#I haven't gotten past it yet so if they do end up playing i WILL be posting my thoughts

[yumeka-sxf]

After the exciting start of a new Garden arc last time, today's new chapter did not disappoint either! First thing I noticed upon reading is - Yor's new outfit! (though you're not being very discreet with that "Garden" badge 😅)

Also that little lemur guy in the upper left of the panel is like "Wtf?!" I would think that too if a person suddenly leaped onto the tree branch next to me 🤣 (you can see him scurrying away in the next panel underneath...nice little detail from Endo there.)

Before I get into specifics of this chapter, I wanted to analyze the exchange between Yor and Hemlock in the jeep - namely, the Hemlock/Nightfall parallel, with Hemlock accusing Yor of losing her edge due to "playing house" for too long, which is exactly what Nightfall said to Twilight when she first appeared.

This made me think of an interview with Endo that was shared in the recent iterations of the SxF exhibition that's going on in Japan: when asked which character has changed the most in the series so far, he said Yor while also mentioning that Loid has barely changed. And I can see why that's the case with how Yor responded to Hemlock. Her experience during the cruise arc made her understand her own development - that now more than ever she wants to continue her work because she has more people she desires to protect.

She actually recognizes her own change and embraces it, while Loid...still hasn't gotten there yet. If we compare this exchange between Yor and Hemlock with the one between Loid and Nightfall, Loid clearly doesn't have this same self recognition about how living with the Forgers has changed him. He either genuinely doesn't know or he's in denial, which is why Nightfall is the one who points it out, and even when she tells him, he doesn't have a response.

One could argue that this may have been the case in old chapters, but ever since the mole hunt arc, he has recognized himself how he's changed. I do agree that the mole hunt arc made him realize that he's "softening" in a way, but he sees this as a detriment more than anything else. Unlike Yor who sees how her love for the Forgers has made her stronger, Loid sees it as something that will make him weaker rather than fuel his resolve.

We haven't seen much of Loid's deep inner thoughts since the end of the mole hunt arc, so only time will tell if he'll start to see his own development as something to be accepted rather than pushed away (just a note that I don't have a specific link for this part of the interview, but Fasionnessutsu shared screenshots of it in a thread here).

But anyway, back to other thoughts about this chapter, it was no surprise that even though Yor and McMahon changed into these safari-looking outfits, Hemlock is still wearing his suit. Why am I not surprised someone like him would totally refuse to wear that? 😂

And omg, the fact that Yor is still hung up about the "welcome home" kiss 😂 The fact that she's so earnest about it all this time later means...something, lol.

Also McMahon having a wife...it was kind of vague here but I wonder if she knows about his undercover work? Probably not, but would be interesting to see how much of his marital situation mirrors Yor's.

We apparently got another minor character introduced in this chapter - McMahon's pet falcon (and scouting assistant) Keekee.

In the Japanese version he calls her "Kiki-chan," with "kiki" being the sound she makes. It's nothing big, but I just found it amusing that a stoic, no-nonsense guy like McMahon calls his pet bird "-chan" 😅

The flower that Damian and company found has returned! I mentioned in my last chapter post that it may have some connection to Anya's past - we'll see!

This chapter ends on quite the cliffhanger, with Hemlock attacking Yor because, according to him, she's an impediment to his work and he's allowed to get rid of such impediments. We've already seen several examples of how quick to kill he is. Compared to Yor who tries her best to only kill "bad guys," Hemlock's first notion for anything in his way is to kill, whether it's the deer he's supposed to protect, or a fellow assassin he thinks is dragging him down.

Again, there's parallels that can be drawn between him and Nightfall, but unlike Nightfall whose obsession is fueled by idolizing Twilight, Hemlock's obsession seems to be fueled by animosity for Yor. Where that animosity came from is something we'll hopefully see in upcoming chapters. My theory is that, at some point, Hemlock idolized Yor and is now upset that she seems to have "softened," or he's always been jealous of her and now is even more enraged that she's not taking her job seriously anymore. Whatever the case is, I look forward to seeing how it plays out 👀

[smolandweirdwriter]

ally and siobhan planted the seed in my mind and now i MUST see adaine and kristen play each other in pool. just for the bit, because this is how i imagine it going:

kristen: where did you learn to play pool?

adaine: *flashbacks to her father having those 'after-dinner-smoking-and-games-with-colleagues' moments in her childhood* we had a table in my house

kristen: *lining up her next shot* oh. that's nice.

adaine: yeah. what about you?

kristen: OH during my huge 'rejecting helioic traditions' phase, i decided i wanted to learn, um you know, drinking games and stuff are sinful to helioic worshippers, which is weird because Helio's literally a fucking frat boy. it's a VERY messed up religion, the more i think about it.

adaine: yeah, I'm sorry. so tracker taught you?

kristen: *flashbacks to tracker doing one of those 'here-let-me-teach-you' moments where they're pressed up together and end up making out* yeah.

[spockiguess]

(Not necessarily a request, unless you feel inspired haha)

Oh god, the brain rot plot bunnies multiplied, and I wanna share some Dr. Robby ideas you might like:

What do you think it'd take for Dr. Robby to indulge Reader in that glove kink? Given just how...chaotic the Pitt is, compared to John Carter's time in the ER, Robby probably wouldn't be up for doing that at work (...or is he? 🤭), so they'd probably indulge that kink at home? Would he be up for it the moment the Reader mentions it, or would he be like "you really want me to bring my work home?"/"I am too old for this shit" and Reader would have to beg convince him?

...ooooh, what if it's a part of, like, a roleplay for the two: the charismatic Dr. Robinavich and his sweet and innocent patient, Reader? Or, perhaps (age gap) Reader's miserable due to period cramps, and sweet loving Robby just wants to help his darling Reader feel good? Or, or, or...so many ideas 😂

(...God, I think about glove kinks and associated kinks wayyyy too often...🤣)

Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch Drabble

Warnings: Smut, Glove Kink, Doctor Kink, Age Gap Relationships, Fluff

Pairing: Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch x FEM!Reader

A/N: I hope this is okay! It's mostly a stream of thought, pretty much, lol!! Thank you so much for the request-not-request, haha! I love it!!!!!

Michael Robinavitch would come home early in the evening after having spent the day tirelessly working at The Pitt, his eyes a little duller and weary with exhaustion.

There, he'd smell the fragrant, warm scent of spices from whatever you decided to cook for dinner that day still hanging in the air.

His stomach would rumble, but that can wait, he thinks, because in the twelve hours since he's last seen you, he's craving your attention and presence.

He feels somewhat guilty for it; he's so attached to someone half his senior--shouldn't it be the other way around? Still, he can hear the shower running somewhere in the background, past the quiet chatter of the television playing as he walks past the living room.

So, he'll venture into your shared room and bask in the new smell of your body wash and shampoo--sweet and flowery. Some days, when you're out for groceries or reuniting with friends, he'll lay on your side of the bed and take deep breaths while smushed into the covers. That's how he's able to get the best naps in between shifts, inhaling what is uniquely you.

Now though, the sound of your soft singing floats through the bedroom and leaves him feeling slightly rejuvenated already. Like a siren's call, he thinks lamely.

Opening the door to the bathroom, your singing becomes a little louder, more echo-y as it bounces off of the cutely decorated walls of one of your shared spaces. Ever since you've moved in, you've taken to refurnishing Robby's entire house, making it feel more like a home in the process. Robby doesn't mind at all.

"Hey, sweetheart," Robby would say, throwing his jacket out of the bathroom and watching it fall somewhere on the bed nearby, "I'm home."

Your head would peek out from behind the curtain, eyes wide with excitement, "Hey, babe! I was wondering when you'd get home."

Robby would laugh as he begins to discard his clothes and dispose of them indiscriminately. You'd ask, "Coming in?"

Robby would respond with a question, "Can I?"

You'd chuckle lightly, "Of course, you can! Do you want me to rub your neck once you get in?"

Robby would groan, "Yes, please. I've got this crick in it that isn't going away."

Then, you'd wave him in, not at all stealing a glance once he's fully naked. You still haven't gotten used to that yet, just the sight of Robby's naked form excites you to no end. Robby wouldn't say this yet, but he's already getting riled up at the thought of sharing such an intimate moment with you, too.

Once Robby's in, you'd awkwardly switch places with him so you'd have better access to his neck. Your hands, so soft and inviting, would easily rub out any knots or wound lumps in Robby's neck, forcing him to moan.

Just the comfortable silence, save for a moan here or there, would get both of you in the mood for something more. From this position, you can't see the erection Robby is sporting while you work your magic.

As you're about to stop, a thought you haven't been able to abandon would shove into the front of your mind and beg for your attention. You wouldn't want to bring it up now, but you simply can't help yourself.

"Hey, Robby?"

"Hhm?" Robby would moan out.

Your hands would fall and grasp each other as nervous energy wracked your body.

"Um, can I ask you something?" You'd say in the sweetest, most innocent voice possible.

Robby would then turn around and see the position you've taken up: hands wringing and head tilted downwards.

Robby would goad you to open up, to which you'd respond with what's been bugging you for a couple weeks, at this point. You'd want Robby to be Dr. Robby at home, just for once. To examine your body like one of his thousand patients and help you along to what you're craving most.

Robby would laugh to himself, hand running over his beard as he considered the possibility, "I'm way too old for this."

You'd squeak with embrassement, "Just ignore it! It's nothing, anyway. Just a thought."

But Robby loves you, and he wouldn't be able to lie to himself; he'd like to play around with the idea, too. So, Robby would console you and give in to your desires, despite his age.

This would lead to him getting all dressed up once you're both out of the shower, (just his work clothes and usual stethoscope, along with his ID to seal the deal). Excitement would course through your veins as you watch him glove up from the bed, entirely naked.

Then, he'd approach the side you're laying on, "I'm Dr. Robinavitch, but you can call me Dr. Robby, what seems to be the problem today?"

You'd struggle to stay still, which would entertain Robby, to no end. But you'd inform Robby of your "problem," and he would begin his "work."

His smooth, gloved hands would feel shockingly cold against your still hot skin, and the blue latex would stick to the damp parts of your body as they glided every which way. Then, Robby would begin to feel every curve in the name of medicine, asking if anything hurt or not.

You'd shake your head no when his hands ghosted over your plush hips, but shake your head yes when his hands would make their way up to your breasts.

"They hurt, a little. I think they need a massage," you'd say, your intentions bare for all to see.

"We can certainly try that, Miss," Robby would respond with before giving your breast a firm squeeze. The icy latex would make your nipples rise and pebble instantly, the slightly tacky material only adding to the sensations the gloves brought.

Robby would massage your breasts for a couple of minutes, getting rock hard as he saw you squirm underneath his touch. Gentle moans would leave your velvety lips, and Robby would have to strain not to slide a thumb between them and have you suck.

Then, Robby would ask, "Is this helping? How much has the pain receded?"

"Not much," you'd answer, "I think it's my nipples that are hurting."

"I see," Robby would say, "Maybe we can try something a little different?"

"Like what?" you'd gasp.

"Well, some physicians believe that the mouth can help with pain. Would you like to try that?"

You'd moan out a yes, to which Robby would eagerly bend down and take a firm nipple in his mouth. He'd swirl the skin around his tongue, sometimes edging the pebble with his teeth, making you jump with pleasure.

After awhile of alternating attention between each breast, you'd want something more, so you'd tell Robby about this. Robby would understand your hasty words and begin to trail his gloved hand down the length of your body.

Finally, Robby's hand would reach your mound, a cool presence against the burning heat there.

"Is this okay, ma'am?" Robby would ask. You'd nod a fervent affirmation, to which Robby would sneak his hand even lower and have his gloved fingers meet the sticky, wet heat of your cunt. Even through the gloves, Robby would feel just how much wetness is pooled there.

Then, Robby would gather this wetness and spread it across your cunt before focusing on your clit. There, Robby would apply a firm pressure as he moved his fingers around the bud, causing you to shake from it all.

You'd thrash with pleasure, which would force Robby to say, "We need you to lie still, ma'am."

But you wouldn't be able to help it, not when the tacky latex of his fingers swam through your folds and penetrated your cunt's entrance. Especially not when they sheathed themselves inside of you and curled inwards.

Eventually, you'd be reduced to a blubbering mess, choking on your own tears as Robby pulled orgasm after orgasm from you.

You'd think to yourself, "We have to start playing doctor more often."

[alllgator-blood]

PINNED POST TIME! I figured I should make one because I do comics, and I kinda gave up on linking all the parts in the description cause it got annoying.

Soooo...click "read more" to get links to all my comic pages in chronological order! This doesn't include shitposts for the most part but I added the untitled/short ones at the very bottom

My comics in order of when they occur!

I name every comic after song lyrics, but the song rarely has anything to do with the actual comic, felt the need to link them anyway though

'IT'S JUST A BURNING MEMORY'

A short while after the schism happened, Leshy starts to become frustrated with how Kallamar and Heket seem to be hiding Shamura from him. They try to convince him that Shamura isn't ready for visitors, but he slips past their defenses and goes to visit Shamura himself...only to realize his oldest sibling doesn't seem to remember him.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5)

(title is from Heartaches by Al Bowlly)

'THE UNPAYABLE DEBT THAT I OWE YOU'

Kallamar hasn't gotten a break from their duties for quite some time, and figures they've done enough good deeds for the family to earn a day off. But as more responsibilities pile up, more of the family gets hurt, more research needs to get done, Kall realizes they maybe won't ever catch a break.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5)

(title is from Kettering by The Antlers)

'IN LITTLE WAYS, EVERYTHING STAYS'

Leshy is having a good time on his way to a checkup, but accidentally sees his reflection for the first time since his eyes were removed. He ends up talking to Kallamar about it, and the two have a discussion about what it means to feel like a replica of the person you once were rather than the same person.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

(title is from Everything Stays sung by Olivia Olson)

'FOGGY STREETS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS'

Leshy throws a Yule party after many years of the family not celebrating it, but it's not really as joyful as any of the siblings hoped it'd be. Heket is drinking a lot, Kallamar is wearing their iconic fake smile, and Shamura is physically present but mentally absent. Leshy, trying to stave off a meltdown, starts to play a song that ends up being familiar to the entire family.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

(title is from Classic J Dies And Goes To Hell by Glass Beach)

'TAKE ME SOMEWHERE NICE'

The party is winding down. Shamura is tired, Heket and Leshy are rowdy, and Kallamar decides to put his sibling to bed in the guest room. But while Shamura seems happy and fairly lucid, the conversation turns dark quickly as they ask Kallamar to promise them something.

(full comic)

(title is from Take Me Somewhere Nice by Mogwai)

'YOU AIN'T AS YOUNG AS YOU USED TO BE'

After Kallamar was found unconscious on their bedroom floor, they decided from that point on that rest + relaxation were mandatory for the entire family. Heket begrudgingly agrees to take it easy for a single day to appease her sibling, but only then remembers why she wouldn't allow herself rest. Plagued by visions of Shamura's atrophying body, she returns to Anura and tries to work like normal, quickly realizing her own body isn't holding together well either.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (THIS ONE'S UNFINISHED, I didn't like the original ending so I'll get back to it someday!! Part 4 is pretty much complete I just haven't posted it yet)

(title is from It Might Be Time by Tame Impala)

'I WENT BACK AND WISHED I HADN'T'

Shamura, suddenly remembering a promise they made to Narinder many thousands of years ago, begins to look for him in the temple to finish a game of hide-and-seek. They grow increasingly confused as they struggle to find him, but swear they caught a glimpse of him when they walked in...

(part 1) (part 2)

(title is from The Moon by The Microphones)

'YOU'RE ALL I NEED'

After Shamura's breakdown over not remembering why Narinder is gone, Kallamar checks on them and is hurt by them accidentally. Heket happens to come by right as Kall is trying to leave, and the three simultaneously grapple with the memory of the schism in different ways. But despite the tension in the temple and the two most composed bishops being mentally incapacitated, Heket pulls it together long enough to help Kallamar out of a dissociative episode.

(part 1) (part 2)

(title is from All I Need by Radiohead)

'KIDS THAT I ONCE KNEW'

In the Lamb's cult, they and Leshy are kept awake by a screaming baby caterpillar who can't seem to be sated. They get into an argument with him, wandering off and not realizing until it's too late that the ex-god of war has managed to make off with the baby...and seems to find that it looks very familiar to them.

(full comic)

(title is from Dead Hearts by Stars)

the song is kinda "stomp clap hey" coded but I found it in a warrior cat AMV when I was a preteen and the lyric DID fit the comic, so....

'WE COULD BE HAPPY, YOU AND ME'

After a pretty average day in the Lamb's cult, the Lamb winds down and starts going over everything they've accomplished thus far. Shamura wanders in and seems to be talking crazy, as usual, but asks a simple question that begins to break the Lamb down quicker than any threat or attack ever has: "are you okay?"

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

(title is from Apple Pie by The Scary Jokes)

ASSORTED RANDOM COMICS THAT ARE UNTITLED BUT ARE STILL WORTH BEING ON THIS MASTERPOST:

The very first angst comic I ever did, about that "five becomes four becomes..." dialogue shamura has

The shamura-explains-their-gender comic

Two-panel comic about shamura telling the younger sibs a story, and then being told the same story in the future

Comic about heket someday being strong enough to carry shamura

Comic where the lamb abuses the shit out of the bishops in the cult, but gives shamura a break for some inexplicable reason

Comic where Narinder gives his siblings a little gift as reparations for his fucking war crimes against them

[inkdrinkerworld]

i know u were asking for soft dom remus: reader cuts her finger after messing around with a knife or scissors after remus told her to be careful!

sorry this was such a delayed response, still I hope you enjoy <33

"Ouch, fuck." Remus looks up from his laptop immediately, finding you cradling your finger with a few tears streaming down your face.

"What's a'matter, dove?" he asks, already pushing out of his seat and coming over to the kitchen to see what's going on.

Your teary eyes flit up to him, nibbling on your bottom lip as you decide whether or not you should tell Remus.

In the end you don't have to, because your boyfriend spies the cantaloupe and the poorly cut rind on the floor and the blood on the knife.

"Cut my finger." you say with resignation, putting your hand in Remus' with a sniffle.

"My love," he murmurs, kissing your finger and then opening the tap. "C'mon, let's get rid of all this blood, hm."

You let Remus guide you closer to the sink, hissing as the water touches your skin and Remus tuts.

"You're okay baby, you're okay." Remus pulls the first aid kit from under the sink and holds two bandages up to you. "What d'you think, dove? Plain or cartoon?"

Remus is humouring you. You both know which bandage you're going to choose, but he likes giving you the choice regardless.

"Cartoons." he kisses your forehead as he rips the paper off it. "M'sorry I tried doing it myself and got hurt."

Remus rolls his eyes, "Dove you can do things yourself, I'm never stopping you from that," He wraps the band-aid around your finger, and presses a kiss to it. "But," Remus tips your chin up. "You know the melons are always tricky for you. I don't like when you get hurt, but I'm not upset with you."

You nod, tears pooling in your eyes again that has Remus tucking your face into his chest and rubbing down the length of your back. "I just really want to be able to do it myself. The rough skin never makes you cut yourself."

Remus chuckles, lips pressed into your hair as your tears slow down. "I can show you baby," he promises and you perk up, pulling away from him quickly.

The unshed tears hang on your waterline like diamonds glittering in the sun. Remus thinks even tear stained you look like an angel. "Right now?"

He smiles, "When haven't you gotten your way with me?"

You smile wide and bright like midday sun and Remus' heart warms under it. "Well, if you must know, when you banned me from having coffee past three in the afternoon."

Remus only shakes his head, hands on his hips as he props you up on the counter top and washes the bloody knife and cutting board. "I'm pretty sure you still get caffeine even after then."

"That's just semantics. It's not coffee though is it?" You rebut as Remus starts carving away at the rough skin of the melon with an ease you've yet to master.

"Brat," he mutters and your answering whine is too adorable for his smile not to break through. "Let's add another thing to that list, no cutting melons for at least two weeks."

You sigh like it's a travesty, but honestly, you're taking a break from learning how to do it. "If you insist."

Remus knows you too well, still he plays along. His voice alight with amusement, "I insist on keeping you alive until well after we get married baby, so no knives for the foreseeable future."

He feeds you a cube of melon before you can say much else.

[hai7ani]

mmmm no super great ideas for you but im craving for virgin!rindou and single mom reader… aaaaaauhagghg.

collection

慢一點，久一點，真一點。

Rindou initiates the talk first.

It happens on a game of WNRS in your living room, takeout boxes long forgotten on the coffee table. The TV is playing a movie you're sure neither of you are really watching, yet you still want to pretend that you are.

You've been giggling at him for the past hour. He's a pretty funny guy, you think. Doesn't have as big of an ego you thought guys like him would have.

He's a nerd who's always so observant and nice. He's nice to you, your son, the ladies living in your apartment complex who always needs help switching light bulbs because they're too old for that now. One time behind doors Yuzuha's said that she'd smash if he weren't such a loser all the time.

(You think he is, too.

But it's what that makes him so... fuckable.

You think it's bad that you keep having these thoughts, knowing that you're most probably leading him on.

You're not ready yet.

But your heart still thumps weirdly when he comes to visit with warm food and occasionally new toys that you can tell he's had a hard time picking for your boy 一 because he's somehow always one colour off, or one category away.

When he bought Hot Wheels, the kid's already moved on to playing Legos. And when he gifted an expensive Star Wars set that he saved up for, the little shit just has to be in his Mommy phase.)

He gets embarrassed easily and you can just tell he's a virgin with the way he treats porn magazines that Yuzuha has somehow gotten her hands on, stuffed behind cabinets so that Shou doesn't find them. Neither of you let her know that she's been exposed, but it's more fun this way.

He's just a guy. Genuine, very smart despite what he says. Not book smart, but he reads up on things a lot. A bit clumsy at times, but he's still responsive than most men.

He's easy to talk to. Easy to know.

Easy to一

"What's a compliment you wished you received more frequently? Oh, dang. I gotta think about this." He flips the card around, throwing his head back onto the couch.

And yet again一

"Do you wanna go first?"

What are guys like him?

"I wish more people told me I was pretty."

Your response came to you naturally. It poured like waterfall, thorny chain tightening around your heart, squeezing your flesh tight, and you busy yourself with a loose thread on your blanket.

Rindou only stares at you from the other end of the couch. Almost like a deadpan, but not really. His violets pierce through your soul, dissecting you up one by one. You don't make eye contact even when you can hear the silent screams for you to look at him.

"You're kidding."

"What? It's true."

"No. I mean, no one tells you that all the time?"

You crack a smile, glancing up to take just one quick look. He's still as handsome as ever, boyish features much more prominent under the yellow light illuminating the room.

Soft nose, pretty doe eyes. Cracked lips pink from the Malatang you love eating. Veiny hands 一 one thick, desirable finger twirling around the drawstring of his pants 一 that draws you in so close you can't help but go wild at the sight.

"What, you think I'm pretty?"

He doesn't cough like you'd expected him to. Doesn't get embarrassed or act any more like a classic, textbook virgin at your poke.

"Yeah. You're pretty." His voice gets softer with every syllable. Dodgy eyes looking away with each word.

You don't respond at that, but you can't lie that his compliment did make you feel something swirling on the inside. Something blooming in your tummy from the way his eyes look into your own.

It's true 一 you haven't been told for your looks as much as you've always wanted. You're hot, you're sexy, sure 一 but you haven't been pretty to them. You've always hoped that they could see past your body 一 to see you for who you are on the inside.

"You're一" He shifts in his seat, suddenly feeling a little too hot, heart beating a little too fast in his chest. "You're pretty, okay. You always spend too much time in the mirror but I think you're fine just like this."

You purse your lips, listening.

"You're... Shit, I'm一"

You understand him when he throws his pillow to the side to run fingers through his hair. He's not always good with words, hasn't always been. But he still tries, and you like that about him.

He always puts in effort.

"You're pretty, like music. There's no boundaries, no... box. You can be anything. It's cool."

You grin at that. "Really?"

A nod. "I can tell you that everyday from now on."

An awkward silence too heavy for any of you to handle covers the room like blanket too fast. The soft, anticipating smirk on his face drops when you shift in your seat, clicking your tongue. Fingers scratching at your brows, teeth biting into the corners of your lips.

"Rindou, I'm sorry if I have been leading you on, I一" You sigh. "I don't think I'm ready for一."

"No, wait一" He tries inching a hand towards you but you dodge. "I thought we一 Aren't we onto something here?"

Rindou feels pathetic. He feels as if he's reaching for something that seems close but is still so, so far away.

"No, I'm sorry. I'll pay you back for tonight's dinner. And I don't think you should come over so often anymore. I'll talk to Shou-chan, have him understand."

He lets out a breath too short, standing on his feet as if it'll help him figure you out better. "Why? Is it me?"

"I just don't think it's fair to you, okay? We should stop. I'm sorry."

"What isn't fair to me?"

You give him a look so sad that his heart hurts.

"You're gonna be dealing with a kid that's not yours. He's hyperactive and naughty before bed. He's picky with food and doesn't like taking showers. Worst of all you're gonna be dealing with me. I'm not easy. I'm difficult to manage, to handle, to一 You'll not like me anymore when you see it for yourself. Guys like you deserve better things."

Fuck.

Rindou scrunches his brows, face twisting into one of confusion, one that makes you seem crazy for saying what you said.

"Why do you say these things about yourself? Why do you say these things about him? He's just a kid, I'm not good with kids but I'm sure I can handle him out of all." He throws his hands up in the air a little. "And, seriously, guys like me? What am I like? Why do you assume that way about me? I'm not that kind of person. I don't like doing that."

You fight the tears threatening to fall. It hurts, to say the least.

"Like, why do you think I've been around for so long? I would've turned on my back long ago if you and Shou were so hard to love."

requests are open

[sanguineterrain]

hi sanne!!! my mind has been rotting with assistant!reader x dick, and i literally can’t get it out 😭. i'm in love with your writing and reblog everything! thank you so much, have a great day!!

cute idea! I gave it a little twist ;) hope u enjoy!

dick grayson x gn!assistant!reader. flirting, secret identities, sparring.

****

Bruce Wayne is evasive on a good day and downright invisible on a bad one.

So when you see him down the hallway from his office, attempting to escape without being caught, you nearly trip on your feet trying to catch him.

"Mr. Wayne!"

His shoulders rise with tension. You pity the guy, you really do. Being a gazillionaire is tough.

"Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne, Sharon has been hounding me about the charity dinner. Please, if you could just go to this one dinner... you haven't been to an event all month."

And you're getting the brunt of it from all of WE's clients.

Bruce turns, his smile looking more like a grimace. "Hn. Hello. A dinner? I was sure I had a shareholder meeting that day—"

"All month? B, what happened to the two event minimum? That's your rule."

The new voice comes from behind you. Dick Grayson walks down the hallway, wearing jeans that probably cost as much as your monthly rent.

"Mr. Grayson," you say, nodding primly. "How are you?"

You shift the files in your hands as they start to slip. Dick is quick to catch them, balancing the stack.

"We've been through this," he says with a smile. "You know you can call me Dick."

Yes, you've been through this. Every time Dick shows up to Wayne Enterprises, he tells you to call him by his first name. And every time after that, you call him Mr. Grayson.

"Right..." you say, taking back the files. You turn to Bruce. "Mr. Wayne, if you would just consider the dinner..."

Dick gives Bruce a severe look. "B, this is ridiculous. You're such a stickler for rules and yet—"

"Oh, look at the time." Bruce scoots past you and Dick. "I've got that meeting with Lucius. Where does the day go? Please tell Sharon I'll get back to her."

You can't understand how a guy whose biggest exertion is made by playing tennis at the country club can slip through your fingers so fast. He's around the corner before you can blink. You sigh.

"Don't worry," Dick says. "I'll get him to go. And I'll get one of my siblings to tag along to make sure he doesn't duck out early."

You smile briefly. "I'd appreciate that, Mr. Grayson."

"Dick. So!" He trails behind you as you make your way back to your office. "Do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Working."

"O-kay..." Dick jogs ahead to hold the door open for you. You push through, trying not to frown. "What about tomorrow night?"

You toss your scarf on the hook. It ends up on the floor. You ignore it.

"Still working."

"How 'bout I ask B to give you the day off then?"

Now it's your turn to give a severe look. "If you're implying that I'd be obligated to go out with you in return for a day off, you've completely misjudged my character, Mr. Grayson."

"Whoa, okay." He holds up his hands. "You're right, that didn't come out right. How about I get him to give you a day off, no strings attached?"

You dump your files and sit at your desk. "That's at your discretion."

"Hey." Dick leans on your desk, puppy eyes at full power. "Maybe we've gotten off on the wrong foot. Did I do something that put you off? I'd like you to tell me if I have. I hope the fact that I'm Bruce's son isn't stopping you from being honest."

You put down your pen and look at him. "Look. You seem like a nice guy, and you're handsome with a rich dad to boot. But I'm just not available, okay? You're looking for someone to go to Tahiti with. I respect that. But I'm not that person. I'm just not interested in that."

"You think I'm handsome?"

You sigh and open your laptop.

"Right! Sorry. Not the point." Dick sinks into a crouch next to you. He pulls the oddest poses sometimes, like he's made of rubber bands. "Okay. You're not looking for a trip to Tahiti. Got it. I don't take many vacations anyway. So how about having a friend?"

"And why would you want to be my friend? I'm just some assistant."

"Well, I..." Dick scratches his neck. "I like you. Is that so hard to believe?"

Very. But okay. You can throw him a bone.

"I guess not," you say.

Dick frowns. "You don't believe me."

How does he do that?

"Can I please get back to work?" you ask, only a little worried about being rude. "I'm sorry, I'm just very busy."

His face falls briefly before he stands and nods.

"Of course. No problem. I'll see you around? And I'll get B to go to that dinner."

"Thank you."

You don't notice his lingering looks, or the fact that he picks up your scarf and places it on the hook on his way out.

****

3...17...64.

The safe clicks. You smirk. Easy peasy. The hotshots always use their own birthdays for combinations. Predictable. You bet Bruce Wayne does the same.

It's a blessing that you were able to duck out early today. Bruce gave you the rest of the afternoon off. You suspect that was due to some outside meddling.

You take out the files from D.A. Colson's safe. You always say that if crooked district attorneys don't want their documents stolen, they shouldn't put them where anybody can find them.

...Maybe you were too harsh with Dick. He's sweet, no doubt. It was nice of him to get you off early. But you kind of feel like he'd take issue with the fact that you spend your weeknights breaking and entering.

"You know, cracking safes is already Catwoman's shtick," a voice says behind you. "You might wanna find a new gimmick."

A thrill shoots through you. You toss your head as you turn, leaning against the open safe.

"Catwoman steals diamonds." You hold up the documents. "I just steal files. And make a few edits."

"That's extremely illegal. Those files belong to the district attorney," Nightwing says, crossing his arms.

"The dirty district attorney," you correct.

"I'm supposed to let you off on a technicality?" He sounds amused.

Your shrug one shoulder, a little coy. "You could. I hear you're the nice one."

He laughs. Nightwing has a pretty smile. It's the first thing you'd noticed about him.

"Oh, yeah? Anything else you've heard?"

"Plenty. But I'm in a bit of a hurry tonight, Wing. As much as I enjoy our little chats..."

You dart to the window. Nightwing easily blocks your exit.

You're not quite sure what overtakes you when you run into Nightwing. Ignoring the fact that he manages to be the one to chase you almost every time (and what a chase it is), there's a tension between you. Or maybe it's just one-sided on your part. It certainly doesn't help that he's got a nice smile and bouncy hair.

"You know I can't let you go," he says, hands on his hips. "Put it down."

And he's extremely good at what he does.

"Make me," you say.

He never uses his escrima sticks, which you know is a courtesy to you. But that doesn't mean you can't hold your own.

"Alright," Nightwing says, smirking slightly.

He takes three steps, blocks your immediate kick, and takes the documents.

Something swoops in your belly. You kind of get why Catwoman exclusively fights Batman. Once you go bat, you never go back.

"Got them," he says cheerily. "Now what?"

You throw a glass bird tchotchke at him from Colson's desk. He catches it with his free hand, but it's enough of a distraction for you to slide into his legs. Nightwing stumbles less than you would like, but you push him down against the desk.

He grunts as he hits the wood, then rolls you over in the next breath, hands catching your wrists.

"Stealing... makes you no better... than Colson," he says, hair falling over his mask. All of him is pretty, really. It's too bad he's so firmly on the blind side of justice. You're trying to help the little people. Batman and his merry band of do-gooders have always been too focused on the small stuff.

"If these documents are buried, Colson will win his case and hide his own crimes in the process. Is that what you want? Another crook in court?" you ask.

Nightwing frowns. "You know that's not fair. We can't falsify evidence for the sake of putting Colson behind bars. IF we pick and choose whose lives to play with, what gives us the right to carry out justice?"

"I dunno, Wing," you say, a little breathless. Nightwing's hips are politely shifted off of yours, chest to yours. "Seeing you go rogue would be kind of exciting."

You can tell he's glaring at you. "Not in your dreams."

"Been in my dreams, have you?"

You gain enough leverage to push Nightwing off of you. He's back on you immediately, trapping you against the wall.

"How is doing something like this not crooked?" he asks.

You scoff. "It's for charity. I'm donating residents to the county jail."

You twist in Nightwing's hold and land a kick. In the three seconds he's distracted, you grab the documents. No sooner do you do that does Nightwing tackle you.

"I can do this all night," he says, knee wedged between your legs. "Might as well yield."

"Yield? You're not even playing at your full strength, hotshot."

He smiles. "No, I'm playing nice."

You roll your eyes. "Well, play fair."

And then you land a knee into Nightwing's stomach, roll, and jump out of the window.

Your tuck and roll isn't the worst but it's not the best. Especially when Nightwing neatly lands a few feet away without a wince.

"Showoff," you say.

"Give me the documents," he says. "I want to put Colson away, too. But this isn't how to do it. He's still a civilian, and his clients' lives matter."

You get up and wobble on a loose brick on the edge. Stupid historical buildings.

You're desperate. If he keeps this up, you're bound to land yourself a night in the police station and lose the documents.

So you dust yourself off. And you stop. Right at the edge of the roof.

"Okay," you say.

Nightwing takes a careful step forward. "Okay?"

You toss the documents to him. He catches them in surprise.

"You're surrendering?" he asks.

You shrug. "Like you said: you can do this all night. And I guess there are better ways to catch Colson. More permanent ways."

He tilts his head. "You're not gonna kill him, are you?"

"No! Jesus, man. Ye of little faith."

"I'm just trying to understand why you surrendered."

You sigh. "Because you always win anyway. You're a better fighter than me. And I'm cornered. I just feel like cutting my losses early. You're a lot more convincing than Batman."

"Is that so?"

"Oh, yeah. I much prefer you chasing me."

"Uh-huh." He nods towards the building. "Come on, then."

"Okay, sure."

You take a step. And you fall.

The brick is loose under your foot. It doesn't take much for you to keep going.

Panic surges through you, but that only solidifies your acting.

"Wing!" you cry, toppling over the edge.

"Shit!"

Nightwing lunges and grabs you by your waist, then uses momentum to haul you both to safety. His cheek against yours for a moment, body pressed to yours. It really is a damn shame he's such a Boy Scout.

You knock him in the stomach and snatch the documents, then separate from his grip. You watch his face contort in realization as you land and bolt.

"That wasn't playing nice or fair!" he yells, landing on the opposite side.

You're already gone, laughter echoing.

[edenspoem]

YES PLEASE. BLOCKBUSTER ELLIE?? 90’s?? SIGN ME UP. WHERE DO I PUT MY NAME??😖😖🙏

- 🩵

a/n + cw; OMGG AN EMOJI ANON i haven't seen you guys in a hot minute, but YESSS BLOCKBUSTER ELLIE!! specifically x customer reader. it's a cute duo! and let me relay why from my very scrambled 3 am jot-down. was going to make this a blurb, but it better translates through something more structured. ++ SFW! kinda mean!reader tbh (but ellie likes that), very fluffy you might squeet, quickly written, awkwardness, ellie being a nerd. [first pic from amoaeIIie on pinterest]

Imagine Ellie, in her blockbuster getup, leaning her butt into the edge of the register counter, jamming to whatever is playing on her hand-me-down walkman; earsbuds in, eyes downcast, head bopping slowing - soundly unaware of you awaiting service on your over-due rental. "Hello?" your volume divides the soft ambiance of the store, but it isn't enough to rope Ellie's mindspace from the clouds. Calling out again, "Hell-looh?" you extend beyond the cash register and wave your hand - nothing, nada.

How the hell has this girl not gotten her ass fired yet?

After numerous roadblocks, a brazen last resort comes into play. You cut around the counter briefly to take things into your own hands (literally) because you have not the time, nor the patience, for her slacking off.

Beryl eyes drop sharply to the walkman in her pants pocket when a single earbud is spooled from her ear, assuming it fell - but to her surprise, it hung low from your finger, and a glance above that finger was your face. Risen of one brow, flat-lined of your lips; impatient.

And her entire focus blanks out when you begin to speak, curtly and satirically, "Hey, I know busting out your Dad's old walkman in public makes you feel cool and whatnot, but you're on the clock." handing the slim cord back over to a stunned girl, flushed behind the pop of her freckles. Maybe your tone of voice sent her higher into the clouds, past a coven of angels, because her lips part narrowly and remain still for a single second - save two or three. Or maybe it's 'cause you specified it as her 'Dad's' which was.. spot on.

And whatever excuse she had quickly cherry-picked for you, hesitated audibly in her throat before it split from it, "O-Oh, right, shit sorry - was about to end my shift n' thought the store was empty. My bad." scrambling to stuff the other earplug in her pocket and avert all attention to you. Very eagerly.

"Looks like you've got a late fee on this one.." her pitch pummeled deeper, and coarser as she concentrates on the clunky screen she hunches slightly to use. Scrunching the freckles of her face together, hogging the blue-lit screen. Poor girl probably forgot her glasses at home. "Annnd are you looking to rent the sequel?" she peeks her auburn head from the screen and holds up the cased movie, tracing her index over the plastic cleft, tapping twice. "To this - it has a second part."

There's no denying it: she is cute - and guilt rolls your guts around for being so snippy and sullen to her earlier. But based on her demeanor growing enthused the second she saw what movie you had in hand - she doesn't seem to care a hoot.

"Out of stock," replied you, indifferent-sounding - and strking; crossed arms, bent knee, stiffly-standing. Comparable to a millpond. "Guess I won't be the only person with late fees." you take a breath to jest, shaking loose strands of hair from your eyes.

"Haha," you're no world-class comedian; that joke wasn't all that funny, but the need to hurl any affirming noise at you, was necessary. Relenting to reflex. What can she say? Love at first sight! "Yeah, that seems like the agenda these days," Ellie sighs out, molding the plump of her lip under her teeth and reshapes it into a dorky smirk. Isn't she just a sweet chocolate-box of adorability?

"Hmm, bummer."

That hum and word trips into her ears, knocking some brain-cog, and an idea limns her features; they glow wide. "Actually - um, I've got a copy of the sequel at my place. Technically it's my Dad's, but.." her pitch fluctuates, mindlessly thumbing the case between two fiddly hands. "Maybe you can - if you want, not pressuring you or anything - come over?" she throws a pointed thumb backwards, motioning a potential future. "Watch it? If you weren't planning on watching it with somebody else."

Slick trick to seeing if you're single; of course you'd watch movies with your boyfriend - or girlfriend.

"Hmmm.." you hummed longer this time, and this time it admitted the mushrooming of an almost aggravating anticipation in her belly. Like you meant to torture her with 'hmms' and nothing but 'hmms' as your answer hung high in cloudy abeyance, until, "What's the name on your tag - ah, Ellie."

"Yeah?"

"Ellie," you confirm her name twice, and speak it to enthrall her full-scale attention. Made it sound fucking sugary sweet, through a swirly whisper and a twist of your head. "If you can give me a discount, or a full wipe on that late fee, then yes. It's a date."

Light panic ensues. "Date?" she croaks and laughs it off, "I mean - pshh, guess that's one way to put it." backtracking to her hunched, elbows-on-the-counter pose.

"You put it that way."

"Yeah, I just.. didn't wanna admit that." immediately, she uncurls her spine again, relaxing her muscles to somewhat peer at you. "Sure. No more fees." Rounded eyes lost - adamant on indirectly staring at you and the space below you, because Goddess forbid a stroke of idiocy flickers through her while gawking at you.

The store runs dead-quiet in the background of your conversation, leading you to one golden question. "Your shift over after this?"

Oh damn, her cheeks are pink. "Uh-huh," bet she's oblivious to that red-hot beam nearly bursting the seams to her face, too. Nasal lines fold as a severe smile tugs, shadowed by her bent thumb poking at it. "Takin' my car?"

And that's how you pick up girls at a video store in the 90s - the Ellie Williams way.

this isn't even the full idea

[cowboyfromh3ll]

gonna keep the shy reader hcs party going and kindly request how arthur, john, and charles (and any other characters you might have added) would tease her once they’ve been together for a little while. who likes flustering her the most and who would get away with it the longest before she realizes he’s doing it on purpose 👀 as for the smutty part, what’s their favorite ways to rile her up before taking pity and giving her what she wants (i imagine some would be nicer than others lol)

Shy!Reader HC Ft. Arthur Morgan, John Marston, Charles Smith (Smut)

Y'all love your shy reader hcs

Warnings: smut

Arthur Morgan

I feel like Arthur wouldn't be too big of a tease but when he is, they're very non consequential things

You fell off your horse? You were hunting together and missed the shot by a lot? You hurt yourself trying to do something daring on a job? He'd be like omg come over here lemme fix it for you baby

His goal is never to make you feel less than or somehow incompetent with his teasing

But oh you got syrup all over your face and hands? You buttoned your shirt incorrectly? You snort when you laugh? He's gonna keep going until you're blushing and giggling at him to stop

Even if there's nothing wrong with your outfit he'll go over to you and find SOMETHING to fix

Will spend an unnecessary amount of time fixing your collar or scarf

It'd probably be pretty easy to tell what he's trying to do, not very slick

Would compliment you to try and make you blush but he just ends up making himself blush

If you're insecure over something he'll make sure to compliment that aspect of you over and over again

Flirts with the idea of marriage and kids one day and that'll have you SWOONING

Sometimes he'll rub your belly when you talk about it and it'll make you CRUMBLE

NSFW

Oh he's gonna be such a big tease, and he'll do it perfectly

Does it in a way that can be passed off as accidentally and goes unnoticed by anyone else but you

Rubs his crotch on you while making his way past behind you

Subtly brushes your thigh or ass with his hand

Kisses up your neck until you're all hot and bothered and pulls away before saying he's gotta do something

If y'all are sitting around a table in a group setting he'll have you on his lap so you can feel him harden. Keeps playing poker like nothing

If you're sitting next to him he'll place his hand on your inner thigh but never moving it close enough to where you want it

His favorite way to rile you up is to touch you all over during make outs then never going past that

Takes pity on you when he sees you get genuinely frustrated, thinks it's hilarious though

Charles Smith

He's so subtle with it that you wouldn't even catch it until a few seconds later

You gotta think about it before you truly get it

You could complain about how hot it is and he'll recommend you take off your clothes

Oh you say your backs hurting? Charles recommended course of action is visiting him at his tent tonight so he can fix it wink wink

You'll actually show up and he'll actually be surprised you haven't gotten it yet

Will give you a massage nonetheless

Would take you a while to pick up on it and that's the beauty of it to Charles

Would do things without the intention of making you blush but if he notices something does he'll keep at it

You like it when he plays with your hair? Then he'll braid it and put flowers in it and rave about how beautiful it is

Hands you flowers and tells you it reminded him of you

Makes you little trinkets and objects and says the most flowery things about how he tried to make it a fraction of how beautiful you are

NSFW

Like his aforementioned forms of teasing, he'll do just that

In fact, in times where you do catch on, he'll pretend like he never meant it that way and you're the one who's trying to get something going

Will give you THAT LOOK when you're together in public and you BOTH know you won't be able to do anything for hours

During make outs he'll rub your inner thighs or ass or sides but never touching you where you need it.

His hands are very light, his touches never heavy handed

He'd give in real easy to you. Just pout or give him puppy eyes and he'll give in

Even being bold enough to tell him what you want will have him in a trance

He's a giver so he can never deny you for too long for his own satisfaction

John Marston

Oh my God his teasing definitely goes too far

I don't mean that in a cute way I mean he probably ends up hurting your feelings because he does not know when to stop

Sucks at flirting

Your shy nature just makes it more awkward

But once you get used to his failed attempts at being coquettish you'll be able to recognize when he's trying to flirt

Is probably super obvious when he's trying and when he's successful he'll actually make you blush

His successful attempts are probably unintentional. Says something he won't think will land but is surprised when it works

Excuses himself for a moment and celebrates a few feet away before turning like normal

He has like a time to cool down on successful flirting. Only successful once every three days or something like that

Tries to compliment you but it comes out awkwardly and stiff

If you say something back slightly flirty he's gonna blank and not know how to continue from there

As soon as he approaches you and says "uhh.. hey" you already know what he's trying to do

Opposite of Arthur so he WILL tease you for falling off your horse

Awkwardly hugs you and pats your shoulder if you cry while apologizing profusely

NSFW

Can't rile you up for too long without exciting himself

Keeps his arm on your lower back and dips his fingers inside your waist band

Type to pull on your overalls (if you wear em) and lets them snap back into you

Will come up behind you and rub his stubble into your neck before whispering filthy things into your ear

Likes it when you put up a little playful resistence

If y'all are sitting down somewhere together he'll put his hand on your ankle before running it up under your skirt

Ends up giving in mostly because HE can't take it anymore and is too excited

[markantonys]

3x05 thoughts! (book spoilers)

i loved all the character & relationship moments in this episode! it was nice to take a breather and just spend time with the characters and get to see how much they mean to each other. wotshow continuing its trend of doing a great job balancing character work vs. action across the 8 episodes!

against all odds, randgwene clung on by a thread for yet another week lmao but the breakup is 100% coming next week, and surely it has to be just about the first thing to happen in the episode given the cliffhanger. i'm reaaaaally curious (and anxious) about how they'll frame it, because right from day 1 after the first trailer etc i said "i really hope they make it clear that randgwene's breakup is mutual because they just aren't right for each other, and don't frame it as the only reason they broke up is because rand is ~cheating~ with lanfear and egwene feels betrayed". it was my biggest point of worry with the whole rand-egwene-lanfear situation, and it seems like it might be coming true! but we haven't actually gotten to hear rand talk about the whole lanfear situation and his feelings on it, so hashing it out with egwene might give him a good opportunity to do that and maybe whatever he says will make it clear to the audience and egwene that he's been manipulated and it will help ease things a bit. i just really hope rand and egwene will be able to end everything on decent footing with each other; i know there has to be big tension between them at the end of the series, but imo that would be cheaper and more emotionally shallow if it's leftover tension from a bad breakup rather than the more platonic tension between two conflicting world leaders who used to have a close personal relationship and grew up together but now must both put their greater duties first. not to mention that we HAVE to get egwene's signoff on avirandlayne if we want the audience to accept that relationship, so she has to end the season in a decent place with rand!

as of now, we're obviously on the verge of high drama, but i have faith that maybe rand & egwene's conversation will end up going in a good direction that allows them to go "look, lanfear might be the catalyst for forcing us to talk about it, but we've both known for a long time that we just aren't right for each other and THAT is the real reason we need to end things" (plus, surely egwene will tell rand that lanfear's been behind her dream torture and rand will be horrified and take her side and turn firmly against lanfear, right? right??). it's also interesting to consider how much control rand had over his dream; in the past rand-lanfear dream convos, he's always seemed "conscious" (though asleep of course) and fully in control and aware of what he's doing, but in this sequence, egwene is entering the other friends' dreams and it's clear that it's just their subconscious minds coming up with scenarios and they aren't doing anything on purpose. is rand fully in control of himself in this dream? or is it a somewhat subconscious dream on his part with lanfear consciously influencing the direction? it IS interesting that the new location could, maybe, imply that this is rand's own natural dream, at least to start, vs. past randfear scenes that seemed like lanfear pulling rand somewhere to talk to him. but we really can't judge anything for sure until we've heard what rand has to say about it next week.

sticking to the waste plot, the avirand scene!! 10/10 no notes! rand learns about polyamory, avi tries to feel out whether wetlanders are down for it, and they bicker <3 and rand playing with the little girl, my HEART let him be a stay-at-home dad!!!!

as i suspected, rhuarc-bair-lian is yet another balanced triad where everybody is equally married to each other with no mention of any sibling-spouses. alanna-maksim-ihvon was the same, so it does really feel like they're setting up for the Main Character Polyship to be a balanced triad where everybody is equally romantically involved and there are no metamours, aka avirandlayne only and min not involved at all. further to this point, there was no particular min-elayne interaction in this episode beyond sharing a group conversation and they didn't react in a noteworthy way to each other, but i'll keep an eye on further developments there in the remaining episodes! if no focus is given to the min-elayne individual dynamic in tanchico, i'd say that's the final nail in the coffin for min being involved in the polycule because at that point they would have blown past MULTIPLE opportunities to tie her together with elayne or rand.

continuing on with polycule thoughts, i was glad to see an acknowledgment of avilayne in elayne's dream! one of my problems with the way it was done so far is that it was so extremely casual as to have no impact on either character outside of 3x01 itself, but i'd suspected that might change later in the season with some kind of Reminder That This Happened, and sure enough, we did get that here. this kind of small but notable acknowledgement is striking just the right balance for me: it's making sure to keep avilayne in the audience's thoughts and signaling to them that there's more to come here, but without emphasizing it as a monogamous romance so much that people will be blindsided or upset when rand joins in the future. we can see that elayne is still thinking about avi, but she's not pining and yearning for her every waking moment of the day (if she was doing that and then if avi started falling for rand more clearly before elayne rejoins them, the audience would feel indignant on elayne's behalf, so it's good that they're not going TOO hard on elayne's feelings for avi just yet; especially with avi's line this episode derisively saying "that's too much to ask of one person" implying that she doesn't have monogamous expectations with elayne, it's good that elayne doesn't strongly have those expectations either, so they're both more or less on the same page as of now).

my wishful thinking was that it would've been nice to have rand crop up in elayne's dream too sort of the way faile did in perrin's, nothing overtly romantic but a sign that he's lingering in her thoughts just like aviendha is. but of course, that couldn't happen in this context because egwene might feel weird or betrayed about seeing rand pop up in her BFF's dream because randgwene are still together. man, i don't want to be a hater but the extended randgwene is 100% to blame for the dynamics i DO want to see getting repeatedly punted off and put on the backburner! gawene didn't get to even meet, and the avirand stuff we've gotten has been perfect but it still kinda feels like they're being shafted in THEIR OWN ARC; this is the biggest time they spend alone together in the whole series but we can't even treat it as a notable focus of the season because we have to keep the focus on randgwene (and randfear) and don't want to risk tainting avirand with cheating implications by drawing the audience's attention to them too much before randgwene has broken up. and i don't know how likely it'll be for avirand to get a little moment during the cold rocks hold attack next week as i'd hoped they might, because the breakup has been dragged out yet another week so they'll be too busy giving the emotional focus to the randgwene fallout and it might STILL be too soon to let rand share any kind of little moment with avi (and in that BTS shot of sammael, he was alone with rand and egwene in a potential cold rocks hold-y set, so i wonder if rand will be sticking with egwene during the battle and avi will just have separate fight scenes).

but all i can do is wait and see how it goes down! it's obvious that avirandlayne IS coming, so i have to trust that rafe has a plan even if i can't quite see it yet haha my fear is that randgwene lasting so long in s3 will mean avirand & randlayne couldn't get as strong setup as they might have otherwise will mean them coming together in s4 will end up feeling rushed (and then gawene too which i've been looking forward to almost as much as avirandlayne, god knows what might even happen there since they are now so SO far past the date of their book meeting). why the show is choosing to fastburn the getting-togethers of endgame romances but slowburn the breakups of non-endgame ones is beyond me, but i will trust that rafe has a plan and that it will all make sense once i'm able to see the forest instead of just the trees!

returning to the dreams, i loved this sequence of egwene visiting her friends' dreams SO MUCH probably one of my favorites of the season so far!! she got so much joy out of seeing her friends happy 🥺🥺🥺 and it was such a beautiful way to show us a little bit of each friend's inner life; nynaeve's lost daughter is still weighing on her and she still dreams about a happy life with her, elayne takes such joy and wonder in learning new things and dreams of a carefree life following her heart outside the confines of duty, perrin's happy place is being at home with his forge and hopper (my heart!!) and he's starting to take faile into his heart too, and MAT!!!! mat's dream killed me dead!!! he has often been played for comic relief this season, so i was really thrilled to get this beautiful reminder of his layers and depth and the good, selfless heart he has underneath the bravado, and particularly glad to get this scene for donal!mat who hasn't had much chance to get the family stuff that barney!mat had so much of in s1 - it really helps keep up the consistency between the two versions and connect our present mat back to s1 mat. all he wants is to give his sisters a good life and hear his mom tell him she's proud of him!! which is such a gutpunch after her death in this episode!

can somebody PLEASE tell mat he's a good boy and they're proud of him!!! my Show!Mat Has A Praise Kink agenda grows stronger every day. man, between mat's dream and rand being so happy playing with the child, my s1 show-only observation that rand and mat would be each other's ideal partner in domestic family life remains spot-on. let them be dads!!

anyway, mat's mom! i was SO not expecting her to die, what a shock! and a good decision, it adds some stakes to the two rivers plotline and gives perrin even more of a reason to want to fight back instead of giving himself up and giving into the whitecloaks. and it seems we're getting the book arc of bode being able to channel! since the girls are twins in the show, i wonder if they can both channel or only one. and i also wonder how big or small of a plot point this might end up being; it's pretty small in the books, but the show has placed more emphasis on mat's family, so maybe they might do a little bit more with it? his sisters are still definitely tertiary characters, though, so i don't know. my biggest wish would be for a full wonderboy reunion in s4 so that perrin can tell mat about his mom and we can see mat react to her death (and i can get a cauthor hurt/comfort fic scenario out of it, priorities priorities haha), and ideally bode & eldrin traveled with perrin and mat can reunite with them at least for a moment. because we know that, if the books are followed, perrin and the cauthon girls will cross paths with rand soon after the two rivers arc (so likely s4), so if they can just get mat back in rand's plotline for s4 to do his TFOH dragon's general plotline, then we could get mat coming into contact with perrin and the girls as well. but as i've speculated before, this might depend on how many total seasons they anticipate getting and whether they have time to send mat back across the continent for a season or whether they need to jump into his west coast seanchan plotline immediately in s4.

good stuff in the two rivers plotline this episode! i loved perrin and faile's battle couple moment <3 and the perrin-dain face-to-face reunion was just as messy and delicious as i'd hoped! "i thought you were a good man" "i was, before you" okay okay

my one complaint about this plotline is, i have to embarrassedly put on my bookcloak hat, but i am really feeling the "alanna and her warders are getting too much time" complaints this season haha i didn't mind in the first 2 seasons, but now they're overstaying their welcome for me. it might not actually be true, but it feels like we've spent more time on alanna and maksim's relationship than perrin and faile's this season! however, i am almost certain that maksim will die in the two rivers battle, especially now that he and alanna had a mini arc of working out their problems and realizing that they're stronger when they stick together - surely that's GOT to mean maksim has to die in order for alanna to lose it enough that she does what she does in LOC next season. and if that happens, then i'll be fine with them getting so much time this season to build up to that death and make us understand why alanna loses it so badly. another thing where i'll have to reserve final judgment until i've seen the forest instead of only the trees!

speaking of people who may or may not be on Death Watch, moiraine and siuan! i really loved their scene together and thought it was so beautiful. as for predictions, i'm split 50/50 on whether them getting to mend fences and share a happy moment and a bittersweet goodbye means this is the final curtain call for their relationship and one or both of them will be dead-dead by the end of the season, or whether the "i'll find you in every lifetime" "and i'll wait for you every time" is foreshadowing of siuan going to find moiraine in finnworld at the end of the show. i just don't know!

i loved the lan and moiraine scene of them sharing a drink. perfect!

tower plotline: it was fine, got the job done

tanchico crew: bringing the comedy as always! i loved the opening scene with bickering matlayne and seasick nynaeve, absolutely impeccable vibes, and then min officially joins the gang (i loved the "raise your hand if you've been personally victimized by liandrin" moment between the four of them lmao). as somebody who's been starting to feel oversaturated with the mat-min dynamic, i was disappointed that he left elayne and nynaeve's scene so quickly to wind up hanging out alone with min yet again, but we did get some great stuff between the trio and the quartet nonetheless! still, at this point it's kinda feeling like mat was lifted out of the waste storyline purely to hang out with min for the second season in a row (and arguably to act as a support piece in HER storyline about learning how to find agency in her visions, more so than having his own storyline get focused on), but i'm sure in ep6 that will change and mat will get more time to shine and more chances to interact with non-min characters since tanchico is slated to be the A plot. i'm very excited to see this plotline lead an episode, it's been a long time coming!

we did finally get a reference to the s2 rand viewing and we learn that mat's takeaway is that min's viewings aren't even accurate because she said he would kill rand and he didn't. and then in the ep6 preview it showed mat trying to pump some tanchico citizens for info about the male a'dam collar, so i just might get a little cauthor crumb next week with mat being worried about rand getting collared and wanting to help protect him!

i think that's everything off the top of my head for this episode!

[anonygowose]

*ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ⁿᵒ ˢᵖᵒᶦˡᵉʳˢ ᶦⁿ ᵗʰᶦˢ ᵖᵒˢᵗ

Words cannot express how much the Rainworld Watcher DLC means to me. They cannot express the amount of love and joy I have being able to experience this game for the first time again.

It was 7 or 8 years ago when I originally stumbled upon Rain World, growing somewhat in love with what I saw through Markiplier's (very short and limited) gameplay. It was stuck in the back of my mind until 2019 rolled around and I started seeing it around again - particularly in Icey's multiplayer playthrough (a series I frequently rewatch and hold dear to me). 2020 was when I would finally get the game for myself, soon beating it after over 50 hours of gameplay.

Having been roughly 5 years worth of obsession, I played through this game to its fullest and took in any and every video I saw as well. It got to the point where I could probably beat the game in pitch darkness due to my memory of the map - which I've been doing recently, actually.

This game has been the core of my personality for these past few years - I had bought dozens of copies of the game for friends, just so I could have people to talk to about it. If people had questions regarding lore, mechanics, or the story, they would go to me and ask me questions about it. It feels so good seeing new people get into the game with so much wonder and curiosity, something I had so desperately missed from when I originally beaten the game.

Rain World Downpour was great to see, but it didn't feel entirely *new.* The regions were mostly the same, taking place in different points in time, and the gameplay loop felt similar to what I had been used to. Not to say this was bad in any means, it was great, actually! Just something I was used to.

But The Watcher. Ougdhh... The Watcher. It felt like I was truly playing the game again for the first time, as I had absolutely no idea what to see or expect within the lands I traveled to and from. There are dozens of new creatures I keep discovering, tons of different foods and mechanics I didn't even consider being a possible addition to this game. I had gotten two of the endings so far and bawled my eyes out when I woke up thinking about it. It was so, so fucking good.

The fact that I can now sit with the friends I got into Rain World in the first place and actually discuss what we're seeing and what regions we're currently in?? The fact I'm discovering routes and enemies for the first time again, actually being able to *ask* questions, rather than just being there to answer them. It's so, so fucking impactful for me.

Also, the fact I've gotten two of the endings so far and there's still at least one I haven't seen or heard? The fact that my friends are still bringing up things they have seen and interacted with that I haven't even witnessed once?? There are flora, fauna, and entire fucking regions I haven't even looked at yet because of how massive this DLC is. It is. Amazing.

[thoseboysinblue]

A Little Push

Timo Meier x reader

You find yourself in a predicament concerning your relationship with Timo.

Warnings: Cursing, Smut (under 18 DNI)

"Hey, Mara" you answer the FaceTime call from your best friend as you finish your makeup.

"Date night with lover boy?" she wiggles her eyebrows at you.

"We don't go on dates," you roll your eyes.

"Right, you just hang out and fuck like rabbits" she smirks when you flip her off.

"Seriously, what's the deal with the two of you?" She asks.

"I don't know, it's complicated" you sigh as you finish putting on your lipgloss.

"I mean, the two of you have been dancing around each other for what, six months now?" she knits her brows.

"It hasn't been six months, it just started last fall," you pause taking the time to actually count, "ok so it's been a little over six months," you concede.

"And don't you think that's more than enough time for you to have figured out whether this is worth the time and effort?" she pushes, concerned that you're only going to end up heartbroken when Timo fucks off to another girl.

"We've just never had that kind of talk, I guess, I mean I'm not sure we're even exclusive or anything," you roll your eyes at the predicament you've gotten yourself into without even realizing.

"Well, you haven't been seeing anyone else, I know that for a fact, and considering the amount of time the two of you spend together, I don't see how he could be either. Come on y/n, he's either with you or on the ice, you're a permanent fixture at his games, everyone knows there's something going on. What are you doing tonight anyways?" Your friend looks at you with a comforting smile.

"Some of the guys are coming over to his place to hang out, blowing off some steam before the playoffs push," you shrug.

"What do the Hughes trio think?" she asks, knowing how close you are to them.

"Quinn doesn't know as much since he's not here, only what Jack and Luke tell him," you give in thinking about your oldest childhood friend.

"Jack introduced me to Timo, so I think he might feel a little guilty prying, and Luke is well, he's Luke," you chuckle.

"He still think he might have a shot if he could remove a rather large and intimidating obstacle?" Mara giggles into the phone.

"No, well I don't think so, no," you shake your head.

"That wasn't convincing," she smirks.

"Luke isn't a concern of mine," you huff.

"Ok, so what are you wearing then?" she changes the subject.

"Not sure yet," you wander into your closet.

"Show me some options," she grins.

You pull out a few dresses where she can see them as you look through your closet.

"That one," she says as she takes notice of a particularly daring black lace dress with cutouts on the sides.

"Really? You don't think it's a bit much for a house party?" you knit your eyebrows together.

"I think if you want to give a certain someone a something to think about, it's perfect," she grins.

"I don't need to give him something to think about," you roll your eyes, "we both know exactly where I'm going to end up tonight."

"I think if you really want to know where the two of you stand, he might need a little push," she starts before you cut her off.

"I don't play mind games, Mara, you know that."

"It's not a mind game, you two are past that point, just saying men like a chase, maybe Timo needs to be reminded that he hasn't completely caught you yet."

You chew at your bottom lip nervously but go ahead and put the dress on.

"Perfection," she grins at you as you show her the look in your full length mirror.

"Maybe just play it cool with him tonight, keep him at a bit of distance and see if he comes to you. If he does, then you know where you stand. If he's unbothered, well then, I'm sure there will be plenty of others willing to take you home," she wiggles her eyebrows.

"Have fun tonight, y/n, let me know if I need to come kick someone in the balls," she grins.

"I'll call you tomorrow," you shake your head at your best friend as she blows you a kiss.

********

"Hi," you smile up at Timo when he opens the door and absolutely drinks your appearance in, unable to hide the flash of heat you see in his eyes.

"You look amazing, baby" he smirks as he brushes a kiss to your cheek.

"This for me?" he settles his hands over your waist and spins you around to check you out from all angles, sliding one hand lower to grip the firmness of your ass stifling a groan when he does.

"It's for me, actually," you press a kiss to his cheek.

"Y/N, I've seen you in lingerie that covers more than this dress," he chuckles, "I'm a bit scared to let you wander into a party full of hockey players dressed like this," he continues eyeing you.

"Good thing I know how to handle hockey players then," you wink at him, "see ya later."

Timo follows along behind you as you make your way out of the entryway at his apartment and down the short hallway that opens up into a large open space where everyone is gathered.

"Y/n", Nico greets you with a kiss on the cheek, "wasn't sure you'd be here," he gives you a wink.

"Luke invited me," you grin as Timo flanks your other side, grazing his fingertips along one of the cutouts on the side of your dress, sending a shiver up your spine.

"Sure he did," Nico shakes his head, "you do know that you and him," he tilts his head toward Timo, "aren't hiding anything, right?"

You shake your head and shrug, "Luke did invite me, but it may or may not have been after I already had another invitation" you glance up at Timo.

"I'm going to go grab a drink," you offer both of them a smile.

"You want me to go with you?" Timo asks you.

"I'll be fine," you pat him on the chest, "promise."

You turn to leave the two of them, looking back over your shoulder to see if he's watching you, grinning to yourself when you see that he is.

"Y/N!" Jack shouts before grabbing you and spinning you in a hug.

"Easy, Jack, you're gonna have my whole ass hanging out of my dress," you smack him playfully on the shoulder.

"Maybe if there was a little more dress and a little less ass, that wouldn't be an issue," he laughs, "I don't know where to put my hands, every where seems dangerous and Timo is doing that glaring thing already and I want to live through the night at least," he takes a step back and puts his hands in his pockets.

You shake your head, "Timo can't say a thing, we're not together."

"Right," Jack smirks, "anything else you want to lie about tonight?"

"What? We're not!" you giggle.

"I think you're the only person that believes that," he shakes his head at your clear case of denial.

"Y/N come play a drinking game with us," Luke shouts from across the room holding up a seltzer for you.

You sit in the large double chair with Luke, trying to pretend this isn't one of your's and Timo's favorite places to snuggle amongst other activities, and start playing a raucous card game with Luke and Jack and a few of the other guys and their girlfriends.

Luke casually drapes his arm over the back of the chair, not exactly touching you, but close enough to earn an eyebrow raise from Timo.

Game on Meier, you think to yourself as you lean over to speak to Luke, showing him something on your phone that causes the two of you to laugh.

Timo shoots you another warning glare, nearly crushing the glass of what you presume is whiskey on the rocks in his hand.

"Listen," Nico starts, feeling the waves of jealousy rolling off of Timo, "I don't know what's going on with you two, but maybe you should sort it out in another room, I will not have teammates fighting over a girl."

He can barely finish his statement before Timo sits his glass down on the nearest surface and strides straight towards you, keeping his eyes intently locked on yours until he is standing right in front of you, towering over you and a snickering Luke.

"Can I speak to you?" he asks lowly, offering you his hand, the look on his face telling you any answer other than "yes" is unacceptable.

"Sure," you smile, sweetness practically dripping off of your reply.

You stand and Timo places his hand over your lower back, ushering you towards the hallway that leads towards the bedrooms and small office.

"Where are we...oh" you breathe out as Timo pulls you into his room and shuts the door before caging you between himself and your only escape route, not that you particularly want to escape.

He attacks you with a searing kiss, moaning as he dips his tongue into your mouth which you quickly reciprocate as you tangle your fingers into the back of his hair.

"What kind of game are you playing at, y/n?" He asks breathlessly, placing his arm above your head and tilting your chin up to look at him.

"The drinking game?" you ask, knowing that's not what he's talking about.

"No, this game where you flirt with a teammate right in front of me," his eyes narrow on yours.

"That's not what that was," you roll your eyes.

"You sure, because it sure as hell looked like that's what it was, and I don't like to share what's mine," he practically growls at you.

"Yours?" you question, pushing back a bit, "I wasn't aware I was yours, Timo, must have missed that memo somewhere," you smirk.

"Does this feel like you aren't mine?" he presses his hardened length against you.

"That feels like you're horny, not necessarily like I'm yours," you quip.

"No?" He questions, "I guess it's actually showing you that I'm yours, huh?"

"Oh really?" you tease, dropping your hand to graze along the edge of his cock.

"Yes," he breathes out, eyes burning into yours as he swallows harshly, "I've been like this ever since you walked in wearing that miserable excuse for a dress; which if I recall correctly, I bought for you," he winks.

"No one else does this to me, y/n, just you."

Suddenly he drops to his knees in front of you, working the fabric of your dress up over your hips, leaving you bare in front of him.

"No panties?" he smirks up at you.

"Didn't seem necessary," you shrug, running your fingers through his hair as your thoughts run away with themselves.

This man, this carved like a Greek god of a man is kneeling in front of you and he's saying he's yours. You get him, all of him, every glorious inch, to touch and do with as you please. It's a mouthwatering sight that makes you dizzy.

He breathes out, blowing warm breath across your exposed core, causing you to press your thighs together.

"Say you're mine," he looks up at you, pleading with those steely gray eyes.

"Say you're mine and I'll give you what you want," he smirks, before pressing a kiss to your pubic bone.

"And what is it that you think I want?" you challenge him as he pulls one of your legs to rest over his shoulder.

"You want me to make you cum, y/n, it's written all over that pretty face of yours," he grins, "it's also written all over this perfect, dripping pussy."

"I'm not giving in until you say it," he teases a finger just close enough to your entrance to make you gasp, as he places a few open mouth kisses just below your belly button.

"Come on, baby, you know you want this just like I do," he groans against you.

You tug his hair, tilting his head back so that he has to look up at you, "I'm yours," you breath out, "only yours."

With that he immediately latches onto your clit, sucking harshly before sliding two fingers inside of you.

"Shit," you moan, closing your eyes and tipping your head back against the door.

"Eyes on me, y/n," he says quickly as he keeps working his perfectly with his mouth and fingers, alternating between sucking your clit and flicking it with his tongue while he pulses his fingers against your g-spot.

"That feels so fucking good, babe," a breathy moan escapes your lips.

"Why are you fighting it, I can tell you want to let go," he looks up at you as you stroke your fingers along his cheek in a moment of tenderness.

"So many people out there," you groan when he drags his tongue over your clit again.

"Let them hear you, I want them to know you're mine," he breathes out, working his fingers faster inside of you.

"Cum for me, y/n," he moans against you when he feels you clench around his fingers.

"Fuck, Timo" you moan as he braces you against the door when your orgasm hits you causing you to temporarily lose your balance.

"I've got you," he whispers as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over you.

Once he's satisfied that you are coming down from your high, that glazed over, post orgasm glow taking hold of your features, he stands and pulls your dress down over your hips, taking care to make sure you are steady on your feet before he loosens his grip on you.

"You're stunning," he smiles softly before placing a delicate kiss to your lips, "have I told you that lately?"

"This morning," you giggle, "when you had me bent over the bathroom counter."

"Well, it's still true," he chuckles.

"Sorry, I messed up your hair," you smile up at him, running your fingers through his hair in an attempt to smooth it out.

"There's only two reasons I don't mind my hair getting messed up," he grins, "hockey, and you, love."

Love, your breath hitches in your throat, he's never called you love before, and you can't deny the butterflies that erupt at the new term.

"Can I call you that?" he asks quietly bumping his nose against yours.

"You can call me whatever you want, with a mouth like that," you smile before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"Should we take care of this," you run your hand along his fully hardened cock.

"Later," he smiles at you when you nod.

You follow him into his bathroom as he smooths his hair a bit and rearranges himself slightly. The two of you make small talk while he calms down and you reapply your lipgloss and touch up your make up using a few of your things that have accumulated in his bathroom.

When you're both satisfied that you are presentable, Timo interlaces his fingers with yours as you rejoin the party.

"About fucking time," Nico shouts over a few catcalls.

You lean against Timo, burying your face against his shoulder as he kisses the top of your head.

The two of you walk over to where Luke is leaning against the kitchen counter, "let's get one thing straight, little Hughes," Timo eyes him, "she's mine, and it will be my cum dripping out of her later."

"Timo," you gasp, elbowing him in the side.

"Noted," Luke shakes his head, "did she happen to mention that I'm trying to get with her little sister back there while the two of you were doing whatever you were doing?"

"What?" Timo shoots a look at you.

"You didn't ask," you shrug, "and who was I to interrupt you while you were on your knees begging me to be yours," you grin.

Luke lets out a laugh, "begging huh?"

"Oh it is quite the sight," you bite your lip, giving Timo's hand a squeeze, "you have no idea."

Luke visibly shudders, "thanks for that," he rolls his eyes.

"I'll text you her number later," you give Luke a smile before you and Timo move over to speak with a few of the other guys who look like they are getting ready to leave.

*****

"Morning, Mara," you yawn as you prop your phone up on the pillow beside you, your best friend eyeing your surroundings on FaceTime, including the hulking figure behind you.

Timo pulls you closer to him and nuzzles his face against your shoulder.

"Morning, love," he kisses you on the neck.

"Morning, Mara" he smiles, used to the fact that she nearly always FaceTimes you first thing in the morning.

"Sounds like I was right, he just needed a little push," she grins when you nod.

"Do I have you to thank for last night's escapades?" he chuckles.

"Absolutely," she smiles, seemingly proud of herself.

"Fine, I'll buy the two of you lunch later," he smirks, "but right now, I need my woman," he leans over and quickly ends the call before pulling you on top of him.

Taglist:

@neverinadream

[clearheartsgreyflowerss]

Hi! Could I have some Arlecchino x fem reader fluff? Maybe going on a date together?

I am also currently obsessed with her, she’s just so askdskejdhdbdbdn >///<

Thank you!

YES THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST YOU JUST MADE MY DAY :D

Also that's literally so real she's taken over all my thoughts and she lives in my head absolutely rent free

A date with Mon ange - Arlecchino x fem!reader

This is NOT proofread if you see any grammar mistakes no you didn't

"My dear, with all due respect, I love your cookies but you burnt the hell out of them."

To say today was a disaster was an understatement, you didn't wake up to your alarm clock, which meant you missed the morning market where you often got some of Alrecchino's and Lynette's favorite treats. Not only that, but just an hour later, freminet came home with a large gash on his leg, which he had gotten when trying to maneuver through a shipwreck out at sea. Then, some of the children had roped you into playing games with them, and promptly forgot you had cookies in the oven.

So, it's safe to say Arlecchino's remark ended with you being even madder than before, even if you knew she was just making an observation.

"well if they're so burnt, bake them yourself next time!" You quickly stomped out of the room, hanging up your apron as you walked past the door. You quickly walked up the stairs and down the hall to your room, and slammed the door behind. You sat down at the small desk where you kept all of your stationary and makeup, immediately looking around for anything that couldn't be broken (or at least something not of high importance). Luckily, there was a small journal in the drawer, and you decided it would be better to journal then take your anger out on some poor object. After about 3 pages were filled, the sound of the door startled you a little, yet you kept writing in journal. A pair of strong arms wrapped around your shoulders, and a kiss was planted on top of your head. Neither of you chose to speak, you just kept writing anything and everything, and she watched.

"would you like to go out to dinner tonight mon ange? I'm sure the maids can handle the children for tonight."

She finally broke the silence, and you put the pen and paper down. A small smile came across your face, as you finally looked up to see her face. While she often kept the neutral looking expression, you could see the difference in her eyes, a look of sadness from upsetting you was clear.

"that sounds lovely Alrecchino, where do you want to go?"

"you choose, we can go anywhere in Fontaine, don't worry about the cost." You were quick to open your mouth about not wanting to overspend, but she placed a kiss to your forehead, making your protests stop.

"you've had a bad day, you deserve whatever your heart desires [Name]." How she knew you had a bad day was above you, though you presumed she had guessed just from the way you lashed out.

"well then, I suppose I could go for some Tripes du Port right about now" your words brought a small smile to her face, and she placed one last small kiss on your head, before standing up.

"To the hotel debord it is then."

The hotel was never short of amazing, all the decorations so elegant, yet so simple at the same time. The two of you sat down in a corner of the restaurant, a candle in the center illuminating both your menus.

"What are you going to get Arle? You always seem to change it up when we come here." She didn't look up from her menu as you spoke, instead she focused on even more.

"I suppose I'll get cassoulet, I don't think I've tried it here yet." She set her menu down and gave you another small smile, one she often didn't flash in public, but she was sure no one was looking.

"oh and darling, you look great in that outfit, you should wear it more often." She took your hand and rubbed your hand reassuringly, her words were definitely ones you needed to hear.

"I'm glad you think so Arle, I bought it recently and haven't had any chances to wear it. I thought tonight would be a nice night to show it off." She took note of how you messed with the hem of the fabric, a tell tale sign you were flattered by her compliments.

The waitress walked over with 2 glasses of wine, and smiled at both of you as she pulled out a paper and pen

"what can I get you two tonight? If you're still not sure, I can come back in a few minutes." You smiled and nodded as both her and Arlecchino looked at you, it looks like you would be ordering first.

"I'll have the Tripes du Port please, oh, and a slice of your blueberry pie." You flash her another smile as you hand her the menu, and look over to Arle as she orders

"I'll have the cassoulet, please and thank you." The waitress nods as she finishes writing, and takes Arlecchino's menu.

"merci, I'll be back with those as soon as they're done!" The waitress gives one last smile before she walks off, and it's just you and Arlecchino again. She picks up her wine glass and takes a sip, before looking at you with expectancy.

"well drink up dear, you deserve it."

All of that food and wine practically made you forget about all of your problems from the day. Well, Arlecchino was the real reason, but having something to talk over definitely was helping. You couldn't help but smile and laugh at all of her stories, telling your own in return. You two were at the register, Arlecchino paying for your meals as you kept one hand tightly around hers.

"merci beaucoup! s'il vous plaît, revenez bientôt!"

(thank you very much! Please come again soon!)

Both you and Arlecchino say thank you as you walk out the doors, the cool Fontaine air hitting you the second you leave.

"thank you for tonight Arle, you don't know how much I appreciate it." You give her a soft smile, which melts her heart a little more each time she sees it.

"it's no problem dear, you had quite the interesting day" she chuckled, and ran her thumb across the back of your hand, still seemingly trying to comfort you. You laughed along with her, though the both of you went quiet just after; Slowly taking king in the beauty of Fontaine on the walk back to the house.

The two of you made it back just fine, and you walked home to a entrance that seemed cleaner than before. Alrecchino could already see the panic setting into your face, and she just sighed and placed a kiss to your cheek.

"I promise I gave the maids permission to clean without you here, and I made sure they did it to your tastes my dear. Is that all you're worried about?" You seemed to think for a moment, before quickly realizing the many responsibilities you didn't attend to today.

"oh my God I forgot to clean Lyney and Lynettes stage outfits! And I never went back to help the younger children with their homework and-" Arlecchino took off your coat as you rambled on, taking both yours and hers over to the coat rack while half listening to you. She came back and wrapped her hands around your waist, and nestled her face into the crook of your neck, placing a few light kisses against it.

"[name], did you write this all down in your journal earlier?"

"yes well-" you finally snapped out of your thoughts, and despite not being able to see it, you could sense the grin on her face.

"...you gave that list to the maids didn't you."

"if it makes you feel better, I rewrote it and handed that list to the maids, I left out the things you said about me, after all, some things are better kept secret, Mon ange." you groaned at her teasing words, yet ultimately thanked her for it.

"then I guess I owe you a big thanks Arle, you're amazing." You pressed your lips to hers, giving her yet another small smile.

"how about you show me how thankful you are right now and come lay down with me." Her hands unwrapped from around your waist, and she moved to take your hand and lead you towards the stairs. You happily followed behind her, curious to see just what she had in store for you.

I DONT KNOW HOW TO FINISH THIS IM GOING TO CRY BUT (HOPEFULLY) THERE WILL BE A PART 2

anyway I'm so so so sorry this took me so long, turns out musical + con preparations + school don't make for a great writing time. Thank you 🪼 anon for waiting, I'm sorry if you think this is shit it kind of is (⁠･ั⁠ω⁠･ั⁠)

Daily click to help those in Palestine

[apomaro-mellow]

Wrong Number 3

(2:21 am) I just realized something (2:21 am) Ur a cooking teacher (2:22 am) Who can't fry a egg (2:23 am) You're a fraud 🫵

[7:29 am] I can fry an egg just fine I just can't make the yolks runny. It's too hard to time it right. And why are you up thinking about eggs at 2 am?

(7:47 am) I was up thinking about you at 2 am

Steve felt his stomach flip as he sipped his coffee and set his belongings down in his classroom. Eddie didn't play games. He always said exactly what he was thinking. And it drew Steve wild.

(7:48 am) And about how your students might clown on you for not being able to scramble an egg

[7:49] Aww you're worried about me?

(7:49 am) Kids can be little monsters (7:50 am) Actually how old are the little monsters you teach?

[7:51] Youngest is 6 and oldest is 14. Speaking of, they'll be arriving soon so...

(7:52 am) Godspeed you academic warrior

Eddie didn't typically text so late on weeknights. Not since learning Steve was a teacher. It was just that he truly HAD been up and thinking of him. Steve drove him crazy and he thought he was doing a good job keeping a lid on it. 2 am texts were what happened when the lid got loose but Steve didn't seem put off by it.

At about half past three, Steve called him. Eddie was glad he made that leap with his first call. The sound of Steve's voice never failed to warm him through. Eddie was in the middle of collecting axes for sharpening at the end of his shift.

"What's cookin' good lookin'?", Eddie greeted as he picked up.

"Today was good. Had a really riveting conversation about meatloaf versus pate with the kids", Steve said.

"Meatloaf rocks and pate is just cold meatloaf for rich people. End of discussion."

"Well, we talked about it for like fifteen minutes. Had a real interesting tangent on forcemeats in general."

Eddie paused. "Excuse me?"

"You'd be surprised at what kids are into. This one I taught last year was really into rice-"

"I need you to backtrack just a bit. 'Forcemeat'?"

"Yeah it's-oh grow up", Steve chided while shaking his head. He had just gotten home and was taking off his work clothes for something more comfortable. He thought about what Eddie might think he'd look nice in. "Not even my 12 year olds are this childish."

There was something about the way Steve talked about his students. Like they were his actual children. The conversation continued for a few minutes more before Steve suddenly had to hang up. Eddie tried not to think much of it, but it wasn't the first time that it had happened.

Steve ended the call just as Robin came into the apartment. She narrowed her eyes at him, then looked to the phone in his hand. Steve hid it behind his back and winced at practically telling on himself.

"You're hiding something."

"No I'm not."

"And now you're lying to me."

"No I'm not!"

Robin pounced and wrestled him for the phone. It wasn't a real fight of course. Steve could've pinned her in seconds but a part of him was tired of keeping the secret. And obviously, she knew how to unlock his phone.

"Who's Eddie?", she asked, sitting on his back triumphantly.

"A guy."

"Thank you, I had no idea it could be a man's name. You've been texting him aaaaaaa llllllllllllot."

"Are you reading them!? Robin!"

"Where did you meet him?", Robin said as she got up, continuing to read through their conversations.

"I um, technically, haven't. Yet."

Robin gave him an odd look and Steve spilled everything to her. To her credit, Robin listened to the full story before throwing one of the couch pillows at him.

"Stephen Elliott Harrington! Did no one teach you stranger danger? You just kept texting him? And calling? And I saw the pictures you sent. You know he can find out where we live? What if I came home to your skinless corpse??!"

It went on for a while like that and when Robin was finished, she collapsed onto the couch. Steve sat across from her on the coffee table. He waited for her to silently process it all.

"You think he's cute?"

"What I've seen of him, yeah."

Robin sighed. "I can't believe you're turning into the guy who has a internet girlfriend."

Steve rolled his eyes but then balked when she started to read through his messages again.

"And I can't believe you haven't even started flirting yet."

"I've been flirting with him the whole time!" Maybe not the whole time but-

"You're giving him Diet Steve. Why are you holding back?"

Steve shrugged, looking sheepish now. Now Robin was rolling her eyes.

"Steve, we're getting you a date."

"But he's-"

"A virtual one. Jesus is he an axe murderer?", Robin said as she looked to one of the texts.

"No, he just works with them. Axes! Not murderers."

--------------------------------

Eddie was about to sit down to a movie when his phone buzzed.

[5:17 pm] Thinking about you.

Oh. Now that was some text to get.

(5:18 pm) Oh yeah? (5:18 pm) What about me?

Steve looked to Robin. They were sitting cross-legged next to each other on his bed.

"What do I say?"

"Be honest, duh."

"If I'm honest I'm gonna talk about his hands."

Robin shook her hands at him like she wanted to wring his neck. Steve got the idea and decided to put himself out there.

[5:21 pm] Your hands. I think about them a lot actually

Eddie had not given his own hands much thought. But knowing that Steve admired them, he gave them a second look. He thought about them gripping Steve's thighs.

(5:23) You're gonna make me blush (5:24) What would you do with my hands Stevie?

Steve panicked and looked to Robin. "Are we sexting? Is he getting me to sext?"

"That's the idea, dingus. I said I was getting you a date. Now tell him what you want him to do."

"I don't know I'd....I'd want to..." Steve trailed off, looking at his phone while the fingers of his other hand brushed against his lips.

Robin stole the phone from him again and started typing. "'First...I'd suck..on them'."

"Robin!"

"Is that not what you want?"

Steve shrugged and Robin continued. "You've got me on the clock for five more minutes before I go out. You dictate, I'll type."

Steve hated how much he liked the idea. Especially when he heard the ping of Eddie's reply. "What did he say?"

Robin cleared her throat. "'Yeah? You wanna suck on them? I bet you got a beautiful mouth.' Oh he's good."

"Yeah", Steve breathed out. "Really good." He thought about Eddie sticking his fingers in and pressing down on his tongue, his rings tasting metallic and so nice.

"'I wanna choke on them'", Robin said out loud as she typed. "Is it too soon to call him Daddy?"

"What?!" That snapped Steve out of it.

"Oh come on. Tattoos, the hair, his job. He wants to be called Daddy."

"Robin don't call him Daddy."

"Pops?"

Steve took his phone from her and looked to Eddie's reply.

(5:30 pm) I'd only choke you if you were being bad (5:30 pm) Are you gonna be bad baby?

[5:31 pm] Maybe. I can be good too. So good.

(5:32 pm) Lemme call you baby wanna hear you

Steve dialed without hesitation just as Robin was leaving. Her work was done.

"Don't get murdered while I'm out!", she shouted just as Eddie picked up.

"Hey pretty baby", Eddie said.

"Hey. You said you wanted to hear me?"

"Yeah. I wanna hear you say those things with your own voice."

"Like how I wanna choke on your fingers? Among other things?"

Steve could hear Eddie let out a breath on the other end. The power he felt right now was intoxicating.

"Bet you'd look so good on your knees."

Steve hummed while pressing his fingertips to his lips. If Eddie asked, he'd suck on them. Let the wet noises fill his ears, let Eddie know how good he could be.

"Darlin' you went quiet."

"I'm thinking", Steve said, laying down on his bed. "I wanna show you, Eddie."

Eddie swallowed. This man would be the death of him. He'd nearly jerked off to just a picture of his fully clothed lower half. If he saw more...if he saw everything-

"Eddie! We've got a Code Red!"

"Jesus! Knock!"

Steve sat up quick at the shouting coming from Eddie's end. It sounded like someone had barged in.

"Eddie?"

"Sorry. Sorry Steve. I gotta handle something. Um, call you back? Please?"

"Eddie, I want to video call you."

"V..video...?"

"Yes. I wanna see you. Please."

"Yes. Yes, a thousand times-hold your horses! Uh, tomorrow? It's Saturday, so you're free, right? Can we make it a date?"

"A date", Steve nodded. "I'll see you then. I'll be thinking of you."

"And I'll be counting the seconds. 1-one thousand, 2-one thousand, 3-one th-ouch! Okay! Damn!"

Eddie hung up and Steve still had the phone to his ear, smiling. He had a video call date. He had a date with Eddie!

Shit what should he wear?

Part 5

Tag Team (CLOSED)

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @estrellami-1 @newtstabber @omletlove @ifyoudonlysurrender @rehfan @morganski-19 @corvidcantina @dragonmama76 @just-ladyme @tinyplanet95 @goodolefashionedloverboi @idoquitelikebread @kittydeadbones @manda-panda-monium @rhapsodyinalto @paintsplatteredandimperfect @keylime-green @ihavekidneys @samsoble @honorarybrit81 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @aizawa-emma @deleataecount @thesuninyaface @fromapayphone @justmeinadaze @hbyrde36 @queenie-ofthe-void @resident-gay-bitch @bestwifehaver @dangdirtydemons @ellietheasexylibrarian @perseus-notjackson @pyrohonk @holysteddie @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @mrsjellymunson @geekymagicalpotato @notaqueenakhaleesi

[princesssmars]

practical magick

a stiles stilinski x witch!reader

plot : just when stiles thought he had gotten used to the dramatics of the supernatual, he happens across you performing magic in the forest. when you fail to wipe his memory, his thursday afternoon gets a whole lot weirder.

wc : 4.678

contains : sfw. kissing at the end. the picture for look inspo is fair-skinned but the reader's skin color is not described! reader has hair! google translated latin sorry 😞i like my men loserish and obsessed sorry.

a/n : yasss a little halloween special. rewatching teen wolf for the third time bc idfk. is it obvious i love witch!reader's yet.

for the first time in over a decade, stiles stilinksi was bored out of his mind.

he had previously thought that given his adhd gave him a deep desire to be doing literally anything all the time that the word bored wouldn't enter his daily vocabulary until he died.

yet here he is, kicking his feet at the dead leaves on the ground as he searched for any hidden traces of wolfsbane. the only reasons this had even happened was because he had opened his big mouth too many times and was sent on a busy quest by deaton, to "make sure the surrounding areas were safe for werewolves."

just reminding himself of what led him here was enough to tick him off again. it wasn't like the past two years have been easy, being under the constant threat of werewolves, werewolf hunters, kanimas, etcetera etcetera. it was enough to stress out the most stable of adults, and stiles was the direct opposite of that, so of course he got nervous and started talking over people and pissing them off.

"stupid wolfsbane, stupid werewolves," he mumbles, kicking at more of the dead brown leaves on the forest floor, tearing a line of the familiar purple plant up from the ground and stuffing it into the brown sack in his other hand. once he was done it was likely it would either be tucked in jars in deaton's stash or burned. he wouldn't mind seeing the latter.

its another twenty moments of grumbling and scavenging before a sound in the distance stops him in his tracks. he stands still, making sure that he barely breathes before he relaxes, figuring his anger and memories are making him paranoid of the woods.

a minute later he wishes his mind was playing tricks on him, because he nears the noise again, but this this its louder.

"its closer," he thinks.

he barely even registers when his legs start running. he may have a bag full of wolfsbane, but there was no guarantee the threat was something the plant could harm. and he didn't feel like tempting fate today.

at this point he's slightly lost his direction, but when he passes the stunted redwood stump he and scott carved their names into during the fifth grade he starts to understand where he is, and as his heart beats in his hears he knows if he turns right here he'll come up onto the old willow tree-

in the span of ten seconds he smacks head on into a hard object, falling on his ass and gasping as the air is knocked from his lungs. he blinks quickly to try to rid of the black spots in his vision, and before he can comprehend it he's making eye contact with you.

he's slightly embarrassed that the first thought that races across his mind is how pretty you are. he knows he should be wary of you, but he can't help it. your hair is a rich (h/c), seeming to almost shine despite the sun being blocked by clouds. your skin is smooth and your eyes are gorgeous and big and still staring straight at him.

you both rush to stand up. he holds his hands out in a way that you would calm a wild animal, hoping it doesn't piss you off.

you continue to stare at him. which isn't helping calm down his racing pulse.

"uh, alright. look, i'm not gonna hurt you, alright? i'm just...looking for something..."

before he can finish his sentence, you raise your hands to cup the sides of his face. his words die in his mouth and he feels his cheeks warm up to the point he's surprised they haven't burned your palms. you look determined, and for a second he feels like he's gone to heaven

"convertere et perge quid agas. oblivisceris quid hic vidisti."

turn around and continue what you're doing. you will forget what you saw here.

his mouth opens and his brows scrunch in shock. he never thought those latin lessons he took online and with lydia would pay off, but he's really glad he did them now.

he considers doing what you said, just turning around and forgetting all about this encounter. but unfortunately his curiosity is getting the better of him, and if his suspicions are correct he needs to know more about you.

"i'm gonna guess you just tried to put a spell on me, right?"

your eyes widen so largely he's afraid they're going to pop out of your skull.

"i..i don't understand, that should have worked. are you a warlock? druid?"

"no, no. i'm just stiles." he tells. his guess that you were something supernatural is partially confirmed, since you know about druids and the whole tried to put a spell on him thing.

"well, stiles, unless you tell me why my spell didn't work on you i'm most likely going to have to kill you." you deadpan.

he thinks you're kidding so he eta out a strained laugh. you don't even twitch.

he wracks his brain for a good enough excuse that will save his life before his arm moves without command and thrusts the bag in your direction.

"well, i have a uh, a bag full of wolfsbane, if that matters at all. pretty sure it does since…yeah…wolfsbane”

yours eyes dart from him to the bag, most likely not trusting that their isn’t some insta-death powder that will pop out as soon as you open it, so he looses his thumbs grip and steps closer so you can see the purple herbs inside.

“hate to admit it but you’re right,” you sigh, pushing back some hair from your face. his eyes follow the movement before darting back to yours.“ that much wolfsbane would make most supernatural or magical doings wonky.”

"yes, yes! exactly. that makes sense. im sorry about that-"

"why would you even have that much wolfsbane anyway? are you a hunter?"

"what? no, no! im not, i swear to you im not a hunter. i can explain this, really i can." he nearly chokes on his words at the speed he speaks.

you stare at him for a few seconds more before crossing your arms over your chest, hopefully about to let him explain why he has a bag filled to the brim with a dangerous plant on a random afternoon.

when you start to walk directly past him into the forest he doesn’t think he’s ever been more confused.

"fine. you can explain it on the way back.”

he’s as still as a statue as he process your words. you just accused him of being a hunter and now you want him to follow you to whatever mysterious place your going? even for him this is weird, and he’s ten seconds from refusing-

“hurry up.”

he rushes to catch up behind you.

after around twenty minutes of stiles repeatedly asking where you were going followed by silence on your end, you finally reach a clearing in the woods filled by a large victorian-era house, fully black with large looming windows lit up by warm golden lighting coming from inside. there's a nearly fully glass sunroom/greenhouse on the right side, and he can see from here the varying flowers and plants that fill the room. he wants to ask how a house like this could be kept under wraps from the rest of the town, but then he remembers.

magic, duh.

you lead him through the threshold of the home and down a hallway until you arrive in what must be your living room, not giving him a chance to admire the room before you're pushing on his shoulders so he sits in a loveseat, taking your own seat across from him. your legs spread and you rest your elbows on your knees as you glare at him, causing him to shift in his seat.

"why are you carrying a bag full of wolfsbane?"

"my friend's boss, deaton. he asked me to pick up any wolfsbane in the woods to make it safer for them when they do the whole wolfing out thing."

"deaton's working with werewolves again? does he have a death wish?" your brow raises in confusion, he notes how the fingers on your right-hand scratch at the skin on your right.

"i'll be honest, you're kind of creeping me out."

"thank you. why is he doing it?"

"my friend, scott. he's a werewolf. and so are our friends erica and boyd. and derek and his weird uncle peter-"

"the fucking hale's are back? are you kidding?" a scoff leaves you and you get up out of your chair, starting to pace back and forth in front of his chair.

"yeah, it was this whole thing with peter being evil and killing his niece, and he turned scott but scott thought it was derek who turned him. it was a whole thing. not to mention how peter came back from the dead-"

you continue to walk around the room while occasionally pausing to pay attention as the boy details the events that have happened in the past year. despite you being a stranger it felt oddly cathartic to vent about everything that had happened to him. admitting to the countless times he felt scared out of his mind but had to stay strong lest his enemies take advantage of it.

"that's a lot for a normal human to go through in just a year with no prior knowledge of the supernatural. i'm surprised your brain didn't implode from the stress."

he blinks. "thanks. i guess."

"you're welcome. i'm going to make some tea. stay here," you say, moving from standing across from him to heading to a room near the side of the room, able to faintly see some dark counters and pots and herbs hanging from the ceiling, "not like you'd be able to leave anyway."

that's reassuring, stiles thinks to himself, bouncing his leg up and down where he sits. after a minute he figures you won’t kill him horrendously if hes looks around a bit, so he gets up and starts observing the countless pictures on the walls. some are old, like the people in them are wearing outfits from a few hundred years ago, while some are colored and recent. in most of the recent ones, you’re with three older women who look just as dark but ethereal as you do.

he continues looking at some pictures and hung-up trinkets when you come back into the room with two cups of tea, handing one with a smile to the wary boy with a halfhearted promise that it’s “totally not poisoned.”

“can i ask you a question?” he asks, sipping at his tea after he discovers it’s not poisoned and actually really good. he was never really fond of tea, always preferring coffee or energy drinks when he was in a low-energy period. he remembers his mom liked chamomile tea.

“you just did. but go ahead.”

“why would you let me in here? you could have just questioned me at the willow tree, you didn’t have to let me into your house. not that i don’t like your house. i like the whole victorian gothic vibe.”

you don’t answer for a solid minute, slowly drinking from your cup as you stare into the lite fireplace.

“witches pride ourselves on our knowledge. to be aware of our abilities and surroundings at all times to best stimulate our growth. and as much as i’d like to be this powerhouse who could take down any threat, i know i’m not. if you actually were powerful and i tried to take you on myself? who knows what would happen.”

“and i’m guessing that magical barrier around the house would protect you in case i really did try anything?” he gently asks, not wanting to talk too loudly to distract you from opening up to him.

“exactly. plus if you tried anything my aunts probably would have put a curse on you and your loved ones. something not too flashy to attract attention, but enough to cause great suffering.” he notices your soft sigh when you stop talking, almost like you’re disappointed you won’t get to see this suffering play out.

“plus it’s better to know where your talents excel,” you continue, setting your cup down on a skull patterned coaster on the coffee table in front of you. “i’ve always been better at using my magic to investigate my surroundings. helps to find materials or signs of psychos roaming around.”

something you two have in common. it makes his mouth quirk up.

“so, the werewolves and all the other things being back in town, that’s a problem for you and your aunts, right?”

“yup. if it was just werewolves it’d be normal for beacon hills, but kanimas and a whole pack of alphas? who knows how much that can disrupt the natural balance and what more they’ll bring.”

he thinks over his next words carefully. scott would likely be upset at first at him for trusting you, but he was also the nicest person stiles had ever met. if you could help them then it was worth the risk.

“then how about a trade. you help us with this alpha problem, and you get the experience you need to become a great and all powerful witch. pretty soon you'll be riding your broom to your heart's content."

you can’t help but scoff a laugh as you think it over. he starts to think you’re about to reject the offer as you stare him down before you get up and offer him a hand.

“you’ve got a deal.”

after shaking on it, you send the boy back with his bag of wolfsbane and a few more helpful weeds from your greenhouse, giving him a note to give to deaton so he won’t ask too many questions.

when he returns to the vets office he dumps the materials on the operating table, ignoring isaacs joke about how if he took any longer they’d all be alpha chow by now. he can tell deaton is concerned about where he got the vials of strange red and yellow herbs, but when he reads the note his eyes widen and he lets out a mix between a laugh and a sigh. scott asked insistently what was on the note but his boss refused to tell him what it said.

before he left to drive home, deaton pulled stiles to a corner and told him that he had been in close contact with one of your aunts before something happened a few years after the hale fire that caused them to go into hiding and cut contact with all supernaturals they had previously been helping, including him as the emissary of the hale family.

as he lay in bed that night staring up at his ceiling, all he could think about was you. you were a welcome distraction from the chaos of his current life, a pretty distraction at that. if not a bit scary. which he didn't mind all that much.

the both of you spent more time together in the following weeks. at first, it was just simple conversations by the willow tree talking about the werewolf situations and checking what materials deaton needed from your family. as time went on his curiosity got the best of him and he started to ask you more questions about your life.

"so hit me if this is stupid but did you have any family in salem? or can you like make a potion ina cauldron to see if I did because I could use that as massive bargaining power in fights with issac-ow! why'd you hit me?"

"you said i could."

"yeah but not so hard. jeez, ever thought of quitting this witch thing and trying boxing."

"never thought of it. maybe i should start now. with your face."

"really funny."

(your threats kind of reminded him of derek, but had less of an 'i'm about to rip your throat out and eat your esophagus vibe.' slightly.)

but as time went on it got deeper. as he told him more about himself you started to do the same, once even apologizing for "giving off psycho killer bitch vibes" and chalking it up to being so isolated from people for most of your life. he told you he didn't mind the vibes, assuring you he liked it maybe a little too excitedly.

he could really feel the shift when one day he came up to the willow tree and he saw you, standing with a frame photo in your hands and nearly on the brink of tears. he was so shocked at seeing you show such intense emotion he wasn't watching where he was going and stepped on a branch, alarming you as your head whipped to him like a deer in headlights.

"i...im sorry. i can leave if you want."

"no no, it's," you shook your head, looking down at the photo once again. "it's fine. it doesn't matter."

"well if it's enough to make you cry id say its world ending-"

"could you just shut up? for once in your life?"

it's quiet for a minute, the only sound in the air being the gentle breeze. even thought the comment stings stiles knows all too well you're just lashing out in anger and hurt.

"im sorry."

"don't apologize. i get it, i do." he moves closer until he's standing beside you, walking slowly so he doesn't make you lash out again.

he looks down at the photo and he gets it. its you, about six or seven with a bright smile on your face and standing with two people he can tell are your parents. he can see the resemblance. you have one of their smiles and hair color, the other's nose, and by their clothes, the same dark style.

"its been over ten years. since i lost them," you whisper, your voice sounding more weak than he's ever heard it. "itd be nice if I was staying with my aunts for some sabrina the teenage witch reason but no. i don't have a choice."

he gently puts a hand on your shoulder. "i get it, i do. i lost my mom. every day i remember things about her in things i do. it hurts but its better than forgetting."

you sniff and hes about to back up when you put your hand over his on your shoulder, gripping it tightly. it hurts a bit. he doesn't really care.

"its not fair."

"its not."

"...thank you."

"don't mention it."

you give him with the materials and he's about to leave when you stop him, your hand grasping his wrist. he wants to ask whats wrong but he stops. you're staring right at him, into his soul he thinks, and all he wants is to hold you and tell you any pain he's suffered the past few years is worth it because it led him to you, that even if you asked him to sacrifice himself on an alter for a spell that would make you happy for a minute he would do it-

"this bracelet. i want you to wear it and don't take it off no matter what, all right?"

hey, that works for him.

as soon as the bracelet was clasped around his wrist he felt different. like his nerves were tingling and his brain was warm. he felt like he was going to get the most powerful migraine in existence and reached to take it off when you took his hand again.

"please. just give it a minute."

and so he did.

only thirty seconds of dull pain later and he felt normal, if not better. like when you're a kid and have the best day of your life and return home to a good meal. a nice bath, and a great night's rest. he feels almost powerful.

"hey what is this thing? did you just give me powers? is this gonna make me your servant or something?"

"bye stiles."

he gives deaton the materials after telling scott where he was ignoring the weird look on his face before the boy goes back to examining an adorable beagle on the operating table.

deaton takes the bag and bottles with an appreciative smile, his eyebrows scrunching up when he notices the jewelry on stiles wrist.

"where'd you get that bracelet?"

"uhh, i found it. at a thrift shop. thought it looked cool. why?"

deaton clearly doesn't believe him but decides to entertain stiles anyway. "the band is a normal bracelet but the charms are what makes it special. they're pagan."

"could you explain them to me? just because you know."

the vet just shakes his head and laughs before pointing to each one.

"this one, the witchs knot. standard symbol for warding off evil. its mostly used as a protection charm."

stiles admires the charm, the metal silver with the symbol burned into it. it looks like a circle with a line roped in and out of four points of it.

"this, hecates wheel. a goddess of magic, as you probably already know. symbolizes the power of knowledge and life."

this charm is a bit heavier, the stone looking weathered with a scratched labyrinth engraved on it, a distinct 'x' in the middle of it.

"and this one is..." deaton starts before his words trail off. stiles looks at it. it looks like four combined circles, each with symbols inside them. the two across from each other on the side looking like two crescent moons, the one on the top holding a basic pentagram. but he doesn't recognize the one on the bottom-two perpendicular lines forming an 'x' with little swirly lines coming from the middle on the top and bottom.

"what? what does it mean? is it bad?"

"no, it's not bad at all, stiles. the crescents and pentagram are used in another basic protection spell. more protection for the user."

"and the one on the bottom?"

"well, i don't honestly know what it is. its most likely a personal sigil made by the person who made it. but by my guess, based on others I've seen before, it might mean whoever made it has a deep love and affection for whoever they gifted the bracelet to."

stiles thought he was keeping his cool, but scott made extra sure to remind him the following days and the dumbass look on his face when deaton explained the symbol to him.

he didnt know what to do. this had to mean you felt the same way he did about you, right? why else would you gift him a love sigil on a bracelet you insisted he wear? for a second he considered it was a love spell you tried to put on him, but he was feeling iffy about that. mostly about how he wouldn't care that much.

(he apparently admitted that in a sleepy haze when he was sleeping over at scotts, and he's never wanted to die more than when he woke up and realized issac of all people heard him.)

the next time he saw you he tried as hard as he could to act casual. you asked him about ten times if he was okay, and he eventually came up with a good enough 'just a slight stomach bug' lie and regretted it immensely when you invited him back to your house, telling him you'd been practicing making simple health remedies and you had the perfect thing to fix him.

the whole walk to your house he was on edge, his palms feeling sweaty for the first time in his life as he repeatedly wiped them off on his pants. just like the first meeting, you tell him to wait on the couch and he lets out a shaky breath when you leave into the kitchen.

what does he do? does he confess? does he need to? he was so scared that he was being too obvious and maybe that's why you put the sigil on the bracelet, to let him know you returned his affections. but what is he wasn't obvious? and he was basically telling you he only liked you because you liked him? what if-

"stop staring into space and drink this tea, dummy."

he laughs awkwardly and takes the ornate cup from your hand, sniffing the tea before he drinks it. it's sweet but savory, smelling like nutmeg and milk. he can see little flakes and leaves floating on the top. he takes a sip and hums at the taste.

"screw boxing, you should be a professional chef. i'm gonna need you to give me this recipe."

"yeah right. a witch never reveals her secrets." you scoff before sitting down next to him on the couch. you put your arm up on the back and rest your head on your wrist as you cross your legs, your foot brushing against his leg. he nearly spills the tea over his lap.

he can't help but admire you. he had given you a few magazines he'd gotten from stores and stuff to better show you how people were dressing these days, and while you'd hated most of it you took to some trends, wearing a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a pair of combat boots. he tried to focus on the rips in your jeans as to not let his eyes wander up, where you were wearing a leather halter camisole with nothing underneath. he can't help but laugh in his head when he thinks of the word camisole. maybe he was spending too much time around lydia.

"stiles? seriously are you possessed or something? normally you'd be talking my ear off trying to guess exactly what ingredients i used for the tea."

he sets the cup down after taking another long sip and turns his body to you, your eyebrows raising in what he can tell is amusement. most people could easily get annoyed by his theatrics, but after your near trauma bonding at the willow tree, you had always made sure to welcome them with a smile.

"look, i have something to say. which you probably already know, but i need to say it to you anyway to make sure you really know, y'know?"

you blink. "go ahead."

he breathes in and out a few times, his previous confidence suddenly disappearing.

"let me guess, you saw the sigil and now you're going to confess your love to me?"

he goes into a near coughing fit.

"how, well thanks because now i dont have to actually say it, but if you had given me a minute-"

before he knows it you're scooting closer, your faces just a few inches apart. you're staring at him with that same look you had when you gave him the bracelet. his breath is picking up and he bites his bottom lip, your eyes darting to the motion.

"can i kiss you?"

"yes, god yes-"

your hand grips his chin and brings his lips to yours, the intensity and plushness of it nearly driving him insane. he doesn't really know what to do with his hands, settling to just keep them on his lap before your other hand brings them to your waist and squeezes them in place. at this point you're nearly on his lap and that combined with the kiss and the fact he swears he just felt your tongue poke his lip is going to be the death of him.

he pulls away from the kiss and kneads his hands on your hips, able to feel the softness of your skin on the places where the camisole lifts up.

"wow. i mean just...arent you a recluse? where'd you learn to kiss like that? have you like, conjured up clones to practice with or something."

"stiles?"

"yeah?"

"shut up and kiss me again."

"whatever you say, babe."

for the first time in his life, stiles stilinksi thinks everything is gonna work out.

ty for reading! had to tell myself to get up off my ass and write at 3am and wrote about half of this so sorry for any dialogue inconsistencies. love you bye bye.

[just1cefor4ll]

—You’re the kind of person they write rock songs about

modern!au Viktor x fem!reader warning. swearing, not proof read, might be OOC

part five || part six || part seven

A/n. I promise the next chapter one of our main characters will take action!! try and guess who >;D

‘One baby to another says,

“I’m lucky to have met you.”

It is now my duty to completely drain you.’

It had been two weeks since Viktor had texted you.

And two weeks since he replied to your messages— which you sent almost daily. However you gave up about 3 days ago, deciding on giving him space.

Why is Viktor ignoring you, you may be asking yourself? He’s in denial, of course!

He layed in bed, staring at the white ceiling. Glow in the dark stars littered the surface, the aftermath of a night when Vi and Jayce had gotten high and decided his ceiling needed “a touch of the cosmos.” They’d stuck there ever since, slightly peeling at the edges but still glowing faintly in the dark.

His friends tired to help.. Mel even came over a few hours ago and that conversation played; fresh in his mind.

Viktor sighed, dragging a hand down his face. His friends had tried to help. Jayce told him he was being stupid, Ekko had just laughed at him and called him a coward, and Vi had threatened to lock him in a room until he "stopped being an idiot about his feelings."

And Mel—Mel had been the worst.

The knock on his door earlier that afternoon had been sharp, demanding. He’d considered ignoring it, but then again, he had no excuse. So, reluctantly, he had forced himself out of bed, limping slightly as he made his way over to the door.

When he opened it, there she was—Mel, standing with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning over him like a disappointed mother catching her kid sneaking out past curfew.

“Viktor.” Her voice was calm but firm.

“..Mel,” he greeted hesitantly.

She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, and before he could protest, she reached for his phone, snatching it off the cluttered desk.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Viktor asked, his voice laced with irritation as he tried to grab it back. She simply lifted it out of his reach, giving him a deadpan look. “What do you think I’m doing?” she retorted, unlocking his phone with infuriating ease. Viktor grimaced. He really should have put a passcode on it. Mel scrolled through his messages, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You haven't replied to Y/N in two weeks?” She turned the screen toward him, as if he didn’t already know. The last text you had sent was a simple, Viktor?—sent three days ago. Unanswered. He swallowed, looking away. “I was going to—” “Were you?” she interrupted, raising a skeptical brow. “Because it seems to me like you’ve been actively avoiding her.”

Viktor stayed silent.

Mel sighed, tossing the phone onto his bed before turning to him fully. “You like her,” she stated. Not a question—just a fact. “I—” Viktor opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out.

Because she was right.

He did like you. More than he should. More than was probably safe for his own good.

The realization had crept up on him so insidiously that he hadn’t even noticed it at first. It was in the way his heart skipped when your name popped up on his phone. The way he found himself lingering on your words long after conversations ended. The way he’d catch himself looking for you in crowded lecture halls.

And that was terrifying.

Because liking someone meant vulnerability. It meant expectations, and possibilities, and the risk of losing something precious. He wasn’t good at that—not at letting people in too deep.

“You’re overthinking,” Mel said, as if reading his mind. “Just text her back. Or better yet, call her.”

Viktor hesitated. “What if—”

“What if what?” She spat, “Viktor you have no idea how lucky you are to have someone like her. She’s been patient even after you left her without a word for 2 whole weeks. 2 weeks Viktor!! What if she likes you back? Why can’t you think positively for once in your life?!”

He stared at her, heart pounding.

Mel sighed again, softer this time. “Viktor, you deserve happiness. Even if you’re too stubborn to see it,” She put her hands on her hips, giving the phone back in it’s place before speaking up again, “I know it’s hard. You’ve known each other for just a few months but at least try and show her something. That you’re interested so she doesn’t move on.” She said, a sympathetic look on her face as she left the room. “It’s your choice Viktor. We’ve helped as much as we could.”

With that, she patted his shoulder and walked to the door, giving him one last glance before closing the door— the sound of her heels slowly fading down the hall.

And then she was gone.

Now, Viktor sat in bed, staring at his phone.

He should text you.

The thought made his stomach twist. What would he even say?

“Hey, sorry I ignored you for two weeks because I realized I have feelings for you and panicked.”

Yeah, that wouldn’t work.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. He needed to stop thinking. Just—just do it.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he grabbed his phone and started typing.

[vik.tor222] Hey. I’m sorry for not replying. Can we talk?

He hovered over the send button.

And then, with a deep breath—he pressed it.

You were sitting on Ekko’s bed, legs crossed as you absentmindedly scrolled through your phone. Powder sat on the floor beside you, doodling in a notebook while Isha lay upside down on the couch, tossing a stress ball in the air.

It had been two weeks.

Two weeks since Viktor had last texted you.

At this point, you were trying to act unbothered, but every time your phone lit up, you felt a flicker of hope—only for it to disappear when it wasn’t his name on the screen. Or when you saw him in the halls, you hoped he’d send a smile your way but you were always met with absolutely zero acknowledgment.

You had already vented about it to your friends. Multiple times. So when your phone vibrated again, you almost didn’t check it.

But then Powder peered over and gasped dramatically. “No way.” “What?” Ekko asked, lazily throwing an arm over the back of his chair. Powder grabbed your phone before you could stop her and held it up like it was breaking news. “Look who finally decided to text back!” Ekko sat up straight. “No shot.” He leaned over to look at the screen, eyes widening when he saw Viktor’s name. “Damn. I was starting to think he died.” Isha tilted her head, unimpressed. “Or got abducted by aliens.” she signed.

You snatched your phone back, heart racing as you read the message.

[vik.tor222] Hey. I’m sorry for not replying. Can we talk?

You stared at the text for a moment, emotions clashing in your chest.

“Oh, so now he wants to talk?” Powder scoffed. “What, did he forget how to use a phone for two whole weeks?”

“Maybe he dropped it in acid,” Ekko joked.

Isha shrugged. “Or he just sucks at communication.”

You sighed, rubbing your temple. “Guys.”

“What?” Powder grinned. “We’re just saying what you should be saying.”

You wanted to be mad. You were mad. But you also knew that if Viktor was reaching out, he must have had a reason. Still. You weren’t going to make this easy.

[truly.y/n] Depends. Are you going to disappear for another two weeks after?

Ekko snickered. “Ooh, petty. I like it.”

It didn’t take long for Viktor to reply.

[vik.tor222] No. I swear.

You sighed, rolling onto your back. Damn him.

“…You’re gonna go, aren’t you?” Powder asked, raising a brow. You groaned. “I hate that you guys know me so well.” Isha smirked. “Text us if he ghosts you again.” “I’ll personally hunt him down,” Ekko added.

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips as you sent another text.

[truly.y/n] Fine. When?

[vik.tor222] Now? If you’re free.

You hesitated for only a second before replying.

[truly.y/n] alright, omw

Viktor was pacing his dorm, overthinking everything.

This was his chance. He could finally tell you how he felt.

..If he didn’t chicken out.

He flinched when he heard the knock at the door. Too late to back out now. When he opened it, there you were. And you looked—annoyed.

“Two weeks, Viktor.”

He winced. “I know.”

You stepped inside, arms crossed. “What happened? Did you break your hands? Lose your phone? Get kidnapped?” Viktor sighed. “No.” “Then why?”

Here it was. His moment to confess. To tell you that the reason he had avoided you was because he had feelings for you—stupid, messy feelings that made him act like an idiot. But then you sighed, shaking your head. “I was worried about you, you know. And then I thought maybe I did something wrong.”

Something in Viktor’s stomach twisted. You were worried. You thought you did something wrong.

And just like that, every ounce of courage left his body.

This was a mistake. You were mad at him. That meant you probably didn’t like him the way he liked you.

So instead of saying what he should have said, he panicked.

“I just… got overwhelmed,” he lied, rubbing the back of his neck. “With research. And class. I did not mean to ignore you.” Your expression softened, just a little. “You still should’ve said something.” “I know.”

Silence stretched between you. Viktor stared at the floor, feeling like an absolute coward.

“..So, are we good?” he finally asked, hoping he hadn’t ruined everything. You studied him for a moment before sighing. “Yeah. We’re good.” The knot in his chest loosened slightly.

“So, what have you been up to?” you asked, leaning against his desk. “Besides, you know, ignoring me.”Viktor exhaled, relieved that this was turning into something normal. “Jayce nearly set our kitchen on fire last week.” You snorted. “That sounds about right.”

And just like that, the tension faded. The conversation shifted to easier topics—inside jokes, funny stories, things that made it feel like the past two weeks hadn’t happened.

But the truth lingered in the back of Viktor’s mind.

He had almost told you.

Almost.

— 2 hours later

By the time you got back to your dorm, your head was a mess.

Two hours. You had spent two hours in Viktor’s room, talking like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t ignored you for two weeks. Like you hadn’t been overthinking every possible reason why.

And now that you were back, sitting on your bed with Powder beside you, you were starting to wonder if you had forgiven him way too easily.

Your phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime call. Ekko and Isha.

You answered, and Ekko’s face immediately filled the screen, looking unimpressed. “Well?”

Isha, sitting at home, raised a brow expectantly.

Powder nudged you. “Tell them how pathetically quick you forgave him.”

You groaned, flopping back against your pillow. “It wasn’t pathetic—” Ekko cut you off. “So, you did forgive him easily.” You hesitated. “...Maybe.”

Ekko sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “I knew it.”

Isha signed, “You’re too soft.”

Powder nodded. “Thank you, Isha. Exactly.”

You huffed, adjusting your grip on your phone. “Look, I was mad, okay? I was. But then he actually looked guilty, and I don’t know—he said he was overwhelmed, and—” “Bullshit,” Ekko interrupted. “Absolute bullshit,” Powder agreed.

Isha snapped her fingers to get your attention, then signed, “He panicked and said the first thing that wouldn’t make you madder. Classic avoidance.”

You frowned. “You don’t know that.”

“You don’t know that he’s not lying,” Ekko shot back.

You groaned, pressing the heels of your palms against your eyes. “Can we not do this right now?”

Powder smirked. “Sure. Let’s do something way more fun—Did he throw any signs?”

You blinked. “...Signs?”

Isha signed, “Did he act like he likes you?”

Ekko leaned closer to the screen. “Yeah, like, did he look at you all longingly? Stumble over his words? Get real weird and awkward?”

You opened your mouth to say no, but then you thought about it.

About the way Viktor had hesitated before opening the door, like he had to psych himself up first. About the way his eyes lingered on you a little too long when he thought you weren’t looking. About how, when you called him an idiot for ignoring you, he didn’t argue—he just gave a soft little laugh, like he was relieved you were still talking to him at all. Or how, for a moment, it looked like he wanted to say something more—something important—but he swallowed it down instead.

Your stomach twisted.

Oh.

Powder squinted at you. “Oh my God, you’re thinking about it. That means yes.”

Ekko groaned. “Are you serious? He did give signs?”

Isha smirked, signing, “You’re blind.”

“I—No, I’m not blind!” you protested. “It wasn’t obvious! He didn’t say anything!”

“Of course he didn’t,” Ekko muttered. “Because he’s a coward.”

Isha nodded in agreement.

Powder threw a pillow at you. “And you’re dumb for letting him off the hook!”

You caught the pillow with a glare. “I didn’t let him off the hook! I just—I don’t know.” You sighed, flopping back again. “Maybe he really was just overwhelmed.”

Ekko deadpanned. “Do you even believe that?”

You hesitated.

The three of them groaned in unison.

© just1cefor4ll— I don’t consent to my writing being reposted to other platforms or fed into AI. Translating it is also strictly prohibited. 🚫

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