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xverzuszofficial · 4 months ago

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Chapter III - The Temptress - by XverzuszOfficial, for Dazelvel!

(FINALLY FINISHED!)

(So I got my friend @dazelvel into Slay the Princess aswell to the point where she is now head over heels for The Long Quiet, and has designed a self-insert/custom Princess for herself - and it got me in the headspace to write a custom route for her! I dubbed her The Temptress! Dazel if you come across this (which you undoubtedly will cause Imma share this to you as soon as Im finished with it: hiiiiiii :D))

[Follow instructions in square brackets after texts for the interactive experience!]

(CW for: - Described gore, mild suggestive themes)

Chapter III - "The Temptress"

The Narrator: You're on a path in the - .

Voice of the Smitten: You foul beasts, all of you! How dare you deny us our happy ending?!

The Narrator: Excuse me?

Voice of the Hero: He's being mad about last time.

Voice of the Smitten: We were just about to grasp the beginning of our beautiful life together, and you - you wretched, evil, dark hearted monsters - took it away from us! She trusted us wholely, and you stabbed her at the gates to freedom!

Voie of the Hero: The whole situation sounded fishy, don't you think? Or is your mind so hazed by your own desire for love that you can't see? No one just falls in love with you that easily. And especially after murdering us.

The Narrator: 'Murdering us' ? 'Stabbing her at the gates to freedom' - what are you two talking about?

Voice of the Hero: This isn't our first time back here.

The Narrator: Great, just what I feared ... (Sigh) How many times has it been?

Voice of the Hero: This is number three.

Voice of the Stubborn: What does it matter how many times we've been here before? If we are back, then she is back too - that means we've lost to her. We have to get to her now and settle this once and for all!

Voice of the Smitten: Yes, take us to her post haste! We have an appology to deliver!

Voice of the Stubborn: The hell we need to appologize for? Finally getting her and letting her kick the bucket on the cold, stone floor?

Voice of the Smitten: The brutal death of our dearly beloved by our wretched, cold hands! Oh, I can't even imagine the way she feels right now. The memories of our betrayal must still linger on within her mind...

Voice of the Hero: It appears to me that those two are going to be our main source of pain before she potentially stabs us again.

The Narrator: Alright, okay, I am not going to bother with the beginning of everything - it seems like you already get the jist of things, so let's get a move on.

---CHOICE---

[Explore] Everything feels ... off. [go to: 100]

[Explore] Stabbing her so close to freedom really did feel awful. [go to: 120]

[Silently proceed towards the cabbin.] [go to: 130]

---

[130] --- The Narrator: Your familiarity with the cabin is shifted. A sturdy, wooden bridge, cast above a rapid river is what leads you to the mountain that the cabin resides ontop of.

Voice of the Hero: You ... weren't kidding about the mountain part, were you?

The Narrator: Do I still need to let you know, after two cycles, that the things I describe to you are facts?

Voice of the Hero: (Sigh) Do we really have to climb all the way up? I can't see anything apart from the roof of the thing!

Voice of the Stubborn: And? A little bit of warming up never hurt anybody! And it's not like it'll hurt us! Let's get a move on!

Voice of the Smitten: If I could, I'd fly up those rocky cliffs in the blink of an eye to get her, but our love is worth all the pain those sharp rocks and - !

Voice of the Stubborn: Ugh, just cut it out already, will you?

Voice of the Smitten: How dare you! I was - !

Voice of the Stubborn: Shut up already! You don't - no - you REFUSE to get it, do you? No matter how much you try, no matter how many cycles we live through, no matter how many versions of 'oUR DeaRlY beLoVeD' we meet - it all ends the same! Either we beat her, or she beats us! I don't know how long it'll take for you to get it into your thick skull, but it's time for you to snap out of it!

Voice of the Hero: ... Holy shit ...

Voice of the Smitten: ... Your words, my friend, hurt worse than anything she could've ever done to us. Why must you dismiss my feelings for her like that?

Voice of the Stubborn: Oh you'll live, let's just get this done with already!

The Narrator: Okay, your mind is becoming a lot more heated and cluttered by now and I am starting to get scared with how easily you'll be able to get to a rational decision, so just please hurry up!

---CHOICE---

[Climb up the mountain to the cabin.] [go to 131]

---

[120] --- Voice of the Smitten: Yes, and now is the perfect time to show our deepest regrets to her. Maybe, just maybe, she still finds it within her heart to forgive us, and move on from our disastorous mistake!

Voice of the Hero: I can sort of get behind that. Imagine how we would've felt if we got stabbed in the back right as our hand was on the door.

The Narrator: If the worst monster you've ever seen in your entire life would pass by next to you and you had to kill it - would you feel bad?

Voice of the Hero: Depends.

The Narrator: Well it shouldn't 'depend' in this situation. She's a murderous, world destroying monster who you've already killed once! In this situation tho, the monster has already ended you - twice - before you could've gotten rid of her completely.

Voice of the Stubborn: Are you going to give us another one of your lazy, badly written metaphors or are you going to let us go now?

The Narrator: I'll keep them to myself then.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] Everything feels ... off. [go to: 100]

[Silently proceed towards the cabin.] [go to: 130]

---

[100] --- Voice of the Hero: Yeah ... it's almost like the whole forest was burned up. And I can't see a damn thing either.

Voice of the Stubborn: The scary aesthetic never stopped us before, because we keep on persevering! Just push through it and get this done!

Voice of the Smitten: Not even a chance to pick a rose for her. Oh, the beauty you have ripped us away from...

The Narrator: As you stumble your way across the path, blinded by darkness and holding onto the charcoal trees for support, your foot lands right before something that sends an icy chill up your spine. Your foot touches something sharp and metallic.

Voice of the Hero: What is this thing? A beartrap?

Voice of the Stubborn: There isn't just one either, they are scattered all over the place. They're even hung up on the trees. Looks like the lady doesn't want us running into her anytime soon.

Voice of the Smitten: Or perhaps, she's keeping herself safe, and trusts us to find our way through this maze of traps, so that none may get to her but us!

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] Stabbing her so close to freedom really did feel awful. [go to: 120]

[Silently proceed towards the cabin.] [go to: 130]

---

[131] --- The Narrator: You begin your ascent up the mountain, following a dangerous, narrow path up the first couple of miles, which slowly become narrower and narrower. Eventually, you find no more path to lay your foot on, and you are forced to scale the mountainside. Your hands and claws, digging into the sharp edges of rocks and cliffs, pull you upwards, as you feel every muscle within your body both aching and burning in pain. It is an agonizing, yet rewarding feeling climb, as every successful push, every successful pull, and every successful step feels like an achievement before you realize, you cannot see the ground anymore.

Voice of the Stubborn: Yes! This is pure, unfiltered ecstassy right here! I can feel every fibre within us pushing its limits! This is what living feels like! This is the taste of victory!

Voice of the Hero: That's ... quite the way up ... (Sigh) Don't get dizzy. Just don't get dizzy. Don't get dizzy ...

The Narrator: You're doing just fine, you are almost at the top.

Voice of the Stubborn: Come on boys, just a little more!

---CHOICE---

[Push your way up the mountain.] [go to: 132]

---

[132] --- The Narrator: You finally make it up to the cabin, entering its iron gates and stepping inside. The confines of the cabin smell of fragrance and elegance, but - wether because of your exhausted mind, or your past cycles - the beauty of it all strikes you as faux. The ground is covered in the patles of roses, and a red capet leads you down to the basement. The only furniture of note is a marble table with golden edges. Perched on it is the pristine blade you've learned how to wield.

Voice of the Hero: Suffering through all of that and being met with this is actually really, really nice!

Voice of the Smitten: She laid out all of this for us. To see our strength. To see if we can be gifted her forgiveness. We made it up here - .

Voice of the Stubborn: What did I say about snapping out of it? Keep your head in the game. And you, the one who describes stuff, don't bother with any other option - we are taking the blade!

The Narrator: Well I was hoping you would do that in the first place so you are just helping me save ink.

---CHOICE---

[Explore] The carpet just leads to a mirror. [go to: 140]

[Head down to the basement.] [go to: 141]

---

[140] --- Voice of the Hero: The mirror is back again, yeah.

Voice of the Smitten: Perhaps to let us take a final look at ourselves and see if our face is full of shame and desire to be forgiven, or to make sure we don't disappoint her with our looks.

Voice of the Stubborn: Who cares? Just kick it away already and get going!

---CHOICE---

[Head down to the basement.] [go to: 141]

---

[141] --- The Narrator: You walk up to the stone arch entrance of the basement and stop right before the stairs. Do you really think there's a mirror there?

Voice of the Hero: Yeah, it's all grimey and gross though. Maybe we could wipe it clean?

The Narrator: I can't even begin to fathom what those past cycles must've done to you to make you start seeing things, but right now is not the time!

Voice of the Smitten: One last chance before our fate with our beloved is decided.

Voice of the Stubborn: I will, actually, end you if you keep this up. Just kick it down the stairs and get moving!

---CHOICE---

[Wipe the mirror clean.] [go to 143]

[Kick the mirror down the basement.] [go to 144]

---

[144] --- The Narrator: You raise your foot above your waist, bending your knee upwards as you attempt to kick away whatever obstacle was projected ahead of you by your mind, but your foot doesn't connect with anything. Instead, you fall forwards, the velocity of your kick carrying your unbalanced body ontop of the hard, stone stairs, tumbling down to the bottom. Each bump, each flip, each hit feels like something bruises or bends within you.

Voice of the Hero: Nice going on the warpath.

The Princess: "I see you've made quite the journey down my steps, my pretty little bird."

The Narrator: Her voice, coated in a layer of gentleness and passion, graces your ears.

Voice of the Smitten: Just her voice alone is enough to ease all my pains...

---CHOICE---

[Face the Princess] [go to 150]

---

[143] --- The Narrator: You reach forward and extend your hand outwards into the air.

Voice of the Hero: Why am I not surprised?

The Narrator: You descend from the top of the stairs, the rose patels and red carpetting guiding you along and covering your feet from the cold marble steps. Your descent is lit by candles, hung up from above and dripping wax onto golden trays. The air downstairs creeps up, carrying warmth and damptness, like a humid day. If the Princess really lives here, slaying her might be doing her a favour! Her voice, coated in a layer of gentleness and passion, graces your ears as it carries up the stairs.

The Princess: "My pretty little bird, I can hear your feet thumping against my steps, and it makes me feel warm to know you've returned to me."

Voice of the Hero: I ... I don't know how to feel about this. She sounds ... too good to be true.

Voice of the Smitten: Our argous journey up this mountain was not in vain, my friend, you see. She missed us dearly!

---

[150] --- The Narrator: As you raise your head, your eyes meet the Princess' across the room. Your eyes glide along her long hair covering her neck and shoulders, and seemingly flowing into her giant red dress, with her arm still in a shackled chain that you can't quite make out where it goes.

Voice of the Smitten: She is absolute beauty herself! Just looking at her is enough to make me want to jump out of this form and leave you four horrible beings to your lonesomes without her!

Voice of the Hero: I ... woah ...

Voice of the Stubborn: Now ain't that a dress too big? It's like she thinks that by creating a silken barrier around herself, she can escape our confrontation! I wouldn't mind staining it, if you catch my drift.

The Princess: "Welcome, my pretty little bird! I hope your journey wasn't so grueling. Please, come and rest with me, you look beaten."

---CHOICE---

[Explore] "Hold on, this is going a bit too fast!" [go to: 160]

[Explore] "I'd rather have you come and rest with me instead." [go to: 161]

[Explore] [Make bird noises.] [go to: 162]

[Explore] Fellas, I don't know what to do - [go to: 163]

[Approach the Princess.] [go to: 164]

[Slay the Princess.] [go to: 170]

---

[160] --- The Princess: "Oh, is it? Why do you think so? Is it perhaps the guilt you feel from last time, keeping you away from me? When you stabbed me in the back before our happy ending? Or perhaps the time before that, where you helped me escape, and how that felt? My pretty little bird, your heart aches so badly from the past that's already so far behind us. Just let it go already, would you? Let go of those past mistakes and embrace the me in the now."

Voice of the Smitten: So she has forgiven us! Thank you, my love! If you can forgive me wholeheartedly, I can forgive myself, too!

Voice of the Hero: Does that mean you also forgive us, or are we still the 'wretched, evil, horrible monstrocities' like you said?

Voice of the Smitten: My heart is maybe patched for you, my heroic friend, but you, bloodthirsty hound, get no such treatment!

Voice of the Stubborn: Like I give a shit about your forgiveness.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "I'd rather have you come and rest with me instead." [go to: 161]

(if you haven't ready already) [Explore] [Make bird noises.] [go to: 162]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] Fellas, I don't know what to do - [go to: 163]

[Approach the Princess.] [go to: 164]

[Slay the Princess.] [go to: 170]

---

[161] --- The Princess: [Chuckling] "Oh you would absolutely love that, wouldn't you? Feel me lay down on your feathery body and allow you to take control? But sadly, I'd have to say no to your offer. My heart might have forgiven you, and it may have forgotten your past mistakes, but my mind hasn't."

The Narrator: She raises a hand to her mouth, covering it as she laughs at your suggestion at closing the distance between you two.

Voice of the Hero: That's reasonable, I suppose? We did kill her, and if I look at it through her lens, then yeah - I wouldn't want to approach someone who I know has backstabbed me once already.

Voice of the Stubborn: Oh, I see. If she doesn't want to come to us, then we have to go to her. Fine by me. I'll show her what's good.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Hold on, this is going a bit too fast!" [go to: 160]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] [Make bird noises.] [go to: 162]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] Fellas, I don't know what to do - [go to: 163]

[Approach the Princess.] [go to: 164]

[Slay the Princess.] [go to: 170]

---

[162] --- The Narrator: What?

Voice of the Hero: Huh?

Voice of the Stubborn: THIS IS HUMILIATING!

Voice of the Smitten: Hear our song, my beloved! Our heart reeks of sorrow, and so our song is sad, but your love can make it all happy again!

The Princess: [Happy chuckle] "You really are my pretty little bird, aren't you? Singing out your little heart to me like that makes me just want you more. Please come back to me, pretty little bird."

Voice of the Hero: Can we make a pact to never, NEVER do that again?

Voice of the Stubborn: I second this.

The Narrator: I agree. Let's forget this has ever happened.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Hold on, this is going a bit too fast!" [go to: 160]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "I'd rather have you come and rest with me instead." [go to: 161]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] Fellas, I don't know what to do - [go to: 163]

[Approach the Princess.] [go to: 164]

[Slay the Princess.] [go to: 170]

---

[163] --- The Narrator: In that case, here's a good idea: actually end her! You don't have to listen to any of the vaguely seductive nonsense she's spewing to try and get to you. Hell, it's making me uncomfortable with how she's calling you her "pretty little bird".

Voice of the Hero: I guess it felt kind of cute at first when she said it, but now I think about it and just feel like - "no".

Voice of the Smitten: It is simply a cute nickname she has given us! Why must you all dismiss her attempts?

Voice of the Stubborn: It's humiliating and debilitating. I don't like being babied like this. It's like she sees us as nothing but a pet she could stuff into a cage.

Voice of the Smitten: If being in a cage is what it takes to make both of us happy, then we might aswell crawl to her!

Voice of the Hero: What?! No! Absolutely no! Just, no!

The Narrator: Oh my goodness this is actually going to go horribly wrong. Quick, pick a decision and do it now!

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Hold on, this is going a bit too fast!" [go to: 160]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "I'd rather have you come and rest with me instead." [go to: 161]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] [Make bird noises.] [go to: 162]

[Approach the Princess.] [go to: 164]

[Slay the Princess.] [go to: 170]

---

[164] --- The Narrator: You step forward, your eyes still on her form as she also moves in. She ... shouldn't be able to move around this much.

Voice of the Hero: Do you know how long her chain is suppsoed to be?

The Narrator: Yes, it should be tying her to the basement's far wall, but she's currently face to face with you and you only walked a couple of steps away from the basement entrance.

Voice of the Stubborn: Maybe she already broke free, she's just not telling us.

The Narrator: There's no way. She's bound to the wall. End of story.

The Princess: "There we go. And now that you are back with me, I've gotta say ... I missed you so, so much, my pretty little bird."

---CHOICE---

[Explore] "Please stop calling me that" [go to: 600]

[Explore] "You are getting far too close to my liking. Are you still chained up?" [go to: 610]

"I missed you too." [go to: 620]

[Explore] "Can I still just pull you out of those chains, or do I have to cut you out again like the time before that?" [go to: 630]

[Explore] "You are acting far too nice considering what I did last time. Wouldn't you be scared that I'll do it again?" [go to: 640]

[Save the Princess] [go to: 700]

[Slay the Princess] [go to: 170]

---

[620] --- The Narrator: The Princes then leans in, caressing your face as she guides it down towards hers in a ... I am not - I refuse to describe this to you!

Voice of the Hero: What? What is it?

Voice of the Stubborn: I think he's jealous that she's kissing us right now.

Voice of the Smitten: As expected from a dastardly, unforgiving villain such as the Narrator himself! He can't simply process the passion, the emotions, the feelings that carry into a deep kiss as ours right now - !

The Narrator: However, your perfect little smooching time is interrupted by the feeling of your blade slipping out of your hand.

Voice of the Stubborn: There ... is no ... way.

The Narrator: She shoves you away, saliva leaving your mouth as your lips part from hers rapidly. Your blade is now in her grasp, and you have fallen on the floor.

The Princess: "I am sorry, but like I said, just because my heart has forgiven you and your mistakes, my mind hasn't. I am so, so sorry for what's going to come next, my pretty little bird - but if backstabbing is all you know, then it is all you will get!"

---PROCEED TO SAME CHOICES AS AT: 170---

---

[700] --- The Narrator: Yeah? Well how are you going to do that?

Voice of the Smitten: Easily! We'll take her hand and guide her out, like true gentlemen!

The Narrator: Well I am not going to describe it to you then, and since I only describe facts, then it doesn't happen! Too bad!

Voice of the Smitten: Hey.

Voice of the Smitten: Yes, you brute?

Voice of the Stubborn: Make it count.

The Narrator: Stop it! What are you doing? Get your hands off of me you morron!

Voice of the Smitten: This cursed blade is of no use to us! It's simply decoration! Or worse, an ill temptation! Cast it into the shadowey corners! Away with you!

The Princess: "I am so glad you're finally tossing that knife away from us. You look way better without it."

Voice of the Hero: I guess your plans for "not describing anything" to us really went well, didn't it?

The Narrator: [Groan] If you want to doom all of us, then fine. Have it your way, you lovebird maniacs. You take The Princess' hand and gently guide her to the basement stairs. Her, dragging her long, red dress behind herself as she follows you excitedly. And oh damn, no door either to lock you two morons in there either! How peachy for me and all of humanity! You finally pass the final step of the stairs, and end up on the ground floor of the cabin.

The Princess: "Wait ... before we get out of here, I wanted to give something to you. I ... really didn't think it would just happen so easily. I really thought that you're going to pull a fast one on me back there and stab me in the back once again. But I'm glad you didn't. So, take this as a thank you, my gratitude!"

The Narrator: And then, like she was back in her younger, less eldritch, less disgusting days, she raises on her tippy-toes, and kisses your cheek... Ew.

Voice of the Hero: Aw!

Voice of the Smitten: Your jealousy shows that you have never felt the true warmth of a pair of lips coliding with yours, laying on your face. Perhaps you could partake in our feeling, and finally, just for one moment, allow yourself to feel how kind she is.

The Narrator: Just shut up, okay? I need to open this bottle of gin.

The Princess: "Now, come on! The gate is open for us!"

The Narrator: She eagerly pushes you forward, getting the two of you closer and closer to the edge of the cabin's gate before she leaps into your arms, pushing both of you off the same cliff you climbed not so long ago......

Voice of the Stubborn: Hey! Don't just dip out on us! We're going to die if you don't give us any options on what happens next!

Voice of the Hero: You know she's been calling us her "pretty little bird" this whole time, right? We are one, we could fly out of here ... so why the hell we never did that before?!

The Princess: "Thank you! Thank you so much! I - I can't describe how finally being with you feels! It's .... colder than I expected. But it's probably just the wind! Fly, my pretty little bird! Fly! ......"

[But you do not get the chance to fly away with her, nor do you get the chance to respond. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - 6/6 - "Lovebirds" - Soar away with your love in your arms.]

(Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you end up with!)

---

[630] --- The Princess: "Don't worry about the chains. They are long gone. The only thing keeping me down here is my want to keep waiting for you."

The Narrator: She isn't lying, as she raises her wrist, pulling the chains upwards and pulling with her other hand, piling and piling up more and more iron into her hand, before she reached a broken knot.

Voice of the Hero: Atleast she's honest.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Please stop calling me that" [go to: 600]

"I missed you too." [go to: 620]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "You are acting far too nice considering what I did last time. Wouldn't you be scared that I'll do it again?" [go to: 640]

[Save the Princess] [go to: 700]

[Slay the Princess] [go to: 170]

---

[600] --- The Princess: [Giggling] "Why? It's just a silly little nickname. It's cute, isn't it? Calling someone who clearly towers over in both height and strength something so cute?"

Voice of the Hero: NNNNNo. It's weird, I don't like it.

Voice of the Stubborn: It's embarassing.

Voice of the Smitten: Well -

The Narrator: I am vetoing whatever you were going to say.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "You are getting far too close to my liking. Are you still chained up?" [go to: 610]

"I missed you too." [go to: 620]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Can I still just pull you out of those chains, or do I have to cut you out again like the time before that?" [go to: 630]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "You are acting far too nice considering what I did last time. Wouldn't you be scared that I'll do it again?" [go to: 640]

[Save the Princess] [go to: 700]

[Slay the Princess] [go to: 170]

---

[640] --- The Princess: "Oh, you are still hung up on the past, aren't you? Can I not change since then? Do we have to keep this cycle going? I'd rather not. Let's just be happy together, you and me - no bad past to think back to."

The Narrator: And by that she means letting her escape into the world and destroy everything.

Voice of the Smitten: Oh please, she's just telling us that we shouldn't be eating away at ourselves by thinking of our past actions. It's the past! It's gone! If she can move past it and see us for who we are in the current moment - then she deserves our honest love back!

Voice of the Hero: It does feel kind of reassuring that she actually doesn't want any bad blood between us. Maybe she did forgive and forget.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Please stop calling me that" [go to: 600]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "You are getting far too close to my liking. Are you still chained up?" [go to: 610]

"I missed you too." [go to: 620]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Can I still just pull you out of those chains, or do I have to cut you out again like the time before that?" [go to: 630]

[Save the Princess] [go to: 700]

[Slay the Princess] [go to: 170]

---

[610] --- The Princess: "Oh? These rusty things? No, they have nothing over me now. The only thing that kept me here was the thought that, one day, you'll come back to me, my pretty little bird. And look at you, right in front of me, wielding the same blade you cut into my back with - but now holding it not to hurt me, but to protect me."

Voice of the Hero: Atleast she's honest.

---CHOICE---

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "Please stop calling me that" [go to: 600]

"I missed you too." [go to: 620]

(if you haven't read already) [Explore] "You are acting far too nice considering what I did last time. Wouldn't you be scared that I'll do it again?" [go to: 640]

[Save the Princess] [go to: 700]

[Slay the Princess] [go to: 170]

---

[170] --- The Narrator: You grip onto the blade, springing forwards, your eyes locking with hers, as her face shifts from an inviting, seductive smile, into a look of disbelief and anger.

The Princess: "Are you serious?!"

The Narrator: Before you can do so much as lunge yourself at her, she whips her chained arm around, hitting you right in the face with its thick, heavy, iron knots. You are sent onto the floor, your teeth barely clinging onto the gums of your mouth where she had hit you, and your jaw feeling fractured.

Voice of the Hero: Why?! Why does it have to hurt so bad every single time?!

Voice of the Stubborn: Pfft, who needs teeth? We have the blade, we have the claws, we have the hands, the feet, to do everything to finish the job! And now, we have a new reason to hit her back! And now, you lovesick freak, can see that she does not love us! This is how it should've gone since the beginning!

Voice of the Smitten: I don't believe you! I refuse to! There can still be a way to make things right! She said - she said she's forgiven us! We have to appeal to her heart!

The Narrator: That's going to be difficult with how little teeth you'll probably have left by the end.

The Princess: "You knew I wanted to leave! And you knew I wanted to leave with only you! It was all that I've ever wanted, and it's still all that I want now! Why must you keep hurting me?! Why must you keep trying to fight?! Just be happy together with me, please!"

---CHOICE---

[Stand back up and keep fighting.] [go to: 172]

[Stand up and drop the blade.] [go to: 180]

[Stay on the ground and say nothing.] [go to: 190]

---

[172] --- The Narrator: But you don't let neither the pain nor her words get to you as you rise back up to you feet, pushing yourself up and standing in front of her. Your vision is hazed, however; - the whip from the chain seemingly also having damaged one of your eyes.

The Princess: "You are forcing me to do this! I love you, you know I do! Just stop fighting me already and love me back!"

Voice of the Hero: That's hard to believe when we have a handful of teeth missing because of her.

Voice of the Smitten: She isn't lying! She loves us! I can feel it, you just have to let go of your skepticism and see her for who she is! Accept her!

The Narrator: But you push the thought of forgivness aside, raising the blade once more and jumping her. Your blade sinks deep into her shoulder, causing her to scream out in pain. But in return comes her fist, blowing your face away from her view and knocking you off of her. You feel your neck strain from the power of the impact.

The Princess: "I'll beat it into you if I have to!"

The Narrator: She then begins the humiliating process of whipping your back with her chain, each blow either dislocating or breaking a tiny piece of cartilige in your spine, unfathomable pain spreading across your back, leaving you not a single second to even register what is being done to you.

Voice of the Smitten: This is what you deserve! Our punishments weren't enough yet it seems. We'll learn to love her now!

Voice of the Stubborn: You say one more word from now on and I will break your neck.

The Narrator: The pain becomes too much for your mind to comprehend. You slip into a numb, mindless state of confusion, agony, and silence. You are unresponsive, but you are not dead. Blood pools onto the marble floor of the basement underneath you. Your spine is broken in so many places, it would be impossible to count all the fractured bits. The Princess grabs your unresponsive body, dragging you up the stairs you came down from, and taking you out through the cabin's door.

Voice of the Hero: How can she do that? She wasn't able to leave the cabin before.

Voice of the Stubborn: She needs us to escape, so she's parading our corpse around as her key to salvation.

The Narrator: The Princess steps outside the cabin, facing out into the wast emptiness before her ontop of the mountain before looking down at you.......

Voice of the Hero: ... Yeah?

Voice of the Smitten: He's gone. Quick, pull whatever strength we have left together and grab her hand! At least let us have this one final moment before we depart!

The Princess: "We could've left so easily together, see?! Why did you make me do this?! ... But, I suppose it doesn't matter now. I am finally outside, and with you. But I - I didn't want it to be like this. I love you still ... It's so cold without you, all the time ......"

[But you do not get the chance to take her hand, nor do you get the chance to respond. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - Ending 1/? : "An Abusive Relationship" - Challenge the strength of your love's desires.]

[Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you find!]

---

[180] --- The Narrator: (Sigh) Damn it. As you stand back up, your grip loosens around the blade, the weapon dropping loudly onto the floor as you and the Princess lock eyes with eachother. Her face seems to show regret.

The Princess: "I-I see that finally knocked some sense into you, it seems... [Sob] Why does it always have to be like this? Why must we hurt eachother to love eachother? WHY?! Is this fun for you? Because it's not for me!"

Voice of the Hero: She's right. Do we really need to keep this going? Constantly murdering eachother over and over again?

The Narrator: Only until you slay her for the final time.

Voice of the Stubborn: And when is that? When is the "final time"? Do you have any idea how long this is goin to take us? You're the one who seems to know every single thing around here, you just refuse to tell us anything.

The Narrator: I have a duty to keep information as scarce for you as possible. Giving away more and more information will just ruin your chances at keeping a clear mind of your objective. The more I talk, the more you know, the more you question things. I don't like questions, I like actions. My life, my world depends on you being uninformed enough to make a decision right then and there, no thoughts.

Voice of the Stubborn: So you tricked us into being nothing more than a puppet so that you can save yourself.

Voice of the Smitten: I've told you before! He's a wretched, lying monster who wants to keep us locked into this violent cycle with our beloved, only to save himself! He needs us so that he'll live - we are nothing but a tool!

Voice of the Hero: I just never liked you thinking that we were always dumb or stupid or delusional.

The Narrator: Fine! You want to see me take action? Fine then. You kick The Princess away from you and scoop the blade back up from the floor.

Voice of the Hero: No! No you are not doing this again!

Voice of the Stubborn: Again?

Voice of the Hero: Yes! We tried to save her the first cycle and he just took over our body and got us killed!

Voice of the Stubborn: I hate cheaters. Hey, help me get a good grip on him. Don't let him move an inch.

The Narrator: Get your wretched hands off of me you two!

Voice of the Smitten: He's restrained, we have to act now. Quick, before it's too late! Do what's right for us!

---CHOICE---

[Warn her.] [go to: 400]

[Slay her.] [go to: 500]

---

[400] --- The Princess: "What? I- Is this not you doing this again? Is something coming over you? I want to believe that but I can't trust you. I - "

Voice of the Stubborn: Damn it!

The Narrator: NO - ! [Groan] But ... before I could take control and let you finish this once and for all and save everyone in the world INCLUDING yourself - you swiftly swipe the blade away and slump forwards, your weapon darting across the marble floor and crashing into the wall with a clang.

Voice of the Hero: Phew ... That was way too close.

The Narrator: Did you do that?

Voice of the Hero: It's not just you who knows how to control him.

Voice of the Smitten: Consider your plans foiled, villain! The truth of our desires persevere, while your selfish desires for self-preservation fails. I hope it sinks deep into your heart, you filthy thing!

The Narrator: ... What's done is done. I can't do anything to stop her now. Whatever. The Princess, gasping at the sight of you flicking the blade away, rushes to aid you back up on you feet.

The Princess: "You - you meant it! I am so sorry! I'm so sorry! I hit you so hard while this entire time, this hasn't been you. It's somethign else controlling you. But now that's gone, right? You are you again."

The Narrator: She clutches your hand with hers, looking into your eyes with genuine concern.

Voice of the Smitten: We have an opportunity! Quick, kiss her! Prove her that our love was no mere illusion! Prove to her that we are ourself!

---CHOICE---

[Kiss her.] [go to: 510]

[Hug her.] [go to: 520]

---

[500] --- Voice of the Hero: Damn it!

The Narrator: You ignore The Princess' yelp in pain, quickly dashing towards her staggerng form, and driving your blade into her neck, blood flowing out in a waterfall as it pierces and cuts into her arteries. Finally.

The Princess: " ... I see ... Okay ... I see how it is ... "

Voice of the Smitten: No! No! This can't be! Why would you let him escape, you fools?

The Narrator: It was foolish enough to think that there was ever a way where you can rescue her! This isn't about rescuing some helpless captive, or the love of your life, or an equal - NO - this was about saving the world, and the price you all would've paid........

Voice of the Stubborn: .... What? Speak up!

Voice of the Hero: He's gone, again.

The Princess: "If this is how we are meant to be then, fine ... you win, I guess ... ... Do you always have to be so cold?"

[But you do not get the chance to respond, nor will you ever. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - Ending 3/? : "A Rightful Cause" - Don't let your inner voices keep you away from your destiny.]

(Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you end up with!)

---

[520] --- The Narrator: Eugh ... You reach forwards and wrap your arms around The Princess, the two of you embracing eachother warmly after fighting eachother, both of your bodies bruised and beaten - I hate you, I hate you all and I hate that you are making me describe this!

Voice of the Hero: Come on, we could've asked you to describe far worse things! This is tame.

Voice of the Smitten: Her embrace is like being swallowed by the graceful ocean itself. The calmest thing in the world. Pure bliss!

Voice of the Stubborn: Yeah yeah, it's nice ... can we get out now?

The Princess: "Thank you, I - .. no .. we needed that. It's so good to know that no one's trying to backstab me this time. Thank you! ... Quick, let's get out of here!"

[proceed to: 511!]

---

[510] --- The Narrator: You hold me down while I'm trying to save all of you and myself and my world, and now you force me to describe this?! What kind of torture is this?!

Voice of the Hero: ... Well?

Voice of the Smitten: Narrator, we choose to, finally, smooch our beloved!

The Narrator: [Sigh] You hold The Princess' cheek, lifting it up slightly and you kiss her, the two of you sharing this selfish, idiotic, and stupid moment - but atleast it's the two of you, together.... Bleghh...

Voice of the Hero: That wasn't so hard now, was it?

The Narrator: I hate you all. I hate all of you so, so much.

The Princess: "M-My ... I guess, that's a way to prove that it is you now, huh? ... That felt nice. Thank you. We've gotta get out of here before either of us collapses, or gets any other bad ideas."

---

[511] --- The Narrator: You and The Princess, grasping eachother's hands together, rush up the carpet covered marble stairs, rushing to doom the world.

Voice of the Stubborn: I'm just happy I finally got to get some payback on our real enemy.

Voice of the Smitten: You have finally turned yourself around and saw what was really worth fighting for! Not for some vague idea of a world ending, but for a new one starting! Our world! With her!

Voice of the Hero: I doubt the world will end, actually. From what I saw, we are both pretty easily killable. We don't seem to be able to really hurt anything but eachother - and even then - we don't want to.

The Narrator: I can't believe I really thought I could trust you four. I am ... so stupid. But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? I can nag all I want. The world is about to end, isn't it? I have all the right to be upset!

Voice of the Stubborn: Just cheer up, will you? It's over. You can finally relax at least after this.

The Narrator: And once you and The Princess reach the top of the marble stairs, the two of you rush out the metal gate that once lead you inside, returning to......

Voice of the Hero: ... To what? Are you going to finish?

Voice of the Stubborn: He's gone. Finally.

Voice of the Smitten: Well, fellas, we did it! Our bickering can finally be put to the grave along with that horrid traitor! Our beloved and us are finally together, just like how it was told by the stars!

The Princess: "It's been so long since I came out here. It felt like an eternity down there without you. But we are now here, together ... even if it's so cold ...... "

[But you do not get the chance to leave with her, nor do you get the chance to respond. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - 2/? - "Self-Control" - Cut the strings tying you to your "destiny".]

(Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you end up with!)

---

[190] --- The Narrator: The whiplash from both the heavy chain and your head hitting the ground seem to knock out your senses, making you plant your bleeding and bruised face onto the marble floor. It feels cooling, allowing you a moment of peace before you feel the Princess rip your blade out from your limp hand.

The Princess: "I just want us to be happy!"

The Narrator: She raises your blade, ready to strike.

Voice of the Stubborn: Roll already! Roll anywhere that isn't right beneath her!

The Princess: "NO!"

The Narrator: As she sees you trying to roll away, she grabs your arm and pins it down. You are now laying on your back. As you look up, you see her face, tears and ruined mascara flowing down her cheeks as she raises the blade above you.

Voice of the Hero: She doesn't behave like this normally. This isn't like how she was in the first cycle.

Voice of the Stubborn: I am just hoping her technique is as bad as back then. We might still have a chance at pushing through this then.

Voice of the Smitten: My love, look at what they made you do. I embrace whatever death you cast upon me. If it means I'll be able to see you on the other side, I'll wait for you forever.

---CHOICE---

[Give up and let her finish you off.] [go to: 200]

[Catch the blade with your hand.] [go to: 210]

[Reach out to her.] [go to: 300]

---

[300] --- The Narrator: But before she could dig the blade into your chest, your arm weakly reaches out to her. Your hand caresses her face, wiping away the ruined mascara on her face, which now shows regret and concern.

The Princess: "Y-You know I don't want to do this, right? I don't want .. this .. to keep going. I want to be happy with you, together - but you just have a side to you that you can't let go of. It makes you violent, it hurts me ... I don't want to kill you."

Voice of the Hero: I don't want it to continue either. It's all the same. She realises that it isn't us, we show her that we've changed, and then we stab her in the back. Over, and over again. It's just ... sad.

Voice of the Stubborn: But that sadness is a force driving us forwards!

Voice of the Hero: That's a very negative way of looking at things. Maybe you could just, I don't know, let it go?

Voice of the Stubborn: ...

The Narrator: You know why all of you are here, little voice.

Voice of the Stubborn: Don't call me "little".

The Narrator: Your body rises up, The Princess' weight shifting backwards as she allows you to sit. You then take the blade from her hand and - t-toss it away? What? No no no - that's not - WHY?! She is right in front of you! What on Earth are you doing?!

Voice of the Stubborn: I guess, I let it go? Pushing on and on without any reason besides keeping your emotions at bay doesn't really sit well with me. Or atleast, not anymore. I'm done, with you, with all of you, and all of this. Let's just get this done with already. I ... I'll need to think.

Voice of the Hero: Are you being serious?

Voice of the Stubborn: When was I not?

The Princess: "Are you ... being serious? You ... you haven't said much this entire time. Are you really willing to put that side behind? Really?"

---CHOICE---

[Explore] "I promise." [go to: 310]

[Explore] "I don't know, but I know that my mind is clear looking at you." [go to: 320]

[Explore] [Nod silently] [go to: 310]

---

[310] --- The Narrator: A smile spreads across her once sadened visage, as she flings her upper body towards you, enveloping you in a joyful embrace. You two beautiful maniacs.

The Princess: "Thank you! Thank you! I knew there was still something within you that wanted to make things right!"

Voice of the Smitten: This embrace after all the struggle blesses all my pains away! My once sorrowful heart now can finally throb with her love once again!

[311] --- The Narrator: You and The Princess, grasping eachother's hands together, rush up the carpet covered marble stairs, rushing to doom the world.

Voice of the Stubborn: It's not the end of the world.

The Narrator: It is.

Voice of the Hero: No, he's right. This isn't an ending. Endings aren't really - THE end. You gotta change your mind and see things in a different way. This is just letting go.

Voice of the Hero: Have you tried not being like that? If he could change his mind then maybe you could, too?

The Narrator: I am not talking to you anymore. And finally, once you and The Princess reach the top of the marble stairs, the two of you rush out the metal gate that once lead you inside, returning to......

Voice of the Smitten: .... Yes? Hello?

Voice of the Stubborn: He's gone.

The Princess: "Neither of us had to die down there to experience this. I'm so glad that I can actually walk out of there with you. It really means the world to me that you let go of whatever feud we've had between us .... Even if it's cold out here, I know it's nowhere near as cold it would've been without you ......"

[But you do not get the chance to leave with her, nor do you get the chance to respond. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - 4/? - "The Past Isn't You" - Let go of your violent side for your love.]

(Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you end up with!)

---

[320] --- The Princess: "Then, I guess we both know what we want, right?"

The Narrator: She then takes her hands and squeezes them around yours, smiling.

The Princess: "Let's leave! Together!"

Voice of the Smitten: We never wanted anything more! Come, let us leave this prison behind, and let you see our new dawn!

The Narrator: While you do that, I'm going to open myself a bottle of gin. Have fun destroying the world, and all of us. I'd rather not do this sober.

---

[Proceed to: 311]

---

[200] --- The Narrator: But your hands are too slow, and her body weighs you down, allowing you not a single chance at escaping as she strikes the blade into your heart.

Voice of the Hero: Huh ... I guess she did learn.

Voice of the Stubborn: Good for her, I suppose.

The Princess: "Your blood pooling around you shows either that you are dumb enough to rather let me kill you out of stubbornness - or because you finally gave up trying to fight me. I am done. We are done."

The Narrator: Then, she rips the blade out of your heart and slits her wrist with it.

Voice of the Smitten: My love! No! What are you doing?! Are you ... Are you giving up your life like how we gave up ours after you were gone? Do we mean so much to you that there's nothing left to move on to after we're gone? Then come with us, my love - we shall see the pearly gates together!

Voice of the Hero: ... Hey? Hello? Where is he gone to?

The Princess: "This is quite a cold finish, isn't it......?"

[But you do not get the chance to die with her, nor do you get the chance to respond. Something has taken her and left something in her place instead.]

[THE END - 5/? - "Equal Exchange" - She had nothing left but you.]

(Don't like this ending? Go back to previous choices and see what you end up with!)

---

[210] --- The Narrator: You quickly raise a hand in her way, blocking the blade before i could strike into you, its metal slicing into your hand with a wet slash - it feels numbing at first, but then its like a wasp sting.

The Princess: "If you want me to kill you, then let me kill you! I'll die with you if I have to, if that means we can escape together! But if you don't want that - resist and finally let go of this! Just finally be happy with me! For once!"

The Narrator: But before she could push the blade further down, your other arm weakly reaches out to her. Your hand caresses her face, wiping away the ruined mascara on her face, which now shows regret and concern. She sobs looking down at you.

Voice of the Hero: I don't want this to continue. It's all the same. We die, she dies, we live again, she lives again. We kill her. She kills us. Over, and over again. It's just ... sad.

Voice of the Stubborn: But that sadness is a force driving us forwards!

Voice of the Hero: That's a very negative way of looking at things. Maybe you could just, I don't know, let it go?

Voice of the Stubborn: ...

The Narrator: You know why all of you are here, little voice.

Voice of the Stubborn: Don't call me "little".

The Narrator: Your body rises up, The Princess' weight shifting backwards as she allows you to sit. You then rip the blade out from your hand and - t-toss it away? What? No no no - that's not - WHY?! She is right in front of you! What on Earth are you doing?!

Voice of the Hero: Are you being serious?

Voice of the Stubborn: When was I not?

The Princess: "Are you ... being serious? You ... you haven't said much this entire time. Are you really willing to put that side behind? Really?"

---PROCEED TO SAME CHOICES AS AT: 300---

---

THIS IS THE END OF THE POST! IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FURTHER OPTIONS, SCROLL UP!

Holy hell this took a while to get done, 5 days on and off writing! 18 pages in word, almost 7000 words. If you legit read through this and got an ending, or heck, ALL of the endings - I genuinely hope you enjoyed it!

Let me know what yall think, and again, thank you for reading :)

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sadagios · 5 months ago

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another very long analysis from @misticalnova !! 6w6 this time im going to cut your ask into parts not because i'm going to omit some points you've made like i did last time, but because the ask is really long haha. i also would like to tackle each part. so this time i'll post your ask in its entirety!

i loved that idea so much i had to add it, especially gria's reaction to scar's voice. but yes-- since third life was one of the later seasons i watched, i was so used to proximity chat that i thought it was so endearing how they were excited about it during their first session. grian was so excited about it and the fact that someone could just catch him from behind talking to his audience, and in the lens of this au it might be a detail i could just gloss over but... thinking of VR games, the surround sound and proximity chat is one of its fun features and one that makes it incredibly immersing! Virtual reality games are so easy to be immersed in, and i do believe that if i were gria i wouldnt question the npcs having voices right away. i'd have an "oh hold on," moment way later. out of all of them, it was actually him who was the first to find it strange. even if joel found out about it at the same time as him, and -- going with third life canon -- jimmy meeting scott early on, they wouldn't find it suspicious or odd right away. that's because they're all easily immersed in the game.

for hermitopia and the life game, it was really hard for me to explain the mechanics only through descriptions and comparisons to existing games, so i do hope to create a game UI or fake screenshot of the games for better visualization of what i imagined. and yes, hermitopia is a popular game! not one that is mainstream that anyone outside the gaming sphere would know, but it might be notorious among spaces like how the elder scrolls franchise is. it's also the titular game of an AAA video game company, one that could afford to release it not only on consoles but also port it to PC, which is how Gria got to play it. i'm excited to talk more about that one when we get there.

the XP points are something i hope to play around with so i added it, as well as the customization aspect. i'm still working on the character designs, and i should've also drawn what they looked like when they played the alpha version, which was a huge oversight on my part! (one of many, now i realize) but for now, please imagine the customization to be something like how they all (mostly) shared a steve skin on EVO smp during the starting episodes. the customization was something new to their current game, but they were still able to use preset skins in the alpha test like how we have other default skins (ie. alex, efe, noor, etc). i genuinely forgot to tackle this aspect and it's now bothering me like a finger splinter ... ToT expect a chapter 0 where theres no words and just designs because now im going crazy over this

no you're not reading into it too much, but i did not think of this aspect and i now have plenty of ideas with it (and details i wish i could change in the last update ToT). I do want to say that they all look a tad bit different from what they look like irl! a good comparison would be their portraits here in the first part and something similar to my art of lifers in my style. but as for the facial expressions, that is a detail i did not think about... i was going to say they only rely on each other's tone of voice, but now im thinking maybe (at least only in this beginning part of the au) they have limited facial expression options that could show if they are smiling, frowning, or angry. something like this, maybe! :

i do like this idea!!! i like it a lot. that is something i havent thought far into. currently, they do not feel pain. the beginning part will be them going through it and focusing on the game mechanics, and they would react to "pain" like an immersed gamer would (ie, the streamer you watch saying "ouch" if they have been hit in-game). i wont say when they will feel real pain, but i love your take on it and i might be inspired by this when i get to writing this part. (of course, only if you're okay with that)

the background noises are such a great detail ... and i only have thought about gria's living condition, which is him renting a small apartment with his desk setup near a window (i have to draw this at some point, too.) as for the sitting down part, i do think the evo gang + joel are all standing up when they played real life, except skizz. so that is a fun idea to play around with...

ive thought about the limited movement in minecraft vr (specifically in 'real life') so much that it was my basis when i wrote the prologues instead of nicer, better tracked movement in VRChat. so ... there is motion tracking but it's incredibly janky.

scar interacting with gria was one of the only things i was intentional about, especially him putting his arm around gria and him winking. he has more control of his actions and expressions than gria and the rest of the gang at this point of time, yes :D and i am excited for the scarian moments ahead when gria is able to move freely like him. so excited.... very excited. :)

dont be sorry! your last ask helped me out a lot when i wrote the last update and it was such a delight to read through and think about. your ideas are so cool and i love them, and i am thankful something i wrote received such a long and thoughtful feedback.

thank you again so much nova !! i'll definitely come back to this ask frequently as i draft the au haha. i hope you have nothing but wonderful days ahead!

#ask #rambling #AU - Scarian Death Game #sdgau ask

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notiddygothgf · 7 months ago

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1. Fucking Great

★ pairings: aki hayakawa x fem reader

★ ❝ You're desperate. It's not attractive. ❞

★ c.w.: drinking

★ a/n: finals have been literally beating me to the ground like a dog but. im finally free. OMFG!!! to celebrate, i wanted to drop a lil special sum sum for u guys, even though i wasn't planning on updating again so soon. Make sure to comment and interact and whatever, I love hearing from you guys!!!

★ w.c: .4.2k

call out my name ; chapter index

PEOPLE SAY DIVORCE never gets easier. That simply is not the case. In fact, after your fourth or fifth one, moving on became second nature. Then again, that’s easier said than done – especially when it’s your job.

A little background – you were a Temporary Wife. You worked for an organization called NewlyWeds, through which bachelors, lonely men, those with far too much time (and money), and the like could “rent” wives… so to speak.

The reasons for needing a fake wife were as varied as the men themselves.

For some, it was a matter of societal expectations—warding off nosy relatives at family gatherings or appeasing traditional parents who couldn’t bear the thought of an unmarried son. Others needed a polished facade for their careers, a stable "marriage" being the key to promotions or winning over conservative clients. Some wanted a sexual companion (which was not your area of specialty – in fact, you had never stooped low enough to actually sleep with any of your so-called husbands). And then there were the lonely ones, men who craved companionship without the complications of real commitment.

What better way to fill the void than with a year-long marriage contract?

Whether it was to silence judgmental whispers, project an image of success, or fill an emotional void, the demand for a temporary wife was steady and unrelenting. It was your job to play the part flawlessly. And you were damn good at it. Five happy husbands – four, if you don’t count the dead one – were a testament to that. 365 Days per contract, and not a single unhappy customer so far.

Marriage was a way to pay the bills. Nothing more.

So why did this one make you feel so nervous?

As you crossed the threshold to your new husband’s house, you couldn’t help but feel a little… well, anxious, to say the least. Your suitcase rolled to a stop behind you – a sizeable one, one that had your clothes and essentials. Of course, you would more than likely purchase more a little further down the road. For now, though, a suitcase was all you needed.

One year. One suitcase. One ginormous house.

You had to crane your head all the way back to look at the ceiling. House is a bit of an understatement… Grey walls opened up into the foyer, where a grand staircase spiraled up to the second floor. A sleek, minimalistic design with tasteful decor. A chandelier hung in the middle of it all, what had to have been hundreds of glass pieces glimmering with light.

Mansion would have been a better word. In all of your 5 marriages, you had never stayed anywhere so lavish. Then again, you supposed you had to have a lot of money to afford a fake wife.

He knew I was coming at some point today, you thought to yourself. It was dead silent in the house. I wonder where he is?

You towed your suitcase over to the door perpendicular to the stairs. According to the briefing you had read on the way here, you would be setting up shop in the guest bedroom, that way you could make room for all of your stuff (not that there was much of it). The guest room allegedly was tucked away near the staircase, so you tried the handle.

When it gave, you pushed the door the rest of the way open. The guest bedroom was pretty sizable. A queen sized bed with neatly tucked black sheets, a sleek, dark-oak closet with a matching furniture set, and a nightstand with a pretty lamp and a vase of flowers on it.

This is one hell of a guest room, you reasoned. It put the measly back room in your old shithole apartment to shame.

With a great amount of effort, you hauled your suitcase onto the bed, unzipping it and viewing its contents. Then, slowly, you began to unpack – setting neatly folded clothes aside, organizing them by season and type.

You changed out of your travel attire, a tailored suit and pencil skirt, which now felt constrictive and far too formal for the empty house. Digging through your suitcase, you pulled out a pair of comfortable leggings and an oversized sweater—neutral tones, soft fabric, nothing too flashy. Something “homely,” as your job often required. Sliding into the cozy ensemble, you felt the tension ease from your shoulders, the weight of first impressions temporarily set aside.

With your outfit taken care of, you turned to the task of settling in. The guest bedroom was pristine, almost unsettlingly so. You hadn’t expected a mess, but the level of order was borderline clinical. Not a single speck of dust marred the dark wood surfaces, and the flowers on the nightstand seemed freshly arranged. You suspected they were artificial, the kind that stayed perfect forever. It gave the room an impersonal feel, as though it belonged to no one in particular. Temporary, like you.

“Well,” you muttered under your breath, running your hand along the smooth surface of the dresser. “Guess I’m not the only one passing through.”

After organizing your belongings in the spacious closet, which felt like overkill for the modest amount of clothing you’d brought, you decided to explore. The house was massive—mansion, you corrected yourself again—and you figured you’d better learn your way around before embarrassing yourself by getting lost.

Starting in the foyer, you took in the grandeur once more. The chandelier overhead sparkled like a constellation, its light refracting across the grey walls and polished floors. You wandered into the living room, where sleek furniture—a monochrome mix of black, white, and grey—was arranged with a precision that felt more suited to a showroom than a home. A massive flat-screen TV dominated one wall, but it was spotless, devoid of fingerprints or smudges. No cozy throw blankets, no scattered magazines, no signs of life.

The kitchen was similarly sterile. White countertops stretched endlessly, interrupted only by high-tech appliances that gleamed under the recessed lighting. Not a single mug or dish sat in the sink, and the pantry—when you dared to peek inside—was meticulously organized, though oddly sparse. A few boxes of cereal, some canned goods, and a row of bottled water. No clutter. No warmth.

“Does anyone even live here?” you wondered aloud. The silence was your only answer. No photographs adorned the walls or countertops, no hints of personality or history. It was as though the house existed solely for appearances.

Your unease deepened as you ascended the grand staircase. The second floor was just as immaculate, the long hallway lined with closed doors. You passed a library—if you could call it that—a room filled with books arranged in perfect alphabetical order, the spines unbroken. It smelled faintly of leather and wood polish, not the warm, musty scent of well-loved pages.

Finally, you reached the master bedroom. Aki’s room.

You hesitated at the threshold, hand hovering over the doorknob. This was his space, his sanctuary. You were here to do a job, not invade his privacy. But then you remembered the briefing. Part of your role was to ensure everything ran smoothly, to maintain the illusion of a harmonious household. That included housekeeping duties. Squaring your shoulders, you turned the knob and stepped inside.

The room was as impersonal as the rest of the house, though it carried a faint trace of its occupant. The bed, a king-sized monolith with crisp, white linens, was unmade, the only imperfection you’d seen so far. The furniture matched the sleek, dark aesthetic of the guest room, but there were no personal touches. No photos on the nightstands, no trinkets or mementos.

Your gaze shifted to the walk-in closet, its door slightly ajar. Curiosity tugged at you, and you couldn’t resist taking a peek. Inside, you found rows upon rows of clothing, organized with military precision. Suits dominated the space—tailored jackets, crisp dress shirts, and neatly pressed trousers in shades of black, grey, and navy. Sweaters and casual wear were tucked away at the back, their softer fabrics and muted colors almost an afterthought. Everything was of impeccable quality, from the silk ties to the polished leather shoes lined up along the floor – everything except for the lone pair of beat-up converse hidden just out of plain sight.

So he’s got an edgy side, you thought, stepping back to close the door. Whatever picture you were beginning to form of Aki was still incomplete, but one thing was clear: this man valued control and order.

You decided to mind your business and focus on your task. Returning to the bedroom, you stripped the bed, bundling the linens into a neat pile. The mattress beneath was bare and spotless, further testament to the house’s almost eerie cleanliness. As you worked, your mind wandered.

Why had he hired you? The briefing had been thorough, but it was always the practical details: the contract, the expectations, the rules. It never delved into the personal motivations behind the arrangement. Was he one of the lonely ones, craving companionship without complications? Or was this a calculated move, a facade for career or family? This place was unnerving in its perfection. You’d lived in luxurious homes before, but they’d always carried a sense of life, of personality. This house felt like a stage, a beautiful but hollow set piece.

None of my business, you reminded yourself firmly. You’d learned early on not to pry. The men who hired you weren’t looking for therapists or confidants. They wanted a wife, and you were here to play the part. Nothing more.

With the sheets bundled under one arm, you headed to the laundry room.

Aki always looked forward to Fridays. It was her day. Every Friday at 7 o’clock sharp, his wife – yes, not yet ex wife, because they hadn’t actually started the process of a divorce yet – would meet him at Prime Cut for a steak dinner. They would undoubtedly catch up, talk about the week they had spent apart, and Aki would inevitably try to convince her to take him back like the pathetic man he was.

His watch read 6:59. She was always punctual.

Anxiously, he fiddled with his appearance – smoothing his hands over his suit jacket, his slacks, his hair. He couldn’t see how he looked, but he hoped he looked put together. His eyes darted around nervously, searching for signs of her.

And there, at 7 o’clock sharp, she walked in. He caught a glimpse of her hair first – pink locks braided into that signature hairstyle of hers that he had grown to love. The one he had seen her do in the early hours of the morning before they had to leave for work; boar-hair brush combing through the rosy strands while she braided them. He would sit on the bed and watch her like the lovestruck fool he was.

Makima looked as polished as ever.

Aki stood up, walking over to the other side of the table and pulling the chair out for her (again, like the dog he was). She took it, muttering a soft, Thanks, and Aki’s heart soared at the sound, at the smell of her. She carried the aroma of something floral and fresh, a new perfume, no doubt. Aki, as desperate as ever, wore the same cologne he wore when the two of them were still husband and wife (as opposed to whatever they were now) in the selfish hope that she might be reminded of those days.

He cleared his throat, heart racing against his ribcage. “How was your trip over here?” He asked. “You look lovely.”

Makima smiled, adjusting the hem of her pretty red dress, the one with a low-cut neckline that revealed a tasteful amount of cleavage and accentuated the beautiful curves of her body. “It was provincial.”

"Provincial?" he echoed with a faint smile, his attempt at humor falling flat. "Did you walk here?”

"Why would I?" she teased, her tone light but her gaze sharp. She picked up the menu without waiting for his response, flipping through it leisurely. "Let’s not waste time, Aki. Order for me. You know what I like."

"Of course," he murmured, signaling the waiter. His hands trembled slightly as he recited her usual order—A glass-and-a-half of merlot, and a beer for him.

The silence between them stretched thin as they waited for their food. Aki cleared his throat again, desperate to fill the void. "Work’s been… busy. I had a case this week that reminded me of the ones we used to handle together."

Makima arched an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Still clinging to the past, I see."

They had only been apart for six months, in his defense. Compared to the eight years they had spent together, it wasn’t nearly enough time.

"I’m not clinging," he lied, his voice cracking slightly. "Just… reminiscing."

"Hmm," she hummed noncommittally, taking a sip of her water. "And how’s your health? Still smoking like a chimney?"

"I’ve cut back," he said quickly, eager to please. "Only a couple a day now."

Her lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Progress, I suppose."

The tension between them was palpable, and Aki felt himself floundering. He reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against the small velvet box he’d been carrying all week. Taking a deep breath, he pulled it out and set it on the table between them.

Makima’s eyes flicked to the box, her expression finally betraying a glimmer of curiosity. "What’s this?"

"A gift," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For you."

She hesitated for a moment before picking up the box, her manicured fingers deftly undoing the clasp. Inside was a pair of delicate diamond earrings, the stones catching the soft light of the restaurant. They were understated but elegant, just like her.

"They reminded me of you," Aki said, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure she could hear it. "I thought… I thought you might like them."

Makima studied the earrings for a long moment before closing the box with a soft click. "They’re lovely," she said, her tone neutral.

“Try them on,” Aki implored her.

“I’ll try them on later,” She replied, and Aki visibly deflated at the words.

A tense moment passed, and then, finally Aki acknowledged the elephant in the room, “How is everything with your… your husband?”

The words felt like knives in his chest.

Makima tilted her head slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips. "My marriage is… good. Stable. He’s dependable, attentive, and he listens." Her tone was measured, almost clinical, as though she were describing a well-functioning machine rather than a relationship. "Everything I’ve always wanted."

Aki felt his stomach drop, her words a cold slap to his face. He tried to smile, nodding as though he could be happy for her, but the ache in his chest told a different story. "That’s good," he murmured, his voice hollow. "I’m glad."

But he wasn’t glad. Not even a little.

The image of her with another man, sharing the moments that had once been his, twisted like a knife in his gut. He wanted to be the bigger person, to wish her well and mean it, but the truth was, he couldn’t. Not when every word she spoke felt like another reminder of how he had failed her.

Instead, what came out was, “I don’t know why you want to go through with this fake marriage stuff. It doesn't make sense. How long are you going to drag this out?”

“I’m happier this way,” She answered calmly, like she was talking about the weather and not her other marriage. “And you’re desperate. It’s not attractive.”

Her words hurt. Bad. The slightest flinch in his expression probably betrayed that much, but he couldn’t help it. She always knew exactly what to say to keep him up at night.

With a frown, he retorted, “You’re punishing me. What do I have to do to show you I’m sorry?”

Makima’s demeanor shifted enough for Aki to know he had pissed her off – even if she didn’t explicitly say it. Her eyes darkened, glazed over with that apathetic haze he hated as she asked, “I’m punishing you?”

Aki said nothing, letting his gaze fall to the floor. She was right. For what he did, he probably deserved this.

“Do you really not understand the gravity of your situation?” She added, as if asking him to reiterate didn’t hurt enough. Her hands were folded neatly atop the table, lips pressed into a thin line, eyes full of nothing but apathy – yet her words bore a sharpness that cut deep. “Every day that I had to wake up and look at you was my punishment. I’m doing you a favor.”

When he said nothing, she continued, “If you don’t go through with this, Aki, you will never… see me again. I can promise you that much.”

His stomach was tied up in knots – a heady feeling of nausea burning its way up the back of his throat. It felt as if his heart had been ripped right out of his chest. Still, though he felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, he built up the strength to nod.

He deserved this, didn’t he?

“Let’s wrap up early,” Makima sighed, dusting off her lap and standing up. “I can eat at home.”

Aki’s gaze flitted up to her, heart racing. “What?” He tried, “Sit down, let’s eat. You’ve only been here for a little while.”

She didn’t even look at him as she shouldered her bag and gathered her belongings – including his earrings. “No, thanks,” She replied. “I lost my appetite,” When she was ready to go, she finally looked at Aki (and made him wish she hadn’t). “My husband is waiting outside.”

I’m your husband.

Not him.

Me.

Aki didn’t miss the way she put emphasis on the word husband – as if this little infatuation wasn’t a contractual one. Six months of this shit was enough to have him at his wits end. Again, the thought of her happy with someone else, even if it wasn’t real…. It was enough to drive him up the wall, keep him up at night.

He furrowed his brows, “I only get to see you once a week, Makima. Can’t we–”

“That’s more than enough,” She interjected. Again, her words cut deep.

“We’re married,” He reminded her, though it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Could he even call their relationship a marriage? They lived in two separate homes, had two separate lives, and – as of today – had two separate spouses. “We’re supposed to see each other every day, if you want to be technical.”

“In principle, yes,” She added. Her voice was calm, calculated, but the message was harsh, “In practice, I can hardly bear to look at you. We’re not husband and wife anymore. If you want to keep seeing me, then that’s something you’ll have to come to terms with.”

Then, without so much as a goodbye, she walked away.

Aki sat there long after Makima had left, the cold, untouched plate of food mocking him as the restaurant buzzed on around him. His heart felt like it had been ripped to shreds and left on the table beside her empty chair. He tipped his head back, letting out a quiet breath, the warmth of the restaurant doing nothing to stave off the chill settling in his chest.

His fingers brushed the rim of his glass, and before he could think better of it, he motioned to the waiter. "Another round," he said, his voice gruff.

The drinks kept coming, and with every sip, the edges of his heartbreak dulled just a little. He told himself it wasn’t to drown his pain but to find clarity in the haze. Makima's words echoed in his mind, over and over: “We’re not husband and wife anymore."

By the time he paid the tab, his limbs felt heavy, his thoughts muddled. The world tilted slightly as he stood, stuffing his wallet into his jacket pocket. At least he didn’t have to drive, he thought, as he stepped out into the cool night air. The bar was only a few blocks away from his place, and walking was safe—safer than going home and facing the emptiness waiting for him there.

But instead of heading to his apartment, his feet carried him somewhere else. He didn’t even realize where he was going until he stood at the corner near Makima’s building, the faint glow of her apartment windows visible against the dark sky.

His better judgment screamed at him to turn back, to leave her alone. But drunk, heartbroken, and full of misplaced determination, Aki walked toward her building. The thought of her with him—her so-called “husband”—gnawed at his insides.

His lips on her hand, her skin, her neck…

His stomach twisted. That box had meant something. He’d agonized over it—picked out the perfect earrings, wrapped it carefully, written her name in his cleanest handwriting. And now it sat here, abandoned, like it meant nothing at all.

Aki’s jaw clenched as his gaze flicked up to the second-story window, drawn to the warm glow spilling out onto the street. She was there. Makima. Her silhouette was unmistakable, standing close—too close—to the man beside her. Aki’s breath hitched as she leaned in, her head tilting just enough for him to see the way her lips pressed against the other man’s.

Not just a kiss. A deep, lingering one.

The world around him spun as nausea clawed its way up his throat. His chest burned, his heart thudding painfully against his ribs. His hands balled into fists at his sides, and without thinking, he pulled out his phone, fumbling to unlock it with freezing, clumsy fingers.

He tapped her name. The phone rang. Once. Twice. His eyes stayed glued to the window, hoping—praying—that she would step back, check her phone, and answer. But no. The call went to voicemail.

“Ah, shit,” he muttered under his breath, tapping redial with shaking fingers.

It rang again, louder in his ear this time, but it ended the same way. No answer.

He let out a bitter laugh, his voice cracking under the weight of it all. Of course, she wouldn’t pick up. Not now.

He called one more time, his voice barely a whisper as he stared up at that now-dark window. “Pick up, damn it. Pick up.”

Nothing.

His gaze dropped back to the car, and the box sitting in the backseat felt like a cruel reminder of everything he’d lost—or maybe everything he never really had. His breathing quickened, the alcohol amplifying the surge of anger and humiliation in his chest. He spotted a rock near the edge of the driveway, half-buried in dirt.

The rational part of him—the one that normally reined in his impulses—was drowning in whiskey and despair. He stumbled over, grabbed the rock, and staggered back toward the car.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” he muttered, raising the jagged stone. “She’s ridiculous. I’m ridiculous.”

The rock crashed through the car window with a deafening shatter. Glass sprayed across the seat as the alarm screamed into the cold night air. Aki winced at the sound, his heart pounding as he shoved his arm through the broken window to grab the box. The shards scratched his hand, but he didn’t care. He yanked the box out and stumbled back, clutching it tightly in his arms like it was some kind of trophy.

But before he could even catch his breath, he saw it: the unmistakable flash of red and blue lights cutting through the darkness.

“Oh, fuck,” he muttered, his stomach dropping.

A patrol car rolled up slowly, its headlights illuminating him in harsh, unforgiving light. He froze, his grip on the box tightening as two officers stepped out. One of them shone a flashlight directly into his face, and he squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes.

“Sir, step away from the vehicle,” one of them said firmly, their voice sharp and no-nonsense.

Aki opened his mouth, but his brain was too foggy to form a coherent excuse. “Uh... I can explain—”

“It looks like you broke into a car,” the other officer cut in, their tone laced with skepticism.

“Yeah, okay, fine, it is what it looks like,” Aki admitted, the weight of the situation crashing down on him all at once.

The officer sighed, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

“Come on,” Aki groaned, his voice slurred as he stumbled forward. “This isn’t... this isn’t even about the car, it’s—it’s personal.”

“Personal or not, you just committed a crime,” the officer replied.

Aki felt the cold steel of the cuffs bite into his wrists as they clicked shut. His head swam as they guided him toward the patrol car, the box slipping from his grasp and falling onto the pavement. He glanced back over his shoulder, his heart sinking further when he saw her apartment. The lights had gone out, the window now dark and empty.

As they pushed him into the backseat of the car, Aki leaned his head against the window, closing his eyes. “Great,” he muttered bitterly. “Just fucking great.”

a/n: if you haven't already, you should totally read my other aki story, Shameless! okay thats all, bye lovelies, hope you enjoyed! stay tuned!!! x

credits: UNKOWN ATM. I found the cover pic on pinterest unfortch. If you know the artist, please let me know, so I can credit them properly for their work!!! This is NOT MY BEAUTIFUL DRAWINGGG. I obviously do not own csm or anything related to it. please do not reproduce, copy, or translate my works anywhere. dont fk w me im a bruja.

also: come find me on my wattpad if u wanna interact more!

taglist: @mitsuyeahhh , @sleepysnk , @enneadec , @noaabean , @em1e , @drakensdarling , @bertholdts--butt , @satanlovesusall666 , @mitsuwuyaa , @noctifule , @scaraphobia , @ask-the-insect-hashira , @lovingranchturkeyweasel , @bontensbabygirl , @slvdsjjk , @novacrystalli , @hanmastattoos , @kodzuksn , @hqtiny , @ohmaiscool15 , @redlittlequeen , @leivane , @goldeneagles-posts , @yeahblahlame , @no-oneelsebutnsu , @cookiesandcreammy , @cawwn , @the-haitani-baton , @littlelovebug98 , @armani78 , @mindurownbussines , @kokos-property , @violetmatcha , @hp-simp505 , @acethebrave , @mitsuyeahhh , @sleepysnk , @enneadec , @noaabean , @em1e , @drakensdarling , @bertholdts--butt , @satanlovesusall666 , @mitsuwuyaa , @noctifule , @scaraphobia , @ask-the-insect-hashira , @lovingranchturkeyweasel , @bontensbabygirl , @slvdsjjk , @novacrystalli , @hanmastattoos , @kodzuksn , @hqtiny , @ohmaiscool15 , @redlittlequeen , @leivane , @goldeneagles-posts , @yeahblahlame , @no-oneelsebutnsu , @cookiesandcreammy , @cawwn , @the-haitani-baton , @littlelovebug98 , @armani78 , @mindurownbussines , @kokos-property , @violetmatcha , @hp-simp505

wanna join the taglist? | call out my name ; chapter index

#notiddygxthgf ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚#call out my name .✾.#aki x reader #aki hayakawa x reader #aki hayakawa #csm x reader #hayakawa aki x reader

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campbyler · 10 months ago

Note

our chapters average at 27,000 words, the total fic length is already 3x the average novel length, and we lost one of the authors working on this fic. it must be so nice to only have to endure the wait for a chapter to be uploaded so that you can interact with it rather than being the one to actually write it.

im going to be cruel (no pun intended) to be kind: this is such an intense externalisation of blame. you are the ones in control of the fic length; the chapters could handle some heavy editing and it wouldnt make them any less wonderful (such as regarding the descriptions of mike and will's internal thoughts, not the action between the characters themselves). fic is free and its a gift to be able to read works that inspire our hearts and minds while we wait for the show, but then again, when at the stern of a juggernaut work such as this, one that will inevitably have many followers chomping at the bit on tumblr as well as ao3 (as you designed it to have!), you surely must be aware of something that only usually exists in professional marketing spaces involving customers + brand IP: the relationship between consumer and creator, and what they can give each other.

not 'owe each other' - nothing is owed, except perhaps basic human kindness. fans want your work, and its free, so we should be grateful; likewise, you want readers, feedback and clicks, and that should be free, too. but in order for this to work smoothly, there has to be fair give and take. i mean, if you wanted to monetize the fic i'm sure many people would pay to read it, but thats beside the point here.

what fans of this fic simply want is the same honesty and self-awareness from you that they might expect from any artist who has embarked on such am ambitious project. and this doesnt just mean transparency about potential uploading dates (which is already much appreciated by the majority!), or notifications about how hard it is to balance work and life (something most people on the planet struggle with). it means total honesty and hard answers. people like to know where they stand. plenty of writers (both professional and fan alike) abandon works for months, years at a time, and if the work is THAT good, people will always be thrilled to see a return. it's the mucking people about that is what destroys relationships - no matter how good your reasons are.

your fic is wonderful and very, very memorable. you could take a big, undefined hiatus and people would, im sure, return, including me. seeing you admit that you have been prioritizing this fic over your mental health does not inspire confidence either, or even comfort - do i want to read something that has caused the creator such harm?

i think everything about this process would be happier for everyone if you set boundaries that work for you and didn't place blame elsewhere. after all, as you said, it's just a fanfic. it doesnt matter if you don't finish it. it doesnt matter if it takes all the way to s5 for 10.2 to release. everyone would, though, appreciate you taking a stance and being consistent (and therefore fair) to both yourselves and the readers.

please feel free to not post this publicly or do as you wish with it.

hello! thank you for your feedback and for sharing it in a way that is both kind and respectful. you make many valid points that i agree with -- we are in control of the word counts and could stand to edit down more, and we do recognize where being transparent about the reasons behind the chapter delays might not inspire confidence or comfort. i do, however, think that isolating one response/chain of responses to a particular ask is a little unfair, so i'd like to provide additional context.

i do not think that it's fair to say that we haven't been honest, self-aware, or fair, because we have been incredibly transparent throughout the entire run of the fic (over a year) about our writing process. just last month suni said she hadn't been working on 10.2 at all because abby had been visiting her house, and readily took ownership of that fact. there was a 4-month wait between chapters 9.1 and 9.2, and i was very open about the fact that i simply needed a break for at least the first of those months because i didn't want to write it. we have continued to maintain several times that we are not abandoning the fic, even if it takes longer between chapters, and have tried to stay as active as possible on the blog because we know that seeing us interact with asks Does inspire confidence. if you just scroll down and see how we have answered other asks inquiring about the upload, we responded kindly and respectfully.

what you interpreted as externalization of blame in that one (1!) ask response was me trying to provide perspective to someone who clearly lacked it. we understand that people will be frustrated about chapter delays, especially if we keep pushing them back, and this is also something that we have received feedback about before and tried to implement; however, it is also a double-edged sword where if we don't give an estimated upload, people get upset, or we give an estimated upload that we think is completely reasonable for us to achieve and then hurdles get in the way, whether it's writer's block or work or time with friends. i absolutely get the frustration on the receiving end, but something i have learned from being in this fandom for two years is that a pretty big majority of those who are interacting with fanworks are not creating it themselves, hence why my response -- while snippy and annoyed, because i was matching the energy, and will not apologize for that -- was contextualizing the whys behind the chapter delay: the chapters are long, the fic is long, we are down one entire body from where we started. the intention was not to shuck blame off of ourselves, but i get that intentions don't always translate into effect, so it's understandable that it was received differently.

we don't always respond to things perfectly. when we have a million and one asks inquiring about the next upload, one stray one that comes off the wrong way is likely going to set us off, because we are people, and this is not a job. we have set a boundary by disabling anon, and again, i cannot stress enough how much i appreciate that you've come to us with this feedback off-anon and with respect and decency. i get where you are coming from and again, agree with a lot of your points.

the only other thing i want to make clear is that this fic, no matter how much attention its garnered, should not be treated as a creator/consumer relationship that mirrors anything where the exchange of money is involved. not only is it unfair to apply this standard to fanworks, where it is illegal to monetize such content, but the entire purpose of fanworks is to celebrate what you are a fan of together. when you apply expectations on either end -- i am a fan of this work, therefore, people should create timely content for it; i am creating this fanwork, therefore, people should interact with it -- defeats the entire nature of fan-created work as a whole. while we have continued to be vocally grateful for the love and support our fic has been shown, we both maintain that we would continue writing and continue uploading even if we were getting less than half of the amount of interaction that we do. it's nice to have interaction, but not necessary, because we what write and post is done because we love it, and it's shared so that we can look back on it, so our friends can enjoy it, and anyone else who might want to. we are, of course, excited to share that world with anyone who cares -- we created the blog and the promo because we wanted to share it -- but that does not mean that the relationship between us and our readers should have expectations. we are all creating and enjoying this work for free for the sake of love for the characters, as the star trek obsessed housewives of the 60s (and the law) have intended.

i feel like this response is a bit jumbled so i apologize if anything isn't clear or hard to understand. thank you again for your time!

#asks

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batfambrainrotbeloved · 1 year ago

Text

The Sleepy Kitten Cafe 🐱💤

(The Drakes Spoiled Brat. (im sorry dad))

Ill solidify an actual layout design later (since this will become a major setting for most of the fic) BUT for now you get a shitty collage design Edit- Fuck it I was gonna wait till post chapter 7 but I decided to publish now so here you go!

Info (may or may not become relevent in the fic, I just think is neat also for my own reference)

Located on The Narrows of Gotham city

All utensils and containers are thrifted so none of them match

Upstairs lounge is a mini library/book store

They sell baked goods and have a shitty service window where you can order diner style food/snacks

Regular game nights/other events (including jazz night which Tim vehelementaly refuses to attend)

Not uncommon for random strays to come hang out (no one tell their manager)

Have a photo wall of regular customers (it took several weeks of begging before Tim allowed Gwen to snap his pic and pin it up)

They have a whole buisness card holder on the counter people can advertise their shit

Owned by a former hippie from Washington and her husband from Sikkim

Almost gets robbed once a week but hey its Gotham, what can you do? (emphasis on almost)

Employees (named thus far, who I will also probably draw later)-

Gwen Parkins she/her- Main Barista Alans (Tims) BFF, utter sweetheart, but will cry if yelled at. Also plans like 80% of the work events. Wears clips in her hair that are "on theme" for whatever event is for the day (cat ones for work obvi) Never checks her bank account so doesnt notice Tim slipping in an extra 500-3k every month (tax free of course) and she ends up saving or donating half of it anyways. From the Narrows.

Zeek (Ezikel) Zoref he/they- Cook/Security Very open stoner, likes bullying his friends (kinda an asshole, but will apologize if too far), also loves Gotham for the fact he can and will fist fight customers given the oppertunity, and there are PLENTY of oppertunies. Carries around a bat. Almost became a Joker Goon out of nessesity but by sheer happenstance he tried robbing Alan who somehow got him an interview at the Cafe, even with zero experience. (Owes his life, but will never admit it) Allergic to mint and mourns mint gum everyday. From Crime Alley.

Obsidian Fowler they/them- Manager/Barista The reason shit gets done, newly recognized artist, meticiously does inventory because they find it fun. Gets stressed about hygine when his coworkers keep sneaking random strays in the cafe, but weak to begging. Did not give in when they brought in a Raccoon. Keeps offering Alan a job because "Please I cannot be the only competent member here" From Old Gotham.

#trash tim au #the drakes spoiled brat #tim drake #FULL NAME TIME WHOOO #gwen parkins #zeek zorof #obsidian fowler #the sleepy kitten cafe #tim drake angst #timothy drake #cardinal dc #my fic #batfam au #batfamily #batfam fic #batfam angst

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bonefall · 2 years ago

Text

Better Bones AU Masterpost

Last Update: 8/23/23, Version 1.0

"What is the Better Bones AU?"

I'm so glad you asked, convenient question-speaker!

Better Bones (BB) is a full-series rewrite project that seeks to have a more conclusive stance on anti-authoritarianism, revamp the bonds and beliefs of individual characters to make more interesting drama and politics, and overhaul the progression of morality and history throughout the timeline to make the society of the Clans into a living, changing culture.

To do that, we've got 5 goals;

Fix the tangled family tree and give it clearer rules, expanding on kinship between cats while not neglecting friendships

Make the environment accurate to northwestern England, including education on how different biomes are managed and lists of local flora and fauna, to understand how environment has impacted Clan culture.

Build out technology by giving the Clans tool use and food preparation, additional traditions and customs, their own language, and medicinal treatment guides from sniffles up to HRT.

Change the themes of canon by addressing its problematic elements, giving the cats consistent politics and making the narrative conclusively anti-authoritarian.

Be cool as fuck, with wilder deaths, more clanborn villains, bloodier battles, and even MORE complicated innerClan drama

BB is told in notes and outlines, with the "end point" being a full skeleton for the entire series complete with chapter-by-chapter notes, which anyone would be able to write out fully, just as if they were a ghostwriter being handed a draft.

This project is open-source. I encourage you to take any inspiration from this AU that you'd like, or use the Clan culture expansions for your own projects. They don't HAVE to be warriors-related, we have a few folks who like to apply parts of this project to Rainworld! Go bananas.

I only ask that you don't steal any drawn art (as seen in the fanart, character summaries, and culture expansions) to pass it off as your own. Please respect the contributions of these artists.

"Boy howdy! Where do I start?"

WOWZERS another perfectly timed question I'm proud of you

HISTORY LESSON. This is a "brief" summary of the ENTIRE history of BB, breaking down each block of history into Periods, divided into Eras. It sprawls from the founding to the most recently completed arc. NOTE: BB does not cover arcs until they are complete. ASC has not been completed at the time of this post.

Character Summaries Every character gets a redesign and a summary, covering who they are, their role in the story, and their connections to everyone around them. NOTE: You are encouraged to put your own spin on the designs if you'd like! I do not design with genetic accuracy or MAP-friendliness in mind, so you have my blessing to alter them or request a modification for an animation.

Clan Culture Expansions Crafts, Herb Guides, the flora and fauna they encounter on a regular basis, and the Clanmew conlanguage is all in here.

Family Tree Overhauls This is almost done i swear

Fragment Bin This is where I'm going to eventually be putting everything still "WIP" material. I call these "fragments" because the full story isn't planned yet, but I talk about the little 'pieces' that I want to shuffle around. If you're new around here, basically I just sorta babble about a wishlist and then work through it with ask/reply suggestions.

FAQ I'll need this too at some point im sure

#better bones au #clan culture #Better bones au masterpost #hOKAY that should be fine as a master-masterpost for now and i can make the Fragment Bin without being worried it's too messy #ADHD is like living with a bridge troll in your mind who makes dumb rules and your whole life becomes a game to outsmart it

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ochrearia · 1 year ago

Note

👀 What’s a Dinaurian?

IM FUCKING GLAD YOU ASKED!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME TO UNSKIPPABLE CUTSCENE HOUR

Okay so I make mention of a thing called "Fossil Fighters" a lot which is a 2000s-2010s era DS game that is essentially kind of like Pokemon but with dinosaurs specifically (or really creatures from the Triassic-Cretaceous periods with a select few even before or after these intervals) so you go out digging for fossils and if you find a Head fossil you can revive the dinosaur and it's yours. You carry them around as dino medals when they aren't in battle mode (I like to think you can summon them out whenever to hang out :333 dino pals) and they come in 5 elemental types being air, earth, water, fire, and neutral.

In the first game (literally just "Fossil Fighters") you play on an island where every chapter or so you level up your rank from beginner to master fighter by taking part in ranked battle and such, but along with that you explore different digging sites and start finding ancient technology scattered around than you eventually learn comes from an alien race called the Dinaurians. It's because of these guys that you can clean fossils and revive dinosaurs to begin with due to their technology. Originally they had their sights on Earth to be their new home planet due to theirs being eaten by a giant space monster (THE DESIGN OF THIS MONSTER IS GOOFY AS FUCK BUT ANYWAY). They were mainly in stasis-sleep for millions of years waiting for the life they planted on Earth to evolve into Dinaurians like them, but that life died out ages ago and HUMANS evolved instead. Their computers summoned the planet-eater to destroy Earth because the original plan failed and you team up with them to kill the planet-eater before it gets there.

The only distinctive Dinaurians in the series are Duna, Raptin, and King Dynal, the rest are cookie cutter NPCs but oohhhh child me latched onto these fuckers so fast.

Because like serious question who WOULDNT want to be a cool ass dinosaur alien who can transform into a full dino and fight. I fucking do god bless

All of their dino forms can be sort of traced back to a basic dinosaur you can revive in the game, so they get referred to as "extraterrestrial ______" for each so like. Duna looks like a Delta, Raptin a V-Raptor, and King Dynal sort of looks like an Angato. Which are these guys:

So they basically have custom features and colors off the base. Now if it were ME, I would personally make my Dinauriansona be an Extraterrestrial Lagia which is also a raptor type guy, but only added in the 2nd game Fossil Fighters: Champions (which sadly Dinaurians don't show up at all, there's a completely different story) but they added some pretty cool new guys into it and improved the style so I have 0 complaints. We don't talk about Frontier though. That game isn't Real.

But yeah my thought process:

For custom features I would think an extra curled-tail would be funny, like it curves even more up and even back around a little. Couple of back spikes too. Nothing too fancy. Put a crayon in my hand, something silly.

BUT YEAH I REALLY LIKE... DINAURIANS AND ALSO THIS GAME FRANCHISE I WISH THEY DIDN'T RUIN IT WITH FRONTIER (I'm a hater) BUT THE CHOICES THEY MADE FOR FRONTIER ARE SUCH A FUMBLE AND AWFUL AND EW. THERE WERE STANDARDS!!!!!!!!! AND YOU VIOLATED ALL OF THEM

#ochresinbox

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girlfriendsofthegalaxy · 2 years ago

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tuesday again 10/17/2023

started explaining why this one is a little lighter than last week's gallery wall behemoth bc of a uhhhh kind of dire week, personally and professionally speaking, but then realized when fic authors do that in front of chapters i don't actually care or require an excuse from them, im just delighted to have a new chapter.

listening

this is a deeply cheesy little folk song but the lyrics "man you name it and if we ain’t got it: we’ll get it" gave me a sensible chuckle.

youtube

now for a moment to expound upon houston: they truly have imported every possible food service establishment. the two chains i miss most from jersey, jersey mikes submarine sandwiches and 7-11 gas stations, are both here. i get that this is the fifth largest metro area in the US or whatever but both of these companies are SO niche. absolutely bonkers. spotify.

i think this started autoplaying after a playlist inspired by f/allout: new v/egas came on??

reading

i originally had a very mean-spirited graf about the utility of a pool in northwestern massachusetts and the kind of person who can comfortably lose $31k, but it is genuinely awful that there are no rules around zelle. that money goes into a black fucking hole and there's no way to get it back, which is not the case for any other kind of recognized money except cryptocurrency

Did we confront Gary Kruglitz [the pool contractor]? Yes we did. We marched right into his office and grilled him hard until he defeated us with a simple and probing question: What's a zelle? It defied belief, we quickly realized, that a man who had been trapped in technological amber since the Nixon era was running a cyberscam designed to come between us and our money out of an AOL account.

watching

Van Helsing (2004, dir. Sommers). this movie is horrible. this movie is terrific. i don't have anything to say about this movie bc i was distracted by equal opportunity tits and asses the entire time. the time of the “Kate Beckinsale in a corset” movie genre is long over but GOD. watched with my sister bc it's leaving tubi soon

playing

one week i will have the energy to try New Thing but until i do it’s genshin. there's a poetry event that has terribly boring minigames, but the story quest has finally tied a bow on a piece of folkore we came across in the very first release so that was fun!

wrapping up some stuff in sumeru bc im running out of map pins, this game has done one of the things i hate most: progress-locking one extremely long and tedious collectible hunt (the music gates) behind another extremely long and tedious collectible hunt (the robots locked in the vines). the next time i see one of those little fucking budget koroks i am going to drop kick it into the sun. what the fuck is the circumference of teyvat anyway. it feels like we have explored so little of this planet's surface

i have graphics turned down pretty low bc of performance issues on my elderly laptop and this is still such a remarkably pretty game. look at this big estuary leading off into the distance

making

i wildly overextended myself this week, partially bc im trying to take advantage of this brief post-covid heightened immunity. lot of dinners. lot of late nights. on top of that BOTH of my siblings were in town for unrelated professional reasons this week :) no overlap so we did not have a nice fambly dinner :( but did have pretty okay separate dinners :) if they could learn to fucking communicate their trave plans and the number of peope that will be showing up at my home that would also be pretty okay >:(

one of the party games i played this week asked the question “what could you give a 40-minute PowerPoint presentation on” and i started saying facts about the downfall of the penn central railroad and they very nicely let me continue saying facts about the downfall of the penn central railroad, the largest bankruptcy in US history until ENRON, until the round timer went off.

i have some thoughts about Train Guys and how it's very easy to fall into being a Train Guy, bc there's a very easy template to follow, and there's a lot of Train Guy content, and have i been doing this bc i actually like trains, or bc it's easy to listen to Well There's Your Problem on repeat bc it's familiar and comforting, or do i just really really really fucking hate flying?

who could possibly say.

mackintosh update: allowed herself to be scooped up by my brother (who she met at christmas and loves) but did NOT allow herself to be pet by the strangers in his company. did hang out in the middle of the floor observing tho. a regular little extroverted socialite!

#tuesday again #tuesday again no problem

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foxglovefaun · 11 months ago

Note

1. The skyline in the first page of the new chapter is incredible. Green and especially those shades are my favorite color.

2. The animal gangoon design oh my GOD it's PERFECT. I had imagined something similar when I was writing one of the chapters in my fic!!!

3. Gnashing and gnawing the bars of my cage in anticipation for part 2 AUGH SO GOOD!!!

aaaaaaa THANK YOU SO MUCH ;0;!!!

1. Thank you!! Im so happy with how that intro page came out. I’m doing more and more photobashing lately, which was something I used to do a lot more about ten years ago. It’s a fun way to use the photoshop techniques I have that aren’t just for painting.

On that first page I used a combination of hand painting, photos of the city, special brushes and detail textures, and then kinda mashed them all together using different layer modes and gradient maps. I think the original skyline was purple and pink, and the server units were blue grey. Then I added in clouds and extra buildings, distorted the lights and added more of my own, put in the OakTex hologram, and just kinda fiddled with “lighten” and “darken” layers of texture until it felt right. :)

2. YES! THE BEAST MASK! I was deeply inspired by the work of MissMonster who is a powerful illustrator and craftsperson who makes INCREDIBLE monster masks. The snarling faces and big tusks are such a vibe. Just over all really beautiful work. One of my dream goals is to one day be able to get my hands on one of the mask blanks so I can do a custom paint job.

In Burner there is a whole subculture of custom respirators and filters (there were supposed to be a couple examples in ch 4 but I forgor 😔so I will be doing a retcon) so masks and unusual headgear are super common. Think the customized COVID masks we started seeing about a year in. Some folks also use face garblers due to Camera Everywhere, but an enforcer like [REDACTED] needs something practical that can’t be decoded, so a full face mask does plenty to get the job done.

3. OK BUT SAME haha Hhh I have only just started thumbnails but I have had the script for the next three/four parts ready for months. I’m foaming at the mouth and getting very activated because this next part will be featuring lots of food, cyberware-focused subcultures, and introducing more stuff about Ross and Shiro’s relationship. So I am

EXCITE.

Getting the sleep I did last night helped a lot, but I need some more so I’m not going to start steamrolling forward just yet. But! I’ve been doing a lot of sketchbook studies of people eating food, updated some character portraits, doing some short expression sheets, and took photos of tunnels and streets from around the city to refer to for the car scenes. :)

your message means a lot to me. I actually I saw it shortly after you sent it! But I have been wayyy beyond dysfunctional l so I wanted to wait to reply until I could write something more thought-out ❤️

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm, it really fills me with a special kind of energy that makes me wanna get more of the story moving, and it’s also just very nice to see that folks really are reading it and enjoying it ;w;

Thanks for taking the time to write me. :3 take good care, i hope the next week for your is kind and restful

all the best

-Fox

#fox answers asks #fox talks #the bridge burner

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coffyao · 1 year ago

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imprint me chapter 2

Chapter 2: the meeting

“Ah konan! come, I need you here right now.”

After organizing her trolley, she readjusted the bottom of her sleeveless turtleneck, and sat up from her stool, indignant from his interruption but nonetheless, ready for her next client.

“...yeah, what is it?” she asked, and deidara used his thumb to point at a man who looked out of place to be in a tattoo parlour. A tucked in shirt, wide framed glasses and an oversized backpack. Most likely was a white-collar worker and wanted a change of pace after slaving away at a desk completing administrative work. She had a few of those already, but they were uncommon.

“He wants a tattoo, but he isn’t sure what he wants...”

That was also expected. They would usually come in, but because they hadn’t put too much thought into the actual tattoo but the idea of it instead, they would be at a loss at what to put on their skin.

“Did you show him our pre-made tattoo catalogue...” Konan mumbled, opening the drawer next to her side to retrieve it.

“I already did. He said that’s not what he wants...”

Right. It was time to put on her best customer service voice. Ambiguous requests were a pain to deal with.

She politely stepped in front of deidara, and with one hand in her baggy jeans to pull out her business card and another to rest on the desk, she says, “Hello sir. is there a specific idea that you have in mind?”

“...im not too sure, yet.” he replied drowsily, his tired and lost disposition reminding konan of a past relationship, that she would rather leave behind.

“...or rather an idea, do you have an adjective or...emotion, you would like to capture?”

If a customer wanted something inspirational, quotations or scriptures were the likely way to go. If a customer wanted something colourful, water-colour was sure to be right up their alley. If a customer wanted something pretty, she believed a type of flower would do the trick, since she was confident she could draw floral tattoo designs well.

“it’s complicated.”

Complicated?

‘complicated’ was too intangible of a word that she couldn’t fathom working with.

“...as in the concept itself? Or is it difficult to explain what you want into simpler words...”

“Might be both,” he said, serious in his expression, and his eyes moved towards the card that she still had between her stagnant fingertips.

Deidara nudged her shoulder, taking quick notice of this.

“Might as well give it to him...”

As vague as his request was, if she managed to pull this off right, she could potentially make a hefty buck out of him, as his empty canvas of an idea meant many, many possibilities of what he could want as a tattoo.

She pulled out her business card, the design being covered in purple chrysanthemums, whilst the background was black, and the lettering was in white. In the middle, it contained her full name, and it was followed by her social media page and her portfolio at the bottom. Then finally, at the top, it said, ‘fraGILE tattoo studio,’ presented in bold, and tall font.

She handed it to him, and said, “...if you think of ideas, let me know. Otherwise, message me on there and we can discuss what we could do moving forward.”

If he was only here for the purposes of hitting on her later, he would just be another male customer she would have to add to her ban list. Despite deidara’s skinny stature, he surprisingly had quite the extensive skills in martial arts, and Hidan was in most shifts anyway, his built stature being a deterrent enough for problematic customers.

“...thank you,” he replied, his expression softening, and the tone in his voice, a little warmer than when he first arrived. she wondered what he would like if he actually smiled.

“Despite the comically huge glasses, he’s a bit of a looker, isn’t he?” deidara teased, flipping the closed sign on the door.

“He’s fine,” konan dismissed, slipping on her cream-colored trench coat, her focus much rather intended on closing the shop as soon as humanly possible.

“just fine? You mean sort of sexy? hmm?” he badgered on, continuing to praise his looks even while they had left the shop, up until they reached the bus stop.

“he’s not only dark and handsome, but he’s got that mysterious intrigue, especially in those dreamy eyes of his...”

“Yes, I'm sure you would think so...” she said, and went into her pocket, pulling out her vape pen.

"...you finally quitting cigarettes?"

"I'm trying to."

She never used to be a smoker, at least, up until a year ago. chaining several cigarettes a week gave her a terrible health scare, and she didn't want to go back to that pitiful stage of her life.

She took a few inhales and passed it to deidara, who took a couple himself, and attempted to copy the vape tricks that he saw in a video. he of course, failed miserably in typical deidara fashion.

The bus shortly arrives after, and as he tries giving it back to her, she refused, and pushed it into his hand.

"...keep it. I'm not going to need it anymore."

instead of incessantly asking her questions like he always did, he decided to put in the black satchel he would always bring whenever he came to work. it was covered in patches of dry paint that he never bothered to clean, but he called it his baby, so she didn't bother to ask.

"enjoy your weekend, okay? and try not to oversleep like you usually do."

"...I'll try my best."

after deidara's bus left, and hers hadn't yet came, she thought about calling a taxi instead. Unlike what most thought about her, she wasn't at all patient, despite the calm expression that she always had on her face.

Hidan dubbed it, 'resting cold face.' He said it was better than saying she had a 'resting bitch face instead' but she always disagreed.

she didn't like being told that she was emotionless.

going on her phone, she thought about the spiky-haired stranger that came earlier today, and how everything about him was unreadable. Like a continuous drawn line that wasn't going anywhere, His attire didn't suit him, and there seemed to be a deep sadness that resigned deep, like he already accepted it, a long time ago.

a notification came.

obito1115 is typing...

she waited, fingers still in shaky anticipation.

is it okay if we discuss things now? I'm aware this is bad timing...

if you don't mind.

it was best if she stopped him moving, herself.

___________________________________________________

#a03 fic #a03 link #fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #ao3 #naruto deidara #naruto au #naruto fanfiction #naruto #obito x konan #uchiha obito #obito uchiha #naruto obito #konan #konan naruto #obikonan

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hazbinextgeneration · 2 years ago

Text

Demon Bride Ch31 Interluding P4

(DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT INFO!!!: EVERYONE in this story is in their early 20s-30s! This story will contain mentions of past abuse and death! I'll be keeping it as SFW. Some backstories have been slightly altered for this particular story, and some characters cannonically dead or harmed is alive and well. I own nothing.

Credit to @flanelltees for the designs I based the demons off to look more demon-like with tails and pointed ears.

This story will be sfw, but there will be some blood, implied death, fighting, some gore mentioned, and a few other things that will be made aware by warnings. Pay attention to warnings at the top of any chapters just under the summery please.)

Once in the mountain villages it was a custom that once a year on the night of the new year's first moon, an unlucky young lady would be selected and left for the demons to become one of the unlucky few who married such a husband. In exchange for this offering the demons would protect the villages and leave the humans in peace. Until one day a powerful warrior drove the demons away freeing the humans of them. Now 2,000 years later, it's become a tradition that once a year, a new young lady would be picked and wait for her future husband to retrieve her from a shrine in the mountains. And now the lucky tradition would fall upon Y/n L/n. It would be her own turn to take on the tradition and not have to worry about demons. After all that part of the old tradition was just fake, made up by paranoid ancestors. Everyone knew demons didn't exist....Right?

(WARNINGS!!!:Mentioning of killing.)

First Part Here:

Demon Bride Ch 1 Thus It Begins

(WARNINGS AND DISCLAIMERS!!! EVERYONE in this story is in their early 20s-30s! This story will contain mentions of past abuse and death! I'l

TUMBLR

Last Part Here:

Next Part Here:

(These are some events and important bits that happened between the chapters that mostly focused on reader and other demons.)

The air smelt of smoke. The land had been burnt of fire. Many of his servants were hurt and Eri was running around like a panicked chicken looking everyone over. There hadn't been any deaths thank goodness. But-

"THIS IS A DISASTER!!"

Most everyone winced or looked at one of the Upper Moons ranting looking a mixture of panicked, sad, raged, and if they were to be honest almost about to cry as his hands dug deep into his long black locks.

"MY HOME IS DESTROYED!! THE GARDEN IS COMPLETELY BURNT!! WE WON'T BE ABLE TO GROW ANY FOOD!! THERE'S A GAPING HOLE IN HALF MY HALLS AND ROOF!! I HAD SHELVES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN SOME OF THOSE ROOMS!! I WON'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE ANY OF THEM!! THE MASTER IS GOING TO GIVE ME A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH FOR THIS!! AND WORST OF ALL MY SERVANTS WERE NEARLY KILLED AND I'M MISSING A WOMAN AND CHILD!!" KyoGAI hissed and Screamed out an unintelligible screech before rounding on his heel to face the just as equally angry Upper Moon next to him. "BUT WORST OF ALL YOU COME ALL THE WAY HERE TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE KIDNAPPED AND NOW KAIGAKU IS TAKING THEM OFF TO WHO KNOWS WHERE?!"

AKAZA sighed and help up a barely contained hand. "I understand you're deeply upset but you have to remain calm-"

"UPSET!? UPSET IS A FUCKING UNDERSTATEMENT!! IM. FUCKING. P I S S E D O F F!!! DO YOU NOT SEE WHAT THOSE WATER BEETLES HAVE DONE TO MY WHOLE LIVELIHOOD?! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE FOR MY PEOOLE?! WHERE AM I GOING TO GET THE MATERIALS TO FIX THIS?!"

Akaza sighed and only shook his head. "Look. All I know is that Kokushibo got into my head just now. He said you already told him someone damaged your home and then I just explained to both of you want really happened. Hantengu's sons have gotten really out of hand. According to him they were after that child for whatever reason but that's not the important thing now. What's important is that they're all safe and no one's gotten hurt yet."

"Then what about the one's who caused this mess?!"

Veins appeared all along Akaza's arms as deadly fists tightened up. "That's why I said yet. Kokushibo is on his way as we speak, at his insane speed he should be here within a day and a half to assess the damage. I'm going to be tracking down the ones who did this and take them to Hairou until Kokushibo can decide what's to be done about them.'' Golden blue eyes glanced up and hissed when he saw a young lady crying hard as Eri wrapped bandages around her leg. "Dammit! All these innocent women so affected by their reckless actions. It pisses me off to no end!"

"Then you should go find them before they come back or before they decide to go after Y/n again!"

And that thought only pissed him off more. He looked back to Kyogai. "Will you be able to take care of everything until Kokushibo gets here?"

"If he'll be here as soon as you say then I can manage a day or two until he arrives. You need to stop them before they end up killing somebody! It's only a matter of time."

Kyogai was right. It was only a matter of time. And he had to find them. Quickly. And find them he did. Pretty easily might he add. He had helped Kyogai for a little bit first moving some debry around and helping with some of the victims. After everyone was accounted for and left. The first place he went to was the place that was full of collapsed trees, and scotch marks from hundreds of lightning bolts. Anyone could clearly tell a fight between powerful demons went on here with branches and fallen trees littering the ground everywhere. But there wasn't any signs of any demons still hanging around the area. So he opted to pack up and move onward to a different direction. The scent they left behind was strongest towards the north of here so that's where he opted to go. North. Fast strides. And no more than five miles away was where the five people responsible for such heinous crimes. All sitting down a small bonfire with a wild pig roasting over the flames.

"We've been searching these woods for ages!! And still no sign of any of them!! Dammit, Karaku!! You are such a fucking idiot!!!"

"Hey. Don't blame me for it!" The green eyed one pointed at the youngest. "Zohakuten should've used his wooden dolls and trapped them when he had the chance!!''

"HE COULD'VE IF YOU DIDN'T BLOW THEM AWAY!! AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING!! WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU AND UROGI WHEN WE NEEDED YOU!?"

"I WAS TAKING CARE OF FATHER AND LEFT LATER THAN YOU FOUR AND YOU KNOW THAT!! IT TOOK ME A FEW HOURS TO CATCH UP WITH YOU!! WHERE WERE YOU AND KARAKU WHEN I DID SHOW UP?!," the youngest brother demanded as equally raged as his oldest brother, "AND WHY WERE THESE THREE ACTING LIKE LOVE STRUCK PUPS?!"

"HEY! I happened to have almost drowned! I nearly died!," The one with the wings shouted back perched on a low hanging branch, "Do you know how hard it is to move with wet wings weighing your spine down?!"

"A-And I was poisoned and helpless at the time. B-B-But Sekido has a point Karaku. You shouldn't have done that," the blue one stuttered out.

"Alright! I fucked up but don't gang up on me when Sekido was the one who kept getting beheaded and left us to do most of the work! And I was blown away by that stupid samurai! How was it my fault I acted on fighting instincts?!"

"It's quite easy to explain really. ALL OF YOU ARE USELESS BUMBLING IDIOTS!! I CAN'T COUNT ON YOU FOR ANYTHING!!" AKAZA STARTED stepping forward. "KARAKU IS DISTRACTED BY ANY PRETTY WOMAN!! BOTH UROGI AND KARAKU NEVER TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY!! AIZETSU NEVER GROWS A DAM BACK BONE WHEN HE NEEDS TOO!" Akaza slowly stepped out from behind some trees. "AND ZAHAKUTEN IS MORE STUBBORN AND THINKS HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!! AND THE MASTER IS GOING TO BE FURIOUS WITH US!! HIS COULD LITERALLY NOT BE ANY WORSE!!"

Karaku froze in his spot first seeing the taller Upper Moon approach Sekido from behind. Aizetsu wheezed a breath out stuttering and holding up a hand to shakily pointed behind him. Zohakuten leaned over to look past Sekido and much like Karaku immediately froze. Urogi choked on the roasted pig leg he was eating which landed on the ground with a thud and he began coughing a lot.

"What's wrong with you morons now?! Does the truth hurt? GOOD!! MAYBE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO- HRK!!" Something strong wrapped around his neck and lifted him up. He choked and dropped his staff to grab at the hand wrapped around his neck before he was turned and froze as he stared into the rage filled eyes of Upper Moon Three.

"I should've expected you to be trouble. As soon as you became Upper Moon Four you challenged me without thinking." His grip tightened. "Now all of you are going to put out that fire and come with me. If not-...Well Kokushibo never said to keep you in one piece. He only said to bring you back. Now what will it be."

....The bonfire was quickly put out and five men were marched off towards the direction of the Infinity Castle.

**********************************"****************************************

Hmm.

Well this certainly was quite a headache wasn't it? After all why wouldn't it be? He had a lot of work on his shoulders to complete. He didn't have the time to get all these problems. The beginning of the year was fine enough. It was only when he summoned Kaigaku to train that he was made aware of the news.

The bark of trees felt rough against the palm of grey skin, perfect to blending into shadows and walking along the darkness of the cursed trees that beckoned any unknowing traveler further into their branches. A light step. Another light step. Light enough to not be heard by anyone my dear. A quiet mouse amongst the darkness a contrast to the many others in the surroundings. He moved amongst the shadows which were his best friends. His only allies in this battle of the most deadliest predator to live among them and for once he wasn't at the top of the deadly food chain.

Dark tree past dark tree. Weaving past darkness and limbs and lungs heavy with air whirled around by the wind. Close. The danger was close. Breath. Sweet air was the need. The fuel for the best outcome. For his eventual clash with the death bringer. The trees couldn't hide that from him. Adrenaline pumping. Viens bunching up as a black tsuka of a katanna was grabbed, burnt to the touch as the rumbling of thunder was fueled by the whirling, taunting, wind in his lungs to make way for an electrical storm that bubbled through his blood vessels and gave the needed power to metal to become the lightning strike that shook the scene before him. All time became irrelevant as with each mighty push of his body from the allied shadows gave him the momentum for the target gaining closer and closer to his face. Where was it? WHERE WAS IT WHERE WAS IT?! He felt it was close so whe-

SHING!!

A metal against metal sounds. A shine of silver in the dark. A dash of shadow. And a strike of thunder. The thunder struck the moon hard with a might that should be feared certainly. But the moon always shines brighter. A deadly hand struck out and with one blow to his head. The thunder was defeated.

"You have... improved greatly since our last meeting...But you...still rush things too much.."

There was a mumble from the body on the ground followed by a loud groan. Yep. He'd have a headache for the rest of the day now.

"If...you had waited ...ten more seconds... you would have...dealt a great blow to my...shoulder blade... However you seem to be...in better spirits..than before." There was a sound as a moon's blade was put away. "Get up...We shall try again immediately..."

The black cloaked body cursed at himself but pushed himself to his feet as he was ordered. "Yes. Let's try again."

"... Perhaps you..have something on your mind...that distracts you? You seem...oddly calmer...But I doubt...you have learnt patience yet."

"Heh. You could say that I guess." A rare smile that wasn't as smug was smiled.

"The magatama on your wrist...did you perhaps...lose it again?"

"...No. I chose to present it to someone else."

"Explain."

"I'm engaged."

Silence.

"....I see. ...I was not expecting this...Who?"

"It's complicated. I honestly don't believe it myself a few times. ...But it's not important. I'm ready to continue. Let's try again-"

"No...You shall explain...to me..all details at once..it is...a matter that... impacts your... ability to..concentrate. I must know...in order to ..best make it so...you focus..."

It was quite a surprise for him to learn about the entire situation. A human girl stumbling blindly in here being chased by other demons during mating season and then being chased into the safety of Kyogai's mansion only to be courted by his apprentice and agreed to be engaged. To be fair not the worst surprise he's ever heard of but it was still a surprise anyone wanted to marry such a angry samurai. ...Hmm. he'd look into it later. Unfortunately any training had to be cut short with news reaching him about a string of murders in the capital. A slew of murders had taken place overnight and seven girls between the ages of sixteen and twenty had been brutally slaughtered in one night. He had to cancel the last week of their planned training to go and see what this was all about. He was afraid it could've been a demon with Bloodlust Syndrome. This wasn't good. However not even a few days later it went from bad to worse thanks to himself being summoned by Nakime and Kyogai and Akaza.

"What seems to...be the problem."

"What's wrong?! I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG!!," Kyogai mentally screamed at him. Hmm. Strange. Usually the lowest Kizuki was much more docile to him but it seemed something riled him up beyond rational thinking. "TELL THE MASTER TO CALL OFF HANTENGU'S SONS!! THEY DESTROYED MY HOME AND KIDNAPPED TWO PEOPLE UNDER MY CARE!! AKAZA JUST ARRIVED AND HAD TO EXPLAIN WHO THEY WERE!!!"

Akaza stewed silently in agreement to their right as Nakime silently observed keeping them all together.

"Calm yourselves... Explain...in detail...what has happened."

He was mentally rubbing his temples by the time Akaza and Kyogai had finished explaining the entire situation to him. The things he had to fix on a daily basis was maddening as it was infuriating.

"Where is Kaigaku? Tell him...to assist...until I arrive."

"I can't. I ordered him to get the woman and child somewhere safe."

He mentally turned to face Akaza. "You went... deliberately..over my head...and ordered him..away?"

"I had to ensure the victims they were after were safe!" Akaza spoke with barely held back rage. "What do YOU think I should've done?!"

"....We will discuss.... you're disrespect later...for now you will...track down the ones responsible..and bring them to...Hairou for holding...until I can arrive. I must see...the damage done....When you have delivered them...you will bring the girl...and child to me. They seem...the focus..of much trouble...I have to figure out. Until then...you are all... dismissed." A strum from Nakime cut off both of the Kizuki talking to him originally but he still had one other thing to do. "Nakime...Bring me... Kaigaku immediately."

STRUM!!

The sounds of the biwa guitar sounds out and he waited patiently mentally rubbing his temples. Perfect. Now he would have to put his investigation on hold while he saw over this mess. He only had to wait ten minutes but eventually someone joined the two of them. An irritated annoyed presence that was familiar to him but the new male paused when he noticed Kokushibo there.

"Sensai?," Kaigaku asked clearly confused to what was going on.

"I'll get to..the point. I am aware of your problem....You left your..post and...took the human girl and ...child somewhere." Kaigaku remained silent. "Akaza will be there...in five days time..to retrieve them from your...custody..you are to leave..them and head back...to your post.. immediately."

"WHAT?! BUT I CAN'T!! SHE NEEDS ME!!" Kaigaku pushed back with force that his stubbornness came with. "She can't be left alone!! What kind of thing is that to ask me?!"

"Are. You. Questioning. Me." Kaigaku went cold and silent. "You. Will. Do. As. I. Say. Immediately. Or there will be.... consequences. Nakime."

STRUM!!

Their connection was severed and he was left in his own body. Again sighing and getting ready to experience a massive headache. Things were not going as he liked.

************************************************************************************

-THIS NEXT PART TAKES PLACE A FEW DAYS AFTER CH 29-

Something's bubbling in one corner. Something stinks of chemicals on the desk. The world in here was dark save for random candle lights. What lied inside was not for the faint of heart and where brave men wouldn't even dare venture. So maybe that's why he did. He was considered insane after all. Insane enough to poke the sleeping dragon. He knew the monster inside knew of his presence long before he just blatantly opened the door with a loud creak.

"Did you bring me what I wanted?"

The figure in the dark corner didn't even look up from his work. A small syringe in his hand dripping a few drops of a clear orange liquid into a slightly larger vile of crystal clear different liquid. The few orange drops were swirled inside like small mists. Footsteps approached him and he still didn't bother to look up when a small notepad was placed on the table next to him.

"And that is?"

"New information I got on her from Kaigaku. You should read it over and have a look. It's actually quite interesting.~"

Red eyes finally bothered to look up and put down his work. The viles put down. And the notepad slid over and opened. There was silence as teal eyes watched as pages were slowly read. The only sounds were the crinkling of paper as pages were only turned ...and slowly the notepad was closed.

"....Bring me Kokushibo. I want all Kizuki to the Infinity Castle immediately. And I want that human with them."

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masterkiszka · 2 years ago

Text

English Coffee

Triggers: 18+ only!, some DA, name calling, etc.

Summary: Fionnuala has had a shit time, so when she gets screamed at by a customer it’s the last straw. She gets a job working with Greta Van Fleet on their tour as a costume design assistant. She has a rule for no relationships but what happens when she catches the eye of Josh? Will she go ahead and follow her heart, or will she refuse and lose everything she loves ?

Chapter 4.

Me and Jess were dancing along in the sidelines to the music. Hearing them in person was so different to listening to a recorded version, the music was dizzying with how good they were. None of them missing a beat, Josh’s voice was amazing, the way he sung was like he was an angel. His voice made me feel like I was on another level.

I was dancing along with Jess to Light My Love, Josh was prancing about the stage engaging with the crowd. I was admiring he beautiful he was under the stage lights when he walked over to me and passed me a rose, he winked and carried on back to the middle. I could feel my cheeks were bright red and my chest felt like it was caving in on itself. Jess was once again smirking at me and threw her hands up.

I was still standing in shock when I saw Sam and Jake smile at me from the stage, I ignored them and turned around. The temperature seemed to go up 10° backstage. What do I do? How am I meant to react to something like this?

My phone started ringing in my back pocket, I pulled it out and saw it was an unknown number again. I felt the blood drain from my cheeks, I told Jess I would be 2 minutes and made my way outside. It was now or never. Let’s find out who this dickhead is.

I took a deep breath, my hands shaking bringing the phone up to my ear. ‘Hello?’ I tried to sound tough, like I wasn’t going to collapse any second. ‘There she is.’ The voice drawled, Scottish accent thick on the other side. ‘Have you been ignoring me?’ Ezra asked. My heart was beating out my chest. ‘Yeah, I have been. Leave me alone Ezra, it’s been months there is nothing here with me for you anymore.’ It has started to rain, the cool drops soothing me. The guys would be done soon, I needed to get back inside.

‘Well that’s not true is it, I said we needed to talk so we will talk.’ He said, I could tell my comment had annoyed him. His voice coming out harsher than before. ‘What do we possibly need to talk to about?’ I snapped. I had started pacing now, trying to calm my voice so no one could hear. Jess will be wondering where I am. ‘Us. We need to talk about us. I miss you, darling. I want us back. I’m sorry for what happened.’ Here we go again, the apologies and the ‘Im sorry’s’. ‘Your apology means nothing, I’m not coming back. After everything that happened, please just leave me alone.’ My eyes were stinging, the start of tears building up. I had shed enough tears over this asshole, I shoved them back and took a deep breath. ‘You know you need me. You are nothing, no one will want you.’ He snapped, he was getting angry.

‘Ezra, we are done. Nothing you say hurts anymore.’ I was nearly shouting at this point, on edge that someone would hear. ‘We aren’t done my love. I’m not letting go yet, you know how sorry I am. You will come running back. You always do, you need me. You are nothing without me.’ His voice dripping with venom. He was taunting me, he wanted me to snap. ‘Please, just leave me alone.’ I begged, I could feel it all coming back. All the dependency, all the tears, the fear. How much I was convinced I loved him. ‘Never, darling. You’re mine.’ I hung up after that, letting the tears flow freely. The rain coming down heavier, I fell back against the wall and tried to calm my breathing.

How am I meant to go and face them now. I could feel my makeup down my face, my hair was a state. The concert had finished now, I could hear people leaving from the front. Taking one last deep breath I turned to open to the door, before I got a chance to it slammed open. Jess came out, ‘Flo! Oh god, what happened?’ She said rushing up to hug me, her accent coming out thick with worry. I let the tears flow now, my body racking with sobs while I clung onto her. ‘It was him. I answered and it was him.’ I said into her shoulder. I pulled away worried about the makeup on her, ‘Darling, why did you answer? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t.’ She said holding my face, ‘I needed to know. I needed to know if it was him.’ I said, I probably looked so pathetic with my makeup smeared down my face, wet hair stuck to the sides of my neck and crying over my abusive ex boyfriend who I answered the phone too.

‘Just leave me alone, I brought this on myself. I answered the phone, I knew what that would do. I’m pathetic, he’s right.’ I said shoving her hands off me. Immediately feeling terrible for treating her this way, she’s just trying to help and be my friend. I began to walk away, shoving the door open and beginning to walk back to our office to grab my stuff. ‘Flo! Wait!’ Jess said, running to catch up. ‘I’m just gonna get an uber back to the hotel and go to bed. Tell the guys some family stuff came up, and i’m sorry I can’t come. I’m sorry for putting this on you, I should have kept it to myself.’ I said, picking my bag up and walking out. Praying that I didn’t see the guys, especially Josh.

‘Flo, come on. Talk to me.’ Jess said following me. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t. I need to be alone. I’m so sorry for putting this on you, I’ll talk tomorrow.’ I said, walking out the back entrance and ordering an uber. I pulled up my front camera, and grabbed a tissue from my bag and started wiping off the state of my makeup from the rain.

My phone pinged from my back pocket and I pulled it out.

Josh: Hey, where did you go? I didn’t see you for last couple of songs.

Flo: Sorry, I have some family issues to deal with. I’m sure you guys smashed it!

Josh: Oh, okay. Well i’m here if you need me. Are you coming out later with us? I would love you to be there

Flo: I don’t think so Josh, sorry. See you tomorrow.

Josh: Oh, okay. See you tomorrow.

There were no pictures exchanged in this conversation, and that upset me a little bit.

I got into the uber, the driver kept the contact polite which I was thankful for. I’m sure he saw the state of me and didn’t want to get into anything.

My phone pinged with messages from Jess, begging me to please talk to her or let her come to my hotel room to talk. Josh stopped messaging me after that, which I was thankful for. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, and wanted to wallow in my own self pity.

We pulled up to the hotel and I immediately headed straight for my room. When I got in I had a shower to wash away all the rain and makeup from my face, got into my pajamas and turned on some shitty romance movie from the tv. Brilliant, just what I need. More love to watch.

I knew how awkward it was going to be tomorrow with Jess, I was gonna need to apologise for snapping at her. This is what happens every time I was with Ezra, I would push people away and end up alone and crying. He got into my head and made me answer the phone, just to shoot me down into nothing and then try and worm back in while I was low.

Nothing happened for the rest of the evening, I phoned my mum to talk about how work was going and how great America was. Me and my mum have always had a great relationship, after Ezra we reconnected and have been close ever since. I can’t tell her what is going on here, not about Josh or Ezra getting back in contact. It would upset her too much to know how much he upset me tonight and that he is trying to get back into my life. It’s better to keep it secret from her.

I woke up the next morning, and checked my phone. Nothing from Ezra, thank god. A couple of texts from Jess, and one from Josh.

Jess: Call me in the morning please.

Don’t rush into work, I have it covered. Come when you’re ready. Please talk to me when you can, I’m worried.

Bring your bags we gotta head to the airport after 😊

Josh: Coffee this morning ?

I called Jess to tell her I was coming in after lunch, and that I would speak to her properly then, when everything had settled. Josh asking me for coffee. I have to agree, I cancelled last night and didn’t stay for the concert like I promised I would. I needed to apologise.

Flo: Sure, how does 9 work?

Josh: Perfect for me! I’ll meet you in the lobby?

Flo: Perfect, see you then 😊

I checked the time now, it was 8. That gives me an hour to look presentable and think of a story that I could tell him about my family.

I got in the shower and then chose my outfit, black wide leg cropped jeans with a vintage orange and black cardigan with wide sleeves. I tucked it in a bit to give me some shape, chucked on my converse and made my way to the lift. I was walking down the hallway when I heard a voice call my name. I turned around to see Josh, I smiled ‘Hiya! I was just going to the lift.’ I said gesturing to the lift in front of me. He looked at me confused, ‘Lift?’ I nodded, ‘Yeah the lift. What’s wrong ?’ He started to giggle. ‘That’s an elevator.’ I looked at him and smirked. ‘No, it’s a lift.’

He laughed loudly and pressed the button, ‘That’s a British phrase i’m guessing.’ He said looking at me while we stepped in, ‘I’m guessing so. How was it last night? Sorry I couldn’t come, family stuff.’ I said looking at him. I took in his outfit, classic chinos and a plain top. His hair was curled and styled on his head, any makeup from last night washed off and a plain jacket. Classic necklaces hanging off his neck.

‘Yeah it was good! Jess told me about the family issues, sorry about that. Sam and Danny got very drunk and have yet to wake from their slumber.’ He said, he looked me over and smiled. ‘You’re very chipper, no hangover ?’ I said, we reached the bottom floor and stepped out. ‘A little, but coffee will help. No work this morning?’ He said holding the door open for me while I stepped out the lobby. ‘Not till after lunch. Jess told me to come in late said she has some stuff to sort. I think we are going to Houston later after we finalise some designs, then we have a couple of days off. She said we can drive it ?’

He started leading me toward the car park, he placed his hand on my low back and I tensed up not expecting his light touch. ‘That’s perfect, love! Neither do I. Let’s spend the morning together. Yeah, it’s 4 hours I think.’ He said smiling wildly. He unlocked a car and opened the door for me. ‘Wait, you have a car here?’ I said thanking him and sliding in, he closed the door for me and came around the other way. ‘Yeah, I usually rent one if I’m close to home.’ He turned the car on and pulled out the car park.

‘So where are we going ?’ I asked while he passed me his phone and told me to choose the music. This made me smile, ‘Oh so the big rockstar trusts the his British costume designer to choose the music, shouldn’t I be privileged Mr Boss.’ I teased while choosing some Ghost Hounds. He looked over at me and smirked, ‘Mr Boss? Don’t tease me darling.’ Suddenly the nickname sounded sour coming from his mouth, I’m sure he saw my face drop when the last word left his beautiful lips. ‘Something wrong Flo?’ He asked looking at me fully now while we waited at some lights.

‘No, nothing. Where are we going?’ I said, trying to fake happiness. I didn’t want to be reminded of Ezra this morning, but here we were. He’s right, I was never going to leave him. ‘Oh, well I was thinking a classic American diner. Give you the full experience.’ He said smiling, it didn’t reach his eyes. I knew he could tell something had changed, the mood has shifted in the car. I can’t tell him, he doesn’t need to know.

‘Sounds perfect! I’ve always wanted American diner pancakes and the way they refill the coffee. Amazing.’ I said, it’s true I had always wanted that. ‘In England the best you get is a shitty little cafe, where the coffee is made from instant granules and some skinny pancakes with lemon and sugar.’ He giggled at my comment, ‘I love your accent, it’s adorable the way you pronounce things.’ He said smiling, he pulled into a car park for a diner and I got excited. ‘Oh, park the car Josh let’s go!’ I said pulling on his arm while he reversed into a space.

I had never thought seeing someone drive was attractive before until now. The little things like looking over his shoulder and turning the wheel was so sexy to me. I quickly shook the thoughts away and got out the car when he turned it off.

‘Slow down Flo. I’m coming.’ Josh said, as I tugged him along. He laughed the whole way into the diner, he chose a little booth in the back. It looked exactly like all the American films I had watched, I loved it. He passed me a menu from opposite me and stared reading. A waitress in the classic apron came over and asked us if we wanted coffee, I agreed and she turned my cup over and poured me a cup. When I took a sip I immediately sighed, ‘See Josh, this is good coffee. Nothing like English coffee, but it’s better than the pure sugar one Jess got me.’

Josh took a sip of his coffee, ‘Yeah, America does love their version of coffee.’ He said, ‘I’m getting some waffles, what about you love?’ He said leaning back in his seat. He looked so relaxed, it was weird to see him like this. Relaxed, in his element. I wanted to see it more, like what he would look like first thing in the morning waking up in bed. ‘Um, pancakes I think. With blueberries.’ I said quickly, trying to get the idea out to my head. He smiled and nodded, ‘We are travelling up tomorrow to Houston, Sam wants to spend another night and go to that bar again. So we will see you guys tomorrow, we can all do something.’ Josh said, I nodded. ‘Yeah, that sounds amazing. I’d love to spend a day walking around, the vibe is so different to England. A lot less pubs.’ I said, as the waitress came to take our order.

‘Yeah, we definitely don’t have a normal English pub here.’ Josh said smiling. ‘Are you okay, Flo? You don’t seem like yourself this morning.’ There it was, the question I had been dreading. I knew Josh wasn’t just going to beat around the bush, he doesn’t seem like the type. He was staring at me, like he was trying to analyse what was going on. I looked back at him, his face had shifted to concern at my lack of answer. I nodded quickly, taking a sip of coffee to stall for a moment. ‘Yep, absolutely fine.’ I spoke. He leaned forward in his seat, clasping his hands and staring at me. ‘No, I don’t think you are darling.’ I froze up again at the nickname and looked away, the intensity becoming too much. ‘There you go again, what’s happening?’

‘Why do you care Josh?’ I snapped, immediately regretting what I did. He widened his eyes and looked down, ‘Wow, I was just wondering if you’re okay Flo. I’m your friend, I care.’ He said looking back up. ‘No, you’re not. You’re my boss, it’s not your concern if I am okay.’ I said, the waitress brought our food over them. Breaking up the staring contest, I thanked her and smiled.

Josh sighed and dropped his head, when he looked back up I caught his eye. He looked beautiful with his earrings dangling off his ears and necklaces hitting the table gently from swaying. ‘I might technically be your boss Flo, but I also want to be your friend. I know something is going on, and I care.’ He sighed, ‘I care about you, I want to get to know you more.’ He said picking up a fork. He wasn’t going to give up I could tell, I know this whole thing is wrong but the butterflies are back and trying to tell me different. The way he said he cared, it sounded different.

‘Whatever you say Josh.’ I sighed and ate my pancakes, they were tasty just like I always thought they were in the movies. ‘But first, I want to know your middle name. He said smirking, the previous conversation forgotten, thank god. ‘Absolutely not, you haven’t earned it.’ I said waving my fork at him. He was still smirking when his eyebrows raised. ‘Oh I have to earn it from the pretty girl?’ My mouth dropped open in shock, ‘No, no you know that’s not what I meant.’ I stuttered out. My face started heating up and I looked down at my plate, ‘Are you sure?’ He teased me, I looked up at him still bright red. ‘Very sure.’ He nodded and his face dropped. ‘Oh, okay. Anyway, how do I earn the privilege to learn you middle name love?’ He asked, I could tell the smile gracing his face was fake.

‘You’ll figure it out Mr Kiszka.’ I smiled, and finished off my coffee and pancakes. I offered to pay for the food, but he refused and left cash and tip down. ‘So what now ?’ I asked him as we strolled back to the car. His hand coming to rest on my back again, it felt natural this time but I still jumped a little when his hand met my skin. ‘Hmm, well we still have a few hours till you’re needed at work with Jess. How about the botanical gardens they have here? If you’re into that sort of thing.’ He said opening the door for me. I slid into the car and watched him walk around and hop into his side, ‘That sounds amazing!’ I said smiling while he smiled and put the directions into his phone.

We chatted as he drove his way to the gardens, he talked about how the band got started, how amazing it is to be touring the world with his brothers. I loved the way he called Danny his brother, it shows how close they were and how much he valued him. He asked me about my life back home, my parents and interests. It was nice to just talk to him, away from work and what designs he likes for his outfits. We arrived at the botanical gardens and I could smell the flowers from the car park.

‘So I got us tickets already.’ Josh said smiling as he got out the car, I stepped out too and grabbed my bag. ‘Oh no, how much was it ?’ I said pulling my purse out, I opened it when he walked over and grabbed my hand. I felt goosebumps rise on my skin where his skin met mine, I sucked in a breath and looked up. He was staring down at me, ‘Don’t worry love, I got it.’ He said pulling away. ‘No please! Let me get this one.’ I insisted and pulled out some cash, ‘Please Josh.’ He smirked down at me as we walked into the reception area to grab our tickets. ‘Absolutely not, this is your first time in the lovely USA so let me get this one.’ I sighed and walked after him while he grabbed the tickets.

While he was stood at the desk grabbing our maps, I slid the money into his back pocket. He didn’t seem to notice and passed me a map while we walked into the gardens. I took a deep breath in and closed my eyes, it smelled amazing in here. I sighed and opened my eyes to look over at him. He was smiling slightly down at me, he placed a hand on my back and led me on. ‘Happy to be here Flo?’ He said pulling me in closer, his arm making its way up my back to over my shoulders, froze up a bit. I haven’t been this close to a guy since Ezra. The butterflies are back, I felt sick with how many were flying around my stomach. ‘Uh, yeah. Very.’ I mumbled, ‘Sorry, love. Is this not okay?’ He said pulling away for a second. ‘No! No it’s fine Josh. Just took me by surprise that’s all.’ I said leaning back into him.

We carried on walking around and chatted more. He was fun, he kept the conversation going. There was no awkward silences, he just kept asking questions. He wanted to know everything, from my favourite colour, to my favourite music and my family. ‘So, tell me Flo. Any boyfriend, girlfriend on the scene?’ He asked me as we walked past some water feature. His arm was still around me, holding me in close. The butterflies were still raging in my stomach as I sipped a latte we had picked up. I took out my phone to snap a picture and post it to my story. Nothing from any account I didn’t know had looked at my story last time, but I will check again after this one. I tagged my location so my mum and Orla can see what I’m doing.

I froze up a little bit and peeked at him, he was looking forwards sipping his cappuccino. How could one man look so sexy drinking a coffee?

‘Um, no.’ I said looking down, ‘How about you?’ I asked him. ‘Nope, haven’t been in a relationship for about a year now.’ He said smiling looking at me. He was always so happy, I want to be that happy all the time. ‘Cool.’ I said, immediately cringing. I had no idea what to say and that’s the first thing that came to mind? Great. He chuckled next to me, ‘Cool. We should get going, I’m sure you and Jess have a lot to do before we set off to Houston. We still on for plans tomorrow with the guys and Jess?’ He said guiding me back down another path filled with flowers.

‘Definitely! I want an American night out soon.’ I said, I took his coffee cup and chucked them in the bin as we passed one. When I walked back over he placed his arm on my shoulder again, it seemed natural to him. Maybe he was like this with all his friends? Yeah, don’t get your hopes up it’s just who he is. ‘I’m looking forward to it love.’

We made our way back to the car and headed back to the hotel. Me and Jess were working from her room today before the airport just to start some new designs and check in with how the tailor was doing. I hopped out the car as he pulled up but he grabbed my hand to stop me, I sat back in my seat and looked over at him. He was staring at me, concern swimming in his eyes and he still had a hold of my hand. ‘You can talk to me Flo. You know that, right?’ He said softly, as if to not scare me off. My breath got stuck in my throat, his gorgeous brown eyes never breaking eye contact. ‘Flo, you can talk to me darling.’ I let out a shaky breath, closed my eyes and looked away. That name, that horrible, shitty pet name. I hate what it does to me. I hate the way my body instantly reacts. I love the way it rolls off his tongue, how it makes it way out of his beautiful mouth. But whenever I hear it, all I can see if Ezra.

All I can picture in my mind is him, the way he would stare down at me. How his hand would be balled into a fist at his side, ‘Fionnuala, darling. You bring this on yourself.’ ‘Get up, darling.’ ‘Darling, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.’

His hand was still holding mine, ‘Flo, come on talk to me whats going on?’ He said, I heard the leather of his seat creak as he leant forwards. ‘I can’t, I can’t tell you.’ I said, I opened my eyes and looked at him. His forehead had lines from where he was concerned, I can’t tell him what’s going on. He doesn’t need to know, he’s my boss. If I tell him he might think i’m not up for the job, it’s better if I just keep this between me and Jess.

‘Flo, you can. You can talk to me. I want to help, I know something is going on.’ He said, his voice still soft, his hand was still holding mine. I pulled my hand away and sighed. ‘It’s none of your concern, Josh. You’re my boss, I am here to do a job. My personal issues don’t concern you.’ I said looking down, when I looked up his face was hard. ‘Yes, they do Flo. Something is going on, you freeze up nearly every time I talk to you. We have amazing talks, but something keeps making you pull back. Something is going on. If you don’t want to tell me fine, but I care okay? I care, Flo.’ He said.

I opened the door and got out, ‘Maybe that’s the issue, boss.’ and made my way inside tears pricking at my eyes. Maybe this job was a shit idea from the start.

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