#Regrets of the Traitor MC

[anxietytwist]

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 “𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫”

[ 𝟸𝟺 | 𝟻'𝟿" | Nonbinary | PanDemi | 𝐇💞𝐋 ]

⦍Stats⦎

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⦍Style⦎

“Androgynous”

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⦍Notes⦎

ᴘʀᴏɴᴏᴜɴꜱ➺ They/Them ʙᴜɪʟᴅ➺ 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 ʀᴀᴄᴇ➺ Infernal/Godkin (🦷) ᴘɪᴇʀᴄɪɴɢꜱ➺ Ears, eyebrow, septum, & nipples

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 uses hormonal potions (testosterone), but has not had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️

Their body is covered by thick scales & numerous scars

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 has sharp retractable claws (painted 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥)

Both ends of their 𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭 are fully prehensile (they can each move independently)

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 is often seen wearing a 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 (the weight helps ground them)

They miss the “simplicity” of life back in 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 😔

When 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 is touch averse & finds it hard to verbally communicate when overwhelmed (when this happens they'll typically switch to signing—which they were taught as a teen)

They used to be a huge crybaby ... now they try to keep all their emotions inside 🤐

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 is desperate to prove they're NOT going mad

...

𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 means “𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳” (Latin)

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𝐼𝐹: @rotten-games

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“Godly Parent”

Picrew used:

🔞NSFW Notes🔞

Verse/Switch

Because it takes them time to feel sexual attraction towards others, even if there's romantic attraction already involved, so they don't have much experience when it comes to sex (+ 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 naturally has a low libido).

[plutotheplum]

Resonance

sylus x fem!reader - read part 2!

summary: with the aether core's auction quickly approaching, you're growing desperate to resonate with sylus. fortunately for you, he has a suggestion... even if it is less conventional.

cw: nsfw (18+) - mdni!!, smut, p in v, fingering, teasing, spit kink, light choking, oral sex, praise kink, slightly ooc sylus?, minor canon divergence

wc: 4.5k

a/n: my first time writing a full fic or smut for that matter! given how many times sylus was trying to hold the mc's hand, i just figured he'd be into it. tried to be strong for zayne, but that didn't work out... sorry zayne. hope you guys like it! <3

also posted on ao3!

You’re starting to regret your plan to sneak into the N109 Zone. From being drugged to nearly being killed, you weren’t exactly faring well in the unfamiliar place. 

A deep sigh escapes you, fingers rubbing at your aching temples. The headache had gotten worse, the band around your head wrapping tighter and tighter. You couldn’t leave though, no matter how desperately you wanted to, not when the Aether Core’s other half was up for auction in a week’s time. Sylus had also been distant. Despite saving you from the night raid, he had hardly come to visit while you were staying at Onychinus’ base. The twins, Luke and Keiran had kept you company though. They weren’t as wicked as you thought them to be, only young men that were intent on working for Onychinus, driven by their own motivations. 

The week was bound to shorten however, and you were growing antsy. Any reservations you had about resonating with Sylus were fading quickly as the auction date grew closer. He was right in a sense, you two needed to resonate, especially after that night raid when the Wanderers had attacked. The auction wouldn’t go smoothly either, you knew that much. Sylus had money, but traitors were lurking everywhere. The shopkeeper’s voice rings in your head, reminding you that Sylus hadn’t been responsible for the explosions. Absolving him of being responsible had been hard enough.  

Plucking at the strap of your nightgown, you’re contemplating whether you should sneak out. Sylus had been accommodating enough so far, and you were tempted to push your boundaries. He had, after all, left a pile of clothes for you. Strangely enough, they were all in the right size, accompanied by Mephisto who had let out a loud caw before flying out, its claws making a playful swipe for your hair. 

A few more anxious plucks at the strap of the nightgown and you’re sneaking out. Feed pad against the floor softly, nightgown swaying as you move through the hallway. You pause when you hear voices, hearing the thud of your own heart as you hold your breath. It’s Sylus and another man. The conversation is too muffled to listen into, incoherent words blending in together.

The door creaks open and you’re tucking yourself behind a pillar, hiding in the dark. The sound of footsteps fades into the distance and the breath you’re holding escapes into a quiet exhale.

“You can come out now,” A voice drawls. Sylus. You hated how he could sense your presence. Stepping out from behind the pillar, your back straightens, walking into his room. It’s dark, just like him. Expensive furniture, books stacked onto a bookshelf and a bed on the other side of the large room. The curtains are open, moonlight flowing in through the windows, mixing with the ambient lighting. He sits behind his desk, eyes trained on you, nursing a cup of wine. “I see you’re wearing my gift,” he says, eyes dragging over the nightgown. You scoff, eyes narrowing at him, “It was hardly a gift, and it’s not like I could sleep in my Hunter uniform.”

He only takes another sip of wine, eyebrows raising. His nonchalance is making you feel irritated. “You’re avoiding me,” you announce, arms crossing over your chest, “is there any reason?”

He laughs, low and deep, “I thought you’d be grateful for the reprieve, or maybe you don’t hate me as much as you think you do.” That has you scowling. You want to wipe his stupid smug smile right off his face. “Relax,” he says, his fingers tapping against his desk as he leans back in his chair “I had more important things to attend to.” That catches your attention. More important things? Perhaps he’d have answers, and you needed answers, about the N109 Zone, about Onychinus, about anything . 

“Private matters,” he murmurs, red eyes keeping you in place “nothing for you to get involved with.”

Your scowl only grows deeper, almost forgetting what you came in here for. Your feet move across the carpet, hands landing on the edge of his desk in an attempt to look intimidating.

“I want to try resonating with you,” you say, deciding to change tactics.

He hums, red eyes boring into yours. “We already tried that, and unfortunately, you seem content on disliking me,” he replies.

A frustrated noise escapes you, “It’s your fault!” you accuse, glaring at him. 

He only stares back at you blankly. You feel like a child throwing a tantrum under his gaze. “Just- please? ” you ask, voice softening slightly. He’s letting out an inconvenienced sigh and your body is moving, red tendrils swooping around your body as he draws you closer to him. “Hand,” he demands. You reach forward, and his hand clasps yours, fingers lacing together. A deep breath gets sucked in through your mouth and your eyes squeeze shut, trying to channel your energy and resonate with him. You think about his stupidly handsome face, his low voice and the times he had saved you. Both of your knuckles are white with how tightly you’re squeezing his hand. There’s nothing though, absolutely nothing. No sparks, no glowing light, no Evol resonance. Letting out a defeated sigh, you let go of his hand. He stares back at you, eyes searching. “There is something wrong with you,” he says, drawing his hand back to take another sip of wine.

“Maybe if you tried being more likeable, this would be easier,” you retort, sending him another glare.

Sylus only laughs, his head tilting, “You weren’t so intent on resonating with me earlier. So much so that you shot me.”

“You shot yourself,” you correct, voice sharp, “and the change in mind is because of the auction.”

He peers over at you, eyes calculating. You can’t tell what’s going through his head, you can never tell. It puts you on edge. Sylus is a dangerous man and you aren’t able to predict a single one of his moves.

“You’re afraid of Wanderers,” he surmises, hands clasping in his lap. 

His chair rolls out a bit from his desk and your eyes are dipping to see his legs spread as he gets comfortable. There’s a stretch in the black trousers as his thighs strain against the material and you’re swallowing harshly, eyes snapping back up to meet his gaze. If he noticed your wandering eyes, he doesn’t say anything.

“I’m not scared!” you protest, feeling exasperated “I’m simply worried that something might happen. We both know that the Aether core might become unstable with energy fluctuations, and who knows what sort of Wanderers that flux might attract?”

“I am more than capable of handling any danger,” Sylus says, his tone dark, “or do you need a refresher of what happened after I saved you during the night raid?”

You wince at the memory. It appears he doesn’t like being underestimated. It’s even worse that you remember. There had been blood and screams when his Evol had eviscerated the men that had been there.

“No refreshers needed,” you reply quickly.

Your plan of resonating with him is ill-thought, you realise. You can’t get your mind to change, no matter how hard you try. Head hanging low, you decide to back off. Sylus is right at least. He would be capable enough of defeating any danger there, but his assurance isn’t enough to quell your doubts. Silence passes over you both, only interrupted by your feet shifting on the spot. 

“There is another way,” Sylus says slowly, a wicked grin spreading across his face, “it is less conventional of course, hardly attempted at.”

Hardly attempted at? Was he planning to put your life on the line? Maybe that would work out for him, weaken you enough to get you to resonate with him and then steal the Aether core lodged in your heart.

“And this way is…?” you prompt, raising your brows. 

His grin only grows wider. Sylus stands up, long legs stalking towards you until he’s standing in front of you, his red eyes staring down at you. His cold hand reaches out, fingers grabbing at your chin to tilt your head as his own head dips towards your ear. You shiver, feeling his warmth breath against your skin. “Sex,” he whispers.

Well, you certainly weren’t expecting that. Your cheeks are hot with embarrassment, gaze averted to the side.

He clicks his tongue, “Why so embarrassed? I thought you wanted to resonate, sweetie .” 

“You’re more insane than I thought,” you hiss, shoving at his chest. 

He lets out a throaty laugh, a smirk spreading across his lips as he stumbles back a bit at the force of your push. 

“You seemed desperate,” Sylus says when he stops laughing, “I was only letting you know of all the options.”

“That shouldn’t even be an option!” you snap, growing flustered by the second. Sex with Sylus ? He was a murderer and completely and utterly unhinged, not to mention the leader of an illegally run gang. You were not having sex with him. Your irritation festers, head falling into your hands as you stand there. He doesn’t say anything, only reaching for his wine and finishing off his cup. 

“Fuck me,” you sigh tiredly, rubbing at your aching temples again.

“Don’t tempt me,” he replies. Your head snaps upwards at that, glaring at him. Irritation has only led to you making a poor choice of words. 

“I’m leaving,” you say forcefully, holding your head high.

You should be leaving by now, storming off back to your room lying a few doors away. You should be, except your poor feet aren’t working.

He stares at you expectantly, a hint of smile on his face as his brows raise.

“I am leaving,” you repeat, voice hardening.

He only nods his head towards the door. Part of you wants to stay, to find out what he means, but the implications are clear and you won’t do that with him. Especially not him.

You don’t get very far though, the door lock fastening in place with a resounding click . His Evol curls around your body, the inky red and black lines tugging you back towards him. Sylus is reaching for you, his hand cupping your cheek. You have half the mind to lean into his touch. “I think we’ll both have more fun if you stay,” he whispers against your ear, arms drifting across your nightgown to wrap around your waist and tug you closer.

He peers down at you, and your breath catches in your throat. Without thinking, you’re leaning into him, body pressing against him.

“I think you want to stay,” he continues, hands sliding up to pet at your hips.

“You- you don’t know what I want,” you manage out, voice airy, “and I want to leave.”

He hums, hand finding your cheek again. His thumb rubs across your skin, and it sets you alight.

“Did you forget?” he murmurs, head dipping to meet your height, “I can see what people desire the most, and it appears you, my dear Hunter, desire me.”

You’re letting out a soft curse. You had forgotten about that stupid detail, about his ability to see what people desired. Squirming in his grasp, you try to get away, but he holds you still, letting out a disappointed sigh.

“Will you not indulge yourself?” he whispers, voice lilting. You think he could be a siren in disguise.

There’s a shuddering breath escaping you. You don’t get a chance to answer, not when he’s smiling against your cheek and pressing a soft kiss to it. Your hands find his shirt, forming fists to prevent your knees from buckling.

“We are the same,” he reminds you, lips brushing across your skin as he backs you up against the wall.

You manage a scoff, “We are not the same. You’ve done terrible things and killed people. You do whatever you want, sacrificing whoever you want if it betters your cause.” 

“Such insolent words,” he purrs, his hand curling around your neck “I have treated you with far more kindness than others that have crossed my path.”

A squeak leaves when he squeezes around your neck, your fingers trying to pry his ones away from your neck. He only tightens his grip, landing another kiss to your cheek and there’s heat between your thighs, a whine escaping you before you can swallow it down.

Sylus laughs, his hand falling away from your neck to grab at your hips instead.

“Caught you,” he coos, and with that his head is dipping, lips pressing against yours.

You whine again, arms wrapping around his neck. You’re too far gone to care, feeling the plushness of his lips against yours. It feels as though he’s trying to devour you, trying to swallow you whole.

The kisses are rough and harsh and his hands are slipping under your nightgown, sliding up the backs of your thighs to grasp at your ass. You gasp into his mouth, scrabbling at his shoulders. He grunts against your mouth, guiding your leg to hook over his hip.

“You are far more eager than you said you would be,” he murmurs, finally pulling away to let you breathe. 

Soft pants escape you, chest heaving as your hands drop from his shoulders, landing against his chest instead. He stares down at you, crimson eyes bright with arousal as they flit about your body.

“You’ve done something to me,” you mutter lamely, a weak excuse for responding so eagerly.

He raises his brows, his thumb brushing across your lips. He repeats the motion, over and over again until you're tempted to press a kiss to the pad of his thumb. You don’t get a chance, not when his thumb is pushing past your lips and meeting the resistance of your teeth. Blinking up at him, you tilt your head.

“You know I haven’t done anything to you,” he replies, “that would be too far, even for me. Now be good and open .”

He has to have done something to you. What other explanation is there for the way your mouth opens, sucking his thumb inside eagerly? Your head tips back as you suck on his thumb, tongue swirling around the digit. He groans, deep and unabashed and it has your hips bucking. “Patience,” he whispers, pushing his thumb further into your mouth. You gag slightly, sending him watery glare. 

Sylus only smiles back, keeping you in place as you suck on his thumb. The ache between your thighs is too hard to ignore, and your hand is sneaking down in an attempt to relieve the ache.

You’re horribly wet between your thighs, feeling your thighs practically slip against each other as you squirm. Your fingers only manage two full circles against your clit before Sylus is letting out a growl, tugging your hand free from where it had snuck into your panties. 

“I- I need-“ you whine, trying to sneak your hand between your thighs again.

“You need me ,” he hisses, eyes hard as he grabs at your wandering hand, gaze locking onto your slick fingers. There’s a sharp gasp that leaves you when his own mouth is enveloping around your fingers, his eyes on yours as he sucks them clean. You feel weak at the sight, a dreamy sigh escaping you. He smirks, forgetting your fingers to kiss you again. You taste yourself on his tongue, feeling the way he licks into your mouth, his hands squeezing at your hips.

He’s picking you up before too long, dumping you on his bed. You hide shyly when he rips your nightgown from your body, his eyes staring down at your bra and panties greedily. The bra goes next and he’s lowering his head, sucking your nipple into his mouth, tongue flicking against the pebbled bud. You don’t know what to do, arms wrapping around his neck to keep him there, trying desperately to seek relief. “So impatient,” Sylus mutters against your spit-slick skin, opting to suck on your other breast as his hand delves between your thighs. “Don’t stop,” you whimper, eyes slipping shut “please, don’t stop.”

He lets out a low laugh, fingers rubbing at you through your panties. “How obedient you’ve become. Squirming under my fingers like a little slut. Didn’t you say you hated me before?” he whispers. 

“I- I do hate you!” you grit out, but your hand is finding his wrist, keeping his hand there as you grind your clothed pussy against his fingers.

He scoffs disappointedly, body slinking down the bed until his nose is pressing against your panties and he’s breathing in. You feel as though you might faint at the depraved sight. His tongue laves across the fabric of your panties and you moan his name, fingers finding their home in his hair.

Sylus sucks at your clit through your panties, licking at the slick that seeps through the dampened fabric. 

“An intoxicating taste,” he comments, pressing a kiss to your thigh “I could do this for days.”

That little comment has you letting out a shuddering breath and words you might regret if your mind wasn’t so stupidly hazy. “I would let you,” you mumble, tugging his face closer to where you want him, feeling the press of his nose against your clit. He grins, red eyes staring up at you, “that can be arranged.” Sylus’s long fingers are pulling down your panties and he’s staring at your cunt, a deep groan escaping him. “Such a pretty pussy,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to your clit. 

A strangled noise leaves you and his mouth is latching onto your pussy, sucking and licking like a man starved. Whines and whimpers escape you as you grind your hips against his tongue. He moans back into your cunt, the sound shooting up through your body, thighs twitching. Sylus keeps you pinned down, tongue laving against your wetness, drinking up your slick as it leaks. It’s almost too much, which is why your hand reaches for his. Sylus gives his own hand, fingers lacing with yours. You’re so lost in the haze of his tongue against you that you can barely hear his voice.

“Resonate,” he speaks into your pussy, his hand gripping yours tight. “What?” Your dazed eyes find his, bewildered. “I said, resonate ,” he repeats, sucking your clit into his mouth harshly. 

His teeth graze against the sensitive bud and your back is arching, hand squeezing his one back. Your Evol comes much easier this time, light emanating from both your hands as you resonate. The linkage takes place, and it has you reeling, body twitching as you come on his tongue. The light soon fades, his own Evol dimming down. He presses another soft kiss to your sensitive clit. “Some incentive and your body is reacting remarkably well,” he smiles down at you. You could hardly care about resonance at this point, pushing at his shoulders and crawling up onto his lap, lips pressing against his. He grunts at the sudden change in position, but kisses you back, his hands groping at your ass appreciatively. A whine gets swallowed up by his mouth, your hips rocking against his hardness wantonly. Your fingers pull at his shirt and he’s staring at you with spit-slick lips. He tugs his shirt free and you suck in a sharp breath, taking him in. While you do this, your hips pause in their movements and he’s letting out a click of his tongue, using his hands to guide you start moving again. “You resonated with me,” he whispers against your lips. “Hardly,” you murmur back, nails digging into his shoulders. “Don’t be like that,” he chastises, “I made you come on my tongue and this is how you treat me?” he pouts mockingly.

“Such a good girl, aren’t you?” He coos, guiding your hips to move in the way he wants to, “moaning and whimpering for me. Perhaps I should’ve suggested this path from the start.” You try to glare at him, but he’s only gripping your cheeks, prying your mouth open before his tongue is lolling out, dropping a glob of spit into your mouth. “Swallow, baby.” You do so almost immediately, mouth opening eagerly for more. He laughs, almost in disbelief, kissing you messily this time, letting you suck on his tongue. “I need you,” you whisper, pressing his hand against your tummy “need you in me, Sylus.”

His eyes flash and he’s kissing you harder, clothed bulge grinding up into your bare pussy. The drag of his trousers is stimulating, catching on your clit in a way that has you shaking on his lap. “You’re filthy,” he hisses, sucking harsh kisses against your neck “such a filthy slut, begging for my cock.” You whine in agreement, nodding mindlessly. The world is moving then, your eyes finding the roof as he settles between your thighs. He kisses you over and over again, before he’s drawing back, slipping off the bed to pull his trousers down. A loud moan escapes you at the sight, his fat cock bobbing between his thighs. The tip is dark with arousal, veins prominent against the skin. Part of you wants it in your mouth, to swallow his cum and feel the weight of his cock on your tongue, and the other part wants it inside of you, filling you up. Embarrassment forgotten, you’re spreading your thighs in what you hope is an enticing manner, biting your lip and batting your eyelashes over at him. He glances down at your glistening pussy, licking his lips. “In me, please” you sweetly request. He hums, crawling over you. He grasps his cock, tapping the tip of it against your clit a few times. Pre-cum beads at the tip, a fat glob dripping down. Your hand shoots out before it’s wasted, fingers catching the glob. Smiling up at him, you suck your fingers into your mouth, letting out an appreciative moan at the taste. His eyes darken at the sight, fingers dimpling the flesh of your thigh as he squeezes.

“You’ll regret this when you have to leave me,” he warns, “I won’t be there to stuff your pussy full or lick that pretty cunt when you’re feeling needy.” “Then make it count,” you retort, legs wrapping around his hips. He lets out a short laugh, kissing you again. Soft whines leave you when he pushes in, his cock sinking deep into your pussy. You think you might be able to feel him in your throat, his cock stretching you out so deliciously that it has you writhing. 

“So fucking tight,” he breathes out, kissing along your jaw “so warm. I can feel you clenching around me, baby.” 

“Fuck,” you mewl, nails scratching down his back as he thrusts into you. In any other situation, you might be mortified at the sounds.

The squelch of your pussy, his heavy balls slapping against your ass as he fucks you. It seems like his favourite thing to do is to hold your hands, though.

“So pretty for me,” he sighs, hips grinding deeper into your wet heat “such a good girl, hm? My good girl.”

The praise has your heart fluttering wildly, cheeks flushing.

“Oh, you like that,” he murmurs, his lips latching onto your tits again, “my pretty, little slut, all laid out for me. You could’ve had this cock earlier, I would’ve given it to you. I could’ve stuffed you full, or bent you over my bike and pounded this tight little cunt until you were screaming.” 

A hoarse moan leaves you. Your hands are squeezing his, legs tightening around him.

“That’s it,” he whispers encouragingly, “take my cock baby, it’s all yours.”

“Stop- stop talking like that,” you whine, writhing under his body.

“Why?” he responds, “does it feel better than you had imagined?”

“I wasn’t imagining-“

“Hush now,” he whispers, kissing you over and over again. You’re not sure how much more of this you could take.

His cock is pounding into you, punching out the air in your lungs. It feels too good, the throb of his cock and his whispered words against your ear. You hiccup, peering up into his crimson eyes. He stares right back at you, the look behind his eyes startlingly soft.

You shy away, head turning to the side, cheek squishing against the pillow. His hand turns your face back to him, nose nudging against yours gently. He kisses you softer this time, the sound of your kisses drowned out by the drag of his cock in your cunt.

“Come for me, baby” Sylus whispers, squeezing your hand “cream my cock.” 

It’s enough to have you shuddering around him, a whine of his name leaving your mouth as you cream on his cock, just like had told you to. He drinks up every noise, lips working against yours as he fucks into until he’s burying his cock deep inside, letting out a low growl against your ear as hot cum spurts from his tip, filling you up. 

You sigh at the feeling, body feeling limp. Sylus is slumped on top of you, his weight oddly comforting against yours. A kiss is pressed against his cheek and you can feel his smile from where he’s tucked his head into the crook of your neck.

It’s a little uncomfortable though, so you’re pushing at his chest to get him to roll off of you. Sylus does so with little noise and you’re curling up against his side, already missing the stretch of his cock.

“You were being nice,” you say softly, breaking the silence.

“Would you prefer it if I were rougher?” he asks in return, rubbing his hand against the curve of your hip soothingly.

You roll your eyes, pinching his bicep. 

“The auction will go smoothly,” he announces, his hand drifting to squeeze your ass, “we did resonate, after all.”

You had almost forgotten about that. A nod is your response and he’s dragging you closer to give you another kiss.

“Training begins tomorrow morning,” Sylus continues, “I need to see how strong we can be together.”

You’re letting out a groan, swatting his chest and shoving him away. 

“Leave me alone,” you mumble, burying your face into the pillows.

He smiles, arms curling around your waist to tug you back into his warm chest.

“Now, now. You were being so good earlier,” he whispers “I’d be happy to reward you, if you perform well tomorrow.”

His hand smooths across your stomach, hand drifting lower to delve between your thighs. You muffle the noise that threatens to spill out.

“You’re insufferable,” you mutter, eyes slipping shut.

“I think you like that about me,” Sylus murmurs, his fingers curling up inside of you, beginning to move at a leisurely pace. 

“You’re the worst, Sylus” you whisper, hips rocking as you try to get his fingers to sink deeper.

“Yet here you are, trying to fuck yourself on my fingers,” he purrs, his arm winding around your neck. You feel him squeeze and you’re whimpering, sinking your teeth into his bicep as he holds you in place, letting his fingers fuck in and out of you.

It’s going to be a long night.

[harukamitsuki]

(spoilers ahead)

honestly, i think one of my biggest issues with my hero is how horikoshi is really good at setting things up, but fails in the execution of basically anything and everything. especially when everyone wants to see it prosper.

a world where everyone has quirks, except for our main character, who strives to be a hero despite that

the number two hero is anything but when behind closed doors.

the number one hero comes off as endlessly joyful, yet is more tired than anything

a world where your worth is based on your quirk

a world that is so obssessed with heroes that hidden crimes are just forgotten

a boy who was so hurt that he could only hurt in turn

a girl who was so restricted that she can't understand personal space

a boy who was neglected for being weak so he strives to become stronger and in turn only hurts himself more

a boy hated simply for looking different so he rejects the world for the world rejects him

and a boy hurt by everyone around him, but uses that to make the world a kinder place.

all of this is present within mha, but none of it is expanded on, or if it was, it felt like lip-service at best, and downright insulting at worst.

the powerless mc gets an incredibly powerful quirk and forgets he was ever quirkless.

the number two hero is abusive but it's totally okay because he regrets it and his abusive scenes are treated lightly later on

the number one hero goes back to his old ways when he finally gets a chance to be himself

there is no commentary on quirkless discrimination, and we barely see the impacts of having a 'weak' quirk

hidden crimes are explored, but there isn't anything regarding how the future generation will solve this issue

that boy who could only hurt after he was hurt so much? yeah he dies despite the mc wanting to save him so desperately, and there is no satisfaction in it. because he still didn't want to be saved

that girl who was so restricted that she couldn't understand personal space and boundaries? yeah, she never learns what they are, and nobody directly calls her out on this

that boy who was so neglected for being weak and only hurts himself the stronger he strives to become? well, it's actually his fault because he couldn't forgive his abusive father. his misplaced envy towards his abused brother is never delved into

that boy who rejected the world that hated him for being born? yeah, he's never shown any kindness from the people who should be showing it. instead, he's taken down while he's lost his mind and becomes a massive hypocrite

that boy who was hurt by everyone around him yet still wants to save others? yeah, he's still being hurt by everyone around him and is never praised for helping people, only scolded by others. he loses everything and isn't even allowed to work for it again.

the set-up for everything is so good, but the pay-off and the execution is just not.

i feel like horikoshi was winging it half of the time, hence why he forgot about the traitor plot point. something fans were speculating about for years, horikoshi just forgot. it's like - he set it up as early as the usj, forgot to build up aoyama's character, and speedran it. because of this, it didn't feel earned.

'you can still be a hero,' does not feel earned at all. why should we care about aoyama when the creator himself doesn't? the traitor could have been anyone, and it wouldn't have changed a thing, because the set-up was gone. by the time he'd remembered there was a traitor, everyone else forgot about it.

the same goes for the deaths.

i've seen people commend mha for killing people off, but, the things is, do we really care about who was killed off?

nighteye? he was a dick, and it was clear horikoshi was trying to do a whole 'redemption in death' thing, but let's be honest. we only care about the impact it had on mirio, which wasn't even much. it could have been anyone. nighteye surviving wouldn't have changed anything.

midnight? we did not spend nearly enough time with her to give two shits about her death. maybe if she were 1-a's homeroom teacher, as was originally planned, it may have meant more. as it was, who cared? she didn't even die on-screen. it could have been anyone.

native? i don't even need to explain. nobody cared.

star and stripe? did anyone really get attached to female all might? no, because there were no dimensions to her.

stain? what did his death serve? what would have changed if he survived? nothing

like, if you kill someone off, it has to mean something. what was learned by nighteye's death? heroes die? we learned that ages ago with the water hose heroes, and with stain's mini-arc. maybe it was to show, yeah, we're not afraid of killing people off.

but it didn't mean anything! at least have nighteye learn something. make it a proper tragedy - maybe he wants to apologise to all might but all might arrives too late. maybe he finally acknowledges that it was never his right to dictate who gets ofa and really apologises to izuku. maybe he can't even say goodbye to mirio.

maybe, in trying to do something, his sacrifice means nothing... until, when he's already dead, it's revealed that it did.

killing a character off to show how serious you're getting is fine... if it weren't already clear that it was serious.

people say killing off so many was mha being realistic, but they don't understand two things.

one: if you want to be realistic, kill someone off in the usj, because a bunch of kids just starting school should not be able to hold off against actual villain. if you want to be realistic, have the kids be shoved into counselling after the usj. if you want to be realistic, have aizawa die against the noumu. that's realistic

two: NOBODY GOES TO ANIME FOR REALISM!! seriously, if you want realism, go watch an indie movie or something. not anime, where everything is drawn and people have superpowers and tripping over means you accidentally grope someone.

the thing about killing characters off is that it has to mean something to both the characters and the audience. if we do not care if a character dies, it does not need to be there.

example: (spoilers for one piece ig) whitebeard from one piece. even now, people still quote his dying message. 'the one piece is real'. both this line and his death have a massive impact in-universe, and we the audienced cared, despite the relatively short time we go to know him. his death actually mattered. had whitebeard not died in marineford, i guarantee that nothing would be the same.

fishman island wouldn't have been taken over by big mom. marco and izou would not have appeared in wano, or if they did, the entire whitebeard alliance would have shown up too. there would still be a balance in the emperors. sengoku would not have retired.

there are ripple effects from whitebeard's death, and everyone one piece fan still remembers it clearly. and the same goes for every other death in one piece: ace, bellemere, kuina, hiriluk, tom, the rumbar pirates, rojer. every death had its meaning and affects either the world as a whole or specific characters who would go onto impact the world anyway.

mha just doesn't let you care about the characters it kills off, nor do their deaths have meaning, because there isn't a pay-off.

the set-up is there. the pay-off is not.

and that, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, is my biggest issue with mha. horikoshi's execution.

[barbstail]

My Michael headcannons.

(Spoiler warning ahead.)

Is Lucifer’s twin brother.

Lucifer and him are two sides of the same coin. Both being very similar to each other but opposites at the same time.

Michael’s ‘obsessive behavior’ towards Lucifer is less him being a ‘werido’ and more his grief for losing angel Lucifer who he deeply admired and cared for. (The Lucifer shrine being a memorial and etc)

Michael cares and misses all the demons bros but keeps it more on the down low since he doesn’t want the celestial realm thinking he’s being supportive to ‘evil traitors’.

Wants to see the demons bros but doesn’t know how to approach them at all after all that had happened in the celestial realm.

Has separation anxiety which was worsened by the celestial war. (Is scared of losing people cuz he lost so many people in the war.)

Definitely is the type of guy to have a lot of regrets with the whole Lilith/celestial war situation.

Definitely is the type of guy to be feeling conflicted with how harsh and strict the celestial realms rules can be. (Doesn’t like how harsh the rules can be, but stays loyal for the sake of the realm and for the siblings he still has with him.)

Michael knew of Simeon’s feelings for the MC which partially helped make him make the decision to turn Simeon human. (Y’know, Let Simeon and MC have a chance at a happily ever after with them both being human, getting married, aging together, etc.)

Michael bares a lot of the responsibility for the celestial realm since Lucifer left and Father disappeared.

Man is just trying to keep his family and the realm from falling apart.

He has a mischievous side and likes messing with people. (Probably where the whole angels calling him a ‘sadist’ is from.)

I’d imagine that him and Diavolo have a lot in common. (Both being high ranks who struggle with socializing, act odd at times, being taken too seriously, etc)

He loves children and babies. (May or may not have begged Father for little siblings when he was younger.)

isn’t much of a fan of bitter foods and drinks.

Sucks at reading social cues but still somehow seems to know a lot.

May or may not be a bit spoiled throughout his life.

isn’t much of a fan of bitter foods and drinks.

Him and Solomon are good pals.

Definitely the ‘smiles when angry’ type.

May even rival Simeon when it comes to ‘scary when angry’ types.

Was a ‘daddy’s boy’ when he was a kid.

Has anxiety but knows how to mostly hide it.

Uses sweets to cope with his emotions.

(Stressed man, give this man a vacation.)

[late-to-the-party-81]

Love, Lies & Electricity - Chapter 4

AN: Week 8 of @buckybarnesevents Hot Bucky Summer! Let’s go!!!!! This is a heavy chapter and contains scenes that may be difficult or even triggering for some. Please mind the tags. For those who wish to skip those scenes, stop reading after the Reader has spoken to Yelena and Kate on the Quinjet and resume when it is two weeks later and Reader is getting a clean bill of health from Dr Cho. I will include a summary of the scenes at the end. On a lighter note, bonus kisses for those who work out what word reader and Bucky decided to transmit for Sam to follow. Catch up on the previous part here.

Extra special hugs for my beta @drabbles-mc.

If you would like to be added to my tag list, click here.

Moodboard by me and dividers by @firefly-graphics

Likes are loved, Reblogs are golden

Master List | HBS Master List

Challenges and Bingos: HBS week 8 - Maybe this’ll help you relax?

Summary: Being rescued isn’t  the end of the story - there’s always the aftermath.

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x Enhanced Reader

Word Count: 3.7k

CW: Hand-wavy science, Flashbacks, Canon typical violence, Medical abortion, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Dash Dash Dash.

With each pulse you let out, you winced, but you had to keep trying.

Dash Dot Dot Dot.

Once Bucky had regained consciousness, disorientated but pleased with himself, you’d helped him move back over to the pair of thin mattresses which you’d pushed together a few days ago. As he’d recovered you’d used the cover of his supine body to twist the exposed end of the wire to one of the very few metal bolts in the wall. Since then, in between druggings and soakings - when you’d begun to dry out a bit and it was less painful, you’d been sending out morse code in radio waves. You just prayed it was going somewhere.

Dot Dot Dot Dot.

Hopefully the fact that the letters were jumbled up and that your pulses were infrequent would mean that your captors would be none the wiser..

Dash

Bucky was currently sleeping, recovering from his injuries. Hydra hadn’t let the pair of you rest though, and during the most recent round of the aphrodisiac induced coupling, you’d had to do most of the work. You should be hating it - and part of you absolutely did - but at the same time the pleasure he wrung from your body - that couldn’t all be the drug, right? Your memories taunted you, telling you it had always been like this, as much as you tried to deny them. However, with everything else going on, and given what you’d said to him during the first, frantic coupling, neither of you had addressed the elephant in the room. 

Dot Dot.

You hadn’t spoken about what had caused you to break up.

A few times you’d caught him looking at you, sadness in his eyes. Regret as well. It didn’t help that that traitorous part of you was begging to hear him out - listen to his reasons and…

Dash Dot Dot Dot.

“Ow! Motherfucker!” You let go of the wire and sucked at your palm, trying to soothe the pain that had lanced across it. As if on cue, the sprinklers came on.

Rescue, when it came, felt anticlimactic. You were asleep when it started, but Bucky shook you awake, his enhanced hearing alerting him to some disturbance outside of your cage before it even became audible to you. You were too damp to do anything other than create a few sparks in your hand, so you didn’t make a fuss when Bucky angled his body between yours and the door. Even with only one arm he was still more formidable than you were in your current state.

“Ready?” he asked and you nodded back, a grim look of determination plastered to your features.

“As I’ll ever be.”

The door opened and you both tensed, ready to fight. When Sam came through, it took you a few seconds to process what you were seeing. In fact, it was only when Sam spoke that you managed to unfreeze.

“Are you guys alright?” Sam pushed his goggles up onto his head. His wings were retracted due to the tight space, but the shield was still strapped to his left forearm, at the ready. Bucky strode over and the two embraced, a hug full of emotion.

“We’re okay, Sam. Thank you.”

However, you weren’t quite as ready to relax as Bucky was apparently, and without a word you barged past the pair of them, out into the corridor and into the maze of the unknown bunker you were in. You heard both Bucky and Sam call for you, their voices laden with concern, but you were a woman on a mission. A woman who knew how Hydra thought. Therefore, it didn’t take you more than a few minutes, stepping around bodies both unconscious and still for other reasons, to find the room you were looking for.

You burst through the door of the laboratory, not certain what you were going to find, but almost uncaring. Your tormentor was tied up on the floor, between two young women you didn’t recognise. One of them, a brunette in a black and purple suit, held a bow in her hand, an arrow knocked and aimed at the scientist's head. The other, blonde and in a far more sensible tac suit, stood at the computer console, going through all the data with a nauseated look on her face.

Letting out an almost inhuman scream, you launched yourself at him, barreling him over. You straddled his chest and pressed your hands to his neck, letting what little power you had flow into him. You grinned, sickly, as he jerked, jolted and screamed beneath you.

“I’m going to kill you, you sicko. I’m going to be the last thing you see, the last thing you hear. You will die by my hand!”

You were aware of several voices shouting around you, but your attention was on him. That was until something - someone - crashed into you, knocking you to the floor. You screamed again in hysterical desperation, kicking out with your legs, and your sheet dress loosened around you.

“Please,” said a voice in your ear. “I don’t wanna hurt you. But you have to stop.” You turned your head and looked up into the dark eyes of Joaquin. His hands gripped your wrists, stopping you from touching anything, stopping you from touching him. “You’re safe. You and Bucky. We’ve got you. And we’ll deal with him. Just not like this.”

The fight went out of you, and a sob bubbled up your throat. Your hands stopped sparking and you turned in Torres’ arms and let your tears run free.

Spring 2014

You’d just been moved to the chair for more testing when the alarms started to go off. The orderlies and scientists around you looked up, startled and confused. A man in a military uniform you’d seen some people here wear ran into the room.

“We need to evacuate!” he shouted before running out again. The room descended into chaos. Someone moved close to you, undoing the straps that they’d only just tightened around your legs and arms, obviously intent on taking you with them in their escape from whatever the heck was going on. However, in their rush, they hadn’t secured your rubber gloves properly.

As soon as you were free from your bonds, you didn’t waste a second. The person who’d freed you barely had a moment to realise their mistake before they were dropping to the ground, either passed out or dead, you weren’t sure. You started running then, pushing past some people and shooting bolts of energy at others. You weren’t sure where you were going, you just knew you had to get out. Had to get away.

Sweat dripped down your forehead, running into your eyes, and the hard ground beneath your feet, littered with small bits of gravel and other debris, dug into your bare feet, but you didn’t care. Didn’t stop. Out. Out. Out. Your mind had the word on repeat, just in case you forgot what your end goal was. The flow of people around you, people who obviously worked here in the Octopus’ lair but didn’t know who you were well enough to steer clear, was going upwards, so that’s where you went as well. It made sense in a way, that you were underground, because you’d never seen a window in all your time here, being moved between your cell and the lab. Up and up you went, running up concrete stairwells, only slowing to stop someone from following you, until you burst through an emergency door and out into the sunlight.

The brightness of it hurt your eyes and quickly ran towards the nearest shade - a big tree. You registered the feeling of grass under your feet and breathing hard, you looked around trying to get your bearings. The ground in every direction was covered by row after row of white stones, laid out in military precision, and beyond them you could see a wide river. Birds were chirping and there was a light breeze, lending an air of peace of the like you hadn’t felt in so long.

Suddenly there was the sound of a loud explosion and you turned to see a fireball in the air. Smoke and fire and the debris of some kind of giant aircraft rained down, landing into the river, sinking to the bottom. As you watched you swore you saw a person fall along with the chunks of metal, and then a moment later a second. Did this have something to do with the underground chaos? However, you had no time for further musing because a shout from behind you reminded you that you were in the middle of your own escape. Turning, you let your powers arc out of you and hit the person bearing down on you with some kind of gun clutched in his fists. He dropped to the ground and you sprinted away, your lungs full of fresh, life-giving air.

The atmosphere on the quinjet was tense. You’d intentionally separated yourself from Bucky once you’d all gotten aboard. You were too fragile to deal with him right now. 

After you’d cried yourself out in Torres’ arms, he’d passed you over to the two women who’d come to help him and Sam rescue you. You were certain that in your struggle with him he’d seen far more of your naked body than either of you was comfortable with, although now you’d regained your equilibrium you were glad for his intervention.

Your new acquaintances, Kate and Yelena, had helped you cover yourself back up for the walk back to the jet, then Yelena had sat with you, holding your hand in hers without fear as Kate had rummaged through bags and boxes to find you any kind of clothing that would fit. Neither had pressured you to talk or gone further than checking you over for major physical injuries.

“We’ll take you to medical when we get back to the compound,” Yelena had said in accented English. “I’m afraid that you will need to have a full work up to make sure there are no long lasting side-effects.”

“I need Levonorgestrel, or Ulipristal acetate.”

Yelena’s lips twisted in sympathy. “The pair of you were in there for two weeks. It might be too late for either of those.”

“Mifepristone and Misoprostol then.”

Kate came and sat on your other side. “Do you want confirmation before you take them?”

“No.” Even you could tell your voice was unnaturally flat. Tired. “I don’t want to know. I need you to tell the doctor that. Please.” The pair nodded, understanding exactly. You gave them a small smile, then lent your head back, closed your eyes and finally, allowed yourself to rest.

You were back in the same sterile guest room at the compound you’d been in before the mission. The mission that had been one big trap to return you to Hydra’s clutches. You’d been cleared by medical, a kindly doctor called Helen Cho who had worked with SHIELD and the Avengers for a long time. She’d given you a cream for your intimate parts that were understandably sore after what they’d been put through the last two weeks, and some pills, with strict instructions on how to use them. Yelena and Kate had done as you’d asked, giving the doctor your instructions. You needed to put this behind you as soon as you could. You’d taken the first tablet under her supervision.

On your own for the first time since your rescue, you tried to keep yourself occupied - distracted - but nothing seemed to be working. Despite having access to all the TV and film entertainment you might want, there was nothing you wanted to watch. There were no books you wanted to read or games you wanted to play. You stared out of the window until it began to overwhelm you, and then you began to pace. When that made you stir crazy you went back to the window. Rinse and repeat.

Three hours in you got your first abdominal cramp.

Two hours later you were curled up on the bed, hissing through the pain. Tears ran down your face. Logically you knew that this had been your only sensible option, and you’d expected the physical discomfort. But the emotional pain? The feeling of loss? That had not even occurred to you. 

There was a knock at the door, but you ignored it, screwing your eyes shut even tighter as another cramp wracked your body.

A further knock.

“Go away!” you shouted through the tears. Your arms were wrapped around your waist and you rocked side to side on the mattress. A creaking sound from behind you let you know that whoever was outside hadn’t taken no for an answer, but you didn’t have the energy to get up and chastise them. The bed dipped and a warm body pressed up against yours, a vibranium arm settling over your own across your middle.

“It’s gonna be okay, sweetheart.”

Your heart cracked in two. “It hurts so much,” you sobbed.

“I know it does.” There was strain evident in Bucky’s voice and you knew then that he understood that you weren’t talking about the cramps. He pressed a kiss to the back of your head and then moved away again. You flipped over on the bed, one hand outstretched as if to drag him back to your side.

“Stay. Please. I need…” you trailed off. Even in your anguish you were unable to fully voice what you wanted to say.

“‘M not going anywhere, doll. Just gonna run you a bath. Maybe it’ll help you relax - make you feel a bit better. It’ll be good to be properly clean, won’t it?”

You nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words as you took in the way Bucky’s hair lay in clean, fluffy tufts across his scalp. You hadn’t actually cleansed yourself yet, too caught up in waiting for the drugs to do what they would, and the daily soakings the pair of you had received obviously didn’t count. 

Bucky ducked into the en-suite and you heard the water start. You snorted at the irony that you were about to turn your powers off again, after only just drying out enough to get them back, but it had to be done. When Bucky returned you let him help you up and support you through to the bathroom. You sat down on the closed toilet seat and looked up at him as he stood in the doorway.

“Could you… umm…” It felt daft to be feeling shy after what you’d both gone through together, but those had been extenuating circumstances. Bucky gave you a nod of understanding though.

“Sure. You undress yourself, but just to let you know, once you’re in the water I’m coming in to sit with you. I’m not letting you go through this alone, okay?”

“Okay,” you agreed. It seemed right that he’d be the one here with you through this.

It took you longer than you thought it would to divest yourself of your borrowed clothes although it obviously wasn’t more than a few minutes. You sank into the warm water with an audible sigh and the bubbles on the surface bobbed around.

“Can I come back in?” Bucky asked from outside the door which you’d left ajar.

“Yeah.” You leaned your head back and closed your eyes, letting the warmth and the bath salts ease the physical aches and pains in your body. You heard him walk through and settle on the floor next to the bath. You let your left arm, that had been resting on the edge of the tub, drop down and the ache in your heart and mind lessened when Bucky threaded the fingers of his right hand with yours.

Two weeks later and Dr. Cho declared you fit and well, with no lingering physical side-effects. The mental ones though? They would take much longer to heal.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” she asked, but you shook your head with a gentle smile.

“I’m sure. I need to get back to my life - find a sense of normalcy. And I have a therapist I can call. Get myself booked in.”

She smiled back at you. “That all sounds positive. But you know where I am if you need me. Yelena and Kate too. Oh, and Joaquin. He’s formed quite the attachment.”

A chuckle escaped you. She wasn’t wrong there. As soon as the worst effects of your medication were over, and you were up and moving around the compound, Torres had been like your personal manservant - fetching you cups of tea, candy bars, tacos. Whatever your heart desired. He was a sweet young man, and felt to you like the brother you’d never had, or maybe a younger cousin. The only downside of his devoted attention was that it coincided with Bucky withdrawing his. He’d been by your side through the worst of it, making sure you took your pain meds, providing heat pads and changing your sheets, but as soon as you didn’t need him anymore he’d all but disappeared. It hurt almost as much as what you’d just gone through. However, as you’d just said to Helen, it was time to move on. 

It didn’t take you long to pack up the bag that you’d brought with you a month ago, and as you turned to look at the room it was as though you’d never been here at all. Which, you supposed, was how it should be. Everything back to how it had been before any of this happened. 

The Hydra scientist who’d kidnapped the pair of you was recovering from his new electrical burns in the secure wing of a local hospital, being watched over by members of SWORD. He’d never be able to hurt anyone else, ever again. 

Yelena had downloaded all of the data before she’d used her own skills to fry the fuck out of the bunker computer, and then given you the flash drive, so you could decide what to do with it. You’d fried it with the highest voltage you could muster without a second thought. All that was left to do was leave.

Awkwardly, all of them were waiting for you down in the parking garage. Yelena gave you a gentle hug. Kate threw her arms around your neck and made you promise not to be a stranger. Joaquin fidgeted and stuttered out his goodbye until you stunned him into silence by planting a kiss on his cheek. Sam held out his hand to you, one professional to another, and apologised for the umpteenth time about what had happened. Then the four of them left, leaving you alone with Bucky.

You turned away from him, securing your bag to your bike. The silence between you was thick and heavy with things that were unsaid. You knew you no longer hated him - you’d been through too much together for that - but you weren’t comfortable with him either. How did you get comfortable around the man who’d broken your heart, who you’d then been kidnapped and forced to do the unthinkable with, and then who’d supported you through something so incredibly intimate?

When you couldn’t stall the inevitable any longer you turned back around. “This is good-bye, I suppose?” You flashed him a wan smile. “I’d like to say it’s been a pleasure, but - you know - that would be a total lie.”

Bucky let out an amused huff at your attempt at levity. “I can’t change your mind by asking you not to go, can I?”

You shook your head. “I know you care, Buck, but I still can’t trust you. Goodbye.”

You threw your leg over your bike and took hold of your helmet. You were just lifting it up to place it over your head when Bucky gently, but firmly, pulled it from your grip, placing back on the front of your bike.

“No.”

“No?” Your brow furrowed. “You don’t get to tell me no, James Barnes.”

“I - no - I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just -” he let out a laden breath. “I was never going to ask you to join us, okay? I know that’s what Sam wanted me to do, and I’ll admit I was intending to do it, but as soon as I met you, as soon as we had that first conversation where we talked about what we’d both been through, I knew I couldn’t ask that of you. Even if we hadn’t ended up together I wouldn’t have done it. You deserved the peace of being out of the fight. The peace of being able to heal and put it as far behind you as you could.”

You looked at him, eyes wide in shock and confusion, as he continued.

“And then this god-damn mission. The way it was so obvious that we needed you to get in. That scientist - he admitted they’d been keeping tabs on you, looking for the right way to get you back, and being with me - being linked to the Avengers - it gave them the opportunity they needed. I’m so sorry.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but Bucky silenced you with a raised hand.

“No - and I do mean it now - you can’t tell me not to be sorry. I’ll keep being sorry for the rest of my life. Through my stupidity you got hurt not once but twice, and I can never make it up to you. But I had to tell you. I needed you to know that I never betrayed you.”

He cupped your face with his left hand, and instinctively you reached up to press the cool metal to your face, looking up at him with watery eyes.

“And,” he added, “I never stopped loving you.” He lent down, dropping a brief kiss to your lips and your eyes closed, trying to stop the tears. Bucky pulled his hand from your gentle grasp and when you opened your eyes again he was gone. It was just you and your bike, alone in the garage.

You swiped at your eyes and fanned at them with your hand to dry the tears, then placed your helmet on, started your engine and roared away. Tomorrow was a brand new day and you were heading towards it.

Chapter 5

Summary of scenes that cover the medical abortion: The reader is in her assigned guest room. She has taken the pills she needs to after being seen by Dr Cho. She is restless and unable to relax and then the cramps begin. A couple of hours later, with the medication really taking effect she is wrangling with both the physical and emotional toll of what she is going through. Bucky comes to her room, offering comfort that she accepts, finding something ‘right’ about him being with her through this. He runs her a bath and once she is in and under the bubbles he comes to keep her company, sitting on the floor next to the tub and they hold hands as she allows herself to relax.

Tags: @km-ffluv, @wheezy-stucky, @kmc1989, @kombatfather1796

@christywrites, @alexakeyloveloki, @wolfsmom1, @doasyoudesireandlive,

@goldylions, @galactusdevourerofworlds, @apenny4thots,

@crayongirl-linz, @nicoline1998enilocin, @king814318, @blackhawkfanatic,

@loreniscrying, @scram1326

[myrachondria]

In The Depths of His Obsession - Part 1

(Dark!Sebastian x f!MC, Ominis x f!MC {implied})

☆view my bookcase here!☆

Part 1 of this teaser!

summary | 5 years after the events of their 5th year, Sebastian has been released from Azkaban. He never stopped loving MC and now is his chance to take what is his, by any means necessary. Only one issue - looks like someone beat him to it. No matter, he will do what needs to be done.

warnings | possessiveness, stalking, slight angst

notes | one person's bad ending is another person's happy ending 🙃

word count | 2K

Betrayal. An excruciating pain tore through his heart as he was forcefully dragged away from the hallowed halls of Hogwarts by the cold, unforgiving grip of the Aurors. His gaze met the faces of those he once considered his truest friends—the very ones who had betrayed him. Imprisoned in the chilling depths of Azkaban, he made a solemn vow to avenge the unforgivable betrayal by those he had trusted above all else—his own sister, Anne, his dearest friend, Ominis, and the love of his life, MC.

Sebastian did anything and everything he could to help cure his sister from the curse that plagued her. She was cursed by Rookwood the summer before their fourth year, and ever since then she would get these bursts of pain randomly, leaving her weak and unable to do anything. He spent two years trying anything and everything to help her, including studying the Dark Arts. Sebastian had ended up getting into a fight with their uncle, Solomon, after Soloman attacked both himself and MC. Sebastian regret what he did, killing his uncle, but he would not let Sebastian at least try to heal Anne, and it was in self defense. Why was his uncle attacking a couple of 16 year olds? However, Anne did not see it that way. She helped turn Sebastian in. When he got out, oh Merlin, when he got out he would make sure to make her pay. He did all of this for her and this is how she treated him?

And then, there was Ominis. They had been best friends since they were 11 years old. They were more like brothers than friends at that point. He remembers the first day him and Anne met Ominis. Everyone was whispering and gossiping about the youngest Gaunt now attending Hogwarts, the youngest decendent of Salazar Slytherin. The Gaunts were known to be a family of Dark Wizards and having strong connections, both through friendship and as well as familial, so the other students were scared of the young Gaunt. And to add on top of that, Ominis was blind, which made him all the more fearful. But Sebastian and Anne befriended him and quickly learned that he had a kind heart and was a sensitive soul.

He showed the twins the Undercroft, where the three of them spent all their time together. The grew so close to each other that Sebastian even thought that there might have been a mutual romantic connection between Ominis and Anne. Maybe Ominis could have officially become his brother one day, well, brother in-law. After Anne was cursed, Ominis tried to help Sebastian find a cure for her. But all of that came to a head in the middle of their fifth year, as Ominis gave more and more pushback, talking down to Sebastian about studying the Dark Arts to find a cure for Anne. As if Ominis had never engaged in the Dark Arts himself, casting Crucio on innocent muggles. Their situation was the same, both of them had no other choice, but Ominis refused to see it that way. Traitor. Sebastian would be sure to find him and make him pay, that is, if his family hadn’t gotten to him first.

The thought of that made Sebastian smile.

And then there was MC. His darling MC. Not even the dementors could take away or taint his memories of MC. Sure, when he was first imprisoned he hated MC. But she was manipulated into turning him in. Or she didn’t know. She looked heartbroken, after all. Ever since they had their first duel in their DADA class, he was smitten with her. And even moreso when they went to Hogsmeade together and took down a troll. A troll. She was amazing. She understood him when no one else did, she followed him through any plan to help cure Anne. She shared everything with him, and he with her. Even things that weren’t his to share, such as the Undercroft of Ominis’ past. Shortly after they confessed their feelings to each other, that incident with his uncle happened. Soon enough after that, he was being dragged away, promising her that he would never forget her.

And now was the time. Because he was only 16 when it happened and because Solomon had attacked them first, he was only sentenced to 5 years, pending good behavior. Of course he was on good behavior. How could he not be? If being on good behavior meant that he was able to see MC sooner, he would be on his best behavior. And if he stayed out of trouble for a year, he could even get his record expunged and live a completely normal life, like nothing had ever happened. Obviously, he wasn’t going to do that, he had two individuals he needed to hunt down, but as long as he waited a year and wasn’t caught it would be fine.

An Azkaban guard walked up to his cell and opened it, leading him to the edge of the island, where a boat waited for him, along with a few other prisoners. Sebastian stood and took a deep breath of the outside air, of the fresh air. His eyes adjusted as he looked around the island, it was evening time and the island looked just as eerie as one would image. The guard lead Sebastian, along with a few others, to a small boat tied right at the edge of the island.

They all listened to the guard’s instructions on what to expect in the next few days, how to retrieve their wands, what they’ll be provided with, and so on. Sebastian boarded the boat and it set sail back to civilization. He sat in the corner by himself, thinking about how the next few months would be for him. First, he would find out where Anne, Ominis, and MC where and what they’ve been up to. Then, he would approach and win back MC. And then, depending on how Anne and Ominis were doing, he would wait a year before implementing his revenge plan.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the boat docking and being tied down. The guard from before lead him and the other prisoners off of the boat, and towards the Ministry approved inn nearby. All of the prisoners, well the former prisoners, were given a fresh pair of clothes as well as their own room for the night. Sebastian took his pajamas and waited for everyone else to shower as he was deep in his thoughts. The hot water felt like bliss on his body, it had been so long since he felt hot water on his skin. Slipping on his cotton pajamas and laying on the bed, he quickly fell asleep to sweet thoughts and dreams of MC. Falling asleep that night was so easy since he didn’t have to wear the scratchy uniform or sleep on the cold floor. More importantly, falling asleep was easy because he was finally a free man.

The next day he was able to collect his wand as well as a few other things to help him start a new life. He reviewed the terms of his release, the biggest one being that he could not leave the country for one year and had to check in with the Ministry on a monthly basis for one year. He sighed. Annoying, but doable. His heart ached to run away and start fresh, but for her, for her he would stay. He signed the necessary documents and quickly went on his way.

First, Anne. He traveled to the home that he once knew so well, but now felt unfamiliar. Would he see Ominis with her? Would that be for the better or worse? On one hand, he wouldn’t have to hunt Ominis down then, but on the other hand, it would mean they were happy together and he would have to fix that. Standing in front of the door, he slowly opened it.

“Hello?”

Silence.

He wandered around the small home slowly. The memories of his childhood flooded his mind as he looked around. It was pretty much the same as it used to be. Except, no one was home. Actually, it looked like no one had been home for a while.

He wandered outside to the back and noticed two tombstones. Solomon Sallow and Anne Sallow. Seeing her like that, knowing she had passed away… It didn’t take long before the tears started flowing from his eyes. She was his sister, after all. How did she die? Was she alone? Was someone at least there with her during her last few moments?

All of this was just too much for him. He went back inside the house and slept for the rest of the day.

The next day, he wandered into town and spoke to a few of the people. It turned out that she was never cured of her sickness and eventually passed away. She did have a couple of friends that visited her time to time, so she wasn’t alone. That was a relief.

Next was Ominis. As luck would have it, while Sebatian asked around to find out where his former best friend was and what had happened in his life, he found MC first. She was just as stunning as he remembered. No, even moreso. He watched her exit a store, a couple bags in hand. He kept his distance, not wanting to scare or alarm her. She was still so kind and still had that alluring aura to her.

He quickly found out where she lived and decided that he would pay her a short visit. Maybe he could finally start an official courtship with her. His heart swelled at the idea. Once she left, he went into a local florist’s shop and purchased a beautiful bouquet of her favorite flowers. Next, he went and bought himself a nice outfit, complete with a vest and tie.

He returned back to his home in Feldcroft and got ready for his visit, his heart pounding in his chest. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was now unrecognizable. Gone were the boyish looks he once had, and now a fully grown man stared back at him in the mirror. He looked so similar to the photographs he had seen of his father. He wiped a tear before it could fall onto his cheek. 

Now, it was finally his turn to be happy. To get married. To start a family. He would do anything for MC. He would even forgive Ominis if she asked.

He began on his way to her home, interestingly enough it was not too far from his own. It was evening at this point and while he would have preferred to visit her during the day, he could not bear to wait a moment longer. As he approached her home, he could see her living room lit up from a nearby fireplace. He stopped in front of the window, wanting to make sure that she was not busy before he interrupted her. He took a peek inside, and what a sight he saw.

He saw MC, the love of his life, inside sitting on the sofa talking to someone. And who else would it be that she spoke so intimately with besides his former best friend. Maybe they were just friends? Sebastian continued to watch them speak to each other. 

He watched as they engaged in an intimate discussion. He watched the way she looked at Ominis. He watched how Ominis reached out and held her hand while comforting her. He watched how she didn’t flinch or pull away. He watched the two of them embrace in a hug that was all too similar to the way he used to hug her.

Sebastian then experienced a specific feeling that he had grown to know all too well. Betrayal. Turning his face, he vowed to make his former best friend pay for stealing the love of his life away from him. He dropped the flowers to the ground and began on his way back to his own home.

If only Sebastian had continued watching the two of them, just for a few moments longer.

tag list:

@imaslytherpuff @wickedfury

[pocketramblr]

note that option 1 includes the bilingual bonus of knowing the insults Aoyama calls AfO, option 8 includes Momo spying and getting Izuku more snickers, etc.

[mognamon]

hangry

Tsunami didn't get her mcfries

Au things below

Nami is such a fun character

Righteously angry and impulsive to the point of aggression. Potently exuding and reflecting my impulsive desires, I relate to her a lot. She's quick to bite and too stubborn to regret.

Exploring how that personality would translate to a very different Tsunami, someone who had a traitor for a father and a list of detentions ripe to bite her in the back. This Tsunami is a penal soldier, someone who spent time in the electric eel prison (depicted in the image) and found freedom in war. She's still impulsive and raging but it's more prickly and rather passionate.

Here's a compilation of ideas:

She's loyal and believes fully in the propaganda. Prideful and will do anything to prove it. Maybe it's stubbornness or some hopeful part of her thinks being a perfect soldier will give her a lighter sentence.

Tsunami before getting detained lived life quite normally as normal as you can get in war. She wasn't allowed to be a soldier due to her father so she took to craftsmanship, repairing dented armor and such to support the war effort.

She's imprisoned for no particular reason or mb the queen felt like putting the traitor's kid in jail finally.

Still friends with Riptide but ykno he has a personality (he's a lil secretive guy with a liking for radical thoughts)

Her hatred for fate is still a thing as well, she wants to avoid going back to her fate, to prison where she belongs bc her father's crimes and his fate became hers. She hates destiny bc its thrust upon someone who never asked for it, she didn't ask to have to live a harsh horrible but that's what she got for being born to the wrong father.

Nami's too far down the class to ever have met or seen the royals up close so all her thoughts and opinions on them are rather influenced by what she's read or heard. Coming from the eel eating masses so her education of things that happen above is scarce at best, Riptide is her source of info since he got into the army.

The idea that the Queens and royals are so alienated from the common dragons that not even our pov characters would meet them or only see them from afar would be funny (sorry i fucking hate how like nearly every mc is related to royalty in the pyrrhian books like plssss plsss can we not).

Nami's arc of thinking before acting and being more calm is pretty alright, it's one of the most simplistic character arcs in this series. Her guilt though is the most interesting thing about her. Since she's a soldier rather than tackling the guilt of killing her father it's killing other soldiers and kind of moral quandary of war. Nami never really let herself think about her actions, always ends justify the means even if she has to throw away her morality for a chance at freedom its selfish but understandable. She has to fight to survive bc what else is there, if she stops being a soldier she'll just get killed or thrown in jail, at least if she keeps fighting for another day she'll still be alive. The overwhelming guilt of it all would probably mess her up really bad in the angry self hatred way turned intense gung ho redemption mayhaps

lots of unconnected thoughts this time around

Thanks for readin my ramble!

[writinginthestars]

RC May Update Highlights

So, the May Updade is finished for me, I've played every book that I loved and am mostly happy with the new episodes. Watch out, there's spoilers in this post!

My highlights this time were:

The One Vol. 2 - Aww, Joel came all the way to Hawaii to tell MC that he wants to be with her! He's The One for me, sorry Ben. 😇😁 Also, that secret meeting at the beach ... 😍🔥

Chasing You 2 - I like the new case and it was a pleasant suprise to see the twins in this AU too! But my favourite was without question Alexander (I love bickering with him!) and that scene in the carriage ... 🤤🔥🥵

W: Time Catcher - Three great episodes by Arina, I love her storytelling so much! Also this beautiful CG with Renato and the scene in the last episode! 😍🥰

Astrea's Broken Heart - The more I read, the more intriguing it gets. Also, why is every LI so attractive? I lost soo many diamonds on that story and don't regret it one single bit. I'm still flirting with Raphael and David because I just can't not do it. But I know that Mikael is going to be my main LI. There's no doubt, not after the diamond scenes in the last episode where we could talk about him and his book/literature. It was nice to get to know him a bit better and I'm determined to wrap him around my little finger. Also, just look at him, he is soo beautiful. 😍 💖💋

Kali: Flame of Samsara - Uff, that season finale was pure madness! And the ending hurt so much! 😭My heart was broken when Devi died in Christian's arms, just hours after he sent her that little love letter and called her his bride. 😭 And I have so many questions! What happens now? Is Devi going to be resurrected or reborn? Are we even going to play her in the next season or somebody else? If so, what happens with the current storyline and the LIs? Who was the traitor, who was the maid that Sara ... disposed of ... worked for? Arrgh! I really hope Remy gives us at least one new episode next update (and doesn't pause the story like she did with SCN this time) because I need to know what happens next!

On another note, the CG video in the end was amazing and I loved the music and the visuals so much!

[bluejay-writes]

MysticTober 2024 - Day 14: Actually Just Ink

Rating: G Prompt: Headcanon WordCount: 582 Summary: Unknown has time to kill, and surely he couldn't waste it sleeping, so he will have to refresh and prove his devotion to Mint Eye. Author's Notes: This one's been floating around in my brain for awhile, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I hope you enjoy it.

As the screen flickered in front of him, Unknown sighed.  The algorithm would eventually find the holes in the special security system, which would allow him a spare few minutes for rest.  He knew better than to try to sleep. The Savior needed him to always be available, so sleep was not an option.  She was always so disappointed when she found him sleeping at his computer.

He was considering slacking off again. That wouldn’t do, he did not want to tempt the Savior into another cleansing.  He would have to refresh and prove his devotion to the cause, of course. Checking that his algorithm was still tapping away at that traitor’s code, he reached out and grabbed the pen off of his mouse pad, and started to draw over the edges of the tattoo on his arm.

The edges had started fading from his showers, and especially where it rubbed against the inside of his jacket.  He pressed harder with the ballpoint pen than he probably needed to, but left behind a fresh, sharp line of black.  With each line, he reaffirmed his purpose. 

To serve the Savior. He lined the eye as if he were applying eyeliner, carefully and sharply marking the lashes and the iris. Someday, perhaps, he would find a pen with the correct color of ink, and fill the iris instead of simply lining it. A true mint eye.  Irrelevant for now, as he only had black ink to hand. His Savior saw all, and he enforced her will however she needed him to.  She was the Savior of Mint Eye, but she was his own personal savior as well, taking him from the hell that his brother had abandoned him to.  

To protect the paradise. The thistle, with its thorns hidden in beauty was one of his favorite parts of the motif he’d designed.  Beauty, unless you attempted to touch, and then all you were left with was pain and regret. He would protect Magenta with his life, and no regrets.

To save the believers from their harsh fate.  He lined the crown above the eye, representing the absolution and cleansing that the unwashed masses underwent to become believers under the Savior’s Mint Eye. Together, they would save everyone from the uncaring, unfeeling world.

To undermine the RFA. That ‘charity’ organization that lied to everyone just as bad as the rest of the world.  Claiming to help while only perpetuating the problem.  Unknown lined the stylized M - for Magenta, for Mint Eye.  For the naive MC who was even now sitting in the apartment chatting away and getting him information on the group.

To bring the traitor and the liar before The Savior for her judgment. They would eventually be cleansed until they, too, understood the beauty of paradise. The thorned moon with the thistle stem was usually hidden by his jacket, and tended to fade the fastest. It was the least important to the Savior and the Mint Eye, but it was the most important to him, and always the last thing he refreshed, to keep himself going despite everything.

In the middle of the last, the line stuttered and died.  Unknown threw the pen in the garbage bin under his desk, and looked back at the screens again.  Still nothing. His idiot twin was better at this than he seemed.

Unknown reached out and took a new pen out of the box in his desk drawer. Looks like he had more time to kill.

[carisi-dreams]

here's a mc!Nick thing that jumped into my head yesterday that no one asked for. takes place after these events [Leaving | Where were you? | no right way | boundaries | Can I touch you? | I’m in love with her | Riled up]

warnings: the usual warnings for SOA typical language/mentions of violence. let me know if you'd like me to add specific tags.

The dull sound of glass on wood echoed from the cabinet as you placed another glass on the shelf. Although the dishes were dry, they were still slightly warm as you unloaded them from the dishwasher. Boring tasks like this one kept your hands busy and kept you feeling productive. When you stopped moving, no task to complete to occupy your mind, dark memories swirled and grasped at you. Deliberately, you grabbed another glass from the dishwasher and turned to face the cabinet.

Footsteps whispered against the carpet in the living room and you tensed before forcing yourself to relax. You were happy to be back at Nick’s, but…Everything was still a mess. Or at least, you were still a mess. Six weeks at Veronica’s had been enough time to know that this is where you wanted to be, but everything else was still up in the air. Nick was tense. You were tense. The club was tense. Work felt harder than it ever had been. You wanted to get back to a peace that you’re not sure had ever really existed.

“Morning,” Nick greeted in a murmur from behind you. 

Even with hearing him pad through the living room, it took a concerted effort on your part to not flinch. A glance over your shoulder at where he stood just in the doorway of the kitchen had you sweeping a glance over his bare chest and hastily pulled on sweatpants. They sagged around his hips and you offered him a small smile.

“Morning,” you replied in what you hoped passed for a light voice.

“How’d you—“

“You’re up ea—“

You both paused and this time your smile was wider and more relaxed when you glanced back at him over your shoulder, one hand grasping a mug on the top rack of the dishwasher. 

“You don’t have to hop straight out of bed and start doing chores,” Nick chided somewhat jokingly. “The dishes aren’t going anywhere.”

“Hard for me to sit still these days,” you muttered with a half shrug as you concentrated on placing the mugs in the cabinet with the handles facing out. “And one less thing to do after work.”

Nick hummed and you weren’t sure if it was in agreement or just acknowledgment. Ever since you’d been back, he’d been careful around you. Part of you wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to be, but the other part of you was relieved that he was giving you a bit of space. You wanted to be here, but…everything was still a mess. You sighed internally and bent down to grasp the last glass from the top rack in one hand, pushing it in to move onto the dishes in the bottom of the dishwasher.

A hand brushed your elbow and you startled hard. Try as you might, your grasp on the glass fumbled and it stuttered out of your hand as you whirled around in surprise. The shatter was quiet in actuality, but you and Nick both flinched as if someone had shot a gun in the room. Glass sprayed across the linoleum and you clenched your trembling traitorous hand and shoved it behind your back.

“I’m so sorry,” you rushed to say in a high-pitched voice just as Nick cursed.

“Shit!” He threw up his hands to caution you against moving. “Sorry, my love,” he apologized for cursing. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I—“ he cut himself off and then slowly let his fingers come to rest on your shoulders.

‘-thought you knew I was there since you saw me right behind you,’ you finished in your head. He was too kind, or too something else, to say it.

“Stay right here. I’ll put my boots on and then we can get you out of harm’s way before I sweep.”

“I’m so sorry, Nick,” you apologized again as you met his eyes. There was something soft and full of regret in his gaze, so you dropped your eyes to the shattered glass instead. “I can replace it.”

Nick shook his head and with another warning look turned and took large careful steps towards the front door.

“I got it from a thrift store,” he called from the other room, just out of sight. Heavy boots thudded on the ground one after another. “We have plenty of glasses.”

We.

“Now, let’s get you to safety.” 

He returned to the doorway of the kitchen with his boots on and a forced grin. You twisted trembling fingers behind your back and dropped your gaze from his mouth to the floor again. At least it had dropped on the floor instead of in the dishwasher. That would have been a pain in the ass to clean. Heavy boots came into view slowly and you let yourself trace his feet up to his shoulders. Your heart was thundering in your chest and you thought it was strange that you had just now noticed.

Nick opened his arms towards you slowly and you made yourself keep still, muscles locked against another involuntary flinch. Damn this kitchen. Damn that glass. Damn your brain and it’s penchant for not understanding when you were and you weren’t in danger. He crouched slightly and locked his arms in the middle of your thighs in a firm grip. With two steps he was across the room in an area of the floor not dotted with glass, but he still set you to sit on the counter rather than the floor.

“I’ll get this swept up and then what do you say we go out for breakfast?” Nick suggested lightly.

He was already turning to grab the broom next to the fridge and you concentrated on the tinkling of glass as he swept the shards into a neat glimmering pile. When you didn’t reply, his motions slowed, and this time when he looked up you met his gaze.

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” Nick said in a tone that was heavy and somber. 

He wasn’t just apologizing for right now. Maybe wasn’t apologizing for right now at all.

“It’s—“ he cut himself off with a frustrated noise. “A long overdue apology,” he continued lowly. Glass crunched under his feet as he shifted his weight. “I am so, so sorry.”

You shrugged and then nodded, tucking your bottom lip into your mouth and blinking quickly at the tears that had welled up against your permission. 

“I know,” you breathed, barely audible over the hum of the refrigerator.

“I would never, ever, put my hands on you in anger,” Nick said fiercely. “Ever. I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that.”

Your stomach was in knots, but you summoned the courage to give voice to the thoughts bouncing around your head. It was about time. 

“You really scared me,” you confessed in a small voice. Tears slipped down your face and you brushed them away inelegantly with the back of your hand. “I was just trying to look after you.”

“I know,” Nick breathed. He sagged and leaned heavily against the broom handle. “I know. It wasn’t anything you did. It was me. It was —“ he bit back the words he clearly wanted to let spill out. Changed courses. “It was beyond out of line and I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart.”

You studied him silently as you chewed on the inside of your cheek. He nodded as if to himself and turned back to the broom.

“I forgive you.”

[ramonag-if]

So...Morden going to die soon. too bad i headcanon My MC to take revenge on Morden after he kill her father, but nevermind My MC was forgiving woman anyway (she even forgive Salyra) so i wonder one thing

What will RO (in relarionship) react when gang meet Morden again, MC challenge him to duel because she want to revenge, she also tell RO to okay to hate her after she duel with Morden because she is a bad person now, MC was implied she going to fight to dead Morden or her going die (MC was really kind, gentle and forgiving woman, she was strong knight but she like to take peaceful route she also afaid of blood guards but she only at Morden) Will RO going to let MC take revenge or they going to warn MC?

After duel MC and Morden was pass out but MC was badly injury than Morden and after MC was recover MC feel empty about revenge and she feel bad after duel what will RO react before and after MC recover?

I mean, it's not set in stone that Morden will die 😋

In support of MC's revenge: Elora and Anu

Would convince MC otherwise: Irus and Oren

Really, I think both Anu and Elora are more in line with the MC's bloodlust to get revenge. They understand what it's like to have someone killed and get away with it. In Anu's case, she might go so far as to help the MC kill Morden but that's more because Anu views Morden as a traitor to Ishari for joining the Blood Guard.

Both Irus and Oren see the MC's need for revenge as just another thing that would hurt them in the long run. They would prefer to have the MC safe and away from Morden because Morden is dangerous and no amount of grief is worth risking their life. That said, Oren would come around to accepting the MC's decision but Irus will try as much as he can to dissuade the MC.

After the MC's recovery:

Irus: He's going to be relieved that the MC survived and will stay by their side, telling them that what they did is not something to regret or be ashamed about and that they'll get through it together.

Elora: She'll tell the MC to hold their head up because they did what had to be done. Morden is a blight to the kingdom and the MC only did what anyone in their place would have done.

Oren: Oren understands what it would feel like - having been in battle with others before and would comfort the MC, telling them that he's there for them no matter what they do.

Anu: Anu doesn't understand why the MC regrets or feels bad about the duel, but she can see that they're struggling and would try to comfort them by distracting them with other things to do together.

[d34dlysinner]

Hi it’s anon from the traitor MC,WOW,you’re an amazing writer,that it even made me hold my breath while reading each king.❤️

I don’t know if it’s too much to ask ,you can ignore this if you don’t want to.

Oh wait ?MC wasn’t a traitor ? MC was just fooling the angels this whole time ,for them to fall in a trap

But it was too late MC doesn’t want to anything to do with them basically “I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me” ,so war ended but they still feel they lost,oh yeah MC

So what reaction would they have

I hope this brainfart make sense😀

THANK YOU THAT YOU THINK THAT I'M A GOOD WRITER TvT THAT MADE MY DAY TBH- Also, there's never too much when it comes to asking. Just takes time to produce so no worries- You tried to fool the angels, but the kings, who discarded you like some piece of trash, were also fooled by your act. After all the time that you spent with each other, this was how fast they would decide to kill you? They didn't even have a second thought before making their decision. They didn't even question if you were speaking the truth. They didn't even wait before making their decision. They didn't stop their nobles from chasing you out of Hell. Now both Hell and Heaven were against you. And because of some last act of love, they allowed you to go back to earth safely. You couldn't believe what happened. You knew that it wouldn't end pretty, but you at least thought that they would've waited before making their decision. Heartbroken, you made your way to your apartment. You knew that you couldn't stay there. The angels would be after you again after they escaped the battle. You needed a plan. You needed to move around. So when you came home you packed whatever little thing you needed to go around. You will have to abandon your home for your safety. Only later, after the battle did the demons know that you were lying. The angels didn't try to save you. On top of that Michael was completely clueless when he heard about some spy. Even mocking the demons, saying that having a spy would take too much time. He liked doing the killing himself after all. A spy would just halt him and drag out things.

Satan realized that he made a mistake. You were lying for Hell's sake? "Why did you do something so stupid?", would be what he asks himself. He needed to find you again. He needed to apologize and scold you soon after for being this risky. When he looked for you on earth again, he saw that you were packing in some clothes and other necessities in a suitcase. You noticed him in the door opening and laughed. "I thought that you'd kill me if I was in your line of vision again.", you said, almost with no emotion. He felt how coldly you responded and knew that in a way he deserved it since he also reacted coldly to the lie. "What are you doing?", he asked, already knowing what the answer is. "I'm leaving. I guess that you uncovered that I was lying back then? Well, if you're going to apologize... I don't want to hear it. I also don't need to be scolded.", you said. You weren't ready to return, especially since he wanted to kill and ban you so easily. You were ready to leave forever and he wasn't enough to convince you to go to Hell again. Once you finished packing you walked towards the front door. "This is my goodbye and I hope we'll be able to see each other once again, but at this moment I don't want to see you.", you said as you walked out of the door. He was left in your house as he watched your figure disappear in the distance.

Mammon was in the middle of another rampage when he heard the news from Bimet. He couldn't describe the feeling he had at that exact moment. A mixture of relief, disappointment, anger, and regret washed over him as he stopped the current rampage. The once calm and generous king, that was turned into a selfish monster instantly at the words of his love being a spy, felt pain. He felt regret for his actions after hearing your lie. He felt anger in himself for being so quick to discard you. He was relieved that the lie that made him into this selfish man wasn't anything more than a lie. He felt disappointed, because you thought a lie was the best way to help the war. He wanted to be with you again. He wanted you to need him as much as he needed you. Now that you were confirmed to not be a spy he can chase after you once more. He tried to go to earth and to search for you at your place, but once he entered your place he was greeted with an almost vacant house. Precious things and necessities were taken away. The only thing that was left was a note addressed to him. The note read that you abandoned your past and that you'll maybe meet once again. But that depends on him wanting to actually see them.

Beelzebub was wandering across Hell yet again. No one actually knew where he was, they only knew that he was wandering around since people around Hell claimed to have seen him. Even if it were a brief second of him walking across the streets. Beel, who knows Hell like the back of his hand, felt lost. He still felt betrayed. That day where you said that you were a spy stuck to him. He just wanted to forget all of it. He questioned what made him stay with you as he continued to wander. The news of you lying that day reaching him as last out of all the demons. Some time passed when he heard about the whole thing being a lie. It made his heart less heavy as he longed to see you yet again. He longed to talk again with you and mend the mistakes that happened, but he was too late. You were still alive. You were living the best you could with someone that wasn't him. He was too late to be a part of your heart again. Leviathan was still in denial about you being a spy. You both had good memories after all. He knew that he still loved you and he wanted you back. Yet a part of him screams that he shouldn't try to get you back. A traitor is a traitor after all. His days would feel very slow. Everything he does is sleep, eat, and watch as his nobles and lower demons tried to make him happy again. They could feel that their king was distraught. They knew that their efforts did barely anything, but still tried to get some smile out of him. It wasn't until the news of you lying spread that he started smiling. "You lied about being a spy? Just to keep Hell safer? Just to stall the angel's invasion?", he asked himself. You truly were too good to be true. The news made it possible for him to get you back without his nobles planning to kill you. He sent someone to go to earth to try and find you, but they returned without you. Levi would ask why you haven't returned with the demon he sent. That's when he heard that they couldn't find you at your home. Your home was barren, lifeless, it had no character. As if you weren't there to begin with. Leviathan didn't trust this demon and almost went up to earth himself to look for himself. The demon gave Levi a letter that you left before he could leave. The contents of the letter just said how you couldn't stay home, because of safety reasons. Your wish to meet once again, but it being unlikely since you won't stay at places for extended periods. He kept the letter close to him as it was proof that you existed. His new mission now was trying to find you between billions of people.

[vaultureculture]

"I need you to know that even curseless, I will still be condemned. I'm a traitor, a motherfucker, and a blight."

That's what Phlomis thinks about herself. She views herself as a monster, and it's through that weak point of hers that Vere's words reach her soul. You're just like me, he says. Not quite monster, not quite human. Birds of a feather are meant to fly together. The two have developed a sense of kinship based on the principle that they are, in essence, the same. They protect each other like a pack of hunting dogs. Phlomis knows he’s not to be trusted; but she’s just as bad, surely, and she can handle it. 

Now, Mhin is troubled. The person they've managed to tolerate is growing closer to monster scum, the same one they don't regret stabbing back in the day. But how can they possibly warn her that their shared affection is, in reality, a spiral of doom meant to drag her down to the depths of her own horror? 

They can't even save themselves. Saving Phlomis is a possibility out of reach. 

How frustrating.

Oh well.

Just some MC-cast dynamics. 

[haydenigmatic]

I wanted to know more about the case of MC's mother and paternal uncle as (if not a spoiler) but how did this happen? And is it public knowledge?

SPOILER

Merindah and Branton were close when younger, and it was thought a marriage match would take place, but well things happened differently, when she married Bhaltair she kept her distance from Branton. And if the affair happened (I'm not saying it did) it could have been when Bhaltair was away in war, against traitors, he does not take betrayal lightly you must know, but she would have regretted that enormously and be even more closed off to Branton, so if she got pregnant of him, he would not know of it, she would make sure of it, no one ever could know, it could get not only her killed, but all of her children.

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

Books I’ve read so far in 2023!

Friend me on Goodreads here to follow my more up to date reading journey for the year!

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204. The Parasite by Richard Paul Evans--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can't believe we get more MICHAEL VEY stories! I was in love with this series when I did my re-read and I didn't know we were going to get a sequel series with them being in College until I saw this one pop up at work last year. Although it's a wholly new adventure, the suspense and fun is just the same.

Although it reads more like YA like the other books in the series, the characters are definitely older (wouldn't be surprised in they're at least 20). I liked this side of it because it felt more proportional with the violence they experience.

I also mainly loved reading this book because while it was fun, we got to have the opportunity to see how the characters were doing beyond the initial series, which is something so rare. AND it is a great story, too, it's not some sad attempt at writing yet another MICHAEL VEY story.

The team goes back to the site of one of the places that started it all because one of their old teammates has gone missing there, and two other have been abducted. It was nonstop action and intrigued.

If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it. I think it's good for any ages because it's just pure fun. (My review rambles because I don't want to spoil anything LOL).

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205. The Traitor by Richard Paul Evans--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The way I always devour these books. Since I waited to read the last book in this series, I was able to read this one immediately after.

I loved the twists and turns, and the constant adventure. I also almost cried during this one because it feels like the impossible has happened near the end of this book. I'm not going to say much because of spoilers, but I'm left with questions and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book, since this one left off on a cliffhanger!

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206. Come With Me by Ronald Malfi--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've been meaning to read a Ronald Malfi novel because I came across a couple of his short story collections that looked really good to me. I wanted to see if I vibed with his writing and while it took me a little bit to get into it, I think I'm going to enjoy his stuff.

COME WITH ME dealt with not only a chilling mystery to be solved after the tragic killing of the MC's wife, but also the shadows of grief that haunt us when we're stuck in that immediate loop of not being able to cope with the new reality that loss paints for us. We see the personification of this grief in Malfi's novel as the MC struggles to find the answers his late wife had secretly been hunting for while she was alive.

This is definitely one of those horror books that masquerade as a ghost story, but is actually a tale of human-created horror and the haunting of grief. The actions of several people, including police officers, is another one of the chilling topics brought into focus in COME WITH ME.

It took me a while to get into the book because the first few parts are about the MC's reality shifting and in retrospect, I think that it was a very necessary introduction. We are being brought into the MC's very real horror story and then we start exploring the true crime aspect of this book.

I think what made this book all the more compelling was how consistent Malfi was throughout the story when it comes to grief and the horrible things humans do to one another. Even the ending was a jarring reminder of this.

COME WITH ME leaves you with questions like "Why?" and "What now?" and I have zero regrets about finally reading this book. I've read a lot of iterations of grief and how it can be explored in fiction. I think Malfi does a great job and I'm excited to read more of his work!

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207. Hello Stranger by Katherine Center--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm a huge fan of Katherine Center. I've enjoyed pretty much every book she's ever written and that hasn't changed at all after reading this new one!

HELLO STRANGER was such a cute and unique story following a woman who loses her ability to recognize faces after a life-saving brain surgery. She's an artist and while she's struggling with her new (and potentially temporary) reality, she grows closer to the resident playboy (or is he?)

I loved seeing their banter, her hilarious take on certain situations, and how obvious the conflict was--but in the funniest way possible. This was truly such a sunlight of a book during the scariest of months.

Center's writing is always such a joy and HELLO STRANGER is perfect proof of that. It's not smutty, so know that, but it does focus on a classic and fun will they/won't they romance between two enemies (maybe?). If you like stories that feature a guy who falls first, but let's the FMC do her enemies bit, then you're going to really enjoy this.

Also, much like Center's other books, the MC also has a complex storyline. Her complicated relationship with her family, the grief that has helped shape her as an artist, and her need to be the best friend possible make her a fun narrator for HELLO STRANGER.

Add this one to your TBR if you want a fun romantic comedy with a little puppy, an evil stepsister, and a sexy man who just wants to be helpful.

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208. The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well, that ending was...I'm very glad I'm reading these years after they've all been released. I don't know if I'd be able to handle having to wait a year for the the final book after that ending.

Much like the rest of this series, this was a fantastic book. Will always be a fan of how the characters have grown so much and the complex relationships between all of them. They all work off each other so, so well.

I liked the twists and there were definitely moments where I thought the storyline was getting really cool. Not going to lie, series like this one make me feel like a kid again. The fun of them, the emotional weight of them, and the "will they actually succeed?" urgency of these stories hook me every time.

I can't say too much because they're super easy to spoil, but if you've been on the fence about reading this series, I highly recommend that you give yourself a few days off to just sit and read these (or listen to them). They're that good and addicting. Even though I'm giving myself breaks in between each book, I am always thinking about them!

Seriously can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

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209. The Ferryman by Justin Cronin--⭐️⭐️⭐️

It has been a LONG time since I've read anything by Justin Cronin. I remember that summer, years ago, when I fell into THE PASSAGE--the bible-thin pages taunting me--and completely falling in love. I didn't know what to expect from THE FERRYMAN, but the concept seemed interesting and I wanted to read something new from Cronin that didn't have to do with his spooky tome of a series.

Long story short, I thought THE FERRYMAN was...okay?

I THINK I understand what Cronin was trying to do with this one. I even see this as a bittersweet love letter to grief. Grief over a future lost; grief over what could have been and is actually a completely different existence. The whole experience was like a manic dream highlighted by the grief that the characters carry in their hearts. This aspect was powerful and honestly so heartbreaking.

One of the things that I recalled from THE PASSAGE were the parental undertones when one of the children lacked a parent to help guide them in their scary new world. This is another part of THE FERRYMAN that I think Cronin did well.

What I think was a flaw in THE FERRYMAN was the structure of the story and the at-times wordiness of the story, even though this book was much shorter than THE PASSAGE. We kept jumping from one storyline to another, and another, and another. Just when I thought I was getting a grip of where the story had jumped to, we were thrust into another new reality. The structure was akin to an onion full of layers--metaphorical layers that made me cry with frustration because understanding was such a slippery concept. Thankfully, the ending really and truly helped me understand what the hell was going on, but the journey was admittedly exhausting.

I'm happy I read this because it was different and challenged me, but the exhausting nature of it also makes me happy I made it to the end. (I don't foresee a re-read in my future.) Overall, I enjoyed the messages in this, but the execution could have been done better (unless disorienting the reader was the goal, then bravo!)

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210. Time to Shine by Rachel Reid--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a copy from the publisher. This did not affect my rating in any way!

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Listen, I haven't stayed up until 5:30AM listening to a book in FOREVER. Rachel Reid hits us again with another incredible M/M hockey romance! I simply adored this--in the "kicking my feet with joy" way.

The himb0 MC is the cutest person I have read in a book in a long time. One of my favourite lines he says is "Sometimes he had thought ideas were great and they turned out to be terrible, like the time he stirred peanut butter into his coffee." (Quote is from the ARC.) My sweet summer child. This quote pretty much paints a perfect idea of how he his. He's the sweetest and most...sexual guy ever and I fell immediately in love.

The second and quieter MC is this tall and shy badass goalie who is the biggest cinnamon roll. I wanted to hug him (after asking first) and take on some of the grief and guilt he carries with him for a good chunk of the book. His anxiety and adverseness to his talkative counterpart was hilarious and watching him slowly open up was the absolute best.

One of the best things about this book, which I have already told a couple of people, is the communication between the two characters. Consent is always important and it is definitely highlighted in this book.

TIME TO SHINE is an apt title, not just because we see these characters grow to be the brightest people they can be (in their worlds), but because this book is a like a ray of sunshine full of important topics, but most importantly, such a pure and sweet love.

I giggled, fell in love, and sweated my way through the smut.

I'm in love and I hope there's more coming in this world (or at least from Reid!)

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211. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I listened to the audiobook and this was an incredibly great choice. The production level was incredible and I can see younger readers falling in love immediately. I almost wish the sound effects had played throughout the whole book.

The mini storylines of how Roz the robot made friends and survived on the island were so sweet that I couldn't help but smile throughout the whole book. I especially loved the storyline where she was the mom to an orphaned little goose. It made my heart feel so warm and fuzzy--it was just so, so cute.

Now I understand why so many little ones come into the bookstore looking for this series! It has a lot of great messages of forgiveness and the complexities of the topic, friendships, different kinds of parents, never judging someone before getting to know them, and how family isn't always blood-related but can be made up of those around us who love us. It's an incredible wholesome book.

I think this would be a great book for an even younger demographic than 9-12. I think I'd recommend this for as young as eight or nine--especially when one considers what some kids are reading now. This is a wholesome read with very, very minimal violence and a whole lot of love.

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Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!

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Happy reading!