#Forest-Inspired Phone Case

[aboelkhair]

Nature-Inspired Tough Phone Case with Tree and Cloud Design

Product features - Durable Lexan plastic for strong protection - Lay-flat bezel prevents screen scratches - Shock-absorbing flexible rubber liner - Glossy finish enhances design visuals - Supports wireless charging compatibility

Get it now . Exclusive price from here

[avalahcase]

[thebestminos]

Phone Case - Mystical Forest Design ( Samsung & Iphone)

Product features - 3D wrap with full ink density - UV protected for outdoor durability - Impact resistant with shock absorption - Custom made with polycarbonate and TPU materials - Dual layer for extra protection

Get It from Here

[auroreliis]

OMGGG!! Imagine platonic yandere batfam and reader on a vacation at the beach on a privat Island. Would you like to do headcanons/or a scenario (you can decide) of it. Hope you have a good day/night!!

Aaaaa anon <333 We had the same idea <3333 Thank you so much!!!

Perhaps a little late for summer, but inspiration only struck me now!!! <33

Also, I wrote this on like 4 energy drinks so forgive any spelling errors

Also it's not edited or anything...

If reception is positive on this one, I might make a part 2 with the other characters, so let me know if you'd be interested in that :)

Platonic Yandere!Batfamily

Summary: The Batfamily takes you to their private island for summer vacation.

It was just you. Just you and the gently lapping of the waves against the shore. Finally, some alone time. You had to make the most of it, since you were convinced that it wouldn’t last long.

It was about 8 o’clock in the morning. Bruce, Damian and Stephanie had left the island for whatever reason. Dick was either at home or at main beach, looking for you. You had come here about half an hour ago, surely they would’ve noticed your absence and the fact that you had left your phone at home. They were going to chip you eventually, you had come to accept that. However, you certainly enjoyed the time you had away from them whenever they couldn’t find you.

Jason was probably inside the villa. He wasn’t particularly fond of the heat outside. Either that or he’d gone swimming to cool off. Cassandra could’ve been looking for you. Maybe she had already found you.

Instinctively, you looked around. No one was in sight. Then again, she probably wouldn’t let herself be seen anyway.

The shore surrounding the island was wider at the main beach. Here, it was only a few feet wide. Behind you laid a sparse palm forest. Cassandra could certainly hide there. Whatever. You wouldn’t find her anyway. Besides, she would have probably come to talk to you. Probably.

Where would Duke and Tim be? At the villa, right? Where else would they be? Hopefully not looking for you.

Now that you had considered it, you were probably being observed by someone. And if you weren’t, then soon, you would be.

Whatever, just take your mind off it. Think of something else, like…the beautiful beach you’re at. Yes, it is much nicer to think about the gentle breeze. How wonderful. Just you, the beach and the ocean.

You hadn’t ever been at a private beach, so this was a unique experience. All of this belonged to you. Well it actually belonged to your new family, but still, it almost belonged to you.

Your soul nearly left your body at the sound of rustling coming from behind you.

“Hi”, Tim waved nervously after you had spotted him sneaking up on you.

You didn’t feel like answering, so you just turned back to the ocean. Wanting to engage with you somehow, Tim sat down on the sand next to you.

“So…what are you doing here?”, he kept looking at you, but you tried very hard to ignore his gaze.

“Just sitting.”

“Well, I can tell that, but why here? Why not on the main beach? Dick and Jason are scrambling to find you there.”

You had thought that was the case.

“I wanted to be alone.”, you emphasized every word.

He chuckles nervously. That was it. He didn’t say anything. That told you everything you needed to know: He was only here to annoy you.

“How did you even find me?”, you turned to him, your voice tinged with frustration.

“Find you? Oh, I wasn’t looking for you, I just wanted to go somewhere alone. You know, somewhere peaceful”, he turned to the ocean, as though in deep thought,”I get it, you know. You also want to be alone sometimes.”

If he “gets it”, then why is he always right behind you?

“I think you and I have a lot more in common than you think”, he said, crossing his arms on his propped up knees and turning to you.

The audacity to say something like that made you shudder.

“I think you’re full of shit”, you wouldn’t let him think that he’s getting closer to you. You could never like someone like him.

He tried to hide his frown, but you saw right through him,”That’s pretty mean, you know. I’m just trying to connect with you.”

He didn’t say it directly, but you knew his words were a warning. Bruce had talked to you about this. You were allowed to have your opinions about them, but being overly rude was a violation of the rules—rules, which he made up. In other words, if Tim thought you were being mean, then you were being mean. Against this, there would be no arguing.

Well, you know what they say: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

“Ahem, I’m trying to connect with you…”, Tim persisted. You merely pursed your lips and nodded.

Noticing the awkward silence, he spoke again, ”So, will you go swimming?”

You shook your head.

He nodded, “Yes, it isn’t that hot yet, so there’s no need to cool off, I suppose.”

“Well”, he turned to you with a smile, his determination unwavering, “What would you like for breakfast? Alfred already started preparing something. Let’s head back and let him know what you want before he finishes.” But wouldn’t Alfred already know your preference? Perhaps this was Tim’s idea of “bonding”…

Still, his offer seemed tempting, since you hadn’t eaten yet. However, you weren’t jumping at the idea of going back only to place your order with Alfred and then get dragged off to go swimming by either Jason or Dick. Or worse, Tim.

Only now that you felt the hopelessness more intensely, did you begin to question things. Why did Tim always find you first. And how? They didn’t secretly chip you, did they?

…Did they?

Asking them wouldn’t result in an honest answer, so you didn’t really see a point in it. But how else would you figure it out?

You supposed the best person to ask was Bruce—AKA. Dad. He was likely the only person who would answer truthfully…as long as you behaved properly, that is.

“Is dad home yet?”, you turned to Tim, ignoring his previous rambling.

“Oh uh, I’m not sure. Shall we go check together?”, Tim scrambled to use every opportunity he was given, despite being caught off guard.

Perhaps it won’t get any better than this: Mediocre at best.

“Fine, let’s go.”

From the corner of your eye, after Tim grabbed your hand, you saw his smile widen remarkably.

The walk was long and awkward. Your older brother was desperately trying to talk about something, anything, that would catch your interest. Meanwhile, you were silent for the most part.

You had to admit, the villa was quite nice (if only it came without the addition of desperate, touch starved reprobates). Despite having your own room, you were forced to share a room—and often even a bed—with someone, unless you gained Bruce’s special favour for the day.

Luckily, Damian, the person you had to share the room with last night, had left very early in the morning. You weren’t sure how long ago, though, since the letter he’d written to inform you of his absence was…detailed, to say the least. Surely it would’ve taken him more than an hour to even come up with it, let alone write it. What a waster of paper. He didn’t have to say anything at all…

Entering the cool living room made you relax enough to finally engage with Tim, “Um…are Jay and Dick home, or…?”

In respone, he laughed, “Oh, no. I didn’t tell them that you’re with me. They’re probably still looking for you at the main beach. Dick went on about how we shouldn’t let you go anywhere alone in case you drowned or something like that.”

“Wait, what? But I know how to swim! Please tell Bruce that Dick’s rule is unnecessary…I already have enough restrictions, don’t I?” You panicked.

“Well…” He grinned, “That depends on what you’ll do for me in exchange.”

Even sighing was tiring for you at this point, “Fine, I’ll sleep in your room tonight.”

“Until the end of the week, or no deal.”

Holding back a groan, you responded, “Fine, whatever, just…work your magic, okay?” He nodded eagerly.

“Greeting, Masters. Breakfast is almost prepared”, Alfred appeared from the kitchen.

“Hi. Alfred, did you make-”

“Your favourite? Of course I did”, Alfred interrupted.

“…Right.” You should’ve known, to be fair, “Well, when will it be done?”

“When Master Bruce and Master Damian return”

“What about Steph? Isn’t she returning?” If she didn’t return at all, your life would improve considerably.

“Oh, Steph? She wanted to stay in the city for a bit, probably to buy you gifts or something”, Tim responds in Alfred’s stead.

“Gifts…? You don’t think she’ll, you know, make me play dress-up again, right?”, the thought sent a shiver down your spine. In this heat? There was no way you’d wear layers upon layers of clothes just because she was bored. You immediately left the living room, leaving Tim and Alfred behind.

While waiting for everyone to return to eat breakfast, you went and hid somewhere in the villa to avoid social interractions. And hopefully the heat. It was very hot.

[joelalorian]

Fall Into Me - Chapter Eight: We'll Dance in the Street like Nobody's Watching

dbf!Joel x f!reader

Summary: Joel is hanging on by a thread as a single father to a tenacious 10-year-old Sarah. Feeling like he's drowning, like the world is about to spit him out, he needs some help before he breaks in half. At your dad's insistence, you show up in his life and change everything.

Story is inspired by the song Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk. Chapter titles will be lyrics from the song.

Word Count: 3.8k

Chapter Warnings: Explicit, under 18 take a hike. No outbreak AU. Lots of feelings, unprotected p in v, flirting, dads being dads. Two idiots falling in love and finally fucking admitting it. Joel is his own warning. Age gap of about 9 years (Reader 24/25, Joel 33/34). No use of y/n. Reader has a nickname used only by her dad and Joel uses various terms of endearment (darlin', sweetheart, etc.).

This chapter includes the scene that sparked the entire story idea. I've been patiently waiting for it to see the light of day. hope you enjoy!

Thank you so much to everyone who reads this self-indulgent story and extra thanks to those who comment and/or reblog - you all make me feel like a rock star!

Dividers by the wonderful @saradika-graphics

Chapter Seven | Main Masterlist

“So, how was it?” Grilling you for the past twenty minutes, Emily was relentless in her pursuit to find out just how good Joel was in bed, after congratulating you on the new job, of course. “Come on! I need to know!”

“Alright, alright! I had no idea you were such a needy bitch. Is your hubby not dicking you down enough or what?” you laughed before regaling her with tales of Joel’s prowess.

“I fuckin’ knew he’d be big and know how to use it! He just gives off that BDE, ya know what I mean? Just how big are we talkin’, anyway?”

Rolling your eyes, you laughed again. “Well, I didn’t fucking measure it, but it’s a definite handful. Besides, you’ve never even met him, Em! How could you possibly get that vibe?”

“I’ve seen photos and heard stories, that’s more than enough to pick up on that sorta thing,” Emily replied with the confidence of someone who damn well knows what she’s talking about. “I need to know more. Gimme all the details!”

“Yeah, yeah. Speaking of BDE, I gotta finish getting ready. Joel said he had something special planned for tonight to celebrate me getting the teaching job.”

“I bet he does. You’re gonna get another deep dicking from that huge—”

“Bye Em!” you cut her off and hit end call before she could carry on anymore.

Tossing the phone on your bed, you finished putting a light layer of makeup on, putting in a little more effort to look good tonight. Ten minutes later, dressed in a pair of dark, fitted jeans and a dark blue, long-sleeve, vee neck shirt that showed just a touch of cleavage, you wandered out to the living room.

“Alright Dad, I’m off. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” Leaning over the back of his recliner, you press a kiss to his balding head.

“Have fun on your date and be careful, Spud. Call me if you need a ride home or anything,” he replied, patting your hand. You turned to leave, grabbing a light jacket from the hook by the door just in case, when your dad’s voice carried from the living room. “It’s funny, Joel told me he has a date tonight, too.”

Freezing for a moment, you squeak, “Oh, yeah?”

“Uh huh. Quite a coincidence me thinks.” He paused again, but you were at a loss for words and grateful that he couldn’t see your expression. “Enjoy your night, kiddo.”

Knowing a dismissal when you heard one, you take off through the door. Your mind raced on the short drive to Joel’s. He knows. Your dad so knows. You start to panic for a moment wondering if he’s upset before the realization hits that he didn’t seem remotely mad about it. More like he got a kick out of the idea and enjoyed teasing you. You and Joel had to fess up very soon, but that was a tomorrow problem. Tonight was meant to be all about you and Joel.

Walking through the front door, you expected to find Joel in the living room or kitchen, but the downstairs was empty. Lugging your overnight bag up the stairs, you thought maybe he’d be in his room or the bathroom still getting ready, but again, no sign of him. Where the hell was he?

Making your way down the stairs, you peeked out the window to make sure you didn’t imagine his truck in the driveway when you parked – it was there, right next to your car. He had to be around here somewhere. The sound of soft music hit your ears suddenly. Following the sound, you slipped out the back door and gasped.

A soft glow spread across the yard from lights strung from tree to tree, a plaid tablecloth covered the patio table on which sat a vase of brightly colored tulips, an open bottle of pinot noir, two stemless wine glasses, and two covered plates. Just beyond the patio, a hammock hung between two large live oaks with another set of string lights dangling above it. As your eyes took it all in, Joel stood off to the side watching you with a warm smile.

“Joel,” you whispered, afraid to disturb the dream-like quality of the moment, his name a drawn-out breath in the air when you finally turned to him. His dark eyes glinted from the string lights as he stepped forward out of the shadows, one hand stretched out towards you. There was no hesitation in reaching for him and you clung to each other for a few minutes before he stepped back to pull out a chair for you.

“Thank you,” you whispered, settling into the seat. When Joel took his place across the table from you, you added, “This is so lovely, Joel.”

A bashful smile graced his lips as he removed the covers from the plates and filled the wine glasses. Your gaze soaked in every little movement he made, in awe of the gorgeous man before you and all he’d done to make this evening special. Holding his glass up, he toasted to you. “Here’s to your new job and the start of a very rewarding career. Congrats darlin’.”

Clinking your glass against his lightly, you beamed at him. He looked so handsome, thick curls pushed back away from his face, tanned skin glowing in the soft lighting. “Thank you, Joel.” Already buzzing from the way he made you feel, you sipped lightly at the wine before digging into the meal before you.

Bursts of flavor hit your palette at the first bite, the chicken cooked to perfection and the sun-dried tomatoes adding just the right tang to the red pesto coating the rigatoni. A soft moan escaped before you caught it, cheeks heating up with the way Joel looked at you with hooded eyes.

“I reckon you like it?” he asked, a teasing lilt to his gravelly voice.

“This may be the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted, Joel. Did you make this?” You took another bite, savoring the flavors that exploded in your mouth.

“Mmhmm. It’s my mama’s recipe, she made it a lot when we were younger, and it’s always been my favorite. I’m glad you like it.” He watched you enjoy another forkful, obviously proud.

“I don’t just like it, Joel. This is fuckin’ delicious. I didn’t know you could cook like this!”

His cheeks turned pink as he cleared his throat. “I can’t, usually. I practiced a lot with this one.” That melted your heart further.

You ate your fill, making small conversation between bites, until your wine glass was empty, and your belly satisfied. Joel poured you another glass, which you sipped leisurely as he cleared the table and placed the dirty dishes in the dishwasher for later. He wouldn’t let you lift a finger.

“Dance with me?” he said upon his return outside, voice deep and gravelly as he plucked the glass from your hand and placed it on the table.

“I’d love to,” you replied softly, lips tilted upwards in a sweet smile. Holding his left hand out, Joel helped you to your feet and let you off the patio.

A new song began, volume a little louder now, and you stepped closer to him. A warm buzz spread through your veins when Joel pulled you against his broad chest, one arm wrapping around your waist and the other bent to hold your hand over his heart. You could feel the thump of his heartbeat beneath the green flannel he wore as he swayed you slowly around the grassy yard, careful to not stray too close to the pool.

Nothing ever felt as right as being there in Joel’s arms, dancing in the yard like the world beyond the fence didn’t exist. Your feelings for this man were overwhelming, growing deeper each and every day – hell, each and every second was more like it – and that four-letter word bubbled in your throat. You swallowed it down, settling your head against Joel’s shoulder, eyes closed and focused on the moment.

Joel’s chin tilted downward, nudging against the side of your face, his lips near your ear, and his breath sent delightful chills down your spine when he began to sing softly.

“Fall into me and I’ll catch you, darlin’. We’ll dance in the street like nobody’s watching. It’s just you and me and the song on repeat in my head, playing over and over…”

My god, how could you not fall in love with this incredible man?

The intimacy of it all brought tears to your eyes as your fingers threaded through the hair at the back of his head. Stomach alight with the flutter of too many butterflies, the urge to speak from your heart became too much, you could hold back no longer.

“I love you, Joel.”

You loved him.

What did he ever do to deserve something like that?

Heart clenching deep in his chest, Joel guided you to the hammock, music still carrying softly through the air. With amazing finesse, he settled you both on the hanging fabric, bodies snuggled together until you nearly became one.

He ached to say the words back to you, but they kept getting stuck in his throat. Instead, he settled for showing you how he felt, just like he did with dancing and singing in your ear – he could have written that song for how relatable it was to the feelings you brought out in him. Dark eyes stared into yours as his hands moved over your body, pulling you impossibly closer.

I love you, his lips said as they pressed heatedly against yours.

I love you, his tongue said as it licked softly into your mouth to tangle delicously with yours.

I love you, his hands said as they touched you with utter reverence.

I love you, his body said as he pressed it tightly against yours, trying in vain to crawl beneath your skin.

Joel kissed you with singular focus until you were both breathless and overwrought with need.

“Take me to bed, Joel,” you whispered when he finally tore his lips from yours. “I need to feel every bit of you.”

Your angelic voice music to his ears, he scrambled from the hammock, scooping you up in his muscled arms to carry you inside and up to his bedroom. His mind occupied by one thing and one thing only – making love to you until you knew every part of him and he knew every part of you – the string lights and last bit of wine were left forgotten in the yard.

Loving the way you clung to him, Joel swept through the house and up the stairs with an urgency he’d not felt before.

His lips moved to brush down your neck, nipping at the tender skin as he went. Once in his room, he closed the door even though you were the only two there. Joel kissed each new patch of skin bared as he removed your clothes until you were completely naked. Easing you back onto his unmade bed, a low growl rumbled from deep in his chest when your fingers slid along his scalp and tugged on his hair. Fucking lord did he love how you touched him.

“Fuck, I need to taste you, pretty girl.”

He’d never seen anyone or anything more beautiful in his life as your naked body writhed on his bed, eager and yearning for his touch, and Joel knelt to worship at the altar of you.

Starting at your delicate feet, Joel’s fingertips traced every inch of you until he reached the apex of your thighs. Leaning forward, he let the scruff of his facial hair tickle along the flesh of your inner thighs, pressing open-mouth kisses along the soft skin as he went. Grinning as you trembled, he met your wide gaze as he leant forward, tongue exploring your folds.

The first taste of you set his soul on fire. Sweet like honey yet more addicting and thrice as satisfying, Joel licked at your clit, tongue occasionally dipping down into you, slurping greedily at the very essence of you.

He couldn’t have thought of a more delicious dessert.

His movements elicited sensuous moans that shot straight to his cock, his jeans quickly becoming too tight and uncomfortable. Seeking a little relief, his hips began grinding against the mattress as he brought you closer and closer to the edge, fingers soon assisting his tongue in driving you mad. Just when he thought he might blow his load in his jeans, again, you came, crying his name out, the syllables drawing out in a beautiful, lyrical drawl. Working you through it, Joel drank down every bit of your release like a thirsty man in the desert.

“Fuck, darlin’. You taste fuckin’ delicious. I could live here, between your legs, for the rest of my life, surviving on just you.” Joel stood as he spoke, gazing down at your blissed out form on his bed as he tore off his clothes, one large hand palming his cock before he practically dove into bed with you.

“You’re too good at that, Joel Miller,” you said, the words falling lazily from your lips as you recovered from the singularly intense orgasm. Swooping down, Joel kissed you passionately, offering you a taste of yourself lingering on his tongue.

Letting his body continue to do the communicating for him, Joel shifted his hips, grinding gently against you while his mouth devoured yours. Groaning as your nails scratched down his back, he reached a hand down to guide his cock toward its home in your pussy. Dark eyes opened wide, Joel watched your face as he entered you, delighting in the scrunch of your nose and the way your eyes squeezed shut before popping open again at the sensation of him splitting you open.

With long, slow, oh so deep, strokes, Joel made love to you, telegraphing the depth of his feelings in the only way he knew how, until you were writhing in pleasure beneath him. Afterwards, he cleaned the mess between your thighs and held you close until you fell asleep with your head resting on his chest. Only then, did he finally whisper the words he longed to say all night. “I love you, too.”

Joel stayed awake for a while, listening to your gentle snores and the soft sighs you made in your sleep. He loved that you let your guard down with him, that he was the man who got to hold you while you slept. In the darkness of night, Joel made himself a promise that he would not fuck this up before falling into a deep sleep of his own.

His dreams were particularly vivid, the sensation of your mouth around his cock so strong he’d swear it was real. He’d never experienced your mouth around him like that before, though, so it couldn’t be real. Joel let his dream-self enjoy every moment, your lips around his shaft and tongue teasing the throbbing vein along the underside of his cock a divinity he’d never known before. At one point you took him so deep that a loud, guttural moan escaped his lips, hands clenching in your hair.

Eyes popping open, the moan carried on, rumbling from deep within Joel’s chest as he glanced down to find you feasting on his hardened length. It wasn’t a dream after all.

“Fuuuccckkk,” his voice, still rough with sleep, drew out the word as he watched you go down on him. Your mouth a form of heaven he suffered too long without, the cheeky, mischievous look in your eye making the pleasure more intense. You clearly enjoyed the act nearly as much as he did.

It didn’t take long before your wanton rhythm and sinful mouth had him coming down your throat, your name a prayer recited over and over in that gravelly voice. “Jesus fucking Christ, darlin’. Where’d you learn to suck cock like that, hmm? Your mouth is like God damn heaven.”

Joel’s chest heaved as you gulped down every drop of his spend, tongue darting out to lick the last bit from the little slit on his cockhead before sliding over your lips. You visibly swallowed, savoring the taste of him; his eyes glued to your mouth the whole time. His hand came up, caressing your face with the love he couldn’t yet voice shining brightly in his eyes, and his thumb traced along your plump bottom lip.

“My little gummy worm,” he murmured, delirious from coming so hard. “Felt so good wrapped around my fat cock.”

Crawling up his body, you settled your weight atop him and pressed your lips to his, letting him taste a hint of himself on your tongue as licked into his mouth, returning the favor from the night before. The kiss was languid and sloppy, perfect for a lazy morning waking up together.

“You tasted good, all salty and musky,” you said once you broke away, voice raspy from having his dick halfway down your throat.

“You can wake me up like that any time you’d like, darlin’.”

The two of you cuddled for a while, neither of you too eager to start the day knowing you didn’t have anything pressing to do. Those unspoken words bubbled in Joel’s chest the whole time, begging to come to the surface, to be spoken aloud and given credence. Still, he hesitated without quite knowing why. Finally rolling out of bed around 10, you jumped into the shower while Joel threw on some clothes and ran out to grab some breakfast.

He just pulled back into his driveway, a bag with a few bagel breakfast sandwiches in one hand – he got an extra in case you wanted pork roll instead of bacon – a coffee and orange juice clutched in the other, when JB’s truck pulled up in front of his house.

Settled on the couch after your refreshing shower, legs tucked under you while scrolling through your phone, you heard Joel’s truck pull up. Waiting for him to come in with breakfast for you both, you were caught off guard by the deep voices rumbling in the front yard. You sat up, peeking through the blinds to find your dad out front, hands on his hips as he spoke to Joel.

Oh shit.

You couldn’t discern their facial expressions from that angle and moved to the front door, quietly easing the heavy wood open to peek out and eavesdrop. They had to be talking about you, right? There was no hiding or pretending you weren’t here, especially with your car parked in the driveway right next to Joel’s. After your dad’s comments last night, you wondered if he planned this ambush then.

“I knew she’d be here,” you heard your dad say, but you couldn’t read his body language clearly. His hands were on his hips still, but there was a smile on his face. “You sweet on my baby girl, Joel?”

You couldn’t hear Joel’s response, his gravelly voice pitched too low for your ears to catch across the distance, but you could see him smile hesitantly even as his broad shoulders hunched slightly. Whatever it was caused your dad to chuckle and punch Joel playfully.

“I knew it!” your dad exclaimed, the sudden loudness startling you. “I knew you two would hit it off, I just wasn’t sure how long it’d take.”

You caught Joel’s response this time, his surprised voice pitching upwards. “You’re not upset?”

Walking toward the house without invitation, your dad paused. “Why the hell would I be upset? You’re a good man, Joel, and I know you’ll treat her well. And she’ll be good for you, too, I have no doubt. Now, you got enough in that there bag for breakfast for three?”

Your shoulders sagged with relief as you eased the door open. “I thought I heard voices! Hi Dad,” you greeted. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey Spud. I could ask you the same thing, but I knew I’d find you here.” Pulling you in for a hug, he ushered you inside. “I got tired of waiting for you two to come clean and thought I’d put you both on the spot.”

Eyebrows shooting up, you glanced at Joel before meeting your dad’s gaze again. “How did you know?”

Giving you a shrug, he said, “You two weren’t exactly subtle and a father always knows.” Nudging your shoulder, JB turned to Joel. “You’ll find that out soon enough, my friend. I can’t wait for the trouble that Sarah will give you.”

The three of you sat at the small dining table, digging into the breakfast sandwiches, your dad insisting you tell him how long you and Joel had been seeing each other and how it all started. Relieved to finally have the truth out there, you told him the story and JB chuckled.

“That about tracks. That’s right around when I started to notice something different between the two of you. And it sure explains why you hardly gave Annica the time of day on your date.” JB gave Joel grief about that failed date for weeks knowing that there was something – or someone – else drawing the man’s attention. JB had the feeling back then that it was you, his baby girl, his grown-up Spud, who captured the single father’s attention.

“You sure you’re okay with this, Dad? I mean…” your words fell off, not really knowing what to say. You’d be heartbroken if your dad wasn’t okay with a relationship between you and Joel, especially now that you verbally admitted to being in love with him.

“Are you kidding? I’m happy as a pig in shit that the two people I care about most like each other.” Your dad was all smiles, beady eyes sparkling with mischief. “In fact, I was planning on setting the two of you up if you didn’t figure things out for yourselves first. Tommy was in on the plan, too, and was the one who suggested we give it a little time. Little shit never told me it became official, though.”

Sitting back in your seat, you giggled with relief. All that time spent fretting over what your dad might think, feeling guilty for dating his best friend and hiding it from him for so long. It was all for naught. You should have known he’d love the idea of you two together.

“So, when’s the wedding?” JB asked, a shit-eating grin spread across his lips as you and Joel froze, eyes darting to each other in wide-eyed panic. Your dad practically guffawed at his own humor while you two were practically having a panic attack. “I’m just kidding – there’s no rush. Just make sure you treat her right, Joel.”

Recovering from the initial panic – not that he didn’t want to marry you, eventually, just not quite this soon – Joel laughed a little nervously. “Of course, JB. I’ll always treat her right. I, uh… I love her.” His gaze shifted to you, heart showing firmly in those dark chocolate orbs. “I love you, darlin'.”

tbc

Taglist: @mellymbee @untamedheart81 @anoverwhelmingdin @runningmom94 @leilanixx

@pedropascalfan221 @lovelyjess69 @sarahhxx03 @sofiparallel @tammythr

@lulawantmula @islacharlotte @allyourfavesinoneblog @lover-of-books-and-tea @pedropascalsbbg

@ashleyfilm @brittmb115 @lilmizmoz @loveisacowboyyy @shotgun-shelby

@deninoe @casssiopeia @caitlynsixxx @skysmiller @missladym1981

@marirxse @lizzie-cakes @tynakub

[tomionefinds]

Fluff/Soft Fics

Things are hard. Here are some softer Tom, some humorous, and some fluffy fics to cuddle with. Graphic by Mod April - TF Team

Just Another Girl Alone at the Bar by Spork_in_the_Road

M | Complete | 8k

“Oh Ron-Ron, you’re too funny,” a feminine voice says, giggling. Hermione thinks she might vomit. In which Hermione pretends Tom is her boyfriend until he actually is.

Hot Lips by nauticalparamour

E | One-shot | 3k

When Tom Riddle finds out that Hermione Granger has a phone sex line, his first inclination is to use it to blackmail her. But, once he gets her talking, he doesn't want it to end.

Forever Means Forever by cocoartist

T | Complete | 7k

If she ever saw Unspeakable Number 37 again she would kill him with her bare hands: Hermione's research into the Veil has an unexpected side-effect. COMPLETE.

A Naughty Niffler by bunnystealsyourcarrots

E | One-shot | 2k

Hermione finds herself sucked into an unknown world with an old familiar face

Youth in Retrospect by provocative_envy

E | One shot | 8k

She’s buying a box of condoms when she meets him. “Those are shit, you know,” he says, jerking his chin at the pale purple box in her hand. “Can’t feel anything.” She stares at him for a moment too long. The bell above the door jingles merrily as a rowdy group of schoolboys enters the store. “Excuse you,” she replies, cheeks turning pink.

Nerve Damage by januarywren

T | Complete | 6k

“Working late again?” Hermione asked, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, her raised eyebrow daring him to make a smart remark. That look had sent more than one ex fuming—but not him. Never him. Tom glanced up from his paperwork, his usual mask of indifference giving way to a slow, lazy smile. “Someone has to keep things running smoothly around here. I thought you’d be fast asleep by now, Miss Granger.” She let her gaze wander over the surprising disarray of his desk, piled high with case files and pages dotted with notes in his precise handwriting. She'd teased him more than once about his borderline obsessive need for order, how every pen, every scrap of paper, had its place. But she didn't mention it now or comment on the faint stain on his collar. Losing a patient did things to a person—things no textbook or professor could ever prepare them for. House M.D. Inspired AU | There’s a sickness between Hermione and Tom that neither has any desire to cure. (It isn't love. It isn't. 🖤)

communication errors by esotyric (devilrie)

T | Complete | 7k

sender: tmriddle@walpurgis.net recipient: hermionegranger@gryffinsdor.org subject: Today’s Meeting Granger – Attached is the dry-cleaning bill for the shirt you ruined when you threw your tea at it. I’m not sure if you noticed, but I happened to be wearing the shirt at the time. You are lucky it was cold. Pay the bill and I won’t sue you for assault. Regards, Thomas Marvolo Riddle CEO of Walpurgis Corporate sender: hermionegranger@gryffinsdor.org recipient: tmriddle@walpurgis.net subject: re: Today’s Meeting Riddle – I did notice, because unlike you, I can identify when something is being inhabited, you forest-destroying monster. You do not require a dry cleaner to get herbal tea out of a shirt. The shirt was black, the tea was camomile, and you have no grounds on which to stand nor sue. Your company, however, WILL be exposed for the havoc it is wreaking upon our natural world. Sincerely, Hermione Jean Granger CEO of Not being a Twat

Domestic Bliss by airgloweffect

M | one shot | 693

A snapshot into the life of Tom and Hermione Riddle.AU

Avada Kedavra Anonymous by Speechwriter

K+ | Complete | 8k

No one missed Riddle's pale fist tightening around the useless wand in his lap. "I am Tom," he ground out. "I am here for the sole reason that the alternative was community service." / Hermione moderates a post-Avada Kedavra support group. Chaos ensues.

A Nose that Can See by Colubrina

Hermione Granger has found herself inexplicably tossed back into time to Tom Riddle's Hogwarts. And he's a Veela and, wouldn't you know it, she's his mate. Could life get worse? But he seems to have an endless supply of out-of-season fruit so it can't be all bad, right? Tomione. Major character death, musical theater, and all that fruit. COMPLETE. Hermione Granger has found herself inexplicably tossed back into time to Tom Riddle's Hogwarts. And he's a Veela and, wouldn't you know it, she's his mate. Could life get worse? But he seems to have an endless supply of out-of-season fruit so it can't be all bad, right? Tomione. Major character death, musical theater, and all that fruit. COMPLETE.

Tommy Played Guitar by PacificRimbaud

E | One shot |3k

Tom Riddle takes his coffee black and plays in a rock and roll band.

Playing Cupid by Meowmers

M | Complete | 14k

"I'm beginning to think that I would love to hear you scream." Tomione. Regency AU. Rated-M.

A Four Letter Word by elizabethriddle

E | One shot | 4k

Tom Riddle was not impulsive. He was a planner. He never did anything without carefully considering all possible outcomes and controlling all of the variables. And he never let emotions impact his decisions. He had planned, meticulously, for the post as DADA Professor. How did it all go so wrong?

Sailor Trouble by The-Empress-of-Snark (uleanblue)

Not Rated | Complete | 9k

Hermione Granger attempts to restore the Founder's Relics, with unexpected results.

you did some bad things, but i'm the worst of them by coffeepolariod

E | Complete | 22k

“You want to watch your back, Miss Granger,” Dolohov gestured to Tom with his head. “This man won’t go easy on you, won’t entertain your parlour tricks, and most definitely will not hold back as he tears your confidence down: brick by brick.” or: Hermione Granger needs to win this poker game but Tom Riddle is there at every turn.

Tempora Abducto by Flaignhan (almost anything by this author)

T | Complete | 53k

Inconveniently it's the things that need fixing the most which are often irreparable.

[hellfirenacht]

Wing Man Part 7

Fic Summary: Steve 'the Hair' Harrington is your best friend, and is constantly striking out. Sick of this, you two make a deal; you'll wing man for each other. Hooking Steve up with dates is easy, but he finds himself struggling to find you a date. At least, until Dustin starts talking about his new cool friend Eddie.

(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9)

Chapter Summary: Dustin spills the beans, and Wayne gives some advice.

5k words

Chapter Summary: Dustin spills the beans, and Wayne gives some advice.

A/N: Happy New Year! I ran out of steam there for a while but I am bursting with new inspiration and have a billion ideas for new and old fics! Thank you for your patience and support 💜

The next night after dropping you off at home, there was a storm the likes of which Hawkins had never seen. Lightning lit up the sky through the night like a shitty rave, knocking out the power for Forest Hills Trailer Park for the better part of two days. It wasn’t until Saturday, when Eddie attempted to check in on Ronnie again, that he realized that their worn out phone had been completely fried. Shit.

Getting a new one was easier said than done, Eddie and Wayne had to pinch pennies this week after his uncle had been out of work a few days because of a cold, and having to replace a good chunk of groceries that had gone bad sitting in the dead fridge.

Sure, Bev had been nice enough to give Eddie a few extra shifts at the Hideout to help cover but that was a paycheck that wasn’t going to be in for another week. There was always his dealings, but he’d been keeping his head down after nearly having his stash blown by an over enthusiastic K-9 unit that, thankfully, was more interested in the jerky that Eddie had in his jacket.

For a week, he’d been without a phone now. Normally it wasn’t a huge loss, not many people actually bothered trying to call him anyway, and Wayne didn’t really socialize much working the night shift. But he missed Ronnie, and he really was stressing each day that went by that he didn’t call you. Eddie knew that whatever this was, he was probably already blowing it.

Tuesday rolled around again, and he hoped that you’d show back up to the Hideout. Jeff had even agreed to give most of the band a ride if Eddie agreed to haul their equipment and do all of the breakdown in case you needed another ride home. No such luck though, unbeknownst to him Keith had come down with the same cold that his Uncle Wayne had the week before, meaning you had to work a double.

It was now Friday, over a week since you’d written your name in the most stubborn permanent marker he’d ever come across. Your name still stained his skin in a faint and ugly shade of pea green. Eddie could now say your number by memory, despite never having punched in the digits once. If anyone at school had noticed that Eddie ‘the Freak’ Munson had a girl's name on his arm, they didn’t say anything.

“Whose number is that?” Mike asked in the middle of a time out while Zach and Gareth were pouring over the rule book over the legality of a move that Eddie was sure was bullshit. So much for that.

Eddie’s head snapped over to the freshman while those in Corroded Coffin snickered and suddenly lost interest in the rules for the moment. With the candles and stage lights on, it was always warm in the Hellfire room, and Eddie had stripped his jacket giving his arms a chance to breathe while he guided the party on their next adventure.

It had also meant that the faded remains of your number was still visible, which he hadn’t thought much of until Mike had pointed it out.

“Yeah, Eddie, whose number is it?” Jeff snickered, which earned a hard look from Eddie that under any other circumstances would have shut Jeff up but in this case only made him laugh harder.

For a moment he debated internally about putting his jacket on, and telling them all to shove it. It was tempting, very tempting, but Eddie wasn’t a teen anymore. Hell, he had a good two to three years on most of the members in this club. Why should he be embarrassed because a cute girl had some sort of interest in him?

Because you’re blowing it by not being able to call her. He told himself.

Eddie then told the table about how you’d given him your number right before he dropped you off. How you’d been a perfect gentleman and hadn’t taken advantage of him or made any untowards moves to him. (Even if he had thought you almost did, but he kept that part to himself).

To his surprise, the ribbing was kept to a minimal. Without Eddie fighting against it, the group became less interested. Eddie’s love life was only of interest when it meant that the sheep could finally have some fun with the shepard.

That was going to be the end of it. Jeff had conceded that the rule they were looking up had been an old house rule from his middle school group that he had never questioned as not actually being accurate, and they were ready to move on. Eddie opened his mouth to guide the party to the next encounter-

“I thought you said you weren’t interested in her.” Dustin suddenly said. Eddie had thought that the shrimp had been suspiciously quiet for the past few minutes.

“If that was him not interested then I’m quitting Hellfire to be a cheerleader.” laughed Gareth.

“No one wants to see you in a miniskirt, man.” said Mike.

“They have guy cheerleaders!” protested Gareth. “I’d wear the pants.”

“That’d be a first.” ribbed Zack.

“Don’t you have to be crazy strong to be a cheerleader? Gareth, your strength stat sucks.”

“I haul my own drumset every week!”

“Can we get back to the game?”

“Eddie,” Dustin spoke up again. His brows were furrowed and he was messing with his pencil, the same way he did when someone in the party was about to do something that didn’t make any sense. “You did say you weren’t interested.”

So much for Eddie’s love life being of no interest, he now had a herd of sheep looking at him expectantly, no longer talking about Gareth possibly changing after school activities. He should ignore it, get everyone back on track, and lead them back into the Forbidden Caves where he was not tempted to throw a mimic in for messing with the flow of the game.

He should... but Dustin’s comment bugged him for some reason.

“I never said that.” Eddie said, looking at the kid.

“What? Yeah you did!” Dustin looked as shocked as Eddie felt. When had he ever said he wasn’t interested in you?

“Oh yeah, when?” Eddie crossed his arms and leaned back in his throne, his eyes narrowing.

“At the arcade!” Dustin sounded frustrated. “You told me that you didn’t want me introducing you to anyone when we were doing Hellfire related shit, and that you weren’t interested anyway.”

The warmth from the candles and stage lights were nothing compared to the heat of everyone’s eyes on him. What the fuck was Henderson even talking about?

Oh. Oh what the fuck?!

“Excuse me?” Eddie said slowly as that thirty second conversation started to play in his mind.

“Yeah, I remember that.” Mike added, in an attempt to back up his friend. “We just assumed she wasn’t your type.”

Eddie hadn’t been looking to be anyone’s boyfriend. He was never looking to be dating anyone, the few times he’d found himself in the good graces of a girl who’d shown interest in him it had always blown up in his face.

That had never stopped him from trying though.

“Are- wait. Back up.” Eddie stood up and made his way over to the opposite end of the table where the freshmen were suddenly looking very nervous. He grabbed them by the shoulders, as he’d done so many times in the past and hauled them up while the rest of the table watched on in amusement. Normally, Eddie would never pause the game but, fuck it. This kid had something to do with you, and he was going to figure out what.

“Jesus, Eddie-” Mike said, wincing at the grip. “I don’t have anything to do with this, it was all Dustin and Steve!”

This was getting more and more confusing by the moment. Eddie shoved the two boys to face them, leaning over them. Even with Mike’s growth spurt over the past few months, somehow Eddie still seemed to tower over them.

“Steve?” Eddie’s voice was slow, trying to understand why that name was even being spoken in the private sanctuary away from jocks.

“Yes, Steve! They’re like, best friends or something! Ask Dustin!” Mike said, throwing his friend under the bus.

“What’s the big deal?!” Dustin asked, looking between Mike and Eddie with a look of bewilderment.

“Henderson, you have thirty seconds to explain what the actual Hell is going on before your character becomes Quasit food.” Eddie said, releasing his grip on both of the freshmen.

“Okay, okay!” Dustin held his hand up in surrender, looking nervous as everyone watched the scene unfold. “So, you know how her and Steve work together? Well, they had a deal going on where they’d help get each other dates.”

Eddie’s head tilted down slightly, but his eyes stayed firmly focused on Dustin. This was making less and less sense by the minute. Steve needed help getting dates? King Steve of Hawkins High who had the pick of any girl in school before he graduated? That Steve Harrington couldn’t get a date and so had recruited you into helping him?

And you, you with the everything about you couldn’t get a date either? Hadn’t you mentioned something about that before, at the Hideout?

“I help him and he uh... he helps me get out of the house.”

You’d said that, and he hadn’t thought much of it until now. All this time, Eddie had thought the arcade incident had been Dustin trying to have his two older male friends meet and be friends, but it had been you that he was supposed to meet?

“So you’re telling me that you, Dustin Henderson and Steve Harrington were trying to set me up on a date?” Eddie looked over at the rest of the table that looked just as bewildered as he did. This was a prank, right? He’d been tossed into some sort of alternate dimension where a freshman and a jock had any sort of interest in his love life, in any part of his life. He’d sooner believe that he’d run a drug deal with Chrissy Cunningham than this.

“Well, technically we were trying to set her up on a date and you seemed like a good fit?” Dustin’s answer came out as more of a question, leaving Eddie’s mind reeling. Behind him, he could hear the growing snickers of the party.

Eddie was ready for this to start making sense any time now.

“So she was helping Steve get dates and he wanted to set her up with me?” Nope, even after thinking it a half dozen times it still wasn’t clicking.

“That part was my idea actually!” Dustin said, showing off a smile filled with metal. “She’s pretty weird and Steve said she was picky-”

“Can’t be that picky if she was interested in Eddie.” muttered Gareth, earning another round of laughter at the table.

Eddie didn’t even have it in him to shoot another look at the table as he continued to try and piece together what was going on.

You and Steve had a deal to try and get each other dates. You were picky and so Dustin suggested Eddie. Steve then brought you to the arcade to force a meeting and-

“Wait, did she know that she was supposed to meet me?” Eddie asked suddenly.

“Oh yeah, she knew the whole time in the arcade.” Dustin nodded, hoping that Eddie wasn’t about to blow a fuse over this. “Well, she figured it out at least. See she was just supposed to be tagging along with Steve to find guys to flirt with but then uh... she realized she was supposed to meet you.”

“And she didn’t know who I was?” Eddie clarified, thinking back to the way you’d tried to talk to him about Hellfire, Chris Morrison, anything to try and start a conversation. How the hell was it that he could remember every time you two met so clearly, but you didn’t know who he actually was?

Because it wasn’t about you, Eddie. He had to remind himself.

Dustin shrugged. “I guess not? She’s never mentioned you before that night.”

Guess not everyone paid attention to the Freak. He hated that it bugged him that you didn’t remember him but could he blame you? He probably wouldn’t remember him either, just a Munson fuck up who everyone was waiting to end up dead in a ditch somewhere.

Eddie pushed Dustin back down into his seat, done interrogating the poor freshman. Everyone watched as he made his way back to his side of the table, behind the DM screen. He had a lot to think about, but he wasn’t about to start processing that in front of the rest of Hellfire.

“You all wander deeper into the cave, the only light coming from the torch carried by-”

“I have dark vision!”

Broke and bored, Eddie haunted the trailer for the rest of the weekend. He did have practice with Corroded Coffin for a generous two hours on Saturday, and then a long shift that night at the Hideout where one old drunk had slipped him a $10 tip for making sure he always had a cold beer in hand. But those few hours were just a minor reprieve from the information that Dustin had given him the previous day.

When he wasn’t distracted by work or practice he was practicing guitar, working on lyrics, prepping for the next Hellfire session.

He tried to think about you, but ended up feeling confused. When he was trying to think about anything else, all he could see was the way you had flirted with him at the Hideout.

Despite popular opinion, Eddie wasn’t stupid when it came to girls. He could tell when a girl was interested in him, and you had made it clear that you had at least some interest in him. You had told him point blank that you were not with Harrington, and had no interest as well. He’d seen the way you looked at him while watching them play, that excitement in your eyes. Your head had bobbed to the rhythm of their songs watching them with as much enthusiasm as if you’d been a fan for years.

Paige had watched with similar eyes, right? She’d seen something in them that no one else had before-

No. Not them. Not Corroded Coffin. Just Eddie.

It felt pathetic that he kept comparing you to Paige. He didn’t want to, he really didn’t want to. It wasn’t like he was still hung up on Paige, not really. She’d just been a turning point in who he was as a person. She’d been the first (and last) girl to really look at him as a person. If his dating prospects had been small before, they had completely dried up over the past two years.

Date the freak? Yeah, right. There had been the odd girl who’d hit on him as if daring themselves to get with him but he was done with that. A few mediocre dates that he’d agreed to out of boredom or loneliness had only added to the idea in Hawkins High that he was undesirable. Adding to that, the older he got, the younger his underclassmen became and the idea of dating someone younger was... well he didn’t need to add ‘creep’ to the long list of rumors about him. It didn’t matter to him most of the time, instead focusing on his friends, his band, his club, his business, himself. God knows he’d never be able to hold down a relationship unless he got his shit together and earned everyone’s trust again.

“Graduate and get laid, Munson.” Ronnie’s voice echoed in the back of his mind and he groaned as his face warmed. It was the middle of the week, just over two weeks since the night at the Hideout. Eddie was laying on the old couch face down, his homework on the counter half finished and the blue glow of the tv doing little to distract him.

The sound of the door opening didn’t even phase him enough to look up, even as Wayne grunted out a hello before setting something down on the counter next to his forgotten schoolbooks.

“Did you eat?” Wayne asked, which earned a shrug from Eddie. How could he think about eating when he was stuck thinking about everything else?

“Are you gonna tell me why you’ve been moping around for the past few weeks?” Wayne tried again in an attempt to be a good guardian. When that didn’t work either he sighed and said “Might as well step outside with me and have a smoke.”

It was better than doing whatever the hell else Eddie was doing now, and so he rolled off the couch less than gracefully and followed his uncle out onto the porch to sit on the outdoor couch. Wayne offered him the smoke and for a moment it was peaceful. Wayne wasn’t one to push Eddie to talk about anything, but he did have a way to make him think even if it did piss him off occasionally.

Eddie took a long drag of the cigarette and released it slowly as he stared up at the sky. It was a dark night, a million tiny dots illuminating the trailer park, even if the moon wasn’t out. He scanned the stars, looking for the three that he knew were Orion’s belt. That’s about where his astrology knowledge began and ended, but it was something to look for at least.

“I think a girl likes me.” He finally said as he spotted what he assumed was the constellation he was looking for.

“Yeah?” Wayne asked, his own eyes gazing upwards as well, giving Eddie the space to talk more.

“Yeah.”

It was silent again for a few minutes as they smoked, the only other sound for a while was that of Wayne cracking open a beer. That’s what Eddie appreciated about Wayne, he didn’t need to fill the silence like his dad did, and Eddie didn’t need to either. He could just... exist.

“I don’t know what to do about it.” Eddie finally said a while later. “She only has an interest because her and some jock are trying to get each other dates.”

“Is that right?” Coming from anyone else that question would have been dismissive, a filler phrase to show that they were paying minimal attention. Eddie knew better though, which caused a knot of frustration in his gut.

“I guess.” he shrugged.

“How many dates has she gone on?” Wayne passed the beer to Eddie, who took a grateful sip.

“Don’t know. It didn’t sound like she’d been on many. Henderson said she’s picky.”

“But she likes you.”

“Yeah.”

Another long stretch of silence as Eddie stewed over the question. He hated how Wayne could break down his problems into simple questions.

“Don’t see why you’re moping around if she likes you.” Wayne glanced over at Eddie. “Are you sweet on her?”

Eddie snorted at the term, taking another drag from the cigarette and flicking the ashes off the porch. “She’s cute.” he said, thinking about how you’d looked the last few times he’d seen you. He might have been distracted that first night at the arcade, but not so distracted that he didn’t notice that at least. “Smart too. She got the guys to listen to her last time we hung out.”

Wayne raised an eyebrow. “She got Gareth to pay attention? That’s a damn miracle.”

“They liked her too.”

“More than the California girl?”

The question caught Eddie off guard and he looked up at Wayne who was still looking off in the distance. Eddie had never explained exactly to Wayne what had happened that first senior year, most of the details going to what happened with Al when Officer Morris was shot. They never talked about how Eddie was so damn close to packing everything up and running away to California.

Thinking about everything that happened that year still stung. Eddie had tried hard not to think about what could have been if CJ and Toby had just shown up one or two days later. Would Eddie have made it to the audition? Would they have really liked him? Maybe in another life he’d be signed and he’d be working on an album or on tour and him and Paige...

It didn’t matter, that ship had long since sailed. Eddie was no rock hero, and never would be. He tried to tell himself it was better this way, if anything it meant that his relationship with Al was over and done with which was a hollow victory if he was being honest.

“Definitely more than her.” Eddie finally agreed. You weren’t asking him to ditch the band and run away with you, so that had to give you some points for them, and for him. Dustin vouched for you, and even Mike, but he wasn’t sure how much that counted for yet. After all Dustin still seemed to worship Steve, and you were friends with Steve-

But did that actually matter? If you and Steve were close enough friends to help each other like this, and Steve was willing to vouch for Eddie, despite never having any real conversation just because Dustin said something-

“She gonna ask you to run away?” Wayne was now looking at Eddie again.

Sometimes he wondered if his uncle could secretly read minds.

“Doubt it.” Eddie said, “She works at the video store. I don’t know much about her, honestly.”

“So ask her on a date.”

“What?”

“She likes you, you want to get to know her. Ask her on a date. It’s not that complicated, Eddie.” Wayne dropped the cigarette on the porch and crushed it under his boot. “You always did think too much, always sucked up in your own world. You’ll be happier in the long run if you open up a bit.”

Easier said than done for a 20 year old still in high school that the whole town considered a satanic cult leader. Then again, when was the last time he’d really opened up to anyone other than Ronnie or Wayne? Right, his dad in the weeks before the heist.

“I think I fucked this up before I could even start.” Eddie sighed, snuffing out his own half finished cigarette. “She gave me her number and I never called.”

“Could’a grabbed a quarter from the change jar and used a pay phone.”

Eddie pressed his hands against his face and dragged them down slowly. Why did good advice always come too late for him?

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I brought back a new phone for the kitchen today.”

Eddie’s head snapped up so fast he should have snapped something, his eyes widening.

“Don’t get too excited. It’s a new used phone. Guy down the line from me offered it up and it’s better than nothing.”

Eddie didn’t care if it was a rotary phone, he’d take anything at this point if it meant that he could try to call you.

He wanted to call you.

He wanted to call you. Eddie didn’t care if you remembered that first time you met, did it even really matter? You had an interest in him, Eddie Munson, now.

“Thanks, Wayne.” Eddie stood up and hurried inside, seeing the new old phone that was sitting on the counter. It took a few minutes of making sure it wouldn’t fall off the wall before he plugged it in and heard that sweet dial tone sound.

Eddie grabbed his copy of Lord of the Rings from his bedside table and pulled out the paper flower, looking at the number scribbled in his own chicken scratch. He didn’t trust himself to punch in the number without checking, no matter how many times he read the ten digits over the past two weeks.

It rang once.

Twice.

Six times.

No response.

“It’s late, she might be asleep.” Wayne said, grabbing a box of pasta from the cabinet.

It wasn’t that late, not even 8:30 yet. Eddie sighed and hung up the phone, crossing his arms as he thought about his next move. He’d always had tunnel vision when he got an idea into his head, from Corroded Coffin, to his campaigns, to a book that he wanted to read, it was hard to shake the urge when he got one.

Grabbing the keys from the counter he called over to Wayne “I’ll be back later.” which was responded to with a confirmation that he’d save some pasta for Eddie in the fridge.

There weren’t many places he could think of where you could be tonight. You hadn’t shown back up at the Hideout, and the arcade was closed this late on a weeknight. You could be at home, but Eddie didn’t remember where you lived and showing up to your place after two weeks of radio silence would definitely get him in trouble.

So he drove to Family Video.

If you were there he’d do.. something. If you weren’t he’d call you after school tomorrow. Eddie winced internally at the thought. He’d been trudging through school and dragging his feet for the past six years to graduate, and now was the time he felt childish about it. You could legally buy him a beer, and he could illegally sneak you a drink in the Hideout.

At a stoplight he swapped out the Black Sabbath tape for W.A.S.P., remembering that you had mentioned liking them. How did he continue to remember these small details about you?

Because she’s treated you like a human each time you’ve talked. It was startling how something so basic was such a big deal to him.

The lights were still on at Family Video, and the open sign was still lit up. He could see movement inside the store, and he caught sight of someone wearing the signature green vest that the employees wore.

He’d walk in, and if you were there he’d- fuck what the hell was he supposed to do? Eddie stared at the door from inside his van for a few minutes. It was past nine now, and he could have sworn that they should be closed now but that stupid sign was still on. That had to be a good sign right? Eddie wasn’t one to believe in stuff like that but maybe he’d be stupid to ignore a literal neon sign hanging in the door.

Okay, now or never. Eddie had never really been one to hesitate before and he wasn’t about to start now.

He made his way to the entrance and opened the door before he could think about what he was actually wanting to do. Eddie could improvise, it was one of the more useful skills that came from years of running Hellfire.

“Who didn’t lock the door?!” Your voice was a welcome sound, sealing the determination inside of him. No going back now.

“It was Steve’s job to-” your co-worker said. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t place a name to the face.

“Oh, shit. Hi.” Steve was the first to actually notice Eddie as he walked in, looking as if he was expecting literally anyone else.

Turning on the Freak, Eddie smirked at Steve. “Cursing in front of customers, Harrington? Now that’s not very professional of you.”

“Well, we’re closed. You can’t be a customer if you can’t pay.” Steve said, putting his hands on his hips in a way that reminded Eddie of a mother hen. Steve did have a point, and so he decided to cut through any bullshit and looked over at you. You looked like you’d had a long shift, but the way you were looking at him... there was still the same shock that was on Steve’s face, but while his shock was laced with confusion yours was excited. As if you couldn’t believe that The Freak was here and that was a good thing.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Eddie blurted out the request before he could think. He had no idea where you two would go or what you would do but he had to do something.

Your coworker nudged you in the ribs, and your expression changed to a more professional one.

“I- uh. I have to finish closing.” you said, looking at Steve for a split second.

“Steve and I can handle the rest of closing!” Eddie made a mental note to learn this girls name and send her a fucking gift basket one day.

“Guys, I’m literally in charge of you both. I can’t leave before you.” You said, reaching down to grab something from below the counter- your bag. Eddie felt himself growing more excited, his heart pounding as you tossed your work vest and keys over to them. They were basically shoving you out the door to spend time with him.

“We can handle it!” Steve said.

“And I can handle Steve!” Robin added. “We close without you and Keith all the time, remember?”

You stepped out from behind the counter, looking up at him. The color of your eyes under the fluorescent lights reminded him of the stars he had been looking at earlier this evening. Eddie found himself smiling at you as you opened the door for him.

Someone was quick to lock the door and turn the OPEN sign off.

Eddie opens his van door for you, trying his best to make a good impression for whatever was about to happen. You hopped into the passenger seat and he thought that he might enjoy seeing you sitting next to him like this in his van more often.

---

Next Chapter

Comments and Reblogs help feed the fandom and the muse 💜

Dividers by @strangergraphics

Tag list: @k8loo @terrormonster55 @sp1dyb0y1008 @crocwork-clockodile @ali-r3n @mxcheese @josephquinnschesthair @gagasbee @peaches-roses-sins @witchwolflea @vintagehellfire @royale1803 @cumslutforaemond @prestinalove @browneyedgirly93 @perpetualmess @thebook-hobbit @mistonk @cultish-corner @grishaversecaptivated @sortagaysortahigh @halialex1119 @bakugouswhOr3 @siriuslysmoking @pookiesnatcher

[grizzersmamma]

One Surprise, Two Surprise | König x F!Reader

Summary: König has been away for months and is eager to get back home to you, only you have a couple of surprises for him. 

Notes: @lethalchiralium​ and their Happiness AU has me out here acting like a broody hen 😭 I’m also a sucker for the trope of “partner goes away for an extended period and comes back to a whole ass baby having been born”, so this is inspired by that too. Absolutely recommend their fics, so go read them if you haven’t already! My family has the twin gene quite prominently, so König gets two babies for the price of one 👉👉

Pairing: König x F!Reader

Warnings: Fluff, Pregnancy Implied, Infants.

Series Masterlist: Here

CoD Masterlist: Here

Next: Here

It’s been almost ten months since König has last been home. His deployment with KorTac had been keeping him constantly on the move, constantly taking mission after mission with little to no reprieve. To make matters worse, there had been a strict no-contact rule in place for the entire duration of his deployment thanks to the sensitivity of the missions.  

Ten months, only two short of a whole year without seeing you. Without holding you in his arms. Without so much as hearing your voice.  

It was agonising, knowing that he could have been curled up in your shared bed together rather than trudging from safe house to safe house. He had never known a true longing for home until he’d met you – normally he couldn’t wait to be sent off to some godforsaken forest or desert in the middle of who-knows-where, enjoying the isolation – but now, his skin had begun to feel like it was crawling, searching out the gentle touch you always offered.  

Sleeping was difficult on a good day, never quite feeling safe enough to lower his guard. After spending so much time with you, however, he found his arms automatically trying to seek out your body in his sleep, needing to know you were there for his brain to calm. Sadly, he was only ever met with cold sheets at best, and at worst he would end up grabbing at poor Horangi when they were forced to share a bunk.  

Fortunately, Horangi didn’t seem to care too much, simply slapping at whatever offending limb had slid into his personal space and going back to sleep again. That didn’t stop König from apologising in the morning, relieved when his squad mate would just lazily wave him off.  

But finally, he’d arrived back on Austrian soil, able to take in a deep breath of frigid air the moment he stepped off the plane. It was early afternoon, the sun hitting the snow at just the right angle for it to sparkle. Within a few weeks the ice would all be gone and spring would be in full swing, bringing with it some much needed warmth.  

König pulls his jacket a little tighter in response to the chill, deciding that he’s admired the view long enough and refocusing on getting home.  

He collects his personal items from the locker where they’re housed during deployment, switching on his phone. It’s an old Nokia, used purely for receiving texts and phone calls while working, while his personal one is kept safe at home with you. It takes a while to finally boot up, clinging on with a measly 3% of its battery, but it’s enough for it to load the few messages he’d missed while abroad.  

There are the usual messages, generally wishing him luck, telling him that he was in your thoughts, simple ‘good morning’s and ‘good night’s scattered throughout randomly. The second to last, however, is different from the rest, a request for König to call you as soon as possible.  

His brain is quick to offer up a handful of the worst-case scenarios – maybe you'd gotten hurt while he was away, or perhaps you’d grown tired of his lack of presence and decided to call it quits – but after glancing at the next message he finds himself calming again. The last text was sent just over two months ago, telling him to disregard the previous message and to meet you at his oma’s home when he returned, that you had some sort of surprise for him.  

Odd that you would choose for him to go there rather than the small home the two of you occupied, but König refused to let his worries spiral. You got on well with his oma, much to König’s delight, and she had been a huge help, considering you had no close family living nearby. The moment he had introduced you to his grandmother, the woman immediately decided you were perfect, taking you under her wing as one of her own. She was absolutely delighted to finally have a granddaughter to dote on and pass all of her family knowledge to.  

König had attempted to stop his grandmother from smothering you completely, lest his girlfriend be scared off after only the first meeting, but to his relief you’d told him you already adored the older woman and looked forward to seeing her again. His heart turns into mush every time he sees his two favourite women spending time together. Even if that time is spent with his oma telling you all sorts of embarrassing stories from König’s youth.  

The drive to his grandmother’s house is fortunately rather short, and within an hour of touching down on the runway he’s already arriving. König ensures to remove the simple balaclava he’d been wearing on base, knowing from experience that his oma doesn’t appreciate him “looking like he’s about the rob the place” when he arrives.  

After gathering up his belongings, König gently raps on the glass of his grandmother’s front door. He could hear soft voices inside, but they quiet the moment his knocking rings out, leaving him stood in silence while he waits for someone to answer.  

It’s his oma who opens the door, gasping out his name joyfully, before wrapping her arms around his middle in a bone crushing hug. It’s impressive, really, that a woman of her stature and age is somehow still strong enough to hold him tight enough that all the wind is driven from his lungs. “Hallo, oma,” he smiles, giving her a gentle squeeze in return.  

“Mien lieber Enkle, wo bist du gewesen?!” She demands, pulling back from König, only to grab his hand and begin dragging him into the warm house.  

“Ich war arbeiten,” he mumbles back, but is ignored as his grandmother deposits him in the living room.  

König’s eyes zero in on you in mere moments, unable to resist the soft look that crosses his face, nor the way his shoulders droop. It’s as though a massive weight has been pulled from his shoulders, even more so when you near enough throw yourself into his arms, your hands wrapped around the back of his neck so you can pull him down toward you.  

He meets you in a tender peck which quickly devolves into a more desperate kiss, eager to make up for lost time. It’s only the awareness of where the two of you are that stops König from escalating from loving smooches and taking you right then and there. “I missed you, mein Vögelchen,” he breathes, nosing at the side of your face.  

“I missed you too, mein König,” the grin you give him is nothing short of playful, but that doesn’t hide the clear signs of exhaustion on your face.  

König’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, gently encouraging you to release your hold on him so he can look at you more closely. “Are you alright?” he asks, his gloved thumbs softly caressing your cheeks as he takes in the large bags under your eyes.  

“Your surprise kept me awake,” you laugh, taking König’s hands into your own.  

“Surprise?” He had almost forgotten about the surprise you had mentioned in your text, blinking in confusion, “what kind of surprise would-” He cuts himself off when his oma comes back into the room – he hadn’t even noticed her leaving, too focused on you – his voice flees him at the sight. A tiny little creature is nuzzled into the older woman’s chest. A baby, his brain belatedly supplies for him.  

“Where- Who- Wha-” König blinks once again, unable to process what he was looking at for a long moment. “A baby?” he whispers, breathlessly, his heart racing as he turns to look at you.  

You laugh again at his stunned reaction, gently guiding him closer to the tiny boy. “Say hello to your son,” you smile, watching as he reaches out a hand to caress the infant’s face. His hand is huge compared to the baby and it’s amazing to him that he could ever create something so small and fragile. He’s spilled enough blood in his life that he was certain he’d been stained by it, yet here this child is, completely untainted by the horrors of the world. “His name is Lukas. I remember you saying you thought it would be a cute name,” you add softly, snapping him out of his thoughts.  

He reaches for Lukas, his oma helping him to lift the child from her, showing him exactly how to hold the infant so his head is properly supported. His arms are shaking, despite how light the baby feels, the weight of this new responsibility, this whole new person who is relying on him, leaving him feeling weak at the knees.  

“Hallo, Lukas,” König murmurs, pressing his lips to the top of his son’s forehead. The infant’s little face screws up at the disturbance, eyes blinking open to gaze at his father with the exact same pair of blue eyes. There’s a grumpy pout on the child’s face, but it’s smoothed away with an impressively large yawn only moments later.  

“He’s perfect.” König can feel his throat tightening up, eyes threatening to fill with tears. He supposes that meeting his son for the first time is an understandable reason for crying – there's no need to keep up any appearances here, surrounded only by family – he's more than happy to shed a few tears while he presses feather-light kisses to Lukas’ face.  

Lukas reaches out, placing his tiny hands against König’s cheeks with a curious little coo. He seems to be entirely unphased by his father’s shaking breaths and damp eyes, too focused on the smile he was being offered.  

“I’m glad you liked your surprise,” you say, curling into König’s side and gazing down at your son, “are you ready for your next one?”

König’s head shoots up, staring at you wide-eyed. “My next one?” he chokes out, “y-you don’t mean...”

He sees you biting down on your bottom lip to try and keep the grin from completely taking over your features, unsure if he should be horrified or excited when you turn around and wander into one of the spare bedrooms. “Schatz, no,” he gasps, only able to stand there, gaping like an idiot when you return moments later with a second child in your arms.  

"Keine Chance! There are two of them?!” König’s voice has taken a slightly higher pitch, gripping at the sofa beside him to keep himself from toppling right over. His outburst startles Lukas enough for the baby to whimper, bottom lip poking out and wabbling dangerously. “Ah, sorry, mein leiber,” he quickly shushes, swaying to try and calm his child.  

“Here’s your little girl, Anna,” you coo, bringing the second baby close enough for König to see.  

“Anna...” he repeats, staring down at his daughter in amazement, looking at her pretty eyes, exactly the same as her mother’s. “We have two children, mein Vögelchen,” he wheezes, slowly slipping down to sit on the couch, his legs no longer able to hold him. He knows he told you he hoped to have a family one day, a couple of children and some dogs or cats, but to have two children in one go?  

The realisation hits him like a slap to the face. You had been here alone, carrying not one but two children, and then had to give birth to them. His oma was here for you, of course, but there’s only so much one elderly woman can do to help.  

König should’ve been there to help you throughout the entire process. He should’ve been there when you found out you were pregnant, when you went in for scans, when you found out there would be two of them, and when you found out there would be both a little boy and a little girl entering the world. Instead, he had been overseas, fighting enemies, while you were taking on your own battle by yourself.  

With his free hand, König reaches out to take one of yours, giving it a soft squeeze. “Liebling, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry,” he breathes, pressing your hand to his forehead as he seeks your forgiveness. He would be on his knees, grovelling, if it weren’t for the tiny child currently attempting to reach for his face again.  

“No, none of that,” you shake your head, removing your hand from his grip and instead cupping the side of König’s face, “you didn’t know, there’s no way you could have.” You sit yourself down beside him on the sofa, crowding in nice and close so the two of you can be pressed together.  

He wants to argue, entirely convinced you should be angry at the very least, but now isn’t the time for it, not when this should be a perfect movement between the two of you and your children. So instead, he says, “thank you, mein süßer Vogel,” placing a kiss against Lukas’ head, allowing the boy to hold his finger as he then leans over to kiss Anna. “I love you,” he breathes, finally offering you a kiss.  

“I love you too,” you hum back, staring into his eyes.  

A moment later, Lukas lets out an upset wail, breaking you both from your interlocked gaze. His loud shrieking causes his sister to whimper, awoken from her slumber and most displeased about it.  

“Time for these two to be fed,” you huff, briefly letting the exhaustion catch back up to you.  

König quickly stands, holding out his hand to pull you to your feet. “You can show me how to feed them so I can help, ja?” he asks, eager to take at least some of the work from you. He’s only just returned from months abroad and is tired beyond belief, but this is his responsibility now, and it’s one he is more than happy to take on. He’s already missed almost two months of his children’s lives and he has a lifetime of making it up to you for being away so long.  

No doubt you will disagree with him.  

You walk to the kitchen together, König wrapping his free arm around your waist to keep you close.

He needs to discuss what the two of you are going to do going forward, especially regarding his work now that he more important things to concern himself with. There’s no way he’s going to leave for another deployment, not for a good while after this. All he wants to focus on is spending time with his son, his daughter and the love of his life.  

-

Translations

“Mien lieber Enkle, wo bist du gewesen?!” | “My dear grandson, where have you been?!”

“Ich war arbeiten,” | “I was working,”

“I missed you, mein Vögelchen,” | “I missed you, my littlie bird,”

“I missed you too, mein König,” | “I missed you too, my king,”

“Schatz, no,” | “Treasure/Darling, no,”

"Keine Chance! There are two of them?!” | “No way! There are two of them?!”

“Ah, sorry, mein leiber,” | “Ah, sorry, my dear,”

“We have two children, mein Vögelchen,” | We have two children, my little bird,”

“thank you, mein süßer Vogel,” | “thank you, my sweet bird,”  

[unetherian]

I recently discovered I'm a red fox therian!! I'm so happy but I don't know what I can do like day to day to express my identity minus yk like gear and quads and stuff

I'm so excited to be part of the community!!!

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼✿𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼

Hi!

I'm so happy for you, it must be so euphoric to find your theriotype and join the community at the same time! [Unfortunately I didn't find mine TvT]

So, let’s get to the tips!

Making red fox art! It can be drawing, painting, but also music (by creating a soundtrack on the theme of your natural habitat or a song about foxes), writing, photography (photos of your habitat and/or your theriotype, if possible), some beings create by drawing shapes in the earth/sand, and adding stones, I find that very beautiful! You don't need to be a talented artist to create! Find a technique you like, then go for it!

Watch some red fox art! You don't have to make art to enjoy the wonders of this concept! You can also make art requests to beings who create drawings, moodboards, stimboards, and even poems! You can also read books and watch series/movies with foxes!

Collect things! I collect feathers that I usually find on the ground, and it gives me a kind of "predatory pleasure" to have a piece of prey as a trophy, even though I have never hunted birds for real. You can also collect objects from nature, like small stones, sticks, etc. ⚠️Be careful if you want to buy taxidermy or vulture culture, because it can come from cruel farms where the animals are unfortunately exploited in a horrible way...please do a lot of research.

“Claim” a territory! If you are territorial, this activity is for you! Select a place in your garden, in a park, in a forest, (your territory can be in a public place, but in this case don't forget that this place does not officially belong to you) You can draw a map of this place, and maybe build a den outside.

Make a scent marker! It's a small potion where there are natural elements mixed with your scent, you can use it to mark your territory. I highly recommend it! Thorn from "therian territory" on youtube made a tutorial for this!

Learn fox body language! This is something very interesting, it will surely help you connect with your species. Maybe you'll find that you use the same body language?

Create a therian/alterhuman/nonhuman journal ! It's a notebook, or a small notepad, where you write things related to your alter/nonhuman identity. You can write about your therian journey, the animal experiences you have, for example. To make it, I reused my old half-empty scrapbook, cut out the used pages and then rebuilt a cover page. (I didn't have an empty notebook)

Create a place dedicated to your theriantropy! Place elements that remind you of nature, place gears if you have any, images or drawings of your theriotype, etc. on a shelf, a piece of furniture, or elsewhere. You can make it aesthetic if you want :3.

Eat a snack that looks like a red fox's diet! Foxes eat a wide variety of things! Keep in mind that your body can't eat certain things that foxes can, so be careful, okay?

Make yourself some less common gears! Gears are not necessarily tails, masks and collars, a gear is anything that an alterhuman/nonhuman can connect to his alter/nonhumanity, there are many other things like bracelets, phone cases, arm/legwarmers, etc. You will certainly find inspiration while browsing tumblr.

Try to do some vocal exercises! I don't know if you classify this as a common way to express one's theriantropy, but hey, why not?¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Connect with the community! Share your experiences, your feelings, your questions, your points of view in the online community (I advise you not to use Tiktok and YouTube shorts, unless your goal is to educate this part of the community). The Tumblr community is mostly welcoming and caring! [Do not share your personal information, stay safe].

There you go, I hope I helped you :3 I already posted a something where I gave some tips for young/new therians:

https://www.tumblr.com/unetherian/760241665074233344/things-to-do-when-youre-a-newly-awakened?source=share

maybe it could be useful to you.

Have a good alter/nonhuman journey, take care of yourself(drink water!!!!), don't forget that you are valid, have a purrrrfect day!

Bye !

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼✿𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼

[worseforwords]

Ocean Eyes (Leah Williamson x Reader)

Hi, I'm back! I am kind of trying something new with this one, so let me know what you think.

The rapid vibrating of your phone on the opposite armrest of your sofa send a tingly feeling from you toes all the way up to your neck, triggering goosebumps all over. Releasing a new song was a nerve-racking experience every time, but this time was different. This song was deeply personal, written straight from the heart. A heart not yet healed. You decided to attempt your usual release day ritual: disconnecting. 

You left your house to go on a walk, after putting your phone on silent and locking it in an old guitar case under your bed. You walked in silence for a bit until you reached the forest and took a deep breath of fresh oxygen provided by the trees around you. When you reached your favourite spot under a mighty old oak, you sat down on a patch of grass and pulled out your headphones and your first ever mp3 player from when you were about eleven years old. 

The longer you worked on a song, the less you really listened to it, or felt it. The last couple of weeks upon releasing it, it usually became more of a product you had to edit to perfection. You listened with the critical, theoretical part of your brain and your heart had no say in it. But now, the song was out there, and there was nothing left to change, so you could finally take a moment to listen concentrate on the words and melodies you from two months ago wrote in a heartbeat, in one of your purest moments of self-expression.

The chirping of birds around you disappeared as you put your headphones in. You took another deep breath as you pressed play, letting the sound of your past self resonate through your body. The angelic voices forming the intro send a shiver down your spine, as they brought you back to where it all started, and your mind took you on a journey through it al:

Even though you dreamt of a full time career in music, you didn’t mind working as a barista for a while. Apart from a few busy hours every now and then, the atmosphere in the small café you worked at was usually calm and comfy, allowing you to let your thoughts run free and gather inspiration from overheard conversations customers shared. One day however, even though to an outsider little seemed to have changed, your peaceful spirit weakened as a new customer effortlessly claimed your full focus.

“I've been watching you for some time. Can't stop staring at those ocean eyes”

A loud group of footballers sat at the back of your café, all of them wearing arsenal apparel. Every now and then one of the players walked up to your coffee bar to order a drink. You completed their orders expertly, but you rarely met their gazes, as your eyes were focussed on something, or rather someone else. She sat at the back of the table, not taking her eyes off you. The two of you engaged in numerous intense staring contest, you using your work as an excuse on multiple occasions to nervously look away and froth some milk or to take fresh bread rolls out of the oven. She never once conceded, barely even blinked: this girl was bold, daring, possibly dangerous. “I am Leah by the way.” She said, sending you a wink, before following her teammates out the door.

Leah. Something told you you wouldn’t be forgetting that name any time soon, and you were right. The following weeks, she kept coming back to your café, sometimes with teammates, sometimes by herself, but always sending shivers down your spine with her mesmerising blue eyes. At this point you knew she didn’t even drink coffee, but the fearless woman didn’t need an excuse to go after what she wanted, which apparently, was you. You barely ever spoke, but her eyes told you more than words ever could. Her gaze left you somewhere in between calm and terrified, you were intrigued, more than anything, and flattered, every time you caught her looking at you. By the time she finally spoke to you again, butterflies had already spread through your entire body. “I figure it’s only fair you come meet me at my work for once.” She said calmly, in a deep voice, as she slid a ticket for an Arsenal match across the coffee bar.

You went to the match, and to her place afterwards, and then didn’t really leave for an entire week. You spent every spare minute, when both of you weren’t at work, together, growing closer and getting to know each other. It was intense, passionate, exhausting, but spectacular, unlike any relationship you had ever been in.

“Burning cities and napalm skies. Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes”

When Leah was on the pitch was the only time you could watch her without her watching you, yet it did not make her the slightest bit more vulnerable. She’d have an inextinguishable fire in her eyes, fixated on the goal ahead with impeccable concentration, determined to win, a look you recognised all too well. 

You were never an open book, usually keeping to yourself. You had carefully created a calm and collected image to show to the outside world, keeping everything else behind closed doors and large, solid walls you had built over the years. Leah noticed this as soon as you met, but instead of backing down, she was determined to break you down brick by brick and get through to your core. Whenever you attempted to hide anything from her, she got that same fiery look in her eyes, ready to look into your soul, tenacious if you wouldn’t immediately give in.

“Your ocean eyes”

Her eyes were nearly indescribable. It made you feel many things. You could drift away into them, dreaming of a fairytale life, if they let you. They could send shivers down your spine, make your heart burst into flames, or glance at you very essence, paralysing you in the process.

“No fair. You really know how to make me cry, when you gimme those ocean eyes”

One look was enough to have you crumble to the ground, letting go of any barrier you ever built and breaking down into tears. It felt liberating to finally take of the heavy armour, but at the same time it was terrifying, leaving your harness behind to stand there naked, more honest en uncensored than you ever imagined you could be. As long as she was there however, you felt safe. She managed to make you feel beautiful even when you were crying.

“I'm scared. I've never fallen from quite this high, falling into your ocean eyes. Those ocean eyes”

She had always been clear about her busy schedule, but the way you fell for this girl was unreal. You saw yourself as a rational individual, always holding yourself back, even when people told you to loosen up a bit. This time however, something just snapped. Probably with the very first look she ever send you, she easily flipped a switch inside of you, running electricity through your inner circuit, with no intention of ever turning it back off. It was fair to say at this point all rationality had flown out the window.

As your highs became higher, your lows became lower. Whenever she was there you were on cloud nine, but then she left to live her busy life, leaving you stripped down and all by your self, cold and terrified, not knowing when (and sometimes even if) she’d come back. She frequently left you on read for days, to then suddenly show up at your doorstep. Your life was becoming a rollercoaster and you were a frightened little kid riding it: no control, no idea of the outcome, just letting yourself get carried away, trying to enjoy the pumps of adrenaline falling into your stomach like bricks. To you, it was all worth it though, being allowed to look into her eyes like you were.

“I've been walking through a world gone blind. Can't stop thinking of your diamond mind”

The more you got to know Leah, the more she impressed you. You found that her mesmerising eyes were an extension to what you’d call her diamond mind. Leah’s mind was, like a diamond, precious, magnificent and rare. You often found yourself enjoying her intellect, and how she’d always find the right words to say. But there was more to the comparison. Like a diamond, her mind was also sharp, tough and practically unbreakable. She was always focussed, never faltering, and was devoted to her first love: football, which no one, including you, could ever compete with. 

“Careful creature made friends with time. Left her lonely with a diamond mind”

In the end, there was just no room for you in her life, as Leah chose football over you time and time again. She had been clear about her priorities from the start, but you just couldn’t listen. Her time was extremely valuable, and you apparently weren’t, or at least not enough, so eventually, lows became longer and highs less frequent. 

Whenever she wasn’t there, you started rebuilding your walls, trying to focus on anything and everything else. You spend most of your time at work and in the studio, not even asking Leah for her time anymore. Fixating on work, even though not necessarily healthy, felt  good. You didn’t realise it then, but you were attempting to create a diamond mind of your own. By the time she noticed the shift in your behaviour, you had turned cold, avoiding eye contact at all costs, and she must have known it was too late. 

“And those ocean eyes”

Leah had never truly let you in, but before she left you she looked at you one last time. Her eyes were watering slightly, suddenly showing you every emotion in her body. Your heart shattered right then and there as she suddenly radiated empathy, regret, affection and grief. “I’m sorry.” Those were her last words before closing the door to your house, and with it to your relationship, which had you collapse onto the floor. 

You had experienced heartbreak before, but never like this. You called in sick to work and barely got out of bed for days. At first there was grief: an agonising sting in your heart, causing you to sob uncontrollably for hours on end, the salt ruining the skin on your cheeks. Then there was anger, you resented her for opening up your stubborn shell, only to break your heart when she got closest to it, and anger at your self, for letting her do so. You repeatedly hit you mattress, and even the wall once to attempt getting it out of your system, but it didn’t work, sending you right back to the heartache from before.

The grief cycle continued for a while, until, after a week of what felt like meaningless misery, you got yourself to pick up your songwriting notebook, and it fell open on a page with some words scribbled at the top. “I've been watching you for some time, can’t stop staring at those ocean eyes”. You first scoffed as you read the loving words you wrote back when you had just met Leah, but then, upon visualising her eyes once more, you realised the role they had played in everything. You grabbed your guitar, and before you knew it, a whole song came out, letting your heart lead your hands and voice. When you were done, tears fell from your eyes like a waterfall. However, these tears felt different, almost as if they were tears of relief. 

"No fair. You really know how to make me cry, when you gimme those ocean eyes."

"I'm scared. I've never fallen from quite this high, falling into your ocean eyes. Those ocean eyes."

The song ended, but you didn’t move yet. As you felt a cool breeze gently caress your arms, a single tear fled your eyes. You didn’t wipe it away, instead slowly letting it roll all the way down to your jaw as you felt yourself finally starting to relax for the first time in months.

A few hours later, when you got back home, you allowed yourself to check your phone again. It had blown up in the hours that you were gone, with many kind messages. You’d had a lovely little fanbase for a while, sending you love, kindness and support every time you provided them with new music, but this time the response seemed greater than before. As you were scrolling to some comments, you noticed Daryl, your manager, calling you. When you started to get more fans, you decided you needed some help managing it all and so you hired Daryl. He was definitely not the best, but certainly the cheapest. 

“Y/N, where have you been? You’re blowing up dude!” He exclaimed trough the phone. You hated it when he called you dude, and how he still didn’t remember your release day ritual. “Blowing up? Really?” “Yes, radio stations wanting to book you left and right! I’ll send you the details later. Tomorrow it’s back to work, but take the rest of today off to enjoy all of this alrighty?” You smiled as you hung up the phone to open up instagram again, and one notification caught your eye. You let out a gasp as upon seeing that Leah had liked your post about the new song. Of course you knew she would hear it eventually, but it still caught you of guard. Was that it? Just a like? There was no doubt in your mind she knew the song was about her, as “Ocean Eyes” was a nickname you frequently used with her and even though you were starting to make your peace with what had happened, for some reason you still wanted her to like the song. Luckily your prayer was soon answered, as she left a comment as well. It was just two emoji’s, “❤️🥺”, but it still meant a lot to you. Of course, like always, she knew just what to say, thoughtful yet discreet.

You scrolled through a few more comments, before putting your phone away again. You ran yourself a nice hot bath, to enjoy finally being able to relax the muscles in your back and neck. The soothing hot water slowly loosened up every inch of your body, letting go of months of built up tension. A much needed break from everything, as you felt this might just be the calm before the storm of what’s to come, starting tomorrow, probably.

[caitchercatlady]

Not Having a Good Time

-Pomefiore Version

Vil Schoenheit

This whole week has been a mess for you both emotionally and physically. You would hate for anyone to see you in your current state, but then you get a text message. When you read that it's from Vil, your heart sinks. He is inviting you over to Pomefiore (invitation, more like a command). You hate to go over there in your state, and you do not have time to fix yourself, so you trudge over to Pomefiore without a choice. When Vil sees you arrive, you are surprised that he doesn't react. In fact, all he does is signal you over to the Housewarden bedchamber, and you are welcomed to a full spa set ready for use.

"The first step to relieving your stress is to take care of yourself. Perhaps, this session will inspire you to keep you as your first priority in the future."

At his command, you take a seat in the spa chair, as Vil treats you to a full session of a massage and washing of your face, hair, and skin, and he does not take the session lightly. You expect the deep session to hurt, but you receive the opposite, actually. It's so relaxing that by the end of it, you've already fallen asleep. Vil finds you adorable as he carries you to his bed and cloaks you with the most comfortable blanket he owns. He hopes you have the sweetest of dreams after a lovely evening.

Rook Hunt

Rook has his "ways" of finding you even when you're trying to hide for the sole purpose of not being disturbed. However, he can also detect what your comfort needs are. He knows you love being in the forest to soak in the sun through the trees' branches. To find out what caused you to find privacy without causing a conflict between the two of you, he finds out through the first-year gossip line that the week had been rough classwork wise, which involves a huge test Professor Trein is preparing. There is one way Rook can offer his caring services. He has attached a letter to the door of Ramshackle, so when you return to the dorm, you see it read:

"Trickster, this invitation is an offre for me to assist you in your work efforts. It would be my honnuer to tutor you for your upcoming examen."

As far as you were concerned, this message is the least sus offer of help Rook had ever delivered. You go onto your phone and text Rook if he meant what he said so you two could work in the library. Rook immediately texts back that as long as you were interested, he was ready to assist.

Epel Felmier

Epel can't help but question what has been up with you for the past few days. You've always been talkative about pretty much anything, and your conversations have been Epel's escape from Pomefiore's responsibilities. The less you talk, the more concern Epel becomes. When the last class ends on that Friday, Epel corners you from leaving, demanding an explanation. He fears that you hate him for a reason that he doesn't know about. You thankfully respond that's not the case, but you're afraid to explain why with people around. Epel takes you to his private place, which is the west cliffs of the school campus, where the sun sets every day.

"If you're afraid to tell someone physically, you can yell into the wind. That's what Deuce taught me, and that's when I do when I'm sad about something."

Epel gives an example by yelling about a stupid thing that Vil is having him do for the weekend. When he's done, he lets you take a crack at it. You yell about the Headmage being a jerk as usual, Ace and Deuce have been arguing, Ruggie has been asking to share your lunch all week, and you've ruined a baking gift that you meant to give Malleus tomorrow. Admittedly, Epel doesn't know how to help with the other issues, but baking is his speciality, so he would be more than glad to show you a special recipe he knows as a gift you could give to Malleus. You can't thank Epel enough for sure.

[pixeldistractions]

The work was grueling and gross. These university kids were foul, shameless, and awkward, and he would spare Maria the gritty details. But he felt accomplished, anyway, and a couple thousand dollars richer. The job was done, not just for the day, but for the week. Happy Friday. He finished the day and showered thoroughly. Maria told him to come meet them in town when he finished.

It took him a moment to find them at the center of a small gathering, playing music for a pleased little crowd. Maria played her violin while Johanna danced with a tambourine in her hand. Johanna clashed with the tune, spinning and chiming off-beat, but she was adorable enough to make up for the discord.

He held back and watched from a bench, not wanting to distract her or interrupt. He couldn’t name the song and he didn’t have a musical bone in his body, but it was upbeat and he knew it was impressively played. He couldn’t believe he’d known her for so long and never heard her play until now.

Then his phone rang. It was Colette, so he didn’t answer it.

The boys were fine, he heard from them just an hour ago, so she could leave her complaints in a voice mail. And she would. He waited for it.

Unfortunately, he had to listen to the voicemails for fear that one day it might be something serious.

I had to miss a client meeting for a parent-teacher conference. I had to take them to the dentist, to the doctor, to tai kwon do. How am I supposed to do my job? Because I’m sure you like to think money doesn’t matter, but it does. And you’re where? Utah last week, Arizona this week. Nevada? California? I don’t even know! The phone calls aren’t enough. The child support isn’t enough. They need their dad here. Why do you get to ditch all of your responsibilities and wander around in your wreck of a camper, because what, you hate capitalism or some bullshit? Newsflash, you can’t escape capitalism. You can try, but the rest of us still have to live in it. You’re a selfish sack of shit! You’re a pathetic wreck of a man and my boys deserve so much better!

That woman sure knew how to put a black cloud over his day.

Maria finished her song. It seemed he missed the end of it. She bowed to her enthusiastic crowd, Johanna included. Johanna picked a flower from a roadside planter and presented it to her mother, which made the small crowd coo with awws.

Then she saw him and bounded over to where he stood, throwing her arms around him. He gladly lifted her up off the ground. She was a force of pure happiness strong enough to dispel even the blackest of clouds.

“Wow,” he said. “That was incredible.”

“It’s so funny. I wasn’t even asking for money, but they threw it in my violin case, anyway. I made fifty-five dollars.”

“You know, I think that’s the first time I ever heard you play.”

“Oh, how is that true? But I guess it is. It’s been a while.” Her smile grew timid, but that didn’t diminish its shine. He guessed she must have some experience with performing, even if it was a long time ago. The attention suited her.

“So I’m gonna buy us dinner,” she said. “And you’re going to let me.”

“I can live with that,” he said.

This will transform her. It might take some time, but it will happen. These little flashes of courage, the bursts of inspiration, a walk alone in the forest at sunrise, dipping her bare toes in a river, riding a horse even though she didn’t enjoy it, a tiny concert played for strangers.

She was like a flower once confined to a window sill, finally let out into the wild bright sun. Who ever put her on a windowsill? She didn’t belong there. So he took her outside and the sun shone bright on her face and she bloomed. Oh, how she bloomed.

Jordan felt overwhelming pride to witness it, but also dread. To be a part of it, for as long as she wanted him, before she would soon grow bigger than any need she ever had for him.

Then why would she still want you, you pathetic wreck of a man?

— “boxes and squares #5.2: come down from the clouds” (4/10)

^ Just some picspam of JoJo on the playground while they talked.

Next -> // 5.2 start // index

[white-shadow25]

Getting Back

Tyki Mikk x Fem!Reader

She squeezed her eyelids tightly, but the intensity of the sunlight that had appeared so suddenly was unavoidable. As her eyes adjusted to the landscape in front of her, discomfort gave way to confusion. She was standing outdoors, in the full light of day.

The warm rays of the sun caressed her face and slid over her shoulders, creating a stark contrast to the wintry cold she had felt before lying down in her bed just moments ago. Because it's winter, she thought.

She looked around cautiously. She was on a path in the middle of a forest. She could see the end of the trail from where she stood, and overcome by confusion, she began to walk towards it. It wasn't until she took a step forward that she realized she was carrying a backpack on her shoulder. With desperation, she checked its contents: two changes of clothes, her glasses case, a toothbrush, medication, a charger, and her phone.

She took the small device, still bewildered, and attempted to locate herself on the map. "No signal," she murmured as she sat on the ground, observing her surroundings. The breeze gently swayed the leaves of the trees, and the sound of the forest was comforting. Could I be dreaming? The idea began to solidify in her mind. I must be! There's no other logical explanation!

She jumped to her feet, Not to mention that my dreams have always been strange. Feeling more relaxed and now filled with a new and insatiable curiosity, she cautiously descended the path.

The only thing that doesn't make sense about this is that I don't usually question my dreams until something truly impossible happens, she thought, remembering the dream where Circus Baby was chasing her, and she was flying away. Now, that was a weird one.

Upon reaching the end of the trail, the trees gave way to a picturesque village that stood, warm and welcoming, taking center stage.

It was indeed a small village, but there were three important things to note. First, the image before her eyes was that of a landscape she had never seen before; it wasn't awe-inspiring or magnificent, just entirely unfamiliar. Second, everyone in the village was dressed in accordance with a bygone era, something resembling the 19th century. And third, despite never having been there, something about this place felt eerily familiar. It was hard to describe. She had never set foot in this village, but there was something about the colors, the buildings, the attire, and the sounds of the people that felt strangely familiar.

It looks like something out of an anime, she thought as she debated whether to enter or not. In my dreams, there's always something chasing me, whether it's a forest animal or a mob of outraged fanatics.

She walked along the outskirts of the village, casually hiding among the trees to avoid prying eyes, exploring the small town that stretched before her.

In the distance, there was someone, a figure that stood out from the crowd. A tall man dressed in period attire, with a top hat and a coat, set him apart from the rest. But whether in a suit or rags, from afar or up close, there was no way she couldn't recognize that silhouette.

"No way...," she whispered, hiding behind a tree as she watched the man calmly walk away from the village entrance. It is a dream after all! She silently slipped closer to him. I never manage to control the dreams where Tyki appears; I have to take this opportunity.

She followed the man closely, calculating her steps and making sure to produce the least noise possible. There are two possibilities, she deduced, observing the man's attire and maintaining a prudent distance. He has just met with the Earl, or he's about to meet with him.

What do I do? Where do I steer this dream? I mean, it would be nice to spend time with him; becoming his friend would be a dream come true, literally, she sighed, her eyes glued to the ground. But how do I get closer? It's not like I can surprise him; the man would kill me befo—

She came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened as she realized her mistake. Her breath caught for a moment and then became slow and heavy. Her hands began to tremble as she somehow summoned the courage to lift her gaze. She cautiously scanned the path as it stretched out before her, praying that the lethal man was still in sight. When she finally raised her head fully, she couldn't see him. He wasn't there.

She took a step back, fear trembling in her legs. Her back felt the impact of a solid surface, and, as if knowing what would happen, she opened her mouth reflexively, inhaling as much air as she could until a warm and firm hand cut off her airflow. Instinct led her own hands to try to free her throat from the attacker, who, with his other hand and without the slightest effort, managed to immobilize her completely.

"So," [Name] felt the soft caress of his lips on her ear, "who are we looking for?"

She remained still, cold and static. Relax, she thought. Choose your words carefully and appear harmless. For now, regaining oxygen is a priority.

[Name] gently caressed the back of Tyki's hand with her pinky. He opened his eyes and almost dropped his cigarette, but of course, being behind her, [Name] wasn't able to notice it, though she could sense the slight murmur of confusion, even though he refused to let it escape from his throat.

"I would like to answer," she said with great effort; her throat was beginning to burn. "But you see, it's kinda hard when you can't breathe."

Tyki responded with a small "mhh" and loosened his grip on her neck. "Alright, missy. Now, if you don't mind, I'll take the liberty of asking for your name."

"[Name] [Last Name]," she replied instantly, with an attitude that tried to appear cooperative. "Although everyone calls me [Name]," she added after a few seconds.

"Well, [Name], I'm—"

"Tyki Mikk, the Earl's third disciple," Tyki officially dropped his cigarette. In the split second it took him to realize, he grabbed the young woman by the jaw and forced her to face him. For a moment, she thought he looked younger than she remembered. "What?" she asked innocently. Her big, bright eyes locked onto his, golden and icy.

"What's a little creature like you doing alone in the forest?" the noah asked after a while, once he had made sure that the figure clinging to him carried no innocence.

"I got lost (and I'm not that small, you barely top me by a head)."

"Oh, is that so?"

"That's right."

"And were you following me because you were lost?"

"Yes," she looked him in the eyes. "I was following you because I wanted to ask for directions, but," she shrugged, "I'm a bit shy, so I was gathering courage. And... trying to find the right words so you wouldn't kill me."

"Although it seems I failed miserably."

Tyki looked at her impatiently. Oh man, please, at this rate, I'll wake up from the scare, she thought before adding, "I'm looking for the Earl." Tyki's fingers tensed.

"Why?"

"Well, that's the thing. You see when I said I was lost, it wasn't just a figure of speech. I think he can grant me asylum."

Tyki looked at her bewildered. If I remember correctly, Katsura said that during the early phases of D. Gray-man, Tyki expressed his thoughts with his face. Seeing him like this, up close, I have to admit he's quite transparent, she reflected. He must think I'm stupid. It's not really a lie, but it still hurts.

"The Earl?" he scoffed. "Why would h—"

"Because," [Name] cut in, elongating the "a" in a childish chant, "I have information." She took note of the smug look he had acquired upon hearing her feeble excuse.

"Listen, you don't have to trust me, just confirm that I'm weak (which is true) and I pose no threat of any kind. I promise I won't waste your time, and I know that Adam will find what I have to say interesting enough to at least warrant an audience with him. You can kill me at any time if you think I'm up to something suspicious," Tyki pierced her with his gaze, there was no other way to put it, he was trying to intimidate her, although, to his surprise, she smiled genuinely at him. "Literally," she added, "I have no innocence, and even if I did, I know full well I stand no chance against you in combat, let alone you and the Earl."

Tyki considered the possibilities and came to the conclusion that she was right. Whether she was a deserter from the Order or whoever, she wasn't dangerous, and if she did have valuable information, he had nothing to lose by bringing her to the Earl. Not to mention that she not only knew he was a Noah, no, she was more specific than that, ‘the Earl's third disciple,’ she had said. He didn't even remember that about himself. At the very least, he could confirm that she did indeed know a thing or two.

"Very well," Tyki released her slowly, took off his hat, and made an incredibly graceful bow. The man moved with feline fluidity. "Tyki Mikk, at your service."

[Name] raised an eyebrow as she rubbed her newly liberated wrists. "How gentlemanly," she recalled.

It wasn't until that moment that he took the time to observe her. A young woman, probably not older than twenty-three, she wasn't ugly, nor would he say she was a beauty. The lady in question was quite average, from her height to her features. She had nothing outstanding about her, although he admitted, to himself, that she had a charming sparkle in her gaze. He didn't have much time to think about that; his attention was completely and utterly stolen from her face to her attire. She was wearing strange clothes, and although he had never seen anything like them before, he noted that they eerily resembled something familiar.

"If I'm not mistaken," [Name] said abruptly, shaking him from his trance, "your memory should have records of this clothing." He looked at her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. She just shrugged. "You couldn't stop looking, and I'm aware that the local fashion doesn't resemble it. I assumed it would catch your attention sooner or later."

This is the most narratively coherent dream I've ever had, she noted in her mind.

Tyki took another cigarette from the pack in his pocket, still not taking his eyes off her clothes, then nodded. "How do you know?"

"I don't. It's just a theory for now," Tyki raised an eyebrow around her to prompt her to elaborate, but [Name] just looked away, slightly embarrassed. "I'll tell you after I talk to the Earl."

"How mysterious."

"I'd prefer to keep it while I’m around you," Tyki responded with an inquisitive "mh," offering her his arm like the gentleman he had been taught to be. "Well, if you find me interesting, there are fewer chances you'll kill me on the spot. If you get bored of me, on the other hand, well... I don't see a tomorrow in that."

Tyki smiled to himself. "You seem to know me quite well, and yet, you're not as scared as most people."

[Name] chuckled softly. "By most, do you mean exorcists?" she asked. "You know, those who are your enemies? Those you're supposed to exterminate?"

Without looking away from the front and with a charming smile on his lips, he asked, "What makes you think your situation is different?"

"That you have no reason to kill me. Not yet, at least."

"Not yet?"

[Name] shrugged. "The Earl might not like me, then you'll have a reason to want to eliminate me, or to be ordered to do so."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, mainly because [Name] was trying not to reveal information until she deemed it appropriate, meaning once she decided what to tell the Earl. They covered a wide stretch of the forest until they reached what appeared to be an abandoned train station. [Name] could see the chubby, green figure of the Earl knitting on a bench.

Tyki noticed how [Name] tensed her muscles and relaxed them with each breath.

Well, this is it. This is the moment, she thought. I guess based on this, the rest of the dream will be decided.

"Tyki, good—" the Earl stopped himself when he saw her. His ears perked up and then lowered as he tilted his head, like a confused dog. "Who is that?"

Tyki let go of her arm and placed her in front of him, resting his hands on her shoulders to respond, "Good morning, Earl. This young lady next to me is [Name][Last Name]. She said she had 'information' that might interest you."

The Earl lifted his head slowly, examining the young woman from head to toe. "A deserter from the Order, perhaps?"

[Name] took a step forward. "No," she took a deep breath, "I'm going to reveal something to you. Something important," she added, "And all I'm going to ask is that, before you decide whether to believe me or not, you allow me to state my case."

Tyki raised an eyebrow skeptically while the Earl carefully set his needles and yarn next to him on the bench.

Now or never, she encouraged herself.

"I probably shouldn't start like this, but I can't think of any other way to say it... Well, I'm almost certain that I come from the future."

[Name] could hear Tyki trying to stifle a laugh behind her.

The Earl, on the other hand, didn't find it funny. "Miss, you have a very poor sense of humor."

[Name] frowned. "Actually, you're right, I do laugh at very bad jokes, I won't lie, but that’s not related to what I just said."

Adam lowered his head and shook it slightly. "You've brought me an unfunny clown."

Tyki removed his hat and made a very slight bow with an amused smile on his face. "Yes, it seems so. My apologies, let me—"

"Wait!" [Name] approached the Earl and looked into his eyes. "I know it's hard to believe, to be totally honest, I'm more inclined to think this is a dream than reality." She sat down on the bench next to the Earl. "So, I don't really care much about the consequences of my actions, but I prefer to stay asleep a little longer, and I'm sure that if you execute me in the dream, I'll wake up (and I don't feel like studying for my exams or looking for a job right now)."

Tyki was leaning towards believing that the woman he had found in the forest was crazy, and Adam almost agreed with him. However, there was something about her that left him unsettled. He decided that trying wouldn't cost him anything, so he added, "Then, Miss [Last Name]..." She raised her hand and cut him off before he could finish the sentence.

"I’m sure I said, let me finish stating my case before deciding whether to believe me or not." She leaned closer, closing the distance between her and the Earl. "May I?"

The irreverence caused him a nervous tic, but out of sheer curiosity, he gestured with his hand to invite her to continue speaking.

[Name] let out a breath through her nose and relaxed a bit. "Now, here's my evidence, because, of course, I don't expect you to simply believe me (I wouldn't)."

She turned in her seat toward the Earl. "As I've told Tyki, I have information from both the past and the future. If you promise not to get defensive, I will reveal something from your past and something from your future, so you can draw your own conclusions."

The Earl's ears perked up again, and he chuckled softly. "Very well."

[Name] reached out her hand. "Deal?"

"Deal," said the patriarch, shaking the offered hand.

"Okay."

Now, the question is, what do I tell him? I can't tell him anything he doesn't know about himself, like that he split in two about fifty years ago, no, or that he's actually Mana Walker.

Tyki decided to approach to observe the scene. The young woman who had presumably lost her mind was looking at the ground at her feet while playing with her fingers. She seemed truly lost in her thoughts until a spark lit up her face when she met the Earl's gaze.

"You killed Nea D. Campbell around thirty or forty years ago, and you're looking for the musician who can move the Ark."

The Earl stopped breathing for a moment, and both [Name] and Tyki noticed the tension in his body. Tyki, in particular, could detect the slight nervous tremor in the patriarch's hands. As he had suspected, even if this girl was crazy, it was evident that she had information. Not even he knew about that. He didn’t even know who Nea D. Campbell was.

"While that is confidential information—"

"Cross Marian also knows about it, yes. And he could have told me if he knew me. I don't really think he would, but it's a logical conclusion that I could find out about this from someone else. That's why I'll add a detail about your future. To place me in time, tell me, have you happened to meet any cursed exorcist recently?"

The Earl looked expectant, she was managing at least a bit of information; that seemed to be true. "No."

[Name] nodded. Then it's safe to assume I'm somewhere before the original story begins, she thought.

"You'll hear about Nea again. Since I don't know exactly what year it is, I'll take a risk and say it will be in about three or four years... Although, well, since you all reincarnate, I don't know if that's something you wouldn't know..."

The Earl stopped hearing the woman in front of him. Yes, it was true that he had suspected he would see Nea again, but he hadn't dared to guess a date.

With narrowed eyes, he returned his attention to the girl who was still babbling, now lower, definitely more for herself, and asked her one more thing: "How do you know?" he demanded, shaking her out of her monologue and bringing her back to the conversation.

"I read it," she answered immediately, without even thinking about it. "You see," she scratched her neck and looked at the ground, as if trying to find the words in the earth to explain, "where I come from, there's something like a history book."

"In fact, it's more like a biography than a neutral textbook about the war, so I lack details, especially about the noah. It's fair to admit from the start that most of the information I have comes without exact dates and is very centered on this specific exorcist, so everything I know revolves around him. Still, I have vague details about your past and future. The thing is," she explained, gesturing with her hands, "I didn't finish the book, so I have very limited information.

"More specifically, two years of events from when this exorcist joins the Order."

Tyki unconsciously bit the filter of his cigarette. What this woman was telling him sounded unreal, impossible, but somehow, feasible. No wonder she thinks it's a dream, he thought. After all, if what she said was true, he wouldn't believe it either.

The Earl was beginning to open up to the possibility that everything [Name] was telling him was indeed real, but he remained skeptical.

[Name] noticed it instantly and, looking at Tyki, jumped from her seat.

"You!" she pointed with a shout. "I have an idea," she said, still pointing at Tyki. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tyki can pass through anything, right? Anything belonging to this world, which is why you can't pass through innocence because it's not from 'this world'."

The Earl chuckled softly. "What are you suggesting?" he asked, having a light idea of where she was going.

"Well, I'm not sure if it will work, because the future still belongs to 'this world.'"

Since I definitely didn't come from the future, if this dream remains as coherent as it has been so far, it should work without any issues, she thought.

"But I understand that it's physically impossible to travel back in time, so what about," [Name] raised both index fingers in parallel and separated them a bit, "instead of coming from the future, I come from a parallel world with a different time?"

Adam arched an eyebrow, hidden under his hat. His eyes fixed on the finger a few inches from his face.

"Come on, don't make that face. You came here somehow, right?" The Earl raised his head suddenly to face her. "Yes, I know about that too. Now, back to the important, if my conclusion is right (which I doubt), Tyki shouldn't be able to pass through me. In fact, I'm inclined to believe that if Tyki can't pass through me, Wisely won't be able to read my mind, Sheril won't control my body, and Road won't be able to take my mind anywhere." She looked at the Earl with determined eyes. "And since I'm betting on all or nothing, I'll also say that you won't be able to absorb me."

Adam pondered it for a moment; in a way, everything she said made sense.

"And what if you're wrong?"

[Name] smiled. "All or nothing, sir. If I'm wrong, Tyki kills me."

Tyki watched her with wide eyes and a mouth that looked somewhat like a nervous smile. She's insane, he thought. He looked over the young woman's shoulder at the Earl, who gestured for him to come closer.

“Tyki, may I entrust you with this task?”

The Noah sighed in resignation and shrugged. If she really didn't care for her life, there was nothing he could do about it.

[Name] and Tyki stood facing each other, less than a meter apart, with the Earl watching from the bench.

"You know? Maybe if you beg a little, you might save yourself from this."

[Name] shook her head, and Tyki noticed the excited smile she was trying hard to hide. “Honestly, I think I'm more curious to know if this will work out than he is.”

Totally out of her mind… but 'I'm more inclined to believe this is a dream than a reality' that's what she had said. She really thinks she's dreaming, he concluded. Well, is better to die like this.

Tyki decided to be merciful and handle things delicately. He brushed the fabric of her shirt with just two fingers and looked her in the eyes. "Any last words?"

She gazed at him with an intensity he couldn’t recall ever seeing. After a cute mouth twitch and a glance around the place, she looked back at him.

“Did you hear about the Italian chef who died?” Tyki frowned, totally bewildered. “He pasta-way.”

Officially, the noah lost his second cigarette of the day. He bit his lip trying to restrain himself from smiling, but failed. The absurdity of the moment overwhelmed him, and he burst into laughter that he could barely control.

When he had finished, he straightened up and caught the young woman looking at him with soft eyes and a gentle smile played at the corners of her lips. A faint pink covered her cheeks, and she let out a small giggle.

"You have a really lovely laugh. It's a pleasure to hear it before I die."

Tyki blinked with a silly smile on his face, unsure of how to react. While he was used to flirting, this was different. And absurd. Absurd above everything else. Although he couldn't deny that it was the nicest compliment he had received in a while.

Tyki sighed. All of a sudden, he no longer felt like killing her, but a job was a job. He placed two fingers above her heart again, with every intention of making it as painless as possible, and swiftly pierced.

He withdrew his hand immediately and shook his wrist as he felt the sudden pain in his fingers. [Name] was on the ground in front of him, gently rubbing the area where he had just hit with a wince curving her lips and furrowed brows.

"Ouch," she whimpered, still softly rubbing the spot where he had poked her just a moment ago. "I didn't think that if it didn't work, the impact would hurt."

The Earl interlaced his fingers and watched the scene without a word.

Tyki glanced at his hand, then at the young woman on the ground. His eyes widened again, and he was thankful he didn't have a cigarette in his mouth, as he would have lost it once more time. He leaned down next to her and grabbed her arms, applying force in an attempt to pass through her.

"Hey!" [Name] called, trying to break free from his grip. "You can do the same without hurting me, you know?"

From the future, Tyki saw the young woman in a new light. Does she really come from the future?

"Very well."

Both [Name] and Tyki turned their heads abruptly toward the Earl, realizing they had forgotten about him.

The Earl kept his gaze fixed on the scene before him as [Name] and Tyki interacted. The situation was incredibly strange, but the young woman had provided evidence that was hard to ignore or completely dismissed.

"As difficult as it may seem, I am inclined to think that everything you say is true," the Earl declared finally, breaking his silence. His voice was calm and thoughtful as he continued to watch [Name] and Tyki.

[Name] jumped up. "Really?" Adam just nodded. "Well, that's good news," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "I can't even fully believe it myself," she added, her laughter fading as she noticed the persistent pain in her chest. It wasn't unbearable, just what you'd expect after someone forcefully jabbed two fingers into you. But there was something unsettling about it.

The noah, who had noticed the nervous and almost hysterical atmosphere surrounding the small figure, stood up and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Missy?" he asked, watching as she rubbed the area where he had tried to penetrate. Just as he started to wonder if he had hurt her too badly, she murmured, "I've never felt pain in a dream before," she turned slowly to see his hand on her shoulder,  “nor… warmth."

She opened her eyes wide as acceptance settled into the depths of her mind. A wave of nausea washed over her, and her vision blurred. Her heart adopted a dangerous rhythm that threatened to burst out of her chest, and her legs turned into jelly, barely able to support her weight. It felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under her feet. She clung to Tyki's arm for support as she struggled to breathe.

Tyki witnessed the scene in slow motion and managed to catch her before she completely lost consciousness. It's not a dream anymore, is it? he thought. He held her in his arms and looked at the Earl.

"What should we do with her?"

Adam looked at the unconscious body in Tyki's arms. "We'll take her with us for now. That's what she wanted, right?"

Tyki nodded. "She mentioned needing a place to stay."

"Very well, then. It's settled," the Earl said, his ears twitching up and down one last time. "Let's go. We're already running late, and on top of that, we'll have to add an extra seat at the table."

The Earl made a mental note to find some proper clothes for their unconscious guest. He watched as Tyki performed a complicated maneuver to lift the young woman's backpack and added, "Be careful. You're carrying a very special guest."

[dodgeballstuckonthegymceiling]

May I request something for Julie,Poppy and Sally(separate) with a dragon reader who hid that they were a dragon because they grew up reading the stories about dragons and are worried about being feared or attacked?

Recently I've been trying to write longer and more detailed posts, this being one of those attempts. Hope you enjoy the headcannons! (⁠^⁠-^⁠)

Julie, Poppy and Sally x dragon Reader

Julie

★ Julie met you while visiting her family, she got lost and stumbled upon you. You don't like to live near people so the forest is where you call home. Being under the same umbrella as you (rainbow monster) you warmed up to her quickly.

★ Not realizing you where hiding from people, she immediately introduced you her family. Bringing the joyful family into the dense forest you call home. It went surprisingly well, and now you're a friend to the little family.

★ Imagine all the new games she can play with someone who has wings! During a game of hide and seek you could hide on top of a the post office and win every time. In capture the flag you could hide the flag where nobody can reach! The possibilities are endless...

★ She doesn't understand why you hide yourself. After all, she's a Rainbow Monster and never has she needed to hide her identity. Everyone in home is so friendly, she can't imagine a place where people are mean.

★ You meet the rest of the town through her. It's a classic case of a extrovert adopting a introvert. She goes around Home knocking on people's doors and introducing you to them.

★ If that's too much for you, she does the same thing but over the phone so you don't need to leave your house. Introducing you to Frank first because he is her best friend and she's definitely told him about you beforehand.

Poppy

★ This mother hen is deeply concerned, if you live in the deep forest where do you get your food? What if you get lost in the forest?? Do you even have running water there??? These are the things that come to mind when she learns about you.

★ Do you like pastries? If you do she puts together a basket full of various cookies, puff pastries and cream puffs then gives it to Eddie for delivery. It took Eddie an hour to find your house because he kept getting lost.

★ Like you Poppy has wings. Except hers are used for baking, not flying. Technically she could fly if she really wanted to but she's too scared to try. By proxy, she's scared that you will hurt yourself while flying.

★ She covers her eyes when you take off from a high place because she can't bring herself to watch you jump into the air. What if you fall?!?

★ To quell your fear of being in public places she knits you a cape-like poncho that covers most of your body. Poppy can assure you that nobody in home would ever hurt you, but if this makes you more comfortable then so be it.

Sally

★ Being the towns theater kid, she's well-versed in story's about dragons. Congratulations, you got this star to be enamored with you. Never in her life has she seen a dragon! She asks you so. Many. Questions.

★ Sally likes to cast you in her plays as the hero character, despite the situational irony. Only casting you as the "bad guy" when you audition for the role. She refuses to promote any mean/harmful stereotypes in her plays!

★ When you tell her that the way dragons are portraid in old plays is inaccurate and problematic, she feels really really bad. She gives you some written copies of her performances (specifically the ones with dragons in them) for some constructive criticism.

★ Stories focusing on dragons are now among her favorite genres. Darker stories about dragons being hunted and driven out of towns are a bit too dark for her. More lighthearted stories about dragons collecting gold, jewels and knowledge are what she finds riveting.

★ The change in perspective inspires her to write manuscripts for stories about dragons. With your help, of course. What if she re-wrote old stories but instead of being "evil" the dragon is the hero?

[theflyingfeeling]

hi hello I'm here with another establishement to the terrible Olli/Allu infidelity AU, yes I should stop I know I know I knoooooww but listen, this time it's a sort of sequel to this fic of the same theme and inspired by this so yeah, to sum up:

Olli comes to the possession of Aleksi's shorts and proceeds to pleasure himself while wearing them, thinking of Aleksi. There's lots of pining, angst, and general misery in it too. Rommi and Rilla are mentioned.

~

Olli was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Instead of city lights, there was the sun still greeting him from behind pines and birches when he sat up to look out the window, despite his smartwatch reading half past midnight. Instead of the noise of traffic or the strangers in the next room talking too loudly, Olli heard the chirp of early morning willow warblers and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind.

And the deep, calm breathing next to him.

She was sleeping peacefully, a rosy blush still colouring her cheeks from their earlier lovemaking. Her hair was spread on the pillow under her head, long and blonde like a mermaid's, and so very unlike Aleksi's. Suddenly Olli remembered all those mornings on tour, when he had woken up to blonde hair on his face, on his eyes and mouth and cheeks, and he had to get out the cottage before the sobs that were building up inside his chest would burst out and wake her up.

He grabbed his phone and a pair of black shorts to pull on his naked self, and then he sneaked out, tiptoeing past Niko and Minna's bedroom to not raise any unneeded attention as to why he was going out alone at that hour. There was no sound from the other room, so Olli assumed the other couple was already finished with their nightly activities as well and were now soundly asleep, enabling Olli's escape, even if he wasn't going any farther than the back porch of the Moilanen’s family cottage.

The tears that had been burning the rims of his eyes finally came when he sat on the cushioned garden chair on the porch. He let them stream down his cheeks soundlessly, knowing he'd feel better if he did, while still swallowing his sobs back to wherever they had come from. No matter how much he wanted to cry out his yearning for something he was never allowed to have, so loud that Aleksi could hear him all the way from Lapland to the south of Finland, he could not risk anyone inside the cottage to hear him, especially not her. She had already seemed suspicious earlier that day, eyeing the shorts he had been wearing (or maybe he had just imagined it, feeling tense from just having the garment touch his thighs).

"Why can't I remember seeing those before? Did you buy them on tour?" she had asked, seconds after they had gotten out of the car in the front yard of the cottage, with Minna waving at them from the window.

Olli's mind had instantly filled with perfectly believable explanations to give her. 'They're Aleksi's, in fact, but he doesn't wear them anymore, so he gave them to me, because the other alternative would have been to throw them in the trash I guess', or 'Aleksi couldn't fit them in his luggage when we left Hilltop Forest last week, yeah, I don't know how that was possible either, but in any case I promised to take them and give them back to him next week after midsummer, please don't tell him I've been wearing them though, haha, that wasn't part of the deal, but they're just so comfy' and she likely wouldn't have even batted an eye at either explanation. She probably would have even baked biscuits for Olli to give Aleksi with the shorts. Yet, there was something that had kept him from mentioning Aleksi's name.

"Uh, yeah. Got them from Tokyo."

Olli's paranoia had turned into a relief that had soon mixed with guilt as she had complemented how nicely the shorts brought out the curve of his ass, just in time before Minna would step out of the cottage to welcome them with Rommi zooming past her. Either way, Olli had been glad she had asked about the shorts before they'd see Niko, who might or might not have recognized them as Aleksi's and blown Olli's cover in the blink of an eye. Then again, their clothes mixed on tour all the time so that sometimes they weren't even sure which clothes were their own, let alone whose socks or t-shirt was stinking on the tour bus floor, so perhaps Olli was safe in that regard. Perhaps Niko had only glanced at them and then at him with a sorry angle to his eyebrows when the girls had browsed gowns to wear to the wedding of the century.

To his defence, Olli couldn't have told the truth about the origin of the shorts anyway, for he had no memory of putting them in his own backpack after the Hilltop Forest party. He wanted to call Aleksi and ask, knowing the man would still be awake, but if he did call him, he feared he was going to be crushed by the pressure of having to speak about what they had done there (given each other handjobs while everyone else was asleep), or even having to speak about the unspeakable (the ring Aleksi had started to wear in his left hand), so he was forced to abandon the idea before it would consume him; before the thought of hearing Aleksi's quiet voice on the phoneline would trump everything and have him do something erratic, such as getting in the car and drive all night, just to ask Aleksi to call off the plans of pink roses on every table and his brother's band playing at the reception.

Aleksi had made his choice, and Olli was not it. Olli accepted it too, knowing there were too many obstacles on their way for anything more to happen, other than hasty handjobs in the tour bus or sucking each other off in backstage bathrooms. That was all there was ever meant to be, and even that should never have happened; Olli should never have let that happen, but when he was stuck in a truckstop in the middle of Texas and missed being that close to someone and having his heart crush his ribcage to little pieces, what chance did he have to hold himself back? What chance did he have, when Aleksi was right there with his bluest eyes and his lips sculptured from the finest marble, prettier than–

Olli should have slapped himself for even thinking that.

Wiping his cheeks, he sat back on the chair and felt a streak of light in his eyes from behind the woods. He turned his face away from the midnight sun, the only witness to what they had done the week before, and now to Olli's meltdown as well. Great, he thought, first Niko, who knows more than he should because we forgot to lock the bathroom door once, and probably Minna too, who knows because Niko knows, and now I can't face the sun anymore either, in fear of it spilling all my secrets about how much I need Aleksi.

Olli shook his head in frustration and cast his eyes to his lap, to the black garment wrapping around his thighs. Why he was wearing the shorts that day in the first place was almost a bigger mystery than how he had come into the possession of them. Maybe he genuinely thought they were comfy, or at least comfier than his only clean pair of shorts. Maybe, in some strange, self-destructing way he thought they'd make him feel closer to Aleksi and the most recent night they had shared. He stroked the white embroidery with his thumb and immediately remembered how warm Aleksi's skin had felt underneath it, soft and full against Olli's palm as he had slid his hand inside the pant leg. A sigh turned into a groan when memories of Aleksi panting and squirming filled his head, and something would throb below his palm, just like something had throbbed below his palm in the moment they had shared on the porch of the fancy rental cottage a week ago.

He had told Aleksi to stay quiet, nibbled on his earlobe and the earring Aleksi had put back on after sauna. Aleksi hadn't needed to be told twice, as he, too, was well aware they had way more to lose than to win in this reckless little game they kept playing; kept and couldn't stop despite the warning signs, despite each touch that they shared becoming more needy and thus more dangerous. It had not been Olli's plan to let it happen there, where they had been surrounded by not only their bandmates but also their business associates from the record label, but when Olli had seen the tent on the front of Aleksi's swimming shorts in the sauna after they had given each other a good old beating with the vasta, there was little else he was able to think about for the rest of the evening. A stronger man would have fought against the temptation and just saved the moment for a private fantasy when jerking off. Olli, however, could not blow his own trumpet in that regard, and so he found himself seeking Aleksi's proximity all night, waiting until the others would retreat to their rooms so that he could finally put his hands on Aleksi.

Sure, he wasn't the only one to blame. If Aleksi had wanted to, he could have told Olli to back off, could have asked Olli to respect his decision and that stupid, shiny piece of jewellery on his finger, but he hadn't, not once. Instead he had spread his legs to give Olli more room to massage him through his shorts, those shorts, and leaned his head away from Olli to expose his neck for Olli to mouth on. They rarely kissed – only when they were tipsy or heartbroken enough – perhaps so that they could pretend none of it meant anything to either of them. In reality, it meant the world to Olli, to be allowed to touch and kiss Aleksi's body as if he was meant to do it, as if they belonged only to each other and not to some completely different people.

Shivers ran down Olli's spine as he remembered how Aleksi's cock had pulsated under his touch, similar to how his own erection was now pulsating inside the shorts. He shoved the remorse and shame aside for the sake of letting the memory swallow him, for the sake of travelling back in time and space to that chilly summer evening that had had them both sweating and breathing heavily by the end of it. Slowly rubbing his own hard-on, he closed his eyes and wished he could be doing that to Aleksi the way he had done then, making the man panting, writhing, whispering into Olli's ear to beg for him to make Aleksi come, darned be the fresh pair of underpants he'd ruin. Olli bit his lip to not laugh out loud at the memory of Aleksi suddenly stopping him, remembering he would have no extra ones to change into if he was to jizz his pants, so as a compromise he had pulled his hard cock out of his boxers and fit it inside a pant leg so that his tip had been peeking from under the black fabric. The sight had mesmerised Olli and had almost made him switch from sucking Aleksi's neck to sucking his dick instead, if the small noises Aleksi had been making into Olli's ear hadn't convinced him to keep on kissing Aleksi's neck and jawline.

Olli squeezed his own cock and remembered how hard Aleksi had been for him. He remembered Aleksi's hot, heavy breaths, similar to his own breathless sighs now. He remembered Aleksi's lips finding his at last, hungry and greedy just like Olli's own had been. He remembered Aleksi whimpering into his mouth as he had approached his peak, the sound of it alone almost enough to make Olli come too. He remembered how Aleksi had grabbed the front of Olli's shirt, how he had muffled his sobs against it when his orgasm had washed over him.

Olli had not been sure if they had been sobs of pleasure or of something else. He hadn't dared to ask, afraid the answer might be something he didn't want to hear.

Almost ready to come himself, Olli rubbed his cock through the shorts with more force and decided to focus on the memory of Aleksi's climax instead of his cries, of Aleksi's cock pulsating inside the pant leg and finally shooting thick cum on his own thigh. It was pathetic, Olli knew, but it was hardly the first time during the past week Olli had masturbated to that image, and if he wasn't missing Aleksi so much, if he wasn't so consumed by the longing he had for his friend, he would have felt ashamed for cumming as hard as he did while thinking about Aleksi's semen dripping down his thigh. Olli's hips jerked and he felt the fabric of the shorts getting damp from his jizz, and just barely he was able to keep himself from moaning into the summer night from the strength of his orgasm, to have the reindeer they had seen on the road to the cottage earlier that day hear his groans of euphoria and misery alike.

The guilt returned faster than it usually did, but Olli supposed it was because he was alone. He sniffled, then, feeling sorry for himself for having no panting, blissed out Aleksi next to him to nuzzle on his shoulder, to carry half of Olli’s sins. He sniffled again, remembering he did have someone inside the cottage who'd do exactly that and more; someone who had made him a chocolate cake for breakfast when he came back home from tour and had offered to give him a massage to wash off the frown that seemed to be stuck on his face as of late; someone who cared for him, needed him, and didn't go around putting rings on other people’s fingers.

It wasn't her sin to bear, though. She deserved far better than that.

His hands were shaking when he took out his phone from his pocket. He wasn't even sure why he had taken it with him when he had gotten up in the dead of night. It must have been an unconscious choice, much like the one he had made in the morning, looking at two pairs of almost identical shorts and choosing the ones his stupid heart had told him to.

In spite of his earlier hesitation, his finger was soon hovering over Aleksi’s name. 

He didn't expect Aleksi to pick up at almost one in the morning, even if it was summer and holiday and Aleksi was probably still awake at his studio, working on a solo project or scheduling emails to be sent the next day. At the same time he knew Aleksi would, for those exact reasons.

"Hey."

"Hey," Olli answered. He wiped his nose on his wrist.

"Can't sleep?"

"Yeah."

"Me neither. Fucking jetlag..." Aleksi's voice was strangely quiet. Olli didn't want to think about him taking the call while upstairs, with her.

"Watcha doing?" he asked, just to have Aleksi tell him he wasn't.

"Nothing much. Just... killing time at the studio."

Olli sighed. 

Killing time because you're bored and sleepless, or killing time until you'll get to climb back upstairs to an empty bed when she's already left for work?

"What about you?"

The sniffles wouldn't stop, no matter how Olli tried to keep them in.

"Thinking about you."

He didn't know what else to tell Aleksi.

"Oh."

The line fell quiet then, and Olli saw no need to break the silence. He settled for listening to the distant cuckoo from deep in the woods and wondered if Aleksi could hear it too; if that way they could pretend they were together.

"I've been thinking about you too. A lot. I know I shouldn't, because–"

"Don't say it," Olli spoke over him.

My heart's already as if stabbed, I don't need you to twist the knife any further.

They said nothing again for almost a minute, just listened to each other's breathing. In that moment, it was enough, and much better than filling the silence with truths that made Olli want to groan in agony.

He looked down at his hands, at his lap.

"I have your shorts," he told Aleksi. He could lie to himself and say he did it in case Aleksi had wondered about them, but he knew that wasn't the reason.

Aleksi stayed quiet for another moment before answering.

"I know."

It couldn't have meant what Olli hoped it meant. It wouldn't have been fair of Aleksi.

"I'll give them back to you next week," he forced out of his mouth, managing to do so without his voice trembling. The white text on the pant leg was beginning to blur.

"Okay. Thanks."

My fucking pleasure, Mattson.

"Can't wait to see you next week," Aleksi said, as if he had sensed Olli was about to hang up on him out of sheer bitterness.

Bitterness over Aleksi torturing him like this, or bitterness over the situation in general? Be as it may, Olli knew he wasn't entitled to such a feeling in the first place.

On the other end of the line, Aleksi exhaled.

"Fuck it, Olli, I miss you. I know I shouldn't, but... fuck," the man swore out his evident frustration.

No matter which way Olli tried to put it, the situation wasn't fair for any of them. He sniffled again.

"I miss you too. Too much."

A silence fell on the phone line once more, a melancholic one this time, rather than a tense or an expectant one. It was broken when Olli heard Aleksi's office chair creak.

"I think Rilla's awake upstairs. I may need to go up and let her out. She's been having stomach issues."

"Say hi to her from me," Olli said and wiped something off his cheek.

"Yeah, I will," Aleksi promised. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "Thanks for the call. I was...actually thinking of calling myself, but–"

Olli couldn't bear hearing Aleksi's reasons. "See you next week." 

"Yeah. Bye."

One last, self-pitying sniffle and Olli was back on his feet. The cum inside the shorts was starting to cool, making him despise the piece of clothing for the discomfort and guilt they were giving him. Back in the bedroom, with her deep asleep and thus oblivious to Olli's absence, Olli stripped himself naked again and crammed Aleksi's shorts deep in his backpack, hoping he'd be able to do something about them without her noticing. It wasn't going to be easy, with her on her annual summer leave from work and always home with him now that he was there too for once, so maybe he'd have to sneak out at midnight again to scrub them clean. Whatever Aleksi's intentions had been, Olli doubted he wanted his beloved shorts back all crusty from dried-out semen.

Careful to not alert the sleeping woman on the other side of the bed, Olli slid under the duvet and lay on his back, eyes on the ceiling.

Olli was exactly where he was supposed to be.

But wasn't it funny, how the place where he wanted to be was some place else entirely. 

[magnolix]

The Road Home | a kny isekai { 1 }

Synopsis: Once upon a time, you were just a normal girl taking a normal trip with your normal friends. But one day, after a shrine offering gone wrong, you find yourself in Taishō-era Japan.

+ warnings: gn!reader, adhd!reader, insomniac!reader, cursing, violence, mentions of nudity, mention of trauma, pain (inflicted/received), weapons, mentions of taking sleeping medication, mentions of taking medication,

+ word count: 4.2k

+ categories: gn/m, gn/f (partially), isekai, fanfiction

+ hashira, hashira family, kagaya ubuyashiki, kamaboko squad, made up slayers

✩ author's note: this fic is heavily inspired by @kingkyoujurou's "Another Era, Another Universe". please go give it a read because without them I wouldn't have any idea of what I'm doing

chapters: one, two, three, four, five

Compared to others, you had a good life. You were almost done with college, you had a loving family, and you lived in a cute little town in the countryside. But today was different, today, you and your friends were traveling through Japan. And as much as you wanted to go and keep exploring, the sun was setting, and you couldn't risk the wrath of all your friends.

"Come on, just two more stores! I can see a ramen store right there!" You whined as you and your friends all walked into the hotel lobby. They all laughed as you got into the elevator with them.

"Come on Y/n, we went across half of the entire city. That's a lot of walking!" One of them said as she yawned. "Besides, you almost went bankrupt, it's day two and you've already spent two-thirds of your spending." Another commented, wrapping his arm around you to lean on.

You sighed as the elevator doors opened up with a ding. The four of you begrudgingly all walked down. But, nevertheless, you steeled yourself, grabbed your raincoat, your hiking boots, your bag filled with all of your necessities, and your old froggy umbrella. You smiled as you took in a deep breath and opened the door.

You made sure to lock your door and pull against the handle a few times just in case before you took your shoes off. The rest of your friends all undressed as you looked at your phone to see what you had done.

"Maiden Road, raccoon cafe, anime store, maid cafe, oh!" "What is it?" "We missed that shrine near the forest! Can we go now? They say it's best at night!" "Hell no! It's gonna start raining soon and I don't wanna get swept away!" Your other friend said as she let her hair down and snatched up a towel.

You hummed to yourself as you thought about what you all would do tomorrow. But the promise of the shrine visit was killing you. You wanted to see it, no, you NEEDED to see it. You looked back at your friends. You were still in your clothes and had the location up on your phone but you had to come up with a good excuse. After a few minutes, finally, one appeared.

"I'm gonna go downstairs to the little convenience store and buy some food. I'll be back in a second!" Your friends all waved you off as you grabbed your hotel key and made your way downstairs and hailed a taxi. This was gonna be fun.

Ever since you were little, you had always wanted to go to Japan. The food, the culture, the colors, and the people. Anything and everything made you so excited. But most importantly, you wanted to see the shrines. Of all the books you read about Japan, they always mentioned the unique and mystical shrines dotted across the country. And you were gonna try your damndest to visit every single one, no matter what it took.

You paid the driver and got out near a street lamp so you could get your barrings. You slowly began to follow your map which led you through a massive, and eerily quiet, forest. The lack of noise creeped you out and made you wish you had your headphones.

Finally, after what felt like hours, you spotted a paper lantern with the kanji "参道" on it. You followed it until it led to one lantern after another and then, in all of its glory, was the shrine. It was a tall pillar of white stone that was surrounded by smaller statues and beautiful wisteria trees. Each flower was a beautiful purple and seemed to almost glow in the moonlight.

You sighed and took a moment to catch your breath, silencing your phone and rolling up your sleeves. You walked up, bowed, clapped your hands twice, and went to reach for your--

oh,

oh no,

"HOW DO I NOT HAVE ANY COINS?" Your scream caused a stir in the forest. You panicked and patted down all your pockets. Surely you had at least one 10 yen coin, but none were found. "I can't turn back. I'm not gonna turn back." You thought about what you could offer. Paper money wouldn't be okay, nor your credit card, and then you thought about a different offering.

You walked over and pulled off a wisteria flower. You knew it was wrong and not the right offer, but you were desperate. You placed it down and yawned. You were more than ready to go back to the hotel and get some sleep, but you still had one more thing to take care of.

As you turned your heel to walk out, a twig snapped somewhere in the dark forest. How cliche, You thought to yourself. You scrambled to get your phone and turn on your flashlight but it was knocked out of your hand by a hand full of claws. You looked up and were face to face with a...a...

"HOLY SHIT IT HAS TEETH!" Your fight-or-flight instinct kicked it, and you chose flight. You ran into the forest, not caring about staying on the path, you just needed to get away. You ran past trees, jumped over rocks, and eventually tripped over a large root before landing on your face. The creature grew closer, breathing heavily and making noises like a wild animal. You turned over to meet your fate, but before you could, sleep clouded your vision and a moment later, you were out.

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・

As you started to stir, you could hear voices and a soft, flickering noise. You opened your eyes expecting to be surrounded by your friends and hospital equipment but instead were surrounded by empty beds, a few strangers, and the stench of old bandages. Your nose stung from the smell alone. You did your best to sit up but felt a pair of tiny hands push you back down.

“No no no! You need to stay down Miss L/n!” The little girl whined. She looked as if she was going to pass out, her little worried expression was precious. But that still begged the question…

“How do you know my name?” “Oh no, Miss L/n have you forgotten?” “And who are you?” “I-I’m Terauchi, don’t you remember? I work with Nakahara-chan and Takada-chan. Oh no, do you really not remember?” Terauchi looked as if she were about to cry. All of the others in the room looked at you with concern. Some even looked with pity. Could these be your friends? Did you just wake up from a coma? Have you been living in Japan the entire time? Was life a simulation? You did your best to remain calm but couldn’t.

Terauchi ran out of the room and came back with two others who you could only assume were Nakahara and Takada, following behind was a slightly older girl with big blue eyes and short hair. She walked over and held your hand as your breathing returned.

What felt like only a few minutes ago, you had been running for your life in a forest from some sort of thing. And now, you’re waking up in a whole new world surrounded by people you didn’t recognize. Even worse, these people somehow knew you. You needed to calm down.

You took in a deep breath as the girls around you all smiled and let you take your time. You did what you could to calm down as your heartbeat slowed and your pulse went to normal. Terauchi hugged you while she and the other little girls left, leaving behind the older girl.

“Can you really not remember anything?” Her voice was surprisingly stern for someone so young. Like a mom but…teenier.

“No, I can’t. And who are you?” “Aoi, and you’re in the butterfly mansion.” “That’s a weird name.”

Aoi groaned and reached into her apron, pulled out a small paper bag, opened it, poured out some medicine into a small cup next to you, and mixed it thoroughly before handing it back. “Drink this three times a day, morning, noon, and night. Don’t move around too much, you’re still too weak to be walking. And for the love of God if you need help just shout and someone will come.” As you drank, your eyes wandered around the room.

It was large enough to fit at least 8 patients but small enough to still be manageable. It was bright as well. All of the windows were wide open letting in a nice, cool breeze. The smell of the gravel and the sound of the trees reminded you of your home. You managed to take a deep breath as Aoi gave you a nod and left.

After that, it took you a while to realize this was no dream. Actual weeks went by. So much so that you had to start training. You had only ever picked up a sword to do cosplay or just to drool over the idea of having a big piece of metal in your hands, but this was new. This was going to be your life now. You were a demon slayer, more specifically a Kanoe, just like one of the other inhabitants of the mansion. Her name was Kanao from what you remembered. This meant two very important things.

First and foremost, this was not your first injury. You had been here before, fighting demons and kicking ass. Secondly, it meant that you had survived. Somehow, you and your dumbass self had survived a dozen or more demons, multiple times. However…

It also sucked.

The others around you that you had come to learn were your friends all started to leave you out of sessions. Your memory loss wasn’t enough to prove to them that you weren’t the same person they thought you were. You were left to figure out what you could do on your own. And, surprisingly, you were able to figure a little out. You learned how to block and how to swing. That was it. Just enough so you could defend yourself and run like hell away.

But even if you had learned a lot, you still had the issue of going back to the butterfly mansion at the end of the day to sleep in a room that wasn’t yours. Your phone was gone and you were slowly going insane. Plus the infinite amount of books you could find wasn’t gonna be enough for you.

But finally, after a few weeks of training and getting yourself back together, another one of the demon slayers approached you. He seemed excited as he approached you in the hallway.

“L/n! L/n! Guess what?” “Hmm?”

You struggled to remember his name before pronouncing it slowly. “Ez..ume…right?” The boy’s eyes lit up and nodded. A smile appeared on both of your faces as you listened.

“We’re heading to Swordsmith Village! We’re finally gonna get our Nichirin blades!” You raised one of your eyebrows in confusion.

“Don’t we already have swords?” “The training ones? No! Those are wooden, they could never kill a demon.” He hit the back of your head in a friendly manner. “Come on, L/n, you need to keep up.”

You let out a chuckle and rubbed your head. “Well, when do we leave?” “Before daybreak, tomorrow. Your crow should be here any minute to give you more info.” Ezume looked back down the hall at a smaller group of slayers who were waving for him to join. He smiled and waved at you before running over to join them before they all disappeared further into the mansion.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, your crow arrived practically screaming at you about your mission. As it did, you took your uniform off and cleaned it up for tomorrow. You left your room to go and eat before you and Ezume chatted for a bit; even going outside to practice your skills before you both parted ways.

The moon above you glowed in the middle of the night sky as you finally entered your room. Your face was washed, your uniform was cleaned, and even your crow was fast asleep. You pulled the covers up and held them close as the sounds of crickets and the trees waved. Yet, you couldn’t sleep. Usually, you have the option of taking some meds to help you out. But now you were forced to lay awake as the moon’s glow filled your room.

Hours went by and you continued to lay awake in your room. You didn’t have a clock but considering how late or early it was you got up and readied your uniform. But you couldn’t help but hear the faint noise of conflict a few doors down. You walked over and pushed open your door before sneaking off and creeping down the hallway. The two voices were entirely different. The first one was soft and gentle with a sad undertone, a female’s voice. The second was husky and filled with anger. A male voice.

As you approached a corner you paused and stuck your ear out to listen to the two.

“Please, Y/n just needs more time. I’m sure that they’ll be back to their duties very soon.” “You don’t understand, they’ve never been like this. Ever! Something happened in Akigawa \valley, something bad.” You could feel the house shake as you heard what sounded like a punch to the wall. “They’re practically a different person!” “Y/n has been learning, they’re getting better. It’s a memory issue--” “Repeating it to me won’t change my mind Shinobu! They had enough skills to become a Hashira!”

You let out a small yawn, it was barely above a whisper but somehow caught the attention of the two. You felt a big hand grab your wrist and pull you into the light. The man holding your wrist was tall and had white, spiky hair and surprisingly pretty, pale purple eyes. The other was more familiar to you, Shinobu, the head of the mansion. A little ravenette with purple eyes and short hair. She frowned at seeing you listening in but instead walked over and pulled the man away.

“Sanemi, that’s enough. You’re hurting them.” Shinobu smiled at you as she looked over at you. “You’re healing, that’s good! Are you excited to go to the village?” You nodded at her words only to get shouted at by Sanemi.

“Don’t speak to them as if they’re a child, they’re a demon slayer. They’re practically a Hashira--” “I am a Kanoe and I fucking enjoy it!” You said with a strange sense of pride. You stared the white-haired hashira dead in the eyes as a sadistic smile crept onto his face. He grabbed your collar and lifted you up with ease. His eyes burned red like burning hot daggers.

“What did you just say? Did a weakling just speak back to me? I must have misjudged you, maybe you aren’t ready to be a Hashira. Maybe you’re dead meat.” “And maybe you’re a bitch.” You could feel your heart racing as you said those words. A sick comeback you would only think of in the shower, you couldn’t wait to tell the others. If you were still alive at that point.

“Why I outta--” “Caw! Wake up, wake up! Caw! You must leave for Swordsmith village!”

Your crow screamed from your room as you heard several others wake up and scurry to get their uniforms on. Shinobu separated you from Sanemi before you fell down, bowed to both of them, and ran to your room, putting on your uniform and getting a small bag ready. You followed your crow out to the gates of the grand estate where you met up with the others and set off on your journey.

“Hey L/n, you don’t look so good, are you-” “Later, Ezume. Later."

.・。.・゜☂・.・☽・゜・。.・。.・゜☂・.・☽・゜・。.・。.・゜☂・

The trek to the village had been long and rough. You all had tried to stay happy and kept morale up but it was no use. The mountains you had to climb over, the valleys you had to walk through, and the stupid paths you kept getting lost on made you want to rip your hair out. Sure, it had been pretty, there were birds and stuff but it was still almost a full day of traveling.

So by the time that you arrived at the village with your company in tow, you were ready to rest. The entrance was a tall group of houses that led to a long narrow road. The sound of clanging metal and the scent of steam was almost too much for you but you went on. The others all seemed to have a designated location to go to. Some of the smiths opened their doors and gave them their blades almost immediately. Others welcomed them with open arms and offered them food and drink. Ezume walked to a small house and was led in to go and see his swordsmith, leaving you alone to stand awkwardly for all to see.

You walked around the rows of buildings, listening to the sounds of laughter and work mixed together. The smell of sake and steam drifted through the air making your nose twitch, you never really enjoyed alcohol. And as you rounded the corner, you felt an oddly familiar hand touch your shoulder.

“Y/n! It is very good to see you! How are you?” Standing next to you was a tall man in a clown mask, you hopped back a bit as you didn’t recognize him. He tilted his head and lowered himself, holding up his hands in a friendly manner. “Y/n? Are you okay?”

“Ah- Uhm..” “L/n lost their memory!” Ezume shouted as he walked up to you, at his hip was a long sheath which you assumed held his new sword. “They what?” The man shouted in a rageful voice. He looked between you and Ezume. “When did this happen? Was it a demon? Where is your sword?”

You put your hands over your ears as the man went on, expressing not just anger about what had happened to you, but also anger about his swords. Some of the other villagers had to practically come out and hold him back while he calmed down. As he did, another stranger appeared. He was much older, and frailer too.

“Ah, young L/n,” He said with a bow “I see that you have come for your blade, yes?” “Yes sir?” You offered him a weak smile, he let out a soft chortle and walked over to the screaming ball of rage. 

“Hotaru, you are an esteemed sword maker, please act as such.”

“Yes, Chief Tecchin.” Hotaru managed to calm himself down, stand up and took your hand to lead you to his home. He opened up the sliding doors and you were met with the sight of a busy workspace. A barrel of water, a large anvil, and several sticks of Dango everywhere, both clean and unfinished. He let your hand go and reached up to a tall shelf before pulling down a long, elegant blade.

Your eyes sparkled as you looked at it. It was long and completely black with a unique hilt. It was a lavender-colored oval-shaped hilt with a dark purple rim, on the top was a detailed etching of a familiar-looking tree next to what looked like a statue of sorts. Hotaru took a moment to admire his work before carefully handing you the blade. You took it with a grateful bow of your head before holding it in both hands. As you did, the blade began to take a beautiful greyish-pink and purple color, much like the trees that had surrounded the master’s estate when you had visited last. 

“The handle is a mixture of wisteria and cork as per your request. I understand that your hands tend to sweat during battle so the cork will be able to absorb the residue until you clean it next.” Hotaru reached over and pointed at the hilt and opened his hands as if asking for it. You gave it to him and he reached into his pocket to pull out a long piece of fabric. He set the sword down and tied the fabric across the hilt in a unique pattern before handing it back to you once more. “Try holding it.”

Because of how it had been wrapped, the blade fitted perfectly into your hands with ease, familiar and comforting ease. You stood up and twirled it around a bit, smiling and laughing like an idiot the whole time. Hotaru cleaning enjoyed seeing his work admired.

“Welp, that does it for us. I’m delighted to have seen you and hope your memory returns.” Hotaru gave you a nod as you gathered yourself and walked out, offering him a wave before walking toward the rest of the slayers.

“Yep, me too…”

.・。.・゜❋・.・⍋・゜・。.・。.・゜❋・.・⍋・゜・。.・。.・゜❋

Darkness had fallen faster than anticipated forcing the slayers to run. They still had a while before they were close to the roads but that wasn’t their main worry. Their main worry as of now was surviving, and Y/n wasn’t helping. So, with blades held tight and their minds focused on getting the hell back to the butterfly mansion, they ran as fast as they could through the tall brush, unable to see if they were heading the right way.

Darkness had fallen faster than anticipated forcing the slayers to run. They still had a while before they were close to the roads but that wasn’t their main worry. Their main worry as of now was surviving, and Y/n wasn’t helping. So, with blades held tight and their minds focused on getting the hell back to the butterfly mansion, they ran as fast as they could through the tall brush, unable to see if they were heading the right way.

“Keep going, I think I see a clearing up ahead!” Shouted Ayako, one of the others in the group of five. Sure enough, she was right. Just ahead you could see a small space surrounded by massive trees. You pulled your shit together and ran up to the open space, looking back and watching for both the others to see if anything was chasing you.

Ezume was last to follow, heaving and collapsing once he made it to the clearing. Ayako was having none of it. She kicked his side, forcing him up.

“We need to keep going,” Ayako shouted. “We need to take a break!” Ezume shouted back. “We need to get our bearings.” Yelled another. “We NEED to Shut the fuck up!” You screamed. The others went dead silent as you listened to the forest. This felt all too similar to something else.

The moon was in the middle of the sky and the forest was eerily quiet. You held up a finger to your mouth, having the others quiet down and taking up defensive positions as Ezume got himself up as well. The lack of noise creeped you out and made you wish you had your headphones. Headphones… Headphones.

“What’s the nearest landmark to us right now?” “What?” “Ayako, listen to me, where are we?” “The uh- the valley.” “WHICH FUCKING VALLEY?” “DON’T SHOUT AT ME!”

“Akigawa!” Ezume screamed as he looked around frantically. “Why? What’s wrong?” His question was answered by a twig snapping and a clicking of some hollowed mouth sounded out from the dark forest. You turned to face your enemy. A tall and gangly demon with long limbs and a tongue hanging loosely from its mouth. Its eyes were glossy as if it had been blinded and its body was covered in sparse hairs and battle scars. You went dead quiet, moving ever so closer to your group and whispering as quietly as you could.

“Everyone, don’t panic. I think it can’t see us so whatever you do, don’t-” "HOLY SHIT IT HAS TEETH!"

Your fight or flight kicked it, and you chose flight. You ran into the forest with your comrades, not caring about staying on the path or out of danger, you just needed to get away. You ran past trees, jumped over rocks, and eventually tripped over a rock before landing on your back. A loud crack broke some of the silence and you felt your leg come undone. The footsteps grew closer, breathing heavily and making noises like a wild animal. You turned over to meet your fate, not sure if you were ready to die or not.

You could hear the others running past as you locked your sight on the demon. It approached slowly, sticking its long arms out and waving them like it was using a cane. You had an advantage this time and a good one at that. Your fight or flight kicked it yet again, and this time, you chose to fight.

You managed to get up and got into a battle stance, doing your best to remove as much weight from your broken leg as possible as you held your sword, took a deep breath, and listened to what was around you.

Silence.

Heavy footsteps.

Distant screams.

And a strange sense of power coursing through your body.

You opened your eyes and spoke quietly.

“Wisteria Breathing. First Form: First Spring.” Your body lunged forward and you side-slashed the demon from the right to the left at an angle, taking its head off with a satisfying and clean cut. The demon fell to its knees, turning into ash.

You let your guard down for a moment, stumbling back and falling down, your injury getting worse as you landed on your ass. You let yourself roll onto your back and let out a deep and heavy sigh as the night air washed over you.

“sleep now, young one”

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

✩ author's note pt2: HOLY CARP! FOUR THOUSAND WORDS! I guys, it's ya girl, Magnolix. I first off want to say thank you to everyone who's supported me, liked, commented, reblogged, and all of that stuff. It means the world to me ♡ In the future, I'll be doing smaller stories as well as continuing this larger story. I've never written Isekai before so this had been fun. I hope you all enjoyed this fic and I'll see ya later,

~Ciao