#(but it’s gonna get way worse later in these tags; fair warning.)

[msfcatlover]

Jason once asked Corruption!Damian if it hurt, after seeing the wounds Damian hid under his clothes. Damian looked at Jason as though Jason just said the stupidest thing in the world and answered, “They don’t mean to.”

When Jason asked why Damian would do this to himself, Damian just said, “They love me.”

[makriiii]

Wary accord (Arthur morgan × f!reader)

Summary: Invited to Angelo Bronte's garden party, you couldn't see anything fairing well. However, as the evening fades to night, and nothing goes wrong, you let yourself enjoy it more than you planned.

Word count: 3.4k

Authors notes: This is just a one-shot with heavily referenced themes from my ongoing series rn - Caught. I had to take a break from writing hardcore and unadulterated angst. ☠️ I'm also open to any suggestions, so send them in! ;)

Warnings/tags: Lots of fluff, 90% sfw, mentions of wounds, guns, some angst.

Ao3!

Pt1 to Caught!

♡

Wary Accord.

Jack ran into his fathers arms with glee, you were just as happy as he was that he was safe and okay.

You were sure this night would've ended in blood shed. Instead, you begrudgingly had to do Bronte's dirty work, handling some grave robbers with Arthur and John.

You didn't much enjoy partaking in being nothing more than a lackey, especially for someone like Angelo Bronte. This made even worse when you heard what Dutch had to say.

"Mr. Bronte has invited us to a garden party at the mayors house." He announced, still seeming unbelieving in the invite himself whilst he chuckled. "And us, just simple country folk."

This didn't delight you, fully willing to stay behind that day if you could, but you feared something might go awry and it'd be best if you were there to help. You felt much with Arthur and John there. Plus, that Dutch. He has his way with his words, and you trusted those words.

-

You'd been busy helping Pearson all day, the whispers of dusk finally upon the camp. Ready to relax, you sat up against a tree near Hosea looking forward to dinner when you were suddenly startled awake by Dutch.

"Come on!" He shrieked, "If we are gonna make it to this party, we sure as shit better clean up a little."

The party. You'd completely forgotten about the party. Your original plans for the night squandered.

"So we're doing this?" Arthur asks, disbelieving you were to actually attend.

"Oh yeah." Hosea acknowledged. "Old friend Dutch Van der linde has finally shown his true colours." He teases.

Hosea could always make you smile, if not full on laugh. "Social climbing." He states flatly.

"Old Signor Bronte, that horrendous snake has invited us to the ball, Cinderella." He addressed to Arthur. You'd be sure to tease him with that later on.

"So my suggestion is we go and get you a gown." He chuckles, Hosea laughing along with him.

While they walk by, you try not to catch attention, putting ur hat lower over your face, to which Hosea comes over and flicks it off.

"You too y/n. We don't want to insult Mr. Bronte." Hosea chimes in front of you chuckling softly.

You got up hesitantly to travel into town with them, knowing your fate long since been sealed.

-

Your mares gait matched Arthur's. It wasnt long since you had made it into town with a group of people you never saw yourself attending a ball with.

"Arthur?" You glance to your side to see if you had his attention.

His eyes met yours instantly when you asked his name oh-so-calmly. "What is it?"

"Have you been to a ball before?"

"No," he gives you an airy laugh. "Not too many people like me have."

"Well, I hope you know how to behave then." You poked fun at him, your usual goal.

"Yeah? And what would you know about behaving?"

"More than you I reckon. We'll see who gets booted out quickest."

"Deal." He jokes, nodding with a funny look on his face.

"You know, I hope it's not too costly, I don't see another occasion that I'll use a dress again." You murmured, trailing off into your thoughts, counting the money you had now in your head.

"I can see that," he coughs a laugh out, looking you up and down. "I've never seen you in somethin' so fancy."

Your brows furrow, knowing the meaning behind his tease.

"I'd like to see you run around in a thick skirt, Morgan. I don't think you'd be so tough anymore." A grin splits across your face as the image of him with a skirt on whilst chasing someone down on foot crosses your mind.

"You doubt me too much." He fights back a small smile that tugs at his lips. "I could outdo you first try."

You started giggling when the little Arthur in your head tripped over and tumbled in response to his bet.

He raises a brow, questioning your sudden fit of laughter with just a glance.

"You wanna take me up on that offer? We'll race." Then, you thought of bringing heels into the equation.

You stopped him before he went to speak in between wheezes, adding the heels into the challenge. Now he didn't look so confident.

"If you can find a pair of heels that would fit me." He couldn't help but give up on his faked seriousness, all while you couldn't contain yourself.

You looked down to his feet, wiping tears from your eyes as you observe his feet.

"Don't think there's any that'd fit your fat feet."

"Well then, You're outta' luck ain't ya."

You exhaled sharply, calming your chest after all that cackling. "But we have to find the perfect slipper for you, Cinderella."

"Oh, shut it-" He pauses mid sentence to point to a store with dresses and suits on display. "Think that's our place, y/n." Dutch, Bill and Hosea already dismounting in front of it.

You sat in awe as you turned your horse to the ties right outside. You hadn't noticed this the last time you were through here.

"Careful, don't lose yourself in there." He snickers, dismounting with you. Clearly you had made your gawking too obvious.

"Oh please," you swat at him as you both walk for the door. "I'm not that bad."

When he opens the door to the inside, the slightly cooler air relieved you, everything smelt fresh, polished wood and all. This wasn't a place for an outlaw, made all the clearer when you spotted the clerk.

The store clerk instantly looked taken aback by your groups presence. Maybe you should've considered leaving your guns outside.

He wasn't all for you in his store, but you greeted him as softly as you could, keeping your hands well away from your dangerous metal contraptions.

"What can I do for you... folk?" His voice shrill and accented with what you could only assume as french.

Dutch waves over Arthur, who gives you one last glance before they all go to a different part of the shop, leaving you awkwardly standing there alone.

The man walks up to you after sorting out Arthur and the rest of them. "I assume you're looking for an evening gown?"

You nod, "Yeah, something that isn't too costly?"

He hums his consideration, scanning you up and down. "Measurements?" He asks out of the blue.

Now your face flushed. You would have infinitely no idea, which made you feel even more dumb.

"I-" You look away for a moment trying to think if you even knew. "I couldn't tell you..."

He makes a noise as if he already knew, gesturing his hand at you to follow him.

He sped walk so fast to your surprise, you weren't sure why he was in such a rush, having you near to jogging just to keep up.

When you reached a paltry, bright room with fabrics adorning mannequins. He had you remove most of your outer clothing and equipment. Discarding it to a chair left of you.

He was rather swift with your measurements, wandering around to find a small selection of dresses that he said would fit, with some adjustment of course.

You picked the prettiest of the bunch, almost feeling like a little girl again. Getting a new dress. It excited you - mostly.

"I'll let you try these all on, and your little boyfriend can hobble over to see, whenever he's done. But- over there." Now he shoo'd you to a dressing room, he seemed like he was trying to get the lot of you out of his store swiftly.

The curtain slid aggressively behind you, leaving you stunned inside, which you shook off but not without an amount of confusion.

You groaned, forgetting just how much of a hassle getting on dresses was, it took you a good while each dress you tried on, thankfully only three.

Once you got down the last dress - your favorite - you heard Arthur chime from behind the curtain, startling you so bad you jumped to cover yourself.

(Leaving the dress desc vague so you can come up with your own.)

"Can I see?" He questions, a mere curtain being all that separates you. He'd seen you unclothed before, but now it felt different.

"No, I'm half-naked." You scolded, but your disgruntled attitude quickly washed away when your eyes widened with shock.

Your words had only seemed to rev him up. His hand grasped at the curtain, but you stopped it before it folded back any further, slapping away his hand.

"Quit that you no-good buzzard." You hissed, fearing that the rest of the gang would hear, which would be too much for you to bear.

He crows in response, but doesn't continue dragging the curtain further. "I've seen you much more indecent than that, y/n."

Your face runs hot with his words, prompting you to start swatting and punching at the curtain to get him away.

"Get outta here before the sales clerk thinks we're doing some silly business back here." You fussed, mumbling lowly enough just for him to hear.

This prompted a defeated sigh, from the other side of the curtain. "Just give me another minute." You half-consoled, not a shred of empathy for him.

He came for the dress no doubt, but he preferred no dress just as much if not more.

"Okay, okay." He laughs, his spurs clicked as he took a few steps back.

Pulling up the sleeves that rested just by your shoulders, you took a look in the mirror.

The dress revealed a hell of a lot more than what you were use to, your bullet scar on your arm prevalent, though you didn't mind as much as thought you would.

With this dress on, there was no room for guns. So you had come prepared with a small thigh holster, only allowing for a tiny pistol.

You weren't sure what you were to do with your hair. Tapping your foot, to which you realized, you didn't have heels neither. This all getting more costly than you had hoped for.

Nestling your hair up into a loose bun, you quickly gathered the rest of your clothes before you forgot them to stuff into your saddle bags.

When you finally pulled back the curtain, you glared at Arthur with a 'are you happy now?' look for a minute. He himself stood dashing, if you put it lightly. A regular tuxedo, even on him, looked way better than it should.

You only gave him a small grace period before you walked passed him to find some heels.

"Wait-" He reaches for your arm and holds you back. "Let me get a better look, Miss l/n."

You stood in front of him awkwardly, his eyes quite literally feasting upon you which made you anxious and squirmy in his grasp.

"Hmm." His initial ogle replaced by his typical sarcastic grin, which already had you ready to sock him. "Looks fine enough, I suppose."

"And you?" You made it a point to make it noticeable that you eyeballed him up and down. "They might not let you in." It was a lie, and he could tell.

"You shoulda seen your face when you first came out." Puffing his chest out, much too proud. You gave him a small slap to his bicep, shaking your head.

Meeting with Hosea, Dutch and Bill, you finished the rest of your affairs. Climbing into the back of a carriage to eventually join the party.

-

The mayors house was magnificent, and damnably large. It felt daunting as it loomed over you.

Your eyes caught onto all of the intricate wood decals that sprinkled the faultless paint job. Every thing well lit by the warm street lights.

It wasn't a place you felt you belonged in with the life you led. Especially not with the people that were attending; Corrupt politicians and crime lords.

This whole situation was brittle and you had to run it nicely - not peeve anyone off.

A man greeted Dutch, then told the lot of you, no guns. No one suspected you of your gun, delightfully. So you followed everyone inside after they unenthusiastically handed over their weapons.

when you reached the inside, you flicked your head around to catch all the details in the interior. You had really only heard talk of such extravagant places like these. Certainly an experience, you thought.

Dutch looked to you, Hosea and Bill and told you to join the party whilst him and Arthur followed the man who led them to Bronte up a flight of stairs.

Your face soured, you had only a faint idea on how to seem a natural when speaking to the high flyers. Never the less, you did.

Eventually, you spotted Arthur who finally had left the balcony where he conversed with Bronte and Dutch. You dismissed yourself from the two men you spoke with, making your way to him.

"So? Did you find anything out?" You question, hoping he found out more than you had.

"No... not really. He suggested a take at the trolley station."

Your brow strung up. A trolley station? That sounded unusual to you.

"Good money, I suppose?"

He wasn't so sure either. "So it sounds. Dutch seems to trust it."

"Very well then." Nodding your head, in acceptance. "Whats he want us to do next?"

He hooks your arm in his abruptly, feeling a blush heat your face with his sudden act of affection.

"Try to talk to the mayor, get info." He says lowly, leaning over slightly as he walks with you to a group of men.

They stood in a small circle, chattering amongst themselves, scolding a man to their right that was much too drunk.

Arthur waited a moment before releasing you and reprimanding the man himself by touring him out. Leaving you with them alone.

They greeted you, to which you introduced yourself, waiting for Arthur to return, which he did, promptly.

They exchanged pleasantries for only a second before a series of pops interrupts their speak.

A splatter of blazing colours fill the dark sky, instantly captivating you. This wasn't something you'd seen before in all your long years of life.

You automatically pulled Arthurs hand to get a better view together. The sounds of the crowd behind you gasping and awing amongst the booms that sounded from the sky.

The bright twinkling and sparkling only lasted seconds each, spirals and scatters, each their own neon colours.

Greens, reds, blues, faded into smoke that matched the parted clouds, new splashes of colour never seizing to paint the gray and black behind them.

You stood in front of Arthur, sinking your head into his chest, gazing at all of the captivating lights before you.

Maybe your feelings for Arthur held you tighter than you cared to admit. He was still the one who had committed atrocities against you, which you weren't so quick to let go of.

Spinning around, you looked up to him, the blue in his eyes would perfectly match the skies if it were day, instead reflecting all the crackling lights you missed with your back turned.

"You know how to dance, don't you?" You beam, his hand in yours.

"No?-" He questions, not anticipating just what you had in store for him.

"Perfect!" Your hand tightens around his, leading him to the gazebo that stood not far from where you gathered just a moment before.

"I don't reckon we have time to embarrass ourselves right now."

"Oh, yes, you do. Believe it not, I still recall getting taught how to dance when I was younger." Snickering as you reveal your plans to a reluctant Arthur.

Stepping inside the lit gazebo, you glance around to make sure its clear. Smiling when you confirm it is.

"Ready?" Catching his hand before he felt he could change his mind - not that he had much of a choice in the first place.

He grumbles, but that tiny little spark in his eye proving he wasn't all that terribly put out by this.

His arm slowly slid down and around your waist, drawing you in close, in turn your arm raised up to his shoulder.

"Okay, now just follow my lead." You moved one foot back, the front of his shoe found your toes faster than you had imagined.

He corrects himself, much to the relief of your foot. "Shit- sorry."

"We'll go slow." You giggle, finding it funny that you were teaching Arthur of all people how to dance.

Which each step, his foot still strayed a few times, but he got the hang of it quickly.

"See? It's not so bad. But if you're still embarrassed from stepping on me, I can understand." Feigning a look of pity and a half hearted pat on his shoulder.

"I enjoyed stepping on them more than not." He shoots back, his timing lining up with the moment your heel caught on a loose board, nearly loosing your balance but Arthurs arm around you remained firm, holding you up.

"Not so tough are we, y/n?" He chortles, your pride hurting more than your feet.

You couldn't help the sheepish laugh that left you. "I demand you respect your teacher, Mr. Morgan."

"Or what? There ain't much you can do about it."

"We'll see about that." You challenge, returning to a slow rhythm. He never released you from his tight grasp.

Your bodies never left each others for the entire time, you both relished in it more than you'd ever address.

His hand eventually found your arm, his fingers gently brushing the double sided scar that he had punished you with upon your first meeting.

Dwelling for a few moments, he runs his hand up and over your collar bone, then meeting your chin. His gaze was soft, no trace of his typical cocky expression.

"I didn't mean what I said earlier." His thumb caressing the bottom of your plush lip.

"I-" He stops you from what he already anticipated you saying. Shaking his head.

"Not another word from you." He leans down, his mouth meeting yours. The most gentle show of affection he had shown you to date.

You leaned into it for as long as it lasted, cherishing each second it dragged further.

When he pulled away, there was a look you'd never be able to place on Arthurs face. You'd never forget it, that you could count on.

"I don't like that all the other men here get to see you like this too." He confesses, glancing over to the gathering, jerking upright when he spots something he didn't expect.

"I hope I'm not being too brash as I interrupt you two love sick fools." Dutch as much himself as ever with those words.

You and Arthur finally released from your embrace, standing side by side as if you both just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

Dutch hollered out a hearty laugh, the ability to stay mad lost with the guilty looks you both held. "Save it for camp... now I heard mentions of Cornwall from Mr. Mayor and one of his men. Quickly both of you."

He chased you of the gazebo effectively, Arthur sighed as you strode back to complete the mission you'd been sent on.

-

"Oh good, I was starting to regret sending you both in there together." Dutch waited no time to tease you both further, making it obvious to Hosea and Bill who had a good laugh about it too.

"Yeah, yeah. We got somethin'." Arthur confirms, waving off the insult.

"Well then," Hosea chimes, excited with the news. "Think it's time to go."

That you could agree dualy on, your eye lids started to gain weight, desiring nothing more than to return to camp.

You all made for your ride back, collecting their guns on the way out, some speak of a bank heist along the way, which definitely prompted skepticism in you. As most of these takes did.

The carriage rolled up to you, not much time spent in terms of getting in. All of you wanted out of there.

Bill's voice haughty and filled with contempt as he complained about the 'high society pigeon shit.' Which plastered a drowsy smirk on your face.

Instinctively, you sat next to Arthur on the way back, dozing off on his shoulder not long after the carriage lurched shakily over the uneven cobblestone roads.

Guys I proof read this at 3 am so ignore any mistakes...

[magicalara]

The Story of Grelle the Reaper: A review by yours truly prt 3

Hello hello my lovely theorists (totally didn't steal that from matpat, I'm Em Gem)! Welcome to part 3 of my analyzation of The Story of Grelle the Reaper by the lovely and amazing @eemoo1o-animoo. If you haven't seen parts 1 and 2 where I go over the prelude and chapter 1, you can go here for the prelude and here for chapter 1! Fair warning, they're a mess. Even this is kinda a mess, but it's okay, we get through it.

I have been messaging with Ell throughout the majority of my analyzations so keep in mind that even in my works there are some little hints here and there, though nothing too groundbreaking. I am a reader myself so I don't know nor would want to know the whole story lol.

Do keep the trigger warnings for the story in its tags in mind, Section 2 deals with some heavy stuff from my own personal life and just with Grell/e in general, though I explain this more in the precursory paragraph to that section so you are warned beforehand. Enjoy!

Chapter 2 is out, it’s great, it hits me in the feelings so much and is just all around amazing. If you haven’t read it, go do so first because while I will still go though this analysis like I did previously where it’s side-by-side, the chapter needs to be read and soaked in first. There’s heavy ideals here, especially at the end so take the time to go through and read the chapter on its own and then come back over here. …You read it? Good, alright let’s get this show on the road then!

So this chapter is 6k words worth of happiness until it gets worse and isn’t happy anymore and then I start to tear up because Ell is mean /j. There isn’t really weather to comment on at the start here so I’m gonna take this time to correct myself on some things from my Chapter 1 analysis, specifically the pigs and hands.

So for Chapter 1, there’s a whole part where I talk about what pig’s blood means and I was completely wrong. So I’m gonna correct it now. In the Book of Circus episode that Ell referred me to, I overlooked Grelle calling Beast an “ugly old sow” as just a one-off thing when really that’s what I should have focused on. Calling a woman a “sow” is an insult and so when the word “sow” is used, it’s supposed to refer to an actual woman, not an actual pig. I think too literally sometimes and it leads to my demise and the destruction of my mind when everything clicks. At this point, I’d like to point you to the Prelude when Grelle has sow’s blood on her…yeah…my mind went SHSDJHAKA too. So now we know that Grellie is gonna go murder someone at some point right before she dies and I can’t tell if I’m excited for it or not.

The other thing was the hands that I had said in my Chapter 1 analysis I couldn’t get at 10 PM running on little sleep, but was later told to me to be like a comparison to show how big they are. It's a dysphoria thing. Because you know men are like “bigger” and he notices how big his hands are in comparison to hers so Grell don’t like it. 

Oh! Also the name Grell means bright like as in smart so when George and unnamed man who isn’t unnamed anymore says he takes after his name, it’s a compliment, they���re calling him smart. I think that’s all and if not, then you’ll hear about it in Chapter 3’s analysis.

In the last analysis, I did over six thousand words of paragraph analysis. I will do my best to not do that again. I’ve been suggested to try bullet points. I will be trying bullet points. If I exceed the word count of this chapter once again, I will…I don’t know I’ll do something (maybe finally do the next chapter of forever forgiveness that’d be nice huh) So let’s go on and see how bullet points go. This analysis will be broken down into two sections this time, mother/son bonding and The Mirror Scene™, fyi. Okay let’s go

Section 1: Mother/Son Bonding

Descriptions and cinematography

 This is just in general but I still wanna point it out, Ell has an amazing way of describing things that make the whole story cinematographic almost. I’m one of those people who can’t see pictures in their mind, like I think in words. When reading tsogtr, though, I can see it. It’s new for me, that’s why I’m pointing it out. Just while you’re reading, really take the time to imagine everything because, especially later like with The Mirror Scene™ I can see it and there’s like a whole movie playing in my head and I love it.

Small Room

This just adds to me the whole idea of Friedrich specifically viewing Grell as a child. You could argue that Hilary is the same way, but I think her viewing Grell as a child is more of in a motherly “that’s my baby; always has been, always will be” kind of way while Friedrich is more of a “he’s a child who needs to grow up” kind of way. The fact that Grell’s room is small isn’t just mentioned here, it’s also later on, but I’ll go into that later.

Bullying and Hilary’s kind words and gestures

Hilary loves her son, her baby, and I will say that to my grave. Her gestures and words give off so much warmth and love in this whole scene and it’s just so apparent. Rather than scolding Grell for forgetting things (like a certain someone might have), she sees that he’s upset and that something might have happened. She doesn’t demand it of him, she doesn’t get upset at his lack of words, she sees her child, her baby, struggling and wants to help. She knows of the bullying that was mentioned in the past, and she’s worried for Grell. Hilary’s patient with him, even while he’s stuttering out his words. She has probably always been a safe space for Grell and the way that she just sits with him and lets him take his time shows it so well.

“...as though a spectre was afoot.”

Well… it’s not a ghost…But it is a reaper! :D Okay sorry I’m not funny continuing

George and Keats

Authors huh. I don’t know which George this is about, I’m gonna go with Orwell because I hate Animal Farm but it’s ingrained into me thanks to high school. Keats, I’m gonna imagine him as the physical embodiment of Keats the snake because I think it’s funny. There’s no reason to mention this part of the commentary, I’m just putting it in because I can. George and Keats aren’t important and I’ll be thoroughly surprised if they show up again 

They are, in my mind, a form of “and they were roommates” because they’re always described as a pair. So yeah. And they were roommates. 

I think it’s a little interesting that the two stopped visiting as much after Grell was born. There’s reference to it and after better confirmation, I think it’s worth mentioning that Hilary is heavily alluded to having been a prostitute before Grell was born. With how George and Keats said that she was always a pleasure to see (and considering that Grell probably didn’t understand because I don’t think he knows), they most likely were…frequent employers…to our favorite momma. So once Grell was born, that would explain why they would only talk to Friedrich at the bar. They don’t see Hilary anymore because they’ve moved on and it’s probably awkward to see the accidental child that is Grell Sutcliff. 

Hilary throwing hands

Grell is very prone to overthinking to the point where his worries turn into little scenes that he sees in his head. He’s very anxious and the fact that this is something that’s happened twice in the same day really shows that. (Yes it is the same day, the talk with Friedrich from the beginning of the last chapter happened the morning of this day that’s here. The time is ambiguous, but I imagine that this conversation happens sometime between like 4-5 pm.)

Anyways, momma Hilary would 100% throw hands for Grell

“You know what I see?”

(This encompasses the parts from Grell explaining the roommates calling him like his father and beyond, I just used the quote because I liked it for this section of the section) We already know why Grell was uncomfortable and all, so all to right before the quote I put up there is just reaffirming it and showing how he invalidates his feelings, even to someone who clearly cares.

I think Hilary knows that Grell isn’t himself, not necessarily in a trans way but more in a I just need to show him that he isn’t his father and is his own person who needs more confidence kind of way. Either way, now starts my favorite scene in this whole chapter where Hilary’s just making Grell feel better and highlighting all of like his features in a way that she knows will make him feel better and I wanted to cry reading this. Anyways, she’s just making him feel better in that way that good mommas do with their kids. (Grell has green eyes idk how to insert this but he does and that might come up again once he isn’t a he anymore and really goes into that “damage cliff” stuff iykyk). She goes on and affirms that they’re “like dawn and dusk” and that they love him. As for her basically calling them two sides of the same coin, obviously Friedrich is gonna end up as a catalyst for Grell/e’s anger and I think that that can be seen as foreshadowing in a way for it.

Where did the fried egg (Friedrich; get it, fried egg, fried rich, eggs are expensive in the US right now among other things, eh, eh. It’s okay I’m not funny) go

He’s on a summons. In a noble’s manor. The next town over. Now I’m not saying that this will be important (that’s exactly what I’m saying) and it’s totally not because I know too much about the future of this story (I know a lot about the future of this story). Just. This is foreshadowing, just keep that in mind. The fried egg also told Hilary about Grell losing the job with fish and she’s plenty more supportive than the egg about it and shows as such by brushing over it and continuing on.

 “I’ve always believed the eyes were the windows to the soul. Everybody’s are different, darling.”

We have more foreshadowingggg. And also sadness. First, “eyes are the windows to the soul”, is a little ironic considering that Grell is about to lose his soul at some point soon. Second, “Everybody’s are different”, until you’ve killed yourself and are dead 🥰

Okay but no actually like it’s interesting that this is something that Hilary brings up, especially in a series where eyes mean so much both in tsogtr and kuro in general. Like demons have reddish tinted eyes and full on red when they’re in demon mode, reapers have the double green, Ciel has his demon contract in his eye. Eyes really do show the soul or lack thereof and while, yes, this is just a usual metaphor that’s been said for a long time and doesn’t have a literal meaning, but in this case it can be both and that’s interesting. 

Baby Grell

He was a little shit. At least in Friedrich’s pov he probably was. 

Also just imagine Grell as a naked ass child running around to not go into the bath like it’s just funny and adorable at the same time. I can imagine him doing it since he was baby baby and I don’t like kids but Grell can be the exception

✨ Makeup ✨

It’s a nice moment between them and one that gives me hope that Hilary will accept Grelle. Due to the time period, it’s still not a huge chance, but a chance nonetheless and I will hold on to it like my life depends on it. And Grell putting the lip paint on his mother makes it feel warmer too like it’s just a nice time.

Okay part 1 of Section 1 done. It’s shorter than I thought it was gonna be, so like, that’s a win for me. There wasn’t much to analyze here (there was another mention of pigs and they have become an arch enemy for me but it literally means nothing. eventually bees will join this list, but that’s to be talked about in another chapter). Oh yeah and I say part 1 because I combined two scenes into one section this is just my little interlude for it. Take a break, get some water, get a snack. Okay let’s continue.

Bread making

More wholesomeness. As a baker, this scene makes me very happy, especially because they made a competition out of it and I just folded at that. Someone come do this with me, we’ll make whatever sweets you want it doesn’t have to be bread I’ve made many things before so we can do it I’m open to literally anyone. Let’s make a platonic discord date out of it we can bake on call together. (That’s all mostly /j like unless we have open communication that’s just me being lonely)

 ANYWAYS THAT WAS A BIG DIGRESSION

She gave him a big smooch :( /pos I love them so much you have no idea Ell if you hurt Hilary I’ll stop analyzing this story /j 

I can’t say anything about Grell because we know where that’s going

Dancey Dance

I’m pretty sure “junge” means boy in German so Grell calling his mother that is funny to me because she probably doesn’t speak it either and so would never notice and it shows how bad he is at German despite his father calling him that in the morning. Silly Grell, it’s okay we’ll always love you. Edit: All of that is not as intended…there’s my interpretation but it isn’t meant to be like that it’s more the two making fun of Friedrich. So yeah.

More memories of dancey dancing but Hilary brings up how Grell’s grown up so fast. She says “You just loved me too much to leave” which, in context, is about how Grell was overdue in his birth, but is also just really making the foreshadowing about the inevitable really hurt more. This goes even further when she says how “the place would be empty without you.” Grell is the heart that’s kept Hilary going these years and she loves him just as much as he her, probably even moreso. Let’s be real here, Grell was not a baby who was created on purpose. Hilary was a prostitute, and a young one at that. She isn’t older than 45 which, if you do the math seeing as Grell is 27, means that she had him at MOST at 18. The estimated age is around 15-18. Friedrich is obviously older, having been probably around 21ish when Grell was born and is now in his late 40s (48-50). Grell was not made on purpose so for Hilary to have gone through with the pregnancy so young and immediately going on to marrying the man she had a baby with must have been a lot for her. It’s not like she would’ve had many options but to keep Grell but still. We all know the Circus arc, abandoning kids isn’t far off and she could’ve easily done the same. Grell kept her going and so when the inevitable Cliff Scene™, as I am now dubbing it, comes along, I know that I won’t be able to resist thinking about Hilary when she eventually learns of her baby’s death. End scene.

I said it didn’t I? I said I’d make things shorter. And I have delivered. (Future Em here: the whole thing is 4.5k words. Which technically is shorter so I do win ha) The thing is, now we’re on to the Mirror Scene. If you are reading both this and the story side by side, now is the time when I tell you to stop, go read the scene properly, and then come back. Trust me, you’ll need it. The Mirror Scene™ is one that’s full of heavy, heavy feelings and ideology that hit me hard. There are trigger warnings for nudity and dysphoria, and they should be taken into account before reading. This is an important scene towards setting up Grelle and will be coming back in the future. I am not transgender individual and so if I say something that is in bad taste or offensive, please do not hesitate to let me know. In this section, I also talk about my own struggles from being a kid and now with how I perceive myself, so be warned of that. It starts right after the paragraph about Grell turning the mirror around. If there is one thing I could ask of everyone, it’s to be kind to me about that part and if you don’t wanna see it, don’t read it. But let me talk about it for my own sake. With that being said:

Section 2: The Mirror Scene  

I’m going back to paragraphs, this isn’t a bullet point endeavor. So the scene opens and Grellie’s having a bath. We got the setup and we get a reiteration of how small Grell’s room is. Most importantly in this description is that where he bathes gives a direct path to his reflection. 

This reflection is the whole thing which sets up the scene. It’s generally something that happens to a lot of people where they become insecure at what they see in the mirror, whether because of just general insecurity pushed by beauty ideals, or something which takes root in the mind and festers and grows into something much worse. The latter of this is true for Grell. He perceives himself in his mind much differently from how he looks in real life. Grell isn’t the perfect self he sees in his mind. Again, this is something that a lot of people feel, but for him, it’s much deeper than that. He knows what he wants to see, the perfect self in his mind, however knows that that will never be him. Grell, in his mind, can never be the person who he always sees in himself, almost as if he’s locked away in a cage of who he is on the outside. The light might seem so close and the corners of the room he’s in are visible in the near pitch black, but it never gets closer nor further away. It’s a detachment from the mind yet also something that is ever present in the corners of it. This anxiety and these feelings are described as a God-given punishment and a “flesh-eating disease” in a fitting way which shows the internalized turmoil he feels from feeling this way. I asked Ell about Hilary not having aborted Grell and she had told me about how, before Grell, Hilary wasn’t as connected to religion but that after she is somewhat religious. Grell also says how he’s read biblical verses in school (though it is said “unwillingly” which suggests that neither Hilary or Friedrich cared much about having Grell submit to a religion). Obviously he knows about the whole idea that “God doesn’t make mistakes” and so to be feeling that he, in the body he was gifted and blessed with, is not his true self is a high sin. It’s the disease that eats away at his brain, the sin which keeps him from being true. Even with Hilary letting him try things for fun at times or if Friedrich was more open to it, Grell has that internalized turmoil of what he has been taught versus what he is.

Then we get to the rituals he would do to lessen his, let’s be honest, dysphoria (there is also the dysmorphia which is implied but the two tend to go hand-in-hand sometimes so I’ll touch on it more as the scene progresses but in a general sense, what Grell is feeling dysphoric). He starts slow with just turning the mirror around which seems like a pretty good idea. He doesn't have to perceive his true being when clothed or when naked and you know what that sounds like a pretty good deal. Except then he gets asked about it and oh shit I need an excuse and oh fuck I’m not a good liar and I can’t really tell people the real reason I’m doing this and uh uh uh I need a new solution. 

Something I wanna intercept this stream with here is the image of Grell having panic attacks in his room. It’s small, we know this, I keep bringing it up and so like unless he goes and has his attacks (because you cannot tell me that Grell Sutcliff has never had a case of semi-frequent panic attacks he literally had one in the first chapter and felt so much anxiety about his new job before that he ended up throwing up) on his bed, the floor is the only option. With the layout we were given, I bet you that the floor he’d have these attacks on were- wouldn’t you know it- right in front of that damn mirror. So while he’s already feeling bad, I want you to imagine Grell sitting on his floor facing the mirror or being able to at least see himself in the mirror at some point in the midst of a panic attack. And all those thoughts of his dysphoria coming in to join the party. But I digress.

Next solution, wear a shirt over yourself. The thinking for why he does it is much different than what I’m gonna compare it to, but I’m gonna do it anyway. When I first read this part, I was immediately thrown back into little Em’s mind when they used to go to the pool with their friends and were always told that they had to wear a large shirt over themselves in order to go swimming. For those who don’t know, this is something that a lot of parents do to cover up their children’s bodies from pervs, however, I, at the ripe age of 10 and even beyond to now at 19, have never been a skinny kid. I was always the fat kid and not the fat where you just developed early and wow look it’s the 12 year old with boobs (though that too), I was the fat kid who was told by my relatives to stop wearing short sleeved shirts because my arms were too fat to make it look right or to stop wearing shorts because my thighs were too big. I still keep that ideology to this day as I reach 20 this year and have not owned a pair of shorts since I was 11. Anyways, Grell wearing a shirt to bathe in reminded me of all of this because that’s what I would do. I’d wear a shirt in the shower, to the pool, and I’m sure if I ever went to a waterpark, I’d wear it there too. This isn’t all for analysis purposes that I’m mentioning this, rather it’s because this is a part which I, Em, the author of this post, hi, hello, how’s it going, resonated with very much so. I mentioned in the little disclaimer before this part, I am not a transgender individual. But for those who were following me up until like two weeks ago know, I recently changed my pronouns and while I don’t have a label for myself quite yet, this part with Grell using a nightshirt to cover himself as a way to not have to be perceived even if it’s just be himself, calling it an “unremovable suit of man’s skin”, and saying how he has a “loathing for his own form” hit me in a place I didn’t need to be hit (/hj). I heavily considered not mentioning my own feelings about this part, but to do so would be a disservice to myself, to the little girl who I once was, and to the character who has helped me through some of these feelings. And, of course, to all of the other people who may or may not see this post, read what I said, and think to themselves “I’m not alone.” I hope you enjoyed looking a bit more into who I am as a person and why I am who I am because I sure didn’t (/j). If anyone ever needs someone to talk to, please, please, please never hesitate to reach out to me. I will always be there as best I can for those who need it. /gen

Anyways, that sad stuff is over, so let’s get back into the sad stuff that we came here for :D  The delusion that the shirt will help, even if just for the moment, and the idea that maybe one day, just maybe, things will change overnight, is such a hurtful thought. Partly because the delusion and false hope of it all can just cause more harm and disappointment as time goes on but also because it’s just sad. Grell is stuck in this endless cycle and because of his internalized fears, the cycle is destined to never end. He studies himself, as if he’s an external being rather than the body that inhabits his brain. He convinces himself he’s sick. Someone who would be locked away as delusional. He hides his thoughts of her away in fear of what could happen lest he make herself truly known.

Describing her body, she doesn’t connect much to herself really. Sure, Grelle may deem it as “his limbs” or even “his penis” but it’s as she says, it’s not a combination of words which resonates with her. That isn’t her body that she sees, yet she’s still faced with the unfortunate reality that she is connected to it. Scars might be easy to conceal, but the weight will always remain. Disfigurement might not make the essential bane of her existence go away, but it can conceal some of it. Alternatively, the scar of her penis is one which is too big to conceal properly, no matter how much she may try. It’s there. She can try and get rid of it, but the scar will always remain, figuratively and literally in the case of bottom surgery. 

Then we get to the apex of the mirror scene- Grell’s art skills. Okay no but seriously, Grell lets Grelle take over here as she draws out herself while, internally, Grell is almost panicking, coming to full terms with what is really going on. He sees herself; the her who has always been in the back of his mind, plaguing his inner thoughts of his perception versus his reality. He sees who she is for the first time visually, properly, in the real world. And she loves it. She doesn’t see herself as ugly, she sees herself as her. Grelle is finally seeing what she was always missing for the past 27 years.

And then reality comes back.

The big takeaway besides the obvious reveal and realization of Grelle versus Grell is the fact that he never erased the image. One could argue “oh but he does it later”; does he random person?? Does he really?? Because I think that in the abrupt snap from Grelle to Grell, I don’t think he does. I think he’s gonna finish getting dressed, and then go back to the kitchen and leave the mirror as it is with the image of Grelle on it. I think that this is going to cause problems. Hell, I know this is gonna cause problems. But that, dear friends, is something which will be properly revealed in the next chapter of The Story of Grelle the Reaper. Until next time. (*in a matpat voice* But hey, that’s just a theory, a Grelle theory, thanks for reading. Sorry, I had to lol.)

~~~

There is so much to love about this story from the way it's written, to the relationships between the characters, to how much detail is being paid attention to here. If you'd like to be tagged, feel free to leave an ask or a reply and I will gladly add you to the taglist for the analysisisis that I do on tsogtr. And if you have any of your own theories or comments, leave those too! I'd love to start a section where we can talk about all of our theories, especially as things pick up more and more. Until next chapter!

Taglist: @hobbit-in-kuroshitsuji @superjelly11

[eriyu]

i beat xvi so here are my reactions from along the way

for posterity (my future self is posterity)

i did not do this in any kind of organized way like i think i skipped writing anything down for big portions of the game;;;

spoilers obviously. and also after this i'm going to start reblogging xvi things including spoilers tagged #ffxvi so. be warned.

i guess i'll link my demo impressions because this is basically a continuation of that.

a mite predictable so far....... though i did think cid was gonna crystallize instead of regular dying.

GODDDDDD i wish there were a chatlog. or at least that dialogue were progressed manually. i don't have the focus for this shit when i can't even rewind it.

i love the combat a lot. which is weird to think seeing as i'm very much a turn-based fan and really. don't play action games ever. but it feels very kingdom hearts to me? there's even shotlock.

THE BIG MOMENTS ARE SO SO GOOD. A+ ON THE MELODRAMA.

clive is prime whump material and i love it.

some of the worldbuilding is a little baffling... mostly ORCS? REALLY? WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY CLASSIC FF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM.

personal preference i guess but i feel like they could chill with the "mature content" a bit....... how many sidequests do we need to drive home how shit Bearers are treated. how many random sex workers does one game need.

i was going to complain about linearity, but things opened up nicely soon after i thought it, so props there LOL

i know it's supposed to be "dark" but like.... i want to fall in love with a game world. i want to wish i lived there. i want unique local flavors and COLOR. most of this so far is just generic medieval squalor. even places like the treno slums had beautiful waterways and plucky npcs and... COLOR...

jill feels like......... an afterthought. sometimes she's there; sometimes she's not, and it doesn't seem to matter either way. she barely talks. we haven't seen shiva in game since we first met back up with her. there's a vague implication that jill's doing important things but that's kind of it???

jill update: okay Things Happening but like. now she's out of commission? i'm getting sacrificed-for-man-pain vibes. i don't know; it's too soon to say that, but it just doesn't feel great.

the state of the realm UI is SOOOOO good. it's a bit of an overload in the way xiii's datalog was, but it's fine if i remind myself i can read things Later.

oh my god i love shotlocking a zillion enemies in a tornado.

i really love mid but "midadol" sounds like a pharmaceutical.

CANON GAYS?????

ultima looks like a tumblr lumpy-faced reptilian oatmeal man.

the voice acting is so good. like clive's screaming and crying reminds me of dub gaara's "MY BLOOOOOOD" which is the highest compliment i can possibly give.

oh my godddddddd the fighting at twinside is giving alexandria. again, in the best possible way.

okay seriously where the fuck is leviathan though. i keep wondering when leviathan is going to show up and i'm starting to think he's... not.

jesus christ i couldn't stop thinking about clive and joshua and dion today. i want to eat them.

look i KNOW clive and josh had a really good reunion moment in twinside but consider this: i want another one. i think they should have had another one at the hideaway. i want more tenderness. i deserve more tenderness.

they pronounce "chocobo" AND "popoto" with a short o in the middle like "chock" and "pot" and i'm so uncomfortable.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME. WE LIKE JUST PROMISED JOTE WE'D KEEP JOSHUA SAFE AND NOW WE'RE SPLITTING UP. i'm so afraid everybody will die.

all the xiv references ;w; for some reason it's the quest names that keep getting me??? "through the maelstrom" this time.

i REALLY really wish jill's character didn't just revolve around clive.............. is my impression but i don't know if that's entirely fair of me. like if i made a list of bullet points i don't know that she's any worse than say, tifa with cloud. but it Feels worse. i WANT to love her, but i'm just not feelin' it.

god i want to be able to switch between two eikon/ability sets. i want a single-target setup and a trash mob setup. not even to switch mid-battle; i know that could be OP, just switchable in the menu.

i legit panic every time joshua leaves the party. like NO we're supposed to be WATCHING HIM??????? EVERYBODY IS GOING TO DIE IF I LET MY GUARD DOWN. also i love him. i can't stop thinking about him. continuing the proud tradition of square enix joshuas (being loved by me).

"EVEN LEVIATHAN THE LOST IS HERE" OH THANK FUCK.

uhhhhhhhhhh active time lore is absolutely giving me spoilers? MAJOR spoilers??? what the hell????????

reverie givin' me legend of dragoon vibes. like wingly stuff. i love it.

daaAAAAAMN zantetsuken OP????? but as it should be tbh. i love it.

hey

hey

HEY

i'm sad.

for real i. i feel like i'm not as upset as i COULD be because i was really emotionally preparing for Everyone to Die through the whole game. but wow. this still hurts.

i actually got maliciously spoiled with "clive dies" before i even got the game in my hands and partly succeeded at not letting that ruin the experience for me, but. damn i had a little bit of hope that it was a fake spoiler until i saw his hand.....

jesus christ though. ow.

i mean it was a largely satisfying ending. the fights were good. the Moral of the Story felt a lil heavyhanded but i do love the Power of Friendship. it could have been a lot sadder. but i'm such a sucker for a real happy ending o|--<

i think trying to brute force myself into liking jill more has made me like her less;;;;;;;;; i will try a different approach. her getting left behind for the end didn't help though. for the record i'm talking about liking her as a character. she's a perfectly lovely person.

holy fuck i'm emotional about joshua though.

oh no the post-credit scene made me sadder. it feels like a character flaw of mine but anything about losing magic, ever, makes me SO SO SAD. even when i KNOW it's supposed to make for a happy ending. like in kiki's delivery service when she can't hear jiji anymore??? fucking destroys me and not in the good way.

and joshua........... o|--<

i've really been looking forward to finishing so i could go look up shippy things but i just feel like. oof. now. i need to marinate for a while first. this isn't the time for shipping.

[hisuianhellion]

Salac Berry- A time in the muse’s life they wish could have lasted longer

-@nationaldexanon

(nothing to do with the national dex but I still wanted to tag myself ^^)

((... The cop-out answer is that she's actually currently IN the moment she wants to last longer. Her life prior to what was going on now, while Hisui is harsh, was still in a lot of ways much less enjoyable for someone who had no interests she could really latch onto with others or executive dysfunction strong enough that only getting out of bed to go to work was viable some days.

I wanna give fair warning for the non cop-out. This is gonna get a bit dark. Death tw here. Transphobia tw here. And I am GENUINELY sorry if you were hoping for something softer. But, it is my personal belief that someone coming out the other end of bad circumstances still with a smile on their face makes for a more fulfilling character to write!))

((Rose's last place of residence on Earth was a place called Waddington, New York in the US. Sleepy, teeny little town almost a full hour away from any actual cities in New York, but if you looked out a window? You'd see Canada. But she didn't used to live there.

She used to live in New Jersey. Much more urban location in Ewing, even! Fifteen minutes in any direction, you'd hit a suburb or city. And she used to live with her father, arguably the most supportive person she knew. And every year during the middle of July, she'd visit a place with him to go fishing, typically staying at a location known as the Riverview Motel in... Waddington.

Yep. When he got hit by cancer when she was around 21, it was right after one of their trips. About a month after it... he started showing some bad symptoms. And things began to take a rapid turn for the worse around October that year. One year later, missing the annual trip? He passed away. And... well.

It's hard not to latch onto and wish the best times you had every year with someone who actually saw you for who you were could've lasted longer. Maybe another week during the year he was sick. Her mother? Transphobic to a fault, actively threatening to cut her hair or tell her to cross her legs correctly like a boy would. Sure, she acted "progressive". But this is a woman who was very strict on her gender roles and using less than pleasant parenting techniques. (I am basing her experiences regarding being trans on my own, if it wasn't obvious)

To say she preferred her conservative, but still genuinely accepting father who refused to raise a hand to her and, while rather old-fashioned, genuinely tried to adapt to her needs as a person because that's what he believed he needed to do? Little hard not to want to go back to a time when she could maybe extend that last week he got to truly be himself to a second one. Maybe a third. Maybe longer.

Maybe long enough that she'd be able to share her time in Hisui with him, too.))

[capybaraonabicycle]

Thank you!! <333

The Doctor being drawn to River is some nice symbolism, I hadn't noticed that! Yeah, she would want to rub that in their face, I'm definitely keeping the name :)

The scene starts with the Doctor telling them she 'speaks everything' and implying she speaks 'cat', so that's where Graham's confusion comes from. Also, we don't know that she doesn't! (We do. In the fic we definitely do know she doesn't. It would be way too dangerous if she did.) But yeah, Ryan and Yaz have spent 10 min cuddling Siren and have not noticed the tag. To be fair, though, I would also be more focused on the cat being fluffy than the collar.

Graham is mostly the damsel in distress so far, so I definitely need to work on that and give him a more interesting role.... or just write some scenes of him snuggling with the cat while reading a good book and drinking tea in the kitchen or something. (Idk why that image is in my head now, maybe because he reminds me of my dad a little and my dad always watched telly with our cat when I was young.) Also loads of sneaking treats into his pockets next to his emergency sandwich because he knows you'll get hungry on a trip and Siren will need nourishment <3

Ryan on the other hand - there's an idea there. So spoilers ahead? (I'll put it under a cut and there's nothing but spoilers ahead. Thank you so much for letting me ramble about this ❤️

So: We won't get to see Ryan much until later probably, but I'm planning to make him River's first ally. Because he's the companion best with mechanics and well, River doesn't want to stay a cat forever, does she? Oh, yes, I am writing the transformation to be involuntary btw. And I'm using the TARDIS (and Ryan's expertise plus River's guidance) to reverse it.

And then when Graham gets into distress, I'll have the Doctor try to save him and send Ryan and Yaz to safety. So then it'll be on them to save BOTH Graham and the Doctor, together with a newly humanised.... Melody Pond. We'll keep calling her River but I am leaning towards giving her Mels' body for reasons.

So yeah, Ryan will get opportunity to shine. Not sure about Graham yet.

Oh, let's see if I can give you another snippet!

This one might also showcase a little why I am being uncomfortable about them not knowing. (I'll have to find a way to deal with that, if I want to write this, honestly. Like, it's not worse than your usual dw weirdness but - consent is so dubious here.) It's a bit before the other excerpt; they don't know Siren's name yet.

Graham gestured towards Ryan and Yaz who were covering the cat in cuddles. "If you don't take the cat away in the next minute those two will never let her go again. Look at those faces. Those are the faces they warn parents about. Those faces lead to adopting strays, let me tell you that." "And what of it?" Yaz shot back. "There's enough room in the TARDIS for a small kitty, isn't there, Doctor?" The Doctor regarded her and her eyes lingered on the way Yaz was trading her fingers through soft fur. Something tender crossed her face, mixing with a slightly peeved expression when the cat let out a very loud purr and pressed her head into Yaz's hand. "Maybe" the Doctor said measuredly. "We'll see after the next trip." "Someone's jealous" Ryan mumbled under his breath, so quickly and quietly Yaz was sure she had misheard. "What?" she asked, but he simply shook his head and took a step away from her and the animal. "Nothing" he said hastily, addressing the Doctor instead. "Where are we off to, anyway?"

Also showcasing River deciding she's gonna make thasmin happen. Clocking them here and starting to work on it that very second :)

It's late, I'm very tired, but I am going to write you the ask anyway because I need you to know you put a new fic idea into my head and somehow it has grown and now what am I going to do? Do I have time for it? No. But it's been a lot of fun writing a snippet on the train today (as you do) and I hope it will stay for a while and maybe develop?

Basically, it's -

"[The cat] already has a name" the Doctor said suddenly. "She's called Siren." "You've named her?" Yaz exclaimed. "Has she told you?" Graham asked. "Mate, she doesn't actually speak 'cat'; she was having you on, earlier" Ryan stage whispered, before blinking and looking over to the Doctor. "You don't, do you?" "She's wearing a name tag" the Doctor explained and really, now that Yaz was examining the cat's collar, there was a tiny silver square reading 'Siren'. "Oh" she said, wondering why the Doctor hadn't used the name yet. Was it as not to get too attached? It had taken her awfully long to enter the discussion on the name, too.

I'm not quite sure how far this will go but there is actual plot already somewhere. It's a bit - difficult though. Because they're all treating the cat like you would treat a cat. Which is different from how you'd treat a human/timelord/whatever, especially when it comes to boundaries. And they don't know she's not a cat of course, because River is there ~undercover~. To them, basically, 13 has 'adopted a stray'.

Anyway, it is still very fun :) (also 90% of it has turned into a zoo tycoon ad but I am blaming that on companion-showdown) I love writing for the fam! It's difficult to juggle so many people in one scene but I love all of them so much 🥰 (but if I do write this whole piece it will probably end up being doctor/yaz/cat!river centric so that's only 3 characters and one is mainly non-verbal)

(This is about that cat named River Song in that post (yesterday?) and you saying it should be River undercover btw. Not sure whether that's been clear until now.)

Do you think Siren is a good name? Sirens sing and live in bodies of water, so I thought she might choose it as a not-too-obvious undercover name. Plus, River would dig the seductress connotations. (It might also have come to my mind because we've been talking about mermaids but anyway)

Alternatively, I was thinking Cleopatra bc we know River has cosplayed as her and it would be cute to call the cat 'Cleo'. It's a very cat-like name, I think.

Or 'Melody'? More angsty but also more obvious and riskier. And the idea is that the Doctor cannot know either she's there. But it also makes a good name for a cat I think.

(also, yeah, I totally haven't finished the lkh rewrite either, I think I told you earlier. But ohhh shiny new fic concept with thasmin and River and a cat 😍😍😍 anyway I am blaming you <3 (for the idea, not the procrastinating - the procrastinating is 100% on me))

God, I hope this is halfway coherent now. I'm not feeling too coherent 😅

Anyway thank you so much for listening <3 I'm very grateful to hear any thoughts! On the name or general thoughts :) Also questions! As I said, there is some plot. Unfinished, but I can see a main direction (and it looks suspiciously like 20k+ words so... not sure I will follow it ever)

First of all, absolutely love that my bullshit inspired you XD

Second, I love the scene you wrote omgggg! The fact the fam didn't notice the nametag and just went to the more outlandish explanation of "13 speaks cat" 😂

I love the name Siren so much!! Like first, it fits with the "River" (body of water) "Song", but it also reminds me of how when River calls for the Doctor, they are always there for her, almost as though drawn to River.

(Shiny new ideas always so appealing, yuppp, it is a thing I know all too well)

I am so excited to read more of this, and am looking forward to the plot that awaits us!

On the point of juggling so many characters, yes, I find that anything above three characters regularly interacting gets a bit crowded. Perhaps you'll still find a way to have Ryan and Graham there and doing little tasks during the fic, like for instance sending them to get food for Siren XD

I am honoured to have enabled this as your writing sounds a delight!! May the writing gods bless you, may your writing be plentiful and motivating!

[from-a-reckless-writer]

RE: the tags about being tempted to post a half finished fic and guess the ending, well you are a reckless writer for a reason

this is long overdue, so here have a fic.

It has come to the point that nothing fazes her anymore.

A kidnapping? Been there, done that. It means calling Sam Arias to intimidate the board of members into temporary submission.

An explosion at the office? Just a typical Tuesday. It means relocating to the 23rd floor and sharing the desk with two other interns for 2 months tops.

An assassination attempt? It means bracing herself for at least 3 deliveries of donuts and coffee for the two following weeks that Kara Danvers would be protectively hovering over L-Corp, until her boss snaps and shoos her away back to CatCo.

She’s seen it all, endured it all and she sure as hell is prepared for it all. She’s got three different ironclad statements ready to publish for whatever PR disaster will most likely turn up that week. She’s got contacts from the FBI, DEO, CatCo, Daily Planet, Gotham Gazette-- hell she even has Lillian’s personal cell (just in case the Luthor matriarch ever tries anything y’know? ) and yes, even the number of that 'Mexican place at 5th and Spring, you know the one Kara likes, Jess?'

She’s got two pairs of heels, a raincoat and four sets of outfits neatly folded in a duffel bag, at the back of the office, reserved for any emergency that requires a change of clothes.

The point is, she is an independent Asian-American woman who has worked her ass off for the better part of the decade and has long learned to take no shit from anybody.

Not even stupid superpowered Kryptonians.

See, it takes a lot to be her. It takes unlimited patience to put up with a woman like Lena Luthor, not because she’s a terrible person. Oh no, no, the complete opposite, actually. She is so overwhelmingly kind to a fault, and she doesn’t want nor let anybody see it. It’s infuriating to see sometimes. Okay, fine, she sides with the Krytonian on that one matter. But oh, ho, ho, not today. Today, she’s mad.

She’s livid, actually and it’s all Supergirl’s fault. (and Lena Luthor's too.)

Jess has had her fair share of ‘I-Should-Not-Have-Been-Here’ moments, like that one time she forgot to knock and stumbled unto Lex mid-yell with Lena whose eyes were shimmering but was still keeping a rigid posture.

Or that one time when she thought her boss had long left the office, only to be greeted with quiet sobs and an empty bottle of scotch rolling on the floor. Or that time she happened upon Lena, skirt and sleeves on fire with fumes rising from a green solution.

Apparently, her staff from the lab refused to let her in after three days of their CEO holding herself in isolation with the experiment. Lena had gotten the great idea of smuggling the chemicals to her office instead. Luthors are nothing but determined. Jess still remembers the adrenaline rush of holding a fire extinguisher—as if she were the chosen 5th grader for a school fire drill—and shoving her boss out of the way.

Like she said, nothing fazes her anymore she’s seen it all, except maybe, this one. Yep, definitely this one. This one just made a hot ball of fury unfurl at her very core. This one might just take the cake.

Jess was just going about her day, returned from a hearty lunch and feeling reinvigorated from that dose of sunlight and fresh air. It was a quiet day today, she noticed, which should’ve been a foretelling.

Nothing really is ever quiet. Well, when it comes to L-Corp, at least.

She’s been sitting on her desk for about a good fifteen minutes and finished with screening a few papers from their new contractors, when it occurs to her that the latest blueprints from R&D are still on her desk instead of already being reviewed by her boss.

She grabs the drawing tube and quickly makes for her boss’s private office. They’ve spent enough time with each other that Jess could just come and go as she pleases, instead of having to knock each time. Saves both of their time, that way.

Although, usually, she buzzes through the intercom first to double check, but it was 1:20 P.M and she knows Lena doesn’t have anything scheduled after lunch. So, she pushes the door, confidently strolls in and promptly stops in her tracks.

Jess stops breathing for a moment, blinks once, twice, stares at the scene before her.

Lena Luthor sat atop her work desk; blouse open, eyes closed, cheeks flushed, neck currently being ravaged by Supergirl with legs wrapped around the waist.

She probably should’ve just turned and left while they haven’t seen her yet. That would’ve been the smart decision, right? Yes. Yes, it was so very clearly The Right Decision.

Of course, she doubts she could look Lena in the eye for the next few weeks after that, but at least she wouldn’t know that Jess walked in on them during an er- make-out session? Office tryst? Oh God, she shudders internally. It sounds even worse.

Incident? Yep. Yeah. She’s sticking with incident. Indecent incident sounds more apt really.

She should’ve left. Would have left, if her eyes didn’t just land on the desk—well, more like Miss Luthor’s as- backside—and felt the stirrings of rage make itself known. Because there, underneath Lena’s ass (Backside!! Jess, that’s your boss!) is the squished—probably crumpled—pages of a contract.

A contract they’ve spent 5 months securing!!

Jess decides to do what everyone else would have done in a situation such as this; she clears her throat. Loudly.

Classic move.

Supergirl’s head immediately shoots up and Lena’s eyes snap open.

“Jess!” Supergirl squeaks and she sees the exact moment the realization hits Lena. Her eyes widening at her girlfriend’s exclamation, whips her head to the side, spots Jess, hands scrambling to a panic to close all the buttons of her blouse.

She hears Lena hiss, “Fuck, shit. Oh my God. Shit. How did she even- You have superhearing!!!” as she pushes Supergirl—who lets herself be pushed, stunned by the intrusion, face redder than a tomato.

Lena gets off the desk, fixes herself all the while to futile results. Her hair is tugged down from her usual ponytail, her neck and chest is marked, her lips swollen.

Supergirl's hands twitch at the sides and Jess sees her gulp as blue eyes frantically dart to Lena and her, and then Lena, and then back to her.

Lena finally turns around after those few awkward beats.

"Jess," she begins, clearly trying hard to put on her business bitch persona, but come on, there's a hickey under her jaw for fuck's sake.

"It's not what you-"

Jess doesn’t let her finish, she stomps her way across the office and forcefully puts the drawing tube on the desk. It makes a hollow thump.

“Jess I-”

“Supergirl, do you know how long it takes to finalize a business proposal, pitch it to the board, persuade the board and finally have a contract drawn?”

Supergirl gulps again. Lena’s eyes are wild next to her, she doesn’t like not knowing what the next best move is, Jess knows this all too well.

“Uhhh- no?”

Jesus Christ, you’d think after years of shadowing Cat Grant, she'd had at least learned a thing or two. Then again, if somebody is full on glaring at her after getting caught red-handed, Jess doubts she could answer coherently too.

“That’s right,” Jess says, “You don’t.”

“Jess,” Lena repeats pointedly. She knows that tone. It’s a warning.

“Ms. Luthor.”

A period not a question mark. It’s a challenge.

"I've spent all my evenings working late on that, do you know how many dates I've had to cancel? Just so I can secure a meeting with Qatar and simultaneously sync it with Beijing's time? My boyfriend hasn't seen me in two weeks!” Jess bursts out.

“Two weeks, Supergirl!” She gets close enough to jab a finger to the Girl of Steel’s chest. A feat she will gladly tell all her coworkers later when she’s calmed down enough.

“Not to mention, the 10 other people who worked their ass off trying to make sure that Miss Luthor's presentation is airtight, bulletproof and waterproof!” Lena has the decency to look a little guilty at this point, nothing big though, just a slight tug at her lips, but it was enough for Jess.

“IT TOOK ME 3 FUCKING MINUTES TO PRINT THAT GODDAMN CONTRACT WHICH MIGHT NOT SOUND LONG—” Jess raises a finger in emphasis, “BUT BELIEVE ME WORKING IN L-CORP? A 3 MINUTE DIFFERENCE CAN MEAN AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OR PSYCHOPATH PRESS!”

Supegirl of all people should already know this! For fuck’s sake!

Jess’s chest is heaving. She takes a deep breath, kneads her knuckles to her eyelids, “So, please if you're gonna have sex in the office, please, pleaseeeee clear the desk first. And at least, lock the door.”

She stares them both down, till Lena gives her a solemn nod; cheeks and ears still red. Supergirl squeaks out an, “U-understood, Ma’am.”

“Good. Glad we’ve come to an agreement.” Jess gives them one final nod before finally fulfilling what she came in here to do, “Miss Luthor,” She turns to Lena, “here are the R&D blueprints. Good day, to you Supergirl. I'll be going now. "

When she finally goes home, tells her boyfriend, and wonders aloud if she’ll still have a job the next morning, he tells her she’s such a badass.

And well, Jess can’t disagree with that.

*****

"Did I just- Did I just get yelled at by your secretary?? D-did she just chew us out?"

"She did, and she deserves a raise."

[lauras-collection]

beyond being friends | part 8

Harrison Osterfield x Holland!Reader

|| Masterlist || Series Masterlist ||

Summary: What happens when you suddenly realise you’re attracted to your brother’s best friend?

When you and Harrison cross the line between friendship and something more, it makes everything more complicated than the average ‘being more than friends’ relationship. Because he’s your brothers best friend and you’re all living together.

Words: 3k

Warnings: SMUT 18+ (a little oral, like one second [f receiving], fingering, biting [once], a little overstimulation, protected sex), if there’s anything else I should tag let me know! 

A/N: Not gonna lie this part is a bit of a hot mess...I hope you like it! 😅 

P.S.: I don’t know if the glasses Harrison wears sometimes are prescription glasses, so if they’re not let’s pretend they’re blue light glasses so it makes sense his wearing them before bed ok? ok. :D

Feedback is always appreciated ❤️

“You look happy,” Harry says, his face momentarily freezing on the screen. You can’t keep the smile off your face. There’s no doubt that you’re happy, and the fact that it’s so apparent your brother picks up on it through a FaceTime call and sees the need to mention it? Speaks volumes. 

“I am” You grin at him, his eyes squinting a little in playful suspicion. 

“Any particular reason?” He raises an eyebrow while shifting his position a bit. It looks like he’s in the apartment Tom and him have been renting for the past months, his arms stretched out in front of him, his chin almost touching the table.

“Wouldn’t you like to know” You can’t tell him, you remind yourself. As much as you would like to share the reason for your happiness you can’t. Not yet. 

“I would, actually” 

“Not telling ya” 

“C’mon! I wanna know what’s going on!” He pouts, giving you his puppy dog eyes. Not working this time mate. You just shake your head. Something pulls Harry’s attention away from the screen and one second later Tom appears next to him.

“Y/N!” Tom’s got a wide grin on his face. You greet him with a smile that’s just as big. It’s been a while since you talked to him. Yes, maybe you’d been avoiding him a little. But how are you supposed to talk to him normally? You’re not good at that. At pretending everything is fine. 

“Hi, Tom. You doing okay?” You feel your smile slipping and force it back on your face. You hope your brothers don’t notice the shift in your mood. 

“Yeah, filming is going amazingly. How’re things at home?” 

“Same old” You know, except for me being in love with your best friend. Of course, you don’t say that. As much as you want to. Your leg starts bouncing with nerves. The longer you talk to Tom the more nervous you get. You hate this. “You’re coming home Thursday, right?” You try to change the subject, afraid of Harry mentioning that something has to be different and then both of them pestering you about it. But now your so aware of the fact that there will only be a couple days left until they’re back home. You’ve been anxious for a while but it gets worse with each day that passes.

The screen freezes again before Tom speaks “We’re so excited. We miss you guys” 

“We miss you, too. I can’t wait” While you have to force the words out, they are true. After chatting with the boys for another few minutes you finally say goodbye. It’s almost midnight already, so you use that as an excuse. 

When you return to your room, Harrison is already tucked up in bed, scrolling through his phone. When he notices you, he takes off his glasses and puts his phone away. 

“You okay?” his brows are slightly furrowed in concern. 

“Yeah, but I was just reminded that Tom and Harry are going to be back soon” 

Harrison’s expression softens at that. He reaches one of his hands out towards you. “C’mere” he doesn’t have to ask you twice, you walk over to him and take his hand, letting him pull you into his lap. A soft smile appears on his face and his hands find your hips as if they were meant to be there. And with that, all worries fly out the window. It sounds cliche and sappy, but when you’re with Harrison nothing else matters.

You start running your hands over his pecs, then his shoulders. You love touching him, and you won’t be able to do that whenever you want to once Tom and Harry are home. Being close to Harrison and feeling his hands on your hips has the usual effect, a small pout appears on your face. Harrison lifts one eyebrow. "What is it?" His thumbs are drawing small circles on your hip bones, the fabric of your panties the only barrier between you.

“Now I'm horny" You finally whine causing Harrison to throw his head back laughing. "That's not funny! It’s your fault. Why do you have to be so fucking sexy? It’s not fair.” You pout again but Harrison keeps laughing, his hands squeezing your hips gently before he wraps his arms around you completely your chest now flush against his.

"You're adorable, you know that?" You try to shove him a bit but he doesn’t budge.

"I don't wanna be adorable. I want you to do something about it." You roll your hips into his. The amused expression on his face falls as a small groan leaves his lips and you can feel him stir beneath you. "Please?" You push your bottom lip forward and roll your hips again.

“Fuck, baby, you're gonna be the death of me." He grips your hips a little tighter and then, in one swift movement you're underneath him. Your arms automatically wrap around his neck, your hands going into his hair. He starts peppering kisses over your neck making you let out a sigh. You circle your legs around his waist, crossing your ankles you pull him closer

“You really are horny, huh?" Harrison asks, his hot breath hitting the sensitive skin of your neck.

"Mhm." You hum in affirmation.

“You want this?" He rolls his hips into yours, his clothed cock against your heat making you gasp "Want my cock?"

"Yes, Haz” You breath out, "want your cock so bad" At your words Harrison moans and slips his hands under your shirt, softly trailing up your stomach before they find your breasts, his thumbs teasing your nipples. You arch your back, leaning into his touch. Harrison's lips finally find yours in a hot, messy kiss.

Your hands grasp onto the fabric of his shirt, tugging on it until you’re able to pull it over his head. His hands and lips momentarily leaving your body.

As soon as his shirt is gone his lips are back on yours. You can’t get enough of him, his touch, his taste. You run your hands over his naked torso while his mouth is devouring yours. It doesn’t take long for both of you to get rid of the rest of your clothing. 

And as much as you’ve gotten used to feeling his naked skin on yours, it still makes you tremble. The feeling of his weight on top of you, his hips pressing into yours, his hard cock between you. 

“Need you” You mumble against Harrison’s lips. Why is he still holding out when he knows how desperate you are? 

“Turn around for me, baby. " Harrison murmurs against your ear. “On your knees. Ass up." His commanding tone turns you on even more and you're quick to obey. When you're in position, the side of your face pressing into the pillow, you impatiently wait for Harrison to do something.

It's almost unbearable to not be able to see what he's doing. Then you feel his hands on your ass before they move to your waist. Next, his hot breath hits your skin. Harrison places a trail of kisses down your spine, muttering praises against your skin. “So good for me. You're so beautiful, baby." He sinks his teeth into your left ass cheek, just deep enough so you can feel it. "My pretty girl" you gasp, whether that is because of his words or him biting you, you’re not really sure. You don't even have time to think about it because the next thing you know, Harrison runs his tongue through your slick folds. Your moans are dampened by the pillows, so Harrison pulls them away from your face and throws them across the room. "Wanna hear you" He places a sloppy kiss on your cheek, his chest pressing against your back. Suddenly, his finger is on your clit and the unexpected stimulation makes you moan loudly, your pussy clenching around nothing. 

"That's it" He keeps circling his finger around the sensitive nub, bringing you to the edge quickly.

"Harrison" You’re almost sobbing now.

"Hm?” Harrison knows you’re about to cum, he's familiar with your body and the way it reacts now. And being the tease that he is, he removes his hand, denying you the orgasm. You let out a whine in protest.

"I know you wanna cum Y/N. But I want you to cum when I'm inside you. Can you do that for me?" He’s panting, his breath hitting the shell of your ear. 

You nod quickly and gather your thoughts enough to say, "Harrison. Please. I can't take your teasing any longer."

"I got you" He places a kiss on your shoulder blade, then you hear a condom wrapper crinkle. You groan when, instead of finally sliding into you, he teases your clit with the head of his cock. 

“Harrison!” Your voice is muffled by the mattress, but your whine is clearly distinguishable. You feel Harrison’s chest rumble against your back as he chuckles. Then he lifts himself up, one of his hands gripping your hips, pulling them back up a bit.

And then he finally pushes into you. You both moan at the feeling. Your legs spread wider, slipping on the mattress but it doesn’t really matter because the next thing you know Harrison starts thrusting into you, his hands supporting his weight by the sides of your head. It feels so good you’re not even embarrassed about drooling a little onto the mattress. You try your best to meet his thrusts, but you can’t keep up with his pace, so you give up after a while. Harrison’s cock strokes against your g-spot with every thrust and your pussy is already clenching around him. You’ve been worked up all day. You won’t last long. 

“Ha-“ You can’t even form words anymore. 

“You gonna cum for me, Y/N?” Harrison presses out between his teeth. “Want to feel you cum around me” 

A few more thrusts and his wish is granted. With a guttural moan, you’re hit with your orgasm. 

“That’s it. Fuck. You feel so good.” Harrison keeps fucking you through your orgasm. All you can do is lie there, arms spread out as you try to come down from your high. 

But then he’s pulling up your hips again.

“You got one more in you?” He doesn’t give you time to answer, you wouldn’t be able to form words anyway. All you can do is push your hips up towards him. He shifts a little, lowering down on his left forearm while his hand finds its way between your legs. His fingers start drawing circles over your clit, your muscles tensing at the overstimulation, but you can feel the burning sensation in the bottom of your belly again. Your next orgasm building already. 

“Okay, c’mon. Want us to cum together.” Harrison’s thrusts slow down, syncing with the movement of his hand. His face is hovering close to yours now and you crane your head a bit to capture his lips, as soon as his tongue delves into your mouth you feel him twitching inside of you, and then suddenly you’re seeing stars. 

You have to separate your lips from his, both of you moaning loudly. 

When your highs have subsided, Harrison pulls out of you. You turn onto your side and rest your head against his chest once he returns to the bed after he disposed of the condom.

“You okay?” Harrison asks running his hand over your head. 

“Yeah,” You let out a feeble chuckle and snuggle a little closer to him, suddenly feeling cold. Harrison leans over to the side of the bed and picks up your blanket that had somehow ended up on the floor. He pulls it over both of you and you let out a sigh. You should probably clean up, maybe take a shower. But you’re too exhausted. 

So you relish the feeling of Harrison’s arm tightly around you, the even falling and rising of his chest lulling you to sleep.

***

The next morning you're awoken by the front door falling shut with a loud bang. Harrison stirs beside you and the fact that he's still in bed with you, and is therefore not the one at the front door, makes you sit up quickly. Who could it be? Your parents? Sam? Tuwaine? 

But Tom's voice is calling for the two of you the next moment. “Y/N? Haz? You guys home?” You quickly check your phone. Wednesday 11.34am. What was Tom doing here? He and Harry weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow! You asked them last night!

 Both you and Harrison sit up in bed. You’re both still naked.

“Y/N? Harrison?" Now it's Harry calling for you. You quickly reach for a discarded shirt on the floor, grab a fresh pair of underwear and sweatpants from your closet before dashing down the stairs.

The commotion captures your brothers' attention and as soon as Harry sees you he’s rushing over to you, wrapping you in a tight hug.

"I missed you" He mumbles into the crook of your neck. You hug him back just as tightly, patting the curly mob of hair on his head.

"I missed you, too" You breathe in his scent, immediately feeling more at ease. Suddenly, two more arms wrap around you. Now you're sandwiched between your two brothers.

"I'm glad you guys are back," you say when you finally need to pull away so you can breathe properly again. “Though it’s a little unexpected, weren’t you supposed to come home tomorrow?”

“We took an earlier flight.” Tom says “Surprise” And what a surprise it is. He smiles, the crinkles by his eyes appearing. He looks a little tired, but happy nonetheless. You can’t help but smile, too.

“Is that… Harrison’s shirt?” Tom’s eyebrows are creased as he looks at what you’re wearing. You did not pay attention to what shirt you picked up from the floor earlier, so now all of you are staring at the white shirt with the W and the red rose printed on the top left corner that you’ve pulled on. You can hear Harrison come down the stairs behind you. There’s no way you can talk about whether or not to tell Tom right away. And you decide that standing in front of him wearing one of Harrison’s shirt is not the best idea.

“Hm,” You cock your head to the side a bit. “Must’ve accidentally nicked it from the laundry.” You mentally pat yourself on the back for thinking of it so quickly. Harrison visible relaxes, too. “I’ve got a shirt quite similar to this” It’s not even a lie, who doesn’t have a white shirt?  

You don’t give Tom and Harry the chance to think about it for much longer “Have you been to mum and dad's already? I'm sure they're gonna be super happy to have you back earlier than expected"

“We haven’t. We wanted to take our stuff home first." Harry says.

“That makes sense” You nod. You need to get them out of the house as quickly as possible. There’s evidence of you and Harrison being more than just friends and roommates all over the house. “Why don’t you guys head over now? I’ve got some things to take care of but I’ll join you in a bit” You force a bright smile onto your face, hoping you can fool them. You notice Harry eyeing your suspiciously from the corner of your eye but decide to ignore it. 

“Sounds good. You coming with, Haz?" Tom looks at his best friend who seems a little lost in thought.

"Uh, yeah. I guess." His eyes flicker to yours for just a moment before returning to Tom "Let me just get dressed real quick."

You follow your brothers up the stairs and while they unpack a couple of their things Harrison gently pushes you into your room.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you coming?” Harrison hisses, closing the room to your door behind him. 

You start gathering some of Harrison’s things while answering “We can’t just leave the house like this. If they take one look at my room they’re gonna have a lot of questions.” 

Understanding washes over Harrison’s face. “You’re right. How do you want me to handle the situation?” He rests his hands on his hips.

“I don’t know” You let out a sigh, putting some of Harrison’s clothes on your bed. “Just maybe make something up if they ask what I’m doing and… be normal?” It’s more of a question than an answer. Harrison quirks a brow. “I’ll join you in half an hour or so. This shouldn’t take too long.” 

With a sigh, Harrison comes over to pull you into his arms. “It’s gonna be okay” He places a kiss on your temple, then you hear a door closing on the floor above you. 

You and Harrison quickly leave your room and if you would’ve been only a second slower, Harry would’ve caught you sneaking out of your room with Harrison. Was this what it was going to be like from now on? Or, well, until you tell them.

When the boys are finally on their way to your parents' house you quickly start tidying up the house. All of the shared spaces are quickly tidied up, but your room is a whole different story. You’re pretty sure half of Harrison’s stuff is in here now. There are his glasses on your bedside table, his phone charger next to yours, and a few pages of a script on your desk. 

You gather as much of his belongings as you can and take them over to his room. You’re sure there are still some of his clothes in your room, but you doubt your brothers are going to rummage through your closet. 

When you’re finally done you let out a breath. You feel slightly better, but clearing your room of the evidence doesn’t mean you and Harrison can leave it at that. You know you need to tell Tom. And now you can’t really put it off any longer. He’s home now. 

A/N: Well that escalated quickly... all of it :D sorry if that smut scene was similar to the last one but I wrote this one in October or November and I didn’t want to change it :D  Let me know what you think!! ❤️

everything taglist: @spidermanlondon​ // @duskholland​ // @tutuabby28​ // @missevrythingg​ // @in-a-lot-of-fandoms-tbh​ // @thenoddingbunny-blog​ // @emilykjh​ // @clara-licht​ // @hollandfanficlove​ // @calltothewild​ // @crybabyalexxx​ // @hazardosterfield​ // @calsthomas​ // @quaksonhehe​ // @strawberrytom​ // @thirzaholland // @tombrina​ // @outshineallthestars​ // @serendipitous-amor​ // @soincredible​ // @trustfundparker​ // @localfangirlx​ // @writertoo18​ // @viagracex​ // @skamlover200​ // @wonderlandfandomkingdom​ // @wehavetomakeourheartssitstill​ // @thearchersupremacy​ // @itstaskeen​ // @camimndess​ // @allyz​ // @technosoot​ // @fanficscuziranout​ // @parker-hollandx // @givebuckyhisplumsnow​ // @dangerouslovefanfic​ // @ertherealrose​ // @i-married-a-pineapple​ // @miraclesoflove​ // @bi-girlwrites-2000​ // @seasidetom​ // @katcontrreras​ // * * // @fallingforfics​ // @destinedbooklover // @parkerpeter24​ // @selfcarecap​ // @moonphoric // @just-a-littlebit-of-everything​ // @emistrash​ // @badreputationlove​ // @turtoix​ // @haloxmendes​ // @anjalika03​ // @iamsherloki-wholocked​ // @the-fan-18​

bbf taglist: @m-a-r-i-n-t // @mrs-hollandstan​ // @unicorn-princess-1999​ // @mimisparkle12​ // @bearsbeetsbarnes​ // @annathesillyfriend​ // @sydsquibbles​ // @vapingisntmything​ // @littlebookbengal​ // @quethekillerqueen​ // @love-makes-all-things-beautiful // @swiftmind​ // @pearly-pisces​ // @cocoamoonmalfoy​ // @parkersharthook​ // @hotforharrison​ // @hopeless-romantic-baby​ // @dreaminsuga​ // @thefallenbibliophilequote​ // @wizkiddx​ // @practicallylivesonline​ // @minejungwoo​ // @kenisnothere // @sunsetholland​ // @messagesinthesky​ // @robertpattinson-th​ // @osterfieldvol6 // @bvttercupbby​ // @gog0juice​

harrison osterfield taglist: @hjoficrecs​ // @lolychu​ // @hazardosterfield​ // @hollandbroz-n-haz​

series taglist: @softholand​ // @svturtles​ // @cloverrover​ // @goodgirlgonetom​ // @justafangirlduh​ // @thegirlwiththediary​

[tomurasprincess]

36. For the crusty fucking bitch shigaraki

Pairing: Shigaraki x Reader Quote: I’ve dedicated myself to you! It’s only fair that you do the same. Warnings: Noncon, rough sex, biting, possessiveness, manipulation, murder, yandere

Yandere Prompts

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

You internally wince at the harsh voice of your boyfriend, and also the boss and leader of the League of Villains. You had been hoping to quietly leave the hideout without him knowing.

“I’m just going to visit my sister,” you say in a careful tone. “I haven’t seen her for a while and I miss her.” You pause before deciding to add “I promise I’ll be careful.”

“You think it matters if you’re careful? You could still get caught.” Shigaraki was using his calm, no nonsense leadership voice on you instead of talking to you like a normal boyfriend, and it was pissing you off. “You need to wait for a better time.

“When is the better time going to be, exactly?”

Shigaraki’s eyes narrow at your snarky tone as he stalks towards you. “When I give you permission.”

“You have said no every time I ask, for months.”

“And I’m also saying no this time.”

“That isn’t fair,” you let out a frustrated whine from the back of your throat as you consider your options. You realize your anger is clouding your mind and making you sound childish, but you’re past the point of caring.

You could accept defeat and try again later, or you could wait until he’s gone and then sneak out. But you’re tired of his refusal to let you leave, tired of him not wanting to let you see your family. You decide that it’s finally time to put your foot down. Your first mistake.

“Yeah, well I’m saying yes. You can’t control me,” you say in as defiant a tone as you can muster, standing up straight and looking into the furious, red eyes of your boyfriend. Your second mistake.

Your third and final mistake comes when you turn your back on the man as you head towards the door. You barely get the door open before it’s slammed shut and you’re dragged back into the room. You’re barely even able to struggle as you’re forced down, face first, on the bar, with both arms twisted behind your back.

“Oh yes, I can control you.” Shigaraki leans fully onto your back as he snarls into your ear. “You’re mine.”

You know what you should do, if you were smart. You should beg for forgiveness, apologize to the villain that is your boyfriend, and accept whatever punishment he comes up with. But right now, you’re too frustrated to be smart. So you say the first thing that comes to mind. “I am not yours! You don’t own me.”

“Is that so,” he murmurs in your ear, tone low and dangerous. Warning bells are ringing in your head, but you are in too deep now to dig your way out. So you stubbornly stay quiet so you at least don’t make it worse.

“Then I guess I need to prove it, don’t I? That you’re mine, and I can do whatever the fuck I want to do with you.” With that statement, you feel his hand grip your pants as the fabric begins to decay and flake down into the floor as ash. “My little brat needs to be put into her place.”

You hear a zipper, sounding impossibly loud in this quiet, empty room, and your eyes widen at the implication of what he’s about to do. “I - Tomura, I am sorry, please.” You begin to plead, hoping that he’s just threatening you into submission.

“It’s too late to be sorry now, brat.” You feel something hard and heavy press against the entrance to your pussy, his fingers spreading your folds open. “I am going to show you exactly who owns you.” With that statement, he forces himself into your pussy, inch by agonizing inch.

“Oww, Tomura stop, it hurts,” you grunt out. You are not nearly wet enough to take all of him comfortably, but the villain doesn’t seem to care. When he meets resistance, he simply takes smaller thrusts as he works himself into you, until finally he’s pressing against your cervix.

Tears are running down your face at the painful stretch of him being balls deep inside of you with no preparation, and you try to shift around just a bit to relieve the ache. “I wouldn’t have to do this if you weren’t being such a fucking brat,” he grunts as he begins to thrust inside you. “Fuck, your cunt is so tight like this.”

He grabs a handful of your hair, still careful to keep one finger away despite his anger, and pulls hard, forcing your back to arch so that he can get even deeper inside of your cunt. He runs his other hand up and down your back, sometimes gently, and sometimes digging his blunt nails into your flesh. He pulls almost all the way out of you with every thrust before brutally slamming in, hips smacking against your ass.

You let out an involuntary moan as he hits that sweet spot inside of you, making you see stars as your cunt leaks your juices onto his thrusting cock. “You’re getting wet. You’re not supposed to be getting off to your punishment, you little slut,” he growls as his hand smacks down against your ass.

You let out a small gasp at the stinging pain, cunt clenching down around the cock that’s fucking you into the bar. “Fucking slut, you’re gonna get off, aren’t you? I can feel that dirty cunt of your pulsing around my cock.”

“Please,” you whimper, not sure whether you’re begging him to stop or begging him to let you cum. You can no longer stop your gasps and moans, leaning your forehead into the bar as drool runs down your mouth. Your pussy is soaked now, and you can hear the wet noises of skin slapping against skin as his thrusts become staggered.

“Please what, slut?”

“Please let me cum.” Your face turns hot, shame flooding your system at the fact that you’re getting off to his treatment of you. But the pleasure is building up inside of you, muscles in your lower abdomen tensing up as you get closer to being pushed over that edge.

“I guess I can be nice, this once,” he chuckles as he reaches around to rub small circles on your clit with two fingers. It’s enough to finally send you over the edge, gasping out your orgasm as your pussy flutters around his cock. He follows quickly afterwards, grabbing your hips and thrusting all the way inside, locking his hips as he fills you with hot ropes of cum.

He stays there until he’s finished cumming, pulling out of you with a grunt. You feel his cum sliding down your legs and dripping down onto the floor, and you wince at the sensation. You look up enough to glance into his eyes, as you wait to see what he intends to do now.

He meets your eyes, a contemplative look on his face, until his eyes light up and an evil grin appears across his face. “You know, I was thinking of a way for you to make this up to me.”

You don’t say anything, too afraid of getting in even more trouble and lose whatever opportunity you have to get out of this. You simply wait for him to finish his thought.

“I’ve dedicated myself to you! It’s only fair that you do the same.”

Your heart drops down into your stomach at what he could mean by that statement, afraid to ask but knowing that you have to. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I only have you and the League, but you have a life outside of both. I don’t really think that’s fair, do you?” He gives you a mocking laugh as he sees your eyes widen with fear.

“You wouldn’t have any reason to leave me or the base if you didn’t have a sister,” he muses quietly.

“Please, you don’t mean - I’m sorry, I’ll do anything, please just don’t.“

But he’s already pulling out his phone to send out a text. You glance at the screen long enough to see one thing that makes your entire body go cold. He’s texting Dabi.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he coos, taking you into his arms when you begin to sob. “You don’t need anyone else but me.”

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

Tags: @thewheezingwyvern, @animewh0re, @ttamaki, @ichor-and-symbiosis, @lildreamer93, @marlowewrites, @redbeanteax, @kittygonyan, @bat-eclecticwolfbouquet-love, @daedaep69, @heyybrittannia, @groovydreamertrash, @hisoknen, @chou-maitresse, @shoutogepi, @togasknifes, @kingtamakimurder, @league-of-thots, @shigaraki-is-my-master

[fantasy-dating-sim-trash]

You're my Favorite Distraction

This was supposed to just be a shit post and somehow it just got out of hand. Oops!

Plus I'm out here STARVED for content. So I made my own. I don't typically write fluff or cutesy stuff. So I hope you all enjoy! I hope I did his character the justice he deserves! 💚

Fandom: Shall We Date?: Obey Me!

Rating: Teen & up

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Main Character/Satan

(Shall We Date?: Obey Me!) Characters: Mammon (Shall We Date?: Obey Me!), Lucifer (Shall We Date?: Obey Me!), Mammon doing something dumb, implied punishment, fluff, kiss blushing, mammon being mammon, studying. Satan' room, implied lucifer stringing mammon up.

Main Character (Shall We Date?: Obey Me!) Additional Tags: Gender neutral MC, studying, some flirting

Word count: 2079

Summary: Both Satan & the MC get distracted but by different things or is it? They learn that some distractions are welcome, and that they both have a favorite distraction. Both Satan & the MC learn something new about other.

Lucifer: MAMMON! GET BACK HERE YOU SLEAZY SCUMBAG!

Mammon: Uh oh! It's time to get out of here! *starts running down the halls of HoL*

Lucifer: Stop running in circles you whore, I only just wanna hurt you A LOT *starts going after Mammon*

Mammon: *dodging his brother* No way am I letting that happen! You're gonna punish me!

Lucifer: *following Mammon* WELL YOU DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED FOR WHAT YOU DID! YOU'RE THE WORST ABSOLUTE SCUM OF THE EARTH! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO DESERVE AN IDIOT SUCH AS YOU FOR A BROTHER!?!

MC: *hears the commotion from inside Satan's room, sighs* I wonder what the hell he did this time to piss Lucifer off?

Satan: *shrugs* I haven't the slightest clue. Although it doesn't seem to take much to piss Lucifer off. Especially when it comes to Mammon.

MC: It just seems to me that sometimes just Mammon existing pisses him off. *waves hands dramatically*

Satan: *gives the MC a knowing look* I mean, that’s also a fair point. We’ll find out at dinner what happened when Lucifer catches him.

Mammon: *screams* PUT ME DOWN!!!!

Satan & MC: *exchange a look*

Satan: *raised eyebrows* Looks like Lucifer caught him. That was faster than normal. It might be a new record for them both. My curiosity’s been piqued. I’m definitely more invested now in knowing what happened between those two. However, it’ll have to wait until later.

MC: *slightly shaking their head while a small smile grazes their face* I don't wanna know how you know the average time it takes for Lucifer to catch Mammon and how you know it was faster than normal. *laughs* However, I will say that your extensive knowledge is impressive and I can see it extends way past any kind of book. You'll have to teach me your ways.

Mammon: *still screaming in the background*

Lucifer: *in the background* You're only making this worse for yourself!

Satan: *smirks* Oh you wanna learn my secret ways? I have no problem teaching you all of what I know. Since knowledge is power and all. We can start now if you want?

MC: Oh??? You'd really teach me!?! Okay! What's the first lesson!?! *smiles eagerly*

Satan: *gets an evil glint in his eyes* Lesson one of learning my ways; don't get distracted by outside sources. If you really want to learn my ways, I strongly suggest you listen to me when I'm trying to help you study. So instead of getting distracted by that commotion going on by my idiot brothers, we instead focus on what you originally came here for. Do I need to remind you that you sought my assistance on this? *looks at the pile of notes & textbooks in front of both of them*

MC: *pouts looking at Satan* That isn't fair! They're being really loud! And it's completely distracting! Aren't you the slightest bit distracted by any of that? *puts both of their arms across their chest*

Satan: I'm not distracted by them. I'm mildly curious about the situation for sure but not enough to be distracted. *smiles at his answer*

MC: *grumbles* Why do you always gotta be so logical about things like this? *realization kicks in* WAIT! You just said you weren't distracted by them. Which means something else is distracting you! Soooooo what is it?!? Tell meee!!! *a shit-eating grin plastered on their face as they look up at him*

Satan: *blinks in surprise, jaw slightly dropping* Kitten, you always seem to know how to read in between the lines of things I say. It's both impressive and scary how well you do that. How well you can decipher what I'm saying or lack thereof.

MC: *shaking their head* Stop avoiding my question, Satan. You say all these words, praising me in hopes that I won't remember what I asked because you're proud of me. Normally, that would work on me because you don't dish out praise if you don't mean it. You use it as a distraction to avoid answering, deflecting the conversation just so you don't have to answer my question. However, this time I'm not going to fall for it, even if I really love hearing praise coming from you. So, please stop deflecting, and just for once answer my question without asking one of your own. *giving him a look that shows they're onto him*

Satan: *caught off guard, he hesitates slightly and then using his finger to guide MC's chin, makes MC look him in the eye, raises an eyebrow, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. He sighing defeatedly* It’s now or never, he thought. Kitten, you always completely and thoroughly amaze me with the way you see right through me. So, I'll answer your question honestly without deflecting this time. It's you, Kitten. You completely and utterly distract me, with how adorable you are. With the endless cute faces you make while I'm trying to help you study. When you're puzzled, the way your eyebrows squish together or the way your eyes shine with anger when you're frustrated, or when you're confused the way you somehow make your face look like a question mark or when you finally understand the material, the small smile of glee, triumph, and understanding that shows on your face. Kitten, it's you distracting me.

MC: *blushing super hard, tries to turn their face away*

Satan: *doesn't let them look away from his piercing ocean colored gaze, while getting slightly redder in the face* The way you make me feel things I've never felt while just doing menial tasks together, confuses me beyond all reason. It is completely unfair and distracting to me, as you so eloquently put it. Your never ending kindness, your smile, your laugh, your quick wit, your fearlessness, who you are at your core. Making me question everything I've ever known about my own emotions. *whispering* You don't see me complaining about how entrancing you are and how it's causing me to be distracted. I'm afraid every time if I tell you how I feel, you'll take all the joy and happiness you have brought into my life away with you, leaving me behind and forgetting all about me. You're the best kind of distraction and I don't want to lose this connection I have with you. Every time I get to hang out with you all my emotions confuse me, causing me all of this internal turmoil. All of these thoughts are about you and what you mean to me. So yes I'm distracted and thoroughly entranced by you. The truth of it all being the amazing human with me is the answer of what's distracting me.

MC: *stuttering, blushing mess* Satan I-... I didn't mean- l- didn't know- I-

Satan: *kisses MC on the forehead lightly, even as he's just as red as the MC* Kitten, don't apologize for something you have no control over. You asked me a question and I answered you more honestly than I would like to admit, terrifying even. You couldn't have known the effect you have on me, how captivating you are because I never told you. *gently brushes a finger a crosses their cheek* You're special to me and I enjoy spending time with you. It's always an adventure hanging out with you as distracting as it can be and I'm always learning new things about myself, rather, learning new things about the both of us. *removes finger from under MC's chin, finally looking away*

MC: *whispering* I feel the same way about you too. I love spending time with you, Satan. When I get to hang out with you it's the highlight of my day, or my week or even my month. I love your extensive and boundless knowledge, the small smiles I know nobody else gets to see, I love seeing your excitement when you're passionate about whatever it is you're talking about. I smile at the thought of getting to see you in the morning at breakfast or even from getting a message from you. Just getting to hang out with you is so special to me, even if it is just reading together in silence, studying, going to the animal shelter to see the cats or playing pranks on Lucifer with you. These are some of my fondest memories and all of them involve you or being with you. *soft smile* You're one of my biggest distractions as well. You distract me in so many ways and if I'm also being honest I wouldn't have it any other way. *places their hand on top of his carefully while looking away*

Satan: *takes their hand and holds it softly in his hand, wide eyed in shock, being super red in the face all while wondering what he ever did to deserve you* I'm really glad to hear that you feel similarly about me as I do you, MC. This is all new to me and words can't describe how elated I feel right now hearing you say all of that.

Satan: *sighs, then looks at MC, concern evident on his features* I feel weird asking this of you but could you keep this, *gestures with his free hand to their intertwined hands and then back to himself & the MC* between the two of us? I wouldn't want my brothers to find out and to use it as blackmail material. I'm still learning to understand my own emotions and how I feel around you. And you know how they can be, they'll use anything against anyone.

MC: *nods* Of course. I wouldn't want to disrespect your boundaries, Satan. Plus, they can be some petty, jealous, backstabbing demons. *laughs* I can't even imagine what they would do if they knew or saw this happen. It's safer this way. *smiles up at him*

Satan: *sighs wistfully* Thank you for being so understanding, MC. I couldn't ask for a more understanding and compassionate partner in crime. *chuckles* It also seems like I got distracted from the original topic that you came here seeking assistance on. You really are so captivating that anyone could get distracted by just being around you. *puts a hand on MC's cheek, the rare soft smile only for them appearing on his face*

MC: *leans into his hand, smiling softly and nodding at him* Looks like we both got distracted. It started out as separate distractions and now it's one and the same.

*Before the MC could chicken out they gently grabbed his face with their free hand and kissed him softly. Lightly pressing their lips to his to show their feelings and how much they genuinely cared about him. He responded by kissing them back softly to show he understood and that the feelings were reciprocated. It was only for a brief moment in reality but to both of them it felt like the longest and shortest kiss on the face of the Devildom. Parting, they put their foreheads together so they could stare into each other's eyes for a few moments longer. They finally moved their faces apart but neither let go of their intertwined fingers.*

Satan: *smirking* I guess we'll both have to work on lesson one of learning my ways, huh? *glances at the MC, feeling himself starting to blush again*

MC: *blushing even harder, nods slowly*

Satan & MC: *both became very aware they're both still holding hands, however neither one wanted to be the first to let go*

Satan: *coughs awkwardly* Now might I suggest we get back to studying for the test on Devildom history together? *uses his free hand to gesture to the forgotten textbooks in front of them*

MC: *nods sadly* I guess it's time to go back to the grind. *looks at the books then at Satan* I'm just glad I have the best teacher to help me study and to make sure I do super well on this test!

*Neither of them let go of the other's hand until they absolutely had to. When that eventually happened they just moved closer together unconsciously as a way to not break the spell that had fallen upon them due to the series of events that happened in his room. Mammon's and Lucifer's previous distraction was completely erased from their memory and blissfully forgotten by the both of them. They just wanted to enjoy each other's company undisturbed and unbothered. Neither knew where this relationship was going but they'd figure it out together.*

[avenging-criminal-bones]

After All This Time || Chapter Two

Aaron Hotchner x Reader

Word Count: 1457

Summary: You being a new recruit pissed SSA Aaron Hotchner off. You being smart enough to give Spencer Reid a run for his money pissed him off even more. Really, he just despised your presence. Hated your every move.

Until one day, he just… didn’t.

CHAPTER WARNINGS: general canon level violence, they talk about a new case, more angry Hotch, more angry reader

A/N: I'm excited that so many people want me to tag them! It's technically only like eight haha, but it's still so cool to me that people want to be told when I'm posting.

TAGLIST:

@kingofthetwats @wanniiieeee @uwu-sebastianstan @piggyinthesea @yoshigguk @thatisthemagic @errorcosplay67 @ivebeenthinkingboutu @big-galaxy-chaos @rynfoxsleeps

* * * * *

Chapter Two

Five months later, and you were still sitting at your desk in the late hours of the night. 12:34 AM. Too late. You had been staying at the bureau after hours to make it look like you were already taking this job as seriously as you could. To be fair, you were taking it seriously, but you figured the late hours being noticed would be a benefit.

So when your phone rang, you answered it immediately.

"L/N."

"Hey, Y/N, it's JJ. Can you come in for a case? Hotch just called and woke me up. I know it's pretty late, but it's a pretty bad one, we're going to Michigan."

"Yeah, not a problem. I wasn't asleep yet." You don't lie necessarily, but it's a half-truth for sure. JJ doesn't need to know that you were already at the BAU building, less than fifty feet away from the briefing room where you would all be meeting.

"Great, thanks Y/N. See you soon."

She clicks off the phone and you sigh before pushing yourself off of the desk.

"L/N." You almost drop the coffee you had been about to sip as you spun around in your swivel chair.

"Yes, sir?" You ask casually, deciding it was better to play dumb.

"Stand."

Obeying your order, you narrow your eyes and stand up, squaring your shoulders and trying to look bigger than you are.

"Now, explain." Hotchner stands in front of you, arms crossed.

"Explain what? That I'm here and we have a case?" You shake your head as you turn away from him.

"Did I say you could turn, Agent?" His voice sends a shiver through your core and you mentally slap yourself. Now is not the time.

Spinning back around, you catch a glimpse of Derek and Garcia walking in to the briefing room. "We have a case, Hotchner. Let's ignore the fact that I was just doing my paperwork and get in there please." It takes everything in you to turn away a second time. You bend down and grab your shoes, sliding them onto your feet before walking away from him and into the room.

You can feel his gaze on your back, but you ignore it, slipping through the conference room door and letting it fall shut behind you.

"Hey guys." You greet as you sit down.

"Hot mama-"

"Hey, beautiful-"

Derek and Penelope greet you at the same time, causing you two girls to giggle and Derek to stifle his laugh because, 'men don't giggle'.

The three of you exchange small talk until the others walk in, most of them looking like they had been in the deep clutches of sleep.

Spencer's already messy hair looked ten times worse, and Emily wasn't wearing a bra, which she was subtly trying to hide by hunching her shoulders forward.

She sits beside you and you send her the 'you good?' look.

"Don't even mention it, Y/N." She threatens lightly with a laugh before Rossi, JJ, and Hotchner walked in.

You kept your gaze down, but you knew his eyes were on you.

"Garcia, you have the slideshow pulled up?" JJ asks gently, knowing that the other blonde woman absolutely despised cases like this. Really the whole team did.

"Yeah... It's a doosy, team. Not pretty at all." She shakes her head and starts the slideshow before handing the tablet to JJ.

"Okay. Ariel Stanton, Franklin Lewis, and Ella Craft. Three kids, all mutilated with their heads severed and preserved. Their bodies were found in the same area of the Raisin River in Petersburg, MI. The heads-"

Penelope got up then and mumbled a string of 'I'm sorries' before all but running out the door.

Your fingers clutched at the dress pants you were wearing as JJ asked, "Does anyone else need to leave before I keep going?"

A collective shake of the team's heads is enough to convince JJ that she can keep going.

"Their heads were all found beside the river bank, fully intact. Two of the bodies came with a note to the precinct, it read: "Fear me, for I have God on my side. God will help me cleanse the Earth of its sinners. These children had to go, for they were not with God.""

You start speaking when the profile is complete, "Okay, so the references to God and doing His work suggests that this unsub sees himself as holier than thou. Most likely a man, age 30-40 and probably grew up in a family that was very religious; they would have prayed before meals and there would be records of this family donating very generously to the church that they attended."

"No. That profile is wrong, L/N. If you had paid any attention, you'd know that the use of the word 'cleanse' means that he thinks these "sinners" are dirty, he's not thinking that he is necessarily better. I don't need your input again."

"Hotch come-"

"You do not have the right to call me that. My team calls me that. To you, I am Agent Hotchner." His gaze was cold, but there was something there.

"Fine. I'll be on the jet." You stand up and as you bend to pick your purse off the ground, Emily whispers in your ear.

"I agreed with you. I'll brief you on the jet."

You nod once and swiftly walk out of the room, "accidentally" bumping Hotchner on your way out. Luckily, he doesn't say anything about it.

Later on the jet, you have your headphones in and are listening the your favorite song of the week. Your taste in music changes frequently, but right now, you were into the old rock and were listening to Journey.

Your lips press into a hard line when you see Hotchner walking up to you. Taking your headphones out and sit up straighter.

"What do you want?" Your voice is bratty and you sigh, quirking an eyebrow up at him.

"I uh, am here to apologize. Rossi thinks it's necessary that I say 'I'm sorry'. So here I am."

You just stare at him.

"What, Y/N?"

"You had something to say?" You cross your arms and lean back in the seat.

His eyebrows furrow when he thinks about what you said and gets a bit confused. "What do you mean? I just said it."

"Oh, did you?" You turn to Spencer, who was sitting across from you, and said, "Did you hear what Hotchner just said?"

"Uh, yeah. I did, why?" He looks up from the book he was reading.

You smirk slightly at Hotch before saying, "Can you use that amazing brain of yours to tell me what he said?"

""I uh, am here to apologize. Rossi thinks it's necessary that I say 'I'm sorry'. So here I am." Why did you need that?" He says after repeating the sentences word for word.

Hotch glares at you a bit as you shrug your shoulders.

"I don't know... I just didn't hear an apology in that." You bat your eyelashes up at the older man and add, "You said that Rossi told you to apologize, but you never said that you were sorry."

"Really, L/N? You want me to get on my knees and beg you?" He asks, spitting the words out like incredulous knives.

You keep the snide tone as you reply, "If you'd like to get on your knees, I may be more inclined to accept the imminent apology."

"Don't be a brat, L/N. I get that some of your past lovers may have liked that, but it has no place in this team. I am still your superior and I recommend you treat me like one."

He walks away without having ever apologizing, and you're left there with your jaw on the floor from his parting message.

"-Yeah! And then he was like, 'Don't be a brat. Your ex probably liked it but I'm your superior-"

"O-M-G, O-M-G. What did you say back to him?!" A very excitable Emily asks from you shared hotel room in Michigan.

"Nothing. I couldn't say anything to him because he just spun and WALKED. AWAY." You nod your head at her, your eyebrows raising as you conveyed your own disbelief at the story. "Yeah, it was horrible. I was so mad."

Emily wiggles her eyebrows, causing you to shake your head.

"Whaaat? No. No!"

"Yeah, Y/N. There's some MAD sexual tension between you two."

"Oh, get out!"

As you laugh at her statement, you pick up the pillow behind you and hit her in the side of the head with it.

"You're gonna get it now."

Faking a gasp, you stand and say, "Is that a threat, Emily?"

"Yes. Now run, bitch."

Yu both giggle and spend the night acting like teenagers again. You didn't have time to think about Aaron if you wanted to which you... no.

You didn't want to.

[sheyshocked]

Fighting Our Demons

Summary: Daniel and Leo were both fucked up. Badly. There was no lying about it. But at least they had each other.

Ship: Daniel/Leo Manfred (Detroit: Become Human)

Warnings: None

Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Drug Withdrawal, Leo Manfred Redemption, Insecurity, Hopeful Ending, Ficlet

Wordcount: 746

A/N: Little something for @disterra. Thanks again for introducing me to this ship, Dee!

You can also read it on ao3!

Just look at them, Leo always used to think as he passed by numerous androids on their way to work. Plastic pricks. They are prancing around, being... perfect. The impeccable dress-up dolls who never argue or have bad days. Unlike I do. No wonder dad likes them more than me.

That last thought stung like a sharpened blade. He despised this feeling of helplessness that weighed heavy on his heart. Luckily, it was almost always overshadowed by the loneliness his way of life was bringing him, with nothing to comfort him other than a handful of a Red Ice, and rage. Wrath at father, his perfect plastic pet, everyone.

When Markus finally snapped and stood up to him, bashing his head open in the process, it opened his eyes. Nearly dying does that to a person, he supposed. Or maybe it was how he found out later that his dad did care, even after all of this mess. Nurses said he stayed by his bedside when he was still unconscious. Hearing how he held his hand during the sleep felt so surreal… It was the last straw that drove him to want to become a better son and a person.

On some lonely days, it was so fucking hard not to give in to the tempting lure of the Red Ice, falling back into his bad habits. But he still tried his best as the world around him changed.

Markus has won – the revolution was successful. Androids were recognized as new sentient beings and all kept by the DPD as evidence were supposed to be repaired and get a fair trial as every person should. All was just peachy. But Leo still couldn’t help at times the sharp pang of jealousy whenever he watched Markus’ speeches. The grace with which he delivered his witty lines. That strange unnatural aura of perfection surrounding him. Leo was sure he would never understand his kind, but at least chose to not act upon those ugly feelings.

It wasn’t until he met Daniel in front of a therapist's office that he realized his jealousy was pointless.

Daniel was not perfect. One could argue he was as far from it as he could get. An obsolete model with serious abandonment issues and more than a troubled past. But once you somehow managed to crack that thick shell he kept around his heart to protect himself, you found an intriguing sensitive being who had so much love to give, when he got over his fear of getting hurt again.

Dan has seen him at his worst – and to his surprise, he didn’t run away. He stayed with him during his most severe withdrawals and hardly even flinched. It baffled him at times, to be honest. Anyone sane would be gone by now.

“Why don’t you just leave me? Everyone else did,” he asked after one of the worse episodes which ended with him on the bathroom floor, head in Daniel’s lap as he stroked his hair glistening with sweat to calm him down. “Don’t you see I’m a complete mess?”

Daniel stayed silent for long enough to worry him, a frown marring his handsome face.

This is it, Leo’s heart sank as he waited for the other man to shake him off his lap and go for the door. Instead, he was surprised by a kiss being pressed onto his forehead that was running hot with fever. It wasn’t nearly as tender as he expected it to be – not with his fiery Dan. But there was a raw emotion hidden behind this little gesture. So much so he couldn’t doubt it was driven by love.

“Hey, stop with this nonsense. I’m not gonna leave you just because you are struggling right now. We are all fighting our demons.” His voice turned wistful, trembling with emotions he could barely get a hold of. It made Leo reach out and put his hand, which was still shaking like crazy, on his cheek, cradling it with more warmth than he thought he was capable of. “You know what I’ve done. How it haunts me to this day. But with you, here… I want to try and fight our demons, together. For as long as you’ll have me.”

It was then that Leo teared up. He didn’t deserve this man. And yet...

They were both fucked up. Badly. There was no lying about it. But at least they had each other. That was all that mattered.

[heylookafanfic]

Title: What Could Go Wrong?

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x daughter!Reader, 

brief summary: With your dad, Aaron Hotchner, being the BAU unit chief, he did whatever he could to protect you. When you get invited to a party for the first time, sneaking out doesn’t sound so bad. What could go wrong?

word count: 3,706 words

requested: Nope, original! (send in those requests!) 

warnings: cursing, getting roofied, getting yelled at, predatory men

Your dad, Aaron Hotchner, was extremely protective over you not only because his job can put you and your brother, Jack, in danger but he already lost a family member and refused to lose another. Having an overprotective father meant you had a list of rules.

The door was to remain completely open when your significant other came over and no sitting/laying on the bed

No leaving the house after sundown

You can’t sleep over at anyone's house, they had to sleep over at your house

You have to ask to go somewhere

If your dad wasn’t home and the doorbell rang, you couldn’t answer it

And that is just the surface. You understood why your dad was so strict but you never got to have a life. To make things worse, your friends always post pictures from parties on Instagram and all you could do is sigh and keep scrolling knowing you’ll never get to go to one.

One day, you were in communications class listening to the professor lecturing about the upcoming semester project. Luckily, you got to pick your group for it and when they dismissed the class to find partners, you quickly turned to your best friend,Vanessa.

“I guess we’re partners, huh?” you chuckled

“Of course!” she said

“So, what do you want to make our project about?”

“I have no idea. I barely paid attention this chapter”

“Try to think out of the box a bit. What’s gonna make ours stand out?”

“Since the class is about communications, how about human interaction?”

“What about it?”

“Like how you haven't had any human interaction lately” she said with a smirk

“You know my dads strict. I can’t even breathe without him being on edge” you said

“You need to live a little Y/N. You’re in college and you’re still being treated like a kid.”

“I know, I know but I don’t know how to convince him to let up a bit”

“Here’s the thing, I’m going to a friend's kickback tomorrow night. This is your chance to finally hang out with someone who isn’t me, Jack or your dad ”

“He’s gonna say no regardless even if I tell him that you’re going with me.” you said

“I’m not saying to sneak out but...” she said with a shrug

“You know he has cameras around the entire perimeter of the house, right?”

“Just say you’re sleeping over at my house”

“Can’t do that either, remember? All sleepovers have to happen at my house”

“I understand having to be cautious because your dads in the FBI but doesn’t he realize that you’re in college?”

You thought about it for a second.

“That’s it! How about you sleep over but I’ll say that you forgot your meds. That’ll give us an excuse to leave”

“Won’t he be suspicious though?”

“Probably not. He trusts you out of all of my friends”

“You’ve got a point. What time am I coming over?”

“What time does the kickback start?”

“9 pm”

“Come over at 7. We’ll be finishing up dinner and it’ll give us time to get ready”

“Awesome”

The both of you packed your backpacks and went home. This would be the first time you’d be sneaking out and you were pretty nervous because so many things could go wrong but you’re with your best friend so, what could possibly go wrong?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Hotchner Household- The next day*

You were in your room finishing up your psychology homework when your dad called you and Jack down for dinner

“Y/N and Jack, come down for dinner” he yelled from the kitchen

“I’m almost done! Give me two more minutes!” you shouted

“Come down now before it gets cold”

You sighed and closed your laptop. As you were walking out of your room, you saw Jack coming down the hall.

“I’ll race you to the dinner table. Loser has to wash dishes tonight” you challenged

“You’re gonna lose like you did last time” he said

“That’s only because you pushed me, short stuff” you chuckled

“I won fair and square though, didn’t I?”

“Anyway…ready, set, go!”

The both of you raced down the hallway and downstairs. Your dad heard all the stomping and already knew what was up. You lightly pushed Jack and he tumbled towards the couch by the living room. Your dad had his hands out by his sides, waiting to see who would finish 1st. You ran and tagged in, winning.

“You pushed me!” Jack complained

“I won fair and square though, didn’t I?” you chuckled

“Dad, Y/N cheated and they said that I’d have to wash dishes after dinner”

“Karmas a bit-” you were cut off

“Enough you two. Go wash your hands and make your plate” your dad said

*During dinner*

“So, how was everybody’s day?” he asked

“I found out that we’re dissecting a frog in class next week” Jack said

“They still do that?” he asked

“Yeah, everyone in my class thinks it’s cool but I’m not looking forward to it”

“Why is that?”

“Because, it’s gross. I asked if I could do an extra credit project instead but my teacher said no”

“Sorry bud. How about you Y/N? How was your day?”

“It was okay. We were assigned a group project yesterday so Vanessas coming over later to study. Is that cool?”

“Which Vanessa?”

“Dad. You’re kidding, right? The same Vanessa I’ve been best friends with since kindergarten?”

“Oh, her. Yeah, she can come over. What’s your project about?”

“It’s a research slideshow about human interaction”

“If you have time, you should drop by the office and ask your aunts and uncles for help. Especially your uncle Spencer. He’ll tell you everything you need to know; easy A” he said

Suddenly, his phone chimed.

“Work?” you and Jack ask

Your dad shook his head and took one last sip of his drink before getting up from the table. He was running around the house grabbing his go bag and work essentials.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back but if I’m not back later tonight, Y/N you know the drill” he said

“Close and lock all doors and windows, don’t answer the door, Jack is to be in bed by 9:30 and lights out at 11” you recited

“And Jack?”

“No video games or TV until homework is done and Y/N is in charge” he groaned

“Good. Y/N?”

“Yes?”

“Vanessa is the only one permitted in the house. Understood?”

“Yes sir”

“Alright, bye! I love you two!” he said

Your dad rushed out the door, hopped in the car and sped off to work. Your dad pretty much being on call can be annoying sometimes because he’s usually away for a few days and misses out on family time. Usually, it’s a bummer but tonight, it was working in your favor.

“Now what?” Jack asked

“How about we finish up dinner and I’ll help you with your homework so you can have the rest of the night to yourself?”

“Sweet!” he responded

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Later that night*

Vanessa had already been at your house for 2 hours and while Jack was getting ready for bed, you were about to leave for the kickback.

“What time did you say your little brother goes to bed?” Vanessa asked

“9:30”

She sighed

“We’re going to be late by then. Can’t we leave earlier?”

“We can’t. If I’m not here to make sure he’s asleep, he’ll be up all night”

“Jacks like what, 10? He’ll be fine. Plus, it’s a Friday night. It’s not like he has school tomorrow.”

You gave it a second thought. Jack is old enough to put himself to bed and the party wasn’t going to be worth going to if you were late.

“Fine. Give me a second and then we can go” you said

You walked down the hall to Jack’s room and knocked.

“Come in” he answered

“Hey bud, are you almost ready for bed?” you asked

“Yeah, I gotta brush my teeth though.”

“Listen, Vanessa and I are going out for a bit tonight. Would you be okay if you were by yourself for a few hours?”

“You can’t leave! Remember what Dad said? ‘No leaving the house after sundown’ ?”

“I know, I know but it’s only for tonight and since Dad’s out at work, I’ll let you stay up and play video games until I get back”

“Won’t we get in trouble? If he finds out, we’re gonna be grounded”

“He won’t find out unless we tell him….which we won’t. Right?”

Jack thought the situation through for a second.

“Right” he said

“Cool. Vanessa and I are leaving in about 5 minutes. Rules still apply to you though. I don’t care who rings the doorbell. If it’s not me or Dad, don’t answer it. Understood?”

“Yeah”

“Alright, all the doors and windows are locked so you’re safe here as long as they stay closed. I’ll be back in a few hours. Love you!” you said

“Love you too!” Jack responded

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*At the kickback*

This was your first time sneaking out of the house and honestly, you didn’t think your plan would work. You thought that by now you’d be at home getting an earful from your dad because you got caught but, what perfect timing?! Your dad getting called into work the same night?! It’s actually kind of funny how things work out. What could go wrong?

You and Vanessa pulled up to the party and parked in the driveway

“You ready Y/N?” she asked

“Yeah. I just can't believe our plan actually worked”

“I know right? You’re old man needs to let you live a little. You deserve to enjoy your youth. Now c’mon”

As you two walk in, loud music blares from the speaker and there’s people everywhere. Beer cans on the floor and furniture, red solo cups spewed about the floor, the smell of weed in the air and you can tell every guy is wearing cheap cologne because of how musky it is. You thought parties like this only existed in movies.

You knew a few people but due to not being the biggest social butterfly, you decided to cling to Vanessa all night.

“Y/N, this is my old theatre buddy, Vaughn. Vaughn, this is my best friend Y/N!”

“Hey, nice to meet you!” he welcomed

“Nice to meet you too!”

“Vanessas told me all about you”

“She has?”

“Yeah! Best friends since kindergarten?! You two go way back”

“Definitely!”

“This is actually Y/N’s first kickback!” Vanessa chimed in

“Your first? You’ve never been to a party?”

“Not really, my dad’s very overprotective so I never get the chance to really hang out”

“What changed his mind?”

“Actually, he’s out of town at the moment so, he doesn’t even know”

“Ahhh, sneaky you!” he chuckled

“Hey, I’m gonna go get a drink really quick. You guys want anything?” Vanessa asked

“I’m good but thanks” you said

“I’ll go with you” Vaughn said

“Y/N, I’ll be right back but in the meanwhile, go get out of your comfort zone a bit” she said

“Nice meeting you….”

“Y/N” you said

“Y/N! Right. I’ll see you later” Vaughn said

Vanessa and Vaughn made off into the kitchen and that left you to your own devices. You still weren’t comfortable enough to go and be social so you made your way to the couch. Luckily, you spotted the host’s dog and whistled at it. It trotted over to you and jumped up into your lap. This would be your comfort zone for the rest of the night.

*An hour later*

The host's dog had surprisingly fallen asleep while you scrolled through your phone. You weren’t gonna lie. You were sort of envious that it could sleep through all the noise. As you continued scrolling you noticed someone heading your way.

“Is anyone sitting here?” a voice asked

You looked up to see a tall figure with broad shoulders.

“Uh, no. You’re good to sit”

“Thanks” he said

You resumed scrolling on your phone

“Nice dog” he said making small talk

“I’d say thanks but it’s not mine. It just curled up next to me and fell asleep” you spoke

“With all this noise?”

“Exactly what I’m saying!” you chuckled

“I’d kill to be a heavy sleeper” he said

“If only, right?!”

You two sat in silence for a second

“I’m Brady”

“Y/N”

“Nice to meet you. So, how’d you find out about the kickback?”

“My friend is friends with the host so she invited me”

“That’s a good friend!”

“Yeah, this is my first party actually”

“Really? How?”

“Overprotective parent”

“Ah, I know your struggle. Well, if you don’t mind, how ‘bout we drink to that?”

“Uh- okay. Thanks!”

“What’s your poison?” he asked

“I’ll take a beer please”

“A beer? Ooh, so you like to play it safe huh? I’ll be right back”

Brady got up and walked into the kitchen. You were actually excited because not only is this your first party but someone came up to you instead of the other way around.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” a voice said

You turned your head and it was Vanessa

“What took you so long?”

“I was getting a drink, remember?”

“It took you a whole hour, 60 MINUTES, to get a drink and find me?!” you joked

“This place is huge”

“It’s a condo ‘Nessa”

“Anyway, you’ve been sitting by yourself this whole time? I thought I told you to go and socialize!”

“I did! I met this guy, Brady, and he’s getting us drinks”

“Oooo! I know you had a little game in that beautiful brain somewhere. Well, let me go before I ruin your moment. I’ll be in the living room if you need me” she said

Vanessa ran off again. Just as she left, Brady came back with drinks.

“Una cerveza for the party virgin” he said

“What?” you chuckled

“One beer like you asked” he chuckled

“Oh, thank you!”

“To your first party and to many more” he toasted

You two clanked your cups together and took a swig

“For someone who seems to be so sheltered, you sure downed it with no problem” he said

“Well, my Uncle Dave is italian so everytime we go to his house, he cohearses my dad into letting me have a little wine. He says the drinking age in Italy is 16 so, why not?” you chuckled

“Lemme guess, he’s the crazy relative in the family?”

“No, that’d be my aunt Penelope but he’s a close second”

The two of you talked about family, your dream career and your taste in music for about an hour. You were starting to think that maybe it was a good idea to sneak out. You would have never met Brady and the more you found out about him, the more you started catching feelings for him. Or maybe that was the beer talking. Speaking of beer, you were starting to think that that beer didn’t sit right with you. You started feeling dizzy and sick to your stomach.

“Hey Brady, I gotta go talk to my friend really quick but I promise I’ll be right back”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just not feeling the best”

“Do you want some water?” he asked

“I’m fine. I need to find Vanessa though”

You stood up and immediately sat back down

“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to lay down?” he asked

“I’m fine” you said

You didn’t notice but you started slurring your words. Things were going downhill and fast. Brady didn’t….no, he couldn’t have. Things were going so well with him and you thought you could trust him. He couldn’t have possibly done that to you. You couldn’t yell for Vanessa over the loud music let alone stand up without falling over. This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good at all.

“Come on. I’ll take you to one of the bedrooms and you can lay down there until you feel better” Brady said

Fuck. You knew what you wanted to say but you couldn’t speak without slurring your words. Everything you said came out as incoherent. Brady stood up and helped you stand up, using him as a support. He started walking you towards the back until you felt a hand yank your hand

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” a voice yelled

Vanessa. Wait.. the voice was masculine.

Vaughn.

“I’m just helping them lay down. They’re tired” Brady said

“Leave them the fuck alone” Vaughn said sternly

“Mind your business dude” Brady retorted

“I know them so it is my business. I’m not going to tell you again. Leave them the fuck alone”

Brady dropped you but Vaughn quickly caught the rest of your body.

“Have fun with them, douchebag” Brady stormed off

Vaughn fireman carried you into the living room and sat you down

“Hey Y/N. It’s Vaughn. Are you okay?” he asked caringly

“Mmmrrmgh” you slurred

Shit.

“I’m gonna get Vanessa. I promise I’ll be right back, okay?” he said

Your head lulled around and you couldn’t move your limbs. All your energy was draining. This made him panic. As he tried to get you to squeeze his hand to get a response out of you, everything faded to black.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*45 minutes later*

You woke up but everything was blurry and everything sounded muffled. You were laying down but your sickness was worse because you were being jostled around.

“There they are. Hey sweetheart. Sir-” a voice said

You looked up and saw a dark figure. Your head was on someone's lap.

“Y/N? Come on sweetheart, keep your eyes open for me” the voice said

You took a few shallow breaths before attempting to sit up

“No no, stay still, okay?”

That voice was way too familiar and it made you feel at ease. There was only one person that could clear the clouds out on a rainy day with just their voice

“Aunt Penelope?” you softly spoke

“At your service!” she said

“Y/N?” another voice said

“Dad” you cried

“How’re they doing?”

“They opened their eyes a bit and heart rate is still pretty high but they’re stable” Penelope sighed with relief

“Dad? What’s happening?”

“Y/N? Can you hear me?”

You nodded your head.

“That’s an affirmative” Penelope relayed

”Listen, we’re heading to the hospital right now. You were drugged and you stopped breathing. We’re almost there so just hold on for me, okay?” he said

His voice was borderline quivering. He was scared but wanted to stay strong for you and the team. He already lost Hailey and lord forbid he was going to lose you too

Penelope rolled the window down a bit  so you could get some air but right before she could touch the button, your eyes closed again.

“Sir-”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*At the hospital*

You opened your eyes and saw a handful of blobs that got clearer as your eyes adjusted to the light.

“There they are!” said Rossi

“It’s about time” said JJ

“You were scared us for a second there, kid” said Morgan

Your whole family was there, excited for you to finally pull through

“Y/N!” Jack said excited

He hugged you and you had no choice but to hug him tighter. On any other day you’d be wrestling him for the remote but considering what happened to you tonight, you needed a hug from him

“For the record, I didn’t tell dad” he stated

Everyone laughed

“I got you lavender and chamomile tea, your favorite” Reid said popping his head in

“Uncle Spence!” you said

As you grabbed your tea, you saw your dad out the corner of your eye. Uh oh.

“Can we have a moment, please?” your dad asked

Everyone filed out and the door closed. He walked over to the blinds to close them.

“How’d you find out?” you softly asked

“Vanessa called me practically screaming that you were dead! You’re lucky that the case we’re working is local! What were you thinking?! You lied to me, waited until I left the house to sneak out to a party and thought ‘what could go wrong?’ ?!” he raised his voice

“Dad, I’m-”

“What? You’re sorry?! Y/N, before we got there, you died in Vanessa’s arms! How do you think I felt? I couldn’t get to you fast enough. I had to push my way through a bunch of teens just to find my kid dead”

“What do you want me to say dad? I’m sorry that you’re still dealing with trauma from mom dying, so much so that you’ve become a helicopter parent over Jack and I? If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s not my fault that she’s dead. ”

The room went so silent you could hear a pin drop.

“I didn’t mean-”

“I know”

Your dad started tearing up

“When I saw your body laying there, all I could see is your mom all over again. I was afraid that I’d have to tell Jack that his only sibling is gone, plan another funeral, and spend a lifetime beating myself up for not being there quick enough.”

“Dad, it wasn’t your fault though. It’s Foyet’s. He’s long gone now and you did what you could. This? This was my fault. I never should have snuck out. I never should have lied to you. Had I listened, none of this would have happened”

“None of this is your fault. It’s whoever did this to you’s fault.  The sneaking out part, I would have found out eventually and you would’ve been grounded until eternity but to find out this way? I could care less about punishment right now, all I care about is that the Hotchner kids are safe. The BAU might be my job but being a dad comes before anything”

He hugged you and squeezed you tightly.

“I love you more than you’ll ever know Y/N. Don’t you ever scare me like that again”

“Yes sir and I love you too”

A knock came from the door before being slightly opened

“Garcia wanted me to let you know that Quantico PD has the perp in custody and he’s being processed at the station” Prentiss softly said

“You hear that?” your dad said

You smiled

“I get to have a field day with him tomorrow. He has no idea what he has coming to him”

[thefanficmonster]

Finally, You’re Back

Part 1: ‘There You Are’

Karl Heisenberg (Resident Evil 8: Village) x Reader (Gender Neutral)

Warnings: Mentions of Injury and Human Experimentation, Insecurity, Swearing, Spoilers for RE8

Genre: Angst, Romance, Some Humor and Fluff too

Summary: And there they are, back in that village half a decade later to retrieve what’s theirs but unaware of what they’ll find in place of what they remember.

Requested by one Anon and the idea was modified by another Anon, so thank you both so much for sharing your creativity with me, it’s really been a huge honor to write a fic inspired by such a beautiful idea. Love you both! 💕

If again is what he hoped and prayed for, why is he damning it now Why does he resent himself for having hope When he previously wished nothing but to have it Why does their presence hurt When it used to heal him Why do they remind him of how much of a monster he is When previously they were the only one making him human Why is he worthy of their presence When he’s only become worse They upheld their promise But the person they are coming back to is no longer alive He’s taken his place and he hates himself for it He’d kill himself to get him back He’d do just about anything Just to prevent those eyes from seeing them differently Just so he can greet them with open arms and say:

“Finally, you’re back“

But as of now all he can say is:

“You’re back, but the one you’re searching for will never return“

He was made aware of their presence the day of their arrival in the village. He knew all about their venture, going around the village asking for him to be looked at with terror by the villagers they came across. He watched as all the people refused to tell them his whereabouts, claiming they didn’t know or they couldn’t tell. No matter what bribery or convincing method Y/N tried to use, the villagers refused to stand down from their determined ground.

They refused to give up though, going against his prayers that they would. They might have felt discouraged but they never, not even for a second, thought to give it up. Never did they even consider forgetting him as an option. It’s been half a decade and they still remember him, they still have the will to look for him despite all the time that has passed, despite the odds that aren’t in their favor, despite the lack of help from anyone.

They keep going, keep trying. They keep driving the sword deeper into his chest, piercing his heart.

If only they could accept me like this. If only they could look at a monster the same way they looked at that boy they met five years ago...

His mistake, although blatantly obvious even to him, is not something he’s willing to correct. He doesn’t want to give them a chance. And the answer to the question many - even he himself - would ask ‘why’, that answer he doesn’t want revealed.

Because he knows it and would do anything in his power to keep it from swimming to the surface.

The answer? - It’s because he’s afraid. Terrified really.

What of? That’s the part he’s not sure about. Is he afraid of them being scared, disgusted and repulsed by him? Or is he afraid of the complete opposite - that they won’t bat an eye at the change he’s undergone. That latter option leaves him with a bitter taste in his mouth, his stomach turning. He doesn’t believe he deserves that reaction, after all he’s done, after becoming the monster he is now, he’s done his best to not even think about them - attempts that have failed miserably. Not a day has gone by that they haven’t been on his mind. He thought getting rid of the dog tag necklace - the promise - would cleanse his system of their memory that’s etched itself so deeply within his mind and soul but his hands refused to cooperate when his brain kept telling them to lift that necklace off his neck. He couldn’t do it, and he hated himself because of it for a while, but if he’s being honest he felt more relieved than anything else. He doesn’t want the only real memory, the only pleasant memory of his human days gone. He doesn’t want to wipe Y/N from his mind, they’re the only thought that still sends his heartbeat speeding in a positive way. He knows he’s a coward for what he does, hiding in the shadows and watching them waste their time with the villagers who think they are downright insane for going around looking for Karl Heisenberg whom the entire village knows as Lord Heisenberg. Not using his title each time they ask never fails to bring a smile to his face. It’s a relief that they at least have a nice picture of him that has stuck with them. And if it’s up to him, that’s the picture that will remain, they won’t see him like this, this new him won’t replace the old him in their mind. He’d do anything to make sure of it.

That being said, you can imagine the massive shock and mini heart attack he experienced one day when his motion detectors picked up on someone entering the factory in broad daylight. Rushing to the camera display, the briefest glimpse was enough to make out who this foolish person looking for their death was. 

Goddammit, Y/N!

It was no longer a danger to his sanity, their presence at the factory was an even worse danger for them. His creations wouldn’t think twice about slicing their tiny frame in half with their implemented chainsaws, designed to do exactly what he’s hoping they won’t get the chance to do this time. Running to the elevator, all he can do is silently pray he reaches them before they come across one of his minions.

What he’s going to say to them? How he’s gonna greet them? He hasn’t got the slightest clue, all he knows is that he has to get to them asap.

Running out of the elevator once it settles on the ground floor, he almost crashes directly into them, eyes wide with shock as the adrenaline is still pumping throughout his body despite the immense amount of relief he feels wash over him. He doesn’t notice at first, but when he does his heart sinks: their gaze is empty and their face unreadable. He can’t bear to have them looking at him like that, it hurts more than physically hitting him. Hell, it hurts more than the experiments Miranda did to him.

“How’d you find me?“ He decides to end the silence for his sanity’s sake, his heart heavy and aching in his chest.

They shrug, “Wasn’t easy, I’ll have to admit, you’ve trained the villagers well, none of em wanted to give me even a clue.“ They give him a small smile before looking around at the factory walls and everything lining them, “And then I put it together on my own. It was a bit of a stretch...“ they trail off, their eyes scanning him from head to toe, “...but I see it was a lucky one.“

He can’t help but huff, more out of disgust for himself than anything else, “If you call this lucky you’ve gotta have a few screws loose.”

Much to his surprise, this remark earns him a genuine, wholehearted laugh from Y/N, “Oh Karl, didn’t you pick up on my loose screws back when we first met? That’s odd, people usually take one look and can already tell.”

He scoffs, letting a small smile slip onto his face before he chases it away, forcing himself to maintain the seriousness, “I can’t believe how foolish you are. Didn’t you, even for a second, think there was maybe a good reason why people didn’t want to give you my whereabouts?”

“Oh I didn’t need to think about it!“ They say, lifting a pointer finger in the air as if to emphasize their point, “They were pretty clear when they were calling you stuff like ‘monster’ and ‘cruel Lord’ or whatever.“

Heisenberg’s eyes widen in an instant, “So you knew? You knew I was...I wouldn’t be the same as you remember me?” He asks, his jaw almost reaching the floor.

They nod nonchalantly, “I mean, I was sure of that part, it’s been half a decade, after all. Of course, I didn’t expect such a drastic change but it changes nothing. The villagers made it all sound super scary and dramatic...”

Karl doesn’t get confused often. However, right now, they’ve got him completely flabbergasted. “You were told about me...about me being what I am and you still showed up and walked into this place everyone fears like you own it? Where the fuck is your self-preservation instinct?!”

With an eye-roll, Y/N pushes past him, entering the elevator and walks over to the buttons to choose a floor, “Up your ass, Heisenberg. Right next to the stick that’s got you in such a foul mood. Is this how you welcome back an old friend?” Though the words themselves were harsh, they spoke them in such a way and with a sincere look in their eyes that they had the complete opposite effect of what they’d usually have. Hell, he wants to laugh at the vocabulary on its own, it’s so refreshing to hear someone use those terms and speak so freely around him, unfazed by his powers. To be fair, they’re probably not even aware he has any.

Looking at them now, their intense gaze telling him loud and clear that they’re completely unfazed, has him going soft. They’re still his connection to the humanity he’s lost, he’s still clinging onto it thanks to them. And while he still believes he doesn’t deserve to preserve any last piece of it, he’s glad that he’s not the judge of that. The punishment is not his to decide. It’s theirs. And who knows, allowing him to keep a tiny fragment of his humanity may be the ultimate punishment but he doesn’t know it yet. Regardless, he’s happy with it as long as it means he has them by his side to carry said punishment out.

When all they get in response to their words is a laugh they too let a smile lighten up their features, “There you go, knock some humor into you.” They turn to look at the buttons briefly before locking their gaze onto him once again, “I like what you did with the place. Care to show me around?”

He shakes his head as his laughter dies down, “You won’t like it.”

Y/N rolls their eyes yet again, “Leave that up for me to decide, old man.”

A frown comes across Heisenberg’s face, “Old man? How dare you?”

The sound of their laughter almost manages to wipe the frown off his face. Almost. “Old man who can pull off even a century old dog tag necklace.” They say, sizing up the necklace resting over his chest which he automatically reaches out to touch as a result of her remark. “You can keep it, by the way. I don’t need it back. I’ll be sticking around for some time after all.”

Before he can even process what they said, they’ve pulled him into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor, looking out of the open side of it to be able to see the inside of the factory as the metal box keeps climbing, carrying them with it. Their back is turned to him so he can’t see the look on their face but he can only hope it’s not one of horror or disgust. If he were to receive that look from them his heart would shatter on the spot. So he’d rather they don’t turn around - both for him not to be able to see them grimacing and so they can’t see him staring at them with that look in his eyes.

Look of adoration he’s never given anyone before nor will he ever give to anyone else. And so, all the pieces of his soul have found their proper spots.

Thanks to Y/N.

Finally, you’re back.

[s1rcus]

The Road to Love and Truth (Blackhill)

Rating: Teen and up

Words: 2827

Chapter: 2/2

Fandoms: Marvel

Characters: Natasha Romanoff, Maria Hill, Steve Rogers, Nick Fury

Additional tags: -

Summary: Maria struggles after her night with Natasha. She gets some good advice from Steve.

Authors note: Blackhill Bingo square I3 "Steve Rogers"

Story below the cut or in AO3 here

Maria still has a huge headache. She's been debating taking another aspirin to ease it down for the past 10 minutes, but it hasn't been too long since she took the first one and it might just not be working yet. The situation with Romanoff might not be helping either.

Without thinking she's making her way towards Phil's office. She's not sure why, she knows she won't talk about something like this to him. He's a good friend but she just can't talk about her sex life with him, less about feelings. Maybe he'll have some work she can do to distract her from the night before. She can't use her key card on a day off, (Fury has made it very clear she's not supposed to be doing work during any type of leave) so she can't go to her own office to continue work.

Phil isn't in his office. Now that she actually thinks about it, he has been on a mission since yesterday. She still needs something to distract her though. Maybe Fury would let it slide this once if she'd go do work, but she'd rather not see him right now. She decides to just go for a walk. Hopefully that'll clear her head a little.

------

The fresh air does help her headache and clears her head just the tiniest bit as well. She stands outside of the Triskelion for a short time and decides to go for a short walk along the river.

She keeps her eyes mostly on the water as she walks hands in the pockets of her sweats. She probably should've changed if she's honest, but she didn't want to go back to her room. SHIELD agents weren't that rare sight around these parts, but they definitely didn't go out in their gym clothes. She kicks around some pebbles every once in a while that are lying around the sidewalk.

She loses track of time, trying to just focus on nothing but the movement of the water. And she might have let her guard down, because she gets startled, when a hand taps her on the shoulder.

"Maria, what are you doing out here?"

"Jesus, Steve. Warn a girl next time."

"I literally yelled your name when I saw you. You're not usually this distracted. Are you okay?"

There's concern on his face and Maria doesn't like it one bit. She's fine, and even if she wasn't, everyone else needs to think she is.

"Everything's fine," she lies.

Steve gives her a long look, not quite believing her.

"You can always talk to me, you know? Whatever it is that's bothering you, I'll listen."

Damn Steve, and his kind heart.

"I know," she says.

"Okay, well I'm gonna finish my run. Come and find me if you want to talk about whatever this is," he says as he runs past her.

Maria just waves him off. She continues along the river for a while longer until her headache becomes worse again. Deciding it's best to just go back and take another aspirin, she turns around and heads towards the Triskelion again.

------

Eventually Maria realises she needs to talk to someone so she heads towards Steve's quarters and knocks on his door. He opens the door with a smile. They're good friends but it's quite rare she actually ends up on his doorstep.

"Hey, Maria. What's up?"

"I slept with Natasha," she answers as she pushes past him into his room. She sits on his bed, head in her hands. She hears the door click shut as Steve closes it.

"Not what I was expecting. How are you feeling?"

Maria groans at the question, "I don't know. I find out she's queer and few days later I find her in my bed. That's not how that should go. And worst of all I want to do it again, but I don't think I can just keep it at that."

"So you want to ask her out?"

"I think so?" She says and lays down on the bed so she can stare at the ceiling. "But I'm her superior, it's unprofessional, not to mention way too complicated. How am I supposed to be able to send her out there, if I'm worried if she'll make it back? How is Fury supposed to trust in me, if I get compromised because of her? Or what if I make the wrong decision, because I can't--" Steve cuts her off. She feels the bed dip, as he sits next to her on the bed and places a hand on her knee.

"Maria, you're forgetting one important thing, she's the Black Widow, she knows how to handle herself. Do you know how many times she's saved me out there? Because I've lost count by now. And Fury won't see you any differently if you start showing normal people emotions. Also stop worrying about 'what if's. Those are situations you can't know the answers for before it's too late. And for the record, I think you're already compromised. You care more about her than you know. Have for a long time."

"Fuck", Maria breaths the word out.

"Language."

"No, I actually fucked up."

"What did you do?"

"I just left her. She wanted to talk, and I just left her. I wasn't thinking clearly. I told her it was a mistake. Well it technically was because that was definitely not how I wanted that to go, but… I let her believe I don't want her. Shit!" She gets up quickly and starts pacing around. "I gotta go find her. Tell her that I'm sorry for how I treated her. That last night was great. Not that I really remember anything. To hopefully ask her properly out." She freezes on her tracks and turns to face Steve. "What if she says no? How am I supposed to continue working with her then?"

"Maria", Steve warns her.

"Right, won't know the answers before it's too late." She takes a deep breath. "Okay, I'm gonna go to find her. I wonder where she could be."

"At the gym with Barton."

"How would you know that?"

"Just a hunch."

------

She does find Natasha at the gym. She's beating up Barton at the mats. Maria decides to just stay by the door and watch, she'll notice her eventually. Natasha seems more tense than normal, maybe even a little angry. She doesn't move around as smoothly as she usually does. Her movements are a little more jacked, more forced. Maria realises that she's not fighting with a clear head. She's trying to push her feelings out. Maria was the reason the Widow's usually flawlessly smooth fighting style looked harsh and broken. It makes her heart twinge.

Eventually Natasha pins Barton down and he taps out. She gets up and her gaze shifts to Maria's. Maria physically flinches under her gaze. She quickly straightens her back and neutralises her face, when Barton gets back onto his feet and notices her presence.

"Commander," he coughs, eyes moving from Maria to Natasha and back again. After a couple of beats of silence he starts backing towards the men's locker room. "I'll just go then."

Maria just looks at Natasha, not really sure what she's supposed to say. Before she's able to say anything, Natasha turns on her heels and heads towards the women's locker rooms. That gets Maria on the move as well. She runs after Natasha and grabs her from the upper arm.

"Natasha wait," Maria says and Natasha stops on her tracks. "I'm sorry about earlier. Can we talk?"

Natasha turns around and Maria tries to look as apologetic as she can. Natasha just stares at her for a while.

"Fine. My quarters in 10."

Maria nods and drops her hold of the other woman. She didn't even realise she had still been holding her upper arm. Natasha eyes her quickly once more before she turns around again and heads out of sight to the locker room. Maria just stands still for a while, looking after her, until she spins around as well and heads out of the gym and towards Natasha's quarters.

------

Natasha is punctual as ever, and appears exactly 10 minutes later. Maria follows her silently into her room. Natasha sits down on her bed, one leg under herself while the other hangs off the edge. Maria is reminded of the morning. She stays standing near the door, but is faced towards Natasha. She's trying to figure out her words, even though she's been trying to figure out what to say ever since she walked out of Steve's quarters.

"Well?" Natasha prompts her.

"I fucked up. I'm really sorry for how I treated you. I panicked and I fucked up. I try my best to keep my private life and work separate, and I mostly live at work so… I'm having a hard time, to put it lightly. I also have never done this before."

"What? Been with a woman?" Natasha asks with a serious tone. It takes Maria a beat to realise she's not actually seriously asking that.

"No, Romanoff. You know that's not what I meant. I mean sleeping with a co-worker. Actually kinda never slept with anyone without being on a date first. And especially never had someone in my bed in a SHIELD facility."

"So I was your first one night stand?"

"About that, I wouldn't mind doing it again."

"Was I that good?" Natasha asks with a smirk.

"Natasha! I'm not talking about the sex. I'm talking about all of it. Everything since the mission. Spending time together at that bar and during the mission and also everything that came after."

"Wow. Is Commander Hill getting soft?"

"No,” she says. Taking a breath she continues, “I'd just like to see if this could become something. You're one of the few people around here who I can stand, and I actually had a really nice time yesterday. And I'm not regretting what happened after, so that probably says a lot."

Natasha gives her a small smile.

"What changed?"

"What do you mean?"

"You left the room in such a hurry and now you're here saying you don't regret it."

"Yeah, that. I might've talked to Steve and he had some good advice."

"You went to Steve?" Natasha's voice sounds almost scandalous.

"Who else would I go to? Fury? Do you think I have many friends around here? People who I could talk to?"

"Fair enough."

"So, if I'd ask you out on a date what would you say?"

"I would love to, but do you really want to go on a date? Because I feel like we're not the dating kind of people."

That was actually fair, she did always hate going on dates.

"What do you suggest then?"

"How about this?" Maria is really unsure about how she should feel about the smirk that follows that one simple question.

Natasha gets up and walks towards Maria. She stops when their chests are basically touching. She grabs Maria's hands and wraps them around her waist. Then she wraps her own arms around Maria's neck and rises up on her toes to kiss her. Maria basically melts into it. Eventually she lifts Natasha up and they move on the bed. Natasha seems very impressed that Maria can lift her. Maria might be a bit hurt about that.

------

When they decide to leave for an early lunch (neither remembered to eat breakfast), they're barely 100 feet down the hallway from Natasha's room, when they're stopped by a junior agent.

"Commander, Agent Romanoff. Director Fury wants to speak to both of you."

Maria and Natasha exchange a look.

"Did he say what about?" Maria asks.

"Not really," the Agent answers but there's a look on his face Maria doesn't like. It's like he knows something he shouldn't.

Maria debates for a little bit, if she should push and get some answers from him but decides against it. She dismisses the agent and starts heading towards the Directors office with Natasha.

They get a couple weird looks and smiles on the way there. They walk the whole way in silence. Both clearly trying to figure out what Fury wants from them.

Fury sees them immediately, which tells Maria that it's something important. She's getting nervous. Natasha is here as well, so her mind goes only to a specific direction, but how would Fury know?

"Director Fury, you wanted to see us?" Maria greets him.

"Hill, Romanoff. Has either of you checked the news today or any social media?"

Natasha shakes her head. She's been awfully quiet after they ran into that agent.

"No, sir. I haven't checked my phone at all today. Pretty sure it's dead anyway. I've been a bit distracted," Maria answers truthfully. There's no point in lying.

"Well, you probably should stay out of social media for a little while but that's just a suggestion. Do you have anything else to report to me?" His eye shifts from Maria to Natasha and back.

He knows. Maria takes a deep breath. She feels Natasha's hand touch hers, a sign that it's okay.

"Yes, sir. We, uh... Natasha and I are involved."

"Will it be affecting your work?"

"No, sir."

"Then I'm happy for you," he says with the slightest hint of a smile.

Maria is surprised and she can sense that so is Natasha. She lets her posture get a little more relaxed.

"Now to the real reason I invited you in," Fury says as he pulls some tabloid articles up on the screen behind himself. They're all saying basically the same thing: Black Widow at a gay bar with a mystery woman . Some of them have clearly done a better job with trying to figure out who this "mystery woman" is because a couple of them have actual pictures of Maria along with her name. And there's pictures. Pictures of them kissing, the intense looks they changed during that night and pictures of them leaving together.

"We tried to get them down before they spread too far, but clearly we didn't manage that. Anything about the Avengers' personal life spreads like a fire. I'm sorry about the situation it puts you in."

Both of the women just nod. There wasn't anything to say. Fury takes this as his answer and turns off the screen.

"Well then, you're dismissed. Hill, if you could stay for just a little longer?"

Natasha squeezes her shoulder a little before she steps out of the room.

"Sir?"

"No reason to be that formal anymore. This is just me checking on you. How are you feeling?"

"Well, that's a lot, but I think I'm fine. It's not the way I wanted things to go, but I guess it's good that it's out. If we wish to go out, now we don't need to worry if someone sees us or not."

"Okay, still I wish the situation wasn't this. I strongly suggest that you don't check any social media for the next few days. I know you think you can handle it, but there's gonna be some bad stuff there and I'd prefer the dust settles a bit first. Also if anyone, and I mean anyone, in SHIELD gives either of you a hard time because of this, let me know. I will handle it. It's out there, so everyone knows. I wish you could've handled this on your own terms, but the situation is what it is."

Maria smiles at him.

"Thank you, Director. I know I said it won't affect my work, and I truly believe and hope so, but if it ever seems like I'm putting her before the mission; pull me out of it, if possible. I know I won't be happy about it, but I need to know that I won't be making mistakes because I'm compromised."

"Of course. But I have full belief that you'll do great even then."

Maria nods and heads towards the door but Fury's voice makes her turn around before she gets to open it.

"Also, before you go. I am truly happy for you, Maria."

Maria smiles at him and nods her thanks and joins Natasha on the other side of the door.

Natasha hugs her as she closes the door. Maria circles her arms around her and presses her cheek against Natasha's head.

"That went better than I expected." She hears Natasha mumble against her chest.

"It did," Maria agrees.

"I'm so sorry about the articles though. If I would've just realised--" Maria quiets her with a kiss.

"Natasha, there's nothing you could've done about it. The second we walked in there everyone was paying extra attention to us. Those articles would be there even if we hadn't kissed. I'm just glad we did. I don't think I would've ever dared to take this step otherwise," Maria says. She looks Natasha in the eye and they exchange smiles. "Now, how about that lunch?"

[beybladefanboy]

Top 5 Metal Fury Episodes

And now for the most underrated season of the show. Most people I talk to say this is their least favourite of the three, with some outright disliking it. Hell, three years ago, I thought it was the least of the three. Rewatching it now, my opinion could not be more different. I admit this season has its issues and it does have a different feel from the first two seasons but it’s a feel I enjoy. Also, personally, some of the things people criticize this season aren’t really problems, at least for me. I like that the legendary bladers are mostly new characters. If they were all old ones, it would take away the fun of finding them and possibly the tension of them not all being on Gingka’s side. This series has always been about fighting new and exciting bladers. I would have personally been bored if the legendary bladers were all a bunch of characters we already knew and I enjoy the conflicts Aguma, Chris, and Dynamis have. Yes, the set up does lead to some past characters being underused (a problem Masters has even worse in my opinion), but nearly everyone came together for the final battle (besides Benkei who honestly has been treated like crap since Masters and deserves better) so I never took that much issue with it. Honestly, looking back at this list, these episodes are a lot more interchangeable for me than the Fusion and Masters ones so take this ranking with a grain of salt. Actually, take all of them with a grain of salt. Opinions change all the time, three years ago I didn’t like Metal Fury and thought Tumblr was cringey and now I defend Metal Fury on Tumblr as a hobby. Let’s start the list!

Honourable Mentions

Episode 111: The Greatest Tag-Team Tournament!

Bit of a random pick admittedly. I really like Yuki, what can I say? We see more of his anxious side in this episode, which following the episode where he recklessly battled Ryuga on the volcano might seem strange. However, I argue that Yuki gets anxious when he overthinks things. He didn’t have time to overthink things on the volcano, he just acted on his anger in the heat of the moment. Anxious people can have reckless moments, especially when defending their friends, which Yuki was. In this case however, Yuki had plenty of time to get anxious after Gingka picked him to be his teammate out of nowhere. This was also Yuki’s first tournament and the crowd was biased against his team, even booing Gingka and Yuki. That would make anyone nervous. I’d be pretty nervous under those circumstances. So his anxiety is identifiable, making it even more satisfying when he overcomes it and helps Gingka kick Mei Mei and Chao Xin's asses. I can understand some people being frustrated with Yuki in this episode because he does make some stupid mistakes during the battle but speaking from experience, anxiety makes you do stupid things. In my opinion, this episode captured that feeling perfectly without being too cringey.

Episode 121: The Lion’s Pride

This is the only Kyoya episode on this list, and it didn’t even crack the top five. Yeah… I’ve complained many times about the way Kyoya’s character was handled this season but in all fairness, his internal conflict was poorly resolved but well set up. Was it out of character for him to take Aguma’s words to heart? Honestly, I don’t think so. Kyoya was annoyed with the group and avoided them numerous times before this episode, Aguma’s words were just the thing to push him into thinking he might be better off without them. Then those feelings he bottled up festered until they reached a breaking point in a later episode. That part worked. Also, Kyoya and Aguma’s battle this episode was just awesome. I really liked the Mist Mountain arc in general and this was a definite highlight.

5) Episode 107: Awaken, Anubius!

Okay, I’m warning you now: my Ryuga bias is gonna be on full display in this list, he is at his best in this season. He is one of the reasons I like this episode. It’s great seeing Ryuga put Gingka and Kyoya in their place, because let’s be honest they were way in over their heads, and his battle with Gingka was just fun in general. However the other reason I like this episode is Yuki. I just like seeing him so pissed that he sheds his anxious demeanor and takes on Ryuga because like I said, he didn’t have time to overthink things here: he was pissed that Ryuga hurt Kyoya and Gingka and acted on that anger without thinking. You can be anxious and reckless. Anyways, even though Ryuga does beat him, Yuki does still put up a fight and awakens as a legendary blader. I don’t have much else to say, it’s just really cool.

4) Episode 115: Showdown at the Tower of Babel!

This episode features three of my favourite characters: Ryuga, Tsubasa, and Kenta battling in a historical building. Hell yeah I’m gonna like this episode. This episode shows how much Kenta has already changed in the short time since he started travelling with Ryuga. Already, he’s gotten so much stronger that he put up a legitimate fight against Tsubasa, who destroyed him back in Fusion. Tsubasa recognizes that growth and realizes he will lose if he doesn’t give it his all. Then he goes and has a long awaited rematch against Ryuga. He puts up a good fight but of course Ryuga destroys him with his new ultimate move, which I initially forgot was first used here. Regardless, both of these battles are awesome, as are the moments where Ryuga and Tsubasa are just slaying some fools on the tower and Ryuga KNOCKING OVER THE TOWER OF BABEL. Apparently that moment is really symbolic, saying that humans create gods among them that choose the fate of humanity and Ryuga is one of those gods. Yeah… I can’t be credited with that observation. That was all my friend, Shadow’s doing but I thought it was interesting so I wanted to mention it here. Anyways, I love this episode.

3) Episode 126: Two Big, Fierce Battles!

Hehe the first meeting of Ryuga and King. I’m a dirty shipper, he he he. Okay, with that out of the way, these are two of my favourite battles in the series. Ryuga and King’s battle was probably just fan service: having the two legendary bladers with left-rotating beys meeting and battling but I can’t say that it wasn’t something I wanted to see. In fact, the moment I was introduced to King three years ago I wanted to see it. It’s also really cool that King was actually able to put up a fight against Ryuga not just because of his left rotation but by being clever and changing modes at the right times. He might’ve won if he hadn’t taken so many hits at the beginning of the battle. Still, I really love this battle. It’s a great display of both Ryuga and King’s abilities and this is definitely just the shipper in me, but god do I love their banter. Anyways, the more plot-relevant battle in this episode is Kenta vs Gingka. Now, after more time has passed since the Tower of Babel episode, we see that Kenta has changed even more not just as a blader but as a person. He acts almost like Ryuga at first, acting more cold and distant before breaking down and telling Gingka that he’s trying to get Ryuga to take him seriously so he rightfully thinks that defeating the one person who ever defeated Ryuga could do that. This is another episode that shows Kenta’s growth very well. Kenta does lose this battle but he still puts up a good fight and only lost because he didn’t have full control of his new power yet. He didn’t just lose because “anime rules say so.” Then Gingka and Kenta have a really nice scene together on the beach where Gingka recognizes Kenta’s growth and tells him he could even beat Ryuga with his newfound power, leading into…

2) Episode 131: The God of Destruction's Revival!

I nearly forgot about this episode when I was putting together this list. I have no idea why, I’ve said on multiple occasions that Ryuga and Kenta’s battle here is one of my favourites in the show. I guess in my mind it only takes up a small portion of the episode and I didn’t really remember the rest. Looking back on it though, this whole episode is really good. While I do think Nemesis was brought back too soon, the scene where Chris, Aguma, and a brainwashed Dynamis partly resurrect Nemesis is really damn cool. It’s exciting and sets up the story and darker tone of the following episodes really well. The first half of this episode is mostly set up, pretty good set-up albeit but still mostly set up. The second half of this episode is admittedly the reason it’s on this list: Ryuga and Kenta. I love seeing them interact, what can I say? In this episode, they’ve gotten to the point where Ryuga isn’t fazed by Kenta touching him, as opposed to an earlier episode where Ryuga practically threw Kenta off him when he tried to hug the evil out of him. Here, he just gently pushes him off after a solid fifteen seconds of Kenta clinging to him. Kenta has also gone from only wanting to make Ryuga take him seriously to wanting to stop Ryuga from getting hurt, something he didn’t previously seem to care about and becomes his main concern for the following episodes. I like seeing how this friendship between them has grown since Kenta’s Determination and how especially from Ryuga’s side, it’s mostly subtle. Then there’s their battle. Kenta is actually able to hold his own against the most powerful blader and actually comes up with a plan to defeat Ryuga by attacking L-Drago from above when it's in survive mode, a plan that makes so much sense I’m surprised Gingka didn’t think of it. It’s such a good plan that even if you know the outcome of the battle, you can see how it could work. Heck, the only reason it didn’t work was because he couldn’t break through Ryuga’s ultimate move, a feat I don’t think any character at this point accomplished. Still, despite his loss, Kenta was able to scratch L-Drago, another great example of Kenta’s power in this season. Speaking of which…

1) Episode 139: Flash Sagittario

If you know me at all, this was obvious. This isn’t the episode where Ryuga actually gives Kenta his star fragment (although it does include that scene twice as flashbacks), it’s the episode directly following that. If you can't tell, I really love the way this season used Kenta. Fusion threw out his development during Battle Bladers and Masters forgot about him entirely so it’s so refreshing to see him not only as a major character again, but a vital component to defeating the villain with his own arc and development. This episode is the culmination of that. Kenta’s bey evolves into Flash Sagittario at the very beginning of the episode then (after what I will admit is too much explaining) the rest of it is spent having Kenta master his new bey, creating a new special move to defeat Pluto so everyone can get to Nemesis and seal him away. Kenta’s battle with Pluto and the group’s battle against Nemesis are both great. I love seeing the Legendary Bladers all working together and Kenta gets to be a badass for once. Took them long enough. I don’t really have much to say about this one. I just really like the way Kenta was depicted in it and seeing what followed that star fragment moment I love so much. It was great seeing everyone battle together and while I like Gingka’s fight with Nemesis fine, I think this battle did a much better job at showing the teamwork angle this season was building toward and would’ve been just as good of a final battle.