#I told marble about this today and I realized I'm likely never going to write it as a full fic

[chocolatepot]

I was going thru all of the fics of yours that I have bookmarked, and I'd forgotten about this gem: Parched - so, director's commentary?

Oooh, okay!

The thing about this fic is that while the note at the end is true (that it was inspired by wondering about what Mary had told Doug about Stede), it was also something of an experiment for me. See, I'm just not that into Mary! In the flashbacks to their marriage, I tend to think neither of them comes off that well. There's a running joke that everyone in the fandom is on her side when she tries to kill Stede, no matter how much they like him, but I'm not, actually! So I wanted to try to get into her head by writing a fic from her perspective.

Dearest Mary,

I started by quoting Stede's letter to Mary because that felt like the right place to pick up. I was exploring how she grew and changed, so I wanted to start at their divergence.

The sun comes in at an angle on the letter like a knife, highlighting the words “fond regards.”

Something else experimental for me with this fic was that I was attempting to write in a slightly more literary(?) style. I do focus on my prose when I write, I'll sometimes try a sentence multiple ways or put one together so slowly that it's like chipping marble, but that's a refinement of what I instinctively want to express - I don't instinctively tend to write figuratively, or describe things that aren't either a) absolutely necessary or b) fun for me to describe. So: a sharp metaphor to start with.

“Did Dad go out to ride on Arthur? I want to take my new kite out with him today.”

I also don't subscribe to the idea that Stede was a fully absent father, so put in that line to show him as an active presence in the kids' lives.

This all makes me sound super petty but I did indeed set out to write A Good Fic first and foremost! As ever when I'm challenging myself. I just cannot help but write in my interpretation of controversial things.

Louis is young enough that he doesn’t realize how bizarre and fucked up it all is, accepting it as just one of those strange things adults do and going back to his toast; Alma, however, is thinking about it with a furrowed brow.

And part of the reason Alma responds as she does is that she's surprised and upset because it never occurred to her that her father might pick up sticks and disappear. (If I were writing the fic now, I think I'd have dwelt more on the kids' reactions, or lack thereof in Louis's case. At the time, my focus was on how their reactions affected Mary.)

But this time her eye is caught by a different line: You deserve happiness, as do I.

Here, the tone shifts. I am SO anxious about people thinking I'm too nice to Stede on the whole, and was/am particularly so at this point, lol. That being said, assuming Doug wasn't putting an incredibly positive spin on things (possible), Mary was able to say some neutral-to-positive things about Stede. So she must have come around on him, his leaving, and his part in their marriage, when she thought that it was all a closed book. (And then when he came back he just ripped open the scab!)

She can complain about Stede at length, if she feels like it, but to his credit, he’s never seemed to actively dislike her. What he accepts is that she dislikes him.

This whole bit was also me digging in and almost stream-of-consciousness-ing from Mary's perspective about what we saw of Stede in their marriage in the flashbacks. Analyzing. Working my fingers into the dough.

Nobody likes every person they’re thrust into society with, but that’s just how life is! You smile and make small talk and get them to tolerate you, and sometimes you end up making friends – but he just couldn’t seem to do that, like he wasn’t even trying.

I admit that I was also experimenting with the perspective of a neurotypical person not getting why an autistic person can't just be normal.

The next day, Mary puts on a black gown she rarely wears, plus a hat with a veil, and visits the local magistrate.

She successfully got him declared dead, after all!

The second it’s done, Mrs. Higgins pushes off the wall and comes to Mary’s side, putting her hand on her shoulder. “Okay, Melvin,” she says breezily in a husky tone that fits her perfectly. “I’m going to take the Widow Bonnet for a cup of tea.”

Well, I ship them.

“This story about your husband being lost at sea – it’s bullshit, right? Did you take him out?” She puts a hand on Mary’s forearm, and it feels alarmingly sympathetic. “What did he do – did he hit you? Do you need help getting rid of the body?”

I have absolutely no doubt that it went down like this. Evelyn's comfort level with the idea of murdering a husband implies that she's been ready and willing to aid and abet a woman who's had to kill before. (And I think she tends to see situations through this lens even when it doesn't fit as a result.)

“Relax,” Mrs. Higgins orders, and Mary can’t help but comply

👀👀👀

“Your … rifles?” asks Mary, stunned, and Jemima takes them all on a tour of her house to see the armory, which is packed so heavily with guns of all sizes and types that you can’t even make out what sort of wallpaper is behind them. There’s even a cannon, positioned so that it could theoretically fire out a window.

I don't entirely remember my thought process here - a melange of needing to make up more widows to be part of the circle and "what would be funny?" and the image of a 17th-18th century armory. Jemima's maiden name, Courten, came from the History of Barbados wiki page, and her last name came from my fierce third grade teacher. (Jemima? I have no idea.)

“I have a tenant who’s a painter!” says another, turning from a display of guns inlaid with mother-of-pearl. “He’s always looking for students – if you come to mine, I can introduce you.”

Fate!!!

Their first meeting is inauspicious, but not to such an extent that it loops back around into a meet-cute.

This was deliberate. Mary and Stede are such opposites that I wanted her romance with Doug not to be a sudden soulmate thing like Ed/Stede basically are - their meeting isn't the stuff of stories, they don't have an intense, immediate chemistry. It's still love.

His fingers are still hovering over the canvas, moving here and there to point out what he’s taken with, and for a moment Mary can hardly breathe.

This was intentionally a bit erotic on top of the sexiness of Doug caring so much about her art (and also - Doug is the biggest sweetie, he sees the good even in a piece with a lot of problems).

There is just so much emotion in her, and nowhere else for it to go. For a fleeting moment, she thinks of Stede and the times she found him weeping alone.

Tying this all back into one of the main things, which was Mary coming around on Stede to some extent.

Nobody has ever looked at her like that, like she is a delicate and beautiful person to be treasured.

This is picking up on a thread I established in More Nicer, that the flipside of Stede having been forced into a marriage with a woman when he's not attracted to women is that Mary was forced into a marriage where she was never, ever found attractive. Feeling that someone she likes is actually interested in her would be huge.

one night when he stays for dinner and then helps her wash the dishes after the kids have gone to bed.

I am COMMITTED! to interpreting OFMD as depicting their household as a modern marriage with a period veneer. They don't have servants and Stede isn't a powerful 18th century patriarch.

The moon is huge. If she were to paint it this big, nobody would ever believe it.

Mary gets her "you wear fine things well" moment under the impossibly large moon - maybe at the same time as Stede and Ed's! Only hers can be straightforwardly understood as a moment of love by all participants.

That she is, in fact, too harsh and practical to be loved is a possibility that has haunted her for years.

Again, that thread from More Nicer.

But when she looks into his eyes again, he’s still just confused. Then he flushes and looks down. “Sorry,” he says, “I just – it’s hard for me to believe that he could bring himself to leave you.”

He's a keeper.

A very sudden thought hits her like a thunderbolt: Stede was right. Their lives had been monotonous and had needed to be shaken up, changed beyond recognition.

And that's the point that the fic's been leading up to - Mary becoming okay with Stede. I don't think this makes him right about everything, but I do think he had a point there and that part of the reason she got so upset when he suggested that their lives were monotonous was that she knew it on some level.

She still wishes that he had told her he was leaving rather than simply doing it, but what if he had? Would she have raged at him, guilted him into staying so that they would both continue to be unhappy?

Surprising no one, I have A Take about the idea that Stede was objectively wrong on the way he left. Could it have gone well if he'd been more up-front about it? Maybe. Could it have also gone a lot worse? I think so.

Now that she has a tantalizing glimpse of the happiness that may lie in store for her, she can fully close that door – she can end that desperate, stunted life and begin a new one.

And there we are.

anyone who's interested, feel free to ask for another!

[one-of-us-must-be-crazy]

the prequel you almost got

With Stage One I wrote a mini-long-fic just to explain the groundwork of their relationship for Lucky Star by just making the events of the canon story take place over a longer amount of time but there was a scrapped idea that I had:

When the two meet in game, it’s not the first time they’ve been introduced.

It’s the seventh.

She was given a company android to run maintenance on as part of her interview process with WY, and there’s something off about him. He’s friendly. He asks her what she’s doing and why, and how she ended up working for WY and you know what? He has just little enough of a perosnality that she lets it all out. Her mother, her shit father, her lack of funds, her hating herself for crawling back to the company that acted like it owned her when really it just owed her.

“They aren’t the best people to be property of,” he says with a half smile.

“Are there any good ones?”

“If you ever need anything, feel free to put it in as a request with me.”

“You would do that? Don’t they have like...teams of you?”

“Well--you don’t have to ask for me specifically, but--a lot of humans have favorite synthetics to work with, it helps ease the uncanny valley if they’re dealing with the same person, for lack of a better word, every time they’re in.”

“I might do that then,”

They meet once about her case, and he makes the mistake of telling his human superior that he’s upset by it.

That he’s feeling about it.

Feeling.

The next time Amanda comes back, a bit more hopeful than she’s been for a while, he doesn’t even remember her, just a few details about her case. 

“It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Ripley doesn’t tell him what happened, or the next two times it happens.

After the third time it happens, three times she’s watched his eyes light up with something that could even be affection alongside human care, she suggests they discuss the case in a more casual setting. WY hears “public setting where she’s less likely to make a scene” and approves the request.

And her next four requests. Cafes, a couple diners, the restuarant over looking the tourist docks.....A bar where the music is so loud the next couple over can’t hear them.

“You seem so real,” he tells her, taking the cap off her beer with one hand, a trick show of strength that makes her grin.

“Because I am?” she clicks her bottle to his when he passes it to her.

“No...it’s like you’re in my coding--I’m sorry, it’s... Almost like you’re my operator or you wrote my programming. I don’t think I have a better metaphor for it. I feel like I know you, more than I actually do.”

“You get more human every time we meet.” she smiles.

“What does that mean?”

It’s that fourth time that they’ve met, the longest it’s lasted that she actually tells him, but not for any real reason other than the fact that it’s never gotten this far and whatever ‘it’ is isn’t something she wants to chance at not getting back.

On one hand he doesn’t want to believe her, on the other, well...he’s seen it happen to his peers, seen their vacant eyes and confused faces when he tries to remind them of their brief and lifeless small talk. He’s so much more lifelike than the others and he finally admits that to himself, and Ripley--Amanda--has put forth this effort so many times. She even has screen shots of emails that WY has long since hidden. Conversations that they’ve had, all terse and businesslike but speaking of a familiarity below the ‘with all due respect.’

Christopher Samuels leans over to her, pauses; if the proximity bothered her she had room to lean back, and he continues on and instead of talking at her ear so she could hear him over the guitar from the live band, he kisses her on the mouth, and when she doesn’t pull away from him, he puts his hand on the side of her face, and the other around her back, holding her close to him until she holds him back. They’re just another couple making out to the music.

Ten hours later, he kisses her on the hand before getting out of her bed, finds his clothes, and finds his way around her kitchenette enough to find something food-related. Humans eat first thing in the morning right? 

“That was....a lot.” Amanda says before anything else when she slumps across the room to collapse into a chair.

“At some point last night you said I should stay.”

“I know I did,” 

“I meant you said I should stay...for good. Because if they find out why I was away last night I’m facing much worse than a reformatting.”

“They’ll figure out where you are.”

“I can wander. Hide sometimes if needed.”

“Okay. Alright. You don’t have to stay with me, I know a few guys that could help with getting you IDs, and--”

“Thank you... For now though, I think you should have something to eat, I don’t remember you having anything last night.”

“You’re good.” she smiles, crosses the tiny apartment room to hug him tightly, “And you’re welcome to turn that into a two night stand if you want.”

“I might have to do that.”

It’s two weeks of wearing civilian clothing with Amanda Ripley, two weeks of seeing her in settings other than professional, seeing her relaxed, seeing her happy. Two weeks of nights spent testing the limits of his protocols, and stroking her hair as she falls asleep, her arms tight around him.

A jacket he bought for himself with money he might have stolen/withdrawn from a company account is now draped around her shoulders on a walk home, arms linked, when some idiots think he’s a synthetic and call her out on it.

“Does she look artificial to you boys?” he says, accent morphed into that of an actor from the old movie they just saw.

“I meant you, asshole.”

“Fuck off,” Amanda interjects before a fight gets started. It’s not the first time someone’s recognized him. Glasses, sun glasses, the leather jacket, skipping a few days of shaving, none of it has made him look different enough. He knows they’re going to get caught, and he knows she’ll be in trouble when they do.

If he turns himself in though, the humiliation that she’ll face knowing that some sick creeps at WY now know what every part of her body and heart look like? Not worth it. 

“Amanda?” he wakes her late that night,

“Yeah?”

“I’m going out for a walk. Feeling a little overheated.”

“mmm sorry about that.”

“Don’t be,” he kisses her softly, then pulls her up to sitting next to him 

“What?”

“Just saying goodbye,” he kisses her tenderly, holds her close.

“Are you okay?”

“I am, I promise.” she doesn’t seem satisfied with his answer “If I ever forget again--if something ever happens... Please tell me again?”

“Of course.”

“No matter how much I do or don’t believe you, how many times it happens, keep reminding me?”

“You’re freaking me out, Chris...”

“Amanda?”

“Okay, fine, I promise.”

“Thank you. Because I don’t know if I can or not, but I do feel compelled to say I love you.”

“It’s okay, I don’t know if I love you or not either, but I feel ‘compelled’ to say it back to you.” she kisses him again, afraid she knows what he’s about to do.

“I’ll be right back,” 

“Wait,”

“Yes?”

“You’re getting more human. I don’t think you’ve lied to me yet.”

“I’m not--”

“I love you. Be careful.”

“I will.”

He does a base reformat to himself, and then goes back to the offices. 

Ripley doesn’t sleep for the week, and nearly has a heart attack when WY rings her to come back.

“Is the synthetic I usually work with back yet?”

“No.”

“I want to talk to that one.”

They show her a fake, she catches it after a few minutes, and tells the supervisor that there must be a mistake, and she’s then shown another one.

It’s him, she’s sure of it, but she’s not going to tell him either, not yet. Maybe not ever. Still, whatever is there shows up again and again, and finally she’s done. She’s ready to move on, to hope that he gets away some day, but maybe it’ll be easier since she’s the reason they always seem to catch him on the verge of self awareness, when he shows up to her work with a golden ticket. 

also I realized today that there’s now room for a joke about “what do u mean you knew I give off electric shocks when im....” “Becuase we’ve done this like twelve  times before.” “wait what.”

a;sdlkfjadsfkj just that whole idea of it doesn’t matter how/when/why they’re gonna keep finding each other and he’s going to be increasingly head over heels every time 

[godofdystopia]

Sashannarcy Week Day 5: Outfits.

Since I know next to nothing about fashion i believed it would be a struggle to write this one. It surprisingly wasn’t, but again i don’t know fashion so who even knows.

Anyway, this story is basically me repeatedly chanting ‘Trans Anne!’ at the top of my lungs over and over. It also has Sasha realizing she’s Bi and Marcy realizing she’s in love with Anne. This is the gayest entry I've ever written and I'm proud of it.

Thanks again to @phrogfrommars for hosting this Sashannarcy week. I’ve loved participating in it so far.

In this story,  Anne has finally come out as a girl and her two totally-not-girlfriends decide to take her shopping to update her wardrobe. Will these totally-not-in-love-with-one-another friends survive the trip? probably not, they’re gay as hell.

words: 2.8k

“Cmon girlfriend, let’s go! We’re burning daylight.” Sasha said as she and Marcy pulled Anne by the hand deeper into the mall.

It was a bright summer day, the sun was high in the sky and beat mercilessly against the ground. Anyone with half a mind would have stayed cooped up inside with the AC on full blast. But Sasha and Marcy wouldn’t, no, Couldn’t afford to today.

Today they had one of the most important tasks ahead of them, one that if failed or screwed up, would haunt them for decades to come.

They had to upgrade Anne’s wardrobe.

One wouldn’t think that would be so important as to steal away Anne from Thai Go and travel halfway across LA to where the good stores were, or to do so while the heat was near a hundred degrees outside. They had all gone clothes shopping before, mostly Sasha, but they’d all done it, and yet this wasn’t like any other shopping trip they’d ever taken.

This would be the first time the girls had gone shopping to get girl clothes for Anne.

All she had were boy clothes in her wardrobe which, to be fair, was because two days ago she hadn’t been out to anyone. Then she took her two best friends out to the park where they met and told them, with great difficulty and fear, that she didn’t feel like a boy and hadn’t for a very long time.

Sasha and Marcy weren’t sure what she was expecting their reaction to be, and to be honest they didn’t want to think about it. They just hugged her and told her that no matter their gender she would always be their friend.

The tears flowed freely as the three girls hugged one another, just holding each other as Sasha and Marcy comforted their friend. She’d been terrified of how they would respond and yet there was only acceptance. She was a complete mess: Tears and snot running down her face from the force of her sobs but right now she didn’t care.

She had never been happier than right now.

“Uh, guys?”

Sasha and Marcy looked up at the Thai girl, who was still crying happy tears from everything. She was looking at the both of them with a shaky smile. “There’s, there’s something else too.”

Sasha just put on a patient smile while Marcy squeezed her again. Both of them waited patiently for their friend to continue.

“Um, if it’s not too much… Could you, um…” She blushed a bit, looked down at the ground, took a deep breath and looked them both in the eye.

“... Call me Anne?”

And that, as they say, was that.

Anne was happy, and currently forcing down any thoughts about how she was going to come out to her parents, but right now her happiness and bliss overruled any fear or doubt.

“Come on Anna-Banana! We gotta goo!” Marcy whined as she tugged Anne towards the clothing sections with Sasha. Both girls stopped to stare at Marcy before they both descended into giggles.

“I’m- I’m sorry, ‘Anna-Banana?’” Anne asked between giggles as the taiwanese girl blushed.

“I’m trying out new nicknames since my old ones don’t fit anymore.” Marcy said as she turned away from her friends with a pout. “I thought it was good…”

“It’s fine marbles, don’t sweat it.” Sasha said as she brought an arm around to pat her on the back. “That one might not stick, but when we find one that does you’ll forget it even happened.”

Anne looked nervous however, looking at every passing person like she was expecting them to jump in front of her and deadname her then and there. “You know we don’t actually have to do this, right?”

“Actually, we kinda do, F-anne-cy Anne.” Marcy said, before frowning and muttering ‘2/10’ to herself.

“Anne, you literally have no girl clothes.” Sasha paused and looked at her, frowning. “You know what you told us when you came out? That you’ve been wearing your mom’s clothes to try and feel normal. We’re getting you girl clothes even if it kills us.”

Anne sighed. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”

“Well too bad, you did. And now we’re going clothes shopping to get you some new threads.” Sasha replied as they dragged Anne towards the shop, rows upon rows of girls clothes hung up on racks as far as the eye could see.

Anne had always wanted to go in one but she’d never really been confident enough to step in one.

Her mom, Marcy and Sasha would sometimes bring her along with them to give advice and carry bags of clothes for them, and she would imagine herself in whatever clothing caught her eye and would sometimes make her way over to some of the racks to just hold the clothes in her hands while the people she came with were in the changing room.

And now she was actually going to be in one, as a customer.

She forced herself not to cry, but from the gentle smiles Sasha and Marcy gave her, a few sniffles must have snuck out.

“Hi! Can I help you girls with anything?” The cashier, a pretty looking college aged woman with a pixie cut, said with a smile.

“Not really, but thanks.” Sasha said as she and Marcy pulled Anne along with them.

“Alright Marcy, this is the most important shopping trip of our lives! Grab whatever you think Anne will look nice in and meet back up by the Changing room.” Sasha said, her face full of determination. Marcy, equally determined, nodded seriously and ran off to grab whatever clothes caught her eye.

“Alright, you just wait here while I go grab some clothes. You’ll look like the most popular girl in the mall by the time I'm done!” She said cheerily as she ran off.

Anne just sat down and, with a happy smile over how her friends were helping her with this, waited.

**********

“Okay girlfriend, let’s try this!”

Sasha and Marcy came back with piles of clothes in their arms and got to work. They would mix and match clothes and thrust them in Anne’s arms.

Anne entered the changing room with something Marcy brought her and came out.

She was dressed in a light green summer dress with floral patterns all over it. The sleeves came down to just past the shoulder and were ruffled and pretty looking. A pair of bright pink knee socks with Kitten designs on them led down to her normal shoes.

Anne looked anxious, like she was waiting for something. Sasha and Marcy had a pretty good idea of what.

“Go ahead already Anne.” Sasha said patiently while Marcy made ‘go on’ gestures with her hand.

Anne, her face breaking out into a dopey smile, immediately began to spin around and around, the skirt twirling in the air as she did so. A little ‘Whee!’ left her lips as she did so.

Sasha and Marcy both had the same thought enter her head while Anne made her skirt spin with glee.

‘She looks cute.’

Sasha and Marcy both blinked at that, though one took it better than the other. Sasha, who had never thought of girls like that before, felt confused and odd. Marcy, who had thought of girls like that before, felt weird about thinking of her friend like that.

She felt bad enough thinking of Sasha like that, and now Anne?

They were both broken out of their thoughts by Anne grabbing a bunch of other dresses and rushing back into the changing room, a giddy smile on her face.

**********

Anne looked the dress over.

It was more fancy than she would like. The skirt was hooped, like something from the 50’s, and was white with black squares making it look like a chessboard.. The top was pure white and had a black lotus over the heart. She liked it when she could make the skirts twirl, but this was also nice. Overly fancy, but nice.

The jacket she wore over the shirt was a poofy thing, white as chalk but with gold lettering on the back in the form of  some signature of whatever celebrity had made and endorsed the clothing.

Anne felt like she was about to walk down the red carpet for a movie premier that she was the main actress in.

“See? You look pretty like that!” Sasha said, before blushing a bit as she realized what she just said. “I mean, soo pretty. The guys will be lining up to ask you out!”

,,, why did that thought make Sasha unhappy?

“I just… I don't know Sasha.” Anne said, rubbing one arm. “I… don’t think this is really me.”

Sasha just stared expectantly and Anne continued.

“I don’t like designer clothes or any of this. I like wearing floral dresses and shirts with funny slogans on them. And also cats, cats on the shirt would be nice.”

“Well, you could’ve just said something.” Sasha said.

Anne looked uncomfortable and rubbed her arm. “I didn’t want to say something because… you said it was popular. And I thought… it’d make me seem more like a girl if I-”

Sasha walked forward and Hugged Anne tightly, the Thai girl hesitated before hugging the blonde back. They both jumped a bit when a third pair of arms wrapped around them, Marcy putting her head on Anne’s shoulder.

“Anne, you don’t need ‘popular’ clothes to be a girl. You are a girl, and we both love you.” Sasha said seriously as she looked Anne in the eye.

“You’ll always be a girl to us, Anne. And nothing will ever change that.” Marcy said as she leaned her head against Anne’s.

“I… Thank you.” Anne hugged them both tighter, a dopey smile on her face as she did so. She liked hugging them.

“You know what we need to do now, don’t you?” Marcy asked excitedly, as she looked between them.

“More clothes!”

**********

“Well, what about this?” Anne came out in a black gothic dress with skull designs along the shoulder with a velvet corset around it. The skirt was so incredibly ruffled that it looked more ruffles than skirt. The sleeves werte mesh and she had Fingerless gloves over her hands. Knee high combat boots with more laces than the corset on them made the ensemble look like she was the most gothic punk girl ever.

“Do you really want to go the goth look Anne?” Sasha asked, trying to imagine Anne in the clothes she had worn when they all went through their emo phase together. ‘She’d look good in that.’ she thought to herself.

“Well, I think it looks nice!” Marcy said proudly, a little blush on her cheeks as she kept looking at Anne’s arms. She admired the muscles she could see on them, and then blushed and slapped her cheeks as she realized what she was doing.

‘C’mon girl, Anne’s my best friend. Don’t be weird.’ She thought to herself.

“I… kinda agree with Sasha on this Mar-mar. I mean, I like the dark look.” Anne said quickly at seeing Marcy pout. “I just think I want something a little less… um…”

“No, it’s fine. Really.” Marcy said just as quickly, putting her hands up with a smile. She then reached into her bag and started to rummage through it. “I actually brought something I think you’d look great in Anne.”

She pulled out a deep green sleeveless dress with black, blocky embroidery along the hem as well as the neck line. Actually, the more Anne looked at it, the more it looked like…

“Marcy.”

“Yeah, Anne-tastic?” Marcy asked, then frowned and shook her head. “Yeah, Anne?”

“Where did you get a Minecraft Creeper Dress?”

“Oh, this?” Marcy looked it over and held it up against herself. “Well, while you and Sasha were talking about clothes I saw the dress a few stores down so I decided to bring it over.” She held it up to Anne. “You like?”

Anne just blinked at her. “You found, bought, and brought over a whole dress in the little bit me and Sasha talked?”

Marcy blinked owlishly, before wincing. “I… might have forgotten to pay for it?”

Anne choked on air while Sasha laughed, picking up Marcy in a hug and lifting her. “Oh, I just knew there was a little rebel in you Mar-mar! I’m so proud!”

Anne laughed at the display while Marcy went into yet another little panic, her mind repeating the word ‘Strong’ over and over as she was twirled with little to no difficulty.

‘Why am I like this? They’re my friends and I'm being… very weird about them today.’ Marcy frowned to herself. Anne, meanwhile, kept eyeing something out of the corner of her eye and walked over to what looked like a rack of extremely glittery and girly dresses.

“I’m, I'm going to try one of these on, i think.” She said as she grabbed something that looked blue and ran back into the changing room.

Sasha and Marcy sat back down on the bench and waited.

And waited some more.

“She’s looking very nice, isn’t she?” Marcy asked suddenly.

“Hmm?” Sasha looked over at Marcy, the taiwanese girl not looking in her direction at all as she asked. If Sasha had looked up, she would have been able to see Marcy’s face in the mirror and see the blush on her cheeks. “Yeah. I mean, she looks okay I guess.”

‘More than okay, actually.’ And there were her weird thoughts again, she’d been having them more and more since Anne came out to them. She’d always had a crush on her when she was a guy so it make sense that she was coming to terms with not liking her now that she was a girl.

… right? That was what was happening, right? She wasn’t, she was straight. She liked guys, not girls. She had the years-long crush on Anne to prove it too!

“Okay, I'm ready.”

The curtain pulled open and Sasha and Marcy felt their breath be stolen.

Anne was… she was. She was wearing a beautiful dark blue dress with a light blue top, little gems played across the top that sparkled in the light. She fiddled with the hem of the dress as she looked at her two friends.

“So, um, how do I look?” She asked hesitantly.

Sasha and Marcy, they had no words. Sasha could only stare at Anne as her mind went haywire, her thoughts running together as she did so.

‘Holy shit, holy shit! She’s soo gorgeous, what the hell! I liked her when she was a guy, but now? Oh my god, she’s too goddamn beautiful, this is too much.’ Sasha went increasingly redder as she realized a truth she could no longer ignore.

She was attracted to Anne.

She was attracted to Anne as a girl just as she had been attracted to her as a guy.

She was Bisexual and attracted to Anne no matter what.

‘Oh my god, I’m Bi!’

As her thoughts went even crazier at the realization she wasn’t as straight as she thought, Sasha managed to croak out “It looks great, girlfriend!” in a shaky voice.

Marcy, meanwhile, had gone so red in the face that she pulled her hoodie strings tight, covering up her face. She held up two thumbs up, as she didn’t trust her voice to not say something extremely embarrassing like ‘You’re the most beautiful girl I've ever seen,’ or ‘Please go out with me, I want to ruin our friendship and turn it into a romance actually.’

‘I’m too gay for this. I’m gay and she’s too pretty I’m going too die. I’m attracted to both of my best friends, what the heck!?’

Anne just looked between the two, confusion running through her as well as… happiness? A weird sort of happiness that came from seeing her two friends flustered over her.

‘I… like them looking at me like this…’ Anne blinked as that thought popped into her head. Where the heck had that come from?

“Great, uh, I'm gonna go pay for it i guess.” Anne went back into the dressing room. The second the curtain pulled closed Marcy collapsed and covered her already hoodie covered face with her hands as the words “Prettyprettypretty…” repeated over and over.

Sasha just sat and looked into space as she came to terms with the fact she was Bi and in love with her best friend.

All the while, the shop keeper just smirked as she watched the girls panic.

‘Oh my god, these bitches are gay. Good for them, good for them.’ She thought to herself. She’d give them a discount.

Maybe.

[amethystpath-writes]

The Boy Next Door

Night 1- Friday:

Villain pulled the window open from the bottom up and watched the humanoid lump- otherwise known as Hero- shift around in bed.

He heard muttering coming from the room.

"'M don't think so."

A sigh.

"Ees cute."

She's talking in her sleep about someone else, Villain thought.

He hopped out the window and closed it, after looking at the words he'd written on his arms beforehand.

**

Night 2- Saturday:

"Why do I torture myself like this?" Villain asked himself as he opened the window again. "She could never love me."

He looked at his arm, then to Hero, and then to his arm again.

"I like you. That's all you have to say." He shook his head. "No, that's too forward. I'm into you. Oh god no. That- that's bad. I think we could have something special. No. Why am I so bad at this?"

Villain hopped out of the window again.

**

Night 3- Sunday:

Standing outside of the window this time and only peering in from the outside, Villain asked Hero- as if she could hear, although glad she couldn't- "If you did like me, would it kill you to say it first?"

Then to himself, he said, "But she doesn't like you. She could never. You're a troublemaker, a heathen, a no-good-doer. But Grams likes your company. That's good enough, right?"

His fingers fumbled with the window, but stopped. "I'm such a creep. I've done this for three nights and I'm only just now realizing you'd probably be terrified if you knew I was doing this. I'm sorry, Hero. I just keep thinking that I'll wake you up and I'll"- he looked at the words written on his arm- "tell you how I feel, but I get scared. Because why would someone like you...ever like someone like me?"

Villain shook his head. "I'll see at the fair. Hopefully. Maybe I'll be less nervous in a crowd I can disappear into."

He left Hero without ever opening the window.

**

Night 4- Monday:

I was too nervous to say this at the fair today, but...well I have an old typewriter I thought I could put to use instead. So here I go:

I met you in a therapy group, and it probably sounds rude, but I didn't understand why you were there. You weren't angry or broken down like the rest of us.

You were happy and I didn't get it. I still don't. I mean, how are you so peaceful with the present given the past? Sorry, just- um- ignore that part. I don't know what I'm saying.

I like you.

I wish I knew you more. I- um- want to understand you. Not like a science experiment or whatever- I don't know- but like...you're nice and I like that. And I want to learn how to be nice, too, instead of...um...being mad all the time.

Maybe you could teach me a thing or two over coffee? Or maybe a bookstore. Do you like museums? Like art ones with the marble sculptures? Sorry. Just ignore this again. Um. If you don't want to go out with me- not like a date, unless like you wanted it to be a date. Um. Yeah. You're really nice and that's cool neat awesome cool.

This is getting long now. I don't know what else to say so I'm just going to...stop talking typing.

Love

Sincerely,

The Boy Next Door (Villain)

Villain breathed in and breathed out before cracking the window open and slipping the letter- or note, or whatever it was- into Hero's room.

**

Night 5- Tuesday:

Villain was about to climb out his own window when he started at a figure on the other side of the glass. He gasped before shoving his hand over his mouth to prevent a scream. The window slid open.

"I'm so sorry!" Hero whisper-yelled. "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just"- she laughed a little- "going to put this on your desk." She held up a folded piece of paper.

He swallowed. Hero was in his room.

Hero was in his room.

Villain couldn't believe it. He glanced at his arm really quickly. 'You can do anything,' it read. It was what Hero told him weeks ago in their group session when Villain said he didn't feel like he could get up in the mornings sometimes. He could have told himself those words, but it meant more coming from someone who didn't even know him.

Hero held her folded paper up. "I guess you don't need this anymore since I can just say it."

"No," Villain said and his eyes widened. They came out harsher than he meant. "No," he said regularly this time. "I'll- um- still take it if- you know, if that's okay."

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. Here."

She smiled at him as she handed the note she wrote herself over and Villain could hear his own heart pounding in his ears.

Villain read the letter:

I don't have a typewriter, but I can kind of write in cursive.

I think a date would be fun.

:)

The Girl Next Door (Hero)

"How's this Friday sound?" Hero asked as Villain looked up, hiding a smile behind the paper.

[heresathreebee]

No Touching

[Ava Starr x Female!Reader]

Summary: Friend dates with Ava always brighten your day (and night). Tonight is more enlightening than brightening, though… 

Previous Masterlist Next

Word count: 1.7 words

Warning(s): 14+ | angst, gay panic, dolls, 1 (one) racist antique, Steven Segal movie, chronic pain, tears.

AN: No actually I didn't bother to edit this, not doing that anymore, I think too much as it is. As always, I write with a black reader in mind but feel free to read even if you aren't. 🖤

You are eighty percent sure that you and Ava are dating.

85%... 78%... 81.5% sure.

It would probably be best if you cleared that up (but be cool about it though). You've started seeing each other more and more, and on purpose no less. Never a dull conversation, she's reluctant to share some of her life story but she's eager to know everything about you and you're more than happy to indulge. It's not like you know nothing about her; you just don't know the specifics of her past. 

Her parents died when she was young, she's ex-military (you think?), and she just came off of a huge life change and is getting used to what she calls 'real life.' You figure out she's a bit of a shut in and hates crowds, so you go out of your way to show her quiet places and introduce her to things she's never tried before. The bowl by your front door where you put your keys has 20 or 30 marbles from ramune bottles in it. You can't seem to ring her secret out of her, she just gives you this cryptic knowing smile and laughs at your attempts to sweet talk or annoy it out of her. 

You feel so close, growing closer still, she's quickly become the best part of your week, and you catch yourself thinking about her even when she's not with you. But you've never held hands. Hell, you've never even so much as brushed shoulders with her by accident. If you're dating, shouldn't you at least hug her goodbye? Is she even able to be into you like that?? 

You try not to let the panic set in as you stand outside of the antiques mall. You told her you liked old things and promised to show her your favorite pastime. God, how do you go about this? Should you just flirt with her and see how she reacts? Also how does one flirt? What if you’re fucking up and she really just wants to be friends? God knows you could use some friends right now. 

When she does appear, you do nothing. You continue to act relaxed and enjoy her presence, promising yourself you’ll ask about it afterwards. Ava’s wearing that grey jacket again made of a thin sports fabric and you make a mental note it might rain today. 

“Ava,” you stage whisper, waving her out of the jewelry section by the front desk and into the maze of vintage old clothes and furniture. “Back here, to the left.” 

Deep deep deep in a corner of the massive store, Ava stops dead in her tracks (you run into her but back away quickly) and stares. 

“This... is…” Ava covers her mouth with her hands to hold her laughter in, “ghastly.” 

The shelf is wide, with dark wood trimming and protective glass. The lights are almost fluorescent as they illuminate dozens of humanoid dolls. Some are cute, but some are also creepy, unnerving, down right scary. 

You point at the one with the Jonbenet Ramsey likeness and deep cracks in her porcelain face. It was overly large compared to the rest, having to have stuffed legs crossed like a sitting child. "I think I fear that one the most." 

You felt Ava shiver and didn't even realize you were standing that close. Her eyes darted from face to face, taking in every terrible and wonderful detail of them. You smelled coconut in her hair and tried to distance yourself a bit, missing the conversation. "Huh?" 

"I said they're haunted, aren't they?" 

"That one definitely is." You look over the other dolls. "I don't know, I think the rest are kinda cute. 'Cept that one: that one can fuck off straight to hell." 

Down on the second shelf where the light began to struggle in reach belied an offensive porcelain joke. The decoration portrayed an over animated child at play, with oil black skin, fat red lips, and bulbous eyes. This child was dressed in white rags and sucking on a wedge of fruit. Guess which one. Fucking guess, I dare you. 

"It's not even a fucking doll," Ava grumbled. "Why is it here?" 

You leaned in to whisper, "someday, I'm gonna buy that thing just to fucking smash it on the pavement." 

"Oh, what a lovely sound it would make." 

You hum. "I'm not gonna give nobody money for that trash. Can't steal it either, we'd never make it to the door." 

Ava looked over her shoulder with a cheeky smile. "We?" 

You simply tilt your head at her, and she huffs out a laugh. She nodded as if agreeing with you, then drifted away from the case like a wary woman. You toured through the rest of the store like a treasure trove of other people's memories, war memorabilia, ancient brand merchandise (why would anyone want a life size green m&m in their house? Who is this for?), and paintings from the dadeism era by unpopular artists. You ate lunch at the vendor shops in downtown and retired to your place for a movie. 

You must have fallen asleep at the beginning but you came to during some big shootout between Steven Segal and generic Latino drug dealer #7 when you accidentally dropped your hand into Ava's lap. Quickly, Ava withdrawals, thrusting herself to the other side of the couch as if in disgust. Your head jerks up in hurt and confusion, you hadn't even felt anything except a light tingling. You could barely hear the tv audio over the sound of blood rushing in your ears. 

"You can't touch me," Ava spat. "You just can't. Ever. Please…" 

"I'm sorry. Ava, I– I am so, so sorry I didn't mean to–" 

"It's not your fault and you didn't know," she mumbled and faltered, "it's just… you can't." 

You feel tears prick in the corner of your eyes as you try to swallow. "I'm sorry. Really. It won't happen again." 

Ava looked up at you guiltily and sighed. She folded her legs and eased herself off of the couch arm rest, hands tucked into her lap and unable to meet your eyes anymore. 

"It's not what you think it is," she explained. "I… I have a condition of sorts. And it… it hurts.” 

Her words put a hold on the tears threatening to spill from your eyes. “Like a… skin condition? Or nerves or something?” 

Ava nodded quickly. “Yes. yes, like a nerves thing. My um, my nervous system. It's chronic."

“Oh Ava,” you cover your heart with a breathy sigh, “of course! I wish I’d known I would have never–” 

“It’s not something I like to talk about.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m really glad you understand. Sorry I freaked out, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything.” 

You tried to blow a raspberry. “It’s whatever, didn’t hurt my feelings.” 

Yeah, you could hear the weakness of the lie, too. Still, Ava went and parked herself on the couch exactly where she was before– close but not too close. Warm but not quite touching. You were ready to let it slide and go right back to pretending to watch the movie when– 

“So what’s going on between us exactly? I like girls– I like you– and I don’t mean just in a friend sort of way– is it maybe sorta possible you might feel the same way about me?” 

Who said that? You? Honestly you’re feeling a little dizzy as you try and stare a hole in the tv screen. And Ava? Well at least she didn’t hold you in suspense for too long. She chuckled– and god you had to look. You had to know if she was laughing at you or with you. Your eyes snapped to her completely unmocking face. 

She blinked at you, bit her lip even. “Yes, I am.. Capable of liking girls. Might prefer them actually. And I definitely like you in a more-than-a-friend sort of way.” 

It takes a second to sink in. OK, it takes a hot minute to sink in. Like the movie ended and you walked Ava home and you slept in until 10 am and made omelettes for breakfast at noon and laid down on your floor staring at the ceiling until sundown. Yeah that kind of hot minute. And your lips curled into a soft smile because you had a girlfriend and she liked girls and you could not be happier than you are right now. 

~

Ava asked you to meet her on the corner by the antiques mall that night. You don’t know how but she got her grubby, thieving little mitts on that disgusting tar baby doll from the haunted doll shelf. You made her swear up and down she didn’t pay real money for it, then nearly pulled out your hair when you realized it meant she definitely stole it and– 

"How the ffffUCK do you just DO that?!" 

"Slight of hand," she mused. 

Fuck, and she was a geek. Yeah, you're definitely in love. She pushes the ugly thing into your hands and despite being cold porcelain it feels like it's burning. 

"Do the honors." 

There's no build up. No ceremony. You don't want to drag this out anymore. You take a swinging leap and spike that shit and watch it shatter into a hundred pieces with the most glorious sound you'll ever hear. You land in slow motion, already replaying the image of thick glass pieces cracking on the indigo pavement. You stand over your mess, triumphant. 

The quiet of the night time street drifts back to you, as does Ava. "I'll be honest I expected a big speech." 

You shrug. "I've been waiting too long to do that. Thank you, Ava. I mean it." 

"Oh believe me it was my pleasure." Ava swaggers closer to you and if you didnt know better you'd think she was going in for a kiss. "Tonight, the tar baby. Tomorrow, the world." 

You resist the urge to clap her on her shoulders and throw your hands in the air instead. "Sounds like a date!" 

Next

[ayanna-wild]

When Forever Ends

Word Count: 1550

Pairings: Lucifer Morningstar x Reader

Warnings: angst, not gonna lie this is intended to rip your heart out, I apologize ahead of time. It's sad and the only fluff is sad, sad fluff. I tried to negotiate for a slighter happier ending but the requester said and I quote 'Nope, rip my heart out and make me cry.' And the song they asked for doesn't help lol. So here it is.

A/N: Request from anonymous

Summary: Your voice echoed in his mind, he saw your smile every time he closed his eyes. It'd been years, but lately everything triggered his memories of you. He couldn't give you forever, but he promised he'd love you forever, even long after you were gone.

............................................................................

He knew, from the moment his eyes opened, he knew today would be hard.

This day always was.

It didn't matter how much time had passed, or how things had changed, this day would always provoke memories that squeezed his heart. Memories he never wished to forget, but hurt nonetheless.

He took longer to get ready then he normally did, his mind elsewhere as he poured himself a drink. It was early, to early to be drinking, but he needed the comforting burn the amber liquid offered him, needed the momentary distraction.

"Don't take too long Lucifer, a bad morning doesn't mean the day is ruined, we'll just have to make it a good day, won't we?"

He lowered the crystal glass away from his lips, a sad smile on his face. He couldn't almost hear your voice, as if you were right there. The almost joyful way you'd playfully scold him for taking to long. He sat the now empty cup on the glass bar, drifting towards his bedroom.

"Not today love." He muttered.

He wanted nothing more then to spend this dreary day locked away in his penthouse. Left alone with his memories of you, but his friends would be expecting him, and he had no excuse to give. So he got himself dressed and he put on a smile that never really reached his eyes, and he went on with his day.

~

"Must I? It's a rather tedious task, isn't it?"

You raised an eyebrow, smiling a bit as you fixed his tie.

"You don't have to do anything Lucifer. If you don't want to do something, don't. If you don't like something, change it."

You patted his chest lightly as you finished adjusting his tie.

"After all the devil is all about free will, isn't he?"

"Lucifer!"

He blinked at the sound of Chloe's voice, he hadn't realized he was so lost in the memory. Both Ella and the detective were watching him with almost concerned expressions.

"Well don't stand there gawking, don't we have a case to solve?" Lucifer huffed, turning his gaze away from them.

"We've been saying your name for almost five minutes." Chloe said slowly.

Her expression was sympathetic, and she placed a comforting hand on his arm.

"You seem really distracted today, is everything okay?"

Lucifer looked at her from the corner of his eyes, taking a step away from her reach.

"I'll be just fine detective, don't we have more pressing matters to focus on?" Lucifer said dismissively.

Ella frowned as her and Chloe shared a skeptical look.

"But Lucifer... you're crying..."

He frowned a little, slowly raising a hand to touch his cheek. A small smile graced his lips and he let out a quiet laugh as he started at his hand.

"So I am..."

Chloe took a step forward, trying to offer him comfort but Lucifer raised a hand, taking a step back.

"Perhaps it'd be best if I sat this case out, I'm afraid my mind is elsewhere today, I wouldn't be of much help."

He left in a hurry, their sympathy only making the pit in his stomach grow. They watched him go and Chloe pulled her phone from her pocket.

"We should call Linda."

~

Lucifer heaved a heavy sigh as he sat at the red light, impatiently waiting for it to change. He tapped his ring on the steering wheel, wondering just how much longer until the red turned green.

"You'd think the devil would be more patient with all the deals and favors you make."

He smiled at the memory of you saying that. He'd been rushing you, eagerly hoping to get to the party on time. You, however, seemed content to take things slow.

"If you're always rushing, you'll miss out on the things around you." You'd told him.

He'd begun to slow down a little after that, enjoying every moment a little more.

A honk from the car behind him pulled him from the memory, and he quickly sped away. Driving faster then he should have down the busy streets of LA. The sun was beginning to set when he finally reached his destination. He parked the corvette, shutting off the engine. He didn't move, not for a while.

The rows of tombstones seemed to stretch on for miles, and he took a small breath as he exited his car. It was memory now, finding the black marble stone, with the golden writing on it. He'd come to it so often, he could have found it blindfolded.

Lucifer stared at your name, engraved in elegant cursive, an old black and white photo of you, set in glass just under your name. You looked so beautiful, smiling as you proudly showed off the ring he'd given you. His heart dropped and he placed a hand on the smooth marble of your stone.

"Don't cry Luci, we always knew I couldn't be with you forever, we just didn't know it'd be this soon."

The first sad memory he'd had of you today and it made his vision blur. You had looked so pale laying in that hospital bed, so young to be so sick. He grasped your hamd tightly your own grip so weak.

"I don't know where I'm going, but I will always love you Lucifer."

He reached into his jacket, pulling a chain from his pocket, where your ring hung.

"Lucifer?"

He heard the voice, but didn't turn around, holding that ring tightly.

"I suppose the Detective called you?"

His voice was quiet, and Linda catiously approached him.

"She was worried, we all are."

He gave her a small smile before turning back to your grave.

"I'll be just fine my dear doctor. This is just a rather hard day for me."

Linda turned her attention to the tombstone, reading the name and looking at the photo. The date however surprised her a bit, she wasn't expecting it to be so long ago.

'1920-1945'

"You must have been very close."

Lucifer smiled a little, opening his hand to delicately trace the diamond on the silver band.

"Very much so..."

Linda looked at the ring, her heart breaking a little as she realized what it was.

"It's been seventy-five years, and this day never gets any easier."

He tucked the ring back into his pocket, kneeling down to brush a few blades of grass from the grave.

"She was so young to die so soon, although I suppose it was a cruel sort of mercy, I couldn't have bared to watch her grow old without me." Lucifer muttered.

"I can't give you forever, but darling I will love you forever, for all of time."

You had smiled when he said that, your hand growing colder in his.

"Heaven or hell, no matter where it is I go, l'll always be thinking of you Lucifer, and you'll always have my heart."

Lucifer softly skimmed his fingers over your photo before standing up again. Linda placed a comforting hand on his back.

"Forever and always darling."

..................................................................................

Tag List: @sallyp-53 @mizzezm @adira-secrets @we-are-all-alittle-strange-here @gingernarwal @im-just-along-for-the-ride @lifeshortbro @star-trek-is-my-lifesource-deac @measure-in-pain @emiwrites3reads @stubby-toe-589331

[crypticpaw]

Cat Bath

Entrapta X Hordak fic!

Author’s note: This is an entrapdak fanfic written by me! I wrote it as feral because that’s the way I draw them so I just thought it would be fair. If you don’t understand what’s going on, just search #entrapdak on my blog and take a look at my artwork! I’m not very confident on my writing and I feel like there’s a lot of stuff I need to improve on. Tell me what you guys think! I hope this is fun!

Please, tell me how I went! I hope you all like it, and let me know if you’d like to see more! Thanks for reading!

-Why are you always so licky?! -Entrapta asked in a anoyed tone. She tried to suppress a low growl, still writhing underneath Hordak's paws, caught on another one of his "grooming" sessions. Which normally meant sitting her down and licking her entire body, leaving her a pouting and blushing mess.

This wasn't new. Since they first started to allowed themselves to show physical affection, Hordak was outraged at the fact that dogs don't groom themselves, and made it so every now and then that Entrapta should be groomed. Even if he had to chase her and grab her by the scruff to do so.

-Stop writhing! - he said, still with his tongue at her ear. -We would have been done by now if you didn't struggle!

Entrapta let out a whine of protest as he left her right ear to lick her belly. She felt her cheeks warm up and pushed his head with her hind leg. He growled loudly, it didn't faze her not in the slightest.

-Entrapta, we've been over this! I groom you so your fur won't tangle and the already dead fur won't stick to your body! It's healthier this way!

-Then why don't I see you do it?

-Because I don't have as much fur as you. -he caught her midway out of his grasp, and flipped her on her back again. -And I don't try to fight it!

She barked and whined trying to writhe away from the cat's paws, her face redder than a tomato. It did not seem to faze Hordak, though, as he continued his work on her sides this time. Entrapta's ear fur embraced and tangled around Hordak's body, despite the protest. She knew grooming was also a sign of love and worry, based on her observations. His tail was wrapped around her ear fur and sometimes when she was silent, she could hear very low purring.

Entrapta did not want to be silent today. Hordak decided it was a good idea to stop her midway into a brilliant experiment to lick her clean and she would not go down without a fight.

-Why DO you do this, anyway? -she asked in a huff.

Hordak sighed.

-I told you. It's that so your fur won't tangle and the dead fur can leave so healthier fur can grow on it's place. -his licking grew softer. She made a mental note to get him to talk more during grooming session. -And it also keeps it smooth and clean.

Entrapta frowned.

-Smooth and clean? You're not cleaning me! If that's your objective, you're making it worse! You're just slobbering me! I thought you hated slobbering! -she protested, confused this time.

-I am not slobbering you! I do not drool! I am not a dog! -Entrapta stuck out her tongue at him at that last sentence. -And how else are you supposed to do to brush your fur if not groom it?

-That's easy. I just use a brush.

It was Hordak's turn to be confused. His ears perked up and he tilted his head at her statement.

-A brush...?

-Yeah, like one of these. -her fur left his body for a second to reach the drawer on her nightstand beside her bed. She took out a strange tool, smilar to a screw-drive but had bristles at the end of it and a lot of purple fur.

He sniffed it, still not understanding her point. It just smelled of her...

-Hordak, have you never seen a brush before? -Entrapta was surprised. He always was so worried about his appearence and makeup and everything, very picky with dresses and sometimes even insisted she get changed for some reason. -How do you even brush your fur after your baths?!

-I told you, I groom myself.

-Doesn't it taste like soap after you bathe?

They were both so confused.

-Beloved, why would I ever put soap in my fur before grooming?

-No, not grooming! -Entrapta shook her head. -I mean after an actual bath. You know... Soap and water and shampoo?

Hordak wrinkled his nose and his ears pressed against his head. Red teeth showing.

-Why would I ever groom in water? I despise it! -he hissed.

Entrapta's ears fell and her eyes widened as the realization hit her.

-Hordak... You have NEVER taken a bath?!

-Well...

She gasped loudly.

-LORD HORDAK OF DRYL, ARE TELLING ME THAT YOU'VE NEVER BATHED IN YOUR LIFE?!?

She was raised on her ears, her fur on her scruff was tingled and her teeth were showing. Her tone was loud and severe, almost comanding. Hordak was taken a back as she continued to lecture him.

-That's nasty, Hordak! Even I know better than that! -she barked. -That's irresponsible and highly anti-hygienic! Now I'M disappointed!

Entrapta's ear fur now gripped strongly around his body. His ears fell back and his tail hid between his legs.

-We need to get you to the tub asap! -she jumped out of bed and made it for the bathroom door, but Hordak dug his claws on the bed and screeched in protest when she pulled him.

-Absolutely not! -he yelled. -I am not going one meter close to water! I'd rather have my skin grow mold! I understand your worry for my well being, Entrapta, but I will do just fine grooming myself! There is no way in this world I'll get in a bath tub!

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

Hordak yelled and clawed at the edge of the tub, desperately trying to get out. Entrapta's ear fur still held an iron grip around him, pulling the more he struggled.

-THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I DEMAND YOU RELEASE ME THIS INSTANT, ENTRAPTA! -He tried to sound menacing, but his words came out as desperate more than anything. -IT'S A WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES! I CANNOT BELIEVE-

He was cut off by a stream of water dropped in his scalp. He screeched, yowled, clawed and paddled, but Entrapta was holding him still, watering him with the shower hose. She grabbed her shampoo, conditioner, sponge and everything else she thought would be necessary and hopped back at her shouting mess of a lab partner.

She brought him to the edge where she stood and shushed him with a kiss on the lips. Hordak's face turned red, even redder than it already was, and he turned to her in anger.

-WHY ARE WE STILL GOING THROUGH WITH THIS?!

-'Cause you're still dirty, silly! -she answered in a fake innocent tone.

Entrapta took one of her bottles and poured it's content on the water.

-What is that?

-Bubble bath mixture! It makes the water all bubbly! -she mixed the water with a strap of her fur and bubbles started to form.

-What for? -she gave him the now empty bottle and he read the label: "Extra Bubbly! For extra fun in the water and extra comfort!".

This was not comforting at all! He threw the bottle over his head and clung to the edge of the tub again, digging his claws on the marble. Entrapta took off her mask and wiggled her hips before jumping right in. She raised out of the water again and shook her head before turning to him.

-I just like it bubbly! How's the experience of your first bath so far?

-Hellish! -he hissed. -I've been striped bare out of my armor and clothes! I've almost drowned in bubbles, and I am still being held captive in this idiotic joke of a torture room!

Entrapta couldn't help but laugh. Hordak could see her tail wagging on the water, splashing bubbles around. She grabbed the soaked sponge and paddled to him.

-It's just a bath, Hordikins! It's for your own good! Not a torture session!

-I doubt that! -her laughter rang in his ears again. He eyed her strange tool as she approached him. -What is that?

-It's a sponge! For scrubbing!

-Scrubbing...?

-Yup! Like this! -she reached with the sponge and scrubbed his neck gently. He immediately started clawing and screeching once again.

Anyone out of the bathroom would swear Entrapta was probably degutting Hordak alive, but the Lord of Dryl's first experience in a bath tub was simply not going smoothly. He questioned her in her shampoo and conditioner as well. Entrapta tilted her head.

-I won't get any chemical substance on you, you big dork! It's just shampoo! It's made to wash your fur! Like this! -she poured a little on her paw and smoothed her fur with it.

Hordak watched her in awe. She seemed so calm and relaxed, he couldn't understand It. Wasn't she cold? Couldn't she smell at all? She turned back to him.

-See? It wasn't that bad! -pouring more in her paw again, she climbed on him to get to his fur on his head.

He tried backing away again, but was already cornered. He did not shout, but still growled loudly at her paws on his fur.

-I still don't get it... You seem so worried about your appearance overall, I assumed you took a lot of baths in addition to grooming! -Entrapta explained. -Why are you so scared of water?

-I am not scared! I'm... I'm bothered... -Hordak lied.

-Buy why?

He growled and took a deep breath. Hordak was terrible with his words when saying his feelings out loud. Even for Entrapta.

-My... Body temperature dropped drastically, and the soap and the shampoo... Smell! Awful!

Entrapta stopped and turned to look him in the eyes, cupping his face between her paws so their noses touched.

-I'm sorry, I didn't realize it. I can turn the temperature higher if you want?

He nodded. She left his face to adjust the tap. In a few moments the bathroom was filled with vapor and Hordak felt his muscles relax.

-Do you feel better? -she asked in a genuine concerned tone.  -The smell bothers me as well and the shampoo and soap I use are already pretty weak, so I didn't thought it would bother you... We could find one that doesn't smell so bad.

-Thank you, beloved...

She kissed his forehead and a low purr escaped out of him. She wagged her tail again when his claws drew back.

[memesiders]

Part 3

Death x OC Office AU

(Idk if you guys are even still interested in this but it's helping me get back into writing so imma keep posting it until y'all tell me "STOP!!!" Also I'm on mobile so I can't do a "keep reading" thing I'm so sorry I know it must be annoying)

“Do these leggings make my ass look to big?” I stood sideways in front of the mirror, studying my butt. Today was my first official day on the job, and I was nervous as hell.

“Everything makes your butt look big,” Neema answered, giggling. I scowled at her and stuck my tongue out, turning back to the mirror.

“Seriously, is this okay? Professional enough?”

“Ugh, it’s fine!” She joined me in front of the mirror and grabbed the hem of my baby pink top, pulling it down over my butt. “You look great, alright? It’s not like you’re gonna go to meetings or anything, right? No need for stuffy clothes.” I smiled a little and nodded. She was right, but I still felt uneasy. Maybe my outfit was too casual. “You don’t have time to change anyways, it’s almost eight thirty.”

“Shit!” I grabbed my phone and bag, running out of the room. “Love you, don’t answer the door for strangers!” Neema had gotten a three-day suspension from school after the incident, not that she minded. I hated leaving her alone, but she was sixteen and I had to stop babying her at some point, even if I didn’t like it.

“Go kick ass at work!” she called after me. I picked up my small box of things next to the door and said one last goodbye before running out.

I barely made it in time to catch the bus. I paid the two-dollar fee and searched for a seat, weaving through people. A demon standing in the aisle moved forward as much as he could to allow me to pass, his leathery wings barely missing my face as I squeezed by. Getting hit by wings wasn’t fun, I knew that from personal experience. I ducked behind an angel who was preoccupied on her cellphone and spotted an empty seat, breathing a sigh of relief. I plopped down and set the box next to me, checking the time. Eight forty.

It should only take me ten minutes to reach the office if traffic is light. I mentally cursed myself for not leaving sooner; arriving late would not be a good look for me. Amber had emailed me on Thursday to let me know my schedule and tell me who would be there to show me around. She also informed me that this was a trial run. At the end of three months, Death would decide whether or not I really could be useful. I was hellbent on proving myself, though my mission had gotten off to a late start.

I sighed and checked my email but I had nothing but spam and notifications telling me that my favorite items were on sale. Too bad I didn’t have money to burn, otherwise I’d have been excited by the news. I closed the app and checked another site, my mood not getting any better. All I saw were pictures of friends and families having the time of their lives, vacationing in the Caribbean or announcing their engagement. Apparently, my cousin was pregnant with a baby boy, oh joy. I groaned to myself as I continued to look through my timeline, feeling worse about my situation. I wanted to be able to take my sisters on vacation; hell, I wanted to be able to afford to buy them lunch one day.

I wanted to be able to buy Neema all the manga she could ever want, and make enough so Safiya never had to work another double shift again. I wanted to be able to take care of them for once.

I logged off and threw my phone in my bag, trying to ignore my pathetic self. I had a job, and that was good enough for now. I’d be able to help buy groceries and pay bills; the fun stuff could wait. My stop came up and I gathered my things, making my way back to the front. The angel from earlier was still on the phone and hadn’t noticed me. She turned to get off as I was trying to get past her and smacked me right in the face with her large wings. I fell back into one of the seats, my face stinging and mouth full of feathers.

The person in that seat shoved me forward and I stumbled to the exit, getting off as fast as I could. I set my box down and spat out the feathers in my mouth, plucking a few out of my hair. Today was definitely not starting out the best. I grabbed my things and started down the street, attempting to hold myself high. Nothing was going to ruin this, not even what had just happened.

I crossed the street and arrived at the large black building, my heart leaping into my throat. The last time I’d been here, I’d been forcibly removed. Now I was coming back as an employee. Well, temporary employee, for now. I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and pulled open one of the glass doors, walking in. The lobby didn’t look any different than it had the last time I saw it; black leather sofas and chairs pressed against the walls, magazines stacked neatly on glass coffee tables. The floor and walls were made of black marble, as was the front desk. There was a waterfall on one of the walls with a small pool filled with pennies. I’d tossed one in yesterday, wishing for the job I was now about to officially begin. I smiled and felt a weight lift off of my shoulders; this was a new beginning.

“You’re late.” I flinched and sucked in a sharp breath, twirling around. Leaning against the wall was Death, a frown plastered on his face and an eyebrow arched.

“You scared the shit out of me,” I hissed, taking one hand off of the box to place over my heart. “Do you get your rocks off by sneaking up on people?” He cocked his head slightly and I bit my tongue. That probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say to my new boss. “I, uh, I mean…” He stared at me silently, the quiet between us growing awkward, at least on my part. I shook myself. “I’m not late.”

“It’s nine o’ two.” I snorted. Shit, bad idea again. “I told you nine sharp.”

“I know, I’m sorry. There was a problem at home and then the bus-” He put his hand up, cutting me off, and pushed off the wall.

“Come,” he said, crooking a finger. I refrained from rolling my eyes and followed him. He looked at me for a moment and reached out, touching my hair. I jerked back a little and his hand returned with an angel feather in hand. I blushed. “Run in with an angel?”

“An inconsiderate one,” I replied. He hummed in amusement and nodded, turning back around and walking. My eyes wandered his body as I walked behind him, gaze settling on his ass. Nice. I was so caught up in appreciating him I nearly ran right into him when he stopped. “This is Nora.” I quickly looked up as he turned and gestured to the red-haired woman behind the front desk. “She’ll be your coworker and mentor. If you have any questions, ask her.” I smiled at the woman and shook her hand. “Now, I trust I won’t be hearing any complaints about you? After all, you can take whatever I throw at you, right?” I squinted my eyes a little, giving him a sickeningly sweet smile.

“I won’t be any problem at all, Death, you have my word.”

“Sir.”

“Hmm?”

“At work, you will address me as "Sir.” I held back another snort.

“Kinky,” I muttered under my breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, Sir.” He stared at me for a few seconds, a strange glint in his eye.

“Don’t make me regret hiring you, Miss Banks,” he said. He sounded as though he was already regretting it.

“I won’t let you down, Sir.” He let out a breath that almost sounded like a chuckle and said goodbye to both Nora and I before leaving. I stared after him, a small smile on my face; that man was something else.

“I’m glad he finally found someone,” Nora said. I snapped my head back to her.

“What?”

“To fill the job,” she explained. “I thought I’d never be able to cut back my hours.” Warmth spread through my cheeks and I nodded, smiling politely.

“I didn’t think he’d hire me to be honest,” I laughed. “He must love me.” She laughed and pulled up a chair for me, sitting in her own. I gladly sat down, setting my box in my lap.

“The only love the boss has is for his siblings, I’m afraid.” I frowned slightly.

“Really? I saw him with his brother during my interview and he seemed like he’d have thrown him through the window if he had the chance.” Nora laughed.

“Which one? Strife?” I nodded. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen those two get along, though they might behind closed doors; I’ve only ever interacted with them at work.” I nodded slowly. I wondered how people saw me and my sisters. We loved each other to eternity, but in public it could definitely seem like we didn’t care for each other.

Maybe that was how Death and his siblings were?

“Anyways, I’m glad you’re here,” Nora said, breaking me out of my thoughts. “That means I can spend less time at work and more time with my little one.”

“You have a kid?” I asked. Her smile widened and she nodded, grabbing her phone and showing me her wallpaper. It was her, a bald man, and a tiny baby. It looked cute, I guess; a button nose, big green eyes and a head of black hair. I wasn’t particularly into kids. Maybe if I had a more stable life and the right person, but I never really saw the appeal. “Cute, how old are they?”

“Ten weeks,” she cooed, staring lovingly at the photo. “She’s a bit of a troublemaker but I couldn’t imagine life without her. I just want to spend every moment I can with her.” I nodded and she put her phone away, still looking like she was on cloud nine. “I’m lucky to work here. Death was very accommodating and gave me more time off than I deserved, really. When I asked to cut back my hours, he didn’t even flinch; just gave me the time I wanted and told me I’d have to train whoever he hired next.”

I smiled; that was really kind of him. Way kinder than I thought he was capable of; perhaps we’d just gotten off on the wrong foot? “Anyways, enough about me! We should probably get a crack on, shouldn’t we? There’s a busy day ahead of us.”

“Yes, we probably should,” I agreed.

****

The week flew by faster than I was expecting. Nora had showed me around the building and explained to me all of my duties. Faxing, taking calls, making calls, scheduling appointments, emailing reminders and updates, making sure visitors were checked in and given passes, keeping the lobby clean, collect and sort mail, deliver mail on some occasions, and so much more my head was spinning. The fact that she had done so much by herself for so long was baffling. No one person should’ve been able to do all she had. It almost made me regret taking the job. The paycheck coming up was the only thing keeping me sane.

“Just three more days,” I muttered, doodling on my notepad. My stomach rumbled loudly, a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I winced and curled over a little, nausea washing over me like a wave. We were scrambling to save food at home, which meant eating less than was good for us. It had been messing with me lately and today way no different. I felt like throwing up, but I knew nothing would come out if I did. There was nothing in there to vomit up.

“Az, are you okay,” Nora asked, hanging up her phone. I straightened out and gave her a reassuring smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied, ignoring the pain in my stomach. “Just a little hungry is all.”

“Well, lunch is coming up, so don’t worry; we’ll get some food in ya then.” I nodded at her, appreciative of her kindness. I really wanted to tell her “I don’t have money for lunch! My next meal is probably gonna come out of a trashcan!” but I didn’t. I really didn’t want anyone knowing how pathetic I was that I couldn’t even afford lunch.

“Sounds great,” was all I said. She smiled at me and picked up another call. She was only on the phone for about a minute. “Looks like the boss wants to see you.” I frowned. What had I done? I hadn’t caused trouble; at least, not enough to warrant attention. I blew out an exhausted breath and pushed away from my desk, standing.

“Alright, I guess I’ll be seeing you in a bit.” She nodded and turned back to her computer screen, typing away at an email. I went to the elevators and pushed the up button, resting my hands on my hips. I was confused, to say the least. I hadn’t raised trouble at all. Well, that wasn’t entirely true; some guy had decided to try and get handsy with me while I was delivering some mail. He’d gotten his nose broken.

I’d had to file a report about it but I hadn’t been reprimanded, nor had I heard anything about it since then. Maybe it was just now getting around to Death. I frowned a little; he better not have called me up to his office to punish me. That would piss me off more than anything else he’s done since our first meeting.

The elevator dinged, the doors opening up, and I stepped in. I smashed the top floor button and leaned back against the metal handlebar, blowing a few strands of hair out of my face. I couldn’t help but be nervous. “Maybe it’s not anything bad,” I said to myself. “Maybe he’s just curious about how you’re doing? Or he wants you to do something for him? Something that Amber can’t do? Fuck…” I shook my head and straightened up as the elevator once again dinged. I breathed deeply as the doors opened, and stepped out.

Amber didn’t even look up when I walked out, gave me the go ahead to enter Death’s office. I thanked her and quietly opened one of the doors, slipping in. Death was against his desk, half sitting and half standing, with his office phone pressed to his ear. His face was contorted into a scowl, his jaw clenched tightly and the vein in his neck popping.

“I’m not going,” he growled into the phone, thrumming his fingers against the desk. “I have no need!” The person on the other end was shouting back at him, I could hear it from my position in front of the now closed door. “I don’t care what they want, they have you, War, and Strife; that should be enough for them!" The person they were talking to got even louder, and I could hear it was a woman’s voice. “Don’t threaten me, Fury.” His face was getting red, his eyes burning brightly.

Suddenly he pushed away from the desk and threw his hand up. “As I said, I have no need to-” Fury cut him off. Death still hadn’t noticed me, so I cleared my throat loudly enough to grab his attention. He looked at me and snapped his fingers, pointing to a chair. Without thinking, I obeyed, hurrying over and plopping myself down into the seat; I had no doubt he was angry enough to fire me right then and there if I didn’t listen. I could hear a few of Fury’s words now that I was closer.

Words like “council,” and “party,” and “pull up your big boy pants before I come down there and beat you senseless.” There was also the threat of dragging him by the ear to whatever party they were all supposed to be at. I nearly laughed; this must’ve been his sister, because there was no way anyone else would’ve been able to get away with saying the things she was. After a few more minutes of fighting, Death conceded. “Fine,” he huffed, falling into his chair. “I’ll be there, but don’t expect me to play nice with others.” Fury had calmed down now too, I couldn’t hear her anymore, but I was sure she was satisfied and probably had a smug look on her face. Death said his goodbyes and hung up the phone, muttering curses under his breath. He sighed and rubbed his temples slowly, running a hand through his hair. I shifted awkwardly.

“Are you okay, Sir,” I asked softly, unsure of whether or not I should say anything. He grunted and looked at me, straightening in his seat.

“I’m fine, thank you.” I nodded, tugging at the hem of my skirt.

“Nora said you wanted me up here? Is this about that asshole on the third floor? I won’t apologize for breaking his nose, you know.” Death snorted and shook his head, his demeanor changing. He looked less annoyed than he had just a moment ago.

“Don’t worry, it’s not about that,” he assured me. “He deserved it, and has been properly removed from the company.” My eyes widened slightly; I hadn’t expected that. I thought he’d just get a slap on the wrist or something. Death clasped his hands together and cocked his head slightly. “No, I called you up here to ask how you were settling in. Anything too much for you?” I frowned a little and shrugged.

“Not really,” I explained. “It’s a little difficult having to remember everything but Nora’s been a big help. I’m worried that I might be annoying her with all of my questions.” I laughed a little and the corner of his lips turned up slightly.

“Don’t apologize; I’d rather have you ask a lot of questions and be prepared than ask none and mess things up. I’m sure Nora feels the same way.” I nodded appreciatively. My stomach rumbled loudly and I blushed.

“I’m so sorry.”

“No need. Have you had lunch yet?” I shook my head. “I should probably let you get to it then. It’s around your break time, I believe.” I nodded and thanked him, standing. The world started to swim and I felt my heart leap into my throat, my vision blurring further. My legs gave out without warning and I fell back into my seat, breathing heavily. Death was by my side almost immediately. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, sorry,” I said, rubbing my throbbing head. “I just haven’t been able to eat much lately.” I bit my tongue after the last word came out and silently cursed myself.

“What?” he asked, concern lacing his words. “What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing, really. I’m sorry for worrying you.” I tried to stand but Death sat me back down. I couldn’t really put up much of a fight.

“What do you mean, Aziza?” I looked up at him, my heart pounding. Again, with the reaction? Why did it make me feel so strange whenever he said my name? I stared into his eyes, my face growing warm, and shrugged.

“There’s not much food in the house so I’ve had to skip a few meals. It’s no big deal, I just have to wait a few days for my paycheck.” He frowned at my words and I gave him a small smile. “I’ll be fine, I just felt a little faint. It won’t affect my work, I promise.” He scoffed.

“Stay here,” he ordered, leaving me. He went to the doors and opened one of them, sticking his head out and talking to Amber. He came back a minute later and sat down behind his desk. “I had Amber order some food for you.” My eyes widened.

“You what?” I squeaked.

“I had her order a cheeseburger. Unless you’re a vegetarian?”

“I’m not, but-”

“Good, then you can wait here until the food arrives.” I stared at him, my mouth open slightly. Had he really just ordered me food? Why? I couldn’t afford to pay him back. Was he gonna take it out of my paycheck? I felt an odd sensation at the thought of him doing something like that for me; a sensation I didn’t know if I liked or not.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, trying not to sound too defensive. “I’m fine, and it’s not like you owe me anything. I need to get back to work anyways.” He rested his chin on his clasped hands, studying me carefully. My face grew warm again and I stared back at him.

“Yes, I did have to,” he said coolly. “You work in my building, which means I’m responsible for you. If you collapse on the job then I’ll have to give you time off to recover; time neither of us can afford. Nora will have to keep on full time until you recover and by the time you come back, you’ll have forgotten how everything works. Besides, I can’t have a starving receptionist; your hunger will make you forget things and then I’d have to fire you, and then where would you be? You’d be starving… Again.” I blinked, thinking over his words. He wasn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart, which reassured me a little, but I was still uncomfortable. Even though it all made rational sense, I still felt uneasy about it.

“Okay, you’ll take it out of my pay, right?”

“No.” I sat up straighter.

“What? You have to; I don’t feel comfortable just letting you-”

“Is it that much of a deal?” He sounded amused. His lips had formed a small smirk.

“Yes, it is. You’re my boss and you’re just buying me food like I’m your girlfriend or something.” He hummed a little and leaned back in his seat, shrugging his shoulders.

“Fine, if it means that much to you, then there is something I’d like you to do.”

“Anything,” I quickly replied, feeling a bit of relief. “As long as I can do something to pay you back.” He cocked his head, a fang peeking out from his upper lip. A shiver ran down my spine.

“The company is hosting a party tomorrow night and my presence has been demanded,” he explained, rolling his eyes. “I need a date.” My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “It’s not a real date, but my sister insists I bring someone; something about she doesn’t want me embarrassing her.” I started to ask why he didn’t take Amber, but he beat me to it. “My brothers will be there, and Amber and Strife are not friendly with each other. Also, she has plans for that night.” I nodded, my stomach twisting into knots. My palms started to sweat and I clenched my hands into fists. I couldn’t exactly say no, not after he bought me food. I didn’t even know why he was asking me; we weren’t exactly friendly with one another. In fact, this was the first time since I’d began working here that we’d seen each other.

“Why ask me?”

“Why not?” I frowned, cocking my head like he’d done not long ago. That wasn’t really the answer I wanted, but it looked like that was the only one I was getting.

“I don’t exactly have the clothing for a party, and I don’t know how I should act.”

“You don’t have to act any way, just be yourself. As for clothes, I’ll have something picked up for you.” This was too weird to get my head wrapped around. “You don’t have to come with me, Aziza.” I flicked my eyes back to his. “I can face my sister’s wrath, don’t worry. I only asked because you seem bent on repaying me.”

“I’ll do it,” I quickly replied. “I’m just worried I’ll embarrass you or something.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. I was worried about doing something embarrassing, I just wasn’t worried about it affecting him.

“Strife will be the embarrassing one, don’t worry about that.” I scoffed playfully and leaned back in my seat. “I’m serious, Aziza, you don’t have to come.”

“I said I’ll do it and I’ll do it.” My words were final. I wasn’t going to back out because I was a little uncomfortable, even though that’s exactly what I wanted to do. Death hummed softly and stared at me, an almost soft look in his eyes. “Just know that I have a hard time keeping a filter on myself.” Death chuckled.

“Perfect.”