#But even then she probably wouldn't think twice if he did come in afterwards

[oculusxcaro]

We haven't interacted here yet but 👍 for twcfaces? Just for fun. :)

Send 👍 for a random headcanon I have about our muses

One time during Khare's shift, she was working alone at the front when Harvey came in. She had absolutely no idea who he was since she hadn't been in Gotham very long and treated him just like she would anybody else, taking his order and making sure it was to his liking. It never twigged later on when reading the paper or watching the news, the only thing she remembers about the incident was that he was just a nice customer who wanted two bagels.

[blacklegsanjiii]

NicoSanji Au, but what if Crocosan is thrown into the mix? (Could be soulmates Crocosan)

In this version, Snaji never worked for Baroque works, and while they did keep in contact, Robin never gave Sanji details on what she was doing once they separated so Sanji could pursue cooking at the Baratie and Robin left him there so he wouldn't be hunted down alongside her.

Crocodile falls for Mr. Prince during the Alabasta Arc, but doesn't know Mr. Prince and Robin's brother, who she's mentioned once or twice, are the same person.

How would Robin react? Would she give Crocodile the shovel talk?

Any other ideas for Crocosan aus are welcome too!

Hilarious. I love this Anon. Also yeah, I think this would be funnier as soulmates because uhhhh, reasons, first words specifically. Robin leaves her baby brother in the care of Zeff to start really cooking and goes to Alabasta and starts working under Sir Crocodile. She keeps in contact but doesn't mention what she does. Sanji knows she's doing something with organized crime but he works in neutral territory technically, doesn't mean shit doesn't happen, shit is constantly happening there.

Like he joined a pirate crew because the captain refused his refusal and then saved a village and now he's headed to the Grandline. Where it's been constant chaos, even more so. Robin tells her Crocodile about her little brother a couple of times but neither of them make it a main point of conversation. She recognizes Sanji's voice coming from Mr. 3's denden and smiles to herself. Eventually at some point Crocodile comes up to her and says he's fairly certain Mr. Prince or whoever is his soulmate. Crocodile explains they said his words and he knows there's no Mr. Prince in Baroque Works so if she could go deal with him that would be lovely. She shrugs and leaves and watches everything go down. Including watching Mr. 0 fall harder for Mr. Prince, her little brother, fast and hard.

She doesn't mention that it's her baby brother and watches him stress out about catching his soulmate to keep him but then Baroque works falls to her brother's captain. A rubber boy in sandals and a straw hat who is incredibly kind and a little fucked up. She asks Sanji about it when they're alone on the Merry eventually. Sanji just shrugs and says he tries not to think about it. Just another trick from the universe about fated souls never being able to be together. Then a few months later she reads about her former boss helping her captain, his soulmates captain, at The Summit War. Unfortunately Ace still dies but her crew is alive, she knows that.

When the Guild comes together on Karai Bari they eventually get to the topics of soulmates and Mihawk says he doesn't have one, his skin is bare except for all the scars and Buggy mentions his is a dead marine. Crocodile admits his is on the Straw Hat crew and he hasn't personally met the guy yet. Buggy and Mihawk give him their sympathies because to have a soulmate on that crew must be hell. Crocodile shrugs and is like 'Eh, I'll probably not see them again so whatever. No skin off my back.' and while that's true it's still a little somber to hear. They're in position to criticize or argue though truthfully.

But then they're teaming up with the Strawhats and now Crocodile and Sanji are in close quarters again, or would be if he attended any of the meetings with Robin and Luffy and Nami. They're not in close quarters until they're having some meal and Sanji isn't sitting still long enough for anyone to really talk to him, except for Robin who smiles at the blond softly and tells him to come sit which the blond looks pained by, but Robin just gives him a look and he listens after mumbling something about cutlery or drinks or something. He looks exhausted like he's been running around without stopping which makes Crocodile quirk a brow at Robin but Mihawk says something to Zoro about the greenhaired kid being right about the cook rarely resting and Zoro nods.

Afterwards several crew members and the Buggy pirates refuse to let Sanji clean which makes him frown but give up with the way Robin and Luffy are looking at him. Mihawk makes polite conversation with him since Mihawk frequented Baratie basically since it opened and watched the blond grow up and mentions the soulmate thing offhandedly and Sanji chokes on the smoke. Robin laughs and says if he and Crocodile want to be together that's up to Luffy and Sanji because he already knows how threatening she is. When Crocodile asks what she means she gives him a smile.

"Well, I believe older siblings tend to give 'shovel talks' that infer death to younger's partner or partners." Robin says.

"He's your little brother?" Crocodile asks with wide eyes.

"Oh yes, I dropped him off with Zeff when he was younger before I went to work with you." Robin nods.

"They can be together as long as he's not a dick anymore." Luffy says.

"Astonishing." Mihawk says.

"Did anyone else know about that?" Buggy asks after a moment of quiet.

"Only after the Vinsmokes took our dear cook." Brook says.

"Huh," Crocodile says, "I don't know if I'm ready to deal with that."

"Yeah, that's fair." Sanji says.

[the-queen-and-the-king]

Top chef

Summary: Emily has registered herself on a dating website and she is now supposed to go to a cooking class. What she hasn't expected is that she knows one of the other student.

Characters: Aaron Hotchner, Emily Prentiss

Contents: A little bit of angst (because they talk about their past) - mention of Haley's death - but it's mostly fluffiness.

Thanks again to all the members of the Hotchniss discord server for their encouragement and their energy! ^_^

PS : English is not my mother language so they are necessarily mistakes. Sorry about that.

___

Read on AO3 ou lire sur AO3

___

                She still didn't know what had finally pushed her to take the plunge, but she had. She had registered on this dating site for people her own age or older – she felt eighty when she thought about it – and, more than that, she had agreed to take part in a cooking workshop. On a Wednesday evening, in the middle of the week, what kind of people was she going to run into? Probably just retired old folks or self-employed entrepreneurs too smiley to be honest. Right up to the end, she crossed her fingers that something would prevent her from going: an urgent case, an interminable meeting, a sudden stomach flu, water damage or even a snowstorm. Anything that would have allowed her to cancel without feeling guilty. But none of that had happened and she was now standing in front of the door, ready to enter.

                He regretted letting his son push his experiment to that point. All this was making him extremely uncomfortable, and his rational mind was telling him that it was all a waste of time. It wouldn't work. He wasn’t like that. Maybe there was something wrong with him, but he didn't fall in love at the snap of a finger and one-night stands didn't inspire him at all. So he doubted he'd find what he was looking for here. Who would want him anyway? He was too tall, too old, too boring. And if he added his past and its consequences to the mix, it was all over. He could already go home. But hey, a promise was a promise, so he made the trip. He had arrived on the scene early – as usual – and the candidates who joined him shortly afterwards only confirmed his fears.

                She quickly realized she was the last. All the other badges had been distributed by the time she arrived at reception. For a discreet entrance, she'd have to think again. She tried it anyway, opening the door gently and closing it with the same delicacy. But the host's gaze immediately swiveled in her direction, magnetizing the attention of others. She smiled; her cheeks flushed, apologized discreetly and moved closer to the group. An exclamation almost escaped her when she recognized the tall figure. His brown irises met hers and the same question formed in their minds: what were they doing there?

                He thought he was suddenly hallucinating when he saw her appear in the room. The urge to climb out the window so she wouldn't see him flashed through his skull before his heart began to beat much too loudly and much too fast. What would she think when she saw him here? All at once, he felt terribly ashamed. There she was, sumptuous and resplendent – even more beautiful than he remembered – while he had only his huge frame, graying hair and extra kilos to offer. He wasn't even wearing a suit, just plain, ordinary, undistinguished clothes. What assets did he have left in his pocket? His sense of humor? He could have sworn he heard his own brain giggling. But there was a time when she was sensitive to it. 

“Welcome, everyone,” exclaimed the hostess. “Thank you for coming in such large numbers this evening. You can divide up into pairs as you wish. Come on, don’t be shy.”

Without thinking twice, she slipped past the other people present to find herself in front of the same table as him. She hadn't expected to come across a familiar face in these parts, but the fact that he was there reassured her. She didn't know what they would say to each other after so long without seeing each other, but she was sure he wouldn't reveal anything about the event to her team. He would keep her secret as she had once kept his. This didn't prevent her from feeling embarrassed to be at his side in such a context. She saw for herself that, despite his casual attire, he still exuded the same aura. That same warmth of caring. She made the same thought to herself at once as she had fourteen years ago, when she first entered his office. A thought she had refrained from telling anyone. And especially not to the principal.

“Hello. Aaron,” he introduced himself giving her his hand.

A smile stretched her lips, and a brief burst of laughter escaped her. She entered his game, clasping her fingers in his. A brief but pleasant contact that electrified her.

“Hello. Emily.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said, sincere.

“So do I.”

They put on their aprons, listening to the host with one ear. He knew right away that he wasn't going to make any progress in the kitchen tonight. The nearby presence of the woman who had been his subordinate for five years before she – quite literally – took off warmed his belly. When her fragrance filled his nostrils, he was transported back in time to a period when this scent was part of his everyday life. He had experienced this period as an endless torture session. He'd felt like Tantalus, in torment at being around someone who made such an impression on him, while knowing that she was completely unattainable.

“Is it your first time here?” he asked, curious.

“Yes. And you?”

“Same.”

That was a relief, she mused. They were on an equal footing in terms of their inability to find a partner through traditional channels.

“Do… do you think this kind of activity really works?” she enquired, starting to cut the leeks while he grabbed a carton of eggs. 

“I don’t know. I have to admit I'm here mainly to learn how to cook properly and avoid sending my son to the ER every time I get near a saucepan,” he explained as he tried to pick up the pieces of shell he'd dropped.

She laughed more at his line of humor than at his misadventure. Whenever she'd been to his house, they'd always ordered from a local caterer. Now she understood why. Which didn't bother her at all, since she knew he had other qualities.

“You… you have a son?”

“So it would seem,” he replied, keeping an eye on the scales as he poured the flour into the bowl.

His hand was shaking. He had agreed to come tonight because he thought he could combine business with pleasure. His inability to cook bordered on the ridiculous, and he felt that this asset was sorely lacking if he was to find someone with whom he could remake his life. A man who knows how to do the housework – that's what women were looking for these days. But he was clearly off to a very bad start as they were just starting the recipe.

“What’s his name?”

“Jack.”

She couldn't help smiling at the name. She had spent many evenings at the Hotchners'; first to support Aaron in his new role as a single father, then for the pleasure of spending time with him. She had quickly established a real bond with the little boy. So much so that she'd regretted not having been able to say goodbye properly when she'd left for England and later, when the giant at her side at that moment had turned his back on his career to devote himself solely to taking care of his offspring. She had missed him so much.

“How old is he?”

“Sixteen. Yes, it's time I learned to cook,” he added as he saw her raise her eyebrows.

She laughed again and he felt a curious sensation vibrate in his belly. He'd always liked to see the people he liked happy, but seeing her smile and hearing her giggle in the bullpen had always brought him a certain bliss. He couldn't explain why, but it delighted him to know she was happy and at peace.

“What... what kind of work do you do?” she continued, melting the butter in the frying pan.

“Stay-at-home father,” he said, searching for the whip among the utensils laid out in front of him.

It was only natural that she should ask him this question, since he'd given up everything overnight and she hadn't heard from him since. It was a deliberate move on his part – not without its share of blues – to avoid the temptation of relapsing and focusing entirely on his only progeny, who had begun to express some resentment towards his sense of priorities. The first year had taken a lot of self-control not to reconnect with his team. He'd had a string of sleepless nights and had collapsed more than once in silence, in the shower or in the darkness of his bedroom. Then, with Jack's happiness, he took on this new life with greater serenity. From then on, he took full responsibility for his retirement and this activity, usually reserved for women.

“Lot of responsibilities.”

“Rather, yes,” he confirmed, adding liquid cream to the mixture. “What do you do in between cooking classes?”

He had left her with the whole agency on her hands, without a proper handover. As he prepared to leave for witness protection, he had also tried his best to slip instructions to the person he wanted to “see” take over. But written notes were no substitute for oral transmission, and he would have understood perfectly well if, faced with the magnitude of the task, she had given up. And that she was also very angry at him.

“I’m… I’m working for the Department of Justice.”

“O… okay.”

He smiled in spite of himself. He hadn’t sensed any morgue in her words. She had accepted the challenge and had clearly risen to it. A piece of news that soothed him. With a lighter spirit, he leaned towards her and whispered:

“Then I hope the fact that I have a criminal record won't be a problem.”

“You’ve got a criminal record?” she reacted, surprised.

“A juvenile one, yes.”

Her memory reminded her that this was not new information. She remembered Dave and Penelope talking about it once. At the time, she'd been flabbergasted to learn of it, Aaron being the archetypal extremely law-abiding citizen. That was before she got to know him a little better and guessed the rebel hidden beneath the suit and tie. After that, she'd thought nothing of asking him about it to feed her curiosity. And it was still waiting to be satiated.

“And what did you do to deserve this?”

“I… I was a little angry. I've broken a few things and spoken badly to a few people, but that's the end of it,” he assured, unwilling to dwell on the past he was trying to bury.

“I see.”

Half-heartedly, he had confirmed the assumptions she had made about him to explain some of his behavior. She'd never dared put her foot down to be sure, but this answer fit in with her theories. As she felt him embarrassed by these old exactions, she in turn approached him to whisper:

“Don't worry; I too did some reprehensible things when I was younger.”

“Really?”

He knew at least one of them, whom she had entrusted to him so that he would understand her wanderings during an investigation that had trampled on her intimacy and stirred up the mire. He'd tried to make her understand that she didn't have to do it, but she'd persisted anyway. She'd decomposed before his eyes as she did so, and he'd had all the trouble in the world to restrain himself from taking her in his arms, but she'd held it together all the way. She had never mentioned this period of her life again, and he had never sought to know more. He knew what it was like to want to forget the unforgettable so as not to suffer any more.

“Yes. But it was in Europe, so it went by the wayside,” she said with a sneer at the corner of her lips.

“You went to Europe?”

He knew about it, but it was something that still fascinated him. He'd only briefly left American soil – when he'd worked in liaison with Scotland Yard – so this was a whole new world for him.

“Yes. During all my childhood.”

“So you’re bilingual then?”

“In fact, I speak five languages,” she declared, pretending to concentrate on cooking the bacon. “Six, if we take into account my poor Russian.”

For him, who spoke only English, it was magic to be able to communicate with so many different vocabularies. He had witnessed her polyglot talents on several occasions, and had never ceased to be amazed by the spectacle. This woman was not only beautiful, she was also terribly intelligent.

“Okay. I see that I’m dealing with the brain of the gang.”

Emily burst out laughing, then pulled herself together when the other students turned to them, intrigued. Her cheeks were on fire. Beside her, Aaron was smiling. Of that shy smile that used to emerge so fleetingly. Often when she was around. Which led one of their colleagues to assume that he was saving it just for her. She doubted he was, but she'd always found it irresistible.

“Do… do you have kids?”

Her heart missed a beat. She hadn't prepared herself for this question, having counted on the fact that they would only talk about subjects they already knew about; but suddenly realized that if he hadn't given any news of him since he left, she herself hadn't done much more after her flight across the Atlantic. At least, she hadn't contacted him and didn't know what JJ and Penelope had told him. In fact, it was not incoherent that he should want to know more about the evolution of her private life. 

“N… no,” she admitted, concentrating more than necessary on the pan-fried leeks.

“It… Was it your wish or...?”

He didn't finish his sentence, aware that he was venturing into very intimate territory.

“Let's just say I haven't found the ideal candidate for this,” she asserted with a little more confidence.

It was the truth. None of her partners had given her the desire to take the next step. She had never seen herself carrying their offspring in her womb, or giving birth to them in pain for hours on end. And now that she'd crossed paths again with the only person who could have aroused that impulse in her, it was too late for that.

“But kids don’t bother you?”

“No. And I’ll be pleased to meet yours.”

She hesitated to add something, but barely restrained herself. Expressing her desire was perhaps premature given the situation.

“I'd show you a picture of him, but my hands are a little busy.”

The host wanted her students to make their own short crust pastry, and he willingly took on the task. However, the mixture currently sticking to his fingers was nothing like what he should have obtained. Emily controlled her giggle. The unease he had unintentionally instilled in her was receding.

“If he took a little from his father, he must be very handsome.”

“Well he's very handsome,” he admitted, appreciating the disguised compliment in passing, ”but it's got nothing to do with me. He took everything from his mother.”

As she hadn't seen him grow up, she couldn't know how the little boy had evolved physically. Which genes had taken over the others. And the nearly-adult form he was harboring at home had little to do with him, that was for sure. Those closest to him insisted otherwise, but he struggled to see why they could be so categorical.

“Really? And… where is she? If it's not too intrusive.”

His relationship with Haley, the love of his life, had been somewhat chaotic. They'd lived together for twenty-five years, had a single baby, she'd cheated on him, he'd found out and she'd demanded a divorce by kicking him out of his house, before dying two years later by the hands of a sociopath he'd had the misfortune to piss off. And, from beginning to end, he never stopped loving her.  Was he still so fond of her? That was what she was trying to determine with this question.

“She's... passed away,” he said, a sad gleam passing through his eyes.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

The pain was still there, undeniable, but understandable given the circumstances of her death.

“It was twelve years ago now. And we were separated before,” he clarified serenely.

A reaction that pleased her greatly. She had held back all these years from shaking him out of his endless mourning for his long-lost childhood sweetheart. She had to believe that he had finally overcome this ordeal.

“And… you haven’t found the right one since?”

The answer was obvious, since he was there with her, but her curiosity drove her to continue questioning.

“There… there was a girl, yes. We stayed together for three years and… she preferred to go to Hong Kong.”

She grimaced to hide her delighted expression. So this was how his story with Beth had ended. She'd hated the woman the second she appeared near that racetrack. She'd wanted to rip out her beautiful blue eyes and make her swallow her tongue so she'd never call her boss “Hotchner” again. Seeing her coo in the arms she'd been silently coveting for five years had been a punch in the gut. But fate had propelled her to the other side of the planet, so all was good. Well, she hoped so.

“Whoops!” she simpered. “And… how long ago was that?”

“It was... seven years ago,” he observed, a little embarrassed.

“And nothing more then?”

“No.”

“You're patient,” she remarked, not at all surprised by the negative response.

“I was really busy overall.”

Between his workload at Quantico and his parental obligations, he hadn't really allowed himself any time for himself after his separation. Nor had he felt the need to. Like after his return to celibacy when Haley had dumped him, like after her funeral. But next to Emily, things were different.

“And you? I find it hard to believe that a beautiful woman like you is single.”

“I was really busy too.”

He nodded, as she had following his answer. When you were doing that job, opportunities to relax were few and far between. Plus, female cops had a distinct tendency to scare off men. A question of misplaced male ego.

“I left the United States and moved to London...” – she frowned long enough to do the math – “ten years ago and I... I had a relationship with someone, yes. It lasted a year and... when I had to come back to the States to take up my current position, he didn't follow.”

“Brave, but not foolhardy.”

She smiled and seemed to nod in agreement.

“And nothing then?”

“…Yes,” she revealed, unsure of herself. “There… there was another man, but... when he wanted to move on to something more serious, I... I refused.”

Her unease was palpable. He could have moved on to another subject, offering her a way out, but his protective side spoke for itself.

“Why? He wasn’t nice?”

“Yes. It's... it's just that my instincts... told me he wasn't the right one.”

She felt like a fortune-teller with that line, but that's what had crossed her mind at the time. Something had told her that this was not the direction in which she needed to go.

“… And... what do your instincts tell you about me?”

“I feel as if I've known you all my life,” she said without thinking.

He stared at her blankly, surely trying to analyze this sentence to extract its meaning. For her, it was pretty clear-cut. From the start, and despite the clashes they'd encountered, he was the one with whom she'd most easily established a connection. The one with whom exchanges had always been fluid. The one she'd always known she could be herself with.

“Very well,” he commented, obviously perplexed. “I hope you're not tired of me already, then. It would be a pity since we've just met.”

She laughed and hastily retorted:

“No. Never.”

Their eyes met and their cheeks flushed. The same clumsy smile appeared on both their lips. This was less a time for play than for sincerity.

“And... what does... your instinct think of me?”

“I think that if fate wanted us to meet tonight, it’s for a good reason.”

Emily felt her heart racing in her chest. He too had spoken without taking the time to think. A fire burned in her veins and he himself seemed on the verge of collapse. Carried away by their merry-go-round, they had just brutally exposed thoughts that had been buried inside them for years.

“Okay. It was very cheesy, sorry,” he apologized, lowering his nose.

“No, eve... everything's fine,” she soothed, placing a hand on his forearm. “I… I agree.”

“You do?”

“…Yes,” she nodded, her eyes locked in his.

                The class ended about ten minutes later, with little to show for them. They greeted the organizers politely and slipped away as quickly as possible to avoid being caught up in some post-workshop party. While they took care of themselves, the other students seemed to have taken become friends with each other. They found themselves in the street and burst out laughing in unison, marking the end of their act.

                Keeping her distance, Emily was the first to speak again when they had recovered from their emotions.

“I’m so happy to see you again.”

“Me too,” he bounced back, ecstatic. “I didn't expect it to happen in such a context, but I'm happy to have spent this time with you.”

“Yes, that’s true. It’s been a long time.”

She perceived a twitch in his jaw. Clearly, he'd taken the remark as a reproach when that hadn't been her intention. She tried to rectify the situation, but he was quicker than she was.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. I… I understand that you needed to step away.”

Their work was so psychologically hard that it slowly destroyed them. Each new case was a further blow to their faith in humanity. Each new suspect detected was another step in the horror of the human race. Each new victim was one more failure to add to their long list. Regularly, they felt as if they were alone in the world, trying to scoop water from the boat they were standing on, armed only with a teaspoon. Often, they wondered whether it was really worthwhile for them to leave this cozy bed, which allowed them to distance themselves from reality for a few hours at a time. And when the burden became too heavy to bear, there were two ways to stop suffering. One, definitive; the other, open to the future. Derek and Aaron had chosen the latter. 

“No, I'm sorry about tonight,” he corrected. “I… I probably ruined your chance to meet someone nice.”

She widened her eyes, momentarily unsettled, before remembering that they had always been just friends until that day. That, plus the fact that his low self-esteem never gave him the slightest inkling that anyone might be interested in him. Did he believe she'd played a role earlier? It was not impossible, given the character. It was high time to open his eyes. 

“… You didn’t ruin my chance, Aaron. On a contrary.”

He frowned, disconcerted. Why would she say such a thing? She'd come here tonight in search of a soul mate – just like him – and she'd finally come face to face with her former boss. And this one had found nothing better than to monopolize all her attention. She was younger than him, beautiful and cultured; she must have appealed to a lot of people. Only she hadn't been able to see it because he'd got in her way. She should have been upset with him. Why she wasn’t?

“… Okay. I'm guessing you're not saying that about my culinary skills because there's no way I'm serving what we cooked to Jack. And to anyone else by the way.”

She laughed briefly and resumed:

“No, it… it wasn’t for that, indeed.”

“So… why?”

Without saying a word, she approached him. Her heart pounding against her ribs, she pushed up on her toes and placed her lips on his. Then she put her heels back on the ground and smiled at him.

“For that.”

He hadn’t prepared himself at all for this. To tell the truth, he had expected to return empty-handed from the evening. And yet, a woman had just kissed him. And not just any kind. The one he'd wanted for years. The one he'd been wanting to hug, embrace and kiss for ages. She was the one who had motivated him to get up every morning and who had also animated his dreams. The one he'd had to give up, the one he'd agreed to let go even though this decision had hurt him more than anything he'd experienced before. But she had come back – at his request – and stayed – of her own free will. And now she was standing there, in front of him, and she'd offered him a kiss. Was it the reality?

                Hesitantly, he leaned towards her, ready to see her flee, and gently pressed his mouth to hers. A pleasant sensation, very different from the one he had imagined. He stood back to observe her reaction. They looked at each other. They were both bewildered, transfixed by the event. He found the courage to kiss her again, taking advantage of the fact that she hadn't run off. Instead, her fingers brushed his chin and she parted her lips. Before long, they were curled up against each other, ablaze with the lingual ballet they'd been seeking for so long. A performance that came to a halt when the need to breathe arose.

                They smiled in unison, as embarrassed as teenagers on a first date. Emily had loved the experience and had no intention of cutting it short. Now that this step had been taken, she wanted to move on to the next. It might seem a hasty way of going about things, but she'd been waiting fourteen years for this moment; she could push propriety to the limit. If he wished to follow her.

“Is there anyone at your place?”

“Jack,” he answered immediately. “And my mother,” he added with a sneer.

Going there was out of the question. It would be daylight before she finished being questioned by the grandmother and her grandson.

“… Okay. It… it's a bit further, but would you like to extend the evening at my place?”

Did he understand her intentions correctly? Did she want to go beyond these kisses? If that was the case, he liked the idea a lot. It was rusty and not very presentable, but she knew that and probably wouldn't hold it against him. He could trust her for that. And if she just wanted to talk, curled up against his chest, then that was fine too. As long as he was with her.

“…I'd like that, yes.”

A smile lit up their faces, and they embraced in a single sweep. They then pulled away to better slip their hands into their partner's. Shoulder to shoulder, they set off in the hope that this night would be the first of a long – very long – series.

___

I hope you have enjoyed it! /o/

[anotherlibrocubicularist]

There's this post on tumblr talking about how Chris' sole motivation to change the past by keeping his big brother from becoming evil was his love for said brother, and not even the killing of his (ex?)-fiancée changed anything about that.

And I'm sure Chris did love Wyatt and he did want to save him from becoming the monster he became, but come on.

Chris-Crossed alone debunks this claim three, yes THREE, times.

First, the thought of what Wyatt would do to Bianca if he found out about her betraying him to help Chris get to the past, was enough to have Chris want to kill Wyatt. (And Bianca had to hold him back. Yes, you read that right. She was the one who was more hesitant to kill than Chris.)

Second time Chris was throwing Wyatt so hard into a wall, we heard bones cracking. And did Chris spare him a glance? No. He could've killed the guy and didn't even think about it in that moment.

And the third time was showing Chris, after the death of the love of his life (who he, according to that post, doesn't care about as much as he does about Wyatt), threatening to stop (kill, bc we all know that's what he meant with 'stop') baby Wyatt if he couldn't save him.

I know the show had Chris himself exclaim several times after this episode that he came back to save his family (bc god forbid he mentions Bianca once or twice, why even bother introducing her if she's not portrayed as having any importance afterwards??!!). But one, I'm pretty sure he counts Bianca as family and two, the sisters probably wouldn't have helped him the way they did if he said he primarily came back to save the past for his future wife and children.

My main point is: he definitely didn't do everything he did only for Wyatt.

[thotsforvillainrights]

Okay hear me out so I was watching the “Hazbin Hotel” series that is streaming on prime video and as I was watching the show I got to thinking? What is the? LOV had a S/O whose quirk is similar to Alastor the radio demon from Hazbin Hotel (S/O has a regular voice, but only uses Alistair radio voice only for show)

and the first time they fought against the heroes or the MLA (re-Destro’s army) and they saw S/O’s transform into there, demon form (because that’s part of their quirk) and the LOV were like “that is terrifying, but also amazing at the same time!” And it made them fall even more in love with their S/O😅

I haven't watched this show to be honest. I remember only seeing the original (which I think is the pilot?) way back a few years on YouTube. I'm hearing the pilot I saw wasn't even canon but whatever, it's all I got to go by haha. From what I can remember, he seemed to be super strong and creepy but also pretty funny here and there. I see things on social media about the show but it's mostly videos of the songs and cosplays. Anyway, wish me luck because I did no further research for this and I'm sorry lol)

headcanon|scenario|imagine|match-up|drabble

-Impressed but a little scared: Surely Compress will tell you outright after witnessing you in action, that he's impressed (and whispers that he's a little scared). Up until this point you probably didn't display the full ability of your quirk. You never felt the need to and (yes, I'm capping your power) after using it you need to recharge for some days and possibly a week or so. It was a 'use fully only when needed' kind of power. He's not sleeping with one eye open, but he knows if you ever for whatever reason decided to do so that you could eliminate him and everyone around him. The danger never scared him too much. Twice knows you won't hurt him, but he also is careful not to step out of line. It's not like you don't love him as much as he does you...it's just that if one day you decided to turn against the villains then he knows he wouldn't be safe. This is BEFORE he harnessed his ability. Afterward he's a little more secure. Also is more than impressed and proud of you!

-In complete awe: (and yes I know Kurogiri wasn't available for the battle but if he were then you'd get a lot of praise from him) Spinner would have a small jaw-drop moment when he'd seen you pull your power out. He probably didn't know it could be so intimidating! He probably feels a small swell in his chest thinking of the bit of pride he has for you already increasing by the day. Then again, Spinner is proud of you for anything you do no matter what. Also in complete would likely be Magne too. She's going to be your biggest fan even if you were quirkless, but she assumed the opposite considering your voice changing on a whim. Feel bad for everyone else having to listen to her brag about you on a daily basis!

-Doesn't care and means it: No offense but Dabi likely doesn't care all that much. I mean, yeah he's slightly impressed but you won't see him fanboying over you or anything. However, your ability does make him take a second to look over his own. Perhaps he'll ask you to go toe to toe with him one of these days. Just be easy on him! Muscular is more along the lines of 'it aint shit unless you can beat me in a fight with it'. He challenges you just about everyday. He's pretty cocky to be honest. Refuses to admit you could possibly be stronger than him even if it's true. Not to be rude or anything but Moonfish doesn't care what your ability is or is not. All he really cares about it you. Which could both be an 'awe' or 'oh...' moment depending on who you are as a person. He doesn't mean anything negative by it! Just doesn't care is all.

-ACTS like they don't care but actually does: Shigaraki would pretend as much as he wants to but everyone knows he's rather amazed by you. He's always been this way with everything in the relationship concerning you. He's not all that open with you when it comes to how he feels. It's not till later in the relationship that he ends up opening more and more for you. So at the beginning "Yeah it's kind of cool I suppose but it really doesn't concern me in the least bit what power you have. It's about how you use it to benefit us and our organization." Then later it transforms into you being his heavy hitter on the team. He's conflicted between putting you on the frontlines because of your power and wanting to keep you safe near him instead.

[kaikamahine]

hard read under the cut. tw for death.

things i wish i wouldn't have to remember

the way her eyes bulged.

her tongue, pushing out between her teeth. i tried to pry her jaws apart, to clear her airway, but they were locked tight. i couldn't. her tongue was bleeding.

her eyes bulged. they pointed in different directions. like a ghibli character, enraged.

"i'm a little dizzy," she had said, before she listed to one side. before her eyes did that awful thing.

i grabbed her face. i righted it. i pointed it at me.

"mom!" i called. "yeah?" she said. "MOM!" i called. her eyes slid back to center, on me. "what?" she said. it wasn't speaking, really. her mouth barely moved. her tongue pushed.

these were the last words she said to me.

i was right there, kneeling in front of her. her head in my hands. calling to her.

her color was bad. so so bad.

i saw her eyes go away. i saw her stop breathing.

i hauled her to the floor. you need a hard surface to start cpr. her jaws rigid, couldn't clear her airway. called 911. wailed. mom's not breathing! mom's not breathing!

chest compressions. 911 had to remind me how to place my hands.

my brother told me, later, when i told him i was never going to forget how her eyes went fixed, that he was never going to forget the sight of me, throwing all my weight onto her chest.

he was there, throwing open the front door and hauling furniture out of the way. could hear sirens now. dog barking.

men coming in. man with a braid said, "i'll take over from here, sweetheart." his chest compressions looked a lot different from mine.

lot of men after that. women, too. all in blue. lots of plastic on the floor. they cut her sweatshirt off. the teal one, with the poinsettias. her shirt, her bra. she always tucked kleenex in her bra, for when her pants pockets were too far away. it went everywhere.

a machine. like an engine. they put it over her chest and strapped her wrists to it, so she was holding it up. it did the chest compressions now. hard. her body jerked with each one. she would have liked to see it.

a man, to me: is she allergic to anything? me, to him: everything. but nothing medical.

him, to me: does she have any health problems? me, to him: everything. breast cancer, diabetes, bad kidneys, eczema.

him, to the others: diabetic. get a sugar.

it was 570.

the thought, then, like a blow. like an axe to the head: had /I/ done this?

she just had a bout of diarrhea. i KNEW she tended to slide on her diet when she had the runs, to keep up her salts.

diabetic means no starch. but she needs a high fiber diet, too, her doctor said, and there's fiber in beans, peas, some vegetables. but the most fiber is in grains.

so we compromised. i would give her a high-fiber cereal for breakfast, when she was most likely to take her insulin straight afterward. healthy blood sugars are below 120. she usually ran in the 200s, even fasting.

never 570.

i didn't think about how she'd probably eaten something salty starchy. i didn't think that she probably would have forgotten her nightly insulin. i gave her breakfast as usual.

i didn't know, then, that it had been her heart. i thought it was a diabetic coma.

we were on the floor for half an hour. they stopped the machine twice, to check. i knew what a flatline sounded like.

a man, to me: sometimes in this situation we can call it. but your mother's markers are rising, which tells me her body wants to function. we'll take her to the hospital so they can try.

onto the stretcher. out the door.

it's december. below freezing. they put the blanket under her, to protect her from the stretcher. nothing on top of her. because of the machine, maybe?

my mom is hard to embarrass. but outside with all those men around with her breasts hanging out in the air would have flustered even her, i think.

hospital. there was an underground garage for parking. i was still in my nightdress. i'd grabbed a sweatshirt for my mom, thinking she'd want one since they cut her other one off, but i'd forgotten anything for me. fuck, it was cold.

a room in the lobby with a door that shut.

then a doctor. i don't remember her name. and trista, the chaplain.

it doesn't look good, they said. would you like to see her?

of course i would. what kind of question is that.

it was the first room inside the doors. so many people swarming. i couldn't have gotten to my mom's side even if i wanted.

doctor touched my arm. pointed to the heart monitor. said, surprised, "the situation's turned around. they've got her."

said, "but she was gone for so long. i want to manage your expectations. the brain damage is likely very severe."

i would take care of her no matter what, i said. she's my mom.

i wish

i wish now

with all my heart

i wish i had called out to her. while they had her. while she was there.

i wish i wish i wish

mom don't you dare leave me. mom you're going to be so mad if you miss this. mom. mom mom mama. don't leave me here.

but i didn't want to interrupt. mom was a retired medical professional. she trusted the process implicitly. and so many people were working so hard to save her.

she crashed again. they called it at 11:27am.

do you know the strangeness of a body in a hospital with nothing hooked up to it?

there's no mistaking a corpse for anything else.

her forehead was cold. her hand was cold. i hadn't brushed her hair yet that morning, so it was frizzing out of the braid she'd slept in. they'd closed her eyes.

i think i stroked her forehead so much that my warmth transferred into her, because when my brother got there it was better.

trista said (and signed, to our surprise,) take all the time you need.

but, not long later, and with genuine regret, i'm so sorry, but they need the room.

oh no, i said to my mom, i'm going to steal one more kiss. and did.

a frequent joke. would kiss her head once i'd gotten her comfy on the sofa, and then goblin scuttle back to steal one more. she'd laugh. oh no! she'd echo. not my daughter! not a kiss! her short term memory had been fraying, so it was a new joke every time.

closed the door behind my brother and i.

trista had been right: the er waiting room was packed. standing room only. with us, tear-stained, and trista, it was obvious what kind of procession we were. i hoped it helped someone; no one's ever in the er for anything good, but i hoped someone could look at us and think, at least i'm not them.

home, then.

my brother had tidied. cleaned the plastic up and the remains of mom's clothes, and her pill bottle that i'd knocked to the floor when i'd hauled her off the sofa. he'd adjusted the pillows, straightened the towel. it looked like a sofa in anyone's living room, not like the place my mother had nestled into and lived for the last six years.

her doctor called. emily. we saw her once a month. she's genuinely the best. all those posts warning you about bad faith doctors and to not be afraid to be firm and finding one to take you seriously, and we found her on the first try.

it had just come through on the patient portal, she said. oh my god, oh my god, honey. i'm so sorry.

emily, i said. wailed, really. emily, did i kill her? her blood sugar was 570.

no, she said. no no no. elizabeth, no. it was her heart. it says right here. it was a heart attack.

it was the first i'd heard of it.

how, i said. how? her heart was the only thing that wasn't wrong with her!

but there's no answer to that, of course.

it's so quiet.

it's two days, now. and it's so quiet. no tv, no wheels clattering on the tile as she trundles to the bathroom or into the kitchen to get more iced tea from the fridge. no one calling for me to maybe do that last thing for her, pretty please.

so quiet. my mom's not here.

things i am likely never ever ever to forget

it's the same list

[arbuz-ik]

Touch myself

(The title is taken from one GRLwood song because I love that song, lol.)

Pairing: Sylvie x fem!reader

Word count: 4.1k

I hope there are no mistakes here.

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

Sylvie was glad to finally get some rest. She knew that Loki would not have made such a sacrifice for nothing. He wanted the best for her, even if it wasn't going to be with him. Loki did what needed to be done and what needed to be done, as Sylvie certainly didn't want to sit in one place somewhere in ruins for the rest of her very long life, and Loki knew it.

Sylvie walked down the road and drank a soda from McDonald's, already thinking about how she would have a good strong coffee after she got back to her small flat. Tomorrow she also had a shift at McDonald's, but Sylvie wasn't complaining. Everything was fine until a text message arrived on her mobile phone. She knew that storing future technology in 1983 wasn't a good idea, but it was the only communication she had with you.

"What are you doing?" your message read. Easy and simple enough, making Sylvie smirk in thought.

She had met you before the whole Loki thing. Sylvie had accidentally fallen into your timeline then, as TemPad's charge was running low. So she had to stay at your flat for a while, and you two... Yeah. Yeah, and it seems like Sylvie knew you didn't mind her coming round afterwards, so she came round to fuck.

And then the whole Loki thing, TVA, and then McDonald's, where she could finally think things through. You loved her, really, even though she'd thought it was just sex before. But now the two of you were almost like a couple.

"Coming home from work." replied Sylvie dryly.

You never liked that. Sylvie only sent you hearts emojis when she was maxed out drunk, and mostly everything was short, to the point, and literate.

"Shame it's without me." was the reply, which made Sylvie take another sip. She knew what you'd texted her for.

***

Sylvie arrived home about ten minutes later. Her coat was now lying on the sofa and she was in a grey t-shirt and plain pants, sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee while it was night outside.

Sylvie couldn't have come to your timeline so often. Firstly she didn't want to spoil you, secondly she was working, thirdly she just liked to know how you were writhing with desire because she only came to you twice a month.

"I know what you're writing to me for." wrote Sylvie, waiting for a reply, which of course wouldn't come, so she wrote a couple more minutes later. "Thinking about me again? Dirty. Very dirty."

"I'm sorry, Sylvie, sometimes I just can't stand it."

"You never know how to do that."

You sighed unhappily as you read the message. Your own hand slid more slowly under your trousers now, as you didn't expect Sylvie to text again. Your own room was dark and quiet, apart from the heavy breathing and the fact that you were typing with one hand. "I can do that."

Sylvie smirked, even snorting, knowing you were lying stupidly.

"Masturbating, are you? I already know you're already imagining mine instead of your fingers, and thinking about how I could whisper some nasty things in your ear, right?" Sylvie knew you were probably already blushing and squealing at this. You were easy to tease.

Your fingers sped up slightly, though Sylvie looked completely neutral if you could see her. You bit your lip with a quiet moan. You missed her caresses, her hands, her voice and just her in general, so you had to do it almost every night. And you always loved it when Sylvie helped you with it, even like this.

"Yeah, sorry."

"Don't apologise. Just be my sweet princess and push your clit harder. Don't be shy, honey."

A slight moan escaped your lips and your hand did as Sylvie asked and goosebumps ran down your skin and the slight throbbing inside your body increased slightly.

"Will you want my photos afterwards?"

"Sure." Sylvie replied, taking a sip from her mug, biting her lip slightly. She did, after all, have a separate folder of such photos, which she was very fond of. "Now slowly insert another finger, don't be gentle."

There were now two fingers inside, causing a low sweet moan to escape your lips and your eyes to close for a moment in pleasure. Until another message came from Sylvie.

"Yes, move gently. Move and think it's me doing it. Except of course my rings on fingers won't be hitting your tender flesh with every thrust, but that's fine too." Sylvie felt that at this rate you would be coming to climax in about a minute, maybe less. She herself was already squirming in the chair, feeling aroused and eager. "Be a good girl for me."

Your hand moved faster and faster as you thought about how Sylvie could be here. You imagined how you could feel the slight chill coming from her, since she was half Jotun after all. Moans escaped your lips more and more as you reread Sylvie's messages over and over to cum.

"Obedient but dirty girl who likes to masturbate while she thinks of me and misses me." read another message, which was the last straw before your orgasm. It made your body shudder and your tongue stuck out for a couple of moments while requests popped out of your lips into the void.

After a moment, you calmed down, which allowed you to text Sylvie. Finally.

"You're going to get me someday."

"Don't worry, next time I'll fuck you so hard you won't be able to sit up."

[andguesswhat]

Diary of a mall Santa Claus

14

Theft Day

* "What the hell??? Where's my jacket???" Timmy searches in panic through his backpack, "And my...! Someone stole all my money out of my wallet! And my jacket is gone!" During the shift, someone apparently broke into Timmy's locker. Armie wished it had been his. The shop assistant is nice and understanding, but in the end she can't help much. Especially not right now. Completely frustrated, Armie and Timmy step out of the mall and Timmy immediately begins to freeze. Armie takes off his jacket and gives it to Timmy, who accepts it gratefully, but he wishes he could do more. For instance find this asshole and pull his ears out so he could have some elf ears for life. "What about you?" Timmy looks at Armie. Armie shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not cold." "Wrong world, huh? You more or less only know warm temperatures, you should be cold." Armie shrugs again and smiles slightly. He still doesn't know how to help Timmy. And wishes he could. Timmy points to the watch Armie is wearing. "Wow, is that real? I mean, if it is, it's weird to have one of those and still have money problems so you have to work at a mall as Santa, isn’t it?" Armie muses. "I never thought of that before... But when you're right, you're right." He pulls out his cell phone and looks for the nearest pawn shop. "Come on..." he says, pulling Timmy along with him, shortly afterwards into a cab, and 20 minutes later he's sold his watch and is a rich man. Why didn't he think of this before? Well, actually he is very glad that he didn't think of it earlier, because otherwise he wouldn't have met Timmy. And he doesn't want to think about that for too long.  Timmy seems a little intimidated since they were at the pawn shop, he hasn't said much, probably feels guilty about giving Armie that terrific idea, but Armie is busy anyway. Again he searches his phone until he finds what he's looking for. "Ok, come on, let's get you a new jacket." Again he pulls Timmy along with him, who tries desperately to keep up with Armie's pace, until they're in front of a fancy store.  The saleswoman is about to close the store, but Armie knocks on the front door and gives his most charming smile. "What are we doing here?" whispers Timmy behind him. "This is way too expensive for me, I can't afford it, Armie." "You don't have to," Armie simply cuts off Timmy's concern. The lady comes to the door, opens it and smiles, "Sorry, we're just closing." "Yes, I know, but please, someone stole this young man's jacket and it's freezing." He hands her a fifty dollar bill. The lady looks at them both, her smile widens and she opens the door without taking the bill. "No need for that." Armie and Timmy enter the small boutique and Timmy's eyes widen even more, his fingers wandering over the racks of clothes. "Did you see the prices?" he whispers to Armie again. "Yeah, but don't worry about it. You know how much money I just got, right? And I really don't care, okay? I want to do this. You can pay me back when you get your first role in a blockbuster, okay?" Timmy looks at Armie for a second and finally grins. "Okay." "So hurry up, the lady wants to call it a day."

Timmy obviously knows what he's doing. He looks through the racks of clothes briskly, admiring this and that and "That would look good on you!" and finally finds a big, fluffy coat that will definitely keep him very warm. And although Armie kind of liked how Timmy looked in his way-too-big jacket, he looks absolutely stunning in this one. And how happy Timmy smiles makes it twice as worth. That smile stays on Timmy's face the entire ride, too. As they catch a cab to Timmy's apartment, Timmy lets his fingers glide over his coat, feeling the buttons, telling Armie about his favorite designers and how much he loves to express himself with clothes and how he wishes he had the money to do it. "I don't know how to thank you," he finally says when the cab pulls up. "No need. Glad you're warm now," Armie replies. And then Armie suddenly feels a warm Timmy against his body, Timmy hugs him tightly, and Armie holds his breath because he didn't expect to have Timmy's face so close to his. A soft "Thank you, Armie," a kiss on the cheek, and Timmy turns to open the door. "See you tomorrow!" "Yeah, have a good night." The door slams shut. Did his voice just quaver? Armie sees the cabbie's amused look in the mirror. Okay, it did. Armie sighs. There was a reason he doesn't do that boyfriend stuff. He doesn't like it when things happen that he can't control. When he can't control his own emotions.

These are just stupid hormones!

*

[thenightlymirror]

So, for anyone paying attention to narrative, a lot has happened in the last week.

I was going to start on Tuesday, but then remembered that quite a lot happened on Monday too. So, Friday, I suppose.

At some point Friday, after days of the superintendent telling me that he would get to my dozens of foundation requests and work orders sometime next week, I learned in the last hour that he was actually going on vacation. Which enraged me. I'm an idiot. They spent the week after Memorial Day recovering. The next week saw the GM off sick almost the entire week, while I sort of ran things.

I started Monday by explaining to the GM that nothing has been for our State of Emergency Shithole Cemetery in two weeks, even when I tried to plan ahead for the next delivery which was coming very soon. Welp.

A few minutes later, I heard her addressing the grounds crew so, stood up from my desk and crashed the meeting. These are our priorities until I receive the granite manifest. This marker needs to be done today. These, when there's time. Two weeks ago I cared about these. Fuck it. I'll be by to look for paperwork in the garage.

I found the garage breakroom table covered in unfinished stacks of my work orders, old food, and a thin, even layer of mouse shit. Buck, how do you feel about being made to eat your meals on rat shit?

"I think it's a crime."

Correct.

After collecting my papers and taking lots of photos, I talked to Buck about his various grievances. He asked me if I was a socialist. "At least," I said.

I decided to go back to the GM and confront her about the rat shit. She explained that she bleached that table a month ago, but the boys leave the door open, and even when the exterminator visits twice a month, there's nothing they can do. Also. Buck was caught feeding the mice water.

Hm.

Well, I mean, wouldn't you? Honestly. Who among us if forced to live in rat shit would not feed the miserable poisoned rats? Since you're essentially in the same boat, all about to be fired, thrown out on your asses. Murdered.

Tuesday, grounds continued get more work done. The manifest arrived. I made the No. #2 a packet with the four foundations that were absolutely necessary by next week. Andrew invited me out to trivia later than night, and I spent the rest of the day feeling tired and headachy and convinced that if I didn't go, I'd probably be alone for the rest of my short life.

So I went. It was pretty good. Most of the table seemed a little snooty, and also worried about something I wasn't a party to. Nervous. They're pretty serious about it all. We got second place in the end. I was really good at naming movies just by single frames. I also got the two other Latin American countries that use the American Dollar correct, but they weren't very confident about it. Neither was I, really.

Afterward, me and Andrew went to a bar and a girl there talked to us, got our numbers. I assumed Andrew went home with her. Maybe he did. He was discreet about it, if he did. She liked us, and we hit our stride as two (likely) bisexuals performing as horny straight men for our own amusement. It was a lot of fun.

The next day Buck and I exchanged numbers and made plans to hang out at his place, smoke weed, listen to Norwegian black metal, and watch old Incredible Hulk episodes. Nice.

There was this whole thing about going to Wisconsin to pick up some vases for a customer. The GM wanted to go. Sandra also happened to be going on the same day. I made a million calls and now it was just me picking it all up for everybody. No Spotted Cow. No Cheese Castle. Solamente Cox.

I woke up an hour early to lay in bed and feel utterly convinced I wanted to die. Something was up, and my brain turned in on itself instinctively. Always embarrassment, humiliation. Clarity. Brutal clarity. I got up. Rushed a day's work in three hours. Drove to my old cemetery where Sandra ran to give me a hug and pointed to the breakroom where Carlene was eating lunch. Something was definitely weird with Carls. Seemed miffed. I avoided immediately attacking Harper and talked logistics with Carlene by repeating every sentence she said until she noticed.

I entered the office to pick up the keys, and asked Harper how she was. I was pretty clear. She just kept working, didn't even look up. I just shrugged. Sandra gave me the eyes like, Holy Shit Dude, and I turned to go, but Carlene intervened like "HARPER!" and she finally looked up, so I asked her gently, Harper, what's up. How's it going, and she looked embarrassed and talked for a few minutes. Totally normal.

You could not convince me for the next four hours that is what happened. I only remembered my guts falling out on the floor in front of everyone. Hahaha. Such a sensitive baby.

Everyone at my place went on and on about how they might give me a tour, and I'd get to meet the owner and nobody there gave a shit. They just passed me through like corn. Not that they were mean in the slightest. I don't know what I expected.

I got back to the old cemetery. The new counselor-at-large was there and I said hello and she looked right fucking through me. Haha I was not quiet. She just sucks. That's fine.

I got in the office and Sandra was stuck in an email. I was like, What the hell are you doing? Can't say. Ok lol. "What the hell is wrong with everyone today?"

"I was about to say that myself," Harper says. "People standing in doorways all day." Fucking body snatchers. Then Margie caught me. Harper made the "You did this to yourself by being nice to her, and I am getting the hell out of here" face. Have a nice weekend!

I pull out of my parking space in my own car again, and rip off the front bumper. The counselors come out to laugh and Sandra clandestinely takes photographs with her phone. We all laugh for a while while no one gets to leave the parking lot, and I go straight home to Winnetka with the vases in my car.

What else?

My trainer asked if I went to the Cheese Castle. No. I was depressed. She shoots into my dms to ask me why I'm depressed. I'm fine. Just woke up this way. My brain's just broke.

I woke up this morning sadder than ever. As I got in the car, my old trainer called me and said that she got a new job. The office manager position she always wanted. Fuck all the rest. I said thank god you did something, or else I was going to have to. Congrats. She said not to tell anyone, and to get out of this place as soon as I can.

I went to work and got on the golf cart and rode around for a while, took it up to the secret lake. Hiked around. Scared some birds. Took the cart off-roading down a steep hill convinced I was going to flip myself.

Later, rushing through work, I got another call. Sandra. She's leaving. Got a job with the city. Which means. Her position will be open. I jumped out of my seat and started punching the air. Holy shit. Suddenly the day flowed right over. Not only would this whole nightmare end, I'd get the position I wanted in the first place. The position I wanted like... years from now. Gene's place. I wouldn't have to be miserable. I still doubt it will actually happen. But it might. I might just be happy. Over in the admin office between Harper and Carl. Easy.

[jodilin65]

Today I am not as energetic as yesterday. I'm not sure why since I slept 7.5 hours and got a good sleep score. I did wake up a little more so maybe that's why. Overall, however, it does seem like the new bed could be helping because in the month that I've had it, I've had 8 tired days not counting the time the storm woke me up and then when the power went out. I normally have about 12 to 15 tired days within a 30-day period. So unless I'm just having a good month, it could be helping.

Today I'm going to be making stuffed mushrooms for the first time. I'm going to mix spinach and cheese in olive oil with bread crumbs. I'm also going to make us burgers when he gets up. Doubt I'll get around to trying the fried banana recipe today. I got some rainbow trout but I don't know if I'll have that today either.

My insurance company kept their word and I got my $100 Visa card for letting the nurse come to the house.

Went from Orchard Park to West Seneca, New York.

Irma was nice enough to surprise me with a message asking how Ray was doing and how my health was. I was wondering if anyone was ever going to take the time to reach out to me first and not message me only because I messaged them. She's probably more curious about what Ray's been up to than my health but that's okay. I told her he left in the middle of the month but probably isn't going to put palm trees in the middle of his boring yard because it would prevent visitors from parking on the gravel alongside the driveway. I also told her that my health is good as far as I know although I do still struggle with fatigue.

Just being prediabetic can cause fatigue. I really hope to hell I never end up diabetic but if I do, maybe it will motivate me to eat healthier as it did with Andy. I eat healthier more than I don't but I still have too much sugar at times. Even skinny athletes can become diabetic, though. Genetics is a big factor and it definitely runs in my family.

I still have that cramp in my lower right stomach. When you don't have a gallbladder the bile is dumped directly into the liver and I think that could be what I'm feeling although I don't know why it would take a whole year after having surgery. I did read that some liver conditions, including cancer, can cause pain to come and go but I just can't see it being that. Lab work is scheduled for the 31st so I'll find out soon.

Read an interesting article on the link between violent nightmares and the onset of autoimmune diseases. I've always had nightmares on and off but I definitely had a ton of violent nightmares when we were in Jesse's trailer around the time I suspect my thyroid crapped out on me. I attributed most of them to my psychic side warning me of trouble ahead which there certainly was due to the recession. Maybe there was more to it, though.

I wouldn't call them nightmares, but I did have some unsettling dreams last night. In one, I witnessed a murder and pretended I hadn't seen anything. Although the details are hazy, it seemed like I had a couple of roommates who were killed by intruders, leaving me unharmed for some reason. Acting oblivious, the killers insisted I travel with them to the northeast, promising to let me return afterward. We made the trip, and I hoped they would keep their word and let me go.

In the last dream, we lived in a typical neighborhood but you could still only have no more than two dogs per household. We had a one-story house, but next door was a large, old two-story house. I had wandered through it when it was vacant, so I knew what it looked like inside. A large Black family moved in, and while they seemed nice enough when we met, I was still worried they might be noisy.

One day, I peeked through the stockade fence surrounding their backyard and was shocked to see at least eight adult golden retrievers and twice as many puppies. When the woman living there found out I knew about the dogs, she seemed worried and told me to ignore it. I assured her it was no problem as long as they didn't bark, although I secretly intended to report them.

[cypheroo]

Hello! I saw that your character matchups are open and I'm interested in one, if that's okay with you! c:

It's my first time doing something like this so pray for me lol

Series: Jujutsu Kaisen

Matchup tone: Romantic

My pronouns: she/her

My likes: sports, writing, exploring/hiking/discovering new places/traveling, sightseeing, hanging out with people i cherish, dogs, reading, studying whatever sounds interesting.

I'm honestly not sure what to write in terms of personality, so i'll just drop in a few words that describe me, and if it'll help you some of these:

I'm a virgo & ENTJ.

Sincere, adventurous, dedicated, flexible, confident, cautious, straightforward, sometimes moody, sometimes can come off as closed off or defensive (only sometimes), and afterwards people usually discover that i mean no harm.

I'd like my partner to: bring out the fun & adventurous side of me, be a little more open than me, be rather similar (but obviously not completely identical) to me so we don't clash often, be athletic & energetic.

No-no characters: Cursed spirits (ex. Mahito, Sukuna), women (I'm romantically interested in guys), Panda (we chill but only platonically ykyk), Ijichi, Gakuganji.

And that's about it! Hopefully it wasn't too much hah, I tried keeping it short. I also hope I didn't mess up anything, but if I did, please let me know! It might take some time for me to answer but I certainly will. Super excited to see who I got!

Thank you! :D

JJK MATCHUP! ~ ♤

HUH? THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME?? YOU DID AMAZING! gave me all the info I needed as well! So tysm! Hope you enjoy the matchup! It was as so hard bc I was thinking about gojo or yuta working well with you (for different reasons lol)

Your match up isss....

YUJI!

It was either an accident him telling you he had feelings for you or it was you who told him ill be fr.

Both you and yuji bounce off each other super well! Both of you aren't perfectly the same, but that works even more considering he's a lot more extroverted and out there while you're more there to bring more logic to the table.

Actually

Yuji and you probably work out or go on walks together a lot. He finds working outore enjoyable with you, and it makes for more time he can also spend with you!

As much as hed love to go out often and share time under the sun he also understands and urges your to let him know when you really want a home day. He'll gladly oblige! He just needs you to tell him.

While most times are good, we can't deny arguments and disagreements are bound to happen l and when they do yuji is often the one who apologizes, but he does actively attempt to learn and grow the relationship.

Istg this man has brought a stray to your shared apartment at least twice, the reason being he couldn't just leave the little dude there!

I do feel like he wouldn't really call you pet names other than the normal babe every once in a while, but he usually prefers your name.

He also will go out of his way and learn a few things from whatever you're currently studying interested in so he could talk to you about them

He'll usually follow your moves if you need to run errands or head to the store he wants to come with you

Adding on to the one above he likes following behind you when it comes to shopping or being in busy places.

He'd definitely get you a bouquet that has more wild flowers in it, because those bouquets remind him of you.

Tags

[thotsforvillainrights]

Can I request the lov running into their s/os while doing heinous crimes?

(This is such a crazy thing to think about, I love it)

~LOV Run Into S/O During Crime Spree~

headcanon|scenario|imagine|match-up

-Shigaraki: Pretends like he doesn't know you or doesn't see you. You already know what he does when you're not together so it's not like he's hiding himself from you. It's just that he doesn't want you wrapped up in his mess and possibly in danger so he makes sure to keep his distance from you to protect you.

-Kurogiri: Likely isn't doing anything very over the top. Not since he helped Tomura raid UA at least...He finds a moment to sneak over to you and assure you are safe and out of the way. Then he disappears as he usually does. When asked if you know which way he went, you said you didn't know (which wasn't really a lie).

-Spinner: Immediately shifts his focus to you and it ends up getting him into some trouble. You do end up feeling bad about being the reason he got hurt, but you'll make it up to him later when he comes to the apartment. After all, you're no stranger to helping patch him up after a rough fight. You already resolved to buy extra gauze on the way home.

-Muscular: He smirks and basically puts on a rather aggressive show for you. I mean, you knew he was a villain after all. You also knew he was more violent than his other League members. It's up to you whether or not you look away from the gore in front of you. Oh, and don't think he apologizes for it later either. He doesn't.

-Moonfish: Unlike Muscular, he doesn't want you to see him like this. You treat him like a person despite the things that he's done. So if you end up running into him in the middle of something rough, he immediately retreats from the scene. You may have inadvertently just saved some innocent person's life just by showing up.

-Dabi: Like Muscular, he probably ends up smirking at you before putting on a show. The only difference depends on what type of person you are when together. If he knows you don't like this kinda thing then he might shoot you an apology text later on for having accidentally seen that. He also pays mind to assure you don't end up getting caught in his flame by accident.

-Twice: Will probably cling to you and hope you help hide him. It's not exactly the most delightful situation to be caught up in. You're just hoping the cops didn't see you together before fleeing down an alleyway. Later on it gets even worse. "Jin…you put both of us at risk to steal a pack of cigarettes!?"

-Mr. Compress: Will always be sure to keep you far from his antics. He's already more of a 'flight' instead of 'fight' kind of person. There's no way in hell he's willing to get you into anything he has happening. If he even so much as THINKS you may be nearby, he carefully maps put an exit plan. If you run into each other (and you did) then expect to spend some time in a marble while he shrinks you to get away much quicker. Don't worry, he apologizes profusely afterward.

-Magne: She's super surprised to have ran into you in the middle of something like this. "Shit!" she whisper/cursed under her breath before pushing roughly past you. The heroes on her tail wouldn't catch her when she decided to use her quirk, but it was nice to get a little cardio out of the way. Besides, she wanted to be sure she was far enough away from you so as to not cause any harm to you by accident.

[rayofsunas]

s/o who dies.

A/n: listennnn, I wasn't going to write something dark, but then I unregretfully decided to listen to edgy/dark audios and I was suddenly in the mood to write this so yeah lmao. also, guess what? I'm planning on making a discord server right after posting this! so, be on the lookout for that when I get it all sorted out. also, note for Scaramouche's that the reader inserts tend to lean more femininely versed (I hope that's okay), the only reasons why I do that is because one I simp and I'm female AND two since I am doing a mini-series for Scara, I've kind of based his imagines/fics around that universe (baby daddy universe). I haven't started his yet, but consider these part of that series' universe. anyways as always thank you for requesting anon and enjoy! <333

Summary: you die + how the boys cope afterward.

Parings: Albedo/Gn! Reader, Xiao/Gn! Reader, Scaramouche/Fem! Reader

Warnings: swearing, angst, death, poison, illness/cancer, murder, arson, obsessive behavior

Word count: 2.1k

Albedo

"You need to keep this on your head." Your lover said for the one-hundredth time, placing the cold cloth on your forehead once again after taking it off only seconds earlier.

"This is pointless," You said, no longer wanting to ignore nor hide behind the invisible thick curtains of the obvious death sentence approaching. "My body rejected the medicine the first twice doses, what's a third time going to do?" You asked, knowing Albedo wouldn't answer; your hope was to knock some sense into his thick skull. but he was too worried trying to ignore the obvious as you had previously been doing, not anymore though.

This was saddening to watch, both Albedo's unfolding and the girl who accidentally poisoned you, whimpering into Sucrose's shoulder. She was only a young girl, barely seventeen when she was chosen to work under Sucrose and your boyfriend. She was very good at Alchemy and luckily had a desire to practice the craft. But unfortunately, she hadn't paid much attention when it came to Surcrose's educational poison lesson and had unknowingly mixed up poisonous liquids and materials.

After tipping over some clutter in Albedo's office and knocking over a test tube laying unsealed on the counter, you had realized the contents spilled on your skin, bleaching into your pores. You had been tasked with bringing the famed alchemist and his assistant some vials and materials for the collection of a rare butterfly they had found. It was both telling and obvious that something was wrong when you never showed up with the required materials requested and it was already too late hours later when the chief Alchemist, his assistant, and Alchemist in training came bounding down the stairs of Albedo's home laboratory.

It didn't take long for the trio to realize something was wrong. Sucrose had found the vile on the floor, most of its contents spilled and in a little puddle, plus your state on a nearby lounge chair was obvious; slumped awkwardly, forehead visibly sweating, eyes closed, breathing raspily.

You accepted the first doses of the supposed nullifying medicine without hesitation, just wanting the numbing feeling to go away. But when it never kicked in you decided it would be best to save the medicine, because it wasn't working. Your time was coming.

"Since the medicine is taking immediate effect, you should try to get the contents out of your system," He said, reaching out for you. Badly you wanted to argue that the medicine wasn't working at all, but he wasn't listening and already has his lean arms wrapped around your middle, helping gently lift and guide you over to the sink.

You hear materials being shoved to the side and soon enough you had your head dangling over the sink, shaking hands gripping the metalled edge tightly. Soon enough, Albedo's hand was on your back rubbing up and down, hoping to comfort you, it wasn't working though. You could only think about your death, what the other side would look like. Could there even be heaven or hell, maybe a place in between, maybe nowhere...?

As soon as you felt the urge to vomit, you did, and despite it being utterly disgusting Albedo seemed to welcome it happily. He took this as something good, but it only worried you when you saw the reddish hues in the bile.

"I think they should leave." You muttered acknowledging Sucrose and Elizabeth, the taste of gooey, metal only becoming more apparent. The blonde agreed, nodding and muttering "Okay."

As Sucrose lead Elizabeth towards the stairs, the pair heard you say. "Goodbye Sucrose, Elizabeth." Which only seemed to make the young girl wail louder.

You sighed sadly once the silence was back. Just your thoughts of death, and Albedo's slowly crushing heart.

"You should probably leave soon as well. I don't want you to be here when I go." Albedo frowned at your statement, head shaking.

"Don't say things like that."

Of course, he'd say that. Why did he feel the need to ignore this when it would only come back to hurt him even more later on when you were gone?

"You're the smartest man I know and we both know where this is heading," You said, head feeling much heavier than before. It was getting closer to your time. "I'm going to die, and you can't do anything about it."

"I'm not leaving your side. We promised to stick together through everything, you can't ask me to leave."

"I guess... But promise me this."

"When I go, stop blaming Elizabeth. It was an accident..." You said sincerely. Albedo wanted to make a fuss about it, tell you he'd never been able to forgive her. But for you, he would try. If it was your list desire, your last wish, he'd make it come true. Though it would be difficult. Accidental or not, she was the reason you were leaving him here, alone.

"Okay, I'll try..." He said honestly.

"Thank you," You said, letting out a shaking breath you had been holding for a very long time. Now you felt much more peaceful. "And since I know you stubbornly won't leave," You started, finally turning away from the sink to look into his cerulean eyes. "At least hold my hand."

"Of course, love."

even a year after your death, no matter how hard he tried, there was still this nagging feeling every time he looked at Elizabeth

he wanted too badly forgive her, but he couldn't

she had, although accidental, taken the one person that meant so much to him and he'd never forgive

Albedo is gonna be distant towards everyone he knows and it's completely purposeful

he doesn't like the pitiful gazes that people send his way and he hates that all the captains stared at him at your funeral

obviously, some questioned if he was able to stay in the field

he hadn't taken any time off, even when Jean advised he was welcome and that it would be best

tbh, albedo's going to have a hard time for a while

Xiao

Why did it have to be you? Why not him? He'd feel much better knowing you could live another day, after all, he'd been living a very long time.

But no, the fallen Archons, Gods, Yaksha had chosen you to join them. He wished that weren't the case

Humans and their pathetic vessels... So weak, he thought. Allowing something like cancer to beat them.

No matter how harsh it sounded, he didn't despise you, no. It wasn't your fault. You didn't ask for this. He just knew that if you were a godly being this wouldn't have happened like this or at least not so soon; Xiao had known Gods that had terminal illnesses to live years. Why couldn't you be like them?

He hated watching you lie there in that bed, immobile, sickly, and tired, and all you could say was that everything was going to be alright, that he'd be alright.

But it wasn't. He wouldn't be okay without you. He would struggle daily, fall deeper into a hole. You were the light of his life, the only light in his life. And you were gone, just like that. Turning external scars into internal ones tattered all over his dying heart.

Xiao for the longest time has been by himself, so the people of Liyue know it'll be harder for him to overcome this, no matter what he says or does to prove otherwise

Zhongli in particular knows how hard this will be for his friend

his first and probably last love, dead, gone in the blink of an eye

he'll continue fighting all the monsters he crosses, becoming even more violent when he does so, trying his best to get rid of this stupid sickly feeling of heartbreak

but it won't go away, no matter what he does, no matter how absurd

he just wants the feeling to go away, he despises that feeling so much

if you have a secret place somewhere, like in the mountains, Zhongli often finds him there, wallowing in invisible self-pity

"You know they wouldn't want you to be like this." Zhongli would say, only trying to help

but it doesn't

it only enrages Xiao, even more, fuels him to push everyone out of his life again instead of letting them in like he'd done in your presence

Scaramouche

How dare you. How dare you leave him like this. Alone, nonetheless with a toddler to raise who kept crying for her mommy. He couldn't do this without you, he didn't know how to raise a child, speak to her with the gentle care that you did. That was your expertise but now he'd be doing it solo.

And never again would he entrust someone who he cares about, into ignorant, incompetent arms. Never again will he ever allow any member of the Fatui to watch after his daughter; no matter their rank or position. They had one job while he was away doing business in Liyue. Guard your home twenty-four seven, accompany you into Inazuma's port town should you need anything, watch after his daughter while she plays happily in the luscious Inazuma fields. And they couldn't do that. All he gave them was one simple task, watch and keep you and your daughter safe. Instead, they slacked off, probably drunk in some bar while you were being brutally attacked by murderous mercenaries, left to fend for you and your daughter, only to die protecting her and leave your home to be severely burned.

He knew those idiotic Fatui soldiers were incompetent the moment he stepped foot into the harbor and found that everyone seemed to quiet down. Especially the eerily silent soldiers flanked on each side to welcome him home; he was the highest-ranking soldier in the land of Inazuma after all. Not a single one bothered to step forward and tell him what was wrong, what they all criminally allowed happen. Scaramouche only realized what had happened when he was mere minutes away from arriving home, his daughter had come running from his widowed mother's arms, the sight of smoke rising in the air, from the direction of his home. You were nowhere to be seen.

It all happened so fast, in the blink of an eye. His daughter was clinging to his shirt and his mother only stared with tears of pity.

It didn't take long for the puzzle pieces to be put together and before he knew it, Scaramouche was standing in front of his home, part of it burnt to a crisp and black.

He didn't need to ask what happened, he didn't need to know where you were, because he already knew. What he didn't know was who exactly had done this. But he was going to find out, now.

Incompetent, selfish, bastards. They would all pay for this. The lazy piggish Fatui soldiers who he should've never trusted with such a simple task and the thieves who had murdered you. They all had it rightfully coming.

Scaramouche hates the world after he lost you

he hates it so much and can't understand how this had happened

he's not a good person, so he blames it on karma and those stupid idiots who couldn't protect you

ngl, he's not gonna be around much after your death... his mother would argue that he should be here to raise your daughter, because she's also in pain and doesn't understand that this isn't some game of hide and seek this time

instead, he's focused and driven by revenge

he doesn't listen to a word anybody says, he's much more dangerous than before, and he only trusts his judgment

anyone trying to get him to stop his mission, is someone who doesn't want to see him happy he thinks (though that's not true at all. they hate that he is obsessive over this) but he will personally put a stop to that

and he'll only return home to his daughter and mother when he finds who did this and they along with their bloodline is exterminated

while he's gone, the remainder of his family is relocated somewhere he knows they'll be safe, for example, even though he despises childe, he knows his mom and daughter will be safe with his family

sorry, but Scaramouche will hold this deep-rooted hatred and love for you after you die

yes, he still loves and misses you dearly, but he hates you for leaving him alone, hates that although it wasn't intentional and out of your control, that you were gone

no matter how hard you tried to fight, it was selfish of you to leave him like this

he's not going to stop until he believes whoever was behind this is dead

and in his case, he'll stop believing when he chooses, even if they are innocent/guilty, he'll keep going

3.19.21, rayofsunas

[sirthisisa-wendys]

Spoils of War (Part 5): Ran Haitani x Fem!Reader

wc: 2k

tw: fluff

previous chapter ⟽ masterlist ⟾ next chapter

song recommendation:

Yesterday, Ran saved you from being trampled by an unruly horse. Today, you're sitting at the table in the dining hall, faced down by almost twenty different dishes. Yes, you counted.

Senju stands beside you, aware that you're probably overwhelmed with the offerings, but continues with her assignment anyways. "The invited heads of state will be here within a day for the wedding. We need you to taste-test the dishes for quality, my Lady." Your fingers raise to grasp the fork and spoon opposite sides of the table and you gulp, hoping against all hope that you'll survive the potential overstuffing of your stomach.

Six dishes later, your mouth is filled with flavor, stunning you into silence with each meat, each vegetable, each fruit offered for your perusal.

"We will have every dish here offered to the guests?" you ask, but Senju shakes her head.

"You will need to pick twelve dishes for the evening festivities: four for the pre-wedding feast, four for the handfasting ceremony, and four for the pre-sacrifice feast."

Right, four-course meals for each day of the wedding rituals. The night before the wedding, the handfasting - or wedding day, and the sacrifice the day after.

You quirk your lips slightly, thinking of a question you want to ask, but letting it fade into the back of your mind. You hadn't learned everything about the Eiran wedding ceremonies (most were done in small, family-only services) but you were learning that they were long, lavish, and full of important faces and names. At least, the royal ones are.

"What about after the sacrifice?" you ask, turning to the young woman, whose face pales.

"You won't want to eat afterward. Trust me."

_____________________________________________________________

"Presenting His Royal Highness, Taiju Shiba, Her Royal Highness, Muna Shiba, and His Highness, Hakkai Shiba from the Andelands." You're sitting beside Ran, his hand covering yours as you greet the first people to arrive at the palace for the wedding.

Yuzuha greets her brothers and sister-in-law with hugs, smiling widely.

"Why did she come here to be with the Eireans instead of with her brothers?" you whisper and Ran chuckles.

"She's not allowed to inherit the throne, but she's a wonderful fighter. As an ally, she wanted to join our forces in the guarding of the borders, and she mostly helps King Taiju keep an eye on us." As soon as Ran finishes, he stands, walking down the steps of the dais with his arms spread wide.

"King Taiju," Ran announces brightly. "What a pleasure it is to see you after all these years!"

The massive King clasps arms with Ran, his blue and white hair tucked beneath the silver band around his head.

"You're finally getting married," Taiju laughs. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Where is your brother?"

"Rindou is in the temple right now. He's putting the finishing touches on the music." Hakkai greets Ran with a handshake, and Taiju's wife, curtsies, dipping her black-haired head low. But when she rises from her curtsy, her grey eyes look directly at you, and you can feel the disapproval rolling off of her in waves.

Taiju, on the other hand, is more than excited to meet you, bounding up the stairs and taking your hand in his - which dwarfs your fingers in flesh.

"I've heard nothing but good things about you, y/n," he murmurs, kissing your hand twice. "You're absolutely beautiful. It's a pleasure to meet the future princess and finally see your face after--"

Ran clears his throat, and Taiju straightens up, his yellow eyes sliding to the man at the base of the dais. Both Ran and Muna are looking at Taiju with concern, but he brushes them off, bowing to you again.

"We should speak more later. I do hope you won't find my request threatening." You crack a smile at the man and nod.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, too, King Taiju." The large man rejoins his party, then is escorted out of the throne room by Yuzuha, who chatters excitedly with her sister-in-law and younger brother.

You watch Ran join you at the thrones again, sitting with a soft sigh in the velvet and gold seat.

"He is a handful," Ran laughs, smiling over at you. "But Taiju is a gentle giant during times of peace. It is good to see him like this. Especially with you." You have no time to respond as another guest is announced.

"Ken Ryuguji and Manjiro Sano, Head of the Huttan Army." The two men are dressed in traditional mountain-farer clothing, their robes wrapped tightly around their bodies and shoes closed-toed. The taller one looks unamused with the whole setup of the throne room, but the shorter one holds something in his hands - a snack, maybe? - and raises it to his lips before bowing at the waist.

"Manjiro. Draken."

"Prince Ran," the taller one calls out from below. "Thank you for welcoming us to your celebration. Manjiro and I are grateful for your generosity."

"It is always a pleasure." Ran waves his hand toward you as the two men straighten up. "And this is my betrothed, y/n."

"May I approach, your Highness?"

"Of course, Draken." The taller one climbs the stairs, then takes his hand in yours, pressing his forehead to it in solidarity.

"Your eldest brother Kenshin was a hero to our people," Draken begins, head still bowed. "We are forever indebted to you, in honor of his memory." The admission startles you, but you nod and smile, the words "thank you" passing from your lips. Draken lets your hand go, retreating down the stairs to meet Manjiro, who is still eating the item in his hand.

"Takeomi will take you to your accommodations," Ran informs them, and the scarred general leads them away.

"Seishu Inui, and Hajime Kokonoi; the Two Kings of the North."

"Haruchiyo Sanzu, Commander of the Seven Cities."

"Keisuke Baji, Chifuyu Matsuno, and Kazutora Hanemiya; Ambassadors of the Southern Wharf."

Names, faces, greetings, and looks. So many looks.

Some were friendly, some were disapproving, some were just downright mean. But besides Taiju and Draken, no one else spoke to you with kindness or memories of your kin. You're still the enemy in many people's eyes, and Ran seems to have noticed your deflated demeanor, just as a soldier comes running into the throne room.

"Your Highness! Izana Kurokawa and Kakucho Hitto have arrived."

Ran stands from his throne immediately, violet eyes wide. "They were not invited," he grits out between his teeth.

"But we came anyway. I wouldn't want to miss this wedding for the world."

A man with bleach blonde hair and purple eyes shuffles into the throne room, his clothes and stance befitting that of a prince, and his companion is dressed in similarly lavish clothing, stitched with fish and ribbons of blue and white.

"Izana," Ran sighs, clenching his fingers into fists. "You are not welcome here."

"I would beg to differ." The man looks from Ran to you, his purple eyes shining in the sunlight from the windows. "And look at what a pretty woman your bride has become." Izana raises a foot to step closer to you but Ran blocks you from his line of sight.

"You might be a pirate now, but you do not have a claim to whatever you see here."

"I see something I like, but that doesn't mean I'll take it. She's beautiful, but sadly, not my type. Now, Kakucho, on the other hand--" You meet eyes with the black-haired companion, his red eyes scanning your figure quickly before settling on your face again. You can't hear Ran and Izana's bickering crest as you focus on the scar marring Kakucho's face, feeling as if you've seen this man before. He looks oddly familiar, but that sense of familiarity dries up as you search your memories for anyone who looked like him.

You would have remembered it all, you reason. Well... unless...

"Guards! Have these intruders thrown out on their asses at the gates," Ran shouts, and instantly, a group of men have both Izana and Kakucho's arms held behind their backs. You watch these men drag the two out, neither of them fighting their restraints, but Izana looking at you dead in your eyes.

"Kenshin wouldn't have wanted his half-sister and blood brother to be at odds like this," he shouts, and for some reason, you stand, frowning. "Not when we're the last two Half-bloods!"

"Half-bloods?" you whisper, frowning, but Ran shakes his head again, rubbing his temples rapidly as he turns to face you.

"Fucking lunatic," he breathes, then waves his hand in a circle. "Close the doors. We'll greet the rest at the pre-wedding feast."

"Wait," you scramble down the stairs, trying to catch up to Ran as he stalks out of the room. "Ran, what's this half-blood thing?" The only Half-bloods that you've ever heard about are dreadful Eirean & Bazanian mixed-race people who lived long before you were ever a thought in your father's mind.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Ran answers you sweetly, turning to face you with calm eyes and a soft kiss to your forehead. "Izana sometimes has delusions of grandeur. And I will not have him rope you into his drama." He loops his arm around yours and tugs you along with him. "Besides, I think it's time to show you your wedding dress. It's finally finished."

_____________________________________________________________

"What do you think?"

Ran circles you as you look at yourself in the mirror, investigating the cloth and humming softly.

"I think it's..." You try to gauge the look in the dressmaker's eyes before continuing. His lavender eyes are focused on the bottom of the gown, the gold silk pooling around your feet. "I think it's intricate." And you do. The birds stitched into the lac of the dress's sleeves are obviously the work of a master artisan, and you have to give the dressmaker credit for it.

"And the neckline?" The man wonders behind you, his lavender head bobbing up and down as he adjusts the hem. You eye the garment carefully, then nod.

"Appropriate."

"I think you look stunning," Ran murmurs, and you smile back timidly. He leans against the stone wall as the dressmaker finishes his work, then stands up straight as he undresses you. Ran turns away, waiting for you to be redressed in your clothes while you work on lacing up your dress again.

The man has all but disappeared, and for some odd reason, you don't think to call out to him, but to Ran.

"Ran? I need some help."

You stand there, in front of the mirror with your bodice half-undone, and Ran immediately comes to help, his fingers making quick work of the laces.

"Let me know if it's too tight," he mumbles, eyes focused on his task while you watch him. "I'll readjust them if you want."

"No," you reply, shifting in the re-laced dress. "No, this feels fine." You both pause in the mirror, looking at your image... together. Ran's hands slide to your hips, and you angle your chin a little higher, inhaling shakily.

"I can't imagine anyone else by my side," Ran breathes, dipping his head low to kiss the exposed part of your neck slowly. And for the first time, you feel your skin flush, goosebumps crawling across your flesh at his touch of familiarity. Your mind flies to the way he snatched you from the errant horse, the defense he put up for you earlier, the rebuffing of the pirate Izana, and the way he kissed your forehead afterward in reassurance. All of that made you forget how cruel some of the earlier guests had been to you in their actions, but now...

Something in you is changing toward Ran. Something you can't fight, because you don't know how to fight it.

When you steal a glance at Ran's face, his mouth still nuzzled into your neck as he lines it with kisses, you wonder if he notices that you're a little less stiff under his touch.

[mercurygray]

Can you do Andy/Eddie/Marie (or some combination) for "Please don't give up"?

A win like this called for steaks.

First time state titleholders deserved all the laurels they could get, and coaches of winning teams even moreso. There looked to be no end in sight where celebrations were concerned - first the parade, and then a victory rally, and now the proud, pleased pockets of the school board were treating the coaching staff to dinner downtown at the Hotel's subdued, glittering restaurant.

It was the sort of place Eddie would have liked to take Andy on a date, if they'd had the money, but teaching didn't pay well enough for dinners like this, and machining neither, and it wasn't as though this was the sort of place where two men could get a table for dinner and not raise eyebrows. So date night was a couple of burgers and beers at the corner pub, and they were content to get it, and save the white linen service for a really special occasion like this when someone else was paying.

Eddie felt a little out of place, in his suit, which was somehow the wrong shade of black for this room. Not that anyone minded him, a little old nobody assistant coach - the rest of the board and the staff had brought their wives and the comments all seemed to be about who had bought what dress where. And there, at the end of the table in pride of place, was Andy, king of all he surveyed and thoroughly enjoying his steak.

Someone tapped his shoulder, and Eddie turned around, a little surprised to see one of the bellboys from the lobby. Dennis was a freshman on the C team, a beanpole who looked only marginally better in his hotel uniform than he did in his football pads. He was saving, Eddie remembered, to buy a car - that was why he put up with the silly uniform.

"What's the word, Dennis?" Eddie asked the teenager.

"There's a woman here to see Coach Haldane, Mr. Jones." Dennis jerked a thumb back towards the lobby, suddenly mindful there was a stain on his white glove.

"Did she say what she wanted?" Eddie asked, sitting up a little. There was something about women asking after Andy that stopped him cold, the way they did at PTA meetings when someone's mother started talking real sweetly about the bake sale, and what Coach's favorite sweets were, and how it was a shame her own husband hadn't managed to maintain his weight. He'd said something, once, angrily throwing the comment out while they were making dinner afterwards, and Andy'd let the pan scorch giving him a handjob right there in the kitchen so Eddie knew how he felt about it. But it was still there, wasn't it? That idea that handsome, middle-aged football coaches were there for bored, middle-aged housewives to covet.

"Sorry, Mr. Jones, I didn't ask. She's a reporter, maybe? Didn't give a name. I didn't like to interrupt Coach but - "

"I'll go," Eddie said, throwing down his napkin and pushing back from the table. "Ought to be able to finish one meal in peace."

The woman in the lobby had one of those wide-angled coats all the women were wearing these days - black, a serviceable color, with a hat to match, not quite managing to look smart enough for the hotel lobby, and a little handbag on her wrist, glancing around like she didn't quite know what to do with herself. A Mrs. Somebody, probably come to ask what it would take to get her boy in the starting lineup next year.

But then she turned, and Eddie found himself pulling up short, his mouth suddenly dry. God, how long had it been since he'd seen that face?

"I see he ain't managed to get rid of you yet," Marie said, a glimpse of her old sass surfacing for a moment.

"It would take some doing." He was still staring - Marie, here! Different hair, a more modern style, and pumps instead of her service shoes. She looked …ordinary, respectable, the sort of woman you wouldn't think twice about seeing in a grocery store, or out at the park. A little thicker around the waist, but weren't they all? He found himself thinking he'd like to see what she looked like beneath that coat again, how her body would feel again. "I'd hug you if I didn't think people would stare."

She smiled. "I'd kiss you if I didn't think people would talk."

It was all he could do to keep an arm's distance between them when she said that, too many old feelings gushing up from places he'd forgot he buried them. She hadn't been there, in the hospital, and there was no one to tell her, after they'd said they'd thrown his boondockers away because they were too bloody to be any use. Then it had been Andy hurt, and they'd had enough trouble between the two of them to even try. Her whole life had been the Marines - it wasn't like she had a home she could have gone back to, a place they could have started looking. And it was hard enough, just the two of them, and who was to say she hadn't found something better, pretty woman like her?

"How'd you find us?"

"I took a job, in Woonsocket, on the state line. Girlfriend of mine from the Corps had a room spare and after the war I didn't know what else to do, figured one place was good as another. Paper goods - I help with their timekeeping and filing. Anyway, we get the occasional paper, and they like their football. One of our factory managers was telling anyone who would listen about how Coach Haldane was a mill man himself, before he went to school. When I saw the picture I knew I had to try."

"Glad you didn't stop trying."

"I'm sorry for the interruption, I didn't know -"

"You're never an interruption," Eddie declared, before realizing they were still in the hotel lobby, and Andy was still at the dinner with the school board, and there wasn't really anywhere they could go to be alone, really alone, without someone talking. "Ever. But - "

"I can wait," she offered, seeing his frustration. "There's chairs here. Lord knows I've done enough that an hour more won't kill me."

"You got a place to stay?"

She shook her head. "I borrowed the money for the train ticket and didn't get much farther than that. Was hoping - "

"Wouldn't let you do anything else," Eddie declared, without thinking. "It'll be the best surprise he's gotten all year."

She looked skeptical of that. "Better than winning state?"

Eddie looked at her and grinned, thinking of the look on Andy's face when he told him. "Even better than that."

[sillylittlestoryblog]

Jesper Fahey Imagine

Jesper x female Reader

This is my first imagine ever. So pls don’t be to harsh😅

Also i m not a native English speaker so if I made horrible mistakes pls tell me nicely🙂

+ I m new to the grishaverse so there is a lot I just made up... again If I made horrible mistakes.. enlighten me 🥰

I wanna post this with he/him and they/them pronouns too. Just so nobody feels left out ✨

The winter air was terrible cold against y/n`s ears. Instinctively, she buried her face further into her scarf. She hated this time of year, especially in ketterdam. Because of the docks and the sea, it was even colder here than in her former home. She came to Ketterdam years ago, but she still didn’t seem to have gotten used to the city. The city with its dark alleys and dangerous corners. She had been told to get a decent job. Never be Outside in the dark. And above all she should Stay Out of the criminal gangs and their streetfights. And yet here she was, running again in the direction of the Crow Club to meet dirtyhands in person.

After the heavy oak door closed behind her, she took a deep breath. The warm air felt wonderful on her skin. There wasn't too much going on in the club tonight. Which pleased her very much.

" well who do we have here? I was afraid that you wouldn't come because of the snowstorm out there. ”Jesper's voice sounded happily through the room. In his hand he was holding a drink that he halfway spilled on his way to her.

Y / N didn't want to admit it, but she was happy to see him. Most of all, she was pleased that he was already a Bit drunk, so she hoped he wouldn't notice how she blushed while he hugged her.

Together they went to a table in a quieter corner of the crow club. Kaz Brekker sat there with his crowcane in his hand and sighed as Y/N and Jesper approached. Shortly afterwards she noticed Inej emerging from the shadows. She quietly sat down next to Kaz, keeping a safe distance as always. Y / N wasn't sure if she was doing it to give Kaz more space or to better protect herself. Y/N sat down next to Nina who was sitting on the other side of the table and apparently had a lot of fun giving a already drunken Mattias more and more alcohol.

Jesper sat down next to Y/N with a loud noise and started talking about his win today. He had lost a lot of money in a few card games and then won the Same Money back again after a round of chess. Inej had to explain the rules to him beforehand and was shocked that he really didn't understand how the game worked. His only luck was that his opponent understood it even less and so he had defeated him after a few rounds despite his moderate knowledge of chess.

Y/N was happy to have this group. For her, it almost felt like she had a found family, a home. The others also appreciated her very much. Nina was glad that there was another Grisha in the group. She loved challenging Y/N to play pranks on the other crow members. Even if the others wouldn't admit it, everyone loved the jokes they made up. Only Kaz usually looked offended when the two kept his people from their serious work.

She had also built up a good relationship with Inej in the two years that she had been part of the crows. Both were rather calm and liked to spend time alone. But they loved to talk about novels and books together. Inej and her had already broken into the library of Ketterdam several times at night to be able to read there in peace. Y / N fondly remembers those evenings. Especially Brekker's red-hot face when he found out what they had done. He was incredibly angry and didn't even let them be on the next mission. Meanwhile, Jesper just stood there, amused. Although he was disappointed in both of them too. But more because they didn't ask him to come along. Inej had smirked at the time and said that he was probably jealous. And to this day Y/N kept thinking about it. She could hardly imagine that he wanted to tag along because of the books.

"Hey are you even listening to me"

Jesper moved his hand up and down in front of her face.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Y / N knew this wasn't the first time he'd caught her thinking about him. She reached for the glass that Nina had put in front of her nose a few minutes ago. Hopefully that would take his mind off the nervous expression on her face.

"I thought it would be incredible if I would open a bakery with the money. You know the Money i won earlier"

Y/N looked deeper into her glass. In fact, she hadn't noticed what he'd told her. "Hmm interesting. I uh... would not have thought you were the bakery type. "

"Why not?" Jesper started to grin in amusement. Now he was glad that she was just so embarrassed and looking down. She was indeed looking really cute, while trying to come up with a logical answer that hopefully wouldn't hurt his feelings.

“Well you've shot at least 5 people in the last two days. And uh ... "

Jesper had to laugh out loud. "Hey hey little one, I was just kidding. I was Joking... Something like that happens when you don't listen. ”There was a big grin on his face. It felt like it went from one ear to the other. His dark eyes began to glow. Y/N didn't even notice how long the two had been staring at each other. Jesper looked away with a jerk and began to stammer something to himself, “I actually wanted to ask you something. Are we both going to break into that one library tomorrow night? I heard about this one book. And well we could steal it together. "

Y/N just had to grin. Maybe Inej was right after all and Jesper wanted to spend time with her.

"Sure, why not ... but you know that this is illegal?"

"It's only illegal if we get caught"

The next evening they both met below the roofs of Ketterdam's university district. Jesper's hair was disheveled, probably because he had slept until a few minutes ago. The night before had stolen both of their strength. None of them could really remember much. Once again, Nina had endured the most alcohol, but probably only because she was the one who made the others drink. Inej had gone to bed relatively early and in the early morning twilight still heard the singing voices of Matthias and Jesper. Y / N could roughly remember participating in a drinking game. And somehow she thought she had seen a smiling Kaz, but that would be too improbable.

It wasn't quite as cold as the night before, but because of the tiredness Y / N was all the more cold that day. Jesper didn't seem to have any other way. He had wrapped himself deep in his coat and was wearing a much too long scarf around his neck that he had stepped on twice while running. It was unusual for the shooter to be so calm. Most of the time he would talk out loud about his achievements in playing cards or he would consider a daring mission to get rich. He was very talkative, only today he was speechless.

Getting to the library was very easy there was a secured part in the south wing. Valuable writings from Kerch were stored there. But the two were only looking for a novel that would be insignificant for most People. It didn't take long for the two of them to get into the building over the roof of an adjoining building and through its courtyard.

Y / N knew her way around the library halls; after all, she had often come and gone there at night. Jesper ran right behind her, afraid of losing her between the tall bookshelves. It didn't take long for Jesper to find the right book. It was about tales and horror stories that used to be told to children in front of the campfire. Jesper had overheard Inej talking about this book. She had shared how she loved these stories as a child. That seemed like the right book for the right reason

y / n to dare a night break-in. He had longed to spend time alone with her for a long time. He admired her for her courage and caring. Jesper had been alone for a long time. Far from everything that felt like family. But the Crows gave him a home. Kaz was the protector of the crows and Jesper was happy to have someone like him, but somehow the warmth in the crow club was missing. But the warmth was suddenly there when the young grisha girl ran into his arms two years ago. She has been on his mind ever since. How many times had he caught himself paying special attention to her on missions. Or the many times she was turned on by drunkards and he would have loved to draw his revolver. Even now he could only think of her smile.

She had spread her coat on the floor and was tapping the spot next to her. Jesper sat down next to her, grinning, and began to read.

The warm sun shone on Y / N's face. What a nice way to be awakened. Most of the time she woke up by hearing gunshots in the street or the loud talk of seafarers stumbling towards the port. It smelled of old books, dust and leather. Only now did she realize that she was not in her bed. She opened her eyes carefully, hoping not to wake up in a prison or a cargo ship. But her surroundings were not unknown to her, only she had never seen them in this light. Next to her lay Jesper who had embraced her with both arms. She had never seen him so calm before. His chest moved slowly up and down as he breathed. How beautiful he looked.

"You should hire someone to make a portrait of me, believe me that will last longer."

Jesper's eyes were still closed. Y / N's face turned red again. She had to stop looking at him like that.

"Good morning, how did you sleep between so much Important literature?" She tried to distract from the subject.

Jesper opened his eyes and looked at her. Only now did she realize how close they were. He still had his arms around her. Jesper also noticed now what kind of situation they were in. He opened his mouth to answer when Y / N suddenly perceived voices from outside. She put her finger to his lips and turned her head towards the window. There were three library guards in the courtyard. They had just noticed the open window through which Jesper and Y/N had entered the building the night before.

Without thinking further, both started running. If they hurried they could still get outside via the west entrance before the university square is full of students.

Luckily for them it was easy to run through the great hall into the foyer, Jesper tried hard not to pull out his revolver to get them out of the situation, but Y/n insisted that they could flee without getting noticed. But it was too late, the guards had already spotted them. Jesper took Y/N by the hand and the two ran laughing like two school girls through the corridors until they could escape over the balcony of the west wing.

They laughed and hugged. "Oh Jesper that was close"

"Yes, If i had not been there, you would have never made it out of there"

"If you hadn't been there I would have never fallen asleep in there"

"That's right, but then I would never have been able to do this either."

He leaned over to her and looked at her with an asking expression. For a moment he was afraid of having lost his self-confidence. He wondered if he had misinterpreted anything. All the times she looked at him with a blushing face and glowing eyes. Maybe he was just wrong ...

But He couldn't think clearly anymore because he had already been interrupted by Y / N's lips. At that moment they both forgot everything around them. The dirty city, the cold winter air and the screams of the guards who were still looking for them.

Fuck, I think that's how it feels at home.

Thx for reading this😅 if you liked it pls write a comment. Just so i know if i should continue writing or not✨ if somebody has a request for an imagine just comment it or text me in my direct messages 🥰💗

Mai 🦋