#(i'm following it disinterestedly)

[princesssarcastia]

you can absolutely make a character who was formerly a racist fuck-wit sympathetic and compelling, but ONLY if you (the narrative) and they (the character) own the wrong and the growth.

i mean, look, you tell that kind of story in the hopes that life will imitate art, right? there's gotta be a path out of the darkness. you can illuminate that path, but not if you lie about where the journey started. it's only compelling if you own it. don't shy away from the hurt and the sharp edges—cut yourself on them. bleed.

[melminli]

BANG BANG BANG

summery - thanos was always just such an easy person to argue with. you really hated the guy and that was something that was never going to change, even if your life was on the line and it fucking was.

pairing: (thanos) choi su-bong x fem. reader

word count: 1.8k

contains: violence, death, dark content - just usual squid game stuff really

prev. l next.

"I ask for your attention. The first game will begin shortly. Each player will have their picture taken, then they will follow the staff onto the pitch."

You eyed the confusing and pastel-colored building you were standing in as you listened to the instructions. It wasn't too loud although, there was a bit of whispering from the crowd, the line to the photo booths was pretty organized as well. That was until you suddenly noticed a commotion from a corner, and look who was at the center of it. You just rolled your eyes when you saw the purple-headed guy standing casually between his fans and looked away annoyed after he winked at you charmingly.

Thanos didn't let your subtle rejection bother him. He called out your name and gestured with his fingers to indicate that there was an empty spot next to him - you know, for the group photo. "Hey, you can join the photo, too. Come on."

You continued to ignore his voice and moved forward as the gap between you and the others in front of you widened. Eventually, the loud voices faded into the background, and it was your turn to take the photo. However, while you stood in front of the camera and looked at the smiley face before you, all sense of happiness vanished. If only you weren't so desperate for money, you wouldn't feel compelled to remain in this strange place surrounded by these people.

The flash went off without you even realizing it and caught the absent look on your face. You continued to follow the moving queue like a grazing animal following its herd, lost somewhere in your thoughts until suddenly a person grabbed you by the shoulder.

You instinctively started to defend yourself with widened eyes. "What the hell dude?!" you screamed silently in a panic until you saw the grinning perpetrator in front of you. "Su-bong? What's your problem, I told you to stay away from me asshole, are you stupid?" you grunted angrily and tried again to catch up with the person in front of you so as not to block the way any further.

Thanos just shrugged his shoulders disinterestedly while he casually climbed the stairs behind you. "You really talk a lot, so don't hold it against me when I tune most of it out," he replied, which made you walk a little faster and made him pick up a little more speed to keep up with you.

"Hey, wait a second, woman!" he called out and followed you. "Besides, you know what? You should just call me Thanos, everyone does - it's the name I go by, you know? Not that I expect someone like you to understand the creative thought behind it, but come on. At least try."

You raised your palm to stop his flow of words and perhaps also to put up an imaginary wall between the two of you. "You can explain it however you want, but that's not your name, it's stupid, and I'm definitely not going to call you that." you laughed at him. "Only someone like you could watch every single Marvel movie there is and then identify with the ugly mega villain, really."

That's why I'm not listening, he thought to himself, running his tongue through his teeth in annoyance. "Can you like not be a bitch for a second? You're killing the mood," he spoke out before leaning over the railing and shouting. "The mood is dying!"

"Shut up!" you whispered aggressively as you dragged him away by the arm and rubbed your face in frustration. "What did I do wrong in life besides being born to deserve this..."

Su-bong shook his sleeve from your grip as he sighed himself. "Don't be so dramatic. Are you really still angry about that thing with -"

"Yes," you answer without hesitation, not needing to know how he finished his sentence. Why? Because ever since you knew him, this guy had only made decisions that made you angry. When you thought of the reason that finally broke the camel's back, you had to stop yourself and take a deep breath. "Whatever, someone like you isn't worth it," you declared and then walked with several others through some gate, into the open. No, you were still surrounded by walls, even if they disguised themselves as the sky and clouds.

"Welcome to the first game. All players, please wait a moment on the field. I repeat -"

You continued to look around and noticed people entering from two more entrances. Thanos stood in front of you to block your view. "Are you seriously ignoring me right now? You women are all the same."

You only confirmed his statement with your silence and by averting your gaze from him. Before he could object any further, the gates suddenly closed behind you and the voice from the loudspeakers started talking again. "The first game is called: Green Light, red Light."

A game for children? You repeated perplex in your head and tuned out the voice explaining the rules of the game. You often played this game as a child anyway, you knew how to play it. Do we really earn money by playing this?

"Listen to me! Listen carefully, everyone!" A man suddenly shouted out, attracting the attention of the crowd by trying to explain that losing in this innocent game would mean death.

Unconsciously, your heart began to beat faster as various thoughts raced through your mind. What is this crazy guy talking about? You get killed if you lose? What nonsense. But on the other hand, there must be a catch, who else would give out money for something like this? Maybe -

"Don't worry, that guy just has a few screws loose." Su-bong's voice suddenly spoke out next to you as he turned his index finger next to his head to visualize it. "I can see that there are a million completely unnecessary thoughts running through your little head right now because you always have this funny look on your face when you do," he explained and you just tried really hard not to pay attention to him. He just had to make life difficult for you.

Your eyes wandered again and you looked at the disbelieving faces of the others, who were also just looking at the front man strangely. I'll just be careful and see what happens. Someone will probably lose and then we'll see if it's true or not, simple as that.

There was an announcement that the game was about to start and you saw the stopwatch at the front set to five minutes. You took a deep breath and finally, the robot girl moved to look away. "Red light, green light."

Your concentration was fixed on watching her movements so that you could stop at the right moment. You didn't want to rush, but the time pressure was real. You found yourself glancing at the time too often and subconsciously started to count the seconds you had left. You usually weren't a person who could work under such circumstances, but you had to manage the whole thing somehow. You really didn't want to lose, especially not be the first to do it.

"Freeze! Don't move!"

Shut the fuck up. This guy was seriously getting on your nerves. Your eyes were looking forward while you just stood still and then, a bee flew in front of you. Stay away you stupid thing, you thought as the distance between the insect and your face grew smaller and smaller.

A female voice next to you finally spoke out. "Is this guy on drugs?" She asked when the strange man started to scream again, you didn't know if it was that which caught the bee's attention or her sweet perfume that was suddenly being carried through the wind in your direction, but it didn't matter. You were just glad that it wasn't your problem anymore. Though, you couldn't breathe a sigh of relief since you didn't dare breathe at all when that creepy doll was turned in your direction. The thing looked like it could shoot lasers out of its eyes at any second or something.

"Nope, that's not how you act when you're high." Thanos replied from beside you, and even if you could hold your breath for as long as you needed to, things looked a lot different when it came to a petty comment. 

Your mouth didn't move when you spoke, like that of a ventriloquist's. "Of course, you would know best, you fucking drug addict." was all that came out of you while you looked at his back. 

Thanos grunted as several ideas popped into his head about how he could twist your words, but he tried really hard not to say any of them. I could really take some pills right now. "I'm about to really hurt your feelings, sweetie."

"No! Really?" you let out as you pretended to be really scared of what was about to happen before your tone changed back to being monotone. "I'm pissing in my pants, please don't."

Ignoring your argument, the little innocent bee finally landed on the neck of number 196. "Hey, what's that?" she uttered as she felt a slight tingling sensation on her neck.

Thano's eyes turned to her figure beside him as he answered her. "Don't freak out, it's just a bee."

"A bee?!" She exclaimed in a panic and started waving her arms around wildly to scare the insect away as quickly as possible. You watched her, as many others probably did right now, but the girl herself realized her own mistake far too late when she finally stopped moving and looked up at Thanos. "Shit." she laughed out. "I just moved."

As soon as she finished her sentence, a bullet flew straight through her skull and dropped her body motionless to the floor. You felt a cold shiver run through your whole body and your heart suddenly stopped before it started beating like crazy in your chest. That didn't just happen. Your head automatically tried to calm you down with some kind of slander, but your eyes couldn't help but move to the dead body on the floor, which was now smeared with fresh blood. No, it really did.

next.

[sakur4ii]

Rooted Connections

Charles Xavier x Erik Lensherr x Reader

the gender of the reader is not specified // based on X-Men Days Of Future Past, but the scenarios are made up

Summary: You are blind, and you control the earth (you also listen to the plants) you are like a mutant version of Toph Beifong basically. Also you and Charles bullying at Erik for not noticing the obvious.

maybe part 2 in the future? let me know if there are any mistakes because English is not my first language.

Charles "I'm not good with violence" Xavier

"‘Can I know where we are going?’ Charles asks, irritated by the mystery Logan is adding to the situation.

‘You'll see,’ the man replies with a half-amused smile.

In the future, you were a legend, a myth. The original X-Men never stopped talking about you when Logan arrived at the mansion, and over time, their respect for you and your amazing deeds only grew. Something Logan struggled to learn about you was that you had a romantic relationship with both Charles and Erik. He didn’t understand it until Ororo explained that it was a polyamorous relationship, which helped him understand much more about the Professor and his nemesis.

In the horrible future from which they sent him, Erik and Charles ordered him to force a reunion between the two of them and your first meeting with them.

Part of him found the situation amusing, feeling like Cupid but with bone claws instead of a bow and arrows. Another part of him hoped that this forced encounter wouldn’t jeopardize the relationship destined to be in the future.

Once they arrived at what was supposed to be your home, Peter was the first to get out of the car, followed by Hank, Charles, and Logan.

They were in a place slightly secluded from the city, full of forests, dirt, plants, and flowers. There was only one house in sight, well-maintained and decorated on the outside; Charles gave you credit for that.

They walked up the short driveway, and Logan didn’t even need to knock for the door to open by itself. Logan smiled amusedly while the other three men glanced at each other in confusion.

‘Excuse me,’ Logan murmured, entering the house, closely followed by the others.

The house was cozy and minimalist, with the few pieces of furniture placed against the walls, giving the appearance of more space than there actually was. They entered what seemed to be the kitchen, where there you were.

You had your back to them as you did something on the kitchen counter. Judging by the sound, you were preparing coffee.

‘Coffee or tea?’ you asked disinterestedly, creating another round of confused glances.

‘Coffee,’ Peter answered with a smile. Logan sat down at the table on the side of the kitchen, which had three chairs.

‘I suppose the furry guy and the one who's supposed to have paralyzed legs are more into tea,’ you commented as you set the water to boil. You pointed to the fridge next to you. ‘There's beer in the fridge.’

Logan raised his eyebrows at the two completely confused men in the kitchen doorway as he went for the said beer, while Peter took a seat.

Hank and Charles didn’t understand anything. Were you a telepath? Hank was in his human form, and Charles was full of the serum to be able to walk, so… how?

Logan returned to his seat, and that’s when you finally turned around, leaving them all (except for Wolverine) surprised.

Although you usually wore sunglasses, you had taken them off when your plants alerted you that someone from the future was coming to see you. Your eyes were white, lost.

You put your hands in your pockets and leaned your back against the counter. ‘I suppose they want you to help them get Magneto out of the Pentagon.’

‘She’s good,’ Peter murmured in amusement.

‘Are you a telepath?’ Charles finally asked, crossing his arms.

‘No,’ you smiled at him.

‘Then?’ Hank asked this time, while Logan just watched the interaction like it was a soap opera, sipping his beer.

‘I control anything to do with the earth, I understand plants, and I see through the roots of trees, although I can also sense all your movements through the ground we’re standing on,’ you explained, serving the tea and coffee.

You heard Peter whisper ‘cool’ as you handed out the cups.

‘Your plants told you,’ the professor concluded, taking a sip of tea, which happened to be his favorite flavor. You nodded.

‘People have told me you have good reflexes; is that true?’ Wolverine’s question made you smile slyly.

‘Of course it is.’

‘Then catch this,’ he challenged, tossing the empty beer bottle at you.

Hank and Charles looked horrified as he threw the bottle, while Peter was ready to intervene if necessary.

Through your bare feet, you could feel how almost everyone’s heart skipped a beat, but you caught the bottle in mid-air as if it was nothing. The collective sigh of relief that followed made you laugh.

‘So, are we going or what?’

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

After successfully getting Magneto out of prison, you had to sit with Charles and Erik on the plane, according to Logan’s poor excuse, ‘So they don’t kill each other.’

After a tense conversation between the two, during which you just sat in silence, Erik spoke up.

‘Why are you barefoot?’

‘So I can see you'

Erik frowned in confusion, while Charles barely suppressed an amused smile. Erik still hadn’t realized that you were blind, since you were wearing sunglasses, and you hadn’t given any indication that you were. Of course, Erik found it odd that you were always looking straight ahead and not making eye contact with anyone, but he assumed you might be shy.

‘Am I missing an inside joke?’ Erik asked again, noticing his old friend’s poorly concealed smile.

‘No, nothing, don’t think too much about it,’ Charles replied, trying to hold back a laugh but failing, causing you to smile in amusement.

Magneto frowned in confusion, feeling like he was missing something, and he had to admit it made him a bit jealous. He finally reunites with Charles, the man he loves, and Charles has inside jokes with someone he’s never seen before and, as far as he knows, only met today.

‘Explain to me, what’s so funny?’ he asked, hiding his growing irritation, raising an eyebrow as he looked between the two of you, who were still stifling your laughter. Erik couldn’t help but notice that you were still looking straight ahead. ‘Is it something related to her mutation? I thought Y/N only controlled the earth and talked to plants?

‘You can do a lot with the earth, isn’t that right, Charles?’ you replied with amusement. The man in the wheelchair, who miraculously walks, rested his head on his hand, trying to hide his smile as he nodded. ‘Yes, yes, of course,’ he said.

Erik felt his irritation growing, along with his heart racing at the melodic sound of your shared, complicit laughter.

The gears in Magneto’s mind started to turn as he realized.

You were wearing sunglasses that you hadn’t taken off, even on the plane, always looking straight ahead, not having looked at either him or Charles this whole time, and you said you were barefoot so you could see him.

‘You’re blind,’ he concluded, rubbing his forehead in a mix of irritation and embarrassment, earning loud laughs from both of you that attracted curious and annoyed looks from Hank and Logan.

‘Took you long enough,’ you said, patting him on the shoulder in consolation.

‘Something I don’t understand is, how do you “see” through your feet now if we’re on a plane?’ Charles asked once his laughter had calmed down.

‘The earth has metal particles, and metal has earth particles, I suppose,’ you answered.

‘Does that mean you can control metal?’ Erik now asked with curiosity.

‘Sometimes, although it’s not easy at all, it requires a lot of effort,’ you replied, shrugging.

‘Interesting,’ they said in unison, glancing at each other and smiling as if they were thinking the same thing.

‘I sense tension… are you two going to kiss?’ you joked.

The two men rolled their eyes and smiled at each other, definitely thinking the same thing, while you felt confused because they didn’t give you any response."

Pt.2

[ladysharmaa]

Break in

Jay Halstead x reader

summary: when Jay's girlfriend is home alone while he's at Molly's, someone tries to break into their house

Y/n was looking disinterestedly through the fridge, closing it with a sigh when she couldn't find anything to eat that she felt like. It was a slow night, her workday had been quiet at the hospital, with only a few patients showing up.

Her boyfriend, Jay, had invited her to join him and the rest of the police department at Molly's. However, she refused, wanting him to spend quality time with his friends, feeling that she had already stolen him from them long enough after he took a few days to take care of her after she fell ill.

Detective Chuckles: Is everything okay out there? The guys miss you! Wish you could be here with me :(

The ringing of her cell phone snapped her out of her thoughts, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she read Jay's message. But she couldn't deny the butterflies that invaded her stomach knowing he was thinking about her. Their relationship was relatively recent, but they had never felt stronger love.

Jay once revealed to her that he realized she was the most important person to him when he was called on an undercover mission. They had only been dating for about 2 months. When he returned, after all the time they hadn't been together, he was shocked to see her waiting for him. He thought she had abandoned him, realizing that she couldn't live with his job, but he was wrong. He ran to her, picking her up and spinning her around a little, her laughter echoing through the room.

After answering his text, Y/n lay down on the couch, watching a movie while waiting for her boyfriend to come home. She didn't even notice when, halfway through the movie, her eyes started to get heavy, and she gave in to sleep.

She woke up again when she heard the lock on the front door click, almost as if someone was trying to get in. Too lazy to get up, thinking it was Jay trying to get in, Y/n tried to call him to remind him he had a key, in case he was already a little tipsy.

At the end of the second ring, the cop answered, but something made Y/n freeze in place, glancing at the door in alarm. She could hear the noise coming from the other people at the bar, meaning he wasn't the one at the door.

"Baby, you there? Is everything okay?" Jay's voice brought her back to reality.

"Jay, aren't you the one trying to get in by any chance?" her voice shook, still standing in the same spot on the edge of the sofa, now raised.

"What? Guys, shut up, I can't hear Y/n. Baby, I told you I'm at the bar with the rest of the group." his voice immediately became serious. "Why? What's happening?"

"Jay, I think someone is trying to get in." Y/n muttered, holding the phone tighter to stop it from falling due to the shaking of her hands. Her wide, frightened eyes were fixed on the door.

As soon as those words left her mouth, Y/n heard a noise on the other side — Jay was shouting something to Severide. Then, there was silence until the sound of Jay's jeep engine was heard.

"Y/n, I need you to listen to me very carefully. You go to our room and lock the door. Then you go to the bathroom and stay in the bathtub until I come and get you. No one else, just me. Do you think you can do that?"

From Jay's voice, Y/n noticed that he went into police mode, speaking calmly but with authority. In fact, this was just so he wouldn't lose control and be able to help his girlfriend, despite the fear that was spreading throughout his body.

"I need verbal responses, baby. Do you understand?"

"I understand." her voice shook.

"Good girl. Everything's going to be okay." Jay tried to comfort her, breaking all the traffic rules and having the sirens on to get home faster.

His heart was tightening in his chest, almost stopping him from breathing. He blamed himself, he knew he should have stayed at home with Y/n, and now she was in danger, and he couldn't protect her.

Behind him, Severide followed him in his vehicle on a 911 call.

"I'm scared, Jay." Y/n's scared voice caught the police officer's attention.

"I know, baby, I know. But I need you to be brave until I arrive. I won't let anything happen to you. I just need you to hold on and then we'll finally go to bed and cuddle. Does that sound good?"

"Yeah." She felt tears coming to her eyes but tried not to let them fall. Just like Jay said, she had to be brave until he came to save her.

Y/n then started to go to her room until she stopped halfway up the stairs when the front door handle stopped turning. For a moment, she thought she was exaggerating and it was just someone who made a mistake in the house. But the panic returned when the automatic rear light came on, indicating that someone had passed by.

Jay only heard the gasp she let out. "What? What's happening?! You need to talk to me, Y/N."

"I think they're trying to get in through the back. I don't know if I locked that door!" She stopped her speech suddenly. "Oh god, I just remembered I left Missy sleeping in the kitchen."

"Y/n, do not go in there just because of the fucking cat!"

Jay didn't even like the little furball who seemed to hate him from the moment Y/n started dating him. However, he knew that his girlfriend would never forgive herself if something happened to the cat.

"Don't scream at me! I would be such a bad owner if I didn't come back to get my cat."

"I don't care about the damn cat when you're in danger!" Jay argued, but he knew Y/n was already heading downstairs to get Missy.

When Y/n arrived, she quickly found the animal on the dining table, looking super calm, an emotion quite contrary to what Y/n was feeling. Picking her up and quickly kissing her head, the girl thought about what her next step in the plan would be: go back up the stairs or find another place to hide.

However, the intruders finally opened the door, and the choice became obvious. Y/n quickly ducked and hid behind the kitchen counter so she wouldn't be seen. On all fours and with Missy under her arm, she grabbed a knife and tried, as silently as possible, to head towards the pantry.

"Y/n, don't go silent on me. Tell me what's going on. I'm three minutes away."

"They're here, Jay. I'm in the pantry with a knife." Her breaths were ragged and shuddering. She had to put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying. "I was so stupid. Why didn't I do what you said? I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. God, don't apologize, sweetheart." Jay muttered with a heavy heart, running his hand over his face in despair, never having felt greater helplessness.

"They're getting closer." Y/n whispered, closing her eyes and holding her hand in front of her mouth so you wouldn't hear her heavy breathing. Jay slammed his hands on the steering wheel, clenching his jaw and thinking about what he could say to his girlfriend. "I love you, Jay. So much."

"Don't say that like it's goodbye, Y/n. I can't take it." He shook his head, using all his strength not to break down and burst into tears. "I'm almost there. One minute."

But Y/n was no longer able to respond. That's because a man, dressed all in black, entered the kitchen and looked around. She was peeking through the pantry bars, hoping he wouldn't be able to hear her and that Missy kept quiet.

She just had to hold on for one minute. Jay would be there on time. Either way, she held the knife in front of her, ready to attack. But deep down, she knew she had no chance against the muscular man. Very easily he would be able to throw her down and take the knife from her. But she wouldn't go down without a fight.

She knew that if it came to that, she would have to try to scratch him to get his DNA under her nails. That way Jay and his team would have a better chance of catching this man.

The man got closer and closer to the pantry. Y/n's hands were shaking uncontrollably. She just wanted to close her eyes and discover that it was all a nightmare. But as much as she wanted to, this was reality and the fact that she could die that day became more and more real and scary.

She didn't want to die without kissing Jay one last time. Without calling her parents to tell them she loved them. Without telling her best friend she should take the first step and text the boy she liked. She wanted to be a mother. She wanted to marry Jay and experience an eternity with him.

But just as she was ready to run out with the knife pointed at him as soon as he opened the pantry door, the man was pulled aside. She heard a moan of pain followed by things falling to the floor. Y/n wanted to go out and see what was happening, but Jay's words echoed in her head: stay hidden until he came to get her.

And then came immense relief. She heard sirens. Before she could process everything that was happening, the pantry door opened. Y/n, in a moment of panic, got up and tried to attack, the person easily dodging and putting his hands up in defense. It was only then that she realized that the person in front of her was Jay, and the intruder was on the ground, bruised, and being arrested by another police officer.

Missy, with all the commotion, quickly ran up the stairs, probably hiding in the guest room until things calmed down. In turn, Y/n dropped the knife on the floor, her face contorting and her lips trembling. She began to cry, finally releasing all the panic and fear she felt. She was pulled into Jay's arms and into his chest.

With his arms around her, feeling his warmth and the movements of his chest, Y/n finally felt safe. Jay kissed her head, saying words of comfort in hopes that she would calm down.

"Jay…" she cried, grabbing his shirt with a very tight grip.

"I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere. It's okay. You're safe. Shh…"

Jay then just pushed her away slightly, holding her face with both of his hands. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm okay. I was so scared."

"I know, baby. But you were so brave, I'm so proud of you. And I'll never let this happen again, I promise." he gave her a small kiss on the lips, pulling her back to him. She would never disappear from his sight again.

"Hey, sweetheart." Gabby's voice broke the moment between her and Jay. Y/n she turned her head to look at the woman she adored so much, only now realizing that Severide and Brett were watching the scene from afar. However, she continued to grab Jay's shirt, ensuring he stayed close to her. "Do you mind if we go to the ambulance just to make sure everything is okay?"

A moment of hesitation. Brett, realizing the problem, stepped forward and with a gentle smile said, "Jay can come too."

So, Y/n nodded in permission, following the paramedics to the ambulance. Outside, there were two more police cars and neighbors were in front of their houses in their pajamas to see what was going on. Always under Jay's arm, Y/n waited for Dawson and Brett to do their assessment, ensuring that everything was really okay.

After ensuring that there was no need to go to the hospital, despite a lot of resistance on Jay's part, Y/n won the argument with the condition that the next day, Will would stop by to check on her. But at that moment, Y/n just wanted to sleep with Jay next to her.

Once in bed, the man had one arm over her protectively, making sure there was no space between them. "I will protect you until the end of my life. I love you."

"I love you too." she looked at him with just love in her eyes. Finding a more comfortable position, Y/n closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

But Jay stayed up all night. The most important thing is that Y/n recovers after that traumatizing night. And if she had any nightmares, he would be there to protect her.

[ghcstao3]

Pirates!Ghoap au (I can't stop thinking about it - or about any other au but this one is so dear to me)

Hope you have a nice day ☺️

sort of inspired by the jack sparrow and angelica scene in potc stranger tides. because that is where my mind goes when Pirates

-

Ghost has spent many years cultivating his reputation as a revered, feared pirate, and for just as long he's had several people try to challenge that. Try to challenge him. Of course, they never succeed in such endeavours, but this is much different. This is a first.

No one has ever tried to impersonate him before.

His crew had just made port in one of their more frequent haunts, having barely gotten the chance to step foot on land before an old acquaintance is greeting Ghost with surprise—everyone thought he had already arrived, had already been drinking and picking off the idiots trying to fight him. Had already been spreading rumours of his next voyage; a teasing invitation, a dare for anyone to follow.

But obviously, such is not the case. It can't be, when Ghost is here, fresh off his ship, standing among the few men and women in this world that he trusts—not an ale nor scrap in sight.

So, rightfully confused, Ghost orders his crew to hang back while he investigates, and puts an end to whatever charade this may be.

Despite the piece of skull that obscures the lower half of Ghost's face—all part of his reputation, mostly, and he's glad to have it spark debate on whether or not the skull is real, and whether or not he's human—it's relatively easy to go undetected as he makes his way through the port village, his presence entirely unnoticed as he slips into the tavern that caters most to his... profession.

And just as it's not difficult to sneak around, it isn't hard to spot his impersonator; they're the centre of attention at the tavern tonight, and though Ghost can commend the guts it takes to attempt such an act, he's honestly offended that so many people believed it was really him.

Though, with as drunk as the crowd is, and if he squints just enough, Ghost supposes he could see how the mistake was made. Even still, Ghost isn't particularly pleased with the situation.

He hovers at the sidelines, melting into the shadows as he waits for the fake "Ghost" to catch his eye.

Ghost knows the moment they do, when he watches as they utter some excuse and make their leave. Ghost only follows with his eyes, at first, before deciding to push away from the wall, skirting along the edges of the crowd toward to the door the fake "Ghost" had exited through.

It leads to the back alley wedged between other buildings and darkened cobblestone streets. It reeks of refuse, and it's to no surprise of Ghost's own when moments after the door shuts behind him, the point of a cutlass is threatening his jugular.

He doesn't flinch, only shifts his gaze disinterestedly toward the owner of the sabre.

"Don't think you have much of a right to be doing that," Ghost drawls.

His imitator doesn't move for a long moment, cutlass held steady at Ghost's throat. Even in the dim light, Ghost can tell their eyes are blue, and suddenly he's again offended that this disguise was actually passed off as him.

Then the sword is finally lowered and sheathed. The fake's own tricorne and mask are removed (the skull is fake, Ghost thinks, no question about it), revealing a hideous hairstyle and a charming, shark-like grin.

"Was hopin' I might eventually get to meet the real Ghost," the man says, his voice tinged with genuine excitement.

Ghost... hadn't expected that.

"How long have you been doing this for?" Ghost demands, now irritated more than anything.

The man shrugs carelessly, casually, not in the slightest bit deterred. "Not long enough to damage your reputation, if that's what you're worried about. If anything, I've strengthened your reputation," he insists. Then he's offering his hand out to Ghost. "I'm John, by the way."

Ghost barely spares the gesture a glance. "I don't care. Why?"

John at least has the decency to act sheepish this time. "I had a proposition for you. Needed to get your attention somehow."

Ghost raises an eyebrow. His hand instinctually drifts to the pommel of his own sword. "And?"

John's gaze flickers to the movement and he hesitates, but only minutely. He then lifts his chin and rolls back his shoulders, and Ghost can almost see how John could have the gall to pull off the charade he had for who knows how long. "I want to join your cr—"

"No."

John scowls. "I wasn't finished," he snaps. "I want to join your crew. And if you let me, I can get you to that fountain of youth I hear you've been searching for. I swear it."

It's Ghost's turn to frown beneath his mask. Why would John want to help him for the measly reward of sailing with Ghost and his shipmates? Sure, some have called it an honour—but in exchange for guidance to a reward so mythical? There must be a catch. It doesn't make sense otherwise.

Ghost narrows his eyes, fingers curling around the pommel. "How can I trust you to make good on that promise?"

That toothy grin reappears, more mischievous in nature than Ghost is comfortable with. It warns him of trouble.

"S'pose there's only one way to find out," John muses. "Otherwise I might just continue what I've been doing. Maybe hitch a ride to another island, pretend to be you some more. Hurt everything you've built up. I've fooled enough people so far."

It takes a lot of restraint not to pull out his sword, and fight John right in the alleyway. But the man's right, as deranged as he may be—it's either bring him along, or continue on a fruitless journey to a place that may not even exist.

He doesn't want to accept the deal, but he can't afford to have John ruining his life's work, either.

With great reluctance, Ghost agrees to let John join his crew—he figures it should only be temporary, at best.

"I find out you're lying, I'll gut you," Ghost hisses, only once it's been settled. "I've yet to see a man capable of swimming with his intestines hanging out. Maybe you'd be a first."

John's grin transforms into something else, something Ghost can't quite place.

He hums. "Maybe. But I don't plan on finding out," John says. He nudges Ghost away from the tavern's back door before pushing it open, gesturing his arm out as if beckoning the pirate to enter. Then in a lowered voice, a tone Ghost isn't quite sure how to feel about, John purrs, "Captain."

Ghost is already beginning to think he had made the wrong choice.

[shojizbae]

Just take yourself back to 2006

Tom Kaulitz x Reader

It's the later days of MySpace and the early days of YouTube, and Tokio Hotel is starting to take off. Fan girls are really beginning to amass, and the world getting very familiar with Tokio Hotel. One young German girl had since seen the band and their aesthetics and decided to change her appearance almost entirely. One walk down to the convenience store later, she locked herself in the bathroom for the night. She pulled an all-nighter, and when she emerged from her bedroom the following day, her mother jumped at the sight.

Gone was the good little Jewish girl she had raised. Drugstore eyeliner was coating your waterline. Different locks of your hair were bleached or had been dyed neon pink. Your once sensible collared shirts and khaki pants had been exchanged for a pair of low-rise bootcut jeans you accidentally bought when out with your great aunt. A lack of cool bras was exchanged for a leopard print bikini layered under a white camisole, which you had tied around your waist. You had taken a sharpie to your nails, and your lips were drenched in strawberry glaze lip gloss.

"Oh, good morning, liebe!" your mom quivers behind the batter bowl. "Do you want pancakes?"

"Nein, I'm going to the mall with some friends." you look disinterestedly at your pink razor. Just then, your mom notices that you're dragging a bag of clothes behind you

"What are you doing with those?"

"I'm not going to wear them anymore, so I will sell them to one of those charity shops. Yeah, and I think I will go to the music store, so can I have 50 euros?"

"Why don't you ask your father?"

"Ugh, fine." You sling the trash bag over your shoulder, and your mother is not happy when you return with a hundred euros in your hand. God dammit, you have your dad in your back pocket, your mom remembers. You walk into town, sell your old clothes, get another hundred euros, and then take your new look for a spin. The bus ticket only eats up two of your euros, and when you get to the mall, you instantly grab the attention of some emos.

They take you under their skinny wings and drag you around Hot Topic. You're dragged through Victoria's Secret, and the girls show you the most natural push-up bras in the subtlest shades of neon magenta and bedazzled turquoise. They show you the matching G-strings and outfit you with all the best.

All your brand new best friends take the bus home with you and show you all the best music. Your parents aren't home, so you drag four random kids to your apartment. Your parents were horrified when they got home. Sure, it was natural to experiment at your age, and sure, 15 was a little old to still have horse posters up in your bedroom, but this was a real change.

Posters of men in tight leather pants with piercings covered your bedroom walls. Your sensible synagogue clothes had been smushed in the back of your closet to make room for miniskirts and ripped-up band tees. Your father nearly passed out when he saw that not only was your tongue pierced but also your eyebrow on your precious face? When they asked you what spurred on this change, all they got was

“What? I’m not your little girl anymore.” Your new friend may have overstayed their welcome, playing loud, trashy metal and eating all your snacks, but it was with you when Jax, a tall, spindly emo with purple highlights, said he would teach you how to make out with someone. You were just barely getting to second base when your mom walked in with a plate of carrots and hummus and sharply kicked all the kids out.

The next few months were a living hell of wresting you out of baggy jeans so your parents wouldn’t be kicked out of Temple. For that, you would abide because you did enjoy faith and your relationship with god, but as soon as you got back to the apartment, you would smear makeup on and practice with your new shitty Yamaha.

Getting more immersed in alternatives styles and culture you started posting covers of Metallica and eventually Tokio Hotel. Your covers start gaining traction some for your musical finesse and others for your looks. Accidentally you get really famous in almost a few months. When you start making money off your live shows, your mom takes over as your manager. She didn't like her 9-5 anyway.

When your gigs start making enough money to pay the bills for your dad, he lightens up on his disdain for your art. Slowly, you begin jotting down poetry, posting short videos of you noodling on your old acoustic guitar. Slowly, you sign a one-album contract with Universal Music Germany. While you juggle school and micro-fame, you spend every weekend at their recording studio.

It's one warm May Saturday when you meet him. You're both reaching for the same bottle of Coca-Cola when you brush his hands.

"Oh, entschuldigung!' you chime and continue reaching for the glass bottle.

"Entschuldigung," his slightly deeper (although still mid-pubescent) voice echoes as he reaches for the bottle. Your hands wrap around the neck as you stand together. Twin eyes flick from the bottle to each other. You relinquish the bottle and take a step back.

"Oh, I just wanted some soda." You offer kind of weakly

"Yeah, it was getting hot in the recording booth." He replies

"Oh, you're an artist. I thought you were some spoiled singer kid." You bend over to look for a different soda in the refrigerator and find that all that's left is carbonated lemonade. You ignore the gut feeling that the boy with your soda is checking your ass out. "So, are you a soloist?" You crack off the lid and flick it into a nearby trashcan

"No," I'm the guitarist at Tokio Hotel." You choke on your drink. "You don't know who I am?"

"You're Tom Kaulitz?" Your voice cracks as you point at him. You give yourself a chance to study his face, the lip piercing, the dreads, the eyes. He looks more normal than his usual promotional photos.

"You've probably heard this before, but I'm a really big fan." His face shows a wash of emotions before he settles on a bit of a snide smile.

"Really?" He steps a little closer, turning up the charm

"So are you some rich spoiled little nepo-girl. Usually, they make pretty hot babies." with his soda at his waist, he lifts your chin to look him in the eyes. "I mean, you're pretty hot, so you must be." you lean against the wall and tilt your hips toward his.

"Nein, I'm an artist. You're not too bad looking yourself, Tom Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel." You slowly take the Coca-Cola from his hand and take a sip. He gulps at the sight of you holding eye contact as you swallow. Slightly, you hand him back the bottle and duck out of his hold. He watches in awe as you strut to your recording booth. Tom rakes a hand down his face as he watches your ass move, and his band members join him in the break room.

"Who's the babe?' Gustav slings an arm over his shoulder

"My future wife." Tom holds back from a whimper exiting his mouth

[amarias-yandere-blog]

Love you in red

Yan!Blade X reader

As usual, thanks to Myla for reading my insanity and helping out

Request: Vampire yandere Blade x reader

Holy hell this took forever I am so sorry

You groaned, looking at the text that Himeko had sent you earlier.

“Hey, Y/n, I wish I could go with you to the blood bank today, but it's getting late and I have some projects to finish… I'm sorry! I hope it goes well!”

You sighed. Yes, it was late, and Himeko was very much a night owl. Your shift had been postponed for an extra hour, and just because of that, you were now running late for your appointment at the blood bank and you were tired as heck. So, because of your tardiness, you were at the bank at around 8:30 PM. Yes, late for a blood bank, unrealistically so- but apparently one of their workers ran the thing by himself at night. You were gonna meet him, so…

“Y/n, right?” A deep, annoyed voice asked as they came into the room. “I'm Blade. I’ll be… assisting you today.” He introduced, looking rather unenthusiastic. You honestly didn't feel like he should be working here.

After all, he had thick, blue hair tied into a loose bun that threatened to escape its hairband at any moment. Deep, scarlet eyes stared into yours, and he was intimidatingly tall. And he had an ethereal confidence to him, like he knew that he couldn't be harmed.

“Hi, Blade.” You managed to choke out after a moment of silence.

“Come on, let's get this done.” He encouraged, taking a pair of gloves out of the boxes mounted on the wall behind him. You nodded in agreement, following him to the chairs and sitting down as you always did. He took an alcohol wipe, rubbing it against your inner elbow. “...Ready?”

He placed the needle against your skin, not even bothering to look for the vein.

___

When the girl nodded calmly, Blade sighed softly, watching her. She seemed unbothered by the relatively empty space, and even more so with his presence. He looked at her reflection in the window, disinterestedly, sighing before putting the needle in her arm. The girl winced slightly at the pinch, but she was quiet as her eyes followed where her blood sucked into the bag.

He took a deep breath at the scent that wafted from her new wound, almost overwhelmed by it. The girl looked at Blade curiously, a flicker of concern in her eyes. He shook his head, calming himself down with a pinch of his arm. It did almost nothing physically, but it was enough to keep him from jumping on the girl.

“You ok..?” Y/n asked softly. “You look a little pale.” Hah, the irony of her words.

“I'm fine. Sometimes this just happens.” He dismissed the question with a shrug, staring at where her blood pooled into the bag. It smelled intoxicating to him. But he remained calm, silently eyeing the dripping vein as he pondered what could've caused him to lose his cool like that.

Perhaps it was that he hadn't eaten a good meal in a bit… he would have to steal some from the bank tonight. That's why he worked there, after all. But that didn't explain his sudden desire to drink from the girl who sat in front of him, laying in the chair with her eyes closed. He hadn't had such desires before… not two hundred years, perhaps.

He hadn't had a live drinking in a similar amount of time, give or take fifty years. Perhaps that was why. No, Blade shook his head once more, pulling the needle from the girl's arm. Her blood was different, unique. It smelled so sweet, like chocolate, but it looked healthy…

He had to force himself to stay still as he wrapped her arm in a bandage, huffing. “There, you're done. I'll schedule you three weeks from now, as usual?”

“Make it two. I'm going on vacation that week.” Y/n smiled brightly. “Thank you for doing such a good job, and a wonderful service.” She nodded before turning around to leave, her purse bouncing around her hip as she headed to where several drinks and granola bars were laid on the table. She grabbed an apple juice and a classic granola bar before waving and walking out.

He sighed, beginning to clean up the mess that was left behind. He paused, looking at the needle that had been in her skin moments before. Several drops of blood beaded on the metal, looking absolutely delectable in the dim light. He groaned, giving into his desire and his need, licking up the drops before disposing of the needle.

To call it tasty would be an understatement. It tasted like the ichor of gods, and while he didn't know what the blood of the gods tasted like, he did know that Y/n’s blood was probably really damn close. He wanted more. He needed more, both on a satisfactory basis and a factual need. He somehow knew that this would happen- he drew exactly an ounce extra of her blood, not nearly enough to harm her or make her feel any sicker than she normally would after getting her blood drawn, but enough to feed him.

His fangs were already sinking downwards in anticipation- a normal reaction to a feeding, but still awkward, especially as he had the bag slowly drained of that one ounce. Two more weeks before he could hopefully get another taste of the delectable flavor that sang on his tongue, dying his teeth a reddish tint. He flicked his tongue over his lips to get a final taste of the girl's blood… Y/n’s blood.

He hoped that he could actually wait that long.

~*~

“Oh, not again~!” You groaned, running into the clinic as several of the phlebotomists started leaving the blood bank. One of them was your favorite phlebotomist to work with, a redhead named Kafka, who looked at you with an amused smile.

“Y/n, you're running late~” she teased gently as Blade came into the clinic, his white coat draped over his arm and his hair flowing in the breeze. “Hey Bladie~ you have your first patient of the day~”

“I can see that, Kafka. Go to one of the chairs- I'll be with you after I'm finished getting ready.” He told you, unblinking as he walked to the back.

“Oh, don't worry, Bladie~ I’ll keep her company.” Kafka smiled, waving him off. She suddenly neared your ear, holding your waist close to her. “Listen to me. Be careful around Bladie. In fact, don't stick around him any longer than you have to.”

“Why?” You whispered, feeling a rush of blood in your cheeks.

“The last girl who was close to him had her heart eaten out.” Kafka whispered. You weren't sure if she was joking. You were never sure what she was thinking about, especially with her empty pink eyes that practically glowed in the evening light. But she probably meant that the girl had gotten her heart broken, in her strange way. After all, she was… well, Kafka. “It's your choice to listen to my warnings or not, of course. See ya~ and have a good vacation.” Kafka blew a kiss before walking away.

You sighed, shrugging off her words and walking to the waiting room. It was a sweet and simple area, with pristine side tables and warm colored walls. The atmosphere was calming- one that was often necessary for people.

You shivered, noticing the cold for the first time in a while. Usually, you at least had a jacket or someone close.

But this time, it was only you. Your eyes flicked to the groups that were still recovering from their blood being drawn. Newcomers, most definitely. Especially the younger girl- she held a hand to her head, whimpering slightly as she tried to get her balance back. The poor girl really had it hard.

That was when the familiar indigo-haired man came into the room, snapping his rubber gloves and following your gaze to the group of women. “Get that woman an apple juice or something. She shouldn't have had her blood drawn in the first place, dammit.” He muttered that last part to himself, though you did manage to catch his muttering. He sighed.

“Sorry for the wait.” He apologized, looking at the equipment in disgust. You followed his gaze, feeling your stomach flop at the sight of dried blood on one of the tubs. “Goddamn- SAMPO!” The man practically screamed as he quickly pulled the tub out of the set up, moving to the back, where you could hear faint accusations of neglect.

~*~

Finally he came back. His red eyes were practically slits as he cleaned the equipment. You watched him with interest, and his eyes flickered to your own. “So… where's your vacation?”

“Hmm? I'm going to Teyvat.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Not many have.” After that, Blade let out a hum and pulled your arm to the chair’s. He took a deep breath, as if he'd had a horrible day and was attempting to calm down.

“Are you wearing perfume?” He suddenly inquired, looking at you with his flame-like pupils, staring into the very depths of your soul.

“No? I sometimes use a scented lotion and I showered before I came here but… that's it.” You explained nervously, thinking back to Kafka's words.

“Hmm. Well, you smell nice.” Blade sounded more apathetic than genuine, and he was quick to push the needle in your arm. Once again, he didn't even have to look for a vein. Silence filled the room. Another volunteer came in, Blade went over to them, did the same routine as he did you, and then walked back over. “How do you feel?” He sounded bored, more than anything.

You looked up from your phone, your screensaver of no importance- your latest anime interest, really. “I'm fine.” You answered calmly as he pulled the needle away, sighing and cleaning it with a alcohol wipe.

He took the needle out and placed it on the table, placing a cotton ball on the arm and holding it in place with some bandages of your favorite color. Might as well make it fun, right?

“You're done. You know the drill. Have a good night.” Blade waved you off, cleaning the equipment and then redoing his hair, some of his long strands having fallen out of his hazardous bun. You watched him for a little bit, curious. He seemed to be aware of your gaze, looking over with vermillion eyes that flickered like candlelight.

“Something wrong?”

With a squeak, you shake your head, quickly turning to go grab a juice box and leaving, glancing back to see Blade staring at you- no, at the bandage on your arm.

~*~

There was a group of young adults in the blood bank, obviously intoxicated and rowdy as Blade glared at them, undisturbed by their presence. Blade grabs one of the girls, who yelps unexpectedly and the group yells at him, following him outside of the blood bank and abandoning her outside. She stumbles, landing on the ground on all fours.

Blade sighs as he removes the drunken group from the scene, careful to not wound them, but still keeping them at bay from the blood bank- and yourself. You watch with wide eyes as one of the men in the group swings, only to be forced back out, and the doors locked.

“Uh… is that a smart idea?” You ask, looking at the locked doors with a frown. Blade’s eyes drone into your own, and then he goes to the back, leaving you to look at the group of drunk people outside, clearly upset and angry, pacing outside. Nervous, you back away, looking at where Blade had left. He’s there again, holding two shastas in his hand, looking at you expectantly as he holds one out.

“They’ll get impatient and leave.” Blade promises after a moment, shaking the soda to encourage you further. You reach out, grabbing the soda hesitantly, looking at it with a slight frown, looking at the can for any indication that it was tampered with. But, you don't see anything, and the can lets out a satisfying hiss as you open it.

“Will anyone come tonight?” You ask, flinching at the crash of a rock against reinforced glass. There's no cracks, but they do remind you of your presence.

Blade looks at the group before sighing, pulling your body into the rest area. He says nothing, sitting against the wall, eyes closed and breathing deeply through his nose, popping his soda to take a drink. “...Blood thieves.”

“Huh?”

“People like to come to the bank and try to steal the blood. They figure they can get a good buck from it.” Blade explains, thrumming his fingers against the wall before sighing, turning to silence, resting his hand on his forearm as he took a sip of his soda. There is silence for a moment, and then you get the urge to pee, so you go to the bathroom in the blood bank, seeing that the group is still there, and one man is making out with a woman.

You decide not to ponder the sight, looking away. And then you go to your business before going back to where Blade's perched against the wall, his eyes watching you as you sit down, drinking the shasta in one gulp, slamming the can down after a moment. You're tired and frustrated, and now you're stuck in a blood bank with the least talkative person in history.

At least he doesn't make a deal out of your seeming frustration. He doesn't say anything, but you notice his lips quirk, as though he's amused by the situation. You don't ask, letting silence fall on the room, looking at your phone for a while. As the minutes pass, you begin to feel your eye's drooping, exhausted from work and the stress of everything going on in your life. A hand touching your neck is the last thing you're aware of.

~*~

When you awoke, you felt soft fingers slowly moving over your chest, shoulders, down your back and across your waist, all while warm breathing brushed on your neck. You feel unable to move your wrists, as if bound. With a little whine, you try to pull yourself up, only to stumble back down as you realize the binding has your hands behind your back. “Good night, dear…” A familiar voice whispered to you, pulling into your vision. “How do you feel?” Blade asked, fangs peeking from his lips. His voice is less soft, his eyes far away from reality. Its like you're being eyed by a wolf.

“...What the hell are you?” You whispered, shivering at his slow, cold touch.

“...A vampire, dear.” He muttered, pushing your hair away from your neck to stare at it. “Don't worry… I don't bleed my prey dry… that's just a waste of food.” Blade chuckled darkly, his hand pulling your hair back to get a better view of your neck. “Besides… you're the tastiest girl I've ever come across. In all my years… I've never tasted blood so sweet, so… special.” He sighed out, sitting on your lap and pushing his lips against your neck, grazing his teeth against your delicate skin. You whimper at the sensation, feeling his sharp teeth drag down your neck.

“S-stop…” You whispered to him, pushing him away. He grabs your hair, pushing you further against the wall , eyes slitting in displeasure.

“... I promise that I will take care of you. I want you, after all… for a lot of reasons. And… I'm told that the first feeding is always the best. You will enjoy this.” He assured you with a laugh, moving his attention back towards your neck. “I haven't had a live feeding in so long… perhaps 200 years? You damn humans are so sensitive… if only you could just give yourselves to us like in those movies… Why do you romanticize my kind anyway?” He mused against your burning skin.

“B-Blade… ple-” You cut yourself off from your words as pain filled your body. Blade had sunk his teeth into your neck, and you felt hot blood dripping down your skin. A sickly sucking sound filled the air as you felt your body relinquish its control… you could only hear the sound of him sucking, see his indigo hair, and feel your body limp in his arms.

He smirked, pushing closer to your body, pulling away to let out a pleased gasp. “You are truly exquisite… I will have to be careful… or this need will make you die.” Blade mumbled as he licked the wound he'd left behind. “Ah- I almost forgot… You can't move, right? You’ll get used to the venom. After all, it's not meant for regular use…” Blade smiled at you, pulling your shirt to look at the wound he caused. He gently puts his hand on the bite wound, stopping the bleeding for a moment, and then he puts cloth bandages over the bite, watching the rough cloth soak up your blood.

“V-venom?” You repeat.

“...Yes. You are feeling its effects now. It keeps you from moving, protesting. It will coagulate your body and keep it from death, I've seen it. But…” He stares, showing his teeth as his nostrils flare. His lips quirk once again, and he lifts his body up, leaving you quivering on the floor, unable to move. You watch him through bleary eyes as he licks his hand clean, looking back to normal as the light shines through a covered window, casting eerie light over you.

[nomstellations]

They finally had their prey cornered. Having snatched them up into an alleyway after following them for a while, they loomed over their catch with a delightfully devilish grin. "I finally got you...don't even bother fighting. No one saw you, and no one will help you...~"

Their prey didn't cry out, or beg for mercy, or...anything. They pulled out their phone disinterestedly and started scrolling through it. "Oh, go ahead and try calling for help! All they'll hear is the sound of you being devoured~"

"Yeah yeah, sure."

They blinked, befuddled. Weren't they scared of being eaten? "Hey, I'm TALKING to you! I'm going to eat you!"

"I heard you the first time." They rolled their eyes, clearly not too worried about it. "Are you actually going to do it? I kinda had errands to run and you're interrupting them." "Y-you should be terrified! You should be begging me to stop, you s-"

"Whatever, you're not even going to follow through. I'm out." Brushing off the predator's arm, their former catch left the confused predator behind in the alleyway.

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

Debt

"There is always something fishy about somebody helping you out of nowhere." Wei Wuxian once told Nie Huaisang, when he offered to copy the rules in his place as students in the Cloud Recesses. In truth, Nie Huaisang did have a favor to ask in exchange for his kindness - receiving help cheating for a following exam - but that one exchange stuck in Nie Huaisang's mind beyond the funny memory of his youthful distaste for studying.

There is never favor done disinterestedly, something is always expected in turn - but weirdly enough, Wei Wuxian never expected to get anything for the favors he did for other people. It always made Nie Huaisang wonder whether this made Wei Wuxian incredibly kind or incredibly stupid. Payment should be expected, required and received - the world is transactional.

Nie Huaisang's world has always been that way. He has always been certain everybody else's worlds were the same, they had to be.

A few weeks before Wei Wuxian was sent back to Lotus Pier, an exam had to take place - and not the kind that Nie Huaisang could skip or be helped to cheat in. Students had to undergo a cultivation skills test under supervision from a representative from their home sect, physical proof of their progress under Lan guidance.

Most other sects sent one of their best cultivators or the sect leader's advisor - but for the Nie, Nie Mingjue himself announced he would be witnessing his brother's performance. He wanted to see for himself whether Nie Huaisang had taken his bout at the Cloud Recesses seriously - and that had him lose three nights of sleep trying to think over a solution.

"Your brother knows you're not very... cultivation-inclined." Jiang Cheng trie, the night before the exam, tired of Huaisang's ceaseless, panicked pacing around their room, "I'm sure he doesn't expect much from you."

"You are a horrible motivational speaker, Jiang-xiong." Huaisang glared, flitting his fan closed. "You don't know what my brother is like! He will skin me alive in front of everyone, rules be damned, if I don't do well!"

"Then maybe you should have actually put in some effort instead of drawing porn all day!"

"Go fu-"

"Nie-xiong, I have an idea." Wei Wuxian finally intervened after having quietly, thoughtfully watched the exchange between his roommates. "I don't know if it will work, I can't tell you what it is yet, but I think I might just save your ass."

Nie Huaisang's eyes sparkled with hope for the first time in the last three days and he threw himself over Wei Wuxian like the most grateful, melodramatic maiden, tears in his eyes and everything. "My ass will forever be grateful and indebted to you!"

And so, the day of the exam came, and Nie Huaisang tried not to think of his fate if whatever Wei Wuxian had planned would fail. He would probably be displayed at the gates of Qinghe with the word "disappointment" hanging off a plaque around his neck, eaten by crows, too shameful for a funeral. Or Nie Mingjue would make him train the saber twice as often, which was basically the same thing, if not worse.

Fate seemed to have smiled Huaisang's way that day - he was the last on the exam list, so he would have plenty of time to get his affairs in order and not regret anything if his brother did drag him to Qinghe and killed him.

He watched his friends undergo the exam one by one. Some were decent, others mediocre, a few exceptional. Of course Wei-xiong was the latter, drawing perfect talismans, displaying perfect sword forms, shooting straight on target, dispersing the fake ghosts and ghouls with swift cuts of his Suibian.

It was quite enjoyable watching him, to be honest - and Nie Huaisang found it incredibly funny to notice it hadn't been just him to notice that. Lan Wangji appeared bewitched himself, but nobody save for Nie Huaisang's observant eyes and Lan Xichen's knowing smile seemed to acknowledge that.

Interesting.

But before he could ponder any implications and draw up any matchmaking plans, Nie Huaisang's name had been called. He stood up on shaky legs and avoided his brother's gaze fiercely. He did not want to feel the humiliation of his impending failure before it happened.

Just as he was about to step into the training grounds, Wei Wuxian stood up from his seat among the Jiang delegation. "I have something to say."

The exam proctor sighed, "Yes?"

"Nie-xiong has been ill during most of our training, his constitution is weak and he has missed much of the practice the rest of us have undergone. His performance is likely to be subpar."

Nie Huaisang sent his friend a horrified, scandalized look. Your plan is to publicly humiliate me?!

"Which is why I am asking to take the exam in his place. Nie-xiong and I have studied together extensively, and he has great potential in politics, though his cultivation skills are not as developed. I do not believe it is fair to test him in the very opposite of his talents."

Nie Mingjue looked over the youth, curious. He had never known that the Jiang sect could produce that kind of person.

"If you fail," he started, "whatever should your punishment be?"

"Whatever sect leader Nie and the Lan sect finds fit."

"I will destroy your sword, then."

Wei Wuxian did not falter, bowing deeply, with respect. "I accept."

Nie Huaisang stood, motionless, shocked, staring wide-eyed at his friend - but Wei Wuxian only gave him a reassuring smile in exchange.

"Do not give him the same test again." Nie Mingjue asked the exam proctor. "Up the difficulty. Audacity must be backed by deeds."

Wei Wuxian smiled, confident, at the challenge. "Do your worst."

That one time, Huaisang fainted for real.

---

He woke up in his room, a cold cloth on his forehead and his brother by his side. He jerked awake immediately, "Where's Wei-xiong?! Did you-"

"He passed." Mingjue replied, as if it had been the most natural thing to say. "Which means that you did, too. Undeserved, but I am a man of my word."

Huaisang flopped down onto the bed. "If it's any consolation, I didn't know he'd do that. He's been dealing with me being anxious and annoying the past few days and... decided to help, I guess."

"I will accept this result only on one condition, though."

"What?"

"Bring that boy into the Nie sect with you."

"Da-ge, there's no way I-"

"A favor for a favor."

And he left, though Huaisang felt none the better.

---

The war started quickly after that, and Nie Mingjue seemed to have forgotten all about the favor he asked of his brother. Then, he became ill, qi deviated more and more often, and ultimately died, nearly taking Huaisang with him.

And so started his many questions as to how, why and who, and the difficult journey of finding out the answers, grappling with the painful truth and the thirst for justice that came after that.

But the moment he saw Mo Xuanyu walking about with Hanguang-Jun in tow, beginning to uncover the mystery that Huaisang now knew as his brother's wrongful death, he figured he could count it as him finally paying back his brother's favor.

In a way, at least.

[currentlyfckingurmom]

Arachnoid (part 1)

(Yelena Belova and Female OC)

PART 1: And So It Begins

Aim. Shoot. Swing. Release. Aim. Shoot. Swing. Release. Aim. Shoot. Swing. Release. Aim. Shoot. Swing-

"Oh shit!" Rory exclaims as she narrowly misses a bird in the dark city sky. "Sorry dude!"

The Arachnoid swings onto a rooftop to peer into the alley below, hearing a commotion coming from down the dark corridor.

She sees two small women effortlessly fighting off four much larger men. Before she even has the chance to intervene, the fight is over.

"I totally had that under control," the blonde one complains.

"Yeah, right," the redhead scoffs.

"Сука."

"Ooh, Russians, how fun," Rory whispers to herself.

"Did you hear that?" the blonde asks, reaching for her gun.

She cringed and reluctantly reveals herself. "Uh, hey, hi there," she waves. "How are y'all tonight? Those were some pretty cool moves right there, I gotta say. Oh hey, you're Black Widow right?! Big fan, truly." She rambles on.

"Who the hell are you?" they ask in unison.

"Oh right. Allow me to properly introduce myself." She drops down from the roof, into the alley next to them. "I'm Arachnoid." She definitely doesn't puff her chest out as she says the alias.

"Who?" The blonde asks disinterestedly.

"What are you, like, a fake Spiderman?"

"No! I've been around much longer than that little copycat. He tries all he wants but he could never be all of this," she gestures to herself with frustration.

"Right, okay. So what are you doing here?" Black Widow asks.

"Oh, well, I just heard some commotion and came to investigate. Seems like this is Avengers business and you have it totally under control, so I'll just see myself out," she salutes. The Russians go to speak and she cuts them off, "And, no, I won't tell anyone that I saw anything. My lips are sealed."

Rory walks backward out of the alley, pointing at the blonde and making a 'call me' gesture before taking off into the city.

"Ooh, the spider likes you," she hears behind her, followed by a smack. Rory laughs at the situation, wishing she had gotten the blonde woman's name.

Several hours later, feeling utterly exhausted and content with it, Rory climbs back through her apartment window. She peels off her mask and ruffles her medium length hair, blowing a loose strand out of her face. She turns on her stereo, singing and dancing around as she stumbles out of her suit and into the shower.

After her shower, she throws on some boxers and a baggy t-shirt before climbing onto her fire escape. She opens her laptop and logs in as she lights up a preroll.

She blows out a cloud of smoke as she opens a familiar file, tinkering with the prototype design. She spends the next forty minutes like this before she gets hungry and goes inside to cook fettuccine alfredo. The best dish to have at 3am, if you ask her.

In four hours, she'll wake up to start another day of monotonous work and exhilarating crimefighting. But right now, she's got her weed and her alfredo, and she's convinced she couldn't be any fucking happier.

MEANWHILE

"So are we gonna talk about what happened back there?"

"You mean the mysterious chick in the black tights who was hitting on you? I was wondering when we'd get to that," Natasha hums. They had returned to Yelena's apartment after the mission to go over the new intel they had gathered.

"Hmm, yes, very funny, сестра (sister). Have you heard of this person before now? Are we sure they aren't a threat to the mission? If they interfere with freeing the Widows, I will kill them."

"Yes, unfortunately. Arachnoid has been on SHIELD's radar for a while now. She's not lying; she has been around longer than Spiderman. She's a bit of a loner. A lot more stealthy than Peter Parker. I'll get SHIELD's files on her. But no, she's not a threat. Not intentionally, anyway, but she's been known to get herself into sticky situations without realizing it."

"Interesting," Yelena mumbles, taking a swig of her cold beer.

"That's all you're gonna say? Alright, well if I can get her number, are you gonna call her?" Natasha jokes.

"No. Do not be ridiculous, Natasha."

"Oh please, I saw you checking out her ass when she walked away."

"That is so not true!" she objects. "I was looking for weapons!"

"And what did you find? Anything dangerous?"

"боже мой (oh my god)"

"So how about we do a little digging on our new friend? I mean, just in case she poses a threat to the mission." Natasha is making excuses, and they both know it, but some part of Yelena wants to know more about the masked vigilante.

"Alright. But only for the sake of the mission," Yelena emphasizes.

"Of course."

~

Natasha is called into Director Fury's office the next day.

"So I hear you've been looking into our little friend, the Arachnoid."

"And how did you hear this, Nick?" Natasha smiles.

"I hear everything, Romanoff. Let's get to the point, shall we? We've been looking into the Arachnoid for years. It's about time we get to know who she really is, don't you think?"

"I'm inclined to agree, Director. She's been lurking in the shadows for years, undetected by the press and the public. That takes some skill. Might be someone we should watch out for."

"Or someone we should have on our team," he counters with a raised brow and a smirk. Natasha returns it and accepts the file Director Fury hands her, leaving his office with a nod.

~

"Boss, it appears that someone is doing some digging into your files."

"Do you know who?" Rory asks the robotic voice.

"It appears to be coming from SHIELD. Would you like me to hack into their database?"

"Oh, EDNA, you know me so well. I'd love that."

"On it." The voice resumes a few minutes later. "It seems that Agent Natasha Romanoff, code name 'Black Widow', has been accessing your files quite frequently in the past 24 hours."

"Huh. I've got the Black Widow looking into me. Think I've finally made it to the big leagues, EDNA?"

"Yes, it appears so. You will likely be dead within a week."

"Okay, well, that was just rude."

Masterlist

[anxiouslyfred]

Contemplating Death part 2

Part 1 here - part of my anxceitmus demonic soulmates au

Summary: Logan helps Virgil with his worries over how Janus and Remus will react to his death

/\/\

"I'm not being unreasonable to worry about how Janus and Remus will react when I die, am I?" Virgil asked.

He'd managed to get their leader to let him and Logan take their lunches at the same time precisely so he could ask.

Logan looked at him for a moment before pulling a notebook from his pocket. "Is this about the case you dealt with last week? What have you said to them about your worries?"

"Yes and I tried following your normal advice and just asking them if they knew how demons react to losing soulmates. They can't know for themselves before it happens so that seemed like the best approach to take." He explained, opening the lunch that Janus had handed him as he left.

"And?" he encouraged, "What did they say?"

Virgil slouched in his seat, tearing a bite off the wrap. "That demons don't usually try to find their soulmates so nobody knows how one would react to a soulmate dying."

Logan glanced up, noting down his words. "Okay so that doesn't help your worries either. Was there anything else they said?"

"That they could just make me immortal and since then half a dozen at least suggestions over how to manage it." He grumbled, still unhappy at the suggestion.

Logan raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly. "Well if they can achieve that it is indeed an option, but I gather it's not one you're enthusiastic about."

"You think?" Snapping was easy, far easier than actually asking for the help he wanted. Virgil was certain his friend already knew what he was leading up to asking. "So how can we figure out if I need to worry about how they'll react to my death?"

"Let me do some research and bring them over to mine this weekend. We can hang out, catch up on other things going on and I'll find a way to bring the subject up with them." He decided after thinking for a moment. 

/\/\

“Logan, how curious of you to invite us over” Janus greeted, appearing in his flat and looking around disinterestedly. “Remus will bring Virgil shortly. I'm just too intrigued by what your reason for this invitation might be.”

Logan rolled his eyes, heading into his kitchen, assuming they'd follow him. “Is getting to know the soulmates of one of my friends not reason enough?”

“For anyone else, I'd agree, but you strike me as the type to avoid arranging social events unless there's a goal to them. From what Virgil's said of you he's usually been the one to suggest get togethers.” They surmised.

Before he could counter or question the assumptions a crash came from the living room. “We're Here!” Remus screamed out, the lights flickering with his words as Virgil snickered.

“Sorry about Re's dramatics. He's excited to visit you.” He called through a moment later, already walking towards the kitchen.

“And find out all your dirty secrets! Oh, there's your room, no need to supervise me.” Remus goaded, voice moving off to the side as both Janus and Virgil sighed.

Logan finished making coffee, pouring it for himself and Virgil, a glance to Janus getting a nod so including them in the drinks too. “If by dirty secrets you mean the porn I watch you'd be better off looking at the hard-drive in the top drawer of my desk. Having TV or computer screens in the bedroom is detrimental to a healthy circadian rhythm.”

“It takes the fun out of it if you just tell me where to find things.” Remus appeared, pouting and stealing the mug from Virgil's hands.

“I wasn't aware I was meant to be unaware your snooping when you so openly declared it.” He replied simply, “Shall we go and sit down?”

Once everyone was back in the living room spread over the sofas conversation flowed relatively easily. Logan was fairly resolute in actually getting to know Janus and Remus and they had just as many questions, though it would have been difficult to get a more different set than theirs vs Logan's.

Eventually though Logan brought up the subject of Virgil's concerns. “It does intrigue me that two demons are soulmates and were so willing to adopt a human as another. The literature and studies on demons has always been quite unclear over whether demons even have them.”

“It's basically taboo for us to seek them out and for most demons if they do manage to meet or figure out their soulmate they ignore it, at least to the rest of us.” Janus stated. “And would you have left Virgil with Patton after learning it was his soul sold in a deal he knew nothing about?”

Logan shook his head. “Of course not. I'd have done everything I could to keep him away from Patton and have been doing so. No I bring it up because Virgil has mentioned to me his concerns as I'm assured he has mentioned them to you, over his eventual death and how it will impact you.”

“Truthfully we are hoping Virgil will find a method to immortality that he's comfortable with long before that become a concern.” They nodded solemnly.

Remus leered over at Virgil, “I still think the offer of just making a deal with us works. It wouldn't be for his soul but there's lots of things I want to try which he could bargain with.”

“That wasn't what I wanted to ask you about, but rather if you'd expect your reactions to be similar to the human range of reactions to the loss of a soulmate?” Logan queried, keeping the conversation on subject adeptly.

“We're not human though.” Remus's form growing and shifting rapidly for a few minutes emphasised its words.

Virgil groaned, but Logan merely raised an eyebrow. “Obviously, but you seem to understand your emotions in a similar way to how we do. If that is the case then I can explain the studies done in humans about how we react to the loss of our soulmates. There's a trend in personalities that leaves me believing that while you would be grieving and upset for quite a while it wouldn't be to the suicidally destructive level Virgil is concerned about.”

“I'm intrigued. Tell us more,” Janus requested, glancing to Remus for a moment. “Unless you'd prefer to mix up a concoction somewhere?”

Remus's grin had about a hundred too many teeth. “I'm going to make poison gas. Wear these if you want to keep breathing.”

/\/\

“Thank you Logan.” Virgil sighed, offering a rare hug to his friend. “I'm really glad that you found all of that out.”

“It wasn't a problem. I'm glad to have helped ease your worries.” He nodded, keeping the hug brief and stepping back again. “Although I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss their offer of immortality. That is your decision to think through, but if you want to discuss it with me I am more than willing to be a listening ear or analytical assistant as needed.”

Virgil smiled at him and nodded. “I might do.”

[indigosabyss]

Hollow Spirit (Nanbaka x JJK) Crossover -formerly Not A Curse: Student Meetup

"Sorry about Gokuu-sensei." Zakuro was the first to try breaking the ice built up between the two groups now that their teachers had wandered away, "He's a little overcompetitive. The rest of us are really just here to have a good time."

Fushiguro nodded slowly, giving the Department Five duo a side eye, both of whom were glaring at the Kyoto and Tokyo groups, "… Sure. If you say so."

Zakuro laughed nervously, "Sorry if I ever say anything weird. I'm from Sweden, still working on my Japanese."

That generally sparked an easy conversation, but the only reaction he illicited was the Kyoto girl with bright blue hair perking up slightly. Other than that, the silence stretched like taffy.

"You." Finally someone else - the muscled shirtless guy - spoke up, pointing at Nina.

The red idol preened under the attention, flipping his hair, "Me?"

"You're from the Lucky Seven idol group." He surmised.

Nina squealed, clasping his hands together, "That's us! Are you a fan-?"

"No." Everyone winced from the brutal shutdown, "You collaborated with Taka-tan multiple times, and say you're close friends. Do you possibly have her number?"

Nina stared at him. Both the black-haired Kyoto girl and Honey snickered under their breath. Muscled shirtless guy continued to smile at the idol.

Zakuro backed away, as a wave of cursed energy slammed into them. Nina's murderous rage had been tapped into, as he glowered at the man.

"I do have her number." He ground out, flexing his wrists, "And maybe I'll give it to you after I bury you under the ground."

Then they were brawling on the sports ground, all three groups watching disinterestedly.

"Okay, I'm turning in." Black-haired Kyoto girl shrugged and turned away. All the other Kyoto students mumbled agreements and followed her.

"Murakami-san will probably take me into the city to do some tourism." Honey decided, "Tell me who wins later."

Inaba-Mini tugged on Zakuro's sleeve, dragging him unwillingly to the dorms they had been assigned for the event, "Curfew's kicking in!" He explained to the others, "I'll be in our rooms."

"I'll come with you." Tsukumo said, hidden under a hoodie and a medical mask. A bead of sweat slipped over his face, and he pulled the hood off to run a hand over his hair.

Their path was blocked by the pink-haired boy who had just come back to life in front of them, openly staring with stars in his eyes.

"You're the actor for Ninja Kamikaze!" He said excitedly.

"Changed my mind. I'm going to walk into traffic instead." Tsukumo decided, yanking his hood back up and making a dash for the entrance arch.

"I'm sorry, you're so much more than Ninja Kamikaze!" The boy yelled after him, "I've watched so many movies this month and you're in more than half of them!"

He wasn't helping.

[onboardsorasora]

Max in a suit is delicious and I think Tennis!Dan agrees. Its Prize Giving Season for our Champs

Part 1 | Part 31 | Part 33

Part 32

Daniel leaned against Max’s shoulder in the car that took them through the Baku city streets. He was a little nervous about going to the FIA Prize Giving Gala. It was about to be a whole night of pomp and circumstance and honestly he expected to be bored out of his mind. Mentally, he was already preparing to deal with the WTA gala the following week.

He glanced over at his boyfriend and a smirk pulled at his lips, he looked amazing. Yummy even, in his tuxedo. He'd flicked Max's floppy bowtie and Max had huffed a laugh at him in return.

Max's hand rested on Daniel's thigh, thumb brushing over the fabric that covered the flower tattoo. He gazed out the window disinterestedly and Daniel couldn't help but stare at his profile that got lit up periodically by streetlights.

“So what can I expect tonight? Sit at the table and look pretty?” Daniel teased. Max snorted and squeezed his thigh.

“Pretty much, yeah.” Max thought for a moment, staring at the roof of the car. “They're gonna have me doing a bunch of interviews and giving trophies to other champions y’know. Of course, it's a lot of boring stuff.”

“It's lot of responsibility being champion.” Daniel laughed when Max scowled at him.

“Obviously I would rather we are at home with the cats. Than doing all of this stupid shit for the fia to feel better about themselves.”

“Well you have the easy job Maxy, you get to talk about racing all night. I have to be interesting to everyone else.”

“You are of course, very interesting Daniel.” Max cupped Daniel's cheek and pecked his lips just as the car rolled to a stop. Daniel gazed adoringly at Max before schooling his expression to something more toned down and not so private when the door opened to the flashes of photographers.

They walked the blue carpet, stopping for each publication before posing at the main backdrop at the top of the path. They made a stunning pair in their sharp tuxes. Daniel's hair was styled perfectly, not a curl out of place, to match the textured waves of Max's haircut.

They were led into the ballroom and shown to their seats before the first PA came and collected Max. Daniel went to the bar, getting a glass of red wine before walking around to look at everything that was on display.

There were some cars, well parts of them, an old McLaren sidepod here, a Sauber front wing there. He stood in front of an older Red Bull that had Max's name printed on the side and sipped from his glass. The placard called it the RB12 from 2016. 

He tried to remember how his own 2016 season went, if there would be anything from that year worth putting on display. Maybe his racquet from Wimbledon? He didn't know, this was a Blake question.

Someone stood beside him, one hand holding a glass of something and the other in the pocket of his trousers. Daniel glanced over and Mark smiled back at him, it was always good to see the other man. 

“What's the significance of this car? I know I'm missing something.” Daniel grinned openly when Mark snorted at him.

“I'm surprised you didn't Google Max or something.”

“I did! Like when we first met.” Daniel laughed and shrugged as if to say that he didn't remember what he read. What did he need to read Max's wiki page for when he could be spending his time basking in his presence?

“This is the car he got his first win in. He'd been called up mid season to replace Daniil and he won the first race he drove for Red Bull.”

“Ah yeah I get it now. He said they're gonna like wheel out Rocky when he collects his trophy. So it'll be kinda like a first win last win sorta uh juxtaposition– is that the right word?”

“Yeah something like that.” Mark confirmed. 

“Oh great, now I gotta call the WTA and have them put out like my socks from my first win or something. Can't have Max show me up at my own prize giving.” 

Mark clapped Daniel on the shoulder as they laughed together before Oscar saddled up and they began chatting about cricket and Aussie rules football.

 A PA came to collect Oscar and then Daniel and Mark separated to find their seats. Daniel was relieved to see Geri sitting beside his assigned seat and he gratefully plopped beside her exaggeratedly.

“Thank God, I thought I was gonna be bored by myself.” He rested his head on Geri's shaking shoulder and she laughingly patted his cheek.

“Don't worry, I'll keep you entertained.” She grinned.

“You look lovely by the way. A vision.” Daniel gushed as he eased up. 

“Thank you darling, you look gorgeous yourself. You clean up nicely when you're not wearing clothes with holes in them.” she teased him back, giggling at his wounded face.

“Ginger! I thought we were friends!” Daniel laughed, unable to keep up the bit. They chattered for a little bit longer, taking selfies together and teasing Christian who had come to sit before the ceremony started. Christian watched them warily, knowing from previous experiences that nothing good came from them teaming up against him.

Daniel smiled when Max crossed the stage, presenting trophies to the various karting champions. He looked sweet, doting on the children. Daniel's phone then vibrated with a new message, only two contacts could breach his DND.

Maxy❤️

Second floor men's room.

Daniel smirked as he got up, meandering to the back of the ballroom and through one of the exits. He found the bathroom relatively easily and ducked in quickly after making sure the coast was clear. The hallway had been deserted but you never know.

Max engaged the lock behind him and Daniel spun to see his beautiful boyfriend grinning at him.

“Hey Champ.” Daniel teased and Max pressed him against an empty wall. They kissed hungrily, grasping at each other like starving men. As if they hadn't seen or fucked each other for weeks.

Max swallowed Daniel's moan as he pressed his thigh in-between Daniel's. Daniel rutted against the thick muscle, breathing deeply.

“Fuck…” Daniel groaned and Max sank to his knees before him. He watched as his boyfriend made quick work of his zippered fly and swallowed his cock. Holding in his moans became harder. 

Max was insistent, and thorough. He worked Daniel over, licking and groaning as if he was about to win the world championship of dick sucking. Daniel wanted to give him every trophy ever.

He was barely able to keep his hands out of Max's hair, instead clenching the shoulders of Max’s jacket and biting his own fist when that became too much. The heat of sensation zinged up and down his spine and it truly took all of his willpower to not thrust into Max's mouth. Even if he knew the man on his knees would appreciate it.

He came with a long exhale that turned into a wanting groan as he watched Max swallow every drop and then lick him clean. Daniel stood against the wall, dazed, while Max set his clothes to rights. When he stood, Daniel grasped Max's jaw and pulled him closer, kissing his swollen pink smirking lips and licking a smear of his own come off of Max's lip freckle.

“Mmm fuck I should get you a trophy if this is what I get when you're supposed to collect em.” Daniel smiled lazily against Max's lips, feeling his huffing laugh.

“I don't think I told you how incredible you look.” Max offered as an explanation with a shrug.

“You don't look too bad yourself beautiful. especially up there being amazing.”

Max flushed, looking away shyly at the compliment. They lingered in each other's presence for a little longer before deciding to make a quick getaway.

Daniel made it back to his seat without any issues, presenting Geri with a new glass of wine as an excuse for his absence. She smiled and accepted the glass before explaining what he missed.

Red Bull’s trophy was then awarded and both Daniel and Geri stood in applause. Lewis and Sergio collected their trophies afterwards and then Max's award was called. Daniel didn't expect for the backdrop to open up and Max to walk out flanked by Rocky and backlit dramatically. He looked amazing, very powerful and important and Daniel needed him again– now.

He took pictures and mentally undressed Max as he stood there smirking to the crowd, speaking into a mic with his breath smelling like Daniel's dick and come. Daniel couldn't wait to get back to their hotel room.

[writinglittlebeasts]

find the word tag

i was tagged by @outpost51 (a WHILE ago whoops) to find a series of words across my wips, and once again i Will be using my most recent fic documents for this

i will tag ... @daughter-of-inklings @reamous23 @vesyl @lorenfinch to find the words row, follow, mouth, drag, and great

jaw from stress and your workplace

It's infuriating that the tall man doesn't answer. He doesn't so much as blink or work his jaw, and with every passing second, waiting like he is, because to turn and run could mean deadly consequence, Leon's arm gets weaker and weaker. 

pass from kill my heroes

"Perhaps the metal fell from the mountains." Quentin suggests disinterestedly. "Things pass between the realms all of the time. She didn't recognize it, and she doesn't recognize us, and the far-stone will grow back if anyone even cares to miss it. What are the chances that she even notices it has extranormal properties?" He casts his eyes across the market without any idea of the affection Eliot has for him.

direct cut from kill my heroes

"Your throne," Quentin passes the back of his hand across his mouth again, juice in sticky drops that roll down and collect on his palm, "It isn't here."  Eliot vocalizes a short hum of agreement and swallows his mouthful. "Useless thing."  Quentin nods, "It is quite literally the seat of your power."  "Power granted by worshippers, Quentin, that I don't have." Eliot elaborates.  "Power granted by your maker," Quentin argues persistently, "directed by worshippers. You, of all the gods, know that you aren't beholden to mortals."  "And I'm to be beholden to a chair?" 

slump from there's always one more round

Agent Monick heaves such a sigh that his shoulders visibly slump. Again he straightens his back. “Miss Redfield, this isn’t so much a request for your materials as it is a demand. If you won’t turn them over, my men and I will find and seize them.” 

shock from stress and your workplace

His bicep is suddenly in the tall man's hand. It's hot, hotter than is comfortable. It may be that Leon is colder than is comfortable. It may be that his shock has taken him completely, and any touch will feel like a fever. 

[citrinesparkles]

you had me worried

jason todd x gender neutral reader. 906 words. notes: hi please don't call people if you're trying to keep one or both parties anonymous <3 but for the sake of this little story, please disregard that. just insert bat-tech for anonymity <3 also, this was requested by @definitelydivergent as part of my blogiversary celebration! thank you so much, honey- hope you enjoy :) warnings: anxiety, canon-typical terrorism and violence

"hey, perfect timing. i was just thinking about y-"

jason's agitated voice, distorted slightly by the phone, cut you off. "baby, baby- shh, stop talking. where are you? home?"

his words were surrounded by heavy breathing, crashes, and shouting, a cacophony unsettling enough to distract you from how rude 'stop talking' was. "yeah?"

"thank god," he muttered, before grunting in effort and raising his voice over a clattering noise in the background. "i need you to stay there, okay?"

"is everything okay?"

"no, everything's shit- robin! your six!- and i need you to stay put." he paused for a moment, and you could hear a slam in the background. "please."

"okay," you mumbled, trying to swallow your rising nerves. "are you..."

"i'll play it smart," he answered the unspoken question. another crash. "i'll be careful."

"you'd better."

"i've got to go."

"be safe," you added, worry fully audible.

"see you soon."

and the call ended.

-

the night passed slowly. slower than usual.

you did you best to keep occupied, answering emails and scrubbing dishes and watching videos of a lady playing the spoons, but your mind kept revisiting the short conversation with jason.

the sour feeling in your stomach never faded, replaying the genuine concern in his voice. he wasn't easily rattled- you hadn't heard that tone in a very long time. it was hard to imagine what could have caused it, much less drove him to call you and ask you not to go out. once you had run out of chores and musical entertainment, you begrudgingly gave in, flopped into bed, and turned on the news.

"-left the scene, taking the now-infamous harvey dent into custody once again."

you swore quietly, watching as the camera zoomed in on a trampled black-and-white cookie directly behind the reporter.

"witnesses state that several vigilantes were involved in his re-capture, including batman, robin, and batgirl. as per usual, they have taken off into the night before they could be questioned on the situation."

"thanks, maria. the chilling events of this evening seem to be resolved, thanks to speedy response time by-"

you muted the tv and dropped the remote onto the bed beside you, staring disinterestedly at the man speaking. text scrolled across the bottom of the screen, blandly describing a forked approach to crime- two face had, appropriately, split his attention two ways. one half of his attack had been a bomb threat surrounding a political rally downtown; the other half had been his goons randomly selecting hostages from the streets.

highlighting corruption and random luck simultaneously. it was impressively planned, you could admit that much.

but now, knowing now what had happened, you wondered where jason was.

the red hood's involvement in the festivities going unmentioned wasn't surprising- it was a good sign, really, meaning he was well enough to avoid onlookers and nosy cameras.

but you wondered.

-

you didn't wonder long, soon hearing the window slide open and shut again.

"honey?"

"here!" you hopped out of bed, following his voice to meet him in the hall.

he had already shed his helmet, concern and exhaustion visible on his handsome face as he breathed your name. "you okay?"

"yeah, i'm okay. i stayed put."

"thank you," he mumbled, letting the tension melt from his shoulders. he pulled you in, holding you to his chest with an one arm around your waist and the other over your shoulders. "thank you."

returning the hug was the easiest thing you'd done all day, melting into his hold and rubbing your hands over his back. "thank you for coming back in one piece. are you okay?"

"i'm fine. i just needed to know you were safe." his thumb traveled across the back of your neck, the seam of his glove catching on the collar of your shirt.

"you were the one out there, jason. you had me worried."

he let out a carefully neutral hum- jason for 'i know' and 'i'm sorry'. "we're okay," he said quietly, kissing your head. "we're okay."

you nodded, pulling back to meet his weary eyes. "we're okay," you confirmed, watching some of the tension leave his brow.

to say you had a lot of questions was an understatement. the news had shown you an incomplete picture of what had happened, and the fact that he was so clearly shaken up told you that there was a very big picture to see.

'you had me worried' barely scratched the surface.

but he was home.

everything else could wait for the morning, so instead of asking 'how bad was it' or 'are you okay' or 'why did you seem surprised to see me home, right where i promised i would be', you brought your hands up to cup his face. he immediately nuzzled into your hold, bringing a small smile to your lips. "c'mon, handsome. let's get you out of that suit, okay?"

you slid back, ready to turn and head back into the bedroom and set out clean pajamas, but you were stopped in your tracks by him grabbing at your waist. "wait- wait. can we just..." his fingers bunched in your shirt, gently pulling you back to him before finishing his sentence in a whisper. "be here for a minute?"

your questions came back with a vengeance, but he looked shaken enough already, so you just slipped back into your place against his chest and held close.

it could wait for the morning.

[randomshyperson]

Rulers of The Multiverse - Wanda Maximoff x Reader - Chapter Eleven

Summary: Strange’s faulty spell will cause a series of unexpected events, from your reunion with the love of your life in another world to the appearance of a child capable of traveling across the multiverse. This story follows the journey of a very tired Guardian alongside mischievous America Chavez and Scarlet Witch.

Warnings: (+18) explicit language and sexual content, violence, a lot of magic, found family, mentions of abusive past and trauma, mind control, use of illicit substances, mostly top!reader, soulmates analogies. CW: a bif of fluffy and pining. | Words: 5.501k

A/N-> Can't believe we are already here, only 6 chapters left and smut is coming tomorow!! anyways, thanks for all the reblogs and reviews, i read them all but i haven't had the time to reply to any yet (i'm using my last vacation week to play videogames haha). Hope you guys like this one, good reading!

General Masterlist | AO3 | Wattpad | Series Masterlist

--//--

Chapter Eleven - The Library of Alexandria - Part Two

The place only seemed to get bigger as you advanced inside. Aarif didn't seem too concerned about making sure that you didn't lose sight of him, walking - or rather hovering in the air - as he led the way through the innumerable stalls and corridors.

You went ahead, but just as you arrived in front of an entrance that read in Greek 'Dark Magic Session - Kingdom One to Earth-1999' on a gold plaque on the wall, Aarif stopped and raised a hand to you.

"Miss Maximoff, please, your copy of the Book of the Damned."

You raised a brow, and made mention of handing over the book, only for Aarif to let out an impatient sigh and correct:

"Miss Wanda Maximoff."

You chuckled, but Wanda gave you a gentle nudge in the ribs and took the book from your hand, raising her chin to Aarif.

"What if I refuse to give it back?"

Aarif let out another impatient sigh. "Your copy is already overdue, Miss Maximoff, let's not test the furies of the gods further."

"But what happens if I don't return it?"

"Aarif doesn't take care of repossession." He replies disinterestedly, and Wanda gives a little smile.

"Oh, so you don't know."

"Aarif doesn't like questions, because Oshtur made Aarif a librarian, not a tour guide."

"And who did Oshtur put as a collector of overdue books?" You ask curiously as well, and the birdman sighs, but answers.

"For books of darkness from realities Alpha 1 through Beta 22, the collectors are the Soul Eaters, for realities beyond Gaea's blessing, we send the Necromon for paperback editions, and for manuscripts, we send the Demons-"

"We get the message." You interrupt with a nervous chuckle. "Evil soul-eating guys. The book is here. Wanda, give it back, and let's get this over with."

The witch sighs lightly, holding the book against her chest.

"Just one more question Mr. Aarif." She says receiving a grunt from everyone. "You said my copy of dark hold as if there were more of them."

Aarif let out a mocking chuckle - the sound resembled a little bird singing - and nodded to Wanda.

"Of course, it's your copy, Miss Maximoff. What a silly question, humans are so odd." Aarif muttered to himself, and instead of continuing, turned his body to the side and gestured to the door. In a second, a shelf appeared from the wall like a train and high speed, and you and the girls took two steps backward in fright, but Aarif didn't seem the least bit shaken by the sudden appearance, the wind ruffling his feathers.

When the shelving stopped, Wanda let out a surprised exclamation at the amount of Darkhold's - of the most diverse sizes and shapes - properly stored on each shelf.

"Earth 616 edition of the Books of the Damned, the Darkhold." Announced Aarif and the shelves moved and arranged themselves until there was an empty space just within reach of where Wanda was standing. "Please, Miss Maximoff, return the Darkhold to our collection."

Although she reached out to fit the book into its separate spot, Wanda muttered impressed:

"There are so many of them." 

"Yes, yes, one for each world where Chthon wrote it." Aarif commented uninterestedly. Wanda's copy snapped onto the shelf and a little gold plaque appeared at the bottom with the reality information Aarif had mentioned earlier, plus the addition of Copy of Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff to the title. 

"Can I read the others?" Wanda asked quickly as soon as Aarif made mention of gesturing for the shelf to come unstuck, and the birdman let out an unsatisfied grunt. Wanda was ready to take it back when the man marched off into the corner of the room, to a table much like the one in the other room that seemed to have come out of nowhere, and pulled a small notebook out of it.

"They always want to read more, it's never enough. Always, Aarif can I read what was not assigned to us? And Aarif has to make notes of this and that." The birdman started mumbling to himself on the walk back to you, until he stopped in front of Wanda, took a pen from his uniform pocket, and looked at her. "Come on, without delay!"

"I can choose any?" She asked in surprise with her eyes shining.

"The loan is yours after all." He replies.

But before she took another step, you touched her forearm.

"Wanda, let's not go through that again."

She hesitated but smiled small at you. "But here, he can't influence me. I need to study more about myself, Y/N, and only darkhold talks about the Scarlet Witch." She declares and you are ready to agree against your will, dozens of ideas on how to keep Wanda from falling under the darkholds influence again, when Aarif's nasal laugh breaks the moment completely. You and Wanda look at him with confusion, and he sighs as he realizes he will have to answer another question.

"Now, who was it who told you that only Darkhold has articles about the Scarlet Witch? Humans, weird creatures." He grumbled, and before you could ask, he gestured for the shelves to shift again.

When they stabbed into dozens of blue books, he spoke:

"Look, all the copies of the Books of the Sages, Scarlet Witch articles on pages 12, 87, and 1902." He said, and switched the bookshelf again, to now transparent books. "All copies of the star paperbacks of the People of Heaven. Deluxe Edition, the White Witch and her assignations." He continued and switched the shelf to gold books. "Here, to advance Miss L/N Maximoff's loan, all copies of the Book of Vishanti quotes the Scarlet Witch on pages 673, 912, 18,430-

"I want that one right there." You interrupted by nodding to the one that caught your eye the most, on the highest shelf. Aarif didn't seem to mind being interrupted, and the shelves moved until you could reach the book you chose. "And can Wanda take one of those, too?"

"Well, Aarif is here to make the records after all." He grumbled half-heartedly. "Take your pick and I'll write down the name."

"I'll have one of each." Wanda declares without hesitation and Aarif lets out an exclamation, his feathers fluttering. 

He doesn't stop grumbling for the next fifteen minutes.

When you leave that hallway, it is a great thing that books are charmed to follow you around, because you and Wanda have dozens of volumes that could not be carried by just two pairs of arms.

America is the only one who follows her assignment, leaving the shelf with only a pocket-sized book on Interdimensional Teleportation, and that seems to make Aarif very pleased. He leads you to a very nice open courtyard where you all occupy poufs on the floor and books are arranged around you.

"The library closes at midnight, don't try to take books you haven't borrowed." Aarif warns and before he can leave, America calls out to him.

"How will we know what time it is?"

"Little girl who respected her designation, look at the clock." He replies, gesturing to the wall - where a cuckoo clock had just appeared that was certainly not there before. - And America smiles.

"That totally wasn't there before, birdman." She retorts, but Aarif just gives a lighthearted chuckle and turns toward the inside, going back to grumbling about the countless entrances he would have to make.

You wait for the glass door to close before settling better on the soft pouf and commenting:

"I don't know why he got so grumpy, it's not like he has a lot of customers."

America nods in agreement, but Wanda - who is already holding A Guide to the Great Universal Library of fallen Alexandria in her lap, raises her eyes at you.

"Actually, I don't think Aarif ever stops working." She says, and you almost don't pay much attention to what she says next, because Wanda straightens up on the pouf in a way that your arms are touching, and you have a wide view of her collarbone so close to your face. "It says here that the library receives everything from the purest creatures to the banished spirits. All the knowledge of the Multiverse is contained in this place. But you can only see those who have come with you."

"Cool." You mumble trying not to sound so affected, and are lucky that Wanda is too excited about reading to notice the way you are holding your copy of the Book of Vishanti even tighter than necessary as she settles even closer-

"[...] It says here that the legendary and immortal Aarif receives visitors at the appointed time and hands out copies of the knowledge they have become worthy of possessing or knowing during their lifetime."

America looks at the way you are blushing, and rolls her eyes with amusement, letting out a chuckle before practically lying down on the pouf and entertaining herself in her own reading that was sure to help her understand her powers better.

"The most interesting thing is that it says that Alexandria is a neutral zone, see in this heading? No magical, mental, or physical influences may be distributed to readers in the vicinity of the Library, as established by the bylaws of the interdimensional realms." Wanda reads excitedly. "That means I can read darkhold here, all I want, and Chthon will not gain any dominion over me."

"F-fantastic." You retort with your cheeks burning because Wanda is smelling fucking good and it's very hard not to lean in. You put more distance between you before Wanda can notice, settling back in your seat. "Let's read as much as we can before midnight."

"Well, we can always go back tomorrow…" Wanda mumbles trying not to think too much about you pulling away, and clearing her throat as she settles better against her seat.

"Of course Wanda." You mumble back, trying to focus on the lyrics in front of you and not your irregular heartbeat.

Time seemed to pass much faster there, or maybe it was because the three of you were so absorbed in reading.

Aarif came back into the room pushing a cart with books of various sizes.

"Fifteen minutes until Alexandria closes." He warned taking the three of you out of your focus - Wanda, was setting up some kind of mural of mentions of the Scarlet Witch with several open books, you were trying to dodge Oshtur's oath or find a Guardian's Forge Removal spell, and America was testing out the new trick she learned, the pocket portals. 

"Aarif, wait!" Wanda called out before he continued pushing the cart away. "Can we come back tomorrow and continue our reading?"

He sighed. "Never satisfied, always more and more..." He grumbled but nodded in agreement. "Be aware of the time limits, Miss Maximoff." He remarked before turning back to walk.

Wanda sighed slightly, and you looked at her curiously. She crawled to a farther pile where she had tossed the book A Guide to the Great Universal Library of fallen Alexandria and tossed it into the air - the object floating majestically to your lap - and sat back down in front of her small collection.

"Usage Guidelines, page 72." She told you, and you sighed softly as you began to look.

The Rules were simple and clear. For books assigned to you, the term is extended to the duration of one's worthiness. For books borrowed for internal use, three days.

You let out a loud grumble. "But that's not fair! How do they expect us to learn everything in three days?"

Wanda doesn't take her eyes off the sheets to say:

"They don't expect it." She replies. "The Library is not there for visitors to study, the books are here to be preserved. For what happened in Alexandria, all that knowledge, is not to be lost in the same way. It is a courtesy of the gods to allow the visitors to read."

"It's kind of fascist that' for sure." You grumble annoyed, and Wanda gives a chuckle.

"Sure, but they're not at all wrong aren't they?" She retorts looking at you over her shoulder. "It says there that every copy, of every knowledge that ever existed or ever will exist, ends up in Alexandria. They are copies, Y/N. No one is being prevented from acquiring this knowledge in their home universe, but this place is for preservation, not consumption. How long do you think it would take to be destroyed if it were opened to all the creatures of the multiverse?"

You sigh lightly, closing the Guide. "I guess we'll never know, Wanda." You say as you stand up. "But I need to ask Aarif how to get a designation pass."

"I think there's something about that in the guidebook..."

"No, no, I want to bother him." You declare with a chuckle, hurrying not to lose sight of the birdman, and Wanda gives a short laugh without insisting.

But about five minutes after she was left alone with America, Wanda sighs softly and raises her eyes to the girl on the couch.

"Hey, Chavez."

America hums signaling that she is listening. Wanda sighs again.

"I wanted to, hmm, apologize to you." Says the witch hesitantly, and America lowers the book from face height with a surprised expression. Wanda wastes no time in clarifying, "For getting inside your head and using your powers without permission. And well, for before too, for the monsters I sent."

"Wait, that was you?" America exclaims in surprise and Wanda cringes a little embarrassed as she nods.

"I was trying to take your power, and I'm sorry."

"Well, yeah that sucks, but you can kind of control them? What a neat thing! And they obey you from another universe? How do you do that?" She asked excitedly, leaving the closed book in her lap and sitting up better in her seat.

Wanda gives a surprised giggle. "Yes, hm, they follow my commands, because of chaos magic. I can conjure them too. I could also see the fights through their eyes if I concentrate hard enough..."

"So cool!" America comments, but then lets out a soft grumble. "Damn, that explains why I was doing so well."

Wanda blinks in confusion. "What?"

"Well, you were controlling the monsters and we must have fought hundreds of them and I never got more than a scratch. Y/N thought I had some kind of lucky totem, and we had a point system for who could beat the most creatures and I was doing pretty well, but I guess that's just because you didn't want to hurt us."

Wanda swallowed dryly, nodding softly at the story. In Chthon's control she didn't realize that, how much she didn't want to hurt America, and sending monsters over her control was as much as she could do to reel the god in and avoid the worst.

"I think you were doing just fine, America." Wanda assures with a small smile, but the girl looked a little sheepish, dragging her feet on the carpet.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure about that." She grumbles, and Wanda blinks in surprise.

"Why do you say that?"

America sighs and shrugs, not meeting the witch's gaze. "It's just...all of this is kind of my fault."

"All of this?"

"Yeah, Wanda." America grumbles upset. "If I knew how to use my powers right, I would have brought Y/N back within the time you two agreed upon, and you wouldn't have fallen under the spell of the evil book. And then you wouldn't have fought, and I wouldn't have taken us to so many horrible places and-"

"Hey, America, that's not true." Wanda interrupts by approaching the girl and placing a hand over hers in her lap. "You've been helping us a lot."

America gives an incredulous laugh. "As if."

"I mean it." Wanda gently insists and offers America a small smile when the girl meets her gaze. 

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm." Says the witch. "You helped Y/N find her way to me, even though that was not your responsibility. You were very brave and strong the whole journey, and you had no way of knowing how much time was passing in my universe, so you can never blame yourself for the delay. And America, you may not be in control of the universe where we are going, but you are certainly doing something right."

The girl's eyes well up with tears, and she sniffles a little. "You think so?" She asks unsurely, and Wanda nods quickly.

"You always send us where we need to go in a certain way." Wanda explains. "When Y/N and I were fighting, you sent us to a world so destroyed that we needed to work together. And then Y/N needed help, and you sent us to one with a witch health system." Wanda continues with a chuckle that America accompanies. "I know you are learning, but you are already much more talented and stronger than you think."

America smiled affectionately, and Wanda moved her fingers to twitch her nose affectionately making her chuckle.

"Can you forgive me for everything, little troublemaker?" The witch asked, and America nodded without hesitation.

And to surprise Wanda, she hugged her by the shoulders. 

"It's okay, Y/N told me you've been through a lot." She whispered and Wanda had to take a deep breath to keep from starting to cry, feeling her chest warm with tenderness.

As soon as she let go of America, they exchanged a complicit smile and the girl asked if the witch needed any help with the reading. Wanda was in the middle of explaining what she was doing when you reappeared.

Running away from the floating and evidently angry librarian, and laughing at his attempts to hit you with what looked if a wooden stick.

"Aarif is tired of your questions, nosy guardian!" Accused the angry man, and you just kept laughing, jumping up a pouf at high speed to grab America by the hand and pull her with you - giving Wanda less than three seconds to follow the cue and keep up with you two - and casting an incantation on the books so they flew off and got in the way of Aarif in his pursuit.

"We'll see you tomorrow, birdface!" You shouted back running toward the exit and leaving a furious Aarif behind.

As soon as the golden door closed behind you, the race was over.

You and America were panting with your hands on your knees, and although Wanda was equally breathless, she crossed her arms.

"Why did you do all this?" She questioned with an almost angry grimace, and you laughed breathlessly. 

"I just asked a few questions."

"You don't have to behave like a child, Y/N, we already have one and she's behaving better than you."

You let out another smaller laugh, raising an eyebrow at her. "We have a child, eh?" You tease and are pleased by the short pink that appears on Wanda's cheeks, even if she rolls her eyes.

"Stop causing trouble, if you irritate Aarif enough he can banish us, and this is the best opportunity to study magic I've ever had."

It's your turn to roll your eyes. "Except that's not true, right, Maximoff? I'm your best opportunity to study magic, 24/7 all Kamar Taj books and a mind stone, ask anything you want. But that's the problem, you'd rather study the book of the damned than train with me!"

Wanda locked her jaw, narrowing her eyes at you.

"You know very well why we can't train together."

"Because of some stupid prophecy? I already told you I'll tell the gods to fuck off if I have to!"

The witch grunted impatiently. "Why do you have to be so stubborn!"

"I could ask you the same thing!"

Wanda and you are breathing out of rhythm, and stare at each other for one last moment before turning away like spoiled children. America scratches the back of her neck clumsily.

"Okay...I think I'll go wait in the car." She declares and walks down the stairs towards the vehicle.

Wanda sighs heavily behind you, and out of the corner of your eye, you can see her moving away to rest her back on one of the pillars, and when you turn around, you watch her press her hands to her face for a long moment, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips.

Your defensive posture breaks on the spot, and you swallow dryly before approaching her, taking up the free space on the pillar next to her.

"Sorry for yelling." You mutter, and it takes another moment for Wanda to speak, returning to crossing her arms.

"Sorry too." She mumbles back. "Not just for yelling, for everything."

"Eh, I can't really stay mad at you, but I appreciate the apology." You retort sincerely, and you don't have to look to know that Wanda has a small smile on her lips. 

There is another moment's pause between you, and after sighing softly, you say, "I didn't mean to cause trouble on purpose, I just don't trust easily. And Aarif seems to have all the answers I'm looking for on the tip of his tongue."

Wanda sighs as well. "He probably does, Y/N." She says, leaning back on the pillar to look at you. "But Oshtur didn't put him here to answer visitors' questions. It's against his nature, so it's not out of spite that he reacts that way. It's all in the guidebook I gave you."

"Damn, now I feel bad." You retort with a chuckle to which Wanda can only smile tenderly.

"It's okay, detka." She murmurs, trying to imagine that you only seem to be closer than before. "What did you ask him?"

You hum, half-distracted, and Wanda thinks you are leaning in. "I asked if there was a way to stop being a guardian."

Wanda blinks in surprise, but you are close enough for her to count your dots, and all she does is mumble in understanding, and you keep counting in a low tone.

"He was curious as to why anyone would want to stop being one of the most honorable warriors of the wise Oshtur, and I told him I didn't think it was so cool..."

Wanda gave a small giggle, swallowing dryly when your forehead rested against hers. "And then ?" She asked in the same tone.

"He was a little offended by the ponderings I brought up about Oshtur not being so benevolent in holding him here, and tried to say that I didn't know how to value or was capable of understanding the blessing of the gods..." You continue, raising a hand to take a loose strand of hair from the front of Wanda's face, and place it behind her ear. And you looked at her so tenderly that she almost melted. "And I told him that I already had a divine blessing in my life, and I was trying to keep it."

Wanda shuddered softly, her cheeks burning as she understood that you were talking about her. 

Before you could break the distance, a loud honking sound went further into the distance and made you and Wanda jump in fright, only to let out embarrassed giggles next.

Wanda made mention of pulling away, but you slid one hand up her arm, and another to her waist, turning her until you pressed her against the pillar - so that you were hidden from the car and the impatient America in the front seat - and the witch only had time to sigh in surprise before she felt your mouth on hers.

Intense and messy, and yet painfully fast. Wanda almost whimpered when your lips left hers next, and you gasped against her, laughing softly.

"Forgive me, I just really missed this." You confess affectedly, rubbing your noses together, and Wanda's legs almost turn to jelly when your other hand squeezes her hip. 

She wants to say a million things. Confess them now, or at night if you agree to hold her, or worse, confess them over the course of a lifetime that she can imagine at your side.

Your lips rub together again, and Wanda thinks that if you kiss her again, she might let some of those things slip.

She presses a palm on your shoulder to hold you in place, and you both swallow dry, fighting the urge to continue.

"We can't." Wanda reminds you in a husky, sorrow-laden voice that you share. "I don't want...I don't want us to end up like the stories in your book."

You know she was talking about the first Guardian and his Witch, and about stupid stories about fate. Wanda doesn't want you to have to harm her, but she especially doesn't want you to die because of your love for her.

Your hand goes up to cover hers, and though Wanda shivers and her eyes fill with tears, you kiss the palm, once and twice. 

"I'll make things right for us." You promise in a whisper. "No matter what the price."

Wanda almost says no. Let the deal be kept, each of you back in your own universe. But by now, she loves you with all her heart.

You move closer just to give her a long kiss on her cheek and leave your hands together for the period when you pull away, giving gentle tugs until Wanda is able to push all emotions down, and disguise the tears, offering a forced smile to you and following you towards the vehicle. Hands entwined all the way.

–//–

You thought you shouldn't abuse Order Magic because altering reality for superficial reasons wasn't a good enough reason. So it made little sense to use the clothesline attached to the van to dry your clothes.

The van was still parked in front of the Alexandria Library, and it must have been about nine in the morning - the place was supposed to open at noon - and you thought you could distract yourself by doing laundry.

Wanda was asleep and America came out of the vehicle scratching her eyes, a mug with a star print on it, and astronaut pajamas on her body.

"You're acting weird." That's what she said when she found you putting your clothes on the clothesline.

"Good morning to you too." You retorted with a surprised laugh. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you're doing laundry."

"And what's strange about doing laundry?"

America laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Washing magic clothes that you made with your magic. Look what showed up in my closet? I loved the pattern." She comments on the pajamas. "You're out here pretending that washing clothes is enough to ignore the magic van that generates cool stuff for me and Wanda every minute."

You gave a clumsy laugh, "I don't know what you are talking about." You commented diving the red suit back into the Van's built-in tank - which didn't respect any laws of physics, but it worked - under the water.  "I'm just attempting a little normality..."

"On a magic planet."

"[...] on today" You complete, ignoring America's comment. She doesn't insist, sipping from her cup, and you sigh softly. "Try making a decent breakfast, how about eggs with bacon?"

"Yay, magic food." America retorts turning around and making you laugh softly.

"See if Wanda's awake and doesn't want some!"

"Sure thing, mom." It was supposed to have been a mockery, but America felt her heart miss a beat. You gave a soft chuckle, a very tender feeling snapping in your chest at the nickname. 

“Thanks, America.” You told her before she got into the van.

Wanda did not sleep in the same bed as you. In fact, she can say that she barely slept at all.

The night before, when you two came back, the sheets were single beds again, and she preferred to assume that you didn't want to push her into anything rather than push her away. 

And even with you sleeping away from her, all she could do for half the night was stare at your back. And perhaps, precisely because she was doing this, she was plagued by dreams that were becoming almost too familiar.

In the first, you were running together between rows of bookshelves, laughing amusedly until you were caught up against a corner. Wanda could feel the wood on her back, as well as your hesitant touch on her thigh under her skirt. 

She opened her eyes as soon as fingers pushed past the fabric, and when she looked to the side, she found your sleeping face a few feet away and felt hers burn.

It didn't do much good to lie on her back, or to bury her face in the pillow.

The second dream was infinitely more sinful.

You were all over her as she sat on the kitchen counter of the van. Legs wrapped tightly around your waist, and Wanda could feel everything, from your teeth scratching the skin of her neck to the deep thrusts inside her, the way she was burning hot and twitching.

She was able to come on that one. Once, twice. You didn't stop, fucking her hard until she dug her nails into your back.

There was a mirror behind you. Wanda could watch the red marks of her own nails on the scarlet witch's tattoo on your skin, and each time she dig them deeper, you forced your hips harder. Her own figure - panting and ecstatic - with glowing red eyes and a satisfied expression stared back at her in the mirror.

She woke up sweating from this.

The van seemed to understand her every need in real-time. She barely thought about drinking water and already found a small bottle beside her bed, and had to settle for that to get back to sleep.

When she dreamed that you were trying to teach her magic while her head was buried in your legs and the breathless words came out of your mouth while your hand smoothed her hair and scalp keeping her in place, she gave up on sleep.

Eventually, fatigue overcame her, and the van remained magically silent and pre-disposed to her sleep for as long as she needed.

Wanda awoke to the smell of burning eggs, however, and by the time she was standing, she could witness America rushing to get a pot of fire out of the vehicle.

She saw you laughing - more in nervousness than anything else at seeing the small fire - from outside when she went to open the windows of the vehicle to let the air circulate.

Wanda used the bathroom first before returning to the kitchen and giggled briefly when she found a mug with a 'Multiverse’s Cutest Little Witch' logo on it, with her favorite tea in it. She grabbed the item before heading outside, frowning slightly as she found you doing laundry and America throwing leftovers of a destroyed breakfast in a trash can.

"Good morning, Wanda." You greeted offering her a smile that she would have reciprocated if she hadn't recognized the clothes you were putting on the clothesline.

"Did you wash my suit?" she asks in a mixture of confusion and surprise.

"With soap powder and fabric softener." You reply, and she gives a small laugh.

"But honey, it's a magic garment..."

America is the one who chuckles next, deciding to give up the pan and throw it in the trash as well. She waves her hands in the air and walks over to get into the van, not missing the chance to whisper to Wanda, "She's been acting weird all morning." before getting in.

Wanda sighs softly and takes a sip of her tea while watching you hum distractedly as you finish putting the clothes - which you never bought but fit perfectly, and are exactly the kind of thing that both she, you, and America would wear - on the clotheslines you've set up.

"What are you up to, dorogoya?" Wanda asks in thought and watches you sigh in surprise, raising an eyebrow at her, but she doesn't flinch.

"You and America are insistent about this. There's nothing wrong with wanting a little normalcy." You mentally respond as well and offer Wanda a wink before focusing on your task again.

And perhaps because Wanda is still in your head, she is able to understand very quickly that you are trying to get used to an ordinary routine, without powers, or as close to that as you could get here. You are trying to imagine what life is like without your magic, and with Wanda. 

When you reach out to pull her to dance to a song that swells on its own from the small radio leaning against the tire of the van, and spin her around the backyard amid loud laughter, she might be selfish for a moment and think that life could be pretty awesome.

--//--