#PG I DEMAND TO SEE THE RINGS

[machveil]

I demand(Lovingly) Konig bringing his kid onto base with him because reader couldn't watch them

But no one was aware Konig Had a child :)

Maybe include the 141 and not just Kortacs reactions?

(Google translate warning lol) to his team’s credit, they only knew König was married because they’d seen the band around his ring finger a handful of times. they knew he was a private man when it came to his home life, what they didn’t expect was König bringing a child with him to base.

his spouse was all set up to watch the kid, their school was having a teacher’s conference and the building was closed. unfortunately, they had gotten a call from work - an emergency came up.

a last minute sitter was off the table, the usual neighbor had arrangements already out of town. that left König, looming, intimidating Colonel that he was, to bring his kid with him to work.

to his relief, today’s priorities were just paperwork. König figured he could just b-line to his office and set his kid down with some paper and a pencil

only problem? well… König isn’t exactly stealthy. it’s hard to go unnoticed when you’re as tall as him and lugging a kid around (a kid that begged dad for a piggyback ride)

general head cannons for operatives interacting with König’s kid:

Horangi, to his credit, had a suspicion that König had a kid. that didn’t stop him from doing a double take when he saw the little one. definitely calls the kid 작은 새끼 (little cub) because I said so. immediately treats König’s kid as his own - jokingly claims he’ll teach the child how to play cards (“no money, we’ll play for snacks.”)

Johnny is the fun uncle, prove me wrong. can’t believe his eyes when he sees König carrying around this itty-bitty kid compared to his behemoth size. definitely steals the kid away for some shenanigans and teaches them how to prank their dad (“put his hand in hot water when he’s asleep” type of of stuff). lots of hair ruffling and teasing

Gaz hot take, I think he’s neutral on handling kids. isn’t surprised that König has a kid. back to my hot take, it’s not that Gaz doesn’t like kids, he’s just okay with them. he’s friendly and cracks a few jokes with König’s kid, but he definitely feels old now he’s not, but still. hypes up König by telling his kid PG rated “hero stories” about how cool their dad is and how “he’s a real knight in shining armor”

Price has major dad energy, I’m sorry. is he surprised König has a kid? not really, is he surprised König brought his kid on base? yeah, a little. Price and König teaming up to tease this poor child :( (“pull my finger” war flashbacks). Price and König lecturing giving life lessons to the kid when they ask a mundane question lol

Ghost is standoffish, but warms up to König’s kid. he doesn’t want to come off as scary because… well, between the skull on his balaclava, dressed in full black, and being built like a truck, he scares adults :( he doesn’t want to wig out this tiny person. inwardly relieved that the kid isn’t scared (“my dad wear a mask sometimes too!”) and instantly becomes fun uncle number two. cracks horrible, dry jokes that has the kid complaining and laughing. if König’s kid brought markers with them he definitely lets the kid color in his tattoos (“oi, missed a spot.”). low-key heals his inner child playing with König’s kid

König never made it to his office, he spent the day watching his kid meet and have fun with his uncles - uncles that keep complaining “when are you going to bring them around again?”

Johnny, journalist and scrapbooker that he is, definitely has a polaroid camera - takes photos of König and his kid and hands them over before the pair leave base

(for any KorTac members I didn’t mention, just know they teased König for not mentioning he has a kid and they treat his child like their own as well)

[sapphossparenoterbook]

May I please request Agatha x reader where the reader has a really bad anxiety disorder, like so bad they can't even work a normal job outside the house. And Agatha comforts them telling them that she loves them regardless?

Anxious

Agatha Harkness x Reader

TW: An annoying child...

Today sucked. Badly. You hadn’t realised that you’d run out of your anxiety meds until Agatha had already left the house for work. And then you were too nervous to call her and see if she had any free time during her break to go to the pharmacy and help you out with your shitty situation here. And even if you had the balls to call your girlfriend, you had about 10 important projects for work to finish up. At least working from home for your boring office job hasn’t backfired like everything else today.

By lunch, your day had slightly begun to get better. Agatha had made you your favourite lunch for you to find waiting for you in the fridge, your colleagues had emailed you to thank you for fishing your side of the project early so that they can get a head start on their reports, and you felt the pit of anxiety in your stomach slightly loosen at the easy-going atmosphere in your home. That was until Dottie, one of your neighbours, had knocked on the door and practically demanded you babysit her child for the evening while all but throwing the small girl into your hallway. 

Oh, god. This is bad. This kid was a brat and always was going to be, with a mother like Dottie teaching her everything she knows in how to be a spoiled little bitch. You’d been an eye witness of what happens when this little girl gets jealous of one of the other kids on the street for a new bike or toy they had, and had always managed to steer absolutely clear of this little demon child. 

And now here she sat, looking up at you with a pout and a mischievous look in her eyes, as if she was an apex predator that could smell your fear and was going to hunt you down in your own home. This very much felt like your favourite movie, Alien, had come to life specifically just to ruin your so far good day.

From this point, your anxiety wouldn't stop getting worse all day. You spent the rest of the day trying to finish more projects that you were sure really needed to be done early or your colleagues would be pissed, while also trying to keep this monster child calm by doting on her constantly. 

Agatha’s supply of chocolate ice cream was gone by two o’clock. Then there goes your supply of skittles you’d be saving for tonight. After that, all your sweet snacks were gone and the child was running in goddamn circles from a sugar high, and all of a sudden the image of Dottie banging on the door tomorrow because you’d given her child so much sugar that she hadn’t slept all night. 

“Just– just slow down!” You say, reaching out to gently grab the child’s arm before imaging her screeching and crying, telling everyone that you’d gripped her arm so hard you’d bruised her, causing the whole neighbourhood to never trust you around their kids. Ever. Okay, so maybe that’s not such a bad outcome… but still!

“Do you wanna watch some TV? Or… or a movie? I’ve got movies..!” You say, before rushing over to the shelf where you and Agatha keep all of your DVDs and BluRays, desperately looking through them for something much more PG than Goodfellas, and The Godfather, which would all probably get this kid’s annoying ass mother over the house in an instant. Just as you sift through the movies and find your old copy of Star Wars episode 4, the doorbell rings again, and you hope that it’s either Agatha or Dottie coming back to pick up her kid, and not another unwanted guest. Thankfully, when you open the door it’s both, and Agatha can tell by the look on your face as you open the door that you’re anxious and stressed, and need this kid out of the house instantly.

“Come on, honey! Grab all of your stuff, it’s time to go now!” Dottie calls to her daughter from the door, not even bothering to actually go and get her. Just as you turn around, you see the brat putting your Star Wars disc into her little unicorn backpack. “Uh, hold on a second… that’s mine, you can’t keep it sor–” 

“BUT YOU GAVE IT TO ME, YOU SAID I COULD WATCH IT! MUUUUUMMM, SHE’S YING, SHE’S LYING, SHE’S LYING–” You instantly flinch back as the brat begins to scream and shout, anxiety building that everything you’d imagined was about to come true, and her mother would shift the blame onto you rather than her lack of parenting skills. Before anyone can say anything, you rush away, off into your home office and locking the door behind you. 

For a long time, you sit in your office, spinning your chair and curling up into a tight ball, trying to ignore the sounds of Dottie shouting at Agatha over the Star Wars disc, and the sense of dread that it’s all your fault, and that you should’ve just noticed you were running low on meds earlier in the week so that this fucking bullshit wouldn’t have happened. You think Agatha is going to be mad at you, and that it’s going to spiral into something big, but somewhere under all your anxiety is the knowledge that Agatha would never do that to you. She hasn’t done it before, and she won’t now, and deep down that is pretty clear by the way she’s fighting like her life depends on it over a Star Wars disc that is very easily replaced.

“That’s not the goddamn point, Dottie!” You hear Agatha shout. “It’s not about the DVD! It’s about the fact that you’re teaching your daughter to just ransack my house and take whatever she wants! So yeah, I want the disc back!” She then pauses, and Dottie must have said something in her quiet but demeaning tone in that pause, because then Agatha’s loud shouts start back up again. “My girlfriend does have a job! She’s not just some housewife for you to drop your kids off at when you can’t be bothered to teach them manners–she works from home, she shouldn’t have to stop what she’s doing in the day just to dote over your brat! If you drop her off like that again, we’re telling your husband that he needs to pay for a babysitter. Not just for your kid, but for you too.” 

The front door slams, and through your slightly open window you hear Dottie’s entitled “Oh, how rude!” from outside, clearly trying to get the other neighbours attention and ruin their opinion of Agatha. But they all know the drill, no one gives Dottie the time of day anymore, which may be why she dropped her kid, Lottie, off at your house and not one of the other neighbour’s, clearly she’s out of options. You make sure to close your window too, and take a few deep breaths before you hear Agatha knocking at your office’s door.

“Baby, are you okay in there? It’s been a rough day, huh?” Agatha’s soft voice calls from behind the door, a stark contrast to the rough toe she’d used with Dottie and her child. “Do you wanna talk about it, or shall I leave you be for a little bit so you can gather your thoughts..?” 

You get up and unlock the door, and open it to see Agatha already looking down at you with a worried look in your eye. 

“Aw, hon… you look like a soggy puppy…” Agatha says, and you turn your head to the mirror in the hall and stare at your own face looking back at you. Wide, sad puppy dog eyes. A little pout on your lips, tense furrowed eyebrows, and a wobbly chin as you try not to cry. 

“No I don't, I just look stupid and sad…” You practically whine out your words like a toddler, overwhelmed with anxiety and stress, and Agatha’s lips move into a slightly pursed smile as she instantly clues in on what's gone on. 

“I checked your pill box after Dottie and that annoying brat left… Why didn’y you call me and say you needed some more, love? I could have easily gone to the pharmacy and got some more for you during your break, you know Jen always keeps them in stock just in case we’re unprepared…”

“I didn’t wanna bother you… I was worried you were too busy, and my call would’ve annoyed you or somethi–” Agatha stops you right there with her finger, making a shushing motion on your lips. 

“Honey, I’d never be annoyed at you just for asking me for help, and I wasn't even that busy today anyway, it was a real doozy actually…” 

You feel a sense of insecurity rising up in your chest, that and stupidity. Of course you could ask your girlfriend to do that for you! Why did you think differently for even a second?! For god's sake, you always do such stupid things that just make the situations so much worse all because you can’t handle your own goddamn feelings when it comes to slightly stressful stuff like this, for god's sake–! 

“Hey, hey, hey… where did your head go?” Agatha asks, gently holding your face in both of her hands and making you look into her eyes. 

“I… I just feel so stupid over this. Why didn’t I just tell you? For God’s sake, could’ve avoided all of this…” 

“Honey, it’s not your fault that you ran out of your meds. Normally we’re both so on top of getting your prescription on time, it’s not your fault that we were both too busy to notice, honey.” Agatha said, and gently drops her hands down to your wrists, and pulls you out of your office and back into the living room of your house, setting you on the couch next to her. 

“Here, much more relaxing than in that cramped office of yours.” 

You practically mould into Agatha’s side as you snuggle into her, and she rubs your back gently. “So, what happened? Aside from that annoying brat ransacking the house…” 

“Mmm, no… that was pretty much it. I was doing pretty well actually, got most of my work done early until Dottie came and ruined it all…” 

You take in a deep breath, and try to ease the insecurity in your chest. 

“Now I’m a little behind on my usual schedule, and my boss wouldn’t reply to my emails so it’s almost like he knows, and I feel so stupid because all I had to do was tell Dottie that I was too busy and I couldn’t even do that! How am I supposed to do my job if I can’t even say no to an annoying neighbour! And not only that, but I’m really stressed about having to go into the office next week for that meeting, and I’m too scared to ask them to do it over a zoom call or something for me, I just feel like such a burden–”

“Okay, woah, honey I’m gonna stop you there. I understand that you’re stressed about this, but you know just as well as I do that your boss and all of your colleagues love you! They’ve been so, so supportive about this for you, and they can’t even say you have to go into the office if they want to because they’ve said it themselves that you work so much faster when you work from home. Also, no one in the whole street can ever say no to Dottie. She doesn’t even let people speak while she gets them to do stuff, and when it comes down to it you know that the whole neighbourhood prefers you over Dottie.” 

Agatha pauses, and moves your head again so that you’re once again looking eye to eye. She stares down at you for a second with a little goofy smile on her face, before giving you a soft kiss on the lips and slowly pulling away, before kissing your nose too. 

“And besides… I love you regardless, and nothing’s gonna change that. Not even if Dottie comes over here saying you… killed her kid, or something.” 

You snort, “Well I’m not gonna do that… but that definitely says something about you more than it does me.”

Molly pauses, and looks back up at Agatha. “Are you sure, though? I mean… what if I screwed something up so bad that–” 

“Hey, no! That’s not how this is going to go, okay? I care about you, and I love you too much to just… flip a switch like that because we both forgot to grab your prescription yesterday. I promise you, your anxiety isn’t something that stops you from being like everyone else, everyone has things about themselves that they need to work around to be more like the person they wanna be. And I really don’t think your anxiety is one of those things you’re going to have to work around, I think you’re perfect as you are already, and no one is going to be able to change that. Not for me, at least.” 

Today sucked. Badly. But sitting here next to Agatha, in this little bubble of love and care, it doesn’t seem all that bad.

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

heya i love ur writing and i'm a whore for blue jones (mostly just oscar isaac in eyeliner)

but i love the idea of like a really soft blue. like needy but not sexually just in a 'i have a need to be around you all the time' kinda way. pining maybe? cuddles for sure and just idk i love my slimy rat man sm-

also would work for nathan bateman, his grumpiness would make that hella cute. i am surviving off crumbs at this point i will love whatever you do, your writing makes my heart feel fluffy :D

xox love ya

PYGMI I LOOOOVVEEE YOUUUUUUU! <3 <3 <3

Pout

Blue Jones x gn!Reader • Rating: PG pals Masterlist• ao3• want to be tagged? | request info • buy me a coffee? • ask-travaganza masterlist •

Summary: Blue's a grumpy baby.

Warnings: Fluff, cuddles, kisses, not beta read, please let me know if I have missed a warning!

Word Count: 549

Blue had been sitting next to you for more than an hour. Well, sitting might be the incorrect word. His chair was next to yours. He was currently doing his best to sit all over you. 

“Blue,” you mutter, “I am meant to be going over these figures… like you wanted.” 

He grumbles lightly, shifting from where his face is pressed into your stomach, his body curled over and half hanging off his chair. 

You have your left arm resting on him a little awkwardly, in an effort to actually get to your desk to read over the numbers. 

“What was that?” You prod him lightly in the side and he wriggles. 

He mumbles something intelligible and then lifts his head up to look at you, half of his short hair sticks up comedically to the side. 

“Hmm?” 

“Fuck the figures.” He repeats a little groggily. 

“Did you fall asleep?” 

He gives you a soft glare. “Maybe.” 

You can’t stop your chuckle. 

“You’re comfortable and warm and you smell nice.” 

“You have a wonderful way of making compliments sound like insults, you know that?” 

He pouts slightly, but you can tell he’s amused by how he preens a little and stretches his neck. “Come and lay down with me on the sofa.” 

“No.” 

“With blankets.”

“No.” 

“I can rest on you and we both can nap.” 

“No.” 

“Why?” He stretches the word out, his voice petulant. 

“Because,” you lean a little closer, making him think you’re going in for a kiss and then pull back quickly and he scowls. “I am checking. The. Figures.” 

He gives you a frown, lifting his hand up to smooth over his moustache before he speaks. “Where’s my kiss?” 

“Up your ass.” 

He gives you the dirtiest look you’ve ever seen and you giggle. 

“You like this? Like upsetting me?” 

“Very much.” You smile and kiss the tip of his nose. 

He grumbles nonsense and wraps his arms around you fully before snuffling into your chest. “Unfair, so unfair, how could you betray me like this?” 

You kiss the top of his head as you go back to looking over the ledger. 

It’s only a few seconds before he speaks again. “Where are my kisses?” 

“Nowhere, not with that language.” You tease.

He tuts and you can practically feel the eye roll. “May I have a kiss, please?” 

“Now you’re making good manners sounds like demands.” 

“Does nothing ever please you?” He scoffs.

“You please me.” You whisper and you feel him shiver and untense. 

“Don’t go trying to sweeten me with your words.” He shifts closer and kisses your neck softly. 

You smile. “Give me five minutes and I’ll come and lay down with you.

“Thank you,” he breathes deeply. “You do really like winding me up don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” He leans back a little to see your face. 

“You poke out your bottom lip when you frown, it’s very cute.” 

He scoffs again, someone even more indigent this time. “I do not.”

“You’re doing it now.” You say, still looking at the book.

He sucks in his lips quickly and then gives you a firm stare when you smile at him. “You’re so mean to me.” 

“You love it.” 

He pauses for a moment, wriggling and then sighs. “Yes… I do.” 

Thank you for reading!

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[rinhaler]

I Pick a Tail Number and We Could Be Tourists

CHAPTER SUMMARY: you're stranded out of town and it's all Megumi's fault. Time to find a hotel to crash in!

boyfriend!yuuji itadori x f!reader x bully!megumi fushiguro

WARNINGS : 18+, alcohol consumption, arguing, name calling, strong language lmao, PG chapter tbh!

WORDS : 9.2k

notes : dangerously close to running out of old chapters to edit and repost LOL

       LAST CHAPTER ┊ MASTERLIST ┊ NEXT CHAPTER

—

Megumi didn’t wait for you as he re-entered the aquarium and you had to work double time to keep up with his brisk strides.

He said that you should go inside together so you could figure out this mess you found yourselves in; and yet it sure feels like he’s trying to leave you behind.

He only slows down when he starts to text, which of course, piques your interest. It’s probably his dad or his sister, letting them know what happened and asking for a ride. He comes to a complete stop as you arrive at the café. Megumi pulls out a chair, he intended it to be for himself, but when he looks up and notices your worried gaze, he gestures it to you and takes another seat.

You must look terrified if even Megumi is showing you that much kindness.

“Are you texting Toji?” you ask him, and he scoffs immediately.

“No? Why would I?”

“Because we are fucking stranded and you said we were going to plan what we are going to do!” you whisper-shout at him, doing all you can to remain level-headed and keep your fury to a minimum. You’re so overwhelmed and angry you know the smallest push will have you freefalling into tears.

“I’m gonna call that asshole teacher of ours and see if they can turn around.” Megumi tells you, scrolling through his phone until he lands on your lecturer’s phone number. You hear a faint ringing through the speaker again and again. A vision of rage flares across Megumi’s features as the ringing goes to voicemail.

“Call Toji!” you demand. It prompts Megumi to kiss his teeth and roll his eyes to look at you, he studies your body language and expression, and he has to hold back a smile when he sees how serious you are. “Or I will.” the threat causes Megumi’s vague amusement to fade into annoyance as he adjusts his seating position to sit up straight.

“Go on then.” he challenges, moodily. He rests his ankle over his knee and slouches more in his seat, avoiding eye contact with you as he proceeds to play on his phone and ignore the gravity of the situation you’ve found yourself in. You tut, quickly finding Toji’s name in your contacts and dialling.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“What did he do?” he huffs, answering the phone sounding a little out of breath.

“N-Nothing, Toji. Well he, I guess he—“

“What? What’s going on, princess?”

Megumi’s eyes are burning into yours as he warns you to choose your next words carefully. Part of you wants to protect him; you aren’t sure if it’s out of guilt for your tattling earlier this morning or if it’s out of fear for what he’ll do to you. Your mouth hangs open as you consider, and then turns to a smile that you’ll hope Toji will hear through the phone.

“He’s been fine. But, uh, we missed the bus home.”

“Was it his fault?”

“W-Well, umm…”

“Just tell me sweetheart. Was it his fault you missed the bus?” he questions, a stern, authoritative tone in his speech. You do all you can to remain composed and not expose yourself to Megumi. A small little gulp travels down your throat as you find the confidence to croak out a singular word.

“Technically…”

“Put him on.”

“But—”

“Put him on the phone right now.”

He’s never spoken to you like that before. It was a condensed version of how you hear him address Megumi. You quickly hand the phone to his son and hear a quiet ‘for fuck sake’ under his breath as he presses your phone to his ear.

He looks cute, you think, with a pink love heart phone case on the side of his head. With this and the colouring book, you’re starting to think he’s not all bad.

Maybe he even has a softer side.

He at least has a sort of nice side if today is anything to go by.

You’re brought out of your soft ideation as you see a vein bulge against Megumi’s temple and his teeth grit whilst his father screams bloody murder at him down the phone. Even without speaker phone turned on, you can still hear him.

“Enough!” Megumi bites back, finally, and Toji actually pipes down once he hears his son snap. “Can you come get us or not?” he hisses through his teeth. His eyes bulge open as he hears a response he hadn’t expected. “What do you mean no? Where the fuck are you right now? It’s loud.”

“I mean no, shithead. I’ll talk to you about it later, I can’t get you though. I’m sorry, kid. Tsumiki is at work too so she can’t.” Toji tells him. Megumi sighs and shakes his head in your direction. It’s odd, considering Toji said he’d drop anything and everything to rescue you if needed be. But you suppose things happen, life gets in the way, it can’t be helped. You know he would if he could. “Give her the phone back.”

He does, holding it out for you to take. He gets up, trudging towards the barista to avoid listening to whatever his father is going to say to you.

“I’m so so sorry I can’t come get you, baby. You’re a credit card kid though, right? I’ll be able to wire you the money tomorrow if you wanna get a cab back. It’s only fair I fucking pay since it’s my dumb kid's fault.”

“Three hours in a cab? I can’t, I’m not really talking to my parents right now and I’d feel obliged to if I spent that much money on their card.” you tell him. He nods, despite you being unable to see it. He understands. “Megumi���s gonna try and ring our teacher again, maybe they’ll come back for us.”

“Yeah, maybe.” he responds, “I know it isn’t ideal but… if there’s no one else, maybe you could book a hotel room for the night or something?”

“Oh! Absolutely not!” you reply. The chipper tone in your voice with such a funny answer makes him snicker down the phone. “I’ve just remembered Gojo exists, I’ll call him!” you beam, impressed with yourself as the idea strikes you.

“N-No, princess, wait—!”

“Bye Toji!” you hang up, albeit a little guiltily. But you waste no time searching your contacts for Gojo.

You jump a little when you hear the sound of glass thump against the table you’re sitting at. He got you and himself milkshakes. Banana for you and strawberry for him. There’s something quite endearing about Megumi and the colour pink.

“Thanks. Did you know banana is my favourite or was it a guess?”

“I’m gonna try that fucking idiot teacher again.” Megumi speaks, totally ignoring your question. There’s no way he could have known it was your favourite, you’ve never told him and you doubt Yuuji had. He gets up and walks away from the table as he listens to the mind-numbing ring of his phone attempting to connect him.

Your call to Gojo is useless. His smarmy voice immediately grates on you as he asks how you got yourself in such a predicament. It only edges his theory more that you have a thing for Megumi now that you’re stuck with him. And you are stuck, since he’s also unable to help.

“Didn’t think you’d need me today so I’m out of town. How about your favourite Papaguro?” he taunts.

“He can’t. I don’t know what he’s doing but he said he can’t.” you tell him, coldly, hoping your tone of voice will quell his curiosity and put an end to his teasing.

“Oh really? How interesting. Let me talk to Megumi—”

“Goodbye, Gojo.” you cut him off before he can continue anymore. Your blood is boiling, but you manage to relax as you see a stream of texts from Toji begging you not to call Gojo.

Oops.

Megumi returns, tossing his phone onto the table. You think if he fell into his seat any harder he might have put a hole through the floor. He looks furious. A face like thunder and his arms folded across his chest. His foot begins tapping against the floor speedily, almost like a tick of some sort and soon it travels up his leg so that he’s bouncing it. You don’t stare, but you look over to him wondering when he’ll be ready to talk. He looks at you when you lean forward to sip the straw of your milkshake.

“I thought it was weird that they left without us,” he starts, copying your actions and slurping the pink liquid he purchased through his straw. “Whenever I’ve been on trips in the past. They say a certain time to be back, but they never actually leave until everyone is accounted for on the bus.”

“Right? But this isn’t like school, we’re adults. It’s university. So they don’t fuck around when it comes to this stuff, I guess.” you respond. He shakes his head though, disregarding your statement.

“I went on a trip with my old university and they waited for a bunch of mature students who were late back to the bus. Like, thirty minutes late. They don’t leave students behind on trips, ever. Unless…”

“Unless?”

“Guess what that useless excuse for an educator just told me.” Megumi smirks. You shake your head, giving up on his little game before you even begin. You see his eyes roll over white before he leans in closer to you across the table, his chest almost spilling his milkshake over. “Apparently I sent a text to those stupid ugly girls telling them that we caught a ride home from Toji. And that idiot believed them.”

“Did you?”

“What?”

“Did you text them, Megumi? Because this seems like something you’d definitely do to try and fuck with me.”

“Don’t be dense. I’m not fucking with you anymore, am I? If I was fucking with you I would have left you here alone.” he assures you. You nod, finding his explanation believable enough to dispel any doubt. You’re at least glad he isn’t angry with you for doubting him; he’s given you more than enough reasons to, after all. “How was your call with Gojo?”

“It’s a no-go,” you smile. You even manage to coax a little smirk out of Megumi as well. “He’s out of town, busy. And I assume a charming boy such as yourself doesn’t have any friends who could get us.”

“I assume the girl who pissed herself at Independent doesn’t have any friends either.” he bites back. He scrunches his eyes as soon as the words leave his mouth. Regret, you deduce. You look away from him to stop yourself from crying, and you know he won’t apologise to you for saying it.

Keep it together. Don’t let him see you cry.

“Call your parents.” Megumi demands.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I said no. I’m not fucking talking to them and you’re not going to bully me into doing it. Especially after what you just said. I cannot believe I thought—”

“Don’t fucking start. Sorry, alright? Just slipped out.” he mumbles, and you huff out a sigh. It’s a huge deal, honestly. You didn’t think he was capable of apologising. Hell, you didn’t even know he knew the word sorry. You shake your head, dismissing him and his bullshit as you try and come to terms with your situation. “No Toji or Gojo or bus coming back. No cab. No friends. What’s left, O’Keeffe?”

“I- Toji suggested something but I said no to that, too.” you hesitate to tell him. He looks at you, curiously, waiting for you to elaborate. A scoff escapes you as you recall the idea and debate on telling him or not. It can’t hurt to mention it, you suppose. “A hotel.”

“He’s smart sometimes, I’ll give him that. Why did you say no?”

“I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary with you, let alone share a room.” you tell him bluntly, and he laughs at your brazenness. He catches himself, though, his face returning to the stoic expression it’s used to. He can’t let you think he finds you funny.

“Why would we share? The rooms will be dirt cheap. It might not be what you want to hear, but, we’re stuck here for tonight at least.” he tells you. And unfortunately, you’re starting to think he’s right. You’re shit out of luck. There’s no escape from him and you are stranded in town until someone can come and get you both. Of course, the reasonable thing to do would be to call your parents and just get over your petty grudge and talk to them. But it wasn’t a viable option.

You can’t.

You just can’t.

You pull your laptop out of your bag and connect with the hotspot on your phone. Megumi is squinting incredulously. As if you’re the type to come up with evil plots and schemes.

“I’m looking up hotels in town, apparently there’s only three. Do you want to call?” you wonder. He grabs your laptop and turns it to face him, dialling the number for the first hotel. You start calling the second and it rings for an awfully long time.

“This one’s fully booked, give me the last one.” he demands, you turn your screen for him to see and he attempts the next number.

“Oh hello, I was wondering if you had any rooms available for—”

You’re cut off by the most unwelcome answer you could have possibly imagined. The look on Megumi’s face is telling you that he doesn’t have a much better answer for you either. His teeth are grinding and his face is almost completely red. Instead of one bulging forehead vein you think you can see three of them.

“No rooms.”

Fuck.

“I— We’ll take it. Is it okay if we pay on site? I’m not sure how many days… Yeah, sure. That’s fine, uh, Fushiguro for the booking, I guess. Thanks so much.” you sigh, hanging up the phone.

“Nice one, O’Keeffe. And you’re putting it in my name so Toji has to pay, real smart. At least we’ll have our rooms for the night and we can get some—”

“Our room.” you correct him.

“What?”

“They only had one fucking room available for us.”

“No.”

“It’s two double beds so it’s not like we’re sharing. Listen, I’m not thrilled about it either, Megumi.” you snipe at him, unwilling to tolerate his attitude when you’re already in a foul mood.

“If you weren’t being such a petty, stuck up, bitch, your parents could have—”

“You can eat shit along with my parents. Fuck this,” you moan, standing to your feet and heading for the exit. You’re quickly stabbing the letters of the address into Google Maps so you can walk your way to your hotel.

Megumi knows he’s going to have to catch up with you at some point, but he’s stubborn, unable to admit defeat or appear weak.

But he is at fault for everything. He is the one that got you both into this mess and he is the one that keeps pushing your fucking buttons.

He does get up, though. It takes him a while to see you when he gets outside into the pouring rain. But when he does, it doesn’t take long to reach you. And almost as if to protect his fragile masculinity, he deems it necessary to overtake you like he’s leading the way. Guiding you to safety.

He doesn’t even know where he’s going, looking over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure he’s going the right way. He stops at an intersection looking completely out of his depth. You don’t help him, if he’s so insistent on leading the way then he can take it from here.

You don’t mind catching hypothermia in pursuit of proving a petty point.

His eyes wander around. And suddenly they settle. He knows he’s lost and clueless about what he’s doing. But ever the bullshitter, he comes up with a valid excuse for a pause in the journey.

“Should we get some clothes?” he asks. You scrunch your face up, not understanding why such a random question left his lips. He points in the direction of a department store, hoping to clarify his reasoning. “We only have what we came in and we’re drenched. I hope you aren’t planning on sleeping naked since we’re sharing a room.”

You suppose he has a point.

“Fine. Let’s go, I’m not buying your shit, though.”

“Bank of Toji, O’Keeffe. A pair of piece of shit credit card kids stranded in the middle of nowhere. Classic.”

“I’m not a piece of shit credit card kid, Megumi.” you inform him.

“Oh yeah? Who’s paying for that cosy little love den again. You and Yuuji must be working so hard to pay the bills.”

That shuts you up fairly quickly. Maybe he’s right. Are you really nothing but a trust fund baby? A useless girl who can’t get by without help from her parents. You never thought about it before, but it seems that way the more you think about it.

They’re the only reason you’re able to spend as much as you want at the drop of a hat.

They’re the only reason you have a nice house to live in instead of a gross little shoebox dorm room while you’re studying.

Megumi is a lot of things. A lot of awful things you couldn’t even begin to list. But it’s not often that he lies. And it’s even rarer that he’s wrong.

The store is nothing special. It’s nice and cheap which makes you feel real good inside. You may be spending your parents’ money, but at least it isn’t anything for them to call you up about.

You pick out a few outfits and some pyjamas to wear in the hotel room. You look over one of the clothes rails and see Megumi flirting with one of the shop assistants.

You feel hot all of a sudden. Angry. Why is he fucking flirting with her? Is now really the time to be doing this? He’s acting like everything is fine. Normal. Like you aren’t stuck here for however long.

You aren’t sure why, but something snaps in you. Before you can even ask yourself if it’s a good idea you’re marching up towards the girl and Megumi, rudely intercepting their conversation.

“I’m done buying stuff. Have you got everything?” you ask him.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t— Is this your girlfriend?” she asks. You scoff quickly and Megumi laughs at her assumption.

“Long story. Here, babe,” he smirks as he holds her hand and pulls a biro out of his back pocket. He scribbles his phone number on the top of her hand and winks at her. “Might be in town for a few days, call me up if you wanna have some fun.”

“Ugh.” you mutter, earning an elbow in the ribs from him.

“O-Okay, Megumi. I’ll call you. And nice to meet you, uh—”

“Bye.” you speak, assuming she was about to ask your name. You had no intention of giving it to her and watching them drool over each other for a second longer. “Not very professional of you, is it? Flirting with customers?” you tell her as you walk towards the checkout counter. She scoffs lightly, looking at Megumi for reassurance.

He does nothing but laugh, shrugging his shoulders as he walks after you. He’s silent for a while as he watches the woman at the counter ring up your purchases. You’ve got a face like thunder and he can’t even begin to describe how amused he feels. He waits for you to pick up your shopping bags before putting his own clothes down and waiting for the same service.

“What’s wrong with your face?” he asks you.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re pissed. Clearly. But I’ve never seen you look like that before. Is it…”

“Don’t you dare.”

“Jealousy?”

“You’re a fucking idiot. I’m not jealous. I don’t want you bringing girls back to our hotel room and listening to you cum in thirty seconds and think you’re impressive.”

“Right.”

He picks up his bags and heads for the exit. You know he’s winding you up on purpose when he winks at the girl again. It’s like he’s pouring salt and vinegar into a wound just to see how long it will take you to scream. You’re already fragile. Vulnerable. Lonely. He’s treating you as if you’re some social experiment to see how much he can get away with. He knows it’s a lot. He’s put you through a lot already.

What else is left?

—

You finally make it to the hotel.

Megumi had given in and decided to let you show him the way while he attempted to get through to his dad again. It took a few calls until he answered. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary either, both of them yelling and getting angry at each other until they finally got down to what they needed to talk about.

Paying the front desk.

He hands the phone to the man checking you in while he takes down his card details.

“Could you speak up, sir? It’s a little loud.” he requests.

“I said that earlier. Where the fuck is he?” Megumi wonders, facing you. You shrug your shoulders, assuming he didn’t actually expect you to answer.

How are you meant to know? It’s not like you're in cahoots with Toji just because he has an attentive interest in you and your wellbeing.

Megumi might annoy the life out of you and make your life hell at any opportunity, but you’re not the type of girl to keep information from him just to get the upper hand.

“All sorted. We’ve got his details, enjoy your stay.”

“Can I ask why it’s so busy? I noticed a lot of uh… interesting clothes at the store. And this was the only hotel with a room, is there a reason?” you ask him.

“It’s our big town festival this weekend. The anniversary of its founding. We get dressed up in gaudy clothes. Hold a parade. A beach party. Don’t be fooled by the weather, it’ll be scorching for the parade.”

“We need the key to the room.” Megumi states, bluntly. Clearly not giving two shits about the upcoming festival. The man nods and holds the key out to him.

“There’s a shop around the corner that sell condoms and lube.” he tells you both.

“He’s NOT my fucking boyfriend!” you yell, storming towards the stairs with your bags. Megumi laughs, again, saying goodbye to the receptionist as he follows after you. “The fuck do I look like? As if I’d date someone like him.” you mumble to yourself.

“You’re gonna hurt my feelings.” Megumi teases.

You ignore him, picking up the pace and running up the stairs so you can escape him. You know you need him to unlock the door to the room, but you need at least a few seconds of peace from him.

You can’t stand it.

You can’t stand him.

He doesn’t chase you. He doesn’t pester you anymore. You rest your back against the wall beside the door to your room as you wait for him. You’re almost at your breaking point. You can feel it brewing. Your chest is aching and your mouth is filling with water. You can even feel your jaw begin to ache.

What could you have done to deserve this?

Megumi arrives and doesn’t say a word. You’re thankful. You aren’t sure if he’s doing it for his benefit or yours. Does he know if he prods at your sensitive skin any more you’ll crumble to dust?

The room is quaint. You take the bed closest to the bathroom; leaving the one nearest to the window to him. Both of you drop your bags on each of your beds. He’s pacing around a little while you sit on the mattress.

Looking around is getting to you.

This is real.

You’re really stuck in a fucking hotel room with Megumi Fushiguro. What would Yuuji think if he could see you now? What were you fucking thinking by giving him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe you’d have been better off if you let those girls bully you on the coach and harass you in the art gallery.

At least you’d be on your way home.

At least you wouldn’t be stuck with him.

The spiralling thoughts in your mind are the final straw. You burst into tears and you couldn’t be anymore humiliated if you tried. Megumi looks over his shoulder to see you sobbing.

He feels awkward.

He’s not used to seeing anyone get emotional, let alone you. He’s only seen you like this because of him. And he can’t deny that this is his fault as well.

So, why can’t he find it in him to feel bad?

He goes in the bathroom and picks up some toilet roll for you. He doesn’t hand it to you, though. He just throws it at you. It makes you laugh a little. It’s just so him. You have to admit despite his obscure approach, he’s really been trying with you since the coach trip. You get yourself a handful of toilet roll and start dabbing it at your cheeks.

“Why did you do this to me, Megumi?” you ask so quietly it’s barely audible. “You keep fucking with me. And… this was without trying. Or was it planned?”

“Shut up. What good is this doing, huh? We’re in this, now, there isn’t shit we can do about it so suck it up.”

���You walked out of the aquarium and fucked everything up. You said you were going to piss but you were outside on the phone! Who was it? Tell me!”

“I won’t tell you again, princess. No business of yours so shut your fucking mouth.”

“It is my business when you get me into a situation like this because of it. You made this happen. And now you’re planning fucking dates and doing all that you can to make this experience even more miserable than it already is!” you yell, eyes and nose running quicker than you can keep up with. You must look a total mess and it’s making you even more embarrassed. It’s just more ammunition to fuel him with, more he can hold over your head and make you feel shit for.

“Who I’m on the phone with is my business. Who I go on dates with is my fucking business. Stop being a bitch. Are you on your fucking period? You’re so quick to shut down any chance of you being my girlfriend but you’re acting like you are since you’re being a nagging cunt.”

“Megumi—”

“Shut up.”

“Please… Please, don’t bring her back here.” you beg quietly. It makes him huff in annoyance as he turns away from you. You see him shaking as he grabs hold of the wooden dressing table as he tries to stabilise himself. “You at least owe me that, Megumi. You’ve done so many fucked up things. Unforgivable things, but here we are. I’m… I’m sobbing in a hotel room that I’m sharing with you. I’ve never asked you for anything other than to stop bullying me. But please, please don’t bring her here.”

You see his eyes screw shut in the mirror. He’s biting his lower lip as he thinks everything through.

You’re right.

He knows you’re right.

There’s an awful lot that he’s done to you and you’ve forgiven him without him even saying sorry. It shows how big of a person you are. How kind and sweet and genuine you are.

But he doesn’t care.

He just doesn’t fucking care.

Why does he get such a kick out of making you suffer? There’s something so enthralling and hypnotic about you that he can’t get over. You’re always in his fucking head and even seeing you bawl your eyes out he can’t find it in him to feel bad.

“FUCK!” he shouts, angrily trudging over to his bed to pick up one of the bags.

It’s the bag he held up earlier outside of the aquarium when you finally found each other. You never got a chance to ask what was in it. It had the logo for the aquarium on it, but you were too distraught and angry to question what he had purchased.

“Here.” he speaks, hurtling the bag towards you. You duck out of the way before it can hit you.

“Megumi!” you yell back, wiping your tears with your hands as your eyes widen in anger at him. He’s not paying attention though. Searching through his pockets for a cigarette and heading towards the exit.

“Goin’ for a smoke. Sick of the sight of your miserable fuckin’ face.” he tells you, slamming the door behind him. You throw yourself backwards so that your head is in the pillows. You’ve never felt so alone as you practically wail into the desolate hotel room.

What you’d give to have Toji pick you up right now and take you home.

To tell Megumi off for being so cruel to you again. Or even just to have Yuuji hold you in his arms. You’d kill to hear his voice. Hell. You’d even settle for a text at this point.

Why is he avoiding you?

You manage to calm yourself down the longer Megumi is gone from the room.

Deep breaths. One. Two. Three. Four.

You get up and look at yourself in the mirror. You’re thankful you packed some of your makeup into your tote bag for emergencies. Your face is a mess, you look like you’ve just been dumped on your wedding day.

You decide to go to the bathroom to rinse it off completely. The cold water splashing on your face almost stops your heart. But once your face is clear, you dab the water dripping down with a towel.

As you steady your breathing, you run your fingers through your hair once you leave the bathroom. The bag that Megumi tossed at you catches your eye. He threw it like it was yours. But you didn’t get anything from the aquarium. You’re approaching it like it’s a fucking bomb. He’s probably put insects in it to bite you or filled it with something else equally disgusting.

But you can’t help having a curious nature.

The bag is light when you pick it up. A single tear rolls down your face when you look inside.

“Oh, Megumi…” you sigh.

It’s the shark. The shark plushie from the aquarium you thought was so adorable. It doesn’t excuse everything he’s done. Anything he’s done, actually.

It certainly isn’t worth being late for the bus.

It isn’t worth you being stuck in this hotel room. It didn’t excuse everything he’d done and how he treated you in the past. But you can’t help but wonder how different things could be if he had shown this side of him from the start.

You get cosy in bed and cuddle your shark. You decide to name him Gerald. He’s softer than you remember him being in the gift shop, and that is by no means a complaint. It’s such a nice feeling to have something so adorable and soft to hold.

There is a split second you think your heart might have actually stopped when you hear Megumi open the door. You jump out of your skin but remain comfortable lying under the covers of your bed. He walks in, chuckling, when he sees you. He shakes his hand through his hair, messy water droplets falling from the ends.

“Thank you for Gerald, I love him.”

“S’not a gift, you owe me for him,” he tells you. At that, you sit up. Wide eyed and humiliated that you actually thought he’d do something so nice for you. You set down Gerald and open up the quilt to go and get your purse. “It was a joke. Gerald, huh?”

“Yeah, I don’t know. People names on animals is funny, I guess.” you answer. He nods lazily, like he isn’t fully committing to agreeing with your opinion. He throws his jacket to the ground and sits on top of his own bed. “Why did you do this for me?”

“I saw you left him when I went back to find you.” he speaks, “I- you seemed like you really wanted it so I just got it for you. That’s it. You’re welcome.” he finishes, leaning backwards on his elbows as he stares you down. It’s incredible how uneasy you can feel in such an instant whenever those intimidating green eyes study you.

It’s like you forget how to breathe.

How to be.

How should you act when you’re worrying whether or not every action you take may be used against you?

“I’d… look, I have a lot of thoughts and I just can’t say them without feeling stupid.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid, Megumi. You’re just a dick.” you laugh, and he laughs back. You aren’t wrong. “I’m scared of you, I don’t think I’ll ever get over that feeling with you. You’re compelling. Forceful. Dominant. It scares me, but getting me a plushie… standing up for me with those girls… colouring a fucking kids book in with me. They’re such kind, human things I didn’t expect you to be capable of.”

“Human? Do you think I’m a monster?”

“Sometimes. Most of the time, Megumi. You became a monster under my bed that kept me up at night.” you tell him. He shakes his head at that. You can’t decipher whether it’s self-reflection or disregard of your statement. Maybe he thinks you’re just being dramatic. “I don’t know what we are right now but I’d never think you’re stupid. So, if there’s anything you want to talk to me about or tell me I won’t… I won’t judge you for it. But if you want to keep it to yourself that’s fine too. Thanks for giving me a gift.”

“The girl from the store sent me a text. She asked if I want to go on a date tonight.” he admits. The admission takes you aback slightly, not expecting that to be the thought he was wanting to speak of.

“O-Oh.”

“I’m not bringing her back here. You’re right, I owe you that much. And I… I told her I can’t go on a date, ever.”

“Why?”

“’Cause it’s my fault we’re stuck here so I shouldn’t leave you alone, right? You’re fucking me up, O’Keeffe. Got me growin’ a fucking conscience suddenly.” he complains, but it makes you smile.

“I can look after myself, you know. Don’t let me stand in the way of you getting a nut.” you smile. He shakes his head putting another cigarette between his lips. He only left the room to smoke because he wanted space and to give you the same, not because it’s a rule of the hotel. There’s even an ashtray on his bedside table for him.

“Don’t care if you can or not. I don’t want to see her, anyway. I wanna go out with you.” he tells you.

“I’m sorry?”

“Get ready. The receptionist told me there’s a bowling alley nearby, ‘m not sulking in this shit hole room all night so get dressed.”

—

He’s a little jealous that he didn’t think of your genius idea of buying a raincoat. He did buy an umbrella, though, not that it did much to protect his new clothes or his hair. The bowling alley is a fifteen-minute walk away from the hotel. You’re glad you had opted to wear your favourite trainers instead of a pair of heels for your trip. Walking around today had been a breeze. And you were both hoping this would be the type of bowling alley that allows you to wear your own shoes.

You’ve always enjoyed places like this. Arcades that are dark with neon lighting. You look over to the lanes while Megumi pays for both of you and see an assortment of neon-coloured pins.

“Could we have a lane with pink pins, please?” you ask, sweetly. Megumi looks up from the card machine to grimace at you. But the man nods kindly, agreeing to your request.

You’re guided to the furthest lane away, right next to the wall. The desire to take a few pictures is too strong to ignore. Megumi scoffs but doesn’t comment. You get a few snaps of him while he’s entering your names into the system. It shocks you that he’s letting you go first. There might be a gentlemanly side to him, after all.

“Do you need the sides up?” he asks, patronisingly.

“Don’t be a dick about it. Yes, please.” you respond. He rolls his eyes but does as you ask. The sides come up for you to take your turn, and they’ll retreat for his. “Ah this is so cool! I didn’t know lanes could do this now.”

“Hurry up and take your turn. Does princess need a pink ball to match her pink pins?” he questions. Whenever you bowl, you always choose the lightest weight. Either a six or an eight. There’s only an eight here and it’s a hideous lime green colour. But it’s fine. You watch the ball zig zag off the sides before knocking down seven pins. “Not bad.” he hums. You saunter back to the bowling balls and pick up another. You only manage to hit one pin, but it’s one more than you had expected.

“You’re up, Fushiguro. See if you can beat that.” you tease, sticking your tongue out.

He swaggers over to the machine with as much confidence as an A-lister. He picks up the heaviest, pink, ball with ease. He raises his eyebrows twice in quick succession, like he’s gloating he got to use a pink ball and you didn’t. He poses triumphantly before he’s even rolled the ball. Like he’s some sort of fucking pro.

The ball flies from his hand and skids down the lane quicker than you can blink. It doesn’t roll until it connects with the centre pin. One of his legs is dramatically behind the other, a position he chooses to hold until he sees each and every pin knock down.

Megumi turns around and grins at you, smirking with pride and the state of shock your face is currently displaying. You point to the lane and then back to him as your words get jumbled in your mouth. He lazily points back at you, a fake look of contemplation overcoming him.

“So, out of curiosity, do you think I beat that?” he teases. He takes a seat and waits for you to take your next turn, casually looking through the drinks menu that had been left for you both to peruse.

“Are you some sort of bowling prodigy?”

“Nah.”

That’s it. That’s all he’s giving you as he orders himself a beer on the screen menu. He orders a drink for you, too, though he doesn’t tell you that. You take your turn again and manage to somehow get a spare.

By the time your drinks come he’s taking his next turn. You’re surprised that he ordered you a strawberry and lime cider, but it isn’t unwelcome. Maybe he’s trying to get you drunk so he wins even easier than he already is. He comes back, swigging his beer and silently gloating about his second strike of the evening.

“Thanks for the drink.” you smile. He nods and he drinks, his Adam’s apple bobbing dramatically with each glug of his beer. “Are those strikes just luck, then?”

“Does it matter?”

“A little, I guess. Did you just bring me here so you could feel superior?”

“Take your fuckin’ turn. You need to get it into that thick head of yours that not everything I do is about you.” he speaks sternly. It feels like you’re five years old being scolded by your parents. You tuck your hair behind your ears and get up to bowl again. You’re elated when your ball zig zags perfectly enough to earn a strike. It fills you with false confidence, a belief that you might actually be able to keep up with Megumi.

You sit and sip your drink as you watch him take another turn. He lets his head loll backwards as he exhales in annoyance.

“Unlucky.” you mock, as he cranes his head to face you. A split. He manages to get two out of the three pins left standing. You wonder for a second if he might have done it on purpose to placate you, and then you remember who you’re dealing with.

As tense as the atmosphere seems to be between the two of you, you’re managing to make fun for yourself. The music is loud, something you’d hear in a nightclub. You can’t help but shake your hips whenever you get up to roll. You drink your cider a little quicker than intended and you start ordering more. They go down smoother than water and your turns become messier. It’s going to be an easy win for Megumi, but it doesn’t stop either of you trying.

“Let’s go again!” you yell before gasping when you realise what song is playing. Love Myself, by Hailee Steinfeld. “I LOVE ME! GONNA LOVE MY—”

“That’s enough,” Megumi interrupts as he yanks you away from the lane. He’s holding your hand impossibly tight, guiding you in the direction of the exit. You can tell he’s embarrassed but your tipsy mind decides it’s a good idea to keep pushing his buttons anyway.

“Aw, Megs, don’tcha wanna teach me how to bowl? Since you’re such an expert?”

“I- I don’t want to do that. Shut up, we’re going home.”

“I wish we were going home. You fucking idiot. Letting us get stranded here because you had such an important fucking phone call that’s such a big God damn secret.”

“Oh for crying out fucking loud.” he says, stopping in the middle of an alleyway he decided to take to save time. “You’re so lucky you’re you right now, you have no fucking idea.”

“W-What does that mean?”

“I hate you. I hate you nagging and bitching in my ear constantly. But most of all I hate how pathetically weak you are. I could leave you here, you know. In the middle of this shady alley to let whatever piece of shit do whatever the hell he wants with you. And I’d sleep just fine. Do you understand? I despise you.”

“But you’ve been so—”

“So nice? The only reason I’m not gonna do that is because you’re you. Let me say it simply enough for your stupid little mind to understand. I don’t wanna deal with your family, my family, Gojo, and fucking Yuuji jumping down my neck because I left a spoilt bitch to rot in the middle of nowhere.”

“You’ll never change, will you? Why do you keep doing this to me?”

“Enough.” he hisses, clenching your wrist and pulling you out of the dingy alleyway and back onto the main roads. The streetlights glittering as rain lashes down across the yellow bulbs. You’re crying, again. You probably would have been able to hold it together if you were in your own sober mind.

How could you be so stupid? After what he did to you last time there was alcohol involved, you’re such an idiot for letting your guard down for a second around him. Granted, he didn’t do anything particularly evil to you. But he definitely has a way with words that make you feel like you’re a speck of dust in the grand scheme of the universe.

You’re nothing.

—

He shoves you into the hotel room ahead of him and slams the door behind himself. The hideous flickering fluorescent lights are making you feel sick. You’re wobbling on your feet without Megumi guiding and supporting you. You begin to lean, to slope. Your feet are staggering until finally you collapse onto the ground.

“You are a fucking embarrassment. Get up. You need to sleep this off.” he demands. You get onto your hands and knees and start crawling towards your shopping bags searching for your pyjamas. He watches as you feebly rifle through them before he gets sick and helps you. He pulls out the purple fluffy vest and shorts you purchased and throws them in your face. “I didn’t have you down as being such a lightweight. It’s hard to watch, should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Didn’t use—”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t used to be, Megumi… I haven’t touched a drop since you…”

You begin to sob as you think about what a fool you’re making of yourself in front of your bully. It humbles him, though, hearing the reason you couldn’t hold your alcohol is another thing that’s down to him. He almost feels sorry for you. It’s enough for him to help you to your feet and lead you into the bathroom to get dressed in private.

“Fuck!” you yell, knocking over a multitude of complimentary bathroom products as you stumble to the ground yet again. Megumi rushes in to see you on the floor, still fully dressed and struggling to get your clothes off. You’re sobbing, now, face shining with sticky tears and regrets. “Megumi, I can’t—”

“Alright.” he picks up your pyjamas and sits on the ground with you, pulling you between his legs. Your shirt is lifted over your head for you before he replaces it with your new soft vest. “Bra on or off?” he questions.

“O-Off, please.” you answer. His hands slip under your vest as he unhooks it. He pulls down the straps and reaches around your front and under your clothes again. It’s awkward. Intimate. But he doesn’t cop a feel. He’s being a genuine help to you. Yanking away your black bra and tossing it aside. “Thank y-you.”

He stands up and helps you to your feet as well. You’re forcibly turned to face him as he undoes the button on your jeans and pulls down the zipper. He turns you again to pull them down to your ankles.

“Do you sleep with your panties on or off?”

“Um, I—”

“I won’t look, just want you to get ready for bed.”

“Off…” you sigh, nervously. You look over your shoulder and see him nod. He keeps his gazed fixed on the bathroom tiles as he hooks his fingers into your simple black thong. They’re pulled down so you can step out of them and into the purple shorts. You wiggle your hips so he can put them onto you comfortably. You’ve still got socks on. You’d managed to force your trainers off when you fell over next to your bed, but who knows if you were able to keep them together.

Megumi stands up and throws you over his shoulder, carrying you to your bed and throwing you onto the mattress. He takes your socks off for you and tucks them into your trainers, leaving the beside the door to the hotel for you to find tomorrow.

“Under the covers.” he instructs, and you obey.

“Why are you so… it’s like you’re two different people.”

He ignores you, tucking you in until you look comfy enough. You’re cuddling Gerald and he hates the way his heart flutters when he sees how sweet you look with the gift that he got you. What the hell was he thinking? He goes to the bathroom and comes back with a glass of water, setting it on your side table in case you need it during the night.

“Megs, I’ve got some aspirin in my tote. Would you mind?”

He gets it for you and throws it your way. It hits off the glass, spilling a little water but nothing too damaging. Megumi starts to undress, uncaring of your presence. He bought himself a pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt to sleep in. He walks around, turning out all of the lights before he gets into his own bed.

“’m not tired.” you tell him.

“You will be. Lie there and be quiet ‘til you fall asleep.” he tells you, not that he thought you’d listen to a word he had to say.

“Can we talk until we sleep?”

“No.”

“I wanna know why you’re so nice to me one minute and awful to me the next. Please, tell me why?” you request. He just grunts, though, not liking the thought of having to listen to you drone on until you pass out.

“You annoy me.” he says simply. It’s clear it isn’t a good enough answer when he’s rewarded with silence. But it’s the truth. You do annoy him. Like nobody else ever has before. “You piss me off and you make me feel angry. But you’re nice so it fucks me up, alright? I don’t know how to act around you because you make me feel too many things.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Drop it.”

You wrack your brains for something else to talk to him about. You’re sure talking about yourself isn’t a good idea, and talking about him might be even worse. Anything to do with Toji has the potential for an all-out war in the hotel room. You think asking about his history with Yuuji might be a sore subject, too.

“How come you’re so good at bowling?” it’s perfect. It’s about him but it’s not a heavy subject that can trigger him into another fit of abuse and rage. And it’s a valid question, too, considering he just schooled you at the bowling alley. He rolls onto his side to face you, and you do the same. He can see Gerald peeking out of the duvet and grins.

“Practice. Used to skip school a lot and play at the arcade.”

“Ever the bad boy, ‘Gumi.”

“Cut that shit out right now. I hate that nickname.” he demands. It makes you laugh knowing four letters has such a heated reaction from him. “Wasn’t doing it to be bad, just didn’t like school. Or people.”

“Were you… bullied? Or something?”

“No. Just didn’t care about shit. Toji was in and out and I was just angry about it. And I lost my mother and didn’t really have anyone to— Why am I telling you this? Stop asking me dumb shit.”

It’s the first time you’ve heard Megumi even come close to opening up about his mother. When you hear the vulnerability in his truth, you can almost forgive him for taking his anger with the world out on you. Toji is incredible to you, but the same can’t be said for his son. To abandon him right after he lost his mother is unforgivable. Of course he’s fucked up like this. He had nothing and no one. Not a shoulder to cry on or a word to say. Why would he care about his education or school when nothing in the world gave any care for him?

“Tsumiki isn’t your real sister, is she? So how did she—”

“Her mother and my father had a thing after mine died. So she’s not technically any relation of mine but we were all a family, only for a little bit. But after our parents ran off, that’s when Gojo took us in.”

“Wait, what? Gojo, as in—”

“Yeah, Satoru Gojo. That’s why I was surprised he was giving you a ride home that day after class. He’s like my weird other dad. That’s why him and Toji hate each other. Toji’s possessive and I’m his. But Gojo is the one who actually raised me most of my life.”

“Fuck. That’s so… fucked. Seriously heavy drama. Plus, I can’t imagine Gojo as a father. He’s annoying as hell and so immature.”

“He is. But he was good to us.”

You roll away and face the wall, happy with your answers and the conversation you’ve had. Your eyes are feeling heavier, watering with desperation to sleep. Yawns evade your lips and it makes Megumi chuckle. When your mouth is closed your teeth begin to chatter. Maybe shorts and vest wasn’t the best idea for sleepwear given the current weather conditions.

Despite all your best efforts to conceal the volume of your teeth, Megumi hears them. He doesn’t react, though. Not straight away at least. He isn’t sure if he wants to get involved. The worry of saying something pointless swirls through his head. What could he say, anyway? It’s not like he could do anything to make it better.

“You’re cold.” he says, plainly. He curses himself immediately. Why did he state it as a fact as if you aren’t already fully fucking aware of what temperature your body is at? You’re covered head to toe in goosebumps and worried you might actually freeze into a statue.

“Uhm, I… a little.” you confess, weakly. He clears his throat. His mouth is moving faster than his brain can tell him to shut up. It’s a mistake. A colossal mistake he needs to stop himself from making. But he can’t. The words are already pouring out. What the fuck is wrong with him?

“We, uh, do you want to get in? With me. Share body heat until you warm up.”

It shocks you, significantly so. He’s offering to spoon with you. What would Yuuji think? What would anyone think, actually? What do you think?

You think it’s absolutely ridiculous.

You’re constantly at each other’s throats and now he’s offering you comfort and warmth in such an intimate way. Yuuji wouldn’t be happy. Would any man be happy about their girlfriend getting into bed with someone else? No matter how innocent it is. You know he wouldn’t like it.

But you know it’s innocent. You don’t want anything from Megumi. Just…

“Okay.” you whisper. His eyes bulge, he hadn’t been expecting you to agree to it. He opens his duvet up for you. You pick up Gerald and rush into bed with him. Your body moulds against his and you immediately feel better. He’s so warm. You’re cuddling Gerald and his arms are wrapped around your waist as he holds you close, attempting to transfer as much as his body heat as he can onto you.

“Feel better?” he mutters after around ten minutes. You nod, and he holds you even tighter.

“I feel your… your dick is hard, Megumi.” you groan back, he snickers, uncaring.

“I know. Sorry, your ass keeps grinding against it. Just ignore it ‘n go to sleep, princess.” he commands. You giggle back at him. It isn’t his fault. If anything it’s yours. You should have said no to getting into his bed. You shouldn’t be letting him hold you like this. How a lover should.

How Yuuji does.

It’s so wrong and inappropriate. But you’re so toasty and warm, you really don’t care.

“Sweet dreams, Megumi.”

“Night, O’Keeffe.”

—

© 2022 fuwushiguro | © 2024 rinhaler

[shadowtriovibes]

Hi, could I request a oneshot of female!MC in a toxic relationship and Sebastian angry/in protect mode after seeing a bruise on her, and going after her bf? As he confronts him he reveals his love for her in his heightened emotions. MC catches up in time to overhear everything and to stop Sebastian from killing him. Ending with fluff and MC ditching him for Bash?

Thank you, I love your blog!! 💖

hello anon! thanks for the request ��� obviously the topic is a little sensitive so please mind the tags before reading! 🤍

a guy like you should wear a warning

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Word Count: 2.5k

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Blood, Canon-Typical Violence, magical fights and physical fights, Love Confessions, Hurt/Comfort

“You know why I’m here,” he says simply. “Did you seriously think you wouldn’t have to answer for that? She’s bruised.” A brief flicker of fear passes over the boy’s face as sparks fly out of the end of Sebastian’s wand, but quickly it’s smoothed over with a haughty grin. “So she told you, is that it?” the boy asks. “Poor thing, I should’ve known the ‘hero of Hogwarts’ couldn’t take one fight before running off to her little guard dog.” “You call that a fight?” Sebastian demands. “Looked a little one-sides to me.”

It’s bad enough that Sebastian has gotten used to seeing you confidently wear the collection of scars you’ve accumulated during your time at Hogwarts.

In fact, the very first time he’d met you, he’d noticed the thin scar that runs from your eyebrow down to the middle of your cheek. It’s the first thing that most people notice about you when they first meet you, he assumes, which is frankly an insult to your eyes.

Eventually you told him that your scar had come from an attack you’d withstood back in London – the very attack that brought Professor Fig to you in the first place, and that had resulted in you learning about at Hogwarts. Some of Rockwood’s men had tried to corner you just off Diagon Alley when it had occurred, and while Wiggenweld had been helpful in making sure you didn’t lose your sight in that eye, the swift Diffindo you’d taken to the face would always leave a mark.

You’ve also got a burn on your forearm from a particularly rough round of Cross Wands. Sebastian loathes that he’s responsible for it, even though you insist that you’ve grown to rather like it.

“It’s a badge of honor,” you joke, delighted by his residual guilt. “I’ll always remember that I ended up winning that round, won’t I?”

There are countless others, too: a thin scar by your lip where a particularly aggressive poacher had decked you while wearing an ostentatious ring, a fading mark on your ankle from angry Mongrel’s bite, and a small round burn from the tip of an Ashwinder wand right above your left hip that he’d only once caught a glimpse of.

By now Sebastian has seen just about every mark on you. (Hell, he was there when you got half of them.)

However, that familiarity means he’s quickly able to spot when there’s a new mark on you — especially where one shouldn’t be.

That morning at breakfast, he’s too preoccupied by the lush pile of cinnamon scones in front of him to get a good look at you when he first arrives. Given that he’s simply rubbish at Astrology, he’d been up late charting the stars to prepare for his N.E.W.T.s and had only just arrived near the tail end of the meal.

He’s already shoved half a scone in his mouth before he realizes Ominis is sitting beside you looking grim, one hand gently resting on your shoulder. On your other side, Anne is murmuring quiet reassurances to you while you press a cold compress to the right side of your face.

“It’s not that bad,” Anne says softly. “Just dab some Wiggenweld on it and it won’t even leave a scar.”

“Merlin, what happened to you this time?” Sebastian asks.

Anne shoots him a warning look as you sheepishly lift your head, gently removing the compress to show off an angry red laceration on your cheek. He hisses sharply – that looks like it hurts.

“It’s a long story,” you mumble.

“I’ve got time,” Sebastian says easily.

He hopes he’ll hear another story about how you’d been unable to sleep so you slipped out in the middle of the night to take on a lingering poacher camp, or maybe you’d attempted to sneak one of your baby Graphorns into one of the last remaining dens along the Clagmar Coast and failed to avoid detection.

Instead, you just avert your eyes.

“W-well, I guess it’s not really a story,” you murmur. “I was just running late to breakfast this morning and I, um… tripped, and those stairs are harder than they look.”

Sebastian frowns. You don’t keep many secrets from each other these days, but he can still recognize when you’re not telling the truth. Besides, that rapidly-bruising cut is clearly from a smack to the face, not a tumble down the stairs.

Anne pointedly clears her throat and takes the compress from your hand, tenderly pressing it to your cheek without another word.

When Sebastian looks across to Ominis, he’s surprised to see his friend’s sightless eyes peering back at him purposefully before he subtly shakes his head.

Not many people know that Ominis has quietly been studying Legilimency for several years. It was actually Professor Hecat who had suggested it in the first place, noting that his inability to interpret body language made dueling significantly more dangerous for him. Obviously saw Legilimency as a tactical advantage, but for Ominis, it was something infinitely more nuanced – a form of magic that his family hadn’t tainted, to start.

Indeed, Sebastian is surprised that his closest friend would have invaded your mind without your explicit consent, but he would be the first to admit that if he had such a skill, he would have done the same thing.

A beat later, Sebastian hears his best friend’s voice echo inside his head as he says, She didn’t fall. It was him.

His vision goes red, and his hand is on his wand before he even realizes what he’s doing.

“Bash,” Anne warns as he stands up from the table. “Don’t.”

“W-what are you doing?” you ask quietly, and as you peer up at him, the compress slips down your face.

As soon as he sees your wound again, there’s nothing anyone at that table could possibly say that would stop him from tracking down that sanctimonious Gryffindor prick you’ve been dating for the past few months.

Sebastian had been quite shocked indeed when you’d announced that you had started dating a boy you’d met in Hogsmeade near the start of term. Of course, the shock stemmed from the fact that you were apparently the last of your little quartet to learn that Sebastian was hopelessly in love with you.

You remained ignorant and had let that smooth-talking, arrogant twat into your circle without so much as a second thought, Sebastian had thought bitterly. He’d had to watch miserably as you spent less and less time with your fellow Slytherins in favor of being plied with attention from him and his cacophonous troupe of utter wankers.

Of course, Sebastian knew he was only dating you because you were the “hero of Hogwarts” and not because he actually liked you. He’d tried to tell you that once, and predictably it had gone rather horribly.

(Specifically, you’d hexed him so hard that he’d had to spend the night in the hospital wing because he couldn’t stop belching up flames).

But now it seems like his motives have shifted. He didn’t just want to date you – he wanted to control you.

Maybe you had indeed snuck out the night before, hoping to simply have some time alone with your thoughts while you patrolled for stray camps on your broom. And perhaps when you overslept and arrived late to breakfast, he pulled you aside and said that he was sick of waiting up for you, that it makes him look bad in front of his friends, like you don’t respect him. And maybe for good measure, he’d told you that you may have more powerful magic than him, but he certainly doesn’t need a wand to remind you of your place.

A quick glance at the long Gryffindor table across the room informs Sebastian that your boyfriend is long gone, perhaps anticipating that bruising you like that will come with swift consequences. Ignoring Anne’s protests and Ominis’ gentle warning to stick to legal spells, please, he stomps off toward the Grand Staircase.

Ultimately he tracks down the rotten sod in the Transfiguration courtyard, pompously leaning on the fountain like he doesn’t have a very precise bounty on his head.

“Get up, you feckless git,” Sebastian growls.

He’s already drawn his wand, and the rest of your gutless Gryffindor’s posse quickly scatters several meters away.

“Sallow,” he drawls. “What’s the problem today?”

It’s no secret that Sebastian is not a fan of the boy, though Ominis frequently bends over backward trying to encourage him to be polite for your sake.

“You know why I’m here,” he says simply. “Did you seriously think you wouldn’t have to answer for that? She’s bruised.”

A brief flicker of fear passes over the boy’s face as sparks fly out of the end of Sebastian’s wand, but quickly it’s smoothed over with a haughty grin.

“So she told you, is that it?” the boy asks. “Poor thing, I should’ve known the ‘hero of Hogwarts’ couldn’t take one fight before running off to her little guard dog.”

“You call that a fight?” Sebastian demands. “Looked a little one-sided to me.”

“You and I both know that if she’s wanted to, she could have tossed me into the air and slammed me right into the ground without lifting her wand,” the boy reminds him, standing up from the fountain and slowly reaching for his own wand. “But she knows better.”

Oh, Sebastian is sincerely going to enjoy this, he thinks.

Before the other boy can properly aim at Sebastian, he quickly casts a merciless Depulso at him and sends him skidding into the fountain – but not before crashing into the tranquil Wyvern statue that sits in the middle.

When he emerges, waterlogged and swearing up a storm, he sends a vicious Descendo across the courtyard to Sebastian.

Of course, Sebastian Sallow didn’t earn his title of reigning champion of Cross Wands by being unable to dodge such a simple spell.

The next curse he casts burns hot when it’s expelled from his wand.

“Confringo!” he shouts.

Flames flicker at the edges of your boyfriend’s robes and he yelps, panicked, before clumsily stamping out the fire with his soaked cloak.

Sebastian gives him no time to recover. “Flipendo!”

He goes sailing through the air and lands in the grass at the base of a gnarled tree, his wand abandoned by the fountain.

“You’re pathetic, Sallow,” he taunts. “All this for some whiny little slag?”

All of a sudden there’s a taste in Sebastian’s mouth that sends him reeling. It’s metallic, like blood, and stings a bit like an electric current. He remembers that taste – it precedes an urge he hasn’t felt in years, a spell he swore he’d never let cross his lips ever again. But it’s there, begging to be cast, practically daring him to silence your tormenter permanently.

He stomps over to the spineless, hunched-over prick with his wand drawn, pointed squarely at the boy’s chest.

But then he hears your voice call out, “Bash, stop!”

Both boys turn just in time to see you dash down the stairs into the courtyard, Anne and Ominis on your heels.

“Stop,” you repeat, and Sebastian can see that you’re trembling. “He’s not worth it.”

He murmurs your name, distracted just enough to lower his wand almost imperceptibly. Unfortunately, it’s enough for the boy beneath him to roll out of his aim and pull himself to his feet. Then he swings at Sebastian, disarmed and desperate.

Sebastian tastes very real blood in his mouth this time — his lip has split, he realizes.

Then he laughs, which unsettles just about every onlooker in the courtyard.

“Mate, you can hit me all you’d like,” Sebastian says dryly. “But I haven’t got any compunction about hitting you back.”

For someone who generally agrees with Ominis that wandless violence is uncouth and uninspired, Sebastian packs a mean punch. He hears the twat’s nose break as he collapses to the ground in a heap, evidently knocked out cold.

Anne gasps. Ominis sighs, dissatisfied.

You, however, are completely silent.

“He deserved it,” are the first words out of Sebastian’s mouth.

As he carefully flexes the fingers of his bloodied hand, he adds, “He deserved much worse, actually.

“Sebastian, that’s enough,” Anne hisses. “You won, let’s just drop it.”

He desperately rakes his hand through his messy curls. Once he catches his breath, he carefully approaches you.

You look frozen in place — in fact, you’ve hardly moved a muscle since Sebastian had called out to you.

“I didn’t want you to see that,” he says quietly. “But I meant it. He dared to lay a finger on you, he had to answer for it.”

You nod carefully and barely flinch when Sebastian lifts a finger to trace along your bruised cheek.

“Bash,” you whisper. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” he says quickly, but you cut him off with a shake of your head.

“I’m sorry you had to handle him,” you say softly. “I wanted to, I would have, I just... At first I wasn’t even sure if it was real. I couldn’t believe that someone who loved me would say things like that to me, or hit me like that.”

Without thinking, Sebastian scoffs and says, “He doesn’t love you, I love you.”

Sebastian didn’t think those bewitching eyes of yours could go any wider, but once again he’s wrong.

“W-what?” you stutter.

“I — I just meant, someone who loves you wouldn’t put their hands on you,” he insists, mentally cursing his own existence. “A-and I’d never hurt you, obviously, so–”

“You love me?” you whisper. “Truly, Bash?”

He’d imagined finally telling you the truth so many times, but none of those scenarios involved Ominis, his twin sister and about forty other students watching with bated breath.

“I mean… yeah,” he laughs softly, deciding to reach for an aloofness that might allow him to maintain a shred of dignity. “Thought it was pretty obvious that I’ve been mad about you for ages.”

But before you can respond, you hear Professor Weasley emerge from her classroom and exclaim, “What in Merlin’s name is all this commotion?!”

You take Sebastian’s hand and start to tug him toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower in hopes of sparing him what would surely be several weeks of detention. The rest of the crowd quickly disperses and offers you much-needed cover; fortunately you’re able to spirit Sebastian away up to the Room of Requirement without being stopped.

“Sit,” you instruct him once inside, gesturing to a small round table with mismatched chairs. “You’re still bleeding.”

Sebastian touches his lip as he takes a seat and discovers that it indeed stings. You return with a rag and a bottle of Wiggenweld, dabbing some onto the cloth and gingerly pressing it to his lip.

“Thanks,” he mumbles.

“Sebastian,” you say carefully. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, go on,” he agrees.

You stubbornly wait until he meets your gaze before you ask him, “Did it ever occur to you that there might be a simpler way to tell me that you love me than nearly killing my boyfriend in front of half the school?”

He waits a beat before admitting, “Honestly? Not really.”

You smile ruefully and use the rag to wipe away the rest of the blood around Sebastian’s mouth. Once you inspect his wound and confirm that the potion has firmly sealed up where it had split, you lean in and press a gentle kiss to his lips.

Before you can pull away, he murmurs against your lips, “But he’s not your boyfriend anymore though, right?”

You simply roll your eyes at him and toss the rag against his chest so he can return the favor.

[rorywritesjunk]

I can’t tell where the journey will end But I know where to start

Prequel to my Kid Buggy fic, set about 11-ish years before that story.

Buggy meets you by chance when he needs his buttons sewn back onto his jacket. He’s young, up and coming, and he thinks everyone should cower before him wherever he goes, but all you do is smile at him.

Rating: PG-13ish just for some swearing.

Warning: Buggy’s in his early 20s. He’s an asshole. He just is because I wanted to write him loud, demanding, everything. This is still a bit of fluff, honestly. Also Buggy gets drunk near the end of the chapter. He's also just a bit clingy but we kind of knew that at this point.

A/N: I have no idea when Buggy became a Captain, so he’s a fresh faced captain in this. No clue how long this fic will be.

Title comes from “Wake Me Up” by Avicii.

TAGLIST: @lostfirefly @ane5e @kingofthemfingpirates @the-angriest-angel @tiredemomama @valen-yamyam16 @i-reblog-fics-i-like @plethora-of-fickleness @uhnanix

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6 + Chapter 7 + Chapter 8 + Chapter 9 + Chapter 10 + Chapter 11 + Chapter 12 + Chapter 13 + Chapter 14 + Chapter 15 + Chapter 16 + Chapter 17 + Chapter 18 + Epilogue

Chapter 12

He didn't want to wait.

Buggy was impatient. You told him it was another two months until you were officially done with your apprenticeship. That was 8 weeks. 60 days. Could he wait that long to ask you to marry him? It wasn't like the two of you were going to get married minutes after he asked, right? So he could ask, give you a ring, and seal the deal. That's all he had to do.

Right now he was sitting in the kitchen after dinner while you fixed his gloves. You said there was something wrong with the stitching with one of them, something you had noticed earlier in the day, and he wasn't going to argue with you since you were the professional with this kind of stuff, not him.

So while you fixed his gloves, he told you about some of his adventures on the sea in recent years, about fighting off more vicious crews, claiming victory, and all the treasure he found. You listened intently as you ran your fingers over the seams of one his gloves while your sewing kit sat untouched on the table.

He didn't need to know it was a little lie to spend more time with him.

“That's amazing, Buggy!” You told him as he finished his latest tale. A small part of you wondered about how true some of what he told you was, but you didn't really care. You liked seeing how animated he became when he spoke, hands gesturing wildly and his expressive face. It was a nice sight to see. “I'm almost done with your gloves.”

“Take your time, babe.” He grinned as he leaned back in his seat, watching as you looked over the gloves. They were both inside out while you checked over the seams of one of them. “Everything okay?”

“Mhm, just wanted to make sure the seams were strong, that's all.” You replied as you finished up. “They should be fine now.”

“What do I owe for this?” Buggy asked, watching as you worked. 

You shrugged as you handed them back to him, watching him slide them back onto his hands. “I take lunch dates for payment.”

“Tomorrow then?”

“Don't you have the seas to conquer?” You chuckled. “Aren't you tired of me yet?”

He reached across the table, taking your hands in his own. “Never. I'll never be tired of you. I'm going to marry you so I want to start getting used to seeing you every day.”

You smiled and shook your head as you leaned back in your seat. “Yea, but you still have things to do.”

“I can stick around for another week.” Buggy insisted. 

“You're sweet.” You said as you stood up from the table. “If you're sure, I imagine my boss can find more things for you to do around the shop.”

“Do I get paid at least?” Buggy frowned. You went over and gave him a kiss.

“You can share my bed, how about that?” You suggested as you ran your fingers through his hair, nails scraping against his scalp gently. He closed his eyes, leaning into your touch, nodding in agreement. “Good. I know Miss Pins already made a list. She'll appreciate the help.”

Wait, what. He opened his eyes and frowned. “She already has a list? Was this your plan, woo me to stay here and then put me to work?”

“No, no, not at all.” You chuckled. “But if it was, it seemed to work. Now, I’ll let you stay the night again if you want, but if you need to return to your ship I understand.”

He probably should return to his ship, but he didn’t want to be away from you. Now that he knew he was going to marry you, even if he had to wait (he really didn’t want to wait), it was harder for him to spend even an hour away from you. There was still that thought of someone better coming along who would steal you away from him, and he didn’t want to risk that.

“Oh, Buggy, can I ask you something?” 

Buggy looked up at you, still leaning against you as you stroked his hair. “Anything.”

“Well, after I’m done here, I’m planning on heading back to visit my parents for a bit. There’s usually a big family reunion.” You told him, twirling locks of his hair around your fingers. “Is that something you’d want to come with me for? I have a big family, so if it’s too much, I understand.”

Wait, meet the family? Was that something he would have to do? “How… big of a family?”

“Big.” You chuckled. “I can’t even count how many cousins I have.”

Honestly, no, it didn't sound like a good time to him but he should at least meet your parents, right? That's what people did. So he nodded, agreeing to this, even if he may end up regretting it.

“Thank you.” You smiled as you leaned down to kiss him. “I'll let you know when it happens.”

~

He begrudgingly did the list of things Miss Pins wanted over the course of a few days before he had to head back to his ship. The only good thing about doing those things was spending more time with you. He needed to do some kind of piracy after being away from the ship for a few days, so you kissed him before saying goodbye, which he was fine with.

Buggy was planning on finding the perfect ring. He didn't want to wait. He would come back with the perfect ring, a bouquet of flowers, and propose, even if you weren't done yet. 

~

It was about three weeks before you saw Buggy again. He came bursting into the shop, throwing the door open before hunching over, panting heavily. You looked up from your work with Benji while Miss Pins stood at the counter. She raised an eyebrow as she gave him a look over.

“Where's the fire, Captain?” She asked as he slumped against the door frame. He managed to glare at her as he started to recover, but you got up and hurried over to him to help him to a chair.

“Buggy, what's wrong?” You asked as Miss Pins went to shut the door. “Why are you running?”

He held up a bouquet of petalless flowers for you, no doubt having been knocked around in the running. You took them from him with a smile while Benji pretended to gag. Then Buggy reached into his pocket and slid down onto his knees in front of you while taking your hand in his.

This was it. He had rehearsed what he had wanted to say as he ran to the shop, but it all left his brain as he looked up at you, feeling the gaze of Miss Pins and Benji on him as you just watched him. He stiffened up, sweating bullets as he stared up at you nervously. Were you going to say yes or was this just a lead up to a cruel joke from you?

“Wait, is he actually proposing to you, Sunny?!” Benji exclaimed. “Ew! Why?”

“Oh shush.” Miss Pins said, crossing her arms as she watched the scene in front of her. “He hasn't actually said anything yet. Sunny, you don't have to say or agree to anything, you know.”

“Just ignore them, Buggy.” You said, shaking your head. “You know my answer, you don't have to actually ask.”

“Y-Yea, but I can't just assume!” Buggy stammered as he held the ring up and you managed not to laugh. The stone on the ring was honestly as big as his nose, but bright blue in color and very, very impractical for you to wear on a daily basis since you used your hands for everything. He cleared his throat and tried to slide the ring onto your finger but it was unfortunately too small for your finger.  Buggy looked defeated but you took the ring and pulled him up to his feet.

“The ring is too small.” Benji whispered to Miss Pins.

“He didn't actually say anything.” She muttered. You rolled your eyes at their comments.

“Yes, Buggy, I'll marry you.” You told him; his eyes widened and he stood up straight, glancing over at your boss and associate with a smug look on his face. 

“Ha! I didn't even have to ask her.” He said rather proudly. “She accepted without hesitation.” 

The two of them rolled their eyes, of course he would say that. You stuck your tongue out at them before turning back to give Buggy a kiss. He wrapped his arms around you, hugging you tightly before lifting you up and spinning you around excitedly. 

“We’re getting married!” He cheered. 

“Yes, yes, we are.” You laughed, patting him on the chest to put you down. “I only have a few more weeks, Buggy, then we need to visit my family.”

Oh, right, the family. Your massive family you mentioned. He was going to meet them. No, it would be fine. He wouldn’t let that worry him. He was a pirate captain, that had to impress some of them, right? It would be fine. Just fine. He didn’t need to worry.

~

You stayed the night with him on the ship. His crew wanted to celebrate their captain’s engagement with a loud party. While Buggy had been shy and flustered back in the shop when he asked, it was different when he was with his crew. He was showing you off, embellishing the story of your engagement, saying how you cried (you didn’t), how his speech wooed you (he didn’t say a word), and that you said you couldn’t wait to marry him (you didn’t say that but you did want to marry him). He was proud of the ring he stole and found a chain to string it on so you could wear it so it would deter others from chasing after you in the coming weeks.

It was fun, you had just one drink while Buggy got himself pretty drunk. It was past midnight when you finally convinced him to go to bed, and you ignored how red in the face he got when you said that, his drunken brain misinterpreting your words again when you led him to his room and helped him take his coat and shoes off. 

“D-Dontcha wanna wait til the h-honeymoon?” He slurred. You rolled your eyes before draping his coat over the back of a chair and setting his shoes beside it. “I-I mean, I’m good, I’m up for anything.”

“You need to sleep, Captain Buggy.” You told him as you took his bandana off next, helping shake his hair loose from being tucked under it for most of the day. “We aren’t having sex, okay?”

“Oh.” He frowned up at you, swaying a bit as he sat on the bed. “You wanna though, right? I don’t… my body doesn’t gross you out, does it?”

“It doesn’t, Buggy.” You assured him as you pulled the covers back on his bed. He rubbed his face and squinted in your direction.

“Are… are you staying the night?” Buggy asked. You sighed softly and nodded, smiling at him as you took your own shoes off before climbing into bed. His eyes lit up when you did that and he scrambled under the covers to latch onto you once you were under the blankets. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” You told him, kissing him on the forehead as he snuggled up against you, his head resting on your chest as your arms went around him. “I need to get used to it since I’m marrying you.”

He glanced up at you, face red as he smiled brightly. “You are, aren’t you! I’m marrying you and you’re gonna marry me and I’m gonna be the happiest man ever!”

This was a different drunk Buggy from the one you encountered on his birthday, and it was nice seeing him so happy, even if it was influenced by alcohol. You just stroked his cheek, smiling as he nestled his face against you as he closed his eyes. It didn’t take long before he was asleep, snoring loudly. And tomorrow you would wake up before him, fix him breakfast, and start your day back at the shop. It was only a few more weeks before you would be done, and it was a little sad and kind of scary, but you were excited to be moving onto a new chapter of your life with Buggy.

[stadiumbleachers]

match and spark

firefighter!izogie x black!fem!reader

summary: izogie is serious about fire safety in every way that matters, but for her wife she doesn't mind a little spark

content: explicit language, tribbing, oral (Izogie receiving), fingering (izogie receiving), nipple sucking

note: thanks for 200 followers, I will be dropping a riri fic soon

word count: 2k

Clipping the last bit of thorns from the bundle of twenty-four roses, you sighed contentedly. The array of red and yellow roses were your last order before lunch, and you were grateful for the break. It was the week before valentine’s day and the signature bud was in high demand. 

“Thank you for coming, enjoy” you gave your ‘customer service’ smile as you handed over the bouquet. 

“Thank you” he nodded politely and made his way out

The bell above the door tinkled as he stepped out of the flower shop and you quickly followed his path to lock the front door and put up a ‘OUT FOR LUNCH’ sign in the glass. 

Pivoting on the heels of your Jordans, you took in the sight of the shop, stopping for the first time in hours to breathe in the earthy aroma around you. You walked along the displays, picking up stray petals or leaves that fell to the pristinely polished floor.

 A lavender bloom caught your eye . On the round table in the center of the room were lavender flowers, the exact type you held in your shaking hands as you walked down the aisle to the love of your life. Though that was nearly two years ago, the diamond ring she gave you that day shone brilliantly against your brown skin. 

While you were busy daydreaming, the harsh ring of the shop’s landline broke you from your reverie. 

You made your way over to the front desk and tucked your rope twists behind your ear to hold the phone to it. 

“The Bloom Room is closed for lunch but you can order anytime on our website-” you started before the person interrupted you

“I don’t think what I want is on the website” 

A smile took over your face at the rich sound of your wife’s voice

“Z, why are you calling on my work phone? I thought your shift wasn’t over until three”

Subconsciously, you bit your lip awaiting her response. No matter how long you were together, talking to Izogie made your chest erupt with warmth 

“I got relieved early so I’m here to take you to lunch”  she confessed to you

You crossed the small room to the side window that looked out on the parking lot and sure enough there was her car parked close enough that you knew she could see you.

“Hmmm, I don’t know I already made plans” you teased her, pursing your perfectly glossed lips

“Well…cancel them…please?” she pleaded, her voice sounding much more innocent than she really was. 

You couldn’t see her through the possibly illegal tint on her car but you just knew she was pouting with her thick brows pushed together

When you made no move for the door, she tried again

“Please baby? We’ll get your favorite lunch and you can control the music” 

“If you promise to keep it PG,” you giggled into the phone, “I have a customer coming in at two and I need to be back in time” 

“Pinky promise, love” she agreed, voice suspiciously sincere

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

Izogie took a familiar route to a clearing that overlooked a lake, bumping her head to partynextdoor playing from your phone through the AUX. In your lap you held the take out boxes from your favorite local Jamaican restaurant. Pulling into her usual spot, Izogie admired you while you scrolled on your phone for a podcast to listen to while you ate. 

You could feel her eyes burning into you

“What?” 

“You’re pretty” she said easily, as it if it were the most obvious thing in the world

“You’re pretty,” you told her leaning over the center console to kiss her softly. When you pulled back her lips were shinier than before, “Now let’s eat”

Once Izogie knew you were full and satisfied with your meal, she somehow convinced you to climb into the spacious back seats of her SUV, where she promptly broke her promise. 

You tried to be strong, really you did, but when you first slid into the passenger seat, she was wearing her fire department shirt with the sleeves cut off to expose her sculpted arms. That combined with the fresh trim around the sides of her head, was enough to crumble your resolve.

“You smell so good, princess” she rubbed her face into your neck, drawing in deep breaths while her hands caressed your waist under your shirt.

“Zo” you squirmed and playfully tried to push her away, while she kissed down your sensitive neck.

She mouthed at your collarbone, one agile hand coming up to cup you through your bra. Your nipple pebbled at the attention and you arched your back and whined, wanting more. Slowly, painstakingly so, Izogie lifted her mouth from its journey to your chest so she could look you in your eyes. 

“Want me to stop?” she asked, her hand still rubbing gently on the fullness of your breast

You shook your head. Who could be bothered with words at a time like this?

“Then stop whining. I’m gonna take care of you. You believe me, yeah?” 

The pulsing between your legs sure as hell did

“Mhmm” you managed. You fisted a hand in the front of her shirt and brought her lips crashing down to yours. Your teeth clanged together briefly before you found the right rhythm, your tongue lapping softly and persistently against hers. Lying back on the leather seats, you pulled her on top of, spreading your legs to give her space.

You panted for air when Izogie moved back to kissing down your chest. Her expert hand reached behind you to open your bra with one hand and you helped her throw it aside to reveal your nipples to her hungry gaze. 

Her warm tongue worked over one bud while the rough palm of her hand rolled the other, hot sparks of pleasure shot up your body and escaped through your voice as you moaned wantonly. 

Izogie pulled off with a wet pop to torment the other nipple and you made quick work of her own shirt. She kept going, sucking like a starved thing, drawing cries from your lips. 

“Ngh…I need…ride me baby” you tried to tell her, arching your back up for more and more

Her hooded eyes regarded you and she let your breast fall from her mouth, but what she said next had you laughing in pure shock

“I was on top last time, it’s your turn lazy ass” she patted the side of your clothed thighs and helped you into a sitting position 

“How about who gets naked first gets to lay down?” you proposed, your core still persistently wet at the sight of your wife topless

“Alright, bet” 

The firefighter cackled loudly at the sight of you both rushing to tear of you remaining clothes and you laughed at the absurdity of what you were about to do with a random true crime podcast playing in the background

Izogie won and she grinned at you like a Cheshire cat. She laid back with her hands behind her head while you took your time crawling on top of her. You peppered kisses down her toned stomach, stopping to dip your tongue into her belly button. She hissed and tensed up.

With a hand behind each knee you helped her spread her legs, exposing her deliciously wet cunt to you

“Oh babe, you’re all wet. Here let me clean you up” you feigned concern, swooping down to lap at her pussy while being extra careful to avoid that sensitive bundle of nerves

She ground her hips up, chasing your affection. You kept at it, persistently working her up before finally- rubbing slow circles round her clit. She groaned and arched her back even more. The air inside the vehicle was thick with the heady scent of her arousal, you wish you could bottle that scent. 

“Oh..oh..oh” she rasped beneath your wicked mouth as it worked her closer and closer to the edge. You sucked feverishly on her clit to put her out of her misery, and worked one finger into her tight heat. 

“Greedy little thing, isn’t it?” your voice was muffled but she heard you clearly enough as her walls clenched and she moaned even louder. 

“Shut up and fuck me” she panted, only half meaning it. You both knew she loved when you talked to her like this. You got right back to work and gave her another finger to fuck herself on. The languid thrusts of her hips became more sporadic as you stiffened your tongue and turned your head side to side giving her something hard to rub her perfect little clit unto. The slick of her arousal was all over your face, even in your nostrils with how eagerly you were eating her out. 

That only lasted for a minute because as soon as you felt her toppling dangerously towards the edge, you pulled out. She whined, bucking her core up to nothing in a brattish effort to get you to continue. 

“So you don’t want me to ride you?” you asked, running a finger up and down her quivering slit

“Mhmm” she grabbed your hips to pull you onto her, throwing you off balance which forced you to grab the headrest 

Somehow you managed to maneuver your limbs in the small space. You lifted one of Izogie’s legs to place it on one shoulder and it bent easily. You hooked your thigh over her other leg, slotting your cores together perfectly. 

The wetness and warmth of both your arousals wracked viciously through every nerve ending in your body. You were hungry for release, on fire with it

“You love my pussy on you, huh?” you panted. From this angle you admired the way your slightly different shades of melanin complimented each other

“I love it baby,” she grabbed two handfuls of your ass as you grinded down on her, chasing the sweet sensation, “whose is it?” 

You didn’t answer

A hand came down on your ass in a stinging slap that had your hips stuttering. You whimpered pathetically. The pain only egging you on . You continue rolling your hips to the beat of the blood rushing in your ears, or perhaps the sound of your wife gasping from her own pleasure

“Answer me” Izogie demanded, she reached her hands up to pinch and twist at your nipples. Then sooth them with the pads of her thumbs

Her head was thrown back and her eyes rolled back into her head. Her toes curled from their position beside your head. She was almost there. Your hips burned from being up here so long but you would never give her the satisfaction of knowing that

“I-” your vision was getting blurry, the air thick with the scent of sex in the car. The car rocked gently side to side in time with your thrusts

You opened your mouth to speak again and Izogie took two naughty fingers to slip between you and pinch your already over stimulated clit

“Th-This is your pussy, I won’t give your shit away, it’s yours, oh fuck, fuck!” you babbled away as your breasts bounced with each sporadic bounce as you rode her to your climax

“Ah-” Izogie’s mouth hung open as her release hit her like a train. Her leg fell limp against you and her back relaxed into the seat for the first time since you started touching her. Her chest pumped up and down identically to yours as you both tried to catch your breath. 

Smiling like an idiot you lay down on top of her, though your knee groaned at you for keeping it locked in that position for so long.

With your head on her chest, Izogie stroked your hair with a tenderness she didn’t use for your ass which still tingled.

“My love”

“Yeah?” your mumbled into her neck

“I think I may or may not have made you late…"

[mysticfoxdesigns]

✨Welcome to my Blog✨

⚠️Warning⚠️: This blog is rated PG-16, this is your only warning

🌆Table of Contents🌆

💜Introduction💜

💖Links💖

📚Fanfic List📚

🌛Side Blogs🌜

☄️Art Status☄️

🪻Repost Info🪻

🌠Projects🌠

🌟Tags🌟

🌌Asks Rules🌌

🎧Spotify Playlists🎧

💟Reminders💟

This blog is a safe space for queer, POC, disabled, and anyone who doesn't fit into social norms. I WILL NOT TOLERATE BIGOTRY AND FASCISM ON THIS BLOG. YOU WILL BE BLOCKED IMMEDIATELY!!!

🇵🇸This blog supports Palestine🇵🇸

💜Introduction💜

Get to know me a bit better!

Name: Mystic/Kate

Pronouns: she/they

Sexuality: Aromantic Lesbian

Age: 20

Favorite Colors: purple (duh), green, black

Favorite Animals: foxes, siphonophores, sharks, frogs

Special Interests: marine biology, WW2, Transformers, Octonauts, Riot Grrrl movement

Contact: mysticfoxdesigns@gmail.com

My CAARD

💖Links💖

Links to all accounts I own, aka anything else is pretending to be me

Instagram

Twitch

AO3

Quotev

Redbubble

Inprnt

Kofi

Youtube

Artfol

Pinterest

Spotify

Tiktok

Bluesky (will be added soon)

Twitter (rarely use)

📚Fanfic Links📚

All of my fanfics that I have posted to AO3. Some have been cross posted to my old Wattpad account, but I rarely use that anymore. You do need an AO3 account to view all of my works unfortunately. Due to the AI bs, I have locked all of my fanfics.

Visiting Home (Octonauts)

My Hero ANGST-ademia (BNHA)

The Black Ring Promise (BNHA)

This Was a Mistake (BNHA)

The Window is Frosted Over: Until it Breaks (BNHA)

The Color Court Returns (MLB)

Cyberaligned Continuity (Transformers)

🌛Side Blogs🌜

All of my sideblogs here on Tumblr

@thearomanticautistic (personal blog)

@tf-cyberaligned (fan continuity blog

@turbofox-zines (my zine account)

@mythofthemountainscomic (my original comic, blog is still a wip)

☄️Art Status☄️

What I have open or closed artwise

Commissions: OPEN (PFP commissions) (Main Commissions)

Art Trades: Mutuals Only

Art Requests: CLOSED (refer to Asks Rules for rules on requests)

🪻Repost Info🪻

My rules on reposts

ALWAYS ask for permission from me before you repost my artwork!

If you get permission, follow these rules

• DO NOT EDIT OUT MY WATERMARK

• Tag me in the post, no matter what platform you post it to

• Do not use my art to sell products!

• Do not edit my art in any way, shape, or form

If you DO NOT have my permission to repost my art

DON'T REPOST IT

🌠Projects🌠

Past and present creative projects I am working on

Myth of the Mountains (present, on hold)

BNHA Whump Bang 2023 (finished)

TF Cyberaligned (present, WIP)

TFRB and RBA Zine (finished)

The Color Court Returns (present, on hold)

TFP x Octonauts (present, WIP)

🌟Tags🌟

All of the tags I use to organize stuff

#mystic chaos

#mysticfox rambles

What I use for posts where I am just rambling about ideas and things in my brain

#mysticfox wips

Any kind of work in progresses I have going on

#tccr updates

Updates about The Color Court Returns

#cyberaligned continuity

#cyberaligned lore

#cyberaligned designs

Anything dealing with my TF continuity Cyberaligned

#octonauts

All octonauts related posts

#reblog from side blog

Reblogs from any of my side blogs

🌌Ask Rules🌌

My rules for asks. They are pretty always open!

Keep it PG-14. Minors follow my account, and while some suggestive stuff is allowed, don't be too graphic about it.

No hate speech, bigotry, or fascism. You'll just be blocked

Don't come in here demanding I update a fic, that will just make me NOT want to write for it anymore.

Art requests MUST BE SFW!! I will not do NSFW art requests.

Questions about any of my projects are always welcomed!

🎧Spotify Playlists🎧

All of the Spotify playlists I have made (and am proud of)

The long playlist my friends hate seeing

My friends told me to make a shorter playlist so here we are

I am one step away from anarchy so have a playlist

Tenya Iida Kinning Hours

CyberAligned Background

Robot Regicide vibes

💟Reminders💟

Some things to keep in mind.

I am disabled. I am an autistic person, so sometimes I won't always get what you mean when sending messages. If it feels like the tone can be confusing, please use tone tags. Also don't be afraid to be direct with me, it's the only way I will get what you are trying to say.

I have many other mental disorders as well that I will not go into. Joking about them is one of the ways I cope, so be warned that dark humor is my kind of humor. This is why my blog is rated PG-16, I am not going to shy away from what I deal with on a day to day basis. Torturing my favorite characters is another way I cope, sorry my blue boys, and many of my posts may be more mature cause of this.

[lcnelyghost]

christmas at the cortez//ahs hotel ☆

pairings; small mentions of liz taylor x tristan duffy

rating; pg!

warnings; slight harsh language, dark humour, gore

“Alright, everything’s almost done here. What do you think?” Liz asked Miss Evers, smiling brightly. The Cortez was now fully styled with the most beautiful Christmas decor. Now normally, the ghosts weren’t too fussed on doing anything for the most festive season of them all, as they say. But this year, everyone had different ideas for Christmas time.

“It’s wonderful! Just wonderful!” Miss Evers practically squealed. Her eyes sparkled when she watched Liz turn the lights on. Not a single spot in the hotel was missing decorations.

“Gotta say, you guys sure as hell have outdone yourselves with all this.” Sally said, now sitting at the bar lighting a cigarette.

Liz poured some beverages for the three after she’d finished adding some last touches around the bar. Iris soon walked in with yet another tray of her homemade baked goods.

“Christ Iris I don’t think we’re all that bad..” Liz laughed, taking a glance at the amount of food set out.

“Trust me, the men in here eat like horses. You’re Tristan is one of ‘em.” Iris chuckled.

Miss Evers looked at everything with pure amazement. She’d never seen such a glorious sight for a very, very long time. From what she remembered, no one back in her day put this much effort in. It was a lovely change of scenery.

“Oh.. didn’t you not bake mini slices of the lemon, custard cake?” Miss Evers questioned Iris. Liz barely stopped herself from letting out a giggle. Of course the lemon custard cake slices had vanished. Tristan’s ultimate favourite, might I add.

Iris let out a loud gasp when she realised they’d disappeared. “THOSE LITTLE SHITS!!!” she yelled, storming back downstairs. Earning a slight snigger from Sally. Liz and Miss Evers both looked at each other and cringed. Iris’s obvious assumption had been Holden and the rest of the blood infected children who were current residents in the Cortez.

“I’m surprised the Countess hasn’t given those kids an ass whooping yet,” Sally scoffed.

“Speaking of the Countess..” Liz said, sipping her martini. They all watched the Countess strut down in her heels to the ground floor, with what they assumed was her new ‘boy toy.’

Her outfit was full of the colour red and they had to admit, the dress was dazzling.

“Heading out to get laid.. again.” Sally’s eyes followed her until she was right out the doors. Liz just shrugged her shoulders and began fiddling with her rings.

Will suddenly approached them all with the biggest grin on his face. He’d dug out one of his sharpest suits for tonight. He was a man who greatly enjoyed Christmas time. Though, his smile fell when he looked around to see barely anyone here.

“Where the hell is everyone?” He shrieked. They’d demanded he came to the annual Christmas Eve party down at the bar, so he wondered why no one else had shown up and if it would just be him.

“Most probably getting ready. The place will be full of the majority of us soon.” Liz stated.

“Everyone but the Countess.” Miss Evers added in, Will just rolled his eyes and snuck behind the bar for a drink.

Soon enough, Tristan, Alex, and a few other ghosts had decided to show their faces. Iris also returned and had baked some more treats.

“Uh, where’s March?” Tristan blurted out, chewing on a mouthful of food. Miss Evers had to cringe at that name. A name that was once music to her ears. Now, it was a distant memory.

“Well I suppose it wouldn’t be a proper party in the Cortez without her dearest creator!” James smiled smugly as he appeared out of thin air. He signalled for Liz to fish out the absinthe.

“Oo, bring out the tequila shots whilst you’re at it!” Will beamed with excitement, winking at Sally who was now grinning wickedly. James sat down as he slowly tapped his foot to the beat of ‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’ which was currently playing in the background. He hated modern music, but surprisingly, the modern Christmas songs that had been made weren’t too bad for his liking.

Miss Evers shifted uncomfortably in her chair, feeling less confident now that Mr March was here. She hated the times where he’d stare intensely at her, forcing her to look right back into his dark, daring eyes. After everything he’d done, he still had the nerve to try and intimidate her.

Tristan watched closely as Will went through multiple tequila shots, immediately darting his eyes elsewhere when Will caught him looking.

“I’ll give you ten bucks if you drink five in a row.” Will challenged him.

“I’m dead, what the fuck would I spend it on. And no, because i’m saving more room for food..”

“Of course you are!” Will giggled, slurring his words. He was clearly pissed already. It didn’t take too long for him to get wasted when it came to unlimited drinking.

James stared at him blankly, wondering why the man was already so drunk.

The speakers had just changed the music over and Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas’ had began to play. Will gasped loudly and jumped out of his seat.

“Will.. please don’t..” Liz begged, knowing EXACTLY what was coming next.

“I.. DON’T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS..”

“Oh for fucks sake..” Iris muffled whilst covering her face with her hands.

“THEEEEREE IS JUST ONE THING I NEEEED!!!”

Mr March and Sally shared the same confused look, guzzling down their drinks as they stared at the ex fashion designer in shock.

“I DON’T CARE ABOUT THE PRESENTS..” Will climbed up onto the bar, kicking over James’ drink which spilled all over the now raging ghost.

Liz’s hand flew to her mouth as she saw the look on Mr March’s face as he slowly stared up at Will.

“UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREEEEEEE..”

“Dude, for the love of god fucking stop..” Tristan winced as Will kept getting louder and louder, now stomping his feet on top of the bar.

“I JUST WANT YOU FOR MY OWN..” He sang cheerfully, pointing multiple fingers all around the room for no reason whatsoever.

Miss Evers watched as James struggled to clean his suit with a handkerchief. She was slightly tempted to help her former boss, but stopped herself and just began to laugh at the helpless ghost.

“MOOOOORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW!”

Tristan stuck his fingers in his ears and groaned miserably. Sally giggled maniacally and pulled out her phone, quickly pressing the record button.

“MAKE MY WISH COME TRUUUUUUEEEEOOOOOOEEEEOOO…”

The other ghosts looked at Will with disgust, sighing at his horribly high pitched notes.

“ALL I WANT… FOR CHRISTTMAAAAAAASSSS.. IIIIIISSSSS…”

They all stared in horror as Will’s feet were dangling off the edge of the bar. He was waving his arms around in the air as he just managed to get through half of the last words to the intro of the song.

CRASH!

And with that, the drunkenly current hotel owner fell straight to the floor, multiple glasses flying off the shelves on the wall as he bounced right off the lot of them.

Tristan and Sally burst into a fit of roaring laughter when they realised it had all been recorded.

Liz and Iris rushed to help him, James just scowled sourly and instructed Liz to make him another drink. He scowled even further when all the worried barmaid did was help pick up Will from the floor.

They managed to get Will sat down, surprised he hadn’t knocked himself out. Iris went to go fetch some ice for his now bruised eye whilst Tristan and Sally were still sat sniggering.

It was even closer to midnight now. The ghosts knew that they’d countdown til the very last second of the twenty fourth of December. Happily wishing each other a very Merry Christmas with some fresh drinks. Perhaps even James’ absinthe..

The Countess had returned from her little Christmas night out.. alone. She headed straight to the bar in desperation of provoking the spirits in the Cortez.

“Oh.. you’re back,” Liz smiled sarcastically. James fumbled for his handkerchief once again to cover the stain on his suit. Which unfortunately for him, was right at his crotch. Slightly indicating he’d pissed himself.

“Darling!” Mr March spoke out nervously. The Countess only looked in his direction before frowning and looking away again.

“Where’s you’re, uh.. plaything.” Tristan spat, looking her up and down with disgust. She only smirked and that gave him his answer.

She noticed the missing glass bottles, wondering if they’d been used or had smashed. Perhaps Will’s black eye would explain it..

The room was silent. Everyone just slowly drank whatever glasses of alcohol they had, not making much eye contact with one another.

“Not even a simple ‘hello’ for you’re finest Christmas entertainment?” The Countess tutted teasingly.

Tristan and Iris were the only ones to look up, giving her a harsh, cold glare.

The ghosts hadn’t noticed just yet, but a guest had waltzed in through the front doors, noticing all the people that were hanging around in the bar. No one was at the front desk, so the poor woman had no choice but to go up to the bar and ask if anyone had seen any of the staff.

“Hello..” the woman called out, catching everyone’s attention the minute her voice echoed throughout the Cortez.

“Hi..” Liz replied back, offering the young lady a drink.

“Do any of you work here at all? I know it’s Christmas tomorrow and some places aren’t open.. but I was wondering if you guys had anything at all for the night?” Everyone looked at one another, grinning and putting their attention back on the soon to be, deceased female.

“Oh honey, we’ve got plenty of room for you. Are you sure it’s just the one night?” Liz grinned, staring at Tristan who began to giggle softly.

“Yeah, just one night if that’s alright..”

“You know, you can always become a permanent resident, perhaps it would be much more fitting..” The Countess smiled, licking her lips.

The woman furrowed her brows in confusion, growing quite uncomfortable.

“No, no.. I don’t really want to stay for longer than just a night..” the girl fired back. James sat up and walked towards the young woman, his shoes lightly tapped on the marble flooring.

“Well my dear, it seems you don’t have a choice..”

Everyone launched themselves at the girl, brutally stabbing and beating her with anything they could find. Will still sat on his chair, his head slowly spinning in small circles as he began to feel dizzy.

Just then, the timer went off for midnight. All the ghosts stared down at the corpse of the Cortez’s newest resident. Smiling at each other with crimson blood trickling down their clothes and soft skin.

“Merry Christmas!!!” They all cheered.

They turned around to the loud creek of Will’s chair, and seeing him ready to pass out.

“And a very.. very.. happy fucking new year.” He said, his eyes rolling back in his head as he fainted and landed harshly onto the cold flooring.

[bigtimesinsmallspaces]

Total Eclipse of the Trip

There are a lot of lessons to be learned when you book a train trip that spans 12 plus days, 6000 miles, and a lifetime of dreams. There are routes, maps, and timetables to study, and then it is cobbled together with towns, sights, and special interests along the way. Back in January PG had her double screen home office displaying Amtrak maps as we began piecing together, bit by bit, the dream trip, leaving time for connections and considering the optimum direction for each train, as well as daylight hours for the most scenic sections. Why go through the Sierras in the dark? And if you do have to make a connection, it’s best to do it where you don’t mind hanging a bit, just in case you miss that connection and are stuck there for hours (days). Much of this I learned from hours of study on the Amtrak Facebook pages (sad stories of families stranded in Idaho after rock slides and other such bring my dream down a notch why don’t ya stories). So I learned early that there were going to be glitches over the course of these 6000 miles and I was poised to pivot with aplomb—extra night here, a layover there, I had backup plans for every step of the way. However, I was NOT prepared to pivot before we even began.

That’s right. There we are getting on the train in Philly, headed to DC and from there on the overnight train to Chicago, where on Monday we would board the king of all trains, the whisperer of the wind, the Amtrak flagship—the amazing California Zephyr. Hearts pounding with excitement we step on that train and as the doors close I hear my phone ringing. With a quick dismissal upon seeing an 800 number I assure PG it is just the Red Cross in pursuit of my blood.

Well with that buildup you probably guessed that my blood is not really in that much demand. Indeed that was Mrs. Amtrak calling to put a cabash on our 3000 hours of planning and 6900 miles of traveling. The California Zephyr was CANCELLED for Monday due to high winds. High winds? A train can’t go through high winds? I can ride my BIKE on the beach in high winds. I am incensed. But Mrs. Amtrak insists that safety is her concern and apparently she considers 90 MPH winds to be beyond high, and in fact she thinks they are very very high, and she does not care about our 3000 hours of planning or disappointment. We can have a refund. A REFUND? There is no amount of money that will convince us to pack up and go home. Without delving into the minutia of details for how to rearrange 6000 miles, start to finish, suffice it to say Philly Girl went to work on her computer, and with the help of multiple Amtrak agents in person and on the phone, and in person agents on the phone with other agents, we flipped our trip upside down and backwards, first on to Montana, then back to Chicago on the Zephyr at the end of our trip (hopefully the winds have died down by next week).

So right now we are in 93% eclipse Chicago on this beautiful, sunny, warm spring day after a beautiful overnight ride. Did we sleep? Sort of. More on some of the logistics later. But it sure was a beautiful ride through beautiful Harper’s Ferry, WV, Pittsburgh, Sandusky (Hello Will and Missy), and into Chicago this morning.

Chicago Union Station is amazing. Built in 1925, it covers many city blocks and features beautiful design and art. We cashed in some Guest Reward points to gain access to the Metropolitan Lounge. This is a game changer on long trips offering an array of snacks, coffee, a marvelous shower (yes a shower, did you think there would be no showers?), and best of all, a place to stash our luggage while we explored Chicago and experienced the amazing eclipse as well as an amazing lunch. If you ever take the train to Chicago know that the station is a joy and is located in a beautiful area with lots to do and see in walking distance.

We’re getting ready to board the Empire Builder headed west now. While the trip we had planned got eclipsed, we’re taking it all as a sign to make the most of whatever surprises come next.

[tonyschiavonesearring]

I saw this clip where Cena says Reigns is the GOAT because he's the most cinematic wrestling character ever. These docs are just promotional and WWE vets will say whatever the company needs them to say, but it really made me ask where does Reigns rank. I see Cena's point. Reigns is the most realistic and multi-dimensional wrestling character in a long, long time. Better yet, he demands anyone who works a program with him to be as realistic and serious as they can be.

But while I've been a Reigns fan since his NXT days, he has his weaknesses. I know he can talk. Find one of his heel promos from NXT and you'll hear talk better than he ever has in WWE's main roster. But his character has evolved into a guy who rarely speaks and uses a manager. And he's solid on the mic but never dropped a real powerful mic performance IMO, excluding the time he revealed he had leukemia.

But he makes up for it with some of the in-ring talking and acting he's done, especially feuding with Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. He's excellent in those segments and even powerful when he's trash talking in the ring. He's really popularized that in this era. No one was talking during matches and now everyone does it.

And he's not the in-ring performer he was just a few years ago. Catching COVID really made him a looooot slower and thats when his matches became infrequent and his physique declined. He can't train as hard and his stamina and strength are gone. But his matches have been great still because his psychology is excellent and his timing is so... dramatic. He really is one of the greats, especially at the main event level.

I'd put Reigns above the cliche "GOAT" wrestlers like Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Ric Flair. Reigns is better than CM Punk's heyday too. But better than The Rock, Steve Austin and Hogan? I think he's just an inch below their level. You know who Reigns feels equal to? Sting. Also, Reigns reminds me a looooot of Raven. Scott Steiner too. And Scott Hall. Reigns is more like a WCW wrestler than an Attitude Era guy. But there are guys better than them. Randy Savage, easily. Misawa. Chris Benoit. Kurt Angle. And maybe John Cena. I hated Cena when I was younger, but now I respect him so much. He really played a tough part well and eventually became an incredible worker who made stars out of lots of guys... and gals. He could cut some great, emotional promos too. It means a lot if a guy can be great when its PG and the locker room is thin. Time has proven that Cena was just better than CM Punk.

[sisters-sideblog]

Jewelry

I'm working on an actual "start of the story"-story for my (still untitled) Links Meet AU but have also been writing little snippets to start getting a handle on personalities and interactions. I liked how this one came out!

Fandom: Legend of Zelda (Not LU!) Characters: Legend, Wild, Mask Rated: PG (mild language) Wordcount: 680

“Y’even wear that outfit when you’re climbing up on mountains? With snow? Don’t you get cold?” Mask’s slightly louder than necessary question turned a few nearby heads, Legend’s included. Wild didn’t appear to be bothered by the extra attention.

“Sometimes, if it’s cold enough. That’s why I wear this.” She thumbed the jewel centered in the circlet over her brow, then bumped one opal earring with a curled finger to make it flash in the light. “These have an enchantment, too, but I’m just wearing them today because they’re pretty.”

Ravio and Men turned back to the ledgers they’d been pouring over. But Legend, sensing a more interesting conversation, twisted around to peer over the back of his chair towards where Wild and Mask sat at the dining table. “Is all your jewelry enchanted?” he wanted to know.

“Most of it. I helped someone out who makes them, she gives me good prices. I’ve commissioned a few mundane things from her too.”

“What kinds of enchantments?”

“Mostly elemental effects. Protection and the like. Why?”

Ravio gave him a shove and a cross look; he was probably being distracting, calling across the room like this. Legend got up from the couch and instead dropped down to sit across from Wild at the table where she and Mask had been swapping stories that, so far as Legend could tell, had meandered away from comparisons of their versions of Death Mountain to, somehow, climbing things.

He held out a hand, on which glittered some of the things he’d managed to bring back from his adventures abroad; the rings that had been on his fingers and looped on a cord around his neck when he shipwrecked for the second and final time. He pointed to the one with a heart-cut ruby set in gold. “This one has a slow healing effect.”

Now fully interested, Wild bent over Legend’s hand, asking after the rest. It didn’t take long for both of them to be bringing out everything they had on them, comparing the spells.

Mask’s eyes darted between them, watching and listening with his chin propped up on his hands and his swaying feet occasionally finding Legend’s knees and shins beneath the table. Eventually, he seemed to tire of the topic. “Masks are better,” he declared, with just a hint of defiance and a challenging gleam in his eye.

“You trying to start shit, pipsqueak?” Legend demanded, squawking when Mask kicked him again, deliberately this time.

Wild nudged him with her elbow. “If you used them enough to be titled after them, I can’t say I’m surprised. Sometimes it’s nice to feel pretty, though.” She patted at the jeweled band around her bun.

“I’ve got a mask for that, too.”

“A mask for feeling pretty?”

“This I’ve got to see,” Legend said dryly.

“Is it one of those fancy ones with lots of beads and ribbons like the Rito use in their festivals?” Wild guessed.

Mask shook his head. Grinning, he ducked under the table. When he sat back up, he had on a mask depicting a feminine face that trailed long streams of bright fuschia hair, all wreathed in plants. It had an ethereal quality to it that made Legend squint with niggling recognition. He saw Wild doing much the same.

“Huh,” Legend said.

Wild ran her hand down one of the mask’s multiple ponytails. “It’s got nice hair?” she offered. She pulled her hand back, an abrupt motion, staring between her fingers and what they’d just been touching as if they’d done something unexpected. “That’s, uh. Floating?”

“Wait, it is?” Mask twisted around to look. The hair streamed after him, drifting up and around as if following the movement on a gentle current. “It is! You two can sit here and talk about your jewelry, I gotta go find the fairy. Bye.”

With that, he shoved away from the table, twisting his head from side to side before following some unknown prompting of direction from the mask and trotting towards the door.

Wild and Legend both blinked.

“Wait, it finds fairies?” Legend yelped.

[alj4890]

Day 1: Distraction

(Thomas Hunt x OC) in a Choices Red Carpet Diaries/ The Royal Heir crossover fic.

Masterlist

Rating: PG for some mentions of sexual situations. Mostly fluff all over.

@krsnlove @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​ @trappedinfanfiction ​​  @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @hopelessromantic1352 @tessa-liam @choicesrcd2022 @promptnonny

Premiere Date

Two months earlier...

"Maxwell said the premiere for The Royal Romance will be December first." Amanda balanced her phone on her shoulder while finishing up reviewing the servants' wages. "Would you like to be my date for it?"

"Of course." Thomas jotted it down on his calendar. "I believe we made it official last month that I would be your date from now on."

Amanda couldn't help but smile when she looked at her engagement ring. "Yes, we did but I thought since it is a Tommy Phelps film, that might stretch your affection for me.

Thomas snorted in response. "There are not enough explosives in that man's mixed bag of mediocre cinematic tricks to ever stretch what I feel for you."

"I love how you're able to take an insult to someone else and turn it into something romantic for me." She replied with a giggle.

His lips curved. "As was my intention. I should be in the process of editing my film by then." He double checked the date. "Are you able to remain in Los Angeles after the premiere?"

"I believe so." Amanda flipped through her own calendar. "I don't have any court events I have to attend until after the holidays."

"Good." Thomas motioned for Holly to bring him his schedule for the day. "Then we can begin our plans."

Amanda smiled even more. "Our wedding plans?"

"Exactly." He quickly scanned the day's shots. "I don't intend to start any film projects until the end of next year so that we can enjoy the beginning of our marriage."

Thomas glared over at Holly and Addison making aww noises. He turned away from them in an attempt to keep his conversation private.

"Plus I want us to have a honeymoon away from everyone we know."

His frown eased when he heard Amanda laughing.

"Have you got your usual audience around you again?" She teased.

"I do." He grumbled.

"I see." Amanda smiled softly. "I suppose this means no, I love you, at the end of this call, hmm?

"Of course not." He replied. "I'm not going to let a few irritating individuals stop me from saying that."

"Then I will let you get your day started while I wind down for the evening." She replied. "I love you, Thomas."

"I love you, too." He sent another glare over his shoulder when he heard Addison and Holly's overly dramatic sighs. "Sleep well."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, my love." Amanda promised.

"I look forward to it." Thomas ended the call with a dark frown towards his two assistants. "Don't you have something you should be working on?"

"Just waiting upon your usual demands, boss." Holly replied.

"Is Amanda coming to visit?" Addison asked.

"Unfortunately," he quickly counted the weeks, "not yet."

"You miss her a lot, don't you?" Holly prodded.

"I do." His frown reappeared at them involving themselves in his private life. "Well, don't just stand there! Make sure everyone is waiting on the set!"

Their grins let him know they weren't the least cowed by his bluster of anger. He knew he'd have to do something about that at some point. A soft smile formed as he realized he wasn't too worried about it.

In eight weeks, he'd be back with the one he loved.

*************

Seven weeks later, Taos, New Mexico...

This had to be one of the inner circles of hell Thomas was trapped in. There was no other explanation that could make sense better than that one. All his plans, his intentions, everything was one monstrous nightmare.

Nothing about filming his new take on the western genre was going like he'd envisioned.

He'd lost numerous supporting actors due to some type of food poisoning. Two of his stunt doubles were in the hospital due to accidents off set. The hotel they were originally at caught on fire and most of the costumes were damaged from the smoke and embers.

Holly fell while hiking and twisted her ankle all while dragging Addison with her and causing the costume designer to break her wrist and three fingers.

Matt Rodriguez had to leave for a few weeks, halting production since his character was the one the entire plot revolved around, when his father suffered a heart attack.

Jessica Clarke, Hollywood's favorite new actress since her starring role in Thomas's The Last Duchess, had to stop filming her own horseback riding scenes the moment she found out she was pregnant.

Thomas was certain that all of this was occurring at just the right moment to drive him completely insane.

There was no way he'd be able to up and leave to start over. They were halfway done with filming the needed scenes on location. Plus, the backdrop to this desert town was exactly what he needed to convey the sheer hopelessness of Matt's character finding peace and redemption.

He eyed his phone, knowing he'd have to make the dreaded phone call.

He wouldn't be able to be Amanda's date for the premiere.

He needed to stay and combat these problems.

He knew she would understand. It was one of the many things he adored about her. He simply hated the thought of letting her down. And to be honest, he wasn't looking forward to seeing her in pictures on the arm of anyone else.

Who else was more perfect to be her escort to a movie premiere than the one man many regarded as a cinematic genius?

Thomas rubbed his face, softly groaning at what must be done.

He visibly jumped when his phone vibrated loudly on the table with an incoming call.

"Hello?" He tried to not sound so disgusted.

"Oof." Amanda replied. "That might be the most depressing hello I've ever heard."

Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't know how to begin letting her down.

"Production must be going rough." Amanda softly said. "I'm so sorry."

"What do you have to apologize for?" Thomas snorted. "Unless you have become some maniacal sorceress and placed a curse upon my film, you have nothing to be sorry about."

He realized how bitter his tone was when he was met with nothing but silence.

"Amanda, I apologize." Thomas began again. "I didn't mean to sound like--"

"I know you didn't." She quickly interrupted before he spiraled on with guilt. "I only meant how sorry I am that I can't do anything to make it better for you."

"You make everything better." He grumbled. "In fact, hearing your voice is the only thing keeping me from yanking my hair out right now."

The sound of her laughter bubbling up brought a softening to his frown.

"We can't have that." She sighed. "I hate I won't get to see you next week."

He blinked. "How did you know I wouldn't be able to take you to the premiere?"

Her chuckle held a touch of sadness.

"Because I know how hard this shoot has been for you and I know you need to be there to complete it."

Thomas shook his head, marveling at how she always knew what he needed before he even said a word.

"I'm going to miss you terribly." She continued. "If Maxwell hadn't made us all promise to stick by his side, I'd find a way to sneak over to Taos."

"I understand." He slumped in his chair. "I was looking forward to finally having a chance to be with you." He rubbed a hand down his face. "I'm sorry I can't be there as your date."

"Then you better make plans for when you are free for the two of us." She replied.

Thomas could imagine the smile she must have just by the sound of her voice.

"What kind of plans would you like me to make?" He asked.

"The usual kind, Mr. Hunt." Amanda replied. "Time where we can be alone without anyone or anything else bothering us. I want no distractions taking your attention away from me."

"My favorite kind of plan." His lips curved. "And you should know that every time I am with you, nothing can take my attention away from you."

"That's all I want to hear." Amanda softly sighed. "I probably should let you go so you can get some rest."

"I doubt I'll get any sleep." He grumbled. "I've got another rewrite to work on with Holly."

"Try for my sake." Amanda gently urged.

He groaned.

"I will for you."

"Good. I love you so much."

Thomas relaxed some in knowing she must truly not be upset with him for canceling their plans by hearing her say that.

"I love you, too."

After he ended the call, he sat there staring at nothing in particular while thinking of Amanda. His frown formed once more in knowing she'd be coming to America and he couldn't enjoy her visit.

He reached over for the script, picked up his pen, then paused.

He wondered if there was a chance she could come here after the premiere.

*************

December first...

"Earth calling Thomas, Come in, Thomas."

He looked up, blinking the world around him back into focus.

"Welcome back." Holly grumbled, handing him a new cup of coffee. "Are we going to change up the scene with the argument Jonah and Marlene have since Jessica can't chase him down during the stampede?"

"Hmm?" Thomas glanced at the script. "Yes, of course."

Holly waited for him to give her something to write down.

Thomas stared at the scene for a few silent seconds.

"Okay." Holly threw her pen down. "Talk to me, boss."

Thomas quirked an eyebrow at her.

"We've been moving at a snail's pace with this script. You've barely shot any new footage. Every time I come into your trailer, you're staring off into the distance." She folded her arms. "There's only two possibilities for you to lose focus."

His eyes narrowed.

"The first one," Holly continued, unfazed by his glare, "is that this desert town has now drained your heart of filmmaking."

He rolled his eyes in response.

"Or you are distracted with a serious issue." She concluded.

He averted his eyes from her.

"What's wrong?" Holly repeated. "Come on, Thomas. I've worked with you too many times to be ignored."

He cleared his throat. "I don't know. Each time I think about the scenes that need to be addressed, I find myself..."

He squirmed in his chair, glaring down at his cup of coffee.

"You find yourself, what?" Holly prompted.

"I find myself thinking of Amanda."

Holly sat back with her jaw dropped.

"It isn't that shocking." He grumbled. "She is my fiancée after all."

"I know that." Holly leaned forward. "But I've never known you to be so lost in thought over her that you weren't able to work!"

"I am working!" He snapped.

Thomas snatched his pen up and x'ed out the entire scene. "There!" He threw it down. "I just made a directorial decision!"

"Thomas!" She scolded.

He rubbed a hand down his face.

"Why don't you take the next couple of days off and go see her?" Holly asked.

"Because I have a job to do, here." He argued.

"Which you're sucking at." Holly mumbled

"That was unnecessary." Thomas bit out.

"No. It's pretty necessary." She took the script and set it back in her portfolio. "Take a break. Everyone else has needed one for various reasons. You need one to clear your head so we can finish this shoot strong."

Thomas groaned, shaking his head.

"You know I'm right. Go surprise Amanda. It will put you in a better mood." Holly swiped up her stuff on her way out. "And we certainly need a more pleasant director right now."

"I won't make it in time to take her to the premiere." He mumbled.

Holly paused at the door. "Then get there in time to take her home."

His eyebrows raised while he calculated the hours he'd need to do just that.

*************

"What'd you think?" Maxwell eagerly asked.

"It was amazing!" Riley exclaimed.

"I never said any of that." Drake snapped. "Why did you--"

"I loved it!" Hana interrupted before Drake could destroy Maxwell's excitement. "I wish I was as graceful as Cassandra Leigh."

"You are even more graceful." Liam told her while slipping his arm around Riley. His smile grew when his wife kissed his cheek. "And I am moved seeing our love story come to life."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "At least you made me true to form." She eyed Amanda. "You're awfully quiet."

"Hmm?" She looked up at her friends. "I'm sorry, did you ask me something?"

"The movie?" Maxwell took her by the shoulders to playful shake her. "Remember seeing it just a few minutes ago?"

Amanda laughed. "Yes. It was great."

"It's a shame you were out of the country during all that." Maxwell slung his arm around her shoulders as they followed everyone out to the lobby. "Then you could have been cast as someone awesome."

"I doubt anyone is more awesome than Ryan Summers." She teased. "You lucked out."

"I know!" Maxwell grinned at her. "Wasn't it like looking at my twin brother?"

"Sure."

Once they were out in the lobby, the group looked around at the crowd.

"Now what?" Drake asked.

"After party, baby!" Tommy Phelps joined them. "We are going to celebrate our success!"

"I've been waiting all my life for an after party." Maxwell exclaimed.

"My man!" Tommy fist bumped him. "I knew you would be down for one." He eyed the other Cordonians. "You're all coming too, right?"

"We are." Riley replied. "Right guys?"

Liam, Drake, and Hana answered in the affirmative.

Olivia rolled her eyes with the pleading looks from Maxwell and Riley.

"I suppose I could go for a drink or two." She responded. "Amanda?"

She nudged her when the duchess remained quiet.

"Hmm?" Amanda tried to focus on the conversation. "Oh! No. I'm not going."

"No!" Maxwell pouted. "How come?"

"Jet lag." Amanda latched on to the excuse. "I think I'll go back to the hotel and get some sleep."

After another firmer refusal, she was able to escape her friends.

All she wanted to do was to go back to her room and call Thomas. It felt so wrong being in Los Angeles without him. Her first premiere had been as his date for The Last Duchess. She'd assumed as quickly as their relationship developed that all premieres would be spent by his side.

She could just imagine his reactions to the overly dramatic scenes, the unneeded explosions, and the way the scenes were framed. Her lips curved into a sad smile as she also thought of how he would have remained by her side, his arm around her or holding her hand, whispering that he thought she looked lovely tonight.

She could almost feel the kisses he would have placed upon her knuckles and temple as they sat through the film. Her skin tingled with how he would have insisted they not go to the after party so that they could return to his home for an evening alone.

Her imagination was vivid enough to conjure all they would have gotten up to once within that peaceful, empty of all well meaning friends, and able to express their love. The kisses and caresses that would follow once the door was shut. The clothes slipping off.

Her cheeks colored as she walked outside of the theater. Her eyes scanned the now empty red carpet, searching further for a taxi or town car to take her back to her hotel. The number of limos lined up made her softly groan over the possibility of having to walk a few blocks in her uncomfortable heels.

As she dismissed each limo and waiting driver without a second glance, she doubled back on the sight of a tuxedo clad man leaning causally against a limo.

Thomas watched as recognition flashed in her expression. Unfolding his arms, he broke out into a smile as she rushed to greet him.

Chuckling, he caught her in a hug that lifted her off the ground. His lips sought hers as she slipped her arms around his neck.

"You came." She breathed against his lips.

"I did." He deepened the kiss, feeling at peace for the first time in weeks. "I've missed you."

"Nowhere near as much as I've missed you." She leaned back to look into his handsome face. "I can't believe you're here!"

He took her hands while motioning with his head toward the limo. "Shall we go home?" He eyed the people beginning to spill out. "Unless you have other plans."

Keeping his hand in hers, she got into the limo, tugging him in behind her.

"My plans only involved returning to the hotel and calling you." She snuggled against him once he settled his arm around her. "Now that you're here, I'm rethinking them."

"Oh?" He pressed his lips to the side of her neck. "I hope they align with my own."

She melted against him as his hands began to wander along her curves. Their lips met again and again in a more heated exchange than the last one.

"I feel very confident that our plans are going to align perfectly."

[cherrysoulth]

What Hides In The Shadows - Chapter 5: Versus II

🩸Spill blood on the board🩸

💕Pairing: Taehyung x Reader

📝Summary:

"What hides in the shadows will let you see who you really are."

✏️Genre/au: Vampires, Alternative universe (Future of humanity), Sci-fi, Horror, Romance, Action, Vampires vs. Hunters

✏️Rating: PG 18+, explicit

📝Word count: 4402

⚠️Chapter warnings: blood, sire bond (implicit: dominance and obedience), vampire hierarchy, mentions of death

<<<𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 4 | 𝕸𝖆𝖎𝖓 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙 | 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 6 >>>

You were sitting on the bathtub's rug, completely unaware of the soft fabric under your fingers and palms, nor the slight moist it still held from the bath you took hours prior. The presence in the living room had your whole attention and you hadn't moved, full attention focused on the intention to listen.

The intruder, Jimin, didn’t seem to wanna leave any time soon, taking a seat on the divan. He cleared his throat and you heard Jungsik move to the table with slow steps that barely weighed over the floor. You heard another bottle of champagne open with a pop and the bubbly liquid pour in a glass. Jungsik moved again and handed it to Jimin, who seemed to have multiple rings on, by the clinking sound of metal against glass you captured when he leaned forward to grab it. For some reason, Jimin chuckled in what you identified as a smirk. The air coming out of his throat like that, set your hairs on end, in an emotion you were unable to identify. 

“So, you think Tae might take much to come back?” he made a slight pause when Jungsik sat down next to him. “I really want to see him.” You didn't hear anything else being said, whatever response Jungsik gave, was non-verbal. Trying to make an effort to grasp on what was going on, the light coming from the door’s keyhole, called your attention and you crawled slowly intending to spy. Just as you did, through the tiny space, you saw Jimin caressing Jungsik’s cheek. He smirked amused for a second and both of them directed their vision towards you. So sudden that you gasped. “Oh!” Jimin let out. “So, someone else is here,” he said as he stood gracefully, like in slow motion, the fine white clothing only adding to the miracle of his image. However, your reaction was to panic and you moved away from the door, breathing erratically although you intended to contain yourself. The way Jungsik made an effort to hide you when he seemed to despise you somehow, was a hint that Jimin discovering you was a bad thing. 

Jungsik was fast to get in front of him, right in front of the door. “It’s just one of my girls, hyung. I let her take a bath, you know…” He spoke animatedly but you noticed, as well as Jimin, the lie lingering in every word he spoke.

“Then, why are you so nervous to show her to me? Are you possessive now? She must be special…” The peachy and toffee tone turned different in the next sentence, “Get off the door, Sik, ” Jimin demanded letting the smile fade. The weight of the air changed, thick with a tension that could be cut with a knife.

“Sik, get out of his way,” said Taehyung behind him, in a serious tone. You were so focused on Jimin that you missed the double door opening and his steps as he came inside the living room with Jungkook.

“Brother!” Jimin said to him and walked away from the door. You and Jungsik seemed to regain your breaths, although you hadn't realised you were holding yours. Both men hugged, patting their backs, and then you felt it before it happened; the intention, the shift in the air. Jimin separated from Taehyung and punched him in the face, making him fall to the floor. “I told you I wanted you to bring her to me, not for you to turn her into your whor-!” He couldn’t finish the sentence. You had fled the bathroom, managed to push away Jungsik when he tried to stop you and were choking Jimin on the floor. Taehyung's lip had split, causing it to bleed, and like a spring you had reacted instinctively to the smell. Like a protector, a well-trained soldier. 

“Let him go,” you heard Teahyung’s deep tone but you didn’t listen. Not the way you had done before. “Let, him, go,” he insisted, and like an outer body experience your fingers separated from the delicate flesh of Jimin’s throat. Feeling his words in you, coming back to reality, out of the red vision, you had realised what you were doing. You stood and moved away, shocked to the core by the sudden impulse. His face was tainted red and his mouth opened to gasp for air, immediately regaining his colour. His eyes bulged the second after and you noticed everyone was looking at you. 

“It didn’t work?” whispered Jungkook, without closing his mouth afterward. 

“You shared your blood with her…” muttered Jimin, incredulous, at the same time, processing things without standing. 

Both sentences made you confused and you looked at Taehyung for an answer. He gestured for you to approach and you did, putting your arms around his chest to give him a hug that he returned. Then you lovingly kissed his jawline and caressed it with your nose, feeling the distress wash away from your body when you realised he was fine. The way you cared for him wasn't a comrade thing, it transcended, and it puzzled you the same way you enjoyed it. You almost couldn’t recognise yourself in your actions, being more instinctive than rational. You licked the remaining blood from the healing wound, choosing, giving in to what you felt, being it a whim or not. Taehyung let out a soft grunt and kissed your forehead.

“So. Just like that, you decided you wanted her. Not consulting, not anything. You just turned her, fucked her, and gave her your blood. Just like that!” said Jimin, consternated. You still struggled to understand how they could tell all those things. Especially, for how Jimin had known about you two sleeping together before he knew you had consumed Taehyung's blood. “I deserved to have my revenge, Taehyung. I had waited so long…” he said, moving to sit on the divan, defeated. “Her mother killed mine… I deserved to take her from them,” he said, looking at him with sharp eyes.

“Were you going to kill her!?” said both twins at the same time, horrified. 

“He was going to turn her and then send her after her own family,” said Taehyung. “How did you put it, brother…? ‘Let nature take its own way.’ But that’s not nature, is it?” He pointed out, sarcastically. You weren’t able to move, you only listened wide-eyed. “Turning her was breaking an old rule of The Oath but sending her to kill would have turned it into a useless piece of paper. And coming from the King’s son, it would have been treason against both species. If there was something left after the unavoidable war that would have been unchained, you would have had nothing to go back to. Just a quick beheading,” he explained. "I couldn't allow it." You moved just enough to look at him, his eyes were on Jimin who was staring back.

“I don’t understand…” you whispered, unable to process the information, then looked at Jimin. “Why would my mom kill yours? What did she do?” you wondered. Jimin stood and you felt the need to run away but Taehyung held you and shushed. Eyes fixed on his brother.

“She didn’t do anything!” He almost growled, the husk on his voice contrasting with his previous sweetened tone. “Your people never think, they just act and regret later! Then there are excuses and more excuses! But what did father do against it?” Taehyung shook his head when you looked at him, telling you to stay quiet. “He just let them go! He called it a mistake, an accident!” Jimin threw the table making a terrible noise that shook you but not the rest. “A bullet in her head wasn’t a fucking accident!” You realised soon enough he was blinded by pain and not aiming for anyone particularly, just anyone who was involved, directly or not. "They have to pay!" 

“I still don’t understand…” you muttered, unable to guess what had brought you to this point. Taehyung pulled you behind him and stared at Jimin from above, arching a brow when he approached angrily.

“Haven't they told you that one night a vampire took you from your crib and they killed her to protect you or some bullshit like that?” he said accusingly. “I bet that was the excuse to scare the kids out and make you fear us to death.”

“She doesn’t seem to know anything, hyung,” muttered Jungkook. You arched a brow to him.

He looked at you for a moment, as if trying to read the truth in you, but there was something else in his eyes, an acknowledgment. “If that's the case, I’ll explain what really happened. What others were witnesses of,” he pointed out, suddenly calm. “One night, when my mother was taking a walk with her ladies in waiting, she heard you cry," he began and you couldn’t have been more confused. “My little brother, who was around your age, had died abruptly in his sleep a few days prior and they thought some fresh air would do her well.” Jimin paced away and you saw him tearing up. In fact, all of them did. You saw tears in the twins' eyes and felt the little shake on Taehyung's body. “He was… so tiny, so beautiful… like a little angel… but we lost him. He came to this world with a great future in front of him but left it before he could even sit.” A sob escaped his lips. “An elder's death is part of life but when it comes to children… It’s so difficult to bear… So she was broken…” he whispered and sobbed again. You recognised a human trait in his pain, not that you ever thought you were so different. “They say she lost her mind… She didn’t. She was just mourning her baby,” he paused. “But, I don’t know why, nobody does, when she heard you… They say she looked at your window and it was as if she was hearing a call. So she entered through the open window and just a few minutes later they heard a gunshot and the smell of her blood.” You felt terribly wrong and felt their pain flow through you. Without thinking you approached Jimin and took his face between your hands as his sorrow reflected in your face, dripping down your cheeks.

“I’m so sorry…” you whispered as you cried. His eyes were slightly wide as he looked at you, confused.

“It wasn’t your fault… You were just a baby, but your mother knew what she was doing and mine wasn’t going to hurt you…” More tears reddened the waterline of his eyes. “She just missed her baby… “ he sobbed. Out of nowhere, you hugged him as he cried. “I just wanted them to hurt…” It sounded like he was apologising but you couldn't expect that to be the case. Instead, you took it as a reaffirmation on what he had intended to do.

“I understand,” you muttered. He moved away from your embrace suddenly, questioning your words. “I don’t blame you for wanting to use me like that.” You surprised yourself, outing something that you wouldn’t have before. They seemed surprised too. “If someone had killed my mom I would have used any means to an end… So, I can’t judge you.” You kept your eyes on him. “But you have no one to fight with now, my parents died in a car accident on their way to take a ferry when I was three. My mom is long gone. And though it pains me that they died and I lost a lifetime to grow with my parents, I understand.” He looked at you with sad eyes, mirroring the tears that were now falling for your own sorrow. Then you approached him and grabbed his face again. “But if you touch my family… you are dead,” you whispered against his lips and calmly walked away towards Taehyung who was looking at you intensely and whipped his tears. Jimin eyed you too as you stared at your ‘mentor’, also cleaning his face. You could feel his stirring but only Taehyung seemed to understand what it was.

“You can’t have her,” he warned, with a dark look. Jimin stared back and huffed air with a snarl.

“Yeah, you did take measures…” he said with a low tone. “But… She could change her mind… She’s not done yet and you can’t bite her until she is,” he purred with a smirk. “I think I’ll stick around for a bit." The sweet smile didn’t match his words.

“What the fuck?” you said, jaded, narrowing your eyes to Jimin. “Are you going to bite me?” you questioned Taehyung, meeting his stare, "Why?" Remembering how his fangs broke through your skin, you simply didn’t want to experience it again. It wasn’t as painful as you thought it would be but it was threatening and scary, having his fangs so close to many vital points. At the same time, you thought about how he enjoyed it when you did it to him and your skin raised in goosebumps to the memory of his taste.

“I can’t if you don’t want me to,” he pointed out and you understood what he had spoken about the blood. He explained its vinculating characteristics. “I shared my blood with you, but you didn't share yours. So, it’s like my blood is sleeping in your veins; waiting. If you choose to share yours, we will have a different connection; as equals. When we share blood, it becomes reactive and we’ll be binded differently from what we have right now. I have an influence on you for that, not only for the Sire Bond, but you don’t have it over me for that reason. It will make us sensible of each other's movements and thoughts as if we were one being divided into two bodies. We’ll be able to do things like synchronise, know each other’s thoughts… The things coming out of the exchange are extensive. So you should think about it,” he instructed sternly. 

“Yeah, it’s like marriage for us,” explained Jungkook, approaching with a big smile. Taehyung gave him a stern look and then switched to you. “Taehyung chose you when he let you bite him but until you chose him back, it’s just like… No one can try to get with you by an unspoken rule but since you haven’t claimed him back he is still gonna get approached and seduced,” he explained.

“I don’t get it-” you said. The idea unsettled you, somehow. The matter was serious. Did it mean you had chosen to be eternally bound to him without knowing? How could he just let that happen without you knowing the consequences? It felt terribly wrong. 

“You're tied to him by blood but he's not to you. At the same time, what gives us the clue that you are together, straight away, is the smell. You smell like him, he doesn’t smell like you. So he’s still technically single,” Jungsik said, cutting your train of thought. Then he stayed staring at you as you frowned, in a sort of disgust. But he took it as clueless and let his shoulders fall as he exhaled strongly, looking away. You understood he was thinking you were helpless.

“Smells give you an enormous range of information. You’ll have to learn to interpret it,” pointed out Taehyung, holding you closer under the attentive stare that Jimin was giving you. “Right now, you’re somewhere in the middle of everything. You’ll learn things with time but your main priority at this moment is to understand the real weight blood has in our lives.”

“Human blood and our blood don’t work the same way. When you drink our blood, it’s like the system doesn’t detect it until it’s already in your blood flow and it becomes part of your own until the cells die and are substituted by newly created cells in your own body. That would take four or five months by the way,” said Jimin, calmly and you suddenly felt an enormous relief. “Human blood is food and it’s processed in a specific way to regulate the iron consumed since an excess of it is toxic. It also clears out diseases and obviously extracts the nutrients from it.” He kept speaking as he approached, “This means, his blood is in yours and that brings a scent to your body, so we can smell him in your own scent. Since it’s a power move thing…” You frowned and he paused. “To bite, you need permission but it’s you who’s carrying the scent, it’s like branding for the biter instead of the bitten one. This way too, a vampire can’t claim another by forcefully biting them. Leaving aside that doing so is a crime punishable by law,” he explained and you parted your lips, to question. “You would be in your right to kill a forceful biter. No one would blame you. But we don’t do that, don’t worry–” He tried to lower your worries but got interrupted by the buzz of your phone, somewhere on the floor next to the thrown table. You tried to run to pick it up and hit the wall at the opposite side of the table with your shoulder because of the lack of control over your speed.

"Man! What the fuck?" you complained. Then tried to slow down and finally picked up the smartphone.

"Where are you?" sounded a demanding voice on the other side of the phone. Taehyung was fast to get close to you, looking attentively at the phone, there was something on the caller's tone that he didn't like. 

"I'm at the Eoduun Hotel, Sir. Why?" you responded, knowing he'd probably gone to your apartment already, more irritated than you normally would by his inquisitions. You heard his roller pen over a sheet of paper and two taps.

"No wonder I can't track you. What's with you and that dead end, huh? You don’t pretend to stay there overnight, do you? Tell me you didn't–" He considered, also irritated.

The place had been closed for over three hundred years. It had served as a hotel as its main purpose for more than two hundred and hospital campus on the after-effects of what was named The Shadow Nights, where people strangely started getting ill or worsen from all sorts of diseases from blood loss that didn’t seem to have a source. Then, after two-thirds of the population of Earth died in only nine nights at a rate that didn’t allow the healthy survivors to rest or think, they realised it had been vampires all along. 

"I slept at the apartment and I think my phone is broken. Wait a second." You walked to the kitchen and peeled a Post-it of its pack on the counter, careful not to make a noise. "But yeah, I'll be spending some days here, I made a mistake with the last corpse. It was still warm when they brought it to us and I was kind of tired, so I acted a little bit distracted and a blood drop went to my eye. I need to make sure nothing infected me and that I don't pass it around," you told him.

"Or you could go to a doctor like a normal person. You could isolate yourself in your damn apartment. It's where you are supposed to live, not in a damn abandoned building," he said, severely.

"It's not abandoned when it belongs to The Guardians, but what is all this fuss about, Uncle?" you asked him. "It's not like you gave a damn when I went to live alone, who cares where I stay now?"

"That tone, young lady," he said, lowering his. You suddenly were so pissed you wanted to yell at him. "I raised you, I do care about what happens to you and what you do. You know me, child, you have to know that." His response was as if he was going to be emotional, but he switched to his sergeant major of The Guardians tone, again. "There was a report of a large vampire and allies activity last night near the morgue. I know Colonel Jung Hoseok took you home, but Aeliana went to check on you this morning and didn't find you there," he explained. "I just wanted to make sure no one followed you and something happened after you were dropped off. Now, since this has happened, you must understand my concern with you staying in that place." Sometimes he would forget you weren't in the ranks and speak to you like he was scolding a cadet, to then change to a different tone, just like he had done there. "I suggest you ask someone to drop you home and avoid going out alone again. I don't have your brother and sister getting out of duty to pick you up all the time for you to just roam around the city and get to the furthest place there is. Abandoned or not, or being The Guardians property," he concluded. You understood but since you couldn't accept the suggestion, you went rough.

"I'm not a child, Uncle. I'll make sure that everything is closed, I've got supplies and my gun. If a bloodsucker comes for me I'll slow it down and then call you." The four men gave you a bothered look but you ignored them and kept speaking. "Same goes for the poor soul I'm sure you just sent my way," you assured. They arched their brows. "I don't really care about the consequences, I'm tired of having an escort up my ass every time I go out. I NEED TO FUCKING BREATHE ALONE FOR ONCE–"

"DO NOT SHOUT AT ME, YOUNG LADY!" He cut you off. "If this is you wanting to be alone with a guy, you can just say it straight. We had our suspicions that you and Min Yoongi were seeing each other. With something Colonel Jung Hoseok said this morning, now, it makes sense. I have good references on the Genius doctor, I won't be putting walls to your love," he said.

"That's delusional. Whoever gave you the intel… fire them," you busted out. "Anyways, if you care so much about me, you should have made sure I was trained like my sister and my brother. Your children. Right now, I want to be alone. So if you don't mi-" you remarked. The previous conversation with your new group made you question everything you knew.

"Where does this come from? You hate training or the idea of hurting someone and your parents didn't want you to be a Guardian, you know that. It was their last will, I'm bound to honour it," he interrupted. 

"Signal is messing again." You tried to fake it by mushing the Post-it note in front of your phone. "Just– I'll be–for a few days. Tell–to feed Haru. Be–" you hung up and looked at the men standing in the room. "The fucking audacity-" Without noticing you closed your hand harder on your phone and crashed it in pieces. "Great! Awesome!" you exclaimed, looking at the useless device in your hand. Your fangs had poked out again. The anger in you from how frustrating everything felt bursting like a ticking bomb inside of you. Suddenly the floor around you cracked, no longer than fifteen inches, but you felt all the energy in your body drop suddenly and fell on your four, dizzy; throwing up. You heard them rushing to you, Taehyung grabbed you by the waist and put his wrist against your mouth. 

"Drink," he pronounced, kissing your head again. You didn't. You heard two sets of footsteps run away fast like the wind but couldn't open your eyes to see who. "What you just did has taken an amount of energy your body wasn't prepared or taught to release."

"There are blood bags in the fridge," you replied huskily, feeling your throat dry. Drinking from him felt intrusive now, wrong, sinful. You didn't want to.

"You need a fast spread of energy, that's cold– This is life-threatening-" he interrupted himself. "Drink," he said with that tone that you couldn't disobey. You did as if you knew exactly where to bite, your fangs poked over the main vein on the arm at the wrist and you drank. One swallow and your heart started slowing down. Two, and you started hearing his. Three and he moaned slightly. 

"Tell me if I have to pull her off of you," you heard Jungsik say. His tone was alarmed.

"I can control her." Four, his heart was strangely calm as he caressed your hair. "You're so gentle, Anya… " You heard Jungsik leave. "You're not even sucking. So gentle..." Six, a tear dropped from your left eye. There was something so meaningful in what he was doing. He was sharing his life source with you, was calm about it, and praised you for not acting on the thirst you felt. As to why you weren't, it was probably the fear that didn't allow your heart to settle. The one of how easily things could get out of hand. Seven. You stopped, pulling away and drying off the saliva from his arm to allow him to heal. A last drop slid as it began. Then you looked at him. The man staring at you was so beautiful, the idea of something harming him tortured you. A sob escaped you and you hugged him, making you both fall to the floor as you cried for everything and nothing, you couldn't place your emotions in a rational space and motive. They just were there, overwhelming and taking their way out in tear form.

You cried for what felt like an eternity while you lay there over his chest and he caressed your hair. 

Then you heard and smelled the other vampires coming back with a third person, you were able to tell straight away it was human as if a switch of knowledge had flicked in you. There was something on the smells you recognised that wasn't on this new addition, but at the same time, there was something familiar in the scent. When they walked closer, you sat down quickly and recognized the person.

"Suga," you gasped.

🩸Would his blood be so sweet? 🩸

How much you like? Let me know your thoughts and reblog. If you dare... 😈

I'll see your little fangs in two weeks! ❤️

Big thanks to @heathfritillary for doing the beta for this chapter. 💜

Taglist: @taebangtanbabe

© 2021-2024 Cherry Soulth, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind, translations, unsanctioned adaptations are not allowed.

[petrikaira]

The Butler

Chapter 10: Butlers Trial

Pg 5 (Previous, Next) Rating: T For teen

utler turned towards her. He placed his hand on his chest, claws digging into the blue cloth. She would know he was lying. He wanted to trust her. “Yes, my queen. I did promise them a brood, and so I gave them two chicks, hatched at the same time.”

Queen Aikaterine tilted her head. He wasn’t sure he enjoyed the way her red eyes were focused on him, how she stared without blinking or emoting. “Chicks. For the records, of what type?”

“My lady?” Butler asked, slowly. He wasn’t sure where she was going with this.

“Of chicks.”

Butler blinked, holding back his bewilderment. “I- am not certain what type, my lady. Chickens?”

Queen Aikaterine kept her stare level for a moment, then she nodded once. “Let the record show it is as our Butler has been accused. He promised a brood and gave a brood.”

There was a soft murmur from the five fae of the jury. It sounded as confused as Butler felt, but he suspected he knew where this was going. A demon was only as good as his word, and he was no liar. He had never been a liar. He had given a brood.

“And so you admit it?” Queen Liita demanded, hot and burning from across the clearing. 

Butler turned to her now, and watched her leaning hard over the edge of the tree, her blue glow almost blinding. Her blunt fingers digging into her husband, and the tree. He could see the tips turning an angry shade of green. “I do, your Highness. I do and I have before.”

“Before?” Queen Aikaterine chimed in.

Butler did not turn. He felt he would make himself sick if he kept correcting courses to look at each royal in turn this way. “I was put on trial for this crime before, my lady,” he said. “And I was punished for it once already.”

A demon court did not look to punish twice, he knew. Fae court looked for the punishments to be exacting. 

“Is this so?” Queen Aikaterine asked.

“It is so,” King Mifispectuus replied. “We gave him one of his promised punishments, for he tricked us and we needed something to punish at the time and something fitting to get our dues later.”

Now, the murmuring was coming from both sides of the jury. Butler wasn’t sure if he imagined it or not, but he swore the fae side sounded angrier than the demon side. There was far more buzzing, like a group of bees whose honey was being stolen right from under their noses. 

“What I want to know, is why?” Queen Liita said, her voice ringing over the murmurs of the jury. It was impassioned and drawn. “We invited you in. Gave you a job, a home. And all we asked in return is a good work ethic, and if you could get us children. You said yes. And you did not.”

“I would also like to know your reasoning,” Queen Aikaterine chimed in, her voice cool and calm and just as loud over the din.

Butler’s mind raced. His eyes settled on the King and Queen of the fae, their delicate and long frames, and their pretty lips. Their glow and their eyes. His mouth formed the words before he had truly thought them himself.

“I was jealous, your Majesties,” Butler said. “I wanted to be the one to give them children.”

(Previous, Next)

[fancoloredglasses]

[RERUN] FLASH! AH-AHHHHHHHHH! (part 2)

[All images are owned by Universal Pictures and King Features Syndicate. Please don’t sue me]  

PREVIOUSLY ON...

Disgraced NASA scientist Hans Zarkov has kidnapped NY Jets quarterback Flash Gordon and travel agent Dale Arden in an attempt to save the Earth from an alien attack that will crash the moon into the Earth in (by Zarkov’s estimate) 11 days. The three are in a space capsule hurtling toward a mysterious vortex.

Now, on with the story...

(Thanks to Queen)

As the capsule is swallowed by the vortex, an Imperial monitoring agent spots the capsule amid the multitudes of matte paintings the capsule is passing through.

After Klytus is informed, he tells the agent to remotely land the capsule. Flash is the first to awaken after the landing and leaves the capsule to encounter a welcoming committee. Flash attempts a peaceful greeting, but is quickly subdued.

As they are escorted into Ming’s palace, Zarkov thinks their captors can be reasoned with.

Then their escort-bot disintegrates someone trying to flee the palace. Zarkov assures them that he’s still armed...

...until their escort-bot disintegrates the gun too.

The three and their escort-bot enter Ming’s audience chamber.  Apparently it’s tribute day, as representatives of every kingdom within Ming’s empire are present...

...and it’s obvious the kingdoms do not like one another.

Then Ming enters to universal praise (almost as if it was rehearsed under pain of death) and the tributes begin...

...as Prince Vultan offers a priceless jewel seized from the ice kingdom of Frigia.

Then Prince Barin and his contingent arrive, claiming that his people seized the jewel for the tribute (maybe so, but Vultan then seized it from Barin, right?). Combat nearly ensues until Klytus puts a stop to it under pain of death (You know, they were about to kill each other, so I’m not sure why they stopped...)

Next up we have Prince Thun of Ardentia  who, thanks to Ming destroying his kingdom, has nothing to offer but platitudes...

...so Ming kills him.

Flash remarks on Ming’s ruthlessness, which is immediately broadcast by the escort-bot. Congratulations Flash, you now have Ming’s undivided attention. Zarkov explains why they’re here, and Ming dismisses his offers of peace by calling Earth pathetic.

He then hits Dale with what I can only guess is a seduction beam, but since this is a PG film, we get a fully-clothed strip show. Yeah, I have no clue either. Ming remarks of how erotic Dale is, and Klytus agrees.

Wait, WHAT THE FUCK?! Ming turned that beam on his own daughter? Incestuous much?

Anyway, after returning to the movie after bleaching my brain to get that image out, Ming orders his guards to take Dale to his boudoir  (presumably so he can use the R-rated setting on his beam)

but Flash ain’t having it.

(Thanks to Fandango)

OK, it was fun while it lasted (and I’m surprised Ming let it go on at all, let alone as long as it did), but now down to business (and I mean dealing with Flash and Zarkov, not...whatever he intends to do with Dale. Hopefully he doesn’t make her call him “Daddy” shudder) Klytus takes possession of Zarkov, but Aura wants a new plaything.

(even though she’s apparently having a thing with Barin...maybe Barin won’t let her call him “Daddy”? I swear, sometimes the jokes write themselves!) However, Ming prefers to just have him executed later that evening.

We now cut to Ming’s dungeon where Flash demands to see Dale. Klytus complies, and we get a touching scene before Flash is brought to his death...

(Thanks to Zoomazoom3)

CAN Dale and Zarkov SAVE THE EARTH?

WILL Ming get to use the NC-17 SETTING on his ring? (of course not! this is 1980; NC-17 isn’t a thing yet!)

WHY is the title of the film Flash Gordon if they KILLED HIM OFF 38 minutes into a nearly 2 HOUR movie?

These and other questions will be answered in PART THREE of...

(Thanks to Lego Dimensions Fandom)