#Fear Farm Festival Grounds

[megwritesriddles]

No Ghosts ༊*·˚

18+ MDNI !!!

Pairing: Sebastian (Stardew Valley) x Fem! Reader / You

Summary: Kinktober 2024 Day 19 - Public sex. On the way back to the farm from the Spirit's Eve celebrations, Readers night takes a sudden but pleasurable turn.

Tags: Public sex, Unprotected sex, Against a tree, Dirty talk, Dom!Sebastian, Praise kink, Mild possessive behaviour, Established relationship, Hint of fluff, Very brief sense of fear.

Word count: 2.3k

Read it on ao3! | Masterlist

Authors note: Happy Hallowen!! This is mildly Halloween themed, Sebastian dresses as Ghostface but doesn't keep the mask on (sorry to my mask kink folks)!! Hope you like it anyway mwah ( ◕◡◕)っ ♡

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You left the town square in a very good mood. You skipped down the path toward your farm, wishing the night could have lasted a little longer. The Spirit’s Eve festival had been fun, spending time with your friends was always enjoyable, but coupled with funny costumes and general merriment, you felt lighter than you had in a while. You’d had a little to drink, played games and eaten plenty of candy. Even Sebastian had cracked a smile every once in a while, although you supposed he liked the dark spooky atmosphere of the holiday and the skeletons. He found the skeletons quite fascinating, and you had stood there together watching them for quite a while, you sipping a pumpkin-spiced drink, his hand on your hip, holding you to his side. He’d dressed up as Ghostface, just wearing all black and carrying around a mask he occasionally put on to piss off some of the older townsfolk. They felt his costume was too scary for the children, but he’d just scoffed them off. Vincent had actually seemed to quite like it, but presumably because he didn’t have any context for the character. He’d found it funny and even asked to try on the mask, but Jodi had intervened.

As the lights of the town dimmed away behind you, you began to feel a little more uneasy. You didn’t usually stay out this late, other than in the mines, but that felt safer somehow, despite the literal monsters. You supposed city life had instilled a fear in you of walking alone in the dark that couldn’t quite be shaken, even in the safety of Pelican Town. You try to comfort yourself. Who exactly was going to jump out at you? The biggest creep in town was Clint, but he seemed preoccupied enough with Emily that he was likely to leave you alone and even if he wasn’t… would he really do something bad? You weren’t sure. You kept walking, getting gradually a little more jumpy. It seemed much darker than a normal night, a thick covering of clouds blocking out the light from the moon. It had been unnoticeable in the town square, with all the Jack-O-Lanterns and torches, but now that they were all gone, the true darkness was evident and rather frightening. You wonder a little pissily why Sebastian hadn’t offered to walk you home, he usually did when it was dark out, but he’d sort of disappeared not long after you’d announced you were headed home. You sigh to yourself, wondering if you should start a fight with him about it the next time you see him. You did usually insist he didn’t have to walk you home, maybe he’d finally listened, although it seemed an odd time to start, the scariest night of the year. You listen for the sounds of squirrels skittering past occasionally, making sure there are no louder noises in the eerie silence.

“Boo!” a loud voice shocks your blood cold, making you stumble backwards. Your head spins with fear for a moment as a dark figure jumps onto the path for a moment. Then you spot the Ghostface mask and scowl deeply.

“Sebastian!” you hiss. “Not fucking funny!” you place a hand on your chest, trying to calm your breathing. He laughs loudly, pulling the mask off and coming towards you, a shit-eating grin on his face as he drops it on the ground somewhere. He wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you close, still chuckling lowly.

“You big scaredy cat,” he teases, leaning in to kiss your neck softly, feeling your still slightly pounding pulse beneath his lips. 

“Fuck off! I’m a lone woman walking around at night, of course I was scared,” you huff. He pulls back to look at you, biting his lip. 

“I didn’t think of that,” he admits, rubbing your sides softly. “I’m sorry, baby,” he hums, leaning back in to kiss your neck. “I’ll scare you in the daytime next time, yeah baby?”

“I hate you,” you grumble, feeling him grin into your neck in response. You can’t help but smile a little yourself. 

“No, you don’t baby,” he nips at the skin of your collarbone, careful not to leave a mark no matter how desperately he wants to. His hands rub up and down your sides slowly, mapping out the shape of you. He kisses up your neck to your jaw and finally to your lips, pulling you right up against him as your lips connect. You kiss back, tangling your hand into his black locks, pressing closer to him too. His hand settles on your lower back, using his other hand to grip the flesh of your ass, pulling you against him. He’s half-hard already, softly guiding you to rub against him. 

“Mmm, we should get back to mine,” you whisper, trying to detangle from his arms, but he holds you tight to him, growling softly. 

“I don’t want to wait,” he rumbles, moving in to kiss you again. He starts back you towards a wide sturdy tree.

“What? My place is literally– mmph– like two minutes away?” you mumble between sensual kisses, as he presses your back to the tree, only just out of view of the footpath. 

“Don’t care, need your pussy right now,” he whispers, reaching down to flick open the button of his jeans. Your mouth falls open into an ‘o’ shape, surprised by his demeanour. Even in the very dim light, you can see the deep lust in his eyes as he wrestles his jeans down. You suppose this path isn’t used by anyone but you very often… He interrupts your train of thought. “Come on, be a good girl and get those tights off for me,” he palms himself through his boxers, leaning in to kiss your neck again. You’re a little surprised by his neediness and stand motionless for a moment. His free hand reaches around and pats your ass. “Now, baby, the panties too,”

You spring into action, leaning down to pull down your patterned costume tights, fighting slightly against the constricting fabric, trying not to rip it. His hand settles into your hair, stroking softly while you fiddle around, his other hand still gently caressing his ever-hardening cock. Your tights and underwear finally fall around your ankles and you look up at him. He uses his hand in your hair to pull you in, kissing you again, passionate and open-mouthed, his tongue swirling around yours. Then, taking hold of your waist, he whirls you around and presses your front against the tree. You gasp, bracing your hand in front of your head so you’re not leaning your cheek onto the bark. Sebastian spots this and rustles around for a second, taking off his hoodie, leaving him in a worn band-tee underneath. He haphazardly folds up the plush garment and pulls you into him, positioning the hoodie so you can use it as a pillow against the tree. You lean back forward, your cheek now against it, relieved by the plush material and feeling a rush of arousal at his scent so powerful by your nose, cigarettes, cologne and a hint of a natural musk that is so distinctly his you could pick it out of a line-up. You nuzzle into the material, smelling it deeply as his hands flip up your skirt and knead the flesh of your ass. 

“That better baby?” he grunts, gripping your cheeks and spreading you open for his viewing pleasure. You nod. “Mmm, this perfect pussy, just begging to be filled with my cock,” he growls. “Tell me you need my cock,”

“Need your cock,” you mumble softly, shivering at the cool air against your overheated core. He grips your ass a little tighter, groaning pleasurably. 

“That’s my girl, so needy for me that you’ll let me fuck you on a public path, huh?” he taunts, sliding his cock slowly between your folds. “Do you like it? The idea that anyone could walk past and see us like this, know what a needy thing you are for me, how completely I have you undone?” He starts to slowly sink into your warmth, hissing. “Yeah? Do you want everyone to see how perfectly you take my cock? To see how needy I am for you? You want that don’t you baby?” he grunts, finally bottoming out, leaving you both panting. You shut your eyes, hiding your flushed face in the material of his hoodie. He grips your waist with one hand, his fingers digging into your soft flesh. His other hand comes up, pulling the neckline of your shirt down over your shoulder so he can suck a mark into your skin, somewhere you can keep it hidden during these colder fall months. His teeth pull gently at your skin as he starts to rock against you. You stutter out a moan, bracing your hands against the tree trunk. His hand moves to grope at your clothed breast as he slowly thrusts in and out of you. “You feel so perfect, you always feel so perfect– nnghh– fuck baby,” he groans, rocking into you a little faster. Your lips part and you let out soft moans with each of his thrusts, but he can tell you’re holding back on him. He slams forward suddenly, sheathing his whole length inside of you. You can’t help but let out a loud moan, quickly biting your lip in an attempt to stop it. “No, don’t you dare bite your lip,” he hisses, repeating the punishing thrust.

“Seb…” you whine loudly, your lip falling from between your teeth. Your body jerks forward with his movement and you vaguely feel the scratch of the bark through the material of your clothes, it oddly heightens the experience. In a vain attempt to muffle yourself, you press your face into the hoodie, breathing hard through your nose, but it doesn’t work. Sebastian won’t let you off that easily, keeping up his wild pace, coaxing louder and louder sounds from you. 

“Let the whole town hear who you belong to, you’re not ashamed of me, are you?” he taunts, biting down on your shoulder, making you whimper.

“Th-that’s not– ahh!- fair,” you struggle to get the words out, moans springing forward involuntarily from your chest as he fucks into you. He wraps an arm firmly around your middle, using the leverage to ram even deeper into you. You wail out in pleasure, scratching slightly at the trunk of the tree. 

“Taking me so fucking well, baby,” he grunts. “Perfect, perfect, perfect,” his pace becomes faster and a little more erratic. You know what’s coming and the thought makes you moan out once more. His hand slams into the tree trunk above you for balance, fucking into you with reckless abandon. “My dirty girl, always willing to do anything just to get my cock buried in you,” his voice shakes with the intensity of the pleasure coursing through him. You cry out repeatedly, both in response to the snaps of his hips against yours as well as the words spilling from his mouth. His arm around your middle tightens as he feels your legs start to weaken and give out. “Gonna come, pretty girl?” he growls. 

“Yes,” you sob desperately, not even able to keep yourself quiet anymore, despite having your face pressed into his hoodie. You can only pray your voice isn’t carrying into town, hopefully Harvey shut his windows tonight. 

“Say my name, let everyone know who is making you come!” he demands harshly, his thrusts never once relenting. 

“Seb!” you wail, feeling him nip your shoulder chastisingly. You moan loudly, knowing what he wants. “S-Sebastian!” you cry, struggling through the syllables, but it leaves him satisfied nonetheless.

“Good girl, come for me,” he orders. Like a damn breaking, you scream once more, your walls constricting around him. He growls loudly in your ear. “Yeah that’s it, come on my cock,” you pulse around him, driving him to bury himself into you to the hilt and empty himself into you with a furious roar. He holds you tightly to him, panting as he comes down, his lips ghosting across your neck. Now that the arousal and physical activity has ceased, you both start to feel cold, the nippy midnight air infiltrating your little bubble of pleasure. He withdraws from you slowly, making you both shiver a little. “Mmm, that was fun, wasn’t it baby?” he chuckles, sounding a little winded. You just nod, carefully straightening up from against the tree, his arm still around your middle. You move his hoodie, brushing off some of the debris from the other side and your palms. He sighs happily from behind you. “The whole world knows who you belong to now,” he teases, nipping your earlobe. He pulls back so that the both of you can readjust your clothing. You carelessly pull up your tights, not bothering to adjust them properly, watching as he tucks himself away and pulls up his jeans. “Am I coming to yours?” he enquires, taking his hoodie from you as if he’s about to put it on but then wrapping it around your shoulders, tying the sleeves in the front to secure it. 

“Sure if you like, I’ve got some more pumpkin soup from the carving that I probably won’t finish on my own,” you sigh, leaning into his arms as he embraces you, pressing a kiss to your temple. 

“Pumpkin soup and a beautiful girl to hold by the fire…” he muses, littering a few kisses down your cheek. “I think I would be insane to say no to that,”

“Let’s go then,” you start to move sluggishly, he pulls you back for a moment. 

“Can’t forget my mask so I can scare you in the morning,” he grins. You scoff and roll your eyes, swatting his chest, making him chuckle. He lets go of you for a moment to grab the long-since discarded Ghostface mask off the path, shaking some dust off of it.

“I hate you,” you grumble as he returns to your side, slipping his arm around your waist, his hand resting on your hip.

“No, you don’t” 

“No,” you admit with a fond smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “I don’t,”

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xoxoxo

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

"Its cold you should take my jacket" with krobus mayhaps? I just think its a cute mental image BVNJ

Maybe theyre goin outside durin winter, and sure shadow people probably arent as effected by the cold but maybe it could still be a sweet gesture (the reader is going to freeze to death mild mistakes were made unless they're just the kinda person to go out in the winter shorts/joke)

-salt anon

YEAH Krobus time <3

Notes: Farmer and Krobus are established as roommates.

................

"The crocus are blooming nicely this winter...oh! Hello, little worms!"

Standing just a few feet away, you kept an eye out for any villager who might be walking around at this late hour, acting like a bodyguard for Krobus.

The last thing you wanted was for someone to freak out at his mere existence on the surface.

Ever since befriending the lonely shadow monster from the sewers, your perspective on his people (as well as most other monsters) changed drastically, opening up your eyes to the truth: that not all of them were violent brutes and assassins armed with crossbows and dark magic.

He was the first peaceful one you've come across, and he became the reason you try to avoid fighting any shadow people in the mines. Even if they became aggressive, you knew they were only acting defensively, never turning hostile unless you approached them first.

Of course, if you saw a human come charging at you with a sword or hammer...you'd be scared for your life, too. And if you had the means to protect yourself, you'd use them.

Krobus was once a fighter himself, until he decided to abandon those ways after the elemental wars, finding displeasure with his life beneath the surface. No longer could he find sanctuary in a place so terribly hot and miserable, fearing that an adventurer or Dwarf assassins will come slay what remained of his people. Thus, he laid down arms and took up becoming a humble merchant, living quietly and waiting patiently.

What he was exactly waiting for...he didn't know at the time.

But after you somehow found his little shop, checked on him after a fight with one such Dwarf, and presented him with the void ghost pendant....he finally realized what he wanted all along.

Companionship.

Something that he didn't expect to find in a human, of all creatures.

Yet on that fateful day, things changed for him yet again.

They were bigger, better, and the type of change that he needed for so long.

He never thought you'd like him as a housemate. After all, his existence alone was frightening to humans. He thought his wares would creep you out, or his strange habit of eating all the houseflies. He thought he'd be a burden on days where he wanted to help around your farm, but the humidity wasn't quite right and the air was a tad bit too dry for his skin. And he was convinced that touching your chickens and slimes would infect them with void energy and "ruin" Yoba's image of them.

There was even a time when he stood in front of your grandpa's shrine the night he moved in, asking aloud if he'd approve of this "living arrangement".

A year later, you two were still happily together, on the eve of the Winter Star festival, searching for the perfect crocus to put into his room's garden pot.

How he managed to order that online on your farm computer was beyond you..although he did mention Dwarf lending him a manual on how to operate such a device.

It seems they were finally willing to put the past behind them, albeit at no point did they ever mention fully forgiving each other, which was understandable.

"May I?" Bringing out the hoe, you looked to Krobus, who nodded and quietly shuffled away from the worms. You scraped the ground with your tool, unearthing-

"Another creepy doll, great.." You picked up the dirty, snow-covered toy. Its blue shirt and brown pants had only a few tiny tears in them, and the beady black eyes were seemingly staring into your soul. "Why do the people in this town leave these everywhere? Is it some ritual for them to be buried around the valley and found years later?"

"Hmm..I couldn't tell you." The shadow monster chuckled a little. "But they do bear resemblance to the dolls Dwarves have made for their children. Maybe they'd appreciate it as a gift......or it may be a grim reminder of what they've lost in the war..." His curl drooped a little.

"I gave them a green doll once, and they liked it. So it could be a good gift." You placed the doll in your bag, before turning back to Krobus. "Speaking of which...we could try attending the feast together. You could come in your usual disguise and-"

"I can't."

"......"

"Sorry, that sounded harsher than I intended." He meekly spoke, looking down at the snowy ground. "But going to the movies with you was nerve-wracking enough. Some of your friends were there..watching me, wondering who I was. To attend a festival with all of their eyes on us...I...I'm just afraid. If the guild master spotted me.....oh, Yoba."

Unwilling to finish, Krobus shuddered and hugged his body self-consciously. But at that same moment, the wind picked up, making him shiver a little bit more.

It made you frown, wishing he didn't look so distressed...and cold.

Poor thing.

Then an idea sprung on you, and you realized you could solve one of those problems right now.

He heard rustling and looked up, confused as to why you were shrugging off your jacket. "Huh? Why are you shedding....?"

"It's cold, you should take my jacket." Smiling, you wrapped it around his shoulders, seeing that it didn't totally envelop his body like his trenchcoat disguise did.

Almost right away Krobus picked up familiar scents on it: horseradish and pumpkin. Two of his favorite things.

Despite the smells being pleasant, he was absolutely bewildered by your kind gesture--and it turned into grave concern as he noticed the goosebumps already forming on your arms and legs. "[Y/n], my people are used to temperatures of either extreme. But yours aren't..are you sure you don't need-?"

"Krobus, I think we can both agree that I'm not like most of "my people."" You laughed gently, shaking your head. "I've worked outside on the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights. I've been inside the ice castle of the mines and at the top of the volcano dungeon. This cold doesn't bother me anymore. I'm wearing shorts for Yoba's sake. I'll survive without my jacket for a few minutes as long as it helps you feel better. Is it...helping you?"

"...as a matter of fact, this does help. Thank you, my friend." He smiled back, feeling more at ease knowing you weren't gonna freeze to death at his expense. "I'll admit that the warm sewers have made me less accustomed to the chill of winter, but when it comes around..I try to sneak outside as often as I can."

"Maybe one day, you won't have to sneak around anymore, and everyone here can see you've been a great roommate of mine." Patting his head with your gloved hand, you chuckled as he perked up. "And...hopefully our blacksmith can stop asking me to beat up your skeleton friends. I'm starting to think he's running into them on purpose."

"It sickens me how many times I've seen that advertisement." He scowled. "The Skeletons don't make the mines dangerous...it's their home! They just want to be left in peace, with the riches they've guarded in life and now guard in death." Then he relaxed his shoulders, looking to you. "Thank you for not accepting anymore of his contracts."

"Of course, but..what about the wizard's contracts? I had to put some Ghosts to rest because he claims they're "upsetting the balance of the elements". I know they must be your friends, too."

"That's different..if an overabundance of creatures threaten to upset the elements, then they should be taken care of." Krobus nodded, still looking rather grim. "It's unpleasant, but necessary to ensure one species doesn't dominate the rest. Killing monsters so it's "safer" to strip the mines for gold and gems...is not necessary."

"I see." You nodded, looking around and spotting a nearby holly on the ground. Picking it up, you smiled and showed it to him, hoping to lighten the mood. "Another human tradition during this season involves holly. We hang it above our doorsteps, and whoever is under it should kiss. But...I don't think people in this town are familiar with it."

"Ah, how fascinating..." He looked at the plant in your hands, watching you stow it away into your backpack. "I never knew so much about humans until you came along, [y/n]."

"There's a lot to us. We're a..very complex species." You shrugged, before checking the time and realizing it was almost midnight. "Shoot. We should head back soon. I still gotta find something for my secret gift-giver."

"Maybe I can help you." He offered. "It's the least I could do, since I sadly cannot attend."

"I would enjoy it more if you could come, but I'll bring you back some pumpkin pie. And maybe we could...do our own little secret gift-giving?"

"That would be wonderful." Krobus beamed, feeling you wrap your hand around his clawed one, huddling close as you both headed back to the farmhouse..

Your home, which was now his home as well.

He thanked Yoba everyday that he got to share it with you.

[sdvsalad]

Penny in the Vampire’s Lair

Happy Spirit's Eve from Herbs & Spices! Author C here! This is just a small story about Cassia & Penny hanging out on Spirit's Eve! I thought it'd be fun to lean into Cassia's "vampireness" a bit more, after all she's pale, tall, red-eyed, and avoids the sun. Enjoy!

Walking along the dirt path was a strange sensation, it was so familiar- but in the way a dream is familiar, it was surreal. She’d done this dozens of times before, but that all felt so far away now. She slowly walked towards the farm, it was filled with all the last colors of autumn before the winter month came tomorrow, red, orange, yellow, and browns. Even in its somewhat disheveled state the farm was still full of life, she could hear the hens clucking in the distance, just past that a small patch full of pumpkins, corn, and cranberries. The farm always had smelled earthy, but underneath that there was something different, something rotting. As soon as that thought came to her she tried to calm her breathing, it must just be some fertilizer or decaying pumpkins. Penny knew Cassia, there couldn’t be anything actually wrong here. Still her shoulders stiffened as she made her way up the steps. 

The porch was illuminated by a small lantern, it used to contain an old candle but it’d been replaced by a red one engraved with runes. The red light was dim, but enough to make out the door ahead of her, it was beautifully hand carved. Although another rune had been crudely chiseled on top, was that always there..? She fiddled with her skirt a bit before getting the courage to knock on the door, it seemed to echo as she anxiously waited. Why did she come here? She didn’t like horror. She doesn’t know how to talk to people. What if this invitation was sent out of pity? Worse- what if this was a trap? Was she wrong about her- what if she really was a bad person and she’d fallen in lo- been fooled. She had to leave, this was a mistake. 

Before Penny could muster up the courage to even move she heard the door latch open. 

A looming figure appeared in the door. It towered over her in height, its eyes were a deep red that gazed through her soul- and pale skin that allowed her to see each and every battle scar carved or slashed into it. The figure wielded a knife in one hand, the other still held onto the door. She was petrified. 

--

Cassia looked down at Penny who was clearly trembling. She looked around to see if she was missing something, was she just anxious about coming over?

“Come in. I need to finish something in the kitchen, then we can watch the movie.” 

She tried as always to give her a warm smile as she led Penny into the living room. Before she had come over Cassia had tried her best to make the house a bit festive, taking out the orange blankets and displaying some of Anise’s “witchy” items. She was quite pleased with how it came out, it certainly felt like Spirit’s Eve. To make sure no monsters bothered them tonight she’d put out some oil of garlic mixed with monster guts, she didn’t want to scare Penny with any monsters tonight. 

--

Penny was frozen with fear on the couch. The room she’d been placed in was filled with what used to be Cassia’s grandfather’s items now mixed with abominations. A jar of eyeballs she swore followed her, herbs that were dried and labeled poison, containers filled with mysterious bubbling substances lined the shelves. Was she dreaming? There was no way her old friend was actually going to use her for a ritual right-? In the room behind her she could hear the chopping of a knife. She was sure she was just being paranoid but- this was all a lot to take in.

Trying to ground herself Penny locked her eyes onto the TV, it was on but only displayed a static that seemed to grow louder by the second. It enveloped her as she lost track of why she’d been here in the first place. It felt like it was hissing, screeching, crying out as its jumbled mess of black and white statically flashed across the screen. She couldn’t help but to look at it, even as her eyes began to well up with tears from the piercing light. 

She heard the rhythmic sound of heavy boot steps from behind her as she pried her gaze from the TV, it- she had returned. 

--

Cassia finished plating up the pumpkin pie as she exited the kitchen, it was barely a different room but Anise’s cluttered bookshelf seemed to section off the space. In the living room she found Penny staring at the TV’s static, she felt bad realizing that was probably the only entertaining thing in the room. Penny looked up at Cassia as she heard her walk in, her eyes were weirdly watery, she really had to fix that TV if it was giving Penny this much trouble to look at. She made sure to make a mental note of that as she placed the two plates of pumpkin pie on the coffee table. 

“Ready?” Cassia picked up the VHS tape from atop a stack of books as she approached the TV. 

Penny simply nodded her head in acknowledgement. It was nice that they didn’t need a lot of words to communicate, it made things easy. She inserted the VHS tape into the player, making sure it didn’t get jammed then headed back towards the couch. 

She sat next to Penny and laid back to relax. 

“This is a classic, it even gets the gore accurate.”

Penny didn’t seem to respond as she locked eyes onto the credits as they rolled in at the beginning of the film. She must really appreciate all the work that went into these. Cassia did the same as she followed the names across the screen, it was nice having a night off with her friend.

--

Penny was frozen. Cassia had sat next to her, but she felt like she couldn’t move an inch. She tried to concentrate on the credits as she tried to push her judgemental thoughts to the back of her mind. This was her friend, just because her house was strange didn’t make her any less of her friend. Still, she felt uneasy as she felt prying eyeballs from all directions stare through her. Slowly she took deep breaths as the credits rhythmically flashed across the screen. When the final credit rolled in, a blood curdling scream echoed all throughout the house. She could feel herself jump out of her skin as she looked around, was it just from the television? It had been horrifyingly realistic. Looking towards Cassia she hadn’t so much as flinched, though now she was looking down at Penny with an expression she couldn’t understand. 

“I can change it.” Cassia gestured towards the screen. 

“No! It’s fine! I’m the one who accepted the invitation!” Penny replied a bit too quickly. 

“You sure?” 

She nodded her head affirmingly as she turned back to the screen. 

--

As the movie progressed the terror did not stop. More screams, blood, guts, doppelgangers, hideous monsters, and of course a cheesy side romance to top it off. Penny had begun to noticeably shake by the time one of the main characters had begun to puke a dark ichor, a sure sign of them not being who they claimed. She repeatedly tried to ignore the fact that the setting mirrored her own, a closed off country house in the middle of the night, possibly hiding a monster in plain sight. Cassia on the other hand had noticed Penny’s shaking, she put her arm around the back of the couch to comfort her. It didn’t help, she could feel Penny’s whole body flinch. Penny clearly noticed her reaction and looked immediately embarrassed, though Cassia was looking away. She felt bad, Penny probably wasn’t comfortable around her yet. 

As the awkward silence grew another screech echoed from the TV, this time reaching the kitchen. There they could hear whimpering, Biscuit. Cassia got up from the couch hurriedly to check on him. Biscuit was under the kitchen counter, at first she thought he was scared but with a quick glance he clearly just wanted attention. His wide puppy eyes looked up at her as if to say, “pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee gimme attention,” with heartbreak in his eyes. 

She gestured for him to follow her as she made her way back up onto the couch. He happily trotted behind her and leaped up onto the couch on her lap. Biscuit wasn’t a small dog, he wasn’t giant but certainly not a lapdog, still she let him attempt to sit on her lap. Penny let out a light laugh at the sight, he was adorable and Cassia’s face had softened considerably. 

--

Penny had curled up next to Cassia, making sure to pet Biscuit the whole time. It was hard to be scared of anything when a cute dog was whining to be pet next to her. They both enjoyed the pumpkin pie Cassia had made, and she promised to teach Penny the recipe. By the end Cassia had drifted to sleep, all the work she’d done lately had caught up to her. Penny did her best not to laugh as she tried to dislodge herself from Cassia’s sleeping arms, unfortunately she didn’t have the strength. She supposed she could stay the night, Biscuit wouldn’t move off both their laps anyways. 

--

Anise and Basil returned to find the trio resting soundly on the couch. 

“Dibs on Cassia’s bed!”

“No way!”

--

Happy Spirit’s Eve! 

[engshoujosei]

Apple Children of Aeon

3 volumes (completed. Digital only in English as of 4/19/2023)

Licensed by Kodansha

This work is set in the Showa era during the mid-1960s and early '70s. Yukinojo, the protagonist, was abandoned on the grounds of a Tokyo temple soon after his birth. He meets and marries Asahi, the daughter of an Aomori apple farmer, and after being adopted into her family, moves to the deep, snow-covered apple country of northern Japan. Far from the social turmoil of the period, Yukinojo lives a quiet family life that warms his heart and fills the void of never having known his parents. But one winter everything changes when he brings his wife, who has fallen ill, a forbidden apple. Reviving a rite that should have died out some 60 years earlier, Asahi becomes the consort of a local deity known as Obosuna-sama. 

Delicately yet boldly, with richly expressive touches, this continuing series depicts villagers who hold fast to the traditional customs they have inherited and the natural environment of a bygone Japan. Note: Won a New Face Award from the 16th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2012.

Status in Country of Origin

3 Volumes (Complete)

Tags:

Abandoned Child/ren

Award-Winning Work

Blessings

City Slicker Moves to Countryside

Determined Male Lead

Farming

Fear of Abandonment

Fish Out of Water

Foster Parent

God-Human Relationship

Human Sacrifice/s

In-Law/s

Married Couple

Ritual/s

Rural Town/Village with Mysterious Past

Showa Era

[darkmaga-returns]

By J.B. Shurk

The most iconic image of the 2024 campaign came from the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Pennsylvania on July 13.  An assassin had just fired multiple shots at President Trump, wounding him in the ear.  Secret Service agents scrambled to shield the president, while counter-snipers neutralized the shooter.  As members of his security detail began to briskly move him from the stage where he was speaking, President Trump asked them to stop so that he could reassure supporters he was alive and well.  With blood streaked across his face and pooling near one side of his mouth, he stretched a closed fist toward a blue sky with an American flag waving just behind his head and shouted to all who could hear, “Fight!  Fight!  Fight!”

Arguably, it was not just the most iconic visual of the campaign, but also one of the most iconic images in American history.  The picture of a bloodied but defiant American president reaching toward the heavens and expressing a sense of resolute calm in a moment of chaos will remain in many people’s minds for the rest of their lives.  President Trump’s bravery is seared in their memories. 

In any other election cycle, the contest would have ended on July 13.  On a sunny day during a festive campaign rally, a shooter murdered a husband and father protecting his family, injured two other attendees critically, and nearly assassinated a former president.  Such outrageous political violence should have sufficiently shifted public sentiment toward Trump’s favor to make his victory a foregone conclusion.  (For what it’s worth, President Biden dropped out of the race eight days later.)  Fearing that possibility, the propaganda press immediately worked to erase the incident from the public’s thoughts.  

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

455 of 2022

The Letter F (True or False)

Created by joybucket

You like to have fun. 🤩 You're at a friend's house right now. You like the name Faye. You have feelings for someone. You have memories from the first grade. You're a person of faith. ✝️ You enjoy eating French fries. 🍟 You've been to France. 🇫🇷 You've never been to France. 🇫🇷 You'd like to go to France. 🇫🇷 You've had a French manicure. 💅 You've ordered French dip at a restaurant. You have French ancestry. 🇫🇷 Your faith means a lot to you. ✝️ You've been to a funeral. ⚰️ You enjoy going to county fairs. 🎡 You're friendly. You make friends easily. You get into a lot of fights on Facebook. You have a Facebook tab open on your computer. You've shopped at Family Fare Supermarket. 🛒 🌽🍓🍱 You've driven a Ford. You've found a frog in your swimming pool. 🐸 You want to fly! 🦅 You're over forty. You're over fifty. You like free samples. You're flirty. You're tried falafel. 🧆 You know what falafel is. You can be fickle when it comes to making decisions. You believe in fate. You've played Fortnite. 🎮 You think you're fat. You've never been to Finland. 🇫🇮 You've eaten an entire container of chocolate frosting by itself. 🟤��� You've used a fork today. 🍴 The last thing you ate, you ate with a fork. 🍴 You use more forks than spoons. You have a neighbor named Fiona. You've had a friend named Felicia. You remember learning about architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright in school. You had the American Girl doll Felicity. You like the name Felicity. You know what the word "felicity" means. It's been years since you've last built a blanket fort. You've been called a freak. 🥸 You've lived on a farm. 🐮🐷🐔🐴 You've held a firearm. You've considered getting a tattoo on your forehead. You've had a cat named Fifi. 🐈 You've had a dog named Fido. 🐕 You've met someone named Infinity. You can speak more than one language fluently. You own a First Aid kit. You've been in a fist fight. 🥊 You think flies are annoying. 🪰 You like name Francesca. You like music by Francesca Battistelli. 🎶 You've watched Fear Factor. 🦂 You've wanted to compete on Fear Factor. You've screamed in fear when you saw something frightening. 😱 You've been to a music festival. 💃 You've dressed up as a fairy. 🧚‍♀️ You like fairies. 🧚 You've ridden on a ferry. ⛴ You've played FarmVille. You've been to a Mexican fiesta. 💃 You've been fired. You've played with fire. 🔥 You've dated a Fernando. You went to school with someone named Forest. You enjoy hiking in forests. 🌲 You think it's cool to see frost on the ground. (yeah it’s like a glitter) You've watched the movie Frosty the Snowman. ☃️ ....and you've built a snowman. ☃️ You've had a pet fish. 🐠 You've had a fish named Flounder. 🐟 You've owned a flip phone. You've done a flip on a trampoline. You've done a flip off the diving board. 👙 You've flipped someone off. 🖕 You like to flip pancakes. 🥞 You've worn flippers in a swimming pool. 🏊‍♀️ You cover your ears when a fire alarm goes off. You don't always cover your ears when a fire alarm goes off, but you always want to. You like Frosted Flakes cereal. 🥣 🐯 You wouldn't be opposed to putting plastic pink flamingos in your yard. 🦩 You've seen a real live flamingo in person. 🦩 You like Flaming Hot Cheetos. You've seen a real live fox in person. 🦊 You like the fox emoji. 🦊 You've started a fad when you were in school. You've taken part in a fad diet. You enjoy finger painting. 🖼 .....or at least you used to. You've done a belly flop into a swimming pool. 🩱 You don't wear any perfume or fragrances. 🧴 You like fried chicken. 🍗 You enjoyed this survey.

[tsugua-rebmetpes]

101 Cute dates & bucket list

Little fire pit on the beach (middle of the night, private)

Toasting marshmallows & making cute smores

Observing the night sky through a telescope together / watch the stars on a clear sky in the middle of no where

A midnight dip in water (lake, ocean, etc. As long as it's safe)

Skinny dip under a full moon & to kiss passionately on a platform on the lake

To go on a small camping trip just the two of us

To visit the candy shop and pick each other's candy bags for only us to share them between us anyway

Getting crepes with you and eating them side by side

Taking you lingerie shopping so you can see the outfit as I buy it and the level of excite I know you have knowing you'll get to tear it off later

Sharing a bath with you (where we both fit comfortably or just tucked in a little where we can laugh about it)

Baking cookies so we can have them with our coffee in the morning

Taking you to a coffee roaster hut so you can experience amazing coffee

Going to a little tea house & plantation so we can support local business and enjoy the joys of freshly brewed tea

Picking what the other person must eat off the menu at a new venue / a place we've never been to before

Throwing a dart on a map and going to where ever it lands for a small holiday / trip (could be a city map, regional, state, national or global)

Decorating and making a floating lantern to release into the night sky (a la tangle)

Icing biscuits to look like things we like (e.g. ourselves, frogs or whatever your heart desires)

Smooshing whipped cream onto your nose and kissing/licking it off ♡

Making something together in a pottery class for ourselves n one another

Volunteering at a farm to help around (muster, harvest, etc.)

Go fruit picking together recreationally

Go to as many different distilleries and breweries as we can

Try to make bread together

Have our own Minecraft world together

Complete stardew valley & cattails ♡

Take a cooking/pastry lesson

Take Polaroid photos of our time together (on a trip or small adventure)

Go for a little hike together

Go swim in a little unknown ish water hole and push boundaries of comfort

Go to a cinema late at night (last screening of the evening, maybe wear matching pajamas) and buy popcorn / sneak snacks in. Cuddle in the cinema and watch a cute film together (be one of the only people in the cinema)

Have s/o read my favourite book to me aloud before bed time

Make jam & preserve food items & dry ingredients to make tea, etc.

Make chocolates for you (home made)

Grow my own flowers for us to admire

Start a small veggie patch & harvest our own produce to have a "self sufficient" dinner night

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Go to a farmer's market together / local fruit market and buy ingredients we will make into a meal together that evening

Become animal foster parents & successfully get our lil foster a fur-ever home

Do a hot food challenge or some sort of food challenge together

Go to a day spa for a "couple's retreat"

Make your favourite food (lasagne) on your birthday 🥰 / a random day

Steal a shopping trolly and race around an abandon area of the car park thinking we are in go karts & take photos

Dress up as the cool ghosts in the "blanket ghost" trend and take cute photos in odd locations

Explore an abandoned building together and theorize about the past / research about it

Have a little picnic in a field / park

Take a dance lesson together (ballroom) and be clumsily cute on trying something "new"

Sleep next to you & wake up beside you 🥺

Make your lunch for work & wake up early to make an awesome meal!

Make a random meal really late in the evening spontaneously to satisfy a craving

Have a new years kiss

Look at Christmas lights on houses together

Watch all the Harry Potter movies one after another together

Finish a series that either person is interested more initially in but both like towards the end

Do a cute skincare date! (Face masks)

Go to a food festival and try as much food as we can, get creative - pick the other's meals out to switch it up a little

Go paint balling together and try it out (even if I may not be as good as you. :< I'll try!!)

Try laser tag if paint ball doesn't go so well, feel free to invite friends to both events for more fun :) or go karting (something I've never done before)

Go horse riding together sometime

Cook with a campfire / burring our food in the ground for it to cook (Like damper)

Volunteer to plant trees

Become regulars at a small bar

Play pool/billards together

Check out a timezone arcade and play as much as we can :3 see how many prizes we can win and be merry

Have a board game night (catan, uno, monopoly, dnd etc.) Together with friends or strangers

Visit movie world (theme park) and dress up a little! / usj / Disneyland

Play pinball and we swap between balls to see how far we can go together!!!

Have a little date with the power off (candles, moon lit dinner, board games and no electronics! Be cute and creative)

Donate blood, with moral support or together :3

Go foraging for edible fruits, vegetables, etc. And make a meal out of it :3 research and have fun

Make a little stone tower together and take a photo of the creation (balancing stones)

Plant sunflowers and look after them for a whole season ♡ alternatively pick said flowers when ripe and give them as a gift to love ones

Do a Lego / puzzle set together ♡♡

Capture a little froggy and set him free (clean him up and take him to somewhere safe)

Watch horror films or movies we haven't seen before even if it's silly (.e.g the room )

Visit an aquarium and stare at the little jellies in the jelly room

Go to see a musical, play or ballet together 🥰

Dress up and go on a spontaneous date around town, over dressed for the occasion but having fun

Sunset and nibbles planned date 🥺

Go on a theme crawl, e.g. coffee, tea, wine, pub, cocktail, ramen, etc.

rent bikes to travel around on whilst doing a theme crawl

Dinner theatre or dinner murder mystery event together! Something a little less tame and wacky but still just as fun (something I've never done before)

escape room (challenge ourselves to do it within the time set!)

Ice skate together, trip & fall and catch one another on the ice being cute (maybe rent the kiddy pusher to help you out and be dorks)

Mosh and go to A small band performing concert together / go to A concert for an artist one or both like

Hot air balloon ride ^-^ (waking up early and having our own "Up" moment)

Ride in a helicopter one day to see the world like the birds that fly in the sky

Buy a plant or two at a nursery and take them home to look after

Go roller skating, reliving our teenage years with a limited budget, eat old skool candy and slushies.

Surprise birthday party

Outdoor cinema, watch a film on a projector and have fun on some outdoor cushions

Have a little boho tent and lunch date set up as a surprise

Dance under the moonlight and shining stars together just swaying and holding one another

Overnight at a bed & breakfast together, sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed whilst away from phones

Have a little bonfire moment at home, write down your deepest desire, secrets, fears and burn them

Take a personality test together just to see the results

Read books in a little book cafe & drink our favourite drinks whilst snuggled up in a book nook

Do a little tarot reading & see a psychic or medium

Raise a pet together

Buy some helium balloons & change our voices whilst doing something (e.g. a speak type board game)

Wake up with you kissing me / wake you up with kisses

Plan a vacation together

[elysiadjarin]

Day 11: Rough Sex

I apologize if this feels rushed guys, I tried but was on a time crunch. Also I may have to take a temporary hiatus this week because it’s college midterms and I’ve got to get past that first. I’ll catch up though when it’s over, and I’ll try to post when I can! Find my Kinktober Masterlist here.

Warnings: Minors DNI, this is 18+ content ONLY. PinV unprotected sex (be safe irl please), rough sex, some marking/hickeys, slight against the wall, doggy. Also one mention of harrassment.

Tags: Cowboy!Dullahan x Reader, exophilia, monster x reader, terato

Save a Horse…

Yawning, you leaned across the bar top, letting out a heavy sigh. You still felt sleepy from waking up fifteen minutes ago, stumbling downstairs to get to your night shift. Only a few people were at the bar this time of the day, so you still had some time to wake up and grab something to eat.

Still, it didn’t take long for some regulars to tromp in, tired from the day’s work and ready to relax and unwind. You found yourself quickly getting into the swing of things, mixing drinks, taking orders, and greeting many of the familiar faces. Your Uncle owned the bar, after all, and he was a fixture in the town as it was.

“Ahoy there, little Miss,” one of your Uncle’s best friends and fellow ranch owners nodded at you from his seat at the bar. “How’s yer husband doin’ about tomorrow, huh? He ready for the rodeo?” He grinned.

You smiled back. “He’s ready. I think I’m the one who’s most nervous,” you laughed self-consciously.

“Aw he’ll do just fine, you wait and see.” He waved you off. “Shoulda seen him out on the grounds today. He was goin’ at it.”

Hadley leaned over the bar. “Was he? With that big ol’ spine whip of his? Scares everyone to death when you hear it snap,” he chuckled. “He’s gonna do just fine at the rodeo.”

You listened with one ear, smiling as you continued your work behind the bar. Your husband Darren often got brought up as a topic of interest at the bar, ever since he’d started working on your Uncle’s Ranch as a Cowboy and farmhand. Despite the initial fear and skepticism, he’d worked his way into the heart of the community.

Tomorrow, the rodeo would take place on the fairgrounds in town, and you were planning to be there without a doubt to watch him perform. He’d been asked to represent your Uncle’s farm for the festivities, especially since ranchers and farmers and their own farmhands would be coming from several different states to show off and bring goods for sale.

Your cousin sidled up to you at the bar, nudging you with her elbow as she polished a glass. “You think he’s gonna win?” she asked slyly, giving you a grin. “Did you give him some incentive?” She wriggled her eyebrows teasingly.

You rolled your eyes at her, shaking your head. “He doesn’t need any,” you said dryly. “He said he just wanted to go and have some fun and see other peoples’ talent.” You shrugged. “I wanna go for the food.” You grinned.

“Ugh, you’re so predictable,” she groaned. “Anyone else would wanna show off their husband but no, you just want the food.”

You snorted. “Bella, you have your own husband. Go show off poor Tim, he’s in the showings too.”

She gave you a wry look. “As a jockey, not a cowboy,” she reminded. “Tim is my baby but he’d never make it as a cowboy.”

“True.” You shrugged. Distracted by a customer, you turned away from the conversation and back to your job as a bartender. Still, you vaguely wondered what tomorrow would bring.

~

“Oh, no.” Bella fussed, bustling into your room and plucking the pair of jeans out of your hands. “Think, dear. You’re going to be out in the hot sun for most of the day, you’re not going to want skin-tight clothing. Wear one of these.”

You conceded her point, going to riffle through your selection of sundresses. They did usually provide a bit more of a breeze in the heat. Hesitating, you pursed your lips as you tried to decide between two different one. You gave up, throwing up your hands and turning to your cousin.

“You pick between these two,” you said, going to pick a pair of earrings. You turned around to see her handing you one, with loose ruffled sleeves and a pleated, long skirt. Putting it on, you let her give you the once-over. She handed you a hairband, then nodded in approval.

“Now, go, go!” She shooed you out the door. “Darren is waiting for you outside.”

You let her usher you out the door, shaking your head. “I’m going, I’m off,” you laughed, shaking out your dress. You waved to your Uncle, who would be going later to the fairgrounds.

Darren waited for you outside the front door, holding Lily’s reins in his hands as he patted her skeletal nose. She snorted and tossed her head, turning towards you eagerly as you approached.

“Hi Lily, Darren,” you greeted cheerfully, pulling an apple out of your bag. You smiled as Lily munched cheerfully, nudging your shoulder in thanks.

Darren wrapped his arm around your waist, turning his head wreathed in green flames to look down at you. He bent his head, brushing a soft kiss to your hair, his flames harming nothing, barely even noticeable. A cowboy hat cast some shade over his green eyes, though they crinkled at the edges as he observed you.

“You ready, darlin’?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

You smiled up at the Dullahan, reaching up to adjust the green bandanna he wore to hide the seam where his neck connected to his head. It didn’t really bother you, but he did it to not disturb anyone any more than his flaming head did. Besides, you’d always liked the bandanna on him..

“Whenever you are,” you answered cheerfully.

He’d already led Lily to the mounting block, so you climbed up in front of him. He carefully grabbed you around the waist, lifting you up onto the saddle and making sure you’d comfortably made it sidesaddle. Lily barely even reacted, steady and firm under you. Still keeping a hold of you, Darren swung himself up behind you, grasping the reins in one hand and wrapping his other arm on the other side of you so you were safely braced between his arms.

One hand wrapping around your waist, he clicked at Lily. “Let’s go, Lils. Hup hup.” His warm voice washed over you and Lily, and Lily started off at an easy amble, lazily chewing the apple. You never questioned how she actually digested it despite her bared ribs and rotted organs. You supposed it was part of the magic.

“How was work?” you asked after a moment of comfortable silence, looking up at him.

He hummed, fingers squeezing around your waist. “The usual, y’know. Nothin’ much new on the Ranch, besides the rodeo. I wasn’t even gonna do it this year if your Uncle hadn’t reminded me that it’s advertisin’ for the Ranch.” He shrugged easily, his broad shoulders stretching the worn leather of his jacket.

You laughed softly. “All the regulars and Bella were hounding me last night to ask if I thought you were gonna win this year,” you said amusedly. “I just told them that you didn’t really care. And like I told Bella, I’m going for the food.”

He chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. “Oh, the food eh sweetcheeks? Not your husband?”

You rolled your eyes at him. “We both know good and well that you’d win just having fun anyway,” you scoffed, smacking his chest lightly. “I want the elephant ears and lemonade and funnel cake!”

He threw his head back to laugh, making Lily’s ragged ears flicker back to catch the sound. “Y’know what, I can’t even be upset at that, sweetheart. Still though,” he said, recovering and leaning closer to you, “I wouldn’t be opposed if ya offered ya boy a prize ta work toward, though,” he suggested slyly.

You gave him a wry look. “And what exactly would you want?” You crossed your arms, raising an eyebrow.

But his eyes softened as he gazed down at you, the smile curling the corners of his lips. “Aw sweetheart, you know me. Just gettin’ ta spend some time with ya is enough for me.”

You leaned up and kissed his cheek. “You talk real nice sometimes, cowboy,” you laughed, reaching up to yank the brim of his hat down. “But alright. If you want incentive, then you can have it. Whatever you want.”

His eyes flashed. “Anything?”

Your lips twitched. “Anything,” you confirmed, knowing that Darren would never abuse it.

For a moment, though, he stared down at you, and his flames grew notably brighter and higher, even starting to radiate warmth. “An’ if I asked for somethin’ selfish?” he asked, voice low, raking down your spine.

You tilted your head. “Okay,” you said simply. “I trust you, Darren.” Still, your curiosity was piqued. He normally would ask for something like a kiss or a night together when you got a break from the nightshift at the bar.

He sighed, straightening a little. “I probably shouldn’t,” he muttered, half to himself.

But you leaned up, cupping his cheek to look back down at you. “It’s okay, Darren,” you encouraged gently. “You know I trust you.”

He leaned into your hand, his thumb rubbing circles into your hip. “I just… I’ve been wantin’ ya lately, sweetheart,” he rasped, the flames around his eyes stuttering a bit in what you knew was a sign of embarrassment.

For a moment you blinked, surprised; then you laughed a little. “Win the rodeo then, my strong cowboy. Then you can have me to yourself as much as you like,” you promised. You supposed you shouldn’t have been surprised: it had been a while thanks to preparations for the rodeo and the extra hours you’d been working lately. Both of you had been far too tired to do much other than collapse into bed and murmur a goodnight or kiss good morning before parting ways.

He bent down and pressed a kiss to your lips, the touch needy but restrained. “You tempt me, darlin’,” he murmured, voice thick.

You shook your head, hands smoothing over his chest. “I promise. I’ll be getting the night off anyway after all the overtime I’ve been working.”

“It’s a promise, then.” He didn’t get a chance to say much more, since you’d arrived at the fairgrounds where everyone was already abuzz. Your Uncle had gone the day before to start setting up already, so the barn was up and ready to be filled with cattle and horses.

You looked around with a smile, noting some of the rides that had already been set up and the other stands being set up. The rodeo arena was over on the far end of the fairgrounds, as was the barn for the contestants and the jockeys that would be participating in the races later. You suddenly caught a flash of something, and turned your head to see one of the bar workers waving at you.

“I see it, darlin’,” Darren said, bringing Lily up to one of the railings nearby.

Putting your feet on the wooden rails, you lightly stood and turned around, balancing on the narrow pole with years of practice. You smiled at Darren in thanks, and he lifted your hand to his lips for a polite kiss to your knuckles.

“Good luck, love,” you said with a warm smile. “I’ll save you and Lily some goodies for when you’re done.”

“Lookin’ forward to it. You gonna be there to cheer me on?”

You hummed. “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.” With the promise, you lightly leaped off of the railing and started towards a sweating and clearly stressed Brandon. “What’s wrong?” you asked crisply.

An hour later, you found yourself letting out a sigh of relief. You’d helped him sort out the slight inventory problem they’d had, since the bar was going to be serving concessions at both events along with having a full stand. By the time you’d found the spot Bella had saved for you by the railings of the arena, the event had already started.

“Oh good, you’re here,” Bella said in clear relief, grabbing your arm. “Darren is up next!”

You blinked. “Oh, is he?” You glanced over at the lists, then saw Darren and Lily waiting for their turn. Lily seemed as calm as ever, used to the events and clearly unbothered by such mortal excitement. Most of the time the centaurs racked up the most points, but Darren and Lily were the strongest contenders otherwise.

“Here they come!” Bella squealed, jumping up and down in excitement as she clutched your arm.

You laughed, though you had to admit that your heart fluttered a little in nervous excitement. Darren did put on a good show when he really wanted to, and he didn’t bring crowds every year to the Ranch for no reason. Not only as the only Dullahan cowboy in the area, but also for his pure skill and showmanship. Your dress fluttered around your legs in the breeze as you shielded your eyes against the sun to peer across the arena.

“Well hello there ladies.”

Bella let out a quiet groan by your ear as the smirking satyr approached, oozing a disgusting amount of self-confidence. It did happen on occasion that those not from around approached you or Bella, not knowing your otherwise well-known faces around the area. Not to mention your clear status of very much taken.

“Enjoy the show,” you greeted back, nodding before refocusing on the arena.

“Oh c’mon, are the all brawn no brains so interesting?” he whined, sidling up to the both of you at the railing.

Bella rolled her eyes, already tired of it. “Considering that we’re both taken by said all brawn and no brains, yes,” she answered curtly. “If you’ll excuse us—“

“Well they don’t gotta know honey—“

Up next, Darren Nightshade from Greenhide Ranch and his equine partner Lily. Ladies and gents, I don’t know about you but I am looking forward to this performance. Darren Nightshade holds the well-known status of being the only Dullahan cowboy in three states, and he’s nothing to sniff at either. The announcer drawled.

Bella shrieked, cheering with the rest of the crowd as she jumped up and down.

“Ugh, what a showboat,” the satyr sneered. “I bet he gets any woman he wants and more. Look at them, fawning at him.”

You swore Bella started seeing red. Instead, you grasped her hand tightly and shook your head. Patting her, you instead nodded toward the arena. Darren waved as was expected, earning more cheers, even from the other local ranchers. They tended to rally around him as a representation of the town. Darren pulled out a red rose from his leather jacket, the same one given to every other contestant as well to gift to whoever they wanted.

Of course, ladies and gents, as everyone here locally knows, our Mr. Nightshade here always gives his rose to the same person every year. Please give it up for his wife, Mrs. Nightshade! Now that’s one lucky lady, hey?

Darren and Lily pranced up to you, and Darren leaned down to flamboyantly hand you the rose. You laughed, taking it with a smile. He tilted your chin up with his gloved hand, pressing a kiss to your lips that earned loud whistles and good-natured laughing from the crowds. Then they all roared in amused approval as Lily butted against your chest and tossed her head.

You patted her nose, kissing it. Whisking a sugar lump from your pocket, you let her crunch it happily before waving them off. Bella helped you tuck the rose into your hair, making sure it wouldn’t fall.

The satyr had booked it by then, to which Bella sniffed and nodded. You just ignored it all, used to the whole ordeal. Most everyone steered clear once they realized that you were, in fact, the wife of a Dullahan. No one with a sense of self-preservation would risk messing with that.

The cattle was released form the bars, and instantly started running as Lily and Darren charged after it. Lily clearly was just having fun doing her job, her heels kicking and her movements smooth as she streamlined and barreled toward the bull hoofing it for the other side of the arena. Darren hunched over the saddle, letting Lily do her job as his hand rested on the whip made of a human spinal cord coiled on the saddle.

The bull, trapped, whirled around and started huffing, while the crowds oo’d and ahh’d as they leaned forward to see what would happen. Lily, not deterred in the least, started to make a giant half circle behind the bull, who bolted for the opening. She didn’t give him a chance.

Darren’s hand almost moved too quickly to see. The whip caught on the bull’s hind leg without hesitation, sending it to the ground. Lily pulled up and skidded to a perfect stop, prancing as she snorted and neatly avoided the kicking legs of the bull with the grace of a southern belle. The crowd roared in approval, and Darren lifted his hand in a brief wave.

Then he let go of the bull to crack the whip above its head. It scrambled back up to its feet, then started to trot obediently back towards the pen. Lily pranced behind, head held high as Darren kept the whip cracking in warning.

The next contestant started to set up, and Bella grabbed your arm. “It’s gonna be a hot minute before the next event,” she reminded you. “Do you want to go see them?”

You nodded, squeezing her arm. “Yeah, I’ll go take them some refreshments. There should be a camper set up I think. I’ll be back before the next event.”

She nodded and let you go. It didn’t take you long to find the stall where Lily was, especially since she sensed you coming from a mile away and whinnied as soon as you entered the barn. Her ears flickered, and you walked up to her stall with a smile, holding two apples and a sugar cube. She munched happily, snorting in approval and thanks.

“You did wonderfully out there, Lily,” you said, patting her bony muzzle. The stable hands knew you by sight, so no one questioned your presence. “You showed them all how it’s done, huh?” You laughed as she whinnied in agreement. “Yeah, you sure did. You were dancing out there.” You hummed, giving her the sugar cube between the apples. “I guess Darren is in the camper, huh?”

She just snorted, so you gave her one last pat and let her crunch on her second apple. Picking up the cold drink and sandwich you’d picked up on the way to the stable, you went up the steps of the camper and closed the door behind you.

“Darren, I brought you something to eat and drink,” you called, setting them down on the table inside.

You didn’t even get to fully turn around. Darren grabbed your waist, spinning you around and instantly leaning down to crush a kiss against your lips. You gasped into his mouth, hands splaying against his bare chest as your head spun desperately with the surprise and the fiery kiss. His mouth opened on yours, and he let out a low moan as he pulled you tightly into himself.

“‘M sorry, sweetheart,” he rasped into the kiss. “I just… I—“

You suddenly realized. “Shh, no, I’m sorry,” you whispered. “It’s my fault, I should’ve realized.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s— it’s not your fault the stupid satyr challenged me, I just can’t—“ He gritted his teeth with a groan, his hands trembling on your hips.

You winced slightly, wishing you’d realized sooner. Of course he would have sensed the satyr challenging his claim on you. It would have instantly roused every single instinct in him as a Dullahan to seek justice for the slight of attempting to ‘steal’ something that was his. But at the moment, you hadn’t realized the specific situation. Someone just hitting on you was vastly different from someone knowingly seeking to take you away from Darren.

“Well, you did deliver quite the performance as usual,” you said, trying to lighten the mood a little. “So I guess you earned your reward?”

“Don’t say it unless you mean it, sweetheart,” Darren growled, eyes sparking as he gazed down at you. “Because I‘ll take you right here and now.”

Not that he’d be able to focus anytime soon on anything else if he didn’t, you thought wryly. “It’s okay, Darren,” you said sweetly. “You know that I wouldn’t want anyone but you.”

He instantly lifted you up onto his waist, backing into the bedroom of the camper. Backing you against the wall to support your back, he instantly started to grind up into you with a low growl, making you gasp against his mouth. Your arms wrapped around his neck as you clung to him, feeling him hardening even further as your dress rode up around your waist.

“Mine,” he hissed against your jaw, pulling your waist against him. “Won’t let anyone else take you.” He groaned. “Can’t live without you, darlin’.”

You had already gotten wet, threatening to soak through your underwear. Your head leaned back against the wall as you gasped, eyelashes fluttering. “Yours, Darren,” you whimpered. “Promise.”

He hissed, then reached down to pull your panties off, leaving them on the floor carelessly. His eyes were glowing a bright green, his breath hissing visibly through his teeth in wisps of green flame. He continued to grind into you, feeling you drip down his cock. Then he pushed you up against the wall, supporting you with one leg as he reached down and dragged the pad of his thumb across your clit. The callouses made an almost unbearable friction that made you fall against his shoulder and shudder with a helpless moan.

Your head spun as he continued to kiss down your neck, ringing those tight circles around your clit with a devastating precision that had you falling apart. He gave you no rest, no quarter, not even when you arched against him with a gasping moan. He slid a single, thick finger into you, and you came.

He growled against your skin, sucking a bruise onto your neck as he pulled away his slick fingers. He brought it to his lips, tongue sliding out to slide across his fingers and lick the taste of you off. His satisfied snarl made your core pulse, shivering in anticipation.

With a quick movement, he swept you up to put you on the bed. Landing on your hands and knees, you reached up and tried to unbutton your dress, knowing that you wouldn’t want to be left without clothes by the end of this. You’d just barely managed to get it off when Darren grasped your hips, pulling you up against his own. You could feel his cock leaning heavily against your back, throbbing.

“Think you’re ready, sweetheart?” Darren thrust against you, precum smearing across your skin as he hissed.

You could only nod as he gathered your hair up in his hand, keeping it from getting in your face. You let your head tilt back, lips parting as you let out a breath of anticipation. You knew that he would fill you entirely, your body molding around the shape of him as he bucked up into you.

He didn’t disappoint. It only took him a moment to line himself up against you before he pushed, steady and slow. By the time he bottomed out in you, you let out a moan, tears gathered in the corners of your eyes at the slight sting of being stretched. He rested heavily against your back, pulling your head back to press his lips against your neck.

“Fuck, darlin’,” he groaned, voice heavy as his chest heaved against your back. “I’m never gonna get used to your sweet body.” He kissed down your back, his breath hot against your skin as your body trembled under him.

You could barely even speak, too focused on the way he pressed up against every inch inside you, pulsing in a way that drove every thought out of your mind. He felt so good, his hands tangling in your hair and his other pulling your hips against his. He pulled out slowly, then slammed back into you with a force that made you squeak, almost pitching forward had it not been for his hands catching you.

He chuckled, low and raw, and without another word set an almost brutal pace that had you sinking against the bed and moaning. Your second orgasm was approaching faster than you could handle, the coil inside you tightening as he continued to thrust, hard and deep every single time. His hand in your hair continued to hold you in place, not letting you squirm away for any sort of relief from the constant pleasure that bombarded you.

“Ahh— Darren—“ You half-gasped, the tears beading in your eyes slipping down your cheeks. His other hand slipped down just then, and his finger scraped across your clit again. That was all it took.

You broke, shaking with another orgasm that crashed through you with breathtaking intensity. He kept angling up, kept hitting that one spot inside you again and again, dragging out your high. Letting out a low groan, his hips started to stutter as you clenched down on his cock, walls fluttering around him with the aftershocks of your orgasm.

After another moment, where you tried to blink away tears and recover, he bent over your back and shuddered. The thick moan he let out was the only warning before he jerked, fingers curling around your waist and pulling your head back. He spilled into you, thick and hot, filling your stomach with familiar warmth that left you boneless.

He let your hair go, and you slumped forward onto the bed, your arms giving out. Sweat bathed your skin, and you gratefully thought about the shower in the camper. Your hair sprawled across the bed around your head, you tilted your head to look up at Darren, breath still coming in slight pants.

He leaned forwards and caught your lips in a long, lingering kiss. “Thank you sweetheart,” he murmured after a moment. “Are you alright? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he checked, concern starting to creep into his voice.

You lifted your hands, cupping his face as you offered him a smile. “I like the bruises. It’s okay, Darren,” you reassured sweetly, pressing your lips against his.

He kissed you back, hands smoothing down your body. “You sure? I didn’t mean ta be so rough with ya—“

You laughed, cutting him off. “Thank you for working hard, love. I hope you enjoyed your reward.”

He chuckled, then, pulling you closer to his chest and kissing over a hickey he’d made on the arch of your neck. “I think I’ll try to earn it again.”

And secretly, you hoped he did too.

[husbandohunter]

Mermaids exist in stardew, yes? So imagine a mermaid farmer for Zhongli, Kaeya and Diluc it could be in Yandere setting or not. I just wanna know their reaction when they found out and how it’ll effect their relationship. Will it brew angst, love, or both

Part of your world [Genshin x Mermaid!Reader]{Stardew Impact series}

Synopsis: You came from the sea and he takes you through a journey of what it was like to live on land despite your differences.

Genre: Fluff

Characters: Diluc, Kaeya, Childe, Zhongli

"I threw in Childe because I had an idea for him xD It's fluff month so everything is going to be happy from now on >.>"

=============================

{Diluc}

It was a hot summer day when Diluc first found you lying unconscious ashore. You had just swam far and wide from the ocean world, the climate deemed unideal for your case. With no one else around, he took the initiative to help you out of your situation.

He shortly found out by the slight appearances of scales gracing your legs that you were neither a human or someone coming from the town nearby. As legendary as mermaids are, Diluc wanted nothing to do with you. His beginning plan was to find your relatives and send you out of his house (Additional work isn’t welcomed when he has so much already). However, you latched onto him pretty quickly since he was the one who saved you.

Here stands a human, a creature that you always wanted to interact with, in your perspective he may look a little stern but he must have plenty of knowledge to offer based on all the antiques he owns.

The only problem was that you two had no way to communicate. Different worlds meant different languages. Whenever Diluc told you that you couldn’t stay, all you did was tilt your head and whenever you tried expressing what you wanted to say, well, normally bubbles would come out of your mouth since they were an indication for your words.

He gave up on trying to kick you out and simply allowed you to take residence as long as you stayed out of his workaholic life. You would tend to his farm while he was absent on other matters and feeding animals in the barn (a lot to do but a win-win situation now that you were able to discover what it was like to live on land at the same time). Though you were also a handful, most of the time Diluc had to excuse himself from his desk when you thought the rake was some sort of hair brush and he forbade you from using the bulldozer. Quite honestly you caused him a lot of stress. He spent most of his hours teaching you and before he knew, it was already a habit of his.

The only words you knew were three words. If you wanted to eat you would say ‘fish’. If you were thirsty, you would say ‘water’. If it was anything else, you would say ‘Diluc.’

He allows you to take long baths since he knows how hydrated mermaids must stay at all times. Orders a pool to be built in his front yard (at least this way helps him save his costly electricity bills). Diluc also borrows books from the library museum for you to read, anything that you would find interesting, (mostly they were about alphabets and picture-based stories (it felt like he was raising a child).)

Easily gets worried when you step into town with him, he keeps a watchful eye in case you collapse and extra bottles when you need a drink. Most of the time, he had to keep an eye on you since you had the natural instinct to waltz into whatever interested you, such as dancing in annual festivities (which you dragged him along of course). It was how he grew attached to your presence because you truly knew how to appreciate the world around you when he himself was too busy to do so.

Two worlds merged and he was learning how to live in yours too, how you perceive things. Building sandcastles, collecting seashells, listening to the echoes resounding within them. Activities he thought were unnecessary suddenly gained the meaning he had lost long ago. Diluc grew too fast at maximum speed, trying to get as many things done as he could, until he was pulled back by the emotional waves of your kindness and compassion, onto the shore he failed to live on. How ironic reality can be.

{Childe}

Everyone knew how much Childe loved to fish. He sets out at sea every evening to capture a batch of flounders, hopefully stumbling upon a legendary one.

In a way, he did. Just not what he expected. What he pulled out of the waters seemed to be a human-sized fish sitting upon the other residues caught in between. ‘A mermaid…?’ he thought, still digesting the fact in front of him. (No wonder the net felt so heavy).

At the same time he wanted to take you with and sell you for a good price but knew how mad Tonia would get when she found out. So he lets you go free. The thing is, you swam behind his boat and followed him back to land. This was how your relationship with Childe started, to this day he continues to jest upon that memory.

Tonia took most of the responsibility to coach you about human life. One of them was table etiquette, before you ate with only your hands which caused a mess. Childe would laugh hysterically at it until Tonia reminded him, “This is also what happens when you use chopsticks, big brother.”

Teucer invites you to basically anything since you have so much patience. Childe shortly realizes that he was soon going to be replaced as the eldest caretaker and you couldn’t even talk at that time. So it was only fair that he included himself in the circle while interacting with your way of communicating: sign language (Surprisingly, he was naturally good at it. Though his movements are rather exaggerated and...ungraceful).

You were nice enough to accompany him to his fishing tasks and soon enough became your daily activities. Childe takes the lead as you follow him from the side, sometimes he lets go of the steering wheel and allows you to push the boat instead (he kept a note to himself that in your mermaid mode, your strength multiplied by a large number). Other times he felt a little risky and decided to jump in the ocean with you for a swimming session. It worried you immensely but your anxiety subsided when you saw how much fun he was having and for the rest of the time, you both explored what the ocean had to offer.

Childe used to be a fish-cook enthusiast. Not anymore (since that day you cried when glancing at the flounder dish he placed on the table). He had to stick to seaweed or any other plant-based meals with a little bit of meat but too much would cause your stomach to churn. Since his siblings complained at the sudden change, he had to make a separate meal plan for them. With a mermaid in the house was certainly high-maintenance indeed.

Cuddling with you in front of the cracking fire blazing under the chimney was one of the calmest moments indulged himself in. He often chooses the life where the waves crash constantly, anticipating a thrilling storm that comes ahead. But you were just a lull at the sea, the mediator he needed in times where his siblings needed a mother-figure. Sometimes he fears that you would leave him and return to where your true family lives but he was grateful that you chose him above all else. He was grateful that by chance, he captured you at sea. One thing he loved about life was the unpredictability the future brings, including the blessings. Even if you were a creature from far away, in your presence he felt like he was truly at home.

{Kaeya}

When the tides rose above his head, Kaeya was sure that he was done for. The surfboard he recently stood upon slips off beneath his feet and he falls into the ocean’s merciless waves. No oxygen, no time to catch his breath amidst the impact, his eyes were slowly closing and the last thing he saw was the sun’s light beyond the heavy surface, along with the murky visual of someone swimming in front of it.

Although he almost drowned, the idea of being saved by a pretty mermaid makes up for the fact (He has a natural tendency to flirt at anything eye-catching even if you were an outlandish being). You on the other hand was confused by his advances as you couldn’t understand a word he was saying, hence you swam away.

Those beginning days when you chose to explore the land, Kaeya remembers how much trouble you had with walking using your new legs. He had to hold both your hands while leading you forward, he found it rather cute when you tighten your grip the moment you felt that he was going to let go (he was only bluffing of course but you still hissed at him). Still, Kaeya ensures that you don’t fall to the ground, he catches you in time when you collapse while laughing, “You’re doing great sweetheart.”

In return you teach him how to read the ocean’s movements so that he won’t drown again. Kaeya spends more time around the beach since he knows that the water bodies are where you were most comfortable with. He tells you that you always smell like saltwater whenever he buries his face in your hair, perhaps that was how he grew attached to the ocean as well.

In summer seasons there were several days where you had to sleep in his bathtub because the air was so dry. As a mermaid, he had to tolerate many of your unique quirks, in this case he had to deal with showering in cold water since you took up all the electricity. Another case was your wine tolerance, no one could challenge you to a drinking contest when your body could sustain large amounts of liquids. Kaeya sometimes jokes if you could turn him into a merman like those in fairytale books so he can have the same experience. You take it as a joke while he was also being half-serious.

When you have to take a temporary trip home, Kaeya visits the dock every evening and waits for you to come back, trying to see any signs of your colourful tail. He glances at the ocean he grew to love, knowing where he stood is as far as he could go and anywhere beyond the boundary was out of his reach. So many people left him in his life and even though he knew you wouldn’t do the same, he still worries. Uncertain if you would abandon him too.

Your existence became the center of his life the moment you chose to walk upon land with him. Side by side, through small hurdles the seashore and hurdles as big as the wave that almost killed him the day he met you, Kaeya keeps them all as if they were the most precious treasure a pirate could find. It didn’t matter if you were different from everyone else because despite your tail, all he could see was you.

{Zhongli}

While Zhongli strolls along the sandy beach, he follows the alluring sound of your singing voice. You sat upon the rock while humming along what seems to be an old folk tune, similar to what Guizhong once sang. The man folds his arms and closes his eyes. Many years have passed since he last heard something like this, “Your voice, it’s very lovely.”

He was a geologist who worked by the museum, collecting different types of rocks and seashells that would wash up shore. You became very familiar with his daily routine that before he pays a visit to the beach again, a pile of interesting rocks would be waiting for him by the docks. It was a gift. And Zhongli would bring snacks like seaweed soup as an accommodation for your kindness.

Unlike Kaeya, when you couldn’t walk because your legs were too weak to be used, Zhongli helps you with every step along the way even if the trip was a slow one. He even offered to have you carried when he saw you were having too much trouble but you insisted on trying. The whole trip that usually took ten minutes was a three hour walk.

Even though he knew many things, your language was not one of them. However he was willing to learn. Both of you have study sessions regarding each other’s culture. For you it’s the way humans drink with cups because of Zhongli being a tea fanatic himself, he even showed you how to hold a tea cup properly. You taught him how to swim since he had been so occupied on land that swimming never crossed his mind. Thankfully he was naturally good at it due to his tall stature (albeit a little scared when diving into an environment unknown and different to him).

Zhongli loves the way you sing and he would ask every time he wanted to read a book. Either under the tree on a warm spring day or on the couch when it was storming outside. Although he intended to get some reading done, Zhongli can’t help but fall asleep. You didn’t want to wake him up (and you could carry him if you wanted to thanks to your mega-mermaid strength) so by morning, you’d find yourselves in the same spot and your lap feeling numb.

Earth and sea were separated for a reason so that the creatures may stay upon the place where they belong. That wasn’t enough to separate you from him though. Zhongli would travel to the sea to see you and you mustered the courage to walk upon the hard surface of land. The two were only parts of the world but together they are part of the world, connected to form a whole new life.

[jester-writing-things]

Could we maybe get some Yandere Striker w/ fem imp reader but from Strikers perspective? :0 I'm v interested in what's going on in his head.

Hello! I’m glad you enjoy, I hope you don’t mind but I’m doing it i the first one, I hope you don’t mind! If you want another please tell me! Thank you!

Yandere Striker with a fem imp reader (Strikers POV)

Striker normally didn’t care if people showed up on the farm, he was just here till the festival then he’s gone, that’s it. But some guest showed up and he was bored, so he decided to interact with them.

There were four imps and hellhound. Though one imp in particular caught his attention you were strong and smart, especially compared to everyone else you were with

He tried to be nice to get your attention, he ignored the others and went to you to talk but time and time brushed him off, it was endearing. You let him speak to you often but your co workers kept interrupting, it was sweet that you were popular but they had you before him, now it’s his turn to spend time with you

He got into some kind of argument with you and chose to follow you and ask what was wrong and you just kept walking. You went up to Millie and turned back to him, hurrying away. You looked scared so he left you be

He later got into an altercation with Moxxie, and you showed up, he felt bad that you had to see his violent side, but he had a job to do. He subdued Millie and Moxxie pretty fast but when he turned he saw you reach for his gun.

It didn’t matter to him what you had planned to do with it. He just knew you could get hurt so he grabbed your hand. You stopped all movement and looked to him with fear. It made his heart flutter to see him be the sole focus of your world, but he didn’t want you to be scared, so he tried to reason with you

“Now now, there’s no need to worry bout yerself or yer friends. I won’t kill any of ya. Especially not you, now how about we talk a bit. You could work with me, aren’t you sick of people walking all over you?” He tried to reason with, he could give you a good life, he could make you happy! He was still speaking when you stroked his face, he paused instantly, his heart skipping a beat, had he got through to you?

You pulled him down into a kiss, it was so...sweet and soft...it felts like the world around him slowed down, he’d never felt like this before, he didn’t want it to end! But then...

He must have startled you, you hit him with the rifle and you aimed the gun at him. He just laughed, it wasn’t intentional to scare you, he approached you slowly to help calm you down. But then you pulled the trigger, he was frustrated, did you just try to shoot him? Talk about being a brat!

“It ain’t fucking loaded sweetheart, you know I shoulda expected that from you,” He growled closing in on you, you were all he registered in the room. Your fight was amazing but frustrating. “Ya got so much fight in ya, it’s amazing, yer’re like a wild mare.” He hasn’t even realized he was speaking, he was just thinking about you. “Full of fight and sass, but every horse has a breaking point. I’ve already tamed a horse, let’s see if I can take a fussy imp.”

And with that, he pounced you, he didn’t mean to hit your head onto the ground, that was an accident. You tried to get up and run but he caught you with his tail. He was trying to talk to you when you started to scream. He quickly covered your mouth, he doesn’t need more people getting between you two. You thrashed in his grip, he had to press you against his chest.

It was so comforting, you were so warm and small, it was like he was hugging you, it was amazing. He felt so alive, he didn’t want to let go of you. He felt your tears and spoke up.

“Don’t worry, yer not Hanna die, just pass out. I’ll take you far away from here you’ll be safe with me.” He spoke, continuing with sweet nothings and praise until you went limp.

He decided the hit could wait. He throw over his shoulder and grabbed his rifle, he’ll get Stolas another time. He just wanted to get you out of this place.

He snuck off and hopped on the back of his horse, holding you for the entire duration of the ride. You looked so peaceful asleep, it made his heart soar. It was beautiful.

He sighed in frustration when he got to the motel room, he’d need to tie you up and gag you. He ended up just using rope to tie you and the bandana as a gag.

You’d calm down eventually, then he’d be able to untie you, he’d be able to talk to you with no distractions, it’s going to be wonderful!

[lou-struck]

Into The Maze

Eijirou Kirishima x Reader

-Kiri books tickets from the wrong type of festive fun

Wc: 1000+

You have been asleep for a few hours as Kirishima sits up next to you in bed, the blue glow of his laptop screen illuminating his face as he searches for something fun for the two of you to do this weekend for a date. Once again fall has rounded the corner opening the door for lots of seasonal activities for the two of you to do.

Finally finds the listing he was looking for. All the two of you have been talking about is going through the huge corn maze at the farm outside of town. He smiles to himself and looks over at you before clicking buy.

“You are going to be so surprised Pebble.’ He coo’s down at you, kissing your head as you stir in your slumber.

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

There’s corn, so much freaking corn, but that’s what to be expected in a corn maze, the surprising part was that when your boyfriend printed out the tickets the time of your reservation was after dark. It wasn't till you got through the line of people you realized something was up.

Looking ahead of you the Maze was pitch black with the exception of low rising fog and strobing lights that roared like thunder.

“Ei..Eijirou?” you said with a slight shake in your voice, “I think this is a Haunted Corn Maze, I…” You trail off as a chorus of screams and Chainsaws slice through the air.

Upon seeing you tense up, Kirishima wraps an arm around you protectively pulling you into his chest. His hoodie smells of cinnamon and cedar and you feel yourself relax in his hold. He carefully tilts up your chin and says softly “We don't have to do this if you don't want to baby.” He trails his fingers softly up and down your arm as he continues “If it’s too much we can always go home and put on some of those movies you like instead.”

Feeling brave and slightly frugal you go ahead and nod, flashing him a smile. “As much as I love Hocus Pocus, I think we should do it. We already paid and I'm sure it's... not as bad as it looks. Especially since I have a Pro Hero to watch over me.”

He puffs out his chest at your words almost feeling excited to protect you in the Maze. After all protecting cute things like you is something he classifies as manly. Before the two of you walk hand in hand into the maze you stop him one last time, looking him dead in the eyes you say “If you leave me there, you’ll regret it.”

Laughing at your threat the two of you walk into the maze prepared to witness the horrors within.

A thick mud coats the bottom of your boots as you follow the columns of drying corn husks a slight rustling seems to follow you. “It must be the wind,” you say under your breath. It does not go unnoticed by Eijirou who moves his hand protectively to the small of your back as he guides you along.

“Hey, I got you” he whispers in your ear “Let's try and make it funny, then it won't be scary.”

Heeding his advice the two of you make your way through the maze. You bravely laugh in the face of Zombies, Dentists, and Creepy children. Eijirou is also enjoying himself staying on high alert. If it ever seems like you’re getting too scared he makes sure to pull in close guiding you out of the scene making funny comments and jokes about what you just witnessed. You ere feeling confident and ready to finish the maze, get some hot cider, and go home to cuddle up next to your boyfriend watching Addams Family Values for the nth time this season. Everything seemed perfect.

Then came the clowns…

Nearing the end of the maze you and Eijirou run away from a masked actor with a chainsaw till you reach a small bright yellow house lined with fluorescent lights. This color palette can only go to one type of horror that can’t so easily be ignored. Eerie carnival music began to play as the clowns began to skip out through the corn husks. Their gleeful laughter places fear in the deepest part of your heart. You go to run away but your legs are stuck to the ground in fear. The actors seeing your terrified reaction step closer to you fake blood splattering their jumpers.

The Smallest one comes up to you smiling far too wide.

“You’re so pretty!” She sings, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “I wanna be pretty just like you!!”

You can't really speak so Kirishima fills the silence, stepping in front of you “Yeah she is! But we gotta go home.”

She lets out a cackle and tries to skip around to you only to be blocked by your boyfriend. “Nooooo, she should stay longer to play with me.” She pouts and makes another step towards you.

Sensing your discomfort Eijirou decides that enough is enough and picks you up easily making a mad dash for the exit leaving your creepy acquaintance in the dust as she yells for you to come back and play with her.

Arriving at the exit of the maze the two of you catch your breath finally feeling safe and unstressed. He looks over at you to make sure that you aren't completely traumatized from the experience he just put you through only to see you smiling.

"You did so well Pebble." He says to you kissing you on your forehead

"It had to be clowns Eiji" you laugh "I think I could take her next time."

"I know you could" he chuckles back "Come on let's go and get something to warm us up for the ride home."

"You're paying right, I have a trauma fee that only accepts snack credits," you say taking his hand dragging him towards the hot cider and candy apples.

"I wouldn't have it any other way" He smiles following after you thinking that maybe you can go back into the maze next year, this time on purpose.

[secret-engima]

What do you think about FFXV's technological levels? Like IRL placement? Ahead of us? Behind us?

Hm. That really depends on *where* in the world of FFXV you're taking as a sample. Places like Liede are definitely somewhere behind the modern tech level, if not *terribly* far. Cindy does have a modern cellphone that she uses to call Noctis, but all the cars in the game we see save the Regalia are definitely older? Built in what to us is "retro" styles, and most of them show a lot of wear. I forget off the top of my head what the tvs in greater Lucis look like but iirc they're also more on the boxy side. It's also canonical that because of supply chain issues (heh) greater Lucis is stuck technologically behind Insomnia and Niflheim.

Insomnia on the other hand is very much modern technology level, if maybe a few inches ahead in some respects? Maybe? I don't live in a city so I honestly cannot say if the technology we see in Insomnia is standard for rl major cities. I do know that the skyline and other aspects of Insomnia was actually modeled off Tokyo though, so they're probably not ahead of us, but on equal footing.

NIFLHEIM ON THE OTHER HAND. Openly leagues ahead technologically. Have you seen their giant honking flying aircraft carriers. Not to mention they figured out how to strap an giant jet engine to the butt of a box car and have it become their standard military ship. Their city is in ruins when we get to see it and also the middle of the night, but the place where the Emperor actually lives?

Giant floating fortress.

Casually parked in the sky so far above ye standard skyscrapers that they need death tube elevator to reach it. Put that sucker any higher in the air and it'd be a low hanging space station.

It's also heavily implied that since they (completely ruined their own ecosystem through first daemonic breeding and then failing successfully their task to kill Shiva) have very little functional farm or ranch land, they have mastered the mass production of cloned food products. Besithia has that stuff casually served on his dinner table in the Ardyn dlc, and while personally I wouldn't trust cloned meat that came from that idiot and his lab friends as far as I can throw a Behemoth, the citizens of the Empire probably don't blink twice at it anymore.

In the book during the Aranea Chapter, there's even more signs of how far advanced they are technologically- the reason Aranea freely flings herself around on her rocket spear is because the darn thing also comes with some form of protective shock absorption so she really doesn't have to fear knocking out her teeth when she crater dives like in the game. Even cooler than that; the entire skyline of Gralea has an invisible net thing that syncs with weapons like hers and allows specialized warriors like Aranea to casually pingpong their way across the sky over the city to get to places. It's literally invisible to the naked eye save for the spots where she makes physical contact at the time.

Of course the trade off to All The Cool Toys is. You know. The rampant human experimentation, mass disappearance and suppression of their citizens covered up in loud propaganda about a Disappearing Plague that requires stricter and stricter curfews and lockdowns to circumvent which isn't working (BUT SHUT UP AND STAY IN YOUR HOUSE AND DON'T QUESTION IT OR THE MTS WILL SHOOT YOU), the complete reliance of millions/maybe billions of people on a single entity (the government and its laboratories) to get reliable food source and the utter militarization of all aspects of life since most professions have been subsumed or killed off (can't be a farmer if the ground is always frozen) and they're the guys who invented all this tech, to the point where Aranea, a thirty year old woman, barely remembers what a festival or carnival looked like.

You know.

Since anything involving crowds on the streets was banned years ago as being potentially disruptive, order to be enforced by at first regular soldiers and then increasing the mob of daemons in armor boxes.

But Other Than That™. XD

So yeah that's where I put the tech levels. And I can't do a decent estimation of Tenebrae since we only see it severely on fire. But if I had to guess, I'd put it up there with Insomnia.

[ramblesanddragons]

Under The Moonlight

(For @lemonfodrizzleart based on her wonderful Mystery Farm AU mixed with Monster Falls. I really like Jackie as an OC and I hope I did her justice. A little treat for the spooky season. Normally I believe Gargrunk Stan can’t fly but maybe in this dimension he can!) 

Words: 1967

Warnings: None! Just some fluff with a little bit of feels.

As the sun set low in the October sky Stan was trying his best to put on something nice. The wings were making it a little difficult. Maybe it would be easier to go shirtless than mess up a good flannel, but he wanted to look nice. Jackie was looking forward to this, he wasn’t going to let her down.  

With a little fashion help from Kelvin, Stan was able to get his wings through some neatly cut holes. His tail wiggled into the hole in his jeans after a few tries. Shoes were a no go but at least his hat could rest in-between the horns on his head.  

Getting ready for a date had never been so frustrating.  

It was worth it though when he saw the smile on Jackie’s face. She was floating down the stairs, well more like fluttering. Even with all the draw backs of being a monster Jackie was enjoying being able to fly. The past few days she’d practically flown all over the farm.

Her dress was an off the shoulder affair in a deep black. A bit too fancy for a moonrise picnic but it was probably easier to deal with than anything else because of her own wings. He thin tail poked out of the bottom of the dress. Stan didn’t really care if it was too fancy. She looked incredible.  

“Ready?” She asked.  

Stan motioned to the blanket and basket in his hands and Jackie looped her arm around his stony one. Ford looked up from his notes. He was currently measuring the size of Kevin’s ears. It was only due to the golden fur covering his face that his twin wasn’t blushing up a storm being that close to his crush.  

“You two be careful. I’m not sure how well any of the town folk would react to seeing you.”  

“Look I’ve been planning this date for a week, Ford. No little monster curse is going ta stop us. You shouldn’t let it stop you either.”  

Ford gave Stan a look that said, “Shut the hell up!” while Kelvin was distracted with the bone left over from his steak. Out of all of them he was rolling with this monster thing the best and seemed to embrace his wolfish side. Ford was indulging in riddles more but most of his focus was trying to find a cure. His twin needed to take a break before he burnt himself out. The occasional accidentally catnap wasn’t enough.  

Stan could bother Ford to relax later. For now, he’d let him study Kelvin in peace. Maybe it would get him to finally ask him out. The official couple squeezed out the door with a wave and began to walk out into the orchard.  

If this curse wasn’t lifted by next week, the fall apple festival they held each year would be turning into a costume festival as well. Sure, folks around town were used to the weird but even they had their limits. That was something for next week Stan to worry about. Right now Stan wanted to put all his attention on Jackie.  

Jackie, who was also barefoot, would hop every few feet trying to catch a breeze. When she did, she’d flutter around the tops of the trees for a bit and return with a handful of apples.  

“Honey, tonight’s ‘posed to be about relaxing.”  

“Oh, I know. It’s just annoying to do it in the daytime. Sun hurts my eyes,” she explained. The picked apples were placed in bags and left by the trees. They could pick them up on the walk back.  

“At least you can go out in the sun,” Stan grumbled.  

Jackie gave him a sympathetic peck on the cheek and his grumbling morphed into a happy purring noise.  

“It’s so cute when you do that.”

“Yeah, yeah just don’t tell Ford.”  

She laughed and fluttered around the trees some more before they reached their picnic spot. The hill at the end of the orchard was silhouetted by the harvest moon. Maybe he needed to take Jackie on night dates more often. It was beautiful.  

The two of them settled their blanket down and began to eat. Stan wasn’t as good of a cook as Jackie, but he had made the fanciest sandwiches he could with homemade sides. Every item had a somewhat ridiculous amount of meat in it to satisfy his new carnivore diet, but Jackie didn’t mind.  

The two of them ate and talked and laughed. Stan offered her a blanket when the wind blew but Jackie declined.  

“Apparently demons don’t get cold. It’s nice.”  

“You know you might look like a demon, but I think of you as an angel baby.” Stan said with a smile. The smile faltered as Jackie laughed.

“How long have you been wanting to use that one? Very smooth lover boy,” she teased.  

“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I love you no matter what you look like! Yeesh. I try to be sweet.” He rolled his eyes playfully before remembering that no one could tell when he was rolling his eyes anymore. His eyes were currently glowing orange orbs.  

Jackie’s eyes had a reddish cat in the dark like gleam to them. They were staring deeply at him. “I appreciate. At first, I was a bit weirded out by being turned into a succubus of all things, but you haven’t made me feel weird or different. I appreciate it.”  

“Of course. You’re amazing no matter what you look like.” Stan wrapped a stony arm around Jackie, and they sat and watched the stars for a few minutes.  

“Hey. I just got a great idea. We should take advantage of this who demon and gargoyle thing while we can,” Jackie said playfully.  

Stan gulped. “Well, I haven’t really pushed any ideas since I didn’t want you thinking that you being a succubus would effect anything. I love you for more than that and-”

“Let’s go flying!”  

“That...that is not what I thought you meant.”

“Oh, that can happen later. I know you’ve had a hard time keeping your hands off me.” Jackie winked and hopped-up leaving Stan slack jawed in the dirt. She laughed and stretched her wings wide.  

“I think we could get some good air from here but maybe we should head up on the cliffs.”

“I don’t think I can fly. Too heavy,” Stan said.  

“I bet you can. If your furball and feathers of a twin can, so can you. Although just in case we probably shouldn’t start with the cliffs. Let's try from here.  

The hill wasn’t high enough to set off Stan’s heights fear, but it was one of the best places to sled on the farm. With the right wind it could be enough for a decent take off as Jackie was proving. She ran a few feet and stretched her wings, diving down to catch speed then turning up. She whooped happily as she climbed higher and higher. It almost looked like she could touch the large moon.

“Come on baby you can do it!” She shouted from the sky.  

Stan gulped. He took a deep breath and went down the hill at a run. He jumped like he saw Jackie do but then tumbled head over tail down the rest of the hill. As he finally rolled to a stop Jackie landed beside him.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah. Hard head remember.” For emphasis Stan tapped his head and it made stony thumping noise.  

“How about I do it with you? That might help.”  

“Jackie I... there’s something I haven’t told you.” Stan frowned, he hated admitting it. “I’m afraid of heights.”

Jackie tilted her head in confusion and then something clicked. “That’s why you get Ford to do anything that involves a ladder! That’s why you like to use the apple picking tool instead of climbing!”  

“Yeah. Pretty pathetic huh.”

“Of course not! Being afraid of heights makes sense! It’s not like humans can fly...normally that is. I just can’t believe we’ve been together this whole time and I didn’t realize it.”

“I did my best to try and hide it.”  

Jackie petted his head causing him to purr again. Her claw like nails made a scratching noise against his stone skin. “Don’t be afraid to tell me you’re afraid Stan. I know you got it in your head you’re supposed to be this tough, sturdy guy-”

“What gave you that idea?” Stan asked in faux offense. Jackie shot him a look and gestured to his gargoyle body. He chuckled and let Jackie finish her thought.

“What I was trying to say is that it’s okay to be afraid and all those other human things. You don’t have to put on an act for me.”  

Stan’s smile faltered and he took Jackie’s hand in his. “...I know.” Logically he knew that but there were times he could still hear his pa’s voice in his head telling him to be a man. Men weren’t afraid of things. Men didn’t have feelings. Men were tough as stone. That wasn’t the kind of man he was though, deep down, despite his current appearance. Sure, he was tough, but he felt all these other feelings too and he didn’t want to deny them. It was just hard sometimes. He was thankful to whatever above that Jackie was patient with him about it.  

They sat at the bottom of the hill until Stan’s head finished spinning. Then he hauled himself up.

“Let’s try again.”

“Stan, you got nothing to prove.”

“I know that but when am I ever going to have a chance like this again. With luck these wings are gone within the week.”

He trudged back up the hill and watched how Jackie took off running and caught the fall breeze in her wings. She swooped up and flapped her wings hard to get higher and higher. Waiting until the wind picked up again Stan charged down the hill on all fours. As dumb as he felt it worked and he was able to feel a lift on his body. He beat his wings as hard as he could and the ground under him disappeared. The sudden disappearance of the ground spooked him, and he stopped flapping. His stone body went tumbling again.

“Stan!”

“I’m okay. I almost got this. Stay there!”

Determined he tried one more time. This time the wind was with him as a strong gust rolled across the orchard sending leaves and some apples flying. He flapped with all his might and didn’t panic this time when he took flight. His body was heavy. He could feel the strain in his back from the effort, but it was worth it to see Jackie’s delighted face.  

“How are you doing?” She lowered herself down a few feet to meet him where he was steady.  

“Alright if I don’t look down or think about being 20 feet in the air.”  

“Come on! Just keep your eyes on me.” She took Stan’s hand and together they started to soar through the starlit sky around the farm. As terrifying as it was it was also beautiful. The two of them danced in the sky for as long as Stan’s wings could hold him.  

Landing was tricky but when they made it back to their picnic spot Stan managed to stay on both feet despite tripping. He was even able to catch Jackie in his hands as she landed.  

“That was amazing,” she said breathlessly.

“You’re amazing,” Stan responded.  

“You might not agree with that after this. Tag you’re it!” She yelled pushing him slightly. She took off into the air again.  

“Hey now hold on!” Stan laughed and shouted after her, taking off into the sky again.  

[baka-monarch]

Honeyed Blood Over Fresh Snow

(btw this takes place back when Tommy moved out of Logstedshire and in with Techno)

(TRIGGER WARNINGS: DEATH, KILLING, MENTION OF SUICIDE)

____________________________________________

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Came Fundy's voice from behind the tiny hovering president.

"It should be fine, it's just Tommy" Tubbo had been sneaking off to Logstedshire for a while now, and had been planning this visit for weeks. The small bee hybrid had regretted exiling Tommy for a while, and during his few small hidden visits his guilt had grown even more. He couldn't bear to see his best friend- no- his brother suffering like he was. Tubbo didn't know why he had even listened to Dream in the first place, Tommy had a plan, one that Fundy and Quackity had even agreed with, to take down the smiling man- and now because of Tubbo, Tommy was suffering. "I have to talk to him. Alone."

"Yeah, but what if Thomas is mad at you- Tubbo you're not exactly- well your-" Quackity was quickly shut up as Tubbo cut him off with a glare.

"I'm tiny. I know." Tubbo shrugged. "But don't worry, I'm going in bee form and I can just fly away if it seems like he… like he…" Tubbo didn't want to think about what would happen if Tommy was mad at him. Flashbacks of the festival and the sounds of fireworks overtook his mind for a moment before he shook those memories away. "I'll be fine." At Tubbo's words he received worried looks from both Quackity and Fundy. "And if I somehow don't come back…" he looked to Quackity specifically, "Go through with it without me."

Quackity gave a curt nod, and before either of them could do or say anything, Tubbo was transforming into his bee form and buzzing away. The only thoughts running through Tubbo's mind as he flew above the water was his worry for Tommy. His friend had been forced to be alone with only Dream for weeks now, and Tubbo hadn't even properly visited them- who knew what all happened in that small camp Tommy had built. The bee boy felt guilty for what he did, he wanted to make it up to Tommy by finally talking to them after all this time. Who knows, maybe Tommy would forgive him for practically betraying their friendship at the hands of the green man they've always been against. Ever since Wilbur, through the wars, the disks, everything- they had always been together against Dream and now Tubbo had joined their enemy's side and exiled his best friend. He had to fix this.

As Tubbo flew closer to Logstedshire an uneasy feeling began to creep it's way up his fuzzy back. Something was… off. He couldn't hear Tommy- yes his friend had been getting more quieter based off the few times Tubbo had spied on them, but Tommy was never the type of person to let a silence hang, always preferring to fill it with some sort of noise, whether it was their own voice or the sound of music. Then there was what Tubbo was beginning to see- on the shore was a small table, chairs, and other things as if someone had been preparing for a party… and the closer Tubbo flew the more his eyes teared up. He began to see a small crater and a decimated house, the one he thought Tommy had been living in. Why was it blown up? Why would Tommy… why would anyone…

Then he saw it. How could Tubbo miss it? The tall structure making the bee freeze at the sight as he looked up and up and up and up-

Tubbo's breathing sped up. "No…" he buzzed to himself, too overwhelmed to turn back into his more human-esc form. "No no no no no…. Please NO!!!" He flew over to the bottom and began searching. "Surely not- he didn't- he couldn't have- he he he…." There was a compass on the ground. "No…." Tubbo landed on it, and sure enough engraved to the side was 'Your Tubbo'.

The small bee felt his entire world crashing down around him. He couldn't do this- he couldn't- couldn't be here. With all those thoughts and images of Tommy falling plaguing his mind Tubbo began to fly- to fly as fast as he possibly fucking could away from that cursed place. He had to get away from there. He didn't care where he flew, he didn't even pay attention to his surroundings as he flew and flew as fast as his tiny wings could buzz forth. Screaming out a buzz of agony that only he could hear.

Tubbo could painfully remember thousands of times he'd land on Tommy's nose and be teased about being clingy, only for Tommy to then rest a hand over him to keep him there. Memories of getting tangled in Tommy's never ending curling hair, and laughing as his human friend complained. All the times Tubbo would forget about flying and would be caught in the warm familiar hands of his brother. Hundreds of times Tubbo would bury his way into Tommy's pocket and take a nap. Their time in POGtopia whenever Tubbo wasn't with Schlatt and got to stay in the ravine, there wasn't enough supplies and they had to share a bed, and Tubbo would always wake up being gently cuddled…. And Tommy's laughter, it filled his head and-

Tubbo paused his fruitless flying and realized he was now in the tundra, near a small house he didn't recognize. He looked up hearing a far too familiar sound that shattered his heart.

Tommy's laughter… It filled the frozen air and warmed it too much for the small bee, and as he looked over he was overwhelmed with emotions as he saw Tommy- standing there, smiling, ALIVE. Tubbo didn't even hesitate to fly over to Tommy, not caring that Technoblade was there too, not caring that his emotions were too overwhelming to not turn back into his human form, and not caring if Tommy was mad at him. Tommy was alive and that's all that mattered- all Tubbo wanted to do was to never leave Tommy's side, fuck the excile, fuck Dream, all be dammed he was going to stay with his friend and make sure nothing like what he thought happened at that tower would happen again.

"Fucking annoying bees…" Tommy absantmindedly swatted at what must've been an escaped bee as it annoyingly buzzed around his head. Tubbo didn't care as he dodged the hand, he'd just stay flying around Tommy until his emotions were in control, he could turn back, and explain. The bee continued to fly around Tommy's head, and Tommy continued to swat at Tubbo, not realizing it was his friend yet.

"Tommy, stop messing with the bees!" Came Techno's voice, and it distracted Tubbo. In that millisecond of hesitation Tubbo didn't see the hand coming, and suddenly he was smacked out of the air and fell down into the snow.

The next few moments almost seemed to happen in slow motion. Tubbo didn't even have any time to scream as he looked up to see Tommy barely even noticing him, just having this annoyed look on their face. The bee boy looked up more, and paled in horror as he saw the Sketcher tennis shoe raise up. Tubbo opened his mouth to scream, he turned back instantaneously, but it didn't matter as the shoe slammed down onto him. Tubbo felt his bones crush and crack, blood bursting out of him in some places, and he couldn't even scream as he was choking on that blood with a lung being either torn or popped…He couldn't tell. It didn't matter as the shoe pressed into the ground, as if trying to smear him down, and Tommy… Tommy turned away, not even looking down or noticing what they'd done. As if he'd squished just another random bug.

"Alright alright, they're annoying anyways-" Was the last thing Tubbo heard Tommy say as the human walked away…

•••

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?!" Quackity screamed at Tommy as soon as he saw them, they're invisibility potion having worn off along with Techno's pot.

"What are you talking about!?" Tommy yelled back, he quickly scrambled behind The Blade. They'd just come sneaking into L'manburg for some supplies, he didn't think this whole Butcher Army thing would come out of nowhere and yell at them.

"Tubbo!! Where the fuck is he Tommy!?" Quackity continued to yell.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I haven't seen him since I was exiled!!" Tommy yelled back. Quackity just gave Tommy a confused look.

"Tommy… Tubbo went to visit you a week ago and didn't come back…" Fundy spoke up sadly. Tommy paused at that.

"What do you mean? I- I didn't see him..?" Tommy looked up at Techno.

"Don't look at me kid, I didn't do anything to yer little tyrant" Techno shrugged, but he could already see the panic starting to form on Tommy's face.

"You really don't know what happened?" Quackity dropped his weapon to his side. As much as he wanted to finish off Techno right now, Tommy was starting to worry him. "He went in bee form, so no weird bees either?"

"No, no I didn't…." Suddenly, Tommy froze, parking as he remembered something he did a week ago. "No… no no no, fuck NO!!" It was then that Tommy turned and ran back to the nether portal, ignoring the shouting from Techno and The Butcher Army as they ran after him. The teen's mind was a swirl of fear, he couldn't have not to Tubbo- never to Tubbo. There's no way that he…That he…

No, no. Tommy would never have hurt Tubbo, not even unintentionally. He'd even promised back during POGtopia that no matter what happens, he would never hurt Tubbo, not even by accident. Never would he ever… never, just- he could never…

As soon as Tommy saw Techno's house he ran straight to the bee farm and fell to the ground in front of it. The place where he'd done it now stuck in his mind. He began to dig into the snow, only speeding up more as his fingers got covered in red blood that was in the snow until- Tommy let out a sob.

They didn't even look dirty, the snow seemed to have melted a bit around where their body was and had washed off any blood or mud that could have been on them. Tommy gingerly scooped Tubbo's body up into his hands. They were cold… too cold. Their body was so limp that Tommy felt like he was holding more of a rag doll then… then his best friend…

Tommy screamed.

He sobbed.

He hugged Tubbo's body to his chest.

But Tubbo was dead.

____________________________________________

Mcyt g/t tag list:

@nomynameisanon @trashpumped @loriepoptale @encaos @i-am-a-weeb @wyforyu-gaming @shy-septic-dragon @5unfl0writ3r @colorfulsiren @moonmwah @iwasgoingtohellanyways @echoslime @wilbur-simp @trouble-off-grid @the-misfits-system @lilsyxx

[yakourinka]

Garden of Avalon 01.2 - Morning of Selection

00. Inside the Flower Garden

01.1 Morning of Selection

"Artoria, Kay seems to have forgotten his things again," Hector called to her after breakfast. "You can make it if you leave now, I think," he continued, handing her a lance.

Kay, Hector's son and Artoria's foster brother, had gone out to town to partake in some sort of festival there. She knew he had ridden off on one of Hector's horses in haste, but he had, somehow, managed to forget what should be his most prized possession as a knight - his lance - in the process.

"My own brother...A knight...Forgetting his own weapon..."

"Well, jousting has been unpopular a sport for quite some time. Most horses these days are farm horses - not suitable for combat, you see. Unfortunately, for that reason, I haven't been able to teach you how to wield a spear properly."

"Is that so? It seems simple enough to commission a woodworker to make a mock spear."

"No. The grand Magus dictated that you are not to wield mock spears. Mock swords are fine, he said, but mock spears might cause you to develop strange habits."

"I'm not in habit of...developing...strange habits. So, shall I deliver this to Kay then?"

"Go see to it."

***

Artoria headed towards the town down the grassy hills around Hector's house on a borrowed horse, her brother's belongings on its back. A few clouds dotted the sky, but weather looked like it would be fine today.

Thoughts of her brother were heavy on her mind. She resisted the urge to hurry - the horse was carrying a heavy load as it was and she didn't want to make it suffer any further.

"...It's the harvest season, and yet there is not a single soul around."

Her gaze passed over the familiar farmlands to the forests in the far distance. These forests had been a boon for the people of the island for so long, providing them with much-needed meat and timber. These days, however, it was no longer just the hunting ground of Britons. If you were alone, and unlucky enough, you'd lose your life today instead of finding food for tomorrow, at the hands of outsiders who'd been encroaching on their land for the past year.

It all started when Roman Empire, that great empire on the continent, fell. And when it did, the island of Britain, which had for so long enjoyed the empire's protection, felt it deeply. All the endless tumult across the sea brought people seeking food and new land to its shores - the Saxons. In the 5th century, the island was besieged by storms on all sides.

Britain had long been ruled by a number of tribes and their kings. Although infighting was a constant among them, the threat of the Picts up north was enough to get them to cooperate. There was a man among them, a man who'd sworn upon the unification of the island and employed foreign forces for that purpose. He betrayed the pact of the kings, invited the Saxons to the island, and threw Britain into chaos.

His name was Vortigern, the Vile King. He was said to be the very incarnation of the white dragon that would rise from the underbelly of Britain to destroy it.

The fortress of Londinium, which had once been the heart of the old empire, was in ruins. Uther Pendragon, long missing, had suffered defeat after defeat at Vortigern's hands. Vortigern would then allow the Saxons to settle in Britain in order to placate them, and this would lead to the current, fragile peace. No one among the kings moved against the foreign invaders in fear of reigniting the war, although many remained openly hostile.

Britain, a land already poor in natural resources, was now perpetually haunted by war. Each new day made its people's lives worse. It was clear to anyone who bothered to look that the island was dying. Still, its inhabitants refused to lose hope, for Merlin, Uther Pendragon's court magician and the great Magus protector of the island, had already foretold of these dark times:

"Hear ye! King Uther has chosen his heir. The white dragon shall know defeat when the knights gather 'round the round table, united under the red dragon who shall reign. The king lives, and ye shall soon know proof."

Five years before the war with Vortigern, King Uther began conspiring with his magicians to create a suitable successor. He had seen the end of his reign coming.

From one hopeful whisper to next, the prophecy spread throughout the island like wildfire. The knights, too, welcomed the news with joy, although many vied for the crown in their hearts. Merlin's prophecy would also cause Vortigern to search for Uther's heir more ferociously than ever.

All of that was a decade ago. Uther's heir, if they existed in the first place, would be fifteen this year.

***

Passing through the field, she made it to the outskirts of the town. Compared to the imperial style of the Londinium fortress, this town was quite ordinary, but the air somehow felt different. It looked like the entire town was gathered just outside the town's fences where the knights usually trained. Children frolicked and played around, while the adults did their best pretending they weren't excited while stealing glances at the knights.

"It's Merlin..."

"Merlin's finally appeared!"

"Today the successor to the king will finally be chosen among the knights!"

Artoria immediately realized why the town was so unusually noisy - and why Hector had sent her there.

A young man she recognized called out to her. "Oh, that you, Artorius? You sure it's okay lazing about now of all times? A squire is still a knight, right? You have at least half the chance."

She gave a brief nod in response.

Artoria had been pretending to be a boy for her whole life - no, rather, she'd been raised as a boy since birth. She wore men's clothes and tied her hair back. She'd, in fact, always been quite popular with the girls in town, but the knights had a low opinion of her due to her status as a mere orphan taken in by a knight past his prime.

Even though she was a slender thing, she'd been able to pass as a boy until age fifteen, but she didn't think her luck would hold any longer. She doubted she could remain a squire, let alone fight on an actual battlefield with her girlish physique.

"Yes, I shall join too. I have to deliver something to Kay as well..."

"What's that, a spear? You know you don't need a weapon or anything, right? Yesterday, Lord Merlin came and said, 'Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone is rightwise king born of all Britain!'"

So said the Magus: The sword in the stone was one that would bring victory. It was the proof of kingship more than blood itself - apparently bloodline was a worthless thing in the eyes of magicians and swords. They only cared power that could save Britain from its demise and nothing else.

"Yeah, so the town's been in an uproar all morning, and every knight with a drop of repute to his name has come running here."

She thought Vortigern must've had a near heart attack over the news, then.

The knights were gathering here to take the throne for themselves and restore the island to its peaceful days. Kay, too, would be among them, as the son of Lord Hector who once made a name for himself.

Many knights were lingering around the Sword of Selection, watching others struggle to wedge the weapon out of its rock. It seemed a futile effort. A knight would put his hands around the hilt with a heavy look, and pull until it became apparent that the sword wasn't going to budge, and then allow the next knight to try. Some knights left after their first try, while others tried again and again. Complaints were circulating among them - surely there must be a mistake with the sword in the rock. There was one among them who boasted he could lift the rock if he tried, but the sword didn't seem to agree and he failed too.

Merlin was also nowhere to be seen, which caused the sense of unease to spread from knights to the common folk watching them - was there no knight in this country worthy of being called a king? Did Britain have no future after all; had Merlin gotten it wrong?

Pushed by those sentiments, the knights began to discuss the matter among themselves. With this many of them gathered in one place, surely there must be a way to choose a king. Perhaps ignoring the sword that refused to budge and picking a more convenient method of selection would be better for everyone involved. They could measure their abilities and the best one among them would be chosen to succeed Uther as the Knight King.

Of course, the first test would be jousting, as a true and honorable knight must be able to fight well on horseback.

Artoria found Kay fuming over not having his lance.

"Brother, how goes the selection?"

"It's not. No one can get the thing to budge. It's just standing there irritatingly like some sort of furniture. We agreed that we would choose the best knight among us in a tournament instead of trying to pull the damn sword out - not the sort of thing squires get to participate in. I reckon many are cheering for having the chance to prove themselves or sneering at their competitors right now."

"So what you're saying is, the selection...failed?"

"Yeah. King Uther and Merlin's wild tales never sat quite right with me anyway. Better to be chosen on your own skill, money and power than some intangible kingly proof. As humans we need cooperation based on mutual interests and a sense of personal responsibility, not a strong central power. Nobody wants to depend on - or turn into - something like an all-saving mouthpiece of god, yeah?"

"Do you think so too, brother?"

"Sure. Now go back to the old man's place. Other knights will make fun of you again if they see you around. Think of all the effort I had to put to get here. You get that? This is my first and last chance. You go back home quietly."

Kay took the lance from her and headed for the farm where the other knights were gathering for the cavalry battle.

***

The outskirts of the town, which were so loud and crowded before, had become completely silent. The sword was thrown away as if it had never been there. Not a single soul approached it. How many of them actually believed the prophecy in the first place, she didn't know.

"Nobody wants to - something like..."

Artoria wouldn't scorn the people for their fickleness. She was not offended by Kay's argument. Such things were natural, she thought. Her upbringing had been a complex and strange one. Why had she been pretending to be a man? Why did she study swordplay, politics, history, and discarded every semblance of feeling the moment it reared its head in her heart?

Because it was a decision made long ago.

It was all for this day. All of it had been for this day. She never knew the faces of her parents, but she had been given life to pull this sword out of its bedrock.

The king and his magician conspired to create an ideal king, they said. She couldn't pretend to understand her late father's regrets or wishes. He had simply heeded a magician's advice; he probably didn't feel much for his offspring. It had been her ordinary life with Hector and Kay, and the lively voices of townsfolk, that encouraged her and nurtured her.

It wasn't a sort of longing or love towards them. She just considered them to be good things. She had no wish to be part of their lives, and killed any desire that would have her act on the contrary.

Because - perhaps it was all because she knew in the depths of her heart that everything would be taken from her. She wasn't a bright child when she was young, but she was hard-working, and she told herself that she just couldn't be allowed to do such things.

Because, after all, just as a person is born as a person, the dragon must live as a dragon.

She sighed. "Sharp-tongued as ever, brother...Thank you, still."

In the end, his words had been a good lesson.

"I'm sorry. I was never able to imagine the "ideal king" Hector spoke of."

No, that wasn't quite true. She knew what an ideal king was. She knew she had all the necessary skill and education for that.

Still, what a blunder, not realizing until the very end that the force that drove her to this point was far different than Uther's. It was not a desire to rule over others, nor a sense of duty as a leader, nor was it out of faith. No, her motivation was much smaller, born out of those fifteen years she had not been able to live as a human being.

There was, to her, only one reason to take up that sword. Being able to watch the people live and prosper - that was all it took to push her.

That was the answer the girl named Artoria found for herself in her quest to find a king.

She quietly placed her hands on the hilt of the sword.

The sounds of cavalry clashing against each other echoed in the distance. There wasn't a single soul around her; it felt like watching a fair from outside. Such things had been common in her life, she supposed. All this time she had been standing outside the fair, looking in.

The hilt felt familiar to her skin. Something pooled in her blood. It threatened to burst from within, and was sucked into the sword. She felt lighter.

All she had to do was to pull back and the sword would be drawn. She had no doubts about that when she drew her breath.

"You should think carefully before doing that."

Before she realized, a stranger was standing behind her - no, not a stranger. They had met many times before, just not in this reality.

The Magus spoke to her with the same tone he always used. "Take my advice and let the sword go. If you draw that sword from its bedrock, you will no longer be human. And, should you raise it, you will die a terrible, terrible death, hated by all."

Those words caused her expression to twist in fear.

(Of course she would make that face, the Magus thought.)

Because images of her future were reflected into her mind. These were not mere advice, but actual prophecies. It was inescapable reality that she would die a lonely and miserable death if she lifted that sword.

(...Thinking back, why did he do that? Telling the girl her future had never been part of his deal with Uther. The ritual of selection was supposed to be a done deal, like giving her a shove.

Well. What was done was done.)

Surely, the girl would fear her impending doom and change her mind. Either think that it must be too early for her to become the king, or abandon her quest to kingship entirely. Neither of which mattered to him. He just wanted to leave. He would take care of the selection business another time.

But.

"I refuse."

But instead his words prompted her to make her final decision.

Are you sure, the Magus inquired.

She didn't turn around. Instead she nodded harshly, the wind rustling through her golden hair that had never lost its luster even after a lifetime in the country.

She still had fear, then. Not fear of what her decision might bring upon her. No, she feared whether she was making the correct choice. Whether there was another promised king, another one to draw the sword from the rock, who was better, worthier of this role than her. Whether that person could built a more peaceful, a more prosperous nation than she ever could.

But there had never been such a person, and there wouldn't be one for some decades. Someone had to take upon this role until then.

If you draw the sword, you will become a different person.

Everything you ever fear will become a thing of the past.

This is a ritual of killing yourself. A ritual of carving out your own heart.

To carry a heart of your own is to fail as a king.

A king must take lives to save lives.

This was something she thought of every night. It would keep her awake, trembling until the morning hours. There hadn't been a single day that went without fear.

But that, too, ends today.

No matter how many times she is isolated, feared or betrayed in the future, her heart will not change:

She will live for people.

She will live among people.

She will build a future for people.

This is what it means to reign. This is the proof of the king - to live up to the duty that that title brings. To say goodbye to those most precious things she dreamed of, for the sake of those precious things themselves.

"To be able to witness people smile...I think that isn't - that can never be a mistake."

Who knows whether that oath was noble?

Still, she decided to fight.

No matter what. Even if, after all, there was nothing but -

Still, she decided to fight.

Nothing but her ruin in solitude waiting.

The sword was pulled out.

"So you've chosen the hard way."

Although the Magus turned away in apparent discomfort, in his heart he was simply thrilled. That was a most interesting choice on her part, a very entertaining one. The girl's path would be both turbulent and full of struggle, he was certain of it.

All he wanted to see was something beautiful, that was all.

Innocently and wickedly, gladly and without reserve, the Magus spoke to the new king, "Miracles come at a price, o' King Arthur. You will need to trade whatever you hold dear in return."

[s-creations]

Oh, That Imagination

Kids will always have active imaginations. But how the adult handles it depends on what the child is afraid of.

Fandom: DuckTales 2017 / The Three Caballeros         Rating: General Audience         Relationships/Pairings:  José  Carioca/Donald Duck/Panchito Pistoles Additional Tags: Growing up, Uncles with their Nephews, Facing Fears, Worries, hunting a creature, Krampus (character), giving a speech, watching a scary movie, protecting the boys, the passing of time, names OCs.

Part of a Series Called: We’re the Three- Sorry, Six Caballeros!

Author Note: I finished Student Teaching and passed my Content Test, so I’m getting back into writing! I do have a new job lined up for the school year. We’ll see how consistent I stay with uploading. XD

“Unca Donald, Unca Donald, Unca Donald!”

 Even with the loud warning call, Donald still staggers when something blue collides against his leg. “Dishes! I’m doing dishes. Go and sit on the counter please.”

 6-year-old Dewey gave a quick nod before clamoring up. The older duck impressed by how quickly the duckling could climb. 

 “Now, what can I help you with?”

 “Benny said there’s a-a monster living in the sewage of Duckberg! I wanna go catch it!”

 Donald let out a low hum as he washed the soap from the glass. This was twice in two weeks that neighbor Benny had told some story about some ‘creature’ they had seen. Dewey, always on the lookout for new adventures, ate each story up with determination and gusto.

 “I see, very interesting. What does this monster look like?”

 “Like...Like an alligator. Only bigger!”

 “Ooooh, that sounds scary. And you’re going to catch them all by yourself?”

 “Yep!”

 “Well, aren’t you brave. Are you going to bring them back to be studied for science?”

 “I’m gonna do it to rub it in Huey’s face. Cuz he says the creature isn’t real. But I’m gonna prove him wrong!” 

 “It sounds like your afternoon is full.”

 “It sure is! Oh, wait, I wanted to ask you if we have a large net that I could use?”

 “I don’t think we have a ‘large’ net. You’ll have your bug catching net.”

 Dewey let out a contemplative hum. Hand resting on his cheek while his pointer finger tapped out some unknown tempo. A habit he picked up from José. “That’s not great. But I suppose it’ll have to do.”

 “Look at you compromising. What are you going to use as bait?”

 “Do we have any old lunch meat?”

 “No and you’re not using what we have in the fridge.”

 “You’re ruining the search Unca Donald! I need bait.”

 “How about you take Tio Panchito with you? He had to help his grandpa search for farm animals when they got out of their pens. Didn’t have to use bait to get those animals back.”

 “Tio worked on a farm?” Dewey’s eyes lit up hearing this new piece of information.

 “Spent a few childhood Summers there.”

 “What did he do?”

 “Why don’t you go and ask him? I’m sure he would be more than happy to share stories with you and your brothers.”

 “Okay, bye Unca Donald! I’m gonna learn about cows!”

 Donald silently laughed as Dewey raced out of the kitchen. Childhood stories continued during dinner and only ended when the triplets were put to bed. 

 “So...should I question why Dewey furiously ran at me this afternoon? All while screaming his demands for me to tell stories?” The rooster asked as Donald joined him and José on the living room couch. 

 “Apparently, Benny had seen some ‘creature’ in the sewer system. Dewey determined that he was going to hunt said being down. I told him you would help in the search because you’ve helped with finding lost farm animals. That caught his attention and now you know the outcome.” Donald sighed as he leaned against the other, relaxing. 

 “Do you think the thrill of the hunt will call out to Dewey tomorrow?”

 “We’ll see.” Donald replied back simply.

 The hunt did not call out the next day. Dewey focused on creating a backyard zoo, he didn’t have time to worry about some creature. A few days later, a pet iguana was rescued from the neighborhood sewers. It appears Benny had actually seen something. It just wasn’t the towering creature he’d claimed before.

 ________________

 The holidays were busy for all the adults in the household. Donald focused on getting the shopping done and holding down the fort while the ducklings raced around during their school break. Gleefully talking about Santa and what present they’re excited most about. José would be gone for weeks on end leading up to December 25, helping with numerous flights to make sure he had that day off. Starting from October through December, this time saw Panchito with booked weekends of different performances to help get other families into the festive feeling. 

 Even with having busy and exhausting schedules, they made sure to make time for the triplets. Baking, decorating the house, helping them pick out gifts for the other family members. Every year it was the goal to keep the ducklings as happy as possible.

 Which is why Panchito became worried when 7-year-old Louie started acting...strange. Almost what the rooster would call ‘stressed’.

 The duckling had started being overly helpful around the house. Doing more tasks than what would be required. Going out of his way to ask if he could help. And, most worriedly, he’d become quiet. Not in his normal way of just relaxing in front of the television. But almost fearful that he was being listened to by some unseen stranger. Eyes even darting around as he moved through the apartment. 

 Unfortunately, Panchito wasn’t able to approach this possible problem until a weekend late into the duckling’s break. 

 The rooster let out a sigh as he collapsed onto the couch. Thankful that he was done until the New Year’s celebrations he had the coming weekend. But he was able to relax for the rest of the week to celebrate Christmas. Cautious footsteps drawing closer caused Panchito to open his eyes. Finding Louis standing nervously in the middle of the room.

 “Hola Louie, what can I do for you?”

 “Um, do you need me to get you anything?”

 Panchito raised a brow. “No, I’m fine. Why don’t you join me until dinner’s ready?”

 “Oh, um, that’s okay. Maybe I should see if Uncle Donald needs any help.”

 “You’re on break. Why don’t you just sit for a while?” The duckling frowned, eyes darting around before settling onto the couch. Still tense. “So, how has school been? I haven’t heard you and your brothers talk about it for a while.” 

 “Uh...good.”

 “Just good? ...Try out any new schemes lately? I know Uncle Donald isn’t so thrilled when you do that. But you always have such clever ideas, makes me laugh.”

 “Nope, I’ve been good! No crazy plans from me!” 

 Panchito sat up a little more when Louie started shouting at the ceiling. “Okay Louie, what’s going on. Are you feeling okay? Did something happen at school?”

 The duckling dressed in green wrung his hands as he peered around. 

 “...Abby told me about the Krampus…” Louie eventually whispered.

 “The who?” 

 “The Krampus! He’s the opposite of Santa Claus! A big creature with long horns and wears a cloak! And he comes after bad boys and girls! He takes them away in his large, greasy bag and they’re never seen again and-” 

 “Okay, Louie, come here. You’re getting yourself worked up.” Panchito easily and quickly moved the duckling onto his lap. Wrapping arms around the smaller form to help keep Louie grounded. “Breath with me. We’re going to take a few deep breaths, okay?”

 Louie gave two quick nods. They remained this way for a few minutes, Panchito holding the duckling close and controlling his breathing for Louie to follow. The rooster only pulled away when Louie had calmed down enough to talk. “Okay, so, you were told a scary story. Why are you worried?”

 “Because he goes after bad kids and I know I’m...not good.”

 “Why would you say that? You’re a wonderful kid!”

 “But I get the most detentions and I’m lazy and I know I don’t do my homework when I need to and-”

 ‘Louie… Yes, we would like you to work a little harder than what you do now.  But you’re not bad. You...take risks. You have a point of view that I’ve never seen before. You’re a clever kid. And, well, between you and me.”

 Panchito leaned closer. Louie’s eyes widened with curiosity. “You fight the system and you don’t let them beat you down.” 

 “...Does that mean I don’t have to wash the dishes?”

 “Don’t push your luck. What I’m trying to say is that you’re not bad. You just think differently than others. Plus, if you’re this worried, this might be a sign you should help out more. But I doubt any Krampus will come after you.”

 “Really?”

 “Really… Also, you know your uncles and I would beat up any creature who dares try to hurt you.” 

 Louie laughed. Beaming and squirming as Panchito placed a kiss on his cheek. Christmas Day arrived with no mysterious creatures knocking in their front door. Louie was still safely tucked away in his bed. Joining his brothers with running out to the living room and unwrapping presents. Curling next to Panchito as all enjoyed the afternoon glow while watching a marathon of movies.

 ________________

 Huey took to the Junior Woodchucks like a duck to water.

 From day one it became a large part of his identity. He carried his handbook around with him everywhere. Writing his own notes and entries to add to the already thick volume. Gleefully patting his knees as he patiently waited for whatever uncle was going to take him to the weekly meetings. Even learning how to iron his uniform to keep it in tip top shape. 

 Dewey may complain that the eagerness was annoying. But nothing seemed to damper Huey’s spirit.

 Until Huey was tasked to write a speech. As he was top ranked among the troop, he was given the honor of addressing the new member that would be joining that year. A banquet being held with the duckling presenting a speech of his own at the beginning of the event. The duckling was absolutely thrilled at first. Telling everyone he could about the great honor bestowed onto him. 

 All in the family thought he would triumph over this just like many other things in his life. 

 José was humming softly one evening, making his way to the kitchen when he heard sniffing coming from the bathroom. The door opened a crack and, taking a risk, José peered in. He found 8-year-old Huey, curled up by the tub and far away from the door. A stack of paper was at the duckling’s feet. Red rimmed eyes glaring at said stack. 

 “Huey?”

 Said duckling’s head snapped up hearing José. Wiping his eyes frantically. “T-Tio José…”

 “Criança doce, what is wrong?” José  entered, leaving the door open in case Huey wanted out.

 The duckling sniffed weakly. “...I’m scared.”

 “Of what?”

 “My speech…”

 José frowned, knowing how excited Huey had been only a few days ago. “Can you tell me what you are scared about?”

 Huey let out another sniff. His hand starting to hit the side of the tub as time went on. Which José put a stop to by reaching out to take the duckling’s hand. “I’m scared...that people are going to laugh at me. I keep practicing my speech to make it perfect and I read a bunch of tips but… All I can think about is messing up and people mocking me. Then my scout leader will see me as a failure and strip me of my badges and-”

 The parrot pulled the duckling closer, humming a lullaby softly. Huey instantly clung to José, burying himself away in his guardian’s chest. It took a few minutes before the duckling finally relaxed, slumped against the older, hand still keeping a good grip on José's shirt. 

 “Huey, I would like for you to listen to me. Can you do that for me?” José received a nod, “I will help you with your speech. But you have nothing to worry about. Your scout leader seems to be nothing of the kind who would take away what you’ve achieved. And no one will laugh. We all know you will be doing your best.”

 “...But what if my best isn’t enough?”

 “It always will be Huey. Never doubt that.” José peered up hearing the floorboards creek. Finding Donald standing in the doorway wearing a look of worry. The parrot gave a quick shake of his head. A silent message that he had a handle on the situation. Donald gave a nod of his own before sneaking off. “Feeling better?”

 “...A little. I’m still scared.” 

 “That is fine. How about we make some cookies? I think I saw your Uncle Donald heading that way before. And while we are doing that, you can show me your speech.” 

 Huey sniffed weakly. Pulling back slightly to look up at José. “Chocolate chip?”

 “Of course.”

 The duckling smiled weakly and nodded. Donald greeted the two with wide arms and a smile when they walked in. Huey beamed as he was picked up and given a sturdy hug from his other uncle as José started the process. But uncles gave Huey their undivided attention when he gave his speech. The other members of the family joined them as the cookies started to bake. Dewey and Louie keeping their ‘helpful’ comments to themselves and clapping along when Huey finished. 

 At the night of the banquet, Huey beamed as he gave a flawless speech. His family cheered the loudest.

 ________________

 “This is such a bad idea.” 

 9-year-old Louie huffed, rolling his eyes as Huey bemoaned at his flawless plan. “If you’re going to be a stick in the mud, then don’t watch.”

 “But I want to see it.”

 “Then what’s the issue?”

 “The movie is PG-13! We need parental guidance to watch.”

 “You know they won’t let us watch.” Dewey added.

 “But-”

 “You get two options here Hubert,” Louie interrupted. One hand holding up a finger to keep Huey quiet. The other holding the latest zombie movie that had just recently been release to DVD, “You either watch with your mouth shut. Or you leave and keep your mouth shut in the bed while you listen to the amazingness that is this movie from the closed doors. What’s it going to be?”

 Huey frowned. But he ‘zipped’ his bill closed and crossed his arms. Which the green-hoodied triplet took as keeping his mouth shut. With a nod, Louie popped the movie in and sat next to his brothers. All three were huddled together in the closet. Eyes glued to the small t.v. screen that was crammed in with them as well. The movie menu soon appeared and Dewey pressed play.

  Donald let out a content sigh as he relaxed further between his partners. Panchito clinging to him as Donald’s head was tucked under the rooster’s chin. While José was curled up at Donald’s side, using the duck’s chest as a pillow. That night was quiet and calm. There was a weekend ahead of them that was just filled with nothing. A relaxing time with his partners and kids. It was going to be great…

 A chorus of screams sounded from the triplet’s room. All adults were up and racing out in only a few seconds. Even hard to wake José was on full alert. Donald reached the door first, flinging it open. Fully expecting to see an intruder standing in the middle of the bedroom. Only to find Huey and Louie, sobbing as they clung to each other on the younger triplet’s bed. Dewey was waving his plastic sword  at the open closet. His entire being was shaking as wide, fearful eyes were on the open space. 

 “What is going on here?” Donald called out over the noise. 

 “There’s a zombie in the closet!” Louis answered.

 “It touched me!” Huey added.

 “I’m fighting it off!” Dewey finished. 

 “What- okay- Dewey stop swinging that around!” Panchito walked over and pulled the sword from the duckling. Collecting the blue cladded triplet as he continued to shake.

 Donald gathers the other two. Both of them desperately slings to the protection that was their uncle. José took to the closet, making sure it was empty. The parrot raised a brow, finding the t.v. that was still on and playing a movie. 

 He reached in to eject the movie and brought it out for the other two to see. “Donald.”

 The duck looked it over. Frowning, seeing the topic, letting out a slow breath. It was clear the triplets were in no condition to have a stern talking to. Plus, he was honestly too tired to worry about it at the moment. “Okay...let’s go back to our room.”

 The other two adults nodded. José turned off the lights as he was the last to leave the boy’s room. Donald rested himself back into the middle of the bed, only with more bodies pressed around him. Panchito cleverly left the bedside light on before he laid down on the bed, Dewey resting on his chest. The triplets flinched when José walked in.

 “It is just me.” The parrot assured. 

 Donald let out a sigh as he gently preened the top of each head. “You’re safe here. Nothing’s going to get you.”

 The bed was pressed further down as José laid down. Huey clamoring over into the parrot’s hold. Donald was free to wrap both arms around Louie. Three voices began to hum a familiar lullaby in hope of calming the triplets further. Even with their comforting presence, it took awhile for the three to fall asleep. It was not the way Donald wanted to start his weekend. But he should have known nothing he plans ever goes his way. Even with this hiccup, he was happy to have his family close. Falling asleep with a smile on his face.

 Donald was able to take his pent up frustration on the idiot who had allowed children to rent a horror movie. Panchito coming as back up to make sure the duck didn’t kill anyone.