#CCG! Reader

[night-skies-quiet-cries]

A Case of the Touchy-Feelies-Juuzou Suzuya & GN! CCG Coworker! Reader

Imagine: Juuzou being touch-starved with a coworker who is always willing to give him the physical affection he wants, even in the most inconvenient of circumstances...

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I low-key gave up on trying to get tumblr to accept my fic posts bc apparently they were over the character limit so I guess this is the next best thing.

Also how tf do you center something in a link post on here?

[stylespresleyhearted]

CCG UNIVERSE - dad! Austin

notes: this is based on Mccall’s infamous Coffee Girl universe. Two years later I’m still obsessed. Honestly she should guess this is coming. Very Dad! Austin centered but CCG is still the bestest and I love her I just want dad! Austin and had so many ideas. LOVE YOU MCCALL 🩷❣️🦖🐠

—

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coffee.girl If you’ve tried to contact me this past week, this is why I haven’t been able to get back to you. 🥹

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jillian.mua “If Daddy doesn’t see it, it didn’t happen.” - Luci 😂

coffee.girl no, seriously. Calls him multiple times a day it warms my heart.

austinfan her contact photo being austin w baby luci KILL ME

fan12 the bath one 😭 ‘member when austin said him and luci name all the birds and fishies together

austinbutler Hidden talent ♥️

fan13 i seen @coffee.girl at lunch with luci and luci was ‘vlogging’ for austin lmao what an icon

ashleybee she can call auntie ashley whenever she wants 😭💗

lennykravits Beautiful relationship between father and daughter ❤️ Isn’t it the best @austinbutler

entertainmenttonight You have broken the internet.

fan23 AND HE LOOKS SO HAPPY IN EVERY SINGLE CALL MY HEARTTT

austinupdates Did she make him a drawing of a heart 😭

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jillian.mua Someone didn’t answer the phone @austinbutler

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austinbutler Was on set. Calling back now.

coffee.girl LOL 😍

bazluhrmann She’s going to be a movie star!

fangirl1 lmaooo baz already working on her career

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people Join the poll at the link in our bio! Who do we think Austin Butler is talking to:

1. Luci Butler

2. @coffee.girl

3. someone else (enter a name)

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fan23 PLSSSS 😂😂😂😭 Luci won the poll 98% and the other two percent people said Callum 😂😂

fan13 lol the bromance that lives on forever

fangirl if you didn’t vote for luci have u been under a rock?

austinfan convinced if it wasn’t for luci austin would throw his phone away

fan43 austin and ccg are finally being a bit more open about luci pls don’t ruin it by being weird everyone

liked by austinbutler, ashleytisdale, and 136943 others

coffee.girl 🧜🏼‍♀️🧚🏼‍♂️🦄🐠🐟🐬🐙🦖🦕🕊️🪸🍤🩷💜💙 daddy

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jillian.mua love love love when I get me some of these

oliviadejonge Luci-code 🥀❤️��🔥

ashleybee Sweet girl, she’s going to break his heart 🥹 love you Luc!

ashleytisdale She’s really missing him, isn’t she? Jupiter’s the same when Chris has trips.

coffee.girl Oh yeah I’m letting her sleep on his pillow and counting down the days 😢

evalongoria They get older and they understand but missing them never gets easier. My girls are the same. ❤️ Love and strength to your family.

austinbutler Hi baby ❤️🐠 Thank you. Love you both.

austinbutler Calling now

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people No more tears! Our hearts are spared from any more Luci Butler missing her dad posts as Austin Butler reunites with his family in NYC today.

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fan13 honestly so happy for them poor baby luci was breaking my heart 😭😭

fan23 can’t imagine how austin felt having to be away for work he’s such a good father and husband. ♥️

fangirl HAPPY 4 UR BEAUTIFUL FAM 💗💗 @coffee.girl @austinbutler

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austinbutler My girls are stylin’ ❤️

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zendaya the coolest 🔥

tchalamet i see the fit 👀

fan13 wahhhh so happy they reunited !!! 😭

catherinemartindesigns Beautiful ladies. 😍

keoghan92 OI OI lucky fella ☘️

liked by ashleybee, jillian.mua, and 67915 others

people Spotted in New York City: Austin Butler happily watches on as his wife keeps their daughter entertained while he films.

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ccgupdates me as a mom.

fan13 LMAO PLS thats so cute! Love you so much @coffee.girl

sophieturner You’re an icon babe 🔥

coffee.girl 🤣

fan23 I love that Austin looks so amused 😂😂

liked by austinbutler, ashleybee, tomhardy, and 1368923 others

hollywoodreporter Amidst filming on Darren Aronofsky’s film for new movie Caught Stealing, Austin Butler and @coffee.girl had to console their daughter who did not enjoy seeing her dad bruised and battered. More pics at the link in bio.

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butlerfam Luci sweetheart you are SO adorable ❤️❤️❤️

fan23 i love that they’re consoling her but so obviously amused 😂

fan13 need them to adopt me like yesterday ❤️ thanks

jillian.mua This little girl owns me

ccgupdates We all know Luci don’t play about her dad 🤣

fan41 LMAO IN HER LITTLE DINO SWEATER TOO OH LUCI 😭😭

ccgfan Aw how sweet lol. Hope she’s okay! @coffee.girl

coffee.girl Haha yes thank you everyone! Took some cuddles and kisses but now she’s in the make up chair getting some matching cuts and bruises 🙄😂

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dailymail Austin Butler and his wife look gorgeous as they enjoy a solo date night

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user12 I don’t care about celebrities but I wish this family love and happiness. They do their own thing.

fan13 Austin’s life completely changed when he did Elvis 🥹

ccgfan I believe in true love bc of them

liked by coffee.girl, ashleytisdale, and 45914 others

people Another film day, another cute moment on set. Luci Butler adorably waves to taxi her dad enters during shooting.

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fan23 hahaha if u watch the video austin waves back at her

fan13 thank you Darren for having an open set so we can see all these adorable Luci moments 😭

butlerfan She’s going to be a star ⭐️

catherinemartindesigns Let’s do another film so we can have Miss Luci join us on our set. ❤️

bazluhrmann She’s going to be the lead !

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dailymail Austin Butler hangs with Luci while his wife, @coffee.girl, runs some errands.

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fan23 Luci crying when Austin was carrying the bag of potatoes flashback 😂

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butlerfamupdates Austin attentively watches over Luci as she plays on set ❤️🥹

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fan23 He’s such a great dad. His mom would be so happy and proud.

zoekravitz Luci has stolen my heart 🐠🥹 I think it’s time @channingtatum

fan41 LMAO LUC MAKING HER WANT BABIES 😭😭😭

coffee.girl She loves her Aunt Zoe ❤️

lennykravitz The Butler family is the best. I’m convinced Luci knows the entire animal kingdom. Smarty pants!

fan31 Luci is the only celebrity child who has celebrity as fans. Her power unmatched.

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austinbutler Fulfilled.

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ashleybee Can’t wait for you guys to come down so I can smooch her face off!! Love you guys ❤️

tomhardy Love to your family mate ❤️

florencepugh Can I come over soon please 😢

zendaya Aunty Z is gonna be in NYC in two days 👀👀

tchalamet @coffee.girl and Luci are part of the Dune family they gotta be there! ❤️‍🔥

krisjenner Family is blessing. Love you guys.

fan12 oh no stay away from them 😭

keoghan92 me and Brando on our way to see youse ☘️❤️

sabrinacarpenter Luci takes Short n’ Sweet MSG - sounds like a plan

coffee.girl haha she’s OBSESSED 🤩

dualipa Love from Aunt Dua and Uncle Cal! See you guys soon! 💗

butlerupdates It says so much that the Butler family garners so much love from the public and celebrities. It speaks of their humbleness, beauty, kindness, and love.

coffee.girl AUSTIN THIS ISN’T THE PHOTO WE AGREED ON!!! AGAIN!!!

—

um hi @blainesebastian blame my ovaries we talked about this

[blainesebastian]

unexpected (ccg universe)

words: 3,865 ship: austin butler x female reader rating: PG summary: i have gotten so many second baby pregnancy requests from anons that i can't even post them all lol but convos with @stylespresleyhearted finally pushed me over the edge 🤧 notes: ccg universe masterlist here, regular masterlist here

Here’s the thing—maybe at this point in your life, you should just assume that things aren’t going to happen as you expect they will.

Nothing wrong with that, right?

You didn’t expect to work on a movie set with Austin Butler. You didn’t expect to fall in love with him, that he’d love you in return. You didn’t expect to date, get married, or have a baby.

And you certainly didn’t expect to get pregnant for the second time.

Yet here you are.

--

Finding out you’re pregnant again is an absolute blur. For starters, you take three different (yes, three) tests to make sure. It wasn’t something you both were planning, but things happen, and there wasn’t any use in bringing it up to Austin until you were one hundred percent sure. Well—three tests later, two blue lines, one plus and one PREGNANT later…

You sit on the tests for about a day, unsure when and what to tell your husband. Which is…so silly because it’s not like you’re not happy? You’re just scared. You think you know how he’s going to react, but then again, things are crazy with Luci running around in her terrible twos and both of your schedules filled with films and meetings and outings.

Is there time for another baby?

You and Austin are making breakfast with Luci when you finally decide to just tell him. You hold onto your breath so long that you start to feel dizzy before passing him one of the tests when he asks for a fork.

His long fingers wrap around the test and he kinda blinks before his head snaps to you.

“Really?” He asks.

Your eyes fill with tears before you quickly nod, “Yeah,” You reply breathlessly, “Yeah.” You swallow, curling your hair around your ear, “I know it’s not something we really talked about but…if…if you’re happy—”

“Happy?” Austin interrupts, setting the test on the counter. He shakes his head, voice gruff with emotion. He knows you, knows you far too well. “Of course I’m happy,” He quickly moves to where you’re standing, cupping your face with both hands. “I couldn’t be happier.”

That seems to crack open a dam inside of you and you laugh, the sound coming out wet as your hands wrap around his wrists, “Really?”

He grins, nodding, leaning down to press his lips to yours. “Really.” He says against them before slipping to the floor. He kneels in front of you, hugging you around your middle, pressing a few kisses that are way too ticklish to your belly.

Luci has no idea what’s going on other than she wanders over with her stuffed dino, sees her father kneeling on the floor, and then proceeds to make her dino kiss your leg.

“Kisses.”

Austin laughs softly, running a hand through his hair as he pulls back. He moves to scoop your daughter up, standing up off the floor.

“Can we give mama a kiss?” He asks her, leaning her forward until Luci plants a big kiss to your cheek.

Letting out a soft sound, you move to thread your fingers through one of Luci’s haphazard ponytails, “What do you think about havin’ a brother or sister, Luc?”

There’s a long moment, you’re not sure if she completely understands what you’re talking about. But then— “No thank you.” Honestly, you have no idea why you expected any other answer.

You and Austin can’t help but grin.

--

Turns out, ‘unexpected’ seems to be the theme for this entire pregnancy.

--

Something that you and Austin decided right away was that this pregnancy was going to be a bit different in terms of spotlight. Obviously family members and really close friends would get to know, but everything else? That’s last on the list. Neither of you have any regrets when it came to Luci, how public it all was. But keeping this more private this time around feels like a good change of pace, not to mention it’ll be a lot less stressful for you and the baby.

It seems to be exactly what you need, because—

“What are you saying?” You ask your doctor, your grip on Austin’s hand tight and unnerved.

The doctor draws in a soft breath, flipping through your chart, “It’s just something we want to keep an eye on,” He says gently, too gentle. Your hormones are already out of whack and you can’t handle someone babying you.

“You said I was high-risk.” Your voice takes on a grating edge you don’t recognize and Austin attempts to soothe you by drawing his thumb back and forth on your knuckles.

“I said the pregnancy was high-risk.” The doctor looks at you both, “It can happen sometimes with second times around. Not to mention that your stress levels tend to be a bit elevated in general.”

You bite down on the inside of your cheek. You know you’ve always had a bit of anxiety, usually when it came to making big decisions in your life—career paths, family moves, relationships, those sorts of things. Creating a space for yourself knee-deep in the film industry didn’t help that, either, but you’ve never had any regrets.

Not until this shadow of a doubt within this very moment.

“It’s just something to keep an eye on.” The doctor repeats, as if that’s helping anything.

Austin seems to sense that you’re about to have Luci-level tantrum with your doctor so he clears his throat and nods, “Thanks doc, we’ll be in touch.”

He nods, setting your chart down in the wall slot before heading out of the exam room, closing the door behind him.

You let out a long sigh, running both hands over your face, grateful that Jillian has Luci for the afternoon so you could go to this appointment without a two-year-old unleashing her antics in whatever room you’re in. Love her to death but there’s no way you’d be able to emotionally handle that, you’re barely keeping it together right now.

Scratch that—your lower lip wobbles as your eyes meet Austin’s.

“Oh babe,” Austin says softly, standing so that he can slip between your legs while you’re sitting on the exam table, “Don’t.” He cups your cheek, running his thumb along the bone.

“I can’t help it,” You reply, wanting to pull away from him, but he won’t let you. “I feel like this is my fault.”

“You can’t think like that,” Austin leans down and presses his lips along your forehead, “The important thing is that we know about it and we can plan for it.” He pulls away just enough to look down at your eyes, a small smile tugging the corners of his mouth.

“We wanted you further out of the spotlight with this one anyways, you know? This’ll work out.” His voice is soothing in a way you can’t describe, like it slips along your body like silk, pulling you close, hugging you.

You nod softly, your eyes closing as he cups your cheek again, his other arm wrapping around your frame.

“We’ll figure this out.” Austin promises, “Alright? You’re gonna be okay—the both of you.”

And maybe that’s what you really need to hear. You nod again, leaning forward to slide your arms around his waist, molding yourself to his chest. You face finds the familiar crook of his shoulder, breathing in his scent, something cologne and purely him.

You’re so unsure about everything, and yet within those few moments, you believe him and nothing else.

--

It’s frustrating but unfortunately necessary and you don’t fight it, even when you eventually (Austin pushes) talk to your agent about everything that’s going on. You feel like it’s bad luck to bring up a pregnancy to someone who isn’t family so early, but you need that open line of communication. You have to put some projects on hold—not everything, not yet. But some.

The more time that passes and the more pregnant you become, you begin to slowly slip out of the public eye. It’s a slow drip, but it increasingly becomes more noticeable with ridiculous social media headlines and TikTok theories.

You try not to dive head first into any of them (even though some are entertaining). The gossip and drama is that you and Austin are separated, getting divorced, that you haven’t been seen together out and about in a ‘really long time’, so naturally this is what’s happening.

“Did you hear?” You ask him one afternoon when he comes home with groceries. You smile at him from where you’re sprawled out over the couch, “I’m ‘taking you for all your worth’.”

Austin snorts an amused sound, toeing off his shoes. He wanders over to the couch and lets out a long sigh, gently laying himself down so that he slips between your legs. Your bump doesn’t allow him to rest fully against you, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. He presses a few kisses to the swell, hand slipping to your side and fingers massaging a bit of your lower back. Honestly, bless him.

“You can have it all.” He teases.

The pitter-patter of tell-tale feet run down the hallway from one of the bedrooms, “Daaadddeeee.” Luci exclaims, rounding the couch covered in—

“Is that paint?” You ask, raising an eyebrow.

She at least has a little bit of decency to look impish but her wide smile hasn’t left her father. You shake your head, running your fingers through Austin’s hair. He reaches an arm out and circles it around Luci, tugging her closer. She giggles instantly as he plants a kiss to where there isn’t paint, but honestly, there’s not many options.

“You paintin’ masterpieces in there, Picasso?”

“She’s gonna have to if we’re getting divorced.” You laugh, “My ‘high-priced’ lawyer will need paid.”

Austin rolls his eyes, tilting his head back to look at you, “Please stop readin’ that crap.”

You smile, trailing your fingers down the long lines of his jaw. You brush your thumb over a spackle of freckles under his one eye—beauty marks that you love. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s funnier than anything else. Besides, the fans are loyal and have a different theory. One that is more correct.”

A soft sigh leaves your husband’s nose. He doesn’t seem to be thrilled that you’re diving into those threads either but isn’t about to say anything about it. You get it, he’s protective, you’ve been burned and hurt by tabloids, quick media and nasty fan comments before. But…regardless that this second pregnancy is more delicate than the last, despite the fact that your feet hurt, you’re starting to feel uncomfortable all the time and your back is sore…you’re happy.

You’re really happy.

It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you know the truth.

Austin pulls away from you on the couch, much to your dismay, and scoops up your daughter. He leans down and presses a kiss to your forehead,

“I’m gonna give the gremlin a bath—”

“With bubbles!” Luci declares and Austin smirks.

“With bubbles,” He agrees, “And then I’m gonna give you a back rub.”

You groan softly because that sounds amazing, you can’t wait. “Did I mention the whole divorce thing is off, you’re the best husband a girl could ask for.”

Austin rolls his eyes again but at least he’s smiling this time as he leans down to kiss you. “Baby you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.” He says against your lips and presses another kiss to the corner before Luci smudges her fingers on your cheek.

Austin playfully taps her butt as he carries her away, “Mommy is not a canvas.”

You smirk, settling further into the couch and closing your eyes, listening to the hum of Austin’s muffled voice and Luci’s excitement as the water starts up in the bathroom. Thanks to your daughter, you now have an idea for the theme for a pregnancy photoshoot.

Second time around…why not, right?

--

Austin does his best to ignore the paps, he really does, but sometimes they dig under his skin in the worst ways. He's glad that you have been able to be home during this pregnancy, not only because it's a lot more relaxing, but because it's both healthier and less stressful for you and the baby. It's a boy, he's so sure of it. He's just got this feeling deep down in his chest, between his ribs, that you and him are gonna have a son. Time will tell. He holds Luci on his hip as he moves around Whole Foods, intending on getting some stuff to bring home. Your cravings have ranged from the things that make sense (ice cream, cheese) to things that don't (peanut butter on pickles...yeah that's a weird one). He lets out a long sigh, pushing the small cart with one hand as Luci dozes on his shoulder. He presses a kiss to her forehead, tugging Oreos off the shelf to set in the cart. She squiggles a little, letting out a breath and then continues to sleep. It's not a large list, he mostly just gets the essentials. He knows he could have this all delivered to the flat, but sometimes it's nice to get Luci out of there so she doesn't drive her mom crazy. Especially now since you don't move around as swiftly as you used to. He gets everything packed up into one grocery bag, moving to leave and head to the car. Not three minutes out, near the car, a swarm of paps are there. He lets out a long breath through his nose, figuring he should have expected it, given the dramatic stir up that's been happening since you have slowly disappeared from the public eye. And yet they're just as annoying as they've always been. Austin's always considered himself a nice guy, but nothing pisses him off like them snapping out questions about his family. "Austin!" One of them calls. He ignores them, trying to get the car door open to put Luci in her car seat. But of course, that doesn't stop them from asking questions. "Austin, can you tell us what's going on with Y/N?" "How's the divorce going!" "Are you talking about joint custody?" "What about Luci?" Austin feels a snap in his chest, something cold and unrelenting, because at the sound of his daughter's name, she begins to wake up. She's disoriented and confused, her hand coming up to rub one of her eyes. And he knows he shouldn't swear, but the questions feel like pinpricks in his skin, "Fuck off, guys." Luci whines softly and he gently bounces her against his hip. And then the cameras start snapping photos, flashes going off, and she turns her head quickly as Austin gets the door open. The series of movements, of men moving closer with those cameras, of the combined shouts of their voices asking too many questions—she squirms, those whines becoming little hiccups. Austin already knows what's coming as he tries to soothe her but it doesn't work. "Shhh," He whispers when Luci begins to cry, "I know baby, c'mon." He finally gets the door open, getting her in her car seat. He hates that he has to let her go but it's the only way they can get out of the fucking parking lot. He gets her strapped in, giving a look in the direction of the paps and reminds himself he can't go to jail because he decided to accidently run some of them over. He's already had to pay for a camera or two because he cracked them out of hands when they’ve shoved them into your face.

Checking his mirrors (begrudgingly), he pulls out of the spot and makes a turn to drive out, heading right towards home. There’s an underground parking garage that leads up to the loft and lots of security, so he knows it’s safe once the car slips underneath that gate that closes behind them.

He pulls into their designated spot, quickly getting out of the car and moving to open Luci’s door. She’s settled down into sniffles but once she gets her eyes on Austin, the waterworks start up again.

“I know,” He gentles his voice despite the annoyance he still feels, “I know. We got our nap interrupted, that’ll upset anyone.”

Austin reaches for her, hoisting her up into his arms to get her upstairs.

--

You can tell Austin’s annoyed when he comes in, the tension bracketing his shoulders, the way he carries your daughter into the kitchen to put down the groceries. You tug yourself up off the couch, swaying a moment before placing a hand on your stomach and moving towards where your husband has disappeared.

He’s put Luci down on the counter just long enough to grab a washcloth from a drawer and wet it with warm water, wandering back to carefully clean her face. You frown a little, seeing it tearstained. She’s fussy, pushing away her dad’s hands and that tells you more than enough—especially for Luci who tends to look at Austin like he’s hung the moon.

“What happened?” You ask softly, leaning against the counter.

Austin’s jaw works, “Paps.” Is all he says, all he’s willing to say right now.

You swallow over the lump in your throat, your hand moving back and forth over your belly, “I’m so—”

“No,” He cuts your apology off, firm but with no malice, “If anything this is just a good reminder about why we’re doin’ all of it this way.”

Letting out a breath, you nod—doesn’t mean you have to like it. Austin’s dealt with his fair share of paps before, but you know he gets riled up when it comes to them pushing buttons about you, about family.

You run your hand through Luci’s hair, pulling back to put away the groceries Austin brought home. Once he’s got her face wiped off, she begins asking for Cheerios and he raises his eyebrows,

“Thought you were gonna take a nap.”

Luci shakes her head, “No thank you.”

That seems to break the tension at least as Austin huffs out a light laugh and picks her up, putting her on the floor. “Of course not.”

You smirk, moving to grab her favorite plastic cereal cup and fill it with some dry Cheerios, handing them over.

Luci sprints out of the kitchen and heads down the hall to her bedroom, no doubt about to eat on the floor with her stuffed animals and begin playing with her dolls.

“We’re gonna miss when she was so agreeable.”

A laugh rumbles in Austin’s chest, “She’s already got a stubborn streak from you.”

You giggle so quickly that you nearly have to cover your mouth, “That comment is coming from you?”

Austin rolls his eyes but it’s with so much affection that it warms you up from the inside out. He lets out a long sigh and you can literally spot the moment that the tension disappears from his shoulders, rolls right off his body as he reaches for you to pull you close.

Or at the very least as close as he can with your belly between you both.

“You feeling alright today?” He asks, always checking.

You smile, nodding, “Only a month to go.” Hard to believe. “Think you can handle not punching anyone between now and then?”

Austin smirks and in one easy movement he picks you up to set you on the kitchen counter, his physicality making a heated pulse run down your spine and settle between your legs. Which is where Austin ends up, slipping between them. He brushes a kiss over the bridge of your nose, your cheekbone, and smiles against your lips.

“No promises.” Before kissing you.

--

You have a baby boy in August, and that is what you name him.

He’s perfect but that is unsurprising.

There are so many versions of Austin that you’ve easily fallen in love with—you once again decide that seeing him as a father is your favorite one.

--

Part of you wants to stay hidden away as you’ve done the past few months but you know at the end of the day that it’s not compatible with how often you and Austin are in the spotlight. And despite the nasty gossip and headlines you’ve seen circulating about how you and your husband were so obviously separating…it’s nice to see the reversal spin around the moment you post on your Instagram—

coffee.girl: the ratio is finally even in this house, austin is thrilled😉

jillian.mua: love you mama😭 austinbutler: ❤️ buzzfeedceleb: WE KNEW IT elvisfan: omg no way coffeecartgirlfan: Y/N really making news sources look like clowns today, we love to see it

You do, in fact, love to see it.

--

You swear that pregnancy hormones are still kicked into high gear because literally almost everything with this new baby makes you emotional, even a month later. Luci very passionately decides that the nursery needs to be painted a new color, which you and Austin don’t object to. Your husband chooses a variety of greens, things that range from avocado to seafoam and brings them all home. The ‘allure’ of choice for your daughter even though you and him have already picked the main color.

But Luci holds a few paint strips in front of August as he lays in a baby cushion on the floor that reminds you way too much of an oversized cat bed and shakes them enthusiastically.

“Which one?” She asks him, as if he could formulate a response. As if he doesn’t babble and grab his feet and giggle at his sister.

And that’s what makes you tear up because—Luci loves August, loves talking to him about everything, loves gently touching his hair and cheeks and…you can already tell she’s going to be a great, protective big sister. It’s more than you could have ever asked for.

Austin comes up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist, hooking his chin over your shoulder as he watches the both of them. He smiles, pressing a kiss to your neck.

“Cryin’ over paint swatches now?” He teases.

You playfully elbow him in the side and he can’t help but let out a slight laugh, only pulling away to pick August up and settle him against his chest. He brushes a kiss over his still chubby cheek and Luci moves to hug around his leg.

“What’s the color choice?” He asks her and you move to lift Luci up too, smoothing some of her hair behind her ear.

“This one!” She grins, showing you both the seafoam color.

“Perfect.” You reply and August squeals out a wet giggle, clapping his hands together.

Austin moves to you, wrapping his one arm around your waist to keep you close and the conversation turns into plans about how this room is going to be painted, which shades of green go where. This might be the easiest decision you can make in a life that continues to have so many things that are unexpected.

But you wouldn’t trade that for anything.

[ccghastly]

Van Der Linde boys (include Arthur please and the rest is up to you!!) x reader who can't ride a horse, what do you think about that? Whenever I reader fics from rdr2 I'm like "damn, this ain't me" cause I was riding a horse once in my life 😭 thank you!!

Van der Linde fellas with a S/O that can't ride (a horse)

GN Reader

Arthur, Charles, Hosea, & Bill

Misread the prompt and thought this was 'reader asks for riding lessons', so the most of the fills lean in that direction.

I take requests! Feel free to ask!

Arthur:

Tries so damn hard to be helpful, but he's really really not.

He's been riding a horse for longer than he's been walking, it's all muscle memory and he's horrible at trying to get it into usable words.

Prepare for a lot of, "You kinda just…" "No, uh, you gotta lean with it" "Steer with your hips" "No, not like that" "... That's… Almost better?"

You're frustrated, he's frustrated.

"I'm real sorry, Darlin'. I ain't got no clue how to make any of this make any kinda sense."

If you stick with it you'll probably get there, but you probably would've made the same progress without Arthur's help.

Arthur later gets you a horse that's so incredibly far from wild it could be a nursemaid in its next life and you're happy to accompany him on his little journeys around the countryside. It's exciting to experience his strange encounters in person, rather than as funny stories he brings to the fireside.

Charles:

A more patient teacher you couldn't hope to find.

He starts you with horse care. Brushing, picking hooves, tack maintenance, feeding, feeling for injuries. Just getting you used to being around horses.

He's very keen on posture and being as helpful and kind to the horse as a rider possibly can be.

Taima is a sweetheart throughout, long pauses for explanations are immediately grazing breaks, but she listens when you try to ask her to do something.

You make great progress and are riding with some confidence by the end of the month, following Charles and Taima for short trips out of camp on your own borrowed horse.

Eventually you get your own horse and it becomes common practice for you to follow Charles on any of his outings, just to keep him company. You get surprisingly good at reading while your horse follows Taima.

Hosea:

Strange techniques, but he's too enthusiastic to turn him down.

You didn't even ask him to teach you, just mentioned in passing that you didn't know how to and you were suddenly penciled in for lessons.

Unsaddles Silver Dollar to make room and has you ride in front of him as he guides the horse.

"Just get a feel for the horse, Dove. Feel how I move with him."

Silver Dollar is confused by the many many circles he's asked to make, but as long as there peppermints at the end of it, he's happy.

Hosea's teaching style is dubiously helpful, but you do eventually learn how to sit a horse.

Once you're comfortable steering your own horse there are many long strolls to 'scout the area' and 'look for game', that usually end with cuddling up in front of a pretty view.

Bill:

Feels guilty about it, but kind of likes that you can't ride on your own.

Enjoys being useful and likes being able to help you like this.

Really likes that you don't ask anyone else to take you where you need to go, always asking him with such sweet manners, if when he has a free moment if he could please take you into town please

Yes. The answer is always Yes. Immediately Yes. As soon as he's physically capable of making it happen.

"Just gimme two shakes, Honey. I gotta ask Sean to take the rest of my shift, the layabout owes me a few."

Also really really likes lifting you onto and off of Brown Jack. If you wanna make this man light up, give him a kiss while he does it.

It's a very badly hidden secret that he enjoys getting to act like a gentleman and take care of you, so this is right up his alley.

[coffyao]

emotionless

link to my a03: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lalaloopsyland

---

summary:

made a playlist for this: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TvrAOVlHNdCEzRXI1flgE?si=qn3LB2m_Q36n5uMnsEFGCA

As a new investigator, you find yourself drawn to an enigmatic senior, developing a crush on the CCG reaper.

--

When I came to work for CCG, freshly graduated and only a rank 2 investigator – assigned to measly grunt work and tiresome office days – I would occasionally see him walk past. Sickly white hair, sharp specs and a stoic stare.

CCG’S reaper.

First-hand witness and instigator of bloodshed, for many, many years. Never flinched at the face of a terrifying ghoul characterized by the following: blood-shot crazed eyes, remorseless cannibalism and saw humans as running livestock, just for them to eat alive. there might have been the superstitious rumour roaming around that he was secretly a ghoul, but the main consensus rang true.

he was a one-of-a-kind genius.

Naturally, I was in awe of him.

-

a few weeks into my work, we exchanged words for the first time.

"welcome to the team," he said, his cold hands shaking my own.

His eyes were similar to his hair. dead, and devoid of any emotion.

So, my assumption was that he must have been numb to the gruesome killings that he had to deliver. This made me think of what I would need to do in the near future, and my heart, trembled in anxiety.

the thought of cold blood and ghoul guts running down my face made me shivery.

so naturally, I sympathised with him. 

-

It was only a month later when I started being assigned for cases with him that I saw another side. With his quinque, he slaughtered a group of ghouls. They weren't overly threatening, being mere gang members who patrolled the street like hungry hyenas, and impersonated real power. nonetheless, he left no room for mercy, and once they surrounded us, the battle was over as soon as my pupils dilated from the sudden flash of light. when he finished delivering righteous retribution, he calmly wiped his quinque off with a napkin, saying nothing at all. but the message was clear enough.

He was disappointed that we didn't act sooner. it was worse than being openly reprimanded.

Naturally, I became nervous of him.

-

after witnessing that, I mostly kept to myself, but when it was time to act; I did, under his aloof, and calculated commands. much like The Queen on a chess board, he was in control of everything, and he was always twenty steps ahead. If my teams plan fell through, he was our black joker, a card that I started to become dependent on.

When I took a ghoul's life for the first time, I think, in his own way, comforted me by remarking how well I dealt the final blow to their skull.

"well done."

the mystical reaper that everyone talked about complimented me. after we finished the mission, I kept thinking about what he said, as unorthodox as it was.

 naturally, I became curious about him.

-

He had a collection of books, in which varied from historical fiction to literary works containing many pages.

He told me he rarely read them these days anyway, so he lends a few to me. I noticed that he hadn't done this for anyone else, but I didn't want to assume anything beyond needing to get rid of them, as it was convenient enough to give it to the quietest one in the group. Despite preconceiving his intentions, I read most of the books he gave me, and it became my therapy when I started to have recurrent nightmares about the ghouls I've taken.  They were coming to life to pull me down to their hellish grave with them.

When it became too much for my psyche, those nightmares slipped out like ice during a practice spar that we had. I didn't expect a sympathetic response, as I already knew the nature of our work.

But he stopped, and parted words that impacted my spirit.

  "...the nightmares are temporary, but the cause your fighting for is permanent."

from there, I put my trust in him fully.

-

over the next couple of months, we dealt with cases both within Tokyo and outside of it, in which my own life was dangled as a carrot. however, like he accurately predicted, those nightmares became a few and far between. my soul became intertwined with this dangerous lifestyle, but it was worth it if it meant I could always fight alongside him.

There was one time where our team decided to make a pit-stop at a café. this was one we went to often, as it was quiet and didn't attract much attention due to its old exterior. while we made our orders, I realised that I had forgotten his first name. the persistent chaos that had ripped through the world made my memory fuzzy, plus, referring him as kishou was my way of respecting him and his authority. since he never corrected me, I assumed what I did was right.

but, I wanted to be closer to him.

when we finished our time at the cafe, and walked behind the others, I worked up the nerve to ask him. his reaction to my question wasn't what I expected.

"oh. is that why you have called me kishou this entire time?"

it was a split second, but his lips slightly curled, indicating a flash of amusement.

another first. I got to see him smile. 

from then on, I wanted to see a thousand more.

-

outside of our schedules, I didn't know much about him.

the line of work that I carried out didn't allow many friends into my vacancy, so I spent many long weekends at home, counting the hours where I could finally return to work. I quickly realised that was unproductive, so I created a internal goal; learn about arima and what he likes. 

when Friday evening came around, I finally had the opportunity to slip into his office. when I came, it always had a distinctive, bookish smell, with paperwork on his desk neatly layered, where it always stayed. I often wondered where he managed to find the time to clean up.

predictability, he was sat straight on his chair, and his computer screen covered half of his face. entering the room, I held a cup of americano, and brought to his desk, trying to sweeten the mood.

"I hope this is to your liking," I said.

"thank you," he responded, continuing to type away on his laptop. 

when I thought about it, I don't think there ever had been a right time to approach him casually, as we were either working on a case, training or he had shut himself somewhere, in solitude and out of reach.

like those times, this was painfully true here, since he seemed to have no time for conversation. 

but when I stood, tense and cogs turning as I tried to figure out how to even talk to him, he sensed my discomfort.

"is there anything you wanted to say?" turning his laptop away, so I could see him.

"...I wanted to know what you like eating."

he remain straight-faced, which made it harder to express myself.

"...but you seen me eat before, haven't you?" he inquired, sounding perplexed.

"No I meant...your favourite food."

although the question was dull, that was the only one I could think of as I felt his steely eyes on me, dissecting my motives.

"I don't have one," he states, and he goes back onto his laptop.

"but, if you want to try finding that for me, go ahead."

when he said that, that miniscule crumb of letting me in, I couldn't take that invitation lightly. 

from then on, I started to make and bring food for him to try.

-

To destress from missions, I suggested to my team that we occasionally come together to play board games. It was my time to contribute, I bought a pack of card for tonight. We gathered snacks for the table, as well as alcohol if things became especially interesting.

I usually handled my alcohol well, but I couldn’t say the same for the other members. ten minutes into the game, one member kept asking if Arima could join, even though I explained that he didn’t want to.

I knew that because I asked him before I let the others know.

One or two glasses into the game, at the corner of the room, I noticed how intently he read his book. More than wanting to know what he was reading, I wanted to know what he was thinking, while reading it.

Is it engaging? Does he resonate with the characters? Is it escapism for the current world we live in? Is he amused, but on the inside?

While I was terrified of his eyes before, I wanted him to look at me more, analyse me. Judge me and acknowledge me.

 Yet, he never lifted them once, even while the game became competitive, and we yelled over each other.

to be candid, when I yelled, it was a different reason from the rest.

I wanted him to pay attention to me.

-

While I usually handled myself with care, I underestimated the toll the missions had taken on my body - from the combination of fatigue, and the pressure to fulfil my work obligations, I had suddenly hit a wall. after fighting a ghoul with a unexpectedly strong kagune, I could no longer hold myself together and collapsed during the altercation. 

When I woke up, IV attached to my arm and blanket covering my upper half - I was disappointed in myself; I couldn't meet arima's expectations. I wondered what he thought of me as I failed to hold my own - which also made me resent him at the same time. 

But I wasn't allowed to stew in my thoughts for too long.

"...your awake."

his eyes were darker than usual, and his tie was loosened; his perfectionist edge was little to be seen. he sat at the edge of the sofa, which was rare, even for him. It was a pleasant contrast to the rigid composure I grew used to. nonetheless, facing him at my rawest was too emotional of a burden to bear, and I couldn't hold my front up.

"I-I couldn't keep up," I stuttered, putting my hands against my aching head, "I couldn't beat them."

"It's not about beating them," he replied, retaining the same emotionless expression, "its about knowing your limits."

"I-I know that," I said, my regret contorting into anger, needing to reason with myself and him, "but I wanted to try, I wanted to keep fighting."

"but your pushing yourself unnecessarily."

even though I've grown to appreciate his introversion, I've grown to abhor his robotic ways of dealing with me and everyone else. at that moment, resentment had become my voice.  

"that's something you could at least try to understand, couldn't you?"

the silence followed by my outburst was deafening. Although he didn't say anything, his gaze slowly lowered towards my arm, then the IV. he seemed to be in introspection - I had no rebuttal to it. when he finally looked up at me, it was akin to someone who had been tired for a long time.

"...I do. which is why your priority should always be surviving, not winning."

he was still in mentor mode, and I hated it but, I found it strangely soothing. 

"your life is my priority," he said, and the deadness in his eyes that always presented itself became livelier, another glint into someone who is human. He turned away, but as my heart thumped against my chest, I had finally confirmed it.

I have feelings for arima.

--

I only found this out in a passing conversation my teammate had with another. I didn't mean to gossip, but I pried, and they told me that it was in-fact, arima's birthday.

as close as I thought we started to become by his own standards - I was far from really knowing him. someone, who likely lived his life in secrecy, and kept everything within him - was also capable of hiding his birthday. when I found out more, the distance grew, and the questions never seemed to stop running out. 

does he not care about his birthday? is the day painful for him? why did I have to find out from someone else?

ironically enough, I didn't even have that right to ask, since he never told me.

Maybe it would of just been worth letting it go - but that insistent nag wouldn't leave me. it was telling me I shouldn't leave this alone. I wanted to infiltrate his space and close myself in. I had to inspect the matter and give him something that could be of worth. something sweet - something like...

cake.

I  went to the bakery in the afternoon - there were many choices. 

red velvet, lemon drizzle, triple chocolate.

But I decided to go with a flavour befitting for him.

vanilla.

I had it wrapped in a white box, and when he was out, I left it on his desk. I wrote a paper note, which indicated that I knew - but there was no pressure. no grand gesture, no upcoming party. he could decide, all on his own.

"for you. I hope this is to your liking."

the day carried on as normal, but my nerves were tense. I waited, to see if he would acknowledge my deed, but he was indifferent. I wondered if I made a mistake.

However, as I packed my utilities up and went to my desk to check if I had missed anything - there was a small note stuck on top of it. 

"you managed to find my favourite food."

palpitations filled my heart. I was on the right track.

whether our relationship stilled as mentee and mentor or it evolved into something more, I was grateful.

his acknowledge became my fuel.

--

--

a year has already past, and I've begun to see a unexpected change.

after his birthday, he's been giving more and more parts of himself.

affiliation with the CCG since his teens. eighteen years as a investigator. his burdensome but fulfilling responsibilities. the inevitability of loss. I've yet to know about his formative years, but his musings suggested that it must have been difficult. 

he only opened up when the sun disappeared, and the sky became tangerine. like wax, he melted, but when the next day came, he hardened. However, that was more than fine. I took these private moments as his way of connecting with me, and I listened. I absorbed it into my skin.

I've also noticed something else.

when we sparred - 

it was usually with sharp, and deadly tenacity. recently, i sensed that within our exchanges of our weapons clashing against each other, there was a undercurrent of something electrifying brewing. occasionally, there would be times where he would let me gain the upper hand on purpose, and when I took as much advantage as possible, he pushed back -  just enough to give me room to exceed my limitations.

there was one time he had me stuck against the wall - quinque pierced through, and inches away from my face. rather than being uneasy - I was exhilarated by the adrenaline that pumped through me, secretly concocting on what I could next to blindsight him.

I've observed him to the point where I could notice hints of playfulness when we fought - with every "move faster," there was a "you surprised me." with every "you need to focus," there was a "not bad at all."

if anything, I could take what I can get.

when I sat with him on the same sofa, I was bed-ridden on and he talked about his wishes on what he wanted the world to become - I slid my palm onto his hand, hoping to at least sooth his worries. I noticed his eyes linger on me longer than usual, so I pulled my hand back, hoping to rectify the confusion I've caused. 

he resumed, but it was hard to stop my thoughts from going to...

unsanitary places.

could I live like this forever, just being content working by his side?

I felt more unsure as the days lingered on...

---

the only place where I could reflect on my own thoughts was at the top of the building - the rooftop. From there - I could look down at the city from a birds-eye view, where it made all kinds of noise, and the sun radiated above me - giving me momentary clarity on what to do next. 

The rooftop was calling for me.

As I ran up the stairs and stepped outside, dark grey clouds loomed above me. There, at the edge of it, stood arima, the impending storm surrounding his figure. excitement surged within me, letting me know how long I've been waiting for this moment.

could this be the day?

drizzle started falling from the sky as I slowly approached him from behind, putting my hand on his shoulder.

when he turned, surprise flickered across his face.

"what are you doing here?" 

his voice was steady yet laced with curiosity.

"I just wanted some quiet time..." I lied, regretting it as soon as it left my lips.

the rain began to fall heavier, turning arima into that of an ethereal angel instead of a reaper, his hair becoming damp, and droplets running down his face. between him, and the city that illuminated below, it was a sign that I had to listen to. 

"...I don't believe you." he said, skepticism or perhaps, a challenge being hinted through his tone.

"why not?"

"because I can see your restlessness," narrowing his eyes, analysing the unspoken language in my body.

"why would I be restless?" I countered, stepping closer, indignance running through my veins.

"because your hiding something."

so he could tell. he could tell this entire time.

I tethered between the wash of relief, and the hurricane of panic, as my layers are forcibly peeled off, by only the sharpness of his words.

"...what's there to hide?" I admitted, the viscosity between the water uncomfortably sticking against my skin, and what I planned to say next.

"...maybe I just wanted to find you."

his analytical mind usually had something of substance to say, but for the first time - he looked to be in a state of genuine perplexity, akin to when a system undergoes downtime.

Only when the rain starts to downpour at rapid rates, does he manage to say, "it's getting too heavy. let's go inside."

--

as we walked down the stairs, any fear I had about the silence between us was overwritten by the resolution that had settled in my mind.

once we made it into his office, I called out to him.

"...arima."

the boundaries that were delicately in place before, I wanted to tear them into pieces.

"I can't hide what I feel for you anymore."

instead of sitting in his seat, he leaned over on his desk and his eyes settled on me, unwavering in the face of my sudden admission.

"...what is it that you feel?" he questioned, as if searching for confirmation.

I became braver, attuned to the difference between his previous indifference, and this slight opening for vulnerability.

"your an observant person, you could already tell long ago, haven't you?"

I held my breath, carefully gauging any change to his face, anything that could indicate cracks to his intricately crafted persona. I continued.

"I wouldn't risk our professional relationship, if I didn't think this was worth it,” intentionally appealing to his cautious nature, closing in on our gap.

his resolve seemed to be weakened, remaining tight-lipped, but visibly struggling under the emotional impact of my confession.

" So please, tell me. do you know what I feel? for you?" 

I finally said it out loud. everything that I've experienced, what I've felt, and the unexplainable tension that I could hardly put a finger on.

it's simmered beneath the surface, and now it's imploded on me, and hopefully, him. 

if he will allow me in.

"...I know. I know what you feel." his voice was low, almost a whisper, taking in the air between us.

it was as if we were in our own world, raindrops thumping against the glass like a synchronised melody. it was simply the backdrop - it was waiting for the chorus. I almost leaned in, the desire becoming insuperable to stop, but it was interrupted - 

"is it just you, here?" he muttered, breaking the spell that I was under.

"I-I think so."

He reiterated his question, "did you see anyone, prior to you coming here?"

"I-I think..." wavering against his intense stare, wondering if I had truly made the wrong choice.

when I managed to finally look him in the eye, his hesitation seemed to settle, becoming more confident in his decision. in his own way, this must of been confirmation some way or another...

"that's good enough," he said, and before I could digest his answer, he caresses my cheek with his hands. they felt warm despite the dampness of his skin. As he started leaning in, I could sense his apprehensiveness, despite the want in his eyes.

I decided to lean as well - pressing my lips against his - albeit clumsy, but all the same, what I've needed for so long.

as our kiss deepened, his hesitation started to dissolve and I became enveloped in our connection, the collision of our worlds - it was coming together in this union. but I was desperate, and he was affected by the same affliction. He pulled my face to his, and I responded by climbing over the desk - pulling his face to mine. I held onto his lapels, dragging him in until I was laid on it.

he took off his jacket and resumed with his attack - his hands moving towards my waist, with my body flourishing against his gentle touch. I was under a state of pure euphoria - I visualized this moment many times to the point that it became maladaptive - but now that it was coming alive - couldn't I indulge in it?

it was a domino effect - my skin became his canvas, decorating my throat with long, searing kisses - marking it as his own paint. I was enriched by his artistry.

It wasn’t until the rain stopped and the sun peeked out from behind the building that he paused his painting, whispering, "...what you feel, I feel it too," looking at me for one tender moment before letting me go.

whatever we were meant to be after that, at least I knew, that he wasn't truly emotionless.

--

[youandmedead]

Lðvê ¢ðmê§ wï†h grêå† l𧧠- †ðµkå x !Gñ! RêåÐêr

Warnings: Your average Tokyo Ghoul angst + Swearing + A bit of comfort

Requested by: No one

Synopsis: Reader comforts Touka after Ryouko’s unfortunate demise

Notes: I miss writing Tokyo Ghoul content so to all those reading, feel free to send in a request for some of the characters and I’ll see what I can do :)

Silence took over Anteiku’s foundations-pure,dead silence…out of respect for the lost. The shop was closed due to the unfortunate events that had taken place, therefore the usual cheer and tranquility that many brought alongside them was not present as of today.

The unfortunate demise of Miss Ryouko Fueguchi fuelled hatred and despair upon the workforce of the little cafe in the 20th ward, so much so that it subsequently sparked understandable rage and an overpowering thirst for revenge.

Touka was blinded by her overpowering emotions, with every right she had a reason to feel this way, she did what she felt was right. She had a desire to make the wrong-doers and poisonous hypocritical doves (that sparked unnecessary fear and fury towards innocent beings merely trying to survive) pay for their crimes among the virtuous and guilt free family known as the Fueguchis.

Touka knew what Hinami’s story felt like all too well seeing it happen to another who was so close to her made memories that she’d rather forget and leave in the murkiness of the past bubble within in her and mix corrosively with the inner turmoil of demons and burdens within her.

The 17 year old girl sat on her bed (legs held up to her chest) trying to configure a plan to ambush the doves who killed Hinami’s parents. She was so caught up in her thoughts, that she hardly realised the tears streaking down her porcelain skin nor did she realise she had a visitor standing in her doorway with a small sad smile gracing their lips. “You doing alright in here Touka? You’ve been holed up in here for a while now.”

Touka looked up from her lap and noticed the ever so familiar appearance of her significant other. “What do you think? Surely you must have taken the hint of me wanting to be left alone right?” She mockingly laughed.

Y/n walked into Touka’s bedroom and tried their best to smile. They crossed their arms and responded, “Yes I know you wanted to be alone but I grew worried…besides I know what you’re really like,” Touka’s glossy eyes met with y/n’s, “Mind if I sit?”

Hastily the 17 year old wiped away her tears and nodded, “Y-yeah.”

Y/n wrapped their arm around Touka’s body and Touka leaned into her partners touch, “You try to put on a brave face for everyone in here, especially Hinami…that girl is so lucky to have someone like you in her life y’know that?”

Y/n looked down at their girlfriend. Eyes filled with sadness, red and puffy, her face was stained with tears and arms littered with small and very faint crescents from where her finger nails gripped so harshly. Y/n rested their head on Touka’s shoulder and whispered, “I know how hard it is to see something so similar from your own past happen to someone else and I get it’s tough to contain all these emotions.”

“I-I just don’t get why it had to be them. They could kill any one of us that ruin the good ratio of us!” Tears began to form once more, “Why couldn’t it have been me? A killer like me doesn’t deserve to live.”

Y/n broke the embrace they gave Touka and placed one finger underneath her chin, tilting her head and signalling her to look up. They wiped the stray tears that were escaping her beautiful violet hues, “Darling please don’t speak of yourself as such…”

With that requested y/n rested their forehead upon Touka’s, “I’m pissed that those fuckers get away with killing ours all the time…that’s why I’m offering my help.”

Touka’s head shot up, “Huh?”

Nodding they replied, “You heard me.”

A smirk now played at their lips, “I want to make the bastards pay. I want to witness their cries of agony as I rip out their organs and feast on their flesh, I want them to see the sheer terror displayed among their faces. Sinners must be cleansed as they say…and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Touka took a deep breath and nodded, “Finally someone who knows what the hell they’re talking about. Justice needs to be served.”

Nodding once more you got off of Touka’s bed and kissed her cheek, “Alright then it’s settled. We set up a trap, possibly something revolving around false information, for tomorrow and as soon as the sun sets it’s time to make those rotten sods pay!”

[bcofl0ve]

(pstt invisible string hive even if i am slow as a turtle with updating it pls know i am always down to chit chat headcanons and what not about that universe via anons!! 😽)

[eightmakesonebraincell]

i have a little request! what happens with mafia mingi & yn? do they ever meet again? if so, how?

same with wooyoung! do they still meet at the convenience store every night? did he bring the others over to introduce reader to them?

oh im curious yeahhhhh

ateez as mafia members pt 2

original post here

pairing: mafia!mingi x reader, mafia!wooyoung x reader, mentions of ot8!mafia

genre: fluff, crack, a continuation of the mafia tropes brainrot-fest

length: 2.1k

c/w: explicit language, violence, weapons, mentions of alcohol, unedited

a/n: thank you anon for requesting (and special thanks @sorryimananti-romantic for validating my writing 🫶) this was only meant to be like a five dot-point thing explaining what happens, but obviously mafia!ateez has me in their chokehold. mafia!ateez in my brain: it's free real estate

mingi

it takes a few days for you to reopen your bar after your fateful meeting with ccg

ccg as in cute coat guy

because quite frankly, that night shook you up a little

mingi most definitely notices your absence

but it's not like he can just check up on how you're doing

not when your bar is closed and he has no real excuse to show up apart from "i was worried about you"

after he reports back to base and rejoins ateez, hongjoong's girlfriend offers to hack into the database and find out what your phone number is

("it'll literally take me like, two seconds")

mingi refuses though because he wants to do things the right way

at least...when it comes to things concerning you

after you reassure yourself that the thugs chasing after cute coat guy aren't going to kill you by association, you feel safe enough to open up the mist again

his leather coat usually sits draped over your chair behind the countertop

originally, you think about washing it before returning it to him

...whenever he shows up you suppose

but then you kind of like the smokey smell of gunpowder with an underlying hint of his cologne that is on the coat

so you leave it as it is

in fact, you might have actually worn it a couple of times

you like how the end of the coat brushes against your calves, how the sleeves fall past your fingertips, how it engulfs your entire frame like an embrace

but mostly, you like how it reminds you of the handsome stranger; who claims he is a good bad guy; who you still do not know the name of

you wonder if he made it back safely that night

you're wearing the coat as you're closing up for the night - it's already well past midnight

you're just about to reach for the last glass on one of the tables when you hear the door to your bar opening

"sorry, i’m closed for the nigh- oh," you pause

it’s ccg

who currently has one leg and arm halfway through the threshold of your door, now frozen mid-step at your words

“if now’s not a good time, i can come back another day?” he starts out hesitantly

“now’s great! good. yes,” you chuckle nervously and try not to be too enthusiastic at his appearance. “now’s good, come in”

you catch his eyes briefly flicker down for a moment before they return to your eyes

then he gives you a soft look and greets you gently, “hi”

“hi,” you return, brain shutting down on you

“you look cute in that,” he jerks his chin down slightly to motion at what he was looking at just moments ago

his leather coat

that you are currently wearing

you squeak in embarrassment, hands fumbling to take it off while you vomit out explanations as to why you’re wearing it

your fingers get caught up in the sleeves

but then he is stepping closer slowly so as not to alarm you, before he grasps the ends of the sleeves and helps tug them off your arms

mingi can’t help but use the opportunity to tenderly hold one of your hands

he’s missed the way your smaller hands fit snugly in his

“did you come back for your coat?” you try to break the silence, because otherwise you are afraid he will hear the heartbeats coming from inside your chest

he nods, “wanted to make sure you were okay, too”

there is a third reason that he does not say

that he just wanted to see you

“i’m okay now,” you reassure him

because he’s back now and he’s safe

he folds the leather coat and places it on the countertop before he says, “i don’t think i ever got your name?”

you tell him then ask him for his

“mingi”

“mingi,” you repeat

he repeats your name in return

“mingi,” you say yet again

“y/n”

you both laugh at the ridiculousness of the whole conversation

“mingi, want to help me close the bar?”

and so you find yourself in his company as you give him easy tasks to do

closing up has always been a tedious job, especially when your body and mind are groggy with fatigue

but with mingi around, an accidental brush whenever you shuffle past each other, a conversation easily flowing between you both, you are awake as ever

even long after all the tables and shot glasses have been cleaned and polished, floors swept, bottles of alcohol reorganised, mingi still has not left

and at some point during the night once you two sit at the countertop to rest your legs, both of you have subconsciously inched closer together in your seats, bodies seeking the warmth and proximity of the other

you are unsure how long you two talk for

but just like that first, fateful meeting with mingi, he stands up to take his leave all too soon

“goodnight, mingi”

mingi buffers for a minute before he decides to do it

he reaches out for your hand, clasping it gently to bring it up to his lips as he presses a light kiss against the back of your hand

and with a goodbye of his own, he turns for the door

except he lingers in the doorway, asking, “will i see you again?”

a smile graces your lips at the irony of the situation and you tell him it's not like you'll be going anywhere; he's free to come visit any time

but you also feel your stomach flutter

because last time, you were the one tugging on mingi’s vest, timidly wondering if that was going to be the last you saw of him

tonight, he is the one unwilling to part ways

not to say that you aren’t either

“i’ll see you around, then,” he says with finality, voice still soft-spoken

and then he leaves

but just mere seconds later you spot it

his leather coat

still folded on your counter where he had placed it earlier

"wait, your coat!" you rush outside with it

mingi is only a few feet away

he could very easily turn around and take it from you

but then he just winks, gives you a tip of his hat and says, "next time," before he's walking away again

you chew on the inside of your cheek to stop the silly grin from blooming across your face

because something tells you that you're going to be hanging on to mingi's coat for him for a while

even after next time

wooyoung

it feels like deja vu

a whole gang of mafia members sauntering into your convenience store like a scene straight out of a movie

admittedly, they are much more pleasing to the eye than the group that was chasing after wooyoung weeks ago

but still

these are several muscular men in tank tops, leather jackets and heavy chained necklaces

your hand itches for the comforting weight of the pepper spray in your purse that wooyoung had gotten you just last week

you haven't had a reason to need it since wooyoung basically lives in your store now

and he always walks you home after your shift

but now seems like a more than good enough time to use it

"you usually work the night shift here?"

a voice causes your eyes to snap up

the man at the head of the group addresses you with a quirk of his brow - it's pierced, you notice

"...yeah," you answer

you wonder if this is your last shift at work and at life

and then just like a repeat of last time, you spot wooyoung's frantic bounce of curls appear from across the street of your store

you pray to the heavens above that he isn't being chased by anyone else this time

because the thought of two gangs crossing paths inside your modest store?

you don't think it's going to look like a store after their fight is through

you see the way wooyoung's eyes widen when he spots the thugs just mere feet away from you and you see a curse form on his lips

you just need to hold out until he gets here

wooyoung will keep you safe

wooyoung will-

"then you must know," the man leans in a little closer to grab your attention, "where i can find-"

wooyoung bursts through the door

"-the super sour gummy worms?" the man finishes

you physically cannot help the words that blurt out of you in disbelief, "the fuck you just say?" 

"hongjoong!" wooyoung's piercing shout interrupts you both

wooyoung worms his way through the gang and you stare incredulously at him before you say, "the fuck did you just say?"

he ignores you in favour of pressing his hands against the chest of the man - hongjoong? - and trying to push him towards the doors of your store

quite unsuccessfully, you must add

"the fuck are you guys doing here?" wooyoung yells

"what the fuck is going on?" you demand

"holy fuck, not even hongjoong swears this much"

"fuck yeah, potty mouth!"

"stop swearing you fucktards!"

one of the men who has been lingering on the edge of the group sidles up to the counter, looking at you with an apologetic grimace

"sorry you have to deal with...this," he shakes his head just as another man comes to join you both, "i'm jongho, by the way"

"seonghwa," the other man introduces himself with a gentle voice

these mafia men are surprisingly kind

and normal

except, you suppose, anyone in comparison to wooyoung would be normal

"are you all wooyoung's, uhh, friends?" you don't know whether they know you know

they chuckle, "yeah, we're his friends. his brothers, too, you could say"

you realise the rest of the men have started to settle down and are standing in a rough semi-circle around your counter

wooyoung is currently grumbling and muttering indignantly under his breath with someone's arm thrown over his shoulders, though it looks more like he's a child being scolded by his father than it looks a friendly gesture

"so to what do i owe the pleasure of a visit from all of you?" you ask them, now that there is no swearing being thrown across the room and you realise they aren’t going to shoot you through the head

"had to see for ourselves who was making our wooyoung all smitten. always sneaking out at night like a tween"

"yunho!" wooyoung hisses and elbows said man in the ribs

except with the height difference, it's more like his hips

it's amusing to see how everyone has the upper hand over wooyoung's brattiness

"am i meeting the in-laws already?" you smirk at wooyoung, "you like me or something, jung wooyoung?"

he flushes bright red and you're quite positive that if you made him take his socks off, you would find him blushing straight down to his toes

"that's it!" he hollers, arms flailing and shooing everyone, "out! out! out!"

you know they can easily resist his pushy hands, but they simply snicker and let themselves be herded towards the doors

"bye, darling!" someone jumps up and down to catch your gaze over the heads of everyone else

"shut up, san!"

yunho, you think you recall his name being, flutters his fingers at you cheekily, "we'll be back soon!"

and then he lets out an indignant yelp when wooyoung slaps his back with a screech, "no, you guys won't!"

you're laughing heartily by this point, unrestrained and very much enjoying their antics

"bye, everyone," you wave them off and then blow wooyoung an exaggerated kiss, "see you later, wooyoungie!"

everyone cackles with glee at the sight of him trying to dig himself into the ground

the sound of their ruckus finally dies down as they exit and walk further away from your store

and then you hear a distant wail

"i didn't get my gummy worms!"

you shake your head with a fond smile and take a seat at the register, but not before setting aside a pack of those ‘super sour gummy worms’ for hongjoong

and then, like always, you look at the clock and count the seconds as they tick past

counting down the seconds until wooyoung comes back to see you

again

[strxwbloody]

BEHIND A FACADE | the series

"There is a shadow of truth behind every smile, behind every song. But what happens when the veil of the facade falls, revealing the darkest secrets that lie behind the stage of our lives?"

ghoul!enhypen x ccg!reader [afab]

genre: horror, e2l, reverse harem (though it seems centered on Jungwon, but it is not so), dark themes, nsfw (mdni)

warning: drawn up in future chapters

please remember that this is a work of fiction, nothing is to be practiced or represents anyone in reality.

Synopsis: Song y/n is a determined and hardworking young woman, ready to follow in her father’s footsteps by becoming an investigator in the Commision of Counter Ghoul (CCG) in Seoul. However, her enthusiasm is thwarted by traumatic memories of the ghoul attack that ripped her mother’s life away and marked her childhood. Growing up unaware of the existence of ghouls, y/n only discovers this terrible reality through tragedy.

Now, years later, she's ready to start her career in the CCG, but the past comes back to haunt her when her friend Molan mysteriously disappears during a concert of the popular band Enhypen and y/n begins to suspect that there is something dark behind the band’s sparkling facade.

Determined to discover the truth, y/n plunges into a dangerous investigation that will bring her face to face with her past and Jungwon, an old childhood friend who is now part of the Enhypen. Unlike his bandmates, Jungwon is a guy with a complex ethic, divided between his nature and his humanity.

United by childhood memories and a cruel fate, y/n and Jungwon find themselves on opposite sides but irresistibly attracted to each other. As y/n tries to unravel the conspiracies behind the disappearances and stop the threat of ghouls, she discovers that Jungwon is not quite like his bandmates, and a complex relationship begins to develop between them and the rest of the other guys.

Each step brings her closer to the truth, but it also puts her at risk of losing everything she holds most dear.

You will be dragged on an exciting journey where the line between good and evil dissolves into darkness, and where y/n will have to choose between her duty or her heart.

A/N: I state that English is not my first language. This is not the first time I tried to write something about ghouls, the other "works" abandoned if we can say it will be deleted. I hope this is a motivation to keep writing. In addition, along with the work will also be published special illustrations of the characters made by me, at the moment in the process. Here if you want I published the 𐃘 Sunoo one. ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

⤷ [illustrations wip] ⤷ [TAGLIST OPEN SOON] If you want to be tagged you can write below the post or send me requests with anonymous disabled if possible, I will consider accounts with a certain age on bio. I will also consider a perm list. ♡

⤷ [navigation]

All content on this blog, including but not limited to text, images, graphics, video, and other media, is the property of @strxwbloody unless otherwise stated. This content may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified or used in any way without the express consent of the author.

If you would like to use or share any of my content, please contact me first to get permission.

Thank you for respecting my intellectual property and for supporting my creative work.

© 2024 strxwbloody

[mizutenshii]

I'M IN LOVE WITH A KILLER.

— pairing ; kaneki ken x human!gn!reader

— summary ; you knew he had to kill and eat humans in order to survive, but seeing the actual traces of the act hits different.

— cw ; mentions of blood and human consumption, pinch of angst, fluff and some comfort if you squint, est. relationship

the dark stains on his white t-shirt provided you with enough information to figure out what kaneki had been up to before you found him in a dark alley. the knowledge was such a stark contrast with how he was currently looking up at you with innocent eyes, but you knew better; he just got back from a food hunt.

your stomach churned with nausea as you looked at the boy in front of you, and your thoughts were a battlefield currently. you knew he ate humans regularly, but this was the first time you actually saw traces from the act, making you realize how real it was. kaneki had just killed and eaten a human that was likely to be innocent, and the thought was absolutely sickening to you. someone's life just ended in one of the most horrid ways possible, and the cause of it was right in front of you. it made you want to run away and throw up.

but then there was your rational side, knowing that the boy had no other choice if he wanted to stay alive. you also knew like no other how much kaneki hated eating humans, and how much he despised himself for having to do it time after time again. you were there when he forced himself to eat human food over and over again, shoving it in until he passed out because his body got too weak. you were there when he almost literally starved himself because the guilt of eating humans became too much for him to live with. you were there every time kaneki broke down because he hated being a ghoul.

it was all so double, the mixed feelings that fought for dominance almost dizzying you. but there was one thing you knew for sure; you didn't want to lose kaneki, and in order to do so, you had to live with the fact that he ate humans. 

kaneki's expression had grown anxious while the long silence dragged on, and you quickly set all your worries aside. you slowly sank to the ground and took a seat next to him, leaning against him more than you leaned against the wall.

"does the blood scare you?" the boy asked, his tone cautious and laced with the same fear that was present on his features.

you entertained the thought for a moment; did it scare you? quickly after, you resolutely shook your head. you weren't scared, it was better to be described as shocked. knowing and seeing were two different things, and while you were used to bearing knowledge of his diet, seeing him covered in blood made you awfully aware of his dinner.

"you seem disgusted," kaneki pointed out as you remained silent, to which you nodded.

"i am," you confessed. "i've always thought i was okay with it, but finding you like this is a hard pill to swallow. it goes against everything i'm supposed to stand for."

"i'm so–" the ghoul began, but you cut him off.

"don't apologize," you hushed. "you just want to live, like everyone else on this planet. you're only doing what you have to do in order to survive. you would die if you didn't hunt, and i don't want to lose you."

you snuggled a little closer to him, getting as comfortable as possible on the pavement in the forsaken alley. in response, he wrapped an arm around you. you were torn between two sides, like you always were ever since you met kaneki.

you were raised to hate ghouls, just like every human being on this planet. kaneki was the enemy of mankind, you were supposed to despise him, report him to the CCG as soon as you got the chance. yet, here you were, allowing the line between hunter and prey to blur, getting close and falling in love with a killer.

finding your lover covered in blood left you in shock. your thoughts were a whirlwind and you were still trying not to throw up right there in that bystreet. but you promised him that you accepted him, completely abandoning your healthy human morals. you were a traitor, you realized once more.

"i love you," you muttered, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath to calm yourself. you buried your face in the crook of his neck, deftly ignoring the stains that were so painfully visible even in the dark.

it wasn't a lie, and you weren't trying to convince yourself. you really did love him, and you just wanted to let him know that finding him covered in blood didn't change anything.

"i love you, too," kaneki replied, relief dripping from his tone. he held you a little closer, as if he was afraid that you'd change your mind and run away from him.

mizutenshii — 3O.O9.2O23 — masterlist

frankly, maybe there was a part of you that wished to do so – the final strands of human sanity that lingered. but you didn't listen, abandoning your rationality and staying by his side.

[fairy-writes]

Here is my second request!!

Could I please get a kaneki ken with the action prompt 7? Fluff please!

STITCHES AND KISSES

Reblogs and Comments are greatly appreciated!!

__________________________________________________________________________

Fandom(s): Tokyo Ghoul

Pairing(s): Kaneki Ken x Gender Neutral!Human!Investigator!Reader

Prompt: Bandaging/washing their lover’s wounds after a fight (Action Prompt #7)

Notes: This is like… post-Jason Kaneki

This is for my 1K followers event! It’s going on between June 8th and June 22nd!

__________________________________________________________________________

By definition, your relationship with Kaneki Ken was forbidden. 

The infamous half-ghoul and the prodigy of Arima Kishou? That was almost as good as being a Montague and a Capulet. 

You got lost in thought as your lover hunted through your apartment for your first aid kit.

Would the CCG be the Capulets if this were indeed a Romeo and Juliet story? They were the ones who had more power, after all. They were able to walk around freely during the day, freely hunting down their prey while ghouls hid in fear for their lives.

A gentle caress on the back of your head made you jump and look up from your spot on the side of the bathtub.

Kaneki Ken stands illuminated by the bathroom light, but you swear you’ve never seen anything more handsome. The harsh luminescence makes his white hair almost transparent, and his dark gray eyes are overshadowed as he bends his head and sits beside you. 

“You found it?” You ask, and he nods, keeping quiet, and you don’t miss how he doesn’t say a word. 

He’s angry. That much is obvious. 

You don’t want to argue, don’t want to fight. So you wordlessly unbutton your white work shirt that’s coated in your own blood and shed it, tossing it in the bathroom sink. Then, you turn around so he can see how bad the damage is. While he doesn’t say a word, you hear the almost inaudible gasp that escapes him. 

And you know how bad it is.

The kagune of the Aogiri Tree ghoul had cut deeply into your shoulder blades and spine. It wasn’t lethal. You could still walk and everything. It had been a tough fight, with you getting the injuries protecting a small child that had almost been a midnight snack for the ghoul. He—or she, you couldn’t tell with the mask—had been an Ukaku type, with wings of reds and purples that you, frankly, found beautiful. 

It almost hurt you to kill them. 

But you had to remind yourself that all ghouls weren’t like Kaneki. They weren’t all like Anteiku. Some of them are simply man-eating monsters, people or not; that wasn’t something you could forgive that easily. 

The sting of antiseptic has you jolting from your memories, and you hiss in pain against your attempts to keep quiet. Ken murmurs a soft “sorry” but doesn’t stop cleaning the gunk and grime out of the gash. 

“You’ll need stitches.” He says in that quiet voice of his. You hum,

“I trust you.” You whisper, and he doesn’t respond. 

He’s been so silent after everything with Jason. But you still hear soft cries when he thinks you’re asleep. You still see the almost invisible shaking of his hands when there’s a loud, unexpected noise. 

You still see how broken he is because of it. 

But you also see how strong it made him. He loves fiercer, holds you just a few seconds longer every time he hugs you, every time he kisses you. 

The pain of the needle dipping in and out of your skin and muscles has you biting your knuckle to keep quiet. While your neighbors knew what you did for a living, that didn’t mean they had to know you were in agony. 

Ken, luckily, makes it quick. He ties off the thread and cuts it before leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the wound. His lips are soft, and when he leans his forehead between your shoulder blades, you can feel how worried he is. 

Because he almost lost you tonight. 

If your partner had been a few seconds slower or hadn’t gotten you away from the ghoul in time, you would have died. Would have left him alone.

“You don’t have to be so gentle.” You say and feel him shift, wrapping a strong arm around your waist and pulling you tenderly into his chest. 

“Yes, I do.” He says, and you hear his voice crack, “Someone has to be.”

And that breaks your heart. 

Because you know it’s true. 

Your hands are perpetually coated in red and covered in harsh calluses and blisters from handling your quinque. Your body is hard with muscle from endless fights. 

You aren’t gentle with yourself. You know it. Ken knows it. 

Abruptly, you realize he’s talking. 

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.” He whispers, and you smile. Weren’t you just thinking about Romeo and Juliet? You lean your head back and turn it so you can kiss his hair.

“Is that a roundabout way of saying you love me?” You ask and feel him chuckle, feel the vibrations against your back.

“I suppose so.” Is all he says. But he doesn’t need to say more. 

Because you can tell he loves you.

[apollodarling-writes]

Hii, can i please ask for some fluff and comfort for Suzuya Juuzou (from Tokyo Ghoul) with a ghoul reader?

cws ; dissociation, hurt/comfort, trauma implications, established relationship, possibly ooc juuzo — it’s been like three years since i’ve watched tokyo ghoul, spoilers!!! , kind of short?

when juuzo showed up at your doorstep without so much as a text, you knew something was wrong. you could see it in the way his eyes were unfocused and red-rimmed, in the slight tremble of his hands, and the way his bottom lip quivered when he tore his gaze from the floor to meet yours. it was a drastic change from his usual bubbly and eccentric demeanor, and it worried you to see him in such a state.

your boyfriend had shown up clad in CCG gear, his knuckles white from the effort of holding onto his quinque, and based on the state of his appearance, you could only assume that he had one hell of an evening.

as juuzo met your gaze, a fire had been ignited. his features twisted into anger and grief, his lips curling back into a cruel snarl as he pointed the quinque at you. “if ghouls didn’t exist, then… shinohara-san would be okay, right?” he asks, his voice oddly calm despite the emotion swirling in his gaze.

your voice dies in your throat as you watch juuzo tilt his head at you, the sharp end of his quinque digging into the meat of your chest. your throat constricts, tears bubbling at your lashline as you open your mouth to speak.

“ghouls are abominations. all they know to do is take. just like that ghoul was going to take shinohara-san from me.” he murmurs, interrupting you as his weapon falls limp at his side.

you can’t bring yourself to do anything but nod, opening your door further as you gesture for your distraught lover to come inside. a flicker of recognition passes through juuzo’s gaze as he peers into your apartment, a picture frame of your first date with him catching his attention. he swallows thickly, his trembling fingers gently reaching out to wipe away your tears.

that leaves you here, with a cold cup of tea on your coffee table and juuzo in your arms. he refused to talk about what happened earlier that night, but now that the sun had risen and he was seemingly out of tears to shed, the young man finally speaks up.

“i’m sorry,” he mumbles, his voice hoarse and cracking. juuzo’s fingers idly toy with the hem of your shirt as he takes a deep breath. “i was so angry that i…“

juuzo’s voice trails off, his arms snaking around your midsection as he rests his head on your chest again. he doesn’t say anything more than that, simply opting to listen to the steady beat of your heart.

“you don’t have to talk about anything until you’re ready, juu.” you murmur, you fingers threading through his hair. you could piece two and two together — a mission went wrong and shinohara was hurt as a result. you knew how special that man was to juuzo, and you could understand why he was so upset.

juuzo quietly hums in response, his cold fingers reaching beneath your shirt to soak up the warmth your skin provided. as you gaze down at him, you recognize the way his eyes seemed unfocused — staring at everything and soaking in nothing. oh, juuzo.

you press a gentle kiss to the crown of his head, feeling the way his breath shudders and a shiver wracks down his spine, his arms tightening around you as if you would disappear too.

“i love you, juu.” you whisper, unsure of what else to say. juuzo’s throat bobs as he swallows, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

“i love you too.”

[stylespresleyhearted]

CCG — NEW BEGINNINGS

masterlist can be found here

note: @blainesebastian only has herself to blame for allowing me to spiral in the dm’s. dad! austin blurb all the way at the bottom based on ccg universe hope you don’t mind mccall. 😭🥹🫶🏻

-

hollywoodreporter Divorce rumors continue to swirl as Austin Butler is spotted catching a Broadway play with younger actress Kaia Gerber.

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butlerfam This means nothing. He is allowed to have female friends.

fan13 I’m scared but it might be true even @jillian.mua unfollowed him

butlerfam She unfollowed everyone who didn’t follow her back not just him.

hater101 i always knew she wasn’t the one for him lmaooo good for you austin! kaia is way prettier!

ccgupdates We don’t know anything and we should focus on being respectful, for their sake and especially Luci’s.

people Austin Butler and @coffeegirl spotted running errands in Los Angeles separately. Despite them being in the same city no photos of the two of them have been captured and divorce rumors continue building. This marks the first time she is spotted publicly in two months. Their reps refused to comment.

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fan23 cmon @people be better than this. i expect this shit from dailymail but not ya’ll

user12 PSA: husbands and wives DO NOT have to do everything together.

hater101 okay but he had a date w a model ten years his junior who is way prettier lol they’re so over

fan12 Starting to believe it’s true because why wouldn’t they just deny the rumors?

fan13 she looks like she’s crying

fan24 yeah looks like it might be true … i’ll never forgive austin if it is she’s perfect for him and that means he left his family for a nepo baby

hater2 Finally I was tired of her using him for fame he is going to be so much better off with Kaia she actually is on his level

liked by ashleybee, coffeegirl, and 98267 others

austinbutler ✈️

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ashleybee Favorite girl always ❤️‍🔥

fan23 does this mean he got custody

fan13 THEY AREN’T DIVORCED 🙄

user11 lmao ok that’s why he’s all over kaia gerber and if they were still together he would have posted @coffeegirl too but he didn’t and he liked kaia’s recent ig post

fan13 yeah bc they’re friends thats it

user11 they were spotted hanging out alone again on deuxmoi’s sunday spotted

hater101 @coffeegirl he left you so now all you can do is like his posts 🤣

austinbutler has disabled comments

tmz BREAKING NEWS: @coffeegirl spotted with mystery man in New York City confirming divorce rumors with Austin Butler.

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hater101 lmaooo what a slut

butlerfam You’re ridiculous. You praise Austin for being seen with a model and bring her down for being seen with a friend.

user13 that doesn’t look like a friendly touch

fan43 I’m so disappointed. No photo of her for three months and when we finally do get one she’s with another man.

ccgupdates She’s been hiding from the public, she’s obviously going through something. And that’s a co-worker, Ronald, he’s worked with her on multiple projects.

user41 isn’t that guy ronald someone austin hates bc he’s always overly friendly w her??? and she allows this ???

liked by fan11, fan12, and 714 others

austinupdates At tonight’s screening Austin talked about how his daughter Luci changed his life positively in every way possible. He didn’t mention his wife.

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ccgupdates That last sentence is so unnecessary.

fan13 he usually always thanks her though

butlerfamily In the past seven months she’s only been seen publicly twice. It’s obvious she doesn’t want attention right now for some reason and maybe he’s respecting that.

fan13 what could possibly be the reason? why the 360 all of a sudden?

hater101 he left her and she can’t accept that

liked by hater1, hater2, and 59176 others

dailymail After a decade together it seems Austin and his wife have divorced. He is seen solo with their daughter, Luci, once again. It has been nine months since the couple have been photographed together and @coffeegirl has chosen to deal with it privately, according to sources as she has only been seen publicly twice this past year.

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fan14 I refuse to believe it until it comes directly from them.

ccgupdates That is not confirmation.

hater101 all these weirdos in denial still GTFO IT

user12 I am so heartbroken. I thought they were forever.

austinupdates All we can do now is respect their privacy and support them. I’m sure Luci remains their top priority.

jillian.mua You lot are ridiculous.

coffeegirl and austinbutler posted

austinbutler and coffeegirl I took some time for myself to ensure the safe arrival of our baby boy. Our family has never been happier than now for the next chapter in our lives.

I understand this can be hard for some to process. Sending you all love.

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ccgfan OH MY GOD IM SO HAPPY ??!! 🥹🥹❤️❤️ CONGRATS !

jillian.mua I beg you guys to never stop collaborating 🫶🏻

ashleytisdale LOL YES! Love you guys!

ashleybee Having you in Arizona while you were growing the little bean was magical. We miss you already. I love you guys, thank you for making me an auntie again. I’m proud of you, Austin, and I see Mom in those little angels. 🪽 

austinbutler I love you Ash ❤️

coffeegirl All your love and support was essential, thank you. Luci and baby boy are begging to call tonight.

tomhardy Congratulations 🎉❤️

florencepugh Going to do another movie with you for some more baby time 👀💗

jodiecomer Fuck yes, so much love ❣️

pollybennett So happy for your family! Real ones always knew the thought of you divorcing was absurd 😉

~ comment liked by austinbutler and 17891 others 

butlerfamily I knew it was all bullshit. Their love is true. They’ve stated they only wanted one child previously so I wonder if this was a surprise or plan, but whatever it was, I’m so happy for their family.

coffeegirl Surprise LOL 😂🫶🏻 but we appreciate the constant support from your page. We see your love ❤️

blainesebastian HAHA take that haters!!

-

She lays her feet on his lap, head thrown back in exhaustion and finally content to have some relief. She’d been swelling all day and her skin felt tight.

“What bullshit,” Austin says, pausing his ministrations to glare at the TV. She wiggles her toes to get him to continue, sighing contently when he does so.

She thinks of the past year and the rumors that have swirled. At first it began small as fandom drama and as time went on media outlets began to pick up on her absence as well. She and Austin were aware that there’d be some push back but it never occurred to her the length people would go to proving they weren’t together and had both seemingly moved on.

Arizona had been her safe haven. She was thankful for Ashley being willing to watch Luci at any time, for Austin’s grandparents who cooked her favorite foods every single day, and his father and step-mom who bought her body pillows and slippers and anything she may need to feel better.

She thinks of Austin and what he must have had to face bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and New York and Arizona to keep her happy and relaxed. She hadn’t faced the paparazzi or the fans but he had multiple times and he remained patient and understanding of her needing to grow their baby away from the public eye.

Peeking an eye open, she finds him still glaring at the TV. She’s unsure why they’re even watching but she’s too lazy to reach for the control. He’s got on his grey sweatpants, soft against the skin of her legs, and white T-Shirt with his thin gold chain. She smiles, feeling love and gratitude and disbelief swell in her chest that this was her life, this wonderful man was her husband, and they were going to welcome another baby together.

It may not have been planned but it was a happy occasion all the same.

She sits up, planting a big kiss against his cheek. Austin turns, eyes crinkled with his smile.

“What was that for?” He plants his own kiss on her forehead.

She shrugs, “Just felt like it.” Her eyes are welling with tears and she’s sure if she begins expressing her gratitude to him the waterworks would fall. She hopes he knows though, hopes he can feel it radiating off her.

She thinks he must, because he pulls her in closer with an arm around her shoulder, tucking her face into his neck. She presses another kiss to his collarbone as he places his other hand against her belly. Immediately there’s a kick.

She grunts. “He always knows when it’s you.” When Austin had to travel it’s like their baby boy knew and he wasn’t happy, he’d begin spinning and fluttering in what she assumed was his version of a tantrum.

“Mom-eeee.” Luci joins them, pointing to the TV where her face is gracing them. She grimaces at the photo chosen and Austin laughs, kissing her hair. “Say hi to brother.” Luci falls to her mom’s lap to press a kiss on the belly, right above Austin’s hand, and begins mumbling secrets. She feels more fluttering in her belly and by Austin’s smile she’s sure he felt it too.

“I love you.” She says, peering up to him. He hums, leaning down to steal a kiss.

[blainesebastian]

pool day (ccg universe)

words: 1,170 ship: austin butler x reader summary: couldn’t let this image go unwritten about lmao  notes: just something short and sweet because of my ccg musings with bri *u* warnings: none tag list: @killerqueenfan, @austinbutlermischief, @elizabethrosecresswell, @gigisworldsstuff, @stylespresleyhearted

On hot summer days like today, where the heat seems absolutely unbearable, you are thrilled to know that your best friend Jillian has a pool. Her brownstone is beautiful, one of those special finds in New York that manages to have an actual yard. A complete mistake, a small structure being torn down right when Jillian bought it, so she has a fenced in area behind her house in which she’s had a patio built, a yard. A lot of savings went into this, but also? She’s been making her money in the Hollywood makeup industry for a few years now.

You have to admit, the ambition to buy beautiful spaces in New York is tempting but you and Austin are still in the same apartment you bought together. It’s not cramped by any means, but sometimes you find yourself thinking about a light blue house with a wraparound porch.

One day.

But for now, you adjust your sheer, white sarong along your waist, fixing the tie. Smiling as you hear Luci squeal in the water, you turn to look at Jillian when she hands you another mixed drink,

“Thank you, not just for the drink but for having us over.”

The curly-redhead grins, “Girl please, I’m the one who’s getting a treat—your husband in swim trunks?”

A soft laugh rumbles in your chest and you take a look back at the pool. Austin has his hair slicked back from the water, arms outstretched to Luci on the steps, trying to encourage her to jump to him but she won’t. Just keeps giggling and splashing him with water. He’s forgone putting the water wings on, trying to teach her how to float on her own. Should be an interesting afternoon. Personally, you’re just hoping you’ve put enough sunscreen on her.

“And,” Jillian amends, “Luci spending time with her favorite aunt.”

“You’re the only local aunt.” You tease with a grin, your sister living out of state.

Jillian pretends to look offended but then she smiles as she takes a sip of her cocktail.

She’s invited a few more people that you’ve both worked with on sets before in the past, but it never feels overly crowded. You mingle a bit, catch up, before wandering over to the side of the pool where Austin and Luci are. You set your drink down, toeing off your sandals before sitting down and put your feet into the water.

“What are we doing?” You ask Luci, she’s currently holding onto the sliver bar on the steps, the water up to her waist. “Don’t you want to go in all the way?”

“No thank you.” She replies and Austin chuckles a little as he runs his hands through his hair. You can’t possibly fathom how he’s not wearing his sunglasses, your eyes kinda squinting in sympathy as the sun reflects off the water. You’re looking at more than that though—his toned shoulders, arms, the way the water slips down his skin.

Jillian’s right—quite the scene.

You take a sip of your drink, setting it aside again as Austin swims up to you. Your legs open slightly to accommodate him, shivering just a little as his wet hand touches your knee,

“What about you mama?” He asks, “You gettin’ in?”

“I was thinking about it,” You reply, lifting your hand to run through his wet hair. You can’t help but smile a little when his eyes close, nearly keening into the touch. “You’re definitely makin’ the water look appealing.”

“Oh yeah?” Austin asks, raising his eyebrows, “You need help deciding?”

And you know the exact look in his eye when he inches closer, his arms slipping around your hips. “Don’t do it.” You say firmly but can’t quite stop the amusement coloring your tone, a flutter in your chest. You could get up if you wanted, but you don’t.

Austin smiles and there’s a brief moment where you think he’ll back off but then in a quick, swift movement he tugs you forward into the pool. A squeak leaves your lips, your hands falling onto his shoulders and you just kind of brace for impact because there’s nothing else you can do.

Doesn’t matter that you’re wearing your sunglasses and cover-up, you tumble into the pool against Austin’s chest, breaking the surface of the water in a laughing mess. Your hair is wet and across your sunglasses and you can hear Luci clapping and giggling while Austin tries to help detangle you.

“Haven’t you done enough?” You ask, the pleasing tone in your voice giving away how you truly feel. A chuckle rumbles in your chest as Austin helps get your sunglasses free, pushing your hair out of your face and tipping your chin up.

“Not yet.” He says, smiling as he leans down to kiss you.

You definitely allow yourself to indulge in that for a few moments, wrapping your arms around his neck and continuing the kiss until Luci decides she wants to be included.

“Momeeee.” She whines and you turn, putting your sunglasses on your face and untying the sarong to place it by your drink. The fabric slops onto the pavement with a very audible noise but, with how hot it is out? It’ll be dry in no time.

“Oh now you want to swim?” Austin teases, watching as Luci flings herself off the steps and attempts to swim to them. This is one of the first times she hasn’t had the inflatable wings on, so there’s definitely a bit of struggling.

“C’mon,” You encourage her, holding your arm out and having her kick, “There you go.”

You take one step forward to meet her and she grabs on, holding on tight. You laugh lightly, keeping her upright as she uses her other hand to wipe her face and kind of sputter—but she’s laughing, smiling so brightly, proud of herself for doing something on her own.

“Good job,” Austin smiles, helping to brush hair out of her face.

Luci insists on swimming between your arms and Austin’s, settling against his chest. You reach for an inflatable inner tube, shaped like a dragon, and tug it closer so Luci can get her hands on it. She begins talking your ears off about a dinosaur that swims in water and you come to the realization that one day she’s going to be older and even more wise and knowledgeable.

Austin seems to read your mind, floating closer to you and pressing a kiss to your temple, holding Luci upright and balanced as she reaches for this dragon and grabs onto the neck. He eventually sets her inside the inner tube ring, instructing her to hold on before he lets go.

He never lingers too far away though, just in case the thing capsizes.

Despite the heat, it always feels like there’s this comfortable bubble around you and your family—and you’ll hold onto that as long as you can, leaning against Austin’s chest and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

[writing-fanics]

our future

Kaneki Ken x Fueguchi!Reader

[warning: pregnancy: est relationship: mentions of parents death (past): implied sexual intercourse (past)

beginning / middle / end / epilogue

Her foot tapped against the bathroom floor, as she sat impatiently on the toilet. Time seemed to move slowly as she waited for the test results. Her stomach turning with uncertainty as she bit her lower lip nervously.

She never took into account what could possibly happen after, they consummated their feelings for each other. After they escaped the ambush. She didn’t expect to end up with symptoms so fast.

Her heart stopped and the pregnancy test fell onto the ground. She stared off into space for what felt like hours but was only mere seconds. Before shaking her head, and looking down at the pregnancy test on the floor.

‘Positive +’

Tears brimmed her eyes as she hugged her knees to her chest. Her suspicions confirmed. She was pregnant with Kaneki’s child. She was scared and didn’t know if the child would be born healthy. If her body would mistake it for food. Kaneki was half-ghoul, he was once a human then turned into a ghoul.

She always wanted to be a mother that dream, coming from her passion of wanting to be a teacher. She loved kids their curious minds and how adorable they were, and how smart they could be. She wanted, to help shape the future. To teach the future kids of Japan.

She sniffled as she reached towards the pregnancy test, “How am I going to tell him?” she whispered, looking at the positive pregnancy test. Biting her lip nervously; placing her hand on her stomach she leaned back against the wall.

Hinami was only thirteen when their parents died and [Y/n] sixteen. They still needed their mother and father but the CCG made sure that never happened.

She banged her fist against the wall, as tears welled up in her eyes again. “Mom…Dad.. I wish you were still here.” she cried, hugging her knees as she cried on the bathroom floor.

There was a knock at the door, She quickly, shoved the pregnancy tests into her shirt. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve, as Kaneki entered the bathroom closing the door behind him.

“You okay?” He asked, sitting down on the bathroom floor next to her. She sniffled a little bit, “Yeah, just missing my parents that’s all.” She said, as her stomach turned she was lying to her own boyfriend. Father of their child.

She breathed in and opened her mouth, “I’m pregnant.” She hugged her knees to her chest, waiting for a response from Kaneki. The air was thick and the silence was deafening, “I dont know if it will be born healthy.” She said, looking down at the ground.

“When…When will it be born?” He asked, and she turned to look at him. “The child?” He added, she could’ve sworn she saw a few tears running down his cheek. “In December” She says, looking away from him for a moment.

“I’m happy.” He said, looking at the ground. “Really?” She asked, lifting up her head as her heart swelled with joy. “Yes really.” He said, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He placed his head over hers and she smiled in response.

It was then the couple left a permanent mark on each other, one that wouldn’t fade away even long after they’re gone. A bite mark. Proof that they’re one. He loved her and he wanted to protect her no matter what. She loved him and wanted the same, giving him her mother’s engagement as a sign of her love for him.

Their love knew no bounds. She hoped they had a bright future ahead, and wanted this child in her womb to live. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure that happens. She leaned her forehead against Kaneki’s and smiled warmly, intertwining her fingers with his.

[iwasntstable]

𝗡.𝗦. | 𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 | 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗪𝗢 (ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴛᴡᴏ)

🗀 C:/PROJECTS/MYWORK/SERIES/NOWHERETOGO [projects] ﹂ [my-work] | in-progress | favourites 　﹂ all | [series] | one-shot | blurb | head-cannons 　　﹂ [nowhere-to-go]

Series Summary: You knew the decision to follow your father into the so-called 'most dangerous Ward' was a dangerous one, but you had to do anything and everything possible to keep him alive. He's the only family you have left. Growing evermore reckless after the death of your mother and blinded by his lust for retribution, this decision is one that will alter the course of your life forever. And the life of a half-ghoul half-human who never thought he'd find himself entangled with the daughter of a former CCG Investigator.

NOWHERE TO GO is a multi-chapter story set in the Tokyo Ghoul universe, centring around Half-Ghoul!Noah and Human!Reader.

Chapter Content Tags: Graphic depictions of gore including: treatment of wounds, administration of stitches, blood, mentions of bruising, mentions of an attack. Depictions of anxiety.

Word Count: 6k.

Note: please be aware this story is set in the universe of Tokyo Ghoul, before the events of the manga and anime. it will, however, contain references to content found in the source material. specific content warnings will always be applied at the beginning of each chapter.

✶ [join the NOWHERE TO GO taglist.] ⓘ [GLOSSARY]

➔read on AO3➔➔ PREV　/　NEXT [coming soon..]

CREDIT › image — 'Tokyo Ghoul:re - Chapter 54' - 石田 スイ (Sui Ishida). › number divider — @saradika-graphics. › image edit — @iwasntstable (me). › star divider — @saradika-graphics. › short grey divider — @saradika-graphics. › Tokyo Ghoul — created by 石田 スイ (Sui Ishida).

“We just keep running into each other,” he smiles that same smile that made your heart skip a beat in the café, but instead of giving you butterflies, this time it fills you with dread.

You say nothing, words failing you entirely. All you can do is stare. His wide brown eyes inspect you back just as closely. How could it be him? The kind man from the bookstore café that encouraged you and asked your name—the same man who was now stained with blood and tried to kill your father twice. Noah.

His eyes flit to your arm, then back to your face. “You’re injured,” he states calmly. The reminder of the wound causing it to sting and throb under your clothes. You press your hand to it defensively, a weak spot you wanted to defend. “Let me help?” He offers, hands raised with palms facing you.

“Why would you do that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Once again, you’re lost for words. The answer to that question was so glaringly obvious, you almost couldn’t believe he asked it. “Look, I’ll call a friend here who’s better at stitching wounds than I am, and then you can leave. But in exchange, I’d like you to answer some of my questions.”

“Leave? You’re not… keeping me here?”

Confusion crosses his features. “What? No. I’m not kidnapping you or anything. You can leave whenever you want,” his expression softens. “You’re injured. I wasn’t just going to leave you bleeding in the street. I want to help, and I want to talk.” 

You mull over your options in your mind. There’s no way you could run, not with your current injuries, and fighting your way out without a weapon is out of the question too. He said you could leave, but you’re not sure if you believe that. What could a ghoul possibly stand to gain from letting a human live?

Noah notices your hesitation, opens the front door, and steps aside. “Go. This isn’t a trick. I’m not going to chase you down. I only want to help and ask you my questions. I’m sure you must have questions for me too.”

He was right. A million questions raced in your mind—so many you didn’t even know which to prioritise. And you didn’t know how much longer you could stay on your feet before your legs buckled again. “Okay,” you concede.

Noah nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m going to text my friend, okay? He’ll be able to take a look at your arm. His name is Nick.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, no idea how it survived the skirmish in the alley. You eye it cautiously, that uneasy feeling in your bruised stomach telling you this was still some kind of trap. “Just one person,” Noah reassures. “Nobody else.”

You nod, though you have no way of knowing you could trust him, and he types out a message, slipping his phone away again once he’d hit send. He closes the front door again, leaving it unlocked, then crosses the room towards the couch with wide strides, pulling the plastic sheet from the furniture and screwing it into a ball to toss it into the corner. “Sit, if you’d like.”

You didn’t trust him, but you had to take your weight off your feet. You allow yourself to hold onto the back of the couch for support as you move around the couch, lowering yourself carefully, every fibre of your body protesting every miniscule movement. With the strain finally off your body, you feel immediate relief, but though you were sitting, your breath still felt laboured. Fatigue moved in like a dense fog.

“There’s no food here, but can I get you some water?” Noah asks, standing several paces away from you. You nod, too tired to speak and knowing refusing his offer would only serve to worsen your condition.

He moves to the kitchen, shedding his jacket and draping it over the back of a chair, those tattooed arms you’d noticed in the café on full display in his t-shirt. He opens a couple of cupboards before finally finding one with a glass inside. The kitchen was just as empty as the front room, a basic wooden table with two chairs, and a couple of appliances on the counters. He rinses the glass in the sink, then brings it full of water over to you, handing it over carefully. You try to stifle the tremor in your hand when you reach out to take it.

“Do you mind if I sit too?” He asked as you took a large mouthful.

His politeness confused you. Why was a creature so violent and dangerous being so courteous and respectful? You didn’t understand his motivations; what could he possibly stand to gain? Despite your doubts, you nod again, gesturing to the space beside you.

He takes the spot next to you, angled to face you. “Can I see your arm?” He asks.

With nothing to lose—except probably your life—you take another sip of the water, place the glass on the ground, and pop the buttons of your jacket with your good hand, shrugging the garment off and cautiously pulling it down your injured arm. As the fabric descends, it reveals your entire arm is stained red with blood right down to your fingertips. You’d assumed that was from the wounds on your hands.

The cut itself was long; you couldn’t see exactly how long from the angle, but it appeared to be around four inches in length, starting towards the front of your bicep and twisting downwards around the side towards your elbow. The deepest part was definitely at the centre of the wound; your arm did nothing to block the path of the ukaku ghouls’s shards as it sliced right through you like a hot knife to butter.

“It’s quite deep,” Noah said as he peered closer without touching. “I’d say I’m surprised you’re not more injured, but I’ve seen you fight,” he said, looking up, and his eyes met yours, the ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” You ask, dumbfounded. 

“Something like that,” he chuckled to himself, lowering his head. When he looks back up, his gaze lingers on your neck. “I’m sorry I let that guy grab you. I didn’t think he had anything left in him. That was my mistake.” He reaches out like he’s going to brush your hair away from your shoulder and get a closer look, but hesitates before he can touch you, pulling his hand back to his lap.

He seemed almost shy. A far cry from the monster that tore a man’s throat out with his teeth right in front of your eyes. You couldn’t deny the urge to trust him was growing. His tousled brown hair and respectful demeanour brought you right back to when you served him in the café, his soft laugh when you thanked him for ordering an easy coffee—the kind of person you’d be happy spending time with, someone you wanted to get to know better. But that image in your mind was swiftly replaced by the figure from your nightmare. His silhouette looming over you before he chooses whether you live or die. Despite his mask, he was still covered in blood.

A rapid knock on the door breaks your train of thought. Turning to look over your shoulder, a man with long, wavy, dark hair carrying a duffle bag steps into the apartment. Noah stands, approaching the man and patting him on the shoulder in a half embrace. “This is Nick. You have both met before,” Noah introduces his friend, stepping behind him to close the door.

“I don’t think I could forget,” he laughed. “You really carved me up on the bridge. I was limping all the way back.” The bikaku ghoul. 

You followed him with your eyes as he walked further into the room, rounding the couch to sit next to you in the place Noah was, resting the bag between his feet. “That looks nasty... Ukaku, yeah?” he remarks as he gets a look at the laceration. You nod while he inspects the area. “Deep too. Any other injuries?” He asks as he leans down to unzip the bag.

“No,” you say quietly as he rummages, pulling out a pristine white case and several packages of gauze pads, resting them on his knees.

“I can stitch this for you. Luckily, it’s a clean cut. It should heal well if you look after it,” he says, meeting your intense gaze with softness, offering a smile. You couldn’t understand how this was the same man that struck you in the middle and sent you skidding across the bridge.

“Why would you help me?” you ask, unable to contain the disbelief.

“Because you need it. Or, can you stitch this yourself?” He smirks with a joking tone. You laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Two ghouls that want to help you and not kill you. With a shake of your head, you hold your arm out for Nick to work on. “Okay,” he pats the objects on his lap. “I’ll wash my hands, sterilise the area, then get started. I have some pain relief medication that might make it easier.” You shake your head ‘no’, still not trusting the pair and definitely not trusting any medication they claim would help.

“Consider it,” Noah says from the kitchen, where he was crouched down rummaging through the cupboards. “You did get pretty beat up last night too.”

“Sorry about that, by the way,” Nick says, pushing his hair out of his face as he stands and heads for the sink. “What are you looking for?” He asks Noah, scraping his hair all the way back and securing it into a bun.

“I swear we had coffee in this place. Did Folio take it again?”

“It’s right there by the microwave,” Nick nods in the direction from the sink, and Noah takes the tin, grasping it firmly in hand with a wide smile on his face. 

“What would I do without you?” He claps Nick on the shoulder as he passes him in the small space to retrieve a saucepan, filling it with water after Nick steps away from the sink to come back to you. Through the tear in the bottom of Noah’s shirt made by his kagune, you notice a hint of ink on his lower back too.

“That packet there, can you tear it open?” he asks, nodding again towards his bag, hands dripping water on his knees. The package was a sterile towel. You rip the plastic, careful not to touch the cloth with your bloodied and dirtied hands, and hold it out for Nick to take and dry his hands with. Once dry, he reaches into the bag and pulls out a pair of blue latex gloves, snapping them on securely. “Alright, I’ll clean the area a little first. It’s gonna sting,” he warns, the conversation ringing eerily similar to the one you had with your father when he crashed in through the front door two nights ago. He unscrews the cap on the bottle and soaks a gauze pad with the brown liquid. “Let us know if you change your mind about the meds,” he says before dabbing the pad lightly onto the wound. 

He was right; the sting was bad. Gritting your teeth against the burn, you try not to move or flinch away from the pain. As a welcome distraction, the warm aroma of coffee fills the air. You look over to Noah in the kitchen, pouring the water boiled from the stove into three mugs. He brings them over carefully and sets them down on the empty floor, sitting cross-legged opposite the couch.

“So, what are your questions?” You ask him, anxious to get this over with.

His eyes move from where Nick is working on your wound to your face. He takes one of the mugs, leaning forward to place it by Nick’s feet, then takes the third and holds it out, the handle facing you. You hesitate for a moment, but decide against your better judgement. The fatigue was worsening, and you needed to try to stay as alert as possible.

“Why is the CCG moving in on this area?” He asks when he settles back down, taking his own cup and resting it in his lap.

You blink rapidly in confusion, “I didn’t know they were.”

“You’ve been assigned to this area, though?”

“No,” you clarify. “I don’t work for the CCG, and neither does my dad. Not anymore at least.” You take a sip of the black coffee, relishing in the way the liquid warms your aching insides. The flavourful bitterness is a welcome taste on your tongue.

“How do you have quinque weapons if you’re not Investigators?” A crease was prominent in his brow.

“My dad stole them. One is his, the other was my mother’s.”

The sting intensified in your arm as Nick cleaned the deepest part of the wound. You shifted uncomfortably in an attempt to distract yourself.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Almost done with this part.”

“What was the medication you had?” You ask as you scrunch your face up in pain. Maybe it would be a good idea to accept pain relief. Maybe it would work to soothe the rest of your body too.

“It’s just standard over-the-counter stuff from the pharmacy, right?” Noah asks Nick, kneeling forward to rummage through the bag.

“Yeah. Front pocket,” he replies without looking up.

Fishing through the material, Noah retrieves a familiar branded package of painkillers. He holds it up and nods towards you, asking silently if you wanted to take it. You nod and place the mug of coffee momentarily between your knees as Noah pulls a blister strip from the box. He pops two from the packaging and hands them over into your open palm.

“Your hands got fucked up too,” he mentions while you throw the pills into your mouth. Chasing them down with a sip of coffee.

“That happened yesterday,” you say, holding out your palm in front of you to inspect the damage. The reopened small abrasions were visible under a layer of dirt and blood.

“I can clean those up for you too after this,” Nick says, putting a gauze pad aside to click open the white case. He takes out a sterile needle from its packaging and threads it with the suture wire with ease. Nothing like your shaky hands. “Okay. Ready?” He asks. You nod, taking another mouthful of coffee, really wishing it were laced with a shot of something stronger.

The pull of the needle through your skin wasn’t as bad as you expected it to be. A slight scratchy-burning sensation as he weaved the needle in and out of your flesh, looping the thread around itself and pulling firmly to secure the two sides of the wound closed.

“How did your dad steal three quinques from the CCG?” Noah continued his line of questioning. You had to be honest; it was a welcome distraction. Even if the subject matter wasn’t exactly pleasant.

“He worked there for a decade. When my mother died and they forced him into retirement, he took a bunch of files along with the quinques. I think everyone respected him too much to argue with a grieving man.”

Noah nodded, deep in thought. He sipped his coffee before continuing. “Why are you here?”

“My father is looking for someone,” you bite the inside of your cheek.

“Who?”

“A ghoul.”

“Who?” Noah persists. You sigh, closing your eyes. How much information was too much information? “Look, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. We, my friends and I, keep track of all the ghouls in the 13th Ward and all the Doves. "When two doves move in, we want to know why, for the safety of everyone here.”

“Why?” Was your turn to ask. Was this guy some kind of mafia boss? You don’t miss the glance Nick takes from your arm towards Noah.

He takes another sip of coffee. “Innocents get hurt when the wrong people, or the wrong ghouls, are in charge.”

“And you’re the right people? Or, the right ghouls?” You question.

“I’d like to think we are.”

You nod thoughtfully, bringing your mug to your lips.

“Answer me this, at least,” he poses, “are we the ghouls your father is after?”

You shake your head; that face reappears in your mind. “No.”

The room falls silent, a surprisingly comfortable silence as Nick works diligently at your wound. He was almost halfway done now.

“So, what is this place anyway?” You ask, looking around the almost empty room.

“One of our safehouses. We have a lot spread out over the Ward,” Noah clarifies simply.

“One of? How many do you have?” Maybe this guy was a mafia boss after all...

He chuckles under his breath and fiddles with the mug in his hands. “A few. We let ghouls that have nowhere else to go live in them mostly. Or use them ourselves.”

“So, you’re housing the homeless when you’re not ripping people’s throats out with your teeth?” You question sarcastically.

“Did you really do that, dude?” Nick’s hands pause, and he looks up at Noah, amused disgust on his face.

“What was I supposed to do?” He gestures with one hand, eyebrows raised in defence, “just let that ghoul eat you? He wasn’t even supposed to be in this area, anyway.”

Nick shakes his head, a small piece of hair falling free from his bun by the side of his head, and continues stitching your arm. “Who was it?”

“The guy we caught like, four months ago, I think. Shame he didn’t take us up on our offer,” he sighs, sipping his coffee again.

“What offer?” You look between the two.

“We explained we’d be more than happy to get him the food he needs to survive, but in exchange, he couldn’t hunt around here anymore. He wasn’t a fan,” Noah explains.

“Yeah, flipped our table and smashed a window on the way out. Fuck that guy.”

“So housing and feeding the homeless, you’re real philanthropists,” you laugh, sipping from your mug. Until the realisation hits you exactly what kind of food these guys were talking about. This wasn’t a group of good samaritans cooking extra meals in their kitchens to hand out on the streets to those in need. They were feeding ghouls. They were ghouls. You had to remember where you were; remember not to get lulled into a false sense of security, no matter how easy and casual the conversation may be.

“So,” Noah breaks your train of thought, “if you don’t mind me asking, if it’s your father that’s looking for a ghoul here, why did you come too?”

You lower your eyes to your lap and pick at the rim of the ceramic mug. That’s a question you've been asking yourself a lot these past few days. “He’s my dad,” you say quietly with a shrug, regretting it when the cut in your arm stings. “I can’t just leave him alone. He’s all I have.”

Noah nods. “I understand that.”

“Last three, then this is done.” You look down at your arm, and in place of the gaping wound was a neat line of stitches, way neater than anything you’d ever done on your father and definitely neater than what you could’ve done on yourself.

“Thank you,” you say quietly. “I really appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome,” Nick smiles up at you as he ties off the final stitch. “Noah, can you get out some more gauze pads so I can fix her hands?"

He wordlessly places his mug down and kneels in front of the bag, rummaging through to find what Nick needs. “These ones?” He asks, holding up some packages.

“Yeah, and can you get- Can I see your hands for a sec?” He asks as he takes a pair of scissors from the white case and snips the suture. You turn your hands over and get a good look at the state of your palms. Nick takes them gently and angles them this way and that. "Yeah, it’s just scrapes, not too bad. We can just clean and bandage them. Can you get the roll of white gauze, the bigger brown roll, and the tape? Oh, and a large plaster.”

Noah rummages for the items, tearing open the packages and setting them in the white case within arms reach for Nick. "Thanks, dude,” he says, reaching down for his mug of coffee that must be lukewarm by now. Regardless, he takes three big gulps, then sets it back on the floor. First, he applies the plaster over the freshly stitched wound, then he rips open a gauze pad, soaks it with antiseptic, and meets your eyes. “Ready?”

“Go for it,” you reply. He’ll probably do a better job cleaning the scrapes than you did in the shower earlier. The sting of the antiseptic makes your eyes water, but you grit your teeth and bear it.

Noah hadn’t moved from where he shuffled closer. Watching attentively as the dirt and blood are cleaned away. You can’t help but look at his tattoos now that he was so close. A red and black, Japanese traditional-style sleeve on one arm, waves and something that appeared to be a fish, and black and grey work on the other. From this angle, you could see a bird with arrows through it and leaves, all part of another larger sleeve that you couldn’t see because of his shirt. Then there were the ones you saw when you first met him—the intricate patterns on his hands and the snake on his neck. You realise the piece on his throat is a scene from Genesis. A hand reaching for the apple with the serpent coiled around. They were all beautiful, you thought, and they suited him well.

“How many of you are there?” You ask almost absentmindedly.

His eyes locked onto yours for a moment, his gaze making your heart race, and you desperately wished it would stop. He was a ghoul; he could probably hear it. “Four of us, mainly. There are others, but most of the work is us four.”

You nod at his answer—the four of them on the bridge. It made sense. You wondered if the others were just as friendly as these two. Or, if this was all still an act.

“You were limping before. Is your leg injured?” Noah asked, something that appeared to be genuine concern etched onto his features.

“Oh,” you say, looking down at the hip in question. “That happened last night too. It’s just bruised. It’s fine.” His concern was almost endearing, despite his group being responsible for the injuries. “Wait,” you frown, looking up at him. “When did you see me limping?”

“Followed you,” he says plainly, throwing back the last of his coffee. You stare at him with wide eyes, Nick continuing to clean up your hands. Apparently you’re the only one in the room that finds being followed weird. “What?” He says, equally shocked. “I thought you were a CCG Investigator on a mission to kill us all! Can you blame me?”

You shake your head in disbelief. You can’t blame him, really. If your dad could get out of bed, he’d probably be following some random ghouls around the Ward right now.

Nick tossed the gauze pad off to the side and wiped off his hands on the towel, then took a fresh pad and pressed it against your palm, tore off pieces of tape, and pressed them on securely to hold it tight to the wounded area. He takes the roll of white gauze and wraps it securely around the gauze pad, up your wrist and down towards your fingers, then does the same with the thicker brown dressing, wrapping it tight to protect the whole thing from the outside and keep it sterile. You flex your fingers when he’s done, finding your range of movement fine.

“Ready for the next one?” He asks. You simply nod and twist towards him in your seat to hold your other palm out.

“How is your father? If you don’t mind me asking,” Noah says softly.

“He’s alive,” you study his face, and he seems to genuinely care. “He’s pretty beat up, but I think he’ll be fine. If he gives himself time to heal, which I’m not sure he will.”

“He’s a hell of a fighter,” Nick comments.

“He’s retired. He should be on a beach somewhere drinking too much liquor.”

Noah chuckles under his breath and collects his cup, then looks at yours. “Do you want another?”

“No, I’m good, thank you,” you hold out the mug for him to take. He stands from the floor with ease and heads off into the kitchen to rinse them out in the sink. You can’t stop staring. A ghoul doing the washing up.

“We really are just trying to protect what we have here, you know,” Nick says as he wraps your hand. “We don’t usually go around picking fights.”

You turn your face to look at him. A ghoul tending to the wounds of a human. “Unlike my father,” you sigh. A moment of silence fills the room, filled only by the sound of running water and the occasional clinking of ceramic. “I’m sorry that he’s causing so much trouble. I keep trying to tell him, but he doesn’t listen. It’s like I can’t get through to him.”

“He’ll listen,” Nick reassures, taping down the last of the bandage. “You’re his daughter.”

You pull your hand back to your lap when he’s finished as he snaps off the latex gloves, flexing both hands and finding they immediately feel better.

Noah comes back into the front room, wiping his hands on his legs to dry them. “Are you sure you don’t have any other injuries? Anything else we can do to help?”

“No. No, I'm sure. I need to go back anyway. Check on my dad.”

“Of course. I’ll walk you there,” Noah says.

You stand on still shaky legs from the couch. “No, you don’t need to do that-”

“It’s late,” he interjects. “I know you might not believe it, but there are worse things out there than us.”

“Don’t forget this,” Nick says, standing to cross the room, opening the door, and picking up a plastic bag from the other side.

“Is that- my groceries?” You ask. Nick just smiles and hands the bag to Noah, who holds it out to you with an outstretched arm. Your hand twitches by your sides, but the movement hesitates; ever present in the back of your mind is the true nature of these men.

"Look, I know I look scary, but I wouldn't hurt a fly. You don't have to worry," Noah reassures.

Nick leans over with a whisper, "you literally killed a man like, an hour ago."

"I didn't say anything about hurting men. I said I wouldn't hurt a fly... That much is true."

“You almost killed me on the bridge,” you counter.

“But I didn’t,” he says with a cheeky smile. You couldn’t wrap your head around how this casual conversation was happening right now.

Nick looks between you and Noah and claps his hands. “Well, I’m gonna go! It was nice meeting you properly. You know, not trying to kill each other.” He collects the trash in a plastic bag, ties it off, and throws it into the duffle, along with the white case full of first aid supplies. Slinging it over his shoulder, he pats Noah on the shoulder and says, “See you later, dude.”

“Yeah, see you.”

“Thank you again,” you say quickly. “And it was nice to properly meet you too.”

He smiles, and with a wave, he was gone through the front door. Noah was right; it wasn’t a trap. They really did want to help. You take your jacket from the couch and cautiously slip it on, careful not to twist your arm in a way that would pull the fresh stitches.

“I’ll carry this for you,” Noah says, holding up the bag. “So you don’t mess up your hands.”

“Yeah, okay,” you say, trying to hide the heat you could feel creeping up on your cheeks.

The air was significantly colder when you stepped outside. Wrapping your arms tight around you, you couldn’t help but glance around at your surroundings. The streets were just as empty as earlier, and you could feel the anxiety creeping up on you again at the idea of being completely alone with a ghoul.

“You ready?” Noah asks, standing a couple of paces ahead of you. You nod silently and catch up to him. You fall into step beside him as you walk; the only sound was the wind whistling through the streets and the grocery bag rustling by Noah’s side.

Your mind wouldn’t stop racing; one question that you didn’t ask him was bouncing around in your brain until you just had to speak. “You let us live. On the bridge.”

“I did.”

“Why?” You ask.

“We don’t kill innocent people.”

“But you kill humans.”

“Out of necessity. And only people that deserve it. There’s no shortage of bad types here.”

“Who are you to decide that?” Your words echo those of the ghoul’s from earlier in the night.

“So the man who was following you home with a knife in his pocket should’ve lived?”

“The- What?”

Noah stops in his tracks and takes a deep breath. “I recognised you at the bookstore cafe. I saw you move in and recognised your father’s scent on you from when he trespassed into our territory. So, I waited for you to leave after your shift. I intended on following you home that night to gather information on your father,” he speaks clearly and plainly. “Like I said before, I keep track of all the Doves in the Ward, and I wanted to know his intentions. Turns out someone else had the same idea. You didn’t even see him behind you, but he pulled a knife out of his pocket and picked up his pace when you reached the outskirts of town. And I stopped him.”

The crash down the alley. You thought it was cats. “You killed him.”

“I did.”

“You saved me.”

“I did.”

“Why would you save me?” The wind whipped around you both, causing you to shiver and wrap your arms around yourself tighter. You realised that Noah never put his own coat back on but showed no signs of being bothered by the cold. “If you recognised me then, you knew I had connections to a CCG Investigator, why would you save me?”

He’s quiet for a moment, deep in thought, before answering, “I don’t know,” then continuing to walk.

You’re both quiet for a while. The silence is comfortable despite the heavy subject matter. “Thank you,” you say quietly. He looks down at you expectantly. “Thank you for saving me. And thank you for letting us live on the bridge.”

Noah nods in understanding.

He’s helped you so far, hasn’t judged you or belittled you. Maybe you really could trust him. “My father, he’s… tracking the ghoul that killed my mother. He thinks he’s here, in the 13th.” You’re silent for a moment as you continue to walk. “I don’t know if he’s right.” You run a hand over your face. “I don’t know if it even matters to him. He’s hellbent on killing every ghoul he can get his weapon on.”

“What do you want?” Noah asks.

“I want my dad back,” you sigh.

You continue to walk. Passing quickly by the alleyway that you almost died in mere hours ago, the only evidence of the fight was the pool of blood left in the street and the mangled dumpster in the mouth of the alley.

“What does he have so far? On the ghoul that killed your mother,” Noah breaks the silence.

“A physical description. He was there, he watched it happen. He has sketches all over his fucking wall,” you spit with a bitter laugh.

“Can you get one for me?” He asks. You cock your head to the side, wondering why he would want an image of the ghoul your father was tracking. “I keep track of every ghoul in the Ward, remember? If he’s local, I’ll know him.”

“What, do you- do you want to help?”

“Maybe if we can find the right guy, let your father get his revenge, he’ll come to his senses again?”

“I don’t know,” you say with a weary sigh. “I don’t know if it’ll be enough for him.” The apartment building was in view, and from the street, you could see no lights were on on your floor. “I’ll get you a sketch. Wait here,” you say as you approach the front door.

Noah nods, hands over the plastic grocery bag, and waits several paces away from the front door. 

When you shove the door open and get inside, the first thing you see in the darkness were the covers you’d given your father from your bed to keep him warm enough in the night, left in a heap on the end of the couch. Immediately you’re irritated. He couldn’t even put them back in your room, the room next door to his.

You squeeze past the couch, leave the groceries on the couch, and crack open his bedroom door, finding him, still breathing, asleep on his side with his back to the door. An empty tin of soup sat on his bedside table. Most likely eaten unheated and straight out of the tin. You close your eyes and sigh deeply, shaking your head and closing the door on the way out.

Stopping off in his office, you stare at his investigation board. Articles and scrawled notes connected with red string pulled straight from the mind of a madman. You find a sketch of that face tacked off to the side and hope he won’t notice its absence. Squeezing past the couch on the way out and pulling the door closed again on its wonky hinges.

Noah is exactly where you left him, though he was standing with his back to the apartment entrance, looking out into the dimly lit empty streets.

“You’ve had dealings with him before, I think. I read a news report on my dad’s desk. Something about him trespassing into your area,” you take one last look at the grotesque face before handing the sketch over to Noah. “This is what he looks like.”

His brown eyes scan the paper before speaking, his tone laced with disdain. “Yeah. We know this guy.”

“Is he here then?”

“Yeah,” Noah nods. “We’ve had some leads on where he’s operating out of. We were going there tomorrow actually, to scope the place out,” he scans the page one more time before looking back at you. “Come with us.”

“Wait, You- Why would you want me there?”

“If you see him for yourself, you’ll know we aren’t lying,” he says sincerely. You hesitate, mulling over the idea of spending more time with this man- this ghoul. “We’ll just be watching from a distance. Besides, the sooner we track him down and deal with him, the sooner you can take your dad back home, right?”

“Yeah, I suppose,” you concede.

“You don’t have to come, but think about it. I’ll come by tomorrow around 10pm, and we can talk more then.”

“Okay,” you nod. Maybe you could get these ghouls to kill Malice; maybe then your father would decide to go back to the 2nd Ward.

Noah nods and turns, hands in his pockets, calling, “See you tomorrow,” over his shoulder.

“Noah!” You call after him as he walks away. “Do you really think you can kill this guy?”

“It doesn’t matter if your father kills him or I do. The ghoul that killed your mother is going to die.”

PREV　/　NEXT [coming soon..]

Ending Notes: I realised my taglist link was wrong so you might wanna check you've liked the correct post (linked at the top) if you want to be updated! 🖤 A glossary has also been added explaining terms if you need it!

➤ 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (34) :

⌞1𝗌𝗍 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖢𝖧𝖨𝖸𝖮𝖣𝖠⌝ ‣ @somebodyels3 ‣ @fadingangelwisp ‣ @english-fucker ‣ @missduffsblog ‣ @amelia-acero

⌞2𝗇𝖽 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖢𝖧𝖴𝖮⌝ ‣ @fadingintothegrey ‣ @babygirlchuuya ‣ @bluebird19 ‣ @collisionofyourkissmakesitsohard ‣ @lil-garbitch

⌞3𝗋𝖽 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖬𝖨𝖭𝖠𝖳𝖮⌝ ‣ @thisbicc ‣ @clingylittlebun-blog ‣ @queen-foraday ‣ @astridwesson ‣ @dethroneackerman

⌞4𝗍𝗁 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖲𝖧𝖨𝖭𝖩𝖴𝖪𝖴⌝ ‣ @blairboo ‣ @themorticians-world ‣ @comforting-madness ‣ @savaneafricaine ‣ @tosoundlessdarkistare

⌞5𝗍𝗁 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖡𝖴𝖭𝖪𝖸𝖮⌝ ‣ @aubrey-melinoe ‣ @badomensls ‣ @theaudraeymarie ‣ @psychomaniacmind ‣ @stardust-and-starlight

⌞6𝗍𝗁 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖳𝖠𝖨𝖳𝖮⌝ ‣ @looney-goose ‣ @sadbitchenergy ‣ @friedchildblaze ‣ @touyas-princess ‣ @strltsaiuki

⌞7𝗍𝗁 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖲𝖴𝖬𝖨𝖣𝖠⌝ ‣ @lovesick-evangelist ‣ @sanekiii ‣ @dravenskye ‣ @minah2020 ‣ @rumoured-whispers

⌞7𝗍𝗁 𝖶𝖠𝖱𝖣 - 𝖪𝖮𝖳𝖮⌝ ‣ @1crushed1 ‣ @thewrstinme ‣ @theskyislonely