he meant. Christmas. Family, joy, love—the things you’d always kept at a distance. But with Johnny, Christmas had started to feel like something magical, like a season worth celebrating.

"You think so?" you asked, turning to meet his gaze. His cerulean eyes were filled with warmth and certainty, a soft glow in the firelight that made your heart skip.

"Aye, lassie." he whispered, his voice sure and steady, wrapping you in a warmth that reached deeper than the blanket around you both.

By the end of that night, plane tickets were purchased, dates were set, and his family was well informed.

...

It was Christmas Eve, and you and Johnny were pulling into his mother’s driveway. As he parked, you glanced over at him, nerves fluttering in your chest. You worried about what his family might think, unsure of what to expect, how to act—and especially not feeling ready to celebrate Christmas.

You hadn’t known what to get anyone, or even what made a good Christmas gift, but Johnny had guided you through it. What was meant to be a quick trip to Target turned into two hours, $500, and a sack of gifts hefty enough to rival Santa’s.

Sensing your unease, Johnny turned to you, his eyes meeting yours with that familiar warmth. He placed his hand over yours, his steady touch calming the anxious knot in your stomach.

"They’re goin' tae love ye, Bon. Promise," he murmured reassuringly, his voice soft yet certain.

You nodded, exhaling a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. When Johnny saw that you were okay, he flashed you a reassuring smile and stepped out of the car, circling around to open your door. He pulled the massive sack of gifts from the trunk, giving it an amused look.

“Ah think ye overdid it, lass,” he chuckled, his smile so warm it felt like it could bring world peace.

Your cheeks flushed, wondering if maybe you had overdone it. You’d picked out gifts for everyone expected tonight—his parents, grandparents, three sisters, two brothers, and all six nieces and nephews.

“I just hope they like the gifts…” you murmured as he took your hand, balancing the sack over his other shoulder.

The door opened to reveal a petite woman who could only be Johnny’s mother. She had the same deep blue eyes, filled with that unmistakable kindness and warmth.

“Seven hells! Johnny, where ye been hidin' ‘er? Right bonnie lass, ain’t she?” his mother exclaimed, grinning as she stepped aside to welcome you both inside.

“Don' go scarin' 'er away no', Ma,” Johnny laughed, placing a gentle hand on the small of your back as your cheeks flushed. His mother shut the door behind you, mumbling something about keeping the house warm.

The moment Johnny spoke, a lively hum broke out from the living room, where nearly every face you’d bought gifts for was gathered. You braced yourself, expecting everyone to greet Johnny first while you stood awkwardly in the background, but reality couldn’t have been further from that.

Small children, all under ten, dashed over and hugged your legs as three beautiful women (Johnny’s sisters, you assumed) moved to embrace you, pressing warm kisses to your cheeks. They immediately pulled you into the family circle, showering you with questions and heartfelt compliments. It was as if Johnny wasn't even there.

Johnny’s mother could have left the door wide open, letting the winter winds blow through and settle into the bones of the house, and still, nothing could have cooled the warmth spreading through your heart.

mlist

[novaursa]

Hello! Would you ever write something for Ser Duncan the Tall?? I don’t have any exact ideas but would love to see something for him ❤️

When the North Calls

- Summary: Duncan and Aegon encounter you in Riverlands, and you unintentionally steal the heart of a knight.

- Pairing: stark!reader/Ser Duncan the Tall

- Note: The plot is purposely changed. Duncan and Egg were not going to join Lord Beron Stark on the Northen coast, and I've also put in how Baelor Breakspear knighted Duncan (I know he didn't) to give a short story more flare.

- Rating: Mild 13+

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @alyssa-dayne @oxymakestheworldgoround

The journey through the Riverlands had been pleasant enough, the landscape a patchwork of autumnal hues. Duncan found himself enjoying the quiet moments between the clamor of camp and the occasional brush with bandits. Traveling alongside Aegon—Egg, as he preferred to be called—was both a challenge and a comfort. The boy’s sharp wit and hunger for knowledge kept Duncan on his toes. This latest company, led by Ser Hormon Peake, was more dubious than most, but the invitation to attend the wedding of a Frey daughter provided a welcome diversion from the usual hardship.

“Ser Duncan, do you think Lord Frey will have enough food for all the guests?” Egg’s voice broke into his thoughts. The boy was riding close, his helmet askew atop his shaved head, eyes bright with curiosity. “He has so many children already. The expense must be staggering.”

Duncan chuckled, his large hand reaching out to ruffle Egg’s cap. “You’re thinking too much on it. A man with as many children as Lord Frey knows how to manage his coffers. You just worry about your manners.”

Egg wrinkled his nose but said nothing, the tilt of his head suggesting he had more questions. They rode in comfortable silence until the sound of hooves and the glint of steel drew Duncan’s attention. A small company approached from the north, a banner he recognized fluttering in the breeze—the direwolf of House Stark, bordered by a band of silver.

“Starks?” he murmured, brow furrowing. This far south, it could mean anything: messengers, exiles, or an army on the move. But as the group drew closer, he spotted a woman at the head of the party, her cloak a deep grey, her hair dark as a raven’s wing. She rode with an easy confidence, her gaze scanning the road ahead as if searching for something—or someone.

“They’re well armed,” Egg observed. “But they don’t look like they’re spoiling for a fight.”

Duncan nodded. “Aye, but best to be cautious.”

As they closed the distance, the Stark party reined in their horses. The woman’s gaze fell on Duncan, her eyes a striking shade of grey, storm clouds before a snowfall. Duncan shifted in his saddle, his heart thudding with an unfamiliar nervousness. She was beautiful in a way that was fierce and untamed, and he felt his tongue tie itself in knots at the thought of speaking to her.

“Ser Duncan the Tall,” she greeted, her voice carrying the crisp edge of the North. “I am Lady Y/N Stark, sister to Lord Beron. What brings you to these lands?”

“Lady Stark.” Duncan’s voice came out rougher than he intended, and he cleared his throat. “We ride to attend a wedding at the Twins. Ser Hormon Peake invited us to join his company.”

Her eyes flicked to the men behind him, and a small, knowing smile touched her lips. “And you trust Ser Hormon Peake?”

Duncan felt his cheeks warm. “I—ah—thought it best to see for myself.”

She nodded, then gestured to her own party. “I’m gathering men of Riverlands to march north. The Ironborn have struck our coasts again, and my brother needs every sword he can muster.”

“We’re heading the same way,” Egg cut in, his voice eager. “Dunk and I—we’re always looking for ways to help.” He shot Duncan a look that was half-amusement, half-daring.

Duncan shifted uncomfortably, feeling every inch the awkward giant he was. “If it please you, my lady, we’d be honored to ride with you. The North’s need is greater than Lord Frey’s feast.”

Her smile widened, and Duncan’s heart gave an unexpected lurch. “You’re welcome, Ser Duncan. I could use a man of your strength—and your honor.” She glanced at Egg, her expression softening. “And you, boy. You look like you’ve a few tricks up your sleeve.”

Egg grinned, straightening in his saddle. “I try, my lady.”

The decision made, Duncan found himself riding beside Lady Stark, the conversation flowing surprisingly easily. She spoke of her home, of the cold winters and the warm hearths of Winterfell, and Duncan listened, mesmerized by the passion in her voice. He found himself speaking more than he had in a long time, sharing tales of his travels and the places he had seen. Each time she laughed or smiled, he felt a strange thrill, as though he had accomplished something far greater than winning a tourney.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the road, they made camp near a small stream. Duncan busied himself with setting up their tent, but his thoughts kept drifting to Lady Stark, her presence a constant pull at his senses. He was dimly aware of Egg’s gaze, sharp and amused as he watched Duncan fumble with the tent poles.

“You’ve got it bad, Dunk,” Egg teased, his voice low enough not to carry. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you trip over your words like that.”

Duncan shot him a warning look, but the boy only grinned wider.

“She likes you,” Egg continued, unperturbed. “She kept looking at you, like she was trying to figure you out. I bet she’s never met anyone quite like you before.”

“Enough, Egg,” Duncan muttered, feeling his face heat. “She’s a lady, and I’m just a hedge knight.”

“A hedge knight who’s been knighted by Baelor Breakspear and fought in a Trial of Seven,” Egg pointed out. “And one who’s honest and kind. She could do worse.”

Duncan didn’t know what to say to that, so he busied himself with tightening the ropes, his mind whirling. Lady Y/N Stark. He couldn’t stop thinking about her—her fierce eyes, the way she spoke with such determination, the ease with which she commanded her men. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and he didn’t know what to do with the feelings she stirred in him.

As the camp settled for the night, Duncan found himself glancing her way more than once, his heart aching with a longing he barely understood. She was a Stark of Winterfell, sister to a lord, and he—he was just Duncan, a knight without a home.

But as he watched her laugh with her men, her head thrown back, her eyes bright, he couldn’t help but hope, just a little, that maybe—just maybe—she saw something in him, too.

[lohotine]

nice story but can you make dark cacao vs affogato x male affogato's priest reader but in original universe like reader meet affogato again outside kingdom during mission

also add against and injured ( not too much )

AN: So, I kinda forgot a lot of the crk kingdom lore, but I think I got this! Been procrastinating on this one, sorry. In Affogato's wiki, it says that after his banishment, he practiced magic and stuff, so I mentioned that in the story. Um, and I tried to find out where he went after the banishment, but I couldn't find anything so I'm just assuming he's just in a small camp or set. Idk man. If things aren't right in this, please just lmk and I can make some edits or maybe just another story. I SWEAR IM TRYING. Also I'm calling reader the prince since him and Dark Cacao are dating

Dark Cacao vs Affogato x Male! Affogato Priest's Reader

Oneshot

Warnings: Mild Injury, not proof read

-Unpleasant-

A radiant, pure, and glistening snow. It covered the ground, and trees... everything. A beautiful sight to behold, and luckily for you, you were experiencing the light snowfall firsthand!

You were recently sent out on a mission to survey a certain area in the woods. Nothing too difficult. In fact, it was very simple. Survey, collect data, and then return to the kingdom, and with the light snowfall, it should have been that hard.

Well, the snow used to be light. You don't know what caused such a sudden change, but it was now practically a blizzard. If you didn't retreat to somewhere more warm, you were going to freeze to death!

The only problem is... where would you go? Everything was all forest as far as the eyes could see.

"Feeling cold doll? Looks like you could use some help.." said a voice. You couldn't see who it was through all of the snow, but... you couldn't shake the feeling that you knew them.

"Oh, yeah! Is there anywhere we can go get out of the blizzard..?"

You could hear a subtle chuckle.

"Of course there is." A bright light would flash and you were now in a completely different area.

A nice, warm, and cozy cabin. A fireplace was lit in the corner, but.... you could also now see them.

"Affogato Cookie?" You'd shout in bewilderment as you took a step back.

"Yes. Did you miss me~?" He'd take a step closer to you and take hold of your chin, forcing you to look at him.

Immediately, you swatted away his hand and sent him a glare.

"Do not touch me," you would hiss.

"Ahaha, you've still got that vicious personality, I see! But... this is no way to treat the person who has just saved your life, is it?"

He stared at you with those cold and uncaring eyes, still weilding that sly smile he always had all those months ago.

"Fine then. Thank you for saving me," you would say half-heartedly. You were grateful, just a bit on edge since it was Affogato who had saved you.

"So doll, how have you been? Is the king doing well?" He would ask. You only nod your head.

"How... unpleasant."

Affogato would swirl around his staff, and a pain would shoot through your body.

You knew exactly what this was. It was the poison he would use on his enemies... but he's improved.

"Ah, I've missed you're charming little expressions! This is why you've always been my favorite little doll~" He would pinch your cheeks while giving you that taunting smile.

"It hurts, doesn't it? I can make it stop," said Affogato Cookie.

"Then stop it," you would say with a glare.

"Of course! Under one condition though. You have to bring me to meet Dark Cacao Cookie. This is something you can do... yes?"

Oh. He was planning something for sure, but... all you could think about was the venom running through your blood.

"Fine! Just cut it out already."

He'd flick his staff once more, and the pain would lessen. Of course, poison cannot be cured so easily.

"The burning sensation will only last for a little while. Anyway, I'm glad we could come to an agreement! Now then, shall we head there now?"

That scowl never left your face, but you would nod your head all the same. It's not like you could take Affogato in a fight anyway.

《☆》

As Affogato and you walked into the gates of the kingdom, some guards would immediately ready their weapons.

"Prince, what is that traitor doing with you?!" They would ask in a panic.

You took a look at Affogato, who had never looked so calm and collected before.

"Stand down. I'm bringing him to the king," You'd order. Afgogato would chuckle before giving a viscious side eye towards the guards.

They looked shocked, but ultimately followed your lead since going against you was like going against the king himself.

"Yes sir." They said with a bow.

You started walking towards the castle, getting scared looks from the normal citizens.

The dizziness from before has also yet to fade.

"This kingdom looks the same as last time.. though, you are looking as darling as ever," Affogato would say with a grin.

"I don't want to hear it from you."

Affogato only hums, not bothering to push much farther.

It did not take long before you had reached the king's chambers.

Dark Cacao noticed Affogago instantly.

"What is he doing here?" Dark Cacao would ask with a booming voice. His blade was already at the ready.

"Ah ah ah, I wouldn't be so hasty to attack. You're little lover here might get hurt,"

Affogato would snicker before waving his staff, and that dark bubble would come back to consume you.

"You-" Dark Cacao would grit his teeth while glaring daggers into Affogato.

"Hand over the kingdom, and I'll stop the curse on him."

Dark Cacao's eyes darkened, and in an instant, he'd dash over to Affogato and strike him.

The blade would barely graze Affogato's shoulder, but it still drew blood. In a panic, Affogato would fall to the ground and start backing away.

"Ah, this isn't how the plan was supposed to turn out-"

Dark Cacao pointed the Swords edge at his neck.

"Stop the spell and leave. Next time you come here, I won't hesitate to take your life," said Dark Cacao.

He laughed nervously before swiftly undoing the curse. He flicked the staff once more again and teleported to who knows where.

Dark Cacao rushed to your side quickly.

"Are you alright?" He'd ask, holding you up.

"Yeah..." you began to cough a bit before looking at him with weary eyes.

"Here, let's get you some rest..."

《☆》 Fin

[lamarkeu]

Episode Summary: We are introduced to Joshua and his family during Sunday Dinner where everyone is helping in and around the kitchen.

Genre: Fluff

Masterlist for SVTTROS Series

a/n this one is really self indulgent (almost boarding delusion). I’ve always pictured Josh with a filo!s/o ever since I found out that some of his friends back in LA are filo. If you don’t relate to this one I understand, feel free to read some more general MCs in the other members episodes.

Italics: Narrators Boo Seungkwan (BS) and Lee Minhyuk (LM)

Bold: Staff

Regular: What family member says / what camera films during the show *____*: English

Listen To: Habang Buhay by Zack Tabudlo

LM: The Return of Superman Idol Edition

BS: Episode 3 “I Think I Love You ” Part 1. The window to window wall frames the first signs of snowfall in Seoul. Today we’re invited into a cute modern style apartment with an open kitchen concept and beautiful gray accented glass cabinets.

LM: There is a lot of music related decor in and around the house, from the signed guitars hung in a protective case on either side of the kitchen while the record player in the living room plays some acoustic music. Could today's superdad be a musician?

BS: They could also be a producer, there’s a bunch of microphones lying around the house.

LM: Two stools are leaned up against the kitchen island with little legs on the highest step. A pair of sturdy legs are standing between the two in what appears to be baggy jeans.

*“Bunso what is this?”* Min-ah asks. (Authors Note: Bunso means youngest in Tagalog).

“It’s pancake batter.” Si-ah, his youngest daughter leans closer over the deep bowl ensuring all the flour has been incorporated into the batter before gesturing to her father to pass the chocolate chips. Joshua carefully puts distance between his son, who is strapped in a frontward facing carrier against his chest, and the small bag of sweets.

*“Are we allowed to do this?”*

“Yeah, it’s a surprise for mommy.” Joshua reassured his middle child by patting her on the top of her head. For a second he notices some of the hairs in her ponytail loosen and quickly tries to flatten it out with his palm before looking back at his youngest. He kicked his legs in excitement at seeing the commotion going on between his older sisters.

“Are you sure?”

His youngest is quick to react, saying *“Unnie, do you always have this many questions?”*

The blunt answer forces a chuckle out of Joshua’s lips as the camera finally pans above to capture his head fully.

BS: I would recognize that laugh anywhere. Today's Superman is none other than a past guest of return of Superman and seventeen’s self proclaimed gentleman, Joshua Hong.

LM: Wow, fatherhood really suits him.

The sound of the front door opening captures everyone’s attention, the three state as Y/N arrives dressed in a simple suit with a briefcase in tow. For a moment the cameras fall onto the massive wedding photo above the couch of Joshua wearing a traditional Filipino suit called a Barong and Y/N wearing a traditional hanbok. The white background of the photo makes the duo appear more vividly in contrast with the gray crowning in the living room.

BS: This supermom looks as if she appeared at a meeting, it’s no surprise given that she is none other than the Co-CEO of Honey-Jade Hong Y/N.

*“Wow girls, everything looks so good.”* She compliments while wafting the air with her free hand. *“You can’t go wrong with breakfast for dinner.”* She makes her way towards the kitchen counter placing her bags against the space next to the fridge.

LM: Breakfast for dinner? That’s new

BS: it’s very common in some places in America to eat like this.

*“Did you guys have fun today?”* Kissing the top of their heads before gesturing towards her husband with her eyes.

Joshua is quick to reassure her with a quick “Yeah” before he is immediately cut off.

*“We were until you came home really early mom, we didn’t get to surprise you.”* A small pout forms on Min-ah’s face upset at the sudden change of plans.

*“That’s okay sweetheart, that just means I can spend time helping us prepare for dinner.”* Her mother stated in an attempt to redirect her emotions.

*“Yeah Unnie it’s okay, we get to cook together and spend more time as a family”*

Si-ah points to a gift bag on the counter. *“Mommy what’s this?”*

LM: I’ve been wanting to know that since she walked in.

BS: It’s quite small to be clothes

*“It’s a gift for the party tomorrow.”*

*“Is it for baby Jeong-woo?”*

*“That’s right. We're going to attend his 100 day celebration with Uncle Wonwoo and the rest of your Sebong uncles”*

BS: Ah that’s right. I wonder if we’ll see more of your uncles on todays episode Siah.

“Hi.”

I think you’re covering your mic Y/N. Can you bring it closer to your mouth.

“Oh my gosh.” She realizes her hair covered most of the black block and adjusting higher up on her shirt collar.

“It’s okay you got this” Joshua whispers in her ear putting his fists in the air in a cheer. The girls turn around in their chair and follow suit, cheering on their mother.

“Hello, I am Y/N. I’m Min-ah, Si-ah and In-soo’s mother. I’m sorry if you can’t understand my Korean, I’m trying really hard to become fluent.” She says while In-so sits in her lap playing with her hands.

Her oldest quietly speaks up to the camera “Hello I’m Min-ah, my English name is Mina.”

“And I’m Si-ah and my English name is Sandara. This is my younger brother In-soo, and his English name is Isaiah.” The second gets up from her seat to get at eye level with her brother. Her enthusiastic coos while holding the cheeks of her younger brother with her hands. The entire family begins to join the youngest as he giggles out.

How many languages does your family know?

“Our girls are fluent in English and Korean. They speak to us in both languages Joshua responds back in Korean and I respond back in English and more recently Tagalog.”

“Our son In-soo picks up English a little better than Korean just because I’ve been able to practice with him because of touring. I’m hoping through this show I’ll be able to accomplish that.”

“We’re not pushing them too much when it comes to picking up the languages I know, we’re learning it slowly throughout our daily lives.”

What was in the suitcase?

“It has pictures of my designs and models. My business partner and I have an upcoming spring fashion launch. I was just looking over the order to on paper to see if I need to make any changes.”

“After having met her through Jeonghan, the two of them immediately found a shared sense of interest in fashion, my wife focused more on the design aspects while Jeonghan’s wife focused on the modelling. Before we knew it they became best friends.”

Why do you call Si-ah the youngest when she’s the middle child?

“Because she’s the youngest girl. I can call Isaiah that too but it gets confusing. So because he is the youngest boy, I call him Balong.”

Is there anything you want to tell the return of the Superman audience?

“I’m so happy to return to this show no longer as a guest but as part of the core members in this coming year. I hope through our different trials and tribulations you continue to cheer us on and perhaps that Korea will learn to be more kind to people like my children and wife.”

[sukoshininja]

Fogged Windows

Keith came as soon as he heard.

He squinted in the darkness, looking for the entrance. The snowfall wasn't making it any easier, the headlights in his old truck flickering. He spotted a blue sign with white "H" and an arrow. He veered right and drove as quick as he dared to the last open parking spot, wheels crunching the snow that had been piling up. Apparently Thursday nights were a popping time. Worst park job of his life, he slammed the door and tripped over the snow in his converse, soaking them. He barely gave it a thought as he jogged to the sliding doors of the building entrance.

The lady at the desk looked like she hadn't had a wink of sleep in a week. He told her who he was here for and after a consulting her computer her face grew somber. She explained as delicately as she could that Lance was in critical condition.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Keith asked, desperately.

She gave him a sad smile. "The doctors will do everything they can. It's their job."

Right. He knew that they weren't supposed to make promises one way or the other. A nurse had explained to him the whys back when Shiro had lost his arm. But the lack of reassurance was killing him.

"Can I see him?"

"At this time only one family member is permitted at a time."

Right. He knew that too was standard for critical care. Back then, he had lied through his teeth and said that he and Shiro were brothers. Luckily, the hospital staff took one look at him and allowed him through. Nevermind that he was Korean and Shiro was Japanese. He didn't think the same trick would work with Lance.

"Down the hall, there is a waiting room. There's a Keurig. The doctors will give you updates when they can," she said, clearly reciting a line she repeated multiple times a day. She still managed to say it kindly.

Keith gave her a curt nod and followed the hall where she directed.

He heard it before he saw it. It was packed. Given that everyone all shared similar features, he guessed they were family. Given that everyone all had brown skin and blue eyes, he guessed they were Lance's.

He had never met Lance's family. But Lance often talked about how large his family was. Keith had wondered what it was like, to have so many people care about you.

He stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking for an empty seat he could disappear into when a familiar voice spoke behind him.

"Oh, you're here."

He turned to find Hunk, double fisting energy drinks. He offered one to Keith.

Keith shook his head. "Caffeine makes me anxious."

Hunk hugged him.

Keith hugged him back.

"Hunk! So good of you to come," someone said behind him.

"Of course, Mrs. McClain. How is he?" Hunk asked, releasing Keith to turn to a middle-aged woman. She was strikingly beautiful. Of course she was, she must be Lance's mom.

Her teary face contorted with worry. "Bad. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt. Went through the windshield."

Of course he fucking wasn't. No matter how Keith nagged, the idiot never remembered to buckle up until Keith reminded him. He had warned him that one day he would die in a car accident, bleeding out in the street like some isekai protagonist. Lance had laughed as he kissed him and said it was good that Keith was there for him then.

"I'm so sorry," Mrs. McClain extended her hand to him. "Who are you?"

Keith took her hand. It was soft, despite the calluses on her fingertips. "I'm Keith. I'm his—" he faltered, catching himself, "...friend."

Lance wasn't out to his family. It never really bothered Keith. Family stuff. It's not like he knew what that was like. But right now it hurt not being able to claim how important her son was to him. Not when things were like this.

She gave him a warm smile, the lines at the corner of her eyes crinkling deeper. "Ah, you must be the one from college. He talks about you."

"That better be for me," Pidge says as they plucked an energy drink from Hunk's hand. "Hey, Mrs. M. Any news?"

She shook her head sadly.

A girl made a beeline for Keith, taking his arm and pulling him into the far corner, away from the majority of the crowd, her eyes sharp behind her glasses.

"You're his boyfriend, aren't you?" she whispered.

"Uh," Keith looked over to Hunk for any sort of sign. He had no idea who this girl was, but Hunk had known Lance since middle school.

"Leave Keith alone, Ronnie." Hunk warned as he weaved his way over to them, lowering his voice. "This isn't the 'met the family' we could have hoped for."

She gave Keith an appraising look. "He's always been a sucker for the pretty ones."

Hunk chuckled in agreement.

"I thought...no one was supposed to know," Keith reeled. Had Lance lied? Why? Did he not want to introduce Keith to his family?

"Oh, don't panic. He never said anything, not to me anyway, but I have fucking eyes," she flipped her bob. "So, do you like him?"

"What?" The directness of the question threw him off.

"Do you like him? Lance throws himself into these things body and soul and sometimes he misses the signs because he's so focused on his own feelings. So if you are just playing with him know that I. Will. Destroy. You." Her eyes were fierce. Keith could feel himself shrinking in on himself from the intensity of her glare.

"Relax, V. Keith was crushing on him way before Lance even noticed his emo ass. It was kind of pathetic really," Pidge said, slinging their arm around Keith. They were quite a bit shorter, and it looked rather awkward.

"Watching them get together gave me cavities," Hunk affirmed.

"I'm Veronica. His big sister," she held out her hand.

He took it. "Keith. Canidate for Lance’s future husband."

Veronica pulled his hand towards her, pulling him in for a hug.

"Positively nauseating," Pidge rolled their eyes.

Veronica held fast and a little too tightly. She was not letting go. "Welcome to the family, Keith," she whispered low enough that only he could hear.

"Hello, McClains?" a woman in a white jacket stepped into the room. "I am afraid I have some heavy news."

* * *

Keith walks out into the cold. But he doesn't feel it. Just like he can't feel his soggy socks or his burning eyes. He's numb to any and all physical sensations. Somehow he finds himself in the cab of his truck. He doesn’t remember getting there. He doesn't know how long he sat there before coming to.

A thin sheet of ice had formed on the windshield. Or maybe his sight is just really blurry. No, that is definitely ice.

The truck starts. His hand is on the key in the ignition. As if his body is on autopilot, moving separately from him. The defroster kicks on and he watches as the ice slowly begins to melt.

He is startled by something moving at his neck. A bead of sweat? It is rather warm in here, he realizes. How long had he been sitting here? No. Not sweat. He touches his face, fingers cold against his cheeks, and it comes away wet. Tears.

Was he crying? Didn't seem possible. You had to feel something to cry. He was just empty. Hollow. A body with no pilot.

The ice melted. The windows fogging up from the heat.

And that's when he saw it.

Fingerprints.

Fingerprints in the windows. It makes him so fucking mad how Lance does — did — that. Drawing on the windows with his finger when he was bored.

The passenger window displays a rather wonky representation of what Keith assumes is supposed to be a dog.

A smily face looks back at him from the review mirror.

And in front of him, on the windshield is a simple scrawled message:

i ♡ u

Something in him breaks. The pieces as sharp and cutting as his cries as he struggles to breathe around his sobs.

Lance is gone.

Lance, the embodiment of sunshine and life, a representation of everything good in this world, no more.

It wasn't right. It couldn't be.

Nothing would ever be right again.

my whumptober masterlist

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Drama CD - Hijikata Biyori Track 20 Eng translation

Ended up passing out on Thursday... and then I just spent the next few days being tired so I ended up procrastinating. I'd say I'm sorry... but I'm not sorry? 😅 'tis a side effect of it getting hotter here and my motivation for doing pretty much everything has slowly been drying up because of the heat... Have I mentioned that I absolutely hate summer? I could really use some snowfall right about now...

anyway, enjoy!

Hakuoki Drama CD - Hijikata Biyori Track 20 - Sakura at Night

Translation by KumoriYami

Toudou:....Hey!....Uahuaha.... it's Sannan-san...

Sannan: It appears that Toudou-kun is still up at this hour. I wish you'd spend the night peacefully.

Toudou: Aah, sorry. I got a bit too excited.

Sannan: You really are an energetic person. Taking action as soon as you think of something. Do you think it would be a waste of time to stay still/calm?

Toudou: Well, even if you say that...

Sannan: I'm not blaming you. Because that is Toudou-kun's strength.

Touodu: My strength?

Sannan: You'll eventually understand.

Hijikata: If it isn't Sannan-san and Heisuke? What are the two of you doing standing around like this?

Sannan: Ah, Hijikata-kun. I was just looking at the sakura.

Hijikata: Sakura? Ah… it's true. What, they look quite beautiful.

Sannan: It's bright because of the full moon tonight.

Hijikata: Ah, that's right. It's nice to see sakura at night like this.

Toudou: Oh, it's true! Amazing!

Hijikata: You've been standing there for a while, but you didn't notice?

Sannan: That's because Toudou-kun was talking to me.

Hijikata: Geez. You really only see what's right in front of you.

Toudou: That's not true! Even I have a lot of things that I'm thinking about!

Hijikata: Well, forget it/that's fine. Just keep looking straight forward like that. Don't ever look away.

Toudou: Hijikata-san, don't say strange things/What Hijikata-san is really strange. Is that what my so-called strength is?

Hijikata: Huh? Ah, that's probably it.

Toudou: Although it's a little upsetting that you're saying that I can only focus on what's directly in front of me, if that's my strength, then that's not bad.

Sannan: It’s really not like Toudou-kun to be swayed by other people’s opinions.

Toudou: It's not like I'm being swayed about by other people's opinions. And if that makes me stronger, I can accept that. Because I'll do whatever it takes to get stronger.

Sannaan: That's right. If it makes you stronger, then you should do whatever it takes.

Hijikata: But, there are things that you can't just give up in that process.

Toudou: I guess I should get stronger so I don't need to give anything up.

Hijikata: Haha... That's easy for you to say. Oh, it looks like this year's sakura will wither away soon.

Sannan: Perhaps now might be the only time to enjoy them.

Toudou: That's right. Let's go sakura viewing tomorrow. I'll go call everyone.

Sannan: Are you actually going to go sakura viewing even though while still on duty? Well, I have nothing to say.

Toudou:...What. If you put it that way, then there's nothing I can do. Should I give up on sakura viewing this year?

Hijikata: Heisuke, sakura only bloom once a year. For us, next year's sakura...

Toudou: Eh? What did you say. I didn't hear it.

Hijikata: It's nothing. Hurry up and sleep, the day starts early tomorrow.

------end------

[unnamedbblog]

#2 - Snowfall Connections

*You opened your eyes, having tried sleeping in further but being unable to. It didn't seem particularly bright out, but you didn't hear the sound of rain either. It also wasn't silent for once, for your parents were actually home, lazing off given they're always working. You got up out of bed to look outside and saw that it was snowing! Snow days were one of the few things you actively looked forward to. You didn't really participate in any snow activities, you just kinda liked how it looked. And a day off of school never hurt anyone. Probably.

*You went to approach your parents about going out, though they already knew you were coming so they answered before you could even say anything."

"Get back home before 5 P.M, don't get too far from the house.."

*You went to put on your winter clothes and went out for the day. You spent the majority of your time walking across the streets and analyzing the environment around you. It's a beautiful sight, really. The dead trees no longer having any leaves but excess amounts of snow on them. Not a single blade of grass in sight. You looked up to see a murder of crows migrating, likely to move to a place much less cold than this one. You didn't stop walking while you were looking up so when you looked back down you were pretty much an inch within walking into a stop sign. Silly billy.

*Along the way you encountered someone in their front yard in the process of building something with all the snow over the ground. From this angle, you noticed they were wearing a light blue jacket and had rather long, almost untamed black hair, with a black skirt to match the hair and light blue socks to match the jacket.. They were quite absorbed in what they were doing, seemingly not being bothered by the sounds of your footsteps

*You tried speaking to get their attention, although in a low, whispery tone.

"hello?"

*They didn't respond. You tried speaking just a bit louder.

"hello?"

*Still, no response. You figured you should get closer, so you did. You were about to just tap them on their shoulder until..

"HELLO!!” *They turned around almost in an instant

*You jumped at this sudden burst of movement and sound.

“SORRY, I have trouble trying to find a good volume For my VOice! I’m not the best SpeAker but hopefully the speech THERapy fixes that…”

“no worries….”

“Do you have problems WITh speaking too?”

“well, mainly that I don’t really like sp-” “Well, that’s Cool I guess! My name’s SAL! OR SALLY!! What’s yours??” Actually, hold that thought, wanna help me build a SNOWMAN??!?”

“i..uhhh, don’t know how to build a snowman.”

“I can teach you HOW! Just FOLLOW what I’m doing.”

*You were thinking about how, during that entire time, Sal/ly did not keep eye contact on you for more than 5 seconds at a time. You turned to take a quick look, and there wasn’t really anything happening besides snowfall. You were also a bit confused on whether they were a boy or girl, their name and voice conflicting with their outfit a bit. You didn’t want to badger Sal about it, though. Not like it’s your business.

“You COBBLE the snow together until it gets the SHAPE you want. The bottom should be bigger than whatever is above IT. Help me put this middle part together.”

*You went along with these instructions. Together you made a pretty good looking middle section.

“NiCELY done! Now, since you’re taLER than me, you should do the top section by yourself!!” “uh, but, i, ah…..”“You can do it!!!” “okay…”

*You start applying some snow on top of the middle section. Getting all that snow by yourself brings to attention how cold it is, though it’s not the worst. You were actually doing pretty good for someone that’s never done this before. It sort of reminded you of putting clay together, except the clay was fragile and it was made of little frozen bits of water. You were almost done a few minutes in, you felt confident, any fears you had were set as-*

[The top and mid section of the snowman fell upon you.]

“Ohshitohshitohshi-”

[Sally would get the snow off of you]

“Are you OKAY?!”

*You could only respond with crying and whimpering

*You were helped up by Sal and hurried into the nearby house where he lived. You were sat down on the couch “Wait HERE! I’ll be back in a minute.”

*You look around the room you’re in. Seems to be the living room. It was quite warm, though not stuffy. Near you were two other, smaller couches. The floor was distinctly made of brick but the walls were a solid gray-blue material. There was a T.V. in the middle mounted onto a wall, though it was turned off. Seems like something burned onto the screen, although you couldn't quite make out what it was. It almost looked like a face of some kind. There was a doorway into another room on your right, although the door was closed, which made your mind wander a bit about the contents of the room.

*Sal entered the room holding two styrofoam cups, steaming hot air emanating from it. As Sal gave one to you, you’d notice that it contained hot cocoa. “I hope this makes up for WHAt happened.... Sorry about that.”

"it's.... it's fine. i know you didn't mean for it to happen."

“So… Can we BE friends?” “i mean, yeah, I don’t see why not.”

“YIPPPPPPPPEPPEEEE!!! Oh wait! I never got your name! What was it?”

“yu.”

“Me?”

“what? no, my name is yu.”

“Ooh! You’re also named Sal? Or Sally? Or both?”

“Y-U. Yu.”

“Ohhhh!”

*As you'd roll your eyes, you would notice a clock on the wall. It was surprisingly silent. Every other clock made its presence known to you with its metronomic ticking, but not this one.

“hey…what time is it?”

*Sally would dart her eyes to that same clock.

“Four THIRTY seven”

“i have to go, then. i have to be home by five.”

“Can I come with?”

“sure.”

*You took the walk back home, with your friend in tow. He was rambling about tamagotchis and plushies along the way.  You only responded with small “yeahs” and “uh-huh” and nods, not out of disinterest but due to not being able to really keep up and process everything fully. By the time she piped down, you were at home.

“It was nice meeTING you!”

“so, uhm.. What school do you go to?”

“I’m homeschooled!” “huh…well, it’s not like you’re that far from me anyway.” “Talk to you soon?”

“i hope.”

*You would wave to Sally, still carrying a bit of hesitance in it as usual. Sal would respond much more enthusiastically. Besides a big pile of snow collapsing on top of you, it was a pretty good day overall. You made another friend after all.

[sublimepetitefleur]

The Created Man

Long long ago, there lived a famous alchemist.

He was happily living with his beautiful wife who was pregnant with his child.

One day, as his wife was giving birth to their child, she passed away.

And even their child died.

Overwhelmed by sadness, the alchemist hid himself deep within his castle.

And spent his days in tears.

As he sat alone in his gloom, he decided to do something.

« That’s it! I’ll make a familly. »

One late night, when no one was around, he headed to a cemetery.

He took several corpses from fresh graves and began trying to assemble pieces from the bodies to create a man.

But each of his attemps failed.

He was able to create a man, but the « created  man » didn’t have a « heart. »

« You are nothing but a puppet »

He was discouraged, but he didn’t give up.

In order to create his own family,

In order to give the « created man » a heart,

He opened his chest over and over again.

Each time, the number of scars on his body increased.

He spent a great deal of time with his failed creation, and eventually became an old man.

After finishing his 1000th attempt, he thought :

« Ah. It’s not easy to give a person a heart.. »

He decided to make his 1001st attempt the last.

He looks at his creation on the operating table.

« If only you had a heart..

i would gladly accept you as my son..

I wanted to create a family to share my joys and sorrows with,

But you don’t have a heart»

The created man on the table simply gazed up at him with it’s cold, emotionless eyes.

And so the 1001st experiment began.

The heavy snowfall that seemed like it could cover the whole world finally ended,

And a long time passed.

The « created man » went over to the alchemist, who was fast asleep.

« Master? Are you sleeping? »

He called him several times, but the old man wouldn’t wake up.

The sight of the old man laying there…

The cold feeling of his skin…

Felt very strange to the « created man ».

Since He didn’t know yet what death was..

He thought his master was just in a very deep sleep.

As he looked at his master for a long while,

Tears began to fall from his eyes.

He didn’t understand why, but tears were rolling down his cheeks.

He softly whispered to him :

« Wake up-»

« wake up-»

« Wake up, father »

The alchemist 1001st experiment was a succes.

[leggerefiore]

cw: fox god au

It was a tempting sight to grab.

The fluffy tail of the Zoroark hybrid swished back and forth as he sat on the edge of the porch enjoying a nice hot beverage.

It was honestly the most tempting piece of his body when you gave it some thought.

His ears were cute and fuzzy, but he rarely did anything with them. Occasionally, they would twitch when he heard a distant sound or go flat depending on his mood, but he rarely reacted too heavily to having them scratched or pet. They came out darkly from his silver locks, too. Maybe it was just Ingo's neutral facial expression.

Still…

It was impossible to creep up on him, as he was not just a fox hybrid, but a god, too. He was aware of nearly everything happening in the village. The shrine, even more so. You decided to approach with the intent of pouring him another cup of tea. Ingo gave a small smile at you as you approached, completely unaware of your true intentions. “Thank you, dearest…” His voice was a gentle rumble, “I had been thinking of getting more, but this current snowfall is just so beautiful to observe.”

The sight was gorgeous. White dusted over the entire garden and sat heavily on the roofs above. A few paw prints and human footprints were in the snow from kits and children who had taken to playing near the shrine. Ingo was likely watching them for their parents. “Emmet went off to play in it, too,” he sighed, “He's probably diving into it looking for assorted prey…” You nodded and sat down beside him.

Emmet likely was. He enjoyed fully engaging with his fox instincts, unlike Ingo. It was easier to find him transformed into his Zoroark form than see Ingo in his. Often, both transformed in their sleep, however. You brought a hand to rest on his back, which led to his silver eyes turning a gaze toward you. “He asked me to join him, but…” he shook his head, “I can't stand the cold, unlike him.” You nodded but wondered if that truly was the truth.

Still… As he began to go on about something he watched the kits do as they played, your hand drifted lower towards his tail. Before he could react, you squeezed the fluffy appendage. A loud yip rang out, and a sudden light filled the air.

Beside you now stood a tall, dark Zoroark whose fur was completely standing on its end. You gave a slight laugh. It was true then. You could end a Zoroark's transformation by doing that. A whine came from the Ingo as he sat back down. Another bright light brought back his human form. His frown was deeper than ever.

“Not funny, dear,” he chided you and faced back towards the snow. You gave another small snicker and laid your head on his shoulder. Another small dusting had started again.

“You did not laugh?” you teased, knowing the joke would go completely over his head.

“… No,” he told you, “Ah… It was warmer in my other form.” Another sigh came from him. You pressed a soft kiss to his cheek and nuzzled closer to him.

[morrisxn02]

ogden college (un)official class playlist ! available NOW at a therapist near you !

PART ONE: the student body

lacy by olivia rodrigo・henrietta astor

"oh, i care, i care, i care. like ribbons that you wear. my stomach's all in knots. you've got the one thing that i want..."

hurricane by halsey・reina azarolla

“i’m a wanderer, i’m a one-night-stand. don’t belong to no city, don’t belong to no man. i’m the violence in the pouring rain. i’m a hurricane.”

american teenager by ethel cain・ida clarke

“grew up under yellow lights on the street, putting too much faith in the make believe.”

this link is dead by deftones・lincoln crawford 

"pay attention! watch me close! as i decide which way i move"

february 15h by hobo johnson・nova dodson

"she went to columbia and i went to jail. i just wanted another apple when she really wanted yale. and that is the problem where all of this lies. i'm emotionally unstable. i'm a crazy fucking guy!"

crocodile tears by suzanna son・sassa fiske

"crocodile sitting all alone, painting nails the shade of pink to match princess peach's cheek. maybe they'll think i'm beautiful. maybe i can trick them."

perfect day by hoku・charlie fletcher 

“people say, they say that it’s just a phase. they tell me to act my age. well, i am.” 

the boy who blocked his own shot by brand new・jesse hart 

“a crown of gold, a heart harder than stone and it hurts to hold on, but it’s missed when it’s gone”

happy by marina・carmen hearst

"couldn't relax, couldn't sit back and let the sunlight in my lap. i sang a hymn to bring me peace and then came a melody."

too much by carlie rae jepsen・ollie inoue

"i live for the fire, and the rain, and the drama too, boy. and it feels like you never say what you want, and it feels like i can't get through, babe."

nina cried power by hozier and mavis staples・ mika ishii

“power has been cried by those stronger than me straight into the face that tells you to rattle your chains if you love being free. ah lord, and i could cry power!”

people watching by conan gray・logan iyande

“i’m only looking just to live through you vicariously. i’ve never really been in love, not seriously.”

summer child by conan gray・samantha jimenez 

"and you laugh and you dance in the wind, and you sway, and you hug and you kiss, but there's darkness behind those eyes."

savage daughter by sarah hester ross・ nixie linghui

“i am my mother’s savage daughter. the one who runs barefoot, cursing sharp stones. i am my mother’s savage daughter. i will not cut my hair. i will not lower my voice.”

mirrorball by taylor swift・roxie marsh

“hush. when no one is around, my dear, you’ find me on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels, love. shinning just for you.”

don’t tell my mom by renée rapp・courtney mills

“so don’t tell my mom i’m falling apart. she hurts when i hurt. my scars are her scars. she’ll talk to her friends, impress all of them. at least in her mind, her daughter is fine.”

donttrustme by 3oh!3・cara morrison

“she's an actress, but she ain't got no need. she's got money from her parents and a trust fund back east."

halloween by novo amor・edward morrison 

“more and more with every accolade, i get carried with away with being carried away.”

i did something bad by taylor swift・greer morrison

"they're burning all the witches even if you aren't one. so light me up. go ahead and light me up."

autoestima by cupido, lola indigo and alizzz・ milo navarro

“my mother and my father gave me an extremely nice face. people don’t usually like pretty people like me.”

forsaken by paris paloma・alethea pierce

"i think i've done something to upset the stars again. the moon won't return my calls, but i deserve it. i deserve it all.”

strange overtones by david byrne, performed by whitney・lennon reed

"how long have i been missing? it's getting colder tonight. snowfall's reminiscing... i watched it melt before my eyes."

frankenstein by rina saywama・magnolia rhodes

"put me together, thread a needle so i'm like other people without all of the evil. i'm trying to be normal, but the trauma is immortal and none of this is your fault."

baseball by hippo campus・monty richler

“there goes that moonboy looking jungly with all his leaves a-growing.”

king by florence and the machine・anya saetang

"my empty halls echo with grand self-mythology. i am no mother, i am no bride. i am king."

stick season by noah kahan・nathaniel shaw 

“now i'm stuck between my anger and the blame that i can't face and the memories are something even smoking weed does not replace." 

liability by lorde・natalia vega

"she's so hard to please, but she's a forest fire. i do my best to meet her demands, play at romance, we slow dance in the living room, but all a stranger would see is one girl, swaying alone, stroking her cheek."

satanist by boygenius・jacqui velazquez 

“will you be a nihilist with me? if nothing matters, man, that’s a relief…”

you're on your own, kid by taylor swift・parker walsh

"there were pages turned with the bridges burned, everything you lose is a step you take. so make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it. you've got no reason to be afraid. you're on your own kid. yeah, you can face this..."

river by leon bridges・malik wright 

"as my sins flow down the jordan, oh, i wanna come near ya and give ya every part of me. but there's blood in my hands, and my lips aren't clean..."

tolerate it by taylor swift・mari zuko

“i made you my temple, my mural, my sky. now i’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life.”

[inspiredwriter]

Leonardo and Miguel Angel :*camina en el bosque*

Leonardo : Mikey, apresúrate ya pronto va a nevar demasiado fuerte para que no nos resfriados 😕🥶🌨️❄️

Miguel Angel : Ya lo sé amigo pero por qué no nos quedamos un poco más😟🥺 hace muñecos de nieve 😄😁☃️❄️

Leonardo :*suspira* está bien haremos solo un muñeco de nieve y nos vamos 😌☺️☃️

Miguel Angel : qué bien hermano 😃🤩✨* mira unos renos de atrás de Leo*Wow, Mira Leo hay dos lindos reno de tras ti son bonitos🥰😚🦌💕💖

Leonardo :*mira los renos*Ah sí creo que vinieron para jugar en la nieve ☺️🤔🦌❄️*se acerca en los arbustos*me sacaré un poco más para verlo Si tú puedes ser muñeco de nieve 😄😉⛄

Miguel Angel :*agarra toda la nieve* Sí, hermano y me dio una idea sabe puede hacer un reno bebe de nieve 😃😁⛄🦌

Leonardo :*mira a en los arbustos los renos *(pensamientos💭) vaya jamás he visto esos renos por aquí ☺️🤨🦌¿Pero por qué llevan adornos es como si fuera renos navideños? 😕🤔🎄

Stefany and Anastasia :*renos se transforma en chicas* Jajaja si hora de jugar y decora el árbol de navidad! 😄😊🦌🎄✨

Leonardo :*se sonroja*¡Oh Concha! 😳😍🌋💖💗💕💘Mikey venga rápido tienes que ver esto😉😏💗💝💕

Miguel Angel : En serio qué pasó los renos se fueron 😊😕🦌*se acerca en los arbustos y mira las chicas* Wow, cielos Qué hacen las preciosas aquí🥰😍💗💖💕

Leonardo : Mikey vi que los renos se transformaron en chicas debe ser mágicas🧚‍♀️🦌🎄✨*toma una rosa en los arbustos* mejor volvamos a casa más tarde Por qué no vamos a jugar con ellas😏☺️🌹💗💝💘💕(pensamientos💭) hermosa chica reino de ojos azules quiero besarla y acariciar su hermoso cuerpo 🥰😘💗💝💞

Miguel Angel :*guiña a Leo*Oh sí eso no es buena idea a divertir con nuestras lindas renos de Navidad 😁😉🦌💖💘💞💗(pensamientos💭) esa chica reno de cabello rubio es preciosa que quiero abraza Y dale muchos besitos😍🤗💗💕💓💘

@inspiredwriter

Stefany and Anastasia: *Running through the snowy meadow* Hahaha, how cold it is today, haha!😄😃🌨❄

Leonardo and Michelangelo: *Comes to snowy meadow* Hello, beautys~!!😘😍💘💖💗💞

Stefany and Anastasia: Huh?!😳😧

Stefany: What are you doing here?..😨😰 *Hugs Anastasia*

Anastasia: Who are you?..😰 I hope you are not hunters and will not shoot us?..😱

Leonardo: Oh, girls, don't be afraid of us, we're just hanging out here🥺🥰🏔🌲

Michelangelo: Yeah, because in winter the forest is very beautiful😄😘🌲🌨❄ My name is Mikey and this is my older brother Leo🥰

Stefany: Well, you two really don't look like the bad guys🤨🥰 (Thoughts💭) Ah, this turtle in the blue headband is so beautiful, I want to kiss him😍💝💓💕

Anastasia: We are very pleased to meet you, my name is Anastasia, and this is my best friend Stefany, we are magical deers🥰🦌 (Thoughts💭) Oh, this turtle in the orange headband is so adorable, I want to kiss his whole face😍💖💗💞

Leonardo: *Gives Stefany a rose* This is for you, charming doe~😏🌹🦌💖💞

Stefany: Haha, little turtle, this rose has already withered from the cold🤭😅🌹❄

Leonardo: *Hides the rose behind his back* Oh, forgive me, I didn't pay attention to that...😳😅 *Hugs Stefany's waist* Aren't you cold?🤨❄ You're so lightly dressed in this snowfall😟🌨 *Whispers in Stefany's ear* I can take you to the garbage truck that Mikey and I came here on to give you warm clothes and make love~😏😈🚚💘💖💝💕

@swagtreecrown

[voidslittlebitch]

An Offering To The Blessing

He let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling in the snow. Was he cold? He couldn't tell. He felt numb. His gaze shifted from the surrounding forest and down to the ring of chionodoxa around him. This was it. Aysun reached over to his satchel, wincing at the pain that flashed through him due to it, and rummaged around in it. Where is it? It should be- ah! He wrapped his hand around the cold object and pulled it out, placing it carefully in front of his cold and frail body.

This was his final offering. The wolves would be upon him soon. But so would they. The skull felt warm. He'd taken good care of it. A small part of him screamed at him despite that. He hadn't done what the others said, he hadn't gone and killed a creature in cold blood. No, instead he had simply taken it from a deer on the brink of death. A deer who he knew wouldn't survive. He hoped that they'd still accept this. It's time. Aysun couldn't help but smile at the thought, a weak smile, but still one nonetheless.

He couldn't breath, but he still looked down at his side, at the blood pooling down and being soaked into the snow. He hoped they'd like this offering. Was it true? What he had heard? That they were violent? Bloodthirsty? Cruel? He wasn't sure. But he had memorized all of tales he had been told as a child, about the deity that resided in this forest. About what had happened to them. Maybe they'd tear him to shreds? Or perhaps they'd leave him to die? It was possible that they'd let just the wolves get to him. His head spun, and he groaned, his vision blurring. He could hear something faintly in the distance.

Footsteps? Was that right? Were the wolves already here? Aysun quickly looked up, his breath hitching, and he stared past the falling snow and at the blurry figure slowly approaching. Tall. Was his first thought. Just like them. Antlers adorned in strings and jewellery, some of which he recognized as ones that the children in his village had offered up, and a long reptile like tail with a single shackle around it. This...didn't match with what he had been told. They were supposed to be dangerous! They were meant to be a twisted demonic figure that haunted the forest, seeking revenge on those who had hurt them and killing off those who dared to enter their territory. Not...not like this. Not gentle looking and...and beautiful.

His gaze flickered down, panic enveloping his body as his breathing became more and more harsh. The footsteps got closer, they got closer. He could barely see now. He felt light-headed. This was it. This was the end, wasn't it? This was where he would die, as an offering. He could feel his body starting to give up. How long had he been bleeding? He couldn't quite tell. It had been a while since the wolves had dragged him out here, a broken and bloody gift. He continued to stare at the ground as they approached, their movements coming to a stop right in front of him. They reached out, and tilted his head up so they could gaze down at him. It was a lie. He realized.

They had never been cruel. They had never been violent. They were broken, just like him. They were kind, just like how he used to be. Their expression was calm and controlled, not an inch of emotion apparent. He felt himself shake slightly before he suddenly fell to the ground, his legs giving out. They pulled their hand back quickly, and he could have sworn he had seen panic and fear in their eyes just before the fall. His gaze remained on the flowers nearby, his blood staining the surrounding snowfall. The pain slowly gave way to something else – numbness. He could somewhat hear their panicked yells and felt his body be shaken a little. Aysun attempted to speak, but only coughed up some blood. His eyes slowly fluttered shut, and he waited for death to come and scoop him up into it's palm.

But it never came.

Death never once tried to come and collect him that time, for it knew better than to anger them. It did not wish to face their wrath. So it backed off, and let them do what they wished.

He could feel them pick him up and hold him in their arms, the deity soon rushing away after a few seconds. His conciousness began to fade, and the last thought he had before passing out echoed throughout his mind.

Why did they lie?