#I have no idea where this sudden urge to experiment with new foods came from but I'm having fun!

[vaguely-concerned]

so was anyone going to tell me that tinned anchovy and some spices sizzled in olive oil makes the most delicious sauce you've ever tasted in your life or was I just going to have to have that semi-religious experience by myself

[4dtk]

he's gone soft!

hi can u tell i love cats? and i also love hesitant cat owners who eventually warm up to their cats <3 got inspired by grumpy dads who eventually starts cuddling and cooing at the cats they adopted lol. also, adopt don't shop!

"you... you want what?" megumi asks, putting on his uniform as you scrolled aimlessly on your phone.

you were sure he heard you since he was just a metre away from you, but even you knew that the boy had hearing problems sometimes. you could listen to the pleads of his divine dogs at the mention of another pet, curling up to you as a way to win back your heart.

"can we get a cat?" you ask again hopefully, scratching at the white dog's ears as a way to calm their whining while he buttons his top. you're prepared for his reply, anyway, having asked him about this for the longest time.

he sighs, too used to the black and white fur decorating his already messy bed. plus, he wouldn't want to add another animal to the mix, knowing how much he adored his dogs.

with megumi's sigh and delayed answer that never came, you shook your head to your question, putting on a smile so you could head out to a mission without facing your feelings.

"it's okay, babe, i was just trying my luck," you kissed his cheek as you walk past, holding out a hand for him to take. megumi lets out another sigh before deactivating his divine dogs, taking your hand hesitantly as you met up with gojo-sensei just outside the campus.

the exorcising was an easy job since it involved several grade three curses and a terrified child. still, it was nothing uncommon to see in a place where kids willingly skip into abandoned scary buildings on a dare.

"come. let's go somewhere," megumi says out of the blue, dragging you by the hand once you bid goodbye to the kids. you had no idea where the destination lay, only getting grunts and hums from the boy whenever you questioned him of the sudden detour.

the meows coming from inside the building shocks you, instantly bringing a smile to your face as you peeked over the display shelves and products on sale. without much thought, you entered as quietly as you could, greeted by the friendly receptionist with a grin on her face.

"hi! how can we help?" you were so immersed in the cats playing around, as well as the several others in their cages, that you don't hear your boyfriend entering and muttering something that makes you drop your jaw even more.

"we'd like to adopt a cat, please," megumi nods, taking your hand once again as you do a speechless double-take to your boyfriend and back to the receptionist. your puzzled face was apparent, but you lose it all once you see the cats running around in the shelter while she finishes up a document on the computer. soon, she stands, guiding the two of you around the place as she points out some of the dashing felines they had rescued.

"hi! hello! what a handsome boy!" you switched to a baby voice as a cat came up to your hand at the entrance of the cage, rubbing against it affectionately.

megumi watched as you greeted the many different cats, giving them nicknames of your own while cooing or making faces at them. he could only smile gently, letting you pull him every time you saw another quote-unquote 'handsome lad'.

you sigh dreamily, staring at the many cats with love in your eyes, scanning over those you interacted with over the last half 'n hour. as megumi reaches forward to point at one, the receptionist interrupts as if she's just recalled something.

"crap, i forgot to show you our older cats. they're lovely, although they might be less active and would rather chill in the sun," she explains as she walks.

"we don't have many elderly cats here, but they deserve a life with loving owners such as yourself as much as the youngins in here," she smiles, scratching one behind the ear.

you smile in reply, reaching over to pet them carefully. so fragile and wise, but they still looked charming, save for the energetic bursts that the younger cats had.

one cat caught had your eye, despite its shyness and apprehensive nature. she warmed up to you in a heartbeat, claiming your hand as a safe space after a good sniff. she purrs in an instant, headbutting your hand repeatedly as a gesture of affection.

"oreo doesn't interact with our visitors much," she says, "is she the one?"

"oreo... because she's black and white?" megumi asks, not exactly impressed with the name.

"you got it."

"yes, her," you say, cooing yet again with a voice ten times higher than the one you use with his shikigami.

the boy doesn't comment, tugging on you before you could lose yourself in the cat's eyes any longer. with a last flying kiss, you depart from oreo with a grin on your face.

"now, have you taken care of cats before? i'm sure your boyfriend here has more experience with dogs than he does with cats," you look at her in surprise, giggling at the assumption she made.

"how'd you know that?"

"just a hunch." megumi grunts again at the observation, not denying it as you answer her question.

"i have- had a cat back home. i couldn't fathom death again, so i never adopted another one," you frown, signing the papers with ease as you multi-tasked, "but i mean, this man is pretty fetching and a keeper, so it'll be nice to care for a cat together."

the two of you joke like old friends as the raven-haired boy blushes at the compliment, squeezing your hand in response.

within a few minutes, oreo was under your care, completing the process with a few toys, a scratching post as well as some food for the black and white cat.

you spent the whole evening with the new family member in your and megumi's shared room, getting oreo warmed up to the new environment and getting her to do a few tricks. she tired out quickly, but you don't mind as you lay on the floor with her, completing homework like it was nothing.

you had to retire, sometime and somehow as megumi urged you to shower, assuring that oreo wouldn't go anywhere.

you kept the shower short, regardless, dressing back up in record speed before coming face to face with megumi stroking oreo's fur as she curls up on his lap. he mumbles to her, bouncing his legs lightly as the cat rests her head on his calves.

"i just wanted to see (y/n)'s smile, but i guess you're pretty cute too," the corners of megumi's lips turn up at the soft meow from oreo, bending down to kiss her on the head.

"careful, hotshot, i might get jealous," you say, startling the poor boy. oreo doesn't give a shit, snuggling further into the warmth of his legs as he's stuck in the position on the floor.

"are cats always this clingy?"

"oreo might've had a rough time at her previous home, so she's glad to have someone to curl up against. they usually take longer to warm up to new owners but... she's a wise soul!" you laugh, squatting down to peck megumi on the lips.

"thank you."

"for what?" megumi's hand naturally rests on your thigh as you sit down beside him, while your head find its spot on his shoulder.

"for adopting a cat. for giving oreo a home, even if you like dogs a bit more."

he hums, "i like all animals, but dogs on the scale are a little bit higher than everything else."

he turns to you, causing you to lift your head off of your resting place.

"but i think if my love likes cats then, i'm willing to bump it up the scale to match it with my love for dogs."

you shove him lightly, laughing softly at his attempts at flirting.

"did gojo-sensei ask you to say that?"

the answer is clear when he rolls his eyes with a blush on his pale cheeks, but engages you in a deep kiss either way, smiling and speaking through it.

"he did but, i think it's pretty true when it comes to you."

[lokislastlove]

Come One, Come All (dark!Loki x reader)

Summary: A girls night out to the fair takes an insidious turn.

Warnings: Noncon/Rape, knife play, oral (m&f), smut, bondage, kidnapping.

This is a dark fic! 18+ ONLY! Explicit Adult content. Please READ THE WARNINGS! Do not continue if these matters upset you!

Authors Note: I wrote another one! No idea where this came from, but it was fun to write. Still working on improving my smut, huge thanks to @darkficsyouneveraskedfor for some tips and editing the shit out of it. 😘 also I know there is a creepy clown in the pic but I feel like I have to say there aren’t any clowns in the fic. I hate clowns.

Chapter 1:

It was the kind of summer night you dream about, warm enough to keep you comfortable in your shorts and peasant top, but with a light breeze that keeps you cool enough to fight the flush of alcohol in your veins. You look forward to these moments when you are able to go out with your girlfriends and let loose, forgetting about all life’s responsibilities, if just for a single night.

“Come on!” Ash calls over her shoulder, her hand tight around your wrist pulling you impatiently.

“Aww but that looks so good” you groan as you press your face longingly against the glass barrier of the hand dipped corn dog cart.

The sweet scent of the frying corn dough wafts tantalizingly through the air making your mouth water. You friends laugh at your theatrics, having just helped you scarf down a large sugary funnel cake and a platter of nachos, the evidence of which still stains the corner of your mouth. Really, it was their fault for getting you tipsy before taking you to the county fair, everything just smelled heavenly and if you could you would try one of everything.

“Just a slushee?!” You beg as Jen steps behind you and pushes you out of the food court, giggling the entire time.

“Come on, fight the drunchies! You promised you would try that new funhouse,” Jen whines, looping her arm through yours, Ash doing the same on the other side.

“Oh yeah,” you grumble.

“Oh stop it” Ash scolds playfully. “Everyone at work keeps talking about it - it’s like a mini escape room! And I’ve always wanted to do one, please.” She rants excitedly before giving you her best puppy dog eyes.

“Ugh that’s cheating. No one can resist those big brown eyes” you pout, but yield as easily as they knew you would.

“I know” Ash smirks, tossing back her long silky black hair over her slender shoulder.

“This is gonna be so much fun, I promise” Jen bumps your hip, giving you a wide encouraging smile.

You manage a strained grin as you let them lead you through the crowd. It’s not that you don’t like funhouses or the idea of doing an escape room, having always loved solving riddles and doing puzzles. It’s just you don’t like clowns, and every funhouse in your experience has at least one.

“Oh damn there’s a line!” Jen moans as you all stop in front of a large structure covered in flashing lights, the ominous ‘Tricksters Trap’ bathing your face in a violent red glow.

Garish contrasting colors somehow both attract your eye and make it hard to look at. Your pupils dilate with the lines of fluorescent bulbs burning into your retinas. The stereotypical circus music blares through the cheap speakers, reminding you of one of those old Jack in the box toys. And of course, without fail, was the obligatory clown statue hanging over the entrance, like some creepy sentinel there to guide you to your inevitable demise.

“Ugh fucking clowns” you grimace as you pass by the entrance, heading toward the end of the line.

“Yeah they definitely nailed the creep factor,” Jen agrees, her eyes shining with nervous excitement.

“I know isn’t it great?!” Ash squeals.

You stand there taking in the horrific detailing painted on the side of the metal structure. You are thankful when Ash explains there is a time limit, only ten minutes to complete the puzzle or else they kick you out and you have to try again. If you figure out the puzzle you get to leave through the mirror maze and you earn the coveted “I tricked the Trickster” sticker.

“Gotta get that sticker, or else that bitch Katie at work will never let me forget that she got one and I didn’t” Ash complains, causing you and Jen to share a look and snicker.

“Hey! Don’t laugh, this is serious! We gotta be smart and figure this out, failure is not an option” she urges dramatically before collapsing into drunken giggles with you and Jen.

“You ladies seem eager to prove yourselves,” slithers a low voice.

Startled you gasp and spin around quickly. The three of you look up at the tall lean figure standing behind you. He wears a perfectly tailored black ensemble, that matches the color of his slicked back hair. His eyes practically glow green against his alabaster complexion. His sharp cheekbones and angular jaw make your breath hitch, causing his thin lips to curve into a sinister smirk. He is stunning.

“Um, yeah. Well this place has the whole town buzzin’. Seems like everyone is talking about it” Jen is the first to speak.

“Ah I see. Wouldn’t want to miss your chance to take a stab at it” the mysterious man surmised, eyes focused on you.

“We got this shit. Right guys?” Ash assures him as she playfully smacks you and Jen.

“Well, I guess we’ll find out. Good luck,” he challenges with a raise of a brow.

You stare after him as he saunters away without another word. His hips and shoulders sway smoothly, his soft footsteps giving him a dangerous almost feline vibe, like he could rival even the most deadly of predators. As he turns to round the corner of the ride he takes one last look over his shoulder at you. Your eyes lock for only a fraction of a second but it’s enough to send a chill down your spine.

“That was weird, right?” You mutter, eyes still transfixed where he disappeared.

“Eh, just another creepy dude. If I had a nickel for every weirdo who tries to chat me up…” Jen jokes.

“You’d have like a whole 50 cents,” sasses Ash.

You are finally broken from your daze when Ash is pushed into you. You laugh and try to brush off the lingering effect of the handsome stranger, shifting your focus back to your friends. The line goes by quicker than expected, with only one group out of the three ahead of you making it out with stickers. The losing groups return to the line from a back door, bickering about where they went wrong.

Finally it is your turn. Ash claps her hands excitedly, dancing up the metal stairs to the costumed man at the entrance. His red and white stripped suit is expertly torn and painted with fake blood to make him look as intimidating as possible. With a tip of his top hat he welcomes the three of you and begins to explain the rules in his well practiced accent.

“Come one come all to the Tricksters Trap, if you’re feeling lost, just go find the map.” He sings with flair and a perfectly timed bow, directing you to the inauspicious black door.

Taking a deep breath you follow your squealing friends into the darkened hallway. Pausing to look back as the door creaks shut, cutting off the jovial sounds of laughter and chatter with a sudden slam. You flinch at the loud noise and turn back to the dim hallway. The short corridor is lined with wall to wall green velvet curtains barely visible with the green rope lights running along the ceiling.

“Guys?” You whisper when you don’t see them next to you, causing your heart rate to quicken

You call for them again, this time louder, your feet unwilling to move from the spot. It has only been thirty seconds and you are already about to call it quits. Get a grip. You take a hesitant step forward.

“You guys?!” You call shakily.

“Hey! Come on we found the map!” Jen pokes her head from around the corner at the end of the hall.

She disappears just as quickly, waving her arm for you to follow. You breathe a sigh of relief and rush after her. You enter a large room filled with all sorts of random objects. It’s as if it is designed to overload your senses. The green from the hall carried on into the room, more velvet green curtains hung on the walls that were not obstructed by shelves of books or other oddities. You saw everything from perfectly aligned glass jars filled with alien looking creatures, grandfather clocks, to treasure chests overflowing with grizzled toys.

Jen and Ash are hunched over a table with a map spread out smoothly. It was easy enough to see it was a map of the room and hallway, with what appeared to be three small rooms hidden along the wall behind the heavy green drapery. You go over and pull back a curtain and find a locked door, the other two also hiding a locked door.

“Ok so it looks like we gotta find a way to open these doors” you offer, your anxiety calming a bit as you focus on the mystery at hand.

“Hey look there is some sort of code over here by the lock on the door.” Ash hollers excitedly.

You each pick a door code and frantically search the room. It doesn’t take long for you to figure out you need to use the books on the large shelf along one wall. The first number tells you the book the second refers to a specific page. You find a slip of paper in the book with a riddle written in a blood red ink.

“I make two people out of one” You read aloud.

“You can hold me in one hand, but I’m used to fill the room” Ash reads hers, her face twisting in concentration.

You both look to Jen, “I have two hands, but I can’t clap.”

“Damn no wonder so many people failed, definitely wish I wasn’t drunk right now” Ash laughs.

“No no we can do this, it’s probably items in the room so let’s just focus. We’ll do one at a time.” You assert, pacing the room and trying to take in all the random objects.

“Two hands…” you mutter as you stop in front of a large grandfather clock. “Clocks have hands!” You yell excitedly and open the narrow door.

The heavy pendulums swing inside and you see a shining silver glint off the rounded golden end. You pull off the small silver key, stuck on by a tiny magnet, and jump in excitement.

“Holy crap! You’re a genius!” Jen exclaims running over to take the key and try it in the door.

The key slides in smoothly and the door opens with a gratifying click.

“Woo! Keep going, you are on a roll!” Ash claps as she cheers you on.

“Ok, ok” you giggle before taking a deep breath. “Two people out of one… maybe a camera? Or wait…” you realize as you stare at Ash currently checking her makeup in an antique mirror hung between two curtains.

“Ash! Try pulling on that mirror!” You yell pointing frantically at the mirror in front of her.

Her brows knit together briefly before understanding, grabbing the frame and tugging gently until it swings open, revealing a key hung on the wall.

“Yes!” You all shriek together.

Suddenly, the lights flicker and a loud maniacal cackle reverberates through the surround sound speaker, turning your elation into yelps of surprise.

“Two minutes left” a familiar polished voice echoes forebodingly throughout the room.

“Shit, that scared the crap out of me” Jen laughs clutching at her chest.

The warning gives you pause, managing to shift the spirit of the whole room. Ash giggles nervously as she watches the lights of the room transition from their previous dim yellow light to a menacing red hue. The mood lighting in addition to the increasing volume of the horror soundtrack playing over the speaker helps to put you back into your initial anxious state.

“Seriously? Is this fucking necessary?” You curse, shaking your head.

“Ok let’s get the last one guys! We can still do this!” Jen yells through the cacophony of sound effects.

“Yeah what can we fit in our hand but somehow also fills the room?” Ash reiterated the final riddle.

“These red lights make it so much harder to see” Jen complains bitterly as she rummages through the items inside a large chest.

“Lights… Jen that’s it! A lightbulb!” A smile breaks out on your face as you figure out the final clue.

“Look up there!” Ash points to a solitary darkened light bulb screwed into the ceiling.

“I got it.” Jen jumps onto the table and reaches up, unscrewing it quickly. “There is a key inside!” She shouts.

She unscrews the bottom of the fake lightbulb and received the key before handing it to Ash. Each of you run over to the corresponding doors and turn the key, squealing in delight when they all slide open.

“Is that it?” Jen asks looking into the cramped dark space behind the door.

It was little more than a closet. Barely enough room for each of you to stand in. You were at a loss. You could have sworn that would be the end.

“Guys there is a lever here on the back wall of mine, how about yours?” Ash’s muffled voice calls from inside her closet.

“Oh yeah mine too!” Jen replies.

“Do you think we have to pull them at the same time? ‘Cus mine did nothing when I tried it” Ash says poking her head out to look at you.

“Thirty seconds!” That haunting voice booms again as a tick clock sounds through the speakers, counting down your final moments.

“Ok let’s try it together!” You nod at both of them, before stepping into the tight dark space.

“THREE! TWO! ONE!” You shout, mirroring your friends calls, pulling down your lever with a snap.

There is a moment of silence as the lights of the room behind you suddenly go dark, the music and sound effects cutting off instantly.

“Did we get it?!” You yell.

You don’t get the chance to hear your friends response as the wood door slams behind you, locking you into the small space.

Tags: @darkficsyouneveraskedfor @caffiend-queen

[ratmonky]

Blood of Purity

Word Count: 3.9K

Warnings: non-con, virginity kink, blood kink, blood, stalking, simple and badly written horror pron

AO3 Link

Being brought back to earth to feel the sunlight kissing his skin made Choso appreciate these two new associates. Other than that he was grateful because he and his two brothers were finally united back again, it warmed his heart.

To him, family was the most important thing in the world. Losing his brothers could make him go berserk because that would mean that he couldn’t hold his promise of protecting them.

He hoped he could protect them for another century and live a quiet life after he was done with whatever those other two wanted from him.

The smell of something delicious filled his nostrils, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Ahh, the sweet, sweet scent of blood that was pure, almost like a flower. It had been a long time since he had smelled it.

He froze, there wasn’t anyone up in the mountains with him to produce such redolent-smelling blood in their body.

“Are you alright?” A meek voice asked.

Choso was a little surprised and couldn’t stop his shoulders from rising because of the sudden noise. His stare found you, you were wearing hiking clothes looking a little too tired but still had a worried look on your face, which was aimed at him.

“You look awful, do you need food? Did you lose your hiking trail? Should I call for help?” You took out your phone but clicked your tongue soon after, “Ugh,  no service. Whatever I can try to help. Are you hurt?”

He didn’t want to talk to a human, so he turned around to walk back into the hideout. The hideout was a simple cave with some furniture, away from the civilization and humans as the other two said but here you were standing.

The last thing he wanted was to being disturbed by another living.

However, as he took another step, he realized that he was being held back. He whipped his head around to glare at you for pulling at his clothes but his face sort of softened when he saw you holding out a bottle of water for him.

“This is for you to drink!” you said slowly, assuming he didn’t understand. While you were exaggeratedly and embarrassingly trying to showcase to him how to drink water, Choso spoke.

“I don’t need anything.”

“Ah.” Your cheeks flushed from embarrassment and you pulled your hand from his clothes at the same time you nearly dropped the water bottle. “You should’ve told me you understood me, I feel so bad now. Was it embarrassing?”

“Very.”

Slapping a hand on your forehead, you slowly dragged it down. “Please forget that. Let’s start from the beginning, hi, I’m (name).”

“I didn’t ask for your name.”

“O-oh.. right. Sorry, I just hope you aren’t hurt or anything. I wasn’t expecting to meet someone this high up in the moun-”

Choso walked away to avoid the conversation and you didn’t try to talk or stop him again.

It worked.

He glanced over his shoulder as you continued your trail and the delicious smell of pure blood became fainter the further you walked into the forest.

There was a moment of hesitation for him, something within him twisting. It felt like he had knots all over his chest, yearning for that pure blood. He had forgotten how delirious it could get him.

Shaking his head, he tried clearing his thoughts. No. This wasn’t the time nor the place.

~~~

After finding an open clearing that could be a good enough campsite before it got dark, you set up your tent to sleep for the night, the opening was large enough for your tiny tent and small enough for you to feel safe. You skipped lighting up a fire and went straight inside your tent to avoid blood-sucking mosquitos.

Although staying inside the tent and eating a granola bar wouldn’t count as a camping experience by many people, it was your first time camping alone. So, you wanted to save your energy for hiking rather than the useless stuff. Nobody cared. The real experience was the hiking, the tall trees, the breathtaking views from the cliffs, and the cute animals you come across if you were lucky enough,

That was the whole purpose. To come here and forget about everything else to enjoy nature.

Several months ago you had made a promise to yourself that you were going to go hiking in the mountains if you never got the promotion you pretty much earned at your job. Well, you never got promoted nor did you work at that office anymore. You dropped off everything to make a fresh start.

That was how you ended up here. Your hiking adventure was going to last for three nights and four days. Today was your only second night and you still had a long way to hike. You were hoping to reach this one cliff you had heard about from the locals, they said that there was a flower field under the cliff, making the view look straight out of a painting.

Maybe if you were lucky you could have a picnic on the cliff before the dark fell tomorrow, watching the view under the bright blue sky. Oh, perhaps you could even set up your tent on the cliff so you could enjoy the scenic view while having breakfast.

You were full of high expectations for tomorrow and the excitement had you rolling around in your double sleeping bag. Having eaten your dinner hours ago, which consisted of a simple granola bar, you were ready to sleep.

Turning off the small lantern you had in the corner of the tent, you nestled inside the sleeping bag, closing your eyes with a smile.

Rustle.

You turned around in the sleeping bag. The rustling of the trees from the wind continued. Humming contentedly in your sleep, a smile spread across your face, it felt peaceful, calm.

Whereas the sounds of car honks and screeching tires would interrupt your sleep in the city, here… there was nothing. Just peace.

Moving further inside the sleeping bag, you smacked your lips, nuzzling your face into the small pillow to continue sleeping.

The wind returned, shook the trees, and crunched on the leaves.

Crunched on the leaves?

You snapped a single eye open and froze in your spot, listening carefully.

Silence.

Ugh, it could have been a single old tree branch falling down and crushing some leaves. Nothing too important. Go back to sleep.

Crunch.

It came from outside of your tent, right where the tent door was. Though, whatever it was, it was far away.

Crunch.

Closer.

Crunch.

It was coming closer.

Crunch.

As if someone was knowingly stepping on the tree branches and the leaves that would make the most sound to announce their approach, each step forward and closer to your tent was being taken deliberately. Whoever was outside, they wanted you to know.

Crunch.

The sinking feeling of not being alone left you petrified and you only hoped they were a passerby, another hiker.

Are you dumb?

Who would hike in the middle of the night?

Crunch.

You sank deeper into your sleeping bag, heart palpitating in fear and lips trembling. There was this urge to scream and yell at them to stay back but you wanted to hold onto that silly idea of it being an animal. A fox or a deer.

Don’t you know?

Crunch.

Both of those animals moved quietly.

Crunch.

This was a human.

Crunch.

At least… you hoped it was a human.

Crunch.

It stopped. It was right outside. Standing directly in front of the door of your tent.

Your entire body was trembling violently inside the sleeping bag, your limbs had turned to stone, you couldn’t move them.

You heard a sigh and a mumbling.

It was a man.

Now, you were even more scared. You didn’t know what to do, if you made a sound he could get scared and leave or just dive inside. Or what if you turned on the lantern? Would he leave then? No, no, no. This wasn’t some gambling game, you weren’t going to get to redo any of these, you had to be careful.

You chose to wait.

Wait to see what was going to happen.

You didn’t know what you were expecting but it wasn’t the man outside grabbing the zipper and opening the tent flap without giving you a moment to react.

He was coming in.

You yelped in surprise and the person stopped briefly but his hand still grabbed the flap to lift it so he could duck inside.

Finally finding the vigor to move, you started kicking at the sleeping bag and crawled to the furthest corner of the tiny tent as the man entered inside the tent, closing the zipper shut after himself.

“G-get out!” Your ears were ringing, you had never been in a situation like this. You didn’t know who he was or what he wanted but it was clear as day that he was here to hurt you. No sane person would invade someone else’s tent like this.

“As I guessed, it’s coming from you.” He spoke to himself, ignoring your words.

Fear began taking over your nerves, your body was shaking uncontrollably as you realized that the man’s features you managed to make out in the dark were awfully similar to the man you had seen earlier today. The one who looked like he was about to pass out at any given moment.

Your mouth popped open but you couldn’t scream, the fact that you had walked past him five hours earlier and him finding you here meant only one thing.

He had followed you here.

There was only one question and it was-

“W-what do you want from me?”

He was crouched down by the tent’s door, he hadn’t moved ever since he entered inside but you could see him shaking his head, debating for something in his own mind.

“No, no, no…” He covered his ears with his hands like a kid and crawled up into a ball by the corner of the tent. “This isn’t the time.”

Oh, he was deranged. You could feel your own sanity slip away, wanting to disappear, teleport away or drop dead at this moment to avoid dealing with this man.

“Please, leave.” Your words were weaker than a whisper but even with his covered ears, he heard you, lifting his head to look in your direction.

You flinched from the way you could see something reflecting light in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have zipped that thing closed, the smell is intoxicating.” He moved a hand to cover his mouth and nose. The delicious smell of the pure blood in this small space was overwhelming all of his senses.

“W-what smell?”

He was surprised you didn’t even notice but he couldn’t blame you. Humans couldn’t understand these sorts of things. Not curses either. He was… different than the rest. He knew his brothers couldn’t differentiate pure blood from the corrupted. They didn’t need to anyway, they were younger than him.

As an older brother, Choso was more mature. He knew about the things his brothers didn’t know about.

Choso looked at your pretty face. He hadn’t noticed it before, how foolish of him! If he hadn’t overreacted at that moment he would have noticed that the sweet smell was coming from you and he wouldn’t have to trail after you for so long.

It was curiosity at first. Then it was a mission to confirm if the smell was actually coming from you but now that he knew it belonged to you, he wasn’t sure if he could just… leave.

He moved, crawling towards you, you spared him a single warning look and hissed out your next words. “Stay back.”

He didn’t stay back, Choso crawled closer to you slowly, without any real hurry because both of you knew that you were only a prey. No matter what you did, there was no way out for you.

It would be like a rabbit going against a wolf. However, from the way he was towering over you with his height in the cramped space with his hair brushing against the tent ceiling, it didn’t look like you were the prey he was going to kill. There was a soft look on his face, indicating that what he was going to do was so much more sinister.

“I never told you my name. It’s Choso.”

You leaned back onto the tent to put distance between the two of you but he grabbed you by your ankles, abruptly pulling you under him.

A fearful shriek left your lips, you started kicking and struggling but Choso held you in place with a single hand. His strength was unmatchable, you were helpless against him.

“I don’t understand! What do you want from me? Is it money?” You weren’t dumb, you knew he wasn’t here for money nor was he asking for help.

Choso couldn’t give you an honest answer. Not even if he tried. He was a composed man, he liked to believe that was true. He was mature and the oldest of his ten siblings. He had to be a role model to them yet here he was overpowering a poor, helpless little human.

“I will take something from you,” he explained, slowly. He lied to himself, telling himself that he was going to take it because he believed in those silly myths. Myths of the pure blood giving a curse like him that uses blood power no one had experienced before.

He was doing this to protect his brothers. But he had done this in the past too, he knew the myths were untrue and this was only for his own personal satisfaction. He liked the feeling of the pureblood on his skin, the luscious taste of it, and the sweet smell it produced.

How selfish for a brother like him. How childish for an older brother like him.

“W-what?” you dared to ask.

Choso gave you the answer by pulling off your pants along with your underwear.

With renewed vigor you started struggling harder, screaming and kicking. Again, Choso was stronger. You were only a little rabbit trying to fight against a vicious wolf. You had no chance of winning.

“Don’t… Don’t fight back. It’s been a while since I held a woman and I may hurt you,” he said in a straight tone, it was indifferent but his words were threatening. I can hurt you if I’m not careful.

Your body went stiff at his words. He was actually going to take you with force. A pained sob got stuck in your throat and it made your chest clench. You wanted to tell him to stop, beg for him to stop.

He knew you were a fragile little thing, he found it adorable. Small things were cute, things to be protected were always adorable in his eyes. Your cuteness was clouding his mind His instincts were getting all over the place because of you as he managed to take off your pants and underwear. The scent of the blood was stronger now. He felt the straight black line on his face tingling, his eyebrows furrowed while he tried inhaling through his mouth to keep himself sane.

“Please, don’t,” you pleaded as he was undressing himself using one hand. He was keeping you down with his other hand, no matter how much you struggled you couldn’t budge a tiny bit. This was it. You could only watch in horror as he got undressed and got in between your legs.

Finally pulling down his own pants to release his cock, he let go of you for a brief moment to pull you under him after grabbing you by your calves with both hands. You shrieked in surprise as the friction from the sleeping bag under you lifted your shirt up. It reminded Choso that he still hadn’t freed you from one last article of clothing that was preventing him from seeing your naked body in its all glory.

To your luck, he was happy with just lifting the shirt up and over your chest, the sight of your bare chest was enough and he couldn’t want any longer.

The smell of your blood was already making him dizzy. The blood of the innocent was always hard to find but here you were, laying under him.

He would have felt ashamed for indulging in the pleasure if this was any other time but tonight he was alone. His brothers wouldn’t have to see him lose his composure like this. He could do as he wanted.

You put your tiny hands on his chest to push him away but he was already dragging the tip of his cock between your folds.

A wolf shouldn’t mate with a rabbit. It was common sense. It was wrong. However, as a product between two or more species, Choso was unbothered by the rules of nature.

He shoved the entire length of his cock inside of you with an abrupt thrust of his hips. You screamed, hitting his chest as the pain of your hymen being torn intensified. His girth was too much for your virgin walls, they were being stretched without any preparation but you could feel the slick fluid starting to leak out.

Choso took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

There it was.

The blood of a virgin.

The sweet, almost delicious smell filled his lungs and he tentatively pulled out of you. He gracefully dragged his long fingers along your slit to scoop most of your pure blood and brought his hand up to his face.

His digits were covered in a small trail of blood, it was slowly streaming down from the tip of his fingers towards the base. He took a deep inhale of the blood before parting his lips in admiration. Agonizing slowly he put his fingers in his mouth to taste your blood as you watched in horror.

Humming around his digits and savoring the taste of your innocence, Choso thought he would be satisfied with only getting a taste. His cock swelling bigger proved him wrong.

When he turned his attention back to you, the two of you glanced at each other. You pleaded for him to stop once again but he didn’t waste any more time and surged his hips forward, refusing to leave your slick heat empty.

His cock stretched your tight virgin walls, forcing them to take the very shape of him while you dug your nails into the sleeping bag under you, pulling at the fabric and silently screaming. He was filling you up with no gaps.

He pulled his hips back and snapped them forward with enough force to punch all the air out of your lungs. Then, you realized he was right. His strength could hurt you if he wasn’t careful.

“I-it hurts.”

Unfortunately, he was too lost in the pleasure of tasting the blood of a virgin and his mind was a mess. It was like he was high on a drug, completely intoxicated, unable to think straight. So, he didn’t hear your words. Instead, he grabbed you by your sides and started fucking you frantically almost immediately.

Each thrust had his entire weight behind them, his brute strength and frenzied pace were unbearable for your little mortal body.  

Choso didn’t remember how fragile and delicate humans were compared to curses like him, especially women. He was treating you as if you could handle the immense libido he had. He also failed to notice the way you were losing control over your body; like how you were incapable of closing your mouth as you drooled down your chin. Your legs twitched, toes curled, and back arched.

All because of the ferocity of his thrusts.

The pain of your hymen being torn was now a faint memory, your virgin walls being stroked by something so thick and firm began feeling delightful, erotic.

You stopped gripping the sleeping bag under you and put your hands on his shoulders, grabbing the broad muscles to avoid being rubbed against the sleeping bag no more.

Choso’s hands on your sides slid down to grab you by the supple flesh of your ass. Like this, he could both slam into your pussy and slam you onto his cock to meet his thrusts, resulting in a loud skin-on-skin clapping sound.

A moan escaped your lips as more of your sanity drained out of you.

He leaned down to take your tit in his mouth, sucking on the soft skin before drawing circles around your nipple with his tongue. You tasted as good as your blood, something he hadn’t been expecting. It made him wonder if you tasted the same everywhere.

Wanting to test it out, he left your breast alone and licked his way up to your lips before crashing them onto yours and forcing his tongue inside your already gaped open mouth.

Like he guessed, you tasted, oh, so sweet. He swirled his tongue around yours as he continued moving his hips like an animal in heat.

Surprisingly, you clumsily kissed him back, having lost the lost drop of sanity, you were now completely gone out of your mind.

The kiss turned sloppy, you were gasping and whimpering into the kiss each time he snapped his hips forward at the same time he abruptly slammed you onto his cock to meet him halfway. Your eyes were rolling to the back of your head from bliss.

Savoring your luscious taste and indulging in your heavenly warmth, Choso felt like he could go on for hours. He was getting drunk from the intensity of your smell and taste.

However, his cock was already throbbing and your gummy walls were pulsating around his girth, seducing him to cum inside. The least he could do was to give you what you wanted.

Grabbing you harder until his fingers dug into the meat of your ass and planting his knees stably on the tent’s floor, Choso quickened his pace.

Unhinged.

You could feel something bubbling in your stomach as he was moving way too fast inside of you. There was a voice in the back of your mind yelling, shouting, breathlessly telling you to wake up, to push this stranger away but all you did was to pull him closer and wrap your legs around his hips to shamelessly encourage him.

You knew his name, he was no stranger… right?

When his hips started staggering, Choso slammed his hips into yours one last time, burying himself balls deep inside of your cunt. Your not so virgin walls clenched around his pulsating cock, moments later you felt the small twitching of his balls against your skin before thick spurts of cum painted your insides white.

Choso groaned audibly and pulled back from the kiss, simultaneously pulling out of you before his seed could overflow your pussy.

He threw himself next to you on the large sleeping bag and stared at the tent ceiling. The sweet smell of your innocence was still in the air, he inhaled it deeply one more time, treasuring this moment of satisfaction a second longer.

You on the other hand were barely awake and kind of in pain since it felt like he had broken your hips or a rib… or two, maybe three. You would live, he guessed.

Choso left you in your tent and returned to the hideout after a long walk. During his walk, he promised himself to hold back if he smelled another chaste woman again, just like he had many other times in the past.

[bucky-barnes-diaries]

NSFW Alphabet (N-Z)

Part 1 | Part 2

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Pairing: Sam Wilson x Female! Reader

Summary: A-Z of just smut (and some fluff).

Word Count: 1324

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, minors DNI, unprotected vaginal sex, oral (male/female receiving), masturbation (male/female), overstimulation, creampie, multiple orgasms, teasing, slight spanking, sex toys, cursing, language, mention of bodily fluids.

Authors Note: POSTING IN 2 PARTS! Because Tumblr won’t let you have more than 250 text blocks. Happy Birthday to Sam! I love how this turned out and I hope you all do too! Enjoy loves <3

Main Masterlist | Sam Wilson Masterlist

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Credit @ chrishemsworht for the wonderful gif

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

He would never ever do something that would hurt you in any way, shape, or form.

He had told you countless times that if there ever was something you weren’t comfortable with in bed or something was hurting that you speak immediately.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

That man could live between your thighs if he had the chance. At every opportunity, he would search for your core to nuzzle his face in it and bring you earth-shattering after earth-shattering orgasm with his master tongue.

Sam was close to bringing you to a third orgasm in some random room at the party the two of you were attending.

His mouth was sinful as he sucked on your raw and abused clit for how long you didn't know. You lost track of time how long you've been spread out for him on some random surface as he was on his knees. The short dress you were wearing made it easy for him to have access to all of you.

“I-I don't th-think I can d-do one mo-more baby.”

“Just one more. Just one more for me.”

“Shouldn't we go back to the party? People must wonder where we are.”

“I don't care. I don't like the food there. This here is much better. Now cum for me one last time.”

He wouldn’t say no to an offer from you in sucking him off. He just wishes sometimes you would have picked a more appropriate time to do so.

“Her? Now?” Sam questioned as you were on your knees trying to undo his pants. The two of you were at a party, and you had gotten the sudden urge to feel him on your tongue, so desperate to taste him.

You had pushed him into some random small broom closet. The crowns of people outside having no idea what was going on just a few meters from them.

“Yes now. Do you not want me to?” You asked innocently as you grabbed his dick through his underwear. “N-no, I want to. Please keep going… fuck.”

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

If he’s been angry and frustrated that day, it’ll be more rough than usual. You could feel him take that little bit of frustration out on your body as he fucked you hard and fast from behind.

Not that you mind. It was terrible to admit, but you loved those times when he got home from his day a little angrier. Your thighs clenching together in knowledge that he would handle you roughly in bed.

Your head was buzzing as Sam fucked you into oblivion from behind. He had gotten home frustrated and in desperate need to release some steam. Your hands were gripping the sheets tightly in your palms to keep you grounded from his abusive thrusts.

His palm continuously left harsh slaps on your ass cheeks as he fucked you deeply into the mattress.

It didn't take long for both of you to release. His hands held a tight grip on your hips as he fucked you just a tad longer after the orgasm.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

If there really isn’t time for foreplay and exploring each other, he has nothing against a quickie if one of you is in a rush.

“We don’t have time for this Y/N! We need to leave in 10 minutes.”

“10 minutes is more than enough, Sam! We just need to be very quick.”

The rush to get his pants down as well as your underwear under the dress down was immense as you only had a few minutes to bring each other pleasure before you had to leave for the fancy gala both of you were attending.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

He’s up for exploring new possibilities in bed if that’s what you want.

New positions, maybe some toys that could be used to enhance both of your pleasures.

If you were game, he was as well.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

You have sex almost every day. That man can last as long as he wants and is good to go for 2-3 rounds. You don't understand how in the fuck he does it. It's like a secret superpower he has. He mainly uses it to his advantage when he wants to tease you to the fullest.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

There won’t be that many toys that are used. Sam always says that his mouth, hands, and dick are the only toys that are needed in the bedroom.

Once in a while, he will ask you to fuck yourself with the dildo in your drawer while he watches intensely.

“Please, Sam, can you just come and touch me?” The drive of the toy inside yourself was good, but it would never please you in the same way Sam did.

“No, no. I want to watch. You’ll get me later. Now show me what you do to yourself when I’m not at home.”

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

There is teasing to some degree, but he mostly wants to get right on.

But those few times he does actually want to tease you, he’ll take his sweet time in doing so, driving you absolutely insane with need.

“No… please,” the pathetic plea for him not to deny your orgasm again was bringing a smirk to his expression.

“Shhh… I’m not done with you yet,” he said as his fingers were inserted in you once again to build you up. Was he going to allow you to let go this time? That would be left to see when the time came.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

He can be loud at times, but mostly he’ll just let out grunts and moans of your name on a repeated loop. It became more evident just as he’s about to finish inside of you.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Sam loves drawn-out foreplay when he has plenty of time to spare.

He takes good care in preparing you and making you cum at least once before he’s even put his dick in you.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Have you seen how he walks? He’s thick and long, and he knows how to make you absolutely crazy with it. The way he holds himself just screams big dick energy.

You’ve been together for years, but you still can’t get used to his length inside of you, and you doubt you ever will.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

He’s always ready if you are. He’s not joking when he says he wants you 24/7, 365 days.

Even when the two of you are tired but still horny for one another, you will find a way to pleasure each other.

The two of you were laying on your sides, Sam’s chest pressed tightly against your back as his dick was driving itself in and out of your tightness.

It was early in the morning. The two of you were as tired as could be but the need to feel each other was intense.

It wouldn’t be long until the two of you released all over each other. On the bright morning, none of you would be able to hold on for long.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

He always takes care of you before his eyes close for sleep. Washing you, cuddling you, running a bath for the two of you to relax in.

He can’t sleep unless he knows you have been appropriately taken care of.

“Good night, sweet girl. I love you.”

Part 1 HERE

Credit @ firefly-graphics for the wonderful divider

Thank you for reading <3 Feedback through a comment is highly appreciated if you liked it! As well as a reblog to share it with others!

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Marvel Taglist: @whothehellisbuckybarnes @phoenixhalliwell @x-goddess-of-nature-x @trulysuccubus @skyesthebomb @whoreforsamwilson @natashadeservedbetter @beth-winchester21 @mrs-salvawhore @soldierstucky @missswritings @sariche @claudiaatje @myakai13 @paintballkid711 @ttalisa @teti-menchon0604 @J-e-nster @-im-fantastic- @donut-crazs @tatestripedsweater @feetoffthetablee @uraesthete @mae-black @midnightdragonzero @julia2000love @yvngzxx @midnightzonzz @kaystacks17 @missroro @living-that-best-life @alwaysclassyeagle

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[nejibaby]

Afterglow

Pairing: Portgas D. Ace x Y/N

Summary: Without Ace, your nights are back to being long, dark, and empty. But when you finally reunite, Ace refuses to just be your Daylight.

Daylight - Part 1 | Afterglow - Part 2

Word Count: 4.3k (my hands slipped, I’m so sorry)

Loosely based on: Taylor Swift’s Lover album (but mostly about the songs Daylight and Afterglow)

A/N: I really think Whitebeard is a great father, yk? So I see him as someone who you can always seek and rely on. He looks tough (and he’s actually tough), but he’s soft too! And Ace too, in that respect is similar to WB. I really believe he’ll be such a good boyfriend 🥺 Anyway, I really enjoyed writing this so much! Thank you to everyone who read this, I love yall 🥰

<Teach doesn’t exist to me, I hate him, so I guess this is noncanon? Also, there’s this tiny spoiler, just a warning.>

Sailing by yourself in a boat for one reminds you how vast the sea actually is. With the rowdy Whitebeard pirates, sometimes the sea, no, the world, seems a lot smaller, a lot more manageable, but alone, it feels so massive it’s almost frightening.

It’s easy to get lost, except there’s no such concept like that for someone like you who doesn’t have a destination to go to in mind. Quite simply, you’re wandering, but not lost.

You drift from one island to another. Your initial intention is to get as far away as possible from the crew. Now that that’s achieved, you’re unsure of what to do next.

You allow yourself to observe and to experience some sort of normalcy at the islands you dock at. It’s a good thing that you don’t really stand out so no one suspects you’re a wanted pirate.

Walking down the streets of random towns, you’re reminded of how lonely being a Celestial Dragon was. No one wants to interact with a World Noble, afraid of the consequences if they’re angered. Things changed drastically when you became a pirate though. People don’t shy away that much with pirates in certain places. They interact with you, albeit hesitantly sometimes. Nevertheless, you felt so free and happy.

Now, you’re still a pirate, as marked by Whitebeard’s infamous tattoo. But with the unsuspecting townspeople and the lack of the presence of a crew, you don’t feel like one. Somehow it makes you feel empty.

The void is immeasurable. Despite it being unbounded, you’re sure that a single person can fill that emptiness: Portgas D. Ace.

But there are oceans separating you from Ace— a distance that you put. With the space between you, there’s silence in your voyage, however, it’s quite mystifying how every island you reach seems to scream his name.

There’s an island where you’ve docked at that’s snowing all year long. It brought back memories of when you were fairly new to the Whitebeard Pirates and had landed on a similar island. Back then you’ve worn a coat as you disembarked Moby Dick, however, the cold continued to seep through your layers of clothing. You couldn’t handle extreme temperatures that well but you didn’t want to make a big deal out of it so you continued to walk alongside the crew to scout the area. The thing was you may have been terrible at hiding it because Ace noticed the way your body was shivering and your teeth chattering. You were only acquaintances back then but he went to your side and striked a conversation with you. You didn’t understand why you became comfortable when he approached you all of a sudden, but then later that night you realized that he used his devil fruit abilities to warm you up.

At one island with a bustling town, there’s this restaurant that serves a variety of meat. You’re reminded of Ace and his bottomless pit of a stomach, and of his narcoleptic episodes while eating. He has a tendency of eating and then running, and the first few times he did it with you had you reeling. When you’ve finally realized that he’s never going to change, you start to keep a pouch of gold coins with you, reserved for paying for the food he eats. You leave it on the table just as Ace pulls you to run, and he has no idea about it. Owners or servers at the restaurants would still follow you out, but not to berate the both of you for not paying but to return the extra gold coins because you pay too much. Like usual though, Ace pretends not to hear them and they never got to catch up with you and Ace.

On another island, there’s a huge wild boar thrice the size of a human. It reminded you of the time you got so excited to explore an island that you speedily ran towards the forest alone, only to be met by a wild boar. The size of the boar stunned you and its glare kept you frozen in fear. A loud scream escaped your lips when it lunged at you, except the impact never came. When you’ve gathered your bearings, the wild boar was dead and… cooked, courtesy of Ace’s devil fruit abilities. He saved you, but he played it off as if he had his eyes on the wild boar since the beginning “to hunt it down.”

The current island you’re at is in famine. As soon as you docked at their port, a group of men has drawn their swords at you. For a moment, you thought they were bounty hunters so you grabbed your daggers and took a defensive stance. However, from the way they keep looking back and forth to you and your boat, and from hearing the faint sound of their stomach grumbling, you can tell they aren’t. Behind some trees, you can see the heads of some children peeking with worried yet hopeful looks on their faces.

Slowly, you raise your hands up in surrender, dropping your daggers in the process. You can’t turn your back on them — figuratively and literally — so you walk backwards towards your boat. The men look at you curiously but they don’t ever lower their swords.

In a quick motion, you grab a bag containing all of your food supply and throw it at them. One of the men catches it. “You can have them. It isn’t much, but that’s all I have.”

The man who was able to catch the bag carefully opens it and sees food. He almost cries at the sight of it. The rest of the men lowers the sword after you offer no sign of aggression. They start calling the other citizens of the area afterwards.

The children are the first to come running towards the men — all of them conveying excitement. You couldn’t tell how long they haven’t eaten but judging from how thin they are, it has got to be quite some time.

A small girl stumbles and falls near you and you quickly come to her aid. There isn’t much damage, just a scraped knee so you carefully patched her up.

“Thank you,” she gives you a toothy smile and then starts heading to the men who are distributing the food.

She comes back a moment later, arms outstretched to hand an apple to you. “For you,” she says.

Something blossoms in your heart because of her sweetness. “Thank you, but it’s fine, you can have it,”

She doesn’t object but then she hugs you tightly. “Thank you so much.”

Surprisingly, even on an island like this, you’re reminded of Ace. You remember his story about coming to Wano and meeting a child named “Tama” who seemed to be as charming as the child you helped and is under the same fortune.

Now that your mind has drifted to thoughts of Ace, you didn’t want to think of anything else. Even as the people gather around you to offer their thanks, and even as they usher you to a bonfire to celebrate for the food to eat, the thoughts of him linger in your head.

And just like in all the previous islands you came to, you wish he’s here with you too.

There’s longing in your heart, but there’s also something else— something pleasant that you can’t quite describe— and you attribute it to the gratitude of the people.

The mother of the child you helped, Sito, offers their spare room for you to take and you graciously accept. Soft snores almost immediately fill your ears after a few minutes of them bidding you good night.

The longer you stay awake, however, the pleasant feeling you felt a while ago starts to leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

You’ve always criticized yourself for not being able to do more when you were still a Celestial Dragon but now that you did something good, you start to feel selfish for doing it because it makes you feel better about yourself.

It’s at times like this that you seek Pops. There’s a sudden urge to hear his voice and his thoughts. So you grab your Den Den Mushi, but you hesitate.

You’ve lost track of the days since you left Moby Dick. And in that time frame, you never once called Pops. Although you didn’t really promise to call, maybe he was expecting you to, especially since you know he wouldn’t do it first.

You sigh. Maybe this call is long overdue after all.

You step outside the house and start to contact Pops using the Den Den Mushi. It only rings once and then it’s answered, almost as if Pops was waiting by the Den Den Mushi. The thought brings a smile to your face. “Pops—”

“Why on earth are you only calling now?!” His angry tone welcomes you.

“I’m so—”

“Is that Y/N?!” Marco interrupts. Ah, how could you have forgotten? It’s at this time that Marco reports to Pops. “We’re so worried about you -yoi!”

You can hear sounds of struggling on the line and then there’s a loud smack followed by an even louder crash. There’s a moment of silence which makes you wonder what’s going on in the ship.

“Why didn’t you call earlier?!” Pops’ voice booms. “If you’re going to leave a Den Den Mushi, I’m going to expect your reports but I received none of that.”

“I’m sorry Pops. I have no excuse,” you sheepishly say.

“Everyone’s worried about you,” he pauses but then his voice rings louder once again, “Some are even outside my room trying to listen in on our conversation. But if they know better, they should leave us alone.” The sound of rushing footsteps could be heard in the background as Pops finishes his sentence.

You chuckle, imagining the crew eavesdropping. “How are you Pops?”

“I’m doing fine.”

“How’s everyone? How’s… uhm… Ace?”

“Everyone’s just missing you. You didn’t say goodbye after all,” he says. “I put Ace on a mission because he won’t stop pestering me about you. He won’t come back in a couple of days.”

“Oh.”

“He misses you a lot,” he sighs. “He strides to me everyday to demand your whereabouts. Each time I wouldn’t tell him but he never learns. Vista says he’s on his 56th attempt the other day.”

The brief image of Ace that your mind comes up with brings a small smile to your face.

“When are you coming back?” Whitebeard breaks your reverie.

“Ah, I’m not sure yet… It might take a while.”

He hums. “So how are you? Have you been eating well?”

“I’m doing fine, Pops. No one’s been coming after me yet so everything’s going well,” you respond. “But… Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“There’s this island with people who haven’t eaten in so long so I gave them everything I have.” There’s a loud growl coming from Pops so you immediately continue your speech before he could scold you for doing such a thing. “I feel really good about what I did as they thanked me. But then the longer I thought about it, I started feeling ashamed because... wasn’t it selfish since I did it to make me feel better about myself? Then I started to wonder if it was wrong to do good things just because I wanted to be absolved of my parents’ sins. Was I wrong in doing this, Pops?”

“No, you did the right thing.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you’re not an inherently bad person for getting paid in gratitude.”

“But…”

“Making yourself happy by making other people happy is how it’s meant to work. If one of your key motives to doing good things is to feel good, then you’re still doing something good and there’s nothing shameful about that.”

Hearing his words puts you at ease. You’re glad you called him. “Thank you, Pops. I’m sorry for worrying everyone there and for disrupting Marco’s report. I promise I’ll call more often from now on.”

“It’s fine. Just don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Where will you be headed next?”

“I’m not sure. I’m just going where the sea leads me.”

“Be careful.”

“You too, Pops,” and with that, you bid your goodbye and hang up.

By morning, you start preparing your things to leave. You didn’t want to stay for too long because you didn’t want to consume even a portion of the small amount of food they have.

Sito offers you to stay another night, worried that it would be uncomfortable to sleep on a boat. “You can stay one more day. There’s still enough food for us to share.”

“Oh no, I don’t want to impose,” you decline. “But do you mind if I ask what happened here?”

There’s sadness in her eyes, it was easy to tell the memory pained her, but she tells you everything anyway. “This island is one of the few lawless areas in the world, hence, it’s a place where pirates would dock at. A group of men once docked here and kidnapped the leaders of our town. They were sold off to be slaves, because apparently the Nobles like to enslave people of power…” Her words start to fade on you upon the mention of the World Nobles.

Anger flares up in your system immediately. How low can the Celestial Dragons go? It’s sickening to think that you share the same blood as them. It’s because of this revelation that something becomes clear in your mind.

Ever since leaving Moby Dick, you’re just wandering aimlessly. But after hearing Sito talk about this island, you’re finally sure of what your destination should be.

Sabaody Archipelago.

Specifically, the Human Auctioning House.

From the sudden fury that overwhelms you, not even the fear of being within arm’s reach of the Marines, and possibly dying, could stop you from going there.

It’s reckless and foolish, but isn’t this the reason you left Moby Dick that night— to face your nightmares instead of running away from them?

You listen politely as Sito explains everything else but her words enter and leave your ears without you having to comprehend them. Fortunately, she doesn’t notice your inattentiveness, probably because she wants to pour her frustrations out to a stranger.

You offer your sympathies to her and promise her you’d come back with your crew and help them some more. It’s a simple promise yet for someone who hasn’t been offered help for so long, it means a lot, enough to even bring tears to her eyes. And just like that, you leave.

There are two more islands to stop at before you reach Sabaody Archipelago. You gather provisions on one island and buy explosives on the other.

The only thing you’re sure you can actually do alone is to blow up the Human Auctioning House. Facing the World Nobles is for another time, unfortunately. As for the Marines, well… You’d worry about that if they indeed come. You know you’d be able to handle them as long as they don’t send an Admiral after you.

The thing that worries you the most, however, is Pops’ reaction once you let him know of your plan. While you can always just not tell him, it feels wrong, and you promised you’d report to him, after all. And it’s hard for you to admit, but you secretly want to be saved in case your plan goes askew. That, and well, you still want to make up with Ace, may it be just strictly as friends, but preferably as lovers.

You decide to call once you’re about to set sail towards Sabaody Archipelago. You’re sitting in the middle of your boat, still anchored at the port when you told Pops your plan. And as expected, he’s mad.

He demands you to go back to the crew immediately. “Captain’s orders,” he says. But after a few moments, he retracts his words and says, “Your father’s orders.” You feel the weight of his words when he said that and you almost concede. But the faces of the slaves your family had flashes into your mind and it solidifies your decision.

Interestingly, despite the weeks you have spent away from the crew, their ship is nearer to you than anticipated. As confirmed by Pops himself when he angrily said, “Enough! I’m sending Ace to get you! Two or three days is enough for him to catch up with you.”

But quite frankly, that’s also enough time to execute your plan. And if the odds are in your favor, then Ace might just come in time for your escape.

Arriving at Sabaody Archipelago, you keep your face hidden underneath the hood of your cloak. It’s normal for pirates to walk around the place without having to hide their identities, but it’s a luxury you can’t afford. If someone catches wind that you’re here and reports it, the Cipher Pol just might come and capture you before you can even execute your plan. That just won’t do. So on the first day of your arrival, you only scout the area of the Human Auctioning House and retreat back to the inn you stay at.

You carry out your plan on the next day. You place a bomb where the side of the stage is supposed to be. It’s a distraction so people inside would leave the premises. The plan is to find the keys and free the slaves while the people are panicking from the explosion. Then eliminate the head of the place, Mr. Disco, and finally blow the place apart. It sounds simple but with you having to do all the work, you know it isn’t.

Now that you’re here, your nerves are spiking up. Arriving at the entrance of the building, you take a deep breath, your hand automatically reaching for the bracelet that Ace made you. It instantly calms you down.

It baffles you how fate works because on the very day you decide to free the slaves that are being sold off at the Human Auctioning House, Ace’s brother, Luffy — along with his crew — is at the same place to rescue their friend who was kidnapped.

Somehow even on a dangerous mission like this, there’s still something or someone who’d remind you of Ace. It makes you wonder: has he really embedded himself too deep into your life that there’s no escaping the thoughts of him? Not that you mind; the thoughts of him bring you peace, after all. But still, it’s fascinating that even in both mundane and dangerous settings, he makes himself known to you.

Upon entering the Human Auctioning House, everything happens so fast and unexpected. And quite frankly, a lot happened that wasn’t part of the plan.

Aside from finding the Straw Hat Pirates, you got yourself injured when you used your body to shield their fish man friend, Hatchi, from Saint Charlos’ gunshot. Then you confronted Saint Shalria personally despite you not planning to get involved with the Celestial Dragons. As for the slaves, it was the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh, who actually freed them. The only things that you personally executed from your plan were Mr. Disco’s elimination and the bombing of the Human Auctioning House.

Escape is easy once the building starts to explode because the Marines would have to lessen the forces who're chasing after the pirates in order for them to successfully put out the fire. Without any Admiral on the scene yet, it’s not hard to slip away from them and/or fight them.

Even with the gunshot wound on your arm, you’re able to take down each and every one of the Marines who are chasing you. But halfway through your journey back to the grove where you left your boat at, you lose your adrenaline.

You start to feel the sharp and stinging sensation on your arm once again, yet, you couldn’t help but smile. You have gotten out alive. The slaves have been freed. With both Mr. Disco and the building gone, the Human Auctioning House will no longer be operational, or at least not yet until someone steps up. But that won’t be after a long time.

It’s a wonderful day.

You look up at the afterglow of the sunset with a serene smile. You have a feeling your nights are going to feel shorter now and less frightening than they were before.

Your peaceful moment is cut off by someone rather abruptly. You jump in surprise as someone wraps their arms around you from behind all of a sudden. “I finally caught up with you.”

Your breath hitches at the sound of the voice. “Ace? What are you doing here?”

He doesn’t answer your question, but he mumbles, “I’m sorry if I only came now. Pops wouldn’t tell me where you were, but I came as soon as I could.” Then he tightens his hug. “I was so scared, I thought I’d lose you…”

“Ace, I’m sorry about—”

“Hey, it’s on me, okay?” He interrupts. “I blew things out of proportion, and now you’re blue.”

You pull away from his hug to face him.

“Y-your arm! You’re bl-bleeding,” he stutters after seeing your injury.

But you pay no mind to that. “Ace… I’m really sorry about us—”

“Ssshhh, baby…” he rubs his hand on your back.

He looks at your figure carefully, focused on looking for any more bruises or wounds. When he doesn’t find anything more, he gently holds you by your waist. “Don’t blame yourself, I’m the one who burned us down, but… it’s not what I meant.

“It was all in my head, okay? It’s just that the Celestial Dragons are all grouped in my head as scums and that they’re inexcusable because… my brother was killed by a Celestial Dragon.”

A wave of guilt flows through your body, enough to weaken your knees. Before you could fall, however, Ace catches you and brings you to his chest. But this doesn’t stop you from sobbing on his chest. “I didn’t know, Ace. I’m so sorry.”

“No, that’s the thing, baby. It isn’t your fault. It wasn’t you who pulled the trigger. And… I have to admit I failed to see that at first,” he says as he hugs you tighter. “I shouldn’t have stood there frozen after you told me your story. I’m supposed to be the one who understands you...

“I’m not trying to make excuses and I’m not trying to make this about me but it’s just that… for so long I thought that I inherited the bad blood of my father, and I spent my lifetime failing to see that his sins aren’t my sins,” his voice cracks as he cries. “So when I found out about you… My mind automatically held you liable for the sins of the Nobles…

“But I talked to Pops and he straightened me up. I understand now. Our parents’ sins aren’t ours. It never was ours to begin with. So I’m sorry for blaming you for something you didn’t do…”

Ace stares at your crying form. He cups your face and sincerely says, “It’s so excruciating to see you low,” as he wipes the tears on your eyes. “I’m sorry if I hurt you…”

“It’s fine Ace, I forgive you. But…” You look directly into his eyes. “I’m at fault too,” you confess. “I was the one who left... I was so used to living like an island and isolating myself that it didn’t occur to me that I was punishing you with silence… I should’ve waited patiently for you but I ran away…”

Ace rubs your back gently and presses his forehead against yours, “I forgive you too.”

You smile in relief.

After a couple of minutes in silence, Ace tilts his head. “Y/N?”

“Hm?”

“Remember when you said that you saw daylight after sleeping in a long, dark night?”

You give him a curious look but nodded anyway.

“Beside wishing that I was there for you sooner, it had me thinking...”

“What?”

“Uhm… The world is terrible and cruel, and no one can ever really stop the dark nights from coming.”

You frown. You don’t really understand what Ace is trying to say.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is,” he rubs his neck while his cheeks starts to blush, “if you ever have to go through those dark nights, I wouldn’t want you to wait for daylight.

“I want to be there with you on those nights until they’re over. I don’t want to leave you when things get rough and only show up when you’re better. I know you see me as your daylight but I don’t want to be just that.”

His words warm your heart, and makes it skip a beat. “You know, Ace, there are remnants of light that linger in the sky even when the sun has long gone down and the night starts. It’s the afterglow,” you mumble.

“Yeah, but that goes away too after a while,” he frowns.

“Well, lucky for you the moon reflects the sun’s light during the night, huh?”

He grins. “Yeah, yeah. I like that. I want to be your source of light, may it be the daylight, moonlight, or the afterglow.”

A moment of silence engulfs the both of you. Under the soft afterglow of the sunset with your arms wrapped around each other, you feel at peace.

Once upon a time, you used to believe love is black and white— that it’s straightforward. It was either you love Ace or you don’t, there were no gray areas. No matter what he feels, says, or does, your love for him never ceases.

But then some other days you believed that love is burning red— that it’s full of passion, lust, and romance, much like the nights you spent entangled in the sheets with Ace.

However, right now in Ace’s arms, all you could ever think about is that love is golden. It was warmth and comfort, like what daylight brings. It was contentment and serenity too, much like the feeling of lightness one gets when seeing the afterglow of the sunset. Either way, it’s Ace who makes you feel those.

No matter what color love actually is though, for you it’s always embodied by Ace.

[quartzwriting]

Green and Gold

Pairing: Doctor Strange X Fem!Reader

Description: During a visit to Asgard, Stephen is protective over you since Loki always seems to not be able to take his eyes off you. 

Warnings: Non

Word Count: 4.1k

A/N: Originally posted to Quotev / I like this one :3

Masterlist | Fic Reading Recs | Ao3 | Quotev | Coffee

The frantic rainbow lights disappeared and you stumbled to get your balance on the solid ground that you were thrown on. Stephen was there to help steady you, at hand at your waist with the other at the ready to prevent you from falling over. You wondered why you all could not just travel here through a slingring portal. But Thor insisted you take the Bifrost. To 'get the experience' he had said before he called for it. The knowing smirk on Stephen's face in that moment told you that you might regret this.

In little time you found yourself in Asgard.

Stephen would come here occasionally to discuss relations between mystical threats and threats to the realms. You came along this time. You wanted to see Asgard, Thor wanted you to come along, but Stephen was hesitant to let you come. He told you that someone needed to watch over the Sanctum while he was gone, you made Wong do it instead. He said Asgardian magic is hard to understand, you reminded him that you were advanced now in your mystical studies that you could keep up. He said that it would only be a night or two, you said that you did not want him to leave you for a night or two.

You won and had convinced him. So now you were at the entrance of Asgard, having just experienced being magically thrown across the universe with possible whiplash and your lunch threatening to come up.

Thor, holding his beloved hammer in one hand, looked over at you. "What did you think, Lady (Y/N)?"

"I think I'm gonna be sick." You mumbled.

Stephen patted you on the back, "You'll be alright." There was a slightly amused tone in his voice and that gave you a sudden urge to kick him in the shins.

You had ended up in the middle of a room that was golden and shaped like a dome. There were circular patterns on the walls and in the centre golden steps that lead to a little pedestal that held a sword. Someone was holding that sword, and you were introduced to Heimdall who was the protector of the Bifrost. He bowed to you like you were important and you returned with a bow of your head. Just outside the room, you could see the bridge sparkling with the same rainbow colours as the way you had gotten here. Beyond the long bridge was the castle in the distance.

Thor gestured for you to follow him, so you fell into step beside Stephen as you exited the small structure. You were now walking on the Bifrost bridge. The view you saw before you was absolutely breathtaking. The glittering bridge was just the beginning. Underneath it was a roaring river of clear water. The palace was beautiful, the structure standing as tall as the mountains in its background. The buildings of the surrounding city were sparkling everywhere. You have seen so much since becoming a sorcerer, but this was something else.

Stephen saw the smile on your face and the look of awe in your eyes. This made him smile, and he was suddenly glad he brought you here. He always loved showing you new things, fueling your curiosity and experiencing new things with you. But there was a little worry in the back of his mind that would not go away.

There was one reason, above all others, that Stephen did not want to bring you along.

Loki would be here.

He hated the way he looked at you. He hated his very being because of it. And the knowledge that you and him would be in the same place made his blood boil. Ever since that time Loki showed his face in New York and he had to take him to prevent him from doing anything, and he looked at you up and down like that, he disliked the god so much. And he was so nice to you, and you were nice to him. Whenever Stephen went to Asgard and ran into Loki, he would ask about you. Stephen did not like it.

But your reaction to the city and planet, and you had just gotten here, made the worry go away a little. He would be by your side anyways, to keep Loki away if he was going to try anything. He would throw the cloak around your shoulders to have it hide you away if he needed to. But at the moment he focused on being with you for your first impressions of Asgaurd and not worry too much.

~~~

You were awoken by a light touch and someone softly shaking you awake. The sleepiness was not shaken however, you groaning in protest as you cuddled up even more into the covers of the soft, silken sheets and thick comforter.

There was a chuckle and you new who it was from the deep tone. You lazily opened your eyes and saw Stephen looking down at you, already dressed and seeming wide awake. The sun was shining through the large window with the beautiful view of Asgard. It looked like the world was awake, but you were not ready to drag yourself out of bed.

"I have the first meeting this morning. Thought maybe you would want to come along but looks like you don't want to get out of bed."

You simply let out another sleepy groan.

Then you did a double take, noticing what he was wearing.

He had on his Cloak of Levitation, but underneath that was something different. He had swapped out his regular blue robes for an Asgardian version. It was made in a different style, but it still resembled his old robes. The blue was more rich in its colour, more royal and regal looking. The wrappings were lined with a golden fabric on the edges, it went really well with his signature red and blue. It was a very stark contrast between the one you were used to seeing him wear verse this new one. But you loved it. Seeing all the beautiful clothing everyone wore here made you happy, and seeing a piece like that on Stephen was astonishing.

"You like it?" He caught you staring.

"I love it," You said groggily but happily, running a hand through your hair and sitting up in the bed.

Straightening the cloak over his shoulders, he leaned over and kissed you on your forehead. "I should head to the meeting now. We'll be done before lunch." With that he left your shared guest room, closing the large door behind him.

You wanted to fall back asleep, but it did not overtake you. It was one of those moments where you just laid there cause you were already awaken. But you wanted to sleep. But you couldn't. So you stared out the window, looking out at the pretty mountain peaks and wondering what that first meeting was about. You also wondered about the other things you were going to do while on this foreign planet. Tour of the scenery, trying more of that delicious food (you were dying over it last night at dinner), learning about its history. Maybe you would learn a little Asgardian magic while you were here. The idea of that gave you a little excitement.

A little while later, while you were lost in a daydream, there was a knock on your door. You got up and grabbed a silk robe that was on a chair by your bedside. "Come in," You said, wrapping and tying the robe over yourself. Two women came through the door, maids of the castle you assumed.

One was holding a pile of neatly folded up fabric in her hands. You got excited.

The two introduced themselves and said that Frigga sent them to wake you and get you ready for breakfast. Since the meeting was going on between Odin, Stephen, Thor, and a few others, Frigga decided to have a little breakfast gathering for you. The women were so sweet, making small talk and asking you about Midgard as they prepared you a hot bath and did your hair in a fancy braid down your back that resembled a French braid.

The moment you were anticipating soon came, and they helped you get dressed.

The dress you were presented with was a deep forest green with golden embellishments. Silk fabric sat in long layers down the skirt, trailing out longer at the back. The neckline did not dive too deep down your chest, just enough for subtlety. The  short sleeves clung to the sides of your upper arms, shoulders exposed above the folded layers. The gold piece wrapped around your waist as a belt helped bring out the details. The length slightly dragged on the floor, looking elegant and glittering in the sunlight. You felt like an Asgardian princess wearing it.

It reminded you of someone. Then you wondered who had picked it...

One of the girls topped off your look with a golden pin in your hair, shaped like a flourishing lily tucked above your right ear. The two admired their work and you thanked them from the bottom of your heart. The girl you saw in the mirror was so different then yourself. You saw an Asgardian goddess, not a sorcerer.

You asked them for directions after thanking them a second time, knowing you would get lost in the giant palace. They told you where to go, curtsying to you as a goodbye. You did it back, pulling up the fabric of your dress to feel a little more into it. With one last look in the mirror, and pulling your shoulders back, you made your way out of your guest room and down the correct hallway.

You were directed to a drawing room that was down a tall staircase and a few doors to your left. There was a guard in front of the wooden door, but upon seeing you he bowed and held it open for you. The room inside was not too large, but the big open window gave the impression that it was. Decorated just as nicely as the rest of the place, this room was no exception to the royal aspect and medieval aesthetic to the palace. There were a few comfy chairs surrounding a low table, where Frigga greeted you with a warm smile.

Sitting in the seat beside her was Loki. You had not seen him yesterday when you had arrived. This made you wonder why he had not said hello to you then along with everyone else. He also was not at dinner last night. Weird. He held a tea cup in one hand as he leaned back in his chair, cradling its saucer in the other hand. Seeing Loki sipping tea from a pretty cup with his pinky finger jutting out was a different sight, a contrast to his darker persona you knew was hidden beneath.

You hugged Frigga, which she insisted on, and you sat down with them. You all chatted over breakfast and you sparking up conversation with Loki was a little awkward at first, but once you opened up a little it flowed easily. The tea was amazing and the little pastries laid out on nice platters were absolutely delicious. Frigga asked about your magic skills, and you both began to exchange stories about magic. You had a great time and you were glad you got out of bed for this. Soon Frigga had some business to take care of and had to cut this little gathering short.

When you left Loki caught up with you in the hallway.

"It has been a while since we have seen each other, Lady (Y/N)."

A lot of the people here were calling you that. And people you did not even know knew your name, which always kind of threw you off for a second or two. That told you that you were known here, from either Thor or Stephen talking. The whole 'Lady' thing was out of respect you assumed, and you did not mind.

"It has." You replied as you both walked down the hall together, "It was nice to see you again, Loki."

"How are you liking it here?" He asked with a smile.

"I love it!" You beamed, "It's beautiful, the food is amazing," You then gestured down to the dress you were wearing, "and the clothes are stunning."

He chuckled, "Green looks good on you."

"Easy for you to say, it's your favorite."

"No no," He sputtered, and you thought he looked a little...flustered? "You genuinely look beautiful in green."

A little heat ran up to your cheeks. "Oh, thanks."

There was a balcony up ahead where you saw sunlight streaming in. You picked up your pace to go look out of it, Loki right behind you. It was overlooking the back of the castle, where you could see a beautiful garden down below, before the landscape stretched out into more of the city and the mountains beyond.

For a second or two you wondered what was past those peaks. If the planet simply stopped there, or if there were forests or towns or lakes or anything else that you wanted to discover. This whole place was full of beauty and the idea that there was a possibility for more was just a little overwhelming. But you loved it.

"I'm happy you like my home." Loki leaned on the railing, looking out at the city with you. "Although it was not always considered my home."

"What do you mean?" You asked. You noticed a sadness in his eyes now.

"You know my history."

At that moment you realized what that sadness was. Probably memories flashing through his mind. You did know his history. Lied to all his life, being overcome by the sadness and anger and wrath and desire for revenge. You knew what that lead to, the New York event and everything that came with and after that. Right now, he was allowed freedom back in his home for 'rehabilitation' of sorts, offered a second chance. Not knowing what that was like, you could not relate, but you knew he had gone through pain. It was even painful to see it in his eyes.

"So do you consider it home again?" It was all you could think of to say.

He shook his head in a light nod after a second to think, the look on his features exchanged for one with a small smile. A weird thought crossed your mind, you had not seen Loki smile this much before.

The two of you stood there looking out at the city below, watching the people of Asgard go about their days. It was a calm silence that fell, not a line of tension or heavy weight of awkwardness at all. Just a calm.

"Hey," Loki said out of nowhere, and you turned your head to look at him as he spoke up, "your outfit is missing something."

You raised an eyebrow at him, coming off as almost sarcastic. "Oh?"

A smirk sneaked up on his face and you knew he was going to do something. You braced yourself for whatever it might be, good or bad or a mix of both. With a flicker of green magic, an object materialized in his hands. It was his helmet, shining gold with the curved horns. It was so polished that you could see your reflection in it.

Then he was holding it out to you.

"Oh no, I couldn't."

Loki cocked his head to the side and shrugged with a smile, again with the smiling, "Why not?"

A pause, you did not say anything because you had nothing to say. Something about it was very tempting, but it also felt forbidden. Like if you were to put it on you would be overcome by some spell or just a wave of emotion. Or just the thought of wearing something that was considered 'crown-like', because you were not royalty or a goddess or someone with high power. But it was all calling your name, with a glint of gold.

"I insist." Loki added.

After another moment's pause, you let him put the helmet into your hands. It was lighter than you expected it to be, with pure gold usually being heavy. Probably not made of pure gold then. Just a trick of the eye.

Without waiting anymore, you slowly rested the helmet on your head. Right away you noticed it was a little big on you. It was not made to fit your head, obviously, but you felt something while wearing it. Maybe honour, or pride. Or maybe just pure 'slyness', the same energy that Loki often channeled.

"Looks good." Loki beamed.

"I'm dressed like you," You snapped jokingly, "that's why you think I look good."

He laughed and you did too. Maybe I should wear more green, you told yourself.  

As you both continued to watch the city below and make small talk, from down the hall you could hear footsteps. Maybe guards or other people of the palace, you presumed. But as they approached, they got louder. And they got quicker. Heavy boots, you deduced. But suddenly they stopped.

"Nice view."

You nearly jumped out of your skin as Stephen had suddenly appeared right beside you. So those were his footsteps. You had not expected him to be out of the meeting for another while, but there he was. Him and that damn short-range teleportation spell he just loved to use for some reason. There were too many instances of him appearing out of nowhere back home and it resulted to you being more jumpy nowadays. He had positioned himself between you and Loki you noticed. Loki looked just as surprised as you were, the trickster being tricked.

"Where did you come from?" Loki scowled

"Down the hall." He answered blankly. You stiffed a laugh at his demeanor, sly and confident, when realization hit you that those were aspects of his jealous and protective side coming out. Oh boy, here we go...

"I'm surprised you're out of bed," Stephen looked down at you with a raised eyebrow, which made you chuckle. You saw a tiny twitch in the corner of his eye, and something told you that it had something to do with the god opposite you and the headpiece you were now wearing.

Stephen reached forward and gently lifted the gold helmet off your head, care in his eyes and shaking fingers. Once it was off, he (not so subtly) aggressively threw it at Loki's chest who stumbled to catch it, all trace of gentleness gone. Loki gave him a mock offended look, but Stephen's own hard expression was not phased. Your eyes quickly darted between the two, seeing the tension that had now thickened the air.

"Should't you be at a meeting with Odin?" Loki said. You noticed he did not say my father.

"Oh we finished early," Stephen replied in a light tone, trying to one-up the god while bringing out his ego's confidence. "we're having another one this evening however."

Loki looked like he did not know what to do, which made an amused smile spread across the sorcerer's face. Then he straight up asked, monotone voice dropping to sound flat and serious, "Why was she wearing your helmet?"

"Because...it matches her outfit?" The god struggled to find and answer only to come up with a question instead.

"Yea, sure." Stephen mumbled, "Wonder where she got that outfit."

"Some palace maids dressed me," You chimed in, but it felt like you were invisible at the moment. There was too much testosterone in the air that was covering your existence, which made you roll your eyes.

"Green and gold are nice colours." Loki said while trying to sound convincing and innocent.

"Coincidence she's wearing them?" Stephen shot back, suspicious.

"I had nothing to do with it, Strange."

"Oh sure."

"Oh my god." You slumped against the railing and rested your face in your hands. The two went on to snap at each other and argue for a little, but it felt like an eternity. after a period of you just standing there listening helplessly, the heat started to die down.

"If you'll excuse me, Sorcerer Supreme," Loki enunciated Stephen's title like it was a forbidden word, "I should be headed to attend some business."

He tried to walk off but Stephen cut him off, "Oh what kind of business do you have to do?"

"Business that does not require a mere mortal sorcerer to stick his clever nose into!"

"Well, it looked like it was no more important then taking my girl somewhere to be alone with!" The low rumble in his voice made it a little more threatening.

With that, Loki rolled his eyes so hard it looked like it hurt. And he walked away without another word, flipping his helmet over in his hands before jabbing it on his head with visible frustration.

"Well that was a show." You said, having stood there watching the whole thing like it was a theater drama.

Stephen shrugged, "I try my best."

You laughed, "Your jealousy gets to your head."

His facial expression recoiled, "Do you enjoy my jealousy? Do you enjoy his company?"

Your jaw dropped for a second in offence, "God no, why would I enjoy making you upset?" At that you shrugged, "Although it can be amusing."

You felt a pinch on your arm which made you let out a sound of distress. Stephen chuckled, and wrapped an arm around you lovingly as you leaned against the balcony railing together.

"He was just trying to be nice, Stephen."

"I don't think he can be 'nice',"

"He was nice at breakfast,"

"You had breakfast with him?"

"I was with Frigga. He just so happened to be there."

"Okay fine."

You laughed and he gently kissed the top of your head. After a moment of quiet and peace, you felt his softly shaking hand fiddle with the sleeve of your dress, "You look very beautiful."

Blushing, you looked up at him with admiring eyes. His expression mirrored yours. He was still wearing the new robes you last saw him in, the gold linings glittering in the Asgardian sunlight. You were about to say the same thing he said to you, when his expression changed. It was his thinking face.

"What?"

Stephen must have realized something as raised an eyebrow, "There's magic in your dress."

Before you could react, Stephen waved his hand in a quick motion. Suddenly, green waves of energy flowed out of the fabric of your clothes. But they soon changed to orange sparks, Asgardian magic to Earth sorcerer magic. As they flowed over you, the colour of your dress changed. The green was replaced with blue and the gold was replaced with red. There was still a little gold here and there, lining the edges in a familiar way.

"I knew it. He must have tampered with it." Stephen grumbled.

Now your dress mimicked the colours of Stephen's clothes, their original colours. You laughed a little, the person who made your clothes thought they were clever. But also Loki thought he was clever to change it to his colours. You wondered when and why he did that, but you shrugged it off and instead admired the dress in this new perspective.  

"That's better." Stephen said, a little proud of himself for some reason.

"I like this more." You giggled.

"Me too."

The dress felt lighter and the fabric shined a little more. It was made for you, perfectly tailored to your body and with the perfect colours to match. It was perfect. And it reminded you of him so it made it all the more special. If they would not let you keep it, then you are just going to bring it home with you anyways.

"Well since the meeting was cut off early, lunch is not for another half an hour or so. What should we do till then?"

"Well~" You drew out, a smile creeping up your face, "I was looking at the gardens from here and I wouldn't mind going to see them."

Stephen smiled. He offered his elbow to you, "Then do you care for romantic stroll, Lady (Y/N)?" He put on his best English accent (which was surprisingly flawless), his naturally low voice making it all the more amusing.

With a giggle, you took his arm. Together you made your way through the castle in a swish of red and blue fabrics.

"Although," Stephen started as you both made your way down the last set of stairs that lead to the ground floor, "you did look good in the green. Even though I hate to admit it."

"Hate to admit it?" You looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well it was Loki's trickery, but you look good regardless. As always."

[equestrianwritingsstuff]

For this, I did all 60 prompts. They will be posted twice a day. Some are shorter, some are longer, some are combined and some have multiple parts. Some are rushed and others are nicely done (in my opinion)

Summer of Whump #1: Freezing

"The Torture of Cold"

It was not meant to be 10 degrees out during the summer.

Villain was huddled in a corner, hugging himself. His jaw was clenched to keep from chattering. He was cold, much too cold. The thin shirt he wore did little to protect him from the drafts and chills. The most it did was prevent the artificial windburn that threatened to irritate his already raw skin.

It had been two months. Two months of everlasting torture by Hero, but he refused to give into her feeble attempts to get him to speak.

He was actually surprised that he was able to hold on for this long. Everyday, he would have to endure either a beating or eating poisonous food. He loved the days when he was forced to eat the bad food. He wouldn't talk, so Hero would be forced to care for him. It annoyed her, and him, but it was the easiest torture ever.

Things were so easy that Villain was even able to contact his henchman to get him out of here. Of course, Hero's security was top notch even if she was an amateur torturer. The five carefully planned escapes were basically thrown in the trash.

But now? Now, he was thrown into a room that was below freezing. He had an ice bucket thrown on him ahead of time, so he was ten times colder. After five minutes of sitting there (he was restrained, so he couldn't move to warm himself), his body had gone numb and then the ache of cold began.

The metal cuffs around his elbows and neck made things worse as they sapped up his body heat. He wished that the pain would leave him be.

Villain leaned back as far as he was able to. His eyes squinted against the oncoming wind. He tried to focus on it, not the fact that his body began to shiver mercilessly.

The shivering continued until Villain wanted to scream in pain. It rattled every joint, every muscle. He thought of the warmth he would receive- whether alive or dead- if he just told Hero about Supervillain's plan. Warmth was all he could imagine and he stuck with it. He just wished that Hero would barge in, her obnoxious voice and all and end Villain's suffering. He tossed around two scenes: one where he told Hero the information and being allowed to warm up, and the scarier one of refusing to speak and having to die in this freezer.

Villain squeezed his eyes shut. Was he finally breaking? After all of the pain he previously endured, he was breaking under a little bit of cold. Deep down, Villain knew that the outcome of this new method was far from great; he either died, or would be scared of getting food from a freezer for the rest of his life.

"S-stop... that," Villain stuttered breathlessly. He was concerned and surprise about how weak he sounded. Why was Hero doing this? Villain felt a strange new pressure in his throat. It puzzled him for a moment before realization struck him. He, Villain, was going to cry. A tough, defiant criminal like himself was going to break down in tears.

He actually hoped that the cold would freeze his eyes in place so that they wouldn't commit that treason.

But, of course, the cold did not do the work that Villain willed it to. A single tear slipped out of his right eye and streamed down to his parted mouth. He gulped. Crying was a new sensation. An action that he never allowed himself to do before.

And he hated it, but stopped resisting the almost instinctive urge.

He began to rock on his feet, his neck pressing against the collar and back until exhaustion started to dawn on him. He knew about hypothermia to some degree. Villain froze in his place, hypothermia? The thought did not cross his mind until now. He tried to stop thinking about it, but it proved impossible.

Atleast the shivering stopped, Villain thought gleefully. The aches he earned were still present, but weren't getting worse. Villain looked down at his fingers and tried to move them, concerned about the sudden lack of movement and the cold that came with it. Sure enough, when he tried to wiggle his fingers, they disobeyed.

Villain shut his eyes and let his lips droop. His chest rattled as sobs tried to escape him, but none came out.

Villain's relaxed against his restraints, suddenly very tired.

"Don' slee'," he mumbled, unable to properly form the words, but his body was beginning to shut down. Sleeping, suddenly felt so good that he didn't care about the dangers it would bring. Sleeping meant death, but wouldn't death be warm?

Villain cracked open his eyes. He wouldn't die... wouldn't. Not without a fight. Even if fighting seemed impossible.

But to Villain'a horror, exhaustion had other ideas. His vision began to dim and waver. He shook his head trying to clear it, but the effort made it worse. His breaths were also getting shallower and shallower. He was going to lose consciousness soon and he knew it.

Stop fighting, he told himself sadly. It's not worth it.

Surprisingly, warmth came. Villain didn't know if it was due to a final rush of adrenaline, or if his mind imagined it, but it was there, comforting him. With one last sigh, he allowed unconsciousness to take him.

Little did he know that it was Hero, holding him as his head fell limp into her arms.

"What have I done?" She whispered. Her fingers gently brushed Villain's wet hair off his forehead. He was cold to the touch like a dead corspe. He looked like a dead corspe.

"We need a medic," she spoke into her earpierce. She could hardly look at Villain's face. The red cheeks scratched from the unnecessary windburn she made him go through, the blue lips, and frozen tears and eyelashes.

Hero did not have much experience when it came to doctoring, but she knew that she had to take the wet clothes off. She unlocked the cuffs around his elbows (she already took the collar off previously) and laid him against her chest. Her heart lurched, he was hardly breathing.

"Stay alive for me please," she whispered, unsure if he was able to hear her or not. She doubted it. She took her knife out of her pocket and cut his shirt down the middle, revealing waxy, yellow skin. She looked away, feeling the guilt all over again.

Shortly after her encounter with the frostbite, a team of doctors entered the cell. They immediately took Villain's limp body away from her and wrapped him in blankets. They whisked him away without another word to Hero.

Hero was left there, sulking in the bitter cold room. She didn't know if she wanted to make sure that he would be cared for properly. If he died, then she would not have to do through the guilt of seeing him.

He almost died, under her orders.

It took a while for Hero to muster the courage to visit Villain in the hospital. When she did, she nearly left. Villain was attached to many monitors and IVs. He wore an oxygen mask and didn't seem to be awake.

Hero forced herself to go to his side and take his hand. It was warm, which was good, but it did not help the guilt that coursed through Hero's veins.

And it did not in any way prepare her for the look of sheer terror on Villain's face when his eyes fluttered open.

[aurabird]

To Seek Redemption

So this is based off of something my braincell that desires fluff came up with.

Something happens that causes the Hels!Hermits to become helpful, caring, and empathetic like their counterparts. No more hierarchy and anarchy, no more bloodshed and violence, just pure, familial energy and fluff. Basically, they all obtain morals and eventually the line between Hermit and Helsmit is no more.

This relies strongly on headcannons and things regarding Helsmit/Hermit first encounters are left vague on purpose for the reader to fill in because I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes :3

No major TWs, just mentions of violence, blood, and injuries.

==================================================

The Hels Dimension was a brutal place, an eternal battleground where anarchy was the norm and the hierarchy brutal. The denizens of this dimension said to be the worst traits of their Overworld counterparts incarnated or their best traits without any moral boundaries.

Those that lived within Hermitcraft’s Hels Dimension; Helscraft as they’d become to be called, referred to themselves as Helsmits as they sought to not only overpower each other, but also make the lives of their other halves miserable.

Of course, not every Helsmit was a monster, some were simply pranksters, simply finding enjoyment in teasing their counterparts because the reactions amused them; nuisances that just wouldn’t go away.

But, despite all of this, how would players such as the Helsmits react…when everything they knew, all the violence they partook in, just went away? Was replaced by feelings they didn’t understand or hated?

==================================================

The time-dilation known as lag was not a new concept to the denizens of Helscraft; after all, several of them used the enigmatic force as a weapon or safeguard for their territory, slowing down any would-be usurpers enough to gain an upper hand.

What WAS new, however, was that this time, lag stopped their world completely. No one moved, no one spoke; for only a few moments all was still…

…until it wasn’t.

When the world began to move again the Helsmits knew something had changed, feelings of vengeance and hatred were gone, replaced by emotions they did not understand; that some of them even despised. Empathy, compassion, the desire for familial companionship.

Those locked in combat sheathed their weapons, taking steps back from each other before apologizing. Those that kept themselves locked in impenetrable fortresses left their isolation and sought out the Helsmit nearest to them to simply talk and for comfort due to their isolation. Those that had gotten the last of their territory stolen from them had it returned.

And those that sought power within the hierarchy? Well, who said that having friends didn’t count as power?

Traps set up to kill and torment were disabled, and selfishly-hoarded resources distributed to those with few or none.

It was difficult at first to come to grasps with the sudden morals and emotions they'd acquired, for some, the phrase of “I hate being nice” became popular, being uttered by several of them defeatedly when they attempted to be anything but friendly to each other.

But eventually the Helsmits grew used to their new emotions, enjoyed them even. Sure they were all still competitive with each other, that was a trait no strange force could change, but now it was more friendly and lighthearted. Some even tried to act like the 'evil counterparts' they'd once been in a joking manner.

The Hesmits knew that things had changed, that their old ways of life were now gone.

They'd all gathered at their Town Hall, the first building they'd made since they'd all become friends, looking upon a portal with nervousness and uncertainty. Not a portal to the Nether, nor a portal to the End. No, this portal was to the Overworld.

It'd been Helskinght that discovered how to conjure the gateway, the purple swirls framed by blocks of crying obsidian. At one point this structure had been fought over and the land around it once stained crimson with Helsmit blood.

The area had been completely terraformed since then, making this location both a reminder of the past and the present. None of them had their weapons or tools, just the clothes on their backs, food, and basic building blocks. After all, they'd come here for one reason alone.

Now that they’d mended the conflicts that had once divided them, perhaps it was time to do the same with those that saw them as nothing but evil interlopers seeking to cause only destruction and misery.

Yes, it was time to ask their overworld counterparts, the Hermits, for forgiveness. The final step they'd all need to reach complete redemption.

"You think they'll accept it after everything some of us have done?" asked someone from the gathered crowd, "We've been silent for so long too, how do you think they'll react to us all coming at the same time?"

The two questions had no definite answers, as only a few Helsmits had even interacted with their overworld counterparts. Then again, those that had awful experiences no doubt spread the seeds of distrust throughout the entirety of Hermitcraft.

A Helsmit in ebony-plated armor and wearing a helmet sighed. Since the reforming of their society Helsuma had been the appointed the Admin of Helscraft, though unlike his counterpart, he lacked the powers that came with said title.

"There is only one way to find out." he said with uncertain confidence before taking his first steps through the passage, his fellow Helsmits following not far behind.

------

Their arrival on the main street of the Cowmercial District was met with mixed reactions. Fear, disdain, and confusion the most common but surprise could also be seen on the faces of some Hermits.

Those that knew their Helscraft counterparts had drawn their swords and bows, netherite blades and enchanted arrows aimed directly at them, ready to strike at the slightest sign of aggression.

It was Xisuma that broke the silent tension, his calm, accented voice holding the strength of a leader as he addressed the crowd before him. “Well, this is definitely a surprise.” he said as he took a few steps forward, taking note of the fact some of the newcomers flinched or tensed up at his advance. “I didn’t expect all of you to show up at once, let alone completely unarmed.”

The person who then walked out from the crowd of Helsmits was a surprise to the overworld Admin. Every Hermit supposedly had a counterpart of their own in Helscraft, but X hadn’t exactly been ready to meet his.

Features and attire were identical to his own, though their skin was marred with horrible scars and their black-plated armor boasted several gashes; fiery-orange eyes far more exhausted than his own violet ones shone with desperation.

“Careful, X.” Wels warned with a growl, cerulean gaze narrowed and locked with the red one of Helsknight, “They aren’t to be trusted.”

If the silver-armored knight had seen the hurt in Hels’ expression at those words, he didn’t react to it.

X ignored the given warning and faced his counterpart without fear or hesitation, “What brings you all to the Overworld like this? Clearly it isn’t an invasion.”

Helsuma spoke, his voice simply a deeper, more rough version of X’s. “We…we all…we all wish to ask forgiveness.” he struggled to say before looking behind him at his fellow Helsmits, “Those of us that you know the actions of more than others.”

“Why the change of heart?” came a Hermit’s confused but sharp tone as they gazed upon one that looked almost exactly like they did, no doubt remembering bitterly what their first meeting with their counterpart was like.

“Honestly, we have no idea.” came a voice from the Helsmits, “Everything just…stopped one day, like lag but for longer than a few seconds. After that, well, some of us noticed that we felt emotions alien to us, urges to be…friends, not enemies or rivals; to share and not take.”

“You learned what morals are? I find that hard to believe.”

At the comment Hels turned his head to Wels, arms crossed “Whether you believe it or not, if we sought to invade the overworld for malicious goals today, we would have done so already.”

Grian, surprisingly, was the one that came to the dark knight’s defense “You know, Wels, not all of them are incarnations of our evil.” he commented from his place on steps to the Town Hall. “Take Xelqua, my counterpart for example.“ he began, motioning to the Helsmit that was a splitting image of him save a pair of purple wings that sparkled with stars; the cloak around them bearing a strange symbol, “He’s the one that was mixing up the stuff in your guy’s sorting systems and renaming all your diamonds!”

Mumbo shot the man a look, “Seriously mate? You interacted on a friendly level with your counterpart as opposed to some of us and didn’t think to tell anyone of it?”

“Uh...no. Kinda slipped my mind actually.”

Scar spoke next, having spotted BadTimes in the center of the group; the skeletal vex wings protruding from their back a sign of the part of himself he’d cast away when he decided to reject the control of the chaotic fae he’d once been bound to. “Well, I for one believe in second chances.” he said with a grin, noticing the eyes of several Helsmits light up, “Sure it may take time for us to all trust each other but if they are counterparts of us and we’re Hermits, what’s to say they can’t be too?”

“Scar is right!” chimed Zedaph, “Look at Exy! He was all scary and stuff and he ended up being nice in the end!”

The streets were silent once more as Hermit and Helsmit alike looked at Xisuma, awaiting the verdict of the situation. The Admin thought hard about the dilemma he was faced with. His fellow Hermits all made good points and, when given proof, X was one to forgive.

He saw the looks in the eyes of their counterparts; fear, desperation, hope. He’d made the mistake of condemning his brother to the banvoid, and though they’d made up since then, it didn’t change the fact that he’d left Ex alone, abandoned, and scared when all the man had needed was guidance.

No, he could not simply turn them away, he couldn’t send them back to their dimension and find a way to seal them in there forever.

“I do not speak for all the Hermits, especially given the history some of you have with them.” he began, “However, I am willing to give you all a chance. Do not make me regret my decision.”

------

The rules Xisuma had applied to them were simple and the Admin had made it perfectly clear that they’d all be watched closely, both by him and the Hermits they interacted with.

For some, it was easy to befriend their counterparts, alike in many ways, yet still different enough to be their own person. Others had a more difficult time, uneasy truces and silent tension sparking between them.

But, time heals all wounds, and the line that separated Hermits and Helsmits eventually disappeared. Denizens of both the Overworld and Helscraft began to come and go between their realms freely, taking ideas and inspirations from each other, playing minigames as if they’d all been friends from the beginning.

Getting to the End was impossible from Helscraft, so the Helsmits had always secretly been baffled by the silvery wings that allowed their counterparts to fly around. With the befriending of each other, however, they were being taught through trial and error (mostly error, actually) how they worked and the freedom that came with Elytra flight.

It wasn’t uncommon now for the trio of team ZIT to be seen planning crazy ideas with their counterparts and teasing each other, unsurprisingly both Grian and Xelqua managed to start yet another war, and the silent chaos of shenanigans from Etho and his counterpart were never discovered until it was too late.

False and True could often be seen sparring, as could Wels and Hels; though the duo of knights usually did so through both physical combat and song.

Scar and Cub would be seen working on projects with their counterparts, laughing and remembering the times when they were once one in the same, but yet still glad to be their own individual players.

Bdubs and his phantom-featured counterpart would sometimes argue over who was the fastest of them to get to sleep ("And how are you faster? Last I checked beds blow up in Hels ya stupid!" "Not since X gave Helsuma Admin powers they haven't ya fool!"), though neither of them would win because someone else would sleep away the night while they bickered.

Ex had even returned from his journey of self-discovery, completely confused at first and then began pouting when he learned that he didn’t have a Helscraft counterpart of his own to cause mischief with. With a laugh, Helsuma had offered to be the counterpart of both brothers.

------

It was several months later when the two Admins stood on the roofs of their Town Halls, smiles on their faces as they overlooked the antics below them; Hermits and Helsmits alike interacting harmoniously. With the union of their respectful dimensions their families had doubled in size.

And both of them couldn’t have been any happier.

[kyeomunism]

Journal of the Bruised || Sirius Black

Pairing: Sirius Black x Fem!Reader

Marauders Era

Word Count: 2.9k

Summary: In which Sirius gets fascinated by the spitfire witch after reading her hopes and goals in a research journal.

Warnings: slight wounds, swearing, anxious thoughts, mentions of toxic parents, suggestive flirting, making out, me abusing my prompts I'm supposed to use for twelve different fanfics... (i think that's it, please tell me if I missed something.)

y/h/c=your hair color

y/l/n=your last name

y/n=your name (or just yeen:))

︵‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・༺❀༻・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ︵‿︵‿︵

You carefully step over some gigantic vines as you stroll around the forbidden forest. With a journal on your hand, wand in your pocket, and the bright moonlight over your head, you crouch down to get a closer look at some thorny branches and see a gleaming strand of unicorn hair entangling within it. You carefully save it in your pocket for your potions ingredients collection.

You stand up to get back to the castle without anyone noticing because getting detention would be a blow. You increase your pace, a hoard of centaurs being the least of your woes, considering the distant howls you've been hearing.

Your fear of getting in trouble at Hogwarts is just a result of your parent's high expectations, but you'll risk it for the sake of adding something to your journal. You love going to the woods at night just to pick a rare plant, animal hair, or at lucky nights, beast eggs. The moon is so bright you don't need to pull your wand out to illuminate the path.

Within a heartbeat, a loud thundering howl followed by ground-quaking steps electrify your spine. Instinct tells you to run immediately but the feel of something else's presence just several meters away glues your feet to the ground. You slowly reach for your wand as you turn. There's nothing there, but it feels like you're being watched.

A small rat came running near your direction as you inhale deeply, backing up towards the shadows just in case. A huge stag suddenly appears from where the rat came from, followed by an enthusiastic bear...no wait, you squint hard and could make up a large dog. The howling returns but this time, it's louder and scarier. Shivers overwhelm you as a full size werewolf came out of the shadows. Your free hand fly towards your mouth to stifle your terrified gasp.

You move away but not carefully enough, swearing all of them looked at your direction. The next second, you're running for your life, not daring to look back. All you know is that not only the werewolf is coming your way, but also the stag and the dog, and you don't care why. Nothing else matters as you make efforts not to scream nor show your face. It becomes harder for you through the thorny vines, wincing as the branches sting you.

Nobody can know you've been breaking the rules, not if it means getting many wounds or getting devoured alive. Nobody can know, or else your parents may force you to quit your hobbies and start preparing for work at the ministry. Oh you'd rather be dead than live without your passion.

The fear and panic about your future drives you out of the forest, not realizing until you find yourself catching breaths and applying pressure on wounds. You sit on the ground, listening to the distant howling that nearly became the last thing you heard. You check your pockets, your wand and the unicorn hair is still there.

"Damnit! Where's my journal?" You whisper-shout, bitter expression from your stinging wounds and the years long research now gone. Having the urge to lay there and cry until morning, you have no choice but to sneak back in the castle.

༺∘◦ ❀ ◦���༻

"Who do you think that bloke was, Prongs?" Sirius asks as they sit beside Remus's hospital wing bed. "Doesn't matter now, does it? Whoever they are, they shouldn't have been idiotic enough to take a walk in the forest during a full moon," James says rather loudly.

"How 'bout you, Moons, who do you bet was it?" Peter pipes up.

"Doesn't matter, I could've killed them, worse, I could've bitten them," Remus says weakly.

Sirius brushes it off with a whole new full-proof plan for the next full moon. Something that Remus doesn't look forward to, but somehow enjoy with his friends' company. The marauders later spends the whole weekday morning in the hospital wing with the food Sirius, James and Peter got from the kitchens. The topics change each moment, until James finds a way to mock Sirius with his failed attempts at flirting with you.

"Just go talk to her!" James says between laughs.

"She doesn't even acknowledge me."

"I don't think so, it was only last quidditch practice when I heard her yell, suck it Black, when you got hit by a bludger." James, Remus and Peter laughs as Sirius's eyes widen.

Before Sirius could retort, "I gotta go prepare for my date with Evans now." James suddenly gets up, hastily messing up his hair and pocketing some sweets as his friends laugh at his ridiculous behavior.

"I'll stay here and finish these," Peter says while munching on some toast.

"I still want to know who's the owner of the journal I found a while ago. You sure you'll be good here, mate?" Sirius asks, to which Remus replies with a nod and goodluck.

༺∘◦ ❀ ◦∘༻

You're trying out spells to hide your puffy eyes from crying throughout dawn, frustratedly healing wounds. You don't want to miss breakfast to avoid suspicion, but it's hard to act normal. You finally look decent enough to your liking, but the potion made from the ingredients in your trunk did not do well on a gash on the back of your right hand, leaving a bruise. You decide to hide it in your Hogwarts robes and eat breakfast quickly.

After breakfast, you find yourself staring at the raven haired boy at the end of the hallway. Not that you expect him to care or notice you, but an inch of hope is still there. His usual unkempt hair that touches his face with such grace is just one of the many things you find attractive about him, but there was something different this time. He was holding a book, a very unusual thing to see since it's weekend.

You gasp as you walk closer in his direction, it's your journal. The thing you poured hardwork on, contains researches, discoveries and a list of dreams that had been ridiculed by your own parents. It was an extension of your soul, and it was being held by the Sirius Black.

He noticed you staring. "What's your deal, y/l/n, did you ran out of ridiculous potions to dye your hair y/h/c?"

You snap back from your thoughts. "Just a near-death experience, Black. And for the record, my hair is naturally y/h/c."

You turn around with a pounding heart. How did he find the journal? Did he read the contents? Was it that embarrassing?

Sirius watched you walk away. What does she mean by near death experience?

He looks at the journal, scans it for the second time since he found it this dawn. It's well-written and perfectly organized. He could swear he had seen the handwriting before, and the initials scribbled at the first page. Sirius decides to follow you to see if his guess is right.

༺∘◦ ❀ ◦∘༻

You sit on a part of the Hogwarts grounds away from other students, having trouble figuring out how did Sirius got your journal.

"You could've just told me this was yours."

You almost got a whiplash with Sirius's voice appearing out of nowhere. You just stared at him, examining his sharp features under the sun.

"What do you want?"

"Do you want this back?" he says, lightly waving the journal in front of you.

With a sigh, you spoke softly, "yeah. Can I have it now?"

"No."

"What?" You ask in disbelief, standing up to look at his silvery eyes.

"No, you have to reach it."

You want to whip out your wand and Accio the journal but Sirius's grin made you reach out as he waves it high above your head.

"What's wrong with your hand?" You freeze and hastily adjust your sleeves to cover it.

"You know what, I'm going back to the castle," you say half-heartedly.

"Who did this to you? I'll hex them."

"A tree branch. I would very much enjoy watching you hex it. You'll look more stupid than you already are."

"As much as I love the idea, let me see your hand first. Sirius's gentle voice almost melted you while reluctantly showing the bruise on the back of your hand. Sirius holds it, muttering an incantation under his breath. The bruise disappears in an instant.

You fill up with sudden gratitude and mixed emotions.

"I owe y—"

"No you don't. I'm doing this because I want to, deal with it. Now, tell me where you hurt yourself. Then I'll let you have your journal back."

"Why do you care anyways? I told you, I got hurt from a tree branch."

"That bruise is a cause of a potion applied on a deep gash lacking the proper incantation. What were you doing in the forbidden forest?"

"Speaking from experiences, are we, Black?" You say, highly amused. "I was just wandering around and dropped it. Are you done?"

"No, I know the easiest kind of lying is when you leave things out of a story. You could've been bitten or got killed. You're lucky Prongs and I saw you first."

You almost choked. "Excuse me? I don't know what you're talking abou—"

"I was there, me and my friends. It's a long story, y/n, so could you start first?" Your cheeks heat up at the sound of Sirius saying your first name.

"I don't think you'll understand, I'm my parent's disappointment, I'm the opposite of what they want me to be. Instead of doing my purpose, I'm out here wasting my time, trying to cope using the dumbest ways possible." You start venting out as you sit on the grass beside him.

"Believe me, I know exactly what that feels like, love." They both mentally freeze as the words slip though his mouth.

"I go through the forest just to write about the things I find there. Something I couldn't get from sitting in the library. That journal contains my hard work."

"I can tell. It's impressive and elaborate."

"Uhm, thanks. Y-you wouldn't tell anyone I was in the forest, would you?" You say hesitantly.

"If I'd tell the professors about your midnight strolls, I might as well be turning the marauders in for expulsion."

"Marauders?"

"It's my turn to explain," Sirius utters with a sigh.

You watch the handsome boy talk about his friends; how they had to transform into Animagi for the sake of keeping their friend's company—which greatly impressed you—and their mischievous whereabouts. You've never heard Sirius speak this gentle.

There so many things you wanted to say, but can't form words. "Sirius..."

His eyes meet yours for the first time you mentioned his name, and it's in a tone that he wouldn't trade for the world.

"...can I visit Remus?" you continue.

He smiles at you—a genuine smile that made your heart leap—and takes you back to the castle without a word. He gives the journal to you on the way.

Your steps are slow and steady, as if the air has never been more comfortable. You finally got to the hospital wing, and see Remus lying in bed, reading a book next to a pile of sweets his friends placed there. He looks at the two of you with a questioning stare.

"Remus, I... I was the person who saw you in the forest. Sirius told me about..."

"I'm sorry."

You felt taken aback with Remus's response.

"No, I should be sorry, I wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have been sneaking around late at night."

"That's actually a difficult habit to stop, y/n. Not that I tried," Sirius pipes up, earning chuckles from you and Remus.

You eventually become good friends with the marauders. Remus is glad you become friends because of his condition, and not inspite of it. Sirius would always ask about your day, which earns a lot of teases from James. You would still walk through the forbidden forest sometimes, but Sirius is always there to accompany you.

༺∘◦ ❀ ◦∘༻

Your NEWTs were coming near and Remus studied with you in the Gryffindor common room. It was late at night and completely silent, except for your small discussions about some topics. Several minutes pass and you find yourself talking about your feelings for Sirius, to which Remus never fail to respond with the best advices.

"Sometimes I wonder if Sirius feels the same..."

"You don't have to wonder," Remus says.

"Why?"

"Because he's right behind you." You almost jump as you hear him speak. "Mind to take a break from studying, y/n?"

You look at Remus, who shrugged with a smile. You get up and take a walk with Sirius. It was a comfortable silence, casually avoiding spots where you know people can see you and get you in detention. Your mind was going places thinking about a possible future with him. You didn't even realize you're in the astronomy tower if it wasn't for the sudden hug if cold air. You watch his eyes sparkle under the stars, standing at the huge overview of the tower.

"You wanna know how I feel about you?" You gulp at the way he broke the silence. You don't think you'll ever be ready to know. Your eyes finally met and it sent your bones to flames.

"I love you, y/n. And I've never felt more sure about anything in the world, fuck that, you are my world." The sincerity in his tone melted your brain, you couldn't string up a word.

"I can't believe we're finally here." Your throat starts to tighten with the struggle of words. "I was so scared to lose you, but I was also scared to say anything."

"Does that mean...?"

"Face first to the point and you still missed it. Of course I love you too, you idiot!"

You laugh as you jump into his arms, he gladly hugs you tight. The warmth and comfort that you felt contrasting to the cold night air felt so right.

"Hogsmeade, this weekend?" He whispers to your ear which sends shivers through your spine.

"Yes, but I don't wanna end up in detention after that."

"That's also a good idea for a first date."

You let go of the hug to look at his face.

"There's a fine line between liking you and wanting to hex you to oblivion."

"And I cross it everytime."

"Oh yes you do."

"You love it though."

"Hmm...yes I do."

With one meaningful look in his face, you press your lips against his. It's soft and gentle, firm and promising. His hand cups your face, thumb caressing your cheek. You wrap your arms around his warm body, feeling his heartbeat under his perfectly chiseled chest. After what seems like a beautiful forever, you pull away. The second you back up, a whistle and cheering made you jump.

"Prongs, Wormtail, what the hell are you doing here?" Sirius called the crackheads by the door.

"We saw you in the map, thought we've come to see the show," James says smugly.

"Want a treacle tart, y/n?" Peter says while holding half a dozen of them.

"No thanks I—"

"Hey, I thought you snuck out to the kitchens to get those for me?" You hear the distant voice of Remus, who clearly made an effort to leave his studies just to get his friends away from trouble.

"Nah Moons, 'tis the best part right here, I wanna know if Sirius messed this up," James continues with such a bright tone.

"Oh sod off, mate!" Sirius laughs as Remus take the two grown children away.

"Where were we?" You coo.

His lips brush yours passionately, like a fiery tease. You barely had a second to react and you already granted his tongue in the seam of your lips. He delved in your mouth, making you breathless. Your arms travels up to tangle around his neck to his luscious black hair. He pulls you even closer and you inhale sharply as his lips form into a smirk. He began peppering your neck with delicate kisses. You can't get enough of it, you let out pleasured tones that feels like godly music to him.

"Please, Siri... I need you."

"Absolutely, love. I will be gentle and make sure you can still walk after."

"I have seen your exes walk, no you won't," you reply. He chuckles between kisses that turned you on even more. The rest of the night will forever be one of the best things you've ever experienced.

༺∘◦ ❀ ◦∘༻

After graduating, you and Sirius joined the Order, fighting with and for each other.

One day, you and Sirius comes home from an Order mission, you have a slight bruise on your hand after falling over once in a duel with a Deatheater.

"What's wrong with your hand?" Sirius asks. Your lips forms a smile at the sudden flashback of his words.

"It's not holding yours," you reply. He lets out a bark of laughter as he checks your hand. His laugh is the nicest thing to watch and listen to.

"Wanna know what's wrong with your hands?" you ask him.

"Hmm?"

"They're not around my neck." Before you even finish the sentence you both are already laughing loudly.

He did fix what's wrong with his hand later that day, which you absolutely love.

You continue writing all your researches on your journal as you participate in the war. It all paid off because of Sirius, despite your parents' disapproval. You're with him and that's all that matters.

You eventually publish several informative books, with Sirius always by your side to support you. You both are proud of the fact that your books became the foundation research for Damocles Belby in creating the wolfsbane potion.

[cloudsnbones]

Here is a selection for your lovely self to choose from <3

50, 63 or 110 please 🥺 For Kerry...Susan...the wives - you know ofc.

My Hidden Angel

prompt 110: just pretend we’re okay, just for tonight

warnings: mild alcohol consumption, touches on topic of 'outing', some references to suicidal ideation

other tags: kerry x sandy (before), kerry x susan (implied), kerry & susan, hurt/comfort, hugs

Kerry’s eyes traced the mulberry patterns intertwine then separate then briefly meet together again followed by a small gap before they finally made themselves whole, ending in solid semi-circles at the opposite end of the duvet, striking loud against the cream which predominated the piece.

She was supposed to be happy, finally released loud and proud into society, herself - different, yet still beautiful. So what was wrong with her? Because she didn’t feel like that. She didn’t feel like that at all. The burning in her throat came in waves of strength whilst her heart felt like a large block of ice that had plummeted into her stomach. As for the rest of her body, it all just felt numb. Numb and useless. For the first time in a long time, she felt small, really small. Peering eyes had followed her throughout the ER as she tried to pretend that everything was ok, that she had wanted that to happen. That… what they thought didn’t matter to her. She was their boss after all. It shouldn’t.

But if she couldn’t even convince herself, how on earth could she convince anyone else?

After leaving work she had stormed over to the Fire Station where Sandy worked to give her a piece of her mind, chew her, and spit her out as Sandy had done to her. Returning the favour. But she had been left feeling even worse.

Even more hated and alone than she had before which was something considering… everything.

And she knew that if she passed away in her sleep, no one would care. No one would come to her funeral, no one would mourn. And as devastating as that is, she felt at peace. For once in her damn life, she wanted to be quiet. To hide. To return back into her bulletproof shell and never leave.

There was a light tap on the door.

Kerry ignored it. It could wait. Probably a door-to-door salesperson. Not worth her time.

A slightly louder knock followed, and then a loud buzz.

This now seemed more like a person, perhaps… Sandy?

Kerry’s heart fluttered in hope. And it was this alone which eventually forced her to get one and then two legs out of bed, wrapping her body tightly in her silk dressing gown before slowly making her way to the door, leaning on nearby furniture to do so.

When Kerry got to the door she took in a small breath, closing her eyes to rack up the courage to be able to speak coherently in front of her again. She didn’t want to relax her guard, or to let her anger completely ease off but what she really didn't want - was to be alone. And it was this sole urge for companionship that drove her resolve to forgive Sandy. She had found herself in the past year and despite her still wavering confidence in her sexuality she couldn't deny that she had never felt more complete, more understood, lighter, and happier since she had discovered she was a…

Lesbian.

In one quick movement, she turned her key in the lock and pushed down the door handle pulling it towards her, she opened her eyes expecting to see Sandy on the other side apologetic and soft but instead she saw someone whom she did not expect. Dr. Lewis.

“I-” Kerry started, her face dumbfounded.

Susan just smiled, 75% convincingly, holding up a bag to her face filled with a lovely aroma of spices.

Kerry looked at her suspiciously.

“I’ve brought you dinner,” Susan said, after a beat, trying to ignore the deep feelings of anger and frustration which she had always associated with Kerry.

“Oh thank you,” Kerry replied eventually, peering at the bag from where she was standing, frozen to the spot, “Why don’t you come in?” She added awkwardly her voice catching on the words and she squinted her nose and eyes slightly in embarrassment of herself, letting out a small sigh.

Susan just continued to smile and stepped into the door as Kerry shuffled out of the way before she closed the door.

“Please come on through.” Kerry said, “oh, and shoes off before you come in please.”

Susan had expected that to be the case, she smiled playfully to herself as she slid her shoes off.

Kerry stood, watching her uncomfortably, wondering what she would do and also questioning as to why this had happened in the first place. She bit her lip and curled her right ankle around to scratch at the back of her calf, which wasn’t the best idea as within seconds she began to lose her balance. Before she really had the opportunity to fall or to steady herself, Susan caught her outstretched arms ensuring she stayed strictly upright.

Kerry was shocked. Not only by the sudden contact but also of the position she was in with regards to Susan. She was staring directly at Susan’s chest. Well, where her chest was below her periwinkle jumper. Her eyes widened and she raised her head to look at Susan before shaking herself back into reality and straightening up allowing Susan to let go of her arms. Despite this, the place where she had touched her, burned.

When Kerry looked back at Susan she noticed her empty hands. But where was the food? Oh, Susan had just placed the bag on the floor. She needed to get a grip.

Kerry made to brush off her slacks only to find silky material there instead and that is when she realised that she was in fact not wearing her day clothes at all but her night-time things, and her cheeks began to glow red.

But Susan didn’t care, she just picked up her takeout bag and gestured towards the entrance to the living room, “This way?”

Kerry swallowed and then nodded, a bit too fiercely. Susan smiled and Kerry followed her into the living room.

“Do you have any films?” Susan asked as she sat herself down on the sofa.

“What do you mean?”

“Just… films.”

“Yeah, I mean, uh… kinda, maybe not the type you’re thinking of though...” Kerry’s voice tailed off.

“That’s alright, we can just watch whatever’s on.”

Kerry stood, passively watching Susan turn on the tv and set out the food she had brought with her onto the table before her. After a moment it registered that this may appear strange so in a hurried shuffle made her way to sit down next to Susan. She placed her hands politely on her knees and looked pointedly at the carpet in front of her. Susan glanced over.

“Are you alright?” She wondered aloud, a touch of a laugh in her voice.

Kerry furrowed her eyebrows, her mouth twitching in tandem, “Yeah, I-” she let herself process what she wanted to express before she turned abruptly round to Susan and queried, “Why are you here?”

The harshness of her voice and the absence of friendliness in Kerry’s general demeanour led Susan to feel as if she was being interrogated, as if she wasn’t welcome in Kerry’s home, and by breaching this unspoken contract of keeping distance between employer and employee she had perhaps angered the beast without intending to. It would not be the first time. But as she took her time to consider Kerry’s apparel, the soft plea in her eyes, and her stiff, clunky posture, the way she glanced at her leg every so often as if she was worried something would happen to it. But what could it possibly undergo? Except… judgement. Kerry’s defensiveness, her ferocity, so present in Susan’s life as a constant adherence and annoyance was down to experiences like she had had today. Susan could see that now. She knew that in the past she had only helped contribute but today maybe she could change that, but first, she needed Kerry to trust her.

Susan relaxed her shoulders and placed the empty take-out bag onto the floor underneath the sofa before she began.

“To cut a long story short; I’m bi.” She looked up to catch her eyes with Kerry’s as if to prove she was telling the truth before she continued, “And, when I was in high school, there was this most beautiful girl, she had dark hair and the pinkest lips and her voice always sounded like she was singing.” Susan closed her eyes, reminiscing.

“We were best friends, her and I, and we did everything together. I was intoxicated, but there was nothing I could have really done about it. I had a massive crush on her. I don’t know how they knew, perhaps I hadn’t hidden it as well as I’d thought but some of the boys in my year started teasing me about it, asking if I was a ‘lesbigay or whatever, and when I obviously didn’t respond and got embarrassed they um, they decided to announce it to the whole school.”

Kerry’s mouth opened, stunned into silence. This wasn’t what she had expected at all! Setting aside the fact that Susan was also gay, Kerry listened to her story with deep compassion, and horror. She tried to express her sympathies but only managed to stare at Susan wide-eyed and she hoped that the empathy she felt in her heart managed to express itself well enough on her face.

After looking at Kerry's face, Susan continued, “Yeah, it was pretty terrible, I lost a lot of friends that year. But um...” She paused for a second, considering her next words. “The thing that happened to you today reminded me of that and I couldn’t rest easy staying at home and thinking about it so I came over and did what I wish someone, a friend, or a parent even, had done when I was in that state. Because it is tough, and it is lonely. And no matter the shit that’s happened between us in the past, no one deserves that, no one. So as allies, I guess, let’s just pretend everything’s okay, just for tonight.” Susan smiled at Kerry then, and the redhead began to understand how much she had needed a friend, someone who would accept her, and understand why she had to hide. Someone to let her know she wasn’t alone.

“But anyway!” Susan clapped her hands together with a new-found cheerfulness instilled in her, disrupting the melancholy mood immediately. “Let’s eat!”

Throughout the evening they talked very little, making mild comments on the hallmark movies or about the food, and Kerry eventually found the strength to thank Susan for her kindness. Once the meal was over, Kerry produced a bottle of Pinot Grigio for the two to share and despite Susan’s inner voice telling her to ‘go home’ she accepted the offer. The alcohol loosened Kerry’s tongue and she was no longer sat like a meerkat on the lookout but instead as if she was spending an evening with a friend. Susan let Kerry cry and rested her head on her, oh the softness of the cashmere against Kerry’s cheek as she buried herself deep in Susan’s softness.

They stayed in that position for a while, even once Kerry’s crying had ceased, Susan would rub her hand up and down her bank comforting her and reminding her that someone was there. Someone who cared about her, who understood her.

The intimacy and the alcohol and the events of the day meant that once Kerry ultimately did lift her head up and came face to face with Susan, so close she could almost feel the light hairs on her face, she was overcome with this urge to kiss her. Not a rough kiss, nor a gentle kiss, more a kiss goodbye or hello, a kiss saying thank you. Her hand tenderly stroking Susan's jawline, suggesting the act was about more than just lust or circumstance.

At first, Susan lent into it, Kerry’s taste being much calmer than she had expected, but once she realised what was happening she pulled herself out of it, gently, so as not to potentially hurt Kerry.

Susan smiled a sweet smile, slightly flushed as if she was sixteen once more and encountering her crush in the cafeteria. “You’re a really good kisser,” she observed trying to relieve some of the deep mortification evident on Kerry’s face, “But not tonight.”

She helped Kerry to her bed before setting herself down on the couch and continued to grin, touching her fingertips lightly to her lips where Kerry had kissed her.

Not tonight, but next time...?

[ginkgomoon]

Gavin's New Rain Date- Analysis

Finally was able to watch this new Gavin date, and of course, the gears in my brain started to turn and analyse then type out each individual sentence. I love how I will never look at MLQC content the same way ever again ever since I started Tumblr.

This analysis will heavily be referencing Gavin and MC’s high school history which I made a detailed timeline that you can read before moving onto this analysis.

Following the sound, I discovered a cardboard box in a corner of a wall along the street, with one white and one black kitten crammed within, looking up at me and meowing incessantly.

MC: “Are you guys hungry?”

I squatted down and took out a little packet of sealed cat food.

“You two share now, okay?”

Seeing the two cats tussling over what was apparently their first meal in a while, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I placed the umbrella on top of the cardboard box and prepared to get up and run to the metro station but the rain pattering down suddenly halted.

A shadow blocked out the sky over me. I looked up in surprise to see Gavin holding an umbrella.

Gavin: “So there you are.”

-

He started walking, and we proceeded shoulder to shoulder toward the metro station under the broad umbrella. The rain dripped and splashed everywhere. Suddenly, a scene from the past flashed in my mind, giving me a feeling of déjà vu.

MC: “This seems to have happened before.”

He turned to look at me, a flash of nostalgia in his eyes.

Gavin: “It has, actually.”

He looked at the falling rain and the shining street lights, and thought back to a long time ago when they first met. That was also a rainy day, lit up with the dim lamplight. The drizzle on the girl’s bangs blossomed into a neon glow the boy had never seen before. -New Rain Date

-

As he passed down by the alley, he saw a girl squatting at the corner like a mushroom. She didn’t have an umbrella, relying on a thin, rundown roof for shelter.

Gavin could hear sounds coming from the paper box. Confused, he paused in his steps. It turned out to be a little kitten.  

The girl’s clothes and hair were already drenched from the rain and running down along the side of her face, but she didn’t seem bothered by it. The kitten, with a handkerchief covering it, would meow occasionally .

The girl chuckled softly and said, “are you hungry?”

At that moment, Gavin had thought the girl was asking that question to herself. She retrieved snacks from her bag and opened it, feeding it to the kitten.

The drizzle that accompanied the dim street lamps along the roadside, fell on the tips of the girl’s hair. A rainbow he had never seen before then appears. For an inexplicable reason, for a long time Gavin had stood there until the girl had turned back.

She looked at Gavin in astonishment, not knowing how he had been standing at the opening of the alley.

Water droplets dropped continuously onto Gavin drenching his light-coloured fringe on in front of his forehead. A few seconds passed, and the girl’s astonishment changed into a clear smile, warming into Gavin’s heart without permission.

Gavin frustrated kicked away a can near his feet. He then hurriedly removed his jacket, covering it over the girl’s head. He heard a faint “thank you!” from behind when he had gone.

Gavin ran in the rain, his white shirt fully drenched. In the eyes of that girl, Gavin had a different colour when compared to the tales told about him. -CN Tilted Time Rumours and Secrets

Just from a couple of sentences, we can make out a lot of parallels. I love how in MLQC, the writers make the effort for the storyline and events to juxtapose certain parts, as well. From here, we can also highlight new concepts, too.

On the first rainy day of high school, MC encounters a hungry kitten in a box and feeds it. At the exact moment, Gavin sees her for the first time. After a while, MC turns and smiles at him. In response to this, he takes off his own school jacket and drapes it over her head to shelter her from the rain. He runs off.

Similarly, in the New Rain Date, on a rainy day after work, MC sees two cats in a box and feeds them. Once Gavin sees her, he approaches her to shelter her with his umbrella, and she turns to smile at him. He smiles back. They both leave together.

In addition to the parallels, we can denote specific uses of symbolism that has been established.

The most first and most obvious one- rain. Rain is the symbol of renewal and rebirth. It’s the “washing away of the old” and “regrowing something better”. Without rain, you can’t grow flowers, right? In this context, rain represents the growing pain but also the beauty of life.

Gavin with the umbrella reinforces the physical idea sheltering her from the rain, but he also wants to protect her literally and metaphorically from any danger or any hardship. Like before back then in high school, he gives her his jacket to protect her from the rain- from being drowned like him. But this time, they are under shelter of the umbrella, together. As well of course, not to mention that he gave her his jacket this time around and found her in it, too.

Even within the date title, “New Rain”, we can also apply the contrast between back when they were in high school and where they are currently. The “old rain” would showcase the ideas of being with someone after waiting for them. This concept is what Gavin and MC both discuss, symbolic to their relationship because it unknowingly reminds them of how they were before. This develops into a higher understanding from reflecting, therefore catalyses the “new rain”.

I flipped through pages and stopped at one-

“All this time, I’ve been waiting for you to knock at this door and join me out of the rain.”

The delicate handwriting in blue ink was now a bit blurred. I couldn’t resist wondering what the story was behind the entry.

Gavin: “What are you reading?”

MC: “It seems to be a tale of unrequited love.”

I showed Gavin the entry in the guest book, and after reading it, a confused look came over him.

Gavin: “What makes you think that?”

MC: “Love is just like a sudden storm. One of them was out in the rain, wanting to knock on the door but hesitating. The other was waiting inside for a knock that never came.”

Gavin: “What do you think became of them?”

MC: “Perhaps the more you like someone, the more hesitant you are?”

Gavin: “But maybe at the end of the story, they were together.”

MC states that love comes expectantly, with the knock of intrusion to bring a house of cards down. You never know until it happens on hindsight- that the person is exactly what you want and need.

“It’s she who told me I could live a stronger life. And it’s she who told me I could live a more tender life.” -Spring Festival Date

Gavin had a tough upbringing contrasted to MC, with Gavin noting that she had a very pure look in her eyes when he first met her.

It is certain that MC (thankfully) hadn’t experienced when Gavin had back in his age, and although Gavin who had thought to be “damaged goods” to others, was willing to put that past him and take a chance with MC. Therefore, wanting to experience life- everything that it has to offer- together.

Upon flipping to a certain page, a familiar handwriting once again appeared before me. A simple sentence was written in the white space on the page. “It’s sunshine after rain. We’re together.”

-

MC: “Gavin, after you left, I read through the guest book some more and found the ending. They were together after all!”

Gavin: “Then one of them must have opened that door first.”

MC: Right. But if they had poured their hearts to each other from the beginning, then they wouldn’t have had to wait so long, would they?”

Gavin: “Maybe that person wasn’t afraid of knocking on the door. Maybe there was some other reason.”

His words made me think of that blood-stained letter, and the leaving without saying goodbye- or so I’d thought. The figure of someone waiting in a library seemed to form in front of me.

Again, MC had wondered “why couldn’t they confess?” almost like how people may have thought Gavin had every opportunity to confess to MC in high school.

But, the fact is, he really didn’t. Extrinsic forces, such as his father, his Evol and keeping MC safe from a distance had stopped him, or rather what MC further states, “perhaps the more you like someone, the more hesitant you are,” hesitated instead, because Gavin cannot fathom risking MC for absolutely anything at all. That is, until when he ran out of time and wrote the letter to her.

MC: “But if the rain had stopped, they would have missed it. If it was you, what would you do?”

Gavin paused. His hand holding the jacket stopped on my shoulder, while the other wipe away a bead of water from my face.

Gavin: “I would wait in the rain forever.”

He stared deeply into my eyes, and for moment I got the feeling that he wasn’t just speaking from hypotheticals. The feeling gave me an unexplainable hurtful sensation, and the rain continued to fall.

MC: “But the rain would stop in the end.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” This time he spoke without hesitation.

Gavin: “And if it did, I would wait for it to start raining all over again.”

The thing is, he really would wait for however long for her. He would persevere through life’s pains for her. He would be there time and time again to shelter her. He would go through all of it again just to meet her once more. SOBS SOBS SOBS

His calloused fingertip slipped from my cheek to my lip, bringing my breath to a halt for a second.

“Because there will never be another person like her.”

He caressed my bottom lip, and I could feel his warm breath clearly across my cheek. At seem point, my hand worked its way up to the side of his neck, an uncontrollable urge to get closer.

“Only you can find the real Gavin. Before meeting you, no one has ever entered his heart, because no one had ever reached it before. Only one person has ever broken though.”

Finally, his kiss fell upon my lips, along with a sightly chill wetness and that scent that only Gavin, had, taking my senses by storm. There was an emotion in his smouldering eyes that made my heart skip a heart, but it only scratched the surface, not going further.

The kiss was over in a moment, and only his scorching body heat still lingered distinctively on my lips.

“Now, I’ve knocked on the door.”

Without saying a word, I slipped my arm around Gavin’s neck and pulled him close, then closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his. Gavin froze, and his breath was immediately thrown off rhythm. But the next second, his hand was pressing the back of my hand, not giving me the chance to back out.

Perhaps… before you knocked on the door, I had already walked into the storm, to stand by your side.

The rain seemed without end. And we waited in the rain, for when the sun would shine again.

They’re willing to go through life’s pains in order to be with each other and live through the happiness they created together. MC fully accepts him the way he is, and instead of being under his protection, she’s willing to fight for him, beside him.

[borhap-au]

Joe Mazzello: the fluffy chronicles.

“You’d be better off with someone else”

Despite thinking long and hard, you weren’t able to answer the question “what you like the most about yourself,” because the truth was, there wasn’t such a thing. You hated your looks and your personality and your insecurity and… well, everything. The only good thing you found in your life was your relationship with Joe. He was a great boyfriend, very patient and understanding, but also loving and gentle. You loved spending your time with him – that is of course until the insecurity kicks in and ruin all the fun for you. You looked at him – a handsome, attractive man with a great sense of humor and amazing personality – and you couldn’t believe you dated him. But what you couldn’t believe even more, is why he dated you. In your opinion, he could’ve had any girl. He was charming, interesting and famous. There wasn’t a bad quality about him that you knew about. And yet he chose you, a “walking disaster,” as you liked to call yourself. And from that insecurity (and only from it, because Joe gave you no reason to think that) stem the idea that he will soon realize how bad you are, and how much better he can do, and he will leave you. So to save yourself some of the pain, you slowly started to distance yourself from him to make it easier later. It didn’t escape his attention.

You were sitting on a couch, watching a movie, but it wasn’t the usual scenario. Before, you would be snuggling to him and he would be petting your back. Right now, you were sitting at a distance, focusing on the movie instead of your boyfriend. He noticed.

“Y/N?” He looked at you concerned. “Did something happen?” He knew he had to be careful around you when you were feeling down. You were very fragile and he didn’t want to do anything to accidentally make it worse.

“No, why?” You looked at him for a short while and then came back to watching the movie. He moved closer to you and put his arm around you. You didn’t object, but your body was visibly tense.

“Are you sure? You seem a little different tonight,” he, on the other hand, paid no attention to the movie. He was completely focused on you.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you lied. It wasn’t a comfortable situation for you either. You missed his touch, but when you finally got it, you felt like you didn’t deserve it, like he should be with someone else right now, someone better than you. So you felt guilty for wasting his time.

“What’s with the distance then? And the sudden urge to watch the movie? We’ve seen it twice already, you never paid much attention to it,” he explained, but in truth, it wasn’t just about tonight. He felt your change of behavior much earlier than that, but for a while he thought it was just a phase that would soon pass.

“Third time’s a charm. I thought since we watched it so many times already, it would be nice to see the full movie at least once, to know what it is about,” he nodded at your answer. It sounded reasonable and you felt even worse about lying now that he believed in it.

He let it go for some time. Later that evening, you were making dinner and he came up to you, hug you from behind and started kissing your neck, as he usually did, to make your cooking a more pleasant experience. Usually you stopped, at least for some time, to enjoy his touch, but tonight you just continued making the meal ignoring his affection. You even moved away, trying to reach some ingredients, without minding his embrace. He stepped back.

“What is it this time?” he asked knowing very well it was never about the movie. He looked at you hurt and disappointed, but more in himself than in you. He hated the fact he couldn’t help you feel better.

“It’s nothing, really. I’m just really hungry, want to make the food quickly,” lies again. He didn’t fall for it twice, but he nodded his head, knowing you won’t tell him. You sighed seeing that. You didn’t want your last days together to be like that. You wanted him to have nice memories of you. “Don’t worry, Joey,” you muttered quietly while coming back to cooking. “The next girl will treat you better.”

“What?” he raised his brow, not believing what he just heard. “My next what?”

“Next girlfriend,” you repeated, not looking at him.

“Where did that come from? Why would I want another girlfriend?” he asked, visibly confused. He definitely didn’t expect to hear that.

“You know, someone who’s worthy of you. Someone… Who isn’t me,” it wasn’t easy to say, but it resonated in your mind for some time now. You believed wholeheartedly that you weren’t good enough for him.  

“If my future girlfriend isn’t you, then I don’t want her,” you smiled under your breath hearing that. It was very sweet of him to say that.

“Joey, we both know you deserve so much better than me. Prettier, skinnier, smarter and funnier,” you said, trying to smile, but it wasn’t easy. “You deserve someone who will make you happy, instead of constantly getting you down. You deserve someone around who you won’t have to mind your words. A relationship in which you can be yourself, unapologetically, without always doing something for the other person.”

“I am unapologetically myself around you. It doesn’t bother me that you feel down sometimes. I mean of course, it’s a problem in a sense I would immediately want to make you feel better and I don’t like when you’re sad, but it’s not a thing that would make me break up with you, ever,” he held your hand to show you he means it.

“Baby, you can have a girl that’s so much prettier than me. And sexier. What about your friend? Or my cousin, you know which one,” you said and he laughed softly.

“Really, girly? You’re going to advertise me other women?” he smiled and pet your cheek. “I don’t want any other type of figure or any other type of beauty. I want your beauty. Why do you think I’m not capable of making my own decisions? I’m pretty grown up actually. I know you and I love what I know. I fell in love with you and not anyone else. And I’m very content with my choice. So let me have what I want, okay?”

“You will soon realize how awful I am and change your mind. Just wait, I know you will. And I don’t want to be around to have my heart broken when that happens,” he sighed hearing that and took his hand away.

“Really? You think I’m so moody that I would break up the happiest relationship I’ve ever had because of a whim? We don’t fight, we have mutual goals and we love each other. Why would anything change if it’s all so good? I like it now, I want to see no changes apart from you being happier and more confident in this relationship, because we… Well, we love each other still, right? I mean, do you love me?”

“Of course I do. I would be a fool not to love you,” you answered.

“That’s exactly how I feel about you. I love you, and I want to be with you and you only. You’re perfect for me, no one else is,” he reassured you. You sighed.

“I’m not perfect,” you muttered, and he came to you and hugged you tightly.

“You’re perfect for me. There are girls who have other qualities, maybe they have something that you want, but for me, you’re all I need. You have all the qualities I want in a girlfriend. You say there are skinnier girls? Girls that feel happier more often? Maybe. But at the same time I’m sure they would be annoying, or bossy, or whatever else. They have other qualities, sure. Qualities I don’t need. I chose you with my sane mind. I knew who you are and I chose you. Now I got to know you even better and I would still choose you, every time,” you hugged him tightly and started crying quietly.

“Even if I’m so boring…?” you muttered quietly.

“You’re not boring,” he reassured you, petting your back. “Actually, you’re fascinating to me. I love listening to you, especially when you’re passionate about something. It’s just so entertaining to watch. And I love looking at you, because you’re just my type. You have such a unique type of beauty, it’s so hard to find someone like you. And I found everything I ever needed in you.”

“What if you find someone better?” you didn’t look up saying that.

“Better from perfect? I don’t think so. I don’t know how I can explain that to you in other words, but life is not about being skinny, having perfect hair and clothes. For me relationships aren’t about that. That actress that you like so much? If I were with her you would probably think “that’s what he deserves,” meanwhile I would be suffocating in that relationship. Because she wouldn’t want to spend time with me like we do together, she would have other priorities, she wouldn’t get my sense of humor or whatever else. Your personality is perfect for me. So is your body, but I assume you won’t believe in that yet. But it’s true. So please, don’t push me away. Having this distance between us is a torture, really. Please, let us both be happy. Just be with me, and I’ll try to do anything I can to appreciate you like you should be appreciated. Can you do that for me?” You slowly nodded your head and only then looked him in the eyes. He smiled at you and kissed your lips softly.

“You’re sure you don’t want anyone else?” you asked after the kiss.

“I’m sure. Can you please stop asking me this question? I want you and you only. Did I ever do anything to make you feel otherwise?”

“No…,” you muttered quietly.

“So, please, don’t overthink it. If I had anything new to say to you, I would just say it, I wouldn’t expect you to learn that from some signs I’d give you. Really, I love you, and I will continue to love you, even if you break up with me. But please, don’t. I’m crazy about you,” he smiled, petting your cheek. You stood on your toes and kissed him softly. He kissed you back.

“Thank you,” you smiled after the kiss.

“Don’t thank me for that. And come on, you were hungry. We got to finish the meal,” said and this time he actually helped you out, not just by kisses. Although he planted some on your head and shoulder, because without them, it just wouldn’t be the same.

[mischiefthedreamerx]

To Never Give Up

Summary: By mistake, Loki takes a portal leading him to New Asgard, where he meets Thor who is broken & hopeless after the events of Infinity War. Thor is given some closure and Loki can finally say goodbye.

Pairing: Loki x Sylvie implied.

A/N: Idk how Loki ends up in New Asgard in but that's irrelevant. Towards the end I kind of lost inspiration & ideas so it flopped a bit but I wanted to finish it.

Word Count: 3k

- - - - - - - -

Loki landed ungracefully with a loud 'thud' against a hard cold floor. As he lay down in his new surroundings, the awful smell of the room hit him first, making him scrunch up his nose. Getting up to his feet with an exhausted sigh, he took in the room. It was small, dull and unkempt. Only a slither of light broke through the closed curtains. Empty food packets and cans of alcohol littered the table and wooden floor. Loki saw some controls with wires connecting to a thin rectangular box next to a TV. The stoned-wall room looked abandoned, claustrophobic. How could anyone possible live here? Blankets lay over a gloomy sofa as if someone was sleeping on it too.

Loki cautiously walked around the room for any sign of life, avoiding treading on the litter or touching anything for that matter. He thought whoever lived here would probably not be much of a threat. Outside, he heard the sound of birds squawking and ocean waves.

The next thing he heard was a sudden high pitch creaking sound of a door opening. Loki conjured up a small dagger, eyes narrowing to the direction of the sound. Someone was home. The door closed and within seconds, the resident appeared in front of the room.

Loki’s dagger fell to the floor as he froze in place. He stared openly, wide eyed, trying to process who this heavy figure was. The figure in turn dropped a white plastic bag of food.

"Thor..?” Loki gasped in horror. His brother wore a grubby white t-shirt and a knitted cardigan, hair long and tangled. At first, Loki wasn't even sure it was Thor.

Thor mumbled out a bunch of incoherent sounds before managing to form actual words. "Loki..? Loki! You're alive!" He let out a laugh as he pulled his brother into a tight hug.

Loki was left speechless. Tears prickled in the corner of his eyes, hesitantly placing an arm around Thor to return the embrace. A warmth spread through him. Loki did not wish to let go though Thor eventually did.

A bright smile crossed his lips. “You bastard! You had me fooled there, thinking you'd actually died again! And for good this time. You truly are quite the trickster, brother. " The laughter continued as he pat Loki on the back.

Loki swallowed. "Thor..I'm.." His stomach ached at the thought of telling Thor the truth. "I'm not from this timeline." He guessed since Thor was not on Asgard that their home had been destroyed on this timeline by Ragnarok and Thanos had attacked. Loki placed a hand on Thor's shoulder. "I'm not your Loki." He said softly.

"Wait..this isn't another one of your silly little tricks, right?" He kept up his smile despite the uncertainty in his gaze.

Loki raised both hands in an attempt to calm his brother. "Thor. I need you to listen to me."

But he did exactly the opposite. "Please come in! Excuse the mess. I-i wasn't expecting visitors. Not that I, er, getting any.." Thor mumbled as he hurried in, removing any litter from the sofa and tidying the blankets. Loki turned to watch Thor helplessly, unable to move from his spot. He sucked in a heavy sigh. "Have a seat." Thor spoke.

Loki forced away the numbness in his limps and slowly sat down. "Thor, please. Just listen to me." He said in despair.

"Right. Of course." Thor muttered, siting himself down.

"What year is this?" Loki asked.

"Um.." Thor frowned, scratching himself. "2023."

"I've come from the year 2012." Loki explained. Thor stilled frowned.

"This isn't a joke is it?" His little piece of happiness faltered.

Loki shook his head, a pained smile reached his lips. "I wish it was."

Any trace of a smile left Thor completely. "So.. you're from another timeline..which means.." He sniffed. "..you're still.."

"Dead." Loki said. "Your Loki is dead." Loki felt a heaviness in his chest. Dead.

Thor wrapped his cardigan around himself. "Then why are you here?"

Loki took a moment to gather his thoughts. "It's a very long story. I took a portal and by chance it lead me here. To you." His gaze met Thor's. There was no sign of that prideful hero left in those empty eyes. Nothing that once resembled a would be King of Asgard, a saviour to many. Loki wasn’t sure it was a good idea to tell Thor about the whole TVA situation either.

“How come you’re alive?” Thor asked.

“After New York, I escaped with the Tesseract. I’ve seen a lot..I saw the events that happened to my future, from the Dark Elves to Ragnarok and the attack by Tha—“

“No. We don’t say that name here.” Thor choked out, cutting Loki off.

Loki nodded. Thor had lost everything and so had Loki too, though in return he found Mobius and Sylvie to help with the loss of his family but Thor was alone. Not even the avengers came to visit him from the sound of it. Loki fought the urge to let his fingers curl into fists.

"Sorry." Loki apologised. "So this is your new..home?" His eyes scanned the living room.

Thor fumbled with his fingers. "It's not much. After the..well, you know, the humans were kind enough to offer us this village. It's a bit fishy but it's all we've got. They even gave us a sign too." Thor forced on a smile. "It's not quite like home." He looked down at his lap.

"Asgard is not a place." Loki said.

"It's a people." Thor said quietly, finishing off the common saying amongst the Asgardians.

Loki knew he should not stay too long, it would only hurt Thor more when he left but maybe this was what they both needed despite not being from the same timeline. Loki told himself to go. Was it selfish to stay for a little while longer? Maybe this was meant to happen?

"Why don't you show me around this new kingdom of yours?" Loki suggested with genuine smile.

"No, I don't really go out much."

Loki stood up. If he was going to stay for a while, he wasn’t willing to be confined in this depressing room. "Well I'll just go ahead on my own, if you don't mind?" He smirked. "I'll be on my best behaviour."

Thor scrambled up to his feet. "I don't think that a good idea. You're suppose to be dead, they'll see you."

Loki chuckled. "No they won't. You still underestimate me, brother."

- - - - - - -

Loki concealed his presence from anyone nearby, though it wasn't too busy, some had gone out on their boats. They both walked along the pier, Loki had conjured up a black coat due to the weather. The sky was hidden behind grey clouds, as a breeze swept across the ocean. Rays of sunlight managed to break through occasionally. Thor briefly spoke about their job with trading and catching fish for nearby villages in this place called 'Scotland'.

After about half an hour of wandering along the pier, they both stood on a hill overlooking the coast and houses of New Asgard. Thor bent down, placing in hands on his knees to catch his breath.

"Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me. The exercise will do me some good." He said sucking in the ocean air before standing up straight, stretching his back. Loki gave him a moment to steady his breathing back to normal.

"So what are your daily king duties on this fine and wonderful kingdom?" Loki asked in light humour.

Thor scratched his brow in thought. "You know, king stuff, the usual. It's not like I stay inside all day shouting at a bunch of fools on a screen."

"Sounds..exciting." Loki said flatly.

"What about you? Causing chaos wherever you go?"

Loki thought of his words carefully, there was no need for Thor to know all the specifics when he already had enough to deal with.

"Something like that." He smiled. Chaos was too much of a small word to describe what he had gone through. "I've been protecting the sacred timeline." Loki joked with enthusiasm.

Thor frowned but did not question it. "Oh, yeah? And how's that going?”

Loki's facial features tightened. "Marvellous.”

Thor did not have the effort to ask Loki to expand on his response, he probably thought Loki was lying but it did not matter to him.

They both stood together watching the ocean. Loki closed his eyes, tipping his head back as he let the breeze blow against him, prolonging their time together. There was something about the ocean that brought him a sense of calmness. As Loki's eyes remained close, Thor turned to look at his brother who appeared to be so at peace, a feeling Thor had rarely often seen Loki experience.

"You've changed." Thor said absentmindedly, his voice mirroring the calmness between them.

Loki opened his eyes, a warm expression crossed his face. "I know. Seeing one's own life play out on screen was certainly an experience. I finally heard what I needed to hear for so long.” That he was loved.

"I met people I could trust.” Well, it was still an ongoing process for some part of it. “Someone who told me I could be anything I wanted to be, even someone good.”

A tinged of jealousy pinched inside Thor's chest. "Met anyone special along the way?" He nudged Loki with his elbow as he grinned.

"Well," Loki placed his hands in his pockets, letting out a nervous laugh. "it's complicated."

The shining grin remained. "I wish to hear about them.”

Loki shied away for a moment, trying to force his smile back but unfortunately failed to do so. "She's sometimes irritating and very reckless." His expression then softened. "She reminds me of how I used to be..so full of anger but deep down she's hurting, a lot. She doesn't trust, or let anyone in. Or even know what it’s like to love someone.”

"And then you came along with all that charm of yours.” Thor teased.

Loki scoffed. "Cut it out. We're..still figuring things out. I think."

"Truly, I am happy for you, brother. And what is this fair maiden’s name?" She was definitely far from a ‘fair maiden’...

Loki averted his gaze downwards, their last moment that they shared together played through his mind. "Sylvie." He said, almost as a whisper to himself. A name that weighed heavy in his heart.

"Sylvie." Thor repeated, testing the name. “You know, brother, for the first time in my life. I'm actually jealous of you. Who would of thought that?"

Loki frowned. "Jealous? Of me?" This would of once made Loki feel victorious that the roles had been reversed after many years but now it only pained his heart to see his mighty brother succumb to such sadness.

"I mean, look at you! All happy and in love. And then there's me. Barely even a king, I spend every day inside pretending I'm fine, it's not like most of my people haven't died when I was suppose to protect them or-or that half of the universe has been destroyed, that we failed them, failed each other and fell apart..” Thor rambled on. “We lost.”

"If this means anything to you; I still think you're worthy." Loki said softly. Thor turned with tears prickling in his eyes.

"I am?" He questioned, sniffling. “I’m not quite sure anymore.”

"You are forgetting who you are. You can't let Thanos take everything away from you. He is no god.” Loki knew mentioning Thanos would displease Thor but Loki knew the hard way that hiding your pain, forgetting that it exists, only made everything more worse. The only way out was to face it head on. Loki would certainly know.

Thor shook his head. “No, no. Loki, I can't. Not without you. I've lost everything." He trembled in his words. Loki regretted not leaving sooner. He had failed to comfort Sylvie, to save their trust within their final moments, now Loki had to find some way to bring closure to Thor who was possibly past his breaking point. Comforting others was a tricky task, a trait he had not quite naturally inherited from his mother.

"You don't need me. Our paths were destined to diverge." Loki had found a way to move on and Thor needed to do so as well. "All is not so lost, brother." When you live for so long, loss must be something you became familiar with but regardless of long you knew someone, there was never enough time for when you'd be ready to say goodbye.

"I know. I know." Thor mumbled to himself. Despite his larger size, somehow he seemed to cower into himself, making him seem so small.

Loki cleared his throat. "So the Avengers..they disbanded?" He asked.

Thor nodded. "Seemed that way. Not heard from them since the whole 'snap' disaster." They abandoned him, Loki thought in anguish, failing to hide the disgust in his features.

"The mighty so-called Avengers gave up, is that it?" Loki folded his arms across his chest.

"You seem angry, brother." Thor commented out of curiosity.

Loki shrugged. "They call themselves heroes, protectors against evil but when they lose, they go and hide away from their mistakes like cowards.”

"Then what makes someone a hero?"

Loki blinked several times, his annoyance was caught off guard by Thor's question. Someone who blindly follows the rules? Who uses their powers for fame and fortune? Those who believe they are perfect? But it seems after all, that they were anything but perfect.

"I don't know." Loki looked across at the waves, straightening up his posture and gave Thor his answer; "They are selfless, willing to sacrifice themselves for others without question. They don't just give up even when they lose. They keep on going." Loki attempted to keep his frustration under control but tendril of it managed to slip through.

A small smile portrayed across Thor's lips. "So is that who you are now?"

Loki frowned, turning his attention to his brother. "What do you mean?"

"A hero."

Loki chuckled. Him? A hero? He'd never stopped to think of himself as that. Loki had been many things, taken on many roles; the villain, a trickster, an outcast, a prince. But never a hero in the eyes of others or himself.

"Is that really such a bad thing, Loki?"

"I suppose not." Loki huffed out in uncertainty.

"Whoever said you could be anything you wanted to be was right." Then Thor repeated the words he once said to his Loki on Sakaar; "You could be more."

"Thank you." Loki spoke sincerely with a smile. Maybe he was thankful that he had stayed after all. A final chance to see his brother and for Thor to know that on another timeline, Loki was alive and well.

"No need to thank me, brother. I should be the one thanking you. I am glad fate has brought you here to me, to remind me of who I am."

"My pleasure." Loki nodded.

After a gloomy start to the day, the sun had won its battle against the clouds and shone its rays against the ocean, blessing New Asgard with its glorious light and warmth.

"Looks like the sun is finally making an appearance." Loki commented, looking upwards. "This place is rather melancholy to say the least."

Thor's eyes widened in bewilderment, his gaze switching between the sun and his brother. A tear trickled down his cheek. Fate was truly cruel in some ways. Loki noticed Thor's odd expression.

"Thor?"

Thor shook his head to escape himself from his thoughts. "I'm fine. And don't talk badly about my newly established kingdom. It's a...work in progress. Come back in a few years time and we'll have towers across these mountains."

"I'll take your word for it." Loki chuckled, though their happy mood soon faded. Loki would not be back here in a few years time. He would likely not come back at all. Thor picked up on Loki's sudden change of mood.

"Why can't you stay, Loki?" Thor asked despite knowing that he could not stay.

"As much as I would wish to stay with you, I can't. I.. have people wanting for me." He needed to find Mobius and Sylvie, to fix this mess that had unfolded, he will not run away. Thor nodded with a sniff.

"Will you at least come and visit?" He pleaded. Loki did not want to make any false promises, though he so easily could to make this less painful for Thor but in the long run, the guilt would soon eat up inside of him. He had enough of it to deal with already.

"Thor. I can't. I don't belong here."

Thor’s newly found confidence collapsed, hands beginning to shake. Loki made the decision to leave before the pain was too much to bear for both of them.

"No." Thor shook his head. "Don't leave me."

Loki placed a hand on his brother's quivering shoulder. "I have to. People need need me."

"To be a hero?" Thor managed to force smile as the tears shone in his eyes

"Well I guess." Loki smiled back before opening up his arms to embrace him in a hug. He let their embrace linger on.

"Don't give up." Loki whispered until they let each other go one final time. Thor did not have a chance to reply when Loki waved a hand of green sparks across Thor’s tear stained face.

"Goodbye, brother." Was the last words Thor heard before a gentle darkness overtook his sight.

- - - - - -

"Hey, man. You waking up anytime soon?" Said a voice. Thor felt something small and solid hit his face. "You're not dead are you?" Another minor hard object made contact with his cheek.

Thor had awoken, he was inside his beach hut, Korg stood above him catching a rock in his palm. "Sorry, hope that didn't hurt too much."

Thor ignored him, shrugging off his blanket as he stood up, stable onto his feet. There was a gleam of strength in his eyes that had been missing for far too long. A broad smile made an unusual appearance as the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Must of been some good dream you had there, buddy?"

"We need to contact the remaining Avengers." Thor demanded as he strode off towards the front door.

Korg scratched the back of his head. "Why?"

"Because heroes never give up!" Thor beamed.

Thank you, brother.

- - - -

@cazzyimagines @maciswack

[mochimiyas]

reassurance

pairings: platonic!sakusa kiyoomi x reader 

warnings: angst (fluff at the end), mentions of depression (subtly?), first time writing sakusa (so my apologies since he may be ooc), lowercase intended

a/n: ahhhh sorry for being MIA for a hot minute ): been busy with work and getting this new apartment since the one im living in is absolute dog shit. this fic is based on personal experience and i just need a little reassurance today, so its entirely self-indulgent <3 enjoy! content under the cut...

sakusa kiyoomi was utterly confused and internally, freaking out at the scene unfolding right in front of his eyes.

seeing you laying in your bed listlessly with tears staining your reddened cheeks was an unruly sight to see. sakusa felt his heart clench at the sight of you trying to lift yourself up to greet him but to only fail and fall back down in your bed, curling up in a ball. he looked around the room to see clean and dirty clothes thrown astray, boxes and boxes of takeout cluttered up around your trashcan, and papers laying haphazardly around you. 

the urge to cringe and shudder in disgust at the state of your room was immense, but for you, only for you, he held back in consideration to your feelings at the moment. 

you and sakusa have been friends since childhood, meeting through komori since you got transferred to the same class as him. sakusa couldn’t understand why komori wanted him to meet you so badly and once he did, he realized why. 

your personality is what drew sakusa to you like a moth to flame. seeing your cheerful yet calm disposition contrasted to his own. people often described you two to be “yin and yang,” and that you were destined to meet each other, which the former itachiyama ace scoffs at the ludicrous idea, but nonetheless brings a small smile at the thought of it. he couldn’t imagine a life without you, and you to him. your friendship with the ace is something he wants to cherish as much as he could, and seeing you spiraling downwards slowly kills him inside. 

sakusa quietly sauntered over to you and kneeled down near your bed, nudging you with his elbow. you lifted your head to see sakusa signal his head towards your restroom, indicating that he wanted you to clean up. you sighed as you unfurled from your position and stretched, groaning as some of your joints popped. you head over to the restroom to freshen up and once he heard the shower running, sakusa immediately went to work on cleaning. 

he wanted you to know that he was there for you like you were there for him. he wanted you to feel that you weren’t alone because you always spent time with him whenever his parents and/or his older siblings were too busy to come home. you’ve always went out of your way to show sakusa that you weren’t there for his looks, nor his celebrity status from being in msby. you were there long before that, and you were there because you genuinely wanted to be his friend, and sakusa couldn’t be more than grateful for that. you never asked for anything in return and he felt it was time for him to start showing his appreciation and gratitude for you.

~

“kiyoomi-chin? where are you,” you called from the restroom. you peeked into your room after you finished showering to see that your mask-clad friend was no longer in the room, causing some confusion. ‘where did he go?’ you wondered as you slung your towel around your neck and adjusted your clothes. turning off the light, you exited the bathroom and dropped your phone in shock at the sight before you. 

there wasn’t any clothes scattered about on the floor; no crumpled papers in sight and your takeout boxes was taken care of. the musty smell from staying in bed all day was gone and the faint smell of lysol and laundry detergent wafted through the air, the scent instantly comforting you. tears pricked at the corner of your eyes and you brought a hand to muffle your sobs. you couldn’t believe sakusa would clean up for you, let alone feel comfortable enough to see you in your previous state knowing of his sanitary tendencies. throughout the years, sakusa would subtly do minor things for you whenever you needed a hand but never something like this to this degree. 

you furiously wiped your tears and made way to your living room, hoping to see him; you wanted to thank and repay him for his kindness. 

the smell of sukiyaki* hit you with full force the moment you stepped into your living room and looking to the left, you see the chiseled back of the outside hitter cleaning all of your dishes. 

“kiyoomi”

startled, he turned to see you standing at the kitchen entry way with a misty-eyed look and stepped back from the sudden force of you hugging him like your life is depending on it. sighing, he took off his gloves, gingerly wrapping his arms around your shaking form. all he could hear was the muffled mantras of “thank you,” as he brought his hand to your damp hair and gently patted your head while you cried. 

“let’s eat some sukiyaki okay? the food is getting cold”

~

after eating the hearty meal sakusa cooked, you both sat down in your living room to watch some dumb cheesy drama as you basked in each others presence. the nagging feeling in the back of your mind was still there, lingering around. your mental illness was something that’s going to stick around for a long while, but with having sakusa by your side, you felt like you can overcome your demons. 

you turned to face sakusa, ”seriously kiyoomi-chin, thank you for cleaning up after me. i should’ve done it before you came over but-”

“no buts,” sakusa interrupted,”i don’t mind cleaning up after you, but i will say.”

you waited for him to continue as he cleared his throat. suddenly he felt claustrophobic and the walls were closing in on him, but the need for you to know his appreciation was stronger.

“i know i’ve told iizuna-san this when we lost at nationals during my second year, but this also applies to you. your mental illness brings you down and makes you spiral out of control. you shut yourself away from everyone and people worry about you. in that situation, it would be common sense to help you out and be nice to you. nothing else is necessary. but when i hear your people around you talk about how ‘it sucks to see you like that,’ then i feel even sorrier for you. you don’t deserve people pitying you just because. you deserve to have people around you to help you while you’re going through hard times. i haven’t done anything in the past to truly show my support for you, and i foolishly believed that you can overcome whatever you have going on without us telling you that you can,” you snorted at his pout and he glared at you. 

he continued, “but i was wrong. i want you to know that your efforts never go unnoticed. all the time and dedication you put into your work, school, and your friends around you; i’ve seen what you’ve done for others and for yourself. there will be a time your efforts will flourish and you’ll be at a better place than you were at before. if you ever feel like this again, just know i’ll be there like you have for me.” 

sakusa finally made eye contact and saw that you were tearing up again. he wrapped his arm around you and instinctively, you laid your head on his shoulder. the warmth sakusa radiated made you lean further into his body, making you feel secure and content. 

you couldn’t help but cry at his sudden declaration. it was so unlike of sakusa to say these sorts of things to you due to his realist personality. he tends to keep to himself and only says anything that would be of any substance in a conversation he’s in. so for him to go out of his way to clean up after you, let alone verbally showing his support for you makes you felt like you have a place in this world again. 

you both sat in silence after, him languidly stroking your hair and you slowly falling into a deep slumber. before you completely fell asleep, you called for sakusa, in which he turned his head towards you. 

“thank you for the reassurance. i’m glad we’re friends.” 

your eyes fluttered shut, and sakusa chuckled at your ability to fall asleep instantly. 

“i’m glad we’re friends as well” 

[punkgrogg]

Bakugou has a big heart pt.1

Pairing: Bakugou/Ojiro, (eventually Bakugou/everyone)

Genre: fluff

Warnings: none :)

Summary: Bakugou is in his second year and he’s not very good at dealing with his emotions

Length: 2,306 words

Notes: I’m back guys :) I have lots of new ideas for fics and have a lot of new stories outlined along with finishing what I left off last year.

Bakugou groaned internally, Cementoss just seemed to be droning on and on today. The constant emphasis on safety seemed a bit overkill at this point, they’ve sparred for three classes in a row so far without so much as a sprain. He could feel the sweat accumulating around his forearms as he baked in his thick gym uniform. Today they were going to spar in the gym and he couldn’t wait to fine-tune his newly developed special move. He expanded on the basics of just his normal blast by trying to rapid-fire and it has worked well during his solo practice sessions but today he could see how well it held up during a mock battle.

Finally, his teacher started to pair everyone up together and he was only slightly disappointed he didn’t get paired off with icy-hot or pink cheeks. Instead, he was paired off with the Monkey. Maybe this would work out for the better; after all, he wanted to make sure his close combat skills stayed sharp, he thought as he and Ojiro were propelled upwards by Cementoss. Instantly the karate kid started to circle Bakugou, his tail whipping left and right. He lunged forward with a high kick and Bakugou feigned to the right and sent a blast towards Ojiro’s left leg to knock him off his feet but suddenly Ojiro’s body was fully supported by his tail as he spun away from Bakugou. The fight continued like a dance, where there was a lunge there was a dodge. Each one of the pair barely landed more than a glancing touch. Sweaty and frustrated Bakugou finally leaped back one last time and tried his new special move.

It happened in slow motion, Ojiro was standing with his back to the base of a higher tower where another duo was battling it out, but Bakugou hadn’t aimed as well as he thought and his blast instead went to Ojiro’s face instead of his torso. Two blasts back to back that plastered him to the rock wall. Bakugou stood there with his mouth agape, his hands facing down. Ojiro wasn’t getting back up, he had his face cradled in between his palms and his tail wrapped tightly around his knees as he dropped down into a kneeling position.

“Cementoss! Injury!” Bakugou screamed as loud as the lump in his throat would let him. He rushed to Ojiro’s side and tried to pry his hands off his face so he could inspect the damage. Ojiro’s skin was scorched red and blood was smeared across his cheeks. Bakugou flinched back when Ojiro hissed in pain. The golden blonde boy curled into himself and kept his face turned away. Bakugou’s heart fell through his ass, how could he do this to Ojiro? Ojiro was supposed to dodge. He was supposed to block the blast and keep going. How had it turned out this way? The blast wasn’t supposed to be any stronger than what he used of the regular. Oh no, he was sweatier than normal, did that make his offense stronger than normal? He fucked up. Ojiro was hurt because of him.

Aizawa and Cementoss quickly arrived at both shellshocked boys. Bakugou was frozen with a hand still clutching at Ojiro’s gi. Ojiro was hiding his face, Aizawa was able to connect the dots and that was where the injury had occurred. He helped the boy get to his feet as Cementoss tried to comfort a speechless and uncharacteristically limp Bakugou. Aizawa led Ojiro over to Recovery Girl’s station by the entrance of the gym. She soothed the tense boy as she cleaned his wounds then kissed him. All tuckered out from the forced healing Ojiro went limp in his chair and started to doze off. The rest of the class had been lowered down to ground level and Aizawa was able to see his students all in varying degrees of concern.

Cementoss’s soothing words seemed to pass through Bakugou’s head as if they were light and he was the invisible girl. He barely took stock of being pulled to his feet and the sudden silence as all of his classmates stopped fighting was lost on him. Instead, all he could focus on was the whine of pain that Ojiro had made when Aizawa had pulled him away. It echoed in his head and his stomach was knotted in anxiety.

When the whole class was lowered to the gym floor Kirishima made his way over to his best friend. He could see that Bakugou was a bit shook up, “Baku-bro, you good?”

His question went unanswered and he couldn’t help but be concerned for the usually explosively eloquent boy. Kaminari flitted over to his friends, completely oblivious to the situation. He sidled up to Bakugou, arm slinging across the mute boy’s shoulders in familiarity despite being warned against it numerous times in the past. “So, King explosion murder, you won today?” he teased leaning into Bakgou’s face, the furrowing of the barely visible brows finally hinted at Bakgou’s darkened mood.

“I lost control… Denki, he's hurt because of me.” Bakugou whispered in a voice so vulnerable that Kaminari barely registered that Bakgou called him by his first name. His affable smile faltered, he side-eyed Kirishima whose face was contorted into one of concern. This was new. Bakugou had only ever used marginally clever nicknames for everyone- so Denki wasn’t quite used to his friend using not just his name but his first name.

“Ojiro’s okay Bakugou, if he wasn’t then Recovery Girl would be rushing him into her actual clinic,” Kaminari said making sure his voice came across as soft as possible. Bakugou’s shoulders only slumped further.

Aizawa called attention to himself and quickly dismissed the class to their dorms, assuring them all that their classmate would be in tip-top shape. He watched as they all filtered out of the gym quickly, except one of his problem children- Bakugou. He could tell by the way the usually proud boy stood almost defeated, that he was blaming himself for Ojiro’s injury. He watched as the platinum blonde nervously made his way towards the makeshift clinic. Which was really just a table filled with bandages, antiseptic sprays, and a couple of chairs set to the side that currently housed one-tailed individual.

“He’s okay?” is the first thing Bakugou could say when he got close enough to see the golden-haired boy’s unscarred face. The knot in his stomach started to loosen but the guilt still held him hostage.

“Yes, I'm just waiting with him to make sure he makes it back to the dorms,” Aizawa affirmed before leaning against the wall heavily. “You know it’s not your fault right? These things happen, especially during training. Ojiro is one of our less injury-prone students but he’s had his fair share of Recovery Girl’s kisses.”

“I lost control- this wasn’t supposed to happen,” Bakugou whispered meekly.

Aizawa said nothing, just looked up to the ceiling deep in thought. Bakugou continued to watch over Ojiro protectively until Ojiro’s eyes fluttered open- then he pointedly and looked away. Ojiro glanced around his surroundings as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His teacher asked him a few questions before nodding and walking out of the gym while calling back to the two that they better be back in the dorms by dinner. Ojiro questioningly looked up at Bakugou who seemed very occupied with not making eye contact.

“Were you waiting for me?” Ojiro asked quietly, he and Bakugou didn’t really get along that well but over the last couple of weeks, they’d managed a simple camaraderie. He was touched that anyone had stayed to wait for him but he was especially touched that the snarkiest boy in class was waiting for him. By the slight flush on the pale boy’s cheeks, Ojiro felt as if he got his answer so he smiled softly before standing up. Correction- tried to stand up. Ojiro’s body was a bit too tired and he stumbled forward.

“Are you okay?” Bakugou exclaimed as he caught Ojiro by the shoulders. His heart was in his throat and even when Ojiro steadied himself Bakugou wouldn’t let go.

“I’m fine, just a bit drained. It’s not as bad as when I sprained my tail.” Ojiro joked, trying to lighten the mood of the room.

“Lean on me, I'll help you back to the dorm. We don’t need you falling over and needing another trip to Recovery Girl.” Bakugou didn’t wait for a response as he hoisted one of Ojiro’s arms over his shoulder and held him firmly at his waist.

“Alright, thanks, dude.” Ojiro could feel his face warming at the firm hand holding his hip. He stepped forward slowly and Bakugou kept pace and gently urged Ojiro on. It took them about ten minutes to get back to their dorm hall and by then, both were making small jokes.

“Hey guys, you’re finally back!” Mina yelled as they entered the room, a gaggle of girls camping out on the couches in the common room.

“Yeah, sorry for worrying you all.” Ojiro smiled sheepishly. Bakugou adjusted his grip on Ojiro and when the other tried to pull away ever so slightly, Bakgou pulled him closer. For some reason, he felt protective of the fatigued boy, and the thought of him not needing Bakugou’s help may have made his heart clench uncomfortably.

“Aoyama and Yaoyorozu are in charge of dinner tonight and she said something about couscous, I don’t really know what that is but it has to be better than the burnt rice she made last time,” Uraraka informed the boys, and Ojiro’s face twisted into one of distaste.

“ Yeah, I’ve tried it during one of my mom’s food experiments and frankly I’m not the biggest fan.” He turned to Bakugou, “will you help me upstairs?”

“No problem Ojiro,” Bakugou nodded toward the elevator and they quickly made their way up- not noticing the open-mouthed faces of shock that crowded the couches.

They made it to the third floor and Ojiro led him towards his room wordlessly, and maybe he was leaning a bit more into Bakugou than he probably needed to but if you’d ever ask him he’d deny it. Bakugou was comforting to Ojiro’s weakened state and frankly who didn’t want a cute boy to help them in their time of need.

Meanwhile, Bakugou was facing his own dilemma, why in the world did each step toward the bed fill him with dread? Gritting his teeth and shoving down his confused emotions, Bakugou helps Ojiro lay down on his bed. “You good?”

He got a slight nod as an answer as Ojiro curled up under the covers, obvious exhaustion flooding his face. Feeling out of place Bakgouu started to step away but was surprised when Ojiro reached out and grabbed a fistful of Bakgou’s pants.

“Can you stay here for a second?” Ojiro mumbled, his face scrunched up against the pillow. A silent nod was all that Bakugou could manage, his heart in his throat, so he nervously sat on the edge of the bed near Ojiro’s knees. Ojiro peeked up at the nervous nelly and decided to tease him. “I was going to thank you for helping me but you look so cute when you’re nervous.”

It took a second to register but Bakugou flushed a deep ruby color and stood up abruptly, Ojiro smiled blindingly at his reaction until the hot head high-tailed it out of his room.

Well shit.

Bakugou closed the door behind him, being mindful not to slam it, he rushed to the elevator and jammed at the button until it finally opened. He quickly hit four and repeatedly pressed the close door button while his heart seemed to be beating in his ears. He knew his face was flushed- he could feel the heat it emitted. Once the doors finally closed he took a deep breath and patted his cheeks. Why was he even acting like this? The girls downstairs have called him cute in passing and he’d never reacted this way before. Maybe it’s just exhaustion from the rollercoaster of emotions he took today. Yeah, that must be it.

He was mostly calm and back to his usual skin tone by the time he made it halfway down the hall to his dorm but all of a sudden Kirishima stepped out of his room. “Baku-bro! Satou just messaged me that dinner is ready, want to head down together?”

“Not today, I’m tired.” Bakugou brushed past Kirishima and headed into his room while all but slamming his door. He flicked the lock and pressed his slightly warm forehead against the cool wood. He couldn’t help but feel as if his earlier assumption was wrong. He could still feel his heart racing from when Ojiro called him cute. Yeah, Bakugou knew he wasn’t ugly. After all, he took after his mom, he knew the old hag was beautiful. But hearing it from Ojiro was different than anytime before- maybe it had to do with how it built up.

Wait, how did it build up? Yeah maybe he felt different today but it was hard to pinpoint any of his emotions today. The protective urge Ojiro pulled out of him? He’d felt that before! With the shitty nerd and shitty hair especially. Though the urge to keep Ojiro in his arms when he had tried to pull away was new. He gently knocked his forehead against the door before trudging over to his bed. A glance at the clock on his headboard showed it was just after six. Way too early to fall asleep and as if he could. He didn’t understand what was happening to himself. He stared at the ceiling as the realization dawned on him.

Bakugou had a crush on Ojiro.