#Benefits of Warm Diamonds

[thesimpsbasement]

Little things they do for you...[twst NRC+RSA]

(Ortho and Lilia are platonic)

•Riddle Rosehearts who always makes sure to help you however he can when it comes to academics.He knows how much you struggle so study dates are his way of showing his love for you. Don't worry about the rules,he tends to overlook them when it comes to you,in his eyes you can do no wrong.

•Ace Trappola who always gives you great advice.He may be blunt but he means well.He makes it clear that he's always there is you need it.Hr may not admit it but his chest swells with pride everytime you come to him and always rubs it in Deuce's face.He may be snarky on the outside but he MELTS on the inside.

•Deuce Spade who will do anything for you.He wants to be an honours student, but he also wants to be the best boyfriend you could ever have. You're his first partner and he treats you like royalty to the best of his abilities because in his eyes you deserve all of it and so much more.

•Trey Clover who always "accidentally" makes too many sweets and always gives them to you.You know he does it on purpose but you don't complain, after all Trey's pastries are always so delicious.

•Cater Diamond who let's you be vulnerable in front of it.He will never shame you for your pain.He can tell when your smiles are strained and fake,he knows the feeling all too well so in these situations he'd take you somewhere private so you can let out all your emotions.

•Leona Kingscholar who always makes sure to appreciate your efforts.He knows what it's like to be cast aside and all your hard work to be ignored. He never wants you to feel that kind of pain,never.Even if it's something little he makes sure to praise you,to let you know your efforts are acknowledged and that you are worthy.

•Jack Howl who likes to involve you in his activities.You're an important part of his life and he wants to spend every second of it with you.Morning runs,SpellDrive matches,club activities anything really.He doesn't mind if you aren't as physically capable as he is,just having you by his side is enough.

•Ruggie Bucchi who shares his food with you.Ruggie never shares unless there's some sort of benefit...well...seeing your smile and thr way your eyes light up as you eat the food he brought you is enough of a reward in his eyes but when he's feeling greedy he will ask for a kiss in return for his good deed.

•Azul Ashengrotto who makes sure you're not getting bullied.He gets protective of you real fast and is willing to do anything for your well being.And if you are getting bullied...oh boy he's fumming but he isn't going to show it ,as much as he wants to destroy your bullies he has other matters to attend to aka making sure his precious Angelfish is alright.Don't worry, those bullies aren't leaving unharmed,afterall he has Jade and Floyd to deal with them.

•Jade Leech who always let's you ramble about your interests.He stares lovingly at you eith heart eyes as you talk and talk about whatever your passionate about.The ways your eyes sparkle,the way you fumble on your words due to how excited you are,the way your hands move.He'd kill for moments like these.

•Floyd Leech who let's you use him as a stress ball.He finds it adorable when you squeeze his hand,always reassuring you that you can squeeze as hard as you like, that it doesn't hurt.He also likes pulling you into tight hugs,feeling you squeeze him as tightly as you can as you try to ground yourself.

•Kalim Al-Asim who loves spoiling you.There's no way out of this.Even when you tell him he doesn't have to buy anything, he simply can't. Buying gifts is his love language and he loves seeing you in the clothes he bought or enjoying the meal he payed for.

•Jamil Viper who always finds time to spend with you.No matter how busy he is with his duties he will always find ways to be with you.Usually asks you to come to Scarabia to keep him company, he insists you don't have to help him but it does warm up his heart whenever you offer it.

•Vil Schoenheit who always makes sure you take care of yourself. You might think it's for the sake of your beauty which to some extent it is true but his main reason is because he wants you to be healthy. He always makes sure you're eating the proper amount,that you are hydrated and that you get enough sleep.

•Epel Felmier who always supports your dreams.No matter how ridiculous they might sound.He always tries to be involved in your hobbies. Drawing together, working out,hell he'll even do the things he wouldn't be caught dea doing because he loves you so much.

•Rook Hunt who always makes sure you feel beautiful. He will not let you berate yourself in any way shape or form.If he hears you utter a negative thing about yourself he will just bombard you with even more praise.His praises are never done out of pity either,whatever he says he means it with his chest.

•Idia Shroud who let's you use his room as a safe space. If you're overwhelmed and just need some place quiet then he'll gladly over his room.You're the only person he doesn't get anxious around so he doesn't mind your presence one bit.You two don't even have to talk,just sitting in comfortable silence is enough for the both of you.

•Ortho Shroud who is often the little brother to you.He often admires you and if anyone dares to bad mouth you they better be prepared to get blasted. He often refers to you as his older sibling as well which confuses other but he doesn't care.

•Malleus Draconia who always invites you.If there's any celebration going on in Diasomnia he will first and foremost invite you.He also likes to drag you during club activities.He remembers how happy he was when he got the invitation to VDC so he has to repay you tenfold.

•Lilia Vanrouge who definitely adds pictures of you to his photo album. He sees you as part of his family now so there are pictures of Malleus,Silver,Sebek and you in thr album.He looks at these pictures fondly and definitely teases you when the both of you look through it.

•Silver who uses you as his own personal pillow.He feels guilty the first couple of times he accidentally fell asleep on you but over time it was something comforting.Now he can't get proper sleep of you aren't by his side.

•Sebek Zigvolt who defends you like his life depends on it.As his significant other he sees you on the same level as Malleus if not higher but he'll never admit it.He always praises anything you do and it gets to the point the students hear more about you than they hear about Malleus.

•Neige Leblanche who loves to sing to you.Especially hum lullabies to help you sleep.His voice is so soothing you can't help but fall asleep. He also loves to sing with you,no matter if you can sing or not.

•Chen'ya who tickles you a lot to hear you laugh.He chuckles as his fingers find your sides and immediately begin tickling, watching your smile as you close your eyes,laughing and telling him to stop.He can never get enough of the way your laugh sounds.Even if it's an ugly laugh,it's yours and that's all he cares about.

[violetrainbow412-blog]

Day 23: stormy night

Masterlist flufftober 🎃

Reblog if you liked it!

You were sitting comfortably on your sofa, watching who knows what on TV while listening to the shower blending with the storm raging outside.

Unfortunately for your boyfriend, the weather event had caused a power outage in his building, so he called you to see if he could spend the night with you. He needed to shower, iron his clothes in the morning, charge his phone, and review some work files, making it impossible to do those tasks in the dark.

They say that the misfortune of some is the fortune of others, for although your boyfriend had to step out of his comfort zone, you were extremely grateful that he was there. You hated storms; they always made you very nervous, and you usually couldn’t sleep when one was raging outside. That’s why you were happy.

Maybe it was a somewhat archaic idea; however, having your man at home made you feel extremely safe and protected.

You were covered with a gray diamond-patterned blanket, waiting for the hot chocolate in your kettle to finish boiling when you heard the sound of water in the bathroom stop. You knew that Spencer was probably too tired to want anything more than a quiet night, so when you headed toward the bathroom, you did so with no other intention.

You knocked twice, just as a matter of courtesy, and he opened the door. He was wearing a red robe with a black trim, and in his hands rested a brown towel that he was likely about to use to dry his hair.

As soon as he saw you, he asked if something was wrong, given your anxious expression. You still hadn’t dared to tell him about your fear of storms, so he couldn’t know.

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to see you,” you replied, moving closer to him to try to hug him.

“You’re going to get soaked,” he murmured. Still, he didn’t reject the contact.

“You’re so warm; how is that possible if you just showered?”

“The water. While cold temperatures have some extra health benefits, I always shower with hot water because it helps reduce tension in the muscles and relaxes me. It’s like… a moment to disconnect from everything.”

“I hope I’m not ruining it,” you murmured, looking up to meet his eyes.

The height difference between you was something that had always driven you crazy, especially the way he looked at you—with so much love.

“Not at all. You’re actually improving it.” You were about to say something else when a thunderclap resonated in the distance, making you jump into your boyfriend’s arms “Are you scared?”

“A little,” you replied tersely. You didn’t want to look silly in front of him, plus it was a rather childish fear. “The storms, the thunder, and all that… they startle me. That’s all.”

“Did you know it's called astraphobia? The irrational fear of thunder, lightning, and storms in general,” he began to ramble. “It’s a fairly common phobia that can cause intense anxiety or even panic when people experience a storm, particularly electrical ones.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“But you shouldn’t be afraid; storms are part of the natural cycle of the Earth and help balance the atmosphere, providing water for plants and refreshing the air. Although lightning may seem dangerous, it’s very rare for it to strike a person since it generally falls on high points like trees or buildings. As for the sound of thunder, while loud, it can’t cause physical harm, as it’s just rapidly expanding air. Being at home is one of the safest places to be, as buildings are designed to withstand storms and safely discharge lightning energy…”

“Honey,” you interrupted him. Your hands went up to his neck. “You don’t have to fix it with science. Sometimes, I just want to hear that everything will be okay.”

The man felt embarrassed for rambling on about it, but to make up for it, he leaned down to give you a soft kiss.

“Everything is fine, baby. I’ll be with you.”

Another thunderclap resonated, and even though you felt uncomfortable, being with him made it more bearable.

“What would I do without my handsome, strong, and protective man?”

“Are you talking about me? Or are you cheating on me with someone else?”

You rolled your eyes at his joke and tried to walk away, but he pulled you back to ask for a kiss. You didn’t resist, of course.

“I made hot chocolate. Do you want a cup?”

“Uh-huh. Let me get dressed, and I’ll be with you in a moment.”

You went to the kitchen to meticulously prepare a couple of cups with the drink and made sure to include marshmallows, as he liked. Additionally, you added pumpkin spice that you had specifically bought for his visits, knowing it was one of his favorite flavors of autumn.

When Spencer came out, dressed in pajamas that looked too comfortable and warm, you felt happy watching him. You had already placed his cup on the desk where he would be setting up, where several files and notebooks were already resting.

He thanked you with a kiss on the forehead and took a seat, not daring to lie on the couch next to you because he knew he wouldn’t get up again after that.

“Do you need help with anything?” you offered, even if you knew it was probably work too complex for you to do.

“No, it’s not necessary. But if you want, you can stay and keep me company while I work. I’d feel much better,” he replied.

You hummed in agreement and settled back into the armchair, beginning to sip from your cup while keeping the TV off, knowing that Spencer was bothered by noise when he was working. You felt a bit like an intruder in his workspace, but the idea of having him close calmed you.

As Spencer reviewed the printed files, you decided to watch him. His expression was one of concentration, with his brow slightly furrowed and his jaw clenched. It was evident that he was absorbed in his world of research, perhaps analyzing a recent case or reviewing the reports he had received.

You remained silent for quite some time until your curiosity grew, and you dared to ask:

“Is it a lot of work?”

“Kind of. I need to check a couple of details before sending a summary to the office,” he replied without taking his eyes off the paper. The familiarity in his voice gave you a sense of connection, even though you weren’t directly interacting.

“Difficult case?”

“A bit. There are many variables involved. I’m trying to break down the information to make it easier to understand. Sometimes work can be a puzzle,” he said, and although he seemed immersed in his task, there was a tone of passion in his voice that made you admire him even more.

That said, you decided not to interrupt him while he continued working. In his world, he could be a bit more reserved, and while you wanted to know more, you also understood that he needed his space.

As time passed, the rain continued to hit the windows, creating an enveloping atmosphere. Spencer seemed completely absorbed in his task, and at some point, he looked up at you and smiled, albeit briefly, before returning to his concentration. It was a simple gesture, but it made you feel included in his world, even though he was focused on something else.

“You know? I’m glad I came here,” Spencer suddenly said, breaking the calm. “I mean, not just because of the electricity, but sometimes work can be exhausting, and… I know, I feel overwhelmed, like I have a million things on my mind. But when I’m with you, I feel like I can set all that aside. It’s like your presence gives me a breather.”

You looked into his eyes, searching for that sincerity that had always captivated you. It was a vulnerable moment, and you felt grateful for his trust. Without saying anything, you got up and went to him to sit on his lap, letting him wrap his arm around your waist.

You both remained silent for a moment, feeling the weight of the night and each other’s closeness. But it was also evident that the day had been long for him. You noticed the tension in his body manifesting in his posture (despite having showered), as his shoulders were slumped, and his gaze, though still bright, showed signs of fatigue.

“You're not done yet?” you asked softly, running your hands through his still slightly damp hair. You had bought him a conditioner that smelled delightful and gave a silky feel.

“I did. I just need to sign off on the file to submit it at the office tomorrow.”

The vulnerability in his voice resonated with you.

“Do you want us to go to bed then?” you suggested, even though you felt there was more you could share.

Your boyfriend nodded with his eyes closed, a clear sign of exhaustion, and you promised him you’d be with him as soon as you finished tidying up in the kitchen. Spencer organized the desk, and once everything was ready, both of you headed to the bedroom. It was a cozy space, with the lights off, and the sound of the storm could be heard through the window. You got into bed, and he quickly joined you.

When he wrapped his arms around you from behind, the warmth of his body enveloped you and you felt all the tension you had built up during the storm melt away. You nestled against him, enjoying the sensation of his closeness.

“I like being here with you,” he murmured as he wrapped his arm around you. Spencer took a moment to breathe deeply, as if he were grateful for the small moment you had “I always have trouble falling asleep, but with you in my arms, it’s not so difficult"

The sincerity of your boyfriend moved you, and you felt him place a soft kiss on your shoulder, to which you responded by leaning closer to him.

You both stayed silent for a while, listening to the sound of the rain beginning to diminish. The tranquility of the night was like a blanket wrapping around you.

Finally, as the heaviness of sleep started to assail you, you felt the weight of the day fade away.

“Goodnight, Spencer,” you said in a whisper, feeling the peace his presence brought you. “Love you.”

“Love you more,” he replied.

And as his eyes closed, you realized that despite the storms raging outside, there was a place where you both felt safe and comfortable.

[arc-misadventures]

What are those: wallow decided to go to beacon academy with winter to go see how wiess is doing but instead meet with jaune

The Dragon’s Diamond

A small bullhead flew through the air towards, Beacon Academy. It was a privately owned airship that belonged to the, Schnee Dust Company, and right now it was carrying an assortment of precious cargo: The daughter of the founder of the, SDC, Willow Schnee. Her eldest child, Winter Schnee. And a locked cased filled with diamonds of various sizes, and quality. At least what they assumed were diamonds. For they had come here to see if they were in fact real diamonds.

Winter: I’m sorry mother, but I must protest; Why did you have to come along to handle this simple endeavour; you could have simply handed over your, and my diamonds to, Klein, and let him handle it. Why did you have to come along?

Willow: I needed a vacation. This seemed like a reasonable excuse why to do so. Besides, it also gives me an excuse to be around my daughters. Is there something wrong with me desiring to be with my family my dear?

Winter: …

Winter: No, no there isn’t anything wrong with that, it’s just unexpected is all.

Willow: I understand, but being away from home also keeps me away from drinking. I’ve managed to at least reduce the amount I’ve been drinking substantially, but being around your father long enough will lead me back to drowning myself in the bottle again. I cannot allow that to happen.

Winter: I… I’m sorry, I thought you chose to leave for different reasons.

Willow: Like trying fine, Valian wines?

Winter: Ahh! Yes… Yes I thought so.

Willow: Well, depending on what, and where we’re having dinner I wouldn’t mind a suitable wine to go along with it, but I have to stop drinking. Not so much for myself, but for you, your sister, and your brother. I… I want to stay a part of your lives, to see you grow old, and start families of your own in the future. It would be a shame if I am to deny myself these opportunities because I drank myself to death…

Winter: Thank you, Mother. Hearing you say that means a lot to me. But, if you want to give up drinking, why are you looking forward to having wine with your meal?

Willow: I’m slowly weaning myself off drinking. Not everyone can just go cold turkey now can they?

Winter: I would prefer it if you did.

Willow: Well, it would probably be for the best if I did, but… Oh, we’re here, let’s continue this discussion later, and find your sister.

Winter: Very well then, Mother.

As the ship landed the mother, and daughter duo grabbed their luggage, and made their way towards the academy. As they neared closer to the tower, Willow couldn’t help, but take in the sights around her.

Willow: Oh my… Beacon Academy is such a lovely place.

Winter: Yes, the warm breeze, and vibrant greenery give this place such a relaxing air to it.

Willow: I know, Weiss went to, Beacon to escape father in, Atlas. But, do you suppose this rich atmosphere contributed to it?

Winter: I believe it was more so her desire to escape, Father. But, this is a nice benefit.

Willow: I hope she is feeling happy here.

Winter: Me too.

Willow: But, where do you believe she is?

Winter: I have no idea, there should be an information desk up front we can ask.

Willow: Or, I suppose we could ask him if he knows where, Weiss is.

Winter: Who?

As they drew closer to the, Academy they saw the statue out front, and a student sitting on the base of the statue. They noticed that he was seemingly mumbling to himself as he ran his hands through his golden hair as he evaded the white horns poking out.

Winter: A faunas?

Willow: Excuse me, young man?

: Hmm, what? Oh, hello.

Willow: Hello. I was wondering if you could help us.

: With what?

Winter: We’re looking for my sister, Weiss Schnee, do you perchance know her?

: Weiss Schnee? Yeah, I know her, we’re friends after all.

Willow: Excellent, can you please lead us to her?

: Sure I can… I can…?! Hurk?!

His hand quickly came up to cover his mouth, seemingly trying to repress a gag. His luck failed him as he continued to dry heave until a he opened his mouth, and a belch of fire erupted from his mouth before he fell into a small coughing fit as small jets of flame escaping his mouth with each cough. As soon as his coughing fit ended he popped a small white marble into his mouth, before turning to address the duo.

: Jacques you cheap bastard! (Cough!) Ahem, sorry about that, upset stomach. Hehe…

The duo looked at him in stunned shock, taking a moment for themselves to collect themselves. Willow seemingly able to keep her wits about her.

Willow: A-Are you okay?

: Yeah, I’m fine.

Winter: But, you just belched fire?

: That’s a semi-common occurrence.

Willow: But…?!

Winter: Wait, Mother… Male, blue eyes, blond hair, horns, and can breath fire… You’re the, Dragon King, Jaune Arc, aren’t you?

Jaune: That’s me, well mostly. I’m not a king of any sorts, but I am a dragon faunas. Anyway, my name is, Jaune Arc, nice to meet you.

Jaune offered his hand for the pair to shake as they introduced themselves in kind.

Willow: Willow, Willow Schnee, it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Winter: Specialist Winter Schnee.

Jaune: So you’re, Weiss’s family? That explained the smells.

Winter: Smells?

Jaune: I have a highly, highly acute sense of smell. I can smell familiarity’s between people, to the point I can tell if someone is related to another.

Winter: That sounds like an impressive ability.

Jaune: It has its downsides… Like my little sister trying to use me as a bloodhound…

Willow: You said you are friends with my daughter, Mr. Arc, can you lead us to her?

Jaune: Uhhh… No, no I can’t. She went into, Vale with the rest of her team just a little while ago.

Winter: She did, why?

Jaune: I don’t know; I left to ‘throw up,’ and when I came back she, and her teammates had disappeared. My sister said that they had made an emergency trip to, Vale, and that was all there was to it. Do you want me to call her, and let her know you’re here?

Winter: No… Well, maybe we should.

Willow: Oh dear… I was hoping to surprise her with our sudden visit.

Jaune: You can still do that if you want.

Willow: We can, how?

Jaune: Weiss, and her teams room is just down the hall from my teams room. You can wait there until she arrives.

Winter: What do you think mother?

Willow: We might as well, this young man has graciously offered us his place to us while we wait for your sister to return. We won’t be in there for a few hours at most.

Winter: Very well, we graciously accept your kind offer, Mr. Arc.

Jaune: My pleasure, and please, just call me, Jaune.

Winter: Very well then, Jaune.

Jaune: Even if you rejected my offer you’d no doubt be taken to my room anyway so I could inspect those diamonds, and any other gemstones of yours. If there are any that is…

Winter: What are you talking about?

Jaune: Two things: Those are, Fortress grade safe-boxes, made by the, Gem Refinery. To which I own, I know my merchandise. Especially the safe-boxes…

Willow: Wait, you’re the owner of the, Gem Refinery?

Jaune: Yes, I am. Second I over heard, Weiss… screaming to her father on how she wanted her entire families precious jewels so they can be appraised. And, who is that appraiser, me: Jaune Arc, the Lapidary Master!

Willow: You’re the, Lapidary Master?!

Jaune: Yep!

Willow: I don’t believe you. You’re just a teenager, and you’re supposedly the worlds most renowned fine cut gem grader?

Jaune: Oh, just you wait, and see darling! Now then, lets go look at some pretty stones!

~~~

Jaune: Hmmmm…?

Jaune hummed in speculation as he examined a rather large diamond on a gold ring with a jewellers magnifier. Willow looked on in a chair besides him, while, Winter look on from his bed as, Jaune worked.

Willow: That was the engagement ring my husband gave me, he said it is one caret diamond ring.

Willow: …

Willow: It is a diamond ring… Right?

Jaune looked at, Willow, back to the ring, and then back to her. Their eyes stayed locked for a moment before he threw it into his mouth, and a hard crunching sound soon followed this action.

Willow’s face fell into her hands as she groaned in disbelief at what she had just witnessed, again.

Willow didn’t believe, Jaune when he started sorting her diamonds into two piles, one labeled real, and labeled fake. The ‘fake’ pile had grown considerably larger then the ‘real’ pile to the point she doubted he was actually genuinely grading her diamonds, and was trying to steal them. To prove his innocence, he grabbed a sizeable real diamond, and bit it. The sound it made was akin to bitting a jaw breaker: hard, and solid, as if one smacked their head against a wall.

Jaune, then grabbed one he deemed a ‘fake’ and bit into it. The sound was like someone bit into a hard candy, and wanted to chew it up, instead of sucking on it; Loud, and crunchy.

He made this a habit whenever she doubted his expertise, as a master gemologist. A habit she had come to dread because of the details that followed with it.

Luckily that was the second to last diamonf he needed to inspect, and she knew for certain that the last one wasn’t fake.

Willow: At least tell me the ring was made of gold?

Jaune spat out the piece of metal next to the pile of fakes, she grimaced as she looked at him as he regretfully smiled at her.

Jaune: Well… Pyrite, isn’t called ‘fools gold’ for nothing… hehe…

Willow: Gods dammit… My husband bought me a fake engagement ring?! How cheap of a man is he?!

Winter: More so then we could possibly believe…

Jaune: I doubt he was in this case.

Winter: What do you mean?

Jaune: Well… From what I’ve been told your father is a greedy whore. Uhh?! N-No offence.

Winter: None taken.

Willow: Please, feel free to continue badmouthing my husband at your leisure.

Jaune: Okay? Anyway, your husband is a greedy whore, from what I’ve seen. And, from what, Weiss has said about him is that he doesn’t commit to anything that doesn’t have a shiny price tag attached to it. I think he acquired these gemstones as a future investment. Liquid assets as you would put it.

Winter: That sounds like something father would do, but why would he buy fakes? My father is a greedy bastard, and will do everything to save a chip. He wouldn’t buy fake diamonds, there’s no value in that.

Jaune: Maybe he didn’t know he was buying fakes?

Winter: You believe someone swindled him?

Willow: It is a logically sound idea when you think about it.

Jaune: I’m well aware of several infamous gem pedlars. Give me a list of your sellers, and I could identify who is a legit seller, and who is not. Because there are some real ones here, so maybe he bought the fakes from one person, and the real ones from another.

Willow: I believe they were all acquired from one person, at least the vast majority were.

Jaune: And, that person’s name is?

Willow: Cartiff… Cartiff… Oh, I forget his first name.

Jaune: …

Jaune: It wouldn’t happen to be, Quintin now would it…?

Willow: Quintin… Yes, Quintin Cartiff, that was his name. How did you know?

Jaune: Quintin… Quintin Cartiff…

Willow: J-Jaune? Is everything okay…

Jaune: Quintin CARTIFF!!!

Winter immediately jumped in front of her mother pulling her mother back. Her hand stayed on her blade as she saw a truly terrifying sight. Within the space of a blink the calm, and happy boy revealed a monster of fire, and ash. His head realed upwards as he scream his name in a bloody rage. Winter got to see first hand the hidden fang he hide behind that warm, and inviting smile of his. The way his mouth shut, terrified her knowing full well he could bite down into someone in mere seconds, and could easily pierce through aura, and flesh like it was tissue paper. She marvelled at the sight of blue flames erupting from clenched fangs. The reports she had seen about the dragon faunas were fragmented, and vague, but even those brief insights paled in reality at the sight before her.

The flames, erupting from, Jaune’s teeth slowly fettered out as a finally deep exhale escaped his lips, he shook his head as if trying to shake off some sort of ill feeling upon him. He leaned back in his chair to look at the mother, daughter duo as he gave them a nervous, and embarrassed smile as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

Jaune: Ah haha… Sorry about that… I didn’t expect hearing his name to set me off like that… Hehehe… Sorry…

Willow: It seems you are well acquainted with this individual?

Jaune: As well as I would like to be. The bastard is an infamous counterfeiter, specializing in fake jewels. Particularly diamonds. I met him years ago after I just started out my… passion for collecting precious gemstones. He sold me some nice diamonds the first few times, but then he came back again, and the ‘diamonds’ he brought were all fakes. He denied it of course. Then I ate his ‘diamonds’ to prove to him that they were all fakes.

Willow: Oh, so eating fake diamonds is not a recent habit you’ve developed. I thought it was just for show.

Jaune: Well, yeah it kinda is. I mean what better way to prove if a diamond is a fake?

Winter: Do you often eat precious stones?

Jaune: No, I tend to eat, Dust more so then cubic zirconia, and the like. That’s why I was belching fire earlier, Weiss fead me some, SDC Dust that made me sick to my stomach. Jacques is such a cheap bastard…

Winter: Wait, you eat, Dust?!

Willow: And, what does my husband have to do with that?

Jaune: Okay, one box left to examine!

Jaune simply ignored the ladies questions as he took out the last box. It was a seven inch cube box covered in various locking mechanisms that, Jaune was quite intrigued on opening it himself. But, in the pursuit of time he just handed it over to, Willow who opened it herself. And, upon it’s opening, Jaune beheld a beautiful sight. The one diamond he had been hoping to see for ages.

The famous, Schnee Diamond.

The diamond was cut into an orb with a with a three diameter, roughly making it the same size as your average baseball. It shimmered, and sparkled like a star under the light of his desk lamp. He extended the talons on his hand as he picked it up, and inspected this prized jewel. Turning it over as he marvelled in its beauty.

Willow: …?

Willow: Do you like it, Mr. Arc?

Jaune: …

Willow: Do you like it, Jaune?

Jaune: …

Willow: Jaune!

Jaune: Huw? Oh yeah, It is such a marvellous diamond… I’ve been dreaming of seeing it, holding it within my hands to marvel in its splendour since I first saw photos of it, and I must say those photos do it no justice in its magnificent.

Winter: Are you sure it’s real?

Winter cheekily remarked as, Jaune was lost in the beauty of the diamond in his taloned fingers. Her smile fell as she heard the most beautiful ringing sound she had ever heard as he tapped the diamond with his talon before turning to face her.

Jaune: Hear that? Humans can’t here this sound, most faunas can’t hear it either, but I can. Most diamonds are too small to make this an audible sound for most people to hear it. But, this diamond is big enough for anyone to hear it singing. Only a real diamond can make such beautiful sounds.

Willow: It is such a beautiful sound, I had no idea such sounds can come from a diamond.

Jaune: Only a few bare such elegance… Oh I wish I could have this diamond for myself… But alas, I doubt your open to selling it. Are you…?

Willow: If I was… Hypothetically speaking, how much would it be…?!

Jaune: Three billion Lien.

The duo looked at him astonished at the thought that, that diamond was worth, Three Billion Lein. The sense of unquestionable authority as he stated this didn’t make them question the possibility that he was gaslighting them so he could get it for a fraction of the price.

Willow: Oh my… I… I did not expect that…

Jaune: Didn’t you have it graded before?

Willow: Decades ago, and back then it was nearly a billion lien. But, to imagine the price has gone up that much… it’s unbelievable…

Jaune: It would be the worlds most valuable diamond, but that title was taken away from it a few years back.

Winter: Oh really? What took it’s place?

Jaune: This…

As if appearing from thin air, Jaune held out before the duo a diamond; A diamond cut into a sphere with a diameter of five inches across. Winter’s breath was stolen away as, Willow at the beauty presented before her. She carefully took it from him, fearing the validity of the rumours that he would gut her if she touched it. But, it appeared as if he was offering it to her to hold, so she took it.

She was amazed by its hefty weight, as she saw the light sparkle across it surface. She was amazed when her father showed her the, Schnee diamond, but the splendour of this diamond put it to shame so thoroughly she couldn’t find it in herself to complain about it in the slightest.

Willow: The Translucent Apple… Oh she is absolutely gorgeous~!

Winter: You’re the owner of the world’s largest diamond…?! That makes sense because you’re such a gemstone lover… But wait, where did you pull that out from? Do you just keep it hidden on your person at all times.

Jaune: Not in the shower.

Winter: What?!

Willow: It is truly a marvellous diamond. It was an honour to hold it. Winter, do you perhaps?

Winter: Nnnno, no I wouldn’t. If our family’s diamond is worth three billion, it terrifies me to hold something worth…

Jaune: Five billion Lien.

Winter: Five billion Lien… Wait, what really?!

Jaune: I am not considered one of the richest men in the world for nothing.

Winter: Five billion… And, he just has that up his coats sleeves?!

Willow: Well, it was a pleasure, despite the sheer disappointment of it all, no fault upon you, Jaune. I thank you for grading our families diamonds, and other precious stones.

Jaune: My pleasure… If you want, I can set you up with a jeweller from my company. I can confirm whole heartedly their validity as the genuine article.

Willow: I would appreciate that very much. But, there is something I would like to ask you…

Jaune: That being?

Willow: I heard you were offered gemstones as a dowery of sorts… Does that offer still stand?

Jaune’s burning focus of ingraining the beauty of the, Schnee Diamond upon his mind had finally been broken. Not even offering up the, Translucent Apple for, Willow to marvel at had broken his singular concentration of the diamond within his talon fingers. But, that one question broke him from his stupor like a gunshot to the heart. For he knew all to well what the dowery for this proposal would be.

Jaune: A-Are you offering me this diamond for your daughters hand…?

Willow: Indeed I am.

Winter: Mother no!

Winter exclaimed in shock as she looked at her mother as if she had lost her sanity. And, worry as, Jaune eyed the diamond with a new burning intensity trapped deep within the very depths of his soul.

Jaune: This… This is a priceless family heirloom, you wouldn’t simply give it away for me to accept, Weiss’s hand in marriage would you?

Willow: The diamond would still be in the hands of a, Schnee if you married my daughter, so it wouldn’t be lost. And, I never said anything about you marrying, Weiss now did I?

Willow looked to her eldest child with a smile as, Winter’s voice failed her. She was dumbfounded that this conversation had taken such a drastic turn. Was her mother seriously offering up the family’s prized heirloom for her hand in marriage?!

It was unthinkable. That her mother would do this to her on seemingly a whim. It scared her. But, what truly terrified her was the deafening silence that followed as, Jaune looked between her, and the diamond.

At her, and the diamond.

At her, and the diamond.

At her, and the diamond.

And, then at her, and only her.

Winter gulped in fear at the sudden turn her life was about to make.

[celenawrites]

inspired by this lil rambling I did a while back

The veil on your head sticks to your forehead with perspiration and your fingers ever so slightly shake with nervousness. You stand before a large wooden door, and walking inside the room seems almost impossible for you. You consider calling a raincheck, or maybe running away from this whole arrangement - but your friend pats you comfortingly on your back and you feel somewhat grounded again.

This entire fiasco is for your own benefit, and you don't have any other alternatives.

So you suck it up and push open the wooden door, taking long strides to close the distance between you and your unknown betrothed.

The church is mostly empty save for the groom and a few key witnesses, thanks to a favor the old priest owed to the task force’s captain. The door’s loud creak gives you away, and everyone is now looking at you. Captain Price, the man who orchestrated this union, stands proud and steady as he eyes you down mechanically - possibly an old habit from his time serving in the army for so many years. The old priest stands in front of the pews with bated breath, almost impatient to get this over with. There’s a middle aged woman sitting in the front and she looks at you sharply with disdain, you’d assume she’s part of your betrothed's task force, if it wasn’t for the fact you were intimated last minute that she’s his mother.

And there’s your groom - Sergeant Kyle Garrick, dressed in an all black suit as he eyes you down with what seems to be wonder in his eyes. Apart from them, there seems to be no one else present here. 

Your friend adjusts your veil as she walks with you down the aisle. You’re sure that by now, her hand must be throbbing in pain from how hard you’ve gripped her. When it came to tying the knot, you hadn’t exactly envisioned this in your mind - but you try your best to play with the cards you’re dealt anyway. 

You almost wish you had dressed elaborately, instead of settling for a short white dress and a rental veil that makes your nape itch - but your wedding called for urgency and you had to ditch the elaborate bridal plans if you wanted to ensure your amenities are not cut off by the end of the month. 

With bated breath, you walk down the aisle as you grip onto your friend for some comfort. The walk is finished in minutes, and your friend is quick to leave you standing before your groom and the priest as they take a seat in the pews nearby. You look at Mr. Garrick, and he’s even more ethereal up close. A light scar runs across the span of his left cheek, but it only adds to his charm. His warm brown eyes twinkle like stars under the yellow fluorescent lights lighting up the room. If you had met him under any other circumstance, you’re sure you’d been smitten by now. Maybe you’d have asked him out for coffee…

Almost sensing your nerves, Kyle is quick to flash a kind smile your way and you breathe deeply as you look back at him and smile back a watery smile of your own. For his sake, you’ll suck it up and deal with it just fine - no matter what. 

Snapping out of your wishful thinking, you try to concentrate on what the priest is saying, but it is so hard to pay attention to the dronings of an old man when your handsome soon-to-be-husband stands in front of you. You notice that he taps his foot thrice at an interval of eight or so minutes, maybe as a way to deal with his nerves. After all, this is not just your wedding day. 

You both soon dot your I’s and cross your T’s as you both give out short, succinct vows and promise each other the promise of love and respect ‘till death do us apart’, which leaves an ashy taste in your mouth. This is not how this was supposed to be, but you both have no other choice in the matter. 

The rings are brought out, and you gape at how pretty the diamond looks on the thin platinum band. You wonder how much of his paycheck Kyle had to spend in order to find something this big and beautiful, and you almost feel ashamed for the ring you bought, a simple band with small gems encrusted in it - no cheaper in this economy, but still falling short of what the Sergeant had prepared for you. 

With quivering hands you slip his ring onto his finger, and he quickly returns the favor with a steady hand holding onto you, the warmth of his palm feeling awfully nice and comforting against your clammy hands. The priest finally announces, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Fearing the worst, you close your eyes shut as you’re not certain on how to approach this step. You’re no virgin, but kissing a man you barely know (and marrying said man) is something you hadn’t anticipated in your twenty-something years of your life. You feel Kyle wrap an arm around the small of your back gently as he raises the veil on your head - only to give you a chaste peck on the corner of your lips, just shy of giving you a proper kiss. Everyone present in the church let out reluctant claps, calling curtains on the show you both have put out knowing well enough that there is more to come. 

Now that the union was finally complete with witnesses and your marriage certificate soon after filed and to be submitted for review, you are looking forward to crashing on a bed and sleeping the day away after gorging out on some much needed junk food. (Especially if you wish to forget how Kyle’s mother has been eyeing you down like some filthy vermin throughout this sham of a wedding, really.)

“Welcome to the married life, Mrs. Garrick”, Kyle is quick to whisper in your ear as he ushers you out of the small church, and you’re yet to decide if you like the way he refers to you as his. 

“Can we get some takeout on the way home?” you ask him, and he smiles that brilliant smile your way, the one that makes you just a little weak in the knees. 

“Whatever you want, wife.”

[reallyromealone]

Title: ghost in the shell

Fandom: none applicable

Characters: ghost oc

Fic type: story

Pairings: ghost x male reader

Warnings: male reader, reader insert, OC insert, angst, ghost original character, no name for OC

Notes: :)

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

(Name) Remembered everything.

Did you know he died 1,485 times? He did.

Though he always stood back up and coughed out a bullet or puked out poison, it was hard to kill death after all and everytime he got to do his favourite party trick of truly striking the fear of death into someone's soul.

Or killing them.

But hey, they killed him first.

"The god of death, doing puzzles" a voice chuckled beside him and (name) turned to his spectral boyfriend who floated beside him casually "says the person who did puzzles with me when they walked this planet" (name) said simply as he put another piece in, this was their norm. (Name) Enjoyed his ' retirement ' until he got bored in 100 year or two weeks, it depended on his mood.

"You really abuse those reapers" the ghost teased and (name) snorted "they have benefits and one month vacation not to mention Excellent pay" (name) knew how hard the job of a reaper could be and he made sure his employees were compensated as such, living so long he had a pretty diamond nesting egg.

The two went about their day like this, cooking and cleaning and going about life.

(Name)s spectral loved was his everything, his reason to keep going... He loved him more than anything.

"I wonder when I'll go to the bright place..." Words that always broke (name) with guilt...

Because he was the reason he stayed.

(Name) Had the ability to keep someone bound to the mortal realm with him and he chose the love of his life, it was selfish and monsterous of him.

"One day... My moon" (name) said softly as they finished the puzzle, the sound of the television playing as the ghost watched his dramas.

Guilt always ate at him, it was cruel and unfair to bind him to this realm when he had people waiting for him...

It was late as the ghost slept on the couch, be didn't need too but it passed the time, (name) crouched before him "I'm sorry my love..." He whispered before kissing him sweetly and watching him open his eyes confused as his body glowed "babe-- what's going on?!" He asked worried and (name) smiled at him "it's time baby..."

"B-but I won't have you! I don't want to be there without you!"

"I'll be there soon enough... Just keep the bed warm for me"

"No! This isn't fair I don't want to be without you!" He sobbed as he reached to (name) as his body lifted up and their fingers connected "I love you" (name) whispered and the last thing he heard was "don't leave me alone"

But (name) was the one who was alone.

He was always alone.

Because he decided he could no longer be selfish.

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

How about Piplup, or their evolutions? They have always been a favorite of mine

[I haven’t covered any of this evolution line yet, so let’s start at the beginning!] While a piplup may be a bit of a challenge as far as water-type starter pokémon go, this is still a species that many potential owners will be able to handle.

Piplups are just the right size to be a a pet, and unlike many water-type pokémon their space needs aren’t too extreme. While piplups are skilled swimmers in the wild (Pearl), they aren’t purely aquatic creatures. While I would definitely recommend, at the very least, taking your piplup out to a public pokémon pool, a lake, or the ocean to play from time to time, you won’t need to have a private pool or tank to care for a piplup. I will point out that piplups are adapted for cold environments, found in the wild “along shores in northern countries” (Pearl); their thick downy feathers insulate them from cold air and water (Diamond). If you live somewhere warm, you will probably need to keep your piplup’s space cool to keep them comfortable.

Unfortunately, piplups are a little troublesome when it comes to friendship. Now, on this blog, we always give pokémon that are popular first partner pokémon the benefit of the doubt; since piplups fit the bill, we can assume they aren’t all too aggressive towards humans are are receptive to safety training. That being said, bonding with a piplup is quite difficult, and the pokédex provides evidence that training them is, in reality, easier said than done. Piplups are very proud, and are said to hate accepting food from anybody (Diamond). They’re even said to dislike being cared for in general, having a reputation for resisting bonding with their owner and refusing training (HeartGold/SoulSilver).

If you adopt a piplup, you need to be ready for an uphill battle to befriend them. It would be important to be understanding of your pet’s proud tendencies and adapt your care to fit their needs. For example, you could try to provide them with opportunities to “find” their own food by “hunting” in a pool or by giving them a puzzle toy with their food hidden inside. Over time, your piplup will likely warm up to you, but it will require patience.

Thankfully, piplups’ haughty personalities don’t translate into aggression. Even if they did, this species isn’t too much of a safety issue if you have the patience and dedication to train them (or hire a professional to help you). Moves like Hydro Pump and Brine might not necessarily be deadly, but they certainly run the gamut from annoying property damage to pretty major injuries depending on the context. There’s nothing here to tank this species’ score too badly, but keep it in mind.

Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet, loving pet, you’re not going to find that right away with a piplup. These pokémon are proud as a personal principle, naturally resisting feeding and training. If you are patient, and willing to invest in training in the long-run for your own safety, a piplup may be just the right pet for you. They are, to say the least, an acquired taste.

[ap41cu5]

Tantalization

Joseph Oda x F! Reader Rating: Smut Genre: One-Shot NSFW Smut Word Count: 4068 Short Synposis: Joseph and the reader are on a nice dinner date. His unwavering respect for you almost got him to resist how badly he wanted you. Almost.

For: @foamimi !! Please let me know if you would like any adjustments!

“You know, it’s.. really nice seeing you relaxed like this.” You paused to sip the rest of your wine, “you look good when you finally have your guard down, and you’re not all serious and uptight like when we’re at work.”

Your words slurred and your cheeks flushed from the alcohol, you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. Your dangly diamond earring became exposed from behind your (hair color) locks as you looked up at him through your eyelashes. 

Joseph bit the inside of his cheek. “..is that so?” He replied, twirling a bit of his pasta onto his fork.

“It is.” You replied in a low tone, crossing your legs underneath the table, “you just have such a pretty smile. And quite a nice laugh, if I may add.”

The inside of the restaurant was undoubtedly romantic, candle lit and dark. With low tunes of some classical piece softly playing in the background. He wasn’t sure if it was just the candlelight, or perhaps even his imagination, but you had a certain twinkle in your eye that he hadn’t noticed before. A sort of sly, yet charming eloquence which held his psyche in a bind.

You rested your chin on your fist, taking a long moment to observe him. Joseph seemed to take a moment to chew his pasta, looking down at his food as he felt his face heat up slightly.

“You’re drunk, (First Name),” Joseph responded, fighting the blush on his cheeks as he looked everywhere but up at you.

“Oh, come on. I’m just being honest.” You chuckled, “so.. you gonna invite me back to your place after this?” You half-jokingly teased as your hand snaked its way over to Joseph’s, your fingertips just lightly grazing his wrist.

Joseph nearly choked on a piece of shrimp.

“W-what..?” Joseph asked, coughing into his fist.

Joseph’s face was beet-red at this point as he quickly reached for his water, the ice clanking around in his cup as he gulped down the chilled liquid. 

You couldn’t help but laugh at his delightfully animated reaction. With his face all beet red as he almost choked on his food, it somehow only added to his charm. Nearby customers glanced over at him, some with looks of concern while others looks of annoyance.

But, you couldn’t blame them. This restaurant was meant to be quiet and romantic, with everyone keeping to themselves and making a clear effort not to disturb those around them. 

“Gosh, I didn’t expect you to be such a prude, Joseph,” You lightly teased him, gently pressing the front of your kitten heel into his ankle.

Joseph couldn’t fight the warm, fleeting feeling that stirred inside of him. But you were clearly drunk, and anything you said or did while you were intoxicated was indisputably inappropriate– and maybe even illegal had Joseph decided to take advantage of it. But Joseph wasn’t that kind of man. Never was, never will be. You were his best friend and a damn good detective. He couldn’t let some one-time fling get in the way of that. Especially not while you were drunk.

You immediately took note of his tense expression, taking that as your cue to stop. You retracted your leg and leaned back against the cushioned bench you sat on.

“Is everything alright over here?” A voice cut through the tension between the both of you.

Neither of you had even noticed the man approaching the table. Your head snapped over to the sound of the voice, and you very quickly realized it was just the waiter.

“Yes, yes we’re alright. Thank you,” Joseph quickly dismissed him, quickly putting on a relaxed facade.

The waiter took another glance at you, then back at him, as if he didn’t buy it at first. But gave you both a nod and left, seemingly giving you both the benefit of the doubt as he left the both of you to your own.

The moment he left, Joseph didn’t care to hide the frustrated expression that laced his features. You heard him sigh as he agitatedly took another bite of his food. You noticed he intentionally avoided your gaze, opting for staring down at the table rather than at you.

“Joseph? Are.. you okay?” You worriedly asked, your mind moving at a million miles an hour trying to figure out what you could’ve done to upset him.

“God, (First Name), just don’t– just don’t make jokes like that!” Joseph exasperatedly sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

You froze. Your intention was never to upset him. You never would have had the courage to blatantly flirt with him had you been sober, and clearly letting yourself beyond the point of just tipsy was a huge mistake.

“I’m.. I’m sorry, Joseph. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, or anything, I don’t– I don’t know, maybe I’m just drunk. I won’t do it again,” you apologized, shifting in your seat.

“It’s not that! It’s just– it’s just not funny. You just don’t say that kind of stuff to a guy when you don’t mean it,” Joseph grumbled as he rubbed his temple.

“I mean– it’s almost insulting! You’re my best friend and an excellent detective. And I don’t appreciate it when you patronize me like this.” He paused for a moment, a soft grumble escaping his pursed lips.

“But at the same time, I know you’d never say things like this if you were sober. It’s just confusing, and I don’t know how to feel.” Joseph’s feelings seemed to unravel in that moment, coming out in the form of word vomit.

You leaned closer to him, your interest piquing.

“You really think I’m not serious about you?” You inquired, your voice lowered as you gazed up at him, unconsciously batting your eyes.

Joseph scoffed, looking off to the side.

“God, don’t look at me like that. You’ve been giving me that look since we got here. You just– you really know how to push my buttons,” Joseph grumbled into his fist, the nails of his other hand digging into his thigh.

You pushed the toe cap of your shoe into the front of Joseph’s. You watched him take a deep breath in at the contact, his brows furrowing.

“Why must you toy with me like this?” Joseph whined.

You leaned in closer, your head tilted to the side as you closely examined Joseph’s features. That look in his eye, those pursed lips and those furrowed brows of purely sexual frustration. It was almost funny.

“Joseph..” you whispered, trying to finally get him to look you in the eye.

He gritted his teeth as he finally relented, his head finally turning back to face you. It took every ounce of self control in him not to just lean in and kiss you right then and there. He had never been so thankful for the sheer presence of a table before– his pants embarrassingly tight given what little it took to get him to that point.

You were just so captivating, too captivating at that. He tried so hard not to think of you as anything more than a coworker– or even a friend. But his efforts were to no avail. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t help but admire you. The way you’d laugh, or even the way you’d make him laugh, your exceptional deductive abilities, that spark in your eye whenever you came across a challenging case, the way you’d bite the tip of your pen whenever you were just plain stumped, the way you always knew the right thing to say to him as if his thoughts were written across his forehead. 

‘How could he not fall for you?’ Was a question he always seemed to ask himself, but could never find the answer to, no matter how hard he scrounged every facet and corner of his brain. 

Joseph pulled his eyes upwards from the table to finally meet your penetrating gaze. 

“(First Name)..” Joseph whispered back to you, his eyes momentarily traveling to your lips.

“Are you ready for the bill?”

The familiar voice from earlier broke through the thick atmosphere as you both immediately pulled away from each other. Startled, you quickly reached down into your purse in search of your wallet.

“Uh– yeah, yes, we are,” you stammered, rummaging through the various items scattered about your bag.

“Were the both of you planning on splitting the bill?” The waiter asked as he took Joseph’s card.

“No, I’ll be covering for the both of us,” Joseph quickly replied before you had the chance to interject.

The waiter already took his leave and was walking away by the time you finally found your wallet.

“I could’ve paid my share, Joseph,” you murmured, closing your purse.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s only proper,” sighed Joseph as he got up from his seat.

You stumbled a bit as you tried to stand up, your head still fuzzy. Joseph, being the gentleman that he is, quickly rushed to your side to help you steady yourself.

“Oh, (First Name),” Joseph sighed, “I’ll drive you home, alright? Come on, let’s go.”

Joseph grabbed your purse for you as he carefully walked you out of the restaurant, the scent of his cologne only making your knees go even weaker. The feeling of his arms wrapped around you as he took great care not to let you trip only made you fall for him even harder. 

Opening the car door and guiding you into the passenger seat, the nearby streetlight just barely illuminated the inside of the car. He quickly grabbed the seatbelt and buckled it in for you, and gently placed your purse by your feet.

“Thanks,” you meekly thanked him, your face heating up at the kind gesture.

Joseph nodded in response, shutting the car door as he made his way to the driver’s seat.

The interior was neatly kept and clean, organized. It smelled of a mixture between Joseph’s cologne and his scented car freshener. His signature leather gloves that he always wore into work were neatly splayed atop his dashboard.

Joseph quickly entered the driver’s seat, letting out a sigh as he moved his gloves from his dash to the glove compartment. Adjusting himself, his pants somehow just as tight as before, he hoped to God that by some miracle you wouldn't be able to see the obvious bulge in his pants. He quickly put his key into the ignition as he began to back out, the lights from the restaurant slowly beginning to fade into the background of your peripherals. 

While Joseph’s attention was on the road, you took your chance to admire him. He had a noticeably nice side profile, a nicely shaped nose along with a defined jawline, and the way his fingers were curled around the steering wheel. You couldn’t help but allow your eyes to travel south, to which you were met by the protruding tent in his pants.

Your eyes widened slightly. 

He was enjoying this just as much as I was, if not more, you thought to yourself as you returned your gaze back up to his face. His facial expression was surprisingly stoic despite his physical situation.

Either you were feeling surprisingly bold today, or the alcohol really did seep into your brain. You hadn’t even given it a second thought before your hand found its way to Joseph’s thigh. You immediately felt him tense up at the contact as he sharply inhaled through his nose.

“(First Name),” his voice trembled, “I’m driving.”

“And?” You murmured as your hand snaked its way into his inner thigh.

You just barely heard Joseph swear under his breath as he bit the inside of his cheek. It took every ounce of self control in him to resist the urge to stop the car and take you right then and there.

His grip around the steering wheel reached unnerving levels as he felt your hand inch closer to his crotch. Part of him wanted nothing but to give into his unearthly urges and find an empty parking lot, but the other part of him greatly valued his dignity.

“Dammit, (First Name). Just– please let me drive and we can–” he sharply inhaled at the feeling of your hand cupping his clothed erection. “Fuck..!”

He harshly pressed down on the gas pedal, causing you to lurch backwards at the sudden increase in speed. Your head shot up to look at him, his gaze never once leaving the road.

“God, (First Name),” he paused as he squirmed under your touch, “the things you do to me..” 

“Joseph– slow down a bit,” you murmured, debating whether or not to remove your hand.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to– to tempt me. More than you already have tonight.”

You heard the tires let out a loud screech as he sharply made a right turn, a passing by streetlight just barely illuminating his pale features. You took a moment to look up at him before the moment was harshly interrupted by Joseph slamming on the brakes, the both of you staggering forward as he hastily put the car into park.

You hadn’t even noticed that he parked in front of your apartment building until he quickly undid both yours and his seatbelts, quickly taking your side to help you out of the car.

You slung your purse over your shoulder as Joseph gently took your hand to pull you out of the car. Joseph took extra care to make sure you didn’t trip by making sure your arms were locked together tightly.

Fumbling with your keys for a moment, you finally got the door open. Finally going inside and kicking off your heels, which made walking there a million times harder, you waited for Joseph to follow you inside.

Turning back towards the door frame, Joseph stood idly outside.

“...Joseph? Aren’t you coming in?” You asked, holding the door open for him.

He cleared his throat, “It’s.. probably best that I don’t. Have a good rest of your night, (First Name),” he waved you off as he turned to take his leave.

“Wait..!” You quickly hurried over to grab his arm.

He stood stiffly in place, unsure of what to do.

“We were having such a good time before I– before I started making those flirty remarks. I didn’t mean to upset you, really! Let me make it up to you!” You insisted, holding his elbow with both of your hands.

He sighed, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. He seemed to think for a moment, before he finally turned back around to face you.

“I’m not.. upset, so to speak. It’s just– look, (First Name!) You’re drunk! And the type of advances you’ve been making towards me– I just– you have no idea how hard it is to control myself when it comes to you.” “Joseph, I’m only tipsy. I’d be way more incoherent if I were any more intoxicated.” You chuckled.

“I’ve known how I’ve felt about you for a long time. Probably since we’ve been working together,” you sandwiched one of his hands in between yours, “I like you, Joseph. I really, really like you– maybe even love. So please, will you stay the night with me? I can make us some tea, put on a movie, if that’s what you’re comfortable with.”

His shoulders seemed to relax. Perhaps he had overreacted. He contemplated what to say, or even what to think for a moment.

He laid his other hand against yours, “do you.. really mean that?”

“I do,” you replied, giving his hand a squeeze. “So, come on. Spend the night over.” You gently pleaded.

Joseph let out a soft sigh, laying one of his hands on your cheek. 

“Well, how can I say no to that?” He softly smiled, “I love you too, (First Name).”

His thumb caressed your cheek as you both held each other’s captivating gazes. Something in him compelled him to slowly lean towards you, his eyes traveling down to your lips. He gulped as he watched you subconsciously lick your lips as he gradually grew closer. You could feel your body shiver under his touch, and you weren’t sure if it were the cold nighttime weather, or if the alcohol was finally beginning to subside.

Closing your eyes as he inched closer, you felt his lips finally press against yours. They were soft, warm. Inviting. The kiss you shared felt like a personification of home. A home you never knew you needed until your paths finally crossed.

You could practically hear your heart beating with how rapidly it was pounding against the confines of your ribcage. His hand slid down your cheek and rested against your neck, his thumb running over your jawline.

You both pulled away for air, your eyes never leaving one another’s as he quickly pulled you in for another kiss. You felt your body grow warm as you snaked your arms around his shoulders. Both of his hands gently rested on the sides of your hips as he smoothly pulled you in closer, his warmth completely enveloping you.

You softly tapped his bottom lip with your tongue, requesting an entrance to which he happily obliged. Your tongue made its way over to his, just lightly grazing over it before he sharply pulled away.

Your heart stopped for a second. 

Joseph awkwardly cleared his throat, “I…uh,” he paused as he sheepishly licked his lips, “I’ve never.. kissed anyone. Especially not like that. So.. I don’t know if I’ll be any good at it..?” He mumbled, a slight hint of pink dusting his cheeks.

“That’s alright,” you quickly reassured, closing the distance between the both of you. “We can practice together.”

He gulped, his eyes widening in anticipation as he swiftly enveloped your lips in another tender embrace.

His lips were already slightly parted, allowing for your tongue to just barely make its way into his mouth. He was very awkward, but you didn’t mind.

“Just relax, baby,” you softly whispered against his mouth. 

You weren’t sure where the pet name came from, but you certainly weren’t complaining given the effect it had on Joseph. You felt him sharply inhale against your lips, like you flipped a switch. He instantly grew more assertive, and he naturally began to figure out how to properly kiss you in the manner you suggested. Emotions seemed to pour out of you, as if with each passing moment he was exploring each and every one of the thoughts or feelings you had for him. Each frivolous secret being carefully unlocked.

A soft moan escaped your lips as the entirety of your being seemed to melt into his touch. He softly bit your bottom lip as he slowly pulled away from the delicate exchange. His lips found their way to your cheek as he slowly trailed kisses down from the corner of your mouth down to your shoulder. Each kiss felt like gentle fireworks with the electric sensation that they set off inside of you. 

You couldn’t help but let out another soft groan as you tugged on the back of Joseph’s hair in pleasure. You could feel him press his aching erection against your waist from the confines of his slacks. He whimpered against your skin, taking extreme care not to be too rough with you.

“(First Name),” Joseph groaned as he looked back up at you with pleading eyes.

You gently pointed his chin back towards you with your thumb, harshly pushing your lips back against his as you directed the both of you backwards into your apartment. You sloppily shut the door behind you. Joseph immediately pushed you up against the back of the door, his lips immediately planting kisses on your neck as you felt him softly grind against you.

“My God, you have no idea how difficult you are to say no to, do you?” He whined as he used one hand to adjust himself in his slacks.

He’d been on edge since the beginning of that evening. It was like you were dangling yourself in front of him despite him thinking he would never be able to have you– to be with you– to have the chance to give you the entire world which you so deserved. 

Your good nature was etched into the very fibers of your being and it was the primary reason as to why he was so completely, utterly enamored by you. And seeing you in that dress, it was like seeing a goddess in the flesh. 

“You’d better get used to it,” you replied, tugging on his tie and dragging his head down to yours.

You really did always know how to push his buttons.

“Don’t count on it.”

He positioned his knee in between your thighs, lightly applying pressure as he gently rested his forehead against yours. Capturing each other in the tenderness of your gazes, his leg just barely created any friction against your heat, making you writhe. You groaned through your teeth, grinding against his thigh as your nails dug into the surface of his white button up shirt.

“J-Joseph..” you sputtered out, “let’s go to my bed.”

Joseph nodded, backing up as you grabbed his hand. The second you both got into your bedroom, he quickly shut the door behind him and drew you in for another kiss. Quickly hitting the light switch, his arms snaked their way back around your waist as he gently guided you backwards onto the bed. 

He knelt on top of you, his chest rapidly rising and falling with each breath. He gulped, his eyes slightly widened as he looked down at you. He licked the inside of his cheek as he positioned his knee back in between your thighs, applying just the slightest bit of pressure. He knew just what to do to make you squirm and crave for more.

“It’s hard to believe that this– that this is your first time,” you groaned as your back arched into his thigh.

“I’ve.. done some research,” he meekly admitted, breaking eye contact for only a moment.

 A smug smile graced your features, “that is so like you.”

Yanking on his tie, his lips slammed back into yours as your legs wrapped themselves around his torso. One his hands slowly made its way up your thigh, the skirt part of your dress riding up as his fingers lightly grazed your skin. His fingers rested on your hip while his thumb felt for your underwear, gently pulling them down. You winced under his gentle touch, wanting badly to feel him explore your body further.

A soft whimper escaped from your throat as his fingers slowly drew themselves closer to your writhing heat. You could feel how wet you were already. You don’t know how long you’d been craving for this– craving for him. Every aspect of his personality and even his physical appearance was like a breath of fresh air. You felt like you could just kiss him forever, melting into him and absorbing his warmth.

His fingers inched their way underneath your panties. The feeling of his fingers immediately being covered in your slick made him groan, his pants growing even tighter. If that was even possible.

His index finger traced along the outer area of your entrance before carefully sliding it inside of you. Your warm inner walls hugged his finger, sparking his curiosity as to how you’d feel wrapped around his cock.

You couldn’t help but moan as he curled his fingers inside of you, your back arching into his hand as he pumped his fingers in and out of you. The sinful noises escaping from your lips made his head spin, his lips slightly parted as he drank in your erotic expression.

He could feel your walls slowly begin to tighten around his fingers. In response, he quickly pulled his fingers out just before you finished, undoubtedly irritating you, and making you want more.

“Fuck, Joseph..!” You grunted, your nails digging into his back.

You allowed one of your hands to travel south, giving his clothed erection a nice squeeze as you quickly tried to undo his belt. Pulling it out through his belt buckles and tossing it onto the floor beside you, it landed with a loud “clunk!” as you immediately went for his zipper. 

Seeing you so worked up and aroused only made Joseph want you more. He immediately unzipped your dress, looking up at you as if asking if it were okay. You nodded in response, pulling the dress off of yourself.

Joseph had to take a moment to stop and admire you for a moment, his eyes traveling up and down your body. You looked so heavenly in just your bra and underwear. And.. was that a matching set? You had been waiting for this, maybe even expecting it.

The way he stared at you, it was like he didn’t know what to do with his hands. Like there was too much of you he wanted to feel at once and he wasn’t sure where to start.

Joseph took it upon himself to undo his pants himself, his erection creating a large bulge in his boxers. The feeling of his aching arousal being released from the confines of his pants sent a wave of relief over him. Pulling his boxers down, his erection pointed upwards proudly in a curve.

You couldn’t take it anymore. Your legs wrapped back around his torso as the base of his erection rubbed against your heat. The base of his cock got coated in your wetness, making his eyes roll back as he felt you tug on his hair. 

“N..need you so badly, Joseph,” you stammered, your lips slightly parted.

He whimpered, “I love you, (First Name).”

He lined himself up with your entrance, doing his best to be gentle at first. The last thing he wanted was to hurt you, and he wanted you to enjoy this just as much as he was.

At first, his size sent a wave of pain throughout your lower area as you clawed into the back of his shirt, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. He made sure to go slowly, gently pumping in and out of you to give you time to adjust. The pain blurred into pleasure as you begged him to go faster.

“You’re so, so beautiful,” Joseph said in between moans.

The noises of his hips slamming into yours combined with each other’s stifled moans was sinful and you prayed your neighbors couldn’t hear you, but that was the least of your concerns right now.

Joseph whimpered, his hands clenched into fists around your bed sheets, “I-I’m gonna– I’m gonna cum..!” 

You could hardly form words as his erection slammed into you as you felt the knot within the pits of your stomach about to finally come undone, and he pulled out just as you finished. As your wetness pooled under you, Joseph came onto your torso. The white liquid coated your breasts as well as a bit of your stomach.

He allowed his body weight to fall beside you, both of you trying to catch your breath as you laid beside one another.

“I love you, Joseph.”

“I love you, beautiful.”

Joseph got up to your bathroom, finding some paper towels as he cleaned you up and gently tucked you in. He climbed in after you shortly after, borrowing your biggest shirt and pajama pants to change into.

Falling asleep in his arms was far better than you could have ever imagined.

[possessiveandobsessive]

A Cat for Her Crow

Pairing: Lucanis x fem!Rook

Synopsis: Lucanis Dellamorte has a soft spot for two things: cats and a certain red-headed elven mage that goes by Rook

Part 3: Chasing Cats in the City of Crows

When Rook walked into the Cantori Diamond, the full weight of what she was here to do hit her like a ton of bricks. She paused in the entryway. Was she really going to walk up to Teia and ask her what would make Lucanis feel better? What she could do to make him smile? The thought made her feel mildly ill and she nearly turned around, but Rook was doing this for Lucanis. For him, she could face embarrassment. She'd faced worse for him. 

Forcing her legs to move before she could chicken out, Rook suddenly found herself standing in front of Teia, clearing her throat to get the other woman's attention. Teia looked up at her, her expression one of surprise.

"Rook! What a surprise! What are you doing here? Lucanis should be back to your base by now, is he okay?" Teia stood as she spoke and kissed Rook on both cheeks in Antivan fashion. Rook smiled at Teia. She loved her fire and strong spirit, and she hoped that after all of this craziness with the gods and blight was behind them, Rook could get to know her better. 

"I'm not looking for Lucanis, I actually came because I wanted to ask you something." Rook told Teia, trying desperately not to sound shy or nervous.

Teia quirked an eyebrow in surprised interest. "Ask away. You are an honorary Crow in my book. I'll help however I can."

Rook felt warm hearing Teia say she was an honorary Crow. She knew that the things she had done for them were no small feats, but she never expected most of them to welcome her as family after it all. Regardless of how they felt about her, she had readily answered Treviso's call each time they needed aid before, and she would again and again without hesitation. Gaining a flock in return was just a pleasing side benefit. 

Steeling her nerves and cementing her resolve, Rook met Teia's eyes and asked, "How do I help Lucanis? I want to do something for him. He's exhausted and not sleeping. And I can tell he's sad. I just... I want to help him but I don't know how. He deserves more. I figured if anyone would know, it would be you."

Teia stared at Rook in mute shock for a moment. At her gaze, Rook felt herself blush and start to stutter an excuse of some kind, but Teia just tipped her head back and laughed. Rook's mouth fell open as she watched Teia full body laugh for what felt like an eternity but was in reality probably only a few seconds. Never in her life had she felt so embarrassed. Her cheeks were on fire and she started trying to escape the situation when Teia collected herself and grabbed Rook's hand to stop her.

"Rook, I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it. You looked so terrified over your question, and then it was about doing something nice for Lucanis! You're actively hunting and planning to kill gods, with the look on your face, I thought the question was going to have to do with some insane new revelation about how screwed we are." Teia laughed again briefly before sobering and meeting Rook's wide eyes. 

"Lucanis is a difficult person to know. He was trained as a Crow from the time he could walk, and he's done nothing but work his whole life. He doesn't let people get close and he doesn't share the most important parts of himself because of his lifestyle. Lucanis has never let anyone in. Illario, Viago and I are the closest things to friends he has, and even we know very little about how that man's mind works. There's no one who could give you insight into that man... except me." Teia flashed a wicked smile at her and leaned forward to whisper something into Rook's ear. Rook's expression morphed from confused, to surprised, to a soft smile and crinkles around her eyes.

"Thank you Teia. I owe you for this." Rook told Teia smiling. 

"Just let me plan the wedding when it's time and you can consider us even!" Teia grinned at Rook, who was now spluttering again. "Go! Go and make the big bad Demon of Vyrantium smile. Pouting and moping is unbecoming for a Crow."

* * *

Catching a cat was so much harder than Rook anticipated. After Teia told Rook about Lucanis's love for cats and how petting and being around them relaxed him, she had decided she was getting the brooding man a cat. 

The strays of Treviso were not easily tricked though, and they didn't know or trust her. Most of them allowed her to pet them, but when she went to try and hold any of them, they shot out of her arms faster than she could react. Rook was getting impatient and frustrated. How long had she been out here doing this? The sun had long since set, and she'd been chasing stray cats in the dark for hours. Rook collapsed onto a box in a random alley to rest. Wiping sweat from her brow, Rook panted lightly as she tried to get her heart rate back to an acceptable level. She was exhausted and feeling defeated. How was she supposed to save the world if she couldn't even catch a cat to make the man she- 

Rook slammed on her mental breaks. It wasn't the right time or place to dissect THAT thought and the accompanying emotions. 

As she sat still trying to restart her brain, Rook heard a soft "mew" from behind her. Slowly, she turned her head over her shoulder and was shocked to see that behind the box she was sitting on, was a black cat and 6 black kittens. 

Her eyes widened as she met the mother cat's narrowed, golden-yellow eyes. She racked her brain for what to do in order to show that she was not a threat, and finally decided to very slowly put her hand out a short distance towards the cats. She didn't infringe of their space and didn't meet the mother's eyes again, just let her hand hang in the open space between them.

Her grandmother's voice echoed quietly in her mind, "Some creatures take longer to trust, and if you want to earn it, you have to go at their pace Nya. Meet them halfway. You cannot tame a predator with force, you have to show them that you're worth their loyalty." It was funny how much her grandmother's advice for approaching the mountain lion that lived near their clan applied to these stray city cats. And to Lucanis himself she added as an afterthought.

After what felt like an eternity, she felt a soft nose on her fingers. Rook sucked in a breath and tried to stay completely still, not wanting to ruin the progress. Finally Rook felt the mother's head run on her hand and wrist, and heard a soft purr leave her. Grinning in triumph Rook pet the beautiful black cat. Her smile fell when she realized however that this did not solve her cat problem. No way she was gonna steal a kitten from this mama, and she couldn't take SEVEN CATS (could she????). No, Neve and Davrin would never allow that...

Suddenly, the mother cat jumped back down to where her small nest of kittens lay and stuck her head between the box and the wall. When she pulled her head out, she held a tiny black kitten by it's scruff. This one was smaller than the rest, and it's hair stood up in pointed tufts instead of laying smooth and straight like the others' coats. It's eyes were different too. They were violet in color, unlike the rest of the litter and the mother's golden-yellow eyes. 

Rook stared in astonishment as the kitten squirmed and fought against what she assumed to be it's mother, but was not sure anymore. It was pissed off, that was for certain. The mother struggled to hold onto its scruff as she made her way back to Rook. The cat stared deeply into Rook's eyes before depositing the world's angriest ball of fluff onto her lap. She followed this with a single, meaningful meow and jumped back down to join her other spawn. 

Rook stared down and met the gaze of the angry kitten. Violet eyes were narrowed and the hair on its back stood up extra in warning. "I..... guess this works?" Rook spoke our loud, bewildered at this turn in events. She had heard that every litter had a runt, and that sometimes the runts had difficulty surviving and thriving like the others in the wild.... Rook decided to give up and stopped trying to puzzle the odd situation out. She'd quit while she was ahead, as she knew literally nothing about cats. 

Rook briefly wondered if she was holding a baby panther instead of a kitten. It certainly seemed much fiercer than the other sleeping beans in the nest. Whatever, cat is acquired. She thought before shrugging and going to put the baby, Lucanis's new baby, into her small bag she carried. Suddenly, and faster than Rook could comprehend, her hand was slashed open on two places by the tiny demon kitten. She gasped in pain and tried to get the kitten to just lay down in the bag. It was lined with a blanket and prepared for a feline occupant.

Rook ended up with 6 more scratches on her right hand and wrist as well as her gods damned NECK, before she was able to get the menace into the bag and close it (leaving an opening for air, she wasn't an idiot). Rubbing her hand down her face in exhaustion, and wincing slightly as the scratches on her hand and neck throbbed painfully, she sighed and got up. Time to go give Lucanis his present. Though, she was starting to question whether this was a gift, or a punishment.

Part 4 Coming 11/18/24!

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

[storm-angel989]

Outside The Office Part Thirty

“Hey, princess. You have to wake up now.” 

The  sound of Vox’s voice and the feeling of his hand startled me awake. I sat up quickly, the blanket falling from where my head had been tucked in. Gone was the warm, protective darkness of Valentino’s wings. Instead, the blankets were wrapped tightly- mimicking his hold on me. My head ached, and I wondered how he had managed to get me into bed without waking me up.

“Where’s Val?” I asked as I looked around the room. 

“Valentino went to go handle something, and he left me in charge of making sure you, my dear, eat dinner and don’t sleep for too long. We’re going out tonight! Drugs should be well out of your system by now, so up you go!” He said in a sing-song voice. “Com’on now!”

I groaned and flopped back down under the covers. “My head hurts.”

“Shocking,” he said sarcastically. “Here, drink this,” he untwisted the cap and handed me a bottle of sweet sixteen. “All of it, in your tummy. Then I’m checking your vitals, and then you can get up.”

I scowled at him. “I would say you act like my Dad, but that would be an insult to you.” 

“Aw, love you too princess. Now drink up.” He replied as he pressed the back of his hand to my head. “All of it.”

I took a sip. And then another. Instantly, the headache began to fade. 

 “You will actually make a great Dad one day, you know.” I said between sips. 

He rolled his eyes. “No. Vel and I don’t want kids, but I’ll make a hell of an Uncle whenever you and Val decide the time is right.”

I paused and lowered the bottle. Kids? I hadn’t thought that far ahead.  “Can that even happen? Can I get pregnant?” I asked. 

Vox shrugged and pulled his hand away. “Do you still get your period in hell?”

I felt myself flush. “I mean, yeah. On time, every month. Just like in heaven.”

“Then there you have it- yes. You and Valentino can have kids. It’s just a matter of trying, I would think.” He paused. “Not that I’m rushing or encouraging it, but you brought it up.”

I felt a shiver run down me. Valentino had to have had sex with thousands of demons in his line of work. Was Vox implying something? 

“Wait, does Valentino already have…”

Vox let out a laugh and cut me off. “Fuck no. God, that would be awful. No, princess, he would have to want them in order to have them. That’s why you two can fuck all you want and not have a single worry. Part of the perk of being the Overlord of Lust. Until he decides, really decides he wants to procreate, he won’t physically be able to.”

I took another sip of my drink as I considered his words. “I would need a big diamond on my finger before kids are even a thought. And a wedding. Do people, demons, get married in hell?”

“Sure do,” Vox said. He sat down next to me and took my wrist in his hand. “Demon weddings are a good time, might I add.” 

I squirmed ever so slightly as he took my pulse, but tried to exhale and stay calm. “Don’t you have my vitals synched from my watch to your phone?”

“Sure do. I like to check the accuracy though. Make sure the data is correct,” he replied as he clipped a pulse oximeter to my finger. “Why are you so fidgety?”

“I don’t particularly like medical stuff being done to me,” I replied honestly. “I mean, it's one thing to play around with it, or like, when Valentino and I are in bed, but it's another thing when it's serious.”

“And why is that? Did something happen when you were with the angels? Cause I don’t have any record of any major surgeries or traumatic events or things like that?” Vox asked as he leaned back, waiting for my answer. 

I shrugged. “I got held down alot when I was little. I didn’t like shots, and it didn’t take much for me to be pushed down and forced to stay still. I mean, it was for my own benefit of course, but…”

“There are better ways,” Vox finished for me. He shook his head, looking absolutely disgusted. “Fuckin angels.” 

I let his comment go. “It’s weird though, because, I mean, when my head is on Valentino’s body, I feel the opposite. Safe. Secure. And I don’t mind him taking my pulse when he’s not looking to…do something medical with the information, if that makes sense?”

“It does- and I appreciate you sharing that with me. I’ll bear it in mind.” He squeezed my shoulder gently with his other hand. “Our goal is to keep you safe, so you’ll never fully escape getting checked over, but at least we’ll make sure you consent. Can you agree to that?”

I nodded. 

“And on your other note, I think listening to the heartbeat of someone you love is much, much different than being held down and medicine painfully forced into your body.” He released my wrist and reached into his bag.  “But speaking of heartbeats, I do need to listen to yours. You good with that?” Vox asked as he pulled a stethoscope out of his backpack.

I nodded and sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Thanks for asking. I am. I trust you. You didn’t tattle on me.”

“No, you tattled on yourself. And I’m glad you did. Stop talking for a second, let me listen.” Vox said as he pressed the disk to my chest. “Good, now deep breath in. And out. 

I stayed still and tried to relax. His touch was light. Gentle. Finally, he pulled back and draped the scope around his neck. 

“Heart sounds good. Lungs do too. Let me check your blood pressure and you’ll be all good. You need to keep drinking.” His voice softened ever so slightly. “Which arm did Val put the IV in? I’ll use the other arm.” 

I offered him the opposite arm and he wrapped the cuff around. I felt the nerves begin to settle. 

“So, why do you know how to take vitals? I mean, I sort of get Valentino but, why you?” I asked. 

He paused and looked at me. “Data accuracy. If something I create reads a number, I want to make sure it's right. And I don’t trust anyone other than myself, so I learned basic skills. Vitals I mean. I technically could take blood or put an IV in but if given the choice between a nurse or me, pick the nurse. For your own benefit. Now shush for like one minute.”

I waited patiently until he deflated the cuff. He seemed satisfied and tucked everything back into his bag. I took the last drink from the bottle of sweet sixteen and set the empty bottle on the nightstand. Silence from Vox as he typed furiously on his phone. 

“Am I okay?” I asked after a few moments of quiet.

He looked unconcerned. “Mhm, yep. You’re fine. Vel’s going to be late, which means it's you and me, kid.” He stood up and swung his bag over his shoulder. “Look, why don’t you go shower and get yourself comfortable for the night? I’ll get to work on dinner. Vel will join us eventually, but I think eating here before we go out will be a nice change of pace. And fits with what you’re trying to do a bit better. Agreed?”

He saw me hesitate. 

“Oh no. You don’t get to tell me you’re not a fan of my cooking after all this. Come on, you can help.” He took me by the hand and pulled me to my feet. “Go shower, get yourself comfortable and meet me in the kitchen in twenty minutes. I’ll get the prepwork all done.” 

I watched as he strolled out of the room and closed the door behind him. Vox really did mean what he said- eating at home, supporting my choices. I took a quick shower and wrapped myself in my comfiest pajamas  before walking into the kitchen to join him.  

“You’re brave, cooking with Vox isn’t my idea of a good time.” Velvette said as I walked into the living room. “And come see me once he gets everything in the oven. I’ll do your hair while we wait.” 

“Hey! Come on over kid!” Vox said cheerfully as I stepped into the kitchen.

I popped myself up into the usual place on the counter. “Whatcha making?”

“Something yummy. Here, try this.” He stirred something in a pot and offered me the spoon. 

Again I hesitated but let him put the spoon in my mouth. Warmness, an spicy and sweet. It was delicious. 

“Damn, Vox- what is that?” I asked.

He beamed. “You like? It’s the sauce for the pasta. We’re having one of my personal favorites for dinner tonight, along with chicken and spinach meatballs and a big tossed salad. A few carbs, good protein, all the things your body is going to need to get back on track.” He stuck the spoon back in the pot and stirred.

“What can I do to help?” I asked as he moved fluidly around the kitchen. 

“You can sit there and talk to me. Information, kid. I want to know more about what they fed you, I want to know about how your day to day routine went. And I really want to know if you’ve ever heard the name Alastor.” His voice caught on the name. “And any information you have on him.”

I tried to think back. Vox had mentioned his name before and at the time, it hadn’t meant much to me. I was more wrapped up in the moment to pay much attention to the cause of his rage baking. But now that he mentioned it, the name was familiar. 

“Alastor. I know the name, I just don’t remember why.” I said finally. 

“So walk me through your day, maybe it will trigger something,” he answered eagerly. “Start with waking up. What did you day look like?”

My day? Depended on the age.

As soon as I was old enough to talk, my day started at four. Memories of my father in the kitchen, making sure I ate what he cooked. Days spent either in his office, or in the arms of one of his many “brothers”- my Uncles. If I wasn’t being taught a skill or concept, I was by their side.  I was on base constantly, a shadow to the soldiers. I learned how to eat, speak, breath, control, be controlled, clean, and act like one by process of diffusion. I knew nothing else. 

It wasn’t until I was old enough to dress myself that things began to change. Dad became stricter, and my focus shifted from tagging along to participating. Memories of one of my most favorite “Uncles” running alongside me, slowing his pace to mine. My father yelling at me to speed up. Training drills with my wings out, falling to the ground after a hard hit. Whining wasn’t tolerated. I learned how to take the beating and get back up as if nothing happened. 

That wasn’t to say I wasn’t taken care of in a sense. Nor was it all bad. My father wasn’t always completely harsh. But when we were on base, which was most of the time, his job was to train and lead. And that was his focus. Making strong soldiers. 

Vox was quiet as I talked him through the details.

“Did he ever offer you comfort? Was he ever kind?” He asked after a few moments of silence.

I shrugged. “I mean, sure. When I was little I would climb into his bed and cry out nightmares. Or he would put bandaids on boo boos. But it wasn’t exactly his strong point- some of the others had daughters and he was more than happy to let them handle the softer points.” 

Vox shook his head in disgust as he put a pan into the oven. “Kids deserve love. No wonder you have such a…”

“Fucked up idea of things? And Dad loved me, Vox. It was just a different kind of love.” 

“I don’t know if I would call that love, kid,” he answered. 

“Vox has a point, mi amore.” Valentino’s voice entered the room.

I turned my head and looked as Valentino walked into the kitchen. He kissed the top of my head. “Sorry I couldn’t be there when you woke up love.” 

I shrugged. “No big deal.”

“Can we get back to the whole kid who grew up without love thing, because that’s fucked up,” Velvette said as she joined us. She pulled herself up next to me.

I frowned. This conversation was quickly becoming incredibly uncomfortable. “It was love,” I protested. “Just a different kind of love.”

“Mmm, no, it wasn’t. But you’ll learn the difference, one way or another, eventually,” Valentino replied. 

He seemed to sense my unease because he immediately turned to Vox and changed the subject.

“What are you making, anyway? It smells good.” He gave Velvette a meaningful look and she jumped down from the counter.

“Hey, reader, let’s get you dressed for the night, its going to be a blast! Come on, I have the perfect outfit in mind!”

Grateful for the escape, I followed her down to her room.

[creative-heart]

"In the embrace of dawn"|| Enzo Vogrincic x fem! Reader

A/N: Hi my lovelies! So this is a second part to "In the heat of the night" which you can read Here inspired from a message by my lovely @cyliarys-starlight who said I could not end it that way, so here we go.

TW: Brief description of domestic violence, mention of alcohol consumption, a bit of sex talk.

Please if you or someone you know is victim of domestic violence, reach out to the authorities.

Word Count: 2.3 k

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Enzo woke up slightly when he felt the body heat lacking from him and stretched trying to get his senses back awake as he looked around the hotel room, thinking maybe she was in the bathroom, or even had stepped out to get something to eat; so he frowned in confusion when he saw the note laying  on the bedside table as he read through it a couple times; still trying to make sense of it “This was good, far too good for our own benefit, but it was just in the heat of the night, you’re better off without me, believe me, I know it. Take care, have a great life, xoxo Y/N (your blue diamond)”- what could she have meant with him being better off without her, Enzo couldn’t wrap his head around it, of course, they had known eachother for just a hot minute, he couldn’t say he was in love, and he knew Y/N was guarded and hiding something  he couldn’t quite pinpoint, but he did know something, and that was that for once, when the tall guy was with her, he felt normal again, he felt warm, he felt like someone cared about Enzo, not actor Enzo.

He tossed and turned for a while on the bed before grabbing his phone to check the time, 6 am; he checked his schedule, he had just a few scenes to shoot today, he would go over to talk to Y/N right after, he didn’t care, he didn’t agree with the brunette on what she had said on her stupid note. He could take whatever she had to throw his way. He got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom reluctantly, not really wanting to wash away the night before, or her intoxicating scent from him, but knowing he needed to get ready for work. Once he was ready he made his way downstairs and to the cafe across the street to get some fuel in him before heading to the studio. The memories and images of last night still replaying on his brain in a merciless loop, the way Y/N’s lips tasted; how soft her warm skin felt underneath his; the way her breath hitched in the back of her throat when he kissed that specific spot on her neck or her inner thigh; he swore he could listen to the small woman breath out his name a million times and would never get tired of it.

Sure enough, three stupid scenes took up most of his day, his head already at the Velvet Lounge, or at the bar they had gone afterwards, even worse, his mind kept going back to his hotel room and he couldn’t think straight, he could still taste Y/N on his tongue, and he was more determined than ever. When Enzo could finally get rid of work, he made his way to the club, making sure to stop by a flower shop on the way, he had seen the tattoo of what seemed a Jasmin flower on Y/N’s lower back at some point and he got a small bouquet. He got off the Uber a block or so away and made his way to the alley, his hands shaking softly and his breath a little heavier than he would have thought it would be, he fixed his hair and clothes before knocking on the side door. He really thought he hadn’t done anything wrong  to make her leave and that she  wouldn’t have spoke to her friends about him in a bad way; his mind was spiraling so he was a little surprised when a slightly older redhead woman opened the door. “Yes? How can I help you handsome?” Cady eyed the man standing in front of her up and down, and it slowly dawned on her, this was the guy she had seen Y/N talking to a few times.

“Is urm…Y/N…Blue Diamond in? I need to talk to her, would you please tell her Enzo is here?” he smiled softly, bouquet in hand. Cady gave him another full look before humming softly and disappearing back into the building. “Y/N Honey!” she called out “There’s quite a hunk of a young man standing outside the door saying he wants to talk to you…Enzo he said his name was”. Y/N’s head snapped up from her journal so fast she got dizzy, the color completely drained from her face “oh…not welcomed? I can go back out and tell him to get lost” Cady pointed back over her shoulder, always protective of the younger woman.

Y/N sighed getting up and shook her head “no, thanks mama, not necessary, he’s not bad, on the contrary, he’s too good” she took a quick look at herself in the mirror, her gray sweats and oversized hoody covering her body-she had asked for the day off today, alleging she didn’t feel all that good-, she pulled her arms around her and walked out to meet him taking a deep breath before opening the door. Y/N was determined to just usher him away as soon as she opened the door; but the sight of the tall, handsome, caring guy standing outside clearly nervous as hell, with a bouquet of jasmins in hand and a worried expression on his face made her halt to a stop. “Enzo….didn’t expect to see you here, not after I left at 4 am and left that note” she looked down at her own feet when he looked her way. Enzo cleared his throat and moved a bit closer making her look up at him again.

“First, these are for you” he said handing the bouquet over “I saw a jasmin tattoo on your back and I thought I might be on the right track” he rambled on as she took the flowers -a small tight smile as a reply- “I must admit, I was a bit surprised when I woke up to that note, please, please tell me it’s not something I did…I couldn’t forgive myself if I wronged you in any way” he kept looking at her, big puppy eyes, concern plastered on his look as he fidgeted with the ring on his finger “I just…I wanted to come over and tell you, I don’t know what you’re holding back, I have no idea what you’ve been through, and I know we’ve only known each other for a bit, I’m not pretending like I know all about you, nor demanding to… I would never force you to share something you’re not comfortable with..” Y/N looked up at him, her eyes sparkly, small smile pulling at the edges of her lips as he rambled on, he was quite endearing and adorable-added to how hot he is and how good he fucked me last night, I could get used to the rambling- she thought but let him continue “I just want you to know, that you’re more than enough, and there’s no way something like what we shared last night, isn’t the best thing ever….I would love to, if you let me, get to know every nook and crany of you, inside and out, know your brain, know your heart, and take the time to mend it back together, protect you from whatever…whomever you might be escaping and protecting yourself from”. As he said that she pulled him in by his coat standing on her tiptoes she kissed him softly, a new sensation running in that kiss, it wasn’t the need and want that it had the night before, it was calm, it was safe. 

Enzo was a bit surprised to be cut short from his well rehearsed speech by Y/N, not like he would complain about feeling her lips on his; hands naturally and easily falling to her waist pulling her in gently to him, needing to shield her from the outside world in every possible way. When they felt like they needed to breath before they passed out, they broke the kiss and Enzo rested his forehead against hers. “You are adorable, persistent, but adorable” she whispered. “You’re also right, there’s a lot about me you don’t know, a lot that I don’t know if and when I will be ready to let out…but as much as I wanted to pretend that I was okay leaving you behind, it tugged at every fiber of my being, this somehow in some crazy way, feels natural, feels good, and I like it”. A slow grin spread across the taller’s face as he placed another kiss on her lips.

“This might be a lot to ask for, and please don’t think it is because I don’t like you being here, but I would love to spend every second with you… getting to know you, would you please come stay with me?” she bit her lip and looked down shortly thinking about what he was asking of her, she closed her eyes and in the first act of trust she had shown in god knows how long, she nodded. “Please give me a few minutes go grab a bag of my things?” she looked up at him, she still felt terrified, and out of sorts in ways, but something about his presence, his warmth, made the weight on her shoulders get easier to bear; Enzo placed a chaste kiss on her lips and nodded. As Y/N walked into the building, she found Cady, Astrid, Michelle and even Andrew piled up on the other side eavesdropping and looked at them with a quizzical look. “Excuse you?” she said.

Astrid smiled and with her thick russian accent said “Whoever your prince in shining armor is, can’t he take me with him as well?” Y/N laughed and nudged her playfully going to pack a small bag. “You know that  whenever you want to, you have a place and a job here sweetie” Andrew said and she looked back at them “it’s not like I’m leaving for good, I’ll just go for a few days and be back, I still need to work” she said her goodbyes and walked back out the door where Enzo awaited, he wrapped his arm around her waist protectively and walked back to the hotel.

~~~

A month or so had gone by, and the familiarity between them made Y/N feel safer than ever, like she could tackle whatever came her way, she also knew that filming was almost over for him, and soon he would leave the city. As she got some snacks for them, while Enzo waited on the couch she took a deep breath, she finally thought she could tell him her story. Deep in thought she made her way to the couch sitting down. Enzo looked up from his phone “what’s troubling you babe?” he said in that soft mellowy voice of concern that Y/N had gotten to know quite well in this time together; she nodded softly sitting down.

“Remember how you told me you would never force me to share my story?” she said barely above a whisper, Enzo put his phone down giving Y/N his undivided attention now- everything else could wait, the world could wait- and nodded; “well….I think that….if this is to be anything more than a passing fling to end when you leave New York in 2 more weeks…you deserve to know” he frowned at all the beating around the bush, but he let her, whatever she was getting ready to say had to be really important and he laid his hand on her knee in a protective way to encourage her. The petite woman took a deep breath and fixed her eyes on a loose string on her cardigan and started talking. “When we first met, I had just started working at the Velvet Lounge….I got there, because I got to New York with nowhere to go, anyone to turn to, I am….I’m originally from a small town in the state of Missouri, called Rocheport, and… I had just left, nothing on my back but the clothes I was wearing and a backpack, I urm…I’m married…my husband…his name is Luke, and one night, he…he got drunk, as he usually did but that night he got mad, and he…he…” she bit her lower lip, feeling some tears running down her face she quickly wiped at before going on “he laid a hand on me, so as soon as he passed out from the booze, I left, enough money for the bus ticket out of there on the first bus I found and I ended up here, so I… I just felt like I couldn’t trust…anyone really” she tentatively looked up from her lap to find an Enzo she had never seen before, jaw tight with tension, dark eyes, but not the dark she was used to see when they had sex, no, this was different, he hadn’t realized his hands were in fists. “please don’t look at me differently”she whispered.

He looked at her his gaze softening when he heard her say that “oh baby, I could never” he whispered bringing her close to his chest. “I just wish I could have protected you from that son of a bitch, I want to protect you every day of my life, as long as we’re together, nothing’s ever gonna harm you again, and that bastard better pray I don’t ever cross paths with him because I will not care, I will kill him; I swear I will kill him.” Y/N held onto him face buried in his chest feeling it raise and fall rapidly from his breath “Thank you for letting me into your world” he whispered in her ear “I’ll make it my life’s work to make yours better if you let me” she looked up at him, eyes glossy with tears and he leaned down cupping her cheeks as he kissed her deeply, in a way that let her know that no harm could ever get to her ever again, not as long as he was beside her, not as long as they were together.

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@cyliarys-starlight @madame-fear @luceracastro @candycanes19 @lastflowrr @koiibiito @espinasrubi @castawaycherry

[jelixpo]

To those of you who may have found my twitter when it was still active (rip) you might remember a rant that I went on about Garnet's choices in the show and how much I disliked her character. While I have since warmed up to her a lot more, I still find myself frustrated the most by her actions during Steven's upbringing. I disliked how much information she withheld from Steven growing up and I often found her reasonings for doing so trite (excluding the incident with Blue Diamond). I can appreciate that she is as secretive as she is for the benefit of the team and that, below the surface, I don't believe she is as put-together as she tries to present herself to be. Her lack of emotional outbursts, while it makes sense for her character, act as a detriment for me because she tends to come across as uncaring towards Steven and the gem's concerns.

Episodes like The Message (S1Ep50) and Pool Hopping (S5Ep15) definitely help with sympathizing for Garnet and the heavy weight she carries in order to keep the Crystal Gems calm during times of crisis, but her overall demeanour is still off-putting for me at times. I nonetheless find her character in the show invaluable.

(flashing colours in the video below)

[Image Description: A drawing of the character Garnet from the show Steven Universe. She is holding a bubble with a gem inside in her left hand while looking back over her shoulder with a blank expression. The background is blurry and shows other bubbled gems in the background of a dimly lit room. Warm, magenta light is coming up from the floor.]

[shiorihyugawrites]

Diamond Of The First Water

In the aftermath of war, Paradis finds itself in need of powerful alliances. When Emperor Armand of Valoria offers his military aid in exchange for the hand of his daughter, Princess Solina, in marriage, Captain Levi Ackerman is thrust into an engagement that begins as a political strategy but soon becomes something much deeper.

Princess Solina, sheltered from the world and unaware of the realities of love and war, finds herself drawn to Levi—the man known as Humanity’s Strongest Soldier. As they navigate royal customs, public expectations, and the growing threat of Marley, the bond between them deepens into a genuine connection.

But neither Solina nor Levi are prepared for the challenges of a political marriage, the weight of intimacy, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface. As Solina enters a new life with Levi, her naivety is tested, and Levi faces a battle unlike any he’s fought before—the fight to protect his heart.

Can their love flourish in the midst of war, duty, and danger? Or will the forces conspiring against them tear them apart before they can find peace? (Levi x OC)

Chapter Twelve

The grand halls of the Imperial Palace buzzed with activity as servants, decorators, and attendants hurried back and forth, preparing for the engagement ball. Everywhere one looked, there was the glint of crystal chandeliers being polished to a high shine, and the scent of freshly cut flowers filled the air. The grand ballroom was already taking shape with elegant drapes of red and gold being hung, tables dressed with fine linens, and arrangements of roses placed at every corner. It was clear that no expense was being spared—this was, after all, the engagement of Princess Solina, the Diamond of Valoria.

Lady Solana swept into the ballroom with a grace that spoke of years spent in the royal court, her fire-red hair pulled back elegantly. She had a clipboard in one hand and a list of instructions in the other, her green eyes keenly observing the preparations around her. As she spoke with the head planner, giving precise instructions about the placement of the floral centerpieces and the arrangement of the musicians' stage, her tone was firm but kind. She was determined that every detail would be perfect, down to the last rose petal. This was not just any ball—this was the engagement celebration of her eldest daughter, and it would set the standard for when Soleil and Solenne would be presented for marriage.

“I want the arrangements at the entrance to be grander,” she instructed one of the florists. “The guests' first impression must be one of absolute awe. And make sure the roses are the deepest shade of red—you know how much Solina loves that color.” Her voice softened slightly at the mention of her daughter, a warm smile tugging at her lips.

As she moved on to inspect the progress in other areas, her path was blocked by a familiar figure—a tall, stately woman with sharp blue eyes and a haughty expression. Lady Darcy, the Lily Consort, stood before her with a knowing smile, her golden hair shining in the afternoon light. She wore a gown of pale green, the fabric shimmering as she moved, and there was a glint of mischief in her eyes that Solana recognized all too well.

“Well, well, Solana,” Darcy began, her tone dripping with feigned courtesy. “You seem to be quite the busy bee today. I suppose it’s understandable, considering how important this engagement is for your other daughters’ prospects. After all, Solina is marrying a soldier from a foreign land. A bit unorthodox, wouldn’t you say?”

Lady Solana’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a subtle edge to her voice when she responded. “Princess Solina is making a valuable alliance with Paradis. It is an honor to marry someone like Captain Levi, given his reputation and his people’s strength. It will certainly bring great benefits to Valoria.”

Darcy tilted her head slightly, a smug look crossing her face. “Oh, I’m sure it will,” she said lightly. “But one can’t help but wonder if this arrangement is truly in the best interest of Solina. A military man—an outsider, no less—hardly seems fitting for the Diamond of the First Water.” Her gaze flickered around the room as if inspecting the preparations for flaws. “I do hope that your efforts here today can compensate for… other deficiencies.”

Solana’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though her tone remained composed. “Solina’s beauty and grace are undeniable,” she replied. “And this ball will reflect that. The Emperor and I have ensured that everything is of the highest standard, as is expected for the Diamond’s engagement.”

Darcy’s smile widened, as if pleased by the subtle challenge in Solana’s words. “Of course,” she said. “One can always expect you to go to great lengths to make sure your children shine. After all, they are the Rose House’s pride. I can only hope that Soleil and Solenne are prepared to meet the standards that Solina is setting.” She leaned in closer, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. “But I suppose it’s easier for you, isn’t it, Solana? Having a daughter like Solina—such a perfect little jewel.”

Lady Solana’s expression remained calm, though there was a slight tightening at the corners of her mouth. “I don’t need to remind you, Darcy, that all of the Emperor’s children have their own strengths,” she said smoothly. “Solina’s engagement is important, yes, but Soleil and Solenne will find their own paths when the time comes. Just as your daughter Dimaria will.”

Darcy’s smile faltered ever so slightly at the mention of her own daughter, though she quickly recovered, lifting her chin with a proud tilt. “Dimaria is more than ready,” she replied, her tone icy. “She has already received several offers from prominent houses. When the time comes, she will make an advantageous match.”

“I’m sure she will,” Solana said, her voice steady. “But for now, let us focus on celebrating Solina’s engagement. This is, after all, a momentous occasion for our family—and for Valoria.”

There was a beat of tense silence, the unspoken rivalry between the two consorts hanging in the air like a heavy mist. Solana had never gotten along with Lady Darcy, not since the early days when they were first brought into the palace as young women. Their enmity had only deepened over the years, especially after Solana had given the Emperor his first son and heir, Solomon. Darcy had borne the Emperor’s second son, James, only a month later, and ever since then, the competition between the two had been fierce.

Darcy’s eyes flickered over the floral arrangements one more time before she turned to leave. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer, Solana,” she said, her voice turning saccharine sweet. “It seems you have everything under control. I only hope that Captain Levi appreciates the lengths you’ve gone to in order to impress him.”

Solana watched Darcy walk away, the other consort’s gown trailing behind her like a serpent’s tail. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before turning back to the head planner. “Make sure the lilies are moved away from the main entrance,” she instructed sharply. “They don’t fit with the color scheme.”

As she continued to give orders, she couldn’t help but think about Darcy’s words. There was a truth in them, one that Solana didn’t like to admit. This engagement was a risk. While Solina was committed to making it work, and Captain Levi had shown himself to be a man of honor, the path ahead was uncertain. But Solana was determined to make sure that her daughter’s wedding would be nothing short of perfect. If there was any way she could smooth Solina’s path, she would do it. And she would not allow anyone, not even Darcy, to cast a shadow over this occasion.

Solana’s thoughts shifted back to her daughters—Soleil and Solenne, both young and still learning the ways of the court. Solina’s engagement would indeed set the standard for their own future matches, and she knew that many eyes would be watching. But Solina was strong, and Solana had faith in her daughter’s ability to carry herself with grace, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

And with that resolve firm in her heart, she continued her preparations, ensuring that each detail of the engagement ball was as flawless as her daughter deserved.

…

Levi stood with the scouts and Valorian officials in the grand meeting hall, where the morning’s discussions had been focused on logistics for the mining of the ice burst stone. The Emperor, seated at the head of the long table, had spoken at length about the arrangements for the mining crews, the territories to be mapped out, and the shipments that would be sent back to Valoria. The scouts listened carefully, taking in the information and weighing it against their own plans for ensuring Paradis’s safety. While the Emperor was forthcoming in some areas, Levi noticed there was still a careful vagueness in the details regarding the Valorian Empire's ultimate intentions for the stone’s use.

As the meeting drew to a close, the Emperor gave a satisfied nod and dismissed the group. The scouts exchanged brief glances, their expressions indicating a shared sense of unease about the discussions, but there was no room for confrontation at this stage. They needed this alliance, and for now, it was better to play along.

Levi turned to leave with Hange, Armin, and Jean, when the Emperor’s voice called out to him from behind.

"Captain Levi, a moment of your time," Emperor Armand said, his tone calm and steady.

Levi stopped in his tracks and turned back, catching Hange’s curious glance as she paused beside him. “I’ll be right out,” he murmured to her, before following the Emperor down a side corridor. The two of them walked in silence for a few moments, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. They arrived at a small, private chamber that seemed reserved for confidential discussions. As they entered, a servant who had been waiting quietly inside bowed and departed swiftly, closing the door behind him.

The Emperor reached into his coat and withdrew a small velvet box, turning to face Levi. “With the engagement ball only two days away,” he began, his voice thoughtful, “there is something very important that you must have before then.”

Levi’s eyes flickered with curiosity as the Emperor opened the box, revealing a breathtaking piece of jewelry—a massive pear-cut emerald set in a gold band. The gem was a deep, vibrant green, catching the light in a way that made it almost glow. The gold band was intricately engraved with delicate patterns, symbolizing the unity between the House of Rose and the royal family. The ring was not just an adornment; it was a piece of Valorian history, something that signified the weight and significance of Solina's status, as well as the expectations that came with marrying into royalty.

“This is Solina’s engagement ring,” the Emperor said, his gaze shifting to Levi's face. “It has been worn by several generations of brides in the Rose House, passed down as a symbol of loyalty and strength. The emerald represents our family’s values—prosperity, resilience, and a connection to the earth. The gold band, as you may know, signifies eternity. It is our tradition, and I trust you will understand the significance of presenting this to Solina at the engagement ball.”

Levi’s hand hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take the box. He held it with a curious sense of weight—he had never worn jewelry himself, and the idea of presenting something so ornate and symbolic felt foreign to him. 

There was a softness in the Emperor’s gaze now, a trace of paternal warmth that hadn’t been there during the earlier meeting. As Levi’s hand tightened slightly around the velvet box, he waited for the Emperor to speak again.

“I want you to be the one to give her the ring, Captain,” the Emperor said, his tone gentle but firm. “It’s more than a simple formality. It is the first step in showing her, and everyone else, that you accept this union—not just as an obligation, but as a commitment.” His eyes softened even further as he spoke of his daughter. “Solina was very nervous when we first discussed this marriage. She had her reservations, and understandably so. It isn’t easy to be told that your future is being shaped by politics rather than choice.”

Levi listened in silence, his gaze never leaving the Emperor's face. He understood well enough the weight of decisions made for the sake of duty and survival, but the idea of someone like Solina—a sheltered princess—having to face that reality was different. She was raised in a world of luxury, far from the dirt and blood that he had known. Yet, he couldn’t deny that she had shown a surprising strength in her own way. He had seen it in the way she conducted herself, the small acts of courage she displayed, and the genuine kindness she had shown toward others.

The Emperor continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “But I have seen a change in her recently. She seems… curious about you, perhaps even intrigued. There is a lightness in her that I haven’t seen for some time. I don’t know what you said or did, but as a father, it brings me some comfort to know that she seems to like you.”

Levi was quiet for a moment, processing the Emperor’s words. He wasn’t used to hearing people speak so openly about feelings, much less when it concerned him. “She is… different,” he admitted finally. “Not what I expected.”

The Emperor nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Solina is special,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “She has always carried herself with grace, but she is stronger than she appears. And while this marriage may not have begun as a choice for either of you, I hope that, in time, it will become something more.” He paused, his eyes locking with Levi’s, the weight of his words hanging in the air. “When you give her the ring, make it memorable for her, Captain. This is a moment she will remember for the rest of her life. And she deserves to feel like it is more than just a transaction. You may not be able to give her the choice she deserves, but you can at least give her that.”

Levi felt the subtle pressure of expectation in the Emperor's words, but he could also hear the sincerity behind them. He understood now that this was about more than just politics or alliances—it was about a father wanting his daughter to feel valued, even if she had no choice in the matter. He wasn’t sure if he was the right person to give her that feeling, but he would try his best. He owed her that much, at the very least.

“I’ll do what I can,” Levi said quietly, his voice steady. “I’ll make sure it’s something she won’t forget.”

The Emperor seemed satisfied with that answer. He reached out and placed a hand on Levi's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you, Captain,” he said. “And remember, as much as this is about duty, it is also about finding a way to connect. You may find that, in sharing this path with Solina, you discover something unexpected.”

With that, the Emperor gave a final nod and turned to leave the chamber. Levi stood there for a moment longer, the weight of the velvet box still pressing into his palm. He glanced down at it, the green stone inside glinting in the dim light. A commitment, the Emperor had said. A promise.

Levi exhaled slowly, pocketing the box before heading out of the chamber. He didn’t know if he could make it as special as the Emperor hoped, but he would do what he always did—face it head-on, without hesitation.

And maybe, he could give Solina the memory she deserved.

…

Levi made his way to the Imperial Gardens with measured steps, the weight of the velvet box pressing against his coat pocket. As he approached the grand entrance, the aura of elegance and beauty surrounded him. The gardens were filled with the scent of blooming roses, the air rich with their fragrance, while he caught the faint movement of attendants and maids, preparing for the upcoming engagement ball. He caught sight of one of the guards nearby and signaled her over.

“Captain Levi,” the young woman greeted, her tone polite and slightly curious. “How can I assist you today?”

“I need to speak with Princess Solina,” Levi replied, his voice steady and calm. “Can you fetch her for me?”

The guard nodded quickly, a hint of surprise in her eyes, and turned to go inside. “Right away, Captain,” she said, hurrying off to find the princess.

Levi stood near the entrance, his gaze drifting over the meticulously maintained gardens. The afternoon light filtered through the canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the stone path. It was quiet here, peaceful—almost too peaceful for a man like him, who was more accustomed to the chaos of battle and the starkness of the barracks. But beneath the tranquility, there was a tension simmering in the air, the knowledge that he was about to take a step into a life far different from the one he’d always known.

The minutes ticked by, each one adding to the weight in his chest. He wasn’t nervous, exactly, but he could feel the significance of the moment settling heavily around him. When he finally heard the soft rustling of fabric, he turned to see Solina emerging from the entrance of the gates, her expression a mixture of surprise and something warmer. She looked stunning, as always—her red hair flowed down her back in waves, catching the light like a fiery halo, and her green eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Captain Levi,” she said, a gentle smile curling on her lips as she approached him. “I wasn’t expecting to see you. Is there something you need?” There was a note of genuine delight in her voice, as if his unexpected presence was a pleasant surprise.

Levi nodded, his expression serious but not unkind. “There is,” he replied. “I’d like a moment of your time, if you can spare it.”

“Of course,” Solina said, her voice softening as she gestured for him to lead the way. There was a hint of curiosity and perhaps a touch of nervousness in her gaze as she followed him. He took her down a stone path t, away from the bustle of the guards, attendants, and the preparations. They walked in silence for a moment until they reached a small secluded spot, where a stone bench sat near a cluster of flower bushes in full bloom. The area was shielded from view, providing privacy and an air of intimacy that felt almost out of place for a man who had lived his life on battlefields and in barracks.

When they reached the spot, Levi turned to face Solina, his expression unreadable. She stood there, her hands clasped together in front of her as she waited for him to speak. He reached into his coat pocket, his fingers curling around the small velvet box. As he pulled it out and took a step closer, Solina's breath hitched, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Before she could ask what was happening, Levi lowered himself onto one knee. Her heart began to race, and she brought a hand to her lips, her green eyes widening as she watched him open the box to reveal a breathtaking ring—a massive pear-cut emerald set in an intricately designed gold band. The gem sparkled brilliantly in the light, its deep green color reminiscent of the finest leaves in the Rose House gardens.

Levi’s gaze remained steady on her as he spoke, his voice calm but sincere. “Princess Solina,” he began, his tone quiet yet clear. “This ring was given to me by your father, the Emperor, to present to you as a symbol of our engagement. It represents the union that’s been arranged for us—an agreement that is meant to benefit both our nations.” He paused, his dark eyes searching hers. “But I don’t want this to be just an arrangement,” he said, his voice softening ever so slightly. “If we’re going to do this, then I want it to mean something. I’m committed to making it work… to making sure you don’t feel like you’re being sacrificed to a life that isn’t your choice.”

Solina’s hand trembled as she reached out towards the ring, her heart swelling at his words. She had prepared herself for a formal, distant proposal, but this—this was different. There was a tenderness in Levi's voice, a quiet strength that seemed to acknowledge both their fears and hopes. Her lips parted as if to speak, but the words were caught in her throat. “Levi…” she whispered, her voice shaky with emotion. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything,” Levi replied, his tone gruff but gentle. He took her hand, slipping the ring onto her finger with careful precision. It felt heavy against her skin, but it was more than just the weight of the jewel—it was the weight of expectation, of promises made and futures forged. He held her gaze as he rose to his feet, his hand still clasping hers. “Just know that I’m here,” he continued, “and that I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, Solina was overcome with emotion. Her green eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she glanced down at the ring on her finger, the emerald catching the light like a miniature flame. She looked back up at Levi, her lips curling into a radiant smile, the kind that seemed to light up her entire face. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “This… this means more to me than you know. I was so afraid of this marriage, of what it would mean for my future… but you… you’ve made it feel real, like it’s something more than just duty.”

Levi’s eyes softened at her words, a faint flicker of relief washing over him. “I’m glad,” he said quietly. “It may have started out as just an arrangement, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find something genuine in it.”

Solina's cheeks flushed, and she took a step closer, her fingers still wrapped around his. She hesitated, then spoke with a voice that was filled with both courage and vulnerability. “I know we don’t know each other well, not yet… but I’d like to. I want to understand you, Levi. I want us to make this work, not just because we have to, but because we choose to.” She looked up at him, her gaze steady and filled with a quiet determination. “Would that be alright with you?”

Levi didn’t respond immediately, but there was a faint nod, a subtle shift in his expression that told her more than words could. “Yeah,” he said finally, his voice a low rumble. “I think that would be alright.”

As they stood there in the quiet garden, with the roses swaying gently in the breeze and the world around them feeling impossibly distant, Solina felt something change within her. The weight of the ring on her finger felt different now—it was no longer a chain of obligation, but a thread of possibility, of hope. She knew that this was only the beginning, but for the first time, the path ahead didn’t seem so daunting.

She took a step back, her smile lingering on her lips as she looked down at the ring once more. “Thank you for doing this here,” she said softly. “I wasn’t expecting… well, any of this. You’ve made this moment so special.”

“It was what you deserved,” Levi replied, his tone still gruff, but with an underlying warmth. “The Emperor asked me to make it memorable. I’m not one for grand gestures, but…” He glanced at the flowers around them, his expression slightly softer than usual. “I figured it was worth a try.”

Solina’s heart fluttered at his words, and she felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the sun overhead. She took a deep breath, feeling a new sense of courage settle over her. “Well,” she said, her voice light, “if this is the beginning, then I think we’re off to a good start.”

Levi’s lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. “I suppose we are,” he agreed.

And as they left together, Solina couldn’t help but feel that, for the first time since this engagement had been announced, the future didn’t seem like a prison of expectations, but a path they could walk together—side by side.

…

Solina made her way back to the Rose House, practically floating on air. She couldn’t stop herself from glancing down at the ring on her finger—the emerald gleaming brightly in the afternoon light. It was exquisite, but what made her heart race even faster was how Levi had given it to her. His sincerity and the quiet strength behind his words played over and over in her mind. For so long, she had feared this marriage would be nothing more than a duty, a sacrifice for the sake of politics. But now, hope was blooming within her like the roses surrounding the garden. She couldn’t wait to tell her mother about what had just happened.

As she approached the gates of the Rose House, she was nearly bursting with anticipation. She hurried through the pathways, her heart pounding with excitement, until one of the attendants informed her that Lady Solana was visiting the Dahlia House. Without missing a beat, Solina turned and began making her way in that direction, the warm breeze tousling her red curls.

The Dahlia House was only a short walk away, nestled within the lush gardens of the imperial grounds. The estate was known for its bright yellow dahlias that decorated the paths and lawns, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Solina could see Lady Solana’s red hair glinting in the sunlight as she sat under a canopy in the garden, talking animatedly with Lady Blair, the Dahlia Consort. The two women were in the midst of discussing the final arrangements for the engagement ball when Solina reached the edge of the garden, barely able to contain her excitement.

“Mother!” Solina called, hurrying forward.

Lady Solana turned at the sound of her daughter’s voice, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Solina, my dear,” she greeted, her tone bright with affection. “What brings you here? I thought you were at the Rose House preparing for the ball.”

Lady Blair looked up as well, her expression curious as Solina approached. “Princess Solina,” she said kindly. “You look positively radiant. Did something wonderful happen?”

Solina nodded, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink as she drew closer to the two women. “Yes, something wonderful did happen,” she replied breathlessly. “Mother, you’ll never believe it.” She held out her hand, displaying the engagement ring that gleamed on her finger. “Captain Levi just gave me the ring. He… he even got down on one knee.” Her voice softened with awe as she recounted the moment. “He made it feel like… like it was truly something special.”

Lady Solana’s eyes widened at the sight of the ring, her smile growing even brighter as she clasped her hands together. “Oh, my darling!” she exclaimed, rising to her feet and reaching for Solina’s hand to get a closer look at the ring. “It’s beautiful! And Levi got down on one knee?” Her green eyes shone with delight as she glanced at her daughter’s flushed face. “That’s more than I expected from him. He must truly care about making this marriage meaningful.”

“It seems he does,” Solina said, a joyful sparkle in her eyes. “When he spoke to me, it wasn’t just about the alliance or our duty. He told me that he wanted this to be more than just an arrangement.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “I really feel like this might be something real.”

Lady Solana took her daughter’s hands in hers, her gaze filled with pride and love. “I’m so happy to hear that, Solina,” she said softly. “You deserve to feel cherished, even in an arranged marriage. Levi is a man of honor—if he has promised to make this work, I believe he will do everything in his power to make you happy.”

Lady Blair, who had been watching the exchange with a fond smile, leaned forward slightly. “I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised,” she said, her voice lilting with approval. “Captain Levi seems quite different from the stiff and stoic soldier I had imagined. It sounds like he may just be the perfect match for you after all, Solina.”

Solina’s cheeks grew warmer at Lady Blair’s words, and she couldn’t help but smile. “I hope so,” she said quietly. “I know it’s still early, but… I want to believe that we can build something genuine.”

Lady Solana gave her daughter a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. “You’re off to a good start,” she said. “And with the engagement ball coming up, it will be a wonderful opportunity for the two of you to show everyone just how well you complement each other.” She then glanced at Lady Blair, her expression thoughtful. “We must make sure everything is absolutely perfect for the ball, don’t you agree?”

“Of course,” Lady Blair replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m certain that every detail will be flawless, especially now that we have such delightful news. The ring itself is a work of art, and I can already imagine how the guests will react when they see Solina and Captain Levi together.”

Lady Solana’s face lit up with a mixture of excitement and determination. “Yes, we must ensure that every flower is in its place, every decoration is just right. Solina’s engagement will set a precedent for her sisters’ futures, and we cannot afford any missteps.”

Solina nodded along, her heart still fluttering from the encounter with Levi. “I know the ball is important,” she said, “but I feel so much more at ease knowing that Levi… that he’s trying, too. It gives me the strength to face whatever comes.”

Lady Solana leaned in and kissed her daughter’s cheek, her voice soft with affection. “And you will face it beautifully, my dear,” she said. “You always do.”

The three women continued to discuss the preparations, with Lady Solana and Lady Blair trading insights on everything from the flower arrangements to the music that would be played. Solina remained beside her mother, her thoughts drifting back to Levi’s quiet words and the sincerity in his eyes. She felt a sense of hope she hadn’t dared to feel before—an inkling that perhaps this political marriage could turn into something far more meaningful than she had ever imagined.

And as the day wore on, Solina found herself glancing down at the emerald ring on her finger, each time feeling a renewed sense of joy and anticipation. The engagement ball was just around the corner, and she was ready to step into this new chapter with her head held high and her heart open to the possibilities that lay ahead.

~

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[cosmica-galaxy]

Hi, hello! Sorry to bother again but can you tell me more about the Drill mimic species? I don't see you talk about them and the Clock mimics enough so am curious to know sm about them ☕👀

-PART 1- Drill mimics: -Drill mimics are similar to Speaker Mimics; in which that they are very social to other remembers of their species and they have a close relationship with their sky bound counterparts, the speaker mimics. -Drill mimics live in the deep parts of the underground and inside of deep connecting burrows, similar to moles or ants. They raise young, drag prey down into their lairs for feeding, and they have underground citadels that they do all of their communal living in. Since they nearly all have liquid diets due to their proboscis, they feed mostly on liquids from plants and fluids of living creatures, like Skibidis. -Drill mimics can actually "lose" their "drill" when they start getting older while they are young. Their underdeveloped "drill" falls off when they begin to become an adolescent, which is quickly replaced by the sharper and more efficient adult-variety. The discarded "drills" can even be harvested for equipment usage, like using them for needles, crowbars, or chisels. Even while young, the "drill" is quite strong and can last for a very long time! -Drillets are raised among other drillets for safety and when a parent comes to find their baby, they will make a series of "drill spins" in a certain way or tone to find their baby, similar to penguins. -Some Drill mimics are able to venture out on the surface with little effect from the sun. These drills are usually darker in color and have "shiny" aspects to them. Like their drill being a solid color, usually black or yellow, and the "drill part" will take on an ore-like sheen. Some have even been documented to have some themed after precious gemstones, like rubies, gold, or even diamonds! -Drills find precious gemstones to be mostly building materials or overall useless. They have limited visual input, so the "beauty" of the gems don't seem to phase them. However, they are more than willing to trade the 'useless rocks' for something that can benefit them; such as fruits, processed goods, juices, skibidi hostages, or even fabrics. Which makes them a great source of trades for ores and gems! -As a result of these easy trades, the alliance has made a great deal of getting ores, material, and gems for their equipment for the war effort from these mimics and the drill mimics get a bunch of unique and delicious deliveries of organic food right to their own personal domain! A win-win! -Drill mimics are also quite friendly and like having their underside of their "drills" scratched gently. They are easy to bond with and will quickly warm up to you if you offer them a nice juicy piece of fruit, soft vegetable, or even a small animal to eat on. -Drill mimic "venom" has also been harvested for studying purposes and to be weaponized against the skibidis. A single dart loaded with even a few ounces of their venom is enough to paralyze a large skibidi in moments. Perfect for stealth-based missions and silent killings. It has also been reversed engineered into a vaccine for parasite afflicted units. Similar to a stun-gun, the darts are capable of killing a parasite and freeing a unit. Even large or "special parasites" can be killed with a single dart. Sharpshooters have been given these special vials for their missions and have had major successes in ambush missions. -Drill mimics are also very adamant about defending their territory. Skibidis that trespass over their claimed lands will not be taken lightly. The moment the drills feel threatened from above, they will form a pinch maneuver from under ground and come at the invaders from multiple directions. Pulling each victim underground, drain them of their fluids, and spit the drained corpses back out as a warning to any other trespassers.

[gofancyninjaworld]

OPM Manga Update 232 Review: Butterfly and Back

Story: Place Yer Bets!

The chapter opens with Murata casually flexing his rendering skills with a hand-drawn bicycle. This man!

The story opens to a defeated looking hero with incongruously-small butterfly wings on his back. Wondering why he's doing this. McCoy calls to ask if he's ready, and soon, he's on the trail of a monster for the benefit of a select group of punters.

The 'demon'-level monster turns out to be a giant, terrified monsterised chihuahua, which advances down the road uncertain of what to do. It's a planted Wolf-Level monster, intended to give the falsely-badged C-Class hero the appearance of a tough win against the odds.

But life turns out differently. Under the stressor of its most feared situation (being outdoors), Shiverhuahua blows up into a genuine demon-level monster, and soon, 'Papillion 800' is locked in a real life-or-death battle, all while McCoy thinks that he's acting to perfection.

As the odds lengthen, Mad Devil Yankee (the real identity of the hero) forces himself to face the monster, driven by the twin imperatives of wanting to save his mother from whatever harm McCoy has planned for her, and the desire to live up to the example of his hero, Mumen Rider.

Just as it gets hopeless, with characteristic timing, Saitama comes in and blows the monster away.

The major donor looking forward to an upset win is furious, and McCoy storms onto the scene to tell Saitama and Genos off for interfering.

Saitama may ask himself who cares about credit. Genos does, when it comes to making sure his master is recognised for his work. McCoy is about to find out why the Demon Cyborg lives up to his moniker...

.... but luckily for him, and for his role as bad-guy fixer, Child Emperor interrupts to mock him for having his rigged game upset. McCoy excuses himself quickly. Child Emperor explains the hero gambling ruse (more on that to follow). I'm just going to step out a bit to note that it's quite heart-warming to see that when Genos asks why the kid is giving them this information and Child Emperor admits to having been the one who'd been suspicious of Genos, Genos doesn't blow up but lets it slide. I like his little reassuring smiles.

After finding out what this is all about, we see Saitama sleepless in bed, furious at the idea of being thought so ill of as to deserve a x20 rating. However, he also smells opportunity.

The next morning sees him discussing with Genos the possibility of betting on himself to make money. He starts to portray it as a way to teach the Hero Association a lesson but Genos sensibly points out that it makes no actual difference to the house, which puts him on the spot. Luckily for Saitama, the odds start rolling again, meaning the game's afoot again. Saitama runs out the door, Genos following in hot pursuit.

They overtake the heroes assigned to the monster, and Saitama is just about to place his bet (his multiplier having risen to x25) when there is a scream: someone's purse has been snatched by a race-car driver! For a moment, Saitama is torn as to what to do, then...

... the lady is overcome with gratitude for having her family jewels saved. Saitama is also overcome with emotion, but it is not gratitude. At least he's getting a better public image!

However, he's then overwhelmed with a blackness. His depression is back, fuelled by his realising how close he came to the edge of becoming a corrupt money-grubber.

Temptation is never far away, and the lady offers him a diamond ring as a reward. After a long struggle, Saitama refuses it, saying he's not doing this for money.

Well done, Saitama.

Lots to say under the cut.

Meta: A Tawdry Affair

Method in the madness

A race car to snatch purses? Man, it seems anything can happen in this story! Still, when I look at how unsurprised the public is that Saitama caught the driver, I think there's method in the madness. Heroes are really super humans. Even your regular C-Class hero is impossible to out-pace on foot or on a push-bike. Modern problems call for modern solutions.

A world in which people are not surprised that the no-name hero catches a race car is a scary world.

Dirty laundry

The first thing I have to say about this is that it's tawdry. Not a great crime that leaves a giant stain to be dealt with but rather dirt, grubbiness, an all-pervading grubbiness that greys the entire fabric so that no amount of washing can make it look clean. Let's dig into this pile of dirty laundry, shall we?

Nothing wrong with aspiring to be more

I've got to give it to Mad Devil Yankee. In a world where people are often typecast for life (see Garou's despair at being considered a monster), his being able to turn his life around is testament to some serious mental fortitude. Furthermore, he's B-Class Rank 4, all without having joined the Blizzard Group: that takes serious strength.

If you remember nothing about the story, you might think that a high-ranking B-Class hero working independently is no big deal. If you do, you know this guy is the real deal: Fubuki is a hero-crushing asshole.

Turning heroism into bloodsport

It's inevitable that people would bet on heroes. Heroes are very much public figures, and the monsters are an unpredictable lot, so that makes for a highly exciting spectacle. As we can see, a lot of the people watching Papillion 800's predicament aren't anything to do with the HA.

The Hero Association getting a cut of the action is morally reprehensible. And as we see, it leads to moral conflicts. McCoy may be organising it, but the HA is facilitating it. As long as the money's coming in, look the other way.

Like a rotten apple, McCoy being allowed to operate unchecked taints everyone by association.

Unforgivable is what this betting did to Mad Devil Yankee. In a world where people often feel typecast for life (like Garou), turning one's life around in two months from infamous ne'er-do-well to hero has taken an incredible amount of mental fortitude as well as physical prowess. Additionally, as B-Class Rank 4 and yet not press-ganged into the Blizzard Group, this guy is really something in toughness. He's admired Mumen Rider, but his work ethic is all his. And for him to have nearly tossed this all away, thinking himself unworthy to think of himself as a hero, that's a crime.

Getting a guy to think that he deserved to die for making the best of an impossible situation? God, that's ugly.

McCoy bet that Mad Devil would not be psychopathic enough to bet his mother's life and dare him to threaten his mother's health. Even though he'd been coerced, he thought that a true hero wouldn't have taken up such an impossible task under any circumstance. And yet he hung in there and did his best to fight.

Threatening peoples' families is truly the lowest of actions. Using the very benefits given to heroes as leverage digs a basement under that cesspit.

It was good that Mumen Rider put it in perspective for him: no matter what had happened, he'd been faced with a very strong monster, and he'd stood up to it anyway, knowing that it was unlikely to end well for him. That's the stuff a hero is made of. I'm glad that Mad Devil looks to stay a hero, but for him to have been brought this close to despairing over his life and choices, is unforgivable.

Mumen may not have the best muscles, but he has the best words. Often imitated, but never equalled.

Take one wrong step...

Speaking of corruption, it's scary how easy it is to try to play the odds if there's money to be made. Saitama realising how close he'd come to actually participating in the hero betting game for profit was a salutatory reminder that this shit is easy to do and dangerous. If he'd chosen a little differently, he could be several hundred thousand yen up, but he'd have sold his soul to the worst of human impulses.

It's as Saitama said in a much earlier chapter, take one wrong step, and you're in hell.

Came real close to selling your soul there, didn't ya?

It's one of the things that has most endeared me to Saitama. His recognition that no matter how hard he works, there's still a lot of chance in how things have turned out for him and he remembers this when he looks leniently on people like Hammerhead, who he sees as not too different from him. Just one or two bad choices and that could have been him. That kind of wisdom and humility serves him well.

With friends like this...

I'd love to say that Genos would stop him, but damn, that guy… It's a pity he's a cocksucker has such a narrow viewpoint. Every so often, Genos reminds me that he's far more observant and intelligent than he usually gives out. He's noticed the odd rankings and monster disaster levels, and it made sense to him that it was a gambling ploy. So did he investigate the oddities? No man, he filters everything through the metric of 'does this threaten my access to Saitama sensei?' and if the answer is no, he doesn't give a shit. Seriously.

Yeah, yeah, corruption and problems at the Hero Association, but does it actually affect anything *I* care about?

Also, seeing him see what's wrong with Saitama's proposal to gamble but following Saitama to see what happens anyway… no, man, this fixation of yours is wrong. A healthy reminder of why King is so necessary. He'll not just point out what's wrong, but he won't go along with it.

Genos sees clean through Saitama's scam but stop him? Hell no! He's coming along to see what happens.

The Grab Bag of Pop Culture is Back, Baby!

This story reminds me of what's at the heart of One-Punch Man: its love of finding and referencing popular works while making them something of its own. If you know Squid Game, the rich guys betting on human lives will feel very unpleasantly familiar. If you don't, that's fine too: it's self-contained enough to not need familiarity with its references to work. It's true that a lore-heavy story such as this would often be put in an extra chapter, but because what's happening here is exceptionally germane to what happens next, it's here as a main chapter. I liked it quite a bit.

I am VERY GLAD not to see Narinki as one of the major donors betting. I would like to believe that he appreciates too much the actual sacrifices made by heroes to want to bet on their lives.

More on Monsters

I also liked a lot the fact that the HA has had to raise Saitama's ranking to maintain their fiction of a demon-level monster otherwise, it'd create more problems. Heh heh, suck it, fools. Although as it turns out, it was accurate.

Something else about monsters. When you see a monster, you see a monster. They're living creatures, and they don't rampage all the time under all circumstances, not even the newly-transformed ones. Given that most monsters (including the late Shiverhuahua) gain the power of human speech, they could have just talked to it to understand it better. It's a problem because I'm sure that Shiverhuahua was a very inoffensive monster indoors -- just looking at its sweet look and trustingly wagging tail as it was faced with a guy with a handgun and an electrified prong gives me a nasty pang -- but under the right circumstances, many a monster can blow up into a true terror.

Under the right circumstances, this monster would never have hurt a person

And so it happened here. To the end, the thing was terrified and confused. The nasty human habit of exploiting monsters is perhaps inevitable -- where anything occurs, humans will find a way to exploit it -- but the short-sightedness and failure to understand the beings they are exploiting just adds to the outrageousness of it all.

Where is this going?

So what's this leading up to? Not too sure. Saitama might have another bad night if he thinks about how close to the edge he danced, but he's not the reflective sort of guy. Oh yeah, he really didn't like the idea of being thought of as trash. Now imagine how your disciple feels. It's interesting to see that Child Emperor is continuing to dig. Naturally, this isn't the first of the wrong doings.

Come to that, if Child Emperor moves over to the Neo Heroes, he's going to have a nasty shock to find McCoy there too. That's going to be something worth seeing.

I digress. Back to what this is all leading to. There's going to have to be some precipitating event that starts giving heroes a push in a big way, and that brings the Neo Heroes out. Looks like it's going to be a target-rich environment whenever that happens.

[beewolfwrites]

Enemies with Benefits

No, not those kinds of benefits. Get your minds out of the gutter ;) 

This was a request from a commenter on AO3, but unfortunately I lost the comment so I can’t paste it here. 

(Chishiya x fem reader/OC) - unnamed female character, so it could be either. 

_______________________________________________________

It couldn’t have gone more wrong. 

Right from the outset, he had been dealt a poor hand. A Nine of Spades - it was hardly a place for a Diamonds specialist. 

Chishiya had barely scraped out of the venue alive, with a gash along his shoulder blade and a graze in his side. His entire group had wound up dead, including the driver, which turned out to be a rather fortunate turn of events for him. It meant that he had been able to slink across Tokyo’s darkness without been seen by a soul. There was nobody left alive to witness his injuries. Nobody to take advantage of him in this vulnerable state. 

Well, aside from just one person.  

In the early hours of the morning, Chishiya had crept back into the Beach through the fire escape, only to find himself standing outside of a particular hotel room. Her hotel room. It wasn’t his first choice, but what choice did he have?  

He held up a hand, hesitated, then knocked three times. There was a grumble from deep inside, followed by a creak of bedsprings. A pad of feet. A long sigh. Finally, the door swung open, and there she was, dressed in a simple blue camisole and shorts. As soon as she laid eyes on him, her face fell and she folded her arms across her chest. 

‘What do you want? Can’t you see how late it is?’ 

‘Let me in.’ 

‘Why should I? People might get the wrong impression.’ 

He really wasn’t in the mood for this entitled act of hers. He slowly unzipped his white hood to reveal the bloodstained t-shirt beneath. ‘Let me in,’ he hissed. 

Her lips parted in realisation, and she craned her neck around the doorway, checking the hallways to ensure that they were alone. One never knew who was lurking by the stairwells. Satisfied, she held the door open and whispered, ‘Come on in.’

Chishiya ducked past her into the room. It was scruffy at best, with clothes carpeting the floor, loose makeup strewn across the dresser, and an unmade bed that was nothing more than a large tangle of cotton sheets and blankets. It was still warm when he stroked the mattress. 

‘Hey, don’t sit there yet.’ She gestured for him to move aside. ’I don’t want blood everywhere.’ 

He complied, too tired to come up with a clever response as he waited for her to lay a towel on the mattress. He sat down on it as she scowled and fretted around him. He briefly wondered whether it was worth walking out and just dealing with the pain. It would certainly be less headache inducing than having to listen to her snappy comments. But it was too late; he had lost his chance. She was already rooting through the contents of a small red box. 

‘I can’t believe you actually came to me for this,’ she muttered, plucking items out one by one. ‘This would kill my reputation if anyone found out.’ She paused to wave a dressing strip at him. ‘You’re going to have to take off your hoodie.’ 

Groaning a little as his shoulder blade stung, he shrugged off the hoodie as best he could. ‘Believe me, this was the last place I wanted to come.’

‘Yeah, sure it was.’ 

‘It really was.’ 

‘I didn’t ask for your opinion,’ she retorted, seating herself on the bed behind him and pinching the material of his t-shirt. ‘You realise this has to come off too, right? I’m not a miracle worker.’

Reluctantly, he began to remove his t-shirt, but only got half way before grunting in pain. He mentally cursed. Never in his life had he felt more uncomfortable, being injured and at the mercy of someone he couldn’t stand. The only silver lining was that Niragi wasn’t around to see this. 

‘Here.’ She tugged at the edges of his shirt, helping him peel it off. ‘The blood is kind of stuck to the fabric.’ 

Her fingers brushed his bare ribs, and he flinched. Chishiya hated the idea of being so exposed like this, and every swipe of her cool fingers left him more and more unsettled. With a harsh tug, she finally managed to remove his shirt, eliciting a grimace from Chishiya. 

‘Be careful,’ he reminded her. ‘I didn’t come here for you to make it worse.’ 

She balled up the bloody shirt and threw it into the bathroom. ‘Keep being snarky with me and I’ll kick you out.’ 

‘I’d like to see you try,’ he murmured, only to recoil as she pressed a handful of wet gauze to the burning gash on his shoulder blade. 

‘Stop moving,’ she instructed, digging her nails into his arm to keep him still. ‘You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.’ 

‘I don’t feel lucky,’ he said, as she poked and prodded, cleaning each of the wounds in turn. 

‘Well, you are. You don’t need stitches, so that’s lucky in itself.’ Having cleaned his wounds, she removed the plastic wrapper from a dressing pad. There was a brief silence, before she laughed dryly. 

‘What?’

She placed the dressing pad on his shoulder blade, arranging it carefully with her fingertips. ‘I just had a thought. If we switched places, you wouldn’t have even opened the door.’ 

He considered it for a moment. ‘I would.’ 

She unwrapped a second dressing pad. ‘Don’t even try and lie to me—’

‘I’d open the door.’ 

Her fingers pressed the pad against the wound in his side, lingering there for a few seconds longer than necessary. ‘Wait? You’re serious? I thought you hated me.’ 

‘I don’t hate you,’ he said quietly. 

Even with his back to her, he could feel her confusion. ‘But then, why…?’ 

‘You become more interesting when you’re annoyed.’ 

‘Hey!’ She flicked his head lightly, causing him to flinch. ‘I’d like you more if you weren’t so rude.’ 

‘Hmm…’ Her comment stuck out to him. Perhaps she hadn’t noticed her little slip-up. He smirked and half-turned his head to look back at her. ‘Does that mean that you already like me a little?’ 

There was a sharp intake of breath before her palm crashed into the side of his head with a loud thwack. His ear stung with the impact, and he cradled a hand to his cheek. The bed shook as she shimmied out from behind him. But it was only when she grabbed his hoodie and his dirty t-shirt from the floor that he noticed the light scattering of a pink blush across her cheeks. 

‘The door’s over there,’ she said, holding out his clothes. ‘Take these and go.’ 

‘And if I don’t want to?’ 

‘Then tomorrow night I’ll sneak into your room while you’re sleeping and tweeze all your eyebrows off.’ 

It was pointless threat. Not to mention empty. ‘And what exactly would that achieve?’ 

‘Ultimate humiliation.’ She waved the bundle of clothes at him, still waiting for him to take them. ‘It’s your choice.’ 

Sighing, he took his clothes from her and stood up, somehow managing to slip his hoodie back on as he made his way to the door. With one hand on the brass doorknob, he spoke quietly, ‘I was never here.’ 

She made a noise of irritation as she came to stand behind him. ‘Obviously. I wouldn’t be seen dead helping you.’ 

‘I’m serious,’ he said firmly. ‘Nobody can know about these injuries.’ 

‘Yeah yeah,’ she said, waving her hand dismissively. ‘I get it, you know. I’m serious too. So, you’d better keep your damn mouth shut Chishiya Shuntarou.’ 

He stifled a smile as he exited her room and trudged back down the hallways towards his own.

She had always been an interesting one — someone to watch, with her brash nature and curt manners. Although it caused him more trouble than good, he quite enjoyed their sparring. It kept things mildly entertaining, at least in this hell-hole. And it pained him to admit it, but when she wasn’t borderline drunk, stressed over a game, or spitting verbal venom at him in public places, he actually found himself enjoying her company. But he would never say it out loud. 

It would just have to remain his little secret.