#I can't believe I drew this I can't believe I actually went through that struggle

[jovieinramshackle]

h,,,,hear me out,,,,,, tilly, pio and the silly fox man,,,,, (the voices are speaking to me again)

A9SHDISDFUHAJDSAJSDHSADFHBSJADISFHUDFBCDNDIWEUHFIEUBBDHAFJDAEFWRGIDBHEADW0ASRDFGHIEHDFGAYRHBARUGFIAHFIJNDWAIGRBAFJAUEBDJFNSDBFSDJNSOAUBFHASDFSHVDBSADBVAISHBVKSAJDLISBHASDR YOU KNOW IM A FREAK SO WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME SUNNY

@theolivetree123 I HAD TO ADD ISO. THE VOICES WERE WAY TOO LOUD.

Fellow's interdimensional polycule is here and I think I'm gonna bash my head against the wall (I'm so fucking gay heLP ME-)

[bettys-redwinesupernova]

THE PRANK THAT BACKFIRED (sort of?)

drew starkey x fem!reader

SUMMARY: reader and drew decide to play a prank on the obx cast for her youtube channel. they do the “asking to have another girl over” prank, which results in a very angry obx cast who are out to get drew😅

based on this ask !! i hope this is what you asked for @xoxosblogsblog !! i had so much fun writing this and it was ADORABLE, i hope you like it :)) <3

WARNINGS: pure tooth-rotting fluff, slight angst (not really), like one (?) curse word, insinuation of cheating (the prank), chase & rudy threaten to “throw hands” with drew lmao. (lmk if i missed anything!)

WORD COUNT: 1.25k

THIRD PERSON +

Y/N adjusted the camera, angling it perfectly to catch the cozy backdrop of the apartment she shared with Drew during her surprise visit to the set of Outer Banks season four.

The faint hum of laughter and chatter outside hinted at the cast heading out to grab food, giving her the perfect opportunity to set her plan into motion.

"Hey, guys!" she began with a bright smile, wiggling her fingers to the camera. "Welcome back to my channel. Today, I've got something hilarious planned. You've seen those TikTok pranks where someone asks if they can bring another girl over while their partner's friends or family are listening, right? Well, I'm doing it today—with Drew."

She smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've got the cast in on this. Well, not really in on it—they think I'm at a friend's place for the night, so this is going to be pure gold. Let's see how much they love me and how far they'll go to defend me from Drew's, um... betrayal."

She turned the camera to Drew, who sat beside her on the couch, half-smiling, half-shaking his head.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this," Drew muttered, running a hand through his hair. "They're going to kill me."

"Kill us, you mean," Y/N teased, poking his side. "But it'll be worth it. Trust me."

"Uh-huh," Drew replied, arching a skeptical eyebrow. "When JD and Rudy show up with pitchforks, you're taking the blame."

Y/N laughed, her grin widening as she leaned into him. "Oh, come on. You know they love me too much to actually hurt me. You, on the other hand..."

Drew sighed dramatically but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips.

A few minutes later, Y/N tucked herself behind the camera, keeping it trained on Drew. Drew pulled out his phone and dialed JD's number, putting the call on speaker. The phone rang twice before JD answered, his voice lively with the sounds of clinking plates and background chatter.

"Yo, Starkey!" JD greeted. "What's up, man?"

Drew exchanged a quick glance with Y/N before diving in. "Hey, would you guys mind if I invited someone over?"

The line went silent for a beat, then JD's confused voice came through. "Uh... sure? Who?"

"Just a friend," Drew said casually.

"Cool, yeah," JD replied, his tone nonchalant. In the background, Madelyn could be heard asking, "Who's he inviting over?"

"Oh, she's just someone I met recently," Drew added, making his voice as nonchalant as possible.

Madelyn's voice sharpened. "Wait, she? Did he say she?"

JD stammered for a moment, then said, "Uh, Drew, man, what are you talking about? You have Y/N—why are you inviting another girl over?"

"It's not that deep," Drew said smoothly, earning a wide-eyed stare from Y/N as she struggled to keep from bursting into laughter.

"Not that deep?" Madelyn's voice rose an octave. "Are you fucking insane? Y/N is literally the best thing that's ever happened to you. You're just going to, what, throw her away for some random girl?"

"Yeah, Drew, what the hell?" Rudy's voice chimed in. "Y/N's gonna find out, dude. She always finds out."

"She's not even here," Drew argued. "And I just want some alone time with this girl. Is that so bad?"

Madelyn's voice was nearly a shriek now. "YES, IT'S BAD! You're in a relationship, Drew! A really amazing one, with an incredible person who, by the way, loves you more than anything!"

"And we love her!" Carlacia added. "You're crazy if you think we're not calling her right now."

"Right?!" Chase's voice joined the chorus, sounding equally appalled. "Drew, what is wrong with you?"

JD sighed loudly. "Man, I'm so disappointed right now. Y/N's, like, the nicest, funniest person ever. She's practically family. I don't even know what to say to you."

Y/N clamped a hand over her mouth, tears forming in her eyes from trying not to laugh. Drew, ever the actor, kept his tone neutral but shot her a playful glare.

"You guys are overreacting," Drew said, feigning exasperation. "I mean, Y/N doesn't have to know, right?"

The collective gasp from the group was loud enough to make Y/N choke on her laughter.

Madison started a rant so fierce it almost made Drew break. "First of all, how dare you? Second of all, Y/N deserves so much better than this! She's gorgeous, sweet, funny—literally the whole package! And you're just going to throw that away? For what?!"

"I can't believe you right now," Rudy chimed in. "If you're serious about this, I'm calling her. Like, right now."

"No, don't—" Drew began, but Y/N couldn't hold it in anymore.

Her laughter burst out like a dam breaking, echoing through the room. Drew immediately broke character, laughing along as he waved his hands at Y/N’s camera.

"Wait, wait!" Y/N called out, coming into view of her camera. "Guys, relax! It's a prank!"

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line, followed by a cacophony of voices.

"Are you serious?!" Madelyn exclaimed. "You scared the crap out of us!"

"You both are the worst," JD groaned.

Rudy's laugh boomed through the speaker. "I was about to knock some sense into you, man."

Chase chimed in with mock indignation. "I was ready to drive back and throw hands, Drew!"

Y/N giggled, holding her stomach as she leaned against Drew. "I'm so sorry, but I couldn't resist! I saw it on TikTok and knew you guys would freak out. And you did not disappoint."

Madelyn groaned dramatically. "You two are so lucky we love you."

JD sighed. "I'm not speaking to you for a week."

"Okay, that's fair," Drew said with a grin.

Eventually, after more playful scolding and laughter, the group hung up, leaving Drew and Y/N alone again. Y/N turned off the camera, still giggling as she leaned back against the couch.

"That was amazing," she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

Drew shook his head, his expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "You're lucky they love you. If it were just me, they'd probably disown me."

Y/N smiled, sliding closer to him. "Well, can you blame them? I mean, look at me. I'm kind of a big deal."

He laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You really are. They adore you, you know that? It's one of the things I love most about us—how easily you fit into my world."

Her teasing smile softened as she gazed up at him. "It means a lot to me, too. They're like family. And so are you."

Drew leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're everything to me, Y/N. I hope you know that."

Her heart melted as she cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing against his jawline. "I do. And you're everything to me, too."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other. The laughter, the teasing, the chaos—it all melted away, leaving just the two of them in their shared little world.

"You think they'll forgive us?" Drew asked after a moment.

Y/N smirked. "Oh, they'll forgive me. You, on the other hand..."

Drew groaned, burying his face in her shoulder as she laughed.

"Totally worth it," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his temple.

betty’s notes ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚

this was so so adorable and so much fun to write !! i hope you all enjoyed, and please please please like and reblog, it means the world when you do <3

my asks are still open so please don’t hesitate to send any in !! i’m in the mood to write some angst, hurt/comfort if you have any requests for drew or rage <3

[theunholybastard]

Kinktober: October 30th - Blood (Papa Emeritus II x Female!Reader)

Tags: Vampire Secondo, Blood Kink, Menstruation, Dub-Con, Cunilingus, Fear Play, Mentions Of Death, Degradation, Multiple Orgasms, 2nd Person POV

It was in the darkness of the abbey that you found him. A chill went up your spine, terror shooting through you at the horrific sight that you were a witness to.

There were rumors going around the ministry that the infamous Papa Emeritus II was actually a vampire. You didn't believe it, of course, that's just silly! But you could understand the similarities between the man and the fictional beast. His particularly sharp canines, his affliction with the sun, his avoidance of people, and his nocturnal habits. You thought he was just a bit quirky. Intimidating and terrifying for sure, but nothing more than a mortal man. When siblings started to go missing, you thought it was a mere coincidence.

You were proven wrong when you saw Secondo greedily slurping down on the neck of Sister Caterina, your roommate. You wondered where the girl ran off too at such a late hour, and hence you came looking for her. She was pale, covered in her own blood, but still hanging in there and struggling for her life. You gasped, which inadvertently drew the attention of Secondo, snapping his head towards your direction. Shit.

His pupils were blown out, a crazed look in his eye, and for a split second, you could swear his white eye was glowing. He dropped Sister Caterina unceremoniously to the ground, her body hitting the cold tiled floor with a loud thud. She pulled herself up shakily, using her remaining strength to hobble away as quickly as possible, in search of help. Secondo approached you, and all you could do was stand there, frozen, like you were in some sort of trance.

He towered over you, and your legs shook violently, fearing for your life. Still, you couldn't move, you could only shut your eyes tight and prepare yourself for your impending doom. This is it, you thought to yourself, feeling his hot breath on your neck, a droplet of Sister Caterinas blood dripping from Secondos mouth and landing on your nightgown. He inhaled deeply, a gutteral moan escaping his lips.

"Sister _____." He greeted lowly. "You tore me away from my meal. I forgive you, though. Her blood was bitter, no good at all. But yours..." He took another inhale. "Yours smells so fucking sweet. You're going to make such a fine dish for me." You felt his fangs graze your neck, but he paused, retracting himself and sniffing the air a few times in confusion.

"You're dripping." He growls, his breathing labored. "No wonder you smell so strongly. Your blood is already escaping you, isn't it?" He smiles devilishly, holding a sadistic look in his gaze. As fate would have it, you just so happened to be on the first day of your period. Shit, he could tell?

"Don't look so frightened now, darling. This just saved your life. I don't need to drain you lifeless, not when I have your cunt to get me full, hm?" He drops to his knees, hands securely on your hips so you can't get away. You try to push him away, but he snatches your wrist. "Do you want to live or not?" He spat frustratedly, brows furrowing in anger. A single tear escapes your eye. You nod.

"You do? Well so do I." He grumbles, flipping up your dress, exposing your panties and bare legs. "Don't take this personal. I kill only to survive. You think I like doing this? No dear, but I have to. I can't control myself..." His fingers hook under the sides of your underwear, pulling them down and exposing your pussy, glistening both with your menstruation, and also from arousal. Wait, how are you so turned on right now? Just a minute ago you thought you were going to die.

His tongue delves into you, flicking in and out of your hole rapidly. He moaned at the taste, nails digging into your hips. "Tastes so fucking good." He gruffs, voice vibrating against your folds. His fingers made its way up your thigh and in your cunt, curling and gathering all the blood he could possibly pull from you, sucking it up hungrily. This wasn't so bad, you thought, compared to the alternative. In fact, it felt fucking incredible, you couldn't help but moan, covering your mouth with your hand so nobody could hear.

Is it really so wrong to provide him a good meal? Not only are you keeping him alive, but you kept Sister Caterina alive as well. Maybe he could come to you around this time of the month every time he feels hungry, sparing the lives of countless people. Wow, how selfless, you're a real humanitarian! While saving lives was definitely in your mind somewhere, your main focus was a desire to be eaten out like this as often as possible, for as long as possible. You don't know what venom he injected in you to make this so enjoyable, but you weren't complaining.

Your moans catch his attention, a light smirk playing on his red stained lips. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? I thought for certain you'd hate this, having a monster devour you and all. Turns out you're a filthy slut, isn't that right?" He teases, licking a long, slow stripe along your slit. "You like having a creature of the night turn you into his bitch? A little blood bank? Lucifer below, you're pathetic." He shoves his face back between your legs, his degradation only making you wetter.

You were so close, biting your lip so hard you could taste your own blood. You can't see what Secondo likes so much about the taste, to be honest. Gripping helplessly at his scalp, you cum hard, legs shaking and a sharp cry of pain and pleasure spilling from your lips. Secondo holds you firmly so you don't topple over, lapping up your blood and your juices, deeply enjoying the mixture. "Just when I thought you couldn't taste any better." He comments. "I hope you don't think I'm finished with you just yet, my little blood bank."

He's back on you again, licking and sucking, overstimulating the life out of you. Sure, he won't kill you by blood loss, but you're almost positive this man is going to give you a heart attack with his movements. You cry, you kick, you struggle, but he has you speared in place, exactly where he wants you. Once the painful intensity of your last orgasm subsides, you're able to fully enjoy him eating you out again, moaning and whimpering in content, back against the wall as you just let it happen and give in to the pleasure.

-

Soon enough, you can't even remember how many times you came. You're nothing but a babbling mess, incoherent pleas making their way out of your mouth. Pleas for him to stop or keep going, that's unclear even to you. He's managed to ignore you, focusing solely on his need to feed. Fuck, when is he gonna be full? Greedy little asshole. At some point, you had forgotten exactly when or how, but you fell over from the debilitating orgasms. Secondo was at least kind enough to catch you and lay you down on the floor gently, before going right back into your pussy.

"Need more. Fuck, your cunt is so addicting. And your blood, cazzo... You will be seeing much more of me after tonight, I guarantee you that. You can't escape me now. You've gotten me hooked, puttana." He chuckles softly, sucking on your sensitive clit like he was trying to tear the damn thing off. Maybe he was, you couldn't tell. It feels to good to worry about anything anymore. He could kill you right after this and you wouldn't mind. What a hell of a way to die anyways, am I right?

As yet another orgasm was approaching you, tears streamed down your face, sobbing from the oversensitivity. You couldn't handle another one, you couldn't. But it didn't matter, he was going to give you one. He was relentless, frenzied, it's a wonder how he still has the energy after about an hour of going at it. I guess a perk of being a vampire is not having to worry about lockjaw anymore.

"You're going to cum again, girl? Delicious. Give me my dessert, Sorella..." He rumbles, tongue never stopping, never losing rhythm. His fingers applied just the right amount of pressure inside of you to send you toppling over the edge, screaming bloody murder as your cries of ecstasy echoed throughout the chapel. Your bones feel like they're fucking vibrating, you're so lost and too far gone. Hell, you've successfully forgotten your own name after that one. You are a husk of the person you once were, just like all his other victims, except you still had a heartbeat.

He finally pulls away, and you sigh in relief, body relaxing and melting into the floor, or at least that's what it feels like. Who knew stumbling across a vampire and being at their mercy would be so rewarding for both parties involved? You could feel yourself fading into a deep sleep. It's gonna be really hard to explain to the black mass attendees in the morning why you're panty-less and covered in blood, passed out on the floor, but you could care less. You're boneless, your only option is to remain grounded and let sleep take hold of you. You're at peace.

Until you feel his tongue on you again.

-

[sarenhale]

Two questions!

First - If the vast majority of The Order are 12-in-1 body wash users, how likely would the organization they work for realize the opportunity and produce their own, like how some hotels have "hotel brand" products? Like how likely would it be for order brand "12-in-1 cleanser PLUS demon repellent" to turn up in the commissary one day 🤔

Second - Which of your OCs (can be more than one) do you relate to the most / feel you are most similar to? Follow up, which of you OCs would you admire the most or want to be more like?

I didn't even think about the possibility of the dreadful 12 in 1 wash to be a thing in the universe, nonetheless being produced and distributed by the Order itself.... that's horrifying but also kind of genius......... and its kinda funny to imagine how that would probably be so normalized it's weird to the opposite and have different products for different things you're washing. Like you're being 'too much' cause you have a separate wash for your body or something LOL

Honestly considering the military gets their own food rations and equipment sorted this way, it makes sense they would also be provided with the dreadful 12 in 1 wash. It would also probably include demon repellent and a radiation shield.

Now that I think about this being a regularized provision distributed to everyone, I can 100% add that Hannes would be the one person that doesn't use it and goes out of his way to use different things and nature stuff to clean himself. Like hand picking basil and herbs and shit. Very cool Hannes, good job, also highly impractical and annoying. There, we found probably one of the few men in the Order that smells like basil instead of chemical products 🌱🙄

And for the second question I've actually thought about this before, usually the way I create characters I always try to put a bit of myself in each one, but there are always some that are closer to me in that sense. I'd say Iakiv, Jouko and Hannes are the 3 characters I find more similar to me for one reason of another, Jouko is probably the most similar to me in terms of personality and character (grumpy ass loner that hides a loyal and sensitive side), Hannes has a lot of quirks that I relate to a lot, and also some struggles, like not being able to relate to people at times and always feeling like the odd one out, finding it hard to read people's behavior, and being too much in his head and his thoughts to the point he sabotages himself and shoot himself in the foot lol.

Iakiv is the one character I care for the most, probably my favourite too on all fronts, and also I relate to the most. Thankfully I'm not familiar with his trauma and the things he went through (very heavy familiar abuse and trauma related to that, and also siberian prison, which I'm familiar with- no kidding kidding ), but I relate to his struggles a lot and especially the big journey of overcoming trauma and learning to live life to the fullest, and wanting to live and expect to having a future again, is something that I explore deeply through his character, and is one of the key focus of his story. He also goes through the big hurdle that is exploring sexuality when you're an adult and lost your youth to do so, something that I also care a lot about and relate with. So he's just a very important character to me in all aspects. And I guess I deeply admire him for that too- honestly if I'd lived his life, I probably would've had a joker mode and just gave up on everything. Instead he insists on TRYING to be a decent person and doing the right thing.

The implacable human will personified.

Thanks so much for the ask Drew, I love rambling about this project and characters a lot ❤️ from the funny topics to the more serious ones. I feel very grateful to have a space to explore these ideas and have people interact with it, as always it helps me a lot brainstorming and sorting ideas! ! And honestly getting ideas too- I can't believe the 12 in 1 wash is now canon

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Don't Go Blindly Into the Dark

Summary:

To hide that he can't read, Jan Van Eck has been forcing his son to pretend he's blind since he was eight years old. Wylan is now attending Ketterdam University, and meeting Jesper Fahey may very well be about to change his life. But is he safe to tell Jesper the truth? And what will Jesper say if he does?

Jesper is struggling to weigh up his life in the Barrel and his life at the University of Ketterdam, and there's a good chance that his growing debt is about to make the decision for him. He hasn't attended class consecutively for months, but maybe that will change when his newest project includes partnering up with Wylan Van Eck. But can he really leave the Barrel behind him? And how long can he keep up the pretence of who he thinks Wylan wants him to be?

Tags: @justalunaticfangirl @lunarthecorvus

If anyone else would like to be tagged let me know :)

Content warnings for this chapter: manipulation, abuse, conditioning, implied sa references, panic attacks

Chapter 40 - Inej

AO3 link

For Jeluna’s first night at the flat, Inej swallowed her discomfort like an unpleasant tasting medicine and stayed sleeping on the little sofa in the living room. Well, pretending to sleep at least. The flat was just two rooms, there was no indoor privy, with the living space and little kitchen forming one and the bedroom taking up the other. It was mostly sparse of furniture, just a bed and cabinet in one room, sofa sitting opposite the kitchen in the other, but the sofa was designed for the back to be thrown off and the seat adjusted so one could make it closer resemble a mattress whenever necessary. Inej bothered with no such changes, and still lay awake staring at the ceiling. She wondered if Jeluna was asleep. 

Kaz had come to Inej yesterday and, somewhat reluctantly, told her that the girl was currently alone in one of the private game rooms at the Crow Club, with Anika sitting vigil outside the door - not that she knew what she was guarding. Inej already knew that, because Nina had told her, and she was very glad of it; if Kaz had actually been telling her this for the first time, after days of the poor thing being stuck up there, she honestly wasn’t sure what she would have said. She’d been waiting all week for him to tell her, and started thinking that if he didn’t say anything soon that perhaps she should just go through the window to see Jeluna herself.

Upon actually meeting her, she was glad she hadn’t done that. She probably would’ve scared the life right out of her. Nina had told Inej that Jeluna wasn’t doing well, and that she was desperately convinced she had to go back to Willow Switch, and for all Inej didn’t want to believe that she had to admit that it wasn’t entirely surprising. She’d banished Kaz into the corridor when she first went in to meet her, grateful that he actually bothered to follow her instruction, and attempted to make a peaceful introduction as she approached. Jeluna struggled to look up at her, her eyes remaining fervently on the floor, but anything Kaz had told her and Inej refused to command her, or demand of her anything. After minutes had passed without progress she drew one of the chairs from the card table and sat down, and after another minute had passed in silence said:

“You can sit down, if you want to,”

Jeluna looked up, and Inej felt like she’d taken a blow to the chest at the sight of how just young she was. How long had she been there for them to do this to her? She was probably thirteen -she couldn’t have been more than fourteen, of that Inej was certain, and even at only fifteen herself she felt the sudden need to nurture and protect her like a small child. For a long moment she just stared at Inej, golden eyes sparking like they were about to set aflame, before she whispered:

“If I want to?”

Inej nodded.

“Do you want me to?”

“I don’t want you to do anything at all,” she told her, softly, “except what you want to do,”

She wasn’t sure at first if Jeluna was going to make any further response at all, but then she slowly dragged a chair across the floor. It screeched so horrendously across the boards that it made Inej’s teeth hurt, and Jeluna quite abruptly dropped her hold on the back of the chair and stepped away as though it had jumped up to attack her. The air in the room was heavy and warm, as though it had halted in place and begun to sink and settle over them like a thick, hot soup. Jeluna seemed to freeze in place for a moment before she crept around and took her seat. She folded her hands in her lap and looked at Inej expectantly, then a second later lowered her gaze to the floor. 

“Can I ask you a question? You don’t have to answer it, if you don’t want to. You can wait until you’ve heard it to decide,”

Jeluna nodded. 

“How long-” she caught herself, trying to tread lightly through everything that Nina and Kaz had told her, “How long have you lived with Kaatje?”

There was another pause as Jeluna lifted her eyes back to focus on Inej, a small crinkle forming in her brow. 

“Did she tell you to ask me that? Is she testing me?”

“No, Jeluna-” 

“I promise I’ve done nothing,” panic began to spike in her voice, “I don’t know what happened, I swear it, I didn’t do anything wrong-”

“I know that,” said Inej, trying to keep her voice as low and level as possible to contrast the rising tones of Jeluna’s, whose stress was only becoming more and more obvious, “You haven’t done anything wrong, Jeluna. Not ever,”

“I have done things wrong before; so many times I was so cruel, I caused Tante Kaatje so many problems. But I promise you I’ve learned, and I try, and I haven’t done anything,”

“Jeluna,”

She began to shake her head fervently, her voice high and frightened as she repeated: 

“I haven’t, I promise, I haven’t, I haven’t,”

Her hands had found either side of her head, fingers curling against her scalp and scrunching her hair into mad frizzes as she continued to mutter the same refrain. She screwed her eyes tightly shut and continued to shake her head, her words growing slowly quieter as the pitch increased but still with no recognition of Inej’s attempts to speak until she was forced to grab Jeluna’s wrists to hold her still. The girl gasped before she fell silent, lowering her gaze to the ground and she stilled. 

“Jeluna, look at me. You have done nothing wrong, no-one is going to hurt you. You have not done anything wrong,”

Inej released her and took slow steps backwards, keeping her hands flat in front of her. Jeluna stared at her like she’d gone mad, then schooled her features to a blank almost-smile so quickly that you practically forgot what she’d looked like just a moment ago. 

“Please,” she whispered, after a long silence had settled into the air, “I don’t understand what’s happening. I’m sorry, I don’t… I don’t understand. Where am I? Why can’t I go home? If… if she’s not upset with me, why doesn’t she want me back?” 

Inej’s heart broke. 

It had been easier than she’d expected to encourage Jeluna to follow them to the Dregs’ safehouse, but she still had none of the right words to explain to Jeluna what was going on. Kaz had told Inej that she didn’t remember anything of the last two weeks before Nina brought her to the Crow Club, and it seemed she had no recollection of how she’d ended up on the edge of the Financial District either. 

“How can they do that, whoever it was?” Inej had asked, disbelieving. 

“I asked Nina if a Corporalnik could do anything like that, but she said the brain is too complicated an organ to manipulate so precisely. Drugs, probably, but if that’s the case they must have worn off by the time Nina found her. But in the meantime we have bigger problems; Kaatje knows,”

Inej frowned. Kaatje de Waal must have known that Jeluna was missing for the past two weeks, if anything based on the note Kheja gave to Nina she may have even known someone took her from the building, but she had said nothing at all. Why act now? 

“She reported her missing?”

Kaz shook his head, then reached into his pocket and handed Inej a folded piece of paper. 

“She’s claiming someone paid for two weeks of Jeluna’s time,” he said, as Inej opened the paper and let her eyes slide through the Kerch lettering, by now almost all of which she could read with ease, “but that she broke free of them and made a run for it. She’s claiming-”

“Breach of contract,” Inej breathed, staring at the nearly inked words across the page, “They’ve put a warrant out for Jeluna’s arrest,”

Kaz’s face was grim. 

“People will believe it,”

“Why didn’t you tell me she was here, Kaz?”

His eyes were darker than a moonless sky at midnight, bitter coffee on a cold morning before the sun began to rise. He looked away. 

“What difference does it make?”

And Inej could say nothing, because there was nothing she could do to translate the aching of her chest into any language at all. Kaz began to walk away, and she followed him in silence. 

Now she sat up on the sofa and pulled her legs up into herself, fidgeting with the knives she had not taken off when she laid down hours ago. The pain in her knee was duller now but not gone, and it was starting to make her wish that she could scream into a blank abyss just to feel some brief release. Tomorrow Elodie would return but Inej wasn’t confident enough that they could leave Jeluna for the night alone, and she was never convinced of safety in the dark hours, of any others really, of Ketterdam. She had a candles somewhere but could not find it in the impenetrable dark and did not fancy trying to strike matches not knowing what she may be holding them near to, but there was a little bonelight still tucked into her jacket and she pulled it out and shook it until the room was pooled in ghostly green light. 

Jeluna had clearly not been settled when they moved her into the flat, but she’d stayed quiet and docile and that was possibly the best they could hope for; her best impression of calm. Elodie sat opposite her, talking quietly to introduce herself, and Kaz and Inej stood watching from nearer to the door. 

“How long can she stay?” asked Inej, quietly. 

They both knew what she was really asking. Jeluna was in pieces, her memories were fragmented, she was legally a fugitive, and if she knew who the Dregs really were she would surely try to run back to West Stave - and then Saints’ knew what would happen to her. Keeping her here was unsustainable for everyone involved, but what other choices did they have - and how long until Kaz made one? She didn’t want to look at him, but from the corner of her eye she saw him shift his weight against his cane. 

“We might have to move her again,” he said, after a moment, “I’m going to speak to Kaatje again; it will depend on how that goes,”

“Why-?”

“If I tell her I found Jeluna when she ran away, I might be able to wrangle a deal to pay of off her contract,”

“That’s good of you,” she murmured, letting her gaze slowly lift to Kaz’s. 

His eyes were hard. 

“I’m not running a charity, Wraith,” he growled, “If Nina wants to take on a stranger’s debt that’s her business,”

“I- what?”

“Nina said she’d add Jeluna’s contract to hers, if the Dregs pay it off,” 

Inej felt something sinking in her stomach like a stone. 

“How much?”

“Slightly shy of yours; not by much,”

“Nina can’t afford that,” Inej sputtered in disbelief.

“No-one can afford that,” he snapped, “That’s quite the point, is it not? It was Nina’s idea,”

“Split it between us,” said Inej, the words falling out of her mouth before she even knew she’d thought them. 

Kaz studied her for a moment with dark eyes, his expression as unreadable as ever. 

“It’s Nina’s business,” he repeated, “You want to split it, you can talk to her about it, but I’m not getting involved until I’m writing the papers or giving the old man the cash. And anyway, I wouldn’t trust Kaatje far enough to assume this isn’t a question for fiction authors,”

Inej said nothing. Kaz nodded towards Elodie and Jeluna. 

“Keep an eye on them. I need Elodie at the Crow Club for a game tonight, do you think-?”

“I’ll stay,” Inej had murmured, not looking at him, “I’ll see you tomorrow,”

Kaz might have nodded, she didn’t look. She just felt his absence as he turned away, and stood listening to the steady thud of his cane disappearing into the hallway and down the stairs. 

The kitchen had running cold water and Inej held her bonelight up to the cupboard until she could locate a glass before she turned on the tap, and it was only when she turned it off again that she thought she could hear shuffling in the other room. She hesitated, then gently knocked on the door - thinking she was loud enough to hear, but quiet enough not to wake Jeluna if she was asleep after all. For a moment nothing happened and Inej wondered if she had just imagined the noises inside the room, but then soft footsteps crossed the floor and the door creaked slowly open. Jeluna leant against the doorframe, the edge of her thin, borrowed dressing gown slipping to reveal her bare collar bone, tilting her eyes up at Inej through thick black lashes. 

“Yes?” she asked, false honey in her voice. 

Inej swallowed drily, not actually sure she could form words at all until she managed to whisper: 

“I was just checking if you’d fallen asleep,”

Jeluna’s confusion was obvious, and for a moment she just stared at Inej. 

“You don’t really work with Tante Kaatje, do you?” she murmured slowly, and Inej could almost see the cogs and gears shifting behind her golden eyes. 

There was real fear growing in them now, shimmering starlight trapped inside a birdcage. Inej hesitated, but she couldn’t lie to her. And she couldn’t say that. 

“No,”

It was like someone had flipped a switch in Jeluna, or thrown a pile of sand into her mechanism. A choking gasp escaped her as she stumbled away from Inej, shaking her head. 

“What have you done?” she whispered, breaths coming faster and shallower, “What have you - What have I done?” 

“Jeluna- No, Jeluna look at me-”

“What do you want?” she asked, tears springing to her eyes, “I don’t have anything, I can’t- I can’t-” 

Her words began to break as she struggled to breathe, still moving backwards with her eyes fixed on Inej. She tripped over the corner of the bed and cried out as she fell towards the floorboards; Inej lunged to catch her and Jeluna screamed, scrambling away from her across the carpet. 

“She won’t do it,” she told her, crying properly now, “Whatever you want, she won’t give it to you, she won’t,”

“Jeluna-”

“It won’t work, she won’t give you anything. It’s not worth it. She’ll just replace me, and then… and then…”

She dissolved into sobs where she was crouching on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees, the moonlight streaming over her from beneath the closed curtains. She looked like she belonged in a painting. 

“Jeluna we aren’t holding you here, we aren’t trying to get anything from Kaatje in exchange. We only want to help you,”

“I don’t understand,” she whispered, “I don’t… I don’t even know how I got here,”

Inej sat down cross-legged in front of Jeluna, resting her hands on her knees. 

“What do you remember?” she said, softly, “Before you met Nina, and the rest of us?”

Jeluna’s eyes were slightly distant, like she was floating somewhere new. 

“I made a mistake in our performance,” she murmured, “I ruined it, and Viri tried to fix it but… I ruined it. She was angry and I tried to tell her that it wasn’t Viri’s fault but she was so upset and then- and then I don’t know. I don’t know… Why don’t I know?”

Tears spilt over her cheeks again. Her hand rose to her neck and ran over it repeatedly, almost clawing at it, like she was trying to chase something she had lost. 

“I have to get back,” she wept, ��Please, you don’t understand… I’m already so late, it will only be worse - and look what I’ve done… look what I let you do…”

“Jeluna-”

“I took it off,” she sobbed, fingers still dancing across her neck, “I ruined my clothes. She’s going to be so upset with me, look at what I’ve done - I’ve taken advantage of everything she gave me, I’ve ruined her things, I’ve- I’ve- I’ve-” 

And then her breathing got tight again, her words broken like shattered glass across the floor between them. Inej wished that Nina was there. 

It took a long time to calm Jeluna, or to bring her to as close a semblance of calm as either of them could manage, and eventually she seemed to doze on the floor of the bedroom with her head propped up against her arm. Inej just sat there, watching her, trying not to let herself cry. 

[jvstheworld]

My Ted Lasso Re-watch: S1E1 (part 3)

Pilot

Ted doesn't always get the hang of the new vocab, but he tries.

I love Roy Kent. He is one of my favourite characters and his use of swear words is perfection.

Did Nate give Ted and Beard Irn Bru?

I love the Tedisms. Makes him adorable.

Jamie is a prick and Sam is an absolute sweetie.

Axe body spray in the US is the same as Lynx in the UK.

Keeley is a wonderful character who is unapologetically herself and confident in her sexuality. I adore her.

Personalising the office, first off, pushing the desks together which might take up more space but it means you don't have to constantly turn around to talk. And also shows the Ted and Beard like working closely together. Next are inspirational sports posters and sport stars of the past. I can not name any of them.

Poor Ted, he needs to sleep, and that nap was the first time he has done since leaving Kansas.

Roy will be absolutely furious when won over, but he'll thank them for it later.

The 'Believe' poster. I have it as the background on my smart watch and as the background on my laptop but with Ted pointing to it while looking at Jamie.

I love Ted and Keeley's friendship. He doesn't get rid of the picture Jamie has in his locker, just makes it a bit more modest for the setting it is in. This is something Roy does later with one of the pictures Phoebe drew.

'I never know how to react when a grown man does...' is said by Keeley when Ted beat boxing, Roy when Ted does the Carlton, and by Chris Powell when Ted does his victory dance.

Earlier, Rebecca called Higgins the 'current' Head of Communications, and now we know why - he is being promoted to Director of Football Operations.

Higgins was complicit during Rupert's affairs. Does anyone else think that Higgins only went along with it out of fear of losing his job? Rupert is a very rich man who could make his life hell and make it hard for him to get another job elsewhere, so maybe Higgins did it to protect his job and continue being able to provide for his family.

The name on the gift basket in Ted's new flat is 'Coach Tim Lasso' because Rebecca doesn't actually care about him enough to get it right, but it's close enough that it could be seen as a clerical error.

Ted tries to work out the time difference between the UK and Kansas. It's a 6 hour time difference.

Ted in the shower. Ted is in the shower. The thoughts that went through my head when I saw this during my re-watch. Well, let's just say they weren't clean. And then the man is dressed in a t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Honey... God damn, you're hot.

Why did Ted move to another country to coach a sport he doesn't know about? Because his marriage is struggling and his wife needs space. A lot of it apparently. He still clearly loves her, but the fact she can't say it anymore clearly hurts him more than he can admit. And it's just a precursor to what happens later on.

I have an overwhelming need to hug him whenever he is sad. Ted needs all the hugs. And to go to sleep, but the conversation with his wife is probably the reason why he can't.

[goinghostie]

Same, I love how everyone bonded on the team! Watching how things progressed and everyone went from being pretty cold towards Maki toward understanding he was helping them improve was really heartwarming (the same can be said for Arashi becoming friends with the team!).

re: Ryoma's comment - this was actually a translation error. Akane-sensei said that Ryoma was referring to Maki here and how he is practically a little brother to him (something that very well could lead to Toma's falling out with Maki since Ryoma seems to give more attention to Maki than him, making that distance grow since his mom literally throws him over to his dad to separate him from her and Ryoma).

So many theories can be thrown around for Maki and Toma's falling out but I really feel like Toma distanced himself from Maki and Ryoma because of what happened with his mom. There's also the scar on Toma's arm, which is scary considering Maki's dad literally threatened him (and maybe he goes after Toma somehow to get back at Maki for threatening to kill him?) I don't believe Maki actually went through with it because he's in school and still playing soft tennis with Arashi.

I'm really glad you brought up Rintaro's struggles because I don't see many fans talking about him. I hope he's able to meet his bio mom too, though it does seem like she's purposefully trying to avoid him (which may be because she feels guilty of having to give him up for adoption due to having him at such a young age).

So Shingo's situation was another that was misunderstood by a lot of fans. An is his stepsister and apparently since Shingo looks like his bio mom (I'm guessing she wasn't a good person) his stepmom doesn't trust him and kinda treats him like an outcast in the family. His dad seems really nice at least. Though from the looks of the fan movie he is attending military school which could have been a way to get out of the house (really hoping his stepmom didn't force him to go - he looked happy though!) Shingo and An's sibling relationship is really sweet and wholesome and so I hope that doesn't change.

Aya (Maki's mom) is the best and must be protected at all costs!! I'm terrified at what could have happened to her at the end of ep 12...it can't have been anything good with how it literally triggered Maki to want to murder Kenji.

Shou is such a great character and father figure for Maki and I really hope we see more of him in the second half! He would be such a great mentor for Yuu while they are navigating their gender identity.

Taiyo's parents are sweet, though definitely overprotective of their son. It is interesting because Taiyo and Nao both have overprotective parents but in different ways. Taiyo's situation is much healthier because his parents are controlling of him. They try to do what's best but back off if they get called out on being wrong.

Naooo - with his mom's threatening words in ep 12 I believe she pulled him out of shijo minami and forced him to go to another school to get him away from soft tennis. This obviously leads him down the dark path that had been hinted at with the whole An-locked-in-the-infirmary incident. The soft tennis crew kept Nao in check and was a safe space for him to get away from his overbearing mother, but when that is forcibly taken away from him he is going to spiral badly. From the looks of it he goes down the path of being a delinquent, and so his new friends most likely do not lift him up the same way the soft tennis team did - instead of finding a positive outlet for his negative emotions, he will resort to violence. He will become exactly what his mother was trying her best to prevent (ironic karma). I truly hope Nao is able to reconnect with Taiyo and the others so he can be saved before it's too late...

The soft art style is actually the first thing that drew me in! I love the contrast of such an adorable art style but also the dark themes the series addresses. It gets so real and raw with the emotions it presents. Akane-sensei mentioned in an interview how much time they put into facial expressions during scenes like the end of episode 1 - words weren't needed because the emotion and fear were there.

The rep is absolutely amazing and deserves so much more attention! The series wasn't afraid to bring up topics in a careful and well-informed way. Maki's entire convo with Yuu in episode 8 was handled so well. I actually headcanon Maki as aroace - his words about feeling like something is off but not knowing what resonated so strongly with me.

I feel like there is something relatable with each of the characters and that many can relate with someone in the series for that reason. While some people claim it is unrealistic for so many kids to come from negative home situations, that just shows they do not realize how many people are quietly struggling with things they don't understand.

Stars Align brought so many things to light in a way that many media don't dare to address. A lot of time and care was put into their characters and the story, and I truly hope we can see the rest in the future. It deserves the opportunity to be resolved properly, as intended.

TLDR: Watch and support Hoshiai no Sora for its accurate portrayal of negative parenting styles and the impact they have on children, as well as the amazingly handled LGBTQ+ rep!! (just check trigger warnings, if needed)

Ok here are all of my thoughts, questions, comments, etc about Stars Align

This might be messy sorry lmao I'll try to keep it organized tho (Spoiler warning)

So starting off, I wouldn't have minded if they did this but I'm glad that Maki wasn't always cold and reserved (again I wouldn't have minded). It was refreshing to see him smile, laugh, and enjoy his time with the team. You can tell that he loves all of the people on the team and its fun to watch.

Also, I am pretty concerned about Maki after watching that ending. Yeah his father is a major piece of shit and I fucking hate him but I hope Maki didn't kill him. I just don't want anything bad to happen to Maki. Like all of the boys, I hope they get a hug and happiness.

So, Toma's brother brought up that they have another brother but where is he? Did he move out? How old is he?? From a passing comment it doesn't seem like this other brother wants anything to do with them judging by the fact that we never see him, but I could be way wrong.

I really do hate Toma's mother, he's done nothing wrong and she hates him for no reason. She compares him to his brother but they are not the same person! And she hates him for that?

Speaking of Toma and Maki, from the tribute video that they dropped, it looked like they had a falling out :((( Maybe they become rivals, I kinda hope it becomes a Free! situation where Rin and Haru started out as friends when they were young, then became rivals, then became friends once again. I would be happy if something like that happens with Toma and Maki because they were such great friends but what happened?

Ok on the topic of rivals, I really liked that the rivalry with Oji was also really fun to watch because it wasn't like they had to have their rivalry on 100% of the time. Like they really enjoyed having him around during the BBQ and they even kinda cheered each other on (if they could) during the tournament. They even let him be apart of their hype ritual!

I feel that Rintaro definitely has good parents, at least from what we've seen. They really do care about their son and want what's best for him. I do also hope that Rintaro gets to meet his birth mother if he wants to and I hope she's good to him.

With Rintaro, I understand him feeling like he isn't good enough and he failed as the vice president. I mean it did seem like Maki took over his job and I wish that we got to see them talk about this issue and come up with a middle ground.

I also thought that Shingo's parents weren't that bad either, maybe a little overprotective but not as bad as some of the other parents. It seemed that they really cared about their children's safety, especially, their daughter (obviously lmao she's like 4).

I feel like Maki's mother did a great job honestly, she seemed like one of the best parents and it has to be very hard for her to be in a situation like that. But it seemed like she did a pretty good job.

The only other set of good parents imo is Taiyo's parents, they seemed like they were pretty supportive, even if they thought their son wasn't a great player at the time. Yeah maybe they went about the responsibility thing a bit wrong, everyone makes mistakes and they seem to try and correct themselves after he stood of for him and Nao. They still didn't have a problem with him playing even if Taiyo's pair didn't win.

Everyone else's parents fucking sucked, I do not need to get into why lmao.

I'm going to be completely honest, but at first I didn't like Soga and Ameno but they quickly grew on me! I was pretty sad that Soga couldn't play in the tournament. Him and Shingo worked so hard only for it not to happen, but at the same time they really did help Nao and Taiyo with their confidence which I think is important.

Speaking of Nao, in the tribute video we see that his knuckles are bruised and bandaged, which makes me wound what could have happened. Obviously something wrong is going on and I wanna know what! Let my boys be happy pls :(

I also want to mention that the art style is fucking gorgeous! And omg the representation is fantastic holy shit!!! Yu is non-binary and the show explicitly says it, which I haven't really seen done in an anime, especially a sports anime. I actually have some LGBT+ headcannons for some of the characters lmao

I think this is all I'll say for rn, this is already really long slkdjf I hope this made sense!

[yandere-sins]

Idk If you have rules cuz I can't seem to find it but Osamu(Haikyuu) as mafia(if ur not comfy then you can ignore this part) who Kidnapped u and is obsessed(the "I'd rip out my heart for you" type of obsessed) who would literally do anything for you😋and puts you always first before anyone else🗿a soft yandere but will k!ll anyone who gets near you type so Osamu being possesive of you🤩

Nope! No rules, there aren’t enough people who care for them and I don’t want to stress about it anymore. If I don’t like a request, I just delete it. I prefer Yakuza over Mafia, hope you don’t mind! Thanks for requesting, enjoy ♥

»»———————— ♡ ————————««     

Even the careful Osamu couldn’t keep you from stirring in your sleep as he opened the door to the apartment. This was probably the first night ever you had been able to fall asleep in peace, and yet, you sat up while he tiptoed through the hallway towards the only room you two shared. Rubbing your eyes, you heard a soft gasp, making you look up.

“Didn’t mean to wake ya...” Osamu grumbled before stepping into the room fully, walking over to the mini-fridge he kept stocked with basic food like rice balls and ice cream in the freezer compartment. The light briefly illuminated his body, showing you a sight you didn’t want to see while he restocked some food in the fridge, either unaware or indifferent about his looks.

You looked away, biting your lips. It had all started out innocently enough, your father paying a Yakuza to keep you safe while there were some even worse guys after him. Even if the arrangement had been strange, especially after he - Osamu - moved into a small, one-room apartment with you, basically just sticking around and rarely leaving, by now, it was more than just a nightmare.

How long had it been since you last left the apartment? Almost a month now? Osamu took you for a walk once or twice, returning after mere ten minutes and stating it was too dangerous. However, whenever he did leave, he returned bloody and dirty. Frankly, you were too afraid to ask what happened, but the secrecy between you two wasn’t helping in soothing your mind.

In the beginning, you still had been hopeful that the matter would resolve quickly and you could go back to your normal life. But apparently, it just kept dragging on, Osamu only ever stating that it wasn’t over yet. Even your dad stopped responding to your messages, asking if he was okay, by now, and you were nothing but worried about him. Now, you just wondered how many more days you’d have to spend with this guy that you still considered to be a total stranger.

Gripping your blanket tightly, it took you a lot of courage to speak up, but the situation was awkward as it is, there was nothing you could do to mess it up more. “Are you okay?” you asked carefully, hoping you weren’t overstepping your boundaries. His hand stopped, and he glanced back over his shoulder at you, simply staring for a moment before turning back to finish his task.

“Yeah, just a rough night.”

“Then... are you hurt?” you continued, feeling relieved after hearing his casual answer.

“Why? Ya worried about me?” Only being able to see his side profile over his shoulder, you noticed him smile - presumably for the first time ever that you knew him. “I-I mean!” you stuttered, twiddling your thumbs as you felt flustered. It wasn’t actually that bad talking to him; he actually had a hint of a joke in his voice as he spoke with you, even if you only ever perceived him as a mean-looking fellow with a bad career choice.

“It would be bad if something happened and you were injured...”

A soft chuckle fell off his lips, and you presumed he must have been tired if you actually managed to make him laugh. Either that, or you had to admit he wasn’t half as bad as you thought him to be. Closing the fridge - and with it, the only light in the room - you heard him groan as he stood up. However, even if he tried, his footsteps were audible because of his muscular build, especially as they drew closer.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about,” he assured you, plopping down on your bed. “I got it all under control, promise.”

“If you say so...” Pulling in your legs, you made some space, prompting him to lean back, and the smell of blood and dirt made its way to your nose. “So... not your blood?”

There was a certain risk in asking this, but you were awake now and, for the first time, had a conversation with him. “Nope,” he casually admitted, and it brought back some of the fears you first had when he was introduced to you. Mainly that he had already become numb towards violence. “Hey...” Osamu tore you out of your thoughts quickly as he spoke up first, noticing your silence.

“Has anyone been bothering you lately? Talked to some bad eggs on your phone?”

Blinking a few times, you delayed your response, nervously glancing at your phone. It was true that after you had to go undercover, you had quite a few arguments with your boyfriend and friends. They wouldn’t understand why you’d ghost them and avoid their questions about your whereabouts. “Not really?” you mumbled, unsure if he’d be interested in that kind of complaint from you. After all, they were more or less just relationship problems, and you two weren’t close in any way.

“I see,” he curtly replied, silence falling between you two until he sighed, sitting up straight again. “After you fell asleep, there was a guy outside to room. I’m surprised you didn’t hear the knocks, but I guess you were tired for a change.”

Immediately, you tensed up. Worried about the sudden revelation about a visitor, you didn’t even mind his last comment, revealing he had been aware and watching you as you had struggled to sleep the last few weeks in his presence. “W-Who was it?” you questioned, scared of hearing that you had been found out and you’d have to leave soon and hide somewhere else.

“Don’t know him. He got very agitated when he saw me and tried to get into the apartment, but I couldn’t let him, of course.”

Ears peeking up, you almost jumped out of bed as you leaned forward, intrigued by what Osamu was telling you. “And? What happened?” you pushed for a continuation.

“Nothing special. Told him he can’t get in and to leave. But he was one persistent bastard, yelling weird stuff like he was your boyfriend and he loved you and should be able to see you. These things.”

“W-Wait! What do you mean it was my boyfriend? Why didn’t you tell me! I could have confirmed it! I’d really have liked... to see him...”

Shoulders slumping in disappointment, any fear of being found out was now turned into sadness, knowing you had been asleep while a vital piece of your life and of ‘normality’ had been so close. “Ridiculous, as if I could just let anyone come and claim he knew ya,” Osamu grumbled, and the heaviness of your situation returned back to you. Of course, he couldn’t allow the risk of someone hurting you after everything you two went through already.

“He did ask me to give you something, though,” Osamu seemed to suddenly remember, contemplatively. “What is it?” you inquired, hoping that maybe it really had been your boyfriend after all, and perhaps he brought you something to help you through these challenging times.

But instead, you were met with two fingers around your chin, pulling you in closely until you felt Osamu’s breath against your mouth. Much too late did you understand the intention, his lips kissing yours gently yet longingly. You felt an immediate gut-wrenching response, tearing away repulsed by the actions of your guard. Pushing him away, you rubbed off the feeling of his lips on yours with the back of your hand, spluttering, “What are you doing?!” while you tried not to feel sicker as the smell of iron reached your nose.

“Ya know,” Osamu continued, his tone indifferent, but you could hear the smile on his lips. “I’m just repaying my debt to him. There’s no ‘being too safe’, but I guess you really did matter a lot to him. He kept crying and telling me he loved ya.”

“Why didn’t you just wake me up to confirm it then?” By now, you felt the pain of your boyfriend, worried sick about you, and then faced with someone like Osamu as his only clue. “Are you kidding?” was all that the Yakuza responded. Getting up, he stretched audibly.

“I beat him to a pulp and took care of him and his phone with the tracking app.”

What?

“H-How could you...?!” was the only thing you could stutter.

“Yeah, he won’t bother you anymore. I know you two have been fighting lately.”

“Excuse me?”

Walking over to the entrance to the bath, Osamu flipped on the light before looking back at you. Dreadful splatters of blood were all over his face, even more than you had seen before. His knuckles seemed to be straight out of a horror movie, and the black clothes he wore had dark, firm spots on them.

And yet, he smiled at you affectionately.

“As if I’d let anyone put a frown on ya cute face, Babe. Doesn’t matter who, I’ll protect you from anyone trying to get close and hurt you. I told ya, didn’t I? I’ve got everything under control.”

With that, he entered the bath, and you heard the familiar sound of the shower. Confused but mostly worried, you threw back the blanket and hopped out of bed with unsteady feet, racing to the front door. Sliding off the door chain, you pushed the handle, expecting it to open, but it wouldn’t budge.

The faint sound of a chuckle echoed from the bathroom, the walls thin as paper, much to your dismay. You didn’t want to believe it; even more, you wanted to see it. See that what Osamu described didn’t happen to someone so dear to you. You wanted to know that everything was okay. Know that the man you shared this locked apartment with wasn’t some kind of maniac going around killing people on ‘your behalf’.

But when you looked at your phone, you saw a message from your boyfriend, saying he tracked you down and would be coming to get you now. It had been read before you, even replied to, but you didn’t remember ever seeing it or replying to it at all. Especially not when the last message eerily read:

<< Waiting for you (:

[downwiththemutantnjnjaturtles]

We Met Within This Screen (final chapter, pt. 1)

note: ooh here it is, the beginning of the end. I'm not very sure about the quality of this lol-

Donnie couldn't be out long. There was only so much time until the others noticed he was missing and came looking, and in such a tense moment as this was, he didn't know how he'd handle the three of them showing up. All he needed was a few minutes. Just a few minutes.

As he ran the rooftops, he was extra vigilant of his surroundings. Since the last assault, he knew he had to stay on guard, but waiting was simply not an option. As he neared her apartment complex, he could see in the distance a familiar sight; her, on the balcony. He couldn't believe what was happening. That he was running toward her and not away. She looked around, checking everywhere she could think of, but she could not see him. Only his tall shadow on the wall as he slipped into the cover of an adjacent building, perched next to a water tower and watching. In that moment, part of him in the recesses of his mind decided that the soft light of night had a way of making a person look positively ethereal.

He crept closer to the edge, just into sight, and waited.

Now or never, he told himself, leaping ever closer. She was only about twenty feet away, now, him obscured by a door leading to the stairwell he stood behind. The sound of his previous lofty drop into the concrete seemed to have snatched her attention, as he'd noticed, peering around the corner. And so she grabbed the railing and called out distinctly, "Come out, Bo!"

It was silent for a disconcerting amount of time. There was only him and her, the physical gap between them, and then where he hid in the dark.

No more secrets, no more secrets, he repeated, trying to turn his nerves into some kind of hype. The affirmation had no effect on him as it did Mikey, who he'd seen use the "technique" frequently. He still tried it.

"Show yourself," he heard her say, though her tone was not much of a demand. She was just as uncertain as he was.

Not yet could he step out. He hesitated before responding, "Donatello," still from behind the door. She struggled to reply, and when she didn't say anything, he added, "Donatello...that's my name." And with one last burst of courage, he stepped out.

She found herself stuck where she was as he slowly approached, unable to see the details of his face. She squinted. The gear on his back and head glinted in the light. There was a slight hunch in his posture, possibly from the large shell on his back, possibly from the added weight of the gear, possibly because he was trying to look a little smaller. He was conscious of his gait, his posture—his posture, especially—his own body language. He made the effort to straighten out just a bit. Whether she paid attention to those things was beyond him, but it was an unconscious accommodation.

Unblinking, her eyes locked with his, held by each other's gaze. The last thing we wanted to get caught up on was his boyish affection for her (that was how he saw it), but she was simply everything he'd imagined, and more. Impossible to not stare at. He stopped some ways from her and anticipated the reaction he was going to receive.

Her hands loosened their grips on the railing. "You're…" she trailed off, as if trying to find the right words. He shifted in discomfort. "...a turtle," she said breathily, finally able to say it.

"Um...a red-eared slider, to be exact, if you want to be specific," he added quickly, and it made her remember the time he'd told her fun facts about the particular species.

Nerves firing, Donnie resisted the urge to squirm or pace as he did when he was uncomfortable. She knew him in his entirety, now. He did not feel the release he thought he would have upon revealing himself. No, he felt restless. The more time they went not speaking a word, the more he was forcefully grounded right then and there. His attention diverted to her appearance. She was beautiful—one of the most beautiful people he'd seen. And he'd seen plenty of people in his life, but he was held hostage by her and her alone in that moment. Everything around them seemed to fade out.

But the silence couldn't go on forever; one of them had to speak. Both had to confront each other.

He decided an apology was in order. Naturally, he possessed a twinge of guilt for leading her on in a way. "I'm sorry I made you think I was someone that I'm not, [y/n]."

Her hands left the railing and fell to her sides. "Donatello, I—"

"You can just call me Donnie. Please."

She nodded and looked down. Her brows knitted, though not in anger. "Donnie...this is so weird," she said, and his chest tightened. "How?" she asked. He was a little confused by her question, and she went on upon seeing the quizzical look on his face. "How do you exist? Where did you come from?"

He couldn't answer immediately; the story was awkwardly long to be standing out in the open. So he took a small easy step forward, asking for permission to enter the apartment, which felt wholly unnatural. He also didn't want to encroach on her or her space.

Instinctually, his hand drew up towards his neck, where he started rubbing yet again. "The story, it's kind of...complicated. And I can't stay out here too long," he said, motioning at their surroundings, "do you mind if we…?" He was hesitant to even finish that sentence.

"Go in?" she inferred. For a second, he thought she seemed to be seriously thinking about it. I wouldn't be so quick to invite a six-and-a-half foot tall talking terrapin into my home, either.

"Ah—just for now, I'm sorry, I know it's weird and you're probably uncomfortable—"

She shook her head, walking back to the door before sliding it open with some reluctance. "Uh, you can. I just...I'm trusting you right now, Donatello."

He mustered up a slight smile, but it didn't last as she leaned over the railing and held out her hand. For him to take. He wasn't totally sure what to do with himself otherwise as he took the hint and placed his large hand in her smaller one, stepping over the (for him) short gap onto the balcony. Her hand was unmistakably warm against his cool scales. The gesture made his heart flutter, even though he could have gotten across by himself with no issue. He didn't notice how firmly he held her hand until she let go.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, sliding the door open and stepping aside. He had to duck his head underneath the door frame.

Inside the apartment was warm. Warm everything, actually; the only light was the pale yellow glow of the lamps in the living room. He forgot momentarily the circumstances and his eyes wandered the room, finding traces of her personality wherever he could. He noticed the books on the shelf next to them and searched through his own mind library to see if he knew any of the titles. He also took note of whatever the show that was playing on the TV, the scattered knick-knacks, and other telling items. If it weren't for the homely atmosphere, he would have felt like an unwanted intruder, but he was only fairly uncomfortable once he was brought back by the sound of her clearing her throat.

"Oh," he muttered politely, sidestepping out of her way. "Sorry, I've just only ever seen this place from the outside." He continued looking around the room and absorbing information as was his habit.

"Huh?" She quickly turned toward him.

Donnie, sometimes I wish you wouldn't open your mouth, he grilled himself, and instantly went into minor panic-mode in explaining himself. "Well, I—you see, I was out, and…"

She crossed her arms, taking a subtle step back.

She's going to think I'm a stalker!

"It was by pure coincidence!" he exclaimed, holding out his hands nervously. "We took down some bad guys trying to rob a place nearby, and apparently you heard something?" He carefully watched her expression. "You texted me immediately afterwards saying you did, so I just...put it together."

She dropped her arms and seemed to have a revelation. "That's what I heard! And you...took them down?"

He straightened up, one of his hands idly adjusting one of the straps around his shoulder. If he was really doing this, telling her, he'd lay it all out tonight.

"Yeah, my brothers and I. That's what we do. We stop bad guys."

Shoulders losing their tension, she stared at him with a peculiar expression, long enough for him to question what she was thinking. She started, "You never said you had brothers. Or that you fight crime." He gave her a half-smile. "But you also never said where you came from."

"It might take a while to explain."

"We've got plenty of time."

He soon was whisked away into recounting, and forgot that he was missing from home.

Tag list: @spaceman-main @kokokatsworld @criminaly-supernatural @sheepdarkhours @dianounais

[yamaoni]

The Second Great War of Remnant has begun. Once more, Vale and Mantle are embroiled in a massive conflict, only this time, they are on the same side against Atlas.

I don't think it was a coincidence that so many people drew parallels with the last episode and WWI. We've never seen people fight that way in RWBY. Grimm don't use projectile weapons the way humans do, so the benefits of the trench are diminished; especially if you compare it to the drawbacks.

Now, I understand not everyone in the Atlas military has their aura unlocked and the squishy soldiers need some cover, but if The Long Memory didn't nuke every grimm on Atlas, the lines would have been overrun and then there would have been nowhere for them to retreat to.

You think the very real hand to hand struggles in the trenches of WWI were bad, imagine being trapped in a narrow trench with a bear. Or having this thing explode out of the ground under you.

I refuse to believe no-one in Atlas ever thought, "if we put the dirt from the trench in a box, no only can we give our soldiers cover, we can also give them an elevated position to fire from."

The top of a wall has been the primary defensive position for the people of Remnant for a long time. You can see them in the establishing shots of most settled places the team has visited. So why are we seeing a trench now?

Simple.

Show, don't tell.

RWBY has done a pretty great job, especially in the last few seasons, of showing the audience what it is trying to convey without explicitly telling them. They especially like drawing from well known folk lore to give insight into the future of the show.

Only difference here, instead of drawing the parallel between characters, they're drawing parallels between worlds.

Remnant's first Great War started with Mantle suppressing freedom of expression, the destruction of Art and Color. Ironwood always has little in the way of color, but in his first broadcast since everything started hitting the fan, he has none.

That broadcast also included evacuation ships being blown up by fighter-bombers, Dunkirk. It threatend to level a city if they didn't surrender, Battle of Brittan. All delivered by a dictator trying to scare his opponents into submission through careful use of film.

Theories

If the rest of the season is WWII, I have several theories on plot direction. Considering how well they did keeping up with both ends of the battlefield it wouldn't surprise me if they followed all of them at the same time.

Operation Dunkirk

Or, the evacuation of Mantle.

Players: Penny, Nora, Ren, Happy Huntresses

The Happy Huntresses involvement is a given. Not only has saving Mantle been their goal the whole time, they're also stuck in the middle of it right now.

Penny is the Protector of Mantle. It would be a shining moment for her character to fully throw off the virus Watts implanted and overcome Ironwood's threats to do so. Just crossing my fingers that it doesn't end like the Iron Giant.

Nora is currently Penny's tether to sanity, so she has to go with, and I doubt they would separate Ren from her for the next arc so he's going too.

Surprise twist for this plot I'm betting will be the Starwars "they aren't warships, just people" scene everyone loves to rag on. After all, the broadcast went out that they needed help and, at least at Dunkirk, it was fishing boats and pleasure crafts that retrieved the 338,000 surrounded on all sides.

Why We Fight

Or, countering Ironwoods propaganda.

Players: Robyn and Qrow

For one, these two are unaccounted for and in the heart of Atlas' military machine. If anyone has means to do so, it's them.

The film, Why We Fight, also countered the dramatic cinematography of Goebbels propaganda by painting it as ridiculous and making a folksy call to action much like Robyn has done in the past.

Operation Fortitude

Or, the deception of Ironwood.

Players: Emerald, Jaune, Oscar

This is the mission to make Ironwood think the team is going after the relic. This theory is why I actually thought of and wrote out this whole thing. Thanks @maxiemumdamage, I had things I was supposed to do tonight.

https://maxiemumdamage.tumblr.com/post/644291955872890880/willing-to-bet-my-own-soul-that-emerald-uses-her

Only difference in my theory and their's, is Jaune is going to be playing the part of Penny.

I say this for two reasons. One, Joan of Arc pretended to be a man. While we've gotten both Jaune pretending to be something he's not and him in a dress, this would pose the first time in the story he could do both. Two, it would put him on a direct collision path with Cinder. It needs to happen at some point to bring his arc to a conclusion, but man I hope we're not about to watch him burn.

With Ozpin active again, Oscar has to go along to direct them to the vault. He's also one of two backing the idea of Emerald joining the team and Jaune wouldn't be willing to work with her without him.

Operation Overlord

Or, busting down the doors of Atlas Acadamy.

Players: Ruby, Blake, Weiss, Yang

Where Operation Fortitude was the faint, Operation Overlord was the real deal. For those that aren't history buffs, this is D-Day.

I think this is the reason we've only seen the main team fighting together once since their split from Beacon. And even then, that fight was at most pairs of fighters and not all four of them supporting one another.

RWBY tricked us into thinking season 4 was the post-timeskip level up we come to expect from anime when really we ended up watching the training flashbacks as they happened instead.

We've seen hints of it with the various team ups and combinations, but are we really ready for how much ass kicking they are about to do?

I'm hoping for a One Piece level of badass entrance that can give me shivers whenever I go to watch it again like the walk to Arlong Park still does to this day.

(Aside: if you try telling me RWBY isn't anime, I'm just going to ignore you. Anime is an art movement. If you don't understand what that means, watch this video. https://youtu.be/uFtfDK39ZhI)

Now last and certainly not least

Operation Valkyrie

Or, the death of Ironwood.

Players: Winter and Marrow

The long awaited defection. Plenty of speculation has already floated around about if and when these two where going to cave to their morals and jump ship. I don't know how many of us were expecting the straw to break the camel's back to be a nuke held over Mantle, but I certainly wasn't.

What worries me, is Operation Valkyrie failed and all its conspirators were executed. As if there weren't enough death flags for Winter before.

Even if it's not Winter that kills him. I don't see Ironwood surviving this season. Even if it means he goes out like another hated dictator. It's not like it would be the first time RT had a fallen hero chose to use his own sword.

Wildcards

Or, Murphy will have his due.

Players: Cinder, Watts, Neo, Tyrian, Mercury, Clover

These players can go any which way. Three we know for sure are going to be active in the coming episodes and I wouldn't be surprised if the other three play a part as well.

Oscar made a hell of a light show for Tyrian and Mercury to see behind them. Not to mention, Salem will still need a ride home when she pulls herself back together.

Clover keeps getting mentioned even though he's hospitalized. If he was truly out of commission for the rest of the season, they would have made us think he's dead before bringing him back like they did with Penny.

Up to now, what we've seen is a three way conflict. But one of the hallmarks of Remnant's First Great War, was making temporary alliances to fight off grimm.

The grimm might be gone, but the wild cards can't complete their own objectives if they are dead. The question is who's goals better align with their own.

Two surprise twists I can see here. One, Mercury stabbing Tyrian on his way to defection. He was raised by an assassin and has not going to get a better chance than that. Two, Clover joining Operation Valkyrie. He might have accepted that sacrifice is a necessary evil to ensure Atlas' survival, but might go Schindler's List on us and find horror in what Ironwood plans to do.

TLDR

I spent way too long writing this out. All the WWI imagery means we're getting a WWII movie with RWBY characters. Major death flags for Penny, Jaune, and Winter.

Also I finally figured out how to do a readmore. Apparently it's just been a long time since I updated.

Note: kept seeing things talking about clovers death and I kind of went ???? Isn't he barely alive in medical? Went back and watched that scene and though I am 90% sure he is dead still kind of weird that they have him in his own room instead of a morgue and the initial framing made my mind instantly think he was propped up on a hospital bed. I mean, I guess we needed to have all the ACEOPs there for their reaction to Ironwood... but it definitely made me think he was alive. That and they have a bandage on his chest wound... when he's supposedly dead. Also have a phantom memory of Harriet saying something about him being in critical but I think that's my memory playing tricks on me.

Having his face exposed instead of covered by the sheet and seeing him in the same frame as Winter being treated also didn't help my gut reaction of "Oh Shit! He's alive? How?!" If I'd followed up more on the "how" might not have made the blunder of writing his return as the final twist in my theory. Oops

[siyi-blogs]

Hi! Thank you for such a insightful addition :)

Most of the fanart I drew of the girl in white is mostly of my own hcs of her based on the context given throughout the series.

Before she is first introduced in s1, we are introduced to Seven's assassination targets, majority of which seem to be weirdos, or straight up assholes, who in each episode does some weird, quirky shit but at the end, it's revealed that they do so out of their love and desire to protect the people and the things they cherish.

After sitting through each episode of similar episodic narratives and arriving at the final episode to see the girl in white stab Seven in the back, you can't help but feel that this isn't the whole picture, even without any reason given to justify her actions, because of how the theme has been repeated, regardless of the morality of the individual, throughout the whole first season.

As we go to the second and third season, we learn a little more about XuanWu, the girl in white and Seven's homeland. Throughout both seasons we are given hints that XuanWu is a borderline inhabitable place, where only the strong survive and are respected, while the weak become the bottom feeders of society, preyed upon by monsters, and even regular citizens can be assassinated at any moment.

Through both seasons we also learn that Seven doesn't want to live in constant struggle for survival, and that the girl in white is actually a soft spoken, gentle individual (or at least, that's how Seven sees her) While we don't know how skilled the girl in white is with her swords or her qi, it seems that both could have a wish to leave the country.

They could have come up with a plan to escape and staged that attack, or the girl in white could have acted on impulse to save both their lives. They both would have survived the fall, and what happens after that probably leads Seven to chicken island.

I think s4 solidifies a lot of these points, especially with how the backstabbing scene went, with Seven's amnesia being drug induced rather than what we were led to believe that it's from the fall at the bridge.

I also think that the girl dying at Manjusaka's hands (or even at the bridge) would be silly, bc if she truly had ill intent towards Seven death would simply be an easy escape route for her (bc she'll never have to confront Seven and he'll never understand why) , and if she didn't her backstory and what happens to her after the bridge would be crucial as she's literally the catalyst of the whole goddamn show.

Idk but something about her ambiguity to the plot has captivated me like no other

(also the parallels between her and Thirteen with Seven is just *chef's kiss* 👌👌)

[houseisekai]

House Isekai: A Realm Reborn - Part 1, Old Places and New Faces (2 of 2)

House Isekai ARR Masterlist Here

—

Upon their return to Fodlan, Kazuma, Rean, Towa, and Aigis have found that it has changed drastically. Whether it was for better or worse, was unknown.

After reuniting Sitri and meeting the second generation of Garreg Mach students, the four make their way once more into the Zanado Tower...

Class VII pressed onwards as they looked at the environment constantly shifting around them.

Colossal platforms flew past them with lights flickering to life.

Altina struggled to process it all, so much information was flowing in at once.

Kurt tried his best to ignore the fantastical sights around him and tried to find an exit.

All he found were several crates with notes scattered on them and massive doorways.

Many of the platforms moved higher up into the room, but he had no idea where that would lead, so he avoided them.

(Juna) "K-Kurt? Do we know where we're going?"

(Kurt) "N-...No."

(Ash) "It'll probably be fine. Rean went through here right?"

(Musse) "Maybe? Where is everyone?"

(Altina) "...I seem to detect life forms?"

(Kurt) "Friendly?"

(Altina) "Unknown. None match Instru-...Hold on a moment."

(Everyone) ?

(Altina) "I am sensing Instructor Rean's presence. It is near the very top of this...building?"

(Musse) "Hm...I'm worried about the other ones."

(Juna) "Same here. We all got our weapons right?"

Class VII nodded and drew their weapons, keeping it at the ready.

(Juna) "Whew, least we're not totally unprepared."

"ALERT! ALERT!"

The five of them quickly moved closer together, looking around the area and trying to find the voice.

"THREAT DETECTED, UNKNOWN SIGNATURES DETECTED, ENGAGING SECURITY MEASURES."

(Kurt) "Is...it talking about us?"

(Ash) "If it is, then we better shut up and get out of here."

[A Long Fall - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

Sitri and the others stepped into Tower and heard the alert blare throughout the area.

(Kazuma) "The hell?"

Aigis turned back and looked at the Garreg Mach students and frowning.

(Aigis) "Is it detecting us?"

(Helena) "Considering this is our first time here, probably."

(Kairos) "W-WHAT IN THE WORLD?!"

(Elizabeth) "What is this place?!"

(Astrid) "It's so...bright!"

(Stefan) "Yeah, the glowing crystals are kinda hurting my eyes..."

(Sitri) "This is the Zanado Tower. It's where House Isekai came from, what I can understand anyway."

(Helena) "That the truth?"

Helena turned to the four.

(Towa) "We think so?"

(Rean) "Honestly, the details are a bit lost on us as well."

(Kazuma) "The only person that knew that much was Sothis and Byleth and..."

Their faces showed a hint of sadness before Elizabeth brought up another question, not noticing their shift when mentioning Byleth.

(Elizabeth) "S-So, this is where that creature was sighted? How do we even begin covering this large of an area with our small number?"

(Sitri) "W-Well...Um..."

KABOOM!

(Everyone) !?

(Rean) "Think that's our culprit?"

(Towa) "I can't think of anyone else that could be here!"

(Sitri) "Everyone, move out!"

...

(Buck) "Ach, damn it!"

Buck waved away the smoke that was covering the area.

(Mickey) "H-Hey, at least we got the door open, right? Even if it was a little too much."

(Dutch) "Doubt using 7 explosive charges is considered "a little"."

The massive door in front of them was completely blown into pieces, the debris scattering everywhere, and some falling into the cavern beneath them.

Romeo checked the scope of his sniper and put one finger on the trigger.

(Mickey) "If that alert was about us, then it's going to get even more pissed off."

(Dutch) "Every security system must know where we're at now."

(Buck) "All the more reason to get our asses moving, now-"

Buck turned back to the hole in the door before noticing something on his visor.

The motion tracker was detecting several things coming to them, and he quickly motioned backwards to the cover they were using from the door breach.

Everyone got their weapons pointed at the door waiting for them.

(Buck) "On my mark..."

From the smoke, several figures emerged wielding all sorts of weapons ranging from swords to bows.

And it was then the squad's visors picked up the outline of them, they were human.

(Buck) "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"

...

Amber kept her bow trained on the four hiding behind cover, waiting for instruction.

(Duvalie) "They're human...I think?"

(Kaeya) "Never seen that armor before."

(Lisa) "Jean, dear?"

(Jean) "Who are you all?"

Her eyes drifted to the massive hole behind them. How could they have caused an explosion that big?

If she said the wrong thing, they could be killed.

(Buck) "Sergeant Gunnery Buck, and this is my squad! UNSC, Helljumpers! How 'bout you miss, we on the same side?"

(Jean) "My name is Jean, of the Knights of Favonius!"

Buck looked at his other squadmates and they shrugged.

(Buck) "You folks happen to know where we are?"

(Jean) "I'm afraid we do not. But we are allies, not enemies if that is what you're wondering."

Romeo examined every one of them as Buck was speaking to them. They didn't seem to be dressed for battle. In fact, the green one that looked like a girl had a damn instrument, not a weapon.

And the purple woman with the witch hat only had a book.

(Mickey) "Frankly, I say we don't take the chance."

(Dutch) "Yeah, great idea, kill the only things that HASN'T tried to kill us."

(Buck) "Alright. We believe ya. Stand down."

The squad nodded and stood up, the Knights of Favonius stepping forward.

(Jean) "I think it's plain to see we're...both out of our element."

(Buck) "Seems like it. As I said, call me Buck, and these are my men."

(Mickey) "Mickey."

(Dutch) "Name's Dutch. Pleasure."

(Romeo) "..."

Buck's visor became see-through, his face being visible as he turned to face Romeo.

(Buck) "What's the matter? Helmet turned off?"

Romeo shrugged.

(Venti) "Um, is he okay?"

(Buck) "Oh, I get it. Permission to speak. Smartass."

(Romeo) "Name's Romeo, ladies."

He turned to face Jean, Lisa, Duvalie and Amber.

Rolling her eyes, Duvalie butted into the conversation.

(Duvalie) "Ugh, keep it to yourself. Anyways, I'm Duvalie, head knight of the Stahlritter."

(Mickey) "Thought you were with the...whatever you guys were called."

(Kaeya) "Favonius. Actually, she's from another world, as I'm assuming you all are. Kaeya, by the way."

Buck examined their clothing again and when he started to think on it, no human from their world, no matter the planet, would wear something so outlandish as that, especially in the middle of a war.

(Diluc) "...Diluc."

(Venti) "I'm Venti!"

(Amber) "Amber, hope we get along!"

(Lisa) "And I'm Lisa. All of us except Duvalie are together."

(Romeo) "Before we get caught in a never ending cycle of introductions, can we get the hell out of here before anymore of those things show up?"

(Jean) "You've seen them too?"

(Buck) "Weird glowy blue gnome looking things?"

(Duvalie) "The hell is a gnome?"

(Lisa) "Let's put it this way to make sure we're on the same page, were they carrying a staff and rather short?"

(Dutch) "Those are the ones, ma'am."

(Diluc) "Abyss mages are attacking them too..."

(Kaeya) "Think Romeo had a point, we'll discuss this once we're in relative safety, we were nearing the exit I believe, before you all blew a hole through that door."

(Mickey) "Hey, we had to get in somehow!"

(Buck) "Hold up, we weren't going to leave just yet. There was a group of kids that was making their way upwards."

(Amber) "Kids? We didn't see anyone else on the way."

(Romeo) "Oh, right. They just got here. I'm all for saving them, but we barely managed to get away from those mage things. Our bullets didn't seem to do anything."

Jean held her rapier and nodded.

(Jean) "Allow us to take care of it with you. Change of plans, we're headed back in."

She stood next to Buck as he darkened his visor and checked his assault rifle.

(Buck) "After you, miss Jean."

...

Rean was the first one through the hole in the door and looked around, no one appeared to be there.

Everyone else stepped forward weapons drawn, and it was now Rean noticed what everyone was carrying.

Sitri had the Sword of the Creator, Kairos and Elizabeth had spellbooks, Helena had a knife, Astrid held a lance, and Stefan wielded an axe.

The students appeared to have no hesitation about their weapon of choice, but Sitri was slightly trembling.

It was clear she had done some training with a sword, and yet...

He shook his head, now wasn't the time to be focusing on that.

(Aigis) "I am detecting several lifeforms down below."

Aigis turned to her right and looked at the glowing circle-like shape at the end of the walkway.

(Towa) "Anyone familiar?"

(Aigis) "...Negative."

(Kazuma) "Then let's get down there, maybe the little shits that caused this are close by, considering how recent that explosion was."

(Sitri) "Right, let's try to find a way down."

Sitri and the Garreg Mach students stepped near the circular platform while the former House Isekai members examined the explosion hole.

(Aigis) "These explosions appear to be made from devices similar to C4..."

(Kazuma) "What, these guys packing modern day weapons too?"

(Rean) "What's C4?"

(Aigis) "Small explosive charges that you can put on virtually any surface."

(Towa) "Something that small can cause that much damage?!"

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was examining the glowing circular platform with the other students and Sitri close to her.

(Helena) "What is it?

(Elizabeth) "I'm not sure...Maybe it's some kind of-"

Elizabeth put her hand on the platform, which made it glow an even brighter orange as it catapulted the group forward to the other walkway, causing them to scream.

Rean and the others turned their direction and saw them land on a platform which began to move away.

(Kazuma) "AW SHIT, SITRI!"

(Towa) "THE STUDENTS!"

(Rean) "After them!"

Before they could move any further, they heard strange noises behind them, which made them draw their weapons...

...

When Kairos got up and saw the moving platform, he immediately turned to Elizabeth.

(Kairos) "GREAT JOB, YOU IDIOT!"

(Elizabeth) "D-Don't you yell at me with that tone! How was I supposed to know that-"

(Helena) "Both of you shut up. Focus."

She held onto her knife tighter as she realized the platform was heading downwards.

(Sitri) "Is everyone alright?"

(Astrid) "Just fine, Lady Sitri. Can't say we'll be that way for long.

(Stefan) "We're going deeper into the tower, is that a bad thing?"

(Sitri) "This is my first time in the Tower when it wasn't being controlled by memories, so I'm not sure..."

(Kairos) "Fantastic..."

Elizabeth had a mind to slap Kairos but kept it to herself, instead examining just how far down they were going...

...

Class VII moved even quicker after hearing the explosion, trying to find anything resembling stairs since they were unsure about the elevators.

(Musse) "I don't think we have any other way up."

(Juna) "Maybe we can-"

BOOM! BOOM!

Two gunshots roared through the area, with a thud echoing and signaling that someone or something was brutally killed.

Kurt motioned forward and Class VII turned the corner to see a massive man clad in yellow armor, towering over some strange creature.

It was short, fat, and blue. It was uttering some language they didn't understand before the soldier stomped on its head, crushing it.

Class VII drew their weapons and the yellow soldier turned to face them.

(Yellow Soldier) "...Children?"

The soldier eyed them up and down, trying to identify them as Class VII did the same.

The armor he was wearing looked heavy and durable, being wide as some of the doorways they passed through. He stood at around 8 feet, holding a rifle as big as his chest.

(Kurt) "...What was that thing you killed?"

The soldier turned to the creature and shrugged, the shoulder pauldrons moving up and down was the only indication he did so since his armor was so massive.

(Yellow Soldier) "Most likely some form of xenos. It opened fire as soon as it saw me, so I purged it. Better I have done so since children are in the area."

He turned to face them.

(Yellow Soldier) "Though you are far from defenseless it seems."

Kurt didn't put away his weapons, and neither did anyone else.

(Yellow Soldier) "...I am Raelyn. Raelyn Amuto, Adeptus Astartes."

(Juna) "You're a...what now?"

(Altina) "Does not match any known organization in Erebonia."

(Musse) "Not ringing a bell for me either..."

(Raelyn) "...You are?"

(Kurt) "We are Class VII, part of Thor's Military Academy, Branch Campus."

Raelyn lowered his rifle, the helmet's unblinking lenses seemingly staring straight into them.

(Raelyn) "We are Space Marines, mankind's greatest warriors."

(Ash) "Evidently."

(Raelyn) "Do you know the area I am in?"

(Kurt) "Not a clue. We were following our Instructor to find out where he went, and we ended up here."

(Raelyn) "Hmph. Stay behind me. I do not know what awaits us-"

He stuck a hand outwards as he noticed a platform moving downwards. Everyone readied their weapons again, and keeping it on them seeing another group land in front of them.

(Buck) "Hey, those are the kids! And...!"

(Kaeya) "Looks like they already met one of the Abyss mages."

(Mickey) "Goddamn, that is some armor!"

(Raelyn) "Guardsmen? And..."

He lowered his weapon, though Class VII didn't.

(Jean) "Before you ask, we are not enemies, and we are just as lost as you all."

Dutch turned to the knights and noticed Duvalie had her sword still up.

(Dutch) "What's the deal with her?"

(Venti) "Huh? Duvalie what's wrong-"

(Duvalie) "THOSE BRATS, THAT'S WHATS WRONG!"

(Altina) "Threat detected."

Class VII and Duvalie stood off against each other.

(Raelyn) "...It's safe to assume you are acquainted then."

(Kurt) "She tried to kill our class, our instructor and HIS class."

Jean frowned and turned to her.

(Jean) "You told me you were a knight of justice."

(Duvalie) "I-I am!"

(Buck) "Everyone, stand down! This pissing match is only going to slow us down!"

Buck saw the corpse of the Abyss Mage and sighed.

(Buck) "And it's clear you've already met the things trying to kill all of us. I don't know your histories, but that doesn't matter for right now! Let's get out of here and THEN you all can-"

Another platform landed behind Buck, making everyone turn around.

(Sitri) "U-Um...!"

(Helena) "Oh crap."

(Kairos) "I swear to the Goddess, Elizabeth-"

(Elizabeth) "WILL YOU SHUT UP?!"

Stefan gulped and adjusted his helmet.

(Astrid) "Uh...hi?"

(Everyone) ...

(Amber) "Hello!"

(Romeo) "For god's sake-."

(Juna) "Just how many of us are lost down here?!"

(Sitri) "Um..."

Sitri took a deep breath and tried her best to look confident.

(Sitri) "My name is Sitri, leader of Garreg Mach, and you're in our world. If you want answers, please come with us."

The students stared at her as if she were crazy.

(Kairos) "What?!"

(Elizabeth) "Look how many of them are here, I don't like these offworlders any more than you do, but we need to NOT piss them off, as you are very much pissing me off!"

(Helena) "You're not doing much better yourself-"

(Stefan) "H-Helena please that is NOT helping!"

(Astrid) "ANYWAYS! You want answers, we got it! Please let's just get out of here!"

Everyone looked at each other.

There was an awkward silence before Raelyn stepped forward first.

(Raelyn) "Very well, Sitri. Lead the way."

(Sitri) "Well um... we don't know the way up."

Jean motioned everyone to her, and they all stood together as the platform's lights pulsated quietly.

They sheathed their weapons and quietly looked out in front of them, staring at the massive crystal in the middle of the room.

Just where was this, and why were they brought here?

What were those creatures attacking everyone?

And what is Garreg Mach?

Hopefully soon, they would have answers to all these questions, and find a way back home...

...

...

...

(Altina) "...We are not moving."

(Duvalie) "Gee, I couldn't tell."

(Lisa) "Dears, what's the holdup?"

(Stefan) "D-Don't look at us!"

(Raelyn) "Are there too many on top of this?"

(Buck) "Dutch, the button?"

(Dutch) "Oh, sorry."

Beep!

...

Aigis blocked an ice spike that was aimed at Towa with her Persona, Athena easily blocking it with her shield.

Towa took another potshot with her pistol, but it was stopped by some icy aura surrounding the Abyss Mage as it danced along, taunting them.

Rean and Kazuma swung their weapons at it, but were deflected and sent flying back.

(Aigis) "None of our attacks are working!"

(Towa) "W-What do we do?!"

(Kazuma) "Do we hit it harder?"

(Rean) "Heed my call...!-"

Whirrrrrrr...!

(Everyone) !

Everyone, including the Abyss Mage, looked back to the walkway and saw a platform that carried a large amount of people unload, everyone drawing their weapons.

(Altina) "Instructor!"

(Rean) "What in the-What are you all-"

(Buck) "There's those sons of bitches!"

(Raelyn) "PURGE IT IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME!"

The Abyss Mage screamed in terror as those with guns opened fire, it quickly teleporting away from the massive group.

(Diluc) "Damn it, it got away!"

(Aigis) "...No other presence detected besides us. It appears we are safe for now."

(Kazuma) "Tch, wanted to show that asshole a thing or two, now...'

The four looked at the group and to Sitri. Towa and Reans' eyes were glued to Duvalie, her taking notice as well.

(Aigis) "...Are these friends?"

(Jean) "I hope we can be."

(Kairos) "They better."

(Rean) "Uh..."

(Duvalie) "NOT. A WORD."

Sitri took a step back as everyone scattered to their respective group.

Duvalie stood with the ODST's and Raelyn while the Knights of Favonius stood by themselves.

Class VII followed Rean and Towa, as the students of Garreg Mach got near Sitri and each other.

(Kaeya) "Quite the odd group we have lined up."

(Buck) "I can't help but feel like we're out of place."

(Raelyn) "Agreed..."

(Duvalie) "Of all the people, it had to be YOU."

(Rean) "G-Great to see you too, Duvalie."

Sitri trembled slightly before feeling a hand on her shoulder. Turning behind her, she saw Sothis smiling.

(Sothis) "Don't worry. I've seen this happen before, and I know what can get them together real quick."

Kazuma noticed Sothis talking to Sitri, but considering how on edge everyone was, he decided not to say anything.

(Kazuma) Please have a good idea, Sothis...

(Sitri) "I-If I could have everyone's attention!"

Everyone turned to face her, which made Sitri silent for a moment, but after putting her hand on her chest, she looked more determined than ever.

(Sitri) "I know everyone is terribly confused on where they are and what's happening. I do not have the answers myself, but I assure you, we will."

(Astrid) "We?"

(Sitri) "Yes. With the arrival of so many newcomers from other worlds, and with veterans of this situation being here..."

She nodded again and looked at everyone.

(Sitri) "As leader of Garreg Mach Monastery, I hereby reestablish, House Isekai!"

(Aigis) "Oh?"

(Rean and Towa) "HUH?!"

(Kazuma) "THE FUCK?"

(Buck) "...The hell's an Isekai?"

His squad, Duvalie, and Raelyn shrugged.

(Kurt) "Has...Instructor Rean and Towa done this before?"

Class VII looked at Rean, then back to Sitri.

Jean nodded.

(Jean) "It seems this is not their first time being visited by people from other worlds."

(Diluc) "Hmph, I blame the Traveler for this."

All things considered, the Knights of Favonius looked relatively calm about the situation.

The students of Garreg Mach all had mixed opinions. They didn't view House Isekai in a very good light, but now they HAD to be a part of it.

(Kairos) "This is not going to end well..."

(Elizabeth) "Oh dear."

(Helena) "This oughtta be interesting."

(Stefan) "Hah, that's one way to put it..."

(Astrid) "Goddess help us..."

...

(Sitri's voice) "...I hereby reestablish, House Isekai!"

Mercedes smiled as she heard Sitri's voice through her crystal and put it into her pocket and stretched.

Through the door, a small girl and a fairy came into the room.

(Recette) "Hey Mercie! We got the reports from this month in!"

(Tear) "Yes, it appears to be within...why are you smiling?"

(Mercedes) "I've just been listening into Sitri's progress."

(Recette) "What's going on?"

Mercedes didn't say anything as she motioned them to follow her.

(Sitri) "We have a welcome back party to work on!"

(Tear) "For...who?"

(Mercedes) "Just some old friends..."

PART 1: ENDED

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Lost in Paradise - ALI]

Gotta get it homie gotta move it If you gonna do it then, push everything to the side Everybody just talk nobody really do it You should keep a secret until you actually do it No need to double check with someone Use your judgement only, break the walls Let's do flashy fake More Cool, keep it low, prove them wrong I won't give up the fight in my life 'Cause my life is living for love I won't give up the fight in my life Stand off and groove on time Tokyo prison Going to relight your feelings When times get too rough Night and day are fading Going to relight your feelings There's no time to explain Gimme your love Access to your love Oh yeah Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out When times getting rough Access to your love Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out Keep on dancing now Hеy hey hеy hey heyeah

[blueeyedheizer]

good enough - matt

WARNINGS: cheating

A/N: i hate this but oh well <3 also the title has nothing to do with the story 🤣

•••

"Come on, Jay...It's obvious you like her, just make a move already!" you laughed as Javed lowered his head, trying to hide his burning cheeks.

''I can't. I mean, I don't...I don't even know if she'll return my feelings.'' Javed mumbled, popping a chips in his mouth.

Matt let out a small laugh and his gaze met yours, a knowing smirk showing on your face.

"We can help !'' You exclaimed, throwing your arm around Matt's shoulder and leaning your head against his while wiggling your eyebrows. Javed rolled his eyes playfully and shook his head

"Don't you dare."

The three of you spent the rest of the night catching up, telling each other stories about your summer and playfully teasing Javed every time you caught him staring at Eliza. It was about 1am when you started to feel your eyelids grow heavier and started struggling to keep up with the conversation. You yawned and rested your head on Matt's shoulder before cheking your phone.

''Alright boys, I think I'm gonna head home now.''

''What? You're leaving me alone here? '' Javed exclaimed as Matt punched his shoulder playfully while taking a swing of his beer.

''Sorry Jay. Maybe ask Eliza if she wants to keep you company?'' you joked and Javed smiled, his cheeks reddening.

''See you on monday ?'' Matt said and you nodded. He opened his arms and welcomed you in for a hug, which you gladly returned. "Thanks for coming, love. I know this isn't really your scene." he spoke softly but still loud enough for you to hear through the music, placing a sweet kiss to your forehead.

"Anything for you." you winked and pecked his cheek before waving them goodbye and walking out of the kitchen.

''Seriously, Matt ?'' Javed exclaimed, his eyebrow raised.

''What?''

''Now that's a situation worth making fun of. She's your best friend and you can't even tell her that you're in love with her?" .

''It's different, Jay. She has a boyfriend. Eliza doesn't.''

--

You tried to hold in a yawn as you made your way through the crowd. After looking in every room you headed upstairs, hoping to find your boyfriend quickly as exhaustion was taking over you. You walked further down the hall and opened each door; most of the rooms were occupied but Drew was nowhere to be seen. You eventually stopped in front of the second bedroom and opened it slightly, a loud gasp escaping you when you were met with two people making out. You were about to apologise for interrupting and shut the door but your eyes shot open when you realized that was actually your boyfriend on top of his ex. They were intensely kissing while his hands explored her body, neither of them bothering to acknowledge your presence.

''D-Drew?'' you croaked out. The girl cursed while trying to cover her body as she pushed your boyfriend away from her.

''Y/N, fuck, I-I can explain !'' You started walking backwards as Drew collected his clothes and walked towards you.

''Don't you fucking dare come near me!'' you yelled before storming out of the room and running down the stairs, not even caring of the few people you pushed on your way.

''Please just listen to me !'' you shook your head as your now ex-boyfriend followed you and reached for your arm, trying to get you to talk.

''Get away from me !'' you screamed as you jerked yourself away. ''I was right here ! You fucking knew I was there, but that didn't stop you !'' You said now sobbing.

''Y/N I-I'm so sorry, I didn't expect you to-''

''You didn't expect me to what ?! Catch you cheating on me with your fucking ex ?!'' you spat at him, and he flinched at your tone. ''I should've known. I should've known you weren't over her.'' you said, trying to keep your voice from shaking. Everyone in the house was now staring in shock at the both of you.

''Hey, what's going on?!'' you heard someone shout. You turned away from Drew and saw Matt standing behind you, looking confused. However he quickly understood what was going on when he took a proper look at Drew, noticing that was wearing nothing but his boxers and a shirt. You quickly walked past him, grabbing your coat on your way then opened the front door, ready to walk away. But Matt's grip on your wrist stopped you in your tracks.

''Hey, Y/N, stop. What are you doing ?''

''I'm getting out of this fucking place. Let go of me, Matt.'' You felt bad for talking to him like that, but your anger was speaking for you.

''There's no way I'm letting you drive alone like this.'' he said calmly. You felt tears well into your eyes again but you tried to blink them away, not wanting to show him more weakness.

''Let me go. I can take care of myself.''

''No, not like that." he insisted.

''Let go of her Matthew, mind your own fucking business.'' Drew spat as he harshly shoved Matt away from you and clenched his fist, nails digging on the palm of his hands. Matt sighed before chuckling, shaking his head in almost amused exasperation and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Get out of my house."

"Y/N, baby, please let me—" before he could say anything else, Matt grabbed him by the collar.

"Get the fuck out of here, mate. Don't make me say it again."

With one last glance your way, Drew went back to the bedroom to grab his clothes before leaving, the blonde he was fucking moments earlier following closely.

"Come on, the party's over. Everyone go home." Matt eventually spoke sternly, his anger building up. Your eyes widened slightly at his statement.

"Matt what are you doing?" you asked quietly.

Some quiet whispers could be heard along with drunken complains as a little group of people started to walk out the door while others kept watching.

"Do I need to spell it out? Get out!"

As soon as everyone was out and it was just you, Matt and Javed, you burst into tears, unable to hold your emotions anymore. Javed excused himself before leaving, deciding it would be better to leave you two alone. Matt was quick to wrap his arms around your body, holding you close and beginning to stroke your hair soothingly. But you were quick to push him away and wipe your tears furiously.

"Come on, just say it."

"What?"

"Fucking say it, Matt!" you suddenly yelled as more tears streamed down your cheeks. "What are you waiting for, huh?' Where's the 'I told you so' that you so desperately want to say?!"

"Love, calm down—"

"No! don't fucking tell me to calm down Matt, just say it!" you took a step closer and started punching his chest as you sobbed and yelled at him. But he grabbed your wrists gently, causing you to stop. He lowered your hands to your side before kissing your forehead and wrapping his arms around you, whispering a soft "come here" as he pulled you into a tight hug.

Heart wrenching sobs ripped out of your throat as you held onto him tightly, scared that he'll go away too if you loosen your grip. You were mad at yourself. Mad at yourself for trusting Drew, mad for taking your anger out on Matt. And especially mad at yourself for not believing him when he warned you about Drew when you first started dating about three months ago.

Matt led you to the couch and you immediately curled up against him, hiding your face against his chest as you cried out.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." you cried. Matt ran his fingers through your hair and kissed the top of your head soothingly while his other hand had a tight grip on your body, holding you close.

"Shh. It's okay love. It's okay."

"H-He was about to fuck her, Matt. He knew I was right here." He shushed you softly, pressing kisses on top of your head as he let you cry on his shoulder for as long as you needed.

-

You fell asleep pretty quickly, all of tonight's events wearing you out. You were curled up against his side, breathing softly as you clung onto him, your body now completely relaxed as Matt absentmindedly drew small patterns on your arm with his fingertips.

Matt sighed and pressed a kiss to your forehead, brushing a stray piece of hair out of your face. You let out a small sound in your sleep and shifted just slightly.

"I love you so much." he whispered, careful not to wake you up. "He never deserved you, love." He leaned his head against yours and kissed the top of your head, closing his eyes. "You deserve better than that."

[mantra4ia]

Trixstar Imagine Fanfiction: "Three Times The Charm"

By mantra4ia. August 1st 2020. Cross posted to AO3.

One of the most aggravating things about hell was that Lucifer could still hear prayers. Like a soundproof room with a squeaky fan. Like a 'no smoking' sign on your cigarette break. Like listening to Alanis Morissette unironically. God's final joke, Lucifer lamented, was that deep in the bowels of exile was just enough awful celestial Wi-Fi to get the spam — prayers to other celestials of which he only caught the static, or pleas to the big man himself — like the bleed-over on an AM/FM radio. Which was why, when Lucifer finally heard a prayer loud and clear with the volume turned up to 11, it nearly knocked him off his thrown. It had been so long since anyone had prayed directly to him, not in jest, or begging for a favor, but earnestly and with fervor that at first it gave him a migraine. He could hardly hear the words let alone distinguish the voice behind them, until at last he was able to tune in to someone achingly familiar.

"Hey Lucifer, it's me."

Trixie, you little hellion, is it really you?!

"it's Trixie. I'm not sure whether you'll remember me. It's been a while."

You have no idea...but of course I remember you mini-Decker, don't be silly.

"Maybe you think I'm still pet sized. Well I'm not anymore."

I promise you, those remarks had nothing to do with your stature and everything to do with your intelligence, and possibly also your penchant to devour snack cakes, small human. But I admit I was wrong Trixie, you're smart and clever. It was then that the epiphany struck Lucifer: why and how was she praying to him at all?

"I bet you're wondering why I called you on the long distance prayer line. At first I thought maybe I would hear your voice answer me back, but I guess this will have to do. You see Lucifer, I may have lied to you, and I know you are not going to like that, but I hope it doesn't keep you away forever."

What? He took flight from his throne and down to lowest depth of hell scape, trying without success to fully find his footing among the chasms, his knees imperceptibly shaking —though he knew not why — while his feet took hold of him though he knew not where to. As if beckoned by the siren sound of her voice, he made his way through the winding onyx labrynth, turning where her voice waned and proceeding again where it renewed in strength.

"Because I didn't lie-outright-lie. I just didn't tell the whole truth. I've always known you were an angel, like your brother Amenadiel. Just that you live in different places. I wrote a whole bunch of letters over the years, but the post office told me Hell wasn't a valid address, and eventually they started making fun of me behind my back for not having enough postage."

Well you should have tried sending it via the DMV. Honestly, Beatrice, I have any number of portals there. A whole network really.

"Anyway, I figure where you are it might be lonely, so I guess this is as good a time as any to catch up."

Out with it then, what's the sitch child?

"I just started driving lessons, although they're not as good as yours." That's my girl. "And Charlie's doing great, he started playing soccer." Please don't tell me Linda had him play keeper to keep an eye out for infant angel powers. "He's the goalie." Christ, I bet she put him in a helmet too. "I was mad at him for a long time, I know he's only little, but I was angry that he couldn't remember you like I remember you. He even asked me if you were my imaginary friend." Does he really not remember his Uncle Lucifer? "I know, kids are dumb. But I'm not mad anymore. I drew him a picture of you in my art class...and my detention after I didn't do the actual assignment in art class, but still-lifes of fruit are boring. It doesn't look like my old drawings on the refrigerator from the last time you were here, if that's what you're worried about. And it's better than Amenadiel's stick figure drawings. If I'm being honest, I wanted to make sure I remembered you too. Maybe one day you can tell me what you think. My teacher Mrs. Fissner says it's very good. Disturbing but good. She may have sent me to see the social worker. Mom misses you. I miss you too. Listen Lucifer, I'm sorry I didn't reach out sooner but...never mind, I guess that's all for now...."

No, Trixie. You're the first human voice I've heard in a thousand years who isn't begging for mercy. Don't, please, Lucifer pleaded.

"It's just that I don't really believe in prayers. I mean, I think they're kind of stupid..."

You're preaching to the choir Trix. I couldn't agree more, this rare instance being a timely exception.

"...because people somehow find a way to make it all about them, and what they want, when they should really be listening."

Oh damnation, don't tell me you've turned into a theological scholar, or did Amenadiel put you up to this? Fess up. Could you sound anymore like your mum, you're the second oldest young person I know. Where is the Beatrice who could extort people for cash, lay waste to my flat in a single pirouette, and inhale chocolate like I inhale controlled substances? A haunting thought ghosted over Lucifer's nostalgia. Did I miss all your formative years?

"And I don't want to do that, because I don't want to torture you."

Lucifer's step faltered as he slid to the ground against the ravine walls, at last overwhelmed by the whole absurd, miraculous encounter. All the days upon days he'd spent torturing souls without missing a beat, and Trixie was worried about torturing him? About how her struggles might affect him? His chin sank to his chest, and Lucifer cried.

"Mom didn't tell me you went back to hell, because she doesn't know that I believe you when you said you're the devil, but she did tell me that it's important and that in your new job a lot depends on you. I didn't want to hurt you by asking you to come back when I know that you can't. But this life is really important too Lucifer, and...it's mom. She's got a new friend."

So that's it, Lucifer thought in resignation, that's why she's praying.

"I feel lost between them. So I asked God to send me an angel, the nicest angel he had."

You've got to be kidding me? Is that what I am now sloppy seconds, I'm not even first on the prayer chain!

"Except I'm pretty sure I already used up that prayer when he sent me you."

Lucifer's din of thoughts fell into silence as he hauled himself up to full stature, trying to pull himself together. I can't help you Trixie, your mom deserves to be happy. Chloe deserves to share her life with someone who makes her feel as special as she really is. And God help me, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it would help if you showed her a little grace.

"So I was hoping Lucifer, that you could please come back and show my mom this isn't the right guy for her. I know you're the only one who can."

Not if it puts you both in harm's way, Lucifer said, knowing that his words would never reach her, and that her prayer like a billion others before would float away unrequited.

"If you can't help me, please help her."

Lucifer stopped cold. Why would the detective need my help?

"I told you, Lucifer. I need you to understand that I've always known what you look like. More than that, I need you to know I've always understood who you are. So that you'll believe me when I say I know that my mom's friend, the one that looks like you, isn't really you."

It was only then that Lucifer realized the wall he'd braced against was not a stone cliff, but a gate. He did not waste a moment eviscerating the lock.

Trixie had searched for Lucifer once, in his mortal abode at Lux.

She'd found him again within his personal den of iniquity without batting an eye.

Little did she realize that even in the lowest depths of hell she could reach him. Dad's blessings, it seems, run in the family.

Third time's the Trix. You're right urchin. It's time to go home.

***21 days of Lucifer Countdown: 21 days until season five. New content daily***

[rafaelblackbird15]

"Logan couldn't breathe. Every time James took a breath, and his chest expanded, it was like he took the air directly from Logan's lungs. Just thinking about it he couldn't stop his eyes from scanning James' exposed skin, his collar bones where they jutted out from under the thin straps over his shoulders. His hands folded and tucked a little accompanying piece of pink material around his strong muscles and around his middle, Logan's eyes followed the twitching of his fingers. They were so long and James was just so damn tall. He towered over Logan even more than usual in the high heels."

" When James stepped out of the toilet cubicle, Logan couldn't breathe.

Everything he had been thinking about saying vanished instantly with a flash of pink and surprise.

It was funny, ironic, really, he'd never been very good with dates and girlfriends because the "tongue-tied" feeling all the love songs talked about never seemed to happen to him, he'd often wondered if he was just destined to overthink everything. Not for lack of trying that is, James had insisted he at least try to like people, try to he interested in *someone*, but he'd always found the books on the subject more insightful, like Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice (he never told the guys this though, only Katie, his book buddy, knew about them). Although, Camille, he had thought was different. But...

What drew his attention first was the fit. James' figure was obvious through the material, the strong lines of his sides were clear with the tightness of the dress, it followed his natural curves all the way down to his hips, where the dress branched out and got looser, rippling in soft folds of pink. If he were a woman, he'd probably be considered an hourglass figure, but he was tall and straight in some places with vivid curves in others, it really was something to look at. His shape was sharp but also extremely soft, the way James went about getting fit was aggressive, kind of like he was going to war with himself, with his demons, but his reasons for it were soft, and Logan knew from looking at his stomach that, even with the twisted pink dress his skin was soft, it showed in the parts of his body that were exposed, like his chest. He'd seen James' body countless times, most recently in the pool just last week. They had gone swimming all their lives, it came naturally to get dressed together (not in the same room, obviously, James' liked his bathroom time) and just go out and enjoy it. But somehow this was different, seeing him all done up like a woman... And yet, he wasn't a woman, but he wasn't a man either. He was somewhere in between, he was James. But he wasn't James. It was all so confusing.

It was a struggle to pull his eyes upwards when he realised he was staring at James' bare legs where he was too tall for the dress to reach below his knees, he even suited the sharp black high heels. James didn't didn't seem to notice though, pulling a face of feigned discomfort.

"I can't believe this was *your* idea" James said, staggering over to the boy's sink and glaring into the mirror. He pulled a thumb under his lips to smarten out the lipstick, making kissy faces. Somehow he'd managed to not smudge even the corners of his mouth, all the lines on his eyes were careful as well, if Logan didn't know better he'd have said "experienced", but he did know better. At least, he thought he did. It was no secret James was more feminine than usual, obsessed with his appearance to an unhealthy point, but this was a step further.

James had done all the getting dressed by himself, in the little cubicle, Logan had been grateful because no way would he have been able to put on someone's makeup. Looks like he didn't need any help though.

"What, uh, what is that supposed to mean?" He said.

It was hard to focus on something that wasn't James' dark eyes, long lashes highlighted by an underscore of subtle black eyeliner. God, he was beautiful. The lipstick suited him so goddamn much, he was just so extra, with the matching headband as well. To say Logan hadn't been expecting that transformation was putting it mildly.

James wasn't looking at him when he replied, still intent on perfecting his hair, sweeping it aside and out of his eyes, combing fingers through it like he thought it needed perfecting, how could he even think that?

Logan jumped when he spoke eventually. "Just that I mean, well" he met Logan's eye in the mirror, "I didn't think you'd even consider... This" he made a vague gesture to all of himself, dress and all.

His eyes were downcast and he smiled, a little shyly, strangely, and for just a moment, a flash, Logan saw Camille in James. When he was telling her that he couldn't be with her for awhile, that he needed time for himself to understand what he wanted, what he needed, she had looked at him with this self depreciating, and openly vulnerable look that.. had just been so uncharacteristic of her that he'd nearly blurted out "forget everything, kiss me" on the spot and forgiven her, but alas he hadn't, maybe they wouldn't be here now if he had. He couldn't find it in himself to feel about it.

If James had looked up at Logan in that moment, he knew Camille would be there, hiding behind his eyes. Or maybe it was the other way around. It was gone as fast as it had appeared and he stumbled over his words, trying to remember what the question was.

"Wha- what? Why?"

It was hard to comprehend much of anything. He felt dizzy, lost. James might have been saying something but he couldn't hear him, Logan was under water, he felt like he was a frog with its mouth stuck hanging open and waiting. Like a statue.

Something had changed. It was akin to the continents shifting into place. "

********

Just a little thing I wrote on the spot. Had these doodles lying around for a whole year, and although I've actually done something with them now my college has them locked away for art GCSE results, so I'm waiting to get them back.

I honestly love btr so much and I ship like every ship, and I'm so here for gender fluid James.

In this au, Logan isn't gay, he's bi, but he's also in love with James and this is where he realises that. The whole time the guys have been trying to set him up and it hasn't worked, this is why.

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

S.T REWRITE -S1:E6; Chapter Six, The Monster - [Pt. 1]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

With Eleven gone, Y/n and Dustin struggle to keep the party together. Elsewhere, Hopper and Joyce uncover the truth about the lab’s many experiments.

||3rd Person POV||

Joyce and Hopper sat opposite one another at the kitchen table of the Byers' home. The house was cold and hardly lit, copies of newspaper clippings scattered all around the house. One of the only light sources was a dusty light that hung from the kitchen ceiling above the table and their heads, illuminating the several papers.

"Look, we gotta go through this again." Joyce insisted.

"I told you everything that I saw."

"Oh, gosh. Tell me again."

"Upstairs or downstairs?" Hopper asked.

"Upstairs."

"There was a laboratory. It was where they must do experiments or something, and then there was... well you see like I said, I got turned around."

Hopper was currently sharing all he had encountered on his rogue mission at Hawkins National Laboratory. Joyce, all the while was hanging on his every word.

"I told you, it was like, I don't know, it wasn't supposed to exist. That whole area, it was abandoned and... forgotten, like it was all some big mistake. Once I found my way back, I saw that... kid's room. That other kid's room, I mean. Like it was actually used, but it didn't even look like a kid's room, neither of them, it looked like a prison."

Hopper sighed and rubbed the bottom of his palms into his eyes tiredly, is fingers held the lit cigarette inches away from his face as he did so. "If that even makes sense,"

"Well," Joyce began, trying to get to the bottom of this never ending mystery. "So why would you think it was a kid's room, then?"

"Because, I told you, the size of the bed, there was a drawing, there was a stuffed animal--"

Joyce interrupted the man quickly. "Y-You didn't say there was a drawing."

"Yeah, there was a drawing of a... an adult and a child. It said 'Eleven' on it."

"Was it good?" Joyce pressed.

"It was a kid's drawing, Joyce. It was stick figures."

Joyce had a knowing look on her face as she stood up with a sigh, retrieving a piece of crinkled line paper and slammed it down on the table for Hopper to see.

She pointed to the detailed drawing as she sat back down.

"Wasn't Will." She stated confidently, shakily bringing the cigarette back up to her lips.

Hopper examined the drawing and everything seemed to click. He returned his gaze to the anxious mother. Hopper quickly put out his cigarette in the ashtray and made a beeline for the coffee table.

"Earl..." he muttered, as he made his way into the living room. Joyce, who had abandoned her cigarette, was right on his heels.

"The night that Benny died, Earl said he saw some kid with a shaved head with Benny," Hopper and Joyce took a seat beside one another on the living room couch, Hopper's eyes fixed on the several news clippings splayed along the wooden coffee table. "Now, I pressed him, he said it might be Will, but maybe..."

The man began sifting through the papers, and Joyce spoke up.

"Wait... Maybe, it wasn't?"

Hopper pulled the article he had been looking for and pointed to the fuzzy photograph of the woman in the article.

"Look... this woman, Terry Ives, she claims to have lost her daughter, Jane. She sued Brenner, she sued the government... Now, the claims came to nothing, but what if... I mean, what if this whole time I've been... I've been looking for Will... I've been chasing after some other kid?"

||Reader's POV||

Everything is a mess.

Will is still missing, the party is falling apart, Mike and Lucas are still angsty messes that won't speak to one another, and now, El left us. She probably thinks I hate her.

'But I don't! I was just scared'

(Ok but like,,,, who else ships El and reader cause damn I've been giving myself feels lately, dang)

'We need to fix this'

I sigh and sit up from my bed and make my way to Dustin's room.

+++

"I just... I can't believe she didn't come back." Mike sighed.

Dustin and I agreed we needed to talk some sense into the boys. So we got our bikes and made our way to Mike's. Dustin was standing opposite Mike while I currently occupied one of the DnD chairs I had pulled up. Mike was worriedly pacing the floor in front of us.

"She's gotta be close." Dustin offered.

"She said it wasn't safe. She just messed up the compasses because she wanted to protect us. She didn't betray us."

"Mike, calm down."

Mike only ignored Dustin and kept talking, more to himself than anybody it seemed.

"I shouldn't have yelled at her. I never should've done that."

"Mike, this isn't your fault." Dustin said.

"Yeah, it's Lucas'."

"It wasn't his fault, either." Dustin replied softly.

For the first time in what felt like ages, Mike stopped in his tracks. He looked at my brother dumbfounded and took a few steps in his direction. "It wasn't his fault?"

"No."

"So you're saying he wasn't way out of line?"

"Totally, but so were you!"

"What?"

"And so was Eleven."

"That's ridiculous! [Y/N], tell him he's being ridiculous!"

Very calmly, I stood up with my arms crossed and stood next to my brother, and sighed, eyes fixed on Mike. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but Dustin is absolutely right."

Mike seemed even more furious. "Oh, give me a break!"

Dustin snapped at these words and stormed up to Mike. "No, Mike, you give me a break! All three of you were being a bunch of little assholes! [Y/N] and I were the only reasonable ones! But the bottom line is... you pushed first. And you know the rules. You draw first blood..."

"No! No way! I'm not shaking his hand."

"You're shaking his hand." I press stepping forward.

He was sure to make eye contact with me over Dustin shoulder as he spoke. "No, I'm not."

So I strode toward him and gave him a slight glare.

"This isn't a discussion. This is the rule of law. Obey or be banished from the party. Do you wanna be banished?" I asked firmly.

Mike crossed his arms and pouted before speaking up meekly. "No."

"Good!" I chirp, my face beaming as if we hadn't just been fighting which seem to only terrify him more.

I all but skipped over to the chair grabbing my coat, Dustin following my actions.

"Where are we going?" Mike asked with a hint of frustration.

"Where do you think?" Dustin asked as he put his arms through the sleeves of his coat.

"We're going to get Lucas." I finished straightening my jacket then looked back to Mike.

My face softened and I tilted my head slightly. "And then we're gonna find Eleven."

+++

The three of us stood on Lucas's porch and I rang the doorbell. We stood waiting until the door swung open and Lucas stood there glaring at all three of us, but mostly Mike.

"What do you want?" He spits, resting his hands in his pockets.

There was brief silence which was then interrupted by a muffled smack of Dustin hitting Mike in the arm.

Mike sighed softly and looked to Lucas, clearly hating every second of this.

"I drew first blood, so..." he extended his hand for Lucas to shake but Lucas didn't move.

Somehow I had convinced Lucas to let us all in and now, we all stood in the middle of his living room as he paced silently across the floor considering Mike's offer. He finally stopped and stared at the three of us.

"Okay, I'll shake."

Mike sighed what I barely made out to be a "finally" as he extended his arm out once more. Dustin and I perked up, that was until Lucas continued.

"On one condition. We forget the weirdo and go straight to the gate." He finished, arms crossed defiantly.

"Then the deal's off." Mike barked.

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"No, no, not fine! Guys seriously?" Dustin yelled as I threw my head back frustrated.

Dustin forced Mike to face him as he spoke. "Do you even remember what happened on the Bloodstone Pass?"

Lucas and Mike shared a confused glance.

Dustin seemed shocked and offended that they had no recollection and continued.

"We couldn't agree on what path to take, so we all split up the party and those trolls took us out one by one. And it all went to shit. And we were all disabled! So we stick together, no matter what!"

"Yeah, I agree. But this is the party, right here in this room."

"El is one of us now."

"Um, no, she's not. Not even close! Never will be. She's a liar, a traitor--"

"She was just trying to keep us safe! She didn't mean to hurt you. It was an accident!"

"An accident?"

"All right, accident or not... admit it, it was a little awesome." Dustin said.

"Awesome?"

"Yeah, she threw you in the air with her mind!"

"I could have been killed!"

"Would everybody just shut up for one second please!" I snap.

Everybody looks to me, a worried and shocked expression on their faces.

I step forward and begin ranting to the boys.

"I am sick of your attitude." I point at Lucas. "I am sick of your whining." I point to Mike. "I am sick of all three of you bickering," I gesture to all of them. "I love you guys and I can't thank you enough for taking me in and including me, know that, but GOD I am getting tired of being stuck listening to you boys argue about every little thing!"

I myself began pacing, my voice continuously rising. "I'm sick of putting up with all your petty arguing when we should be looking for Will only to come home at the end of the day, having found NOTHING and crying my eyes out because the only person who never gave a shit about who started what is missing and probably dead!"

I stopped pacing and looked to the boys who were all silent. I sighed and lowered my voice. "Lucas, you're right. You could have been killed. Which is exactly why we need her. She is more powerful than all of us combined."

"[Y/N]'s right. Do you seriously wanna fight the Demogorgon with your wrist rocket?" Mike said, anger still in his voice. "That's like R2-D2 going to fight Darth Vader. We're no use to Will if we're dead."

Lucas looked torn for a moment, but then he shook his head and pointed at the three of us. There was disappointment in his voice. "If you three wanna waste your time looking for a traitor, go ahead, 'cause I'm not spending my time on her anymore. No way!"

I sighed, putting my face in my hands. Lucas continued.

"I'm going to the gate. I'm going to find Will."

Lucas shoved the boys aside and stormed off, leaving the three of us alone in more ways than one.

+++++

(apologies the tag list was not posted originally. It slipped my mind. Sorry lovelies! <3)

Tag List: @fuckwaad @aimee-lucass

DM me if you want to be added!