#And adas detective costume even

[toxicyeuriii]

One question, which resident evil game should i start with and continue on with in order? I personally played through biohazard and village somewhat, but i want to really know the whole saga and lore.

[cosmicgardencreative]

Some thoughts

Everyone's heard someone's own tale of woe of missing the old days of the internet. Never once during my 20s did I think about what kind of struggles NSFW artists would go through into the 21st century.

But after departing from y!Gallery for transphobic rules, then tumblr's poor handling of the porn ban, and now Twitter/X for just general wtf-ery, it's not easy uploading anything adult content nowadays and hope to build rapport.

Needless to say, I think tumblr is a fine platform if you toe the line just right. After Ismaire's sequel Halloween piece was hidden then red-flagged, it got me thinking about our experience so far on tumblr:

1) I follow #dark fantasy with the intent of seeing dark/gothic artwork, and yet somehow "dark fantasy" is conflated with dirty talk. I didn't think much on it cos whatever, everyone has their thoughts. Recently, though, the algorithm suggested a post where someone openly talks about masturbating to a porn vid and getting lost in their orgasmic headspace. It left me impressed when I realized how many people are willing to express their kinks with such explicitness -- without any mature labels. Surely Community Safety has bigger fish to fry, like those porn spam bots👍

2) An artist I follow shared a nsfw link to an old post with the Mature community label, and the image depicted an obviously explicit penetrative sex. Surprisingly, it's still hanging on because I guess a cleverly placed sticker was a good enough censor. You'd think this is somewhat encouraging that maybe we too can share some creatively drawn sexy times. The same artist also managed to hide an explicit pic of their OC getting finger banged under a "keep reading" link, and that was definitely not censored. I'm glad they're able to show it off, but personally, that's way too many mental hoops to jump through just to share the conclusion to the OC's horniness.

3) So then I post a drawing of a queer triad wearing scantily-clad costumes, no labels for potential mature content. We'll ignore that MyungJin was showing of their breasts, albeit no obvious nipples, and Vance's package was implied under the skirt. Meanwhile, Ismaire's sequel piece, labled as "Mature" + "sexual themes" gets hidden right after uploading. We were left confused why it wouldn't show on our dash or in the tags. After a few attempts of troubleshooting, then we saw why: Community Safety deemed Vance's hand going down Bidan's panties as sexually explicit, even though no genitalia was exposed. After meditating on it, though, we both figured it may as well have infringed the community guidelines🤷🏻 There's no reason why we should be confused by this, right? Especially after point #2.

While I'm on this topic, I need to point out that tumblr failed at being transparent how their Community Labels work. Yes, it works by helping people who don't want to see mature content. But was there ever a mention on how tumblr will hide your post from tag search if it detects infringement even with the Mature label? Maybe we're late to the party, but I guess it now makes sense how some posts are able to fly under the radar. Gotta get that visibility somehow.

For those that do, remember how some people's posts were randomly flagged for mature content before the purge? I had to wonder if tumblr was able to refine an automated bot/AI that can visually detect mature themes, and flag it for staff to review. Or maybe they just straight up queue in a mature post pool for people to manually review and release.

This happened to an upload I did on a fandom blog this year. It was a Leon/Ada pic that showed a lot of bite marks on Leon, Ada's skirt was hiked up exposing her butt, and the post was clearly marked "Mature". I contacted support about it, asking why it's taken more than a day for it show up in the tags. All I got in response was that I should give it time, but they'll also look into the community label for me.

The conclusion was laughably redundant: "We deemed your post as mature and labeled it for you." I mean, sure, I guess I needed their stamp of approval that it was indeed "Mature". Least I got a win when it was now allowed to be floating in the tags after a couple days of the initial upload 🙄

It's tiring to compartmentalize your art when sexuality is part of the experience. And to be clear, I'm not complaining. It's just discouraging thinking that you're being compliant, to put all this thought and energy into creating a piece, only to have it hidden with no communication that it's even being reviewed until you get an email saying the post has been flagged. Meanwhile, there are people out there who'll just explicitly talk about their kinks without the community labels, or have the post appropriately labeled, but then share the real spice under read more links.

Sure, we could've appealed, but honestly, we're just here to have fun and post. Neither of us care to spend the energy debating nuance and the subjectiveness of mature content with a company who didn't find solutions to not shaft their community from the beginning. Tumblr has evolved, and it's made it clear that queer artists just can't be true with their art.

That all said, we're planning to keep the blog, but just like Instagram and X, it's a lower priority to update when the engagement is already difficult to cultivate.

In a fit of frustration, I got us a key generated to Pillowfort because at this point, where else would we share our stuff? And man, am I glad I did. It's only been a few days, and honestly, we feel a lot better for it. We're not here for the numbers or clout, but it's a pleasant surprise seeing that we gained a few new followers in less than a day after we introduced ourselves to the community.

And I'm gonna be real: it's refreshing to have people actually like your stuff without worrying whether someone's gonna judge them for it, or that there's some pending horny jail waiting for them. The like function is pretty much like an AO3 kudos, and I think that's for the better really. If I liked something enough that I want to find it again, then it's more meaningful to share it so others can see it too.

If you've read this far, and are interested in participating on a platform where engagement and communication is encouraged, with an easy NSFW label system, hmu. I'm happy to generate keys for anyone to try out :)

[pascalispretty]

Okay should be using anon but hey you know who it is anyways......

So choose between:

White snow Christmas or Summer beach Christmas?

Brisbane or Melbourne?

White, Red or Sparkling wine? (Bonus points if it's not blue 😂)

Danny Pino as Miguel or Nick?

You can be an extra in a period drama complete with amazing costumes or an extra in SVU being questioned by your favourite Detective (or now ADA)?

Ooooft. White snow Christmas, if only because I sunburn really easily and I'd rather be cold than burned😂

Melbourne, hands down. Amazing food (and brunch culture), great shopping...I loved Brisbane, but Melbourne 10000%.

Sparkling. I cannot do red wine at all, and drier white wines don't do it for me. I tend to go for a Prosecco or rosé.

Pffft. Danny Pino as Miguel. I didn't even find him attractive until I saw him as Miguel in Mayans, with that beard and the slick villain vibe. Yes pls, daddy

So....I have been an extra in a period drama, in a sixties costume. So I'll go being questioned by Sonny (goes double if I get to be in handcuffs 😉)

Thanks so much for asking, these were fun!

[astrochemstry]

Halloween with: Ranpo Edogawa

My boy <3

He loves trick or treating

When you do it

Sorry hes not gonna go out in a costume during a chilly evening

Unless you bribe him!!!

He doesnt like hard candy

He likes the soft ones huehue

The ADA holds tiny halloween parties

May be uninterested at first but he sees people having fun so he joins in

Also very fun halloween cases

Maybe not fun,

Yeah that skeleton is real

Anyways

He dresses up as a wizard!! As seen in his mayoi card

He thinks pumpkins are cute

Give him a cat btw

He loves cats esp if they're in little costumes

There also might be some scammy houses ykyk

So hes starin at this one place and says

“They have a trap for anyone that reaches in the basket”

People who are shady fear him

Who wouldnt?? Hes the greatest detective

you both had to go halloween shopping for the ADA

he left you after 2 aisles to check out the halloween stuff for kids lmao

he bought a pumpkin basket and proudly carries it around

yeah there might be some dirty looks bcs 'hes an adult' and he knows that

he just doesnt care tbh, he can always go and reveal their darkest secrets so

theres a bunch of halloween theme parks at the time too!!

ridin spooky rides and getting spooky toys are something you both would do

or what he tells you to do lol

dont forget theres also limited seasonal stuff

the only time he ever gets up is to get those seasonal sweets from shops

overall, very fun halloween

[straymackerel]

17 for Ranpo or Dazai, please? 😌❤

ranpo + kaapshljmurslis (latvian, n.) being cramped in public transportation during rush hour.

➽─{hehe yes sir/ma’am/dear/person in the world!! 🖤 this is a perfect pairing!}─❥

The young man is clearly lost.

Wedged between many a nine-to-five worker, he squints at the subway map for much longer than any native, self-respecting Japanese citizen normally would. He’s dressed in attire reminiscent of a Sherlock Holmes Halloween costume—odd for the occasion, doubly odd for the region. You wonder if maybe he’s a foreigner, or perhaps a hikikomori wearing cosplay of some sort, but you keep to yourself. ‘Packed like sardines’ doesn’t quite do the environment justice; no, this subway train must be denser than a rock through and through. No way you could hold an actual conversation with him even if you wanted to.

...Or so you thought.

“Hellooooo, someone? Anyone? I need some assistance!” the caped man yells out, arms flailing as wide as his surroundings allow him. The disturbance is left largely ignored, with those closest to him shifting uncomfortably in their precarious positions. “Yoo-hoo! I think I’m on the wrong train!” You watch as most of the onlookers turn a cold shoulder. In fact, many are visibly irked when he practically screams down their ears.

“Please, this is serious! I have some very, very important matters to attend to!” he continues, eyebrows furrowing. His lips begin to form a pout. 

Geez, what’s the matter with everyone? you think to yourself. Do I really have to be the one to do this? You sigh, finally turning towards the provocateur’s direction when he shows no signs of stopping. The shouting match that ensues comes at the expense of the other commuters’ comfort; there’s no need to make eye contact with them to know that they’re glaring you down.

“Where are you going?” you ask, voice competing over the dozens of others in the car, as well as the background ambience of wheels against railing. You wince at how loud you’re being, but it’s too late now. You’ve already made the commitment to helping.

“Naka Ward! Probably!” You stand in silence, dumbfounded. Probably?

“There are only two lines in Yokohama Metro,” you yell back. You struggle to maintain your balancing act as the masses shuffle around you, annoyed at all the noise you’re making. “You want to get on the other line!” 

Visibly confused, the man looks at you, then the map, and then back. His messy hair flops around under his newsboy cap as he turns back and forth.

“Would you help me get there? I don’t think I can switch trains by myself!” 

You ponder his request for a moment: on one hand, Naka Ward is a ways from your own destination. On the other hand, someone who’s seriously lost should most certainly not be left alone. He speaks up when you hesitate a moment too long.

“There’s a reward!” he adds, proud expression on his face. The people around you start to look up at the disheveled stranger, interests suddenly piqued. “I’m a very important person. I have business with the Armed Detective Agency!” 

By now he’s garnered the attention of most in the vicinity. They begin to clamor, making hushed whispers amongst each other and loud offers to the self-proclaimed client. To think that this unusual man in unusual clothes is actually paying for a private investigation—and with none other than the famed ADA! A wannabe detective, perhaps? A fanatic? 

“I’ll take you up on that! It’s on my way!” one woman yells, sticking her chest out. Liar, you think. It should be out of the way for everyone on this train. Another man calls out: “I’ll bring you straight to the front steps!” Hands go flying, heads go bobbing. Surprised, you begin to fade back into the crowd. It doesn’t come as the biggest disappointment, as your home is in the opposite direction, but that reward did sound interesting…

“Please, please. I’d like to hear from the helpful individual first,” the young man’s voice suddenly booms into the uproar. Head perking up again, your gaze rises to find him shooting an inordinately bright, toothy smile at you. In that very moment, you make your decision.

“We’re getting off at the next stop,” you shout back, confident in your choice. A handful of riders shoot even more dirty looks at you, muttering under their breaths, but it doesn’t last for long. As if cued by your answer, the subway car begins to slow down, each thump of metal on metal growing further and further apart. With the sheer volume of passengers in the confines of this box, it’s a miracle that the two of you make it to the car’s exit in time.

“Where to?” he asks in, for the first time, a proper indoor voice. It’s strange; with Japanese as fluent as his, he should be able to read the signs on the other side of the platform, right...? When you point them out to him, his eyes widen from their perpetual closedness. You notice, for the first time, that they’re an emerald green.

“Oh okay, the blue line? Man, I really thought it was this one! I always get the two mixed up,” he says, not an ounce of shame in his tone. You only offer a curt laugh in response before realizing that he’s serious. He makes no attempt to look around as he follows directly behind you. “Through the turnstiles? Are you sure?” he asks. You nod solemnly. 

“As long as we don’t leave the station.” You lead him through the chaos of rush hour, weaving through the unabating throngs of people. No other words are exchanged as you scramble for a new topic to talk about. You end up waiting for your next train with not much else to say.

“So what’s your business with the Armed Detective Agency?” you ask, making an attempt at conversation. When he looks at you with a quirked eyebrow, you feel the sudden urge to take it back. 

“You’re kidding, right?” Amusement dances on his lips as he speaks. 

“Oh, my bad! My curiosity got the better of me,” you say hastily, apologetic in your every word. “Of course you’d want to keep that between you and the private investigators.” You wave your hands about as if trying to dispel your tactlessness.

“Oh?” A smile creeps onto your new companion’s face. “You mean you really don’t know who I am?” 

Puzzled, you only manage to shake your head, to which he reaches into his coat pocket. The caped man produces a pair of rectangular glasses, whipping them on as you hear the distant roar of an incoming train. His haughty air comes into full swing as he pronounces:

“It is I, Edogawa Ranpo, Greatest Detective of them all!” 

His coat rustles in the wind, hair fluttering about for dramatic effect. You stand still in what Ranpo initially takes to be stunned silence, but it doesn’t take Super Deduction for him to verify your confusion as you ask in absolute earnest:

“I’m sorry, who?”

[opentolove-posts]

Halloween

Rafael Barba and OFC Makayla Webb 

This fic contains Jealous!Barba and probably grammar mistakes. 

Please be kind, this is my first fic and I’m super nervous! 

Makayla Webb had never felt more proud than she did in that moment. Clutching the bag of cannolis in her hand, Makayla checked her reflection in the elevator once more. Wearing some thrifted slacks and an old button up she found in Barba’s closet, Makayla couldn’t wait to show off her Halloween costume. Complete with a drawn on mustache, which she believed was the icing on the cake. 

The elevator dinged and the doors open, so Makayla took that as her cue. She walked into the SVU precinct and while trying to keep the smile from creeping on her face, Makayla cleared her throat. In her best Staten Island accent, she said, “Hey! Who wants a cannoli?!” 

Heads whipped around and Makayla knew she had the attention of everyone in the room. Again, in her best Sonny Carisi accent she said, “The name’s Dominick, but you can call me Sonny! Here, have a cannoli,” Makayla said as she set the bag onto Sonny’s desk. Laughter erupted throughout the room as Sonny stood up to slow clap. 

“Ya know, Webb, you’ve outdone yourself,” Sonny told her with a laugh. “Also, I’ll take two cannolis!” Sonny said, passing out the pastries to the other detectives. 

Makayla turned around, still beaming when she came face to face with a stern faced ADA Barba. “Happy Halloween, Barba!” Makayla said, as if she didn’t wake up to him this morning. 

Barba noticed Sonny grinning at Makayla and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy hit his chest. “What’s wrong, Carisi? Haunted by your old fashion mistakes?” Barba gloated. Makayla glared at Barba as Sonny put his hands up in defense. “You’re right counselor.” 

Makayla turned all of her attention back towards Sonny and for some reason, it annoyed Barba. On any other day, Makayla would’ve laughed or come up with an even better joke. 

“Webb,” Barba started, jaw clenched, “I need to see you in my office. I have some notes for you to go over.” 

“Oh, come on counselor,” Sonny began, mouth full of cannoli and casually throwing his arm around Makayla. “Have a cannoli! You know, they’re not as good as my ma’s, but they’re not bad, Makayla, really they’re gre-” The ADA cut him off, “Now, Webb. I have that double rape case that I need your notes on.” 

Makayla glared at Barba with everything she had. She could see the smug look on his face when she didn’t tell him no as he turned and walked out of the precinct. Turning back towards Sonny, Makayla had a defeated look on her face. “Enjoy the cannolis guys. And happy Halloween.” 

“Hey Webb,” Sonny started, catching her arm as she turned away from the group. “Nice costume, I’m, I’m flattered. So um,” Sonny stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand. “I’m guessing you didn’t hate the mustache as much as you said, huh?” Sonny finished with a shy, but cocky grin. 

Makayla had to laugh. “Oh no, Carisi, it’s awful. And you’ll never live it down. Please don’t ever bring the ‘70s porn stache back. We can’t handle it.” The other detectives roared with laughter as they nodded in agreement. As she turned her away to make her way to Barba’s office, Sonny stopped her once again. “You, you look great Makayla, by the way. See you tomorrow? I owe you some cannolis.” Sonny said with a smile. 

“See you tomorrow, detective”, Makayla replied, a slight blush on her cheeks as she watched the elevator doors close on the SVU precinct. 

During the 10 minute walk back to Barba’s office, Makayla thought about how stern he was with her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Makayla didn’t expect any special treatment at work, but she didn’t expect Barba to treat her so coldly in front of their coworkers. 

By the time she made her way to Barba’s office, Makayla was freezing cold, but red with rage. Slamming the door on her way in, Makayla didn’t hold back. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” Barba, not even looking up from his desk said, “Nice of you to join me, Webb. You finally finished flirting with Fordhum Law?” 

Makayla scoffed at his remark, “I was not flirting with Sonny.” 

“You know,” Barba began, putting his folder down and walking towards her, “You used to laugh when I made a jokes about him and now you’re dressing like him for Halloween? Come on Makayla, how old are you, 12?” 

Makayla crossed her arms as she mumbled, “ Sonny seemed to like it.” Barba chuckled at the sight: Makayla, crossed arms, clenched jaw and drawn on mustache still on her face. “You’re putting your trust in freaking Carisi? Come on Makayla, seriously,” Barba said with a laugh.Makayla rolled her eyes, “Get over yourself, Barba.”

 “What, are you sleeping with him too?” That did it. Rafael Barba should start digging his own grave because Makayla was about to put him in one. 

“You know what, Rafael, I’m not sleeping with Carisi, but I might as well give him a go.” Makayla said sharply as she took a step towards Barba. “It might actually be nice to sleep with someone who doesn’t want to compare case notes afterwards.” Barba winced at comment, but he kept quiet. His silence only egged Makayla on to keep going. “Maybe it would be nice to sleep with someone who sees me as more than just the office slut who’s always there when you call. Maybe it would be nice to sleep with someone who isn’t twice my age and doesn’t have issues getting it up.” Even though it only happened once, Makayla knew it still bothered him. With that Barba visibly winced. She hit him right where it hurt.

“Get out.” Barba said too calmly. But still Makayla continued. “Maybe I should sleep with Carisi and-“

 “I said get out!” Barba yelled, slamming his hands on his desk. Makayla narrowed her eyes at the ADA. “Enjoy your notes, counselor.” And with that she turned on her heels and left the office. 

Later that night, Makayla decided she was done with Rafael Barba. His jealousy over Carisi and some stupid Halloween act sent her over the edge. They weren’t even dating, why did he care? It was just about the sex, what was he getting all worked up about?Pouring herself her favorite glass of wine and popping some popcorn, Makayla put on her favorite movie. After downing the first glass of wine, she decided to pour another one, and then another one. After about the third glass of wine, there was a knock on the door. Opening the door without hesitation, Makayla was met face to face with Rafael Barba.

 “What are you doing here, Rafael?” Makayla asked, crossing her arms in defense. “Come on, Makayla, you know what I’m doing here,” Barba said, slurring his words slightly. Makayla could smell the scotch on his breath. “Not tonight, Barba, I’ve got Fordham Law in here.” Rafael’s gaze turned dark as he said, “You better not.”Pulling the door open so Rafael could see inside, Makayla said, “Drop the jealous act, Rafael. It’s not a great look.” 

Rafael, with a defeated look on his face and running his hand through his hair, “I know, just let me in, let me make it up to you.” Then he said those three words that get Makayla every time: “I need you.” Moving to the side, Makayla silently let Rafael in. Closing the door behind her, she only knew one thing for sure: she definitely was not done with Rafael Barba.

[itsjustmyfantasyroom]

Riddler

This was a series i wrote SO long ago and its time it saw the light. Hope it’s enjoyed. I had fun writing this one.

Warnings: SVU talks, SVU Crimes, talks of drugs and drink spiking.

WC: 1224

Enjoy x

You had been the ‘newbie’ at SVU for a while now. Everyone was stand offish with you at first, but after a few closed cases and nights out, you were one of them. Sonny was your partner, he and Amanda soon became your best friends in and out of work, while Fin and Liv were the parents keeping you all in line and out of trouble which with the 3 of you they had their hands full.

You had lost friends along the way to becoming a Detective, that worried you at first, most of them you had been friends with snice High School. But, they never accepted your work life and slowly stop inviting you to places and then all communication stopped, it was what it was.

You grew up in New Jersey and moved into Manhattan once you got the job at SVU, you didn’t want to be doing that commutate every day. You grew up in a big extended family of all boys, you were the only girl out of 13, and the only child to your parents. So you were pretty much a tom boy with a smart mouth, but also had a very kind and friendly nature. You did however know how to hold your own.

You had the best come backs and made most people laugh, expect one; ADA Rafael Barba. He always seemed less than impressed by you, but you could never put your finger on why. You weren’t sure if it was because your smart mouth put him in his place more than once or if it was because you would argue with him till he said yes to take on cases or agreed to get you warrants with very little evidence. It was a shame. As much as you loved winding him up, he was extremely handsome. You played with him a lot in your fantasies when you were alone in your room at night.

It was Halloween weekend, and Amanda had brought tickets for you both to a Halloween party at a bar up town.

“It’s a girl’s night Carisi”

“Yeah and? An invite would have been nice”

“Next time Sonny, Promise.” You smiled at him

Halloween fell on a Friday. Amanda offered for you to get ready at her place and stay the night. You guys had put in for the night off, so Fin and Sonny were working the night shift. You guys arrived back at Amanda’s, she put on some music and you showered and started to get ready.

“Why do you think Barba doesn’t like me?”

“I’ am sure he likes you, he is just wound up too tight”

“It’s more than that Amanda” you looked over at her.

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t, just an observation”

“You like him” she smirked at you.

“What-no way” your cheeks went bright red.

--

You guys arrived at the club, and were dancing and drinking having a great time. You were both standing at the bar waiting to be served when you saw the bar tender drop something small and white in a cup of drink and then handed it to a girl standing next to you. You reached for the cup and snatched it out the girl’s hands,

“HEY” she yelled at you

“Don’t drink that” you frowned at her.

Amanda caught on to what was going on, and pulled her badge out of leather pants pocket flashing it at the bar man and he made a run for it, running out the back door. You and Amanda gave chase and found him in the alley behind the bar that had a big metal fence he was trying to climb over. You ran up to him and pulled him down to the floor and held his hands behind his back with your knee. Amanda called it in for back up and locked down the club.

Sonny and Fin came running out the back door not long after and seen you on of this guy’s back holding him still.

“I haven’t searched him yet, but I bet he has some treats in his pocket” Sonny came over to take over and cuffed him. He then did a quick searched and pulled out a small plastic bag filled with white pills.

“Trick or treat” Sonny said to him and pushed him out to the car.

Liv hadn’t had a chance to go home before you guys came walking in and Amanda called Rafael to come in as well.

“Nice costumes” she smiled at you both.

“Happy Halloween Liv” you sassed back shaking your hips.

You were standing in Liv’s office at the two way window listening to Liv and Sonny question the perp when you felt someone walking towards you.

“Catch the Riddler Detective?” You looked over at Rafael who had an amused smirk on his face.

“Ha Ha” you mocked “Yeah Barba something like that.”

Amanda then walked in and he seen her costume as well, her dressed as cat women.

“Where were you guys?” He raised his eye brow at you both.

You filled him in about what you seen happen at the bar and you told him that you sent the drink and the pills in the guy’s pocket to the lab.

“I bet he is our date rape rapist, Barba, the bag was full of pills. I guarantee if we run his DNA he will match the other cases” you stated to him.

“Yes all that’s well and good Detective, but can you tie him to the other clubs?” he said back.

“We need a warrant for his work records” Amanda commented back, you both giving him a big smile.

He looked between you both, huffed and frowned.

“Fine, I’ll get you a warrant”

Rafael didn’t have much of a personal life. His life was work. He only made time for his Mum and that was pretty much it. It was always dinners and movies alone if he even had the time. He had been too hurt in the past and lost interest in trying to find a relationship.

You were this new fire cracker that walked into his office giving him a run for his money in every way. He started to harbour a crush for you. He loved your sass, your kind nature and you were very beautiful, but no good could come of it. He kept his distance from you and probably acted ruder then he intended, but it was for his own good. That was until Halloween night when he walked in and seen you dressed in your costume.

You were dressed as batgirl. Your dress was short, very short and black with a big yellow bat logo on the chest. You had the cape still tied around your neck, with black fish nets and black knee high leather flat boots. Your hair was curled running down your back. You looked beautiful and it was the first time he had considered opening his heart up.

--

Amanda had walked out of Liv’s office to put a rush on the DNA from the cup and pills.

“If you can get us this warrant Barba for the records, I’ll take you for coffee after we win the trial”

“Hope you keep promises Detective”

“A promise is a promise Counselor” you both smirked at each other.

Tags: @detective-giggles​ @thatesqcrush​ @the-baby-bookworm​ @dianilaws​ @scarletsoldierrr​ @lv7867​ @permanentlydizzy​ @averyhotchner​ @infiniteoddball​

[bokutosbiceps]

Since it's Halloween soon, how do you think everyone in the ADA + PM would dress up if they hosted a costume party? With a s!o or without, some headcanons?

thanks for requesting !! since this exceeds the character limit, i’m gonna make these super super sUPER short. i hope you enjoy !!

armed detective agency

dazai osamu is a mummy, just as an excuse to wrap more bandages around his body lolol

edogawa ranpo puts 0% work into his costume--he’s a ghost. gets sheet + doesn’t even cut holes out for the eyes

fukuzawa yukichi honestly wouldn’t dress up--he’d be a samurai

izumi kyouka dresses up as an angel + gets atsu a matching devil costume

kunikida doppo dresses up as a vampire because he looks hella good with fangs

miyazawa kenji wears a cute little cow onesie !!!! he’s adorable !!!!

nakajima atsushi really wanted to dress up as a cat,,so unoriginal,,but kyouka convinced him to be the devil to her angel

yosano akiko would dress up as a nurse,,typical,,BUT with a whole bunch of blood splatters all over her. she wants to be creative, c’mon

port mafia

akutagawa gin dresses up as a ninja + spends her halloween absolutely scaring the shit out of everyone with her stealth--like, she’s usually stealthy but with the ninja costume her stealth is upgrade +200 xp

akutagawa ryunnosuke would not dress up since he already looks like he’s wearing a costume yEET

higuchi ichiyou probably dresses up in traditional attire, like kouyou, because she wants to be beautiful for aku to notice hER SENPAI

hirotsu ryuurou does not dress up but helps tachihara brainstorm ideas

kaji motojirou is a wHOLE ASS LEMON.

mori ougai probably does some creepy ass couple’s costume with elise. stay away from him.

nakahara chuuya pulls off the best succubus outfit anyone has ever seen. goodnight.

ozaki kouyou does not dress up--she just keeps her traditional attire because she looks good as hell in it anyways

tachihara michizou dresses up as an old timey mafia gangster--he’s really good at playing the part lolol

[mistabullets]

Hi! Can i request some halloween dress up headcanons for Dazai Kunikida and Chuuya with a fem reader? What would they choose to dress as? Will they pick complimenting outfits to each other? Thank you!

Osamu Dazai

> He would be the first to suggest dressing up for Halloween! 

> Dazai enjoys the spooky season - the weather’s cooler, leaves are falling, but the energy in October is still high. Before leaving Port Mafia, he didn’t care much for any holiday. However, once joining the Armed Detective Agency, he finds the joy of Halloween. Everytime Dazai is in one of his depressive moods, you remind him that his favorite holiday is coming up. He does a double take on his calender and yes, you’re right, it’s only a few weeks away! 

> Him and the part-time and younger employees plan a Halloween party, much to Kunikida’s dismay. Of course, you help out on planning the fun and make sure there will be an annual costume contest this year. Dazai will force all the other employees to sign up, even Kunikida, who’s just trying his best to work. 

> Even though everyone is entering solo, you and Dazai are a packaged deal. While you two are certainly not competitive, you’re still creative. Your boyfriend’s ideas are cheesy but creative. He isn’t going to be unoriginal and dress up as a mummy, despite the office assistants telling him to. Rather, he and you would dress up as the sterotypical mafia mobsters, just for irony’s sake. Most people are aware of his previous occuptions and chuckle at the two of you. 

> If you went all out on the costume, the two of you may even win! But that doesn’t quite matter to you. The two of you just want to have a good time, appreciating the memory you’re creating and many more to come. 

> “Y/N-chan, let’s take a picture~ You look too adorable!” 

Doppo Kunikida

> However, Kunikida isn’t one to celebrate Halloween. It’s going to take a lot of convincing to have him going to celebrate for the season. Let alone, wearing a costume. But your boyfriend loves you and will compromise. 

> First, nothing silly! He doesn’t want anyone, especially Dazai, to tease him for months over an absurd costume. Second, nothing... suggestive for the children’s sakes. Third, he has to be comfortable with the costume ideas. Not that you would ever suggest these things but better safe than sorry before you purchase a costume he may refuse to be seen in by the ADA or anyone for that matter. 

> No matter how mudane or simple the costume is, he is going to receive attention. You’re going to compliment how adorable the two of you look in your Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein costumes; the blonde is obviously flustered but still proceeds to go out to the party with you. Your fellow coworkers are going to rise a brow at the fact Kunikida is actually dressed up for Halloween. He’s groaning to himself, knowing this is going to bite him in the ass later.

> But you give him a kiss on the cheek and thank him for this. 

> And if it makes you happy, he’s content.

Chuuya Nakahara

> Chuuya is going to brush it off the idea of going to Halloween party at first. But if you continue you to push and push, he’ll eventually cave in and agree to the idea. After pestering about it for what seems to be the 100th time (it’s only the fifth), he says, “If it gets ya to shut up, sure, but nothing with shrimps! ... and there better be some drinks there so I can kick back and loosen up.”

> Those conditions can be easily met~

> Similiar to Dazai’s case, you enjoy irony (plus you thought it would be adorable to see Chuuya in this). Upon seeing his costume, he scoffs and gives you a look that says really? His outfit for the night is police attire, complete with handcuffs, while yours is a suggestive prisoner garb. But he promised this. With some gruffs and huffs, he gets ready for the night. At least they’ll be some alcohol to loosen his nerves and besides... no one you guys know will be there, right?

> Wrong. The redhead is so wrong and you’re going to pay. 

> None of the newer and less experienced members are going to say anything. But the older ones? Even his boss? Kouyou and Mori are definitely going to have a good laugh later. You give a fake smile and say “Sorry~” too sweetly. 

> You’re definitely going to pay for it - but you may enjoy your punishment.

[enamoured-x]

@riptmyouths requested prompt 7 from the Halloween Prompt List

So this got away from me a little bit, I was having too much fun writing it so it ended up being pretty long. But I hope you like it! Thanks for the ask! ♥️

Halloween Prompt List can be found here, send me an ask!

Sonny Carisi x Reader

Word count: 2,540

7. “You’re never too old for a pumpkin patch, but maybe we could bring your niece along to avoid strange looks.”

It was yours and Sonny’s day off, it was rare for you both to have a full day to spend with each other but seeing as Sonny had some leeway in his hours as ADA, he decided to take off the same day you were off so he could spend time with you. You both had a lazy morning and didn’t know exactly what to do with all this free time. It was when you turned on the tv to watch while you drink your morning coffee while cuddling into Sonny that you had an idea. Just about every channel had a movie or show related to halloween and you wanted to get in the spirit. October was a fun time of the year with costumes, candy, haunted houses, corn field mazes, and pumpkin patches. You were stuck on the last one. You hadn’t been to a pumpkin patch in a few years and you couldn’t help but get excited remembering all the fun things that it provided, like the hot chocolate you drink as you looked for the perfect pumpkin or the hay rides that sometimes led to a few scares or the corn field mazes that were actually pretty hard to get out of. You missed it all and you figured you and Sonny should use your day off to join in on the festivities. 

You sat up straight from Sonny’s side and he looked over to you to see you smiling. 

“What?” He asked with a smile.

“Let’s go to a pumpkin patch.” You set your coffee down and turned to face him. 

“A pumpkin patch?” He looked skeptical but he wasn’t exactly saying no either. 

“Yeah! It will be fun! We can get a pumpkin or two while we’re there and carve them.” You suggest still with a smile on your face. You desperately wanted to go but if Sonny wasn’t up for it you weren’t going to push him, afterall, you just wanted to spend time with him, it didn’t exactly matter what you were doing. 

“Doll, aren’t we a little too old for a pumpkin patch?” He asked but he looked amused and you felt that maybe he didn’t need much convincing.

“You’re never too old for a pumpkin patch, but maybe we could bring your niece along to avoid strange looks.” You shrug and wait for his answer. He laughs and sets his coffee down on the table and pulls you on top of him. 

“You really want to go?” He asks as he wraps his arms around your waist and you set your hands on his shoulder.

“Yeah, but if you don’t want to we can stay here and have a lazy day.” You shrug. You didn’t want Sonny doing something he didn’t want to do, especially on his day off. Besides, spending the day in Sonny’s arms was not a bad idea either.

“No, I want to go. I’ll call my sister, see if Teresa will let Eva join us, ya know, to avoid all those strange looks.” He teases.

“Yes!” You can’t help but get excited and he laughs and pulls you in for a kiss. What was supposed to be a small kiss became heated right away and you pulled back.

“You should probably call your sister.” You say not exactly meaning it, you still wanted to go but right now you wanted Sonny.

“It’s still early, we’ve got time.” Sonny says and you nod quickly as he pulls you down for another kiss.

An hour later Sonny had called Teresa and she was more than happy to let you have Eva for the afternoon. She said she had errands to run and Eva wasn’t going to enjoy the day with her, afterall, she was only six. You and Sonny were happy that she agreed and overall just in a good mood, after your quickie earlier and the fact that you both had a day off, nothing was going to sour your mood. You and Sonny both dressed warm, he had on a grey hoodie and black jacket with dark blue jeans and sneakers. Meanwhile you had on a thick grey sweater with black leggings and some plain boots. The matching was unintentional but you couldn’t help but think how cute it was. When you picked up Eva she was more than excited to spend the day with her uncle Sonny and her favorite aunt as she put it. You and Sonny occasionally would have dinners at her house and you were always the one to amuse Eva in her tea parties as you let Sonny and Teresa handle the food. She was the cutest girl and she was such a sweetheart, you couldn’t help but love her as if she really was your own niece and technically she was, Sonny’s family was your family. 

When you arrived to the pumpkin patch, Eva started to point out everything she was seeing and getting really excited. You and Sonny laughed and you were glad Eva was with you guys. You paid the entrance fee and all three of you got stamped on your hand, you missed all of this. 

“So where to first?” Sonny asked you both. There were kids running around and you faintly heard halloween music playing. 

“How about we go into the maze?” You ask them and Sonny agrees.

“Yes! Let’s go!” Eva pulls on Sonny’s hand and you laugh and follow her lead. You walk through the maze and let Eva decide which way to turn and eventually you came to a dead end. The maze was huge and tall and you were actually surprised at the difficulty. Some kids would run past you guys but there was hardly anyone in the maze, probably with good reason because you suggested a few turns and you came to another dead end. You couldn’t help but laugh and you were happy that Eva didn’t care and was excited to figure out how to get out.

“Alright, Detective, it’s your turn to get us out of here.” I tease Sonny and he laughs. You grab Eva’s hand and Sonny walks in front of you guys and you follow him. He eventually gets you out out and you pick up Eva.

“We did it!” You tell her and she giggles.

“Thanks to Uncle Sonny.” You add and then leaned over to give Sonny a kiss on the cheek, he grins and his dimples appear and Eva leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek too while adding a dramatic mwah. He laughs and kisses your head and Eva’s.

“Come on you two, let’s go look at the pumpkins.” Sonny says and you put Eva down, she grabs both your hands so she’s in the middle now and you both swing her at her request while you walk to the pumpkin field. 

“Alright, Eva, we need your help with the perfect pumpkin. Think you can do that?” Sonny asks as he crouches down next to her and she nods quickly. 

“Yes! I’ll get the best one!” She says and starts pulling you guys into all different directions. 

“She has your energy.” You tell Sonny as she makes you guys run to different pumpkins so no one else will get them, as she put it. He just laughs. 

Eva finally finds one that she thinks is perfect and waits for me and Sonny to examine it. 

It was actually pretty decent sized and there was no discoloration, only on the bottom but you couldn’t even tell. 

“Well, Eva, I think we have a winner.” You tell her and she jumps up and down and claps. 

“So I guess Uncle Sonny is stuck carrying it?” Sonny asks as he’s already bending down to pick it up. 

“I could carry it but I don’t want to.” Eva says matter of factly and shrugs. You let out a deep laugh. 

You can’t help but give her a high five while Sonny playfully glares at you.

“Me too, Eva. Let’s go on the hayride now.” You grab her hand as you both lead the way. You turn to look at Sonny and he rolls his eyes at you but he’s smiling. 

A worker there had told you that they could keep your pumpkin till you were ready to leave and you wrote your name on a tag and they put it up for you so Sonny wasn’t stuck carrying it around. When you guys got on the hayride there were two other families joining you guys and when you all were seated it started to move. Eva sat between you and Sonny and was looking all around and pointing things out. You decided to get out your phone to snap a few pics of Eva for Teresa and then you tried to take a selfie with her which she was more than happy to smile big and lean in to you. You even got Sonny in it as well.

“Would you like me to take a picture for you guys?” The older woman across from you asked, from what you could tell she was here with her husband and her two grandkids. 

“Oh, yeah. That would be great.” You told her and handed her your phone. You scooted in closer to Sonny as Eva was halfway on your lap and Sonny’s and you all smiled at the camera. She snapped a few and then handed your phone back. 

“You guys are such a beautiful family!” She says and you felt heat rush to your cheeks. She thought Eva was your’s and Sonny’s. 

Before you could correct her, Sonny speaks up.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Is all he says as she focuses her attention back on one of her grandkids who was calling her name. Sonny places a kiss on your head and you just shake your head with a smile. When the hay ride was over you and Sonny let Eva climb the hay castle a few times until she was over it.

“Alright, let’s get some hot chocolate in you girls.” Sonny says as he takes your hand in his and takes Eva’s hand in his other. 

“I love hot chocolate!” Eva says as you all walked over to the tent selling the warm beverages and pastries. 

“We want extra marshmallows!” You tell Sonny as you grab Eva’s hand to lead her to a table. 

“Yeah! Extra marshmallows, please, Uncle Sonny!” She nods her head enthusiastically and you laugh.

“You got it.” He tells her as he walks up to the counter. 

“Are you having fun, Eve?” The nickname Sonny used for her caught on with you a long time ago. You both sit down at the table. There was a projector playing a cartoon halloween movie for kids and you and Eva were facing it. 

“Yeah! I like pumpkin patches!” She says as she swings her legs.

“Yeah, me too. Especially with you here.” You tickle her and she laughs. 

“Uncle Sonny too!”

“Yeah, of course.” You tell her and she smiles.

“Are you and Uncle Sonny gonna get married?” She asks out of nowhere and your eyes widen. Kids definitely have no filter. 

“Married?” You ask her, how does she even know what that entails.

“Yeah! Momma said you guys were going to get married and have lots of babies.” She says getting excited at the thought of babies.

You almost choked. 

“When did she say this?” You ask her. 

“I don’t know, she was talking to nonna on the phone.” She shrugs like it wasn’t a big deal. 

“Well, your mommy has a wild imagination.” Sonny says as you turn to see him with three cups in his hand and a bag underneath his arm. He sits down on the other side of Eva and you share an amused look with him. Why was Teresa and their mom talking about marriage and babies for you and Sonny? You felt like it was a question that could answer itself though, it was Teresa and Mrs. Carisi, they were always gossiping, especially when it came to you and Sonny. She would always ask Sonny when he was gonna pop the question while you ate dinner with their family. 

“So you’re not getting married?” She looks upset and then she clings to you.

“But I won’t see you anymore!” She adds and looks like she’s close to crying. Kids were all over the place, one second happy and the next ready to burst into tears about random stuff they mostly knew nothing about. It was almost amusing.

“Woah, hey. Don’t say that, I’m always going to be here.” You tell her and grab her face and place a kiss on her head.

“So you are getting married?” She smiles again, tears gone. 

You spare a glance at Sonny as he laughs but doesn’t do anything to help the situation. 

“Why don’t we drink our hot chocolate? It also looks like Uncle Sonny got us some goodies.” You tell her and she quickly gets distracted. 

“I did, warm chocolate chip cookies.” He says and takes a few out the bag and puts one on a napkin for her. Her eyes widen and she immediately starts eating it. Sonny blows on her hot chocolate and tells her to let it sit before she drinks it. 

“I love you.” You can’t help but mouth to Sonny as Eva is preoccupied with her cookie and watching thhe movie on the screen. 

“I love you.” He mouths back and you both smile. He leans over and gives you a quick peck on the lips.

“Ew!” Eva says and you laugh, first she wants you to get married and then she’s disgusted by you and Sonny kissing. 

“Do you need kisses too?” You ask Eva and pull her in and start placing kisses on her face dramatically. She shrieks when Sonny joins in.

“Okay! Okay! Stop!” She’s laughing hard as she pushes your faces away and you and Sonny finally let up. 

“Alright, alright. Finish up, it’s getting late.” Sonny tells her and takes sips from her small cup. You finish your cookie and Sonny finishes his. When it’s time to leave Eva was already halfway asleep leaning into Sonny’s shoulder. You threw away your trash as Sonny took off his jacket and picked Eva up and covered her with it. She was quick to pass out as soon as he did it. You grab the pumpkin you guys picked out from the same worker who put it up for you and then you all walked back to the car. Sonny put her in her booster and leaves the jacket on her. You start the drive back to Teresa’s and you can’t help but stare at Sonny. You were happy and he was the cause.

“What? What’s got you all smiley?” He asks as he spares a glance at you with a smile of his own.

“You.” You shrug.

“Oh, yeah?” He asks, dimples showing.

“Yeah. I had fun today, Sonny. Thank you.” You lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek. 

“Me too, Doll. And Eva was right.” He says. 

“Right about what?” You ask curiously. 

“We are going to get married and have lots of babies.” 

[kennythecarrot12]

I was watching Friends for the 10000th time and I decided to write about the The One Where No One’s Ready, but with our lovely SVU cast, i’m just writing this for fun so i’m sorry if anyone is OOC, also this is barba x reader

-

“Olivia! Quit hogging the bathroom!” Y/N knocked on the bathroom door of their shared apartment. Y/N rolled her eyes when she opened the door to reveal Olivia curling her hair.

“I’ll stop when I’m done, Y/N,” Olivia replied and Y/N hoffed, stepping out into the younger detective’s room. There was a knock on the door and Y/N went to open it, groaning as she did. She needed time to choose an outfit!

Y/N saw two well dressed men chatting up behind the peephole before she opened the door.

“A little late to be wearing PJ’s,” Munch commented, looking at her. “Shush and just come in,” he chuckled and came in with Fin close behind him.

Munch was wearing one of his black suits, a nice tie complimenting him. Fin was wearing a black turtleneck and brown pants. “Looking good, Tutuola,” she said. He smirked, “Tell me something I don’t know.” she laughed and shook her head. As she was about to close the door, Rafael placed his body in between the door.

“Babe! You’re here early.” Y/N said, opening the door so he could come in. “Early? No, we need to leave in 30 minutes.” She widened her eyes at this. “WHAT? OLIVIA!” she started marching back to the bathroom, but went back to Rafael to give him a kiss.

“It’s good to see you, babe,” she said, noticing how he was wearing her favorite three piece suit. “Hmm,” he was about to hold her closer towards him, when he noticed the other detectives in the room.

“Detectives,” he cleared his throat before nodding his head at them. John got up from his seat in the living room to roam the fridge. “Counselor, what brings you here?” He joked. “Ready for the big speech?”

The detectives and the ADA engaged in small talk when there was another knock on the door. Seeing as Y/N was too focused on finding an outfit, Barba opened the door, which revealed Amanda and Nick.

“Are we late?” Amanda asked, her cheeks slightly red. “No, you got here just in time. We are leaving in 20 minutes.” Amanda smiled widely at Barba’s response. “Alright! Y’all ready yet?” she asked, stepping inside and greeting the detectives inside.

Amaro and Barba seemed to be having a stare down when Olivia stepped out of the bathroom, hair curled and towel wrapped around her body.

“You guys gonna come in or..?” she asked, making both men clear their throat before Nick made his way inside.

“Finally, Liv,” John said before hurrying inside the bathroom. Fin eyed the small couch John was sitting on and shrugged, sitting in the more comfier looking spot.

“Woah, Amanda, looking good girl!” Y/N said once she stepped out of her room, embracing her friend. “It took me FOREVER just to choose which dress fits this event better,” Amanda said, rolling her eyes. “It also doesn’t help that I have no nice clothes.” They both shared a laugh.

“Y/N, you guys have 18 minutes left. Please tell Olivia to hurry.” Barba said, looking at how his girlfriend was still wearing her PJ’s from before.

“Sure honey, we just need to know what we need to wear. No biggie!” Y/N answered, making Barba huff and sit down on the couch while she walked back to her room.

There was the found of flushing the toilet, with Munch stepping out, phone in hand. “Well, according to Buzzfeed, I do put my career before men.” he snickered as he approached Tutuola. “Get up.”

Fin’s eyebrow furrowed. “Uh, what?” John put his phone in his pocket. “You’re in my seat.”

“How is this your seat?” Fin asked. John turned to the other detectives and the ADA, as if asking if this was happening. “I was sitting there last.” he replied. “Yeah, but then you left.” “It’s not like I went to Spain! I went to the bathroom,” he pointed behind him. “You knew I was coming back.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is, just sit somewhere else.” Tutuola said, taking out his phone and sending a text out. “The deal is, that is my seat!” Munch said.

“Fellas, are you seriously arguing over a SEAT?” Rafael asked, getting in between the two older detectives. “Munch, just sit somewhere else.” They all started arguing when Amanda’s voice interrupted them.

“SHIT!” They all turned to see Nick’s face look as if he was a dead man, and Amanda looking down on her yellow dress.

“What-” Barba was about to say when Amanda turned to look at him, when he saw the huge red spot right in between her chest.

“Nick and his stupid kool-aid! I told you not to drink that!” She yelled at him, with Nick laying apologies every two seconds.

“No, don’t rub it!” Barba tried to say, but it was too late, the stain on Amanda only grew more. Barba caught a look at his watch: 13 more minutes. “Quick, what gets out kool-aid stains?!” he yelled.

Y/N stepped out, still wearing her PJ’s. She gasped when she saw Amanda, “‘Manda, what happened?” Amanda approached her, “Kool-aid, I got the Kool-aid.” she pouted.

“Maybe my black sweater can cover you up,” Y’N said and Amanda shook her head. “Yeah, but that sweater doesn’t match with my outfit.” Y/N looked at Amanda, scanning her. “No, you’re right. Come, we’ll look for something else, or Liv can let you borrow something.”

Barba places his hands over his face, a headache already forming. “Uh, so, Fin. I wrote a little song today. It’s called ‘Get Up’” Munch continued. “Munch, just sit over there!” Fin exclaimed, raising his voice a bit.

“Boys, aren’t you guys a little old to be arguing over this?” Amaro questioned, his arms crossed. “For once I agree, Detective.” Barba weighed in.

“Whatever, if you won’t get up, I guess we’ll both sit.” Munch said as he sat on top of Fin. “Wow, I am SO comfortable.”

Tutuola nodded. “Yup. You could say I’m getting… a little TOO comfortable.” Munch immediately got up, a shiver down his spine. “Ugh!”

Amanda got out of Y/N’s room, wearing a large pin with the words “SEXY’ on top of her yellow dress. Everybody in the room winced. “Y/N didn’t have anything that I liked, so I thought ‘Fine I’ll be bold tonight’.” she shrugged. Barba fake smiled. “Looks great, Amanda. Is Y/N done?” The blonde laughed. “Not even close. She keeps alternating between outfits.”

Barba exhaled loudly and checked his watch. 13 minutes. “Wha… my… my watch stopped. What time is it?!” he asked.

“It’s 7:33,” Amanda answered, playing with the pin on her chest. “7:33… 7… I have seven minutes. Seven minutes!” He then entered Y/N’s room.

Olivia stepped out, wearing a beautiful red dress. “Finally done, can’t believe it took me that long.” she sighed. She looked at Fin. “Hey, can I sit there? It’s sort of my spot.” Tutuola immediately got up, leaving Munch’s mouth hanging.

“What, so for Liv you give it up but not me?” Munch asked, seeing Olivia sit down and looking confused. “Get over it, John.” Fin said with a chuckle.

“So, sexy, huh?” Nick laughed at Amanda, who shoved him.

“I’m sorry, I thought it looked like a good outfit.” Barba said, stepping out of Y/N’s room. “Rafa, that was a Halloween costume. Unless you want me to go as Marie Antoinette to the event.” she laughed. “Look, I wouldn’t have recognized it without the big wig.” Barba said. “Which, by the way, would like back one of these days, Nick.” Y/N said, looking at Nick, whose cheeks flushed. Barba raised an eyebrow. Y/N went back in to her room.

“....We used it to recreate a scene.” Nick told Barba. “What?”

“T-The wig. We used it to recreate a scene back at the precinct.” Barba raised one of his hands. “Look, what you do on your own time…” Amanda and Olivia both held in a laugh.

After a minute, Y/N stepped out with two different heels. “Ladies, which heel fits better for this dress, the black or purple?” Amanda and Olivia looked. “Don’t you have the one with the strap?” Olivia questioned. “Ooh, a strap would be nice.” Amanda added.

Y/N shook her head. “Those go better with pants.” Barba had enough of this.

“Choose whichever! Look, I don’t know what you want from me, pants no pants, dress, no dress! I don’t care! Just get your ass in that room and put whatever shoes fit your feet. No, I do NOT care if they match!” Y/N opened her mouth to say something but Barba wouldn’t let her speak.

“No, no, no, just GO and get dressed up so we can get out of here.” The room fell silent. “...Alright.” she slowly entered her room. “Thank you!” Barba said and shook his head, turning back to the living room where everyone else was pretending not to have heard all of that.

“Uh, Amanda, come look at this in my room.” Olivia awkwardly said, getting up from her seat, the blonde quickly heading to the room, the rest of the detectives following closely behind, like a herd of sheep.

Barba kept tapping his feet.

He was about to go to Y/N’s room when she stepped out, back in her old PJ’s. Barba’s mouth hung open.

Y/N sat down, opening up a case file. She hummed a song as she wrote down some notes. Barba cleared his throat.

“Y/N, I know it says black tie optional but...uh... “ Barba started off saying. “Yeahh.. I’m not going to go,” Y/N said, a blank expression on her face. “You’re… you’re not going? You’re kidding right?” he asked. The detectives started to file out of the room once hearing Y/N’s voice, thinking they were ready to go.

“I don’t know, but ever since I was yelled at and humiliated in front of my friends, I don’t know, I’m just not in a mood to go out and celebrate.” Y/N said, her voice flat.

“Um, I’m sorry I yelled,” Barba tried to say. “That’s fine,” Y/N said. The detectives swallowed hard.

Munch and Tutuola looked at each other and the vacated seat. They both jumped to the seat and Fin laughed as he sat first. “Dammit!” Munch quietly said.

“I’m just not going.” Y/N said once more. “But… you do know I have to go right?” Y/N hummed in response. “So, is it going to be like I’m abandoning you while you’re upset… or…?” Barba said, dragging his words as Y/N wrote down some notes.

“Nope,” she said. “Right, because you’re not upset about the yelling,” Barba said. “And the humiliating,” his girlfriend added. Barba swallowed, “right, of course, the humiliating,” he said.

The detectives watched with second-hand embarrassment. “Alright, so… we… we are okay,” Barba said. “Yup,” Y/N said. Barba got up.

“Sweetie?” she turned her head and he leaned in for a kiss but Y/N turned her head back and started writing once more. He sighed.

Rafael turned and saw the rest of SVU trying so hard not to cringe. “Uh… ready to go?” he awkwardly asked them. They all nodded, he checked his watch and saw there was a minute to spare.

“I’ll get an Uber,” he said while stepping out of the apartment. The tension seemed to lift.

“Oh, honey, come on, please go,” Amanda begged Y/N, grabbing a hold of her arm. “I’m sure Barba didn’t mean to yell.” Olivia weighed in. “Whatever, just go. I’m not in the mood.” they all looked sympathetic, but their signal to leave was given when Barba came back.

“Time to go,” he said. He looked at Y/N for a quick second before leaving the door wide open and taking the stairs to the lobby.

Everyone said their goodbyes.

“Take it easy” “We’ll miss you” “We’ll see you tomorrow” “I’ll bring you breakfast tomorrow”

Whatever.

[subserviiient]

✵ + Atsushi n' Anzu ;v;b

who spends hours putting up lights only to get tangled in them and storm off?: I think Anzu would, but Atsushi would watch her slow descent into madness and decide to step in so she doesn’t storm off because that smile on her face is getting more angry by the second and he fears that he’ll have to call Kunikida to pick him up.

who accidentally eats a whole box of christmas chocolates in one sitting?: Atsushi, he didn’t even realise he ate that much, but considering it’s Atsushi, Anzu doesn’t mind too much and sneaks him more when people aren’t looking.

who insists on watching the cheesey hallmark christmas movies?: Anzu likes to make fun of bad movies, so depending on how bad it is, she’ll insist, but I think that Atsushi might like them in a non ironic way, so she might watch them if he had a genuine liking for them.

who insists on playing nothing but michael buble in the few days running up to christmas?: Atsushi, but it’s only because it’s the only Christmas songs he knows cause they’re always playing at the ADA but Anzu introduces him to some others and they have a steady mix of music eventually.

who gets their presents wrapped at the mall so the other cant go snooping: Both! It’s mostly because Anzu thinks that Atsushi’s detective skills will make sure he finds it and he’s mostly worried that she’ll see it with her love of rummaging through things to find her “OTHER NOTEBOOK”

who insists on making snow angels?: Atsushi! He likely didn’t have many experiences with Christmas and winter due to the way he was treated in his orphanage, so he asks Anzu if they can after hearing it in passing and they spend the whole day doing it. Anzu insists on making him hot chocolate when they get in the house.

who put christmas outfits on all the pets?: Anzu’s the only one with a pet, so, her! Anzu likes to send him photos of Akinari dressed up in various costumes with captions, but if Atsushi ever gets a pet and does the same, then they’d likely just be gushing over each other’s pets.

Do they go to family’s or have a quiet day in?: Anzu comes over to Atsushi’s house and spends the day with him. They probably head out at some point, if only so Anzu can buy him something to eat. She insists on paying.

who insists on wearing matching ugly christmas jumpers?: Atsushi, and Anzu doesn’t have the heart to turn him down when he looks so excited about it.

Who waits up until midnight to give the other their present?: Anzu, she’s so excited to give Atsushi her gift that she probably just stays awake staring at the clock like a gargoyle.

Who insists on hand-made presents only one year?: Both? They’re both sentimental af.

Who puts mistletoe on every door frame?: Dazai. He came for the sole reason of doing this, and Atsushi and Anzu were pretty crafty at getting away for a while but Dazai will get them, he swears.

Who gets too drunk at the work christmas party and has to be picked up at 9:15pm?: Atsushi. Anzu comes to get him and tries to nurse his hangover.

who gets angry and almost tells kids that santa isnt real?: Neither of them. They’re weirdly pure.

[straymackerel]

There’s a Halloween party at the ADA members they’re going to with their S/O. When they ask their S/O what her costume is all she says is the greatest detective ever. They’re confused when she shows up in a replica outfit of theirs and she’s puts a hand on her chest in mock offense saying I didn’t f**king stutter.

➽─{umm lollllll yes pls 💸}─❥

yukichi fukuzawa

• flat out says that you should’ve dressed as ranpo instead

• finds your sass endearing 

• if you mean “replica” in the most literal sense, chances are your costume is gonna run a bit big on you (the man is 6′1″) and he thinks it’s realllly cute 😤

edogawa ranpo

• ofc ranpo already knows who you’re dressing as (and he lets you know he knows as soon as you mention halloween)

• but it still makes him really happy when you show up in the costume.

• bonus points if you have a pair of glasses and pretend to do super deduction (he will *consider* sharing his candy with you)

dazai osamu

• dazai has his suspicions but he plays dumb anyway...

• ...so he can act extremely dramatic at the party, of course.

• he picks you up, twirls you around in the middle of the room and yells “i have the best lover in the whole wide woooorld!”

• expect a smooch on the cheek nearly every time he looks at you (can’t help himself)

nakajima atsushi

• tiger boy has no idea what you’re up to 

• like, maybe you’re talking about a fictional book character?? sherlock holmes?!

• he goes BEET red at the party and does all these awkward hand waving motions

• overly embarrassed but he knows your intentions are kind <3

• blushes a little whenever he looks at you

miyazawa kenji

• “oh cool!” he says when you hint at your costume

• even worse than atsushi, he doesn’t try to connect the dots to anything

• your mock offense goes completely over his head cause he’s just struck with pure delight :)

• probably holds your hand the entire time

doppo kunikida

• is too busy with paperwork when you initially tell him (he barely processes your words)

• your reward is the most priceless look of surprise on his slack-jawed face. enjoy while it lasts!

• *pushes his glasses up and clears his throat* “well, this is ideal.”

yosano akiko

• thinks you’re talking about ranpo, naturally

• “but babe... i’m really more of a doctor.”

• you have to repeat yourself twice for her to actually accept your act of affection 😅

tanizaki naomi

• “by greatest detective you must mean my brotherrr, right?”

• (idk how you guys are even in a relationship, uhh maybe it’s an open one??)

• manages to match your boldness throughout the night

tanizaki junichirou

• doesn’t think much of it at first

• innocently tells naomi what your costume is (to which she rolls her eyes lmao)

• at the party he gets the most sheepish look on his face, and it never quite goes away

• he is super duper humble the entire time (possibly cause naomi is watching 👁👄👁)

[itsjustmyfantasyroom]

Buon Compleanno Sonny!

Enjoy x

Warnings: Does talk about an attempted assault on Amanda and smut 

It was your first time to Staten Island. Sonny had invited you guys to his birthday party at his parent’s place which was costume party. Rafael wouldn't dress up, but the rest of you did. Liv and Noah dressed up like a ring master and lion, Fin was a rapper, Nick was a gangster, Sonny from the mob, Amanda and you cheerleaders. Rafael had seen the costume in the bag and he couldn't wait to see it on you.

Rafael was going to meet you guys there. He had to work that Saturday and he was running late, so Nick, Fin and Amanda picked you up.

Your costume was a blue and white short dress, with a big NY on the front.  You had white runners, blue booty shorts, your hair in piggy tales and blue and white pom poms. Amanda's costume was identical.

You guys walked into the house to everyone dressed up,

“Hey guys, you made it. Wow you’re all dressed up. You's look awesome"

Sonny shook Fin and Nicks hand and gave you and Amanda a kiss and hug Hello. Fin gave him his present from all you and he gave his thanks’.

"Where's Barba?" Sonny looked down at you.

"He's coming. The DA needed him today and he's running late. But he will be here" you smiled

Sonny took you guys around to everyone and introduced you all. You found a table and sat down, Nick going to get you all a drink.

Liv arrived greeted everyone and came and sat down at the head of the table. Noah reached for you. You pulled him off Liv and you sat him on your lap.

"So the cheerleaders, are they single?"

"The blonde yes, the other one no"

"But it's the other one I'm interested in"

"She is dating the ADA, I see you go near her and you will deal with me OK, she is one of my best friends"

"Sonny relax, you say she is taken, she is taken"

"Matteo I know what you’re like, they are all Detectives, and they will lock you up no questioned asked."

"Come on cugino trust me, it’s your birthday, I wouldn’t do anything to upset you."

Sonny walked over to Nick and grabbed him on the shoulder,

"Hey Nick, see that guy over there" Sonny pointed in the direction of the man that looked just like him, but shorter and dark hair. "Keep an eye on Amanda and Y/N around him, he can be trouble"

"Ah yeah sure Sonny, no problems" Nick gave a tight smile back.

"Barba you made it, and you’re actually dressed up, well kinda” Sonny smiled at Rafael.

Rafael walked over to Sonny and Nick and shook their hands. He had a New York Giants jersey on with white jeans and white runners.

"Happy Birthday Sonny" Rafael said and the three of them made some small talk.

"Where's everybody else?" Rafael looked between Sonny and Nick.

"Over there" Nick nodded towards the table.

He looked over to where Nick nodded, Amanda and Fin sitting next to each other, Liv at the head of the table and you sitting across from Amanda with Noah on your lap, singing along with the music to him, and him giggling at you.

"OH Wow Barba, love your costume" Liv looked up. You looked up and seen he had made a little effort. You stood up putting Noah on your right hip,

"Hey Rafi, you look great"

"So to do you mi Hermosa" he gave you a wink.

He put his hand on your free hip and lent in for a kiss, Noah hit him on the arm.

"Hey Noah, she was mine first" you all burst out laughing.

----

It was a great night, eating, drinking, and dancing. Happy birthday was sung and the cake was cut. Liv and Noah were going home so you and Rafael walked out with them and helped her put him in the car. Fin wasn't in a hurry so you guys were going to stay a little longer.

You guys waved bye to Liv while you were standing on your side into Rafael with his arms around your waist and he lent close to your ear,

"I can't wait to get you home" he purred.

You turned to face him and started to kiss his neck, it sent goose bumps all over his body, you pulled away and walked away.

"Huh, how is that fair?" Rafael groaned at you.

"You will have to wait till we get home" you winked at him over your shoulder, he caught up with you and put his arm around your waist.

When you guys walked back in, Sonny, Nick and Fin where looking out to the dance floor, Amanda was dancing with Sonny's family. As you walked past she grabbed your hand and pulled you into the dance floor with everyone else,

"Sorry Counselor, she is mine for a while" Rafael went and sat in Liv's old spot.

After far to many songs you grabbed Amanda’s arm and lent close to her ear,

“Amanda I need a break" you said puffed out.

“I’m going to have a smoke" she answered back

You went and sat on Rafael’s lap and had a drink of water. You started talking and mucking around between yourselves. Fin looked at his watch,

"It's 2, let's head out, I’ll message Amanda we are leaving" Fin pulled his phone out of his pocket.

You all agreed and stood up. You grabbed yours and Amanda's pom poms and made your way around the room and said your thanks and walked out with Sonny.

"Y/N where's Amanda?" Nick asked

“She said she was going for a smoke, but that was a while ago, Fin messaged her to say we were leaving”

"She might be inside somewhere, I'll go check wait here" Sonny said and walked off.

"STOP IT" you all heard coming from the side of the house. It was Amanda's voice.

You threw the pom poms down on the side walk and ran off.

"Fin, go get Sonny" Rafael shouted, as you and Nick ran off, Rafael following behind.

You were ahead of them both, you rounded the corner, Sonny's cousin had Amanda pinned up against the wall with his hand up her dress.

"NO, STOP IT" Amanda was screaming struggling against him.

Something took over, you ran up to him and grabbed him by the back of the neck and his mid-section, you pulled him off Amanda and threw him front on up against the wall, Amanda, Nick and Rafael all froze for a second surprised by your reaction.

"Didn't your Mumma teach you what No means" you said to him, pushing him against the wall harder.

Sonny and Fin came running around the corner and seen you holding his cousin up against the wall.

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Sonny shouted.

Nick came and took over your place. You walked over to Amanda and you took her in your arms. Rafael was filling Sonny in.

Nick pulled his arms behind him and held them tight, he still had him around the back of the neck and he pulled him off the wall.

“YOU IDIOT, you tried to do this to an SVU detective while the ADA is sitting on the other side of the wall"

"Amanda, I can charge him with attempted raped of a detective, and I'll make sure he gets time" Rafael glared at him.

She was still in your arms, "What do you want to do?" You asked her.

Amanda looked up at Sonny for guidance for her answer,

"You do what you need too Amanda" Sonny threw is hands up in the air giving his cousin a dirty look.

“Are you kidding? I ‘am your blood. You pick these people over your family, shame on you Sonny"

You seen red, you let go of Amanda and took a step closer. Sonny stepping forward grabbing you with an arm around your waist pulling you back to him so you couldn't get closer.

"NO SHAME ON YOU. Look what you just did and you’re blaming Sonny for not having your back, he deserves better than family like you. And next time NO IS NO"

"Pipe down Bitch, you’re just jealous it wasn't you" Matteo spat back.

Nick threw him back up against the wall,

"SHUT your mouth if you know what's good for you" he snarled into his ear.

"Let him go, but I want all his details to put in the system, so if this happens again we know his MO"

Nick pushed him out of his grip onto the floor. You all walked to the car leaving Sonny's cousin laying on the ground. You all said good bye to Sonny, he said sorry to Amanda over and over again.

"Sonny I'm fine, on Monday we will write statements and make a file just in case" he nodded and you all got in the car, Amanda was in the front seat,

“Wow Y/N, I didn't know you had that in you, your strong girl"

----

You guys were Fin's last stop. Nick offered to stay on Amanda's couch to make sure she would be ok. You both said thanks to Fin and got out of car and went to the apartment.

You walked into the kitchen and poured yourself a glass of water, you were leaning your back on the counter. Rafael came and stood in front of you and started to kiss your neck up to your ear,

"You looked so hot tonight. But you know what really turned me on?"

"Hhhmmmm" you hummed around the rim of your glass.

"How you handled that guy and threw him up against the wall" he started to kiss your neck again, you could feel him getting hard in his jeans. “That was hot"

You put the glass down as he ran his hands down your sides and up under your skirt, cupping your core with one hand through your booty shorts,

"Wow so wet, we haven't even started yet Hermosa"

He pulled down your shorts and panties, running his hand again from your mid thighs to your hip, making his way back to your centre running his fingers over your opening sending sparks through your body. One finger spilt in, then another. He started pumping you hard, you grabbed on to the counter top, grabbing so tight your knuckles were white. You felt close, you threw your head back, shutting your eyes, "Rafael" you screamed as pleasure ripped through you.

He pulled his fingers out, "Turn around", you obeyed without question. He undone his jeans button and zip, pushed down his jeans and boxers freeing his erection. He bent you over so your upper body was laying on the counter. He lifted up your dress over your waist ranning himself along your opening again, teasing you.

"Rafi stop teasing" he laughed gruffly back at you.

He did it a couple more times, and then without warning pushed his full length into you, you both let out a huff in pleasure. He thrusted into you hard, over and over again. You pushed back into him so he could go deeper. He held you in place with one hand on your hip, and ran his other hand under your dress, running up and down your back.

"Rafi-so close" you managed to get out.

You were on the edge, he could feel it too, he pulled his hand from under your dress and reached around to you harden clit and started to rub circles with his pointer finger.

"OH RAFAEL" you screamed as your orgasm run through you, that sent him over the edge, your name being screamed from his lips between grunts.

He rode you out till you were both done. Then fell on top of your back, pinning you to the counter.  

"Rafi" you said breathless

"Hmm"

"It’s starting to hurt"

He slide out of you and pulled you up off the counter holding you so you didn't lose your balance from jelly legs. You lent down pulling up your panties and shorts then pulling your dress down while he zipped himself away.

"That was" and you held your thumb up still trying to relax your breathing. Rafael lent in and started to kiss your face over and over again

“I—love—you—so--much" he said through kisses

"Love you Rafi”

[soprana-snap]

Magnolia Seven-Seven

Chapter Three: Too Much of a Bad Thing

Summary: Magnolia is like every other city, full of traffic jams and hoards of people. When Captain Gajeel and Detectives Gray and Natsu get involved with a shady crime boss that seems to have the whole crime ring in his back pocket, they need a little more backup to bring him down: i.e ADA Lucy Heartfilia, Evidence Technician Levy McGarden, and Caffeinator Juvia Lockster.

Rating: M for adult situations and language

A/N: Hey guys. It’s been a while, huh? I’ve been busy planning my wedding and taking care of some elderly family members. I didn’t have much time to write...or the will to. 

Recently, my brother had an accident and he didn’t make it. I’ve been kinda lost for a bit, hence me going through some old drafts and trying to pick up writing again. Here’s to trying.

Be warned, there is some heavy adult themes in this chapter: Drug use, sexual implications, classic CSI. We can’t have all sunshine and rainbows in this M-77 ride!

Previous Chapters: One Two

“Have you ever, you know, tried to be anything more than an over-sized child?”

Gray leaned back slightly in the booth, swallowing down his pizza with a few chugs of soda. Cheese strings hung from his lips, swinging like willow branches in the wind.

“Uh, no?” he said, slurping them up and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He didn’t mind the stains, making a mental note to dump half a bottle of stain remover into the laundry. “Since when did this make you feel childish?”

The man sighed, glancing over to the giant mouse currently dancing with a toothy five year old wearing a party hat. Or, more like some guy in a mouse costume, the mascot of the place.

“Chuckie Cheese. Really Gray? How much longer are we going to pretend like we are the same old kids?”

Gray scowled, laying the pizza on the pastel plate and leaned in close, brow twitching. “Oh? Is that so? Then why are you holding on to all those tickets, Lyon? Give’em to me.”

Lyon paled, scrambling to grab the pile of pink tickets from Gray’s seeking hands, nearly leaping from the booth. “Wait-let’s not get hasty! I earned these.”

“Come on, give the over-sized child what he wants.” Gray teased lightly, making a show of reaching further and laughing when Lyon slapped his hands away.

“Only you are the over-sized child here. Ultear would back me up on this!” Lyon laughed, rolling the tickets around his wrist. He could never be too careful with Gray. He was nosy as hell and loved to ‘borrow’ stuff. If he got his grubby hands on these tickets, Lyon could kiss his Captain Planet power ring set goodbye. “Too bad she didn’t come, huh?”

Gray rolled his eyes, grabbing another slice of pizza instead and digging in. “Yeah, something about a meeting in the capital. Jeez, she could have just said she didn’t want to come.”

“Yeah, well being a senator makes her too busy for her brothers nowadays. You know she would have kicked your ass in skee ball.” Lyon said, taking another slice for himself.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Gray sighed. “She’s always had a stick up her ass. I don’t know how her and Ur were related.”

Lyon blinked at the name, glancing up to stare at Gray for a second before returning his attention to the pepperonis. “But she’s always treated us like her brothers, even after Ur passed.”

Gray frowned, his mood turning somber. “On second thought, I can see the relation.”

Lyon licked his lips, glancing down to the chipped wooden table with the faded logo before speaking again. “Speaking of Ultear, I have some good news to share, although she will hear about it from my texts...I’ve almost got enough money to do it! Meredy and I counted our assets just the other day.”

Gray glanced up, broken from the somber mood in a heartbeat, his grin wide. “Finally going to be a big boy and get a real job?”

Lyon pouted, flicking pizza crust at Gray, unsurprised when the man caught it and ate it in less than five seconds. After all, it was Gray that said even adopted siblings shared the cooties. Plus, with the animals that were his roommates, Lyon was sure Gray got over whatever little germophobia he had. He had once watched Natsu ingest a hole can of expired green beans, crowing about going to Valhalla as he did so. His younger adopted brother learned by examples, after all.

“Lay off. Uber eats is a fine job! I make enough to get by and save. Meredy also makes good tips at Moe’s.” Times had been rough before, but the future was bright in Lyon’s eyes. They finally got it turned around without the constant offer of help from Ultear and Gray. Old debts were getting paid. He could make it by on his own.

“You don’t even have a car. You deliver by bike.” Gray deadpanned.

“For now! I almost have enough to buy that old building off on Waters Street. Then, the era of Vastia’s Realty will dawn! Vastia will sell your house fast-ia!” The moment it slogan rolled off his tongue, Gray’s cheeks inflated, his poor attempt to stifle his laughter failing. Lyon sighed.

“D-Did’ja...pfft, think of that by yourself?” Gray wheezed, slow clapping. “It really...shows your passion.” He broke into a fit of laughter.

“It’s still in the works.” Lyon dismissed coolly, mildly put off by his brother’s lack of enthusiasm.

“Oi, I think you’ll be great...just, leave the marketing to Meredy. That slogan was pretty rough.” Gray rolled his shoulders, adopting a contemplating expression before speaking, “Come to Vastia Realty and meet the most interesting realtor in the world! How about that?”

To be honest, Lyon did kind of like it. But, Gray actually being helpful was fishy in itself. “And how would I back that up?”

Gray’s smile turned wolfish. Ah, here it comes. “We can hang baby pictures of you up in the lobby and tell stories like how you wet the bed until you were-”

“Okay, let’s not.” Lyon interrupted a little louder than he wanted. Some mother shot them a withering glare before turning her attention back to her tot trying to count tickets. “I like the ‘most interesting realtor’ pitch, but let’s leave out the rest.”

Gray shrugged, helping himself to the pitcher of soda. “Suit yourself. I thought it had flare.” He waggled his free hand in a poor rendition of ‘the ol’ razzle dazzle’.

Lyon flashed a pointed tongue at him. “You would. You’ve always had bad taste...and a stripping habit!” he added as Gray fidgeted with his shirt, lifting it up past his pectorals. Lyon swore he could hear the indignant whispers of mothers all around. “Stripping is bad enough. Stripping in front of kids is worse.”

To his credit, Gray paled and shoved his shirt back down. “Still haven't kicked that habit. Remember when we tried out for the swim team and asked Ur to train us?”

Lyon blinked, a wistful smile crossing his face. How could he ever forget anything that had to do with Ur? “I do. I remember her telling us about when she was an olympic swimmer and how she would train. And like fools, we asked her to push us and push us hard.”

Gray let his face fall into his palms. “Oh, that was the worst decision we ever made. Remember when we had to ‘think speed’? Strip down to our shorts as fast as we could, then sprint at and dive into the water? She made us run that drill until I strip out of habit!”

His brother laughed softly, eyes gleaming with fond memories as well. Something about Gray eating it one day with his pants half off. That was hilarious. “Yeah, but it got us on the swim team. Ur was so proud.”

“The little league swim team. I don’t know why she had our team pictures on the fridge.” Gray chuckled, pushing his empty plate away, shifting on the uncomfortable booth seat.

“She was proud because we set out and did it. For the first time, her two lost boys found a way with pure grit.” Lyon said, staring into his glass of ice water. “We weren’t lost anymore.”

The silence that stretched after that lingered long after the pizza had grown cold. Lyon could see the grease of the cheese start to coagulate, the pepperoni curling up as it dried.

“So-” Lyon finally said, his voice a croak “-what is Gray Fullbuster up to these days? I yakked about my plans. What are yours?”

Gray blinked, at odds with the fact that for once with Lyon, he didn’t have the heart to brag about his life. Not after remembering all that was in their childhood. Ur wouldn’t want them putting each other down.

“Well...the guys and I have this new case. Natsu is raring to go as usual, but he put both of us into a produce cart when we were in a chase. I told you about Lucy, right?”

Lyon nodded with a small smile. “Still not giving him the time of day?”

Gray grinned. “You got it, but I see her easing up. I think that asshole enjoys giving chase to her.”

Both men sighed, Lyon rolling his eyes. “That guy is something else.”

“Yeah, well, he’s takin’ to quoting Shakespeare at her...incorrectly. So that’s a thing. Gajeel, well, still has a steel rod up his ass but he keeps us in line.” Gray sighed, looking at his watch, mildly uncomfortable sharing anymore details. “At this rate we are gonna be here for dinner.”

Lyon started, glancing at his own phone in surprise. “Whoa, I’m late. I got an extra gig and I still have to run home and change.”

“Run, Lyon, run.” Gray teased.

“Shaddup Gray.” Lyon snapped as he stood, flopping a measly two dollars onto the table.He paused, looking grim as he dug deeper into his ratty wallet, pursing his lips as his search continued to be fruitless.

“Oi, I got it.” Gray said finally, “Get going. Next time, I treat you to this really great coffee shop.”

Flashing a grateful smile, Lyon slid his wallet into his pockets quickly, bumping fists with his brother before whipping around and hustling away. Watching him go, Gray rolled his eyes, fishing out his own wallet, not in the least peeved.

After all, he had plenty of time to pester Lyon to pay him back.

.

.

.

Some people didn’t just have days off. No rest for the wicked. That sort of thing. As Gajeel leaned closer to the stack of paperwork he had on his desk, it didn’t make the sort of difference he wanted. The stack was still tall, and half of it wasn’t his own.

Damn that Detective Fullbuster for putting in a day off right under his nose when he fell behind on paperwork. He had better things to do that pick up the slack!

At least Natsu did his paperwork on time...with doodles for ‘extra credit’ as he called them. Some of them were little stick people getting eaten by dragons, others were of miscellaneous things like cheeseburgers or the scribbles of ‘Mr. Natsu Heartfilia’.

God, he was pathetic.

Gajeel let his forehead smack the desktop, once, twice, a third time for extra assurance before he took up his pen again, signing away. Register evidence to the locker? Check. Release personal items to families? Check. Release news to press? Fuck that, the vultures can find it on their own!

The stack loomed over him, reminding him of the drill sergeant he had in the academy. It’s been years before anyone actually tore him down to the bare frame, his mind honed in a carefully forged body of muscle. Sure, he was a little rebellious back then and needed a lot of work, but he had people to put him back on the right path.

So did Fullbuster and Dragneel.

Gajeel sneered at the memories of the three of them, three boys desperate to be changed men. They didn’t realize it at the time, but they all were after the same thing: belonging. As much as it ground his gears in the beginning, they were a pretty good set besides the tiffs every now and then.

They were still fucking morons...but they could be morons together. Absently, he touched his left eye, where Dragneel had given him a black eye once, then is right cheek, where Gray had once slugged him. If anything, Gajeel imagined them to be like brothers, not that he had any desire for some. They kinda just...fell into his lap one day, literally. They had a fight in the mess hall and fell into his lap, knocking his grilled cheese into orbit.

Assholes.

But that’s how they became friends, and he used the term loosely. They paired up for sparring, got stuck in the same bunk area, had the same obstacle courses, and eventually volunteered each other for pepper spray and taser tests. He could still remember Natsu’s cackle when he got to taze Gray, and Gray’s chortles when he got to pepper spray Natsu. He, however, got to taze and spray them both.

Somehow, the fuckers ended up studying with him, comparing notes and giving backhanded advice to each other. They became some funky trio, like the Three Stooges. The two stuck like glue to him. Gajeel could see why.

Natsu, with his fucked up past and his desperate push after his adopted dad’s death, felt alone and clung to the one thing that kept his feet grounded on the right path: the police academy. He was volatile, shouting at instructors and usually running extra laps, but it was all a face to hide the pain. Gajeel had heard of the gang Tartaros before, back when he was young and in the gang life too. He knew of the Black Wizard, the leader, and of his little monster brother, END. It wasn’t until later in the academy that Gray and he learned the truth. That Natsu was one and the same: END. Gray’s snooping habit bit them in the ass, intercepting a letter from a penitentiary. What a mistake. They let Natsu wallop them that time.

But it cleared the air and Natsu slowly came down to the land of actual people.

Gray, well, had an equally screwed up past. The death of his parents by the drug lord, Deloria hit him hard. The foster system dropped him like a hot potato after he started getting picked up in juvie. It was pure luck that a foster mother suitable for assholes like Gray picked him up, adopting him not long after. Gray had a more stable life than he or Natsu, but it shattered just as fast when his mom died, leaving the older sister to care for them. From what he knew, Gray’s brother started getting into trouble where as Gray pulled himself up by his bootstraps.

As for himself, well, he was naturally a troublemaker. Which of course drew those dweebs to him like flies to food.

Then they graduated, moved into a rented house together, and lived happily fucking after. That was nearly five years ago. Which is how long it’ll take him to finish this paperwork!

With a snarl, Gajeel shoved a stack aside, just barely stopping himself from pushing just a little more so it all toppled into the garbage. Gray would be in so much shit, but then his leadership would look bad too. With all the faith this department put into his sorry ass, that was unacceptable.

He signed away paper after paper, not bothering to check the clock. The stack began to shrivel, still a formidable size for Gray to deal with tomorrow.

Was he allergic to paperwork or something? Why was it so hard? All he had to to was not read and just sign. Then, he got to get yelled at for not reading. It wasn’t rocket science.

He supposed that he got stuck with them as punishment, for what, he didn’t know. It was shitty, shitty karma.

He glanced up for a moment, freezing as he stared out of the glass of his office and into the halls. Or rather, in the conference room beyond the hall.

It was a quiet room, one designated for detective use only. Cork boards and whiteboards decorated the walls, all meant for cases. There were a few desks too, but the main table was an oval, situated where one would see the biggest whiteboard.

Inside, fingers tangled in his hair, nails scratching away in frustration, stood Natsu. He faced down the largest cork board, photos and sticky notes plastered all over. Even from a distance, Gajeel could see the red yarn that Natsu favored, tied around thumb tacks and drawing lines. It was old fashioned but effective; Natsu being a hands on-learner requiring more of the old fashioned.

By the looks of it, he wasn’t making headway on whatever case he was looking at. Be it the increased car thefts or the increased amounts of misdemeanor crimes. It was looking like he had no headway in either.

Though, the same could be said for Gray as well. No leads on the increased drug trade or the sudden flux of counterfeit money in the city now. But he didn’t see Gray on the edge of a mental breakdown.

Or...kicking a chair over.

The clatter was lost over the distance and walls between, but Gajeel saw Natsu cringe at the sound, calming immediately. That guy...mind like a steel trap but still with a temper.

He watched Natsu move, gently setting the chair upright once more before returning to the board looking more pensive.

Gajeel didn’t get to squint and take a peek at what Natsu was dealing with, because a figure crossed his sights, passing between the rooms through the hall. Orange sweater with a yellow headband, blue hair. His heart sputtered, his mind cleared of any questions about Natsu’s cases. Levy slowed, turning her head to look at him, eyes locking on.

Time slowed for a moment before she sent that smile. Fuck, now he was blushing and squirming in his seat. He had time, right? Paperwork could wait. Those manly butterflies were back, strumming electric guitars and singing ‘shooby doo’.

They dropped like lead, however, when Levy blinked, glanced to his door, and flushed the brightest shade of red. He heard the knock echo in his head as Levy looked to the floor and scurried away, taking his music with her.

There went that.

“Come in.” he grumbled, pretending to be working and schooling his face back into a scowl. Who dared come through his door?

“Redfox.” Oh fuck.

“Scarlet.” he greeted, praying his brow didn’t have sweat. She was oblivious to most things but the scent of fear. She was viciously scary without trying, the air around her heavy with threat.

She smiled and he relaxed. No, she didn’t know.

“Enjoying your day?” she mused, eyeing his completed stack with approval in her face. “You’ve certainly been busy.”

He would have been busy with something else if she hadn’t darkened his doorway. Someone else.

“Eh, yer definition of enjoying varies from mine.”

The smile stayed. So she was amused? Wha-

“So you forgot about your court appearance, I suppose?”

His stomach bottomed out, eyes tearing to the clock. He wasn’t- aw shit he was late. Standing up, his chair rolled back as he scrambled around the desk, accidentally getting his foot stuck in the wastebasket. A curse on his lips, he kicked it away, stumbling his way over to the door. Erza stepped aside with that stupid smirk. If only he could wipe it away.

Ah.

“Finish up my paperwork for me, thanks Scarlet.” he said, flashing a sneer of his own. If anything made her frown, it was paperwork.

The smirk widened, like a hyena with a plot. “Me? Why Detective Dragneel happens to be right across the hall. I’m sure he has the time. I’ll do you a favor and pass it along.” With a toss of her hair, she nodded to the door. “Well? Get moving!”

A shiver crawled down Gajeel’s spine. Well, he tried! Without even glancing at Natsu and sending a mental apology, Gajeel hustled away, knowing he’ll be forgiven by Natsu after a punch or two...but never by Lucy if he left her hanging, not until he bought her a new law book.

.

.

.

“Ms. Heartfilia, could you please get off your plane of existence and explain your point frankly?”

Gods, she was so tired, her eyes burned like she opened them in the ocean. It wasn’t her fault that they couldn’t follow the leads she was laying down. She spent days getting this evidence, days arguing it in court, and at this point it will be longer. She literally just proved this guy guilty while speaking plainly. 

Oh well, she forgot that some people never went to law school. She looked at the jury, embarrassment flooding her at the blank looks that greeted her. Oh, maybe she did overdo it.

Judge Fernandes seemed to have followed her but he was just as on par with her trail as she was.

“Of course, your Honor.” she allowed, closing her eyes and taking a breath in. Okay, simplify.

“The evidence against Mr. Prominence is overwhelming. He has DNA evidence linking him to no less than ten missing women this year alone. Of the most recent: Millianna Gato, Susan Farlow, and Michelle Starbrooke. All three of high school age and interested in a summer internship. An internship sponsored by Mr. Prominence, himself.”

Lucy breathed in, and instantly regretted it.

“Objection!” Bora’s defense growled, spittle flinging from his lips.

“On what grounds?” Judge Fernandes asked.

“I object on the grounds that Ms. Heartfilia is trying to sway the jury through plain statements that hold no full proof that my client is in fact guilty of these girl’s disappearances.” He was still slinging spit, like a leaking faucet.

Lucy scowled. Of course she was trying to sway the jury. It was her job. What kind of crackpot lawyer did this guy hire?

Judge Fernandes seemed to have the same idea. “Overruled. There have been no full statements from Ms. Heartfilia that directly accuse Mr. Prominence. Ms. Heartfilia, proceed.”

“Thank you, your Honor.” Lucy said graciously. “As I was saying, this internship, if you recall, took young and ambitious girls that dreamed of becoming models and promised a study abroad trip that the internship funded should the girl not be able to provide.”

She stepped closer to the jury, moving her hand in sweeping gestures as she continued, “Prosecution has presented bank statements linking Mr. Prominence to the girl’s tickets purchases, evidence that the girls met with him before their disappearances, and evidence that these girls have been sold as slaves to Bosco with handwritten receipts.” Honestly, he wanted to get caught. He never wiped the hard drives before police seized them. He filed printed bank statements in a cabinet. He was the most self-incriminating criminal she had ever seen in court.

“If the jury desires, I can present even more evidence-” she began, freezing when the Judge coughed.

“Ms. Heartfilia, we are out of time. I will adjourn until a later date. I will take a parting statement.”

Crap. She took too long.

“Of course, your Honor. I only leave the reminder that should the jury wish, I will present more evidence to support a sentence.”

She thought she heard a groan from some of the jury. They should fear. She won’t take ‘not guilty’ for an answer. Those girls deserved as much.

“Indeed,” Judge Fernandes conceded, “something the jury will deliberate next session. This court will adjourn until next Wednesday at eight AM.” His gavel hit the desk and instantly Lucy relaxed her muscles.

“Officer Redfox, now that you have joined us, please escort Mr. Bora Prominence to the detention officers.”

Lucy tensed all over again, whirling around and watching Gajeel sheepishly move from the aisle to enter the floor, fishing out his cuffs. So he did show up! She hadn’t seen him at all during the defense nor when she took the floor. Meaning, he was late when he promised not to be. Judging by the way he avoided her pinpoint gaze, she figured he knew she noticed.

Sounds of the jury standing and shuffling to the back room echoed through the courtroom; the polished wood that accented every inch of the room made it reverberate like they stood inside a drum.

It was the music of dismissal, the melody of justice that she had become accustomed to since her internships. 

A sigh on her breath, Lucy wandered back to her table, trying to gather her chaos back into her briefcase. Today was yet another day of frustration potent enough for her to get messy with paperwork. This trial has been going on forever and truth be told, she was even tired of it. The jury was wilting, looking bored each and every day now. No matter how much evidence she dug up, the defense barely managed to counter.

This trial was a joke. What a waste of her precious time.

By the time she latched her case and slung it over her shoulder, Gajeel had returned, holding open the gate that separated observers from the court.

“You were late.” she said, stepping through and pausing for him to follow.

His gaze averted for a second before he met her eyes. “Yeh, I figured ya noticed.” He flashed her a grin, ruffling her hair and snorting when she squealed, “My hair!”

“Sorry bunny girl, I had to cover Fullbuster’s paperwork and Dragneel was busy with his cases. Time ran away, I guess.” It was true...enough he supposed.

Lucy smiled, walking alongside  him through the halls. “Well, that’s acceptable. Nobody got rowdy this time.” She brushed strands of hair from her face, eyes drifting to the old tile floor as her heels clacked on it. “And, I’m not surprised to hear that Gray skimped out of work...or how hard Natsu is working.” She laughed lightly then, “They are something else, huh?”

Gajeel rolled his eyes, grumbling, “Oh yeah, something else, alright. Both are moronic monkeys on my back.” Bringing up his hand, he scratched at his chin, scowling at a point along the farthest walls. “Gray’s hidin’ something. He’s always texting someone, not saying who it is. He’s starting to be absent from dinner and sometimes not coming home at night.”

Lucy blinked, staring up at Gajeel before a sly look crossed her face. “Oh~.” she hummed, a glint in her eyes. “Getting worried, are you? Gajeel, I never expected you to be a mother hen!”

She was teasing, but it grated his nerves enough to flash her a glower. “Careful what you say, bunny girl. I won’t stand for that kinda talk.”

Lucy stuck her tongue out at him. But instead of rising up, Gajeel grinned cheekily and went for a lower blow. “Oh yeah, Dragneel told me to tell ya, ‘What is a drunken man like? Me when I see you.’”

Her face warmed, but she laughed lightly, shaking her head. “He never gets the quotes right.” she sighed, reaching into her purse and pulling out a small composition notebook and her pen. Natsu never got the quotes right, but she would remember every single one.

“I don’t think he realizes I double majored in Law and English literature.” she sighed.

Gajeel shrugged, his lips bordering a sneer now. “If he ever figures out you write down every single one of his botched quotes-”

Lucy smacked his pierced cheeks with her pen, a playful scowl that did not hide her raging blush on her cheeks. “You are sworn to secrecy, crepe chef.”

Gajeel clamped his mouth shut, starting to pout. Ah, checkmate.

“I swear you, Erza and Levy can be wicked. All these women managing to keep me in check. I can’t even make fun of the idiots now.”

.

.

.

He was so full of pizza he felt like he had to roll home. Every time Gray invited him to lunch, he always pigged out. Meredy actually teased him about gaining a few.

Stepping over a pothole in the sidewalk, Lyon walked on with what could only be described as the swagger of a full and confident man. Of all the things he was proud of, deceiving his brother once again was one of them.

He hated it, sure, but lying seemed preferable to actually having Gray disappointed and insisting on helping he and Meredy out financially. He wasn’t a damn child, no matter how he and Gray teased each other.

The realtor business wasn’t even close. Their funds weren’t even in the ballpark. They lived off of ramen and spaghettios. He stole WiFi from his neighbors.Their water was shut off twice this month alone.

Ur would be ashamed and Lyon knew he couldn’t handle the shame in Gray’s eyes too. Ultear was never around much, so his secret stayed safe from her, at least.

Ur’s two perfect children and the one not-so-perfect one.

He and Meredy needed a call soon or they’d fall short on rent again. After just barely squaring it away from being four months in delinquency, the landlord promised to be far less understanding in the future.

He’d do anything to keep her off the streets, cold and hungry.

As if by a miracle, his phone buzzed in his pocket, the ringer long since malfunctioned to forever stay silent. Not like he could afford a better phone anyway.

“Yo.” he greeted coolly after flipping the phone open, effortlessly pulling off his classic ‘Badass™’ look.

The voice on the other side was like an angel, his one kryptonite.

“Hey Darlin’, I was just thinking about y-”

An angel that had some fantastic news, apparently, since she didn’t wait for him to flatter her properly.

“What? A job?” He tried not to sound too overeager. He failed when she gave him the payload.

“A-Are you serious!? Twenty grand just to do that?!”

She spoke again and he had to grasp the wall of the nearest building to prevent him from falling to the earth.

“Each?!”

He felt like Icarus, the boy that fashioned wings of feather and wax to take to the skies, to taste that freedom that had been eluding him for so long. As long as he stayed away from the sun and the tumultuous waves below, he could soar forever.

With Meredy sounding just as thrilled as he, it was hard not to smile. This was they big break. This was their moment.

“Count me in. Where do I need to be?”

.

.

.

Magnolia was a beautiful city, accented mostly by the canals and the gorgeous cathedral. While tourists stuck to the well lit, well patrolled parts, most locals knew where not to be at certain parts of the day. Like now, Main Street would be overflowing with traffic, so much so that cars would clog the intersections because the lights never changed fast or often enough.

It was the case now here in the development district. No local in their right mind would be on Abandoned Row, the street filled with the most abandoned warehouses. Most belonged to Heartfilia Railways, but after the latest stock hit, the company had to sell off a few assets...and abandon some too.

Locals avoided it, so naturally it was the perfect place to do the less than legal things.

He was a little late, so by the time he was speed walking up to the meet point, Meredy was already motioning to a large, unmarked truck to line up with the loading zone. She flashed him a smile, one that never failed to set his heart aflutter, before returning her focus back to the task at hand.

Lyon had just enough time to sidle up to her side, assuring that the warehouse doors were accessible as the truck screeched to a stop. If he had to guess, the left rear axle was needing some serious diagnostics, but that wasn’t his job to care.

Before his sweet Meredy could open her mouth to finally greet him, the door to the truck started unfurling, metal sheets clanking as they rolled up to the top.

Then, Lyon laid his eyes on something as pretty as a heap of stinking garbage.

“Lyon. Meredy.” The man greeted coolly as he kicked out the ramp, steadying it on the loading dock before making his way across the gap. “I see not much has changed around these parts, then.”

“Kageyama.” he said just as icily, pasting on what could only be a leather-like smile. Maybe the corner of his lips started cracking. “Still you, I see.”

Meredy shot him a look out of the extreme peripheral of her eyes, her lips pursed. Ah, right. Manners.

Kageyama threw his head back with a bark of a laugh, no humor behind it at all. “Just as well. I’m only in town to clean up Erigor���s mess and then I’ll be out of your hair.” He kicked at a chock with the point of his shoe, watching the pyramid bounce away and fall down through the gap of the loading dock. “Getting arrested and all. His shit still needs to be shipped.”

“A minor setback, of course.” Meredy spoke finally, tossing her hair and turning to the warehouse door. The lock had already been disposed of, the metal shears left abandoned in the corner. With a dainty kneel, she grasped the handle and lifted with her knees, raising the door up with all the upper body strength she had.

“Gotta like a woman that can bend and lift.” Kageyama mused, grinning wider when Lyon shot him a withering look. “Aw now, I ain’t stepping on your territory, man. Just admiring.”

“You treat her with respect, you-” Lyon began, baring his teeth just a little.

“Boys. I’d like to get home sometime today. Let’s go.” Meredy cut in, giving Lyon yet another meaningful look before turning to enter the dark warehouse, a chuckling Kageyama following behind her.

“Yes Ma’am.”

He waited until Kageyama was deep in the truck, adjusting boxes so that the goods wouldn’t get damaged in transit, before speaking to Meredy in low tones.

“You know I don’t like when you’re disrespected.”

She flashed him a gentle smile, one usually reserved for him in private moments. His breath hitched and her eyes got just a little bit brighter.

“I know, babe. But we gotta keep it together. The Boss needs to keep a firm hold on his business or Mard’s gonna sweep us all out.” Her hands, soft and small, brushed his cheeks as gentle as a summer wind. “Play nice and we’ll be living the high life soon.”

Play nice. Her warning was clear. “Yeah, I got it. It’s kinda nice not having to fight Mard’s shitheads anymore. I get to do business on both turfs now that they came to a truce.”

She hummed, gathering more boxes in her arms. “Right. So, let’s get this truck gone by nightfall, hm?”

He couldn’t find the will to argue with her when she gave him that look. So, he put his head down and pushed, wishing more than anything to watch that truck drive off into the dusk and leave him alone with the one girl that could ever understand him...and a wad full of cash for his best behavior.

.

.

.

He felt he looked quite the part of insane, gazing up and down at the walls of his cell. His fingers were dusted white, as well as his palms. Of course, it wasn’t the white powder he was used to dealing with but when the guard on duty offered something occupy his time other than just singing annoying songs, he couldn’t resist adding substance to his planned insanity plea. 

The song that never ended was not a popular choice of tunes for the cops, he supposed.

Half the chalk was gone now, being replaced by repetitive games of tic-tac-toe scribbled all over the walls. He was losing to himself, 130 to 0 if his count was correct.

It was so dull here in his little corner of hell. He had half an urge to lay on the floor and draw out his chalk outline just for giggles. Or maybe imagine it as that pesky Redfox’s outline. That would be something too.

From the open spaces beyond his cell, a throat cleared, and Erigor, ever bored and curious, turned to glance behind him.

White hair fell like waves of silk from her head, her smile ever so sweet as she stood before his prison. The classic police uniform she sported was the same as the guard’s had been, but she wore it like one of those cheesy camera girl bits, her cap tilted to the side and her buttons undone near her throat.

He grinned at her, eyeing her from head to toe, focusing on the tray of food she held out.

“Angel.”

Her grin widened, her eyes fluttering. “Erigor. Good to see you, as always.” She knelt down, sliding the tray through the opening under the gate. “I brought extra. Lord knows they don’t feed anyone enough in this joint.” she mused with a cute giggle.

Erigor didn’t wait, snatching the tray and dragging it to him as he sat cross legged on the floor. A burger and fries, how nice, he thought as he started to smother the bun in mustard and ketchup from the packets provided.

“Thanks doll. Maybe you are good for something other than being the Boss’s hot piece of the week.” he barbed, biting into the burger and watching her reaction as he chewed.

Angel just smiled serenely, letting the insult slide off her back like water off feathers.

“Always such a gentleman, Erigor. I’m charmed.” She followed it up with a bat of her wrist playfully, eyes falling to his food. “Anyway, try the fries. I got em from Fred’s, unsalted of course to make sure they were as fresh as possible. You got salt there to your right.”

Erigor grinned like a cat got the cream kind of way, snatching the salt and practically dumping the whole shaker over the fries. “Thanks. I haven’t eaten all damn day!”

For once, Angel cringed, still watching him from her kneeling position. “You know, too much salt can kill you one day. Maybe you should cut back your consumption a little?”

To reply, Erigor met her eyes and dumped even more salt on his fries before shoveling them into his mouth. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

He was halfway through his burger when something made him freeze mid-chew. His mouth felt dry, his cheeks hot and puffy. With wide, horrified eyes, he stared at Angel, who was smiling gently.

“What? Don’t like tomato?” she asked, watching his now pale face in interest.

Erigor didn’t reply, instead spitting out the chewed mess and scrambling for the bottle of water, chugging noisily. Then, he dropped it and curled on his hands and knees, dry heaving and sobbing. After moments of failure, he dug his fingers into his mouth, reaching for the back of his throat.

“I told you, didn’t I? Too much salt can kill you.” Angel said, still kneeling just outside the cell, watching his every move with calculation. “Although, that wasn’t just salt but really, all I know how to do is spread my legs, right?”

Erigor wheezed, panic aiding in his failure to retch. “Why…?” he managed, losing strength in his limbs alarmingly fast. The sight of her was blurring, his head spinning like he had too much liquor.

She laughed brightly, as if he told her a joke. “He is not too pleased with you, Erigor. Plus, you might squeal to the cops and he can’t risk that, can he?”

He started to convulse, gasping and grunting as his fingers scrambled for the tray. His eyes were rolling to the back of his head, making him more like a grotesque fish out of water than a man.

“Keyes is going to make this look like a natural death and you will be laid to rest like a dog in a backyard. How is that for your so called ‘greatness’?” Angel added, her smile twisting into the cruel gleam he knew was beneath it. So that was how she got her nickname.

He choked on his answer, drool and foam oozing from his dry lips as his body finally collapsed to the floor.

“Remember my name as you pass, Erigor. Angel of Death. I'd love to stay but I have more important things to do than watch you die, you know. Ciao.”

He can’t see, so he isn’t sure if she’s actually gone, but he reached out anyway, dragging his fingers through the smears of mustard and ketchup.

He can’t feel his body anymore, so he isn’t sure if he’s making it clear enough, but he tried anyway, dragging his fingers along the concrete floor.

His eyes rolled back, his last breath like a series of knives in his throat. He stared on, hoping his effort wasn’t wasted as his pulsing ears hear the calls of others echoing all around him.

“Help! Detention Ward!”

With his final moment ticking by, Erigor stared at his ketchup and mustard stained fingers, the colorful ‘AoD’ he scrawled just beyond his vision.

With that, Erigor died, surrounded by nobody on the cold floor of Magnolia’s second district county jail.

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Halloween is upon us!! I love these two so so much and with the last few weeks I’ve been having, I needed these two to brighten my life. Thank you guys so much for reading and commenting/reblogging. It means the world that you’re enjoying Rabastian as much as I am <3

tagged: @bullet-prooflove, @delia26, @ghostofachancewithyou, @whiterose2664, @blown-transistor, @esparza-army, @mikeydodds, @southern-magnolia

7. Halloween

Rafael sighed exasperatedly as he finally made it into his office, carelessly laying his briefcase on top of his desk. The last week had been nothing short of hell on earth; SVU had picked up Eddie on suspicion of rape, and the pandora’s box that had opened thereafter had left him feeling betrayed all over again.

The fallout from it all had only begun it seemed and judging by the vast amount of press that was outside Hogan Place waiting for him, it didn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon either. Alex had somehow topped himself by claiming that Rafael and a few choice others were setting him up to keep him from winning the election. It certainly didn’t take long for a leak from wherever to tip off reporters that Rafael and Alex had a history, which of course was followed by the insinuation that the timeliness of the information SVU had dug up was some kind of payback for something that had happened over twenty years ago.

As if Alex throwing both he and Eddie under the bus in order to try to save himself wasn’t enough, Yelina had turned her back on him, too.

The best parts of his days had been Sebastian’s company every morning and every night. Had it not been for the fact that he started and ended his day in such a peaceful presence, Rafael might’ve been in much worse shape.

Taking a long sip from his coffee, he settled into his seat just as a knock sounded from the door to his office. For a moment, he thought it could be the DA and he felt the muscles on his shoulders tighten as he placed his cup on his desk and slowly sat up.

“Come in,” he called out, letting out a silent breath when Liv walked in. “I suppose there’s very little chance that you’re here to deliver good news.”

“Relax, I just came to see how you were doing,” she answered with a disarming smile.

“I’ve been better,” he replied, bobbing his shoulders as he took up his coffee again.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “He was your friend--”

“--He was a lot of other things, too,” Rafael mumbled.

Despite the fact that he’d opened up to her when Eddie was first brought in, Rafael was still weary of forming a bond closer to friends than colleagues with Olivia. Part of the reason he’d had such an incredible record at the Brooklyn DA’s office had been due to his strict boundaries with the detectives that he worked with. His intentions when he’d moved to SVU in Manhattan was to keep the same boundaries in place. Up until the week before, it had worked perfectly, but after Eddie’s arrest, Rafael had needed to unload and Olivia had been a sympathetic ear. Still, he was cautious of letting it go any further than one colleague taking consideration with another.

She looked about to say something else, but seemed to think better of it and lowered her eyes.

If he were being honest, he didn’t really want to speak anymore on what had happened and he instead tried to think about his breakfast with Sebastian earlier that morning since it had been the best thing about the day thus far.

“Actually, I’m glad you stopped by. I was hoping I might ask for a favor.”

She arched a brow. “Name it.”

“Could you look into an old case for me?” he asked carefully.

“How old are we talking?”

“25 years..?” he replied.

“You thinking it might be tied to a current case?” she asked.

“No, this would be more a personal favor,” he answered.

She seemed somewhat pleased with his answer, one corner of her mouth quirking upward as her brow knitted. “Okay. You know the case number?”

“No...but I do have a name, Delilah Everette. She was shot on her way home from work,” he replied.

“Do you know where?”

He shook his head.

“I can run her name, see what shakes loose. Was it someone you knew?”

“Not exactly,” he said. She seemed to want him to say more and he cleared his throat as his fingers gently twisted his coffee cup on top of his desk.

“Barba, seriously? What’s with the cloak and dagger?” she asked playfully.

He sighed softly, eying the open door for a moment before he went and closed it and looked back at her. “I met someone.”

She looked surprised and for a moment, he was almost offended.

“You don’t have to look so surprised,” he quipped.

“I guess I just assumed you lived at the office,” she teased. “Is this...Delilah Everette, is it a relative?”

“Yes. The police never caught the man responsible. I thought maybe you could take a look, maybe find something the original investigators missed.”

“Yeah, I could try,” she replied, nodding her head.

“Thank you.”

“Sure,” she said, sliding her hands into her front pockets as she gave him a polite smile. “You know...after last week, everything you told me about Eddie and...and Alex and Yelina...I thought maybe our relationship had developed a little. It almost felt like...”

He knitted his brows, and even though he knew what she might’ve said, he still asked, “What?”

“Like we were friends,” she said, brown eyes trained on his green. “You don’t strike me as the kind of man who makes friends often, not because he can’t make any but because he won’t let himself be vulnerable to most people. I think you made an exception for me last week because you needed someone to understand, someone to be your friend. I was happy to be that for you because you’ve always been that for me and I just want you to know that I don’t take your trust lightly. You can talk to me.”

The corner of his mouth quirked upward briefly as he nodded once. He hadn’t expected for Olivia to be so intuned with him and realized that it was likely due to the fact that whether he had realized it sooner or not, they were in fact friends. And unlike Alex Muñoz, Rafael knew in his heart that Liv would never betray his trust. He couldn’t have explained the feeling if he tried and his cynical nature nagged at him that he needed to be careful to not confide too much in the detective despite his intuitions telling him that she had his back.

“Thank you,” he said.

Olivia nodded back. “I’ll look for Delilah Everette’s casefile and let you know if I find anything.”

“I appreciate it.” She began to walk to the door and he reached out to brush his fingers over the material of her sleeve. “Liv?” She looked back at him. “Thank you...for everything. My friend.”

Olivia smiled, nodding again. “You're mine too,” she whispered before playfully adding, “Happy Halloween.”

“You too.”

By the time he got out of the office just after six o’clock, trick-or-treating was already in full swing. He’d never seen so many children out all at once despite the cold that had come in just the week before. Even just outside Hogan Place, where the surrounding structures were all government buildings, kids dressed as vampires and princesses walked along the sidewalk, likely on their way to one of the parks on either side of the courthouse.

Rafael quickly decided to take an Uber to his neighborhood instead of taking the subway as he usually did--he could only imagine what kind of circus would’ve awaited him on the subway. Aside from avoiding children in costume, the clouds in the sky gave indication of oncoming rain and there was nothing worse than a muddy, old train station on a night when kids ran freely. His suit would have most definitely not survived a train ride to Greenwich Village.

Sebastian hadn’t asked him to bring anything, but still Rafael was used to never showing up to someone’s home empty handed. He’d stopped at his apartment and changed into more comfortable clothes and rifled through his kitchen cabinets until he’d found a bag of unmade popcorn and walked down the street to Sebastian’s building. A light sprinkle of rain had already begun to fall and Rafael quickened his stride in order to beat the possible storm that was approaching.

He let out a breath as he went in through the door beside the bar entrance and climbed the narrow staircase to the lone apartment. Knocking on the door, the ADA shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he waited for an answer. It wasn’t long before the door opened, revealing Sebastian in jeans that hugged him just right and a black tshirt.

“Hi,” the pianist said, stepping aside to let the lawyer cross over the threshold. “You look amazing.”

Blue eyes looked over him appreciatively, causing Rafael to blush as a heat quickly rose on the back of his neck and he felt his nipples harden beneath his dark blue button down.

“So do you,” he replied, smirking as he leaned in and dropped a chaste kiss on the pianist’s lips.

“So I was thinking pizza,” Sebastian said. “And I thought I’d leave the movie for you to pick. Took out all my scary ones just for you.”

“Oh, how thoughtful,” Rafael replied with a smirk as Sebastian helped him out of his jacket. “I brought popcorn.”

“I like it,” Sebastian said in a chuckle. “Dessert?”

“A salty, buttery dessert,” Rafael mused with a smirk. “That’s new.” He handed the square packet over and stepped further into the apartment. “Wow,” he said, looking at all the movies stacked on the coffee table. There must’ve been at least forty of them, spanning over thirty years. “So is it safe to say you love horror movies?”

“I love movies in general,” Sebastian answered as he walked past Rafael to cross the living room and go into the kitchen. “Beer?”

“Yes, please,” the ADA answered as he picked up The Shining and flipped it over to look at the back of the cover. “This movie terrified me when I first saw it.”

“Yeah, me too. Still does,” Sebastian said as he came back into the living room and handed Rafael one of the bottles in his hands. “You know it’s actually based on a real experience Stephen King had?”

“I thought I read that somewhere,” Rafael replied, looking back at the musician and tipping his bottle so that the neck clinked with the one Sebastian held. “Misery, too, right? Real experience?”

“Not as extreme, but yeah, it actually happened to him,” the pianist answered.

Another DVD caught Rafael’s eye and he snorted as he picked it up. “Not exactly scary.”

“Please, Hocus Pocus is, like, the classic Halloween movie,” Sebastian replied with a grin. “It’s got Bette Midler, witches and a talking cat, what else could you want?”

“You sold me with Bette Midler,” Rafael said, setting down The Shining and handing the other DVD to the musician.

“What do you like on your pizza?” Sebastian asked as he loaded the DVD.

“Mushrooms and pepperoni.”

“Eik, so maybe we’ll do a pepperoni and half with mushrooms,” Sebastian replied.

“You don’t like mushrooms?” Rafael asked.

“Nah, I don’t dig on fungi,” Sebastian said. “Pepperoni is good though.”

The ADA chuckled as he sat on the couch. “Fungi?”

“That’s what it is,” Sebastian answered with a grin as he bobbed his shoulders.

“Fair, but they happen to be good for you.”

“On pizza, huh?” Sebastian replied as he took up a stack of menus on the coffee table and flipped through them.

“Touche,” Rafael mumbled with the smirk still on his face.

“I still like ya,” Sebastian teased with a wink as he pulled out his phone and called the pizza place two blocks down.

Rafael took a moment to glance around the musician’s apartment and noticed what looked to be a guitar stand sitting by the window, though there was no guitar. He found himself wondering where the guitar was when Sebastian hung up the phone and looked over at him.

“Forty minutes,” he said, putting his phone down on the coffee table. “I guess pizza is more popular on Halloween than I thought.”

“That’s alright,” Rafael replied, turning his head to gesture to the guitar stand with his chin. “Didn’t realize you play guitar too.”

“Oh yeah,” the musician answered. “I don’t know if I’d say I play guitar, but I dabble a little.”

“I’d love to hear you play sometime.”

“Maybe, sometime,” Sebastian replied. “I never asked, you play anything?”

“Me? No,” Rafael answered. “I’m more of a crosswords guy. New York Times, they usually have the best ones.”

“Must be why you’re so good with words,” Sebastian said, earning a grin from the ADA. “I’m glad you decided to come over.”

“So am I,” Rafael answered. “Though I am a little curious as to what you usually do for Halloween.”

Sebastian bobbed his shoulders. “Last couple years I went to my buddy, Casper’s place. Dressed up, watched movies, hung out.”

“I see...so why no costume this year?”

“You want me in a costume? I can take care of that right now,” Sebastian replied, smiling as he stood and looked around his living room.

He reached for a red blanket that had been carelessly tossed in a bean bag chair in the corner of the room and hung it over his shoulders. Stepping to the bookshelf beside the window that faced the street, he gently flicked through the contents of a small tin on one of the shelves until he found a safety pin and used it to secure the blanket around his neck. Turning and holding his hands out, he grinned in triumph at the ADA.

“There, I’m a superhero,” he said.

Rafael laughed as he stood and walked up to the slightly shorter hand, straightening either side of his makeshift cape, pulling either side securely around the pianist’s shoulders. “I would’ve guessed Prince Charming.”

Sebastian grinned bashfully as the light tapping on the window by the piano became a pitter-patter of thick, heavy raindrops. Faint shrieks of surprise echoed from street level, and still all Rafael could see in that moment was Sebastian.

He could smell the other man’s soap, the same hint of cedar that had ingrained itself in his memory from the first time the musician had kissed him and Rafael found himself taking a small step closer. Eyes falling to Sebastian’s lips, the ADA let his fingers loosen until they released their hold on the blanket and grazed over the pianist’s broad chest. A barely visible shudder fell over Sebastian’s frame and his hands moved to grasp Rafael’s waist as he closed the space between them. Humming as Sebastian’s pout pressed against his, Rafael curled his own arms around the other man, one hand flattening against his back while the other took a fistful of soft, dark-blonde hair.

A tingle of what felt like the most gentle electricity traveled from his lips to his groin as he tilted his head to deepen their kiss. He groaned against Sebastian’s lips when he felt the pianist’s hands slide down to his hips and carefully squeeze, pulling him even closer. The skin beneath his shirt grew hot, aching to be touched and his heart felt as though it would burst through his ribs at any moment. A movement over his shaft caused a rush of blood to the area and Rafael groaned as his tongue slid along the musician’s wantonly. He took a step back when the pianist stepped forward until the backs of his calves met the edge of the couch.

The hand in Sebastian’s hair slid down his chest, over his stomach, inching towards his belt. When his fingers reached the hem of the musician’s tshirt, Rafael slipped them under the fabric to trail over the heated skin beneath. A moan vibrated against Rafael’s lips as Sebastian’s hands grasped his hips, gathering the material of his shirt and tugging until it was untucked from his jeans. He felt the gentle pulls of his shirt being unbuttoned and the cool air that hit his lower belly with each fasten that Sebastian loosened.

Rafael slid his hand further beneath the hem of the musician’s tshirt and stroked over the shorter man’s hairy belly. Moaning as Sebastian trailed kisses over his jawline and down the length of his neck, Rafael began to push the musician’s tshirt up when a loud crackle of thunder caused the two men to jolt in place. Their eyes met as they both panted softly, chests steadily moving up and down.

Before either could say or do anything, a sharp buzz cut through the air as the lights went out, leaving them with only the lightning and street lamps outside to illuminate the apartment.

“Well shit,” he heard Sebastian mumble. Rafael couldn’t help the chortle that passed through his lips. “I think I might have at least one candle around here somewhere.”

“You need help looking for it?” Rafael asked as the musician took up his phone and turned on the flashlight on the device.

“Nah, I’m pretty sure I know where it is, I’ll just be sec,” Sebastian answered.

“Okay. Where’s your bathroom?”

“It’s that first door in the hall. You gonna be okay without--” Sebastian’s inquiry was cut short when the ADA produced his own cell phone and turned on the flash.

“I’ll be fine,” Rafael answered with a smirk before he walked to the restroom. As he closed the door to the bathroom, he let out a breath and set his phone on the vanity before going to relieve himself.

His heart still pounded mercilessly in his chest and his lips burned from he and the pianists kissing as he shook off his semi erect penis and tucked it back into his jeans. Moving to the sink after he flushed, he turned on the water and splashed some over his face, effectively cooling the heated skin, before he washed his hands and fastened the unbuttoned bottom half of his shirt.

Despite his urge to go back into the living room and bend over Sebastian’s piano, the reality was that they’d never had a conversation about sex and Rafael knew that before they went any further, that talk would have to take place. Still, he wasn’t entirely sure he was ready for that conversation just yet. It had been so long since he’d been with anyone or even felt interested in anyone beyond admiring them from a distance. The idea of getting close, of being so painfully vulnerable to someone was still something that made him nervous.

Picking up his phone, he walked out of the bathroom and found Sebastian had lit a large, four-wick candle that was now situated on the center of the coffee table.

“I just got off the phone with Joe--he owns the building--said he’s working on getting the power back on, but it could be a little while,” the musician said. “These old buildings, you know? Fused blow all the time.”

“That’s okay,” Rafael answered as he sat down beside the pianist on the couch. “It’s kinda fitting for Halloween night, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, it definitely makes it a little spookier. Doesn’t sound like the rain’s gonna let up any time soon either,” Sebastian answered, looking over at Rafael and biting his bottom lip.

Rafael could feel a stir in his belly as the musician carefully slid closer to him and draped an arm over the back of the couch. He opened his mouth and looked about to say something when a knock sounded at the door and Sebastian sighed. He stood and answered it, paying for their pizza before he came back to join Rafael on the couch again.

For a moment, the two were silent and Rafael gently cleared his throat.

“So, I think we should talk about what happened before the power went out,” he said

“Yeah, that, uh...that kiss was really…” He watched as Sebastian searched for an adequate word to complete his statement and Rafael subconsciously licked his lips.

“Yes, it was,” he said, admiring the way the candle light fell over Sebastian’s face. “I want you.”

Sebastian’s chest expanded as he inhaled deeply and let the breath out. “I want you, too.”

“But it’s been awhile since I’ve had any kind of intimacy and I think, maybe we should just wait until...you know, we’re both ready,” Rafael replied.

“That’s the thing, I don’t really uh…” The pianist chuckled nervously and swallowed. “I can’t...ever really tell…”

“What do you mean?”

“Uh, let’s see how do I put this?” Sebastian mumbled to himself as he turned his head to look at the TV as though he would find the answer there. After a moment, he turned back to Rafael. “Okay. So...I was seeing this guy a few years back. Nothing serious, but I liked him and we pretty much slept together right away, right after the second date. I thought maybe we might’ve been exclusive, but he, I guess, didn’t think the same. He just wanted to have fun, which is fine, but it’s not what I wanted, you know? Then a couple years later, I met another guy and I figured, since having sex so quick didn’t pan out the first time, I figured I’d get to know him first.”

“That seems logical,” Rafael offered.

“That’s what I thought,” the musician answered with a somber smirk. “He told me he was looking for something serious, so I took him at his word.”

“But he wasn’t?”

Sebastian sighed. “No. We were uh...we were sharing a cab, on our way back from a date and he…” He took a deep breath. “He lived closer to the place we were coming from so, I gave the cab driver his address. We’d been seeing each for a little while by then and I figured, maybe it was time we took things to the next level...I didn’t tell him that, I just told the cab driver to go to his place. Anyway, right after I give the address, he says ‘Oh, I’m not going home yet. I’m gonna hit up Splash.’ Splash is a--”

“--The gay bar, yeah, I’ve been before. A long time ago, but I know the place. Why was he going to a gay bar if he was seeing you?”

“That’s what I said,” Sebastian answered. “And he said, ‘Well, I like you and all, but I’m horny, I wanna fuck.’ Needless to say, that was the end of that...and I haven’t dated since. So after both those experiences, I never know when the right time is to take that step. If it’s too soon, I risk that the relationship is built on something physical, which eventually won’t be enough for any kind of longevity. But if I wait too long, I risk that either the guy will get bored before we get there or that the sex will be terrible, in which case we’ll both have wasted our time.” He carefully turned in his seat to better face Rafael. “And the thing is I really like you a lot. So, I wanna do this right. You know, whatever’s right for us. I just don’t know what that is.” He chuckled and rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m broken.”

“You’re not broken,” Rafael whispered as another strike of lightning illuminated the candle-lit apartment. “And I like you a lot too. I really like spending time with you, even when it’s just coffee in the morning or a nightcap and a short walk to my building. And I’ll admit that sex has entered my mind, but...I want it to be right for us too. And I think we’ll know when the time is right for us to take that step.”

Sebastian smiled. “Think so?”

“I do,” Rafael answered, smiling back as he nodded. “I have a pretty bad history with relationships, too. I fell in love with one of my closest friends when I was a kid. Alex. I thought about telling him how I felt but I never did. Looking back though, I think part of him always knew in a way… Anyway, we got older and then I started to have feelings for this girl, Yelina, that we went to school with. I finally got to courage to ask her out and she accepted. I was so crazy about her and I even convinced myself that we would get married someday, have a family. After a few months of us dating, I noticed that she was spending more time with Alex.”

“Alex...you’re first love,” Sebastian said, gently squeezing the ADA’s hand in a form of comfort.

Rafael nodded and whispered, “Yes.”

He bit his lip as the memories came flooding back, the pain so vivid that it was as if he was right back in that place in time. A sting on his nose threatened to bring the long forgotten pain to the surface and he inhaled slowly, pushing the ache down into the depths of his subconscious.

“Pretty soon she only wanted to go out if Alex was going, and a few weeks after, she dumped me and started dating Alex. They’re married now...they have kids,” he said. “But I hadn’t seen them in years up until last week and judging from what happened it doesn’t look like I’ll see them again for a very long time, so at least there’s that.”

“Wait Alex...as in Alex Muñoz, the guy was running for mayor?” Rafael nodded. “I saw him on the news the other day. Sound like a couple of idiots, those two,” Sebastian replied. “They’d have to be to not see how lucky they were to have your attention.”

Rafael smirked sadly. “I had a couple of relationships in college but by the time I got to law school, I just kinda gave up on romance. And I was so busy that I never really noticed it’s absence...until I met you.”

Grinning at the ADA, Sebastian rocked forward in his seat to drop a brief kiss on the prosecutor’s lips. “I’m glad I met you too.”

There was a buzz that sounded just before the light flickered on again and Sebastian chuckled softly. “Well...why don’t we eat some pizza and settle in for Bette Midler. Then later we can pop that popcorn, scare ourselves with a little Nicholson. Sound good? Fun Halloween?”

“I would love that,” Rafael answered as the corner of his lips curled upward.

Sebastian opened the pizza box and held a hand up. “After you, please. Plates?”

“I think we can manage,” the ADA replied, still smirking as he tore a piece of pizza from the pie and took a bite. “So, does she sing in the movie?” he asked as Sebastian turned on the TV and started the DVD.

“Does she sing in the movie,” Sebastian repeated in a chortle before playfully adding, “Come on, it’s Bette Midler.”

“You know now I fully expect a big, diva performance,” Rafael teased.

“Oh, you’ll get it. I have this song on a playlist.”

“Interesting, what do you call this playlist?” Rafael asked.

“Pretty sure it’s just called Queens,” Sebastian answered, earning a hearty laugh from the ADA.

“I like it,” Rafael replied.

Sebastian grinned. “Oh good. How’s your pizza?”

“Delicious. Yours? Fungi-free?”

It was the musician’s turn to laugh. “Yeah, it’s good,” he answered as they both settled comfortably against the couch and placed their attention on the movie.