#I did watch it with the same astonishment as that cat

[rogueemmy]

same, cat. same

Am i a smart Cat ? #cat #funny #kitten #shorts

Hmmm...Our new intern seems fascinated by the printer

[obsessedwrhys]

okokokok HEAR ME OUT !… rottmnt brothers x a gn! younger adopted sibling medusa hcs… whose snakes are lowkey protective of them… sometimes they act on their own but if the reader is feeling an emotion strongly they’ll feel that emotion… yeah… (can you also make the reader calm, collected and reserved?)

(Idk if ur reqs are closed or not so u can do this later or delete it if you want)

ROTTMNT X MEDUSA!READER

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ fluff, bit of angst, reader is gn!! (Look at how cute they are)

RAPH

As babies he was always so scared of the snakes on your head. Like what do you mean it's supposed to be your hair? How does that even work?

Every now and then when he's passing by your room, he couldn't help but sneak a glance of you pampering to the snakes. It's just so amusing to see you treat them as if they have a mind of their own.

Which they do in some cases.

Growing up together, he has gotten use to the fact that the snakes happen to also feel whatever emotions you feel. Anger. Despair. Joy.

Never in his life would he ever think to see a hundred snakes smiling at him. But oh well, at least you're happy.

He is honestly very astonished with your ability to turn any living or non-living things to stone.

There was this one time where you guys were fighting and a member of the foot clan managed to sneak up behind you, but due to your enhanced reflexes, you were fast enough to turn him into stone. You simply blew at the sculpture and eventually it loses its balance and falls.

Remind him to never mess with you 'cause being turned into stone does not look fun.

Despite your scary appearance, you were the most chill person in the group. You would always be found either in the living room watching tv or in your room doing your thing.

What I'm trying to say is that you're the least expected sibling to create the huge mess of the day for everyone to deal with.

He doesn't find the snakes on your head too much of a deal, he cares and loves you all the more.

LEO

He finds the snakes on your head so cool!!

Since ya'll were kids, he's been constantly storming up with stupid tricks or ideas to do with you.

And you obliged each time because you didn't feel like it was anything dangerous. Most of the time you guys end up having fun.

He has once asked you to turn Donnie to stone. Obviously you said no.

Even though your ability to turn people to stone is irreversible, it still doesn't give you the excuse to just do it to anyone or anything as you liked. Which is the same thing you've said to Leo multiple times and he always let's out an annoyed groan at your reminder.

He 100% picks fight with the snakes on your head. Always sneakily poking one or pulling one (obvs not that hard) when it's not looking, what he doesn't realise is that you can feel it too. He's been bit many times for doing that but he never learns.

He just enjoys messing with you :(

It's the sibling energy in him.

Did I forget to mention how he managed to convince you to turn him to stone in order to escape Raph's lecture? Yeah that happened.

I've said this before and I'll say this again, he definitely makes terrible dad jokes related to snakes towards you. It always entertains him and him only.

"You know, people always say snakes are so venomous but I think they're just slitherin around"

"That was terrible Leo"

He likes to hug you because he just loves the feeling of the snakes on your head rubbing against his face. It's like the same feeling you feel when a cat rubs it's face against your face. So relaxing.

He loves to especially bury his face into them.

It weirds out the others but you don't mind as long as he doesn't hurt you or the snakes.

He just LOVE LOVE LOVESSSSS it.

Also the way your eyes glows red alongside the snakes whenever you turn something to stone? You look ethereal!!

And the tiny traces of scales across your skin??? Badass!!

He'll literally wear a cheerleader fit and swing around pong pongs to cheer you on.

DONNIE

Since you were kids, he was always drawn towards the snakes on your head. He always wondered how did it even get there.

He once accidentally pulled on one of the snakes as a kid and the bite on his hand is now scarred to life.

He doesn't tell you but he thinks the snakes looks great on you, the green matching the green in your eyes is like the cherry on top. Not to mention your fashion sense is amazing!!

He doesn't mind having you stay in his lab, you're not loud and don't disturb his work which he appreciates it.

I like to think that whenever he's bored, he'll probably approach you to examine on the snakes on your head. You don't really mind and just continue on doing whatever it is that you were doing in the first place.

Though, there was this one time you caught him waving at the snakes and smiled when they all greet him back.

He definitely asks questions about stuff.

Some of the questions that still stuck to you was "If you used a mirror and activated your power, will you be able to turn yourself to stone?" And "Do the snakes on your head grow like hair?"

The last one might be true in a way. The snakes only extends when you want it to. You just do it when it's convenient, whether to toss a bad guy away or to grab a cup of coffee on the table.

He would hyperfixate on Greek Mythology when he sees the obvious similarity. However it just made his brain spin even more. Were you also cursed? He never knew how to ask you about that since he's afraid to trigger your emotions.

The last time he did that the snakes on your head all began hissing at him, not to mention seconds away from attacking him.

But it doesn't matter, you'll tell everyone when you want to. All he knows is that you grew up together and care about each other, that's already enough.

MIKEY

Oooh snakes.

I just have a feeling that since babies, the snakes on your head has always been so affectionate towards Mikey.

Like out of all the brothers, he's the only one they let him do things with. Helping you do different hairstyles, feeding them and even giving them accessories. Anything he can do to make you look glamorous.

He also happen to name each of the snakes. He says he doesn't have a favourite but it's way too obvious that you're his favourite.

He hates it however when you're sad, the way the snakes on your head pretty much drops with a frown breaks his heart.

Everytime Leo decides to mess with you, Mikey is 100% already there and simply standing menacingly behind him, waiting for him to finally notice him.

"He's standing behind me isn't he?"

"😡"

A lot of the days where its sunny, he would definitely take you go swimming. He knows how frustrated you get when it's too hot.

Same goes to when it's winter, this boy will go out of his way to make a comfortable beanie for you to use and for the snakes to nestle in.

Also you have a big appetite but do not fear!! He will prepare you the most delicious meal you'll ever eat!!

You're surprisingly good at communicating with animals. You've befriended some of the rats in the sewer and he can't help but call you the "Rat Whisperer"

He loves hanging out with you, whether if it's doing nothing together or having fun, he likes spending every second with you.

[tacticaldiary]

To Coax The Love From A Ghost

Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader

Genre: Fluff (Mentions of Hurt/Comfort)

A gentle brush of knuckles sitting next to each other on the planes to and from ops, a feeling so starkly different from the grit of gravel and the bite of sand that it almost sends him crumbling, because Simon cannot remember the last time he's felt something gentle.

A/N: Something soft after the trauma of the last two fics I put you through- Enjoy!

Masterlist

Loving Simon Riley is like coaxing a grumpy cat out of it's shell.

Time, peace offerings, and showings of trust are what win him over. She'd recognised it since day one, the distrustful way he'd greeted her, the kindness he was capable of locked behind iron bars forged from the gruelling lessons his past had taught him.

It had taken time.

Gentle smiles, so at odds with the scrapes and bruises he was used to. Time ticked away, chipping off that icy exterior to shape to let loose an ease to his shoulders that becomes almost instinctual whenever he sees her. Seconds turn to minutes, which turn to hours and days but not once had she halted her attempts at showing him that there was more to love than apprehension and inevitable loss.

Light seeps through the cracks of the doors he's welded shut, introducing an inkling of what warmth he might be able to have if only he lets her in. He wants to, he's just not sure how, and with this new sprout of...of hope? Simon thinks he may just need to learn

It had taken peace offerings.

A gentle brush of knuckles sitting next to each other on the planes to and from ops, a feeling so starkly different from the grit of gravel and the bite of sand that it almost sends him crumbling, because Simon cannot remember the last time he's felt something gentle.

The extra pudding cup she offers him at lunch in the mess hall, because she knows he likes them even if he's never expressed it, and it's startling because never has a person been so in tune with each breath that Simon inhales, the gravity of each exhale. She offers it to him with a smile that leaves his gaze lingering for just a second too long, the brilliance of someone he did not deserve to infect with the malevolence that is etched into his very being.

He accepts the sweet gifts every time just so he can feel the goodness of her seep into him when they brush fingers, hoping that it would be enough to satiate him. It never is.

It had taken showings of trust.

Every time she lets her head rest on his shoulder when she nods off in a Humvee, Ghost's heart picks up at the astonishment that she trusts him. Trusts him enough to be this vulnerable even after knowing exactly how much blood stains his gloved hands. It's the same feeling watching the dawn of a new day elicits, the warm feeling of waking up after hours of sleeping huddled in the cold.

She had given him a residence in her own space, personal and intimate in a way that made him want to turn his back the first few times she offered. Silent hours shared in her room, indulging in the quiet, whether that be the droning of the television in the background, or the scratching of graphite on paper as they did their paperwork together.

It was such a strange thing, to be let into someone's life so seamlessly. Ghost had lived in his quarters for more than a few years, yet in mere weeks her room had become more of a home than he'd ever hoped to experience again. He had once thought of her as naïve to let such a creature tainted by the grim semblance of his own actions into her life without caution, but after a beat, he noted that everything she did was intentional.

Leaving the door open for him a crack, a silent invitation. Tossing the giant throw pillow he likes to lean against on the floor where they sat together, having that special black pen he prefers to sign documents with sat idly on her desk. Intentional. All of it meaningful, sweet, and solely for him.

It had taken her goodness to break him.

Finally he snaps, has had enough with his mind and his heart at war, going at each other all day. Part of him urged him to keep to himself, to push her away because what need was there to drag someone so wholly her into everything that was so miserably him.

Another part of him is selfish. It aches and groans and whispers at him to take, love and be loved.

The word used to frighten him until she molded it into a sculpture that he could admire without feeling the urge to avert his eyes.

When he finds her this time, she has this knowing smile on her face, a kind glint in her eyes that he has no business indulging in.

She waits for him to approach, patiently, as if one sudden move would send him skittering away like a deer. She's so sweet, smells of honey and cinnamon and his. There's no other way to describe it.

Etched into the stone tablets of fate, inscribed into part of their souls twisted together with strings that drip with blood but are still red, he thinks that she might have been his all along.

The first press of their lips is tentative. And he can't get enough. Not when his heart is full and his mind quiets down to a pleased, content hum.

The welded door creaks open, sunlight and cinnamon spilling into the room and snapping whatever doubts he had away. Simon tangles a hand into her hair and takes. He takes and takes and takes, and with the way she smiles against his lips, slides into his lap, he thinks she might have been waiting for him to take as well. She'd been willing to give, all along.

Simon can't remember a time he's felt contentedness this pure.

Reblog, Like and Comment!

(24/08/2023)

[marauders-bs]

hehehe this is part 1!! part pre p2

Hermione looked around the room, hazy with memory but relatively detailed.

A young girl, maybe six or seven, was standing at a stove. "Ari," she called. "Get over here and pass me the spice rack."

"The whole spice rack?" a younger boy asked, skidding into Hermione's frame of vision.

"Yes, the whole spice rack," the girl said, rolling her eyes fondly. "I haven't decided what I'll need yet."

"What are you doing?" another girl asked, this one younger still, eyes wide as she wandered into the kitchen.

"Making Grandma and Gramps breakfast, duh," said the older girl. "C'mon, June, if you tattle I'll put cinnamon in your eggs."

"Dorcas, no!" the younger girl cried theatrically. "Not cinnamon! I hate cinnamon!"

Hermione exchanged a confused glance with Ron as the scene whirled and changed.

-

The same older girl - now at least ten - was standing, arms crossed, clearly waiting for something.

A quick scan of the scene showed June - the younger girl - and Ari - the boy - standing side by side, looking guilty.

"It wasn't our fault," Ari muttered, staring at his feet.

"No, it was all the cat's fault," June said, glancing around. Doing the same, Hermione saw at least four broken plates across the floor.

"Why am I a ten year old being a parent," Dorcas muttered, waving a hand. To Hermione's astonishment, the plates immediately fixed themselves, mending and flying back to their cupboards.

Again, the scene changed.

-

"What house do you think you'll be in?" a brown-haired girl asked, fiddling with an ear piercing. They were on the Hogwarts Express now.

"I'm ambitious, powerful, and protective," Dorcas answered. "Probably Slytherin."

"Oh," the other girl said. "I think I'll end up in Gryffindor. I'm stupid and brave."

"Oh, you fancy ending up an alcoholic?" Dorcas asked.

This was Hermione's first real glimpse of Dorcas's personality. She appeared brash and witty, two things Hermione could appreciate.

"Nope," the brown haired girl said brightly. "But from my experience, alcoholics are great fun, so I do fancy being friends with some. What about you? D'you fancy marrying your cousins?"

"I don't have any of those," Dorcas said. "And anyways, even if I had any, I don't fancy marrying some bigot blood purist with a fat ego."

The brown haired girl laughed. "I like you," she said, grabbing her wand out of a small bag. "I'm Marlene."

"Dorcas."

-

"McKinnon, Marlene!" McGonagall called.

Hermione watched Marlene walk up to the Hat and put it on her head. It had barely touched her straight brown hair before screaming, "Gryffindor!"

Marlene threw a grin at Dorcas before running to the whooping Gryffindor table. Hermione saw a red-haired first year sitting there as well, and she felt her stomach swoop as she caught a glimpse of Harry's eyes in the girl's face.

"Meadowes, Dorcas!"

Dorcas walked purposefully up to the Hat. It sat on her head for maybe a second before screaming, "Slytherin!"

-

To Hermione's surprise, Dorcas didn't seem to have any big memories from first year. Brief snapshots of insults and backhanded compliments thrown by her roommates whirled by but never stuck. It didn't take long at all for it to be summer back at the Meadowes house.

Ari, June, and two other kids were latched onto Dorcas as she made her way through the house. Ari and June were hanging off of her legs and the other two were on her sides.

"Well, good morning, Cas," Dorcas's grandmother said, a look of mild surprise on her face. "Why are you up this early?"

"I'm used to it," Dorcas replied. "Also, when did Jasper and Astra get back?"

"A couple days ago," Dorcas's grandfather answered. "Mara took off again, so they're here for as long as they need to be."

Dorcas nodded, then took the girl off of her hip. As she wiggled her fingers in front of the girl's face, little sparkles began to appear in the air around the girl. Hermione had seen Dorcas do wandless magic before, but this was kind of next level. She wasn't sure she would be able to do that as an adult.

"Look at that," Dorcas whispered to the little girl. "Stars for my star."

-

Suddenly, they were back on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione gathered that Dorcas's early life had been uneventful, or Dorcas had a really bad memory.

She was lounging in an empty compartment and a knock came on the door.

Two almost identical blond kids stood in the door. "Everywhere else is full," said the shorter one. "Can we come in?"

"Sure," Dorcas answered, swinging her legs off of a bench. "I'm Dorcas."

"I'm Pandora Rosier," said the taller of the two. "That's my brother, Evan. Nevermind it if he doesn't talk, he sometimes has visions and then stops speaking."

Hermione, Harry, and Ron all looked at each other, confused. Luna's mum - Pandora Rosier - was whimsical, dangerous. This Pandora seemed to be troublesome and bored. Evan, on the other hand, seemed to match Luna's description of her mum.

"Looks like a party," another voice said from the door. "Do you mind if I join?"

Dorcas shrugged. Hermione could tell that she didn't like the quiet, and these three were very clearly not quiet.

"Fantastic," said the new boy, plopping down on a seat beside Evan. "Well, I'm Barty, I'm bored, and I haven't had chocolate in three years."

"What's chocolate?" Evan asked.

Barty gave a theatrical gasp. "What's chocolate? What's chocolate? Salazar, I thought my parents were neglectful. At least my mother has snuck me chocolate over the years- you don't even know what it is?"

Both twins shook their heads.

"Sweet Salazar, we're going to have to fix that," Barty said. "Do you have any?"

This last bit was directed at Dorcas, who had been watching the interaction with a small smile on her face. "Of course I have chocolate," Dorcas said. "I have practically raised all four of my siblings, you think I don't have chocolate?"

-

The next scene was a potions class. For some reason, a Dorcas was partnered with Regulus Black, who Hermione recognized from Grimmauld Place. It didn't make sense purely because Regulus would've been a first year when Dorcas was a second year, yet he was in Dorcas's Potions class.

"No, not a whole sprig," Regulus said, plucking the leaf out of Dorcas's hand. "You only add a little, but you can't cut it. This book is wrong."

Dorcas chuckled. "Alright. So, only a little, but no cutting. You do that, I'll start on the next?"

"Run it by me first," Regulus said, turning back to the plant.

"Reg, are you bossing around a second year?" a voice vaguely familiar to Hermione called from across the room. She turned and found Sirius Black standing at a cauldron of his own, pointing a little bottle at his brother.

"He's better at in than you," another familiar voice said. Remus Lupin was standing beside Sirius with a look of mild disgust on his face. "If I hadn't stopped you, you would've tipped your shoe-shining potion into the cauldron."

Sirius shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. Regulus rolled his eyes and turned back to Dorcas. "Do you mind?" he asked, quiet and sincere.

"Of course not. Lupin's right, you're better than any of us in here, save maybe Snivellus. Even then, only maybe."

Regulus smiled, soft and brief, and Hermione felt a jolt go through her system. She'd seen that smile before.

She'd seen it on Harry.

[togeblurbs]

Shuntaro Chishiya x Pining!reader

synopsis: Chishiya is cold, smart and most of all, dreamy. You seem to find his aloof demeanour captivating, and after a particular hard game, Chishiya seems to let you comfort him.

meeting Shuntaro Chishiya was the best thing that could’ve happened to you while living in the Borderland. not that he helped you in games, no, rather, he helped you by brightening your once dark and lonely life outside of the games. you’ve been sticking to him like glue lately; an effect of your rather quick attachment style and it seemed he needed space. he left to go play a game, claiming his visa was running out even if you knew he was still good for a week.

you ignored the pang in your chest at the lie, knowing Chishiya didn’t have an obligation to take you with him or care about your feelings. but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

you bury your face into the pillow beneath you, inhaling softly. it smelled like him; a soft musky scent that was made your shoulders relax instantly. you were clad in a hoodie and shorts, laying aimlessly on his bed as you waited for him to come back.

you hear footsteps outside before the door unlocks, and your head shoots up to find Chishiya. he looks the same as he did when he left, perhaps a little more exhausted now. but then he spots you, and something in his feline eyes shift. you bite your lip, wondering if you should give him some space.

he stands there for a moment, observing you, and you take this as your cue to leave. while you’d love to fuss over him and ask how the game went, you’re sure he wants nothing more than to rest alone.

and with that, you sit up, running a hand through your hair before grabbing your room key. you smile lightly at Chishiya as he turns to look at you, before you attempt to slip out quietly.

his arm shoots out to grab your wrist, and you pause. you look up at him with a confused face.

“Where are you going?” he asks quietly.

you stare at the hand holding your arm, “To my room…?”

he frowns, and you want nothing more than to kiss it away. he shifts on his feet, subtle yet you notice. you notice everything about him.

“Why?”

you give him a sad smile, “I just thought you’d want some space, that is why you left, isn’t it?”

he says nothing, merely holding your wrist as you stand there confused. he sighs, letting his hand slip from your wrist to your palm, pulling you towards the bed as you take a seat unsure.

“Stay.” he commands, and your stomach flips at the soft spoken word, feeling butterflies erupt as you sink into the soft bedding beneath you.

you pull the blanket up as you watch Chishiya curiously. he climbs into the bed after you, causing you to turn to the side and prop your head on your hand, elbow digging into the mattress.

Chishiya does not look you in the eye, he simply moves closer to you and lays his head on the pillow in front of your chest, curling his body beneath the blanket as his back faces you, body inches apart and your face hovering above his.

you’re shocked, astonished. but most of all, you’re excited. your heart thumps loudly in your chest as you decide to test the waters, listening to Chishiya’s soft breaths as he closes his eyes. you place a hand on his head gently, raking your fingers through his hair.

the tension you didn’t even notice in his shoulders seems to leave as he melts into the bed. you carefully push back a lock of hair, caressing his head softly as you enjoy the silence.

you play with his hair for about twenty minutes, letting time pass by slow and not having to worry about anything but the boy who has your heart right in front of you.

he groans slightly, and your eyes snap down to his form as he turns to face you. you momentarily pause your caresses on his hair, and when you don’t immediately continue his eyes shoot open.

he looks up at you, cat-like eyes blinking up as you look down at him unsure. but then he lifts his arm, grabbing your hand with his own as he places it on his head. you smile, continuing to pet his hair.

you didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, you didn’t know if you could even make it out of here alive. but if there was one thing you knew for sure, it was that you loved the boy in front of you, and you’d do anything for him. you’d die for him.

the rest of the night passes by quietly, with the calming buzz of other beach members and crickets who seem to chirp a little too loudly from outside. you fall asleep at some point in the night, curling close with the white haired boy in front of you.

a/n: idk how many Chishiya fics I will write but oh gosh he has my heart right now

[vilevenom]

Guess who decided to write something that wasn't on my list of 'to do's, yet again? It was me!

This little ficlet is for @ohposhers, for being the best hype man I think I've ever had, lol.

Here's a little ShaBig for you, doll! 💕

My Indelible Friend

Fandom: Sonic the Hedgehog (video games)

Pairing/Characters: Shadow/Big the Cat (could be seen as platonic too)

Summary: Big emanates tranquility. Shadow couldn't help but to find himself drawn to it.

Shadow hadn't meant to spy. Really, he'd just been taking a walk through the woods, trying to decompress from his last mission, when he'd spotted him. The compulsion he'd suddenly felt to hide was strange, but one he immediately fell victim to as he ducked behind a tall bush and simply watched. Each cast of the reel was elegant, and the patience the other had to just sit until a fish nibbled on the line was astonishing. Thus far, Shadow had witnessed an hour long wait for said nibble.

"Y'know," the calm, slow voice of Big made Shadow jump, "You can come over here and watch, instead of hiding behind a bush. The fish only bite the bait."

Slowly, reluctantly, Shadow emerged from his hiding place, while doing his best to ignore how his muzzle was flushed and warm at being caught. Most of Sonic's friends didn't realize just how observant Big really was, with how often his commentary seemed nonsensical, or how he'd often go on tangents about his frog. But Shadow knew better. Big was slow in speech and movement, but his mind was sharp. He often knew exactly what to say to Shadow when he was agitated to pacify him, and his seemingly nonsensical comments would frequently later prove extremely useful. Sonic's friends usually chalked it up to sheer dumb luck, but Shadow had caught Bigs knowing smile when the others caught up to what he'd already observed more than once. The large purple cat liked his calm, tranquil lifestyle. It didn't surprise Shadow in the least that he would prefer to allow Sonic and his friends to draw conclusions on their own with a smattering of vague clues, over taking credit and point things out directly himself.

"How long have you know I was there?"

"Oh," Big shrugged, adjusting the line, "A while. I thought you'd maybe come out eventually, but I suppose even the ultimate lifeform can be shy sometimes, hmm?"

"I'm not shy!" Shadow barked instinctually, quills bristling.

"No? Oh. My mistake," Big hummed, tail swishing absently across the dock. Shadows quills immediately drooped at the soothing tone he was greeted with, guilt swelling for how quickly he'd snapped over nothing.

Slowly, Shadow shuffled from near the bushes, meandering his way over to where Big was sat, froggy ever present on his head. He was fairly confident it was a different frog every time he saw Big, but the cat was adamant that it was the same one very time. Regardless, the little amphibian was eyeing him from atop its perch, and Shadow couldn't help but give into the childish urge to stick his tongue out at it. He recoiled the moment after he'd done it, as Big turned his head to look at him at just the right moment.

"That was rude," Big commented, though he sounded more amused than anything as he turned his gaze back out towards the lake.

"I…It wasn't meant for you," Shadow muttered, finally moving to sit next to the cat on the dock, his legs hanging over the edge to allow his shoes to just barely skim the surface of the lake.

"I know," Big hummed, his ear twitching as Shadow's shoes made ripples across the surface of the water.

They sat in silence for a while, both watching Bigs line as the late afternoon sun beat down on them through the leaves of the surrounding trees, a faint breeze occasionally stirring their fur.

"…Did you want to talk about it?" Big finally offered, his tail moving to curl around Shadow's hips where he sat.

"Not particularly."

"Hmm…Did you want to borrow my spare rod?" Big tilted his head to watch Shadow from the corner of his eye, "The fish are real active today."

"You haven't caught anything in over an hour."

"Nope."

Shadow snorted quietly as he tipped his had back to offer Big a tiny smirk. "Alright. I'll join you."

Big simply hummed in acknowledgement, before handing Shadow his ever present spare rod and some bait. "Now, get your feet out of the water. You're scaring the fish away."

At that Shadow let out a proper laugh, pulling his feet up to sit cross legged before baiting his hook and tossing it out into the lake. The cat was the only one of Sonic's friends who didn't seem to have even a hint of fear towards Shadow, and would make little comments and demands of him like that frequently. Anyone who observed those little interactions thought Big lacked any sort of self preservation skills. Shadow knew it was because Big genuinely held no fear of the hybrid, knowing full well that Shadow was often more bark than bite. It was different from Rouge's lack of fear towards him, too, as she'd still hold her tongue if she thought he'd react poorly. Big simply didn't care one way or the other. It was nice, to have someone treat him so…normally.

Truthfully, Big gave Shadow a sense of peace he hadn't felt since he lived on the ARK, when he would stand next to Maria on the observation deck and stare down at the earth. It was tranquil and serene, and he cherished any moments he managed to get with the cat by himself. Not that Big was hard to catch alone, really, but Shadow's life invited chaos, and it tended to follow him wherever he went. As such, there were fleeting few occasions when he had the time to simply sit, and not feel guilt over missed responsibilities, or for generally disrupting Bigs daily life.

It wasn't long before the hybrid felt himself listing to the side, the quiet and peaceful nature of the lake and surrounding woods slowly putting him to sleep as he stared out at where his lure bobbed on the water. He grunted quietly as a large paw fell on his shoulder, pulling him in against Bigs furry side, the cat's fluffy purple tail curling around him. He resisted for barely a moment before snuggling in to the comforting warmth, his hands lax around his borrowed rod. He barely even registered as the red plastic was removed from his hands, his eyelids drooping as he struggled to stay awake.

"I'm right here, Shadow," Bigs voice rumbled quietly, making Shadow shiver. It was all the permission the hybrid needed to finally let his eyes slip shut, a slow breath leaving him as he let sleep overtake him. He was warm, he was happy, and he was safe. No one else's presence could lull him into such a calm state so quickly.

"Have a good nap, Shadow," Big hummed, shifting so that one paw kept his rod in pace, while the other absently began to run though red and black quills. He let a small smile settle on his face as quiet, deep purrs began to emanate from Shadow as he fell asleep.

[shunin-gumis]

Nagi Hachinoya Novel

Essence of a Bouquet

Track 05 - Your Happiness

Ryui "Coming through!"

Toi "Hello!"

Nagi "Excuse us."

The audience stirred at the sudden appearance of intruders.

The venue of the Secret Energy's meet-and-greet was held on the first floor of a building at the outskirts of town. That said, perhaps due to some financial circumstances, the inside was just a simple structure of a cramped conference room lined with metal folding-chairs. From the window you could see cargo trucks zip by.

Hideko "Who are you!?"

Master Hideko was on the stage, in the flesh. As expected, she looks exactly as her avatar did.

I only wanted to find Norisuke-san, but… I just realized I only knew him through the black cat avatar he uses. I couldn't help but be astonished at how I had jumped the gun here.

Just then, Toi had climbed up the stage. He gently pulled back Master Hideko, who was frozen in shock, and took her place in front of the mic. He directed his clear gaze towards the believers who were watching.

Toi "I'm sorry for surprising you like this, my name is Toi Shiramitsu."

Hideko "No way… why would someone like that be here…"

Master Hideko's face was growing paler by the second. As expected, there's no way she wouldn't recognize Toi if they worked in the same field.

By now, the men in black, who I assume were part of the management, finally come back to their senses to try and quell the commotion. One of them gets up on stage to try and grab Toi, but Ryui intercepts him with an impressive spinning roundhouse kick.

Nagi "Wow, as expected of a delinquent…"

Ryui "What the hell are you doing! Get your ass over here and help me out!

Nagi "Okaay."

I'm worried about Norisuke-san, but Toi comes first. That said, I couldn't see myself winning against these brawny folks in a match of strength. What to do… But maybe I don't have to worry about it. After all, when I collect enough happiness, I'll get rebound with misfortune instead. That's how my "Yajirobe of Fortune and Misfortune"* works.

Toi "I have no intention of blaming any of you. After all, you were simply trying your best to chase after your own happiness, I can understand that."

Hearing those words from Toi, who was speaking with such clarity… Not to mention, the two of them took precious time out of their day to help someone like me... I truly am blessed.

Ryui "Hachinoya, watch out! The lights are about to fall on top of you!"

Nagi "Whoops."

Mob "Takashima got crushed under the lights while he was trying to get the intruder!"

And so, for the amount of fortune I receive, I'm hit with a rebound of an equal amount of misfortune right after-

Toi "It's must have been so hard on you, Hideko-san. I'm truly sorry for what happened with your husband. I know that you're just trying to fill the void he left behind with money, isn't that right? But money could never replace your husband."

Ryui "Oi! A runaway truck's headed straight towards you! Get out of the way Hachinoya!!"

Nagi "Okaay."

Mob "Gyaaaahh!! Just how many got dragged under that!?"

Maybe it was already a given… that this situation would end up like this.

Toi "I want to save each and every one of you believers, including Hideko-san. Not a single person will be left behind, because that is my mission. And once you learn about true happiness, you will be able to provide happiness to those around you as well."

Mob "What!? That truck was actually packed with cattle!?"

"MOOOoooOOOoOOOOOOoooOOOOO!"

Ryui "The rampaging cattle are all heading towards Hachinoya!!"

Nagi "Better run."

"MMOOOOOOOoooOOOOoOOoOooooOOO!"

Ryui was helping evacuate the crowd, Toi and Master Hideko joined their hands together in prayer, and the black suits were being chased around by the cattle from the rebound of my bad luck. The truck driver helped out the blacksuits who were nearly run over by the truck, while Toi continued his sincere sermon that left the believers quiet and in tears.

I did it again. All I wanted to do was find Norisuke-san… But maybe-

Nagi "If only I could somehow make use of this unlucky disposition of mine…"

Ryui "What the hell are you muttering about now Hachinoya, get a grip already! Just look at what's happened to this place!"

Nagi "Sorry."

Ryui "You think a sorry's gonna cut it!?"

Ryui's voiced echoed through the hall along with the cries of the cattle.

~

The next day, the news goes like this-

"The downfall of a company that had been defrauding people using "spiritual" business practices brought about by a horde of rampaging cattle. There were 19 casualties…"

~

Nagi "Yes, is that so…. I see, I'm glad you're safe."

A few days later.

I got a call from Norisuke-san. A tech-illiterate like me would have never known about this, but apparently it's simple to find out the profile of someone you befriend in mahorova. I never checked any of the settings, so all my info was out in the open, including my phone number, which was how Norisuke-san contacted me.

Norisuke "But seriously, I can't believe something like that happened at the meeting…"

Norisuke-san was safe and sound. Apparently, he had attended the meeting that day, but partway through his condition worsened and he had to leave early. We'd barged in soon after that… It was a miraculous near-miss.

Norisuke "A long time ago, I was the cause of a certain someone's unhappiness. Ever since then, I'd had a long string of bad luck follow me… That's why I fell for a scam like that."

Nagi "I see, so that's why..."

Norisuke "But in spite of it all, we still have to keep moving forward. You should do the same too, Negi-kun."

Nagi "I will."

Norisuke "Oh that's right. Since it was fate that we got to cross paths, why don't we meet up some time? Offline, of course."

Nagi "Would that be ok? I'd love to."

We make a promise to meet up when we can both make the time for it, and cut the call.

I wonder what kind of person Norisuke-san is? It's so easy to talk to him, I'm sure we'll get along even when meeting offline. Holding onto my excitement, I decide to do my best today as well and just then-

Mrs.Minemori "Good morning Hachinoya-kun!"

Mr.Minemori "Yo Hachinoya."

The Minemori couple dropped by. They're happily holding hands today as well.

Mrs.Minemore "I'd like one of your flowers of happiness today as well."

Mr.Minemori "Your flowers are the best in the world after all."

The two of them smile while looking at each other.

Ever since the day I gave Minemori-san a flower when she was in despair, the couple's luck had turned around.

The bird that flew away had come back with a winning lottery ticket in it's mouth, their disowned son came back home, the scammer was caught… A lot happened. At first we thought it was just a coincidence, but after giving them flowers on a different day, their streak of good luck continued further. That's when I first realized my special skill.

That I could give away my happiness through flowers. I could push the excess onto others, leaving me in a neutral state, which meant that I wouldn't attract any bad luck. I was grateful enough that they helped me come to this realization, and yet-

Mrs.Mineori "The Flower Laundry has a good reputation in the neighborhood, I'm very proud as it's owner."

With the money they won from the lottery, they opened a flower shop, had it joint with the laundromat, and hired me as the manager. They even let me move into the 2nd floor of the shop because they'd decided to retire and move in with their son. Apparently they felt it was the right thing to do when they found out I was the child who had been abandoned at the shop. In other words, the reason I got to where I am is all thanks to these two.

Mrs.Mineori "I'm sorry about what happened with your mother… But I wonder where your father is?"

Nagi "……"

Mr.Mineori "He might be closer than you think! Why don't you try looking for him?"

Nagi "I… guess I should."

I reply with a nod, and pick up a single flower.

The scent of fresh laundry is the scent of partings.

The scent of a flower is the scent of happiness.

In this shop where both scents meld together, once again I part my happiness onto someone else.

Nagi "Muuuuun.."

~

Note:

*Yajirobe is a term used for Japanese balancing toys. The mechanism involves balancing the main body at a fulcrum and making sure it doesn't tilt too far in either direction before it's balanced again, swinging back like a pendulum.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

[mngo-jii]

MC's always so happy and cheerful ☹️ i wonder how everyone would react to her suddenly being a lot more gloomy than usual. could be either romantic or platonic hcs!

“ WHAT’S UP WITH YOU ? ”

characters: daniel page, lottie turner, ivy warrington, robyn thistlethwaite, kevin farrell, cassandra vole + frey twins

letter ✉️: good morning (for those who have the same time zone as i do) for some reason this didn't post and remained on queue 😐.. these might be a little ooc im sorry

★ DANIEL PAGE

he’s the first to notice the way you’re acting.

next to his concern is likely astonishment because he had never seen you this... miserable before

he’s like thats my job!!!

eventually he gets tired of seeing you so gloomy like there's a raincloud over your head, he drags you somewhere that would cheer you up, like maybe a trip to hogsmeade or a shopping spree at madam malkin’s robes.

and he’ll pay for it allll. he’ll get a little annoyed if you insist him that its ok

he watches you the entire time and takes note of how slowly the way you react or behave evolves back to your usual self

but if it’s something a simple trip won’t fix, then expect him to force the reason out of you

he doesn’t mean to be a bit pushy, he’s just so worried and can’t stand the sight of you so sad anymore 😭

you never knew he’d be caught in a position like this but here you are sobbing in his arms

he won’t say much other than a few advice here and there, but he shushes you so gently and coos at you while running his hands through your hair

very relieved once youre better 💯 but don’t tease him for cheering you up or he won’t do this ever again (he definitely will)

he tells you a sad expression doesn’t fit a (pretty) face like yours

★ LOTTIE TURNER

she’s also one of the first to notice after daniel

unlike daniel who’d wait when you two are alone, she asks the second she notices, even during a conversation amongst the group that has nothing to do with you

“[MC] are you okay???” she asks, concern lacing her voice. she interrupted someone when she asked that but it doesn’t matter 😭

why?? because youre sad. and its usually you who comforts them

so this is obviously a very serious problem

she’s very sweet and unlike daniel she'll leave you alone after the 2nd time of you refusing to talk about it, and instead would ask what she can do to comfort you

if you don’t refuse but rather completely break down in front of her, she panics and instantly rushes to pull you in a hug

“oh no no no don't cry im sorry-”

“i don't know what to do im sorry :((”

rocks you back and forth in the hug like a small child and wipes your tears with her thumbs :')

hours later she’s presenting you a little sketch of you and her in some flower field with smiley faces and ‘no sad’ written above

★ IVY WARRINGTON

also doesn’t notice AT FIRST until a little while later or when lottie points it out

strokes the top of your head like you're a cat 😭 “what's wrong, [MC]? :(”

brings you things like maybe flowers, small trinkets, biscuits, and pastries in hopes of cheering you up

honestly can’t function properly knowing you're sad

her mood would switch the moment she remembers you during times she'd usually be really happy and go “[MC] is sad right now :/”

nonstop talks about you, rlly worried

kind of tries to guess why you're sad like

“maybe they’re sad because [some random reason at this point because of the amount of times she tried to guess]”

will give you the best hugs if you let her

“we’ll always be here for you :)”

she squeezes you a bit before letting you go

★ ROBYN THISTLETHWAITE

is a bit awkward about it when she notices but shes rlly worried

“hey.. a-are you okay?” she places her hand on your shoulder when she sees how down you are

also a little astonished like daniel and only now did she realize that this was your first time ever being this way

because usually you were the one helping and looking out for them

kind of feels bad when she realizes that 😞 and also a little guilty

she tells the others about this guilt and eventually it kind of spreads

makes an entire plan with the others like “mission cheer up [MC]”

she’s gonna pop up randomly out of nowhere, like constantly, and will show you something you’d probably like

“hey! hey, [MC]! check out what i got! pretty cool, right?”

“yes its cool i guess 🙁”

“😟”

she tries her best 😭 it’s a little overwhelming but u can’t say it isn’t endearing how much she’s desperately trying to cheer you up

★ KEVIN FARRELL

a little too immersed with other things to notice for a while, but he catches on when someone points it out

doesn’t know what to do 🧍🏻‍♀️

kind of just lets the others take care of you but he gets rlly guilty about it 😭😭

robyn would drag him to help her cheer you up, and he’d comply quite easily because its the most he can do

he’s just as desperate as robyn too

doing your own things silently and having to predict which one of them is gonna pop up is like playing fnaf or something

he slowly starts to see that their efforts aren’t working and tries to convince robyn to do something else

he rlly wants to comfort you himself because he knows its the best course of action at this point, but he’s also a little awkward 😭

now he feels guilty about that TOO ☠️

when robyn pointed out you were always there for them he was guilty. when he just stood aside and let the others work it out he was guilty. now he feels guilty because his friend is literally SAD but he’s too awkward to go up to them 😭

he rlly worries about u, he rlly does! pls dont take it that he doesnt 😞

★ CASSANDRA VOLE

side eyes you

“can any of you little rascals tell me why they’re doing that ?”

“doing what...”

“doing that.”

gets annoyed because you dont react at all when she’s there 😭 as in you’re so stoic-faced and miserable it doesnt feel real

is very deep in thought as she stares at you from a distance

she doesnt wanna admit shes worried about you but she definitely could not stand you ‘looking like that’ anymore

glowers at your friends’ ‘useless efforts’ on cheering you up

life gets boring for her because you honestly dont care anymore, and your other friends are too busy with you to pay attention to her or the twins

eventually she just gives in

“i’ll show you all how it’s done”

after classes you return to your dorm to see a gift wrapped in gold on your bed with a letter beside it

when you open it, it’s something that you’ve been wanting for a really really long time but couldn’t afford :') how did she know about it? well it’ll remains mystery

“you look hideous with that look on your face. wipe it off. - C.V”

while the letter could have been nicer, she means well, but she wont admit it

★ bonus: THE TWINS

really REALLY confused and salty 😭 they’re probably the most confused of the bunch

while robyn and kevin desperately try to cheer you up at the most random times, they don’t rlly stop being pricks randomly for a while

it’s not to make you feel worse it’s just to desperately get to see you react like how you used to 😭

life gets boring for them too. like i said, the others are also too worried about you to pay attention to them

fischer will just go “pshh. whatever. let’s go” and marches away

but colby approaches your friends. “aye, what’s going on with them? 😒”

they’re taken aback and go like “why would you care”

he scowls at them and says that he doesnt that he just wants to know

they dont tell him and it makes him more salty

dont expect them to do anything they just keep their distance for a while until you feel better ☠️ you dont know if they do it out of niceness or because theyve gotten bored but wtv

[pengweng-quack]

Being a Witch with Vampires

Carlisle Cullen x Witch!OC

Summary: Stella (A witch) and Carlisle (A vampire), and how they blossomed from roommates to friends(?) to partners

Chapter 1/7

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7

Notes:

This was inspired by this fanfic on tumblr by lis-likes-fics titled "In My Defense, I Was Left Unsupervised"

This is also on Ao3 under the same title and same username too if you'd like to read it there (https://archiveofourown.org/works/53448940)

Posting is random lol, hope you guys enjoy this story

Word Count: 5095 words

TW for this chapter: vomitting, blood mentions

Masterlist

~1700~

Stella Allicere was out and about late at night. She'd just come out of a heated argument with her partner, in which the two of them were on the verge of casting terrible spells at each other had she not decided to just leave. With the dramatic rise in vampire assaults in Italy, which she knew that the Volturi was behind, she knew she shouldn't be out this late. But she'd rather battle vampires than deal with her demanding, controlling mate.

“Witch’s blood. Enticing.” A voice hissed behind her, getting her attention “Never thought I’d live to tell the tale of tasting one.”

“Now, now, we shall not be selfish in what could be shared.” Another voice scolded. She had a feeling there were four vampires around, but she was never good at guessing, so she braced herself for more.

“And she feels our presence.” A third voice taunted, and with their vampiric speed, there were at least five vampires in front of her

“You wouldn’t want this, I assure you.” Stella said, preparing herself for another battle

“And the witch speaks!” A feminine voice fake cheered, earning mocking laughs from the other

“I suggest you don’t attack her.” A tone that expresses nothing but superiority ordered from behind Stella “You do know the treaty that we have with witches, right?”

“And once we've drained every ounce of blood from her, that pact will still be honored.” The leader of the coven hissed at the guy “The treaty only asks to not attack them. It said nothing about not finishing the witch themselves.”

“I’m too tired to deal with anything today. Give me a break.” Stella sighed and motioned for the five vampires to be lifted into the air with her hands. Red cords were now all around them, barring any movement from the five vampires, thanks to another movement of her hands.

The red ropes caught fire in an instant. Thanks to additional manipulation from the witch's fingers, the wire was now on their neck, gently but steadily detaching their heads from their bodies. The heads of the vampires were detached and flung away with a single snap from her, while the body was left to burn.

“You looked to be having a bad day if you were killing vampires in this manner.” The guy earlier, who was watching in astonishment, pointed out, as he steps closer to Stella

“Don’t wonder too much. Curiosity kills the cat.” Stella growled, snapping her fingers and watching the decapitated vampires' bodies burn to ash

“Carlisle Cullen.” The guy, Carlisle, introduced himself “An honor to meet your kind.”

“Stella Allicere.” Stella introduced herself, just to be civil

“What got you so heated up in the first place?” Carlisle inquired as she turned around and began going in the opposite direction. He seemed to take that as an invitation to go around with her, so he did just that.

“My mate. Or so they say is my mate.” Stella replied, accepting the vampire's unannounced but not unwanted presence

“Do you witches just not know whether someone is their mate or not?” He asked curiously

“We just feel it, we don’t particularly just know.” She answered quickly “Why, do you get some sort of feeling when someone is your mate?”

“Wouldn’t know myself, I haven’t met my mate.” Carlisle answered with a shrug

“You work for the Volturi, right?” Stella asked, and he nodded without hesitation “Are you planning on drinking my blood?”

“Despite my colleagues' attempts to persuade me to drink human or witch blood, I have no desire to do so as we could survive just fine with animal blood as an alternative.” He answered earnestly 

“Interesting.” Stella nodded “That explains your golden eyes in comparison to the red eyes I've seen on other vampires, doesn't it?”

“Exactly.” He answered her curiosity

Throughout the night, the two of them continued to talk and wander around the city. Only until the sunshine struck Carlisle's arm, where it began to gleam brightly, did they realize they'd spent the night together. 

Stella was astounded by what she was witnessing; what she believed were legends was literally happening right in front of her eyes. The shimmer reminded Stella of diamonds being struck by light, but it was clear on Carlisle’s face that it wasn't something he wanted her to witness.

“Please accept my apologies; I believe the clock is signaling that it is time for me to return back to the castle.” Carlisle said sheepishly, pulling his arm away to the shadow areas

Stella turned the skies cloudy with a wave of her fingers, allowing Carlisle to walk around freely as they spent the last minutes before they had to part ways.

For eternity?

She hopes not.

“You didn’t have to—

“Well, good for you, because I wanted to.” Stella answered with a small smile just as they reach the Volturi castle

“Are you safe?” Carlisle asked “You know, from your mate?”

“I was deemed the blessed witch of today way back when my mother was still carrying me, therefore I should be able to defend myself enough.” Stella answered with a chuckle, sensing his genuine concern on her “And, you know, I have a certain vegetarian vampire on standby in case I can't handle him alone.”

“You already know who to seek.” Carlisle giggled, playfully winking at her

“I seem to have forgotten. You don’t mind reminding me, do you?” Stella teased, a smile slowly forming on the corners of her lips

Stella looked at Carlisle, his gold eyes showing nothing other than kindness and compassion. ‘He was different,’ she noted. If he ever offers her to be his everlasting mate, she would ponder before answering.

He’s different.

Carlisle's golden eyes flashed at that moment. He desired nothing more than to disappear into the witch's grey eyes. It perplexed him since he'd read a lot of books in his life, but none of them specifically mentioned a vampire-witch pairing. And, given that he had barely met Stella, he was cautious to claim her as his mate too. He did, however, desire her presence with him always.

Carlisle may deny it, but he has a sneaking suspicion that this certain confident witch will be his everlasting companion.

~1720~

“Who decided that knocking at night is acceptable?” Stella hissed as she opened the door, only to discover Carlisle, who appeared to have been in a fight. His once posh looking hair was messy, and he seemed to be rattled, and in a rush

“Join me.” He invited at once

“Join you in what?” Stella asked “And what happened to you?”

“I left the Volturi.” He answered “Aro didn’t take it well. He ordered the guards to try and stop me.”

“Carlisle!” Stella scolded “What were you thinking?!”

“Who’s in there?” Sam, Stella’s supposed mate, asked.

If Carlisle had a heart, it would have dropped in realization already. He was forcing her to leave her mate, whether declared or not. He was robbing her of a life of peace. But he needed her.

He’ll always need her.

“None of your concern.” Stella answered to him before he turned around and closed the door of his room

“Join me.” Carlisle invited again

Stella would not deny that the previous two decades he's spent with Carlisle had made her question whether a witch-vampire mate was feasible, despite the fact that no texts backed the theory. 

Now that Carlisle is encouraging her to live a life other than that of a housewife, she realizes that it wasn't her desire to leave that lifestyle that prompted her to consider joining, but rather the simple fact that Carlisle was the one inviting her.

She would choose a life with Carlisle, no matter how rough the outcome will be.

“No pressure, dear Stella,” Carlisle said, looking warily behind him “But we have to move now if we want to be away quickly.”

“Give me a moment to prepare some stuff.” Stella argued before motioning her hands and allowing a number of her belongings to fly around and land in a neighboring trunk.

“How about Sam?” Carlisle asked

As Carlisle watched Stella scramble around the house for stuff that she thinks they’ll need while on the run, all he could think about was how much he wanted Stella to accompany him on his journey around the world. Forgetting that Stella has a partner with whom she has spent more time than they have. 

He knew it was selfish of him to request Stella's presence 

But he wanted nothing more than to be selfish of her.

“He’s not my mate.” Stella simply said, grabbing the trunk and walking out the house with Carlisle “You know he’s not my mate.”

“He deserves to know,” Carlisle argued

“And if he knew, I wouldn’t be able to accompany you. He’ll bring this to my family, his family. We wouldn’t even be able to step out of Italy.” Stella argued back “So much in asking me to join you.”

With what she stated, Carlisle remained silent. Stella clearly desired to reclaim the independence she had lost when Sam was announced as her partner. But now, as they walked to the outskirts of town, he was deep in contemplation, debating whether bringing her into the mess he had created was a good idea or a selfish gesture.

“Are you second-guessing?” Stella asked him

“You have till now to express your disinterest in joining me. I'll understand.” Carlisle realized that he needed to provide her with a choice. If he pulls her away from everything she's built, he'll feel extremely terrible

“Don't you think if I wasn’t truly interested in joining you, I would have notified you as soon as possible?” Stella asked him. Why was he second-guessing his decision when she was a self-assured witch who would speak out when she believed it was necessary?

“Are you sure?” Carlisle asked her again

“Yes,” Stella answered without hesitation

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily now, you know?” Carlisle asked her, lightening the mood the he ruined earlier

“Well, good for me. I’m not sure for you though.” Stella shrugged, before smiling widely at him

Carlisle realized that the punishments he would have from the Volturi was something he couldn't easily avoid but he was assured that he would be secure with the assistance of her confident witch. At least for the time being.

~1918~

“Stella?” Carlisle called, entering the home the two own. Carlisle was well aware that there were days when Stella was completely absorbed in her studies, and the mere sight of him after he stayed for a while helping in the hospitals surprised her. So much for being a witch who is mindful of her surroundings.

“Here!” Stella announced, stepping out of the kitchen

“Baking?” Carlisle asked, seeing the stray flour on her cheeks. 

‘She looked so…human at that moment. And it was like I was her husband, getting home from work.’

‘Husband?’

‘Do I want her to be my wife?’

“Yeah, it got too messy seeing as— who is he?” Stella asked, cutting Carlisle’s pondering as she sees the new guy behind Carlisle, who was trying to sneak away

“Edward Cullen.” Carlisle introduced to the shy guy who stopped in his tracks once he was called out

“Carlisle—

“His mother begged me to keep him alive—

“Not for eternity!”

Carlisle was terrified at the prospect of Stella being outraged by his decision. He was terrified of offending her in any way after their first encounter. However, she just must understand this one. 

“That’s why you were gone for a while, weren’t you?” Stella asked in and oddly calm manner “Because you were helping his thirst?”

“You know he won't be able to control himself if he was exposed to you too soon,” Carlisle explained “Because the smell of your blood is very alluring to us vampires.”

“You got him under control now, right?” Stella asked again in the same calm tone

“Yes, but in the meanwhile, I recommend that you share a room with me.” Carlisle offered, getting Stella to raise her eyebrows at him “You know, for your safety?”

“Sure.” Stella agreed, though not convinced that it was just the reason

“Please don’t think of things like that.” Edward asked in a barely audible tone

“You can read my mind?” Stella asked quietly

“I can hear both of your thoughts, yours a bit harder but I could still do so. Both are messy and all over the place.” He replied, answering her question “However, I chose to concentrate on only one. It wasn't really enjoyable.”

“Alright, I’ll keep note of your telepathy.” Stella frowned, knowing that she doesn’t have any sort of privacy now if it weren’t for her own mental abilities “Carlisle, mind if we have a talk?”

“Y-yeah.” Carlisle stuttered, and quickly followed her to their shared room in the mean time

“You owe me an explanation.” Stella hissed at him the moment the door of their room was shut

“And I’ll give it, just calm down pretty woman.” Carlisle said, sitting on the bed that he had in his room, for aesthetic purposes obviously

“Spanish Influenza, he was nearing death.” Carlisle started, staring at the witch, who was waiting for additional information, in front of him “His mother pleaded with me to save him and keep him alive; I know I have you, and that's more than enough; but he was alone in this world. His mother had died, his father had died, and he was alone. I couldn't abandon him, you understand that, right?”

“This won’t be the last time you’re doing that, are you?” Stella asked with raised eyebrows

Carlisle was at a loss for what to say in response to her desire for a commitment. He was a doctor who saved lives and was ready to convert people into vampires to save them, but was this ethical? 

“It won’t be.” Stella answered to her own question “Look, let’s come down to an agreement.”

“I let you know if I’m turning someone into a vampire?” Carlisle asked her

“No. That’s too much work. And you need to help their thirst before you introduce them to me anyways.” Stella disagreed “You quickly explain to me if you’re taking another vampire home, no trying to hide them or anything.”

“That could be managed.” Carlisle said, standing up and hugging Stella, feeling the warmth of her skin in contrast to his cold ones

~1933~

“Carlisle— hello there.” Stella said, startled at the presence of another woman in their living room

“Rosalie Hale.” Edward introduced to the woman

“Are you alright?” Stella quickly asked, sensing how she was anxious

“Stella— and you’ve met her before I introduced her to you.” Carlisle said as he walked into the room before seeing that Stella has met Rosalie already, making him sigh lightly “I’m nearing me getting yelled at by you again, huh?”

“You’re terrible at hiding surprises.” Stella teased lightly before sitting next to Rosalie

“Are you also a vampire?” Rosalie asked her, ‘it seemed like she wasn’t enticed by her blood’ Stella noted

“No.” Stella answered, shaking her head “But, I'm a witch if you’re wondering, there's no need to be afraid of harming me so terribly. I'm almost as tough as all vampires. Can fend off myself.”

“Almost.” Carlisle gave emphasis to the word

“What happened to you anyways?” Stella asked her

“Monsters happened. They’re all monsters.” Rosalie said through gritted teeth “I’ll get them back. Slowly and brutally.”

“Who did this to you?” Stella asked again, feeling a sense of protecting the woman next to her right now

“Her fiancé and his friends.” Edward answered, probably seeing the answer to Stella’s question in Rosalie’s thoughts

“I’m getting you a gown to wear when murdering them.” Stella decided at once, standing up and walking to her room to prepare for getting the gown

“Stella.” Carlisle warned, close on her heel as they enter their room

“Are they together?” Rosalie asked Edward who could only shrug in response

“Been with them since the 1920’s, never had an answer if they were together.” Edward answered “So, much for being the mind reader, don’t you think?”

Carlisle could only watch as Stella used her magic to create the perfect wedding gown for Rosalie as they entered the chamber. He quickly saw how determined Stella was to assisting Rosalie with her vengeance, something that she was always so against with. And that changed his opinion on her.

He just realized how right he was with his suspicion all those decades ago.

~1935~

“Carlisle!” Rosalie’s desperate voice yelled from outside, startling the two who were having a lazy day

“Carlisle! Stella!” Edward now called out, getting the two to quickly stand up and see why both Rosalie and Edward were calling for them

Stella and Carlisle were both surprised to see a bleeding guy on Rosalie's arm as they walked out of the room. She was visibly upset, prompting Stella and Carlisle to act quickly. 

“What happened?” Carlisle asked, seeing for any signs of survival on the man

“He was mauled and assaulted by a bear. I was going to personally change him, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, his blood is enticing me so much. So, I brought him to you.” Rosalie sobbed, and it was clear that if tears could flow down her cheeks that she had already shed some. 

“You have to help him Carlisle.” Edward, who was always so against with Carlisle changing people to vampires, begged him. Stella had a feeling that he saw how distressed Rosalie’s thoughts were, and that got him to help her in getting Carlisle to change the man

“Stella, can you prolong his existence for a little longer?” Carlisle asked

“I can’t.” Stella immediately responded, knowing that it was a different branch of magic, one that she had sworn she would never study in fear of being hooked to it and using it in exchange of accepting the consequences

“You have to do it now.” Stella urged him, sensing the life fading away from the man in Rosalie’s arm

With Stella’s urging, as well as Edward and Rosalie’s begging, Carlisle went and bit his neck. Starting the man’s transformation to a vampire. Soon, he was pulling away from the guy’s neck. Wiping his mouth and looking at the guy 

“Stella?” Carlisle asked, seeing the sickened look on the witch’s face. In a quick act, Carlisle took Stella and carried her bridal style, taking her to the rest room where she just barely made it to the toilet. He patiently watched as she started puking her guts out in disgust from what she just witnessed

"I'm sorry, you didn't have to witness that." Stella murmured, just as Carlisle passed her a bundled-up tissue which she used to wipe her mouth

"Are you alright?" Carlisle asked, rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her down

"It must have been all too much for me." Stella weakly answered, resting her figure on the bathroom walls and catching her breath

"It's alright. No need to feel bad just because you reached your limits." Carlisle assured her “Though, why’d you stay?”

"I was already feeling sick the moment Rosalie brought him in, you know, the blood and everything, but I wanted to stay. Because Rosalie was lost and didn't know what to do at that moment. I tried extremely hard to keep it together until it was all done, but it was just too much." Stella rambled, while Carlisle watched her with nothing but adoration on his face

Carlisle was well aware of Stella's willingness to make sacrifices for their new forming family; her being with them was already a huge risk for her. But the fact that she sat through something she didn't want to watch to console his adoptive daughter made his dead heart quiver. She was the reason he felt human again.

All those decades ago, it was just a feeling Stella was his match. But now, he knew Stella was his soul mate. He just needed to know if she felt the same way for him as well

‘Or if this was all a ploy for your demise’ a part of his brain taunted to him

Knowing about how her blood affects vampires from one of her books lightly scared him. Though it also proved his point that the witches have always been stronger than vampires. It’s just the vampires are more…full of themselves, as she says.

Would she really spend this long just for one vampire’s demise?

Everyone was looking forward to the newborn vampire's emergence a few days later. Rosalie is more jittery than normal due to her anxiety. Carlisle has ordered Stella to remain away for a time, to her dismay, but with the help of Rosalie and Edward, she has been able to get around the home. She's the only one who can make them feel better.

"Is he awake?" Rosalie asked Stella who was peaking. The guy was still changing, it was slow but Stella had some assurance that he was changing

"Carlisle's coming." Edward informed. Stella and Rosalie had one look at each other before Stella hugged her for assurance.

"I have to go. I'll see you soon." Stella said, rubbing her back one last time before sneaking out the nearby window

Stella heard Rosalie's call for help to Carlisle before she could fully escape. Stella realized that the newborn vampire was awake. She dashed back into the home, instantly understanding that she was the source of the problem. While Carlisle, Rosalie, and Edward fought to stop him, the man was trying all in his power to get to Stella.

"Stella!" Carlisle called as the three of them were thrown aside by the guy and quickly attacked Stella

He was quicker than Stella so she couldn't run. As a result, she made the decision to protect herself. With a rapid stroke of her fingers, the newborn had red ropes wrapped around his body and legs, tripping him up as he attempted what he could do to get free off the cords.

"I told you not be here!" Carlisle yelled, rushing to be in front of Stella in an attempt to protect her

"Let him free, we'll hunt with him." Edward said

"No!" Rosalie argued immediately "We have to take him out the house first! It's too dangerous for Stella if we free him now."

"Set him free once we step out the house. Then we'll quickly hunt." Carlisle ordered "Rosalie, stay with Stella."

As they walked out the door, Edward and Carlisle assisted the newborn in standing up. Stella swiftly removed the wires she had conjured up on him after the door was shut, and they went off to hunt.

"He's angry at you, isn't he?" Rosalie asked, guilt laced in her tone

"It'll pass." Stella coolly answered

"I'm sorry. You wouldn't do this if you didn't sense that we were anxious for him. Because of that, your life was just placed in danger." Rosalie apologized, sitting on the couch as she waits for the three

"Don't apologize." Stella assured, sitting next to her "I willingly helped you two out. I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to."

"Why'd you think he's mad at you?" Rosalie asked after a long silence between the two

"I don't particularly think that he's mad at me that way. He wouldn't specifically be that vocal if he's mad." Stella frowned "I think he's more hurt than mad."

"Hurt?" Rosalie asked

"It's easier to say why you're mad as to why you're hurt." Stella explained "He'll find it easier to explain that he was mad at me for not listening to him than explaining that he's hurt because of my actions."

"Does he believe that or that's what you've noticed on him?" Rosalie asked

"A bit of both, I guess." Stella shrugged

Edward, Carlisle, and the newborn, who had introduced himself as Emmett, returned from their hunting trip a little time later. Carlisle was the first to enter the home, rushing up to Stella to protect her.

“Hi.” Emmett greeted, waving his hand at the two that he just met

“Hi.” Carlisle said in a rush, before dragging Stella up to their room

“Are they together?” Emmett asked as both Edward and Rosalie shrugged in response

“Why were you there?” Carlisle hissed the moment that the door was shut, separating them from the outside world and leaving them on their own for a while, giving them the illusion of privacy in a house filled with vampires with vampiric senses

“Because they needed me.” Stella hissed back, ready to argue “Edward had no idea how to console others, and Rosie – poor Rosie – had no idea what to anticipate. I couldn’t leave them alone at that moment, you know I can’t.”

“What about me? Who needs you being alive and well just as much as they do? How will you have stayed with me if you – wishing to whatever deity there is that it never happens – didn’t make it out alive tonight?” Carlisle asked in a tone louder than how he usually would when they argued

What he said took Stella by surprise. They've been together for decades, but she was taken aback when he stated flatly that he relies on her for his desire to continue living. She was well aware that she, too, was reliant on him for the desire to continue living, but she would never confess it, particularly to him.

“Say something.” Carlisle said, startling Stella

“Witches are the most powerful supernatural beings that there is. A witch is exceptionally difficult to be killed, especially by vampires. They will only be severely harmed if attacked.” Stella explained to him, ignoring the strong heartbeats in her chest “You came across me when five vampires attempted to group up on me. I know you believe in me and my abilities, so why have you begun to mistrust me?”

“I don’t doubt you and your abilities. I never did.” Carlisle said, sitting down on his bed

“It’s just— you know what, never mind. Just don’t do something like that again.” Carlisle started to continue before changing his mind “Don’t be too reckless. I need you.”

Stella could have sworn with all her might that she felt human again when Carlisle told her that he needed her. The sensation of blood racing up her cheeks, turning them a pale scarlet, the sensation of butterflies in her stomach, and the desire to rush up to him and kiss him. He made her feel human again, a feeling that she missed

Stella realized at that instant that this particular vampire was her true mate. Now she just needed to know if he thought of her the same way.

~1950~

Rosalie, Emmett, Edward, and Carlisle were out hunting for the night and Stella was busy finishing a book when she heard a knock on the door

“Carlisle, you can enter without knocking in your own home!” Stella groaned, bothered that someone disrupted her reading

“I’m not Carlisle.” A sweet woman’s voice said from outside the door. Which confused Stella, they weren’t expecting any guests, especially this late. So, she did what any sane witches would do…

“Who are you and what are your intentions?” She loudly asked, preparing for a battle

“I’m Alice!” Alice sweetly introduced, and Stella was more intrigued than ever, because why is she introducing herself if she has plans to attack?

Stella approached the door, carefully opening it and peering outside to see who was speaking. She noticed two persons, one of them was a small female with pixie-like features and was exceedingly thin. Her glossy black hair was cropped short and pointed in every way. She was accompanied by a tall man with honey blond hair that dropped just below his collar. He is robust but not big in appearance. 

Like the other Cullens, they both has pale, marble-like skin, otherworldly beauty, and bruise-like purple shadows under their eyes. If Stella had not spent multiple decades with the other Cullens, she was certain to have confused them as one as well.

“Stella?” Carlisle asked, seeing the two unknown vampires in their front porch interacting with his confident witch

“Carlisle Cullen!” Alice sweetly said, as if she was excited that she was finally meeting him

“How do you know us?” Carlisle asked, motioning Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett to stay behind as he steps closer

“Oh, we mean no harm!” Alice said in the sweet voice that she had earlier “I can see into the future, and I saw that we were gonna be joining the Cullens. I’m Alice and this is Jasper.”

“She’s not lying.” Edward backed her up “She also knows that we will move back to Forks once every Cullen has full control over their thirst.”

“It’s certain?” Rosalie asked

“The reason is because Forks is Stella’s favorite town.” Edward added, getting Stella to furrow her eyebrows

“Of course.” Emmett teased 

“Who said that Carlisle is the man of the house when Stella is right there? Just one ‘pretty please’ from Carlisle, and suddenly, we’re doing said plead from her.” Emmett continued, getting Rosalie to laugh

“Okay, too much.” Carlisle said, stopping them from saying more about their future “I supposed these two are another addition to our growing family.”

“You’re still very terrible with surprises, you know that?” Stella teased Carlisle

“Oh, you’re in for more surprises though.” Edward said in a teasing tone before walking in the house and leaving them all dumbfounded

“Okay, all of you, to your rooms.” Carlisle said, urging the two “There’s a spare room in the house, but I have a feeling that you know that already?”

“Oh yes.” Alice answered, reaching for Jasper hand and walking into the house. Rosalie and Emmett following next who was side-eyeing each other after hearing what was in their future

“A mind reader, a drop-dead gorgeous woman, someone who could murder me in a flash, a future seer, and someone who might kill me in a flash again are adopted by a doctor and a witch.” Stella listed down, laughing as her and Carlisle entered the house and to their room “When you asked me to join you over a century ago, I didn’t think that it was to build a family.”

“To be fair, I didn’t think that it was gonna end this way too.” Carlisle agreed with her as he rested his arms on her shoulders, pulling her closer to him

[roseredfae]

An Unpleasant Evening

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You just wanted to have a relaxing evening with good food and unwind with a few funny videos...

ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ: x reader, Billy Butcher, Soldier Boy (Ben), Hughie Campbell, Frenchy, Kimiko

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: humorous, a bit of bad language

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: I love The Boys, especially Soldier Boy and Billy Butcher. My head gets strange ideas sometimes. The story got so long that I had to split it into two parts. Enjoy this first part of the story!

ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ: ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏꜱ

Exhausted, I dragged my large travel bag behind me until I reached the couch, tired and drained, and fell face first onto it. I groaned, annoyed and tired, my voice muffled by the couch cushions. In my self-pity, I didn't hear footsteps approaching the couch. It was only when someone tapped me on the shoulder that I jumped up in shock. Billy Butcher, affectionately known to us as Butcher, stood in front of me and raised his hands in a reassuring manner. "Oi, hey, calm down, little one, it's just me."

I breathed out tensely and put my hand on my chest to calm my heartbeat. "Oh man, Butcher! Can't you say something? I didn't even hear you coming." Sighing, I sat up and slid to the side so Butcher could sit next to me. As expected, he sat down next to me and leaned casually on the armrest of the couch.

His calm gaze was searching me, so I turned to him and looked at him questioningly. "What is it?" I was too tired and exhausted for any games. I just wanted to get something to eat delivered and watch a few funny cat videos on my phone to cheer myself up.

"You look like shit. Did something happen that made you pull that face?" Butcher muttered to me. As always, his way of expressing himself was more than questionable, but I wasn't going to get worked up about it tonight. I sighed again before deciding to tell him about my suffering.

"Thanks for the compliment. Yes, something happened. Something very, very stupid. There was a burst pipe in my apartment. Everything is under water. I was just able to save a few things...", I pointed to my large travel bag, "...I've already asked all my friends, but no one has enough space or would be willing to take me in for a few days until the problem is solved. So the only option left for me is the office. I hope you don't mind if I live here for a few days, I promise I won't make a mess and I won't..."

Butcher interrupted my torrent of words with a wave of his hand. "Live here? Bullshit, do you really think I would let you sleep on this old uncomfortable couch for more than one night? Forget it, Missy, you're coming to me."

I looked at Butcher astonished. I already knew that he wasn't as grumpy as he seemed on the outside, but the offer still surprised me. "Really? Is that possible? I don't want to be a burden to you..." Butcher laughed amusedly and put a hand on my shoulder. "As if you could be a burden to me, little one. Don't worry, we'll find a spot for you at my place..."

Just as I was about to answer, the door to the office opened and Ben aka Soldier Boy entered the room, with Hughie in tow. As the two of them came closer, Ben's gaze immediately fell on Butcher's hand on my shoulder and his expression darkened.

When I spotted Hughie, I jumped up from the couch and hugged him. Hughie returned the hug and briefly buried his face in my shoulder. After a few seconds we separated again so that he could give me a sympathetic look. I smiled back encouragingly and didn't even notice what a tense situation suddenly prevailed in the room.

Ben was still glaring angrily at Butcher, who was still sitting in the same place as before, only he now seemed more tense. The two of them looked like panthers who were about to tear each other apart at any moment. Still clueless, I looked up at Hughie. "What are you doing here? And why do you have Soldier Boy with you anyway?"...

Stay tuned for part two!

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 6/11/2024

sibling visit!!!!!!!!! but who cares about that my cats finally greeted each other calmly and politely!!!!!!!!

listening

WET DREAM by SNOW WIFE, off one of my sister's playlists. i have since added it to my playlist titled "SOMEBODY COME FUCK THIS (GAY)". sounds like early kesha?

-

reading

oh right i read a brace of temeraire books last week. we're in australia now. excited to see what sort of bullshit we get up to. i do really love these books and am astonished at home much they Feel like period-typical books, but i am too busy going :D :D :D while reading to have tuesdaypost thoughts about them

-

watching

thank you @rae-being-naughty for this rec bc i inhaled A Murder At The End Of The World in one evening. limited series on hulu that is set in Legally Not Elon Musk's Compound with Legally Not Elon Musk.

"A Murder at the End of the World" is a mystery series with a new kind of detective at the helm -- a Gen Z amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker named Darby Hart. In the new limited series, Darby and eight other guests are invited by a reclusive billionaire to participate in a retreat at a remote and dazzling location. When one of the other guests is found dead, Darby must put to use all of her combined skills to prove it was in fact murder, all against a tide of competing interests and before the killer takes another life.

oh my godddddd do i love a horrible little woman. sopping wet cat pathetic fuckup of a woman. enormous friends at the table clementine kesh vibes here but slightly lesss malicious. now! normally i am a girl's girl. i love women. but my god did darby royally fuck up her former lover.

one of the better hetero-appearing romances ive ever seen-- we fall in love with bill just as much as darby did, and his death drives the show in a way a fridged wife would in a different show.

i like how it is not a show About hacking, and darby became a hacker somewhat incidentally bc she needed to hack to get what she wanted. super tense, beautifully shot, balances current-day and flashbacks well, the twist is honestly bonkers but it is a very fair mystery.

-

playing

got clorinde :) now i have to collect one billion starfish to level her up :(

her story quest was so cute! a really fun visual novel take on ttrpgs/larping! everyone got little character art! i like her more uniform-braid-style outfit in the character art more than her actual outfit but oh well. im sure they'll release that one as an alt outfit at some point

also pulled dehya! pyro claymore wielder! goodbye diluc u were a mainstay on my team for a year but there's a hot girl who fills your same niche now

-

making

my sister was here so a lot of sibling bonding (going to lesbian bars, moving furniture up my horrible stairs, art museums, weeping over impossibly well tended five hundred year old tapestries and carpets, etc). i had an Excellent slice of key lime pie cheesecake at House of Pies-- i do not typically enjoy cheesecake, i feel like it's often too rich and leaves a weird coating on my tongue. alarmingly green but the tartness offset the cheesecake in a very pleasing way.

look at my new desk's woodgrain again

[scorchingdriedink]

When inner desire leads to identity reveal

An mlb fanfic.

Chat Noir's inner desire gets shown to the whole of Paris. This led to an identity reveal, Chat Noir being accused pedophile and Marinette becoming really confused.

_______________

Fireworks lit up the Paris sky as Chat Noir ran across the roof. He was up to date on all holidays, events, and festivals, so he was clueless about why there were so many fireworks when there was no occasion.

As soon as he landed beside her, he said, “I’m so sorry for the delay, M’lady.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I wasn’t transformed, so I didn’t get your calls.”

In reality, he had been watching the fireworks from his window and got distracted by them. “Didn’t you see the news about the fireworks?” she said, pointing to the fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower.

“Oh!” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “You’re that eager to watch fireworks with me?” he waggled his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes. “Chaton, the fireworks are caused by the Akuma.”

His jaw dropped. “Wha- how come? This looks way too festive.”

“Then take a closer look at it,” she said, pulling away and tilting his face towards the night sky.

The fireworks transitioned to a smoke screen that acted as a display, showing a young woman surrounded by many cats in a living room.

"What exactly are we dealing with?" he said, astonished by the sight in front of him.

"The Akuma was a mother. Her daughter won't tell her what she wants to do after college, which ticked her off. Now she is known as Desiderium and has made it her mission to expose everybody’s inner desire."

She pointed towards the Eiffel Tower, where a lady in purple robes and a witch hat was flying across the street on her broomstick. The Akuma shot a beam at a teenage boy. He was unharmed; however, the Akuma's crystal ball glowed, and a beacon of light rocketed up into the sky. It burst into a firework and then transitioned to show everyone the same boy making out with a girl at a high school dance.

Chat Noir looked back at Ladybug and shook his head. "I did not need to see that at all. I only want to do that with you," he smirked.

"Now is not the time to flirt, chaton," she scowled. "Everyone’s privacy is getting compromised."

"She looks pretty harmless. Have you figured out where the Akuma could be?" he asked.

"It's the crystal globe," she said. "The problem is that if I get hit, my desire can reveal my identity."

"Oh. I guess I’m safe then." He brought his finger beneath her chin and pulled her towards him. "Everyone knows that all I want is your love," their lips were a hair’s breadth away. "And a kiss."

A firework burst again, and an array of brilliant light shone on her face. He was close enough to see the sparkles reflecting off her blue eyes. At that moment, she looked beautiful, magnificent, and ethereal. Blush rose to her cheeks, and her lips parted slightly. It gave him hope. This past week, she had started to react differently to his advances. It was quite subtle, so he wasn't sure, but if there was a minuscule chance, he would grab it.

Oh, how he wished he could get a chance to kiss her. Sadly, all he got from her was being pushed away with her finger on his nose.

"What if it showed you wanting to kiss me as your civilian self?"

He blinked. "Now that… is an actual problem."

"You better not get hit."

They jumped into action immediately.

~~~~

Half an hour later, fighting this akuma posed a difficult challenge. Desiderium was quick on its feet and always maintained distance with its long-range attacks. Whenever they tried to catch up to the akuma, it would attack them, and they would narrowly miss its shots.

“A little bit of luck would be nice, LB!” Chat Noir cried out.

Ladybug halted on a rooftop. “Lucky charm!”

A roll of window privacy screen was summoned. Looking at it, she had no idea how to use this to win against the akuma.

Another firework exploded in the sky. This time, the smoke screen showed a woman marching towards a senior man in a fine suit sitting behind an office desk. The woman tossed a paper on the desk and shouted, “I quit!”

The old man smiled. “Brilliant! You may enjoy your freedom.”

The scene changed to the same woman, now in a hair salon styling Clara Nightingale’s hair.

“My hair looks so fine. The talent in your hands is divine!” Clara sang. The woman beamed, and the scene faded away.

All of that lasted within 30 seconds, but it left Ladybug astounded. There was something about that particular desire that bothered her. It felt strange; it made her feel sad.

“Ladybug, watch out!”

She looked up in time to see a flare aimed at her from a sniper distance. Just when light flashed before her eyes, she felt an impact at her side and tumbled to the ground.

Once again, Ladybug found her face very close to Chat Noir’s as he hovered on top of her.

Fireworks shone over his head like a halo. She wouldn’t lie; this past week, her feelings for Chat Noir had been growing. She was entranced by how handsome he looked and felt tingles from the weight of his body on her. With how enticing his lips looked, she almost pulled him down for a smooch.

However, she was shocked by what she witnessed over his head, toward the sky. The explosive display showed, for the whole Paris to see Chat Noir and her sharing a passionate kiss on her balcony under the moonlight. Except she was not shown as Ladybug. She was shown as Marinette.

“Shit,” she heard him mutter above her, who was also looking at the fireworks.

“Is that your desire or mine?” she said, still quite stunned at what she had seen.

Chat Noir looked back at her. “What do you mean, ‘yours or mine’? Your desire is for me to kiss Marinette?”

His weird question made her realize what she had said out loud.

“Uh, I ship you with her?” she said sheepishly.

All he did was look at her with a big question mark on his face, followed by a long silence.

“Chaton?”

Then his eyes widened. “No way,” he whispered. “I was right.”

Suddenly, Chat Noir rolled them out to dodge an attack thrown at them by their latest akuma. He got up and faced Desiderium, who had a neon purple mask blinking on her face. “Who might that be, Chat Noir? Girlfriend?”

“No comments,” he said and took a fighting stance.

“You ain’t fooling anyone. I wonder where she could be.”

“Leave her out of this!”

“Only if you surrender your miraculous,” the Akuma snarled.

An idea struck her, and she looked at the roll of film in her hand. With a plan in her mind, she pretended to whisper while being loud enough to be heard. “Go protect her, Chat Noir. Go to her before the akuma finds out she’s in her room.”

She winked and passed the roll to him. “Keep her in your special vision. I’ll buy you some time.”

She mouthed, ‘She’s not in her room’ before she launched the yo-yo to block the path of Desiderium.

~~~

Keep her in your special vision.

Special vision as in his night vision?

She’s not in her room.

Those were the words she had mouthed even though she declared to everyone that Marinette was in her room. And the lucky charm that she has given to him is a blackout window film.

Oh, now he understood.

He watched Ladybug, busy blocking Desiderium’s path. Then he launched himself with the help of his baton and ran faster than he ever had with all his might.

As soon as he landed on Marinette’s balcony, he quickly covered the skylight with the lucky charm and left it open when he entered. The room was dark, save for the nightlight streaming in through the skylight. All of the windows were already covered with film. He found it strange even when he visited Marinette last night. When he had visited her as Adrien, she mentioned she liked the natural light this attic allowed in. So why were all the windows covered up?

A foreign sound intruded on his thoughts, and his ears picked up the swooshing sound of the akuma gliding closer. He hid himself against the shadows, and saw Desiderium searching throughout the room in dim light. Suddenly, the skylight was shut, and absolute darkness filled the room. With his night vision, Chat Noir could see the akuma becoming frantic against the dark and chose that opportunity to swipe at the glass globe and cataclysm it. After that, Ladybug entered the room and purified the butterfly.

~~~~

The wait for Chat Noir after dropping off the akumatized victim ended when Marinette heard a knock on her skylight. Questions that she had been dying to ask poured out as soon as Chat Noir entered.

“How did you know? How long have you known?”

His eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“My identity!”

He smiled and pulled her closer by wrapping his hands around her waist. “Didn’t I already tell you? My love for you is so strong I’d recognize you the moment I see you as a civilian?” he said.

She pulled away and gave him her most impassive look. “Do you want me to remind you of the first time you met me as Marinette?”

“Why don’t we just pretend and give my love for you some credit—”

“Stop playing dumb, Chaton. Tell me how!”

“This evening. When I got hit saving you,” he said, averting his eyes.

“What?” Her lower lip dropped. “How did you even make the connection?”

“You asked whether it was my desire or yours. It would have been weird for Ladybug’s desire to be about me kissing Marinette. Unless you are Marinette. I actually had my doubts since Kwamibuster. I’m so glad was right” He let out a lovesick sigh. “I still don't want to get my hopes up. But… do you have feelings for me—?”

“So you didn’t know I was Ladybug?” disbelief colored her face.

He looked back at her earnestly. “Really. I swear I didn't know until now.”

“You said you wanted to kiss me. And your desire did show you kissing me, except it was Marinette me.” her brows furrowed.

“True. But I promise I didn’t know it was you, m’lady. Even if I did, I would have let you know.”

“Then how come it showed me instead of… well, the other me? Weren’t you in love with Ladybug?”

“I was shocked as well. It seems I was in denial. Plagg also told me about that. And with how much I have been hanging out with you on the balcony, I guess my affection has shifted to, well, you.”

“So hanging out is all you need to be fickle?” she frowned.

“Hey, I wasn’t fickle. Not falling for you is tricky.”

She blushed, then shook her head. “B-but I’m not even as cool as Ladybug. You probably had an attachment to me because you’re lonely and Ladybug kept rejecting you.” Chat Noir’s jaw dropped. “You did not just say that,” he said in a low voice.

“Well, I can’t think of any other reason why you would like me, especially when you didn’t even know I was Ladybug.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You can’t be serious right now. Did you forget that you are Ladybug?”

“You didn’t know that! I’m a complete ditz otherwise,” she fired back.

“Marinette, you are what makes Ladybug.”

“Give it a rest!” Her voice rose. “Anyone can be Ladybug with the earrings. And even as Ladybug, I’ve just been causing disaster.”

“That’s not true!”

“Oh yeah? Guess who lost all of the Miraculous? Guess who lost our only mentor?” she challenged him.

“That only mentor of ours once lost a whole temple along with the butterfly and peacock Miraculous. Come on, Marinette, not everyone is perfect.”

“Then shouldn’t we get someone perfect when lives are at risk?”

“Wait, we are getting off-topic. I thought this was about me having feelings for you without knowing you’re m’lady.”

“Exactly. I still don’t get why.”

“Marinette. I—”

Both of them jumped away from each other when the trapdoor suddenly opened, revealing Marinette’s mom, Sabine, followed by Nadja.

Upon seeing them, Nadja’s eyes widened. “Chat Noir! It’s good to see you here,” she said as she pushed past Sabine and approached him with a cameraman behind her.

“We were going to ask Marinette a few words for an interview. It would be great for you to join us, Chat Noir. Everyone in Paris wants to know more from you and Marinette.” Chat Noir and Marinette shared a glance.

~~~~

A storm came in the form of Nadja Chamack, and all Chat Noir and Marinette could do was face it. There was a bit of a delay while Chat Noir negotiated with Nadja before the interview began. Both Chat Noir and Marinette were seated in Dupain-Cheng’s living room. Nadja was adjacent to them, and beside her sat a man holding a tablet and a cameraman shooting footage for the interview. Marinette’s parents were also in the room, across from them, seated at the dining table. After the introductions were done, Nadja immediately jumped into questioning them.

"The biggest question that everyone in Paris has on their minds: Are you two dating?" Nadja asked.

Marinette spoke before Chat Noir could answer. "No, we are not dating. And we never will." As she said that Chat Noir’s shoulder slump.

"Then what about Desiderium showing your inner desire to share affections with Marinette, Chat Noir?" Nadja brought her microphone close to him.

"It’s simple, Nadja. I love h—Ow!" He massaged his side where she had elbowed him while she pretended to smile.

Nadja continued, "But as of yesterday, you were declaring your affections to Ladybug." She pointed to the tablet, which displayed a picture of him kissing Ladybug’s hand.

"He does that with every girl. He’s a big flirt," Marinette said, rolling her eyes.

"He does seem to flirt with many maidens," Nadja said, signaling the tablet man, who continued to display pictures of Chat Noir kissing the hands of a little girl, an elderly lady, a woman with a toddler on her hip, and many other female akumatized victims.

"It’s just a gesture of greeting," he pouted. "I was born in the wrong era."

"Will we get to see you both as an official couple in the future?"

"Absolutely not!" Tom interrupted furiously. Nadja simply shifted the microphone toward Tom.

"It’s no surprise that you would succumb to Marinette’s lovable charm," Tom said. "But you are too late! You were given a chance that you carelessly lost. You could have had it all, and we could have seen the little kittens—"

"Papa!" Marinette’s face turned red.

"When did this happen?" Nadja asked.

"It happened when I was akumatized as Weredad. He broke her heart. My poor cupcake cried so much. Chat Noir does not deserve her."

"It’s not your fault, Chat Noir. Declining is the right thing to do when you don’t reciprocate," Sabine added. Chat Noir gave her a sincere smile.

Nadja proceeded, "So what changed, Chat Noir?"

Time spent with Marinette, both as Adrien and Chat Noir, was what changed for him. It’s not something he can easily explain. The next plausible thing he could say, from Chat Noir’s perspective, is, "That was the second time I met her. The more I spent time with her, the more my feelings for her started to change."

"Then what about this?" Nadja pointed again at the tablet, which showed pictures of them meeting during Evillustrator.

"Yes, that’s why I said 'second time,'" he replied.

The tablet man showed more pictures of them during Galciator. "These photos clearly show you had many encounters with her before the Weredad incident,” Najda said.

"At that time, I was in love with Ladybug," he said, subtly winking at Marinette. "And my mind was more focused on handling the Akuma than on falling in love."

"I’m sorry, Chat Noir, but the evidence shows otherwise." At her signal, the tablet man showed a video of him asking Ladybug to go on a date if he defeated the Akuma.

"You had no problem wooing Ladybug while simultaneously handling the Akuma." "Doesn’t that validate my first point: ‘I was in love with Ladybug’?" he frowned. How do they have all kinds of videos of him?

“You were in love with Ladybug and then immediately switched to Marinette.” She paused for dramatic effect.

“What are you getting at?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“What Paris would like to know is,” she said, shifting the microphone to Marinette, “are you Ladybug?”

Her parents gasped and then looked at her intently, waiting for her answer.

“Pfft, me? Ladybug? No way. I’m too much of a ditz,” she laughed while also averting her eyes.

“Would you stop calling yourself that? You are anything but a ditz. You are the most brilliant girl I know. You are superhero material. Don’t sell yourself short—Ow!”

She seethed through her teeth. “You’re not helping.”

He scoffed while massaging his rib again.

She turned back to Nadja. “No, Nadja, I’m not Ladybug.”

“If you’re not Ladybug, then does that mean,” she asked, shifting the microphone back to him, “that you’re into younger women?”

One of his eyebrows rose. “What does this have to do with anything?”

“You mentioned on Ladyblog that you and Ladybug are the same age. If Marinette were Ladybug, then it would imply that you’re young based on your being the same age as Ladybug. Since Marinette denies being Ladybug, it means you are older than Marinette.”

“Did logic go on vacation, or is it allergic to you? I could be the same age as Marinette.”

Ignoring his remark, she continued, “ You also mentioned something about your job.” The tablet man played a video of Chat Noir speaking to Ladybug.

‘I had to sneak out of my workplace. I need to go back before they notice I’m missing.’

Chat Noir considered the video as he leaned back. “You don’t happen to have videos of my birth, do you?” he said jokingly to the tablet man, but his eyebrows rose when the tablet man nodded. The tablet man then showed Chat Noir a video of a black cat giving birth to a kitten. “You know I’m not actually a cat, right?” The way the tablet man’s eyebrows rose indicated that he had misunderstood. What a dumb man.

“Repeating myself,” Nadja continued, “Is Marinette the superhero Ladybug, or are you into younger women?”

“Chat Noir is not a pedophile!” she yelled. Even though he was used to dumb allegations thrown at him by the media, it warmed his heart to see Marinette defend his honor.

“And I’m not Ladybug,” she added.

“Nadja, you’re taking this a bit too far,” Sabine interjected sharply.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. We only want to know the truth. And with the evidence we have, it’s either this or you’re Ladybug.”

“You bit—” Marinette got up, but he held her back.

“Nadja, I need to speak with you right now, in private.”

“Just a few more questions—”

“Right,” he glared. “Now.”

~~~~

While Marinette and her parents waited for Chat Noir’s return, her mother gave her a suspicious look. “You aren’t Ladybug, are you?”

The lie came out like second nature to her. “Of course not, Mama. I'm scared of horror movies. How would I face a scary Akuma?”

“As long as my cupcake is safe,” Tom said, pulling her into a hug. “I wouldn't ever want you to always be putting your life in danger.”

Marinette bit her lip. Lying to her parents would always be the painful thorn that she could never pull out. She gave a weak smile after their hug but didn’t meet their eyes.

“What about Chat Noir? He may be a hero, but if he is an adult, then I don’t want him near you,” said Sabine.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Cheng,” Chat Noir answered when he returned in time to hear her mom’s comment about him. “I am 18, only a year older than her. I assure you I'm not a paedophile.”

“You aren’t supposed to reveal your age.”

“I believe you,” Tom said, patting his back. “You are too nice to be a creep. I would have married her off to you even if you were a few years older than her.”

“Papa!”

“This whole time you were fighting as a kid? How could your parents allow it?” Sabine said.

“Mrs. Cheng, I may have been a child, but I have been trained since birth to handle such situations,” he said. Chat Noir was such a smooth liar. Had she not known that they were chosen, she would have believed his words.

“But still.” She rested her hand on her cheek. “Kids should be enjoying their youth, not carrying everyone’s burden. They should be learning about responsibility before taking up responsibility.”

Marinette couldn’t bear to listen to this anymore. The only thing she picked up from her mom’s comments was that she was never ready for responsibility. She was never meant to be a superhero. And everyone had to pay the price for that.

“I’m done for now. I’ll go to sleep,” she said and went straight to her bedroom.

~~~~

When he bid his goodbye to the Dupain Cheng’ and left their residence, he climbed up the wall and knocked on the shade-covered circular window.

She opened it immediately. “You didn’t leave?”

“I wanted to continue where we left off,” he said as he entered. Marinette had already changed into her pink pajamas and had a hairbrush in her hand. Tikki was on the desk by the computer, munching her cookies and watching them.

“Can we do this sometime later? I need to sleep if I want the energy to deal with the aftermath of today’s interview tomorrow,” she said as she removed her hair ties and went to her vanity.

“It’s okay, Marinette. The interview will not be broadcast.”

She stopped combing her hair and turned to him. “What do you mean? It wasn’t live?”

“She was going to shoot it live, but I gave her a few bucks beforehand to do only a normal interview. Then she started asking nonsense, so I paid them off again along with a message video.”

“There is no way any money could stop them from spilling about ‘Chat Noir’s love,’ right?”

“It was tough convincing them, not gonna lie. But I paid them more than they could have profited from this news, so we should be fine.”

“But they could profit millions with it.”

“Yeah. So I paid them off with £10 million.”

“You paid them £10 million?!” She left the hairbrush and rushed toward him. “Where the heck did you get that kind of money?”

“Relax, I have that kind of money to spare in an emergency,” he said with a smirk.

“How can you pay off £10 million just like that? It’s too much. And it also means you are an adult.” She cringed.

“I’m not, I’m not. This was just my dad’s money that I borrowed.”

Her jaw dropped. “That does not make it any better. Aren’t you gonna get in trouble?”

“This much won’t even make a dent in his account. He won’t notice,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“There is no way he wouldn’t notice £10 million missing from his account.”

“He had already spent £50 million on a sculpture and £60 million on a portrait. He definitely won’t notice.”

“A whole £110 million for just a sculpture and a portrait?! No offense, but is your dad an idiot?”

“Not gonna lie, but this gift for Mom’s death anniversary is a dumb move.”

The silence that followed his statement stretched long and loud. He watched her struggle to say something until she joked, “Wish I could treat a measly £50-60 million as only £5 or £6.”

Good on her for not broaching his mother. Sure he missed his mother but was tired of it. This morning, with his father mourning and the millions of sad edits on the loss of the actor Emilie, felt more depressing than honouring someone’s life. He may miss her, but he would always honour her by looking at everything on the bright side and experiencing new things, Something that his mother taught. That’s why he fought to go to school after a year of mourning for his mother. That’s why he took the superhero role when he was given the ring instantly.

Placing a thumb on his chin, he said, “You can marry and then all my money will be yours.” “Can you ever be serious?”

“That was the most serious I have ever been,” he said, followed by a mock smolder.

“Knock it off, Chaton.”

“Alright,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. “Serious question, though. Can I reveal my identity to you?”

She hesitated. “Are you sure? Maybe it’s best to keep it a secret.”

Not this again. It always felt like the secret identity rule was just for him. “But why? You even let Alya and Nino know each other’s identities. So why can’t we?”

“Them knowing each other’s identities is not as dangerous as ours. If one of us gets akumatized, Hawkmoth can mind-control us to make us spill about where the other miraculous is.”

“You have a confidante with whom you share your identity. Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It is, but at least yours will be safe. Even if Hawkmoth gets mine, as long as he doesn’t get yours, he can’t make the wish.”

It really was a rule just for him. He couldn’t believe it. And it was all because she was scared, so she chose to be stubborn. The lack of her trust not only made him mad but also hurt.

“Oh no!” she exclaimed.

“What?”

“If you get akumatized, he will get to me next through you. Then he will get both of the miraculous, and it will be the end of the world. This is a disaster!”

“I promise I won’t get akumatized—”

“I have some spare charms that I’ve been trying to enhance. Let me get them for you.”

She went over to her desk to grab a drawstring pouch. That was when he realized why Marinette’s room felt odd. Her desk, which was usually occupied by her sewing machine, was missing. It was put under the desk along with all the other fabric and supplies. The corkboard was bare of all pictures and now filled with notes, lists, and timetables. Her drawing books and art stationery were replaced with bundles of papers and dried ingredients for potions. Even her mannequin was missing.

“Where is your mannequin?”

Tikki, who had been quiet this whole time, answered in her stead. “She sold it to buy ingredients to strengthen the protective charms.”

“I haven’t been using it anymore. So why let it collect dust when it could have been of some use,” she said as she took a charm out of the pouch and put it in his hand.

“Ever since Hawk Moth was able to breach the protective charms, I’ve been working on making them stronger. I guarantee you this is very strong. It will protect you from akuma at all costs.” A confident smile appeared on her face but deflated within three seconds. “Or what if it doesn’t work? I haven’t even tested it out, and I’ve already made a bunch.”

She dropped to her knees and scattered the contents of the pouch on the floor.

He knelt next to her. “Marinette, relax.”

“Now’s not the time to relax. Hawkmoth can target us anytime, and it’s because of me.”

“How is it your fault?”

She looked at him incredulously. “Of course it’s my fault. You got hit while protecting me, and now everyone knows we know each other.”

“It was just an accident.”

“Accidents shouldn’t have happened.”

“Marinette, calm down.”

“How can I—”

“Marinette!” He grabbed her, and she stopped rambling. She was breathing heavily.

“Breathe.”

She took a deep breath and followed his breath pattern until she significantly calmed down. He guided her to the chaise.

When Marinette got her bearings, she immediately hugged him, and he let her while he rubbed her back soothingly.

He looked at Tikki, who shrugged. “Usually, she is too busy working on the protective charms to be stressed. Though it's true that she has been anxious for the past week.”

He felt her shoulders shake within his arms. “Marinette?” He tried to coax her.

Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. “I am tired, Chat Noir.”

He pulled away to hold her face and wiped her tears with his thumbs.“Do you need a break?”

“I wanna quit, Chaton.” She closed her eyes and let more tears flow. “But I don’t wanna forget about you.”

It struck him that Marinette could forget her memory if she gave up being the guardian. She would forget him and all the precious moments they had lived together. Marinette losing her memories would devastate him. But he was already feeling that when watching her weeping in his arms.

He took a breath before he said, “If it means it will give you peace, then I’m fine with you forgetting about me.”

She looked up at him. “No, Chaton. I love you way too much to forget you.”

His eyes widened. “You love me?”

A soft smile graced her face. “You’re still with me despite me being such a mess and always being there for me. Of course, I’d fall for you.”

“You’re not a mess.”

She shook her head and pulled away from his hold. “It doesn’t change that we lost our mentor and I put my memories at risk. I lost all the miraculous that made Hawkmoth so powerful. You don’t need to sugarcoat anything for me.”

“Just because some things were out of your control doesn’t mean it’s your fault.”

“But now everything is so hectic. We have to leave everything in the middle to fight against Akuma. No breaks, our plans are pending, and everyone in Paris is worried. Worse, if this doesn’t end well, I will lose my memories no matter what—”

He pulled her into a hug again to stop her from rambling again.

“I don’t want to lose my memories,” her muffled voice came. “I want to just worry about homework. I want to freely date you and know your identity.”

“And it will happen. We’ll get through this together, I promise.”

“But how?”

He touched his forehead to hers and looked her in the eyes. “With a well-rested and clear mind.”

She sighed. “Well, that isn't very helpful.”

He pulled away. “Sorry, I don't have any ideas at the moment. We can brainstorm tomorrow, but only after you rest. You look exhausted.”

“What makes you think tomorrow would be different?” she rolled her eyes.

“Because two heads are better than one,” he winked. “We can do this, Marinette. We fought against a sentimonster without our powers. And during Oblivio, we worked it out despite not remembering anything. We were strangers to each other at that time, yet we were such a good team.”

He held her hands. “Did you ever feel like we knew each other when we first met?”

Her eyes brightened. “I always got the feeling like we had known each other forever when we teamed up.”

“Exactly. Marinette, I fell for you because we get each other. We are such a good team. I admire you, your talents, your personality, and everything. But mostly, because I love the people we become when we are together.” He said and kissed each of her knuckles.

Marinette’s chin quivered again and her eyes glistened. “Are you sure? I mean, you did leave once when I made you angry and had Cat Walker as a substitute.” “That was me being immature and petty. You were just doing your job. Can you forgive me for that?”

He felt her grip his hand more tightly. “It's okay, Chaton. I deserved that. Rather, I should apologize for treating you poorly.”

Chat Noir placed a kiss on her forehead. “It's okay. We're all fine now. I promise I'll always be by your side.”

She gave him a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Thank you. I promise as well,” she said sincerely.

“It's late, you should sleep,” he said and got up. “For now, don’t worry your pretty head. Save that for tomorrow.”

Marinette got up and gave him one more hug. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

Chat Noir couldn’t help himself from saying, “I didn’t buy any protection yet.”

“Chaton!”

He laughed as she smacked his arm. She looked adorable when she pouted and her nose scrunched up.

“Kidding, kidding. I’ll let my folks know at home that I’ll be cooped up in my room mourning for my mother, then I'll be back.”

“Oh, I forgot about that! Are you okay, Chat? If you're feeling down, you can stay home.”

“Aww. Well, the cure to my sadness is cuddling with you. So…” Suddenly feeling bashful, he rubbed the nape of his neck. “Is it okay if I come back?”

“Of course, Chat!” she said with a bright smile on her face. She blushed, but there was a fierceness in her eyes. She closed the distance and felt her lips brush against his. He definitely thought they were about to kiss, but she backed away instantly. She was averting her gaze and biting her lip while her cheeks turned an even darker shade of pink.

Chat Noir looked confused. “What just happened?”

She squeaked and covered her face with her hands. “I kissed you.”

“That was not a kiss! That was barely a touch.”

She peeked through her fingers. “Are you saying you don’t like my kiss?” she teased.

“Clearly, you have never kissed before.”

She folded her arms. “Not true. I kissed you on Valentine’s Day during Dark Cupid.”

“Which I don’t remember. I will never not be upset about that,” he groaned.

“At least now you got a kiss to remember,” she gave him a sheepish smile.

“That is not how you kiss.” He cupped her face and whispered, “This is how you kiss,” and brought her lips to his.

He heard her gasp, which prompted him to pull her closer with an arm around her waist and nuzzle his mouth against hers. Parting her lips slightly with his, he tilted her head to deepen the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt her nails digging into his shoulders through his suit.

When they separated for air, they grinned at each other.

“Be right back.”

“Okay.”

“One more for the road.” He pecked her, then left her room through the skylight.

~~~~

That night, they slept cuddling on her bed, with smiles on their faces.

[jumpywhumpywriter]

Sadistic Hero vs Terrified Robbers

Warnings: sadistic hero playing cat and mouse with robbers, toying with victims, intentional injury (dealt to criminals), humiliation

This event takes place many years after Shadow's alliance with Thomas, when they have finally started getting along better and working together to stop criminals on the streets. Random side-story unrelated to and not included in my main trilogy.

"They're heading Northbound on foot, looks like they're making a dash for that old storage warehouse on 54th. If you cut through Maple street you can cut them off before they get there." Thomas was typing madly at his desk, fingers becoming a blur as he searched maps for the best routes and tracked the two target's locations, while monitoring Shadow's alignment against their coordinates, to tell her the fastest route.

"They just took a right turn on 55th down the alley! Now's your chance to get them!" He practically shouted into the comms, feeling a rush of excitement run up his spine. This was more entertaining than video games, the news, or anything else he could have imagined. He'd always wondered what it would be like to work behind the scenes and man the comms for a vigilante just like they always did in the movies... but he never thought he'd actually get to do that.

And yet here he was, doing illegal vigilante stuff... with a Falkry, of all things. It certainly made things more interesting to have a legendary creature on your side to help stop crime. Almost half of the criminals fainted on sight in shock after seeing Shadow in the flesh. And Thomas couldn't blame them; she was terrifying.

Today's catch would be two armed thieves that had just finished robbing a small family-owned business, and were on the run. They were obviously inexperienced, as they had robbed the store at knifepoint instead of gunpoint, and had chosen to flee on foot instead of in a car, two critical oversights that they were probably already regretting deeply.

It was solidly night, and Shadow blended well amidst the darkness in her black leather suit. Her ghostly white wings were the only thing that could give her away.

"Ah, I've got eyes on." Shadow's voice came crackling through Thomas's computer.

"Go get 'em Shadow!" Lucas was standing behind Thomas watching scenes unfold from the sideline, and mostly enjoyed the excited energy that filled the air whenever Shadow was on a mission.

"I'm going, okay?! I don't need a cheerleader," she snapped back. She glided near-soundlessly down around the back of a building at one end of the alley the criminals would soon be coming through, and positioned herself right behind the corner.

Game time, she thought, preparing herself for action. She didn't have to wait long before the sound of fast footsteps and hard breathing reached her sensitive ears.

"Do you think they're following us!?" A labored voice panted.

"No, I think we lost 'em," a second answered.

Heh heh. Idiots. They have no idea what they're in for, Shadow thought smugly. Their night’s about to get a whole lot crazier. She waited until the two men had almost reached the end of the alley before she stepped around the corner to face them. Both of them came to comically screeching halts, wearing identical expressions of astonishment and shock at the sight of the Falkry.

"Good evening, humans. Have any plans for tonight, besides robbing more stores?" Shadow purred smoothly, smirking.

"What is--" the first man started, then cut himself off. He was wearing a black backpack that Shadow assumed held the treasure they had stolen. The man quickly regained his composure and dropped the backpack on the ground, pulling out two sizable knives and brandishing them threateningly in warning at her, even though his hands were trembling. His partner did the same.

"I-I don't know what kind of monster you are, but if you try anything, I promise you'll regret it!" The first man said. Shadow found it amusing how hard he was trying to appear confident and capable, but she could hear the nervous edge to his voice, along with his racing heartbeat, which gave him away.

"How about this: I'll give you some free wisdom and lessons of life that might help you in the future before I take you both down. That is, if you even have a future after going to prison." She chuckled coldly, and started counting on her fingers. "Firstly, don't make promises you can't keep. Secondly, don't make threats unless you are able to make good on them. Thirdly, don't threaten the dangerous predator who can kill you in a heartbeat. And fourthly, don't bring a knife to a ninja fight. Oh, and almost forgot the last one: Never antagonize me. It always ends very badly. For you. Any questions?"

The second man unexpectedly rushed at her with a shout and his knife raised high; perhaps a side effect of his small brain and sheer stupidity, combined with the effect of the adrenaline flooding his veins, Shadow figured.

What an idiot... She sighed and shook her head in amusement before gracefully dodging to the side and casually tripping him with a foot as he barreled past, sending him sprawling on the hard asphalt.

The first man was apparently equally stupid, as he tried to use his partner's move as a distraction, so that he could attack Shadow from behind. Both of them must have obviously failed school to have such a low IQ.

I don't understand their specific kind of stupid, but I do admire their total commitment to it, Shadow thought, ducking the first man's attack while the second scrambled back to his feet.

Two on one. I like those odds.

"I think you missed the life lesson about 'not' antagonizing me," she chuckled. She was toying with them like a cat playing lazily with a mouse. It wasn't often that she came across criminals willing to take a stab at defeating her. Most of them either fainted on sight, or flight instinct kicked in and they ran away. But in the rare case like this one where her enemy decided to fight back, she saw it as a perfect opportunity to test out her own skills as a warrior. It was good practice, to keep her skills sharp.

Shadow's hands instinctively twitched toward the two daggers nestled in their sheaths at her hip, but she decided against it.

I'm not trying to kill them. I just need to incapacitate them. Which shouldn't be hard, considering that these humans have ant-sized brains. It'll make this fight more interesting if they have weapons and I don't anyway.

The two thieves ran at her from opposite sides, and Shadow snapped her wings out, striking both of them hard in the face, enough to leave a nasty bruise and send them staggering backward in a daze.

"Had enough yet?" Shadow taunted mockingly. The second man was definitely out of the fight, leaning against the alley wall and wiping blood from his nose, which was either fractured or broken from the force of the blow Shadow's wing had delivered.

The second man, on the other hand, decided to make one last half-hearted attack, stumbling clumsily toward her and waving his only remaining knife weakly in the air.

Oops... I think I hit that one a little too hard. Shadow was pretty sure she'd given him a concussion, judging from how he was having a hard time walking in a straight line and was looking a bit disoriented. She sometimes 'accidently' forgot that she had the strength of a Falkry, whereas these were just humans. Regular ol' humans.

Shadow sighed boredly, effortlessly catching the man's wrist in her hand as he took a swipe at her. She squeezed hard; not hard enough to do any serious damage, but just enough to make it hurt, so that he dropped the knife uselessly to the ground.

"I think I've had enough of this now," she muttered under her breath. Then she grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt and slammed him into the alley wall, lifting him up so his feet dangled off the ground. The man's eyes widened in terror at how the tables had flipped, and the fear was plain on his face.

Shadow grinned darkly, tilting her head from side to side, pretending to contemplate choices. "Hmm... to kill, or not to kill. That is the question." She barely managed to bite back her laughter as she watched the man's face instantly pale.

I'm having way too much fun with this.

She would have enjoyed toying with him a little longer, but she was beginning to worry that he might have a literal heart attack because of how fast his heart was beating. So instead she knocked him out with a sharp jab to the head, before carefully lowering him to the ground. Then she turned her attention to the other thief, who was trying to stumble away. With a single beat of her wings, she closed the distance between them and delivered a solid blow to the back of his head. With both criminals unconscious, she walked unhurried over to the backpack and unzipped it to find several stacks of cash.

"Not a bad haul," she said to herself. Getting an idea, she used her unnatural strength to rip the straps off the backpack, and used them to tie both of the thieves' hands together. Then she used a couple more straps and tied one of the mens' feet to his partner in crime, then stepped back to check her work.

This will be rather interesting when they wake up, she thought in amusement. They wouldn't be able to run away since they were tied to each other, and she could only imagine how hilarious it would be to see them sprawling all over the place in an attempt to escape before the police arrived to arrest them.

I call it... 'art!' She chuckled to herself. She could already hear sirens coming in the distance, and so she melted back into the darkness of the night and disappeared without a trace. She imagined the police would be fairly confused to find the two thieves already taken out, and tethered to each other in such a strange way.

I basically did their job for them.

Masterlist #1 - all my main whump stories

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[thefangirlfever]

Trick or Treat (a Miguel O'Hara NSFW story)

Summary: One of your friends throw a Halloween Party and you meet a seducing masked guest. You both end up doing the monster (s)mash.

Content warning/ Disclaimer: I’ve been inspired by those Ghostface masks videos/ edits. Forgive me in advance.

Tags: Smut, F/M, piv penetration, doggy, improper use of a Halloween mask, fingering, freaky Miguel, everyone is kind of freaky I guess, she’s hot and pissed and on the pill, mirror sex

======

You’ve always loved Halloween, and that since you were a child. You remember Halloween nights spend trick or treating, watching spooky movies with your siblings, eating tons of candies, carving pumpkins and of course dressing up. Even nowadays, you were still enjoying Halloween. Many people would find this weird that an adult liked this celebration so much, but you just learned to enjoy new facets of this holiday. And in your eyes, nothing could top a good Halloween party.

So when you got invited by Jess, one of your colleague to her Halloween party, you were more than thrilled. Of course, you would go. In fact you even had multiple ideas about what costume you could wear.

Both of you were chatting in the break room when someone entered the room. It was an other one of your colleague. Miguel and you were working in the same department for almost a year by now and you may have had a slight crush on him. It’s been a few months since the both of you have been flirting from time to time, but never daring to cross the line. Jess had noticed this little game of yours and decided to tease you by asking him if he wanted to go to her party:

“Isn’t Halloween a children’s holiday?”, he simply answered, his brows furrowed.

You couldn’t hide your astonishment, neither hold your gasp, which made a small smirk bloom on Miguel’s face.

“Did I say something wrong?”, he asked.

“You never celebrate Halloween?”, you asked and he once again chuckled.

“Not really. Why would I do that? I’m not five anymore. Why? You celebrate Halloween?”

Jess didn’t let you answer:

“Actually we’re all going to celebrate it this year. And I’m sure Y/N is going to show up in one hell of a costume like she always does.” Your friend’s enthusiasm was maybe a little exaggerated. It was true you spend a lot of time and resources in your costumes, crafting them yourself. But in the end they still seemed pretty amateurish, just good enough for a party. But that seemed to piqued Miguel’s interest since he asked:

“You are all going dressed up? And what will you be this year, y/n?” He was probably expecting you to answer something like a cat or a witch. These were pretty classic costumes that you have done quite a few times, adding variations every time. You still liked these costumes but now, you wanted to try something else, something a little different. That’s why it took you so long to find an idea.

“Hum… I don’t know. I guess I should soon find an idea since Halloween is in a week but I really have no idea…” Your friend chuckled as she said:

“Sorry, y/n, I can’t help you this year, I’m doing a couple costume with my boyfriend.” She took a moment to think before adding “Why wouldn’t you actually dress up as one of your horror movies character? Like this guy, Ghost something?”

You understood that she was talking about Ghostface, the famous killer from Scream. It was true you liked those movies and it would be easy to find a mask. You thought about this option, but it didn’t convince you. It was too easy for you. No, you needed a real challenge this year. Something impressive.

You looked at Miguel who was still listening to both of you and looking in silence. When he caught your gaze, he simply gave you one smirk, one of those that would easily distract you at work, and said:

“I’m sure you’ll find something incredible. I can’t wait to see it.”

The night of the party quickly came, leaving you just enough time to make your costume. You had spend most your free time the week before Halloween sewing, stitching, trying out different make up… Of course you also bought a few materials like lenses, resin and fake blood. You also took some time during your break to sketch your costume, hiding it from curious eyes. Every time you were sketching or searching online for inspirations, you were remembering your conversation with Miguel and your friend.

What did he mean by “I can’t wait to see it?” Did it mean he would come to the party? If so, would he come dressed up? You had plenty ideas of how he could dress up. Who said only girls could wear sexy Halloween costumes?

It took you two hours to get ready before going to the Party. Your friend has decorated her house, inside as well as outside. Fake tombs were in the front yard and skeletons were sitting in the front porch. A fake giant spider was crawling up the walls and there was even an animatronic of a zombie screaming. Of course there were the iconic Jack O’lantern welcoming the guests.

Jess was not playing, but neither did you.

The moment you entered the house, you were welcomed by a loud Halloween playlist and flashy lights. Jess immediately jumped on you, fawning over your costume. You had chosen to be both the Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf. The left part of your face was still normal, only a fake scar that you made yourself with fake blood and some resin spread across your cheek. One the right side you had used body paint, fake brows and more make up to mimic a werewolf-like creature. You were wearing fake claws, hairy wold ears, a black dress and of course a red hood that reached the floor, fully hiding you from behind.

“Y/n, that’s crazy! How long did it take you to make?” A few heads turned in your direction. You were a little flustered by this sudden attention but you didn’t mind after all. You worked for that.

Jess herself was all dressed in red with high heels, a form fitting dress and little horns, looking like a very convincing succubus. You guessed her boyfriend would be an angel, which made you smile since it matched so well their personalities.

“Well, a couple hours and let’s say that the Spirit Halloween employees know me well now.”

You both went to the living room as more spooky music was blasting. All around there were witches, ghosts, clowns… Everyone seemed chill and enjoying their evening. You spotted a large buffet filled with different dishes, sweets and alcohol. You rushed toward the large table, putting down the plate you had brought before pouring yourself a glass of beer.

You didn’t notice the presence next to you at first, since the person was silent, even though his frame was quite large. His, or her? You assumed it was a him, even if his face was hidden. Hidden behind a Ghostface mask. The person had chosen to wear the serial killer costume with the large black robe, the gloves and the mask, holding a plastic knife in his left hand. You gave him one polite smile as he took a candy out of a bowl.

Suddenly a fake spider jumped out of the bowl, straight from the candies. You already knew this trick unlike the guest. He jumped back, clearly surprised, which made you laugh. He then turned his head toward you, giving you a look you couldn’t quite read because of the mask, tilting his head on the side. He looked just like the killer in the movies with his mimics.

“Nice costume.”, you said with a smile before joining Jess. She was talking with her boyfriend which, you had guessed right, was dressed as an angel. When they both saw you, they complimented your costume, Jess having a small smirk on her lips. She gestured with her head toward the buffet.

“I guessed you met the mystery man, huh?”

“Hum, yes… Do you know who this is?” Your friend took a sip from her glass and simply answered:

“Take a guess.”

The evening was a lot of fun as everyone was playing pranks, dancing and getting drunk on chocolate and candies… or something else for some of the guests. A lot of people had complimented you on your costume and from time to time you were catching glances from the Ghostface guy. You had your guess on who it could be at this point of the evening, even if you didn’t dare to believe it.

At some point you had to go to the garage downstairs take some drinks. You were a little surprised to find the light already on in the stairs leading to the basement. The stairs were creaking under your steps as you noticed a figure already opening one of the fridges. A black robe, a white mask and gloves. The masked man turned around to face you as you reached the last steps of the staircase. You couldn’t hold back a grin as this scene reminded you so much of the movie, especially the scene before Tatum’s murder. You decide to say in a teasing tone:

“What are you going to do, mister Ghostface?”

He moved closer to you, stopping at a few steps away from you, his fake knife still in his hand, as if he was pondering what to do. You decide to close the distance between the both of you, your face a few inches from his mask.

“You’re really into character.”

He simply shrugged his shoulders. What if you were doing a mistake? It could be anybody else… As you were wondering what to do, he lifted one hand and let his fingertips graze your left cheek, the one with the fake blood. A thrilling sensation ran through your spine and a few goosebumps bloomed on your bare arms. Maybe it was the cold of the basement or the sensation of his gloves, but you felt a rush of adrenaline through your whole body.

“You’re not going to tell me your name?”, you whispered. A slight chuckle escaped the lips behind the mask. His chest heaves under the plane robe. You put your right hand on his broad chest, feeling the warmth of his body under your palm, your fake claws gripping slightly the fabric of the clothe.

“What should I do for you to take off the mask?”

Before he could even answer, you hear someone calling you upstairs. This definitely broke your moment as the two of you stepped back. You quickly took a few bottles before heading toward the stairs, giving him one teasing look.

It was already past midnight and you were sitting on the couch, sharing a few scary stories with some guests. Most people were still dancing and drinking. You had your fair share of candies and drinks and if you wanted to get back home, you had decided to stick to soda an hour ago. You looked at the clock on the wall before standing up and moving toward the staircase. Your eyes caught the mask of the so-called mysterious man. You both exchanged one look before going upstairs, giving him a signal to follow you.

You quickly went to the bathroom and when you were washing your hands, you heard someone knocking at the door. The door slowly opened at your voice and of course, it was Ghostface, his large silhouette filling up the door frame.

“Didn’t you forget something?”, you asked with a smile as you noticed that he had forgotten his knife downstairs. He simply chuckled before closing the door. The music was muffled behind the door as he moved closer to you. His hand found its place back on your cheek, your back against the sink.

“Are you really going to say nothing all night, Miguel?”

“How did you guess it was me?”, he simply replied. You grinned as you grip the edge of the sink.

“You really thought you were so clever that day when we talked about our costumes, huh? I must say that you managed to find something really fitting.” Miguel’s hands grabbed your hips as he moved closer.

“Well, I was hoping to find something you might like. I guess I made a good choice.”

You couldn’t deny that it was indeed a good choice coming from him. His fingers were playing with the fabric of your dress, feeling your hips underneath, holding you in place.

“Since you have guessed it, maybe I should take off the mask?”

Your hands grabbed the front of his clothe, pulling him closer while you answered under your breath:

“Please, keep it.”

Even if you couldn’t see his face, you knew exactly what expression he had. You already saw this little grin of him so many times, but never in those conditions.

“I would have never guessed you could like that.” He said in a playful voice that confirmed to you that he was definitely smiling under that mask.

“Well, it’s less about the mask and more about who’s under it… or what he can do with it…”

“And what should I do then?” His deep voice sends shivers down your arms as you still held him close to you, his body towering you. You noticed how he was still wearing his gloves.

“Maybe you should take these off first. I don’t think you will need them later.”, you said with a snicker. He then lifted one of his hands and said with in a neutral tone, his voice slightly deeper than usual.

“Take them off.”

You immediately understood what he meant as you started taking off his glass with your mouth, using your teeth to pull at the fabric, finger after finger, carefully not to bite him. Once his hands were exposed, he pressed two of his fingers against your lips and said in the same voice:

“Open up.”

His fingers entered your mouth in one swift motion despite their size, forcing a moan out of you. He let you suck on them for a good minute while rubbing the front of his body against yours. He was still holding your waist and you could feel his fingers applying more pressure on your clothed skin as well as his growing erection. You moaned once again at the sensation, your lips still closed around his fingers. He chuckled under his mask:

“You are going to wait just a little more before I give it to you.” He suddenly took his fingers off your mouth with a wet ‘plop’, leaving a trail of saliva connecting your skins. It felt like something was missing inside of you.

“Since you prepped them so well, I might as well use these. What do you think?”, he asks. You could only nod at him. He proceeded to lift the fabric of your skirt, high enough to expose your legs, your thighs and your underwear. You grabbed the hem of the skirt, allowing him to roam freely among your skin. His hands grabbed firmly your thighs, kneading the plush skin with his thumbs, slowly moving closer to your hip crease.

His left thumb brushed against the fabric of your panties. You knew it was not a mistake coming from him and you were waiting for more. Yet, his fingers resumed touching your thighs, feeling them up as much as he wanted. You were growing hotter, more pissed and impatient. With one call of his name, he lifted his head up to look at you. He knew you were frustrated, wanting for more.

“Tell me how bad you want it.”

Oh, so he knew what he was doing. You grinned at his words, replying:

“I would have never guessed you could like that.” He stopped moving his hands, his unreadable look on his mask, waiting for you to tell him exactly what he wanted to hear.

“Touch me Miguel.”

“I’m already touching you.”, he answered in a playful tone. You rolled your eyes, your grin still on your face.

“Touch me there please.”

“There?”, he asked, while squeezing your thighs.

“No…”

“There?”, the pads of his thumbs slide along your hip crease, almost joining on your core.

“Almost there…”

His index slipped under the fabric of your panties, dragging it along and exposing your swollen labia. The cold air of the bathroom hit your already hot womanhood. Miguel took a moment to contemplate it before his finger slid along it, up and down, spreading your wetness over your folds. You gripped the sink behind you tighter as Miguel’s fingers kept moving down your body. He slowly inserted one of his fingers between your lips, inclining his wrist so that his palm would rub against your mound, pressing against your lower belly.

His name was already on your lips among whimpers and moans. As you kept praising him, he slipped a second finger inside you. He was pumping his fingers inside you with such determination that you lower back started hitting the sink. You moved your hips at the same pace than his fingers. When the thumb of his other hand started rubbing and flicking your clit, you slowly began to lose it. You felt your arousal growing inside yourself as you were getting hotter, a knot tightening inside your lower belly.

Miguel kept thrusting his fingers in and out until your juice was leaking down your thighs. You could hear your body making lewd, wet noises, thankful that the music downstairs was hiding this. At some point, Miguel’s hooked fingers found a sensitive spot inside you, going deeper, ant he hit quite a few times, making you moan his name.

“You look so pretty like that. Gosh, you’re so tight…”, you felt your thighs squeezing his fingers, trapping them inside yourself. Miguel’s face nuzzled against the crook of your neck. It was so hard for him to just stay like that, as he wanted so much more of you. He was a little afraid to admit it, to admit how bad he’d been wanting this for months. The two of you had been flirting for so long, turning around one another without daring to make any move, afraid of these feelings you had. Miguel was afraid he wouldn’t be able to live up to your expectations. The image he had forged of himself at work was one of a cold and serious man, not what he was giving to you right now. And yet, you didn’t seem to mind. In fact your blissful expression with your eyelids partially closed, your lips parted, breathing slowly… made him regret not making this sooner. You threw your arms around his shoulders, trying to get steadier as he whispered in your ear:

“I wish we had done that earlier.”

“I think we can still make up for that lost time.”, you answered under your breath. Miguel’s fingers stopped moving inside you, not daring to fully understand what you just said.

“Are you sure you want this?”

You answered with an alluring smile: “Yes, I’m sure about this.”

“Is it OK if I…” You chuckled at his question.

“It’s OK. I’m on the pill.” His hands immediately grabbed your hips and turned you around, your front facing the mirror on top of the sink. Your hands grabbed the edges of the sink as he lifted up your skirt and slid down your panties. You heard the sound of a belt unbuckling and turned your head to watch him. Miguel caught your eyes and with a groan, he grabbed your chin between two of his fingers, making you look back at the mirror.

“I want you to see how beautiful you are in this moment.” You felt his erect member press against your skin, teasing your entrance before he added: “How do you want it?”

“Bad. The worst you can do.” His fingers slid down your face, your neck, pressing gently his fingers against your skin, before he dragged them lower until they rested on top of one of your covered breasts.

“We can stop anytime you want…”, he said carefully. You shivered under his touch as he started penetrating you. You moaned at the sensation, your hands tightening around the edges of the sink. His right hand was groping your thigh while his other hand squeezed your breast. Miguel started moving into you, reaching for the same sensitive spot than he did earlier. Your could feel your body pressed against the sink, the cold against your hot and sensitive spot. He finally started moving faster, the sound of both your skins hitting one another.

“You feel so good…” Miguel’s soft praise was a harsh contrast with his rough movements. You could feel his chest pressed against your back, feel how warm his body was. You needed more, you wanted to know how his skin felt. With one of your hands, you grabbed his mask and took it off.

Both your faces appeared in the mirror. Miguel’s hair was messy, his cheeks flushed and his eyes half closed. You were both panting and moaning like two messes. One of your hands caressed his cheek, feeling how warm and soft his skin was. Miguel’s lips reached for your palm, kissing it gently while he kept thrusting into you. His mouth then reached for your neck, crashing onto your skin. His kiss was messy, his tongue darting out, licking and sucking on you. He may leave a few marks on your skin, but you didn’t mind. You both have waited too long for this.

You could feel your pleasure rising in your body, your legs slightly shaking as Miguel hit your cervix multiple times with all his strength. Tears were falling down your face, smearing your make up, as you bend over the sink. Your orgasm washed over you while Miguel held you tight, kissing fervently your neck.

The two of you were still in the bathroom as the obnoxious music of the party made its way through the closed door. Miguel helped you adjust your costume, cleaning off the make up stains on your face. He seemed groggy from his own orgasm he had reached just after you. With a quick kiss, he whispered, close to your lips:

Thanks for reading this mess and going through this. As you can see, it was my first attempt at writing something a little spicier with a more ‘dominant’ Miguel (which I usually don’t like much). I’m not sure I did it right and I tried my best.

“I think I finally understand why you love Halloween so much.”

=======

And for the record, I wanted to call the story Make me (S)cream (I like bad puns).

But, most importantly…

Happy Halloween, folks!

[misterdeplume]

So, 2k12 TMNT was actually really good at 2D art..

I recently re-realized that the Incoorporation of the 2D environmental illustrations of New York in the 2k12 series is actually kinda crazy.

And while the show has continously demonstrated its' ability to blend the Cartoony aspects of the show with the more griddy comic book art that it originated from, I think these first establishing shots really shows us what could have been. (were it not for limited budget :/)

Just look at this! The big, bright, electric neon lights illuminating the city, painting it like a creature of skyrises and industrial giants, and then contrasting it with the dark grimy shadows. It looks amazing! It looks like they took the concept art of the show and somehow found a way to incorporate it into the show.

Even Tokyo has this comic book eerieness to it:

So, the moments they DO use 2D in the show remains mostly for narrative purposes or flashbacks to character's we haven't otherwise known- and what amazes me is that this looks just like its a comic page. It looks like a cartoon. It has somehow managed to maintain the griddyness, while also combining it effortlessly with its' artstyle, and blending it into the aestethic of the world.

Again, the lights contrasting the shadows. It establishes the perfect vibe to a grimy, overbearing New York, beaming with LIFE.

And that's what astonishes me! That's what makes me so UPSET. Because if the show had the budget for it, THIS is exactly the New York I was hoping we'd get to see.

Instead we got empty alleys, with no people, the same buildings, the size of a cheap motel, no sounds, just silence and emptiness. Maybe a stray cat here and there, but otherwise everything is small, and lifeless, with New York feeling so far away.

Maybe they could have continued to incoorporate the 2D elements, as they did with the establishing shots and with the backgrounds for the night, but then leave the day to 3D; thereby, creating this dissonance between the city that the gang experiences when they can safely hide in the shadows, contrary to the daytime when they can't be seen on the open street?

The emptiness of the 2k12 series' city is not inherently bad- we do see people here and there and new environments to help expand the world, albeit moreso in the later seasons.

But I stand by that the show would've benefited a lot from a more lively, chaotic New York. (tho ofc if you've watched the show maybe that goes without saying).

I wanted to see a New York that felt lived in. Enourmous, unattainable, but always present to some extend. A giant cacophany of noise and lights that we see through the eyes of the turtles, as they're forced to find ways around it, i.e. the subway tunnels, or man hole covers and dirty alleyways. But just to get the feeling that it's there, I think would do SO much to underline the theme of being an outcast.

Contrarily in the Rise universe we DO get that lively New York filled not just with lights, but color and people and cars, and traffic lights. But there the theme isn't as poignant, because it stands parallel to the Under City where the feeling of being an outcast is less severe, and the boys continously is shown to still find ways to be able to experience it, (if only with five fingered gloves on).

All in all, I wish 2k12 had doubled down with the 2D backgrounds, and maybe even used it to make New York feel less like a set, and more like the Metropolis it is where there's noise, and cars, and sirens, and people everywhere.

If New York is the City that never sleeps, then I feel like the struggle of being a Ninja, unable to inhabit it, should reflect that.

[musicalhell]

So this is a silly question, and you can disregard it, but I was watching your cats video, and you talked about literal visuals in musicals. I was just curious about how you tow the line and navigate with visuals like that.

For instance, if you made a song called How the Tables Have Turned and had it in a fictional space in the characters heads with turntables involved, would that be considered too literal? I’m just curious how that works

That's a good question, and the fact is a lot of it is up to interpretation, but it mainly has to do with understanding that lyrics tell a story while at the same time being, well, lyrical. There are occasions when lyrics indicate specific imagery or actions, for example in "Color and Light:"

More red... And a little more red... Blue blue blue blue Blue blue blue blue Even... even... Good Bumbum bum bumbumbum Bumbum bum... More red... More blue... More beer...

The lyrics are a direct representation to what George is doing--dotting the canvas, changing colors, evaluating the work, grabbing a drink. But more often lyrical imagery tends to be abstract, like in "Till There Was You:"

There were bells On the hill But I never heard them ringing No, I never heard them at all Till there was you

There were birds In the sky But I never saw them winging No, I never saw them at all Till there was you...

Marian is not singing about literal bells and birds, but of the wonderful world she'd been missing out on and that her eyes have been opened to through her relationship with Harold. To have birds suddenly swooping around and twittering in the middle of her song would push the moment from sentimental to absurd.

Literal interpretation can also miss important nuances in the material. Why, for example, does Eponine sing about "A Little Fall of Rain" when nothing else in the setting suggests it's been raining? Because her skin feels wet. Why does her skin feel wet? Because she's been shot and is bleeding out, and also probably because Marius is crying over her. The song works much better as her dying delirium interpreting the blood and tears as a gentle rainfall, rather than having a literal rain shower come through just for the sake of the song (looking at you Tom Hooper). Likewise, Joel Schumacher's interpretation of "Masquerade" doesn't work not because he doesn't mirror the lyrics (neither did Hal Prince) but because he misses the mood they convey, which is one of astonishing variety and hedonistic sensory overload.

All that said, theatrical staging isn't necessarily literal either and you can do fun stuff with it. "Hurricane" in Hamilton makes generous use of the turntable, tying the image of the hurricane that helped launch Alexander's career with the whirlwind of history he's caught up in. You have to decide how the action on the stage or screen complements the lyrics and the story they're telling, and whether it adds to the mood, detracts from it, or is just gilding the lily.