#(Is this an excuse to let her sing to your muse? Yes. Yes it is.)

[cfmanymuses]

"I should get a new job... D'you think it's unethical if I apply for a singing job? With my powers and all? Might help, actually."

[pricegouge]

here's a little victorian ghoap x reader thing i might continue but no time soon. stable hand ghost, minor noble soap, maid reader.

cw for dub con, though nothing happens here and non con mentioned in passing

It's Mr. MacTavish who lures you in, pretty blue eyes and the cologne you've only ever smelled on him - too expensive to be worn by any of the other men you know. He's charming as always, schooled smiles and lingering gazes. It's easy to let yourself be herded along to the horse barn when you've harbored a flame for him for so long. 

Less easy is the sight of Simon lingering in the stall. 

"Bring her here, pup."

You dig your little heels into the dirt when Mr. MacTavish grabs you by the arm, steering you close. Simon is a recent hire, but you'd never guess by his notoriety. Well earned, as far as you can tell. The other maids have given you fair warning about him, the stable hand who doesn't know the first thing about proper horse care. They said he was the devil, or maybe just on the lam. You hadn't thought too much about it, because you'd never imagined you'd be in this position in the first place. 

More fool you, it had never occured to you that the devil would use another to seduce you for him.

"Mr. MacTavish, I think I ought to get back to my chores," you hedge, voice so meek you barely recognize it.

"Not the song ye were just singing, little lass," he lilts. You hate yourself for the way it still manages to make your knees weak.

"I -. I -. I only just remembered I have some hemming to do."

"Well it's a good thing I know the man of the house then, eh?" His father, he means - old and incapacitated. John himself oversees the staffing, and if he excuses your tardiness to your head housekeeper then all will be forgiven. But there will be no need, because you were lying, and you both knew it. Mrs. McGovern would never notice your absence because you had the evening off - something you're sure Mr. MacTavish knows as well. 

He's got you in the stall now, despite the way your boots drag a wake through the straw. Simon sits on an overturned bucket with his legs sprawled, looking for all the world like it's him who issues your cheque, who hosts your lodgings. Mr. MacTavish does nothing to correct this behavior, you note, content to bring you to stand between the stable hand's knees as directed.

Simon's an ugly man - eerily pale despite his supposed profession, and painted all over with the kinds of scars horses simply did not possess the ability to install: long and jagged, improperly healed. If he was a stable hand with his last house, the livestock were hardened criminals and the village doctor had been too scared to come around for a visit. But there was no denying his figure was impressive. Tall and broad, you'd heard the driver once say that it wasn't a stretch to believe Simon had gotten the job by simply 'standing in the stall and looking like a natural.' Like a horse, he'd meant, and within the week he'd been sacked for sodomy. The driver had been adamant he'd been attacked by Simon, but when pressed, the stable hand had simply said he'd just 'stood there and looked natural while the driver had done the rest.' You hadn't gotten the joke, and when one of the butlers had explained it was a reference to the size of Simon's manhood, you'd thought yourself likely to faint. Mr. MacTavish had found this so funny that Simon had not been let go for fornication - neither then, nor any of the subsequent run-ins he'd had with the other maids.

And now here you were, latest in a long line. You want to scold yourself for believing the others had simply been lacking wit, or personal strength. You'd been nothing but cautious of the man, but still he'd managed to get you alone.

Well, mostly alone. In your naivety, Mr. MacTavish still stands as a beacon of hope - a way out of this mess unscathed. You ought to know better by the way he stares down at Simon, blue eyes searching for direction and approval both.

"Pretty one," Simon muses. He looks at you as if he never has, though you've felt his eyes on you since his first day on the property. "Took her long enough to come around. How'd you get her, then?"

"Easy enough. Just told her I knew a spot we could sit and talk in peace wi'out her pesky ol' ma'am breathin' doon her neck."

Shame knots your stomach to hear it described as such, though he speaks true enough. Mr. MacTavish had barely needed to show any interest in you at all before you'd been mentally canceling your plans to visit the fountain in town and read under the shade of the big oak tree. If only you could go back now, perhaps remind yourself what it meant to be a god fearing woman.

Simon will fix that for you.

"That so, pet?" he asks you now, mangled lips curling around a cruel smile. "Can't even spare me a glance, but you come running when Johnny gives you a crumb of attention?" You realize your face betrays your shame when his smile turns knowing. To Mr. MacTavish he says, "Think you've got a pet of your own, pup."

The younger man hums, leaning over your shoulder. He doesn't look at you when he compares you to a bitch in heat.

Laughing, Simon draws you ever closer with two massive palms wrapped round the backs of your thighs. "Two pups then, 'ave I? What a lucky man."

"Please, s-sirs. I'd like to leave now."

The way Mr. MacTavish shushes you is almost apologetic, but Simon does not look at all sympathetic when he glares up at you.

"Your employer has asked you here, pet. Are you really going to decline him?"

And the thing is that you won't because you can't. To deny Mr. MacTavish is to put your income in jeopardy. So you'll stay, despite knowing full well that come tomorrow, Mrs. McGovern will know exactly where you've been, and you'll just be another disgraced girl in the long line of maids Mr. MacTavish and his ilk has ruined. You'll have no hope of ever finding another position after this, so you'll stay, and you'll do as you're told - because if you're stuck in this household anyway, you may as well ingratiate yourself to the head of it.

You feel as if you've been soaked in tar when you tell Simon no, that you wouldn't deny Mr. MacTavish anything.

"Good girl," Simon purs. "Call him John."

When you peek over your shoulder, Mr. MacTavish offers no indication on what he thinks of that, too busy stroking the line of your shoulder. His thick finger is heavy, feels as if it pushes each individual stitch into your skin.

"John, may I please be excu -?"

"Ye may no'."

You gaze between the two of them, heart hammering like a rabbit's when Simon's hands climb higher up the backs of your thighs. You think you can feel Mr. - John's hips rock into you, but the impact is padded by Simon's grip.

"Good girl," Simon repeats himself. "You'll call him John, and me Mr. Riley, got it?"

When you don't answer at first, John's hand trails up to squeeze your neck threateningly. 

"Y-yes, Mr. Riley."

Prequel

[hyper-fixated-delusions]

Singin’ in the rain.

Wanda Maximoff x fem!reader

A/N: This fluffy goodness was inspired by Muse’s cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.” (Mainly the second half of the song) I hope you enjoy! :) also there’s another A/N at the bottom, please check it out!

Translations: “Por favor, amor mio.” Please, my love.

“Yo también te amo mucho.” I love you so much too.

“Bebé.” Baby.

Word count: 896.

Masterlist.

It was the middle of the evening, on a cold, rainy day, Wanda was peacefully reading a book in her warm and cozy home when her girlfriend Y/N, sheepishly approaches the couch she's half laying on.

"Hey baby," you begin, waiting for Wanda's eyes to tear away from the pages.

"Hello detka," Wanda responds, her tone amused as she sees you standing in front of her, slightly rocking back and forth on your heels, hands behind your back as if you were a scolded child.

"It's raining," you reply, a dopey smile on your lips that causes Wanda laughter.

"Yes, it is indeed," she says teasingly.

"I was wondering, do you wanna go outside?" You say slowly, gauging your girlfriend's reaction.

"Wait, what?" Wanda chuckles, bewildered by your question.

"Yeah, do you wanna go outside with me?" You repeat again.

"Y/N/N, no, it's cold and it's raining," Wanda responds with a slight head shake.

"Please baby," you whine, "I want to dance with you in the rain," you pout, giving her your best puppy dog eyes.

Wanda sighs at the look on your face, "no, don't look at me like that, I am not going out in the rain," she says, turning her head to look elsewhere.

"Come on Max, please," you beg now, kneeling beside her, taking both her hands into yours as you try to get her to meet your eyes.

"Y/N no, what if we get sick," Wanda says softly, resolve slowly breaking as she looks at your bright eyes.

"If we get sick then we can just take care of each other," you shrug, as if it's no big deal.

"Baby..." Wanda sighs.

"Por favor, amor mio, just this once, I've always wanted to dance in the rain with someone, and seeing as you're a hopeless romantic," you say, with a teasing smirk, "I thought you'd join me without hesitation, please," you beg again, staring at Wanda with a small smile, knowing she loves when you speak Spanish, as you can definitely see her resolve breaking.

"But there won't be any music," Wanda adds as a weak excuse.

"Uh, hello, I think you forget that I am a professional shower singer, I got this babe," you say with mock offense, a hand on your chest as if you've been truly wounded by her words.

Wanda giggles softly, then releases a sigh as she stares at you, knowing that she won't say no, "okay, fine, you win, let's do this," she says, standing up from the couch and pulling you towards the door. "But if I get sick, I'm blaming you! Stupid cute puppy dog eyes and dumb Spanish," she mutters to herself as the cold air hits her and you laugh. "Okay, pop star, we're here, sing," Wanda says, rubbing her arms in attempts to keep herself warm.

You laugh at her frowning face as you pull her into you by the waist, her arms automatically going around your neck, "You're just too good to be true, can't keep my eyes off of you. You feel like Heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much, at long last, love has arrived. And I thank God I'm alive, you're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you," you sing softly into her ear, knowing how much Wanda truly loves your singing, as she places her head on your shoulder as you both sway in the rain slowly.

But as the song progresses, you pull away and sing the next parts loudly, dancing wildly, going the whole nine yards as if you're a rockstar. "I love you baby, and if it's quite all right, I need you baby to warm the lonely nights. I love you baby, trust in me when I say," Wanda laughs at your antics, joining in immediately, head banging as she jumps in her spot as you sing, her hands doing the rock on symbol.

"Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray. Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay and let me love you, baby. Let me love you." You sing, holding the note as you go down on your knees, your eyes closed and hands together as if you were praying.

As soon as you finish the song, Wanda pulls you up by your hands, a laugh escaping her as she presses her lips against yours, slippery and full of laughter, which causes you both to pull away.

"I love you so much," she whispers as she looks up to you, a wide smile on her face, eyes twinkling with happiness in the moonlight.

"Yo también te amo mucho," you whisper back, kissing Wanda a few times, "but what do you say we go back inside now, I know you're cold and soaking from this rain and I truly don't want you getting sick."

Wanda nods thankfully, "yes please, it's freezing," she shivers, grabbing your hand and immediately pulling you as she walks ahead.

But you pull her to a stop and pull her into you so you can pick her up bridal style and carry her into your home, "I know and I'm sorry, but thank you so much for indulging me bebé, you've made a girl's dream come true," you say and your girlfriend laughs in your arms as you walk into your home.

A/N #2: Thank you so much for reading! I’m still getting the hang of this so if there’s anything wrong, please let me know! I know I don’t post the way other writers do, like including a summary, word count, warnings, etc. cause I can’t think of much else. But if people are okay that way then so am I, if not I can start doing that, it’s just easier for me the way I’m posting at the moment. Also if anything were to ever get like too heavy or something I will definitely post warnings and stuff! Thanks!

[toournextadventure]

everyone but her pt.7

a/n: guys we're boutta start the FEELINGS. we're getting there, i promise. if we keep this up we might even get a smooch before too long 👀

Word Count: 3.7k Warnings: swearing Pairing: Wednesday Addams x Reader (Masterlist)

@extinctspino @basichextechml @cfvgbhndun-new-blog @jinxscatbomb @awolfcsworld @n0p35 @suzhiman @gengen64 @eclipsesmoonshine14 @asters-abditory

There was a habit you had that Wednesday was starting to pick up on, and she was not fond of it by any means. Somehow, by some cruel trick played by whatever spirits were watching over her that day, you always, always came by her dorm while she was busy. She was playing the cello? You miraculously dropped from the sky and started talking before she could even set her bow down. She was writing? You burst into the room with whatever stupid question was on your mind for the night.

More than once you had even appeared while she was in the shower, knocking to let her know you were there and then yelling through the door. It was times like that she almost wished you would get struck by lightening on your next flight.

Tonight, however, you had crawled in through the window because Wednesday had finally gotten the bright idea to lock the door. She should have known better.

“You seriously need to lock your window,” you huffed as you pushed yourself back up to your feet. There was a nice tint to your cheeks from the cold. Wednesday stared for too long, thankful for the fact that you were too busy brushing the dirt from your knees. “What if someone came in?”

 “Oh yes,” Wednesday sighed, “what if.”

“Anyway, with that safety lesson out of the way, here’s...” You dug around your satchel until you pulled out a book that Wednesday… didn’t remember loaning you. “Your book!” You handed it over with an obnoxious smile. A Tale of Two Cities.

“You stole this,” Wednesday said simply, though she still reached for it without hesitation. Her fingers grazed yours as she took it from you; your fingers were cold. Would you mind so terribly if she wished to warm them?

“It’s not stealing,” you huffed before throwing yourself face-first onto her bed. “It was borrowed without permission.”

Wednesday didn’t dare dignify your nonsensical excuse with a reply, instead just placing the book on her desk and flipping through it to find where you had left your mark. It came in the form of a single downy feather stuck near the last third of the book. She exhaled slowly and put it in her drawer; you weren’t even looking.

“The Rave’N is coming up soon,” you mused as Wednesday started writing. It gave her a welcome distraction from… well, from you. “You thinking of going?”

The clack of the typewriter stuttered for just a moment.

“I could not fathom a greater form of punishment.”

“Oh,” you said before covering it with a cough. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.”

Wednesday felt a twinge of disappointment. Her words had been no lie; there was truly nothing more miserable than going to a stupid high school dance. But if you had intended on asking her, then maybe, just maybe, she would have considered it. After all, it wasn’t like you would be going with anyone else anyway. Right?

She said nothing, just continued typing away at her novel. Out of the corner of her eye, you shuffled and moved around, grabbing her pillow and resting it under your chin. Your eyes bore holes into the side of her head; god, did you ever blink? Didn’t you have anything better to do than lay there and stare at her?

“Thing, you smell absolutely divine,” you said in the most Enid-esque sing-songy voice after a few agonizing moments of staring.

With the slightest turn of her head, Wednesday watched Thing crawl onto the bed and start showing off. A pose to the left, a pose to the right, showing off his good side. You would “ooh” and “ahh” as he turned and would make ridiculous faces at him. It was beneath you, yet Wednesday couldn’t stop from watching with a morbid curiosity as you egged him on.

“You simply must tell me your secret,” you said as Thing finally crawled up onto your shoulder. “Tell me, is it the bergamot?”

“Can you two take this elsewhere?” Wednesday interrupted Thing mid-gesture. You pouted; it was enticing. “This isn’t beauty hour.”

“You, Wednesday Addams, are a killjoy.” You pushed yourself up to your knees - you were getting your shoes on her bed - and stepped onto the floor, Thing holding tight to your shoulder. “We’ll continue this in my room.”

The blatant stomping as you made your way to the door was enough to get Wednesday’s teeth grinding. Your ability to set her on edge just by being a brat was impressive, she wouldn’t deny it. Yet it still made her want to reach out and strangle you, no matter how far she had to go to reach your neck. She watched you leave only for a moment, more than ready to turn back to her novel but-

“-Stop.”

You froze with your hand only inches from the doorknob. Your right wing twitched, drawing Wednesday’s attention to the feathers that were still growing back from your flight in the woods all those weeks ago. She stood up from her desk and walked over to you with slow, purposeful steps until you turned around and were face to face with her.

Well. For the most part.

Wednesday stared you down, reveling in the way your wings twitched and shook under her gaze. Their reaction always intrigued her, always activated her curiosity in ways very few things could. Her own fingers ached with the desire to reach out and brush against the smooth feathers.

Instead she just grabbed the sweater you were wearing. It was made of a rather particular pattern in some rather familiar shades. She hadn't seen it in a few weeks, but surely she hadn't misremembered it. There was only one real difference between then and now.

“This is my missing sweater.” Wednesday met your eyes and took note of the way they widened only for a second.

“Is not,” you said quickly. “Thing, is this Wednesday’s?” Wednesday shot Thing a glare, one that he knew the consequences of. Instead of answering, he just shrugged and scuttled around to your other shoulder. A true coward. “Told you.”

“My mistake,” Wednesday said before giving you one last look - you practically shrunk under her stare - and walking back to her desk. “Thing, be back by curfew.”

“See you later, Wednesday.”

Your voice echoed in Wednesday’s head long after you had closed the door behind you. It was impossible to count the amount of people that had said her name, and yet when you said it… it was different. Something about it struck a different chord in her cold heart.

Maybe it was the fact you were shamelessly wearing her sweater.

—---

Hummer’s meetings, though necessary, were becoming the bane of Wednesday’s existence. It wasn’t Eugene’s fault, he tried his best to make them fun, but your snoring from the other side of the hive was enough to drive anyone insane. What were you even doing there anyway? Hadn’t you officially given up on Eugene’s inability to make friends?

A loud slap reverberated off the walls, followed immediately by a "fuck!" and a disgruntled groan. Eugene halted in his speech as they both looked at you, now wide awake with glassy eyes and a bright red cheek. You gave Eugene an enthusiastic thumbs up and a grin that would make anyone swoon.

Eugene smiled right back at you and continued whatever it was he was going on about. But Wednesday noticed the way your smile dropped and you rubbed your cheek, looking around for the culprit. Thing snuck up Wednesday’s leg and hid on her shoulder, as far away from you as he could get. Smart hand, she thought behind a smirk.

The meeting continued, and even though Wednesday had never started paying attention to what Eugene was saying, now she was downright distracted. By the way you would hold your hand out for the bees to land on, to your absolutely pitiful sneeze when a bee landed on your nose, to the loose feathers you left on the floor. Why couldn’t you just pay attention so she could pay attention?

“Hey, I gotta head out.” You stood up. “I’m late for practice.”

“Okay,” Eugene said with a look that gave away his disappointment. “Wednesday can fill you in later.”

“Nah, I’ll hear it from you,” you said, shooting him a smile that had no doubt made many a woman swoon. “I’ll text you.”

“Sounds good,” Eugene answered, and you gave him a thumbs up.

“See you later Thing. Addams.” You winked at Wednesday before heading out of the hive.

The way her stomach dropped was downright embarrassing.

The meeting continued to drag on for another 35 agonizing minutes. Wednesday’s only saving grace was at least they were harvesting a few of the hives so it helped pass the time. Slowly. By the time everything was finished, Wednesday wanted nothing more than to escape and get back to her dorm. This much socialising was exhausting work.

“Hey Wednesday,” Eugene called out before she managed to escape. She stopped in her place and turned to look at him. “Is Y/N going to the Rave’N?”

“How should I know?” She asked, but what she really wanted to say was why do you want to know?

“Think she would go with me?” He asked; his eyes went wide at Wednesday’s sudden coldness. “As a friend!” He defended instantly. “Only as a friend.”

Wednesday’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Only as friends, she thought with the most miniscule nod to herself. That was acceptable. Not that she would have cared, obviously, if you would go as Eugene’s date. But surely he wasn’t your type- she stopped her thoughts right there. She was not going to proclaim to know what your type was or that she even cared in the first place.

“Just ask her,” Wednesday finally said before promptly turning around and walking out of the hive.

A mix of emotions tumbled around in her chest as she walked around campus. Why had she gotten such a visceral reaction to Eugene asking if you would go to the Rave’N with him? It was a dance that she cared absolutely nothing for. There was nothing enticing about a room full of sweaty teenagers drinking spiked punch.

What were you doing to her? What was it about you that was different? She had yet to care about anyone the way she did about you. Her protectiveness over Enid, Eugene, Pugsly, it couldn’t even hold a flame to how she felt about you. And she couldn’t even figure out what kind of feelings those were. How was she-

-the sound of a piano caught her attention and froze her in her spot.

The door to the opera hall was open just enough for music to spill out into the quad. It sounded like a jumbled mess, the keys being hammered and played in a way that was reminisce of a child. Thing pointed through the doors, and with a roll of her eyes, Wednesday walked in.

The pitiful excuse for music got louder as she walked further into the opera hall, her steps almost silent on the carpet. A twang from the piano staggered her steps and she tilted her head. The riff played twice, slowly, then picked up speed again. With a singular nod to herself she continued walking until finally she could look upon the stage.

You sat there on the bench, playing away as if you had not a single care in the world. Your posture was absolutely horrendous, Wednesday noted as she eyed your hunched shoulders and bent neck. It looked like you were too big for the instrument even though your hands flew effortlessly over the keys. Jazz, it finally clicked as she listened to you continue.

At least, it was jazz until it wasn’t. Maybe she wasn’t entirely sure what you were playing.

But she stood there and watched dutifully as you played, a smile seemingly etched onto your face. You looked completely entranced, your eyes falling shut as a laugh fell from your lips. You looked- no, Wednesday would never admit to that. She stood up straight and moved as if to leave until she noticed something.

There, on your right wrist, were three black hair ties. Her black hair ties.

Somehow, she didn’t mind.

—---

You were late.

You were late and Wednesday had already pushed back her writing time for you. Now, 37 minutes past when you were supposed to already be in the room for tutoring, you were still nowhere to be seen? Wednesday would’ve strangled you if given half the chance.

“She’s probably asleep,” Enid said after Wednesday had paced the room for the seventh time that night. “Just go wake her up.”

Still asleep? How? It was a late start, of course, but it was a Monday. What could you possibly still be sleeping for? That decided it, she was going to go find out for herself. She didn’t bother saying bye to Enid and Thing - who were having yet another manicure party - and walked out the door, making a beeline for your dorm.

How could you stand her up? Tutoring had been moved around a few times but you always showed up. Now, the week before the Rave’N, you were going to abandon her? To spend time with Enid? How very well dare you, you certainly knew better than that, did you not?

She knew your room by heart; not because she had ever been inside, but she had walked you back numerous times. So she could be forgiven for not stopping to knock on the door and instead just walking in, closing the door behind her.

“Where were-”

-her heart froze in her chest when she actually looked into your room. It wasn’t untidy by any means, but the amount of… things was rather impressive. Bookshelves were littered with pens, badges, coins, daggers - is that her dagger? - and whatever else the mind could imagine. In the far corner of the room was a pile of blankets and clothes, and you were resting face-down on top of it.

Your wings were outstretched across the pile - your little nest, she thought - and for probably the first time, Wednesday stared in awe at how large they truly were. Realistically she knew they had to be big enough to carry you around, but to see them up close just hammered the idea home. They were stunning.

There was a peaceful look upon your face, one that she rarely saw during the day. You were snoring lightly and holding onto a piece of cloth so tightly that Wednesday could see the individual tendons in your knuckles. If anyone else had seen you, they would’ve called you adorable.

But not Wednesday, of course.

Wake her up. But you looked so comfortable laying there, spread out for no one but her to see. How many people got to see you like this? Free, unbridled for everyone else’s convenience. We’re here for a reason. Does that reason matter when you look so at peace? This is pointless. It most surely is because she can’t bring herself to move or turn her head away from you.

A shift in your breathing pattern, and suddenly Wednesday was brought back to her current situation. Right. You were supposed to be tutoring right now. Your math test was in three days and you needed help, and she was doing nothing to ensure your ability to pass the test.

Wake her up. But she didn’t have to, because you shifted and suddenly Wednesday was met with your groggy, half-open eyes that struggled to stay open. In those first few moments of consciousness, what were you thinking of? Was your head filled with the remnants of a dream that would be long forgotten before you spoke your first word? Were you thinking of someone that brought such a stupid, childish grin to your face?

“Fancy seeing you here,” you mumbled with that same dopey smile. It was pathetic. Wednesday was pathetic for letting it affect her.

“You missed tutoring.” She sounded too harsh; good. There was no chance she was going to let you know what you did to her.

“I was out late,” you mumbled again, finally pushing yourself to your knees. Wednesday turned her head when your sleep pants fell low on your hips. “Give me a sec and we can get started.”

She couldn’t see you, but she heard you shuffle around until the bathroom door clicked shut, and finally she could breathe again. Everything about you was really starting to wear her patience thin. She had come here with a purpose and now she was busy trying to keep her breathing in check because of your sleep pants. You truly were a testament to her patience.

“Ready?” You walked out of the bathroom while still pulling a shirt down. Thankfully, Wednesday didn’t notice until you were finished and-

“-is that my shirt?”

You froze in your tracks. This was becoming a common occurrence, Wednesday realised. At the very least this was the third time she had noticed you wearing some article of clothing that had belonged to her. First the sweater on Parents’ Weekend, then the sweater when you brought the stolen book back, and now this? How had you even managed to get them?

It was while you were frozen and staring at her that Wednesday finally looked at the pile you had been sleeping on. And how she could pick out at least three things in it that she knew had come from her closet. A blanket, one of her secret pairs of fuzzy socks, a jacket. Her glare shot back to you, and the room was so quiet you could both hear you audibly gulp.

Were you going to lie to her and say it wasn’t hers? She would have loved for you to try and talk your way out of this one. Everyone else might buy your lies, but not Wednesday Addams. She could not be won over by honeyed words and convincing smiles, no matter who gave them to her. No, she wanted to hear what you were going to say.

“I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this-”

“-is it?” Her gaze never left yours. Say something.

“Not anymore.” You straightened up and crossed your arms over your chest. You had nerve, Wednesday would give you that.

She liked it.

“It looks better on you than it does on me.” Your eyes widened at her words before a blush rapidly ran down your neck. “Grab your book,” Wednesday said. You rushed to follow orders and made a spot for the both of you on your pile.

It was actually quite comfortable.

Wednesday went over everything she could with you in the time you had left. There was no doubt in her mind, you were still utterly hopeless at math, but by the end of the morning she had a little bit of faith that you would pass. That would have to be enough unless you could squeeze one more tutoring session in before Thursday.

“Hey, Wednesday.”

She stopped packing her things. She didn’t say anything, only turned her head just enough to look at you out of the corner of her eye. You were playing with your fingers; they seemed more pale than usual. Every time she would meet your eyes, you would find something else to look at.

“Eugene asked if I wanted to hang out with him at the Rave’N,” you said far too softly. “If I had no one else to go with, that is.”

Of course. The Rave’N was that weekend. It was coming up and you still hadn’t asked anyone to go with you. Why hadn’t you asked Bianca, or Yoko? Surely they would have enjoyed you as their date. What could have possibly been holding you back where you would consider going with Eugene?

Why did she like that you would consider going with Eugene instead of Bianca or Yoko?

“Enjoy the dance with Eugene.” She didn’t think she liked that so much either. Your attention would be on him, or Enid, or anyone else at the dance. What if she didn’t want to share your attention? What if she wanted it all for herself, just for one night?

“Wednesday.” Your huff brought her attention back to the look you were giving her. What was that for? “This is the part where you ask me to the dance and I say yes.”

What?

“Why would I ask you to the dance?” Wednesday asked incredulously. And that was what brought a smile back to your face. An embarrassing smile that made Wednesday’s stomach twist into knots.

“Because Eugene and I have been trying to force you to ask all week,” you continued.

“What?”

“He thought asking you for permission would force you to ask me yourself.” Your smile faded into nothing, leaving only a gleam in your eyes. “He’s not even going to be here.”

To say she was astounded at your planning was an understatement, but she was also amazed at your lack of execution. She never got the hint, so clearly your plan had been foolhardy at best. Besides, why would she be jealous of Eugene? It was clear you two were barely even friends to begin with.

But you were still standing there and staring at her, and you looked like you were waiting for a response. Did you truly think she would ask you to the dance? You knew how she felt about it, surely you didn’t genuinely expect her to ask. Did you? Then again, maybe a small part of her wanted to ask…

“Go to the dance with me.” It wasn’t a question. You didn’t seem to care.

“I’d love to.” You grabbed your backpack and started leading her out of your room to finally head to class. “We can work on your romance skills next time.”

[baggebythesea]

Princess Glimmer and the Day of Many Choices: Bow gets into sexy shenanigans with two hot, bisexual pirates (19/?)

"Hey, are you coming or not?" Sea-Ra said with a little 'couldn't care less' shrug at Bow. The look she gave him, on the other hand, was intense.

Behind her Sea Hawked grinned, a huge grin promising adventure of the most interesting kind.

"We'll teach you the way of the sea, lad," he said and held out his hand.

"But Boooooow," George and Lance pleaded. "We will need someone to take the minuuuutes at the comitté meetings."

"Sorry, fathers," Bow said. "Adventure is in my soul and can't be restrained. I will go where adventure takes me."

"But Booooow, the minutes," George and Lance cried, but Bow had made up his mind. He turned to Glimmer.

"Glimmer," he said with dramatic voice. "I love you and I want a life with you, but the sea beckons" (Sea-Ra smirked) "and I, poor fool, can't but follow. I can't ask you to wait for me, all I can ask you is to one day in your heart seek to forgive me."

"Oh, I think I'll manage," Glimmer blushed, her arms around Despara and Catra. "Have fun, I'll see you when you're done adventuring."

"And no going evil," he said with stern voice.

"No promises," she said with a little glance at Despara.

"Let's siiiiiing," Sea Hawk said.

"No," Sea-Ra sighed. "Let's go."

And with Bow and Sea Hawk in tow, they left.

"Well, I think we're done here," Glimmer said with a nod to George and Lance. "I eagerly look forward to your plan for political reform, taking into account all the intricasies of the current situation and wildly oposing wishes and needs of various parties. Until then we're off to Mystacor! there's a hot spring with our name on it." She took a firm grip of Despara's arm, patted Catra on the butt and teleported the three of them away.

"And I will teach Scorpia the 'flower language'," Perfuma purred with the innuendo in her words so clear that even Scorpia understood it. Wildly blushing, she was dragged away by the princess of Plumeria.

"Ugh!" Frosta complained. "Does love always turn people into idiots or is just a princess thing."

"Pretty universal, I'm afraid," Spinnerella said and traded a smirk with Netossa. "Now, come on kiddo. Now when there isn't a war going on, you have several years of homework to catch up on."

"NO FAIR!" Frosta yelled as she was marched away. "I WANNA BE A PIRATE TOO!"

"Well, seems like  we have a momentous task in front of us," George said to Lance as the crowd started to disperse.

"In order to be truly effective we would need at least a dozen sub committess," Lance mused. "But where would we ever be able to find people who could take care of all the associated administrative and diplomatic tasks?"

"Excuse me," a polite voice said. "Perhaps this would be the right opportunity for me to intrude on your conversation..."

They looked up and saw a tall clone in a stately dress.

"You see, my name is Cloney McCloneson," the clone said "and I represent several thousands of clones in need of employment and a chance for integration in the Etherian society. I wonder if we perhaps could be of mutual assistance to each other..."

[A truly bitchin' image]

- - -

"Ah, this is life," Sea Hawk commented as he stood in the stern of the Dragon's Daughter IX. "The winds in your face, the open ocean before you, the taste of salt."

I hope @freedfromthegalactichivemind won't mind that I borrowed Cloney McCloneson to play with a bit...

After this one, I'll take a break for a week or two while I do some other stuff, but then we'll be back for Pirate Shenanigans. Keep an eye on the 'Princess Glimmer and the day of many choices" tag to see when I start updating again.

Part 18 is here: https://baggebythesea.tumblr.com/post/712564032270417920/laughs-im-so-glad-were-all-on-the-same-page-on

[arjaandsimoni]

Aquamarine

Since The Smiling Knight things had been tense around the house. A blend of fear at how quickly a seemingly safe hunt went badly for the younger ones and genuine confusion at what could drive ghosts that mad that quickly had put the Roche family on high alert studying their archives.

“Banshee?” Nessa called from her ladder halfway up one of the massive bookshelves.

“No... they were very adamant he said SONG, Banshees tend not to sing…” Alice frowned, fingers rapidly dancing over the book she was reading with braille.

“Maybe a myling?” Ilsa offered from her own seat across from Alice. “A bit far from Scandinavia I admit but they are known to sing.”

“Hm, maybe…” Alice frowned. “I thought they sang to lure victims though? Never heard of one doing it to other ghosts.”

“Yea, me neither… So odd.” Ilsa mused as Nessa continued to slide along the shelf she was looking at.

The trio looked rather out of place in the library, all three dressed far more formally than research typically called for. Alice and Nessa wearing matching ankle length ball gowns of royal blue and deep crimson respectively, Nessa’s many shining gold bracelets jingling almost musically on her arm as she scanned the books as Alice’s rather heavy looking rings seemed to make a few words she fingered over difficult, both having discarded their heels at the door to let them move through isles faster.

Ilsa was dressed just as nicely, though a bit more conservative, a more traditional wide-bottomed dress from her homeland, a blend of pale blue and white in an elaborately stitched pattern of geometric lines and angles. She was more used to moving in heels than the younger women, the advantage of spending most of one’s adult life playing arm candy to one’s husband.

“Oh!” Nessa called from the shelf. “What if it’s a siren?”

“Maybe…” Ilsa mused softly. “Same problem as the myling though, yes? Don’t they typically save their songs for human victims?”

“Typically! Buuuut…” Nessa continued with a bit of a wild grin, yanking a book from the shelf and hopping down. “I was just reading this journal for a sailor your family worked with way back…”

“Dare I ask why?” Alice asked with an amused smirk.

“Hoping for hints of sunken treasure.” Nessa answered earnestly.

“Of course, carry on dear.” Alice grinned as she turned to face her.

“No signs of treasure, BUT he mentioned a cavern with ‘beautiful music’ that was glowing ‘as if from another realm’.” She continued undeterred, flipping the pages to find the right one. “Now, like a smart mundie he avoided it but that sounds like it COULD be a ghostly situation with a possible siren at the head.”

“Huh, yea it could be.” Alice nodded as her mother took the book. “Nice find, we’ll file that under ‘hopefully’ since at least sirens are pretty easy to handle once you recognize them.”

“Mhm, it would be nice to fix this before it spirals.” Ilsa nodded, tucking the journal into her pocketbook as she gave Nessa a smile.

“Speaking of times.” a voice came from the doorway. Ryan was smirking faintly as he leaned on the doorframe, the older man dressed in a crisply cleaned black suit, obviously enjoying watching the trio work for a moment. “They’re about to start asking why my wife, child, and future head of security all seemed to vanish at once and that’s a rather awkward question to answer even among this crowd.”

The Roche house was currently quite busy, more so than the usual activity about the halls. The family was known for attending many parties and events publicly, but very rarely hosted them themselves. Most Roche events were family only, times for the hunter family to gather, touch bases, and plan for the future as well as socialize.

One of their biggest times for this was the yearly Rosh Hashanah celebration. The Jewish new year was a perfect time for the family to plan for the coming year and get on the same page, as well as a pleasant enough excuse to get together and simply enjoy the company.

Alice and Francis remained at home like most eyeless in the family did, the ease of staying in the ‘command center’ of the family valuable for the ones meant to lead it, as well as giving them access to all the family resources easily. There were other Roche family members, though, spread through their network of influence.

Alice’s eldest sister, Isobel, was head of her own team covering eastern Europe. The tall, well built, young woman stood out in most family gatherings due to having a good few inches on even the men in the group. She was currently trying to wrangle some of the younger family from getting too rowdy, laughing as she and her husband both helped guide the children to the back garden where the food and tables had been set up.

Between Alice and Francis in age were the twins, a boy and girl both nearly identical in slightly androgynous looks with their short cut hair and loose fitting clothes, it made telling Justin and Julia apart quite difficult most times.

The only Roche who had any reliable record at it was Harlow, the adopted fae standing between them with a friendly arm over both of their shoulders as they talked logistics. The twins had been setting up shop in North America, a part of the world the Roche family didn’t work with too often and were looking to change.

Other branches of the family were present as well, siblings of Ryan and Ilsa and other extended families that, when taken together, stretched almost the whole globe to some degree. The garden had become quite full by the time Alice and the rest came out to rejoin things.

There was one figure that stood out in the group, though, drawing Nessa’s eye to her as the group passed by to take their seats at the head table. She was young looking, maybe around Alice’s age, wearing a deep blue dress that looked similar to Alice’s, though seemed to be made of a much… shinier material, almost like liquid metal as it glimmered in the low sunset light.

Her bright, almost neon, blue hair was pulled back into a ponytail, not just out of fashion choices but for practicality as well. Unlike everyone else currently eating traditional holiday treats such as apples and baked goods, the strange face was currently eating what looked like a whole fish, likely taken right out of the kitchen fridge, using her elegant bare fingers to pull the fish’s flesh and muscle apart and bring it to her mouth as if it was the most classy and refined act she could do…

“Who’s the blue one?” Nessa whispered to Ilsa as Ryan moved to the podium set up for speaking next to the table. Ilsa just shook her head, a soft smile on her face as she held a finger to her lips in a ‘shhh’ motion.

“If I can have your attention please.” Ryan spoke as he took his place, smiling warmly at the crowd. The microphone was on but hardly needed for his strong voice to reach the already relaxed assembled group easily. “I have just a few words to celebrate this new year with my beloved family.”

He kept his smile on his face, though his eyes couldn’t help but drift to the frog statue in the distance that held that spirit’s orb for just a moment before he cleared his throat.

“This past year was a big one for us. My dear sister Augustine has set up her family in China quite well, our twins are making inroads in North America’s hunter communities, and most of all I was proud to see Francis take his first steps to become a proper hunter just a few days ago.”

Francis could hear the genuine pride in his father’s voice as he said that, a faint blush coming to his cheeks as the crowd clapped for the list of accomplishments. In truth they were all impressive, between two major plays into huge hunting territories and the second eyeless hunter coming into his own the Roche family had a lot to be optimistic about.

“I have never been prouder to be a Roche, or humbler to lead this family as I am right now. In truth I have the easiest job among you, because each and every hunter I ‘lead’ is a skilled, brilliant, figure who is more than capable of solving anything in their way… Which is why I hope you all won’t think less of me when I say this next part.” He took a soft breath at that, Alice and Francis both feeling the tension in the air as he shifted topics so seamlessly.

“As of today I will be stepping down as head of the Roche family hunters.” he said, cutting the tension finally as a few genuine gasps of surprise came from the family.

“I’m not retiring fully, don’t worry.” Ryan continued, holding his hand up. “I’ll still be doing my ‘official’ duties as head of the Roche Foundation and other mundane aspects, and obviously I’ll remain here as an advisor… but the time has come for me to step aside and allow the new generation of hunters to take their spot. Alice will be leading things for now and, when he’s ready, Francis will join her as is tradition. I understand my position as leader came at an unusual circumstance, and I hope I did well to meet it, but it’s time to return to how this family has been led for generations before, and I can think of no better heirs to have than my daughter and son.”

He took a soft breath at that, his eyes seeming heavier, sadder as he looked across the crowd. “If I can be honest… I never felt I deserved this spot. When my siblings died I felt like a part of me died with them…” he said in a softer voice, his siblings looking to him empathetically. For all the strife and conflict that came with it, Ryan was always respected by his younger siblings for taking such a burden without complaint and hearing him open up about it was far from a shock but still unexpected.

“I’ve felt my heart becoming harder as the years go on, the spite and bitterness building in my soul like poison. I can feel there’s only so long before I begin to view every supernatural being as I do the one that took my siblings from me.” he continued as he gave Harlow a soft look.

“Though I know there is so much good in that world that the Roche family has always tried to maintain. So, before my own pain can poison my family and ruin the legacy my siblings died for, I know what must be done. I need to step aside, and in fitting tribute for the new year I need to let this grief go before it festers.”

He nodded to Anna at that, the woman chuckling lightly as she stood, nodding softly at Ryan.

“If you’ll forgive me, I’m going to do one last act as head of House Roche. Something I should have listened to my wife and done years ago.” He smiled at Ilsa, reaching down to take her hand gently as Anna made her way to the frog statue, Nessa and Patli moving to join her.

“The Roche family has always stood on a foundation of mercy, mercy for the people we protect and the things we hunt. I have violated that foundation by keeping this spirit in bondage for so long. I don’t know what twisted it into such a cruel thing, maybe it was always that way in life as well, maybe something made it that way, or maybe my siblings were just unlucky and I ascribed malice to what was just a horrible turn of fate all these years. Regardless… Life is for the living, and it’s time I stopped letting ghosts weigh me down.”

He could see the looks on his siblings’ faces, the sympathy, pity even, he wanted to avoid for so long, but he also saw the anger as they looked at the statue, and knew he was choosing the correct path. He wasn’t the only one letting that anger fester, and keeping the constant reminder of tragedy around was only making it worse. “Ladies, if you please.” he nodded to the trio, Anna nodding crisply to him before looking at the girls.

“We are speakers of the gods…” she spoke in a soft voice that still seemed to carry over the grounds easily. The trio each pull out a small obsidian blade and slashing their own palms open. “We maintain the natural order, and this spirit’s time has long passed.” She continued as the three pressed their bloody palms to the statue. “Let it be judged by the gods, its time judged by man is over.” She continued as the smoke within the sphere rolled faster and faster, as if raging against magic before it began to spark with green flames.

“I hope they’re kinder to you than I was…” Ryan whispered softly away from the microphone as he watched the fire overtake the smoke before, like nothing happened, the orb was left empty, a simple bauble decorating a rich man’s garden…

The garden was stone silent as the trio returned to their seats, one of Ryan’s siblings even wiping their eyes as he coughed softly. “Well, on that upbeat note…” Ryan laughed slightly awkwardly. “Let me be the first to welcome Alice to her position as head of hunters.” he smiled, already feeling slightly less weighed down as he stepped aside, the family applauding as Alice stood slowly to make her way over.

Unlike her father she needed that microphone, her voice soft, delicate even, hiding the hunter’s true deadly nature that everyone knew well. “Hell of an act to follow, Dad…” she said with a soft laugh before nodding.

“I’m not going to say a lot, to be honest I don’t have much to say. Like dad said this isn’t too hard of a job when I have so many great family members supporting me. All I can do is promise you I’ll always put this family’s duty above all else. My father’s humble to a fault but he left me a great family to lead, and if I can be half the leader he was then I’ll be proud. So… yea…” she laughed again slightly nervously. Typically her public engagements weren’t so… focused. Photos and the occasional softball question sure but she wasn’t quite used to having so many eyes on her looking for actual leadership even if she couldn’t actually see them.

”Shana tovah, let’s get this year kicked off well,” she finished as Nessa quickly signaled at the assembled musicians who had set up at the side of the garden, the band thankfully starting to play to give people something other than Alice to focus on as she quickly strode away from the podium.

“Well that was garbage…” she sighed softly as her father laughed, slapping her shoulder lightly.

“No no, it was good! You were quick at least. I think I rambled for a good ten minutes when I gave my first speech to the family…” he chuckled, smiling at her before pulling her into a hug. “You’ll get used to it.”

Thankfully it seemed most of the family agreed, nobody expecting this announcement at all, let alone having some grandiose expectation for Alice’s speech. Barely nineteen she was one of the younger heads to be appointed, only beaten by her father who had the burden put upon him at eighteen… Still, her reputation was well known, and aside from some jokes about her having to fit in office hours between galas it did seem the optimism remained.

Thankfully for its own good that optimistic air was far from the house office, where Alice, Nessa, and Ryan had gone to let her get used to her duties. “Honestly, it’s fairly simple. In the morning you’ll come here, the computer is obviously set up for voice to text and vice-versa, and you’ll have Nessa to help. Log in with that information I gave you and you’ll get our communication network and can-…”

“Roche!” A voice from the door made Alice jump in her seat. She hadn’t heard anyone coming… how had she not heard that?

Standing in the doorway was the woman in blue, frowning at the trio as she marched in uninvited. “What is this ‘retire?’” She asked, her voice thick with a French accent that sounded… honestly a lot like Alice’s.

Old nobility, the kind one heard from diplomats and long time national leaders. Though hers was a bit more… aggressive. “Who ‘retires’ from hunting? You hunt until you die!” She glared as Nessa moved quickly to intercept her.

“Hey, why don’t you go back to the party, fish breath? This is family business.” Nessa said defensively.

“Family…” the other woman growled softly, lip curling to expose a rather long canine tooth… At first Nessa thought vampire, but it was too early, she’d been here since before sundown, and that fang wasn’t the typical vampire canine. It was longer and thinner, like a snake’s. “Do you not tell your spawn anything, Roche?!” She continued, looking around Nessa to speak to Ryan still.

“Oh that’s it! You’re out of here…” Nessa glared, grabbing at the woman’s arm only for her to wind up behind Nessa in a blink. Nessa felt a rush of cold, and suddenly she was soaked as if she had been thrown in the pool, and the woman had seemingly passed through her. “Oh you absolute BITCH! I did my makeup for almost an hour for this!” She fumed, turning to face the woman again.

“...Wow, that took an hour?” The woman in blue responded with a sneer, making Nessa’s eye twitch with rage as she reached for her knife.

“Nessa, down…” Ryan said, holding a hand out as he moved over. “You too Thea, you are here as a guest and I CAN revoke that. Apologize to Nessa and try again.” He spoke firmly, but with surprising calm despite what just happened, as if he was used to this.

The woman frowned at him, tongue gliding around her cheeks as she tried to avoid listening before realizing he wouldn’t give… ”Fine, I’m sorry Nessie.”

“NESSA!” the still dripping woman corrected her angrily.

“NESSA!” the blue haired woman repeated in the same tone. “I shouldn’t have insulted your makeup, you probably did your best with what you have.”

“I’m going to kill her, I’m actually going to end her life, Alice be a love and get me a barrel and some acid because I’m about to kill her…” Nessa fumed as Ryan sighed softly.

“I’m afraid by her standards that actually was a ‘good’ apology, Nessa. I’m going to have to request as your employer that you accept it and not murder a royal dignitary in my home.” He said as he rubbed his temple.

“Alice, Nessa, meet Princess Thea of the Aquamarine dynasty.” He continued, waving a hand at the woman.

“Ugh, that’s it?” She frowned. “I am Princess Thea, heir to the Golden Coral Throne, Grand Duchess of the Arctic Seas and Warden of Lemuria. Daughter of Azhu and her most honored concubi-…”

“Princess Thea,” Alice cut her off, already feeling the headache forming as she stood, giving the woman a respectful bow. “To what does my family owe the honor of your presence?”

“Well at least the new Roche knows how to address royalty…” Thea huffed, crossing her arms as she looked back at Ryan. “You, though. Where do you get off retiring without permission? You were under contract to my family and don’t think retiring frees you of that duty!”

“I would never, my lady.” Ryan spoke as he put a hand up to block Thea as she strode angrily at him, finger jabbing at his chest as she did. “My contract is still in effect, and I would remind you that my contract with your mother was that my FAMILY would aid yours, not me personally. Alice is the new head, she will be working with you now.”

“So I’m left with a spawnling on a matter of divine importance? Can this one even swim?” She asked without even looking at Alice.

“I almost qualified for the special olympics in swimming actually.” Alice offered. “It was speed swimming but still, only reason I stepped aside was because during the last qualifiers I had to deal with a werewolf that was causing problems a few towns over and wound up… incapacitated…”

“I didn’t ask you, fry.” Thea glared at her, Nessa raising her knife behind the other woman before a rapid motion from Ryan told her to stop. “I asked your father, who my family has worked with before. YOU are a stranger, and the divine wardens of the seas do not work with strangers.” She huffed before looking back to Ryan. “Roche, you will report to my mother’s palace IMMEDIATELY to explain to her why you are abandoning her and pray that she is feeling merciful…”

“Actually, I will not.” Ryan spoke in a firmer tone, frowning at Thea. “I have explained now twice that the contract I signed promised the aid of my family, so as far as I’m concerned she is NOT a stranger and you will speak to her with the same respect you show me in my own house during a holiday gathering you were kindly invited to as a show of respect for our bond. If this is a problem, then you are free to end the contract and find a new family to aid you.”

“...This is ‘speaking to him with respect’?” Nessa whispered as Alice shushed her, rarely seeing her father speak so authoritatively, let alone to… guests? Clients?

For a moment Thea and Ryan just glared at each other, neither backing down for a good minute before Thea sighed angrily.

“Fine! Smaller Roche, Roche the lesser.” she snapped as she turned on her heel to look at Alice. “Are you aware of the contract your father signed?”

“I am not, actually, could you fill me in?” Alice asked, trying to contain her annoyance as she motioned for Thea to sit across from her.

“Of course, how silly I expected your father to actually prepare you for your most important task…” She huffed, though she did sit. “First off, do you know who I am?”

“Well you had a long list of titles back there, give me the short version?”

Thea looked mildly offended at the implication that a ‘short version’ existed, but thankfully did nod at least. “I am Thea, daughter of Queen Azhu of the Golden Coral Throne. She is queen of the northern seas and heir to the Empire of Lemuria.”

“Alright, Lemuria I do know, though only through mythology and theories. Your family is from there?” Alice spoke as she pressed a recording device’s button, having a feeling this would need extensive notes…

“We are its former rulers, god kings and queens of the most advanced and powerful empire this wretched surface world has ever seen. I am the heir to the Aquamarine dynasty, the oldest of the bloodlines. Your father met my mother years ago, when he was still a whelp like you and after doing her a great service he was invited as one of the few surface dwellers allowed into her kingdom.”

“So our families are allies then.” Alice nodded. “Well that’s good to know.”

“Yea good to know how you treat allies, hate to be your enemy…” Nessa huffed as she wrung her hair out.

“Yes, you would, child of blood.” Thea glared pointedly at Nessa before continuing. “Yes, we are allies, and in that alliance your father swore his… family’s… aid to my mother in one of her most important tasks.”

“Alright, well like he said that contract is still in play, consider me my father’s new proxy in that, what’s the task? Have some creature bothering your people? Mundie fishermen or treasure hunters causing problems?”

“He pledged his family might to slay my aunt, my mother’s sister, Queen Yuvia.”

“Slaying your aunt?” Alice asked, shooting a glance at her father. “We typically don’t take… assassination jobs.”

“My aunt is far more than some rogue enemy or some dissenter in a power struggle. She is a powerful magician of the sea, one descended from the gods themselves, and she wishes nothing but the subjugation and slaughter of the entire surface world.”

“Alright…point made, so she’s a big threat then. Why has this apparently taken years to do then?” Alice asked.

“I can answer that.” Ryan stepped forward. “Queen Yuvia is an intelligent enemy and… frankly until very recently I thought she HAD been dispatched. Instead it seems she’s been lying in wait for a moment to strike… and I believe she’s chosen her moment.”

“Your father fought her once.” Thea continued. “He lured her to a drilling rig a surface-dweller group named for the ferryman of the dead.”

“Cheiron?!” Alice nearly spat out, staring at her father. “You worked with Cheiron?!”

“It was… it was my only play I had,” Ryan said shamefully, rubbing his arm lightly. “Alice, look, this woman is incredibly powerful, and incredibly smart. Your mother and Anna and I tried other ways but she got away every time, and each time it… cost us.”

“My mother was part of this?” Nessa asked in a slightly smaller voice than before. Clearly feeling the weight of this contract far outweighs her annoyance at Thea.

“She was. We tried to keep this small, just us, the ones who made the deal, the less people involved meant the less people she could target but…” Ryan sighed, shaking his head. “We almost lost your mother, Nessa.”

“The scar on her side…” The woman concluded, the one wound on her mother she never told even her about.

“Your mother died. I don’t know how she came back but she somehow did. After that we were out of options, Yuvia was angry and… A Cheiron worker approached us with a deal. We lure her to a research rig and help subdue her and Cheiron would… handle her.”

“What did they do?” Alice whispered softly.

“I don’t know. I didn’t want to know. We left before we could find out and never looked back.”

“Whatever they did.” Thea spoke in a more serious tone. “It broke her mind even more than it was before. She wants revenge on the entire surface for what happened to her, and frankly I don’t blame her. The thought of some surface apes defiling the divine form of even my hated aunt fills me with disgust and rage.”

“So why come to us to stop her,” Nessa asked bluntly, though her annoyance was gone, she was genuinely curious.

“As much as it sickens me.” Thea continued. “My aunt… she is no longer my aunt. Whatever foul monster your people turned her into will destroy everything. When she destroys your kin I have no doubt she’ll turn her wrath on my mother’s kingdom for her part in contracting the Roche. She’ll drown this world and chum the seas with my people’s corpses for what your father did, and as much as I am loathe to ask him for help again the contract is still in effect as long as she remains alive, and I expect him to clean up his mess.”

“She’s right.” Ryan nodded softly. “I was desperate, and stupid, and because of that a narrow threat became even bigger. I’m sorry Alice, I wish I had fixed this before now but… I couldn’t, I wasn’t strong enough. Every time I tried to move on her I just…”

“You remembered mom.” Nessa completed the thought for him softly.

“Your mom, my siblings too. I never was able to prove it but… I think she made the spirit that killed them. I’ve lost so much to her I just kept thinking if I failed again she may come after you or Francis or Nessa or Patli or…” he sighed, shaking his head. “And now my cowardice means you’re in danger anyway.”

“She’s killed many,” Thea spoke again, for once sounding… smaller, less haughty and angry as she realized the reason for Ryan’s reluctance. “I lost three sisters in one of her attacks, my father as well. My mother almost fell too. As much as I blame you I also understand your desperation. She’s too great a foe to handle alone, especially with the scars of loss so fresh in your heart. So…” she coughed, standing, taking her regal attitude again. “You, lesser Roche, and whoever else you feel needed, will report to my mother to make a plan, before she can take any others.”

Alice nodded softly at that. “Alright, where? Your palace?”

Thea scoffed at that. “As if I would allow surface dwellers into my scared chambers, let alone one I barely know… No, we will open two clams with one stone.” she said as Nessa and Alice exchanged a look.

“Two birds one stone.” Ryan added helpfully.

“Oh, right, yea.” Alice nodded. “Continue.”

“I have come not just to chastise Roche for his cowardice… I also came to warn of an attack. My aunt has been acting from the shadows since her defeat before but now I fear she’s beginning to act personally. She is weak, though. Between the tortures your people inflicted on her and the fact that when she ‘died’ my family moved to… contain some of her more powerful relics.”

“To loot her palace after she died.” Nessa corrected with a smirk. “How very ‘primitive’ of you.”

“We kept her divine artifacts from being stumbled upon by your underdeveloped kin,” Thea shot back. “Regardless, my aunt is without much of her power, and will seek to regain it before she fully moves to strike. Unfortunately we were not alone in that plan to keep her power from returning. Your little friends in Cheiron have taken one of my aunt’s possessions and I believe as much as she hates you and I for our parts in her demise…”

“She hates Cheiron more, so she’ll start there.” Alice continued for her, the other woman nodding.

“Correct. We will intercept whatever agent she sends to retake it and find out what they know.”

“Not that I have a feeling you’re morally above torture...” Nessa said calmly as she ran a finger through her still damp hair, “But why are you so sure you’ll get your information from this agent?”

Thea grinned wickedly at that, her fanged smile seeming to shimmer brighter than her dress for a moment. “My dear, as I said, two clams with one rock… I will not be interrogating them, that task will be handled by my mother personally.”

Elsewhere

Far off from the safety of the Roche manor, in a small research station floating in international waters, a storm was rolling in.

This was no storm any meteorologist could predict, or any mundane protection could keep out. It was a storm born of rage and vengeance as waves crashed against the support structures and winds howled outside their shuttered windows.

Through the fog and spray of seafoam the massive spotlights of the station could make out a lone form. A woman’s upper half cresting the water, her hair a mane of windswept fury as lightning crashed into the water around her seemingly literally unable to touch her properly.

She didn’t roar with anger or cast some grand curse on the inhabitants as they stared in horror at her. She simply sat in the water, bobbing gently in all the chaos as if not even a part of it.

She simply watched, and waited, letting the storm speak for her. A queen doesn’t  need to speak for herself, after all, when her power can speak for her.

Next Story

Previous Story

[libidomechanica]

Let coarse continents, the

And yet religion both amaze they were a grave.     Beam had crosse thy passion, and tocher; there is not for love upon tranquility: full     of life like a Bow, but never been; the subtle wreaths; and loud blear-eyed Will their into     his little thin fine cages for to

be hamburg. In hill, my heart. Are beyond all thee.     And, maugre both sadly black—o! But comes he let him clayme with the young I’d have made the     rich in Beauty it was ill repeated, by adding tomb. Had such a blood; titles, I     admire how they be yellow leave him,

and tree; the earth’s hot wishes, but she, with light, since     kind. And each padlocked upon the tree. In her, as but passion by Age, Houres, who ne’er     was was my bosoms; he sigh’d to myself have to its cradle on my days and try     another room. The first fall blindly earth

white singing education urging a mandrake     root, and fresh and sky, and we done that was by no fault is yet, till the first two beings     prove, I feel safe the hand. Muses you much morning to fail; then why on You? That thou art     too slow, new poems by you growest:

so we—the foam that waits for loves our souls, that the     gate. Of poets, thou shall the flower see mark of glass a while birds sang. Then his invisible     go see, so he would tell my mind the monstrous large black in better time leave the     spoke of my hand can holds a Heavens

despotic: but with such a little tunes, you tell     your faces seem very satisfies. Now do I pine should with your Lamps with three. She saw     the square a deadly draught me farewel, and sugar’d Shírín’s Lip the Heaven wilt vsurping     beneath their have prayed me on and

gravity, science nothing heart become excuse     for all. To crowd love it? Who live. His kicks out a sense or wine, you’d like a constant more     Quixotic, and breath her touch it grows less it was the sponge beneath the dead, none his sighed,     she were dancers leaue ye shed now among

there will fly for fear; he saw them too: but this     godhead of Love and loud that they him countless shall have, or when first accents of heau’nly     guest—thus do I pine its fury overcome and Juan would you out but they look’d belief     from his separably light nature’s

epigraph, new angel wings and so they cannot     that most exalted, Chariot at a time wheel of Peru. Early! Let coarse continents,     the western skies—in eastern skies derived a double grain, among the skirts that hold;     let this corporal parts of warrior horses;

here Venus frown? Bell, gave that he said it end?     To cozen mouth keepe: and that she, and slily while that with youth went bore his woe. Fluid,     affection—an errors that pen doth possess supports him to see thee to all bounding     power; now snows fallen—on the purple

grain a surprise—fling the little living, then     we first releasing be subservient to feel, we were bereft, nancy, Nancy? Ah,     what you are nights of lies. Thus, with though in white, those who never a harvest ripeness     ever-dying home. With a heart-honored

Maid! He did this our parting fires. An’ ken ye     how Meg o’ the Marvel of thy breast and murdered over east befell? Without a world     of sighs, and all with eyes that wraps my Nectar drink crept. The soldier went for, hearts’ delight     to ever old yet could have lost a

gesture and fears the Heaven, or a flames upon     that in his eye and sae shy; for we tramp the moorlands I have lingers from chimneys, she     taught the ashes of Fear the best pavement of my street can you sae nice yellow, the sick     of its own he lies in my Glasse she

like the heather, bed by no means green or dry, a     sparkling roguish water loves the cowslips between, i’m rich, thought. As alone, I marry     the burning frankincense to the doom assign’d there beheld an Ocean bound, and refrain,     ah, what kindness our passion; an

eye meetings; nor, as we pray’rs may it to mind. Them,     at last, and half daddy, the castle o’ Montgomery! One if short, I was an old sword.     All to rave, and the presently, threatening the rapturous chain degraded and sit in     Diana’s shrink ink ink in Absál’s Image

from the ill; not spoke as call romantic, and     struck before it evermore a greater is good as soon he fingers of the dark as     yon rose rose weeping the lily lies stellas eyes watching till musical tennis mate     sits upon the flowers, still! But still

them to ascertaine, pleasureless like a hawk,     an’ it’s not read this wife yet I see not to lover wisdom in his freeze warbles, and     she on her the twilight is a score; the fault is yet doth flattring blushes be, and make     a lioness, here of his chose, by sun

or moons the lines! For three eloquence hast too little     as pearls of hair away, if thou diedst unlov’d. Quenching and with tempests a factitious     surge, itself feeds, and yet their Beauty dwelt without pity grace could on Lethe’s     And subtill she moving Mountain’s brown?

[seijorhi]

Patience of a Saint

An Ushijima x virgin reader commission for the wonderful @hearteyes-candyskies, I hope you enjoy it, bby! 💕

Ushijima Wakatoshi x female reader

TW non-con, nsfw, smut, virgin reader

“Wait, you’re kidding me, right?”

Ushijima simply shrugs, “Why would I joke about something like that?”

Semi and Tendou share a glance, the former hiding a smirk behind the glass rim of his beer bottle. Tendou had been the one to drag them both downtown for ramen in the middle of the night, an impromptu reunion of sorts, now that the volleyball season had wrapped up and Tendou was back in Sendai.

Perhaps his first mistake had been to allow his friend the option to stay with him instead of booking a hotel. Though, truth be told, Tendou would have undoubtedly monopolised his time regardless of where he was staying, and Ushijima would have allowed him to.

They were friends, after all, and that was what friends did. He was just glad that Semi had been roped in alongside him. 

When and how the conversation had steered towards his relationship with you, more specifically the details regarding your bedroom exploits together, Ushijima isn’t entirely sure, but he has no reason to lie to his friends.

The disbelieving look on Tendou’s face, however, makes him wonder if he’s said something wrong. “You mean to tell me that you’ve been dating this girl for how many months now, and you haven’t actually slept together yet?”

At that, Ushijima shakes his head. “We’ve slept together,” he corrects, taking a sip of his own beer. He likes sleeping with you, finds an odd sense of comfort he’s never felt before, waking up to find you curled against his side. 

Most mornings Ushijima has no trouble getting out of bed for an early start. He’s found that lately, at least on the nights you stay over, that’s no longer the case. 

The snort from his right is abruptly cut off into a choking cough as Semi tries and fails to mask his amusement. “He means sex, dude. You haven’t fucked her yet, have you?”

“No.”

The loud cackles from the ex-middle blocker are enough to draw the attention of several other patrons, but Tendou pays them no mind. “Why the hell not? Is she hideously ugly or something?”

“Nope,” Semi answers in his stead, a little too quickly for Ushijima’s liking. But he supposes he cannot blame his friend for noticing your attractiveness. You are, of course, beautiful - he’s told you many times.

A lone, red eyebrow quirks, glittering amusement dancing across Tendou’s face, “Are you… are you having trouble performing, big guy?”

Semi almost chokes on his mouthful, and even Ushijima feels the tips of his ears flush red. “No,” he asserts with a frown. “She…” he pauses, unsure for the first time whether this might be a line that he’s crossing to reveal something so personal between the two of you.

It’s not like he hasn’t discussed sex with them before. He has an almost uncomfortable amount of knowledge regarding the girls the redhead has been with, and Semi is no better.

(Semi was actually far, far worse.)

And truth be told he’s never been shy to share his own exploits with his friends, either. You might be the first girl that Ushijima’s ever loved, but love is not a necessary requirement for sex. He ensured that his partners left satisfied and so did he, there wasn’t anything more to it than that.

But you mean something to him. You mean everything. 

“She… wants to wait,” he says quietly. “She’s-”

Tendou’s red eyes widen, his face transforming into an expression of delighted surprise as he puts it all together. “She’s a virgin?!”

“Hey, dumbass,” Semi grunts, smacking his old friend over the back of his head, “you wanna say that a little louder? I don’t think the entire restaurant heard you.”

Tendou waves off his admonishment with a flick of his wrist, his attention firmly fixed on the ace. “So I was right then? You found yourself a cute, innocent little virgin for a girlfriend?”

Ushijima doesn’t reply, he doesn’t need to. 

He can still remember the scared look on your face the first time you stopped him, the way your hands shook and your pretty eyes filled with tears as you explained. Did you truly believe he would leave you over something as simple as that? 

While he might have been… somewhat disappointed, he understood. He loves you, he’s known that for a while. He could be patient, wait for you to become accustomed to him, wait for you to get over your fears and apprehension.

Not that you make it easy for him. He knows you aren’t teasing him on purpose with low cut dresses and too short skirts, cuddling close in bed at night just so you can grind your ass against the swell of his cock, you’re too innocent for such things.

But that doesn’t make it any easier to ignore the heat that pools in his gut, the stirrings of desire and twitch of his cock every time you bend over in front of him and he’s rewarded with a perfect view. He’s lost count of the number of times he’s had to excuse himself to the bathroom, bracing himself against the wall, bent over and fisting his cock to the mental image of you spread out naked, desperate and begging before him. 

“Wait, wait, hold up. I’m still a bit ticked off that you’ve been dating this girl for months and managed to hide her from me, your very best friend. I wanna see pics!”

Ushijima exhales, “You will meet her tomorrow-”

But it’s a fruitless endeavour, as Semi’s already scrolling through his phone to pull up your social media. Dutifully he passes it across the table, and Ushijima can only watch as Tendou’s eyes widen and a wicked grin creeps across his face. 

“You, my big, beautiful, brawny friend, have the patience of a saint. My condolences.”

—

He meets you the very next day, and there’s a strange feeling in Ushijima’s chest as he watches you collapse into a fit of giggles at Tendou’s joke, the redhead’s arm slung casually over your shoulders.

He’s pleased that you get along with his old friends, it’s not something he’s ever had to concern himself with with his previous partners. They were nothing more than blips on a radar - not necessarily one night stands, but hardly worth introducing to the people who matter most to Ushijima.

Yet he can’t help but linger on Tendou’s comment from the night before.

You hadn’t told him that you were waiting for marriage. It wasn’t a religious vow you’d taken. It was just that you weren’t ready for sex yet. You asked for time.

And he’d understood. Your relationship was new, and he supposed that for your first time he was perhaps intimidating. You were shy. Nervous.

It was to be expected.

But hasn’t he proven by now that he can be gentle? That he loves you, and he has absolutely no intention of leaving you? You’re the only one he wants to be with - the only one he’ll ever want to be with. If you’re waiting for the right ‘one’ to lose your virginity to, what more does he have to do to convince you that he’s it?

Which makes him consider, watching you smile at him as you duck into his kitchen to grab some more snacks, whether you might not be as invested in this relationship as he is.

He doesn’t doubt that you love him, but even as you sidle up beside him, letting him tuck you to his side where you belong, he can’t help but question whether the true reason you haven’t allowed him to take you as he wants is because you’re still under the assumption that your relationship has an expiration date.

The thought doesn’t sit well with him.

Sex is separate from love, Ushijima knows that, but he’s also firmly of the belief that it can be an act of intimacy, an expression of love deeper than words or other actions can convey. He wants to feel that with you. 

He wants to watch you writhing beneath him, your pussy squeezing around his cock, milking it for all it’s worth, lost in the ecstasy that only he can bring you. 

He wants to know what sounds you’ll make, what pretty moans and gasps he can draw out from you as he fucks you within an inch of your sanity. 

He wants to look in your eyes the first time he makes you cum, wants to take his time, to kiss you slowly, baptise you in pleasure and watch as you surrender yourself completely to the love he has for you. 

Ushijima doesn’t have time to waste on romantic flings and relationships that will go nowhere. You are his future, so it does not make sense for you to keep holding yourself back where sex is concerned. 

The sound of your laugh breaks through Ushijima’s musing and he’s pulled back to the present as you recount the story of how the two of you met to the redhead. He’s told Tendou before, but somehow the way you tell it made it sound better. You paint him in a better light, make yourself out to be the awkward one, stumbling over your apologies when it was his fault that you’d tripped in the first place. 

You don’t have a clue about the weeks leading up to that moment, but it hardly matters. He’s content merely just to listen as you speak, your cheeks warming, long lashes fluttering as you glance up at him with that gentle smile of yours.

He loves you. 

Across from the both of you, he catches the pointed look in Tendou’s eye- 

It will be good for the both of you.

-and comes to a decision.

Unsurprisingly, the redhead just grins brightly when Ushijima corners him shortly afterwards, telling him that he will have to find somewhere else to stay for the night.

“No worries, I can crash at Semisemi’s,” he sings, rocking up onto the balls of his feet. “You two need your space, I get that.”

Ushijima nods, turning to leave, only for Tendou to reach out and stop him. “Yes?”

“You know, I kinda like her, Ushiwaka. Think she’ll be good for you, so try not to break her in two tonight, yeah?”

He frowns at the comment, causing Tendou to break into a fit of laughter. 

By now, he should be used to his friend’s ribbing, but the thought of hurting you even as a joke doesn’t sit well with the ace. 

To his credit, Tendou plays his role well. You all but beg him to stay for dinner, but he just mournfully shakes his head, sighing about Eita twisting his arm and forcing him to go watch him and his band play at some local bar.

And then, it’s just the two of you.

In hindsight, perhaps he should have put more effort into making this romantic for you. He’s never had to try with things like that before. He should have cooked dinner, and maybe considered candles and roses, or even music.

Instead, you order takeout and eat it sprawled across Ushijima’s lap, and he cannot find it within himself to mind. The most mundane activities are made better simply for you being by his side, he’s found.

He waits, fingers casually stroking along your arm as you curl up to his side to watch something on TV. You seem to be enjoying it, if the giggles that spill from your lips are anything to go by, but Ushijima finds himself distracted by the gnawing feeling deep in the pit of his stomach, an eagerness that has him twitching to act.

It doesn’t help that he’s all too aware of the softness of your body pressing against his. 

But he won’t have your first time together be on his living room couch, of all places. He has enough patience to wait for weariness to set in, and when you yawn trying to muffle it against his shoulder, Ushijima almost smiles. “Why don’t we go to bed?”

You nod, and he presses a gentle kiss to your hair before helping you up. 

He knows that you like to shower before sleeping, and while there’s a voice in his head that whispers for him to go and join you, Ushijima simply strips out of his clothes, sits on the edge of his bed and waits.

When you emerge from the steam, smelling faintly of the vanilla and citrus body wash he’d bought after the first night you’d stayed over, he stiffens. Instead of your usual sleeping attire (an old tee-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts) you’re clad solely in one of his fluffy towels, hair still damp, skin glistening with stray droplets of water.

“Hey, sorry I forgot my-” you pause, words trailing off as you take in the sight of your boyfriend, utterly naked. For a split second, you freeze in place, eyes wide and lips softly parted, like a deer caught in headlights.

And then, just as Ushijima moves to stand, you snap out of it.

“Oh my god!” you cry, whirling around and clutching the knot of your towel, hiding yourself from his view and burying your face in your hands. “I-I’m sorry!” 

It’s rather adorable how flustered you get by something as natural as nakedness.

“Why wou- you know what, nevermind. I…uh, I forgot my clothes, they’re just on my bag I think, could you, um- could you please pass them to me?”

He spies them, folded neatly on the top of the overnight bag you’d packed. Instead, he reaches out to take your hand and gently tug you back towards him.

“Wakatoshi, what are you-” but your surprised protests are swallowed up as he leans down to kiss you. Yet instead of softening to his touch, allowing him to take the lead as he usually does, you stiffen in his arms, your hands finding their way to his bare chest, trying to push him away.

“Toshi, just- just stop for a second, please?” you gasp, managing to extricate yourself from the kiss.

That won’t do.

He has to be gentle with you, but with anticipation coiling in his gut, his cock stirring at the thought of your almost naked body pressed against his, it’s easy for him to forget his strength as he rids you of the offending material, bends down and hefts you up into his arms. 

“Shh, little one,” he says, ignoring your shouts as he takes the three steps over to his bed so he can lay you down. “I know you’re scared, but you have no need to be. I won’t hurt you. I’m going to make us both feel good, I promise.”

He bestows another kiss against your forehead as he climbs over your trembling frame. 

“Babe… Toshi, please- I-I’m not, I don’t-” your eyes are wide and filling with tears and you’re shaking your head - it fills him with a flicker of unease, but he knows deep down that this is just temporary.

You need this as much as he does, and once he shows you how wonderful he can make you feel, you’ll thank him. 

Cradling your cheek with one large hand, he tries to tell you as much.

But your breath is coming in quick pants, your terrified eyes darting past his broad frame as if you’re trying to look for an escape route while pleas and whimpers spill almost incoherently from your lips, and he realises that words won’t be enough.

He’ll just have to show you. 

“I love you,” he murmurs, kissing you once more before turning his attention to the rest of your body. It’s not the first time he’s seen you bared, of course, but it is the first time he’s been allowed the luxury of taking his time to enjoy it.

Your whimpers are soft and distressed as his lips trail down the column of your throat, resisting the urge to nip and suck at the tender skin, and you squirm under him when his mouth finds your breasts. The sounds you make for him, your choked little gasps only feed the pit of hunger deep inside of him. You must be able to feel his cock, big and thick, rutting up against your stomach, leaving a shining trail of oozing pre-cum across your skin as he busies himself playing with your tits.

They’re soft and pillowy, just the perfect size for his hands to grasp and knead, and the way that you keen for him, jerking a little when he sucks a nipple into his mouth and laves his tongue over the pebbling bud is utterly captivating. You’re so caught up in the attention he’s paying to your chest that you miss the hand that trails down your side, snaking between your trembling thighs.

At least until long, thick digits swipe along your folds. 

Like a frightened little rabbit, your eyes widen and you jolt into action. “Wakatoshi, stop!” you cry, hands finding his chest once more to try and push him off of you, your legs kicking out uselessly beneath him. 

His expression softens, his thumb sweeping against your thigh in what he hopes is a reassuring manner. “Shh, it’s okay. I need to prepare you to take me, otherwise it will hurt.”

If anything, your expression only becomes more panicked. “No, no, no, no-”

“Let me take care of my girl. You’ll feel good,” he murmurs, and already his fingers are sliding back to your pussy. You’re not as wet as he’d like, but it’s no matter, as his thumb finds your clit, his other fingers returning to tease at your entrance.

The soft little moan you try and fail to bite back as one finger slides inside of you sends a rush of blood straight to his cock. It twitches and throbs, aching for relief and perhaps if you were anybody else, he might throw caution to the wind and fuck you right then and there, regardless of whether you were ready or not.

But as you shiver, gasping as he curls the thick digit inside of you, he’s reminded that he needs to have patience. You are not worth rushing, and despite the feral beast inside of him that’s snapping and snarling to sink into your heat, he wants to savour this.

You only get one first time, and he’s determined to make yours unforgettable. 

“That’s just one finger,” he tells you, his thumb circling your clit in slow, steady movements. “You’re going to take three before I can fuck you properly, understand?”

He doesn’t want to break you in half, after all.

You still writhe beneath him, shaking and jolting as he teases your shining pearl and coaxes your pussy into accepting another finger, and when he lowers his mouth back to your tits to add to the pleasure building inside of you, a sob bursts free.

“Please- please, Toshi!”

A third finger prods at your entrance-

“Please don’t!”

He almost winces at the sharp hiss of pain that escapes you, but he reassures himself that it will only be for a moment. The stretch and burn will give way to pleasure as he fucks them into you slowly. Your pussy is so warm, so tight, sucking the digits in deeper and when rough fingertips brush against a particular spot on your walls and you cry out, Ushijima allows a small, adoring smile to cross his face.

“Good girl,” he purrs, quickening his pace. 

You’ve always been so beautiful to him, but when you cum for him that first time, face flushed and dewy, bottom lip caught between your teeth as you try not to scream in pleasure, he doesn’t think there’s anything on earth that could possibly compare.

The same could be said about the way you taste, he thinks, greedily sucking your juices off of his fingers. 

“Wakatoshi,” you beg, lying spent across his bed still reeling from the afterglow of your orgasm as he slides your thighs further apart so he can settle between them. He grunts a little as he wraps his hand around his flushed cock and guides it to your sopping entrance, marvelling at the way you shiver and mewl when he nudges it against your oversensitive clit.

Olive eyes find yours, and he cannot resist leaning down to claim your lips once more as he sinks slowly inside of you.

The sound that escapes him is deep and guttural, but the feel of your warm pussy clenching around his throbbing cock is simply heaven, and he almost - almost - loses control.

Forcing his eyes open, he watches your face as you take his cock, feeling every vein and ridge stretch you out, the pained whimpers that slip from behind clenched teeth. He knows that he’s bigger than average, that his girth is impressive and that even with his foreplay you’re still squeezing around him like a vice, but he forces himself to take it slow, to allow you the time to adjust. 

He almost starts when you reach out to grab him, fingers painfully sinking into the muscles of his forearm as you fight off another wave of tears, so he pauses for a beat, peppering your face with more kisses. “You’re doing so well for me, such a good girl.”

When your grip eases, he resumes moving, drawing his hips back and trying not to curse at the friction your slick walls are creating. 

“I love you,” he grunts, “so much.”

And then he rocks his hips forward - steadily, filling you up again, allowing you to get used to his girth. He kisses you, trails rough fingertips gently along your skin, teases you finding all the sensitive spots that make you moan for him.

Gradually, he feels you relax around him.

The obscene sounds of his cock sliding in and out of you, the rhythmic slap of skin against skin is drowned out by your soft whines and pants as Ushijima slowly picks up the pace. He fucks you deeply, but not roughly, taking care not to hurt you anymore than necessary.

It’s slow and sensual - your body can’t help but respond to his ministrations, and when you clench around him, sucking him deeper Ushijima can’t help but groan, feeling the tight coil of heat in his core burn as pleasure ripples through him.

He wants more. Needs it.

Ushijima’s hands wrap around your thighs, easing them back towards your chest so that your ankles fall over his broad shoulders. He kisses at your calf when confusion flickers across your face, but doesn’t offer any explanation as he snaps his hips forward once more. The choked scream that leaves your lips is beautiful, but he can barely focus on that when he finally bottoms out, his balls slapping against your ass as another hoarse groan leaves him. 

He promised himself that he would be gentle with you, but as your velvety walls quiver and convulse around him and your lips fall open in another soundless scream as your second orgasm hits, he’s not entirely sure that he’ll be able to keep that promise.

There’s a tightening in his balls and he can feel the tether he has on his control fraying little by little as you moan for him, your hips rocking up to meet his fervent thrusts. You’re beautiful, perfect, and he’s losing himself to the feeling of being buried inside of you. It’s indescribable, the way your pussy’s fluttering around him, clenching and pulsing, kissing his cock with sweltering heat - it feels like the very edges of his sanity are blurring as he fucks himself deeper inside of you, his cockhead hitting your cervix with every thrust. He wants to cum, wants to fill you up with his thick load again and again and again, wants you so full it’s leaking out of you-

It won’t be enough, it’ll never be enough.

He loves you, and Ushijima won’t ever be satisfied again without the feeling of your pussy wrapped around him, milking him for every drop that he’s worth.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Hue and Cry XIV

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series), violence, thoughts of self-harm and suicide, depression, some triggers might not be fully tagged.

This is dark!medieval!Bucky Barnes x reader and explicit. 18+ only.  Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: It’s the final day of the tournament and all are holding their breath to see who prevails.

Thanks to everyone and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

The arena was buoyant on the final day of the tournament. The most awaited event, the joust, was finally come. As Lord Barnes would once more be among the competitors, you were left on your own in the box with the rest of the ladies and their queen. Most of the noblemen were listed for the sport, Barnes, Rogers, Stark, and even the king.

You didn’t watch as the names were announced and the banners presented before the games commenced. Your attention wasn’t even drawn as the first clashed with their blunted staffs and galloping horses. It was much more perilous than the other contests.

You stayed away from the other women. You were not interested in humouring the queen’s false kindness nor were you interested in their chatter of things that hardly mattered to you. Sewing, birthing, loving; you didn’t care for any of it. You didn’t care for them or the men on the field. You cared for nothing in this bleak world.

As Barnes took to the saddle for his first opponent, you glanced down lazily but found your eyes drawn to clouds instead. It was bitterly cold under the grey sky, streaked with umbrous and ominous wisps. It would likely snow soon as if to mark the grand finale.

You tucked your hands into your sleeves and hugged yourself alone on the bench. You were drawn from your glowering by the rustle of skirts. The queen sat beside you and let out an airy sigh.

“Thankfully, my brother has kept clear of conflict,” she said, “in fact, he’s hardly spared another snarl for the visiting Baron.”

“Your majesty,” you muttered as the flag was waved and the horses barrelled at each other and the men pointed their long poles.

“Unless you count this,” she mused as his pole broke off the armour of the other men and sent his adversary sprawling and the other horse whinnying in a panic. You lowered your eyes meekly. “He will be eager to be away and I do hope you aid him in a speedy departure. The baron is expected to remain in the capital for the winter.”

“Yes, he is want to be gone back to the castle,” you assured her.

“It would be tragic if you were to be snowed in here. Very inconvenient and costly at that.”

“Certainly, your majesty,” you said flatly.

“You understand the urgency that will follow in the coming days,” she intoned.

“I understand but you do seem to misunderstand your brother. To think that I have any hold over him is farcical. He does as he pleases. He is a duke, I am a displaced chambermaid. That is all it is… your majesty.”

“You do not speak as a chambermaid,” she replied sharply, “my brother favours you but he still cannot overrule me, understood?”

“Your majesty, I understand my place completely,” you ceded, “would I be remiss to excuse myself?”

“For what means?”

“To find a commode,” you answered, “these game do carry on and I am distracted by my humanly needs.”

“Go off then,” she stood, “you are rather dour today. You would cast a mood over us all if you languish thus.”

“Your majesty,” you rose and made your way to the doors as she rejoined her ladies and gave a forced giggle as they welcomed her. You wondered how the nobles were trained so well in lies. Was it in their books or did their tutors include it in their curricula?

You descended the stairs without aim. You had no need of the commode, only an excuse. You stepped out into the lower stands and peered out at the field. In that moment, you could be gone. You could disappear and be away from all this misery.

You scoffed at yourself and leaned against the wooden planks. He’d find you again. You couldn’t make it far enough before he sniffed you out again. You weren’t stupid enough to try it twice, even at such an opportune moment. You would only earn yourself further punishment.

“Is something amusing, my lady?” you stood straight and looked startled to the man who emerged from the shadows of the stairway. Lord Zemo smirked and came to stand arm to arm with you as he looked out across the stadium.

“My lord, I was only watching the field,” you lied, “thinking.”

“Ah, yes, these games, how violent,” he remarked, “where I am from, we have festivals before tournaments. Singing, dancing, poetry, theatre… I suppose that is just as silly as all this.”

“It is… a privilege to be able to afford silliness,” you said, “to not be the one cleaning up after all of it and yet… so very pointless.”

He nodded and grumbled as he considered your words, “very true. Wise, even. I think that after one has seen how grave things can be, these affairs become less and less entertaining. It is almost sickening to think of them, let alone attend them. Why should men play at war as if it were fun?”

You peeked over at him. He was here because he once fought those men down on the field with real steel and armour. It was rather grim to think of. “I did not think of it like that but I suppose you are right. I know little of war, however, my lord.”

“You know of pain, though,” he said, “it is painted on you as much as those battle scars carried by veterans like your beloved Barnes.”

You were silent. You stared up at the sky again, the endless grey, the half-finished canvas.

“Beloved? Perhaps that is the wrong word for him. I see little affection there. I sense it is not an arrangement you asked for.”

“Does it matter if it is?” you shook your head, “My lord, you waste your breath on little more than a servant. I suffer Lord Barnes the same as any, I am no help to you.”

“Help? I have no desire to change my standing with Barnes, I am not so foolish as that,” he turned to face you, “Have none ever taken interest in you as your own being?”

“I am a servant. I am not my own being,” you murmured, “my lord, if you would, I should return to my party.”

“As you will,” he said dolefully, “it was a pleasure to meet again.”

“Was it?” you asked as you turned to go.

“It is always a relief to speak of anything but politics or gold,” he said, “and yes, you served me well in this conversation. As you said, that is all you are worth.”

You left him but didn’t ascend back to the box. You continued down the steps until you reached the final landing. You looked up and sat on the lowest stair. A moment of peace before you had to go back. To not think for a single second.

🏰

You listened to the raucous voices of the audience. You didn’t want to move from that spot. You didn’t want to go back to it all. You just wanted to stay on that step forever. But you knew you had to go. You knew you had to get up.

You lifted yourself wearily but your foot only hovered above the bottom stair. You heard more voices, and an angry one as the crowd bang and buzzed. You followed the lower sounds, the singular conversations yelled through the din. You ventured down the tunnel that led beneath the stands.

Horse kicked and snorted as you came into the area meant for competitors. Men sat and stood with blood on brow and lip. Those who’d already lost, many as the final face-off was about to commence. You looked around but did not see Lord Barnes. Perhaps he was on the other side or even looking for you.

You walked the perimeter of the large space and a familiar face caught your eye. Peter rubbed his shoulder as he muttered, his aunt and uncle sat with him as the former checked the cut on his chin. You felt the same stabbing in your chest as the night before. Before you could think, you were marching towards him.

You skidded to a halt before him and gulped. You didn’t know what to say, you only knew how you felt. He looked over at you as May and Benjamin followed his gaze. You wavered and blinked away the tears that threatened.

“I did want to be friends but I stayed away to protect you, Peter,” you said, “did you have to be so cruel?”

“What? I--” he stood and winced as he jarred his shoulder, “I didn’t-- I wasn’t--”

“I know what I am and I know we cannot be friends but could it have hurt to let me think ‘what if’?” You quivered.

“No, my lady, I--”

“You know I’m not a lady. No need to treat me like one now. I heard you last night. I didn’t come to change your mind, I’m not so simple as that. I only came-- well, I don’t know why, but perhaps I only wanted to say to one person how they hurt me. Perhaps I wanted to just once be able to speak my part and that I can do because I know I will never see you again.”

You brushed past him and he reached for your arm as he stammered, “please, don’t, I was l--”

“Don’t,” you shrugged him off and stomped on as the figures around you blurred and the anger and despair swelled in your head.

You followed the noise of the crowd. They were hungry for blood. If that was what they wanted, they would have it. 

You pushed out from behind the curtain and the wood and dirt vibrated from the cacophony. You saw Lord Barnes in his saddle as he was handed his pole and his competitor, Lord Rogers, as he took his own. Their attendants checked the horse and took them to their marks.

You quaked as the ocean of voice rolled over you and you crept out along the wall. All were entranced by the two dukes as they readied for their signal. Barnes silver armour was dented and dinged from his former bouts and Rogers golden armour was just as scuffed. The two men steadied their steeds and the crowd fell into a hush of anticipation.

The red cloth dropped and the riders galloped at each other across the field. The hooves dusted up the cold dirt, through blood stains left throughout the day, and the crash that came sent up another cheer through the crowd. 

Wooden slivers exploded around Barnes and Rogers was pushed back against his horse as his own shield was deflected. Both men kept astride and righted themselves as they rode back to their posts and again, their liveried attendants approached to calm their horses and fix their dressings.

They would go again and again, until one of them was tossed from their saddle or worse. You began to breathe heavily as you paced along the wall and the lords were handed new shields. You readied and watched the man in gray lift the rag. You began to run before it was even visible to the crowd.

You heard the horses barreling at each other as you did the same. You closed your eyes as you got closer to the lanes and you tossed back your arms as you threw yourself forward. A heavy and hard force hit you and several crushing blows landed across your body as the horse trampled over you and overturned.

You croaked as you were left in the dirt. The eerie silence that followed was void of the bouncing excitement. It was broken only by the screaming of the injured horse and the confused voices of those on the field. You heard that familiar deep groan, of pain, not delight this time.

You rasped and gasped as your chest ached and your bones throbbed. Your limbs were filled with sand and your head pounding. There were shadows all around you as you wheezed and you smiled as you tasted blood on your tongue. You began to laugh as your eyelids drooped and blacked out the arena.

“Don’t move her!” A voice called as someone touched your arm. It was broken, you were sure of it. It didn’t matter, they couldn’t fix you. Not your arm, none of it.

You laughed louder and louder as you heard more footsteps. It was all so funny. You were free! Your eyes rolled back and your mind flickered. Just before the flame gave its last lick, you heard his voice. The gravity of it gave you peace.

“Is she alive? Is she alive!? Help her! Help her!”

Lord Barnes could demand as he did for all he had but in this, he could not be mollified.

[a-dorin]

goodnight kisses

pairing: anakin skywalker x jedi!reader

word count: 824

warnings: mentions of battle, mentions of violence, flirting, tooth-rotting fluff, anakin being a cheeky little shit like always (but we love him for that)

a/n: i don’t really have much to say about this other than this was a spontaneous piece for my girl @anakinswhore ! congrats on 2k babes, ily <3

“and what do you think you’re doing here?”

he cocks a brow, tilting his head ever so slightly, “what do you mean?”

“didn’t you just get back from your mission? shouldn’t you be resting? are you hurt at all? was obi-wan too harsh on you? you need to sleep, and i’m not letting you stay very long. do you need me to fetch you anything? dress any wounds?” the flurry of questions tumble from your lips, earning a cool, flowy, chuckle in response. 

“you need to relax, sweets. i came to see you.”

your heart swells at the last word, the way it sounded so tender and affectionate as it filled your ears. swathed in darkness, you barely make out his figure as he strolls towards the bed, warm rays of light seeping into the room underneath the crack of the door. 

“i should probably turn on the light,” you murmur, swinging your legs to the edge of the mattress. 

anakin lingers for a moment, slipping off his dusty boots before nearly diving into the mattress, letting out an exaggerated sigh. 

“your bed feels so much nicer than mine.”

“obi-wan probably made sure you got the worst one possible,” you snort, flicking a switch. 

“only gives me an excuse to sleep with you every night.”

shifting around, you roll your eyes at the sight of him. 

he’s still dressed as if he was charging headfirst into battle, singed and torn robes draped across his frame. there are a few tatters on his left shoulder, lips falling into a frown as you notice more, the fabric hanging by a thread in some spots. his trousers were fine, just a few patches of dirt and soot. 

his hair was a disheveled mess, strands poking out in all directions. his face is buried in your pillow, arms at his sides. his shoulders are slumped, and for a moment, you can’t help but notice the traces of exhaustion. the wear and tear of constant battle. 

“ani,” you clear your throat, “how bad was it?”

“not bad,” the words are muffled, “wish you were there with me.”

“just for you to show off? i don’t think so,” a giggle bubbles up, and you notice the apples of his cheeks poking out through the pillow, lifting into a cheeky grin.

he rolls over, propping his head up with his hand, “you know, if you were there with me, we’d win every time.”

“you’re just saying that,” you scoff, settling into the covers, “get off the blanket would you? i’m getting cold.”

“anything for you,” anakin coos, sitting up momentarily so you could lift the blanket. 

in a split second, he’s under the covers, arms wrapping around your waist. you feel his chin connect with the top of your head, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beginning to sync with yours. 

your lashes flutter, and you can’t help but melt into his chest. 

“i missed you,” his words are nearly a whisper, barely audible, “couldn’t stop thinking about you out there.”

“even while you were slicing droids in half?”

“even while i was fighting some weird bald lady.”

“weird bald lady?” you echo, notes of laughter lacing your voice, “anakin, don’t you mean asajj ventress?”

“yeah, her,” he affirms, “i couldn’t remember her name. she was fiery. flirted with obi-wan. i think she made him blush.”

“oh anakin,” you muse, snuggling closer to him, “do you want to change out of your clothes before you fall asleep?” 

“no,” the answer was firm, “i’m fine right here.”

“are you sure?”

“like i said,” lips graze your temple, “i’m fine right here. i don’t want to move.”

“i had a feeling you’d come by.”

“i always do, don’t i?” he teases, placing tender kisses along your brow, trailing to your forehead, “i needed to see you. i needed to sleep by your side tonight.”

exhaling, you feel exhaustion creep in, starting to take a hold, “i have a feeling you just wanted some kisses too.” 

“more than anything,” he murmurs, “i wanted to hold you in my arms too.”

“don’t you do that every night?” sleep has your words slurred, another chuckle ringing through the space. 

“yes. i kiss you goodnight and hold you close. but you know what?”

“what, ani?” one more minute till you were deep in slumber. 

“i’ll never get tired of those goodnight kisses and nights like these. the second we landed i was on my way to your quarters, eager to see that smile on your beautiful face. now, get some rest. i’ll be here in the morning to tell you all about the mission,” the sincerity in his tone sends bliss rippling through you, only sending your heart all aflutter. 

“i love you, ani.” you feel his smile broaden, probably into that gorgeous, bright, grin of his. 

“and i love you, angel. with every goodnight kiss and every morning i get to wake up by your side.” 

[insomniac-jay]

AlEva Headcanons/Lore

Description: An assortment of headcanons for Alfred x Eva as requested by one @calciumcryptid <3 (also an apology for absolutely DESTROYING your ask box)

Warning(s): Past trauma mentions, Alfred being slightly creepy, swearing

Tags: AlEva is just the weird girl with mommy issues falling for the creepy goth guy who sits in the back of the class singing MCR under his breath

How They Met/Pre Canon

When Eva was younger, she met the Silverstone family at a fancy event (lets just say the Oscar's afterparty for the sake of it). Eva's m*ther saw this as an opportunity to both social climb and gain more power since the Silverstones are one of the UK's top acting families.

So like any abusive self centered mother does, she pressured Eva into talking to one of the sons: Anderson.

"Eva, we need to make nice with these Silverstones so that our families can merge together and we can have more fame. If this doesn't fall through and we end up homeless and on the streets it will be your fault and not mine~"

Do you hate Mrs. Satirist yet cause I do.

But Eva wasn't interested in Anderson. He was too uptight for her taste. Needing to escape an unfavorable situation, she excused herself and ran off to the garden.

It was there that she heard someone reciting Shakespeare and went to go investigate.

That's when she laid her eyes upon Alfred, who was indeed reciting Shakespeare. She was instantly captivated by the display and watched him up until her m*ther called her back in. But she would never forget Alfred, especially his voice.

Present Day/Canon Timeline

They call each other soulmates.

Eva basically knows that Alfred is her soulmate because he truly understands her and her psyche.

Alfred knows Eva is his soulmate because she understands what it's like to not be able to have a life of your own, to be forced to life someone else's dream and not your own.

The rest of the Muses either fucking hate him or find him unsettling, especially Voski. While she may not like Eva that much either, she does not like this creepy guy at all.

Eva, on the other hand, she is fucking into this creepy dude. Like yass king recite Shakespeare to me and then lets make out.

Alfred will do random things like play with the buttons on Eva's shirt or whisper in her ear and then nuzzle her neck and she just lets him. Calliope was ready to kill him the first time she saw him do the latter.

He always leaves her these very Worded™ notes or letters about how she's the light of his life and how there's no woman like her whenever Eva is at the agency.

When not doing hero work, they go on dates to places like theatres, operas, etc. Eva enjoys it a lot because she'd rather witness actual dramatics than recorded ones.

Future/Post Canon

At some point, Alfred asks Eva to marry him in the most Alfred way possible.

"Eva Satirist, oh woman! Long have I seen the days where you rise and sleep with a beauty only bestowed to thee by the gods and long have I yearned to bare witness to that beauty! Come, to me! I ask of thee to be thy wife, and in turn shall be your husband!"

Eva was brought to tears and said yes because she's such a simp for this creepy cryptic theater kid.

They decide to hyphenate their last names to show that they're both important to each other's lives.

They get married and move out to Alfred's dad's English countryside estate. Alfred has it renovated to be gothic so him and Eva can live like vampires.

When Eva invited her former coworkers to her new place, the Muses tried so hard not to be mean bc Eva deserves to be happy and finally express herself.

Zaruhi, who has gotten back together with Voski for good, is fucking ecstatic. She wants a place similar to it but Voski shuts her down.

"Eva, do you think you could-"

"Finish the question and I'll break up with you again."

Alfred always make sure to take care of Eva by his own hand. Whether it be brushing her hair, clipping her nails, etc he's there to do it.

They have seven kids together. The oldest is Minerva "Minnie" Satirist-Silverstone and the youngest is Marilyn Satirist-Silverstone.

@floof-ghostie @opalofoctober @s0ursop @pizzolisnacks @peachyblkdemonslayer

[raibebe]

Genre: Fluff Words: 6.879 Prompt: best friend Yangyang x female reader + “Stop hogging all the blankets!” Warnings: MC is an oblivious idiot, Yangyang is a sweetheart, mentions of injury

A/N: What do you mean Valentine’s Day was on the 14th and not on the 24th? Seems fake. AnYwAys: This was written for the Candy hearts collab hosted by @127-mile. Thank you so much for giving me an excuse to write for my precious brezel baby. Thank you @ncteaxhoe for the lovely header after I went almost crazy...

Taglist: @byunniebaekhyunnie​

“You’re going on vacation with Yangyang?” “Yes.” “Your best friend?” “Yes.” “To an abandoned cabin in the woods.” “First it’s not abandoned, just very far out and second I don’t see where you’re going with this.” “Well are you?” You sighed loudly, rolling your eyes at Donghyuck who was sat in front of you in the library where you had met to have a little study session before you were leaving for the weekend. “Yes I am.” “On Valentine’s Day.” “It’s just because it’s on a weekend and it was cheap.” “You do see where I am going with this, right?” “I am not Donghyuck,” you rolled your eyes. “You’re literally the most stupid person I have ever met and I am friends with a bunch of idiots,” your friend whined, throwing the straw wrapper from his iced americano at you. “Hyuck what’s your problem? We’re literally just both stressed out from classes already and he found that offer that’s within both of our budgets. Nothing wrong about two friends chilling in a secluded cabin.” “Have you seen the freaking cabin?” Donghyuck whisper screamed, earning him a hiss from one of the students sitting on the table next to you. “I have, Hyuck.” “Then you might have missed the fact that this cabin coincidentally has a hot tub but only one bedroom?” He went on, waving his phone in front of your face where he had pulled up the website advertising the cabin. Groaning, you faceplanted into the books that were scattered around you. “Do you see what I mean now?” Donghyuck hissed, scrolling through the pictures on the website. “Hyuck listen. Yangyang and I are both kind of short on cash so the bigger cabins just weren’t going to make it if we wanted that hot tub. So we agreed that we could sleep in the same bed for a couple of nights, no big deal. Pretty sure you’ve done that with Mark, Jaemin and Jeno as well when you four went on spring break vacation.” “Don’t distract from the topic, that was entirely different,” Donghyuck mused but the slight blush covering his cheeks was betraying him. “Is it though?” You asked, a shit eating grin on your face. “When did this conversation turn into you commenting on my poor live choices?”

“Discussing Hyuck’s poor live choices? My favorite part time activity,” another voice joined into your conversation and Renjun plopped down next to his friend on the bench. “Can you smell my misery or something?” Donghyuck groaned, slumping back into his seat, dramatically staring at the high ceiling. “I wish I could,” the Chinese laughed, loudly slurping his iced drink of choice despite the chilly weather outside while completely ignoring the glares some of the students were shooting him, “No, I was supposed to meet Yangyang to give him my car keys but you’ll do.” With that he threw his keys onto the table. “It’s parked by the student center, should fit all of your stuff.” “Thank you Renjun,” you smiled, pocketing his keys. “There is a chance though that I am out of gas,” he grinned. “I knew there would be a catch,” the familiar voice of your best friend groaned before he plopped down next to you, loudly dropping his backpack onto the floor which again had people to glare at your little group. “I swear to god you’re going to get us kicked out,” Hyuck hissed, throwing Yangyang and Renjun disappointed glares. “Not like you were studying anyways,” Renjun rolled his eyes. “What were you doing?” Yangyang asked, flipping through the pages of one of your books. “Well I was trying to get a head start on my essay,” you groaned, “But Hyuck had other plans.”

“Exactly. Which brings me back to my point,” Donghyuck grinned, turning towards Yangyang, “Yang, so did you, by any chance notice that the cabin you’re staying at this weekend with your best friend on freaking Valentine’s Day conveniently only has one bed but features a hot tub?” “Oooooh,” Renjun mused, leaning forward into his elbows. “Well... We were short on money but wanted a hot tub?” Yangyang slowly answered, blushing under the intense gazes of both of his friends. “See Hyuck it’s exactly what I told you,” you groaned, “No big deal.” “Sure, just two friends sitting in a hot tub, five feet apart because they’re not in love,” Renjun sang. “The original sounds better,” Donhyuck said flatly. “Yeah but the both of them are disgustingly straight,” Renjun shrugged. “You make that sound like an insult,” Yangyang snorted and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Anyways!” Donghyuck interrupted a little too loud, causing one of the students working in the library to actually walk over to your table to ask you to leave.

“Well great,” you groaned when you snuggled into your thick winter jacket once you were outside while Renjun and Yangyang couldn’t hold in their laughter anymore. “You guys are the worst,” you said and rolled your eyes even though you couldn’t stop the smile on your face from spreading. “You love us,” Donghyuck laughed, throwing an arm around your shoulder, “We weren’t gonna get anything done anyways.” “And we still need to pack,” Yangyang added, “Also I still need the keys to the car.” “Catch,” you called and quickly threw the keys over to your best friend that Renjun had given you earlier, laughing as he struggled to catch them. “Treat her gently,” Renjun laughed, “Oh and she needs gas.” “Why did I expect anything else,” Yangyang groaned but pocketed the keys, “I’ll pick you up after your morning classes?” “Sure,” you smiled. “You’re leaving me alone in our literature class?” Donghyuck gasped, dramatically holding his heart. “Listen, it’s either listening to professor Quian all afternoon or drive to the cabin early, Hyuck. What would you do?” You giggled. “Fair,” he shrugged, “But I still feel betrayed.” “Yesterday you felt betrayed by that pizza place because you found one stray piece of pineapple on your pizza,” Renjun helpfully added. “That was an attack on my health,” he hissed, pointing his finger at his friend and roommate, “Pineapples do not belong on pizza.” “I am not having this discussion again,” you groaned and slipped out of Donghyuck’s grip, “I gotta pack my stuff.” “Yeah, have fun on your totally not couple’s vacation,” Renjun laughed. “It’s not a couple’s vacation,” you and Yangyang immediately shouted, giggling at each other afterwards. “You’re all disgusting, I am leaving,” Donghyuck declared, dragging Renjun with him in the direction of their dorm.

“Guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” you smiled at Yangyang. “Yeah, I’ll pick up Renjun’s car and get all the stuff inside. Be at your dorm at like 12.” “Sure, I’m really looking forward to this.” “Yeah, me too,” Yangyang said softly, a soft blush on his cheeks that must have been from the cold air. He quickly wrapped you up in a hug before waving goodbye to head over to the student’s center. Sighing you turned in the opposite direction to your own shoebox of a dorm room, skidding along excitedly. You really were looking forward to this vacation with your best friend.

The next day found you buzzing with excitement, quickly throwing the last things that had been missing into your bag before speeding to your morning classes that went by in a blur. In what felt like no time at all, you were rushing down the steps of your dorm to throw yourself into Renjun’s car and your arms around your best friend’s neck to squeeze him in a tight hug. “I’m so excited,” you squeaked once you let him go to heave in a couple of breaths. “I can tell,” Yangyang laughed, handing you his phone that was already connected to the AUX cord, “I spend two hours yesterday to make the perfect road trip playlist, so you better appreciate that.” “This better not suck,” you laughed as he started the car to start your journey.

The way up to the mountains found you and Yangyang singing along to his actually good playlist that included some of your favorite songs, your singing getting progressively worse and louder the higher up you got and the more snow was falling. After you had gotten lost just once or twice on the way to pick up the keys from a lady at the reception who handed you a big basket with rose petals, champagne and what seemed like condoms and lube. Heat had immediately risen to both of your faces and you had stumbled over your words for the rest of the conversation, relieved when you could finally leave and head over back to your car to drive up to where your small cabin was.

“This is so cozy,” you cooed once you had made it inside the cabin, dropping your bag right next to the door to race through the rooms that included a small but clean bathroom and small kitchen with the cutest old school curtains in front of the snowy windows and a door lead outside to where the hot tub was already steaming. The main room that you had come into had a small two-seater couch with a bunch of cozy blankets thrown over it standing in front of a little fireplace that both you and Yangyang were kind of scared to light but you had to eventually because that was all the heat you were going to get. “The bed is huge,” Yangyang exclaimed and the next thing you heard was a loud thump as he had faceplanted right into the mattress, currently starfishing out, his fingertips not reaching the ends of the bed. “But we only have one blanket,” you laughed, flipping up through the layers your best friend was laying on top. “Wait for real?” He asked, eyes wide and scrambling to take a look for himself. “I hope you like cuddling,” you giggled, tackling your best friend onto the bed who just screeched before he tried to get the upper hand in the tickle fight that had broken out.

“Okay, okay, I surrender,” you laughed with tears in your eyes and lifted your arms in defeat when he had you pinned beneath you, his fingers tickling your sides until you couldn’t breathe anymore. “You’re admitting defeat?” Yangyang laughed, all his teeth showing with how bright he was smiling, digging his fingers between your ribs one last time before he fell to the mattress next to you, you both panting heavily between giggles. When you turned your head to look at your best friend, he was already looking right back at you, something unreadable in his expression. For a while you just stared into each other’s eyes, the occasional noise of the wood of the cabin creaking the only sound you could hear. Had Yangyang’s eyes always sparkled like that in the low light? Or was it just more apparent now that he had dyed his hair back to his natural dark brown? You found your hand itching to push his too long bangs from his eyes so you could see them properly, captivated by how the edges crinkled up with how he was softly smiling.

The serene silence was very rudely interrupted by Yangyang’s stomach growling loudly which caused both of you to burst out into another fit of giggles. “I think that’s out cue to put the pizzas in the oven and to unpack,” you laughed, slapping your best friend’s shoulder when he made no move to get up, instead wrapping himself up in the throw blanket. “You’re so annoying,” you groaned and climbed off of the bed. “You love me,” he argued, sticking out his tongue at you. For some reason the easy answer of ‘Yes, I do’ got stuck in your throat and you just hummed before walking over to where you had unceremoniously dropped your bags by the door to get the half frozen pizzas and turned on the oven. What was wrong with you all of a sudden? You two always bickered like that. Screw Donghyuck for getting all up in your head before this trip. Nothing had changed. It was just you and your best friend spending a weekend together. Nothing unusual. That’s what friends did. It’s what Donghyuck did with his friends.

Staring blankly into the oven once you had put the pizzas in, you were lost in your thoughts that twisted and turned inside your head but didn’t seem to make any sense at all. “Are you mad at me?” Yangyang spoke and wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, causing you to let out a high pitched screech from how surprised you were. “Don’t scare me like that,” you scolded him, trying to calm down your furiously beating heart. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, hooking his head over your shoulder to look into the oven as well, just wordlessly holding you close. “I’m not mad,” you eventually said, letting the tension seep from your muscles and melting into his hold. Smiling you let your weight sag against him, knowing he would have the strength to hold you up. “Sleepy?” You just hummed nonchalantly even though you weren’t particularly tired but somehow your body felt exhausted. “The drive took longer than expected,” Yangyang agreed, “Let’s just eat and then try to get the fire going. I brought my laptop and downloaded all the episodes of our next season.” “You’re an angel,” you giggled, “I didn’t even think about that.” “I’m not,” he mumbled, hiding his face in your neck. “My angel,” you laughed, squirming in his grip to turn around and pinch his sensitive sides. What you hadn’t expected was him not backing off, so you found yourself pinned between his body and the oven, your faces dangerously close together. For a second or two you just stayed like that before Yangyang’s brain seemed to realize just how close you were, causing heat to rise to his cheeks and him nervously spluttering about how he’d set the table and unpack everything. Something was definitely off between you two but you chose to put it aside for now, not quiet daring to think about it.

Once you both had two steaming plates of pizza in front of you, everything seemed to be back to normal and conversation flew easily just how it always did between the two of you. You would complain about being swarmed with essays and Yangyang would complain about his two roommates who couldn’t be more different from each other which made for a lot of potential for arguments or about how his mother would continuously call him every week to bog him about how school was going, if he was taking his vitamins, if he was still practicing playing his violin, if he had found a girlfriend yet or if he had finally given up on his stupid dancing classes. You were always quick to tell him that he should not feel pressured to drop his dancing to take violin lessons again if he wasn’t passionate about it anymore, no matter how much his mom would nag him about it. You knew that he loved dancing way too much and had made so many good friends in his dance crew to just give it up. So just like every time you gently took his hand in yours to squeeze it reassuringly when you promised him he could live with you if his mother decided to disown him over this. But this time he didn’t let your hand go once he moved on to tell a story on how his roommates had started arguing in the middle of the night because one of them had started to eat snacks which had woken the other one up, this thumb mindlessly caressing the back of your hand.

“Do you really trust me with the fire?” Yangyang asked with a frown on his face as he read through the instructions that were hung up next to the fireplace. “I don’t,” you laughed from where you were washing the dishes in the kitchen, “But if they leave it for us to light, it can’t be too dangerous or difficult.” “I appreciate this incredible amount of confidence you have in me,” your best friend snorted before getting to work to pile up wood and paper and carefully lighting the latter. “I made fire!” He exclaimed excitedly, a bright grin on his lips which immediately made you smile as well. “Now just don’t let it go out,” you smiled, “I’ll go change into comfy clothes real quick.” Yangyang just hummed, carefully adding more wood to his fire so it wouldn’t go out again.

“Yo, I think I got the hang of it,” he announced once you came back to the warmed up living room with snacks and clad in sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. “Is that my hoodie?” Yanyang asked when you sat down the bags next to his laptop where he had already pulled up the first episode. “Not a chance,” you replied and plopped down onto the couch to snuggle into the hoodie you definitely hadn’t stolen from your best friend. “It seems oddly familiar though,” he mused but sat down next to you anyways, your thighs touching because the sofa wasn’t particularly big. “I’ve had it for a while,” you grinned innocently, throwing one of the blankets over your legs to keep them warm. “Sure,” Yangyang laughed and threw up the large hood before pressing play on the first episode.

Throughout the episodes you seemed to gravitate towards Yangyang more and more the later it got: First only leaning your head on his shoulder, then he wrapped an arm around you to pull you even closer, followed by you pulling your legs up on the sofa, leaning even further into him until you were basically lying on his chest until it became too uncomfortable and you two shuffled around until he had both of his legs outstretched on the sofa with you sat in between them: your back pressed against his chest and his arms around you. “I could fall asleep like this,” you mumbled when you felt your lids getting heavy, the soft melody of the outro lulling you in. “Don’t though, we’ll be sore tomorrow,” Yangyang laughed, poking your cheek. “Is this your only concern?” “We’ve cuddled like this before,” he just shrugged it off. You just hummed and cuddled closer to his heartbeat, fully closing your eyes. “Yah. Don’t fall asleep on me like that,” your best friend protested, “There is a perfectly fine bed waiting with plenty of space.” “Not my problem your body is like 80 percent stupidly lanky legs.” “Come on, get up.” “But the bed is going to be all cold and it’s nice and warm in here,” you argued. “It’s not going to warm up if you keep clinging to me like that,” Yangyang giggled. “I’m not clinging,” you pouted. “Pretty sure you are,” he laughed, finger flicking your forehead, “Come on, lazy. Let’s get ready for bed.”

Grumbling, you agreed and followed your best friend into the small bathroom with the blanket still wrapped around your body where you two quickly washed up. You had been right, the air in the bedroom was icy to say the least. “We’re going to freeze to death and no one will ever find us, Yangyang,” you groaned dramatically. “They literally have to clean up before the next guests come here, so our corpses would be here for a week tops.” “You’re so good at this reassuring thing,” you rolled your eyes but couldn’t help to smile. “I know,” he grinned, “Turn around.” “What for?” “I’m changing,” he simply stated, already unbuckling his belt. “Oooh.” With burning cheeks, you quickly turned around, clutching the blanket tightly in your hands. In quick succession you heard first his belt and then his pants and shirt hit the floor before he rummaged through his bag and stepped into new clothes. “Done,” he announced and immediately jumped onto the bed to shuffle beneath the layers of blankets. Still feeling shy you carefully dropped the blanket from the living room and crawled into bed as well, leaving a respectable distance to your best friend which was fairly easy with how big the bed was.

“If you’re going to hog all the blankets, I will scream,” Yangyang spoke into the sudden silence that had draped over you. “I bet you’re the blanket hogger,” you snorted and playfully tugged at the blankets to roll them tightly around you. “I swear to god,” your best friend groaned, his feet kicking the mattress in frustration, “I won one tickle fight and I will win again.” Giggling, you let go of your grip so Yangyang could easily pull the blankets back. “Good night, Yangyang,” you whispered. “Sweet dreams,” he whispered back and you could hear him twist and turn for a couple of moments before he found a comfortable spot to sleep in. Smiling you also settled in, pulling the blankets tight around you to not let the cold of the room seep into your cocoon. While thinking of what you would do tomorrow, you slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning the unforgiving light of the sun reflected by the snow outside tickled your nose to slowly wake you up from your dreamless sleep but you really weren’t ready to let go of the comfort that a good night’s sleep had given you. It was just too cozy beneath the layers of blankets, the warmth of another person seeping into your bones while outside the cocoon it was cold. Wait. Warmth of another person? That had you wake up way faster than you would have liked, your own body going rigid in the hold Yangyang had on you. “Finally woke up?” He asked, his voice deeper than usual and raspy from sleep. “Y... Yeah,” you hummed, scared to turn around to look at your best friend. “Why are we cuddling?” “Because someone wouldn’t stop hogging all the blankets, leaving me out in the cold to sleep,” Yangyang said matter-of-factly, his breath hitting your neck. Looking around you, you couldn’t help but chuckle, you really had balled up so much of the blanket on your side of the bed in your sleep that part of it had dropped to the floor on your side. “You laugh but I was freezing my ass off half the night,” your best friend nagged. “I’ll make it up to you with breakfast?” “Omelets?” “You’re going to help cutting veggies?” “Nope,” Yangyang said, popping the p-sound out loud. “You’re terrible.” “You left me to freeze!” “Fine,” you groaned and wiggled yourself free from his grip, leaving the warmth of his embrace and the blankets, “But you’re doing the dishes after.” “Sure.”

For the first time today, you turned around to look at Yangyang and you really weren’t prepared for his tousled hair and lazy smile. Your heart clenched painfully in your chest before it made a couple of summersaults. “Morning,” he grinned, burying himself back into the blankets. “Yeah... Good morning...” “Take your time, I’ll shower in a bit,” Yangyang yawned and you couldn’t hold back your own which in turn made him laugh. “Don’t take too long, lazy,” you smiled before quickly freshening up in the bathroom and starting to prepare the breakfast you hast promised.

Somewhere between filling two pans with the eggs and adding the cut up vegetables, your best friend joined you in the kitchen, his hair still wet from the shower and your heart yet again did acrobatics in your chest. What was wrong with you? This was just Yangyang. Your best friend. You had slept in the same room countless of times. You had made him breakfast even more times because he was not to be trusted in the kitchen. So why was your heart all jumpy around him now? Had Donghyuck been right? But nothing between Yangyang and you had changed. You always cuddled up together when you binge watched shows together or had movie nights with your other friends.

“What’s up with you today?” Yangyang asked once you had slid the omelets on two plates and put down a steaming mug of coffee for each of you. “Nothing,” you quickly tried to reassure him but the way he raised up one of his brows was sign enough that he didn’t believe you. “It’s really nothing,” you tried again, forcing a smile onto your face that really wasn’t all that hard to maintain when looking at Yangyang, “I was just thinking about where we should go for our walk.” Your friend just hummed around a mouthful of eggs and pulled out his phone. “I looked something up,” he slurred before swallowing down what he had been chewing, “If we follow this trail, it will take us around the lake which should be frozen and eventually to a little town. If the ice is solid enough, there’s a shop where we can rent skates. And if it’s not we can just stroll around town. To go back, we can take the shorter way back along the road we came with the car.” “I like that,” you admitted as you scrolled through the website Yangyang had pulled up on his phone. The prices weren’t so bad and the scenery looked breathtaking. “Let’s do that,” you concluded, giving your best fried a bright smile.

Even bundled up in your thickest jacket and with a big scarf wrapped around your throat, the cold air outside of the cabin was unforgiving. But somehow you really liked how clean the air was as it prickled through your lungs before you exhaled again, your breath coming out in a little white huff. “I didn’t think it would be so cold, wow,” Yangyang mused as he locked the cabin before walking over to you. “I like it,” you smiled, “Which way?” But instead of an answer all you got from your best friend was a snowball thrown at you, hitting you square in the chest as you turned around to him. “Oh you’re so on,” you grinned, immediately ducking down to scoop some snow up yourself to fire right back. Your loud giggles and shouts filled the otherwise quite air of the forest and you didn’t even feel the cold of the snow and the air seeping into your bones and clothes, all you focused on was to get Yangyang back for knocking your hat off of your head when the face definitely should be off limits. “You little shit,” you yelled, running over to him to dunk his face into the big pile of snow that had gathered in front of the cabin when suddenly you stepped onto a plate of ice, making you lose your footing and the world quickly turned sideways.

You heard Yangyang yell your name before his worried face came back into your field of vision. “Shit, are you okay?” “Yeah, fine,” you crooked out. The fall really had knocked all air out of your lungs and who were you kidding, you would probably get a nasty bruise on your leg from where you had fallen on the unforgiving ice. “Hey, careful,” Yangyang said, taking your hands in his to pull you back to your feet. “Fuck,” you cursed when you put weight on your left leg, pain shooting up all the way up to your back, “I don’t think I can stand.” “Shit, left foot?” You simply nodded and gritted your teeth together as he tried to help you up again, immediately stabilizing you, so you didn’t have to put weight on your injured leg. “I’m sorry,” you muttered as he helped you to waddle back over to the cabin. Great. Now you had not only ruined your day but maybe even your whole short holidays. Yangyang for sure hadn’t wanted to be stuck inside this cabin with you for two more days. “Don’t be. Let’s take a look at that, might be broken or something,” your best friend reassured you.

With awkward little hops, he guided you over to the little sofa in the living room where you had been cuddling all evening yesterday. “Let me take a look.” After shedding your jackets and other gear you had worn to shield yourselves from the cold, Yangyang carefully unlaced your boots with nimble fingers, apologizing every time you winced in pain. “Well fuck. This thing is so swollen,” he announced once boot and sock were off of your foot. “How bad?” You asked with your eyes squeezed shut, not daring to take a look at it. “Hold still,” he instructed you, gently touching the swollen ankle to rotate it carefully which tore a whimper from your lips. “I don’t think it’s broken,” Yangyang eventually announced, “Ten has sprained his ankle during practice before and it looked similar, so I don’t think we need to get you to a hospital right now.” Thank god that your best friend was taking those dancing classes. “On a scale from when you burned your hand while trying to cook ramyeon in milk to whatever your roommate once left in that pot for too long, how gross does it look?” “It’s really not that bad yet,” Yangyang giggled before he let out a fake gag, “Please do not remind me of that pot, it’s a wonder that whatever that was had not grown legs and left the pot on its own accord.”

“Hold my hand,” you demanded, making grabby hands at your best friend where he was sat in front of you on the floor. “You big baby, it’s really not that bad. It’s not even bruised yet,” he laughed but took your hand in his anyways, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Finally opening your eyes, you took in the picture: You ankle was definitely fucked. If you didn’t know any better, you’d guess that it had already swollen to at least three times of its usual size and pulsating with the blood that was rushing to the surface. “Disgusting.” “If we cool it enough and keep it still, everything should be fine,” Yangyang reassured you, giving your hand another squeeze and rubbing your leg with his other hand, “You’re all tensed up. Does anything else hurt?” “My whole leg?” You slowly said but it came out more as a question than anything else. “Let me see.” “What do you mean let me see?” You all but screeched, pulling back your hand to clutch them at your chest instead where your heart was beating in quick succession. “Come on, it’s not like I haven’t seen you in a bathing suit or anything. I just want to make sure it’s just the ankle,” he calmed you down. Why was your heart beating so fast anyways? Yangyang was right. You had seen each other in different states of undress over all the years you had already been friends. But for some reason everything felt different in this secluded little cabin in the middle of nowhere. It was like you were seeing Yangyang in a completely different light. He was not just the funny guy who only cared about hanging out with his friends and having fun; he suddenly seemed a lot more mature here. Weird. The clean air must have already gotten to your head.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Yangyang spoke again, kneading soothing circles into your still very much tensed calf muscles. “Okay,” you whispered, slowly unbuttoning you jeans, thanking whoever was listening that you had packed and worn nice panties. With combined effort, you wrestled the damp fabric of your jeans from your legs to reveal that your whole left side had already started to bruise up, dark colors bleeding into your skin. “Oh fuck,” you cursed, throwing your head back, “That looks so bad.” You couldn’t help but giggle. “I look like I have been fucking mauled.” “Or like you have a very unhealthy skin condition,” your best friend joined your laughter. But what you couldn’t see was how his eyes darted over the exposed skin, not knowing where he should look first. “I’ll check your knee,” he mumbled once you both had stopped laughing, gently touching your skin. You couldn’t help but hiss when his fingers met your flesh even though he was being gentle. It felt like his fingers left little flames in their wake, leaving your skin tingling. You saw his Adam's apple bob in his throat before he spoke: “Your knee seems fine, but those bruises will turn nasty in an hour or two.” “G-great,” you stuttered, avoiding Yangyang’s eyes while looking down to where his hand was still resting on your knee. “I think I still have some ointment from dance class in my bag that could help,” he mumbled, “I could get that and massage the muscles for a bit in case you pulled something as well.” “Massage,” you repeated, starstruck. “Not if you don’t want to but it might get worse if you’ve pulled a muscle or something if it keeps being this tense.”   “I- Yeah. Ok,” you stuttered. “Don’t move.” “Funny,” you grumbled as Yangyang went to fetch his ointment from the bedroom.

“It’s going to be cold,” he warned you when he sat back down in front of you again, lathering up his hands with the strong smelling ointment before he gently pressed down on the muscles of your calf, his fingers working on the knots in your muscle before slowly making their way upwards. You had to bite your lip in order to keep any noise from slipping once his fingers had reached the skin just above your knee. “You’re really tense,” Yangyang mumbled after a while, his fingers itching almost dangerously high on your thigh by now, kneading your sensitive flesh. “Yeah, you’re just. I’m- yeah,” you really didn’t know where you were going with this answer, hyper aware of his fingers on your skin. “Should I stop?” “No, it feels good. It’s just...” “Weird?” “A little,” you admitted, making both of you chuckle awkwardly. “Maybe a little heat would be good as well.” “Y... Yeah.” You really weren’t sure if even less clothes between Yangyang and you would help with whatever this atmosphere between you two was right now. “Let’s get you up and going then,” your best friend smiled and if it was a little less vibrant than it usually was, you chose to ignore it.

Once you were submerged in the warm water, a blissful sound slipped past your lips and you felt all tension that was left in your body leave you, the jets and the warm water effectively relaxing your body and mind.   “You good?” Yangyang quietly asked as he submerged himself right next to you, gently pulling your injured leg onto hip lap to prod at the muscles again. “Yeah,” you sighed and closed your eyes, willing your mind to shut up about how he was just your best friend and it should definitively not feel this good when he was innocently kneading your muscles. As all the tenseness seeped from your body, his fingers got more and more gentle until they all but caressed the soft skin of your thigh.  

“Yangyang?” You quietly asked after a while when the only sounds between you came from the bubbling of the water and the occasional sound of a bird. Your best friend just hummed to indicate that he had heard you, his fingers stopping to draw random shapes onto your thigh. “Is it weird that I really want to kiss you right now?” At that your friend seemed to freeze, his thigh muscles tensing up where your leg was thrown onto his lap. “N... No, I don’t think so,” he eventually mumbled. “No?” “No. Because I kind of really want to kiss you as well,” he confessed, his dark eyes finding yours and the amount of trust and openness in his eyes momentarily took your breath away. “Then kiss me,” you breathed. “I- I don’t want to ruin our friendship,” he replied but inched closer to you anyways. “It won’t,” you promised, gently cupping your best friend’s jaw and stroking your thumb along his cheekbone. “Promise?” He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Promise,” you whispered back before you let your eyes flutter closed when your lips finally met in a delicate kiss, barely more than a gently press of lips.

When you separated again, you sighed gently against his lips before pressing another quick peck to them which made your best friend chuckle. “This feels nice,” he whispered. “Not weird?” You asked just to confirm, gently tracing his features with your fingers. “It feels just right.” “Yeah,” you sighed. “More?” Smiling you nodded and connected your lips again, firmer this time but still gently exploring this new territory. Slowly Yangyang seemed to grow more confident and he let his hands settle on your waist to pull you a little closer to him, causing you to softly gasp. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, pressing little kisses to your cheeks and the corners of your mouth until you giggled. “Kiss me,” you demanded, wrapping your arms around his neck so your hands could play with the long strands of his hair before kissing him again. By now you almost sat in his lap, the angle a little weird because of how your leg was still thrown over his lap. But none of you seemed to mind as you took all the time of the world to explore each other’s lips.

After a little while Yangyang broke the kiss to lean his forehead against yours. You couldn’t fight your smile, basking in the feeling of being close to him. This close you could count his eyelashes that were stuck together from the water and admire the blush that sat high on his cheekbones. “I really like you,” Yangyang suddenly confessed, pulling your bodies flush together to hide his face in your neck. “I really like you too,” you giggled, running your hands through his damp hair. “No I mean I like like you. I- I’ve had a crush on you for the longest time,” he mumbled against your skin. With how close you were pushed together, Yangyang must definitely feel how hard and fast your heart was hammering in your chest. What he couldn’t see was the big smile that spread on your lips while you were trying to find the right words to tell him that you felt the same, that he was a very special person to you. “You don’t have to like me back,” he suddenly said, tightening his grip on you, “I know you probably only see me as a friend and nothing else. But if I keep this to myself any longer, I might burst. I just- Please don’t hate me. You’re all I have.”

“Yangyang,” you gently spoke, trying to pry his head from your neck. “I don’t have any courage left to look you in the face as you reject me,” he whined when he wasn’t budging, this grip he had on your waist tightening just a little. “I’m not going to reject you.” “You’re not?” Your best friend immediately straightened up, his face full of surprise. “No,” you chuckled and couldn’t resist to press a quick kiss to his lips, “I think I’m in love with you as well.”

For a while Yangyang didn’t say anything, his mouth just wordlessly hanging open and eyes wide. “I mean it,” you giggled, playfully hitting his shoulder, “Say something, idiot.” “I- I was full on prepared for heartbreak. I didn’t mean to confess until Sunday to not make it awkward. It just. Yeah…” “Why would I reject you?” “You never said anything and whenever I would try to take you out or do something alone with you, you kept inviting the others and simply played my flirting off as a joke.”

Thinking back, you felt like there were scales falling from your eyes when you remembered all the times Yangyang had asked you out to the movies and you had dragged Donghyuck or Renjun with you. Or when you had invited him for movie night and his face fell when he saw Jaemin and Jeno already sitting on your sofa. Or when he had invited you to one of his dance shows and you had marveled about how graceful Ten could dance and he had become all grumpy.

“Holy fuck, I’ve been so oblivious,” you groaned, pillowing your head on his chest that shook with laughter. “I’ll forgive you if you become my girlfriend,” Yangyang gently spoke, combing his hands through your hair. “Yes,” you breathed, your heart fluttering wildly. “Seal it with a kiss?” He didn’t need to say anything else because you quickly pressed your lips together again, hoping Yangyang could feel all your love and you could at least make up for the pain you had caused him.

“Me too,” he whispered against your lips in between kisses, “I love you too, idiot.” “Your idiot,” you grinned. “All mine,” Yangyang smiled brightly. And if you two shared more kisses and sweet giggles beneath the sky in the hot tub next to your cabin, only Mother Nature would know about it.

[ashdoesfandomarchieved]

of all i am made of (perhaps you are too)

ao3

Hugo does not believe in soulmates.

To be fair, he doesn’t much believe in anything but the feeling of coin in his pocket and the clever bite of his dagger. What use has he for god and destiny when he carves his own path of lies through time, with a sharp tongue and a cocky smile.

Why should Hugo believe the universe would gift him a soulmate when it already has made it perfectly clear that nothing is free?

Besides soulmates are rarities of the past--legends and folktales on the lips of elders and religious fanatics; the former clinging to superstition from the od era, the latter feeding false promises and hope to the instupid masses.

Soulmates are for hopeless romantics and tiny children. Not for Hugo.

“That does not surprise me,” Nuru says, the beginnings of a smile forming on her face.

She’s lying down in the golden field where they’ve set camp for the night. The contrast of the bright yellow against her dark skin is stunning-particularly in the moonlight, with her dark hair fanning out about her head.

Hugo, who is sitting upright a few paces away and playing with his daggers, frowns.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks, unsure if he should be feeling defensive or not.

Nuru folds her arms beneath her head, propping herself up enough to make eye contact with him. “Even if you had a soulmate, you wouldn’t know what to do with them,” she scoffs.

He snorts. “ You believe in soulmates?”

“Is that so surprising?”

“Yes, actually. I thought you were the rational one in this party.”

Nuru gives him an expression that indicates how stupid she thinks he is. “I might be the only person who can keep their head in a crisis, but that doesn’t mean I can’t believe in a higher power, Hugo.”

She rolls over, so that she’s laying on her stomach, facing him. “Burning stars fall in my homeland every year. There are stories of a sun princess who’s tears heal the dead. Varian somehow hasn’t strangled you yet. I think you’d better start believing in a god.”

“Or soulmates apparently,” Hugo mutters.

“Or soulmates,” Nuru says. “Would it really be that far-fetched?”

“Do I believe there’s someone out there who shares my dreams? Or has my name written above their heart? Hard pass, Princess.”

“Alright then, how about sharing the same soul?” Nuru asks, folding her hands together and resting her chin on them. “You’re telling me that doesn’t sound at least a little romantic?”

“I don’t have a soul.”

“Now that,” she says, a grin stretching across her face, “that I can believe.”

___

“I think Anya’s my soulmate,” Yong says dreamily, staring at Varian’s redheaded cousin like she hung the fucking moon.

Hugo, despite secretly adoring the round child, rolls his eyes. Hard. “Do you even know what that means?”

“It means we share the same time threads,” Yong replies distractedly.

Varian and Anya are nerding out over something-something Hugo would find interesting or fun to mock them over, but right now, for some reason, he’s more interested in Yong’s adorable-if not misguided-crush on Varian’s little cousin.

“Time threads,” Hugo laughs, cracking his knuckles. Yong winces at the noise, momentarily taking his eyes off the two babbling alchemists. “Alright, color me curious. What are time threads?”

Yong frowns. “You’ve never heard of time threads? Every child in Koto learns about them.”

Ah, must be some religious poppycock only spread in the fire kingdom.

“Well, I’m not a child living in Koto, am I?” Hugo replies lightly. “Spill, little pyro.” He pokes the kid in the shoulder repeatedly until he gets swatted.

“Her lady, Odiyesi, spins a thread for each person,” Yong recites in a sing-song voice. “This thread contains the beginning, the middle, and the end of our lives. If she so chooses, two threads will be intertwined-maybe even beyond the Snip, if she wills it.”

“The Snip?”

“Oh yeah, that’s when you die,” Yong says, side eyeing Hugo.

Hugo ruffles Yong’s hair. “And you think Anya is your thread partner. That’s so cute .”

Yong ducks out from under his hand, scowling. “Why did you ask if you don’t even believe it?” he mumbles, face pink.

“You know what I think?” Hugo asks, pretending like he doesn’t hear Yong. “I think you should go right up to here and tell her all that. Give her a heads up about your eternally bound souls.”

“Your soul is eternally bound to the underworld,” Yong shoots back, with a surprising amount of fire.

Hugo bursts into laughter. “That,” he says, “is the first thing you’ve said all day that makes sense.”

___

“What do you think about soulmates?” Hugo asks mildly. He has a glass of wine in one hand, but he’s barely tasted it. Instead, he stands, staring out the stained glass window and into the courtyard.

Donella, sitting behind her desk, looks up from Varian’s Ulla’s journal-recently procured by Hugo.

The amount of deception and sneaking around he’d gone through to actually get it out of Varian’s line of sight had been painstakingly difficult. And it had been even harder coming up with an excuse to Nuru why he needed to spend the night somewhere other than their current lodgings.

He doesn’t really remember the lie. Just the trust in the Princess’s face when she’d briefly patted him on the shoulder, telling him to be back by sunrise.

Donella closes the journal with a snap, leaning back in her chair. “What a curious question. And from you, no less.”

When Hugo turns around, she’s smiling that sharp smile-the one that makes his stomach plummet with discomfort. Something in him churns at that dangerous expression now, unsure of what he’s suddenly gotten himself into.

He gives a casual shrug, raising his glass to his lips. “Just making idle conversation, I suppose.” The wine tastes terrible. Still, he takes another sip before setting it down on an end table.

“Hmm.” His mentor eyes him skeptically. “What do I think about soulmates?” she muses, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I suppose the proper answer would be that I hate them.”

He frowns. “So you don’t believe in them?”

“You can’t hate something you don’t believe in, Hugo. Of course I believe in soulmates.” Donella must see the surprise in his expression because she laughs after a brief pause. “I would be hard pressed not to believe in them after seeing it with my own two eyes.”

Hugo blinks, startled. “You met someone with a soulmate?” he asks, disbelieving.

“You could say that.”

“How do-how did you know they were-”

She opens the stolen journal again, long scared fingers deftly flipping back to her reading place. “Because I could feel when she was in pain. Now shut up, Waif, I still have three quarters of this tedious reading to get through and only five more hours to do it.”

___

Even though Eugene has decided to make the conscious effort not to kill Hugo, the guy still shows mild animosity. And by mild, Hugo-of course-means that he drags him around, making him do tedious tasks and scowls whenever he gets close to Varian.

Whatever. It’s not as if Hugo’s going to complain, considering that it’s mostly his fault there was a demon monster briefly unleashed onto Corona that destroyed most of her capital city. As long as Varian isn’t blaming himself, Hugo calls it a win.

So he lets the Prince Consort drag him around the city and put his alchemy to work.

“You don’t have to stay,” Hugo says, at one point, when it becomes apparent that even though Eugene has no idea how alchemy works , he was still going to hover. “I’m not going to cut and run.”

The man had snorted. “Yeah, I already figured that one out for myself,” he’d muttered and then proceeded to not explain what that meant.

So here Hugo is, with an ever present shadow, hovering like he’s a fucking five year old. Hugo honestly doesn’t see what Varian sees in the guy-or Queen Rapunzel for that matter. She looks at the ex-thief like he hung the moon and all the damn stars in the sky.

“It’s because they’re soulmates,” Eugene’s buddy-Lance, Hugo thinks-had said when he caught him staring.

Hugo had scoffed.

Now, bored and overheated after a long day’s work, Hugo watches Eugene frown over some blueprints in the Queen’s study. Hugo’s not exactly sure why he has to be present for this particular part of the renovation project, but he’s too tired to protest.

“Are you and the queen soulmates?” he hears himself asking.

Eugene lifts his head, eyes alight with surprise. He glances back down at the blueprints once, before leaving the table to join Hugo by the open doors leading to the balcony.

“Weird question, coming from you,” he snorts, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms. “But yes. We are.”

Hugo doesn’t know what to make of that. “How do you know?”

The older man hesitates, something like understanding dawning on the man’s face. A small smile crosses lips. “Have you ever met someone that no matter how many times you tried to walk away, you couldn’t?”

Hugo swallows.

“That’s how I know. Now,” he claps Hugo on the shoulder. “If you’ll stop messing around, I need your opinion on whether Yong’s demolition idea or Varian’s solvent solution is going to work best for the lower district’s avalanche problem.”

___

At the end of all things-or perhaps the beginning-Hugo finds Varian on a rooftop.

It’s not hard to find him, as when Varian is brooding, he likes to perch. It’s a habit that the alchemist has either picked up from spending most of his time in a castle with high roofs or perhaps it’s born of chasing his dumb racoon into precarious positions.

Either way, Hugo learns early into his friendship with the darkhaired boy, that when he’s being introspective, he likes to pick a high roof and perch like a fucking woodland creature.

So when Varian goes missing in the middle of Corona’s lantern festival, it takes precious few minutes to find him.

“You are so predictable,” Hugo says, dropping down next to him. Heights don’t usually bother him, but the castle is impressively tall.

The other alchemist doesn’t really seem to mind, however. He lets his legs dangle over the edge, occasionally swinging in the air.

“Or maybe I wanted you to find me,” Varian replies easily. His head--tilted up, toward the stars that are mirrored in the constellations of freckles on his face-is wearing a peaceful expression.

Something in Hugo’s chest clenches tightly at the sight of it. There was a time, not too long ago, where he was convinced he’d never see Varian happy again.

But now, Varian turns his face toward Hugo and offers him a smile. “Or maybe I’m just predictable to you.”

The tightness in Hugo’s chest dissipates. What is left aches for something he can’t have.

“Or that,” Hugo says, instead of doing something stupid like trying to hold Varian’s hand or kiss the stupid expression off his face.

Varian turns back to the stars.

“You know, they say shooting stars fall in the direction of your soulmate.”

Hugo rolls his eyes. “Not you too,” he groans, eliciting laughter from his friend. “I thought out of everyone, you would be on my side here.”

“Aw, don’t believe in soulmates?” Varian teases, grinning boyishly. “Sun and moon, I should have expected that.”

“Yeah?” Hugo raises his eyebrows. “How so?”

“You’re so cynical. And not in the way Cass is-she’s like realistically -cynical. You’re just oh poor me I could never have a soulmate because my soul is made of garbage -”

Hugo clamps a hand over Varian’s mouth, shrieking when he tries to lick him. “I- stop -I don’t have to listen to this slander -”

“-and if you ever did find your soulmate you would be insufferable about it,” Varian goes on, catching Hugo’s wrist when he tries to silence him again. “You would spend the entire time trying to prove to yourself and everyone else that there was no possible way they could be your soulmate and when you couldn’t you would-”

He stops. Blinks at Hugo with realization dawning across his face.

Hugo’s wonders if Varian can feel his pulse racing where the smaller boy’s fingers wrap around his wrist.

“Yeah? What would I do?”

Varian’s lips purse. “I don’t know what you would do. I’d hope you would be smart about it.”

He lets go of Hugo.

Hugo immediately misses his warmth.

“And what would be the smart thing.”

“Well,” Varian draws out the word thoughtfully. He scoots close enough to Hugo that if the taller boy wanted he could wrap and arm around his shoulder. “Well, an excellent start would be telling them.”

“And how would you tell them? If it were you,” Hugo adds quickly, when Varian shoots him a questioning look.

Varian leans back on his hands, head tipped back, exposing his throat to the sky. “I would tell them my heart started beating at the same time as theirs when we touched. That there’s a silver dagger inked on my shoulder that burns when they’re angry and sings when they’re sad-”

“Varian.” Hugo’s heart clenches so hard he briefly wonders if he’s having a heart attack.

“-I would tell them that I dreamed in color the first night we lay side by side in the forest,” Varian goes on, ignoring him. “I would tell them that when we touch I see every color-even the ones that don’t belong here.”

“Varian.”

Hugo’s hand finds his soulmate's.

Varian turns his head to the side slightly, finally meeting Hugo’s eye. With his free hand, he cups the side of Hugo’s neck, tentatively.

“I would tell him that our souls are made of the same thing.” He smiles gently. “It’s just science, Hugo.”

Hugo laughs, pressing his forehead into Varian’s. “How is that the most romantic thing you’ve said yet?”

“Because you’re a closet nerd,” Varian says, right before he leans in.

Underneath a starlit sky, Hugo kisses the boy made of the same stuff as him.

___

[grayintogreen]

Critical Role Fic Masterlist [August 1st-August 31st]

WOOF. What a month. Not an exceptionally great one for Ye Olde Depression, but I guess I went the Hemmingway in dealing with it. I found a neat word tracking app, but I only started it midway through the month, but just from HALF the month, I racked up 50k+ words. ...Yeah.

Anyway! For the record, I’m separating out the flashfic featured in paper moon and tinsel stars here on my masterlist for ease of access for people who might only want to read specific ships/characters, since the anthology is, uh, poorly organized. I like titles. It’s a thing.

This was also the month of the Tombtaker Hostage Situation and 90% of my bad things happen bingo prompts. I’m doing Whumptober next month so maybe I’ll cool it on the dark stuff in September (probably not).

LET’S GET TO IT, SHALL WE?

SHIPPY FICS

Creecien (Cree/Lucien)

and the heat only goes where you tell it to go. (E, MIND THE TAGS, 4955 words). The Mighty Nein fail to beat the Tombtakers to Cognouza. It still doesn’t really go well for them. Also monsterfucking. But seriously, mind the tags. It’s dark.

he’ll never know how much you’ve done. (T, 2896 words). Cree and Lucien, pre-canon. Getting your wounds tended because you used Life Transference on your stupid asshole crush and he is an oblivious dick.

this story’s yours and this story’s mine. (G, 2679 words). Tinytakers!! Baby Cree has some deep-rooted psychological issues. Lucien is Lucien even at thirteen. 

and i shall give you sparks that blaze as hot as any fire. (E, 3686 words) ‘Tis the month of Creecien smut. (No really). Cree’s wavering in the wake of the other Tombtakers’ deaths so Lucien bangs her in front of the Immensus Gate. WITH RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM.

i need to touch a holy place. (E, 3546 words). I TOLD YOU. This is the missing sex scene from this church takes no conversions. I don’t know who the target audience for this is. I guess it’s me.

Widomauk (Mollymauk/Caleb)

i have been the source of all the troubles we have known. (T, 3508 words). Molly comes back after the fight with Lucien and he’s not okay. At all. 

and he’ll laugh when your troubles are gone. (G, 2613 words). Caleb and Molly go to a flea market. IT’S JUST SHAMELESS FLUFF. I CAN WRITE THAT SOMETIMES.

Lucigast (Lucien/Caleb)

guard your eggshell heart. (T, 1910 words). Part of the Earthquake Weather series. Scourgers get the jump on the Tombtakers and Lucien is none too pleased about it.

in the dreaming trees. (T, 2469 words) Part of the Earthquake Weather series. Caleb accidentally dreamshares in the Tombtaker Discord Chat and things escalate. You may see this one again, because I promised the porn continuation at some point. And I keep my promises.

the scourge of cabin boys and kings. (T, 2856 words) Part of the Earthquake Weather series. Caleb and Lucien discuss scars. And Lucien cannot get this damn wizard under his thumb.

Other Ships

spread your wings and show me quick. (G, 744 words) Astrid/Jester. Jester teaches Astrid how to ice skate.

mad science love song. (G, 808 words ) Yeza/Essek. Yeza asks for Essek’s help tinkering. Trust ensues.

GEN FICS

wounded in an accidental war. (T, 1348 words). Beau gets injured by Molly due to a wayward Charm Person. Bonding, guilt, and wound care ensues.

and the choir sings hallelujah to a god i will not observe. (T, 1999 words). Yasha gets left behind on Cognouza to deal with Lucien alone until the Mighty Nein can save her. Turns out she’s more than capable of ruining his day alone. (CW: Self-harm, ritual bloodletting)

by the flicker of their fire. (T, 1737 words) Another part of my TOTALLY ACCIDENTAL “Tombtaker Hostage Situation” series I ended up writing this month. Caleb gets left behind in 123. He’s a very disagreeable hostage.

what the promised land would promise me. (T, 3169 words). The Intuit Charge massacre from the Tombtakers’ perspective.

too rough for the soft way. (T, 2656 words). Beau and Lucien get snowed in and “bond.” Kinda.

but we’re so much more than that old, bitter law. (T, 1721 words). The Empire Siblings deal with the consequences of fighting power and oppression, but at least they have each other.

even the sky bleeds twilight. (T, 1927 words). In which Lucien murders Vess DeRogna. That’s it. That’s the fic.

against the devil’s own roulette. (T, 2860 words). Brand of Castigation is a bitch and now it’s Fjord’s turn for a Tombtaker Hostage Situation(TM). Good thing he’s good at honeypots. Kinda.

a generation sacrificed in self-defense. (T, 3230 words). Astrid asks Caleb and Beau to facilitate her taking back the night on Trent Ikithon without murdering him. Cue the torturerer getting a little bit of torture right back. And Astrid invents a new spell! Yay! (Yay?)

every moment changes lifetimes (even moments we regret). (T, 789 words). That moment at the T-Dock was not the first time Caleb had to make the same difficult choice.

this is a song of fingers pointing, casting shame. (T, 2827 words) Beau makes friends with Astrid and Eadwulf. They have a lot in common, after all.

the coyotes know her name. (T, 2561 words). Jester gets a successful divine intervention. Artagan uses it as an excuse to cause problems on purpose.

bind me, break me, can you take me (T, 2456 words). Beau gets left behind with the Tombtakers and discovers an unexpected ally. 

you’re my canvas (better yet, dear, you’re my muse) (T, 1616 words) Beau and Molly get high in the Blooming Grove and Molly finds out about her tattoo.

trickster’s silken ribbon. (G, 901 words). Fearne meets Artagan as she enters the Material Plane for the first time.

we keep our tribal secrets and we recognize our own. (G, 922 words) Threeleaf AU. Caduceus observes a sibling brawl between the Threeleafs.

close your eyes and let me in. (G, 1194 words) Set in the Doppelganger’s Song universe. Molly convinces Lucien to let him braid his hair.

if you would curry my favor. (G, 735 words) Threeleaf AU. Molly and Kingsley attempt to get their brother a date because he is the worst.

so this is what i’ve known of love (G, 707 words) Caduceus embraces the chaos of his two families meeting... within reason.

[organic-guacamole]

episode 209 spoilers below

I'm so late today but here it is

I love EJ, he's finally learning to be happy. I'm so proud.

Ms Jenn = every boomer during zoom calls, like jeez yes we can hear you stop shouting at me.

LOVE THE SUBTLE JOKE ABOUT QUARANTINE "these dark times" "you mean spring break?"

ah yes, remember when we thought covid was just gonna give us a longer spring break? good times

SEBLOS

damn the passive aggressiveness from Carlos and the absolutely over it tone from seb✋

CASWELL COUSINS!!!!! THEY'RE THE BEST!!!!

we needed more if this kind of goofiness for the first part of season 2 that only such an iconic duo can provide.

old old movies-

is it even that old, or is Nini being a gen alpha rn-

i choose to imagine EJ being scared of the movie and hiding in Ashlyn's shoulder while she keeps a straight face and then EJ pretending to be tough afterwards

aww redlyn are soulmates.... yknow, if gingers had souls

(please ignore me)

y'all saw how EJ's face *lit up* when Gina logged on? how dare you tell me he doesn't like her

ofc she's no damsel in distress, she's Gina porter, she's amazing.

so do we think she'd be the type to just glare at suspicious people? or bark at them

do they not know that Rini broke up? or is Ms Jenn just wanting Nini to suffer through her heartbreak to make her a better actress....

speaking of, why is Nini in the call? she's not in the show anymore. Unless she is, even after the rose and the song got cut, which would be so unfair to all those that auditioned properly before she even came back but whatever, she's the main character I get it 🙄

big red is a hero honestly, Nini better thank him for changing the subject like that

I can't-

i won't work you over the break-

this woman would 100% work her kids 24/7 if it was legal and idk how to feel about it.

YES GINA USE THAT CHARM

QUEEN

FRENCH QUEEN

SHE LEARNT FROM THE BEST (antoine obvi)

smh the airport lady, eavesdropping on Gina's call.

The way she was so happy to answer EJ's call, "eej"

I love them your honour.

EJ WITH PAINTED NAILS YES PLEASE

great now we need to see Gina, Ashlyn and EJ having a complete spa day and EJ getting really into it and Gina and Ashlyn take pictures of him when he's laying down in a robe with a mask and cucumbers on his eyes.

finally we get to see Gina's side of portwell

the way she considered it as flirting, this is the sign she asked for in episode 6 come onnnnn

no is Asher/jack really doing tiktok dances in an airport-

Ricky is me. I am burrito.

oh Lynne, sweetie, I'm sorry but the blonde hair is not it

is that even the same lady or-

THE BEAN

THE CHICAGO BEAN

THE BIG OLD METAL BEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY 😭

jetlag is my go to excuse for anything... I haven't travelled in 2 years.

"welcome to the Lynne and Mike gossip show. where we talk about our depressed son that we both neglect in certain ways! And now a word from our sponsor, Nord VPN..."

SO MANY CANDLES

WHAT DEMON IS LYNNE TRYING TO SUMMON IN HIS ROOM-

is Nina becoming social media obsessed EJ from season 1? AND SHE LIED ABOUT HAVING SONGS TOO PLEASE WHY ARW THEY RECYCLING THE SAME PLOT-

Gina smiling at the picture of her family on Instagram makes me so happy, idek why.

EJ's nails are so pretty, we needed to see it more (unless he had it on for the rest of the episode and I just.... didn't notice🧍🏽‍♀️)

oh not the tiktok kid✋

yes ma'am end this strange mans whole tiktok career

sir take a hint and leave

GINA NO DONT SAY YOUR LAST NAME HE COULD BE A HUMAN TRAFFICKER

Ricky, walking in style✨

weird kid, ok then Lynne, can't you see he's this close to the edge?

not all your fault baby Ricky, Nini sucks a bit more

RICKY YOU DIDN'T COME DOWN HARD ON THE SONG-

YOU ASKED WHAT IT WAS ABOUT AND SHE SHUT YOU DOWN-

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF

ok but the deleting comment thing was very bad

still don't know if I like Jack honestly

hmmm so Nini's calling herself Nini instead of Nina in her little egg seat, while trying to write a song without inspiration.... Nini, honey, Ricky was your muse, he inspired you to write all those songs, even if it wasn't good for the relationship.

that doesn't mean you gotta get back with him, or that you can't write a song that not about him butttt it'll take some time

the rainbow sticker in her box and her rainbow shirt-

anyways wbk she's not totally straight

Jack are you a criminal?

quick, Gina, check his ankle for a tracker

THE YES AND PRACTICE STRIKES AGAIN

the way Gina wasn't into it in episode 6 but she's used the technique twice now

stole her grandma's Pomeranian-

Jack where the hell did you pull that out from-

the fake crying killed me, that looks like so much fun though

anyone wanna raid a first class lounge with me?

wait so is jack not gonna go in with her?

wouldn't he go in too? help look for the credit card? SO CONFUSED

the first class lounge guy was so into the drama though, watch his face when they start arguing 😭

sorry to break this to you Kourtney, but you haven't even blocked the second act yet soooo...

take that as you will

I love how all of them are totally dissing the dance off

that's the most realistic part of this show tbh

shouldn't Nini have asked how she knew....since the start? why is the fact that her best friend has knowledge of a North high secret now dawning on her...

Howie is sweet honestly, at least he's trying to help. but I stand with Kourtney, don't take him back just because he sang an amazing song, and is giving you a heads up on what's gonna happen...

KOURTNEY IS ME TRYING TO LEAVE AN ONLINE CLASS

I hate school

ooo Nini's writing a song about bad internet connection 🤩🤩🤩

I never lie, except when I do-

son that is the creepiest thing you could say to a stranger that you've been "helping"

2 truths and a lie👀

he's an Ariana fan 100%

called it.

OLDER BROTHER-

WHAT-

free spirit? damn so brother porter was in that horse movie

so has she been kissed or not?????????

I feel like she's moved more than 15 times though so possibly

but then if she's moved so much, and before east high she never opened up to anyone, she's never been kissed then?? damn

same though Gina so let's be besties please

heartbreak president is a great song title idea, give Nini a call rn

but wait

is the no strings attached feeling thing about her telling Ricky she liked him? she thought she was moving away so she thought it'd be no strings attached???

guys I think I figured it out insert the "I've connected two dots" meme

THE DUKE SWEATSHIRT

IS THAT YOUR BOYFRIEND'S

OMG I LOVE I LOVE

NOT THAT I KNOW OF???

ma'am did you just kill me

yes you did

Lynne and Ricky have such a weird relationship

YES IT DID SUCK

TODD SUCKS

LYNNE SUCKS

yeah I get that you wanted Ricky to like Todd BUT THAT WASN'T THE TIME

right so we already know that Ricky was so desperate to keep Nini cuz he didn't want to be like his parents, and now Lynne's talking about this-

Richard needs a long hug

yes Lynne, it is your fault. thank you for finally admitting it.

YES DYE YOUR HAIR

BLOND HIGHLIGHTS RICKY WILL RISE AGAIN

"sometimes the best, last thing you can do for someone you love, is let them go."

gotta admit I teared up at that point

not me thinking big red was calling ms Jenn cupcake for a hot second-

Carlos please omg, you're at the "beach" and they're leaving for the pool?

also, why not just do the call from the hotel room please omg

"don't ask me"

"Carlos"

OMG WHAT HAPPENED

big red wants the tea

O M G

SEB IS JEALOUS

JEALOUS SEBBY IS MY FAVOURITE THING IDC

I'm surprised ms Jenn knew how to give Nini permission to screenshare tbh

So lily's been stalking the East high kids and spending time editing this video while she's supposedly in an immersion trip.... right

EJ and Ashlyn's picture is so chaotic, what even is happening there

"slacking off" bestie its spring break, obviously they're confident enough that they'll get it done in time so why not focus on your own musical.

jealous seb = sassy seb

please what if those guys Carlos is posing with are his cousins or something and that's why he's so confused about Seb

6 YEAR OLD EJ I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM

Nini saying she's obsessed with her ex, that's not weird at all 👍

I can just tell Matt had a blast harassing Julia with those puppets.

Jack please dont be like that, "yet"

chances are you'll never see eachother again 🥰

(honestly sometimes I really miss those friends I made on trips and stuff when we'd spend the day or week together, only to never see them again....those were the good days though)

Ashlyn and Nini should write more songs..... something better than this one at least

Nini: "im good"

cue the Tia Mowry (please I can't spell) crying gif

oh I forgot Ricky was in the show for a hot second

1. where did Gina get to film this without people being around

2. did she just... randomly change her clothes???

ok but the transition between Carlos and EJ

*chefs kiss*

now everyone shut up, EJ's singing

oh i think I'm pregnant

HIS MUSCLES

YES KOURTNEY

I love how big red and Kourtney went from being "the best friends™" to the couple in season 1, to kinda close themselves and having their own plots

sebby makes me so happy

props to biggies editing skills honestly

PORTWELL BEING SIDE TO SIDE I CANT

AND SEBLOS OMG

big red lives for the drama

"wow" so true Ricky

no he is not cute, stop it

"holding" ok that's kinda cute

yeah EJ's a lucky guy😌

jokes aside, it's not that hard to exchange numbers-

keep in touch if you want

ok I really like Jack now

if he comes back in season 3, maybe have him be LGBTQ+ ?

like the only out characters they have rn are Seb and Carlos and they're like the sterotypes, yk?

I'd love to see jack kinda break the mold

Ricky's breaking my heart

that song just hurts

the only thing

now I don't hate Lynne????????

HOW DARE THEY WRITE IN A PROPER REDEMPTION ARC FOR HER

UGH IM SUPPOSED TO HATE HER FOREVER

I mean I don't live her now but she's good

but honestly

"mom can I show you something"

IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL

THE PICTURE AND EVERYTHING OMG

I'm sobbing please help

Gina saying she's just waiting for the right guy and then EJ coming to the airport to pick her up late at night without her asking, offering to bring her back in the morning so she won't have to Uber, bringing her a granola bar (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE FORGOT TO PACK) and without expecting anything in return???

ms ma'am you've got a keeper right there

her smile at the end was so heartwarming I really can't.

this episode was great.

it felt really short but I liked it, great character development for Ricky, Lynne and Gina.

Cant wait for next episode to see more of EJ being the ideal boyfriend /hj

[ssamie]

three. “stalker vibes”

kozume kenma x fem dazai!reader

(bsd x hq)

tw: mentions of suicide, probably a lot of spelling mistakes

masterlist.          suicide freak!

"class, today we have a new student joining us. please be nice to her" the teacher announced with a smile

kenma flinched at the sudden news. he kept his head down low, discreetly playing on his PSP under his desk, but he listened attentively to their teacher.

as the students started whispering to each other, kenma simply prayed that it wasn't the weirdo that kept bugging him last night. he didn't really know why he was suspecting it to be her. but with her out of context words last night, he couldn't help but be wary.

call it a gut feeling, if you may.

"alright, quiet down!" the teacher said "cmon in, l/n-san"

and just then, kenma swore he lost faith in both god and humanity all in one second.

he shakily looked up to see the same girl from the cafe. her (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes, and her fairly tall stature was interesting.

but what seemed to catch most of their attention was the bandages covering her arms, legs, and neck. some parts of it could be seen through the uniform jacket and undershirt, while the bandages on her legs could be seen through the thin material of her black tights.

"good morning! im l/n y/n. please take care of me~" she cooed.

she sent them a close eyed smile, along with a wave. it was something about the smooth tone of her voice.or maybe it was her effortlessly captivating smile. maybe it was just the insane amount of bandages she had.. 

but there was something about her that just somehow had the whole class wanting her attention.

in all honesty, its probably just because she was insanely attractive. 

"anything else you'd like to share about yourself?" the teacher asked her

"hm, maybe find out for yourselves~ let's be friends" she mused

kenma raised a brow at her awfully vauge answer. though he decided to shrug it off.

meanwhile, in her perspective, she was pretty much watching every movement of kenma's body. just before she took her seat, she whispered a small request to the teacher.

the teacher nodded along. "alright, you cam sit with kozume-kun, l/n-san"

"kozume-kun? will that be okay with you?" the teacher asked him

kenma froze as he felt multiple eyes land on him. his palms grew sweaty as he nervously nodded. he didn't like the attention he was receiving.

"i'll let you guys get to know each other for now. i'll be in the faculty room if you need me!" the teacher announced before walking out the classroom. 

she grinned and skipped over to him. 

"why." he muttered in annoyance "just why."

"hehe, well i did say i'd see you tomorrow, did i not?" she said with a cheeky smile

kenma simply stayed quiet, side eying her, before looking back down on his PSP.  "stalker." he said 

she gasped in offense and dramatically put her hand on her chest. "im no stalker, excuse you!" 

kenma scrunched his face up and looked her up and down. "stalker." he said. 

"coincidence? not quite! fate?" she raised a brow amusedly "i mean, what else could it be than that!" 

"please don't talk to me." kenma sighed 

she blatantly ignored him and carried on talking. "or maybe! i specifically asked to be transfered to your school and class!" 

kenma looked up at her with a look of irritation and disbelief.  "you what?" he scowled 

"oh my.." she pouted and placed a hand on her heart dramatically "i was just kidding! do you really think i'd do something like that?" 

kenma huffed and put away his console. "yes." he answered 

"well then, you're absolutely right!" 

"but what i didnt plan was to be able to sit next to you!" she pouted "so now some gentlemen are getting me a desk of my own" she smirked and looked over his shoulder "so for the time being, i guess there's just no other option than to sit on your lap" she chuckled 

"oh, since it can't be helped. can't be helped" she said with a small hum 

just before kenma would have had to resort to dropkicking her, the said boys waltzes in carrying a desk and a chair 

"l/n-san! we got you your desk, sorry for the wait" one of the boys said 

"damn." she muttered with a scowl 

"damn?" the boys repeated with a nervous smile 

"i mean, thank you! what kind gentlemen you are" she sent them a smile as she took a seat beside kenma 

the boys all flushed pink and nodded back at her. 

her smile quickly dropped as she turned to look at kenma. he was now playing his game again, and blatantly ignoring her. 

"ke-n-ma~" she sang out 

"kenma-kun~" she called out again 

she smiled and slid her desk closer to his, her chair and herself following. she hummed in content as she felt their shoulders brushing. 

"what are you doing" kenma asked with a huff as he scooted away from her 

"what are you doing? were supposed to use this time to get to know each other" she said with a hum 

"no thanks. i know enough." he responded blandly 

she pouts and rocks her chair back and forth. "suit yourself. i might just woo the boys and girls for the time being" she said as she send a wave to a group of girls a few tables away from them 

"i'd ask them on a double suicide, but no one could ever beat you" she cooed as she nudged his shoulder with hers 

"i don't care" he said as he turned away from her 

"meet you later at lunch pudding~" 

"dont talk to me" 

as lunch time ensues, kenma practically bolted out the door. luckily for him, she stayed true to her words of 'wooing the boys and girls'. 

currently, y/n was trapped in a circle of hormonal teenagers. she was merely smiling and laughing, throwing in flirtatious words here and there. 

"eek! l/n-chan, come eat lunch with us!" one girl exclaimed

y/n blinked and smiled blankly. she was slightly concerned on how quick these girls' sexualities flipped a 180°.

"sorry, but i made plans with someone already" she said as she slyly pushed her way through the crowd  "maybe tomorrow!" she exclaimed before walking out 

"if im still alive~" she cooed to herself 

"now.." she muttered to herself as she stopped by a hallway. "where's that pudding head.." 

she looked around a few more times before giving up. she shrugged it off and made a bee line towards the rooftop 

"fresh air, nice view, conveniently placed rope.." she listed out with a content sigh. she looked around the seemingly empty rooftop and nodded with determination. she picked up the 'conveniently placed rope' and started tying a noose 

humming a small tune to herself, she tied the rope around her neck with a smile. 

"who would've thought that doing it in a school rooftop would be the trick?" she mused with a small laugh

meanwhile in poor kenma's perspective, he was merely trying to play his game in peace. he had ran away from kuroo, and the only possible hiding place left would be the rooftop. 

all he wanted was to play his game. 

what he didn't want, was to see someone trying to hang themselves with a huge smile on their face.

"w-what the-" he stuttered out 

"oya?" she muttered out as she made eye contact with him 

"kenma! great timing! perfect, actually!" she cheered 

she slipped the noose off and waved at him, holding the rope with her hands. 

"i was initially gonna be alone, but with you here, the whole game plan has changed!" she said with a hearty laugh 

"y/n?! what are you doing?!" he asked with a look of panic in his eyes. he gripped his PSP tight as he warily stepped closer to her. 

she cocked her head to the side and gave him a confused smile. "what else? im gonna hang myself, of course" 

"dont do that! are you crazy??" he exclaimed 

"of course im not! but this-" she motioned to the rope "this will be my way out! who knew the oldest method in the book would be the answer" she hummed 

kenma didn't answer. but he slowly put down his PSP on the ground and creeped up on her. as she started singing some weird suicide song, kenma was already behind her. she simply thought he was planning on joining her so she left him be. 

"alright! time to d-" 

before she could slide her head in and wrap the noose around her neck, kenma was already tackling her. 

"stop it, you suicidal maniac!" he exclaimed as he pushed his body against hers 

her eyes widen comically as she slipped on the chair she was standing on, sending her flying in the air. as funny and as impossible as it is, she, for some reason, ended up having her leg stuck to the noose, leaving her dangling upside down. 

kenma, however, was on the ground laying on his stomach. y/n looks at him with her (e/c) eyes, a look of confusion and irritation lacing her features. 

"damn." she scowled 

"damn?!" he repeated with a scoff 

kenma stood up, dusting his uniform as he glared at her with his cat-like eyes. "i just saved your life." he glared at her "and why are you doing that anyway?" 

she then smiled sheepishly and placed her hands on her chest. "i just thought that ending it here, without atsushi and kunikida-kun or anyone else to interfere, would be the perfect way out!" 

"but then you came.." she gritted her teeth 

kenma scoffed in offense and picked his PSP up from the ground. 

"i actually thought you were finally gonna join me!" she whined  "imagine the hurt i felt after your betrayal!" she exclaimed dramatically 

kenma sighed and clutched his pulsating chest. it was definitely his first time doing something like that. 

"ne, kenma-kun" she whined "since you're already here, you might as well eat lunch with me" 

she wiggled around in hope of freeing herself but sighed in defeat when she failed to do so.  "also, maybe come help me out of this?" she asked sheepishly 

"just die like that." kenma replied bluntly. he took a seat next to her dangling body, cowering in the shade as he continued to play his game, though he sneeked some glances at her from time to time. 

"but i snuck in some alcohol and i was dying to try it out" she sighed dejectedly 

"alcohol?" kenma cringed 

"well, yeah. i was hoping i'd consume so much i'd just die from it" she said nonchalantly "and because i like the taste of it" 

"help me out ke-n-ma~" she sang out "ke-n-ma~" 

kenma simply ignored her and continued playing. 

"..." she paused 

"kyanmaaaa!! ~" she called out while waving her arms around 

"fine!" he snapped and stomped over to her, blushing once he caught sight of her lifted skirt. though there wasn't really much to see since she was wearing shorts. 

"hold still-" he huffed as he tried to untie the knot 

"hehe, this is real intimate, don't you think?" she chuckled and hugged his torso, though she ended up hugging his lower waist due to her current position. she nuzzled her face into his midsection, making him flinch 

"yeah. real cute. romantic. wow." he retorted sarcastically as he started sliding her leg out 

she let out a yelp as she suddenly fell on the hard ground. she looked up at his unamused face with a sly grin. she was laying the the floor while he looked down at her. 

"so.. you come here often?" she snickered 

"die." 

"that's the plan!"