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hereforuconnwbb · 1 month ago

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Unexpected Halt - CHAPTER ELEVEN

paige x azzi (pazzi)

au fic!

~paige plays for uconn and azzi plays for stanford~

word count: 8.2k

warning: suggestive content

here is the last chapter of this series !!! icl its not my best chapter, but i js wanted to get it out, so like yeaaaa its a bit all over the place and idek if theres any mistakes 😭 tysm for all the love and support throughout this series, it truly means the world to me 🫶🏽🥹 crazy to think that it was only supposed to b a one-shot but turned into a serious lmao. but anywaysss i rlly hope you guys enjoy it 🤞🏽😽

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As Paige’s plane disappeared into the sky, Azzi and Caroline remained in the car, parked in the airport lot, just sitting there. Neither of them spoke for a moment, the quiet settling over them like a pause between breaths. The air still carried traces of Paige—her laughter, her teasing remarks, the warmth she left behind. But now, it was just the two of them, and there was something unspoken lingering between them.

Caroline tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, exhaling. “So,” she started, glancing at Azzi. “We’re really doing this, huh?”

Azzi let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Feels weird to say out loud, but yeah… I think we are.”

The decision had been brewing for a while now, long before Paige had even brought it up. The conflict within their team at Stanford had taken a toll, and both of them had been feeling the weight of it. The transfer portal had seemed like the only option, but actually making a choice had been another thing entirely.

Azzi shifted in her seat, turning slightly toward Caroline. “You know, when Paige was trying to convince me yesterday, I wanted to tell her I’d already made up my mind,” she admitted. “I just… I wanted it to be my decision. Not hers, not Geno’s, not anyone else’s.”

Caroline nodded in understanding. “Yeah. Same. I wanted to feel like I was choosing what was best for me—not just running toward something, but also away from something else.”

There was a pause as both of them processed that.

Azzi sighed, leaning her head back against the seat. “But the more I think about it… it just makes sense. UConn is—”

“Where we should be,” Caroline finished, her voice firm. She turned her head to look at Azzi, eyes bright with certainty. “The program, the culture, the people… and let’s be honest, we’d get way more out of it than what we have now.”

Azzi nodded slowly, then smirked. “And I mean, Paige being there isn’t exactly a downside either.”

Caroline groaned, rolling her eyes. “Okay, relax, lover girl.”

Azzi just laughed, but there was no denying it—being at UConn meant being with Paige, and that mattered. It wasn’t the reason for her decision, but it was a reason, and she wasn’t ashamed of that.

Caroline stretched her arms in front of her, letting out a breath. “So… we’re really doing this.”

Azzi nodded. “Yeah. We are.”

Caroline reached for her phone. “Alright then. Let’s make it official.”

—----------------

By the time they got back to their dorm, the weight of the decision had settled in, but instead of feeling heavy, it felt right. They walked inside, the familiarity of the space grounding them as they sat down together in the common area.

Azzi pulled out her phone, scrolling to Geno’s contact before exchanging a look with Caroline. “You ready?”

Caroline nodded, leaning in slightly as Azzi pressed the call button.

The phone rang twice before Geno’s voice came through. “Azzi? What’s up?”

Azzi glanced at Caroline before answering. “Hey, Coach. I’m here with Caroline and uh, we just wanted to call and let you know…” She paused for a second, then took a deep breath. “We’re decided on coming to UConn.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, but then Geno chuckled. “Well, it’s about damn time.”

Caroline snorted, shaking her head. “We didn’t want to rush it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Geno said, the amusement in his voice obvious. “I figured you’d come around. You two are making the right choice.”

Azzi smiled. “We think so too.”

“But,” Caroline interjected, “we don’t want anyone else to know just yet. Not even Paige.”

Geno hummed in understanding. “Got it. Your secret’s safe with me—for now.”

Azzi relaxed slightly, knowing that they were in control of how and when they wanted to tell people.

“Alright, well, enjoy the rest of your time there,” Geno said. “And I’ll see you two soon.”

As they hung up, Azzi set her phone down and looked at Caroline.

“We’re really doing this,” she said again, and this time, there was no hesitation.

Caroline grinned. “Hell yeah, we are.”

—----------------

Paige stepped out of the Uber and into the familiar grounds of her dorm. The crisp Connecticut air hit her face, reminding her that she was back home, though something about it felt different. As she gathered her things from the car, she couldn’t shake the feeling of Azzi lingering in her thoughts. She had only left a few hours ago, but it felt like a lifetime.

As she made her way toward the entrance, she spotted KK and Ice sitting on the steps, chatting and laughing. They both immediately looked up when they saw Paige, and a wide grin spread across their faces.

“Paige!” KK shouted, her voice full of excitement as she stood up to greet her. “How’d everything go? You and Azzi good?”

Paige smiled softly at them, walking up to the steps and giving both of them a quick hug. “Yeah, everything’s good,” she replied, trying to keep her emotions in check. “We’re good. Really good.”

Ice raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Really good, huh?” She teased, nudging KK playfully.

Paige let out a breath, laughing lightly. “Yeah, it feels right.” She paused, looking off into the distance for a moment. “It’s just… crazy, you know? All this time, and now things are finally falling into place.”

KK and Ice exchanged knowing looks before turning back to Paige. Ice put an arm around her shoulder. “Well, we’re glad for you, P. You deserve to be happy. And if Azzi makes you happy, then we’re happy for you both.”

Paige nodded, appreciating their support. “Thanks, guys. It feels different, but in the best way possible.”

KK grinned. “I’m sure you two are gonna kill it together. You’re a power couple for sure.”

“Just don’t keep it all secret for too long,” Ice added with a wink. “We’re already rooting for you both.”

Paige laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. It felt good knowing her friends supported her and Azzi. They didn’t need to ask too many questions—they already knew the important things.

“So, what’s the plan now?” KK asked, leaning back against the steps.

Paige glanced back at the dorm, suddenly feeling a little exhausted from the journey. “I don’t know. Probably just need to crash for a bit. Catch up on everything, you know? It’s been a crazy few days.”

“Yeah, for sure,” Ice said. “You’ve been through a lot. Take it easy, we’ve got your back whenever you need us.”

With that, Paige gave them both one last smile. “Thanks, seriously. I’ll catch up with you guys soon.”

As she made her way inside, the weight of the last few days seemed to lift off her shoulders. It wasn’t all figured out yet, but she was happy. She had Azzi, and she had her friends. For the first time in a while, Paige felt like everything was going to be okay.

—----------------

The season had finally wrapped up for Stanford after coming up short in a tournament game, but UConn’s journey was far from over as they were preparing for their tournament matchup. Meanwhile, in Palo Alto, Azzi and Caroline were in the middle of packing up their dorm, their suitcases sprawled open as they organized their things for their upcoming move.

Clothes were scattered across the beds, half-filled boxes lined the walls, and their closets were nearly empty—Stanford was officially in the rearview.

Azzi sat on the floor, folding a hoodie and placing it into her suitcase before glancing at Caroline, who was struggling to shove a pile of clothes into a duffel bag.

“You know, you could just fold those, right?” Azzi teased.

Caroline groaned, pushing down on the bag in an attempt to zip it shut. “Folding takes too long. I’ll make it fit somehow.”

Azzi shook her head with a soft laugh before turning back to her own packing. As hectic as things were, she couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling in her chest. The reality of moving to UConn was finally setting in.

And through it all, her relationship with Paige had only gotten stronger.

Late-night FaceTime calls had become routine, their conversations stretching for hours, neither of them ever wanting to hang up. If Paige wasn’t at practice, in meetings, or on the court, she was messaging Azzi—sometimes just to check in, sometimes just to send something random that made her think of her.

Azzi had grown so used to seeing Paige’s name pop up on her screen that even now, she found herself glancing at her phone instinctively.

Caroline caught the action and smirked. “Let me guess—Paige?”

Azzi rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “She’s at practice right now.”

“Uh-huh,” Caroline said, throwing a sweatshirt into another bag. “You guys really are something else.”

Azzi shrugged, but there was no denying how much she missed Paige. The last time they had seen each other in person was when Paige had visited Stanford, and even though their relationship had only gotten stronger since then, she was more than ready to finally be in the same place again.

“Speaking of Paige,” Caroline started, zipping up her bag and sitting back on her bed, “are you ready for this? Like, moving to UConn, playing there, the whole thing?”

Azzi nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. I’m ready. I mean, we already made our decision a while ago. It feels right.”

Caroline exhaled, nodding. “Yeah, I feel the same. It’s just crazy to think about. No one but the coaching staff knows yet.”

Azzi smirked. “That just makes it more fun.”

Caroline chuckled. “You’re actually looking forward to the chaos, aren’t you?”

“A little,” Azzi admitted, zipping up her own suitcase. “But mostly, I’m just excited to finally be there.”

Caroline gave her a knowing look. “Excited to finally be with Paige.”

Azzi didn’t even bother denying it. “That too.”

With that, the two of them continued packing, the reality of their next chapter sinking in with every item they placed into their bags. The next few days would be a whirlwind, but one thing was for sure—soon enough, they’d be in Connecticut, and everything would change.

—----------------

The past few days had been a blur of packing, finalizing travel plans, and making sure everything was in order before they left. Now, standing in their dorm room for the last time, Azzi took one last look around. It was strange, knowing this chapter was officially over.

Caroline sighed, adjusting the strap of her duffel bag over her shoulder. “Well, that’s it. No turning back now.”

Azzi smirked, grabbing the handle of her suitcase. “Not that we would.”

With their luggage in tow, they made their way outside, where their ride to the airport was already waiting. The California sun was warm against their skin as they loaded their bags into the trunk, but there was an undeniable excitement in the air—this was it.

As they slid into the backseat, Caroline pulled out her phone, scrolling through her messages. “Still no one knows, right?”

Azzi shook her head. “Nope. Just Geno and CD. Paige has no idea. Neither does the rest of the team.”

Caroline chuckled. “I still can’t believe we’re about to pull off the biggest surprise of the season.”

Azzi grinned, leaning her head back against the seat. “They won’t see it coming.”

The car ride to the airport was filled with anticipation. Every mile that passed felt like another step closer to the future they had chosen for themselves. Stanford had been great in many ways, but things had changed. The program wasn’t the right fit for them anymore, and when the opportunity arose to transfer, UConn was the obvious choice.

Azzi had already been convinced, but Paige showing up to Stanford just reinforced how much she wanted this—how much she wanted to be with Paige, to play alongside her, to experience everything together.

Caroline nudged her. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”

Azzi rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. “She’s going to freak when she sees us.”

Caroline smirked. “Yeah, but in a good way.”

Azzi exhaled, shaking her head with a soft smile. “I just hope she doesn’t suspect anything before we land.”

“Please,” Caroline scoffed. “Paige has no idea. If anything, she probably thinks we’re still trying to figure things out.”

Azzi nodded, pulling out her phone and checking the time. They were getting closer to the airport, and soon, they’d be on their way.

The second they stepped foot in Connecticut, everything would change.

The car slowed as they approached the airport drop-off area, the large terminal entrance coming into view. Azzi exhaled, gripping the handle of her suitcase a little tighter.

This was it.

In just a few hours, they’d be landing in Connecticut, and everything would change.

Caroline stretched her arms overhead before unbuckling her seatbelt. “Alright, let’s do this.”

They stepped out, the cool breeze contrasting sharply with the California sun they were leaving behind. The driver popped the trunk, and they each grabbed their bags, rolling them toward the automatic doors leading inside. The airport was busy, but they moved with purpose, weaving through the crowds as they made their way to check-in.

As they stood in line, Caroline nudged Azzi. “So, how are you feeling? Nervous? Excited?”

Azzi smirked, shifting her weight onto one foot. “A little bit of both. It’s kinda surreal, you know? Like, we’ve talked about it, made the decision, but now it’s actually happening.”

Caroline nodded. “Yeah, I get that. But honestly? I’m just excited to finally be somewhere that feels right.”

Azzi hummed in agreement. It wasn’t just about basketball—it was about the environment, the team, the people. Stanford had started to feel off for a while now, and transferring wasn’t a decision they made lightly. But deep down, they both knew UConn was where they were meant to be.

After checking their bags and getting through security, they found their gate and settled into the waiting area.

Caroline glanced at her phone. “Think Paige is up right now?”

Azzi glanced at the time difference and chuckled. “Probably just waking up for practice.”

Caroline smirked. “Imagine if she FaceTimes you right now.”

Azzi rolled her eyes, but there was a slight panic in her expression. “She can’t. My phone’s on DND.”

Caroline laughed. “Smart move.”

They spent the next hour waiting for their flight, chatting and making small talk, but the underlying excitement never faded. Soon, they heard their boarding group called, and they grabbed their bags, heading toward the gate.

As Azzi stepped onto the plane, she exhaled slowly.

Next stop: Connecticut.

—---------

Paige stretched her arms as she walked into the locker room, still groggy from just waking up. The team had a morning practice, and she was trying to shake off the sleepiness. She pulled out her phone, naturally opening her messages first—like she always did. Her fingers hovered over Azzi’s name before she typed out a quick text.

Paige: Morning, baby. What’s the plan for today?

She hit send and waited. Normally, Azzi answered pretty fast, even if it was just a quick reply before she got busy. But this time, the message stayed on “delivered.”

Paige frowned, locking her phone and tossing it into her locker. Maybe Azzi was just asleep. But something about it felt… off.

She wasn’t the only one acting weird lately.

Geno had been sus as hell. Paige had noticed it for the past couple of days—little things, like how he’d pause mid-sentence around her, or how he and CD would exchange glances when transfers were brought up. It was subtle, but Paige caught on to everything.

And now Azzi wasn’t answering?

She grabbed her phone again and sent another message.

Paige: Azzi? You alive?

No response.

She sat on the bench, drumming her fingers on her knee. Maybe she was overthinking, but her gut was telling her something was up.

KK plopped down beside her, sipping from her water bottle. “Why do you look like you’re about to interrogate someone?”

Paige sighed. “Tell me if I’m being crazy, but does Geno seem kinda… weird to you lately?”

KK squinted, thinking. “Weird how?”

“Like, I don’t know… suspicious weird. Like he knows something and is just waiting for the right moment to say it.”

KK hummed. “Now that you mention it, he has been in a good mood lately.”

She opened her texts again, staring at the unread messages she’d sent Azzi.

Something was definitely going on.

—----------------

After practice, the team gathered in the locker room, still sweating and catching their breath. Geno stood by the door with a big grin on his face, clearly excited.

“Alright, ladies, I know we’ve got a big game ahead of us, but I wanted to take a moment to announce something special. We’ll be having a special team dinner tonight, just us—no distractions, no outside guests.”

Paige’s eyebrows furrowed. A “special” team dinner? That wasn’t something Geno typically made a big deal out of, especially during this time of year. It was a little too… vague. The way Geno’s eyes sparkled made her suspicious, but she tried to brush it off. She was probably just overthinking things.

Still, something in the back of her mind told her to stay alert. She could feel a tension in the air, but maybe it was just the pressure of the next game.

She checked her phone again. Still nothing from Azzi. Paige bit her lip. She’d already sent a couple of texts, but Azzi hadn’t responded.

Paige wasn’t one to jump to conclusions, but the silence made her uneasy. Azzi always responded, even if it was just a quick, “I'm busy right now, I’ll text you later.”

As she stood there, staring at her screen, she caught a glimpse of Geno talking with CD on the other side of the room. They exchanged looks—ones that made Paige even more suspicious.

“Paige,” KK’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her attention. “You good?”

Paige looked up, trying to shake off her unease. “Yeah, just—” she paused, catching herself. “Just tired, I guess.”

“Yeah, I bet. March madness nerves, huh?” KK teased with a smirk.

Paige smiled weakly, but the truth was, it wasn’t just the game. She was anxious about Azzi.

“Yeah,” Paige said. “That’s probably it.”

As Geno continued talking about the dinner plans and getting everyone hyped for the next game, Paige distractedly scrolled through her phone again. Still nothing from Azzi.

She tried not to let it get to her. Azzi was on a plane, after all. She could be busy or maybe just needed some time to herself. But deep down, Paige knew something was off. Something was happening, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

At this point, she figured she’d just have to wait and see what the night held. Something told her that by the end of this “special” team dinner, everything would come into focus.

—----------------

Azzi and Caroline’s plane touched down in Connecticut in the early evening, the final rays of the setting sun casting a warm glow over the bustling airport. Both of them felt a rush of excitement, though they’d been trying to keep their emotions in check—after all, no one knew they were coming except for the coaching staff. It was the perfect way to make their transition seamless, no drama, just a quiet shift.

Once they stepped off the plane, they grabbed their bags from baggage claim, exchanging excited glances as they did. Caroline was the first to pull out her phone, typing a quick message to Geno.

Caroline: “Landed! Heading to the dorm now. Let us know when it’s time to meet up.”

After sending it, she tucked her phone away in her jacket pocket, giving Azzi a grin. “Well, here we are.”

Azzi smiled back, though her heart was racing. The idea of moving here, of being at UConn with the team and with Paige, felt surreal. She still couldn’t quite believe it. It hadn’t sunk in fully yet that they were starting this new chapter, and the butterflies in her stomach hadn’t gone away since they’d left Stanford.

They quickly caught an Uber from the airport to the UConn campus. The excitement of being back, even though the campus was quieter than usual without students milling about, made both of them feel a little lighter. The trees lined the roads leading to their new dorms, and Azzi stared out the window as they passed familiar landmarks, though it felt different this time. It felt more…real.

When they arrived at the dorm, it was nearly empty. The halls were quiet—most students were either away for the summer or already packed up for the season. Azzi and Caroline had both been assigned a smaller, temporary space to settle in until they were officially ready to start with the team. It was simple, a bit barren at the moment, but it felt like a fresh start. The room had basic furniture, a bed, a small desk, and a couple of chairs, but there wasn’t much else. Just what they needed for now.

Azzi let out a soft sigh as she placed her bags on the bed and ran a hand through her hair. “I think this is gonna feel more like home than I imagined.”

Caroline nodded, leaning against the wall with a grin. “Yeah, it’s a little strange, but it’s also kind of exciting. The start of something new, huh?”

“Exactly,” Azzi agreed. “And it’s not just about the new school, the team, or any of that. It’s about…us. Being together.” She paused, her voice softening. “With Paige, too.”

Caroline shot her a teasing smile. “And the other girls? They don’t know yet, do they?”

Azzi shook her head. “Not a clue. It’ll be a surprise. We’ll keep it low-key for now.”

They began unpacking their things, settling in and making their space feel as cozy as possible. Caroline put a few of her books on the small desk, while Azzi arranged her shoes and clothes in the closet.

A few minutes later, Azzi’s phone buzzed on the bed. She picked it up to find a message from Geno:

Geno: “Alright, you two, meet me in 30 for the dinner. I’ll give you more details then.”

Caroline leaned over to look at the message, a sly grin crossing her face. “Well, guess this is it. Time to meet everyone. You ready?”

Azzi gave her a half-smile, nervous but excited. “Yeah, ready.”

—----------------

Paige was standing in front of the mirror in her dorm, adjusting the hem of her UConn hoodie and pulling on a pair of comfy sweatpants. She wasn’t particularly worried about looking perfect tonight, just wanting to feel at ease for the team dinner. She wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but it was one of those rare moments when she didn’t feel like worrying too much about the details.

But as she checked her phone again—just like she had done every few minutes since she got back to her room—Azzi still hadn’t replied. The message she had sent earlier this morning had gone unanswered, and though Paige didn’t want to overthink it, a little part of her couldn’t help but feel…sus. It wasn’t like Azzi to leave her hanging like this. Was she busy? Or was something else going on?

She shook her head, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of confusion. She wasn’t about to let something as trivial as a text message ruin her mood before dinner. It wasn’t like it was a big deal. Still, as she finished putting on her sneakers, the unanswered text bugged her.

“Ready, P?” Ice called from the doorway, snapping Paige out of her thoughts.

Paige gave her a smile and nodded. “Yep, just thinking about…nothing,” she replied, brushing off the unease and heading out with her teammates, KK following closely behind.

The three of them walked down the hall and out to the car waiting for them, Paige still a little lost in thought, but determined not to let anything affect her night. When they arrived at the venue, a cozy restaurant with a private room set aside for the team dinner, she felt the atmosphere immediately lighten. The chatter of her teammates, the loud laughter, and the chatter about the Sweet Sixteen game made her smile. She was so proud of how far they had come this season.

As they entered the room, the staff greeted them warmly. Coach Geno and Coach CD were already there, chatting with a few other staff members. Paige’s mind wandered as she took a seat at the table with KK and Ice, still glancing at her phone from time to time. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Geno cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “Alright, everyone, settle in,” he called, his voice commanding attention. “We’ve got a special treat tonight. Some new additions to the team.”

Paige raised an eyebrow at the announcement, her confusion growing as she exchanged looks with KK and Ice, both of whom seemed unusually excited about whatever was coming next.

Geno continued. “Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme have officially transferred here. They’ll be joining us next season!”

The room erupted into cheers and excited murmurs. Paige’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening in shock. The noise around her faded as she processed the words that had just been spoken.

Azzi. Caroline. Here. At UConn.

Paige’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to Ice and KK, who were grinning widely. They exchanged a glance, clearly excited by the news, before looking back at Paige.

“Wait… What?” Paige stammered, still trying to wrap her head around it.

Ice and KK both laughed. “NO WAY!” KK said, nudging Paige playfully.

Paige’s jaw still hung open. She couldn’t believe it. Her best friend, the person who’d been occupying her thoughts for so long, was going to be here. At UConn. Playing on the same team. She hadn’t expected this. Not at all.

Her heart raced, and suddenly everything around her seemed to blur as the realization hit her like a wave. Azzi was here. And this was about to get a whole lot more complicated in the best way possible.

Before Paige could process further, Azzi and Caroline walked into the room, both of them smiling brightly. Azzi’s familiar face made Paige’s stomach flip, and she found herself standing up automatically as if drawn in by an invisible force. They exchanged glances, and for a brief moment, the rest of the room faded away.

Azzi and Caroline made their way toward the table, with Azzi locking eyes with Paige as she approached. Paige’s breath caught in her throat, and she could feel her cheeks flush. The others around her were still excited, shouting and welcoming the two newcomers, but all Paige could focus on was Azzi.

KK stood, her excitement palpable as she waved over to Azzi. “Azzi! It’s so good to see you again!” she said, pulling Azzi into a warm hug.

Paige was still speechless, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions rushing through her. She watched as Ice stood to greet Caroline, giving her a hug, and then they turned back to look at Paige.

Azzi smiled at Paige from across the room, her eyes soft and knowing. Paige could feel the heat in her chest, a mix of happiness, relief, and something else she couldn’t quite name.

Before anyone could say anything else, Azzi walked over to Paige, her steps deliberate and calm, her eyes never leaving hers. She stood in front of her, and in that moment, the noise of the room seemed to fade into the background.

“Can I steal you for a second?” Azzi whispered, her voice low enough for only Paige to hear.

Paige nodded quickly, her heart thudding in her chest. “Yeah, of course.”

Azzi gently took her hand and led her toward the hallway, away from the chaos of the dinner. Paige followed, her heart racing with every step. They reached the bathroom, and Azzi pushed the door open, pulling Paige inside.

The moment the door clicked shut, Azzi’s hand cupped Paige’s cheek, and Paige’s breath caught in her throat. There was no more holding back now. The chemistry between them was undeniable, a current of electricity that had been building for so long.

Without saying another word, Azzi leaned in, pressing her lips to Paige’s in a soft, sweet kiss. Paige’s hands instinctively found their way to Azzi’s waist, pulling her closer. Azzi’s lips parted slightly, and Paige followed, deepening the kiss. Everything felt right in this moment, as if they had finally found the perfect rhythm together.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were smiling, breathless.

Azzi rested her forehead against Paige’s. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured.

Paige smiled back, her heart swelling. “I’ve missed you too.”

Azzi leaned in for another quick kiss, the warmth between them making the world outside the bathroom seem far away. But they knew they couldn’t stay there forever. As much as they wanted to savor the moment, they needed to return to the dinner.

After a final kiss, Azzi grinned at Paige. “Alright now that I’ve got my kiss, we better go back before they think we ran off.”

Paige laughed softly, nodding. “Yeah, let’s go.”

As they walked back into the private dining room, the sounds of the team’s chatter and laughter filled the air once more. Paige was still reeling from the surprise, her heart beating faster than it should have been as she made her way back to the table.

Azzi, walking beside her, looked over at her with a small, amused smile. Paige caught her gaze and couldn’t help but grin back. The intensity of everything was still sinking in, and the weight of Azzi’s presence here, at UConn, only made her feel like she was floating.

“You good?” Azzi asked quietly, nudging her playfully.

Paige chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “I… I can’t believe this is happening. I mean… you’re here. Like, really here.” She shook her head again. “What kind of sick joke is this?”

Azzi laughed softly, her eyes softening as she looked at Paige. “No joke. You’ll get used to it, I promise.”

They reached the table, and Paige slid into the seat next to Azzi, still trying to process everything. The team was buzzing with excitement, talking over one another, asking Azzi and Caroline about their transfers, what brought them to UConn, and how excited they were to play with the team.

Geno, of course, had his usual authoritative air about him as he walked over to their table, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“So, Paige,” Geno began with a grin. “How’d you like our special dinner so far tonight?”

Paige’s eyes widened, and she let out a small laugh, turning to Azzi and then back to Geno. “Are you serious right now?” she asked, still processing it. “This is how you’re doing it? A whole dinner just to drop the bomb on the me and the team?”

Geno’s grin widened as he raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I think it was worth the surprise, don’t you?”

Paige shot Azzi a playful look, who only shrugged in response, the faintest smirk pulling at her lips. “You’ve really been planning this, haven’t you?” Paige muttered, though the smile never left her face.

“Well,” Geno said, leaning in a little, clearly enjoying the playful teasing, “we had to make sure we had a proper welcome for our new teammates, right?” His eyes twinkled with amusement as he glanced at Azzi and Caroline. “And we figured, why not give Paige and the team a little special treat, too?”

The room erupted into more teasing and laughter, with a few players��KK and Ice included—jokingly directing their attention toward Paige and Azzi.

“Aw, look at you two,” KK said with a teasing tone. “Paige is all speechless, and Azzi’s just as smug as always. What’s going on between you two? A little secret, huh?”

Azzi rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. “No secrets here, just enjoying the team dinner.”

“Uh-huh,” Ice chimed in, glancing between the two. “So, you two have been holding out on us, huh?”

Paige couldn’t help but laugh at the attention. She had been caught off guard by everything today, and the teasing from her teammates only made the whole situation feel more surreal. “Okay, okay, no secrets!” she said, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll admit it. I’m just shocked, okay? You guys really pulled it off. A whole dinner, just for this.”

“Well, someone had to make sure it was memorable,” Geno added, his grin widening. “And we all know how much you love surprises, Paige.”

Paige shook her head, still laughing. “Yeah, well, this one definitely takes the cake.”

As the dinner continued, the playful teasing between Azzi and Paige didn’t stop, but there was also a growing sense of warmth between the two of them, a comfort that was becoming more natural with each passing moment. Between all the laughter, the inside jokes, and the easy flow of conversation, it felt like they were entering a new chapter of their relationship—one where the future was beginning to unfold.

Azzi’s hand found Paige’s underneath the table, their fingers brushing before intertwining. Paige smiled at her, squeezing her hand, the connection between them undeniable.

“Seriously, though,” Paige said, her voice quieter now as she leaned in a little closer to Azzi. “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t expect this, not like this, but… I’m so happy you’re here with me.”

Azzi looked at Paige, her eyes softening. “Me too,” she replied, her voice sincere. “This is only the beginning. We’ve got a whole future ahead of us. And it’s gonna be great.”

Paige’s heart swelled at the thought. This moment, surrounded by their teammates, laughing and joking around, felt so normal, so right. And yet, it was also a moment of change, of stepping into something new. They were stronger than ever, and the future, whatever it held, was looking brighter than she ever imagined.

As the dinner continued, the teasing gradually faded into the background, replaced by the warmth of being together, of being part of a team that was more than just basketball. They were family now—both on and off the court.

—----------------

After the dinner, the energy was still high, with laughter and playful teasing echoing through the restaurant. Paige, Azzi, Caroline, KK, and Ice all piled into a group, ready to head to Azzi and Caroline’s new dorm. The night was still young, and it seemed like no one wanted to let the fun slip away.

The group made their way through the campus, all buzzing with excitement from the events of the evening. Paige, still processing the surprise, kept her hand resting lightly on Azzi’s lower back, the familiar closeness between them comforting after the whirlwind of the day.

Once they got to Azzi and Caroline’s dorm, the door was wide open, and the girls stepped in, greeted by the empty space of their newly settled-in room. Boxes were stacked neatly against one wall, but it was clear they’d made the place feel like home already. The familiar atmosphere of their old dorms in California was still fresh in their minds, and now they were embarking on a new chapter here at UConn.

Caroline tossed her jacket onto the couch as KK and Ice began to look around the room, already making themselves at home. The moment was lighthearted, everyone still riding the high of the dinner surprise.

Azzi and Paige lingered by the door for a second, exchanging a glance that only the two of them could understand, before heading toward the couch to join the others. Azzi plopped down first, making room for Paige beside her, and Caroline followed, sitting on the opposite side of the room.

“So,” Caroline began, leaning back into the couch with a mischievous grin on her face. “Y’all ready to hear the real story about how disgusting these two are together?”

KK and Ice both turned toward her, already sensing where this was going. “Oh, we are so ready,” KK said, barely containing her laughter.

Caroline shot a playful glare at Azzi and Paige, who were still sitting close together, laughing at the unfolding scene. “You two,” Caroline began, shaking her head dramatically. “Back in Cali when Paige decided to stay over? I had to deal with their disgusting PDA every single time.”

KK burst out laughing, leaning back in her seat. “Oh, I can only imagine!”

Paige laughed, a little embarrassed but mostly amused. “Okay, okay, it wasn’t that bad,” she said, looking at Azzi, who was smirking as she nudged Paige’s side.

Caroline, ever the instigator, gave them a side-eye and continued, “You guys don’t even know. They’d be all over each other, with Azzi practically in Paige’s lap or the two of them whispering sweet nothings at midnight, completely oblivious to the fact that I was there. It was so gross, I had to leave sometimes just to get away from it.”

KK was practically wheezing, while Ice had her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. “Please tell me you two didn’t—”

“Oh, trust me, it wasn’t just the whispering,” Caroline cut her off with a wicked grin. “I had to witness full-on kissing and everything.”

Azzi and Paige looked at each other, both of them turning a little red but unable to contain their grins. Paige leaned in, her voice low but playful. “I’m pretty sure you’re exaggerating just a little bit.”

Caroline shot her a deadpan stare. “I’m not exaggerating. You two are disgusting.”

At this, Paige couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “We were just enjoying ourselves, okay? You’re just jealous because you couldn’t handle the love.”

Ice smirked. “I don’t think Caroline could handle it even if she tried.”

“Exactly!” Caroline shot back, then shifted her attention back to KK and Ice. “And now you’re about to witness it firsthand. It’s honestly just ew.”

KK raised an eyebrow. “Is this going to be like the honeymoon phase? Because if so, I’ll have to prepare myself.”

Azzi, who was leaning into Paige’s side, smiled and gave her an affectionate squeeze. “You’ll get used to it,” she said with a laugh. “We just… can’t help it.”

Paige, feeling a little shy but still amused, wrapped her arm around Azzi’s waist. “If you want to see what it’s like,” Paige teased, “we could just go make out in front of you all. Just so you know what Caroline had to deal with.”

Caroline rolled her eyes dramatically. “No need to make it worse. I’ve seen enough.”

The group continued to laugh and chat, teasing Azzi and Paige as the night wore on. But underneath the jokes and teasing, there was an undeniable sense of ease and comfort. They were all friends, laughing together, enjoying their time as teammates, and accepting the playful relationship between Paige and Azzi.

—----------------

Even though it was late, Paige, KK, and Ice decided to help Caroline and Azzi finish setting up their dorm. The room still had some unpacked boxes stacked against the walls, and Caroline, ever the perfectionist, wanted everything settled before the night ended. Paige wasn’t complaining—any excuse to stay longer with Azzi was one she’d take.

Azzi, in her playful manner, decided to tease Paige as they worked. As she bent down in front of Paige to grab something from one of the boxes, she arched her back just enough to be intentional. Paige, who had been minding her own business, immediately stiffened, her hands pausing mid-motion as she stared at the sight in front of her.

Azzi knew exactly what she was doing.

“Oh, come on,” Paige muttered under her breath, running a hand down her face as if that would help. It didn’t.

She hesitated for half a second before deciding that, if Azzi wanted to play, she could play. Without another thought, Paige stepped forward, pressing herself behind Azzi and gripping her ass, giving it a firm squeeze. Azzi let out a small noise of surprise before turning her head slightly, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“You’re ridiculous,” Azzi murmured, smirking.

Paige just grinned. “And you love it.”

Azzi rolled her eyes playfully, but before she could respond, Paige leaned in, capturing her lips in a quick but heated kiss. Azzi responded instantly, tilting her head to deepen it, her hands gripping the fabric of Paige’s hoodie to pull her closer.

The sound of exaggerated gagging noises snapped them out of it.

Caroline, standing a few feet away with a box in her hands, gave them a deadpan look. “This is exactly what I mean.”

KK and Ice, meanwhile, were clutching their stomachs, pretending to throw up. “We’re right here!” KK exclaimed dramatically.

Ice fake wiped a tear from her eye. “Y’all got no shame.”

Paige and Azzi just laughed, unfazed, before finally pulling apart. They all got back to unpacking, though the occasional teasing remark from Ice and KK kept the atmosphere light. Paige and Azzi continued working on Azzi’s room, placing clothes in drawers and rearranging a few things to make the space feel more like home.

As they worked, Paige found herself standing close—too close—to Azzi again. When Azzi turned to grab something, their faces were only inches apart. Neither moved for a moment, their breaths mingling as the tension between them thickened. Paige reached up first, her fingers grazing Azzi’s jaw as she leaned in, their lips meeting in a slow, lingering kiss.

It started soft, but the moment Azzi’s fingers gripped Paige’s hoodie again, tugging her forward, the kiss deepened, turning into something more urgent. Paige’s hand slipped down, resting on Azzi’s waist, pulling her even closer.

Caroline, standing by the doorway with Ice and KK, watched for a second before sighing. “Yeah, okay. We’re gonna leave now.”

Azzi barely registered her voice at first, but when Caroline tossed her keys into the air and caught them, she finally broke the kiss, glancing over. “What?” she asked, slightly breathless.

Caroline smirked knowingly. “We’re going to go buy some stuff for my room. You two enjoy… whatever this is.”

KK and Ice stifled their laughter as they followed Caroline out. Ice shot a final teasing glance their way. “Try not to destroy the room before we get back.”

The second the door closed behind them, Paige exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. “They’re so dramatic.”

Azzi hummed in agreement, but the moment they locked eyes again, the mood shifted. The air between them grew thick with something deeper—something heavier. Paige took a slow step forward, and Azzi instinctively backed up until her legs hit the edge of the bed.

But they both hesitated.

“…Well, Ice is right. I just finished setting up my room, so like you know…” Azzi murmured, as if reading Paige’s thoughts.

Paige smirked. “Then we probably shouldn’t mess it up already.”

Azzi bit her lip, her gaze flickering to the side before landing on Paige again. “Bathroom?”

Paige’s heart skipped a beat. “Bathroom.”

They moved quickly, slipping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind them. The moment it clicked shut, Paige wasted no time, pressing Azzi up against the counter. Their lips crashed together in a heated kiss, and this time, there was no teasing—only raw need.

Paige’s hands found Azzi’s waist again, fingers digging in slightly as she deepened the kiss, letting her tongue slide against Azzi’s in slow, deliberate strokes. Azzi moaned softly into her mouth, her hands sliding under Paige’s hoodie, fingertips grazing bare skin.

The feeling sent a shiver down Paige’s spine.

She kissed Azzi harder, pressing her back further against the counter, her hands wandering lower. Azzi responded instantly, tilting her head to grant Paige better access as their bodies molded together. The heat between them was growing, the intensity only building as their hands roamed and their kisses grew more desperate.

Paige pulled away for just a second, her breath heavy. “You good?” she asked, her voice low, her forehead resting against Azzi’s.

Azzi looked up at her, eyes dark with want. “Yeah.”

She tugged at Paige’s hoodie, pulling her closer again. “I want you.”

Paige exhaled sharply. “Then let me take care of you Ma.”

And just like that, they gave in completely.

—----------------

As Paige and Azzi finished dressing, the atmosphere between them was a mix of comfort and a lingering sense of closeness that hadn’t been there before. The bathroom was small, and their movements were still somewhat cautious, as if the reality of what had just happened was only just beginning to sink in.

Paige adjusted her hoodie, pulling it over her head, then quickly glanced over at Azzi, who was in the process of slipping her shirt on. The sight of Azzi, her hair slightly tousled and her lips swollen from their kisses, made Paige’s heart race again.

Azzi caught Paige staring and smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. “What? Never seen me get dressed before?”

Paige chuckled softly, stepping closer to her and brushing a stray strand of hair from Azzi’s face. “Nah, you’re distracting,” she said, voice low and teasing.

Azzi raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Guess I’ll have to make sure to keep you on your toes, then.”

Paige’s lips curled into a grin. “I’m already on my toes when I’m around you.”

Before anything else could be said, the door creaked open, and Caroline, KK, and Ice filed in, all seemingly in high spirits. Caroline immediately eyed them as she put the bags down with an exaggerated raise of her eyebrows. “Well, well, well… look at this. You two really did make some progress, huh?” she teased, her voice dripping with mock surprise.

KK and Ice broke out into loud laughter, clearly delighted by the sight of their friends acting all cute and flustered. Ice crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a sly grin. “Guess we missed all the fun,” she said dramatically. “Took you two long enough, huh?”

Azzi rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. Paige simply laughed and shook her head, feeling the weight of the teasing but also a strange sense of relief. She was happy that things between her and Azzi had felt so… natural. Nothing about this had been forced or awkward. In fact, she could only think about how right it felt to be with her.

“So,” Ice continued, her voice more curious now, “I’ve never gotten to hear the story on how you two even start talking in the first place?”

Paige looked at Azzi, and the two shared a brief, amused glance. Caroline and KK already knew the story, but Ice was genuinely curious. Azzi let out a light laugh, her arms crossing over her chest as she leaned back against the sink. “Well, if I’m being honest, Paige here wouldn’t stop talking to me.”

Paige snickered, remembering the day clearly. “I wasn’t annoying. You were just… quiet. I was trying to break the ice.” She raised an eyebrow, playfully challenging Azzi’s teasing. “And if it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t be here right now, would we?”

Azzi gave her a look of mock disbelief. “You’re the one who got us stuck in an elevator together for ages at that tournament, Paige! You just wouldn’t stop asking questions.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault the elevator just decided to stop working and plus someone had to entertain you,” Paige shot back with a grin. “You were the one who looked like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

“I mean, after you wouldn’t stop pestering me, I guess it was hard to stay annoyed.” Azzi’s smile softened, and she looked at Paige fondly. “But it wasn’t so bad, right?”

Paige shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. “Guess I did manage to wear you down. If it wasn’t for that elevator ride, I don’t think we’d even be here now.”

Caroline leaned in with a knowing smile. “That’s right. The elevator incident led to all of this, huh? Who would’ve thought?” She motioned between them, her grin wide. “It’s cute, though.”

KK nodded along. “Yeah, look at you two, all sappy and cute now.”

Paige rolled her eyes, but her heart was light. The teasing felt comfortable, like she didn’t have to hide anything anymore. It was funny how something as simple as a chance encounter could lead to such a complicated and amazing connection.

Azzi smirked, shaking her head. “It all happened because of that unexpected halt.”

The others stared at her for a moment, their expressions softening as they processed what she said. Paige could feel the weight of the words, the simple truth behind them. It was all true—this relationship had grown out of a moment that neither of them had planned for. A simple, unforeseen pause in the chaos of their busy lives had brought them together, leading to something that felt incredibly right.

It really was because of that unexpected halt.

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

#paige bueckers #azzi fudd #paige x azzi #pazzi #pazzi fics #uconn #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #uconn women’s basketball #wbb

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dandylovesturtles · 1 year ago

Note

Using a random number generator for the angst prompts: 20 Starved + 30 Dangerous Temperatures

... and Leo, of course.

OH GOD OK

uh so. I had an idea. and I decided to write it for this ask I got forever ago. And then, uh.

it really

really got out of hand.

This is a pretty dark fic (even for me) and at the current moment in time it is hurt/no comfort. I do intend to write a part 2, probably tomorrow, but as of the time I'm typing this author's note I've been writing for around 5+ hours straight and I need to take a break! So please, if you don't want to read all this without the comfort included, feel free to wait for the next part before reading! I'll link it and the end once it's posted.

Content warnings: Kidnapping, confinement, psychological torture, nonconsensual voyeurism (I guess this is the best way to put this; Leo isn't doing anything sexual but it's still violating), mild violence, HEAVY ANGST, Leo just having the shittiest time possible.

I HOPE?? YOU ENJOY??? hahahaha....

btw this is set between S2 and the movie (though tbh its canon compliance is... /waves hand)

-----

When Leo imagined himself getting captured by some kind of shady, quasi-governmental agency intent on imprisoning mutants, it was never anything like this.

When he let his mind go there, he always pictured that he would be strapped to a table. Maybe muzzled. That scientists would stand over him, scalpels and drills in hand, and start to take him apart. That they'd examine him piece by piece, and wouldn't give him any anesthesia while they did it.

But there is no table, no muzzle, no restraints at all. He's just in a room.

Well, a cell, technically - the steel door is locked, and there are no windows, no furniture but a bare cot in one corner and a lone toilet in another. But it doesn't really look like a cell. It looks like a room.

A very, very white room. White walls. White ceiling. White tiles (with white grout, even). The toilet is white, a roll of white toilet paper on the floor next to it. The only things that aren't white are the cot and the door and Leo himself.

They took his gear and his weapons, because of course they did. Since the door is steel, he already knows he's not breaking it down; he gives it a half-hearted slam anyway, just to say he tried. He should be able to just portal out, except he hasn't learned how to use his portals without his swords to channel his ninpo through, and there's nothing in here with him that he can use to make new ones.

So he's stuck. He's going to have to wait until someone opens that door for some reason. Or, of course, until his family swings by to pick him up. Though, if possible, he'd like to escape before that happens. The image in his mind, of sitting outside his cell and grinning at them as they arrive to rescue him, is too cool to pass up.

He's not sure how long it's been already. He knows that they knocked him out after ambushing him, and he doesn't know how long he was unconscious. The heavy molasses feel of his head and arms when he woke up suggests that he was drugged. It's wearing off now, though, which means he has a clear head to take in the all of nothing that's in the room with him.

He sits on the cot he woke up on and waits for something to happen.

There's no way for him to tell time, but he thinks it's an hour or so later when there's a sudden beep, and then the sound of a metal panel sliding up. It's a slot near the door that has just opened - inside the revealed alcove is a bottle of water.

He comes to it curiously, taking a long look around the bottle. The slot doesn't open straight through, and even if it did, it's not big enough for anything more than his arm or a foot to fit through. He thinks it must function like an airlock, or maybe they slid the bottle down from somewhere above - he feels around just in case, and finds that the slot is enclosed on all sides but his. Probably his airlock theory, then.

As soon as he removes the bottle, the panel slams shut again.

"You're really determined to keep me in here, huh?" he says to whatever hidden cameras are watching him. He carries the water bottle back to his cot, but doesn't open it, instead setting it down on the floor by the wall. The paranoid part of his brain, the one that doesn't miss a trick, is reminding him that drinking the water is probably a bad idea. Who knows what they might have put in it?

He sits on the cot for awhile longer. Still, nothing happens.

"I'm getting pretty bored in here," he says for the audience that must be somewhere. "Come on, you have a one of a kind turtle in here, and you don't even want to talk to me?"

Time passes, slow and quiet. Leo goes through periods where his anxiety spikes and he starts to wonder if he's been abandoned by whoever brought him here, before the boredom eventually numbs the anxiety back out. Another bottle of water is eventually delivered, and this one he keeps in his hands after retrieving it. It's completely unlabeled, not even a "Use by" date printed on the bottle itself, so it doesn't provide much mental stimulation. He spins the bottle to make little whirlpools inside, because it's something to do.

He's trying to make the fastest whirlpool he can when he hears a sudden click, different from the beep of the water bottle hole, and he looks up just in time to see a large section of the wall in front of him turn black, and then light up to show the room beyond his cell.

He jolts, setting the bottle aside. He knew they must be watching him, but somehow he didn't catch that part of the wall was a whole window.

His audience isn't very large - five people, unless there are others he can't see. Two wear lab coats, two wear fatigues... but the one who comes to stand directly in front of the window is wearing a black suit, with steel rimmed glasses. He leans forward, and speaks into a small microphone.

"Inmate 24365," says the suited man. "I am Agent Bishop, of the Earth Protection Force. My subordinates tell me that you can speak and understand the English language. Is this correct?"

"Qué?" Leo asks.

Bishop does not look amused. "Inmate 24365," he says, "you have two options. You can cooperate with me, answer my questions, and we will make your stay here more comfortable. Do not cooperate, and we will make your stay uncomfortable. Do you understand?"

Leo pretends to hem and haw over this. "How comfortable are we talkin'?"

"I'm sure you would like some dinner."

"You know, I'm not really hungry." He says it to be difficult, but it's actually true - the uncertainty of the situation has put his stomach in too many knots to want to eat anything. "Maybe if you offer me some comic books? Or a TV?

To Bishop's credit, his face doesn't so much as twitch. He keeps his steely eyes locked on Leo. "Answer our questions, and you will receive food. Do you understand?"

Leo stays noncommittal. "What are the questions?"

He's expecting Bishop to ask about his family. He's not expecting what comes next.

"How many gateways are there between New York City and the hidden yokai enclave?" he asks. "How are these gateways accessed? What kind of defensive capabilities do the yokai have?"

Leo keeps the surprise off his face. Bishop thinks he's a yokai.

This is, overall, a good development. Bishop might not know about Leo's family, then, or at least not know that they live on the surface. This means the Earth Protection Force likely isn't pursuing his brothers, which means they will be safe until they can help Leo get out of here.

He doesn't let the relief show through, either. Bishop doesn't know anything, and now Leo just has to ride out the next few hours until the calvary arrives.

"You know," he says, "I think I'm good with my current levels of comfort."

If Bishop is mad or frustrated or dismayed by this choice, he doesn't show it. His expression stays stony as he stares in at Leo, sizing him up.

"Very well," he says after a few more seconds. "I will see you tomorrow, then."

The window goes dark, and then turns stark white to match the walls. Leo wants to go over and tap at it, see if it feels different when he touches it, but knowing that Bishop is surely still there, watching him, keeps him rooted to the cot.

He goes back to making whirlpools with the bottle. If they aren't going to entertain him, he isn't going to entertain them, either.

-----

Another water bottle comes some time after his talk with Bishop. He finally opens this one and takes a cautious sip. Nothing tastes off or strange, so he drinks more. They don't want to feed him, but they're fine keeping him hydrated. No reason to stay thirsty, then.

He wishes the water calmed the anxiety still roiling in his stomach, but if anything it just makes him feel even more energized. He bounces his foot and surveys his room again, looking for any weak spots or access points. He can't see anything, though, other than the areas where he knows the water bottle hole and window are; even the vents that relentlessly blow cold air into the room are well hidden.

Knowing that there are people standing just outside his cell watching him, like some kind of zoo animal, puts him on edge. The window is so big that he's pretty sure the only blind spots are either directly underneath it or right by the door on the same wall. After debating it, he leaves his cot and sits on the floor underneath the window, surveying the room from a different angle now and still coming up empty. At least they're going to have a harder time staring at him.

His eyes catch on the toilet in the corner, directly across from the window. It's not in the blind spot, and realizing this makes his insides lurch uncomfortably - hopefully he has a chance to bust out before using it becomes necessary.

Though, he's not sure when that chance is going to come. If they have a slot to pass him water, they could use that to pass him food, too, so it's unlikely that anyone is going to open the door unless they need to take him out.

So maybe his fantasy of being outside when his brothers arrive isn't going to happen. Well, that's okay; he'll just be sure to make some other part of their escape totally rad. That will make up for the embarrassment of getting kidnapped a block from Run of the Mill.

(Seriously, some kind of ninja he is, to let a bunch of human soldiers sneak up on him.)

He drains the water bottle, then starts to roll it back and forth across the floor, like a cat batting at a toy. Leo's not sure what's worse right now: the worry or the boredom. There's nothing to look at and no one to talk to, just an empty room with him and his water bottles.

He's too keyed up to sleep, and the fluorescent lights are still on, anyway. He has no way of telling what time it is, so maybe it just isn't that late yet. And even sitting here, in the blind spot, the idea of closing his eyes while people are watching makes unease crawl up his spine. Staying awake is the easy choice. He'll sleep after he's out of here.

So he sits under the window and rolls his bottle back and forth, back and forth, with only the sound of plastic on tile to keep his thoughts company.

-----

The first three water bottles came pretty regularly, but now there is a very long stretch where nothing is delivered. Leo is starting to think maybe it really is night now. They don't turn off the lights in his cell, though, and he has no controls to do it himself. At least it helps with the whole "staying awake" thing.

Just in case they've decided to suspend his water privileges along with the food, he holds off drinking any more for now.

Speaking of food, his appetite has finally decided to return. His stomach starts to growl at him after several hours (he thinks) of sitting in the floor, an annoying emptiness in his stomach. Knowing there's no food accessible just makes the hunger sharper, but he puts it out of his mind the best he can with nothing else to focus on. He can eat once he's free.

Which should be soon. Seriously, his brothers have to be on their way by now, right?

He's pretty sure it's been the better part of a day, if not a whole day, since he was kidnapped. And, okay, he's willing to give them some leeway; it's understandable if they got a late start. He did storm out of the lair after his latest fight with Raph, and no one ever came to check on him when he did that. Understandably, he thinks, because who wants to be around Bad Mood Leo? Not even Leo wants to be around Bad Mood Leo!

But he'd already turned back into Good Mood Leo by the time he left Hueso's, so surely they knew it had been more than enough time. They would have noticed when he didn't come home. They would have realized something happened. They would be looking for him.

And if they're looking for him, they'll find him! Obviously.

His stomach growls again, and Leo leans his head back against the wall behind him. Maybe he shouldn't think of being at Hueso's. Now he just wants pizza. Pepperoni and mushroom, maybe, or Hawaiian. Mix it up a little with the barbeque chicken.

Another growl. He groans out loud.

He stays awake, twisting and crinkling the empty bottle in his hands, until another full one finally arrives.

-----

No chance to escape comes before using the toilet is necessary.

He tried to hold out, he really did, but he ended up drinking more water to stave off the growing hunger, and it's lowkey cold in here, which doesn't help. Still, the issue of the window sends an uneasy shiver up his spine, doubting that any people outside will feel the need to turn away and give him some privacy. Maybe he should have gone while he suspected it was nighttime.

(Maybe he shouldn't assume they ever aren't watching him.)

He stands up and walks over to the cot, giving it a light nudge with his foot. In a stroke of luck, it isn't bolted to the floor, and it's light enough that he can lift it. The black mesh it's made of is tightly woven, enough that not much is visible through it. It will have to do.

He picks it up and drags it over in front of the toilet, propping it up on its legs so it makes a small wall between himself and the window. It's hardly ideal, but the semblance of privacy makes him relax somewhat.

(He can't think about how there are surely cameras in the room watching him from all angles, making his attempt at a barrier moot. He knows better than anyone that sometimes pleasant lies are necessary.)

After he does his business, he leaves the cot propped where it is; it's not like he's sleeping on it. There's no sink for him to wash his hands, but he's never been the strictest about it, anyway (much to Donnie's disgust). He returns to his spot under the window, squeezing the water bottle to the rhythm of the first song that comes to mind.

Only two verses and a bridge later, the window above his head turns black, then goes clear. Thinking that Bishop might have been watching him just now makes a cold, slimy feeling roll down his spine. Creepy!

"Inmate 24365," comes Bishop's voice through the unseen speaker. "Stand."

Leo doesn't. He stays right where he is, under the window.

Bishop waits only a few seconds. Then Leo hears him say, "Temperature down two degrees."

He gets up at that, turning and leaning his arm against the window. It strangely doesn't feel like glass, even though it must be. "It's already cold enough in here," he says. He wonders how they can hear him, when he doesn't see a microphone on his side.

"You were told your conditions would only be made comfortable after you answer our questions," Bishop informs him. "The same as before: how many gateways are there between New York City and the hidden yokai enclave? How are these gateways-"

"How about you answer my questions first," Leo interjects. "You keep calling me "inmate," but I haven't been charged with anything. Pretty sure you can't detain me without cause."

"The EPF is authorized to detain non-human inmates for as long as deemed necessary for the security of the United States," says Bishop smoothly. "Probable cause doctrine does not apply in this case."

"That's gotta be unconstitutional."

"The constitution does not recognize the rights of yokai. You have no right to counsel, no right to a speedy trial, and no right to protections from cruel and unusual punishments." Bishop's stare is colder than the temperature in the room. "But I am not an unfair man. Answer my questions, and I will provide you with food and clothing."

Leo tosses a glance over his shoulder. "How about a private bathroom?"

Bishop's expression stays ever in place, unimpressed and stoic. "Food and clothing," he repeats.

Leo gives his head a shake. "Then nope," he says, popping the "p". "I plead the fifth."

"As I have already explained, the Bill of Rights does not apply to you."

"That's such crap." Leo bangs his fist on the window. "You can't just keep me here forever for no reason!"

"I do have reasons." Bishop leans closer to the window, his eyes narrowing. "Let's try a different question. What is your relation to Baron Draxum?"

The surprise is fast and sharp, but Leo just manages to keep it from showing on his face. "Who?" he asks innocently, even as the panic sets into his chest. If they know about Draxum, what else do they know?

"We know you are acquainted with him," says Bishop. "What is the nature of your relationship?"

Leo knows they aren't bluffing - why would they bring up that very specific name otherwise? There's no lie he can tell that won't reveal something.

So he doesn't say anything. Instead, he turns his back to the window and sits down, staring resolutely at the opposite wall.

Bishop clicks his tongue. "Very well," he says. "I am a patient man. I can wait." Then, more muffled, like he's facing away from the microphone, Leo hears him say, "Temperature down two degrees."

The window goes dark, then turns back to white. Leo doesn't move for a long time.

-----

The third water bottle arrives, so he guesses that's the end of day two.

He's shaking as he gets up to retrieve it, adding it to his growing water bottle hoard. He's gone through three and a half by now, but he's trying not to drink them too fast.

As promised, no food is delivered, and his stomach growls and rumbles in protest. The water helps, but only slightly. He needs to eat.

He also needs to sleep.

The panicked adrenaline spikes that have kept him awake this long are starting to die down, with more and more long stretches of exhaustion between them. The shaking is near constant, bringing with it the weird jittery feeling he gets when his insomnia gets particularly bad.

The window is still unnerving him. The idea of sleeping while they're watching him feels staggeringly unsafe.

But he doesn't think he can hold out now until his family gets here. Sure, they're probably getting close (they have to be getting close), but they're sure taking their sweet time. And he's just so tired.

After a long internal debate, he lays down on the cold tile floor. It's not at all comfortable, but somehow he doubts the cot would be any better. Besides, even if he moves the cot under the window, he thinks it would be easier to see him if he uses it. So on the floor it is.

He presses as close to the wall as he can, curling up into a ball for warmth. He wishes he had a blanket.

He wishes he was home.

He squeezes his eyes shut tight and forces back the sudden wave of overwhelming homesickness. There's no reason to feel this way. It's only been two days! What is he, a baby?

It's fine. It's all fine. They're definitely on his trail now. Raph is leading the team. Donnie is using some kind of invention to blah blah blah nerd stuff. Mikey is razzing his tazz. April is using her investigative journalism skills to find clues.

They're on their way. He just has to hold out a little longer. He can do this.

He sleeps, and in his dreams, something grabs him tight and drags him down and down and down where he can't escape.

-----

The same routine plays out over the next two days.

Leo gets two water bottles delivered, spaced, if he had to guess, about five hours apart. Bishop comes to visit him some time after the second bottle. Leo refuses to answer his questions. Bishop turns the temperature down and then leaves. A few hours later his last water bottle comes. Then nothing for the whole night.

They still don't turn off his lights, but exhaustion is starting to win over the brightness.

More than a few times, Leo tries to summon a portal on his own, without his swords. If his family is going to take their sweet time in coming, he might as well try to help them out. He tries to summon his ninpo (without glowing), tries to feel the tug inside of him that he always does when he teleports, tries to envision the place he wants to go and tunnel through space to get there.

Nothing. Always nothing.

(Donnie can make his constructs independent of his bo staff. Raph can send his projections away from his sai. Mikey's learning to use mystic powers without his nunchucks. So why does Leo need his katana? Why is he the only one this useless?)

It probably doesn't help that he's so damn hungry. It's a constant companion now, a low and hollow ache that chooses inconvenient times to turn into white hot stabs of urgency, into seizing cramps that steal his breath. The water only helps so much - it keeps him alive but doesn't satisfy, doesn't soothe. In some ways it just makes the feeling worse.

And he's always shaking, too, but he doesn't know if that's the hunger or the cold.

Maybe the cold wouldn't bother him so much if it were at least still. But the vents blow fresh air inside relentlessly, and no matter where he goes he can't seem to get out of the direct stream. The cold wind batters his tired body, and there's places his skin is starting to turn dry and flaky. His nose won't stop running, and he's allowed himself a small section of his one roll of toilet paper to blow it, already stiff and congealed and disgusting.

It's miserable.

And there's still nothing to do.

He stacks a pyramid out of his empty water bottles, knocks it down, then stacks it up again. He tries to come up with some new and exciting ways to demolish it, but it's only new and exciting for so long.

He spends a few hours of day three singing karaoke as obnoxiously as possible. He hopes everyone outside enjoys the performance.

He recounts every issue of Jupiter Jim he knows to himself, then the plot of every movie. Then he goes through Lou Jitsu films, then anything else he can think of. That eats up a good chunk of day four.

By the time he gets his first water bottle of day five, he's out of ideas to entertain himself. He's never been good at this. He doesn't know how introverts like Donnie can go multiple days without talking to someone.

But when Bishop comes back with his daily offer of conversation, Leo once again impolitely declines.

-----

Something new happens on night five.

It's been a long time since the last water bottle. Leo has been trying to sleep, but it's not coming easy; he's exhausted, but the floor is so cold and he's so sore from staying on it night after night. Not to mention, his nightmares have been getting worse, and he isn't eager to return to them.

Add on the hunger, and sleep is elusive.

Suddenly, there's the telltale shadow of the window above him turning dark - this time, though, it doesn't light up as much as normal. Confused and curious, Leo sits up and takes a peek.

The room beyond is dim, only the glow of a green EXIT sign and a small desk lamp lighting the space. But it's enough for Leo to see a man standing there, looking inside. It's not Bishop - in fact, he doesn't recognize this person at all. They're wearing fatigues, but it's not anyone he's seen in the room during Bishop's normal interrogations.

The man catches sight of Leo, and the grinning leer on his face makes Leo regret looking.

He beckons for Leo to stand up. Warily, Leo does, unable to help but keep his arms folded tight over his chest. Not for the first time, he wishes he had some clothes - his gear, at the very least. Anything to not feel quite so exposed.

The man reaches down and picks something up, holding it aloft for Leo's inspection. "Want a sandwich?" he asks into the microphone.

The sandwich looks like white bread and bologna. No cheese, no other toppings that Leo can spot. Maybe some mustard, if anything. Overall, the most boring possible sandwich he could have been offered.

Leo's mouth is watering.

He has to swallow hard before answering. He doesn't trust this. Even if his stomach is slamming up and down at the promise of food, food, food.

"I'm not hungry," he lies.

The man laughs. It's not a kind sound. "Sure you ain't," he says. "You spend every night curled up on the floor like the dumb animal you are. Can you even eat this?" He waves the sandwich for emphasis.

Leo doesn't answer. He takes a step back from the window, like that will put any kind of distance between them. Like that will save him.

The man watches him with a sleezy grin. He waves the sandwich again.

"You want this," he says.

Leo shakes his head.

"You really sure?"

Leo shudders. Stands tall. Nods.

The man watches him for a long, long moment. Leo fights the urge to hide.

Finally, with a shrug, the man says, "Suit yourself."

Then he starts eating the sandwich. Right where Leo can watch.

Leo's stomach growls, loud and angry in his ears, and he has to physically hold himself back from crumpling.

After several bites, the man suddenly reaches out and taps the window, indicating the cot stood up in front of the toilet.

"That," he says, giving another tap for emphasis, "doesn't do shit."

Leo wants to crawl out of his own skin.

The need to hide is suddenly too great. He rushes to the cot, grabbing it and dragging it back to the blind spot under the window. He sets it down on all four legs, so it's as close to the floor as possible.

Then he lies down on his belly and wriggles underneath. It's a tight squeeze, and the cot ends up pushed up by his shell, suspended in the air, but he doesn't care.

He curls up in his pleasant lie of privacy and bites his hand to keep from screaming himself hoarse.

After an eternity, the window above him turns white again. It doesn't matter. Leo knows he's still there. Still watching.

-----

"You look tired," Bishop greets him. Leo answers with a dead-eyed stare.

"I keep telling you, if you want your conditions to improve, all you have to do is answer my questions."

Leo says nothing. He just stares, arms wrapped tight around himself to try and keep his body heat in.

"How many gateways are there between New York City and the hidden yokai enclave? How are these gateways accessed?"

For a moment, Leo considers just... telling him.

His family doesn't live in the Hidden City. The yokai have never exactly greeted them with open arms. What does he care if these military guys go after them? At least then, maybe he can finally eat something.

That's not what a hero does, Leo! echoes Mind Raph disapprovingly. Innocent people will get hurt!

Right. He's a hero. And heroes don't give into the demands of shitty guys like Bishop.

Leo swallows hard. "No comment."

Bishop's face changes ever so slightly: his brow creases. Leo wonders if that's good or bad for him.

"You understand that Baron Draxum is a known threat, don't you?" he asks. "We are aware of his plans to commit mass murder on the human population. We also know that he has been dormant for some time, and we need information on what he is planning."

Leo thinks of Barry's ambitions to be recognized as the best lunchperson in all of America and can't help but laugh. It comes out cracked and wheezing.

Bishop's furrow gets deeper. "Do you think this is funny?"

"Little bit," says Leo.

Bishop has a chasm to rival Raph's now. Leo knows he shouldn't, but he grins. It's his one moment of triumph - only he can be this aggravating.

And then Bishop says, "Temperature down seven degrees," and that wipes the smile right off Leo's face.

-----

The plastic of the water bottles is soft and pliable and feels weirdly good under Leo's teeth.

He chews the top of the bottle, gnawing at it until it's completely flattened out, pockmarked with little tiny indents from his incisors. It's not eating - it won't fill his belly or ease the persistent hunger pains. But something about the motion is soothing. The place-bo effect.

Pla-ce-bo, corrects Donnie's voice in his mind, sounding testy.

Where are you? Leo thinks back.

There's no answer.

He's gnawed his way through four water bottles. There's eighteen in total now, two and a half still full of water. He thought about using one to wash up a bit, but decided against it in the end. He knows he stinks, but the last thing he wants right now is to be wet. Not when he's starting to see his breath.

Oh well. It's not like he has anywhere to be.

He turns his attentions to the lids next. These are harder and thus tougher to chew. Still, if Leo uses his molars, he can eventually crack the lip, and then bend the plastic in and in, chewing until he ends up with a flat disc.

It's just small enough that Leo could swallow it, if he wanted to.

He thinks he remembers watching some kind of wildlife documentary. Or maybe he didn't watch it himself, but Mikey told him about it. Or maybe April? He doesn't know. His thoughts swim in and out and get lost on the way.

Point is. Sea turtles in the wild die all the time because of plastic in the water. They cut open their stomachs and find trash inside.

Well, Leo is a turtle in captivity. Maybe that means he's immune. Maybe he could swallow this plastic lid, and then he'd finally feel full and the pain pain pain of his empty stomach would go away.

He does not swallow the plastic lid. But it's more tempting than he'd like to admit.

It's going to be okay. When his family gets him out of here, they'll have a big pizza to celebrate. Maybe he can even talk them into letting him have the last slice.

It has to be any moment now, right? It's been a week. They have to be closing in. Any moment now, the door will open, and there they'll be to take him home.

The air conditioning blows relentlessly against his skin. He sneezes, then rubs the snot on his arm. He's given up on the tissue paper.

It'll be over soon. It has to be. Just hang in there, Leon, just a little longer.

He picks up another bottle and starts chewing.

-----

He's playing a mindless little game with his flattened bottle lids the next time Bishop comes.

"I'm surprised you still have any energy at all," says Bishop, and Leo wants to punch him.

(Really, he wants to do more than that. But those kinds of thoughts always make him feel weird and bad, so he pushes them away.)

"You should have learned by now," he says, pushing to his feet and trying not to show how badly he's trembling, "you can't keep me down."

"This is all unnecessary," says Bishop. "I'll feed you as soon as you answer my questions."

Leo barks out a laugh. "Sure you will."

"I will," says Bishop. He turns and says over his shoulder, "Bring it here."

One of the men in fatigues steps forward and hands a tray with a covered plate over to Bishop. Bishop uncovers the tray and holds it where Leo can see.

Baked chicken, broccoli with cheese, mashed potatoes.

Leo's stomach twists and cramps so painfully he has to bend at the hips and clutch his midriff.

"This is yours, as soon as you answer my questions."

Leo pointedly keeps from looking at the food. He shakes his head. He can't. He can't.

"Such persistence." Bishop's voice is scolding now. "You understand that you are a known accomplice to a terrorist, don't you? But if you become a cooperating witness, you will be granted some leniency."

Leo barks a laugh, lifting his eyes to look at Bishop's face, and pointedly not the food. "What's the point?" he asks. "If I'm not... protected by the constitution, or whatever. Are you going to let me go?"

"No," says Bishop. "But as I have told you, your conditions will become more comfortable." He waves the tray of food.

Leo stares at him, before a manic smile splits his face.

"You... stupid bastard. I can't even answer your questions." He slams a shaking hand against his plastron. "I'm not even a yokai! Do you get that? I'm not a yokai!"

Bishop looks skeptical. "Obviously you are."

"I'm not!" Leo rages. "I'm a mutant! I'm from New York! I don't even live in the Hidden City!"

Bishop's eyes flash. "I see," he says, "so you do know of it."

Leo falters, his body going slack.

What an obvious, stupid mistake.

(Some face-man he is.)

It takes Leo a long moment to answer. Bishop stays right where he is, holding the food so tantalizingly close and yet still out of reach.

"...I don't know about the gateways," he says finally. "I don't know about their defensive capabilities. I don't know what Baron Draxum is planning."

"Your lies are obvious," says Bishop. "You really don't want this? It's your last chance today."

Leo stares at the food. His mouth is watering so hard it might start to drip. Would it really be so bad to answer? They don't live in the Hidden City. And Draxum dropped him off a roof.

Draxum is trying to change, says Mind Raph. You see what these guys are like. You can't turn the yokai over to them. They'll hurt them!

What about me? he asks. Is it okay if I get hurt?

You're a hero, Leo, says Mind Raph. You can deal with it for a little longer. It's just a room. Just a little cold. Just some hunger.

He's a hero. He can deal with it. He can. He can.

He'll make them proud. Show them they can trust him.

It takes everything he has, but he shakes his head.

Bishop tuts. Then he throws the entire plate in the trash.

"Tomorrow, then," he says. Then the window is gone.

Leo collapses on his cot and tries not to cry.

-----

After his third water bottle on day eight, one of the fluorescent lights over his head flickers and then dies out.

It's not surprising, since they keep them running twenty-four seven. The blessedly dimmed lighting is actually nice, for once. Leo thinks maybe he could get some sleep, if the gnawing hunger and the constant shivers don't keep him awake.

He's just closed his eyes and snuggled up under his cot when it occurs to him: they may come in to fix it. If keeping the lights on day and night is part of their plan to torture him, to keep him exhausted and anxious and on edge, then they have to.

Which means his chance is finally here.

He has to be careful about this. He has to be ready to move, but he can't let them know he's ready to move. He has to let them think he's too weak, too exhausted, to make an escape attempt.

(He can't let himself think that, though. He can't give up before he tries.)

So he stays under his cot, but subtly shifts it so it won't restrict his movement. He has to be ready to burst out as soon as he gets a chance. Get past whoever comes in, then get out the door. It's after the last water bottle, so it's nighttime. There will be fewer people. He can do this. He can do this.

Find his swords. Make a portal. Get out.

Just as he was thinking, after a long time has passed, there is a loud warning beep, different from the water bottle beep. An automated voice says from somewhere unseen, "Inmates clear the door. Security personnel entering. Stay still and you will not be harmed."

Then the door slides open, and someone comes in.

It's a man wearing fatigues. Leo thinks this is the one who "offered" him a sandwich the other day. He's holding some kind of gun with a long barrel. He does a sweep of the room with his eyes, coming to rest on Leo under his cot. He gives Leo the same leering grin, and waves the barrel of the gun in his direction.

"Now you behave, and we'll get along just fine," he says.

He steps to the side, and another man enters, this one wearing the kind of jumpsuit Leo sees janitors in on TV. He's carrying a stepladder in one hand and a long tube in the other. Is that what fluorescent lights look like? Leo didn't know.

The man walks to the middle of the room and sets up his stepladder. Then he walks up and pulls off the light casing. When he unhooks the old bulb, it causes the other bulb to flicker, just for a few moments.

Leo explodes out from under the cot, grabbing the man in fatigues by the legs and yanking as hard as he can. The man yelps in surprise, and Leo hears the sound of the gun going off in a random direction. The janitor shouts and drops the light bulb - the sound of shattering glass joins the cacophony.

Leo jumps to his feet and runs out the door they had been too stupid to close, sprinting toward the EXIT sign. He's exhausted and shaky but he's coursing with adrenaline, and he leans on it hard to keep him moving. Don't stop, don't stop, get out of here. He'll figure out what to do next once he's free.

Past the exit sign there's a large open room with desks and computer monitors. Most of them are off, but one lingering woman in a lab coat, seated at her desk, screams when she sees Leo dash through the middle of the office space.

"Security!" she screams into a device on her chest. "Inmate is escaping! Inmate is escaping!"

Leo doesn't have time to shut her up, he just keeps moving. He pushes through the next door and arrives in a hallway; he only has time to glance one way and then the other before scrambling to the left, hoping it was a good choice.

He rounds a corner and sees another green EXIT sign up ahead. It's not where he meant to go - he meant to find where they're keeping his swords first. But he hears shouting behind him and doesn't stop. Fine, so no portals - he'll figure out something else once he's away from here.

He throws himself forward into the exit door, which leads him into yet another hallway. Another long sprint, with shouting and slamming doors at his heels, and then finally, finally, a third EXIT sign, and he crashes outside.

Where there's snow on the ground, snow on the trees.

It steals his breath away. There shouldn't be snow. It's May.

Where is he?

He takes a breath of air so cold it seizes his lungs, then takes a step forward. He'll worry about that-

BANG!

A piercing pain in his shoulder nearly sends him toppling over. Leo shouts, grasping for the wound and feeling something sticking out of his skin. He grabs it and yanks, pulling it free.

It's a dart.

Damn it, he thinks, before his vision goes woozy, and he collapses into the snow.

-----

"Are you proud of your little escape attempt?" comes Bishop's voice.

Leo looks up from his cot. Bishop has to get so close to the window to see him that his nose is pressed flat against it. It should be hilarious, but Leo doesn't really have the energy to laugh. Or to do much of anything.

He's hungry. He's tired. He's cold. He's still sluggish from the drugs.

And they threw away all his water bottles. Fuckers.

Leo rolls over on the cot and covers his ears.

"What a childish response," says Bishop, and that's funny, too, because Leo literally is a child. Or a teenager, anyway. He doesn't feel like it will help him much to point that out, though.

"All you have to do is answer my questions, and all this will be fixed."

That's the funniest thing of all. The idea that he spills his guts and Bishop treats him to a five course meal to make up for all the pain up till now. Hilarious.

He says nothing.

Bishop sighs.

"You are likely still affected by the tranquilizing agent. I'll return tomorrow."

Before he leaves, he says, "Temperature down five degrees."

-----

The same man is back that night. He opens the window and looks down at Leo with the same leering smile. Leo can't even take satisfaction in the bandage on the side of his head.

"Neat little trick you had yesterday," he says. "Almost got me fired."

Leo wishes it had gotten him fired. But he clearly has no luck in this situation.

"You know, I respect the attempt. And you probably would have gotten farther with a little food in your belly." The man reaches down, then retrieves a sandwich, as mouth-wateringly unappetizing as the last time. "You sure you don't want this?"

And Leo knows he shouldn't trust this guy. Leo knows he should say no.

But he's just...

so...

hungry.

So he gets up. And he turns to the window. On shaking limbs that can barely hold him upright anymore. With a body that is laced with pain and aches and cramps.

And he nods.

The man's smile gets wider. "What do you say?" he asks, in the sing-song tone of a parent scolding a child.

It makes a sick nausea rise in Leo's throat. But he wants the sandwich.

"Please," he gasps out.

"Mmm... not good enough." The man waves the sandwich. "You want this? You beg for it."

Leo stares, eyes wide. But the sandwich... the sandwich...

He gets down on his knees. Feels a searing flush of humiliation. His stomach is rolling and gurgling and cramping with pain, a hollow, empty chasm inside him desperate to be filled.

He lowers his head.

"Please," he says. "I... I want the sandwich. I'm... begging you, please."

The man laughs, loud and long. When Leo finally finds it in him to raise his eyes, the sandwich is already half eaten.

"Hey, good job," says the man, licking a bit of mustard off his thumb. "That was real convincin'."

And then he takes another bite.

Just like that, Leo forgets about the pain, the aches, the cold, the hunger. All that's left is pure, white hot, screaming rage.

Leo lunges at the window and slams his fist into it so hard it cracks. Not enough to break the glass. Not enough to free him. But enough that the man startles and steps back.

And Leo starts to laugh. High and manic and unhinged even to his own ears.

"I'll kill you," he says, and his voice sounds almost joking, and yet- "I'll kill you. You're dead. You're dead, as soon as I get out of here, you're dead, I'll kill you, I'LL KILL YOU!"

The man has dropped the rest of his sandwich. He fumbles for his gun, left somewhere on a table to the side. For one satisfying moment, Leo sees a flash of genuine fear on the man's face.

"Shit," he says, his voice far away the further he gets from the microphone. "Pretty scary, frogboy."

Then he slams a button, and the window goes black, and Leo gets a glimpse of his own reflection.

His face is gaunt and drawn. His eyes are ringed by deep circles, so dark they look like bruises. His body is shaking like a leaf.

And his stripes...

His stripes are lit up like when he uses his ninpo, but they aren't their usual Neon Leon bright.

They're almost black.

Leo gasps and stumbles back just as the window goes white. The full body quakes he feels now aren't from the cold or the hunger or the exhaustion.

He turns and sinks onto the cot. Puts his face in his hands and tries to breathe. Tries to will his ninpo to stop rolling and snapping and to go back to normal.

This isn't what he wants. This isn't him.

This place is breaking him. He's letting it break him.

He pulls his legs up onto the cot and buries his face in his knees. Wraps his arms around them and rocks gently, the way Donnie used to do when things got overwhelming. Maybe he understands that better, now.

This isn't him. He's Leonardo, Neon Leon, the face-man, the jokester! The one who's always ready with a quip and a laugh. The one who can do anything!

Except portal out of his room. Except escape from this building. Except resist begging for a sandwich like he's a dog.

Leo's breath hitches, and for once he doesn't stop himself. He knows the guy outside is probably watching. He knows there are cameras recording this. He hates giving them the satisfaction.

But he's tired, and hungry, and he...

He wants to go home.

He cries, silently, until he's completely rung out.

-----

Maybe they aren't coming.

That's the thought that pops into his head, just a bit after the first water bottle of the day.

He knew they would have gotten a late start, because he stormed out. And he knew it would take them awhile to figure out who took him - he hadn't heard of the EPF before, so why would they? And he knew it would take them time to figure out where he had been taken, which must have been pretty far out if it's snowing outside. But the EPF got him here within a night, he's pretty sure, so unless they have a super fast jet, he must still be on the continent somewhere.

So... so surely they must have figured it out by now, right? Raph is leading the team. Donnie is doing science things. Mikey is razzing his tazz. April is using her investigative skills.

Unless they aren't coming.

Maybe... maybe it's true. Why would they want him back, after all? Leo took Raph's leader position, and since then all he'd managed to do was piss Raph off. Mikey and Donnie hadn't been happy about it, either, and he'd noticed that they'd been avoiding him more and more. April claimed she wasn't taking sides, but she always seemed to be on Raph's anyway. And Dad... well, he was probably disappointed that he made Leo leader only for him to do nothing and then get himself kidnapped.

He doesn't bring anything to the team. He doesn't bring anything to the family. And no one likes his jokes.

So. Maybe they just... aren't looking. Maybe they aren't going to come.

Maybe he's held out this long for no reason. Maybe he's been cold and starving for no reason at all.

Maybe it's time to give up.

---

Don't give up, says a new voice in his head.

You are not alone.

-----

He has no energy left to stand when Bishop comes. The man looks down at him, lips pressed into a thin line.

"You don't look well," he observes.

No shit, Leo wants to say.

"This has gone on long enough. Answer my questions, and we will provide you with food, clothing, and medical care."

The list is getting longer. Leo's fuzzy eyes stare up at Bishop. Medical care. Does he need that?

"You already know what I want to know." Bishop has a furrow between his eyebrows now. "Will you talk to me?"

He could. He could do it. He could finally have some relief from all the pain. All the hunger. All the cold.

But they might hurt the yokai in the Hidden City.

They might hurt Draxum.

They might hurt his family.

And maybe, if nothing else... if Leo could just keep his mouth shut, just this once...

Maybe that would finally make Raph, Dad, and everyone proud of him.

Maybe they'd finally trust him.

Maybe, at least, he can have that much.

Leo shakes his head.

Bishop scowls.

"Temperature down ten degrees."

-----

Leo isn't shivering anymore. That's probably a bad sign.

He can still see his breath, each time he exhales. It rises like smoke, before disappearing into the air.

He doesn't have any energy left, not even to chew on his new water bottles. He hasn't even collected the last two, and they sit crowded together in the slot, untouched.

He kind of wishes they had just dissected him from the beginning. It would have been faster. Freezing to death, he's decided, is a real zero out of ten. Starving to death isn't any better. No stars.

Even though the damn lights are still on, he feels extremely sleepy. It's probably the cold. He wonders what will happen if he brumates. He's never done it before, not like his little cousins, and he has no idea if it's even safe.

Probably not, given he has no calorie reserves left. All it means is he won't be drinking water, either.

But he's so sleepy.

It's going to be time soon for Bishop to come back. Leo doesn't know what the point is anymore. Maybe he'll just sleep through it. Yeah, that would really make him mad. And making Bishop mad is all he has at this point.

And he'll get to sleep. It's a win-win.

So thinking, Leo rolls himself over onto his belly. Then, one by one, he pulls his limbs into his shell.

He doesn't do this much anymore, not since he started growing. His body just doesn't seem to fit his shell like it should - a side effect of the mutation, probably. It's not really comfortable to be inside for long.

But Leo is sleepy. And his shell feels like the best place to be.

So he pulls in his legs, then his arms, and then, finally, his head.

It's not any warmer in here. But at least it's dark.

At least he's not shivering.

Leo sighs, content, and closes his eyes, and drifts to sleep.

-----

(Outside his cell, there's a bang, and shouting, and a gunshot.

The sound is muffled, and Leo sleeps on.)

-----

Part 1 (here) | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 Part A |

#rottmnt #rise leo #agent bishop #cw: psychological torture #dandy fanfiction #I want it to be clear that any time Leo is hearing “Mind Raph”#that's just his own inner voice manifesting #please don't be mad at Raph himself lol

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moonieandi · 9 months ago

Text

snapshots pt. 4 | stanley pines x f!reader

summary: you and stanley unknowingly go on a date

warnings (TW): swearing, illusions of past abuse, alcohol consumption

tags: fluff, early relationship described, pining, slight angst, affection

notes: thank you all for the engagement! hope you enjoy <3

edit 8/27/24: hello! below i have linked an up to date masterlist of all the parts of this continuing series- hope you enjoy <3

word count: 3.9k

| masterlist | part v |

He had somehow managed to drag her out of the basement that day.

Of course, he had been down there assisting her in any way he could. A high school dropout only knows so much about mechanical engineering and quantum physics. Still, she seemed happy enough to dance around the chalkboard she (he) had dragged downstairs, bouncing off ideas with him contently listening, trying to piece back together complex wiring to get the ominous inverted triangle on the basement wall to whirl back to life.

She was even more spurred on when he actually engaged, not that he raised his hand like he was back in class (not that he ever remembered doing so when he was in class). She simply seemed grateful that he was attempting to learn anything to help her. To learn how to move this whole fucking thing along.

She dragged him to the basement quite often now that the shack was half shut down for the winter. He had managed to see a few rounds of locals and tourists through the Murder Hut from early October until Thanksgiving when snow began to fall. Then tourists dried up, and only the locals frequented now, so Stan reduced his hours and gave some more of his time to helping her downstairs during the day.

Every night was spent downstairs in the basement though, there hadn’t come a day since she stepped through that front door that they both didn’t wander down to the portal. Of course, this was usually then followed by convening upstairs in front of the T.V., Stanford’s journal passed between the two of them.

She had grown more frustrated as of late, raving about alien material and compatibility with human electronics. He did his best to understand, and he followed along very aptly. Always wanting to be an attentive sounding board, and even bouncing his own, albeit stupid, ideas.

Not that she ever made any indication of them being stupid, and not that she would ever stop him from voicing them.

Educationally, he felt it was the closest he’d ever gotten to an actual education. Said education being advanced quantum mechanics, but everyone had to start somewhere.

But now they were out for dinner because, after yesterday’s long night of pacing and chalkboard rants, he thought they deserved to go out on the meager earnings of yesterday’s Murder Hut tour.

That and it had been exactly a year since he first laid eyes on her. Not that he was gonna tell her that.

He could acknowledge that she may have noticed the amount of time that had past, hence her growing irritation with the lack of progress in getting Stanford back, and her growing hours spent in the dark of the basement. But she more than likely didn’t know of the significance of the exact date, or care, which he figured may be more likely. Especially with the anniversary of Ford’s disappearance having come and gone.

December had been hard for the both of them really, and some things had settled somewhat awkwardly between them from the previous week.

They both handled the anniversary slightly differently, her with general avoidance, head somehow buried deeper in that god-forsaken journal. He found some semblance of self-soothing in diving head first into holding a conversation with any customer that walked through the front door of the Murder Hut that day.

Sitting across from each other at the dinner table was hard that night, and for the first time ever, she poured copious amounts of wine into their mugs on a weeknight. The kitchen had been eerily quiet that night, the silence only broken by scrapes of plates and mumbled conversation.

He remembers being disgusted with his hands that evening. Remembers thinking about how he had shoved his brother away that day, how Ford had stumbled from one end of the room into the other just to disappear before his eyes. How his hands had reached for Stanford, calling for him. How the journal made its way back to his hands, but his brother hadn’t. His hand had been constantly grazing his shoulder that day, running along the raised scar, a sickening feeling sinking further into him throughout the day.

They had both shuffled around each other that night, and she had not said so much as good morning and goodnight in her mounting grief, it felt like. She had felt bad about how she handled that day but had felt even worse about failing Stan and Ford. She knew of the hope in Stan’s eyes that day when she had trampled in through the door of the shack, knew the relief he felt in her knowledge and presence. But a year had passed, and she could feel nothing but shame when she looked at him. She saw both twins that night while looking over at his hunched figure across the dinner table. She had said goodnight to Stan and Ford that night and had wandered upstairs wondering if she could wash the image from her eyes in the bathroom sink.

They had both returned to normal by Thursday but had grown more determined than ever before. So yeah, Stan figured a night out may be deserved.

She seemed happier now, sitting crisscross from him in the Greasy’s diner booth, elbows on the table as she reached over to draw along the corners of his paper placemat with the crayons she had swiped from some kid on the way in.

Something that made him chuckle for a little too long. He must be a bad influence. He had sticky fingers and she knew it. It now seemed to be a competition between the two of them, who could steal the most random of objects.

Her hand was out, shielding the drawing on his placemat as she switched between the meager 4 colors the shitty diner crayon pack supplied. He nudged her hand aside as she giggled.

“No! My masterpiece! Give me a second you grump.”

“It better be good, Picasso, you’re hoggin all the crayons.”

She handed over the red one, and he elected to reach across to her own paper placemat, beginning to draw his usual comic-book-style figures. One of the figures, oddly enough, began to look like her.

Her face was so close to her drawing she might as well have been kissing the table, when she shot up, smiling at Stan and looking for approval.

“Ta-Da!” She moved her hand, showing a mish-mash of red, blue, green, and purple.

He stared contemplatively, sitting back in his seat humming. In truth, he had no idea what he was looking at, but he would entertain giving an “expert” review.

“Hmmmmm, now the color selection may be controversial to some but I think the blue and the purple over here are just lovely. Truly an emotional piece mhm.” He nodded his head, pointing at the corner of colors.

“You have no idea what it is, do ya?”

“Not a clue Doc.”

She laughed, pointing to the blue and purple figures. “Okay so these are two llamas and they are totally in love. You can tell by the cool rainbow and shooting star I put by them.” She pointed at what he figured was the “rainbow and shooting star” between said “llamas”.

“And they are here in Gravity Falls because I drew a bunch of pine trees behind them!” She pointed to what he supposed was the foreground and the mess of green sprigs she had tried to draw.

He hummed again. “Very moving, very touching Doc.” He moved to wipe a fake tear, sniffling along with his act.

“I ain't much of an artist, am I Stan?” She laughed, finding humor in her lack of skill.

He gasped, fake clutching his pearls, an even faker mean expression on his face. “Don’t say that Doc! This is a masterpiece!”

She smirked. “Okay, then that will be 50 bucks for said masterpiece, pay up!” Hand held out to him she made to grab his placemat.

“Pretty steep price there kid, don’t get ahead of yourself now.” He conceded.

She smiled again. “I knew you thought it was shit.” Shaking her head at him she moved to look at his own drawing. “Now what's this?”

He smacked his hand palm side down on the corner image, a blush on his face. “Nothin’!”

She nudged his hand now, trying to lift his hand finger by finger. “No! I had to show you mine now fess up! What ya drawing?”

His hand clenched the corner of the paper placemat, ripping the picture of her from the corner of it and crumpling it up into his hand.

“Nope!”

“Yup!” She had risen up with her hands on the table, reaching for the corner paper now clutched above him in his fist. “Lemme see! Don’t do this Stan!” She giggled the entire time.

He panicked at her determination, fisting the paper into his mouth.

“Gross Stan!” She laughed. “What the fuck!”

He swallowed the paper, not thinking much of it. Saving himself the embarrassment of having to explain himself. He smiled across from her though, as she cracked up at his over exaggeration.

She looked just right, under the shitty diner lights. Car headlights flashing as they went by from time to time, he began to wonder how long she would stay. If she would linger around, once Ford had returned. Wondered what it was that note said, that she brought in with her that very first day she burst through their front door. She had put it away after that day, and he never really did get to see his brother’s usual cursive gracing the paper. What was it he had said, to get her of all people out here?

She was too good to linger, he figured, and Gravity Falls felt far too small for someone like her anyway. Even if the unknown waited past their doorstep, they both hadn’t made the move to wander into the woods in search of the creatures Ford had spoken about. Something they had both voiced before over dinner, their shared hesitation to walk too far from their doorstep. If it was just himself he reasoned he would have wandered into the woods looking for signs his brother had been there, he wasn’t fearful of the unknown, he had done plenty of other things that were far scarier than what waited in their backyard. But she was here, and he felt some semblance of duty to watch her back in particular. So they had made a pact to not wander off too far from the other, and they had stuck to that deal even when coming into town.

The townsfolk hadn’t seen Stan without her by his side since he trampled into the gas station in search of food that very first week. Surprisingly, not too many townsfolk approached her at all when they were out. If it was because he tended to glare at unknown men, she didn’t comment.

“Order up!”

Susan made her way back over to their booth, her hands full with two separate plates of short-stacks.

“For you Mr. Pines.” Settling one plate in front of Stan, Susan moved to place the other in front of her. “And the other for you Mrs. Pines!”

Brain short-circuiting, he freezes in his motion to grab his fork for his meal. His mouth began to move to correct Susan.

“Thanks!” She said across from him, a panicked look in her eyes. Face creeping up into a flush as she thanked the waitress.

Susan made her way away from the table after exchanging common pleasantries, all the while he sat in suspense.

Only after he could swear Susan was out of earshot did he lean into the table, chest close to his plate to whisper across at her.

“What the fuck was that?”

She looked beyond guilty, ringing her table napkin in her hands as her eyes flickered to every corner of the diner that didn’t contain him.

“I-I may have… accidentally… at some point, perhaps…” She sighs, knowing the drive home will be silent, absent of the usual radio. At least it would be if they couldn’t make it through the mistake she had made all those months ago. “Accidentally, sorta, maybe, kinda, let Susan think that we were married?” Her voice rising in octave, her hands running along the rim of the diner table now.

He sits back, disbelief struck him. How the fuck had she managed that?

She answers his question unknowingly. “Okay, so for your birthday in June, remember how I begged you to come to town?” A nod. “Well, you know how I snuck off to Greasy's to get you some birthday pie?” Another nod, remembering how she had been so happy to have correctly guessed his favorite kind that night. He hadn’t even chastised her about the money she had spent on him.

She continues, hands now flying around, trying to flick the memory away. “Okay well, when I got the pie from Susan she had called my order and she called me Mrs. Pines. And I just…. froze up… and I didn’t know how to explain- well everything.” Her voice picks up speed. “I’m not good at lying, like I can do it, but she just caught me off guard. And we hadn’t discussed what we were gonna tell people- like what we were gonna tell people about us living together? And I thought of Ford and all that bullshit-“ she slumps further into the booth seat.

“And well, ya I just…I just didn’t correct her.”

Staring at him, expectantly now. Perhaps waiting for him to explode on her. But all he can manage to do is unravel his fork from his napkin and dig into his pancakes to finally take a bite. Chewing around it, he finally can ask something. He’s less likely to yell with his mouth full.

But the question dies on his lips. He feels more confused by the second, and then more frustrated also. The silence she figured would follow in the car seems to have raced ahead and sits between them at the table now. Her appetite diminishes by the second, and she no longer waits for some sign from Stan, some indication of acceptance. She didn’t figure there would be, she knew she had fucked up. Or at least, fucked up by not telling him about all this sooner, but she had more or less forgotten in between work and well… enjoying living alongside him. But perhaps the arrangement she had unknowingly shoved him into wasn’t something he was comfortable with, which was understandable. She hadn’t ever really believed herself marriage material, and more or less figured she was even less so in Stan’s eyes.

He knew she wasn’t the best liar, their old conversation concerning his name had rushed back to him. He hadn’t wanted there to be any lies between them, because he knew it would be difficult for her to upkeep them on top of everything else. That and he believed that their arrangement and reliance on one another wouldn’t work in the slightest if they were just spilling bold-faced lies back and forth to each other. But this arrangement she had stumbled headfirst into came as a surprise. Perhaps they should have rehearsed something to say to everyone who asked about them, but then again Susan didn’t really ask, she had just assumed that they were together, were married. He understood her stumbling into something like that, but he was struggling to find a way back out of it. Because he couldn’t allow her to live attached to him like this, didn’t want her to have to lie for their own comfort.

A lingering worry in the back of his mind, concerning his past. What if it all came rushing back? What if someone was out there looking for him? What if they hurt her?

He was far past frustrated, not at her though. At all the scrapping and clawing he had to do just to get here, to wind back up in the comfort of lies to survive. But he didn’t want her scraping by with him through this, he wanted her to live. At least before today, he believed she could leave him behind if it all fell apart under him. Always an escape plan somewhere in the back of his head, a way out, a door to reach in the dead of night. But she had shut it, and he didn’t know how he was gonna get her out of it now.

They finished dinner in silence, something that also rubbed him the wrong way. He was frustrated, and taking it out on her. She folded into an odd shape across from him, now looking dim in the diner light. It only served to frustrate him more.

Susan didn’t comment or come by to further disturb them through dinner, which was odd for the waitress. She liked to talk, and Stan knew that the south half of town would know about their silent dinner by Friday night.

Bill paid, they made their way back to Stan’s car. His coat caught up in her arms, he opened her door and shut it again after she entered the car without so much as a prompt.

He didn’t voice a single word until he made it to his seat, he had been too wound up concerning what she had said. That and he hadn’t wanted anyone else to hear their conversation. To know about the lie she had sown, tying them unknowingly together.

“So you’re tellin’ me that this town has thought that we’ve been a couple, no married, for about six months?” His hands tight against the steering wheel.

“Well no, because it was just Susan. Like, maybe just a few people know?” She reasoned.

He shakes his head, chuckling. That’s not how small towns like Gravity Falls worked. “Nah, she told everyone. People in this town are nosey Doc. Everyone’s gotta know by now.”

He adjusts himself in his seat again, reaching his hand out to the back of her seat, like he always does. She’s swallowed by his red coat, her hand meticulously passing the patch he had put across his right shoulder. Humming to fill the silence. He sighs.

“This is gonna be hard, Doc. I get why ya shrugged off the assumption Susan made, really I do, but that doesn’t change the fact ya didn’t tell me.” His hand rubs his eyes, frustration seeping off of him. How the fuck was he gonna pull this off?

“What do you mean?” She interrupts. “It won’t be that hard Stan, we can manage this, it won’t be too hard.” She shakes her head, trying to smooth over his frustration.

“How am I supposed to convince this whole fucking town you married some sorry-sap like me doll?” He points between them, an intensity to his eyes. “Now this will be the hardest con. Because why the fuck would you have married me, huh?” He shrugs, throwing his hands up.

Looking over his scarred shoulder, feeling regret seep through his bones when he sees her now. Sitting there, his winter coat hung off her shoulders, a look of disbelief on her face. An apology on her tongue, he could almost hear it now.

“Don’t.” He shakes his head. “What’d I tell ya Doc, don’t apologize to me.” He turns back to face her now, still shaking his head.

“No.” Anger blooming on her face. “No, why the fuck would you say that Stan. Why the fuck would you even think that.”

She was fuming, a look crossing her face he had never seen before. He had never seen her this thrown before, and he hadn’t the smallest inkling as to why her anger grew tenfold in the face of his statement.

“Because I ain’t no good and you damn well know it!” Voice raising, hackles rising.

“No!” She shakes her head, fingers fisted into his coat sleeves. “You are good, Stan! I don’t wanna hear that utter bullshit from you, don’t say that to me. I don’t believe it, not for a second.” Shaking her head, refusing to leave his gaze. "You're kind to me, you're considerate to me. You're good to me." She reasoned. But he was only ever really good to her if anything. Only kind in the face of her everything.

He thinks of his parents then, their image mirroring their own, but only for a moment. Arguments in front seats of cars and in front of televisions. How they would bend and snap back to each other, how he figured his father would snap and his mother would lie, to soothe him. She would lie, to see the end of the argument, to soothe frustration and heal hurt. But he figured it had more to do with his father's temper more than anything, more to do with raised voices and raised fists. But she was a terrible liar, his Doc, and he would swear to be less of a terrible grump.

He slumps in his seat, turning glassy eyes ahead of him.

“I just didn’t want you to have to lie for me, hun.” He hadn’t called her that in weeks, a flickering memory of that dream always made him flush at the enderment. But he enjoyed how she melted when he did call her that, so he’d concede his embarrassment for her.

“Stan, we can do this.” She slides closer, into the middle spot of the long bench, reaching her hand to his chin and pulling him into an earnest gaze. “Stan we can do anything, we will do anything, to get your brother home. And if it means lying like this then I'm prepared to do it.” She chuckles, humourlessly. “Especially because I’m the one who got us into this mess.”

She’s beautiful, he thinks, this close. Diner light seeping in through the dashboard window, her eyes looking deeper than he'd ever been allowed to notice. She's even more beautiful, as she giggles across from him, slipping a stolen diner spoon into his hand. Slipping her fingers around the stolen object and his fingers. He chuckles finally, he's a terrible influence. His heart settled into that familiar aching sickness, something he doesn't dismiss as much now. Now that it felt as familiar as her. There was a certain comfort he fell into when it came to the feeling and her now, one that made his heart race.

It wasn’t a mess though, what she had done, but it did solidify what he had to do next.

He had been thinking about it for a while, thinking about what sitting in one spot would bring to his, their, doorstep. Thought of the crimes he had left behind, skipping from state to state. It's what had kept him up late at night during those early summer months. What had made him linger around the door late some of those nights also, what if it all caught up to him? Would she be safe?

No, he figured now. Now that she had intrinsically tied herself to him, she was safest next to him. That she hadn't shut any door, that there was a way out, but only for the old him. So she wouldn’t be leaving, but that old part of him would have to. Protect her, them.

He sighs, ready for the conversation they would have to have. He would have to be more honest about himself, he warmed, kinda like her. But really only with her.

“There's something I gotta do then, hun.” He shuffles, leaning into her warm palm along his cheek. “I gotta die.”

She pales next to him.

#gravity falls #gravity falls fanfiction #gravity falls imagine #stanley pines #stan pines #grunkle stan #stanley pines x reader #stan pines x reader

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fanged-fanfics · 9 months ago

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👑🧡 Wukong and Macaque x GN reader — Bedtime (Drabble) 💜🌙

Genres: Romance, Fluff, Poly || they/them pronouns for reader || Warnings: Overworking

˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆˚｡⋆୨👑🌙୧⋆˚｡⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧. ݁₊ ⊹

It was late at night, but you still had a personal project you needed to finish up. It had already taken you way longer than you had expected. You already had it in your head that if you wanted any hope of completing this, it was gonna have to be an all-nighter. You were writing down the necessary information, arm already sore from the work and eyes feeling heavy. You had your other hand on your cheek in hopes of keeping yourself up.

As you worked, the time ticked on, getting deeper and deeper into the night. Everything in you was begging for you to sleep, but you steeled yourself to keep going. That is until you felt a warm hand over your own. You looked up, jolting a little in surprise at the sudden arrival. Wukong was giving you a small look of concern, a gentle smile accompanying it. "Hey, Sunshine. You've been working for hours" the King pointed out gently, slowly lifting your sore hand. You let the writing utensil fall from your grip as he gently kissed the center of your palm. "Mmn, I know. But I've got so much work to do still..." You mumbled in reply

"Too much to even see us?" another voice called from your other side. Your turned, seeing Macaque come up through a portal in the floor with that smirk on his face "You must really be swamped, hon". You gave a small chuckle that faded to a deep sigh. Macaque noticed, pulling up a chair to sit next to you and rub your shoulder as Wukong gently massaged your other hand. "I'm sorry," You said gently "I got so caught up in what I needed to do". Macaque gave a small hum. "I think you've done enough for tonight, Mooncake. Time for bed"

"Bed?" You repeated, like the idea was absolutely insane "I can't, I've still got to-". "You won't be able to get anything done if you can't even move your hand, Sunshine" Wukong gently cut in, kissing the inner wrist of your sore arm. "I'll be okay" You protested "Just a few more paragraphs, then I can call it a night". "It's already well past the middle of the night, love" Macaque responded with a raised eyebrow as he looked to the nearest clock. You gave another sigh "I promise, guys, I'm fine".

Macaque and Wukong glanced to one another before looking back at you. "At least take a break" Macaque offered, Wukong chiming up after him "You'll work much better if you do". Despite being sure there was something more to this, you ended up agreeing. Your mind was starting to fog from all the working, so maybe this would help after all

Your boyfriends set to work the second you agreed. Macaque helped you get into pajamas, Wukong made you a comfort snack and grabbed your favorite blanket. They then set up the couch, letting you sit in between them as they gently squished you in from both sides. Wukong grabbed the remote and behan flicking through channels. "What do you feel like watching, Sunbeam?" he asked you. You gave a dull hum as the channels flicked past, until picking the first vaguely recognizable thing you could see

With the TV on and your boyfriends on either side, you easily fell into feeling content. Especially since they weren't arguing this time around. You enjoyed the snack you were given, glad to have something to help fill your stomach. The warmth from the blankets and the swimming of your tired head gave way to fatigue soon enough. You didn't realize how tired you really were until now

After seeing you yawn for the third time, Macaque leaned against your shoulder with a chuckle "Looks like you're tired, Mooncake". This time you gave an 'mhm' in reply. Wukong scooted in, gently scooping you up in his arms. You were still wrapped in a blanket, but now in a bridal carry as well. "Should we head to bed now?" Wukong asked, and you nodded as you leaned against his chest. With that, Macaque used a shadow portal to give the three of you a quick entrance to the bedroom you shared

Wukong placed you down in the middle, Macaque to your left and the Sage to your right. They cuddled in, wrapping their arms and tails around you to tangle you in their embrace. It was a soothing kind of warm, one that helped you slip even further into sleep. Wukong kissed your cheek and Macaque rubbed your back as you drifted off, both of them bidding you a softly spoken goodnight as they tucked you in

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portraitofalinkonfyre · 4 months ago

Note

Hey, saw your new story and I love how you write. Do you do yandere requests? If so, how about doing a Legend story paired with an isekai reader that looks shockingly like Marin? She fell into Wild’s world and tried to help him get rid of Calamity Ganon and now she’s stuck in a love triangle between Wild and Legend. Woe is her! /lh

Thank you!

Aaa, my first request! I'm really glad you liked my writing and I hope you like this too!

EDIT (like five months later mind you): So I've been neglecting this request because the only yandere content I've written has been wildly non-con and generally pretty frightening, but I think I've finally found a way to get the best of both worlds <333

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Pairing: Legend x isekai!reader x Wild

Warning(s): Yandere behavior/unhealthy perceptions of relationships, dub/non-con, and smut (fem reader b/c requested)

Notes: FINALLY my first request has been finished. Rejoice my brethren

Masterlist

You knew they were watching you.

Dusk had barely fallen, the golden rays of the setting sun bathing the clearing in a thick tangerine light. The fire crackled as you unrolled your bedroll, gently patting it down and trying to ignore the twin gazes burning into your back, belonging to none other than Legend and Wild. While the reason behind their incessant watching eluded you, it was clear that they weren’t going to stop anytime soon.

You took a seat on the bedding, gaze flitting around the clearing as the other members of the chain prepared for sleep. Dinner–hearty clam chowder, courtesy of you and Wild’s efforts–had concluded minutes earlier, leaving you full and satisfied after a long day of traveling.

Not that you weren’t used to life on the road, having lived in Wild’s world for a good three years after waking up, alone and scared, in a grassy field–where you met when he saved you from a guardian. With nowhere else to go, you had joined Wild in his quest to defeat Ganon, though he hardly let you do any defeating considering your limited combat knowledge. The rest was history, as was your inexperience with a sword, thanks to another member of your rag-tag group, Legend. Once ornery and sarcastic, he had warmed up to you significantly quickly after you fell (literally and figuratively) into his world through, you guessed it, another portal.

But, as of late, things had been… strange. It was no secret that you and Wild shared a close bond from the years spent together, and while nothing had ever become of such closeness, you always felt that there was something more behind his casual touches and glittering grins, not to mention the way he always seemed to pout when your attention was stolen by something or someone else. It got particularly bad when Legend would sidle up to you during the long treks, claiming you were their “weakest link” in a snarky tone while somehow managing to be good company through the ordeal, though sometimes you wondered if the stories he told of his adventures were a bit… exaggerated. You weren’t an overly distrustful person by any means, but doing five separate dungeons in one day seemed excessive even for (one of) the heroes of Hyrule.

You suppressed another shiver as Legend’s gaze seemed to burn a hole through you, slicing past skin, muscle, and bone to examine your very soul. If his burned, then Wild’s seared, like you were a piece of meat in a pan.

It was for protection, you reasoned; weakly, pleadingly. There were countless creatures loose in the woods, and you were close to the treeline.

The campfire crackled. You wished it would grow tall enough to obscure you from their gazes.

Setting down the fabric, you patted your knees and stood up. "I'm going on a walk."

"'S gettin' dark, darlin'," Twilight said from his place against a nearby tree, casting a suspicious glance at the approaching night, brows furrowed. Wild and Legend's gaze left you for a split second, and you felt sick at the way they glared at the Rancher; united and divided in equal, terrible measures.

Several heads nodded in agreement.

You bit your lip. Fuck, he was right. You couldn't even use the excuse of needing fresh air because that was all you had been getting–you were in the middle of nowhere, for Hylia's sake!

"I'll go with you," Wild's voice cut through the still air like a knife. His eyes were bluer than the holy steel of Sky's blade, glowing with an almost otherworldly light as he studied you over the licking tendrils of the fire.

Legend dusted the skirt of his tunic-dress, boots crunching over the dead grass as he stood on two feet. Feet that could chase you down in the blink of an eye, and had traversed every nook and cranny of countless nations. "Me too," he spoke softly, with only a fleeting trace of his usual biting sarcasm. There was something devastatingly similar about both of them, and you knew there was no way you could back out now.

The bid was up, and now it was time to reap the rewards.

Your legs felt as wobbly as a newborn foal when you began to walk, knowing they would be two steps behind you. Past Warriors (concerned, eyes never leaving the hunch of your shoulders), Wind (oblivious, but not blind), Four (kaleidoscope of caring, not stepping in), and Time (the only Hero who could, though it was a long-standing debate on if he would).

The camp faded as you pressed on, guided only by the frenzied, rattled beat of your heart, and the last fading rays of the blazing sun through the rustling canopy. Fallen leaves crackled beneath your boots, and you felt more high-strung than a puppet. Wild and Legend's stares tore holes in your back, flaying your soul for their perusal and sending dreaded shivers down the metaphorically-exposed bones of your spine.

A huff of breath.

You shoved a lock of rose-red hair behind your ear.

Wild coughed.

The trees seemed to laugh at your cowardice.

Legend's age-ridden, joint-pained sigh was palpable in the chilled air.

Your heels stung from how quickly you whirled to face them.

"What the hell, guys?"

Both men froze. They were nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. United. Divided. Legend brushed a lock of strawberry-lemonade bangs behind his pointed ear, gaze measured, while Wild was the picture of the soldier he would never be: stiff, mouth tight, irises alight with an emotion you didn't dare decipher.

The Veteran's huff was gruff, far too casual for someone who watched you like you would disappear into thin air if he turned away for a mere millisecond. "...What are you going on about now? You scared of the dark or something?"

Your fists clenched at your sides, buried in the folds of your borrowed tunic. Was it Wild's? Legend's? You couldn't remember anymore. "I am not," you bit out, a bit harsher than intended. Then: "Is there something on my face?"

"You're perfect," said Wild without missing a damn beat. He blinked and rubbed the back of his neck with an expression that further convinced you that he would never be sorry. He was inching ever closer, as was Legend, and you wondered if sprinting into the darkness would grant you the modicum of space you prayed for.

Perfect? No. Petrified? Hell yes.

Crack.

All eyes snapped to the right, trained on the hazy treeline where the noise had emanated from. You couldn't remember the last time their gaze had left you, but the thought was quickly banished when a rumbling growl rattled the air, drowned out only by the loud shiing as Legend and Wild simultaneously drew their swords.

"Shit," you hissed, just as a gaggle of lizalfos drew from the wandering shadows. They moved like the predators they were; fluidly, without pause, eyes glowing gold in the firebright sunset.

Your heartbeat thudded in your ears when the first lizalfos lunged, lips peeled back to reveal hooked teeth that glinted in the tangerine light. Legend wasted no time parrying the attack with his sword, and Wild wasn't far behind, a hissed war cry slinking from his lips, pulled back to reveal a smaller set of canines that were no less dangerous.

The battle, if it could even be called that, lasted hardly a minute, with you standing to the side in a position that only enhanced the terrifying awkwardness of the situation. Heart in your throat, watching as your companions tore through the hoard like they were flies. Small, buzzing, annoying flies. It was no secret that they were strong–they were heroes, for Hylia's sake!–but there was something to be said about the feral glint in Wild's eyes, or the way Legend would look at you, blood on his hands, throat, sword, and not bat an eyelash.

You shivered, and not from the cold. An urge was building in your gut, not dissimilar from the kind you felt when confronted by an unfathomable horror. But it wasn't the same, not by a long shot.

The lizalfos fell quickly. Several carcasses lay strewn across the blood-soaked ground, slashed at the throat, belly, and face. Their eyes, lifeless, bleak, stared sightlessly at the star-speckled sky as blood wet the fallen leaves.

Wild and Legend turned. Simultaneously. United, but not together. United, but dangerously. United, but in love.

You ran.

Clouds of breath puffed in the chilled air as you tore through the forest, guided by nothing but your own, raging heartbeat. The trees melded into blurs of brown and green, branches stretching skywards like the twisted limbs of an eldritch creature. The ground crunched between your boots, and you could hardly find it in yourself to be mad about the obvious tracks your footwear left behind. Anything to get away, if only for a fleeting, torturous second.

Anything to breathe without the threat of one of them crawling down your throat.

Through the haze of adrenaline, you could barely make out the sounds of footsteps behind you. Barely make out the crazed, frantic huffs. Barely make out the fingers reaching, reaching, reaching for the back of your tunic.

Your heart damn near leapt from your throat when something grazed your back, then locked tight around fluttering fabric, and you were dragged backward, forced to skid to one of the most jarring halts of your life. A scream ripped from your throat, silenced only by the hand–heavy with fat rings, glistening in the faded light–cupped your chin and pressed your jaw closed, while a evergreen-clothed arm wrapped around your stomach. Legend's chest molded against your spine, fully trapping you in his vice-like grip, and you could only jerk uselessly when moist breath fanned over your neck, sending goosebumps skittering down the chilled skin of your arms.

"Why'd you run?" Legend breathed, tone heavy with the thrill of the chase. More breath hissed over your neck; soft, like a ghost, and just as terrifying. "We're just protecting you."

Moments later, Wild slid into the clearing; cheeks pink, hair a tangled mess that you just knew would be a bitch to brush out. He looked every bit the savage everyone joked he was and you hated yourself for daring to find that attractive.

"Damn, you're quick," he huffed, a hint of a pout infecting his tone. Blood dotted his cheeks and neck, and you didn't even want to look at the mess on his tunic. Damn Champion, always finding a way to make a mess out of himself.

Legend's arm tightened around your midsection, and he pressed his face into the junction of your neck and shoulder, unbothered by the thin layer of sweat soaking your skin. Something warm and wet darted to slick over your flesh, and you damn near bucked him off, a startled yelp slipping past your lips, zinging against the heat of his hand and dizzyingly-opposing chill of the rings.

This couldn't be happening. You were in the middle of nowhere, for Hylia's sake! With nothing to your name but a small knife and the clothes on your back. "L-Let me go!" you tried to hiss, but it came out garbled, the sound blocked by the thick fingers slotted over your mouth.

Legend's chuckle vibrated against your back. "Not a chance," he spoke calmly, with a smile you could almost see, and Wild was suddenly in front of you. They pressed close, closer than you had been with anyone, much less two crazed men with weapons that could end you in less than a second.

"You'll be safe with us," murmured the Champion, gently brushing the hair away from your sweaty forehead. He couldn't have been more than a few inches away, leaving you free to study every inch of his grinning face for hints of the mask he so obviously wore. What else was beneath those eyes–bluer than the sky, bluer than blood?

At long last, Legend's hand left your face, moving to splay at the base of your neck, only to be replaced by Wild's thumb. The Champion's calloused skin brushed over the plump of your bottom lip, dragging it a millimeter down to reveal the barest peek of hidden canines. He pulled back, letting the flesh pop back to cover your only true weapon in this situation, and leaned impossibly close. "Pretty," whispered the Hero of the Wilds with that sick, delicious, terrifying gaze.

"Very," whispered Legend, and you were momentarily shocked that they were capable of agreeing at all.

Wild's head ducked, nose brushing your cheek as his body molded to yours, chest to chest, stomach to stomach, abdomen to hardness--

Your thoughts snapped to a screeching halt as you registered the distinct... appendage pressing against the flat of your gut.

Fuck no.

Without warning, your head shot in a downward arc, smashing against Wild's nose. The hero yelped in pain, jumping back as he clutched his nose, streaks of crimson already leaking to stain his skin and tunic. Legend's grip loosened, likely in surprise at the sudden action, and you wrenched free, stumbling away from the two men, panting harshly. Well, that's what you would have done had a hand not sealed around your wrist like a manacle, yanking you into Wild's tight embrace. His nose was bleeding profusely–he really ought to have that checked out–but the look in his eyes was nothing but... was that hunger? The fuck?!

"Nice try," rasped Wild, arms curling around your back like the limbs of a tree. Unyielding, binding in ways that made you want to set something alight. The Hero of the Wilds leaned close, close enough that the blood from his nose began to drip on your skin instead of his. "Didn't know you were into that, Princess."

Outrage replaced terror as you registered the bulge still pressed against you. "Are you getting off on this?!" you seethed, unable to believe what you were seeing– er, feeling, but it was all relative when his fucking dick was pressing against you through his trousers.

Wild licked his lips, and, coincidentally, some of the crimson blood leaking from his likely-broken. He offered you a smile, and you shivered at the reddish tint his teeth had taken on. "Can you blame me?"

You were appalled. "You're fucking insane."

"Takes one to know one," hummed Legend as he reacquainted himself with your back; hands on your shoulders, breath on the shell of your ear. His tongue darted to flick the soft point, and you hissed: "Get the fuck–"

"–on?" interrupted Wild with a shit-eating grin. It was the most normal expression you had seen him make since this nightmare began. "I agree."

Your cheeks burned, and you rushed to rectify the situation. "That's not what I meant and you know it–"

Legend's arms wiggled to your hips, gripping them through the fabric of your tunic and trousers. You could feel the evidence of his arousal pressed against your backside through that Hylia-damned not-dress, and it was starting to piss you off. Just who did they think they were?!

A droplet of crimson dripped onto your collarbone. Then another, until it was like someone had cried blood on you.

"You're bleeding," you pointed out in a tone dryer than the Gerudo desert. Just like your pussy.

"No shit," grunted Wild, though the grin remained, like he was having the time of his life. You could relate.

"Gross," you rolled your eyes, trying to distract yourself from the way they were all but rutting against you... and how warm your core felt because of it. No! Bad thoughts!

A yelp left your mouth when Legend delivered a sharp nip to your ear, hard enough that you wouldn't be surprised if your own blood had been drawn.

"Liar," the Veteran hissed, and you were mortified by the spike of heat that slithered down your spine. "You're enjoying this as much as we are."

"Fuck no," you snarled, hoping that your expression conveyed the sheer amount of disgust and contempt you held towards them. Behind you, Legend's eyes darkened. Behind you, the Veteran gave the Champion a subtle nod.

Your thoughts froze when Wild dropped to his knees before you, staring up at you with those big blue eyes that managed to be as innocent as they were poisoned. He glanced at the Hero of Legend again, and, before you could blink, there were hands at the waistband of your pants.

"What the hell?!"

Your first instinct was to jump away, but Legend's grip was too strong, holding you fast as the Hero of the Wilds worked your trousers and undergarments down in succession until they bunched just above your knees. 'Bare' was too easy a word to describe what you felt when the pads of Wild's fingers traced up your thighs, settling on the points of your hips, rubbing soothing circles that only served to spur your heart like a spooked horse. Pupils blown, hands shaking against your flesh. Was he nervous? Fuck.

"Stop, please," the words fell from your lips like a prayer. A plea.

The first touch against your pelvis made your gut clench, a hot, broiling warmth brewing in your belly. A whimper forced itself from your mouth, and you would swear up and down that it was merely a sound of despair.

"I'd do anything for you," whispered Wild against the skin of your stomach. Anything, but let you go, it seemed.

Legend's lips slid to the side of your neck, no longer hesitant as he slicked his tongue up the side of your neck, from base to ear. Tasting you, memorizing the flavor of your sweat for his sick purposes. "Good girl," the Hero of Legend cooed against moist flesh, and Wild's eyes fluttered shut, like he was the one being praised. You squeezed your thighs in a last-ditch effort to halt the insanity that was taking place before your very eyes.

Legend tutted, and a hand detached from your waist, wiggling between your legs with about as much difficulty as killing a chuchu. You yelped when his fingers immediately found your clit, pinching the small bud with enough force to make your thighs quake, creating the perfect opportunity for the Champion to slot himself between them once more, eyes wide and innocent and so, so wrong.

You were screwed.

Literally.

"Just relax," Wild cooed through the fog. Legend's hand returned upwards to secure you even more firmly in place, and the Hero of the Wilds took it as a sign to lean it, now a hairs-breadth from your core, which was uncomfortably, traitorously wet. You could feel the strings of slick against the skin of your inner thighs, the Champion practically purring as your scent washed over him in pulsing waves.

"I hate you," you spat. It was a lie, but he didn't need to know that.

Wild only hummed, his breath fanning over every inch of your lower half. You cursed every deity in existence at the realization that it felt good. "That's okay," he said, like your words meant nothing, or he had already called your bluff. He wiped a droplet of blood from his upper lip, then gripped the bottom of your thighs, forcing them to hoist up on his shoulders. "You don't have to like me to like this."

Without hesitation, he closed the distance, licking a broad stripe up the entirety of your cunt, from clenching hole to swollen clit. The hero's eyes snapped shut, and a deep, sinful groan rumbled against your folds. Your mouth fell open in shock, only snapping shut when Legend chuckled against your neck. The bastard knew, and he was enjoying it. They both were.

"Wild..."

It was hardly a whisper, barely a breath, yet Wild heard it. He always did, and always would. Your mind flicked to your journey together; before the others, before the madness, when it was the two of you against the world. What you wouldn't have given to have had him like this months ago, but now... now, things had gone sour, good intentions--if there were any to begin with--buried beneath a thick layer of sickly-sweet desire.

That's not my name, Wild's beautiful eyes said. You ignored it, squeezing your eyes shut so tightly that you feared you would never see again. Maybe then, things would be right. Maybe then, you could do this right.

But it simply wasn't meant to be. There were no heroes in sight when you opened your eyes, only two men. Two men with blonde hair and the most gorgeous lips you had seen. Two men who wanted something they could have had in a heartbeat.

A fat, wet tongue rolled along the puffy bud of your clit, slicking a (un)healthy concoction of your juices and his saliva onto the tender flesh. Your thighs trembled around Wild's head, and a small, sniveling part of you was glad he had maneuvered you like that, if only to avoid them seeing the way a few simple touches could have your knees buckling like a newborn foal.

You choked on a gasp when Legend rocked his erection against the curve of your ass, one hand roving up to cup your right breast through your tunic. Deft fingers teased your flesh through the fabric, eventually settling on the pebbled bump of your nipple, twisting and pulling it until you were squirming, chest heaving for a reason embarrassingly different from mere panting breaths.

"Fuck," you hissed, forgetting yourself for a brief moment. WIld's chuckle was light, and it was almost easy to sink into the protective embrace of dissociation. You could pretend his nose was broken for a different reason than self-defense. You could pretend his hair wasn't mussed from chasing someone down. You could pretend that he wasn't staring at you like you were only thing in his universe.

The Champion pulled back, his chin shiny with equal amounts of slick and blood. You didn't look down, not wanting to know how much of it had gotten on you, much less the way his tongue swept out to lick at the combined liquids. "That's the idea, princess," he told you, and you debated crushing his head between your thighs just to prove a point, though the bastard would probably like that. Weirdo.

Without another word, the hero dove back in, lips molding around your clit once more. He gave a strong suckle, and your hands clenched into fists, a moan threatening to bubble put from the depths of your body. You mourned the loss of movement, as Legend had seen fit to cage your arms to your sides with his own, rendering them useless. Wild's hands had moved to your hips, gently massaging the tense flesh as his lips and tongue worked tirelessly over your bud. He had always been dedicated, so it wasn't a surprise that that... personality trait would carry over to the bed– woods, because you were all animals now.

"You're so quiet," the Hero of Legend murmured against your neck, hands still worrying your breasts, pinching and plucking at random, horrifyingly-tantalizing intervals. There was a harsh twist; he hummed, while you cursed the whimper that slipped between your teeth. "I think we both know you can do better than that, Princess."

You don't know shit, you wanted to say, but Wild's tongue slipped inside you and the words died on your tongue, replaced by a sharp, keening hiss. Fuck.

Legend's grin could have cut through rock. "Thought so."

"Go to hell," you managed to spit, but he was unfazed. A hand gripped your chin, forcing you to face him. Blazing purple eyes regarded every inch of your flushed, panting face, and the Hero of Legend gave a chuckle that couldn't have belonged to anyone but a villain.

"Only if you're there with me."

His lips were warm when they met yours, much softer than the rest of him. Your eyes widened as he kissed you, gentler than you would have expected. A tongue slowly slid along the seam of your lips, and it was a shock that he seemed to be asking permission.

Fuck it, you decided.

Wild's tongue swirled in a tight circle, forcing a gasp to bubble from your throat. Legend swallowed your noises like a man starved, eyes fluttering shut as he bore your weight, kneading above your heart in a manner that you were only realizing the tenderness of.

Link, the Hero of Legend, kissed like a dying man.

Desperate, unyielding, passionate. What the fuck was this?

"I love you," he breathed against your lips, and the words were far too sweet to belong to someone so rough, so calloused. You weren't sure they belonged in anyone's mouth tonight.

In one swift motion, you wrenched an arm free, catching the exact moment his eyes widened, expecting a retaliation of some kind. What he didn't expect was the harsh thread of your fingers in pink-blonde hair, nor the harsher pull that brought his mouth back on yours.

The kiss was messy, full of tongue and teeth in a manner that was so unlike the first one. Because you were in control–

You caught his tongue between your teeth, nipping it hard enough that the faint taste of copper temporarily overrode all others, small pearls of red drooling from the corners of your lips, slicking the point of your chin, eliciting a soft groan from the hero. If he wanted to play rough, you were going to pay it back tenfold.

–And you were going to make sure they remembered that.

Your other arm was freed without hesitation, leaving Wild to shoulder most of your weight, while Legend ensued you stayed upright. Good, they could work for it. Within a milisecond, you had Wild by the hair, yanking him from your cunt without an ounce of gentleness. He whined, like a dog being denied a treat, and you let a small scoff fall from your lips, eyes focused squarely on the Champion.

"If you don't make me cum in two minutes, I'll find someone who will," the threat slipped out far easier than you expected. Maybe you were angry, or perhaps this was how things were always going to play out. Either way, considering it would have to wait, especially when he was looking at you like you held the world in your palm.

Wild leaned forward, tongue out, waiting for permission. All he was missing were some dog ears and a tail.

You gave a nod, keeping your expression dismissive, and he all but descended upon your cunt. Gone was the previous gentleness, replaced by hard suction and a relentless, firm tongue that lapped at your entrance with a speed that would have made anyone jealous. It was only when you felt something different prod at your hole did you give pause to wonder just what the hell you were doing, though not for long when Legend reclaimed your lips.

The first finger inside you was uncomfortable. The second, less so, but you still found yourself hissing into the Veteran's mouth at the intrusion. Wild stilled his motions, studying your face for any signs of true discomfort, and, once satisfied that there was none, he began anew with renewed ferocity, crooking his fingers against your gooey walls as his tongue slicked a steady circle around your clit.

You broke the kiss with Legend with a soft gasp, letting your head fall against the Veteran's shoulder as the Champion practically fingerblasted you into oblivion, a familiar pressure building in your abdomen. It never came this quickly, but you were far too out of it to care. It had been a tough week, after all.

Wild's finger began to pump inside of you, keeping a steady pace as they curled and scissored. He was putting himself to work, as was Legend, who you were certain had been groping your chest for at least five minutes now. "C'mon," the Hero of Legend murmured, delivering a nip to the shell of your ear while his hands busied at your breasts. "Cum for us."

Shut up, you wanted to hiss. If that didn't work, you could kiss him again, and make sure his tongue would never leave your mouth. Heroes didn't need to speak, right? Wild certainly managed fine with sign language on his harder days.

Your thoughts were cut short when the Champion's fingers curled within you, rubbing against that one spot with purpose. His expression mirrored an intensity you had only seen in battle, or creep-watching session, and the sight of such single-minded focus was, well... it was doing things to you. Terrible, wonderful things. Things that made your cunt clench harder, spasming around war-gnarled digits, and, when a third was added, your only instinct was to bury your face in Legend's neck, eyes squeezed shut as you fought to regain control.

"It's okay," murmured the Hero of Legend, like that would fix everything. Like he could just slap a bandage over your heart and head, and it would be fine again. "Just let go," he coaxed, eyes never leaving you for a second. You didn't register the wetness on your cheeks until it was licked away by the Veteran. Had you been crying?

There was a thrust from Wild's hand fingers, a sharp suck of his mouth, and the world melted away.

Every nerve in your body fired simultaneously as white-hot pleasure streaked through your being, igniting your flesh in what had to be the most intense climax your hazy mind could bother remembering. Maybe you were screaming, or the pressure in your mouth was Legend's neck instead of your tongue, but it was all relative when basic thought had become this taxing.

Boneless and spent, you collapsed against the Veteran. Thighs shaking, fingers twitching, chest heaving. The fingers retreated from your core with a soft pop, and a hazy whimper left you at the sensation, which mophed to a louder whine when the Champion's tongue pressed against sensitive flesh. He didn't let up, seeming hell-bent on cleaning the cum from your twitching folds with a fervor that really should have concerned you.

"S–"

Legend's hold was gentle as he eased you back to Earth, careful not to jostle the hero nestled between your thighs. If anything, Wild seemed to relish the change, his hands sliding beneath the fabric of your tunic to grip your hips while you squirmed, exhausted, against the Veteran's chest. One large hand took both your wrists, trapping them in his vice-like grip while his erection settled firmly agianst your backside. Fuck, you had nearly forgotten about that.

The Champion's mouth reaquainted itself with your clit, and you hissed as the pain of overstimulation shot through your core. Too much, it was too much!

You yanked against the restraining hold, but the Hero of Legend merely tightened his grip, head dipping to murmur in your ear. "Almost there, princess," like his dick wasn't actively rutting against your ass. "Just one more."

One more? Refractory period who?!

"Unless you want something more," he paused to let the words hang in the air. A finger traced up the length of your throat; slowly, surely, and so devastatingy unlike the way his hips rocked against you. "filling?"

A low hiss rose from the depths of your chest, and you would swear up and down that it wasn't out of need, or the way Wild's touch was starting to feel good again. These fuckers hadn't even given you room to breathe before they were at it again, and the only thing holding you back was the fact that your arms were too exhausted to rip their balls off.

"Hate," was all you managed to grit out. The word felt wrong on your tongue.

"Love," corrected Legend with a sweet kiss to your temple.

"Bite me."

"Gladly."

You yelped when his head dipped and a set of teeth sunk into the tender flesh of your shoulder, hard enough to break skin. Hard enough that you felt warm blood trickle down your skin before it was lapped up by a soft, slick tongue that definitely didn't belong.

Wild, having apparently decided that you had gone too long without acknowledging him, pushed his fingers against the throbbing entrance of your cunt. Your toes curled, heels digging into his back, but the Champion only groaned. He was merciful enough to leave your swollen clit to the mercy of the cool night air, focusing instead on spreading you beyond repair. You half-heartedly wondered if the others had gone looking for you yet.

"So wet," mused the Hero of the Wilds, and you nearly growled at the self-satisfied tone his voice had taken on. Asshole.

No thanks to you, you wanted to hiss. But you didn't. Who knows what kind of ideas they would get from a statement as loaded as that one.

A huff. Breath fanned over your nub. "You never answered his question," Wild hummed. He began to pump his fingers like they were a cock. In and out; stroke, curl, repeat. The accompanying squelch was nothing short of humiliating, but the Champion's grin only grew, and Legend continued to suck at your neck like a leech, though you knew his ears were perked in expectation. "Do you want his cock or mine?"

"Neither," you snarled with such confidence that you almost believed yourself.

The Heroes of the Wilds and Legend shared a glance.

"That's fine," Wild shrugged, like he was discussing what to have for dinner instead of which one of them was going to have you first. His pupils seemed to wink at you, so large that you could hardly see the blue of his irises anymore. Before you could blink, he had his hands under your knees, hoisting your lower half into the air as Legend fumbled with something between you. Something that sprung free as soon as it was released, slapping against the flesh of your cunt and forcing a startled yelp from your lips.

"You still have it?" Wild asked, thumbs caressing the sides of your knees.

Legend's eyes rolled, and it was the most normal thing you had seen him do tonight. There was more fumbling. "Obviously."

You blinked when a small yellow vial was tossed to the Champion, who caught it with his teeth. What the fuck? At your bewildered gaze, Wild shot you a wink, set you back down against the Veteran's legs--which moved in such a way that they prevented yours from closing--and popped the cap with his mouth, spitting it to the side. Then, he tipped half the vial into his mouth, not bothering to wipe the corners before slotting his lips back over yours. Your eyes widened when his tongue wormed into your mouth, the liquid following close behind. It was thick and sweet, with an undertone not unlike honey, though you were intimately aware of the fact that it wasn't honey. This was something new, something dangerous.

Droplets of golden liquid dribbled from the corners of your lips when Wild pulled back, treating you to another one of his self-satisfied smirks. Instead of downing the vial, like he expected, he took it in hand once more and tipped the contents directly onto your cunt, a healthy bit splattering the side of Legend's quivering cock. The Champion reached forward, massaging the surprisingly viscous substance onto your flesh with two fingers, taking special care to coat your clit in a thick, slimy layer. You whined and wriggled, the chill of the air contrasting with the warmth of his fingers and the liquid. "What the fuck, Wild?" you managed to snarl, but it felt weak. It was starting to get hot. Why were you so hot?

"Don't be scared," the bastard himself cooed. "It's just a tonic we swiped from Hyrule's time. You'll love it, promise."

You highly doubted that, but the time for thinking had apparently expired, because the second Legend's cock slid against your soaked walls, a moan that could have shattered windows erupted from your throat.

"Shit," breathed the Veteran, finally releasing your wrists so he could wrap his arms around your middle. He bucked his hips once more, and the head of his dick made contact with your nub. You groaned again. Loudly. Wild couldn't have looked more proud of himself. "You always like this, princess?"

"Hylia, I hope so," the Champion sighed dreamily.

Legend's breath ghosted over your neck as he panted; the tonic must have been affecting him too. Heat crept through your body, burning through blood and bone in search of your heart, your core, and your mind. It was so hot. Why was it so hot? You felt like you were burning alive.

You needed him. Them.

The jig was up, and you had bet on the losing side. You hadn't even bet at all, really, but none of that mattered when the only coherent thought you could hold was on how good they would feel inside you. How they would stretch you, take you apart like you were some kind of doll, and bring you back together in an amalgamation that not even a mother could recognize.

"Fuck me," you whispered, almost to yourself. Almost to whatever deity dared listen in. Legend's breath hitched. His cock pressed firmly against your cunt, and there were hands on your hips once more, coaxing you to rise, to make room within yourself for the Hero of Legend.

"Gladly."

All the air left your lungs when he pushed home in one smooth, uninterrupted thrust. Your head fell back against the Veteran's shoulder, fingers digging into his forearms for support. It was like your cunt had been set on fire, and every thrust stoked a fresh inferno within your depths.

"Good girl," he praised, beginning a quick, mind-numbing rhythm that had you all but drawing blood, writhing and crying like you were being murdered.

A new weight pressed to your front, and you barely had time to register Wild's appearance before he was kissing you. Reaching between your bodies to rub enticing circles on your clit, groaning into your mouth like he was the one being fucked, not you.

"You're so tight," Legend sighed, thrusting into you like he would die without it. His teeth grazed the bite mark on your shoulder, eliciting a full-body shiver before he bit down, drawing a scream from your throat. Wild swallowed your noises greedily, fingers flying between your legs with a ferocity that should have been terrifying.

The kiss was broken, and your blood ran cold at what the Champion said next; cheeks flushed, eyes like coals. "Not too tight for two?"

Fuck? Fuck!

Legend's teeth dug deeper as he slowed, still pumping in and out of you at a steady pace. He released you, and growled: "I'd love to see you try."

You were mortified at the throb your cunt gave at the pseudo-challenge. It was one thing to take a cock, but two? There was no way, no fucking way.

"W–"

But Wild's mouth was already on yours, tongue slicking against yours like a lover would, or someone trying to shut you up. Maybe it was both. His thumb returned to your clit, but there was something purposeful about the way he rubbed you. This was happening, you realized as soon as something thick and hot plopped against the top of your slit, a bead of shiny pre-cum leaking from the engorged tip. The preparation continued with a finger sliding into your cunt, joining Legend's still-moving cock, then another, and another, until you couldn't tell which way was up.

The tonic had certainly worked, though you would take the fact that you actually did love it to the grave. "Please," the word rolled off your tongue, ricocheting through the air, and you were unsure of who or what you were begging to. Wild? Legend? Both of them??

Legend and Wild were one and the same; two men, hellbent on destroying the sensible remnants of the person you were. You felt their desire through the Veteran's tender mouthing at your neck, and the way Wild splayed his fingers to ensue you could take him. The light of the moon bathed them in a ghostly light, accenting the stark differences in dress between the three of you. Where you were bare, clothed in only a tunic, they were in everything they set off with; pants pushed down, tunic-dress pulled up.

"Ready?" the Champion panted, cock grinding against your stuffed entrance, capturing your lips once more. You didn't know whether to kiss him back or bite his tongue until it bled. His nose had already ceased bleeding, but the flesh was beginning to swell in certain places. Setting it would be a bitch.

"Go fuck yourself," you hissed, a final act of defiance. A final cry in the roaring tsunami of heat.

"I'll fuck you," Wild promised, and, in one swift motion, he pulled his fingers from your cunt, replacing them with his dick. The world seemed to fall away when he pushed inside, blissfully slow to allow you ample time to adjust to the stretch. Legend had stilled, waiting for the Champion to sheath himself, and the three of you groaned in tandem when he finally did.

It was overwhelming, and all your thoughts scattered when the Hero of the Wilds gave his first thrust, sending shockwaves of pleasure skittering across your body like spiders. There was no time to catch your breath when Wild set a punishing pace; hard, fast, and unrelenting. Legend was more than happy to follow suit, fucking you like he had something to prove while you moaned and writhed, clawing desperately at Wild's shoulders for even a hint of stability.

"Please," was the only thing you could think to say, the syllables slurring together as they continued to thrust into you, alternating in a way that ensued you were never empty. A small bulge was visible through your stomach from the combined side of the cocks in you, and both men groaned at the sight, snapping their hips to chase the high that couldn't have come sooner. You felt like a star, glowing and primed to burst, scattering droves of stardust in your glorious, final ending.

Legend's grip tightened. Two finger descended upon your clit, pinching and pulling at the abused nub, and you were done.

Your vision flashed whiter than the sun as you came, clenching on the two cocks inside you like a vice, so bright and brilliant that, for a moment, you feared you had died and gone to heaven. Wild's hips stuttered first, and he slammed home, a rush of scalding wetness filling you. Legend wasn't far behind, practically growling in your ear as he followed the Champion's lead.

The clearing was silent as you came down from your high, collapsing against Legend's chest with an exhausted huff. Wild cupped the back of your neck, keeping your head upright. His nose was bleeding again, and it took several moments to register the slow trickle of blood against the skin of your neck.

"Are you okay?" the Champion panted as soon as he regained his breath, blue eyes roving your face for any flashes of pain or panic. When there was none, his back straightened from its pleasured curl, and you felt a pair of lips against your own; soft, comforting, everything you needed.

"Okay," you mumbled, not quite able to banish the oozing sensation of cum running down your leg from your mind. Your brain felt soft, stuffed with cotton, and it would be a long time coming before you fully came to terms with what the hell had just happened. More fluid leaked down your thighs, spurting out around the cocks still buried deep inside you. Eyelids heavy, you let out a sigh more suited to a middle-aged man having an existential crisis. Wild shared a glance with Legend, and the Champion scooted backwards, pulling out of you with a noisy squelch.

A glob of cum blurted from your pussy.

You closed your eyes.

You let unconsciousness take you.

So the smut was NOT supposed to happen originally, but I got really inspired by "Mistake" by Stellar and here we are. Please know that this writing does NOT reflect the views of the author (me). I think rape, or anything that circumvents someone's right to choose, is a terrible thing and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, but this is a yandere fic, so...

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed, and I sincerely apologize for procrastinating on this piece for so long.

#linked universe x reader #yandere link x reader #linked universe #the chain x reader #lu x reader #flaming asks #lu legend x reader #lu wild x reader #yandere linked universe #yandere lu

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osamucide · 1 year ago

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Hi! I love your writing sm!!🥰 can I request a jealous Nikolai or Fyodor (nsfw pls) it doesn’t matter either one 🙏

jealous – nikolai gogol + fyodor dostoevsky . . . .ᐟ

NSFW CONTENT - MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

wc: 1.5k

cw: explicit sexual content, gn!reader, language, dirty talk, brief mentions of ownership/belonging, toxic ass men. nikolai: mentions of injury/threats/murder, edging mention, oral (m!receiving), rough facefucking, wrist restraints, cum eating, nicknames (dovey, angel, sweetheart; kolya for him); fyodor: teasing, mild degradation, mild spanking, one religious reference, fingering, penetration, i love yous, nicknames (pretty, my love, whore, милашка/milashka=cutie; fedya, my only/everything for him)

reid: hey anon, thank you so much for the kind words uwu why not both?? inspo for this struck me as hcs/scenario format, hope that's okay <3 this is my first time ever writing for nikolai! he's so insane and he was actually a lot of fun to take a shot at. enjoy!

. . . .ᐟ

i can see NIKOLAI being easily made jealous.

even if you don't mean to provoke it, he's got a screw or two loose enough that his paranoia will get the better of him

and in true nikolai nature, he'll do some unhinged shit in the name of protecting his relationship with you.

he definitely maimed, shot, and mutilated a couple innocent flirters before you could really sit down with him and express how much you...disliked that methodology.

he does not play about you.

he gets better about it further into your relationship - no more murder on your behalf, you tell him, and he can manage that much! with this man, however, the unfortunate soul who fucketh around shall still findeth out.

oh, how he enjoys the look on the handsy stranger's face when he slinks up behind you to curl around your waist and portal-hold the tip of a blade to their chin

likes your reaction even more!

the way you squeeze his arm when you realize it's just your beloved jester behind you -

the blush on your face as you explain to the scum that this is your dear boyfriend (and apologize for the knife pointed at their face) -

the smooch you whip around to press to nikolai's cheek while he withdraws the weapon but never breaks eye contact with the stranger as they back away -

it all works like a charm!

what he loves most, though, comes later...

He's been edging himself with your mouth for god knows how long.

"If other bitches get to hear you talk, it's gonna be with that pretty voice wrecked," Nikolai groans, out of breath. "Feels- ngh, s'fuckin' good."

You can barely take it anymore. The blood's rushing to your head, first of all - it's been hanging off the edge of the bed practically since the minute you got home. Your jaw aches as Nikolai continues to use your throat. Most frustrating, though, is the pulsing heat between your legs that you can't even sate because your lover has bound your wrists up near your chest - all you can do is arch when, off and on, Nikolai reaches down to play with you while he fucks your mouth.

But he's getting needy, you can tell, because he loses himself a bit - he hasn't touched you in a good few minutes and his thrusts are getting greedier. He's long quit letting you come up for air. You think you've run out of tears - all you can do is breathe furiosly through your nose as he holds each side of your head and grunts from his chest as he ruins you.

You claw at him. "So good, dovey," he tells you, "almost done. Keep bein' good f'me- yeah."

You move your tongue how you can, hum around him when you can - eventually your dedication is rewarded when he pulls all the way out and strokes himself frantically over your tongue - and you cough a little, curling up into yourself.

You can hardly help your open-mouthed smile, however, when Nikolai releases the rough grip on your jaw to caress your cheek as he cums in thick spurts across your face. Your lashes flutter, he's moaning - "fuck, angel- angh!" - and you let out the garbled beginnings of a giggle as you lap up what makes it in your mouth.

You feel him scoop his load off your skin before his finger's in your mouth. Immediatley after you suck the rest of him down, he's bending down to kiss you sloppily and uncuff your wrists.

"That's my dovey," he affirms (more to himself than you). He peppers your face with kisses, his messy, snowy bangs brushing your face. "C'mere."

He works you upright just to lay you back down, more comfortably this time, finally and with fervor circling his fingers around your clenching hole.

"Kolya-" you rasp, sore.

"Took me so good, sweetheart," Nikolai shushes you, eyes alight with mania as he starts trailing kisses from your neck to your stomach. "Now that you remember who owns you, 'm gonna show you none of those motherfuckers could make you feel as good as I can."

. . . .ᐟ

oh, demon FYODOR.

i think he's less jealous than he is simply possessive.

he's not super concerned about people flirting with you, doing things for you, checking you out...in fact, he kind of likes watching those things happen! not that he doesn't expect it, you're perfect after all <3

because he knows, as you settle in his arms to whisper about the compliment you received or giggle at the person who offered to pay for your coffee, none of it will ever compare to the sweet words and pure love he showers you with, and he relishes in that fact. they can try anything they want, but you will never belong to anyone but him.

doesn't go needlessly far with expressing his jealousy when it does crop up - he's a tactful man, and he's not going to act out in a way that might put you off like nikolai will

he's patient, too. he's so composed around others. no one expects it - anyone who doesn't know better would assume the idiot who makes a pass at the demon king's beloved would get the whole room aired out in a matter of seconds

on the contrary, fyodor will sit with the closest he can get to a humorous grin on his face while he waits for you to make your way over and kiss him or sit on his lap or hook your arms around his waist

he'll tease you a little about it. "getting some attention?"

if you smile at him reassuringly, lean in, and tell him, "none that truly concerns me," all will be peaceful.

if you tease him back, however - maybe cross your legs away from him and shoot him a smirk and a quick "maybe so" - oh yeah, you're in for it.

He works you up, makes you a mess - then he throws it in your face.

"My gosh, милашка-" He doesn't take the Lord's name in vain even while he's drawing downright sinful noises from your body. "-listen to yourself. Shameless."

Fyodor's a patient man, as mentioned before; he uses it to his advantage in situations like this. He's stretching you out on his lithe fingers, slowly, almost painfully - his other hand traverses your thigh, landing a hard spank to the side of your ass each time you roll your hips unwillingly. You really can't help it either way - you have to watch and feel his pretty, pale fingers disappear into your hole, so it's either squirm and get smacked or whine and get mocked.

You're in a lose-lose situation, it seems. It felt amazing at first, the slow curl of his knuckles inside you, the gentle circling of his wrist, the concentrated sighs that left his rosy lips as he watched you relax into his touch, but now it's just torture. Now, you can only clench furiously and cry out please, please, just a little faster, Fedya, please!

Your eyes water when he finally gives in a little, moving fractionally faster.

"Do you deserve it, my love?" He cocks his head, looking at you as if he really values your opinion on the matter. "Or, my whore - since you're comfortable entertaining the advances of strangers."

You weren't, you must've sworn up and down ten times by now. You were being polite, you promise, but he shakes his head, his soft black locks waving as if mocking you too.

"Polite? You're lucky I haven't forced that filthy mouth shut. That's what got you here, after all," Fyodor explains excruciatingly. Sure, you got a little sassy with him after he accused you of being just that, a whore, after you'd flashed a humble smile toward the fellow restaurant patron who'd sent you a drink. And sure, that was tone deaf of them, considering Fyodor was very clearly holding your hand across the table and sporting your love bites on his neck, but you just couldn't be rude.

His eyes soften when a fat tear rolls down your cheek.

"Oh, pretty, don't cry." He shifts his legs beneath himself; his pace stays the same, but he reaches deeper inside you. "You remember who you're talking to, yes? You learn your lesson?"

You nod frantically. You whimper. "Of course, of course, Fedya, my only, ‘m sorry..."

You yelp like you've been burnt when he pulls his fingers out of you, but soon enough his hand is gripping your waist, his tip is teasing your entrance, and he's cooing into your ear, "Your only. You only love me, right? Say it."

You cup his face, grab at his shoulders, grind into him as you tearily reply, "Only love you, Fedya. I love you. You're my everything, please. My everything. I love you."

He knows you do. He just has to make you say it - make sure you know you do.

Fyodor's tongue finds yours as he thrusts into you - you're his everything, too, and he won't admit that, but he'll fuck you so good you know it's true.

"Relax, my love. Let me make you cum."

#bsd x reader #bungou stray dogs x reader #nikolai x reader #nikolai gogol x reader #fyodor x reader #fyodor dostoevsky x reader #bsd nikolai x reader #bsd fyodor x reader #nikolai smut #fyodor smut #bsd smut #bungou stray dogs smut #nnnsfw.ᐟ #with love—reid

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the-moon-files · 1 year ago

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Hi! I'm kinda new here but I was hoping to leave a request or at least something to chew on. So there's this genshin sagau where the reader has a bit of a language barrier with the other characters and I was wondering if that translated over to the Linked Universe as well? Like imagine the boys finding this random person with different clothes, accessories, and they talk in a language never before heard of? What are they, some kind of eldritch being? Meanwhile reader recognizes them obviously but frustratingly can't express any feelings asides from base concepts! Man.

Some funnies include; reader voicing more thoughts out loud now that no one can really understand them and reader eventually learning the language and getting a really sick accent out of it.

That's all my tired brain can think of atm so I bid you adieu. Have a good rest of your day :)

First Official Request!! :D oh and its amazinggg, ooOOO a language barrier AU, genshin? hm wonder who wrote that

Reader wasn’t specified and ive adopted masc!reader as the normal over here, so masc reader it is 👍

Sun: Masc/Male Reader (”you”/he/him)

Orbit: EXTRA LONG Headcanons-ish/scenarios SORRY 😭, Language Barrier AU my beloved

Stars: The Classic Chain of Links <3

Comets & Meteors: Content Warnings: mild cussing, typical mild loz violence, & Trigger Warnings: none known.

Please comment if I missed any. /gen

so for the sake of even funnier confusion, lets say the boys kinda missed u falling thru a portal, and instead just see the portal, and it disappears w/nothing coming out

(bc u obv are a competent person and clearly recognize the giant horse head stable from Breath of the Wild and went inside, like to orient urself, u will NOT be a Y/N damsel in distress 💀)

the boys had already been heading to that stable to sleep for the night, and needless to say, u nearly have a fit LMAO

first, the Hero of Time walks in, then the Link from Hyrule Warriors, then from Link’s Awakening? Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom Link?? Wind Waker Link, Four Sword Link??? The original Legend of Zelda Link-!!!!

well at least u arent the only weirdly dressed person there

(well, u arent weird looking for the hylians in the stable, theyre used to this weird shit, but the Chain of heroes on the other hand…)

they get to observing their bunkmates for the night, subtly squinting at you, then turning to talk to each other, and slowly every link gets made aware of ur prescense, u didnt think u stood out that bad..

(”くいんねしらんらなすいそらきみについちみんらはかくちかまいていりすんはすらもんらなすいすち・”) *

it also quickly becomes obvious to every traveler in the stable that you either cant speak, or wont speak, as when ur exchanging money for rupees at the front desk, the owner is accommodating with you by pointing and grunting and ur just nodding and pointing back

well, its not like when u first greeted the guy u understood even a single thing the guy said, it sounded like some sub-dialect of Japanese or something

u had realized earlier with horror that the game was staying true to its creators, and that most likely everyone spoke a special version of Japanese and ur English ass was abt to be so lonely and confused 😭

Wars/Time/Sky/Four in particular clearly noticed u exchanging all ur currency, as u can see them whispering or glancing at you occasionally as u pocket ur now little green gems the size of coins, rather than strip of paper

(”しにしくいまなとかるるるみらかくちひいすなせいいと・てくらしらいとみゃかくちひいすなせいいと・かくちかくちとみゃかすいちりりんそくちみきいしらひいすかくいいすちとねくちとにかてにりし・”)

and the boys move on in the morning, and its acc torture for u bc u had no idea how to even begin to quell their suspicions enough to let you travel along with them

u think u could say u came out a portal, but.. how would tell them that? drawing pictures in the dirt?? 💀

and this just keeps happening.

even when u just try to admire from a distance or even outright just leave them to it and go off to explore Hyrule (as safe as u could after acquiring a weapon and some more clothes)

but its like fate (or maybe Hylia tbh) wants u to run into these legendary heroes (both kinda in ur world and definitely here) constantly

after the stable u manage to run into them in Kakariko Village, which wasnt crazy bc u needed more supplies, and it was the nearest town to the stable

ur sure they noticed, but u outright avoided them out of paranoia or making them paranoid u were following them, and u definitely saw who you thought was the hero of the Four Sword whisper about u as u walked by, not that u caught much

(”るるるかくちかゃとかくいとちもいとかすちみきいほりららのにみききなんはすらもかくいとかちこりいるていとくらなりしのいいせちみいんいらみくにもる”)

but you’d started to recognize some Japanese words! …and tbh anime is the only reason for that, something definitely like “watch, him” 💀

which rlly didnt make u feel any better, and u avoided them even harder, u bought a map, so u made sure to head in the opposite direction of them out of, lets be honest, kinda lowkey fear of what theyd do if they thought u were stalking them

but despite u trying to actively go away from them, either you, or them, would show up everywhere the other went,

you passed by Wind playing in the water in Zora’s Domain,

Twilight riding Epona around the plains in Central Hyrule, Sky hanging laundry outside Wild’s house in Hateno

Honest-to-fucking-god seeing Wars, Wild, and Legend all crossdress to sneak into Gerudo village- u cant fucking escape them-

and the worst part is, you cant understand anyone, other than some basic words atp 😭

its as the Chain come from a path that merges onto yours on the way to Rito Village when Legend snaps first

You’re not even surprised, tbh it was more surprising it took them so long 💀

(”にかゃとんらな!! ちきちにみ!!! てくんちすぃんらなはらりりらてにみきなと・くらてちすぃんらなはらりりらてにみきなと・・くらてちすぃてぃはらりりらてにみきんらな・・!!”)

the look on ur face must have drawn some pity from Twilight bc he’s trying to talk Legend out of his yelling and pointing his sword at you,

(”ひいかそちりもしらてみ! りにのいんらなとちにしねにかくにみのていゃひいちりとらとらもいくらてこいいみはらりりらてにみきかくいもからら!”)

Wars joins in, giving you a confused look, before talking to the group at large, most of which have their hands near their weapons, but dont look that inclined to use them, thank the fucking gods or whoever rules over Hyrule-

(”かくいすちみそくいすくちとちせらにみかねかくにとすいいのとらはもちきにそちみしにゃもとなすいにかゃとくんりにちゃとしらにみきるていとくらなりしまなとかかすんからかちりのからかくいもねといいにはかくいんゃすいいさせいすにいみそにみきちみんかくにみきとかすちみきいる”)

oh no. they want to talk you, you barely picked out in their argument

Time nods in agreement, before stepping forward to talk first, you cant even imagine how anxious u look rn lol

(”かくいらかくいすとちすいすにきくかねかくにとにとりらみきらひいすしないるもんみちもいにとかにもいねちみしかくいといちすいもんかすちひいりにみきそらもせちみにらみとねちとにゃもとなすいんらなゃひいきちかくいすいしはすらもなとすなみみにみきにみからいちそくらかくいすとらもなそくるてくちかゃとんらなすみちもい・”)

why has Hylia forsaken you. what did you do to not receive some sort of fancy natural translator power in ur brain or something after getting portaled here, its the least she could do for fucks sake- talking to someone in a diff. language is SO much harder than just listening to them to understand what theyre saying-

you desperately try to recall the words people have said at stables and whatnot when introducing themselves, before they realized you couldnt speak the same language

(”Uh… もんみちもいにと… and I’m not following you…とらすすん”)

you just try to say ur name and then say sorry LMAO 😭

Nearly every Link is staring at you bug-eyed in shock, confusion, and understanding all at once

the Chain’s attitude changes pretty quick after that, and they quickly connect the dots after, yes, u do a drawing of a portal in the dirt 💀

u gather from the few words u can get that it was indeed magic (probably Hylia) that kept shortcutting you and the group of heroes together over and over again

…

she can move your position in space time and yet she cant get u an auto-translator after being forced to be here.

(in the middle of u drawing to communicate Hyrule manages to understand the gist of what you meant by that and laughs)

the Chain are quick to be very accomdating, Wars/Sky/Wild all offering to try and better teach u their language, but in return they want to learn yours?

actually, that was smth u noticed pretty early on in the ensuing weeks of travel, was the fascination they had w/English and ur voice??

Wind constantly rambled at you and poked and smiled at you to try and get you to ramble back, and after getting more comfortable around them,

u start to talk like they cant understand a word ur saying, which is entirely accurate, and you notice some like to lean in when you talk, or respond with humming/saying smth like u can understand, or even just gesture for u to keep going

Four/Time/Legend?? surprisingly/Hyrule/Twilight like when u get rlly talkative like ur having a one-sided convo w/them all the time, and they constantly are looking at you poinetedly to hear u narrate whatever ur doing or give a response whenever they same something at you (Rulie/Four/Twi/ and sometimes Time, (and he turns away but Legend too) give a little smile whenever you ramble)

Wild is Very Interested in your langauage, bc the Zora, Rito, Gerudo, and Gorons all had their native tongue that he ended up learning, and so he constantly makes notes to try and decipher some of what ur saying in English

he lights up anytime ur able to successfully tell him another something abt it, like the alphabet, or grammar or structure etc

they seem to pay attention esp in the mornings or late at night? ur not sure why until Wind both draw pictures and tries to get the general idea to you to explain

(”かくいんゃすいちりりきちんるんらなすちそそいみかにとくらかちみしんらなすひらにそいにとしいいせるかくいんゃすいていちのる”)

smth abt ur voice being nice? deep? but theirs do that too? u dont get it, but thank him anyway

they also help u out at markets, keep out of trouble w/locals, and other misc tasks that need some language help

everythings going great, the Chain trusts you, ur getting better at their language every day, and bc English is one of the hardest languages to learn in the world, theyre slowly getting some of urs!

it isnt until ur camping out in the Temple of Time when things get weird again

Not only is there English carved into the walls, which u read as the Chain give u “explain now” looks and u communicate that the rlly ancient looking script they may or may not be able to read is, in fact, the written version of ur language-

but then another portal opens, and there’s sentences wrapped around the edges, which are fully in English too.

☆

* = hint: JIS

So i love ciphers for language barrier AUs, so have a cypher! have fun decoding it if u like, but don’t worry abt translating it, as its purposefully not important for u to enjoy this :)

JFC IM SO SORRY AB THE LENGTH I WROTE THIS FROM MIDNIGHT TO LIKE 1:30 AM- UGH sometimes this happens when i get on a scenario kick, SORRY 😭😭

also so sorry abt late reply! at least i already established im slow w/u guys so ig its not a huge surprise 😭

tysm for the request it was such a fun idea to write abt :D

i also like genshin, just a little bit u could say, so it was cool to see this carryover across fandoms lol

language barrier is so versatile, could be angst, crack, etc. so that makes sense

have a great weekend!!

Peace out,

🌙

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lxkeee · 1 year ago

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I absolutely love your writing!! And don't get me wrong, I love Lucifer, but they way you write Azreal and the Eveningstar family lives in my head 24/7. The AU where reader ends up with Azrael is my absolute fav to come back to, along with the main series it stemmed from. I'd love to see more content of him in general. I've been driving myself crazy imaging a part 2 to the AU with Lucifer wanting to reconnect with reader and having this family unit with them, only to realize that he lost them completely when he fell and that they've moved one and found happiness without him. Very hurt/no comfort for Luci while reader finally experiences a returned unconditional love with Azrael.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

—ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE

Pairing: Azrael Eveningstar x Seraphim Angel! Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: hurt and no comfort for our short king

Notes: an alternate universe where [y/n]'s family is complete, Xavier doesn't have any daddy issues nor has any hatred for Charlie as he doesn't give any crap about her and Lucifer (well, he did at some point but forgave them), where it was simply the wrong person and wrong time. Where it was Azrael who is endgame. This isn't canon to the fanfic storyline, simply an au.

Additional notes: I LOVE IT WHEN READERS WANT MORE AZRAEL CONTENT OMG

CH. 1 | CH. 4 | NAVIGATION

They finally have done it. Hazbin Hotel is finally booming in business, many sinners are finally checking in and giving redemption a try.

Though, Lucifer cannot help but be nervous. Heaven or specifically, the Seven Virtues requested a meeting with him and his daughter and along with Vaggie, they wanted to talk about the hotel and also about his punishment.

Why wouldn't he be nervous? The last time he was in a meeting with them, they absolutely crushed his hopes and dreams and to add to the fact that his first wife, now ex-wife is part of the organization.

Lucifer doesn't know how to handle it, he's afraid of how he'll act once he sees her and the fact that Charlie told him about his son that he left her with. Absolute guilt.

He misses her, he misses [y/n] so much and he regrets how he treated her. He neglected her, abandoned her and their son. Even after all these years, his heart still longed for her.

“Dad? You okay?” Charlie asked worriedly, holding her bag. Currently, they are waiting for the portal to heaven to open for their meeting tomorrow. She noticed that her dad seems to be in deep thought, she knows what's plaguing his mind—meeting his ex-wife again and seeing his son for the first time. She too is nervous about what will happen when that moment comes.

“The portal seems to be taking a long time to open.” Angel Dust snickered and Vaggie elbowed him on the side, somehow both Alastor, Niffty, and Angel Dust wanted to join them. Leaving the hotel underneath [f/n]'s care, another overlord who joined the hotel.

“You're really complaining when you're not even invited,” Vaggie muttered before turning to look at Alastor, “I am even surprised that even you also decided to join us, how come?” Vaggie deadpans at Alastor and the taller demon just laugh, radio static filling the air, “Myyy~! I am merely curious what the heavenly realms looked like. Nothing more~” He grins, quite mischievously. Vaggie narrowed her eyes at the radio demon.

Lucifer sighs and shakes his head and gives Charlie a small reassuring smile, “I'll be fine, I'm just a little... Nervous.” he admits softly and Charlie nodded in understanding, placing a hand over her father's shoulder. She understands him, she too is nervous in seeing her half brother. Last time she saw him, he was giving her judgmental looks.

“I'm sure we'll be fine... Maybe this will be your chance to reconnect with them?” Charlie suggested, hopeful that somehow the two families can find a neutral area to get along with each other. After all, she always wanted an older sibling or siblings in general. She hopes that she and Xavier can get along.

Lucifer smiled, he too is hoping that this meeting will be fruitful and won't go so horribly.

A golden portal opened in front of them and they looked at each other, nodding as they finally took a step inside.

Heaven, is very bright compared to hell. Too much white, gold, and blues.

The crew looked at Lucifer, urging him to take the lead as he did come from here. Lucifer sighs, despite the nervousness, he decides to approach the pearly white gates of heaven. Standing in front of the counter of Saint Peter. The others are following him.

“Welcome to heaven, can I get your names please?” Saint Peter asked, opening his book. Lucifer sighs, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

“Lucifer... Morningstar...” Lucifer says, almost a whisper. Cringing slightly as he watched the Saint slam his book close, “Oh... Fuck!” Saint Peter exclaimed with a nervous chuckle.

“Um... I wasn't aware that you will be visiting today...” the Saint said with an awkward chuckle, Angel Dust just smirked while Alastor just grins, clearly interested in what heaven has to offer.

Charlie stood nervously beside Lucifer, unsure what to do next.

“Saint Peter, please grant them access. They are here for an important meeting.” a young masculine voice says, surprising the hell citizens. Turning to look at the gate and their eyes widened to see an almost exact replica of Lucifer—except for the eyes and height.

Lucifer's eyes widened and Charlie can be seen to become more nervous as the young man approached their group.

Saint Peter eyes widened, not expecting to see the young general today. “R-right. Please, come in.. heaven officially welcomes you.” Saint Peter says, opening the gates wider for the group.

Lucifer couldn't think, his ears ringing as he looked at the newcomer. Lucifer examined the angel's appearance—an almost exact replica of him and of course, he knows those eyes very well. The same [e/c] eyes his ex-wife has. The angel wearing a white military-ish uniform with gold shoulder pads, elbow length black leather gloves and knee high leather black heeled boots.

Charlie gave his hand a gentle squeeze in assurance, he squeezed it back, grateful for her support.

Alastor grins, not expecting a twist in the scenario.

The young man turned to look at them with a gentle smile, “Greetings, I am Xavier. I am tasked with showing you guys where you will stay for tonight.” Xavier says.

Xavier looked at his obvious half family from hell, before, he had anger for them but because of his mother's influence, he was able to manage his anger on them. But it doesn't mean he'll accept Lucifer and Charlotte his family, he already has his own family in heaven. He doesn't need them.

“Please follow me and keep up.” Xavier says, almost emotionless. It's a habit of his, it might come off as rude or cold to people he just met but he doesn't care. His mother is the angel of kindness, he needs to inherit her kindness instead of his father's pride.

The hell citizens just looked at him with slight nervousness—aside from the smiling one—before eventually following him.

Lucifer just stared at the back of Xavier's head, the golden halo shining brightly against his light blonde hair. He wanted to speak to him but words wouldn't come out of his mouth. He just follows in silence, his demon kind just looking at him in worry—except Alastor, who just gave him a teasing grin.

They followed him, it took a while but they finally arrived at their destination. A large white mansion with black and gold accents, surrounded by fluffy white clouds and trees. Sunflower and tulip fields decorating the front garden. [Y/n]'s favorite flowers.

“This is where you'll be staying so please, come inside.” Xavier says, the gates to the large mansion opening for them.

They admired the scenery, it is completely different from hell. Clean and tidy. Almost blinding to the eye.

They finally arrived inside the large mansion, completely in awe with its exterior and interior designs.

“Don't worry about the palace being too crowded, it's just me and my family living here.” Xavier explained, ushering them to follow him. Walking towards the supposed living room, they weren't able to see the large family portrait on the wall as it was mounted on a wall that they couldn't see.

“I am surprised we're staying somewhere luxurious this time unlike last time. How come?” Charlie asked and Xavier gave her a raised eyebrow before sighing.

“The guest rooms are currently full while waiting for new buildings to be created for the new souls. The seven thought it would be a good idea if one of them houses you guys.” Xavier shrugs before continuing to tour them around. Angel whistling in admiration.

“And this will be your room.” Xavier says as he showed Lucifer his room. The others are already settled in.

“Thank you.” Lucifer says, almost a whisper as he went inside the large luxurious room. Xavier nodded as he stood at the doorway.

“It's nothing, I'll get going now and if you need me, I'll be in the living room.” Xavier says before turning around to leave.

“Wait!”

Lucifer doesn't know what he was thinking, he just acted out on impulse. Xavier stopped, turning around to look at him with a raised eyebrow.

“What is it?” Xavier asked, looking down on him. Mom, why is he so small? He thought.

Lucifer gulped, clearly nervous, “Are you... My...?” he couldn't get all the words out as his ears were ringing.

“Son?” Xavier completed, crossing his arms to look at his blood father, “Yes.” he says flatly and Lucifer's breath hitched.

Xavier sighs, already done with this, “Look, I am going to be straight with you dear father of mine.” Xavier says flatly, Lucifer looking at the taller boy in front of him.

“Just because you're my blood father doesn't mean I want you back in my life, whatever you're trying to do. I don't welcome it. I couldn't care less about you or my half sister. Do you understand? So, stop. Don't give me and my family a hard time. You've done enough damage already.” Xavier says coldly, catching Lucifer off guard. The fallen angel's heart shattered at the boy's harshness.

“Excuse me, I still have work to do.” Xavier says as he quickly walked away. Lucifer nodded, almost robotic. He went inside the guestroom and cried.

Lucifer doesn't blame Xavier for acting that way. After all, he's a horrible husband and father to [y/n] and Xavier.

Dinner was oddly awkward, a tension between the three blood relatives. Xavier didn't join them, opting to only have a drink instead.

“Aren't you going to eat?” Charlie asked hesitantly as she sat beside her dad, Xavier didn't bother looking up from his golden holographic screen that came from his wrist watch, his other hand typing into the hair and into the hologram.

“I'll eat later.” Xavier answers nonchalantly, they can clearly see him texting his mom.

M: Don't be too harsh on them sunshine.

X: I'm trying.

D: Well you better try harder, kiddo.

X: 🙄

X: What time will you come home?

D: Late as usual.

M: Indeed, there are still many things to finish but your father and I will make it quick to join you for dinner.

X: Alright, stay safe.

D: Love you, kiddo. Goodluck lol.

M: We will, sunshine. Love you<3

X: love you guys too.

Xavier was grinning slightly as he texted some people, Lucifer assumed it was [y/n] and somebody else he doesn't know of.

Lucifer avoided Xavier after that, clearly heartbroken. Lucifer assumes the D and M profiles meant Mom and Dad and Lucifer assumed that [y/n] remarried and he can clearly see how happy Xavier is talking to them.

To shorten this all up, the meeting went smoothly. The Seven Virtues promised to fund the hotel and also asked for Lucifer's forgiveness for how harsh they treated him. Heaven took back his punishment and he can freely visit heaven anytime. Lucifer was able to find out that Azrael married [y/n] and she's happily married to the man. Though, she doesn't hate him and forgave him but she did make it clear that she doesn't want him back to her life and so did Xavier and Lucifer respected their wishes.

Finally returning back to hell, Lucifer was extremely heartbroken. He lost before he even got to start. But part of him is glad that [y/n] found a better man than him, someone who treats her better than him.

End notes: I got a little lazy at the end lmao.

TAGLIST:

#lxkeee answers #hazbin hotel #lxkeee updates #lucifer morningstar x reader #lucifer hazbin hotel #lucifer morningstar #lucifer #lxkeee hazbin hotel masterlist #hazbin hotel x reader #lucifer magne

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alexanderlightweight · 1 month ago

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Hi!

Can I ask for more the stronger of claims?

finally I can provide!! here is a link to the first part of the stronger of claims since its been a while and i'm sure most people don't know what it is

i hope you enjoy <3

~ lumine

—

Magnus doesn’t bother being petty.

He also doesn’t bother playing around. Not with Alexander unconscious in his bed, held under by potions and magic until Magnus can get back and make sure he doesn’t need to summon Catarina.

It’s easy to stand before the Clave — after making his vows on the soulsword — and make his points clear that while Isabelle did break a few rules, she is not actually involved in the treason committed. It takes a little bit of wrangling, some very intense and carefully worded questions as well as Magnus calling in a favor to ask Jem’s help to ensure Imogen can’t pull too many tricks with the presence of a Silent Brother.

Thankfully Imogen thinks Jem arrived because of the cup. Not because Magnus promised him a supply of his favorite tea and a portal to Tessa for an afternoon of Jem's choice.

In the end Isabelle will be disciplined, monitored for a little while and temporarily stripped of her ranks, but she won’t be exiled or deruned.

It’s a win as far as Magnus is concerned and knowing Alexander, he will consider it as well... and then just as everything is over Clarissa and Jace crash into the room.

Jem makes a small telepathic comment, something that lingers in Magnus’ mind and he stretches out his magic, curious for a moment and then he cackles silently to himself.

He has the perfect distraction to ensure no one realizes Alexander is missing.

Something Isabelle thankfully hasn’t asked about since Magnus told her Alec sent him, but with no other explanation for his new consort’s lack of presence.

“Really Imogen, is this Clave really so imbalanced that the ones actually committing the crimes go free? Even if they did return.”

Magnus knows from the way Imogen’s face pinches that Jem has agreed with him and ensured she knows it. He’s also probably reprimanding her since Jace and Clary were the ones who endangered the Cup in the first place and the Silent Brother’s don’t appreciate it.

It also means that Jem is taking the Cup before anyone else even blinks, moving it to some pocket of his robe where it disappears.

“They’ll both be reprimanded as well. Since they endangered it in the first place.” Imogen is spitting mad even as the orders are directly processed, Lydia tapping them into a tablet as they speak before handing it over for a thumbprint. “The Silent Brother has approved a demotion in rank from the active shadowhunter involved and a year probation before Clary Fray is allowed to be an active shadowhunter.”

“I’m relieved to see that nepotism hasn’t rotted its way to your core just yet.” Magnus tuts, making sure to use his best sneer to raise her hackles back up.

“What—?” Imogden starts and Magnus simply tuts and gestures to Jace.

“You think I can't recognize family magics, even those of a nephilim? I don’t need to have been properly introduced to him to tell he’s a Herondale. I’m glad to see you uphold honor, for once.”

Imogen is paler than he’s ever seen her, shock and hope and disbelief warring as Magnus turns and walks out, quietly chuckling as he hears her demand a blood test from a confused Jace.

It means no one stops him as he slips away, content in the knowledge that all will be busy while he whisks Alexander away on their honeymoon.

After all, Magnus has a payment to finish collecting.

#lumine writes #writing wednesday #writing wednesdays #the stronger of claims #magnus bane #alec lightwood #shadowhunters #malec

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ckret2 · 3 months ago

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I don't know if anyone has asked this already, but I really really need to know if goldilocks is gonna have any romantic development between agent powers and Bill, where Bill does feel a certain thrill for the whole dating scene. I honestly had never thought of them as a pair before, but with your fic I'm genuinely in need of any content at all where there's a certain mutual romantic/sexual tension between the two, and I really wanna know if you plan on expanding a bit on it, because after all Billford is the endgame, but idk if this is gonna be a plot point where Ford experiences jealousy (bc I'd eat up that too, honestly, anything u write makes me a bit insane) or if the manipulation is as far as we're getting with these two. Thank you for writing!!!

I'm gonna stick this one under a read more since this is the kind of plot point I don't mind spoiling, but that some readers might not want to have spoiled.

EDIT: this sure is a hell of a post for tumblr's "move the read more down one paragraph before posting without telling you" bug to kick in. Fixed.

Powers is gonna pop back in and out of the plot for the rest of the fic, the fake dating will continue, and it's possible they might hook up more than once idk yet that's the kind of minor detail that's too far out for me to have plotted yet; but, the emotions are gonna be pretty much one-sided.

Bill does find a few things he actually likes about Powers (he appreciates a human who yearns to Solve The Mysteries), but in the grand scheme of things, it's like finding a gold watch in a parking lot. It doesn't make you wanna buy the whole parking lot. To Bill, Powers has more dealbreakers than positive traits. (Like... working for the government, for starters.)

And he'll be quite happy to hook up with him, but not due to any attraction to Powers himself; Bill's just turned on by other people being attracted to him. Powers is a warm body that offers Bill attention and physical pleasure, and 90% of the time attention & pleasure is all Bill wants out of people. (The other 10% of the time he wants a portal.)

So there's gonna be like... a cold-hearted femme fatale vs naive rival spy type dynamic here. There's some kinda tension, it gets steamy, but plot twist the femme fatale felt nothing for the spy the whole time. Except it's not a plot twist because we're following Bill's POV instead of Powers's so it's not a surprise.

Ford knows Bill too well to be jealous over somebody Bill's manipulating; and he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who gets jealous over physical intimacy. Bill could bang half the town and Ford wouldn't get jealous until he hears that Bill's been helping someone out on their quantum physics doctoral thesis. He maybe gets jealous over emotional intimacy, but he definitely gets jealous over intellectual intimacy.

(Like,, the one time in the fic so far that he's gotten jealous—not even in a romantic sense, just in general!—is when he saw Bill playing chess with Mabel. Bill playing chess with a kid gets Ford more jealous than Bill banging an utterly smitten suitor and that tells you everything you need to know about Ford's priorities.)

If anything, he actually pities Powers because he knows the guy's getting used and doesn't deserve it.

There is someone else later on that Ford might be getting jealous of (depending on what order events end up happening in—i.e., whether it's still going on AND whether Ford knows about it once his emotions start to turn), but that character hasn't been introduced yet.

There's also someone Bill might be getting jealous of depending on whether I find a way to work them into the plot. I hope I do, I've got a couple killer scenes in mind for them.

#anonymous #ask #bill goldilocks cipher

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fairytales-and-folklore · 3 months ago

Text

Hey Dad, Derek Hale Is In My Room. Bring Your Gun.

Teen Wolf » Sterek

Title: Hey Dad, Derek Hale Is In My Room. Bring Your Gun.

Author: fairytalesandfolklore

Fandom: Teen Wolf (Masterlist)

Relationship: Derek Hale x Stiles Stilinski

AO3 Rating: Teen & Up (a complete collection of author's notes, inspiration credits, content warnings and tags can be found on AO3)

Summary: Being the Sheriff's kid is hard enough. Having a seemingly over-protective father who's more concerned about your bad influence than your ex-murder-suspect werewolf boyfriend is so much worse.

"The point is, I'm an adult," he amends, heaving a weary sigh as he attempts to salvage whatever is left of his dignity. "I can make my own decisions, and I choose Derek. He makes me happy. He's a good guy. He treats me well. He looks out for me, keeps me safe. He's responsible and respectful and a complete gentleman, and I really think that if you just got to know him a little better, you'd really—" The Sheriff holds up a hand, effectively cutting Stiles off mid-ramble. "I like Derek just fine," he says, and the smile that spreads across his face is warm and genuine. "You do?" Stiles falters, completely thrown. "Wait, so then why—" The Sheriff's fond smile turns to one of wry amusement. "It's you I don't trust, Stiles," he says around a hearty chuckle. "I've raised you for 18 years, I know exactly what kind of mischief you're capable of. Wouldn't want you dragging that nice, respectable boy into any trouble."

Read On AO3 | Read On Tumblr:

After years of what Lydia affectionately refers to as a will-they-won't-they arc worse than Ross and Rachel, Derek and Stiles finally get together.

It starts a few weeks after Stiles's 18th birthday, in the aftermath of a particularly deadly encounter with a siren, with a shouting match that ends with one of them bellowing just fucking kiss me already and a press of flailing limbs against the wall of Derek's loft.

And then the Sheriff walks in on the two of them making out on Stiles's bed one night, and sits them down a respectable distance apart on the living room couch so that they can have the talk, during which Stiles's dad hands them a box of condoms and a bottle of lube with a narrow-eyed warning of I'd better not see any bite marks on your neck, werewolf or otherwise, Derek nods politely and says things like, yes, sir and I understand, sir as the Sheriff grills them about safe sex practices, and Stiles sinks into the depths of the couch in the hope that it'll open up a portal to Narnia and swallow him whole before he dies of embarrassment and first-degree facial burns from the heat of his own blood.

And it doesn't end there.

In the weeks that follow, Stiles can't seem to escape the Sheriff's watchful eyes, pointed glances, and vaguely threatening commentary (jokes? Stiles hopes they're just jokes) about enlisting the help of his fellow officers to chaperone their dates, calling after them as they walk out the door to meet up with Scott and the rest of the pack for a movie night with warnings like you boys behave yourselves and make sure he's home by curfew.

By the time their relationship hits the three month mark, Stiles finally reaches his breaking point, dropping an armful of snacks on the living room floor with an exasperated sigh, and whirling around on his father.

"Look," he says, raking a hand through his hair and accidentally kicking a bag of doritos even further out of reach. "I know the whole werewolf thing was a big adjustment, and yeah, there's kind of an age difference here, but honestly, dad, Derek is so immature sometimes that it's kind of like we're operating on the same level. In fact, if anything, I'm the cougar in this situation."

Stiles freezes, eyes growing wide as he watches the Sheriff's eyebrows hike up to his hairline.

"No, wait— that didn't come out right," Stiles groans, slapping a hand over his forehead.

The Sheriff holds up a hand, effectively cutting Stiles off mid-ramble.

"I like Derek just fine," he says, and the smile that spreads across his face is warm and genuine.

"You do?" Stiles falters, completely thrown. "Wait, so then why—"

The Sheriff's fond smile turns to one of wry amusement.

"It's you I don't trust, Stiles," he says around a hearty chuckle. "I've raised you for 18 years, I know exactly what kind of mischief you're capable of. Wouldn't want you dragging that nice, respectable boy into any trouble."

The Sheriff strolls into the kitchen, head thrown back in laughter at the look on Stiles's face. Stiles stares after him, open-mouthed, his only response a high-pitched squawk of indignation.

All this time, and he thought he was the king of sarcasm.

There's an unmistakable bark of laughter from the floor above. Stiles scowls and vows to make the stupid smug sourwolf come downstairs and get his own snacks.

With a huff, Stiles collects his scattered snacks off the floor and begins trudging his way back upstairs.

"Say hi to Derek for me," the Sheriff says with a knowing smile as he rounds the corner with a steaming mug of coffee and a stack of paperwork clutched in his hands. "Oh, and tell him to use the front door next time. I'm tired of finding bootprints on our shingles."

Stiles splutters and nearly face-plants into the banister, and by the time he wrenches his bedroom door open and tackles his boyfriend, pelting him with bags of pretzels and doritos, he's not sure which one of them is laughing harder.

#teen wolf #sterek #derek hale #stiles stilinski #teen wolf fanfiction #sterek fanfiction #hey dad derek hale is in my room bring your gun #fairytalesandfolklore #fairytales-and-folklore #fairytalesandfolklore fanfiction #fairytalesandfolklore teen wolf #fairytalesandfolklore sterek

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spacexseven · 2 years ago

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Imagine waiting months for that one long holiday, finally youre able to go back home to your family...only to be kidnapped by doa on the day of your departure...how unfortunate

yandere content, kidnapping

manga spoilers about doa + kamui's identity. featuring all 5 doa members. there's a 'route' for each character. unedited, and much longer than i expected.

the least they could have done was be a little gentler going about it.

but of course, you had to suffer through being wrapped up into a coat and tossed into a portal like you were simply a bag of flesh and bone. the humiliation of needing someone to help you in your disorientated state once you tumbled out somewhere else and the nonchalant attitude of your kidnappers only made you more angrier.

any escape attempts didn't get you far; though the windows weren't barred, one look outside the huge ones behind sigma's desk told you all you needed to know—you were suspended mid-air, and it didn't help that there were armed guards constantly surveilling the building, and cameras in every corner. (and, you wouldn't admit it, but your kidnappers really frightened you. they were all ability users, and more importantly, all completely insane).

after multiple failed attempts at sneaking out through the door or hiding between customer's bags, threatening a guard to escort you out and even trying to hijack one of the cars, you decide to change up your methods. maybe instead of running away now, you could try and exploit your kidnappers and leave when they're finally trusting of you...?

CHOICE #1: SIGMA

you don't like any of your kidnappers, but the only one you could stand was sigma, who was probably the most 'normal' out of them. though you mostly came to that conclusion because he had yet to threaten you for trying to run, his lack of an offensive ability, too, was a huge factor in it.

and sigma was...kinder, in a way, easier to dissect and play into the arms of. you didn't have to say anything to keep him from using his ability on you, in fact, he confessed to you that he feared his ability would make you trust him less, and so he held back from touching you altogether. despite it being a non-offensive type ability, if he used it on you, he'd have immediately found out about your plans, so it was for the best.

it's not as hard to pretend to like sigma, because you found him sort of endearing. it's not difficult to let out a few chuckles when he comes running over to you with a book about jokes that nikolai was reading, trying to make you laugh with them. it comes almost naturally when you sit beside him into the late hours of the night, watching him do his managerial duties and study his customers, and you almost forget you're supposed to be using him. it's easier than you'd expect to confide in him your fears of fyodor and the jerk who threw you into his coat, admitting to him that you can't bring it in yourself to be around without being filled with a sense of fear. he reciprocates it all greatly, wrapping an arm around you (and by now, you realize, he doesn't even consider using his ability on you anymore. if there's anything he wants to know, mundane things like what you like to eat and how you like your coffee, he just observes you and finds out himself, or asks you) when you're drowning in your own sorrows, teaching you card tricks in his spare time and bringing you presents that he thought you'd like; little snow globes and records that remind him of you, things of that sort.

you have to remind yourself that your kindness is an act and not genuine. after all, this man was part of the group that brought you here to satisfy their own sick desires. sometimes though, you find yourself hoping that sigma wasn't as bad, that he would understand your feelings.

clearly, he doesn't.

"i can't believe you," his voice comes out as a choked whisper, his eyes fixated on your cornered figure, "you were going to leave?!"

sigma's back was to the door, effectively blocking your escape route. he was trembling all over, clearly overwhelmed and crestfallen by everything that had just taken place. you had tried to sneak away while on a shopping trip with sigma, only the second time that you were allowed to go out, but he had caught on pretty quickly, and now you were trapped.

"let me go," you plead, hoping to appeal to his sympathetic side, "please, sigma."

he shakes his head, still glued to the door, "no. i can't. you can't leave me."

"out of everyone else, i hoped you would understand. i thought you knew how i felt, trapped with dostoevsky."

sigma's eyes widen, confusion clear on his face before he exhales sharply and straightens himself out, seemingly deciding on something, "i'm sorry, [name], but i won't let you go. this is the only way i can have you."

"you're so cruel," he whispers, watching your devastated expression, "why did you make me believe you loved me?"

CHOICE #2: KAMUI

the hooded figure of kamui never failed to invoke a sudden sense of eeriness he made an appearance.

he didn't come by very often, but whenever he did, fukuchi always took a moment to come check up on you. at least when he's not donning his mask and cloak, he looks a lot less...frightening. you're not sure if he has anything to do with your kidnapping, because his interest in you rarely went past a curious glance and the occasional, hearty laugh when he comes across you shrieking at nikolai's attempts to drag you away from the open door.

you're not sure to make of him, with his fake public persona and his involvement with the doa, but he isn't as much of a threat to you as the rest, at least not directly. at the very least, when he comes over, nikolai is so much on edge that he doesn't try to torment you as much as he usually does.

fukuchi regards you as something to serve as entertainment; dostoevsky's newest toy, as you hear him say in passing. he watches you like you're something novel, like he hasn't figured you out yet. since he wasn't as involved as the others inside the casino, you thought he would be your best option to try and exploit.

your attempt at getting to know him starts by offering small greetings.

"captain," you say, waving at him as he walks into your room, where sigma is asleep on your shoulder.

he observes the two of you with an oddly soft look in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual hardened gaze that stays even with a large smile on his face. then, he nods at you before walking away, gently closing the door behind him.

you try to open up around him more, even if it's not through conversing directly with him. even though you know he's watching you from the corner when nikolai is trying to coax you out of your new hiding spot with little treats, you don't shy away as you usually would. you loudly proclaim to nikolai that you'd only come out when fyodor stops being so mean, which is received with a exuberant laugh from the older man. huh, was that all it would take?

and it works, oddly enough—fukuchi starts asking about you, whenever he sees you after that, in between hushed conversations with fyodor, ("and how are you, [name]? is dostoevsky still being mean to you?" you force yourself to ignore fyodor's pointed glare and instead offer a meek smile). he makes more conversation, and you quickly realize he likes your honest comments, even if it was all just criticizing his subordinates. you think he must find you amusing, like a spiteful pet that doesn't give up an opportunity to attack, especially when he places a large hand on your head to stroke your hair, unexpectedly tender despite his ruthless exterior.

"why do you keep trying to run?" he asks you one day, after nikolai had dropped your bound figure back into the room.

you huff, "what do you mean, why? why would anyone want to stay here? any longer and i might go insane."

"oh? that isn't good," he smiles, but it's not the warm ones he gives you. this was...unnerving, "dostoevsky will have no use for you then."

your eyes light up, immediately considering a new plan to have fyodor throw you out himself, but you're interrupted by fukuchi's low chuckle, a dark gleam in his eyes, "worry not! even if he doesn't want you anymore, i'll gladly keep you. if i had known that dostoevsky had picked up such a curious little thing, i would have taken you before he had...well, what do you say?"

CHOICE #3: BRAM

to be honest, you felt for bram.

in a way, he was living just as miserably as you, locked up in a coffin and taken out only when he's needed, and without most of his body. it must be awfully disorientating to be shaken about by the stake through him, and he's always looked so...unhappy.

you're not sure how much help he could be in your plan to escape, except maybe provide emotional support, but who's to say he wasn't a resentful old vampire who wanted you to stay and suffer with him?

you soon learn, through awkward, stilted conversation and silent periods that bram is...not really as angry or scornful as you thought. he is bitter, and extremely uninterested in most things, but as long as you listen to his stories and provide your wholehearted support, he's surprisingly kind to you.

he doesn't even bother trying to offer any hope of escape, though. he tells you that you, like him, should just go to sleep and wait for the others to decide what they'll do with you. he reminds you that there's no escape from a heavily guarded, heavily surveilled casino suspended in the sky, and there's no escape from dostoevsky's cunning words or kamui's wicked plans. you're stuck here, just like him, left to lament the past.

when you suggest him using his ability on you, hoping that by being turned into a vampire under bram's control, he could find a way for you to escape, he looks horrified by the very thought. ("it's too much work for me now," he remarks, looking visibly irked, "to be turning humans. besides, what kind of foolish plan is that? and right after i informed you that i myself am not aware of the casino's layout.")

at least you have a friend here, even if he's constantly discouraging your escape attempts and convincing you to accept your fate. life would be terribly bleak if you were entirely alone.

CHOICE #4: NIKOLAI

out of the five, you hate nikolai the most.

your increased anger towards him stemmed from him being the one to actually kidnap you, as well as his daily attempts to get you to 'open up', which included him dragging you out of your room and annoying you incessantly until your patience snaps, relishing in your furious expressions. the most infuriating part of it all is that nikolai was never put off by your silent rage or your clear disdain, instead finding it all great fun. he thinks your frustrated words and attempts at hiding away should serve as his entertainment. nikolai laughs when you try to run, and he's always the one that whisks you back into the casino, no matter how far you've gotten. he never stops your escapes, though, almost as though he knows you'll end up back here, like he knows he'll catch up with you in the end.

but he's also unpredictable; for as much as he claims to love his job, he also tells you he hates it, and for every word of praise he has for fyodor and sigma, there are just as many potential murder plots. he's near impossible to read, but you think that maybe, he won't kill you unless you start boring him.

so if your escape served as entertainment for him, wouldn't he be more receptive about helping you?

you start off by seeking some civil conversation with him, but it's not working very well. nikolai tends to send any casual conversation spiraling into...odd directions, half of which you can't understand at all. and you almost start to feel like he doesn't want you to get to know him...still, you've got nothing else to lose now, so you keep it up. you entertain his ideas and go along with his pranks (even if it earns you an exhausted glance from sigma and thinly veiled anger from bram), you read the books he reads and watch the things he does at a mostly useless attempt to figure out his angle, and you even put in more effort in your escape plots, just so he doesn't get bored of you. but it's all in vain, however, because nikolai isn't someone you can just figure out. he's someone you're not sure you can even come close to understanding, let alone manipulating.

in the end, you decide the best approach is being forward with him.

"are you really asking me to make a deal for your life?" nikolai throws his head back in laughter, "this is why i like you! i was worried you were starting to lose your spark."

"i suppose we could come to an agreement" you should have known, really, that nothing good was going to come out of this when you caught sight of the malicious grin on his face and the wicked glint in his uncovered eye, "how about a game?"

"a game?" you don't bother hiding the skepticism in your tone.

"it's very simple! i'll give you an hour to leave the casino. all you have to do is step out of the building entrance, and i'll let you free. in fact, i'll even make sure that none of the others come after you after your victory!"

"but if you fail," his grin widens, "then you'll be leaving your fate in my hands."

the vague threat, combined with his unsettling expression fills you with a overwhelming fear. as if noticing this, he laughs. but now that you've put the idea in his head, you're not sure if he'll ever let it go.

"don't worry! either way, i'm sure we'll be having lots of fun!"

CHOICE #5: FYODOR

something was terribly off with the way fyodor looked at you.

despite the gentle smile on his face and the lovely way he said your name, all soft and gentle, there was an oddly distant look in his eyes. he observed you closely and made conversation—revolving around surprisingly mundane questions like have you read this book and what do you think of this movie, and are you familiar with this dish and this composer? and his tone is curious, a charming turn of his lips accompanying his careful probing, making for quite the lovely picture. but there was something meticulously crafted about it, almost like his words were practised and his reactions stilted. there was nothing genuine about the fond smiles or the barely-there touches. you wondered if perhaps, he was waiting for you to do something.

but you have to admit, you'll take the dread creeping over your shoulder over the blatant terror you're faced with when you talk to kamui, or nikolai. apart from his unsettling exterior, fyodor makes for decent company. he's quiet, but not the awkward silence that envelopes you when sigma runs out of things to say, and his questions never feel too invasive. he has a certain charm about him, you think, that makes him somewhat likeable, despite you knowing that he actively plays a part in whatever evil the doa performed.

these days, you spend more time with him. you find that the books he gives you are interesting, although not your usual taste, and that you look forward to seeing what he would lend you next. and the more you're around him, the more curious you get. why was he so...detached from you? why did he feel so disinterested despite being the one to initiate conversation? you try to listen for any indication of interest, and you think you find a trace when sigma tells him about preparations being complete, or when nikolai brings in some papers. later, you hear the same change in tone when you ask him why you've been brought here.

"why?" he smiles at you, and it's as beautiful as it is frightening, "i thought you may be of use to me."

"am i? all i do is sit around and...wait for something to happen."

"patience, [name]. i'm sure you'll figure it out on your own, you're quite smart, aren't you?" though his smile is still on his face, the hint of condescension in his tone doesn't escape you. you don't expect anything else from him, anyway.

one day, after you manage to evade nikolai long enough to sneak off to the lobby of the casino, fyodor stops by your crouched figure in a corner, still upset after nikolai's threats.

the ever present smile is still there, "caught again?"

you sigh, and look away.

then, he leans in closer, until his cold lips brush against the tip of your ear, "you might want to try the staff exit next time, or explore for other exits. there are many ways to come in and out the casino." you shiver, but his words spark a new flame of resolve in you. you've never seen fyodor come in through the main entrance, and he leaves quite often. if you insisted on seeing him out next time, you might have a better chance at escaping...

he doesn't look the slightest bit surprised when you walk with him as he's leaving a few days after, only glancing at you as he slipped on his coat. sigma frowns at you from the corner of the room, but noticing fyodor beside you, he goes back to his papers immediately. it must be nice having such an effect on people.

he's silent throughout most the walk, but right before he leaves through a door you've never noticed before, fyodor spares a few words to you.

"stay back a while and explore the building. not too long—someone will worry—but you should be able to find something helpful."

how strange it is that you found an ally in fyodor, out of everyone else. a part of you is convinced he must be playing a cruel trick on you, but you're willing to take any chances that you can find. when you're back for breakfast, you're grinning to yourself as you recount the two exists you've found, one hidden below a winding staircase, and the other at the opposite side of where the five gather with you. both representing hope that you can make it out.

both ways were failures. nikolai's grip around your wrists is painful as he guides you back to your room, goading you by belittling your attempts. fyodor is already waiting there, skimming through your current read, lingering on the pages where you've scribbled down your thoughts (the idea courtesy of fyodor). he puts down the book to look at you as you're embarrassingly being ushered back to your cell. at least nikolai leaves after sharing a few words with the other man—the humiliation of him having to hear how you'd been mislead would have been too much to bear.

your weak glare does nothing to perturb him, "you knew it wouldn't work, right?"

"nikolai is very determined when it concerns keeping you," he says, "perhaps you underestimated him."

"i thought you were going to help me leave," you groan, "i'm so stupid."

"now, my dear," fyodor's amused smile sends shivers down your spine, "why would i ever do that? were you not aware that it was me who asked for nikolai to bring you here?"

"but you told me about the other exists—"

"only to keep you busy," he interrupts, "so you wouldn't do something rash in a desperate attempt to leave."

"i thought you didn't want me...like how they do." because fyodor has never shown interest in you, not like nikolai's constant need to be around you, or sigma's shy way of sitting next to you when he's off work, but perhaps it meant something different, because it was him.

"no," he says, "i don't need to want you like they do, because you are already mine," he leans in closer, a hand on your cheek, "you are mine before you are any of theirs, and you'll do well not to forget that."

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luimagines · 1 year ago

Note

ALRIGHT SO first meeting but either the boys or the reader let's slip a 'god you're beautiful' or something real nice and cheese like that

🐰

Yes. Yes! Yes! You got it Bunny!!!!!!

Masterlist

Content under the cut!

Legend

If he had to be honest with himself, he wasn't paying attention.

Sure they had managed to walk into the inn of the local town and get themselves from rooms for the night - but then Warrior decided to go to the nearest pub to collect information about their newest destination. Granted, it wasn't a bad idea. Legend just couldn't care less for it.

So as they all ate and drank to their heart content, making conversations with staff and other patrons of the pub, Legend was willing to keep to himself for a change.

"Papa!" Someone called out. A new comer came in, b-lining directly towards the bartender of the joint. They were stunning and Legend poured his drink onto his lap because of it.

He jumped, groaning and instantly annoyed that he was sidetracked enough where that happened. Now it looks like he pissed his tunic. Great. Hopefully it'll dry before he has to get up again. He does not have the patience to deal with explaining himself right now.

Legend looks over to you again, putting his drink on the table for safe measures.

The bartender appeared to be your father and he happily indulged in conversation with you before he caught that Legend was staring. He perked up and shrunk down, embarrassed over being blatantly caught.

He couldn't find the nerve to look up again and keep his gaze to his lip, hoping that he doesn't make a fool of himself.

"Here." You walked up and put a plate of food in front of him. You didn't hesitate to sit next to him. "For you."

Legend felt like he was caught in a trap. The tips of his ears went pink and his mouth gaped softly.

You bite your lip, not expecting his lack of response. You waited a few seconds to see if he'd say anything and apparently felt awkward enough to continue the script in your head anyway. "I know you didn't order anything. It's on the house."

Legend look down to the food. It looked good, but now that you were right nest to him, Legend could make out more details about you.

You laughed awkwardly. "Are you... going to say anything or...?"

"You're beautiful." He whispered.

You froze and blushed a brilliant red color.

Legend coughed and looked away. He can't believe he just said that. Loser. "Hey." He looked to you, pushing the plate in your direction slightly. "Share it?"

You cleared your throat and nodded. "Y-yeah... I'd like that."

Sky

He was dead on his feet.

After relentless travel, spearheaded by the Hero of Time, he was ready to call it a day and end it. But then more monsters attacked and a portal opened and a new person joined in the "fun".

He sighed and tried to focus. He kept to the back of the group so that he wouldn't seem too rude to the new person.

The others quickly started to question everything they could about you. Where were you from? Why did you got through the portal? what do you know about the hero?

He could hear that you had no idea what the Hero of Courage was. You have a little brother named Link. Your brother was five. And you went through the portal in an attempt to keep their brother at home.

Given that the portal had closed behind you, Sky thought it was safe to say that you completed your goal.

He shook himself awake again. Vaguely, he was aware that he was more of less going to have to introduce himself. But he could not be bothered to talk to more people today. It's not the fault of this new person, but he really just wanted to take a nap.

As he expected, he saw each of the others speak up and say their dumb nicknames that he found amusing and slowly (but surely) you made your way toward him.

He tried to put a smile on his face for your sake.

Might as well get it over with, Sky sighed and slapped his face a few times to look alive. When you got close to him, seeming to also want to make your way to the back of group, he stuck out his hand. "Hi there, welcome to the team. My name is Link, but I think you knew that already. You can call me Sky, the others do."

You stare at him. It doesn't seem to register that he's spoken to you.

He tries to keep his pleasant smile on his face. Please tell him that you're not a weirdo... Unless he seemed like the weirdo? He can't do people right now. Can't this be a little easier on his brain right now?

He slowly puts his hand down.

"You have a name, stranger?" He tries again, hoping to end the conversation quickly.

"You're beautiful."

Sky is suddenly very much awake. And flattered. He starts to laugh. It takes him a minute to calm down, his sour mood instantly lifted. He wipes a tear from his eye, not even remotely worried about crazy he might have seemed. "Well, Beautiful, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Given by the way you seem to be horrified with yourself, he can safely assume that you're going to fast friends.

Four

When Four walked through this poor provincial town, he wasn't expecting much. There was a shop here, a school there and the main market place where farmers would sell or trade their harvest and wares.

It wasn't much to snuff at but it was an honest place. He walked around without much of a destination in mind. He was supposed to be gathering information but he didn't want to run the place through and then be left with nothing to do later in the day. Besides, the others were also gathering information. Between all of them, they could cover this town three times over in an afternoon at their rate. There's no need t do that to the locals.

With that in mind, he took to exploring.

Four was tempted to look for the local blacksmith and see if there was anything he could learn or impart of his knowledge of the trade. If he could stock up on a few more personal items, that would also be accepted.

As luck would have it, he was so lost in his thoughts that he wasn't watching where he was going and collided fully onto some poor unsuspecting person, spilling their very hot tea over the both of them.

He's been more happy to wear as many layers as he does.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh. OW. Oh man. I'm sorry." You grabbed your shirt and fluffed it away from your body. Clearly you took the worst of it. You were so distracted by the pain that you didn't even look up to see him. "I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm so sorry. Are you ok? Are you hurt?"

Four shook his head, doing the same thing with his tunic. He's going t have to wash this now. "No, no. I'm ok. You should go get some ice or something. That looks like it hurts."

"It was fresh. I didn't want-" You look at him finally and click your mouth shut.

The sudden change startles Four and he takes a hesitant step towards you. "Everything alright? I'm serious you should go change and check that out."

"You're very beautiful."

Four also comes to a screeching halt.

You're both staring at each other as the seconds pass. Fierce lushes suddenly cover both of your faces.

You gasp and look away in horror. "I'm sorry. I just spilled hot tea over the new hot guy. I'm sorry. I'll leave. Goodbye. May we never meet again."

Four blinks and watches you run away. He brain seems to kick back into gear after that. "Hey... Hey wait! Come back!"

He runs after you.

Wind

Wind ran through the portal as fast as his legs could carry him. A new place! A new Hyrule! A new time! It was all so exiting! He couldn't wait to see what was on the other side.

When he sees the world around him, he takes a minute to breath in the area. Then he coughs, choking on the air.

Sure the place looked green and clean, but it smelt like rot and moldy water. Gross.

"Ah- You're not from here, aren't you?" You walk out from behind a tree. The others, who were both in front of him and behind him, turn to look at you. You're around his age, he realizes and very very pretty.

His mouth goes dry and he forgets how to breathe. Wind is star struck. You seem giggle at his face, taking his shock for surprise over your sudden appearance. "Sorry, I hid when the portal opened but you don't seem so bad."

Legend brushes down his tunic and juts his thumbs behind him. "You were already here? Did you see where the big black lizard went? We gotta catch him."

You nod, keeping your hands to your chest. You point to your left. "He went that way."

"Did he see you?" Hyrule asks. You shake your head. "Good. You acted quickly. He's very dangerous. Is he heading into a nearby town?"

You shake your head again. "My village is that way." You point behind you, the opposite way the lizard went.

The group relaxes a little and adjusts their weaponry. Time whistles and gestures for the group to get moving. "Let's go boys. It couldn't have gotten far."

Wind looks over to Time before looking back over to you. You seem to catch on now that he was staring at you the entire time and grow shy. "What?"

"You're beautiful." Wind whispers, smiling. "My name is Link, what's yours?"

You blush and tell him your name. With a flourish, Wind bows. "Then when we come back! I'll meet you first."

He comes up with a pirate's smirk before Warrior starts calling for him. Wind looks to the group and rolls his eyes- but he winks in your direction. "Coming!"

You giggle and waves to him, watching him leave. What a strange boy. But he wasn't so bad, now was he?

Wild

Wild was walking along side Epona as they all traveled through the newest portal.

He, along with the Rancher, did their best to keep calm and to keep her calm. This portal was no different from the others, but there was no telling what was on the other side.

When sunlight finally reached his eyes again, it was blinding. Much different from the darkness of the forest they were coming from. It looks like they were dropped off in the middle of Hyrule field. But the question wasn't 'where' but rather 'when'.

"Howdy!" Someone called out from the distance. The familiar gallop of a horse reached his ears as you rode closer to them. "Did you cause that strange purple thing in the middle of my property?"

"Property?" Twilight echoed. Like the others, they quickly engaged with conversation with you, but Wild found himself stunned.

Wild's jaw dropped at the sight of you. Your hair looked so incredibly soft and shiny. Your eyes were bright and lovely. What a beautiful color. He might have the gem to match it in his sheikah slate if he bothered to look for it. And your nose! He's never seen a shape quite like that before, with the jawline to match to boot.

"Wild?"

He couldn't even register that he was staring. His hand landed on his sheikah slate but he didn't unhook it. What is he even trying to do? Match your eyes to that gem? Take a picture? Offer you a flower? Would you like flowers? Pretty flower for a pretty person, right? Would that be weird?

"Wild?"

He gulped slightly and found himself unable keep his posture straight and steady anymore. He heart was beating faster. He's never seen someone so drop dead gorgeous before. And your outfit... It hugged all your dips and curves perfectly.

"Champion!" Twilight shook his shoulder. "They asked for your name."

"Your name?" Wild couldn't keep his eyes off of you. "You're beautiful."

"No-!" Twilight groans.

You take it in stride, your cheeks flushing a soft pink color. You repeat your name and smile. "I certainly wouldn't mind you called me beautiful though. Do I all you handsome then?"

"I have no complaints." Wild smiled and held his hand out for you to shake. It doesn't seem to click at all in his head that he's a little beyond typical greeting protocol. "My name is Link. It's a pleasure to meet you."

You laugh and hop off of your horse, shaking his hand. "The pleasure's all mine."

Warrior

Warrior sighed and ruffled his hair as quickly as he could to get the frustration out. They had traveled all day with nothing to show for it. No new information, not new leads, no new portals and there was hardly any infected monsters to at least let them know they were going in the right direction.

He knew, realistically, that sometime these things happen. He was equipped and trained to make the best of any situation and to still win at the end of the day.

That doesn't make it any less annoying though.

He walks into the local inn, ready to check out some room and leave with his wallet significantly lighter.

He sees you there, wiping down the main counter, keys on display in the background. Warrior walks up the entire way. You don't notice him, seemingly to focused on your current job of cleaning with a vengeance. He knows the look. You're stuck in your thoughts, having an argument with something that's never going to see the light of day.

He dings the bell gently. "Got room for nine?"

You gasp and jump, snapping your head to him. He tries to be as disarming as possible, putting on his best smile.

You clutch your hand to your heart and take in a breath. Warrior feels a little bad for startling you but there was little he do if you didn't notice him for that long.

He opens his mouth to repeat his question but you speak first.

"Oh, you're beautiful."

Warrior clicks his mouth shut.

Another beat passes before you seem to realize what you just said. Your face explodes into color and you scramble to remedy the situation. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Ignore me. I've been all over the place today. How many? Just you?"

You dives for the keys, trying to get a room for one.

Warrior puts his hands up and shakes his head. "I'm in a group of nine. I was just curious if you had the room here."

You seem to still be frazzled. "Yes... Yes! We have the room! Do you all want to be in the same place? I can rent you three rooms in a row. Only two of them have three beds, the one on the end only has two. It would be one short."

"They don't have to be connected." Warrior smiles softly, feeling less like his past is haunting him and more like he's caught you more off guard than either of you want to admit.

"Perfect. Perfect. Right. Here." You hand him the keys and look down, both ashamed and embarrassed over your innocent blunder.

He can't help but smile more genuinely. Usually when people comment on his looks, they don't react apologetically.

"My name is Link. What's yours?" He leans on the counter.

Your face burns brighter as you mumble your name. Warrior repeats it back effortlessly. "Lovely. It's a pleasure to meet you."

You cover your face with your hands. "I swear I'm better than this. You've caught me on an off day."

"I could tell. If looks could kill, this counter would have burst into flames long before I ever walked in." Warrior chuckles.

You only seem more embarrassed.

Despite himself, Warrior likes this. He doesn't seem to mind the attention so much if it's coming from you.

Hyrule

Hyrule looked around the market place as the group walked through it. He was supposed to stick close to the group and not get distracted but he couldn't help it.

He simply didn't have places like this back home. There was so many people. So many new smells. So many sounds... Maybe too many sounds- but the trade off made sense in his mind.

He quickly got distracted once more by a small booth that appeared to be selling jewelry and the like. There were metal wraps and wood pieces and some that looked like were made of bone. There was no way he was going to see something like that and not get a closer look.

He kept his bag close to his body, gripping the edges of his tunic tightly. He looked over each item, wondering if it was ok to touch them.

"Oh, good to see you're back!" A voice called from beside him, making itself home in the other spot the booth provided.

"Of course I'm back!" The seller replied joyfully. "There's too much business here to leave this town without my presence."

You laughed and Hyrule finally turned to look at you fully.

His breath caught in his throat. He'd never seen anyone like you. Your eyes rivaled the gems on the table with their shine and hue. He finds himself gulping slightly. "...You're beautiful."

Your laughter dies as you turn to him, finally noticing him beside you. Your face slowly turn to one of shock and a slightly blush.

Hyrule can't register that he's made things awkward. He's too captivated by you. He licks his lips with the tip of his tongue and blinks. The spell's been broken and it's as if his breath returns to him all at once.

Hyrule takes a step back and flushes darker than you. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

He clears his throat and nods to the seller, ready to run away from the encounter. That could not have been any weirder. What's wrong with him? At least he's not staying in this town for long. You would never have to meet again. But he knows this is going to haunt him.

Your arm reaches out before you can stop it. "Wait... Can I at least know your name?"

Hyrule bite his lip. "L-link... My name is Link. Nice to meet you."

You smile softly and introduce yourself as well. "Well, Link, that was might kind of you to say.... You might actually be the first person to tell me that. Thank you."

Hyrule can feel his eyes bulge out of his head. Him? The first? Impossible! You're stunning! He was sure you would have hear dthat all the time.

If anything, this only serves to fluster him more. He covers his mouth with his hand and look away. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize! It just took my by surprise."

Hyrule looks to the seller. They have an expectant look on their face. Hyrule feels like he should do something but he's not sure what. "Um... Do you... want to go for a walk?"

Is he lame? Could he not think of anything better?

You bite your lip, clearly amused. "You know what... I don't usually do this, but I don't seem to mind this time around."

"Cool..." Hyrule looks away, scratching the back of his neck. I smile boyishly. "Awesome, actually."

Time

They had just walked out the newest portal to an unknown land. Time looked around the area with the rest of the boys, taking is as much as he could to try and pin point their current location, even if it was lost to time.

At this point it was standard procedure. Everything was more or less what he was expecting to come from it. What he wasn't expecting was when they ran into you more or less right away.

You had seemingly locked onto him- ignoring the rest of the group as they asked you questions.

Time raised an eyebrow in your direction, silently wondering what was your deal. It seemed to be the wrong move. Your face grew red and you looked away from him for a moment, suddenly remembering that there were other people around you.

You cleared your throat and once again tried to answer their questions the best you could. Your home was nearby but the nearest village was further away. It was just you, your grandpa and your little sister. You haven't heard anything about monsters or their increasing aggressiveness. It seems your life has been peaceful up until they showed up.

Time sighs and whistles, getting the boys to stop hounding you for more information. "That's enough. We'll move on and look for different troubles. No need to antagonize them."

You also sigh and relax a little as the boys back off. Time watches as Warrior does a quick head count once more and begins to take the point, leading them away, apologizing for any undue stress they may have caused.

You wave them off with a pleasant smile.

Time stays behind a little longer. He bows as he retreats and also apologizes. He knows the boys can be enough to fluster anyone. "Forgive them, truly. It seems time on the road can have one forgetting their manners."

You fluster further. "It's alright. I didn't mind it. Yours?"

Time pauses and laughs. "Some. But not all. I'm not that old yet."

"Right. Of course some are yours, you're beautiful- I mean. Right! You're right! Not that old. I guess. Um!" You take a step back, looking about as embarrassed as he feels.

Time coughs, feeling his own face light up. Is that why you were staring at him earlier? You thought he was beautiful?

He smiles and takes your hand, kissing your knuckles. He looks up and gives you a wink. "I'm single."

"O-h." You flush, putting your hand over your heart.

"I'll come back to talk to you more if the heavens allow it."

"...'kay..."

Twilight

A portal opened right next to their camp as they rested for lunch. Hands snapped to their weapons as they all took a defensive stance in the direction of the portal.

They were waiting for whoever was going to come through the other side, not willing to hesitate to attack whatever was about to greet them.

Wild pulled his bow back as the lights within wobbled but a human hand reached out first. Twilight put a hand on his shoulder to hold him from firing.

An arm followed the hand, then the body and their figure.

Twilight as if he was struck dumb in that moment.

You looked around and jumped back in shock at their aggressive profiles. Your hands tightened on the strap you held by your shoulder and gulped. "Um... hi..."

Warrior raised an eyebrow and pointed his sword in your direction. Twilight jerked, as if in motion to stop him. Warrior doesn't see that. "Who are you?"

You state your name with a slight stutter.

"What brings you here?" Legend asks next, also not willing to let his suspicion down. "Don't you know you should walk through random portals you don't know where they go?"

Hyrule coughs and looks away. Wind snickers in the background.

You poke the ground with your toe and blush. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?"

Wild laughs and puts his weapon down. "I like you already."

"Ok, we can all calm down now." Sky sighs. "Right?"

"Not quite." Warrior glares harder.

You shimmy in your spot. Twilight walks forward and tries to calm the situation. You watch him cautiously.

Twilight turns to you and can feel himself already getting distracted. How can someone's skin look so soft? Your hair was so shiny. What a beautiful color you have in your eyes... He felt himself being slowly pulled in.

"Twilight?"

"You're beautiful." He says, ignoring whatever they might have been calling his attention for.

You blush harder and cover your mouth with your hand. Many snickers throughout the group are heard and he thinks that Time is somewhere behind him with his face in his hands, but he's still too busy staring at you to register that maybe he shouldn't have said that.

"...Thank you..." You reply in a quiet voice, smiling softly. And oh, isn't that a sight for sore eyes...

Twilight smiles back at you, a little breathless from the visage in front of him. "You're welcome."

#linked universe #linked universe x reader #linkeduniverse #lu x reader #in the background for Legend's part #unseen #is a very proud and smug bartender #a.k.a. dad knew what he was doing

351 notes · View notes

bbr0wni3 · 3 months ago

Text

Ocean tears and

heart-shaped flames

(one shot)

♡ -> Edmund Pevensie x reader

Summary: The Pevensie siblings are leaving Narnia after winning the war. Over the past months, your love for Edmund grew stronger, to the point that you can't bear even the thought of letting him go.

-> Content & warning: SPOILERS OF THE 2ND MOVIE!, angst, fluff, fem!reader, narrated in 1st person, human girl that has been living in Narnia for a while, there is already a formed bond between Edmund and the reader.

-> word count: 1k

-> (a/n): finally watched Narnia! I loved it so much and I love my beautiful boy Edmund <3 hope you enjoy!

Sorry in advance if there are some misspelled words/grammar/phrases,etc. English is not my first language!!

Divider by @saradika-graphics

I found myself on the verge of tears, eyes burning like the flaming hot fire inside my heart, my chin trembles as i try to shut my mouth about this unspoken feelings, i hug each sibling and i put my soul into doing it tightly, because i may never see them again, this thought consumes my mind and one single tear finally slips from my eyes and lands on Edmund’s shoulder, i feel how he caresses my hair, a touch that i’ve felt before, coming from his own hands, always and only by his soft and caring hands.

They always knew how to take care of me, how to understand me, how to love me.

I open my eyes while my chin is still laying on Edmund’s shoulder, i engage eyes with Peter, the boy who knows it all, all about my feeling towards his lovely brother, he knew right away and he told me about it, he laughs at me everytime he remembers how much i tried to deny it, out of fear of course, i’ve never had experienced this kind of love inside of my body, and as a human girl who lived long enough on Narnia surrounded only by centaurus, fauns, and other creatures, seeing a human boy after a long time was clearly a shocking moment.

But that wasn’t the only thing, that was not the only reason why i love him, it’s not like i love him only because he is a human boy like me, i love him because he is brave, he is intelligent, funny, and so caring.

The first time i knew i was completely drawn to him was that time we were resting our backs on a giant tree, just enjoying the air and chatting as usual, i noticed those times how he really always listened to what i was saying, the way he always told me he wanted to get to know me better and he really showed it.

That time i caught myself admiring his face, the shape of his freckles, the pink pigment of his lips, his pearly and cute teeth, the way the rays of the sun would hit his face, i noticed that too, how his skin glowed and his freckles became a softer shade of brown, and how some of them were so light brown they would disappear when the sun hitted them, and how his black hair also seemed to turn a more brownish color. At that moment I knew that I was madly in love with him, with his whole presence, with even his soul.

And now months later we find ourselves saying goodbye, with victory in our hands after the war, but at what cost?, how much happiness can you feel and embrace from a fulfilled prophecy when that also means saying goodbye to someone you love, without them knowing how much you fancy them?.

It was driving me crazy, but quietly.

Slowly pulling away from his embrace and catching his eyes on the way, while thinking maybe this was the last time that I would get a glimpse of those beautiful brown eyes, the way they shine, the way they look at me, wishing that maybe that was “the look of love”.

My legs grow weak when I see him slowly disappearing into the tree portal. I cannot bear this loss, i need to let him know..that i-i

“I love you!” i scream, feeling like my body got out of the comfort zone, like i broke the shell and i finally let myself breath the air and fill my lungs for the first time, absolutely everyone now looks at me and i’m embarrassed now that every single person is watching me tear up, but i only focus on Edmund who is also looking at me, in shock, his mouth is slightly open and his eyes shine in a different way, his eyebrow raised and connecting a little in the center.

His whole body returns to Narnia and he comes running to me, he arches down his body and grabs me by the legs, the spins me in the air while we both smile and look at eachother, he gets me down to hold me tight against his chest, i drown in his scent, and the fire inside my heart burns through my chest, i am a phoenyx, i am reborn again as i am being held by the man i love with all my life.

He pulls me out of the hug to look at my eyes for a moment, i see the tears also coming out and rolling down his cheek, he kisses me hard, placing both of his hands on the side of my face, i can taste the saltiness of his tears and mine, we are together the ocean itself, so strong, so powerful, so deep, deep in this love we both felt so buried inside but also always at the tip of our tongues, now we kiss between those words.

“I love you so too..all this time i did too” he whispers close to my lips, his forehead touching mine, i feel his hot breath tingling on my lower lip, is like a dream to have him this close, it’s like a dream to know that he also loves me.

“I want to go with you Ed, please.” i softly wipe away his tears with my thumb, i look into his watery brown eyes, when i say the word “please” i look at Aslan who’s standing on my left side, he nods, approving my decision and letting me go, like a father letting go of the bike of her daughter so she could learn to ride for herself.

The Pevensie siblings smile, Lucy jumps of excitement while holding Peter’s hand, he looks proud, Susan smiles at me as she is happy to keep her best friend near, and Edmund grabs my hand gently as i make my way to Aslan so i can hug him tight, as maybe this is the last time i set foot on Narnia even though i really hope it’s not.

After everybody cheers and cries they clap and smile for all of us who are going to England. With my hand still interviewed I cross the portal, we are in a train station and wearing school uniforms, we get on the train and we are happier than ever.

A whole new beginning is in my path, and I can sense it is filled with love.

Thank you for reading!

#fluff #fanfiction #edmund pevensie #edmund pevensie x reader #the chronicles of narnia #the chronicles of narnia fanfiction #edmund pevensie fanfiction #edmund pevensie fluff #x reader

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alizha · 3 months ago

Text

𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚞𝚗-𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐

☾⋆⁺₊✧ ⁀➴ 𝗋𝗈𝗅𝖺𝗇 𝗑 𝗍𝖺𝗏 | 𝗇𝗌𝖿𝗐

Happy Valentine's Day! ―୨♡୧― Please note this is the NSFW version of a Valentine's challenge fic I wrote! Click here for the SFW version if you're interested in some flirty banter instead!

Word Count: 3.8k

Tags: f!bard Tav with she/her pronouns, Tav's race isn't mentioned (but she isn't a tiefling), post-game

Warnings: NSFW, explicit sexual content, oral sex (f receiving), possessive behavior, wall sex

Summary: When Tav decides it's time to make things right by sneaking back into the Sorcerous vaults and returning a few stolen tomes, she gets more than she bargained for after getting caught by the new owner.

❖ SFW VERSION ❖ masterlist ❖ read on ao3

Tav really, really hoped she remembered the correct way to bypass the vault’s security. She ran through each trap in her mind, the puzzling order of steps she needed to take to get through unscathed. Stepping through the portal in the Lower City magic shop, she was instantly transported into the centre of the ornate, cave-like rotunda that led into the vault.

Blinking to adjust her eyes in the candlelight, she took a tentative first step forward onto the floor that seemed too clear to be glass, filled with mist and stars that might go on forever below. The air in the vault hummed with residual magic, the scent of dust and parchment and candlewax thick in the enclosed space.

In her arms, a precarious stack of heavy tomes, each highly valuable and equally questionable, threatened to topple at any moment. She had taken them weeks ago, back when she and her friends had snuck in to search for The Annals of Karsus. Lifting a few other books in the process had seemed a victimless crime at the time—she didn’t give two licks about Lorroakan, after all.

But then, Rolan had taken over the tower, and the magic shop and vaults as a result, and suddenly, selling the tomes to make a dime didn’t feel as harmless anymore. Tav had already put off sneaking the books back. Returning them, as it turned out, was far trickier than stealing them without Gale’s arcane knowledge, Astarion’s lockpicking, or Karlach’s strength.

She could only hope that Rolan was too busy these past few weeks to notice a few books missing from his newly-acquired and impossibly-vast collection.

Maybe there were easier ways. Maybe he would be understanding. Even though the man was a perennial curmudgeon, his sharp edges had somewhat softened in the time since he took over the tower. For some reason, Tav burned with unfamiliar shame when she thought about just handing the tomes over. It was ridiculous, to be sure, but she would rather just stick them back into their shelves without admitting what she’d done and wash her hands of the whole thing.

She shifted the books in her grip, wincing as the one on top started to slide forward a tick. Why did wizards insist on binding everything in gilded leather? Carefully, she reached for the handle of the first vault door with an elbow, trying not to think about the very painful ways Rolan’s wards could smite an intruder—

“Taaav!!!”

She nearly dropped the entire stack.

The voice that came from behind, sharp and laced with urgency, belonged to none other than Rolan himself. Tav whipped around, bracing herself to face his outrage at her being where she didn’t belong, and there he was. The bright ochre of his eyes glinted in the dim of the corridor, wide with—wait. That wasn’t fury. That was panic.

“What the hells do you think you’re doing?” Rolan hissed, advancing toward her with quick, stomping strides. His shirt, in a shade of ivory that fetchingly contrasts his skin, the ties undone below his neck, billowed with each step.

Tav floundered for an excuse, distracted by his appearance. He’d been making his appearances at High Hall in grand new robes, dark with a velvet sheen, befitting his new position. This was something else entirely, practically a state of undress for Rolan with the centre of his chest on full display, decorated in infernal ridges.

“Uh…”

Rolan grabbed her by the arm before she could formulate a response, yanking her back with surprising strength for someone who spent most of his time poring over dusty spellbooks. “Are you trying to get yourself incinerated?” he snapped, motioning wildly toward the door.

She blinked. This was not how this was meant to go. “No?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “I reset the traps yesterday, Tav. If you’d stepped through that door, you’d be a very artistic arrangement of ash on the floor right now.”

“Huh.” She glanced at the door. “Good to know.”

“By Mystra,” Rolan muttered, exhaling sharply as he let go of her arm. “I knew you were reckless, but I didn’t think you were stupid.”

“Hey! First of all, rude. Second of all—” She held up the books, stomach fluttering nervously. “—I was putting these back.”

Rolan’s eyes flitted down to the stack in her hands, his brows pinched. “Yes, I was wondering when I might be getting these back.”

Tav exhaled a laugh. “You knew,” she said accusingly.

“Of course I knew,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. Had his frame always been so broad? Tav couldn’t recall. “Lorroakan might have been shit at cataloguing, but Tolna had some records of our most… precious tomes. And you can’t seriously think I didn’t notice you and your friends lurking about when I was manning the shop?”

She chuckles weakly, clutching the books like a guilty child caught with a stolen pastry. “I mean, you could have lost track of them. Is that so unbelievable?” she offered, giving her most charming grin. “You’ve got so many books, Rolan. An embarrassing amount, really. You were bound to misplace a few.”

Rolan’s unimpressed stare refused to waver. “Tav.”

“Alright, fine,” she sighed dramatically. “I borrowed them. With every intention of bringing them back when I was done.”

“You stole them,” he corrected.

“Gale put me up to it!”

“Tav! You’re the bloody hero of Baldur’s Gate,” he said, rubbing his temples. “I would’ve let you purloin anything you needed from the vaults if you had only asked.”

She pressed her lips together, failing to suppress a smile. “Aw. Technically, I stole them from Lorroakan, but that’s very sweet of you, Rolan.”

He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Give me those,” he grumbled, moving to take the pile of tomes from her.

Tav relented easily, letting him shuffle the weight into his arms as he muttered something under his breath about ‘bards’ and an ‘absolute menace.’

“Well, I did bring them back, which I think should count for something,” she said, shaking out her wrists.

“Count for something?” Rolan scoffed. “Sure. It can count for restoring my sanity.”

He was taking this all very well, much to Tav’s delight. Now that she knew he wasn’t livid about the missing tomes, his irritation was something she had come to learn could be smoothed over. She stepped a little closer to him and tilted her head coyly, dropping her voice to a honeyed purr.

“You know,” she said, peering up at him through her lashes, “you could stand to be a bit flattered.”

Rolan looked at the ceiling for a moment, as if asking Mystra herself for patience. “At what?” he asked flatly.

“I chose to take care of this myself instead of bothering you with it,” Tav said, gesturing toward the books in his hands. “Obviously, that means I think you’re a very powerful, very important wizard.”

“Yes, and you failed,” he said with a sarcastic smile. “I’ll thank you not to blow smoke up my tail. I think I would have preferred your bothering over scraping your ashes off the vault floor.”

“I would’ve been fine,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “But I’ll take that under advisement and come and bother you next time I need to return something I’ve stolen—I mean, borrowed.”

He snorts. “Consider me grateful.”

“It’s the least I could do. Since you seem to so enjoy my company.”

His eyes narrowed. “Really, Tav. That fluttery-eyed act might work at the Elfsong or wherever it is you spend your time, but if you were anyone else, I’d have you properly punished for theft.”

A thrill ran up her spine, a warmth invading her chest in response to the low gravel of his voice. “Aha! So, you admit that you like me.”

Rolan huffed, looking torn between throttling her and casting some spell that would send her careening out of his vaults forever. “Come on, thief. Let’s get these put away before you get any more terrible ideas.”

Tav smirked. “Oh, Rolan. I only have terrible ideas.”

She was close enough to see his jaw tick, to catch the glimmer of something desirous darken his eyes for a brief moment. Something seemed to shift in the air between them—the cool, empty scent of stone and dust growing sharper by the second. It was a familiar sensation; she had felt it once at Lamp Light Inn and a few times since. Brief spats followed by charged moments in the backrooms at High Hall and the upper levels of Sorcerous Sundries.

Somehow, they had ended up face-to-face, the space between them just wide enough for the tomes in Rolan’s grasp. He was looking at her—glaring at her, really—over the topmost leatherbound cover. She let her gaze wander deliberately over the rather patrician set of his brow, the piercing eyes, his straight nose. When she settled on his lips, they parted in another short huff.

“Tav—”

“How would you punish me?” she asked.

He frowned. “What?”

“You said something about proper punishment,” Tav insisted. “How would you punish me?”

“That—that was—I was merely jesting,” Rolan stuttered.

She shifted forward, knocking gently into the spines of the tomes separating them and, in turn, pressing the other side of the stack into his chest. “Don’t give me that. I know you’ve thought about it. After that incident at the docks, for instance.”

“That cutpurse was practically robbing us blind,” he countered indignantly. “You were too busy stroking his ego to notice.”

“That merchant was thinking about donating goods for the cleanup effort. I had him on the hook before you scared him off with that critical scowl of yours.”

Rolan gritted his teeth, pointed canines shining in the candle light. “I didn’t like how he looked at you,” he bit out.

“No, you didn’t like that I was sweet-talking him. You wanted to scold me, punish me, didn’t you?”

“That’s not true!” he said, taking a step forward and shoving the books into her chest in the process.

Tav stumbled backwards slightly from the unexpected force as Rolan shrank back, a sheepish look on his face. There was a fluttering in her stomach that she was certain hadn’t come from the temporary loss of balance. And it was hard to tell, but the faint darkening in his cheeks seemingly indicating his flush of embarrassment made her head all the more fuzzy.

“Tav,” Rolan started, but she didn’t give him any time to continue.

She grabbed the stack of tomes from his hands, and he watched, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as she dropped them to the stone floor with an echoing thud.

“TAV!” he half-barked, half-gasped in incensed shock.

Before he could no doubt launch into a passionate lecture on the proper handling of antiquated magical tomes of great renown, she grasped the loose flaps of his shirt collar and pressed her lips to his. Rolan let out a muffled noise of surprise that quickly morphed into a low groan. The sound went straight to her core, a scorching jolt like getting hit by lightning conjured by her own lute.

In an instant, the tomes were forgotten as Rolan’s hands curled around her waist. She felt something sliding against her leg, and she realised it was his tail coiling possessively around her thigh. Oh, he had been awful at hiding how much he wanted her. And now, finally, her poking and prodding had won out.

Rolan draws away with a smack, his half-lidded eyes glowing down at her. “Hells, this is really happening, isn’t it?”

Tav dove an impatient hand into his hair without regard for the neat styling. “You have to ask?”

She pulled him back down to meet her lips in another kiss, reveling in the soft moan rumbling in his throat. He invaded her senses with rich nodes of cloves and vetiver, the elevated warmth of his skin seeping into her as she opened her mouth to him. His tongue slid in a tentative stroke against hers, and she knew he was being consciously cautious of those sharp incisors.

“Wait, wait,” Rolan gasped, pushing with his hands at her hips. “You want to do this here?”

“It’s alright. This is a very secure vault, after all. No one’s going to walk in on us,” Tav said, flashing him a sly grin as her hands groped at his shirt.

He gave an amused grunt, his tail snaking a little higher up her leg as she pulled the hem of his shirt loose from his trousers. While she worked the garment up over his head, his hair falling in pieces from its knot, Rolan backed her against the stone wall of the corridor. The moment the shirt hit the ground, his lips were crashing back onto hers fervently.

She could feel his pointed nails grazing against her ribs as his hands ran along her sides, then down to her ass. The caution he was taking in awareness of how easily he could draw blood was admirable, really—not that she would care if he did. She was all too busy getting lost in the otherworldly warmth of his skin.

“Naughty Tav,” Rolan murmured between wet kisses against her jaw, trailing down her throat and over her clavicle as he folded himself down to his knees. “You were trying to get caught by me, weren’t you?”

Was she? Her face was flushed hot as she gazed down at him and the hungry look in his eyes. She couldn’t rightly remember. Maybe she had wanted that, deep down.

“Yes,” she said breathlessly, shuddering as his hands splayed up her skirt before bunching the fabric between his fingers. Her thighs were quaking beneath his touch, hot anticipation blooming at her core.

Rolan tutted softly, lifting the hem of her skirt to expose her legs. The cool rush of vault air against her heated skin sent a shiver down her spine. She gasped at the feeling of his fingers carefully pushing her underwear aside, and he cooed in appreciation of her conscious effort not to buck into his hand.

“That’s a good girl,” he drawled, blowing humid breath over her waiting folds and clearly delighting in the way her frame trembled in response. His tail brushed against her ankle, lightly snaking up her calf. “Keep still for me like that, sweetheart.”

A moan tore from her throat as he brought his mouth to her cunt, palms slapping against the wall. Rolan wasted no time, lapping eagerly at her clit, giving her no lead up to the sudden burst of sensation. Her hips canted of their own accord, his command for her quickly fleeing her mind, and his hands gripped her tighter to hold her in place.

His tongue was nothing short of sinful—no, magical would be a more apt descriptor. Alternating between broad, flat licks through her folds, then pointed and focused on her clit. Tav could feel her legs starting to shake, her breath growing shallow, her heart fit to burst as her body shifted from tensing against the onslaught of overstimulation to desperately chasing after that pleasure.

“Ah! Rolan—”

She delved one hand into his hair, her knuckles brushing against the protrusion of his magnificent horns. The wild urge to grasp onto them as he devoured her cunt flashed through her head. Experimentally, she slid her fingers up one spiny appendage, feeling the bumpy surface made of something smooth like a fingernail.

Rolan groaned beneath her as his molten hot tongue split her folds. She took that as encouragement to wrap her hand around the horn, eliciting another low groan from deep in his chest as his tail coiled a little tighter around her calf. As if in reward, his lips closed around her clit and gave a delicious suck that had her arching into him with a gasp.

“Oh, fuck, fuck!”

It was like the louder she got, the harder he focused in on her swollen bud. She was clenching around nothing, desperate to be filled, to gush around him. Sounds of her pleasure echoed off the stones, and some part of her thrilled at imagining her moans reaching all the way to the other side of the portal in the next room.

Before the heat at her centre could build too high, Rolan began drawing away, much to her disappointment. His mouth and chin were glistening with her arousal as he stood, wiping the shine away with the back of his hand. Tav could only lean limply against the wall, eyes glassy and chest heaving.

“You really are a naughty girl, aren’t you?” he said, loosening the ties of his trousers. “Coming into my vault, looking to rile up the master of Ramazith’s Tower under the pretense of returning a few books? Gods, you knew you had me wrapped around your finger, didn’t you? You knew how much I wanted you to be mine.”

Her head had been swimming, barely able to follow along with what he was saying, but the admission yanked her back into focus. She stared at him for a long moment, lips parted, the implications of his words causing her stomach to somersault in adoration. What was he saying? Did Rolan feel something toward her? Something deeper than desire?

“Wait, what—?”

She cut herself off when he lowered his trousers to reveal his cock, all coherent thought dissipating once again. Fresh arousal leaked from her cunt at the sight of his thick length, straining and hard from giving her pleasure. He let out a low rumble of a chuckle at her reaction.

“Is this what you want?” He gave himself a few strokes with his hand while crowding her into the wall again.

Tav nodded dumbly, reaching for the throbbing member herself, but Rolan lightly smacked her hand away.

“Use your words, sweetheart. Is this what you want?”

His cock was hard against her abdomen. It made her mouth run dry.

“Yes, Rolan, please.”

“Good,” he murmured, sliding one hand down over her thigh. “Lift up your skirt for me, love.”

With quivering fingers, she grasped at the material of her skirt, hoisting it up around her waist. At the same time, Rolan picked up her leg to hold her open as he pushed her underwear out of the way again. Tav’s breath hitched the moment the head of his cock tapped against her soaked, swollen folds.

“Oh, you’re so wet, Tav,” he breathed. “So wet and ready for me. You must have been thinking about this.”

Her eyes blew wide as he pressed into her, moving slowly to let her feel every inch of him, each infernal ridge along his length deliberately dragging against her walls. She whined as her cunt stretched around him, the slide aided by her slickness.

“Look at how well you take me,” he said, voice strained. He let out a swear as he bottomed out, hips meeting hers. “Like you were made for me, love. Mine.”

A wave of heat flooded her at the intensity lacing his tone. When he pulled his cock out to the tip and rolled his hips again, shoving himself deep with a long moan, her vision swam. He was big, filling her to the brim so perfectly that she could do nothing else but focus on the point at which they were joined.

“Yes, Rolan, yes,” she moaned as he started to fuck her, snapping his hips into her with increasing speed. “Oh—”

He buried a growl into her neck, his grip bruising against her thigh as he hoisted her against the wall. Unable to be bothered with continuing to hold up her skirt, she threw her arms around his shoulders, clutching at the wiry strength of his back. Her back thudded bluntly against the stone as he rocked into her, thrusting his cock as deep as he could go.

“Tav,” he groaned, teeth scraping against her skin and sending electricity ricocheting through her. “Faex, Tav. You’re so tight. I want you to cum for me. Cum on my cock for me, love.”

“Fuck,” she cried, reaching between their bodies to press two fingers on her clit.

Barely a few seconds of stimulation against the sensitive nub was all it took before she was shoved head first into her release. Tav tipped her head back with a moan, nearly hitting it against the wall behind her as she clenched hard around Rolan’s thick cock, still pulling in and out of her. He rode her through her orgasm, groaning at the feeling of her hot, pulsing cunt.

He let out a string of good girls and infernal swears as he continued holding her, spread wide for him. Tav slowly came down from her climax, the edges of her vision fuzzy, while her hips rolled weakly of their own accord. Rolan didn’t slow down, fucking her into the wall to chase his own release. She whined, nails digging into the planes of his back.

“Is this what you came here for?” he demanded as she writhed. “Is this what you wanted, Tav? When you snuck back in here with those tomes?”

His cock was hitting some part deep inside her that was so lush, she didn’t have the mental capacity to come up with anything other than to blindly agree to whatever he said. “Yes! Fuck, Rolan, yes! Gods—”

“Then, take it. Take it.”

All of a sudden, he shoved himself into her and seized, abruptly stopping his thrusts. Tav keened, feeling his length twitching inside her as Rolan came with a clenched-jawed groan. Hot spurts of his release filled her, and he shuddered before dropping his brow to her shoulder, panting.

Gingerly, he lowered her leg down, supporting her until her foot was steady on the ground. He slipped out of her in the process, a slight shiver racking through him at the loss of her heat. She brought a hand up to his hair, raking her fingers through the tousled locks as he pulled back just enough to meet her gaze.

“Hells, Tav,” he said between heavy breaths. “I mean it, you know. You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this. But regardless of my feelings for you, you must tell me now if you don’t feel the same.”

“Oh, Rolan.” Her chest flooded with an aching mixture of affection and guilt. “I like you, too, dummy. I wish we hadn’t—you know. Not here.”

He shook his head resolutely, taking her by the shoulders. “Here, the tower, the bloody Shadowlands—makes no difference where. Because I’m just going to bring you back with me and take you again, Tav. You won’t be leaving my bed tonight. Does that sound agreeable?”

She hummed, lifting herself slightly on her toes to kiss him. “Perfectly agreeable. I am sorry about the rough treatment of your tomes, though."

Rolan spares the books a glance and rolls his eyes. "Forget it. We'll deal with them later."

❖ masterlist ❖ read on ao3

#rolan fanfic #holy rolan empire #rolan x tav #rolan nation #rolan smut

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