#I will love bugs some day! All of them unconditionally!!

[drawbudd]

Making the world a little brighter by being silly. Saving pictures of mantises on Pinterest with smily faces because it's my favourite bug and saving pictures of ball pythons on a folder on my computer because I love them :]

[coff-in]

Can I request a dynamic where the reader is the youngest Graves sibling (like a year younger than Ashley) and is objectively the most "normal" of the siblings (before Ashley and Andrew kind of ruin it)?

She's still clingy with her big brother and sister, but she's also happy to make friends outside of them and actively cares about them a lot. The thing is that Andrew forbids her from dating and Ashley scares off a lot of her friends and when quarantine rolls around she's stuck with two older siblings who are obsessed with her and she's not too sure what to do about it, because her siblings really are all she has left now.

Bonus details, I think it would be fun if her relationship with Andrew is bordering on romantic/he has romantic feelings he doesn't admit to but shows (sleeping in the same bed, holding hands) and he dotes on her a lot as the youngest. However, this strains her relationship with Ashley, who is used to having Andrew to herself before the youngest sister was born, but also loves reader (platonically, maybe transitioning to romantically) because she's never done anything but love Ashley unconditionally.

So it's a complicated thing where Ashley's possessive of both but also scared they'll get together and abandon her, Andrew is extra possessive and protective of reader but denies it to hell (as he does), and reader is slowly realizing some things about her siblings that she really should've realized much, much earlier...

notes from coff-in: GRRRR IT'S LIKE YOU LIVE IN MY MIND!!!! oh to have two possessive and obsessive older siblings who love you way more than a normal sibling should, not like i'm complaining, hahaha! i'm sorry these asks are taking so long... i just wanna hang on to all your wonderful asks and daydreaming about them indulgently!! even so, i hope this was to your liking and thank you so much for requesting!!

[fem] reader-insert, [reader] is 1 year younger than ashley, talks/mention of incest, brief NSFW

I love you more than I should...

Andrew and Ashley did not know why their mother thought she should have a second child. Maybe this was an accidental pregnancy.

When [reader] was old enough to walk and talk, Mrs. Graves delegated the responsibility of raising her to Andy, who was around maybe four or five years old at the time. He tried his best to keep them both happy and satisfied, but it was obvious to the keen few that he paid extra attention to his baby sister. Leyley wasn’t used to not having Andy’s full attention on her and expressed her hatred of the new status quo by picking on her little sister.

When [reader] would try to make amends with Leyley for whatever crime she committed, it shocked Leyley. She remembers when she was playing in the forest one day, picking on the bugs in the dirt, and having her little sister [reader] walk up clumsily to her with dug-up flowers in her hand.

“I’m sorry I made you upset, Leyley. Please don’t be mad.” Leyley picked on her less after that and a heated argument with Andy. In fact she tried to hang out with [reader] more often and tried her best to be nicer to her sister. She was someone besides Andy that she could call a friend. It wasn’t uncommon to catch [reader] following her older siblings like a lost puppy, eating lunch and studying with Andy or drawing and playing around with Leyley.

The other kids found it strange how [reader] would willingly hang out with Leyley. She was so normal like Andy was. She was sociable and had friends that she hung out with from time to time… until Leyley drew most of them away. The only ones that stuck around were Julia and Nina. Maybe [reader] knew that they were just using her to get closer to Andy or maybe she believed that they genuinely wanted to be her friends.

Once Nina died [reader] stopped putting herself out as much. She clung much closer to her big siblings and they were happy to dote and comfort her. Leyley made it so that [reader] promised with the blood pact she would never love anyone else but her and their bother.

As they got older, in middle and high school [reader] started to come out of her shell again. She tried to make some new friends but Ashley, again, did her hardest to scare most of them off. 

“What do you need other friends for?” She’d ask [reader] when they see each other during the day, “You have me and Andy! You don’t need anyone else!”

It’s not like Andrew was any better himself. His possessiveness was less visible to others but it was still there. “Ashley’s right, sis. You don’t need to worry about making friends right now.” (God, to be the object of affection between these two <3)

He didn’t like the idea of [reader] dating. He knew it was wrong for him to think of his sister like this, but he didn’t want to share her with anyone else. He’d never admit that he got off on the idea of being her first; her first kiss, her first boyfriend… To avoid the jealousy he knew he’d feel if [reader] dated he simply told her that she wasn’t allowed to do so. Any arguments that [reader] had about him or Ashley dating (mostly about him dating Julia) were casually swept aside with the excuse that he’s older than her.

Ashley doesn’t like Andrew dating Julia. He can’t leave her! Does Julia really think that she’s better because Andrew can fuck her and not Ashley or [reader]?! While Ashley leaves 200 violent voicemails for Julia, [reader] calls Andrew a lot during his time in college to ask if he could come home.

“I miss you.” [reader] would say in that low, pouty voice that’ll tug on Andrew’s heart and make his cheeks red. “Could you come back this weekend to visit?”

And he’d say “Of course.” because he could never deny his little sisters.

Once they’re stuck in quarantine, Andrew and Ashley start showing (or at least then [reader] starts noticing) their more possessive and… weirder nature.

They’re always with [reader] except for when [reader] has to use the restroom. Ashley’s making [reader] do some chore with her or Andrew’s subtly holding [reader] close to him when he’s smoking on the balcony. Ashley would make her teasingly suggestive comments about [reader] and Andrew would immediately shut them down while avoiding looking at [reader] because he does think that they have a merit to them.

Andrew sneaks into [reader]’s bed when the nightmares come and cuddles up to his baby sister. He holds her close in his arms and rests his face on top of her head or in the crook of her neck or on her chest with her chip over his head. He relishes in her warmth and takes deep inhales of her scent to comfort himself. 

Whenever [reader] does chores, he pats her on her head and says that she did a good job and that he’s proud. [reader] insists he praises Ashley too and it makes her heart pound a little faster and harder. 

Skip over to Episode 1 when they break into the cultist apartment, Andrew tries to avoid having [reader] see what’s up. [reader] is reasonably freaked out and upset about having to dismember and EAT a dead guy until Ashley proposes that she’d just starve to death. Andrew argues with Ashley about letting their baby sister starve and would probably insist with Ashley that [reader] should eat the dead cultist.

Ah, this is going to be very lazy of me but I’m going to skip over to the Burial vision scene. In the vision, the siblings see themselves (all three of them) post-coitus, naked and marked up by each other. (Very self-indulgent but [reader] would be placed in the middle of them)

Andrew’s an embarrassed mess because holy shit, holy shit, holy shit! 

He fucks his sisters. He fucks his baby sister, [reader]. He’s as elated as he is scared… she’s not like that. She wouldn’t fuck him. She wouldn’t fuck her older siblings and she wouldn’t want them as much as he wants her… would she?

Ashley’s never really considered [reader] in a romantic light like that, but she doesn’t mind it at all. Having [reader] close to her and Andrew like that brings a warm comfort to her.

With the way the trinket works, [reader] probably wouldn’t be able to see the vision since she can’t touch it when Andrew and Ashley are holding it in their hands. She’d be sleeping on the couch, waking up when she heard Andrew and Ashley yelling about the argument.

I wanna write smut about them having a hot incestuous threesome so badly but I’m losing steam right now. They all confess their feelings about each other and kiss tho. By the time Episode 2 ends [reader] has been sort of worn down by Andrew and Ashley’s weird feelings that she’s like “Yeah I’d fuck my siblings because I love them!”

----

coff-in

[daysofyellowroses]

honey ii

carmen berzatto x afab! reader | 1.8k | continuation of this little story right here | tw: nothing really, just some serious cuteness

request was: she like asks him to go make her something strange like a bowl of ramen with maple syrup and pickles and ofc he obliges and makes it for her but he comes back and she’s like in tears and he’s like babe here are you hungry and she’s like *gag* “no I don’t know why the baby wanted that for so long now that I smell it- I just want McDonald’s I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for wasting your time” 😂😂 I imagine he’d just be like oh babe it’s fine I can get you McDonald’s that’s fine and she’s just so sad and pregnant bc she feels she bugged him ugh so cute - from my angel @thecapricunt1616 apologies this took a little while, hopefully you enjoy it! 🫶🏻💗🌼

🐻

There are many, many virtues possessed by Carmen Berzatto that make you love him unconditionally, madly and wholeheartedly. 

He is the most loving, passionate, considerate, loyal, driven and talented person you have ever met, and you wouldn't change him for the world.

Almost.

Patience is a virtue, albeit not one always in the possession of Carmy. You've seen him lose patience in the restaurant, when things are not running smoothly at a particular moment. You've seen him lose patience at traffic lights, when he can't find his other shoe, when he can't wait for someone to call him, he has to call them.

Generally you can deal with the lack of patience, because Carm will apologize for losing it in the first place in the most sincere way and everyone involved moves on.

But..there came a day where you couldn't forgive so easily. 

Things had been going well with Carm since you first sat up on your kitchen counter and asked him to undress you, a memory you often dwell upon. At first it was pretty casual, seeing each other occasionally for some very fun stress relief, then it turned into more. Neither of you had initiated the big conversation, it was like a silent understanding that you were both only seeing each other, and were both committed to that.

You gradually moved your stuff over to Carm's, the easiest move you'd ever had. Going across the hallway and merging your life with his was surprisingly simple. You fit together perfectly, everything seemed to be smooth sailing.

Until you hit a bump in the road.

Not the worst bump, just..an unexpected one. And, you were a little to blame, even if you weren't ready to admit it.

Thanks to things going so smoothly, it made all aspects of your lives better, including your (very healthy) sex life. Morning, noon, night, didn't matter what time or what place. You'd lost track of how many times you'd almost got caught sneaking into Carm's office. So far nobody had ever discovered your little rendezvous but you figured it was only a matter of time.

Because of your flourishing sex life, you had decided to switch birth controls to something a little more effective. But, in the brief window between stopping your old one and starting your new one, there may have been a night out.

There may have been drinking, dancing, pulling each other into cubicles.

You were sure you had asked him if he had a condom on him, like..96% sure. In your defense, you were slightly (very) inebriated and slightly (extremely) horny so maybe you filled in some gaps and heard what you wanted to hear. Carm had even less patience when he was drunk so there was no stopping him as soon as you pulled him closer.

So, a couple of days later when you were sure your hangover should have gone, you decided to bite the bullet. 

The little pink plus sign that looked back up at you was so judgemental. Oh you just couldn't wait a few days? Now look at what you've done.

You weren't actually sure how you felt about it, it wasn't something that weighed on your mind. You and Carm weren't exactly at that stage yet, you'd barely even talked about marriage or kids because you were still just enjoying living together and sharing a life.

When you told him, he had a similar reaction to you, unsure how he felt. The two of you ended up sitting on the couch in silence for a few moments before one of you burst out laughing, the other joining in soon after. 

You ended up laying on the couch talking about baby names, what family vacations you'd end up on, coming up with more and more ridiculous scenarios to make each other laugh while feeling more and more like it really was something you both wanted.

It wasn't easy, being pregnant. You attempted to read some books but they were either too scientific, too twee or too hippy-ish. It got easier as the months went by, as you adjusted to waking up to a slightly bigger bump every other day. 

Carm loved it, you discovered. He would stand behind you when you looked in the mirror, your hands touching your bump. His hands would move over yours, his head on your shoulder. He would kiss your neck, tell you that you were glowing as his hands wandered and you would remind him how you got into the situation in the first place.

Most of the classic pregnancy things didn't really happen for you until much later, your brief window of peace interrupted. The baby started kicking, morning sickness came full throttle, and you developed very..unique cravings. Personally, you had always thought the cravings people had were being exaggerated, how could someone suddenly want pickles in ice cream or oranges with gravy when they would never dream of it before?

But then they hit you, and you were frankly a little impressed with your baby’s requests. One of the many perks of dating Carm was that he was always happy to let you be a guinea pig for his latest creations, and when you started craving some more..unique meals.

You wanted spaghetti with plums and melted chocolate in it? He made it. Didn't matter how unusual, Carm was in the kitchen before you could insist the cravings would pass.

Some were more of a hit than others, but you always appreciated his endless patience for your strange requests. Particularly when it was late at night and he'd had a long day at the restaurant. 

Occasionally, you got hit with a craving in the middle of the night, choosing to ignore them or sneak off to the kitchen yourself to avoid waking Carm. A couple of times, he woke up anyway and would come shoo you out of the kitchen to finish making your latest creation.

You would have completely understood if he ended up losing patience with your more frequent late night kitchen trips, but he never batted an eyelid. 

Then, one night, you fully expected him to just snap, because you knew you would have in his shoes.

It had been a bad one at the restaurant, you got at least 3 different messages giving you a heads up that Carm wasn't in the best of moods. He would never take it out on you, but you usually gave him a little space to breathe on those nights, he would inevitably come to you after his shower, crawl into bed or onto the couch next to you and hold you close, tell you how much he loved you.

So, when you heard the front door open you kept your attention on the TV, listening as Carm took his jacket off and walked down the hall to the bathroom. The shower started a few minutes later and you let out a breath. Glancing down as you felt a pang in your stomach, you smiled to yourself as you placed your hand over your bump.

“So you can sense him hm?” You murmured softly, looking back to the TV. “Well it's just you and me right now kid. So what are we feeling?”

And so you ended up in the kitchen, looking through the cabinets to find what you were craving. 

“I know, I know,” You placed your hand on your stomach as you felt a kick. “You need to be more patient, I'm not the chef here.”

“True,”

You looked over your shoulder, smiling as you spotted Carm leaning in the doorway.

“I got this, if you want to relax,” You smiled. “Won't be long.”

“Nah nah, it's alright,” Carm smiled tiredly, walking over to you and dropping a kiss to your shoulder. “What’s on the menu today?”

“Hm..just a ramen bowl,” You shrugged, leaning back against Carm as he wrapped his arms around your waist and settled his hands on your bump. 

“With?”

“Maple syrup,” You admitted, glancing over your shoulder with a raised brow. “And pickles. This kid is doing a number on my insides already.”

“Sounds good, I got it,” Carm nodded, kissing your cheek. “Go relax, I'll take it to you.”

You didn't object, heading back to the living room and getting comfortable on the couch. At some point you went to lay down and ended up falling asleep, being woken up by a gentle touch and a smell that had your stomach lurching.

“Sorry, didn't mean to do that,” You murmured softly, opening your eyes and sitting up slowly. “I just..”

Your eyes fell on the coffee table, where a perfectly prepared ramen/maple syrup/pickle bowl was sitting. 

“Oh..”

“Can't wait to get the feedback on this one,” Carm smiled, sitting down beside you and reaching for the bowl. “It's definitely a first for me.”

“Yeah,” You nodded, accepting the bowl and taking a deep breath. It looked amazing, but the smell had you wanting to throw up. “It's uh..” You held your other hand over your mouth as you felt the need to be sick, gagging a little. 

“Sorry, I just..”

“Here,” Carm carefully took the bowl and set it back on the coffee table, his other hand moving to your back.

“I'm so sorry,” You sighed, moving your hand to your forehead as you felt tears bubbling up. The smallest thing now had you wailing hysterically, and you tried to stop the flood before it happened. “It looks so good but I just..”

“Hey, don't apologize,” Carm smiled, gently rubbing your back. “It's not the end of the world. I can make you something else.”

“Well that's the thing,” You groaned, closing your eyes as the tears started flowing. “I know you can but I don't want you to, I want..”

You felt a little ridiculous for crying so much but that didn't stop the tears.

“I just really want a McDonald's.”

Carm was quiet for a moment before he burst out laughing, his head dropping to your shoulder.

“It's not funny!” You protested, wiping away the latest tears. “You just had a really stressful day at work then you come home and I have you cooking some more nonsense for me that I can't even eat and now I ask you to go get me a fucking cheap burger!”

“Fuck I love you,” Carm laughed softly, kissing your cheek and getting up from the couch. “I'll get you as many burgers as you want, just promise me one little thing?”

“Of course,” You nodded, looking over to him as you wiped away more tears. “Anything.”

“Tell me you don't have a secret group chat about me?”

You couldn't help but laugh at that, the concerned look on Carm's face going straight to your heart.

“No,” You shook your head, smiling. “I definitely do not.”

“Good,” Carm nodded, lightly rubbing his jaw before turning to leave. “Okay, I'll be back.”

“Wait,” You stood up, walking over and taking Carm's hand, smiling as he turned back to you. “I forgot to say, get something for yourself too. And then double it so I can't steal it.”

“Deal,” Carm nodded with a smile, your heart swelling in your chest. “Just maybe no pickles.”

[azurlily]

Please write more Annie x fem reader

Our Unparalleled Love for You is being discontinued. It didn't get the traction I wanted and some people unfollowed me because of it(someone dmed me). Things like that will only be written upon request. If you're worried just please be upfront about what you want and ask anonymously.

Anyway I'm sorry it's short, I've been in the hospital and the other writers aren't writing on the acc anymore.

Yan!Annie x Colossal Titan!Reader

What happened?

Those words were desperately trying to leave Annie's mouth, but she was failing herself. Beretoldt is dead, and you inherited his titan. The girl whom Annie had saved from titans more times than she saved herself.

Why you?

The idea that someone like you, someone so...human. Normal, kind, willing to save others. How could someone like you be a titan, and the most destructive one at that? How could someone who hid behind Reiner when she(Annie) was mad do this? It doesn't make sense.

When did it all go wrong?

Annie is no idiot, she knows that to an extent, you were acting. You always had that look in your eye, like you knew something was wrong with what you said. You never truly said anything, therefore she never acknowledged it.

Why did you do this?

It was you or Berthold- why did she choose you? Why did she choose a girl she barely knew, when Beretoldt was the one she grew up with? It doesn't make sense, it doesn't add up. Why do you make her smile, why do you make her feel things shes never felt before?

Could it have gone differently?

Annie wanted to tell herself it could have gone differently. The idea that she could have chosen Beretoldt in another universe, it gave her clarity clarity that was stripped away when she saw your face: fear, anger, anguish, and confusion. You didn't get what was going on.

What is doing to herself for you?

Anything; Annie would do anything for you, and no matter what she tries to tell herself, you both know it. The look in her eyes isn't one of anger, she isn't as scared as she's deluding herself to be. No, she's not stupid. One of the thing she prides herself on: she knows what to do. But in that moment, she didn't. She could save herself or save you.

"Trust me."

Annie- despite telling herself differently- will always trust you. Until the day she dies Annie will put her life in your hands. With no regard for her safety, and no idea of what to do. She'd kill them all, just to save you. Armin, Reiner, her father. If it must be done, then so be it. Their just more blood spilled, more stains on the ground.

Monster or not, you'll still love her right?

Of course you would. Annie is risking everything for you, the least you can do is love her unconditionally. No matter what you feel, you know you're indebted to her. No matter how mean she is, no matter how mad she gets, no matter how many she kills. It's in your name, it's for you. You have to accept it, you will accept it right?

It's just a few bugs, why are you so scared to kill them, better yet, why do you help them?

They're not you. Annie doesn't care because they're not you. So why, why do you care about them? Your titan is made for destruction, yet you use it for protection. Not just of yourself or her, for others. Eren. What do you fucking see in a man, what does Eren have that she doesn't? Is it his titan? His power? She'll give it all to you, just stop staring at him. He's a bug. Not a person, not you.

You still wont leave her?

After everything she's done, you're still by her side. Even as she fights for someone she hates, even as she kills her former comrades. You still love her? Well, you're just as fucking crazy as she is.

[softxsuki]

i wanted to know for the urgent request if it could be for the obey me! boys, mammon, levi, satan, asmo, and barbatos when reader has been really down and depressed and even told them they thought about committing so they comfort them for it? i haven't gotten any comforting recently and i love your writing so i was hoping you could do this :( <3

Obey Me Boys Comforting Reader With Depression

TW: PLEASE DON'T READ IF MENTIONS OF DEPRESSION, SELF-HARM, AND THOUGHTS OF SUC*DE WILL MAKE YOU FEEL WORSE RATHER THAN COMFORT YOU. THANKS

Pairing: Mammon x Gn!Reader, Levi(OM) x Gn!reader, Satan x Gn!reader, Asmo x Gn!Reader, Barbatos x Gn!reader

Warnings: mentions of self-harming and old/new scars, depression, and mentions of reader wanting/thinking of taking their own life

Genre: Comfort

Post-Type: Headcanons

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: In which the boys find out that MC is feeling depressed and thought of taking their own life, and that they also self-harm, so they provide MC with comfort in their own way :)

[A/N: Kya!!! Thank you so much for trusting me with your urgent request! I hope I did an okay job with it. It's been a little while since I last played Obey me, so I cam very much behind with it (and I'm stuck on the regular game bc I can't level up mu cards fast enough. rip) but I really hope this brings you some kind of comfort. I'm here if you ever need anyone to talk to if if you just need someone to listen to you. Feel better soon <333]

Mammon:

Mammon notices the sudden change in your mood straight away since he’s always around you

He does his best to try and cheer you up without directly confronting you about it

So he’d invite you out with him and might even spoil you with pretty things in hopes that using his money on you helps distract you from whatever you’re feeling

But that all changes when he sees your self-harm scars

Fear fills him and he knows he can’t just avoid the topic anymore, he doesn’t want to see you in pain or have you harm yourself anymore

So one day when you’re out with him in town, he softly takes your hand and leads you to a bench away from the hustle and bustle of the town

He’s a little cautious, he’s not really good with being direct about his feelings, especially not with you because he gets so nervous and this was serious…he was scared to mess up

“Y’know MC…I may not be the best person to go to about troubling things in your life, but I want ya to know that I’m here for you. I…don’t want to lose you. Actually, I can’t lose you–never. So maybe things are hard for ya right now, but you’re one of the most important people in my life. Your problems are The Great Mammon’s problems as well, so let me in, won’t ya?”

He’s awkwardly rubbing his neck now as he feels his face heating up, but at least he got everything he wanted to say out

So when you do open up to him about your depression, self-harm, and thoughts of taking your own life, he feels relieved that you are finally speaking about it with someone, but he’s also scared that you’ve been feeling that way and he had been trying to ignore it for so long

He’s scared to let you out of his sight after that, so if he shows up to your room at 3am with a spare pillow, you know why

Mammon’s always inviting you to his room as well so you can watch stuff together until you fall asleep

Extra clingy Mammon who’ll probably bug you about how you’re feelings every few minutes, but at least you know someone cares

You’d find all your issues slowly dissolving as he covers you with love and attention, just don’t block him out

Leviathan:

Oh boy, Levi is very overdramatic when he finds out what’s been going on with you

He’s beyond scared to lose you–you’re his only best friend after all, the one who truly understands him and cares for him unconditionally

“I-I’m sorry I didn’t realize MC. I’m such a good-for-nothing. I can’t even tell when the person I care about the most is going through a tough time. Y-you’re amazing MC! You’re one of the best people I know, unlike all these other normies out there. You’re always so kind to me and I just hate that I couldn’t be there for you when you needed me…”

Yeah, he’s definitely beating himself up about it because how could he not realize???

“You’re always here for me, that’s why you’re the only one I felt comfortable telling this to. Please don’t blame yourself…I kinda didn’t want anyone to know at first; I thought I could deal with it on my own…” You’d explain to him

He’s a little relieved to hear it, but it still won’t make him feel any better

Levi is always throwing himself in the ground, so not being there for you at a time when you really needed him AND when he could have potentially lost you, scares him to death

Like Mammon, he keeps you by his side, but in your room since he sleeps in his tub and that’s not very comfortable for you LOL

He’d move all his games and game stations into your room and make a little base there to stay by your side until you’re feeling better

He probably goes to one of his older brothers who are more responsible like Lucifer or Satan and asks for their advice (without giving you away ofc. He’d make it sound like one of his online friends are dealing with this issue since you only trusted him with this info)

He’s very awkward and shy at times, but he’s glad that you trusted him to let him in on the pain you were feeling internally. He makes it his mission (literally, like he’s playing a game, but knowing that it’s far more serious) to get you back on your feet and in a better mental state

And we all know Levi is good at games, so this is one he won’t fail either :)

Satan:

Satan reads a lot, books of all genres, so he picked up on your sudden change in behavior very quickly and he’s actually the one who goes to you first to talk about it

“What’s going on?” He bluntly asks one day when you’re in his room reading with him in a peaceful silence

That catches you off guard…did he know? You could see the serious look on his face so you decide to just open up to him about everything; the depression, the self-harm, and even the thoughts that flash through your mind of taking your own life

Satan listens silently as you speak, taking in all your words and you see his eyes soften the more you reveal to him

“I see…” he’s lost in thought for a moment, but then stands up and walks over to you, taking your hands in his as he leaves a gentle kiss to the back of your hand. “I knew something was up, but I wanted to hear it from you before I assumed too much. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling this way. I’m here though, and now that I know what’s going on, I’ll do anything and everything I can to ensure you feel better.”

And he really will

Whenever you come over to his room to do your daily reading together in each others presence, he spends his time reading books on mental health that give him plenty of advice on how to best help you

He isn’t overbearing though, he gives you your space and allows you to reach out to him whenever you need him, only checking up on you when it seems appropriate so you don’t feel suffocated, but deep down he is worried and scared to lose you

So he offers you his own help, but also asks if you’d like to go to the human world to see or speak to a professional who might be more helpful to you than he could be

He even volunteers to go along with you if you don’t want to go alone–he just wants you to be happy again to not feel so claustrophobic in your own skin

Whatever you decide to do, just know that you have his 10000000% support

Asmodeus:

This man is very dramatic as well, but in a different way than Levi…

He throws tons of compliments your way in hopes that they help lift you up, but really, he’s better at giving physical acts of care

SO, your self-harm scars? He goes out of his way to wash them up and lotion them up, pressing small kisses the the older scars and newer ones as well

“Even with these marks, your skin is still as soft and beautiful as ever, darling. My lovely MC, I’ll do everything I can to take care of you from now on. I’ll pamper you everyday and remind you how much you mean to me, so please don’t harm yourself any longer…”

Asmo isn’t one to be very serious at times, but he knows now isn’t the time to joke around with you, so he’s uncharacteristically very serious, yet still as charming as ever

He’ll treat you to extra tight hugs and kisses, a little scared to let go in fear that he’d never be able to hold you again, so bear with him a little…he can be a bit suffocating

He isn’t the best listener or remarkably great at giving advice that doesn’t have anything to do with fashion or beauty, so he’d probably go to Lucifer for help, or maybe even Solomon, who’s more familiar with human emotions like depression

Anything you need or want, Asmo will get it for you

Get ready to feel more loved than you’ve ever felt before in your life

Barbatos:

He knows…of course he knows, Barbatos knows everything 😀

The first time you attempted to self-harm, he was there to stop you, so you never even got the chance

What he didn’t know about though was your thoughts of attempting to take your life, since you never actually made the move to do it, you only really thought about it

So when he sits down with you to hear you out about attempting to self-harm and you open up about your other darker secrets as well, he’s shocked

Momentarily, it’ll show on his face, but he’ll catch himself and gently smile to you as you continue to speak your mind

He doesn't want you to feel embarrassed by any of this or to beat yourself up for getting caught or for feeling what you feel–you were human and humans experienced moments of intense emotions that they can’t control sometimes, he understood this very well

“Oh dear MC, I am relieved that I was able to stop you this time. Though, I must admit I do feel particularly regretful that I am not able to read minds so I could put your own mind to rest from your dark thoughts. Now that I am aware of everything, I shall do my best to assist you in recovering mentally”

He’s not the most emotional guy out there, but you know he cares for you and when Barbatos dedicates his time and attention to something, he WILL get it done

Barbatos takes your hand in his and presses a delicate kiss onto each of your fingers, and leans his head onto the back of your hand, in almost a way that he’s ready and willing to serve you (not that he didn’t already, but it’s more of like his own way of physically showing his dedication to you??? Does that make sense? KINDA like when a knight is knighted and vows to protect whoever he’s assigned to??? Am I making sense? hopefully…)

He doesn’t need to keep an eye on you because he’d be able to stop you anyway if you ever decided to do anything drastic, but he does free up time in his busy schedule to be with you, he’s dedicated to serving Diavolo, but you very quickly become his number one priority (you already were, but he was never aware of it himself lol)

I don’t know, but I just feel like Barbatos is such a soothing person to be with, his voice is like silk, it wraps you up like a warm blanket and feels like a big tight hug when you need it the most

SO I imagine you’d feel better pretty quickly with all the attention he’s giving you, and the warm tea he makes you????! You’re set for life, get ready to feel brand new

REQUESTS ARE OPEN :D

Posted: 7/11/2023

[thecreelhouse]

if you know love, you best prepare to grieve

Paring: Steve Harrington x Francesca “Frankie” Amato

This is part of the accident prone AU— please be warned there are spoilers in these mini fics if you have yet to read the main series! This post-series fic and more can be found here -> accident prone - the blurb sides

Summary: Steve offers to go with Frankie to visit her mother’s grave.

WC: 4.2k+

Includes: grief. this is a grief fic (want to make that one clear), language, angst, hurt/comfort, discussion of toxic positivity, some Amato family lore, brief alcohol induced angst, unconventional means of mourning, brighter ending.

A/N: wanted to touch more on Frankie’s loss of her mother, and the complex feelings it brings from being so young when it happened. So this fic is more Frankie-centric, but I do have more Steve-centric ones planned and in progress! Tysm to anyone who has read AP, or even gives this little collection of (not) blurbs the time of day— I appreciate you!! <3 [title is from leave it alone - hayley williams]

The first Sunday of every month, Frankie’s family got together for dinner. A few months into her relationship with Steve, her family constantly bugged her to finally meet him— sure enough, she caved.

Right away, the Amato family welcomed Steve the way any stereotypical Italian-American family would: with open arms and love in the form of constantly offering homemade food. He learned quickly that her grandmother— who she affectionately called Nonna— was notorious for making sure no one went hungry, not even for a minute. He’d barely have one foot through the door when she’d  already ask “You kids hungry? Come, sit!”

Some Sundays were louder than others, depending on how many family members could attend, and damn, did Frankie have a huge family. He’s lost count of all her cousins he’s met so far, near and far in ages apart. He discovered her father had several sisters, so growing up she always had a motherly presence around with her doting zias. Above all, her grandmother made the biggest impact in her femininity, unconditionally loving her as if Frankie were her own daughter. 

This time, Frankie’s father brought out some photo albums after dinner, proudly showing Steve memories of his daughter over the years.

“Wait, I gotta show you this one. This kid was a menace.”

Steve turns to Frankie’s father, eyes wide with curiosity as he’s handed another baby photo of his girlfriend. Frankie’s face grows red, flinging her hand over Steve’s shoulder to steal the picture.

“Oh my god, no—“

“Nothing was safe around this little terror,” Her dad chuckles, nodding to his daughter. 

“Are you—“

“Look, I was two—“

“When people talk ‘bout the terrible twos, they certainly never mention your kid tearing the garden apart.”

The photograph shows a tiny, two year old Frankie, with the cutest round, freckled cheeks. Her wild, frizzy waves falling in her face, escaping from a loose ponytail. Best part of all— she’s covered in garden soil, tomatoes in each hand; she’s biting into the tomato like it’s an apple.

Steve has no time to hide the affectionate, hearty laugh before it bursts out of him. 

“If it weren’t the squirrels chewing on ‘em, it was baby Francesca that was the tomato thief,” her grandmother chimes in from her chair, side eyeing Frankie. “She didn’t even bite them half the time, just squished ‘em to make a mess! I never got to can those for sauce that year.”

“I didn’t ruin all of the tomatoes,” Frankie’s still embarrassed, but laughing with everyone. “I put some back!”

“Yeah, after you would pretend to eat them, get baby spit all over them, then put them on the ground in the garden like no one would notice,” her dad clarifies, then turns to Steve, “We noticed.”

“Hey, nonno was the one who always let me run wild in the plants,” Frankie counters, glaring playfully at her grandmother. “Your husband was the real culprit, I was just a pawn in his game.”

“You sure were, cattivella,” her nonna lightly quips, attention turning to Steve. “When I was two, I was sent out into the garden all the time by my nonna to pick what was ripe, and everything was returned safely each time.”

“Yeah, yeah, we get it, you also marched uphill in the snow ten miles every day to get to school.”

Mila, one of the only aunts that could show up today, cracks up from her spot on a couch across the room. Her cheeks are rosy red from having a bit too much wine, but she’s cheerful. 

“Ma, she’s right, you’re just from a different time.”

“You’re spoiled by your zia,” her grandmother shakes her head, poorly hiding her smile. She gets up, shuffling out of the room with an added comment, “Actually, you’re spoiled by all of ‘em.”

Steve has a hard time remembering who is who among her aunts, since Frankie loves to call them all zia, never using their names with the title. Mila, however, seemed to be Frankie’s favorite, the one she’s closest with; she’s kind but bold, something that’s rubbed off on her niece from an early age.

“If the worst of my crimes were spitting on tomatoes, I ain’t that much trouble,” Frankie shrugs. Her smile wavers as a photo catches her eye among the pile on the coffee table; one of her and her mother, from a memory that feels like it never belonged to her to begin with. 

In the photo, baby Frankie’s giggling, pudgy hands clapping together, while sitting on her mother’s lap. Her mother’s reading to her from a children’s book, facial expression animated as she reads aloud to her daughter. She looks far too young to know what’s going on, but in that very moment, Frankie and her mother are happy.

“I wish I could remember this,” she murmurs, more to herself than anyone else in the room. Glancing up at her dad, she asks, “Are you visiting her tomorrow?”

He sighs, “Might not be until super late, unless I can leave early before work tomorrow, and stop by on the way, but I know you said you’ve been having a hard time sleeping—“

“It’s okay, I can go.”

“Kid, your mom would want you to rest. You need it.” He looks over to his sister, “Mila, are you free tomorrow?”

“No, work’s been crazy, otherwise I’d go with ya’, Francesca. I’m sorry.”

“No worries, zia, I’ll figure something out.”

Steve’s worried he’ll overstep by asking, but offers anyway, “I can go with you… i- if you want.”

Frankie stares at him, surprised, “Really? I can’t imagine it’d be very fun for you.”

“I can give you space when we get there, too. But it’s clearly important to you to visit her for—“ Steve pauses, hoping brain fog didn’t cause him to misplace an important detail. “Her…”

She snorts, “Sorry, didn’t mention it.” Glad I’m not that out of it today, he thinks. “My mom’s birthday is tomorrow. I try visiting every year for that, at least.” Her gaze falls to the photo with her mother, still in her hands. “I’d really appreciate that. You could even come with me— if you want, I mean. I don’t wanna pressure you—“

“It’s cute that you’re so respectful of one another, but you gotta stop doubting yourselves,” Mila pipes up, as if she’s cracked the code to overthinking. “All that tip-toeing shit is unnecessary.”

Frankie’s dad warns, “Mila—“

“Am I wrong?” She leaves the couch, shuffling past the remaining trio. “I say that with love, of course.”

“I’m, uh, gonna see if nonna needs help with dishes,” Frankie mumbles, throwing a thumb over her shoulder to the doorway. She spins her wheelchair quickly, rolling into the next room.

“Hey, Steve, I’m sorry about what Mila said, she really does mean well—“

A shrill, repetitive beeping echoes through the room. Frankie’s dad sighs, pulling a beeper out of his pocket. “Ah, shit, I gotta make a call. I’m sorry, I’ll be right back.”

While Steve sits alone in the living room, peeking through pictures, heart melting over every over-expressive version of Frankie growing up, he overhears a quiet conversation in the kitchen. 

“Your zia is a goof when she’s tipsy, you know that. She means well, but she didn’t need to make that comment,” her grandmother’s voice floats out of the kitchen clearly; they’re definitely not washing dishes. “You and Steve are just very sensitive, and that’s not a bad thing. If anything, the world could use more kids like you two.”

“I know… but I don’t want Steve to feel like he has to come with me, just because we’re dating.” Frankie’s voice wavers in the way it usually does when she staves off tears; Steve recognizes those little things about her so well now, especially with how emotional the last few months have been. “Hanging out at your mom’s grave sure isn’t an ideal date night.”

Does she really think I’m offering because I feel obligated? Steve’s a little stung by his partner’s insecurity, but he shakes it off. This can’t be an easy topic to discuss in any relationship; maybe opening up in the past about her loss had been a breaking point for an ex long ago. Maybe not. Steve doesn’t know the reason, but he knows something got into her head to make her believe otherwise.

Whoever made ‘Key feel bad for her loss is a piece of shit. 

“Oh, fiorellina, he’s the one who offered to begin with. You know why? That boy loves you to pieces. Looks at you like you’ve hung the damn moon.” Steve knows it’s wrong to listen to their delicate conversation, but he knows moving out of the living room would give him away, too. He didn’t want to interrupt their moment. “You know, your mammina would be so proud of you for letting love in again, and more importantly, staying true to yourself.” 

Again?

“Not sure there’s much to be proud of,” Frankie murmurs, giving a short laugh. “Not like I’ve done anything spectacular with my life, except be sick.”

“I’d say surviving is pretty spectacular, Francesca. That, while building a life you love, even among the pain, both are no easy feat.” Her grandmother pauses, and Steve can hear faint, muffled crying; he wonders if she’s trying to keep quiet, not to alarm anyone. “You’re a fighter, just like your mamma. And what, running a record store, making new friends, and falling in love ain’t worth being proud of? All while you’re in treatment? You deserve that kindness you give everyone else.”

“I’m just scared everyone will leave— n- not that they’re like that… nonna, they’re all so sweet, and funny, and accepting… but I can’t shake that stupid fear.” 

There’s a pang in Steve’s heart overhearing that; he refrains from rushing into the next room over to hold her close, reassure her no one’s leaving.

“You were hurt badly, so f’course that fear is hard to shake. But it’s sure as hell not stupid. Why don’t you bring ‘em around one of these Sundays? It’d be nice to put faces to their names.”

“Okay...” Frankie hiccups, “I don’t know where I’d be without you guys, and Steve, too.”

“You’d still be here, I wouldn’t doubt that. But I can see how much Steve has influenced your life for the better during this rough patch.” She laughs softly, “He’s a good one, Francesca. Reminds me of your nonno, with a heart that big. Cherish him for as long as life allows.”

Steve’s thoughts float away, heart torn over Frankie’s valid fears and feelings, while in awe to hear her grandmother speak so kindly about him. He still struggles to believe he’s a decent person sometimes; looking back at his past, there’s a wave of regret and shame that washes over him each time an old memory resurfaces. It only all motivates him to continue being the best person he can be, for himself and others.

Especially those he loves.

“Stevie?” Frankie’s fragile voice ushers him out of his deep thoughts, appearing in the doorway. “Are you alright?”

“Huh? Me? I’m fine,” his brows furrow, confused. “Are you okay?”

“Um… yeah,” she murmurs, sliding the sleeves of her sweater over her hands, balling up the knitted garment in her fists. 

Steve sighs, knowing that’s far from the truth. “Try again, honey.”

Rolling up to the couch, she slides out of her wheelchair, settling in next to him. While she curls into his side, he throws an arm around her shoulders, hooking her in closer.

“You heard everything, huh?”

Again, he sighs heavily, nodding. “Wasn’t trying to be sneaky or nosy, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment you had with your nonna.”

“S’okay. I’m sorry you heard any of that.”

“What? Why?” Steve’s fingers gently caress up and down her arm, glancing down at her. “I- I mean, not that I was trying to, really, I mean that… but I know you wouldn’t have told me that fear on your own. You know you can always come to me about anything, right?”

“Yeah, I do. My brain likes to tell me otherwise— there’s a lot I’m unlearning and reshaping the longer we’re together. A few shitty relationships and experiences still cause me to second guess myself.”

“I’m sorry, ‘Key, but whoever made you feel that way about your emotions, and your health, and your appearance— everything— they’re assholes, and they’re wrong about you.” She shivers against him, so he drapes a throw blanket over the two of them, laying back on the pillows. “If you’re comfortable with it, I’d really love to go with you to visit your mom. Like I said, I’ll give you space if you’d like, or visit her with you, but your nonna’s right; I want to go with you ‘cause I love you.”

“She’s right about a lot, y’know.” She gives a soft, short giggle, burying her face into his shoulder as she snuggles up with him. “You’ve got a big heart, Stevie.” Her breaths slow steadily as she finds comfort in his arms. “M’gonna just rest my eyes quick, m’so sleepy…”

Steve holds back a teasing comment about the dad remark of “resting her eyes”, knowing her fatigue is intense from  more treatment than usual the week before. The heightened emotions are draining on their own, so the combination must be dragging her into slumber.

“Take all the time y’need, babe.” He kisses her forehead, since a warm, knitted hat blocks off the top of her bare head. “Might nap with you.”

Keeping his word, Steve’s able to fall asleep quickly. The tuckered out pair weren’t even aware of Frankie’s nonna snapping a Polaroid of the serene scene.

Gingerly, the eldest Amato slides the square photograph into Frankie’s bag, sneaking away to leave the two to their peaceful nap.

—————

“M’gonna learn how to knit, or crochet, or something, just to make you stuff to keep you warm.” It’s meant to be a playful comment, but saying it out loud, Steve finds the idea of picking up a new hobby intriguing for a moment, then pushes it aside. “Are you sure you don’t want my jacket?”

“I said I’m okay, I mean it,” Frankie tries to downplay how chilled to the bone she is, but her chattering teeth give her away, as usual. Steve shrugs his jacket off, draping it over her shoulders despite her grumbled protests; he doesn’t miss her tiny, thankful smile, though.

The walk from the main path to Frankie’s mother’s grave isn’t too far, but it’s certainly not easy navigating with a wheelchair. She’s encountered plenty of inaccessible locations with her chair in the past, but the ground blanketed in a thick layer of fallen leaves makes it frustrating to roll over, at best.

It takes longer than it would have on foot, but once they arrive, Steve glances over at Frankie, wordlessly asking one more time if she’d like him to stay, or give her space. She squeezes his hand with a nod.

She unrolls a picnic blanket, Steve takes the other end, laying it out, nice and neat. Crouching down to pull an end, straightening it out, the grave’s etched details catch his attention.

Giulia Amato

Beloved mother, wife, daughter

A flower plucked from this world far too soon, forever blooming in our hearts.

Nov. 16th 1941 - Dec. 19th 1966

Intricate floral designs are carved into the marble’s edges, with little memorial trinkets placed on the base of the tombstone.

Steve reads the date again, feeling his throat tighten; he never realized exactly how young Frankie was when her mom passed away. Nor did he know it was so close to the holidays.

He turns to find Frankie already out of her chair, situated on the blanket while gingerly unwrapping a small bouquet of lavender and daisies from their paper shelter. She was thrilled the local floral shop still had some left, though out of season by now.

“Hi, mammina, happy birthday,” Frankie sets the bundle of flowers on the stone, voice barely above a whisper. 

Steve sits back, allows her the space she needs; he still worries he’s invading on a personal moment, but curiously watches as she pulls out a small, plain, birthday candle to light. Her hand tremors make the first few tries difficult to light it, but once it’s lit, she sets it next to the flowers. 

“M’sorry I didn’t visit sooner, this year’s been… a lot.” She shivers, hands slipping into the sleeves of Steve’s jacket for warmth. “A lot of bad, but more good than anything. There’s always more good, and papá makes sure to remind me all the damn time that you believed in that.” He can hear the eye roll in her little laugh. “I think I say it every year, but I wish I got to know you the way you knew me. It’s probably silly I miss you as much as I do, ‘cause I don’t remember a damn thing.”

She shakes her head with another laugh, but Steve can hear her sniffling, too.

“Anyway, I want you to meet someone very special to me. This is Steve,” Frankie glances back at Steve with a wobbling smile. Turning back to the gravestone, she adds, “He’s even got nonna’s approval— that’s big.”

Steve’s not one to sit at someone’s grave and speak to the dead, so he awkwardly waves, while pushing down the smile her last comment brings him. He moves closer to hug her from the side, gently kissing her temple. Frankie sighs, relaxing under his touch.

“I’m pissed, you know? Like I’m jealous I never got to know this person that everyone else praises to be amazing and kind. It’s not fair. That’s— it’s my mother, for fucks sake. Why didn’t I get those memories with her?”

Steve isn’t sure what to say, isn’t sure if there’s anything to say that’d help to begin with. When Frankie swipes her tears away with her sweater-covered hands, she sighs loudly, trying to shake it off.

“Sorry. I’m good. It’s all good.”

He grabs her hand, bringing her attention his way. “You’re not good.”

When Steve started to see right through Frankie averting her own needs, physical and emotional, she first hated that she couldn’t hide it from him. She’d be stubborn, argue with him that she was truly fine, until realizing he wouldn’t give up on helping her. Frankie’s stubbornness met its match in the same trait Steve held, and it’s difficult for her to feel like she’s worthy of being seen and heard with her emotional pain.

So when she’s scrunching her eyes shut, tears squeezing between her lids, tumbling down her face, it throws Steve off when she shakes her head, too. 

“M’not. I’m really not good,” she whimpers, clapping a hand over her mouth before a sob slips out. 

“C’mere,” Steve’s winding his embrace around her, holding her tight while she grips onto the front of his sweater, sobbing into him. “It’s okay, y’know? To not be okay.”

“But it’s so fucking…. So annoying, to hear to this day shit like ‘everything happens for a reason’, ‘cause what’s the reason, huh? I’ve gone twenty-five years waiting for a reason to finally appear, and it doesn’t exist.” It’s unclear which will take over, her sorrow or her rage, but both are rightfully valid in her deep rooted grief. “How the fuck do you tell a kid that shit? The reason that you never really got to know and love your own mom is ‘cause of some … some higher force with a plan unknown to anyone yet— it’s all bullshit!”

Frankie startles herself over her own outburst, quiet for a moment, before babbling a tangled string of apologies into Steve’s shoulder.

“God… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you to come with me,” she hiccups, arms trembling as her hold tightens on him, in need of some kind of grounding. “You shouldn’t have to see this part of me.”

Steve kisses the crown of her head, one hand cradling the back of her beanie-covered head, the other wound securely around her waist; at some point, she must’ve slid onto his lap, because the hug’s not awkward anymore.

“I want to see every part of you, even the ones that are hard to show.” He doesn’t expect his voice to warble, throat tightening while choking back tears. “It’s not fair. None of this is fair, and you’re right, it’s bullshit for anyone to say losing your mom so young was for a reason. Your grief is valid, too, even if you only have secondhand memories of her.”

“I’m grateful my family took so many photos and videos of us when she was still here. At least I have those.”

“And you can tell how much she loved you in those,” Steve adds, causing Frankie to give a curious, tear-stained look up at him. “Your dad showed me other home movies, and it’s just… so obvious she adored you. Maybe you don’t remember your short time with her, but she remembered every second of that time spent with you.” He glances over at the gravestone, and the candle Frankie lit, halfway melted down now. “It doesn’t make it fair, but maybe there’s a little bit of comfort knowing you made her last months so special, even when everything else was falling to shit.”

Jesus, quit word vomiting.

“I’ve never looked at it like that,” she mutters, pout trembling. “I just wish she never had to suffer.”

“I know, ‘Key. M’so sorry.”

Frankie takes a few deep breaths, shuddering in between as she calms herself down. “Thanks for not trying to sugarcoat it like everyone else does. It helps to just be heard, rather than hear shitty advice on how to hurt.”

“Anytime you need to talk about this, you can.” Steve runs his hand over her back gently in a soothing motion. “I want you to talk about this shit, if you want to, and if it helps. There’s no pressure either way, but you deserve the space to grieve when you need to.”

Squeezing him one more time, Frankie shudders out a sigh, burying her face into the crook of his neck. “Thank you. I love you.”

“Thanks for letting me tag along, I know that’s not easy. I love you, too.” Steve’s eyes land on the candle, nearing its end. He softly pushes Frankie off of him, “The candle’s almost out.”

“It’s— oh, shit— I forgot! I gotta make a wish.” She clumsily scrambles off his lap, crossing her fingers in both hands as her eyes flutter shut, silently making her wish. She glances back at Steve, “You should make one too, it’s tradition, I do this every year.”

“Me? Is that— I don’t want to overstep—“

“Steve, just make a wish.” She grabs his hand, pushing past the remnants of her crying with her signature warm smile. “I want you to, and from what I’ve learned about her, I think she’d want you to make one, too.”

Eyes closing, he crosses his fingers, silently making his own wish. He makes it once, twice, three times, hoping the repetition adds to its chances of coming true. “Okay,” his eyes slowly open, “done.”

Frankie leans down to the candle, softly blowing out the flame. Though she murmurs it more to herself, and to the spirit of her mother, wherever she may be, Steve can clearly hear her. “Mamma, if you ever got a say in those wishes coming true, pick Steve’s first. He deserves it.”

When asked to make a wish, he didn’t make it on himself; all these years later, Steve still puts others before himself, so naturally, his wish went to Frankie, instead.

So yeah, maybe this wish he deserves, as long as it means it comes true for Frankie’s sake. He almost feels a little naive, banking on a wish in honor of her late mother’s birthday, but… stranger things have happened.

‘Ti voglio bene, mamma.” Frankie kisses the tips of her pointer, middle, and ring fingers, before gingerly pressing them against the cool, smooth stone. “See you soon.”

With everything packed up, the couple make their way back to the main cemetery road, ready to head home for a cozy, warm remainder of the day inside.

“So, when are you gonna teach me how to speak Italian?” Steve cracks the comfortable silence first, earning a snort from his partner.

“Never. I am terrible aside from the few phrases I remember,” she waves her hands in tandem with her shaking head, while he continues to push her chair over the leaf-covered terrain. “But, if you ask Nonna, she’d be thrilled to teach you some curses. It’d earn you some brownie points with her, too.” 

“Next Sunday, I’m asking her the moment we walk through the door.”

“If you do that, she’ll probably rope you into making dinner with her somehow,” Frankie teasingly warns. Her curious stare wanders up to his as she tilts her head back. “Hey… what’d you wish for?”

Steve scoffs, “Can’t tell you, or it won’t come true. C’mon, ‘Key, that’s like, the first rule of making wishes.”

“Eugh,” she groans. “I wish you weren’t such a stickler for rules sometimes. Be a rebel, Steve.”

“Let’s just say, if it happens, you’ll know,” he leans down to kiss her knit beanie-covered head, murmuring, “And I’m not fucking up any chance of this coming true.”

“Alright, fine,” Frankie gives up, attention elsewhere while rummaging through her bag. She pauses, pulling out a Polaroid photo, studying it for a moment before breaking out into giggles. “Oh my god, Steve, look—“

“Wh— who took that?” He chuckles, leaning down and over her shoulder for a closer look.

It’s the snapshot Frankie’s grandmother took while they were napping.

“Who do you think?” She admires the picture, laughter dying down. “Nonna’s a sneaky lady when she wants to be.”

“Hey, we’re kinda cute all… squished up together like that while napping.” Steve can’t take his eyes away from the photograph— there’s something so simple, yet meaningful, in a tiny domestic moment like this, frozen in time. He wants this love for as long as he can possibly have and live in it.

The words Steve overheard from Frankie’s grandmother repeat in his head: “Cherish him for as long as life allows.”

He’s got no clue if a wish like the one he made could come true, but even if it never came to be, Steve would still cherish Frankie for as long as life allows, too.

[the-starry-seas]

okay paleo pines (demo) thoughts: there's a tiny bit of stuttering when initially loading the game and in cutscenes, and benches scream when you first touch them. my only real complaint is the absence of quest markers and general 'go here next' tips - which is admittedly a big complaint for a quest-based game. i'm a fan of almost everything else, and really love the dinosaurs, especially lucky

after three hours messing around, I'd give it a good 7/10, and it would be 9/10 if there were quest markers. @merlyn-bane tag since you were interested :)

THE LOADING SCREEN IS A DINOSAUR BEING PET AND WAGGING ITS TAIL I REPEAT WAGGING ITS TAIL

hm the loading screen is also stuttering. concerns are being had about performance.

oh i love this lil blue para on the menu screen! her name is lucky, right?

unexpected options in the character customisation area

oh this baby dinosaur is ADORABLE. cutscene started out a bit choppy but baby in a bubble bath... dancing... i forgive her for making a mess <3

ooh are we moving to a new house? new house!!!

i know i'm supposed to click through the dialogue but i'm sitting and watching lucky's idle animations

nice soundtrack btw

okay i wanna check out the glowy crystal so dialogue it is

SHE DOES HEARTS WHEN YOU PET HER

okay those sounds are adorable

WELL I DIDN'T EAT THEM ALL LMAO

ooh a dreamstone sounds important

kinda wish there were different petting animations

RAPTOR ALERT WE GOT RAPTORS WE GOT RAPTORS REPEAT WE GOT RAPTORS and ooh those feathers are pretty

they've never seen a para???

ooh the journal looks fun. what's the emojis on the calendar though? someone in a hat, and fruit? oh a budding day that sounds fun

oh she can level up! curious about the placement of this spare saddle however cause who does that

hm it'd be cool if there was a map/quest markers but maybe that kicks in after you know more than one place

oh this looks cool

aw you can't pet the wild dinosaurs?

TACOS TACOS TACOS TACOS

are they yelling runes at me what's all that

"don't wander off" i love her unconditionally. but that does not mean i trust her to have an attention span.

ooh i have tools now

wait how do you track a quest

are you not supposed to sit on the benches or is the sci-fi alarm sound a bug. okay i sat down again and no noises so it seems like a one-time bug. okay nvm it happens the first time i sit down on any bench apparently.

I CAN PET BONGO AND THEY DO A LITTLE DANCE

either i'm missing something about notes, or equipping journal and long click doesn't do anything. oh wait i was pressing J instead of getting it out of the inventory nvm

do the signposts not have anything written on them?

seriously though this game NEEDS quest markers of SOME kind

i was thinking fireflies would be cool and you'll never believe what showed up a few minutes later. also the moths around the lanterns are a nice touch.

YES YOU CAN PET PAPRIKA

oh they weren't kidding when they said bedtime

give me quest markers. is there a mod? planned update? can i lay under the devs' desks and make weird crying noises until it gets so awkward they give in just to make me leave?

i started a new day and lucky??? is??? gone??? WHERE'S MY GIRL. BRING HER BACK.

okay i left the ranch and went back and she was waiting at home for me so john wick moment averted

ooh you CAN tame dinosaurs... and it follows you around! cool!

there is no way i could resist getting a pink styracosaurus and naming it strawbebby (i also have a gallomimus named 'flocking this way', iykyk)

[oh-surprise-its-me]

thought abt ron humming them a lullaby to help them sleep (all three of them at some point). cried.

-f

AHH I’m so glad I named you fluffy it’s so fitting.

(I’m so sorry I say that like you’re a cat I brought home and held up like a toddler would to show Phanie.)

-

Chris was wide awake about two days ahead of Tom’s sickness. Knows he won’t be sleeping tonight. Tom finished throwing up a few minutes ago. Nasty bug that went through Jake’s school. Tom is curled in Chris’s arms. Ron is coming back from the bathroom where Tom was throwing up.

He starts humming Frere Jacques. Chris smiles at him. Tom sniffs. Suddenly Chris’s chest is wet. He looks down to see tears rolling down Tom’s face. Tom shakes his head, “fine. Been years since I heard it. Mom sang it to us.” Chris nods. He gets it.

Ron comes closer, he lays back in bed and curls around Tom humming louder. Chris feels his own tears start. He knows it’s from exhaustion. But he loves these two. Can’t believe he got so damn lucky. He slowly goes to sleep listening to the humming.

Ron hears a cry from the other room. He slips out of bet and gets Jake. Little six year old Jake. He scoops the kid up. Might as well let him sleep with them tonight. Jake curls closer in his arms. He starts humming again. Jake slowly goes back to sleep. Ron feels his eyes get wet. He still is shocked that Jake loves him so much and so unconditionally some days.

Knows they would do anything for their kid.

He walks back to their room and lays down. Jake is in his chest with Tom and Chris next to him. He’ll sleep tonight. Just the question of everyone else will.

He stars humming again.

That hould keep them asleep.

[aeoki]

SS Finals - Crown: Chapter 10

Location: ES Dome White Team Waiting Room Characters: Yuzuru & Ibara

Yuzuru: As I’ve said numerous times now…

Please let me confirm the Young Master’s safety with my own eyes. I’ll back down if you’ll allow me to do that.

Ibara: Ugh! Your actions and words contradict each other! I’ve also said this over and over, but I know nothing!

Yuzuru: Shall I tighten that for you?

Ibara: M–My bones! Police, there is a criminal committing a crime of bodily injury here!

Yuzuru: Hehe. You would be the one in a tough spot if the police were to storm in here, no? And no matter what they ask me, I’d just say, “I was just having a friendly scuffle with my friend” ♪

Ibara: Are you one of those abusive bullies or something!? I don’t remember us ever being friends!

Yuzuru: Don’t say such a sorrowful thing, Ibara. Aren’t we friends who went through hell and back together?

Ibara: Okay, I give up, I give up! You’re not supposed to attack your friends when they’re resting and pull a submission wrestling move on them!

Your actions don’t match your words! You’re so irritating!

Yuzuru: (Hmm… Judging by the way Ibara is acting, it seems he really knows nothing. I had thought he would have gained some guts after growing up.)

(But it’s difficult for people’s true nature to change. Ibara will always prioritise himself first.)

(He was a child who was never treasured by anyone, so I suppose that would make sense. The only one to spoil and love him would be Ibara himself.)

(That’s why he will always be thinking about his own interests.)

(No matter how much he is suffering at the hands of others, he’ll easily start confessing if his life is in danger.)

(Just as I had thought, the mastermind behind this incident is not Ibara. If he was involved, he would have acted all cocky in front of me.)

(But he almost looks as though he’s asking me for help…)

Ibara: Enough, you idiot! If you’re going to shut up and think, then do it after you release meeee!

Yuzuru: …Very well. I don’t want to be so close in proximity to you, either.

Ibara: *Pant, wheeze…* I had this thought before, but you’re a strange one, Instructor! I’m surprised you can even live out your days like that!

Yuzuru: Hehe. It would be best for me to lose my humanity if the Young Master is to live a healthy and rich life.

I shall become a cogwheel and selflessly devote myself to him.

Ibara: That’s the weird bit I’m talking about… Isn’t that the life you hated the most?

Yuzuru: It’s rather enjoyable. If anything, you were the one who said you didn’t want to lead a life bowing your head down to others.

You’ve become that very person, no?

Ibara: Hah! I can’t even have a proper conversation with the people who think they’re “below” me – it’s all spoiled children in this modern-day Japan!

They’re just expecting people to prioritise them and do things that will work in their favour, like a parent who loves them!

So I became “that” in order to get what I wanted!

Yuzuru: The thing you want most is someone who would praise and love you unconditionally, right?

Well, in any case, if you don’t hurry up and tell me where the Young Master is, I shall inflict an injury so horrible, you wouldn’t be able to be normal ever again.

Ibara: Dammit, I should’ve planted a bug in this waiting room! I could’ve destroyed you with the recorded evidence!

Yuzuru: If there were such a thing, I’d use the vocal mimicry technique Hibiki-sama taught me to mask my voice. Perhaps I’d use the very voice of “Your Excellency” – the one you’re so attached to.

Ibara: …………

Yuzuru: …What is Nagisa Ran-sama thinking?

Ibara: I don’t have a clue! That’s what I want to know!

Yuzuru: If you don’t know, then who would in this world?

Ibara: Maybe His Highness Hiyori knows? It seems they were the ones who created those “oracles” and were doing other sneaky things behind the scenes.

What an annoyance, truly! The “White Team” had all chances of winning, but thanks to them, we’ve been losing round after round!

“Valkyrie” and “2wink” both lost by a narrow margin! They were fully capable of winning if they were used right!

Ugh, what a waste, what a waste! It makes me anxious watching them so closely! Just why the hell is this happening!?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[flovverworks]

' if you look very closely, ' silkworms and mulberry leaves mere centimeters away from his shining gaze, ' aren't they rather cute? like children, fat and round and always hungry. ' yuyu laughs to himself, the speckling drizzle of it soft and mellifluous. ' there's surely a practitioner out there who can directly communicate with them, and tell each one of their spinning stories. after all, these are no ordinary silkworms. they're highly spiritual, precious gifts given to me by a good friend with a deep love for animals ... i'm confident that you and her would have gotten along well. her presence may be slight, but i'm always reminded of her benevolence, if not her skill. why don't i give you a few brocades, and you can set off into the woods to have something tailored for yourself? tell her it was i who sent for you. she may sigh a little, but despite it, i want to believe she'll be very happy deep down. '

They…don't want to.

Honestly.

They're fine.

But he looks so endearing they push those feelings to the side, and let the admiration for his passion take over. Eyes gazing at the tiny things, trying to view them from the lens of someone like him, who cared for and looked over them. Like any other pet owner loving their partner (there was people who kept bugs after all, they knew that), even if this doubled as his work. He spoke about them in the same way others spoke of their cats, and maybe, in their own bug-like way, they were kind of cute. Not in a way that'd have Akira cooing and gushing or lean close to them, but...in some way.

And lose their gaze on them they do, once he speaks of stories and spirituality. Like magic...is not a comment they'd speak out loud, but there's a nostalgic reminisce to their heartbeat. If these small creatures could tell their story, what would it contain? What would it say? Love, hate, happiness, sadness, friends, family, life, death; what did it all look like, the tale of each of his beloved silkworms.

They want to ask if it's possible if he'll meet such a person one day, if he can tell them all about it, but one amazing thing turns into another. He's too kind. Much, much too kind, and they find themself at a loss for words. They couldn't accept such a gift, something so special, but it's presented as casually as if they're given a cup of tea. There's silkworms. Adored silkworms that are fat and round and always hungry and Akira's so touched they could cry. It's possible it's just any other every-day suggestion, but to Akira it's not.

"I..." they start, collecting their thoughts and looking at the silkworms. If they were to tell their story right now, it'd surely be one of love. Burning brightly and intensely, much more so than the feeling in their own heart, cared for so unconditionally. "I want to go...I would really like to meet her", someone he had confidence they'd get along with, someone he treasured, "and I'm very, very happy, but I can't accept something so precious...instead, next time you go to see her, please call on me. I'd love to accompany you."

[anicekidlikeme]

Do you know how I grew up?

Back when I was dating Peter, I was always aware of just how much he would talk (about his accomplishments, about his friends, and different annecdotes). His stories would go far back as elementry school. I hated it. I know that is a horrible thing to even think as somebody's girlfriend (I knew that then too) but at the time getting myself to like the person I was dating felt like a crushing expectation. How am I supposed to love you unconditionally? How am I supposed to love you at all? Your friends are mean, your music taste is okay, and I cannot stand the way you refuse to walk alongside me.

There was a moment when we were walking to Target to buy Kombucha, and holy shit was I pissed off. Peter would walk ahead of me, constantly, and turn around in tiny spurts to tell me to speed up. Could you please walk with me? I know now that love is definately not supposed to feel like that. It is the easiest thing in the world. Drew walks next to me, always. Even if it means having to slow down his pace (often, also emotionally). He grabs my waist everytime we have to cross a road, or everytime I walk into a room I've never been in before. He has incredible patience. I could hear Drew talk and talk for hours, and just keep wanting to listen to even more stories of his. He teases me about how many times in one day I ask him How was your day?! But I just want to hear you talk!

Anyway, a year ago I would think a lot about Peter and I's out of sync walking. It felt like he was ahead of me often. Especially when he told stories. I would sit at the dinnertable with his family and just listen most nights to him sharing annecdotes. About Sam, Adam and Holden, about Miss Gurb from Middle School, and about going to house-shows with Isabella. I would think holy fucking shit, how can you remember all that? How do you have so many happy stories to tell?

The earliest my memory goes to is sometime before 3rd grade when my mom was texting my father on her Nokia, and my uncle had been bugging her all day about selling their Dad's house. I realized then how easy it is to just block out undesirable moments out of your memory. Forget about them completely so they are never to be spoken of, and better yet, never to be remembered. After that, it is a blur. I don't have any stories to tell from growing up, all I remember is how some days felt. There was never enough room where we lived post-divorce, always too many angry people, always too many bugs, and always so many fights in this tiny one- bedroom apartment we shared with 8 other people. My mom told me that I was once in the hospital for 6 months. I had no fucking clue that happened. I still dont.

If I told somebody that I slept most nights of my childhood on a purple straw mat (yes, no bed. not even a mattress), they would probably be so fucking confused. But it is true. And it happened, and it is not a very tell-able tale. Not like Peter's atleast. I am trying to think of other things that happened but I am noticing myself getting fatigued. It's too hard, and there is a big lock on that door. Let's not bother. It is much easier to say Im doing well now. Oh, she sucks and he's dead.

So if you were to ask me how I grew up, I would tell you I have no fucking idea. I dont know how I grew up. Bitter and scary and mean, is probably what my friends from high school would say. Unfortunately, as a result of me changing as a person, I had to quit talking to them. I couldn't find it in me to say, hey guys, I'm in America now so I've decided to be a completely new person. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be this person I was anymore. It's not their fault, and it is not mine.

I am now very emotional (something I was very very afraid of, and am still coming to terms with), very silly, not obsessed with being smart anymore (I'm surprised by that one too), and very very Vaibhavi. Everyone calls me Vai, and I hate it. I want to shout at them, and instruct them to call me Vaibhavi. That is who I am! I am intensely focused now on the memories I make, even if they are bad ones. I dont want to forget anything. I don't want to forget my fights with Fawwaz, or my sick days with Drew, or my secret-spilling sessions with Atharva. I dont want to forget when I had awfully pink hair, or when I was friends with people I hated. I want to have stories, and I love the stories I have now. I am obsessed with getting engaged, because then I will have a family. A family I like, a family to tell stories about when I am asked so, tell me about your family.

A family to love, a family of two. Definately not one with Peter, but I wish him luck. I really do. We are both good people with so many differences, and my hope is that he finds someone to cherish them. I know I did (and god, is Drew a sight for sore eyes).

I have no idea how I grew up, but there was a tent in a balcony. Don't know which one, we have moved too many times.

[trannydykepuppybot]

I hate seeing people talk about how they're critical of identities they don't understand. Why can't we stop trying to police each other? People are protective of certain terms. I get it. But the same words can mean different things to everyone. We're all just trying to use the resource available to us to be as true to ourselves as we can, but we're acting like idiots in superhero movies throwing each other through the walls of the ship they're in. (That always bugs me so much.) What happened toradical accpetance? We're gentrifying a movement that was supposed to be un gentrifyible. "It makes me uncomfortable when people use this term because of what it means to me. "Think about how you sound!" There are people who feel uncomfortable to hear me call myself a woman. They insist I'm devaluing their experiences as one. But I AM a woman, and it's not my job to conform to their language and deny myself my identity for their comfort. If you don't ike how someone uses terms like lesbian, nonbinary, or whatever, ask yourself, who does the word really belong to, you? Where did you get it? How could you possibly own it? I'm honestly embaressed by how ignorant I am about our history, but I remember reading about the ways queer people in the 90s described their genders It was crass, disorganized, and beautiful. I remember reading a wonderful post by @vaspider about how we need to remember that there's no such thing as an accetable faggot. It's all of us or none of us. These words don't belong to anyone. They mean so much to so many people. Some mean everything to me. But the words we use have a purpose. They exist to help us realize ourselves. Even the slurs can become a part of that. I adore reclaiming slurs because we can make them whatever we want. Words are weapons, tools, boxes, and so much besides. Let them do good for everyone. Love each other. At the end of the day, what really matters is unconditionally supporting each other because everyone should be able to be themselves and it really is all of us or none of us. Please don't fight.

Fuck, this really did start as just a dumb joke about sensitive tops.

Tops in their pinned posts will really be like, "I'm a tough, skilked top, unapologetically queer, accepting, also I'm critical of he/him lesbians and people with 'unusual' sexualities and I think if you like BDSM you need therapy." And then bottoms will be like, "all identities are valid! Fuck me within an inch of my life uwu."

(Wow, I started typing the tags and shit got out of hand. Love each other.)

The tags are out of order! Aaahhha.

[s1utspeare]

'You're burning up' or 'Do you know how pale you look right now?' with Hei Xiazi and his ducklings (or Heihua of you want to)

HIS DUCKLINGS!!!!! not me sobbing about the ducklings i love them (i'm assuming u mean the sha hai kids and if so HERE YA GO!)

(also these ficlets are now cross-posted to ao3!)

Send me a prompt and some characters and I'll write some whump!

Alright, fine. At this point he's a glorified babysitter. He knows that, because someone needs to look after the three kids that they've somehow adopted into the Jiumen-Adjacent-Wu-Xie-Harem-Squad (Hei Xiazi is part of the "Squad" and nothing else. Especially not the harem. That's everyone else's job), and Wu Xie sure as fuck isn't responsible enough for that, and everyone else is worse. Maybe not Wang Pangzi. He could probably do a good enough job as a babysitter, because he has to look after Wu Xie's stupid ass all the time, but that also means he's got his hands full looking after Wu Xie's stupid ass all the time, and that really is a full-time occupation.

Hei Xiazi had adopted one kid. Maybe two, if you count that time he and Li Cu spent in the desert, but that was more like nannying, because Wu Xie had left his infant to wander around by himself and someone had to keep the kid from getting bitten by snakes, so Hei Xiazi doesn't count him. He has Su Wan, and Su Wan is the only child that he will take full responsibility for. It's why he's putting so much effort into training him; he won't have anyone saying that his kid is the least well-behaved out of the three, though that isn't hard, because Li Cu is like Wu Xie but Feral, and Huo Daofu's brat has apparently learned too well from him, because he's just as much of a bitch.

(Hei Xiazi will call a child a bitch. He absolutely will. Bitchery transcends age, and Yang Hao is only not a bitch to his two best friends, and even that's a mixed bag on the best of days.)

He knows that they aren't kids, really. Except they are. Well, they're teenagers, but Hei Xiazi is old enough that anyone under the age of thirty is practically a baby. They know nothing. None of them. Not a single goddamn thing.

It's what got them into this mess in the first place.

Okay. He won't blame them too much, because really, it's not their fault that their immune systems are weak as shit. Hei Xiazi has centuries of catching illnesses and fighting them off and he's immune to pretty much anything viral at this point. He's even had smallpox, which sucked ass. Now, though, he will never get smallpox again. Neither will the babies, because they're all vaccinated. Hei Xiazi got vaccinated in the way that builds character, i.e. nearly dying.

It had been a lovely family tomb outing, with Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi and Hua-er and Hei Xiazi and all three kids, and then Li Cu had picked up some bacterial infection from a fucking zombie or other form of dead body or something, and given it to the other two, because they all share a tent, and now they’re all sick as hell. And since Hei Xiazi is the only one who can't catch this bitch of a bug, he's playing nursemaid, which is a lot more complicated than he had originally expected, because this disease is unpleasant, to say the least. Huo Daofu, who hadn't come on the trip, is now watching all of the other adults in their quarantine; they think that they’ve prevented them from catching the thing too, but it's too early to tell.

They're all at Wushanju, and Hei Xiazi is with the boys in one half of the house, while the others have been sequestered to the other. This is good, because while the sickness might not have killed Wu Xie, Hei Xiazi would have after the man attempted to come and see the kids for the seventh time after expressly being told no.

(It's times like these especially that Hei Xiazi wishes that Zhang Qiling were still topside. As uncooperative a bastard as he was, he was probably the only one in the world that Wu fucking Xie would listen to unconditionally.)

The sickness is one that Hei Xiazi remembers picking up when he had first started tomb raiding, and it's not even quite an illness, either. It's more like nightmare fuel, where the victim's fever climbs so high that they start hallucinating, pretty badly, but it also does something to the nerves that doesn't allow passing out, so the patient is conscious the entire time, and not happy about it.

The only upside is that it runs its course in a few days, typically, and mostly isn't fatal. The villagers that Hei Xiazi had stayed with when he had it had called it the Waking Sickness, and it had not been fun, so he knows what the kids are dealing with.

They're going on day two right now, which means that there should only be about twelve to sixteen more hours of hallucinations. The sickness had started out as just a fever and shakiness, and Hei Xiazi had recognized the symptoms in time to get everyone back from the tomb, but this was when the illness was the worst, and he was steeling himself to deal with the next few hours of hell.

It had started out with Li Cu shivering even in ninety degree weather, and not from fear. Eventually, he had been shaking so hard that Su Wan had taken to holding him in an attempt to get him to still, but then he’d started jumping at shadows, and then finally, Yang Hao had said, very carefully, “Do you guys see the shadow people too?” 

And then Hei Xiazi had said fuck that, and herded them all back to civiliazation, and banished Wu Xie and all his damn husbands to one side of the house and made a blanket nest for his kids on the other. And they’ve been fairly good with that; he’s only had to deal with Su Wan trying to escape twice, but Yang Hao and Li Cu seem alright with staying in the mound that Hei Xiazi had created. Maybe their fever-addled brains can sense that it’s safe, and they don’t want to try and leave, which is good. Hei Xiazi can keep an eye on them better that way. 

He’s returning from the supplies that Huo Daofu has left outside the wing they’re in, along with a note that says, Everyone’s fine. No one else is sick. Xie Yuchen says hello, which Hei Xiazi knows actually means Get the kids better quick so I can jump your bones, babe. He loves his Hua-er. 

He’s got water bottles and packages of applesauce with straws attached to them, to see if he can get the boys to eat something, but when he returns to where he’d left all of them, he realizes that there’s a much bigger fucking problem to deal with. 

The three all have different ways of dealing with the nightmares, and none of them are really surprising, considering their personalities. Yang Hao’s is probably the most heartbreaking, because he goes quiet, his eyes big and dewy, as he stares at things that no one else can see, tears silently tracking down his face. Hei Xiazi is most worried about him being dehydrated, cause he doesn’t think the kid has stopped crying since they got back to the house, and that’s a lot of waterworks. Not even Wu Xie’s silly intern cries that much (is Kan Jian still an intern? Hei Xiazi doesn’t know). Fortunately, Yang Hao also likes hugs in this state, apparently, so all Hei Xiazi has to do is latch him onto one of the others, preferably Su Wan, and he’ll limpet himself to them until the current nightmare ceases, the dream breaks for just a moment, and then the cycle starts over again.

Li Cu’s reactions would be almost funny if he didn’t sound so terrified. He’s loud and angry, yelling at people that aren’t there, lunging at anything that moves and trying to fight invisible assailants. His voice is going to give out before too long, and Hei Xiazi is almost surprised that it hasn’t already, because the kid is loud as hell. In all honestly, he’s shocked that Yang Hao and Su Wan haven’t shied away from him, but he supposes that whatever they’re seeing in the hallucinations is scarier than a scrawny, twiggy teenager shouting at nothing. Hei Xiazi has found that he’s also protective, and will wrap himself around Yang Hao and snarl if the other teen decides to cling onto him, and snaps at Hei Xiazi whenever he tries to touch Su Wan, which is unpleasant, but Hei Xiazi has dealt with far more feral creatures, himself included. 

(Okay, and maybe he can see why Wu Xie is so distressed that he would try and break free of their self-imposed imprisonment; if he could hear his charge screaming from across the house, there’s very little he wouldn’t do to keep from getting to him.)

Su Wan is the problem child, though Hei Xiazi has tried to keep that very thing from happening. He has no idea why Su Wan reacts the way he does, he just knows that whatever Su Wan is seeing, it causes him to run away. Given that his fever is boiling his brain, he can’t get very far, but that doesn’t mean that Hei Xiazi is spared a small heart attack whenever he comes back and finds his kid missing from the pile. 

Which is where he’s at right now. Yang Hao is pressed as tightly as he can to one side of the blankets, hands wrapped tight in the folds of fabric; Li Cu is half-hanging out of the bundle, too weak to actually get up, but yelling at the wall nonetheless, which would be very threatening if he were any more coherent. But Su Wan, his unfortunate, loveable mishap, is nowhere to be found.

“Damnit,” Hei Xiazi says out loud, quickly scooping Li Cu back into the blankets and pushing him towards Yang Hao, who whimpers as Li Cu’s yelling gets closer to him. Li Cu seems to remember that oh yeah, he has someone to protect, and immediately plants himself in front of Yang Hao, spitting insults at whoever he’s hallucinating right now. Yang Hao grabs onto his shoulder and pulls him closer, and doesn’t seem inclined to let go anytime soon. 

Hei Xiazi will worry about hydrating them in a minute. He has to find Su Wan first. 

“Hey, Su Wan?” he calls. “Xiao Yanjing?” It’s embarrassing, yeah, fuck off Hua-er, but he’d started calling Su Wan that in his head, and had let it slip once the day before, and Su Wan had stopped struggling to escape from him and looked up at Hei Xiazi with luminous eyes, and allowed himself to be led back to bed. Hei Xiazi doesn’t know what feelings he has about that, but they’re warm ones. 

He wanders through the hallways, calling out for his student every so often, and then finally, as he’s passing by one of the guest rooms, he spots movement near the window. 

Su Wan is standing next to it, his hands pressed to the glass as though he’s trying to get out. He’s saying something, mumbling it under his breath over and over again, and Hei Xiazi has to get very close to hear it. 

“Hei-ye,” he’s saying, “Hei-ye, come back. Don’t leave me here.” He looks around, winces, brushes something imaginary from his arms. “It’s dark.” 

Ah shit. Another Gutongjing flashback, then. Fantastic. 

He comes at Su Wan from the side, making sure to speak before he touches him so that hopefully Su Wan won’t be as freaked out, but it doesn’t work. Su Wan still reals back when Hei Xiazi’s arms close around his shoulders. 

“It’s okay, Xiao Yanjing,” he says. “I haven’t left you. You’re not there anymore.” 

Su Wan’s eyes aren’t focused on him. His head lolls over to the window again. “Hei-ye?” 

“Right here, kid,” Hei Xiazi sighs, bringing the back of his palm to Su Wan’s forehead. “Shit, you’re burning up. Still. You need to rest, idiot, not go wandering around Wusahnju. The way Wu Xie keeps this place, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got literal tomb traps lying around here.” 

Su Wan doesn’t give any acknowledgement that he hears him. “I want to get out.” 

“I know,” Hei Xiazi says. “I know.” He gently turns Su Wan around to lead him back to the other two. “Hey, why don’t we go find your friends? I’m sure they’d like to have you back.” 

“Ya Li?” Su Wan mumbles, and then, quicker than Hei Xiazi can catch him (which is really fast, actually, since his reflexes are actually better than anyone else’s on earth—okay, no, he supposes that Zhang Rishan’s would be better. Zhang Qiling’s too, but he’s not technically on the Earth, so Hei Xiazi will happily put himself in second place), he darts in the direction of the courtyard, calling LI Cu’s nickname as he goes. 

“Shit,” Hei Xiazi says, running after him, and he’s still faster than Su Wan, so he’s able to catch up with him and grab him by the arm before he falls and hurts himself. “Su Wan! Stop!” 

Su Wan struggles, his voice breaking into a sob. “Let go! Let go! Ya Li!” He twists, trying to break free, but Hei Xiazi is ready for that, and pulls him back, wrapping his arms around Su Wan’s front to hold him in place. “Ya Li!” 

“Stop,” Hei Xiazi says to him, “Stop, it’s okay. It’s okay.” It takes a few minutes of whispering reassurances, but eventually Su Wan sobs and goes limp in his hold, knees nearly giving out, but Hei Xiazi keeps him upright. 

“That’s it,” he says. “I’ve got you.” He waits for Su Wan to calm down a little bit, then picks him up slightly, making sure his feet are under him at least somewhat before he half-leads, half-carries him back to the bedroom. 

He realizes it’s surprisingly quiet the closer they get, and takes the last few steps in a run, but when they get inside, he realizes that Yang Hao and Li Cu are fine, still there, still breathing. They’re just asleep, Li Cu lying on his back with his arms and legs splayed, and Yang Hao glued to his side, head lying on his arm. They look nice, and peaceful, for once, and Hei Xiazi remembers what the village doctor had said about the Waking Sickness: When they’re able to sleep, the worst is over. 

Sure enough, Su Wan climbs into the blanket mound when Hei Xiazi deposits him there, going to Li Cu’s other side and yawning, blinking up at Hei Xiazi slowly. His cheeks are still bright, and when Hei Xiazi checks his forehead again, he’s still feverish, but for that moment, he’s coherent enough to murmur, “Hei-ye?” 

“Right here,” Hei Xiazi says. “Always here.” 

Su Wan nods, then turns his head so that he’s gazing and Li Cu and Yang Hao. A small smile crosses his face, and then he tucks his nose into Li Cu’s neck, snuffling gently, and goes to sleep. 

Hei Xiazi sighs heavily, sitting on the floor and reaching for one of the water bottles. Fuck the sick ones; he needs to be hydrated if he’s going to keep up with them. 

Still. The worst is over. 

[hpalways]

The Signature || Zhongli

Yandere! Zhongli x Reader

Please make sure not romanticize toxic relationships. I do not condone this behavior whatsoever. 

AMBER eyes were stuck on you, never once leaving your form. They belonged to the Geo Archon, Zhongli, the attractive man you befriended not too long ago. His long ebony hair had left its hair tie, drooping loosely over his shoulder like a soft waterfall as he rested his hands on the surface of the desk -- the desk in which you were forced to sit at. 

In front was a long piece of parchment, handwritten by the male delicately. On it stated:

An agreement that [Y/N] will stay by Zhongli’s side forever. The signer will not speak, look, or stand near anyone other than Zhongli. The signer will be cherished, so they will also have to cherish the other party. They will enjoy their lives to the fullest, as long as they do not step out of line and make sure to follow the rules laid out to them. 

[Y/N] will never stop loving Zhongli. They will speak of topics in interest to both parties. They will drink tea and spend mora for the two of them. They will unconditionally love Zhongli. They will love Zhongli. Zhongli will love them. For an infinite amount of time. Forever and always. Always. 

They will never die. They can not die. 

DO NOT EVER DIE.

Punishment will come if they dare break the contract. The signer knows what this means. 

Signed: _____________

The hand on the pen was gripped so hard, your knuckles had turned white and it shook. Your breath was shallow; A headache began to pound. His eyes would never leave. You were his priority now. Every action was a ticking bomb -- anything could set him off easily. 

You didn’t want to fucking sign it. You knew it was a death trap, but did you have a choice? Not really. 

Zhongli noticed your torn expression, so he tilted his head with a quiet hum. “Is it that hard to sign something?” he stated coolly, his gloved hand brushing over yours. The leathered feeling sent shivers down your spine, and it took everything not to cringe away. 

“I was just… thinking,” you murmured. He raised his brows slightly, quickly interested by your words. Maybe you could buy some time and figure a plan out to leave this room unscath. Luckily enough, the God of Geo was a man who often went on tangents. “I was thinking about the first day we met. You made me pay for your tea at the teahouse.”

He nodded eagerly, stroking the bottom of his chin in thought. “Why, yes. I can remember that day as clear as the skies of Liyue. The tea made for me was quite striking. Made of violetgrass and it tasted delightfully smooth too. Then you came in and made it taste even better. You were all dirtied from battle, seeking for a nice drink to be refreshed on. It caught my attention immediately, but when you offered to pay for me, I knew you were the one.”

He described the meeting in a dreamlike tone, oblivious to the jarring reality that sank its teeth on everyone like a poisonous snake. You shouldn’t have paid for him that day; you shouldn’t have even made eye contact and spoken to him. This was the consequences to your failure of judgment. You could only now sow what you reap. 

He swerved around the desk, growing ever closer to you until he was right next to you. His warm breath hit the side of your face, the smell of soft mint wafting up your senses. “Now… let’s not get off track here. Sign this, my love. I promise you it’s not that hard.”

Dammit. He was too focused on the contract that you barely had the time to brainstorm. Nothing was coming to mind. 

Footsteps echoed throughout the office of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. You turned around in desperation, hoping it was someone who could save you from such a situation. There, stood a merchant, his hand holding advertisements to his stalls.

“Hello, I’ve come to--”

When his eyes landed on you, the figure beside you had made his move. Zhongli grabbed his polearm and with a clean swipe, beheaded the speaking man. The body-less head made a perfect, slow arc in the air before dropping to the ground with a sickening crunch. You let out a gasp, panting raspily in shock, stomach twisting within itself in nausea at the sight. What… just happened? That man just died. Oh god. Oh fucking goodness. You suddenly realized something. Help wasn’t ever going to come. No one could best Zhongli. He was a god! 

“Why did you… do that?” you choked out, gulping down the huge lump in your throat. As a pyro vision user, you had your fair share of witnessing deaths. But this was wrong. Someone innocent died for coming into this room. On account of you. He died because of you. 

“On the contract it’s stated that you cannot look at someone. Besides, he interrupted our moment.”

“I haven’t even signed the contract yet!” you cried out in hysteria. This was a nightmare. An absolute nightmare. 

“Oh,” he said, blinking in surprise. “That’s right. You haven’t. Well, this serves as a warning.”

You could never leave him. Trapped in a glass box within all corners, you were to be suffocated by his presence forever. There didn’t need to be a contract; you were already in one. He would kill your loved ones if you didn’t -- he knew of the weakness humans had, for he lived long enough to observe. He had guilt tripped, blamed you for it all, and knew that you would indeed succumb. The deaths were caused by your actions, painting you in red of a blood bath. 

The pen made its move. Ink bled into the paper, marking it as a tattoo. Indeed. This was permanent. It would continue to haunt you for the rest of your life. The writing was barely legible, pressed down so hard it became jagged like shards. 

[Y/N] [L/N] was finally written on the goddamn page. 

Gods were so selfish. They truly didn’t like to share-- whether that’d be war, the world, or the love of their life. If only you had known beforehand. 

“This is marvelous,” he exclaimed, his expression brightening up. He looked so joyous at the signature, lapping it up like a starved dog. His reaction was so unnerving, especially since the dead body was still in the room, rotting away like the corpse it was. Disgusting. Your hands and his were bloodied and he had no shame. “[Y/N]...” He raised your limp hand and kissed the back of it. “I love you. We shall be bound by this contract. Know that I will protect you, no matter the cost.”

You stayed silent. He was trying to make it romantic, but this entire thing was surreal to you. Either he was ignoring your lack of response on purpose or he did not notice. Tucking the contract away into the pockets of his brown, gorgeous coat, he eyed his hair. 

“Tie my hair, my dear. I’ve always wanted to feel your warm hands on me.”

You nodded robotically in response, getting up from your seat to reach the towering male. His cheeks flustered when your fingers weaved into his soft strands. But it was cold. They felt like weaving spider webs, ready to entrap a poor bug victim into its complex trap. That was what you were. Every second spent was eating you away, until you were nothing but dust.

[angstymarauder]

His Time of the Month {R.L}

Remus Lupin x Female!reader      

summary: You know about your boyfriends lycanthropy and you love him regardless, but sometimes the words he speaks on the days leading up to the full moon still hurt. A lot.  

word count: 1.1k

contains: angst, troubles with self-worth, mean remus (but like he doesn't want to be he just cant help it), slight mention of blood, (no happy ending but im making a part 2) 

a/n: this scenario has been roaming around in my head for a while so im gunna write it. also i don’t proof read lol sorry besties. also italics mean flashback

part 2

You had messed up. 

A small slip-up. Normally it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but Remus was on edge. It was the night before the full moon and his emotions were fragile, very easily annoyed. 

You were pulling a prank with the marauders, something you’ve been doing more and more often since you started dating Remus and you loved it.

The joy of seeing people's annoying faces, the thrill of trying not to get caught, the nights you and Remus had spent locked in hallway closets to avoid Filch.

You’ve told each other so many secrets in those moments. Just the two of you together in the dark, pushed up against one another, breaths intertwining, whispered confessions, and soft giggles. It was in one of those moments where Remus told you about his lycanthropy, you can remember the event so clearly in your mind...

You could tell that something was wrong with him. It had been for a week or two now, there was something he wanted to tell you and he was holding it in. So when you finally got him alone in a hiding spot that the two of you would probably have to spend the night in, you opened up the dialogue. “Okay,” you whispered, peering up at his face as you sat across from him, your legs locked together due to the lack of space, “What’s been bugging you?” His response was only a hum of confusion, looking up from his hands to your face. You raised your eyebrow at him, silently saying “don’t play with me.”

He groaned and looked back at his hands, fiddling with his fingers and avoiding the conversation, “s’nothing.” He was nervous, anxious, you could tell and all you wanted to do was help. Remus had been such a kind and caring boyfriend for you and you just wanted to be the same for him. So you reached out and grabbed his hands with yours, causing his eyes to look back up at yours.

“What’s wrong, hun” your voice seemed to soothe him as his shoulders shrugged slightly.

“I have something to tell you, but I’m worried you may not like me after it.”

You give him a small smile, “there is nothing you can say that will change how I feel about you Remus Lupin, I love you, you know that?” His only response was another grumble as he moved his eyes to focus on your intermingling hands. “How about this,” you spoke again, an idea coming into your head, “I’ll tell you something really deep and vulnerable about myself. Something I’m scared to tell you.” he looked back up at you, “and then if you feel comfortable after that to tell me whatever's going on in that big brain of yours, then you can.”

“Are you sure?” he said, voice softer than you’ve ever heard it before, his eyes staring into yours with the love and admiration that you hope your eyes replicate.

“I trust you, Remus,” you lean forward to peck his lips, “and I love you.”

You went on to tell him your biggest insecurities. How when you were young you were constantly verbally abused and told that you weren’t good enough. You told him about how you’ve been working so hard to build up your confidence, a task he unknowingly has made such a large impact in that process, but that even though you’re getting better some days are worse than others. Healing isn't linear and you know that, but some days you spend staring out the window questioning your worth and wondering if you're good enough. You make so many mistakes all the time, small things that don’t matter to anyone else but make you feel like a shit person. You spilled your heart out to this man and he spilled his out back.

The two of you accepted each other unconditionally and your love only grew stronger after that night, which is why it hurt you so much when he began attacking your insecurities out of anger over a small mistake. You can’t even remember what you did wrong, but there stood your boyfriend in front of you, screaming at you with a wave of anger you’ve never heard before. “You’re so fucking stupid y/n! Merlin, you can’t do anything right can you!”

Tears were already spilling down your face, your eyes burning with each droplet. “You don’t mean that!” you spoke, “please don’t say things like that they really hurt,” you took a cautious step forward, hands outstretched in surrender. You’ve gotten into arguments with Remus like this before, his lycanthropy insistent on ruining your relationship, but you’re stubborn and you love Remus more than anything so you insist on never leaving an argument like this - unresolved and in pain. “Rem, baby,” you kept your tone soft but you couldn’t help the cracking in it from the tears, “I know you’re only saying these kinds of things because the moon is tomorrow, just please take a deep breath and c-” you took another small step forward, but he wouldn't let you get to him. His long fingers tugged on his hair as he took a step away from you, “don’t you fucking blame this on me!” he screamed, “don’t blame my lycanthropy on your inability to do anything right.” You let your hands fall to your sides and begin backing up eager to leave the situation, you love Remus but his words are cutting too deep right now for you to stand here and take them. He couldn’t stop his words even if he tried, once they started coming they didn’t stop. “Merlin, you’re so fucking dumb, I don’t even know why we invited you to help out on such a big prank! I knew you’d ruin it!”

It was like he took a knife straight to your heart. The heart whose gates opened up just for him. The heart whose walls he broke down piece by piece. The heart he’s held in his hand and lulled to sleep. The heart he’s kissed and cuddled and laughed with. The heart that you now felt bleeding all over the West Tower floor.

You wouldn’t be surprised if you looked down and saw a puddle of blood surrounding your feet at that moment, but you didn’t care to look. Your back finally hitting the stone wall you spoke once more, “Fuck you Lupin,” a venomous tone laced with the tears of heartbreak.

Those were the last words he heard you speak before you slammed the door shut behind you, leaving him to his own thoughts and regrets.

part 2

[twillightteaparty]

Twisted Wonderland Characters With An Asexual S/o! Part 4!!

I don't think if you told me when I made the first one that it would be made in to a series of posts for all the characters that'd I believe you. But here we are Anyways :D

Trey~ <3

boundaries? respected! Communication? on fucking point! always respectful and understanding. Does what he can to make you comfortable in the relationship. I can only imagine the sound track being one of those Playlist of " pov aesthetic vibes falling in love" or something

This man's love languages really do be acts of service and like quality time so like all you really gotta do is communicate and spend time with him and I think he'll basically love you forever especially if you do just little things to make his day easier ✨💛✨ he'll swoon

With that's said he'll also effortlessly sweep you off your feet has he spoils you with affection and does all sorts of things for you to have a smooth as possible day. It's never anything grand but he does what he can to make you the happiest he can.

Trey appreciates you all around, just wants you to know he loves you all the same and just wants to spend a lot of time with you on like dates or just the two of you on the couch next to each other. He wants to be there for you and let you know he'll be there for as long as time will allow him

Sebek~ <3

I said once before that I refuse to believe the fae have the same concept of gender, so I'll say now that I refuse to believe the fae have the same concept of sexuality. So I think sebek would be a little confused at first maybe as some questions but after he'd be like that's fine and cool I just kinda want to live my life by your side if that's alright?

Most certainly asks to make sure its alright if he does something, probably always double checking boundaries in case they've changed or something. But I think he'd just like to hold your hand, maybe a little bit a hug if it's allowed. But most importantly any time he can spend he'll spend it with you and if not it's probably because he's making you something as a surprise. Something sincere and from the heart

After a night of dancing I imagine stepping out under the stars for some fresh air, to bask in the moonlight. Stargazing as the best way to end an date that was completely enchanting, as dawn approaches he quite litteraly sweeps you off your feet to carry you back to his dorm room so the two of you can maybe get some sleep before having be functional for the day.

Domestic soft house spouse sebek? Domestic soft house spouse sebek.

Ruggie~ <3

Man's don't care, I'd think for as long as he gets cuddles for the rest of time he'll be happy. Does he get to spoil you with affection? Gifts? He's content with just that he won't push you past any boundaries your not comfortable with. But I do think he is a cuddle bug so just keep that in mind.

Quality time is also big for him I imagine he goes out of his way to plan and schedule time to spend with you. Anything from cuddles and movies, studying together, to even setting up a whole water gun fight. Ruggie has the best date ideas, absolutely the most fun of dates and like God damn are they good dates.

Pure utter adoration for his s/o man just wants to give them smooches on the cheek, and be showered in praise. I'm starting to think that Ruggie love language is yes to all of them just wants to be be loved, taken care of and to take care of you.

Would be your 1950s house wife if it means he doesn't have to work a nine to five job (joke?) I'm just trying to say he'd do anything he can for you in the way of like making dinner and running a bath for you and all that jazz. Spoil you rotten if you will.

Cater~ <3

He just gets it?? Like 100% cool with it, supportive and an ally! Askes what your comfortable with and will ask if there is anything he should avoid. Will love you unconditionally all the same.

Coffee dates are his go to and will try to make you laugh by making funny fake facial hair with latte foam. Hopeless romantic that would write a song for you and sing it to you sincerely from the heart.

If you encourage him to do more photography besides just selfies I hope your prepared to be his model and mues then. He strikes me as the person to cuddle with and he'll show you photos of things and talk about his day and so on. So even if you guys weren't hanging out together that day you generally have an Idea of what he's been up to.

Let him cherish you dang it, let him tell you how much he loves you for you and how much he loves spending time with you. I suggest also showering him in affection and love back of course.

---

1. I look at trey and all I can hear is Fly me to the moon

2. Cater but it's just "is this heaven or Carter's Instagram"

3. Its very fun for me to write things for sebek but sometimes I have to remember to not bully him jokingly

4. Any unanswered asks are on the way so fear not.

Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six