#How Long Should I Wait Before Trying To Get Back Wi

[wileys-russo]

not so wise II a.russo x reader

she looks so cuddly there ^ not so wise II a.russo x reader

"do you want us to come in with you?" lotte offered as she pulled into the dental clinic and found a parking spot. "no it should be fine. i know where to go and they said it shouldn't take much more than twenty minutes before i'm admitted." alessia declined, grabbing her bag and unbuckling herself.

the blonde was due to get her wisdom teeth removed today and yourself and lotte as her closest friends had volunteered to drive her there and look after her post surgery. tooney and mary had both volunteered given the wsl had a two week break but alessia assured them they should spend the time with family and loved ones in manchester instead.

"did they tell you roughly how long you'll be under for?" you questioned, rolling down your window as the taller girl hovered by the car, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "an hour or two maybe? they've got lotte's number and they said they'll call you once i'm in recovery and thats when you come inside." alessia explained as you both nodded.

"once you're all loopy!" you grinned teasingly making the girl roll her eyes. "i still say its something people put on and over act for views, i'm sure i'll be a little out of it but i don't think it'll be half as dramatic as everyone says it is." alessia assured herself as you and lotte only hummed with amused smiles.

"well bye then!" the blonde rolled her eyes again at your obvious disbelief toward her words, though this time more playfully as you both called out good luck and she disappeared inside.

"so...full english?"

~

"got any fives?" you asked, tucking your knees to your chest and peering at lotte over the top of your cards. "how do you win every single time, you're cheating!" the older girl huffed handing over her cards as you grinned.

"you're just terrible at this lots you've always been shit at card games." you chuckled, not willing to reveal you could actually see the poor girls cards in the reflection of the window behind her.

the two of you had gone for breakfast and coffee and had returned to the clinic, now sat in lotte's car trying to pass the time as you waited for her phone to ring.

"harsh. but alright new game, blackjack!" lotte announced, holding out her hands for your cards, though right as she began to shuffle the deck her phone rang. a few words exchanged with the nurses and the two of you had locked the car and headed inside.

"she's in the fourth door on your left girls." the nurse pointed down the hallway after checking you both in, thanking her you headed down there. "is that?" you paused, hearing a familiar voice singing.

"oh my god it is." lotte grinned, the two of you hurrying to the source of the noise, opening the door to find a nurse begging alessia stop moving her mouth, the gauze continually falling out.

"oh look it's my best friends, you came!" alessia gasped with a slur as you and lotte looked on gleefully at her current state of drugged up delusion. "hi lessi, you feeling okay?" you smiled moving to her side and running a hand through her hair.

"i feel....so good." alessia chuckled, grabbing your top and yanking you down closer to her. "we gotta steal some of this stuff it is great." she whispered making you laugh and gently pry her hands off of you as lotte spoke with the nurse.

"okay less you need to stop yelling because the nurse needs to put the gauze back in your mouth to stop the bleeding." lotte explained gently to the taller girl who groaned.

"it feels like im eating marshmallows i don't want it!" she whined, pushing away the nurses hands. "you don't eat it! you just leave it in your mouth." you reminded with a chuckle, alessia finally allowing the nurse to re-insert the gauze.

"this is going to be a long afternoon." lotte mumbled to you with a knowing smile as alessia started to ramble about how she didn't believe they'd taken her teeth out because she could still feel them in her mouth, words hardly understandable with the cotton pads shoved in her cheeks.

"but a funny one." you grinned in response.

~

"-here we gooo! tooney and lessi russo." alessia finished singing for what felt like the one hundredth time as now yours and lottes patience was beginning to slowly thin. "can they put the gauze back in?" lotte sighed dragging her hands down her face.

"they said we can take her home soon." you patted the older girls knee with a smile as alessia commenced the infamous song yet again, taking full advantage of the happy gas she was coming down from.

"oi. get my bag!" alessia stopped and pointed at you. "get your bag?" you hinted with a smile. "please." alessia corrected as you chuckled and passed her the bag. "less i don't think you'll need that it's not very cold out." you laughed as she pulled out a beanie.

"oh god stop it hold on." you shook your head as she tried to yank it on over her hair which was up in a bun. moving to let it out you took the beanie from her and gently tucked it on, patting her head once you were done.

"you're so good to me." the blonde sighed, grabbing your hand and placing a few kisses to the back of your palm as you scrunched up your nose and pushed her head away. "your mouths all bloody." you chuckled, pulling your hand away and wiping it.

"you wiped off my kisses!" alessia gasped before flipping you off. "oh i like doing this." she giggled, turning her middle fingers toward lotte who grinned and took a picture. "oh my god lessi." you hurried to push her hands down as the doctor and nurse entered and the blonde flipped them off too.

"i can assure you i've taken worse." the man chuckled as alessia flipped him off again and you held her hands in yours to stop her. "if you wanted to hold hands you should have just asked babe." alessia grinned, head flopping to the side as you sighed and shook your head.

"the anesthesia should start to wear off in the new few hours so you're both welcome to take her home now. i assume one of you is staying with her overnight to monitor?" he asked as you confirmed that would be you, lotte having dinner plans with tao.

"if she has any abnormally heavy bleeding, or a reaction to anything or the pain worsens beyond a five or six out of ten just give us a call." he gave you a card with the clinic details on it which you stashed in your pocket, quickly grabbing alessia's hand again as her middle finger popped back up.

you thanked him as lotte disappeared with the nurse to sign off on alessia's discharge papers. "do you ever think about if you drop soap on the floor. is the soap dirty or is the floor clean?" alessia pondered as you looked down at her in amusement.

"can't say i have less." you grabbed her bag off her lap, slinging it over your shoulder. "come on, time to head home." you helped her up into a sitting position, encouraging she slowly try to stand. "okay easy!" you grunted as the taller girl stumbled into you.

"you're so tiny. i could just wrap you up and put you in my pocket." alessia sighed, one hand resting on your head as the other slung over your shoulders, your own wrapped around her torso as you helped her walk out of the room.

lotte grabbing her from the other side the walk to the car was much smoother, alessia still rambling away absolutely anything that popped up in her mind, no chance of any sort of filter being active at the moment.

"why am i in the back! i'm the oldest." alessia huffed as you both slid her in and buckled her up. "no you're not you idiot." lotte laughed, slipping into the drivers seat. "yeah i've decided i'm the oldest now. deal with it bruv!" alessia slurred with a shrug.

"oh god her chav era's returning." you teased, alessia scoffing in offence and winding down the window as lotte pulled out of the clinic. "can we get food please? i'm starving!" alessia groaned dramatically.

"you're not allowed to eat for another two hours sorry less." you turned around with an apologetic smile as she groaned louder and sunk down into her seat, frowning like a scolded child. "i'm wasting away here! i'll die of starvation!" alessia moaned kicking the back of your seat as lotte chuckled and you started to film the blonde kicking off.

"they're starving me here send help!" she stuck her head out the window with a yell and gasped as suddenly her beanie went flying off her head, sending you and lotte into hysterics.

"that was my favourite beanie! it's from college." alessia cried out as you wound up her window. "should have kept your head in the car then less, you're not a dog." lotte chuckled as she pulled into alessia's driveway.

the blonde whinging the entire time both you and lotte managed to get her inside and settled on the lounge. "has it been two hours yet?" alessia huffed impatiently as you covered her with a blanket and shook your head causing her to groan.

"here you big sook put this on your jaw where it's sore." lotte returned handing alessia an icepack. "you sure you don't want me to stay?" she checked as you walked with her to the door. "no! you've been looking forward to these plans with tao all week. we'll be fine." you assured, hugging the girl goodbye and closing the door after her.

"what are you doing lessi?" you sighed with a smile as alessia was wrestling with the blanket. "i'm hot. i'm trying to take my pants off!" the blonde huffed in annoyance, words still slightly slurred from the swelling and anesthesia.

"do you want me to get you some shorts and a t-shirt?" you offered, hurrying off to her room and rummaging through her drawers, grabbing what you needed. "here." you threw them to her, laughing as the bundle of clothes hit her in the face.

"who turned the lights out!" she yelled against the material as you rolled your eyes and peeled them off, pulling the blanket off of her and retreating to the kitchen to put your phone on charge as she changed.

"well, all things considered that went quite well." you grinned seeing she had managed to change but had put her shirt on inside out. "what do you want to watch?" you collapsed beside her on the lounge, kicking your feet up onto her coffee table and grabbing the remote.

"something not food related!" alessia moaned in annoyance. "and here i was about to put on the great british bake off!" you teased, encouraging her to put the ice pack back against her mouth. "my arms are tired, you hold it." alessia demanded with a huff tossing it onto your lap.

clicking into she's the man, more so for your own viewing pleasure than hers, you shuffled closer to her and gently pressed the icepack to her cheek.

"can't believe you wiped off my kisses before, those were with love!" alessia glared up at you as you shook your head. "your mouth was all bloody! it was gross." you laughed making her scoff.

"if i kissed you on the lips would you wipe it off?" she challeneged, eyes starting to become a little droopy as the doctor warned she would likely become quite tired the more it wore off.

"why would you kiss me on the lips?" you chuckled with smile. "cause i have a crush on you, sshh." alessia hushed, a finger pressing to your lips as your eyes widened.

"don't tell y/n though." alessia yawned, stretching out as her eyes started to close. you opened your mouth to speak but thought better of it, knowing this would need to be a conversation had tomorrow.

~

"morning." you looked up from your phone as alessia appeared with a yawn, making a beeline right for her coffee machine, holding a mug up as you nodded.

"how do you feel?" you asked, last nights confession still playing on your mind as you locked your phone and rested your chin on your hand. "like i got punched in the mouth? and a bit foggy about most of yesterday afternoon." alessia chuckled with a rasp, morning voice thick as she slumped against the bench.

"all i'll say is you definitely need to retract your statement about people putting it on for views." you smiled causing her to groan and turn back to the coffee machine. "i assume you and lotte have plenty of video evidence." she sighed, moving to lean on the counter across from you, sliding you your coffee and sipping on her own.

"we do. but most of it was harmless," you assured her with a soft smile as her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "most of it?"

"yeah um, there is something you said i sort of want to talk about." you started, putting down your coffee and messing with your fingers as alessia nodded. "you might have kind of...said you have a crush on me?" you winced as the blonde choked on her coffee, spitting it back out and coughing as you hurried to grab her some water.

she croaked out a thank you and took a swig as you sat back down.

"it was just me being drugged up!" she brushed off, clearly embarrassed as her face burnt bright red and she refused to look at you. "less i-" you started as she cut you off, mumbling how she wanted to shower and darting off to the bathroom.

you waited for her to return, settling in on the lounge and flicking on her tv.

around a half an hour later she emerged, silently sitting beside you as neither of you spoke for a few minutes.

"so maybe it wasn't the anesthesia." alessia started, looking down at her hands. "i do kind of have a crush on you, as juvenile as that sounds given the fact we're twenty four." she chuckled awkwardly.

"but i really value our friendship and i don't want to lose that or make you uncomfortable so i'm so sorry if i have."

"you haven't, i promise."

"that was not at all the way i wanted you to find out." alessia sighed burying her face in her hands. "drunk mind sober thoughts hm." you nudged her with a soft smile.

"so are you going to ask me on a date or just sit here feeling sorry for yourself?" you asked nudging her again, alessia's head shooting up, surprise etched into her features. "um. do you want to go and get dinner?" the blonde stumbled over her words as you nodded, finding how flustered she was incredibly cute.

"yeah i do."

[so-long-soldier-writes]

Do You Believe in Soulmates, Darling?

poly!mikaelsons x reader

summary: after waiting a thousand years to find their soulmates, the mikaelsons find it in mystic falls. one thing though - they all share the same lover. | request

word count: 7k (I don’t know how this happened)

tags: soulmates, fluff, human!reader

It is Kol that sees you first. He is standing in the town square, observing how people are in the twenty-first century, and how much has changed since he’d last been undaggered. He hadn’t really planned on being out that day, but Klaus was getting unruly in the mansion, needing quiet time to paint. Kol wasn’t in the mood to be on the receiving end of his anger again, so he scurried out the door and decided to explore the town. 

It’s peaceful and no one bothers him. No siblings, nor vampires, nor townspeople. For once, the inhabitants of Mystic Falls mind their own business. 

By nearly three o’clock, he still occupies the square. Klaus was probably over his anger hours ago, but Kol finds he quite likes the scene. Despite enjoying the time away, though, he knows he should go home soon before a sibling catches up to him. One cannot escape the family for too long; that’s the blessing and curse of family. With a sigh, he stands up to leave, sparing one last glance to the park before him. 

Thank god for that last look. Had he not taken it, he wouldn’t have noticed you. That would be a missed connection never known, but to secretly haunt him forever. 

You, with your gentle smile as you look at the girl to your left. The way your eyes roll at something she says. The way you walk gracefully towards him, though he knows that’s not where you’re headed. Suddenly, something inside him wishes it were. Something fluttering in his chest; something that starts to beg for your attention. He stares at you as if his gaze would somehow attract yours. 

“Are you daft? Kol! Hello?!” None of the words register to him. However, the swift hit to the head does. 

Kol whips around to see his sister. Her hands open to him in frustration. 

“I’ve been calling you for ages, standing right beside you. What are you even looking at?”

“Nothing,” he says, almost stutters. 

“Certainly not nothing to have your attention like that.” Rebekah scoffs, then tries to follow his line of sight.

By then, you had dipped into a store. Kol secretly curses his sister for the distraction. 

“That bird over there, you were seeing?” There’s a bluebird standing where you just were.

“No.”

“Then whatever in the name of-”

“Just a girl, Bekah. So like I said, nothing.”

“Oh? A girl’s caught your attention?” She snickers, “tell me, is she pretty?”

“Can you bugger off?”

“Why don’t you just answer?”

“Because I-” he stops upon seeing you again. You and Caroline tumble out of the store laughing, clutching onto each other’s shoulders. He listens to the words he sees leave your lips. 

“That was so weird,” you mutter.

“People here are so strange sometimes,” Caroline agrees with your statement. 

“Because you what?” Rebekah’s voice cuts back in. When Kol doesn’t answer, she follows his gaze again. “Caroline Forbes?”

“No, the girl beside her.”

A tease is prepared on the tip of her tongue, but upon seeing you, it’s gone. The two Mikaelsons are quiet for a moment as they watch you and Caroline continue to laugh. 

“My, she is pretty,” the blonde finally admits. “Go talk to her.”

“Do you really think it’s wise for me to go over there with Caroline Forbes right there?”

“Well if you don’t now, you could lose her forever!”

“Or I could lose my life when her blonde friend rips my head from my neck!”

“You never know until you try.”

“I think I have a pretty good idea what will happen if I do that.”

“Caroline won’t kill you because then she’ll lose brownie points with our brother.”

“Fair point, Bekah, but-” He’s interrupted by two ringing phones. Specifically, his and his sister’s. “Bloody hell. Almost went all day without a summoning.”

“Who’s calling you?”

“Klaus.”

“Elijah’s got me. Guess we have to go back now. Wish your pretty girl farewell.”

Kol rolls his eyes at her words. He steals one last glance at you before following his sister to what he hopes isn’t some new brand of chaos. 

◇◇◇◇

“So is it true?” You turn to your best friend.

“What?”

“That Klaus has a thing for you?”

She slouches in her next few steps, “really?! Y/N! As if I hadn’t had this conversation so many times.”

“Well, is it?”

“Ugh. I don’t know! I think he does, but trust me, I don’t feel anything for him back!”

“Aw,” you joke, “why not give him a chance? He could be your soulmate for all you know?”

She lets out a sharp laugh, “no way! In fact, Klaus has no soulmate, and do you know why?” She doesn’t give you a chance to answer before saying, “because I don’t think he even has a soul.”

“Caroline!”

“Am I wrong?”

“I- I don’t know, I’ve never met the guy!”

“Well good. Avoid him. He can be charming, I’ll give him that, but it doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a killer.”

“He can’t be that bad. We’ve all killed once or twice.”

“First of all, yes, he is. Second, no, we haven’t. I have. You have not, and that will stay that way.”

“Maybe I have, you don’t know that.”

She snorts, “You’re too sweet for that. And besides, even if you have, you’d tell me right away with your guilty conscience.”

“I do not have a-”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Fine, I might. But don’t mistake that for me not having fire, because I can assure you, I do.”

“Oh I know you do. That’s what makes us such good friends. But you need to remember that you’re human, so you still need to be careful.”

“I know, I know!”

“Which includes talking about Klaus, because he could be listening.”

“Sorry,” you try to hide your smirk, “I won’t ask about the big bad vampire again.”

“Good.” Caroline’s not at all convinced that this’ll be your last question about them, but at least it’ll be the last for today. 

Ever since the Mikaelsons have arrived in Mystic Falls, you’ve been curious about them. It’s hard enough keeping you out of the Salvatore drama, but that difficulty increased tenfold when the original family came into play. With you and Matt being the only two humans left in the friend group, they’re very protective of you. You, even more-so than Matt. Matt’s met most of them by working at the grill, but the girls do their best to hide your existence from the four siblings. They all swear that if they ever find you, nothing good would happen. 

◇◇◇◇

“You two have been out all day, where could you have possibly gone?” Elijah questions as soon as he sees his two youngest siblings enter the mansion. 

Kol already has his answer ready, “well seeing as Klaus was about ready to kill us all this morning, I decided it would be in my best interest to get away from him.”

“He’s been steady since one. It’s past three now.”

“Lost track of time, I guess. Tell me, what is it you wanted?”

“Why? Have something to get back to you?”

Rebekah, who had left to fetch a glass of bourbon, replies, “yes, actually. I was quite occupied before you called.”

“You two? Together? Sounds like a recipe for disaster,” the eldest raises his eyebrows. “Hopefully not planning a kill in the square?”

“On the contrary, dear brother. But unfortunately for you, it’s none of your business. So again, what is it for which you called?”

“Ever so fiesty, Rebekah. Worry not, we just wanted to make sure you weren't starting anything."

"What? That's it?"

"What kind of older brother would I be if I don't check up on my younger, more troublesome siblings?"

"You called us both home for that?"

"What’s got you so bitter, sister? Mystic Falls isn't so interesting that you should be so upset."

"Not to you, but this time, we actually did find something interesting, thank you!"

"Oh, do tell, Rebekah," her other brother asks as he fetches his own drink.

"Doesn't matter now that we'll never see her again," Kol mutters, sharing an annoyed look with the blonde.

"Her?"

Rebekah glares, "yes, a girl. But Kol's right, doesn't matter." She swallows down the rest of the liquor in one gulp.

The two eldest brothers are too confused to question further. Kol takes this as a chance to retreat to his room, while Rebekah, after one more look at Elijah, leaves to hers. 

"What girl could have stolen the attention of our two siblings so quickly?"

"Doubt there is one at all. They just wanted a reason to get away," Klaus snaps with a tone full of anger. 

Elijah detects a hint of jealousy, but says nothing. Nor does he share about his curiosity for this supposed girl that infatuated them both. 

◇◇◇◇

Two days later, you’re spotted in the square again, this time, by Elijah himself. At first glance, he makes no connection between you and whomever his siblings saw, but rather takes in the sight of you. You are sitting by the fountain, legs crossed on the cement, and a hand reaching into the water. A stack of books are in front of you, the one on top open, and a notebook to your left. You pay no attention to them, though, and keep your eyes trained on the small waterfall. The sight of a human so seemingly relaxed in such a busy and perilous town has him unable to draw away his attention. He watches you carefully from the square’s metal bench, far enough that you could not catch his eye. 

Only a mere five minutes pass before you have company. A girl Elijah recognizes - April Young - touches your shoulder lightly. You turn to her with a smile as she starts to speak. Curiosity kills him, so Elijah tunes in to listen. 

“If someone finds you out here, they’re not going to be happy.”

“I don’t care, April, I’m so bored. I can’t be inside all day just because they’re scared I’m going to encounter vampires.”

“Shh! You know they could overhear you, right?”

“It’s fine! They have no reason to hurt me, I’m just minding my own business.”

“They don’t need a reason to hurt anyone, Y/N, they just do. They drink blood, remember?”

“Okay, sure, point taken. But since I apparently have a team of protectors, I should be fine, right?”

“Yeah, but-”

“And, hey, you’re human. Why are you allowed to talk to them? Who’s the girl again? Rebekah?”

“Y/N, be quiet! Yes, I talk to them, but it’s because they found me first and dragged me into all this. And Matt’s been dragged in almost since day one. You haven’t been discovered by them yet, and we all need to keep it that way.”

“So boring! I want to be in on the fun.”

“It’s not fun, Y/N. I’m serious. None of them will be gentle if they find you; they’re all dangerous.”

You sigh, giving up on arguing with the girl.

“You know what they say, ‘curiosity killed the cat’,” April says.

“Okay, but they also say, ‘satisfaction brought it back’,” you finish, eyebrows raised. 

April rolls her eyes, “stay out of it. In fact, I’m texting Caroline right now that you left your house if you don’t go back right now.”

“I’m not going back, I’m studying here.”

“Study at home.”

“No.”

Immediately, she starts to dial Caroline. In an instant, you pack your books back into your bag. “See you later, buzzkill.”

The girl hangs up, but doesn’t leave until you do. You know better than to try and win a fight against both of them, so you head home, missing the square already. 

Elijah knows he shouldn’t follow you. Caroline could be on her way; April’s in the distance. Yet, he can’t watch you walk away, either. He must at least know your name, or else it might kill him. At the very least, he could compel the conversation out of your mind as soon as he hears it. 

He waits until you’re alone to approach. Probably not the best way to do it, but he doesn’t know how many there are keeping you hidden in your supposed “team of protectors”. And this way, it would be easier to compel, should it come to that. So, as you travel down the sidewalk, humming to yourself, he suddenly calls out to you,

“Excuse me, miss.”

You turn quickly towards the voice. Your breath catches in your throat at the sight of the handsome stranger. “Um, hi.”

“I mean you no harm, but I saw you in the square just a little bit ago, and I have to know your name.”

You hesitate, unsure if you should give it.

He continues, “I know this is quite random, but I truly do not wish to frighten you. I saw you by the fountain, unbothered by the world around you. The screams of children, the barking of dogs, but nothing disrupted your focus from the gentle flow of water. I could tell it brought you peace, and I could see the secret you harbored to jump in and enjoy it. It was beautiful, not to mention the beauty that you are, yourself. So, apologies if I am crossing a line, but I can’t help but wonder what name to put on this delicate soul that has imprinted on my own.”

You stare at him, speechless from his words. Never has anyone said such beautiful things to you, and in such an alluring accent, no less. 

“My apologies, love. I fear I have said too much.”

“N-no! Forgive me, I’ve just never had a man tell me I’m beautiful before.”

“That is quite a shame. Sure they just have never told you out loud.” He walks closer to you, feeling a bit more confident that you’re not afraid. 

A blush rises to your cheeks, but you’re still unable to form a response. “I-I, um… Y/N. My name.”

He repeats your name, tasting it on his tongue. “Lovely name. Lovely name for a lovely girl.”

“Thank you. And what’s yours, may I ask?”

Elijah hesitates. It hurts his heart knowing he’ll have to compel this conversation from your mind, but at least, he can give you his name before he does. “Elijah Mikaelson.”

“You- you’re a Mikaelson?”

“Afraid I am.” He scans your face for fear, which he wholeheartedly expected. However, nothing. 

“You’re the first I’ve gotten the pleasure to meet. I’ve been curious, I’ll admit, but my friends tell me to stay away,” you pause, “which you probably found out from my conversation with April a few minutes ago. Oops.”

“It’s alright, love. I won’t tell a soul of your secret.”

“Thanks,” you smile, “I hate being cooped up in the house all day. You were right - I did want to jump in that fountain.”

“You should’ve. I bet the joy on your face would have been unmatched.”

You swallow hard. You’ve never been good at taking compliments. Especially not those given to you by a handsome man who has lived long enough to see thousands of beautiful things. Never would you have expected to be one of those things. “I think I should’ve, too.” 

Suddenly, you get a text. In a brief glance, you see it’s Caroline. “Oh crap.”

“Is everything alright?”

You sigh, “it’s Caroline, asking me to send a picture of myself in my kitchen, with an egg in my hand, and a spoon on my head. I guess I have to go.”

“Such an odd request,” he wonders out loud.

“She likes to put me up to things like this to prove I’m at home. It’s something I won’t have in my pictures already, and have to do that instant. If I don’t get it done in five minutes, she comes over.”

“Well I guess I better let you leave, then.”

“Unfortunately, yes. But I liked meeting you, Elijah.”

He smiles, “you too, Miss Y/N.” He steps forward and takes your palm to kiss it. In a deep breath before he starts to compel you, you suddenly interrupt him. 

“Wait! I’m way more than five minutes away. Crap! She’s gonna catch me.”

He shouldn’t offer. He shouldn’t know where you live. Yet, the idea of you getting caught out of your house worries him. He may never see you again if that happens. “I could, perhaps, take you home? Could get you there much quicker than if you were to walk.”

“You would do that?”

“I owe you that little, being the reason you might get caught otherwise.”

You blush at the thought of him picking you up, but try to force it away. “If you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” He picks you up bridal style, and before you know it, you’re on your porch. 

“Thank you.” You smile, then check your phone. “Oh, shoot! Two minutes left.” You’re quick to unlock your door and throw it open. “Come in and help me find an egg!”

Surely you know the rules about those words pertaining to vampires and one’s home, yet you said them without hesitation. You didn’t stick around for him to question you, either, and instead ran to complete the quest. Slowly, he tests the entryway, and enters with no resistance. He then finds you in your kitchen digging through the fridge, then pulling out an egg. As quickly as you can, you take a selfie and send it to Caroline. 

“Whew!” You breathe out, then notice him, “hi.”

“You completed your challenge?”

“Hopefully! But she might still come by because it was April that called her.”

“So I should probably leave.”

You bite your lip, not wanting him to go. 

“Y/N?”

“Hm?”

“Why did you invite me inside?”

“Because I needed you to find an egg. Which I found myself, so thanks,” you joke.

He smiles, but only for a second, “I’m serious.”

“I don’t know, I trust you.”

“Why? I’m a Mikaelson. The very family that your friends told you to avoid.”

“Well maybe I don’t like being told what to do. And maybe you don’t seem so bad to me.”

“I would like to prove your feelings right. I wish I could.” He says truthfully, catching your eyes. 

You start to look back, but then his words hit you. I wish I could. You straighten, then look away from his gaze. “Don’t compel me.”

“What?”

“Don’t you dare compel me to forget this. I don’t want to forget this. I don’t want to forget you. You, or your smile, or the things you’ve said. Please don’t take it away from me.”

“Y/N-”

“Please.”

He takes a deep breath. It must be done, but he hates it. He doesn’t want you to forget. In fact, he wants to know you deeper. “I have to.”

“No, you don’t. I won’t tell, I promise. If anything, compel me to never forget.”

“Y/N-”

“‘Lijah, don’t.” 

The nickname you’ve already given him weakens him. It renders him unable to finish the task; there’s no way he can force himself to compel you now. “Alright.”

“Wait, really?”

“If you’re sure you want to remember, but you’re sure you’ll never tell.”

“I promise. And I won’t say that I invited in a Mikaelson, either.”

He chuckles, “that would be wise.” He kisses your hand again. “I hope to see you again, Y/N.”

“You too. And thanks for taking me home.”

“Of course, love.”

After he leaves, you collapse on your couch, head swirling with thoughts of him. The words he said: how he described your time at the fountain, the beauty he saw in you. His own appearance: kind eyes, small wrinkles under them from a lack of sleep or hundreds of lifetimes lived, or both, a perfectly neat suit, the dark blue ring fitted on his finger. The way he watched you take Caroline’s picture with a smile on the edge of his lips. How he kissed your hand gently as a parting. 

Your cheeks are hot with blush, not to mention the heat you feel throughout your body. Butterflies are alive in your stomach. It all makes you feel so silly, but some part of you whispers that it’s love at first sight. 

◇◇◇◇

The minute Klaus hears the door open, he’s already yelling, “another sibling spending hours out and about in Mystic Falls. Where in the bloody hell have you been all day, Elijah?”

Elijah enters the room to find Klaus standing beside another painting, while the two other siblings sit on the couch. All three have glasses of bourbon and are sipping carefully. “What’s going on?”

“For once? Nothing. We all just happen to be here.”

“Where have you been, Elijah?” Rebekah turns around in her seat to question him. 

Before he can answer, Klaus chuckles, “let me guess! Out with a girl. You only wear that smile when you’ve found a girl to fancy.”

“Niklaus, I have not-”

“Oh don’t try, I’ve known you for a thousand years!”

“Better not be my girl, mate,” Kol mutters, though his tone isn’t rough like Klaus’. 

“Your girl is my girl, too, Kol. Remember that.”

“Heaven’s sake, you all are idiots.” Klaus turns back to his work, ignoring the three. 

Elijah ignores him right back, and instead looks down to the others. “Describe this girl you saw. Everything you remember.”

So, Kol and Rebekah do. Everything from your appearance, to the sound of your voice, and to the way you walked. The more they described, the more it sounded like the ‘you’ Elijah was with all day. When he admits this, their faces pale. 

“There’s no way all three of you idiots have fallen in love with the same girl,” Klaus mutters, still listening despite his annoyance. 

“It’s happened before, brother. Remember Mary?”

“I remember, Bekah, but that doesn't mean it’s plausible to happen again.”

“I think it is entirely plausible,” Kol admits, “in fact, I think this goes deeper than it did with Mary.”

“Whatever are you talking about?”

“Something draws me to her. And it’s like I know her, yet I don’t at the same time. Do you guys feel this too, or is it just me?”

“No, I definitely feel it,” Elijah says, “and spending time with her today felt so natural. Like it was something I could never tire of.”

“You three sound so stupid. Talking like this girl, that two of you have never actually met, is your soulmate or something.”

“Well maybe you need to see her, Klaus. You’ll be in love instantly, I promise.”

Klaus rolls his eyes one more time at his youngest brother before going back to his painting. He refuses to admit the curiosity he feels towards you, and instead plays on animosity. His siblings don’t give up, though, and continue talking about their feelings for you until they all part to go to bed.

The following day, Elijah, Kol, and Rebekah actively seek you out in hopes of inviting you to dinner. They spent the morning planning that they’d find you and convince you to come over, where they could all gain your trust and get to know you better. The difficult part of this was getting you alone to talk. Elijah had warned his siblings about what you had said and told them to keep a close eye on their surroundings. He did also mention how excited you were to meet a Mikaelson, though, and said to use this to their advantage if one of them finds you instead of himself. 

So, in three different parts of the city, the siblings fan out and keep their eyes peeled for your presence. Shouldn’t be that hard to find; they’ll just follow the pull of their hearts. 

◇◇◇◇

For ten minutes, you’re able to sneak away, just long enough to visit your favorite store on the street corner. After meeting Elijah yesterday, the thought of being stuck in your house all day sounds miserable, and you are prepared to risk your friends’ wrath to see him again. Granted, inside the little shop is probably not the place you’d find him, but being out in the open at least makes it seem possible.

You are looking at a row of necklaces when a man comes up beside you. You don’t see his face, yet he doesn’t seem threatening to you, so you’re not too worried. 

“That color would look beautiful on you,” he says aloud. 

“Me?” You glance around to see if he’s talking to someone else.

“Yes, darling. I mean you.”

You blush instantly. “Thank you.”

“Let me get it for you.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t. It must be expensive!”

“Not a problem for me. I happen to come from a well-off line.”

“Oh do you now?” You turn to face him fully. “And what line would that be?”

He smiles at you, then plucks the necklace from its place and brings it to the counter. Immediately after buying it, he’s fastening it around your neck. “As expected, you look beautiful.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“How could I not? It was made for you.”

“You’re too kind.” You reach your hand out for him to shake, “Y/N L/N.”

Instead of shaking it, he presses a kiss to the back, “Kol Mikaelson.”

He watches your eyes light up, just as Elijah said they would. “Mikaelson?”

“So you’ve heard of me?”

“Heard of you? Definitely.”

“And I heard you met my brother yesterday. God, he would not stop talking about how beautiful you are.” 

You blush deeper at the thought of Elijah talking about you to his family. Either that, or it’s because Kol’s still holding your hand gently. You’re not sure. 

“Say, Y/N, would it be possible I could invite you to dinner? I would love to get to know you better, and I know Elijah would love to see you again. Bekah, too, has a curiosity.”

“I, um…” you so desperately want to, but fear your friends finding out. “I want to, but I don’t know if I can.”

“If it’s Caroline Forbes you’re worried about, I bet we could fake an alibi.”

“It’s not just Caroline, it’s all of them. But, if we could think of a good enough alibi, I bet I could escape for a little bit.”

“Perfect, I will let my siblings know. This is our address, but if you need one of us to pick you up, my number’s on there, too.” He slips you a piece of paper. “I look forward to seeing you again, darling.”

“I do, too, Kol,” you smile. 

With one last kiss to your hand, he disappears from sight. 

You show up on the Mikaelsons’ porch at seven in one of your best outfits, playing with your hair nervously after ringing the doorbell. When the door swings open, the girl - Rebekah - is on the other side. 

Before you can greet her, she looks you up and down, “wow… you are gorgeous.”

The redness rises back to your cheeks, “thank you.”

“No wonder my brothers are smitten with you.”

“Don’t lie, Rebekah,” Kol’s voice rings through the house, “you know you are too.”

She rolls her eyes, “come inside, dear. We promise we won’t bite.”

You follow her into the house, smiling as you pass the threshold into the mansion. “It’s beautiful in here.”

“Not as beautiful as you, darling.” 

You’re starting to pick up on the affectionate nicknames that each gives you. Elijah calls you ‘love’; Kol calls you ‘darling’; and Rebekah just used ‘dear’. It’s one thing that they’ve all called you beautiful, but they all have nicknames for you, too. If they get any more romantic, your heart will flutter right out of your chest. 

Just as you think that, they do. Elijah and Kol both kiss your hands as they greet you, making you weak in the knees. 

“Thank you for coming, love. I’m glad you could join us.”

“Thank you for inviting me. About that alibi, Kol, I’m gonna need it tomorrow. No doubt I’ll get some kind of spoon-on-head, one-nail-painted-black kind of challenge that I’ll fail, and have to find an excuse for.”

The boy laughs, having been told by Elijah about Caroline’s antics. “We will certainly come up with something. But for now, are you hungry?”

“Yes, actually. And I’m excited to know what you guys eat when you’re not drinking blood,” you joke. The giggle fades out once you see the kitchen table, though. From end to end, it’s covered in dishes. “Holy crap.”

“Only the best for a woman such as yourself,” Kol sends you a wink. 

Rebekah pulls a chair out for you. “Stick around, and you’ll find we actually have quite the appetite for more than blood.”

“Oh that was just a joke,” you say, afraid you’ve offended her.

“No worries. I know it was.”

Soon, you’re all seated, except for the head of the table. “Um. Don’t you guys have another brother?”

“Niklaus, yes,” Elijah smiles at you, “he’s painting at the moment, but he should be here shortly. I apologize for his absence.”

“It’s okay! I was just curious.”

Speak of the devil, Klaus enters the room not a minute later. Elijah gestures to you immediately, introducing you. Klaus, still skeptical as to why his siblings are so obsessed with you, has a threat prepared that sits on his tongue. The three wait for it to come out, expecting it, and ready to defend. However, as soon as he looks at you, his mind is wiped of all things foul and offensive.

“Hello, love,” he says instead. 

All four of you are caught off guard. The tension in the room was thick; you were expecting an insult, too. Not to mention how Caroline speaks so poorly of the man. 

“Hi,” you respond, voice smaller than you’d like, “nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” He sits down with a newfound attitude towards you. “Tell me, how do you like Mystic Falls?”

After you answer his question, the five of you talk for the next two hours, sharing every bit about yourselves. They learn how you’ve lived in Mystic Falls your whole life, and have barely traveled out of the town. You discover they were born in Norway, but were turned in this very town, some thousand years ago. You find common ground in the parents’ department, none of you having the best relationships with your parents, especially your fathers. Though you get a glimpse into the abuse that they all faced from their father, and feel an indescribable rage towards the man you’ve never met. This part of the conversation helps you understand each of them better, including how that fear and anger has made them into one of the most dangerous families - a term they admit describes them well.  

“Dangerous,” Rebekah says, “but fiercely protective over those we love.” 

“Quite exactly the reason we are so dangerous,” Elijah adds to her statement, “we will do anything to protect whomever we love.”

Hearing the word from their lips makes your body shiver. A thought passes through your head wondering if you’d ever be someone that they’d protect that much. Something deep in your soul tells you that you already are. 

After the childhood topic, conversation moves onto lighter subjects. Everyone’s favorite foods, shows, and pastimes are shared. You learn the birth order of the four siblings in front of you, and discover that there’s three others not present. One of them, alive, but so disgusted that they’re vampires that he refuses to associate with them. This, in turn, gets a truth out of you, 

“Well you don’t have to worry about me, I think vampires are sexy,” you say before covering your mouth. Too much wine, you suppose. “I mean, I just think they’re cool. There’s a reason the gang tries to keep me in the dark about everything that goes on in the town.”

Eyes go wide, but maybe for the sake of your embarrassed gesture, the topic moves onto the so-called perfect group of miscreants. After, it shifts to your alibi that will be used to explain your disappearance. 

“You were bored and went to a restaurant to study. Lost track of time,” Kol tries his best.

“Ran to the store for a much needed grocery trip,” Klaus provides after his brother’s failed idea.

“Or,” Rebekah rolls her eyes, “you just fell asleep.”

“Watching a movie and falling asleep,” Elijah finishes, “so that you have about an hour to be engrossed in the movie, but then you nod off into a deep sleep.”

“I think Caroline would buy that. She always does get after me for not answering immediately.”

“Perfect,” Klaus concedes, “now I would like to know more about what you think makes vampires so sexy,” he says, smirking at you. 

You blush for a second, but then can’t help spilling the truths stacked on your tongue. 

◇◇◇◇

After that night, you stay in contact with the Mikaelsons, and even visit their mansion for several more dinners. In time, you find yourself getting close with each one. Most nights, Rebekah walks you home, and always kisses your cheek before leaving. Sometimes, too, she’s in your kitchen, making coffee or tea when you wake up. Kol visits you everytime Caroline puts you on “house arrest”, and tries to help you study to the best of his ability. That, or he distracts you completely, begging you to watch a movie with him instead. You almost always give into him. Elijah keeps up his charms of kind words and gentle touches. The moment he learns what your favorite flower is, he brings you one every time he sees you. 

Between the siblings, Klaus is the least trusting and the last to give into his desire to know you. Though the more he sees you with the others, the more jealous he becomes, and eventually, he cracks. His first gesture towards you is a painting of you standing in the Mikaelsons’ ballroom. He says he could picture you dancing in it, someday, in a beautiful dress made tailored just for you. After that, he’s now just as smitten as his siblings. 

You love being with all of them, separately and together. One thing though - you find your heart being torn in four different ways, and it scares you. You can’t break one of their hearts, nor do you want to, but there’s no way you could be with all of them. Look how that went for Elena and the Salvatores.

Oh, and speaking of Elena… you still haven’t even told your friends that you’re even hanging out with the Mikaelsons, much less that you’re in love with them. You feel bad keeping secrets from them, but you know how they’ll react if they find out. Even if you can prove the family has been nothing but kind, they’ll be overprotective and most likely try to ban you from seeing them entirely.

“Maybe I can just tell one of them,” you wonder out loud one night. Tonight was easy to get out of your house; everyone went to the grill to drink and you played the ‘too tired’ card. Little did they know what you were actually going back to the family’s mansion.

“Who would you start with?” Rebekah asks from behind as she plays with your hair. 

“Caroline, maybe? I’m closest to her. But with Elena, I could use the excuse that she’s dating a vampire who’s almost just as dangerous.”

Klaus scoffs playfully, “almost as? Love, he doesn’t come close.”

“Well I know that, but some people think he’s pretty dangerous.”

“Oh he certainly is. But when it comes down to it, my family will always come out on top.” 

You remember the conversation from your first night meeting them. How you wondered if you’d ever be one they’d fight to the death to protect. Klaus answers this for you now. “Like we said before, we protect those we love. That includes you, little one.”

Your eyes snap up to him. “Me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? We open our home to you; share our deepest and darkest secrets. We don’t do that with just anyone. There’s something different about you.”

“He’s right,” Kol comes beside you on the couch to sit down, “you’re one of us now.”

Elijah clears his throat, a little worried the two will scare you away, “if you’re comfortable with that, of course. Do not feel pressured in any way. We will not be upset.”

As he’s talking, you reach your hands out for Kol to lean against you. The youngest boy does, putting his head on your shoulder, while you wrap your arms around his neck. “Pressure? No, I don’t feel pressured. I love hanging out with you guys. I love-” you pause, blinking. You’re not sure what to say. 

“Y/N?” Elijah starts. 

“I’m… I don’t know… I’m confused, and I feel awful for it, but I… I don’t even know what to say.”

“What’s wrong, girlie?” Rebekah kisses the top of your head gently. The boys focus their attention on you fully. “I promise, whatever you say, you don’t have to feel awful.”

“Bekah’s right, you can tell us anything.”

“I just… I love you guys. I love being with you all as a family, but then, I don’t know, I love you all separately, too.” They say nothing, so you continue. “And it’s not just a friendly thing, either. It’s like blushing, butterflies in the stomach, wanting to be with you kind of love. Which would be okay if I fell for only one of you - well, actually, it wouldn’t, because then I’d hurt the rest of you - but it’s not just one. I love all of you like that.”

Elijah’s first to speak. “Why do you think that would be wrong?”

“What?”

“Why is that a bad thing to you?”

You stare at him, “I can’t have a thing with four different siblings. That’s crazy, right?”

You can’t see her face, but Rebekah’s smiling wide. “Are there any rules when it comes to love?”

And before you can answer her, Klaus follows up, “crazy pretty much defines this family, I don’t know what you’re worried about.”

“Hold on,” you put up a finger, even more confused, but now for a different reason. “You are all okay with this?”

“We may have had a talk,” Elijah says, sitting down, “the night after you first came here. You see, we’ve all shared lovers before, so this is nothing new to us. However, usually they rotate. Start with Klaus, move onto Kol, have a fling with Bekah, start something with me, and then they go. But, as you’ve heard us say plenty a time, you’re much different.”

You nod, “so what was the talk?”

“Well, dear Y/N, none of us can quite keep our feelings about you to ourselves. Nor do we ever think we could tire of loving you.” Elijah’s slow and cryptic talk is making you antsy. Apparently, it’s frustrating Kol, too.

“Do you believe in soulmates, darling?”

“Soulmates? Um, ish? I mean, Caroline and I used to entertain the idea as kids.”

“Would it be absolutely crazy to entertain the possibility that you’ve met yours? And perhaps it to be in the form of four siblings to whom you’ve just admitted your love?”

“I-” slowly, it hits you. His words sink into your head and your heart at the same time. A fire burns, heating your palms, reddening your cheeks. 

“Because polyamory was a thing with the Ancient Greeks, though it’s not too common anymore. But then again, here you have four siblings who love you just as dearly. In that same ‘butterflies and a warm feeling’ that you described.”

“I, um…”

“If you had let me explain it, you wouldn’t have scared her,” Elijah chides his brother. 

“You were taking too long. I’ve been waiting a thousand years to tell this girl I love her.”

Hearing the three words finally broke the dam. Whatever fear you did have melts away instantly. “It’s okay,” you mutter. “It’s clear to me now. I do love you. All of you. As crazy as it sounds, I can’t deny my feelings; I don’t want to. I love you.”

Immediately, Kol spins around so he can kiss you properly. You kiss him back, relaxing into his hands which hold onto your face. As soon as he breaks it off, Rebekah mutters that he needs to move, and then she kisses you, too. 

“I just have one question,” you pant, out of breath from the excitement. 

“And what is that?”

“How do I know this isn’t going to end terribly, like how Stefan and Elena’s relationship did ever since she fell in love with his brother?”

“Because,” Klaus zips across the room to put less distance between you two, “we all love you and are quite capable of sharing. We’ve lived thousands of years together, and have been looking for you for thousands more.”

“Besides, there’s this cool thing called communication that we do that the Salvatores like to ignore. Take it from someone who’s slept with both,” Rebekah adds. 

You crinkle your nose at the information, “no more sleeping with Salvatores.” You pull her back in for another kiss, “you’re mine now.”

When you let go of Bex, Klaus steals his turn, and then Elijah. It’s a little overwhelming, but your worries are overpowered by how much love you feel from them, and by how much you want to give them in return.

After you all settle down, you let out a giggle. “I had nearly given up on the idea of finding my soulmate. Little did I know I’d be so lucky to have four.”

“Not as lucky as us,” Elijah claims the last word, “to have found our girl after thousands of years of searching.”

[ashcal99]

Collarbones : Jasper Whitlock Hale IV

Chapter Four

"I can see your collarbones and baby I'm scared, Never thought I'd be so unprepared"

Summary: Camila Johnson was only 16 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. By the time she had turned 17, the doctors had tried everything to save her. Her family is close to giving up hope when they hear of a doctor who may be able to help her. The only problem is, he lives on the opposite side of the country. The small family soon decides to move to the small town in Washington, in efforts to prolong her life. In doing so, her life changes forever.

Warnings: Eventual smut (18+ only), mentions of death, depression, violence, descriptions of disease and weight loss, general angst, slow burn

Words: 7.4k

A/N: Please lmk if you'd like to be added to the tag list. Hope you enjoy. Made this chapter extra long for the wait x

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——————

January 29th, 2005

Camila sat there, frozen in time, for what seemed like an eternity trying to process what Jasper had just admitted. So, Jasper sat there, unmoving as well as not breathing. He wasn’t sure how she was taking the new information and suddenly found himself wishing that he held Edward’s power in that moment, willing to give everything just to know the thoughts that were going through her mind. Second best, he knew that she, remarkably, held no fright towards the admission, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she lacked the simple instinct that humans should be born with. The instinct to run away screaming when someone tells you that they’re a monster and could easily kill you. 

At the end of the day, he knew that was what he was. A monster. He may have changed his diet and tried to appear human, but he was far from it. He had killed people. Innocent people. He couldn’t even make the argument that his family had done the same, because their body counts were minuscule compared to his. He had fed off of human blood for nearly eighty-five years before Alice had found him. Even with his new found vegetarianism considered, he still slipped up. More than anybody else, and even though he knew that Camila was safe around him, he also knew that she had every reason in the world to fear him, and it confused the hell out of him that she didn’t.

He couldn’t help himself as he spoke, the silence eating away at his resolve. “Can you please tell me what’s going through your mind?” He asked, nervousness gripping his throat as he croaked the words out. 

Camila’s eyes flashed over to him, eyebrows creased in… confusion maybe? “I don’t know… I feel like I know I shouldn’t believe you, but for some reason, I do?” She said, eyes tracing his serious expression. “Can you prove it? N-not the vampire thing, I guess, but something to prove any of it is true?” She asked. 

Jasper’s mind reeled for a moment trying to think of something quickly, when an idea popped into his head. “Remember how you said I’m really good at reading emotions? Like an empath?” He asked, waiting for her nod before continuing. “It’s a little more than that. Some of us, when we turn, we get… gifts. When I was changed I could not only feel people’s emotions like they were my own, but manipulate them too.” He explained slowly, trying to find the right words.

Given the situation, he figured this was his best bet in not freaking her out any further. Eyes scanning her face to make sure that she was okay with what he was about to do, he pushed a wave of happiness towards her. He watched as the corners of her lips curved upwards, the crease between her eyebrows smoothing as her heart filled with overwhelming joy. 

She didn’t know nor care why she had become so  suddenly happy, but as soon as the emotion was ripped back from her, the pieces clicked together. The smile slowly dropped from her face as her mind returned to where had been just moments before. “Holy shit.” She huffed out. He was telling the truth. As soon as the feeling of joy had hit her, it was gone. 

Her eyes widened suddenly. Maybe this was the explanation as to why she felt so strongly towards him. Maybe it was him all along, manipulating her feelings. “Y-you don’t do that to me often do you?” She asked nervously. 

Jasper shook his head quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. “No. I’ve never with you before.” He rushed out, hoping to whatever god that she would believe him.

Letting out a sigh, Camila let her shoulders drop as she let herself relax back into her seat. She had no reason to think he was lying. From what she could tell, all of her feelings and emotions involving him were genuine, no matter how much she wished that they weren’t there to begin with.

“So, is the whole thing about garlic true?” She asked trying to lighten the mood. Everything had suddenly gotten much too daunting.

Throwing his head back with a bark of laughter, Jasper ran his long thin fingers through his golden curls. How in the world was she taking all of this so well? The ball had to drop at some point, right? There’s no way that everything would go this smoothly. Surely after she learned about his past and how much of a monster he really was, surely then, she would run away screaming. But that admission would have to wait for another day, because in that moment, he would give anything keep Camila as far away from that part of him as possible.

——————

January 31st, 2005

The rest of her day with Jasper had flown by, and before Camila knew it, it was the start to her second week at Forks High School. After the exhaustion of her first week, and hanging out with Jasper on Saturday, the rest of her weekend consisted of sleep and cramming in the remainder of her homework. When Monday finally came around, she was well rested, at lest as well rested as she could be. 

Camila had just joined the end of the line in the cafeteria, Eric talking her ear off behind her once again, when her eyes finally met Jasper’s across the crowded room. She hadn’t seen him since he had dropped her back off at home Saturday night. Like a perfect gentleman, he had waited, car pulled against the curb and watched her figure until she had successfully made it fully inside her home, before he drove away. 

Now that her eyes had met his for the first time since she had been given the opportunity to fully, well mostly maybe, process his confession, she felt a weight leave her shoulders that she wasn’t even aware was there in the first place. The rest of their night on Saturday had consisted mostly of more light hearted conversation, so now that she had been given the time to think of more questions to ask him, she had began to grow anxious of waiting. 

She knew the questions would have to wait, however, but seeing his face, that alone, eased that stress and anxiety from her. Everything had happened so quickly that her mind didn’t know how to calculate what his confession actually meant, and over the remainder of the weekend her mind had time to wander. He was dangerous, that much was apparent, but somehow, she also knew that he wouldn’t hurt her. That she was safe with him. 

It felt almost like a fever dream, everything happening so quickly. They had only just met, but suddenly, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so comfortable with another person. So comfortable with being vulnerable, and content with sharing with him what she had been so keen on keeping from everyone else. Clearly he felt the same, that much she could gather herself, given his blatant honesty with her. 

Eric’s voice broke her from her thoughts as he continued his ramble on about how their trip to La Push Beach had gone and how she ‘had to join them next time’. She had to stop herself from cringing, not looking forward to coming up with another excuse in the future. She turned to him, attempting to give a reassuring smile. She didn’t want to come off rude, especially with the wide grin that was stretched across his face. He was just trying to be friendly, and that’s what she wanted. So, even if his persistence slightly annoyed her, she was still happy to have him around. 

Chills ran up her spine as icy fingertips brushed lightly across her lower back, bringing goosebumps quickly to the surface of her skin. She knew who it was, of course, before she looked up, having already gotten used to the feel of his touch, but that didn’t stop the flutter of her heart as her eyes met Jasper’s once more. He had sensed her unease from across the room and had decided to come to her rescue. 

“Will you sit with us for lunch today?” He asked, giving her a quirked eyebrow as well as a small smile. Alice had been pestering him since his return on Saturday to spend more time with the girl. As usual, she would get what she wanted, she already knew that of course, but that didn’t stop her from reminding him at every chance she got. 

Jasper watched as the gears in her head began to turn, slowly processing his invitation, her heart sputtering at his touch. He couldn’t help his smile from growing bigger across his face, enjoying hearing the reaction he had on her heart. “S-sure.” She stuttered out, turning back to the lunch lady to pay for her tray of food. She sent a small wave and smile to the boy, Eric, and fell in stride by Jasper’s side, his hand ghosting the small of her back as he lead her to the table that held the remainder of his family. 

Eric stood for a moment, mouth agape as he stared at their retreating figures. What was it with the new girls and the Cullens? Why was that family suddenly so sociable after a year of barely speaking to anybody? From across the cafeteria, the two were beginning to attract the stares from the rest of her friend group, and when she finally made it to the table, Jasper pulling her chair out for her to take a seat, the majority of the overcrowded room was practically ogling them. A fact, in which was doing nothing to ease the anxiety that had settled in the pit of her stomach.

Setting her tray down, she slowly dropped into the hard plastic seat, shoulders tensing as she took in the perfect faces sat in front of her. Camila had of course met Alice the week previous, but she had yet to meet Jasper’s other siblings. She wasn’t sure if she should feel more or less comfortable meeting the pale strangers now that she knew their secret, but the fact was, she knew and nothing would change that now. 

Feeling waves of anxiety and stress radiate from Camila, he decided now would be a time to use his powers, one that he hoped she wouldn’t be mad at him for later. He hated seeing the worry in her eyes and knew that her stress was unnecessary, so he did what he could and pushed feelings of calmness and comfortability towards her as he settled into the seat next to her. 

As the anxiety lifted from her shoulders, a polite smile formed on Camila’s lips. Jasper cleared his throat from beside her, gaining the attention of his siblings. “Camila this is my family.” He gestured towards the group. “Alice you met already.” He said pointing to the pixie haired girl on the other side of Camila.

The whole family already knew of his admission, and given the circumstances he was more that content with their reactions. He hadn’t exactly known what to expect from the situation, never having dealt with anything like it before. Carlisle and Esme had been happy for him, and though this slightly unnerved him, he knew it came with good intentions. He knew what coming clean to Camila could mean for her future, for their future, but he still refused to get his hopes up. Her knowing and having the choice to ‘live’ on had no guarantee that she would make that decision, and as much as it pained him, he knew that he would never be able to make that choice for her. 

Alice’s teeth shown brightly as she smiled at the girl, squealing lightly as she pulled her into a tight hug. Camila’s eyes widened, the immortal girl’s antics still surprising her despite already being on the receiving end previously. Before she was given the time to process and reciprocate the hug, Alice had pulled away and had returned to her comfortable position in her seat. 

Alice was of course ecstatic, even though she had seen the whole thing happen already, because now she was free to develop their friendship. She had seen the whole thing play out and knew just how close she would grow to Camila, and like a child on Christmas morning, was practically bouncing with anticipation when he had arrived home Saturday night. 

Jasper continued, stopping to roll his eyes at his sister. “This is Emmet and Rosalie.” He said, gesturing to the couple sitting at the opposite side of the table. Emmet gave a ginormous half smile half smirk to the girl, while Rosalie attempted the give a polite smile as well.

Emmet was of course laid back about the whole thing, only giving him a little bit of shit for finally finding his mate. Rosalie was surprisingly at ease with the situation, unlike her feelings towards Bella. Of course, Jasper knew why. She had always resented her immortality, having her humanity ripped away from her the way that it had been, and she wouldn’t wish that on anybody else. He knew her calm demeanor had to do with the fact that, unlike her human life, Camila had no chance of growing old. No chance of starting a family.

His heart ached at this knowledge, knowing that he would give anything he could to see Camila age into her beauty. To see her grow and start her adult life. To see her get married and have children, even if he wasn’t the one to give her that future. Unfortunately, maybe because God or whatever higher power was cruel or had a sick twisted sense of humor, she had no hope for that life. 

It had been an unexpected punch to the gut to meet her mother. She was such a perfect reflection of her daughter that it was almost like he was glimpsing into that impossible future. He knew that this would be how Camila would look, given the chance. But she didn’t have that chance, and that was his best guess as to why Rosalie had refrained from giving him the same shit she had been giving Edward. 

“And this is Edward.” Jasper said finally, turning to look at displeased expression of his adopted brother.

Edward had seemed slightly bitter about the situation. He obviously knew the differences between the two girls, but couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous at which the ease Jasper came by with telling Camila the truth. He himself would never wish the future of immortality onto Bella, but only wished that he didn’t have to suppress his want for the girl. He knew it was best to stay as far away from Bella as possible, hence why he had been avoiding her to the best of his abilities, but his resolve was beginning to waver. 

Jasper didn’t have to deal with any of this, despite having his own struggles. Camila already knew the truth about them, and soon she would be making that decision on her own. Hell, he didn’t even have to worry about his thirst around the girl, a fact that he couldn’t help but be bitter about. Edward had always had what he considered decent self control with human blood, something that he couldn’t say the same for with Jasper, and the one person that it truly mattered for, he was at his lowest point with self control. It was cruel irony. 

Despite not being able to read Edward’s mind like he could his, Jasper could feel his emotions, and he could fill in the rest himself. He didn’t want any animosity between him and his brother, but he knew that whatever Edward was feeling wouldn’t stop him from growing closer to Camila, and definitely wouldn’t stop Alice from begging him to let her spend more time with her. So that was why he had decided it was time to introduce her. What better time and place to break the ice between Camila and the rest of his family than the controlled environment of a school cafeteria? He had thought, and now, seeing the slight glare on Edward’s face, he couldn’t decide whether or not that had been a bad decision on his part.

As thoughts of anger rushed through Jasper’s mind, Edwards eyes flickered over to his. Edward’s glare softened as he processed Jasper’s internal dialog. He knew that it wasn’t his fault and he knew that it wasn’t Camila’s, but he couldn’t help how he felt. He was jealous and he was finding it difficult to hide his emotions. His eyes flitted across Jasper’s face, neck, and arms. The scars littered across his skin were a reminder to not push things with him. The crescents, nearly invisible to the human eye, were a gigantic red flag to any vampire. Neon lights that flashed bright as a warning to everyone around him to stay back or else. Although he knew that his brother would never hurt him, he also knew not to start a fight, because it would most definitely be one he would lose.

Huffing in irritation, Edward pulled out his chair, rushing to leave the cafeteria. He could try all he wanted to be civil and not start a fight, but he wasn’t about to sit there and take this torture. Over time it would get easier for him to cope, but in that moment, the wound was fresh and he needed to be far from the reminder. 

Jasper sighed in annoyance, rolling his eyes once again as he let his defenses fall back down to their normal level. “Ignore him.” He muttered to the girl beside him, slinging his arm protectively around the back of her chair.

——————

“So what’s with you and Cullen?” Tyler blurted out suddenly. Camila’s head fell to look at her boots that thudded along the hallway towards their last class of the day. She could feel the blood rushing up to her cheeks and knew that it would do little to help her case if he saw the growing blush. 

“What do you mean?” She asked, feigning confusion. It was a matter of time before someone started the inevitable conversation given Jasper’s display in the cafeteria that day, but she had hoped she would have a bit more time to prepare herself. 

Tyler stuffed his hands into his pockets awkwardly. “Yeah, you two seemed… cozy today at lunch.” He muttered.

Camila raised her head, quirking an eyebrow at the dark skinned boy in stride beside her. “Cozy?” She asked, a hint of humor tinting her voice. Tyler was clearly bothered by this whole situation, a fact that she found humorous given the circumstance. From the fact that Tyler had asked her to prom just a few days previous, she could gather herself that he was most likely jealous of Jasper. Not that he had any reason to be. Camila had every intention to stick to her plan of staying single and as much as she was beginning to care for Jasper, she didn’t see that changing.

A scoff sounded from the boy by her side as he rolled his eyes at her teasing. “Yeah. Cozy. You sat with his family at lunch instead of us, and he was practically all over you.” He argued. 

Camila laughed lightly at his words. “He was not all over me.” She argued. In fact, like usual, she had been hyper aware of every touch from the pale immortal. As usual, he had shown to be very hesitant in touching her, only giving the slight graze of his fingertips along her covered back as he lead her to the table. She of course was also extremely aware of the arm that he had slung protectively around the back of her seat after Edward’s whole display, but he had been very precise in not letting his cold skin actually touch her in any way.

Tyler groaned frustratedly. “Whatever it was, I don’t like it.” He complained.

Camila’s eyebrows knitted together. What was it with people at this school being assholes to them? The Cullen’s kept to themselves, sure, but they were never anything but polite to anyone they came into contact with. At this point, all these little comments that everybody kept making were beginning to piss her off. “And why should you not liking it mean anything to me?” She asked incredulously. Sure, she wanted to make friends, and be nice, but she was starting to become defensive over Jasper and she wasn’t just going to stand there and take everybody’s bullshit. Because that’s what it was. Complete and utter bullshit.

Tyler’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to respond in that way, never seeing her angry before. “I mean, he’s kind of creepy isn’t he? I’m just trying to look out for you. He doesn’t seem… good.” He said trailing off towards the end as he took in the expression of anger growing more and more prevalent on her face.

She had to bite back a snide remark as she tried to process how she could respond without sounding like a total bitch. An awkward silence rung between the two teens before she decided that she didn’t really care anymore. If he was going to give unsolicited advice to her when he barely knew her then she would respond accordingly. “No offense Tyler, but I didn’t ask for your shitty advice. I’m a big girl, I can look out for myself, thanks.” She said finitely.

Pushing her aching legs to move her forward at a faster pace, she let out an internal sigh of relief as the door to her calculous class came into view. Lunch had gone well, all things considered. Despite Edward’s little display, the rest of Jasper’s family had welcomed her with open arms. While the conversation mostly consisted of small talk and them asking her questions about herself, she could tell that they were all genuinely nice people. 

Alice had invited her over for the following weekend, in which Camila had immediately agreed to without thinking. Now that she had been given the time to think about the implications of the invite, she realized that she would be meeting their adoptive mother and seeing Carlisle. While she knew Carlisle fairly well, given meeting him the week prior, she realized how nervous she was to meet Esme. Jasper had talked the woman up so highly, but she couldn’t help but feel her nerves eating away at her. She would be meeting his mother soon, ‘adopted’ or not and it was only natural to have that kind of reaction. 

Jasper, as usual, was already seated at their assigned table by the time she had arrived to the classroom. Camila flitted to the back of the room to her seat, letting her body drop into the confines of the cool plastic, as she let out a heavy sigh. 

“Are you okay?” Jasper asked, concern lacing his voice. It was normal for her be exhausted by the end of the school day, but he could also feel her anger and frustration. The feelings set off warning bells in his mind and he was immediately on alert to what had upset her. 

Camila rolled her eyes, raking her slim fingers through the long dark strands of her hair. “Tyler Crowley is an asshole.” She said simply, annoyance still evident on her face as she recalled their conversation that had just taken place moments ago. 

His eyes flickered over to where said boy had just entered the classroom, narrowing as he took in the sight. “What did he say?” He asked, immediately defensive over the girl. 

“He apparently has an issue with you and ‘just wants to look out for me’.” She said, yanking her workbook and and pencil case from her backpack and slamming them down on the desk.

Jasper’s shoulder’s drooped at her words as he hummed in reply. He couldn’t even be mad. What Tyler said was clearly justified, whether or not Camila had realized. She should be warned about him. Just because he didn’t thirst for her blood didn’t mean that he wasn’t a danger towards her. Didn’t mean that he couldn’t hurt her, even if it wasn’t intensional. Didn’t mean that he wasn’t a monster at the end of the day.

Hearing his near silent response, Camila turned her head to see him looking down slightly defeated, eyes refusing to meet her own. “Jasper.” She said, trying and failing to get him to look at her. “Jasper.” She repeated, grasping at his hand  that laid in a tight fist at his thigh. 

Electricity shot through her fingers as they brushed the marble skin of his clenched knuckles, but she pushed on. “Can you look at me, please?” She asked, her soft voice contrasting the anger that had filled it just moments ago. 

His amber eyes flickered up to meet hers. As much as he wanted to sulk in that moment, he wanted more to give her what she wanted. Her eyes softened as she saw the pain that filled his. They were always filled with pain, but this was different. More of an inner torment and seeing it made her chest ache. 

She turned his fist over in her palm, nudging the fingers apart so she could intertwine them with her own. “He’s full of shit, Jazz. I know you would never hurt me.” She said, voice softly ringing in his ears. 

The pain in his heart grew at her words. He didn’t deserve her. She was too perfect for his damned self and he knew it, but that didn’t stop him from being grateful that she was there. It didn’t stop him from selfishly wanting her. He pulled their intertwined fingers up to his lips were he laid a soft kiss on the back of her palm, thanking her for her kindness. Thanking her for her comfort. 

The touch of his chilled lips on her skin sent her heart into overdrive, and knowing that he could he hear his effect on her didn’t help the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks. She had expected him to drop her hold after that, but instead, their hands remained, bound together and laying gently in his lap. 

Class continued, the two working together on finishing the next page in their worksheet. Jasper of course could finish the work in less than a minute, but anything that gave him the excuse to talk to Camila he would gladly do. She sat there, eyebrows furrowed as she worked over a particularly difficult problem on the sheet. Normally, she would have no problem solving the equations, but today her mind was wandering too much. She sighed, giving up as she let her pencil clatter onto the chipped veneer of the desk.

“Do you want to come over to my house today?” She asked suddenly. Clearly seeing that she had caught him off guard, she continued. “I have more questions.” She clarified. 

Jasper groaned internally. As much as he would love to avoid the inevitable conversation, he also knew that it had to happen at some point. At least he would get to spend more time with her, a definite plus. “Sure, I can just drive us after class if you’d like.” He offered. Alice had told him to drive separately to school that day, and now it was clear why. He would have to thank her later. 

Camila nodded, pulling her flip phone from her bag and trying to discreetly type a quick text to her mother letting her know that Jasper would drive her home. Doing so was a bit difficult to do one handed, but she wasn’t about to take her other hand out of his grasp. 

The remainder of the class trudged on slowly to Camila’s dismay. Now that she knew that she would be able to ask all of the questions that had been racing through her mind, she couldn’t seem to clear her head of them. Finally, a bell rang shrilly throughout the class, signaling the end of the school day. An unspoken agreement stood between her and Jasper as they both proceeded to pack away their belongings without undoing the grip on each other’s hands. 

She wasn’t sure what the hand holding meant to him or even herself, but she didn’t exactly care. She already had to constantly remind herself of her promise to keep any romance at bay, but hand holding didn’t necessarily have to mean that. It was comforting, having his cold palm pressed against hers, and despite her internal screaming at herself that it was a bad idea, she didn’t want to pull away. So there they were, walking down the hallway, hand in hand, attracting even more stares than usual. 

Camila let out a sigh as they reached the parking lot, the cool air feeling nice on her feverish skin. Puffs of vapor swirled in front of her mouth as steady breaths of hot air left her parted lips. Jasper had to rip his eyes away from the sight to make sure that he was walking in the right direction. He needed to pull his shit together. Kissing her hand had been bad enough, but he had to stop himself from thinking too much about her lips. Her soft warm plump lips. Jesus Christ, STOP. 

He wished so badly in that moment that he could’ve kissed her. Regardless of the numerous bystanders. However, he knew that it wasn’t safe. He didn’t trust himself enough not to end up accidentally hurting her. He didn’t even know if she would’ve kissed him back for fuck’s sake. And here he was feeling like an absolute creep again. 

Pulling himself from his thoughts, he pulled the passenger door of his car open for her. Reluctantly, she let loose of his grasp, immediately feeling an emptiness without it’s presence. She settled into the plush bucket seat, pulling her bag into her lap as he shut the door softly behind her. 

Flitting quickly, or as quick as seemed human, to the driver’s side, Jasper slid in and turned the key in the ignition. Shifting the car into reverse, he backed out of the parking spot and shifted back into drive as he sped out onto the street. He internally thanked his past self for buying a manual transmission before reaching over to grasp Camila’s hand once more. 

Camila let her hair fall in front of her face, hoping that the curtain of dark strands hid the smile that she couldn’t wipe away. For someone who was so adamant on not dating, she kept finding herself being giddy whenever he touched her. What was she a twelve year-old? He was just holding her hand, she shouldn’t feel like a swarm of butterflies was flying around in her stomach. 

The drive to Camila’s home hadn’t taken long, and by the time they arrived at the small house, he mother’s mini van was still absent from the driveway. She had replied earlier letting her know that she was going to go grocery shopping since she had time before she had to go to work, and Camila was happy to see that she hadn’t returned yet. One less awkward interaction with Jasper and her parents would always be a good thing. 

As they stepped through the threshold of the home, she found herself wishing she had cleaned her room. She hadn’t thought of the mess she had left behind before she had invited him over, albeit a small mess. Either way, she couldn’t help herself but try and hurriedly pick up the few pieces of clothing scattered around the room once they made it through the doorway. 

Once she was content with her ‘cleaning’ she shut the door softly behind her and plopped down on her mattress, the springs squeaking slightly in protest. Scooting backwards until her back met the wall, she patted the empty space beside her, gesturing for Jasper to join her. On one hand, she almost wanted to sit out on the couch in the living room, as it would probably seem less intimate that way, but she also didn’t want to be interrupted by her mother when she inevitably returned home from the store. So there they were sitting side by side awkwardly on her worn out used mattress and now she didn’t know how to start the conversation. 

Sensing her hesitation, Jasper spoke up. “So, you have questions.” He said, wanting to end the torture of waiting any longer. If she was going to run away screaming, he would rather it be sooner than later, because the anticipation was slowly eating away at him. 

Camila sucked in a breath. “How old are you?” She blurted out. Jasper groaned, rubbing his hands down his face. He should’ve expected her to jump right to the point, but, somehow, he hadn’t. “You said it was a conversation for another day. It’s another day now.” She reasoned.

“I know. I know.” He said with a sigh. “I’m just really old, Darlin’.” He said, hoping the nickname would distract her. It didn’t.

She scoffed. “That’s not an answer.” She said bluntly. 

Jasper closed his eyes, sucking in a breath as he braced for the impact of her reaction. “I’m a hundred and sixty-one.” He muttered lowly. Utter silence followed. 

Camila didn’t know what she expected, if the age he had given was younger or older than she had thought it would be, but hearing him say such a precise age made everything seem way more real. She couldn’t find the words to say in response, so instead, she reached over to grasp his hand once more, letting him know that she wasn’t disgusted like he had thought. 

“Will you tell me your story?” She asked, not being able to help her intrigue.

His bright gold eyes met her emerald irises. “It’s kind of gruesome.” He warned, trying his best to prolong the inevitable admission of his past, but knowing that it was just that. Inevitable.

“I want to know.” She said simply. “If you’re willing to tell me.” She clarified. 

Jasper was fucked and he knew it. Anything that she wanted, he would give her in a heartbeat, but she would hate him after this. “I didn't have quite the same upbringing as my adopted siblings.” He said, reaching his free hand over reluctantly, to roll up the sleeve on the arm that she held. 

She wasn’t sure how she hadn’t noticed them before, but there they were. Hundreds of crescent shaped scars shimmering lightly in the dim lighting emitted from her ceiling fan. Now that she knew what to look for, she could see the scars were scattered across every piece of visible skin. Down his arms, onto the hand that was holding hers, a few up his neck to his handsome face. “Are those… bites?” She asked incredulously.

“Battle scars.” He responded, a small smirk gracing his lips. “I was seventeen when I joined the Confederate Army.” He said, pausing when he saw her grimace. “I know. I wish I could say that I didn’t know what I was fighting for, or against, but I knew enough. I’m not proud of it.” He said hanging is head in shame. 

“I was the youngest major in the Texas cavalry. All without having seen any real battle.” He continued.

Camila perked up. “I knew that was a Texas accent.” She said smirking at him, gaining a small smile in repose. Leave it to her to try and lighten the mood as soon as it gets dark.

Still, he pushed on, knowing that it was about to become a much darker conversation. “I was riding back to Galveston...after evacuating a column of women and children. When I saw her.” He said dauntingly. “I immediately offered her my aid.” He continued.

“Maria was creating an army. A newborn vampire army.” He clarified. “Our kind are at their strongest in their first year after changing. Their human blood still lingers in their veins and gives them more speed and strength.” He explained.

“Newborn armies were very common in the South, and cost a brutal battles for territory.” He continued, losing himself in the story. “Maria won them all. She was smart, careful. And she had me. I was the second in command. My abilities to control emotions served her well.” He said, looking down to the warm hand he still had clutched in his own, trying to find comfort in her touch. 

“I trained her newborns. An endless occupation since she never let them live beyond their first year.” He said, cringing from the memory. “It was my job to dispose of them.” He said, voice thick with emotion. It pained him to remember what he had done. To remember their pain. “I could feel everything they felt.”

The crease between Camila’s brows deepened. It clearly hurt for him to recall these memories, and she found herself wishing that she could take that pain away. 

“I thought what Maria and I had was love. But I was her puppet. She pulled the strings. I didn't know there was another way. Until I found Alice in 1948. Now she'd seen me coming, of course.” He paused, remembering that this would wouldn’t make much sense to Camila. 

He gathered his thoughts quickly, trying explain the best he could. “She has visions, of possible futures. They change when decisions are made, but she knew when and where to find me.” He smiled slightly. “She saw you, even though she conveniently didn’t warn me.” He explained.

“I don't know what I'd have become without her. I’d done horrible, unspeakable things, and she helped me get past that. My family choses to feed off of animal blood rather than human blood, but it wasn’t always like that for me. I’ve killed innocent people. I’m not a… good person.” He ended his story with a sigh, unsure of how she was feeling. 

Her mind was filled with conflicting emotions that he couldn’t quite place all together. “I completely understand if you want me to leave.” He said, moving to pull his hand away from hers. 

Her grip tightened as her eyes shot up to his. “No, stay. Please.” She muttered. She knew how her reaction must seem. In truth, she had almost expected worse. As bad as his story was, at least he didn’t actively kill people. It was a horrible argument, she knew, but after being given the rest of the weekend to let her mind wander, she had tried to prepare herself for the worst. 

Her silence was agony and he couldn’t help himself when he asked. “Can you please tell me what you’re thinking?”

Camila sighed, bringing her eyes back to his. “I’m not going to sit here and act like what you did wasn’t wrong, because it was. But I’m also not going to actively try and make you feel any worse for it. You’ve had over fifty years to regret what you did, and you clearly do. I’m not going to judge you for something that you wish you could’ve changed, not when I know you’re a good person now.” She said. 

Jasper shook his head in disbelief. How was she this forgiving? It seemed impossible. He was sure she would be disgusted with him, but here she was forgiving him for something he couldn’t even forgive himself for. “How are you not terrified of me?” He asked.

She looked deep into his eyes as she answered. “I’m not scared because I know you won’t do anything to hurt me.” She said simply.

“I could hurt you on accident. Very easily.” He argued, looking ashamed. “I could crush you just by hugging you too tightly. I know you don’t understand fully, but it would be so easy that I actively have to try and not hurt you.” He said, a deep frown on his face.

Camila’s eyebrows furrowed as she brought her free hand down to trace the crescent shaped scars that littered his arm. “I don’t know what to tell you. I trust you, that’s the best answer I can give you, Jasper. You need to try and have trust in yourself.” She answered.

Jasper shook his head, baffled that she had so much trust in him to begin with. He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve her. Seeing the sadness still in his eyes, she rushed, trying to find a change of topic to lighten the mood from the darkness that it had reached. “So, if you can manipulate emotions and Alice sees visions of the future, does anyone else in your family have a ‘gift’.” She asked, curiosity peaking once again. 

Jasper was thankful for the change of topic, already feeling himself beginning to spiral from the continuous self hatred. “Yeah, Edward is the only other one in our family. He can, um, read minds… I know it sounds ridiculous.” He said, slightly humiliated at how fictional everything sounded. 

“Oh god. That’s… embarrassing.” She muttered, her mind beginning to wander. Edward had no doubt read her mind and heard her thoughts of Jasper. Those were thoughts she didn’t even want to admit to herself and now he definitely had knew all about them. 

Suddenly her mind went to his exit at lunch. Was that why he had left? Was it something she had thought that had set him off? “What happened with him at lunch today?” She asked.

Rolling his eyes at the memory, Jasper tried to form the most comprehensible explanation. “He’s jealous that I can tell you the truth and he can’t tell Bella.” He said simply. 

“Bella Swan?” Camila asked.

Jasper nodded. “He… has a particular interest in her. He’s been trying to avoid her because he knows that it won’t end well, and he’s jealous that I don’t have to do the same with you.” He explained. 

“Why is it different with me?” She asked, trying to ignore the implication that Jasper had an interest in her.

His eyes trailed across the bare walls of her bedroom, looking anywhere but at her as he continued. “He has a really hard time with the scent of her blood, while yours is different for me.” He said.

“Because of the leukemia?” She asked.

Jasper nodded again. “It’s more dangerous for her than it is for you because of that. It’s hard for him to even be in the same room as her. Either way it would end badly.” He explained.

“End badly how? Surely it could end in more ways than just him killing her right?” She asked. She knew the subject had to be touchy and sensitive, but she couldn’t keep herself from asking.

Here it was. The scariest topic of them all. If he didn’t handle this just right, if he didn’t use the right words, then there went his chance of a future with her. He gulped, mustering the courage to speak. “He could kill her or he could change her. Both which he doesn’t want to do.” 

Camila’s eyed widened. She hadn’t even thought of that. Changing into a vampire. She wasn’t sure why her mind hadn’t gone there, but she hadn’t even considered that a possibility. She couldn’t help it when her mind wandered to what this could mean for her. He had said it like he was trying to imply something else entirely. He had to know the possible endings. Surely Alice had seen. 

“Are there more possible endings for me? Futures where I don’t die from the leukemia?” She asked. She had to know. She had spent a year coming to terms with the fact that her life would be cut short, but now she wasn’t sure. She knew that her illness would in no doubt end up taking her human life, but what if she turned. What if she changed into something else where the cancer didn’t effect her anymore? What if she wasn’t human anymore? She had to know, because suddenly, after a year of withering away, she might have another option. She might have hope.

Jasper turned his eyes back to hers. This was the make it or break it moment. He sucked in a breath, feeling a tightness in his chest regardless of the fact that he didn’t need the oxygen. 

And he spoke. “Yes… Alice has seen it."

Next Chapter

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[cursingtoji]

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 — 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥!𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐚

part 2 of Sweet Sacrifice

summary: Chainsaw man universe where humans can form contracts with devils in exchange of sacrificing something valuable.

cw: chainsaw man spoilers (anime only), self insert into csm canon, reader is in love with Aki, dub-con, heavy oral (f -> m), deep throat. choking, bruises, spit, failed attempt of masturbation, Sukuna has a normal human form (at least for now), reader goes into Sukunas domain, as per the last chapter reader is a virgin 4k words.

note: this was very fun to write, quick info… for reasons of “just cause” himeno is not into aki in this series. also i have plans for the next chapters but feel free to speculate

After the last mission with Aki you felt like everyone at the public safety building looked at you weirdly, like they were trying to understand how a not so skillful hunter finished a strong devil by herself.

Aki thankfully taught you to not share too much about your devils and the contracts, so you knew how to defend yourself if anyone asked you about Sukuna.

“Makima-sama wants to see us” Aki said, joining your walk.

“Great” you mumbled ironically but followed him anyway.

Aki knocked and you heard Makima calling you in.

After a quick greeting she started asking about the report from your previous assignment together. You haven’t read it before Aki submitted it so you allowed him to confirm the information.

“...So you summoned Sukuna with a cursed word and he appeared beside you?” Makima asked you directly.

That was not what happened. Sukuna took your body. Aki would not lie about this, but you know the actual truth is not what he would’ve written as well. Having Sukuna taking control of your body was a huge risk for the public safety, the type of risk that could get you executed like a devil.

“Actually—“ he started.

“I’m not asking you” her eyes did not leave yours.

“No, my contract with Sukuna allows me to use his strength as it was my own, he does not manifest physically as another entity. If Hayakawa wrote that, my apologies, he was hurt and probably confused, I should’ve explained better” you took the fault knowing that Aki did not write what Makima said.

“Very well” she seemed pleased with your answer and you could hear Aki exhaling relieved, “What did Sukuna take?” the question got you in alert mode. That was your superior asking. What should you say? Would she know if you lie?

“Makima-sama, with all due respect, I don’t think she needs to disclose that information” your eyes widened, you never saw him standing up for Makima like that.

“It’s nothing that’s gonna be missed,” you added, not wanting Aki to suffer any consequences.

“Fine, congratulations y/n, thanks to your new contract you have an offer to join the 3rd division.”

“What?” Aki and you said at the same time.

Makima slid an envelope to you.

“They need an answer till the end of the week, you may go now. Hayakawa you stay” you bowed, still a little confused and left the room not without exchanging a look with Aki, “Leave the door open” she ordered.

On your way out you saw a blond kid waiting outside, upon hearing Makima's voice he quickly fixed his posture and entered the room.

You haven’t even taken the offer and Makima was already replacing you as Aki’s partner. Bitch.

You went back to your desk, and found that week’s patrol shift. Today you were by yourself, patrolling a chill area and replying to the radio channel which the local police uses to call for public safety back up.

You sighed, knowing this day was gonna be long and boring. Leaving the building, you decided to walk to your area, using a path Aki and you would always take. Before you got to your destiny, something drew your attention to an alley. It was the middle of the day, you doubted a devil could be there, either way you carefully approached the source of the noise and recognized Aki’s voice.

Hiding behind an irregular wall you listened to the conversation. You couldn’t see them without them seeing you, but it was obvious he was beating the shit out of someone, you assumed it was the skinny boy from before.

“Makima-san is not the kind of woman a punk like you should be chasing” followed by the indistinguishable sound of fist hitting a face.

“Sounds to me you like her too” the boy replied. You felt your heart sinking.

Why was Aki defending Makima? So what if that newbie wanted to be her new dog? To hell both of them…

But why does Aki have to get involved? You wanted him to defend your honor and only you—

What honor?

You heard that familiar and yet strange voice inside your head.

You swallowed your shame and left the alley, wanting to focus on anything but Aki.

It’s not like you could have him anyways.

“You greedy asshole” Denji kicked Aki’s balls once again, “I saw you partner, what else do you want, huh?” he kicked again, “You get to hang out with a hot chick like that everyday and you’re giving me shit for wanting the same with Makima? Fuck you” before he could give another kick he saw Aki wasn’t getting up, “Shit”.

Two days later, when the sun was setting you ran into Aki when you were leaving a house after finishing executing a small devil. He was talking to the cops outside.

“Hey, I beat you on this one” you smiled at him.

“I heard you replying the call on the radio” he defended, “Just wanted to come by in case…”

“In case what? In case I couldn’t handle it? Please, that devil was the size of a pigeon” you made a sign to the cops that it was done.

“So, do you miss me already?” you teased him.

“In comparison to those two I miss you every hour of the day” he threw that statement unbothered, it was enough to make some blood rush to your face.

“That’s right, you have a fiend now as well” you giggled imagining how Aki dealt with the fiend, he confirmed with a grumpy face.

“Have you accepted the offer?” he asked.

“Oh I forgot about it” indeed you haven’t even opened the letter yet, “I’ll take till the end of the week.”

“Why?”

“I’m just not thrilled to work with a bunch of freaks.”

“That's basically what division 4 is now” you laughed and he smiled.

“They are living with me, you know” Aki picked up a cigarette and lit it up, you watched waiting for him to continue, he took a long drag and extended the cigarette to you, “Power, the fiend and Denji, the Chainsaw”.

“Chainsaw huh…” you wondered, “Why though?”

“Makima-sama asked me to” you felt that weird tightening in your stomach again.

“You’re an idiot.”

“I guess I am.”

Since you haven’t given an answer to the offer yet, Makima put you with division 4 on a mission the next day to recover a piece of the gun devil in a hotel. There you got to meet the new members and saw your senpai, Himeno.

“They don’t look so bad” you whispered to Aki, he even got the devils to call him senpai… after a bribe but whatever works.

“Give it some time.”

During that week so far you have been feeling weird, ever since that night with Sukuna actually, if you can even call it that. Every night after a stressful work day you recalled that event, silently expecting him to show up again, but nothing. So you managed to drift your focus to something else, by now that tactic has only made you more and more horny.

“…will give you one as well” your attention was drawn back to the current situation when Himeno said your name and put an arm around your shoulders.

“What?” the team was looking at you weirdly, especially the Chainsaw boy, “I’ll give a what?”

“A kiss to whoever defeats the devil.”

“Not a chance.”

Denji started to talk about how he already decided who he’s gonna kiss.

“…when it comes to sex stuff it feels way better when its with two people who get each other.”

You couldn’t hold back a scoff/laugh, it was automatic given the situation you were in, no one seemed to have noticed your reaction but when your eyes met Aki’s looking at you weirdly you decided to put an end to that subject, Himeno seemed to have convinced Denji anyways.

“Let’s go” you called and all of you entered the building. The rookies leading the way meanwhile the three of you stayed a bit behind.

You let your thoughts wander, thinking about what sex would feel like with Sukuna.

Next time I won’t be so good.

That’s what he said last. You have no idea what he meant by that, or what to expect next, but something made you think you were gonna find it out soon enough.

A couple minutes later chaos seemed to have taken over, power killed an ugly fucking walking head, then you all got stuck inside the 8th floor, Kobeni was crying and trying to drink toilet water, Denji was sleeping like a baby. After looking around you gave up trying to find a way out and simply layed on a bed in an empty room.

“Could’ve been worse” you murmured to yourself. You seem to have all this time and nothing to do.

The bed was pretty comfortable… your core still burned, would it be too bad if…?

You slowly brought your hand down your uniform till your finger found your clit over the material of your trousers.

You sighed, felt good, you needed some release. You closed your eyes, circling that spot and thinking of that night when Sukuna had control, but instead you imagined Aki to be one touching you and—

“AARGH” you screamed louder than you should’ve, a sudden sharp pain in your lower lips had taken you off guard. When you looked down you found Sukuna’s mouth in your palm “Did you fucking bite me?!” you accused. He clearly bit you through the pants.

“When I told you I was gonna be the only one touching I meant it, not even you can touch yourself got it?”

“That’s ridiculous I—“ your left hand seemed to have transformed into his again, bigger with sharp black nails, he went straight for your neck, choking you.

Down the hall you heard Aki calling your name, he probably heard your scream and was now opening every room to find you.

You panicked, not wanting him to find Sukunas hand around your neck.

“Sukuna” you begged.

“That’s not my name.”

“M-master please…”

“Say you won’t do it again” his grip tightened, cutting your breath, Aki’s voice was closer.

“I— won’t— I p-promise” you chocked out.

Right when he let go of you and you gained the control of your hand back again Aki barged in.

“What’s wrong?” he rushed to your side on the bed, putting his hands on your shoulders to take a look at your face while you coughed.

You managed to come out with a lie about having a nap then waking up from a nightmare and choking with nothing. He didn’t seem to believe it but didn’t ask anymore questions thankfully.

“I need smoke” he got up from the bed, “Come” and took your hand making you go with him.

You hated to lie to Aki, it was necessary, but whenever you felt his skin touch yours like that you almost felt like giving up on everything, on Sukuna, on being a hunter…

“Himeno-senpai, do you have any cigarettes left?”

“I want one too” you added

“Sorry, that’s the last one,” she replied.

Both you and Aki asked for it, Himeno gave him first then he gave you. You realized how close you were to each other’s faces when Denji screamed “indirect triple kiss!” you giggled while Aki told him to shut it.

More time had passed, you have no idea what time it is but you really wished you had taken a nap. Now, Himeno, Aki and you were lying on the hall facing the huge disgusting blob the devil had become.

Himeno asked Aki if he had a plan, he always had a plan, but this time the only thing you were certain of was not killing Denji since that’s what the devil wanted.

“I’ll use the sword” your heart skipped a beat, you quickly protested it as well as Himeno.

“I’ll use Sukuna first” you argued.

“Who? What’s that?” Denji asked.

“That’s one of the devils I have a contract with—“ you started to explain but Aki cut you off.

“He’s not gonna be useful here. If that thing doesn’t have any weakness there’s nothing Sukuna can do.”

“Oh and what can your sword do?” his words made your blood boil, was he trying to underestimate your contract with Sukuna? Underestimate you?

“Oi, no fighting” Himeno interrupted, but before you could continue Aki got up, taking you with him by your arm before the devil moved in your direction, then you were running.

Fuck, you needed to do something.

The whole floor starts to bend in the devils direction, you found a stable place in one of the rooms, Kobeni was screaming about throwing Denji to the devil.

“I’ll use the sword” Aki said and you got the cursed word to summon Sukuna on the tip of your tongue.

“I’m not gonna do it” he said from inside your head.

Fucker.

“Himeno” you warned her, Denji was not about to become devil food, but you also didn’t want Aki to lose years of his life by using the sword.

“Die!” Kobeni screamed and ran towards Denji with a knife.

“Enchain” you called.

You lost consciousness for no more than 5 seconds, but when you came back Kobeni was on the floor, a bloodied knife beside her and—

“Aki” you whispered nothing but the pool of blood coming out of him “Sukuna… what the fuck”.

“You called too late little hunter, that was not our deal, you’re gonna pay for it” he replied in that voice only you could hear.

You kneeled beside Aki while he defended Denji and Power tried to manipulate his blood, when she touched him he flinched and reached for the closest thing that happened to be your hand.

Himeno was freaking out, the Kobeni again, until Denji got up.

“If I manage to kill this fucking devil, I still expect to get that kiss” he screamed at Himeno but looked at you too before explaining his plan. That boy was deranged, but you liked him.

So long have passed, Denji was still slicing the eternity devil, Power really seemed to have stopped Aki’s bleeding, you managed to not fall sleep while laying beside him, you wanted to make sure he was still alive, so you keep waking yourself up.

“Hey” he murmured, “you have awful eye bags.”

“I would punch you if you weren’t stabbed” you murmured back. He adjusted himself getting closer to you, he was pale but not as much as when he got hit by the knife, “I’m glad you’re okay” you placed your head on his shoulder.

“Can he hear us talking?” he whispered.

“Who?”

“Sukuna” you looked up.

“I don’t think so” you replied, Sukuna only seemed to be around when you were by yourself or in a stressful situation.

“I saw him” Aki moved some hairs away from your face, “When you said the word, I saw your features change, your eyes got darker, he didn’t do anything, but he smiled when I got stabbed, you smiled…” your eyes widened.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve done something myself” your heart broke, Aki sounded so fragile.

“It’s okay, I’m fine” he placed his arm on your shoulder, resting his cheek on your forehead, “Can you promise me something?”

“Maybe, what?”

“If you don’t feel safe with Sukuna, terminate the contract.”

Safe…

“I’ll think about it.”

Thankfully Denji was right, he managed to defeat the devil by himself, freeing everyone else from the 8th floor. While Power was holding Aki on her back, you approached Denji.

“You must be exhausted,” you murmured.

“It’s not so ba—“ you gave his cheek a peck when he wasn’t looking at you directly.

“Well, you deserved it so…” before you finished he fell backwards, but Himeno got him when he was about to hit the floor.

“Let’s get them to the hospital” Himeno said and you agreed.

With Aki and Denji spending the night in the hospital for observation, you decided to go back home and check on them the next day.

Home seemed to embrace you when you arrived, finally having your own food and a decent shower.

After a long time washing your body and hair you stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around you, but the second your toe touched the ground you heard a voice

“Enchain”.

And everything around you changed like you were transported somewhere else.

“What the…” it seemed like a dark cave, looking down you seemed to be standing on a wet floor, was that blood? It didn’t smell like blood, although the place looked like it was rotting it didn’t smell like anything weird. There were bones around, piles of them, and a huge spine above you.

“Don’t look around without permission” you heard him again, behind you.

“You—“ when you turned around you met his naked chest.

Only then you realized you haven’t seen Sukuna in a human form since your contract, you forgot how tall he was. He was wearing a white robe, tied around his waist, from that point up his torso was exposed, black lines adorning it.

You took a step back, raising your head to look at his face, he had an obnoxious smile and a look of superiority.

“Where the fuck am I?”

“In my domain, basically in my mind” he turned around and sat down on a throne made of bones.

“That explains why this place is so creepy... How do I get out?”

“You can’t until I say so.”

“Suk—“ you rolled your eyes and was about to say his name in a very disrespectful tone until you met his serious face, “What do you want?”

“Do I have to remind you of our deal? You said Enchain, now you gotta pay.”

“You did nothing” you crossed your arms, “I may have said it but you failed to keep your word.”

“Watch your mouth, hunter. Contracts have power, if I hadn’t held my end of the deal I would’ve suffered the consequences, but here we are. If that dumb head of yours wasn’t so busy thinking about getting fucked you would’ve realized that was nothing for me to do in that situation”

You opened your mouth to argue back, but quickly realized you were in no position to do so.

“Whatever, let’s get this over with” with that he pulled the only thing that was covering your body, the white towel, and threw it away.

You attempted to cover yourself, but he pushed your shoulders down until you fell on your knees in front of his throne.

“Sukuna, not here” whatever was under the wet ground was rough on your knees, and the whole setting made you uneasy. All the skulls laying around seemed to be watching you.

“I said I wasn’t going to be good, especially after you misbehaved so badly earlier. Tell me, little hunter, have you used that mouth of yours to something other than pointless arguments?” Sukuna leaned back on the throne, spreading his thick legs and undoing the knot on his robe. The angle you were in gave you a pretty good look on what you were going to be working with.

If there was a source of light behind Sukuna you would have his dick casting a shadow on your entire face.

“Sukuna…” you called his name in scared tone, all your confidence fading out as you noticed from up close the thick veins.

“Do I really have to teach you everything?” he pulled away from the throne backrest getting closer to you, roughly taking your wrist and turning your palm up.

When you met his eyes he had a mischievous look, he snorted leaving you wondering what about your expression he found funny.

Then he spited in your palm and made you wrap it around his length.

You couldn’t help but gasp, such a dirty act and still your thighs were pressed together as hard as you could to get some friction on your core.

You had no idea what the average size was, but Sukuna was definitely above that. Your fingers weren’t even close to touch, how were you supposed to…?

“Come closer” he spread his legs, Sukuna was back to his original position, back against the rest, looking down at you like you were a bug. You noticed the frown was gone, like he was more relaxed.

You obeyed, moving more into the middle of his legs your face now just inches from his dick.

His hand guided yours up, stopping before the head and going back down encouraging you to squeeze his base, his chest was rising faster as you learned the way he liked it. You approached the dark red tip, giving it a kitten lick to test waters, a satisfied groan from the devil made your face heat up.

“Don’t be shy” he placed his hand on the back of your head, pushing you down his hard cock as you put your hands on his thighs for support.

Sukuna pulled you back before he hit the back of your throat, when your lips reached his tip you sucked it and felt his hand closing and pulling your hair.

“Liked the taste?” he teased. You would never admit it out loud… but you did. The bitterness of it and his scent made you high.

Being a virgin you didn’t expect a cock to be so hot. Literally. You felt your cheeks burn just being this close to his hot skin.

Your tongue traced the underside of his length, the warmest point of him. Out of curiosity you reached for his balls too, they ehere even hotter and so heavy.

Sukuna adjusted his hips, tilting it a little but enough to make you gag on it.

“Open wider” his rough hand held your face, index and tumb forcing the sides of your jaw to stretch more. It hurt, you wined, sinking your nails on his thigh, “Relax…”

You’ve read porn before, you know what you’re supposed to do, in theory.

“I need to buy cigarettes, you can wait here” Aki told you when you reached a convenience store.

“I’ll go in with you” you replied, while Aki went to the counter you walked to where the maganize were. You picked the newest edition of a popular one, flipping through it you found an interesting article. It was a reader question for the recurring sexologist. My husband never comes when I suck him off, what should I do to improve my head game?

You brought the magazine closer, not fully reading the answer but just scanning your eyes over the words that stood out the most.

Create a vacuum by pursing your lips… focus on the frenulum… suck the balls… swallow when it reaches the back of your—

“You buying this?” Aki was suddenly beside you, your head was basically inside the magazine, thankfully shielding the content.

“No, there’s nothing good” you closed it quickly and put it back.

You should’ve come back for that.

Taking a deep breath you tried to relax your throat as Sukuna applied pressure to the back of your head, as soon as his thickness reaches the very back of your throat your eyes fill with water.

“That’s it, choke around my cock, little hunter. Allow me to bruise that throat of yours” he thrusted his hips and you realized you have almost no control over it anymore, just to surrender to the situation. A mixture of liquids accumulated on your chin, almost dripping.

Sukuna loved this more than he should, you looked so helpless. But those eyes didn’t deceive him, he could see the lust, the hazy look and your delicate hand under his balls told him the secrets you didn’t.

“You’re such a whore, you know that?” you swallowed, “You know why?” he bent, one hand still on the back of your head and the other around your neck, he pushed you until your lips were amost at his base. All the heavy meat of his cock down your throat.

Your teary eyes tried to look up at him, the hand on your neck closed around it, Sukuna could feel his own shape there. You eyes widened realizing you could barely breath.

“Because good girls don’t take dick like this” he trusted a few more times until you felt it twitch, your hair was aggressively being pulled but the hand around your neck kept you in place while he shot hot loads down your mouth.

“Eat it” he commanded and you obeyed, shutting your eyes and swallowing it, although it was a lot.

Sukuna pulled you away, mesmerized by the string of cum and saliva connecting your mouth to his cock.

You inhaled for the first time since this started but soon began to cough, your jaw ached and your legs were numb beneath you.

“Monster” you managed to murmur in a extremely husky voice.

“Please” he was catching up his own breath, through blurry eyes you could see his abdomen was sweaty, his thigh was trembling. Sukuna bent, supporting his elbows on his knees to get really close to your messed face, his huge hand approached your face and out of reflex you fliched, but with a delicacy you would never expect he removed the strands of your hair that got caugh in your wet face. The sudden act made your face soften, he ran a thumb over your swallowed lips, rubbing the saliva off, he looked at you with a proud smirk. You felt vulnerable at that moment, his eyes didn't seem dangerous, and he was so close you couldn’t help but close your eyes and reach for a kiss.

You found nothing.

Opening your eyes again you saw the tiles of your bathroom, finding yourself naked on the floor. Droplets of your wet hair ran down your back, you took your towel off the floor and wrap it around your shoulders and attempted to get up, groaning from the pain on your knees. The groan scratched your sore throat and you started to cough again, moving to the sink you lowered your head trying to get some water but the image in the mirror scared you. There was a clear imprint of a hand around your neck, you traced it in shock. You thought about what to say tomorrow at work, should you wear a scarf?

But the most important question was: how deeply involved were you with Sukuna now that he had literally marked you?

[starskq]

THERE FOR YOU / K.M

Pairing ◊ idol!reader x idol!minjae

Genre ◊ established relationship, fluff, slight angst

Warnings ◊ talk about a form of anorexia and burning out 

Word count ◊ 2,7k 

Summary ◊ Your group was having a comeback in a few weeks, and you were beyond stressed. Adding to your stress, your boyfriend Minjae was in the middle of the promotions for Xikers’ new album. You always made your relationship work, but not this time. You were under so much pressure that you passed out during practice. 

a/n ◊ Just something that was in the back of my head. Hope you enjoy!

You sat on your bed, your laptop propped open, and your face illuminated by the soft glow of he screen. Your group’s comeback was just a few weeks away, and the pressure was mounting. You glanced at the clock: 11:47 pm. You were waiting for Minjae to call. He had promised to video call you after finishing his practice. You had been crazy busy lately, juggling your schedules and trying to maintain your relationship in secret. 

The screen lit up with an incoming call. You quickly accepted, and Minjae’s tired but smiley face appeared. He looked exhausted, his hair damp with water, and you felt a pang of guilt for adding to his stress, a feeling that was becoming all too familiar. 

‘’Hey,’’ he said, managing a small smile. 

‘’Hey,’’ you replied, trying to sound cheerful despite being tired. ‘’How was rehearsal?’’ 

‘’Exhausting,’’ he sighed, running a hand through his hair. ‘’We keep going over the same parts over and over again. I think we’re all at our breaking point.’’ 

You nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. ‘’I get it. We had to redo our entire choreography three times today; I feel like my brain’s gonna explode. Nothing’s ever perfect enough.’’ 

Minjae leaned back, his frustration evident. ‘’I don’t know why they keep pushing us so hard. It’s not like we’re machines.’’ 

You bit your lip, hesitating before speaking. ‘’Well, maybe if you weren’t always so hard on yourself, it maybe wouldn’t feel that way.’’ 

His eyes narrowed slightly, his eyebrow rising. ‘’What’s that supposed to mean?’’ 

‘’Just that you push yourself too hard sometimes,’’ you explained, your voice softening. ‘’You don’t have to be perfect all the time.’’ 

‘’And you’re the one talking,’’ he scoffed coldly. ‘’You know I have to be though. You don’t understand half of the pressure I’m under.’’ 

You felt your frustration rising. ‘’Don’t act like you’re the only one under pressure. I’m dealing with my own stress too, Minjae.’’ 

He scoffed again, his voice filled with frustration. ‘’Yeah, but at least your group already made their marks. You’re not getting compared to every other rookie group out there.’’ 

His words hurt you a little. Yes, your group debuted three years ago, but that did not mean you were not compared to every other group out there. Your eyes flashed with anger. ‘’And you think it's easy for me? We're constantly being criticized for our looks, our voices, everything. Don't belittle my struggles.’’

He sighed and rubbed his temples, closing his eyes. ‘’I'm not belittling you. I just...I don't know, y/n. Everything's piling up, and I don't know how to deal with it.’’

You felt a lump in your throat. ‘’It kinda feels like we're just taking our frustrations out on each other right now.’’ 

"Maybe we are,’’ Minjae admitted, his voice low.’’Maybe it's too much to handle right now.’’ 

You felt tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. You looked away quickly, trying to regain your composure. ‘’Look, it’s late. I should probably sleep. Long day tomorrow.’’ 

He nodded slowly, his face tense. ‘’That’s probably a good idea. Goodnight, y/n’’ 

‘’Goodnight.’’ 

The screen went dark as the call ended. You stared at your reflection on the black screen, feeling sadness and relief. You looked at the time; it was already late, and you knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. You sighed heavily, rubbing your face with your hands. Your eyes were filled with tears, and you shook your head, hoping it would make them go away. 

Morning came fast, and you only slept an hour. It’s you who seem to be aligning at the moment. Your days had become a blur of rehearsals, no sleep, and barely any food. The pressure to look and perform perfectly weighed heavily on you. You skipped meals, surviving on water, an occasional piece of fruit, and vitamins, convinced you needed to stay as thin as possible. Today was no exception. The dance studio was filled with your comeback track blaring through the speakers. 

You glanced at your phone for the hundredth time today, but still no message from Minjae. You knew he was busy, but it still made you sad. You felt alone. You threw your phone across the room, and it landed on the little couch in the corner of the studio. The choreography started again, and you were at the center; your movements were shared, but your face showed exhaustion. Your group members, Hana, Jiwoo, and Mina, exchanged worried glances as they watched you push through the choreography. 

‘’Y/n, you need to take a break,’’ Hana called out during a brief pause in the music. ‘’You’ve been going nonstop.’’ 

‘’I’m fine,’’ you insisted, your voice strained. ‘’Let’s just do it one more time.’’ 

Jiwoo, the leader of your group, stepped forward, concern etched on her face. ‘’You don’t look fine. You’re pale, and you look like you’re about to pass out.’’ 

‘’I’m just a bit tired,’’ you said, brushing off their worries. ‘’We need to be perfect.’’ 

Mina, the eldest, put a hand on your shoulder. ‘’You know, pushing yourself this hard isn’t gonna help. When was the last time you’ve had a proper meal or a proper night’s sleep.’’

You shook your head, your vision blurring slightly as you did. ‘’I can’t afford to gain weight before the comeback.’’

You stepped back into position, determined to get through the routine again. The music started again, and you threw yourself into the dance, your movement increasingly unsteady. As you reached the final chorus, you felt a wave of dizziness wash over you, but you pushed through. The world around began to spin, the studio lights blurring into one another. Your breath came in short, labored gasps, and your limbs felt heavy. As you hit the final pose, your vision went black, and you fell onto the floor. 

‘’Y/n!’’ Hana screamed as she saw you collapsed to the floor. 

The music was cut off abruptly, and the member rushed to your side. You lay on the ground, unconscious and very pale. Mina frantically checked your pulse while Jiwoo classed for an ambulance. 

‘’She’s not waking up,’’ Mina said, her voice shaking. 

Jiwoo spoke urgently into her phone, explaining the situation to the emergency operator. Minutes felt like hours as they waited for the paramedics to arrive. Hana held your hand, tears streaming down her face. ‘’Please wake up. Please be okay.’’ 

When the paramedics arrived, they quickly assessed your condition. You were severely dehydrated and exhausted. They placed an oxygen mat over your face and prepared to lift you onto a stretcher. 

The members watched in helpless fear as you were carried away. They followed the ambulance in a different car, their hearts heavy with worry and guilt. They had seen the signs but couldn’t convince you to take better care of yourself. 

The girls were pacing back and forth in the waiting room as the doctors took you to run some tests. Hana was sitting in one of the metal chairs, her head in her hands, and Mina and JIwoo were walking back and forth. Each passing minute felt like an eternity as they anxiously waited for updates. 

‘’We should call Minjae,’’ Hana said, her voice trembling. ‘’He deserves to know what’s happening.’’ 

Mina shook her head, her eyes red from crying. ‘’He’s in the middle of a recording for a music show. We can’t disrupt him. ‘’

Jiwoo stopped and turned to face them. ‘’She’s his girlfriend. He needs to know. I don’t care if he’s recording.’’ 

‘’But what if it affects his performance?’’ Mina argued. ‘’He’s already under so much pressure.’’ 

Hana sighed, her frustration evident. ‘’This isn’t about his performance; this is about y/n. He should at least know what’s going on. Wouldn’t you like to know if something similar happened to Sunwoo?’’ 

Mina’s lips parted as she was going to answer, but the mention of her boyfriend made her stop. The argument continued, their voices rising in the silent room. Finally, Jiwoo raised her hands in surrender. ‘’Enough. I’m going to call him.’’ 

She retreated to a quiet corner of the waiting area, shaking her hands as she dialed Mine’s number. She took a deep breath as she heard the ringtone, praying he would pick up quickly. 

‘’Hello?’’ Minjae’s voice came through the phone, tired but surprised. Y/n’s member never called him unless it was something important. 

‘’Minjae, it’s Jiwoo,’’ she said, her voice breaking. ‘’It’s y/n, she’s… we’re in the hospital right now.’’ 

There was a brief pause before Mine’s tone changed to one of worry. ‘’What happened? Is she okay? Is she hurt?’’ 

‘’She… she collapsed during practice,’’ Jiwoo explained, her voice strained as the tears threatened to come out. ‘’She’s been pushing herself way too hard. Not eating, not sleeping… We’re waiting for updates, but apparently, she is extremely dehydrated and exhausted.’’ 

His heart sank as tears welled up in his eyes. ‘’Oh my god…’’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘’I’m leaving right now.’’ 

‘’Minjae, you’re in the middle of recording,’’ Jiwoo said, her voice gentle but firm. ‘’Finish your performance first, please. We can’t have you run away like that.’’ 

He shook his head as if she could see him, his voice filled with frustration. ‘’I can’t just stay here while she’s in the hospital.’’ 

Jiwoo tried to reassure him. ‘’We’ll be here with her, and I’ll text you if we have any updates. Just come as soon as you can, okay?’’ 

He sighed heavily. ‘’Okay. If she wakes up, tell her I love her. I’ll be there as soon as I’m done. We only have two cuts left to shoot.’’ 

As soon as the call ended, his focus was shattered. His group members noticed his distress immediately. Sumin, one of his closest friends and fellow members, approached him. 

‘’Hyung, everything okay? What’s wrong?’’ He asked, concern evident in his voice. 

‘’It’s y/n,’’ he replied, his voice strained. ‘’She collapsed during practice today. She’s in the hospital.’’ 

Sumin’s lips parted in shock. ‘’Oh my god, is she okay?’’ 

He bit his lips, trying to prevent a tear from slipping away from his eyes. ‘’The girls are waiting for an update. I don’t know.’’ 

He gently patted Minjae’s shoulder as support. The recording session dragged on painfully, each second feeling like an hour to Minjae. He pushed through the performance, his mind elsewhere, and his movements mechanical. Xikers’ member did their best to support him, but the worry was also evident on their faces. 

As soon as the final cut was called, Minjae didn’t bother to change out of his stage outfit or anything. He exited the studio and hopped in a taxi, giving the hospital’s address. He did not even take his bag or phone; he was too worried to think about anything other than coming to the hospital to be there for you. 

He busted into the hospital, still in his stage outfit, makeup smudged from sweat and worry. He found your members in the waiting room, their faces lighting up with relief as they saw him. 

‘’Minjae!’’ Hana exclaimed, rushing to him. 

‘’How is she?’’ He said, panting. 

‘’They’re still running some tests. We don’t have any information.’’ Jiwoo said, trying to keep her calm, but her eyes were puffy and red. 

Minjae nodded. ‘’What happened?’’ 

Jiwoo sighed, guilt evident in her voice. ‘’She’s been pushing herself too hard, practicing too hard. We tried to get her to slow down, but she wouldn’t listen.’’ 

He clenched his fists, anger mixing with his worry. ‘’You should’ve told me. I should’ve been there for her.’’ 

Hana placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘’We all missed the signs. We didn’t realize how bad it was until now.’’

‘’And we had that stupid fight yesterday,’’ he said, more to himself, his voice a mere whisper. He ran his hand on his face. ‘’I should’ve been more understanding.’’ The guilt gnawed at him.

A tall man walked towards them, his expression serious. ‘’Hello, I’m Dr. Yoon,’’ he said, his voice serious. ‘’You’re y/n’s relatives, correct?’’ They all nodded. They all felt their heart race as they prepared themselves for the news. ‘’She is suffering from severe exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition.’’ He explained. ‘’Her body has been pushed beyond its limits, but she is stable now and responding to treatment, so that’s good news. She’ll need a lot of rest, paper nutrition, and time to recover fully.’’ 

‘’Can we see her?’’ Minjae asked, his voice barely above a whisper. 

‘’You, you can go in,’’ the doctor replied. ‘’She’s still sleeping, and letting her rest is important. You can one by one.’’ 

Minjae looked at your members, who nodded at him, saying he should go first. He nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and worry. He followed the doctors into your room, his heart racing as he saw you lying there, pale and fragile. He gently took your hand, feeling the warmth of your skin against his. 

He sat down beside her bed, his fingers slightly brushing your hair. Tears moistened his eyes, and he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. He had been so caught up in his stress that he hadn’t seen the signs. He hadn’t been there for you when you needed him the most. 

‘’I’m so sorry, my love.’’ He whispered, his voice choked with emotion. ‘’I should have been there for you.’’ 

Ten minutes passed, and he watched you breathe, waiting for any sign that you were waking up. Finally, your eyes fluttered open, and you looked around, disoriented. He quickly regained his composure. 

‘’Y/n.’’ He said softly, trying to form a smile somehow. ‘’Hey there, sleepyhead.’’ 

You blinked, your eyes focusing on him. ‘’Minjae? What happened?’’ 

‘’You collapsed during practice,’’ he explained gently, trying to keep his voice steady. ‘’You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. The doctors said you to rest.’’ 

‘’Oh my god,’’ you said, tears welling up in your eyes. ‘’Fuck, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.’’ 

He smiled, though his eyes glistened with tears, and shook his head. ‘’You sure scared me. But what’s important now is that you’re okay. And you better believe I’m going to make sure you take care of yourself from now on,’’ he leaned closer, kissing your forehead softly. ‘’You know, you don’t always have to be perfect. You’re already perfect to me, love.’’ 

You managed a small smile, your hand squeezing his. ‘’Thank you for being here.’’

‘’Where else would I be ?’’ He replied, his tone playful. You’re stuck with me now, whether you like it or not.’’ 

You glanced at him, eyes widening slightly. ‘’Why are you in your stage outfit?’’ 

He chuckled, brushing off her concern. ‘’Don’t worry about that right now. Just focus on getting better.’’ 

‘'No, really,’’ you insisted. ‘’Tell me why.’’

He sighed, relenting. ‘’ I rushed here right after my recording. I didn't even change. I just had to make sure you were okay.’’

Your eyes softened, tears welling up again. ‘’I'm so sorry for making you worry. And we had that stupid fight yesterday…’’

Minjae shook his head, gently placing a hand on your head. "Shh, let's not think about that. What's important is that you're going to be okay. We'll talk about everything else later.’’ He smiled, looking at you. He gently scolded you, trying to keep the mood light. ‘’And no more skipping meals or staying up all night, okay? I want you to be healthy and happy. Understood?’’ 

‘’Yes, sir,’’ you slightly chuckled, your voice weak. ‘’I promise.’’ 

Minjae chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. ‘’Good. Because if you don't, I'll have to call you by all those embarrassing pet names you hate in front of everyone.’’

You laughed softly, the sound like music to his ears. ‘’Alright, alright. No more pushing myself too hard.’’

"That's my girl," Minjae said, his heart swelling with love. He stayed by her side, holding your hand. For the rest of the day, he never left your side? He watched you as you slept, making sure you were comfortable and did not need anything, and when you woke up, he was there, ready with a smile and gentle words. He promised himself he would never leave your side and always be there for you from now on. 

[mrdixongf]

~ supply run with daryl dixon ~

daryl dixon imagine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𓆩♡𓆪

you and daryl had ended up having to go on a supply run since olivia had came to rick panicking saying that we didn’t have any food to last alexandria til next week, so, rick sent us out.

the engine of daryl motorcycle roared through your ears which is something you found so much pleasure in. you felt a hand tap your thigh causing you to look up and notice a small grocery store, it looked untouched. how lucky.

“should we check this place out?” daryl yelled over his loud bike.

“yeah, it doesn’t look like anyone as touched this place. we might get lucky.” you slowly climbed off the back of his bike as grabbed your glock and slowly began to make your way over to the entrance of the small shop.

you began to bang on the door frame. you and daryl waited for a little bit but there no commotion inside so you both opened the door and looked around just to be sure.

“how ‘bout we split n’ try to find as much stuff as possible?” daryl looked at you in the eyes causing him to earn a nod from you. you gripped onto your gun tightly as you walked through the isles. you grabbed some cans of food and even a jar of pickles, which were your favorite.

“guess what i found!” you yelled over the shelves but you only heard a simple shuffle behind you. you began to smirk as you slowly stuffed the jar into your bag before turning around.

“daryl, quit trying to scare me, you’ll never wi—“ as you turned you saw a rotten body lunged towards you.

“shit!” you screamed as you tried to lift your glock but you were too late. the metal weapon fell right out of your hand, sending it flying under one of the shelves. you watched in horror as you tried to reach for one of your knives but it was useless since you had jaws snapping in your direction.

“daryl!” you screamed as you tried to fight back with as much strength as you had while the monster was on top of you.

finally, you watched as the walker fell to your side with a single bolt to the head. you sighed before sitting up.

“were ya bit?” daryl rushed over, kneeling to your side.

“no, i don’t think so.” you grinned as you stood up.

“what took you so long?” you walked into the next isle over, grabbing your gun off the floor in a swift motion. daryl looked down with a guilty look on his face causing you too raise your eyebrow at him.

“i was eatin’ pretzels…” he paused before you threw your fist into his shoulder as a laugh escaped your lips.

“pretzels over me, wow.” you grinned as you guys grabbed the rest of the supplies and headed back to alexandria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i’m so sorry this is so bad, i haven’t wrote something in so long, probably almost 2 years so bare with me😭 i will work on my writing i promise:))

[television-overload]

of our own making

(an X-Files fanfic)

Chapter 9/34 - bedhead

[Read on AO3]

She wakes to something poking her in the face, and blinks blearily in confusion. With furrowed brows, she forces her eyes to focus on whatever is in front of her, and comes face to face with Mulder and his index finger, which gives her one final poke in the cheek.

“You that desperate to be the first one downstairs for present time, Scully?” he asks with an amused smile, leaning over her in the La-Z-Boy, which she somehow managed to stay asleep in all night long. He’s far too cheerful for whatever time it must be in the morning, but one whiff of the air tells her why. Coffee.

He waves a cup of the steaming liquid right below her nose, and it snaps her to attention within seconds, which draws a chuckle out of him. He gives her space to sit up and stretch her aching back before pressing the mug into her hands, ensuring that she has a handle on it before letting go.

“Does it count as being first if you’re asleep?” he asks. “Because if not, me and your nephew have you beat for first and second place. Bill’s been down, too.”

She’s too tired to worry about that. Instead she takes a long draw from her coffee cup and scans over to the tree, where countless beautifully wrapped gifts lay in wait for one terror of a two-year-old and the rest of the family to open them.

“You made coffee?” she asks, her voice raspy from disuse. She wonders what a sight she must be, with mussed bedhead and hair that had been allowed to air-dry after her shower the night before.

“Hope your mom doesn’t mind,” he answers. “Figured I’d try to have a peace offering ready in case Bill came down. I think it paid off.”

Just then, her brother enters the room, glancing over at her disapprovingly but saying nothing. Matthew trails after him with enough energy that Scully half wonders if he’d had a taste of the coffee too, and he plops himself in front of the tree, excitedly asking when he can start opening the presents.

Mulder stands and heads back to the couch, sitting on it casually and taking a sip of his own coffee. The quilt and pillow are nowhere to be seen, so he must have been up for a while. His sleep patterns will never make sense to her.

“Something wrong with your room, Dana?” Bill asks, standing up against the wall despite the open space on the couch next to Mulder.

“Couldn't sleep,” she answers, her tone one of warning should he continue this line of questioning. Thankfully, he gets the hint and shuts his mouth.

Once the caffeine starts to kick in, she excuses herself to go freshen up. When she returns, she casts a glance at the recliner that had served as her bed, and instead opts to sit by her partner. She sips from her refilled coffee mug, basking in the comfortable feeling of an early morning with the people she cares about most in the world all under one roof. Mulder is all soft edges this morning, still clad in flannel pajamas with bedhead that he'd done a poor job of straightening out. There seems to be a permanent contented smile on his face, though, as he watches her nephew agonize over not being able to open a present yet. Maybe he’s remembering a time when he had such zeal for the holiday.

Eventually the remaining Scully family makes their appearance, Tara and Maggie making a quick detour to the kitchen for their own daily dose of caffeine with Charlie right behind them.

“Morning, Fox,” Maggie says cheerfully before stooping to press a kiss to Dana’s cheek. “Sleep well?”

“Fine,” he answers truthfully.

If Bill seethes, Mulder takes no notice of it.

“There's the big bad feds,” Charlie teases, coming up behind them and messing their hair with each of his hands. “How was 'work'?”

Scully shoots him a look, effectively silencing him with her big sister sense of authority. He chuckles and takes a seat on the ground by the fireplace. 

With the entire family present and accounted for, Matthew is finally given the go-ahead for tearing into the gift wrapping, exclaiming excitedly with each toy he unwraps from Santa Claus.

“Pass me that green and white one, Matty,” Tara says, pointing to a small box under the tree and relaying it to her mother-in-law. Soon enough, there's a present in every person's hand, Mulder included. He gets some nice tie clips from Maggie and a box of dried meats from Bill and Tara (mostly just Tara, if Scully had to guess). Even Charlie had a package of nice socks to give him, probably a last-minute purchase, but appreciated nonetheless.

Mulder's beaming smile tears at her heart, and she wonders how long it has been since he's had a proper Christmas like this. Surrounded by family, excitement and cheer filling the air. She thinks she knows the answer, and it fills her with sadness. 

“Is there a present for Fox from you under here, Dana?” Maggie asks, now kneeling beside her grandson at the foot of the tree.

“Mulder and I already exchanged gifts, Mom,” she answers.

Exchanged a few other things too, she thinks. Most notably: vows.

Her mother looks up with interest. “Oh? What did he get you?”

Scully blushes. She hadn't been prepared to actually answer this question, though she probably should have been. “Oh, um… Jewelry,” she says, resisting the urge to touch the item in question under her shirt.

“Classic,” Charlie says, reaching out to fist bump Mulder.

“Actually, Scully, there is a little something else under that tree for you,” Mulder cuts in.

After last year's ‘we're not exchanging gifts’ gift exchange, she's not surprised, but she gives him an exasperated look anyway. “I thought you might say that,” she says, standing and grabbing a nicely wrapped package from behind the tree and handing it to him. Maggie finds the one Mulder snuck under there and hands it to her daughter, smiling at the two of them as they begin to tear open the paper.

For Mulder, there's a stack of crossword puzzle booklets and other travel sized games—sudoku, mad libs, a deck of cards, even a magnetic pocket-sized chess and checkerboard set that they can take on trips.

“Hey, no more I Spy and tic tac toe!” he says excitedly, flipping through one of the booklets. 

With as much as they travel—long hours in cars and planes and airports and motels with spotty satellite TV—they've pretty much used up all their options for passing the time. Their only deck of cards is somehow missing eight cards and has an extra two of hearts that they're not sure where it came from. A replacement pack is long overdue.

“I can't wait to wipe the floor with you at chess,” he says. “Thanks, Scully.”

She returns her attention to the box in her lap, free of paper but otherwise still unopened. 

“Go on, open it!” Tara says impatiently, craning her neck to watch as Dana lifts the lid off and peels back the tissue paper inside.

“Oh, Mulder,” she breathes, lifting a heavy book from the box. The front cover is plain, no lettering or images on it, but she can tell what it is in an instant.

A scrapbook.

She opens it to the first page, wondering what he could have possibly put inside. It's sparse—there aren't that many pictures of them together, after all—but he's scrounged up some that must have been taken at crime scenes, and one she vaguely remembers Frohike taking the first day she met the Gunmen. 

But perhaps more telling than the few pages that are filled in are the empty pages at the back, just waiting to be added to. She knows what he means by giving her this, and it causes a lump to form in her throat. 

“You look so serious, Dana,” her mother says, glancing over her shoulder at a photo of her and Mulder in their FBI jackets looking over some evidence. 

“Well, yeah, I'm at work, Mom,” she laughs, thankful for the distraction to keep her from crying in front of everyone.

“That's just the face she makes when she's about to refute my theory with cold hard science,” Mulder jokes, leaning back proudly on the couch. 

She looks at him, blinking away the tears threatening to fall.

“Mulder, this is… I didn't get you enough, your gift is so thoughtful…”

He shakes his head. “Scully, the fact that you even want to spend time with me long enough to play any of the games you got me is enough of a gift,” he says. “Seriously. You've given me a lot more than you think you have, I'm just trying to catch up.”

Charlie makes an exaggerated pouty face at her, which she catches out of the corner of her eye. He's lucky she's being watched by everyone else, otherwise she'd throw a pillow at him.

“Well, thank you,” she says. If they were alone, she'd hug him, but… Well, she's already uncomfortable with the amount of attention she's getting. She doesn't need to make it worse. She hopes he can see how grateful she is in her eyes. For now, she closes the book and sets it aside.

She scoots just that little bit closer to him on the couch while the others continue opening the last few presents, his leg brushing against hers ever so slightly. Thank you, she’s saying. This means the world to me.

-.-.-

“Hey,” Charlie says from behind him, startling Mulder out of a kind of daze.

He tears his eyes away from where Scully is standing on the other side of the room, making polite conversation with some of her mother’s friends after dinner. Charlie is a fair bit shorter than he is, but still taller than his sister, if not by much. 

“I took a look through that scrapbook you got Dana,” he continues. “I hope you don’t mind.”

He kind of does, actually, but he supposes he never made it clear one way or another, so he can’t really blame her family for being curious. It’s just… well, personal. He’s not used to sharing her with others, much less letting others see into the hard-to-understand relationship they have. It makes him feel oddly exposed.

He shrugs in response, not exactly sure what else to say.

Charlie doesn’t seem to notice his discomfort. “Living so far away, I just feel like I miss out on the finer details of her life, you know?” he says. “Sometimes I forget she’s really an FBI agent out there waving a gun around and solving crimes.”

“You disapprove?” Mulder asks, ready to defend her.

“Not at all,” Charlie is quick to assure. “I’m glad she has a partner to look out for her, though.”

For all the good that has done, Mulder thinks. Still, it’s nice to hear he’s got one Scully brother on his side, even if it is the one his partner doesn’t get to see that often.

“I saw the picture of that little girl you put in,” the younger man adds, dropping the volume of his voice a few decibels. “Bill tried to explain it to me, once. I don’t think I ever really grasped how much she would look like family.”

Mulder fidgets at the uncomfortable turn in the conversation. It really isn’t his place to talk about it. It’s his sister Charlie should be speaking to. But then, if this prevents Scully from having to face such unpleasant memories during her nice family Christmas, then he’d gladly endure whatever questions her brother might have.

“I don’t think your mother or brother really understood it either,” he says, trying his hardest not to sound accusing. “But in their defense, it really was an unusual situation.”

“Let me guess, Bill completely pretended it wasn’t happening,” Charlie says, casting a glance in his brother’s direction. “Figures. I’m sure he didn’t make it easy on Dana.”

Charlie must have hoarded the entire Scully family’s stockpile of emotional intelligence, that’s the conclusion Mulder is coming to. Finally someone besides him thinks to ask how Scully handled everything.

“What has Scu– What has Dana told you?” he asks, quickly correcting himself. He doesn’t want to be the one to reveal information Scully would rather keep private, so he thinks he ought to check.

“I know she can’t have children, if that’s what you’re getting at,” Charlie says, taking a swig from his bottle of beer. “She never did explain why, but that’s not really what matters, is it?”

“You’re a good brother,” Mulder states. 

No, it shouldn’t matter. And that’s exactly what had bothered him about Bill’s reaction so much. Who cares if you understand why or how things are happening? The important detail is that your loved one is suffering and you need to be there for them. It’s a relief to hear that Charlie seems to understand this, even if his brother doesn’t.

“It’s a long story,” he answers with a sigh, “but she loved Emily. Would have raised her if the courts had let her, and if—” He trails off, letting the words hang in the air.

“You were there, weren’t you?”

Mulder nods. “Flew out and crashed your family’s Christmas as soon as I knew what was going on.”

“What was she like?” he asks next.

“Dana?” Mulder asks, brows furrowed.

“No, Emily.”

Oh.

Mulder bites down on his lip, thinking back two years to the few days he spent with Scully and her mini-me.

“She was quiet,” he answers. Honestly, he barely heard her say a word. But her genetics were unmistakable, and not just in her appearance. “She was a lot like Dana.”

Charlie is silent for a moment, probably digesting all that he had learned in the last few minutes. It’s a heavy topic, and one Mulder himself doesn’t really like thinking about, if he can help it. This Christmas has already been leaps and bounds better in every way possible, and he wants to keep it that way.

“Thanks for being there for her,” Charlie says finally. “Thanks for taking care of her. She needs someone like you around.”

Mulder inexplicably feels himself tearing up at his words, and forces the emotion back down before he can give himself away. 

“We take care of each other,” he corrects, glancing again to his partner across the room. 

His vows from yesterday echo in his ears, and for the first time, he wishes her family had been there to hear them. The marriage may be a legal ploy for practical reasons, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t intend to keep his promises. He meant every word he had spoken, and now part of him wishes her family knew just how much.

-.-.-

Dana had forgotten how draining it could be to be surrounded by friends and family for hours on end. It's hard to believe there was a time when social situations like this invigorated her rather than drained her, but she remembers her university days well. 

Still, the company is pleasant, and it affords her the unique opportunity to see Mulder in a different, more relaxed setting, something she'd scarcely known she was missing all these years.

At the moment, he is crouched down in the hallway beside Matthew, each with a wind up toy car in hand that they've been racing back and forth for the last fifteen minutes or so.

For as much as she believed him when he told her he wanted to be a father, it never really felt real until this very moment.

The way he interacts with Matthew is so natural, despite the fact that the boy is the spawn of one Bill Scully, Jr. He talks to him in hushed, conspiratorial tones, grinning when the two-year-old's car reaches the self-proclaimed finish line before his does. It brings to mind Emily, and the way he had tried to make her laugh when he met her. The way he cradled her in his arms when they had to take her to the hospital, burning up with fever.

Her partner, who chases aliens for a living and has been held hostage in Siberia, gently holding a tiny, sick girl in a patterned nightgown… It sometimes still feels like a dream that it had happened at all, though that dream had quickly turned into a nightmare.

Mulder's eyes shine playfully now and she can see his mouth moving animatedly. He points to the other side of the wood-floored hallway and Matthew quickly crawls over there with his toy car, evidently changing up the parameters of the game they're playing.

“One, two, THREE!” Mulder counts aloud, and he and Matthew both wind up and release their cars at the same time, watching with delight as they crash together in the middle.

He will be a good father. A great one, even. She'd known it when she asked him for help with IVF, and she knows it even more now. Not once has she wondered if his difficult childhood would stand in the way of him and parenthood. If anything, it would make him better. She knows he'll do everything he possibly can to be the father he never had.

She only hopes she can provide him that opportunity, one way or another.

“So, Dana,” her mother’s friend Gloria speaks, coming up beside her to watch. “Any plans to settle down? I know your work keeps you busy these days, but you're not getting any younger, dear.” She finishes with a chuckle, taking a sip from her glass of eggnog, oblivious to how out of touch her question had been.

The words aren't meant with any malice, Dana knows, but still she wonders how these older women come to the conclusion that that's an acceptable question to ask. Even if she wasn't struggling with infertility and extraordinary life circumstances, that kind of inquiry always rubbed her the wrong way.

She forces her eyes away from Mulder and her nephew, focusing instead on Gloria.

“Oh, um,” she starts awkwardly, not exactly sure how to answer. “Not right now,” she says, even though it's becoming more of a lie with each passing day. Uncertain plans are just as good as no plans at all, she thinks in order to justify her omission. After all, if things don't pan out, she'll be back to square one.

Or almost square one, she mentally corrects herself. There's still the matter of being secretly married to her FBI partner.

Besides, they're keeping everything under wraps for now. If she's not telling her own mother, she's certainly not about to tell a woman she's only met a handful of times.

“Well, I know this young man at the YMCA– Brendan,” Gloria continues, heedless of Dana's discomfort. “He's a swim instructor. Veeeery handsome.”

Dana smiles politely, but otherwise is careful not to give any indication that she might be interested. An accidental blind date setup due to miscommunication is the last thing she needs right now, and honestly, the last thing she wants. She's happy with how things are with Mulder, even if they're not actually a couple. They're making plans for a future together, that's all that matters. Though the exact specifics of that future are hazy, one thing is certain: She won't be alone. Not anymore. 

And neither will he.

Looking around at the house full of people, love a palpable force flowing around them, she wonders again why they didn't do this sooner.

-.-.-

“Thanks, Mrs. Scully. This was really great,” Mulder says, carrying a bag loaded with containers of leftover food and desserts. He waves at the little boy behind Maggie, held up in the arms of his father at the door. “Bye Matt, thanks for hanging out with me.” Matthew is suitably worn out from all the excitement and playtime, which Dana is sure her brother can't begrudge Mulder for, but he still waves a tired goodbye. If anything, Bill should be thanking Mulder. The youngest Scully will be out like a light probably before they even leave the neighborhood.

“Bye, Mom,” Dana says, pressing a kiss to her mother's cheek and giving her one last hug goodbye. 

“Bye, sweetheart. I'll talk to you soon.”

“Okay. Merry Christmas!”

With a final glance over her shoulder, she and Mulder walk down the driveway to their car, alone for the first time in almost 24 hours.

“Your nephew is pretty cool, Scully. Did you know he thinks aliens have pet dinosaurs?” he says as they reach the vehicle, simultaneously opening the doors and sliding into their respective seats.

“How on earth did that come up, Mulder?” she asks, casting a doubtful glance to her left as she buckles.

“I didn't bring it up, he did!” he replies defensively, his smile only serving to make him seem less credible. “No, seriously!”

“I'd better not get a call from Bill asking what kind of stories you've been filling his son's head with.”

“Every little boy thinks about aliens and dinosaurs, Scully,” he says, laughing. “He offered up that piece of information unprompted, I swear!”

Scully chuckles, his earnest expression combined with his raised right hand somehow striking her as utterly ridiculous.

Our child will have no shortage of imagination with Mulder for a father, she thinks, and the thought causes her heart to clench in her chest.

“Just drive, Mulder,” she says, facing forward to conceal her smile.

He drives.

~~~

Lovely tag list ♡: [if you would like to be added or removed, let me know!]

@today-in-fic @ao3feed-msr @agent-troi @angegova @baronessblixen @calimanc @captainsolocide @clo-thespin @cutemothman @danasculls @deathsbestgirl @edierone @enigmaticxbee @figureofdismay @frogsmulder @gillian-anderson-in-the-tardis @hippocampouts @invidiosa @monaiargancoconutsoy @numinousmysteries @primrose19 @randomfoggytiger @skelavender @skylarksong @stephy-gold @teenie-xf @the-redhead-in-a-dress @vincentsleftear

[rokishimizu4]

A big brother’s sick day

Sorry everyone for such a long wait, from family drama to being sick, it has been a month and I want it to be done.

For @gaytransratboy, thanks for the request.

Enjoy this little snippet of my BatFam story

TW: Reader being sick and mentions of Joker venom

The frantic pounding of heavy combat boots against the carpeted hallway as Alfred struggles to get his suit jacket over his pajamas, but a swift kick against Alfred’s bedroom door made him give up on that idea entirely.

“Master Jason! What on?” He was quickly silenced as the bedroom door was kicked open and Jason rushed in with a squirming bundle of black and purple goo in his arms, his eyes wide and face paler than the moon outside.

“Grandpa!!” Jason yells in pure panic as he rushes into Alfred, almost knocking them both over if Alfred didn’t right himself up with the help of the struggling child, or Sleeper as they like to be called.

It has been quite some time since Alfred has taken care of a sick child, since Damian rarely gets sick and Tim is too stubborn to be taken care of for more than an hour or so, and it does not fill his heart seeing the agony on his youngest grandchild’s face.

“I don’t know what happened! Sleeps just literally dropped in on me as I was patrolling and Mare (Symbiot’s name for now) was screaming about the cold and how it burns!” Jason tries to explain as Alfred carefully takes Sleeper away from Jason and carefully sets them down on his bed.

A short, but quick, examination allows Alfred to see that somehow Sleeper breathed in some Joker venom, which made them have something similar to the flu.

“Master Jason, I need you to go start the bath. Set it to warm, not hot like you and your brothers like and not cold. I will also need our best towels, the softer the better, and a clean pair of pajamas.” Alfred turns away from Jason to allow him to carry on his new tasks, and to deal with the most difficult task.

“Master Bruce, Master Dick, I have been a butler for the Wayne family since Master Bruce was a baby. I have already gave Master Damian a list of what I will need for the human half of Sleeper. I will be damned with I cannot take care of another child in my care!”

Alfred turns to the whimpering mass of alien and child, withering in pain as he carefully wraps them into his soaked blankets and carry them into the connecting bathroom, where Jason sits testing the water with his hands and adjusting little by little.

“Should be warm enough, don’t know how our little sleep demon can get sick, but I just..” Alfred cuddles Sleeper in his other arm as he places a hand on Jason’s shoulder.

“Her and Mare will need all the rest that they can get. You are doing your job as their big brother by helping me get them cleaned and warmed back up. Have faith in yourself young man.”

“Heh, alright Bruce two.” Jason jokes as he helps Alfred unwrap Sleeper from the massive burrito blanket roll and watches as Mare slowly pulls away from their human half, only to start throwing up in the toilet.

“There there, let it out. It will do the body much better to get that bloody gunk out of your system.” Alfred takes a cold rag from Jason and holds it against Mare’s thick leather-like skin, only to take it away when it hissed at him.

“So cold equals bad, thanks for telling us.” Jason grumbles as Mare pulls far enough away, or sinks in Jason couldn’t be bothered to ask, for him to see Sleeps sickly pale skin, thankfully not a hint of green in sight.

However, both him and Alfred stops when they see the ace bandages wrapped tightly around Sleep’s chest. They both turn to look at Mare, who was trying to get rid of the taste of bile.

“Sleeper is us, We are Sleeper.” Was his only response as he spits some more bile down into the toilet bowl, before returning to their body, to deal with the rest of this so-called ‘Joker Venom’.

“So a they, yeah lets just go with that.” Jason grumbles as he unwraps the dirty ace bandages, and lets Alfred handle the rest.

“I will be in charge of Master Sleeper’s care for the time being. Master Jason..”

“Yeah, I know.” Jason says as he cocks a few hand guns on his person, setting out to do damage control, both inside the manor and outside.

Alfred turns back to Sleeper and allows Mare to help him clean them off. “Don’t worry Master Sleeper, no one will ever harm you again.”

Hope you guys enjoy. I don’t really know what I want to name the Symbiotic and the Reader. I want to do a fear and sleep theme. Let me know what you guys think. Also, I don’t like using Y/N or You for my stories unless it’s in the reader’s POV. Don’t ask me why.

[lady-of-endless]

Hello! I saw that requests are still open sooo can we please get something with the reader (neutral) who tries to seduce Ramattra? Lol. What would he do about it? 👀 Thank you!!

Author's Note: Ohhh. I've been waiting for something like this to distract us from how much angst we're getting now in the game. My apologies for the wait but I got carried away with this one and added a little twist to it, I hope you won't mind and you'll enjoy it! Thank you for your request! As usual, please excuse any grammar mistakes.

Seducing Ramattra

Most of the time, when Ramattra is caught up with a plan, he is working too hard for too long. Every time you notice that he's getting burned out, you find a way to lure him, to get some rest.

This time, your intentions were different and he could tell that by the way you slid your hands over his rigid ribcage as you stood behind him. The slight pressure was enough to stop his hand from writing. Ramattra did not stand getting interrupted, but not by you. Something similar to a shiver fired through his circuits at the meaning of your affectionate but sly gesture.

"Maybe you should unwind a little." You suggested calmly, looking at the scribbled plan from his desk. "We can lay down, meditate, read something, or tell me about your next plan…or maybe try some other ways to relax if you'd let me help." You whispered in a suggestive voice next to his sound sensor which was conveniently placed where ears are on humans. He exhaled deeply, already thinking how all of his tension would leave his system with all those possibilities you offered, especially the last options…

Wait. This wasn't right.

What a fool I have become for you, he thinks and straightens his back. Suddenly, it bothered him that you had this much influence over him. The power to subdue him into sweet surrender, to be precise. Was his usual collected demeanor blurred by the love he devoted to you? Ramattra could not accept it tonight.

"I know what your actions and tone imply." His demeanour changed into a serious one in the blink of an eye making you take your hands off him. "Tell me, do you think you will always succeed in enticing me like so?" His tone was daring. "Because I will put it to an end."

Before you could say anything, he stood up, pushing the chair aside with a leg kick. The movement made the desk at which he worked shake. The lamp that illuminated the workplace and the room fell on the ground, turning off.

As Ramattra turned around, you looked up to his face for clarification. Chills ran down your spine. Half of his faceplate was illuminated by the faint purple glow of his void accelerator that rested in the corner of the room.

Ramattra unexpectedly grabbed your jaw and pulled you closer. He noticed how the same purple light was altering the true color of your irises. He thought it was a mesmerizing sight.

"There's tension in you now, beloved." He made sure to emphasize the nickname he used for you only in private. Ramattra took some moments to admire the shock on your face. He hummed in contentment as he let go of your jaw.

Before you could even recover and figure out what has gotten into him, you suddenly felt a grip on your hips. Without having time to react, Ramattra picked you up and placed you on his desk. He leaned closer to the side of your face, still holding you in place.

"Do not assume that I lack knowledge about what your rapid heartbeats mean, or what parts of you are the most vulnerable to touch." He explained in a sardonic voice next to your ear as a cold fingertip slid from your hip down your tight and back up intimately.

You were stunned, this was nothing like how it usually went when you tried to seduce him. Right now, he was the one tempting you. He was still careful with you but his touches were hinting at his wish to break you in a bittersweet way.

Seeing how speechless he got you only made him more ambitious. Ramattra understood why you tried to seduce him so many times, feeling a rush of power.

"Are you willing to give yourself to me? Are you certain of leaving your body in the hands of a Ravager?" He could remember how long it has been since he used the name that once woke something dangerous in him (but saddened him deeply as time passed). You parted your lips to say something but changed your mind and nodded with your eyes closed. That was it for him. The look of surrender on your face and your surprised reactions made him demand more. "Say it to me, without even daring to stutter. I do not think that I have reduced you to silence yet, beloved."

In other words, Ramattra will make sure that you'll remember this lesson the next time you decide to try to tempt him.

[helpimstuckposting]

I’m a ghost and you are a shadow

Part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six | part seven | part eight | part nine | part ten | part eleven

—

After the three groups split, the Jabberwocks (El, Robin, Steve, and Eddie) waited on the back porch for the other two groups to walkie back confirming their starting positions.

They dawdled by the door, flashlights and a compass secured in a backpack just in case they were out longer than planned. Steve figured it wouldn’t take long though, they’d check the pool and they’d check the woods around Loch Nora and either they found a gate or they didn’t. It seemed straight forward enough, especially with El’s help on their team.

“Three of Hearts in position,” Jonathan’s voice cracked through the walkie speaker, “Over.”

“Us, too,” Max answered. There was a pause over the radio and Eddie rolled his eyes, likely imagining the fit Dustin was throwing trying to get his hands on the walkie instead of Max.

The walkie crackled again and Max’s voice sighed in agitation over the speaker. “Tea Party in position,” she muttered.

“Remember to walkie back as soon as the Looking Glass is spotted, and don’t go through-!” Dustin’s voice crackled through before the line cut off.

Steve nodded, sharing glances with their little group as they stepped off the porch and made their way through the backyard.

“I’m assuming you don’t feel any gates in the pool?” Steve asked.

El shook her head. “Not near the house, either,” she added. She paused, though, a confused squint to her eyes. “Wait, did you say in the pool?”

Steve squinted back. “Yeah? Isn’t that where Barb was?”

El shook her head, glancing at Eddie and Robin. “When I saw her, she was in your yard, right there.” She pointed off to the side of the pool, closer to the edge of the house.

“Do you think that matters?” Robin asked, looking around the yard as if she could will herself to see what El had.

The teen shrugged, “I’m not sure. It would make more sense if the gates from Steve’s world were open instead of ours, since that’s where he came from. Do you remember where the rest of them would be?” she asked him.

“I mean… I don’t know where the demogorgon opened most of them, they were all over the place. Nancy and Jon found one though, when they were looking through the woods so I know there’s gotta be some out there.”

El nodded and made her way to the edge of the property, leading the other three into the woods. Eddie skipped ahead of them, stopping the group from going any farther.

“Whoa, whoa,” he said, hands up as if stopping a wild animal in its tracks, “If the Looking Glass could be universe-specific… could other universes just slip through any old gate? How many should we be looking for?”

The group paused at the implication. What Eddie was saying was right. What if Steve wasn’t the only one to slip through? Could there be more Steves? Could there be other universes with open gates? Steve shook his head, putting a hand on one of Eddie’s arms to push it back down to his side.

“Let’s just… focus on one issue at a time, okay?” he said, stepping around the arm he just put down and turning to face the group again. He nodded toward the woods, gesturing for them to continue onward. El looked between the two men. She seemed slightly nervous at Eddie’s implication, but shook her head and continued forward without another word, like Steve suggested.

Stray branches cracked under their feet as they trudged along through the underbrush, Steve hanging behind just a bit so he could keep everyone else in his sight.

Without Vecna’s vines choking the life out of the trees, the forest was much less daunting. The bright afternoon light spilled through the branches, making it seem more like they were out for a hike and not a mission. Bits and pieces of conversation from El and Robin drifted back toward Steve, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying. Instead, he let the hum of their voices drift through his ears like static, filling the trees with their gentle sounds.

Eddie stopped walking for just a second, waiting for Steve to catch up to him before resuming his steps side-by-side. As their shoulders bumped, Steve was hit with the memory of their first trek into the Upside Down. He’d thought Eddie was just some weirdo who’d gotten attached to Dustin, a reluctant member of the party who just happened to save Steve because he didn’t want to be left alone. Eddie’s presence had calmed his nerves, even then. His rambling, nonsensical tangents about Ozzie and Nancy and the Munson Doctrine, as if he needed something to cling to in order to fill the silence and couldn’t help but fill it himself.

This Eddie seemed quieter, somehow. No, not somehow, he was quieter, like the Eddie from his world couldn’t handle his own thoughts for too long, like he wrapped his words around himself like a blanket, like his rings of armor. Steve wondered briefly if he’d ever actually seen Eddie be comfortable, if maybe they weren’t as close as he thought they were. The Eddie next to him now just walked, and bumped shoulders, and mulled over his words in his head. The Eddie next to him now seemed comfortable with Steve at his side, seemed almost relaxed. Or, as relaxed as one could be while looking for a potential portal to another dimension.

Steve knew he should be looking out for said portal (or portals), should try and remember where the gates had been seen in his world, but he was honestly starting to spiral a bit. He’d thought the Eddie from his world was calm around him, too. He’d thought their weekly calls had maybe brought his walls down just a little, that maybe he trusted Steve, like Steve trusted Eddie.

But, seeing how the man was when he was genuinely relaxed, when he was comfortable in a silence, it had Steve questioning everything. He couldn’t help but remember their conversation from the kitchen that morning, how Eddie hadn’t told Steve about himself, how he didn’t seem to know the Eddie from his world as much as he thought he did. He wanted to know this Eddie though.

A hand grabbed Steve’s arm to slow him down. His heart skipped in his chest before he realized it was Eddie and not a threat. He really shouldn’t be so deep in his thoughts all the time.

“Yeah?” he asked, glancing down at Eddie’s hand. He didn’t remove it like he expected, just kept his hand clasped around Steve’s wrist.

“Are you okay?” he asked, squeezing Steve’s arm gently, comfortingly. Steve paused, steps faltering to a stop, and looked at the man before him.

“I’m fine,” he said, clearing his throat and squinting at the metalhead. “Uh… why?”

“You’ve been pretty quiet since the munchkins stormed in this morning, so I just wanted to check.”

Eddie had been talking to Robin when the ‘munchkins’ arrived, then he’d been goofing around with the boys and Steve had wandered into the kitchen. Eddie had been arguing with Robin, had been wrestling the kids, had been eating breakfast through a dramatic story, had been everywhere all at once. When did he notice Steve? When had he realized he wasn’t talking? How did he know?

“I didn’t… I didn’t think you’d notice,” Steve mumbled. He glanced over at the retreating backs of Robin and El, conversation still filtering through the trees as they meandered further and further away.

Eddie was looking only at him, for what seemed to be the first time that morning. Steve kind of felt like running in the opposite direction; shaking Eddie’s hand off his arm, digging his heals into the dirt and sprinting away from his questions. Instead, he felt the weight of himself settle into his shoes, felt the warmth of Eddie’s palm against his pulse and looked up, meeting Eddie’s gaze straight on.

“Of course I noticed,” Eddie said, and Steve couldn’t help thinking back to Dustin’s arms wrapped around him in the kitchen. He thought of El and Max fitting themselves around him when they first arrived. Steve scratched at his nose to distract himself from the sting in his eyes.

“I just… I just, uh,” he cleared his throat, not really sure where the words were going. “Dustin said he was glad I’m here. That… that he’s happy to see me even though I’m not the right Steve.” God, his voice cracked. This was embarrassing.

Eddie nodded, letting Steve mull his own words over without interruption, and Steve couldn’t help glancing down at his lips. They were pressed in a hard line, a determined line, like whatever Steve needed to say was the most important thing right now. Even though they were hunting for a literal tear in the universe, even though Steve couldn’t hear El and Robin’s voices anymore and they should probably think about catching up.

Again, Steve’s mind kept flashing to them in the Upside Down and for some reason most of his thoughts revolved around how Eddie’s lips looked then, too. Though usually loud and boisterous, Eddie always had a serious set to his face when things were important, voice hard but spoken softly like he was desperate for his words to sink in. Steve took a deep breath and thought about how to convey that same earnestness.

“I don’t think it’s a good thing that I’m getting attached. What if I have to go back? What happens then?” he whispered, afraid saying it any louder would break whatever confessional Eddie had wrapped around them.

“I hate to break it to you, Harrington, but we’re already attached. Henderson was right, we’re all glad to have you here. It would hurt no matter what, if you started pulling away now or not.”

Steve nodded. He knew Eddie was right, there’s no way he would be okay if he distanced himself from the party. It would still hurt when he left, if he left.

“Besides,” Eddie continued, tipping his head closer into Steve’s space, “we’ve got options. We don’t even know if you have to go back. Maybe the gates closed already, maybe we won’t find it, maybe El can close it on her own, there are options. Don’t count yourself out just yet.”

Steve let the words wash over him like a comforting blanket, holding him tight in their embrace. He hoped Eddie was right, he hoped they could close it without issue, he hoped he’d be able to stay here with everyone he loved, but-

“But what if I have to be on the other side for it to close? What if it won’t close without me?” he asked Eddie, as if he had the answers to the universe.

The metalhead stepped back just once, just enough for them to gently begin their walking once more, and slipped his hand back to his side. He must have noticed El and Robin were far ahead, too. Steve's wrist felt cold.

Eddie glanced at Steve from the corner of his eye, hands clasped loosely behind his back as he leaned into every step he made. Steve felt almost… off-balance — like Eddie had torn him from the comfort of a warm blanket pile and tossed him into the backyard. They were only a couple steps apart but it felt almost cavernous.

“Do you want to stay here, Steve?” Eddie asked, keeping a slow pace to stay close to Steve’s side.

“Of course I do,” Steve said. Why wouldn’t he? Why would he want to go back to an empty house he’d nearly trashed more than once, empty liquor cabinets collecting dust like every other surface of the house? Why would he want to go back to a world where everyone he loved was either dead or gone? Where they’d all left him behind? Of course he wanted to stay.

“Then we’ll do everything we can to make sure you do,” Eddie replied. He said it so solidly, so sure in his words, like that was all there was to it. He picked up his pace a little bit, like the conversation was over and everything had been said and decided. That was it, he was saying, nothing else to do. Of course Steve wanted to stay, of course they would let him, of course they would fight for him, Eddie was saying. For a second Steve thought he wouldn’t be able to breathe, that the air had fully escaped his lungs and he’d just collapse to the ground from the struggle to hold it in, until Robin’s voice called out just a few yards ahead.

“I think we found something?” she called, voice completely unsure.

The two men picked up their pace to a slow jog, following the direction of her question. They found the two women standing in front of an old tree, bark dry and cracked around the base. As far as Steve could tell, there wasn’t anything odd about the tree at all but El was staring at it intently, hand reached out to touch. Robin was cringing away as she watched, as if the tree would explode once disturbed, but El’s hand landed on the old bark without so much as a twig snapping.

They all stared at the tree. It was just a tree.

“El?” Steve called out. She turned her head to him, hand still gently placed against the bark.

“It feels different than the others. It feels… familiar,” she said. “Like a piece of me.”

They all nodded, as if that made any sense. Still, nothing happened and the tree remained a tree.

Quietly, carefully, like Robin’s anxiety was leeching into his mind, Steve stepped up beside El. He reached out his hand, like he’d just seen her do, like she currently was, and tried to place his hand on the bark. Instead, he saw the wood at the base of the tree split and widen the closer his hand got.

He yanked it back, stepping away with his arm clutched tightly to his chest. Robin and Eddie had quickly stepped up beside him, like they were prepared to pull him away even farther if the tree decided to play any tricks. The tree, however, just stitched itself back together as Steve stepped away. The bark seemed to grow, as if they were watching a timelapse of skin healing.

They all stood staring at the old, unblemished trunk again, suspended in the quiet as they held a collective breath. Nothing happened. As they stared, the tree remained a tree and though El’s hand was still placed on the bark, the wood remained silent and unchanging.

Steve stepped up to it again, both Robin and Eddie’s hands tightening their grip on his shoulders.

“What are you doing?” Robin demanded, voice shrill and panic coating her words.

“I just… want to try something,” he said, gently shaking off their hands. He placed his on the bark once more, the wood splitting and opening just like the first time.

It looked like flesh, the bark tearing an almost rectangular hole in the trunk, like the wood was alive, like it was breathing. They all watched, though nothing else happened.

El removed her hand from the bark, the split remaining open, and she walked around Steve to stand in front of it. It wasn’t red like the gates to the Upside Down were, like blood would come rushing out if you took a knife to it. Instead, it glowed an almost yellow color, as if there was sunlight peeking through a sheer white curtain on the other side.

Eleven reached her hand out once again, but before she could make contact Steve stepped away and the gate closed for the second time. She looked up at him, annoyed. “What was that for?” she huffed, standing to her full height.

“I’m not letting you get sucked into a tree,” he stated flatly and crossed his arms against his chest. He stepped back, putting more distance between himself and the mystery tree. “If you fall into that thing, Dustin’s gonna kill me.”

“Oh, right, like Dustin’s ever been the authority on anything,” Robin scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“If you want to listen to him bitch and moan about falling into the stupid mirror glass or whatever then be my guest!”

“It’s the Looking Glass, Alice,” Eddie piped in, patting Steve’s shoulder gently. He rolled his eyes, giving Eddie the driest look he could possibly muster, and shouldered past him to grab the bag Robin had set on the ground.

Inside, he grabbed the walkie, clicking the talk button and calling for the other groups to respond. “We found the mirror glass or whatever,” Steve spoke into the receiver, glancing back at Eddie with a smirk.

Dustin’s voice immediately crackled through the radio. “It’s the Looking Glass, Steve!” he called back. Steve shook his head as he listened to Eddie’s laughter behind him, smile pulling at his lips while waiting for his actual sentence to sink into Dustin’s brain.

“Wait, you found it?!” the walkie screamed.

“Yeah, we found it, but it’s… weird. Meet back at my place and we’ll tell you all about it, over and out,” he said, not letting Dustin get more than a ‘weird how?’ out, before he clicked the walkie off and shoved it back into the bag.

Robin tossed it back over her shoulder and patted Steve’s head before turning back the way they came. It didn’t seem far from the house, they hadn’t been walking for long, but Steve couldn’t help the shame that washed over him for being so drunk that night he couldn’t even remember crawling through a fucking tree into another world. He hoped they could figure out the gate, that he could stay here, and hoped that he’d never drink that much ever again.

—

It seriously took me an embarrassing amount of time to come up with those stupid group code names until I woke up a couple days ago like hey wait a second, this is like alice in wonderland smh you do not want to know the even dumber names I had picked out before

anyway, happy new year 🥂

@devondespresso @weirdandabsurd42 @sirsnacksalot @space-invading-pigeon @aliea82 @goodolefashionedloverboi @emly03 @bestwifehaver @mentallyundone @13catastrophic-blues @estrellami-1 @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @likelylad @aellafreya @wxrmland @shunna @fangirltofangod @howincrediblysapphicofyou

[agattthaa]

Attached

Paring: Walter/Vyxaria

Word count: 1.187

Summary: Vyxaria really was a demon different from the rest. She could feel. She could get attached. Maybe, she did.

Rating: T

Tagging: @rc-catalog

-So, this is what you meant by dates?

Walter had that pathetic smile on his face as he settled another plate on the small coffee table and that only made Vyxaria’s frown grow bigger. That was all too confusing.

Dates were supposed to be outside. They should've dressed up and gone to a nice restaurant and he should've paid her an overly expensive dish that she wouldn't even enjoy very much.

Still, that was how it was supposed to go. That's why she had dressed up and put on a pair of high hills and waited patiently for him to go get her. That was before he texted her saying that everything was ready. In complete confusion about what was ready, she walked to his apartment, her confusion only growing bigger when she stormed in without knocking and saw his apartment.

Only the kitchen light was on, and Walter stood behind his counter, fixing something on a plate and giving a gigantic smile when he saw her.

The living room was illuminated by a couple of plastic candles and a thick blanket held a sleepy Seaweed and she couldn't help but notice that although the text he had just sent said otherwise, he was still on his gray sweatpants and shirt.

Well, she could wait while he finished whatever he was doing and got dressed up.

Only after he placed four different dishes in front of the coffee table she noticed they weren't going anywhere. So now she watched as he placed even more things in front of her. This was not what a date was. At least not a type of date she knew.

Her question didn't offend him, as it never did. Her curiosity was always amusing to him, like he himself was too seeing his world for the first time through her eyes. He actually looked pleased as he watched her gaze switching between all the different kinds of things he placed in front of her.

-We agreed to start small, casual. I thought it was a good idea to stay home, eat some delicious food and watch a move. Will you be comfortable in this dress? I can wait while you go home and change.

She simply sighed, looking again at the small banquet he had placed in front of her and wondering how long it must have taken him to make every single one of those dishes. For her. So she simply sighed again, kicking her heels away and looking back at him.

-Just give me my shirt back.

It was almost like he was expecting for such request, because just as she finished saying it, he got into his bedroom, coming back too quickly for the shirt to be mixed somewhere inside his wardrobe. He handed the shirt to her, turning around as quickly as humanly, or sirenly, as possible when she started taking off the red dress to put on the shirt.

It smelled like him now.

Not a thought she should delve on. It was his house, everything smelled like him. It was no big deal.

But it was a weird feeling. One that she didn't have when she took the shirt for the first time. He was right, she did feel, she did get attached, she did get attached to him.

Not that she would say it or anything.

But she threw herself on the middle of his couch anyway, seeing his smile as he reached for a weird machine on the middle of his counter and took it to the living room, placing it right in the middle of the table and sitting down on her side.

-What is this? Why does it smell like cheese too?

-That's a fondue machine, we put the cheese inside it and then it melts, so we can dip things inside. Try sticking that little fork on the toast and dipping it inside the melted cheese.

The idea of sticking a ton of different things inside the same bow of melted cheese was not appealing at all to her. But once again, she let herself be convinced by the excitement and pure and genuine happiness he felt whenever she indulged him.

It has to be some sort of siren power that somehow, also works on her.

So, she did what he wished. Taking the smallest piece of toast and dipping it on the melted cheese.

It was surprisingly better than she thought it would be.

-So?

-It 's good. But the square thing the other day was better.

He smiled wider, more to himself than for her, pushing the table closer to the couch, and turning on the tv.

Vyxaria had seen a lot of those televisions ever since she came into this world. There was a normal one on Vincent's apartment, a bigger one on Threxias's place that would soon be smashed with the biggest hammer Vyxaria could find, and a gigantic one on Ava's place.

There wasn't anything amusing about the television or about the “movie” that Walter had picked, although he seemed to be really enjoying seeing all those people running around doing something that Vyxaria wasn't paying enough attention to understand.

But she didn't want him to think she was bored, even though she was. Television was never something to amuse her in this world just as the bards didn't amuse her in her own home world. So she focused on rating the appearance of all the small people on the box, a game that lasted very little, but long enough for the other resident of the house to wake up.

Seaweed seemed to be even more pleased with her presence than Walter himself. The cat started to purr loudly, rubbing himself against her leg and waiting for affection.

Surprising even herself, Vyxaria turned her entire attention to the cat on her side. What did the creature wanted from her that much to try to win her though affection?

-Why does it do that? What does it want from me?

Walter, who had been watching the entire scene with the brightness and most stupid smile on his face simply answered.

-He doesn't want anything from you, he likes you, so he gives you affection.

He said it with such naturally that it started to make sense to Vyxaria too. Of course it made sense to want to be close with things one liked, even though the little creature had no reason to hold affection for her at all. But it did make sense.

To want to give affection to someone you liked. It wasn't a big deal. It was just like that. Feeling. Getting attached.

It didn't have to be a big deal.

So she scooted closer to Walter, resting her head against his shoulder. She didn't need to look at him to know that he was smiling and it was better that he wasn't looking at her when she gave a small smile when he hugged her by the shoulder.

It was different. It was unknown. But the warm feeling that he always brought to her chest, that was good. That was worth getting attached to.

[generational-atrophy]

Can I request Hetalia main 8 with an S/O who has bad periods that the nations don't understand.

Ivan probably would get stuck asking Ukraine about it and get mildly creeped out when she tells him about boob pain.

(Hetalia Main 8 X Reader) S/O with bad periods

(Gender Neutral) Headcanons ~ A/N JHFDGHJDKF YEAH but for ivan specifically i would argue he is actually pretty familiar with the struggles. Dear people who have periods i am so sorry. also i didnt do japan again sorry if u wer looking for him i wi. l do him seperately <3

Trigger Warning: None, just fluff!

Oh boy. You’re gonna have to be one teaching him about… everything related to periods. He’ll be like “What’s so bad? It’s just like a little scrape, isn’t it?” and by the end of the night he is Mortified by the process menstruating people have to go through. He is never going to downplay your pain again, don’t worry.

But he doesn’t know what to do to take care of you really… that’s his vice. He’ll just end up buying everything he can possibly think of to comfort you, and I mean… it’s something. It’ll dull the pain a little bit to eat an insane amount of chips while he plays with your hair all night.

If your legs go out or you need to go to the hospital during your time of the month, he is fully capable of carrying you wherever you need to go. Speeding laws be damned! When your entire body is trying to kill you from the inside out, you are the most important thing in the world to him.

For a long time, Arthur thought it was… unrefined to talk about things like periods. Of course, now he knows better, but that also means… he has no idea what’s going on down there. Or what it does to the body. So when you tell him about the back pain, the cravings, the light-headedness, the nausea… he is probably gonna be pretty doubting. Until you collapse or throw up on him.  Then he’ll take care of you, hand and foot.

Literally. He loves giving massages, and he’s weirdly good at it. Of course, he’ll get you some pain meds (the good pain meds, too) and snacks, but also his hands are not gonna leave your body until your time of the month is over. 

But until then, he is very concerned. Even if it’s the umpteenth time you’ve been with him through it, he’s still begging you to go to the doctor. Anytime anything does even slightly worse, he’s grabbing his keys, getting ready to speed you to the emergency room.

Francis may sympathize, but he really does not… understand the severity of the situation. When you moan about not getting out of bed, he’s just confused and a little annoyed. Sure, periods are painful, but… you’ve had so many, aren’t you used to it by now? 

Feel free to educate him. Or hit him. Both work.

After that, he’s not making you get out of bed. He may not know your pain, but he is sure as hell not gonna force you to do anything. If your job tries to get you to come in, he’ll even start a strike outside for you <3

And considering that you’re probably his first partner who gets that much pain from your time of the month, he has no idea what to get you. Get him a list, and make sure you tell him not to find healthier alternatives cause otherwise you’re getting gross chocolate that’s supposed to help with pain. He’s trying to help… he’s just weirdly terrible at this specific part.

Don’t worry! He’s had to come up with remedies for this exact problem since before the invention of the wheel! It won’t taste great, but he’ll have you back in shape in no t- wait, why isn’t it working?! What do you mean your boobs hurt more now?!

He’s… really concerned for you the whole time. It’s hard for him to leave your side, even if you insist you’re used to it. I mean, surely this many cold compresses should relieve your… unorthodox pains. Frankly, he’s impressed. How many years have you been going through this? And without him to wait on you, hand and foot?! A shame…

If you need anything, he’ll happily make it for you. Yes, make it. He wants to be sure your care is as perfect as possible, so he only trusts his own hands. But maybe be wary if your legs tend to give out… his old bones are not meant to be carrying anyone around for too long. But of course, he’ll still do his best for you.

The Braginsky family has been cursed for… well, ever… with terrible medical conditions, so he is very familiar with the suffering caused by periods. He’s heard Natalya wail and moan for hours on end, and he is not about to let you go through the same pain! He will rip the radiator out of the wall to use as a heating pad if he has to!

He doesn’t panic as much as the others would, he already knows what you need and had it at home. That means he is not leaving your side for even a second! If you suddenly get new pains, lose feeling in anything, or have any other emergency, he is fully prepared to sweep you off your feet and help you deal with it. And he’s had to do much grosser things than take care of someone he loves, don’t worry about that.

Like you could bleed on his leg and he would not even notice, much less be upset. He’s just like, “Oh, dear, are you running out of anything? I can pick anything up for you if you need.”

OH YOU POOR DARLING! Don’t worry, he already called into work for you! You need snacks? Heated blankets? Medication? Stuffed animals? For him to hold you in his arms? He’s there! No questions asked! (He has quite a low pain tolerance himself, so he is nothing but empathetic towards you during your time of need.)

If it’d make you feel better… he’d love to massage your stomach... Don’t look at him like that! He just wants to help!

Also, if he sees you trying to put on any tight and uncomfortable clothing, he is getting you out of that stuff asap. If you need to go anywhere, he’ll go for you! Don’t stuff yourself into such suddenly ill-fitting clothing… you still look beautiful to him. 

And if it gets too bad, you have the fastest (and most dangerous) driver in all of Italy to get you to the emergency room ASAP. So don’t worry your pretty little head, Feli’s got you!

Just because Ludwig knows all about the medical side of periods, does not mean he knows how to actually deal with you when you’re in horrible, horrible pain. The fact that although it may make you feel better, you are not up for doing anything, is just baffling to him. He may try to drag you out of bed to stretch and exercise. Please bite him when he does so.

Once you start describing your actual symptoms, he starts getting light-headed. No way… this happens every month? Incalculable back pain on top of your uterus exploding? You sure you don’t need a doctor? It’s really no hassle to carry you to the car, promise! But also, you could just take him up on that offer and change your mind and ask for ice cream. He would do it. Just saying.

Anything to relieve your suffering, really. He’s spending all his time worrying about you, so he’ll get anything you want without question. He can’t stand seeing you in so much pain… but he also can’t help but feel so blessed to have been born biologically male. Basically, you’ve got a servant whose in love with you for a week.

[authorautumnbanks]

Stuck In Another World With A Demon Fox (Ch 6)

“Are we going to talk about it?” I ask, crossing my arms as Roharu walks ahead. The vegetation is overgrown and full of life. And the best part is there are no grabby roots trying to seal me away.

Yay for small wins.

Boo for Roharu’s refusal to discuss last night. All I did was mention he had tattoos on his cocks and he shut down. Seriously, I don’t get it. The man…er, fox demon must have known they were there before he took his pants off. Pants I did NOT ask him to take off, but he did so anyway.

Basically, this is his fault, and he’s being all pissy, as though it is my fault.

“There is nothing to discuss.”

I shake a fist at the back of his head. “You’re being poor company right now.”

“And you never shut up,” he sighs. “Does anything stand out to you?” He stops and motions to the large, thick trees with green, pink, and orange leaves. Vines run up the trucks with small blue flowers.

“It’s pretty. A lot nicer than the first forest I saw.”

Roharu rounds on me. I back up, hitting the tree. He pins me between the tree and him. His long black hair creates a curtain effect. I jut my chin up. I will not be intimidated by him. He might have me on height, strength, and other supernatural abilities, but I have heart and the stubbornness of a mule.

“What do you hear?”

“Your heartbeat?”

He closes his eyes and sighs. “No, you don’t.” His eyes open and today they are a lighter shade of purple, and yet somehow more vibrant than the flowers around us.

Roharu is too beautiful. He’s so beautiful, I just want to smack him. I hate it. No one should be that pretty.

“I hear a heartbeat,” I repeat. Maybe it’s not his heartbeat, but I hear a heartbeat and I know what one sounds like. Some things are universal.

“And where is this sound coming from?”

Is this a trick question? I already said it was his that I’m hearing. I cross my arms and raise a brow, giving him the ‘are you serious right now’ face.

He tilts his head and brushes his lips against my ear. “It’s the forest. It has a heartbeat.”

Huh?

He’s messing with me. Trees are living creatures, but they don’t have heartbeats. Even I know that. I push against his chest, but this demon is made of stone. He doesn’t budge. Doesn’t even acknowledge my poor attempt to push him away.

“This is no mere beast.” He pulls away, crosses his arms, and taps his claws on his biceps. The frustration rolls off him in waves. Roharu looks at me and then looks away. “I’m not even getting paid for this.”

“You don’t have to get paid for every good deed.” That sort of defeats the entire purpose of doing good if you have to be paid every time you help someone out. It would be nice, sure, but that village is on the struggle bus for sure. Roharu knows this, and he’s still grumping.

Roharu exhales. “You fail to realize we’ve been set up as sacrifices.”

“How? It’s not like they forced us…. are you saying this is my fault?”

“Both. The blame lies on my shoulders as well for giving in to your whims.” He runs a hand through his hair. His ears twitch, picking up sounds I cannot hear. His tail hangs low, stiff. The ends are raised slightly, like the fur on an aggressive dog. “Come here.”

Getting real tired of him bossing me around. I trudge over to him. “I still fail to see how this is a trap. She said the beast couldn’t be killed or whatever.” A trap would be if that employee told us nothing other than to take the forest to get to the next town or something. She wouldn’t mention an unslayable beast if it was a trap. “I think you’re just a hard ass and think everyone is out to get one over on the other.”

“This is no mere beast, and she manipulated your emotions.” He grumbles something under his breath. I strain to hear over the thunder overhead…wait. The sky is clear. That’s not thunder.

“So, you can make fake heads. Can those claws do anything?” I inch closer to him. Whatever is coming our way sounds angry. Its yell sounds like thunder booming.

Loud.

Vicious.

I rather take my chances with that klara-whatever thing. Roharu steps in front of me. My shoulder sag as I let out a breath of relief. As much as he complains, it doesn’t look like he wants me hurt. The beast busts into the clearing, knocking down trees and trampling the flowers.

It has the body of a spider. Long, hairy legs, with talons at the end. But its torso is that of a woman. I blink. Make that a naked woman, though the long red loose curls, hide its nipples from view. What it can’t hide is the long scar running from its stomach to its neck.

Ouch. Whatever attacked it went for the kill and obviously failed. My hand presses against my front pocket. This tiny dagger isn’t gonna do crap against that thing. Roharu has claws, but he gave me his weapon to hold on to.

We’re screwed.

“So, you’re the beast,” Roharu says nonchalantly, as though he’s going to ask the spider lady out for a meal. I need him to take this a little more seriously. “Prettier than I was expecting.”

“You do not think that thing is pretty,” I hiss.

“Jealous?” Roharu’s lip curls up. He turns his attention back to the beast. “Ignore her. She doesn’t know what true beauty looks like.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. We came out to slay the beast, not for him to flirt with it.

“Flattery will get you nowhere fox,” it remarks. “I know of your kind and your…extracurricular activities. Leave the human and I shall allow you to pass unscathed.”

Oh, that’s just lovely. Does everything want humans around here? This dagger may not do a lot of damage, but I’m not going down without a fight. There’s no way that spider thing has good intentions for me.

“You prefer humans to foxes? I’m hurt,” Roharu sighs. “Unfortunately, this human is mine, so I can’t let you have her. But you can tell me why the villagers are starving themselves for you.”

The spider tilts its head to the side and crosses its four arms. “Starving themselves? I allow them to hunt every so often. Their lack of allocating resources is on them. I have been more than generous with them.” Its tongue snakes out, curling up and scenting the air like a snake. “Clearly, I have been too lenient of them and their lack of respect.” It lunges forward, and I throw my arms out in front of me to block the attack.

I open one eye and then the other. Are those shadows? I rub at my eyes and then squint. Yep, those definitely look like shadows grabbing a hold of the spider monster. It screeches and thrashes about, trying to rip the shadows off of it. Roharu yawns with his hands in his pockets.

“You said you’ve been lenient with them, though they give you the majority share of their crops, leaving them with little food.”

The spider jerks and continues to thrash about. “And yet they still live. You, however, will be tortured for your insolence!” it roars, snapping free of the bindings. It crouches, and a web shoots out from its back.

Aw crap. It is a spider. Of course, it has webs. The ground shakes and the flowers lean to the side as if to avoid being trampled. This forest must be more alive than I thought. Something wraps around my waist, and I scream.

This is it.

This is how I die. Death by a giant spider monster. I should have shown more respect to the ones back at home. How was I supposed to know they’d get their lick back?

“Stop screeching,” Roharu says, dodging an attack. He flips his hair back and pulls out what look to be more daggers.

Wait. Why does he look so far away? I glance down. Shadows? I look over to the right. Somehow, I’m at the same height as the trees. Did Roharu do this? These shadows? I could ask him, but the spider monster is throwing more webs at him, and the one that landed on a tree is eating away at it.

Great. Acid webs. Even better. No wonder no one from the village has been able to slay this thing. How do you escape getting burned alive from freaking webs? Though Roharu seems to be dodging just fine. Not sure why he isn’t trying to attack it, though. Isn’t that like rule one in how to fight? Attack before your enemy can or something like that.

“You should fight back!” I yell, cupping my hands around my mouth like a speakerphone. “Don’t just dodge or we’ll be here all—Mph!” I claw at the shadow covering my mouth. That damn fox! When I get down from here, I’m gonna show him a piece of my mind. Roharu looks up at me and then turns his head, as if to dismiss me.

I am so sick of him.

Roharu sidesteps the spider monster and slashes its back with his claws. I squint. There are daggers sticking out of its back with lime green blood or puss running down. Something hisses. I swallow down the scream and claw at the shadow covering my mouth with more vigor.

Oh no.

This is not happening. I can’t run. I can’t ask for help because someone just had to cover my mouth and leave me hanging in the air.

The giant snake opens its mouth and springs itself forward. My stomach plummets. The ground is rapidly getting closer, and the snake, about the size of a car, hits a tree head on. There’s a sick crunch. I wince. That must have hurt, but thank fuck, it didn’t eat me.

“How do you always attract trouble?” Roharu sighs. He frowns. The spider rises and strikes him in the abdomen with a kick. He grunts but lands on his feet. “And you are annoying,” he says to the spider, who flicks its hair back and sends tiny needles my way.

Why is everything targeting me? The shadow jerks me upward and to the side. I gag. All this whiplash is getting to me, but at least the shadow that was covering my mouth has vanished.

“You should have left the human. I would have let you pass, fox.” The spider rears up and stomps its legs. “How far you have fallen to protect a human, of all things.”

Roharu rubs the back of his head and then flicks his wrist. The spider jerks back as if struck. Green blood splatters on the trees and the grass. Steam rises from where the specks of blood land.

This monster is creepy. Aggressive. And it’s also venomous. I press my lips together. If only there was something I could do to help. The longer this drags on, the worse we’ll end up. Roharu’s movements aren’t as fluid as they were before. The fumes must be getting to him. Hell, the little that is coming to me makes my head dizzy.

“Watch out!” I scream, fear grabbing a hold of my vocal cords and shaking them into action. That giant snake isn’t dead and somehow it has four legs now. Is it working with the spider monster?

This is bad.

A two-on-one and Roharu is feeling the effects of all that poison in the air. All I got is this little dagger that may work on someone my size, but not on something as gigantic as that spider monster. Seriously, that thing is as big as a truck. But I can’t just hang out here and do nothing.

There must be something I can do. I reach into my back pocket and pull the dagger out, and throw it at the spider’s head. The snake doesn’t seem to be nearly as much of an issue as that spider. I bite my lip. Will it hit? Even if it hits, was that even enough force?

Please work.

A bright purple light envelops the spider, and for a moment, purple is the only thing I see. The first thing I see after the light fades is Roharu.

Oh…. that’s not joy on his face.

[vintagegirl01]

Vying for the Sea 🌊 (Pt.2)

Duke Leto Atreides x female Velaryon reader

Summary: Ever since Aegon’s visit to Driftmark, you have been on edge. You know that he will not be satisfied until he has what he wants. You in his clutches.

While Leto has told you to not worry, you do. For you want no harm to be brought to him or anyone on either Driftmark or Caladan as a result of your retaliation.

Link for Part 1 is below:

The days that followed were tense ones indeed. In moments of solitude, you couldn't help but think about Aegon and his determination, his possessive gaze and his desire to claim you for himself.

You tried to put on a brave face for Leto, to not worry him with your anxiety, but deep down, you knew that the situation was far from resolved. Aegon was a man used to getting what he wanted, and he would not give up easily.

Leto, being the man he was, could sense your unease and tried his best to comfort you, reassuring you that everything would be alright. He held you tight, his strong arms around you, promising to keep you safe and protected from any harm that might come your way.

“I worry, Leto. My cousin will not rest until he gets what he wants”, you grimace referring to the conquer.

Leto held you tighter, his hands gently caressing your back, trying to soothe your worries.

“I know, my love, I know. But I won’t let him hurt you. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. You have my word.”

You smile sadly. “It is not myself I worry about. It is you.” You touch his face sweetly. “One wrong move from either of us and he will command Balerion to burn you to a crisp. Perhaps I should give in… to avoid any harm coming to you or anyone else.”

Leto's grip on you tightens, his eyes burning with determination and protectiveness.

“No. Do not even think about that. I would rather face a thousand dragons than see you suffer in his hands. You will not give in, not to him, not to anyone. We shall find a way to handle this together.”

Leto brings your hand to his lips, kissing it gently, his touch tender and affectionate. He holds you close, his forehead pressed against yours, his eyes meeting yours with a mixture of love and determination.

“How, my love? He knows we are to marry in less than a month’s time”, you say with despair.

Leto let out a deep sigh, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and determination.

“I do not know yet,” he admitted, “But I will not let him ruin this. Not our love, not our wedding, not our future. We will figure something out, I swear it.”

You smile at him sadly. “If only we could marry sooner.”

Leto smiled at your suggestion, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and determination.

“Why wait?” He whispered, a hint of excitement and anticipation in his voice. “There is nothing stopping us from speeding things up. If you are ready, I’m ready.”

You look at him excited before fear taints your thoughts. “Can we? Without any repercussions?”

Leto nods, a firm and confident expression on his face.

“We can,” he says, his voice resolute, “There is nothing that says we have to wait the full month. We can arrange a private ceremony, a small intimate gathering just for us. We could do it...tonight, even. If you want, that is.”

“There is a lot to do. Also, my dress is still being designed….”, you begin to list.

Leto smiles, gently cupping your cheek and running his thumb over your skin.

“We can arrange a temporary dress, just for the ceremony. And as for the preparations, do not worry about them. I shall handle everything. I just want us to be together, as soon as possible. Will you marry me tonight?”

You give him a sweet smile. “I would be happy to marry you anytime and anywhere, Leto. Just as long as we are together.”

Leto’s heart leaps, a look of joy and happiness spreading across his face at your words. He pulls you closer, his arms wrapping around you tightly in a warm embrace.

“Tonight then,” he says, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. “Meet me in our favorite spot by the beach after midnight. By then, I shall have everything arranged. We are to be married under the stars, my love. Just you and me.”

——————————————————————

Later on that night…

As the hour approached midnight, the sky was dark, the stars and the moon bathing everything in a soft silvery light. The cool night air held a sense of anticipation, an aura of secrecy and romance. Underneath the cover of darkness, people began to gather at your favorite spot by the beach, the soft glow of torches lighting up the surroundings.

And there, at the center, standing under an arch of woven sea glass and shells, the waves crashing nearby in a soothing, rhythmic tempo, was Leto, waiting for his soon-to-be bride.

You then make an appearance with both your mother and father at your sides, wearing a dress of white and blue to go with your house colors. On your head, rests a crown made of seashells.

Leto’s breath catches as he sees you approaching him. His eyes take in every detail of your appearance, the way your dress fits you perfectly, the way the light of the torches glimmers off the seashells in your hair, you were a vision of beauty and elegance. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of love and admiration welling up inside him.

As you stand before him, your eyes meeting his own, a soft smile spreads across his face, his voice barely above a whisper. “You look…breathtaking.”

You smile at him. “And you look most handsome, Leto. Even more so than usual.”

The ceremony starts as the officiant begins to speak. You and Leto try to listen, though you cannot help being distracted by one another until the officiant tells you to speak your vows.

Leto steps forward, taking your hand in his, his gaze fixed on you as he begins to speak. His voice, deeper than usual, is filled with a mix of love, dedication, and determination.

“My love, my life, my everything. I promise to honor and cherish you for the rest of my days. I will stand by your side, through good times and bad, in sickness and health. I shall be your shield, your strength, your rock. I promise to always be honest with you, to treat you with kindness and respect. I will love you with an intensity that is only rivaled by the stars in the sky. From this day until my last.”

He gently squeezes your hand, his eyes never leaving yours, his expression filled with unwavering commitment and devotion.

As the officiator prompts you to speak your vows, your heart pounds in your chest, the depth of your love for Leto filling you with a mix of emotion and determination. You take a deep breath, your voice firm and steady as you begin to speak.

“Leto…my love, my best friend, my partner in all things. I promise to cherish and honor you, to be your faithful companion and the woman who walks beside you through all life's journeys.”

You pause, blinking back tears, your voice a little shaky as you continue.

When the officiant instructs Leto to remove your current cloak and replace it with his own, Leto does so, his hands gentle as he removes the cloak from your shoulders. There is a look of proud possessiveness in his eyes, a determination to claim you as his own. He carefully folds the cloak over his arm and then places his own cloak over your shoulders, the rich fabric settling around you, an emblem of his protection and proud owner of your heart, body, and soul.

The officiant declares you as husband and wife and Leto wastes no time in claiming your lips in a kiss. It’s deep and passionate, filled with all the emotions that had been building between you for so long. His hands grasp you tightly, as if scared to let you go, his body pressed against yours.

Cheers and applause erupt from the small gathering of friends and family members who had witnessed your union, their voices blending together into a joyous chorus. But in that moment, all you can focus on is Leto, the feeling of his lips on yours, the heat of his body pressed against yours, the sound of his heartbeats matching yours.

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[imagineanime2022]

Looking For Dad *Part 3*

Chuya Nakahara X Child!Reader (Platonic)

Word Count: 1208

Requested: Anon

Request: Your Bungo Stray Dogs Looking for Dad part 2 is amazing! I wonder who did this to the mom. Whoever it is…..I have a feeling their days are numbered!😶

A/N: This wasn’t really a request but it gave me a couple of ideas that I wanted to work through so here it is, there will be this part and I think one more after this then the story is done.

*Part 2*

Chuya had been tracking the group that had attempted to kill (Y/M/N), something about it being a small group across seas bothered him, the information that Dazai had given him was not wrong he knew that, but there was something else lurking below the surface and it had something to do with you.

It only took a few days for him to realise that if he wanted to find out anything more he’d have to go and find the group himself, there wasn’t any members left in the city, they had all gone home by now. The info packet that Dazai had given him showed that they were based in Europe. Chuya left you with a subordinate that already had kids. She was happy to add you to her home for a couple of weeks while Chuya dealt with them, he’d add a little extra to her pay once he was done.

“Where are you going without your little shadow?” Dazai asked, leaning against the wall outside his apartment block. “I need to find the group that started all this, I don’t think they’re done.” Chuya answered. “Why do you think that?” Dazai asked. “It’s just strange that they would know about your weretiger across the sea. Surely there’s a weapon closer to home that they can use if they just wanted to get on the map in their own country.” Chuya explained. “I figured I should just ask them.” “That would be fun.” Dazai smirked as he kicked off the wall. “I think the Dark Twins should come back if only for her.” “You won’t be able to get a flight that quickly and I won’t be waiting for you.” Chuya grumbled. “Don’t worry I’ll meet you there.” He smirked as Chuya rolled his eyes climbing into his car and heading to the airport.

“How the hell did you get here before me!?” Chuya asked as he exited the airport in London. “I told you I could get here and I meant it.” Dazai answered “the group that we are looking for work in and around East London it should be easy to find them considering they aren’t expecting us to be here.” “How do you know all of that?” Chuya asked. “I’ve been looking into them since, I found out that they wanted Atsushi, I have to protect my own interests too.” Dazai explained. “So that’s why you're here, to protect the weretiger?” Chuya asked. “Chuya don’t forget, she was my friend too, I want to protect Atsushi but I will avenge her too.” Dazai answered as he led him to a car. “I assume that you still don’t know how to drive.” Chuya muttered. “Guilty.” He laughed scratching the back of his head.

Chuya honestly doesn’t know how they made it in one piece with Dazai’s last minute direction changes and the busy roads. Eventually they got to a club, music pumping out the door, you could feel the base in the floor. “There’s no point in trying to use the door, they aren’t going to let us in.” Chuya muttered. “You're right, you looked like a teen trying to be an adult, the hat only makes it worse.” Dazai explained. “Shut up.” Chuya muttered through gritted teeth “There’s probably an entrance around the back that we can use.” They both walked around the back, the alley leading behind the club was crowded and it wasn’t long before they realised that the gang they were looking for was right there. “Hey kid you know what you wandered into?” One of them asked. “I think they’re talking to you, Chuya.” Dazai teased as he pushed his hands into his pockets. “Did you just call me kid?” Chuya asked. “Are you implying that you're not?” He asked. “I’m 22 years old.” Chuya answered, his hands still firmly in his pockets “we just want to get into the bar.” “Then use the front door.” He ordered. “Don’t think your boss will let us through the front door.” Dazai shrugged. “Surely he’s informed you of the people that he’s decided to mess with.” “Mess with?” The thug asked, finally taking the time to look at them both, it seemed that Chuya’s uniform struck a nerve with him. “Keep them busy while I get the boss.” Chuya watched as the man disappeared into the building, the first male to step forward attempted to hit him but it didn’t land instead he dodged out of the way kicking him in chin, he was vaguely aware of someone moving behind him so he moved away from the male as he dropped turning to face the other man. “Why aren’t they using guns?” Chuya asked. “Guns aren’t common here and using them will just cause a panic, the police will be here before anything can be solved.” Dazai answered. “Makes sense.” Chuya nodded. “It does, doesn’t it, you Port Mafia folk are all so loud.” A new voice said, taking Chuya’s attention from the male that had stepped back now. “So what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to talk to you about a woman that you or your people attacked in Yokohama.” Chuya explained. “Not my fault that someone paid good money to have her killed.” He shrugged. “What about her daughter, you injured her mother, she would have died if you killed the daughter, why leave the kid alive?” Chuya asked. “They wanted her, they said they’d collect her after we left.” The man shrugged “and as payment they would hand over the weretiger.” “Let me guess they haven’t paid up.” Dazai said “whoever spoke to you never had the weretiger, he’s under the protection of my organisation the ADA.” “What!?” He asked. “Now you’ve made two very powerful enemies.” Dazai shrugged. “So tell me who hired you.” “They never gave a name, they were an organisation in Japan. They said that they would be able to get me anything that I wanted.” “Well they lied, the only thing that they got you was a death sentence.” Chuya said through gritted teeth as he looked at the man. “Nothing else that might save your life?” Dazai asked. “We’ve been looking into them ourselves, they didn’t expect us to have anyone that could track them, but we have a pretty good hacker on the payroll, she found that the messages tracked back to a government facility, one that was supposed to be a secret, it’s based in Yokohama, that was why we took the deal we figured as government officials they could deliver.” He explained. “You made one mistake, which was believing the government is the strongest power in that city. If they were, they wouldn’t need you.” Dazai smirked. “Now Chuya I think that's all they can offer us, do as you please.” “Don’t tell me what to do.” Chuya growled as he got to work.

When the police did get there notified of an explosion, they found that the club itself was unharmed but the back alley was destroyed with a gang they had been looking to take down themselves in various stages dead or dying. There was no indication to what had happened there only the craters that covered the floor where the gang members all laid.

Request Here!!

[faustus-pheles]

I already had these ideas for about a year and a half but I was finally able to draw it/write them down. Also, I tried my best to draw in the project sekai art style. The face was the best I could do (T-T)…I’ll probably do the school uniform later.

If you want to know general ideas or maybe more info, you can read below, though, it’s kind of long(^^;) This unit will definitely be set before the 3rd anniversary.

This unit is known as Rozen Notturno, a classical and gothic band that focuses on one pair of musicians and one pair of singers/dancers. Together they create highly polished music. Pairs are changed depending on the song and while there are main singers, that doesn’t mean the musicians don’t sing. Because they’re more invested into music playing, they become back-up singers. Their dances are a mix of ballroom dancing and ballet. Each band member has an instrument(s) associated with them. Miyuki (piano, harpsichord, organ, etc.), Suzu (Violin), Aiko (Electric guitar, accordion), and Rei (Cello). Miyuki/Suzu tend to be in one pair and Aiko/Rei tend to be the other. Their lyrics are very symbolically/metaphorically driven and story based( they tend to be horror or fairy tale inspired). When they do add lyrics based on themselves, it’s usually hidden between the characters they created. Miyuki is the composer, Rei is the lyricist, Suzu is the storyteller, and Aiko is the stylist.

In terms of how their music sounds like, it’ll be something akin to Ali Project, Valkyrie (enstars), and Hollow Mellow. On the more extreme side, Rozen Notturno can lean more into gothic visual kei bands or Youseki Teikoku. Even jazz is a possibility.

Some of the vocaloid songs I was thinking that they could potentially cover could be limited, but that could also be because I haven’t search enough. Either way some of the songs include:

Kikuo (ex. Histrionic, Rolling Rolling Tumbling Along, Dance of the Corspes, KikuoHana in general

Kanon69 (Darkestory, Royal Scandal series)

Nem (ex. Angelfish, Virgin Suicides, Scissorhands)

Machigerita (ex. Coffin of Sweet Death, Dream Meltic Halloween, Moonlight and Black)

Hitoshizuku & Yana (ex. The Corpse Princess and the King of Vengeance, Prisoner of Love and Desire, 13th Apocalypse, Alluring Secret ~Black Vow~)

Some general songs (ex. Honeymoon Un Deux Trois, Cantarella, Cendrillion/Adolescent)

Their sekai would be the Ballroom Sekai. A place full of extravagant paintings/decor and musical instruments. It’s very Rococo inspired. It has enough space for Rozen Notturno to practice and for “guests” to peek in. The guests are porcelain dolls that are about 2.5 ft. The sekai is created by the dream of both Miyuki and Suzu, the dream to once again play together in front of a live audience (in an orchestra).

Miku and the rest of the vocaloids would be ball-joint dolls. Specifically with Miku, she’s an always smiling and always kind (albeit slight eccentric) doll that’s constantly en pointe. She has no instrument associated with her as she’s only a singer/3rd dancer. The rest of of the vocaloids change instruments based on the song.

The main story will most likely be about Miyuki meeting Suzu again after many years and failing multiple times to get her to play with him. He’ll meet Aiko and Aiko wanting to help him, will probably recruit Rei, who has no friends. The general idea of creating a “band” will actually be Aiko’s idea as in having more people to perform together should be much easier than having only one. With they finally recruit Suzu (with the help of the vocaloids as well), they decide to try to perform on a small stage. Though until the very end, Suzu is unable to, as her fears are triggered. What they decided to do thanks to Miyuki’s plan is to use Suzu’s persona, Engel, to perform instead, and to wait until Suzu is able to perform as herself, as everyone wants to continue playing together as a “band” . The main story arch will be mostly focused on helping Suzu gain the courage to play as herself with everyone. Smaller arcs will include on how they want to run their band/how they should perform, Rei’s inability to open up even for the most simplest of things (trust issues/vulnerability issues), and Aiko’s fear of being abandoned by her friends (abandonment issues). Miyuki’s the only one who’s actually ok(^^;). Though, arcs will most likely focus in his creative endeavors (same as Rei).

Some character interactions:

Miyuki will have interactions with Toya (mostly), Akito, Kanade, Ichika, and Tsukasa.

Suzu will have interactions with Mafuyu and Mizuki (She’ll have the least because of her social anxiety)

Aiko will have interactions with basically everyone but mostly Mizuki, An, and Tsukasa.

Rei will have interactions with only the Kamiyama students and he won’t have any favorites.

That’s all I have but I might add more later when I get more ideas.