#I forgot the fur on the back on their hands it's here in my brain

[voidzpng]

do you think they fall asleep counting clones instead of sheeps

[agoofyannoyancetolaw]

Virgin sacrifice

a/n: I got inspo from this post from a fem reader account but I forgot their @! So- if I remember that I’ll credit them- also I know all my writing kinda reads the same this week but I don’t have any interesting ideas sooo :/

minors DNI

cold tiles against his burning against his hurt skin, the sound of buzzing and the door behind him locking shut filling his ears as he scrambled to sit up. The first thing that caught his attention being the large statue of your figure carved into the very marble of the temple, old candles and offerings scattered around with old pelts piled in a corner. He was freezing, the cold atmosphere of the temple biting at his skin under his silk white robes he had been forced into. He was an offering to you, nothing more- a virgin offering was gaz’s fate.

he sat in that coldness of the marble temple for a long time, before a sudden smell of warmth and home enveloped him, your figure standing in front of him and towering over his frame. He was scared out of his fucking mind; standing in front of a god he was given to as a blood sacrifice. But.. you didn’t attack him, nor bite into him or anything he was told to happen, you simply picked him up, and set him down on a bed in a room far below the rest of the old temple. Seasonings and herbs hanging from the walls and offerings of gold and such sorted on shelves next to the bed of fine furs and pelts; his tiredness quickly catching up to him while enveloped in the warmth as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Unaware of your plans to make him your pretty little bride.

he woke up groggily, almost completely forgotten about where he was until he felt your strong arms held around him and your chest flush against his back, as well as a bulge in your pants right up against him. Your large figure draped over him in a way he couldn’t quite place as anything he expected. He expected to be slaughtered- or murdered and ate by a god such as yourself. But here he sat, stuck tightly against your figure while feeling your member against the soft fabric of his silk sacrificial outfit he had been forced into.

“may I?” You hummed sleepily, your fingers tiredly playing with the fabric of his clothes as he nodded ever so softly and let you slide a slow digit into him

his mouth made such pretty sounds as you prepped him slowly, your large calloused fingers pressing down on his prostate just to hear his pretty whines. He had already gotten addicted to the feeling of your fingers in him. He was your new offering after all! He needed to get comfortable in the luxury of silk and honey and sweets littering your temple and the feeling of you lavishing him.

he swore you had been working him open for hours, his cock hard and twitching as pre-cum dribbled onto his pretty silk, whining and writhing in relief when he finally heard your golden studded robes slide down off of you and tossed off the bed. and the feeling of your length sliding down into him inch by inch.

“taking me like a good offering, hm darling?” You hummed, the feeling of your hot breath against his neck making him squirm even more then he already was, his walls clenching around you like a vice and his body bucking up in search of relief until he was calmed by the feeling of your free hand softly stroking his own length.

“you need to relax- truly. You’re going to make it hurt,” he heard you muttered as you took it slow, rutting into him and earning moan after moan falling from his mouth. His stomach coiling in warmth as if a fire in his stomach was lighting up his nerves and causing smoke to fog his brain.

A sudden thrust from you sent him seeing stars before he could even warn you. His pretty silk stained with his cum. His walls tightened and fluttered around you, making you paint his walls white. Falling blissfully asleep while he cock warmed you- of course his own dreams being warm and fuzzy from his overstimulation

[schoenpepper]

Twisted Wonderland What Ifs

Intro: Ramshackle is in the hands of the fish mafia, Savanaclaw smells like wet fur and sweaty muscles—Heartslabyul’s your only option for the night. (And for the record, Ace is not sleeping with the cat.)

Warnings: bad writing, awful grammar, fish mafia, reader is yuu duh, early book 3, reader is a bit oblivious lol because why not

A/N: This was not worth a week's wait I'm sorry. If it helps, I'm thinking of a little something to actually write again. Uh, see you (hopefully not next week again).

Masterlist

The stare-off with Grim doesn’t do anything to help your current situation. Regardless of your red hot seething anger, the anemone is still on his furry head and you’re still homeless. Not that your home actually was here. Rephrase it then; you are now roof-less, shelter-less, and absolutely fucking clue-less.

“It wouldn't sit right with me if you slept outside and caught a cold or somethin'...” Ace says, and you swear you could almost catch a glimpse of the guilt on his face if he hadn’t turned away from you so quickly.

“What is it with you and posturin'?” Grim complains.

(You’d have to agree, Ace is a very duplicitous person.)

Deuce, being the sweetheart he is, pipes up, “We've talked with Housewarden Rosehearts. We can offer you a place safe from the elements if you don't mind sleeping in our four-man freshman dorm room.” 

“You guys are gonna cram another two bodies into a crowded four-man room? What, does Heartslabyul not have any empty rooms?”

“Since nobody in our dorm ever drops out or gets held back, it's always at full capacity.”

It doesn’t sound awful. To be fair, you’ve seen the beds at Heartslabyul, and each one could likely fit two people each, with Grim barely counting as one body on his own. “I don’t mind. Thanks, guys,” you sigh and get back to packing your measly possessions into a large bag you’d borrowed from Jack, “who can I sleep with?”

“Really?” the wolf beastman raises an eyebrow, “I don’t think the guys back at Savanaclaw would mind if you stayed there. We have plenty of room, and they won’t say anything against it after the whole…spelldrive thing.”

You give him an awkward smile and a shrug. “It’s okay, Jack. I don’t think I’m very welcome there, so I’ll just bunk with Deuce for the night.”

“No problem, Y/N.”

“What?! I don’t want to be stuck with the cat!”

“I’m not a cat!”

You let out another sigh, “I meant bunking with Ace.”

The redhead doesn’t seem to have a problem with that statement.

(Though your heart might. Why is it beating so fast all of a sudden?)

The wind is cool on your trek to Heartslabyul; it’s a sobering feeling when your legs feel like jelly and your brain is nothing but pure mush. You feel drunk without a single sip of alcohol. You’re high with no drugs and really, there’s only one explanation for it—

Haha. No.

Your hands curl tighter around the strap of your bag.

This is necessary. That’s it. Your sleepover has no other meaning.

Trey welcomes you when you spot him in the kitchen on your way up the winding staircase to the boys’ dorm room, Grim already snoring with his head poking out of the duffle bag. You try your best to keep your steps quiet (and maybe that annoying pounding sound in your chest too), and as you reach the duo’s dorm room, you finally meet their roommates. One is some guy in your potionology class that you’ve talked to maybe twice, and the other is someone you could’ve sworn you’ve never even seen before in your life. “You’re here. I brought an extra blanket for Grim,” Deuce enters the room with a small, fluffy, rabbit-themed blanket.

“Oh,” you blink, “I knew I forgot something.”

“I don’t have any extra blankets. Guess you’re sleeping on the floor,” Ace laughs as he rolls around in his bed, wiggling his brows at you. Deuce throws a pillow at his face.

“Don’t worry prefect, I can lend you my—”

“Since I don’t have any extra blankets, I guess you can use mine. Just don’t get too close.”

You feel heat rising to your cheeks. You push it down as you carry Grim onto the little blanket atop Deuce’s bed. “Uh, right. I hope you don’t snore or kick or something,” you tease the redhead with a small smile.

(Ignore that Deuce offered you a blanket. Ignore the butterflies in your stomach.)

When you’re finally laid down next to him, you close your eyes almost immediately in a desperate attempt to fall asleep. Ace is…warm. He’s so annoying. But he radiates warmth in every way, almost from the soul. You pray that he’s dead asleep when you scoot closer to him, when you curl into his hoodie that smells like that one cologne that’s been overly popular in school lately. You hope he’s unconscious when you plop his arm to drape over you in the middle of the night.

Instead, your chin is tilted up to meet rose red eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Were you trying to cuddle?” he whispers, his breath hot on your skin.

You roll your eyes and quip back, “your breath smells like the dead.”

“Just admit you like me already.”

The smug tone in his voice makes you fake a gagging motion as you push him away, stealing the blanket and rolling yourself in it. “Shut up. Only an idiot would like you.”

He complains and tugs the blanket back towards him.

(You can’t fall asleep.)

(But to be honest, neither can he.)

[leossmoonn]

five nights with mike (2) | mike schmidt

read part one

summary - a romance develops between you and mike at freddy’s

warnings / includes - reader is fem. established feelings. natural time skips. very loosely follows the plot of the movie but i didn’t want to watch it again for this lol. eventual smut - piv, oral f receiving, brief handjob

————

18+ under the cut

“thank you so much for picking me up. you might have to tomorrow, too.”

mike glances at you, giving you a small smile. “it’s no problem.”

you buckle yourself in and set your purse between your legs on the ground. “how is abby?”

“great. she asks about you all the time,” mike chuckles. “oh,” you sigh, putting your hand on your chest. “she’s adorable. maybe sometime we can eat lunch or something together.”

his heart spikes and he nods enthusiastically. “that-that would be awesome. yeah and, uh, i can pay this time. i can even make it, too.”

“mike schmidt cooks, huh?” you grin at him. “i only know how to make a few things, but i like cooking in general. just give me a recipe and i’ll try my best,” he says.

“mmm. well, i love a man who can cook,” you remark, looking out the window. heat creeps up mike’s neck and reaches his ears. “just let me know what kind of food you like, and i’ll make it. i’m not a trained chef or anything, though, so if it’s bad then i don’t say i didn’t warn you.”

“i bet you’re better than me. i personally like baking better,” you say.

“baking is cool, but it takes too long and i’m an impatient person.”

“well, how about you cook and i’ll bring the dessert.”

“oh, you don’t have to do that,” mike shakes his head. “you’re already so busy with work.”

“it’s no trouble. i’ve stated to get later shifts at my day job. it means i work later, but more time to sleep and some more time reserved for things like baking.”

“that’s great to hear. do you feel like you sleep better now?”

“no,” you snort. “if anything, i feel worse, but that’s just my brain. i can tell my body appreciates it.”

mike hums in response. “tonight you can sleep the majority of the shift if you’d like.”

“and leave you all alone? no. after what happened to abby, i’m kind of scared to sleep there.”

mike rolls his bottom lip in between his teeth. “don’t let abby scare you. she has lots of imaginary friends even before i took her there, which won’t be happening again.”

“right,” you sigh. “it’s just that i swore i heard other voices. like a man’s voice.”

mike feels the hairs raise up on his arms even under his jacket. “maybe tonight we can scope it out.”

“sure. hopefully we don’t die. imagine those fur things coming to life and murdering us,” you shiver in thought.

mike chuckles, “that would be wild.”

mike parks his car at the pizzeria. you grab your purse and lead the way in. as you step inside, there’s a cracking sound. you look under your shoe, seeing a bunch of glass on the floor.

“holy shit,” you gasp. you look at the diner, seeing it totally trashed.

“fuck, um. yeah, steve mentioned this to me earlier. i-i must’ve forgot,” mike says sheepishly. he really did forget. he must’ve been so clouded by his excitement to see you, he scraped his conversation with steve completely.

“it’s okay. it’s not like you warning me would’ve changed what happened.” you can’t believe your eyes. it seems like every table in the diner is flipped over or broken. glass litters the floor and you’re thankful you chose to wear sneakers tonight and not slippers like you have been. “what did happen?” you turn to mike.

“i guess a bunch of people came in here after we left and trashed it. i’m not sure why. i swore we locked all the doors.”

“yeah, i thought we did, too. we wanted to get abby out of here fast, though, so we could’ve missed something.”

“yeah, that’s what i was thinking, too,” mike sighs. “i guess you really won’t be getting any rest tonight.”

“it’s alright,” you shrug. “i just don’t know if we’ll be able to get the diner back to its original state.”

“it’s not like anybody but us comes here,” mike jokes. you smile and nod, “right.” you set your purse down on one of the booth tables that isn’t destroyed. “let’s get to it.”

mike and you spend most of the night cleaning. you were shocked to find even more mess in the hallway and kitchen areas. everything was going smoothly until you find what you think is blood splattered all over the storage room window.

“mike?” you call out. there’s no answer and a pang of worry hits your chest. “mike?” you shout louder.

“coming!” you hear him. fast footsteps echo in the hallway and you can’t help but feel creeped out. you always thought this place was weird and dinky. you only accepted the job because you found out another person was working, and while you feel very save with mike, you just can’t shake the feeling that there’s something seriously wrong with this place.

“what’s up?” mike asks. you point to the window and his eyes widen. “oh,” he says. “um, maybe that’s the blood of the person destroying the place?”

“maybe. but it’s from the inside.”

“yeah,” mike gulps. “we can tell steve about it or something. we were hired to babysit this place, not be a clean up crew.”

“right,” you nod. he grabs your hand gently and you feel butterflies erupt in your tummy. “let’s go back to the office. we only have a couple more hours here. we can relax from cleaning then just be done.”

you smile in agreement, letting him lead you out of the hallway. soon your mind wanders away from the eerie feelings. you talk about everything and nothing. you laugh at every terrible joke he makes. he listens intently to stories about your family. with each minute, it seems like you two get closer — both emotionally and physically. by the end of the shift, you’re sitting knee-to-knee. your foot is brushing up against his jeans, feeling the muscle of his calf. both of your hands are rested on the desk and his fingers routinely brush up against yours. soon, they’re basically intertwined. you don’t know how they got there, but you’re not complaining.

“looks like we made it without dying,” mike says. you grin, “until tomorrow.”

“shall i take you home, then?” he asks. your face falls and he catches it, but you’re quick to mask it. “yeah, sure.” the disappointment seeps into you, but you know you’ll see him again soon. you just wish you could have more time with him.

you both walk out, triple checking that everything is shut and locked. the car ride home is silent, but it’s comfortable. you glance at mike every so often, admiring him from the passenger seat. his hair is tousled from running his hands in it. his eyebrows are furrowed as he focuses on driving, his eyes moving every so often as he watches the road. your eyes trial down the shape of his nose, noticing the tiniest bump towards the top.

dread fills you as he pulls into your driveway. you purse your lips as you try to think of what will allow you to spend more time with him.

“what’re your plans for today?” you ask. “nothing much. abby’s with a babysitter right now. thankfully, it’s the weekend so i don’t have to rush to take her to school,” he answers.

“ah,” you hum. he looks to you, seeing your face in deep concentration as you stare at your lap. “what about you? you work later today, right?”

“yep. at 2,” you say. he glances at the dashboard clock that reads 6:30 am. “you have a while then. are you tired?” he asks.

“not really. honestly, staying up all night kind of gave me a boost of energy.”

“me, too,” he nods. you can’t help but sigh. there’s no good reason for him to come inside or even for you to go back to his house. you figure you just have to wait until tonight.

“thank you again for driving me. are you able to pick me up later?” you ask.

“of course,” he nods. you smile, “great! i really appreciate it.”

“it’s really no problem,” he smiles. you start to get out of the car, but he stops you. “hey, can i, uh, use your bathroom really quickly?”

“yeah,” you nod a little too much. “thank you,” he says, stepping out of his car. you unlock the front door, trying to remember if you left your house a complete mess or not. you’re relieved to see that you did not.

mike looks around your house. it looks identical to his from the outside, but the inside is a whole different story. he wonders if you hired an interior decorator because of how beautiful it looks.

“the bathroom is down the hall to the right,” you say. he turns to look at you, then to the hallway. “thanks,” he says, making his way to the closed door.

you take off your shoes, placing them neatly on the small shoe rack you have by the door. there are some dirty dishes on the coffee table in your living room from your last meal, but you’re sure he doesn’t mind. everyone has dirty dishes laying out from time to time. you take the opportunity to load them in your dishes washer, re-folding some blankets and fluffing up the couch pillows.

you’re sat on your couch when mike comes out.

“are you hungry?” you ask. “no,” he lies. he wants to stay, but he doesn’t want to be a burden to you.

“oh, come on. we haven’t eaten in like, eight hours. at least i haven’t. i have some cinnamon rolls that would love to be baked.”

“would they, though?”

you giggle and stand up. “will your babysitter mind staying a little late?”

“i’ll call her,” mike says. he takes out his phone, dialing his home phone. it takes a moment or two for someone to pick up. “hello?” abby’s voice echos.

“hey, abby. is max there?” he asks. “yes. she just got me breakfast from mcdonald’s,” abby says.

“oh, that’s nice of her. do you mind if i speak to her real quick?”

“okay. max!”

mike quickly pulls the phone away as abby yells into the mic.

“hello?” max says. “hey, max. i, uh, got caught up at the pizzeria. are you able to stay and watch her for an hour or so?” mike asks.

“yeah, of course,” she says quickly. “awesome. i’ll pay you extra, i promise,” mike says.

“it’s okay, mike. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“yep,” he hangs up, waking into the kitchen where you’re setting out the dough.

“ah, these are pre-packaged,” mike remarks. “nobody has time to make cinnamon rolls by scratch,” you say.

“says the person who likes baking. or do you just like fake baking?”

“this is not fake baking!” you exclaim. “i am putting it in the oven and going to put icing over it.”

“whatever you say.” mike leans against your counter, crossing his arms over his chest. you can’t help but notice him flex his biceps.

“i bet you fake cook,” you quip. his brows raise in question. “and what does that entail?”

“you put a foam cup full of ramen and warm it up in the microwave.”

“those are delicious.”

“i mean, yeah, but it’s so hard to put an egg in it and sometimes the noodles aren’t soft enough.”

“well, i usually cook my ramen on the stovetop. so if i ever make you that, you’ll know it’s real cooking.”

you laugh at his joke, your eyes flickering from the rolls to him a few times. you think about doing this again with him, next time with him making you food. you think about being in his house, seeing how he lives, looking at the pictures he may have on the walls, or lack thereof. you think about sitting on his couch and watching a movie, shoulders and knees touching. you wonder what his room looks like, what color his sheets are. you want to know what he looks like sleeping and waking up. you want to know what he looks like on top of you and between your thighs.

“what else do you know how to make?” you ask.

“chicken pot pie.”

“pot pie? wow.” you are genuinely impressed.

“i’ve been told i make a mean stir fry, too.”

“you’ll have to make it for me then. does abby like your cooking?” you ask, putting the pan in the preheated oven.

“only if it’s spaghetti and waffles.”

“i see that she’s a simple girl.”

“food-wise, she is. but i don’t mind. they’re both easy things to make.”

“it’s sweet.” you turn to him, leaning against the counter diagonal from him. “how you take care of her. she’s lucky to have you.”

“truth is, i’m lucky to have her. we don’t always get along, but she keeps me going.”

“that is adorable,” you awe. “i am an only child, so i envy people who have siblings.”

“it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s nice just having someone there.”

“seems like it,” you say. you move to your coffee maker, turning it on and finding a k-cup to use. “would you like some coffee?”

“i would,” he nods. “can you grab us some mugs? they’re in the cabinet behind your head,” you direct.

he does so, placing the cups on the counter. he moves to slide it to you at the same time you put your hand on it. your heart skips a beat. your eyes shoot to his and you see they’re already on you. you watch his eyes trail down to your lips and the back up to your own eyes. you feel weak in the knees as he stares at you through his lashes. his eyes are wide and full of innocence, but there’s a hint of mischief in them as his pupils begin to widen.

“thank you,” you say, your voice coming out barely above a whisper.

“mhm,” he hums, his voice low and smooth. “how do you like your coffee?” you ask.

“one sugar and a splash of milk or creamer. whatever you have,” he answers.

“i have some creamer in the fridge.” you head towards your refrigerator. he watches you as you bite your lip as you search for the creamer. you shut the fridge door gently, setting the creamer next to the coffee maker. you open the cabinet above of you, grabbing a couple packets of sugar. he keeps his eyes on you as the silence settles in.

this feels so nice. being with you in your house feels nice. being close to you, spending time with you feels nice. mike wants to do this every day. he wants to fall asleep holding you close like he did the other night in the office. he wants to live with you and make dinner for you, having it await your arrival after your day shift. he wants to wake up next to you, tracing circles on your skin until they eventually become replaced with kisses. he wants to know how you’d look on top of him, riding his dick and face.

soon the cinnamon rolls are done. you take them out of the oven, waiting a few moments before icing them.

“you’re pretty good at icing,” you say. “thank you. these are kind of hard to ice since they’re so warm,” he chuckles.

“yeah, you’re supposed to wait, but i’m starving.” you take a bite into the roll, your eyes rolling to the back of your head. mike can’t help but notice that his jeans feel uncomfortably tight all the sudden. he takes a bite of his roll, making a note of how good they are.

“you can never go wrong with these,” you say. you take another bite, some icing sticking to the top of your lip. “you have a little bit of something here.” mike’s pinky points to his own lips.

“oh, god,” you laugh, heat creeping up your neck from embarrassment. “i should’ve warned you, i’m a messy eater.” you take a napkin and wipe it over the bottom half of your lip.

mike smiles and sets his roll down. “here, let me.”

you nod and place the napkin down, his fingers brushing against yours once more. he moves closer to you, leaning his head in to where your foreheads are almost touching. his gaze is trained on your lips as he cups your face, swiping his thumb over your lips. you don’t realize you’re holding in a breath until he looks into your eyes.

“thank you,” you manage to say. your throat feels dry all of the sudden and you feel hot all over. “no problem,” he says.

the air is thick between you two. you’re so close, closer than you’ve ever been. you can feel the heat radiating off of him. when you inhale you can smell him. he smells like the woods, spearmint, and vanilla. you can recognize the spearmint smell from his car. you wonder if the woodsy smell is natural and if the vanilla is the scent of his body wash.

he doesn’t move is hand away and you’re sure you don’t want him to. his eyes move across your face, not sure whether to stare at your lips or your eyes. he sucks in a deep breath, swallowing slowly. you watch as his adam’s apple bobs up and down, his jaw becoming more sharp as he bites down on his back teeth for a moment.

“can i kiss you?” his voice is low and warm. your eyes flutter in surprise, your heart following in suit. his big brown eyes stare into yours, holding your eyes hostage.

“yes,” you finally say. he slowly moves in, his hand moving upwards to touch the nape of your neck. you try to control your breathing as you watch his eyes flicker from yours to your lips. he brushes his bottom lip against yours, causing a thrill to run up your spine. his head moves back slightly, but he makes up for it with closing the gap between you two.

kissing him feels like a weight taken off your shoulders. all the tension you’ve felt releases as you move your lips with his. he kissed you so gently, a little too soft, like he’s holding back. after a few seconds he pulls away, both of you catching your breaths.

“i’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he says. you smile, grabbing his free hand. “well, don’t stop.”

he kisses you again, this time harder. it’s almost bruising. he grabs your waist, holding you tighter and closer. you take a shower breath and his tongue slips into your mouth. you moan softly as his hand slivers down to your ass and squeezing the soft tissue. your arms wrap around him and your weave your fingers through his hair. it’s so soft like you’ve always imagined.

“can i do this?” mike breathes against your lips. your eyes are still closed as he slides both hands up your shirt. you answer him by pulling away completely and taking your shirt off, revealing your nude-colored bra. you expect his eyes to drop down immediately, but you watch as they follow your jaw and down your neck. they sweep across the area where your collarbones are, then finally landing on your breasts.

his hands walk up your sides, making you laugh a little bit. he smiles at you, his eyes jumping up to yours now. you can’t help but squeeze your thighs just by the way he’s looking at you. he attaches his lips to yours once more, but it’s not long before he starts to trail down to your neck and your chest. you unhook your bra, letting it fall off your shoulders to the ground. you lean against the counter as he cups your tits, thumbs circling over your hardened nipples. you let out a little gasp as he pinches them, looking up at you to try and gage your reaction. he closes his lips around one nipple, flicking it with his tongue. you sigh this time, your hand falling to his head.

you feel his hands skim down to your pants. his fingers hook under the waistband, feeling over the cotton of your underwear. you shift your weight, feeling that the tension is almost unbearable. it’s painful as you watch him slowly slide down your pants. he runs his tongue down the valley of your breasts, pressing wet all over your tummy before landing at the top of your underwear. you step out of your pants, feeling the cold air hit your legs, making you shiver.

his left hand grabs the underside of your thigh. his hand is so warm against your cold skin. it feels nice, but not as nice as the feeling you get when he runs the pads of his fingertips down your underwear. he skims just over your slit, feeling some of the wetness that has collected. you want to slap the smirk off his face, but it makes your stomach flip.

“is there anything i should do?” he asks. now he looks all innocent, staring at you with wide eyes and raised brows.

“i could think of a few things,” you say. “mm, like what?” he inquires. his fingers are at the side of your panties. you watch in anticipation as you wait for him to pull them to the side. “tell me what you want,” mike says.

you swallow hard. “i… i want your fingers inside of me. and your mouth on me.”

you can see all of his top teeth as he smiles. “that’s all you had to say.”

you spread your legs, using the counter as a crutch. he pushes your underwear aside, slipping one finger into you. heat creeps up your neck at the sound of your cunt gushing. he slides it out momentarily, finding your clit to moisten the area. he slides two fingers in this time, curling them inside of you. he watches you again, seeing your lips part and chest heave up and down. you feel your brain go numb as he keeps his eyes locked on yours as he brings his mouth to your cunt.

“ohmygod,” you rush out, your head lolling back. his tongue flicks your clit, sucking every so often. you lead so far back your back is supported by your cabinets. one of your hands hold his head, your fingers gripping his hair. your other hand is digging your fingernails into his clothes shoulder.

“fuck, mike,” you gasp as he quickens the pace of his fingers ever so slightly. he hits that spot so perfectly, and you can’t help but squeeze your thighs around his head. his tongue starts making stronger strokes on your clit. not enough to make it hurt, but enough to make you feel like you’re already about to orgasm.

you’ve talked to mike about past lovers. you know he’s had a couple and for only short periods of time. you assumed he would be experienced, but not an expert, which you had no problem with. he’s sure as hell proving you wrong now.

“don’t stop, don’t stop,” you breathe out. you place one hand next to you on the counter, gripping the marble top so hard you think it might leave an imprint in your palm. “mike, mike,” you warn him, your throat constricting and heart racing. your toes curl in your socks and you clench your thighs around his head one last time.

you have to push his head away, seeing the dazed look on his face. his fingers exit you and he sucks them dry. you visibly gulp, feeling warmth fill your lower stomach as you watch him. all you can hear is your heartbeat in your ears and your heavy breathing.

“good?” he asks. “yes,” you nod enthusiastically. “so good.”

you grab him by his shirt, crashing your lips onto his. you taste yourself on his lips. both of your hands drop down to his jeans, undoing his belt quickly. his heart skips in excitement as his pant pool at his ankles. you palm him through his brief, feeling how hard he it. it must be painful, you think, and it is. he was already hard from the moment he kissed you, and it didn’t get any better when giving you head.

you pull away and wet your hand with your spit, shoving your hand down his boxers. both of his hands grip your waist as you wrap your fingers around his length, pumping it in your hands, squeezing every so often. your other hand reached down to his balls, massaging them gently, but at the same pace as your other hand.

“shit,” mike groans, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. he already feels like he’s going to blow a load. he hasn’t had sex in a long while, but he didn’t his stamina was this terrible. he knows it’s you, though. you’re the reason why his fingertips are digging into your skin. you’re the reason why his pre-cum is leaking all over your hand. you’re the reason why when he feels like he’s close to coming, he stops you because he wants — no, needs — to feel what it’s like inside of you.

“do you have a condom?” mike breaths out. “yeah,” you say. you quickly make your way to one of your drawers, pulling out a packet. “these work?” you ask.

“yes,” he nods. “you just keep condoms laying around?”

“easy access,” you shrug.

“you fuck everybody in your kitchen, then?”

“only my hot co-workers.”

he blushes at your comment. you give him a wink, tearing open the condom. you hand it to him and he slides it on. you grab the bottle of lube you keep handy as well, slathering it onto the condom, giving mike a playful squeeze that elicits a low groan. he takes you by the waist and kisses you, spinning you around so now yours against the counter again. you take your panties off and hop on, the cold marble feeling nice against your blazing hot skin.

you lean back, watching mike line himself up with you. he looks into your eyes then back down, pushing himself inside of you. you gasp softly, your grip on his shoulders tightening. he starts off slow at first, basking in your warmth and tight walls. but soon, he’s fucking you. he slides his arm under your back and pulls your bottom half towards him, causing the angle to change. he hikes one of your legs up, allowing him to lean into you more and just hit that spot deep inside of you deliciously.

“mike,” you pant into his shoulder, holding yourself close to him. he makes your eyes flutter shut and roll back farther with each thrust. you pulsate around him with every whimper and moan that comes out of his mouth. you soon feel that familiar feeling bubble in your lower stomach.

mike rests his head against your cabinet, looking down and watching as he slides in and out of you. his grip on your sides tighten as he tries to focus on other things than you, but he can’t. you’re just too sexy. the way you’re moaning in his ear, chanting his name with each thrust. the way your nails begin to scrape against his shoulder blades. not to mention, you look amazing just sitting on the countertop. he can’t not think about you and the fact that he’s inside of you.

that’s all he needs to finish.

you wrap both legs around him as you come. your head leans back, your eyes screwing shut. he comes with you, stopping after a few slow thrusts. he slides out of you, chest heaving up and down. you squeeze your legs together and swear you can still feel him inside of you.

he ties the condom and throws it into your trash can. you have a big smile on your face when he turns to look at you. he can’t help but mirror it.

“how, uh, was that?” he asks, suddenly becoming bashful. “amazing,” you breathe out. “how did i do?” you ask teasingly.

“you were…. perfect.” his pupils are blown and you can’t tell where his iris starts. his words make your body feel even more warm. you jump off your counter and put your clothes back on, making a note to wipe off your counter with lysol soon.

“i should get back home to abby,” mike says. your smile falls, but you understand. “she probably misses you.”

“probably not,” he chuckles. “well, i know i will.” you take his hands into yours.

“you’ll see me soon,” he says, his thumb tracing circles on your skin.

“i will,” you smile, starting to feel excited again. you walk him outside, leaning on the hood of his car. “i hope to do this again sometime,” you say.

“me, too. maybe sometime before work i can make you dinner?” he suggests.

you’re smiling so hard your cheeks are starting to hurt. “i would love that.”

————

taglist

@celestbarnes

[niko-jpeg]

Originally, Shadow 05 was not going to be in this au. But then I came up with the funniest possible way to include it in the story, and I couldn’t help myself. So you know how Camp Green Hill is set up like an animated series, with seasons and episodes and such? Well, I present to you Camp Green HIll: Shadow the Hedgehog, a post canon movie spinoff featuring our beloved moody hedgie and his adventure of accidental self discovery. The details are a little in the air right now, since I’m still finishing the base plot of CGH itself, so doodle explanations under the cut <3

Title Drop: First doodle of the batch I made, featuring Shadow and Rouge. They still work together under GUN post canon, and are cool and badass and etc. Slight design changes to Rouge because I wanted to, and Shadow rocks the button up and suit jacket combo. And yes, of course, he still has a gun.

I Can’t Draw Omega: I tried. And it did not go well, I’m so sorry Omega truthers. 

Weird Way to Meet Your Dead Beat Dad: I saw this scene vividly. After the opening sequence, Rouge and Shadow are going back to the apartment, only to be met by Shadow’s alien dad, who he does not remember. 

In the Lab, All Alone: This one’s more of a stretch, a vibe doodle if you will. I wanted to draw him in emotional distress, so I stuck him back on the Ark in the classic shitty hospital gown while he tries not to cry tears of frustration. Why? Because I said so. I don’t think it’ll make the final cut, but I had fun drawing it anyway. 

Sonic and Tails: As I said, this au takes place post canon! Now Sonic is 18, and Tails is 14! Shadow is 19 himself. However, because of just how many times Sonic has gone super, he’s begun to physically change a little. While coming down from being super has its emotional fallouts, he’s done it so many times he’s begun to grow electric yellow fur on his ears, hands, feet, and around his eyes. It also seems to be on his quills, strangely. Tails is as nerdy as ever, clearly.

Super Shadow: Unfortunately, Shadow goes super every once in a blue moon too, and it too is beginning to manifest. While at the moment the third eye is just a temporary thing while super, there's no saying if it may stick around if he does it again. A note on that as well: the only Hedgie that doesn’t go Super more than once is Silver. This is intentional, on his part, as while he was super, he found it quite a challenge to keep himself under control and has avoided it since. Who knows what his manifestations may end up looking like. 

Expressions: A surprised (though not unhappy) Shadow, contrasted with a visibly aggressive Shadow. 

Cuddle Pile: Request from the stream. Coming down from being super has its downsides, and a pretty rough mental fallout. Being a god for an hour doesn’t leave a guy unscathed, y’know. While Silver resists it initially (for various plot reasons), eventually the two are able to convince him to join the emotional recovery party Sonic’s closer friends throw him when he goes super. This usually includes blanket time, as seen here. 

Post Credits Shenanigans: I have this very vivid scene in my brain that would take place after the events of the story. Earlier, Sonic gushes about how cool he thinks Shadow actually is, under all the bitey rough exterior. Rouge, naturally, gets a recording and after everything is said and done plays it for him. This obviously flusters him. Please excuse the poorly edited blush, I realized I forgot to turn that layer back on only after I had saved the file. Oops. 

Remember, asks are open for the characters themselves, or about the au <3

[sikudastoner]

017. in the trenches of snow forts, amidst a war of a snow fight! who will win? For the Lannister kids <3

I really thought to myself that I would do drabbles but I had too much fun with this one.

For reference, this is years before the war. Darren is 15, Lymond is 14, Eltyn is 10 and Maeby is 9. Also, I thought it was canon that Tyrion is a December Sagittarius but my brain mistook popular opinion for fact. That being said, Tyrion is a December Sagittarius in the sikudastoner universe, argue with the wall.

Divider by strangergraphics

Lymond couldn’t stand the air of the Rock. Every year, without fail, his lord father would dampen the mood on this particular day. It not only dated the birth of his least favorite son, the Imp, but the death of his preferred lady wife. Nobody dared uttered her name, who was worthy of mentioning the better Lady of Casterly Rock? No one dared to smile, laugh, chew too loudly or wish the poor man a blessed name day. All that would be heard were tiptoes and Tywin stalking about the halls, grumbling about the imperfections he noted amongst the halls and chambers.

This would not do.

“Darren.” Lymond spoke as they both stared out a window, taking in the sight of snowflakes landing on the frozen waters of Sunset Sea.

“Yes, Lymond?”

Lymond gave him a look, a look only his older brother would understand in an instant.

Darren knew immediately what his look suggested. “No.”

“There is no harm in it.” Lymond jumped to his defense.

“No, I don’t see the harm in it other than rubbing our joy in father’s face.”

“I cannot stand it here.” Lymond groaned, stepping away from the frostbitten window. “Why must we subject ourselves to misery? What would Lann the Clever think of this? His descendents cooped up and trembling in fear because of father’s temper?”

“Do not bring Lann the Clever into this.” Darren grumbled, his back turned against his brother’s fit.

“What are you two bickering about?” The two boys jumped at the sound of the tiny voice that made its presence known, turning to the door to see their dear sister staring up at them in curiosity.

“A snowball fight.” Lymond replied before Darren could claim it’s ‘nothing.’

“Oh yes!” Maeby clapped her hands together, her eyes alive with excitement.

“No, it must be postponed. Two days, at the very least.” The eldest brother asserted.

“Come on-” Lymond slowly stepped over to Maeby’s side, standing his ground and creating an unspoken alliance. “How could you dare say no to the face of an angel?” He nudged his sister’s side, hinting for her to flash an angelic look. Never failing to let him down, the youngest Lannister’s big brown eyes doed into adorableness, her lips pouting with practiced ease.

Darren was weak to his sister’s adorable manipulation. He shut his eyes briefly as a groan rumbled through him, feeling every bit of his resolve crumbling of the thought of his brother and sister sitting in their chambers, bored and depressed.

“Fine.” He paused, a sudden question popping in his mind as he remembered Maeby’s unannounced entrance. “How did you sneak into my chambers, young lady?”

“Door was unlocked.” Maeby said with a shrug.

“That’s on me, I forgot to lock the door.” Darren admitted, his annoyance redirected at himself.

All the perils of snowball fight were thoughtfully planned out. Their mother warned them to not laugh too loudly, to make sure Eltyn was bundled up in furs because his lankiness made him twice likely to catch a cold, have Tywin occupied with an urgent matter in the west quarters of the keep as they enjoyed their activities in the east courtyard, and buy the discretion of a few impressionable guards.

Darren bent his knees to reach for a fistfull of snow to mold into a ball. “Shall we?” He pressed urgency, concerned of what would become of them if father’s distraction didn’t hold his attention for very long.

“I propose we pair up, teams of two.” That warranted an eye roll from him, Lymond knew how to get under his skin.

“I want to be on Lymond’s team!” Maeby was already at his side, her tiny hands laying claim on her brother.

Lymond smiled down at his eager little sister, admiring her enthusiasm. “My thoughts exactly.”

“You can have her.” Darren gave a dismissive wave, though he preferred if Lymond was his partner than Eltyn, who was the least ecstatic about snowball fights. The boy detested the cold, or any physical activity, and the family was well aware of his indifference. “What’s the prize for the winning team, since you’re calling the shots?”

“It’s not about winning, it’s about having fun.”

Darren scoffed. “Coming from you? That’s rich. You’re the most competitive lad I know.”

Lymond hummed, tossing a ball of snow back and forth between his gloved hands. “Losing team calls Joanna Lannister a glorified wench in the presence of our lord father, the winning team basks in his pride and favor for a few hours.”

His insensitive jest made three jaws drop, even some guards. “Absolutely not.”

“No fun, this lot.” He muttered to himself. “Fine, losing team does a song and dance for the name day boy, winning team saves themselves from humiliation. Sounds good?” They all nodded their heads in unison, any bet was better than betting on dishonoring the memory of Tywin Lannister’s first wife. “Very well, let’s take a moment to prepare.”

Eltyn was pulled to the side by Darren, the two of them conspiring against their opposing team. Before Lymond could get a single word out, he looked down at his sister hastily balling up snow and stacking them on top of each other. “What are you doing, little lion?”

“Prepping our armaments, so we can spend our time hitting instead of making.” Maeby explained her method.

Her quick mindedness never failed to impress him, but he wasn’t a strategist. “Those balls won’t last, it will merge into a mountain of snow. Besides, there’s no strategy in snowball fights. It’s all about aim and speed.”

“Lymond is quick, but you’re quicker. He has long legs, but yours is longer than his was when he was your age. No doubt he’ll be winging his approach.” Darren shared his strategy with his partner. Eltyn, for someone who was reluctant to leave his chambers, was surprisingly mentally noting everything he told him. “Maeby gets aggressive with her throws, you surrender easily, avoid her. You let me deal with the little bugger.”

“What if she tails me?” Eltyn asked.

“Use your chicken legs and run away from her.” Darren answered irritatedly, as though the answer were clear as day.

“My method is to just run?”

“Your method is to run and hide from Maeby’s prowess and sneak attack on Lymond when he gets cocky.”

Eltyn considered the approach. His fingers fidgeted by instinct, the woven gloves covering up his nailbeds he would pick at. “Do you think it will work?”

“It will have to, you hate singing and dancing.” Darren paused, sensing the tension in his brother’s uncertainty of the wager. The possibility of losing a simple game he was determined to win for the first time. Worst of all, the feeling of snow hitting any of his bare skin. His hand hovered over his brother’s shoulder, immediately making the little boy flinch from the threat of contact. He withdrew his hand, falling to his side. “Look, you need to have confidence in yourself and have fun. That is how we will win, okay?”

Confidence. Fun. These words were nonexistent in Eltyn’s vocabulary. His brother’s pep talk wasn’t the most inspiring, but the punishment of singing and dancing loomed over him. After a moment of reflection, he nodded in agreement. Seeing a smile grace his older brother’s face gave him more encouragement than a simple, “have fun, be confident” ever could.

“Are you two ready?” Lymond called from the other side of the courtyard.

Eltyn squinted his eyes to see Maeby creating a pile of snowballs, he cursed himself for not thinking of her preparation method himself.

“Ready to kick your arses.” Darren taunted them as he prepped his snowball.

“You kiss our mother with that mouth?” Lymond returned his humor.

“You would kiss mother on the mouth, you heathen.”

“Pardon my ignorance, I meant to ask if you kiss our father’s arse with that mouth?”

Lymond’s jest shocked Darren into an o-shaped mouth as Maeby snickered and Eltyn held in a snort.

“That does it!” A snowball was sent flying towards Lymond’s direction as precise and fast as a bow releasing from a crossbow.

The first blow triggered his competitive nature and in a swift motion, he picked a ball from Maeby’s pile and retaliated the attack. The children sprung to action and made their first attacks, balls flying from each direction of the courtyard. The advice given earlier of keeping quiet was not heeded; laughter, taunts and screams filled the air.

Eltyn sprinted towards Lymond, picking up a handful of snow in his tracks and chasing him down. Lymond made a run for it, his freezing bones enduring his force of speed. He launched a snowball at him as he tailed him, but his footwork saved him from a hit in the face. One thing Eltyn hadn’t anticipated was the skill of his brother’s darting, or being tag teamed.

Maeby directed her throws at Eltyn, defending Lymond from his pursuit. She aimed at his legs, believing they were skinny enough to send him flying onto the ground. Two hits to the legs and Eltyn was still on his feet, running away from her attacks. She was soon tackled by Darren, a triple snowball attack to her back. She looked over her shoulder to see the boy grinning at her with the signature Lannister arrogance.

“You think you’re a gift of the seven, don’t you?” She mocked him as she sent a snowball flying to his face.

The cold snow hit his face, not cooling his quick temper. “You spoiled brat!” He aimed a ball at her face, she ducked it and it landed on Eltyn’s back.

“Come on!” Eltyn groaned and threw his hands up in the air as he saw Darren the culprit of his hit.

“Apologies!” Darren called out, not letting himself become distracted with explaining what happened. He continued to hunt down the little lion, ensuring she would not strike Eltyn or overpower him. She chased after her, her squeaks and giggles reminding himself of his own advice.

Have fun.

He let the little girl throw a few amateur hits, seeing her face beam with victory gave him some satisfaction. This was the most time he’d ever spent with her, he was willing to cherish the moment. Still, he would not let her win. He noted how lazy her throws had gotten and seized the opportunity to conquer the little beast. He hooked her small frame with one arm, his hand clenched over her head with the threat of his final strike.

“Surrender.” He told her, knowing she had no way out.

Her groan was a surrender in itself. He could’ve released his sister, but instead he dropped the snowball on her head, the snow collapsing through her curly hair.

Eltyn, by some miracle, had Lymond cornered and accepting defeat from his ceaseless hits. How this boy who spent more time flipping pages of a book could create so many snowballs in a matter of seconds was intangible. He took joy from attacking his brother as he did in his studies, not that it was as harsh as a blow to the head.

“Alright, alright! You win!” Lymond gave in with a chuckle, his hands surrendering above his head.

Eltyn paused his throwing, his eyes widening slightly. “I win?”

“Yes-” Darren made his way over to Eltyn and wrapped his arm around him. He didn’t care how he loathed being touched, he was proud of his brother. “We won!”

For the first time, and possibly the last, Eltyn gave Darren a high five.

“Here come my lads, my comely boys and split your sacks ashore. For you all will be sailing, sailing for many days, before you get some more. So grease the…” Lymond and Maeby mumbled nonsense from the forgotten verse. “… and send a tap, betwixt the wind and wat-er. Hoist me lads and hoist again, salute the captain’s daughter!”

Tyrion’s chamber erupted in applause from the little performance the losing team gave. Tyrion was far too drunk to care that it was a wager that gave him a name day show, and perhaps a little grateful he got anything decent. Even Darren’s side eye didn’t spoil the special moment for him.

“Well sung!” Tyrion cheered as Lymond and Maeby took a bow.

“Thank you, thank you.” Lymond soaked in the attention from his fellow siblings, flipping his golden hair over his shoulders. “Blessed name day to you, my brother.”

Tyrion lifted his goblet, chuckling at his flamboyance. “No, thank you, I couldn’t ask for a finer gift.” He pointed over to the little Lannister. “This one has a talent for song.”

“I also have a talent for craft!” Maeby turned around and gathered something from a small satchel she brought along with her. She carefully took out three paper crowns with ink inscriptions on them.

“What’s this?” Eltyn asked, his brows furrowing as she bestowed the first crown to Tyrion’s head.

“It’s your prize, for winning the snowball fight.” Maeby explained, walking over to Eltyn and placing another crown atop of his black hair. “You told me it was your first time winning something, and you had nothing to show for it. Now you have a crown to show for it.”

A warm smile swept across Eltyn’s face at his little sister’s thoughtfulness, still he couldn’t help but wonder. “That’s sweet, but where did you get the paper from?”

“Maester Creylen wouldn’t let me borrow the books from the library, so I took some parchment paper from father’s study.”

“Father’s study?!” Darren sprinted up from his seat, the paper crown falling from his head as he stormed out the door in haste. The door slammed shut behind him and both Lymond and Tyrion cackled at his frantic response.

Eltyn slowly rose from his seat, his hands reaching up to keep the paper crown on his head. “Time to hide the evidence.”

[aerin-of-the-isles]

Merry Christmas, @eliza-faust-diary

I’m your Inu Yasha Secret Santa! I hope you like it!

and a Very BIG “THANK YOU!” to @brain-rot-hour for the additional art!

The peaceful quiet of the meadow around the Sacred Well was disrupted once again by the grumblings of an annoyed inu hanyou and the miko from the future. 

“I thought ya were goin back to slay some more of those tesuto things at your school! What’re ya doin with all these—these things!” Inu Yasha finished. He placed the miko down on her feet and hefted the bag of ‘stuff’ over his shoulder as Kagome wrapper her scarf a but more tightly around her. 

The sun was heading towards the horizon and the air was chill, but for once, his miko was dressed appropriately. Pants covered her legs and she was wearing a jacket for once. Even so, she was still lovely.

She blinked at him curiously, then smiled. “Oh! That’s right!” She gave a soft giggle that made him blush, although Kagome didn’t notice. “I forgot that you don’t really remember Christmas since its really something from my time. I’m sorry, Inu Yasha; I should’ve remembered.” 

The two of them walked towards the village as Kagome mentioned that she had bought a few presents for her friends. Inu Yasha grumped a bit, making his usual “keh” and "feh” noises as he pretended to be uninterested. He and Kagome were met on the way by Sango and Kirara, flying around on patrol. 

At Kaede’s hut, Kagome took out the presents she had purchased, some tape, and wrapping paper and began to wrap them. Inu Yasha helped by sticking his thumb on the colored strings Kagome used so she could tie a bow, and surprisingly, Miroku tried to help with the tape.

Kirara, now transformed to her smaller size, was fascinated by the wrapping paper and attacked it with vigor! Sango and Kagome giggled and tossed her some crumpled balls to attack. The nekomata chased one or two around the room, pouncing as necessary!

“Kagome-dono,” Miroku called, staring at the round object in his hand, “what all does this ‘tape’ do?” Miroku stared intensely at his right hand and quickly attached some tape to his glove, then wrapped it around his covered right arm. After 3 or 4 times around, the tape got stuck to itself, and Kagome had to cut the tape before Miroku got both his hands stuck. 

With a giggle, Kagome explained, “We use tape for all kinds of things, Miroku-san. As you can see, its good for attaching things together but is also easy to cut apart.” Kagome paused in her wrapping as Kirara walked on top of a piece of her wrapping paper laid out on the floor for a present and settled down for a nap. 

Inu Yasha glanced over, pulling the roll of tape from Miroku’s hand and examining it more closely. The two of them pulled some tape out and started attaching it to various pieces of cloth and then began shoving each other a bit.

“I think you’ve had enough time with the tape, my friend. I’d like to try some more—“ the monk began. He reached for the tape, but Inu Yasha held it out of reach.

“I’m still using it, bouzo!” the inu hanyou replied.

The two of them kept arguing — “back off!” “Be careful!” “You’re using too much!” “You’re not using it right!” — until Sango finally stood up, grabbed the tape and skillfully wrapped it around their wrists, like modern handcuffs. 

With a satisfied smile, Sango sat and handed an astonished Kagome the tape. “Here you go, Kagome-chan.” 

Kagome looked from the tape to the annoyed monk and hanyou duo and then stifled a laugh as she used the tape to finish off her last gift. “There! All done!” With a soft smile, she looked at Sango and said, “If you could have anything for Christmas as a present, what would it be?”

Sango’s deep chocolate eyes turned inward and she stroked Kirara’s fur for a moment or two. “I think I’d just like some more of that sham-poo and soap you usually have. It’s so refreshing!”

“Oh! That’s easy, Sango-chan. I’m really excited about the gifts I got for my friends, too. We were going to do a secret santa, but as it turned out, I had enough to buy them each a present, so it wasn’t so bad.”

The two women chuckled as Kirara suddenly bounded up and attacked some paper that was obviously up to no good. “What’s a secret santa, Kagome-chan?” Sango picked up some of the pretty ribbon and waved it softly in front of Kirara, both women studiously ignoring the men who were now nearly tangled up after challenging each other to a ‘tape off.'

“Oh! In a secret santa, everyone gets the name of one person in secret and they buy a gift for them. Sometimes, the gifts are from the heart and sometimes, they are more like joke or funny gifts. This year we chose gifts from the heart! Tomorrow morning before we head out, Inu Yasha and I are going to drop the gifts back in my time. That way, my friends can pick them up in case we’re busy.”  

With a little squeal, Kagome pulled out a package from her backpack and introduced Sango to the little packages of deliciousness. “I forgot to tell you! I brought some hot chocolate packets. These have tiny marshmallows in them.” 

Kaede smiled as she heated up some water. “I’m looking forward to this type, Kagome-chan. The dark hot chocolate you brought last time was quite delicious.” The silence was interrupted by the muffled sounds of miroku and Inu Yasha grunting and snarking at each other. The women tried to control their eye-rolling but it was difficult to do anything but as two ‘adults’ became embroiled in tape. 

After the water was ready, Kagome, Kaede, and Sango sipped joyfully at the hot chocolate, giving out contented ‘ahhs’ as they reached chocolate nirvana. Full of trepidation, Kagome turned to look at Miroku and Inu Yasha, who had both grown silent. 

Miroku’s other hand was taped to his head and Inu Yasha was using his fangs to cut through the tape that crossed his face and smooshed down one of his ears. Sango stood abruptly, giggling like mad and running for the door. Huge bursts of laughter reverberated back inside even as Kagome doubled over in laughter. 

“S’not funny,” Inu Yasha grumbled as he gnawed through another weird bit of tape. Kirara wandered over and playfully batted at both Miroku and Inu Yasha, pouncing on the monk whose one hand was taped behind his head. The adorable nekomata settled into his lap and closed her ears to their mutterings. 

“You could help,” Inu Yasha grumbled at the nekomata, eyeing her claws and fangs. He was unsurprised when she gently trilled back. Miroku traded glances with his fellow tapee and continued to unravel himself. He was still trailing tape when a giggling Kagome handed him some hot chocolate, then kneeled behind Inu Yasha to help him untape his ears. 

Miroku shook his head as Inu Yasha gave an unconscious happy wiggle when Kagome softly stroked his ears. Her lilting voice was soft, but the houshi heard her ask, “All better now?”

He grinned behind his cup of hot chocolate and discreetly hid the tape in his robes. He might need it later. 

He smiled and carefully rubbed Sango’s bottom. “Heaven!” he opined before her boomerang came crashing down on his head. 

@iyfss @inusecretsanta

[dmwrites]

If you’ve been keeping up with Joel SmallishBeans’ Minecraft hardcore series, you’d know that he recently did a world tour with Lizzie. I was inspired by it. Enjoy:)

——

It was a warm and sunny afternoon, and yes, perhaps it was a little irresponsible of Joel to nestle himself into one of the cozier nooks within the tangled root system at the bottom of the huge cherry tree, but the heat of the day was making him drowsy. Joel laid out a picnic blanket he’d bought off a villager and flopped down on top of it. Here, in the sweet-smelling shade, a breeze ruffling the hair on his head ever so slightly, Joel felt his eyes begin to flutter closed. There was lots to do, always was in this sprawling hardcore world he built in by himself, but it could wait just a little while. Joel nodded off, falling into a gentle sleep.

He knew he was dreaming the moment he opened his eyes again. The wooden ceiling was a dead giveaway, yes, but there was also the case of the pink-haired woman sitting in the chair next to his bed.

“Oh, finally! I thought you’d never wake up!” The woman said. “So, are you gonna show me around or what?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Joel asked, sitting up in bed and staring at her. She was quite pretty.

“The tour. I’m here for the tour… of your world? Don’t tell me you forgot already, Joel, you silly man.” She smiled at him, hitting him on the arm. It felt like nothing at all.

“I- right, okay, sure, yeah.” Joel stood up, and just then noticed that his inventory was empty. He had no armor on his body or weapons at his side. All he had to do was think about it, and his head was bumping against the ceiling. “Definitely a dream.” He murmured.

“What was that?” The pretty girl had left the room, and poked her head back in.

“Nothing. I’m coming.” Joel replied, and put his feet back on the ground, and walked into the living room. “So, uh, this is my starter house. What did you say your name was again, sorry?”

“Lizzie, that’s my name.” The pretty girl said, looking all around. “Nice starter house.”

“That’s a pretty name.” Joel replied, being both earnest and flirty. Lizzie just looked at him expectantly. “Uh, so, my starter house- first thing I built. I don’t stay here all too much, since I’m alone in this world.” Joel said hesitantly, glancing over at the girl. He wondered if dreams turned sour if the residents of them learned of their reality.

“I could live with you.” Lizzie said, smiling and taking his hand.

“I would like that.” Joel replied softly, interlacing his fingers between hers. Her hand against his felt like warm sunlight against his skin.

They walked out of the starter house and down the paths. Joel began showing off his farms to Lizzie, making sure to boast accordingly. She responded enthusiastically with sarcasm and dry wit. They still held hands. It was odd, knowing that this was all a dream. Joel felt so floaty, almost uneasy without his items on him, but he could still feel the gentle pressure of this mysterious Lizzie’s hand in his. He tried to ignore it all, for the sake of having a nice time.

“And here is my amethyst farm.” Joel said, taking her down some stairs and into a room full of growing crystals.

“Woah…” Lizzie’s eyes widened, like a cat’s. “Very nice. And kind of familiar, huh?” She elbowed him good-naturedly.

“Familiar?” Joel asked, and his brain felt fuzzy all of a sudden. Flashes of gold and masks and soft fur pulsated through his mind, but the memories, if that’s what they were, were nothing more then distant feelings. “I- uh.. I don’t know.”

“That’s okay.” Lizzie said, taking his hand more firmly in her own, and leading him back outside. Joel’s mine began to clear, a small headache taking its place. They stood still for a moment, Joel just kind of blinking a lot, and Lizzie just watching him. The sun looked really pretty in her hair. She was throwing chicken eggs everywhere.

“So, my villager… villages. This way.” Joel eventually said, clearing his throat. “I trade with these guys and they love me so much. I’m like the best thing that’s ever happened to them, really.” He lead her to his walled-in villages, and they walked around the houses.

“Do you guys really like it here? How much do you get paid? Have you considered seizing the means of production?” Lizzie asked every villager they passed.

“Lizzie!” Joel smacked her lightly on the arm. “Stop trying to make my villagers revolt!”

The villagers said nothing, as they didn’t speak the language, and they hardly looked interested in the two people walking among them.

Lizzie got a hold of some more chicken eggs at some point, and rained them down on the earth, while insisting it wasn’t her doing when chicks started appearing all around them. Joel showed her some other structures he’d built recently. He was saving the best for last, of course.

“And, my pride and joy… the gigantic cherry blossom tree.” Joel spread his arms wide, presenting it like you couldn’t see it from every other area.

Lizzie gasped, and began to float off the ground, running on air to get a closer look. Joel copied her, gravity not even a fleeting thought as he saw her smile. The sun was beginning to set, and Lizzie became a body of shadows, then thrown into brilliant, golden light as she looked all around at the tree. Joel looked at the tree too, yes, but really he was looking at her, looking at the tree. His heart felt like it was missing something and it was right in front of him. She caught him looking at her and smiled, floating over and taking both of his hands in her own. They floated to the ground together, hands clasped in each other’s, like they were about to exchange vows.

“Who are you?” Joel asked, his mind starting to become fuzzy again. “I know you. I love you.”

“Yes, you do. And I do too, Joel. But don’t worry.” Cherry blossom petals fell around her, pink like her hair, and she was smiling at him. “I am always with you.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Joel woke up and stared up at the pink canopy above him. The sun was beginning to set now, in the real world, and the golden light lit up the tree in an almost heavenly light. He didn’t feel light and dreamy anymore, and he was all to aware of being alone again. He pressed his fingers to his cheek- it tingled still. He closed his eyes and felt a tear roll down his face, in sorrow or joy he wasn’t quite sure.

[twistedtavern]

Hand over the spoilers 🫴

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE 🫡

A (very long) snippet from my persona 5 self aware au: Let Us Start The Game

DISCLAIMER: THIS VERSION OF CHAPTER 1 IS OUTDATED AND KEPT UP FOR POSTERITY'S SAKE.

The city of Tokyo was fairly vast, with big buildings and a big population of lots and lots of people. 

However, at this moment, one person’s world was very small, and very confused. Sure, the two places they had ever lived in their entire life were very similar, simple apartments with only two bedrooms to their name. But to them, it couldn’t have felt more different. 

Their last place was nothing short of dangerous. Two shadows loomed over them day in and day out, forcing them into living like a scared little mouse in their own home. Their life was a set of instructions, tried and tested by whether or not they could scrape by unnoticed. The loneliness sank in, huddling for warmth at the side of neglect. They were tiny, underfed, hair unbrushed and in too-big clothes searched for while their parents slept. It was hard to believe that this little thing was already seventeen. They forgot their name. What school was like. The times they were dragged by the wrist to go outside in the day time. 

One day, everything became blurry. They didn’t know what they were doing, but they knew that they had been looking at something on the screen of the old TV that had been dumped into their room. Without warning, someone appeared in front of them. They still couldn’t remember who this person was, or what they looked like. They idly recall flashes of gold and blue, and their mind screams at them to stop. 

A social worker, the stranger clarified. Somehow. A part of them reassured the rest of their brain that meant this person was here to help. Nevermind that they had no clue what a social worker was, really. The next thing they knew, they were greeted with fuzzy walls and nondescript wood floors. It felt like being forced to recall a dream. The static rubbed against their skin, like the fur of a teddy bear that had been caked in various disgusting textures that couldn’t be placed. After that, there was the face of someone new. The social worker held their hand, and everything was a still image besides the man in front of them. 

He was sitting in a chair, wearing an out-of-place tuxedo that seemed so familiar, but a shroud of the unknown laid over the all-white fabric. His voice rang inside their head, and a part of them felt… startled? Like something else in them knew what this man would normally say, and that this was unusual. He stands out like a shepherd amongst his flock in the wooden room. Somehow, they remember being held like a baby, his white gloves cradling them at the small of their back and under their knees, and their heart pounding against their ribs like it was trying to escape. Why did it hurt? It was like they’d been running. 

The man who introduced himself as Takuto Maruki. Their new father. And despite their unease, and having to get used to, well, everything about this situation, he still looked at them with the same kind eyes. 

He was outside the bedroom he’d told them was theirs, fixing his glasses as he searched through a closet in the hallway. The objects he had been moving sounded heavy, nearly muffling his soft muttering.

“Where did I even put that old thing…? Oh! There it is.”

One more thing was set on the floor, and they listened intently as he rummaged through whatever he had found. They couldn’t quite see him from their spot on the bed, but they tilted their head in curiosity. A few seconds later, Maruki walked in with his hands behind his back and a knowing smile, looking quite proud of himself.

“I know you only got here a few days ago,” he started, “But, I wanted to give you something, just to help you settle in.” He presented the object he had been holding, a brown stuffed rabbit whose soft fur looked loved by what had to have been a previous owner. Maruki waved the doll’s little paw at them, as if to say hello. He continued in his gentle voice, “It belonged to someone very special to me, and I think you’re starting to remind me of him, in your own way.”

Maruki handed the rabbit off to his new child, watching as they looked it over. They felt the fur, and hugged it. Their eyes suddenly got wide and shiny, and they cuddled close to the comforting texture. The usual blank, doe-eyed expression they wore gave way to a giddy smile, making Maruki feel like he was on the verge of melting into a puddle of happy tears. Knowing what life they had lived up until now made a scene like this worth it. Made everything worth it. It filled a hole in his heart that had been crying out for so long, seeing them look up at him so happily. Maruki quietly wished them goodnight and closed the door behind him. 

He let out a sigh as he got into his own bed, unable to sleep. It felt as if he’d carried a weight his whole life. His own agonizing, beating, bleeding heart, and everywhere he’d tried to set it tore it to shreds. He closed his eyes. He was their father now, and he would never let anything take them away. This time, he’ll be able to keep his baby safe. His gaze shifted over to the calendar on the wall. He already couldn’t sleep, so he decided to just get up and change it anyway. Picking up a pen from his nightstand, he crossed out the current day and flipped the page to the next month. 

February, 20XX.

Maruki set the pen down and got back into bed, pulling the covers over himself. Upon having completed his small task, sleep finally overtook him. The winter night was quiet and peaceful, a tried and true promise under his reality. The stars were out, shimmering brightly around the full moon as it traveled across the sky at its leisurely pace. 

As honeyed sunshine began to pour through the windows, the cozy apartment was filled with the smell of breakfast, all of the morning’s faint sounds underscored by food sizzling in a pan. Just waking up, the smaller of the two residents stirred in their bed. It was still strange to them, how serene and safe this all was, how food was always there at a specific time, rather than at the will of chance, and how they weren’t only seen, but sought out every now and again. 

Padding silently over wooden floorboards, they peered around the corner, seeing their new father hum to himself as he cooked. The sight was common, intriguingly so to them. They softly knocked on the wall to alert Maruki to their presence. He perked up before looking their way. His gaze caught on the stuffed rabbit, leaving him surprised for a brief moment until a smile came through. 

“Good morning!” he greeted, “I see that you like your present.”

They looked down at the toy, nodding shyly. They were hiding somewhat behind the rabbit’s floppy ears, taking comfort in the feeling of its fur. 

“Well,” Maruki started again, “Breakfast is almost ready. Could you please turn on the TV for me?” 

With a small sound of affirmation, they walked over to the couch, grabbing the remote to do as asked. After hearing Maruki politely thank them, they set their stuffed companion on the couch with a pat on the head. Leaving it to watch the television while they went to sit down. 

After a while of idly swinging their legs at the table, their breakfast was plated and put in front of them. It had been a few days of watching Maruki before every meal, and they mimicked him as they gave their thanks for the food. Happily digging into the potatoes, fried onigiri, and rolled omelet they were given, the look of contentment on their face brought a joy to his heart that he hadn’t felt in years. 

Everything was perfect, just as intended. 

The hours ticked by, and the pair of them idly milled about their day. Maruki showed them how to do various things around the house, feeling proud as they slowly learned what their other parents had not cared enough to show them. He wondered bitterly to himself if his predecessors even did these things themselves, judging by the state he had… picked up what was now his child. They had taken some time to sit and relax on the couch, a nice daily break that Maruki realized would help them become accustomed to the presence of a caring adult. Idly, they moved their rabbit’s arms up and down in a rhythmic motion, swaying side to side as they did so. They had an empty-headed look in their eyes, but they were actually quite deep in thought, wondering about something they had been asked. Of course, Maruki wanted something to call them by, and had asked what they wanted their name to be. He himself had offered up two suggestions, Ren and Yume, but quickly retracted them after making some sad face and saying that neither seemed right. Without being asked, he said that Tanaka was off the table as a choice and laughed a bit with an awkward expression. It was brushed off as nothing when they looked at him with confusion. He’s weird.

Both of them were startled out of their blissful peace as Maruki’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He set his book down and quietly apologized, before walking out of the room to take the call. He was faced away from them as he talked, and though they couldn’t help but eavesdrop, they couldn’t quite discern what the call was about. They could hear him perfectly fine, but one word stood out to them as indecipherable. They heard the word after perfectly fine, that being “Academy,” but what was before it they didn’t know. After a few bare-bones responses, he hung up the phone with a sigh and a perplexed look. 

“That can’t be right…”

Maruki turned around, seeing that he had an audience. At first, he looked troubled, but pushed it aside to speak to them, “I’ve got to go for a bit. Just… keep yourself occupied while I’m gone, alright?” 

They nodded, and he breathed in and out to calm his mind. As he put on his shoes and coat, he couldn’t decipher why he felt like something was about to happen. Everything was fine. This wouldn’t be like last time. This wasn’t even comparable to last time. The only people who weren’t immersed in his reality were the Phantom Thieves, and none of them would do something like that. They weren’t here, and none of them knew where he lived, at least he hoped they didn’t. Those kids don’t operate like that, as far as he knew. Though… maybe it was about what happened in the park, causing him to repeat what he told himself. They would be fine if he left them here. They’re okay. The Thieves are good kids, and they would see sense soon, so there’s no reason to worry. There was no one in this world who would, or even could, take his baby away from him. 

Not this time, and not ever again. 

Maruki eventually walked out of the apartment, not taking very long to get to his car, since he lived on the first floor. His eyes caught on a big white car with heavily tinted windows, labeled with a big M logo and the word “Madicce” under it not far away in the small parking lot. He shook it off. It most likely had something to do with someone else in the building. This world was a safe place. He had made sure of that personally. He got into his own vehicle, waiting for it to warm up before eventually driving away.

Unbeknownst to him, a knock sounded at the door mere moments after he left. A voice called out to the only person left in the apartment, far different than their father’s. 

“███████... Are you there?”

They looked up, sorely confused. The voice was undoubtedly younger than Maruki’s warm, soothing tone, though still male. It made them almost uneasy, actually. They didn’t know why. The stranger had said something they hadn’t heard, but hearing another knock and more speaking made them pause.

“Hello?”

Hesitantly, and not thinking to ever ignore the door, they clutched their plushie close and got up to open the door, just enough to look outside. 

They hesitated to call what was staring back at them a person. Sure, he had the overall features, clothing, and silhouette of a person, but what was so sorely lacking was a face. No mouth, no nose, no eyes, none of the features that would regularly render someone recognizable. Only a swath of unbroken skin, framed by long, chestnut-brown hair. 

“███████? What’s wrong? It’s just me.”

The stranger blocked the door from closing with his black dress shoe and a gloved hand grabbing onto the edge of the wood, opening it just a little more to hover closer. His eyeless stare was fixed on them. They blinked, a sense of dread quickly coming over them.

A memory returned, the sudden flash of them being led by the hand out of Inokashira Park, and Maruki looking over his shoulder every few steps. They hadn’t known what to do with the situation to begin with, but seeing him so shaken and alert made them almost panic. That weird black and white cat, talking to them in a hurried voice, despite its lack of a mouth. It didn’t have eyes to see them with, but it had run directly up to them like no one else was there. Its yellow collar faintly clicked and jingled as it ran away upon being noticed by Maruki. They remembered how his eyes went wide when they managed to tell him that the cat had no face, as if he somehow hadn’t even noticed. What they had been told when they were finally on the way back rang in their ears.

“If someone, anyone at all, comes up to you and says that they know you, whether they have a face or not, you come straight to me and we’ll go home.”

This was home. And he was not there to save them. 

They clutched their plush rabbit tighter. Now, with more of the stranger visible, they could get a good look at him. He wore a tan overcoat, with a scarf whose colors struck them as odd. Two different shades of gray, though the predominant, lighter one hurt deep in the back of their brain. They looked away from the scarf. 

“What’s wrong? Answer me.”

The stranger got closer. 

“You remember me, don’t you?”

They backed away more, shaking their head no. They couldn’t close the door now. They didn’t want to get close. The stranger paused, putting a hand to his chest. 

“My name is ███████ ███████, but you used to call me ███████.”

[cyb3rscoups]

Pretty Woman Attoye AU

Watched pretty woman last night and can not believe i forgot how good it is. There will be a part 2 and maybe 3. Enjoy love 🙃

NSFW MDNI 18+

Full Collection

She should’ve worn stockings atleast but sneaking out of her apartment to avoid the landlord had been the only occupying her brain when she escaped down the fire escape. It was 45 degrees, windy, and not the ideal night to try and make her rent. But as always, Okoye had no choice.

“I’m fucking freezing.” She grumbled at Nakia as she shivered in her faux fur, her heeled boots shuffling along the graveled sidewalk.

“You wanted to be out here all late.” Nakia lit a cigarette with a scoff. “Not my problem.”

“But it sure is your fault. Had you not smoked our money away I wouldn’t have be here! We live in California for fuck sake so when has it ever been this cold!”

Nakia sucked her teeth, letting the cig rest between her lips as she picked at her afro. “You know you’re really uptight lately, Ko. Chill the fuck out. You’re hot as fuck and if you got rid of that tired ass dress, you’d make twice the rent in 20 minutes.”

Okoye crossed her arms over her chest, scaling a look down her attire. “Fuck is wrong with my dress?”

“Nothing…if you a 1997 hooker.” Nakia chuckled, picking at the loose fabric of the mini dress; black, lacy, and barely covering anything past her ass. “How long you had this thing huh?”

“Go to hell.” Okoye rolled her eyes and turned back to the street, twirling a strand of hair around her finger as she did.

It was so grimy on the boulevard. Okoye often found herself itching to get past the streets that made up her life. Whenever she tried, there seemed to be an inevitable force that pulled her back and pushed her flat on her ass.

“I mean-“ Okoye cringed at the drunk group of boys that whistled at her as they passed. “Don’t you want to get out of here one day?”

“Here we go..” Nakia took a hit and slumped against a traffic light pole. “Get out of where Okoye!? Where would we go worth anything?!”

The woman huffed as she opened her mouth to speak again but was abruptly cut off by a roaring engine coming to a stop, right where she was standing.

She peered down at the car, pitch black and windows tinted the darkest they could go. Way too expensive a car for the person to live around here.

Tentatively, she walked up to the window, tapping on the glass softly.

It rolled down only half way, revealing a man, looking quite distressed and disheveled. In need of some help she presumed.

“You lost, baby?” Okoye softened her voice as she took her estimate of the man. He wore a suit, his hair back into a ponytail and his cologne seeping out, invading her nostrils. Obviously, he knew how to spend a dime based on the car alone. He was a goldmine.

“Uh- yeah.” The lost one tried his best to keep eye contact with Okoye as her breasts nearly spilled from her bra. “How do I get to Beverly Hills?”

“Oh I can show you. Let the window down some more.” Her red lips parted revealing the smile that seduced and tempted many before him.

“I won’t be doing that. Just point me in the right direction? My phone is dead and this gps is sending me into circles.” He huffed.

Okoye shared a glance with Nakia, who watched the interaction with a smirk on her lips.

“Fine. I’ll show you for five bucks.” She offered.

“No-“

“Price just went up to ten.” Okoye sucked her teeth and the man scoffed.

She leaned her body quite comfortably on the car, running her hand across the roof in awe as she waited his answer.

With a groan and a roll of his eyes, “20 bucks.”

Nakia let out a snicker and Okoye ducked her head to the window again. “For 20, I’ll show you step by step.”

She tugged on the passenger handle and invited herself into the vehicle where her body was enveloped in heat and she let out a soft moan, barely noticeable to the man beside her.

“Here.” He pulled a 20 out of his pocket and Okoye made a show of stuffing it into her bra, adjusting her cleavage extensively.

“Turn right on this corner.”

Okoye reached to rest her hand on the nape of his neck but he flinched away rather harshly. Sensitive much, she thought.

“Look I really just need directions.”

“And I’m giving them to you. Besides, you haven’t paid me nearly enough to really get up to something. Make a left here.”

He was tan, strong features and a hint of stubble growing on his chin. The look of concentration on his face made her gush with arousal. Fuck rent, she’d let him hit for free.

The way he shifted in the chair, squaring his shoulders and adjusting his position at least every 30 seconds. His head grazed the ceiling of the vehicle, roughing up his ponytail just a bit.

“This isn’t your car.” Okoye chuckled at how uncomfortable he seemed in it. His brows furrowed as he glanced at her.

“No. It’s not. It’s a friend’s.”

“You still rich like him though?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You really are all about the money huh?”

“You come from where I do and you gotta be.”

A moment of silence as he recognized the gap between them. Here he was, waltzing out of his own party, pissy about a breakup and she was fighting for her life on the streets, selling her body just to live.

“What’s your name?” He asked curiously, his thighs flexing when she grazed her nails over the one closest to her, teasing.

“What do you want it to be?” She smirked.

“Seriously?”

“Well if you’re not gonna fuck me, I could at least have some fun right?”

He approached a red light, taking the idle state of the car to give her a disbelieving look. Okoye sucked her teeth, removing her hand from his space again.

“Ko-ko.”

“No. Its not.” He squinted his eyes as the light changed.

“How you gonna tell me what my name is?” She grew rather irritated of his arrogance.

“What’s the name on your lease, your fucking taxes? What’s the name your parents called you growing up?”

“Bold of you to assume I have parents anymore.”

Another awkward wedge between them and a tense silence as she told him to turn again.

Okoye chewed on her lip as the neighborhood got nicer and the people walking the streets started to reduce. It never really occurred to her that rich people preferred the daytime. “Okoye. You?”

“Attuma.”

“Where the hell does that come from?”

“Don’t know. I don’t think it fits me anyway.”

The car squealed to a stop in front of the hotel he stayed. Shifting the gear in park with a soft sigh, he looked her over. Her legs were crossed as her foot tapped nervously against the floor.

“You’ll be okay?”

“Mhmm.” She spared him a small smile.

“Catch a taxi back to your place?”

“Well, back to the corner at least. You only gave me 20 bucks after all.” She opened her door, stepping out into the cool air again with a groan.

A bittersweet departure it would be and she would only get away with enough money to catch a ride back to the gutter. She almost felt pitiful.

Attuma stepped out of the car as well, a valet eagerly grabbing the keys from his hands.

“How much do you make a night? On average.” He prompted

“100 an hour..” Okoye shrugged, taking her phone out of her pocket.

Attuma couldn’t believe the wave of sympathy that came over him. God, just look at her. Skimpy thin material barely covering the expanse of her legs, her boots worn down and she was still shivering in her excuse for a coat.

“How much for you to stay the whole night…in the hotel?”

“With you? Yeah right. I think I’ll save myself the humiliation.” She scoffed, turning her attention back to her device. Maybe she could walk.

“We can go through the back?”

“Even worse.” Okoye scoffed, sending a quick text to Nakia and letting her know there will be updates. “400 dollars the whole night. You give me that coat to wear so the fact that I’m a whore won’t be obvious.”

With a nod, Attuma shrugged his coat off, draping it over her shoulders. She slid her arms through and tied it to her waist, snickering at how large it was compared to her.

“You are quite the man, Attuma.”

“You have no idea.”

———

His room, the penthouse, was unlike anything she had seen before. It was clean, there was room to breathe. Most of all it was huge and easily costed more than she could dream.

Attuma watched as she explored every inch of the room, laughing as she insisted on inspecting the corners for rat holes just so she could point out a flaw.

“Champagne?” He held up the bottle of bubbly liquid and a bowl of strawberries.

“Allergic to strawberries, don’t drink on the job.”

“You’re not on the job yet.” Attuma popped the bottle anyway, dumping the bowl of strawberries to the trash. He filled two glasses as she shedded her shoes and coat, just left in her dress hiking up her thighs as she sat on the bed, legs crossed.

“Here.” He handed her a glass. She took it cautiously, inspecting the liquid with a keen eye.

Attuma sipped at his glass and Okoye sat with hers.

“I appreciate this whole seduction thing you got going on but trust me, you put that money right between my tits and I’m a sure thing. What size condom you wear?”

Attuma couldn’t help but laugh as he set his glass down. He tugged at his ponytail, finally letting his hair free to fall where it felt. He loosened his tie and dropped his jacket, not breaking the eye contact with the Okoye.

“How about we talk a little bit more?” He popped the buttons to his sleeves, rolling them up to his forearms.

“When do I get my money?”

“Okoye-“

“Uh Uh. You can’t do that. It ain’t right!” Okoye shot up from the bed, resting her hands to her hips.

“I have to pay you to talk to me before you try to hop on my dick?”

“Yes. You paying for the whole night and trust me Mr. man I meant the whole night. Talking and sappy shit included.”

Okoye held her hand out to him as they stood chest to chest. He smelt so good she could just melt. Attuma scoffed, picking up his jacket and going for his wallet.

He pulled out four crisp hundreds, straight out the bank. Okoye beamed, crumpling the money and stuffing it into the side of her bra.

“What do you want to know?”

“Where are you from?” He leaned forward, taking in her faint vanilla scent.

“Oh for fuck sake.” She rolled her eyes, plopping her ass back onto the bed with a bounce.

“No don’t act like that. I paid you. Talk.”

“Brooklyn.”

“How long in California?”

“Long enough. What do you do to get this rich?” Okoye fired back.

“I’m asking the questions.”

“I have a feeling you do that a lot. Stay in control. You like being in control…daddy?”

“Stop.” Attuma crossed his arms across his chest, his muscles bulging as he flexed them sub consciously

“Why? Is it working?”

“Okoye-“

“Quit saying my name like that!”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m in trouble or something. You say it right or you don’t say it at all!”

Attuma took a breath. Did he have to pick up such a difficult woman. “Alright. I’m sorry. I-I just don’t do this.”

“Take directions from prostitutes and take them back to your hotel for the night.”

“Exactly.”

“There’s a first for everything. Just like this is the first time I actually want to suck a customer off and he won’t let me.”

“You really want to?”

“So badly.”

Attuma made work on his belt and pants, dropping them to his ankles as his hard on peeked past his boxers.

“Well isn’t that just delicious.” She smiled and dropped to her knees, crawling up to him and gripping the length through his boxers.

“I think I hit the jackpot.” She giggled, tugging down on the elastic. “Now, don’t pull too hard on my hair.”

“Got it.”

She made quick work to cover him in her smeared lipstick and saliva as she kissed down his expanse. A moan left her lips as she captured his tip, sucking softly.

Okoye could feel his body tense when she took him deeper, nose nuzzling against his pelvis as she rested there. He hadn’t grabbed her yet, resorting to clenching his fists at his side for the moment.

“Shiiit.” He groaned as she swallowed around him, her hands resting on his thighs to ground herself.

Bobbing her head up and down, she hollowed her cheeks and stroked what she couldn’t reach. Spit dribbling down from her lips and makeup smearing his cock from tip to base.

Sloppy and wet sounds filled the hotel room as Okoye found joy in sucking him to climax

She moan softly around him sending a vibration through his bones and making his knees weak. Finally, Attuma reached for her head, forcing her down until she gagged and sputtered around him. His moan was loud and pornographic. Okoye squeezed her thighs together as another pool of arousal warmed her belly.

Never had she gotten the chance with someone so sexy let alone just as rich. It made her pussy throb with need because if his ability in bed matched his wallet, she was fucked.

“Fuuck…God where do you learn this stuff?” Attuma grunted, his grip on his head tightening with every soft whine that left her lips

Okoye focusing her attention on his tip, red and leaking with precum.

She sucked him hard as her hands covered the rest. His stomach caved in and he braced his hands on the table beside him.

“Holyyy fuuck! You gonna make me cum!” His eyes screwed shut as a vein popped from his neck.

She let him up with a pop and a smile. “Give it to me daddy..” Not a another word before he covered her face in the thick white substance. She stroked him lazily to the end, smearing his seed across her lips for a taste.

He slumped against the table as his chest heaved. Okoye giggled. “Come on, let’s get it up again.”

“No..do not touch me you demon.”

“Don’t tell me you’re tapping out already, Mr. man.” She rose to her feet and pulled her dress off.

“Look, It’s been a while.” Attuma opened his eyes to find spots in his vision.

“How long of a while?” Okoye wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her self against him. He grunted at the contact, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Years. Alright?”

“No one to do it with?”

“No I’ve been busy.”

The woman sighed, letting him go reluctantly. He tugged his pants back up as he relished in how light he felt.

“Hm.” Okoye pulled her dress back over her body and went to retrieve her shoes.

“You can still stay the night.” He offered, letting himself plop onto the bed.

“So you can leave me horny and empty. No thanks.” She shrugged her coat back on and adjusted her hair.

“Stay Okoye! Do not walk out that door.”

Okoye rolled her eyes. Her mind was telling her to go. Take the money and get the fuck out of here right now. But the bed..had she ever slept on something so comfortable and soft?

“Let me use your tub in the morning.”

“Okay.”

[prince-toffee]

Sleep Schedules

Blaze narrowed her eyes. "Mmmm. She took my spot." The Princess Feline of The Sol Dimension commented as she looked at the scene before her.

The young royal was just now, three at night, done with her extensive paper work for the day. Everything from greenlighting next week's parade floats, to playing peace maker between the Weather Witches and Soil Sorceresses, and verifying the banking loans to pay of the national student debts. Her brain could process information ten times as fast as a regular Solian could, and her mind had been on overdrive the whole day, she could practically feel it streaming, smoking and overheating and what not. But eventually, the work load stopped, and she was free. Gardon covered for her with the financial advisor meeting and she managed to make it out ten minutes early. Not that it mattered, it was still night.

Her mind was as sluggish as her body, she trudged through the ornate marble corridors of the castle, and eventually made it to her bedroom. Where she hoped to meet with her Royal Consort as The Solian Times had dubbed sweet naive Silver. He was no doubt asleep already, no point in waiting for her, yet he often did, half-awake, greeting her with a smile and dreamy eyes. Blaze advised him to not wait for her, there was no point in loosing rest over her. But he persisted. She hadn't seen him all day today. How she longed for him, her personal pillow, desiring to rest her head on top his fluffy, soft chest and fade into peaceful sleep. Allowing all the world's troubles to melt away. Yes. She'd love that. Unfortunately, as she now stood over her own bed, there seemed to be a problem, an obstacle standing in here way, or rather laying.

Blaze, dark eye bags under her eyes, observed as little Marine, fast asleep, snuggled herself deep into Silver's chest fur. A grin on her face as she dreamed, she was taunting her from dreamland. To no surprise Silver was still awake, barely. One eye open, "Hey, Jalapeño, long meeting?"

"She took my spot." Blaze sounded woozy, and genuinely grouchy at the same time.

Silver giggled to himself a little, "Yeah, we dozed off for a minute waiting for you. I forgot to carry her back to her room. I tried to stay wake by reading that new book you bought me, the gardening one, you'll never guess what I found out about hydrangeas-" Blaze's paw fell on Silver's face softly.

"Talk. Tomorrow. Now. Sleep. Soft. Pillow." She spoke with closed eyes. Silver extended his hand to her, she took it. Their fingers intertwined. And it led her under the covers where she positioned herself behind Silver. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him firmly, as if she was afraid of loosing him in a dream. She nestled her head against Silver's neck and shoulder, that way she could still get some of that soft fluff without disturbing Marine, that little rat. With her comforting warmth radiating against Silver's back, the time-traveller quickly fell into slumber. Blaze delivered a quick little peck to Silver's cheek. And then set her mind at rest. Ahhh. Finally. Peace. And then- SLAP. Something flopt onto and smacked the Princess's face. She opened her eyes. It was Marine's little hand, she was tossing and turning, still asleep, still smiling. She was taunting her, she just knew it.

[demonfox38]

Completed - Star Fox Zero

Before we can get into a proper conversation about "Star Fox Zero", you have to understand three things about my particular brain and biases:

I don't like claiming that I am good at anything. (Mostly, because I am not definitively the best at anything. All I can guarantee is base competency.)

I am good at "Star Fox 64."

I am a proficient bassoon player.

1 and 2 relate in a comedic way, sure. What's up with 3, though?

Well, I bring up the whole bassoon background because the bassoon is one of the more mainstream weird-ass musical instruments. It's a double-reed bass instrument that requires proper breathing control, responsive embouchure, memorization of proper fingering techniques (ha ha, yes, I know), and the ability to read in bass clef (and tenor, if you're dealing with some real dickhead composers.) A music ed teacher does not just hand a child a bassoon and tell them, "Good luck!" It requires musical competency and practicing. Just absolute shittons of hours of practicing so you don't sound like a dying duck. But, if you get good at it, you'll always have a seat in a band or orchestra. It's weird, sure, but it adds warmth and speed to bass lines. There's value in its weirdness, which I hope is something we know and appreciate, being denizens of this so-called hellsite.

What's the point of me bringing up playing the bassoon in a "Star Fox Zero" review? Because I am used to practicing weird shit, and that's 100% going to color my perspective in this game.

Also, I might like this series.

Just a teeny bit. (Hell, I even forgot a few things...)

"Star Fox Zero" is a 2016 rail shooter / driving game for the Nintendo Wii U. It is best classified as a soft reboot of both SNES' "Star Fox" and the Nintendo 64's "Star Fox 64", although it is far more comfortable hanging in the pockets of the latter. The beats should be fairly familiar to most "Star Fox" fans. Doctor Andross is being a scientific asshole; he's got the Lylat System curb-stomped; General Pepper hits up mercenary team Star Fox for help; lasers get jammed up nasal cavities. Ya know. Standard "Star Wars" meets "Bambi" plot, if you have the mind for it. (Or, if we want to be hyper specific, Shinto iconography meeting "Thunderbirds". The former comparison may be a bit more parsable, though.)

There's a veil of pity and tragedy around this game, which caused me to stay my hand in playing it until 2023. First of all, it's one of the last projects associated with former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who effectively died in the saddle. Like, what can I say about that situation but "Damn" and "RIP." Secondly, a lot of people were bitching about the controls. A lot. Lastly, I didn't even own a Nintendo Wii U until April of this year. I wasn't going to buy a console for one goddamn game, alright? That's not what a reasonable person does. Besides, so many Wii U games were being ported to the Switch. I was willing to wait a little while just to see if "Star Fox Zero" got to jump ship as well.

It's 2023. The Switch ship has sailed. Nintendo's eShop has closed. Wii U consoles are succumbing to memory loss. It's not now or never, but…c'mon. I know how the Nintendo used game market works. This is about the lowest price point before nostalgia and console degradation jack prices back up. And hey—the Wii U I bought did come with "Super Mario Maker." So I didn't buy a console for just one Wii U game. Ha! Ha…

Whaddya say? Want to start with ripping a bandage off first? Has to hurt more with fur, I'd imagine…

About those dreaded controls, then. Honestly? I didn't find them that unintuitive. I do think there's a problem that happens when a "Star Fox 64" brain maps onto them, though. Considering how outrageously popular that game is in comparison with its sibling titles, that's a fairly big hurdle to leap.

For the sake of this conversation, I'm going to show you my controller grips between "Star Fox 64" and "Star Fox Zero."

Here's "Star Fox 64":

(Manual image sourced from: https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/USA/NFXE/NFXE_E.pdf)

Here's "Star Fox Zero":

Obviously, we're working with wildly different control sets. The initial brain shock comes from moving primary functionality from face buttons to controller triggers. Like, when it's been memetically drilled into your head to tap the Z or R buttons twice to…well, you know the line. You're going to try that with the Wii U controller as well. Then, you're going to be very surprised to find bombs and lasers going off instead.

Basically, in "Star Fox 64", your left thumb is navigation, your pointer fingers are used for defensive actions/threading, and your right thumb is used for offense and specialty actions (evasive maneuvers, going into different perspectives, and hailing calls.) In "Star Fox Zero", your thumbs are handling navigation and evasive maneuvers while your pointers handle offense. For three out of your four play-responsible fingers, that's an inverse of operational duties. A bit tricky!

Having said that, I picked up on the thumb stick shortcuts within two practice sessions. Once I understood how to somersault with the sticks (left down, right up), I thought, "Well, can I U-Turn by left and right down?" And by God, that was correct! Didn't need anyone to tell my ass how to barrel roll. Figured that out, too!

Weapon targeting is a particularly contentious subject in this game. The game wants you to improve your accuracy by using both the cockpit (first person) view and the gyroscope controls in the Wii U gamepad to pick up your targets. While it can't be completely turned off, you can set the controls to only take gyroscopic input into account when you are charging lasers. And you know what? 100% do that. No need to have that always slipping around. There's exactly one boss I've encountered where having them on all the time helped, and that one was optional. And a dick. But, I suppose that's to be expected of a boss…

The last major controller issue has to do with the split of external ship and cockpit views being simultaneously displayed on your TV screen and your Wii U gamepad. Now, which view is where can be toggled by hitting the minus button, so you don't necessarily have to crane your neck down every time you need to consult something in one view or another. However, this dual screen setup is wholly a bad design choice. "Star Fox 64" was able to have the same functionality with a single screen and a dedicated button for flipping back and forth between views if you really had to do that. Which, honestly, was pretty rare to begin with. If something really needed to be put on the lower screen, that should have been a radar/map. Even, then. Lower-right corner of the TV screen. That's where "Star Fox 64" had it. Dead horse, beat.

It could've been fun to have a set of "Call Teammates" buttons down on the Wii U gamepad. Ya know. Just to harass Falco in the middle of a firefight. "Hey, girl. How's it going?" "NO TALKING WHILE THIS LIZARD IS TRYING TO EAT ME!" That kind of vibe.

And if for some reason you thought of something dirty involving Leon Powalski, that's between you and your morality-affiliated consultant of choice, my dude.

So, alright. You get your Arwing controls down. Congrats! You've got four more machines to learn! The main ship variants this time around are the Walker (think like "Star Wars"'s AT-ST, but made out of Arwing parts), the Landmaster (a tank with its own aerial form now because why not?), and the Gyrowing (a helicopter used for stealth and hacking missions.) The fourth, the Roadmaster, gets tossed in after you finish the game, so you don't have to sweat learning that one too much. It's like a hostile RV toy.

Of these, I took the most issue with the Gyrowing. It is easily outclassed and thrown away the first opportunity the game gets. Honestly, I know the Blue Marine gets shit-talked, but that submarine was at least solid at offense and chugging along. Gyrowings, oof. Not so much. Even the baby toy machine can outperform that thing. Absolutely ridiculous.

If I may speak positively, for just a moment—I actually liked the Landmaster design scheme better in this game than "Star Fox 64." Heresy, I know! I just didn't feel weighed down using it like I did in the past. And, granted, that may have been because the Titania level in "Star Fox 64" could really chunk up its framerate. But, here? It was smooth and responsive to what I needed it to do. Gotta award points where they are due.

Although, if you want to see some chunky framerates, go fight the Aquarosa boss. Or don't. (It's the pain-in-the-ass optional boss that I was ragging on earlier.) It's just one of those things where if you commit to fighting it, you've got to do it twice to get into two bonus stages. And, I mean, hell. Even Hercules did good enough fighting the Hydra once…

If I may give more credit, I also found the aesthetics of this game to be strong. I could have used better camera positioning for what I saw, sure. But, I genuinely liked what I saw. In particular, I really thought that the Titania level for this game was oddly beautiful, with pieces of debris from a nearby fight raining through the storm-swept desert atmosphere. The music for this game is on point, too. While some themes are recycled from "Star Fox 64", there is quite a bit of new music diversity. It's all composed gorgeously as well (if a bit excessively for Andross' theme.) If you want some samples, try out the following links:

Boss A

Inside the Colony

Planet Fortuna (and child track Dangerous Skies)

Return to Corneria (My favorite track!)

Stage Selection

Training (Part 2) (There's actually five parts to this!)

In additional audio perks, there's a lot of returning voice actors from "Star Fox 64." I mean, not everybody. (Rick May's a notable exception, but the guy was having awful health towards the end.) Whoever couldn't get picked up got pulled from the 3DS remake as well. Considering how much the English version of "Star Fox 64" thrived on its hammy performance and cheesy dialogue, this is definitely a point in "Zero"'s favor. Frankly, I think some of the voice actors have even gotten better over time. Lyssa Browne particularly has come leaps and bounds in her performance as Slippy Toad, if you'll forgive the pun.

Appreciation of late 90s English video game dubbing is wholly a subjective matter. But, I do find something charming about its raw authenticity and goofiness. We might still have meme culture without one or two titles. But, man. "Star Fox 64," "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night," Metal Gear Solid," all of those "Resident Evil" games…The Internet would be a duller place without the vocal work from those games.

Speaking of all these credits—what credits is "Star Fox Zero" going to give you? Outside of general plot advancement, you can get medals for excellent performance. These are usually granted for kill counts, sequence breaks, collecting certain items, finishing a fight under a certain time limit, or general competency. Granted, earning these doesn't seem to reward the player with much. You do get access to bonus missions, but the greatest rewards are model swaps of your Arwing, a model viewer, and a sound test. Completely pointless—especially if you have access to the OST on YouTube or a couple of Amiibos laying around the house.

Beating the game will also open up an arcade mode where you can shoot through the entire game again in one run. That's a bit more tempting, but honestly, quite overwhelming even to someone like me. I mean, I can handle "Star Fox 64" because it's a quick hour. Going through a "Star Fox Zero" run could take several hours. That's a pretty big gamble, man. It feels like going back a step as well. Like, you know how much more polished I could be at "Star Fox 64" if I could just re-run specific levels on demand? I mean, I guess there's always save state abuse, but I'm trying to discuss playing these games through legal means, here.

I don't think the plot here is enough for a casual player to cling onto, either. Especially, again, if they've played "Star Fox 64" before. It's mostly just rehashing that script, but with Andross dicking around more with space portals than bioweapons. The whole experience comes off as less thought-out and/or mature than "Star Fox 64," even if that's a weird detail to bang on about. Like, I shouldn't complain about seeing clowns in a circus, should I? Trust me, I love the goofy goober banter everyone has. I just wish a little extra polish went into it. Especially for the intro. Like, God. I'm pretty sure that some Cornerian Minister of Propaganda wrote that thing.

Although, General Pepper is a huge asshole this time around. Like, holy shit. It would have literally been more ethical if he put two rounds in the back of Andross' head. You can't toss a mad scientist into another dimension and not expect him to come back and kick your ass Krang style. Not to mention how quick he was to ditch Peppy when the latter was in distress. Like, geez, dude. Isn't he your friend?

I did end up liking the Star Wolf beats better here. Mostly, because they weren't just chumps for the easy pickings, this time around. Also, the implications of whatever James McCloud is in this universe is significantly more horrifying than it was in the past…

In some ways, the problems with "Star Fox Zero" are the problems that have been with the "Star Fox" series since Game One. These games are siblings to titles like "Devil May Cry" and "Parasite Eve" in that all three were accidentally successful betas. ("Star Fox 64" and "Devil May Cry 3" may be even closer related in the "Oops! We succeeded even harder!" department.) If you don't anticipate something being successful, how much thought are you going to put into its future? Perhaps the only reason fans and executives sweat over this detail is in relationship to Fox, Falco, and Wolf's "Super Smash Bros." related popularity. Although, I pity anyone who would fret over lore for Ice Climbers or Mr. Game & Watch like some do for "Star Fox" characters…

Harder still is trying to keep gameplay fresh and relevant to modern audiences. I mean, let's be real. "Star Fox" games are essentially souped-up "Space Harrier" titles. They're concentrated, arcade-difficult challenges meant to test your memory and reflexes. In a world that values a game's breadth of content over mastery of skill or difficulty (minus FromSoftware titles), that's always going to chop off the tails of these kinds of games.

And, hell. I've heard the "controls suck" complaint before, too. It was just for "Star Fox Assault" instead.

My personal problem with "Star Fox Zero" lies more with my thoughts about stagnation versus radicality. Plotwise, this game takes its events way too conservatively. Control-wise, well…we know about how that ruffles feathers, don't we? If there was an inversion with these two details—having a wild, engaging plot with a standard control scheme—this could have been the revival Nintendo wanted for the series. At least, that would have made for a sweet struggle.

Developers and players want "Star Fox 64" again. But, what does that look like in a modern era? Hell, what's even the silver title to that game's gold? I mean, I'd accept several different answers, depending on what a player got out of each title. The only wrong answer would be "Star Fox Command." That melodramatic, noncommittal garbage got us into this mess.

Personally? If I had to make another "Star Fox" game?

The "Star Fox" series appeals to me in not only its learnable difficulty, but its comradery. Fox McCloud would not be the sort of character that I would want to play if he begrudged his teammates. (Eyes on you, Slippy haters.) He's trying to do the right thing, not only for his father's honor, but for their sakes as well. I would want to construct a game that puts more emphasis on teamwork, even in a single player setting. Now, what that looks like could be tricky. "Star Fox 2" and "Command" fell into traps trying to do that. But, I'd have to try to do something, even if it's banal as stat boosts or motivational dialogue via radio communications. (Although, resource scouting/sharing might be an interesting twist. Does your partner trust you enough to attempt shield repairs in a firefight? Hell, would you for them?)

Even if a single confrontation is all it takes to knock Andross out of a timeline, it's harder for another villain to get out of his shadow. (It doesn't help that every other Nintendo character gets dedicated villains as well. It's all patterns fixing patterns.) Maybe, we don't need to. Hell, I could easily see scenarios where investigating some forgotten lab of his unleashes some horrific bio-techno monstrosity that lays waste to a handful of planets. It's not the most intelligent solution, but hell, neither were Aparoids. Didn't mean they weren't a legit threat.

I mean, if we really want to get messed up, the Lylat System is very poachable, if you get my drift. Particularly, if the wrong set of hunters were to come across it…

The simple answer would be just to make "Mass Effect" or "Halo," but for furries. But, personally? I'd want to toss "Star Fox 64," "Star Fox Assault," "Sin and Punishment: Star Successor," "Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin," and "Resident Evil 4"into a blender and chug what comes out. I know. Absolute madman shit, especially considering how I kept getting sick from "Resident Evil 4"-related adrenaline rushes. I know what I want out of a "Star Fox" game, and that's to go fast, kill some messed-up stuff, and vibe with my teammates. If I do it with my head in a bucket, then it'll at least be authentic to what it'd actually be like if I had to dogfight.

The flesh is weak, but the brain is sharp. And man, does it crave high-speed violence.

"Star Fox Zero" brought a lot of emotions out of me. Satisfaction, for having finally experienced it. Frustration, for letting the opinions of others cloud my interest with it. Sadness, for how the series has languished. But, it's all in perspective. Yes, this came out a decade after a predecessor that I found distasteful. Yes, it's been seven years without another game. (Well, hell, not even that, if you want to toss in "Starlink: Battle for Atlas" or "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.") The past is written. The future is unknown. I have what I have now, and I can find value in it. And, hell. As rough as that might feel, it's still not as raw as "F-Zero" fans have got it. Or even harder, "StarTropics" fans.

If you're looking for anything like a course of action from this evaluation, then I must recommend that you play "Star Fox 64" first. OBVIOUSLY. If that whets your appetite, fantastic! I can recommend you harder and/or weirder shit after that. Hell, maybe even this game, if you want to roll up your sleeves. As an introduction to the "Star Fox" series, it's about as appealing as a haunted house. But, if you are desirous of that kind of nail-biting shock, this is a solid game to play.

I wouldn't say that you have to be like me and pick up a Wii U for just this game. But, if you've got the console and ten bucks to spare, this game is cheap enough to pick up. And if you hate it like saner people do? Then, all you'll be out is a cheeseburger. Benefits of being a late adopter to a Nintendo game, for once! How often does that happen?

Do yourself a favor; dodge "Star Fox Command." Do an indie developer a favor; pick up "Ex-Zodiac." Do Rick May a favor; get your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. And, obviously…the last order writes itself, doesn't it?

[stonesparrow]

Dcst Animorphs AU pt. 3

It's finally time to put the plan into action!

“I cannot BELIEVE how long it took to catch one goddamn feathered raccoon,” Senku grumbled as Yuzuriha finished her turn acquiring the seagull’s DNA and released the bird. It immediately jumped up and flew far, far away across the beach, squawking indignantly.

<You’re welcome, by the way,> Chrome said as Kohaku picked the last of the feathers out of his teeth. <Do you realize how difficult it was to not bite down too hard? It smelled so nice too!>

<Your sacrifice is noble, Chrome,> Yuzuriha said. It was the next day, and we were back on the beach again, this time with more of a solid plan in mind, all relying on my memory of what the whale had told me.

So no pressure.

<You know, maybe we should do this tomorrow. Or better yet, next week!> Chrome was pretty nervous about us all going out again—after we had explained what had happened with the sharks he got really upset, even though things probably wouldn’t have been much different if he had gone with us.

“We can’t wait any longer,” Senku said. “The Controllers are already starting to send divers out, we can’t let them find the Andalite before us.”

Chrome’s nose dipped down, ears flattening against his head. <I know, I know, just…please be careful.>

Kohaku ruffled the fur on top of his head. “We will.”

We morphed into seagulls and took off into the sky. 

Being a bird is pretty awesome! It’s nothing like flying in a plane—the wind rushes over your feathers and you can see the whole world stretching out in front of you, the best view you’ll ever get. We all already had bird morphs—mine is an osprey, but Senku said birds of prey would draw too much attention out on the open seas, so we got the seagull.

And boy was the seagull brain hungry. It was like all it wanted to do was find food. Since we’d had practice with our other bird morphs though, it was pretty easy to stay focused, and we flew out until we found a big ship with tons of rectangular boxes stacked up on it.

<Alright, here’s our ride,> Senku said, and we landed between two of the boxy metal containers. <It’ll be a while before we get close to the place Taiju and I marked on the map. Let’s demorph for now.>

We changed back into humans and immediately started shivering in our thin morph suits.

“Note to self,” Yuzuriha said, teeth chattering, “Look into better insulation for the suits.”

“And maybe add socks,” Kohaku said, dancing around on bare feet with a yelp.

“Wait, I have an idea,” I said. I got on my hands and knees, and thick fur started sprouting all over my body.

“Huh?” Senku frowned as I settled into my black bear morph. “What are you up to now, big oaf?”

Kohaku’s eyes lit up with understanding and she threw her arms around me. “Hell yeah! Great idea, Taiju!”

“Mmm,” Yuzuriha snuggled up to my other side, and I was really glad bears couldn’t blush. “Warm…”

After a moment, Senku sighed. “Well, I guess you’ll have to demorph to go dolphin anyway,” he said, settling against my back.

A while later, Senku had me demorph and we all went over to the railing—we were getting close to our goal, but soon the ship would start moving away.

“Okay, uh.” Senku scratched his head as we peered into the angry looking water that seemed hundreds of meters below us. “I’m gonna be honest, I kind of forgot that we’d have to get off the boat.”

“Let’s just jump,” Kohaku said, hopping onto the railing. Senku blinked.

“Wait what—“

“HUP!!” Kohaku leapt into the air, flying farther than I thought was possible for anyone, then transformed into a dolphin in midair and landed with a SPLASH!

Senku, Yuzuriha, and I shared a glance.

“I don’t think I can do that,” I said.

“I was thinking we morph seagull, fly down, demorph, and tread water until we morph dolphin,” Yuzuriha said.

“That is ten billion percent a better idea,” Senku said. 

When we joined her in the water, Kohaku clicked at us disapprovingly.

<Laaaame.>

<We can’t all be daredevils like you, Lioness,> Senku said.

<Shut up! And don’t call me Lioness!!>

<Well anyway.> Senku turned to me. <It’s up to you now, Taiju. Where do we go?>

<Um.> I tried to remember the feelings the whale gave me. My human brain could barely understand at all, so maybe if I relaxed and let the dolphin brain feel it out…

<I’m not sure how to explain it, really,> I said apologetically, <But we’re really close. I think…” I echolocated. <Yeah! This way!>

I took off, skimming across the surface of the water as my friends followed me. Eventually, I slowed to a stop.

<Okay, it should be below us. It’s really far down though.>

<Everyone take a deep breath then,> Senku said, and we all blew through our blowholes before sucking in as much clean air as we could. 

<Uh oh, look over there,> Kohaku said. We turned to see a helicopter in the distance, trailing a long cord in the water.

<Controllers,> Yuzuriha said, an edge of disgust in her normally sweet voice.

<We better hurry up,> Senku said. <Let’s go!>

We dove and swam deep, deep down into the water, the water getting darker as we kept going. I was really glad that I could still feel each of my friends by my side super clearly with echolocation even as their shapes dimmed in my vision.

We swam past schools of fish, fields of seaweed, rock formations of every size and shape. Until finally we swam over a ridge and came face to face with what we’d been looking for.

<Woooow,> Yuzuriha said. I had to agree. It was huge!! A gigantic dome of glass that stretched on and on, closing over an area that was bigger than a baseball field, maybe even four baseball fields. Inside, it looked like a park, only with blueish grass, tall plants that looked like weirdly colored broccoli and asparagus, and a pool of water in the center with what looked like big green snowflakes growing out of it.

<This is incredible,> Kohaku marveled. 

<It’s so pretty!> I gasped.

<We should find a way inside quick,> Senku said. <We’re running out of air.>

<I think I see some sort of hatch down there,> Kohaku said. She swam forward and we followed her to what looked like a tube jutting out from the side of the dome. “Yeah, it is a hatch. Look, there’s another door that leads into the main part. I think that red panel must open it.>

<Can’t hurt to try,> Senku said, pressing the panel with his snout. Instantly, the outer door opened.

We swam into the tube and found a second red panel matching the first one. Kohaku pressed it and the door behind us closed. Then we heard a light swooshing sound and the water started to drain out of the tube, giving us a little pocket of air at the top.

<An airlock,> Yuzuriha said. <That makes sense, if it’s a spaceship.>

<We’re coming up on two hours of morph time,> Senku said. <Time to demorph.>

By the time the tube was fully drained, we’d become human again, and Yuzuriha, Kohaku, and Senku started wringing the water out of their hair.

“Ugh, I always forget we can’t morph hair ties,” Kohaku said irritably, spitting soggy blond strands out of her mouth.  

“I was thinking about cutting mine short for the same reason,” Yuzuriha said. “You think it would look okay?”

“I, ah, I think you’d look good with any haircut!” I blurted out. 

Senku rolled his eyes at me. At least, I’m pretty sure he did. His hair was covering his face. “Looks like that last panel opens the door into the dome,” he said, pointing at the door on the far side of the tube. Care to do the honors, Taiju?”

“Uh, sure.” I pressed my hand against the panel. 

The door slid open, and I felt a warm rush of air against my face that smelled like flowers and honey.

Suddenly there was a bright flash of light, and everything went dark.

[thatoneguy031]

[OOC: This is another long boi post. Let's do this, shall we?]

[After Cherry snagged Suicune from outside Opelucid, the pair had made their way back to the location of the party. As they walked (And flew) to the door of the bathroom, they heard a faint noise, but they could barely make out that it was... crying?

Cherry rushed to the door, and began violently shaking the knob, much to Suicune and several humans' chagrin. Even further distressing them, she used Dragon Rush to ram the door open after realizing that just opening it wouldn't work. When she saw who was there, both she and Suicune were stunned.

In the bathroom laid Guy, who was too shocked from Cherry's abrupt entrance to continue crying, at least for the time being. His costume was a wreck. While it wasn't torn, the wrinkles and folds now in the suit said that that wasn't from a lack of trying, and it appeared that Guy had thrown the mask into the bathtub as well.

Guy's fur was a much darker blue than it had been up to that point, and his Miltank-lick that was once Dewott colored was nearly pitch-black. While he had left his helm outside in some bushes, his seamitars and the midsection of his tail were also a dark-blue, with the former containing that same stripe as before.]

...

..."Full... Cowling?"

[Guy tried as hard as Arceus would allow him to fake a smile, but Cherry and Suicune weren't buying it.

Cherry grabbed Guy's hand, practically yanking him upright.]

TELL US.

!???

You know exactly what I'm talking about! Cooper told us everything!...

...What the FUCK, Guy!? Why didn't you tell us anything?!

[Guy was stunned. For the first time since they'd met, Cherry had actually used his real name. She was serious.]

...

If you really wanted to avoid this place, you could've just told me! I wouldn't have been upset!

As a matter of fact, you've never told us jack shit about ANYTHING. What is your problem-

I'M MY PROBLEM, OKAY?!

...

[Guy began screaming at both her and Suicune.]

My life has been a living HELL since I evolved! I was borderline paralyzed for nearly a month because I didn't know HOW to move as a Samurott, I run into YOU a while after that. And because I'm a stupid loser desperate for friends, I did EVERYTHING in my power to make sure you stayed at my side, just short of flat-out STALKING YOU! But because I wasn't upfront about it, you just disappear for basically half a year! After that, I met YOU, Mx. Suicune, but before that, I basically had a heart attack because I can't stand humans!

And why is that?

I can't remember! As far as I'm aware, I'm just a coward that can't stand being around people! Whatever the reason, I will bet my BOTTOM POKEDOLLAR that it's something as brain-dead, pants-on-head moronic as the rest of me!

And the one person I COULD go to regardless of how badly crap hit the fan, THEY died! YEARS AGO, and I'm STILL not over it! For the longest time, it was just me and Shayla, and after they got involved in their own BS, it was just me!

And I was so desperate to make friends, I forgot to keep up with my training! I'm damn-near USELESS on this mess of a team!

Admit it, you two HATE me! It's fine, I'm used to it. Just say it so we can get this over with!

[Cherry and Suicune remained speechless.]

Then the stupid, I don't even know what- Stupid 'aura' thing that's happening! Like I needed literally ANYTHING ELSE I needed to worry about!

Then I turned to a burden you LITERALLY had to carry on your backs for two days because I'm so freaking USELESS, I can't even stand on my own four clumsy feet without help!

THEN THIS ARC-FORBIDDEN PARTY HAPPENED.

Literally, day TWO, I have another heart attack-whatever, and I hide in here for nearly a full DAY, and force YOU dudes to look for me, instead of not being a damned coward and coming out myself, because I was scared of what you two were gonna say to me!

I AM SICK of being seen as a liability!...

...So I think it'd be be better for all of us... if you didn't see me at all.

[Guy's breathing became very shaky and winded, which slowly turned into sobbing, and he turned around so that he wasn't facing them anymore.]

Please... For your sake and mine... Just leave. Before I get someone hurt.

...

[Cherry reached for Guy's paw again, turning him around.]

Guy, you DUMBASS!

?

I would've NEVER ditched you, and I really enjoy being around you, I really do! Suicune can vouch for me, too! And himself!

[The Suicune nodded slowly.]

Again, just tell us next time if something's wrong, dude! You had us worried sick! You're not a burden, at least not as much as you're making yourself to out to be. Even if you WERE, it's worth it to stay with you.

As... problematic, as your situation has been, for everyone involved,

you're a really cool dude to be around!

[Guy remained quiet, unable to say anything that wouldn't sound like incoherent nonsense. But his face said it all; He was glad to have folks like her and Suicune to call friends.

After Cherry Suicune grabbed Guy's belongings, the three of them slowly made their way out of the bathroom...

...only for there to be a human in front of them, presumably a Trainer.]

[hazbmymhotel]

If you want to read it here?

Til death do us part

It was nice to climb into bed after a long fuckin’ day. The sheets were freshly cleaned, and Angel had even gotten some fresh silk pillows. They were soothing on his cheek, encouraging him to forgo crying in favor of the slick texture against his eyelids. Valentino was such a bastard.

Angel hugged two of his arms beneath the pillow, turning his head to rest even more comfortably. He smiled, enjoying the way his cheek was caressed in plush. He let his eyes drift lazily around his room.

Illuminated by fairy lights, his gaze first stopped on his vanity. Photos of his favorite moments were held on by sparkly stickers

-Angel and Cherri Bomb, jumping off a building. Had Charlie taken that picture?

-Fat Nuggets being lifted and spun by Charlie. Vaggie wasn't happy having to duck out of the way.

-Husker asleep, strewn across Alastor’s lap like a pet cat. Angel had felt the urge to scribble Alastor's glitchy face out of the photo. It gave him the creeps.

-Angel posing, Sir Pentious to one side of him, hugging his shoulders, and Husker on the other, fit perfectly into Angel’s side.

-Husker flyin, lookin’ like a million bucks

-Husker pourin’ a fruity drink for him, leaning forward to whisper something soft. So soft…

-Husker, Husker, Husker

Husker.

Angel turned his head and giggled into his silky pillow. He kicked his legs gleefully and embraced the butterflies in his stomach. It felt amazing. He'd never felt this euphoria with any drug, and it was so intoxicatin’.

He sat up and walked to his vanity, his terrible day already fading into the warm bubble of his stomach. Angel stumbled slightly and leaned down, “Sorry, Nugs, didn't see you there.” Angel scooped up the pig. “What's got you outta bed, huh?”

Angel squeezed his beloved pig and frowned slightly. He was shakin’. “What is it?” He stepped past his vanity and to his weapon’s chest. There was no harm in being prepared. “Look, Fat Nuggets, you're safe. I got my best guns, and some good fuckin’ knives.” Angel lifted them with his excess arms. They glowed faintly with angelic steel.

Angel lifted a glowing rope, showing it to his baby, “I even got myself some fancy–”

Angel moved faster than his mind could process. Fat Nuggets was dumped in a heap onto his bed, his door was ripped open. Angel’s bare feet were fast. He registered his satin robe flying behind him, but forgot it once he came to the foyer.

Thinkin’ was never Angel’s strength, but his instincts got him far. He had just started to understand what had brought him running, but the visual solidified his understanding.

Husker was on his back, bathed in the green glow of his chains. He crawled backwards, feet pushing into the floor. His paw scrambled to contain the blood oozing from his face.

His screams were turning into soft whimpers. Husker’s blood was turning into wisps as it hit the floor.

“I warned you, Husker,” Alastor's crackly voice filled the air like electricity. “I think it's time for a broadcast.”

Angel’s fur stood on end from crackling static. He felt adrenaline pumping through his whole body. His hands moved before his brain, and he found himself yanking the rope around something solid.

“What the fuck do you think you're doin’?!” Angel screamed. He held Alastor’s back to his chest. The rope stilled the horrifying, twisted, mangled beast of a Wendigo.

Breathe. Think. Angel oriented himself. He had a gun held to the side of Alastor's head, and a glowing blade to his throat. He held an antler, tugging the distorted head back. Two hands kept the angelic rope taut over Alastor's slim chest. That left a hand holding the second knife, uselessly held at Angel’s side.

He brought up the second knife, adjusting it over Alastor's heart.

“I asked you a fuckin’ question,” Angel said, voice low in his ear.

Alastor was struck dumb for a moment. He gave a shimmy of his body, pausing when the knives pressed against him. His suit frayed at his chest.

“Now don't be hasty, Angel, I need my voice,” Alastor reasoned as he felt a dribble down his throat.

“I'm thinkin’ you don't need shit, Alastor. You're gonna do me a favor.” Angel's mouth was working faster than his brain. His six smaller eyes trained on Husk, taking in the damage.

Husker looked bad. He was covered in lash marks, his suit was tattered, and he seemed small.

“I'm thinking I don't have a choice in this favor. Are you wanting me to let him go?” Alastor asked through his grin. He winced as he let out a nervous chuckle.

“Do you think this is funny?!” Angel held tighter. His finger wrapped around the trigger to his gun. “Y’know, Alastor, I don't think I remember how I loaded this one. I ain't touched it since the extermination.” It was almost satisfying feeling Alastor writhe in his ropes.

“Now don't be hasty, chu-Ah!!”

Angel took the blade from Alastor's chest and ripped it through his left ear.

“I'm NOT fuckin' around!!”

“Of,” Alastor gasped, “of course not! What's your favor?”

“Finally gettin’ it.” Angel cooed. “Pull out the contract.”

“Which contract, exactly?” Alastor tried, then screamed again. He watched as the top half of his ear fell to the floor.

“Ah,” Alastor wheezed, “that contract.”

“Let's make a fuckin’ deal. You shred it. Now. And I won't split you open from your fuckin’ throat.” Angel felt completely still, save for the beginning tremor in the deer. “Think I won't do it?”

“Angel, don't!!” A woman cried from the doorway.

“Charlie, you come a fuckin’ step closer and I'll shoot.” Angel warned in a flat tone. He didn't bother turning to look at her. Alastor flicked his hand, and a scroll folded out in front of them.

“Now you're gonna make a deal with me, Alastor,” Angel said, feeling blood on his knuckles.

“No!” Husk managed, terror apparent on his face.

“Do me a favor, Charlie. Get him off the floor.” Angel said, not daring to put his full attention on Husk. He'd go weak for him. “Now that deal.”

Alastor asked through a gritted grin, “What is it?”

Angel ignored the scuffle in front of him. He focused on the writing of the scroll. It belonged to one Oskar. “You're gonna shred that contact and keep your fuckin’ hands or tentacles off of him. You fuckin’ threaten his soul, his body, his anythin’ again and I'll fuckin’ kill you. My deal is I ain't gonna kill you otherwise.”

Alastor twisted his head backwards to look at Angel.

“Yeah, I know that means you're gonna fuckin’ try to get me back. And you're gonna get to live for it. But I don't give a fuck.”

Alastor's eyes became dials as he considered. Blood was pouring from his throat now.

“Deal?!” Angel screamed, tensing his arms.

The air was quiet, save for static and Husks labored breathing.

“Deal.” Alastor agreed, the contract turning to shreds. The chains connecting him to Husk snapped, crumpling to the floor.

Angel let his arms go limp, ready to die. He felt a weight off his chest as he saw the remnants of green dissipate into nothing.

“What the FUCK, Angel?!” Vaggie yelled from the side of the couch. She held her hands against Husk’s face, a cloth crumpled into his eye.

Angel snapped out of his stillness. He rushed to the couch, leaping over the back to straddle Husk. He shoved Vaggie away unceremoniously, briefly noting her chest was naked. Angel pulled Vaggie’s nightgown away from Husk's eye and tried not to gag in horror.

“Oh, oh fuck,” Angel wheezed, gingerly touching his cheek. It was matted and sticky. Husk stirred, opening his good eye. He seemed relaxed.

Husk smiled and pressed into his hand. “Is it bad?” He asked, voice soft.

“Quit being so fuckin’ calm, of course it's bad!!” Angel felt sudden tears well up.

Husk reached up, touching Angel’s cheek in return. “Baby, I'm fine.”

“No you ain't!” Angel felt his hands moved faster than his brain again. He dug his fingers into his own cheek, refusing to scream as he yanked out his subset of eyes.

“Angel-what are you –” Vaggie gasped, and Angel Dust didn't hear another word. He only saw Husker. He only heard Husker.

Focused on the man in front of him, Angel brought his closed fist to Husk’s eye socket.

“I, Anthony, take you, Oskar, as mine…” Angel started. He opened his hand, feeling the odd sensations of his own eyes rolling as they slid into Husk’s.

“...To have and to hold from this day forward,”

A pink shimmer began near Angel’s face, unfurling into a scroll. Delicate script appeared, dictating Angel’s script for him.

“For better, or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. This, Oskar, is my solemn vow.”

Husk stared at him. His eye glowed yellow, filled with three pink irises.

“Do you accept?” Angel asked, grabbing his face.

“I…” Husk breathed, “I do.”

The scroll blinked into a chain. The collar wove around Husk’s neck, illuminating in pink.

“Wait,” Angel said, holding the end of the chain. He brought it to his own throat. “Now you.” A wispy pink collar threatened around Angel’s neck, the chain leading off into the night.

Husk furrowed his brows before he understood. He pushed himself to sit up, moving his hands to caress Angel’s back. He gave a defeated smile, sure it wouldn't work.

“I, Oskar take…–”

Angel frowned and kissed him firmly. He pulled back, Husker dazed by the sudden move.

“With conviction!” Angel urged, eyes lit up with passion. It made Husk's insides flutter.

Husker moved a hand to take Angel’s, intertwining their fingers. “I, Oskar, take you, Anthony, to me mine. To protect you from stupid shit, be it from others or yourself. To keep you in my arms away from slimy dirtbags.” He held tighter around his middle, enjoying the giggle it elicited.

Husk stared at the blackened holes on Angel’s face where he ripped out his own eyes. His voice softened, “I promise to cherish you, to adore you, to love you. Through hell, or heaven, or anywhere else, I'll follow you and keep you.”

Husk felt a lump in his throat as he asked, “do you accept?”

“Yes.” Angel Dust kissed him again. The chain around his neck was snapped, replaced with gold. Weighing between them was the connected locks, binding their souls.

Angel pulled back, looking down at his prize.

“That was one hell of a first kiss,” Husk said, kissing Angel’s fingers.

Angel laughed, feeling a sudden rush of giddy embarrassment. He looked over the edge of the couch, seeing Niffty had been sent to find a first aid kit.

Vaggie had already wrapped Alastor's throat in gauze, and had moved to his ear.

“Tits out for a wedding, Vagina? That's so like you,” Angel cooed. He caught Alastor’s gaze and was startled. The man looked more pleased than angry. Oh, fuck, that was creepy.

“I ruined my favorite nightshirt for this, fuck off,” Vaggie snapped. Charlie sobbed next to her.

“That was so beautiful!!” She wailed.

Vaggie looked over at Angel and Husk. “This is so fucked. I want an explanation,” her voice didn't seem as harsh, “Tomorrow.”

“Sure. If I ain't on a honeymoon.” Angel climbed off of Husk and lifted him in his arms. He seemed more solid. “C'mon, Babycakes, let's get you cleaned up.”

Husk tilted his head and kissed Angel softly. It was almost enough to make Angel drop him. “Alright, let's go.” He allowed himself to be carried, resting his head into Angel’s neck.

~~~

It was nice to climb into bed after a long fuckin’ night. The sheets were freshly cleaned, and Angel’s new silk pillows held Husker like a dream, soothing his sore face and body.

“I guess we got some work to do,” Husk said, illuminated by tiny strands of fairy lights. “I wouldn't want you to feel neglected on our first night.” He pulled Angel flush against him, kissing him firmly. The act itself made Angel’s insides burn in the most fluttery way.

Angel pulled back, just enough to whisper against his lips. “Whiskers…I'm so fuckin beat, we ain't doin’ that tonight.” He felt a nervous bubble as Husk stared him down…until they both melted into childish giggles.

“You aren't ever gonna have to do that when you don't want to again,” Husk promised, kissing between his eyes. He sat up enough to unfold his wings, closing them around Angel like a protective blanket.

Angel kissed his nose. “Well that makes me kinda want to.”

“Shut up, Angel,” Husk kissed him again as they wrapped themselves around each other.

=====

Epilogue.

“WHAT THE FUCK” Valentino screamed, chucking his phone at Vox’s face.

“Oh,” winced Velvette, looking at his cracked face. “Damnit Boys.”

SO

I wrote

Huskerdust

[shurisasthmaticgf]

Back In Your Arms: Shuri x Black! Fem! Reader

warnings: spoilers, mention of death, yelling, swearing, angst, lmk if i forgot anything

a/n: it's literally semester end for me and my brain is beyond fried so im sorry if this is ass lmao

The minute you found out Shuri was planning an attack on Namor and the Talokanil, you were already readying yourself to join. Although you never verbally told her, she already knew by the way you spent extra time training in the early mornings and late nights. It was only the night before that Shuri told you that you were not included in the attack on the enemy.

You paced around her lab growing more agitated by the second, "What do you mean I'm not going tomorrow?" Shuri repeated herself firmly, "Exactly what that means. I do not understand why you are making this so difficult." You stopped pacing and faced her, throwing your hands in the air, "So what do you expect me to do?" Shuri didn't look away from the monitor in front of her as she added finishing touches to something she'd been working on, "I have arranged for you to stay in Jabariland until we have finished business with Namor. You will be accompanied by Noxolo and Taji, per General's recommendation. M'baku has also ordered two Jabari warriors to stay back as well for you."

Hearing her plan of making you sit around and do nothing only frustrated you more. You brought your hands up to your head then exclaimed, "I'm supposed to just sit around holed up in a goddamn cave while you and everyone else go save the world?! Are you fucking kidding me Shuri?! T'challa and Queen Ramonda would allow me to-"

"YOU DO NOT SPEAK THEIR NAMES! YOU DO NOT GET TO TELL ME WHAT THEY WOULD DO. THAT DOESN'T MATTER! THEY AREN'T HERE- THEY'RE GONE. " Shuri's voice echoed through her lab, the force of her voice reverberating in your chest. The queen took a deep breath and slowly walked over towards you with narrowed eyes. A pit formed in your stomach as you stared back at her, the light that shone behind those deep brown seas was gone. There was nothing but hatred and anger as it consumed her from the inside out that you could only bear witness to.

Shuri stood eye level with you and she spoke through gritted teeth, "You are staying back. That is an order from me as your queen. Do you understand?" You lowered your head and answered, "Yes...your highness." The title taste bitter on your tongue and it was clear by the slight sarcasm in your voice. Nonetheless you conceded to her order, and satisfied by your reply Shuri turned back to what she was working on, not even bidding you goodnight like she usually would.

꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷

Nearly six hours had passed since you first arrived in Jabariland for the time being. You were being sheltered in a den far within one of the mountains. A small fire burned in the center of the floor and small wooden furnishings adorned by furs perfectly place around the room. You sat upside down with your legs over the back of a chair while your head dangled above the floor.

From the entrance of the den, Olaitan, one of the Jabari warriors on guard insisted, "There was no space on the door for Jack. If he got on the door then they both would have died!" You shook your head in refusal and the mix of beads and shells that adorned your hair clicked together. You swung your legs back onto the ground and sat up straight, closing your eyes for a moment as the blood rushed back to your head.

Before you could reply, Noxolo, one of the Dora Milaje who accompanied you, cut in, "I refuse. Rose let Jack die. There was room on that door, she was just selfish." You listened to the young warrior, watching how the large scar over her white eye crinkled when she narrowed her gaze. You pointed to Noxolo and chimed in, "See that's exactly what I've been saying."

Across from you, Taji, another Dora Milaje shook her head, "How could Jack and Rose fit on that tiny piece of wood? There is no way that both of them could have survived! Olaitan and I are right- Jack wouldn't have made it if he wanted to save Rose!" Her deep brown eyes sparkled with delight of thinking she was right. You and Noxolo looked at each other with exasperated expressions. It had been two hours of this debate and neither side was willing to admit that they were wrong or right.

You slapped your hand against the floor and said, "Jack could have fit. There was an entire MythBusters episode on this!" Noxolo snapped her fingers and confirmed, "Yes, and they confirmed that Rose and Jack could have fit on the door in five different ways." Taji asked, "Did they do this experiment in the Northern Atlantic Ocean in April at night time? With individuals who measure exactly the same to Rose and Jack?"

At that argument you and Noxolo fell silent, making Taji and Olaitan laugh at you both. Desperate for a tie breaker you turned to the last person in the room who had yet to add their two cents into the debate. With a cheeky grin you asked, "Adisa, you're the deciding vote." The large Jabari warrior looked between you, the two Dora Milaje, and his fellow warrior.

A thick tension fell over the entire den, only the sound of the crackling fire at the center of the room could be heard. Adisa looked at you and Noxolo giving you a hopeful grin, but he responded, "I have never seen this 'Titanic' you all speak of." The four of you threw your hands in the air in defeat and annoyance as Adisa laughed heartedly at the disappointment he caused.

Purple flashes from your Kimoyo beads drew your attention from the rest of the group. You turned your back towards them and hunched over your wrist, waiting for a call to come through. It took a moment then you heard a familiar voice, "Ayo, Y/n." You held your beads closer and asked, "Riri? Why isn't Shuri the one calling me?" The student paused as if she was debating on telling you something before she simply replied, "She told me to call you." Your heart raced in your chest and you asked, "Why? Why would she ask you to do that? Is everything okay? Where is Shuri?"

Riri let out an exhausted sigh and told you, "Wait chill out. Take a breather, your girl is fine. She just has something she's doing right now aight? I was just calling to tell you they sending a flyer to pick you up. I'll see you when you get here, okay?" You but your lip nervously and answered much quieter than before, "Mhm. See you later." The call ended and you rested your head between your knees while taking deep breaths as you waited for the flyer to come get you.

꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷

The entirety of the ride back to the Citadel you were dead silent. Your leg bounced anxiously against the floor while you pulled at the coils along the nape of your neck. In your mind you replayed your last moments with Shuri before you left for Jabariland:

You step foot onto the flyer to see Shuri waiting for you with Riri by her side. While Riri grinned from ear to ear at seeing you, the queen did not wear the same expression. Exactly the same as the past few days, Shuri's face blank and emotionless, and her eyes looked empty. Your heart broke at the sight but you told yourself this was part of her grieving process.

It was as if Shuri was present but distant at the same time, just standing before you not making any motion towards you. Until you closed the space between the two of you by pulling her into your arms. Shuri then wrapped her arms around your body and rested her head on your shoulder. After a moment you pulled away from her and attempted to look her in the eyes. The queen turned her head slightly so she was looking just past you. A frown tugged at the corner of your lips and you held her face in your hands, "I'll see you when we get back, yeah?" Still refusing to look at you Shuri nodded ever so slightly in response but remained completely silent.

Your thumb grazed the side of her jaw and you placed a chaste kiss against her lips that she reciprocated. Slowly, your palms dragged lower, holding onto Shuri's neck gently and you quietly spoke so only she could hear you, "Sthandwa."

Finally, the queen's eyes met yours and you told her, "Be smart. Don't forget who you are." She nodded in understanding and you kissed her once more, "I love you Shuri." She held you tighter in her arms, squeezing you so hard it almost hurt- almost as if she didn't want you to leave. Your girlfriend pressed a kiss to your forehead and murmured against you, "I love you, y/n."

Shuri released you from her embrace and you walked further down the ramp to exit the ship. The queen stopped walking in front of the two Dora Milaje she'd assigned to accompany you. The two young women, Noxolo and Taji, were the youngest warriors in the group, but Okoye and Ayo recommended the two for the job.

The queen stopped the two warriors with a hand to the sterum, "You understand what is expected of you both, correct?" Noxolo and Taji replied confidently, "Yes your highness." Shuri lowly whispered to the two Dora Milaje, "Protect her at all costs." The two warriors once more answered in unison, "Yes your highness." Shuri stepped off of the flyer but not before looking over her shoulder to see you and Riri.

At the sight of Riri you cocked your head to the side and smiled. You pulled her into a side hug and told her, "Go kick some ass but promise me you'll be careful out there, aight?" The student gave you her word, "I got you, don't worry." You gave her a knowing look and she put her hands up in fake surrender with a laugh, "I'm being for real!" You punched her arm lightly and admitted, "I'm just teasing you don't worry." Riri turned to walk off the ship and said, "I'll see you when you get back!" All you could do was give a very convincing fake smile, because anything else and you would have ran back towards them and tried to stay. The flyer began to close and Shuri watched from the ground until it was no longer in sight with you in it.

꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷꒷꒦˚︶︶꒦꒷

The moment the flyer touched the ground and opened you were already trying to make your way to see Shuri. When the door opened Nakia was waiting for you while Ayo waited for Noxolo and Taji, pulling them aside immediately. You looked around to see many Dora Milaje missing. Slowly you turned back towards Ayo and noticed the paled look on Taji's face. The young warrior was out of earshot but the way she swallowed thickly and remained silent, accepting whatever Ayo was telling them made your stomach drop.

Whatever Nakia was trying to tell you started to sound like jibberish until you ran a full out sprint. You dashed up two flights of stairs and the long corridor leading to Shuri’s chamber. The beads and shells on your front braids smacked against your cheeks and eyes but you couldn't care less. The sound of running footsteps echoed behind yours and a woman called out, "Y/N! Stop!" Turning on your heel you faced Nakia, watching as she jogged up to you.

Tears burned your eyes as you shook your head in denial from already thinking the worst case scenario. Nakia held you by the shoulders and calmly spoke, "She is alive. She will be okay, Shuri will be alright, Y/n." Her words took a moment to register but soon you found your breaths slowing and tears stopping. Nervously you questioned, "What happened?" The older woman explained slowly, "While the rest of us were fighting on the ship, Shuri and Namor went off alone. I do not know the entre story, but all I know is they were battling on an island. Shuri has sustained multiple injuries that are being treated currently." As if she could read your mind, Nakia added, "You will be able to see her shortly. The healers must finish with her before then. You cannot get in their way."

Although your tears stopped falling you felt like you were going to fall apart all over again. Nakia gently placed an arm around your shoulder and led you away from Shuri's bedroom door. The chamber door opened and Nyakallo, the head healer, exited the room and waved you back over.

Nyakallo told you kindly, "Miss Y/N. You are able to visit her, she is resting now. If she needs anything you know how to call me." You thanked the older woman and burst into Shuri's room. Your girlfriend lay in her bed surrounded by pillows which made her look smaller than normal. Her lips were pale and chapped and her eyes shut with her hands resting over her chest. The concern on your face went away when Shuri cracked a smile and chuckled lightly. You groaned in annoyance and whined, "Even when you're seriously injured you still find the time to play with me huh?"

Shuri's eyes remained shut as she quietly answered, "I got speared to a rock. Let me have my fun...plus it's fun to mess with you." She could tell without looking that you were giving her an annoyed glare. You chose not to acknowledge the whole getting speared to a rock thing- that was for another time.

Your girlfriend hummed then requested, "Lay with me?" You pulled back her blankets and climbed into her bed next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Shuri slowly moved herself closer to you, and in the process you noticed how she was moving extremely stiff. The familiar and comforting smell of vanilla and ylang-ylang that clung to her sheets filled your senses. She rested her head on your chest and let out a breath that she seemed to have been holding for some time.

The two of you laid in silence until the queen let out a shaky breath, "I'm sorry. I yelled at you and I pushed you away recently when you were trying to be there for me. I'm sorry." You held onto Shuri's hand as she took another breath so she could continue, "I couldn't lose you too. He- he promised me he would-" Her voice broke as she remembered the promises Namor made and kept, resulting in her own massive loss. You gently shushed her, "Shhh. We don't have to have this conversation right now. You are supposed to be resting remember?"

Your girlfriend held back the tears that welled up behind her eyes, "Yes." She turned her head into your chest and you held her head closer to your heart. You stroked her head gently while whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Shuri's body started to relax against yours and soft snores fell past her lips. You kissed the top of her head and squeezed your eyes shut, thanking the ancestors and gods above that she was back in your arms again.