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godbirdart · 4 months ago

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Hey there. Ive been admiring your work a long time and I was hoping I could get some advice from a more experienced artist.

How do you go about deciding which commission submissions will proceed forward? If you decide to decline a request how do you go about it? I recently started accepting commissions and get nervous when certain requests are too vague, too difficult or the requester isn't fully answering my questions and I dont know how to go about justifying a decline. Is it okay to decline a commission submission?

aAA thank you for enjoying my work!!

i could talk for Days about commissions and how I handle my own work, but I'm going to try to keep this short and simple for ease of reading:

i use a Google Form in combination with a number generator for my commission openings

reasons why i use a Google Form and number generator: - to avoid favoritism / client bias - to push my comfort zone with a variety of projects - to ensure i'm not taking on more work that i can handle

The Google form will automatically assign a number to each form, making it easy for me to pull up a website and ask it to generate a number between [insert number] and [insert number]. That said, I will still manually go through each form. Occasionally I'll pick up a project if I notice someone's reapplied a couple times who wasn't selected during previous openings, or if a project especially appeals to me, or isn't something i'd usually draw!

declining a commission / project:

yes, it is always okay to decline a project! you are not obligated to accept every submission that comes into your inbox / form / etc. there are many valid reasons to decline a project, from a conflict with your Terms of Service, to making sure you don't take on more work than you can reasonably handle.

if the project doesn't inspire you or spark that creative passion, it may result in frustration, exhaustion, and you might wind up handing the client a subpar art piece that you're not at all proud of. it's much more honorable to be upfront about it than to subject yourself to such grief as you waste your time and energy and your client's time and money.

ways to decline: it's always important to be polite. depending on your reasoning, you could say "Thank you for considering me for this project, but, ...." - "... This is not a project I'd be comfortable taking on." "... This project conflicts with my Terms of Service and I cannot accept it." "... I cannot accept it at this time." "... but I would not be able to fulfill your request to the detail / complexity you are expecting for this piece."

there's no shame in saying "i would not be a good fit for this project". i've had clients ask me for hyper-realistic work, which is quite far from my art style. while i could do it, i'd rather not put both myself and the client through months of frustration and waiting for a project i am not completely confident in executing.

if a client is being too vague, not answering questions:

it happens! not every client will communicate thoroughly. some clients will over-communicate, and for others there may be a language barrier so their difficultness may be entirely unintended.

you can't do the job if you don't know what you're supposed to be doing. never be afraid to ask your client for clarification on their request. phases you can use would be: - "I do not have enough information to begin work on this, could you clarify these details: [insert questions about details you need elaboration about]" - "I cannot proceed without knowing more about [insert thing], can you tell me more about [thing you need clarification on]". if your client being deliberately obtuse and refusing to supply the necessary information, you can be more firm with them such as: - "I will not proceed any further with this project if I do not receive [insert details]."

on clients being too difficult:

"difficult" is a bit subjective here. what may be considered difficult for one artist may be a walk in the park for another. this said, i'm going to use some very generic common examples here.

too many irrelevant notes, or randomly forwarding details / requests instead of condensing their ideas into one message:

"Thank you for these additional notes, however: ..." - "... please only supply notes that are directly related to the project at hand." [such as notes on the expression, environment, pose, etc - things that you need to know for the artwork you are working on] - "... please condense them into one message instead of sending multiple messages. I want to stay organized / do not want to lose track of your notes."

frequent requests for updates, or changes to the WIP / final art:

note: you should always be communicative and receptive to a client's request for updates, but here i am referring specifically to excessive requests such as numerous requests sent multiple times a day. additionally, what is considered "excessive" will vary depending on an artist's average turnaround time. "Thank you for reaching out, ..." - "... but I do not yet have an update for you at this time. I will reach out when I have an update ready for you, thank you for your patience." - "... but these requests are too frequent. Please allow more time to pass between requests for updates." You could also ask your client if they have concerns about the turnaround time, if they need the work by a specific date for a birthday / event, etc. It is important to consider that some clients may have been scammed by an artist in the past and their insistence on updates could be a result from that. if a client keeps requesting edits on the concept / sketch or final piece, you're within your right to say enough is enough. this will also vary depending on the artist's individual work process. if the changes are getting excessive, you could say: - "As we've undergone numerous edits to this, I will permit one final request for editing after which I will -" [move on to the next stage, cease work on this project, issue a partial refund, start asking fees for edits, etc; insert next step of your preference]

ignoring work hours / terms of service / communication channels

as an artist, you should set a firm boundary of what is a working day and what is not. you are not in a profession that is "on-call" 24/7. you can save some headache by having your schedule posted on your website / social media or wherever your queue is publicly posted. anywhere that is readily accessible for a client to easy find. - something you could say is: "My work days are [insert days], I answer work-related messages, work on art, and send out updates [if applicable] on those days. Thank you for your patience." if you prefer to have your work messages confined to one social media account or email, it's okay to enforce that! but be sure to have it posted in easily noticeable spots like pinned posts. - something to say here would be: "If you need to reach me, please do so via [insert platform / email etc]. I will not respond to [comments / DMs on other social media, etc]." terms of service, same as above, should be in an easy-to-find location and should be easy to read. if a client's prompt or action conflicts with your ToS, you could address it with: "As mentioned in my Terms of Service, [address thing that conflicts with your T&C."

language barriers

sometimes you may have a client with a language barrier. we live in a vast world, after all! be patient with them, and depending on their fluency, do your best to simplify your questions for them. if you know your client is using an online translator, try and avoid using jargon. we've come a long way with online translators, but they're not going to spit out the right translation if you ask "are they supposed to be super shredded and beefy" and the translator tells your client "should they be shredded meat".

dropping a client

this is an absolute most extreme last resort, but i bring this up since we're on the topic of difficult clients and this particular stage isn't spoken about often. no artist wants to up and drop a client, but sometimes it's better for all parties involved instead of dragging out a bad experience. dropping a client could result from a variety of factors, including: the artist is retiring from art, something has come up in the artist's life and they are unable to continue, a client has become abusive, or an agreement cannot be made on a project or the project has caused a conflict of interest between the artist and the client. if you must drop a client, you could say: - "I apologize, but for [insert reason] I cannot continue with this project. I will be [refunding / partially refunding] this project." If it's for medical reasons, you can say "due to a medical complication, I am unable to continue" - and leave it at that. Your client does not need elaboration on your private medical information. The same goes for private family matter or other personal issue. artists shouldn't let guilt eat at them if they are physically incapable of completing a project due to personal reasons. things happen, life happens. the vast majority of your clients will be understanding and appreciate that you reached out to them to address the situation instead of leaving them in limbo. If you have to drop a client because they're being genuinely abusive and hostile and not respecting you, your time, or your work, you can say the same thing as above. There's zero need to retaliate or be hostile back. The situation will likely make you feel awful, sure, but firmly staying professional is the best thing you can do. When issuing a refund, always specify when the client should expect their refund to arrive. "A refund has been issued and will be processed through [insert payment method] shortly." or "A refund will be issued on [insert date]."

This wound up long anyway despite my effort to shorten it, but ah well.

If you'd like more elaboration on something, don't hesitate to ask! Some sections did get pruned down in my futile effort to keep it short, so things might've ended up a bit vague or convoluted [my apologies].

#long post #art advice #commission advice #client advice

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sehtoast · 1 year ago

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Forget Me Not (Homelander x Reader)

1.4k words | gender neutral reader

Ask Prompt: HL x gn reader. Where hl loses his memory and runs away to another state where he meets the reader 🙏

You were totally prepared to swing first and ask questions later. Of course, that was before you saw him. Standing there drinking from your milk carton at three in the morning, fridge light illuminating him against the darkness of your kitchen, was The Homelander himself

You hide the baseball bat before he turns to you, a droplet of milk dribbling down his chin.

“You should really invest in whole milk,” he says, sloshing what little was left inside the carton. “Tastes way better.”

You could hardly believe the night had been real when you woke up the next morning. But, sure enough, he was still there.

“So, how did I end up with The Homelander of all people in my house,” you’d asked nervously. Reality had finally set in and you both sat at the table to talk.

He looked at you like you had seven heads.

“What’s a ‘Homelander?’”

Yeah… That really did happen. If not for the fact he looked entirely serious with such a genuine curiosity in his tone, you’d have thought he was bullshitting you.

Somehow, some way, he’d lost his memory. Ran away from wherever he was, showed up at your house out of all possible others. He said it seemed more inviting, but he couldn’t quite explain why.

You’d tried to explain to him how to find his way back to New York, how to find Vought Tower so that he could go home and get some help, but he seemed too afraid to leave.

“What if I get lost?” He’d asked, eyes twinkling with nervous energy. “You said it’s north-east, but aren't there a lot of things north-east? What if I get the wrong place?”

You don’t know what possessed you, but you decided to let him stay. Let him borrow some spare clothes that made him look much less… well, like a superhero. You’re sure Vought would come looking for him eventually, so you might as well keep him safe and sound, right?

After helping him out of that suit, you can’t help but wonder if all super suits are total death traps. If most heroes are padded up to look larger than life, but are really just plain as can be underneath.

Before he falls asleep in your spare room, he tells you the one thing he can remember.

“My name’s John…”

The next day, he follows you around everywhere. You work remotely from home, and he sits next to you on the couch while you do. The TV plays in the background while you cycle through tasks and emails, but his attention seems fixed on you entirely. The clickety-clack of your keyboard fascinates him and he ends up curious as to how you type so fast, what you’re doing, what your code inputs mean.

He’s an interesting fella, curious by nature to the point he’s a total snoop. You catch him in your bedroom on the third day, fingers trailing over your blankets as his gaze pans around the whole room. It seems innocent enough, and he’s given you no reason to feel he’s out to hurt you.

When you ask him what he’s up to, he just shrugs, saying something… interesting.

“I wish I would've had a nice room when I was little…”

It conflicts with what you know to be true about him, but also makes you wonder if he’s starting to remember things. You ask him to elaborate, but he can’t. He presses his palm to his forehead as if he’s in pain and just shakes his head.

“I don’t know. I just know I didn’t…” He trails off, and you’re there to press a soothing touch to his shoulder.

You tell him not to worry too much.

You take him out grocery shopping one day. He’s like a fish out of water.

He doesn’t know the first thing about navigating a store and doesn’t do much more than follow you like a lost puppy. Hell, at the end, he doesn’t even know how to help the cashier with bagging.

He is, however, incredibly helpful when it comes to bringing everything in. He is quite literally the one trip wonder, dangling every single bag from his arms and walking in as though they weigh nothing.

You could get used to that.

You cook a proper dinner that night and he helps. Well, ‘help’ is a strong word. More like he watches and hands you the occasional ingredient.

You’re fascinated by him. He seems oblivious to normal living skills, but a part of him seems to genuinely want to learn them. More than that, he seems so… peaceful. You recall his recent erratic behaviors in the public eye, his meltdown on his birthday, his snippiness with interviewers…

But he seems so much less tense now. Maybe it was the memory loss. Maybe he just likes the quiet. Who knows?

What you do know is, by the second week, you hope he never leaves. You’re almost praying that his memory never returns despite knowing that's selfish.

It’s nice to share your space with someone. It’s nice to have him around.

He’s sweet despite his dramatics. Helpful and eager. He’s company, and it’s been… a very long time since you’ve felt like you weren’t alone. You didn’t quite live in bumfuck nowhere, but it was close enough that he was a blessing.

Your heart sinks on the day he comes downstairs wearing his suit.

He looks at you with those big blue eyes, but within them is a sadness.

There is recognition floating around in there, swirling with that determined fire that you’ve seen on so many screens before. Yet he still looks so melancholy.

You offer him his morning coffee, a shared routine between you both for the past two months, and he sips at it quietly.

He used to hate it, but now..?

“Are you going back?” You ask after some time, not daring to meet his eyes.

Your heart sinks when he tells you he is.

“I’ll miss you…”

He struggles to reciprocate the words properly, but… he leaves you with a tight hug before his departure.

You don’t know why you cry so hard when he goes. No, no…

That’s a lie. You do know.

You miss him terribly.

You miss him for days, for weeks.

You watch the celebrations for his return. You touch the screen of your laptop, wishing he was still at your side, still peering over your shoulder, still riding alongside you in your car.

But he isn’t.

And you don’t think he ever will be again.

You learn to breathe again after some time. You feel good enough to crawl out of bed, collected enough to clean up the house a little. You fall into your hobbies again, but nothing feels right.

It’s all just… dull.

And you hate that you know why.

You hate that you pray every night to hear your fridge door shutting, to hear the clinking of glass in your cabinets, to hear him step on that creaky floorboard on the steps.

But you don’t.

You don’t hear any of it.

Eventually you just stop listening.

Which means you don’t hear what slips through your window. There are no footsteps, no creaks or cracks. You don’t hear his nervous breaths.

You only feel when he lowers himself onto the other side of your bed. You about jump out of your skin, ready to reach for the bat by your nightstand until you realize just who has come to see you.

You throw yourself at him entirely, hugging him tight, arms and legs wrapping around him to squeeze and squeeze and never let go. He holds you close, nuzzling into your neck.

He tells you how much he’s missed you. That he misses the quiet of your life together, that it was the nicest thing to happen to him in… well, his whole life, really. He thanks you for taking care of him, tells you he wants to do the same for you.

Over the next few days, you have a visitor every night.

Within a few weeks, he kisses you for the first time.

After six months, you are a resident of Vought Tower, living with him in his penthouse.

He is different in this environment. More demanding, more intense, but not to you.

No.

When he comes back, when he comes home, he falls into your arms much like you did the night he came back to you. He leaves his burdens at the door, safe and sound with you.

The peace didn’t necessarily come from losing his memory. It didn’t come from the solitude of your old home, nor the routine of domesticity.

It came from you.

He found his peace with you.

#homelander #homelander x reader #homelander fanfiction #antony starr #request #i couldn't let this one end on a sad note ;_; i'd cry

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shankss-magnificent-ass · 1 year ago

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Imagine the red hair pirates helping you with your depression

Unfortunately, it's that time of year when seasonal depression, and regular depression team up and beat my ass. So new content will come slower than usual, and I'm sorry about that, but appreciate your patience and understanding.

Shanks: *enters your room* are you gonna get up anytime soon.

You: *in a cocoon of blankets* I don't want to.

Shanks: *stares at you for a minute* are you okay?

You: no

Shanks: should I get Hongo?

You: there's nothing he can do for me.

Shanks: *thinks back to Roger's illness* ... What sort of illness do you have exactly?

You: depression,

Shanks: oh... Well staying in bed isn't going to help

You: I don't have the energy to get out of bed

Shanks: then let me do it for you, *scoops up your cocoon and carries you outside* sun light ought to do you a lotta good.

Hongo: what's going on?

Shank: they're depressed.

Hongo: oh, I have just the thing for that *goes into his office*

Benn: hmm, I suffered from depression as a young man.

You: back in the Stone Age?

Benn: *playfully rolls his eyes* yes, back in the Stone Age. My life kind of fell apart because I couldn't care for myself. I could not wash my clothes, or bath, or brush my teeth.

Shanks: that explains the state of their room then.

Benn: elaborate

Shanks: their laundry bin was overflowing, trash on the floor, and the whole room was dark and smelt bad.

Benn: ... Cleaning it would probably help them recover.

Shanks: would you go evaluate the room and see what needs to be done.

Benn: we're probably gonna have to clean it top to bottom, I will go get some volunteers.

Hongo: *comes back* no I need you to eat these supplements, and this mushroom.

Benn: how come they get to have some of your hallucinogens.

Hongo: multiple studies have shown they're very effective at treating depression long term and because they're mine, and I get to decide who to give them to.

Shanks: *pulls open your cocoon, and hands you a cup of water.*

While you are tripping

The crew: * cleans your room, does your laundry, and puts said laundry away*

Hongo: I think the main cause is seasonal depression, they were fine a month ago when the light was at its fullest.

Shanks: hmm, would installing another window in their room help?

Hongo: probably.

Shanks: okay, while the shipwright does that, (y/n) can stay in my room.

Benn: you just wanna fuck them.

Shanks: A few orgasms would probably do them some good. Plus I can help them better if they're close to me.

Hongo: he's right, but you need to make sure you're not taking advantage of them.

Lucky Roux: we also need to make sure they're eating, I noticed a while ago that they're only having one meal a day.

You: eating is inconvenient, and having a corporeal body is like being stuck with a pet you don't want.

Shanks: *pulls your head into his lap and strokes your hair and shushes you* sh sh sh, I know darling, I know.

Hongo: we should also make sure they exercise more, in fact we all should.

Benn: we can take up daily training practice.

Shanks: totally

You: I dun wanna

Benn: well I expect you to at least try it out for a week, if it doesn't help then you can quit.

You: really?

Benn: no

You: aww

Benn: we'll find a nice activity you like, or don't mind.

You: ugh fine

Shanks: thank you

You: ... You have pretty eyes, kinda like storm clouds

Shanks: we should get you high more often.

You: do we have any music snails?

Shanks: *pulls out his collection of Uta's music* Yes we do.

List of Up-and-coming works || Masterlist || Twitter

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#one piece #one piece x reader #one piece imagine #akagami no shanks #red haired shanks #red hair pirates #benn beckman #lucky roux #hongo #from the depths of the dragon's hoard #tma original #11/15/23 #no beta we die like men

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merakiui · 11 months ago

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Hi Mera hope you had a wonderful day night!

I was wondering who you thought, out of the test boys, would be the most likely to try to steal you away from your partner? (Also can I be >_< Anon?)

Hi hiiii, >_< anon!!!! :D omg this is a fun question!!! I think these are the characters who would try to steal you from your partner:

✧ Riddle - if your partner is anyone from Octavinelle (i.e. the trio), Riddle is working overtime to find a way to get you out of there... T^T he will not have you succumb to the bad influences that are the Leech twins and Azul. Riddle has such strict criteria a person must meet in order for them to even be perceived by him as your partner, and no one's managed to earn his approval yet, thus your current partner is not worthy of being called your partner. Quite ironic how he's the only one who can fit into his own criteria. Perhaps he's just destined to be your boyfriend after all. :)

✧ Ace - it's for such a shallow reason, too. He just wants what he doesn't have. T_T especially if you're Deuce's partner. Ace just likes to be a menace, but in being a menace he unintentionally falls for you and now he's really determined to make you his.

✧ Trey - he does it so subtly!!!! You won't even know Trey's aiming to steal you from your partner when he packages leftover baked goods and sends them your way or when he texts you good morning/good night. He's just being friendly, but Trey knows the way to anyone's heart is through delicious food (his boy-next-door charm is just an added bonus). He's hard at work learning all of your gastronomic preferences so that he can effectively win your affections. That, and he's surprisingly discreet with his flirting (whether he intends to be or not).

✧ Cater - it really depends with Cater. He's so good at being a social butterfly, and he knows just how to pop in and snatch you away from your partner for fun photo ops. He just loves being around you, so much so that he may end up third-wheeling you and your partner. He invites himself into your life and before you realize it you're hanging out more and more with Cater than you are with your partner. But it's okay! You don't really need your partner anyway, do you? Not when you have Cay-Cay!

✧ Leona - he knows he's king in Savanaclaw, so it's absolutely mind-boggling to him that you'd settle for some herbivore at the bottom of the food chain. Leona doesn't even have to try very hard to steal you from your partner. He has such an enticing, confident energy about him. That, and no one's going to try to go against the Leona Kingscholar. You might as well start calling yourself (Name) Kingscholar now because your partner can never hope to compete with Leona. <3

✧ Ruggie - also another one that's situation-dependent. If Ruggie truly does like you, then he's willing to exert the energy to come up with a sly scheme to separate you and your partner. He's very good at it, too. Immensely sneaky. >:) you'll never even know he was the reason for the inevitable split.

✧ Azul - it's tako. Envy and greed are such a potent, destructive combination, and he wants you all to himself.

✧ Jade - he's willing to play the long game. Jade will make your partner wish they never even fell in love with you. He is so refined and ruthless in the way he goes about pursuing you while also pulling strings to slowly but surely integrate himself into your life. Your partner won't stand a chance.

✧ Floyd - he's quick with it. No mind games or elaborate cons needed. He'll beat your partner up and collect you in the aftermath.

✧ Jamil - he's doing everything behind the scenes, and it all comes together in a devastatingly neat package. Jamil keeps track of his lies, expertly weaving a web that ultimately leaves you ensnared and partner-less in the very end. You don't need to worry about details. Jamil will be vague and terse about it. :)

✧ Kalim - he does it unintentionally (or maybe he's fully aware of it). Kalim has so much love for you, so it hurts him when he sees how happy you are with your partner. :( he wants to be in that spot! He wants you to call him your boyfriend and he wants to be able to hold and kiss you and take you on dates. He lavishes you with extravagant gifts under the guise of friendship and constantly shows up to your dates. It's pure coincidence, but Kalim has a way of making you and your partner feel so suffocated because neither of you can ever get a word in with him. In the aftermath of your heartbreak, Kalim's there to pick up the pieces.

✧ Vil - ooooo Vil....... he has so much to say about your partner. So many critiques to give. He is the biggest hater when it comes to your relationship. It should be him you call your beloved, not that sorry spud who calls themself your partner. Vil knows his worth and that it’s pointless to compete when he will ultimately be the victor. He constantly checks up on your social media to see if that taken status ever changes, but it will in due time. Vil knows how to play this role flawlessly.

✧ Rook - it's Rook. If Rook doesn't drive your partner away because of how strange he is, then he will stalk you from the shadows until paranoia and dread nearly consume you and drive you into isolation. You'll spend less time with your partner because now you're too afraid to go out, lest you run into your stalker. Rook will come to collect you soon. He shan't make the love of his life wait any longer!

✧ Epel - maybe he's trying to prove that he can get a partner, or maybe he's just feeling competitive knowing that your partner has you and he doesn't. Epel knows he should be your partner, so he's determined to win you over, even if it means he has to act, Great Seven forbid, cute to achieve his goals.

✧ Malleus - it's likely unintentional. Perhaps a passing comment about how he's interested in you and suddenly all of Diasomnia is vowing to bring you and Malleus together. Whoever was dating you immediately breaks up with you when they find out Malleus is crushing on you. There are just some battles you shouldn't fight...

✧ Lilia - love is war, so Lilia might play a little unfairly when he finds himself enthralled. He can't help it for being so devilishly cute! Of course you'd fall for him and his adorable charms, too. Who wouldn't? He's old, so he has plenty of experience in the art of romantic warfare. He's determined.

✧ Neige - it is absolutely intentional and he's so obvious about it. >_< Neige is so obsessed with you!!!! He wants you all to himself, so could your partner do him a favor and break up with you so that Neige can have you instead? :D and no one could possibly say no to Neige! He's just so sweet and so famous and he could ruin your partner with his sheer influence alone. But he won't. <3 so long as he gets to have you hehe.

✧ Rollo - he disapproves of everyone you date. It doesn't matter if they're a decent person; he dislikes them regardless. Anyone who isn't him is undeserving of being your partner. Only Rollo can fill that space, and he fully intends to do so in his own little ways. You'll tell your partner that you're only joining the student council president for breakfast because you want to be friendly, but it's during these meetings where Rollo acts like his charming, cordial self. He reserves rare smiles for you and is genuinely upstanding and sweet. But only for you. And soon you'll fall for him. At least, that's what he hopes will happen. If not, he can resort to drastic measures. Anything for you.

#twisted chit chat #>_< anon #yandere twst

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kaeichi · 8 months ago

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love is in the air.

. . . and maybe that's why mikage reo can view the world with such clouded, pink-hued vision, and why nagi seishiro cannot breathe at all.

series. nagi + reader + reo. no gendered terms, but some implications of m! reader. reader likes boys. bestfriend! nagi. valentines/white day. highschool setting. swearing. humor. fluff & angst.

a/n. repost bc it wasnt showing up in tags T-T i js want a shoujo anime w these two as the MLs...

prev ┊ next ┊ 01 … 02 … 03

⊹ 01 : my dear partner [wc: 4.7k]

TWO YEARS AGO

“…dude. you're scaring all the hoes away.”

nagi watches your lips move, though he barely registers anything you've been saying since he has stopped listening a while ago—which, honestly, comes as no surprise to anyone.

there’s no real reason to be so lethargic at this hour (it's already late noon, plus he surprisingly had a decent amount of sleep the previous night for once), nor the time to think about trivial things, but he can’t help but think about how exactly every single thing stopped being so bothersome like it used to.

he can't quite pinpoint what brought on this gradual change, but if he had to, then it’d probably be three springs ago—when he’d wake up a little earlier than usual to the gentle kiss of the sun through his window and the cherry blossoms were in perfect bloom. around that time is when he’d received his quiet companion choki, he’d finally scored top 1 in the leaderboards after months and months of grinding in his favorite mobile game, and… when you’d first sat next to him in middle school.

for as long as he remembers, you were simply just there. an unexpected oddity that has not only forced its way through, but has also wedged firmly into every aspect in his life. and somehow, he’d concluded that maybe some things weren't so bad—that some things weren't such a hassle to him after all.

“move, idiot. at this point you might as well hold my hand.” the snow-haired male barely hears your voice over his wandering thoughts, stumbling from the light shove you give him. he has now become acutely aware of your swinging hand, wary of the close proximity and the faint buzz of static that lingers on his skin. huh. maybe it is better to move away.

still, he’d rather not reposition himself. it’s too much work, he’d like to reason, and it's certainly not because of anything else… maybe. he doesn't really know for sure. what he does know though, is that the space beside him suddenly feels strangely empty.

when he looks at you to see a pout forming on your lips, he can't help but sigh. you're being unreasonable. there's something that's been nagging his curiosity for a while now, and it took him quite a bit to realize what it is.

“seishirooo,” you whined one day, allowing your head to sink against his mattress, taking up nearly the whole space while nagi sits at the corner of the bed. you came over to his place that day to bother him, stating that you needed some comfort because apparently, “no one ever looks at me. i feel so damn invisible.” he shrugged and offered you his controller, challenging you to a 1v1 with him as a distraction.

“…but i look at you all the time?” he replied.

“yeah, but that's different.” and he would've asked you to elaborate more, if not for the fact that you've been horribly vague about it when he does ask, and the perpetually sleepy gamer only has so much patience before he gives up and decides it's something not worth spending his energy on.

besides, you're always emotional like that. this was probably just another one of your fleeting phases.

it's not until he notices you've been longingly gazing at the couples on the campus, quietly seething under your breath that it finally clicks. now, he may not have the greatest understanding when it comes to feelings and all its complexities, but even he can tell you’re reeking with jealousy.

despite being pushed off only seconds ago, nagi shuffles closer again as he falls into step beside you. even if sparks prick his skin, it feels right in this way. “dunno why you ‘need’ hoes when you already have me.”

“just because i'm into guys doesn’t mean that i like you in that way,” you mutter, sending him an odd glance like you thought there’s something wrong with his head for even suggesting that. not knowing how to respond, he settles for staring right back without a word.

“what's with that look? you know what i mean, seishiro.” you continue, averting your gaze from him. what look? he asks internally. “it's just, well, literally everyone is getting into relationships. and i know we're still first years, but… it just feels like i’m missing out, y’know?

“do you really? sounds like a hassle to me,” he shrugs, and it truly does—he never saw the appeal of dumb crushes, of drama nearly every day, of possible unrequited “love,” or of wasting half your time and energy on someone just for it to not mean anything at all in the end. video games sound way more fun, and way less heartbreak inducing.

“you can't say that when you haven’t even experienced it,” you argue, still pouting.

“it’s overrated anyways. being single is better.”

“hah! of course you’d say that, you virgin.”

“you’re one to talk,” nagi boredly quips. “i’m celibate purely by choice, but you on the other hand… if you really think about it, you're basically an incel.”

nearly choking on your spit, you exclaim, “hah?!”

“you don't even really talk to other guys except for me, and on top of that, you're barely approached by anybody,” he explains in a matter-of-fact tone, oblivious to the way his best friend’s confidence waning rapidly by the second the more he speaks.

“yeah? and who’s fault is it, you cockblocker!”

nagi simply sticks a tongue out as you flip him off.

right after that, the two of you ended up breaking into a sprint as you heard the clicking sound of heels walking on the tiles around the corner, not wanting to get caught for skipping classes. well, you ran, and just dragged him by the wrist. he felt the warmth of your fingers even through the thick barrier of his baggy sleeve.

PRESENT

you try not to trip and fall face first as a cold hand guides you through the crowded hallway.

it's embarrassing enough as it is to be rushing through the middle of the corridor and pushing past the bodies of random students like you're a main character or some sort, but even more so when the (apparently) most popular guy of the campus that you’ve (never) seen is walking right in front of you.

and it gets even more humiliating when said popular guy has taken hostage of your wrist, leading you away to a more secluded area. shocked, harsh whispers echo throughout nearly the whole floor, and multiple eyes shoot daggers at the fingers wrapped around the sleeve of your uniform, and you’ve never wanted to bury yourself alive more than this moment.

after rounding a corner into a miraculously empty hallway, you finally skid to a stop, yanking your hand away, ready to pounce at the culprit who made you go through all that unnecessary attention. however, before you can get a word in, the refined male bows his head low in front of you, and you find yourself face-to-face with sleek purple locks.

“i’m sorry, but i have no time for dating. i’m really flattered, though. i hope we can stay friends still.” he hurriedly says, hope gleaming in his matching purple eyes.

…what.

who is he again? and why is he rejecting you?

for some reason, you find the stranger’s gaze too bright that you have to look away; so you do exactly that, tilting your chin downwards instead and letting your hair mask your expression.

after a few beats of silence, he clears his throat. “i'm really sorry, it hurts me to see you look so down… i’m sure we can put this behind us and—”

“nice shoes,” you interrupt, still not raising your head to meet his now confused stare. “i can tell you really love wearing them, judging by the busted, worn out stitches. hey, is it just me or is that prada logo kinda wonky too?”

the male's jaw drops down nearly all the way to the floor.

“pardon me?” he says through gritted teeth, keeping his composure by flashing his usual award-winning smile, albeit a lot more stiffer. “i know i just rejected you, but you don't have to be so hostile…”

when you finally raise your head, your expression can only be described as terribly and solemnly unamused, unimpressed beyond words.

then, you suddenly lean closer, peering closely into his violet irises with thoughtful hum. an unwilling flush of red creeps on the tips of the boy’s ears, his eyes widening comically at the sudden intrusion of space. “you’ll do,” nodding to yourself, you now grab his wrist and pull him away. “come.”

“w-wait, huh? where are we go—”

“you're the one who made me late. let's go!”

reo isn't quite sure why he's the one being dragged away now.

he has only initially planned to gently turn down the person who last confessed to him, whose family just so happened to be related to his father’s business partners—but now he somehow finds himself on a whole date with that person? (the same one who brazenly insulted him by implying his shoes are fake, by the way!)

“i have other plans today, you know…” the heir says, subtly trying to inch away from you.

you tug him back by his sleeve, with twice as much force than he had used on you earlier. “i can imagine, my dear partner.”

“w-what?” reo stutters, and he's cringes at himself for how he's acting at the moment. the usually composed and charming mikage reo, now reduced to a stuttering and blushing mess? how embarrassing.

“normally my best friend would do this with me, but he slept in today.” leave it to seishiro to leave me all alone on the day that actually matters, you irritatedly mutter under your breath. “well, whatever. come on.”

as you and him enter the packed bubble tea shop, the fingers that were wrapped around his sleeve slides down to interlace with reo’s own clammy ones. he realizes this a second too late, and before he has the chance to let go, the clerk by the entrance greets them with an enthusiastic “welcome, lovebirds!”

“huh?!” reo’s jaw slackens, dumbfounded. he’s really starting to hate himself now—it's unbecoming of him, really, but it's hard to process everything when you're so close to him that the scent of your shampoo keeps invading his senses and subsequently messing with his head.

“here’s your special tickets for today. thank you for participating, and happy valentines!” you drag him straight to the back, where the colorful claw machines are set up. reo catches a glimpse of the pink posters set up on the walls of the quaint shop, which reads: couples get free special tickets! today only! …ah. that's why he's here.

“aoi-san… you're gripping too tight,” he says, gritting his teeth together into a forced smile.

“aoi?” you repeat, your grip finally loosening until you let go entirely. “huh… i see. by the way, what's your name again?”

needless to say, the purple-haired male is beyond perplexed. “is this your unique attempt at a joke or something?”

“come on, rich boy. we've held hands and i don’t even know your name!”

“right… which i totally wasn't being forced to do…” he lets out an awkward laugh. sure, some admirers of his tend to get a tad excessive, but they were never able to get far with him, much less forcibly drag him out on a date—and it's not even because they want him to spend his unlimited budget on them and spoil them rotten, but just so they can get… a free special ticket for a claw machine. how did he end up getting in this bizarre situation? more importantly, how does he get out?

you simply shrug. “your fault, rich boy. you should try thinking about anyone other than yourself for once.”

“excuse me?” he narrows his eyes, slightly peeved. he's had enough of your rude attitude; potential business partner or not, he hopes that he never has to interact with you again in the future. “stop calling me that. i have a name, and it's mikage reo.”

the way your eyes widen doesn't go unnoticed by him. “and what did you even mean by that?” he presses defensively.

you plop down on the seat, with reo mirroring you as you insert the rouge ticket decorated with pink hearts into the slot of the claw machine. “well, mikage reo. i’m sure you're aware how aoi’s family is important, right?”

yeah, this person is definitely a weirdo, reo muses. who refers to themselves in third person?

“i heard they had connections everywhere… just like you. it's crucial to maintain a good relationship with someone like that, right?” you conclude—that would explain why reo had taken the time to personally talk to “aoi” one-on-one instead of just flat out rejecting them on the spot.

reo tilts his head to the side. “i’m not following…?”

“mikage.” you emphasize, looking at him straight in the eye before turning your attention back to playing. “i’m saying that the poor kid’s still waiting for an answer. your heartfelt and sincere rejection, to be exact.”

a few seconds of silence pass. well, as silent as it can be with the loud chattering of the crowd and the mechanical whirrs of the claw machine you're currently messing with resounding in the air.

“you mean, you're not…” reo trails off, all color draining from his face. “i’m so, so sorr—”

“aoi’s the one you should apologize to, not me. oh, i got a double! how lucky.” you eagerly grab the prize, the limited edition valentine’s merch exclusive to this boba shop; a plushie collectible that comes with a redeemable code for your favorite video game. you want to collect all of them, but you’re broke as hell and you’re only here due to the free ticket. turning to reo, you shove the second plushie to his chest. “here, this is for you. since you did help me out with getting these.”

“ah, thank you…” reo absentmindedly accepts the small toy, still reeling on how he could make such a careless mistake. “listen, i do apologize—”

“i wonder how'd you even mix us up. is it ‘cause we have the same hair color?” you ask, slightly amused because aside from that, you and aoi look nothing alike. your fingers tap on the surface of the control panel, observing reo’s shame-stricken visage. “or maybe… is it because everyone just looks the same to you?”

at that moment, mikage reo realizes two things: (1) maybe he's more transparent and vulnerable than he thinks, and (2) you're dangerous, and it's better to stay far, far away from you. how could you see right through him so quickly? what if that's something you'll use against him?

he doesn't like to admit it, but it's true—in his perspective, everyone's the same. they're just after him for money and status, and at some point, they've all just become faceless, superficial pawns vying for his attention.

and of course, you’re no exemption.

noticing he’s gone quiet, you continue, “but i guess if my world was as vast as yours, i couldn't possibly keep up with everything either, so i get it. i’m not saying i’m in the same situation as you, but i can kind of relate, i guess. i only keep the ones who's important to me close, and the rest just exist and do whatever. i’m selective, but in that way, at least i can give my all to the ones that really matter.”

reo closes his mouth shut. here you are casually saying that you don't matter to him, and while that isn't a lie in the slightest, he still can't help but feel guilty. maybe it's just the people-pleaser in him, or maybe it’s the way the corners of your lips are slightly quirked up and to form a miniscule, accepting smile, but he wants to reassure you, “still, i’m sure you feel that—”

“i don’t.” you don't mind that he didn't know you, because you didn't even know him either—there’s no reason for you to take it personal. you’d be a hypocrite otherwise. “i really don’t.”

you smile at him. he thinks it's out of understanding, but unbeknownst to him you're actually just entertained by how his inner turmoil is so clearly reflected on his expression. “so don’t worry about it. plus, we’re even now.” you add, gesturing towards the prize.

hopping off the stool, you wave at him as you start to walk away. “...happy valentines. i'll see you around, mikage. maybe. er, probably not.”

“wait!” he hurriedly jumps off the stool as well, clutching the plushie in his hand as he follows after you. “i… let me drive you home.” the words stumble out before he even realizes what he's saying. you're probably just using him, and you're dangerous, and you see right through him, and he should stop wasting his time because his actual valentine's date is probably three seconds away from storming out the restaurant he's booked at—

so why is he doing this?

“drive?” you repeat, because of course he’d have a driver. damn rich people, you think internally. “nuh uh. it's like a ten minute walk, and i’d rather save the environment.”

“then i’ll walk with you.”

“you do realize i’m done dragging you for the day, right?” you quirk a brow up, amused; you could've sworn he was itching to get the hell away half an hour ago. “you're free. you can go home if you want.”

reo smiles, a more genial one this time. “i know.”

“so, you into popular guys now?”

“hell no.”

nagi narrows his eyes at you. “you’re just into reo, then?”

while you expected to be grilled first thing in the morning by random people about your apparent relationship with mikage reo (to which you simply replied, “i don’t know who that is, sorry,” and proceeded to run away), you didn't expect to be interrogated by your apathetic best friend as well.

usually, nagi prefers to be completely silent during the 1st period (and actually all the way through lunch), not bothering to utter more than a few words, but today, he seems uncharacteristically on edge, waiting for you at the corner of the gym with a wrinkle between his brows.

“why are you on a first name basis with him?”

“everyone calls him reo.” he shrugs. “why him?”

“i never said i was into him.”

“then what's all that partner thing about?” he asks, which confuses you a bit. you doubt that reo would go around announcing to everyone how you teasingly called him ‘partner’ and practically dragged him to a date against his will, but it's not like him and nagi are close either, so you wonder where nagi has heard this information from. then, you suddenly recall back to yesterday, where you saw the curtain of your neighbor’s bedroom window swinging side-to-side, as if it was drawn close a mere second before you looked up.

it seems that your mind wasn't playing tricks with you after all, and that a certain someone was eavesdropping on your conversation with reo as he walked you to your door.

“fake partners, you mean? and it was a just a joke—i met him that day.”

“that day? why are you acting so close if you've just met that day?”

“you're awfully talkative today, seishiro.”

“i know. it's making me exhausted, and it's all your fault.” he then presses his weight against you, leaning his forehead on your shoulder—as he always does when he's tired and you're within reach. your eyes widen immediately, darting around the gymnasium to see if any of your classmates has noticed.

you don't want people to get the wrong idea about you two. it's not because it kills your chances with anyone due to the assumption that you aren't single (which you still very much are, by the way), or even because of potential issues of being a two-timer due to a certain rich boy—it's just that whenever you get asked if you and your best friend are together, you can't help but flinch from the idea, like ice is being poured inside the back of your shirt. you don’t really know what to call it, but you do know that you've answered the question a hundred times and you're positively sick of it.

“i told you to stop doing this in public,” you hiss, trying to push the giant, clingy sloth off you. “and stop whining, nagi. i’m not going anywhere. besides, i’m not even looking for a relationship or anything like that. not after… you know, what happened during our first year.”

he lifts his head up, frowning at you. “don’t call me nagi. just ‘cause you met a new guy doesn't mean you get to call me nagi.”

you raise an unimpressed brow. what’s his problem? “only if you stop whining.”

“…‘m not.” he slurs his words together, only proving your point.

“yes you are!”

“why do you have to be so annoying? you're such a pain,” he sighs, now walking away from you.

“i'm the annoying one?! and don't call me a pain, you—!” without hesitation, you promptly snatch a red ball from the steel ball cart beside you before swinging your arm at him, slamming the dodgeball right to his head. well, you tried to, at least; even with his back facing towards you, nagi only takes one step to the side to avoid it.

“your shitty aim sucks balls,” the tall male comments unenthusiastically, his white fringe falling over his eyes as he gazes at you over his shoulder. his nonchalance only spurs you on, now hauling multiple dodgeballs at him.

“how about you suck my ba—”

“give it up already. you're never gonna hit me.” and nagi actually has the audacity to yawn mid-dodge. of course, it only fuels your irritation even more. you eventually run out of balls to throw, so you mindlessly grab the nearest object to your right and chuck that as well.

…which unfortunately, happens to be nagi’s phone that he's snuck inside the gym, peeking under a face towel on the bench.

“oh, fu—”

because of your (rightfully) so-called shitty aim, it swung way up high to the left, a few steps away from nagi. in less than a second, he realizes what you have flung at him, and his body moves instinctively; he throws himself towards it, swinging his leg upward and trapping it with his foot with perfect ease before it has the chance to plummet down on the floor.

“why are you making me move so much…” he sighs. “what a pain.”

“you’re supposed to move anyways, we're in PE. you're welcome,” you smugly reason out. and then not even a second later you fold, shoulders curling inwards as you glance toward his phone; if it weren't for his godly reflexes, you would've broken it. with a small voice, you meekly add, “sorry.”

nagi shrugs in response.

when he saunters over to place his phone on the bench again, a silver glint catches your eye. a small charm swings lightly, small beads of white and black strung haphazardly together attached to the side of his phone case.

“wait, this is…” a phone charm crafted by hand, which is your birthday present for him four years ago. “i didnt know you still had that.”

“why wouldn't i?”

“where was it this whole time? this wasn't here a few days ago.”

“i just kept it in my drawer ‘cause i don’t wanna lose it.”

tilting your head to the side, you ask, “so why'd you suddenly decide to attach it to your phone now?”

he looks away, scratching the back of his neck. “…dunno.”

eyes dropping into slits, you mutter, “you know, that kinda sounds sus—”

“hey! that was amazing! nagi, right? you should play soccer with me!”

nagi and yourself both turn to the direction of the sudden voice, seeing a familiar figure running towards you, vivid purple eyes gleaming under the gymnasium’s stark white lights.

“mikage?” you exclaim.

ever so slightly, nagi sharpens his usual droopy eyes. “nah.” he immediately says, turning on his heel.

“seishiro? wait, weren't you supposed to be looking for a club?”

“don’t really care.” you follow him, lightly jogging to keep up. as soon as you catch up by his side, the taller male glances at you as he asks, “will you join too?”

is he seriously asking you that… “no?”

“then i won't.” nagi concludes as he continues to walk away from reo.

“hey, wait up!” reo calls out, placing a hand on your shoulder. “ah, i was completely shut down… say, will you help me convince him?”

your brows shoot up as your gaze flicks down where he's casually touching you. after your initial confusion of who he is yesterday, you then recognize him after learning his name—the most popular boy in school, known for his good looks, charisma, and most especially, his wealth. he gets along well with literally everyone, and acts genuinely close with them even if they aren't.

“uh, why should i?”

“remember that limited edition merch you like? i can get you the rest of the collection. in fact, i’ll even buy out the whole place just for you.”

“wha– seriously?” you feel your eye twitch. damn rich people. “it was limited edition. they all ran out of stock already.”

“i have my ways.” well, that's not shady at all. he flashes a grin at your skepticism, winking at you, “anything for my partner.”

and you now understand why he's earned his title. this is probably how he always gets what he wants—with a smile like that, anyone would drop to their knees and do whatever he’d ask. two years ago, you would've keeled over for attention like this, but now, you're nothing but indifferent.

he places his hands on both of your shoulders now, completely stopping you from taking off. wide violet eyes scrutinize your own, making you scrunch your nose at the close proximity. “shouldn't you be begging him and not me?”

“yeah, but...” reo swears he feels an air of animosity radiating from the white-haired male, and that's why he has decided to turn you instead. “you wouldn't leave your partner hanging, right? as partners, we help each other out, riiiight?” he says, dragging his words out.

you lean as far as you physically can from his grip, but he doesn't seem to care, excitedly looking at you with stars evident in his eyes. “mikage, you—” he smiles at you, bright and blinding, and you find yourself withering under his intense gaze. “okay, fine, just—”

“well, that's settled then! they’re joining the club too, nagi seishiro. they can be our manager.” you briefly wonder why he didn't outright offer to have you join the team, but he probably saw how you threw the dodgeballs earlier… though it's not like you have to use your hands in soccer, so what the hell, this is kind of insulting.

“says who, mikage?”

“you're gonna come watch all our games?” he negotiates.

“why don’t you offer that i join the team?”

“ahahaha. haha. hah.” he laughs awkwardly, swinging an arm around your shoulder and ultimately evading your question.

because you were too busy trying to shrug him off, you miss the way nagi’s eyes zero on to reo’s arm around you, wordlessly observing the whole interaction with his lips pressed taut.

you still don’t know why reo hasn't moved away; he's so close that you can see the dark amethyst specks in his irises, the long strands that frame his face are lightly tickling your cheek, and if you lean in even just an inch, you can practically—

“you said anything i want, right?” your voice drops to a low whisper, and reo nods slowly, still seemingly oblivious to the lack of space between you.

“then... what if i said i wanted a kiss?”

reo’s smile drops immediately, recoiling away from you as if you've slapped him, his whole entire face heating up all the way to the tips of his ears. finally out of his grasp, you erupt into boisterous laughter, shaking your head as you leave the flustered boy alone and catching up to nagi.

likes/reblogs/feedback appreciated ♡

#blue lock x reader #nagi seishiro x reader #mikage reo x reader #reo mikage x reader #bllk x reader #bllk x you

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holdmecloser-gandydancer · 11 days ago

Text

Impractical Magic

read here or on ao3!

“Can you believe this shit?” Taako demands, immediately jolting Kravitz from his totally-not-a-nap on the couch. He wracks his brain for what shit he should be in disbelief about, though nothing immediately rears its head.

“Believe what shit?” Kravitz asks, still riding the bleary nap energy. Based on the hare-like glint in Taako’s eye, he’s pretty sure his naptime is out to pasture. Rather than answering, Taako drops a glossy copy of the most recent issue of Waterdeep Weekly onto Kravitz’s lap.

“Page 27,” Taako says, all but dropping onto the couch beside Kravitz like a strong willed and weak constituted heroine on a fainting couch in an old movie.

“‘And the hottest attraction this fall isn’t the beautiful foliage seen in the forests outside Goldcliff, rather it’s the scariest haunted house in the plane nestled in the heart of the city. While the identity of the Shriek Shack’s proprietor remains unknown, tales of its electrifying frights drip from the tongues of its patrons—the minute that the team of onsite clerics are able to revivfy them, of course! That’s right, for fifty gold, you can have the chance to get scared to death???’ Taako, you’ve got to be joking, this is some elaborate prank you’re pulling on me, right?” Kravitz all but begs. He squints at the page in front of him as though it’s suddenly going to fold itself into a paper crane and apologize for rustling his jimmies like that. Sadly, no such luck. “Fifty gold is already highway robbery for a haunted house, but certainly this is false advertising. Certainly they don’t intend to make my life harder. I can feel my blood pressure going sky-high and I don’t even have blood.”

Taako reclaims the magazine and puts his head in Kravitz’s lap. “The audacity of this so-called publication to highlight this utter charlatan and yet my famous Halloween parties have yet to receive a feature.”

Kravitz pauses, weighing his responses very carefully. “The same Halloween parties that, while elaborate and spectacular, very purposefully have an extremely limited guest list?”

“Yeah,” Taako says without a hint of irony. He drapes the magazine across his face as though he could osmosis a story about himself from his brain and onto the pages.

“I thought you were happy to be out of the limelight for a while? I mean, as out of it as you can be for being one of the saviors of the universe. Just the other day we went to Fantasy Kroger and nobody stopped to ogle you or to ask for an autograph or to demand why their kid couldn’t enroll in your school.”

Taako pauses behind his paper fortress. “And that’s nice. Peace and quiet is nice. But, I dunno, it’s nice to have your hard work acknowledged. I don’t really know what more I cou—wait a damn minute.” He sits up abruptly. “Krav, we’ve simply got to get spookier.”

Kravitz frowns and looks around. “I’m…I’m the grim reaper. I don’t know how to get spookier than this.”

Taako smiles a smile that makes Kravitz think his skin’s going to be worn as a suit someday. “I’ve got plenty of ideas.”

—--------------------------------------

Taako paces the length of the dining room, waiting for the gaggle of people he's amassed to settle. Of course, why settle when he bribed them with a loaded hot chocolate bar? It's when Magnus's mug threatens to unleash a deluge of hot chocolate, marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a quarter bottle of caramel drizzle on the freshly polished terrazzo tile that Taako formally calls the meeting to order.

“In front of each of you is a copy of the latest Waterdeep Weekly with a particular story earmarked and annotated for you.” A symphony of fluttering pages follows his perfectly planned pause. “Simply put, whatever clown is putting on this haunted house has another thing coming if they think they can be the biggest in the biz. Halloween is like my Fantasy Toyotathon or whatever boring people like. I refuse to be out done,” Taako says like a general readying his platoon for war.

“What exactly are you hoping to accomplish?” Lup asks, fruitlessly defending her mound of whipped cream from Barry's lactose-intolerant hands.

Taako shrugs. “I'm gonna make the best haunted house this side of the Sword Coast and I'm employing only the spookiest people I know.”

“Okay, team undead over there, I understand,” Merle says, nodding towards Lup, Barry and Kravitz. “But the rest of us? The kid? What exactly’s our purpose?”

Taako tsks and pulls a large dry erase board from thin air. He uncaps a marker with his teeth and does his best to talk around the cap. “Merle, Merle, Merle, each and every person here is vital to the plan. Yes, I've got the spookiest cadre in the planes over here, I've got Agnes getting intel on whomst exactly is behind the Shriek Shack, Magnus is here to move heavy shit and to make sure whatever we've got going on is very scary since he's a baby, and Lucretia is here to make sure I don't land myself in legal trouble with some of my ideas.” As he lists each person and their role, he doodles a little picture of them doing precisely that.

“Which leaves?”

Taako spits the marker cap at the table, sending it clattering onto the floor, surely never to be seen again if the cats have anything to do with it. “Which leaves you and Davenport to drum up business! Go spread the word. Let everyone know that Taako and Co., trademark pending, will be hosting the most exclusive haunted attraction Faerun has ever seen. There’s going to be frights, there’s going to be terror, there’s going to be free candy! Really lay that on thick to families with gaggles of kids, that’ll get them for sure. Frankly, that should sell it enough on its own. Everyone loves free shit.”

Merle nods along as Taako explains, seemingly at ease with the answer. The rest of the group squints at the exchange, more than a little unconvinced.

Davenport furrows his brow and taps his fingers a few times on the table. He pushes his now lukewarm mug of hot chocolate aside. “So let me get this straight,” he says at last. “You want Merle and me, coupla old guys, one of whom always smells like a dispensary, to go into town to drum up business by stopping kids and offering them free candy?”

Lup snorts, but quickly coughs and buries her face into Barry’s shoulder as a cover. Everyone else averts their eyes as Taako’s gaze threatens to burn holes into the walls. He’s partially through his doodle of Merle and Davenport handing out free candy to kids when Davenport finishes speaking.

“Well, when you put it like that, no I don’t. But I’m certain the two of you numbskulls can figure something out,” Taako says, taking a large and loud sip from his cocoa.

—----------------------------------

“Okay, let’s hear your haunt pitch.”

“Taako, do you really need our help? Lup’s been working on our costume for months. Do you know how many sequins she’s sewed onto those shorts? She’s been learning to tap dance for a costume,” Barry says from the couch.

“Barold, there’s nothing stopping the two of you from doing your Roxy Hoard costume—”

“Rocky Horror. Columbia and Eddie.”

“—sure, that, I guess. Never seen it.”

Barry sits up abruptly, looking at Taako with his mouth agape. “Sorry, you of all people haven’t seen it?”

Taako shrugs. “I don’t like musicals, they’re far too obnoxious.”

“You made us watch a shaky Sweeney Todd bootleg that looked like it was filmed on a Gameboy the other night.”

“You are deflectiiiiiiing,” Taako sing-songs, putting a kibosh on the musical discussion. “You can wear the costumes on Halloween, this event is the week before and just to prove a point. But I get it. All this obfuscation on your end is just because you’re scared that you won’t be able to bring anything scary to the table.”

Barry blinks once, then twice, then thrice. “You don’t think I can be scary?” He’s a necromancer, of all things.

“Oh no, dear Barry, I think I misrepresented myself. I know for a fact you can’t be scary. Remember? ‘Are you afraaaaaid?’” Taako mimics Barry’s red robed attempt at appearing fearsome.

His face heats up. A guy tries to be different one time and suddenly he’ll literally never hear the end of it. “I’m going to bring the scares in a very real way.”

“Uh-huh.”

—-----------------------------------------------

“Next! C’mon, keep the line moving! No pushing, no shoving, y’all are all gonna get to die tonight, don’t worry,” a gravelly voice booms from the striped ticket booth at the front of the line. Thick, dark smoke from some hidden smoke machines hangs around the ankles of those waiting.

Angus does his best not to fidget. The line seems to drag on for eternity, a fact others waiting make no secret of, complaining to high heaven about how long it's taken to move even a few feet. Angus isn't the most patient guy around, but he certainly isn't going around wailing and moaning about things nobody can control. Besides, it's mature to not complain and that, paired with Angus's perfect use of Disguise Self, there’s no way he's not getting inside the Shriek Shack.

The line trudges forward little by little, with the speed of people in line for the gallows, but after nigh an eternity, Angus finds himself at the front of the line.

He smiles cordially at the bespectacled high elf in the booth, but before Angus can even get a word out, the man points to the arsenal of signs around the booth.

“Absolutely nobody underage admitted, no exceptions. Go home, kid,” he says, sounding almost bored and absolutely annoyed.

Angus’s smile falters. “Um, I'm not underage. I'm a big b—um I'm an adult.”

The guy in the booth sends him a withering glare over the top of his glasses. “Yeah, and I'm Fareun's next top model.”

“Oh. Congratulations!”

The man taps his specs. “These puppies let me see through everyone's horseshit. Including yours. You. Are. Not. Getting . In. Now beat it.”

Angus squints at the man and his glasses. He drops his disguise and before he can even properly deflate, a small half-orc child sidles up beside Angus and pulls the booth attendant's attention.

Fat, wet tears are welling up in her eyes and the wobble of her bottom lip is almost earthquake-like in nature. “I-I can't find m-my mommy!” she wails, splitting the ears of those within a few feet. “Sh-she said she’d be back after she w-went inside, bu-ut I can’t find herrrrrr!!!!!”

The booth attendant looks alarmed, rips his glasses off, fiddles with a dial that cranks up all the fog machines, before rushing out of the booth. The line behind Angus groans with malcontent.

After a moment, a back door to the booth springs open. Before Angus can ascertain what's happening, a pair of the glasses are being tossed into his hands and Mavis is beckoning him behind the booth. Once his brain catches up, he meets up with Mavis. She drops a small pouch of coins in the hand of the half-orc kid who's in remarkably better spirits.

Mavis nods her head. “Bethany's kid sister, Marya, got recruited by some bard colleges earlier this year and it's clear why.”

Marya nods and saunters off.

“Mavis, you're a genius, but I thought your mom didn't want you doing recon with me anymore.”

Mavis grins. “Dad's weekend. What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Now, put those on and let's find a different entrance.” She slips on a pair of glasses that match the ones in Angus’s hand.

He raises an eyebrow, examining the glasses. “Are these-”

“Glasses of True Sight? They sure are. Whoever's running this thing apparently has a lotta horseshit to see through. Let's take a look.” Mavis takes off, making a beeline to what looks like a brick wall.

Angus slips the glasses on and is surprised to see how small the entire Shriek Shack appears to be from the outside. He spies Mavis rushing towards a door. He follows behind her before he can think to do anything else.

—-------------

“This feels ridiculous.”

“You're too uptight.”

“No, I've suffered a lot of indignities and this is a new low.”

“This is a new low for you?”

“Well, Merle, I feel like a real horse's ass right now,” Davenport says, adjusting the straps on his shoulders. The fur of his costume might as well be made of asbestos with how comfortable it is.

“You said you didn't want to be the one talkin’ to anyone!”

“I didn't realize it would entail me being directly downwind of you. This whole suit smells like patchouli.”

Merle rolls his eyes and puts the horse head mask back on his head. “You're being a drama queen. Couple more hours and we'll have gotten plany of business drummed up for this thing.”

“I don't want to, is the thing.”

“I can't be an assless horse.”

“What about a reverse centaur?”

“....Yeah, okay.”

—-----

Taako roots around the medicine cabinet for Fantasy ibuprofen. Or the makings of an icepick lobotomy. He's trying to turn this haunted house into a haunted home goddammit, but it seems as though everything that can thwart him is dying to thwart him. Nobody has given him an idea scarier than having visitors stick their hands in a bowl of peeled grapes because it would, and Kravitz quotes, “Feel like sticking your hand in a bowl of eyeballs.”

Ugh. Taako loves the guy, but he’s been to playgrounds scarier than that.

Lup had some decent ideas, but Lucretia put the kibosh on Phantasmal Killer, Insect Plague, and Maddening Darkness. Fun police didn’t want them all to get sued.

Of course, Magnus thinks that all these ideas are terrifying. Big lug can charge headfirst into battle against the actual physical embodiment of apathy and destruction, but the sight of a rubber rat sends him leaping onto a table. Go figure.

A reasonable person would probably call the whole thing off; manifesting a whole haunted house in 36 hours is a fool’s gambit. But Taako’s never counted himself as someone reasonable.

And besides, he wants to win. Win what? That doesn’t matter. There is doubtless something here to win and he’ll know it when he gets it and he’ll win it and his victory will be sweet and well-earned and everyone will say “wow, Taako, you won! Great job!”

The very even keel of this thought rabbit hole he’s been visiting for days is interrupted by a knock at the door. He waits, hoping he doesn’t have to be the one to bother answering.

Another knock, more terse this time. Ugh. Kravitz must be at work. Need everything fall upon Taako’s broad yet soft shoulders? He shuffles slowly to the door, giving whomstever is disturbing his early evening plenty of time to think better of it and slink off. No such luck.

“No solicitors unless you want a taste of Scorching Ray,” Taako says before he can even get the door open fully. Imagine his surprise when he sees two Goldcliff militia officers flanking Merle and Davenport.

“Sir, these two gentlemen said they were working on behalf of you when we got some complaints of them disturbing the peace. That true?” The shorter officer says.

“Never seen them before in my life,” Taako says with an air of boredom.

“Taako!” “You sonofa—”

He waves off both of their objections. “Kidding. These are my old guys, they’re not like, actually in trouble, right?”

The taller officer grimaces. “Technically, on behalf of the mayor, we’re meant to hold cases like this overnight at the jail.”

“But you heard them talking up the entirely cool haunted house that’s going to be hosted here and thought that these nice geezers posed no harm?” Taako supplies helpfully.

“I dunno, we don’t really have that kind of discretion,” the shorter officer waffles for a moment.

Taako leans in to address the officers. “Listen. You’re already here, you probably don’t get paid enough to deal with their bullshit. Whattaya say I let you fools into the haunted house for free, plus a couple of guests, and we just forget this happened?”

“It’s gonna be better than the Shriek Shack,” Merle chimes in.

“Shut up,” Davenport says through gritted teeth.

The taller officer considers this for a minute. “Yeah, sure. Just. Don’t argue about the logistics of an assless horse that loud in a busy shopping quarter again. Or just take that to Waterdeep.”

The officers leave and Davenport quickly disappears inside.

“For the record,” Merle says, “I was just fine with the costume.”

Before Taako can even react, another loud knock on his door. He raises an eyebrow at Merle.

“Don’t ask me.”

Taako opens the door to find another pair of Goldcliff militia officers; this time, they flank Angus and Mavis. “You’re joking.”

Merle peeks around the door and his eyebrows do their best to join his hairline. “Mavis?”

“I can explain!” Angus defends. “I was trying to get to the bottom of who own—”

Taako shakes his head and holds his hands out. “Okay, I don’t have nearly enough caffeine in my system for this. Would the two of you be okay with coming inside for a cup of coffee while we all hash this out?”

The two officers look at one another. The man shrugs. The woman frowns, but ultimately nods. “I don’t see why not.”

Angus furrows his brow but says nothing. Taako ushers everyone inside and shuts the door tight behind him. “Here, let me take your coats,” he calls after them.

—--------

“So, Angster, Mavis, care to tell us how you ended up here?” Taako asks as everyone sips a steaming cup of coffee. He taps his ring against the mug to a beat and squints at Angus.

“Uh. Well, uh I-I heard all about the Shriek Shack at school and everyone was talking about how scary it was and how bad they wanted to go. And a couple of kids made bets about who could sneak in. And I wanted to look cool so I tried and I talked Mavis into it and we got caught and I’m sorry.”

Mavis glances sideways at Angus. “That’s not how it happ—”

“Mavis, there’s no point in trying to fudge the truth. Nobody’s mad, we’re just glad you’re back safe, right Merle?”

Merle finally comes up for air from his comically large cup of coffee. “Right.”

“Listen, sir, we’re glad this can be a teaching moment for you and your kid or whatever, but we confiscated a couple of questionable magic items from these children,” the woman says, crossing her legs.

“May I see? I'm something of a magic practitioner myself and I just want to see how big of an issue we're dealing with here.” Taako silently applauds himself on sounding so professional.

The man sucks in a breath and crosses his legs, mirroring the woman beside him. “Mmm, I’m not sure that that’s such a good idea.”

“Yeah, this is an ongoing investigation, after all,” the woman says.

“Is this going to go on our permanent records?” Mavis asks suddenly, her eyes going big as saucers.

“Shit, your mom’s gonna have my ass,” Merle laments.

The woman smiles for scarcely a moment before it disappears from her face. “Well, we really should be going, but we’ll keep in touch.” She and her partner begin to stand.

“Oh, could you stick around for just a few more minutes? I know my husband would want to be here to get some details from you. I promise he’s just tying up some loose ends at work.”

The officers look at each other again. “It’s not protocol, but I suppose.”

“Wonderful! While I’ve got you here, when did the Goldcliff militia change their uniform colors?” Taako asks innocently.

“Sorry?”

“Yeah, I recall a dear old friend of ours having a far more…subdued uniform. Don’t get me wrong, the two of you have impeccable style, but it seems a little too showy for the job,” Taako says.

“Well, things change.”

“They certainly do.”

Before Taako can say more, a familiar tearing sound rings through the entryway. The two officers don’t turn around.

“Taako, I got your text, what’s going on?” Kravitz asks, shrugging his cloak off. Taako stands to meet him near the door, taking his cloak and putting it on the coat rack. He presses a lingering kiss on Kravitz’s cheek.

“Awww, kiddos got their first escort home from the militia. Mazel tov, babes,” Lup says, stepping through the rift behind Kravitz and waving her hand at Taako.

“You didn’t talk without a lawyer present, right? I went to a semester of law school, I know kids have rights,” Barry says, ambling over to the couch. He levels a gaze at the militia officers on the couch. He squints and runs his tongue over his teeth, concentrating like he’s looking at an optical illusion. Over the woman’s shoulder, he catches a glimpse of Taako making a small gesture that looks almost like handcuffs before he slips on a pair of thick rimmed glasses. Thieves Cant? Since when does Taako know a lick of thieves cant? “Um. Sorry, you just looked a bit familiar.” He sends a small nod to Taako, who creeps quietly to stand beside Lup.

“We have those kinds of faces,” the man says offhandedly. His partner fidgets beside him. She starts surveying the room.

“I’m being so rude, I’m Barry,” he sticks out a hand. For a moment, neither officer reacts. When it becomes clear Barry isn’t in the market to play chicken, the woman shakes his hand.

Lup moves to sit beside Merle, occupying the space left by Taako. She whispers something in his ear. Suddenly, he sits up a little straighter and blinks his eye a few times.

“Lauren. This is my partner, Evan.”

“You dumb motherfuckers!” Suddenly, Taako is beside Barry. Lup and Kravitz fall in line, manifesting their scythes from the ether as Merle yanks Angus and Mavis behind him. “See, something smelled rank about you from the minute you darkened my doorstep, but you’ve really made it all too easy. I mean, Evan and Lauren? You could have at least swapped initials.”

Lup flicks her hand and immediately Evan and Lauren are replaced with two technicolor nightmares.

“But you have to admit, it was so much fun,” Edward says on the verge of pouting.

“How’d you bastards get outta the Astral Plane again?” Merle asks, putting as much space between the kids and the Wonder Twins as he can manage.

Lydia grins wolfishly. “Oh, dear dear Merle, I think you’ll find my lovely brother and I are like crabs; try as you might, you can never truly get rid of us.”

“Ew,” Lup says, wrinkling her nose. “So you’re behind the Shriek Shack? Why? Why not just rebuild your stupid ass circus?”

“Wonderland,” Edward corrects, “Was a true work of art. The Shriek Shack is more like Fantasy Arby’s. Not what you actually want, but ultimately pretty edible.”

“You should be patting us on the back,” Lydia says. “You see, we’re milking these stupid customers for pure, ethical suffering!”

“And giving us a mountain of paperwork to do,” Barry pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Wait. Yeah, we haven’t had a single report of an escape in months, what the hell is this?” Kravitz exchanges glances with Lup and Barry.

Edward rolls his eyes. “Keep up, pretty boy. You reapers are great hired goons, but you’re not the most perceptive types.” He stands and motions for Lydia to do the same.

“I’d say we should do this again, but I find you all so tedious.” Lydia stands to join her brother.

Taako and Merle seem to move in near unison as Edward and Lydia are restrained by heavy chains and creeping vines.

“I’d really rethink the tone the two of you dipshits take with us from now on,” Lup all but snarls. “I ate your essence and shit it out once, what do you think I’m capable of now that I’m out of that thing?”

Despite the restraint and the very real threat of some of the most powerful magic users in the plane, the Wonder Twins still find it in their hearts to snark like children.

“It’s cute that you think a few decades of undeath makes you anything more than a common wizard bitch who’s bound to end up being her own undoing because she’s incapable of doing the dirty work to become a lich the real way. Sustained by love? Get a grip. You’re pathetic,” Edward spits at her.

Before Lup can hurl a fireball, Barry very calmly and deliberately takes off his glasses and hands them off to Angus. He rubs the side of his face, rolls his head around a few times to loosen up his neck, and tips his head back as he mutters something quietly. When he picks his head back up, his eyes are, with no exaggeration, voids. Inky black ooze dribbles out of his sockets and down his face like ichor. The darkness is contagious, dripping down onto the floor and growing impenetrable columns of shadow from where the droplets land. His mouth twists at an unnatural, profane angle.

At the sight of this production, Lydia and Edward attempt to tug at their restraints to flee from Barry’s presence, though it’s a futile effort.

“Are you afraid?” Barry hisses out, his voice echoing in a cacophony of whispers and of nails on a chalkboard.

“P-please, please,” is all the pair is able to babble out, their panic growing the closer Barry gets to them.

“I could put your worthless souls in the darkest recesses of this planet, never to be seen again. To remain forever conscious without even gaining the sweet respite of death.” His voice worms its way under their skin like thousands of biting insects.

“I-I’m sorry,” Edward chokes out.

“Spare us,” Lydia begs.

“Surrender. Unequivocally and entirely, never to even imagine stepping foot outside the Eternal Stockade again.”

“I do have a project I need them for before you send them back though,” Taako stage whispers to the eldritch horror formerly known as Barry.

“Once you help Taako with whatever project he needs.”

“Whatever you need,” they both parrot back, nodding emphatically.

Barry shakes his head and his lovely brown eyes return to their rightful place. “Can I get those back, Angus? That gave me a migraine, I think.” Angus obliges as he whispers something in Mavis’s ear.

“Don’t even ask, bubbeleh, I don’t do the creepy crawly kind of magic like that,” Taako shakes his head. “Can the two of you babble in continued terror a bit more quietly?”

“Okay, Taako, you do whatever plan you need to do, I need to be alone with my husband right now immediately,” Lup says, opening a quick rift before pulling Barry along behind her.

—-----

“Taako, hi, Max Madsen from Waterdeep Weekly!” A drow man with owlishly big eyes and bigger glasses shakes Taako’s hand cordially. “As I'm sure you know, I'm profiling the latest and greatest in Halloween attractions all across Faerun. I gotta say, this haunted house of yours is the hottest ticket right now, especially with the abrupt closure of the Shriek Shack in Goldcliff. The frights are frightening without feeling gimmicky and there's a pretty clear essence of humor throughout the haunt. But for me, what really sells it is the room towards the end, the one where your greatest fear gets sculpted out of smoke only for you to be able to kick the crap out of it. It's brilliant, but you know I have to ask, how's the magic happen?”

Taako zones back in just in time for the tail end of the question. Yeesh, does this guy like to hear himself talk. “Thanks Mac.”

“Max.”

“Whatever. As I'm sure you could guess, I can't give away proprietary Taako From TV, tee em tee em tee em, secrets like that. I gotta save the mystique for all the guests. Let's just say I'm cashing in a favor from some old frenemies. But if you think this is happening, just wait until you see the party.”

Max grins. “An invite to an exclusive Taako party? Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming!”

Taako reaches over and pinches him, perhaps harder than entirely necessary. “No, no, no, that was a figure of speech. See, Max, I've discovered that sometimes it's not about getting a fancy write up in a magazine, it's about spending time with those close to us.”

“I completely get what you mean,” Max nods, enlightened. “I'll scrap the whole story.”

“Well, no need to be hasty.” Before Max can start talking again, Taako peels off to go make sure no funny business is afoot. After all, there's only two liches in the world he can trust, and they're both off convincing kids that reaching into a bowl of cold spaghetti is terrifying.

Not that he'd tell a soul, but he loves his weird little family more than he can say. Sometimes that can be the nicest treat of all, no tricks necessary.

#long post #reese writes #taz balance #halloween wars #this is silly and a little 'whys jimin driving the bus' but just trust that it's a hoot #also this is a beautiful case of 'taako and everyone know each other very well so thats why theyre so in sync'#i haven't written in so long just take this pleak #also for those with keen eyes and curious minds thats eyebite that our dear pal barry uses :3

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vampireimiko · 1 year ago

Note

Could I request neuvillette x male reader?

M!reader personality: flirty, mischievous, hard to fluster, can be extremely rude, can be perverted

M!reader region: fontaine

M!reader species: kitsune

M!reader occupation: model

M!reader looks: Slim, curvy, shoulder length hair, shorter than average, he also wears heals most of the time

Extra

Likes: Modeling, skincare, makeup, getting his nails/hair done

Dislikes: getting his makeup ruined, getting his hair ruined, dirty things

M!reader extra: extremely popular, extremely attractive, cares alot about his looks, wears some makeup(eyeliner, mascara and lipstick) can be a bit of a narcissist sometimes

Oh and could he be more submissive in the relationship (not sexually)

Neuvillette x Male! Reader Headcanons

warnings, none !!

note, GAHHH THIS HAS BEEN DONE FOR A FEW DAYS NOW 🤕 I've just been sick and busy 😭🙏🏾 also i need more genshin mutuals so hmu 🤓☝🏾

જ⁀➴ How you and Neuvillette got together will always be a mystery to the citizens of Fontaine. You two were the complete opposite of one another—where you were flashy and always embraced extravagance, Neuvillette was mostly quiet, speaking only when necessary, and approaching things with simplicity.

જ⁀➴ But against all odds, you and Neuvillette found a way to be together. He became the steady and supportive boyfriend who held the fort in Fontaine, while you embodied the charismatic persona that seemed to charm its way into everything you desired, often accompanied by an effortless air of confidence.

જ⁀➴ Neuvillette's days were consumed by the responsibilities of his position as Chief Justice. On the other hand, you reveled in the luxuries that life in Fontaine provided, a lifestyle that resonated with your natural inclination for the extravagant. You were known not just for your striking looks and unique aura but also for your audacious approach to life.

જ⁀➴ Speaking of couple activities, you found immense joy in playing tricks on Neuvillette, fully embracing your Kitsune nature. From innocently hidden notes to elaborate pranks, you delighted in bringing moments of surprise and laughter into his orderly world. The faintest smile would dance at the corners of Neuvillette's lips, a testament to your success in tugging him out of his formal shell, if only momentarily.

જ⁀➴ Your mischievousness, paired with your innate flirty and perceptive nature, often led to playful banter and witty exchanges between you two. Neuvillette, who rarely allowed himself to be easily flustered, found himself occasionally caught off guard by your audacious comments and innuendos. It was a dance of wit and charm, a constant push and pull that brought a dynamic energy to your relationship.

જ⁀➴ As a model, you knew the value of appearances and the art of presenting oneself flawlessly. It was a commonality that further bonded you and Neuvillette. He might have held a position of authority, but your shared appreciation for grooming and style connected you on a different level. There were instances when you both would spend leisurely evenings together, experimenting with skincare routines or discussing the latest trends in fashion.

જ⁀➴ Despite your sometimes provocative nature, you respected Neuvillette's reserved demeanor. It was in those quiet moments that you found yourself drawn to his depth, his thoughtful perspectives on matters that transcended the superficial. Neuvillette's presence allowed you to explore your own complexity, inspiring you to embrace more facets of your personality beyond the outward flamboyance.

જ⁀➴ So with that being said, you and Neuvillette were definitely opposites of each other through and through. But you loved and cared for one another dearly, despite the contrast of your personalities.

𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞; 𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄... 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬💀 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬, 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 (𝐢𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥) 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 !

𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

#spirits works 🤍#neuvillette #neuvilette genshin #neuvillette x reader #neuvillette x male reader #neuvillette x you #genshin impact #genshin #genshin x male reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin fanfic #male!reader #male reader #x black male reader #x poc reader

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muiitoloko · 2 months ago

Note

I don't wanna be annoying but can we please have another sequel to the unscripted love? You can keep it in the back burner for now so you can do other people's requests first tho! I like the idea of the reader and Alan reading fanfiction lol and maybe maybeeeeee while reader reads, Alan suddenly gets the idea of recreating it 😩. Like he'll stop whenever reader stops reading too haha. Just a thought but you totally don't have to do it! I just love your stories so much! Any update from you I try to read immediately ♡♡♡

Title: Cloaked in Love

Summary: Alan’s playful impersonation of Severus Snape leads to laughter and a deepened connection during a well-deserved break from your hectic lives.

Pairing: Alan Rickman × Fem! Reader

Warnings: none.

Author's Notes: You’re not annoying at all—trust me, I love hearing your ideas! 😄 The thought of Alan getting inspired by some fanfiction and deciding to recreate it? *chef’s kiss* I’m definitely intrigued! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the stories! Thanks for the love and support—now I just need to make sure Alan doesn’t get too carried away with those fanfics! 😉

First, Second and Third part here.

Also read on Ao3

Weeks passed before you and Alan could finally meet in person, the whirlwind of your respective projects keeping you both on the move. You traveled from country to country, promoting your film, attending premieres, and juggling endless interviews. Alan, in the meantime, was busy filming A Little Chaos, and while you kept in touch through calls and messages, it wasn’t the same as being with him. The distance began to wear on you, the days stretching longer as you counted down to the moment you could finally be together again.

So, when your schedule finally allowed for a day off, instead of resting in London as you’d planned, you decided to surprise Alan on set. The thought of seeing him, of being close to him again, filled you with a bubbling excitement that made the exhaustion of travel seem insignificant. You missed him more than you’d realized, and the idea of waiting another day just to see him was unbearable.

Upon arriving at the set, you were greeted with a mix of excitement and surprise. Fans who had gathered around the area recognized you immediately, and you spent a few minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures, all the while trying to keep your nerves in check. The thrill of seeing Alan again was tempered by the knowledge that your relationship was still a secret, something you both had agreed to keep under wraps until the time was right.

Finally, one of Alan’s assistants appeared and offered to take you to where he was. You followed eagerly, your heart pounding with anticipation as you walked through the bustling set. The grandeur of the production was evident in every detail—the elaborate costumes, the intricate sets, the palpable energy that came with creating a period piece. It was all very impressive, but your focus was solely on Alan.

As you approached the area where he was taking his lunch break, you spotted him immediately. He was sitting at one of the tables, fully dressed as King Louis XIV, albeit without the wig, his regal attire a striking contrast to the casual conversations he was having with the crew around him. His hazel eyes were alight with that familiar warmth, and his deep, baritone voice carried across the set, drawing you in like a magnet.

For a moment, you stood there, simply watching him. The way he carried himself, even in costume, was unmistakably Alan—graceful, commanding, yet somehow effortlessly charming. He was in his element, and the sight of him made your heart swell with affection. You had missed him more than you’d realized, and now that you were so close, the longing you’d kept at bay for weeks surged to the surface.

Finally, you began to approach, your footsteps light and quick as you made your way to the table. Alan noticed you almost immediately, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise as he recognized you. He had clearly not expected you to be there, and the delighted smile that spread across his face made all the effort of getting there worth it.

“Well, well, what a surprise,” Alan said, his voice warm and rich with genuine pleasure. He stood up from the table, his tall, thick figure cutting an impressive figure even without the royal wig. “I thought you weren’t returning to London until tomorrow.”

You grinned, unable to contain your excitement as you closed the distance between you. “I couldn’t wait,” you admitted, your voice filled with affection as you looked up at him. “I missed you, Alan. I just had to see you.”

Alan’s smile softened, his hazel eyes searching yours with a mixture of fondness and something deeper, something more tender. He reached out, his hand brushing lightly against your arm as if to reassure himself that you were really there. “And here I was, thinking I’d have to wait another day to see you,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “This is a very welcome surprise.”

You could feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of your sleeve, the simple touch sending a shiver of warmth through you. There was something electric in the air between you, a connection that neither time nor distance could diminish. The urge to close the gap between you, to wrap your arms around him and pull him into a kiss, was almost overwhelming, but you resisted, knowing that the crew was watching.

Instead, you let your hand rest on his, your fingers brushing against his as you shared a private moment in the midst of the bustling set. “I couldn’t stay away any longer,” you confessed softly, your eyes locked on his. “I’ve been thinking about you constantly, Alan. Every interview, every premiere… all I wanted was to be with you.”

Alan’s expression softened even further, his eyes shining with something that made your heart skip a beat. “And I’ve been thinking about you,” he replied, his voice just as soft. “You’ve been the best part of my day, even when we’re miles apart.”

The sincerity in his words, the quiet intensity in his gaze, made it clear that he felt the same way you did—that the weeks apart had been just as hard on him as they had been on you. It was a comfort, a reassurance that your feelings were mutual, that the bond you shared was strong enough to withstand the challenges of your careers.

For a moment, the world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you standing there, connected by something deeper than words. It was as if the distance between you had never existed, as if the weeks apart had only made your connection stronger. And in that moment, you knew that whatever the future held, as long as you had each other, you could face it together.

Alan seemed to sense the same thing, his hand tightening slightly on yours as if to anchor you both in the moment. “Come,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down your spine. “Let’s find somewhere a bit more private. I’d like to catch up properly.”

You nodded, your heart racing with anticipation as he led you away from the busy set, away from prying eyes and the chaos of the production. As you walked side by side, your fingers still intertwined, you couldn’t help but steal a glance at him, at the man who had become so much more than just a friend, so much more than just a lover. He was your partner, your confidant, the person you trusted above all others.

And as you found a quiet corner of the set, away from the noise and the cameras, you knew that this was where you belonged—by his side, in the moments both big and small, in the spaces where you could simply be together, without the world watching.

Alan turned to you, his expression soft and filled with a warmth that made your heart swell. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve missed you more than I can say.”

You smiled, reaching up to cup his cheek, your thumb brushing lightly over the stubble that lined his jaw. “I’ve missed you too, Alan,” you whispered, your voice filled with all the love you felt for him. “More than you know.”

You let out a small, frustrated sigh and muttered under your breath, "Damn, I wish I could kiss you right now."

Alan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he caught your words, and a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He leaned in slightly, his voice a low, teasing murmur. “And why don’t you, then?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow in that way only he could—both challenging and playful at the same time.

Your heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, the temptation to close the gap between you almost overwhelming. But you quickly glanced around the set, taking in the bustling crew and the open space. With a small, regretful shake of your head, you started to look for a place to sit down. “We can’t do that here, Alan,” you whispered back, your tone filled with both longing and practicality. “Not in such a public place.”

Alan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back against the wall behind him, crossing his arms over his chest in that relaxed, confident way he had, as if he was entirely at ease with the world. His hazel eyes remained fixed on you, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched you find a spot to sit.

You sighed tiredly as you finally settled into a chair, the weight of your travels and the emotional rollercoaster of the past few weeks catching up with you. “Why didn’t you tell me you were arriving early?” Alan asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and affection as he gently changed the subject.

You shrugged slightly, leaning back in your chair as you looked up at him. “Honestly? I wasn’t even sure I’d make it here today,” you admitted, your tone light despite the exhaustion in your eyes. “I took the first flight I could find from New York to London, thinking I’d just go straight to bed and sleep the whole day before meeting you tomorrow. But as soon as I lay down, I just couldn’t shake the urge to see you… even if only for a moment.”

Alan’s expression softened at your words, his eyes filled with a warmth that made your heart flutter. He pushed off the wall and walked over to you, his tall frame casting a shadow over you as he leaned down slightly, his face close to yours. “So you came all the way here just to take a peek at me?” he murmured, his voice rich with affection and a hint of that mischievous charm you loved so much.

You smiled up at him, feeling the tension in your body slowly melt away in his presence. “Yes,” you whispered back, your voice filled with sincerity. “I couldn’t stay away, Alan. I just… I needed to see you, even if it was just for a few minutes.”

Alan’s smile widened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from your face, his touch soft and comforting. “You have no idea how much that means to me,” he said quietly, his voice low and intimate. “And now that you’re here, I’m not letting you go so easily.”

You chuckled softly, the sound light and relieved as you gazed up at him. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” you replied, your eyes locked on his. “But I’m afraid I’m not much fun right now… I’m completely exhausted.”

Alan's expression softened into one of sympathy, his eyes filled with understanding as he gazed down at you. “You look like you could use a good rest,” he began, his voice gentle. But before he could say anything more, a voice interrupted the private moment.

“Well, well, what do we have here? Two lovebirds trying to sneak a moment alone?”

You both turned to see Helen McCrory approaching, a playful grin on her face. She looked stunning, as always, her presence commanding attention even in the simple, understated costume she wore for her role in A Little Chaos. Alan straightened up immediately, his posture shifting from relaxed to slightly more formal as he greeted her.

“Helen,” Alan said warmly, his baritone voice carrying a note of affection. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

Helen's grin widened as she came to stand beside you, her gaze flicking between the two of you with a knowing glint. “I should have known I’d find you two together,” she teased, her tone light. “Trying to keep your little romance a secret on set, are we?”

You couldn’t help but laugh at her words, the sound light and carefree as you looked up at her. “You caught us,” you admitted with a playful shrug. “But in our defense, we haven’t seen each other in weeks, so we’re allowed a bit of sneaky time.”

Helen’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she reached out to gently squeeze your shoulder. “Of course you are,” she agreed, her tone warm. “But don’t think you can hide from me—I always know when something’s up.”

You grinned, leaning back in your chair as you let out a mock sigh. “Well, I suppose we should be careful then. Can’t let Narcissa Malfoy catch us in the act. Or worse, let her participate in this little get-together.”

Helen raised an eyebrow, her smile turning into a smirk as she caught onto the joke. “Ah, yes, because that would be quite the scandal, wouldn’t it? Severus Snape and Narcissa Malfoy having a little rendezvous on set.”

Alan chuckled softly, his gaze flicking between you and Helen as he played along. “Indeed. I’m sure Lucius would have something to say about that,” he remarked, his tone dry but laced with humor. “But I doubt even he could stop Narcissa if she had her mind set on something.”

Helen laughed, the sound rich and melodious. “Oh, you’re absolutely right, Alan. Narcissa always gets what she wants.” She then turned her attention back to you, her expression softening as she added, “Though I must say, it’s lovely to see you here. We’ve all missed having you around.”

You smiled, touched by her words. “I’ve missed you all too,” you admitted. “And I couldn’t resist the chance to see Alan again. But honestly, I’m not sure how you two manage to keep going with such hectic schedules. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

Helen’s eyes twinkled with a mix of sympathy and teasing as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Well, if you had accepted that role in Harry Potter, you’d be used to this kind of chaos by now. We could have been three wizards on set instead of just two.

You let out a soft laugh, shaking your head in mock disbelief. “Don’t remind me, Helen. I still think about what might have been. But then again, who could ever live up to Narcissa Malfoy? You were perfect for that role.”

Helen grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. “Flattery will get you everywhere, darling. But you would have made a brilliant addition to the cast, and you know it.”

Alan, who had been quietly enjoying the exchange, chimed in with a wry smile. “I must say, I would have enjoyed seeing you wield a wand on screen. Perhaps we could have had a duel—Severus Snape versus… whoever you might have played.”

You laughed, the thought of being in a magical duel with Alan Rickman and Helen McCrory bringing a sparkle to your eyes. “Oh, I would have given you both a run for your money,” you teased, pretending to twirl an imaginary wand in your hand. “But I suppose we’ll never know.”

Helen playfully pouted, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave you an exaggerated look of disappointment. “Such a missed opportunity,” she said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. “We could have been the most formidable trio in the wizarding world.”

You couldn’t help but grin, loving the playful camaraderie between the three of you. “Well, maybe we can still make it happen someday. I’m sure there’s room for a new character in the Harry Potter universe.”

Alan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he considered the idea. “Now that would be something to see. But in the meantime, I suppose we’ll have to settle for being mere mortals.”

Helen rolled her eyes playfully at his words, her grin widening as she reached out to give him a light nudge. “Oh, don’t be so modest, Alan. You may be playing a king right now, but we all know you’re still the dark and brooding wizard at heart.”

Alan shared a warm smile with Helen, the camaraderie between them evident in the easy way they exchanged glances. The conversation had lightened the mood, and for a brief moment, the weight of his earlier insecurities seemed to lift. But as the laughter faded, he caught sight of you glancing at your wristwatch, a small frown creasing your brow as you noted the time.

"I should probably get going," you said, your voice tinged with reluctance. "I still need that well-deserved rest before we meet up tomorrow, Alan."

The regret in your tone was clear, and Alan felt a pang of disappointment that the moment had to end so soon. But he nodded in understanding, knowing that you needed to recharge after your whirlwind travels.

Helen looked between the two of you, her sharp eyes catching the subtle exchange of emotions that passed between you. She watched as you stepped forward to share a hug with her, your embrace warm and affectionate, a testament to the friendship you had built over the years. "Take care, love," Helen said softly, giving you a gentle squeeze before pulling back. "We’ll see you soon."

You smiled, your eyes flicking over to Alan, who stood nearby, his tall frame still as he watched the interaction. With a playful smile, you reached out to pat his arm in a friendly way, your touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "Get some rest yourself, Alan," you teased lightly. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

Alan returned your smile, though his eyes held a warmth that went beyond simple friendship. "I’ll try," he replied, his voice carrying that familiar baritone rumble that always sent a shiver down your spine. "But only if you promise to do the same."

You chuckled softly, nodding as you turned to leave, your footsteps echoing slightly in the quiet of the set. Alan’s gaze followed you as you walked away, his eyes lingering on your retreating figure with a mix of affection and something deeper—something that Helen didn’t miss.

As soon as you were out of sight, Helen turned her attention back to Alan, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You’re not fooling anyone, you know," she remarked casually, her tone light but laced with meaning.

Alan, ever the actor, raised an eyebrow in mock confusion, his expression carefully neutral. "Whatever do you mean, Helen?" he asked, his voice smooth and composed as he feigned ignorance. "I’m simply seeing off a friend."

Helen’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, come now, Alan. You and I both know there’s more to it than that. You’ve been practically attached at the hip with her since the day you met. Don’t tell me you’re still going to pretend there’s nothing going on between you two."

Alan let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly as if to dismiss the notion. "We’re good friends, Helen," he insisted, his tone light and casual. "Colleagues, even. Nothing more."

Helen didn’t buy it for a second. She had been around long enough to recognize the signs of a budding romance, and the way you and Alan interacted was a dead giveaway. The subtle touches, the lingering glances, the way he looked at you when he thought no one was watching—it all pointed to something more than just friendship.

"Is that so?" she asked, her voice filled with playful skepticism. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks an awful lot like the two of you are hiding something. And I’m not just talking about a close friendship."

Alan met her gaze, his hazel eyes steady and composed, but there was a flicker of something in them—something that betrayed the truth he was trying so hard to keep hidden. "Believe what you like, Helen," he said with a small, enigmatic smile. "But I assure you, there’s nothing to hide."

Helen tilted her head slightly, studying him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "You’re a terrible liar, Alan," she teased gently, though there was no malice in her words. "But I suppose I’ll let you keep your secrets—for now."

Alan chuckled again, his laughter rich and deep, though there was a hint of tension beneath it. "I appreciate that," he replied smoothly, his tone still light. "It’s good to know you’re on my side."

Helen’s smile softened, and she reached out to give him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Always, darling," she said warmly. "Just remember, you don’t have to hide everything. Some secrets are meant to be shared."

Alan nodded, though he made no further comment, his thoughts already drifting back to you and the connection you shared. Helen might have been convinced that there was more to your relationship than met the eye, but for now, he was content to let the world believe whatever they liked.

As Helen turned to leave, Alan watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. He knew that she wasn’t fooled by his denial, but he also knew that she would keep his secret for as long as he needed her to. After all, some things were worth protecting, even if it meant keeping them hidden for a little while longer.

And as he stood there in the quiet of the set, Alan allowed himself a moment to savor the thought of you—the woman who had become so much more than just a friend, so much more than just a colleague. The woman who had captured his heart in ways he hadn’t thought possible.

For now, he was content to keep that truth close, to cherish the private moments you shared, knowing that one day, when the time was right, the world would know just how much you meant to him.

But until then, he would continue to play the part of the enigmatic, charming actor, keeping his secrets close and his feelings even closer, all the while knowing that you were the one person who truly understood the man behind the mask.

The next day, you and Alan finally managed to carve out some time together, albeit later in the afternoon than you’d originally planned. Both of you had agreed that after the whirlwind of your respective schedules, a lazy day at your house was exactly what you needed. No interviews, no scripts—just the two of you, unwinding in the comfort of your shared space.

The moment Alan arrived at your door, you couldn’t help but greet him with a warm, lingering kiss, your hands gently cupping his face as you reveled in the familiarity of his touch. He responded in kind, his arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you close, the tension of the past few weeks melting away as you both simply enjoyed the moment.

“It’s good to finally have you all to myself,” Alan murmured against your lips, his deep baritone voice sending a shiver down your spine. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into your eyes, his hazel gaze filled with a mix of affection and something deeper. “I’ve missed this. Missed you.”

You smiled up at him, your heart swelling with love for the man who had become such an integral part of your life. “I’ve missed you too,” you whispered back, your voice soft and sincere. “And now that we finally have some time together, I intend to make the most of it.”

Alan’s lips quirked into a playful smile, and he leaned in to steal another quick kiss before pulling you into a warm embrace. “I like the sound of that,” he replied, his tone light and teasing. “So, what’s on the agenda for today, love? A bit of reading, perhaps? Or maybe we could finally indulge in those fanfics you mentioned.”

You chuckled softly, your fingers idly tracing the curve of his spine as you rested your head against his chest. “You’ve been thinking about those, haven’t you?” you teased, your voice filled with amusement. “I never pegged you as the fanfiction type, Alan.”

He let out a low, rumbling laugh, the sound vibrating through his chest and making you smile. “Well, you did pique my curiosity,” he admitted, his tone both playful and genuine. “And I must say, the idea of seeing how I—well, Snape—am portrayed in these stories is rather intriguing. Plus, I’m curious to see how… detailed they get.”

You raised an eyebrow at his words, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “Detailed, huh? You sure you’re ready for that? Some of those fanfics don’t hold back, you know. They might give you ideas.”

Alan’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, seductive murmur. “Oh, I’m counting on it, my dear,” he replied, his tone sending a thrill of anticipation through you. “After all, what’s the point of reading them if we don’t have a bit of fun recreating the scenes?”

You laughed, the sound filled with both amusement and excitement at the prospect. “Well then,” you said, stepping back slightly and taking his hand in yours. “Let’s get comfortable first, and then we can see just how well you can bring those fanfics to life.”

Alan’s grip on your hand tightened slightly, a playful glint in his eyes as he followed you to the living room. Once there, you both settled onto the couch, the atmosphere relaxed and intimate as you curled up against him, your head resting on his shoulder.

You reached for your phone, pulling up the fanfiction website and scrolling through the list of stories until you found one that seemed particularly promising. “Alright,” you began, your voice light as you looked up at him with a teasing smile. “Shall we start with a classic Snape romance, or would you prefer something a bit… steamier?”

Alan raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slow, deliberate smile. “Why not start with the romance?” he suggested, his tone filled with a subtle, teasing challenge. “I’m curious to see how they capture the… softer side of Severus Snape.”

You chuckled, nodding in agreement as you clicked on a story that had high ratings and plenty of comments praising the author’s portrayal of Snape. As you began to read, the room filled with your voice, each word weaving a tale of unrequited love, intense emotions, and the eventual confession between Snape and the story’s protagonist—a young witch who had somehow managed to break through his formidable exterior.

As you read aloud from the fanfic, you both became more and more engrossed in the story, the detailed descriptions of Snape's inner turmoil and the humorous moments woven into the narrative drawing you in. The author had managed to capture Snape’s dry wit perfectly, and you found yourself laughing at some of the quips that sounded like something Alan himself might say.

Then, you reached a particularly funny scene. In it, Snape, ever the sarcastic and somewhat grumpy Potions Master, was trying to teach a rather inept student the finer points of potion-making. The student, who was clearly out of their depth, had somehow managed to turn their cauldron into a bubbling mess of what the fanfic described as "a rainbow-colored disaster."

Snape, unimpressed and thoroughly exasperated, was written to have dramatically thrown his black robes over his shoulder like a cape, stalking around the student and lecturing them in a tone that was described as both condescending and theatrical. The author had even added a line about how Snape’s hooked nose twitched with irritation as he delivered one of his signature biting remarks: "If incompetence were a potion, you would have brewed a perfect batch."

You couldn’t help but laugh as you read the scene aloud, the image of a melodramatic Snape stalking around the hapless student almost too much to handle. "Oh, Alan," you said, still giggling, "I can just imagine you doing something like this! It’s so over-the-top and theatrical."

Alan chuckled along with you, but as the laughter subsided, you noticed a glint of mischief in his hazel eyes. Without saying a word, he suddenly stood up from the couch, a sly smile playing on his lips. You watched, intrigued and amused, as he reached for the soft sheet you had grabbed earlier to cover his legs, draping it over his shoulders like a makeshift cape.

You raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at your lips as you watched his impromptu costume change. "And what exactly are you doing, Mr. Rickman?" you asked, your voice filled with playful curiosity.

Alan gave you a mock-serious look, his lips curving into a smirk as he held the sheet dramatically with one hand, letting it flow behind him like Snape’s billowing robes. "I am now Severus Snape," he declared in a perfect imitation of the character’s deep, measured voice. "And you, my dear, are the incompetent student who has dared to ruin a perfectly good potion."

You burst out laughing, the sight of Alan in his makeshift Snape costume, coupled with his spot-on impression, making it impossible to keep a straight face. "Oh, really?" you said, playing along with a grin. "And what exactly do you intend to do about it, Professor Snape?"

Alan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he took a step back, lifting the sheet-cape with a flourish and adopting a more stern, imposing posture. "I shall do what any good Potions Master would do," he intoned, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. "I shall recreate the scene, and you, my dear, shall read the lines while I bring this catastrophe to life."

You couldn’t help but grin at the absurdity of the situation, the playful banter between the two of you filling the room with lighthearted energy. "Alright, Professor Snape," you replied, your tone teasing as you picked up the phone again, scrolling back to the start of the scene. "But I warn you, this student is particularly inept. You’ll have your work cut out for you."

Alan gave you a mock look of exasperation, his eyes narrowing as he slipped fully into character. "Do you take me for a fool?" he retorted in that smooth, commanding baritone. "No student is beyond the reach of my… expertise."

With that, you began to read the scene aloud, doing your best to maintain a serious tone even as the ridiculousness of the situation threatened to make you burst out laughing again. Alan, for his part, played the role of Snape with a level of dedication that was both impressive and hilarious. He stalked around the room, his makeshift cape flowing behind him as he delivered the lines with a mixture of stern authority and theatrical flair.

When you reached the line about the rainbow-colored potion disaster, Alan paused mid-stride, turning on his heel to face you with a dramatic flourish of the sheet-cape. "A rainbow-colored disaster!" he repeated, his voice filled with incredulous disdain. "If incompetence were a potion, you, Miss [Your Last Name], would have brewed a perfect batch!"

You couldn’t hold back your laughter any longer, the sight of Alan fully embracing the role of Snape—complete with exaggerated gestures and that iconic, sardonic tone—was just too much. "Oh, come on, Professor!" you protested, trying to keep a straight face. "It’s not that bad!"

Alan, staying in character, arched an eyebrow in that perfect Snape-like way, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer, looming over you with the full force of his theatrical presence. "Not that bad?" he echoed, his voice low and menacing in the most exaggerated way possible. "Miss [Your Last Name], I have seen first-years brew better potions in their sleep! This—" he gestured dramatically at the imaginary cauldron, "—is an abomination, an affront to the very art of potion-making!"

You were practically in tears from laughing, the combination of Alan’s over-the-top performance and the sheer silliness of the scene making it impossible to maintain any semblance of composure. "Alright, alright, you win!" you gasped, holding up your hands in surrender. "I admit it! I’m a terrible student!"

Alan’s stern expression softened into a triumphant grin, the playful glint in his eyes returning as he dropped the sheet-cape and stepped back, his arms crossing over his chest in that familiar, confident stance. "Indeed you are," he said, his voice slipping back into its natural cadence. "But perhaps with the right… guidance, you might improve."

You grinned, wiping away the tears of laughter from your eyes as you looked up at him. "Guidance, huh? And what kind of guidance would you suggest, Professor?"

Alan leaned down slightly, his face close to yours as he dropped his voice to a low, teasing whisper. "Oh, I can think of a few ways to improve your… performance," he murmured, the playful tone in his voice making your heart race. "But I’ll let you decide when you’re ready for the next lesson."

You couldn’t help but laugh again, the playful banter between you both filling the room with warmth and affection. "I’ll keep that in mind, Professor," you replied with a wink, your voice filled with both amusement and genuine affection. "But for now, I think I’d like to stick to the fun kind of lessons—like this."

Alan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked down at you with a mix of affection and something deeper. "As you wish, Miss [Your Last Name]," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "But remember, the offer stands. Anytime you need a little… guidance, I’ll be here."

And with that, the two of you settled back onto the couch, the lighthearted moment bringing you even closer together. The rest of the afternoon was spent in a comfortable, playful companionship, the laughter and joy of the day a reminder of just how much you cherished these moments with Alan—the man who had become so much more than just a friend, so much more than just a lover.

He was your partner, your confidant, your source of endless amusement and affection. And as the day drew to a close, you couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful for the bond you shared—a bond that, despite the challenges and the distance, only seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

#alan rickman #alan rickman x reader #severus snape #king louis xvi

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the-s1lly-corner · 11 months ago

Note

Can you write for Masky/Tim that has a grumpy x sunshine dynamic with the reader? Bonus points if it’s enemies to lovers. They’d literally be Branch and Poppy from Trolls 😭😭

Tim/masky x sunshine!reader !

hopefully this can be read as either mh or creepypasta, since i adore both takes on masky/tim (more so modern creepypasta takes that ive personally seen at least) so! going to split this into 2 parts so tim and masky can have their own parts since i write them a little differently from one another! i! need to watch the trolls movies, ive heard good things about them, especially the newest one....

Tims part//

honestly in a weird way you kind of rub oeff on him.. now does tim just become more... upbeat and happy? ....maybe just a teeeeeeny tiiiiiny smidge, but no where near your level. you have a positive effect on him, thats for sure, but hes still very clearly handling his own issues and hes still his usual self. though, you do sometimes catch him smiling just ever so slightly when hes watching you go on about your day or rambling about something! and i think that alone is very sweet, like hes going through so much/has gone through so much if this is post MH/MH specific, but he still finds it in himself to unwind just a tiny bit thanks to your energy. though, you do sometimes tend to be a little too kind, so sometimes he feels he needs to step in to make sure you dont get hurt or taken advantage of. its not that youre dumb, but you can sometimes see the best in people before they have the chance to show that they actually possess that good in the first place, you know? kind of envies how you just roll with things and dont let most things effect you, though there will be hell on the chance something DOES upset you... more so a solutions than comfort guy, though!

Maskys part//

very similar to tim in regards that masky likes observing you when youre being your joyous self, and you just slightly rub off on him. while tim is more grumpy and cautious, masky is more so.... well he doesnt emote a lot and the mask sure as hell doesnt help matters, as well as him not speaking... though your energy is still infectious, sometimes when hes signing to you, his signs are a little more energetic and such. but not by much. to outsiders they wouldnt be able to tell something is different, but you can... though i dont think masky does, and if he does he doesnt say anything.. while tim would offer solutions when youre upset, masky... well he also offers solutions, but in a much different way. not going to elaborate other than that his solutions tend to be very "hands on" and "straight forward" in regards to handling the issue. less of a grumpy stormcloud x sunshine dynamic and more of a collected stoic x sunshine! if that makes sense!

#marble hornets x reader #marble hornets x you #mh x reader #mh x you #masky x reader #masky x you #tim wright x you #tim sutton x you #tim wright x reader #tim sutton x reader #creepypasta x you #creepypasta x reader

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invertedheaven · 3 months ago

Text

If You Really Love Nothing

chapter 12: another one?

chapter index | next chapter

And when sukuna met gojo half way the handshake held more weight and tension than any conversation could.

The employee who had been trying to chat it up with gojo immediately noticed the shift in energy and made himself scarce, he could tell this was a conversation he didnt want to be a part of.

“So its been a while” gojo joked uneasy, he doesn’t know how to explain it but he could feel that his father was watching

“It has” sukuna dryly responded “figured it’d be sooner considering the brat has been hanging around you lately”

“Around megumi, not me, I hardly see him” gojo lied and shrugged as he reached for a non alcoholic drink from the tray that a waiter was holding “Hes a good kid though, not sure how you guys are related”

Sukuna smiled with a glint of irritation behind the eyes that anyone else wouldn’t have notice but gojo had the luxury of being classmates in high school with this guy so his mannerisms didn’t go unnoticed

“So you and her?” referring to you, Sukuna bit the bullet and asked because at the end of the day both him and gojo knew the conversation would end up there

“What about her” gojo didn’t take the bait though

“Just didn’t take you for a guy who would take someones leftovers” sukuna shrugged he knew the line that came out of his mouth was gross and in no way did he view you in that manner but he just needed to get a reaction out of gojo and insulting you or that black haired loser gojo used hang around would be the quickest way

“So thats what you think of her? Im sure she’d be thrilled to hear that” gojo tried to temper his attitude but sukunas comment agitated him, even if he knew it was just to get a reaction, it was working.

The immaturity sukuna was displaying made gojos stomach turn at the idea that sukuna would talk about the mother of his kid like that (sure he doesn’t know airi exists but still why would he speak about you in that manner even if it was for provocation)

“Well she’s dating you, so I’m sure shes heard worse” sukuna bit back, still not getting a direct answer

“Thats interesting for you, of all people, to say” gojo smiled with a contemptuous look on his face. Sukuna was halfway to a response before he was cut off

“So I see you two are finally having a chat” Gojo Sr. cut in conveniently at the right time to which satoru rolled his eyes

“Yes, I can see your son inherited your way with words” sukuna changed his demeanor entirely as he addressed Gojo Sr.

“I hope you mean in a good way” Gojo Sr. joked as he and sukuna laughed, Satoru stared at them with a fake smile

“Yeah, sukuna here has shown me why you both were able to come to an agreement with a deal” satoru interrupted with a cheerful tone “Certain minds think alike”

“Don’t you mean great?” Gojo sr. corrected with a playful tone that had an edge to it

Satoru hummed “no, I don’t think so”

Before gojo sr. could say anything back he was called away by his assistant and Satoru couldn’t have been more thankful, he didnt need his dad trying to get involved. The man wouldnt ever stay in conversations for long but when he did talk he was insufferable. Sukuna watched the interaction keenly, it was obvious by the way Gojo sr. spoke of his son to sukuna, that there was some level of disdain— from both father and son and the interaction only proved to be a confirmation.

“What are your intentions?” gojo finally spit out after his father was out of earshot, Sukuna gave him a look as if asking him to elaborate so gojo said your name quietly and that gained a glint of amusement from sukunas eyes

“That’s something that is none of your concern” sukuna replied smugly. Just because you’d been with gojo for the past few years doesn’t mean gojo has any right to be involved in you and sukunas business, at least thats how sukuna saw it.

“Not my concern?” gojo laughed in disbelief “You mean the same way it’s not your concern what her love life is like, right?”

Sukunas eye twitched slightly before gojo continued “if you really cared so much why didn’t you reach out to her in the months you’ve been back?” gojo was venturing into territory you would’ve smacked him over the head for but he doesn’t care he finds he genuinely needs to know what sukunas playing at

Through the years gojo has seen you pick yourself back up and piece yourself back together, constantly trying to be better. Trying to be someone without sukuna, something you hadn’t known since you started dating him so young. The very idea that sukuna could prance into your life and possibly undo all that makes gojo seethe. Gojo knows you’re an adult who can make your own decisions, he’s just looking out for you the same way he’s sure you’d look out for him if the shoe was on the other foot.

Before sukuna could even respond gojo was being called over by his father to prepare for some ridiculous speech. Sukuna is not stupid he’s aware if he screws up here with his behavior it wouldn’t look good for either company. No matter his distaste for gojo it wasn’t worth losing his job over. He kept that in mind (even if he despised gojos words) as he watched the white haired bastard walk away.

Or at least he thought but as the night went on he felt genuine disgust just being in gojos presence. Even as both father and son made decent speeches about another successful year for the company, even as gojo had the ability to work the room with literally any conversation. Nothing about it was genuine though, and it made it sukuna scowl every time he was subjected to hearing gojos bullshit in the next group over. Sukuna smirked thinking about how it looked bad on gojo considering this was supposed to be “his company” someday, yet the lack of tact was alarming.

Whatever, it wasn’t his problem, but it was truly sukunas favorite pastime to judge and criticize other peoples poor decisions. He just simply would not find himself in such ridiculous situations, he thinks, as he overhears most conversations through the night. It was all just petty drama or conversations that he considered himself above. A couple of times, rei would try to engage in conversation with him but his mind was only on you. As if fueled by his confrontation with gojo, he now swears he’ll be back with you. He doesn’t care if you and gojo are dating, he knows you still love him. You have to, right? He’s never really thought about if you don’t.

On the other side, in all honesty gojo had forgotten sukuna was there as he focused on entertaining the party. He was able to ignore sukuna for the sake of his job, something that he knew if he didn’t put his all into he’d hear it from his father later. So sure, he caves in and does what he does best— put on a show. A passionate worker that looks forward to all the great things the company has in store…bullshit. He did have changes he wanted to implement but with his father still in control of most of it, it just felt like an endless cycle of going nowhere. It wasn’t even two and a half hours into the event and gojo found a way to ease himself out of a too long conversation, as he searched for his secretary.

“Hana” gojo half shouted to her as she was enthusiastically talking with rei, she glanced over and waved at gojo

“Haven’t seen you all night, I assume its been busy” Hana joked

Rei admired Hanas ability to speak to gojo with such ease, if rei was in hanas shoes she’d be a rambling mess. Hana is aware that rei would jump at the chance to be with gojo but its simply hilarious to her because if rei really knew how gojo was, that physical attraction could only do so much for someone with a strong personality like he has.

“Yes, but im afraid I have to go” gojo made sure to sound somewhat devastated

“So early?” Hana asked with a bit of concern

“A family emergency” gojo smiled apologetically. He was flat out lying but he had every intention of getting out of this party unnoticed by his father but he figured he should at least have Hana pass the word along if she was asked.

“Oh” Hanas brows furrowed she fights the urge to ask what happened, knowing he wouldnt even tell her with this many people around “If Gojo Sr. asks ill be sure to pass your message along” Hana bowed her head slightly

And with that gojo left with a weight off his shoulders knowing he did his mandatory appearance and got away from sukuna without too much of a hassle.

————

“Okay, but we only have time for one book” you picked up airi from the living room floor, she was practically falling asleep as she was brushing her dolls hair but she insisted that she wasnt too tired for a bedtime story

“I want the one about the worm that eats too much” airi pleaded

“The caterpillar?” You asked, she couldn’t really say caterpillar at the time you bought the book so gojo told her to call it a worm and the name stuck, you really had to fix that soon

You’re not even 4 pages in and airi knocked out, still holding onto the sleeve of your sweater as you knelt on the ground next to her bed. You took in every feature of her peaceful sleeping face, she was so precious and looked so devastatingly like Sukuna, you wonder if he saw her would he figure it out without being told?

You brushed her hair out of her face as you hummed a simple song, you didn’t want to leave her yet but the sound of the front door opening caused you to rush out her room to find satoru holding a bag of takeout leaning against the door taking his tie off. He wasn’t supposed to be back this early and you bit back a comment on how he probably escaped

“Im exhausted” he moved to take his shoes off as you took the food from his hands

“Was it that bad?” You asked

“Not so much, just cant stand my old man” he waved off the subject

You nodded in understanding as you took the takeout to the dining table, megumi had retired to his room hours ago and it wouldn’t surprise you if he actually fell asleep and before you could ask gojo spoke up

“Saw sukuna”

You hummed in response

“He asked about you” gojo reluctantly admitted

Your breath got caught in your chest, quickly recovering because its embarrassing that you feel giddy at the thought of him asking about you like some idiot with a crush “about me or about if we were dating” you snap out of your hopefulness knowing Sukuna probably didn’t really care to know about you but more if you moved on, which hurts you.

“Well about if were dating but” gojo sat down at the table pulling out his food from the bag “I don’t know, I asked him what his intentions were and he told me it wasn’t my business” gojo shrugged

You rolled your eyes “hes a grown man, if he had any intentions besides being petty about the idea that I might’ve actually moved on he should say it”

Gojo could tell the subject touched a nerve with you, there was no winning. You would’ve been unhappy if he didn’t bring sukuna up, thinking he didn’t even ask about you and here you are unhappy that what sukuna did ask was immature. Gojo tries not to laugh at how you seemed to never really change, and he guesses he hasn’t either

————

“Ungrateful children” Gojo Sr. grumbled as he stood next to sukuna “never have them” he continued, swirling the liquid in his glass which by the looks of him wasnt his first drink

Sukuna refrained from rolling his eyes but he was irritated for two reasons, he purposely secluded himself to the corner of the room where he wouldnt be dragged into conversations and the second reason being he didnt care one bit about this old man yet he played along

“I don’t plan on it” sukuna playfully responded

For the duration that hes been in collaboration with the gojos company, sukuna has been more or less working at an angle of trying to get Gojo Sr. to trust him, not for any reason other than it would get under gojos skin to see sukuna being chummy with his dad. That and maybe Gojo Sr. could tell him something useful about you and gojo.

He’d have to know something, yet as time went on sukuna lost hope, seeing as the old man hadn’t mentioned anything at all and seeing how this was probably the last night he’d be around the Gojos, he couldnt bring himself to pretend to care about what the old bastard had to say.

“I don’t understand, he’s getting this successful business I’ve built from the ground up, literally handed to him, and he cant even stay until the end of the event” Gojo Sr. scoffed “all for some ‘family emergency’ which is just a lie”

Sukuna glanced at Gojo sr. he didnt wanna make it clear that this intrigued him considering you were probably who gojo considered family. In the forefront of his mind he was wondering if something had happened to you. Were you okay? he didn’t care for gojos brat but he knows you cared about him, so for your sake he hopes nothing bad actually happened. He doesn't think for a second it involves his brother because yuji wasnt even supposed to be around the fushiguro kid today and if yuji was involved you would contact sukuna... or you should at least.

For someone who swore up and down about maintaining the family image, Gojo Sr. sure did a great job at undoing it in just a few minutes, thanks to a few drinks in his system and some misplaced trust. Sukuna had yet to say anything because for all he knows, Gojo Sr. could possibly get mad if sukuna does choose to say something, even if it was a chance to dunk on gojos character.

“Family this, family that yet those damn kids aren’t even his” Gojo Sr. turned to look sukuna directly in the face who now had a look of interest on his face “he should be more like you— motivated and passionate, hell you even stayed later than him” he dryly laughed as he took another swig of the drink in his hand

“Im sorry, kids?” Sukuna asked, he brushed off the other comment, he needed an elaboration. There was no way there was more than one, it’s just supposed to be fushiguro.

“That whore he lives with is using his no-- MY money” the older white haired bastard took sip of his drink “now my idiot son is raising some kid who isn’t even his” sukuna tries to keep himself composed, hearing you spoken of in such a negative way has him more irritated than any encounter with gojo could.

Sukuna is still convinced this escaped nursing home patient is just confused “i’ve met the kid, he’s well mannered” he tries to frame it in a way that’ll get Gojo Sr. to elaborate

“Not that one… that kid” he waved his hand in the air in a dismissive motion “his dad died years ago” Gojo Sr. shook his head at the memory

Sukuna hoped he wouldn’t elaborate he didn’t care for a back story right now (hes pretty sure he’d already heard it from you anyways). Right now he’s finding out you and gojo might actually have a kid together. He thinks this old man must lying about it not being gojos kid since it seems he doesn’t like you at all. Sukunas too focused on genuinely trying to keep his shit together

“There’s another one” Gojo Sr. bitterly continued “he thinks I’m not aware but I know and I don’t appreciate him being played for a fool its bad for our image and damaging financially” Gojo Sr. doesn’t really realize, through his buzzed state, that hes revealing more than he would had he been sober and it didn’t help that he truly thought positively of sukuna.

Another one? An actual second kid? Whatever else the old man was saying was drowned out by the ringing in sukunas ears. He could feel the sweat building up on his forehead as his heart beat wouldn’t slow down. He swears he feels himself grow light headed. Years of memories flashing in his mind as he accepts the reality that you’re actually with gojo, hell you even have a goddamned kid with him. His mind is racing genuinely questioning if you truly moved on so fast. He really thought he’d get you back but now? That seems like the most unlikely path in this scenario. His mind finally registers the old gas bag next to him is still talking and he catches onto something that he wishes he misheard, for the sake of his sanity

“That whole mess was... 4 years ago. I haven’t heard much about that disgrace of a woman since, but she’s still being a gold digger” Gojo Sr. sighed “I may have found out but my son does a good job at keeping his affairs private, I’ve only met that woman three times”

4 years? sukuna doesn’t want to let himself think about the fact that the timing was weird. Were you cheating on him with gojo? Did you rebound as soon as sukuna broke up with you? Every possibility was running through his mind until a horrifying possibility hits him as if a bucket of ice cold water had been thrown on him. That couldn’t be it… there was no way.

Sukuna thinks back to how the past two weeks yujis been avoiding him in ways he didn’t before. The kid can barely make eye contact and while sukuna initially thought maybe he was just hiding bad grades, was it actually something serious?

Theres no way you had a kid and it was sukunas, he refuses to accept that reality because the you that he knows and loves, would tell him. You wouldn’t keep something like that from him, so sukuna decides to convince himself that the idea of you possibly rebounding with gojo hurt less. He also refuses to accept the idea that you’d cheat, in his mind he creates an elaborate reason that maybe you and gojo had a kid for tax benefits or something along those lines.

Even if yujis awkward and terribly distant behavior was an indication that he’s hiding something and even if the way you no longer looked at sukuna with stars in your eyes, none of that was enough to convince him that you had his child, and decided not to tell him. And even worse, his own brother knew of this and didnt say anything. He rules this idea out of his mind as he doesn’t even realize its become painfully obvious how fast he’s spiraling.

Gojo Sr. finally realized sukuna was no longer paying attention to him “Are you okay there? You look awfully pale”

Sukuna abruptly ended the conversation, excusing himself as he ran to the nearest bathroom, he splashed water over his face and stared at his reflection for longer than he realized. He needs answers, and he needs them now. He knows he’d be able to get something out of yuji, the brat couldn’t lie to save his life, and now that sukuna knew what he needed to ask, he was gonna see what exactly yujis been hiding from him.

Sukuna didn't even remember his drive home, his mind was simply not present. He really truly hopes he’s being unreasonable and piecing together a theory that could very possibly be incorrect it was more than likely he was dead wrong and yet he's never felt so anxious in his life. You having a kid is enough of a shock for him— but it possibly being his? He cant even wrap his head around it. He actually finds himself hoping that its actually gojos, because if you knew… if you knew the kid was sukunas and didn’t tell him. He doesnt even stop to allow a logical thought like adoption or something, no he immediately jumped to conclusions, because when it was you all rationality was thrown out the window.

As sukuna slammed his car door, fumbling with the keys in his hand and struggled with the door knob just long enough that yuji swung the door open with an agitated look on his face — frustrated because he had to pause the movie he was watching when it was at the best part.

But the frantic look in sukunas eyes was enough to have yuji quickly making his way back to the couch

“Wait” sukuna said so quietly yuji would’ve missed it had the house not been dead silent

Yuji turned awkwardly to look at his brother. Yuji was never truly afraid of his brother, he’d always considered him all bark no bite, but there was something about the almost crazed state he was in that made yuji doubt that judgement in this moment. What could possibly have him this frantic? Yuji wondered, it was truly out of character for his brother, he was always composed even in the worst situations. Yujis breathing got heavier as he realized theres exactly one thing— one person, who could have him on edge like this. He’s scared to think of what would come out of sukunas mouth next

Sukuna mumbled your name so quietly, it was enough for yujis to hold his breath as he waited for sukuna to continue “does she have a kid?”

Yujis eyes widened and he took a few steps backwards, his heart was beating so fast he swears you’d be able to hear it thudding. How sukuna found this out was still a complete mystery, yuji swallowed slowly trying to think of words to say but this was not his conversation to have. Did sukuna talk to you? Or Gojo? Yuji genuinely had no words, nor was he ready for this.

next chapter

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu sukuna #sukuna x reader #ryoumen sukuna #jjk x reader #jjk fanfic #gojo satoru #jjk angst #angst #jjk reader insert #sukuna x y/n

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skythighs · 6 months ago

Text

Calista's Dream: Blood on my Blade

Hi, I'm back with another one. Once again, I don't own the pictures. I just used them for a vibe 😌

Word count:2.5k

Warnings: she cuts herself intentionally in this chapter but not because she wants to. Also, my future chapters will have adult content, so be aware that this is for 18+

Chapter 1

10195 AG

It was an unusually sunny day on Caladan and I wasted no time escaping from my mother. She’s planning the arrival of my betrothed who is due to arrive within a week from today. She’s coordinating flowers to match my dress and wine to compliment the chosen meat that will be served at the feast following the nuptials. Meanwhile I couldn’t care less about any of it. I didn’t have a choice in the matter so why should I be bothered in planning for it. He will arrive in Caladan an entire month before the wedding so that he can court me properly according to my fathers wishes. I was not opposed to the idea of courting, but it all seemed useless now. The Emperor ordered this arrangement; neither Feyd Rautha or myself would have chosen each other if that weren’t the case. Our houses were rivals, I dare not say enemies for fear of upsetting my father. He would no longer accept that term when referring to the family I would be marrying into.

My dark hair blew in a strong gust of wind as I looked out at the vast body of water ahead of me. I would be leaving my home in just over a month and I had come to terms with it. I’ve been saying goodbye for now in my own way. It was not a final farewell for I knew in my soul I would die on Caladan, because I am an Atreides. I lay flat on my back in the damp green grass soaking in the beautiful sunlight, knowing I’ll soon be an inhabitant of Giedi Prime with its black sun. While deep in thought I notice Gurney running towards me looking upset. I sit up so he can find me easier in the tall grass.

“Gurney, what's the matter?”

“Little Duchess, your parents sent me to find you. They are here.”

“They?”

“The Harkonnens, my lady.They’ve come a week early, no doubt to catch us by surprise.”

“Feyd Rautha is here, on Caladan right now?”

The very idea struck me and I felt myself break out into a nervous sweat. I wasn’t prepared. I had more time to- to wrap my mind around his arrival. He wasn’t supposed to be here today.

“Lady Jessica is in your chambers, you must hurry Little Duchess. She wants you to change and prepare yourself for a formal introduction.”

With that I’m off, sprinting across the tall grass in order to prepare quickly for the unexpected guest. Gurney's laugh in my wake is confirmation that my back is covered in wet grass stains. My mother will have to work magic to get me ready quickly.

“Where have you been?” exclaimed Lady Jessica.

“You’re covered in grass Calista!”

“I’m sorry. They weren’t supposed to be here so soon.”

We remain silent while stripping the stained gown and damp underclothes. A maid pulled out an elaborate emerald green gown with matching jewelry and hair pieces.

“Your father has already received our guest in the great hall. He is entertaining him there while they wait for us. The kitchen has already begun preparing a feast. Be calm, all is well.”

Jessica could sense the nervous energy from her daughter and it made her feel all the more high strung given the circumstance.

“Do not show fear to him, Cali. For if you do he will crave more of it.”

“I know, mother. I’m just surprised, is all. I thought I had more time.”

Castle Caladan was warm and cozy even though it was large and spread out. There was a warmth deep within the stone of those walls that can not be manufactured. It was the warmth of home, of love and familial bonds, a feeling that came after the birth of Calista and had lingered for some twenty years now.

When my mother and I stepped into the great hall silence fell upon the Duke and Na Baron who sat across from each other at the great table. There was a tension in the air no doubt from the early intrusion made by the Harkonnen. It seemed the Na Baron traveled with nothing less than a small armada. A show of force perhaps from Baron Vladimir himself. One wall had Atreides soldiers lined up and the opposite was the same for the Harkonnnen. This felt less like an introduction between a couple whose pending nuptials were mere days away and more like a meeting before a battle. A last ditch effort to broker peace before the inevitable war followed.

My father and our early guest rise to their feet as I make my way into the room. My emerald dress swishes with each step I take, I ensure my shoulders are back and my head is held high. I would not be shaken by him. The great room is bathed in sunlight as the sun still shines brightly outside and for a moment I wish I was still just a girl laying in damp grass.

“Na Baron Feyd Rauth, may I present to you my daughter and Heir Calista Atreides.” my father places his hand on the small of my back as I stand beside him.

I reach my hand out to the Na Baron and feel his warm lips graze my knuckles as he bows briefly before me.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you my lady.”

Once he speaks I realize his teeth are painted obsidian black and I almost cringe.

His predatory eyes watched every twitch of my face muscles, every slight movement of my lips as I welcomed him to Caladan. His eyes remind me of the birds of prey. He watches calmly and intently taking in the lilt of my voice. More than this his own voice was so wholly unique it caused a slight shiver to travel up my spine. He was so pale white the sun shining into this very room could damage his skin. He wore black armor similar to the Harkonnen armada standing around the room. I take him in from head to toe and have to crane my neck to look up at him. I had always been small and now as a grown woman of nearly twenty I stood an entire head shorter than him at least.

He seems pleased by the fact I have to look up at him to see his eyes and he offers me a wolfish grin.

My mother interjects with “We have prepared a feast for this evening once you have rested from your travels Na Baron. Calista will show you to your chambers now.”

My mother gives me a pointed look that only mothers have mastered.

“Of course follow me.”

With that I'm off leading him down winding corridors a few short paces ahead of him as he shortens his steps to stay just behind me and out of sight. For the sake of being polite I decided to try and make conversation with him.

“We weren’t expecting you so soon Na Baron, is there a reason you moved up our scheduled timeline?”

I attempt to turn my head slightly just to catch him in my line of sight, but he intentionally evades my attempt.

“I didn’t want to wait any longer.” His gravelly voice made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Quick and to the point. I halt my steps and face him head on as he smirks down at me. My reaction amuses him it seems.

“Are you saying you arrived here early because you couldn’t wait one more week to see me?”

He takes a large step towards me, making my breath catch in my chest.

“You’ve been mine for the last six years. I’ve waited long enough to see you with my own eyes, those pretty little portraits didn’t do you justice.”

He reaches his large powder white hand up and catches a strand of my long ebony hair. He rubs my silken hair between his fingers as he stares into my eyes without blinking.

“You even smell pretty, Lady Atreides.”

He wantonly sniffs the strand of hair in his grasp. Making me shudder in disgust, and some other ambiguous feeling. I attempt to separate myself from him but he won’t budge, he continues to stare me down with his near dead eyes.

“Let me show you to your chambers Na Baron, you must be exhausted.”

I refuse to show him an ounce of fear remembering my mothers words. Besides he was on my home planet, I need not fear anything on Caladan.

He smiles at me showing his black teeth much to my unease but he releases my hair and we continue our trek in silence.

As we reach his chambers I bid him farewell until the feast that is and take my leave quickly. The hairs on the back of my neck tell me he watches from the doorway as I make my departure. He watches me until I am completely out of his sight as I turn out of the guest wing entirely. Only then does the gooseflesh on my skin settle down.

Back in my own chambers my mother meets me in the corridor.

“Did you show fear?” She asks seriously. She was gripping her own navy gown tightly between her fingers.

“No.”

I grasp her worrying hand on her gown.

“B-but I think I amused him somehow. He said-”

Using the Atreides battle language she motions they will continue this conversation in her chamber with the door closed.

Once inside my chamber we secure the door and settle onto my chaise lounge chair together.

“He told me he showed up here early simply because he was tired of waiting to see me.”

Lady Jessica tensed up slightly, alarming Cali.

“What? What is it?”

“He is eager to wed you it seems. I was hoping he would be indifferent, for your sake my Cali.”

Realization dawned on me the moment my mother voiced her concern. He was eager, he was looking forward to- to having me as his wife.

The evening came quickly and after changing into a fresh gown per my mothers request I was heading into the great hall for the welcome feast. My new gown was light blue and white lace with matching jewels of course. I wore my hair entirely up to avoid another incident with the Na Baron touching my hair without permission. I hoped to convey a message to him. A message that said, I don't belong to you. Not yet at least.

Once I entered the great hall I noticed my father was seated at the head of the table this time with Feyd Rautha at his left hand side with an empty seat beside him closest to her father. My mother sat regally on his right hand side taking stock of our Harkonnen guests around the table.

When the men noticed me they both stood and went to pull out my chair in unison. Feyd Rautha insisted as I was his betrothed and my father sat awkwardly, not used to his daughter being the center of another man's attention.

“Thank you Na Baron.”

I say politely as I take my seat. He then moves his chair a couple inches closer to my own than it was before. Not very subtle at all I think. He retakes his seat and quickly calls for my goblet to be filled with wine. Well isn't he attentive? I wonder if I can expect the same level of care once we are on Giedi Prime. Is he just luring me into a false sense of safety before revealing his true self? Try as I might I can’t seem to get a good read on him and it bothers me and puts me on edge.

He didn't speak much at dinner until it was time for speeches and thanks to be granted to the hosting house.

He stood from his seat beside me and raised his goblet of fine Caladan wine.

“I would like to take a moment to thank Duke Leto Atreides for being so hospitable to me although I arrived before our agreed timeline. However, having seen my bride in all her glory I should have come sooner.”

Many Harkonnen men bellow out joyous laughter at that and agree with whoops and cheers.

I look between them uneasily feeling like a prized trophy already.

“I would like to present my lady with a gift.”

A meek Harkonnen servant appeared with a finely decorated box that could only hold valuable jewels. He took the box from the servant and faced me. I took a short sip of wine to cover my nerves and received the box with a smile.

I opened the box and barely contained my shocked gasp. It was indeed not fine jewels, but a bloodied dagger. Not a clean dagger but a bloody one, even the handle was covered in blood.

“I- it’s lovely. Thank you.” I give him the best smile I can muster.

“It’s a Harkonnen tradition as I’m sure you know.”

His dead eyes seemed to come alive with some unknown emotion.

“Of course. I just didn’t realize the blade was meant to be...used.”

I gesture for my gift to be brought forward so that I can offer it to him.

He opens the box and inspects the blade thoroughly.

“A fine piece of art.”

“I do apologize since it’s missing blood.”

He looked at me and tilted his head as he looked me up and over taking note of the neckline of my gown.

“Certainly you can remedy that, My lady.”

He hands me the blade with an expectant look.

“I don’t understand, Na Baron-”

“-Your blood would do most nicely.”

There is a chill that freezes my blood to the bone. He sits once again in his chair that is still too close to mine.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

I look at him as if he’s grown a second head. While my father watches the interaction closely, waiting for the slightest misstep on Feyd's part so he can call in our soldiers to defend the future Dutchess. My mothers warning plays in my head and I know what I have to do.

I take the pristine blade and grab the hilt, slowly and precisely I drag the blade against my palm covering it in my very own blood.

Once again his eyes are lit with some unknown emotion. All I know is they don't seem so dead when he looks at me that way, and I feel myself blush. He takes my offer staring at it in what I can only describe as reverence as he places it carefully in its rightful place. The same meek servant steps forward and removes the gift from the hall.

#feyd rautha #harkonnen #feyd rautha harkonnen #feyd rautha smut #feyd rautha x atreides oc #feyd rautha x oc #Calista's Dream #dune part two #dune part 2 #Calista Atreides

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midnight-mourning · 13 days ago

Text

DCA Promptober Day 23: Duality

This got so longgggg AHHH-

sigh, more for you all to enjoy I suppose, and I hope you do!

Word count: 1248

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

"Where are you Little Star?" A gravelly voice calls out, and you press further into your hiding spot, "It's past your bedtime~"

Moon chuckles and it sends a shiver down your spine.

You don't understand what's going on. You don't know why this is happening. You just want it to all be a bad dream and you'll wake up and everything will be fine and-

"Hidey-hide, hide away~"

You hold your breath, he's mere feet from you now. You can't move, you'll never make it if you tried. You have to be patient. You have to wait.

If you'd known this was going to happen. You would have never came in. Would have ran in the opposite direction, really. You had no signs, no indications there was something seriously wrong. Especially not after the last time. Which had been several weeks ago now, you realize.

"Ready for another night of good books and good company?" You ask, waving the book in your hand at the naptime attendant.

He chuckles, "I don't see any good company around."

"Jerk, if you’re not careful I'll spoil this one for you," You warn.

Moon's arms wrap around you as he lifts you both into the air to head to your destination, "You wouldn't."

"I would."

You land in your usual spot, the platform just outside his and Sun’s room. As you take a seat your curiosity gets the better of you and you twist and nod towards the closed curtains.

"You know, I’ve never actually gotten to take a look around in there. What are you two hiding?"

Moon freezes, but only for a moment, you might’ve just imagined it, "Nothing important. I assure you."

"It’s your room, of course it’s important," You tease, but open your book and turn around, "But I get it, I respect your privacy. You’re probably just secretly messy and don’t want to admit to it, huh?"

"Some, something like that."

You see out of the corner of your eye that he’s fidgeting, hands tapping against each other and he’s looking away from you. It makes you slightly concerned. Sun, he fidgets constantly, full of energy and desires to express it in any way he can. But Moon, nothing of the sort. Not that you minded either, but it made it very clear to you that something may be going on.

You hesitate, then shake your head and set your hand on his pant leg. He jumps, turning to look down to you.

You try to minimize the frown on your face, "Is everything alright?"

"Of course, why wouldn’t it be?" He interlocks his fingers with your own.

Another way he was different than Sun. His counterpart preferred bigger gestures, bear hugs, elaborate high fives, smatterings of kisses-if he thought he could get by with it-and so on. For Moon, softer moments like this always seemed to be enough.

You shrug, looking at your entwined hands then back to him, "You just seem worried about something I guess. And I guess," You look to the side, "That worries me, you know?"

No response at first, then, you feel your hand being lifted and pressed against cool plastic.

Glancing up, you find Moon is kissing your hand, then pressing your palm to his cheek, "It's appreciated, but I pr-I mean it when I say everything's okay."

"If you say so," You sigh, then smile, "Alright you goofy bot, let's get to reading then, yeah?"

He laughed then, and hearing him laugh now, as he hovers just above your hiding spot, it nearly shocks you just as it did when he first tried to swing at you earlier. The contrast of it, the, duality. How could such a caring, sweet, animatronic become this?

It's right then, as Moon's claws screech into the top of the tube, that you remember something else that was dual. Someone else that could end this nightmare for you.

Moon growls, then launches off into the rest of the Daycare. He must not have seen you. You need to plan, and then move quick.

Holding your breath, you slowly emerge from the play tube, body aching from the uncomfortable position. Staying crouched, you scan and find that Moon's over by the ball pit. Now's your chance.

You creep down to level ground, stepping silently onto the play mats as you sneak your way across the room to the light switch. You glance back every few seconds to keep an eye on the attendant. Only a little further, across the open gap, you glance back-

There's a party popper sound as you walk into the stack of boxes. Moon instantly whips in your direction. You stare at each other for a moment, you almost hope there's still a chance he won't come after you.

But you're not waiting to find out.

You spin and run in the direction of the light switch, slamming your fist into it when you make it. You turn around with a sigh and fall back against the wall as the lights come on. You look up briefly and jump when you see that Moon had been mere feet from you.

But standing in his place now is Sun.

Your shoulders collapse with relief, "Sun, thank goodness. I-I, I have no idea what's going on with Moon. He, I think he tried to-" You feel tears well up, the gravity of this all finally getting to you now that you're safe, "I think he was to kill me."

Your hand comes up, covering your mouth as the tears flow freely. You take a shaky breath, then another. Then finally stand up, and before you can stop yourself hug the playtime attendant.

"I, I was so scared. I didn't, I just don't understand," You whisper, shaking your head, "I don't understand."

You sniffle a few more times, calming down a bit. You realize that Sun's not hugging you back.

You pull away slightly, arms still around him, "Sun?"

He's just staring down at you, rays spinning every few seconds.

You swallow, then take a step back, moving further away from him until there's a decent distant between the two of you now. Finding yourself now more inside the daycare than you may have liked.

At this he seems to finally acknowledge you fully. And when he chuckles, it makes your heart sink.

"Oh Starlight, you thought turning on the lights would help?" He puts a hand to his chest, tone dripping with falsified concern, "Did you think I was going to save you? Sweep you off your feet and give you a happily ever after?"

You take a step backward, then another, then, you trip on something and fall backwards. Looking behind you, you see it was what-used to be-a stack of boxes. This is the worst possible time to be so clumsy.

Or maybe not.

Sun seems annoyed at your mistake, incredibly so, "Oh, now look what you've done. Clean up, clean up!"

He swiftly moves past you, stacking the boxes slowly and methodically as he mutters to himself.

You take the chance to run, heading off through the exit, knocking over another stack for good measure along the way.

Sun calls after you, you don't know what it was but based on the laugh that accompanied the words you're guessing nothing good.

You're only shot now was to make a break for the entrance, and hope you make it.

Before one or the other of the Attendants catches you.

Or both.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

mmmm virus DCA my beloved.... Ahem, ANYWHO, if you enjoyed this please feel free to check out my other promptober responses here. Thank you for reading!!

#I tried to put hints of the prompt throughout #beyond just saying it outright #hope it came across properly #dcatober24 #fnaf dca #dca fandom #fnaf daycare attendant #fnaf sun #fnaf moon #dca fic #x reader

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