#Inside the thoughts of a thief (Musing)

[atlabeth]

table thief

pairing: spencer reid x fem!reader

summary: spencer's routine, thoughts, and plans are thrown off by a girl he meets at his favorite cafe --- not necessarily in that order.

a/n: i dont know where this came from but uh. enjoy this lil fluffy blurb! ill get to those 3k requests sometime. set during spence's time at caltech

wc: 1.6k

warning(s): none, all fluff

Spencer’s mind is a whirlwind of information while he stands in line at his usual coffee shop, trying to keep everything in order as he goes over everything he needs to get done. It’s a particularly busy afternoon for him, hence his coming here directly after class instead of stopping by his dorm. 

There’s a research paper for him to finish, office hours to make for his most elusive professor to get some questions answered—why she only has them open for two hours on Wednesdays, Spencer has no idea—a thousand papers to grade for the class he’s a TA for, and naturally, a coffee to give him the energy for the rest of what is going to be a long night. 

Of course, he knows he should probably try and do it without caffeine—it’s one of the most popular drugs in the world, and most people live in ignorance of their obvious addiction to it—but Spencer has decided to forgo some caution in the name of getting all his work done. 

He doesn’t really have a choice, honestly. He’s planned out this whole day meticulously, much like every other day. He packed his bag with everything he would need for the rest of the day so he wouldn’t have to make the aforementioned stop at his dorm, he picked the line with the barista that has never gotten his order wrong—and, he’s realized over numerous trips to this shop, is the fastest in the entire cafe—and his usual table is big enough to hold all of his books and papers. 

But as Spencer finishes pouring in his last bit of sugar, he realizes his meticulous plan is foiled before he can even take the first sip. 

Because his table is taken. 

The table he sat at the first time he stopped in here before class and the table he has sat at every other time since, the table that has honestly become a part of his routine and is the only one big enough for all of the work he has to get done this afternoon, is taken by some woman wearing a Caltech sweatshirt and reading a book. You’ve got your own thermos in front of you, so at least you care about the environment, but that thought doesn’t stop the flareup of annoyance inside of him. 

You have to be a student, and you have to be his age, and you have to either be oblivious or have a whole lot of nerve because Spencer has seen you around campus and in this coffee shop before. That means you know this is his table and you still took it anyway. 

“That’s my table,” Spencer says, and after it leaves his mouth he’s able to hear how stupid he sounds. It’s a table in a public coffee shop. Of course he has no claim to it—just because it’s obvious to him doesn’t mean it’s obvious to you. You probably didn’t even know. 

You look up from your book, and the second stupid thought to hit him is how pretty you are. “I know.”

He frowns. He can’t think that table thieves are pretty, especially ones with apparent malicious and knowledgeable intent. “You— you know?”

You nod. “I’m here almost as much as you are, Mr. Reid.”

“Doctor Reid,” he corrects, almost on instinct. 

Your eyebrows rise. “Doctor?”

“I have two PhDs,” he explains, though he feels even more stupid doing so as he gets on the edge of stammering. “I’m working on a third. Chemistry.”

“And already I know more about you in a minute than I’ve gotten in the past month,” you muse. “That’s why I took your table, Doctor Reid.”

Spencer frowns even more. “You took my table so I could tell you about my PhDs?”

“So I could get an excuse to talk to you,” you correct. Your smile grows a bit and you huff a quiet laugh, more to yourself than anything. “You’re a little intimidating.”

That gets him completely, his brows furrowing deeper yet. “I— I’m intimidating?”

“Well, yeah,” you say. “You’re a gorgeous guy who always looks like he’s got something to do, so I never wanted to interrupt you. But I really wanted to ask you out, so I finally decided to take matters into my own hands.”

Spencer feels like his brain is short circuiting. He’s still stuck on the intimidating comment, and he’s still kind of annoyed that you took his table, but you specifically went out of your way to get his attention and now you’re calling him gorgeous— 

Just who the hell are you? 

“You’re not busy, are you?” He’s drawn out of his head temporarily as you speak again, dazzling smile still on display. “I would get it if you were. I mean, third PhD and all.”

“No,” he says immediately, shaking his head far too rapidly, “no— no, I’m not busy.”

He just has a whole lot of work to do, work that he came specifically to this cafe to do, but you’re throwing him off of everything in the first five seconds of knowing each other. 

“Wonderful.” Your smile grows and Spencer feels his face grow hot. He finds his annoyance quickly fading, replaced with some mix of confusion and interest and embarrassment. “If you’ve got the time, I’d love to sit down and talk some. Get to know you a bit.”

And again, Spencer hardly even knows what to say. He— he doesn’t talk to girls. Girls don’t talk to him. But here you are, stealing his table and flashing pretty smiles and wanting to get to know him— wanting to ask him out. It’s all so absurd that a part of him thinks he might just be dreaming, but he’s sure he’s fully conscious. 

“Why?” he blurts out, and he would be even more embarrassed if it wasn’t such a genuine question. 

You give him a wry look. “Why what?” 

“Wh— why would you want to get to know me?” Spencer stammers. “There’s more than 2,000 other students here. There’s almost 40 million people in California. I’m no one.”

“You are Doctor Spencer Reid,” you say, looking him right in the eye. “You drink your coffee with an absurd amount of sugar and cream, you always seem to be in a hurry, you’re one of the most beautiful guys I’ve ever seen, and I want to know more about you than passing observations. That’s why.” 

For once, Spencer finds that he’s speechless. He doesn’t think anyone has ever been this blatant, this honest with him, over a matter like this. He— he doesn’t think he’s ever been asked out. Are you asking him out?

“If you think this is totally weird and you want your table back, say the word and I’ll get out of here.” Your eyes move to the free seat across from you, and you tilt your head. “But… if you don’t think it’s totally weird, there’s room for another.” 

Spencer stands there for a second, a thousand things flitting through his mind once again. On one hand, he has a lot of work to do. This is throwing off his entire routine, and even if he just spends ten minutes talking here, he’s going to have to get all his work done, and he’ll probably end up running to his office hours to make it there in time. Part of the reason that he plans things out so meticulously is so he can avoid sprints across campus that he’s most certainly not built for. 

On the other hand, he’s known you for two minutes and he’s already enraptured. He wants nothing more than to ignore that voice in his head and sit down across from you, absorb every bit of attention you’re willing to give and every word you say, and get to know this strange table thief. 

It takes another moment, but Spencer slings his bag off and takes the seat across from you. He sets his bag on the ground and his oversugared coffee on the table, and he notices the way a weight seems to leave your shoulders. 

You were nervous. Nervous to talk to him. The thought is almost laughable, that someone feels the way about him that he usually feels in every social interaction. 

“It is a little weird,” Spencer says, and he finds a small smile tugging at his lips that he can’t fully control. “But that’s kind of my specialty.” 

Your smile grows, and Spencer thinks you’re one of the most beautiful girls he’s ever seen. He has no idea how he got lucky enough for you to intercept him like this, but he’s grateful for it. 

“Good to hear,” you nod, and you let out a soft chuckle. “Sorry for stealing your table, by the way. It was the only thing I could think of to get your attention.” 

He shakes his head as he blinks a few times. “I don’t blame you. It’s a good table.” 

“It’s not really the table,” you say wryly. “It’s you. You’re very intriguing.” 

“Well,” Spencer says, clearing his throat as he tries his hardest to calm his nerves, “I guess it’s not really my table anymore. It can be our table, going forward.” 

Your eyebrows rise, and your smile is as bright as your eyes. “I like the sound of that, Doctor Reid.” 

His face burns as he tries to act casual, and he hopes you can’t tell how much he likes the sound of that. 

You start talking, asking him questions about himself and what he does and how in the world he has two PhDs already when you’re the same age, and he finds himself attached to every word—it’s an active effort to not get lost in those bright eyes of yours. 

(Spencer never does make it to those office hours.)

[butterfly-lies-chase-them-away]

hii i wanna ask if its possible you make a part 2 on behind the mask? like for example maybe how they relationship is going on or when bruce finds out??

Behind the Mask - Jonathan Crane x Fem!Reader Part 2/2

Pairing: Jonathan Crane x Fem!Reader Scarecrow x Batgirl!Reader

(Part 1)

Word Count: 8682

Warnings: fear toxin, Scarecrow x Batgirl

Summary: Imma cut to the chase (Requested) Their relationship is well, but Crane wants to be more open

A/N: Holy shit, did this take a while, my bad guys!! I had no intentions to write a part two, as I had nothing else to add to this fic, but I had many requests for a part two so...here we are, lol I don't know how good this part is but it exists now, lol Thank you so much for the people that liked this fic, I hope this wraps it up for yous, if not...my bad let's go! 💚

-

The rhythmic tapping on Y/n's window had become a nightly occurrence for Y/n. She turned towards the source of the sound, her heart fluttering as she caught sight of Craw and Jonathan perched on the fire escape in front of her window.

Y/n hurried to unlatch the window, "You really ought to it open," Jonathan suggested, his voice carrying a playful edge as he flashed her a smirk.

Y/n chuckled softly, her eyes dancing with amusement. "And you really ought to use the door. This fire escape is shitty and old, it’s gonna break nay day now," she quipped back, her tone laced with affection as she pulled Jonathan inside with a tug.

Jonathan's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But it adds to the aesthetic," he countered.

Y/n couldn't suppress a fond roll of her eyes as she removed Jonathan's mask, her fingers lingering on his cheek for a moment before she leaned in to capture his lips in a stolen kiss.

The moment stretched and Jonathan lips curved into a smile. As they parted, Y/n's gaze softened, her heart skipping a beat as she watched Jonathan's smile linger.

Pulling away, Y/n made her way to her desk, her movements graceful and deliberate as she grabbed a bag of seeds she had stashed away. Sprinkling them onto the surface, she watched with delight as Craw flew from Jonathan's shoulder, his wings fluttering with excitement.

Settling onto her bed, Jonathan followed suit. Laying back on the bed, Jonathan shifted his gaze to Y/n. "So, when do you plan on letting your high-flying friend know about us?" he asked.

Y/n's eyes widened in alarm, her head snapping towards him with a swift motion. "You wanna die?" she retorted.

A chuckle escaped Jonathan's lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so you're resorting to threats now?" he teased, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Y/n couldn't help but shove his arm in response, her touch carrying a playful edge. "You know what I mean," she countered, her tone softening with affection as she met his gaze

"Better you tell him than him finding out," Jonathan said.

Y/n's expression grew tense, her worry palpable. "Yes, but telling him means exposing you to potential danger. Who knows what he might do?" she fretted, her voice filled with concern.

Jonathan's confidence remained unwavering. "As you’ve mentioned before. It would be hypocritical for him to act out," he reasoned.

Y/n shook her head. "But we're dealing with two vastly different scenarios here. Catwoman is a petty thief, and that’s very different from your... eccentricities. You're a werido doctor, doing experiments with questionable drugs that induce terrifying hallucinations and, sometimes, even casualties," she countered, her words laden with unease.

Jonathan turned his gaze to the ceiling, deep in thought. "Hmm," he mused softly.

Y/n sighed, shifting her focus upward as well. "Besides," she continued, "it could complicate things even more, considering you don’t know his identity."

"And I’m guessing you prefer it that way," Jonathan replied.

Y/n gave him a playful pout, but before she could respond, her phone rang, cutting through the tension. With a reluctant groan, she pushed herself up and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Seeing Bruce's name on the screen, she took a deep breath and answered. 

"Hey, Bruce! What's up?" she greeted, her tone deliberately light and casual to indicate that now wasn’t the best time for a serious conversation.

"Just calling to check on you," Bruce replied, his voice calm and understanding.

"I'm good, thanks. I just have someone over right now," Y/n said, glancing at Jonathan, who was watching her intently.

"Oh, is it who I think it is?" Bruce asked, a hint of teasing in his tone.

Y/n couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yes, it is," she admitted.

"When do I get to meet this mysterious person?" Bruce asked, the question laden with unintentional irony.

The complexity of the situation weighed on Y/n as she considered her response. "Not sure," she replied, her voice careful and measured.

"I hope you won’t keep me waiting too long," Bruce said, his tone both playful and serious.

Y/n sighed inwardly, recognizing the tangled web of secrets and identities she was caught in. "I'll see what I can do," she replied, striving to keep the conversation light despite the underlying tension.

As she ended the call, Y/n looked back at Jonathan, who raised an eyebrow inquisitively. She could sense the unspoken questions between them, the delicate balance they maintained teetering on the edge of discovery and secrecy.

As Y/n put down her phone, she could feel Jonathan's eyes on her, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched across his features. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable questions.

"So, that was Bruce Wayne?" Jonathan asked.

"Yeah," Y/n admitted, sinking back onto the bed beside him. "He just wanted to check in."

Jonathan smirked, a knowing glint in his eye. "And he wants to meet me, does he?"

Y/n sighed, rubbing her temples. "You know it's not that simple. He’s... protective, and if he found out about your... nightly activities, it could get messy."

Jonathan chuckled, a dark, velvety sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Messy, indeed. But you've got to admit, there's a certain thrill in walking such a fine line. Besides, he wouldn’t be as bad as your other friend."

Y/n frowned, her worry deepening. "This isn't a game, Jonathan. Bruce isn’t someone you want as an enemy. He’s...persistent. And don’t get me started on Batman"

Jonathan reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You just want to keep me safe…you’re not embarrassed of me."

Y/n was well aware of these underlying insecurities of Jonathan’s, they were hard to miss. And keeping him as a locked up secret didn’t help. 

She nodded, the weight of her dual life pressing down on her shoulders. "Exactly. I don’t you getting hurt."

Jonathan's expression softened slightly, a rare vulnerability peeking through. "I’ll be careful, Y/n. For you."

She met his gaze, searching for sincerity in his dark eyes. "I hope so. Because if Bruce ever found out who you really are... I'm not sure what he’d do."

Jonathan leaned in, brushing his lips against her forehead. "Then we’ll just have to make sure he never does."

Y/n closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, her mind swirling with worry and affection. She knew the road ahead was fraught with danger and deceit, but for now, in this moment, she found solace in Jonathan’s presence.

Breaking the silence, she murmured, "We need to be smart about this. No more unnecessary risks."

Jonathan nodded, his voice a low whisper. "Aside from my obvious alter ego issues, what about me would put him off so much?" he asked curiously.

"Well, for starters, you're technically my superior at work, which complicates things," Y/n began. "And let's not forget, you're literally his age, which doesn't exactly help our case. So, we’re already off to a rocky start."

Jonathan sighed, acknowledging her points. "Yes, you make a fair point," he conceded.

"Will you stay the night?" Y/n asked, her voice soft and hopeful.

Jonathan considered her for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. "I don't see why not," he replied, his tone warm and reassuring.

Y/n felt a wave of relief wash over her as Jonathan settled more comfortably on the bed beside her. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, silvery glow over the room. She reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the contours of his face, memorizing every detail.

"You know," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "despite everything, I do feel safe with you."

Jonathan's expression softened, and he took her hand in his, pressing a gentle kiss to her palm. "And I with you," he murmured. 

They lay there in silence for a while, wrapped in each other's presence, the world outside their little bubble momentarily forgotten. The unspoken promise of mutual protection and understanding hung in the air, a fragile but resilient bond between them.

-

Waking up was easier than usual, especially with the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. Y/n stretched and climbed out of bed. Craw was perched on the desk, still asleep. Below the bird lay Jonathan's mask, resting limply on the surface. Y/n followed the delicious scent to the kitchen and there, she found Jonathan at the stove, and she felt a surge of gratitude that he hadn't left as she had half-expected.

"Morning," Y/n greeted, a smile spreading across her face.

"Good morning," Jonathan replied, turning to plate some food for the two of them.

He set the two plates on the small dining table, and they both took a seat. "Thank you," Y/n said softly, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

As they began to eat, Craw flew in from her room, landing on the table in front of them. Y/n broke off a piece of her breakfast and offered it to Craw, who eagerly accepted the treat.

"You don't have work?" Y/n asked between bites.

"I do, but I have some time," Jonathan responded, a small smile playing on his lips.

They ate in comfortable silence, the morning light filtering through the windows casting a warm glow over the scene. 

"You know," she said, her tone playful, "you’re going to spoil me if you keep making breakfast like this."

Jonathan chuckled, stacking the plates. "Then I guess I'll have to make it a habit."

Finishing her last bite, Y/n leaned back in her chair, her eyes studying Jonathan. "I could get used to this," she admitted softly.

Jonathan looked up from his plate, his gaze meeting hers with a tenderness that was rare for him. "So could I," he replied.

Y/n squeezed his hand, feeling a swell of emotion.

Jonathan looked at his watch. "I should probably get ready for work."

Reluctantly, Y/n released his hand, watching as he stood up and began clearing the table. As he carried the dishes to the sink, Y/n stood and followed him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.

They stood like that for a moment, savoring the closeness before Jonathan gently turned in her embrace, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Y/n giggled and released him from her hold, “I’ll do the dishes.” she siad.  

Jonathan walked off to her bedroom. As Y/n cleaned the dishes, she heard his voice call out. "Do you know where my mask is?"

"It should be on the desk. I saw it before," Y/n replied, rinsing a plate.

"Craw must have moved it," Jonathan said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Do you really need it today?" Y/n asked, pausing her task.

The question, though simple, carried significant weight. She didn’t want him to wear his Scarecrow mask, knowing it would mean he was engaging in dangerous activities that could put him at risk with Batman.

Jonathan appeared in the doorway, contemplating her words. "I suppose not," he said, moving toward her with a softened expression. "I'll see you tonight?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

"Of course," Y/n replied, looking up at him with a reassuring smile.

With a final kiss, Jonathan headed towards the door, grabbing his coat. "Stay safe," he said, a note of concern in his voice.

"You too," Y/n responded, watching as he left, the door clicking softly behind him.

Once he was gone, Y/n turned her attention back to Craw, who was still perched on the table. "You not following him?" she asked, offering the bird another morsel of food.

Craw pecked at the treat, his feathers ruffling contentedly. “Guess you’re with me then.” Y/n couldn't help but smile. 

After finishing the dishes, Y/n dried her hands and made her way to the bedroom, her thoughts already shifting to the upcoming visit to the Batcave.Bruce had called her last night, and she assumed he'd want to see her today. She knew she needed to be prepared for whatever Bruce had in store for her. He was always easy on her, but sometimes, he was a lot to deal with.

Entering the bedroom, she moved to her closet and grabbed clothes to change into. She laid them out on the bed and then headed to the bathroom. 

-

It was easy enough to get to Wayne Manor, where she was greeted at the door by Alfred. “Good morning, Miss L/n,” Alfred said with a warm smile.

“Morning, Alfred,” Y/n replied, returning his smile as she stepped into the grand foyer.

“Is Bruce home?” Y/n asked.

“He left just over an hour ago. He should be back soon. I’m sure he was expecting you. Would you like something to drink while you wait?” Alfred offered.

“That would be nice, thank you. Does Bruce have any fizzy drinks, or does he only stock protein shakes and expensive booze?” Y/n joked.

“Master Wayne does have a rather... focused selection, but I assure you, Miss L/n, we do keep a few civilised options for guests. Perhaps a sparkling water with a twist of lemon?”

Y/n chuckled softly. "Sounds good to me. I'll be down in the Batcave," she said.

Making her way down through the hidden bookshelf entrance, Y/n wasn’t too sure what she was gonna do. There were no immediate threats she was aware of, and Bruce hadn’t assigned her any specific research tasks, so she decided to indulge in a bit of fun.

She settled into the chair at the Batcomputer and typed in "Scarecrow," smirking as she did. She wanted to see what Bruce had on him and if there were any scandals she could teasingly bring up to Jonathan tonight.

As large images of Scarecrow filled the screen, Y/n smiled, engrossed in the data. She barely noticed Alfred entering the cave.

“With that smile on your face, I would have assumed you were looking at your boyfriend,” Alfred’s witty remark echoed through the cavernous space.

“Oh, but we would make such a cute couple,” Y/n joked back, grinning at Alfred.

"From what I’ve heard from Master Wayne, I’m surprised you’re not already,” Alfred said, setting down a tray with sparkling water beside her.

Y/n laughed. "Because Bruce would totally approve of him!"

“With the cat he’s running around with, he ought to be more lenient,” Alfred quipped.

"See, that's why you're my favorite butler," Y/n smiled, leaning back in the chair.

“That would imply you know other butlers,” Alfred replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, you’re my one and only,” Y/n said with a grin.

Just then, a notification popped up on the Batcomputer, indicating a presence at the front door. Clicking onto the camera feed, Y/n saw Bruce arriving.

“I suppose I should answer that,” Alfred said, turning to head upstairs to greet Bruce.

While waiting in the Batcave, Y/n watched as Bruce entered. “Morning, Bruce,” she greeted him.

“It’s 2 PM,” Bruce corrected, glancing at the Batcomputer's clock.

Y/n snorted, checking the time herself. "So it is."

"You called me yesterday?" she asked, turning back to him.

“I was calling to tell you there was a Scarecrow sighting last night. Thought you might be interested,” Bruce informed her.

“Really? Damn,” Y/n said, surprised.

“Too bad you were busy with your friend,” Bruce teased, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

Y/n rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a grin. "You just love to rub it in, don’t you?"

"I don’t know why I don’t get to meet him," Bruce said, crossing his arms, his tone somewhere between curious and irritated.

"Because you’d be weird about it," Y/n shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Bruce narrowed his eyes slightly. "Weird? I’m not weird. I just want to know who’s been spending so much time with you. Making sure he’s...trustworthy."

Y/n rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Exactly. That's what I mean by weird. You’d give him the whole ‘protective’ speech, probably stalked him. Plus, you two aren't exactly the same type of...career men."

Bruce huffed, clearly unconvinced. "It’s my job to stalk."

“And you'd probably scare him off," Y/n added, shaking her head with amusement. "You’d interrogate him like he’s some criminal mastermind."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "And is he?"

Y/n hesitated for a split second before shrugging, her grin widening. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

Bruce’s expression softened, though his curiosity remained. "I just don’t want you getting hurt. That's all."

Y/n smiled at the sincerity behind his words. "I know, Bruce. But trust me, I’ve got this."

Bruce eyed her for a moment longer, his sharp gaze searching her face for any cracks in her confidence. When he didn’t find any, he finally sighed, his arms dropping to his sides. "Alright, I’ll back off…for now."

Y/n chuckled softly, pushing herself off the Batcomputer and stretching her arms above her head. "Appreciated. Besides, I think he'd be more scared of you than you’d be of him."

Bruce smirked, clearly amused by the idea. "If he's smart, he should be."

Y/n rolled her eyes playfully, but before she could respond, the Batcomputer beeped to life, pulling both their attention to the screen. The glowing red alert flashed in sync with a detailed map of Gotham’s city grid.

"What now?" Y/n muttered, leaning closer to get a better look.

Bruce’s expression instantly hardened, the switch from casual conversation to business happening within seconds. His fingers flew across the keyboard, pulling up more data.

"Another Scarecrow sighting," he said, voice low and focused. The map zoomed in on a section of the Narrows, where several alarms had been triggered in what looked like an abandoned factory. "This could be serious."

Y/n's stomach flipped at the mention, her mind immediately jumping to Jonathan. She tried to keep her cool, but the worry crept in before she could stop it. "You're sure it’s him?" she asked, her voice steady despite the growing unease.

Bruce glanced at her, noting the change in her tone, but didn't comment. "The chemicals found at the scene match his previous attacks. It's a safe assumption."

Y/n swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. Jonathan had said he wasn’t planning anything for today...but if this sighting was real, she had no idea what he was up to.

"I’ll handle this," Bruce said, grabbing his cowl from the side. "You stay here. I don’t want you getting mixed up in it."

Y/n clenched her fists, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral. "I can help, Bruce."

"Not this time," he said firmly, already moving toward the Batmobile.

Y/n hesitated, torn between her loyalty to Bruce and her concern for Jonathan. "Just...be careful, okay?" she called after him.

Bruce paused at the Batmobile’s door, glancing back at her. "Always," he said, slipping into the driver’s seat and speeding off into the cave’s tunnel.

As the roar of the Batmobile faded, Y/n stood there for a moment, her mind swirling with what to do next. She could wait for Bruce to handle it like he always did...or she could find out for herself what Jonathan was really up to. 

Taking a deep breath, Y/n made up her mind. She wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines this time.

Y/n snatched her phone off the desk, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands shook slightly as she scrolled to Jonathan's contact and hit call. She wasn’t even sure why she was so furious, after all, she hadn’t explicitly told him to quit his villainous habits, but she thought he’d at least try. That hope had been dashed with Bruce’s news.

The phone rang once, twice, three times. She didn’t expect him to pick up. In fact, she was already mentally preparing for the voicemail beep. But then, to her surprise, his calm voice came through the line.

"Hello?"

Y/n blinked, caught off guard. "What the fuck are you doing?"

There was a pause, followed by a confused, “What?"

"Don't ‘what’ me, Jonathan," Y/n snapped, pacing now. "Bruce just told me there’s a Scarecrow sighting in the Narrows. Your gas was spotted. What the fuck, Jonathan?!" 

Jonathan let out an exasperated sigh. “...I’m at work. Like, real work. At Arkham.”

Y/n stopped pacing, furrowing her brow. "You’re...at Arkham?" She was still furious, but confusion was starting to take over. "But your gas-"

"Is in the Narrows, yeah, I know…" he cut her off, his tone darkening. "It’s Poison Ivy."

"Poison Ivy?" Y/n repeated, the confusion on her face deepening.

"Yeah, we made a deal a while back," Jonathan admitted, sounding less than pleased. "I gave her some of my chemical mixes in exchange for some of her plant matter. She must be using it now."

Y/n ran a hand through her hair, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. "So you're not...?" She trailed off, not quite knowing how to finish that sentence. She had been ready to go off on him, but now…

"No, I’m not running around the Narrows today," Jonathan muttered, clearly irritated by the whole situation. "And you think I’d be that sloppy if I were?"

Y/n exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "God, Jonathan, you could’ve warned me about the deal."

"I didn’t think she'd use it, honestly," he replied, his voice edged with frustration. "She’s impulsive when it comes to her little vendettas."

Y/n felt the anger fading, though she was still annoyed. "You’re lucky Bruce doesn’t know it’s Ivy yet."

Jonathan snorted. "Well, let’s keep it that way, shall we?"

"Yeah," she muttered. There was a beat of silence on the line before she sighed. "You better not be lying."

“I’m not," Jonathan replied, his voice softening a little. "Look, I know what you’re thinking, and I’m trying, Y/n. I really am."

She bit her lip, feeling a mixture of emotions. "Okay. Just...don’t make me regret trusting you."

“I won’t,” he said, and the sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten.

Y/n nodded to herself, even though he couldn’t see it. “Fine. I’ll deal with Bruce. You deal with Ivy.”

“Easier said than done,” Jonathan muttered.

She huffed. "Tell me about it."

After hanging up, Y/n tossed her phone onto the Batcomputer desk, running a hand through her hair. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the frustration still simmering beneath the surface. It was hard to stay mad at Jonathan when it turned out he wasn’t the one running around as Scarecrow today. But it didn’t make things any easier. But if Bruce found out Ivy was using his gas, it might blow some smoke off of Jonathan.

Y/n sank into the chair in front of the Batcomputer, her fingers drumming anxiously against the desk. Bruce had already left for the Narrows, but now she had new information, information that possibly helped the situation. 

She reached for her phone and quickly dialed Bruce’s number. It didn’t take long for him to pick up.

“What is it?” Bruce’s gruff voice came through the line, filled with urgency.

Y/n exhaled sharply. “I know it’s Ivy.”

There was a pause on the other end before Bruce spoke again. “And how did you get this infomation?”

Y/n hesitated, her mind flashing back to her not-so-distant past. “Let’s just say Scarecrow gave me some insight.” Her tone was sharp and cautious.

There was another brief silence. Then Bruce’s voice, lower and more guarded, came back. “When?”

“When he reversed his drug effects on me. I found out some things during that lovely little vacation, like how he and Ivy have this deal. Something about trading toxins, he gave her some of his gas formulas.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Bruce’s question wasn’t accusing, but the tension in his voice made it clear he wasn’t pleased.

“I didn’t think it would come up again,” Y/n said defensively, her fingers tightening around the phone. She hated lying to Bruce. “And…well, I didn’t exactly want to give you more reasons to go after Scarecrow. He did save me..”

Bruce’s sigh echoed through the phone. “You know this makes things more complicated.”

“I know,” Y/n muttered. “But Scarecrow wasn’t lying. He didn’t know Ivy was planning to use it, and now that she is, we’ve got a mess on our hands.”

There was the sound of movement on Bruce’s end, probably him moving through the dark streets of Gotham. “Stay on the Batcomputer. I’m close to the Narrows, but I need more intel on Ivy’s last known location. And we need to talk when I get back.”

“Got it,” Y/n responded, already pulling up files and maps, scanning through recent surveillance. “But Bruce…be careful. Ivy’s unpredictable, especially when she’s got a new toy.”

Bruce didn’t respond immediately, but when he did, his voice was firm. “I know.”

Y/n stayed glued to the screen, her heart pounding in her chest as she monitored Bruce’s position and scoured the data for any trace of Ivy. It was hard not to think about the delicate line she was walking, caught between the man she loved like a father figure and the villain who had once been her captor.

As the Batcomputer beeped with a new set of coordinates, Y/n’s eyes widened. “Bruce, I’ve got her. She’s holed up in one of the old greenhouses just north of the Narrows.”

“Send me the location,” Bruce replied, his tone all business.

Y/n tapped furiously on the keyboard, sending the details to his encrypted communicator. “I’ll come,”

“I don’t need backup,” Bruce replied.

Y/n smirked despite the tension. “Of course you don’t. Just be safe.”

The line went dead, and Y/n clenched her jaw, staring at the Batcomputer. She knew Bruce’s directive was clear, stay out of it. But sitting back and waiting wasn’t her style. Bruce wasn’t immune to Jonathan’s gas like she was, he was vulnerable, and knowing Ivy, she would have made the toxin much worse.

No. She wasn’t just going to sit there.

Without another thought, Y/n pushed back from the desk and made her way to the suit vault. She quickly donned her Batgirl outfit, every movement precise and practiced. The familiar weight of the cowl settled on her head, the cape brushing against her shoulders. A sense of purpose surged through her veins.

Screw Bruce’s order. She wasn’t letting him face this alone.

In record time, Y/n made her way to the Batmotorcycle. The engine roared to life beneath her, the vibrations tingling through her fingers as she gripped the handlebars. The chill Gotham air hit her full force as she sped out of the Batcave and onto the streets. 

Her heart raced, not just from the speed but from the anticipation. Ivy was unpredictable, and if she was mixing her plants with Scarecrow’s fear toxins, there was no telling how bad this could get. Bruce might be Batman, but even he couldn’t always do it alone. Not this time.

As the city blurred past her, Y/n’s mind focused on the coordinates she had sent Bruce earlier, the greenhouse north of the Narrows. If Ivy had set up there, then whatever she had planned would likely already be in motion.

She tightened her grip and accelerated. She wasn’t just backup. She was part of the team, and Bruce would have to deal with that when she got there.

Y/n weaved through the dark streets of Gotham, the distant sound of sirens blending into the night as her Batcycle roared toward the Narrows. The coordinates she had sent Bruce earlier were burned into her memory, guiding her through the labyrinth of alleys and side streets with pinpoint accuracy. The further she rode, the denser the buildings became, their looming shadows creating an eerie silence over the area.

When she finally reached the edge of the Narrows, the glowing greenhouse structure came into view. It was tucked behind a row of dilapidated buildings, just as she had suspected. Ivy was hiding in plain sight, and her mix of flora and Scarecrow’s fear toxins would be deadly if released.

Y/n slowed her bike as she approached, parking it behind a crumbling wall to keep it hidden. She surveyed the scene from a distance, her breath steady as she slipped off her helmet and carefully crouched down to get a better view.

A thin, green mist hung in the air, barely noticeable, but enough to set off alarms in her mind. The plants surrounding the greenhouse seemed to writhe unnaturally, their movements synchronized, as if they were waiting for Ivy’s command. Y/n gritted her teeth. She had to get in there before this escalated any further.

Suddenly, the low hum of a Batmobile engine caught her attention. Bruce was already here. She had no idea if he had spotted her yet, but there wasn’t time to worry about that now. She tapped into her comms.

“I’m here,” Y/n whispered into her earpiece, watching the shadows of the greenhouse. “Tell me you have a plan.”

A short pause followed before Bruce’s voice crackled through. “You weren’t supposed to come, Y/n.”

“I’m aware,” she shot back quietly. “But you’ll thank me later. What’s the move?”

Another brief silence before Bruce responded, his tone edged with reluctant acceptance. “Ivy’s inside. She’s preparing to release the toxins. I need you to disable the generators behind the greenhouse. If we cut the power, we’ll stop the spread before it gets worse.”

Y/n nodded to herself, scanning the area for an entry point. “Got it. I’m on it.”

Sticking to the shadows, she slipped around the greenhouse, staying low and silent. The air smelled heavy, rich with the scent of damp earth and something sickly sweet—probably the beginning traces of Ivy’s toxin. She had to move fast.

Reaching the back of the greenhouse, Y/n spotted the generators Bruce had mentioned. Thick vines coiled around them, pulsing faintly as if feeding off the energy. She pulled out a pair of batarangs, slicing through the foliage with careful precision.

Just as she was about to sever the last vine, a voice rang out behind her, smooth and melodic. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, darling.”

Y/n froze, her blood running cold. She turned slowly, and there stood Poison Ivy, her red hair gleaming under the moonlight, eyes glowing with a dangerous, otherworldly hue. She smiled, a slow, wicked smile.

“Wondering if you were gonna show up,” Ivy purred, taking a step forward. 

Y/n tightened her grip on the batarangs, her heart pounding but her face steady. “What’s your deal here, Ivy? This isn’t your usual style.”

Ivy’s smile widened, her fingers trailing through the air as the plants around them quivered in response. “Oh, you’d be surprised. Gotham needs cleansing. And with a little help from Scarecrow’s toxins, I’ll make sure it happens.”

Before Y/n could react, the vines whipped out, wrapping around her wrist and pulling her off balance. She stumbled, but quickly regained her footing, yanking her arm free with a sharp tug. Ivy laughed softly, the sound echoing through the garden.

But Y/n wasn’t backing down. "You’re not cleansing anything..”

With a quick movement, she hurled the batarangs at the remaining vines, slicing through them cleanly. The generators sputtered, their lights flickering before the power shut off completely. The greenhouse dimmed as the machinery inside ground to a halt.

Ivy’s smile vanished, replaced with a cold, calculating glare. She growled, raising her hands as the plants around them surged to life.

Just as the vines began to close in, Y/n heard a low groan from across the greenhouse. Her eyes darted to the source, and her heart dropped. There, amidst the writhing green tendrils, Batman was bound, arms and legs ensnared by thick vines, his body slumped against them. His cape was torn, his breathing labored, and his face was pale. Ivy had already hit him with a dose of her toxin, enough to weaken even Batman.

Ivy’s laughter echoed through the greenhouse as she stepped into view, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Oh, look at him,” she cooed mockingly. “The mighty Dark Knight, felled by a little plant. Isn’t he beautiful when he’s helpless?”

Y/n’s blood boiled, but she kept her face neutral, watching every move Ivy made. Her heart raced. She had to free Bruce before it was too late. But Ivy wasn’t finished yet.

“You think you’re clever, don’t you, little Bat?” Ivy sneered, her gaze now fixed on Y/n. “Disabling my power? Stopping my plan?” She stepped forward, cradling a vial of her signature toxin, swirling with an ominous green mist. “Well, let's see how clever you are after a dose of this.”

Before Y/n could react, Ivy flung the vial at her feet, shattering it with a sharp crack. The toxic gas billowed out, curling around Y/n in a cloud of green haze. Ivy grinned wickedly, certain she had won.

But something was wrong. Y/n stood there, her expression unchanging as the gas swirled around her. No coughing, no dizziness, nothing. Ivy’s smile faltered.

Y/n scoffed. “That’s not going to work on me, Ivy.”

Ivy blinked in disbelief. “What…?” she breathed, watching in shock as Y/n stepped forward, completely unaffected by the gas that should’ve incapacitated her.

“You can thank Scarecrow for that,” Y/n said, her voice edged with confidence. 

Ivy’s face twisted in fury. “That traitor,” she spat, raising her hands to command the vines. But Y/n was faster.

With a quick flick of her wrist, Y/n hurled a batarang through the air, slicing cleanly through the vines that held Bruce captive. He slumped to the ground with a grunt, but he was free.

“Get her!” Ivy screamed, and the plants surged toward Y/n, but she was ready. She dodged and weaved between the tendrils, her agility unmatched as she closed the distance between her and Ivy.

Before Ivy could react, Y/n landed a solid punch to her gut, knocking the wind out of her. The plants faltered, their connection to Ivy weakening as she stumbled back.

Y/n's grip tightened on Ivy's collar, her breath heavy with adrenaline. "Give it up, Ivy," she hissed. But Ivy’s smirk only widened, eyes glinting with malicious intent.

"You really think you can threaten me?" Ivy scoffed, and with a wave of her hand, the vines surged to life once more. This time, Y/n wasn’t fast enough. Thick, thorny tendrils wrapped around her wrists and ankles, yanking her off her feet and slamming her into the ground.

She winced, pain shooting through her body as she struggled against the vines. Ivy stood over her, victorious, her emerald eyes glowing with satisfaction.

"Poor little Bat," Ivy sneered, crouching down to Y/n’s level. "You really thought you could take me on your own? Without your precious Batman to save you?"

Y/n gritted her teeth, yanking at the vines, but it was no use. They only tightened around her limbs, cutting into her skin. She was stuck, helpless as Ivy reached for another vial of her toxin, twirling it between her fingers.

"This will be much more fun," Ivy purred.

Y/n's heart raced. She had never been this close to defeat. Her mind raced for a way out, but the vines held her too tight. Batman was still too out of it to help.

Just as Ivy raised the vial to unleash its deadly contents, the sound of footsteps echoed through the greenhouse.

Ivy froze, turning her head slightly. Before she could react, a cloud of smoke enveloped her. Y/n’s eyes widened as Ivy gasped, although it had no effect on the pair, it still clouded the room in a thick smog.

Out of the smoke stepped the Scarecrow, his form looming ominously. "Ivy," he drawled, his voice distorted and menacing, "did you forget our little agreement? No playing with my things."

Ivy’s expression morphed from anger to confusion as she saw Jonathan approaching. The smoke began to clear, and she got a better view, but before she could fully process the situation, a dark figure emerged from the shadows behind her.

Batman, clad in his black armor, lunged forward with a swift precision that took Ivy by surprise. He had been lurking just out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. With a powerful sweep, he knocked Ivy off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground. 

Ivy glared up at him, her confusion shifting back to fury as she scrambled to regain her footing. But she was no match for Batman’s physical strength. Jonathan must have injected him with an antidote before he entered, and now Bruce was fully alert, his abilities restored. 

Bruce moved with lethal efficiency, closing the distance between him and Ivy in a heartbeat. With a single, powerful punch, he connected with her jaw, sending her sprawling to the ground. The force of the blow left Ivy dazed, and she struggled to regain her bearings.

Without missing a beat, Batman swiftly produced a set of restraints from his utility belt. He moved in to secure Ivy, tying her up with expert precision before she could fully recover. Ivy glared up at him as he tightened the knot, her defiance still flickering in her eyes, but she was completely at his mercy now. 

Scarecrow strode over to Y/n, his sharp gaze locked onto hers as he effortlessly sliced through the vines with a concealed blade, freeing her from Ivy’s grasp. He crouched beside her, his face mere inches from hers.

"You really shouldn’t be here," he said softly, almost teasingly, though there was an underlying concern in his tone. "You promised me you’d stay out of trouble."

Y/n panted, still reeling from the fight. "Yeah, well...so did you," she muttered, rubbing her sore wrists.

Jonathan stood, offering her a hand. She hesitated for only a second before taking it, allowing him to help her to her feet.

"I thought you weren’t the rescuing type," Y/n quipped, her voice shaky but defiant.

Jonathan tilted his head, his mask concealing his expression, though she could almost feel the smirk behind it. "I’m not. But it seems you’re always the exception."

Before Y/n could respond, a deep voice suddenly broke through the tension of the moment. “Am I interrupting something?” 

Y/n turned to see Bruce emerging from the shadows, his imposing figure silhouetted against the dim light of the greenhouse. She felt a rush of relief mixed with anxiety as he approached, his gaze scanning the chaotic scene.

“Uhh,” Y/n barely replied.

“Scarecrow.” Batman began to step closer, his cape billowing slightly with the movement, but Y/n quickly stepped forward, shielding Jonathan from Bruce’s intense scrutiny.

“Wait! Batman, he helped us...” Y/n said, casting a fleeting glance at Jonathan, who stood beside her, calm and composed amidst the chaos. “He came just in time.”

Batman’s expression remained unyielding, a hardened mask that betrayed nothing but the weight of his concern. Frustration flickered across his features as he assessed the aftermath of the battle. “You should never have come. I told you to stay put.”

Y/n felt her heart race at his reprimand, but she couldn’t let it go unchallenged. “I know, and I’m sorry, but we did it!”

Bruce's gaze shifted back to Jonathan, his voice low and demanding. “Care to explain the guest?”

Y/n struggled to articulate the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment, especially with Ivy still unconscious on the floor. “Can we talk about this later?” she said, urgency creeping into her voice.

“Not if you want him out of Arkham,” Batman replied, his tone brokering no argument.

Y/n let out a dry chuckle, the tension almost absurd. “Haha, funny you say that…”

Before she could gather her thoughts, Jonathan stepped forward, his demeanor unexpectedly calm and measured. “I am more than willing to discuss this with you elsewhere,” he said, his voice smooth yet authoritative.

This candid offer took Y/n by surprise, she hadn’t expected him to be so amenable, especially given the circumstances. Her eyes darted between Jonathan and Batman, searching for signs of tension or underlying animosity. “Scarecrow, are you sure?” she asked, hesitating as the implications of his statement settled in.

“I don’t want to cause more trouble than necessary,” he replied, his mask obscuring any deeper emotion. “But I think it’s vital we have a proper conversation about what happened tonight.”

Batman narrowed his eyes, still assessing Jonathan with a blend of skepticism and wariness. “I’m not so sure I can trust you just yet,” he said, his voice steady. “Your methods are... unconventional.”

“True, but tonight, I acted in your favor,” Jonathan replied, meeting Bruce's gaze with unwavering confidence. “Besides, you don’t want to waste this opportunity to learn more about Ivy’s plans and the potential threat they pose.”

Y/n felt the weight of the moment. She knew that trusting Jonathan came with risks, but he had also proven himself when it mattered most. “Batman, he’s right,” she added, hoping to bridge the gap.

Batman considered her words, the tension in the air palpable. Finally, he nodded slowly, the hardened expression softening ever so slightly. “Fine,” he said. “But this is not a free pass, Scarecrow. I’ll be watching you closely.”

Jonathan inclined his head. “Understood. Shall we?” He replied, his tone light, but there was an unmistakable edge to his words.

Just then, the wailing of sirens echoed through the night, cutting through the remnants of chaos like a knife. The sound sent a jolt through Y/n. “We need to move,” she urged, glancing back toward the entrance of the greenhouse where Ivy lay incapacitated.

Without waiting for a response, the three of them rushed out of the building, the scent of damp earth and foliage mingling with the sharp tang of adrenaline in the air. They quickly scanned their surroundings, seeking a more suitable location to discuss their precarious situation.

Batman moved toward a nearby alley, the shadows deep and inviting. They ducked into the narrow passage, the sound of the sirens fading into the distance as they found a moment of respite. 

Y/n leaned against the cold brick wall, her heart still racing from the encounter. “We can’t stay here for long,” she said, glancing at both men. 

“Agreed,” Batman said, his voice steady as he took a position near the entrance of the alley, keeping a watchful eye on the street. “But I’m more focused on the criminal in front of me right now.”

Y/n glanced at Jonathan, who remained calm and collected, his mask shadowing his expression. “I did my best” she began, her voice steadying as she recounted the events leading up to Ivy’s defeat. “I tried to stop her, but she caught me in the process. He showed up just in time to help.”

“How did he even know what was going on?” Batman asked, standing tall and imposing as he glared at Jonathan.

“Let’s not forget that I saved your life. If it weren’t for my anti-toxin, you’d still be on the floor,” Scarecrow retorted, his voice laced with a mix of arrogance and confidence.

Y/n forced a chuckle, though there was no humor in it. The tension was palpable as she glanced at Batman’s sharp eyes, her heart racing. “I-I told him…”

“And why did he come?” Batman demanded, his gaze unwavering, dissecting every nuance of Jonathan’s expression.

“I had my reasons,” Jonathan replied, his tone turning serious.

“And it’s those reasons I’d like to understand,” Batman pressed, his voice low and commanding.

Y/n sighed, feeling the weight of the situation settle in her chest. “He came for me, Batman. You already know that.”

“But I want to hear it from him,” Batman insisted, not breaking eye contact.

Jonathan remained unfazed. “I came because she called for me. She thought it was my attack downtown, and I knew she would rush to confront it. I didn’t want her getting hurt. She’s good at what she does, but she doesn’t always think.”

“Hey!” Y/n shot back, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“And you knew I’d be there,” Batman interjected, his tone incredulous.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t you be?” Jonathan replied smoothly. “It was you who took my mask that day, wasn’t it?”

Batman reached behind him and pulled out a piece of fabric, the unmistakable outline of Jonathan’s mask. “I’ve known for a while,” he admitted, his voice steady.

Y/n’s brows shot up in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me? And you said nothing?”

“I was waiting for you to tell me,” Batman responded, his tone unyielding. 

Y/n crossed her arms, muttering under her breath, “So not cool.”

Jonathan smirked under his mask, eyeing Batman. “So, what are you going to do to me, Batman? Lock me up?”

Batman tossed the mask toward Jonathan with a swift motion. “Not tonight, Crane.”

Jonathan caught the mask effortlessly and tucked it into his pocket, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. Batman continued, his voice low and steady, “I’m guessing you know who I am as well?”

“I have an idea…” Jonathan replied.

The tension between Batman and Jonathan hung thick in the air, both men staring each other down in a silent standoff. Y/n felt the weight of their gaze as she stood between them, unsure of what to say next.

Y/n shifted nervously between the two, rocking back and forth on her heels. “Well…” she started, trying to defuse the tension in the air. 

Before she could say anymore, Batman’s voice broke the silence. “This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, Crane. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.”

Jonathan chuckled, the sound low and unsettling. “Wouldn’t expect anything less from the great Dark Knight.”

Y/n shifted her weight, glancing nervously between the two. “Cool, let’s drop it then, okay?” she said, forcing a nervous laugh. 

Batman’s stern gaze flicked to her. “You’re treading dangerous ground, Y/n. Associating with him,” he nodded toward Jonathan “is a mistake. He can’t be trusted.”

Jonathan’s eyes darkened, his voice cold. “Trust is a matter of perspective, Batman. And right now, it seems she trusts me a great amount.”

Y/n felt her chest tighten. “You’re one to talk, Batman,” she said quickly, trying to bridge the widening gap between them. “The entire city knows about yours at Cat Women’s fling..”

“They’re two very different criminals,” Batman asked, his voice sharp, causing Y/n to groan. “Maybe he’s just playing a longer game, using you as a pawn.”

Jonathan stepped closer, his voice calm but edged with warning. “If I were playing a game, Batman, I’d have made my move by now. But this…tonight…I did it for her.”

The statement hung in the air, and Y/n’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Jonathan, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.

Batman narrowed his eyes. “You’re walking a fine line, Crane. Don’t think I won’t be there when you cross it.”

Y/n let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Okay, how about we call it a night?” she suggested, desperate to break the tension. 

Batman’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned, his cape billowing as he strode into the shadows. “Stay out of trouble,” he muttered, disappearing into the night.

Jonathan watched him go, then turned to Y/n, his eyes softer than they had been a moment ago. “You should listen to him, you know.”

Y/n rolled her eyes. “Says you.”

Jonathan smirked, his usual calm confidence returning. “Touché.”

Y/n sighed, looking up at him. “Why did you really come tonight?”

Jonathan paused, his expression unreadable. “I told you. I didn’t want you getting hurt.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The night felt strangely still, as if the chaos from earlier had been swept away.

Y/n glanced back toward the city, then at Jonathan. “I guess I’ll see you around?”

Jonathan gave her a look, glancing at Y/n, his expression softening just slightly. “Not a chance,” he said, he tucked the mask away and stepped closer. “I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight.”

Y/n blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “Wait, what? You’re not busy? I’ve already wasted a lot of your time.”

Jonathan’s gaze remained steady, unyielding. “You’ve had a rough night. I’m not letting you walk home alone.” His tone was calm, but there was no room for argument.

Y/n hesitated, glancing at the empty street. Part of her wanted to protest, but the other part felt a strange comfort in his words. She sighed, giving him a half-smile. “You know I can protect myself.”

Y/n shed her outer layers in the shadowed alley, blending into the darkness to avoid drawing attention.

Without another word, the two of them started walking down the quiet streets, side by side. The tension from earlier faded with each step, replaced by an odd sense of ease. Y/n glanced at Jonathan out of the corner of her eye. He wasn’t the same man she had faced in battle countless times. There was something different tonight, a strange connection between them that she couldn’t quite shake.

As they reached her apartment building, Jonathan paused at the entrance, his gaze scanning the area with sharp precision. Just then, the sound of flapping wings broke the silence. Craw came swooping down from the sky, a single flower clasped in its beak. It dropped the delicate bloom right into Y/n's hands before perching itself on Jonathan’s shoulder.

Y/n looked at the flower in surprise, recognizing the rare blossom immediately. “A flower delivery?” she teased, raising an eyebrow as she twirled the stem between her fingers.

Jonathan glanced at Craw and then at the flower, his face carefully neutral. “Must’ve been hunting and got distracted,” he said smoothly, though the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Birds are unpredictable like that.”

Y/n chuckled, stepping closer to him. “Right. A total coincidence.”

She stood on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, lingering just long enough to make him freeze for a moment. His smirk faltered, replaced by something softer, something he didn’t quite let show often.

As she pulled back, Y/n smiled warmly, clutching the flower to her chest. “Thanks, Jonathan.”

He cleared his throat, brushing off the moment as Craw flapped its wings once more. “Don’t mention it.”

Y/n walked into the apartment complex, hesitating for a moment. She glanced back at Jonathan, who was still standing there, his usual guarded demeanor softening. 

“Are you coming up?” she asked, her voice quieter than before.

Jonathan's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he gave a slight nod. “If you’ll have me,” he replied, stepping forward.

They walked up to her apartment together in comfortable silence, the only sound being the soft flutter of Craw’s wings as the crow swooped ahead of them. When they reached her door, Y/n pushed it open and stepped inside, feeling Jonathan’s presence right behind her.

As the door shut behind them, the weight of Gotham, of the night’s events, seemed to fade away. There were no masks, no games, just the quiet understanding between them that, somehow, this felt right.

-

A/N: Sorry if it isn't good, I got through half of it then disappeared for ages, then carried on, so if it doesn't line up right then...oops I will not be writing any more parts for this, as there is nothing else for me to add to this fic, sorry I also ended up finishing this fic at like...2am, so if it's shit...my bad again Thank you for the support and I hope you did enjoy :) 💚

[lesinquietes]

Summary: When Dabi agrees to leave you untouched until morning, you don’t expect him to break his promise.

18+ // minors dni // manipulation, noncon, yandere

Excerpt from Thief

—

You don’t struggle when he places a gentle kiss on your neck. The warm metal of his staples send an uncomfortable shiver down your spine. Still, this is better than having him inside you. If he wants to shower you in sweet pecks this evening, you can endure.

"What time you got, doll?" He asks, voice raspy.

Your glare flickers to the clock. Confusion clouds your mind, but you can’t see a reason to withhold this information from him. Unsure why it matters, you reply.

“Past twelve.”

A pregnant silence ensues. You remain unmoving in his grasp. After a while, you think the interaction is done; you don’t expect him to speak again. You jump when he does.

"Twelve?"

A horrible, conflicting feeling boils in the pit of your stomach. The tiny hairs on your body are standing on end despite the warmth of his body. You nibble on your lower lip. Something isn’t right. You can tell it isn’t merely your anxiety rising to the peak of your throat; that the atmosphere has soured since his initial question.

“Perfect.”

Unfortunately, he proves you right before you can even think to counter him. You don’t feel him shift until it’s too late. Within the blink of an eye, he’s rolled you onto your back and mounted you. He kicks the sheets off the bed so that the only remaining items are you, him, and a few pillows — just in case you need to muffle your screams.

Your eyes grow wide with horror. Reflexively, your arm shoots up to slap him, punch him, elbow him, or something, but he doesn’t let you make contact. He snatches your wrists in an iron-like grasp, pinning them to the mattress. There’s no leeway; there’s no escape.

"I think I've waited long enough to have you, baby," he whispers, leaning down so that you’re nose-to-nose. “And I only said I'd leave you untouched all night. It's morning… and you fuckin' owe me."

Your jaw drops. Of course he would use time against you like this. How did you miss it? When you agreed to his proposition, you assumed he meant all night as in the whole duration of the time you would be sleeping. You were a fool.

"Y-you… oh my god, Dabi," you hiss, sputtering your outrage. “You're a fucking monster."

His eye twitches. Monster. You’re not the only woman to call him that. It barely hurts at this point, so he elects to laugh in your face. He laughs at your stupid expression and the way your tears stream down the sides of your head. He laughs at the memories of others hurling that thoughtless insult at him. And he laughs at the pain that you, of all people — you, the only person he’s ever trusted with safeguarding his feelings — have caused him.

Maybe he is a monster. Maybe he is vile. Maybe he doesn’t deserve a prize like you. But to hear you spit vitriol at him, using every last drop of venom in your body to reject him, makes his head feel like it’s splitting apart.

Fine. Okay. If that’s what you want, he’s happy to oblige you. He’ll be the monster you think he is. Perhaps you’ll be grateful for his leniency once you witness how terrible he can truly be.

"Thought you already knew that, doc," he muses, tone frigid. "In your notes, you called me highly aggressive and delusional, remember?"

“You’re really doing this to get back at me for something I wrote in my notes?!” You ask him incredulously.

He doesn’t reply for a moment. He simply stares down at you — a ravenous beast appraising his live meal. The playful grin vanished when you called him a monster; his teasing demeanor dissipated a few moments after that. The only thing left is turbulent anger and insatiable, rapacious lust. He’s turned his logical brain off.

“No.”

He scoops both of your wrists into one large hand and pins them to the headboard. The back of your head smacks against the wood. There’s barbarous intention in his movements. They lack fluidity and ooze cruelty.

He chuckles humourlessly when you buck against him, like you’re the bull and he’s the matador. He has you wrangled, though. There‘s no one to interrupt him this time, and you’re weak. He waits for you to tire yourself out. It doesn’t take long. As you tucker yourself out, his cerulean eyes burn through you in the darkness.

“You know why I’m doing this, doll?”

His breath smells strongly of spearmint. You might have enjoyed it on anyone else. On him, it’s nauseating. Your vision is blurring and your skull feels heavy. Air is leaving your lungs faster than it blows in. Grasping your chin to domineer your focus, he shakes you back to a vivid, lucid reality.

You swallow when he creeps closer, running his thick, slimy tongue across your upper lip. When he tows back, you gaze through the shadows at his grinning, deformed face.

This is totally not my art! BrattyBatty whipped this up and gave me permission to embed it into chapter 10 of Thief. I wanted to share it, with its little excerpt, here ☺️ pls give her so much love, she deserves it

[vhoorlpool]

ughhh… Σ(￣。￣ﾉ)ﾉ sorry for being inactive. work has been kicking my ass as of late!!!! but I’ve been daydreaming about knights recently…. and undead ones at that!!

nsfw under the cut, as always!! reader is GN :] MDNI please!!

where there is complacence, lies ambition and longing under fifty-five pounds of old, rusted steel and smelted iron plates, forever stuck to his decaying body like heavy shackles on a prisoner of war.

your beloved knight is the fallen angel whose wings are forever tainted, molted and slough, scarred and reeking of battles past. the swiftly given silence of a valorously wielded blade across warm flesh of an enemy’s bared throat, as sharp and conniving as a thief’s tongue. the hands that cradled your face and tilted it up, up, up, plated thumb brushing oh so tenderly over your lips; daydreaming how it would feel to finally kiss them.

it’s a shame, truly, he thinks. under his helm lies a face full of rotting teeth and decaying flesh yearning for the warmth of your touch— the softness of your skin. would you be disgusted? cast him aside as if you had discarded a wilted flower? or would you admire him? quench his thirst for your affections like dry earth begging for the slightest drop of rain?

though… he suspects such frivolous thoughts don’t matter. he’d love you either way.

he is something incomprehensible. someone who should’ve died the moment his body hit the ground as the world was pulled out from under his very feet. and yet, you’re the guiding hand that kept him going. the breath of fresh air in his lungs, the voice in his head that tells him to get up. they’re waiting for you.

the will of that which makes him, nothing, become something. and oh, how lovely it is to be something that belongs to someone like you.

unearthly, his voice sounds coarse; low and thick like dead grass in a bog. sweetly spoken praises and the echo of heavy panting inside his helmet is just as noticeable as the seeping, warm slick that squelches each time he thrusts two plated fingers into your drippy hole. he’s drunk on you, really, and the way those crystalline tears seem to fall ever so elegantly from your glassy, beautiful eyes sparkling like a swan’s pond under the sun. the gods can berate him for his lovesickness, and yet the feeling of losing himself in your gaze rivals that of seeing the full moon on a warm night.

nothing will compare to you. not ever.

he gently rests his head against your chest as he focuses on your racing heartbeat and the way you moan so sweetly for him; fingers prodding at your spasming hole as he stretches you farther and farther; curling his long digits until he reaches that gummy spot inside that has you crying out so deliciously.

being this close allows him to admire the pudginess of your belly and the swell of your hip that curves gracefully into your thigh; melding so gorgeously into the supple flesh of those quivering, spread legs he’d beg to have wrapped around his head just once. to him, you’re like a deity. someone to be worshipped on bended knee until you know just how loved you are. he’s the pariah, the outcast, whose veneration knows no bounds. the offering? the very heart you saved, and seem to hold so tenderly in your palms. please take it. it’s yours— it always has been.

he gives a few final, gentle thrusts of his fingers before you come undone; armor glistening from your spend as he holds you close, whispering gravelly assertions and loving proclamations as you float back down from your high. you’re even more gorgeous like this, he muses— and if he had the coin of a wealthy governor, he’d have that same blissful expression painted on a canvas as large as it would be wide. (…oh, come now. don’t be so shy. he knows it’s lewd, but truly, he can’t help himself.)

he strokes the apples of your cheeks, wiping your tears as he helps you up and into his arms in a bridal carry; heading for the bath chambers. he’d rather die than leave his majesty in such a debauched state, and it’s about time he care for those tender, aching muscles with gentle soap and flowery oils to rub into your skin after. he may not be able to join you, gods forbid the soapy water irritate his decaying flesh, but he gets enough excitement simply being able to both pamper and spoil you rotten.

you deserve it. don’t forget that, your eminence.

[eleni-cherie]

a thief's origin✨ || bts • kth - chapter 0.9

"you're afraid I won't wait." "I'm afraid you will."

a criminal and a doctor should be as different as the sun and the moon - but unexpected things happened every day. like him finding his safe haven in her.

© 2024 | eleni_cherie

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masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers s2f2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

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age 27 // 3rd year - assistant physician

17th July

Barcelona, Spain

The buzzing of the phone in the middle of the night startled Cassandra. Not that she was sleeping. It was way too warm, despite the open window, but an ominous feeling took over her nevertheless as a late-night call rarely meant something good.

Sitting up straight in the dark bedroom, she rubbed her eyes and reached for it. Her heart picking up in pace only more when reading 'cool guy' on the display, though, worry getting replaced by excitement instead.

She swiped to answer, hushed but eager. "Tae?"

There was a beat of silence, then she heard his breath. "Hey, angel."

With just one simple, soft word she felt all the tension she'd been holding inside her body the past days dispel. She'd missed his smooth voice and closed her eyes, letting it soak through her.

Sometimes he'd still use the old nickname and call her 'Doc', but his new one surely was her favourite.

"Thought you might be out."

He heard something of a laugh leave his girlfriend. It was quiet, but it was still there. He was joking, of course and she knew that. It was easy with him after all, always had been. Even if they hadn't seen each other in a month.

"What, at 2 in the morning? No way."

Taehyung chuckled along and her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his deep chuckles, the room suddenly feeling lighter. She'd missed the sound of his laugh.

"Then, sorry for calling so late."

"It's fine, I couldn't sleep anyway," she told him honestly, feeling almost coy and suddenly very aware of her breathing. Her chest falling and raising steadily.

"Me neither."

Silence followed, and she felt a small twinge of panic. Did anything happen? Did he realise he had nothing to say? Please don't hang up, she thought desperately, holding as still as she could underneath the thin sheets.

"I bet I have you beat," he finally said, sounding somewhat amused. And she relaxed. "We were back by eleven. Yoongi was in a terrible mood."

"Oh, how so?" she smiled quietly, adding, "Sorry I'm whispering. I recently discovered I can sometimes hear the neighbours' talking from my bed so I assume they can hear mine as well."

"It's okay. I like it," he whispered back with a smirk, only to still when another question crossed his mind. "Wait, does that mean they heard us when.."

Her lips folded, stifling a giggle as she'd wondered the same thing when discovering that fact. "They might have."

"Oh." His embarrassed chuckle made her smile widen. Taehyung hummed on the other line then, musing for a moment. "Guess we have to be careful next time."

"Mhm. But anyway, why was Yoongi in a terrible mood?"

"He was trying to play it cool, you know?" Taehyung said then, groaning slightly. "Almost blew his cover."

Cassandra snorted softly. Yoongi wasn't exactly discreet when it came to hating their disguises, according to Taehyung. Him and Jimin arguing about it sometimes. It was quite funny to her, two grown men bickering like school kids.  

However, she held herself back from asking what disguise it was and why, knowing it'd be pointless to do so. 

"Hope he and Jimin didn't argue."

"They did, but already made up. They can never stay mad at each other for too long," Taehyung reassured.

She hummed. Realising him reaching out so soon again after their last call had to be a good sign as well.

"Mhm, I assume the job was successful despite that then?"

He huffed in mock-offence only for a boisterous smirk to settle on his lips. "Of course!"

Cassandra smiled to herself, pressing one side of her face further into the pillow.

It always felt nice to talk to him like this. It felt normal, as if they were never apart. As if he lived just across the city. After years of knowing him it was normal to her anyway. The only thing that had changed was the fact it was even more annoying now that they were in an actual relationship. When they were only friends it'd been a pity not hanging out as much, surely, but now it was simply insufferable.

"So.. it's safe to say you didn't really have fun tonight," she concluded then as a joke. Earning an agreeing hum from him.

"No," he simply stated then, "I was forced out and promised a good time, but instead I was surrounded by bickering and debauchery."

A dry laugh left her lips – loudly, unable to help it really. Forgetting about her neighbours possibly hearing her in the middle of the quiet night.

"I guess the latter is referring to Jimin."

"Of course. He made flirting with two hostesses at the same time look easy." Both burst out laughing before Taehyung's tone softened again."Should have been with you instead.."

She had to ignore that, she just had to, otherwise she'd end up doing something foolish like asking him to drop everything and fly over to her. She'd never do that, her pride never allowing that anyway. But she couldn't trust herself a lot after 1am so who knew, she might become weak if she cave into it.

"Pity," she replied instead with a much calmer voice, more appropriate to the late hour, "Did you force him to stop?"

"Had to, otherwise we couldn't have proceeded with the plan," Taehyung huffed out a laugh, "He probably would've had the time of his life right now if it wasn't for me."

A lie, they both knew. Taehyung had told Cassandra everything about his friend being head over heels in love with some other thief who crossed their paths sometimes. Cassandra always found the stories involving Arabella exciting and entertaining, much to her boyfriend's despise really. Of course, she understood his reasons hence why she'd try keeping her amusement over them at bay.

"He didn't think to share with you?" she teased as she stared up to the pitch-black ceiling.

"Me?" he asked, surprised, and for a second she worried she'd gone too far when he continued, "No, he knows I'm not interested in anyone but you."

There was the beat of a silence before both attempted to say the other's name.

"Tae -"

"Cas -" He rushed forward as she held back. "I've missed you." He breathed. "Saying that out loud just makes me miss you more."

Cassandra's heart felt like expanding, drumming against her ribcage. He kept his promise of being vocal about his feelings from now on and it meant everything to her.

She heard him laugh at himself then. Feeling silly. "Do I sound pathetic?"

"No," she insisted, eager for him to know. "No, Tae. I miss you, too." She wanted to tell him everything that had been on her mind, but over the phone like this felt insufficient.

"I called you because I wanted to hear your voice. I thought of you tonight and just wanted to -" He cut himself off with a sigh. "I wanted to pretend everything was normal."

"Everything is normal, what do you mean?"

"I mean actual normal. Like.. like we're a normal couple and I can just see and call you whenever I like."

Without realising, tears had welled up in the corners of her eyes when allowing his words to sink in.

Yeah, that would be nice but it is what it is, she thought. After all, she knew what she got herself into when allowing him into her life. And it wasn't like her own job would've allowed anything 'normal' anyway, with its irregular schedules or being on standby.

One single hot tear slipped away from her eyes then, getting absorbed into her pillow. She blamed the late hour for his voice and words making her so easily over-emotional.

And without realising it, a quiet sob croaked its way past her throat.

"Cas?" His voice laced with concern. "Are you crying?"

She sniffed and wiped her face. "Sorry. It's the late hour."

"No, don't be. I'm the sorry one. I wasn't trying to make you cry."

She took a moment to compose herself, annoyed at herself. Taehyung waited patiently, and when he heard her laugh weakly down the line, he added another, although seemingly unrelated, sorry.

"What for?" He had nothing to be sorry for.

However, Taehyung let out a low whistle. "A lot." A deep exhale followed. "It's hard."

"You mean us?"

"No," he was quick to response. Needing to dissolve any insecurities before they even arose in her mind, "It sucks that we can't see each other as much.. but no, Cas, being with you isn't hard."

Her cheeks were burning by now and it wasn't due to the 23°C and the stuffy air in her bedroom. She couldn't help but grin like an idiot, feeling all jittery for a moment before recalling his sullen tone before.

"What is it then? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really.. I mean, I do. Just not right now." She hummed, relating to that statement. Hearing his mattress move on the other line.

"Is that okay?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Of course."

"Right now I just want to feel close to you," he admitted bashfully, "And hear your voice."

"I want that, too," she said and the corners of her lips tugged into a gentle smile, pretending the warmth of her bed was him. They didn't even need to talk, hearing his breathing was enough. Just like when he was lying next to her.

"I've really missed you, like, a lot." He chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry. It's late, I'm all over the place."

"No, it's cute! Don't worry," her tired smile grew at the thought of his flustered expression, "We'll see each other soon. We'll be okay."

"We will."

His confirmation meant the world to her. For the first time in a while, she felt excited. She opened her mouth, her heart ready to combast, when she stopped herself instead. Something told her he already knew what she so desperately wanted to tell him; why else would he be on the phone with her right after a coup?

Instead, she fell into a comforting silence again with her eyes starting to grow heavy. Sleep began washing over her, until a noise and Taehyung's cursing made her jolt awake. And he laughed faintly.

"Crap. I just hit my head."

The bed moved again, and she imagined that she was there with him.

"Were you falling asleep?"

"Yeah, I think I was."

"Should we hang up?" She felt bad for keeping him up, not even knowing in what timezone he was, but she also didn't want the call to be over yet.

"Let's talk tomorrow."

His assuring tone caught her off guard as she knew how risky it was for them to talk too often or too long.

"You sure?" she grinned lazily.

"Yeah. We need to talk more. I can't take this any longer."

She was suddenly wide awake now. "Okay. I'm free tomorrow. Call whenever you want."

"I'll make sure it's early in the morning then."

She could hear the teasing grin on his face. Picture it, too. "Meanie. As if you'd be up early."

"Just joking."

She giggled faintly, feeling both, excited and relaxed. "I can't wait."

"Me neither."

She could almost feel his breath, wanting him close. Tomorrow, she reminded herself.

"I should go now. You need to sleep."

"So do you," she added with a light scoff.

"So, I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

She knew he was smiling, she could hear it all the miles apart.

"Yeah," she smiled back. "You will."

The phone call ended and she was about to put it away when a text appeared on her display.

cool guy (2.46am): btw goodnight :)

angel (2.46am): goodnight ♡

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3rd October

Cassandra wasn't sure what time it was, nor was she sure if her mind hadn't imagined things in her sleep. Still in a half-daze, she tossed her blankets away, hearing the persistent ringing again which had torn her away from a deep slumber.

The doorbell, she concluded so far. Brown eyes frowning when she took off her sleeping mask and trotted to the door in the dark.

Had she forgotten about an upcoming delivery?

It didn't even cross her mind that it wasn't daytime yet despite the darkness of her apartment. That was how she preferred to sleep after all, blinds all the way down. Besides, the days became shorter and it was raining endlessly, so naturally it was rather dark outside even in the morning.

Only when she unlocked the door and swung it open, she realised how off her assumptions were when in front of her was standing none other than Taehyung. 

Clothes entirely drenched, soaking wet from the pouring rain with pools forming around his feet.

Any sleep that had remained in her system was abruptly blown away, replaced by pure excitement followed by confusion and irritation at his slumped posture. Her lips eventually parted, causing him to flinch.

He was ready to hear her expelling him for showing up there in the middle of the night, when instead she grabbed him by his arm, pulling him firmly inside and closing the door behind him.

"Tae, what happened?"

Her words faded when she noticed his sulked expression underneath the hood. Almost hidden away by long streaks of dark hair sticking onto his forehead. 

It wasn't so much the question itself that completely unarmed him. He had expected it considering the randomness and time of this encounter and his abject state.

No, it was rather the concern in her eyes and the whisper of her voice that made him completely lose any remaining energy to deny it and instead made him tear up. And he almost knocked her off when wrapping his arms around her.

She smelled of almonds and flowers. Just like he remembered.

Startled, the young woman tensed for a moment when her hands instinctively engulfed her boyfriend's torso in a tight hug. Putting her all into squeezing him as much as she could. It was her way of showing him that she was there, whatever it was that he was struggling with. Not even caring the slightest how his soaked clothes were wetting her pyjamas.

She understood not to ask further. He'd tell her eventually, she knew. He always did.

Stepping back, she clasped his arms to take a better look on him. He swallowed, avoiding her worried glance. By now he somewhat regretted coming there in an impulsive moment, acting out the only clear thought in his chaotic mind.

He'd felt so miserably and pathetic, he couldn't even bare himself, let alone fleeing to Panama with Jimin and Yoongi - the next place where an object of interest was located at - after what had happened. Even if they had tried persuading him and ensuring him it hadn't been as bad as he had made it out to be. He was so upset with his own self, however, that he couldn't simply stand being alone either.  

And out of pure selfishness and immaturity he'd spent six hours driving from Marseille to Barcelona, to the only person he wanted to see.

Perhaps it was because Cassandra wasn't one of them but an outsider. Perhaps it was her sweet and campassionate nature. Or how she tried to see all sides and wasn't set on black & white views - and he needed someone like this in that moment. Someone else who'd essentially verify what his friends had been trying to convince him of.

But when he had rung the doorbell, two sudden realisations had hit him.

It was 3am. And she was a physician.

Now it was too late though. She was already standing in front of him with big questioning bambi eyes. The fact she hadn't flipped him off or cussed at him already would've been a miracle, if she was such a person. She wasn't, however, he knew that. And yet, he felt terrible.

Was he using her to make his pity self feel better? To calm his guilty conscious?

When she felt his arms growing tired and loosening around her, she placed a hand on his cold cheek. Carefully inspecting his face with a serious glare.

"Are you hurt?"

He only responded with a small shake of his head to assure he wasn't. It was enough for her. Her hands dropped and she helped him slip off his jacket while he stepped out of his shoes.

She grabbed his hand then and he silently waddled behim her to the bedroom.  

Only when she switched on the small cloud-shaped lamp on the nightstand did she see what time it was.

She had barely slept three hours and had planned to wake up in another six - enough time to properly rest and get prepared for her shift at 2pm - but now it seemed like she had to abandon that plan.

It was alright though, first she had to take care of her favourite patient after all.

"Wait here," she quietly instructed him and Taehyung willingly did as he was told. That was the least he could do in that moment anyway, and he watched her disappear into the hallway. Eyes wandering around her room. It was the same as he remembered it, only with a few more of his postcards on the wall. And he smiled, realising she had kept them all. Along with photos of him between her friends and family.

His heart clenched. The tiny voice in the depths of his conscience telling him yet again he didn't deserve Cassandra. And it only got louder after tonight.

He heard steps then, seeing her reappearing with two mugs and a towel. She rested the mugs onto the nightstand first, the hot steam prominent while rising from the tea she'd made them. He smiled.

She pointed at him then with a scowl. "You should take off your wet clothes."

He couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the suddenly demanding tone. "Is that a doctor's order?"

It was the first time he spoke tonight. Evident in his hoarse voice. And yet, Cassandra only huffed out a laugh at the fact it was a teasing remark out of all things. Of course.

"Not this time. This time it's your girlfriend's order."

His thick eyebrow arched at this. Liking the sound of the word whenever she was referred to as his girlfriend. "Is that so?"

"Yep. I don't want you to wet my bedsheets," she grinned, "If you wet my bedsheets I'll kick you out."

"You didn't mind your clothes though," he retorted, to which she shrugged unimpressed.

"I can always change those. But I don't feel like changing bedsheets in the middle of the night. And besides, it feels disgusting being in wet clothes. Doesn't it?"

He hummed, unable to counter something to her logic like so often. She was definitely not wrong about the disgusting feeling, although it wasn't only physically.

Quietly, he began pulling his hoodie over his head, remaining with a plain shirt and she stepped closer, placing the towel over his head. She held the edges together, framing his face with it. The adorable sight making her lips curl into a smile. She almost cooed but knew to suppress it, so instead her fingers began rubbing his hair dry. Her arms were completely stretched out to properly reach him, although he was already stooping to assist her.

Soon his brown irises disappeared behind his eyelids, the stern expression on his features softening. He hummed at the soothing sensation, lulling him more and more until he couldn't feel the motion anymore.

When she deemed it dry enough, she let the towel slide from his head. Revealing his tousled waves.

"How do you still look so cute even with messy hair?" she jokingly pouted. Earning a lazy smile from him. It was so easy for her to make him smile and he tucked at one of the curls falling from her loose bun then.

"You look cuter."

She puffed her blushing cheeks, dismissing his words as always. And he still found it both, endearing and annoying, how she didn't know how to properly react to his compliments.

"Drink the tea, it should've steeped by now," she mumbled then. Quickly making her way under the covers and choosing one of the mugs to try the tea herself. By the look of her face, however, he could tell that it was still too hot and he stifled a laugh at her grimace when putting it back down. "Okay, maybe wait for a little long."

He only hummed and attempted taking off the equally damp trousers when he unintentionally shuddered at the cold metal of his magnum brushing against his skin. Shoving the gun underneath his clothes as if he tried hiding it and Cassandra noticed, but chose not to comment on it. Already holding the sheets up beside her for him. 

"What about your pj's?" he asked worried.

"It's fine they didn't get wet. Just a tiny bit dampish. It'll dry off quickly."

"Oh, so I'm the only one doing a striptease here, huh?" he smirked before sliding under the warm bedsheets. Only earning an innocent pout from Cassandra as she rested her head on his shoulder. Her arm finding its way around his waist when his draped around hers.

"Aw, poor baby," her tone teasing as she lightly poked his flushed cheek, "But you were the one running around in the rain, not me."

Sitting now next to each other in her cramped bed, they grew quiet. Partially due to their tiredness, partially due to the elephant in the room.

Taehyung didn't mind her twin-sized bed, it made it easier for him to cling onto her like a koala, even if she always complained not being able to sleep that way. Secretely she liked it, it gave her some kind of security. Unless it was the middle of summer, then she indeed hated it.

Cassandra propped her chin onto his shoulder then, glancing at him expectedly. She noticed him licking his dry lips, eyes focusing on something invisible as he held her close. His fingers curling around her hip more as he was seemingly lost in thoughts, staring into space absentmindedly.

It didn't seem like he was ready to talk yet.

With a sigh, she lifted her head and turned to grab her tea and retry. This time the sip was in a much more drinkable temperature and she took another sip. Taking the other mug and handing it over to him.

"Be careful not to spill," she quietly said and he gladly accepted it. Despite feeling warm on the outside by now, there was still an internal coldness that made him shiver.

The tea managed warming him up, but the heaviness in his chest remained. And Taehyung sunk further into the sheets after drinking the last bit of it.

His throbbing head burying itself into the crook of her neck ans she stilled for a moment when he inhaled deeply. His warm breath tingling her skin. He sensed Cassandra's lips on his temple then when a delicate hand of hers reached to his still damp hair. Her fingers beginning combing the soft dark waves.

He smelled of falling rain.

It was a soothing sensation that clouded his mind and his eyes fluttered closed. Getting lost in the anew relaxing movement of her hand. It was steady, despite sleepiness slowly taking over her as well. And his body began feeling numb, falling asleep before his mind could. Taehyung was sinking more and more into his seat. His head slipping from Cassandra's neck and sliding to her chest and to her stomach. Settling there just between.

Cassandra was his save heaven.

With her he was in a bubble. She shielded him from his chaotic and dangerous life, providing him with something he had never believed he'd receive or even deserved. Something that also terrified him though.

She was his weak spot after all, his Achilles' heel. And his profession a threat to her normal life.

It was silent in the small bedroom except for the clock on the nightstand and the pit-a-pat of the falling rain against the window glass. Occasionally, a lonely car would pass by and the sound of splashing water was heard. Their breaths and her heartbeat underneath his ear soothing him even more.

"What if I injured someone innocent?"

The sudden whisper of his voice made her perk up and she began to understand.

"Is that what happened?" she quietly asked. Her fingers not stopping from gliding through his hair. "Did you injure an innocent passerby?"

He swallowed down the lump in his throat, turning his face towards the soft fabric of her pyjamas for a moment.

"Yes."

Cassandra hummed only, peeking down at him. She knew he'd open up on his own and she knew there had been a reason, but only now she grasped why he had been in such an awful state.

She had always been curious about his 'job'. Always wanting to hear heist stories and how they pulled them off. It was an odd fascination, the whole technical part. Whether it was illegal or not what they did, it was still a form of art to her - if done correctly.

However, as he always refused to give too much into her interest and instead kept stories as superficial as possible, for him now to tell her about a job on his own felt like an apology. A depreciation.

And perhaps it was just that. Perhaps that was the reason he had driven all the way there, because she was the only person who could grant him some kind of absolution.

Her knuckles brushed over the side of his agitated face then.

"How did it happen?"

Taking a deep breath, he collected his thoughts before continuing. He didn't want to speak it out, but he had to. He couldn't bare it anymore. "It happened so fast, but.. I should've foreseen it. It was my fault."

Cassandra remained silent. He wasn't sure if it was a good sign but she hadn't pulled away her hands yet.

"Why's it your fault?"

"It just is."

"Why do you th-"

"Because I'm the best shooter in the damn world!" His voice rose with frustration when recalling the incident and he abruptly heaved his head from her warmth. Cassandra tensing at this, startled. "I can aim and hit a target in my sleep, I should've - I should've -" He began stuttering, screwing his eyes shut. A deep crease forming between his prominent brows. Cassandra's face mirroring his pained expression, the corners of her lips pulling downwards. "I should've noticed that goon creeping up behind me and pushing me. I-I shouldn't have missed my target -" He choked up at this point, cutting himself off.

Her hand glided from his hair to his cheek, cupping it as she stared into his afflicted eyes and he swallowed.

"Cassandra, I.. I swear it was an accident - it was the first time - I'd never - Please, believe me."

He needed this. Needed to hear it from her. Needed to hear that she believed him, that she knew he wasn't a common criminal shooting at innocent people without a care. Needed her to confirm he wasn't a monster. Needed her to ensure him she wouldn't despise him, despite her own profession of saving lives. Needed her to forgive him.

Cassandra gave him a look of commiseration and trapped his flushed cheeks between her palms.

His guilty conscious had been visible from the moment she'd opened the door. She knew he felt terrible, she could feel how sincere he was. How much he regretted it. And she knew she was in no way entitled to judge people in situations she'd never gone through herself and went beyond her experience. Hence why it was flattering that Taehyung not only felt the need to tell her but was also concerned for her opinion on the matter. After all those years of knowing each other, she was truly his confidant. And the realisation warmed her heart.

"I've told you time over time you're not a bad guy. This was an accident, you didn't want it to happen," she softly spoke. Her thumb caressing his cheek in an attempt to calm him down. And it seemed to work, his guilt-ridden expression mitigating. His jaw unclenching.

"You truly believe that?" he asked quietly.

She nodded confidently. "I know it."

"It won't happen again," he confirmed. He planned to learn from his mistakes. Perhaps he should try mediating like Yoongi who sensed any threat from miles away.

"I know," she smiled. Her gaze falling then. "What happened to the person you accidentally shot though?"

He frowned. "We fled instantly, so I'm not sure. But I heard sirens of an ambulance in the distance, so I hope.." His index finger went to his hip. "I got him here, it's not a vital part, right?"

Cassandra knew that a hip injury by a gunshot was likely to cause complex peritrochanteric fracture. But orthopaedic procedures had an overall union rate for primary fixation of over sixty percent - which was pretty good. There was, of course as it was the case with all medical procedures, always a remaining chance for complications, however, she chose not to disclose the last part. Not wanting to make him feel worse. Instead she kept it positively vague, just like with patients and their families.

"He should be fine," she nodded, her smile widening, "It's not a life-threatening injury."

With the heavy burden being lifted from his chest, he slowly sank back down to her chest. Closing his eyes as soon as he heard her heartbeat and felt her fingers returning to his chocolate waves.

Cassandra had managed to calm him down like no one else ever could.

He wasn't used to this. To feeling so at ease. There in her warm embrace, with her fingers running through his hair, her chest rising and falling underneath him, her scent in his nose and her steady pulse in his ear, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Realising the reason she was the only person he wanted to see that night, the only person he wanted to ever talk about his heavy heart with and the only person whose words mattered the most to him, was as simpel as the answer to why he always kept coming back to her, despite the risk of getting caught by interpol.

Because he loved her.

»»»

next chapter: 1.0 here

Don't forget to like, comment & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

- btw any detco fans here who caught the shinran reference? 👀 hehe

taglist: @lilanyxta @naoolammao345 @memna234 @tetehion @myblacklilame

[eoieopda]

Can I request Jimin and the backwards relationship trope? Idk if that makes as much sense in words as it does in my head. Fuck buddies —> friends —> lovers kind of thing? Happy Drabblepalooza, Milestone, and five month Tumblrversary, lovely! You’re a gem 💎

tysm bb! i love this prompt 🥹

the one with the clownfish and the anemone

pairing: park jimin x gn!reader type: drabble (suggestive fluff) | wc: 863 rating: 18+ (minors dni) au: fuck buddies to friends to lovers cw: no explicit detail re: smut but it’s mentioned that they do, in fact, fuck; implied cumshot, lol; alcohol mention. summary: jimin entered your life by chance, but he stayed by choice. ⚠️ 18+ only ⚠️ minors and ageless blogs will be blocked, on sight. my content is not for you. i do not want to interact with you. please respect my boundaries.

It started, as most things do, with soju. Too much soju, to be specific. 

As if there’s any other kind.

You were bold, but Park Jimin was bolder. He saw you at the bar, gave neither a shit nor a fuck that you were out with your friends, and sidled right up to you as if he belonged there. You balked at his audacity, but it worked. He slipped seamlessly into your life that night. 

And then, when you and your friends parted ways, he slipped his hand into yours. Slipped into your bed, into you, then back out the door like some thief in the night. So it goes, you thought. You went through the motions of your nighttime skincare routine, and went soundly to sleep in a post-soju, post-sex haze.

A few weeks passed by before you saw him again, entirely by chance. As it turned out, the gym you frequented — well, maybe not that frequently — sat centrally between your apartment and his. Neighbors, he mused. No neighbor you’d ever had fucked you like he did, pressing your back to a perforated metal door in a locker room, smelling like salted sweat and orange, sugar-free Gatorade.

“You’re an idiot,” you told him, dead serious. “Blue is the best flavor, hands down.”

He laughed so hard his eyes disappeared. “You’re an idiot. Blue is not a flavor.”

When you went your separate ways that night, he left with your phone number. He claimed it was in case of emergencies, shot you a wink, and disappeared again. Just like the last time, you went back to normal, albeit with the grooves of a locker door imprinted into your back.

It took him three days to text you, and it wasn’t an emergency. Not to you, anyway. To him, it might’ve been; he was trapped, bored, at some friend’s bachelor party and needed an out. Needed you, he said, can I come over? So, he did — all over your tits while you were still gasping for air underneath him.

Life continued like that for months: inconsequentially. You came, he left, and the two of you left it like that. It was nice, having someone to pinch hit whenever a date didn’t pan out, or work was especially stressful. Or it was a Tuesday, or it was raining, or just because.

“It’s symbiotic,” you explained, and he nodded.

With a nonchalant wave of his hand, he offered, “Like a clownfish and an anemone.”

It shouldn’t have surprised you, but it did every time. The person fucking your brains out on a semi-regular basis had brains of his own; and he was funny. He was thoughtful, too, which was something else you failed to account for.

The first time he showed up unannounced on your doorstep, he had a takeaway container in his hand. You were unwashed and entirely unprepared for visitors; and Jimin didn’t seem to notice — if he did, he kept it secret — that you were as much of a mess as your apartment. He simply stepped inside, handed you hotteok from the street cart you wouldn’t shut up about, and then he stayed.

You kept to your respective seats — him on the couch, you sitting cross-legged on the floor by his shins — and neither of you sought to change that fact. It was the latest you’d stayed up since college, and it was the hardest you’d ever laughed. The pair of you got through three movies, back to back, before he left to sleep in his own bed. The squeeze he gave your hand on his way out the door felt more intimate than anything else you’d ever done together.

So slowly that you couldn’t track the motion, Jimin slid into your daylight hours as if he belonged there. You took turns dropping coffee off to the other at your respective offices. You grabbed salads after your joint excursions to the gym as a way of apologizing to your bodies for what you'd just done to them. You called him to complain about your parents; he texted you every morning with your daily horoscope.

And throughout the months you spent like this, soaking into your routine, you didn’t realize that fucking was no longer part of it. It hadn’t been, not since you sat and ate hotteok on your living room floor. Fucking was casual, and this meant far more than that.

Whenever you found yourself in his lap now, it was because you loved to take up more than your fair share of the couch, and his thighs made the perfect pillow. He was comfortable. You were comfortable with him. So much so that your position, combined with the way he played idly with your hair, put you most of the way to sleep.

He must’ve thought you were all the way gone because he whispered, “I love you,” like he was sharing a secret.

It was mumbled through barely-opened lips when you replied, “I know,” just before taking his hand from your hair and brushing a kiss across his knuckles.

Though you didn’t say it out loud, you know he heard it, that he felt it, because — for the first time — he stayed the night.

[dxy-drxxm]

SYNOPSIS: Lyney wanted to do one last trick, and he found the right person to do it with. (gen. neutral reader) [ IDENTITYV AU ]

CW/s: Lyney goes a bit too rough with thief! reader, implied major character death (part 1 of 3) with hunter Lyney, but the second part is not an x reader oops (might publish it tomorrow after classes w/ the x reader variant)

"Step right up, dear guest! Come right inside the box right here…"

Lyney's voice echoed as he urged the guests in his show to watch, and just as always (with his partner and sister, Lynette) he showcases the trick and the preparation he made for it.

Although it was a trick he knew he can pull off with ease, he still wanted to make sure that they were safe. You can never know if the trick fails, after all.

"Now!" he called to the audience, "I will make our dear guest disappear from this box…"

He gestures to the box a ways away from him, then to the one next to him.

"… And appear to this box, right here!"

The audience cheered as they knew it wouldn't fail. It shouldn't fail.

"Now, I ask of you to count to 60! It'd be bad if I send them to someplace like the manor, wouldn't it?"

…?

Manor? Like, Oletus?

"Alright, start counting!"

60…

59…

58…

...

…

5…

4…

3…

2…

"… One."

The unfortunate 'guest' of the hour had fallen to the ground when they were hit with one of Lyney's 'tricks', feeling their body ache as they skidded down.

Their head began to ring as the grim-malkin cat that tagged along with him slam them with enough force to send them flying. It felt as though their head has hit a wall or something so tough to have cause a concussion.

The male twin chuckled and walked over, whistling so to retrieve the phantom feline. Soon, he crouched down, purple eyes twinkling in amusement.

… And malice.

"Poor, poor thief… Why, I thought you'd put up more of a fight!"

Grabbing their waist, he tied them up in balloons, whistling as he carried them up.

"No matter," he mused, ignorant of their struggles as he walked off to the chair. "Let's continue the fun, shall we?"

"After all, what's a magician to do without an audience watching?"

@.enxgmx-wrxtxr | do not republish, repost, or copy my works anywhere | 2023

[leanderfields]

kintsugi ch. 02⦂

prev ← series masterlist → next

SYNOPSIS: Life as a Highborn noble can be as lavish and extravagant as one makes it out to be. After all, money talks in these parts of Eridia. Every interaction is transactional. Even relationships, a horrible realization that you had when turning down one too many marriage– or rather, business– proposals. But when all hope in love is lost, a thief breaks into your bedroom in the dead of night. He’s charming and easy on the eyes, but is your heart the only thing he’ll take?

C/W: vague mentions age gaps, but nothing too detailed or gross; see series masterlist for general warnings

A/N: Enter Elyon!! This chapter is mostly focused on introducing him and setting up the plot, but don't worry Leander is still mentioned ♡

Sunlight poured into your bedroom, illuminated the crevices of your bedroom and pried your drowsy eyes open. You reluctantly sat up and rubbed your eyes, catching a glimpse of the sun peeking out from Eridia’s horizon. You grimaced as a knock graced your ears. Staying up late and rising early was a routine at this point, but it was not often that you regretted the choices made the previous night. Whenever you would wake up after sleeping at an absurd hour, you felt tired. However, today was a bit different. Today, you felt like death. You were on the verge of collapsing. You were seated far from your vanity, but you did not need to look into a mirror to know that the bags beneath your eyes were dark and heavy. 

“Come in,” you called.

On cue, Adaline swung your bedroom door open. She beelined towards your balcony window and drew the curtains, letting the daylight flood your room. A few other ladies in waiting followed her inside your chambers like little ducklings, wheeling in racks of dresses. You yawned while she put her hands on her hips. 

“Good morning, my lady.”

“Good morning,” you replied sheepishly, shrinking deeper into your sheets. It was apparent that she was eyeing the flower vase beside you. And how could she not? Leander’s gold work shimmered and shined now that the sun was out. Many things in your room had gold accents, but Adaline had seen that vase for years. It was different to say the least.  

But the dreaded question never came. Instead, Adaline presented you with the usual: “Did you sleep well?” 

“I suppose,” you said nonchalantly. 

She sighed, “You can take a nap when you are done with the Duke of Cromwell.”

You pressed your lips together. He almost slipped your mind. Almost, that is. He was always on the back burner, a thought you did not want to acknowledge until it came back to haunt you. To remind you of your place in high society. To remind you that love was a prospect not a promise. 

Your father described this meeting as a simple luncheon except for the fact that it was everything, but a simple luncheon. He was a passive man in all regards. He never arranged anything with anyone, always letting them come to him. This was the case even for the Duke of Cromwell. He personally reached out to your father unlike your other potential suitors who wrote directly to you, piquing the interest of your father. And who would be a fool to turn down a Cromwell? 

The Cromwell’s were a distinguished family with a status much higher than yours— or most families in Hightown for that matter. The duke was their pride and joy, a young man that ran the most esteemed brothel in Eridia. Well, as esteemed as a brothel run by nobles for the nobles could be. Lords and ladies would come to get away from their loveless marriages. One single night full of bliss and then it was back to normal. One single night and the Cromwell’s were able to rake in thousands of dollars. Those nights happen every night without fail. 

‘What would the duke know about love?’ you mused as the maids helped you into a dress. 

One fluffed out your petticoats. Another cinched your waist with a corset. Your father probably had the dress tailored for today. You had never seen this dress before. Moreover, the maids typically asked you what you wanted to wear, letting you pick from the racks they wheeled into your room that day. Suppose they wanted to give you the illusion of choice. You could not blame them though. Your father’s words were absolute despite them being your ladies in waiting. You held your arms out as Adaline ushered the sleeves up your shoulders. She then spun you around, allowing you to face your reflection in the vanity mirror. 

The dress was a lovely royal blue color with delicate black lace trimming around the neckline, but when Adaline collapsed a silver necklace adorned with sapphires around your neck, it was not as lovely as you thought. Beautiful as your ensemble was, you could not help but frown. You were a walking Cromwell crest. The duke was the one that proposed this meeting yet it seemed like you were the one trying to win him over. Or rather, your family were the ones trying to win him over. 

From a business standpoint, having a relationship with the Cromwell’s was fruitful. The pros outweighed the cons. Well, technically, there was only one con— you and your feelings. Other than that, there was truly nothing to lose for both families. Only things to gain. 

Your family, the Sciarra’s, were tycoons of the Eridian perfume industry. The Cromwell’s brothel was located by the outskirts of the Amaryllis District which was glazed with sweet, floral fragrances. You did not need to know the specifics of whatever your father and the duke talked about in order to know that a union would benefit both parties. You were certain the Sciarra’s would take a slice of the Cromwell’s pie all while their profits would skyrocket as they would have access to the finest artisan perfume in Eridia for dirt cheap. Or perhaps access to your factories?

Adaline put a hand over your eyes, spraying a touch of perfume behind your ears. You resigned yourself to today’s schedule when she tilted your chin downward, forcing you to look your reflections in the eyes, and just like that, you were ready for your outing with the duke. 

“You look lovely, my lady.”

“All thanks to you.”

She smiled and took your hand, “You will do just fine.” 

You squeezed her hand, allowing her to guide you towards the door and down the hallways of your estate like a child on her first day of school. Not a single word was exchanged between you and your maid as you waltzed your way towards the foyer. You bit your bottom lip. 

Though it was the crack of dawn, it was still too quiet for your liking. You had so many things to say, so many thoughts to voice, but none of them came out. What was Adaline supposed to do if you cried your eyes out and threw a tantrum, demanding that you marry for true love even though you hardly left your manor to meet– let alone love– anyone? Console you with lies? Tell you it will be alright? Tell you that the one for you is out there somewhere? There was nothing she could do for you. She was your servant and you were her lady. Lady… Lady Cromwell… you shuddered at the thought. It was too soon to be thinking about such things. Even if they were inevitable. 

Adaline held your hand a little tighter as you descended the grand staircase that led to the foyer and the front entrance of the Sciarra estate. At the bottom of the steps, there stood a man with the most peculiar pair of eyes you had ever seen. His irises were a piercing electric blue, but his sclera were pitch black. Your breath hitched as he smirked at you. 

“Forgive me, your grace, but I thought you were going to wait outside,” Adaline quipped, letting go of your hand. 

He chuckled and extended his hand towards you. “I realized that it would be improper to let a lady be escorted by a maid while I twiddle my thumbs in a carriage. First impressions are important, mind you.”

You took his hand without a second thought, allowing him to press a chaste kiss on your knuckles, searing your skin hot with his lips. Albeit, it did not leave the same impression as the kiss Leand– you frowned. 

“Then, I will leave you to it.” Adaline  turned to you and brushed off the sides of your sleeves, “Take care, my lady.”

Her back was facing you before you could reply and bid her farewell yourself. You turned your attention back to the duke. 

“Shall we get the formal introductions out of the way?” he asked.

“We shall.”

“Then, ladies first.”

“Greetings. I am Lady (y/n) of the Sciarra household in the East of Hightown. Delighted to make your acquaintance,” you said with a curt curtsy.

He returned the gesture with a bow, “And I am Duke Elyon of the Cromwell household in the Southwest of Hightown. The pleasure is all mine.” 

You smiled. He smiled. Then, you both walked outside to the carriage in silence. Your footsteps were loud and echoed throughout the front yard. The heels of his boots clicked and clacked against the cobblestone. As you got closer to the carriage, the coachman hopped off the driver’s seat and opened the door for you both as you. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, a hand over his heart like a knight swearing an oath. His head was perpendicular to the ground. 

Elyon hummed, almost as if he acknowledged the coachman’s bow and climbed in first. He then turned around and then held a hand out to you. You gathered your skirts in one hand and took his with the other. He squeezed your hand as he pulled you to your seat. 

You smoothed your petticoats out while the carriage shook slightly as the coachman climbed onto the driver’s seat. With the crack of a whip, the horses started trotting. You folded your hands together, feeling his stare on you. Or perhaps he was not staring. The carriage was small. He was seated across from you. His only options were to look out the window or straight at you. You opted for the former, leaning against the window. You held back a sigh as you watched your estate get smaller and smaller in the distance. You hardly lived a life and now you were doomed to marry a man you hardly knew. Your eyes flickered to Elyon. 

To your surprise, he was not staring at all. His eyes were closed. His lashes were long, brushing his cheeks ever so slightly. His hair was as long and dark as night with the tips dyed a chestnut brown. He wore a single silver earring on his right ear, a stark contrast to the rest of his royal blue and black outfit. He sported a suit-like ensemble though the dress shirt was a little odd. It was left open around his collarbone and there were two ribbon chokers around his neck. He also donned a cloak with an enormous amount of fur trimming. Your brows are knitted together. It was summer. Eridian summers were sweltering and unforgiving. Even the early mornings were hot. You pursed your lips and looked down at your sumptuous dress. No matter. Aristocrats adored flamboyance one way or another. 

You turned your head back to the window. Your fingers found their way onto the black lace of your dress and ran their way across the dainty fabric’s bumps and grooves in a smooth back and forth motion. 

“You should rest, my lady. It will be a while before we reach our destination,” Elyon said as you jolted up from your seat. 

“Is your manor really that far from here?” 

“No it is not. It is only a thirty minute carriage ride, but we are taking a detour.”

“What for?”

His eyes fluttered open. His black sclera held the carriage atmosphere with an iron grip. He crossed his arms. 

“Have you not heard?” 

“Heard what?”

He chuckled, “There is a thief running around Hightown as of late. The city police have been pursuing him, but to no avail. All anyone knows is that he only steals from manors and caravans like this one. Your neighbor, the Earl of Sinclair, was his most recent victim. He was robbed last night. I’m not sure of the details, but my social circles have been saying all that he lost was a few magical artifacts in his antique collection.”

You blinked. That must have been Leander. The one who said he was not looking for trouble…

“So we are taking a detour to avoid this thief?” you asked, trying not to let your voice waver. 

“Yes.”

“But would a thief really strike in broad daylight?”

He chuckled again, “Who knows? It is better to be safe than sorry, no?”

“...You have a point.”

Elyon closed his eyes again as the conversation ceased. However, unlike the silence that occurred during your walk to the carriage, this one was comfortable. It felt natural. Less awkward. A little more peaceful. 

You would like to join him and rest your eyes but you were ruminating again. Leander. Leander. Leander. You shifted in your seat. What to do? Turn him in? He was a thief. One that targeted aristocrats. He stole from your neighbor and possibly many other families. But… Elyon never mentioned anything gruesome. So was it safe to assume that Leander was only a chivalrous thief with no blood on his hands? You dared not to press Elyon for more details. The last thing you wanted was to be a criminal’s accomplice. You could already imagine the headlines already: Lady Sciarra Aids the Hightown Phantom Thief’s Great Escape and is Now on the Run! The Sciarra Family Name is Now Forever Tarnished! Oh the Tragedy! 

“My lady?”

“Yes?” your voice cracked.

“Is this carriage not to your liking?”

“Not all, your grace.”

“I see. Forgive me then. You seemed rather skittish,” Elyon said, eyes fluttering open once more. A stern expression crossed his face.

“Nerves, I suppose.” You tried your best to make your smile reach your eyes. 

“I do not bite, Lady Sciarra.”

“How reassuring.”

“But it is true.”

“That it is.”

“I am not looking to trouble you, my lady.”

Your posture stiffened. Did all the men in Eridia say that whenever someone appeared to be distressed? Or was it your cursed luck? First Leander. Now Elyon. 

“I am not troubled by you, your grace.”

He sighed, “This outing is not a marriage proposal if that is what you are concerned about.” 

“And what makes you say that?” 

Were you that obvious? Your brows furrowed. No, you were thinking about Leander just now. Not that Elyon would know. Still… for someone so far off the mark, he hit the nail on the head.

“Call it an educated guess. Like I said, you seemed rather skittish around me.”

“I apol–”

Elyon held a hand up. “I am not offended, my lady. Your feelings are reasonable. I made my debut into society nine years ago. Ten years in a couple of months. Yours was fairly recent if my memory serves correctly and I am no manther. So please rest assured– I have no intention of marrying you.”

You opened then closed your mouth. You did not even know his age prior to this conversation. Your father kept every bit of information about Elyon away from you aside from his name and title. The rumors about the Duke of Cromwell spoke for themselves, but none of them ever described him as the type of man who would jump to conclusions so quickly. Admittedly, the conclusion he presented before you was rational. Sensible, even. If it were not for the fact that your mind was plagued with thoughts about your encounter with a certain thief instead of the situation at hand, Elyon would be right. You were concerned about marriage. And if you knew he was almost a decade older than you, perhaps you would be alarmed too. 

“So this outing is…?”

“A date,” he said. 

“Your grace! You just said you had no intention of marrying me!”

“I do not, but I have a contract to uphold.”

You rested your head in your palms, “My father put you up to this, did he not?” 

“Your father and my father.”

“Are you not the Duke of Cromwell?”

“I am more or less the Acting Duke of Cromwell. I may handle affairs and such, but my father is still the Duke of Cromwell on paper until he passes.”

“So this contract…”

Elyon tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, “You seem well-educated. Would you like to take a gander?”

Your breath hitched. You were indeed educated and you did have a guess, but your blood boiled. He raised a brow in turn as you exhaled slowly.

“Your brothel and my family’s perfume. A union between us would profit both parties in terms of business as well as smooth out any legal proceedings with this joint operation. ”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“But that is assuming we are to wed, your grace. You expressed no desire in doing so, but if that is the case, then what were the conditions our fathers proposed?” 

A wry laugh slipped through his lips as he leaned against his cushioned seat. “I initially reached out to the Earl of Sciarra about business proceedings between my brothel and the Sciarra’s perfumery. There was no marriage in the first few versions of our business contract. That is… until my father suggested a union. From there, my contract was profusely revised by our fathers. ”

You pursed your lips. “Would it not be beneficial to proceed with the original deal and use your status as a bachelor for another contract?”

“Beneficial, yes. However, I have been using that excuse for years now. I have not courted since my beautillion ball. My father meddled with my affairs in order to find me a bride. I suppose he grew weary of my ‘schemes’ while your father grew tired of you turning down every suitor that came your way,” Elyon said with a strained grin. You stared at his forehead. A vein could pop at any moment. 

“Perhaps he wants you to find something else to love aside from money,” you jested, ignoring that last bit about you. 

“So I’ve been told.”

“...Do you believe in love, your grace?”

“Pardon?”

“Love. Like true love. Courting someone because you love them. Marrying someone because you love them.”

He gave you a sideways glance, “I suppose I could believe in it. Like how children believe in Saint Nicholas.”

A pout formed on your lips as heat rushed to your cheeks. You were a fool. Of course, he did not believe in such things. Love was only reserved for the storybooks.

“If you were wondering about the reason I have stopped courting, all you have to do is be direct, my lady.”

Elyon was right, but also a tad bit off the mark yet again. You assumed that love was the reason he did not court after his debut like the hopeless romantic you were, but you were more so curious if there was someone out there who was just like you, someone who believed in fairytales and fantasy novels. Not in some measly piece of gossip. 

“Forgive me, your grace. I did not want to pry,” you replied coolly. Nonchalantly. 

“It is quite alright. I have nothing to be ashamed of. To put it simply, I am bored.”

“Bored?”

“Yes, bored, my lady.”

“Bored of what?”

“Why, courting, of course.”

You blinked. He was beaming. Glowing, even. Almost as if he believed his answer would earn him a gold star. You opened your mouth, but Elyon beat you to it.

“I am kidding, my lady.”

“I am in tears,” you muttered. 

“Humor me a little, Lady Sciarra.”

You hummed in response, allowing a silence to make itself known. The chirps and whistles of birds were audible from inside the carriage now that your shallow heart-to-heart with Elyon came to an end. You stared out at the window, catching a glimpse of the cityscape and the ashy blue sky. Was the Cromwell estate near the metropolitan area? 

“Do you ever feel like courtship only ever demands pieces of you, but not all of you?” he mused, breaking into your brief moment of solitude.

“I would not know, your grace. This is my first time courting.” 

The carriage halted. You planted your heels onto the floor, bracing yourself should you fall. A faint click rang through your ears. You turned your head towards the carriage door and the coachman who stood by the entrance, bowing with a hand over his heart. Elyon rose from his seat and hopped off the carriage.

“Well, perhaps after today, you will go on many more outings and come to know what I mean when I say that,” he said with an outstretched hand. 

“I will be the judge of that,” you quipped as you took his hand, allowing him to help you step off the carriage. 

Once your shoes hit the pavement, you were quick to let go of his hand and turned your attention to smoothing out any wrinkles on your skirt. 

“I thought we were going to your estate.”

“Changes of plans,” Elyon shrugged, “Unless… you want to visit my estate?”

You shook your head.

“I thought so. I would like to believe that almost anyone would prefer a bustling town plaza than a manor with empty halls.”

“You may be right, your grace.” 

This time, your smile reached your eyes without you making any attempts to do so. It had been a while since you went downtown. You hardly had any time for leisure after your debutante. In fact, you hardly left your bedroom– let alone your estate. You paused. Ah, but Elyon was here with you. Bookstores were automatically crossed off your to-do list. 

“Have you ever been to the Amaryllis District, Lady Sciarra?”

“This is the Amaryllis District?”

You took a deep breath, letting the strong floral fragrances fill your nostrils. Of course. There were only two places in Eridia that smelled this pungent– the Sciarra perfumeries and the Amaryllis District. You scanned your surroundings. You never ventured to this part of Hightown. This district belonged to the “cleaner” side of the river, but it was also too close to Lowtown for your father’s comfort.  But despite his warnings, the arts district was not too shabby. It was colorful and lively as any other plaza in Hightown if not more. The only difference was the pink curtains and… your eyes fell on a noticeboard by a building you assumed to be a brothel. 

There were many flyers tacked onto the weathered wood, but there was one that stuck out to you in particular. It had a half-body portrait of a man drawn on it. A man with deep, emerald eyes and a dark trench coat. A scar ran down from his cheek to his crossed arms. You squinted. His nose was a bit crooked, but you were certain that was Leander. Something was not right. Elyon said that the authorities could not find the thief yet there were posters of him in the Amaryllis District. You brought a hand under your chin.

“Something on your mind?” 

You flinched and Elyon’s eyes widened.

“No,” you said, “Not at all.”

“Come, then. Let us go. I have a reservation at one of the restaurants here. Best not to keep the staff waiting.”

You watched as Elyon’s walk away from the carriage. You turned around to see the coachman crack his whip and the horses trot off. The duke was several paces ahead of you at this point, but your gaze still lingered on that poster. You glanced at Elyon’s figure which became increasingly smaller the more you stared at him then you glanced back at the poster once more. You looked left then you looked right. Then, you tiptoed towards the noticeboard and tore Leander’s portrait off with a clean rip.

You inhaled sharply, looking over your shoulder. Everyone around you seemed to be preoccupied with something or someone. You nimbly tucked the paper into the pockets of your skirt and made haste to catch up with Elyon. 

‘You are not an accomplice,’ you chided to yourself, ‘He will clear it up with you this evening as promised and all will be well.’

[oros-ash3s]

.・。.・゜✭ Character Songs ✫ ゜・。.

Songs under the cut:

MAGICAE

Nobody’s Soldier - Hozier

Not - Big Thief

Eleanor Rigby - Cody Fry

Finale/Children Will Listen (Part 1) - Into the Woods

Your Fault - Into the Woods

CASTOR & POLLUX

I Ain’t Done - The Crane Wives

Mind Over Matter - Young the Giant

Isle Unto Thyself - Miracle Musical

Hell’s Comin’ with Me - Poor Man’s Poison

Vulture Culture - Fangclub

Brutus - The Buttress

My Way - Frank Sinatra

Ignorance - Paramore

The Plagues - Ralph Fiennes, Amick Byram

Still / The Neva Flows (Reprise) - Ramin Karimloo, Christy Altomare

Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn

Two Birds - Regina Spektor

Christmas Kids - Roar

Your Obedient Servant - Leslie Odom Jr., Lin Manuel Miranda

CASTOR

The Crooked, The Cradle - The Crane Wives

Get Free - Lana Del Rey

Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi - Radiohead

Blood // Water - Grandson

See America Right - The Mountain Goats

Kiss Me, Son of God - They Might Be Giants

Caesar on a TV Screen - The Last Dinner Party

Introducing Jonah to the Whale - Everybody’s Worried About Owen

Hurricane - Lin Manuel Miranda

POLLUX

Hellfire - Patrick Page

Oh Ana - Mother Mother

Psycho Killer - The Talking Heads

Bark Like a God - Sloppy Jane

I’m So Sorry - Imagine Dragons

My Ordinary Life - The Living Tombstone

Burning Pile - Mother Mother

Hansel - Soddiken

Helena - My Chemical Romance

Seven Devils - Florence + The Machine

BlackBoxWarrior OKULTRA - Will Wood

Caesar on a TV Screen - The Last Dinner Party

Chop Suey! - System Of A Down

THE TRIO

Army Dreamers - Kate Bush

Freaks - Surf Curse

No Surprises - Radiohead

My Alcoholic Friends - The Dresden Dolls

Last Words of a Shooting Star - Mitski

Sharks - Imagine Dragons

Not Strong Enough - Boygenius

Look Who’s Inside Again - Bo Burnham

Exit Music (For a Film) - Radiohead

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Starman - David Bowie

Fourth of July - Sufjan Stevens

Malmo - Mook

Hell Above - Pierce the Veil

What You Know - Two Door Cinema Club

Someday - Two Door Cinema Club

Next Year - Two Door Cinema Club

The Winner Takes It All - ABBA

KICK BACK - Kenshi Yonezu

Homage - Mild High Club

New Home - Austin Farwell

Soldier, Poet, King - The Oh Hellos

Don’t Go Insane - DPR IAN

Dear Arkansas Daughter - Lady Lamb

O Children - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

Forwards Beckon Rebound - Adrianne Lenker

Where or When - Laufey

Seven - Taylor Swift

Ready Now - Dodie

All The Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople

Strange Sight - KT Tunstall

No Roots - Alice Merton

Claw Machine - Sloppy Jane, Phoebe Bridgers

Purpose is Glorious - Natalie Holt

Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish

Best Friend - Toy-Box

Forever Young - Alphaville

Like a Prayer - I’ll Take You There Choir

Search Party - The Blasting Company

Exogenesis: Symphony Pt. 3 - Muse

Island Song - Adventure Time

Motion Sickness - Phoebe Bridgers

Reptilia - Ricky Montgomery

Again & Again - The Bird and the Bee

Watching Him Fade Away - Mac DeMarco

There’s a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

Moon Song - Phoebe Bridgers

Clair de Lune - Son Lux, Chris Pattishall

Piano Man - Billy Joel

Who Are You, Really? - Milly Ekko

Subway - Chappell Roan

Jigsaw Falling Into Place - Radiohead

As The World Caves In - Matt Maltese

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? - Tyler, The Creator

Nothing’s New - Rio Romeo

Here Comes a Thought - Steven Universe

30/90 - Andrew Garfield

WREN

I Know The End - Phoebe Bridgers

Amoeba - Clairo

Class of 2013 - Mitski

Tiger Inside - SuperM

Wrecking Ball - Mother Mother

Hell of a Ride - Bo Burnham

Right Where You Left Me - Taylor Swift

I’m Something Else - SomeThingElseyt

Love Grows (Where the Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse

Hai Yorokonde - Kacchi no Kento

The Communists Have the Music - They Might Be Giants

Wren’s Lullaby - Dandelion Hands

Perfect Blues - Hannah Bahng

The Other Side - Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron

Worldstar Money (Interlude) - Joji

You Love Me - Kimya Dawson

Digital Silence - Peter McPoland

Summer’s End - Phoebe Bridgers

Lucky - Lucky Twice

ATLAS

Jobless Monday - Mitski

Drunk Walk Home - Mitski

Are You Satisfied? - Marina

Detention - Melanie Martinez

Francis Forever - Mitski

Mama’s Boy - Dominic Fike

Dress My Wounds - Mook

Cop Car - Mitski

Working for the Knife - Mitski

Leaving Tonight - The Neighborhood

Brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

The Soccer Journals - Everybody’s Worried About Owen

Dream Sweet in Sea Major - Miracle Musical

Step On Me - The Cardigans

Bug Like An Angel - Mitski

Amnesia Was Her Name - Lemon Demon

Taurnado - Kimiko Glenn

All I Ever Wanted - Amick Byram, Linda Dee Shayne

Puppet Boy - DEVO

You Don’t Own Me - Lesley Gore

What If I Forget Your Face - Kimiko Glenn

Who Is She? (Reprise) - Kimiko Glenn

Shameika - Fiona Apple

The Archer - Taylor Swift

Do I Disappoint You - Rufus Wainwright

Tongues and Teeth - The Crane Wives

Boy - Alex G

Lithonia - Childish Gambino

I Don’t Hate My Body I’m Just Afraid Of It - Mallrat

Romantic Homicide - d4vd

Run Boy Run - Woodkid

BlackBoxWarrior OKULTRA - Will Wood

A Human’s Touch - TWRP, McKenna Rae

Once Upon a December - Christy Altomare

Wet - Dazey and the Scouts

Sorry - Alex G

Dealer - Lana Del Rey

Closer - Nine Inch Nails

Stay Soft - Mitski

Paper Bag - Fiona Apple

First Love/Late Spring - Mitski

Shame - Mitski

Choking Games - Nicole Dollanganger

Flowers of Flesh and Blood - Nicole Dollanganger

Blow My Brains Out - Tikkle Me

Pretty When I Cry - Lana Del Rey

Government Hooker - Lady Gaga

Drunk-Dazed - ENHYPEN

Poison - Brent Faiyaz

All You Wanna Do - Aimie Atkinson

Haze (Acoustic Vers.) - Nervous

Bigmouth Strikes Again - The Smiths

Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Liquid Smooth - Mitski

Should’ve Been Me - Mitski

Top of My School - Katherine Lynn-Rose

PUPPET - Tyler, The Creator

Disobedient - Steven Universe

Like Him - Tyler, The Creator, Lola Young

When Memories Snow - Mitski

White Knuckle Jerk (Where Do You Get Off?) - Will Wood and the Tapeworms

Stand Tall - Childish Gambino

Mis - Alex G

So Real - Jeff Buckley

Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now - The Smiths

Destroyed By Hippie Powers - Car Seat Headrest

Cute Thing - Car Seat Headrest

ALASTAIR

The Moon Will Sing - The Crane Wives

All This And Heaven Too - Florence + The Machine

Dance On The Moon - AURORA

The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd

Black Hole - She & Him

Losing My Religion - R.E.M.

Inspector Gadget - London Music Works

Animals - Muse

The Fruits - Paris Paloma

They’re Coming to Take Me Away—Ha Ha! - Sloppy Jane

The Mind Electric - Miracle Musical

Out There - Tony Jay, Tom Hulce

It Took Me By Surprise - Maria Mena

And The Hound - Yaelokre

Right Now - Gracie Abrams

If I’m Being Honest - Dodie

Tongues and Teeth - The Crane Wives

A Quick One Before The Eternal Worm Devours Connecticut - Have a Nice Life

My Tears Are Becoming a Sea - M83

The Lament of Eustace Scrubb - The Oh Hellos

The Crooked Kind - Radical Face

Pretend - Alex G

I Don’t Hate My Body I’m Just Afraid Of It - Mallrat

Trees - McCafferty

BlackBoxWarrior OKULTRA - Will Wood

The Ballad of Jane Doe - Emily Rohm

Arcturus Beaming - The Crane Wives

Black Hole Fantasy - The Crane Wives

Listen Before I Go - Billie Eilish

アルジャーノン - Yorushika

S.O.S D’un Terrien en Détresse - Dimash Qudaibergen

On My Own - Samantha Banks

YKWIM - Yot Club

I Want You - Mitski

It’s Only Sex - Car Seat Headrest

Arms Tonite - Mother Mother

Lilith - Saint Avangeline

Waiting Room - Phoebe Bridgers

Trees II - McCafferty

Creep - Radiohead

In My Dreams - Red Velvet

Cupid - Jack Stauber

Ceilings - Lizzy McAlphine

Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms

No One Noticed - The Marias

Skeleton Appreciation Day in Vestal, NY (Bones) - Will Wood and the Tapeworms

Fable - Gigi Perez

Mystery of Love - Sufjan Stevens

Creature - Half Alive

Ptolemaea - Ethel Cain

ATLAS & ALASTAIR

Sleeping With the Enemy - TV Girl

Cynical One - TV Girl

Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi - Radiohead

Somethin’ Stupid - Frank Sinatra

Against the Kitchen Floor - Will Wood

Lovers Rock - TV Girl

A Pearl - Mitski

My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski

Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery

I Love You More (Than Adore) - The Crane

Talking In Your Sleep - The Romantics

Leonard Cohen - Boygenius

Love Like Ghosts - Lord Huron

The Bug Collector - Haley Heynderickx

Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers

Boats & Birds - Gregory and Hawk

Night Shift - Lucy Dacus

Città Vuota - Mina

Sweet Night - V

Love Like You - Steven Universe

A Night To Remember - Beabadoobee, Laufey

I Don’t Smoke (Audiotree Live Version) - Mitski

A Match Into Water - Pierce The Veil

Daydream in Blue - I Monster

It Had To Be You - Motion City Soundtrack

Alley Rose - Conan Gray

The Cut That Always Bleeds - Conan Gray

Die With a Smile - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars

Say It - The Crane Wives

Seasons - Wave to Earth

Love. - Wave to Earth

Ur So Pretty - Wasia Project

Love Wins All - IU

Sailor Song - Gigi Perez

Sometimes (Backwood) - Gigi Perez

Grow As We Go - Katherine Lynn-Rose, Stephan André

憂、燦々 - Yorushika

Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men

Грешная страсть - Dimash Qudaibergen

Stray Italian Greyhound - Vienna Teng

Lover, You Should’ve Come Over - Jeff Buckley

The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird - Rachel Zelger

El Tango De Roxanne - Moulin Rouge

Once More To See You - Mitski

Washing Machine Heart - Mitski

Michelle - Sir Chloe

Wish You Were Sober - Conan Gray

Mr Loverman - Ricky Montgomery

Fight or Flight - Conan Gray

Astronomy - Conan Gray

Tightrope - Michelle Williams

Picture You - Chappell Roan

Beachboy - McCafferty

Me and Your Mama - Childish Gambino

Repeat Until Death - Novo Amor

We’ll Never Have Sex - Leith Ross

Promise - Laufey

The Story - Conan Gray

Try Again - JAEHYUN, d.ear

Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

Memories - Conan Gray

Sinner - The Last Dinner Party

I Wait For You - Alex G

Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge

Margarita Sugar (Indigo + Friends Version) - Chrysalis

I Saw You In A Dream - The Japanese House

Evol - Adrianne Lenker

No. 1 Party Anthem - Arctic Monkeys

Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? - Arctic Monkeys

Anything We Want - Fiona Apple

Beach Life-In-Death - Car Seat Headrest

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

La Nave del Olvido - José José

I Love You, I’m Sorry - Gracie Abrams

Out Like a Light - The Honeysticks, Ricky Montgomery

Happy News for Sadness - Car Seat Headrest

Sober to Death - Car Seat Headrest

JEREMIAH & ALASTAIR

The Moon Will Sing - The Crane Wives

Francis Forever - Mitski

Ew - Joji

Half Return - Adrianne Lenker

Problems - Mother Mother

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

Old Friend - Mitski

I Love You - Billie Eilish

Deliver Us - Ofra Haza, Eden Riegel

Black Fins - Ricky Montgomery

I Miss You, I’m Sorry - Gracie Abrams

Lights Are On - Tom Rosenthal

Je Te Laisserai Des Mots - Patrick Watson

Boys Don’t Cry - The Cure

Hot and Heavy - Lucy Dacus

Cool About It - Boygenius

Little Fall of Rain - Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks

Scott Street - Phoebe Bridgers

Motion Picture Soundtrack - Radiohead

Last Time We Never Meet Again - Sarah Kinsley

Bloom - The Paper Kites

Curl Up & Die - Matt Maltese

Normalcy - Gigi Perez

Rises the Moon - Liana Flores

Euthanasia - Will Wood

Fantasmas - HUMBE

JEREMIAH & ATLAS

My Body’s Made of Crushed Little Stars - Mitski

The Exit - Conan Gray

My Strange Addiction - Billie Eilish

You’re Nothing Without Me - Roger Allam, Martin Smith

St. Chroma - Tyler, The Creator, Daniel Caesar

What Is This Feeling? - Wicked

One Way or Another - Blondie

THE ALLIANCE OF MAGICAE

Conspiracy - Paramore

The National Anthem - Radiohead

Black Sheep - Metric

This Is a Life - Mitski, Son Lux, David Byrne

Wires - The Neighborhood

Thumbs - Sabrina Carpenter

What’s Up Danger - Blackway, Black Caviar

Trickster - Radiohead

SLASH - Stray Kids

Playground - Ben Miller

Guerrilla - ATEEZ

Dirty Paws - Of Monsters and Men

Supremacy - Muse

Dynasties and Dystopia - Denzel Curry, Gizzle, Bren Joy

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Lorde

Friends in Low Places - Worthikids

Sticky - Tyler, The Creator, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables - Eddie Redmayne

KOKOA & KAU’I

Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn

KOKOA

Pump It - Black Eyed Peas

Friend Like Me - Robin Williams

LUNA

Luna Moth - Maya Hawke

Sandy - Alex G

Thérèse - Maya Hawke

Let Down - Radiohead

ALTYNAI

Being Cool - Kimya Dawson

Daydreamer - AURORA

Crystals - Of Monsters and Men

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon

BERNADETTE

Dollhouse - Melanie Martinez

Bernadette - IAMX

Sick on Seventh Street - Sarah and the Safe Word

Gingerbread Coffin - Rasputina

Valley of Dolls - MARINA

KARL

ET - Toy-Box

Remember Something Beautiful - Machinery of the Human Heart

Octopus’s Garden - The Beatles

AVABELLE

Like Him - Tyler, The Creator, Lola Young

JAMES

Boy Toy - Ricky Montgomery

Would You Be So Kind - Dodie

Fine - Lemon Demon

Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl - Of Montreal

Trees - McCafferty

Forever Young - Alphaville

CHINUA

Weird Science - Oingo Boingo

Modify - Lemon Demon

2econd 2ight 2eer (that was fun, goodbye.) - Will Wood

Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz

Alpha Centauri - Sciflyer

My Freeze Ray - Neil Pactrick Harris

The Square Root of Two - The Two Man Gentlemen Band

Poor Unfortunate Souls - Pat Carroll

Red Flags - Tom Cardy

DAPHNE

Bubblegum Bitch - MARINA

Using You - Mars Argo

Just Lay Still - John Congleton and Nighty Nite

What Can I Do (For You) - Steven Universe

EDEN

Voulez-Vous - ABBA

Twilight - Bǒa

Million Dollar Man - Lana Del Rey

Harness Your Hopes - Pavement

Oh No! - Marina

Glide - Mitski

The Principal - Melanie Martinez

TOPLINE - Stray Kids, Tiger JK

Thursday Girl - Mitski

The Fine Print - The Stupendium

Quiet Sounds - Mook

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Friction - Imagine Dragons

Sleep - My Chemical Romance

Misery Business - Paramore

The Deal - Mitski

Social Path - Stray Kids, LiSA

Karma Police - Radiohead

Teen Idle - Marina

American Dream Come True - Moon Walker

Power & Control - Marina

From Eden - Hozier

GOSSIP - Måneskin, Tom Morello

Magic City - Gorillaz

Relay - Fiona Apple

Zombie - The Cranberries

Suffer the Children - Tears for Fears

War Isn’t Murder - Jesse Welles

Dirty Deeds Done Cheap - AC/DC

Start a War - Klergy, Valerie Broussard

Kingslayer - Bring Me The Horizon, BABYMETAL

We Both Reached For The Gun - Chicago

The 2nd Law: Isolated System - Muse

THE ELITES

Cop Car - Mitski

Mutt - Sophie Meiers

Show & Tell - Melanie Martinez

Below the Surface - Griffinilla

The Small Print - Muse

Kids with Guns - Gorillaz

BLAME IT ON THE KIDS - AViVA

Basics In Behavior - The Living Tombstone

Rät - Penelope Scott

Paper Cuts - Nirvana

Harpy Hare - Yaelokre

Uprising - Muse

I Want You To Love Me - Fiona Apple

Fog (Again) [Live] - Radiohead

Crack Baby - Mitski

Take Me To War (Live) - The Crane Wives

Powers - Boygenius

Mad Dog - The Crane Wives

Animals - Alex G

You First - Paramore

Race - Alex G

Nobody - The Crane Wives

Bodysnatchers - Radiohead

IRA

Solitary Confinement - Everybody’s Worried About Owen

Little Soldiers - The Crane Wives

Hard Sell - The Crane Wives

Bullet Proof… I Wish I Was - Radiohead

Brutus - The Buttress

Not Strong Enough - Boygenius

Change - Alex G

Recess - Melanie Martinez

Teen Idle - Marina

Famous Last Words - My Chemical Romance

Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple

THE GREATEST - Billie Eilish

There Are Leeches in Denton Lake - Everybody’s Worried About Owen

Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl - Yeule

ARGUS

Cabinet Man - Lemon Demon

Body - Mother Mother

Fast As You Can - Fiona Apple

And The Hound - Yaelokre

Imposter Syndrome - Sidney Gish

Peace and Love on the Planet Earth - Steven Universe

Pearl Diver - Mitski

OCTAVIA

Spiderhead - Cage the Elephant

Rule #34 - Fish in a Birdcage

Abbey - Mitski

You Should See Me In a Crown - Billie Eilish

Villain - Stella Jang

Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac

The Dismemberment Song - Blue Kid

Caesar on a TV Screen - The Last Dinner Party

Sisters of the Moon - Fleetwood Mac

When You’re Good To Mama - Queen Latifah, Tate Diggs

CATO

Loved - FEiN

Mother Knows Best (Reprise) - Donna Murphy

Girl With One Eye - Florence + The Machine

Girl Singing In The Wreckage - Black Box Recorder

SILAS

Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton-John

Drift Away - Steven Universe

This Old Dog - Mac DeMarco

Eric - Mitski

How I’d Kill - Cowboy Malfoy

Everything Stays - Adventure Time

A Reminder - Radiohead

Right Where You Left Me - Taylor Swift

Alley Rose - Conan Gray

Man of War - Radiohead

No Children - The Mountain Goats

Wait For It - Leslie Odom Jr

SASHA

Dollhouse - Melanie Martinez

Getting Older - Billie Eilish

Father - The Front Bottoms

Oh Klahoma - Jack Stauber

Teddy Picker - Arctic Monkeys

Hollywood Dream - Ayesha Erotica

Bezos I - Bo Burnham

CLEMATIS

Remember My Name - Mitski

Hollywood - MARINA

Brand New City - Mitski

IT GIRL - Aliyah’s Interlude

MALUM

Laplace’s Angel (Hurt People? Hurt People) - Will Wood

Welcome to the Internet - Bo Burnham

The Pitiful Children - Eric William Morris

The Family Jewels - MARINA

Touch-Tone Telephone - Lemon Demon

How Bad Can I Be? - Ed Helms

You Liked This (Okay, Computer!) - Will Wood

AKIO

Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt

Just a Man - Jorge Rivera-Herrans

THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHOSEN

Voulez-Vous - ABBA

Regular People - Moon Walker

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE - Måneskin

Farewell Wanderlust - The Amazing Devil

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Friction - Imagine Dragons

Crucified - Army of Lovers

Eat Your Young - Hozier

Little Dark Age - MGMT

Back to Life - Mother Mother

Mary On A Cross - Ghost

Who You Really Are - David Arnold, Michael Price

Feed the Machine - Poor Man’s Poison

Mad Hatter - Melanie Martinez

Me and the Devil - Soap&Skin

Heavy Balloon - Fiona Apple

Lacrimosa - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Kiss The Go-Goat - Ghost

Start a War - Klergy, Valerie Broussard

Istanbul (Not Constinople) - They Might Be Giants

Outliars and Hyppocrates: a Fun Fact About Apples - Will Wood

Willow Tree March - The Paper Kites

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Pentatonix

Frogs - Alice in Chains

New Year’s Prayer - Jeff Buckley

THE CARDINALS

Justice - Dirt Poor Robins

Deliver Us - Ofra Haza, Eden Riegel

To The Bone - J.T. Machinima

Prelude to Esctasy - The Last Dinner Party

BÉATRICE

BIRTH OF VENUS - Banshee

Labyrinth- Miracle Musical

Oxytocin - Billie Eilish

KAZUYA

Oxytocin - Billie Eilish

Shinigami Eyes - Grimes

Tainted Love - Stella Starlight Trio, Karen Souza

Come and Play - Petra Nielsen

JOYRIDE - Kesha

お色気 - Toshio Masuda

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

3D - Jung Kook, Jack Harlow

Vending Machine of Love - The Stupendium

Sky Like Dreams SU - CMNL

The Greatest Show - Panic! At The Disco

Gimme More - Britney Spears

Literal Legend - Ayesha Erotica

XXX - Kim Petras

House of Cards - BTS

Red Lights - Stray Kids

The Rizzness - TAEMIN

Be Our Guest - Beauty and the Beast

Hakuna Matata - The Lion King

Into Yesterday - Sugar Ray

Hunch Punch - Se’Kret

Heaven is Here - Florence + The Machine

PAULO

None Shall Live - Two Steps From Hell, Thomas Bergersen

Starvation - Thomas Bergersen

The Imperial Fleet - Andreas Waldetoft

Shiny - Jemaine Clement

War - Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Your Best Nightmare - Toby Fox

JANE

Ave Maria, Op. 52 No. 6, D. 839 - The Cathedral Singers

AKRAH

A Narnia Lullaby - Global Stage Orchestra

RIKIYO

Therefore I Am - Billie Eilish

Killer Queen - Queen

Masquerade Suite: Maskrad - St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra

Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 / Act 1: The Dance of the Knights -

The Cleveland Orchestra

Dies Irae - St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra

Feeling Good - Michael Bublé

Bury a Friend - Billie Eilish

Red Sex (Re-Strung) - Vessei, Rakhi Singh

Money Power Glory - Lana Del Rey

JULIUS

I’m Your Man - Mitski

Another Believer - Rufus Wainwright

Choke - I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

The Dream Daddy for Me - JT Music

ELEANOR

Misery Meat - Sodikken

Who Is She? - I Monster

It’s Been So Long - The Living Tombstone

Still Alive - Aperture Science Psychoacoustic Laboratories

Murder Suicide Meteor Slave - Jeff Buckley

ELISE

Kalt’ Ritt in Leicht Faltiger Leere - Bethlehem

Liquid Smooth - Mitski

All Eyes On Me - OR3O

JEREMIAH

Take Me To Church - Hozier

Not Strong Enough - Boygenius

The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

The Gold - Phoebe Bridgers

Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing - Set It Off

The Fruits - Paris Paloma

Savior Complex - Phoebe Bridgers

I Dreamed a Dream - Anne Hathaway

Tired - Beabadoobee

They’re Coming to Take Me Away—Ha Ha! - Sloppy Jane

Dream Sweet in Sea Major - Miracle Musical

Sarcasm - Get Scared

Bug Like an Angel - Mitski

Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn? - Evelyn Evelyn

Confrontation - Anthony Warlow

Last Words of a Shooting Star (Audiotree Live) - Mitski

Riders Lullaby - Jesse Mueller

Riders Lullaby (Reprise) - Kimiko Glenn

TV - Billie Eilish

Never Let Me Go - Florence + The Machine

Constellations - The Oh Hellos

Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine

Mirrorball - Taylor Swift

Do I Disappoint You - Rufus Wainwright

When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die - Moby, Mimi Goese

Goddess - Laufey

Introduction to the Snow - Miracle Musical

Forever Young - Alphaville

I Was Made For Lovin’ You - YUNGBLUD

Coyote, My Little Brother - Mitski

Letter to an Old Poet - Boygenius

Opened Once - Jeff Buckley

Give It Back - Cӧ shu Nie

Space Oddity - David Bowie

30/90 - Andrew Garfield

Cosmic Hero - Car Seat Headrest

PETER

Right Where You Left Me - Taylor Swift

Sexy Bitch - David Guetta

ZANETA

My Mother Wants Me Dead - Carolesdaughter

BLOODMONEY - Poppy

Family Line - Zaneta

DANI

Dead! - My Chemical Romance

LORNA

I Bet On Losing Dogs - Mitski

Vampire Empire - Big Thief

Unknown / Nth - Hozier

Pink In The Night - Mitski

Come Into The Water - Mitski

ROSA

Because Dreaming Costs Money, My Dear - Mitski

Tongues and Teeth - The Crane Wives

ROSA AND LORNA

Too Sweet - Hozier

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him

Pure as the Driven Snow - Rachel Zelger

I Don’t Smoke - Mitski

Phases - Blaize Jenkins

Two Slow Dancers - Mitski

[rubydracogirl]

Siren's Treasure

Mermay/Gravity Falls story

Siren!OcXFord Pines and Stan Pines

Rated M just in case. This chapter isn't spicy but later parts probably will be

Part one is here if you missed it

Chapter 2

Shells

Stan was starting to get pissed off as he hauled back another empty line with his bait completely gone.

“Not again!” He hissed as he reset his hook with fresh bait. As he tossed the new line into the water, he settled in his chair, watching closely. He’d be damned if he lost another fish to whatever was taking it.

He’d always enjoyed ocean fishing, though it was certainly a different beast from fishing in the lake in Gravity Falls. 

Often, he had better luck catching fish off the boat then he ever did at that stupid lake-

His rod jerked slightly and he sat up, peering into the water as he pulled back, trying to hook whatever had grabbed onto the bait.

“C’mon, come to papa-” He chuckled as his rod jerked, a sign that he'd caught whatever was there. He let the line go, his excitement growing.

The line went slack, and he began to reel again, only for the fish to fight him, more spirited than ever.

This went on for longer than he would have liked. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he found himself bracing against the side of the boat.

“Ford!” He shouted as he nearly went over the rail. He braced himself and pulled back hard-

All at once, the line went completely slack and he went bowling over, nearly head over heels. 

Luckily for him, Ford broke his fall. Unluckily for them both, the deck broke their collective fall.

“Holy Moses,” Stan groaned, cursing colorfully under his breath as Ford helped him back to his feet. 

“What the-” Stan took a confused look at the end of his line. Attached to the hook was a giant, conical shell. It was a deep, golden brown color with creamy white dots scattered over its glossy surface.. 

“How the devil did you manage that?” Ford asked, impressed as he picked up the giant shell, untangling it from the hook.

“I dunno, I-”

Stan’s bewildered look became a scowl as they both heard a loud splash. Poking her head up from the water was the Siren. And in her mouth was a sizable fish-

“YOU DIRTY THIEF!” Stan shouted, shaking his fist at her as he lurched to the railing, “THAT’S MINE! GIVE IT BACK, YOU FISH FLOOZY!”

She only grinned, making a show of taking a huge bite out of the fish. Stan sputtered in rage, shouting at her as she chewed lazily, staring at him with an unimpressed expression before ducking down under the water.

“That overgrown tuna took my-”

“Stanley, do you know what kind of shell this is?” Ford interrupted.

“Should I?” Stan fumed as he glared at the water.

“It’s a Junonia shell, probably the biggest one I’ve ever seen…” 

“So?” 

Stan was still scowling at the water. The Siren poked her head back up, obviously chewing. He inhaled to yell at her some more, when Ford’s next words struck him.

“These are extremely rare. The biggest ones I’ve seen are less than five inches long and sell for a lot of money. This one’s damn near two feet long and in pristine condition-”

“How much?” Stan whipped around, taking another look at the shell.

“Smaller ones sell for something like fifty to eighty dollars last I was aware. I’m not an expert but I’d guess- hey!”

Stan snatched the shell, looking over it with renewed interest. 

“Just our luck there’s probably something in it-”

But the shell was completely empty.

“More than likely, she ate the creature inside.” Ford mused as he looked back at the water. “I thought perhaps she was following us to scavenge, but maybe not?”

The siren was back, peering at them with a grin. Stan coughed as he held up the shell for her to see.

“You keep bringing me shells like this, you can have any damn fish I hook that you want!” He shouted with a big grin.

She didn’t reply, but she didn’t look confused. Ford’s brow furrowed as he studied her. That had to be a sign she understood English, at least…

So why wasn’t she talking to them?

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

In the weeks that followed, Stan collected almost twenty different kinds of shells from the siren. Each time he reeled in his line, there’d be a new seashell waiting, each as rare and beautiful as the first.

Ford was deeply puzzled by the whole thing. The whole time she’d been following them, he had not once heard her sing or speak. The siren he had dated in Gravity Falls had been the exact opposite. She sang often and was a vociferous companion. Ford hadn’t minded; her being chatty was especially helpful for his research.

“Shelly’s late today,” Stan commented, watching his fishing line with pretended disinterest.

“Shelly?”

“Yeah. Y’know, the cute fish lady that’s been hanging around? Can’t keep calling her ‘the siren’. Sounds dumb.”

“Very creative,” Ford replied dryly.

“Alright, smartass, what would you call her?”

Ford took a moment to think, his eyes wandering over the waters before he shook his head.

“She most likely has a name already.”

“She’s not opening up about it if she does. Besides, Shelly’s not a bad nickname.”

Ford huffed in annoyance but reluctantly agreed.

“You’re right, it’s not a bad name.”

“Heh, damn straight.” Stan puffed his chest. “How much d’ya think I’ll get for these shells?”

“Probably depends on where you take them.” 

There was silence for a moment before Stan glanced at his twin. Ford was staring off into space, his brow furrowed.

“What’s eatin’ ya?”

Ford didn’t reply for a moment. The sounds of the water around them permeated the atmosphere as his thoughts percolated.

Stan glanced away and he brightened as he saw his fishing rod bending slightly.

He eagerly began to reel it in…but instead of a shell, there was actually a fish on the line.

Stan frowned for a moment before shrugging.

“I caught our dinner.”

They didn’t see her at all that day.

[triscribe]

I have been working my way through the Alternate Living Arrangements and having a wonderful time, but if I am allowed to ask about one thing on the WIP list, I would love to know more about the Thief!Harry AU 💗

- Katheth86 (Chocoduckie86)

Aha, you're the one who's been leaving me a bunch of comments lately! Many thanks, my new friend.

So this would be the AU where, a couple of years before canon, a pair of burglars rob Number Four Privet Drive, and in the process discover a scrawny kid locked in the cupboard beneath the stairs, whom they end up stealing as well. A few forged documents later, Harry Potter becomes Harrison Tanner, and sets off on his path to becoming a chaotic good thief and trickster.

And because the second chapter is taking so long to finish, here, have a few upcoming snippets:

---

“You stole how much?” Ron asks, gaping with astonishment.

Harry grins, more than a little smug. “Final tally came to nine and a half million pounds, from twenty paintings and a dozen old swords.”

Neville’s too stunned to formulate a response, but the same can’t be said for Hermione. “And how much of that did your family keep?”

“Only the half mil. My godfather donated the rest to worthy causes - all the exact opposite of what that bloody author’s been throwing her money towards. And before you say anything, he’s been doing this plenty long enough not to get caught, so I don’t need to worry about the police knocking on our door any time soon.”

“Hmph.”

“Do you always steal that much?”

“Not usually, no. That’s the only big job I’ve really gotten to help with; most of the time it’s small things, like lifting wallets. Liza says she’ll teach me how to swipe jewelry at posh events when I’m older, and Rolfie promised as soon as my feet can reach the pedals, I can be their getaway driver for house burglaries.”

Ron slowly shakes his head, jaw still hanging slack. “What even is your life, mate?”

“Ironically,” Harry muses, grin turning into a smaller, more wistful expression, “Something out of a fairytale.”

---

Easter Break approaches quickly. Neville writes to his gran at least three times in the week leading up to it, seeking reassurance he’s still allowed to spend it with Harry’s family, and in turn promising to be on his absolute best possible behavior.

“Oh, but that’s no fun, Nev. Don’t you want to help us pull off at least one robbery?”

“Harry!” Hermione protests, but Neville ducks his head with a small grin, which was the real goal anyway.

Hermione’s headed overseas while Ron and his brothers are all going home for the holiday, but Harry promises to host all three of his best mates any time they want during the summer. “Yeah, alright,” the redhead agrees, looking a bit cheerier at the thought. “And maybe we’ll help with another nine million pound burglary, yeah?”“Nine and a half, thank you - and why not?”

---

That first day is spent inside the flat, with more storytelling, and some introductory sleight of hand lessons for Neville, and a few different children’s movies played on the telly to settle Rolfie’s sense of nostalgia. Dale shows up in the evening for dinner, takes one look at the extra child in the room, and loudly proclaims they are not stealing another one!

Liza winks at the boys and whispers that he’ll come around soon enough.

[shadowfalllen]

For the Tav ask:

1, 2 and 8 :)

Hi there eldritchelf and thank you for the questions! ❤️ 1. What would your Tav’s greetings be (at different levels of approval)?

Negative approval: "Whatever it is, make it short."

Neutral approval: "Here to discuss strategy?"

High approval: "Good day! Should we take a look at our plans?"

Exceptional approval: "Nice to see you, I hope you've been well."

Romantic (dating): "Oh, hi there." [shyly]

Romantic (together properly): "You always brighten up even the darkest of days, love." 2. Describe their tent setup! What’s on the outside? The inside?

Tav's tent would be simple in design, but deep burgundy in color. Outside, she'd have a training dummy like Lae'zel has, but instead looking like a mind flayer, it would be made of wood with a bucket for a head. The dummy would be used to practice fencing moves. There would also be a small round table with two chairs, a deck of cards, and some dice on the table, inviting other party members to play. Inside, the setup would be minimalistic—a sleeping bag with an extra pillow for comfort, and maybe an additional blanket (I can easily imagine Tav nestling into some pillows and blankets). 8. After Act 3, what does their life look like? What are they talking about at the reunion party?

Earlier I answered the question about different routes, what a bad ending and a good ending would look like to my Tav.

"Bad Ending" Tav's life would be ruling over the underbelly of Baldur's Gate as the new leader of the Guild, slowly turning into a tyrant, the very thing she despised in her former life. In the reunion party she would talk about how great things are and how she's turning around things in the guild, but the stuff she says are clearly dark and her personality has also taken a darker and more selfish turn. If the player was in relationship with Tav, it's clear the relationship has grown more distant and it doesn't have the same warmth anymore.

"Good Ending" Tav's life has been leaving her rogue days behind, pursuing honest work, getting a proper home for herself and stability for the first time in her life. In the epilogue, Tav talks about how exciting having a place to call their own is and to decorate etc. but also the struggles to settle in the world as a law abiding citizen, after doing thiefing and other shady business for so long. If the player is in a relationship with the Tav, there probably is some domestic musings and while Tav is happy to see everyone in the reunion, she's also eager to get back home with her lover.

BONUS: How my Tav's life looked like after act 3 but before the events of To Defy The Gods?

Tav was lost after the events of Act 3. The tadfools were her first true found family and everyone separating and going on their ways was hard for her. It left her adrift. She also regretted not being able to help Shadowheart out of Shar's grasp. Tav mourned the relationship she imagined she and Shadowheart could have had if Shadowheart wasn't still in Shar's service. Instead Tav clutched onto any scraps she could have with Shadowheart, hurting herself over and over again each time they had to part. Tav's time was spent waiting for the next time they would meet and she was unable to entertain finding someone who was completely available. She was also unable to entertain thoughts of building a home and stable life for herself and she kept doing shady business and moving from place to place, only to return to Baldur's Gate occasionally to meet with Shadowheart.

[kairei-chan]

Whumptober 2024: Prompt #03

"Set Up for Failure"

fingerprints / wrongfully arrested / “I warned you”

-----

“I warned you.”

The thief appeared as silently as a phantom — Shinichi always thought his nickname was pretty apt. “I warned you this would happen, but you didn’t listen. You never listened to me.”

“I did, but I didn’t have to agree with you.”

The youth in white didn’t reply, but he shifted uneasily in front of the former detective’s cell.

Former detective… Shinichi never thought there would come a time when he would be stripped of his flattering title and wear the badge of a criminal — even when it was unwarranted.

As directed, he had willingly left his fingerprints on the gun that was used to kill an important foreign dignitary — and he was arrested in less than a day. Sometimes, he wondered if the sacrifice was worth it. Would those people really keep their word and leave his loved ones alone?

“I know you didn’t do it, yet you didn’t fight back. Why, pray tell?”

This time, it was Shinichi’s turn to stay silent. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea to tell the world-renowned thief that he had no choice. If he didn’t take the fall, his loved ones would suffer. He did this for their sake, because he knew just how far the people from that organization would go if he didn’t comply with their demand.

“Look,” KID finally lost his patience and decided to get straight to the point, “This lock is nothing for someone like me… I can set you free, and then we can—”

He didn’t finish his sentence as he looked at his detective. Shinichi’s eyes silently told him that he had made up his mind to stay — and the revelation was eating KID from the inside.

“They’ll kill you before the trial, Great Detective! You’ll never survive here! Not in this prison!”

“Ah,” Shinichi mused despite his ordeal, “they did say this new maximum-security prison has that sort of… negative incentive, huh?” Not that it mattered; he knew he would be getting the death row. It was just a matter of time.

Shinichi had given up, and KID knew that. And if his detective decided that it was for the best, then who was he to keep insisting otherwise? At least he had tried for one last time…

KID tipped his top hat in his usual gentlemanly fashion, but the reason he did so was to conceal his expression from his long-time rival.

“It was an honor, Great Detective Kudo Shinichi. So long… and farewell.”

“Likewise, The Magician Under the Moonlight, Kaito KID.”

“It’s Kuroba Kaito.”

Shinichi looked a little surprised before the thief continued, “If by some chance we meet again in another life, I hope you’ll find me once more.”

With that, he disappeared in a poof of smoke, leaving behind a single stalk of blue rose.

[pure-garbage]

Slimy Hivemind? Breaking Locks In The Digital Age!

Lana found a dark room full of shattered glass and smashed consoles. The shadows were deep and long even though the door was broken, barely hanging on to battered, squeaking hinges as light streamed in from the corridor. Lana made herself at home, crosslegged in the shade behind the wreckage. She set the transponder snail gently in her lap, ignoring the sounds of the lab's occupants as they sporadically rushed past her little hideout, shouting about a trail of destruction, rampaging children and escapees.

"Calm-calm library feng-sui," Lana muttered, enveloping herself in a bubble of silence. The usefulness of the tactic was two-fold: it would help her avoid detection from outside and enable her to focus on the task at hand. "Now, little snail..."

The small creature trembled in her lap, unhappy to have been taken from its post. Lana turned it to face her and placed her hands on either side of its shell.

"Don't be scared," she crooned, instinctively reassuring the animal before reach out to it using her haki. "I won't hurt you... I just want to see if you can help me find my friends."

The premise of her idea was simple enough. If she could sense emotions, interpret thoughts from what an individual was feeling, she saw no reason why she wouldn't be able to extend that empathy to the transponder snail. She closed her eyes, narrowed her focus and pushed her perception entirely into the slimy hivemind nestled helplessly in her lap.

Immediately, she was met with resistance.

"Guess this little guy's operating on an encrypted channel," she surmised.

Even so, she could feel the differing wavelengths intuitively, could discern the distinct signals bouncing between the snails in the lab.

"What do you want from me, a passkey?" she mused, brow knitting over closed eyes as she rubbed her thumbs absently over the spiral patterns of the snail's shell.

That was it, she could tell. Lana grinned, pursuing strands of information, bullying her will through the mental noise of the transponder snails and demanding that they yield to her influence.

"Just like a physical lock, the tumblers hold all the answers," she reasoned aloud. The snail's eyes were completely glazed over by now, drifting aimlessly back and forth on their stalks as Lana rummaged through its tiny, simple mind like a thief going through a drawer. "I can figure this out... it's just another puzzle, just another lock waiting for me to open it."

Lana's grin widened in the darkness. She executed the psychic equivalent of a knuckle crack, leading the snail in her lap to shiver a little inside its shell.

___________________________________

Zoro was sweating with exertion by the time he managed to push his perception out by ten yards in all directions.

'I wonder if I could get better range by narrowing the radius.'

He envisioned a strip of haki sweeping out from his person. The next image that came to mind was a radar scope, one thin line swinging around in a circle as it searched for its target. Zoro liked the idea a lot, but before he could try to put it into practice, a shiver swept down his spine and a strong, familiar presence seized his full attention.

"Lana?!"

He could feel her in the room with him, but when he opened his eyes, she was nowhere to be seen. Even so, her aura was suddenly overwhelming, undeniably present. It felt as though she was hanging over his head like a specter.

Zoro glanced up to make sure she really wasn't hovering over his shoulder. The only thing he saw was a video transponder snail in the corner over the desk. He narrowed his eyes, suspicions mounting as he stared down the gawking gastropod. The force of Lana's haki wasn't fading and it seemed to be concentrated around the snail.

"Lana?" he questioned tentatively. He didn't hear a response, but something in his gut urged him to get closer to the transponder snail. He followed his instincts, nudging the desk over a few inches and hopping up onto its surface to put himself on eye level with the snail. Its eyestalks tipped forward, seeming to reach for him sluggishly. The display was puzzling and mildly repulsive.

'Is this snail... trying to touch me?' he wondered, fascination pairing with mystification as he leaned in closer. He reached up and pulled the snail from the ceiling. It made a gooey sucking noise as it released its hold and allowed him to carry it back down to the couch.

As soon as he made contact with the snail, Zoro felt Lana's presence more strongly than ever before. His first thought was that the snail was Lana. Somehow, Lana had been turned into a snail.

'That's stupid,' he scolded himself internally. 'Lana didn't get transformed into a snail. There's something else going on here.'

Zoro reached for the presence of Lana's haki with his own. If he didn't know better...

'This snail feels like it's... pulling me?'

He surrendered to the tug, allowing his perception to essentially be hijacked. The shift was disorienting and he had to blink a few times to interpret the image he was seeing.

"Lana?"

Her face was gray and wreathed in static as if he was seeing her through a screen of some kind. Transponder snail eyes, he realized with a jolt.

Lana grinned down at him and waved intentionally. Her mouth moved, but he couldn't hear the words.

"I can't hear you," he grumbled aloud. Could she see him too? He tapped his ear and made a slicing motion at his throat.

Lana nodded and raised two fingers to her eyes.

"I. See. You," she mouthed slowly, pointing to the snail. Zoro understood.

"Where are you?" he asked aloud. He gestured around him and then raised his hands in a questioning shrug, palms facing up.

"No idea," Lana shook her head, shrugging back. "The others?"

She steepled her hands over her head, miming a hat. Zoro chuckled a little. A straw hat. She was asking after their crewmates.

"Everyone's fine," he assured her, flashing a thumbs up. "Look. I'm here."

He turned his transponder snail around, showing her the room where he was.

"Come. Find. Me," he told her, gesturing from her to him and making a little walking gesture with his fingers.

Lana facepalmed.

"I was just there," she sighed. Zoro raised an eyebrow to let her know he didn't understand what she'd said. She shook her head dismissively. "It's not important. I'll... uh... oh crap."

Zoro watched as Lana trailed off and her gaze grew distant.

Zoro could only see Lana, but Lana was watching the equivalent of a split-screen feed from snails posted all over the island. A battle outside few her attention.

"Luffy's fighting someone," she noted.

"I don't understand," Zoro said emphatically, shrugging aggressively and beckoning at her in an attempt to get her to communicate some details. The alarm that flashed across her features told him all he needed to know.

"Use. The. Snail!" Lana emphasized, tapping her snail's eyes illustratively. "Trouble! Luffy! Fight!"

She smashed her fists together, wincing as the struggle outside took a drastic turn for the worse.

"I have to go help him!" she declared. "No time to meet up! Zoro, you'll need to find your own way! Don't get lost!"

The feed cut off abruptly and Zoro's focus snapped back fully to his own body like a rubber band after being stretched too far.

"I have absolutely no clue what she was trying to tell me," he grumbled. "She's gonna punch me? I'm so confused. Should I wait here for her, or...?"

While he contemplated his next move, the snail in his lap slowly started to escape, oozing away and leaving a slimy trail across his thighs as it went. He let it go.

_____________________________________________

<== Previous Chapter

Next Chapter ==>

== First Chapter ==

[awesomedurraworld]

Tangled Fullmetal Au!

TANGLED AU DUMP! ✨

Now I originally reblogged an older blog, but thought that since a lot of people don't usually read the blogs I decided to make this a whole post!

GIF by gurbets-world

As for tangled Au, of course I have a bit more ideas! Nothing 100% decided, these are the random ideas I have been getting!

Been thinking What job Roy has? Like, is he a thief just like Eaugen? Then the idea of him being an outlaw but helping people came to me- maybe he is just like Robin Hood? Maybe stealing from the rich so he could help the poor ordeal? Maybe he has a teacher’s job + this as a secret gig?

And maybe Roy was married to Riza and they had Al as their son ( undecided if I should make Al their bio or adopt a kid.)

Mayliz mentioned the pan ordeal! And I am 100% with the frying pan! Although I am trying to avoid making fun of Ed’s height ( which I will make a post about as soon as I can.) I can see how Frightened Ed is when he sees a stranger man coming to his tower so he would attack him

Still musing if Ed should have all of his limbs, thinking he shouldn't have either his leg or arm. Maybe the arm so that is why he can't take care of his very long hair, so he needs help with it and I love Roy taking care of Ed’s hair. Maybe he was the one to braid it, just like the tiny Girls did for Punzel!

I think Ed would be so skeptical at first, so scared and stuff. Thinking Van maybe wasn't the best dad, ( honestly, my headcanons have him as an abusive man, which would make Roy’s actions mean a lot whole more to Ed and Al.) still thinking if he was abusive in the Au- but locking a child in a tower is pretty hurtful.

And then there is the last bits where in the movie Mother Gothal when she chained Punzel. Tbh, I think that scene is what inspired the whole au.

For how it happened I am thinking something like this,

So Roy took Ed to his home with his wife and kid and for the first time, Ed experienced what family feels like, a mom’s love, and dad’s love, and a sibling’s love. Homemade meals and beds and soft coverings and other beings around him!

But one night, Ho was able to kidnap Ed from the Mustang household and Roy put 2 and 2 together and used his horse and dashed to the tower and got inside and then

Van stabs Roy as soon as he entered the place.

Exactly what happened in the movie happened there, except I think that Roy was able to kill Ho.

Does that mean Alchem is a thing here? Probably. Maybe that is why Ho kept Ed in a tower? Because Ed is so powerful?

These These are my thoughts so far! What do you guys think? I looked around for my sketches, and can't seem to find the rest, I only found a very BAD doodlish sketch

Definitely will draw more for this Au, concept customs, and stuff! I just need to push a little more before I have free time hehe

[ironmanfridgemagnet]

Sitting On The Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 37 - Workplace Bullying

SOTS Masterlist

Jonah took a sip out of his coffee thermos, barely moving it away from his lips before you snatched it from him and took a sip for yourself. As much as you missed having Jonah's presence in your apartment, you missed the fact he'd started drinking coffee just the way you like even more. "Hey! What are you- what are you doing?"

"Umm, just some stuff." The guy I front of you was hunched over, dressed fully in black, and pulling stack after stack of cash out of the stores safe.

"No, you were, you're trying to rob the store!" You pointed at the man accusingly, Jonah pushing you behind him gently so that he was separating you from the potential threat before you.

Jonah stuttered to a sentence, unsure exactly of how to handle the situation. "Well, you put it back."

The guy looked at Jonah as though he had suddenly grown a second head, continuing to take things out of the safe and put them into his bag. "Uh, I don't think I'm gonna."

"Wh-well, I caught you, so, y-you have to." Jonah was wildly gesturing with one hand while the other reached for yours, gripping it tightly in an act of reassurance. Of all ways to start your day, being the potential victims of a hit and run was not up there in your guesses.

Yet again, the thief looked at Jonah in utter confusion. "Um, I don't think I do."

"But th-that's how this works." Despite Jonah's insistence not to continue the robbery, the thief continued to stuff cash into his bag. "No, don't just no. Don't take more."

The thief stopped for a second, turning to the two of you with a look of worry. "Do you have a gun?"

"No!" Jonah shrieked, ever the advocate for gun control. It made you think of the day he refused to work the gun counter and ended up causing a rights rally in the store. With a nudge from you to the middle of his back, he yelled out another response, quickly shoving his hand in his pocket and pointing it at the thief. "Maybe. Maybe I do."

The thief all but laughed at Jonah and his unassuming nature, continuing to put things in his bag. "Uh, I, I don't think you do."

"Well, I don't think you do, so, you know, it's a tie. What do you think about that?" Throughout the whole scene you'd stayed silent, unsure what you could possibly say that would help this situation - Jonah seemed to have it covered, and about as well as you could've done it too.

Finally, the thief closed up his bag full of cash, heading towards the two of you with complete calmness. "Okay. Excuse me."

Both you, and Jonah, stepped out of his way without a second thought, letting the thief just leave with all the cash in the safe and neither of you daring enough to run after him. "Oh. Wait! No, no, no, no! No, he no."

Thankfully, Dina came around the corner just as the guy was about to walk past her, a confused look on her face. Dina knew this store and it's employees inside and out, and yet, here was a face she didn't recognise. "Who is that?"

"He's robbing the store!" You shouted to Dina, her face quickly falling as she turned and chased after the thief who had set off in a dead sprint at the realisation that he had confronted someone who might actually try and catch him - unlike you and Jonah.

"You can run, but you can't hide!" Dina tackled the guy to the floor, pushing the bag far out of his reach and pinning his hands tightly behind his back. "Jonah, call the police!"

Jonah pulled out his phone and typed in 911, dialling up the line and immediately pressing the phone against his ear, rushing out a plea for help as soon as the line connected.

"Look who's grounded now." Dina mused, a wicked grin crossing her face as he revelled in the  arrest she'd just helped make. "Jonah, I just did a "Law & Order" type zinger. Oh, he's calling the police. Not on my watch, buddy."

"I heard Dee." You reassured, hand still in Jonah's and still hiding slightly behind him, knowing you'd only feel better once the thief was gone. "Quite the zinger."

————————————————————————

Dina had ushered you and Jonah to join her when the cops had arrived, helping her to answer any questions they may have had since you both saw more of the crime then she did. "I saw immediately it was a 487 in progress. The perp appeared to be unarmed. I did not see him violate my colleagues, however, he could have violated them before I arrived on the scene."

The officer turned to you with a grimace; whether is was the fact you might say yes or Dina's keen interest causing it, you couldn't tell. "Is that what happened?"

"No, he did not violate me." Jonah spluttered out, hands tucking into his pockets to stop himself from nervously fidgeting with his fingers.

Rolling your eyes, you took another sip from Jonah's thermos, though the coffee had cooled considerably since earlier this morning. "He didn't violate either of us, we're fine."

"Well, you just had such a shameful look on your faces when I showed up. I don't know what he could have done to you beforehand, but it is not your fault if he touched you."

"Okay, okay. Nothing happened. All right? We caught him stealing. End of story." Jonah insisted, Dina's unbelieving stare burning into the side of his head.

"And you made no attempt to stop him?" The cop asked, pointed gaze now on you as well as Dina's. It was very intimidating and had you wanting to answer things he hadn't even asked.

"No, I mean, I told him to stop, but he didn't. And then he asked us to move and just took off." Jonah seemed to be avoiding directly stating that you'd let the guy go, but clearly that was what the officer was digging to hear.

"Wait, I'm sorry." Dina scoffed, hands resting on her hips as her glare in your direction became darker and scarier. "He asked you to move out of the way so he could leave with the cash, and you just did it? Now, with y/n I can excuse it - what if they got hurt? Huh? What if they died? What then? But you, Jonah? You let him leave?"

Jonah stumbled to an explanation once more, desperate to calm Dina who was getting angrier with every word that came out of his mouth. "He well, he said, "Excuse me," you know? So it was more of like, a reflex."

"Oh, wow."

"If it makes you feel any better Dee." You interjected, finally speaking up on the situation from over Jonah's shoulder. "If we'd have done something you wouldn't have been able to say your zinger!"

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Having been dismissed by Dina, who'd asked to speak with Jonah in private - Jonah having pleaded with you to stay - you made your way to the break room, hoping to finally have a moment to yourself after such a stressful morning. Unluckily for you, it was cram packed full of people.

"What is going on in this neighbourhood? We got robbed, Home Depot got robbed, that weird store that only makes copies got robbed." Mateo was complaining as you entered the room, a cup of coffee in his hands. Upon seeing you, he clicked the kettle on again, pulling a mug out of the cupboard and pushing it in your direction.

"Y/n..." Marcus announced your presence to the break room, his murmur of your name being much louder then he'd intended. He'd spent the whole morning worried sick, hearing that it'd been you and Jonah (and, of course, Dina) in the building when it was getting robbed. You could've been hurt - or worse - but he didn't dare think about that now. You were safe; that's all that mattered. "How- what-"

"How're you holding up?" Mateo finished Marcus's sentence, feeling bad for the poor guy who was so hung up on his words he couldn't get a coherent sentence out. "Must've been scary."

Mateo wrapped his arm around you as you turned around with your coffee in between both hand, revelling in the warmth it provided. Leaning your head against his shoulder, you addressed the break room and it's members who were all anxiously waiting for your answer. "I'm fine, just a bit shaken up. Not the first thing I expected to see this morning."

Mateo let out a gentle laugh, squeezing you tightly before moving to stand behind Cheyenne who had a terrified look on her face. Marcus's features softened at the answer, thankful that you were okay. "I'm scared to even walk to my car alone at night."

Amy suddenly appeared in the break room, a big cardboard box in hand. She placed it down on the table in front of you, now free hands reaching for yours as she looked over you. A silent question to see if you were okay, and Amy carried on, not wanting to remind you of this morning even more the she already had. "That is why everyone gets a rape whistle."

Cheyenne pulled one out of the box for herself, everyone else gathering round the box to get there own. "That's a kazoo."

"Yeah, we had an overstock. So everyone gets a rape kazoo." Amy tucked her own kazoo in her pocket, pulling out another box this time filled with folded up pieces of paper. "I also think we need parking lot buddies so that no one has to walk to their car alone at night."

Marcus perked up at that, hoping that if he got paired with you it'd give him the opportunity to talk to you, try and make things better between the two of you. Easiest way to do that was to limit the chance he would pull someone else's name. I'll be paired with anyone but Sarah. That girl's got, like, a huge restraining order against me."

Whether it was true or not, you weren't sure, but it was news to you - how come Marcus had never mentioned that before? You didn't dwell on it, routing through the box of kazoos for a yellow one - deciding that if you had to have a tape kazoo, you'd want it to be cute.

"I'll take any guy who's 6'2" with blue eyes. Wait, we're talking about picking boyfriends, right?" Justine burst into laughter at her own joke, head falling back despite the glares of everyone else in the room on her.

Mateo let out a disgruntled sigh, shaking his head at Justine's constant reference to her dating life. "Ugh. I'll take Justine. The robbers will probably kill her before they kill me."

Sandra hesitantly raised her hand, waiting for Amy's nod of approval before she began speaking. "Since I don't drive, could you assign someone to walk me to the bus stop and wait with me?"

"I can wait with Sandra!" You offered, jumping at the opportunity to ensure you were with a decent parking lot buddy, and not someone creepy or weird.

"We're not picking. We're drawing names so that it's fair." Amy reached into the plastic tub, pulling out a piece of paper and carefully unfolding it. "I will go first. Mine is Myrtle, so I'm gonna go again because everybody gets one re-do." Reaching back into the box she pulled out her 'real' buddy, smiling brightly at the name on the paper. "So my real one is Cheyenne, and that one's final."

Cheyenne winced as her name was announced, reaching one hand back to find Mateo's as she grabbed Amy's attention. "Can I be paired with Mateo, actually? We usually go to trivia night together."

"Oh, you guys do a trivia night? That sounds fun." Amy's tight lipped smile and hurt twinge to her words suggested otherwise.

Marcus let out a low laugh, arms yet again folded across his chest - it was beginning to feel like it was doing it on purpose. "I still say I got robbed last week. Women do not produce eggs. That's chickens."

"They definitely do." You mused, laughter bubbling past your lips as you thought back to the last trivia night. "All I'm saying is, I put it, and I got the point."

Amy's gaze moved to you, her fake smile burning her cheeks as she held it in place. "So, like, almost everyone goes to this trivia night?" At the general hums and mods throughout the break room, Amy smiled once more. "Solid crew. I love trivia."

The whole room suddenly turned to face Sandra as her kazoo sounded loudly, Sandra immediately curling in on herself at the sudden attention. "Sorry." She squeaked, tucking her kazoo away. "I'm not being raped. I just was trying to play "Camptown Races.""

"It's not a toy." Amy spat, picking up the kazoo box and moving it off of the table while handing out the box filled with names, asking people to take one and pass it on.

"It is not."

You'd not even gotten the chance to leave the break room before Jeff came strutting in, a crowd of staff filling behind him as he entered, filling the break room even more then it just had been. Jonah was at the back of the crowd, a frown deeply settled on his face as he made his way into the seat next to yours.

"Woah, what's with the boots?" You asked, tilting your head in Jonah's direction as he sulked down into his seat. Noticing his solemn demeanour, you pushed your coffee mug onto the table, forgetting it as your attention was suddenly turned to Jonah. "What's with you, grumpy pants?"

Jeff clapped his hands together, silencing the break room as everyone turned to look at him. "Okay, so, I wanted to bring Dina up here so we could discuss this morning's incident."

Dina jogged up to the front with a wide smile on her face, clapping her hands together as she turned to address the room, proud of her accomplishment from this morning. "Listen, I don't need an attaboy just for doing my job, okay?" Dina's face suddenly became more stern, a hand clapping against Jeff's shoulder. "But I do think it's positive that this can open a conversation about self-defence and how each of us need to take action..."

Jeff sighed, pulling Dina away from the crowd she was in-front of with a tight lipped smile. "What I'm saying is, don't do what Dina did."

Gasps resounded all around the break room at the statement. In all your years at the store, very few people had confronted Dina about anything, let alone to tell her she was wrong.

Dina's jaw dropped open, turning to Jeff with a look so piercing that you were surprised he wasn't six foot under - boots and all. "I'm sorry, what?"

A wide, joyous smile filled Glenn's face, his back straightening as he took in Jeff's words. "He said, "Don't be like you.""

Jeff ignored Dina's piercing glare, somehow continuing his address to the break room without crumbling under her gaze. "Dina took it upon herself to physically confront the thief. And while it worked out okay this time, it could have turned into serious injury, or death, or God forbid, a lawsuit." When nobody laughed at his attempt at a joke, Jeff shook his head, frowning slightly before continuing. "I'm obviously joking. A lawsuit would not be as bad as death. The point is, we have a policy for this. So if you see something suspicious, report it. Don't try to handle it yourself."

Dina scoffed, arms folded across her chest as she glared at Jeff, completely blown away by what she deemed blatant stupidity. "Yeah, we all know what the policy is, but what was I supposed to do? Just stand there and make brown, like Jonah?"

Jeff gripped his clipboard tighter against his chest, spinning on his boot-clad heel and turning to face you and Jonah. "What did Jonah do?"

Jonah straightened himself in his seat as Jeff's attention came to him, a look of concern crossing his features as he worried he would be the next to get laid into by Jeff for his actions. "Well, I didn't actually do anything..."

"Exactly." Dina whined, head thrown back in exasperation as she looked between Jonah and Jeff's figures. "He just sat there and watched a guy rob the store - he was barely protecting y/n either."

Jeff turned to you with new found interest, more and more of this mornings event unravelling before him. This was a bigger corporate mess then the police report could've ever warned him about. "I'm sorry, y/n? You were there this morning?"

Shrinking under his authoritative gaze - even though it was only Jeff - you muttered a response, trying to wiggle yourself out of any potential confrontation with Dina. "Oh, well, yeah. But I just froze up, it was almost like I wasn't there honestly."

Jeff seemed happy with your answer, a soft smile curling on his lips as he looked between you and Jonah. Maybe this wasn't as much of a disaster as Jeff had first thought - so far, Dina seemed to be the only real safety issue here. "Thank you. That is what you should all do in the future. Thank you, Jonah, for actually following protocol."

Jonah perked up once more at the praise from his superior, a please grin curling on his lips that he did his best to hide from Dina. "Oh, well, yeah. I mean, you know, you guys came up with the policy. I just knew it and followed it."

"It's appreciated."

"Oh, my God, just sleep with him, already." Mateo snapped, clearly over analysing the interaction between Jeff and Jonah way too much.

Dina, seeming to have had enough, put her hand on her hips and turned to Jeff with a look of pure, bitter anger. "Okay, what if someone steals a baby? What then? Do you want me to just sit there and watch someone take a baby?"

Cheyenne gasped, zoning into the conversation with a scared look. "What if the baby is wearing a bomb? Then wouldn't you want him to steal it?"

Jeff sighed, thinking he should've known the amount of chaos he'd be getting into by coming down to St Louis - the kind he always did with you guys. Was there ever a normal day at this cloud 9? "I'm trying to picture a scenario in which somebody planted..."

Marcus's head shot up. "Oh, what if it's baby Hitler?" That seemed to capture everyone in the break rooms attention, each table breaking down into discussions about what was the right thing to do.

Glenn frowned before coming to his conclusion, unsure of what was the right answer to such a riddle. "I think you gotta kill that baby Hitler."

"But how would you know that that baby was gonna grow up to be Hitler?"

You hummed in agreement, swivelling in your chair to face the crowds of the break room as you gave you two cent. "What if that baby was gonna grow up to be the exact opposite of Hitler?"

"Churchill?" Jonah suggested, unsure of the answer himself.

Garret shook his head. "No."

"Lance Bass."

"Interesting."

"Oprah." Another gasp resounded around the break room at the revelation, the question suddenly becoming much more intense. General agreement settled across the room, demands to 'save that baby' and 'help it' reaching your ears.

Jeff let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Anyway, what I'm saying is, don't be a Dina. Be a Jonah."

Cheyenne gasped yet again, turning with a new condition of the question on the tip of her tongue. "Wait, you guys. What if it's baby Oprah, but the person stealing it is Beyoncé?"

"I need a pen and paper."

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You, Jonah and Amy walked out of the store side by side, laughing as Jonah informed you of the fight he'd got into with Dina this afternoon and the unfortunate side effect of it.

"I cannot believe you, J." Jonah shook his head as you continued to laugh, only pausing to reach up and pinch his cheek. "You poor thing."

You'd somehow mangled to evade the drama for the rest of the day, sticking to yourself and just getting on with you work, occasionally joining Garrett at the customer service counter. On any normal day at cloud 9, actually getting your work done would be the most boring thing ever; but you'd been quite happy to just keep your head down and get on with it after the events of this morning.

"Hey, parking lot buddy. Ready to go wait at the bus stop with me?" Sandra stood up from where she'd been sat on the garden chairs that were part of the garden centre display, joining you, Jonah and Amy with a wide smile.

Amy had been assigned as Sandra's parking lot buddy, though you felt it made more sense for her to be yours since you often left the store with her - however, Amy had already picked out three different names, and had claimed it was unfair on the others to then decide to have you as her parking lot buddy. Jonah had pulled Garrett, which made sense and worked well since they were roommates now, so when Marcus pulled out your name, you hadn't been too surprised knowing how few names were left in the bucket. Neither of you argued against it in the moment, but the fact you hadn't seen him since made you think he'd ran off at the end of his shift to avoid having to be your parking lot buddy. You didn't blame him.

Amy winced as she realised Sandra had been waiting for her, turning to face the girl with a thin lipped smile. "Oh, umm, you know what I'm actually gonna catch up with the trivia night guys."

Sandra frowned, arms hanging loosely at her sides in defeat. She knew Amy would more then likely bail, but the thought she might not had been nice. "But you said it was lame."

Amy cringed, her words from earlier coming back to haunt her as she was now stuck in a sticky situation. "Yeah, I did say that. Yeah. But you're good to walk alone, right? We'll start buddies tomorrow."

Amy and Jonah started walking away from Sandra as she spoke, quickly gaining on Mateo and Cheyenne who had left the break room only moment before the three of you had. Sandra turning away from you, looking longingly in the direction of the bus stop. "Okay. It's just a little dark, but...and I don't know who that is."

With a soft sigh, you looked towards Amy who was stood waiting for you to catch up, you dismissed her with a wave of your hand, a silent promise that you'd catch up with her at Trivia night, then turned to Sandra.

"Just like old times, huh." Reaching out towards Sandra, you linked your arm through hers, beginning the walk along the dark path to the bus stop together.

"Y/n?" Sandra asked, head titled like a lost puppy in confusion. "But, but I thought you had trivia night? You do go to trivia night, right?"

"I can spare a few minutes." You shrugged, squeezing Sandra closer to you by your joint arms. "Besides, I've missed waiting for the bus with you."

A wide smile curled onto Sandra's lips which you could barely make out under the dim streetlights; thankfully for Sandra it hid the warmth that had filled her cheeks at the sentiment. She'd missed your conversations at the bus stop too, not that she'd have ever spoke up on the subject in case she made you feel bad for not getting the bus anymore.

"Yeah, yeah, me too."

The rest of the walk was filled with chatter and laughter, the two of you catching up like long lost friends despite the fact you saw her near most every day. It was a nice catch up nonetheless, and as she got onto her first bus of many home, you felt a weird sense of grief for the life you'd once lived. Things weren't the same anymore, and you couldn't be more thankful - your life had only gotten better since the night Amy found you at the bus stop - but you still missed small moments of it. Moments like these.

Taking a deep breath, you let the moment and it's nostalgia leave you, turning to face the dark path back in the direction of the store you'd have to walk - this time alone - which now sounded much scarier then before, remembering the strange figure you and Sandra had walked past to get here.

"Trivia starts at 10, you might want to get a move on if we're going to be on time." Marcus was leant against the side of the bus shelter, car keys held loosely between his fingers as he spun them around, avoiding your gaze.

"Marcus?" He'd waited for you.

"I don't want to talk about what happened in the break room the other day." He quickly interrupted, turning to face you as you stayed within the safety of the bus shelter. Your face immediately fell, confused and almost hurt as to why he would come all the way over here just to tell you that. "Shit- what I meant was we don't have to right now, I'd really like to address it as some point though even if now's not a good time but-"

Marcus sighed heavily, folding his muscular arms across his chest, the material of his navy coveralls pinching at the elbow as he did. "What I mean is; let me drive you to trivia night."

You did think about arguing against it, making up some lousy excuse about why you weren't going to trivia tonight, or more specifically, why you couldn't go with him. But you didn't. "Sure."

"Or at least let me walk you down the path back to the store, it's dark out and I don't want anything happening to - wait... did you say yes?"

"...yes, if you don't mind." The smile the curved onto Marcus's lips was the widest you'd seen in a long time, dimples and teeth showing and all. It made him look ever the more handsome then he usually did; his boyish charm only embellished by his bashful grin.

The pair of you began to walk away from the bus shelter and in the direction of Marcus's car, a substantial space left between the two of you as neither of you dared to make the first attempt in bridging it. If Marcus noticed how you kept stealing glances at him, he didn't say.

"So... trivia night has been weird without-"

Before Marcus could tell you how weird it'd been to not have you as his trivia partner over the past few weeks, you jumped into his side, tightly grasping his hand with your own as you stared into the rustling bushes that were sheathed by the nights darkness. As Marcus went to ask you what you'd seen or heard, your heart beating so fast and hard he could feel it through the tips of your fingers that dug into his knuckles, a squirrel ran out of the bush and up a nearby tree.

"Holy shit." You gasped, one hand holding your heaving chest while the other gripped Marcus's even tighter. "That was way more scary then it should've been."

"Is that my jacket?"

While you'd been entirely entertained by the worry of what was in the night, Marcus had become completely overwhelmed by you: your fingers laced through his own, your heart beating in time with his, the smell of your perfume, the tiniest change in your expression, the jacket you were wearing. The sight was normal at first, what every date the two of you had been on felt like for the tall brunette, but when he saw you in his jacket, the harsh reality of what had happened between the two of you came crashing down onto him.

Your face softened at the question alone, red hot warmth rising to your cheeks as you realised what you'd been caught wearing. The old, beige bomber jacket had become a staple in your wardrobe ever since you'd worn it to protect yourself from the rain on the way to the hospital, his thumb in your bag and headphones on. There wasn't an outfit you didn't plan around it, or an occasion you didn't wear it to - it was almost apart of you at this point. But who could blame you? The worn, soft fabric provided you with a sense of comfort that couldn't be otherwise replicated.

The fact it still smelt like Marcus didn't help in your constant use of it either.

"I never take it off." You sheepishly admitted, avoiding Marcus's gaze as you looked intensely at the pathway, hand still intertwined with Marcus's and the other tucked into your - his - pocket. "It's my favourite thing."

"Comfy?" He teased, bumping you with his shoulder to get you to look up at him, a smile curling on your lips as your eyes met as you continued down the dark path.

"Not so much." You replied, biting back the smile that threatened to fill your face, heat staying in your cheeks despite the cold night air. How did he make it so easy to like him? To want to fall back into the way things used to be? "Reminds me of someone I really care about."

Someone I love.

The thought had been brief, a flash in your mind but long enough to let a bitter taste rise to your tongue. A realisation that you'd had hours too late reminding you even now, 5 months on, that you'd not said it, and that's why things were the way they were now. Shaking off the thought, knowing you'd come back to it another time, you grounded yourself in the moment, really feeling his hand holding yours - relishing in the hold you'd missed so much.

"They sound pretty special." Marcus mused, knowing full well you'd been talking about him. It definitely didn't hurt to have the thought reaffirmed; that what you'd said in the break room the other day about things being different was true. That you guys still had a chance.

"They are." You hummed, a soft smile curling on your lips. "And if they don't move their butt, they're going to make us late for trivia."

"We better get going then, huh."

The rest of the walk back towards the store and Marcus's car was silent, neither of you saying anything about the fact you were still holding hands, or how - if - this would affect the nature of your relationship going forward. Only when you reached the car did you let go of his hand, making your way around to the passenger side, as you had so many times before, and climbing in. Everything about it felt so... normal. So right. "Thanks for letting me drive you, I missed having you as my trivia partner."

"Thanks for offering." Marcus started the car up, his hand reconnecting with yours over the centre console. His thumb ran along the side of your hand, a comforting and familiar gesture, the soothing motion making you feel right at home in his passenger seat. "I missed it too."

I missed you too.

The words didn't need to be said, but it was clear the sentiment had been shared, a bashful smile creeping onto Marcus's face. Trivia would be fun, and you were certain - for the first time in a while - you had a teammate to play with.

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HELLO AGAIN

I hope you enjoyed this weeks part - LOOK AT MY BABIES there hanging out again,, step in the right direction (the right direction being away from the y/n and Marcus angst)

as always, have a lovely week <3333