#I tired to play around with the portal lightings at the background

[starzwave]

They make me sick

[short-black-diamond]

Fiction against Reality 2.

First part

Word count: 1,5 k

...

Last time:

He wishes to just see you face to face so badly that he doesn't even notice when the door to his room opens and something strange happens.

---

Somewhere, in a town or village, you were chilling with your sweet dog, about to turn on the TV. Strange thing was, it was raining and thundering the day prior and now the damn television won't show a picture. Or you forgot to buy more batteries for your remote. Either way, no matter which button you pressed on, no reaction made itself clear.

Meanwhile, your dog was having the time of its life by playing with that old toy you got them a few months back. However, your sweet pal was acting more like a brat now and of course, it had to knock against you so hard that you hit the TV.

But what was even more strange, was, that you didn't hit your head against the display, no, it seemed like the monitor became some sort of portal, which was sucking you in at the moment.

And before you could do anything else, you got sucked into a big, calm but intense, dark purple tunnel in nothing but a pair of converse shoes, jeans, a black tank top and your vest. your phone in your backpocket dared to slip out but you caught it before it could fly away from you and you, who was screaming as if you were on a rollercoaster, fell into that tunnel towards a source of light, which got darker the closer you got.

You got even more scared by that, your nerves on haywire, and before you knew it, your butt landed in a hallway...or was it a corridor? It looked like a corridor like a normal apartment or house would have. You looked around you. You were sitting on a carpeted floor, behind you was a door, and right and front of you, each one and a half feet away. There was also another door.

Right next to you. Should you open it-

WAit! How could this even happen? I mean, the TV not working, your own pet pushing you- with(out) intention?- into the screen which seems to have become some sort of entrance to another world, with no connection to your home? What happened to your dog? Does your phone work? How long were you falling? one look at your gave you the answer. You had the scariest time of your life, starting with spending the last two minutes falling into an endless seeming void and now ending up in a room- corridor- whatever!

You stood up, looking at the door again. Should you say something? Knock? Yeah, knock first...

So, you knocked at the door closest to you, but there was no response. You grew too courious to not open the door and when you did, you saw somebody who was way too familiar not to notice; him.

...

"...Uhm, hello?", you called, making yourself known. He whipped around, and then he stared. You frowned. "Wait a second...!", you said, marching over to him.

He, who was questioning but also thanking the stars and everybody he knew to see you, right in front of him, in flesh. "I-how-you-huh?", he only made out and he looked like a fish gaping for water.

Meanwhile, you were too occupied examining the background picture on his PC he had, which was one of your selfies, but it wasn't even a good one. You were looking way too tired in it, it was blurred because your precious puppy at that time decided to attack you with licking your face the moment you snapped that pic and your hair was way weirder back then. "Why and from where do you have that picture of me."

It was more like a sentence, like a demand. He feared that he could ruin his chances with you- if he even had any -and stood in front of the monitor to block your vision from it. And now, there he was, blushing heavily as he tried to reason to his crush, who shouldn't even be in the fictional world, why he had that selfie of you as his background.

So... what better way was there than to tell the truth?

He didn't want to lie to you, he never could. And he didn't lie, at first, that is. He told you about how you were a real person and how you somehow seemed to have ended up here, in this fictional universe, was a mystery to him (which he was actually very thankful for) and how there must have been somebody or something that might've triggered that. But he didn't tell you about his feelings to you, nor did he even think about confessing...yet.

Hearing all these theses and ideas and theories made your head spin and heart hurt, no matter how much you tried to look on the bright side. "So, you're (his name) from (anime/game/etc.) and want to tell me all those things about alternate-/multi- and metaverses? Please, tell me about that pic you have of me then, because it makes me uneasy that a guy like you has it."

If there was one thing he loved, it was how straight forward you could be, even when you landed in another universe. And, well, that whole ordeal of beating around the bush would be no use if you're cutting it down, right?

"W-well, there is something I didn't tell you; whenever you play a game, read a webtoon/manga/etc., or watch anime/a series or anything in that matter, the characters from that fiction...become real. But not like real real humans, no. They...develop themselves more than the writers and authors give price or even know. For example, I, am (his name) from (that world) and there, we do (this and that) as you know already."

You nodded, sitting on the edge of his bed, to which he squealed internally. "So you guys can become...your own person, to put it simple." "Yes, also! Well, that's how I got that picture of you in the first place, uh...we can kinda...have acces to your personal data? Ehehe...heh..he...", he trailed off, not wanting to meet your disturbed face.

Then you made a disgusted face. "So, in other words, you're all perverts!", you yelled, jumping up and grabbing him by the collar. "Listen here, boy, I'm not some easy target to pry on, get it? I'm from (insert your home country) and there, we are very hard and tough. Life is tough there. If you don't want me to make it tough for you, then you better delete that damn picture and tell your friends to stop looking at my stuff, if you know what's best for you."

---

Bruh I have no thoughts anymore, it's currently 22:01 at my place so yeah I'd call it a night

read you guys in the next chapter :)

P.S. : Please tell me what p.s. stands for and second, please give me more ideas and motivation to continue.

Taglist: @tejas-kris

[bluepoodle7]

#ZableFable #Realm1 #Realm12 #ShifterLore #MyLore #PoodleArtMyArt

Shifter Lore. (Some are adoptables I made a long time ago that have been adopted. These will be at the bottom for examples. And old pairings that are not a thing but keeping it.)

Humon's or half shifter's can only unlock their shifter forms when they are at least 18 to 20+ years old by fear or excitement of any kind. Each shifter unlocks an inner mist song that is randomized and only happens once.

The inner mist song protrudes out the body.

Shifters can get sick but its only the flu and nothing more.

If the parents of a older shifter child wants to date or get married then the shifter parent will fight the date of the shifter's until both parties are tired. Unless they are human.

The date of the shifter gets to choose the challenge if and they don't want to fight they can choose something else. Like for example playing a sport or a videogame.

If the shifter's date wins or if the parents of the shifter approves the dater then they will pay for the wedding and a house or build one.

The currency are shiny glowing colorful rocks in realm 1 Distortionvilla where shifters live.

In realm 12 where shifters and humans live together the currency is paper money/coins but are trying to use digital money but a lot of people are worried about it.

Shifters don't have a determined height but change height to whatever they want but most choose to be really tall for intimidation. Most shifters are either light or heavy.

Shifter's can also make portals to travel from place to place faster.

All shifters can talk to animals but feel awkward about it and try to tune the animals out especially butchers and farmers.

Shifters can be stretchy or sometimes not.

If a shifter has a strong bond with someone or is related then both parties can telepathy talk with each other.

Most shifters if they want to sneak attack an enemy they tend to change into background objects like photographs, artworks, mirrors, everyday normal items you would not bat your eye or double take.

A shifter with a strong bond with someone will protect the being with their lives.

Shifters can make clone but the more clones a shifter makes the weaker the original shifter will be so they need to be poofed away.

Also the clones can be mindless or have a personality on their own. Also a shifter can make the clones big or small and change them into anything like for example a fully build log cabin with a car but the shifter needs to make all the clones mindless.

Each shifter is different looking due to the areas past shifters explored which were called huemons which are all shades of color humans that are basic looking like stickman character type.

Each one of them live in different environments but are mostly the same species.

All shifters are weak to having bones inside themselves and if the bones are still inside a shifter with in 24 hours then they become human.

If they are 1000 years old or older they become dust or just fade away.

The defective shifters are immune to this weakness but will have trouble shifting and can have a short time in a newly shifted form. Hunter's won't hunt down defective shifter's because the barbs on the end of a defective shifters arms are not stable.

Even if the partner of the shifter can't produce young the shifter will try to make young itself. So if a shifter dates a robot or a living car they can have young produced but both individuals have to be in real love with each other.

Shifter dna is stubborn and what is impossible is possible.

The young produced are called Humons with are half shifter and whatever species. And when a humon has young again a extra part gets added from the past generation.

Every shifter can see in the dark and adapt to their environment and surroundings. Most shifters like to show off how unique their mates are like dating outside their species.

They don't tend to date their own species so finding a pure shifter is rare. Also if a shifters can fuse with both non shifters and other shifters.

If a shifter is in love with two beings and they love them back then you have to agree to fuse both lovers together into one being.

It was written in a book in the shifter library. Some shifters are justice bringers they bring justice.

Shifters can be male, female, genderless, and multigendered like mushrooms. Shifters don't have menstrual cycles and can stop having children if they want but can restart it if needed.

Also is you eat a piece of any shifter or vored them the person or being who ate them will hallucinate and slowly be mind controlled by the shifter.

Fluffy Chimera's are super soft and are often hunted down for their hair or fur.

All fluffy chimera's of the species have a storage pouch for their young or to store food located around the neck area and they have lava lamp like limbs that are stretchy.

Fluffy Chimera's are immune to the cold. The species is very friendly but are easy to sneak up on if you pretend to be nice to them and offer food.

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

Goop,Playdough,Clay Chimeras are the kind of slow to react to things and tend to stay still in one place if they are being hunted down. Most try to blend in with the ground and rocks but some tend to hide in very polluted areas.

But recently stay near factories and toxic waste areas. They can control how poisonous and venomous they can become by the gems on their bodies or fur/hair.

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Neon Chimeras are shifter that like to live in very dark caves and are water proof. They can also swim very well and like to communicate in code language by shining their symbols on their bodies.

This species tends to not trust outsiders.

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Zubu's are shadow shifters. They all have a mouth belly and a face on their tail that the shifter talks out of. They are very quiet and tend to hide in very shadowy areas.

Are easy for them to sneak up on people and not make a sound. They tend to hover to avoid noise.

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Dappertarian's are the most human out of the group next to the Zigearimorph Deluxe, and Zigearimorphs. They tend to have stick figure arms that are made of lead that can draw anything they want to attack with.

Dappertarian's also can remove their arms to shift them but they don't get to choose what the arms are like. They are very educated and most run the shifter organ bank where all of them store their organs for a fee. They dress nicely and look demon like.

Most Dappertarians are the ones who make the fashion for the world.

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All shifters I listed can store items within themselves then either spit it up or pull it out of their mouths. The shifter's have a inner realm organ inside their bodies are hollow inside to store items.

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Zaboo's are not bird like and will be mad if you call them that but they can fly. Most Zaboo's have two colors to their fur with gold, silver, and copper on their bodies. They also have glow stones on their chests just in case it gets too dark outside.

Zaboo's also have a tail with a face that just squeaks or makes noises. The defective ones are colorful and act bird like and their fur is feather like. They don't have a face on the tail and will put googly eyes on their tails.

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(New shifter lore will be added later just cleaning up my old lore.)

If Realm 12 had a theme when the sitcom curse is lifted and the big bad is gone and sealed away.

Music and video not mine.

Ennio Morricone L'alibi [Belinda May Fantastic Plastic Machine] Rework latin house by Max Belloni DJ - YouTube

[animalluver8153]

Life Assurance Pt. 5

Everyone has a long night, figuratively and literally.

First &lt;;> Previous <> Next (Final)

<<<<>>>>

“How was I supposed to know they were all superheroes?” Danny’s voice echoed amongst the ticking and tocking of all the clocks floating in Clockwork’s lair.

“You didn’t think to check before agreeing to save their lives from certain death?”

“I wasn’t thinking anything except giving a grandpa some hope that the teenager in charge of his afterlife had his back.”

“Then you succeeded, didn’t you?” Clockwork had a few of his screens replaying the events of the past few weeks. Danny groaned as a replay of him spilling his guts to the Justice League played in the background.

“I know I’m supposed to wait for the right time for training, but I need help with this summoning business.”

“You know you don’t have to accept the summons. The urge will pass as the summoner gives up on the ritual. Even the most persistent of humans will tire.”

“It’s not that. His family must be worried about him but I can’t leave him here to let them know he’s ok. I need a way to get to and from the ghost zone that isn’t in my parent’s basement. Even if Frostbite will let me use it, the Infi-Map is way too powerful to carry around.” Danny felt weird just holding onto the scroll, it looked inert enough in his hands but he felt it was just waiting for him to wish himself to the dawn of time. “That kid could have taken it out of my hands before I knew it.”

“Precocious, isn’t he?” Clockwork side-eyed the screen with the youngest Wayne brandishing a sword nearly as big as he is.

“If that word means young but dangerous, then yes. I can’t risk the map and flying from Amity to Gotham is not ideal. I know some ghosts can tear open their own portals, Wulf and Cujo can do so naturally and still end up where they want to be. Even my parents had some success making smaller portals fire from the Fenton bazooka.”

Clockwork smiled, and Danny knew he was amused with what he was going to say next.

“What I really need, is time to make this right.”

“How fortunate for you, your mentor has some experience in the matter,” Clockwork raised his glowing light to gesture to his lair. Every clock gave one last tick and stopped. Danny could feel the threads of time stiffen. He hadn’t even realized they were moving, though it seemed obvious in hindsight.

“You have already found and altered the threads of time. Now it’s time to find the folds of space.”

 <<<<<>>>>>

Frostbite sat in the vault and looked over the data his brethren had compiled. Their unsuspecting guest had been a wealth of discoveries on the acute decay of ectoplasm. It had only been a few hours since his arrival and he was ready to be moved from the stasis tube and to a bed. Only a light sedative would be needed to keep him in a restive sleep. The Great One still had plenty of time to return.

That was the predicament, wasn’t it? It was no secret to the Ghost Zone that the boy had taken on a soul contract. One inherited from Pariah Dark himself. The young man contaminated with ectoplasm was one of the humans he was contracted to protect. The Great One had bemoaned the situation that led to the two collapsing at the edge of his people’s realm. Now he was seeking the counsel of his ancient mentor, hoping that he will return in time to see him home.

The old king had not pretended to care for his thralls, had not even beguiled those who struck a deal with him. He had cared for his power, and had used it to threaten ever-increasing numbers of the living and dead until they too signed their souls away for safety.

Danny was not Pariah, but Frostbite didn’t have the benefit of knowing where Pariah rose. If he had ever been a boy who complained over his responsibilities or made promises with hugs.

Frostbite realized he had been staring at his notes instead of reading them. He set them aside. Before he could decide where to turn his attention, he picked up a familiar scent. The sharp burning smell of reality being circumvented. Danny stood before him, the Infi-Map in hand.

“Frostbite!” the young king wrapped his arms around the arm that wasn’t made of ice before jumping back, “Sorry! I know you just saw me. But it’s been a while, for me.”

Frostbite must have made a face, the Great One was quick to answer it, “It was just a month. Clockwork taught me how to make my own portals. I didn’t want to leave until I got it right.”

“Ah, well then, Great One,” Frostbite picked up his notes again, “Would you like to hear the good news about Jason?”

“Yes! He’s ok? Did he wake up? Clockwork said it was only a couple of hours. What happened?”

Frostbite guided the young monarch back to the medical ward, one of the most powerful relics of the Infinite Realms left on the dais without so much as a backward glance.

<<<<<>>>>> 

Wayne Manor hadn’t seen a morning this bad in a long time. Light was poking through the slivers of the living room curtains and falling on the figures within. Dick, Barbra, and Duke had gotten there an hour after the ritual. Their exclusion had been a deliberate act on behalf of the more reckless members of the clan. The fighting and crying and accusations had stopped a few hours ago. There was nothing but silence now. No one had slept, but it was wrong to say they were all truly awake.

Tim thought the lack of sleep was getting to him. He was starting to see lightning in the corner of his eyes. When they didn’t go away, he shoved Dick in the shoulder. Understanding the universal language of younger brothers, Dick shoved him back and looked to where Tim was looking.

“Yeah, I’m seeing that too.”

That got the attention of the rest of the family. A split second later a crack of lightning heralded a radioactive green disk appearing in front of the fireplace. A slip of white poked out of it. Fortunately, Damian was very nearly asleep, so Alfred was easily able to hold him back by hugging him tighter. Instead of a shock of white hair, the white was the white of a small cloth attached to a stick.

After a beat, the crowned head of the ghost king emerged from the disk.

“Jason is ok, please do not attack me.”

<<<<>>>> 

Jason was awake. He realized he hadn’t been the second before. He had definitely been asleep, but he had jumped to being awake with no preamble between the two. It wasn’t morning, because there wasn’t any light coming from that one broken blind he’d been meaning to get fixed for the past two years.

He got up, but realized that he failed that. There was a big heavy fur blanket over him. On top of that blanket was Damian. He could just barely see the little brat’s scowl from the glow of the heart monitor next to the bed.

Oh.

A simple finger monitor was attached to his left hand. Other than that, nothing was holding him in place but his little brother. Jason considered knocking him off and getting out of there when he noticed the puff of white coming from his own breath. What kind of hospital was this cold?

“Give them a few more minutes.”

Green light shone from across the room, illuminating the forms of his other family members as he got closer. They were curled up beneath their own blankets, little puffs of their breath almost glowing in the dim light. The face beneath the crown pressed a finger to his lips nodding his head to the other side of Jason’s bed. Alfred had the seat of honor, right next to the bed and leaning his head against the wall. Jason realized he had never seen him like this, disheveled and exhausted.

Everything came back to him then.

“What did you do to me?” He said it quietly as he could, not that it mattered, his family looked dead to the world.

“I possessed you. The same way I possessed the Joker. Something inside you reacted badly to it.”

“Understatement.”

“It’s all we got right now. You responded well to a transfusion. I brought your family here as soon as I could. They were up all night worrying about you.”

Jason wanted to deny it on reflex. Wanted to say they didn’t really care about him. Something stopped him. He tried pinpointing why, but couldn’t. He couldn’t even manage to feel angry. Angry was something he very much should be given everything that was going on. But the anger didn’t come. In fact, he felt, good. Great even.

Maybe he wouldn’t kick Damian off the bed after all.

“I’ll be back with some food for everyone. We can talk with the doctors after.”

“Damian’s a vegan, brat probably won’t eat anything that casts a shadow.”

The king gave a very un-kingly snort, “We have that covered. The yetis are very hospitable.”

“Yetis?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Surprisingly, Jason didn’t.

[dakotacrisis]

Adrien’s Sick Day

(This dumb idea would not let me sleep. Adrien gets sick but refuses to miss school so chugs a bottle of Nyquil but starts crashing when he gets to school. Shoots back an energy drink to keep awake. Disassociates so hard he comes to with a new fencing trophy and a girlfriend.)

---

Adrien was sick. He never got sick easy but he was sicker than a dog today. His temperature was through the roof and the only medicine in the house was a bottle of Nyquil.

“Sounds like an easy day in.” Plagg said. “Chug it down and let’s get back to bed.”

Adrien shook his head. “I wanna go to school.”

“School?” Plagg rested on top of his head, “Kid, do you really want to attempt class today?”

“I have already missed normal human interaction for the first fifteen years of my life. I am not missing another day!” Adrien chugged down the Nyquil. “Let’s go!”

Despite Plagg’s protests to stay inside Adrien collected his bag and headed to school. He was doing well up until he stepped inside and the medicine really started kicking in. Right...the medicine wasn’t the non-drowsy kind.

“Hey dude,” Nino clapped him on the back to which Adrien almost fell face first into floor. “Dang, what’s wrong with you?”

“Fever. Medicine. Sleepy. Not missing class.” Adrien rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Got any coffee?”

“I have this.” Nino pulled out an energy drink from his bag. “You can have it if you really want it but I think you should just go home.”

“No, I’m fine. Hand it over.” Adrien took the drink and walked with Nino into class.

In the blink of an eye Adrien was no longer in class but back home in his room holding a half empty cup of boba. “What the...” Adrien looked around. “How did I...”

The sun was further down in the sky so it must be later. Oh god, where did he put his phone? On his desk was a new fencing trophy he didn’t remember earning. Hanging off the trophy’s miniature epee was the lucky charm Marinette had lent him.

This was strange. He checked the clock on his computer and was surprised to see that it was five in the evening. What had happened all day? He couldn’t remember a thing.

The sound of his phone ringing with a notification caught his attention. He rummaged around in his bag and pulled it out. The background on his phone had changed too. Instead of the picture of him and Nino it was him in his fencing uniform holding a trophy in one hand and his other arm wrapped around Marinette who was kissing his cheek.

Okay. What the heck happened today?

He went to his contacts and hit Nino’s number. Hopefully he could shed some light on this situation.

“Hey bro, what’s up?” Nino shouted over the roar of a crowd in the background, “You change your mind and want to come out to the party?”

“Party?” Adrien asked. “What party?”

“Well I guess it is turning more into a festival. I know Marinette said you should go home and rest but you sound a lot better. We’re currently out under the Eiffel Tower if you wanna stop by.”

“What festival? What’s going on?” Adrien couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was saying. He was fairly certain there wasn’t any parties or holidays today.

“Sorry dude, I can’t hear you.” Nino shouted over the noise, “Eiffel Tower! Come out! Have some fun!”

He hung up and Adrien was back at square one but with even more questions. Maybe there were some clues in his phone. He checked his pictures and saw that there were more pictures he had taken today. The picture he had set as his background was there. There was a group shot with the guys who held Adrien up on their shoulders. Those were taken around four.

Adrien checked his calendar and saw that he did have a fencing tournament today at three. So that’s where he must have been for that hour. And he ended up placing first while zonked out on cold medicine. Adrien wasn’t sure what to make of that. Either his opponents weren’t that great or he is just an amazing fencer when he’s blacked out. Neither sat right with him.

That’s still leaves the seven hours from school and the hour between when he won the tournament and when he got home. Wait! Plagg! Plagg was by his side the entire time! He’d know!

“Plagg!” Adrien called, “Plagg! Where are you?”

“Ugh, you said I could relax.” Plagg’s voice came from the cheese cabinet. Adrien opened it and saw Plagg nesting atop a large wheel of camembert. “Haven’t we done enough today?”

“Plagg, I don’t remember what happened today. You have to fill me in.”

“Seriously?” PLagg laughed, “You don’t remember a thing?”

“No! And it’s creeping me out!” Adrien pulled him out of the cabinet. “Please tell me what I did.”

“Well I don’t really know.”

“How do you not know? You hide in my bag all day!”

“I sleep in your bag all day. I only woke up for the akuma.”

“Akuma? When was there an akuma?”

“A bunch of akumas. We had another Scarlet Akuma pandemic going on before you ran off to go fencing. You and Ladybug were really struggling for a while there until your doppelgangers showed up. Something happened after the akumas got purified but I was tired and bored at that point and stopped paying attention.”

“No! Plagg, I need to know what happened! And what do you mean by doppelgangers?”

“Oh right, bunny girl brought future you and Ladybug back in time to help with the akumas.”

“My future self! Future Ladybug?!” Adrien was going to throw himself off a building. He had completely missed meeting his future self and seeing what Ladybug looked like grown up. She could have only gotten more beautiful.

“Yeah, it was trippy.” Plagg said. “That’s all I remember though. After you transformed back you had to go to fencing and I stayed in your locker resting.”

“So you don’t know anything else? Not even about this?” Adrien showed him the picture of Marinette kissing him.

“Awe, finally got that girlfriend of yours I see. But no. No idea.”

“You’re awfully helpful.” Adrien sighed. He needed answers. He wasn’t gonna be able to focus until he filled in the blanks from today. He got online and started combing through the footage from the akuma attack. Plagg wasn’t kidding. This was the most akumas Adrien had ever seen. It looked as if half of Paris had been infected.

Him, Ladybug, and some of the other heroes were fighting against them but losing ground fast. A shining portal opened up and...holy crap. It really was his future self walking alongside a grown up Ladybug. Bunnix also joined them. The footage sped by as the heroes, future and present fought side by side. Adrien had always thought that he and Ladybug were a well oiled machine but seeing their future counterparts fight made them look like fish flopping on a deck. It was as if they were thinking about each other’s moves five steps ahead.

There was an eruption of white butterflies as the akumas were purified. The people cheered. Future Chat grabbed Future Ladybug and spun her in the air in victory. And then...oh…present Ladybug grabbed present Chat and kissed him. Seriously?! Another kiss he couldn’t remember!

“PLAGG!” Adrien shouted, “YOU SAID NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED!”

“Nothing did!” Plagg shouted back.

“LADYBUG KISSED ME! THAT’S NOT NOTHING TO ME!”

“How is this any different then the other times she kissed you and you forgot?”

“Y’know what--!”

“Can’t hear you. Napping.” Plagg started snoring loudly.

Adrien sighed. He turned his attention back to the screen.

There was only more cheering as the two kissed. Wait. So he kissed Ladybug and Ladybug kissed him back and they both remember so why had Marinette been kissing him in his fencing picture? Once again, more questions.

The future miraculous holders went back through the portal. His present self and Ladybug waved to the crowd then vaulted out of frame. According to the akuma report online that was from 12:40 to 2:55. Another two hours accounted for. Yet it was the minutes in between that seemed to hold all the answers.

Adrien grabbed his school bag and dumped it out looking for more answers. There had to be something else. All of it looked pretty normal. Books, homework assignments, a couple empty containers of camembert, and a few loose papers. He picked up one and saw it was an excerpt of a script. A Midsummer Night’s Dream? What was this doing in his bag? They were supposed to start their Shakespeare period in literature class so it wasn’t so out of place.

The assignment was to recreate a scene from one of Shakespeare’s plays. At the top of the page was Adrien’s name as well as Marinette’s. He guessed they must have gotten partnered up. Maybe he should try calling her to figure out what was going on.

He picked up his phone and searched for Marinette’s contact, her name in his phone had been changed to Girlfriend with a bunch of sparkly hearts around it. So apparently she was his girlfriend now, according to his phone at least. He called her but the call went to voicemail. Okay, maybe Alya knows. He called her next and was relieved when she answered.

“Hey lover boy!” Alya was shouting over the same crowd as Nino had been, “Nino said you called. Feeling better already?”

“Alya, you have to tell me what I did today.”

“What?”

“What did I do while I was at school? I can’t remember.”

“How do you not remember?”

“I was zonked out on cold medicine! I don’t even know how I got home let alone how I won a fencing trophy and got a girlfriend in the past few hours.”

“Wow. Just...wow. I knew you were kinda loopy today but I figured you’d remember confessing to Marinette. Girl was over the moon.”

The memories tickled right in the back of Adrien’s brain but he just couldn’t get to them. They had been washed away in a tidal wave of medicine and energy drink. He needed answers. He needed to talk to Marinette. “Are you all still by the Eiffel Tower?” Adrien asked.

“Yeah, you coming out?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there in a few.” Adrien hung up and grabbed his coat. He felt much better physically than he had that morning which was nice. The walk to the Eiffel Tower gave him plenty of time to think about what it was he was missing. There was a significant piece of the puzzle missing, the one piece that would make the rest of the day make sense. If only he could figure out what it was!

He found his friends and everyone cheered when they saw him and pulled him into their circle. Standing with Alya was Marinette. Face alight with a smile and laughing. She turned when she felt Adrien’s eyes on her and her smile grew.

“Hey, I thought I told you to go home and rest. Or was it that you didn’t want to miss out on all the fun?” She grabbed his hands, “I suppose I’ll let it go this time seeing as how today was very taxing and we could do with some fun after that Scarlet Moth fiasco.”

“Yeah, about that,” Adrien said, “Can we talk somewhere a little quieter?”

“Sure,” She pulled on his hands as she led him away from the group. Their classmates whistled and teased as the couple left. When they were far enough away from the noise and people Marinette spoke to him, “What is it you want to talk about?”

“Right um…” Adrien felt heat climbing up his neck, “So I was kinda really sick this morning and I took a bunch of drowsy cold-medicine that I tried to counteract with an energy drink and now I don’t remember anything that happened today. Nothing whatsoever.”

Marinette stared at him, her wide, unblinking baby blue eyes piercing through his skull. “Are you joking?”

“No. I swear I am not. I’ve put together some of what happened but there are some things that I don’t understand like how um, you know, how you and I…” He looked down at his feet, mortified that he had to have this conversation with her. He felt like he was breaking her heart or something.

“You dumb kitty.” Marinette bonked the top of his head, “That explains a lot actually. I’ve always known you to be kinda spacey but today was something else. How is it that when you’re out of it you can still function as a human being?”

“Marinette?” Adrien looked up at her, “What did you call me?”

Marinette sighed and motioned for him to sit down on the bench. “Alright, so this morning when class started…”

*Earlier that day*

“Did that help at all?” Nino asked Adrien as they sat down for class.

“I guess we’ll see,” Adrien almost missed his seat when he went to sit down, “So far it is a rousing success!”

“I really think you should just go home, dude.” Nino shook his head. “I think the caffeine just made this worse.”

“Nah!” Adrien corrected himself and slid himself into his seat, “I am fine! Look how fine I am! I am super fine!”

“Sure are.” Nino snickered, he couldn’t help it. His best friend was essentially high as a kite right now.

Everyone took their seats as Ms. Bustier began the lesson. “For this unit we will be focusing on William Shakespeare. I figured we’d start off with something fun so I want everyone to get into pairs or small groups and perform a scene from any Shakespeare play you would like. Group up and figure out what you’re performing in class today. Go over your lines and we’ll do the actual performances tomorrow. Try not to do really long ones. Have fun!”

Immediately everyone around the room started pairing off. “Hey Adrien,” Alya grabbed his attention, “How’s about you and Marinette team up? You would make a wonderful Romeo and Juliet.”

“But I wanted us to do Romeo and Juliet, babe.” Nino pouted.

“That’s fine, Alya. You two can have Romeo and Juliet.” Marinette told her, her face tinted a cute pink. “Adrien and I can do something else.”

“Hernia!” Adrien shouted, “You can be Hernia and I’ll be Lightsaber!”

“What?” The other three teenagers stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You know, that play, the one with the donkey head?” Adrien mimicked large donkey ears on his head.

“Oh! I got it!” Marinette said, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You want us to be Hermia and Lysander.”

“Yeah! Those two!” Adrien nodded, “Hernia and Lightsaber.”

“Adrien, sweetie,” Alya looked at him with an amused smile, “Their names are Hermia and Lysander. Not Hernia and Lightsaber.”

“Got it. Got it.” Adrien continued nodding so hard he looked like a bobblehead. “We can be them.”

“Alright, I’ll find us a scene to do.” Marinette started looking for a good scene. They eventually agreed to do the opening scene when Hermia and Lysander plan to runaway together. Marinette was being super giggly through the reading which made Adrien start laughing which made her giggle more until they were in a perpetual loop of laughter.

When class ended everyone got up to move onto the next class. Nino and Alya went on ahead leaving Marinette and Adrien alone still chuckling over their inability to be serious during their scene.

“It may be the fact that I was laughing through the whole thing but I have to confess that I have no idea what Lysander was saying.” Adrien squinted at the text before shoving it in his bag. “Did you?”

“It’s pretty simple actually,” Marinette said, “The couple are lamenting that none of Hermia’s choices that she was given from Theseus let her be with Lysander. Lysander though figures that they don’t have to follow their rules and talks Hermia into leaving Athens with him and getting married where the Athenian laws don’t apply.”

“I wish I could do that.” Adrien sighed.

“Do what?”

“Runaway with the love of my life. I have this whole plan with an island and a hamster but I know you’d never go with me.” He slumped, looking utterly defeated. “Why don’t you wanna go with me?”

“Love--love--love--love of your what? Runaway? Me and you? To an island? With hamsters!” Marinette was stammering as she tried to piece together what it was Adrien had just confessed to her. Was this really happening?

“Oh wait,” Adrien frowned, “I meant my lady.”

“Huh?”

“Ladybug is so pretty…” Adrien murmured dreamily, “She’s so awesome but she only sees me as a tomcat which--just--boo! I love her! Why doesn’t she see that?  My spotty lady! Buggy boo! I love her spots and her eyes and her pigtails…”

His green eyes turned to Marinette and batted a hand against Marinette’s hair. “Just like your pigtails.” He muttered, “You remind me a lot of Ladybug. You can be my Maribug!”

Tomcat? In love with Ladybug? No...there was no way. Surely someone like Adrien couldn’t also be her dorky partner in crime fighting.

“Hey Adrien,” Marinette smiled nervously, “Why do you think that Ladybug thinks you’re a tomcat?”

“Because I am a cat!” He stated proudly. Then his expression soured. “Or as Ladybug says, I’m a bad kitty that needs to stop flirting with her cause they’re working and she likes someone else. It’s sad that she likes someone else. I wish she could like me…”

Yep. Definitely Chat Noir. Although Marinette had never called him a bad kitty before. Chastised him for flirting an inappropriate moments? Yes. But she never berated him. She’d have to have a talk to him later as Ladybug.

WAIT! Chat Noir is Adrien! Adrien is Chat Noir! The love of her life is also her partner! Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy! Crap! Calm down, Marinette! More important things to focus on right now!

She looked over at Adrien who was still pouting like a sad little kitten. She put an arm around his shoulders. “Well I got some good news for you, kitty. I know who Ladybug is really in love with.”

“Really?!” Adrien looked at her with stars in her eyes, “Who? I’m gonna whoop their butt if they mistreat her!”

“Ladybug has a crush on Adrien Agreste.”

“Boo! He sucks!”

“Dummy, Adrien is you. Ladybug likes you.”

“Oh...SHE DOES?!” He nearly screamed and Marinette clamped a hand over his mouth. He moved his head away from her, gaping at the information. “How do you know that?”

“Because that’s who I have a crush on.” Marinette’s cheeks felt entirely too warm. When she looked at Adrien there was absolutely nothing going on behind those big green eyes of his.

“Adrien?” She waved a hand in front of his face? “Goodness, you silly kitty, you are really out of it, huh? Give it a moment. It’ll come to you.”

Marinette started counting in her head. She got to one hundred and seventeen before Adrien finally perked up like a meerkat. “Ladybug?!” He pointed at her.

“There it is.” She ruffled his hair, “I’m guessing you’re happy?”

“I--I--”

BANG!

*Present*

“Then that’s when Scarlet Moth and all the other akumas hit and we went to got fight them. Our future selves showed up to help kick some butt. We kissed. Then we went back to school so you could get to your fencing tournament. You won. You looked pretty tired so I walked you home after but you insisted we stop for boba first so we kinda went on an impromptu boba date. Got you home then I came out to celebrate with everyone about today’s akuma win.” Marinette finished, “Did that fill you in well enough?”

“So you are…”

“Yep.”

“And you like me?”

“Also yep.”

“And I somehow managed to do all this while disassociating to the point of amnesia?”

“Apparently so.”

“I am never mixing Nyquil and Red Bull again.”

“Turned out okay in the end though, right?” Marinette flashed him a bright smile.

As all the information settled within him Adrien smiled back and kissed her. She squeaked for a second not expecting it but eagerly kissed him back. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She giggled. She stood up and pulled him to his feet. “Come on, kitty, let’s go have some fun.”

*The next day*

“Hey bugaboo,” Adrien entered her room holding a hot cup of tea, “Sorry for getting you sick. Probably wasn’t a good idea to have kissed you so many times while I had a cold.”

Marinette blew her nose. “Worth it.”

[ilomilo]

assorted things i learned about ilomilo while plumbing the game files at 1am instead of packing, doing homework, or sleeping

CHARACTERS, CUBES, AND CREATURES

the sock puppet dog is called a cubethief

the little DEMON cube that shoots up if u walk in front of it and goes “DOOWAP!” is called… the teaser cube. unsurprising

the apple eating creature that goes “YOPE YOPE YOPE” is called a muncher (and the apples are called edibles 😏)

the birdcage creature is called a nabber

the bounce cube is called… exactly what it sounds like LOL (and fun fact being launched off of it is called a “piong!”)

the plunger cube is also called exactly what it sounds like

the arrow thing that shifts gravity is called a carpet

the single cube with the little bunny ears that u can pick up is called… a p-cube? idk what the p stands for

the long doglike cube that snaps out from 1 to 2-4 blocks and woofs at u is called a chain cube!

the like duplicate cubes that you can create out of paper in ch 3 are called mirror cubes

the bird cube that flies vertically is called the elevator cube (duh i suppose)

the cube that lets you walk on top of it and flip upside down is called the hole cube

the cube that turns u 90 degrees when u walk on top of it (or that rolls one block every couple seconds) etc etc) and kinda like.. burps at u. is called a rotocube

lantern cube and light cubes (what u create by placing the lantern cube) my beloveds…. <3

the creature in berry story that’s like the weird little guy on wheels that is always on the opposite face of the active player is called a mimic and the little guy on wheels who carries you with the tray is called the transporter cube. i know that one or both of these two have been referred to as piccolo and/or bouncer before in canon and the sounds they make have been called gny/issel which i think means “creak” in swedish. idk im too tired to go back and check any of the naming stuff (but anyway i don’t like berry story very much so im not as motivated KDHDKDHDKDHJ) but i will do so someday in the hopefully near future <3

the cute creatures who play instruments when u win or get achievements etc are called (aptly) drumman and tubaman

sebastian = “infoman” (i need to go back and check if his ladybug was in the file.. im assuming so) and his house is called the info cube >:~) hell yeah

the safkas are called “kid” in the texture files and “baby” in the sound files 😭😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺🥺 and there are actually 4 of them that were made for the game but the red one isn’t used i don’t think!

fun fact: ilo’s pattern is plaid and milo’s pattern is floral… and all of the safkas but the teal one has both plaid and floral (🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺)!!! the teal one has vertical stripes + floral which is very cool :”~D

this is probably common knowledge but it’s news to me — if u get certain achievements in world of keflings and raskulls then u can unlock special costumes for ilo and milo! ilo can be a pirate, “winter” (??), a devil, or a dragon… milo can be a doctor, a witch, a king, or a wizard. not sure if there is anything to read into about this but i am thinking MANY thoughts and i also want to do fanart

i have no idea what a wallpig is but apparently it’s a character. i think it’s honestly the giant background thing that wraps around chapter 1’s skybox (name for level environment apparently) sometimes? but yeah i have to go check

idk if it’s just me but… i don’t think fold cubes are actually in the game right? like maybe they’re the mirror makers but i thought they looked like portals and not faces

also speaking of mirrors i feel like there are mirror textures in the files that don’t actually exist in the game.. like for the nabber and stuff? but ch 3 is my least favorite so i might be misremembering

some notable background creatures i am either too tired to remember or haven’t paid enough attention to: balloon creature, a cupboard creature, the dogfish (which i vaguely recall), the eggs (i think those are from the multiplayer version which i haven’t played in ages), ropegirl, VICTOR (who i will see in my nightmares), and pirate piany who i literally don’t think ive ever seen in my life but there’s sebastian lore in there bc they look like sebastian. basicslly i need to go back and replay the whole game but pay attention to bc characters

LORE AND EASTER EGGS

interestingly enough it seems like the park level was supposed to be ch 1 as planned but then ch 2 would’ve been the noir / night level, ch 3 would’ve been the water level, and ch 4 would’ve been the paper level? that reflects in some game files but not all of them so i wonder what their idea for the story was before they made the switch

letter names 1-5 (i.e. signatures on the memories) are ilona, milton, kalliope, saffron, and dr gris (probably out of order im too tired to check lol) but letter names 6-10 turned up totally blank for me. idk if they’re just supposed to be negative versions of them but the fact that they have numbers and not any sort of “n” indicator is… suspicious

game mechanics i saw in the files but genuinely have zero recollection of: “blink of denial,” smooch, and a phone ringing and being picked up?? maybe all of this is from berry story but idk

sound file names i get a kick out of: “suckplopp” (sound effect; exactly what the name implies) and “rhubarbarella” (the version of the ilomilo theme that plays when u first start up the game before pressing enter to get to the main menu or whatever)

the memories are called “meta stories” in certain game files and the memory fragments are called “membits” that generate “memory fluid” that goes into the “memory machine” !!! wow

there are lots of cool houses / trees / etc in the bg that ive never paid attention to before but a few of them either have faces / characters on or inside them OR…. they have ilo and milo on them 🤯 like this one house in ch 4 (noir level) has a bunch of them in the ilomilo shuffle style incl with crossed out eyes???? uhmmmm

other cool bg things to give shoutouts to: the carboat, the lightrope (which presumably ropegirl hangs out on), the machinarium

i am SO MAD abt this one. so there’s a paper plane that flies around in ch 3 AND IT’S MADE OF AN ILOMILO MANUAL 😭😭😭😭😭 like it has a picture of ilo and milo on it and then u can see folded up excerpts abt chain cubes and p-cubes and the premise of the game… psspspspsps southend studios release the sacred texts

one of the playroom “props” has ilomilo shuffle playing on a video game screen! and (even cooler) another one has a whole bunch of wooden blocks with the only visible block letters being k, s, i, and m……. our four main characters kalliope saffron ilona and milton might have something to say about this 😜

according to the sound files there was going to be a narrator implemented into the game in some way shape or form! complete with breathing and lighting a pipe and lots of speaking files… but i couldn’t tell if they were speaking an actual language or a made up one like sebastian (and now that i say that i wonder if the narrator would’ve been sebastian’s “human” counterpart? but idk)

one of the background items (technically two but the 2nd is a recolor) features a label for something called nom nom jam with ilo and milo dancing around the words! ilona and milton jam making era……

THE RECORDS READ “SEBASTIAN RECORDS” WITH MILTON AND ILONA’S NAMES AS THE ARTISTS?????? were they musicians 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[ladyeliot]

It will always be you

Prequel: Stay with me

Pairing: Tony Stark x Avenger Female Reader

Summary: The snap has happened, the return of Wakanda has not been as you all expected, but now you have to face reality, and you just can't stop thinking about him, about Tony.

Warnings: Angst, Fluff.

Word count: 4101

A/N: Post Infinity War. Some of the dialogue is taken from the film. Sorry for my spelling and grammatical mistakes, English is not my native language, I am learning.

Reader Powers: Psionic. You use psionic force to track any sentient being. You also create psychic shields to protect yourself. You can project psychic force bolts which have no physical effects but which can affect a victim's mind, causing them pain.

Life is a continuous struggle of choices that you have to make without stopping to think for a second. It is said that hope is the last thing to be lost, probably because the choice you made almost left you without it. You must also learn that happiness is the last thing to be found, probably because the choice you have made has made you unhappier than you will ever be. Your life has been full of choices, you might have regretted many of them, but you decided at the time to make them, so you never allowed yourself to regret your actions, until that day.

Three weeks after Thanos snapped, hope was completely lost. The new facility has been uncharacteristically silent, no one has been able to say more than two words in a row, and you had barely managed to say one since your return from Wakanda. Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, James Rhodes, Bruce Banner and you, those were the surviving Avengers, the ones that life had given you a second chance, but it didn't really feel like one.

You were in your old room, old because two years ago one of your decisions had taken you away from that place, yes, you were against the Sokovia Accords, that had led you to take the side of the Captain and to fight against the side of Iron Man, who had been the person who had saved you from the madness that your powers had generated in your mind. But even if you had turned against him, you knew you owed him everything. Evidently this was something he didn't understand, which led to a wide rift that had never been bridged on either side, and which led to a breakdown in your relationship of closeness.

Every corner of that room had been kept exactly as you had left it that night when you fled with Wanda. Your drawings together with the charcoals scattered on the desk, the book 'In Search of Lost Time' by Marcel Proust on the bedside table and that bracelet that Tony had given you for your 26th birthday that you had left next to the open jewellery box on the bed. It was really painful to see all of this, knowing that those facilities would probably never be what they once were, that Wanda would not suddenly appear at your door, that you would never sit around the dinner table and that Tony would not occupy the armchair next to your bed to try to cheer you up after a mission that hadn't gone so well. You didn't know whether frustration was taking over the fear and sadness or whether you just didn't know how to control your feelings on that occasion.

The days were long, each of you working in silence trying to make sense of what had happened, looking for a solution that would never come to the problem. You shared the hours, but the solitude that enveloped you was too austere to realise that there was a person by your side. You didn't know Thanos' location, however, even if you did, especially if you did, it had become clear that you could not stand alone against his entire army.

"Would you like some?" asked Natasha offering you a plate with a veggie sandwich on it, which you took with an almost soundless 'thank you'.

Yes, actually that had been your first word in five days, since you said goodnight to Bruce last Sunday, food and sleep were not high on your priorities, especially when you spent the night using your telepathic detection trying to find some sign of life that would make you believe Tony was alive, but it was useless. Your psionic senses allowed you to track any sentient being, you were able to scan large areas, but your ability did not address the entire universe.

That night your spirits seemed to be running low to the ground, three weeks without having achieved anything that would allow you to have any lucidity in your plans was too long as the situation stood. You could hear in the background a soft murmur coming from a conversation between Natasha and Steve, but you weren't really paying attention to it, it was all in your thoughts. But at that instant, an inner burst made them evaporate. A signal came into your brain, a psionic emanation that alerted you to the presence of a spaceship entering the stratosphere, with a fixed direction, yours. You rose from your chair, standing upright, capturing the attention of the people around you. You closed your eyes, heightening all your senses, taking in all the information that was coming to you, at that moment you felt it. You opened your eyes and looked at them.

"He's here," were the only words you could utter before you rushed outside. Your companions soon followed your path, asking questions to explain what was happening, but your inner euphoria prevented you from saying a single word.

That ship appeared above you as you raced across the garden, night was falling relentlessly and you could only glimpse a halo of light that seemed to direct the ship as it landed delicately on the wide grassy esplanade. The five of you paused, taking in the scene, discovering how a side door opened to project a flight of stairs. When you saw his face for the first time your lungs deflated, letting out all the air they had accumulated over a long period of time. Your body went rigid and you didn't react until Steve ran past you and approached the ship to help him down.

He looked terrible, it was evident in every facial feature and in his body movements, you knew what you had been through, but you had no idea what Tony had been through since his disappearance in New York, although you could get a pretty good idea. Before your eyes were Steve and Tony in custody, reunited again, after all that had happened, none of it mattered, at least not to you, and perhaps you had a vain hope that it didn't matter to anyone else either. Even so you didn't know how to act when your eyes connected with his, for a slight moment you wanted to approach him, offer him a hug and tell him that you were relieved to discover that he was there, with you, after all, but you chose to stay where you were, next to Natasha.

It wasn't until you headed inside that the stiffness disappeared from your body. A whispered 'are you okay' from Steve made you react again and pay attention to Natasha's words that were projecting all the information gathered during those days.

"The governments are destroyed," she reported as she projected images showing the missing, like Wilson, Maximoff and Parker, among others, "the working parts are trying to do a census, and it looks like he did it. He did what he said he would do. Thanos wiped out 50% of all living things."

Silence echoed around you, you were sitting in an armchair, somewhat away from the other members, playing with your fingers, trying not to look up, until he spoke.

"Where is he now?" asked Tony. "Where?"

"We don't know," Steve informed him from beside you, sitting at a table. "He opened a portal and went through it. We looked for Thanos for three weeks, with deep space scanners," Steve looked at you, "and satellites, and we found nothing." He looked at Tony. "Tony, you fought him."

"What are you talking about?" asked Tony from his wheelchair. "I didn't fight him. No, he wiped my face with a planet while the wizard gave away the store. That's what happened, there's no fight..."

You took a breath and sighed, because you could contemplate what was about to happen right now, the nerves were there along with the negativity and failure of some of the superheroes on that planet and others, and you knew it could explode at any moment.

"Tony, I'm going to need you to focus..." Steve repeated again hoping that Tony would offer him some clue as to the whereabouts of Thanos.

"I needed you," interrupted Tony in a raised tone. "as in past tense.  That trumps what you need. It's too late, buddy. Sorry." He used a second of his silence to look at Steve and another second to look at you, who stood beside him. You took in most of the feelings hidden in his gaze, and none of them were positive or forgiving. "You know what I need? I need a shave," he tried to get out of the wheelchair, taking everything on the table in his stride. "I don't believe I ever remember telling you this..." he ripped out the IV that connected the drip to his left arm. "To the living and the dead, What we needed was a suit of armor around the world! Remember that? Whether it impacted our precious freedoms or not," he looked back at you and Steve repeatedly. "That's what we needed!”

The discussion continued, avoiding an upset Tony explaining everything he thought about the current and past situation, ignoring the suggestions Rhodes was giving him to calm down and take his seat again.

"[...] Bunch of tired old wheels!" he pointed at Steve. "I got nothin' for you, Cap! I've got no coordinates, no clues, no strategies, no options! Zero, zip, nada. No trust - liar."

Almost ipso facto he turned to you ripped off the reactor prostrate on his chest and handed it to Steve in his hand, leaving those present virtually speechless, if you still had any left.

"Here, take this. You'll find him, if you put that on. You hide-"

After those words you gazed again into his eyes full of resentment at the past, before his body could take it no more and he collapsed in the middle of the room.

In the hours that followed, you were the shadow of a ghost gazing at him from a distance from the door frame of one of the recovery rooms in the new complex. On the one hand fearing his reaction against you when he woke up, while on the other hand wanting to hear it because you knew that sooner or later it would come but you wanted it to come as soon as possible so that you could face it. Those words she had said to Steve were harsh, but they were really nothing to what you expected might happen. It seemed absurd at the time to have entertained the idea that it might have been forgotten.

"Bruce gave him a sedative," Rhodes said, looking up at you, who were leaning against the doorframe. "He'll be unconscious for the rest of the day. Do you want to sit down?"

"No...I'd better..." but Rhodes didn't allow you to finish your words, as he had risen from the armchair next to Tony and offered it to you. "Thank you."

The door to the room ajar to offer you some more privacy. As you turned your gaze towards him you realised the fragility his body conveyed in those moments, he had spent weeks wandering through space not knowing if he was going to get the chance to return home again and yet he had been able to stay alive and find himself there. You closed your eyes and settled back on the couch, you remembered the first time you did that with Tony, he had spent too much time without sleep after the events after the Chitauri invasion, he could barely sleep because of the nightmares and he begged you to stop them every night, so with your eyes closed you concentrated and invaded his mind with caution releasing the tension you found in it and giving him the peace he needed. When you opened your eyes again, her expression seemed to have changed, she seemed to have found some relief inside her, that fact made you smile. But a knock on the door woke you up.

"We need to talk," Steve's words sounded serious.

A new piece of information about Thanos' whereabouts came as a surprise, but for you the surprise came right after.

"Wait, is this some kind of punishment or something?" you said completely dumbfounded, just outside the room where Tony was, with what Steve was proposing. "Why me?"

"Because we need someone to stay with Tony," he said calmly crossing his arms.

"Is it because I'm the smallest of the whole team? Because I could really knock you all out right now with the blink of an eye," you said crossing your arms too.

"It's because Tony needs you," Steve lowered his tone, "and you need him."

There was nothing but truth in those words. You didn't know if Tony really needed you, but what you had assumed was that you'd needed him for a long time, and you'd put a lot of things before that need, creating your close relationship to go to shit, basically.

"I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you on this mission," Steve said frankly. "And he wouldn't forgive me either if I said that happened."

You lowered your face as you nodded, accepting his words and the job you had been given.

"Be very careful," you said before Steve disappeared from in front of you to take a path that you had no idea what could be in store for them.

From that moment on, the hours went by really slowly, you took your position in that armchair again, you needed to have a clear mind, you couldn't continue martyring yourself with all the events that had happened, so you started reading 'In Search of Lost Time', that book that had been forgotten on the bedside table since you left that place. News was nil, you barely got a sign of what might be happening and you knew it would probably be days before you got it. 

Night was falling on the compound again, Tony was barely making any sign of waking up, which also gave you time to consider how the situation would play out, and various possibilities for coping with it. Some of his belongings had been salvaged from the ship, and his helmet, or rather what was left of it, stared at you from the dresser in the room. Without having a reason in mind you approached him, causing a blue light to suddenly flash across his eyes, showing you his figure in the middle of the room.

"Is it on?" a figure of a seated, completely haggard Tony appeared before your eyes. "Hey, Ms. Y/L/N, Y/N," your brow furrowed, but you approached his reflection. "If you find this footage don't put it on social media, it'll be really tearful," his words brought a sad smile to your face. "I don't know if you'll watch these videos. I don't even know if you're still... Oh god, I hope so..." there was a silence from his words, but you could see him bring his hands to his face, something inside you cracked. "I guess it's easier to do this if you know the chances of seeing you again are practically nil," something inside you made your heart shrink. "I probably should have realised this a lot sooner," he fell silent, "yeah, but I was busy trying not to hate you too much, you know, when you decided to abandon me and choose the other side," exhaustion almost prevented him from keeping his eyes open. "Anyway, anyway that made me realise how important you had been to me," he let his gaze wander, "I tried to be there for you ever since I met you and... god, this is getting too depressing," he ran his hand over his face. "I just want you to know that I wish you were here, because you're the only person I'd like to share my last hours with," he nodded slightly, you knew what he was trying to say with those words, which made your eyes water. "Don't feel bad about this, I mean, if you stay prostrate for a couple of weeks... and then move on with immense guilt..." he hid his face in the palm of his hand and closed his eyes, you wiped away a tear that ran down your cheek keeping the bitter smile you had been wearing all along. "I want you to know... when I've fallen asleep, it will be like the nights we spent together. I'm fine. All right," he gestured towards you. "I'll dream of you. Because it will always be you."

Suddenly, as if nothing had happened, his image disappeared in front of your eyes, leaving you with hundreds of feelings invading your body and mind. You looked up and there he was, still there, sleeping pleasantly, barely knowing what had just happened. You hurriedly wiped away the last tear running down your cheek and sat back down, putting your feet up on the couch, unable to take your eyes off him. Perhaps those thoughts were drawn from his most desperate moments, believing that his life was about to come to an end, perhaps he was unwilling to show them to you now that he had resumed the course of his life, so even though it was not possible you tried to send them to a hidden place in your mind.

You had hardly slept in those three weeks, your mind hadn't rested for days and you didn't know why, but finding yourself curled up in that armchair next to Tony was giving you back the tranquillity your body hadn't known for too long. It was impossible to stop your eyelids from closing, on the contrary you were willing them to do so and for sleep to warmly invade your body, no matter how long you could stay asleep. That's how it happened, making the hours pass without you even noticing. 

Like a little gust of wind, something in your body made the light enter through your eyelashes. Slowly you opened your eyes, feeling in various parts of your body a tightness due to the position in which you had fallen asleep in that armchair. You discovered that a woollen blanket covered your limbs, but what kept you alert was the bed next to you was completely empty. Tony wasn't there. You jumped up, looking around, the bedroom door was ajar and Iron Man's helmet was missing.

"Tony?" you asked, raising your voice, stepping out into the hallway. "Tony! Where are you?"

You barely heard an answer, so you were thankful those powers were within you, you stopped in the middle of the corridor and closed your eyes, your receptors picked up a signal coming from downstairs, it was him. You found him leaning on the kitchen counter, his eyes closed as he tried to stand. You ran to him, grabbing his arm to hold him up.

"What do you think you're doing?" you said, leading him to the nearest armchair in the living room.

You discovered that he had shaved, taken a shower and was wearing one of his Tom Ford suits that were so recognisable to you. That meant he had been wandering around the house unsupervised for over an hour without waking you up. You knelt down next to him.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" you asked with a worried look on your face as you contemplated that he was extremely tired. "Bruce gave a set of instructions for you to follow, you can't just walk around..."

"It was your turn?" he cut you off with an angry tone. "Be my babysitter? How did you do it? Did you draw lots?" his countenance was serious, you could still see the puffiness in his eyes and his face fully dehydrated. "Whoever draws the shortest stick gets to look after poor Stark, all right, listen..."

"No! You listen to me," you cut him off, raising your tone above his, standing up and resting your hands on each armrest "Tony, we all lost. We all fought and lost, none of us made it," your face was three feet above his. "So now all we can do is try, in some completely illogical way, to move the situation forward. And if we can't, at least look to the future by doing our best to honour those we have lost."

Silence flooded over you.

"So please don't make the situation more complicated," you continued, lowering your tone, almost begging him. "If I've stayed with you it's because Steve has made me understand some things, because yes, it wasn't really my intention to stay with you from the start, but then I realised that if anyone had to stay with you it was me. I realised that if I had to risk my life again I didn't want to go on the mission, because that would mean never seeing you again.And I've also realised that I've needed you for a long time, that I'm finally by your side and I have no intention of separating from you. Whether you like it or not." Tony cut his gaze with yours by ducking it, but brought his right hand over yours.

That gesture provoked you to bring your other hand to his face, placing a gentle caress on his cheek.

"I know there are a lot of things we need to talk about, but one thing we do have is time," you explained as Tony intertwined his fingers with yours. "So please, don't do anything more stupid and don't disappear," maybe it was the atmosphere generated by the situation, but you risked saying the next words. "Because it will always be you."

Tony closed his eyes a little regretfully, a little embarrassedly, and brought his free hand to his face.

"I knew you saw that," he added calmly removing his hand from his face. "Well, at least I've saved myself from having to repeat it in person."

"I'm not sure I got it right," you said falsely. "You know, there was a lot of interference, and besides, I couldn't really understand what you were saying, so..."

"Sorry, there was only one pass for the film," he said wryly which caused you to smile widely as you rediscovered that the old Tony was still hidden in it. "We won't know when there will be a revival."

"Too bad, I really liked that movie," you sat down on the armrest without letting go of his hand and looking up at him.

"Really?" he asked for the first time modestly, and putting aside all the irony that surrounded the situation.

"Totally," you nodded, trying to express all the many feelings through your eyes.

Silence again kept you company, until Tony somewhat uncomfortably broke it.

"I suppose you know that by now I would have kissed you and created a fully effective plan to make love to you for hours until you begged me to stop in pleasure," he stated lamely, "although I think if you give me a couple of hours..."

"All right, Don Juan," you cut him off with a chuckle, "we'd better leave all that for later, and I'll take you back to bed now."

"I think it's a good start if you take me to bed," he continued with his insinuations.

You got up from the armrest and helped him put his arm around your shoulders, even though he repeatedly told you he could walk unaided. 

"Have we heard from the team?" he asked, slowly climbing the steps of the ladder.

"Soon," you said with a halo of hope. 

You definitely made it back to the room, having made it successfully through the journey. You helped him get rid of the shoes and shirt that his pride had forced him to wear, but which now made no sense when he was going back to bed.

"See, you're finally going to get what you wanted, I'm undressing you," you said jokingly causing a smile to appear on Tony's face as he lay back down. "You rest, I'll be here. I'll always be here."

Taglist Open (DM)

MAIN MASTERLIST

[sleepyowlwrites]

find the word tag CCLXXVI

stolen from Ghosty because I haven't been a thief in a while. I miss it. @zmlorenz the first scriv doc to open is always collections, so I'm just gonna use that.

scratch (heartbeat, 2021)

He hears the heartbeat, he registers it above the churning of his gut and the hot pulsing of the blood vessels directly beneath his skin and the still present background scratching of the river down below and away from him; Liu Sang allows himself to just run into the familiar body of his ouxiang anyway.

Strong arms wrap around his trembling frame, hands grip his waist under Pangzi’s large jacket and hold on. Liu Sang feels even more relief than when he’d been certain that his heartbeat hadn’t been the only one to make it out of the river. His forehead rests against his ouxiang’s collarbones like a stone, heavy and useless. More hands pry it up again and are cold against his cheeks. He knows, he does, that he himself is very cold, but he’s also very tired and his ability to feel that chill is slowly slipping away from him.

This is bad. Liu Sang knows it’s bad. But also he’s finally back where he’s supposed to be, right? He’s back with his team, with his friends, and now he’s safe, so he doesn’t have to worry that he’s losing an awareness of what’s happening with his body.

lock (shots, 2019)

"Every time I trust you I regret it," Jay said. “Let’s just go.”

Lexi inched her way out of their hiding space. "Have it your way. Follow me."

They crept down the hall past various offices, their doors locked. This building had a surprising lack of windows, Lexi was grateful for the lack of city lights creating shadows. She stopped before the corner of the intersecting hallways. Uncertain surroundings always felt more reliable in the dark, where she could play things by ear - literally.

Her shoes didn't make so much as a squeak as they glided across the tiles. Lexi's breathing was even and calm, not hanging on a beat as she waited for her target to start moving.

survive (the sleepy stash, 2020)

“I didn’t come this far or survive this long by making friends.”

“No, you just made enemies. Of everyone.”

“Even you?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

paint (meta-portal, 2021)

"Always makes me a bit nervous," Sangyeon says. "I think he might fall in while he's painting and what if he's painted a mountaintop? Could be dangerous."

Jacob nods. "I get that. But most portals come with a barrier. You can't fall in while you're constructing them, because they're not open yet."

"Alright. That makes me feel better."

Across the room, Hyunjae shoots them a nasty look and flicks pink paint at them. Changmin intercepts it with a minor shield spell. "Stop doing that."

Hyunjae looks down (up) his nose at Changmin (who always grows slightly taller when he does magic). "Don't interrupt me."

step, grab, reach, bend. BONUS: sneak, hover. @andiwriteunderthemoon @stardustspiral @sleepy-night-child @moononherwings @spacetimewraithwrites OR ANYBODY or nobody

[chibinekochan]

Cherry Serpent - ft. Levi / reader

In this au you are a member of a semi famous j pop group, named Cherry Serpent. 

You are a human exchange student and asked Lucifer and Diavolo to keep your fame a secret, since you desire to live a normal life, at least in the devildom. Lucifer doesn't get it but is fine with this. You also get your own little portal so you can travel freely between the worlds. Soon you find out that Levi is your biggest fan.

  Small side notes - Cherry Serpent is an enby group, their whole aesthetic is based around snakes and cherries with an overall cute look. The group has 5 members.

Your character is Sakura, who is the cute one of the group. You wear a wig and contacts on stage. With some pretty heavy makeup. 

Here is how I picture Mc's stage outfit.

  Pairing: Levi x reader

2.5k words

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At the start of your exchange program you didn't hear any mention of cherry serpent. It's not a huge surprise and honestly it's a relief. You don't have to worry about anything and just be yourself. 

On stage you must play the role of the cutie with a love for cherries. In reality you are a huge anime and game nerd with a love for hoodies. Most people would be very disappointed if they knew. At least you believe that. 

Not long after coming to the devildom you become friends with Levi. You find it very easy to be around Levi. He never judges you for anything and it's very relaxing to be with him.

  Everything is going very well. You feel much more relaxed and your idol carrier is also going well.

  Well, at least until the day you walk into Levi's room and find a huge poster of your own face staring right back at you. 

You stare at it in awe. You can remember the photoshoot very vividly.

  “Hey perfect timing. I was just about to tell you about my newest treasure. Look at this beauty. It's so rare for Sakura to have a photoshoot, they are very shy. I relate so much. I'm so happy. I mean it's super rare merch.” Levi is very happy, so happy that he doesn't realize that you have gotten a bit pale. Now he will surely notice that you are Sakura. I mean it's literally your face but like 3 times bigger than you are. 

“Oh, wow that's pretty cool.” You try to not show your distress. 

“Sakura is just so cute, look at their signature hand sign. I mean I have pre-ordered the new CD of course. Actually about 500 of them. I know it sounds like a lot but they have limited photos of them all and a chance to win a vip ticket for the next concert.” Levi is in full fan mode. 

It's pretty sweet of him to be this excited about it. Even when 500 copies seems a bit too much to you. 

“You really are a huge cherry serpent fan.” You never thought that a demon would ever be your fan, especially since you have not heard a single thing about it since your arrival. 

“Ohhh, you know about them? Don't tell me you are a fellow cs stan?” Levi's eyes light up. 

You bite your lips, darn you forgot that your group is just semi famous even by human standards, it's rare to meet a person that recognizes you just from a poster. 

“I have heard about them.” You try to be vague. 

“That's so cool! Who is your favorite? I mean I'm a full Sakura stan. Maybe I'm biased but when I first heard their first solo single 'cherry beast.' I was so excited and they sang about the love between a sea beast and a human. It was so touching. Ever since that day, I've been their biggest fan.” Levi has stars in his eyes.

  This is pretty embarrassing. You can't help but blush a little, of course you had people tell you things like this before during handshake events but they all were strangers. 

This here is different, it's your friend telling you how much they love your work. Even when Levi doesn't know that you are Sakura.

  “I think they are all great but why Sakura?” You wonder a bit about this. 

“Well, other than their cute outfit, they have the best voice, the best signature move. They always encourage everyone. Like one day I felt very down and sent a request to their radio show and Sakura was so sweet and really encouraged me. I know Sakura isn't the best dancer but they always train so hard and improve so much everyday. I honestly want to be more like that. We also share a love for water creatures. I mean their favorite pet is a fish, despite them only being able to have a toy fish due to their busy life. Such a tragedy.” Levi seems unable to stop himself.

  This makes you smile. You have never heard anyone say such sweet things about you. 

“I know it must sound funny to you.” Levi seems a bit embarrassed. 

“Oh no, you were just so cute that I couldn't help smiling.” You are telling at least half of the truth. 

Levi blushes.“ You shouldn't tease me like this.” He is pouting. 

You giggle a little. “Sorry Levi.”

“Now that I think about it, you are similar to Sakura.” Levi looks closely at you.

Did he notice who you really are? 

“What do you mean?” You shift nervously around.

“You always encourage me too.” Levi gives you a smile. 

Now you feel a bit embarrassed.“That's very sweet of you to say Levi.” 

“I also think that you look similar.” Levi says this very quietly. 

“I'm not sure if I do.” You can't say that you don't look like this at all. 

“Well, how about we listen to their old CD and play some games?” Levi is utterly embarrassed again and just tries to move on.

  You welcome this chance. 

After a few games you both take a break. 

The CD is still running in the background, it's pretty surreal. What are you going to do when Levi notices that this is your voice?

  All kinds of thoughts keep running through your head for the rest of the day. 

Why does Levi have to be your fan boy? 

It's not like you want to hide this from him but how will he react once you tell him the truth?

He will be disappointed in you for sure. You basically lied to your best friend. 

You ponder about this for the rest of the night. Causing you to be very tired the next day.

  Asmo sees you and can't help himself to mention it.“Don't tell me that you have been gaming all night again? You have an awful complexion. Well, nothing that I can't fix of course.” He shakes his head. 

“Not this time Asmo. I just have been thinking about some stuff.” You sigh lightly. 

“What kind of stuff? I'm glad to hear you out you know.” Asmo tries to be supportive. 

You honestly appreciate this, especially today. “I can't really talk about it here.” You are afraid that Levi will overhear you. 

“In that case you should come to my room later.” Asmo gives you a suggestive smile. 

“If you mean to talk then I'm willing to come.” You know that he means no harm. 

“Alright, we will just have some snacks and tea and talk about all of your troubles.” Asmo shrugs and casually changes his tone. 

In the end he is a good friend. 

“I will bring your favorite cupcakes to make it up to you.” You give him a soft smile. 

“Now that is a plan. I'm looking forward to it.” Asmo is genuine about this and you are grateful.

  Later in the day you go to Asmos room with the promised cupcakes. 

Asmo is delighted. It seems like he is really looking forward to this. 

You both sit down and have some tea before starting your conversation.

  “I will get straight to the issue. I have a secret from my best friend and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.” You aren't sure how much you should tell Asmo. 

“Is this about you being a member of cherry serpent?” Asmo says this very casually, while you almost spit your tea out. 

“How do you know that?” You are too surprised to deny anything. 

“Please, I've known ever since we went to karaoke. Levi might be too blind to see it but I have heard enough of your music to recognize your voice. I mean your stage makeup is great but it's clearly you.�� Asmo just shakes his head. 

“You knew all this time but never once mentioned it?” You are pretty baffled. 

“I know how it is to be in the spotlight and figured that you had reasons to hide it. I knew you would come forward when you are ready.” Asmo keeps sipping his tea. It's honestly amazing to you. 

“That was very nice of you Asmo.” You feel honestly touched. 

“Does that mean that you have finally fallen for me?” Asmo gives you a flirty smile. 

“Nope, I'm just glad that you support me.” You shoot him down with a smile. 

“Too bad. Well, anyway, I think you should tell Levi. I know he is your fanboy. I mean technically of Sakura, but I'm sure he will be happy to know that you are his favorite idol.”Asmo casually moves on and then gives you his suggestion. 

“I'm afraid that he will see me differently than now and I also don't want him to hate me. I hid this from him all this time after all.” Both things weigh equally on your mind. 

“He will figure it out sooner or later. If he finds this out from anyone else he will be much more hurt.” Asmo says this gently while still being firm. 

You can only agree and nod. “You are right.” You feel sad about this.

The last thing you want is for Levi to treat you differently. 

“Of course I'm right, and you know it's not the worst thing in the world to have your own personal cheerleader.” Asmo doesn't really understand your issue. 

“I just want to stay close to him. I can't do that if he is only my fan boy.” You shake your head. 

“You should tell him that. I don't think Levi will stop being your friend first and fanboy second. Maybe your relationship will change but that's not always a bad thing.” Asmo gives you some much needed encouragement. 

“You are right. Thank you for your help Asmo.” You give him a heartfelt smile. 

Asmo seems slightly troubled for a moment but then smiles as usual once again. “Everything for you.”

You spend some time with Asmo, catching up on the latest devildom gossip. 

After talking about anything you feel much better.

  You go back to your room and see a load of messages from Levi. 

It seems like he got tickets for an upcoming concert. All is well and good but it's a cherry serpent concert. 

Now you really need to come clean to Levi.

  After thinking for hours about the right way to gently break the news, you invite Levi over to your room.

  Not long after Levi arrives. He is still very giddy over the tickets. He almost seems to sparkle. “Hey, there. I guess you also wanted to celebrate the great news right? I have brought some snacks and some other stuff.” As usual he has brought some seemingly random things with him.

“Come in Levi. We really need to talk.” You give him a nervous smile. 

“Is the moment where you break up with me? Wait, we aren't dating…” Levi seems pretty confused. 

“Stop fooling around. There is something that I really need to tell you.” You feel slightly annoyed at his joke. 

“Alright, sorry…” Levi gets serious in an instant. One hundred reasons why you want to talk to him in such a serious manner race threw his head. No reason is a good one.

  Levi sits down, trying to prepare himself for whatever you will drop on him. 

“I know what I'm about to tell you will probably be upsetting. You should know that you are my best friend and if possible I want you to see me the same way as you see me now. You see, I have a big secret that I kept from everyone.” You take a small breath,“I'm a member of cherry serpent. To be more precise I'm Sakura.” 

You prepare yourself for whatever Levi will throw at you. His possible anger or hurt.

What hits you is stunned silence. Levi looks at you like he can't comprehend your words at all.

  It takes him a moment to get over the sheer shock of this information. “W-wait.. Hold it right there! You are SAKURA? Since when? Wait that's a stupid question. Are you serious right now?” Levi has huge issues understanding what you are saying. 

“It's true Levi. I'm sorry I have been hiding this for so long.” You feel pretty guilty. 

“Never mind that part but you are telling me that I'm friends with Sakura? THE SAKURA FROM CHERRY SERPENT?? I can't believe it!” Levi seems to struggle with his emotions but he seems pretty happy. 

“Well you are friends with me. I just happened to be Sakura as an idol.” You feel like you really need to point this out. 

“Oh yeah. That is an important distinction. So, you are telling me that my best friend is not only an idol but also my favorite idol on top of that?” Levi's confusion seems completely gone. He is very excited. 

“Yes, that's right. I mean, I didn't know that Sakura is your favorite idol.” This point is a bit embarrassing to you. 

“Now they definitely are. I mean my best friend is Sakura. So of course Sakura is my favorite idol.” Levi says this without any hesitation. 

This makes you smile. “That is very sweet of you Levi.”

Somehow this causes Levi to blush.“Stop being so unfair.” He mumbles. 

“Does that mean that you aren't mad? I mean, I've been lying to you for a pretty long time.” You are still bothered by it. 

“I'm not mad. I actually can't believe that I never noticed. In hindsight, I was pretty blind.” Levi seems to beat himself up more than anything. 

“I look very different on stage. I bet most people would be very disappointed by my normal appearance.” You give him a small smile. 

“Everyone that says that is a huge idiot. You are even better than Sakura in my opinion.” Levi seems a bit offended by your statement. 

This makes you giggle. “You truly are my biggest fan, aren't you Levi?” 

“Damn right I am! I will continue to support you and I will take your secret to my grave.” Levi says this with unusual confidence. It's something you can only see when he beats the final boss of a game. 

“You are the best!” You give him a big hug.

  This makes Levi freeze on the spot. “Hey, no surprise attacks!” 

You burst out laughing, there is your usual Levi. “Sorry Levi.”

“It's not like I hate it, but you should warn me.” Levi pouts a little.

You are just glad that your friendship is safe.

  On the day of your concert Levi joins the rest of your fans, as usual. 

Thanks to his great efforts he is far upfront. Waving his glowsticks. 

This is a very familiar sight to you. When you notice him your eyes meet just for a moment and you give him an extra smile while doing your signature move, just for him.

  Then you notice that Levi wears a shirt with your name on it. Not with his usual Sakura gear but your real name.

  What a sweet surprise. 

[afandommultiverse]

KidNAP - Rhya LEMON

Words - 1868 Request - Alfirineth

A/n - I'm sorry I kinda strayed off with the request, I hope this is still good? I combined 3 soulmate AUs - name written in wrists - soulmate and enemies name written on your wrists but you don't which is which - a countdown clock to when you meet them Enjoy!

Y/n P.O.V

I looked up at the blue sky with tired eyes, counting the clouds floating across the massive empyrean hanging above me. Sweet chirps of birds and sweet melodies of the wind dancing through the green leaves branching around the border of my perception, luring me to a peaceful sleep.

SNAP

And all peace was lost.

"You're in my spot." I turned my head lazily to face the intruder, interrupting my way to a plentiful nap. My arm seemed to burn, all buzzing and swarming from the same place as I set my eyes on him. I looked down at my wrist, eyes widening as the 3 zeros glared back at me, blaring my time up and he was here. His name was written precariously under the blinking numbers.

Rhya.

"So, it's you?" I called turning back to look at the sky. I could him wandering over, his steps all the louder compared to the soft nature that once was my background. He was right beside me in seconds, sitting down and laying beside me.

"I guess so."  Soulmates? All of my friends had already met all of theirs. Me? I took the longest and now that I'm finally here, it all feels the same. Nothing is different. If anything, it was just the same as it was 2 minutes ago before the clock ended.

Or was he my biggest enemy? I turned to look at my other wrist, its own clock still counting down, days away before I meet the second name written across my wrist. My eyes flipped to the sideways, watching the man beside me. He continued to look up at the sky, eyes empty as they stared dazedly.

"Do you know how we could figure this out? I'd rather not fret over this too long, sounds like it would be a drag." I mutter, already feeling sleepy again, bored with the situation as it was.

"I do, but for that, I'm gonna need you to come with me." My head snapped to look at him. Looking at him like he was crazy, I blurted.

"Do I look stupid to you? I can feel your mana! Anyone with some sense and the ability to feel it would know with the amount you have, you're all trouble. I'm too lazy to deal with any of that." Rhya slowly sat up, turning to look at me.

"Well, we can't know- unless we go. See, it even rhymes!" Rhya smirked. I only glare with rising boredom- and annoyance.

"No."

"Well, then I'm really sorry about this sweetheart." Suddenly he grabbed my shoulders before shoving me forward, moving to brace myself for the ground and roll out from under him, my stomach dropped when I didn't feel the impact of the ground. Instead, my body fell through an open chasm ripping apart the space and time of the earth, a spacial portal. Holding my breath, I waited until we made it to the other end.

Suddenly we were spat out, the end results surprisingly comfy. I looked around me, it was a bedroom, neat and mostly barren, but no doubt lived in. Rhya had flipped sometime in the portals. His body laying on top of mine was soon recognized and I snapped to look up at him.

"What the hell?!" He only smiled down at me, it was when I felt his hands grip my wrist gently did I realize he had them pinned above me.

"Don't you want to know what we are? Enemies or soulmates?" He whispered, pulling in close to my jaw to speak before pulling back and starting to kiss gently down my jaw and neck. It felt good, and even with how weird it all was, the kisses were comforting. I ripped my arm away from his lock, quick to put my hand against his chest and shove him back.

"You're lucky I don't obliterate your chest now." I hissed, flipping him over, my hand pinning his neck into the sheets, and by god did he look pretty. He only smiled back at me, his own hand coming to rest on my hip and swirl never-ending shapes into the fabric covering the skin. Skin that burned to feel the pad of his finger slide against it.

"I know a spell, sweetheart. Afraid we do have to get naked though." He was all smug, even as my fingers gripped a little tighter. Rhya lifted his hips, pressing the growing erection against my groin, quick to set a slow rocking pace. 

Unprepared for the sudden friction, my thigh gripped tightly around his hips, only bringing him in tighter. I leaned forward, quick to cover any whines or moans that had threatened to spill out, meeting the complacent eyes of Rhya, watching me struggle slightly.

"Come on, Sweetheart, I know you're not completely against it." I wasn't. It had been quite some dry spell, and I wouldn't be unhappy to break with such an alluring man. Plus, if he did turn out to be my enemy, wouldn't it make it so much juicer if we had sex? Especially if it was good?

"What's the spell?" I question, rocking my hips a bit of my own, pushing up against him. He groaned and gripped my hips, eager to continue.

"First things first, you gotta strip." I ceased my rocking and sat back, moving to rid my clothes. When I had finished and sat nude, I was surprised to find Rhya in the same state. He beckoned me up, moving to situated me over him again.

"I'm going to draw these sigils on you with my mana, you will do the same thing for me," He fingers drifted across my breath, drawing a sign that glowed a bright blue against my skin. His hand drifted lower, resting on my lower stomach. "In the same places," He whispered, finishing the final sign, letting his fingers linger. He pulled my hand to his chest, and rested it above his heart, prompting me to go.

I drew the same sign, my mana appearing f/c against Rhya skin, lighting up certain freckles spattered across his chest I couldn't quite see in the darkroom to begin with. As I continued on to draw the last symbol, drifting my fingers slowly, I felt the muscles twitch with each skimming touch. I recognized the symbols, making out the words 'Enemies' and 'Soulmates' each in their respectful places.

"What now?" I whispered peering down into Rhya's lustful eyes, feeling just as excited and as aroused as him, practically throbbing with need.

"We show each other a good time. Ladies first?" I scoffed and shook my head, moving to flip around pushing my ass back, and facing his cock. I looked back over my shoulder meeting his blown-out eyes, distracted with the sigh of my puffy pussy, glistening, and eager for touch.

"I hope you don't plan on leaving me hanging, do you?" I emphasized it by arching my back more, pushing myself closer, and even shaking my ass slightly, like dangling food for a dog. I felt his hand drift up to my thigh, smoothing over the globe of my ass before finally resting besides my opening, pulling flesh around it to get a better look.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Sweetheart." I moaned as a finger slid up my slit, pushing lightly against my hole before moving back up, rubbing a small circle into my clit, he continued this pattern until I finally began to show him some attention. I licked at the tip on his cock, catching salty weeps of pre-cum on my tongue. Wrapping my lips around him, I sucked on his tip gingerly before moving down and hollowing my cheeks, sucking softly. I could hear him groan behind me, his fingers stuttering faintly as he played with me.

Swiftly, a finger entered the center, gummy walls quick to pull him in and accept any erosion. The newfound pleasure had me whining around his cock, sending vibrations only making him push further into my needy cunt. He rubbed at my walls, pushing forward to find that spongy patch that would have me seeing stars, when I pushed forward, nudging his cock down my throat and swallowing.

"God- y-you are really... g-good at that." He sighed out, moving his second hand to rub at my clit while he continued to thrust into me, adding a second and third finger. My stomach fanned with heat, making my body buzz alive in apprehension in what's to come. I cried out around his cock, stiffening around his fingers cumming with the last strum against my clit.

I pulled off his cock to breath, getting ready to go back again, Rhya pulled me off, turning me around and raising me above his burnished cock. "As much as I would love to cum down your pretty throat, Sweetheart," He rubbed his tip against my slit, teasing me before finally setting into place and beginning to push forward. "But I want to cum in this tight thing a lot more." I moaned and he pushed in, filling me with several thick inches of good cock, rubbing against every nerve in every good way.

"Rhya!" That was the first time I said his name when he was stuffing me full of cock. He groaned and pushed to fit in more, brushing against my cervix. "That sounds pretty good falling from your lips, Y/n." I pushed my hips against him, ready to start moving if he wouldn't. As if reading my mind he began to move, pulling back and thrust back in gently. I held by lifting my hips, grounding down with his upwards thrusts, following a consistent rhythm.

I moved my lips to kiss him, pressing against his own which were surprisingly soft, pillowy, and plush. Our tongues dance in a sloppy exchange, neither fighting for the top, just touching and exploring one another. Pulling back to watch a single string staring to connect us, I moved my lips to kiss down at his neck, even biting some to hear his gorgeous gasps. A particular thrust hit the perfect spot, making me cry out against his ear I had previously been biting at.

"Oh yeah? Right there?" Rhya questions, slowing down to readjust before kicking back into gear and hitting that same spot with almost every furious thrust. I moaned against his neck helplessly, reveling in the feeling of his powerful thrusts, echoing throughout my body and making my head hazy, craving to reach that end again. I felt my stomach warm again, but this time hotter, butterflies tickling me bordering on the edge of sickening, I looked down to see the lovers sigil begin to grow brighter, burning into my skin.

Rhya's hand slid to press against the sigil, watching the light of it slip through his fingers as they continued to dance down, finally meeting their destination at my clit.

"You know what that means, Sweetheart." He began to rub furiously at my clit, pressing almost too hard on the pebbled bundle of nerves, but it was perfect, it was all I needed to finally snap. White-hot pleasure surging throughout my entire body, my vision goes dim, head bursting with hormones in a satisfying relief.

"We're soulmates."

[five-rivers]

Darkness/Poison

This is part of the ‘Doorways’ series (aka Danny is an eldritch abomination and Jack and Maddie have no normal friends so they decide to go on a road trip to make sure none of their friends from college have become semi-satanic soul-eating holes in reality AU).  

AO3 link to series.

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The Fenton Ghost Assault Vehicle did not have the smoothest ride in the world, but Danny was used to it.  Also, he had driven the Specter Speeder through the Carnivorous Canyon and ridden in Johnny 13’s sidecar.

Point being, if his parents didn’t want him to fall asleep, they should have told him.  Or, at least, not dragged him out of bed at four thirty in the morning (both to get an early start and to avoid the reporters and other undesirables who had taken to circling Fentonworks like vultures).

Look.  Danny might have been an unspeakable eldritch horror, a superhero, and one of the richest human beings on the face of the Earth, but he was also a teenager.  Not to mention sleep deprived.  

Besides, Mom and Dad had said their next Paranormal Research Club friend was miles and miles away.  They wouldn’t reach his town until much later in the day.  Danny had plenty of time to sleep safely.  

Which is why he was so disgruntled when Dad shook him awake with a cheery “We’re here!”

“Where’s here?” asked Danny, rubbing his eyes and noting sadly how far away his portal back in Amity Park was.  

“Breakfast,” said Jazz, voice heavy with sleep.  Apparently, he wasn’t the only one trying to take advantage.  

“’Kay,” said Danny, briefly wrestling with the seatbelt.  He caught Mom staring as he opened the door.  “What?” he asked frowning.  

“Nothing,” she said, unconvincingly.

Whatever.  Danny could figure it out later, when he was more awake.  He jumped to the ground.  

“I think you guys will really like it here!” said Dad, waving at the building.  “The food’s great!  An old friend owns the place.  Your mom and I used to come here all the time before you were born, when we were commuting between Amity and Chicago.”

Danny nodded along, staring up at the neon sign that read ‘Red Flower Dinner.’  Then his brain caught up, and he slowly turned his head to look at Dad.  

“’Old friend,’” he said.  “What do you mean old friend?”

Dad blinked at him, uncomprehending.  Jazz came to his rescue.  

“Dad, we’re doing this whole trip because all of your old friends are lunatics,” she explained.  

“They’re not!” said Dad, defensively.  “Besides, Marianne was never part of our club.  She didn’t even go to U of M.”

“She was a waitress at our favorite hangout,” explained Mom.  “She got enough saved to buy this restaurant around the time we graduated.  She’s few years older than us.”

“Saved?  I thought a relative died, and she got an inheritance?” asked Dad.

Danny groaned.  “Do you not see how suspicious that is?”

“Come on, Danno!  We can have normal friends.”

“No, you can’t.  If a normal thing ever interacts with our family in any way, it immediately becomes abnormal simply because of how unlikely it is for anything like that to happen.”  He dug the heels of his hands into his eyes until he saw stars.  

“He’s got a point,” said Jazz.  “Maybe we could go to a different dinner?”

“But,” said Dad, “she makes the best breakfast. And she really is normal.  She wasn’t involved in any ghost stuff.”

“Are you really telling me you never talked to her about ghost stuff at all?” asked Danny, suspiciously.  

“Well, we did,” said Dad.  “But we talk to everyone about ghost stuff.”  

“Dad…”

Dad inhaled and heaved a huge sigh, shoulders sagging.  “Alright, Danno.  I get what you’re saying.  We can go somewhere else…  Even if it won’t be as good.”

Okay.  Now Danny felt bad.  

Unfair.  

“Well,” he said.  “I guess we could check and make sure she’s not, you know, haunted or anything.  That’s why we’re doing this, I guess.”

Dad brightened immediately, and Danny had to grab the back of his shirt to keep him from running in.  

“But remember, if I say we have to go, we have to go.  That’s the deal.”

Dad nodded.  Danny let go.   He sighed as Dad disappeared into the building.  

“Is the food really that good?” asked Danny.

“Marianne grows a lot of her own herbs,” offered Mom with a shrug.  “Everything she makes is at least decent.  But, well,” she grimaced as she held the door open for her children. “The reason we liked her so much was that she always seemed interested in our research.  We liked talking to someone who took us seriously.”

“Wonderful,” deadpanned Jazz.

The décor inside the dinner was bright red and floral.  The seats and benches were upholstered in shiny, dyed leather.  A long glass counter displayed pies and other desserts under bright lights.  The air was warm and smelled faintly of cherries.  A radio station played quietly in the background, blurring the chatter of the other guests.  

Danny rubbed his eyes again.  Ugh.  He was tired. Sleeping in a moving vehicle was a special kind of unrestful.  Heh. Unrestful dead.  More like unrested dead.  That was him.  

(Someday, he was going to track down the first person to say, ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead,’ and give them a stern talking to.)

“Marianne!” boomed Dad, waving at someone in the kitchen behind the order window.

There was a gasp.  “Jack Fenton!  Is that you?” A woman with greying brown curls leaned out, then ducked away briefly before reappearing through a door.  “I haven’t seen you in years!”  She threw her arms out, hugging first Dad and then Mom.

Danny bristled at the perceived threat to his parents but managed to control himself.  This was nothing.  Everything was fine.  Just because every one of his parents’ friends so far had something weird and potentially fatal going on so far, it didn’t give him the right to police their every interaction with other human beings.  

“Are these your kids?” asked Marianne, excitedly. “Oh, my goodness, you must be Jazz, and you’re Danny?  I’ve only seen you in pictures, but you’ve grown so much.  You’ll be as tall as your dad in no time.”

“Hope so,” said Danny, knowing there was no chance of that happening whatsoever.

Not with his human body, anyway.  

“I hope we’ll get a chance to talk,” she continued, “but I have things on the stove.  Why don’t you go ahead and find a seat?  We’ll get to you soon.”

“Looking forward to it, Marianne!” said Dad, waving again.  

“Is she alright?” asked Mom quietly as they slid into a corner booth.  

Danny wound up in between Mom and Jazz, which was good, because Dad tended to elbow whoever he was sitting by.  In this case, Mom, who could take it.

“I think so?” He rubbed his eyes.  “But I can’t just sense everything. Don’t forget that.”

“Stop rubbing your eyes,” said Mom.  

“They’re itchy,” said Danny.  “I think I got some sleep sand in them or something.”

Mom’s expression softened.  Danny blinked at it and wondered when he’d gotten so used to seeing an edge of suspicion on her face.  

“It could be allergies,” she said.  “It’s that time of year.  Or it could be that you keep rubbing them.”  She tugged his hands away from his face.  “Either way, it isn’t healthy to keep touching your eyes, sweetie.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t have a point, but Danny wasn’t entirely sure he could get sick.  Not anymore.  Maybe if he was far enough away from Amity Park, spread thin enough between his two major physical manifestations…  If his body was human enough…  Maybe figuring that out could be a fun family bonding experience.  Not.  

He yawned.  He wanted to go back to sleep.  Being in here, with the warm scented air and not-quite-white background noise, only made slumber more inviting.  

Still.  His family’s ability to protect themselves was lacking.  Danny at least had to stay conscious in case Marianne decided to channel the spirit of Locusta or something.  Ancients, wouldn’t that be typical?  

A waiter came, introduced themself, and handed out menus.  Danny failed to process most of the waiter’s prepared speech, and his eyes drifted down to the menu.  

It seemed… normal, for lack of a better word. Slightly worn, a couple stains on the paper behind the plastic protector.  The pages had a border of blotchy red flowers.  The items were all typical breakfast foods.  Nothing jumped out at him.  

He wasn’t even hungry.  Actually, if he thought about it, he was a little nauseated. Sometimes that happened when he didn’t eat for a while, though, so maybe he was hungry, after all?

Why did bodies have to be so complicated?

“What are you getting?” asked Jazz, who was morally unable to make a food order until she’d taken a poll.  

“I don’t know,” said Danny, folding his arms on the table and letting his head rest on them.  “I’ll probably just get whatever you’re getting.”

Jazz frowned at him and repeated the question to their parents.

The waiter came back after a few minutes.  

“I’ll have the Variety Breakfast!” said Dad, excitedly.  

“The number five, please,” said Maddie. “Sausage links, not bacon.”

“Um,” said Jazz.  “How about the Red Flower Special?”

“Excellent choice,” said the waiter, smiling. “Marianne grows all the seasonings for that herself, and the presentation is lovely.”

“I mean, it’s pancakes, right?” asked Jazz, nervously.  

“It is, it is.  What would you like for your side?”  It took just a few seconds for the waiter to get the rest of Jazz’s order, then they turned to Danny.  “And what are you having today?”

“Same as her,” said Danny, waving in Jazz’s general direction.  

“Good choice, good choice,” said the waiter.  “We’ll be back soon!”

“Thanks!” said Dad.  He reached over Mom to pat Danny on the shoulder.  “See?  This is just a completely normal restaurant.”

“Mhm,” said Danny, dubiously.  He’d believe it when he got out of here with his questionably mortal coil and squishy, murderable human family intact.    

Okay.  Maybe he was being a bit overdramatic, now.  Was it because he was too far from the Amity portal?  He’d been sure it wouldn’t significantly affect him, though. It wasn’t as if physical distance meant much in this context.  Sure, he wasn’t on his home turf, but still…

Of course, he was a teenager. Teenagers were supposed to be overdramatic.  At least, that’s what he’d heard.  Being a teenager didn’t come with a manual any more than being a half-ghost superhero did, quirky TV shows about middle school notwithstanding.  

Yeah.  That sounded reasonable.  He was a teenager who’d been woken early, and it was still early, and that meant the world was terrible.  Excellent math.  

He sipped at the water the waiter had left him, pleased with himself.  

Which is when his and Jazz’s orders arrived. Danny caught a glimpse of red on him plate, abruptly recognized the prickling feeling in his eyes, expelled the water he was drinking from his nose, and propelled himself sideways across Mom and Dad and out of the booth.  

“Ah!” he said, pointing at the red-tinted pancakes and the pretty little flowers on top.  

The plating really was nice.  Just like the waiter said.  

The whole dinner was staring at him.

“He’s got allergies,” explained Jazz, her voice just a little too high pitched.  “Just—Really horrible allergies.  To flowers like this.”

“Blood blossoms,” said Danny.  He was reasonably certain the things wouldn’t kill him, he wasn’t sure that anything short of something like Gula could kill him, but every encounter he had with them had been painful beyond belief, and he doubted that their being cooked would help very much with that.  

“Right.  Blood blossoms.  The name always slips by me…  Haha.”

“Oh my gosh,” said Marianne, rushing out of the kitchen.  “I am so sorry.  I didn’t know anyone was allergic to them!  It’s just, you guys always talked about how they were lucky, and they got rid of bad spirits, so I thought I’d incorporate them, and they’re red, which is also lucky, and they taste so good—”

“Marianne,” said Mom, poking at one of the flowers, “where did you even get these?  I thought they were extinct.”

“Oh,” said Marianne, “my uncle, the one who died, well I guess they’re all dead, now, but…  The one who left me enough to buy the dinner?  He worked in seed conservation.  I got his personal collection.”  She sniffed, apparently on the edge of tears.  

“Ah,” said Mom, glancing at Danny.  “That’s interesting.  Um.”  She slid out of the booth.  “I’m really sorry, Marianne, but,” she gestured in Danny’s direction.  “Food allergies.”

“He’s had breakouts just from being around them, before,” added Jazz, helpfully.  

“Oh, no, no, I understand.  Um.  One second, let me give you my number, I don’t want to fall out of contact again, oh, dear.  Tracy! Give me your notepad!”

It took several more minutes for all the Fentons to make their way back outside, most of which Danny spent staring into the dinner through the large front windows, keeping an eye on his family. Maybe he didn’t have ‘allergies’ in the typical sense but being around blood blossoms was making his skin itch and prickle unpleasantly.  

Eventually, however, after Dad had shoved most of his order down his throat in a single go, they all got back into the GAV.  

“Oh. My. Gosh,” said Jazz.  “You two have no normal friends.”

[knightofameris]

play date — hawks (keigo takami)

Setting: after hawks is No 2 Hero? + manga spoilers for recent chapters Gender: Female Contains: angst, fluff, lowkey/implied smut, just throw everything in why don’t you, pro-hero!reader Word Count: 3.5k

Summary: Oh yeah, that Hawks guy? The No. 2 Pro hero schmuck? Yeah, you definitely didn't like him (well, kinda). You'd never say that you cared about him, because you don't. He was just a good fuck, that’s all there was to it. And even if he asked you for something you'd maybe help him out because who were you to deny him?

a/n: [at the end]

Loosely based off of Play Date by Melanie Martinez

No beta we die like men.

Enjoy!

❝ guess it’s time that i tell you the truth if i share my toys, will you let me stay? don’t want to leave this play date with you ❞

The moonlight shone through the window directly on top of the two bodies that were tangled upon each other. You glanced down at the blonde man who laid his head on your chest, his arms wrapped around your waist. It was just a few minutes ago when his lips were on yours, his hips thrusting into you. 

Now he was out like a light. 

You didn’t know why he always wrapped himself around you, not when you were the one that always had to leave before morning. It’s not like Hawks wanted a relationship with you. And you didn’t either. At least, that’s what you told yourself. Plus he was always an overly touchy person when it came to you and in general. And he knew it would annoy you. He does enjoy annoying people.

Your hands brushed through his golden locks but it was different than it was earlier that night. It was gentle compared to when you were gripping his windswept hair as his mouth explored your body under the sheets. 

Hawks groaned, shifting himself away from you. His wings brushed up against you as he turned to face the other way. Finally, you were free to leave. 

Slowly and quietly, you moved off his bed, watching as he breathed and making sure he didn’t wake up. A light snore escaped his mouth as you began picking up your clothes that were scattered all over the floor of the bedroom and hallway. Memories from earlier that night flashed through your mind.

***

Hawks hands roamed under your shirt as he suckled the base of your neck, chuckling as he heard a moan escape your mouth. He finally opened the door to his apartment and the two of you struggled to walk to his bedroom. You lifted your arms up in the air as he tore off your shirt, tossing it somewhere into the abyss, his hands stroking your sides as his thumbs lightly ghosted over your breasts, admiring the way they sat in the bralette you wore that evening and how his touch caused your nipples to harden. 

Your hands immediately grabbed his face, pulling him down to your mouth. His lips moved against yours, his tongue swiping against your lips as your hands trailed down his chest and then to his pants to unbuckle his belt. One of your hands stroking him through his pants causing him to groan into you, his hips bucking into your touch.

The back of your legs hit his bed and you fell backward, breaking the kiss. You stared up at Hawks, his lips bruised and thoroughly kissed with his crimson wings spread out behind him. He smirked as he shrugged off his jacket and then his shirt. The way his feathers would leave his wings to take off his clothes never ceased to amaze you. Even as they attached themselves back onto him. 

Like a predator to their prey, he slowly approached you, climbing on top of you. The bed dipped with his weight. His knuckles brushed against your cheek then caressed the back of your head, hair entangled between his fingers and tilted your head slightly with your lips hovering close to his.  

“Impatient now, are we?” 

***

The cool silk fabric brought you out of your thoughts as you finally grabbed your shirt, the last piece of clothing. You glanced back at Hawks who was still asleep. A sigh of relief left your mouth. 

The door closed behind you softly as you walked off to your own apartment, wishing so badly that you could wake up next to him. 

***

“Oh, come on, (Y/H/N), you’re the only one that can keep up with me,” Hawks waved his hands to fans and onlookers while still eating fried chicken out of a whole ass bucket. “You should totally join my agency.” 

You groaned and rolled your eyes at the man. Patrols were never boring with the No. 2 hero. It just happened that your agency was close by, and Hawks always asked your boss for you to join his patrols. Just because you had the ability to create portals, you were able to keep up with his speed. 

In more ways than one. 

It also happened that every now and then, if your patrols ended at night with nothing happening that day he’d always ask you to come back to his place. It was easier to go back together whenever you guys patrolled together, after all. 

And who were you to deny him his requests? 

“I think I’ll pass on that one Hawks, Celestial’s too nice of a boss,” you replied, eyes pretending to scan the area in case of suspicious activity. But mostly because you wanted to avoid his gaze. Of course, the man caught on and waved his hand in front of you, getting your attention once more. 

“Aw, you don’t have to be like that chickadee, I’m a fun boss,” he insisted. “I can show you a good time at my agency.” 

Blood rushed to your cheeks, causing you to get extremely flustered. You didn’t even have to look up at him to know that he winked at you the moment those words left his mouth. 

“I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you stammered out. “If you say something like that I will make you fall through my portals for eternity.” 

“You would never do that, you love me.” 

“I really don’t, I don’t know where you got that from.” Hawks simply grinned at you, about to respond before the two of you got bombarded with fans asking for pictures. 

*** 

Sirens wailed in the background, buildings burned and fell on themselves, civilians crying out, and other heroes fighting against the nomus. Pain burst through your entire body as you yelled out because of it, trying to stand back up to get back into the fight. 

A red feather floated down in front of you, and fear struck you in your chest. Another rush of adrenaline flowed over your body and your sights were set on the skies, trying to find Hawks. Blurs of white and yellow flew around with the night sky in the background. His wings were dwindling, the only large feathers were the ones in his hands and even then, he was slowly descending into the ground. At this rate, Hawks was sure to become a pancake at the end of it. 

Your muscles screamed in pain and you screamed internally to keep on moving, standing up as a ball of energy enveloped your hand. And you threw it up to the sky, activating it the moment the nomu would pass through it, then closing it, cutting the nomu in half. Not before it breathed fire, however. Your eyes widened, another ball of energy shooting out as Hawks’ feathers burned up, having no way of slowing down. 

Your legs carry you as you run through the portal in front of you, jumping through it and immediately you were up in the skies, slamming into Hawks and another portal opened in front of you. The two of you landed on the ground with a hard hit, tumbling to ease the impact a little bit. Groans escaped your mouth as you held onto Hawks, your back against the cold hard ground. 

“Hey, chickadee, you can let go,” he spoke into your neck. It takes a few seconds for you to comprehend that your hands were tightly wrapped around his chest and head and you let go faster than ever. But that just made you feel how tired your muscles were. There was definitely something broken in you. Bones, hopefully. 

Hawks lifted himself off of you, his hand outreached for you to grab as he helped you up. 

The fight was long from over, but the two of you stood there staring at each other. 

“Always saving my ass, aren’t you.” His eyes wander over your injuries scattered around your body. Your uniform was extremely tattered up but it didn’t matter, not when there were villains to fight. He scratches the back of his neck. “You look pretty beat up, leave the rest to me and the others.” 

A frown made its way onto your face. “What? No, I can still fight.” You raise your hand to try to form a portal only for a sharp pain to flow through your wrist. Not only was your body extremely fatigued, but you overused your power. 

Hawks’ hands settled on your shoulder, sitting you back down. To any outsiders, it would seem as if he was ignoring the situation around him. But he knew that there was only one more nomu, and Endeavor was more than enough to take that one out along with Mirko. All of the civilians that were in the range of the attack had long been evacuated thanks to his sidekicks and Edgeshot and his sidekicks. He knew what the situation was. 

A pang of guilt hit you as you watched Hawks call for medical attention. Even if you saved his ass, that wouldn’t have been necessary if you killed off the nomu in the first place. So you apologized softly then looked up at him. His brow was arched before he frowned and squatted down beside you. 

“What are you sorry for?” he asked, though he already knew what your answer was. 

The ground suddenly became extremely interesting compared to the alternative which was Hawks. “If I was stronger and faster, your feathers wouldn’t be all burnt up.” 

“Aww, so you do care about me,” Hawks grinned. You groaned and shook your head, glancing back up at him.

“Nevermind, I take it back.” 

“Nope, you can’t take it back. It’s already out in the air,” he made a motion to pretend to grab the air with his hand causing you to realize one of his gloves was burnt up. He pretended to eat the words he caught in the air and stared down at you. You rolled your eyes, deciding to stare out in the distance. 

The calmness after a fight always hit differently. As if there was finally peace. 

False peace is what they began to call it. It makes you feel like all the bad has left the world. That the fight you just fought was the fight to end all fights. But everyone knew that was never going to happen. Even with all these heroes actively trying to fight for it. 

Hawks moved to sit down beside you. His feathers no longer brushing up against you like they used to and his visor was no longer on his face, showing his golden eyes a little bit better. 

“I could use that same logic against you,” Hawks said. His expression was soft as he stared off where you were a few seconds earlier. “If I were stronger and faster, these nomus wouldn’t even be a threat. Like I’ve said before,” he moves to stand up and lets out a loud sigh, “you’re the only person who can keep up with me.” His hands clasp behind his neck, watching Endeavor and Mirko heading over the two of you. Medical personnel was close behind and he began tapping his foot against the rubble. 

It was strange to see him without his wings. Besides the two small little stubs. Usually, he was able to spare some of his feathers so that they were all growing at different levels and he’d always be able to fight. It wasn’t often that he would go full out. And yet here Hawks stood in front of you, feathers all burned up and he’d probably need to rest for the next four days before they grew back. 

All of it was done to save you, but he’d do that for anyone. He’s a hero for a reason. You just happened to be someone he claimed to keep up with him. But you were never able to pass him. 

Yet, you were eerily okay with it for right now. With his back towards you, something that always seemed to happen between the two of you. You chasing after him, whether it was to be the better hero, him asking you for anything, or simply because your heart told you to. It was tiring watching his back. 

But for right now, it was okay.  

***

Everyone stared at you as if you had more than one head. It was hard to ignore what was going on. Hawks trailing after you, some of his feathers accompanying after you. 

“What’d I do chickadee, come on,” Hawks called after you. You furrowed your brows, closing your eyes. No doubt this was going to be on the tabloids tomorrow. Despite the fact that the tabloid you saw earlier was of him and a random woman in his apartment. The same woman you saw walk into his agency after greeting you as you left. 

What was the point of him keeping you around if he had any other girl to play with? It was frustrating not knowing what he wanted from you. Or what he needed. 

But it’s not like he kept his motives a secret. You knew that. But god was he confusing. 

Your head whipped back towards the winged hero.

“Go play with someone else, Hawks.” Your voice dripped with venom. Bystanders felt a chill run down the back of their neck as they listened in. Quite frankly, Hawks was surprised at your outburst. So surprised that he stopped in his track, his feathers following suit. His chest ached to see you angry. But it ached, even more, when he watched you wipe away the tears that gathered in the corner of your eyes. Though, no one caught that except him. 

And you knew it, hated that he had the eyes of a literal hawk yet he couldn’t tell that you hated him. Even if you didn’t. 

“What if I just want to play with you?” He asked. His hardened gaze on yours and yet there was still a bit of softness behind them. 

A laugh escaped your mouth, quite cynically actually. Laughing at him and everything about the two of you. 

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I don’t give a fuck about you anyways, so go away.” 

You didn’t let him have another word as you opened a portal in front of you and walked through it, closing it quickly behind you before he could follow you through it. 

It was funny. Hilarious. Some sort of sit-com or stand up comedy bit. 

One of his feathers happened to fall through the portal with you. Honestly, you weren’t sure if he could still sense with this feather. Not when you went to the other side of Japan to get as far away from him as possible. Yet, you still reached out to it, grabbing hold of the surprisingly soft feather and held it close as you broke down crying. Notifications from your phone began to ring out. A few of the ringtones you recognized to be your boss, Celestial. The others were a few coworkers and friends. But not one of them was from Hawks. 

But it’s fine, because you didn’t care about him. Who gives a shit about what he does. It’s not like you really knew him anyway, right? 

Right, keep lying to yourself. Because that always turns out fine.

***

The burns on your left arm slowly began to turn numb. No doubt that the nerves were slowly dying and if you didn’t get treated properly, you’d lose all sense of feeling. But that was the last thing on your mind. 

It had been weeks since you last saw Hawks. You’ve seen him plenty after telling him to leave. But then he just got busy, or so he said. 

Of course, the next time you see him is when he’s saving your ass after your attempt to save his. 

Dabi slammed Hawks into the ground, stomping on his face, breaking his visor in one smooth motion. Their mouths moved, but no sound came out. You had no clue what Dabi or Twice were saying to Hawks. But you knew that Dabi was talking about you the moment Hawks’ eyes filled with fear and landed on you. 

Dabi’s scarred ar reached out towards you and Hawks. Before you knew it, you felt yourself in Hawks’ arms, Twice beside you as well. 

A cry left your mouth from the pain and soon it was becoming unbearable. You couldn’t even muster up the energy to create a portal to get the two of you out. Not without Dabi sending out flames to prevent you from doing so. So you slowed your breathing, trying to focus despite the growing flames. Your eyes closed, feeling too heavy to keep it open. Before they closed, you were able to see Hawks’ intern come in, giving you the chance to muster up the energy you were building up to open a portal to get the three of you out. 

Hawks held you the moment you were out and safe, Fatgum nearby fending off villains as Hawks’ hand hovered over your face. 

“You totally give a fuck about me,” he laughed softly. A ghost of a smile appeared on your face before everything finally turned dark. 

***

It’d been weeks since all of the heroes of Japan fought against the League of Villains and the Liberation Army. Society was on the edge of collapsing, becoming wary of the hero commission and their methods. Word got out about Hawks, about who he was and what he’s done. 

But that didn’t stop you from knocking on his apartment door. Not after he asked you to stop by his place again once the two of you were all healed up.

That didn’t stop you from wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him. You didn’t realize how much you missed his lips against yours. 

How much you missed him against you. 

How much you needed him.

The kiss was needy, rough, as they moved against each other. Hawks’ lips parted and your tongue slid into his mouth. He moaned into you as he slammed you against the door, grinding his hips into you. Your fingers played with the hair against the nape of his neck, tugging them ever so slightly. 

Hawks was the first to pull away, opening his lust-filled eyes to stare into yours. His fingers played with the hem of your shirt calling out to you.

Ignoring him, you moved your hand through his hair, giving it a slight tug to reveal more of his neck as you began to plant kisses from his jaw down to his collarbone. His hold on your hips tightened, bringing you closer to feel his bulge against you. A moan escaped you as his hands moved against your ass, giving them a firm squeeze. 

“Wait,” he whispered out, pulling away ever so slightly, hands resting on your hips. Confusion was ridden all over your face as you looked up at him. Didn’t he just want you to come over to help get his mind off of everything? There was guilt in his eyes and he averted his gaze away from you. 

“What’s wrong Hawks?” You asked softly, your thumb stroking the burn scar over his face. 

“Don’t you hate me?” 

You frowned at his statement. He’d never be the one to ask that. 

Hawks continued, “After everything—”

“Hawks, you said it yourself,” you murmured, recalling the fight where you both saved each other. His golden eyes met your (e/c) eyes. “I totally give a fuck about you. I care about you and I’m sorry for what I said before. I... I care about you more than I like to think. It’s time I stop lying to myself, to you. I’ll continue to save your ass if-” you turned away, a rush of heat flowing up to your face and your voice became soft “-if you continue to save mine.” 

“Fuck.” Hawks pulled you into a hug, his arms wrapping around your waist and his face buried in the crook of your neck. Your hand slowly stroked his back, the other threading through his hair as you comforted him. The initial make-out session leaving both of your minds. 

“It’ll be okay, Hawks,” you murmured, knowing about the lash back from the public. 

“Keigo,” he said. There was a pause as your hands stilled. “Call me Keigo. If—if you want to stay with me. Please stay with me.” 

He pulled back, his eyes searching yours. An act of desperation and it seemed that the two of you were fearful of losing the other since the beginning. 

“I never wanted to leave in the first place.” 

Keigo smiled down at you, leaning his forehead against yours, grateful that you’d stay with him. 

But who were you to deny him his request? 

a/n: i was inspired by the timmy trend tiktok videos and i’ll show the videos at the end of the post or in a different post. Also who knew that the man who could get me back into writing reader fics, or writing in general, would be hawks after like MONTHS of not writing. Also, it featured (ish) an ocs of mine just cus i wanted to hah. also i posted this on Ao3, so dw if you saw this already

ALSO does ANYONe want to CRY WITH ME BECAUSE OF CHAPTER 271??? HELLO. im sorry but if best jeanist IS dead i honestly can’t forgive keigo IM STILL UPSET ABOUT TWICE? 

[catzgam3rz]

Since I Saw Vienna - Tommyinnit DSMP Animatic/PMV SCRIPT

So usually for animatic projects I jump straight to Storyboarding sometimes write out a script for myself to help keep things consistent and remember how I want things to look. (It really is a lifesaver for certain projects)

Under the Cut is the Script I’ve written out for my next planned DSMP PMV (incase anyone wanted to give it a read!)

[Content warning just in case, The PMV is centered around Tommy’s current character arc in the SMP and scene where Tommy gazes into the lava pit is in the script (Nothing in the script or animation goes farther than what has happened in the SMP however.)]

Intro

- Faraway shots of the three (Tommy Ghostbur and Dream) traveling by boat and such through the rain with credits (Since I saw Vienna, Inspired by events on the Dream SMP, Song by Wilbur Soot)

-        Show the dirt shack for a shot, show dream leaving

-        Show a shot from the doorway of Tommy looking where Dream left, Wilbur’s old coat is in his arms (Ghostbur is out of shot or looking through a chest)

The cute bomber jacket you've had since sixth form Adorned with patches of places you've been

-        Show Tommy closer up holding Wilbur’s old jacket and looking off towards the door, he looks down to the jacket somewhere through the first line

-        Show the jacket in his arms (show l’manburg patch on the arm and the hole in the back)

Is nothing on my khaki coat I got From a roadside when I was sixteen

-        Tommy reaches to touch the green bandana around his neck

-        Show Tubbo and Tommy trading their bandanas in the past (Silhouetted?) ( Tommy is handing Tubbo a red bandana, Tubbo is handing Tommy a green one)

My boots are from airports My backpack’s from friends

-        Show Tommy’s tools and backpack leaned up against the stack of barrels in Logstedshire (they should both look worn and beaten)

I’m not a man of substance, and so I’ll pretend To be a wanderer, wondering

-        Show Tommy in Wil’s coat looking more tired, he’s sitting next to his own tent, Logstedshire is in the background

-        On the second line show Tommy walking through the Nether

Leaving ascetic belongings in hostels and restaurant bins

-        Show Tommy leaving a message for Ranboo in the nether chest

 Instrumental

-        Tommy and Ranboo sitting side by side in the nether, sharing a nice moment (Tommy acting out Wilbur’s talking in the song and both laughing) (Pan upwards at the end)

 The roads are my home, horizon's my target

If I keep on moving, never lose sight of it

-        Tommy is standing at the edge of the water, looking out over the horizon

-        He looks down to his hand which is holding the compass (your Tubbo)

Treating my memory of you like a fire, let it Burn out, don't fight it, and try to move on

-        Show a picture of Tommy and Tubbo standing side by side in their l’manburg uniforms, happy

-        The Picture starts with a small flame in the corner, engulfing it and eventually leaving it destroyed (The frame should be blank for “try to move on”)

It's been sixty weeks since I saw Vienna A bandage and a wide smile slapped across my face

-        Show Tommy following reluctantly behind Sapnap, Dream and Ghostbur (they’re above ground heading towards the Nether portal to see the Christmas tree)

-        [Side shot] Show a faded version of Tommy from the past behind the Tommy in frame (the past has a bandage across his nose and a large mischievous smile, the present looks tired and distant)

I'll pick up my hiking boots when I am ready And I'll put down my roots when I'm dead

-        Show Tommy from the back, the other three are heading through the Nether portal that leads back to L’Manburg and the SMP

-        Show a shot of Tommy looking straight at the camera, lit by the Nether portals light. He looks upset

-        There is a notable sound from the guitar in the instrumentals, this hard cuts to the next frame

The distance is futile

-        Similar framing from the last shot, Tommy is looking down now and instead of upset he is tired, his face is lit with the orange of lava

-        Another notable sound, Tommy looks to his right but his expression doesn’t change

Come on, don't be hasty

You'll get that feeling deep inside your bones

-        The first line is a close up of Dreams hand on Tommy’s shoulder

-        At “get” it shows both Dream and Tommy from the side, Dream has a hand on Tommy’s shoulder and is standing behind him, Tommy is not looking at Dream but downwards. Both are on the edge of the Nether path

I'll be gone then, for when you must be alone

-        “I’ll be gone then” Tommy removes Dreams hand from his shoulder

-        “For when you must be” show Tommy walking away from Dream and the Nether portal (towards the camera)

-        “Alone” Same shot but only Tommy’s outline is shown in white, everything else is in black and his outline fades

 Outro/Ending

-        Pan in from the sky, Ghostbur is sitting in Logstedshire playing guitar and Tommy is asleep next to him, Wil’s old coat is over him like a blanket and his belongings are in the background. (Ghostbur is smiling calmly and his eyes are closed)

-        The final shot is of Tommy sleeping, under his arm is the photo of the Christmas tree and in his arm (attached to his neck) is the Compass.  

[ozai-the-bonsai]

Ghost In The Dark (Valtor x OC)

Link to Chapter 5:

Time Line: Chapter 6 is set during the day Tecna closes the portal connecting Andros and The Omega Dimension.

Rating: M

Warnings for Chapter 6: Sexual content ;)

*6* Give Into The Temptations

(Word Count: 3610)

Valtor rose from his seat and walked in front of the desk with slow steps “It took a little more than a day for you to win back your throne,” he spoke with a rather thoughtful voice “Either the Ancient Witches have been clearly underestimating you, or they have forgot how to play.”

Hel licked her lips with a seductive manner, the red lipstick didn’t inhabit her lips anymore “In both cases, it is equally disgraceful and lethal for them.” she said and nudged Alowix’ floating figure with her right elbow “I must admit, though, he wasn’t an easy win –in my absence he knew how to take advantage of the Underworld.”

It seemed like Alowix was trying to say something; however, the only voices that could be heard were the muffled sounds coming from him. With a frown on her face, Darcy asked “What’s wrong with him?”

Hel casted an evil look at her over her shoulder “He was making a little too much noise on our way to the Cloud Tower,” she began to explain as a smirk spread on her lips “So I cut his tongue.”

Darcy went pale straight away, Icy simply turned her eyes away in disgust and Stormy gagged “This is gruesome!” she said, causing Hel to shrug indifferently as she turned her grey eyes to the sorcerer in front of her. Without uttering any other words, the Trix left the office and went to their bedrooms, leaving the two alone.

The moment Hel saw the intense look Valtor was giving her, the smirk on her lips grew more. Of course, he has always found it attractive when I let the darkness take over me, Hel thought while she eyed him in an obviously hungry way –even though she hadn’t slept for more than two days and felt overmuch tired, all she could think about at that particular moment was the heat which was beginning to grow inside her.

Valtor leaned the desk as he crossed his arms over his chest “How’s the current situation in the Underworld?” he asked, apparently he was trying to distract himself from the dirty thoughts wandering in his head.

“It could have been worse,” Hel responded while she snapped the fingers of her right hand. A thin thread of shadows flew to her hand “Seems like I’ve chosen my latest kings –by latest I mean the ones I’ve chosen sixteen years ago,” While speaking, she was moving the fingers of her right hand so that the shadows were slithering between them very much like a black snake “A big majority of them have stayed loyal to me in my absence and haven’t let Alowix take control of everything.”

Valtor raised an eyebrow at her direction “And what about the traitor minority?” he asked even though he knew very well what her answer was going to be. He just wanted to hear those words from all because once such things were spoken, they became more real, and, in this case, darker.

The shadow thread moving between Hel’s fingers transformed into a dark dagger “I killed them all,” she responded, despite the low pitch of her voice, her words easily reached Valtor’s ears. As she walked behind the floating figure of Alowix, the skirt of her dress lifted off the ground as if there was a special breeze flowing around her “One by one, with no mercy.” Holding Alowix from his blonde hair, Hel slowly pulled his head back so that his neck was exposed. His chest was going up and down so fast as if his fear of death could materialise any moment “They have made great examples, now everybody knows the fate of those who dare betray the Queen of the Underworld.”

Valtor ran his right hand through his blonde hair, Hel knows what she is doing, he thought while his grey eyes followed her movements. She is playing us both, just like a lioness playing with her prey. With Alowix, she wants to feel every bit of his fear and desperation before killing him with her own hands. And with me, she wants to slowly savour my growing desire for her.

Upon feeling the cold blade of the dagger caressing his cheek, Alowix began to make muffled sounds once again “Shh, baby, don’t be afraid,” Hel spoke with a seductive and dangerous tone, which freaked out her prey even more “I’ll make it quick, I promise.”

As she placed the dagger on his throat, Hel turned her eyes to Valtor “The Ancient Witches still see everything you see, don’t they?” she asked.

The sorcerer thought for a moment before nodding “If they wish to, yes.” he said “Why?”

The edge of Hel’s lip curled upwards “Perfect, then they’ll probably see me killing their puppet as well.” she said but her next words were not directed at Valtor, instead her aim was the Ancient Witches “You’ll be next, ladies. Take a good look at this.”

And with a swift movement, she cut Alowix’ throat. The moment life left his blue eyes, his corpse fell onto the ground. The blood spilling from where the dagger had cut painted Hel’s hands, arms and dress red; however, this didn’t seem to bother her even the slightest. All her attention was fixed on Valtor and judging by her darkened eyes, her mind had immediately wandered to different things.

The black dagger decayed into its origins –the shadows –as Hel took big steps towards the sorcerer. Valtor straightened and he, too, walked towards Hel. The moment she was within his reach, he pulled her into his arms and crashed his lips into hers. The blood on her body was leaving stains on his maroon-coloured jacket but at that moment, he didn’t give a damn.

The kiss was hard, passionate and hot. It was so hot that even though the dress on her was quite revealing and thin, Hel felt her whole body burning under Valtor’s touch. She wanted him right then and there; however, she had one last thing to do that night before her duties as the Queen were over.

Still, there’s no harm in exciting him more, is there?

As Hel let Valtor slide his tongue into her mouth, her right hands wandered down on his body until reaching the waistband of his trousers. The sorcerer gasped instinctually upon feeling Hel’s hand stroking his erection on the fabric of his trousers. However, before things could gain even more heat, Hel broke the contact of their lips and took a step back, leaving Valtor in a puzzled state.

“I want you, too, as much as you want me but there is still one last thing that needs to be done with him.” Hel explained while she motioned Alowix’ lifeless body lying on the floor with her head “After cleaning myself, I’ll be heading to the connection point between this world and the Underworld.” As she snapped her fingers, the corpse began to fly behind her. The dark haired woman blew a kiss at Valtor before leaving the office “You know where to find me, darling, so don’t be late, will you?”

***

The sound of branches being broken under someone’s steps cut through the eerily peaceful silence of the midnight. Since she was expecting a visitor, Hel didn’t bother changing her position as she continued sitting cross-legged in the air while the light of the full moon shone on her –she was flying a few feet above the ground. She had taken off her high-heeled, red pumps and her crown was safe in her room back in the Cloud Tower.

It was a bright night and simply moonlight was enough to provide sight.

To the north of the Cloud Tower was a huge graveyard by the name Forgotten Necropolis –just as the name indicated, the place was completely forgotten. It was an ancient graveyard but it’s main function was being the connection point between the Underworld and the world of the living. It was the only place on this part of the cosmos which brought ease to Hel since she felt her powers growing stronger and stronger.

Seeing Forgotten Necropolis as her territory, she had decided to exhibit the lifeless body of Alowix there. As Valtor walked to the heart of the graveyard, he could see Alowix’ corpse impaled on a pretty tall pike –Hel had placed it so that it could be seen from everywhere around the graveyard.

He wasn’t surprised when he saw that Hel was floating above the big, black, marble table which stood in the middle of the huge graveyard –she used to come here every other day either to communicate with the kings of the Underworld or simply to meditate and recharge herself. Being the connection point between two worlds, Forgotten Necropolis enabled Hel to project image in her throne room in the Underworld, making it easier for her to keep a track of things while not missing out the fun in Magix.

“I should’ve know this was what you were going to do.” Valtor spoke as he pointed at the pike while Hel slowly opened her grey eyes. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as the dark haired woman elegantly descended and landed onto the marble table “Is this how you plan to strike terror into your enemies’ hearts?”

Hel sat onto the table and let her legs hang from its edge as she wore her high-heeled shoes “This is simply a warning,” she responded and jumped onto the ground, she was walking towards Valtor “I don’t need a visual feast to strike terror into the hearts of my enemies.”

“Your appearance is a little too deceiving at this point, love.” Valtor said while he placed his hands on her hips the moment she was within his reach “After all those years, even I still tend to be deceived by it and forget how cruel you can be.” The sorcerer pulled Hel against his chest, then he began to caress her cheek with the side of his right index finger. Her pale skin was shining under the silvery moonlight “Though I cannot say I don’t like being reminded of your cruelty all over again –it is always so intoxicating.”

“I want you, Valtor.” Hel breathed against his lips as she wrapped her left hand around his neck and placed the right one on his chest “Right here, right now.” As the distance between their lips was slowly disappearing, Valtor’s breaths were becoming deeper “But I’m too tired for this, I haven’t slept for two days. I know I need to rest, still, I want you. So. Fucking. Much.” Keeping silent for a moment, Hel licked Valtor’s lower lip before going on “So just skip the foreplay, skip everything –make this hard and quick.”

As a response, Valtor pressed his lips against hers and in mere seconds, the couple was drawn into a passionate kiss. Hel took careful steps back while she dragged Valtor with her until her upper leg touched the cold marble. Her hands slid down his torso until reaching the waistband of his trousers. As Valtor’s tongue slid into her mouth, Hel was unbuckling his belt, then she quickly unbuttoned his trousers as well.

The dark haired woman giggled in a naughty way while she pushed down his trousers –she could feel how hard he already was through the fabric of his underwear “Seems like you didn’t need the foreplay at all.” Hel whispered against Valtor’s lips. Instead of giving a verbal response, Valtor simply slid his right hand under Hel’s dress through the slit on her left leg. She gasped upon feeling his fingers touching her underwear, the wetness of which could already be felt through the fabric.

“Hmm, you’re a fine one to talk.” Valtor said while he pulled a little back to lift Hel up and place her on the marble table. Spreading her legs so that Valtor could stand between them, Hel pushed her underwear to the side against her right inner thigh so that the barrier of fabric between herself and Valtor would get out of the way. As she saw that Valtor had pushed down his underwear to free his erection, Hel pulled him closer to her with one hand while wrapping the other one around his member. With careful movements, she guided him to her entrance and nodded quickly at Valtor.

The sorcerer captured Hel’s lips once again as he thrusted into her, eventually causing her to moan in his mouth. In a quite short while the movement of Valtor’s hips gained enough speed to make Hel throw her back and let her soft cries fill his ears. With every sound coming from her lips, Valtor could feel the heat within him growing.

“Mm,” Hel moaned as she pulled back her right hand, which was resting on Valtor’s shoulder, and moved it to her clit “Valtor, faster.”

A groan broke free from him as Valtor thrusted faster and deeper into Hel, which led her to moan loudly “Fuck, yes,” she spoke breathlessly “Right there.”

However, Valtor wasn’t planning to let them hit the edge so quick, despite Hel’s tiredness, hence he first removed Hel’s right hand, the fingers of which were circling her clit. Then he began to slow down his speed. Hel sent him a questioning look “Not yet,” Valtor whispered and didn’t let Hel protest “You can manage without sleep a little more, love.”

He was thrusting slow but deep into her as he placed his warm lips on her neck “When you edge me, it takes forever for us to stop.” Hel muttered, which caused Valtor to chuckle against her skin.

“This time it won’t take forever, I promise.” he said while his lips moved down slowly “I simply want to bring you to the point where you’ll scream my name into the night.”

His words had licked Hel’s skin like the heat of a flame, which only fed her arousal “That shouldn’t be hard to arrange,” she muttered while the fingers of her left hand played with the little hairs on the back of Valtor’s neck “Valtor, please,” Hel spoke with a low voice “This pace is a torture.”

Valtor’s lips had left her neck, he had pulled his head a little back to be able to look at her “Why don’t you try enjoying yourself?” he asked while pulling almost all the way out and then thrusting slowly but hardly into her. Hel let out a silent moan.

“But I want more,” Hel responded and pulled Valtor down to herself to press her lips against his neck “How do you manage to keep your need under such strong control?” She was intentionally letting her lips linger long on each spot on his neck as she licked and kissed and sucked on it so that she could break Valtor’s self-control; however, he seemed to have a will of titanium.

A groan left Valtor’s lips as Hel playfully bit his neck “I contain myself by thinking about the bigger prize at the end.” he spoke with a seductive voice and pulled out, taking a few steps back. The moment Hel felt the feeling of fullness disappearing, a frown appeared on her face “Come down here and turn around.”

The edge of her lip curled upwards in a naughty way as the dark haired woman jumped down from the marble table and turned her back to Valtor “Now, this is getting more interesting.” she said while she bent down. She was holding from the marble table not to lose her balance. Valtor gently lifted the skirt of her dress and after positioning himself before her entrance, he thrusted inside her, once again snatching a moan from Hel.

As Valtor’s movements sped up, Hel was moving her hips to meet his thrusts. Just like he had done the first time, he was increasing the speed quite much in a short time, which was bringing both of them near the edge. When Hel’s moans turned into loud cries of pleasure, Valtor knew he had found that spot in her which made the dark haired woman’s eyes roll to the back of her head.

Valtor’s groans were becoming louder as well, he could feel he was so close to this orgasm but he knew Hel still wasn’t exactly at that point where he wanted to bring her, hence with a million efforts he began to slow down. As he had expected, a frustrated grunt was heard from the witch “I was so close!” Hel said and casted a look at the sorcerer over her shoulder.

“I know, love.” Valtor responded cockily, then he pushed away Hel’s hand, which was reaching for her clit as he clicked his tongue “Not yet, Hel.”

Even though his movements had slowed down, Hel’s hips were still meeting his thrusts. For a few minutes, the only sound to be heard had been Hel’s silent moans and Valtor’s heavy breathing “Valtor,” Hel asked at last but it sound more like begging “Can I touch myself now?”

A big smirk formed on Valtor’s lips upon seeing how desperate she had grown for him, he wanted to savour every little moment of that “No,” he responded with a deep voice, earning some disappointed cries from the dark haired woman “But if you continue to behave, you might get a reward for it.”

He knew how hard it was for Hel not to let desire take over her body for he was feeling the same way –all he wanted at that moment was to take his thrusting to a rapid speed. It took some serious self-control not to give into the temptations.

Slowly, his right hand slid down from its resting place on Hel’s hips and moved between her legs. As she felt Valtor’s index finger rubbing her clit, Hel found herself whimpering “Darling, please, faster.”

“Shh, I’ll give you your orgasm soon enough.” Valtor said while both the thrusting of his hips and the rubbing of his fingers began to speed up. However, before Hel could began moaning loudly once more, Valtor pulled out, again. When Hel turned to face him and ask him what the hell was he doing, the sorcerer lifted her up and placed on the marble table once again.

No words were spoken, in mere seconds theirs bodies became a whole for the third time that night as Hel’s mouth captured Valtor’s, pulling him into a deep kiss. This time, however, Valtor didn’t slowed down after a while, which meant that Hel was about to get the prize she had been yearn for the whole night.

As Valtor hit her G-spot, Hel threw her head back and let out a loud moan “Right there,” she whispered breathlessly, the hold of her left hand on Valtor’s upper arm was getting tighter. Her right hand was holding from the edge of the marble table “Don’t stop.”

Well, he couldn’t even if he wanted to –he had long passed the threshold “Fuck,” Valtor grunted as he felt her walls clenching around his member but he didn’t need to feel that to understand that Hel was about to come –her soft cries had turned into scream-like moans.

When she came, as he had wanted it to be, Hel was screaming his name, which had pushed Valtor over the edge as well. He was whispering her name over and over again as he rode his orgasm.

As the shaking of her legs died, Hel loosened her hold on Valtor while she tried to steady her breathing “That,” she whispered “Was intense.”

Valtor pulled out of her and wore his underwear and trousers “Was it worth all the fuss?” he asked with an arched brow. Hel rolled her eyes at him and jumped down, causing the sorcerer to chuckle “I take that as a yes.”

Standing in front of him, Hel began to caress his cheek with the side of her index finger “Can I sleep with you tonight?” she asked with a surprisingly soft and almost caring voice. It nearly caught Valtor off-guard.

He nodded “Of course,” he said and at that moment he remembered that he intended to give her a little present “But before you go,” he said, causing Hel to raise a curious eyebrow at him “There’s something I’d like to give you.”

Valtor took out a little, black box from the pocket of his maroon-coloured jacket. After licking his lower lip, he opened the box, its inside facing Hel. Her grey eyes lit up almost immediately upon seeing the ring.

It was a grey ring with a big, black onyx on it. Hel knew the moment she saw the ring that it was enchanted to protect her from the deadly rays of the sun –she could feel the powerful spell vibrating off the ring. With a wide smile on her lips, she turned her eyes to Valtor, who had a small smirk on his lips.

“May I?” he asked, earning a quick nod in return. After taking the ring, he closed the box and put it back into his pocket. Then, he took Hel’s left hand and put the ring on her ring finger “Looks perfect,” Valtor spoke with a low voice as he brought her hand to his lips.

At that moment, Valtor saw within Hel’s grey eyes something he hadn’t seen for sixteen years. It was something so familiar yet so strange and it had been hard to decipher at first but once he recalled what it was, he knew he wouldn’t be able to forget it for the rest of his life.

It was love.

[stxphxn-strange]

This is a Soap Opera | A Shrimp Gremlin Villain!Stephen fluff/angst fic

A/n: why is everything i write just fluff/angst? why not right? i tried to make this one kind of funny too lmao, ft. Steve being a little bitch (so this isn’t Steve friendly) and i have nothing against natasha i just needed someone else to be rude and i don’t love how she treats Tony

The Avengers’ Compound (Upstate NY), 4:31pm

Stephen stumbled blearily through the portal, a few disjointed thoughts rattling around in his mind like loose change. He had to find Tony and he was in need of a hug, nothing else was worth a damn in that moment.

Once he saw the genius, he sat and allowed himself to go limp, collapsing into Tony’s arms.

“I’ve taken no less than six (6) fucking Advil today, I can’t,” Stephen complained.

In his tired stupor, he chose to overlook the open hostility of the other Avengers in the room, snuggling closer to Tony. It also didn’t dawn on him, until a few moments later, that almost none of them knew that he and Tony were still together.

So yeah! That was kind of awkward.

Tony hummed, massaging Stephen’s scalp with the lightest grounding pressure. “Have you been drinking any actual water today, or just lots of tea?”

“We’re in the middle of a meeting—”

“Which can wait,” Tony replied. Stephen didn’t know who he was even talking to, he didn’t bother looking up. “Steph?”

Stephen shrugged. “Both. Probably more tea, though.”

“Not surprising. Why don’t you lay down?” Tony suggested, his voice soft. “Your lack of sleep might be catching up to you… sound familiar?”

Some discontented muttering broke out in the room, but Stephen ignored it. Despite the fact that 70% of the people in the room hated him, Stephen still felt loved and warm in Tony’s presence.

Tony ignored the muttering as well. “Don’t fall asleep on me now. Come on, bed.”

Stephen felt Tony gently maneuvering him into a standing position and leading him from the conference room.

“Stark, we’re in the middle of a meeting!” Steve snapped.

Stephen winced at his volume, pressing himself against Tony’s back and hiding his head on his shoulder

“Be quiet Steve. It’s not like this meeting is a big deal, nobody’s even taking minutes,” Tony replied. “I’ll come back, but pardon me for prioritizing my boyfriend’s health over this get together.”

The door to the room remained open as Stephen and Tony walked down the hallway, allowing them to hear Steve ranting about how nobody took his meetings seriously.

“Thor, you’re supposed to be taking minutes!” Steve yelled.

Inside the conference room, Thor shrugged. “But ‘Days of our Lives’ is on.”

“I work with a bunch of idiots. Some more likeable than others,” Tony commented, opening the door to his room.

Okay, it was more like his own wing of the building. Why shouldn’t it be? Tony built it and owned it, and the Avengers were famously bad for his work-life balance. Stephen was grateful that he could sleep in peace, especially once Tony blocked entry into the wing. He laid on Tony’s bed, the Cloak wrapping around him like a blanket as he disappeared in a pile of pillows.

Tony put a glass of water on the nightstand and sat beside Stephen.

“Sorry for bursting in. Now they know,” Stephen said. “If they didn’t before, I mean.”

“I care more about you,” Tony replied softly. “I also don’t give what most of them think. Their responses won’t matter much, the people who really care us and love us are supportive and happy for us.”

Stephen leaned back further into the pillows on the bed. “I’m lucky to have you, you know?”

Tony smirked. “Yeah, you are.”

“Tony!” Stephen gave him an affectionate push.

“I’m kidding. I love you,” Tony replied, kissing the crown of Stephen’s head. “You know you talk about shrimp in your sleep, right?”

“It’s good luck,” Stephen said with a yawn. “I love you too. I wish you could stay.”

“I’ll be back soon,” Tony promised. “Riposati, amore.”

Stephen nodded. “FRIDAY, how about some Food Network as background noise?”

FRIDAY turned on the TV, adding a pleasant, “It’s nice to see you today, Sire Shrimp.”

Tony rolled his eyes at the nickname, giving Stephen one last fond look before closing the door and heading back to the meeting. He wasn’t surprised to see the whole team talking about him, a stern look on Steve’s face. Thor, who was still watching “Days of our Lives,” was now consequently weeping with his head on Bruce’s shoulder.

So yeah, this meeting really wasn’t a big deal.

“Were you going to TELL us that you’re a no good, double crossing traitor?!” Steve snapped.

“Get out of my face,” Tony replied, pushing past him and returning to his seat between Rhodey and Thor. “What I do after hours is none of your business, and it’s not up to you to tell me who I am and am not allowed to date. Stephen and I never broke up after he left the team, I never promised we would! Furthermore I really love him and it’s in my best interest and great for my happiness to continue our relationship. Does anyone have questions?”

Natasha raised her hand. “Did you think we didn’t notice you were less pleasant to us? Strange makes you unpleasant.”

“Stephen treats me like I’m more than just an ATM.” Tony replied.

“How is Tony giving our secrets to some shrimp-obsessed VILLAIN permissible?!” Steve snapped, speaking to the room at large.

“What secrets? You mean that there are more things you haven’t told me? You don’t want Stephen knowing that you bully and belittle me whenever you feel like it?” Tony replied.

Steve was silent, angrily looking between Tony and the team. “Does anyone else see what’s wrong with this?”

Clint, Scott, and Natasha raised their hands.

“I don’t think we need to vote to agree that Stark’s conduct calls for immediate removal from this team,” Steve continued.

“You need me more than I need you,” Tony said. He was calm, despite the fact that his fists were shaking. “After all, who’s going to give you free stuff at your beck and call if you let me go? Where are you going to get all of your shiny suits and arrows?”

“As the leader of this team, I move to kick Tony out,” Steve declared.

“What is this, a playground clique? Who put you in charge?” Rhodey muttered, loud enough that only Tony could hear. To the group, he said: “We have to have a vote to bench anyone, as stated in the new Accords. And given that those Accords state that you are NOT the leader of this team, you absolutely cannot bench Tony. I say that as his best friend and as someone who ranks higher than you and earned it. I move to dismiss this meeting.”

“Oh thank god,” Tony quipped.

“But—”

“Enough. We’re done here.”

Tony was out of his seat and down the hall before anyone could say another word.

++++

5:49pm

Stephen was a light sleeper, always had been, and woke up the minute he felt Tony’s presence in the room. Shelving the dream he was having about eating shrimp on the beach, Stephen reached out for Tony and pulled him close.

“You’re shivering,” Stephen whispered, shifting so that he and Tony were both under the Cloak. “What’s wrong?”

“The rest of the meeting was just a shitshow, that’s all. It’s not important right now. How are you feeling?” Tony asked.

“A little better. I want to avoid taking any more Advil if I can, so I’ve just been trying to rest. I know I’ve fallen asleep a few times,” Stephen replied, hugging Tony closer and playing with his hair. “Now it’s your turn to rest. I’m okay, I promise, and I don’t need or want anything from you right now. I just want you.”

Tony sighed, melting into Stephen’s hug. He didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was upset, pressing his head against Stephen’s chest as he sought warmth and love.

“Hey,” Stephen began. “Let your shoulders drop, okay? It’s just us now, you can close your eyes.”

Stephen’s voice was effortlessly soothing, and Tony followed his instructions without hesitation.

“How was your day?” Tony asked, his voice already getting gravelly with tiredness.

Stephen smiled and kissed him softly. “It was fine. I tripped going down the stairs and dropped a plate, and Wong had to bribe me to take a break when I got to my sixth hour of studying.”

“No wonder your head hurts,” Tony remarked, snuggling closer to Stephen. “What did he bribe you with?”

“Coconut shrimp and talk show reruns,” Stephen admitted.

“Oh of course, because the way to a man’s heart is through reality television,” Tony said.

“The way to this man’s heart is being Tony Stark,” Stephen replied.

Tony blushed as red as a strawberry, tucking his head under the cloak. “Stop that.”

“I’m just saying!” Stephen bantered.

“How dare you flirt with me while we both have headaches!” Tony snickered. “Smooth bastard.”

Tags: @stark-strange-love @daisypoisonpen @ayyy-its-an-idiot @kiwidino @leoachilles @chocopiggy

[aelysianmuse]

SUMMARY: Canon-divergence post-Purgatory fic where Benny decides to meddle, make Cas feel appreciated and Dean jealous enough for them to pull their heads out of their asses and get together once and for all. AO3 LINK.

On the first morning back from Purgatory, Benny learns that comfort zones are where Dean fails to thrive.

Without any imminent threat to Castiel, Dean is quick to leave addressing him as his ‘angel’ behind. Instead, he slips right back into the authoritative ‘Cas’. Lingering touches shift into brief pats, and intense stare-offs turn into avoidant glances when the other one’s not looking.

Right at the very end, before the three of them had found the portal, the tensions between Dean and Castiel were so high that, if he’d left them alone for longer than ten minutes, Benny had half-expected to return to them fucking in a tent.

How they’d gone from that to this, in just a matter of days, beats him.

Either way, if he’s learned anything about them throughout these past couple of months, it’s that both of them are idiots in love. They’re wasting their time pining for each other, when they could be spending it together. It’s only Dean who seems to engage these in self-sabotaging behaviors, and right when he’s at the cusp of having everything that he’s ever wanted.

As he watches the two bicker over unwashed dishes, like a married couple does, Benny takes a sip of his coffee and smirks into the mug. He knows he ain’t much, but he’s a solid meddler. If he can get Dean back to feeling like Castiel being here’s not a guaranteed thing, he thinks he can get him to act on his feelings.

“Game on, brotha.”

1. Benny.

Benny’s in the kitchen when he hears them come back from the case.

Sam’s still unhappy that he’s allowed to stay in the Bunker, even if it’s for a couple of days, but Dean was very firm about it not being up for negotiations. They’ve found a compromise in not letting Benny join them on the hunts. Sam doesn’t trust a vamp, and Benny’s alright with that.

“Benny!” Dean’s voice cuts through the Bunker, loud and clear. “We’re back.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He responds from the other room, taking a couple of minutes to join them by the map table.

He’s carrying two cups of hot tea with him, and he walks over to Castiel’s right, placing one cup in front of himself and the other in front of the angel.

Both Dean and Cas seem to be confused at the gesture, and they’re sporting a matching frown to prove it. Okay, so maybe he’s decided to go a bit bold right at the start, but he’s only got a week so he has to skip a couple of steps.

“Dean said somethin’ about you likin’ honey. I found this guy who’s willin’ to deliver me some top-notch raw one, straight from the honeycomb.” Benny explains. “I reckon it should be good.”

The atmosphere in the room feels awkward for a couple of more seconds. Not a sound is to be heard, but for Castiel’s uncertain “Um.” The angel picks up the cup to taste the honey-laced tea, and all eyes seem to be at him.

Benny can sense Dean brimming with nervous energy.

“I know you don’t drink tea, so I figured you wouldn’t want any. But if ya want—“

“No, no. That’s…it’s fine.” Dean finishes instead of him.

“This is very good, Benny. Thank you.” Castiel offers, once he’s done with the tasting.

“Good. That’s good.” Benny responds with a soft smile. “I know nothin’ about honey, but I wanted to do somethin’ nice. Despite our differences, you had my back in there. So. Thank you.” He finishes, making sure that the expressed gratitude holds enough gravity.

Dean shifts uncomfortably from across the table and Castiel gives him one of those soft smiles he’s only ever seen Dean receive, so he counts it a win. Dean takes notice of it as well so he counts it as a double win.

“Anyway—“ Benny goes on to change the subject. Go easy on him, he thinks. He wants to shake Dean up a bit, but has to be careful not to frighten him completely away. “—Did you take care of that vamps’ nest?”

“It was challenging to track them down at first, but once we found them they didn’t put up much of a fight. I don’t expect for any remains of the nest to not taken care of.” Castiel explains, lowering the cup down to the table.

“Nice.” Benny takes a glance at Dean’s disheveled appearance. A cut here and a blooming bruise there, and then he looks at the angel. Castiel looks like he hasn’t even broken a sweat, taking on those vamps. “You look great for someone who’s just taken down a nest.” He points out, directing the observation at Castiel in particular.

It’s quite entertaining, if you ask him, watching the angel squirm. Castiel clears his throat, clearly picking up from Dean that something’s odd about this exchange, and Benny can almost see the gears shifting in his head as he tries to figure out what a proper response to this situation would be. They haven’t been exactly friendly in Purgatory, and Benny’s mostly used whatever time off from killing they had to tease him mercilessly. He figures this newfound gratitude and exchange of pleasantries between them must be weird as heck.

“Ooo-kay.” Dean is the first one to point it out. “I think I’m gonna go get a shower, now.”

“Yeah, alright, man. Cas here can tell me the rest of the details.”

“Cas?” Dean quirks a brow, not addressing the angel, but rather Benny’s usage of the nickname. Instead of acknowledging that there’s something odd about it and responding, Benny dives straight into questioning Castiel about the case until he hears Dean disappear in the background.

2. Dean.

On his way from the shower, Dean feels off. He knows well enough that it’s got something to do with Benny and Cas, but when he tries to rationalize his feelings, he doesn’t really have a reason to feel wrong about their exchange.

Two of his best friends are getting along, Benny’s given up on the teasing, he’s engaging with Cas, they’re having civil conversations and being nice with each other. It’s good. It’s what he wanted all along, right?

He runs the towel through his hair and enters the room, only to find Cas and Benny leaning into each other and laughing over something they’re discussing.

“I don’t remember there being anything that funny about the case.” He blurts out thoughtlessly, and where the hell did that come from? “Unless you’re talking about decapitation. Then I kinda get it.” Dean attempts to recover.

“Nah, brotha. Cas was just telling me his buddy up there –“ Benny points up with his face. “Benjamin, right?” Cas nods to that. “Here I was, thinking the angels are uptight, but turns out they just have a different social custom there. Once you get into it, they actually have a solid sense of humor.”

“It is true, Dean.” Castiel deadpans and Dean finds him endearing for being as socially inept as ever.

“Alright, you two. Wanna share and elaborate, maybe?” Dean asks, hating the way light annoyance tints his voice. Why does he sound like that? Like a—jealous…thing. Person. Whatever.

“It’s not of import.” Cas says. “I never would have brought it up if Benny hadn’t asked what my favorite things about Heaven are.”

Dean feels something squeeze tight around his heart. He’s never even thought of asking him that. He didn’t even know about this Benjamin, who was apparently among Cas’s favorite people. Hell, he’s been so self-centered that he assumed Cas didn’t even have anyone besides them.

He wants to say that Cas’s favorite things can’t be irrelevant, and they aren’t to him, and that he wants to know. Benny’s faster on the draw.

“I beg to differ. If it’s making you smile like that, it’s important.” Benny drawls, and for a good measure presses a brief touch against Cas’s forearm. Dean feels his stomach lurch at the sight.

It’s even worse that Cas looks all shy and grateful for that declaration, and it makes Dean want to jump out of his skin and put at least five feet of distance between them.

Dean must’ve been glaring daggers, because there’s a sudden shift in the way Cas holds himself. Like a reprimanded child, he moves back from where he was leaning into Benny, and looks worriedly at Dean.

Dean pretends not to notice.

“Sam arrived while you were showering. He said he’ll go sort through the archive. I should go and help him.” Cas gets up from the chair and leaves the room somewhat abruptly. Benny doesn’t seem to find anything odd about it. If he does, he’s as good at pretending as Dean.

When they’re left alone, Dean somehow musters up the courage to ask.

“What was that?” he tries to sound casual.

“What was what?” Benny asks, playing dumb. Or maybe he really doesn’t have any idea what Dean’s talking about, and Dean’s embarrassing himself by being paranoid.

“You, being like that. With Cas.”

“Like what, Dean?” Benny asks and leans back into his chair.

“Like…suddenly interested in anecdotes about his life, all thoughtful and appreciative.” Nice, Dean. If it sounded bad in his brain, it sounds even worse coming straight out of his mouth

“You don’t think Cas deserves someone to be thoughtful and appreciate to him?”

“I didn’t say that.” Dean snaps defensively. “You know what, nevermind. I’m gonna go get some rest, my back’s killing me.” Suddenly, he feels twice as tired, his bones twice as weary.

“Sure thing, man.” Benny responds, not pushing. Dean appreciates that, at least.

When he gets into bed, sleep doesn’t come easy.

3. Dean.

When Benny tells him he’s leaving for Louisiana on Sunday, Dean hates himself for feeling relief. He tells himself it’s because his relationship with Sam has become strained due to Dean’s willingness to fraternize with a vampire.

Five more days doesn’t seem that long, until Benny makes sure that it does.

He and Cas seem to be inseparable, and they’re always smiling and doing things.

Benny seems to be right there, all the time. Whatever Cas is doing, he’s itching to offer a hand. Throughout the week, Dean sees them baking together, playing scrabble, discussing lore, watching Our Planet on Netflix…one day he even sees them doing crafts together. Just for fun, Cas says.

On Friday, there’s a Wendigo in Topeka and Cas doesn’t offer to go with him and Sam.

Instead, he asks “Do you need me to join you?” And he phrases it in a way that Dean reads as ‘if it’s not necessary, I’d prefer to stay here, with Benny”.

So, naturally, Dean says “No.” He makes sure not to linger, so he wouldn’t see Cas’s joy upon hearing the words.

It’s nighttime by the time they return to the Bunker, and Benny and Cas are nowhere to be found. Dean makes sure to check the whole place, and if it takes him too long to knock on the doors of either of their bedrooms, no one has to know. No one answers anyway.

He considers texting one of them, and spends at least two hours mulling over the idea, which turns out to be long enough for the pair to come back from wherever they were. Dean hears them speaking in gentle, hushed tones and though a part of him wants to remain hidden behind the wall, so he can listen in on their conversation without being exposed – a stronger part of him propels him forward to interrupt.

“Hey.” He announces himself, and Cas takes a step back from Benny, stopping mid-sentence when he sees him. Dean’s nails dig into his palm. “I was worried about you-” comes right out of his mouth, the honesty and vulnerability of the admission scaring him. “-you didn’t say where you went.”

“Benny wanted to see the planetarium, so he asked if I’d like to come along.” Cas explains, sounding apologetic.

“I happen to know a thing or two about the stars.” Benny chimes in. “Me and my buddies from old nest used to be pirates.”

“You’re a vampirate?” Dean asks, stunned. Benny chuckles.

“Sure, brotha. If that’s how you wanna call it.”

“I learned a lot about the constellations.” Cas joins in and he seems genuinely excited to share this piece of information. Dean thought he already knew everything that’s to know about this universe, so he finds Cas’s claim that he’s learned something new from Benny odd. What if he wants to stroke his ego, what if—

“So you had fun.” Dean clears his throat, barely managing to tear his gaze away from Cas’s. He looks at Benny instead and shuffles his hands around the pockets somewhat awkwardly. He wishes he could be anywhere but here, but also, he thinks if he’s to leave now, something horrible could happen.

Not the ‘someone might die’ kind of horrible, no. Benny wouldn’t hurt Cas, that much he knows. But Benny could…

It’s a different kind of horrible.

“I’m actually pretty wiped.” Benny says instead of responding to Dean’s question, or well, more of a statement. “You two can catch up – I’m gonna go to my room now. And Cas—“

“Yes.” Cas turns to face him.

“Think about my offer. I mean, take your time but…lemme know.” Benny says and leaves it at that.

Cas doesn’t sleep, and that night neither does Dean.

4. Dean.

When Benny leaves, he decides to take the guns out and clean them. Cas decides to keep him company, in silence.

It probably would’ve been a polite thing of Dean to ask more about their little…date, but Dean doesn’t want to know. So he doesn’t ask. And Cas doesn’t tell.

For thirty minutes of muscle memory work, Dean lets this feeling stir within and gnaw at him. It takes him precisely thirty minutes to ask.

“So. Benny made you an offer?”

“He did.” Cas responds, matter-of-factly. He doesn’t seem too keen to elaborate, at least not without Dean’s further prompting. Dean’s far too curious, so he caves in.

“Can I ask what it is?” He sounds vulnerable, even to himself, and he doesn’t like that Cas picks up on it right away.

“He asked me to go with him to Louisiana, on Sunday.”

Dean doesn’t mean to, but he stops dead in his tracks and lowers the gun he’s holding on the table.

“Like…to visit?” Dean asks, unable to form any coherent thought at the moment.

“No.” Cas responds, gaze avoidant, looking down at his lap. He parts his lips, seemingly to offer further explanation, but ultimately decides against it.

The words he doesn’t say speak louder than the ones he does.

Dean swallows the lump in his throat, and he can feel the fear creep up and take roots in his lungs.

“Well, what did you decide?” he dares to ask. He feels anchored to his seat, paralyzed, and at the same time like he’s floating above and looking down at two of them.

“I told him I’d think about it.” Cas admits and Dean wishes he could refrain from reacting, but he flinches at the admission. When Cas does look up at him, he seems to be looking for Dean to say or do something.

But Dean’s left speechless. Because Cas has to think about it. He’s not sure about whether he wants to stay with Dean or leave, and Dean thinks back to ‘I always come when you call. I do everything that you ask.’

He thinks where along the way he’s screwed up so epically that he hasn’t given Cas reason enough to stay, but made him doubt whether this is where he belongs.

And then he looks back at the past week. At how Benny’s greeted Cas in the mornings, made him breakfast and coffee, and asked him about his life; learned things about him that Dean’s never bothered to in all these years. How Benny’s taken time to spend with him, out of the context of their jobs, and made it all about Cas – and how Dean’s never done that.

Of course, Cas thought about leaving. Of course.

“Well.” Dean swallows. “If you think that’s gonna make you happy…then I’m happy for you.”

Dean’s been selfish enough for a lifetime. With Sam, particularly, but everyone else that he’s ever cared about too. He wasn’t going to do that to Cas.

“Thank you, Dean.” Cas says, and Dean sees his shoulders sag. Whether in defeat or relief, because Dean’s green-lighted the decision, he can’t tell.

They don’t talk for the rest of the night.

5. Dean.

After hours of tossing and turning, Dean gives up on trying to fall asleep.

He gets up and gets into the car. He drives to the nearest open store to pick up stuff for an apple pie. It’s 4 AM and he’s baking, because it’s the only way to distract himself from the anxiety settling low in his belly.

Dean recognizes Cas’s steps when he hears them, and realizes then that he’s been making the pie with him in mind. The fact that Cas will be gone tomorrow makes it that much harder to face him, so Dean’s quick to scribble ‘For you. Hope you like it.’ on a sticky note. He leaves it by the baked good before Cas can find him.

When he comes back to the Bunker, he’s that much more certain that Cas has decided to leave. He doesn’t run into him until much later into the day, but finds a matching sticky note right where he’s left one.

‘Thank you, Dean. It was wonderful. I appreciate it.’ It reads, and Dean takes a sharp inhale to hold in, certain that if he allows himself to exhale right away he’ll crumble into pieces.

By the time sun goes down, it hits Dean that in less than twelve hours Cas will be gone and that he’s wasted what last precious moments he’s had with him on running. Panic settles deep in his bones when Cas joins him in the room, for the first time of the day.

“Hey, stranger.” He decides to speak up first. “Haven’t seen much of you today.” Or Benny, he thinks.

“Yeah.” Cas makes an attempt at a smile, but it falls flat.

“Were you out with Benny?” Dean tries not to make a big deal out of it.

“No. I don’t really know where he is. I just thought you would want some space, so I took a walk.”

“Why would I need space?” Dean frowns.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” Cas puts it right out there, raw and unfiltered. Should’ve seen that one coming.

“I wasn’t—“ he starts but fails to defend himself because that’s exactly what he’s been doing. Although, not because he needed space. What Dean needed was to come to terms with what was about to happen. He needed to prepare himself because this time he was given an actual notice. A chance to see it coming and get accustomed to it. Other times, when Cas would disappear for days, he usually did so without any warning or explanation, leaving Dean to wonder what had happened. This time, he at least knew. And understood.

“It’s okay, Dean. I know that things are different here than down there.” Cas finishes for him, and he sounds so understanding, so empathetic, and without holding a single grudge against Dean. It’s like he’d take whatever Dean will throw his way, and Dean feels sick.

“What does that mean?” he asks, and sounds defensive about it, but he knows. He may not fully comprehend all that he’s feeling, but he knows some—enough of it, despite having tried so hard and for so long to push it all down.

“I’m not trying to accuse you of anything, Dean. I’m just saying it’s different when we don’t have all kinds of monsters breathing down our necks, and we don’t know if today will be our last day on Earth.”

“What are you talking about? This gig, this life…we never know—“

“You know what I mean.”

Dean’s lips press together, preventing him from speaking any further.

He feels cornered. Cas hasn’t said anything, nothing’s really out there yet, but it kind of is. It’s like they finally acknowledged this elephant in the room between them, with as few words as they could, and Dean doesn’t know how to take a step back from here.

But more importantly, Dean feels ungrateful and he feels like a coward because Cas is right – and he shouldn’t be. It shouldn’t make any difference, this thing.

“I’m going to—“

“Yeah.” Dean gives him a quick nod, seeing Cas drift towards his room after a long moment of shared silence.

6. Cas

Although he doesn’t always understand humans, the things they do, and why they do them, Cas thinks he knows what’s going on here.

When Dean asked him about the answer he’s given to Benny’s offer, Cas doesn’t think he lied when he said he’s thinking about it. ‘Cause he is. He’s been thinking about whether he should stay here, more so than whether he should leave with Benny, ever since the topic came up.

He just failed to mention that when Benny offered, Cas immediately turned him down.

“That’s very generous of you, but I’ll have to politely decline.” He’d said.

“Thought so. Still, I’d like you to think about it for a couple of more days. The offer will stand.” Benny insisted, and Cas listened.

He’s not dumb. He knows what Dean thinks of them. He also knows that’s not what Benny wants from him.

Cas figured that, while initially it was all about pushing Dean to a breaking point and getting him to speak up about his desires, Benny’s intentions transformed. After a while, because he has spent a considerable amount of time with Benny and not all of it was pretending for the sake of provoking Dean, he and Benny did get closer. Although not in a way that Dean thinks, Benny has grown to respect and even like Cas, and he believed that’s at least a part of the reason why he’s asked him to come along.

There’s nothing respectful about the way Cas lets himself be treated, and he knows that.

He sits on the bed of his room in the Bunker, and he thinks how messed up he has to be to know that nothing’s ever going to change, and yet he chooses to stay – hoping that it will. Isn’t that the definition of stupidity?

He considers what it’d be like to allow himself, for once, to seek some finality. To ditch the hope in entirety and make peace with his truth.

If he left, it’d mean that he’s giving himself a chance to move on. He wouldn’t have to wonder anymore/ Wouldn’t feel so helpless, insecure, and stripped down to his very grace every time he’s around Dean. He’d just…know.

He’d make a choice and live with the consequences, whatever they are. It sounds as close to free will as he’ll ever get, and it’s tempting, but it doesn’t feel right.

And if he decides to stray, then what? Does he give himself a time constraint, for how much longer he gets to hope and wait? Or does he accept that regardless of him staying, everything else will remain the same and he’s going to be fine with that?

A knock grips him out of his thoughts, and he pushes himself up from the mattress to open the doors to the bedroom. On the other side, he finds Dean.

“Hey.” Dean says, and Cas doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to the way he gets weaker in the knees when he sees him. Once he started falling, he never stopped. Anna was right – all of these feelings that have found their way into every crevice of his being, they were massively beyond those first human experiences he’s had. Nothing could have warned or prepared him for the sheer intensity of loving Dean.

It was a different kind of pain. One as sweet as tempting, and although one didn’t want to be experiencing it, one was too weak to stop. After having heard about enough human experiences, he thought it was comparable to getting rehabilitation for drug addiction.

“Hello Dean.” He manages, unable to look anywhere but at Dean.

Dean doesn’t say anything after that, and Cas doesn’t really know what this is about, so he waits. And he waits.

And then asks.

“Is there something—“

“Stay.” Dean jumps in, and there’s urgency in the way he lets that word spill over.

“What.”

Cas can see him straighten and push his shoulders back. Dean reels in, the same way that he does when he’s expecting a punch.

Dean licks his lips, taking time to draws a sharp inhale before continuing.

“Look, man—“ he stops, then corrects himself. “—Cas.”

“If leaving…if going with Benny’s what you want, then I’m not going to stop you. But…”

Dean looks like he’s struggling to find the words, and Cas has no intent to rush him. He does feel instinctively drawn to lay a gentle touch on him, to offer comfort and reassurance, but he doesn’t.

He waits.

“If you’re looking for a reason to stay, if you need one – I want you to know that I want you to stay.” Dean says, and he looks like he has so much more to add, and he wants to, but this is as far as he can go. For now.

“Okay.” Cas manages after a while.

“Okay.” Dean nods and lets himself exhale as his shoulders sag further down. “That’s…that’s all I wanted to say.”

They both take one long look at each other after that, and then Dean leaves down the hallway and goes to his room.

7. Dean.

Dean doesn’t want to, but he sleeps soundly through the night. The exhaustion from not having rested properly these past couple of days runs him over. He dreams of nothing.

He wakes up abruptly to the clock reading 10:00 AM. That’s two hours after Benny’s planned departure.

He’s up on his feet before he knows it, running to the common room, as though he could catch up with them if he runs fast enough. There’s nothing rational about the way he’s thinking, but he can’t stop moving, can’t stop—

He gets to the map table and Sam and Cas are there, going through the lore, working on a case.

“Morning.” Sam greets him, brows furrowed in response to Dean’s disheveled looks and panicked appearance. Cas just stands there, trenchcoat on as always, nothing odd about him.

“Where’s Benny?” he asks, heart thundering loud against his chest as he grapples to reach full, sane awareness.

“He left.” Cas is the one to respond this time around, and Dean feels lighter than he has in a while.

“He left?” Dean repeats, dumbfounded. “Why didn’t you wake me up to say goodbye?”

“He said he hasn’t seen you sleep this long from the day he’s met you. Quite frankly, neither have we.” Sam offers. “We decided to let you rest. Besides, he said to tell you it’s not a goodbye – it’s just a see you later.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I’ll try to be.” Sam offers.

He’s finally awake enough to make further steps towards the table, and join the two of them in going through the papers scattered across.

“So.” He takes a look at Cas, not yet taking a seat next to them. “You decided to stay.”

“I did. Benny’s offer was nice but this is my home.” Cas pauses for a moment, before adding “It’s where I want to be.”

Dean sees a smile tug on Cas’s lips, and he allows for a matching one to bloom across his own.

“Good. That’s good. I’m glad.” He swallows and breaks the gaze, sitting down to look at the case.

“So get this.” Sam begins. “We have reports of witnesses seeing someone leave the house of the vic, thought they saw pitch-black eyes. Victim is a young male; pathologists say the corpse looks like someone had been gnawing at it…”

“So we’re thinking rugaru?” Dean asks, feeling himself slip into sense of normalcy that he hasn’t even realized to have been missing.

He lets the voices of Sam and Cas carry him through the rest of the case as everything falls back into its place.