#I mentioned I was going to the dining center and idk if he was going to as well

[good-night-space-kid]

I can’t believe I used to think that I don’t have difficulty with social cues aksjdhdksk

[xxoxobree]

These are mainly 42 centered because that’s just what my brain comes up with 😭 hope that’s okay

I feel like this is wildly excepted, but I can’t NOT mention it…Could Miles 42 do his own hair? Yes. But he makes his mama do it so he can spend time with her.

We know that Miles’s dad and Aaron fell out in universe 1610 (at least I think so) SO because Miles’s dad isn’t there to stray the family away from his brother, Miles 42’s music is much more influenced by his uncle than 1610’s is. There’s a lot of oldies in there that he first heard because of him!

Adding on to that, I think there’s records in Miles 42’s room? Like I think it’s like in the back. Idk maybe I just saw someone say something about it

Anyways, on those bad nights where shit’s getting to him, Miles puts on a record or two. He loves his headphones, but the record player gives off a different vibe

I like to think about both Miles’ art styles. 1610’s is very freedom, graffiti centered (as we know). There’s a lot of color, he’s free with it. But I believe that 42’s is more, controlled? Idk the word, really. But there’s sharp lines and maybe even a little restraint? To show the difference between how they both grew up and what they’ve experienced through their loves.

I think Miles 42 is better at drawing what’s in front of him, versus 1610’s tendency to just sort of go with it.

both Miles’ favorite place is the roof, where the memorial for Aaron/Mr. Morales is. It makes them feel closer to the ones they’ve lost.

I’ve seen a Tiktok about Miles 42 having heterochromia? People argued that it was just the lighting in the movie, but I think it’d be cool? His eyes aren’t that different, but one is more hazel while the other is more brown.

Pokemon is Miles 42’s guilty pleasure. He likes the games a little (a lot) more than he’d like to admit

Sometimes I think i’d be funny if Miles 42 was a little on the short side? Like Miles 1610 grew because of the spider bite, but 42 stayed where he was? Like he’s not short, but he’s closer to average than a lot of the guys he hangs around and it’s funny because his attitude is 10 feet tall

Miles 42 doesn’t see his mom as much as 1610 does because she’s always working, so he does little things around the house to make it feel more like home when she gets off work. He lights her favorite candles, makes sure her favorite flowers are always in a vase on the dining room table. He likes taking the pressure off his mom’s shoulders because he knows she works hard. He goes above and beyond for her.

He sometimes (a lot of times) slips money into her savings jar so he can see her face light up when she counts it all

42 has his dad’s class ring from high school. He wears it a lot, but when he doesn’t it stays in a little box with his chains.

I can imagine both Miles’ just knowing random things? Like they have all these facts for no reason except the can

Both of them are the type to say they can’t dance even though they can do it better than basically everyone around them

If I think of any more I can send them! There’s also some stuff on my blog too!

Oouu I never thought of miles as someone who can do his own hair. Now that I’m thinking about it. He can definitely do 2 strand twist, but the two braids maybe a little too complicated for him and that’s why he lets Rio do it and to spend time with her 🥰🥰.

Definitely is influenced by uncle Aaron when it comes to music.

The art thing is soooo interesting I’d love to hear more about your theories on that.

I agree with the rooftop, I’ve written a few fics based on that rooftop 😂😂

He definitely has different colored eyes I actually made a post about that and I love it! Ones green and the others brown.

Short King Miles G 😂 I like to think 1610 miles has like 2/3 inches on him.

Yesss omg I agree with the dancing thing, in my head they’re amazing dancers.

These were soooo good, yess send me the others 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽 thanks for sharing

[peppersfromhell]

while im still here, i’ll drop some pizza crew stuff from discord, removing some stuff from it though cause i would get sidetracked in the middle of the ramble

this was like one of those late night rambles, heads up

> MAIN COOL STUFF

“pizza crew is like an au that takes place in italy, it follows the main plot of the original just with more of my own takes, like the tower is built a little different”

“the crew tower members have been there for like years and have kinda like had a curse placed onto them by totino that not only gives them oceanic features but also kinda slowly wipes their memories of like before they got in the tower and stuffz, theres a reason for that”

• phil is an orca

• vig is coral

• noise is a shark

• noisette is a sea bunny

• fake peppino is kinda like. a mix of deep sea fish [NOTE: probably frilled shark centered]

“digiorno (pizzaface) is specifically based off of oil plattorms and totino is like. the kraken, kind of”

“those in the tower kinda go by like a schedule every day and r obligated to follow that schedule!!!!!!!!!! theres always like a little jingle from the intercom when its time to switch and stuff, theres also the resting hours”

“another thing abt the tower is. u cant leave”

“theres an invisible barrier thing that keeps you from leaving so if u tried u kinda just get launched back its awesome”

“something funny abt pizza crew is that when peppino has to go through the tower he is also obligated to follow schedule? like oh its time for dinner time to sit down at the dining table surrounded by people who will hurt you”

“totino has him do that cause she's also like trying to get him to like join them, trying 2 get him to like it”

“digiorno isnt as like. chaotic[?] as his canon counterpart?? it's very polite and kind of reserved, he has a lot going on and there's like implications that he's not from earth”

“he's experienced in the medical field but is also overloaded with things such as weaponry and overall things needed for his work [this was not his doing, theres more to this] and he's also just constantly at the brink of overheating, a majority of the time he produces steam to cool off”

“he. can be intense???? and mean?? but its only rlly if u do it first? idk how 2 word it i hope that makes sense”

“they're not very good with human things,at least like emotion „stuff and whatever though he tries to understand?? also he has a pegleg i forgot to mention”

> EXTRA COOL NOTES

i like to use specific brushes for pizza crew, another thing i keep in mind is to use as little color as possible

pizza crew uses a lot of grays, it looks like an old movie

whenever i use color its meant to pop out (the eyes of those who are cursed, the lights from digiorno, etc)

my oc, cesare, plays a decently big part in this au but im a little shy abt sharing info on them still but yeah

cringe but free, thanks for coming 🦖

[imhereforscm]

Which Agatha Christie book would you recommend to an absolute beginner?

You gave me a chance to talk about books and my dear Agatha Christie and that made me very excited😁💖💖

I believe there's no "hard-to-read" book among Agatha's books. It's really up to what anyone likes and/or dislikes!

My personal opinion on her books is that I've never been disappointed. Also, it covers crime cases from a perspective of human psychology. It's not just about footprints and fingerprints and all that technical aspects and that's what makes me love those books, among other crime ones I've started and dropped many times, because I wasn't hooked.

But I'm gonna recommend three of my favourites. Again: I love all of her books, but these are my favourites so far:

*warnings: all of these books center around murder*

Lord Edgware Dies

This is the first book I read of hers.

The premise just like it's written in Goodreads:

It's true; Hercule Poirot had been present when the famous actress Jane Wilkinson bragged of her plan to ‘get rid of’ her estranged husband, Lord Edgware.

Now the man was dead. And yet the great Belgian detective couldn’t help feeling that he was being taken for a ride. After all, how could Jane have stabbed her thoroughly detestable husband to death in his library at exactly the same time she was seen dining with friends? And what could be her motive now that the aristocrat had finally agreed to grant her a divorce?

Cards on the Table

The premise by Goodreads:

A flamboyant party host is murdered in full view of a roomful of bridge players!

Mr. Shaitana was famous, as were his parties. He was also a man of whom everybody was a little afraid. So, when he boasted to Poirot that he considered murder an art form, the detective had some reservations about accepting a party invitation of cards and viewing Shaitana’s private art collection. Indeed, what began as an absorbing evening of bridge was to turn into a more dangerous game altogether…

Something else I want to add, which my version on the book had written on (idk why it's not mentioned here, when it's a crucial element and it really piqued my interest): in this case, there's no "who's most likely to commit murder." Because the special element in this case, is that all suspects have committed murder in the past. Therefore we know it could be anyone.

Elephants Can Remember

I found the psychological topic this book was dealing with to be SO intriguing. I can't tell you which theme it was specifically though, because that would be spoiling it.

Premise from Goodreads:

Hercule Poirot stood on the cliff-top. For here, many years earlier, there had been a tragic accident – the broken body of a woman was discovered on the rocks at the foot of the cliff. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two more bodies – a husband and wife – shot dead. But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves back into a crime committed 15 years earlier and discovers that, when there is a distinct lack of physical evidence, it’s just as well that ‘old sins leave long shadows.'

I've read more books by Agatha, but these are my personal three favourites (I hope I'm not forgetting any, but I don't think I do). But of course, my words are subjective! These books might not be everyone's cup of tea, so if you think my recommendation were not satisfying, you can always look up more yourself💖💖 (I suggest you not going on Wikipedia, because there are HUGE spoilers there. Go on Goodreads.)

These books are from Poirot's series of stories. Agatha has also written about Miss Marple. I haven't read a lot of Miss Marple yet, but from my very little experience with her, she's very likable too.

The difference between Poirot and Miss Marple is that Poirot dives into the core of human psychology and all it's possible twisted states as a detective, while Miss Marple is just an elderly lady that lends her brains into cases she might come across. And mainly, Miss Marple does it by revisiting experiences from her life that remind her of certain aspects of the cases.

Both characters are absolutely lovely and breathtaking and even though they both have different approaches to solving cases, they're both very intuitive and their brains are wonderful in their own unique ways.

[ddarker-dreams]

Lock, idk if you ever answer this question but what do you think God!darling story quest is ?

OH so like from the traveler's point of view?? interesting, i never considered this until you mentioned it. i gave it some thought and came up with an idea i actually like a lot. to give a rough rundown of how i'd want their story quest to go, i imagine it'd be something like this.

traveler and paimon walking the roads of liyue harbor, overseeing god darling in the distance talking to some shady looking individuals. paimon does that fun paimon thing where she tells her minion (the traveler) what to do and they both go to check in on god darling. the merchants are claiming that they found a domain belonging to vephar/the god of sand and are offering tours at an absurdly high price to gullible individuals. maybe the price is like 100 million mora.

paimon, snickering to traveler: ohh, if only these poor saps knew who they were negotiating with, there's no way [first] is gonna fall for tha—

[first]: agreed. when are you prepared to depart?

paimon and traveler: ??????????????????

they both then approach god darling and try to talk them out of it. this is a scam! anyone could see that! god darling reassures the two and says they want to see this domain with their own eyes. god darling pays the fee by giving them their pearl earrings, boasting perfect luster and condition.

god darling is off to yaoguang shoal with the shady merchants.

paimon and traveler are worried about this development, so they decide to alert zhongli. they find him dining at wanmin restaurant and paimon gets all panicked, saying that god darling needs their help, and it's an emergency. zhongli's pupils shrink into draconic slits and asks for them to elaborate. traveler explains while paimon catches her breath and zhongli is like. oh. nvm. sits back down and starts sipping on his tea. once again, paimon and traveler are ??????????

zhongli: i don't wish to be ignored for a decade again, so i'll let them do as they please.

paimon: ignored... for a decade...? what kind of disagreement caused that?

zhongli: i suggested commissioning a statue of our exuvia forms together and sitting it in the center of liyue harbor.

paimon: venti was right about you both, what kind of sham relationship do you have? i thought he was exaggerating too...

zhongli says that if they're really worried about god darling, he'll tag along, but they have to say it was their idea. god darling could never get angry at traveler and their floating companion. the trio head out to yaoguang shoal, using elemental vision to track down god darling's footprints. they follow up to the spot the footprints disappear, spotting xiao in the distance. xiao had been observing the unfolding scene and says the group disappeared in a glow of light, but he doesn't sense god darling to be in any peril.

the three stooges (zhongli, paimon, and traveler) then end up solving a puzzle to get inside the domain. maybe something like different hourglasses are filled with certain amounts of sand, and the traveler needs to flip them over so they all empty into the bottom at the same time? idk, i don't design puzzles. anyway. domain opens and lets them in. zhongli hums, confirming that this does indeed have the aura of god darling running through it.

cue typical domain stuff. fighting some treasure hoarders or w/e. trap or two. you know the drill. they get to the end of the domain and see god darling being hassled by the merchants for more of their jewelry. merchant tries to take a sea glass necklace that one of god darling's people made for them thousands of years ago, god darling just kinda slowly looks over at them with the bottom of their hair resonating with geo. zhongli raises up his arms and puts a shield around paimon/traveler & those merchants.

even though they're all sealed underground, a hellacious gust of wind forms from where god darling stands. grains of sand intertwine with the relentless gale. merchants are blown away in the carnage. the winds die down. god darling thanks zhongli for protecting paimon + the traveler and apologizes for losing themselves, reassuring that they didn't kill the merchants. they're just knocked out cold. KO.

the sandstorm they kicked up broke through the walls of their old domain, revealing some old mural. it shows a silhouette of god darling's arms on either side of how yaoguang shoal looked 4,000 years prior, with tiny individuals representing their people along the shoreline present. the atmosphere takes a heavy turn as god darling fixates on the art and goes silent. paimon attempts to speak, but zhongli shakes his head, so she remains quiet.

zhongli encourages the group to head out early to give god darling time to think so they all head out. xiao, who is still waiting outside the domain, says that he's surprised to see paimon and traveler in one piece and should count themselves fortunate for having zhongli present. god darling's sandstorms could gradually tear the flesh of those caught within the carnage straight from the bone. zhongli sighs dreamily.

traveler asks zhongli what that mural was all about. cue some monologue where he purposefully omits certain details of god darling's past. traveler picks up on this and just kinda stares at zhongli while paimon starts sniffling over how sad it is that vephar lost their people during the archon war, but is glad zhongli was there to protect them from meeting the same fate.

traveler gets anime style flashback of dainsleif's, "Always be on your guard when around gods."

god darling catches up with the squad and apologizes once again for almost killing traveler by giving them their pearl earrings. (they snatched the earrings back from the merchants because they're petty like that).

"The people of Liyue believe that these pearls represent my will, and that where they find them, love will follow. Traveler, there are many kinds of love. Romantic, platonic... familial. I hope and pray for your success in reuniting with your sibling. For I know how painful early partings are."

quest ends with god darling overlooking yaoguang shoal.

Achievement Unlocked: Venti Told You So!

[exhausted-enby]

Moving On and Out

Bokuto Koutarou x GN!Reader (not the main focus!)

hurt and comfort? angst? idk man.

past kuroo tetsurou x reader, past kuroo tetsurou x unspecified character, bokuto koutarou x reader, kenma x hinata.

word count: exactly 3333!!!

Content Warning(s): swearing, past cheating, angst, recreational alcohol consumption, recreational drug use (weed) mentioned, y/n ready to square up, shit grammar as usual.

part one: Letting Go (Kuroo x GN!reader angst)

you don't have to read the first part but it might make a bit more sense :)

the week following is tense, to say the least.

Kuroo makes himself scarce. locking himself in his room, leaving only to grab quick, minimal prep food, to use the bathroom and to go to and from work. you've crossed paths a grand total of four times in the past several days: twice in the kitchen, once in the hallway and once in the apartment building's lobby.

today is sunday, and his only day off. you're determined to speak with him, whether he wants to or not.

juggling a takeout bag in one hand and your everyday bag in the other, you riffle through your things looking for your apartment keys. it takes a few tries and some words of vex muttered under your breath but you finally pull your keys free, then hastily jam them into the lock.

“Kuroo! I see your shoes out here, i know you're home!��� you shout into your shared space, fighting to pull your own shoes off your feet. when you don't receive a response you tack on, “seriously, get your ass out here! we've ought to talk and i've got take-out from the thai place downtown. i'll bust down your door if i have to!” humour colours your ending statement, but it's far from a joke.

your apartment is small, with an open concept lay out. the dining area-slash-kitchen to the left and living room to the right in one elongated room. dead center, directly across from the front door is, technically, what divides the space into separate sections, a single hallway. the first room on the right is Kuroo's, slightly further down the hall on the left is your own. the bathroom is placed directly at the end of the walkway.

overall, it's a little shabby; always a bit too cold in the winters and a smidge too hot in the summers. the bathroom faucet leaks year round despite the multitude of times you've tried to fix it and the power will randomly flicker out for half an hour or so then spark back to life monthly. it's not ideal but it's enough for two struggling college students. beggars can't be choosers and all that jazz. it's close to your campus and not much farther from your jobs, which sealed the deal for you when you had decided to get an apartment together halfway through your first year.

tossing your bag on the coach, you start to question whether or not he is actually present as the silence stretches on. but just as you're unpacking the to-go containers, setting them out on the small kitchen table, you hear the lock on his door turn then see his head peep around the hall corner. “oh, good! you are home, for a second i thought i bought all this food for nothing. i got the noodles you like. get the plates, will you?” he doesn't answer but he does as told, scurrying around you to the cupboards.

placing down two ceramic, cat-head shaped plates, he makes way for the utensils drawer behind you. you press closer to the table to give him the needed access.

after dishing out food onto your plate, you plop into a chair. Kuroo hesitates slightly before plating himself and taking the seat directly across from you. you rarely eat at the dining table, normally on the coach or in one of your beds instead. unless you a) had guests over or b) you needed to have a serious conversation.

you eat in silence for a majority of the meal, the only sound is the clacking of utensils and the consistent hum of the fridge in the background. it's odd, uncomfortable, and you want it to be done with.

taking a few more bites of your food you place your utensils down then clear your throat.

"so," you pause, you're not sure how to go about this, "i'm moving out." well. i guess that's definitely one way. not exactly how you wanted, but at least it's direct.

he just stares. eyebrows drawn and jaw slack. he looks like he's trying to solve a chemistry problem that just doesn't make sense. his bite of his food hovers midair, just before his still open mouth.

he doesn't say anything. absolutely nothing at all.

and all of this damned silence is really starting to piss you off.

"fucking say something goddammit! or actually, close your damn mouth first i can see your half-chewed food." your patience is running thin. and like the flick of a switch your whole demeanour changes, everything about you— your tone, stance, aura— is saturated in annoyance.

his jaw clamps shut so fast you can hear his teeth clank together. he chews his food a few more times then swallows, washing it down with some water afterwards. he's stalling, never this careful with his food. you've watched him and Bokuto almost kill each other over hotpot then choke it back up. but here he is, slowly and meticulously chewing a single bite.

he clears his throat uncomfortably, "wh.. what?" definitely not his most eloquent response. his voice is small and confused, a little hurt.

you repeat yourself. you know that isn't what he meant but you need to make him understand this is absolute.

"i knew this was gonna be bad when you said you bought thai." he lets out an empty chuckle, "i guess i just wasn't expecting it to be this bad..." voice softer than a whisper, something indescribable tinges the edge of his words.

fear, maybe?

you let out a hum of acknowledgment to signal you're still present in the conversation. sitting with your thoughts for a moment, you ponder your options on how you can continue.

"i have to. it's for my own well-being. this whole situation is..." you trail off, shaking your head free of any straying thoughts. you need to stay on track, "besides it's late august and our lease is up at the end of december. you can either find a new roommate and renew the lease or start looking for somewhere else now because i can not continue to live here." you pat yourself on the back mentally for your strong and sturdy tone; no hesitation. 100% fact.

he opens his mouth to protest but you hold up your hand to signal, stop, you are not finished.

"if you decide on staying, I'll be out of your hair by the end of september, latest. Kenma and Shoyo said i can crash in their guest room for the time being. if you decide to move i'll stay and pay my portion of the rent for the remaining time but don't think that i'll change my mind if you do want to stay." your throat is dry but you feel like a weight has been lifted off your chest so that's all that matters.

"can i have some time to think about it?" his voice is hollow and eyes empty.

"sure. doesn't make much of a difference to me." you shrug, giving off an air of indifference. inside, however, you're crumbling.

this was the hardest decision of your life. you'd been attached at the hip since elementary school, moving into the same apartment complex shortly after Kenma had. you thought you'd be together forever but you know your worth and whatever this half assed lie was.. is definitely not it. you're not going to let him treat you like a cheap whore you stuff in the closet when your spouse comes home earlier than expected.

and speaking of spouses..

"oh. one more thing," his eyes flicker up to your face but immediately drop back down to his plate when he catches sight of your E/C eyes. they lack the regular sparkle, it makes his heart squeeze uncomfortably. he nods his head slightly to show he's listening.

folding your hands over your plate you rest your chin atop them, "you have until the end of the week to tell them. Or i will." you keep your voice level, flat even. as if you're discussing a business deal. his chopsticks slip out of his hand. one hits the edge of his plate then tumbles off the table the other falls directly into his food.

"i— excuse me? are you serious?? no. absolutely not. you don't have the fucking right to make that decision, Y/N!" his voice is raising in intensity, anger bleeding into his words and painting his face red.

and that makes you see a just as blinding scarlet, vision blurring as rage sets in your veins. your chair crashes to the ground you stand up so fast. in less than a blink of an eye you're leaning across the table, close enough that you're almost nose to nose with him.

a smaller, less rational and much weaker part of yourself is telling you to lean in the last few centimetres. kiss him, forget it all. but all the feelings that have been accumulating over the last week, simmering under your skin, finally start to bubble over.

good thing the urge to punch his teeth down his throat is so much stronger.

"but you had the right to lie to the both of us? you're a selfish cunt, Kuroo. real. fucking. selfish." you're seething. if this was one of those old american cartoons you're positive you'd have smoke coming out of your ears.

he reels back, almost falling out of his chair in the process. jumping up and out of his seat, he steps around you silently.

you wish he'd yell, stand up and let out all that he's been bottling up. explain himself. but that's a real silly thought. he pauses momentarily then heads for the hall.

"thanks for the food." he tensely calls over his shoulder. then slams his door shut, rattling the walls of this shitty apartment.

puffing out your cheeks you clean up the leftovers, stuffing them in the fridge then turn in for the night as well.

———

the next morning you receive a single text.

Tetsurou🐈‍⬛: I'm going to find my own place as well.

well, then that settles it.

———

a week passes and when his partner still doesn't know you decide to call them up yourself. you invite them out to breakfast, your treat, the next morning. nothing unusual, you've had one-on-ones a handful of times.

over greasy diner food and your usual drink of choice you explain the whole situation, start to finish. from the first time you met, your first kiss and then everything leading up to this very moment. it's a lengthy ordeal but they don't interrupt, not even once. listening intently, stirring their coffee now and again.

they thank you for your honesty but excuse themselves after asking for some time to process what you just dumped over their head like a bucket of ice cold water.

you understand. bidding them goodbye, you stay seated. watching their figure disappear into the throngs of people flooding the streets from the window.

when you go home later that evening after your afternoon class and work you know they've broken up with Kuroo. his eyes are rimmed red and he shoulder checks you as you pass him by in the hallway.

whatever.

karma's a bitch, ain't it?

———

holidays come and go.

halloween you go out with some friends and get so wasted you wake up in a stranger's bed, not a single memory of anything following the third —no, fourth?— bar you hopped, costume literally torn up and thrown across their bedroom floor.

november is spent haphazardly packing up the entire apartment and looking at overpriced flats.

it doesn't go nearly as smoothly as it could with how little the two of you are communicating.

it's odd diving up your belongings: the kitchenware, your combined movie collection, pictures and trinkets, etc. etc.

you agreed to sell most of the furniture then split the money.

it's depressing, truly.

winter break is spent bouncing between family and friends homes for a variety of celebrations.

you haven't told very many people about the situation, some don't even know you're moving yet... like your parents, for example.

Kuroo's mother doesn't say anything but you know she knows something is up when you go over for your annual holiday dinner. she kept squinting at you, cat-like eyes trained on you and him all night.

you really hope she doesn't gossip to your and Kenma's mothers.

just before new year's eve you are stuffing a majority of your things into a storage unit. Bokuto, Hinata and Atsumu— their teammate— help.

you had hoped to find an apartment before now but found nothing. the couple assures you, you're still more than welcome in their home for as long as you need.

Kenma and Akaashi are back at the apartment helping Kuroo pack a few remaining items. the three professional volleyball players agreed to help move him tomorrow.

someone in one of his media classes mentioned that his roommate was moving in with her girlfriend and Kuroo jumped at the opportunity.

not that you care... much.

———

a month in and you still feel guilty that you, not Kuroo, end up getting the spare room to his childhood best friend's home. picking the skin around your nails, you anxiously share your worries to Bokuto over the phone.

"Y/N, you're just as much Kenma's childhood best friend as Kuroo is," his voice is slightly distorted but even over the crackling of the call, it's clear in his voice that he's confused. not in a, 'how do i do taxes?' confused, but as in, 'isn't that obvious?’.

"Kenma wouldn't just let anyone crash in his home, Y/N. he's a pretty private person— hell, took him forever to ask Sho-kun over when they first started dating! if he wanted you out, you and i both know that you'd know it."

Bokuto Koutarou isn't a stupid person, far from it, actually. although, at first glance many assume as much. they see the loud, bubbly athlete and automatically write him off as just another dumb jock. but he's perceptive and emotionally intelligent, fiercely loyal and always so honest there's no room left for doubt.

"you're right," voice wobbly, you whisper into the receiver, "thanks Kou."

———

graduation rolls around and Kenma and Hinata (mostly Hinata) throw a party for you and your friends as congratulations. you mentally prepared to socialize by doing shots with Shoyo and then lighting up with kenma. your skin pleasantly tingles and your belly is warm.

when you bump into Kuroo, it still stings a tad more than you'd like to admit. but you bid him congratulations and make small talk anyways; how's your new roommate? exams sure were brutal this year. did you hear the bakery on campus is closing? and so on.

when Kuroo spots his ex making a beeline for you, his shoulders square and his back straightens uncomfortably.

"i'm uh, i'm gonna go— fill my drink! yeah, my cup's lookin’ a lil low." stumbling over his words and feet, he disappears. you decide to ignore that horrible attempt at a subtle exit and greet his ex with a hug and a smile; you chat briefly then part ways shortly after.

slipping outside, you slide the glass door that leads into the backyard closed. although the late night air still has the same harsh bite as the year before, a hefty amount of rowdy partygoers have gathered in the enclosed area. the chill is welcomed, refreshing.

you stumble through people playing drinking games, bumping into a person or two, as you make your way to a group of your dancing friends.

Hinata's time in brazil served him well. he swings and rolls his hips with practiced ease, never missing a beat. taking the hand he extends to you, he quickly pulls you into his chest with a tinkling laugh when you trip over your feet. you can't help but laugh a little too loud yourself, his own being contagious and the liquor clouding your mind makes everything just seem a smidge funnier than it really is.

"no no no— like this, you roll your hips like swoosh not whoosh!" he tries to demonstrate some simple moves to you and Hitoka but your alcohol-addled brains just can't seem to wrap around his instructions. it's okay, though. no one is bothered by it, if anything it fuels the giggle fest that makes up your current trio. typically you'd be embarrassed over the whole ordeal but with high spirits and liquid courage coursing through your veins you just giggle and try anyway.

this continues on for a few more songs before shoyo all but demands, "we need to do shots together!" and so off he goes. even drunk he's a fast little fucker, weaving through people with a refinement that someone as wasted as him shouldn't have.

ninja Shoyo or whatever, i guess.

stumbling after him, just as you're passing the patio table set up for cup pong, you quite literally fall into bokuto's lap with a hard oomph. he's sitting on one of the expensive steel lawn chairs, red solo in hand, its content sloshing over the rim, narrowly missing your top.

Atsumu squawks out apologies and Osamu chirps him on, "how the fuck are ya a professional volleyball player 'n yer dumbass still ain't aware of yer surroundings", but you're more focused on more important things; like the arm that wraps around your waist and the thick muscle that makes up his thighs...

his booming laugh bounces you on his lap and if you were a little more clear headed, a dab less trashed, you'd be mortified. instead, a laugh bubbles up out of your chest as well, waving Atsumu off you assure him it's fine. "as long as Koutarou is okay with it, so am i" the grin on your face puts the player at ease.

"why wouldn't i be fine with someone as cute as you takin’ a seat on me?" his speech is slurred but understandable. he rewards you with a tight squeeze around your middle and a blinding smile.

Atsumu throws his hands up in surrender and a wolfish grin overtakes his features, "whatever ya say Y/N and Bokkun," he sends a wink your way and then goes back to trash talking his twin despite getting his ass slammed at the game.

and that's where you spend the next hour, relaxed into the ace's chest observing the twins. he whispers into your ears commentary on each shot, making you giggle.

Hinata did come to find you about ten minutes after taking off with Yachi in tow but retreated back into the house once seeing where you'd ended up. only returning to hand you two drinks, giving you a pointed look and Bo one of his signature smiles then goes to find his boyfriend holed up somewhere inside.

half a year ago you felt like your life was falling apart. your carefully crafted home collapsing, swept away by a hurricane of problems.

but right here, right now, surrounded by friends and those you'd even consider family, you feel the most unwound you have in a while. like nothing could ruin everything you've started to rebuild.

so when you lean into kiss koutarou and he doesn't pull away, but kisses you back softly yet intensely— not at all how you'd expect him to— you know you're right. nothing could ruin this.

not even if you could see the array of emotions— shock, hurt, regret, jealousy— crossing kuroos features at supersonic speeds. throwing back both his and the drink he poured for the fukurodani alumni, he turns on his heels and leaves without a word to anyone.

not even that knowledge on top of the icky feeling that comes with drinking in excess could squash the warmth and excitement filling up your chest when you awake to your frame swallowed whole by Bokuto's and the memory of his lips pressed against your own.

everything’s going to be okay.

[plant-flwrs]

(2/2) Everyone treats her badly and there is angst because she hates that people can't see her as more than a Malfoy and assume she's like Draco because they’re so close. And then kind of go with that? The background is kinda detailed 😂 sorry. I just had this idea stuck in my head and well I suck at writing and you write Draco as a brother amazingly.

similar shadows // george weasley

entire request:  (1/2) okay I'm finally here sending the ask. So can I have a reader x George (idk who else to ask for). So the reader is Draco's twin but in Ravenclaw. Her and Draco are really close and Draco is very protective over her but not overbearing. She's shy, book nerdy and socially awkward so she tends to stay with Draco; Draco understands her (cue sweet brother). (2/2) Everyone treats her badly and there is angst because she hates that people can't see her as more than a Malfoy and assume she's like Draco because they’re so close. And then kind of go with that? The background is kinda detailed 😂 sorry. I just had this idea stuck in my head and well I suck at writing and you write Draco as a brother amazingly.

masterlist!

a/n: ugh i love writing draco as a brother even if his characterization is completely inaccurate for it, he just has such little brother energy to me (and a warning, i took a lot of creative liberties for draco’s personality in this, i couldn’t resist it. it just made the brother/sister dynamic sm better in my opinion). also included flirty!george in this just bc i love it. i hope u like this, tysm for the request!!

summary: Living in the Malfoy shadow conditioned you to behave a certain way, avoid certain things. But, once your able to use the Quidditch pitch to finally prove you are something different than your last name, everything seems to fall into place. You even catch a certain Weasley’s eye.

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The air in Malfoy Manor was always thick; thick with unsaid words, hateful tension, and awful regrets. It was a blessing for you to leave and go to Hogwarts every year.

The train ride was something you looked forwards to. Curled up in the window seat, because Draco always let you have the window seat, with whatever book you were reading at the moment. You tuned out Draco’s usual complaining to Pansy and Blaise, indulging yourself in the novel perched on your lap.

The trip never lasted long enough, though, and soon you were shuffled into Hogwarts. Draco gave your shoulder one last bump and a weak smile before you went to sit at the Ravenclaw table. You tilted your head back, gazing up at the ceiling with wonder in your eyes. The Ravenclaw table was filling up, and you managed a seat closest to the professors’ table. Your eyes scanned the Slytherin table until they found the familiar head of platinum hair you were looking for. Even if he wasn’t with you, just seeing Draco made you feel a little safer.

Dinner went quickly with your head shoved in a book, and soon you were excused to your common rooms. Draco slid away from the mass of green ties, walking with you to your common room. The two of you walked slowly, falling from the crowd to stroll by yourselves.

“I heard that the Ravenclaw Quidditch team needs a new seeker this year,” Draco started, shoving his hands in his pants pockets, “maybe you should try out.”

“I don’t know,” you clutched your book closer to your chest, “Quidditch was always your thing.”

“You’re a great flyer, Y/n,” Draco glanced at your hesitant expression, “look, it can’t hurt to try out.”

“Maybe,” you offered him, enjoying the way he smiled proudly once you gave in.

He wrapped a brotherly arm around your shoulders, marching you up the endless amount of stairs to the Ravenclaw common room. 

The next day of lessons came far too soon, and your timetable clutched in your shaky hands was giving you a headache. You looked up, seeing a familiar room number, but upon looking back at your timetable, you realized you were on the completely wrong side of the castle.

You turned on your heal, starting down a new corridor. Glancing at your watch, you saw you were already late for lessons. While your eyes were off the hallway in front of you, you hit the hard chest of someone coming your way.

“In a hurry, Malfoy?” the voice said as you both stumbled back.

George Weasley stood in front of you, a playful and happy expression on his handsome features. You knew he was only joking when he called you ‘Malfoy’, but you really did hate it. People called Draco that, and you didn’t often like to be associated with the reputation your father had curated with the last name.

“You two!” someone called from the end of the hallway.

George groaned, looking over your shoulder, “Great.”

“Detention, tonight, my office,” Filch told the two of you, pointing a finger in your faces.

You pulled back, eyeing his finger suspiciously. You didn’t realize you were doing it, but as George looked at you he noticed you were doing the signature Malfoy sneer.

“Thanks,” George said sarcastically, bumping your shoulder as he passed you.

You took a deep breath, starting off to find your class again.

“How were your classes?” Draco slumped next to you on the bench, pulling out a piece of what you thought might be pumpkin bread.

He tore off a chunk, eating it slowly. He held a piece out to you and you accepted it gratefully.

“Awful,” you said simply, putting your head to rest against your hand, “I couldn’t find half of them.”

“You should have told me, I could have helped,” Draco said, looking a little annoyed at you.

“You had your own classes to worry about,” you defended, taking another piece of pumpkin bread from him.

Draco rolled his eyes, looking around the courtyard until his eyes fell on Harry Potter sitting with a few other Gryffindors.

“Given any other thought about Quidditch? Tryouts are next week,” he mentioned, tearing his eyes away from Harry.

“I don’t know, depends on how hard my classes are,” you made up an excuse.

“Your classes are never hard for you,” Draco teased, giving you the rest of the bread, “and besides, I think you have a real chance of being a better seeker than Potter.”

You rolled your eyes, unable to contain the surprised laughter that bubbled from your chest.

“Yeah right!”

Draco scoffed, joining in your infectious laughter. You finished off the bread in your hand and reluctantly went to serve your detention with Filch.

You had never had detention before, so nerves racked your body. You looked around anxiously, twisting your hands behind your back.

“Malfoy,” George called to you from the end of the hallway.

You turned around to look at him, and waited while he jogged to catch up with you.

“You’re actually going to the detention? Figured you would have thrown a fit to Dumbledore to get out of it,” he said rudely, giving you a critical glance.

You ignored him, biting your tongue. You walked a few paces ahead of him, also ignoring his scoff.

You opened the door to Filch’s office, not bothering to wait for George. You sat on one of the old chairs in front of the desk, waiting for Filch’s sneer to turn into words.

“You two are going to polish the frames on all the portraits in this corridor,” he growled, placing two toothbrushes and one rag on his desk.

“All of them?” George repeated, sounding bothered.

“All of ‘em,” Filch said, his mouth turning up in a smile at the sight of misery.

You took a toothbrush and the rag, standing from your seat. You wordlessly walked out into the hallway and went all the way to one end. You kneeled, getting to work on a low hanging portrait. The portrait was a family sitting at a dining room table, mounds of food piled in front of them. There was a mother bouncing a baby on her knee, lifting food into it’s mouth. A young boy sat across from her, shoveling mashed potatoes into his small mouth. The father at the head of the table watched them both happily, cutting the large chicken at the center of the table. They all stopped what they were doing at the sight of you crouched in front of them, but once they saw you begin to clean, their cautious looks were replaced with thankful ones.

You watched the family, smiling faintly as they began eating again.

George had went to the opposite side of the hallway, and you began moving towards each other as the sun dwindled from the sky and candles dimly illuminated the hall. Soon, you were a few feet apart, both scrubbing with heavy hands. You moved onto the next portrait, craning your neck to look at it’s place much higher than you could reach.

You stood on the tips of your toes, extending your arm as far as it would go. You couldn’t even reach the bottom of the frame. Suddenly, George’s taller frame was hovering next to you, watching with an entertained smirk as you balanced on your toes. 

“Need some help?” he drawled, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

You fell to stand flat on your feet, nodding your head shyly. He chuckled, moving past you and effortlessly cleaning the frame.

You watched him for a moment, noticing the rise in his shirt that exposed the beginnings of his toned stomach. You watched the way his biceps flexed under his sleeves as his hand moved back and forth against the portrait. Your eyes drifted back to the wall, sitting with your legs crossed to clean a portrait closer to the floor.

“You don’t talk as much as Draco does,” George said suddenly, looking down at you from his position above you.

You didn’t respond, only giving him a quizzical expression.

“Every time I see him he’s ranting or complaining about something or other,” George continued, playfully smiling.

“Complaining is one of his hobbies,” you teased, smiling at the sound of George’s chuckle.

“So you’re his twin?” he asked, dropping his hand from the portrait and leaning against the wall again to look at you.

“Yeah,” you said, still focused on the portrait.

“You guys don’t seem too similar,” he said, furrowing his brows.

“Well, are you and Fred too similar?” you quipped, and he chuckled again.

“ ‘Spose we aren’t,” he said, turning back to the portrait, “good thing really. Gives me the opportunity to be the better one of us.”

You giggled at George’s joke, and stood from your spot on the floor.

He handed you the rag and you gave one last swipe to the portrait you just scrubbed. You placed your hands on your hips, looking down the hallway and admiring your work.

“Guess that’s it,” George said, twisting his brush in his fingers.

“Guess it is,” you said sheepishly.

You turned to walk back to Filch’s office, George trailing behind you.

Something about that little interaction made your spirits higher for an entire week. You didn’t know why, but the idea of making George Weasley laugh gave you some confidence that you lacked before. Your entire life at Hogwarts, people assumed you were like Draco. You fell in Draco’s shadow and people associated you with him and his mean tendencies. When you spoke with George, you knew he could relate to you. You knew he fell in Fred’s shadow some times, everyone knew that. Fred was the louder one, the one who usually had a girlfriend cheering for him at his Quidditch matches. George was quieter and thoughtful. You felt drawn to George.

You riding the coattails of that minor interaction with George was the only thing willing your legs to move towards the Quidditch pitch. Well, that and Draco’s firm grip on your shoulders making sure you didn’t turn and run away.

Draco had written to your mother after his first mention of Quidditch to you, and she sent you everything you needed with no hesitation. You gripped your new Firebolt in your shaky hands and tugged at the heavy pads wrapped around your forearms. Once you stood in front of the Ravenclaw team captain, you bent over slightly to adjust your knee pads. Draco’s hands left your shoulders.

“Good luck, you’re gonna do great.” he mumbled into your ear, glancing around to make sure no one else heard his kind words. He flashed you a thumbs up as he walked to the elevated grass near the goal posts, sitting down to watch.

You pulled your gloves on tighter, afraid they would fall off and affect your playing. You gulped as the captains eyes scanned you critically.

“Malfoy?” he asked, not hiding the surprise in his voice.

“Yes?” you squeaked, gripping your broom tighter.

“Oh,” he said, a pleasantly surprised look on his face, “nothing, just didn’t expect to see you here.”

You faked a smile at him, biting your tongue. You were already here, why not try to make a good impression?

You followed all the directions. The drills they had you do were nothing compared to what Draco and you used to do in the garden during the summer. You easily flew laps around everyone else, a combination of your impressive broom, and your skills alone.

The captain had reservations about you, eyeing Draco suspiciously as he cheered for you from the ground. However, after your third successful time catching the snitch, he didn’t care much about your last name. 

He told you that you made the team a few days later, telling you when to show up for practice, and when the next game was. It was Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff, and your captain sounded quite confident about it. So did Draco.

“You’re going to kill them!” he said enthusiastically, not hiding any of his excitement as you two walked alone along bank of the Black Lake.

You giggled at his enthusiasm, unable to stop the confidence bubbling in your chest at the thought of you catching the snitch during your first Quidditch match.

“Well, it is Hufflepuff,” you joked, shoving his shoulder with yours, “I doubt they’ll put up too much of a fight.”

Draco made an ‘ooo’ noise, his shoulders jostling with laughter.

“Trash talking already? Before your first match?”

You smiled sheepishly, not often getting to talk this freely with anyone. You enjoyed your private talks with Draco. He didn’t have to put on a hard façade, and you didn’t have to put on a painfully nice one. You were both free to be yourselves, and you hoped one day you would have someone, who wasn’t your brother, to be yourself around.

You had gone over the plays tirelessly with your captain. You didn’t eat for three days, too nervous to find food appealing. You had to force down some eggs and toast before your match, just so you wouldn’t pass out. 

You pulled at your gloves uncomfortably, fidgeting with every detail on your perfect broom just to make sure it was all in order. You stepped onto the field, hearing the roaring crowd. Everyone in the school was there; it was the first match of the year. 

You felt your eggs and toast fighting their way up your throat, but you swallowed hard, willing them to stay put. Your chin shook with the intensity in which you clenched your jaw, eyes darting everywhere at once.

“You’ve got this,” your captain slapped you on the back, jolting you forward a bit. You stumbled, using your broom as support to catch yourself from falling on your face.

Once on the field, you hovered easily face to face with the Hufflepuff seeker. Your entire body was shaking with nerves, and just before the whistle was blown, you heard the entire Slytherin and Ravenclaw student section joined in chanting your name. Your first name.

You smiled widely, enjoying the change. You were being recognized for more than your last name, for more than your family crest. You weren’t the girl who bore a striking resemblance to the meanest boy in your grade, you were more than the Malfoy’s blonde hair and grey eyes. You were you. You were Y/n.

The game was over faster than it started. The chasers in blue had only scored four goals on the Hufflepuff's before you caught the snitch, diving down to the ground with your hands wrapped tightly around the little golden orb.

Lee Jordan screamed from his spot on the teacher’s balcony, and you thought it would have made the ears bleed of anyone within 100 feet of him. Your team huddled around you, lifting you from your feet and throwing you into the air. You never let go of the snitch, keeping it clutched in your hand until you spotted Draco strolling over to you on the field. You tapped the shoulder of your captain, and he told everyone to put you down. People jostled your shoulders, clasping your back and sending varied praises your way. You nearly felt like crying, you were so happy.

You ran to Draco, tossing your broom cautiously on the ground. You jumped into his chest, his unsuspecting hands still tucked into his pants pockets. He made a disgruntled noise, stumbling back as you wrapped your sweaty arms around his neck.

“Oh my god!” you screamed, your face a flushed pink.

“I know!” he screamed back, smiling at your enthusiasm. 

“Let me see it,” he said, putting you on your feet and picking up your hand with his.

You let his palm hold yours, opening your fingers slowly. The snitch stayed put, resting still in your gloved hand. Draco’s mouth cracked into a smile, his pale face illuminating with happiness and pride. He was proud of his sister.

“I knew you would do it,” he said, wrapping his arms around your shoulders again and bringing you into a suffocating hug.

You trekked up the hill to the castle, blue surrounding you in a huddle. The only thing out of place was Draco’s all black suit he wore, but it didn’t matter. You walked side by side, and no one questioned his presence, because you just caught the snitch.

“Nice game,” you heard a voice from behind you, falling into step with you.

You looked to your left, seeing the tall frame of George Weasley. He wore a knit beanie over his ginger hair, and a sweater with his initial on it. You beamed at him, your cheeks still flushed from the excitement.

“Thanks,” you said, not taking your eyes off of him until he looked away, laughing.

“Who knew you had it in ya?” he joked, bumping his shoulder into yours.

“I did,” Draco mumbled from your other side. You turned to him, sending him a warning glance, and then looked back at George.

“Well, the Hufflepuff's certainly didn’t,” you said, referencing the way their seeker had barely even glanced at you when the game was starting.

George laughed again, and you felt your knees go a little weak. Who’s wouldn’t at the sight of an older and handsome boy laughing at a joke you made?

“Not looking forward when we have to go against Ravenclaw in a few weeks,” George said, an impressed and admiring look on his face, “you’ll definitely give Harry a run for his money.”

Draco snorted from beside you, and you sent a sharp elbow to his side. He groaned, moving a hand to nurse the spot. You kept your dazed eyes locked on Georges. George’s eyes flickered to a semi-hunched over Draco, his smile widening. 

“I’ll talk to you later,” he said, smirking at you. 

You watched his long legs carry him away, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Don’t tell me you fancy a Wea-” Draco started, but you winded your elbow up as a warning and he stopped suddenly.

“Shut up,” you said, still watching the way George moved through the crowd as if he was untouchable.

It was in that moment that you felt normal. You didn’t feel ostracized or different. You felt like a normal teenager with a normal annoying brother, playing a normal sport, and having a normal schoolgirl crush. Your smile felt like it would never leave you that night.

And it didn’t, it only managed to grow larger. You felt two large hands clasp around your shoulders at breakfast. You were stuffing your face, finally finding food appealing again, and with cheeks filled with food you turned and locked eyes with the always handsome George Weasley.

You stopped chewing, food sitting docile in your mouth. Your eyes widened, and you brought a hurried hand to cover your mouth as you began to chew again, ducking your head slightly as George looked at you, amused.

“Just wanted to check and see how the post-win glory was treating you,” he said, straddling the bench next to you.

You swallowed hurriedly, taking a sip of water from your goblet to wash down the food. You smiled nervously at him.

“Well, I don’t feel too different,” you said, grinning.

He laughed, resting an elbow on the table and pushing his hair back slightly with his large hand. You gulped as you watched his biceps flex at the movement, admiring his strong jaw as his head turned into his hand.

“Really?” he teased, a crooked grin on his lips as he shamelessly looked you up and down.

“I got my appetite back,” you said, buttering up your third piece of toast and putting it on your plate, “couldn’t eat for days before the match.”

“Harry gets like that,’ George said casually, “Fred and Ron eat more than ever before a match.”

You giggled, and George smiled at the sight.

“What about you?” you asked him, meeting his brown eyes with your grey ones.

George seemed taken aback, like no one often asked about him.

“Oh,” he said, smiling shyly at you, “I don’t know. I guess I eat less before matches.”

You nodded your head, and George cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Alright,” he began to stand, looking down at you, “just wanted to check in on ya.”

“Thanks,” you said, blushing wildly as he sauntered back over to the Gryffindor table.

Practice only got harder and longer, and soon, you barely had any time to sleep. You managed to get most of your homework done in class, but you still had some extra assignments creeping up on you. You spent most of your nights on the pitch, and the evenings grew colder. Every night, though, you could glance to the green student section and see Draco huddled in some type of fur, watching you practice. He often brought his own homework up there with him, using it to pass the time when you weren’t doing anything particularly impressive.

Draco met you on the pitch as the moon illuminated the grass around you. You drank some water, sweating under your thick robes.

The two of you walked back to the castle, and Draco slid you a roll of parchment from his bag.

“What’s this?” you asked, unrolling the paper.

“It’s your potions essay,” he said, “I knew you’d forget to do it, so I took care of it for you.”

“Thank you,” you sighed out, feeling tremendously relieved at the thought of one less assignment to to, “I feel exhausted.”

“You look it,” Draco mumbled, and you hit his arm with the tightly rolled parchment. 

You made it into the castle, the halls squeaking with the sound of your teammates walking to the Ravenclaw dorm. Draco followed you, the two of you breaking off from your team. He carried your parchment for you as you untied all the pads and equipment hugging your body.

“Both the Malfoy’s in one place? To what do I owe this pleasure?” you turned, seeing George Weasley slipping from behind a tapestry hanging on the wall.

“Where did you come from? Is there something behi-” Draco lifted the tapestry carefully, and while he moved, George replaced his spot next to you.

Draco felt the hard wall behind the tapestry and you watched him with a smirk on your face as his hands continued to inspect where George had managed to come from.

“Hello,” he said, bumping his shoulder into yours with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Hi,” you said shyly, painfully aware of your wind-thrown hair and sweating face.

“What are you two up to?”

“He’s just walking me back to my dorm,” you said, still fiddling with one part of the pad on your arm that always gave you trouble.

“Well, I’m sure he needs his beauty sleep. Think I could manage getting you back safely?” George purred from beside you, speaking so Draco couldn’t hear him as you watched your brother hit his knuckles on the hard stone wall.

“Could you? Pretty big shoes to fill,” you joked, pointing at Draco’s fancy dress shoes that were obviously smaller than George’s.

“I wouldn’t be caught dead in those shoes,” George joked back, and at the sound of your loud giggle, Draco stopped looking at the wall.

“What’s so funny?” he snarled, sending a foe intimidating look at George.

“Draco,” you said sternly and warningly, “George is going to walk me to my dorm, you can go and get some rest.”

Draco narrowed his eyes at you, weighing his options. He could give up easily and leave you to a presumably awkward walk alone with George, or he could embarrass you a little. He chose the latter.

“Alone? Are you mental-”

“I swear to god Draco,” you cut him off, the sheer tone of your voice making his eyes widen a little in fear.

Draco cleared his throat awkwardly, adjusting the tight sleeves of his dress shirt.

“Fine,” he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” he cast a glance at George, looking stern, “In one piece?”

George was smiling like a fool, suppressing a giggle at the interaction. Draco shoved your parchment into your chest, and you held onto it as he stalked off.

“Thank you, Draco! Love you!” you called after him in a sing-song and sisterly voice.

He waved his hand, back still towards you, and you and George laughed.

You two started walking again, falling easily into step with each other, You struggled holding your parchment without crushing it as you still worked on that one part of your arm padding.

“Do you need some help?” George asked from beside you, offering his hand out.

“Uh, yeah,” you said, handing him the parchment as the two of you began up the stairs.

He watched you for a moment, your delicate fingers struggling to untie a complicated knot.

“Here,” he said, placing a hand on your shoulder to cease your walking. 

You stopped, and he took a step down so he was on a lower level of the stairs. You were eye level, and his brown eyes bore into yours as he waited for you to hold your hand out. You did, and he crouched to place the scroll on the step next to him. He returned to your height, his strong fingers going to your arm.

He held your hand for a moment, pulling it to the side as he looked at the knot. His hand slid down your wrist, over the padding, and to the knot near your elbow. You kept your eyes on his hands, afraid that if you looked at his face you might explode.

“Thanks,” you whispered, feeling like your lips would crack and fall off if you said anything more.

“Of course, darling,” he whispered back, and you could hear the smirk in his voice.

You felt your legs tremble, your entire body seemed to have fireworks shooting through its veins. You did everything in your power not to throw your head back and start giggling manically.

Soon, the padding was looser on your arm, and George held it as it fell off. He gave it to you, placing it gently in your outstretched hand. You took it, holding it by some of the string at the top. He turned you by your shoulders so you stood directly facing him. You felt your throat close a little.

He was bending his knees suddenly, crouching at your feet. His face was by your hips, and you felt your face burn red at the close proximity. You felt his long fingers working on the knee pads you still had on. One of his warm hands lay flat against your shin for support, as the other pulled easily at the string holding your kneepad on. Your fingers tightened around the arm pads you were holding, and once again you were willing yourself not to let out some sort of desperate giggle.

He rose, meeting your eyes.

“All better,” he mumbled, his voice deep.

He held your knee pads for you with one hand, and the other held onto your parchment. You both stood for a moment on the stairs like that, face to face at the same height. If you took a slightly deeper breath, your chest would have expanded and brushed against George’s. You took shallow breaths.

“Let’s go,” he said, but made no effort to move. He sounded entranced and dazed, and you caught his eyes flicker to your lips. You licked them nervously, not realizing what you were doing until George’s eyes followed your tongue gliding against your mouth. You saw his adam’s apple bob in his throat, and your eyes widened a little. 

You turned suddenly, going to take another step up the stairs. George’s strong hand wrapped around your wrist, steadying you as you stumbled back to the lower step. You nearly fell, but his strong chest was there to catch you. You were pulled against him and his arm wrapped around your lower waist. He looked at you for a second, and then pulled you down another step so you were on the same one as him. He bent his neck down, and you tilted your head up, your lips meeting in the middle.

One of his hands moved to wrap around the back of your neck, willing your face closer to his as if there was any space between you two. You heard the clatter of you knee pads as he set them aside a few feet away, and you dropped the arm pads you were holding. Your hands slid to rest on his chest, feeling the soft material of his sweater beneath your cold fingers. You pressed a little against him, his toned chest not that far from your touch. He smirked as you ran your nails down from his collar bones to dangerously close to the top of his belt. You pulled away, resting your forehead on his. You both breathed deeply, lips parted.

“Draco’s gonna kill me,” you whispered with a small smile.

“You’re thinking about your brother right now?” George joked back, tucking a piece of your blonde hair behind your ear.

“Should I be thinking about your brother?”

George pulled away from you completely, his hearty laugh filling the small staircase you were in. You laughed too, picking up your padding.

George held the padding and your parchment in one hand, and you held both of your arm pads in one hand. He slipped his hand into yours, and the two of you walked up the stairs.

As you went, neither of you felt like you were in the shadow. George was his own person apart from Fred, with his own interests and his own jokes. You weren’t the brooding Malfoy, you were the girl who laughed and kissed boys in stairwells. 

[whereisten]

Cat and Mouse

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | more coming soon

Summary: You’re the daughter of an extremely well-known pastor. You’ve lived a quiet and sheltered life, that is until you meet and fall in lust with a gang leader they call the Grim Reaper.

Pairing: Gang Leader And Yandere!Taeyong X female reader (college student)

Chapter Genre: SMUTTT just smut in this one, with a dash of angst

Chapter Warnings: mentions of religious practices (this in no way is meant to offend followers of Christianity), profanity, toxic relationship, drug addiction themes, stalking, manipulation, corruption kink, innocence kink, female masturbation, pet names, recording of sexual act, oral sex (female), public sex, unprotected sex, sir kink, overstimulation, rough sex (spanking, hair pulling), c*eam pie, cockwarming.

Word Count: 5K

(A/N: I have NOT proofread this, forgive me, I will one day.. this is just wild Idk what else to say lmao but it’s still kinda thanksgiving and I just wanna say thank you to ALLL 1,906 followers WOOOHOOOOO!!! Your feedback and support means so much 🥺❤️ I love you guys like ALOT and I hope you have a wonderful night/day wherever you are)

———————

Taeyong to You: Look outside.

You glance you your left and look out through the large windows  that surround your dining table.

It’s Thanksgiving. The day that your family decided to open your exorbitant house to the public to provide food to the less fortunate.

Taeyong knows this, but he also knows that he can’t exactly show up to the front door of your place and face your father. He clearly knows who Taeyong is and definitely wouldn’t invite him in.

So, in true Taeyong fashion, he decides to watch. Perched up on his motorcycle a few feet away from your window and in between the towering trees that surround your house.

You squint your eyes to try to make out the red-haired villain. He’s hidden just enough to be undetectable by anyone just scanning the area, but exposed enough for you to see him.

You give a small smile as you watch him text you.

Taeyong to You: Let me in through your window.

You look back at the table then up at the many people that filled your dining room.

It’s possible to sneak away. Sure, you were supposed to be handing out food to the needy, but you really, really wanted to see Taeyong.

“Hey, uh, Jennie..I’m gonna take a nap..I just got the worst headache.” You pout while you lean into your friend’s ear. She’s a friend from church that is the absolute sweetest and is always willing to cover for you, so you have no worries about being able to slip away discreetly.

She nods and gives you a wink.

You’re parents are chatting up with other churchgoers, so they definitely won’t notice your absence..at least not for the first 30 minutes or so.

You take your apron off and hurriedly cross the hall to the opposite end of the house where your room is. There are people everywhere, eating, laughing, watching television and just having a good time, but all too busy to notice your speed walking and preoccupied expression.

You finally make it to your room and quickly lock the door behind you before running over to the window.

You unlock it and slide it open then look to the side for Taeyong.

“Hey, baby.” He says smoothly and smiles while perched up on the small roof cover by the window.

You smile widely and chuckle.

“Well, come in, its cold out here.”

You help him inside even though he doesn’t need it, hell, he could’ve gotten in without you even unlocking your window.

He’s wearing a fitted black long sleeve and black skinny jeans with his red hair styled out of his face. He looks good but then again, he always looks good.

“Taeyong I-“ you started but he’s already latched his lips onto yours, the sound of teeth clicking against each other fills your quiet room.

Taeyong kisses you like you’re his air, like he hasn’t breathed for centuries. He’s taking everything from you, his tongue pressing against yours while your lips rest firm against his.

Taeyong wraps his arms around your waist to pull you in closer, as if to take more than he already has. He wants you, all of you.

Your arms encompass his neck as your heads turn, allowing more access for your mouths.

You can’t help but groan as you press into him and feel his abs on yours.

He doesn’t have his lip ring in, giving you the perfect opportunity to lick over his bottom lip and bite it gently.

Your fingers massage his scalp and his hands go under your shirt, resting on the nape of your back.

He finally pulls away to look at you and there’s a dark and dangerous flint in his eyes. You should’ve been used to it by now, but it always gave you butterflies as you shiver in his hands in anticipation for what’s next. With him, you never knew what to expect, but you knew that he always made you feel new and wonderful things with your body.

“I wanna fuck you.”

Taeyong looks into your eyes, patiently waiting for you to nod, but all you can do is breathe heavily and stare at his plump and swollen red lips.

“Do you want me to fuck you?” He asks, and of course he already knows the answer, but to hear the Christian girl say it is what he needs, it’s what turns him on the most.

You lick your lips and nod.

“Yes..”

“Yes, What?” He smirks, his hand rises up to your bra and plays with the hooks in the back.

“Fuck me, Taeyong.” You finally look into his eyes and place your hands on his chest.

He chuckles and listens to the 50 maybe 80 people right outside of your door that walk about, talking and eating. All while you’re about to have sex with a gang leader.

“In front of all these people? That’s not very..good or Christian-like of you, sweetheart.”

His hand still plays with the hooks in the back while his other hand dips into your skirt, pushing past the waistband of your underwear and right onto your folds.

His mouth opens slightly as he realizes how wet you are just from the sloppy kiss you had.

“Please...Taeyong..I don’t have much time before my parents notice I’m gone.” You can barely talk as his digits start to work their way deeper, pressing into your sensitive area.

“Please? What are you begging for exactly?” He raises an eyebrow as the sweat on your forehead starts to build and your heartbeat starts to race. It’s becoming too much for you.

The low tone of his voice, the hot air on your ear, the way his fingers tease your entrance by tapping and rubbing at an unsteady pace.. you start to fall apart and this is exactly what he wants.

You fall back against his hand as he inserts one finger while still rubbing your clit with another.

You groan and look down at his being arm disappearing into your skirt.

“Taeyong—I-I’m a good girl I promise, I’ll do anything.. fuck me.. fuck me hard..please.”

Taeyong likes what he hears and chuckles, tilting his head as you look back up at him and bite your lips.

“Anything?”

You nod quickly and moan while he pushes two fingers into you, he moves them in all the way so that you can feel the cold metal of his rings right at the entrance, but you don’t mind it. It just feels good to feel something inside you.

“Oh God..Taeyong.”

That’s what he wants to be to you. He wants to be your new God, the one that deserves praise, the one that deserves all you have to offer. The one that your life will center around. And so, he will give you everything. He will make you crazy for him and him alone.

You place a hand on his broad shoulder to steady yourself as you move up and down, and rock your hips in a circle to gain more friction in your bud.

Taeyong’s hums in your ear while your eyes close and your mouth falls open. You’re standing in the middle of your room, getting off on his fingers and it’s the most beautiful sight for him.

Your head falls back and your nipples perk up through the thin fabric of your white long sleeve shirt.

“Let’s play a game, baby.” Taeyong’s husky voice only makes your more delirious as your high approaches, all you can do is nod.

His thumb is gentle on your clit while his long fingers reach the depths of your pussy every time he pushes them in. You feel so good that he could tell you you’re going to fly to space and you would agree to.

“There’s a lot of people out there...if you can stay quiet while I fuck you..I’ll reward you..” Taeyong knows you’re not the best at hiding your feelings and emotions when you are on the brink of cumming, but he wants to see if you’ll do anything for him. Are you true to your word?

You nod and a Taeyong smiles before slipping his fingers out completely.

You whine and lick your lips, hating the sudden absence.

But when you finally start to have a clear head, you think about what he said. Could you really be quiet while he made love to you?

He took your hand and turned to the bed.

“Do you remember the first time we met?”

You nodded, wincing as you remembered the night he caught you masturbating to porn for the first time.

“You were touching yourself right, little mouse?”

You nodded again.

“Well, I want you to do that again, but I’ll guide you this time.”

You nodded.

He sat down in the chair across from your bed while you stood and waited for his instruction.

“Take you shirt off..slowly.” His tone low and gaze almost haunting as he watched you.

You slowly rugged at the hem of your shirt and lifted it above your head.

The cold air hit your skin as you threw the shirt onto the floor.

“Take the skirt off, now.”

You zipper your frilly skirt down and Taeyong watched as it fell to the floor. You stepped out of it and your shoes, and stood in front of him now in just your bra, g string and knee highs.

“Unhook your bra..slowly.”

You reaches around your back and did as he said, letting your perky nipples also fall victim to the frigid cold air in your room.

“Perfect. You’re perfect.”

His comment makes you smile.

“Now, lay down on the bed and touch yourself for me.”

And so you do. You push your body up on the bed and push your fingers into your underwear, attempting to replace his long fingers with your own.

It’s not the same, but some movement is better than nothing.

He sits forward and watches as your delicate fingers work their way inside you.

“I wanna see more, little mouse.”

You open up your legs a little more, but refrain from looking at him.

You look up to your ceiling and focus on your impending orgasm.

“That’s better, sweetheart.”

Taeyong is two feet away but it feels like he’s right beside you, whispering into your ear.

“What a sweet pussy you have, so good.”

You can hear him start to unzip his jeans and pull his member out.

He starts to pump himself up and down, using the precum that leaked from before to provide the perfect friciton.

“Faster. Move those pretty fingers faster.” He groans a little louder now. The sound of your fingers entering your core over and over starts to get louder as your wetness builds and its making him wild.

His eyes are focused on your soaking entrance, your sweaty and wavering legs, your fingers and the beige lace that’s covering them.

You start to move faster and know that you are close.

“Taeyong—I’m going to..” you whine quietly.

“yes, baby, cum for me but stay quiet.”

Taeyong moves his hand faster.

“Look at me.”

You look back at him and swallow hard. His shiny dick is out and hard, you want to feel it inside you, filling you up so satisfyingly. You lick your lips, prompting a question from Taeyong that he already knows the answer to.

“You want my cock, don’t you, little mouse?”

You nod without shame and try so hard to not let a peep escape. Instead you breathe heavily and bit your lips.

“Use your words or I’ll fuck it out of you.”

Taeyong snarls and his voice is gravelly, he’s close.

“Yes, Taeyong..I-“ a wave of pleasure washes over you as you cum. Your head falls back into the pillows behind you and your hand stops moving.

You grunt quietly but luckily no sound escapes. And you think you’ve played Taeyong’s game, you think you’re done with the teasing, but you’re wrong.

Taeyong lets go of his member and walks up to you quickly. He grabs both legs, pulling you further to the edge of the bed so your legs are opened wide right in front of him.

“Do you want my cock?” He raises the eyebrow with the slit and looks into you like you’re a piece of meat.

“Yes..yes-I want it, Taeyong” you’re still dizzy from your orgasm but nothing feels better than having him fuck you, so you’re ready for another one if that means he gets to be inside you.

“Well, if you want it, you gotta work for it, sweetheart, touch yourself again.”

Your eyes widen. But you swallow hard and move. You wouldn’t dare to pout and disobey him.

“Taeyong..please..I don’t have much time left before they come looking for me.” You start to work your fingers on your sensitive area again.

“I dont care, I’ll fuck you when I think you deserve it.”

Taeyong smirks and starts to pump his dick up and down again, but this time, his right in front of you, watch you writhe below him and lick your lips at the sight of his pink head and thick, veiny length.

“Pinch your nipples” he demands.

You pinch your soft skin and let out a quiet mewl at the arousal you start to build again.

Taeyong twists your other nipple with his free hand, you’re about to cry out loudly but remember that the challenge is for you to stay quiet.

Taeyong’s eyes are focused on your body below him and the way you ride your own fingers. He can’t believe you’re so beautiful as you ruin yourself. You’re on full display for him in cute knee highs as you lose your innocence once again.

He knows he can’t wait much longer but he wants to see just how far you can go.

He leans down and licks a long stripe up your abdomen, then latches onto the nipple you’re not playing with.

He groans and sucks on it hard while still fucking into his hand.

His other hand reaches behind your head and grabs a fistful if hair. He holds it tight as he is just seconds from cumming.

He pulls your head back with a harsh tug and you can’t help but yelp with a little more volume.

He looks up at you through dark eyes while still darting his warm tongue out and around your hard nipple.

He doesn’t have to say anything, the look on his face tells you you can’t do that again, you must absolutely be quiet. After all, anyone outside of your door could’ve heard that.

You’re sensitive and tears start to prick your eyes, but nonetheless, another climax approaches. Something about the way Taeyong looks at you and has a hard grip on your hair makes you lose it. This time you and Taeyong cum together.

He stands up straight and watches cum shoots out onto the perfect skin of your abdomen while you shake and ride out your own orgasm.

You remove your hand and close your legs as Taeyong releases his grip on your hair.

He quickly grabs the waist band of your soaked underwear and drags it down your legs.

He pushes them open again then kneels down at the edge of the bed. Without giving you the chance to close them again, he licks up and down your dripping folds, taking in all of your cum like he needs to to survive.

He parts your lips with his fingers then dips his tongue in, circling around to collect juices from every area.

“Taeyong!” You cry out at the feeling, you’re extremely sensitive from cumming twice already.

You try to close your shaking legs but Taeyong forces them apart with his strong arms, his hands holding firmly onto your ankles beside his head.

He stands up and quickly flips you over before slapping your ass harshly.

“What did I say, little mouse? You wanna be a good girl, right?” He growls and flips you over again, regaining his position between your legs.

He kisses your clit and dips his tongue in, circle around the entrance of your pussy.

You start to cry and your legs shake while he drives you crazy with his mouth.

You bite your lips hard to keep any moan from escaping while your grip on the sheets below you tightens.

Taeyong pushes two fingers into you, make in you push your body up the bed but he holds your waist and watches you carefully, daring you to try to escape him again.

Your eyes are locked as he licks long stripes up and down your sensitive pussy. His tongues draws circles around your bud before he pulls away to kiss it lightly. You start to feel his icey rings again.

You feel overwhelmed and your breathing is unsteady. You might just lose this game if he continues to eat you out like you’re the last meal he’ll ever have. But you really want him inside you, so you push through.

Your head falls back into the bed and your knees raise as you try a new position. Taeyong is able to push both his tongue and fingers in deeper.

You look down to see Taeyong still watching you fall apart through devilish eyes.

Everything about him was wrong, but he felt to right. He made you feel things no one else did or ever could.

“Oh my God..” your eyes start to roll as you’re about to cum, but you hear a knock on your door.

You try to push Taeyong’s head away but he digs his nails into your skin through the fabric of your knee highs.

“T-Taeyong..” you try to whisper as your face twists, you’re so close but you can’t ignore the fact that someone is at your door.

Taeyong only chuckles then goes back to flattening his tongue against your folds, then sliding it in between them while humming.

“Honey? Are you okay?” It’s your dad.

“Oh..sh-“ you start while Taeyong moves his fingers in and out faster.

“I’m fine!” You manage to get out at a high pitched tone.

“Okay, well we’re going to say an evening prayer, please join us.” Your dad states, completely unaware of the sin you’re commuting just a few feet away from him.

The devil himself is fingering you and making you feel complete ecstasy with his tongue, while your dad wants you to join him for evening prayer. Sounds comical.

“Oh—ok!” You say a little too loudly as Taeyong aggressively circles your bud with his tongue, so you quickly grab the pillow and press your face into it as you cum.

You cum hard but Taeyong doesn’t stop moving. He wants to taste everything you’ve got, to be completely filled with your sweet juices.

You scream into the pillow and tremble.

You can hear your dad start to walk away, but his foot steps stop when he hears what sounds like muffled screaming.

You close your eyes tightly and bite your lips to keep yourself from making anymore noise.

And your dad starts to walk again.

You wipe sweat from your forehead while Taeyong stands up and smirks.

He wipes your essence clean off his chin with the back of his hand. 

“You’re always so delicious, you’re the only meal I’d want for thanksgiving.” He winks but all you can do is give a small smile and breathe heavily.

Your body is weak and tired and you wonder how you can possibly make it through the rest of this thanksgiving day after all this, but still, you want more. Greed is a sin, but it’s not like you haven’t been in lust this whole time.

What difference does it make?

You stare at Taeyong’s hard member poking through his jeans.

“Taeyong—I’ve been a good girl, right?” Your eyes go from his pants and to his eyes.

Your eyes are large and your expression is cute as you pout. You didn’t exactly play his game well, but Taeyong knows that it’s time.

“Yes..now get on your knees, sweetheart.”

You get up and turn around, displaying your ass and your wet legs to Taeyong as you crawl to the headboard.

Taeyong goes on the bed and kneels behind you. He places his phone under your bodies so he can watch a video later, making sure to record the way your boobs move every time he pushes into you.

He’s slow at first, carefully kneading his hands into your hips, then massaging the skin of your ass, specifically the section he slapped earlier.

“You’re so beautiful, little mouse.” He leans down and whispers into your ear.

You can feel his hard cock poke your thigh.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” He asks as he coats his dick with the essence that continues to run down your leg.

You knew you weren’t ready yet, you we’re still too sensitive, yet you nodded out of greed.

Taeyong pushes into you carefully from behind, letting you adjust because he knows he wants to reach your depths.

Your delicate pussy is perfect fit for him and that’s the only way he wants it, full of him and nothing else.

You wince and shift on the bed, his girth is something you have to get used to, but once you do, he feels so good.

He pushes deeper, letting out a quiet groan while you make a small whine.

“Taeyong..I want to be a good girl for you, fuck me hard please.” You can’t wait any longer, you are chasing your third high for the evening after you’ve finally gotten what you’ve been craving.

“Yes, baby, just promise me you won’t be loud, you’re mine, right?” Taeyong watches your naked back and falls weak.

He thought of how outraged your annoying father would be if he knew he got you like this. But he also thought of how you didn’t care anymore. You only cared for Taeyong, he was the man in your life now, the man that controlled everything.

“Little mouse...be a good girl and call me ‘sir.’” Taeyong’s voice is barely above a low whisper as he leans into your ear again, pushing into and burying all of himself into you.

You gasp and nod. “Yes, sir.”

Taeyong smirks and likes the sound of that so he grabs your ass and pulls back, making sure his dick runs against your tight insides slowly as it leaves.

He watches as the tip drips in a mixture of his precum and your essence and a string slaps onto your shakey thigh.

He slaps your ass hard and grips the skin, making you jerk forward.

You close your mouth and whine quietly.

He holds his length in one hand and rubs the tip along your folds. 

“What do you want me to do, princess?”

“I want you to fuck me, s-sir.” You swallowed hard, you had to do everything right, you were so close to getting what you wanted. You couldn’t afford anymore teasing.

Taeyong continues to rub along your folds, parting them so the tip teases your clit. You feel his veins on your core and shut your eyes tightly.

“Perfect.” He says as he pushes into you hard.

You yelp and move forward, the unexpected pain of his tip reaching the bottom of your stomach made you flinch.

He moves at a steady pace now, rocking his hips against your cheeks.

He grabs your hair tightly again and pushes in to you hard, your neck bending backwards and your mouth falling open.

He watches your back arch and your arms hold onto the headboard as he pounds into you from behind and really wishes he recorded the two of you from a different angle.

He bites into the glistening skin of your neck to hold back his moans, his grip on your hair still tight. His hot breath decorates your skin and the scent of his citrus shampoo fills your nostrils. The warm skin of his abs falls against your back, strangely, making you feel safe.

He starts to move faster, and smacks your ass one more time,adoring the ay it starts to change color after he hits it.

He pushes his dick into you deep, so deep you can’t help but cry out.

The sounds of skin against skin grows louder and so does Taeyong’s grunts.

He picks your upper body up by your hair and pushes you down into the bed so your ass is up and your head is down.

The new angle makes your eyes flutter shut. He feels amazing as he destroys you, making you feel raw but full.

He chuckles to

Himself as he feels you clench around him.

“Do you like that?”

“Y-yes, sir” your voice is shakey, you’re almost there, almost in bliss.

Taeyong forces himself into you so deep then picks up the phone that was right under your linked bodies.

He leans it up against the headboard so it still records him hitting it from the back, only this time it’s recording from the front-facing camera so you both see everything. And you swear to yourself, that somehow makes everything ten times hotter.

To know that he’ll watch this video later and think of you makes you happy.

Taeyong watches your fucked out expression on the phone and smirks. He loves having you so messy for him, your innocence gone, your mind and body completely filled with him, corrupted by him.

You moan loudly so to stop you he lets go of your hair and sticks two fingers into your open mouth.

“Suck.”

He watches as you open your wet eyes stained with mascara and suck on his long fingers hard while watching him on the phone. You looked like such a dirty slut, and both of you loved it.

The feeling of your tongue on his fingers reminds him of the way you swallow his dick whole and choke on it until he cums all over you.

Taeyong’s red hair sticks to his sweaty forehead and only moves when he pushes into you, but the sadistic look on his face as he watches you through the phone makes you so wet.

“Play with your pretty clit for me, sweetheart.”

He pants as he gets closer.

You start to rub circles into your clit while he continued to grind into your entire body and move it against the bed.

“I want us to cum..together. I want you to get so full of my cum..Do you want me to fill you up?” Taeyong’s grip on your ass is so tight, you know there will be bruises. As for your pussy, he’s stretching you out with every push, you’re not sure if you’ll be able to walk to evening prayer. He takes his fingers out so you can talk.

“Yes..sir.”

“Tell God you want me to fill you up, pray to him right now.” Taeyong is grunting and groaning as his husky voice echoes in your ear.

He pushed harder, so hard that the headboard starts to hit the wall.

He knows people could hear this, that people would know what this meant, but he didn’t give a damn.

Your velvety walls fit him like a glove and he couldn’t wait to cum all over them.

You massage your breast with your other hand, and do as Taeyong says.

“Dear..G-God, please—Taeyong!”

Your third orgasm crashes over you while Taeyong also cums.

He holds your waist and releases deep into you, making you shake under him.

He pushes a few more times then pulls out and watches your whole leak.

He flips you over to watch your face and your chest shining beautifully with sweat.

He quickly uses his tip to gather what has escaped and pushes it back into you, while you whine quietly.

Taeyong starts to pull out but you hold his arms and lean forward to stop him.

“Don’t leave.” You look into his eyes and beg. You’re tired of him always leaving you after you fuck. If he’s your boyfriend, then you might as well spend more time together.

He sighs and looks away, knowing that your eyes always make him weak, a feeling he didn’t like.

“Don’t you have evening prayer or something?” Taeyong looks down at the apex of your open legs where his member still lies inside you.

“You know you’re a Christian right?” He teases you.

“I’ll text my dad that I don’t feel well. It’s not like I can go out there looking like this anyway.” You both chuckled.

“It’ll just be you and me tonight..please.”

And that’s what he wanted. He wanted to replace everything your life. He wanted your addiction to him, something he only dreamed of, to come to life. And slowly, it was happening.

“Stay..inside me, I want to feel you.” You shocked yourself at how blunt you were being, but it was the truth. He was all you could think about and he felt so good, you didn’t want him to go.

Taeyong liked the idea of cockwarming so he agreed. To be honest, he didn’t really care about your feelings of “love” towards him, he just wanted your obsession.

This was just another deal for him, a game he had to win.

So he laid down and brought your leg up around his waist so you could both cuddle and sleep comfortably while he stayed inside your warm flower.

Taeyong watched as you drifted off into sleep quickly. He used your body like a toy tonight so he understood that you were beyond tired.

There’s a strange feeling in his chest that grows as he watches and he can’t explain it. Could he really be falling for you? Could he be losing his own game of cat and mouse

[honey-subs]

im the person that said abt the emperor au yoongs 😳 so like idk im not a writer but what if like y/n was like a badass trained fighter and yoons then saw how y/n had a lot of strength and wanted her to be his empress or sum shit like that, and yunki goes to tell his bodyguards (???) to bring y/n to his palace. and then yunki realised that he saw y/n was like a rlly cool ass bitch and he just feels small n subby once he sees her JSJJD this is a mess lmao, and also you dont have to answer this!

Emperor - Min Yoongi

*they included a part two* (2) more emperor yoon idea cuz im a hoe ✋🏻✋🏻 so like he sees y/n and then decided to give himself to him and brings y/n too his ahem bedroom and then yknow yknow ;)) NDJDJDN im crying laughing im so bad at explaining.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

⤷pairing - yoongi x reader

⤷genre - smut, fluff

⤷summary - min yoongi needed an empress but none of the ones he met suited his interests, until he met you.

���warnings - kingdom!au, slight slow burn, fluff, angst, slight somno, hanjobs, teasing, dirty talk, mentions of wet dreams, this is like 90% plot, and 10% smut. enjoy though.

⤷also, this is probably the LONGEST thing i’ve ever written on here, and idk how much i like it. it’s awkward in some spots but enjoy.

⤷i changed it a bit, hope this is okay!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

(this yoongi but with short black hair)

yoongi always hated being emperor. since he was a child and learned that he would soon take over the kingdom, he resented it. he had no interest in it, but after his father died, he had no choice but to become emperor, and he hated every second of it.

today was like all the other days through the first week in the month. yoongi was forced to sit in his throne, watching a line of hundreds of women came through, wanting to be his empress, some were forced to go as they were available and not with anyone yet, but most truly wanted to be over the entire palace.

all of the girls were the same, timid and shy. they all wore the same thing as well, long, elegant dresses with their finest of jewels and gold on. with a wave of his hand, he sent them off with a flick of his hand, barely even looking at them anymore.

but, there was one girl that happened to catch his eye. he was too busy waving off the other girl, but just as he turned to look at the line of girls again, you came up. he’d never seen anyone in the palace like you before. you were the complete opposite of all the rest of the girls, you weren’t timid or shy, in fact, you seemed confident, and sure of yourself. you also didn’t wear any revealing, long, or elegant dresses. you wore — what most common women would consider to be outlandish— jeans, and a pretty blouse with heels that made sure you were seen.

he put his hand back down upon looking at you, leaning forward to get a better look at you. “what’s your name?” he asked. this shocked everyone else in the throne room. it even shocked the line of girls standing behind you. “y/n, sir.” you told him. he smiled. your voice was loud, it wasn’t soft, it was almost dominating in a way. he liked that. “guards, i pick her.” he voiced, looking at you with a small smile.

you were shocked even yourself. you’d came to the kingdom as a joke, and you’re going to be crowned empress within the day. “y-you’re sure, emperor?” the guards asked, taking small steps towards you. “absolutely positive.” he said. still staring at you.

“everyone else out, i’ve found my empress!” yoongi told the long line of girls. some where in shock, but still walked away never the less. then, once everyone was gone, it was simply you, yoongi, and two of his best guards in the room. “please, make her comfortable in my room? i’ve got a few things to finish first, but i’ll be there in a minute.” he ordered, the guards. one of the guards smiled at you. “follow us, miss.” he told you, leading you out of the throne room and into the wide halls. they took you past the kitchen, dining room, and living room, all the way to his bedroom.

they opened the door for you, and you stepped in, allowing yourself to be amazed. his room was the size of your entire cottage. “we’ll be outside of the door miss, if you need anything. also, you can take your heels off if you’d like, emperor won’t mind.” he says, a small smile playing at his lips.

“thank you, sir.” you told him, taking off the heels. he closed the door behind him, and you immediately looked around the room, looking from corner to corner at the amazingly elegant room. diamond chandeliers we’re on the ceiling, glowing slightly as light illuminated them. the bed was possibly the most beautiful; it was undeniably huge. the bedspread was absolutely gorgeous. you sat onto the bed, sighing softly at how soft it felt. slowly, you sat farther into it, moving so that you were at the top between the plentiful pillows with your legs crossed, taking in everything.

your ears perked as you heard light footsteps. the door opened to reveal the emperor. “are you okay?” he asked once his eyes landed on you. “i’m fine, just taking it all in, emperor.” you told him, scooting over on the bed to make room. for him. “i realize the could be a bit much and overwhelming, so i apologize for that. and please, call me yoongi,” he told you, trying to get you to relax and make you comfortable. “may i ask you a question?” you asked, slowly letting your guard down. “always.” he said.

“why did you pick me?” it was an honest question. you weren’t like any of the other girls there. “because you were different, confident, and sure about yourself.” he shrugged. “everyone else was the same, but you weren’t and that intrigued me.” he explained. you nodded your head. “you’re really nice, yoongi. not at all how everyone paints you.” you told him. he looked down. “thank you, people paint me as mean or ungrateful.” he said. you urged him to continue. “it’s not that i hate it here, i just- if i was going to become emperor, i wanted to do it by myself. not be born into it.” he said.

“i understand that completely.” you empathized. “i’m not mean, i just don’t like to talk a lot and people perceive that as me being mean.” he explained. you nodded, finally understanding. “are you hungry or anything? do you want to do something? or do you want to stay here and talk?” he asked, changing the subject. “i don’t have any clothes here, could i get tailored for some while we talk?” you countered. “sure.” he got out of the bed himself, and helped you out soon after.

the both of you talked some more as you walked down a hallway, the guards following close behind. he led you to a room, and when you walked in, the shelves were wracked with clothes of all sorts and colors. there was a small lady there as well, hanging some of the clothes up on racks. she heard the door open and turned towards us. “hi, sir. how may i help you today?” she asked, bowing. “i assume you’ve heard the news, rose? this is the woman i’ve chosen to become my empress. i need her to be tailored...?” he asked the woman called rose politely. she nodded her head, and pulled you towards the stand.

yoongi let his hands drop as you pulled from his arms. rose began getting measuring tape and pins. without being asked, yoongi turned away, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. you silently thanked him as you allowed rose to undress you and, wrap the measuring tape around your stomach, your chest, and your hips. “is there anything else we could do after this?” you asked to break the silence. “always, we could sit in on the guards practice, it’s usually entertaining.” he chuckled at a memory. “or we could eat or simply watch tv. whatever you’d like.” he said, and you could just about hear the smile in his voice.

“could we sit in on the guards?” you asked, still slightly reserved. “of course.” he affirmed. “alrighty dear! i have your measurements! i’m sure, if i go ahead and get to work, i can have some clothes made for you by tomorrow!” she said with a smile, helping you down from the tiny step. “please, rose, take your time.” you said. “i don’t want to overwork you.” she seemed shocked for a tiny second before hugging you and looking over your shoulder at yoongi. “i like her, she’s a keeper.” she pulls away from you with a warm smile. yoongi smiles back at her, a knowing glint in his eye.

you give rose one last smile before linking arms with yoongi, and walking out of the door. “the armory is down the hall, we can sit in with the guards if you’re still interested.” he offered, allowing you to walk in step with him. you nodded your head, allowing him to lead you down the hall.

yoongi stepped into the armory first, and then you, people immediately smiling when they saw the two of you. the bowed to you politely, and then went back to their training. you and yoongi sat on the side on a small bench, and you watched with excited eyes as they practiced with guns and knives.

yoongi took a moment of you letting your guard down to truly admire you. he liked how your eyes twinkled in excitement whenever a guard got a bullseye, or the way your lips upturned whenever you spotted the guards competing. he admired your features at well, like your lips, your eyes, your pufffy cheeks. he found himself with a smile on his own face as he watched how excited for you.

he wasn’t expecting you to turn to him so quickly, so when you did, he looked away with a blush. “may i try?” you asked, excitement laced in your voice as you practically bounced on the seat. “of course, y/n. this is now your palace as well.” he said, the link blush still on the tips of his ears. you stood up and went towards on of the guards, asking to try yourself.

the guard handed over the knives with a bow, and stood behind you as he watched. taking a deep breath, you stand in center with the target before picking a knife to throw. you build your stance, and, as everyone watched, you threw the knife hitting it perfectly in the center of the target. you smiled, and began throwing the other knives with deadly precision.

you looked around after you were finished, and their jaws dropped — even yoongi’s. amazed, the guard handed you more knives to throw. yoongi began to admire more things about you. the way your hands flexed as you threw the knives, how your muscles and arms flexed even more when you threw them. yoongi felt a blush rise to his ears as he wondered what else you could do with your hands....

he shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts once he saw you coming over. “i didn’t know you were good with knives.” he voiced, nudging you a little. “yeah, it was my occupation before. i was a bounty hunter, so i’m good with knives, guns, bows, and a lot of other tools.” you said with a slight laugh. “it’s nightfall. i hadn’t realized.” he mumbled, “would you like to sleep?” he asked, wanting you to be as comfortable as possible.

“yes, actually. i’m still slightly overwhelmed, so i’m sure some sleep should calm me down.” you said, following his movements as he stood up. you still didn’t know your way around the palace, so you let yoongi lead you. when the both of you made it to the bedroom, you were still in awe at how grand it was.

“i realize you don’t have any sleeping clothes, would you like to sleep in my shirt and a pair of briefs?” he asked, not wanting you to be uncomfortable. “yeah, that’ll be fine until tomorrow.” you tell him, going to get the things from his closet. he goes into the bathroom as you change, going to change into his comfortable clothes himself.

once he comes back, he’s removing the extra pillows from the bed. “tomorrow will be even more overwhelming, so i apologize for that.” he says, peeling back the sheets. “with the crowing, the kingdom meetings, and a lot of other things.” he explains.

you begin to get into the bed with him, facing him as the both of you talked. “everyone will be wanting to know what my next moves are with you as my empress.” he sounded tired already at just the thought of all the activities for tomorrow. “maybe it’ll go by fast, and besides, now it won’t be so boring because i can keep you company.” you attempt to soothe him. he smiles, and you yawn. “sorry.” you apologize. “don’t be sorry. we have a long day ahead of us, get some rest.” he tells you before leaning over to turn off the light. the both of you laid like that for a while, comfortable silence surrounded the both of you. it wasn’t awkward as it probably should’ve been; yoongi made you feel comfortable.

you drifted off to sleep first, cute little snores leaving you mouth. yoongi, however was up, as thoughts of previous events filled his head. he couldn’t stop thinking about the way you handled the knives, how dominant and strong you looked at you did it, how your hands and muscles flexed. he tried to rid himself of those thoughts, but instead went to sleep thinking of you.

─────────────────

you woke up to the sound of whimpering and whining, an arm around you, and something pressed against your thighs. you blinked your eyes open to see yoongi, rutting pathetically on your thigh. he seemed to still be sleep as he whimpered, and continued to grind.

being your lip, you contemplated in your head. ‘should i do something...?’ you were reluctant as you gently pushed him on his back, looking intently as he continued to sleep. you were about to touch him but stopped all your movement when you heard your name fall from his lips. “y-y/n...” he mumbled again, hips subtly bucking into the air. “he’s thinking of me?” you thought, a smirk crossing your face.

“yoongi..” you say, leaning close to his ear as you trailed a single finger down his arm. his eyes fluttered open, and almost instantly, he began to blush. “i saw you were having a good dream.” you teased, watching as he got even more red. “i’m so, so sorry i-“ he began to apologize. “what were you thinking about that has you like this, baby boy?” you asked, hands roaming further and further down. he continued to stay silent. “you gripped his jaw with your freehand. “i believe, i asked you a question.” you told him. in that moment, he felt so incredibly small as you touched him. “i-i was thinking about you.” he finally admitted.

“thinking of me doing what?” you continued to tease. “t-thinking of you t-touching me.” he said. you let your hands go to his boxers, cupping him through the material, and he groaned. the red blush never left his cheeks as he hid his face. “was i touching you here?” you asked, palming him slowly. “y-yes, fuck-“ he cursed, hips already bucking into your hand. he whimpered, and you felt the front of his boxers become wet with precum.

you pulled down his boxers, and from there his cock stood at attention. it was glistening with precum as more and more dribbled down in small beads. “please?” it was yoongi’s voice as he pleaded for you to do something. deciding not to tease him any farther, you wrap a hand around him, leisurely moving it up and down. the moment your hand touched his cock, he moans so heavenly.

“k-kiss me, please?” he asked, timely, hips moving into your fist. you decide to reward him and give him what he wants, leaning down to attach your lips with his. your lips moved in soft rhythm, there was a fight for dominance, he allowed you to do what you wanted. he moaned and whimpered into your mouth as he got closer. you pulled away, moving kisses from his lips to his neck, immediately sucking hickies into his skin.

“please, y/n. i’m so slose.” his voice was so whiny and pleading. “you can come whenever you want.” you told, him, hand moving faster to bring him to the edge quicker. his cock twitched in your hand, and on,y moments later, he came. “thank you, thank you, thank you.” he mumbled, hips still grinding against your hand, cum getting on the small of his stomach and your upper hands.

you let him ride out his orgasm, and pulled away. yoongi immediately hid his face. you reached over him,and grabbed some tissues to clean the both of you up with. you removed his soiled shirt, and pulled him close to you as he hid his face in your neck.

“what’s wrong?” you asked, soothing his back. “i had a wet dream about you, and you were forced to help me.” his words were muffled, but you understood them. “it’s okay baby, and trust me. i wouldn’t have helped you if i didn’t want to.” you told him. pulling away so he’d look at you. the blush on his cheeks was going down slowly. “you don’t mind me being submissive?” he asked, moving closer to cuddle with you. “of course not. i like the subby side of you.” you admitted,he simply smiled against your skin.

“go to sleep now, yoon, we have 5 hours until our meetings.” you tell him and kiss his forehead. you lean over to turn off the light, and pulled yoongi closer to you as you drifted asleep with him laying comfortably in your arms.

[bellemorte180]

My Soul to Take....

A/N: okay, this is COMPLETELY unfinished and like I said, ends rather abruptly. Idk if I’ll ever finish it but here is what I have. @clichefangirldreamer, hope you like it.

Mystic Falls

May 2010

The invitations had been sent out and all of those who had been invited, who were not family, were confused. In the weeks following the spell Bonnie performed, it had been quiet. There were no mysterious deaths within Mystic Falls. There were a few strange accidents about fifty or so miles away from the town but nothing that caught either Bonnie's or Elena's attention. It was Damon who pointed out the weird deaths and swore that it wasn't him.

It was clear that the Originals were hunting for prey but it wasn't often and far away from Mystic Falls. Damon explained that it was most likely because they were so old they didn't need blood as often and when they did, they must be masters at covering their tracks. Stefan still had not returned from wherever he had gone and he made no attempts at contacting any of them; even Damon. It stressed Elena to no end and she found herself spending more and more time with Damon.

Even though it was their clear intent on staying in Mystic Falls, the Originals made zero contact with any of them; outside of the occasional glimpses they saw of them in town. So, it confused all of them when an invitation arrived to dine with them on the second Saturday night in May. Damon all but refused to allow Elena to go but Bonnie felt compelled to accept the invitation, Caroline's number still burning a hole in her wallet and Elena wasn't going to see her best friend walk into the lion's den alone. Thus Damon found himself dressed up in a suit and dragged to the Mikaelson Manner for dinner.

The manor was huge and had a very old southern feel to it. It was located about five miles outside of the town's boundaries. It was surrounded by woods and the property was completely fenced off by a large black iron gate. The front had a roundabout as a driveway with a fountain in the center. The manor was completely white with stone pillars standing tall in the front. There were at least three balconies that could be seen and large windows with shutters on the side. The front entrance hall, when the three of them were granted entrance by a compelled butler, was home to a massive grand staircase.

“I'd rather be dining with Katherine down in the tomb.” He muttered dryly and Elena smacked his chest. He simply rolled his eyes at her and rubbed his chest as though she actually had wounded her. Elena hissed at him to be silent, knowing full well that Damon had a tendency to allow his mouth to get him into trouble.

“I do wonder why they are keeping her down there.” Bonnie mentioned casually. In truth, she forgot about Katherine. For all intentions and purposes, Katherine was gone. After the curse she placed on Caroline, they all knew that Klaus was not going to let her go. So, instead she was still rotting down in the tomb; a fact that Damon found much pleasure in.

“Why little miss witch? Going to use that favor of yours to break her out?” Damon smirked at her.

“Elena!” Bonnie hissed. She had never mentioned to Damon that Caroline offered her a favor in return for the spell she casted. She also wanted to keep that quiet but it was clear that Elena was becoming closer to Damon and Bonnie wasn't sure exactly how she felt about that.

“Welcome!” The three turned to see Caroline strolling towards them, her stiletto heels echoing off the hardwood flooring. She appeared stronger than when they had seen her previously. She was smiling at them widely and had this complete air of happiness that surrounded her. She was in a little black dress and her long blonde hair was piled on top of her head in an impressive updo. The diamond earrings that hung from her earlobes framed her face, drawing attention to her face instead of her body. “I'm glad you could make it. Come, we are having cocktails in the living area. Mr. Salvatore, I understand that you're a bourbon man?” Damon nodded, eyeing her with suspicion. “Perfect. If you would like to be infused in blood please let me know. I can have one of the waitstaff prepare it as such.”

In perfect hostess fashion, Caroline linked her arms with Bonnie and led her guest into the living area. They noticed that they were not the only ones in attendance. All of the Mikaelson siblings were there including the dark vampire Marcel. Damon recognized Rose-Marie, the vampire that warned him of Klaus returning but didn't pay any attention to the dark haired vampire by her side in favor of the one who was leaning against the fireplace in a deep conversation with Klaus.

“Stefan!” Elena's voice cried out and she made her way across the room to him. She launched herself into his arms and wrapped hers around his neck. It took her a moment to realize how stiff his posture was but she quickly became distracted by the sound of breaking glass. Her head turned to see Rebekah, who wore a silk green dress, with a broken glass in her hand and a murderous look upon her face.

“Sorry. I don't know my own strength.” Rebekah muttered. Stefan stepped away from Elena and she looked at him with a hurt expression. Damon pulled her away, concerned that the blonde vampire might attack her in a fit of jealousy.

“Yes, well, accidents do happen.” Caroline replied and snapped her fingers. As though they were trained to perfection, several waiters appeared in order to clean up the mess quickly. Bonnie stood in amazement for she had never seen such flawlessness plan executed before her; for she didn't even see the staff until they were needed. “Now, most of you already know but for those that do not, I only have one rule to my soirees, no bloodshed. That can be handled after.” Caroline turned to Klaus and pointed her finger at him. “And that includes you.” Klaus took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“I would never dream of ruining one of your carefully planned evenings with bloodshed Sweetheart, especially when you slaved over it for the past week despite the fact that you should have been resting.” Klaus kissed the back of her hand again, smirk firmly in place while Caroline just narrowed her eyes.

“Now Caroline, we have attended many of your gatherings in the past and most didn't end in bloodshed.” Kol chimed up. “In fact I remember one in particular where you looked fetching! Vervain weaved through your hair and everything.”

“No one wants to hear ancient history brother.” Elijah replied, narrowing his eyes at Kol, who had spent the majority of his day in the laps of college girls who now remembered nothing of the terror Kol put them through.

“I wouldn't be so sure. Bonnie enjoyed the history lesson from Freya and I. Didn't you Darling?”

“Don't call me 'darling'”

“I do like them feisty.” Kol leered at her and Bonnie scowled right back.

“Kol. Stop or I'll snap your neck.”

“Freya! Caroline said no bloodshed.”

“I'll allow it.”

“Not fair!”

“Kol.” Klaus replied with a tone that couldn't be argued with. Kol fell silent but glared at his older brother. Klaus turned to his wife and smiled at her. “I do have to agree with Kol on one thing though. You did look beautiful that night.”

“Why were you wearing vervain? Wouldn't that have burned you?” Elena asked and Caroline looked at her with a small smile. It was the first time that Caroline looked at her without a hint of contempt. She either was trying to separate her from the previous doppelgangers or she was just really talented at hiding her true feelings. Elena couldn't be sure which one it was.

“It was when we were still human. The village elders held a Summerfest each year at the close of summer. It was a way to welcome the Autumn season and choose which animals we would keep through the winter and which we would slaughter. It was a night of merry making and lots of drinking.” Caroline chuckled. “That year the elders asked me to help prepare for it. It was a great honor bestowed upon me.”

“A great honor upon me as well.” Klaus replied and smiled at her. The two shared a look for a moment, memories of the first few months together flew through their minds. “Although you did not make it easy love. There were times I thought you would walk away completely.”

“I do not think I could have if I wanted to. Despite others who may have tried to convince me otherwise.”

“She was jealous, Sweetheart. She just wanted to get under your skin.” Klaus replied. He held her close and kissed the top of her head. Most could see that Klaus was not going to allow Caroline out of his arms for most of the night. Having her awake again was still new and hard for him to believe. “It has been a thousand years and her memory still haunts you.”

“Who?”

“One of your ancestors, doppelganger.” Kol chuckled. “You see, you and Katerina are not the first who enjoyed playing brother against brother.” Both Klaus and Elijah hissed. “What? It is the truth, right? She had you both wrapped around her pinky until Klaus wised up and fell the blonde bombshell I am proud to call my sister.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere Kol.” Caroline teased.

“Wait, you're saying that both Klaus and Elijah loved a doppelganger when you were human?” Damon asked with a smirk. “And here I thought the love story of Klaus and Caroline starred only them from the beginning of time.”

“It is our families misfortune to be cursed with the doppelgangers.” Rebekah snapped. Her eyes glared into Elena's. Stefan walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder and whispered something to her. She relaxed slightly. Elena however looked at them with a look of contempt and hurt written on her face.

“Tatia was not a curse Rebekah. She may have been jealous and petty but you did not know her like I did.” Elijah replied.

“A thousand years and you're still in love with her.” Klaus stated. Caroline snorted and rolled her eyes but Klaus could tell that she was tense. She always did hate when the conversation turned to Tatia; no matter how many times Klaus reassured her that the girl meant nothing to him now. “Do the Salvatore brothers a favor and do not fall in love with this one. You do seem to have a type.”

“Elena has enough admiration. She is safe from my affections.” Elijah replied. “And I will not lie and say that Tatia did not hurt me, especially when she made it obvious she had been with you. However, I loved her enough to look past it; at least till a point. Without her, vampires would not exists”

“Sounds more like a prehistoric soup opera if you ask me.” Damon chuckled. He raised his bourbon to his lips and fixed his eyes on Klaus and Caroline. “Why don't you enlighten us with details Dracula, Dracula's bride. Whoo me.”  

*

Ancient Mystic Falls

Summer 1000

The fire burned high and the merry cries could be heard from those who were dancing around it. Ale was passed around and for one of the few times, the village wasn't plagued by what could possibly happen with the wolves. It wasn't a full moon and they simply let themselves enjoy the moment. Summer was coming to an end and they were to embrace the autumn season.

Klaus rested his back against a log with a drink in his hand. Ale wasn't one of his favorite drinks but it served a purpose. It helped drown out the memory of Tatia and his brother. True, it had been months since he saw them in the woods and months since he walked away. He knew Elijah had feelings for her but seeing Tatia giving herself to him in the same manner that she did with him was too much to accept and forgive. What hurt the most was his brother's betrayal; Klaus had thought that Tatia had chosen him and Elijah knew that he had taken her to bed.

“Niklaus.” Elijah's voice sounded from beside him and Klaus turned to look at him. He had not really spoken more than a few sentences to him in months and no matter of groveling could Elijah get his brother to break. It was the betrayal that hurt more than anything else and Elijah knew that. He took a seat on the ground and watched his brother glance into the fire absentmindedly. “Please, Niklaus at least speak to me.”

“Tatia looks lonely. Perhaps you should go to her.” It amazed even Klaus how Tatia's name did not come from his lips in bitter resentment anymore. Elijah's eyes moved towards the brown haired girl dancing around the fire in a mask. She was being twirled around by one of the village elder's sons. “Do not worry though brother, I am not one of the many men who you have to fight for her affections anymore.”

“She is hurt by your abandonment.”

“Her heartache is not something that haunts me anymore.” The brothers fell into silence. Neither knew where to go from here. Klaus wanted nothing more than to have the relationship he once had had with his brother but he just wasn't ready for forgiveness just yet, no matter how much grief it caused his mother. Instead of sitting in nothing but silence, Klaus stood and walked away from Elijah completely; taking another sip of ale.

“Perhaps it would be best to rid your soul of the darkness that plagues it Niklaus.” Klaus stopped abruptly and turned. Ayana stood watching him with curious eyes. Klaus had never been close to the witch but he knew that his mother trusted her. She was extremely powerful and even Klaus could feel the magic radiate from her. He knew of his mother's abilities and that Ayana taught her almost everything she knew; his mother passing the magical knowledge onto his brother Kol. Ayana was one of the elders of the village and highly respected one at that.

“What do you know of my soul?” Klaus snapped at her, feeling guilty the moment he did but Ayana did not look offended. If anything she appeared to be far more amused than anything else.

“We are a mix of people here. There is no place like it in the world. Your family comes from far away, a land full of vikings. Your father gave up his wealth and privilege to protect his family.” Klaus knew this and wanted nothing more than to tell the witch that she knew nothing of his father or his family. “I came from somewhere farther south. Where cliffs and rocks clashed with the sea. You could taste the salt in the air. I miss it sometimes.”

“If you miss it, why leave? Why come here?”

“To escape the darkness that was created a thousand years ago.” Ayana moved forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I followed the light.” Ayanna motioned her hand to the fire and as though he was under a spell, Klaus looked across the fire and saw something beautiful. Long blonde hair hung down around her waist and the purple flowers that lingered in the fields weaved through the braid at the top of her hair. He could hear her laugh as she danced with the other girls around the fire. “Caroline's family came from a kingdom hundreds of miles from your father's home lands.”

“You know her?” In truth, everyone did. It was a small village and everyone was connected somehow. He knew Caroline through her friendship with his sister but Klaus wondered if they ever shared more than a word or two. The vision he had of Caroline consisted of the sixteen year old girl who made sure the girls finished their chores in quick order. The elders adored her and was trusted among everyone. While Tatia was the girl every man desired, Caroline was the one who seemed to be the most overlooked. In that moment, Klaus wondered why he never really saw her before and how foolish the rest of the village was.

“I was the one to ask her to ensure everything was perfect for tonight.” Klaus looked at Ayana's small smile. The summer festival was given to the village as a gift from the elders. Never before had they had given such a responsibility to someone so young. “She is full of light, is she not?” With that Ayana walked away but Klaus didn't notice. His eyes focused on the smile that was casted upon Caroline's lips.

He moved around the fire just to get a glimpse of her. He saw Rebekah grab her hand and whisper something in her ear. Caroline blushed and laughed, shaking her head. His sister pouted and begged for something. Caroline narrowed her eyes before rolling them and reluctantly agreeing to something. Then a soft melody came from her lips and Klaus was frozen. He had never heard such breathtaking melodies that touched his soul. He once thought his mother had a beautiful voice as she sang to her children in the morning but suddenly, Klaus realized that he was completely wrong.

He simply stood transfixed, listening to her voice. There was something in the air; as though her voice casted a spell. Those around him seemed to agree that her voice was enchanting but none of them seemed to be completely lost in her. He didn't understand what was happening to him. He had known her for years but it felt like this was the first time he really saw her; he didn't understand but it was as though he felt magic in the air, drawing him towards her.

He looked to the ground and saw a mask made of deer skin and fur lying on the ground. He grabbed the mask and placed it upon his face. While not everyone wore masks during the festival, many did. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tatia still dancing around the fire with a mask firmly on her face. Instead of gravitating towards her, as he would have months prior, he moved towards Caroline and his sister. He wanted nothing more than to take Caroline's hand but he knew that she may seem suspicious since he never spoke with her outside the normal pleasantries.

Instead, he held out his hand to Rebekah and smiled at his sister. Rebekah's smile grew bright and she happily took his hand while Caroline took another villager's. The siblings danced happily around the fire and once the dance demanded a switch of partners, Klaus happily took Caroline's hand. They spun and danced. Klaus basked in her laughter as he spun her around; her hair flaring around in the night. When the dance came to an end, Klaus took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Before Caroline could question him, Klaus weaved his way through the crowd.

*

The village returned to normal the next morning. Villagers returned to their chores. Women cooked and reared the children. Men built the huts, repaired shelter and hunted for food. Klaus wandered through the huts looking for his sister. He finished his chores as quickly as possible and left both Elijah and Finn behind with questioning looks upon his face. It was still warm, for the fall chill had not set in, and Klaus knew that some of the young ladies would be washing their laundry at the river.

Once he reached the section of the stream that didn't reach the woods yet but ran down towards the Falls, he saw a line of several of the village girls washing their families clothes. Laugher could be heard coming from the river. He eyed the girls, seeing his sister speaking with Caroline. Caroline laughed and Klaus latched onto the sound. He reveled in it for a moment before he made his way towards them.

“Rebekah.” He called out and his sister looked up. She smiled at him the way his sister always did. She had her moments when Klaus wanted to rip his hair out but she could be sweet. He walked up to them and looked down at the girl. “Good morning Caroline. Thank you for our dance last night.”

“Of course. It was enjoyable. Although I am surprised, you normally are one who does not dance unless forced.” Her tone was playful but Klaus could see the curiosity behind her blue eyes. It was true. Normally, he would enjoy the ale, socialize with those he liked and would run off with Tatia once she had danced with Elijah. Yet, last night he felt the need to dance with her.

“That is true but I felt rather compelled to do so.” He flashed a dimpled smile at her. “You have a lovely voice.” Caroline flushed slightly but continued to gaze at Klaus with questioning eyes. “Rebekah, a word?” Rebekah, whose eyes were darting between her brother and her friend, nodded and began to follow her brother into the woods.

“Nik, what is it? You know how father feels about us interrupting our chores.” Rebekah hissed. Mikael grew angry whenever he learned that one of his children was not being what he considered productive. In truth, it was usually Kol, who was easily distracted by magic, that ignored his responsibilities but Rebekah knew the consequences. Mikael would never strike Rebekah, for she was his favorite, but if he learned that Niklaus was the one distracting her, the punishment would be severe.

“I will only be a moment and father will never need to know.” Rebekah nodded and looked at him. “I wanted to ask you about Caroline.”

“Caroline?”

“Yes.”

“What of her?” Rebekah was surprised. Klaus had never taken an interest in her before. Her and Caroline had been friends for years, one of the few people her father allowed her to associate with, and no matter how many times Rebekah mentioned her, Klaus never seemed to be listening. Yet, looking at him now she could see the vulnerability written upon his face. “Oh no. You cannot fancy Caroline! She is the closest person outside of my family that I have!”

“I have no intentions of hurting her-”

“What happens when Tatia bats her eyes at you again? What happens when she tires of Elijah and comes to you? She will because she is a fickle little girl who cannot keep her legs closed.” Rebekah hissed. Her hatred of Tatia was never concealed.  She hated the tension Tatia caused between her brothers and was of the opinion that the only way for that tension to end would be for Tatia to be gone.

“I'm done with Tatia.” Rebekah cocked her head, challenging him to prove her wrong. “A few months ago, I saw her with Elijah. They were intimate.” It felt strange to be discussing such things with his baby sister but she knew what went on between a man and woman; despite the fact that she was innocent. “I had known, both Elijah and I did but it was different seeing it with my own eyes.”

“Oh Nik. That's why you've been so sad.” Rebekah reached out and touched his arm. “Tatia never deserved you. Neither of you.” She watched her brother. She had known the pain both Klaus and Elijah felt watching the girl he had feelings for being with the other. She wanted them both to be happy and there was a change that Klaus was done with Tatia for good. “No. Caroline is not spoken for. Some have tried but she is stubborn. She makes them work for it and if she finds them disappointing, she walks away. She won't make it easy on you.”

“I wouldn't ask for anything less.”

“Every morning when I gather the water for the day she joins me. Since we need more pales than her family, she helps bring them back to our hut before heading to hers.” Klaus couldn't help smile at that. From the little he knew of Caroline, that seemed to be something would do. “She is a helper Nik. She sees a problem and she will do anything to make it right. Do not make me regret this.”

*

Just as Rebekah had indicated, Caroline was waiting for her by the river to collect the day's supply of water. She appeared completely unsurprised to see Klaus accompanying his sister.  He had thought that he would be greeted with a wide smile and shocked eyes. While Caroline did smile coyly at him, he was also greeted with a cocked eyebrow. She was expecting him and he silently cursed Rebekah. At least she had the decency to look ashamed.

“Rebekah, Niklaus. Good morning.” Caroline smiled at them before turning her gaze onto Klaus. “When Rebekah told me that you would be joining us this morning, I have to admit that I was rather curious. You've never collected water before, why the sudden change?” She was challenging him and Klaus couldn't help but toss her a dimpled smile.

“Oh, look Ayana. I need a few herbs. Excuse me.” Rebekah all but ran from them. This caused Caroline to laugh loudly. Her head was thrown back and Klaus couldn't help but enjoy the sound of her laughter. It was musical and joyful. He had thought that the sound of her voice signing a tune the other night was the most beautiful sound but her laugh was far more hypnotic. Klaus wanted nothing more than to be the reason why she laughed.

“She is not very subtle, is she?” Caroline asked.

“Rebekah and subtlety are not two things that mix well.” Klaus teased and Caroline nodded.

“Well, since you requested to speak with me this morning, the least you could do is help me gather water for your family.” Caroline smiled and bent to pick up one of the wooden pales before turning her back on him. Klaus bent down and grabbed two before running after her. He was surprised at how quickly she walked to the point that he was all but running to catch up to her.

“Slow down love or I would think you're purposely running from me.” With that Caroline stopped abruptly and Klaus nearly crashed into her. Caroline turned and looked at Klaus. Her blue eyes darted across his face as though she was searching for something.

“Rebekah told me that you have taken an interest in me. I do not understand the sudden change. You have known me for years, since we were children. Rebekah and I played in the flowers while you and Kol pretended to sword fight. Even then you just accepted me as your sister's friend. You were never mean but you never spoke much to me either. So, why now?”

“I fancy you.” Caroline sucked in a breath, not expecting him to be so blunt. There was a hint of vulnerability there that made her heart clench.  “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes!”

“Why?” Klaus paused. “You're beautiful. You're strong. You're full of light. I enjoy you.” Caroline could not help but be flattered by his pretty words but she hardened herself. She was not one who would fall for the first man who paid her compliments. If that was the case, she would be married with children chasing her skirt already and probably with a brute of a husband. She saw the misery her mother's marriage was made of and wanted nothing of the sort. While her father was not violent, there was no love between them. Perhaps she was a dreamer for the times but Caroline made a vow that she would never marry a man who was unworthy of her affections.

“Years of silence, of nothing and suddenly you expect me to believe that you fancy me? Emotions and feelings take time to grow. You never noticed me before.” Caroline replied. “And what of Tatia?” That caught Klaus off guard. While he was not going to hide the fact that he had a history with Tatia, he did not expect her to be aware of it already. “That is the worst kept secret in the entire village. Everyone knew that you were courting her but everyone knew that Elijah was as well; and the fact that there is a rift between you and Elijah.” Klaus's eyes closed and Caroline reached out, taking his hand in comfort. “It has been obvious that you have been sad. Rebekah told me yesterday that you ended things and took a step back; allowing Elijah to continue his relationship with her.”

There were two items flashing through Klaus's mind. The first was that Rebekah did not explain that Klaus caught Elijah and Tatia in a compromising position but rather just stated he stepped away. The second was the wave of sympathy Caroline seemed to have for him. Her compassion for him caught him by surprise. Outside of Rebekah, never had someone shown him such compassion, not even his own mother who kept him at arms length for fear of Mikael's temper.

“You're right. I did walk away.” Caroline said nothing but allowed him to continue. “I walked away months ago. I will not lie to you and say that I never had feelings for her but I had months to mourn them and let go. While I am still angry with Elijah, it has more to do with the fact that he betrayed me and not Tatia herself.”  Caroline nodded, understanding his words and accepting them.

“Why me?”

“I saw you with vervain in your hair and you looked happy. I never saw anything like it.” Klaus paused, taking a deep breath. “And then you began to sing. I will never lie to you and say that I have been nursing a childhood infatuation. You are right when saying that I always acknowledged you as my sister's friend. Another girl in the village but hearing you sing; it was as though I was seeing you with fresh eyes.” He took a step forward, standing tall over her. Tatia always looked down bashfully when he stood too close but Caroline stood her ground; looking into his eyes with equal force. “Take a chance. Get to know me. I dare you.”

“I guess it is a good thing that I can never refuse a challenge.” Her voice was breathless and her blue eyes flickered across his face. She knew that he was not lying to her but she still would hold him at arm's length for the time being. Much like Klaus himself, Caroline never thought of him as a romantic partner. She could admit that he was handsome but so were his brothers. She knew him well enough through Rebekah to know he was not cruel like his father; in fact she felt sympathy for him in that regard. Despite all of that, she would at the very least, give him the chance. “Once our chores are done for the day, you may walk with me around the edge of the trees.”

This caused the smile on Klaus's lips to grow wide with joy. “I promise that you will not come to regret this.” Caroline laughed, seeing Rebekah approaching out of the corner of her eye. He reached down and took her hand. She marveled at the feel of his lips on her knuckles. It was improper and if the wrong person saw them, she would be married by the end of the week because her parents would insist upon it. He smirked at her again and turned, heading off in the other direction.

“I think I already am.”

*

When she was nervous, Caroline had a tendency to bite at her nails. She rushed through her chores, not even snapping at the girls who would rather giggle over the men of the village than finish the tasks assigned to them. Instead she just let them waste their time and completed the tasks herself. The work took the fear of what would transpire later in the day off of her mind. However, once the chores were completed and instead of walking back to her family's hut for sometime spent either alone or with her mother, Caroline made her way towards the base of the woods.

She did not have to wait long before she heard footsteps approaching her. She turned to see Klaus approaching her with a wide smile on his lips. Caroline could not help but smile back at him. Once he reached her, he held out his hand and she linked their fingers together. She caught sight of his dimples but before she could comment, Klaus pulled her into the woods. His pace was quick and Caroline was practically running in order to keep up with him. They weaved through the trees but stayed away from the deepness of the forest. She could see the darkness out of the corner of her eye but the sunlight still graced her skin. Overtime, Caroline knew that darkness would encroach upon the trees but for now, she was perfectly happy to run in the sun.

“Where are we going?” Caroline asked.

“I want to show you something. I asked my brother to help me. I hope you don't mind. He won't stay for long.” Klaus added and Caroline could tell that they were getting close to the falls. She had only been to the falls a few times because it was dangerous during certain times of the month. The wolves lived on the side and crossing into their territory was an unwise decision.

“Elijah?”

“No, Kol.” That surprised Caroline. From everything Rebekah has told Caroline about her brothers, Kol was the biggest troublemaker. He was also the only child to inherit his mother's magic. He was a natural at it and liked to express it as much as possible. However, instead of using his gifts to heal those like his mother, he used his powers to pull pranks upon each of his siblings. It infuriated Rebekah to no end.

Before she could inquire more, Klaus pulled her into a clearing that she had never seen before. It was nothing more than a field but it was filled with rows and rows of vervain. Caroline had not known that it grew here for she thought that it only grew at the base of the giant white oak. She couldn't help but reach out and touch the beautiful flowers. Klaus reached down and picked one, placing it in her hair.

“How?” Klaus turned and pointed. Leaning up against a tree on the far side of the clearing was Kol and beside him was the youngest Mikaelson, Henrik. Kol whispered something to the young boy and Henrik's laugh echoed through the flowers. Kol waived before pulling his younger brother away.

“I asked Kol to make the vervain bloom here because I know it is your favorite flower. I thought you would enjoy seeing thousands of them bloom at once.” Klaus smiled at her and he saw Caroline bend down to pick another flower. She smelled them, taking in their scent. “You've never looked more beautiful.”

“Flattery and cheap tricks will not win my affections.” Caroline snapped but he could tell that she enjoyed seeing the flowers. It had taken some convincing but Kol agreed to do the little bit of magic in exchange for Klaus's taking over one of Kol's chores-grooming the horses. While it meant Klaus would spend the better part of the week with the horses, it was worth it to see Caroline fighting her enjoyment. “I am not someone who can be easily bought. If that is what you think of me, I shall find my own way back to the village.”

“Come on, take a chance Caroline. Talk to me.” Klaus smirked as he sat down on the ground in the middle of a million vines of vervain. “Come on, get to know me. I dare you.” He had her there and he could see it. Caroline was fearless and never one to turn down a challenge. Despite herself, Caroline found herself sitting down on the ground facing him.

“Fine. What do you want to talk about?”

“I want to talk about you.” Caroline shook her head in amused annoyance. “Your hopes. Your dreams.” She laughed again. “Everything you want in life.”

“Just to be clear, I am too smart to be seduced by you.”

“Well, that is why I like you.”

*

Ancient Mystic Falls

Autumn 1000

The weeks pressed forward and the leaves began to change, falling to the ground. The village prepared for the upcoming winter by gathering what they could for food storage and prepped their cattle. Huts were reinforced and logs gathered for fire; lengths were taken to keep them dry. Chores increased for the young as expected. Despite the work, Klaus still met Caroline every day at the edge of the woods. They did not venture far into the woods as they had the first time but they still strolled until the sun was completely set.

The village began to notice the time the two spent together. Ayana smiled at the two of them, as though she was seeing a long awaited event to take place before her. Soon it was known that Klaus was courting Caroline, even if the young woman in question refused to acknowledge it. Even though the two spent copious amounts of time in each other's company, Caroline found it hard to allow herself to be open about her intentions with Klaus.

Klaus could not be considered a patient man but found that with Caroline, he was willing to wait as long as possible for her to realize that he was serious in his attraction to her. He could see the walls that Caroline put up around her emotions and it was a slow process to chip away the stone that enclosed her heart. He could see that his attempts were not for nothing. Her smile was brighter when she saw him, her laughter louder. Her hand reached for his, linking their fingers together. It gave him hope...even if it drove him to distraction. Despite all of his patience, Klaus found that there were times that he wanted nothing more than to make Caroline see what was directly in front of her.

“Why are you so stubborn?” Klaus huffed. It was not a good day. Due to Kol's incompetence, Klaus had to endure another lecture from their father. He should be pleased that it was only harsh words and nothing violent but it made him late in seeing Caroline. When he arrived, it was clear that Caroline was keeping him at arm's length for the day. There were times when she was open with him and readily enjoyed herself and then other times that she was cold and distant. “Why can you not simply recognize that my feelings for you are real!?”

“Recognize your feelings!?” Caroline hissed. Klaus never pushed her. Never once asked for more than she was willing to give. Yet, today she could tell that his mood was foul and hers had not been much better. “You cannot just come into my life and expect me to believe that your intentions are true. Men lie and they make promises and then they leave you to cry well into the night. I refuse to let that become my life.”

“I have spent weeks trying to convince you that I want you. That my feelings for you are real.” There was vulnerability written on his face. She could tell that her reluctance was hurting him and that made her feel guilty. She did not want to hurt him but the possibility of falling for him scared her more than she expected.

“What do you want from me Nik?” It hurt him to hear such heartbreak in her voice and he loathed that he was the one who put it there. He wanted her to see that he was not playing some game with her. He knew that she was still suspicious of Tatia and thus made a special effort to not even glance in Tatia's direction when they were in the same part of the village as her. “Just tell me what you want.”

“I want your confession.”

“My confession? I have done nothing. Confession about what?”

“Me.” Caroline startled slightly. “As soon as we are done here, I will leave you to your thoughts. I will walk away and leave you in peace if that is your choice. You will never again have to look me in the eye and cover our connection with the cold hostility you sometimes process. You will never have to break down your walls for me only to rebuild them before we meet again. You will never have to face the part of you that cares for me. If you want nothing of me, I will let you go. You will be free. I just want you to be honest with me.”

Caroline could see the pain that this gave him. She could see the disappointment and hurt that letting her go caused him; but he was willing to do it if that is what she wanted.  Caroline enjoyed Klaus even when she pulled away from him. She fought the feelings that were developing inside of her because she didn't want to become the one thing she feared the most; and Klaus had that power to do that to her.

“I just turned seventeen. I know that I am of marrying age and it is something that I have been thinking about for years. You are not the first who has tried for my hand but I refused them all. I know that if I do not choose soon, my father will do it for me.” Caroline closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I want to build a life for myself. A home with a husband and children. Up until a few weeks ago, none of those things included you. The fact that you have so suddenly made those plans so real terrifies me.”

“I see.” She saw the hope fill his eyes and he stepped forward. Part of Caroline wanted to back away but she held her ground. Her head tilted upward and looked into his eyes. He was close enough to touch but neither reached out.

“No, you do not.” Caroline hissed. “Yes, I cover our connection with cold hostility because yes I hate myself for allowing you to have such power over me. I hate that the future I dreamed about is so close that I could touch it. I hate it because it is only a dream and never reality. I hate the feelings that I have because I know that one day, it will break me and I will have no escape. I will be trapped, only to be broken over and over again. I hate that it will be you to be the one who breaks me.”

“Where is this coming from Caroline? What have I done to make you feel this way?”

“Nothing. You've done nothing but be everything that a girl could want in a man who courts her.” Caroline whispered. “Sometimes I lose myself in the idea of what could be between us. Other times reality is played out before me.” She looked down at her hands. “I am terrified of becoming my mother.” Klaus's brows creased at that, not understanding her words and he said as much. “My mother has loved my father since they were children. It was no surprise when he requested her hand and when she fell pregnant with me, she was ecstatic. That is until she learned that my father was unfaithful to her.”

“It is common for men to find pleasure outside the home.” The moment the words left his lips, Klaus realized that it was the wrong thing to say and attempted to backtrack. “But that does not make the pain the woman feels any less real.”

“My mother still cares for him but knows that he never really loved her in return. It has made her bitter. My father loved another. Someone he could not have and married my mother because it was expected. The truth tore my mother to shreds and is only a shadow of the woman she used to be. She lives with the knowledge everyday that she was not his first choice. I want to be someone's choice and not what is expected.”

“Is it a woman in the village?”

“No. It was before my parents settled here and before I was born.” Caroline paused, wondering if this would change everything. “And it wasn't a woman at all.” That confession caused shock to be written all over his face. “It was why they fled England. My father and his lover were found out. While he was never in love with my mother, he cared for her and for his child. His lover was executed and they ran.”

“I see.”

“And now you hate me.” Caroline turned to walk away. It was always a fear of hers that someone would discover her father's secret and turn away from her- she never thought she would be the one disclosing it. She could not bear to see the scorn in Klaus's eyes and wanted to run as fast as she could from him.

“No!” He grabbed her hand. “I could never hate you Caroline. I cannot hate you for something that you did not commit.” He took both of her hands into his and kissed her knuckles. That was the only intimacy that she allowed and Klaus knew that it was something he could not push. She was an innocent and he wanted to keep her as such until he was able to lay claim to her. “Is that your confession then? Is that what you feel for me? Fear that I will break your heart?”

“If you promise that you will never look at another as you look at me right now, I will be honest with you. I will be honest with you about what I feel for you.”

“Caroline, I will never be able to see such beauty in another for it does not exist elsewhere for me. I know that other men say pretty things and never mean a word of them but you are the exception to every rule I have been taught. If I had you, then there is no need for me to find pleasure elsewhere. I promise.” Her eyes traced over him, her hands still linked with his. She moved closer and Klaus remained still. She was so close that Klaus's forehead almost rested against hers. She had never been that close before and he was afraid that his restraint would break and he would devour her lips like the many times he had imagined.

“Good.” With that, Caroline leaned up and pressed her lips to his gently. It wasn't deep or passionate but it was enough. It was enough for him to understand what Caroline was feeling. He could sense her fear and vulnerability, almost as though it was his own. He also could feel her desire and everything that she wanted in life. Klaus could feel that she could possibly want it with him.

*

Like every month before it, the full moon came. The villagers flocked to the caves with fur from the animals they killed and food for the night. Most gathered before the sun set and prepared small fires. The only thing that differed this month was the fact that Klaus escorted Caroline to the caves and settled near her family. Neither parents of the couple said a word, for the attachment was obvious, but they kept a close eye. Elizabeth and Bill looked on with smiles while Esther watched them with curiosity and fear. Mikael ignored them all together.

Caroline leaned against the stone wall with Klaus on one side and Rebekah on the other. Henrik found his way to them and settled beside Klaus. The three of them amused the young boy for a while until the sky grew dark and the only light was the fire lit before them. Henrik fell asleep easily and the rest settled into conversation. In the darkness, Klaus easily took Caroline's hand knowing that beside Rebekah, no one would notice. He would hold it until her mother called her away in order to sleep for the night. Despite their courtship, it would be improper for Klaus to hold her as she slept.

“She is staring again.” Caroline whispered and Klaus looked up to see Tatia's eyes on them. She was a ways down but the flicker of the flame made out her person easily. Caroline had been complaining that Tatia had been watching her. The other girl never approached Caroline or sought her out but during their chores she could feel Tatia watching her. She never appeared angry or upset, but rather curious about her. “I think she hates me.”

Klaus said that if it continued or if she bothered Caroline, he would request Elijah to speak with Tatia. Caroline declined, not wanting a row to break out between the brothers over her. In the weeks that Caroline and Klaus began their courtship, the relationship between the Klaus and Elijah eased slightly. While they were not exactly on speaking terms, they no longer avoided one another. They exchanged pleasantries, completed what was expected of them and moved on. It was progress and that pleased Caroline.

She refused to be the reason they endured a set back.

“She is harmless and her emotions towards you are irrelevant.” It was true. There really was not much Tatia could do. The village knew of Tatia's reputation and anything she would say would hardly be believed; with the exception of Elijah and any other man that was infatuated with her. There was no hint of violence but if it came to that, Caroline knew that she was stronger than the other girl.  “She is just angry that I chose you and not her.”

Caroline smiled and Klaus leaned in to kiss the top of her head. A cough echoed and they saw Caroline's mother watching them. Her eyes were hard but there was a gentle tone behind her eyes; as though she couldn't be too angry with them. The village knew by now what the end result of their courtship would be. The question was becoming when the event would transpire. While they have not been courting long, there were those who wondered why Klaus had at least not approached Bill for his permission to marry Caroline yet.  

The slow progress of their courtship was something Tatia had taken notice of. Caroline could always feel the girl's eyes on her and she could not help but feel self conscious. When she was younger, Caroline always compared herself to the other girls in the village, including Tatia. Despite the fact that Tatia was a couple years older, Caroline desired to be like her in a way. Tatia was beautiful, vivacious and had a laugh that pierced the air around her; however she was also catty, cruel and did anything that drew attention to herself. She married very young, gave birth to her daughter only months after her wedding and was widowed within the year. Caroline wanted that attention and always envied Tatia for it, especially since she did nothing to earn it. Now that she had Klaus, Caroline could not help but feel as though Tatia would do anything to take Klaus away from her.

Caroline was about to reply when her mother called for her. Klaus smiled at her and Caroline moved towards the section that her mother and father were occupying. The cave was completely dark, with the exception of the flames from the fires and most have lain down to sleep. She laid upon the soft fur located beside her mother and closed her eyes. When the morning came, Caroline made her way from the cave, only able to give Klaus a smile. Esther ushered her children out of the cave quickly, sending a curious glance as she did.

“He is going to have to speak with your father soon.” Elizabeth said, pulling Caroline from her musings. They walked across the lane that went back to their hut. Caroline looked at her mother in confusion, which only caused Elizabeth to smile. “Klaus. His intentions are clear and the village wonders why he has not made an offer yet. Your father will accept of course. He likes Klaus and thinks the two of you would do well together.”

“What?” Caroline blinked, her mother's assertion taking her off guard.

“Marriage. That is of course what Klaus is after?” Elizabeth looked at her daughter closely, eyeing her as though she could see any misdeed. However, Caroline just looked at her mother confused. While Caroline knew the concept of what happened between a man and a woman, she was still innocent. “Klaus has not done anything improper, has he?”

“What?! No. Mother of course not.” She shook her head and she could see Elizabeth relax. “I just was not expecting you to bring it up.” Ever since their argument in the woods, Caroline could not help but allow herself to dream about becoming Klaus's wife. It still frightened her but she could tell the difference in his mannerisms with her compared to the ones her father showed her mother. “Do you think he will speak with father soon?”

“I spoke with Esther and- Oh!” Elizabeth stumbled slightly and dropped the basket full of blankets she had been carrying. Caroline put down her own basket and began helping her mother gather the blankets that spilled out onto the ground. Soon another set of hands joined in and Caroline looked up to see Tatia looking at her curiously again. Tatia handed a few blankets to Caroline and gave her a small smile; a smile that Caroline could not tell was genuine or not.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” Tatia replied and stood. She held out her hand and a small girl, no older than three, grabbed it quickly. “Come my sweet, perhaps if you are a good girl, grandmother will make that bread you like.” Tatia took her daughter and left Caroline standing there, watching her. Tatia never really paid Caroline any attention before nor would she stop to help someone else. She wanted to believe it was an act of kindness but Caroline was intelligent enough to know otherwise.

*

The weather was growing colder. The first snow had yet to fall but the ice could be felt in the air. When Caroline breathed, it felt as though ice invaded her chest. She wrapped the furs around her tighter, waiting for Klaus. He was late and it was beginning to worry her. There were only a few times that Caroline beat him to the forest and it was due to him being held up by one of his siblings. When she was the first to arrive at their meeting place, Klaus was soon to follow.

Caroline had now been waiting for an hour and Klaus was nowhere to be seen. At first she had been angry, thinking that Klaus had forgotten about her. While she tried to be more open with Klaus, there were times that she still expected the worst out of him. She knew that he had done nothing to deserve it but deep down she still feared that he would betray her the way her father betrayed her mother. He was a man and it was expected; she just hoped that they would be the exception. When time pushed forward and he still did not come, Caroline began to worry that something had happened to him. When she heard the leaves behind her crinkle, she felt herself relax.

“Niklaus, I should be very cross-” Caroline paused, she saw that her intruder was not Klaus, but instead his brother. He looked haggard and stressed. He was not dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather and she could see the concern in his eyes. “Elijah? What are you doing here? Where is Nik?”

“He sent me. He is indisposed. He sent me to let you know that he is unable to meet you. Niklaus did not want you waiting in the cold.” Elijah could not meet her eye and Caroline narrowed hers. Elijah and Klaus relationship was progressing but not to the point where Klaus would send Elijah's to deliver a message for him. That was normally done by Henrik or Rebekah. As she looked Elijah over, Caroline noticed that there was a tiny fleck of blood on his knuckle. She reached out and grabbed it.

“What happened? Where is he?”

“He is alright. Rebekah is tending to him.”

“What happened?”

“Caroline-”

“Tell me or I will find him myself.”

“He mentioned you were stubborn.” Caroline only poured her gaze into him, letting him know that she was serious. “He and our father got into a rather harsh discussion. Our father is not one for mincing his words, especially when it comes to Niklaus.”

“He beat him.” Caroline stated in a matter of fact tone with a touch of venom mixed in as well, taking Elijah by surprise. Klaus had disclosed the nature of his relationship with his father and the knowledge that Mikael could become violent towards his son was unsettling for Caroline. “Where is he?”

“At our hut.” With that, Caroline moved past Elijah quickly. He grabbed her arm, spinning her to face him again. “It would be unwise for you to go there now. Father left in a storm but he will be back at some point before dark.”

“I do not belong to your father and even if I did, I would still go. You cannot stop me.” The conviction in her words had Elijah really considering her. He never thought much of Caroline in any sense before. He liked her well enough and knew Rebekah was fond of her. He was taken by surprise when he learned that Klaus had started courting her and even more so when he was clearly serious about pursuing her. Selfishly he was pleased because it meant that Klaus was less likely to return to Tatia but he also wanted his brother to find happiness.

“You love him.” The words caught Caroline by surprise. Did she love Klaus? In truth she did not know. She knew that her emotions ran deep but they had only been on this course for a short period of time. Love came after marriage for those who were lucky. If Klaus asked for her hand, she would give it but her heart was another matter. Unless she had already given it without her realizing it? “I'll walk you but it is best if you leave before father returns.”

Caroline nodded and the two set off at a brisk pace. They were silent and Caroline found that they could not reach the hut quick enough. When they arrived, Elijah opened the wooden door and ushered Caroline inside. She had never been in their family hut before, not even with Rebekah, only seeing the outside of it. It was bigger than hers and was made up of about four rooms. The room Elijah ushered her into was a common room. There was a long table in the center and a fireplace built into the far wall. Esther was stirring something in the cast iron pot that was placed above the fire. When Esther saw that Caroline had accompanied Elijah back, she just motioned her head towards one of the doors on the other end.

“Caroline.” She turned to see Esther looking at her. “You should not be here. I would hate for my son to take another beating because of you.” Caroline paused and just glared back at her. She had always got the feeling that Esther did not particularly like her. However, her mother and Esther have spoken about the possibility and Elizabeth never once mentioned that Esther seemed opposed to it.

“What?” Before Esther could elaborate, Caroline heard Klaus hissed and she took off towards the sound. The sound came from a room in the very back of the hut. The room had several small beds made of hay and it was clear that this was the room for the older boys. Klaus was lying on his stomach, shirtless and Rebekah was dabbing what appeared to be wounds on his back with a cloth. “Nik?”

Both Klaus and Rebekah looked up to see Caroline's eyes filled with tears. She edged closer and saw that there were deep gashes on his back that appeared to be from a whipping. Not only that but there were old scars beneath the fresh ones, telling Caroline that this was not the first time Mikael has whipped him. She brought her fingers to the base of her eye and wiped away the tears. She held out her hand to Rebekah, asking for the cloth she was holding. Rebekah nodded, stood, gave the cloth to Caroline and left the room. Rebekah left the door open and sat down on a wooden stool just in sight of them both. Caroline knelt down on the floor and dipped the cloth into the bucket of water before attending to the wounds. Klaus hissed again, his fingers digging into the bed.

“Sorry.” Caroline whispered.

“It is alright.” Klaus replied. “You shouldn't have come.”

“Everyone is saying that.”

[lacheri]

Hey congrats on your followers and um ily and I saw the request kinda thingy so I’ll chip in as well. Pisces, INFJ-A personality, she/her. I’d like it to be about Levi, nsfw and canon. I know it’s quite a stretch but even tho it’s nsfw maybe it can also be sth angsty with comfort at the end?? Like maybe they fought or sth bc of jealousy idk and then it gets sweet?? :( Idk if I’m making any sense but I trust u with this one cuz you’re amazing

thank u sm this was so sweet 🥰 I hope u enjoy nonnie! bout to write toxic!levi in this bih

Knight of Cups: when this knight is upright in a reading, he’s in touch with his emotions, he’s charming and charismatic, in love with all things beautiful. however, when reversed, the knight is moody and jealous with an overactive imagination. knights represent action in the tarot, and we all know the saying that actions speak louder than words.

mount everest - labrinth. "You could touch the sky, but you ain't got shit on me, 'cause I'm on top of the world."

warnings/content: Levi is toxic and jealous and slightly ooc, face fucking, mentions of penetrative sex, minors DNI.

Levi was convinced he was going to kill someone, namely, the drunken captain who was swaying just a little bit too close to you. After a successful mission beyond Wall Rose to scope out just how bad Wall Maria had been invaded by titans, Levi had joined his fellow comrades for dinner and drinks. The squads made it out with thankfully no casualties, a rare event that was cause enough for celebration. The headquarter’s dining hall was swarmed with military bodies, some new faces Levi hadn’t even seen before. Some were even calling this a party, believe it or not, getting plastered off their asses on wine.

When the captain had finally yanked your form away from the staggering man, his disgusting hands splayed across your waist, your eyes were wide open in appreciation to your savior. The unfamiliar captain had gritted his teeth, taking a swig of his personal bottle of wine, leering dangerously close to Levi’s face.

“Whaddya’ doing with my bitch, shorty?”

The crack of the man’s skull against the harsh floor was deafening, all chatter surrounding silenced in horror as blood splattered everywhere. Levi’s fist ached, knuckles already bruising, and your jaw was practically hanging on the ground in shock.

“You motherfucker!” the man spat a tooth out, hand nursing his bloody broken nose. “I’ll fucking kill you!”

“Sir, you can’t,” one of the man’s cadets, a young man with a bowl cut, quickly rushed to his aid, circling his palms around his biceps to bring him to his feet. “That’s Captain Levi, humanity’s strongest.”

Levi didn’t stick around for the rest of the conversation, uninterested in hearing the drunken captain’s slurring of threats. Levi’s grip was tight around your forearm as he escorted you out of the hall, various soldiers side-stepping out of the way to allow the fuming captain a clear path.

The door of Levi’s office slammed as he barked out, “What the fuck was that?”

You frowned, feeling a rush of anxiety fill your chest, “I was trying to get away from that man! He kept talking to me though, I didn’t want to be rude to one of the captains, sir.”

Levi’s fist came thundering down to the top of his desk, “Not hard enough!”

You blinked several times, finally catching on as you realized that Levi was jealous, “I wasn’t flirting with that guy!”

“Sure looked like you were to me,” he spat, teeth grinding together. “Wouldn’t you just love for that old man to take you to bed?”

“He wouldn’t be the first one,” the words left your lips before you could bite your sharp tongue.

Levi whipped his head towards you, bewilderment in his eyes, “Excuse me?”

“He wouldn’t be the first old man I fucked, sir,” you decided to clarify angrily, mentally digging yourself into your own grave.

Levi came barrelling towards you, gripping your chin and cheeks in one hand while his other pushed your back into his door, “First, you flirt with that disgusting excuse of a man, and now, you’re insulting me?”

You didn’t dare make a move, stubborn in your words as you felt desire flutter in your abdomen, “Did I stutter, Captain?”

He began to chuckle darkly, not a hint of amusement on his expression, “Get on your knees, since you’ve forgotten how good this old man fucks you.”

Before you could even will a muscle to follow his instructions, your pussy fluttering at his harsh tone, Levi was grabbing the back of your hair and forcing you down to the floor. His hand weaved into your hair while the other worked on the belt loops of his pants. His cock fell out of the waistband as it loosened, your own fingers coming up to pull the material down to his thick thighs. He was half hard, still well endowed, and you could feel the drool start to pool under your tongue.

He grabbed the base of his length, guiding himself to your wet pout as you licked your lips in anticipation. Had he not been so angry, Levi would’ve kissed you gently, working his own mouth and hands to satisfy your body before chasing his own pleasure. Not tonight, though, he was going to show you that you belonged to no one other than him, humanity’s strongest.

Levi showed absolutely no mercy, your scalp burning as he held your hair in a tight vice as he thrusted his hips deep into your wet mouth. He let out a deep groan upon hitting the back of your throat, feeling you gag around him due to not being allowed time to prepare yourself to deep throat the large length of the man. You sucked in air hard through your nostrils, brain turning to mush as your cunt clenched around nothing. You were so turned on right now, your panties dampening further as his hardening cock began sliding down your throat.

He brought his other hand to your shoulder, steadying himself and holding you still as he rocked back and forth on his feet, swearing profanities and curses. You kept your eyes on his the entire time, allowing the fat tears to roll down your cheeks unashamed. You knew better than to look away, and honestly, you really didn’t want to, Levi looked divine as he fucked your face.

Globs of spit trailed down your chin and throat, Levi pumping his throbbing cock in and out of your slobbering lips at a fastening pace. Your fingers twitched at your sides, wanting so badly to unfasten your own belt and rub your clit to the sight. Again, you knew better, and kept your hands at your side, awaiting Levi to release his frustrations onto you.

“Don’t you ever let another man’s hands fucking touch you, that’s an order,” his fat tip slammed into the back of your throat, a hard and verbal gag vibrated out of your lips, spit bubbling along the edges. “I swear, I’d fucking kill the man who ever dared to take you away from me.”

You were almost sobbing in desperation, your panties soaked thoroughly by now. Part of you wanted to pull away, grab Levi and gently kiss away his insecurities. There would never be another man that would hold your affection, it was only for your him, you’d promise him genuinely, leading the raven haired man to the bed for you to ride him into oblivion.

However, the rest of you urged yourself on in triumph as you rolled your tongue against the underside of his dick, feeling a thick pulsing vein against your tastebuds. Levi roared with a moan, his thumbs swiping softly under your eyes to wipe away your streaming tears.

“I’m gonna’ fucking cum,” his thrusts fastened, his fingers hooking into your hairline. You couldn’t take it anymore, unbuttoning your pants and ridding yourself of your belt noisily as your index finger made a hasty retreat into your sopping panties. “Fuck, yeah, touch yourself.”

You moaned as you finally began to relieve yourself, your slick lubing your finger as you circled fast patterns on your aching clit. You were feeling dizzy from all the stimulation, Levi fucking you stupid without even entering your center where you needed him most. You could envision his dick slamming into your core over and over as his hip movements became irregular. You felt jealous as his load finally busted deep in your throat, rather than deep within your womb, holding your face flush to his pelvis as his legs trembled, knees threatening to buckle. Levi was cussing vehemently, face scrunched together tightly as his cock pumped against your tongue, emptying every last bit of cum. You plunged your middle finger into your hole then, moaning and creating vibrations against his length, Levi hissing out in pleasure.

You swallowed the salty substance, not even tasting a drop from his tip being shoved past your tongue. He pulled his hips back as the last waves of his orgasm rocked through him, allowing you to finally take in some much needed breaths. His hard grip on your skull softened, his thumbs brushing against your temples in appreciation.

His softening dick fell from your lips with a pop as he whispered, “I’d strike down anyone who ever came between us. I’m humanity’s fucking strongest, I’ll never let it fucking happen.”

When Levi regained his erection after a few moments, he was pinning you to his bed, the two of you fully naked and exposed. He’d show you in all the ways he could that he deserved the heavy weight of his title as he pounded into your body. You mewled reassurances and sweet nothings into his ear as he brought you so high up in pleasure, his thumb working your clit. He held you close as he climaxed for the second time, kissing sweetly all over any exposed skin he could reach. He’d never say the words out loud, but humanity’s strongest had a weakness, you.

Still, Levi felt like he could conquer fucking anything as he brought you to your own high, your eyes rolled deep into the back of your skull. Levi kissed you deeply as he finished marking his claim to your exhausted body, head filled with nothing but love and adoration for you. You murmured you had loved him, and he had placed a tender kiss to your forehead as you drifted off.

Levi loved you too, but he’d never find the words to say it.

LACHERI © 2021: all writing content belongs to LACHERI. I do not allow reposts or translations. this is my only account.

[glassandmetalwings]

Wings Talks Manga: A Year in Review, Part 1 (Completed stories)

Last year, I told myself I was going to actually really more manga and watch more anime, because despite it being my main style I hadn’t actually read much in awhile. And I actually managed to get a lot done for one year. So below is a list of stories I read/watched and a few quick thoughts on them. Despite having my list open, I’m still probably not going to get to all of them, but I can try.

Be warned for spoilers.

T.egami Bachi (manga)

I love. Anyone following this tag of mine knows this has been a long journey and that I loved every minute of it. The world is beautiful, the characters are great, the emotions run high...it’s incredibly cathartic and engaging. I will never stop lauding it.

Jiu Jiu (manga)

A short series I picked up from the library that I never really covered, but that I enjoyed. Sometimes it felt a little slow to work through, but it was cute and I got really attached to the characters over five volumes. Like the mangaka, I wish there had been more opportunity to delve deeper into some of the story elements, because especially near the end it got confusing. Also I’m assuming it ended in a poly relationship? The protag grows up and has babies but you can’t really tell which love interest is the father, if either are. They’re all together in the final picture and I support it but it also bugs me bc I am confused.

Dreamin’ Sun (manga)

Mixed feelings on this one. I honestly expected a modern fantasy involving a baku going into this based on the back cover. I was wrong. I was really cute, if not overwhelmingly emotionally frustrating/full of secondhand embarassment at some points. The characters are super well-developed and continue to evolve and grow through the series. I will forever complain about the protag falling in love and centering her life around an adult man, but there were also some very touching elements that I can’t help but remember fondly.

The Wize Wize Beasts of the the Wizarding Wizdoms (manga)

The first of a lot of BL I read this year, which is honestly very new to me. My introduction to Nagabe. I’ve mentioned there’s one story I’m not too fond of, but it could be my interpretation of it. Overall very much loved it and especially love the art style.

K.amisama Kiss (manga)

I series I kind of picked up on a whim and absolutely fell in love with. Cute, funny, touching, well-thought out. There were some elements I didn’t understand (like the end), but my enjoyment overall made up for it. The one thing I wish for was a little more development for some of the minor characters. Also I love Mizuki and his development throughout the series. He makes me emotional.

Our Dining Table (manga)

Another cute, simple love story about two guys making food. I don’t have a whole lot to say about this other than it’s cute and you should read it. Although I obviously have no issues with teenage protags, it was refreshing to have a love story about two working adults that didn’t have to involve sex. Also can totally understand one guy’s aversion to eating with others, even if my own isn’t as severe.

Love on the Other Side (manga)

More Nagabe. Really, really cute. I love the story with the bird (of course). The softness of the stories and Nagabe’s art style really have stolen my heart.

B.lack Butler: Book of Circus (anime)

We all know why I watched this. Sadly the ending is as gruesome as the manga, and the one or two scenes they added didn’t play well on the DVD. But still a delight (up until the end).

The Devil is a Part-Timer (anime)

Interesting. Funny. A good world base, but I feel they could have developed it a little more, and the last episode kind of soured it a little for me because there was no really wrap-up. But I liked the characters and had a lot of fun watching it while crocheting. Wish there was a season two.

The Bride was a Boy (manga)

A brief autobiographical manga about a trans woman, filled with lots of tidbits about transgender individuals and things like HRT. Short, sweet, cute, and full of love and joy. Again, not much to say other than I recommend it.

Fractale (anime)

A lot to process. I think I would need to watch it again to fully wrap my head around it, if not more than once. An interesting world, great character, engaging story, and beautiful animation. Plus just...kinda relevant in a way that’s hard to describe. Think ease of technology verses governmental control via tech. I really loved the episode about the mysterious photographer. Plus I just fell in love with the ending song.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (anime)

Yes, I’d never watched this before. Gonna say, not my favorite Miazaki, but as usual an excellent story with a lot of background and development. And of course I loved the creature design. Glad to finally have it watched, after all these years, but I also can’t help but wonder what the original English release was like, knowing they cut/edited a lot. Because a lot of that violence and death was...kinda necessary to understanding character motives.

H.aibane Renmei (anime)

Again, another series that’s been at the top of my list for forever. I didn’t even have an excuse not to watch is as I own the DVDs. Excellent, and touching, if not cutting a little too close to home at times (like self-harm/BFRB). Really my introduction to ABe, and I have to say I never saw the ending coming. But would definitely watch again and again. Kinda wish I could do a cosplay for this series (I’d probably be Nemu, or one of the masked characters), but I feel like you need a group for it.

G.osick (anime)

I didn’t complete this one, I’m sorry. I think the art is great, and the arcs in concept are amazing...but it falls through in the delivery. The characters don’t really feel like they have driving motives behind their actions, and sometimes the evidence and stuff are things you can’t discern from watching (’I can tell you aren’t the daughter of a coal baron because you walk short distances before turning sharply and walking the other way, like you’re pacing in a small psych ward cell’-yes, that’s a real example). Lots of potential, but not great. Sorry.

Wolf Children (anime)

Very cute. Beautiful anime. I don’t think I can say much about this that hasn’t already been said. My favorite part is the ending where she’s saying goodbye just because of how both painfully and empoweringly emotional it is.

5 Centimeters Per Second (anime)

Not bad, but probably not my favorite. It didn’t help that the version I was watching didn’t translate all of the writing, so I feel like I missed a lot of elements. While the story is definitely a sentiment I can get behind, it was also a little bit unsatisfying for me, especially at the end. But idk, maybe I just don’t like the idea of moving on when there’s the opportunity to not.

Colorful (anime)

It was...a film. About a suicide. Looking back I don’t particularly feel strongly either way about it. I think the ending was good, and giving the protag some sort of motivation, but it took forever to really get to a point where I cared about him (or he seemed to really care about the body he was inhabiting and the person he was trying to be). Some of the stuff was just...uncomfortable. It’s probably worth watching, but overall I wasn’t wowed by it.

Ibistu (manga)

My first shrink-wrapped manga. It ties together very well in the end, and the horror and violence elements did elicit some very visceral reactions in me (particularly the threat of the iron and, later, the staples). The short stories were also good, particularly the doll factory one, but I wasn’t the most fond of the one about the mangaka. Just know there’s a reason it’s shrink-wrapped and it’s not a ‘positive’ one.

A Silent Voice (anime)

Probably one of my favorite films. While I didn’t always understand the motivations behind some of the characters or their actions, it wasn’t in a way that made me uncomfortable like some of the things in Colorful did. It felt more natural for them to be irrational. Again, there is suicide, so be warned if you don’t want to deal with that. But the story is sweet and the characters are amazing. But I also have a weakness for things involving sign language and communication.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices (anime)

Very cool. Beautiful landscapes. Gave me very strong Princess Mononoke vibes at some points, but it also stood as its own story with interesting characters there are elements I wish we could have delved deeper into, though. Also...what war did the teacher fight in? It didn’t look very modern. Also also I will forever wince at the pronunciation of ‘Quetzalcoatl’. Death is a strong theme in it, so be prepared if you watch it.

The Boy and the Beast (anime)

Excellent character design. Excellent story. Excellent animation. My one complaint would be that the climax felt kind of thrown together, even though it tied back to the beginning in a good way. But overall a beautiful world with some great humor and intense elements.

The Garden of Words (anime)

Spoiler: again a story about a kid falling in love with an adult. From a platonic standpoint, the story still feels a little weird, particularly in terms of the woman’s motivations, but looking back her not getting too involved in him missing school...kinda feels like what I would do to, especially in her situation. It’s sweet, though. Maybe it’s just me and my preferences, but some elements feel a bit incomplete, and I wish had been explored/wrapped up.

Summer Wars (anime)

Probably a favorite on the films list. Again, beautiful animation. I’m not going to get over this style. But I especially liked the design of OZ and the excess of blank space in it. Characters were many but great (although I didn’t get the one baseball player was part of the family until almost the end, but that says more about me and paying attention). Even Mom got really engaged in it when I had her watch it with me (I also had her watch Wolf Children, which I thought she would like more, but apparently not). There is a character death, but if you don’t mind that it’s definitely a watch.

Beauty and the Beast Girl (manga)

A cute little story about a blind girl and a dragon girl falling in love-what more could you want? Their histories actually tie together in a really neat way. Honestly my one complaint would be that the ending feels a little too ideal and easily wrapped-up. But sometimes we need things to be that perfect, you know?

P.andora Heart (manga)

The other big story I tackled this year. There were points that were a bit slow/disengaging to me, but overall once I got hooked I really loved it. I think I need a second read to really fully understand it (if that’s possible), but equal parts cute, intense, and bittersweet. Elliot’s whole development was probably my favorite bit.

The God and the Flightless Messenger (manga)

My last story of 2020, and a very cute one at that. Another short story, with beautiful art. I don’t...really know what to say about it. It’s cute, and the love story feels both very natural and almost...secondary? Idk how to describe that. The relationship between the two of them is obviously key, but it’s the type of story where ‘I love you’ isn’t needed. It’s already there.

So yeah, there’s the list. It’s a long list. I probably still missed some. I might try to make a second list with ‘in progress’  series but I’ll be playing that by ear. I’d love to hear some of you all’s thoughts on these stories (if you’ve read/watched them), or which you now want to read/watch!

[heartofsnark]

A Hope County Christmas (Part Two): Seed Family Dinner

Notes: Second chapter out, wooooo! Note to self never start on a christmas fic after christmas, you just end up stressed. Also, the first chapter has to my shock been getting a lot of love over on AO3, which I really appreciate, thank you to everyone who likes and enjoys my weird garbage. 

Summary: It’s Christmas time in Hope County and as one might suspect, it can be hard to find any Christmas spirit to spare with Eden’s Gate waging their holy war. Junior Deputy Dahlia Hale fully suspects this holiday will be spent just as every last day has been spent since they tried to arrest Joseph Seed. But, between the Rye’s incurable optimism and the Seed’s…fascination with her, she can’t say she expected this.

You can read part one right here!

Word Count: 4678

Warnings: Non-consensual touching (It’s not inherently sexual, Faith basically washes Dahlia but still), bathing/washing, drugging, kidnapping. Polyseed. Jacob has a pet Judge Wolf and John has a pet cat, cause idk, I like that shit. 

The radio cuts out and Dahlia groans, rage and wrath bubbling in her veins. She can’t have one normal fucking day.

“That John Seed, I swear to god, he can’t take a fuckin’ hint.” Nick is already pissed, just the mention of John Seed does that to him.

“Could anyone else hear John stroking it, or was that just me?” Sharky looks around for confirmation.

Dahlia is already up, her movements and body language drawn tight as she yanks the sweater off over her head, grabbing her uniform shirt and jacket that are strewn on a chair.

“Where are you going?” Kim asks, face twisted up with worry, eyes soft.

“It’s John, if he wants to me, he’s gonna get me. I stay here and your place is gonna be swimming with peggies before you know it. Just ‘cause the Seed got some sick fascination with me, doesn’t mean I gotta ruin everyone else’s night.”

“Fuckin’ let ‘em come, we’ll blow ‘em to smithereens.”

“All they need is us all drunk and vulnerable, none of us are in any state to fight,” Dahlia says with a sigh, handing the sweater back towards Kim.

“Keep it, you can wear it again next year.” That little notion of hope, of a future with more Christmas parties makes Dahlia smile.

“Thanks.”

“But…can you ride your bike, right now? You’re not exactly sober either.”

“Doesn’t matter if I ride or walk it, as long as I get some distance between here and me. I’ll be fine, you don’t hear from me in three days, you all know what to do.”

She gives her friends a half-hearted wave, trying not to let the anger and stress show through. One day, all she wanted, one fucking day.

The cold air hits her flushed face and she sighs, tucking the sweater into the trunk space under her motorcycle seat. She lights a cigarette both for warmth and stress relief as she pushes her bike away from the Rye home. If she were sober and more energetic, she’d be crafting how to escape his capture team. John’s are always the easiest to avoid. Once she managed to evade them three time, liberating a cult outpost and helping a defected peggie before they nabbed her. John was fuming and she was grinning. But, she’s not sober and there’s not much to do.

She’s a considerable distance away, surrounded by woods. Engines rev, his capture party getting close. Dahlia sighs, at least the Rye’s will have a decent party without peggies ruining the damn thing. A white truck with the familiar cross designs pulls up. She recognizes the cultists in the front seat, a face constantly showing up when she’s kidnapped.

“Hey, Teddy,” she greets him.

“My name is Theodore.”

“Hey Teddy.”

“I’ll never understand what the father sees in you.”

“You and me both, bud.”

“You’re not running today?”

“I’m drunk man.”

“Of course, you are.” He aims the gun, loaded with bliss bullets, at her.

“Do we really need the bullets today? I’m not even running!?”

“Shooting you is the most fun I have anymore, so yes, we need the bullets.”

“Seriously, I-OW!” The bliss coated bullet sinks into the meat of her thigh

Within seconds her vision starts to swim, colors distorting and her limbs growing heavy before she falls back on the ground. Theodore hovering over her.

“Dickhead,” she slurs out before the world goes black.

 Dahlia blinks a few times as she slowly comes back in consciousness. There’s still a haze to her brain, but she feels more sober than she did before she was kidnapped. A soft familiar humming is drifting through the room, the same one that echoes through the Henbane. She tries to get up out of bed, but can’t hardly move her body. No ties or restraints, her limbs just to heavy to move despite her head feeling clear. The cult is always fucking around with new strands of bliss, she’s no longer surprised at the things it can manage to do to her.

Slender hands wrap around Dahlia’s wrists and she’s gently tugged up into a sitting position, she’s on a bed. Her legs now over the edge of it, Faith smiling and staring into her eyes.

“Hello, deputy.”

“Ugh.”

“It’s our first Christmas together, aren’t you excited?”

“Ugh.”

“I know, you’re still clinging to your sins, but don’t worry, we’ll show you the path. With love and patience.”

“And kidnapping.”  That earns Dahlia a stern look, like she’s a toddler who just stole a cookie before dinner.

“You still don’t understand and that’s okay, none of us are giving up on you. Now, you need to get washed up for dinner,” she fiddles with a glitter glue clump in Dahlia’s hair and lets out her soft little melodic giggle, “as pretty as this is, this is an important day, alright.”

Faith yanks Dahlia forward and off the bed, bliss heavy limbs making the deputy just fall against her. Her fingers knot in the white fabric of Faith’s dress, all her weight pressed against the taller woman. The youngest Seed sibling just giggles and pets Dahlia’s hair before leading her forward on shaky legs.

There’s a simple clean bathroom, steam rising up from the bathtub filled with water. Faith softly hums as she leaves Dahlia leaning against the sink for support, testing the temperature of the water. The soft steam twirling in the air around her face. She truly is beautiful, despite everything, Dahlia can recognize that the Seeds are attractive. Crazy assholes, but attractive ones.

Faith returns to Dahlia, their six-inch or so height difference feels like so much more when Faith looks down at her, pale hands pushing under her leather jacket. The deputy doesn’t have the strength to fight it, jacket hitting the ground. Then Faith is doing the same with the uniform shit, a noticeable twinge of anger in her expression when she sees the Hope County Cougars button next to Dahlia’s badge. Her hands skim slowly and teasing as she works through each layer, getting closer and closer to Dahlia’s skin.

The herald pulls Dahlia’s shirt up over her head. No bra and her chest is completely exposed. Green eyes looking over her breasts and Dahlia braces herself, expecting greedy touches and groping. Embarrassed by the way warmth builds in her center with anticipation. But instead, Faith simply hums and starts to undo Dahlia’s jeans. In moments she’s stripped completely naked, exposed in the bright light of the bathroom. No way to hide herself.

Faith gently leads Dahlia towards the bathtub, helping her into the hot water. She sits down and tries to pull her knees to her chest, but finds her limbs still not responding. Despite the situation, she finds herself relaxing into the water. The heat a welcome relief from the chill outside.

Things stay surprisingly innocent. Not that Dahlia wants it to not be innocent. But Faith’s touch never seem to deviate beyond softly washing her. Humming as she scrubs soap into the deputy’s skin, washing away the dirt and crafting mess. Sudsy hands exploring Dahlia’s legs, thighs, stomach, arms, and back. Constantly nearing her more sensitive spots, but never touching them.

She’s not proud of the whine she lets out as Faith washes her back, somewhere between cleaning and massaging. Faith shampoos and conditions her hair, the sensation of fingers working over her scalp makes her let out a soft sigh. Once she’s cleaned, Faith gently helps her stand back up.

A soft white towel rubbed and fluffed over her body, all still completely innocent. Faith seeming to find some contentment in just babying Dahlia, which would be great if not for the cult stuff.

“You keep looking at me like you’re expecting something, silly,” Faith voice teases by Dahlia’s ear, breath ghosting over the wet skin. Heat flushes up Dahlia’s cheeks.

“Ugh.”

Faith only giggles before she finishes drying Dahlia off, maybe it’s the heat of the bath or just the drug running its course, but she’s starting to regain a bit more control over her limbs. She can curl and move her tingling fingers now, which is something.

“The Father let me pick out the dress for you to wear tonight, it’s going to look so pretty on you.”

“Ugh!”

Dahlia expects something like Faith’s favorite dress, delicate modest white lace and flowers. But, while it’s white and has some lace touches, it’s less modest. Thin little straps instead of long sleeves, the deep neckline scalloped in a way that shows little peeks of skin between her breasts, and a band of lace beneath her chest that her skin shows through. The entire dress reaching the middle of her thighs. She’s thankful the building they’re in seems to be well heated.

Faith smiles wide at Dahlia in the dress, reaching for a white bliss flower that’s been place in a vase near the sink. She tucks it back behind Dahlia’s ear, the fragrance tickling the deputy’s nose.

“Absolutely gorgeous.”

“I miss my pants.”

“C’mon now,,” Faith pulls her wrists out and Dahlia expects to just be lead again, but instead she grabs rope from under the sink and binds the deputy’s hands together, “just in case it wears off, can’t have you running off in the middle of dinner, now can we?”

“Yeah…that’d just be a shame.”

Dahlia is dragged out to what looks like a dining room, the table has a cloth strewn across it and some sort of centerpiece but that’s all. Faith brings her to one of the chairs and ties her ankle to the legs of it when she sits down.

“Be back in just a moment,” Faith murmurs and presses a kiss to the top of Dahlia’s head before stepping out.

There’s the soft sound of clattering and messing around in the kitchen. Her limbs are starting to tingle, feeling slowly coming back. She starts trying to rock back and forth in her chair, if she can somehow break the chair she can manage to get away. Dahlia tries bouncing and jostling herself, the chair starts to tilt back and she’s hopeful it will break under her when she falls back.

It doesn’t.

She’s just on the floor now.

And she’s pretty sure the dress has fallen in a way that’s showing more of her than she wants shown.

Dahlia cranes her head to the side; there’s a large stone fireplace and her breath catches in her throat at what’s in front of it. A Judge Wolf, it’s eyes now trained on her. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

It’s a trap, it’s all been a fucking trap just to leave with a fucking wolf to get teared apart. The large lumbering wolf stalks towards her and every muscle in her body tightens. She screams as it presses a wet nose against her throat, sniffing at her, no doubt preparing to rip it out.

“You just had to bring that mongrel here,” John’s voice rings out, “shoo, shoo.”

He shoos off the Judge Wolf like it’s a puppy and it listens, John then grabbing the back of her chair and placing it upright.

That tingling of movement coming back to her fingers has started to shoot up to her forearms, she can clench and tense the muscles there. Her toes have followed suit as well, she can now wiggle them freely.

“You’re allowed your damn cat,” Jacob grumbles, the absolute mountain of a man looks borderline ridiculous as he sets food out on the table. The gesture so domestic and tame for the sadistic soldier.

“Yes, but this is my home, Chanel lives here. Judge does not.”

“I don’t know which is worse. Naming your cat Chanel or naming a Judge Wolf, Judge.”

“The hell else am I supposed to call ‘em.”

“Chanel is a perfectly respectable name.”

“Two Seeds pissed off in one sentence, new record!”

“No fighting, this is a time of togetherness brothers,” Joseph chides as he walks in, helping place food on the table with Jacob.

“Yes, Joseph,” John immediately backs down and ducks his head in shame. Meanwhile Jacob just shrugs, unfussed.

Dahlia focuses on watching Judge, the Judge Wolf, though she doesn’t even bother to name any animals she befriends, so really who is she to well, judge. The wolf is bigger than most of them, but decidedly better behaved. All of them are trained, but the ones she’s encountered out in the Whitetails have been more feral, would have attacked her on sight. But this one, Jacob’s personal Judge Wolf seems to be more restrained, but she knows too well that it would likely take one cue for them to be ripping her apart.

“Hey, Judgey, you wanna chew through these ropes for me?” She waves her wrists before the animal; they make a snorting sound before laying back down in front of the fire. She’s slowly getting more and more mobility back.

“Really thought he’d help you?” Jacob looks at her like she’s stupid, humorless dickhead.

“Just like his owner, fuckin’ asshole.”

Jacob flicks the back of her ear, making her yelp, no doubt if it wasn’t for Joseph, he’d be doing a lot worse to her. Hell, if it wasn’t for Joseph’s insistence that she’s their soulmate…or something like that, Jacob would have probably killed her by now.

“Jacob,” Joseph says in a low, stern tone.

“What?” A shit eating grin pulls at his lips, the gesture boyish and almost cute despite who’s doing it. It’s rare that Jacob shows many signs of enjoying, well, anything. But, the rare times she’s seen all the Seeds in one place, he seems infinitely more at peace and happy.

Joseph just shakes his head, his own gentle smile on his face, choosing not to scold his older brother any further.

Faith sits down on one side of Dahlia, John on the other, Joseph across from her, and Jacob beside him. Joseph’s intense blue gaze is already on her and she stares down at the plate that’s been place in front of her. She hates meeting his eyes, it’s weird.

“We’re so happy to have you here, Deputy Hale.”

The Seeds despite everything, still don’t know her first name, only knowing her last name thanks to their brief encounters prior to the reaping. Most of them settle for calling her deputy or some asinine nickname, Joseph is the only one who ever uses her last name and it always feels so strange. It’s never said with derision or vitriol the same way Deputy is constantly being growled or barked out at her over her radio. There’s always a warmth, a familiarity, that feels so out of place given everything that’s occurred. It makes her happy and uncomfortable all at once, so she reacts the best way she knows how.

“I’m very unhappy to be here.”

“It’s important to celebrate with your family,” John says, his hand coming down to rest on her thigh, just beneath the dress. His touch is warm, too warm, her stomach clenches, her heart flips, and her skin crawls. A mess of disgust and desire, she doesn’t want to deal with.

“I already was, at the Rye’s house, when you so rudely interrupted.” It’s the truth, the resistance becoming her family over the past several months. But her intention isn’t a declaration of her familial love for them, she wants to piss off John. They want to drag her into this fucked up family dinner, she’s going to do her damnedest to ruin it.

John’s hand squeezes tight, fingers sinking into the flesh of her thigh and she sees his jaw clench. Anger boiling up in his bright blue eyes, he leans in closer, nose nearly touching her own.

“Those sinners are not your family; we’re your family and you will come to accept that, sooner or later.”

“If I was a member of your family, I’d blow my brains out.”  

“John, this is not the time to indulge in your sins,” Joseph warns him, and John lets go of her thigh, the skin still warm where his touch lingered.

“I’m sorry, Joseph.”

“The deputy will come to see the truth in time, we must guide her with love and patience.”

“Love and patience,” she parrots back in a mocking tone, Joseph gaze is stern and disappointed, she grins. One of these days she’s going to wear through his patience and actually piss him off.

“Holidays such as Christmas has become corrupted and commercialized by the modern world.”

Joseph starts to speak as he serves food and she can’t help but groan, waiting for another spiel about how technology is the devil and Thomas Edison was a witch. Granted he was an asshole idea thief.  

“As a society, we’ve strayed from the real purpose of celebration, focusing on consumption. My family is one of the few, who truly understand that these times are meant to appreciate each other, to celebrate that the Lord has seen fit for us to let us share these moments with one another, after years of spending them apart.”

Dahlia bites her lip, staring at the plate that being piled high with food. She read the Book of Joseph, an attempt to better know her enemy. But sadly, with knowledge came empathy. She knows what the Seeds have been through, how their family was torn apart. As fucked up messes as they are, she can understand that the holidays and time they spend together would feel so much more important to them.

A part of her feels bad, this is important for them. And for the most part, they genuinely believe in the shit coming out of their mouths, she thinks. The only one not convinced she’s meant to be with them, part of their family, or whatever is Jacob. But he wants Joseph and John to be happy, which sadly means encouraging this. So, to them this is genuinely an attempt to gather the whole family. Like parents trying to get their moody teenager to have Christmas dinner with them.

However, they still kidnapped her and have hurt countless people.

Once food is on everyone’s plates, Joseph takes his seat again, she’s still avoiding his intense stare.

“Let us say grace.” He joins hands with Faith and Jacob, Jacob and John join hands as well. Leaving a tied-up Dahlia as the kink in the chain. She raises an eyebrow.

“I mean, I can’t be blamed for this.”  Though, god knows they try to blame her for everything else.

John settles for wrapping his hand around her wrist and Faith follows suit on the other side. The Seed family bows their head for prayer and Dahlia stares down at her food.

She’s reminded of days sat at the table, her stepfather thanking god for the meal while she was begging any god listening to give him a heart attack. Though, somehow, she has decidedly less anger and vitriol towards the Seeds. Her thoughts more centered around getting them in a facility with good mental health resources.

Joseph’s words drift in one ear and out the other. Being nice enough to not interrupt doesn’t mean she’s willing to pay attention. Its thanks, for letting him have this blessed day after enduring so many trials, or something to that effect. She’s busy pulling and tugging one of her ankles, slowly loosening the ropes around that ankle.

“Amen.”

“Amen.”

“Happy to see there’s no mac n’ cheese, heard how well that went last time…”

“That mac n’ cheese was perfect, Nick is just dramatic,” John blusters, face flushing red and she can’t help but laugh, just as she’s slipping one foot from her binds. Thankful she was tucked in close enough to the table that neither of the youngest Seeds can peer down to see her legs.

“Guess I know who’s to blame for that one.”

“We usually don’t allow John in the kitchen,” Joseph admits, a soft teasing smile on his lips. No longer The Father, leader of Eden’s Gate, just an older brother teasing his baby brother.

“Be better off letting Judge cook for you,” Jacob comments, grinning at his flustered younger brother.

“I can cook when I want to!” John tries desperately to defend his cooking skills.

Dahlia’s laughter only gets stronger, belly aching. Despite his flustered attempts to defend his mac and cheese, John’s smiling. Jacob and Joseph chuckling while Faith is giggling. All during which Dahlia’s using her free foot to help work the ropes off of her other ankle, loosening them.

“Awwww, poor little Johnny can’t even make macaroni, so sad.”

“You know, dep-yoo-tee.” He tips her chin up with his fingers.

“Must you say it like that.” She slips her other ankle out and resists the urge to kick John, she’s not ready to escape, not yet, not with everyone around. It’d be too dangerous, probably.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think your taunting is just your way of showing you care.”

“Well thank god, even you’re not that stupid.”

“John, stop hogging the deputy’s attention,” Faith says, and Dahlia can hear the pout in the older woman’s voice.

“I’m not hogging anything; I’m simply having a conversation with her.”

“You’re literally forcing her to look at you and no one else.”

John’s jaw clenches, he can’t really argue with that, now can he. The youngest brother of the Seeds reluctantly let’s go of her chin.

“Was that so hard?” Faith taunts her brother, playing with Dahlia’s hair.

The Junior deputy could probably escape right now. There are forks and knives available that can be weapons, she can’t out strength Jacob, but she can outrun him and he’s unlikely to trigger her brainwashing when the only people here for her to kill is his family.

But she doesn’t.

She decides, instead, to try to eat, since the food doesn’t seem to be killing anyone else and the smell is making her stomach growl. All she had at the Rye’s party was sweets and she’s not sure how long she was out for, so she might as well eat. That makes sense, right?

Besides, there will be better opportunities for escape, they’ll leave her alone at some point.

Her wrists are bound, and she finds herself struggling to managed to bring to fork to her mouth. But the hunk of turkey and stuffing just falls to the floor, Dahlia glaring at it.

Judge is there in a second, munching up her failure to feed herself.

“Jacob, get your mutt,” John says, trying to get Judge to leave, but he’s not listening this time.

“Leave Judge be, he’s my favorite living thing in this room,” Dahlia tells John watching the wolf finish up the table scraps, before placing his large fuzzy head on her thigh. Unnaturally bright silver eyes gazing up at her, she reaches down with her bound hands and gently scratches the rough fur behind its ear. To her surprise it doesn’t growl or pull away from the affection, instead leaning into it.

“The Judge Wolves are killing machines that run on pure instinct, not puppies for you to cuddle,” Jacob warns her, voice low and gravelly, but there’s a small grin on his lips.

“He sure isn’t turning down the ear scritches.”

“Here, deputy, it’d be easiest if I helped feed you,” Faith offers, scooping up food on a fork and holding it up delicately to Dahlia’s mouth. Her cheeks flush red, something about it just feeling ridiculous.

“I could probably, just.” Dahlia tries to take the fork from Faith’s hand, uncomfortable with the idea of being fed. Faith gently smacks away her hands.

“Don’t be silly, here.”

Dahlia reluctantly accepts the bite of food, it’s really good, she can help but smile as she swallows down the mouthful of perfectly cooked turkey and potatoes.

“Holy shit, that’s really good.”

“Language,” Joseph chides and she snorts out a laugh, his tone reminding her of Virgil.

“Don’t act so surprised,” Jacob grumbles, his mouth full of food, is he the one who cooked it?

“Ugh, your wolves have better manners than you,” John criticizes his older brother.

“Fuck off.”

“Language.” Joseph is smiling as he chides them and Dahlia hates that she is too, they’re just a family giving each other shit, enjoying each other’s company. Another time and place she’d be envious, wishing she had a family like them.

“Here, try this,” John says, offering her another forkful of food.

“I was feeding the deputy, John,” Faith grumbles when Dahlia’s attention is once again stolen away from the youngest brother, Dahlia happily accepting the food.

“I’m allowed to feed her as well, Faith.”

“Not when you’ve been stealing her attention this entire time, here, deputy.” Faith turns Dahlia’s face just as she swallows down the food, already shoveling more food into her mouth.

“Actually, you’d probably like this more.” She’s still chewing when John retorts and is shoving more food into her mouth.

This continues on and on, Faith and John tugging her attention back and forth, shoving food in her mouth. Judge licking up any bit that falls. Dahlia is struggling to choke down the inordinate amounts of food continuously being shoved in her face. It’s ridiculous and she finds herself laughing too, eventually leaving her a coughing and hacking mess when mingled with the food.

“You fucking choked her,” Jacob says, chuckling and pinching the bridge of his nose.

“See what you did, Faith.”

“I was attempting to take care of her, you were the one being greedy.”

“You’re like two little kids fighting over a toy,” Dahlia manages to say once she’s cleared her windpipe of stuffing.

“Don’t let John fool you, he’s not as young at heart or in reality as he’d like you to believe.” There’s a catty smile across Faith’s face, mischief in the glare she throws John’s way.

“Are you accusing me of being a liar? That’s rich, given your history, sister.”

“Jacob, why don’t you take Faith and John with you to start washing the dishes?” Joseph suggests, clearly trying to end the bickering before it escalates. Jacob groans and Dahlia realizes that yes, the meal is over, John and having still managed to feed themselves while fighting over feeding her.

“Come on, ya brats,” the oldest Seed tells them, as he starts to pick up dirty plates. Faith and John reluctantly follow suit.

“I am not a brat,” John attempts to defend himself a final time as the three of them take the dishes back to the kitchen to be washed. Leaving Dahlia and Joseph alone at the table, even Judge having left to follow the others.

Intense blue eyes, on her like always. She stares down at her lap, now would be a good time to make a break for it. Joseph isn’t all that physically intimidating to her, but she doesn’t do it. She doesn’t now why. But she doesn’t do that.  A shift of movement catches her attention and she watches, ready to bolt if need be, as Joseph makes his way towards her.

“What are you?”

Joseph shifts her chair to the side, and she tenses, he’ll see that her ankles are no longer tied up. He pulls up the chair that she’s now facing, moving it as close as he can because he’s Joseph Seed and personal space is a concept he’s never heard of. The Father of Eden’s Gate sits down before her, close enough that their knees touch.

“I probably let that go on longer than I should have, I apologize. It can be hard not to let them indulge in their more childish impulses…after everything my family has gone through.”

One of his hands works into her hair, cupping the back of her skull and gently bringing their foreheads together.

“Yeah…”

“I’m sure you can understand that…thank you for staying.”

“You didn’t exactly give me much choice.”

Something between a chuckle and a huff of air reverberates in his chest, the sound rich and warm. She curses herself for the smile that tugs at her lips.

“You and I both know you’ve escaped far stronger binds… thank you for giving my family this night.”

“You do know that as soon as you go to help them, I’m gonna escape, right?” She meets his eyes, as difficult as it may be for here. He sighs and she can see concern darkening his eyes. Moments like these, she has to remind herself of the pain, the suffering he’s caused, otherwise…

“I know that you think the path you’re on is the righteous one, that you’re saving people. But, the time will come where you’ll see how misguided you truly are…”

“I-”

“And when that day comes, you will crumble and fall under the weight of just how many people you damned with your ignorance and sin. But, just like New Eden, something beautiful will emerge from your collapse.”

She clenches her jaw and Joseph stands up, hand still on her head as he gently kisses the top of her head. The soft compassion of it conflicting with the weight of his words. He starts to walk back to the kitchen to help with the dishes.

“You can’t ever just talk like a normal fuckin’ person, can you?!”

[flooffybits]

This stuff came from knowing bros which for me is a place I go to when I stan a new group because it generally has a segment to get to know members more. Knowing bros, Weekly Idol, or idol room for me is the best at getting to know them

Izone

Eunbi- she actually wanted to meet Soo Geun because he was so much fun in the program but she realized that he is too cold so she changed her mind😂. Earlier she worked as a part-timer in a Paris Baguette franchise.

Sakura- she’s best friends with Kang Hodong since they’ve been on multiple shows together and she said it herself, “Hodong is my first friend I made in Korea aside from the members” and she’s also associated with Kwang Hee since they are part of Everyone’s Kitchen Together.

Hyewon- Got the nickname fairy of delivery since she can remember most of the members’ choices for food and orders because once their manager often can’t remember their specific prefences so she stepped up when their manager can’t. Even though the line changes she’s also part of the monday fairies although I think all of them are part of it since their posts on ig often include some that aren’t included in the intro of monday fairies.

Yena- She is also seen with one of the brothers. Soo Geun is Yena’s cellmate in another variety show. She also attended in Joy Dance Academy and mahored in girls hip-hop dance.

Chaeyeon- tho I don’t see it often or its just me but she’s also part of the Monday Fairies. And our Feather Chaeyeon has a talent of making choreos. And crowned on both Idol room and weekly idol as dancing queen.

Chaewon- she is also known to be associated with one of the brothers since she and Kyung Hoon have the same hairdresser. She’s also part of Izone’s monday fairies, where on their ig account every monday she will post something to motivate their fans about the start of their week being hopefully great

Minju- She was also in in 7th or 8th grade, a commercial but for childrens wear instead. She’s a potter harry fan. And she had a dream of being a stewardess in middle school. And although she’s shy she likes rollercoasters and amusements park rides.

Nako-known as the girl who ranked F to A because she’s talented like that. She believes she was a cat in her prev. life (I mean who doesn’t?) and she’s afraid of heights

Hitomi- Monday Fairy squaddd. She loves watching cooking shows in her spare time. And she is good at composing songs and very competitive. And she wants to go to Nasu (idk what is this) when she learns how to drive.

Yuri- I think I’ve mentioned it before but if I haven’t she appeared on Idol School where she was Heechul’s student. She hates bugs (same) and she used to play piano but ended up givi ng up due to financial issues.

Yujin- (this one I know I mentioned but doesn’t hurt to say it again) she was a commercial star before being a part of Izone. And she specializes in girl hip-hop and the piano. Hitomi’s dad is also a fan of her which to me is hilarious😂

Wonyoung- She was also with Hodong on Dining together. And she’s a smart bean too she got perfect marks on Korean, English, and Math. She likes spicy food and she was deemed rank 1 and center exactly on her birthday, hence the nickname, born to be center.

Some random facts i found in the internet and variety shows

-✏️

oh yeah i know knowing bros and weekly idol are the places to know but i just don’t like weekly idol due to certain people lmao at first i had no idea what monday fairy was until i saw more of what you said and that’s an interesting and sweet thing to do. people are usually demotivated during mondays so i can understand. these are all really interesting and honestly adorable information about the girls so thank you nonnie

[mscurious88]

Glassman’s Unfinished business

I cannot accept Glassman dying period. But, despite my wishes, Glassman’s cancer’s back, his survival odds are worse & his remaining time is more uncertain than ever. This should be a game changer .  S1, Glassman thought he had 1-2 yrs left & his initial bucket list seemed to be 1. prepare Shaun (get him a job where he can protect him, warn him to be careful w/$, get him a life skills therapist) & 2. go to the SUPERBOWL .....btw

What does Glassman do next?

#1. Making Arrangements.  IDK if they’ll show this, but one of the truly suckiest parts of growing up is learning how much is involved in dying.  Burial or cremation? The Obit? The Eulogy? What to do w/the stuff? Who’ll take over their responsibilities? Glassman has gone thru this & imo he’d take action to relieve Shaun of this job as much as possible.  Even if we don’t see the decisions used this season, or ever (cross fingers), Glassman handling these matters is pt of the overall suckiness of being seriously ill.  Like, I’d expect Glassman to financially provide for Shaun in a will.  Shaun isn’t great w/$ & good-hearted/overly trusting which will forever make him vulnerable to cons & users like Kenny,  Making a will w/a trust to benefit Shaun as insurance ag. bad times makes sense, but Shaun is so proud & independent he’d likely refuse to go to a stranger for help even if he ever really needed it. It’d be the life skills therapist fiasco again.  Lea is the new option available to Glassman now.  Irl, I think Glassman would recruit Lea’s help to watch out for Shaun ag. bad people after he’s gone. IDK if she’d accept.  Lea has failed at things & has little confidence in her competence.  

I’d  so welcome seeing Glassman get to openly share all his worries about Shaun’s future w/someone he knows cares about him, too.  Glassman has never had that before and the worry clearly weighed heavily on him S1. 

#2 Share Special memories  - Glassman may feel an urgent need to share his special memories/stories w/Shaun & gift him special items (e.g. heirlooms) to remember him or share medical ideas/inventions he always wanted to pursue as a scientist, but never had the time. Great men think about their legacy. 

They need to resume their PANCAKE BREAKFASTS - Why haven’t they had breakfast together the whole season?  I miss it.

#3.  Make peace with himself over his daughter.  Imo Glassman hasn’t fully healed from the guilt over Maddie’s death.  Glassman is an over achiever and he failed Maddie as a father. Feeling like he was a good surrogate father to Shaun may help Glassman heal which is why I think the father label causes them such conflict.

Glassman: I would back off if you stayed. More space, less father.       Shaun: I don’t need a father. I hate fathers.   

Shaun: You cannot keep ordering me around. You’re not my father.    Glassman: I know that.  

So many bad fathers on “The Good Doctor”, and Dr. Glassman is far from perfect, but I think he’s tried hard to be a good father to Shaun & it would probably help them both heal for Shaun to tell him that before it’s too late.

I think it’s also possible Lea’s sassy attitude could end up reminding Dr. Glassman of his sassy daughter and since I still suspect Lea is far from ok, if Glassman ends up helping Lea w/her own baggage, I think it would relieve some of his guilt over his bad judgment w/ Maddie.  The other thing that could help may be speaking to his ex wife (if she’s still around) to ask for forgiveness & get an absolution for his mistakes as a father.  

#4 Become his own Make A Wish -  The only time Glassman’s smiled S2 has been dining w/Debbie and learning yo-yo tricks. He can do better. I can’t believe there isn’t something Glassman has always wanted that he’s yet to do (e.g. drive a race car, climb a mountain) or have.  Cancer treatment sucks, he should be treating himself.  Lea got Shaun to road trip. Maybe she can stir up Glassy to do some living while he can, too? Maybe they can get him addicted to video games or to a sports event or to hit Vegas or look up a long lost gf/bff.    

#5 Find ppl who understand - I find it super weird how Glassman hasn’t socialized with anyone in the waiting rooms or during treatment. There is often such an understanding & camaraderie in cancer centers. Everyone knows.  Not to mention bonding w/the nurses you see every time.  IDK. Maybe they’re making a point that Glassman is aloof, but hospital presidents usually have good people skills.   There’s so much material in Glassman’s situation. I wish they’d use Richard Schiff for more than being a grouchy patient.  

P.S.

bc you just know they’ll show up again to cause problems.

[virtuissimo]

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (Review)

Roanhorse has effectively cemented herself as a visionary in indigenous futurism with her rich world-building, her casual commentary on the powers that be, and even her dynamic and lovable characters, but I think it’s perfectly clear that this is her debut novel. She definitely gets lost in the sauce plot-wise towards the end, and there are several points where the potential for improvement is obvious. Nonetheless, she’s got me rearing for the next book already, and I will definitely be following this series.

This is the kind of book where I really think you can get the most out of it if you go in blind with very little prior knowledge of the book, and it really is a good one. I encourage yall to give it a go. If you don’t care about getting a little more detail, I’ll go into a spoiler free section.

No Spoilers

Okay, first thing I’ve gotta talk about is the setting. First off, it’s AWESOME. The setting is about 6? 7? years after an apocalypse. The explanation for it is really organic and it informs a lot of how the book proceeds.

Idk if this counts as a spoiler so it’s in its own paragraph, but basically the apocalypse was a series of natural disasters around the world plus a major flood that drowned out most of the continental U.S. except for a few walled off city states. The walls are specifically and emphatically NOT the ones that the Trump administration is gunning for—Roanhorse dismisses that quite quickly. These walls were ones that local communities decided to put up, and they are made of beautiful materials that have cultural significance for the Dine.

My favorite thing about the setting is the societal organization. Dinetah is a really interesting place because of the ubiquity of Dine people & culture, but also because Roanhorse obviously has a lot of really interesting thing to say about what apocalypse means to a people that have already had their apocalypse. They already had foreign invasion and genocide, they already had their numbers chipped away to a shadow of its former size, they already had their land destroyed beyond recognition. So what does it mean when in apocalypse destroys the society that destroyed yours? I think Roanhorse’s answer is that it did more good for the Dine than bad. They are freer and safer in an apocalypse, even DESPITE the presence of monsters everywhere.

One thing I really liked about her approach to Dinetah was the use of language. To quote a journal entry I wrote about this book: “Roanhorse makes creative use of Dine words and language. There is no glossary, and sometimes there isn’t even an in-text translation. English speakers are forced to pick up Dine words with no life preserver just as so many non-English speakers are forced to do the same in our world.” Most of the concepts, like clan powers and ghosts and monsters, have a Dine word attached to them, and you learn to recognize them as you read. She doesn’t remind you of their definition either: you either paid attention the first time it came up or you’re screwed! It was just an interesting stylistic choice, and I enjoyed the experience.

Another note about the setting that I love: I LOOOVE the references to the other citystates. I think one was New Detroit? New Denver? And there was a Mormon citystate (when I read that I screamed) and there was one called Aztlan (!!!!!) which was very exciting for me. I have complicated feelings about Aztlan because I think most people who live in this post-apocalyptic citystate would probably not be indigenous Mexicans but rather americanized mestizo Chicanos who think they have an inherent claim to the land just because they colonized it first, but I think as an indigenous author I can trust her to develop a nuanced view of Aztlan and what that means for Mexican Americans (especially consider the fact that she had several sensitivity readers mentioned in her acknowledgements). I really hope we get a chance to explore those in future books.

Oh, also: there are no white people in this book. Like, none. They reference them in vague terms, but I don’t think there was a location or scene that had a white person even in the background, and there were certainly no speaking parts for white people in this book. So basically I loved that. I do that often in my own writing but it’s so rare in mainstream fiction. There is a family that is not Dine in the book, but they are a large black family. With regards to the writing of the black characters: I noticed that her physical descriptions of them sometimes had words that I’ve seen on lists of What Not To Say About Black Characters (comparing skin color to food, particular words used to describe hair, etc.), but I flipped to the author bio and she apparently is black as well as indigenous so I guess my concerns weren’t really relevant lol. One of these characters is also gay, and I thought his characterization was a little bit weird, but it’s fine I guess.

Now I haven’t seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I’ve read a spinoff from the same universe and have heard enough about it to see the obvious inspiration that Roanhorse took from it. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course; Buffy has a very particular energy where it’s fantastically easy to get invested. Maggie Hoskie as a hero is easy to love, and even as someone who doesn’t typically like lengthy action sequences, I found the fighting scenes thrilling. However, at the same time Roanhorse commits some of the same mistakes in writing her female protagonist that Joss Whedon so famously introduced into the mainstream, and there are a few times where it becomes difficult not to roll your eyes.

As I’ve seen other reviewers note, Maggie as a character is very reliant on the men in her life. She describes early on how her life was saved by Niezghani, an immortal godlike monster slayer, and his presence in her thoughts influences nearly every decision she makes throughout the novel. Some people have a problem with this; I personally think this is a fine set-up. The author takes great care to show how unhealthy her relationship with Niezghani is. Even when Maggie is talking about how great and powerful he is, how she should be grateful that he even gives her the time of day, we as a reader can tell something is very wrong with their relationship from the very beginning. I don’t really like the direction Roanhorse went with Niezghani (I’ll get into that in the spoilers section I guess), but I thought this relationship as a premise was fine.

I think where she slipped up a little was in putting her relationship with Kai, a mysterious and charming medicine man who helps her on her investigation/quest/whatever, as the center of the story. I guess technically we’re not certain about this since the whole series isn’t out yet, but I think it’s safe to assume this guy is endgame. The whole first half of the book is spent getting to know Kai, which I think is fine because he is a great character and truly charming. (I’m always suspicious of “”charming”” type characters because more often than not the author makes them annoying and presumptuous.) He actually seems to care about the things that are happening, he doesn’t make assumptions, he understands boundaries, and his kindness is genuine. I like Kai, okay, he’s great. BUT I think that spending so much time with him instead of ruminating with Maggie some more was a mistake.

I can understand WHY roanhorse did this: Maggie is someone who is very wrapped up in her thoughts, and 9 times out of 10 her thoughts are really fuckin depressing. I just think that a lot of time was spent characterizing Kai when it could have been done in less time and more efficiently.

The main thing about Kai is that his skills as a medicine man are very mysterious, and Maggie becomes curious very early on about the nature of his abilities. The answer to her questions, though, aren’t given until very very late in the book. In fact, we don’t understand everything about his medicine man secrets until like 10 pages from the end. I think this is way too late. First off, we don’t get to see him in action very much, and the way things go I really wish we had. Second, Roanhorse just wastes a lot of time in the beginning and crams a whole lot in the end. From a world-building perspective these sections are really cool and fascinating, but plot-wise it’s extremely inefficient that we learn about Kai in bits and pieces like this, especially since all of his secrets kind of come out one after the other all crowded at the end. I don’t know if she got the right balance in that tradeoff.

Another critique I’ve seen people have is that all of Maggie’s problems AS WELL AS the solutions to her problems revolve around the men in her life. I did think it was strange that Maggie was essentially the only major female character in the whole book. There was Rissa, but she was a minor character and didn’t have much agency in the plot. I would say that Maggie did have agency, and the way she carries herself both in conversation and in action both suggest that she is making her own decisions independent of male influence. I see where these critiques are coming from, though, and I agree that more of her story should have been herself rather than obsessing over these men.

Minor spoilers I guess: One scene that I think most socially conscious people rolled their eyes at was the decision to create a plot point where she had to get all dolled up in a sexy outfit because Reasons. And then people had that weird Oh My God So Hot moment that we are all so fond of (/s). Annoying tropes like that rear their ugly faces from time to time, but this is the only one that really irritated me.

Yea. I mean. It’s a good book. I think yall should read it. As I’ve said, the worldbuilding and setting is awesome, the characters are super cool, the action is cool and Actually let’s just get into the spoilers.

SPOILERS

Coyote was one of my favorite characters. I think Roanhorse may have wanted him to be a morally gray could-be-either-side type of character, but I really saw him as a straight up villain just because he never actually did help them in a way that didn’t backfire. I love reading him though; the sheer chaos that he brings to every scene really appealed to my gayer side. I don’t know if this is an aspect to him that is commonly seen in folktales or something, but I did think that he was a little over the top creepy about the sex stuff though. When he said that shit about Maggie jacking off to Niezghani I was just…ok he’s crossin some Lines here. Also he was constantly making Kai and Maggie uncomfortable sexually, so I don’t really get why they were always so willing to trust him. Still, he was SO interesting. Whenever he showed up I was instantly enthralled.

One thing that got on my nerves a little was that from the very beginning, it was very clear that Kai and Maggie being endgame is a given. Don’t get me wrong, Roanhorse put in the work to make them seem like a really organic and natural couple. And I guess it’s kind of respectable that she didn’t try to pretend like it wasn’t gonna happen, cuz we all knew. But I think it was a little annoying that EVERYONE, including Tah and Longarm and Grace and Coyote and Kai and EVEN MAGGIE at times were basically of the attitude that they were just biding time until they eventually hook up one day. She really didn’t have to do all that; I liked them as a couple already!

Okay but plot-wise, I have to say this, but Roanhorse REALLY got lost in the sauce there. The final battles were so complicated, and there were actually 3 different scenes that felt like they could be the final battle but then there was more (the battle where Rissa got gutted, the Niezghani versus Maggie fight, and the Black Mesa battle). I feel like she couldn’t decide on a conclusion for book one and just threw all that in there for good measure. In any case, it made the last third of the book really messy and unfocused.

I think she also had too many Reveals. Like, Niezghani revealed Kai’s identity, Kai reveals his true intentions, Coyote reveals his plan, Maggie reveals her counter-plan, and Coyote reveals the circumstances of her nali’s death. TOO MUCH. It was all so cloudy and confusing towards the end, especially with regards to Coyote’s plan. First of all, I didn’t really understand what his plan was on first read, and I ESPECIALLY didn’t understand why he took the time to explain it to her. Second off, I didn’t understand Maggie’s counterplan (I don’t think it’s explained in too many words?) and I ESPECIALLY didn’t understand how they planned to have Kai survive. (Now that I’ve had time to think about it I suppose it’s related to his fast healing situation probably, and they just decided to murk him and see if he was actually immortal or whatever the fuck.) Also Kai and Maggie had that whole conversation about their love life right in front of Niezghani………messy as fuck and also is this really the time?????

One thing I really liked about the beginning of the book was that Maggie was such an unreliable narrator when it came to Niezghani. Like, it was pretty obvious that he’s garbage from the beginning, but Maggie just idolizes this man and you have to like scream into the book WHYY??? But the only way that she’s able to idolize him that way is that he presents himself as a mentor, as an authority, and maybe not so much as a caring figure as much as someone to look up to. He is, if nothing else, RESPECTABLE. But when he finally shows up in the Maggie v Niezghani fight, he is not respectable. He is overtly cruel in a way everyone, including Maggie, can see. He is overtly manipulative. He is overtly uncaring and honestly terrible. But this portrayal of him is SO MUCH LESS NUANCED than it was at the beginning of the book. I wish Roanhorse had had the guts to make him more complicated. To make him ACT apologetic or ACT like a mentor, but to make him a hypocrite. That, to me, would have been much more interesting. I understand that trauma informed a big part of the reason Maggie trusted him in the first place, but I wanted to meet the smooth and enchanting man that Maggie fell in love with but all I saw was this horrible person who never even tries to hide how horrible he is.

Of course, as this is just the first book, we don’t really know what is to come. Since Niezghani is just chillin under the dirt, I think we can assume that he’ll be back. Nonetheless, I’m a bit disappointed that he was pacified/restrained at the end of this book. I kind of hoped that after this confrontation, Maggie would have an epiphany about all the shit he put her through, and then in following books he would be the main antagonist. They would have various run-ins, but only in the final book has she truly built up the strength to get her comeuppance. Or something like that. I just wanted Niezghani’s role to be stretched out is all. I wanted her arc of truly unpacking all of that mess to be over the course of several books, not just one novel in which she’s also distracted by her budding romance with Kai and also the monster stuff.

So yea. It’s a good book. There’s problems, as I’ve clearly stated, but honestly a lot of them come across to me as rookie errors. This is her debut novel, and I don’t think it’s that weird for her to use these tropes in ways that I as a reader don’t care for. However, I definitely think that the pieces are there for her to make excellent use of her setting and characters and pull together a really energetic and thrilling series. Looking forward to returning to the Sixth World!