#SLIGHT VENT AHEAD JUST A WARNING

[volosdarling]

VOLO X INO STILL GOING STRONG BTW

[galactic-magick]

Be Proud: Viktor x Reader

Summary: Viktor's newfound fame as the co-founder of Hextech has taken its toll on your insecurities.

Words: 2.1k

Warnings: mentions and allusions to body dysmorphia/eating disorders

Author's Note: I starting writing this to play with the idea of how founding Hextech probably gave Jayce and Viktor celebrity status in a way and how that would affect them and people involved with them. It ended up turning into a vent fic about my body image issues as well, to the point I almost didn’t post because it got so personal. But I figured there’s people out there who relate and might find solace in reading this as I did writing it.

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You’re so proud of him. Everything he’s accomplished, everyone he’s helped. He’s living his dream, creating the future, and he’s being listened to and valued by topsiders. This is all you’ve ever wanted for him, and you would never think of standing in his way.

Which is precisely why you’ve never told him how insecure it all makes you feel.

Before Viktor got involved with Hextech, life was so much more predictable. You both could live your days together in peace, never being in the spotlight and rarely interacting with the highest of powers in Piltover. Life was hard, sure, but nothing you couldn’t manage without some tasteful spite and stubbornness. Viktor always knew his background would be a stumbling block for him up here, and you really weren’t much farther ahead, being from a title-less family with half your relatives from the Undercity.

But you’re not used to being around such glamour and poise. As Viktor becomes more involved with the Council and the wealthier areas of Piltover, making Hextech gadgets per their requests and being invited to fancy events, you’re left mourning simpler times. You’ll never get used to people coming up to you on the street while you bring your husband some lunch, or people staring at you during conferences when you’re just there to support him. Everyday citizens want to know and analyze everything about you, simply because you’re married to Piltover’s finest scientist.

You don’t like to bother Viktor with how it’s affected you, especially since he’s so good at handling it all. He’s always been so proud of who he is—where he came from—because he’s had to be. He’s not phased by the new fame as the co-founder of Hextech, and he easily shrugs off any comments people make about his past or his looks. To him, celebrity status is just a slight annoyance that occasionally distracts him from doing his work in the labs. But for you, it’s brought back every insecurity you’ve ever had about yourself.

You’ve stopped joining him as much at dinners and banquets because you fear they’ll judge how you look in a dress. You’ve stopped chiming in to interviews so you don’t say something stupid and embarrass him. You’ve stopped visiting him so much while he’s working so people won’t talk to or see you on the street.

You’ve started picking yourself apart in the mirror again, fussing every morning until you might cry. You compare yourself to the beautiful specimens that surround you, perfect in face, body, and manners. You start wondering if people judge how you speak or how much you eat. You wonder if people gossip about your family origins or your marriage. You wonder if you really, really, tried—if you could look like them. If you could be like them.

Viktor has started to stay back from some events with you lately, claiming Jayce is better at being the face of Hextech anyway. But tonight marks the five year anniversary of the company, and Councilor Medarda insisted there be a grand celebration.

The feast and dance will be held in her personal mansion, with the rest of the council and all the investors invited, as well as several reporters and journalists. Jayce will give an update address on what they’ve been working on, and what they hope to achieve by the bicentennial Progress Day.

This is something you can’t get out of and you know it. You drive yourself crazy trying on every dress in your closet, hoping to find something suitable for the affair. Half of them don’t even fit, which sends you into a further spiral, and the ones that do still don’t look good enough in your reflection.

Now the floor is covered in failed attempts at getting dressed, negative thoughts taking over your mind. Thoughts you know aren’t true, but you can’t stop thinking them.

He’ll be embarrassed to be seen with me.

I’m not good enough to be here.

I should eat less.

If I tried harder I could look like her.

I should check how much I weigh again. What happened to that damn scale?

They only invited me because they have to.

They probably talk about me—

You’re so deep in your head that you jump when you see Viktor leaning against the door frame, eyes full of love and concern.

“Are you alright, darling?”

You look down at yourself, wearing the last dress you had in your closet. It fits perfectly, but that’s part of the problem.

Viktor moves towards you as tears well in your eyes. He wipes them away with his thumbs, smearing some of the makeup you put on earlier.

“Talk to me,” he says.

“No.” you reply, avoiding his gaze.

“No?” he chuckles. “Why not?”

“It’s so stupid,” you sigh. “I thought I recovered from this. I should be able to handle this.”

“Handle what?”

“All this publicity shit!” you finally look at him. “I hate being watched and talked about and judged for what I say and look like all the time. I hate being asked about personal things and nearly passing out because I’m scared to eat in front of people. I hate all these superficial gatherings that are probably just for show-”

“You’re alright, you’re alright,” he cuts you off, dropping his crutch to the floor and wrapping his arms around you. “Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been feeling this way? Why didn’t you tell me it was getting bad again?”

You sniffle, “I...I didn’t want to bother you with something that doesn’t seem to bother you. You’re so good at being confident no matter what people say about you.”

“You think it doesn’t bother me?” he questions. “You think it doesn’t hurt me every time I overhear insults about me or my home, let alone when they say it to my face? You think I don’t notice that most of these people wouldn’t blink an eye if I died if it wasn’t for what I can offer them?”

He squeezes you tighter before slightly pulling away to look at your face, “I’m just better at hiding what it does to me, darling. Having a drive to prove myself is not the same as confidence. Now,” he kisses your forehead, “Tell me why you’ve been in here for over an hour and still aren’t ready, hm?”

“Well,” you gesture to the piles on the floor. “Those ones don’t fit. I must’ve gained more weight but I don’t really know for sure because I can’t find the scale. And those ones I just don’t like. And this one does fit, but it’s tight and I’ve never worn something form-fitted to an event before. I don’t want to deal with comments about my stomach sticking out or my arms looking puffy or whether I’m proportioned to their tastes.”

“You truly believe they’ll say those things?”

“I don’t know what they’ll say. That’s what’s so scary.”

The tears return, falling slowly down your cheeks.

“Darling,” Viktor says softly. “No one will ever think or say anything as horrible as what you think and say about yourself. I promise you that.”

You nod, allowing him to soothe you, “I know.”

“I need you to tell me when these thoughts are getting bad. Do you understand? I never want you to go so long feeling this way ever again,” he tilts your chin. “Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now, if you really don’t want to go, I’ll make up an excuse to get us out of it. But…” he slides his hands down your curves, “...it would be quite a shame if I didn’t get to see you wearing this all night.”

“You actually think it looks good?”

“Of course,” his eyes travel down your figure. “You always look perfect to me.”

“But-”

“No buts. Listen to me,” he faces you towards the mirror. “This body has gotten you through so much. I want you to be proud. Most of these people have never known a day of true hardship, but not you. You’re strong and you’re soft and you’re beautiful, and you’re the only one I’ll ever desire.”

You smile, knowing he means every word. You try to see what he sees, remembering every time he’s showered you with praise. You know he’s never once agreed with any of the horrible things you think about yourself. You know he loves everything about you, including how your body compliments his smaller, angular one. He’s never made you feel bad about anything, so why is it still so hard to believe him?

“Thank you, Viktor,” you say, turning to kiss his cheek. “I’ll try to be proud.”

“Good,” he nods. “Now, no more worrying about the scale or falling into old habits, alright? I want you to enjoy yourself tonight.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll try,” you laugh a bit. “You know what happened to it, though, don’t you?”

“Of course. I threw it out months ago,” he smirks. “You think I didn’t notice you checking it every single day?”

“You’re too good to me,” you bend down to pick his crutch up off the floor and hand it to him. “Let me just fix my makeup and we can go.”

“No more crying it off, alright?” he chuckles.

-

Jayce and Mel are waiting for you, welcoming you both to the celebrations. You can already feel the eyes and cameras on you, but you hold your head high, squeezing Viktor’s hand extra tight.

It’s been awhile since you’ve attended an event, but they always seem to go the same. Investors and council members come up to chat, mostly directing their questions towards Jayce. Sometimes they act as if Viktor isn’t even there, which boils your blood to the point you’ve said something on multiple occasions. Viktor has told you many times that he doesn’t mind being behind the scenes, and that Jayce is better at talking anyway, but you can never fully let it go. If people are going to gossip about him and your lives but not actually talk to him, you’ll gladly take the liberty of giving people a piece of your mind. You’d rather focus on lifting him up than dwell on your own self-consciousness, anyway.

One thing is different this time though—being that Viktor is a lot more handsy tonight than usual. He’s not normally one for public displays of affection, sticking to hand-holding and a few reassuring touches here and there. But tonight he can’t keep his hands off you.

It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, whether it be listening to the conversations, answering questions, or participating in the feast and drinks. He always has a hand on your waist or your thigh, gliding to your hips and stomach every so often. It seems mindless, as if he does this every time you’re out together, but you know he’s putting in a special effort to make you feel good.

And damn is it working.

You feel more at peace than you ever have since entering the public eye, proud of who you are and who you’re with. Who cares if people are whispering about their opinions on the Zaunite inventor? Who cares if there’s pictures of you in tomorrow’s tabloids with unflattering angles? Maybe all that matters is you’re having fun with your husband, and he’s making you feel oh so beautiful.

The night goes on for hours, attendees fizzling out until there’s only a handful left. You convince Viktor to dance with you before you leave, leaning against you and swaying simply. You wrap your arms around his neck, wiggling your fingers into his hair. He looks at you with such admiration, such devotion.

How could you ever doubt yourself under the gaze of those eyes?

“You lovebugs ready to head out?” Jayce approaches you both. “Viktor and I have a meeting with Heimerdinger in the morning.”

“Ah, yes, we do,” he briefly looks away from you. “But...perhaps we could push it until the afternoon?”

Jayce rolls his eyes and chuckles, “Yeah, yeah, I’m sure you guys are in for a long night. Have fun.”

He waves and walks away, and you burst out laughing.

“Is it really that obvious?” Viktor jokes, returning his full attention to you.

“Viktor, darling, you’ve been all over me since we got here. I’d say the entire city knows how bad you want me tonight.”

“Maybe I want them to know,” he grins, sliding a hand up your dress and squeezing your thigh.

“Viktor!” you gasp, playfully slapping his hand away.

“Alright, I suppose we can go home first,” he pivots around, moving towards the door and extending his arm to you, “Shall we?”

You nod, quickly returning to his side.

Jayce was right, it’s going to be a long, lovely night.

[dolliethv]

Double Fantasy.

Summary: English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, I'm sorry!! Maybe Halloween isn't just about parties and going from house to house asking for trick or treat, right? I hope you enjoy this. Happy October xoxo!

Pairing: Jude Bellingham x fem reader!!

Word count: about 2,7k

Halloween had arrived on the streets of Madrid. You and Jude were leaving the party that his teammate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, had organized for the occasion. Holding hands, you walked toward the car, exchanging knowing glances and soft laughter that echoed in the night air.

You took the wheel because Jude didn’t know how to drive. Your determined and calm gaze was a sharp contrast to the weather that had erupted without warning. Raindrops fell as if the sky was venting after a long, exhausting night, making the road ahead almost invisible.

"I've to stop" you say softly but firmly, looking for a safe place to park. Jude, sitting in the passenger seat, watched you, his gaze never leaving you for a second.

He had noticed the tension all through the party: the accidental touches, the glances held a little too long, the slight tremble in your lips every time you teased him with a veiled provocation. Now, alone in the car, the storm outside only added a dramatic touch to what was coming.

The sound of rain battered the car, creating a perfect backdrop for the tension brewing inside the Mercedes. You parked on the side of the road, the rain forming a barrier between you and the outside world. The air inside the car grew denser, charged with something neither of you was ready to name yet. You decided to play The Weeknd's music on Spotify and turned on the colored LED lights of the Mercedes Benz.

Jude, dressed in his Spiderman costume that barely hid his imposing physique, looked at you with a mix of audacity and desire. His broad shoulders and strong arms seemed even more prominent under the tight suit, marking every muscle and line of his body. There was something about the way the fabric clung to his crotch, making his size impossible to hide. The contrast between Jude's tall, muscular body and your delicate figure in your Gogo Yubari costume only fueled the silent fire that was starting to burn.

"You know," he starts, his voice hoarse and low, "I have a fantasy... no, a double fantasy," he adds with a sly smile, letting the tension in his words hang in the air.

You look at him with those big, bright eyes, fully aware of what Jude is implying but pretending an innocence you know drives him crazy.

"Double fantasy?" you repeat, tilting your head slightly, your tone sweet and curious, as you shift your legs as if unaware of what's about to unfold.

Jude smiles, that egocentric grin of his when he knows he has control of the situation. Although, at that moment, he’s not so sure if he’s the one in charge.

"Yeah, babe," he says in a low, provocative voice. "I've thought a lot about doing it in a car..." He pauses, letting the words linger for a second. "And also while dressed up like this. Something I can't get out of my head."

You let out a soft, tempting giggle. Without changing your innocent expression, you slip off your shoes and stretch a leg, deliberately brushing against Jude's crotch with your foot covered in white stockings, as if you’re just getting comfortable.

"And what’s so special about that fantasy?" you ask with that mix of sweetness and innocence that you know drives him wild, as you fold one leg toward your chest. Your eyes shine with curiosity, but there’s a little spark behind them, suggesting that you’re enjoying the game as much as he is.

Jude swallows hard, feeling how his body instantly reacts to the touch of your foot. The tight fabric of the Spiderman costume leaves little room to hide his growing excitement, and he knows it.

"The special thing is...," he says in a deeper voice, "you always do it better than I imagine. You know exactly what to do to provoke me."

You raise an eyebrow, still looking at him with those eyes that pretend to know nothing.

"Provoke you?" you repeat playfully, moving your foot a little more, increasing the pressure on his crotch. "I don't know what you mean, Jude..." you continue with a sweet smile, which contrasts with the boldness of your actions.

Jude lets out a low, dark laugh, gritting his teeth, struggling to maintain control. His erection is becoming more and more evident, clearly outlined under the tight fabric of his costume, and he can't take his eyes off you. Especially when you lean forward, supposedly looking for something in the car's glove compartment.

"My phone is dead... I think I left a charger here," you murmur innocently, kneeling on the seat. The short skirt rides up dangerously, revealing your black underwear that barely covers what’s necessary.

Jude holds his breath. From his angle, he can clearly see the small black garment tracing the curve of your behind, and the throbbing in his crotch intensifies to the point of becoming unbearable. The fabric of his costume can no longer hide the obvious.

"Shit..." he mutters, his voice thick with desire, as his eyes lower to your backside, clearly seeing your vulva outlined through the tight underwear. Jude grits his teeth, feeling the blood rush faster to his crotch, and at any moment, he might explode.

You keep pretending to search for something in the glove compartment but turn your head towards him with that innocent expression that drives him crazy, letting your small hands, adorned with sharp acrylic nails, rest on his large, strong thighs. The touch is light but enough to ignite everything inside him.

"Provoke you?" you repeat playfully as you trace soft lines with your nails over his thighs. "I don't know what you're talking about..." you add in a sweet tone, though your gaze says otherwise.

Jude loses control; you think you're dominating him, but he grabs you by the nape, pulling you onto his lap. He immobilizes you with one hand and nearly rips your shirt off, exposing your skin. His eyes lock onto your pink, excited nipples.

"The skirt stays," he commands with authority.

Your hips move impulsively, grinding against him, making both of you moan with desire. Jude lets out a deep, clear groan as he grabs your hair and whispers against your ear:

"Is this what you wanted? To know how hard you make me, hmm?"

You, in an attempt to get up obviously don't manage it because of the force that Jude puts on your body, you only manage to put your knees between Jude's legs raising yourself slightly upwards making your tits be at the height of the dark skinned boy's face.

"Oh princess you really don't want to do that" Jude said hitting your ass hard, pulling down your wet underwear and finally bringing his big fingers to your wet pussy, caressing it and playing with your sanity, and when you were about to claim Jude put two fingers in making you moan in such a sweet way... Jude, while sucking your tits, began to fuck you with two of his fingers increasing the speed little by little, making you hear how his big hand hit your ass.

From time to time he would completely take his fingers out of you and with the tips of his fingers he would move in circles, pressing your folds and finding your clitoris until your legs begin to tremble and then he would put them back in. He pauses briefly just to look at your face, but his fingers don't stop. It's something so sexy that Jude swore his cock might explode.

You let out a gasp and arch your body under his touch. You open your mouth and let out a gasp as his fingers once again begin to abuse your spot, you begin to cry out from the overstimulation as his mouth finds yours again, swallowing every sound you make at his touch.

“Fuck, baby, you feel so small between my fingers,” he whispers huskily against your lips, pulling his fingers out of you, repeatedly hitting your cunt that was on the verge of climax. You whimper and sit on your knees awkwardly trying to compose yourself from everything that just happened. When you look up again you find that Jude has pulled his suit down to his hips revealing his bare chest and fat cock, he takes you by the arms and sits you back down on his lap.

"I'm gonna fuck you so hard you're gonna regret being such a bitch to me, you're gonna regret provoking me so badly and I'm not gonna stop until you're filled with my cum and you're left voiceless"

Jude just hummed, instead of bringing their lips together, he opened your mouth with his hand holding your jaw so he could spit, making it drip slowly and spill inside your lips.

It was as dirty and degrading as it looked, but it was enough to push you over the edge.

Your hips bucked a few times as his big throbbing cock brushed against your aroused pussy.

“Always so messy,” Jude said, “always soaking everything.”

“Please! Fuck! Stop!” you cried out desperately, your voice trembling.

You tried to push him away, your body now too sensitive to handle the situation, but it was futile; all your strength had been spent, leaving you completely at Bellingham’s mercy.

“You wanted to cum, didn’t you? Now you will do this as many times as I see fit."

In one swift motion, he flipped you over, laying you down on the reclined seat, one hand on your waist and the other around his own member. Jude lined himself up with your entrance, beginning to playfully rub his tip against your clit.

You almost scuttled away from him, barely crawling back, silent pleas escaping your lips.

"Jude, no, I don't—" you breathed out, turning your head to look at the dark-skinned boy with a distressed expression. "I can't."

Jude had to try his best to suppress a smile.

"Tired?" he asked, attempting to sound warm and comforting. "Or sensitive?"

You nodded slowly, hesitantly, your lips pouting slightly, confirming both options.

"Such a selfish baby." Almost laughing, Jude hummed, caressing your waist in a calm manner. “Just thinking about your own pleasure.”

You stopped moving when you realized that the more you did, the tighter Jude’s grip became.

“You’re going to shut up,” he said through gritted teeth as he thrust in a little. “And you’re going to take what I’m giving you.”

You sighed immediately, your body tensing, but relaxing as soon as Jude moved closer to you, slowly, careful not to hurt you.

Meanwhile, he wanted nothing more than to pound into you again and again. Your warmth was addictively enticing.

It wasn’t until he filled you completely that your gasps turned into moans, making Jude wonder how long it would take to turn your “No” into “Yes.”

Waiting for you to adjust and get comfortable around him felt like his greatest agony. His blood was hot, his skin was sweating, and his jaw ached from the force he exerted in squeezing you.

His breathing was deep and ragged, the excitement finally cutting his patience in half. The heat and wetness around him was so pleasantly stifling that it made him dizzy with lust.

The second he started to pull back, you moaned wantonly, a string of “Please’s” spilling out of your mouth.

The dark-skinned boy pushed even harder, moving his hips back and forth experimentally and confirming with each movement that you weren’t hurt, just overstimulated. He had never experienced it himself, but it made sense that after jerking you off, he would stop you from cumming.

Right after he gave his first real thrust— not too fast, but deeper than before, letting out a third of his cock before pushing back in again. You gripped Jude’s back with all your might, clawing at him and hurting his back a little in the process.

"Fuck! That's too much!" you gasped.

That only encouraged Jude to move his hips harder. Once, twice, three times, deep moans and whimpers escaping your lips.

"Then learn not to tease me," he growled. He kept thrusting in and out, creating a steady rhythm that brought him one step closer to his release. This was too much for you because the fucking Jude Bellingham knew how to fuck. He knew how to hit that spot, and that's exactly what he was doing right now. Hitting your spot for so long made you more sensitive than usual.

"There, baby? That's where you like it?" he asked, increasing the speed wildly. He brought a hand to your belly as he leaned down to your ear, whispering through clenched teeth, "You feel it, babe? You feel my cock mauling you inside, huh?"

Finally, with a smile on his face, Jude tightened his grip around the back of your throat and stood up straight, using you for support to keep you steady while he rammed into you. Without hesitation, he matched his strength and skill.

“Jude… baby,” moans escaped your lips, and it didn’t take long for Jude to add some of his own as the spasms he felt around his cock were too good to control. “Jude! Ah— mmm!”

“You gonna come all over the car seat, huh?” he growled, finally leaning back to envelop you fully in his arms, muffling his own sounds of pleasure so he could better enjoy yours.

“Come on then. Put on a show for me, babe.”

And as if his wish was a command, he felt spasms against his chest, finally experiencing the sensation through his cock as you squirted, wetting everything in its path. Shit.

Jude didn’t stop, not for a second.

“That’s it, fuck!”

With a bite to your shoulder and a shiver in his hips, Jude released all of his cum inside you, taking it upon himself to empty his entire load into you.

As soon as Jude was done, he shamelessly collapsed on top of you.

Fucking hell.

That was…

You were too tired to think of the right words to describe what it was like.

But in a positive way.

Definitely in a positive way.

You were exhausted.

Really, at the end of it all, you got your candy for Halloween.

[evnovaa]

Blame | Chris Sturniolo.

Chris Sturniolo x reader

“I feel stripped of my skin and alone.”

Genre: angst

Warnings: slight anxiety and swearing

a/n: alrightie cuties enjoy!

“Chris you are seriously starting to piss me off can you MOVE.” Nick says to his brother as he stands in his way from getting into their shared apartment.

"Kid, you can walk around me you know that right?" Chris says in an annoyed tone.

Nick rolls his eyes and pushes past him "fucking imbecile, I swear" Nick said mumbling under his breath.

Chris was standing in the door way mainly because he was trying to get a hold of his girlfriend who doesn't seem to be answering the phone. Recently she's been distant and he has been assuming the worst either she is cheating on him or she's hiding something that she might be enduring without his knowledge.

Chris ⭐️ : y/n can you please just respond to say you are okay

Chris⭐️: y/n I don't know what's been going on with you recently, and I'm not fucking akinator this shit is getting annoying.

Read at 9:59pm

Chris is still getting no response from y/n, she's clearly reading his messages which now indicates that she's ignoring him.

"Dude are you gonna stand there there the whole night?" Matt says to him coming down the stairs.

Chris goes ahead and ignores what his brother just said to him, in that moment it sounded like nothing but gibberish as he is still staring at his phone.

"Before Christmas Christopher." Matthew says to him awaiting a response.

Chris sighs and puts his phone in his pocket and walks into their apartment. He shoots straight to his room and shuts the door behind him.

Next morning

Y/n pov

I can see my boyfriend texting me and I know he's gotten irritated with me, but right now he is the last person to be irritated.

Me and Chris have been together for almost 3 years now, he is really amazing and been amazing all these years.

What has changed you may ask? Well all these years he has been amazing but like everyone else their boyfriend may do something they dislike but don't have the heart to say anything. For me it's him and his never ending friendship as he'd like to say with his ex-girlfriend

Earlier yesterday

"She really is incredible, but y/n hates the mention of her, l've noticed anytime I mention Lola around her she tends to get quiet and isn't present in the conversation anymore" Chris says venting to his friend Larry.

"Chris imma have to be honest with you, it is lowkey weird that you're so close to Lola while dating y/n, I don't know the boundaries surrounding your relationship, but usually girls don't want their man parading around with their ex-girlfriend."

"But listen she's more of a friend to me, dating her was like something I did because I felt alone, and needed the reassurance of a partner, but Lola and I grew into friends more than a couple, hence we broke up" Chris knows what he's saying is true in his mind but in his heart he loves Lola still, but refuses to come to terms with it.

"I don't know chrissypoo, you're gonna have to figure that one out with her." Larry says knowing this conversation will be far from productive if anything it was moving in retrograde.

“But Larry nothing is going on with me and Lola so I don’t understand y/n’s avoidance with her.” Chris tries to sound convincing but deep down he know he is spewing utter bullshit.

Chris’s phone stars to ring and he sees it is his girlfriend, he answers the phone as if he is trying to cover up something.

Larry gives him a look of “why do you sound guilty” but they let that moment die silently

“Hey baby!” Chris says

“Oh hey babe…why do you sound like that” y/n says chuckling lightly, but laced with concern and curiosity.

“Oh no it’s nothing I’m just kickin it with Larry, uh do you wanna come over maybe? I miss you.”

“I mean sure I just left the nail salon, but you won’t believe who I bumped into”

“Huh? Who? Was it Aaliyah?” He says mentioning one of their best friends

“No unfortunately, but it was your girlfriend Lola.” Y/n says sarcastically and laughing, hoping Chris would return the same reaction.

“WHAT? Lola is NOT my girlfriend, you are baby why would you say that.” Chris says shocked, mainly because Lola was the person they were talking about not too long ago and the conversation being about y/n’s feelings toward Lola.

“Chris are you okay genuinely what the fuck are you on about” y/n says slightly taken aback by his erratic response.

“Baby I have no idea what you’re talking about, actually let’s talk more when you get home alright?” Chris says quickly, now he knows he is being weird but is trying his very best to play it cool, newsflash it’s not working in his favor.

“Oh uh okay…” y/n says before ending the call not even exchanging goodbye’s and I love you’s like they usually do.

Y/n always had suspicions that she might be Chris’s rebound for Lola but they have been together for too long for that to even make sense in any kind of way. But again y/n is anxious by nature, she overthinks everything. Well tonight she decided that she was gonna go through his phone, she’s hoping and praying to find absolutely nothing to suggest that he’s doing something he shouldn’t.

She gets to the triplets apartment and they all exchanged greetings and ate their brunch together, Larry left a bit earlier so y/n was bummed she couldn’t see him but she continued with her early afternoon with her boyfriend. Chris went with his brothers to film their Wednesday vlog.

Y/n got bored and decided to go to Chris’s room and stay there for a bit, she decided to also watch some Netflix on Chris’s MacBook. She’s done with the episode of her favorite show and as she is about to close the laptop she sees a new IMessage notification from Lola.

Lolaaa👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏻 : I’m almost there!

Chris : alright hurry tho😭

Chris: oh also we can’t hang for too long, told y/n I’m out filming with Matt and Nick

Lolaaa👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏻 : lying to your girlfriend to meet me🤭 should I be honored?

Chris : should be she would flip if she knew what was happening

Lolaaa👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏻 : where are Matt and Nick if she thinks you’re with them?

Chris : oh yeah they are in the area, thrifting lol

Lolaaa👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏻 : ohh okay, also parking rn so see you soon 💋

Chris : ight

Y/n wasn’t crazy, she couldn’t believe what she just read. Everything Chris has ever promised to her has become a lie,

“we never hang out without you around.”

“She’s not even that important to me anymore.”

“I’m glad the friendship is drifting, gives me a chance to focus on us.”

everything he has ever said to her about Lola starts to ring in her head like a bell going haywire. Her vision gets blurry and she couldn’t hold it in, she broke down, she felt like her trust with him is broken and things were going wrong. She doesn’t think straight and decides to call him.

She starts calling him as her tears stream down her face as she sniffles.

“Chris?”

“Hey uhhh I’ll call you back alright? I’m just in the middle of something I promise I’ll call you back”

“Oh okay” before she could finish her sentence he hung up.

Her heart shattered, she was picturing the worst, Was he cheating? Was he out doing things couples would do with her? How many times has she been lied to regarding Lola? All these questions were in her head and she didn’t know how to cope and feel in that moment.

She broke down even more in Chris’s bed and in his hoodie that she wears all the time. She feels her chest closing and her head spinning.

minutes pass and y/n is on the edge of the bed facing the floor and she has never felt more alone in that moment. Chris knew y/n wasn’t social, she didn’t have many friends, if not all her friends were his friends so we’re they actually ever y/‘s friends? She wouldn’t think so.

She gets her car keys and she leaves his apartment.

The drive home felt almost like an out of body experience. She felt like her whole world just ended, she never had trust issues with him till recently, he would mention her more than he should. she didn’t realize it but she was becoming distant in her realization and overthinking when it came down to Lola.

Chris pov

“I missed you a lot y’know” Lola says to Chris with eyes that show yearning and slight sorrow.

“I missed you too, life has been weird without seeing you as much, but I’ve adjusted I guess.” Chris says genuinely, he meant every word, in all seriousness he didn’t know if he still liked the thought of himself with Lola.

“I mean, you’re in a relationship and it made me back off, I didn’t want to but it was out of respect.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, I need you too Lola.” Chris realizes he said the last part of his sentence out loud, if anyone was there they would say that was the worst freudian slip ever.

“You need me? Since when? y/n was all you ever talked about day in and day out.” Lola says looking up at her best friend.

“I mean you’re my friend right? Friends need each other.” Chris says trying to save himself.

“Chris do you still want to be with me? I can’t tell and I need to know I can’t keep sneaking around to meet you.” Lola says pleading with the boy.

Chris has major whiplash in that moment and looks at here with shock, as if she almost read his mind.

“I- no, I’m with y/n, we broke up for a reas-“ Chris gets interrupted by Lola’s lips and he cannot stop it, his lips melted into hers and they shared a moment that only they will be able to describe.

Lola pulls away first from the kiss and is the first to speak.

“You can’t keep lying to yourself Chris, the way you just kissed me contradicts everything you just said does it not?” Lola says looking at him knowing she’s right

“Lola what the fuck was that? You can’t fucking do that I have a girlfriend, I don’t fucking want you!” Chris says yelling out of guilt

“Tell me you don’t want me, say it.” Lola says

“Lola-“

“IF YOU DON’T WANT ME FUCKING SAY IT CHRISTOPHER”

“I CAN’T SAY IT OKAY? I CANT!” Chris yelling at Lola, her eyes enlarged and his eyes were filled with tears and he was filled with guilt and distress.

“I can’t fucking do this Lola.” Chris says as he walks away from Lola leaving her in the middle of the empty parking lot.

Chris calls Matt to tell him to come get him, which he does, Chris enters the car without a word to either of his brothers.

“You okay kid?” Matt says concerned

“Yeah I’m fine, fuck I need to text y/n.”

Chris calls and texts to no response, they arrive at home and still nothing from his girlfriend.

They arrive at their apartment, see y/n’s car isn’t there, sends Chris into a panic.

Chris ⭐️ : y/n can you please just respond to say you are okay

Chris⭐️ : y/n I don't know what's been going on with you recently, and I'm not fucking akinator this shit is getting annoying.

Chris feels nothing but guilt and anger in his body, and he has no idea how to deal with it. His night is filled with crying and silent suffering

He in this moment only has himself to blame.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

A/n: well! That went well didn’t it 😟 #prayfory/n free you my heart 😭🙏🏽 lmk if y’all want pt.2

[sserpente]

My little assassin

You share the bed with Gortash after you rejected Bhaal, and the Chosen of Bane makes the mistake of making it known to you that he is rather disappointed in your decision. Perhaps he needs to be reminded of his place...

A/N: I’ve done it. It’s too late now. Gortash wrapped me around his finger. Oh well. Enjoy this little piece. It’s literally based on a dream I had and when I woke up, I was like… 😲 I have to write this!

Words: 710 Warnings: implied smut, mentions of death, blood, murder, decapitation and necrophilia, evil Durge!Tav/Reader (duh)

It was strange, the concept of freedom. Considering all your sins, it was a feeling soaked in both relief and uncertainty to know that the next time your weapon struck, it would be because you willed it so—not because the God of Murder urged you to carry out his bloodthirsty message to the world. But for the first time in too long… you felt at peace, bathing in the silence this new-found freedom brought.

With an audible sigh, you stretched your naked body in the soft satin sheets. Dusk was near, you could see the last sunrays retreating and slowly drowning Gortash’s chambers in comfortable and soothing darkness.

For just a moment, everything felt right. Like you’d never been gone, never been backstabbed by Orin, never been abducted… never ended up with a damn tadpole in your head… never suffered from amnesia.

Your memories were taking their sweet time to come back to you still. But you were getting there. Bits and pieces, crumbs of information your own brain was withholding from you began to form a bigger picture.

If there was one puzzle piece, however, that had already fallen back in place, it was that Enver Gortash and you shared a history that went well beyond an amenable alliance. You were rather unfamiliar with the concept of love and so was he. What you had was a filthy connection made of lust, greed, and lechery. But you liked him—more than you wished to admit. There was no doubt you would viciously slaughter anyone who dared to touch him. Only one person was allowed to kill or fuck him—and that person was you.

“Tell me, what are you thinking about, my little assassin?” His raspy voice was accompanied by the faint rustling of the bed sheets as he turned to face you.

“You. Me. My past. The life that lies ahead of me now that I’m free to do what I wish.”

“Is that so…” he responded with slight dismay, “In all honesty, my dear, it’s a shame you rejected the God of Murder. To be Bhaal’s Chosen… an honour and a responsibility that would have kept you invincible… and more powerful than ever, fit to rule by my side.”

The sudden anger surging within you felt like daggers made of ice boring into your chest. Enver was many things but he was no fighter. He was a cunning politician with a hand for charming people into what he wanted. Before he even had a chance to react, you had already pinned him down on the mattress, straddling him. Your hand closed around his throat, squeezing just hard enough to cut off his air supply but not hard enough to keep him from speaking.

“Do you think I turned good? That I want to become a hero now? That I rejected Bhaal because I could no longer bear the thought of my sins? Oh no,” you spat, “From now on forth, my sins are my own, not Bhaal’s. You’d do well to remember that and respect my decision, Chosen of Bane because as much as I enjoy the idea of your warm corpse drenching the sheets in blood, I’m not much for necrophilia.”

Enver swallowed, and you could feel his Adam’s apple dance beneath your palm. There was a sliver of panic in his dark eyes—it was one thing you liked about him. He’d never underestimate you or what you were capable of. “Of course. You can… let go now, my little assassin.”

You obeyed—for it would indeed be a pity if your renewed companion withered away so quickly. You had no intention whatsoever to kill him just yet, if ever. Still, when you voiced your threat to give your hazardous anger a vent, you knew deep down that you were not lying. “Do not question me again or I will start questioning whether your head should remain attached to your body.”

Gortash laughed, a sound you enjoyed for it usually expressed his admiration for your ruthlessness; and just like that, another snippet of information dripped into your mind. You remembered. You used to enjoy him praising your cruel savagery. You made a good team, you and him. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

[runningfrom2am]

cold nights // part nine

summary: may the odds be ever in your favour.

pairing: coriolanus snow x fem!reader

wc: 3.6k

masterlists / nav / requests

tags/warnings: tribute!reader and mentor!coriolanus, r is very sweet (too kind for this world. literally.), sunshine x grumpy trope kinda, he falls first, violence typical for the source material, r is very smart (as she should), district twelve!reader.

a/n: this is the teaaaa guys,, also should i post the playlist tn?? i feel like its almost ready 0.0

series masterlist // playlist

"You should go home. You can't save her by just hoping she comes out of her little tunnels again..." Coryo turns his head at the Dean's voice on his left. "She could be dead in there. You wouldn't know."

Your friend sighs, rolling his eyes and redirecting them to the screen ahead. Just in case.

"What are you reading?" He points to the open book on Coryo's desk in front of him as the boy quickly closes it, pulling it down onto his lap.

"Just a book." He mumbles.

The Dean gets closer, leaning over to read the cover as Coryo flips it over. "Just a book?" He probes it more, raising an eyebrow at him. "The very same one your poet was reading in all the live feeds of the zoo over the last few days. That's sweet."

"It's interesting. That's all. She asked for it, I wanted to know why." Coryo brushes it off, holding the paper tighter in his grip.

"What do you want from that girl?" He asks, leaning against the empty desk next to him.

"Nothing." Coryo insists. "I want her to live."

Dean Highbottom hums, giving a slight nod. "And the Plinth Prize would be a happy coincidence, I suppose."

Coriolanus smiles bitterly, thinking over what his best response would be. "I believe I'd be entitled to it."

"Of course you do." The Dean nods, flashing him a fake smile of encouragement. "Of course you do. The prize, the girl. Hm. How convenient you don't have to choose between them."

Coryo tucks the book under his leg at the statement, choosing not to grace his superior with any kind of response.

"Who do you think makes that final decision for the prize you so covet, Mister Snow? Wake up. Even if she somehow wins it all, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you don't see a dime." Dean Highbottom spits, looking up at the screen as well as Coryo slowly looks over at him. "So, ask yourself, how much do you care if she wins now?"

Coryo listens to the man's footsteps as he walks away, pretending to focus on the screen again. If he truly had no shot at the prize, would it be best for him to go home now and sleep like many of his classmates already had? Should he even bother to watch the cameras hoping that you'll reappear in the dark arena at some point tonight? Should he even come back? Of course he would. He couldn't live with the idea of you coming out, in desperate need of something only he could give you, food or water, and knowing that at some point you would realize he had lied to you. That he wasn't with you anymore. He would have to watch your heartbreak in holiday reruns for the rest of his life. Even if you died in that arena all alone, would you realize that he didn't care about you at the end? He couldn't take the idea of it.

As he returns to the book that he's pulled back onto his lap, he hopes you still remember.

It's another slow hour before you show your face again, slowly, carefully opening the vent across the arena as the motion cameras pick up on it, allowing Coryo to watch the closest one to you. It's a moment before he looks up, entranced in your book when he sees the movement in his peripheral vision. He was the only one there, now, and he knew it likely wasn't you that the cameras picked up so it took him a moment to even tear his eyes away from the desk, slotting the dried-up flower between the pages. When he does see it's you, he sits up quickly. Watching, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But it didn't come, there was no one else. It's just you.

Your eyes scan the arena in search of the nearest camera after seeing that there are no other tributes out in the clearing besides Lamina, where you left her on the beam. You crawl out, leaving the vent open behind you for a quick retreat. You find the camera, looking into it. You were covered in dirt head to toe, but even through that Coryo could see it when you tried to communicate with your gaze. With him.

You give a small wave to the camera, eyes flitting up with the sound of birds in the crumbled rafters above you.

He wasn't sure what you wanted, but he was grateful you listened. Tapping through his communicuff, he quickly finds water and hits send. Hopefully, it makes it to you instead of breaking like Lamina's did.

You stand up in front of the vent, stretching out your limbs from being curled up and crawling around in the vent system for so long. You wanted to explore as much of it as you could, but it was hot in there, and you desperately needed water so you could clear out the dust in your throat.

A smile falls onto your face briefly as you see the drone come in, carrying your water bottle. Coryo. He is watching. You hold your hand out, prepared to try and catch it before it crashes loudly into the stands just behind you. From watching what happened with Lamina's, you know you have to be careful. The blades aren't well covered, and they come flying in fast. Straight toward you. When it gets too close you bail, ducking down as the fast-moving drone flies straight past you and into the vent. You cringe at the loud banging that follows, echoing throughout the arena due to your beloved vent system. You stay hidden for a moment, making sure no one is coming after you before standing up and looking around. Satisfied that no one was coming besides Lamina who just stirred on her beam, you held your finger up toward the camera, signaling for Coryo to wait as you crawled back in.

He chews on the inside of his cheek as he waits, relieved when you emerge a minute or so later with an unbroken bottle in your hand as you kneel on the ground in front of the opening. You hold it up, shooting the camera a small smile before opening it and taking a sip. Or, you intended to, but you were so thirsty you downed almost the whole thing in one go.

You wipe your chin, take a deep breath, and close your eyes. It felt so good. Coryo is watching you intently. You don't look cold, which is good. Maybe even a little sweaty, if the hair that's clinging to your forehead is proof of that. You're probably hungry. And with that, he's sending you an apple. If you weren't hungry, it wasn't a lot to eat, but if you were, he would be able to tell by how you ate it.

You hear the distant whir of another drone, quickly standing up and stepping away from the vent. You want to avoid that loud echoing as much as you can. You brace yourself and duck beneath the seat in front of you, hiding behind the railing so it wouldn't hit you.

It crashes into the front of the stands, and you can hear it falling down onto the floor. You stand up slowly, looking over the edge. You were so hungry, now that you saw the apple there, that you hopped down over the side and walked along the edge of the railing before sliding down where it was safest. You watch your steps as you make your way over to the broken drone and the battered apple that was attached to it.

You scan the ground, looking for that delicious flash of red which you pick out quickly. You pick it up and wipe it off on your dress, taking a bite before you're even fully stood up again. You could moan just at the taste of it. You had missed fruit so much- occasionally Coryo and Sejanus had brought you some in the zoo, but now it was something else entirely. Every bite could be your last, and you try to enjoy it as best you can.

You track the arena again from the floor, looking around again for the nearest camera. You turn when you see it's pretty much directly above your head. You wave again, giving Coryo a grateful smile, weakened by the stress of the day's events, and by your inevitable death. Nevertheless, you tried to keep on a brave face; you didn't want him to view you as careless or ungrateful. "Thank you." You say, unsure if there is even a microphone.

You tilt your head at the camera, confusing him as you squint. "Can you hear me?" You ask and he nods, alone in the large room.

"I can hear you." He whispers back to the open air, watching as you swiftly turn around, facing away from the camera.

"If you can hear me, send..." You think about it. What is something they would definitely have available but obscure enough that you would know he heard you? "Send in something odd. Something you're surprised is even an option."

He flicks through the pages and pages of options, unsure what to pick. Bread was too basic, no apples, water, no. Milk? That's weird, and gross. It's perfect. He hits send and watches as you eat your apple, looking up at the opening at the top waiting for something else to come.

You smile as you see it coming in, looking back at the camera briefly before bracing yourself to dodge the flying gift. You wait until the last second, jumping out of the way as it smashes into the wall behind you, the bottle shattering and spraying the surface in milk. Coryo cringes just at the sight of it as you turn and look.

You scrunch up your nose and get closer, running your finger through the dripping liquid to try and identify it. "Milk?" You ask, looking up at the camera.

He smiles to match yours as it grows on your face and you start to laugh quietly. "That is odd, indeed." You giggle, shaking your head. "Well, thank you, dear Coryo. At least I shall have someone to talk to." You take another bite out of the apple in your hand.

"I hope you had a good day." You hum, covering your mouth as you chew. "But you should be getting home soon. I think it is late."

It's so you to be so caring, even finding yourself within the games you're still worried about him. He smiles to himself, shaking his head. He continues to click through the communicuff in the silence that follows, just to get a better idea of all your options, when he finds something better.

Finally, the keyboard makes sense. He quickly types the note out to you and hits send. It's pricey to send a note, putting a dent in your donations, but you had so many it wasn't really a concern at this point. After all, he was your mentor. It only made sense that he would kind of be able to communicate with you.

You perk your head up at the sound of another drone, ready to play this game again. You dodge it more smoothly this time, with a spin that puts a smile on your mentor's face before picking up the small container clipped on the bottom of the drone and prying it open.

You smile when you see it's just a piece of paper. "I'm not leaving. -C"  You read, looking up at the camera.

"Well then," You grin. "Let's talk! It is not day."

He remembers that one. You've said that one to him before- you said it was Romeo and Juliet. He's actually sure he just read it. If the book belonged to him, he would be highlighting and annotating every line you have recited to him over the last couple weeks just like he does in his textbooks.

"That's Romeo and Juliet, if you remember." You remind him, assuming that he wouldn't know it yet. Even if he had started reading it, which he shouldn't have considering you know he's been busy, it was unlikely he'd get that far in under a day. You didn't know that he was inhaling every word on the page in the moments you were off-screen, devouring every blank verse as if it were sacred. To you, and now to him, it almost was. 

You look around as you chew on your apple, stopping when you look at Marcus again. You sigh, sadly, seeing the birds now crowding his body as you quickly begin to make your way over. Lamina sits up as you approach, looking over the edge of the beam. "Just me." You whisper, reassuring her before you shoo the birds away as she lays back down.

You crouch down next to the boy, gently rolling him onto his back. You hadn't the chance earlier, too rushed by the daylight to get back into hiding, but now was as good a time as any. You gently cross his arms over his chest and close his eyes.

You sit back, carefully adjusting his clothes before getting up, as satisfied as you could be with the makeshift burial.

You take a few steps back, retreating quietly to the edge of the arena to get back to your vent. You climb up into the stands just as you hear another drone coming, quickly climbing the stairs so it doesn't fall back down into the ring. You grab it when it's settled, smiling to yourself when you see it's another note.

"No cameras in the vents. Only come out if you need anything. -C"

"Thank you, Coryo." You whisper, looking up at the camera and nodding before retreating inside, closing the fan quietly behind you.

You curl up just past the entrance to the vent, hoping to get some sleep near the fresh air. The exhaustion kicks in quickly after you eat the entire core of the apple, knocking you out in the darkness of the tunnel.

When you wake, it's still dark. You sit up quickly, realizing where you are. Rubbing your eyes, you look out of the vent to see the source of the sound that woke you. You quickly spot a figure kneeling over Marcus's body, blinking to try and see who it is through the sleep still in your eyes.

You should stay hidden, you know that, but from behind at least, it doesn't look like another tribute.

"Sejanus?" You whisper, the vast space carrying your voice to his ears and he quickly turns. You were lucky it was him, but you were able to make a quick escape if it turned out to be someone else. "Sejanus, it's just me." You continue, and as you ease yourself down the debris piled up against the wall he just turns back to Marcus.

You take careful, nearly silent steps as you walk up behind him. "Sejanus?" You say again, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He shakes his head slightly, looking up at you. Tears filled his eyes and stained his cheeks, and you very quickly felt the tears building up in your own eyes as well. "Oh..." You quickly kneel down next to him, pulling him into a hug which he gratefully accepts. "Oh, Sejanus I'm so sorry... I wanted to save him, I did..." You choke on every word as you apologize.

"It's not fair." He sniffs, shaking his head gently under your grip as you soothingly rub the back of his head.

"I know... He didn't deserve that." You agree, ignoring the tears dripping down to your jaw and tickling your skin. "But I want you to know I told him how loved he is, and how sorry we all are. He knew. In his final moments, he knew..."

He tenses under your hold. "It... it was you?" He mutters, pulling away.

"No! No, I-" You quickly defend yourself, head shaking as your arms drop from around him and he looks over at you, understated anger beginning to shine through. "Sejanus, I didn't..."

Any trust he had in you was seemingly gone at that moment. You were worried you flipped a switch you couldn't unturn, that any relationship you had built with the boy had died and been replaced with the thought that maybe you were no better than the game makers themselves. Marcus was defenseless, and it felt like Sejanus thought you took advantage of that.

Your thought process proved to be correct. "He was defenseless! Innocent!" You could tell he would shout if you weren't both so worried about staying quiet. His anger quickly reverted back to hurt. "How could you?"

"I promise, it's not what it sounds like-" You try to correct him, to get him to forgive you as your chest constricts around your lungs. One of the two friends you made in your final days; gone. Just like that.

"Hey!" Another voice startles the both of you, already just a few feet away. You didn't realize how vulnerable you were while you were fighting to prove yourself. You scramble to get up, standing just in front of Sejanus as he knelt on the ground, making no attempts to move. "Y/N. Get out of here." Coryo instructs you, still in his academy uniform.

"Coryo, I-"

"Go hide. Now. It's not safe for you out here." He insists, eyes cold and serious.

"No, not until-"

"I said go. I can't be talking to you, we'll both be punished. Go."

God, he wanted to talk to you. He wanted to do more than talk to you. He wanted to hug you for the first time unimpeded, to grab your hand and pull you outside to where you would be safe, but he knew that neither was an option. You're safer in the vent than you would be in the hands of Dr. Gaul after he was seen talking to you, that's for sure.

He has to bite his tongue to keep from asking you to stay while you scurry off to do as he said and climb back into the vent, his mother's scarf still tied securely around your waist. He hated that this could possibly be the last time you saw him, but he had no choice.

"Sejanus, let's go." He whispers to his friend, once he is satisfied that you are really going.

"She killed him..." He mumbles in response.

"She didn't kill him." Coryo quickly corrects him.

"She said-"

"He begged for their help, and she held his hand while she," He points up the beam where a now sleeping Lamina lay quietly, "did it. Now let's get out of here."

He urges him on and Sejanus looks up at him. "He asked them to." Coryo hisses to iterate his point. "Y/N couldn't do it even then."

Sejanus looks up to the vent just as the door creaks closed behind you. "I just wanted to help..." He says softly, eyes watering.

"If you want to help, the best thing you can do is come with me."

"No, I had to be where the cameras are, I need to show them-"

"Do you think anyone is watching this?" Coryo asks as his friend finally stands up. He was making progress, but slowly. This needed to move faster. "Gaul cut the feed. Come with me now, or-"

"But you said-"

"You can't help them if you die in here and become another body in Gaul's war." Coryo cuts him off. There was very little time for arguments, and that timer was rapidly ticking down. "Go home, spend your father's money, do some real good. And don't blame her. She's just as innocent as Marcus was and you know that. Who do you think shut his eyes? Posed him like that? She sobbed for an entire hour after holding his hand while he died!"

Sejanus is speechless, staring down at his tribute's body.

"I watched it all! She's alone in here. She has no one!" He whispers in his ear. "We are all she has. Me and you on the outside, and if you want to help that girl and all the tributes after her, we have to go right now or neither of us will see the light of day again and she will starve and die truly alone. Please, Sejanus. You're her friend... My friend. Come with me."

Sejanus looks at him, the two boys just inches apart as he nods with a resigning sigh. "Okay." He whispers.

Coryo sighs in relief. "Thank you, come-" He starts to turn back when they both are scared by the sound of footsteps sprinting toward them. "Come on!" He shouts, grabbing his classmate's sleeve and dragging him behind as they make for the red lighting of the exit.

You watch from the slits in the fan, hands perched on the blade as you lean against it to get a better view. Your heart is racing as you watch Coryo and Sejanus book it for the exit. God, you hope they make it.

They almost do.

Until Sejanus trips over the turnstile you know and hate, crying out in pain upon hitting the ground. Immediately, you're pushing the door open loudly and running along the railing, hoping to get closer to the exit without running the risk of cutting through the middle of the arena. "Coryo! Run!" You yell helplessly, careless of whether or not you'll be heard or seen by others. All you wanted was to create a distraction. To save him.

But he doesn't run, even as you see him stumble back in the red lighting of the tunnel, hissing when Bobbin's blade strikes him somewhere. "Coryo!" You cry out again, more out of fear. Was it serious? Was he already in the process of bleeding out?

You quickly hop the railing abandoning your safety, sliding down the concrete and stumbling upon hitting the ground. "I don't want to hurt you!" You hear his voice again as you run into full view of the tunnel, still about twenty feet away.

Just in time to see Bobbin fall back between the metal gate, landing a good ways away.

"Enjoy the show!"

You flinch when your friend steps out after him, chest rising and falling heavily as he stares down at the boy's body. Silent, unmoving, dead.

Then he brings the club down on him again.

[b4mpyre-k1zz3s]

Night in New Orleans

Normally the men Y/N is in charge of managing are the ones getting in trouble, not the other way arround. This time, while shooting in Louisiana for the second movie, it’s a bit of both.

Johnny Knoxville X Gn!Reader, Bam Margera X Gn!Reader (if you squint)

(Fluff)

5.7k Words

Warnings: Highly suggestive content, crude language, heavy nudity, alcohol, drug use, fights, blood, hurt/comfort, flirting, stripping, fighting

An: Another manager Y/N fic!! I can’t seem to get away from this premise for the life of me! XD they’re just so fun to write for!! Also as proof of how much research goes into these fics, every location mentioned in this fic is entirely real and on Bourbon Street! I had an ex that went to New Orleans but I’ve never been there myself, so I could only hope it’s as wild as I immagine it to be! Also, this fic takes place ~2006 during the filming of Jackass Number Two because they filmed a good chunk of that movie in Louisiana! Anyways,thank you for sending in requests and please keep sending them!

Backroads seemed to stretch on forever as you ranted to Jeff on the phone, “MTV is not paying me enough for this shit! I mean, it's bad enough I gotta spend every day with idiots, now I’m the one who’s gotta find them when they run off?” The dusty road ahead of you was solely illuminated by the one working headlight on the van as you drove through the darkness, your only source of direction being the man you were on the phone with, “It's not my fault they decided to run off to some ranch in the middle of Nowhere, Louisiana!” You rolled your eyes, leaning forward against the wheel to try and see ahead as he sighed, “Listen, we gotta shoot in the morning so just get them back to the hotel. Manage the talent!” Click.

Fuckin Jeff, making you go out in the middle of the night in the stupid van that was bumbling allong on its last legs- you didn’t even want to immagine what went down in it based on how it smelled. The whole ‘manage the talent’ thing became almost a motto for when shit turned sour but calling them talent was an overstatement. This is what chauffeurs- better yet, the town dog catcher is for, not managers. Thanks to his amazing directions, you ended up at a ranch, sure, but it seemed practically deserted as you pulled up into the dirt parking lot. Squinting into the darkness, you could barely make out the carved writing on the wooden sign that hung over the front gate that read, ‘New-D Ranch’, whatever that meant. You waited for a few minutes, trying to catch a breeze from the one working AC vent while wondering why the hell you hadn’t quit already to find a job somewhere a little more sane before you heard the swish of the doors behind you opening.

You knew it was Johnny who called shotgun when you heard the slight twang in his grumble as he slid in the passenger seat, “Christ, for a nudist ranch you’d think there’d be more chicks…” Blinking, you turned to him, looking him up and down. Shoulders, chest, thighs- oh god he was naked. Well, naked save for those stupid sunglasses he never seemed to take off. The guys chattered amongst themselves in the back seat as you whipped your head around- yeah, them too. Knoxville must have seen how big your eyes got or the blush that spread across your cheeks, and judging by the way he chuckled a little and let his knees drift apart as he settled down in his seat, he didn’t seem to mind. Pervert. It’s not like you could help it that he was so shameless and all blue and glowy from the way the moon kissed his skin. Finally, you got your words out, yanking the van into gear as you peeled out, “Why are you all naked?”

Admittedly, you were speeding a little down the desolate road while Chris and Steve filled you in on how they heard about this totally rad nudie ranch from this guy at the hotel bar and were down to get with some really hot chicks that night, but all they found there were dudes and farm animals. Every now and then you would sneak a glance over at Johnny who was still wearing that shit eating grin he always had when he knew he was pushing your buttons. You didn’t want to debate yourself if this whole thing was turning you on or pissing you off, but you didn’t have a whole lot of time to consider it as you saw those flashing red and blue lights in your rear view mirror. Shit.

What a perfect time to get pulled over. Veering the car off to the gravelly shoulder, you did the routine. Yes officer. No, I don’t know why I got pulled over. My license? Oh sure! Right here, officer! He flashed that stupid little flashlight inside the car and audibly gasped as he gawked at the proud exhibitionists- that is, all except Bam, who was redder than a tomato and practically squirming in his seat as he desperately tried to cover up his junk. You could tell Officer Friendly got a little uncomfortable with the way Chris suggestively raised his eyebrows at him from the way he stuttered as he continued his police spiel, “May I ask why you are out at this hour with a- a van full of nude men?” Thinking for a moment, you tried to come up with a worthwhile excuse, “Well, I, uh- these are my brothers, officer, and they had a little too much to drink tonight, so they called me to pick them up from the bar!” Making eye contact across the center counsel, Johnny nodded with a very clear tone of amusement in his voice, “Yeah, brothers.” The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

All the cop could do was awkwardly ask for your license and go back to his car, leaving you alone in the oppressive humidity and near silence as crickets chirped faintly. Turning around, about to deliver the lecture of a lifetime, you noticed Steve eerily uiet and nevrous, of all things. Looking up at you from his nails that he was biting to the nub, there was a trace of panic in Steve’s eyes as he started, not even waiting for you to ask what was wrong, “I’m fuckin’ naked and I gotta warrant, man! I-I can’t go t’jail- not like this…” You rolled your eyes at his dramatics- really it wouldn’t surprise you if they all had warrants based on the shit you had to get them out of. As he stood up a little to get a better view out the front window, he anxiously bounced his leg, murmuring to himself, “Fuck, man. That’s it. I-I’m gonna make a run for it.” Your eyes shot open and you pushed him back into his seat. If there was anything you didn’t need tonight, it was a naked man under your care on the loose, so you shut that down fast, “Steve! Stay!”

When the cop returned, the guys turned to look in completely different directions so as to not appear suspicious as you got the news that everything seemed fine with your license. He let you off with a warning and a shake of his head, muttering something about you taking your brothers home to sober up and getting some damn clothes on them while you were at it. Yes, officer. Thank you, have a nice night, officer. As you started back to the hotel, Chris, who was previously distracted by looking at fireflies out the window, noticed something, “Woah, dude. What’s wrong?” Glancing in your rear view mirror as you pulled away, you saw Bam, in between Steve and Chris, white as a ghost with sweat just pouring down his face. Running a hand through his soaked curls, he shook his head, “Shit, dude! I was worried- like, I-I’m small and cute! And naked!” Johnny turned to face him and piped up, “And famous.” Bam disregarded any traces of sarcasm as he turned to you, “And famous! I’d get the shit kicked out of me, dude!” With how cool these guys were normally, the way they freaked out when a cop showed up surprised you.

By some miracle you made it to the hotel, a motel, if you were being honest, in the middle of bourbon street. The place was the definition of a shithole, but you’d stayed in worse and it was better than sleeping in the van so you made do with the used condoms under the bed and roaches in the bathroom because if they could survive this, so could you. Not wanting to leave the guys unsupervised for too long, you decided that your best bet at getting the guys from the car to the room would have to be something in the near vicinity, and while scanning the parking lot, you got an idea so good it made you want to ask for a raise. An assured grin crossed your face, ”I’ll be back.” Just as you were halfway out the door you heard Bam protest with an exhausted sigh, “Fuck it! I’m going with you.” He climbed over Chris to open the door, putting his hands up as he got over his previously held shyness at being nude in front of others, “I’ve been sittin’ between two naked dudes and I gotta get the fuck outta here.” Stopping just before an indecent exposure charge, he held his hand out to you, “Gimme your jacket.”

Begrudgingly handing over your hoodie to Bam, he casually tied it around his waist backwards to cover his crotch loincloth-style as you made a mental note to wash it before you wore it next time it got chilly. Decent enough, you thought, shaking your head as you walked towards the shitty hotel pool that glowed teal in the night. You tried to pretend he wasn’t there as he followed on your heels through the parking lot and through the metal gates that fenced the pool in. As you nearly dove into the big plastic green thing that housed the neatly folded towels, you heard Johnny wolf whistle from the van. Initially assuming that it was directed towards you, you flipped up, clutching an armful of fluffy white fabric, but before you could shout something back you very quickly noticed that Bam’s pale little ass was just completely out. Goddamn it. As you handed out the towels, he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest when Chris chuckled and said something about hating to see Bam go but loving to watch him leave.

Making sure to stay behind the group like a Border Collie to a herd of sheep, you marched the idiots through the lobby who were miraculously dry despite allegedly having come from the pool. As celebrities go, they didn’t attract as much attention as you would have otherwise expected, but that didn’t stop a few drunken women splayed out in the wide, red silk upholstered chairs in the lobby from loudly propositioning them. Steve threw up a ‘call me’ gesture and Bam dragged his feet, whining something about you never letting them have any fun as you nudged them along. You were so exhausted that you didn’t even bat an eye when Chris ‘accidentally’ dropped his towel and glanced back at you with a finger over his lips like one of those pin up girls. Humorously snatching the towel off of the ground, you shoved it into his arms as you all crowded into the tiny, rickety elevator that was surely over it”s weight limit. How strange it must have looked from an outsider’s perspective- you and four nearly naked men, all packed shoulder to shoulder into that tiny space. But you were too tired to care about any of that, leaning your forehead against the wall with a thump as the doors closed.

You were the one Jeff gave the keys to because you were the only one deemed responsible enough, so you tossed them to Bam as he passed you in the hall, but while the others were stumbling in and tossing off their towels, Johnny lingered in the hall as you went to unlock your room. The hallway was only maybe wide enough for you to stand on one side and stretch your arm out to touch the other side, so you really had to look up to talk to him, “Where’re you going?” Holding his towel up far too low with one hand, Johnny shrugged, leaning against the wall opposite to you, “M’goin t’our room.” Most people, if they were in your shoes, staring up maybe six inches away from this ruggedly handsome, partially nude man, would fold like a house of cards, but you were not most people, so you kept your composure. Shrugging, you unlocked your room. “No, this is my room.” The dryness of your words contracted with the playful tone in his voice, “You sure ‘bout that?” Tossing your keys into the bed, you turned to him flatly, “Yep!” Johnny shrugged, turning to leave before dropping his towel. He cackled that signature Knoxville laugh, picking it up only after he heard you snicker from your doorway.

After sending the kids off to daycare, you finally got a moment to yourself. Your day was mostly spent lounging about your room, trying to savor the peace and quiet however short lived it may be. But it came to a stop all too soon when your hotel room phone started ringing- it was Bam, who was apparently too lazy to just go next door and knock. He mumbled over the line, sounding a little embarrassed to ask you, “We wanna go out, n’Jeff says we can’t without you.” This premise never ends well. Hearing your sigh, he turned defensive, “Hey! We just wanna go get some food, okay? That’s it! Jeez…” In the background, you could hear Johnny say something about how the boys were starvin’ over there. “Okay, fine!” You relented after hesitating for a moment, “As long as it's just for food.”

The group walked through a blur of light and sound, dazzling neon signs flanking either side of the street: Bourbon Gifts Cigar Shop, Tropical Isle- Home of the Hand Grenade, signs advertising $5 Jager Bombs, but no restaurants. The guys seemed to have completely forgotten about looking for dinner, more concerned with what trouble they could get into than feeding themselves. “C’mon, Bam! I know this kickass voodoo lady that lives ‘round here- she’ll totally get us footage!” Steve’s excitement was met with a shudder, “No fuckin way, man. Like I wanna get hit by brooms’n play with snakes ‘n shit.” Maybe the fact that Johnny was holding the portable video camera from the hotel room should’ve tipped you off that they may not have been on the prowl for food. He chuckled, turning to Steve, “She sounds sweet. Think’y could get me her number?”

So far you had done a pretty good job at keeping the guys together, even if you had to grab their hands and tug them through the crowds like you were their mother when you caught them rubbernecking to peep into whatever strip club you were walking past. Suddenly, you saw Chris dart away from the pack. You weren't sure if it was the Penthouse Club, the Kama Sutra Cabaret, or Lary Flynt’s Hustler Club that he b-lined it into, but just as soon as he did, the rest of the guys followed quickly behind, leaving you stranded. Knowing how much shit you would get into if you lost one of them or god forbid someone got arrested, you went after them.

Given your line of work, you would’ve thought that, by this point, you would have gotten a little more familiar with the inside of one of these places, but nope. This place was on some real Girls, Girls, Girls shit, like the image of a strip club- mirror poles, velvet tablecloths, and women wearing barely more than a smile and nine inch heels. Averting your eyes from the ladies onstage, you let out a sigh of relief when you spotted Knoxville sitting at the bar. Hopping up onto the tall red vinyl stool next to him, you let out a sigh of relief as Johnny glanced over to you and let out a chuckle, taking a sip of his beer before reassuring you like he could read your concerns without you having to open your mouth, “If you’re lookin’ for the fellas, they’re out on the floor. S’not like they’re goin’ far”

Rolling your eyes, you kept your head low as you scouted the place out. “I thought we were gettin’ dinner.” This was not the kind of place you wanted to be found in, and you bet Johnny could tell from how entertained he seemed at your discomfort, looking you up and down, “Well, for these guys, this is dinner.” You couldn’t deny, you actually were kinda hungry, distracting yourself by eyeing the initials that were keyed into the countertop, “I don’t even think they have food here…” Knoxville nudged a glass bowl of peanuts sitting on the bar top toward you with a smirk. “Here,” He grabbed one himself, crushing the shell in his hand before tossing one in his mouth with a smirk, “Lemme buy you dinner.” Taking one from the bowl yourself, you scoffed, a smile ghosting over your face as you murmured, “Oh, you’re quite the gentleman, Knoxville. Strip joint and peanuts.” Laughing, he relented to you, “Alright, how about I make it up to you with a nice dinner sometime- one good dinner? I owe you.” Wait, was he asking you on a date? Before you could consider maybe taking him up on that offer, you felt a tap on your shoulder. “Hey, hey- Y/N!”

Turning around, you weren’t sure if you were annoyed or relieved to see Bam standing behind you, holding out a fifty, “Y’got any singles?” It was like a kid asking his mom for money to go to the movies. Johnny shrugged, turning to you to remark, “I mean, at least he’s tippin’ the ladies. Not like Steve-O over there.” He jabbed a thumb at the corner where Steve sat, a herd of women clustered around him. Sure, Steve never tipped, but every time you saw him at the club, he was never drooling over the strippers. Instead, he would be sitting over in the corner, just chatting up the ladies while they were on their break. Strangely enough, they always seemed to be more than eager to hang out with him, waving and blowing him kisses as they headed back onstage. It bewildered you, but it was kinda sweet in a weird way. “Wha- no! I don’t have any singles!” Bam shrugged at your reaction, turning to walk away, “Ah, I’m sure I can get some at the bar. Thanks though!”

The question you were about to ask Johnny, about where Chris was at, was answered before you could ask it. Just as Bam ran up to the edge of the stage with a handful of singles, excited to see some T and A, you could see his face just fall as he muttered to himself at the sight in front of him, “This is so fucked up….” You yourself stared slack jawed as Johnny snickered at the sight of Party Boy himself strutting out onto the stage wearing nothing but his silver mankini while the beginning riff of one of those cock rock strip club songs started up. Not one to miss this kind of thing for the world, Knoxville whipped out the camera to capture the wide eyed shock in Bam’s eyes that turned to disgust when Chris started his little routine, eyeing the fat stack of ones in his hand. He kept inching closer and closer to the edge of the stage- specifically, closer to Bam. Getting down on his knees, Chris wasn’t shy in the slightest about shaking what he had (which he had quite a great deal of), barely inches from his face. Even you couldn’t deny that he was pretty damn good up there, and it seemed that Johnny agreed as he got up to toss a couple singles up there with a whistle. As the song reached a crescendo, everything seemed to reach a fever pitch and Bam hurriedly shoved the bills in his arms onto the stage, unable to stand it any longer, “Just take my money- and get your junk outa my face!” Pontius smirked, tucking the cash in the strap of his mankini with a wink. He whispers something you couldn’t quite hear, but you assumed was some sort of flirty comment from the way Bam rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

“You know, this is how I wanna spend my night.” Johnny turned to you as you tried to speak up over the music, “Watching Chris strip.” He chuckled, leaning back on the sticky bar, drink in hand. “Yeah, me too.” The incandescent lights of the club looked so pretty in the reflection of Johnny’s glasses that you hardly noticed when Bam ran back to the bar in the stupid little way he ran everywhere, as Candy or Trixie or whoever was strutting out onstage. He just happened to cross paths with Chris, walking off the stage and flipping through all fifty two dollars he got. Bam stopped him in his tracks with a hand on his baby oil covered chest, “Dude. Gimme my money back.” Chris just gave him that stoner laugh and shook his head, “No way! I earned this. How about you go up there and shake your little moneymaker?” Bam turned a little red and debated arguing or just getting more money. Looking back up at the stage, he gave in, more concerned with what article of clothing the girl on stage was shedding than his own money.

But just a few moments later, it was him who was getting physically tossed out onto the sidewalk, landing on his ass. All you saw was this little dark blur getting hoisted up by this bouncer twice it’s size and going flying out the doors. Of course, all the guys followed behind, laughing as he stumbled to his feet. “Rookie mistake, man.” Steve joked, his hands in his pockets as a curious few of the ladies peered out the door after him. You should’ve known that of all people it would be Bam who got a little too handsy with the girls. Nobody on the street even stared at the spectacle as you fled outside after them. “Okay, that’s it- let’s just call it a night.” The guys collectively groaned about you being a killjoy and begged for just one more stop at another bar for a nightcap as you threw your hands up in the air, not easily swayed, “C’mon, it’s a sign. Let’s just get you all back to the hotel…”

You got them safely tucked away in their room for the night, but of course the chaos didn’t cease. Maybe an hour passed after you collapsed onto your mattress with the lights off, trying to get a few hours of shuteye before you had to deal with them in the morning when the shouting started. Chalking it up to some couple having a marital dispute next door, you brushed it off until you realized which room it was coming from. Oh. Oh no. Clambering to your feet, you jumped at the telltale sound of an appliance shattering against a wall and tried to run the numbers of how much that’d cost to cover as you scrambled out the door. Hoping it was just a coffee maker or something and not a repeat of the time Bam hurled an entire Zenith television out of a plate glass door, you barged in the room.

Now, you didn’t know what the argument was initially about, but you got the gist of it as Steve’s elbow made contact with your mouth, slamming into you. Everything froze. Just your luck to get caught in the crossfire of one of his drug induced fits. Bam, who was on the other side of the room, was completely shirtless, as was Steve, but significantly more all together mentally and seeming to be on the other side of whatever conflict was happening. Running your tongue over your teeth, you confirmed that none of them were missing, but that wet iron taste lingered on your lips. “Holy shit…” This quickly sobered Steve up, whose voice was barely a whisper as he watched the blood that got Jackson Pollocked all over your face drip down your chin and neck. That was one way to break up a fight.

Blood trickled down the drain as you held yourself over the bathroom sink in the guys’ room, blinking away the tears that swelled in your eyes. Everyone cries when they get hit in the nose- it’s probably a reflex or something, you thought, not that it hurt that bad. Glancing up to the mirror, you caught sight of someone standing in the doorway- Knoxville, holding this ice pack he fashioned out of a towel full of ice from the hall. It seemed that your waterworks had really gotten his attention, judging from the concerned tone in his voice, “Y’alright?” Taking it from him, you gently pressed it to your face, wincing at the cold sting. “M’fine.” He smirked but the tone of his voice was still present as he sat down on the lid of the toilet seat next to you, “You sure?” Johnny waved you closer, gesturing for you to lean down towards him. You did, and he reached out to gently grasp your chin, “Lemme see…well, that might leave a mark.” It was an oddly intimate moment, feeling his noticeably larger hand on top of yours as he went to move the ice pack. Leaning it to get a better look at your face, Johnny smiled just barely, “I think you’re gonna be alright.”

With the way the guys treated you the next day, you would’ve thought you were the queen of England. When you woke them up the next day, they didn’t whine or complain in the slightest, instead obediently getting out of bed and starting to get ready, avoiding your gaze. You felt like the headmaster at some British private school for undisciplined boys. As you stood idly in the doorway, perplexed at their sudden shift in behavior, you noticed something- Knoxville was MIA, and it seemed that nobody cared or was willing to say anything to you. Dipping your head in the door, you scanned the room, “Does anyone know where-“

Jumping a little, you caught your breath after the initial surprise when you realized it was Johnny who was standing next to you out in the hallway, maybe six inches away. He smirked at how easily he startled you and wordlessly handed you one of the two complementary breakfast coffees he had in his hands. Look at Mr. Suave-Cool, coming in with the apology drinks. Still, you weren't going to say no. Taking a sip and pondering how he could be the constant center of attention and, at the same time, so damn sneaky, you didn’t even notice when Bam sprang up from his bed, scampering to lean against the doorframe behind you. While all of the guys were quietly doing it already, Bam seemed the most eager to grovel, not even waiting for you to turn towards him before he started fawning with uncharacteristic earnestness, “Hey, I just wanna tell you I am so sorry about last night- I mean, it was totally Steve’s fault, but I feel so bad!” Immediately, you turned to Bam and looked him up and down, as did Johnny, who snickered at the fact that he was standing there without a care in the world, totally naked. At this point in the trip you were so desensitized to the male nudity that you didn’t even say anything. From behind him in the room Steve, who had his shirt halfway over his head, was clearly over his faux niceness by the way barked at Bam, “Oh, fuck you man!” But when you made eye contact with him, his ego shrank up like he just got into a cold pool as his voice dropped a decibel, “I-I mean, you looked pretty rad with all the blood and stuff...” Chris, who was totally unbothered by all of this, just smiled at you as earnest as ever, “Yeah! The blood was totally sexy, dude!”

“Is there anything I can do to make it up?” Bam looked at you with this eager to please look on his face, and you weren't one to pass up this opportunity. You thought that hell would freeze over before any of these guys would ask to do something nice for you. “Well…if you really want, you could grab me a danish from down front.” He started off before he glanced down and noticed the obvious. Quickly running back into the room to tug on a pair of jeans- no underwear, Bam slipped past you and ran down the hall in that same stupid way he did at the strip club.

While the guys were out for the day, you shot a call over to Ed the Medic, who was, as his name implied, an on set medic (if you could call him that) who they only really kept around because he really liked giving people pills, so this was maybe the first time anyone called him for a legitimate injury. He was nonetheless happy to pawn them off onto you. While you debated whether or not you should take them, the throbbing pain in the middle of your face failed to cease, so you gave in, throwing them back and hoping the high would wear off before the guys got back and you made a fool of yourself the same way they did with you.

For the first time that trip, nobody wanted to go out that night, not after the day they just had. Drenched in sweat from the hot Louisiana sun with sore muscles from a day of stunts, all anybody wanted to do was maybe have a beer and crash for the night. Nobody was more exhausted than Bam, who arguably had the worst day out of any of them. From getting locked in a trailer with snakes and racking his nuts to having to eat and by extension throw up a piece of cowshit- not even Johnny asking to take a gander at his sprained dick could bring any humor to the situation. So as soon as they got into the room they all fell onto beds or chairs or whatever they could find, content to call it a night before six. That is, until you came knocking on the door.

“Heyyy!!” Stumbling into the room, you were all giggles as you bumped into Johnny who had opened the door. He looked down at your purple, swollen face confusedly as you slurred your words, “Didn’t you guys wanna go out…? C’mon, let’s go. I wanna party!” Turning back to the other guys, they all reflected the same bewildered expression as his- never once had you ever expressed interest at partying, or at least their idea of partying. However, though he had arguably had the roughest day out of all of them, Bam’s mood shifted at your sudden change of opinion, getting up from his place on the bed with a grin and putting a paintball-scarred hand on Johnny’s shoulder, “Alright, you heard ‘em! Let’s party.”

The streets were nearly empty as you and the guys walked them. Hell, you didn’t even know you were on Bourbon street until you saw the street sign on the corner as you left the hotel, “Wait, this is that Marti gras place, right?” Johnny nodded as he walked close to you, making sure you didn’t run off or hurt yourself doing something stupid. He clearly wasn't doing a very good job at it, made apparent when you tugged your shirt up to your neck, squealing, “Oh! I’m gonna get some beads!” Imitating women who flashed for plastic at those parades, it seemingly didn’t occur to you that not only were you about three months late to the whole Marti gras thing, but you were doing it to nobody in particular. Johnny noticed, his eyes going a little wide as he grabbed the sides of your shirt, quickly but gently pulling it back down, “Woah, woah- Y/N,” There was this almost protective tone in his voice as he talked to you the way you usually talked to him when he had a few too many that night, “If you wait right here, I can get you some beads, okay? Just- just stay in this one spot.”

He returned shortly after with a handful of multi-colored strands of plastic beads, brilliant iridescent purple and greens under the gas lamps that lined the sidewalks. Your eyes sparkled, “Woah…you got these for me…?” Johnny nodded. Maybe instead of getting them from a float like you assumed he had ran into a gift shop and hastily bought the first bulk bag of necklaces he could find, but he wasn’t technically lying. As you happily pulled them over you head, Bam elbowed you in the side, raising his eyebrows as he leaned in with a grin, “I could get you some beads if you flash those titties again.” Before you could comply, which you would’ve been more than happy to do, Johnny put an arm between the two of you, pushing you apart. What a killjoy! Still, he gave you a good explanation, “You don’t need any’a Bam’s junky beads cause I got you the good ones- the fancy kind.” Looking down at the beads in your hand again, you weren't sure what made them so fancy as they just looked like any old beads to you, but you trusted him. “Besides” Johnny brushed Bam’s hand off of your shoulder, “Why don’t I take you out on that dinner I was talkin’ about?”

You spent half of the meal gushing to the guys about your shiny new beads you got, somewhat less high but far from sober. Chris and Steve found your predicament absolutely hilarious, sitting on either side of you with giddy smiles at their uptight manager who was finally getting in on the fun. The lot of you ate your dinner in that sleepy little twenty four hour cafe a block from your hotel (about as far as you had gotten) and afterwards Johnny took you back to the hotel and up to your room with an arm around your shoulders, preventing any further mishaps. Dragging your feet, you collapsed onto your bed in your jeans. He gently removed your shoes and tucked you in before quietly leaving to go back to his own room next door. If there was going to be another time you ever ended up high, he would be the man you would want to babysit you. Tomorrow would be the last day of shooting in New Orleans, and you would be mortified at the stories of your behavior, but for that moment that night everything was just perfect.

[mewhenimanangel]

moon river, miles morales x reader

pairing: earth 42! miles morales x spider!reader

synopsis: you clean out miles’ room taking anything you could with you. you stumbled across a picture of the two of you when you were younger and your heart filled with rage

wc: 2.7k

warnings!: swearing, violence, slight gory details

nia’s ౨ৎ notes: the end! this story idea came to me when i was non stop day dreaming and creating scenarios in my head so i decided to just write it down. i love it actually

prev ♱

it's been three days since miles' funeral and you've spent the nights wrapped up in his bed surrounded by things that were his.

during the day you've been visiting may to upgrade your suit and also help you learn how to use some new gadgets. you didn't tell her why you needed the suit upgrade or updated spider shooters that made your webs stronger, but she obliged. you were hurting about miles, bad. you had been skipping school to sneak into his bedroom.

you were currently in miles' bed in the purple hoodie he always wore, your teddy bear and his favorite hello kitty plushie of yours in hand. you had tears running down your cheeks as you looked through the videos and pictures you'd taken together. suddenly, his mom knocked and came into the room "ohh cariño, i miss him too." she said sitting next to you, rubbing your back.

"tell you what? how about you take some of his things? keep them for yourself?" she offered. you furrowed your eyebrows "but won't you want anything to keep?" "ahh no te preocupes por eso cariño, i already ran through here, you should see my room" she chuckled. "are you sure?" you asked, wiping your tears. "i'm sure." she smiled placing a hand on your knee.

you left her house with a garbage bag full of his things. clothes, cologne, the pictures he kept around his room of the two of you, you searched thoroughly around his room for any more of his prowler gear to take, you even got the secret stuffed rabbit he hid under his bed.

when you got home and in your room, you began putting his things all around your room. you sat on on the bed, hot tears stinging your eyes as you stared at a polaroid your mom took of you and miles when you were 10. he was on your back, an arm wrapped around your neck other hand holding an ice cream. you had one in your hand and you both had the biggest smiles on your face, in the middle of laughing.

your heart twisted with anger, the love of your life was taken from you. thanks to that oversized fucker, and you weren't just gonna let him get away with it.

you got up and opened the faulty ceiling tile in your bathroom, grabbing the prowler glove and shoving it in your bookbag along with your updated spider suit and shooters. you crawled out of your window and swung in the direction of a bus station.

you knew the lab that kingpin was rumored to frequent alot, having gone there for a field trip with your class. so you decided to start there, taking a bus to save your energy. when you got to hudson valley you moved up into the mountains using binoculars to stake out the place. you saw the familiar black bmw that kingpin would drive around in.

your blood was boiling, holding back tears as you quickly got dressed in your spider suit. the upgraded suit had relatively the same design but now the spider logo legs sprawled down across your body, your new web shooters strengthened your webs, and the best part about your new suit was that it could turn invisible - camouflage.

you grabbed the prowler glove and shoved it into seemingly nowhere, thank god for hammerspace.

you made your self invisible and crawled all around the walls of alchemax looking for a way to sneak in. you found a vent at the top and crawled through using your senses to find kingpin.

you heard his gravelly voice and peeked through the cracks of the vent. he was talking to some woman about some collider? "olivia i don't care! just go ahead with that damn project!" he shouted at the lady.

you tried to move down closer to the vent but instead you pressed to hard on it and it fell down. pin and olivia shot their heads in the direction of you hitting the ground, knocking some things off a table.

the woman grabbed some goggles from her table and looked around, spotting you on the floor. "ah we got little spider-girl here" she giggled. suddenly four octopus like machines appeared from her back. "you know i've always wanted to meet you, your powers are so interesting to me." she shot a mechanical arm at you, letting it squeeze around your body.

"i'm not here to fight you you damn squid" you scoffed, wriggling your way out it. you shot webs at her feet making her fall on her back. she recovered quickly, throwing you against the wall with one of her arms. "octopus, actually" she corrected you. you got up and tried turning invisible to sneak away but she caught you "might as well save that, i can see you" she chuckled going to grab you again. you quickly moved your hands out in front of you grabbing the tentacle, breaking it.

she growled and you swung out of her reach, jumping back down to throw her to the floor, her glasses fell off and you stomped at them breaking them. another arm shot at you, roughly throwing you down to the ground. you groaned before snapping back to the reality of the situation.

you looked around for a second now realizing that kingpin was no longer in the room. you swung through the doors of the building looking for any sign of that oaf. the alarms in the building were now going off, workers running out of the building. every now and then some worker would try to fight you, you quickly beating them down.

you snuck into the doors of the collider room, mouth agape at what you saw. olivia burst in the room behind you, throwing you down onto a desk. "olivia take care of that damn insect!" you heard kingpin say from the front of the room. "what's it look like i'm doing?!" she yelled out, giving you another blow.

when a tentacle was thrown at you, you grabbed it and then grabbed the other one she threw at you. you pulled her up into the air before throwing into a wall. you grabbed a nearby pipe and blow after blow you beat olivia with it. you reached down pulling her head up by her hair "i said i wasn't here to fight you" you growled throwing her head back down to the floor.

"yo pin, come on man you can't fight your own fucking battles or what?!" you screamed out, jumping at him, throwing a blow to his head. he grabbed you and slammed you down “i killed one spider, i can do it again” he whispered, throwing a punch to your face.

you sneakily grabbed the prowler glove, putting it on. you shot an air blast to his chest that threw him across the room. “took prowler’s little toy huh?” he coughed. you got up and swung the claws through his chest opening the wound he previously had, making him scream out. you shot explosives out of the glove directly at pin, one missing as it hit the wall instead. the room began to shake as pipes began to burst.

you didn't notice him grab his gun, shooting at your arm and your stomach somehow catching the same spot he stabbed a week ago. you cried out, the wound beginning to secrete blood, he was about to shoot again, aiming for your head but you flipped out of the way.

fueled by adrenaline, you growled throwing webs at his feet hanging him upside down before throwing him up against the glass. you jumped on him, legs wrapped around his neck, hitting him with the sharp knuckles of the glove. he wailed out as blood began rushing from his nose and his cheek. you shot another web, wrapping around his back swinging back down onto his back making him gag. you jumped on top of him, sinking the prowler claws into his chest making him wail out. you kept sinking it deeper and deeper inside him, twisting it like he had done to you. the brick of the roof began to crumble, rubble falling all around you

“i am going to watch you suffer and die just like you made me watch miles.” you growled, venom laced your voice. you got up quickly to grab a piece of rubble that was falling from the walls, lifting it into the air. “i am going to beat you bloody” just then some glowing orange and purple portal opened next to you and three people jumped out in spider suits.

“oy you cant kill ‘im mate” the tall one said running over to pull you off. “what who the fuck are you, let me go!” you screamed out trying to pull away from his grip. the other two people began tying pin up with their webs, hanging him in a spiderweb on the ceiling. “the police are coming and you can’t be seen here.” a feminine voice said from under the mask. “you gotta come with us” the other spoke, moving closer to the portal.

“you expect me to go in some fucking portal with three random cunts that just popped out of it.” you spat backing away from them. “listen we can explain on the way. either you stay here and get caught up with the police or you come where we can help you” the girl said, pointing to the blood that stained your suit. you thought about it for a minute before stepping into the portal after the three of them jumped in. the portal dropped you in some elevator that was going upside down. you looked out and saw what looked like a futuristic new york, flying cars, futurist buildings.

the three of them tugged off their masks. the tall one was revealed to be dark skin, piercings littered his dark skin. the other one had the side of her blonde head shaved, piercing on her eyebrow.

your heart felt like it stopped when the third one took his off. you saw familiar brown eyes staring back at you, gorgeous brown skin you haven’t seen in a week, the only difference was his air that was out in a curly afro. “miles?” you whispered, tears stinging your eyes. you fought to hold them back, not ready to cry in front of these people. it hit you like a train seeing that face. “yeah. b-but i’m not your miles.” he said, looking down. your eyebrows furrowed wondering what the hell that meant.

“we’ll explain everything when we get to miguel.” the girl said. “i’m gwen by the way.” she told you. “hobie” the tall one spoke reaching out a hand to dap you up. “i’m assuming you already know mine?” you asked to which they nodded.

the elevator doors opened and you saw an array of people scattered all across the building, all dressed in different spider suits. some walking right side up, some upside down, some on the walls. there were so many, you couldn’t even count. there was even a cat!

“welcome to spider society” miles said to you. “miguel actually started this whole thing two years ago after me and miles messed up the multiverse or whatever. all of these people are all spider-man, each belonging to their own universe. i’m from earth 65, hobie’s from 138, miles is from 1610, and you’re from 42” gwen explained to you leading the way to wherever she was taking you.

you groaned, injuries becoming apparent to you again. you tripped a bit before miles caught you “yeah we gotta get you to the infirmary” he said.

after about 10 minutes in the infirmary, you were bandaged and taken care of. gwen, hobie, and miles stayed outside to wait for you before taking you on a short tour throughout the building, and then to some dark and gloomy office.

a man, who you knew to be miguel was standing on a floating platform, it descending as slow as it possibly could. “is he?-“ “uh yeah just let him do his thing” miles chuckled.

the man came down off the platform, muscular body clad in a blue and orange spider suit. “what am i doing here?” you spoke up. he looked at you before turning away “you are here because you’ve proved yourself to be spider-girl.” he told you.

“LYLA, do the information explaining thing” he said, a small hologram appearing by his shoulders. “there are these things called cannon events and every cannon event is what holds the spider-verse together. it’s what makes spidermen, spidermen.” he said, going on to show and tell you about how every single one of them lost a loved one. you watched holograms appear of multiple spider people kneeling over a dying relative, last one ending with you kneeling over miles. he told you about his dead daughter and how he tried to redo everything by placing himself in another universe.

“we track cannon events using high technology, making sure everything is in order.” he said, making you furrow your eyebrows. “wait so you know when these things are gonna happen? when these people are gonna die? did you know that miles was gonna die?” you asked, fists clenching. miguel turned his head to the side, sorrowful expression on his face and nod his head.

“wait so you knew he was gonna die and you didn’t do anything?” you said, growing angry. “we couldn’t do anything, it was a cannon event, it was supposed to happen-“ you interrupted him “oh so you couldn’t do shit when miles was dying but when i attack kingpin now you wanna send your fucking people to stop me.” you spat. “that’s not how it works-“ he tried to explain, but you wouldn’t let him.

“nah you picking and choosing who gets to die because of some fucking code” you spat, the hologram on his shoulder getting upset. “you get to sit up here on your slow ass platform and play god? who put you in charge.” you growled, beginning to walk away. “listen, i created this to protect the multiverse, i am and have been protecting every world. i don’t play god, i keep things in order because if they’re not, worlds could begin falling apart. i brought you here because you are a good spider-man and we could use someone like you on the force” he explained.

“whatever, send me home.” you whispered. “listen” another voice interrupted miguel. “wait, listen just stick around for a day. if you really want to go home and never be apart of this, then we’ll send you home when the day’s over.” miles said resting a hand on your shoulder.

you agreed and the four of you were dismissed from miguel’s office until further notice. they were about to show you around when an older looking peter parker with a pink robe and a baby in his carrier walked up to you. “hey guys” he exclaimed, wrapping an arm around miles. the baby in his carrier shot a web at you and began crawling around your shoulders. “ah you must be y/n! you gonna join this little club?” he asked you. “not yet.” miles answered for you, giving you a small smile.

they showed you around, jumping through different universes to show you around. you visited their friend, pav’s, universe in mumbattan and hung around there for a while.

after about an hour, gwen and hobie had to report back to their own universes to deal with whatever crimes were happening there. leaving you and miles alone.

“hey, um you know i really think you should join” he said, arms awkwardly behind his back. “i saw the way you held your own there with kingpin and doc ock. you’re really good at what we do.” he complimented. “thanks” you mumbled smiling at him. “listen i know you have your doubts about this place, believe me i had them to at first. when i showed up here, uninvited by the way, miguel told me my dad was gonna die and i couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. so i forced my way back home and i ended up proving him wrong, but then again i am some sort of original anamoly so my universe kind of fixes itself.” he told you.

“i think you should stick around, these watches are pretty cool, you could literally go anywhere” he said, geeky smile on his face. “plus it’d be nice to have a new friend around here, you and me are a lot alike” he told you. “well for one we both got that whole invisible thing going on” he showed you, making himself fully invisible. “and who knows what other powers you could have if you stayed here and trained with us and grow as spider-girl!” he exclaimed.

“yeah, i guess you’re right” you whispered. “so you in?” he asked, hoping smile on his face as he extended his arm out to you. you thought before making your decision “i’m in.” you smiled, taking his hand.

taglist ʚɞ

@itsberrydreemurstuff @alecmores @darksidescorner @insomniafrog @gwennesy @randomhoex @fiannee @am-3-thyst @melanie456 @missussmorales @spritecactus @laiflower @catushi @chispita279 @spideys2cute @iwannahaveaprettyaesthetic

[fixfoxnox]

Okay, I have been thinking... What if Ghost and Anima Roach got separated for a long time (because idk, Ghost got captured by the enemy and for some reason Roach couldn't stay with him)? And because they weren't meant to be separated for a long time, Roach was FREAKING OUT and venting to Soap the whole time. Soap, who couldn't handle seeing Roach so desperate to get Ghost back (and also not-so-secretly very desperate himself), started to plan a rescue mission or something and boom.. happy ending :3

I'm lowkey craving some hurt/comfort GhostSoapRoach recently I'm sorry 😭

- 🥀

So this isn't...exactly what you asked for, but it's something that I've been thinking about for a bit and really the only way that I can see Anima Roach being "separated" from Ghost in any way. I have twisted it to give you some GhostRoachSoap hurt/comfort, but I will admit it is very heavy on the Ghost/Roach side of things.

A Year (Anima AU)

Pairings: GhostRoachSoap, GhostRoach, Ghost/OC, Roach/OC (yes please welcome two new OC's to Luke's extended universe lol)

Warnings: Angst, Slight nsfw, discussion of nsfw hurt/comfort, slight suicidal ideation/thoughts

They were arguing. It was quite possibly the first time that Soap had seen them argue. He didn't like it in the slightest.

Roach was always smiling or giving some sort of mischievous grin. It was just who he was. The only time that Soap had seen him not smiling was when Ghost was injured, the first time he'd seen him. Every time he was blessed with the sight of the Anima after that, he'd always been wearing a grin. Roach wasn't smiling now. His lips weren't even quirked up a bit, his face was serious.

Ghost looked angrier than Soap had ever seen him. His face was stormy and he'd been laying into Roach since they'd gotten back from their last mission. Soap understood why. He also understood Roach's side of things. He couldn't get a word in between the two men to try to help solve the issue.

"You shouldn't have gone ahead," Ghost hissed out. He ripped his mask off of his face and turned back to face Roach with gritted teeth. The black of his grease paint was faded from the mask and had spread in little streaks across his cheeks. Still, Soap could see how red his face was. "You could have given our position away!"

"No one could see me but you," Roach reminded Ghost with a hiss, "I was checking ahead, that's all! Nothing happened!"

"Nothing happened," Ghost scoffed, "Soap was nearly shot!" He motioned in Soap's direction and Soap wanted to point out that it wasn't true. Sure, he'd been seen because Roach had opened the wrong door at the wrong time, but he'd been able to dispatch the man before anything bad happened.

"Soap was and is fine," Roach stepped forward with a growl and pressed his finger to Ghost's chest, "You were fine. I was making sure that it would stay that way."

"You should have listened to me," Ghost countered, "I was leading the mission." Roach scoffed at the words and Soap could see the way that Ghost clenched his jaw in response.

"My job isn't to follow you," Roach crossed his arms over his chest, "That isn't why I was there. I was doing my job."

"Well," Ghost snapped, "I wish you wouldn't. My life would be much easier if you weren't running around trying to do your job and getting in my way."

The effect was instant. Roach reeled back at the words, his face crumpled and Soap could see the beginnings of tears gathering in his eyes. Ghost's reaction was just as quick, regret spreading across his face only moments after the words left his mouth. There was a moment where the two just stared at each other silently. Soap tried to find the words to help, but he found his own shock and horror seemed to sew his mouth shut.

"Roach," Ghost's voice was weak. He took a step toward Roach and Roach took a step away from him. "I didn't-"

Roach disappeared from Soap's sight and the only indication that he got of the Anima leaving the room was Ghost rushing to the door, calling out his name in a desperate voice several times. Ghost didn't leave the room, he just collapsed against the door frame. His grip on the wood was hard and he seemed to shrink in on himself, one of his hands came up to cover his face.

"Ghost," Soap stepped forward carefully, his own voice soft, careful. He didn't know quite how to approach the man at the moment, but he was determined to try.

"I can't," Ghost's voice was shaky and he took in several desperate gasps for air, his entire body keeling over, "I did it again. I can't believe I did it again. I didn't- I didn't mean-"

"Again?" Soap reached out, slowly placing a hand on Ghost's back to rub soothing circles against him, concern eating at his chest. He'd never seen Ghost this stressed. "Ghost, what do you mean, again?"

"You're overbearing and annoying and overprotective!"

"I'm doing my job!" Roach hissed, his hands slamming onto the table in front of him hard. "My job is to protect you!"

"What if I don't want that?" Ghost hissed back, his hands balled into tight fists at his side. "I've made the decision, whether you like it or not!"

"Don't you understand how dangerous joining the military is!" Roach reached up to tug at his hair, frustration eating at him. So much could go wrong if Ghost went into the military. There were so many ways for him to be hurt. So many things that Roach wouldn't be able to properly prepare for. "Are you trying to make my life difficult!"

"Are you trying to make mine difficult?" Ghost snapped, his face going a deep red color. Before Roach could respond Ghost was speaking again. "I've never had a break from you! You're always hanging over my shoulder and making decisions for me to try to protect me! Well, guess what? I don't want you to protect me! I don't even want you around half the time!"

Roach's heart jumped up to his throat and it felt as though a terrible weight slammed into his chest, taking his air away. "Ghost," he choked out, his eyes stinging with tears already.

"My life would be a million times better if you weren't in it!"

Silence settled around the room. It hung over them thickly and neither of them spoke for several moments, the words just hanging between them. Roach was fighting back the desire to cry, a hand covering his mouth to keep any sobs that threatened to escape inside. Ghost still looked angry, his jaw clenched tight. He wouldn't meet Roach's eyes. He wouldn't even look at him.

"If that's," Roach took in a shaky breath, "If that's what you think."

"It is," Ghost confirmed, his fists clenching at his sides.

Roach was Ghost's anima. That was the bottom line of things. He was made with the sole purpose of protecting Ghost. Of keeping Ghost happy and healthy. That was his job. That was what he would do, it was what he had to do. If leaving is what it took to make Ghost happy, then that was what he would do.

Roach didn't say another word. He rarely ever changed himself. He rarely ever made himself invisible to anyone but Ghost. He'd never had a reason to, Ghost's family had always treated him like he was one of them. Not like he was some sort of creature, but like he was a person. Now, though, now he made himself disappear.

Ghost wanted a life without him. Roach couldn't provide that, but he could make himself virtually as invisible as possible. To anyone else, Ghost would be normal. Roach would allow him that.

He quietly slipped away, leaving the kitchen to make his way out of the backdoor of the house. He took a moment when he was outside, leaning up against the small house as he choked on his own tears. The air ripped from his lungs as sobs pulled at him. He didn't need to breathe, but it still wasn't comfortable to go so long with no air.

He pushed past it. He pushed past it all. Quietly, as tears continued streaming down his face, he tried to evaluate where the best place to go would be. He needed somewhere close, somewhere where he could still watch Ghost, could still watch the house, but far enough away that he could stay out of sight and out of mind.

He landed on the old treehouse in the backyard. It was a rickety old thing and, if he made himself present, there was no doubt it wouldn't be able to hold his weight. If he stayed invisible though, if he stayed as essentially a spirit to everyone but Ghost, it wouldn't even move an inch. It would be like he didn't even exist. That was what Ghost wanted. That was what he would do.

Roach hated basic training. He fucking hated it. He hated the military. He wanted to hate Ghost. He couldn't. He could never hate Ghost.

But weeks upon weeks of watching Ghost be whipped into a soldier, be trained into something dangerous and fierce, it was hard for him. There were injuries, there were times when he wanted to step in and smash the face of some army officer in, there were times when he just wanted to drop to his knees and beg Simon to quit. To just go home. He never did.

He stayed back. He stayed out of sight. He just watched. He just watched Ghost turn himself into someone stronger and more skilled. He just watched him excel in nearly every class and training exercise. He watched and he knew that Ghost needed him that much less.

Of course, he learned as well. Any opportunity to pick up more skills, any opportunity to learn things that would help him protect Ghost and he would do it. He would watch during the day then, at night, when everyone was asleep, he'd practice things himself.

He hated it. He hated all of it. Most of all, he hated that Ghost seemed happy. He hated how content Ghost was while he wasn't around. He hated the way that the other recruits made him laugh. He hated the way that Ghost hadn't looked at him in months. He hated it. He wanted to rip himself out of existence, to tear and destroy the strings connecting him to Ghost. Ghost was happier without him, he saw that he was doomed to know it for the rest of his existence. His existence was a burden on Ghost and he could do nothing about it. How was he supposed to make Ghost truly happy when he was the thing causing that unhappiness?

It was worse to feel. Seeing Ghost being happy and content was one thing, but feeling it was something else entirely. It had never been clearer to him before which emotions belonged to Ghost and which belonged to him. Ghost's were happy, light, strong. His were like a weight trying to bash that to pieces. Trying to create dust of any of the positivity he was forced to feel so that it could float away from him, carried by the wind. Roach wanted peace. He wanted to disappear for Ghost's sake. He couldn't.

Worse than basic training was clearly the squad that Ghost was placed on. Roach hated how much they liked Ghost. He hated how much Ghost liked them. He hated one member of the squad, in particular, more than anyone else.

"It isn't healthy for you to sit out here like this." A shaggy blonde-haired man slid down the wall, sitting next to Roach. Roach knew the other man was feeling exactly what he was at the moment, he hid it much better than him.

"Ash," he acknowledged, turning his head to watch the other Anima light a cigarette between his fingers and bring it to his mouth. Roach knew the smoke wasn't going to be a problem. There was quiet between the two as Ash took a long drag from the cigarette before holding it out for Roach. Roach took it from him gratefully.

"Seriously," Ash blew the smoke from his lungs, his eyes carefully watching Roach as he took a drag from the cigarette. It wouldn't hurt either of them, so there was no harm in smoking. At least, that's what Roach told himself. "You shouldn't sit out here like this."

"I'm waiting for Simon," Roach passed the cigarette back to him and folded his hands over his knees, picking at his nails. "That's all. Just doing what I'm supposed to."

Ash gave a low chuckle at those words, "Yeah, just protecting the guy who doesn't even want you around." Roach flinched at those words and tucked into himself further. He refused to meet the other's careful eyes. "Simon will be fine, you know that. Just pick up watching him in the morning." He moved closer to him, shuffling until their legs were pressed tight together, "Don't make yourself sit here."

There was a pause. Roach wanted to listen to him. He wanted to go as far away from the room as he could, to be so far away that he wouldn't be able to feel everything that Ghost was. All of the emotions. Everything. He knew it wasn't possible. He had to stay. It was his job, that was it.

The door beside them opened and two laughing figures stumbled out, straightening their clothing. Roach didn't look at them, he didn't think he could stomach it.

"Ash! What are you doing out here?"

"Sorry," Ash gave a grin up to his bonded, "Just sitting with Roach for a minute. All good?"

"All good," Todd, Ash's bonded, confirmed. "Simon and I are all good. We took care of each other." The words seemed directed at Roach more than Ash and Roach glared down at his pants. His fists tightened into balls against them.

Ghost didn't acknowledge him, "Let's go get something to eat, I'm fucking starving."

"Oh, right," Todd turned back toward them, "You two keep doing whatever, we're going for food."

They set off down the hallway together. Roach gave them a moment, allowing them to get a decent distance away before standing up to follow. Ash stayed seated on the ground, just watching him.

No words were spoken until Roach had started after the two men, until he was only a few feet away. "You have to stop doing this to yourself." Roach paused, freezing for several moments, "You and I both know that you'll just end up killing yourself."

Roach glanced back at Ash for a brief moment and took in how serious his face was. He turned away and didn't say anything else before taking off after Ghost and his...paramour. The implication of the action stood between the two Anima, though. They both knew what Roach's response was to the idea of his death: good.

"I'm not letting you do this."

Roach looked up at Ash, his vision feeling a bit hazy. He was tired, which was a first for him, though he considered it a good sign. "You don't really get to decide that," he replied lazily. He tucked into himself further, still leaning up against the wall next to the door. Waiting for Ghost.

Ash rolled his eyes at him. "Stand up," he ordered, his face serious. There was a moment of silence between the two. Roach didn't move. "I'm serious Roach, I'm not letting you do this. Stand up."

There was another long moment that passed between the two before Ash sighed and stepped forward, hauling Roach up from the ground easily. Roach struggled slightly against his hold, fighting to be dropped back down to the ground. Ash wouldn't let him and, seeing as they were both Anima, it wasn't easy for Roach to break out of the sudden hold.

He found himself pinned back against the wall with Ash's body pressed tight to his, keeping him from struggling. "Ash," Roach met his eyes with a stern look, "I have to stay focused, let me down."

"Staying focused," Ash pushed even closer to him, "Is what is going to get you killed. I'm going to distract you. I'm going to give you a break from worrying about Simon."

Roach snorted, "Yeah, good luck with that. What's your plan? Hold me here until-"

Ash slammed his mouth against Roach's, cutting off his words and catching him completely by surprise. The other Anima didn't give him a moment to think before licking into his mouth and nipping at his lips. One of his legs shoved between Roach's his knee pressed just slightly against his crotch to give the slightest bit of pressure.

Roach, surprisingly, relaxed against his touch. He and Ash knew one another, they'd been in the same boat since their bonded had been transferred to their current squad. They understood each other probably better than even their bonded ones knew them. It was an odd thing to think, but it was the truth. And, as Roach wrapped his arms around Ash's shoulders and pulled him further into the kiss, he thought that it was nice to be wanted again, in whatever way that meant.

The kiss was harsh and biting and filled with all of the frustration that had been building within the two for the months and months that they'd been cast to the side. They took out their frustration on one another, biting and nipping and tugging at their hair until the other was groaning and pressing even closer. They were desperate to feel, desperate to distract themselves and they were doing a damn good job at it.

"Ash! What the hell?"

Roach and Ash broke apart from one another, their heads turning quickly to meet the eyes of their humans. They just stared blankly at them for several moments, their minds running circles.

Roach let his eyes trail over to Ghost and, for the first time in months, the two locked eyes with one another. Ghost looked...hurt? That wasn't right though, he wouldn't look hurt by this. Roach reminded himself quickly that Ghost didn't want him around. He reminded himself how happy Ghost had been for the past several months without him.

He shoved down the rising anxiety and upset in his chest. What sense did that make? Ghost would cut him off then feel upset when he finally did something other than follow him around silently? It didn't make a lick of sense, so Roach pushed it down. Ghost was probably just embarrassed that Roach had been doing something like this in such a public area. Not that it mattered, no one could see him or the man pressed against him.

"Are the two of you going for food?" Ash's breath was heavy as he spoke, but he still managed to get the words out.

"Probably," Todd responded by crossing his arms over his chest, "But what the fuck are the two of you doing? Don't you know-"

"Great," Ash pushed off of the wall and wrapped an arm around Roach to tug him with him, "You two enjoy your food. We're going to take over your room for a bit."

"What?!" Todd's face went a bright red as Ash shoved past him, pulling Roach along behind him.

Ash shoved Roach toward the bed in the room before turning back to the door and the men on the other side, "You may want to stay in Simon's room tonight, we're going to be a minute." With that he shut the door in their faces, muffling any noises from the two men out in the hallway and leaving himself and Roach blissfully alone.

"You seem uncomfortable," Ash looked down at him, his eyes scanning across his face carefully. Roach shifted again, trying to resist the urge to just fully hide his face in the other's shoulder. "What's going on?"

Roach sighed and peeked away from him again, his eyes immediately catching on to Ghost's from across the long training yard. He looked away quickly. "Simon keeps looking at me," he whispered the words, as though he was afraid to speak them out loud. "And, he hesitated for a moment, his hand raising to his chest, "He's been feeling different."

"Different how?" Ash tucked him closer to his side, one of his hands coming up to rub soothingly across his arm.

"Like...sad," He tilted his head a bit, "Regret too? I don't know it's like...similar to before but, he just feels more upset."

"You're having trouble separating his feelings from your own, aren't you?" Ash didn't speak the words in a judging manner, he didn't seem smug or upset about the fact. He seemed like he understood. Roach nodded to him slowly, tucking closer to his side.

He hated it. He'd been so sure that Ghost was happy without him around, he'd been so sure of it. And yet, now, when he could tell that Ghost was upset...it felt like things had only slightly changed. "I just...I don't know what to do."

There was a silence that hung between them for several moments, Roach couldn't tell what Ash was thinking. "You could try talking to him," Ash suggested quietly, his eyes focusing on Roach's face, watching for his reaction. It was apparently quite obvious based on the amused glint in his eyes. "I'm serious. You two haven't actually talked in, what? Over a year? Maybe it's time that you try to talk with him again."

Roach jerked away from him at the words, blinking with wide eyes at the suggestion. "What? No, no way. He said-"

"A year ago in the middle of an argument he told you that his life would be better if you weren't in it," Ash finished for him, watching his face with close eyes, "Maybe now that he's lived a year without you in it he's reconsidered." He paused for a long moment, just watching Roach's shocked face closely. "What's the worst he could do," he reached up to brush a bit of Roach's hair out of his face sweetly, "Confirm what you think you know? At least you'll have tried and," he hesitated for a long moment, "I'll even do the same."

"What?"

Ash shrugged and Roach could see him swallow nervously, "I'll talk to Todd if you talk to Simon. If, well, if things don't work out then I say that the two of us leave."

"Leave?" Roach blinked wide at him.

"If they decide they don't want us here? Why should we stay? Why shouldn't we go live our lives somewhere?"

"Can," Roach hesitated for a moment. He didn't know how he felt about what Ash was suggesting. Not being wanted was one thing, but could Roach actually be able to leave Ghost? Whether Ghost wanted him around or not, Roach loved him. He didn't want to give him up, even if Ghost wanted to give him up. "Can we even do that?"

"I've heard of other Anima who have," Ash spoke quietly, "When they were rejected by their bonded."

The two were silent for another long moment and, even without saying it, Roach could see that both of them were unsure about what Ash had suggested. Still, Roach reasoned, there would be no harm in at least talking to Ghost. Like Ash said, the worst that could happen is that Ghost would tell him he didn't want him around anymore again.

"Okay," he spoke quietly and Ash seemed to relax at his words, "I'll talk to Simon."

Roach waited until Ghost was alone. He was in his room cleaning a few things up and Roach had stood by the door for nearly thirty minutes, trying to work up the courage to actually go inside. He just had to step inside. That was it.

Still, actually moving inside of the room was possibly the hardest thing that Roach had done in his existence. When he finally did, he was quick.

He opened the door, stepped inside, and turned quickly to shut the door behind him. He just stared at the wood for several moments, terrified of turning around to meet Simon's gaze. He was too afraid of the hatred that he'd find there. The anger.

"Roach?"

He turned quickly at the call of his name, his eyes wide from having been acknowledged. Roach couldn't figure out how to get his voice to work. The words were right there at the back of his tongue, trying to leave his throat and failing.

"What are you doing here?" Ghost dropped the sheets he was pulling at and started around his bed. He only stopped when he was almost directly in front of Roach, standing only a few feet away from him.

They stared at one another for several moments. "I," Roach took in a shaky breath and leaned back against the door for support, needing something to help keep his knees from collapsing under his weight. "I came to talk to you."

"To talk?" Ghost asked quietly.

"To ask," Roach corrected himself, "To see if...if you're still sure about what you said. About not wanting me around. I know that you've been happy without me around and more than anything I just want you to be happy," it was like once the words started, he couldn't get them to stop. "But I had to check, I had to know because lately I feel like something has been different and I couldn't not ask. I just care about you so much and I don't think you understand how important you are to me, so if there was any possibility that you wanted me around again I had-"

Ghost stepped forward to place a hand over Roach's mouth, silencing him both physically and mentally thanks to the sudden proximity. There was silence between them for several moments, both of them just staring at the other. Finally, Ghost spoke.

"Roach," his voice was soft and it sounded weak to Roach's ears, "I am so sorry." He moved his hand away from Roach's mouth, leaving him gaping at the words. That was the last thing he'd expected to hear.

"You? You're sorry?"

Ghost nodded his head slowly, "I was angry. I didn't mean what I said, I swear I never meant it. I just," he looked away from Roach and Roach could feel the shame from Ghost blossoming in his chest, "I wanted to hurt you I guess. I didn't..."

"You didn't think I'd actually leave," Roach pieced together quietly.

"I was too afraid to tell you," Ghost moved carefully, as though he was afraid of scaring Roach off. His hand ever so slowly made contact with Roach's face, cupping at his cheek. Roach couldn't stop from leaning into the touch, "I was sure that you hated me."

"I could never hate you," Roach was quick to the words. They were the truth. He didn't think it was possible for him to hate Ghost, it just wasn't something he was capable of. "I thought you hated me."

"No," Ghost stepped closer to him, "I could never hate you. I need to make this up to you, please let me make it up to you?"

Roach nodded his head slowly, still nuzzling into Ghost's hand. His entire body felt warm at the contact and his ears were tingling with the sound of Ghost's voice speaking to him! Actually talking to him! He could have vibrated with the excitement of the entire situation. Ghost didn't hate him. Ghost wanted him in his life. "Just," Roach looked up at Ghost with wide eyes, "Please don't say anything like that to me again and...if you do," he looked away from Ghost briefly, "don't let us go so long without talking about it. I don't think I can survive another year like this one."

Ghost nodded his head and, in one quick move, he tugged Roach against his chest. Roach tucked himself close to Ghost and gave a contented sigh as he was tucked against the other's chest carefully. "I really missed you," Ghost whispered against his hair. There was a moment and Roach could feel him hesitating, he could feel that there was something else the man wanted to say. "You," he cleared his throat nervously, "You and Ash, are you?"

Roach understood immediately what Ghost was asking and he almost scoffed at the man. That was his question? What did it matter, especially now? After all, Ghost had Todd. "I don't know, are you and Todd?"

"No."

Roach shot back, pulling away from Ghost to look up at him with wide eyes, shock running through him. "What?"

"I broke things off," Ghost admitted nervously. There was a quiet moment before he shyly added, "For you."

Roach stared at him silently, unsure of how to respond. Ghost had broken things off...for him? Why would he have done that? Sure, Roach didn't like Todd, but that shouldn't have-

Suddenly things clicked for him. All of the emotions he'd been feeling over the past few weeks, over the time that he and Ash had started their little affair, it all suddenly made sense to him. He didn't have the context. He had the context now. Jealousy.

He stared at Ghost for several long moments, just trying to make sure that he was reading the other man's face correctly. When he'd determined that, yes, he was reading the situation correctly, it was quite an easy choice of what to do from there.

His hands pressed hard to Ghost's chest, shoving him backward until his knees hit the edge of the bed and all it took was another good shove to knock him onto his back with a small groan from his lips. Roach didn't give him a moment to recover, he just climbed onto his lap with a grin on his face.

"Roach," Ghost's voice was a bit higher than normal and there was a high blush rising on his cheeks.

"You wanted to make it up to me, right?" He put his hands on Ghost's chest and used the leverage to grind his hips down. The effect was immediate with Ghost's hands flying to his hips and his head tilting backward with a gasp. Roach gave him another grin."How about, to make it up to me," he ground his hips down again, "You let me ride your cock?"

The answer from Ghost was almost instantaneous, "Fuck yes."

"You went an entire year without talking?" Soap's voice was filled with horror. He'd never even realized that such a thing was possible for Anima and their bonded. He thought they always stuck together, that nothing like that could ever happen because of the bond. He supposed he didn't know as much as he thought he did.

"Yes," Ghost rubbed at his face and stood from his seat. He snatched his mask into his hands and took to shoving it over his tear-stained face. Speaking with Soap about his past, about that year, and those words that he always knew he would regret and feel guilty over...it made him realize that he couldn't do it again. He had to find Roach. "I can't let that happen again," he turned to Soap, "I have to go find Roach."

"Let me help?" Soap stood from his seat as well, his eyes wide, "It might be easier with two people and, it will probably help both of you to have someone else around." He leaned forward a bit, trying to hint to Ghost that he was offering his presence to try and comfort the two men. Ghost seemed to get what he was saying a shot him an appreciative look.

"Thanks, Johnny." With that, the two men left the room, trying to track down their missing boyfriend.

"Roach," Soap called carefully. He couldn't see Roach, but he had a pretty good idea of where the other man was. He'd learned fairly quickly into dating both Ghost and Roach that, when Roach wanted to be alone, he tended to move into dark quiet spaces. That was exactly why Soap had gone almost immediately to one of the record rooms on base.

No one ever really came in, no one would be able to bother Roach. It was the perfect space for when he needed to get away. He called out for the man again, desperate for any sign of him. Just as he was sure that this wasn't the right room, or at least that he would need Ghost to be able to properly check it, he felt a pair of arms wrap him up from behind.

A face buried itself against his neck and he could feel and hear Roach's quiet cries. "Roach," Soap's voice was quiet and he was quick to turn around in the man's hold to wrap him up in his arms. He stayed silent for several moments, just holding tight to him, trying to provide as much comfort as he could. "Ghost is looking for you," he finally whispered.

Roach choked a bit on his cries and held tighter to Soap, "He's? He's looking for me?" It was as though he didn't believe what Soap was saying and, based on what Ghost had told him, Soap could understand why.

"Yes," Soap pressed a kiss to the side of Roach's head, "he wants to apologize. He didn't mean what he said and he's very upset with himself." He paused for a moment before adding, "He was crying."

He figured that Roach could have guessed that, considering he could feel Ghost's emotions alongside his own, but he also knew that Roach sometimes had trouble reading the emotions that he could feel from Ghost, so he decided it would be better to tell him rather than just leaving it up in the air.

Roach took a moment to respond, just burying his face into Soap's shoulder harder. "Can we go to the room?" he asked after a moment, still wrapped tight in Soap's arms.

"Of course," Soap hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you want me to tell Ghost?" Roach hesitated for another long moment before giving a slight nod of his head against Soap's shoulder. "Okay," Soap wrapped an arm around Roach and started guiding him to the door all while pulling his phone from his pocket to shoot a quick text to Ghost, "C'mon, let's get you back to the room."

Ghost was waiting for them when they finally made it back into the room. It was clear to see how nervous he was by the way that he shot to his feet as soon as the door opened.

His eyes landed on Roach almost immediately, watching him with wide and apologetic eyes as he froze in the doorway to the room. There was silence for several moments and, despite Soap's desire to encourage the two to talk, he stayed silent and let them work at their own pace.

"Roach," Ghost choked out after a moment. His face was twisted up into a picture of regret and Soap could see how glassy his eyes were. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean it like that, I swear to god I didn't mean it like that. I shouldn't have said it in the first place I was just worried and angry. I know it doesn't justify it." He paused for another moment before taking a step closer to Roach. Roach watched him carefully, his own face a mess of red and tear stains. "I'm sorry."

After a long moment, Roach took a few shuffled steps forward and buried his face in Ghost's chest, tears streaming down his face again. "I don't like it when we argue." He grabbed tight to Ghost's shirt, using it as a safety blanket of sorts.

"I don't either," Ghost responded by wrapping him up in his arms and cradling him tight against his body. After several moments, he lifted Roach into his arms and turned toward the bed. Roach didn't even react, he just stayed with his face buried against Ghost's chest.

Soap reacted quickly to the questioning look that Ghost sent his way, understanding almost immediately what the man wanted. He moved across the room in quick strides and threw himself down onto the bed, happily wrapping his arms around Roach and Ghost when they settled next to him on the bed.

They lay together silently for some time, Roach just quietly pressed between them. There were clearly things that would have to be handled, more discussion to have, and more apologies to be made, but for now, they just laid together.

"I'm sorry you had to see us fight, Soap," Roach threw out after a long moment of silence.

"It's fine, Bug." Soap assured him, "I'm sure we'll fight at some point. It's just part of life, unfortunately."

"I hate fighting," Roach's voice told Soap that he was pouting and he couldn't help but chuckle. Even like this Roach was still his same old self. "There's only one thing fighting's good for."

"And what's that?" Ghost asked, sending Soap an amused look over Roach's shoulder.

Roach slowly unburied his face from Ghost's chest to shoot both of the men a bright grin, "Makeup sex."

Soap couldn't help but laugh.

[swords-and-chaos]

Tally Hall community drama/slight vent post ahead. Be warned. This is not about the doc itself, nor is it any sort of allegation. This post is more to do with toxicity within the community. There may be some use of strong language. To be specific, this post is about the Tally Hall community as a whole and specifically twitter’s treatment/harrassment of Tally Hall Youtubers. If you don’t wanna hear about it, do not read ahead.

apologies if I get any Pronouns wrong. I’m going to do my best for this, but I don’t know everybody’s pronouns and a lot of people are offline right now.

I doubt this will reach its intended audience since most of this has been occurring on Twitter, but I will be damned if you find me anywhere near that website.

So, I have been friends with several unnamed tally Tubers for about two months, some for longer. I am not going to say who out of respect for their privacy, but what I will say is the way y’all are treating them is completely fucking unacceptable.

To get this out-of-the-way, Joe has done awful things. None of these people are Joe defenders. None of them think he’s a good person. None of them agree with or condone his actions.

THAT BEING SAID it is completely unreasonable to expect literal teenagers to be able to address complex issues like grooming, pedophilia, transphobia, assault, ect., in a timely manner OR AT ALL. I know they have a platform and that comes with responsibility, however, you have to remember they are still people. Some of them are younger than me, and I am literally still a minor.

specifically, I am talking about Tally Twitter. The way y’all target tally ball in particular for any slight infraction is extremely frustrating to say the least. It is unfair to expect him to be the perfect beacon of reason and morality when he is a 17 year-old. Can I emphasize that again? A 17 YEAR OLD!! Y’all are literally so quick to jump on any slight mistake. How dare the updates YouTuber do an update!!!! specifically I am thinking about the incident where someone claimed that Joe was dead. Of course he was going to make an update. That’s his job. It is not his job, however, to discuss complex. Issues like allegations of assault, pedophilia, transphobia, etc. The fact that he did and it was not great does not change that fact.

To address the elephant in the room: the recent video Tal made. Could he have been more sensitive about it? Yes. Should that be his job and should he be flame roasted for having a controversial take? absolutely not. He had to put out a video so quickly because that is his job. There was not enough time for the situation to develop. Tal is absolutely not the only case of this, but he is the most visible one.

to be fair to you guys, I know that a lot of you are younger than 17. As a 17-year-old myself, I want to remind you that 17 is in no way in an adult and these people should not have the responsibility of having the “correct opinion “100% of the time.

It is important to remember that every mean comment you leave or snarky post you make has real effects on people’s lives and mental health. I’m not going to go into details, but this is absolutely been taking a toll on everyone. I don’t want to have a debate about this in the re-blogs or comments, I just want you to think about what I’m saying.

Liking a band does not make you responsible for addressing the personal lives and actions of the members. Period.

[infraaa]

O h

✨F u c k✨

𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐘 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐈

affogato cookie x gn!reader

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 • • •

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 • • •

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 • • • ❥❥❥

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 • • •

tw // character injury, graphic violence, implied ptsd episode, slight gore I suppose, and it's just a tad bit suggestive with red velvet in the beginning, but it's nothing too heavy.

【cw // affos goin through it now. It's hella angsty so just a little warning abt that.】

TAKE CAUTION UNDER THE CUT

BOLT!

Cold sweats, panting, clutching his chest… he looked around at his surroundings. It’s light outside and the birds quietly chirped. Looking at his hands did he realize that he only had a nightmare. A bad dream. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he laid back down and turned to hug you… except you weren’t in the bed. He hugged the blankets which made up whatever warmth you left over. “Y/n?” He sheepishly called out. He looked more closely… he made a fool of himself. After realizing you weren’t there, he sat back up and rubbed his eyes. 

Cutting over in the kitchen, you sit at an empty kitchen table with a cup of coffee, when Red Velvet approaches you. He puts his hand on the wood beside you, and the smell of buttercream fills your nose. “I can tell you’re upset.” He says sleepily, his voice still drunk with sleep. He takes a chair and sweeps it backwards and plops down onto it. “Babe.” Red Velvet said in the midst of the stillness. What did he just call you? You turned to him, taking a sip of coffee. Rubbing his lips together with a sharp inhale, he grazed his claws gently on the table. “I think you should talk to him at some point. I get that you’re nervous, you're unsure, you may even be afraid to confront him maybe, but I do recommend that you talk to him about how you feel.” You blinked, settling his words in the peaceful morning silence, and after a second you wrapped your hands around your mug and let your skin embrace its warmth. “What if I don’t want to right now?” “I’m not saying you have to talk to him now, I’m saying at some point.” He paused in the middle of his sentence to confront himself.

He doesn’t want a casual conversation.

It’s seven in the morning. You’re here, he’s here… everyone else as far as you both know are still asleep…

He scoots his chair over a bit to where he’s closer to you.  Putting his arms on the table and resting on them, he continues to pour his blue eyes into yours. You take a drink of your coffee and look back at him. He had a certain look in eyes, something you’ve never seen in him. His eyes looked softer. Was it because he was tired? It had to be. You dismissed this soft puppy dog look he was giving and went to get up when you felt his clawed hand creep onto your fingers, making you freeze in place. You looked back at him with a question in your eyes. “What?” “Talk to me.” Compelled to say no, you took a breath. “I–” You stopped yourself for a second. Was he trying to comfort you? Was he trying to get you to vent to him? Did he just want you here? You slowly sat back down in your seat at the table. Looking at him, you furrowed your eyes. Looking at your phone, you saw the time. 7:05. “About yesterday,” you started, then pausing again to drink your coffee, “did you agree with Licorice?” He took a second to think, his head slowly raising back up from its resting position on his arms.

“I think…” He said. “You think–” “Wait, give me a second.”

Oh so he wasn’t finished.

“I think so, yes. When I met him through my mother, which she just brought him in to fill the hole that Dark Choco made when he made the choice to disband, He seemed… off. I don’t know, he didn’t have the same visions as we did. He wasn’t interested in rebuilding the world like we do, he was interested in claiming it. But he had a very particular way of wanting to achieve that and at first tried to undermine me because of my status at the Tower.” Okay, so this was intriguing. Call Affogato an overachiever, sure. But call others out to get ahead? Seemed normal. Strangers? Huh… You got up for a second, “Here, let me get you some coffee. How do you take it?” He looked up at you. ‘Black. Black and strong as night.” You nodded. “Anyways, what do you mean by ‘undermine you?’” Red Velvet sighed, eyeing you as you stood at the counter getting a mug out of the cabinet. “So… he tried to make himself look like a better person by trying to build a sense of morale or respect… Truth be told, he started with me. I run the tower, I'm responsible for all the cake monsters. He tried to say that I wasn’t a fit leader because of my own visions. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that my mother was always a radical thinker in the light that she just wishes to see Earthbread crumble. I want to make it new, so that there is no segregation. No differences– equality, sameness, you know?” 

His ego is large, what the fuck… and Red didn’t even have to do anything.

“It just sounds like he needs to mind his own business. He can be pretty nosy at times.” “Pretty nosy alright, yeah.” He got up and started walking towards you. “And the whole Creme Republic Incident? He blamed me for not being there when he didn’t even know me at the time.” You started pouring his coffee into his mug when you felt his warm arms drape over the countertop in front of you. You saw his hands and exhaled, feeling the warmth of his body come close to you. “You did, you knew I was there.”

You remembered joining the Cookies of Darkness long before Affogato did. During your training you grew close with Red Velvet as a personal trainer. He saw your growth in his army, and how you treated his cakes. He admired you for your sense of justice and compassion, and if you were there, you managed to soften his sharp edges just a bit. But this also led to you developing a friendship with him outside of work. Your mind raced about the times you two would both sneak out, go hang out in the forests, play with the cakes… you two would always have a good time when you both would hang out, away from everyone else.

You saw his fingers snake around the granite of the countertop slowly, almost like actual snakes stalking down prey. Feeling the push of the air leaving his nose at the crown of your head, and upon looking down you see that his fingers intertwine with each other. His arms have wrapped themselves around your hips, and all the sudden, you could feel your breathing pick up. You turned towards him, his fingers unlocking for a second before moving back to their locked position. “What are you doing?” You asked, hushed…

Don’t wake anyone.

Don’t wake anyone.

Don’t. Wake. Anyone.

“What am I doing?” He asked with a coyish smile. Holy shit. That was the only thing that was racing through your mind. “I like you, that’s what I’m trying to do. With that, he quickly moved his hands to your sides, pulling your body to his, making you gasp. Putting his normal hand then to your cheek you stare at him— wide eyed. “Red… this is wrong, we shouldn’t-“ you said hesitantly, moving one of your hands to his chest. He smiled, closing his eyes for a brief second. “Are you listening to me?” “Of course I am. I know this is wrong…” With a swift move of his hand back down, he kissed your lips– as you lightly took hold of his forearm. You moaned with slight discomfort in the kiss, squeezing at his arm gently.

This is wrong.

This is very wrong.

Letting go of your lips he took your chin in his two normal fingers and lifted your reddened head to look him in the eye. “But you can’t need without a want.” You bore into his eyes with confusion. Sure, Affogato would have these moments with you, quite literally all the time. He was known to be passionate and clingy at times, but his love language was exactly that– acts of service and physical contact. Red Velvet however…

You felt as though in the past you could trust Affogato.

You feel as if now you can trust Red Velvet. 

At this point, your mind is racing. Do you want to continue with this? Do you want to potentially get caught by someone? It would mean utter chaos if Affogato caught you. But with these suffocating thoughts came ones of fire. Setting off firecrackers in your heart and butterflies flying amok in your stomach, it was almost like temptation by the serpent that lended Eve the apple and beckoned to take a bite; just a bite, just a nibble. Just what were your feelings towards Red Velvet?

As you were contemplating this decision, you felt the crimson general lean down to kiss your jawline, then your neck, going down to your shoulders and back up again, taking his hands and slowly going up and down your sides. You took a breath and leaned into him. Was the feeling of pressure and heated passion getting to your head? Like blood rushing up while you would hang upside down? Was it dizzying? Your hand autonomously moved up into his red and black bed hair, leaning into him with a quiet sigh. Recognizing your new twisted sense of consent, he picked you up and placed you on the countertop for easier access. Wrapping your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist, you could feel his hands creep down underneath your top as he kissed you, feeling at your now warm skin, blushed with rouge. In the heat of the moment did he attempt to lift your top up. You pushed him away to put a finger to his nose. “No no..” You said teasingly. He smirked at you.

God damn. He just won’t behave.

He sure is cute though.

You both resumed and after a few moments you both heard the sound of a door open. Reality came back to greet you with a vengeance as you then reacted fast, a little too fast for Red Velvet’s liking. You quickly pushed him off of you and hopped off the countertop, ushering out of the kitchen as fast as a hare. He looked back at you as you scampered off, scurrying back somewhere. He smiled and put a finger to his bottom lip. He took a drink of his now lukewarm coffee sitting beside the coffee pot as his cerulean eyes took to a lustful sheen. “Red, what the fuck are you doing?” Licorice stood at the entryway to the kitchen with crossed arms. He turned his head to look at the necromancer, daring not to move his body around. “Coffee.” “Yeah whatever, just let me get my tea.” He quickly moved over to go get his morning cup of tea, walking over to a cabinet to get his box of tea sachets when he saw a silhouette in Red’s pants. He gave Red Velvet a disgusted look. “I swear to the fucking witches. Bruh it's too early for this.” He walked off after putting his tea away.

Later on after you quickly showered, getting the scent of Red Velvet off of your body and washing him out of your mouth, you could smell your boyfriend walking into the room, the sweet smell of vanilla and coffee filling your nose. You suddenly felt an immense feeling of heavy guilt and shame. He truly did nothing to you, he didn’t deserve to be cheated on. “Good morning, amour.” He said to you as he hugged you from behind as you put on your body spray. “Good morning dear, watch your nose.” He backed up for you and then as you finished, you could feel him cling back on you. “So, what are the plans for today?” Latte said she wants to go out again, I said I digress, I would rather not waste gas.” You nodded, agreeing with him. Gas sure did cost a pretty penny. “So… staying in?” You asked. He nodded. He looked at you as you finished in the mirror. You wanted nothing more than to get away from him as quickly as you could– the guilt was starting to become overbearing, eating you alive like a parasite. Even the glow of your ring light was making your eyes hurt. Affogato on the other hand looked at you through the mirror.

Say something.

Say. Something, Affogato Cookie.

His knee twitched, and with that he cleared his throat. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.” You looked at him, getting your attention was always easy for him to do. “Sure, what is it–” “Y/N! Breakfast!” You could hear Latte call out. “Oh!” You suddenly looked out the door, and started to head out. “We can talk later, come on.” He put his hand up and smiled politely. “I’m alright… thanks.”

At the dinner table, everyone except Affogato gathered for breakfast. As everyone was eating, Licorice and Red Velvet had finished early and were on their phones. Red got a look from Espresso that read discontent. “Why… why are you on your phone at the table? Put it down, that’s bad table etiquette.” “Blow it out your ass four eyes, Pomegranate Cookie is texting me about Chiffon, my dog. He got an ear infection shortly after I left and I asked Pomegranate to look after him and tell me about any developments.”

A sudden, extremely believable lie.

Espresso shrugged and continued eating. “Oh, the poor puppy!” Latte exclaimed, “I hope your dog gets better!” He only nodded, the reply swooshy sound coming from his phone.

bitch ass motherfucker w a small dick – Today 9:26

『wth was goin on this morning in the kitchen?』

He smirked and started typing again. Licorice’s phone then vibrated on the surface of the table. He checked it.

E-thot man whore w gay highlights – Today 9:26

『you always somehow wanna be in my business where you clearly dont belong smdh anyways since you asked I now have torturer’s rights.』

bitch ass motherfucker w a small dick – Today 9:27

『naur. sTOP.』

E-thot man whore w gay highlights – Today 9:27

『bih naur??? ugly cries anyway i was abt to get some fuck unlike you w your greasy ass hair bfffthahah』

He looked up at Red Velvet with a plain face and he returned the look. “You get on my fucking nerves.”

“Naur? Really Licorice?”

“FUCKING NAUR.”

“NAUR.”

“NAAAAAAURRRR.”

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO FUCKING TALKING ABOUT?” Affogato yelled out from the living room. Red snorted under his breath and put his phone in his pocket, dismissing himself from the table before walking behind you and giving you a quick head pat. Affogato walked into the kitchen and saw you and everyone else finishing breakfast. He took Red Velvet’s empty seat at the table, eyeing everyone as they ate. “What was all that?” “Don’t worry about it, they were annoying each other.” Latte said as she finished up. “And me.” Espresso groaned.

The rest of the day went on without incident… however you never spoke to Affogato, leading him into a state of paranoia. He refused to eat after a few days, the pain was killing him. You presumed that he may have wanted space, but that only made it worse in his head. All he wanted was to talk to you. That’s all he wanted really, and the coldness in his bed made him feel weak and useless. He wanted you. You.

You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. 

You were driving him c  r  a  z  y.

At one in the morning, you heard someone crying. Waking up, you opened your bedroom door to see little black, dots on the floor. You lowered down to see what this was, and upon closer inspection it looked like ink from a black pen that busted. Following the little splotches on the floor you were led to the bathroom. The inky like substance gathered at the crack at the door, puddling there. Opening the door, the smell of ink was so… overpowering you covered your nose. It was in the toilet, on the toilet seat, the handles of the sink, the countertop, the shower curtain, the walls…

It was everywhere.

You gently took hold of the bathroom curtain with a concerned look on your face. “Affogato?” You called out, which made him immediately stop crying. Holding his breath, not making a sound, he felt his breath gather up in his chest and throat, making him cough and gargle. You open the shower curtain to see Affogato, his clothes soiled with the black substance from the collar of his shirt down. He was panting– you could see the ink in his teeth. His fingers, straight down to his nails– loosely coated in liquid black as he shook gently, sitting in a now completely stained bathtub with splatters of whiter leaking through the black shiny mass that was this sticky thick liquid. “Oh witches…” you muttered under his breath. “My… my magic… I can’t– I can’t use my abilities anymore.” He whined as he curled up in the bathtub. “Affogato,” you whispered, crouching down carefully, making sure not to slip on the tile floor. “I think you should talk to me–” “I’ve been trying to do that for the past THREE. FUCKING. DAYS.”

He spat the viscous black liquid at you, clearly now in a state of anger. Do you really want to get served now? Oh god, what would he do..?

It had to come out.

“Listen, just listen to me honey…” You tried to reach out to him but he grimaced backwards against the shower wall. “Listen… about… about the day we went to the shopping center, I went with Licorice and Red Velvet, and we went into a winter boutique… he pulled me into the bathroom and he started talking about you.”

Spilling the beans, you could slowly see his eyes widen. He heard all the things about how he was an untrustworthy liar, how he was irresponsible, how he was narcissistic like his mother… god that one hurt like a bitch. He didn’t mind it personally, he’s heard gossip and rumors about him countless times before. But, for Licorice to tell you these things about him, making you avoid him… what if they were lying? What if they didn’t like him anymore?

What if… he wasn’t good enough..?

Do you dare tell him about yesterday morning?

You had to.

“And… yesterday in the kitchen… Red Velvet… um…” You could already see it in his poor off white eyes– his whole childhood was flashing through his eyes. “Oh god, this is gonna piss you off…” You swallowed the large lump in your throat, wondering how you should reword this. His eyebrows began to furl. “Why? Why? Why why why why why whywhywhywhywhywhywh…” he started to murmur to himself as he gripped his hair. “What, y/n what?! WHAT?! WHAT IS IT?!”

“I’m trying to think this through, give me a second!” “Think what through?!” 

It came out wrong. He overwhelmed your mind and your senses were clouded with nothing but the stench of xylene and alcohol, and the ink only seemed to seep deeper into your surroundings… manifesting something from the drain of the tub. Small little dark purple and black rivlets of ink started to gather and clot at the base of the drain, thickening into worm like shapes. “He…”

His hands shook as he started to let out this blood curdling scream, sending you back against the now closed bathroom door, slamming shut and knocking the back of your head.

“You will never amount to anything. You are a worthless child, and I will always blame you for why your father left for that goddamn waste of space whore…”

And after a few seconds of silence, the door busted back open, this time with a very concerned Latte, Espresso, Licorice, and Red Velvet waiting behind it. As soon as he saw Red Velvet and Licorice, his eyes suddenly filled with rage… and the room, the room started to fill with this dark mauve lavender smoke as he began to cough violently, spitting up ink from his cried out throat, dying of heat and burning from the chemicals. Hissing could be heard, and a large worm-like entity rose out of the smog, purple glowing eyes staring back at you and the others hungrily, fueled by the same rage that its host held. It picked him up slightly, allowing him to slightly levitate off the surface of the bathtub. Smaller snakes similar to the large one slithered out of the bathtub, hissing as they did so. A few snakes stayed behind and latched themselves to Affogato’s shoulders.

And after the smog cleared and his coughing subsided, the lot of you backed away… terrified of the figure that was floating before them. Focused on Red Velvet’s form solely, slithering out of the bathtub with the mercy of the large serpent behind him, hissing like a bomb about to go off… and that’s what Affogato has become– a ticking time bomb about to explode…

“REEEED VELVEEEEET!”

Launching out of the bathroom, the lot of you separated like ants. Red Velvet took you by the arm and quickly charged upstairs. “GET A FUCKING GUN, GET A GUN RED, HE’S LOST HIS MI-” “Ohhhh…. Oh Licorice! Don’t think you aren’t gonna get it either!” The large serpent summons Affogato’s staff out of its mouth, purple slime emitting from its tongue, covering it in the gooey substance that was similar to the inkblot that was created in the bathroom. With maniacal laughter, he slammed down on the ground with his newly found staff, spears stabbing down at the wooden floor, cracking as the ink pours in the hole, summoning a torrent of snakes. The shockwave of the small blast that his staff made upon impact of the floor sent Licorice backwards, falling onto the sofa, and as soon as he was trying to get up, he saw the tip of the longest spear at the end of the staff at his chest, prodding at the fabric and the very miniscule fibers of his clothes. But before he could plunge his staff into Licorice’s chest, he felt a hard bonk to his shoulder, briefly sending the large serpent back on its side for a brief moment before it stood back up with a slight grunt. He turned, only to see his youngest sister wielding a baseball bat in her hands, teary eyed as she tried to hit the large serpent again, but missed in the process, only hitting Affogato’s staff instead.

“NICE SHOT!”

 The purple swirls at the top of his staff were stained black, no longer emitting the purple sheen that it once did. “Latte Cookie, watch out!” Espresso exclaimed as he toppled his older sister before she could be hit by his staff. “You alright?” She nodded, shaking slightly. They both look up at the now corrupted cookie, while then for a second, Espresso looks back towards Red Velvet Cookie, who came back down the stairs with you in one arm and a gun in the other. “WHAT DID YOU DO?” Espresso yelled out. “I have no idea!” 

“FEEL MY WRAAAATH! AAAAA HAHAHAHAHA!”

Slamming his staff down onto the ground, he conjures up even more snakes, and they slither to find their way towards Licorice Cookie’s legs, slithering around them and leaving a nasty train of black inky slime behind, tying Licorice down and rendering him unable to move. He tried to do the same with Red Velvet Cookie, but was rendered unsuccessful when he swatted away the pesky little snakes with the barrel of the gun. 

“Wait, I think I know what’s wrong with him!” Latte said as she hurriedly moved over towards Licorice Cookie. Espresso Cookie followed her close behind, urging you and Red Velvet Cookie to follow suit. Suddenly, Latte Cookie used a shield to protect the lot of you as you bunched up in your little group. A brown and cream colored book then came to her as it opened, flipping through pages. “I think this is something called an overblot.” Espresso looked over his older sister’s shoulder with curiosity. “Overblot? The… the heck is a-an overblot?” “Licorice choked out through the grasp of the snake, coughing. You quickly tried to untangle the snakes from Licorice’s body, only for them to multiply and hiss at you. “An overblot… according to this passage,” Latte started as she flipped through pages, regaining her place in the book and sliding her finger down the off white page, “is a type of monster that births from a magic user that overuses their magic to the point of it becoming unstable,” she read, “magic users normally overblot due to many factors, however a few signature causes include trauma, extreme stress, or an excess in negative energy blotting something called a “magic wand.” Each overblot monster has an attached entity in which it takes representation of the overblot monster, often in the form of a person or an animal.” Affogato screamed as he hit away at the shield that formed above you with his staff in an attempt to break it, hitting away at it again and again… not stopping for anything. Red Velvet held you with the gun in his hands belting you to him by your stomach. “How the hell do we stop him?!” Latte than frantically flipped through the paragraphs on the page, looking up to see small cracks in the shield she formed, spreading outward with each hit like gentle glass breaking.

“We… we have to wait for his magic to deplete completely… but we can help this go by quicker by… fighting him. The more magic he uses, the quicker it will deplete. And no, Red Velvet, you’re not shooting my brother.” Well, someone told me to go get a gun–” 

“I have no need for siblings like you, who have failed to protect me and stand by me, and your flaws give me ADEQUATE cause… to send you lot to the ENDS OF EARTH TO ROT!” With one final hit, the shield broke, shattering into itty bitty pieces around and on you, leaving micro cuts on your skin. You saw sickened eyes, eyes of white surrounded in a deep sclera sea of black, ink dripping from his lower lashline like mascara running. A smile from ear to ear as he laid eyes on his targets, Red Velvet and Licorice Cookie… and then his siblings… and last… maybe even you. “Red Velvet, I need you to use the gun to untangle Licorice so he can help; us with his magic! For now, Latte and I will hold Affogato off.” Red Velvet nodded, and while keeping you close, he turned the safety of the gun off and cocked it, shooting each snake, watching them wither into puddles of black ink, staining Licorice’s cloak. “Don’t shoot me!” Licorice yelled.

Espresso and Latte had a pair of catalysts that floated next to them, using their respective magic against Affogato to repel him away to aid Red Velvet in getting Licorice free. When Coffee and Latte magic collide, the effects of the collision are almost monstrous in heat and intensity. Beams of coffee and milk surrounded Affogato, trying to strain him of movement, entrapping him in a circle of Solomon. “Now! Go! He can’t move!” Red Velvet urged, pulling Licorice up on his feet. Summoning his scythe, his dead, pale colored eyes bleated as they bore into Affogato’s distraught form. “Now! Come forth, my servants!” Standing behind the two coffee siblings, he slammed his scythe down on the floor, summoning a legion of shadowy, goopy creatures with glowing gold eyes that seemed to be at Licorice’s command. “Go forth, my beasts!” He yelled, gesturing to them to attack Affogato, and at the simple command did they charge forward in small groups in different directions, from the left, right and center… all to surround Affogato in the coff like key that held him in place..

But that only lasted for a brief moment when a torrent of ink spilled through the circle, trying to slow the licorice creatures in their mini stampede of sorts. The little minions however broke some parts of the circle in an effort to intercept Affogato, climbing onto his ankles to hold him down. “Everyone! Go!” Licorice yelled, Latte and Espresso stepped back, catalysts still in hand as they tried to repel Affogato using their own respective magic spells, however, that only did so much to him. With the two siblings and the licorice minions, the small snakes started fighting off the minions one by one, biting down on them and paralyzing them. The snakes would absorb the magic from the minions, which would replenish Affogato of his dark magic. He suddenly began to cackle, a deep cackle as he shot his staff outward, a large lavender beam coming from it. It split in two and managed to hit both Espresso and Latte with incredible force, sending them out of the cabin into the snowy yard outside with rough crashes onto the frozen ground.

He turned over to the necromancer at his very right, who beckoned you to go out to help the coffee siblings outside. Red Velvet stepped forward, gun in hand as he directed the barrel and chamber to the floor. “Affogato, please snap out of it!” Red Velvet yelled out, “we know you’re in pain right now, you’re in severe psychological distress and we get it, but at least–” “Why should I hold back anymore?! You tried to take the ONLY THING, the ONLY COOKIE in my life that seemed to matter to me, and YOU… tried to tear me and them APART!

“I WILL NO LONGER BE STOLEN FROM!”

The snakes charged at Red Velvet first, causing him to shoot at the snakes, which did some harm to Affogato. Licorice summoned more of his minions, then looked at how the snakes acted. His eyes widened all the sudden, as things started to clear up. The snakes acted as mini conduits of energy and magic that replenish Affogato! And they all seemed to be born from…

“The glass snake behind him… that’s it!” Licorice shouted, alerting Red Velvet next to him. “We have to destroy the snake behind Affogato!” Red Velvet smiled, aiming his gun at it to take a shot. However, upon shooting the snake, the bullet only seemed to ricochet off the glass into a window. “The glass that makes up the snake looks like it’s bulletproof!” Red Velvet shouted.  “A simple bullet will not be able to break the glass!” Suddenly, Affogato took his staff and swung it at Licorice’s head, swiftly sending him into the entertainment center. Screaming he put his hand to his hand only to see blood riveting out onto his pale fingers. Fresh blood dripped from the newly found spikes adorning the sides of the staff. Red Velvet attempts to shoot the glass snake again, making the dark cookie cry out in pain. The second bullet would ricochet into the television on the wall. But… the second bullet left a tiny, very fine crack. His eyes widened as he went over to protect Licorice who sat on the floor, bleeding heavily. “Affogato, stop!” He smiled manically and raised his staff high in the air, preparing to swing at Red Velvet, cornering him against the other injured cookie. Perfect timing… you, Espresso, and Latte entered the cabin, slightly reddened and bruised from the snow, and saw the state of the two cookies against the entertainment center. “THE SNAKE!” Red Velvet yelled, “YOU HAVE TO BREAK–” Affogato swung roughly at Red Velvet, cutting him off and sending him into a violent scream. Stopping for a second, he started to giggle once more, he descended into insane laughter and started to bludgeon the two cookies under him, the snakes taking over their bodies to absorb their blood and strength. “STOP HIM!” Espresso yelled. The three of you attempted to intercept Affogato from three sides, with Espresso taking the snake in a chokehold and performing a boiling spell on it. Then, he noticed the fine crack.

“Latte, get the baseball bat you had!” She looked up to her younger brother who was in the process of heating the glass of the snake in an attempt to enlarge the crack. “The glass…” you muttered. “Red Velvet was trying to shoot the glass. We have to break the glass of the snake! Latte, you can use your magic to aid Espresso in heating the layers of the glass!” Espresso shook his head. “No, we have to use a lot more force to break the glass. Our magic can only do so much!” You ran off with Latte to get some bats, while Espresso stayed behind, jumping off to hit the snake with a beam of coffee magic, making Affogato wince. Summoning more snakes out of inky puddles, they slithered quickly towards Espresso Cookie, who levitated off the floor with his catalyst. The snakes gripped at the tail of his cape with their fangs, Flipping through the pages, he smiled at Affogato, who was prepping his staff once more. “Oh, so you wish to go down with them, little brother?” He asked, his voice laden with poisonous intent. “That voice… so familiar. So bitter…!” Espresso expressed as he shot a torrent of coffee beans in Affogato’s direction, pinning him up against the wall, like small needles. His eyes focused in on the crown  of the snake’s head, preparing to shoot a beam of magic at it when all the sudden, Affogato charged forward and suspended his younger brother to a window, holding him by the neck with his staff. The snakes start to slither up the wall, closing in on Espresso’s head.

“You've always tried to outsmart me, always tried to get me into trouble, frame me for things you obviously did, made my life hell and you always got away with it like you’re so much better than me… you have no right to disrespect me any further… matter of fact…” Using the staff to forcefully lift Espresso’s chin upward painfully, the snakes blinded him, sliding over his eyes. “You won’t be able to harm me any further… you’ll be dead.”

“Nice thought!”

SLAM!

[da3dm]

Night Light 1.4

Two chapters in one day—two days to you bc I'm waiting til tmrw to post this! Fair warning, the perspective changes to someone else in this chapter! It isn't Axel or his friends!

TW: MORE blood/injuries! Slight dehumanization (calling someone "it") That's about it

Word Count: 5.3k

Chapter 4: Discovery

He sighed, leaning back in his office chair and glancing at the clock. Still only halfway through his day. That only made him groan and slump in his seat, eyes flicking back to the computer screen. His fingers tapped his desk and he propped his head up in his other hand, leaning against his elbow. Working for so many hours was exhausting…sure, he worked from home most of the time, but sitting still doing absolutely nothing was a bit too much for him. He was still waiting on that one email so he could actually get some work done. In other words, he was merely sitting staring at a blank screen. He'd only been doing this job for a year or so, but it was already way too annoying. Waiting around unable to complete it was so wasteful to him.

Except it was when the person he was waiting on went offline that he gave up. He left his computer on a blank screen and pushed away from the desk with a stretch. Time for a break, it seemed. Being sure it would remain on so he wouldn't be docked pay for being offline, he got up and pushed his chair in. Now what? He stood there in his utterly silent house, the only sounds being the soft ticking of his clock and the vents working faintly. Sometimes the silence of his house was comforting, other times it felt…empty. His family didn't visit very often so he was typically alone for months, only broken by needing to shop or being called in to work directly a few times. That didn't mean he wanted people around him though, he usually preferred the silence.

Giving a heavier sigh, one hand went to rub his neck and the other retrieved his phone, turning on notifications before shoving it in his pocket. There had been a pretty big weather warning alert on his phone in those notifications, so he was now turning to go check what he had. If he needed to go to the store, it was probably best to do so before that storm could hit. It was probably going to start tonight or tomorrow, but it didn't hurt to be prepared. Having everything he needed would also mean he could avoid asking anyone for help or having to go out in the storm. The only problem with leaving was it he finally got the email while he happened to be out of the house, so he needed to be sure he'd notice if it was sent.

Heading into the kitchen, he went ahead and scanned through everything. He opened cupboards only to be disappointed with how little he actually had. When did he last go to the store? It was worth questioning, that much was for sure. He started tapping a finger against his leg anxiously as he switched to the supplies in his drawers next, finding even those empty. His fridge…he paused and stared at it for a few moments before giving in and stepping over to it, checking the inside and immediately recoiling from it. Empty, but where it wasn't, most food was rotting by now. Man, he really worried about himself. Just how little did he eat? The freezer was the only thing he didn't check since that generally stayed good for a long time. That and he only had ice in there as far as he was aware.

He grumbled to himself and left his kitchen, searching for his keys before glancing outside. Did he need a coat? It was a mix of fall and summer weather at this point, so it was probably a good idea. He grabbed on on his way out, but was already dreading the long drive into town. It usually took him several hours to get everything and come back home. Well, that's what he got for living in the middle of nowhere. This house meant quite a bit to him considering it's where he grew up. He loved the willow tree in the backward, the dark wood floors, and the sort of gentle lighting throughout the house. The forest itself was quite nice too, he just didn't go outside very often.

Stepping into his garage, he pushed the button to open the door while climbing into his truck, getting it started so he could back out. If it wasn't for the dirt roads he'd have a smaller car, this one wasn't the easiest to get in and out of the garage. Once he'd gotten it out, he began the busy struggle to get it turned back around so he could just leave his own driveway. It was a little dark for day, so he flicked on his headlights and started out of the driveway, carefully heading uphill after turning onto the road. It was pretty steep, but it was occasionally worth it since living on a dead end road kept people from messing with him. He didn't get any of those solicitors showing up trying to sell him things like his mom always complained about.

It took him about an hour before other people came into view—their homes, anyway. He automatically tensed regardless, made uneasy by the thought of other people in any way. Why couldn't he just order the food and have it brought to his car? The entire thing was such a huge hassle and only stressed him out. He'd been that way since he was young and so far…he had yet to find something that countered it or a better way to do it. It made him feel like the entire thing was a waste of time and almost had him turning his car right back around. Especially as another half hour passed and he began to see stores all over.

When he reached the supermarket he pulled into the half full parking lot, glad it at least wasn't congested there. After finding a spot to park he took a deep breath and stared at the store for a long few moments. He really didn't want to go inside, but eventually willed himself out of the car, locking it behind him as he trudged towards the building. He kept his head down while grabbing a kart and gathering what he needed. For the most part, he went around grabbing what he needed before what he might want. Even still, the kart became way too full by the time he was heading to check out. Whelp. His wallet was gonna feel some hurt today, but at least he could stay hidden at home for a while.

~ꕥ~

Whelp, he was drained. He had spent a few hours in town, with no notification from his job. Most of that time was him just trying to convince himself to go into the stores in the first place, but now he had a full tank of gas, lots of food—most of which was non-perishable considering what happened to his fridge. He was only a few minutes away from getting home and it was already getting dark out, clouds gathering in the sky steadily, but not quite a threat yet. A storm so slow to gather had the potential to flood, the clouds weighed down by too much water. That let him know he'd probably be trapped at his house. If it got too soaked his truck struggled to go up the hill to get out.

He managed to fit the car back in his garage and close the door, but now began the unloading. In the end while looking at everything, he just grabbed anything that couldn't be left out and went back inside, leaving the rest for tomorrow. It wasn't night quite yet, but he was mentally exhausted from interacting with so many people and watching his money just fall out of his pockets. When he got inside, he turned for the kitchen and put the small amount of perishables away while taking one of them and popping it in the microwave. At the same time, his phone went off with his work's ringtone and he groaned tiredly before fishing it out and answering. "Yes?"

The crackly voice carried through, "I’m calling about today’s assignment.” They sounded both serious and inquisitive.

He had to suppress a sigh as he leaned against the counter and watched the microwave. “What about it?” He kinda already knew it had to do with it not being turned in.

There was a moment of silence before they spoke again, “We never received the required information for your assignment. Expect it tomorrow morning. I want it done before the day is over, we are already low on time.”

He grimaced but gave them a more positive tone. “Alright, thanks for letting me know. I will complete it after I get it.” There was silence, then the phone beeped as they hung up on him. With a sigh, he leaned against the counter like a puddle and shook his head. They always did that, but it was fine…he could get it all set up pretty quickly. Besides, that meant he could play some video games when it was done. Part of his job was to test some of the planned programs so he could fix the mistakes in the systems. He pushed himself back up and wandered back to the fridge, grabbing some of the spoiled food and tossing it away. Wouldn't be good for it to spread to anything he’d just added.

He was interrupted halfway through by the microwave going off, calling him over to get his very plain tv dinner out. There were better options for a meal, but this was the easiest one he had readily on hand. At least it wasn't horrible. He set the hot tray on a plate, grabbed a cup of water, and went back to his office. After sitting down, he went about shutting things down and signed off from work while calmly eating. It didn’t take him too long, but he stayed there even after the screen went black, finishing his meal in silence rather than trying to carry it somewhere else again. Once his meal was gone, he downed the water and collected it all, throwing the tray away and placing the cup on the counter. No use putting it in the sink when it was only used for water.

He went ahead and checked the time before going to his room. It was dark out by now and he had a very busy day tomorrow. If he didn't go to sleep now, he wouldn't be able to get much done in the morning…he’d probably end up staying up kinda late to work on whatever game his assignment tomorrow wanted him to evaluate. He just needed to give the base coding then pass it on to others…he was only one of the beta testers. Either way, he proceeded to get to his room and wandered to the bed tiredly. Shopping was always too much, but then there was the added depressed feeling from being alone, no stimulation, and repeating the same tasks every day. Not to mention the fact that he now had to clean his fridge. Oh well…he kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed how he was, pulling the blanket up to his shoulders and closing his eyes. That was a problem for tomorrow.

~ꕥ~

The morning was not much better. He woke up with a migraine, rain pounding his house as the wind howled around it, and his phone blowing up with messages. It wasn’t even noon yet. He was in the office, barely even alive and drinking some hot tea to keep himself awake while scrolling through endless lists of properties. He held a constant frown, trying to communicate and help edit the program enough for actual testing, but several people weren't responding or just telling him to do it instead. This was only made worse by some new leaks he found scattered his home. The thunder and lightning sometimes vibrated his house, the hum traveling through the entire building as his lights would flicker dangerously.

He couldn’t afford to lose power, not when he was right smack in the middle of arguing and editing for a game they’d been forced into doing at the last minute. What sucked even more was the fact that the information hadn’t even been sent when it was supposed to have been, shoving everyone into high panic mode as they struggled to get it going. He found himself absorbed in calls, typing, editing—in conclusion, all of it was hellish and only getting worse by the hour. Having to talk to so many people, of whom the majority wanted to shove their plate load of work onto him, was sapping all his energy. Every single second of this made him horribly thankful he’d gone to bed far earlier than normal…being swamped like he was right now wasn't very common, but it was still a nightmare and a half to deal with.

This problem stole most of his day, lasting until they finally got some supervisors on the phone to make the other ones do their work instead of pushing it aside like they were. With that part settled it finally started smoothing out and he was allowed a break, finally released from a job he wasn’t supposed to be doing. Since that was done, he leaned back and looked at the time, only to frown at it. How was it already the afternoon? This made him leave his desk, but only after turning up the volume so he would be notified if something else came up. He had a lot to do now that he had a chance for a break after all. Storms that caused damage couldn't just be left alone.

So he got to work. He made sure he had any leak he found taken care of, bowls set to catch the water while he worked on something to seal the leaks…sometimes you just couldn't, but he wanted to at least try. It was probably the roof. That’s hard to fix in the middle of a thunderstorm though. Well…it was beginning to calm slightly, but he knew that wouldn't last for very long. Other than fixing the roof though, he convinced himself to get to work on the fridge, gathering up anything that had expired. When that was taken care of, he worked on cleaning it. He tried not to spend too much time on it since he had to remove the contents to do so…it was never good to leave perishables on the counter for too long.

It wasn't too long before he found another message calling him back to his office, stopping with caring for his house to tend to it. He was kinda tired of cleaning anyway. Checking the message, it was his company sending out the game for beta testing. It would be absolutely horrible and there’d be practically nothing to the game yet, but…it was important to check if what they’d already put in operated correctly. He tapped his desk a few times before he sent the download to his gaming computer in his room, taking and signing off. He was pretty glad that they were allowed to end their day when sent a file like this one.

He numbly shut off his work computer and got back up yet again to lazily head to his room. It wasn’t the most pressing matter, he merely wanted to get out of having to keep cleaning things for the rest of the night. Doing that fridge was more than enough for right now. He sat in the much nicer chair and powered on the more advanced gaming computer with a faint smile. This seat and his entire game set was so much more comforting than everything else, but he hardly had time to use it anymore. The only chances came when he needed to test a game, very rarely on days off because of exhaustion.

Taking and getting the files downloaded, he went ahead and connected his headset and prepared a console controller so he could test both sides of it. He opened the game once it was done installing and rolled his eyes at the basic opening style and music. He wrote a note about it while it loaded open, but went back to paying attention when the start screen came up. The game, once started, had very boring adventuring music, poor graphics, and the controls were immediately off center. He scowled at the screen and didn’t hesitate to write it all down, but had no choice except to continue going through it as much as possible.

As he went through it, he froze up, feeling like he'd just heard a voice from somewhere. He frowned and turned the avatar around a few times for any npcs, but didn’t see anything so he went right back to it. He heard something similar again and searched one more time. Again, nothing. When he went to ignore it for the second time, thunder boomed outside, rattling his house and cutting his power. He stiffened and sunk into his chair with a strained groan, letting his head fall forward. That’s when he heard the voice…a third time, with the computer off. He fully froze up, listening much closer now.

That was very…wrong. Then it came again and he sat bolt upright, a bone-chilling desperation to that faint voice. It felt like his soul was being torn from his body as he launched to his feet, scanning his house for whatever it was. Doing that let him then hear some sort of muffled snarling and yipping from somewhere. He followed it. Quickly, he grabbed the first thing he saw and rushed to his backdoor. His bedroom window led to the backyard, but he was terrified that if he pulled back the curtains something would be there to attack him. Well, that shouldn't have been his biggest worry when his chosen weapon was a slipper. Still, he moved as quietly as he could while staying on guard.

He opened the back door carefully as he peeked outside, scanning the yard and flinching when he noticed something moving. But it wasn't coming after him. Rather, it was just jumping, over and over, at what looked like a knot in his willow tree. Scooting outside, he could hear the desperate screaming much clearer and felt almost compelled forward, pulling his arm back and flinging his slipper at whatever animal that was. He hardly noticed he had bare feet when he hurried over the flooded ground, the water nearly reaching his ankles now. Somehow, the slipper clipped right off the animal’s head and it vanished, the night falling silent except for the falling rain.

There was a brief moment of hesitation, but it only took him a second before he moved forward, wondering what that strange glow was. The voice had stopped, but…what was that? When he stopped close enough to finally begin to see it, the tiny creature suddenly dropped like a rock. He panicked. “Woah!” His hands flung out, catching it in cupped palms. He breathed a sigh of relief and raised his hands closer to his face to try to see what it actually was. As the form focused in the low light he gasped quietly, his eyes going wide and all recognition of the storm leaving his mind completely and entirely. “What…?”

In his hands was some sort of frail creature. Thin, gossamer wings glowed dimly on the back of what looked like a very tiny person. He was in awe of it even existing, taking him some time to even begin to notice the problem. That was until he saw crimson running over his skin and pooling around the tiny person. There was a momentary lag in his mind before he immediately spun around and raced back inside, holding it carefully on his way through the rain. Once inside, he slammed the door shut with a wince at the volume and rushed to his bathroom so he could get some medical supplies. He didn’t know how much he could really help something this small, but just leaving it was even worse.

He gently set the being on the ceramic shelf of his sink, cringing when he saw how much blood smeared off of his hand when he did. Unsure what to do, he let out a panicked breath and reached up to open the mirrors to access his medicine. His eyes flicked over everything he had in a speed he hadn’t known for years. Pain pills? No—that was a horrible idea! He didn't know the dose and weight ratios, he could end up making it worse! It wasn’t like he could just drop everything and weigh them either! And didn’t some of those medicines only make bleeding even worse?? He brushed that aside with a half growl of frustration and quickly gathered some gauze and medical tape. At the last second, he also retrieved some tweezers.

Bending down to his task with hopefully the right supplies, he gently used one hand to touch them, finding it hard to tell if it was even breathing. Since it wasn't something he knew how to do on a body so small, he opted for using the tweezers and carefully removing the jacket. The shirt turned out to be some sort of tight vest thing, so he chose to just leave that behind. His attention turned to the feet as he cautiously tugged the shoes off next before gently undoing the banding at the bottom of the pants. It felt wrong to be doing this to someone unconscious, who clearly had some form of intelligence from having clothes alone, but it was necessary.

Once those were out of the way, he removed the bar of soap from the soap dish before setting the clothing on it, not wanting to risk losing them. His attention dropped back down to the injuries and he hesitated. Could he really do this? There wasn’t much choice. He grabbed a cloth and began to gently wipe the blood away, hoping to see where the actual wound was. When he found the worst one—a tear of sorts on one of the legs, placed right across the calf—he began applying some pressure with the small towel, hoping to at least slow the bleeding while he used another part of it to continue wiping away blood.

When no other serious injuries came up, mostly just scratches and bruises, he found himself filled with relief. He only had to fix one thing. Keeping that in mind, he decided to try and use his best efforts…but it was kinda hard in the dark. He fumbled for the light switch and found it, ever so thankful when it actually clicked on. That means he must simply have a flipped breaker, not a full on outage. He quickly returned to his ‘patient’ though, wondering if it was bad enough to risk having to sew it shut. There was a beat of silence before he slowly pulled the towel away and…nearly collapsed with relief when the bleeding wasn't as bad. It didn’t need to be sutured shut. Thank the heavens because his sewing skills left a lot to be desired.

Didn’t mean he could just stop though. So with a deep breath, he went back to using tweezers and grabbed some of the gauze. This was where he stopped, something registering that he was doing this wrong—gauze didn’t seal a wound, it wasn't supposed to be against it. That was up to a pad, but he only had wrap. Thinking faster than he expected, he reopened the cupboards and brought out the bandaids, finding one with a pad that matched the needed size before using the tweezers to pull the pad off. If a bandaid hurt on his skin in such a small amount, there was no way that it wouldn't if it covered the whole leg.

With that completed, he went ahead and got some medicine put on the bandaid before using one hand to hold the wound shut while the other gently put down the pad. The tiny person tensed, making him falter, but from what he could tell they were unconscious. Must hurt quite a bit then. Moving slowly and worrying if it was too much pressure, he started to wrap the gauze around the pad semi-tightly, his eyes never leaving what he was doing. So far so good, he kept a finger on the finished wrapping and grabbed the medical tape so he could snag some scissors from the cupboard and cut off a small piece. With that piece, he took and pinned the gauze together, taking care that it didn’t stick to the person’s skin.

The split second he was done and it didn't immediately fall apart, he sank to his knees and hung his head. Yikes. What even was this? He closed his eyes and took some time to settle himself back down before returning to his feet and staring at what looked like a small person. It was hard to wrap his head around the creature in front of him even existing. What if he woke up later to find he’d treated a dragonfly or mouse? That would be embarrassing. Except…it didn’t really feel like this was fake. Rather, it seemed more tangible than the likelihood of his team fixing that video game.

Oh well. He went ahead and gently scooped them back into a hand, raising them to the light and trying to focus on the tiny form. Holding his breath, he watched the chest intensely and waited. The moment the chest moved he sighed and brought his hand back down and close to his body. That was good. Meant it was breathing, right? He just nodded to himself and used one hand to lazily clean things for only a few seconds, mainly wanting to treat this thing some more. It was hard to tell if he’d actually helped anything or only made it worse, so he wanted to try practically everything he could…within limits and reason.

Carrying the tiny thing out of the bathroom, he paused in the hallway and debated where to put it. In the end, he leaned more for his room since he would likely be in there far more often. The trip there didn’t take too long and he found himself having to search for some form of bedding. There wasn't much in his room that was very helpful, and considering it was curled up in the fetal position shivering, it was soaked and hurting. That led him to just grabbing a pair of socks his mom had given him that he hadn’t even opened yet. They were more wooly and thick so it was perfect for what he currently wanted.

He scooted over to his computer desk and went to slip the tiny thing inside one of the socks, only for his eyes to catch sight of one wing…being cracked. It wasn't huge and it was at the end, but it looked like something that would make flying difficult. He bit his lip in thought before using one sock to somewhat dry it off some more before putting it inside the other one up to its shoulders. When it seemed to have been accomplished he placed the sock next to his keyboard and sat down, putting the other one gently over the top of it all. If it got too hot the second could just be pushed off, but he figured too hot was better than too cold when hurt.

Since it seemed settled in, he pulled out his phone since his room was still void of light except from the wings. Now that he thought of it, the wings glowing like they did was kinda bizarre and only generated more questions, but since none could be answered, he resumed googling information. First, he checked that he had followed first aid and was relieved that he’d been close enough to it to be fine. Then he started searching up care for small animals and…tiny winged people. The same word that had been floating around his mind from the start was introduced to him quickly—fairy. It was a fairy. But those don't exist.

Well…he said that but it was right in front of him. It had been bleeding out and he’d just taken care of it. Hard to say if he was imagining things or not, really. The other things caught his attention too though, most giving him irrelevant info until he got to housing. Right. Smaller creatures usually ran away from humans. He wrinkled his nose at the idea of any sort of cage though, even the suggestion of a box. This thing was more human than animal, that felt way too inhumane to him. Weren't there better ways to go about it? He didn’t want the fairy to try and fly or run off in its condition, but outright locking it up had to be the worst idea.

He mindlessly scanned his room for something that might work, then his eyes snagged on some dark red yarn. Oh. He had some yarn for when his sister would visit…but how could that be helpful? It took some thinking, but then he searched up the hardest knot to escape from as well as how to tie one. With that information he retrieved the yarn that had been just barely peeking out of a drawer and carefully slipped the fairy back out of the sock. Taking the free end, he tied it around the thinnest part of their body, not wanting them to be able to just slip out of it. When it was tight but still loose enough to move a little, he went ahead and returned the fairy to the sock bed he’d created a minute ago.

It took some maneuvering, but he got the knot to remain behind them and the string out of the way. Quickly after, he searched for something to tie the other end to. Tired and mentally stressed from today, his first thought was to tie it to the base of his computer. So he did. He made it long enough to reach the edge of the table before cutting it and getting it tied. There’s no way this would permanently stop the fairy, especially since if it had magic his efforts would mean absolutely nothing, but it could at least give him a chance to notice before the fairy ran. Although, that thought gave him an entirely separate idea that he almost lost from more thunder booming right above his house.

He glanced around for something that made some noise and got it tangled in the loose part of the string. It was just his tin pencil holder, but the pens would rattle around enough to be heard throughout his house from how silent it was here. Satisfied for now, he watched the fairy a little longer before getting himself ready for his own nap. He’d have some explaining to do about losing power and not contacting them, but…he had a strong feeling it was a bad idea to tell anyone t all about this little fairy. So he just lay in bed, rolled so he could still see the faint, comforting glow of those wings. He’d always hated the dark…and that light seemed almost magical to him. With a soft smile, he let his eyes close and got some rest.

—

End

This human has gotten himself stuck in wayyy more trouble than he bargained for!!

Name reveal? I think not!

<-#1 /Disappointments/

<- /Fault/ - /???/ ->

[house-of-slayterr]

I forgot To Blink:

Part 2 of Blinky’s backstory for @myers-meadow-selfship

Cw: A tiny bit of ableism and verbal abuse, nothing too graphic. (Not me making this a vent fic 🤪)

Blinky’s POV:

We’d been sitting in this musty van all day, Jay insisted on smoking weed without opening a window. I could feel the slight buzz of a second hand high hitting me. But I stayed quiet, not like they would listen anyway. Darla was sat next to me and my brother by her side.

She finally womaned up and asked him out, and I have to say, I don’t know what she saw in him. But he was a little nicer when she was around, and I was grateful for that. Becky was fiddling with the radio, paying whatever popular garbage was current. And Jay drummed his hands against the wheel as he hummed along.

I could feel that familiar dooms day feeling crashing over me. It happened anytime a place got too loud or too stuffy. I thought I was doing a good job at hiding it, but I guess I screwed that up too. Darla turned to me and squeezed my hand lightly.

“You good?” She whispered.

I shook my head.

“Hey Jay, you think we can stop for some fresh air? I’m getting a little cramped back here.” She asked.

I was thankful she didn’t throw me under the bus. It confused me how someone so kind could be attracted to my brother. He barley even paid attention to her when they were together, unless they were making out or having sex. I doubt he even knew her favourite colour. It was obvious it was purple, she wore it almost everyday.

“We’re never gonna make it to the damn beach if we keep stopping.” My brother snapped.

“Relax dude, we need some gas anyways. We’ll just stop up ahead and you can get us more beer yeah?” Jay said.

It was typical the person driving got to make the decisions on a road trip. Or so I’d read. My brother just grumbled. We pulled into a desolate little stop. There were only 4 gas pumps, and the pavement was sun bleached. It’s the type of place you’d typically want to avoid. But right now I would walk face first into a sharks mouth if it meant getting out of this damn car.

I watched as Jay took the keys out of the ignition and stepped unbuckled. He was about to open the door when I spoke up.

“You can’t pump your own gas here, you’ll get a fine.” I warned.

“Oh, thanks.” He said simply, hopping out and heading toward the door to go get someone.

But before he made it across the parking lot, someone was already on their way over. They probably don’t get a lot of visitors. The man had an odd appearance, at least for a day job. He kinda looked like a clown, and I giggled slightly to myself.

“What a freak.” My brother commented.

Reminding me of my already sour mood. He grabbed Darla’s hand and dragged her inside. I followed behind and left Becky in the front seat. Last thing I needed was to be trapped alone in a conversation with her. Talking with her was made me want to smash my head into a brick wall. She only cared about material things, and skin care. One more comment about how I’d look nicer if I just put on some mascara and I was going to rip out all my eyelashes just to spite her. Being seen as “pretty” served me no interest, I didn’t want to attract boys, or any attention really.

I shuffled into the gas station, looking around. It seemed like some sort of gift store, one stop shop combo. Guess it made sense, there wasn’t much for miles. Best to be the store that has everything so you make all the profits. I could feel eyes on me when I entered. I could always tell when someone was watching, it gave that uncomfortable feeling that made your skin crawl. I believe that was what people were referring to when they talked about “goosebumps”. Emotions were hard for me to understand, no one could ever explain them to me.

I tried to ignore it, still calming down from the anxiety of travelling somewhere I didn’t know. I don’t even know why my brother brought me along. I hated the beach and everything it brought with it. The hot sand, the salty water, the slimy stones or seaweed or little fish that caught you off guard. Not to mention the shallow boys doing stupid things to impress girls, but really it’s just a show for their friends. And the half naked girls throwing themselves at any guy with a little muscle. It simply wasn’t my scene. But Mother always insisted I go along with him, hoping I’d make a friend and stop being her problem. That’s all I ever really was to them, a problem.

My eyes landed on some colourful packaging and I stalked over to it. They were sour gummy worms! I loved sour Candy! In my excitement I seemed to forget who I was in the company of a si approached the counter. My brother yelled at me in annoyance and stomped after of the store after paying for his beer. Darla followed after him like a puppy dog. I looked through my pockets to see if I had any money left. Jay left his wallet in the car at the last dinner so I paid for dinner. I had just wanted to leave. I sighed when I realised I didn’t have anything left. My money for the entire trip wasted. As I was about to put it back, the man from behind the counter held out his hand. I looked at him confused.

I attempted to explain to him I didn’t have enough money and was just going to put them back. But it seemed like he wasn’t taking no for an answer. Why was he being so nice? It wasn’t a very smart business move to sell a product for less than it was worth. By the looks of this place, they weren’t making enough money from stray tourists. I sighed handing him my necklace. He could think of it as a tip, he seemed like a hard worker. I gave a tight lipped smile before I walked back to the car.

My brother was behind the wheel now and it seemed he was eager to leave this place. I watched as we pulled into an old rundown motel. I stayed behind as they talked to the receptionist and got the keys. I leaned up against the side of the van.

“The fuck are you laying around for? Get the bags in the room!” My brother snapped, tossing me the key.

I didn’t waste any time, knowing I could rest soon if I got it done. I heard Becky’s ear piercing laughter as I struggled to drag the last bag inside. Despite the no smoking sign on the outside of the door, Jay had already lit another joint and was passing it around the room.

“Thanks for bringing in our bags.” Darla said.

At least someone appreciated my efforts. I slumped down against the wall in the back corner.

“Wanna hit?” Jay asked.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my brother beat me too it.

“Don’t waste your good weed on them man. They wouldn’t even know the difference.”

Jay just shrugged, taking another hit. I tuned out the noise as I slumped back against the wall. This corner wasn’t too bad, at least the carpet was kinda soft. There were two queen beds, and it made sense the couples would get them. I just prayed they had the decency to not get all handsy in their cross faded stupor. I could ignore casual conversation, but Becky was a loud moaner, well she was loud all around. But if I had to over hear her shagging Jay one more time, I was going to pull a Van Gogh and cut off my ear. Fuck it, might even become a hermit too, it beat this bullshit.

We were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Fran-“ my brother began.

“Already on it!” I snapped.

I shouldn’t of felt bad, he deserved it. But I hated when my overstimulation ruined the mood.

“What the fuck did you just say to me?”

“Babe, just drop it.” Darla plead.

Had to say, this was the one time I was thankful she was pulling him in for a kiss. As long as it kept him quiet and attention off me. I opened the door to see a girl standing there. She was quiet pretty, and I liked her cowboy hat.

“Nice hat.” I said, before I could even stop myself.

She giggled.

“We’ll hey there cutie!” She smiled at me.

I couldn’t help but blush, no one had ever called me cute. Not even when I was a baby, my mother always said my brother was the cuter offspring. Something about me not looking right when I came out. She said my fucked up head showed on the outside. It seems I got distracted because she giggled again.

“You ok there sugar plum? You’re redder then a life guards nose.”

I was utterly embarrassed.

“People do often forget to put sunscreen on their noses.”

“You’re funny, I like you.” She said.

“Frances, who the fuck is at the door?”

I groaned. I saw a slight shift in her face, but I couldn’t discern it. I wasn’t all that good at reading people.

“Well I was just about to tell this sweet little thing here that all the restaurants in town are closed for the night. You met my brother down there at the station, and my Mama suggested I invite you folks over for some dinner. Ya must me starving after all the driving.”

She gave a dazzling smile.

“Oh, that’s kind of you.” Darla commented, trying to decline in a polite way. “But I think we’re alright.”

“Ya sure, Mama’s awful excited to have some guest. We don’t get many visitors round here. It be no trouble at all.”

But she wasn’t talking to Darla, she was looking right at Jay. I rolled my eyes slightly when I watched his fall down to her chest and move back up to her eyes.

“I could eat!” He said.

“Better than these chips.” Becky agreed. “Besides this idiot been drinking all afternoon, don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night to him puking cause he went to be on an empty stomach.”

Darla showed some apprehension, but agreed none the less. “I guess I am sort of hungry, babe?”

“Hope your brother has better table manners than he does customer service skills.”

“Then it’s settled, you folks follow me.” She said.

“I don’t believe we got your name, I’m Jason.” Jay shamelessly flirted.

I never understood how someone could do that right in front of the person they supposedly “loved.” But it seems that’s something I would never understand.

“You can call me Baby, Sugar, everyone in town does.”

The glare plastered on Becky’s face wasn’t surprising. I followed up the back, letting them handle the bulk of the small talk. Baby kept stealing glances at me and I couldn’t tell for the life of me why. I just kept my gaze on my shoes. The house was just as run down as the store, if not more. But it had good bones. Must have been made sometimes in the late 1800’s by the looks of it. A little paint and it would be good as new.

It smelled nice when we entered, whatever Baby’s mom was cooking smelt lovely. I relaxed a little, glad to be back out of the Texas heat. As I leaned against the door frame, I sent another smile smile to the man from the store. It was actually kind of nice to see him again. I sat down next to Baby as dinner was served.

A smile smile graced my face as I listened in to the dinner talk. Everyone was actually being pleasant for once. And our hosts accents were smooth and buttery. It felt homey, well, more like the opposite of home. And I guess that’s what I liked about it. I noticed they took a liking to pet names, throwing them out every other sentence. My head grew a little heavy, but I suppose it was getting kind of late. Suddenly Jay collapsed into his food. I starred at him bewildered.

I mean I head of people passing out after smoking too much weed, but that seemed dramatic. I once realised that wasn’t what was happening when the others looked as confused as I was. No, not confused, sacred. Becky looked horrified. But more importantly my brother looked livid. I couldn’t even comprehend half the things he shouted at me. I watched helplessly as one by one his friends fell, but he was too focused screaming at me to care. I was seconds away from having a meltdown but I tied my best to stifle it. I could feel my brain slipping away into dissociation.

As if to answer my silent prayers, the man from the gas station smashed a bottle over his head. I couldn’t stop the trembling before it started. I was so confused and upset and nothing made sense right now. And I could feel all eyes in the room on me. Baby said something to break the silence but I couldn’t really comprehend it fully.

My medicine? What did they give me? My brain felt sluggish and slow, but I couldn’t help by lean into her warm touch. It was so gentle, unlike anything I’d ever known. Despite my best efforts my eyes closed and all the sounds faded away.

I woke up in a bed. The events of last night came rushing back to me and I shot up. I was still wearing yesterdays clothes. I threw the blanket off to see my shoes were still on. I took stock of myself, I didn’t notice any new scrapes or busies. I wasn’t bleeding, I didn’t wake up in an ice bath with my kidney missing. So things could certainly be worse. I crept my way over to the door and tried the handle, but it was locked.

Of course it was locked, idiot. Everyone was just drugged by a bunch of strangers. But why? I wasn’t hurt, but perhaps it was foolish to assume the others were as fortunate. I heard footsteps from down the hall and ran back to the bed, throwing the blanket over my head and slowing my breathing. I’d done it thousands of times before, when I didn’t want my mother to know I’d stayed up passed my bed time. I heard the click of a door opening.

“Aww, they’re still sleeping Otis, look.” Baby whispered.

All I could hear was a grunt in response from the man who was supposedly Otis.

“It should have warn off by now.” He said.

“Maybe they’re just tired, poor thing looked like they hadn’t slept in days. Their eye bags made them look like a racoon.” She giggled.

“Baby, what are you doin?” He asked.

“I wanna play with my new friend Otis, stop being such a cocksucker.” She hissed.

I felt the bed dip and then a hand on my shoulder, shaking me ‘awake’. I decided it was best to play along and slowly opened my eyes, feigning a small young.

“Good morning sleepy head!” She greeted cheerfully.

“Cool it with the volume Baby, christ they just woke up. People don’t want to deal with you barbie personality first thing in the morning.” He jabbed at her.

“It’s ok.” I said softly.

She glared at him almost as if to say “you see, it’s fine.”

“How ya feelin? Sorry things got a little… intense, last night.” She said.

A little intense, what at odd way to recount last nights events. I decided I didn’t want to beat around the bush.

“Did you- did you kill them?” I asked.

Otis stiffened at this, uncrossing his arms from his chest and almost instinctively moving to block the door. Like he’d done it a thousand times before.

“Sure did Puppy! Your little friends weren’t so friendly.”

“They weren’t my friends.” I corrected.

She raised her eyebrow at me.

“You called them my friends, they were my brothers friends.”

“Oh, so then that piece of shit is your brother.” Otis said.

“Is? Not was…”

“You got a brain on you kid, yeah, fuckers still alive. Much to my distaste.”

“How come?” I asked curiously.

The two shared a look between them. What, did I say something wrong? I was always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and getting in trouble for it. I mentally prepared myself to be scolded.

“You know, I give Otis here shit all the time, but brothers ain’t supposed to be like that.” Baby said.

“They aren’t?”

I looked to Otis to see him frown and shake his head.

“He like that all the time?” He asked me.

I nodded. “He was actually on his best behaviour yesterday. He nice in front of people.”

“Nice?” He scoffed. “Your brother wouldn’t know nice if it bit him in the dick!”

I giggled a little at that. I liked Otis, he was funny.

“You think that’s funny?” He asked.

Baby was smiling at me and I couldn’t help but blush again. It was odd to have so much positive attention on me.

“It’s a little funny” I admitted shamefully.

Otis dropped his guard a little, moving closer to the bed.

“Are you going to kill me?” I asked sadly.

I mean I suppose if anyone was to do it, I’d want it to be them. They were so nice, maybe they would make it quick. Suddenly Baby’s hands were on my face, gripping my cheeks.

“Don’t you ever say something like that again! Of course not you sweet baby. Why would anybody ever what to hurt a cute little thing like you?” She said.

Her tone was sweet, but her hands were forceful. I could tell I upset her and I wanted to cry. I really didn’t mean to.

“I’m sorry, I always fuck these things up, my brother was right.” I said.

Otis sat on the other side of me on the bed.

“Nothing out of that gutter trashes mouth is right, ya hear? The fuck did he tell you?” He sounded angry too.

I held back my tears, starring forward at the wall, afraid if I blinked they’d finally fall.

“He and Mother always said no one would ever love me because I’m Autistic. I make everyone uncomfortable and I do things that aren’t right. I don’t understand a lot of things, and it’s really hard. But I promise I’m trying.” I said.

Their silence was the loudest thing I ever heard. It made my skin crawl and my ears hot. I just wanted them to say something, anything. Even if it was just them changing their minds. I get it, I’d just be a burden anyways. I jumped slightly when Baby touched me, expecting her to grab my arm harshly. But instead she just pulled back and sighed.

“I’m going to fucking kill that shit for brains.” She muttered.

“Look, kid-“ Otis started.

I turned to him, giving aggressive eye contact. I didn’t mean to, I just didn’t know where else to look right now. I watched him tense and internally cringed. Great job proving your point dumb ass.

“Your brothers an idiot. Shit, I’m pretty sure Baby here has what your fancy city doctors call ADHD-“

“Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder?” I asked, my interest piqued.

“Was that even English?” He asked.

“Yes.” I said, confused.

“That was a joke- I. Point is, seems to me like your plenty lovable. Shit, ya got me over here feeling bad and shit. And that ain’t easy. We’re not gonna let anyone hurt ya Kid. Fuck, we need a name for ya!” He groaned in frustration.

“How bout Blinky?” Baby pipped up, her chipper mood returning.

“The fuck did you just say?”

“Cause they don’t blink. Think I’ve only seen em blink twice since they opened those pretty little eyes.” She giggled.

“Oh, sorry.” I said.

A few tears finally fell when I closed my eyes and I groaned. I hated crying, my tears were always hot and they burned my skin. I frustratedly wiped them away with my sweater sleeve.

“Aww shit Sugar, don’t cry.” Baby said.

“I’m not, they just do that sometimes.” I said.

She giggled once more. Apparently a noise she made quite frequently. But her laugh wasn’t annoying like Becky’s, so I didn’t mind all that much.

“I- I like Blinky.” I said seriously, giving her a small smile.

“Then it’s settled! Spaulding already agreed you could stay. Course, he said I gotta take care of you. But I’m so excited to have a little sibling finally! We’re gonna have so much fun together Blinky Firefly!!” She squealed.

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I stiffened.

“Alright, release them you python.” Otis joked, “don’t think they can breath.”

“Oops.”

“Welcome to the family Blinky. Not sure I can say the same for your blood, he’ll be gone by morning you just say the word.” Otis offered.

“I think I’d like that, yes.” I answered honestly.

“You’ll fit in just fine here.” He said, ruffling my hair before leaving the room.

“Go easy on em Baby, don’t want to scare em away.”

He made his leave. She grabbed my hand and started dragging me to the door.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Can’t be a Firefly looking that that, let’s get you cleaned up.”

I certainly had a lot of change to get used to. But somehow it didn’t seem so scary. I think I’ll like it here.

An: Not sure if Texas specially fallows the gas rule, but for the purposes of the story we’re going to not fact check me on that, lol 😂 Also, I want to make it very clear that I don’t think any of these things about Autistic people. These are just things I’ve heard as an autistic person.

[winchester-girl67]

Don’t Say A Word (Part 6)

Summary: Dean shows up a little late to the party, but that might be just when she needs him the most; even if she won't stop pushing him away.

Masterlist

Pairing: Bodyguard!Dean x reader

Word Count: 2,498

Warnings: language, angst, reader held against her will, arguing, tracking without permission, mentions of PMS (cramps), pining if you squint, slow burn, a little cuddling/fluff

A/N: Dean's kinda cute at the end.

_____

“You good?” Dean questioned, glancing between you and the road.

“What?”

“Are you hurt?” He asked, reaching across the space between you to pull open your sweater. He patted you down with his hand as he looked you over for any obvious signs of injury, but saw none and let go a heavy breath. His hand, still on your stomach.

“I’m fine,” you said, shoving away his arm and wrapping yourself back into Mason’s sweater. "I'm getting real tired of being manhandled though."

"Then stop getting yourself into situations that call for it." Dean grunted, turning his attention back to the dark road ahead.

"Excuse me but this whole domino effect started with you." You glared.

Now that you were feeling better and Dean was talking, you were starting to remember why you disliked him so much.

"Whatever you say, princess."

"Ugh, if you're gonna start with that princess shit again, I'm gonna need a drink." You groaned, rolling your eyes and punching the dial to turn off the radio.

You smirked to yourself when you noticed how Dean gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Obviously disapproving of you touching his car controls.

"Dido." He agreed.

You didn't realize when you started to shake. Probably from the shock of everything that had happened because you didn't feel all that more cold than usual. Dean sighed, turning up the heater in the car and aiming the vents he could reach towards you.

“You sure?” He asked, filling the empty air space.

“Sure about what?” You furrowed your brow at him and tucked your hands into your sleeves, curling the cuffs around your fingers.

“That you’re alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really? Because-“

“I said I’m fine, Dean, so I’m fine. Alright?” You snapped, you knew he was trying to be nice but honestly couldn't care at the moment.

“You don’t sound fine.” He pushed, a slight frustration in his voice as he rubbed the scruff on his jaw.

“Then stop listening... Turn on your fucking radio and leave me alone." You whined, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Fine, I will.” Dean growled, punching the button for the car stereo and cranking it up.

“Great!”

You shifted in your seat to face the window, watching the outline of trees whip by the star filled sky. You were starting to get tired, the day weighing on you.

“Great,” Dean sighed heavily, shaking his head and glancing at you again. He palmed the scruff on his face roughly before dialling down the volume until the radio was just white noise, cutting through the thick air in the car. “I’m right here, Y/N, whether you wanna talk or not. I’m here.”

He reached over grabbing your hand that rested on your knee and gave your fingers a reassuring squeeze. Normally, you would’ve ripped your hand away, but his palm was warm so, instead you gave him a nod of your head and a barely there smile. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t need a little reassurance after everything and, so what if it was Dean holding your hand. His thumb brushed over the skin on the back of your hand, twice and then pulled away.

You’d come to realize that Dean wasn’t a man of many words, not when they didn’t need to be spoken. And still you understood him, or were beginning to. Small gestures like that meant more than just holding your hand. It was reassurance that he was there for you even if you didn't get along all the time, or ever. You just didn't understand why he was still here. Maybe he felt guilty, this whole mess was his fault after all.

You felt a twinge in your gut, a soreness that rolled into a full on cramp. A subtle reminder that your time of the month was coming and you pulled your legs up onto the bench seat, hugging your knees to your chest until it passed. Just your luck that recent events and mother nature would line up on the same night. Although, isn't that how it always went; stress usually played a factor in the timing anyhow.

“I didn’t need you to save me, you know.” You said, just so he knew and he shot you a dirty look. “How’d you find me anyways?”

“I put a tracker in your shoe.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Sneaky, bastard.” You cursed, pulling off your left shoe and searching it. Of course, you didn’t find it until you took off your other one and looked under the sole.

“I needed to protect you.”

You chucked the tracker at him and he flinched, “I never asked you to."

“I do it with all my clients, Y/N. That’s my job. Who else was gonna save your ass?” Dean argued, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.

“I am not your job, Auburn is your job! Just because you mistook me for her doesn’t mean I’m suddenly her or that you’re suddenly getting paid. As soon as Jody finds out that you’ve been protecting her roommate and not her, you can kiss that fat cheque of yours goodbye.” You'd had enough, you were fuming and holding nothing back now. You didn't even care if he were to pull over and kick you out of the car.

“My fee is nonrefundable and my contract is ironclad. If some bratty actress chooses to willingly leave the country without my protection, that’s on her. Besides, I don’t do airplanes, that’s also in my contract.” He explained.

“Aw, is big, bad bodyguard afraid of heights?" You teased, practically able to hear Dean's jaw clenching in response. "Just for the record, I didn’t need you to save me. I got out of there on my own and I would’ve been fine on my own.”

“Understood,” he responded, calmer than you thought he would have. "Can I ask you something? You do everything ‘on your own’- Is that like a complex, or do you just not trust anyone?”

“You can drop me off at the next motel.” You said, ignoring his question.

“Not happening, princess.” He shook his head, his irritation showing in the way he took a sharp corner off the highway and onto a country road.

“I’m only in this situation because of you, jerk.” You hissed, shooting him an ungrateful look. “I hate you.”

Dean nodded, glancing over at you before mumbling almost as if to himself. But you still heard, “I know. Feeling’s mutual.”

Neither one of you spoke again for the longest time. You didn't even ask where you were going, somehow you didn't care. You were numb to the fact that you had zero control. Just going along for the ride and when the time came, when you got the chance, you'd leave him.

You were exhausted both emotionally and physically, especially with your period coming. You just wanted to go home and lay down.

_____

It was hours after Dean had picked you up outside of the warehouse. Most of which you'd spent staring out the window, watching the dawn break. Only trees in different shades of green to landmark where you were. Until, you came to a stop at the end of a thin dirt road that looked more like an ATV trail.

In front of you stood a small log cabin with a rusted tin roof that had seen better days. Moss and vines creeping up the porch and over the windows. The place looked like the forest was trying to swallow it whole and you wondered if it had ever been kept up over the years.

“You can't be serious." You muttered when Dean climbed out of the car. He walked around to your side and pulled you out by your arm. "Why are you doing this?”

“I’m not doing anything except keeping you safe.” He claimed, keeping a grip on your arm as he unlocked the front door and pushed you inside.

He flipped on the lights since it was still dark inside, despite the early morning sunlight which was blocked out by the forest overgrowth outside the windows. You were pleasantly surprised the place even had power at all. A feeling that was immediately squashed by the many pots and buckets that lay across the dingy hardwood floor. Half-filled with water from the last time it rained.

“By holding me against my will in some backwoods shit-hole?” You questioned sarcastically.

You glanced around, spotting a worn red leather couch and a coffee table positioned in front of an old stone fireplace, and an ancient looking tube television sitting in the corner with bunny ears. It was essentially a one room cabin with a small kitchenette and a bathroom at the back next to a set of bunk beds.

There was no way you were taking the top bunk. Having to climb up the frame this close to your period every time you had to pee or get anything wouldn't be ideal. Though, you weren't exactly thrilled at the thought of sleeping underneath a man the size of Dean on a frame that looked as old and rickety as this one did.

“You’ll thank me later.” Dean said flatly.

“Doubt it.”

You settled into the cabin, thankful it wasn't supposed to rain any time soon and Dean collected the couple of bags from the Impala. You turned on the TV to find fuzzy images of shows you didn't know the names of, flipping through the channels by hand until you gave up and flipped it off. Sighing in both boredom and annoyance as you paced around the cabin.

“I don’t get it," you blurted out after a while, wondering aloud, "I annoy you to no end and I'll admit it's on purpose most of the time, and you openly agree that you hate me back… And yet here you are still. When you have every reason to walk away.”

“Whether you like it or not, your chances are better with me than without me. The fact that you're not Auburn is a minor detail." Dean explained, "So, I'll leave when the job's done."

“And how long is that gonna be?”

"A week or two, maybe longer… depends when your roommate decides to come home from her little vacation. Until then, if they confused you for her once, chances are they’ll do it again.” He insisted with a raise of his brow, taking a sip of the cup of coffee he'd made for himself.

This was ridiculous, Auburn's vacations weren't always little. You remembered the last time she'd taken off was for three months while she and her boyfriend visited wine country in Italy.

“And this is your safe house...?” You asked, glancing around. “Do we have to stay here the whole time?”

There wasn't much to the place and you knew it wouldn't be long until you and Dean were at each other's throats again. Lack of wifi or decent cable did things to you that you weren't proud of. Not to mention that you were already in a bad mood with the cramps getting worse.

“I don’t see why not, it’s off grid and my uncle doesn’t use it anymore since the wheelchair. My little brother’s the only other person who’s been up here within the past five years and he always gives plenty of notice. Besides, we’ve got everything we could possibly need, right here. I make a point to stock up this place before starting a job, just in case. We could live here for two months before having to go to a grocery store.” Dean bragged with a smirk when he saw the hope dim from your eyes.

“I don’t know if I can look at you’re stupid face that long.” You said, ceasing your pacing to slap your hands against your thighs and stare him down. His face really was stupid, most of the time. "This is all your fault, you know. If you hadn’t taken me, they never would’ve thought I was her.”

“I made a mistake, sue me.”

“Maybe I should."

“You know what. I’ve had it with your bullshit attitude. I screwed up. I get it. Now I’m trying to fix it. I’m trying to protect you and you need to let me do my fucking job. And you live with her so there’s no guarantee that they wouldn't have made the same fucking mistake that I did. So just, calm the fuck down already.” Dean growled, glaring back at you.

“I’m taking the bottom bunk.” You said, ignoring him and flopping down on the lumpy mattress.

You turned against the wall so you could pretend you were anywhere else. With nearly anyone else.

“Whatever, princess.” He muttered, opting to make himself comfortable on the couch with his jacket folded into a pillow.

“Asshole.”

It had been a rough night and things were starting to hit you hard emotionally. You were frightened and feeling helpless even though you managed to escape without help earlier. But it was a close call for sure and you were worried about the next time they found you. Which at this point, you were convinced was inevitable. They would eventually figure out that you were, in fact, not Auburn and then what would they do with you. You didn’t have the money for ransom and neither did your family, so there’d be no reason for them to keep you alive.

You managed to wait until Dean had fallen asleep to let the first sob out. But by the time your pillow was soaked, you felt the mattress dip behind you and a palm lay on top of your head. You shuddered and a fresh sob racked through your body as you hugged your pillow closer. You just wanted to disappear into the comforters like an ostrich with its head in the sand, but it wasn’t working.

“Shhh... Easy, Y/N." Dean hushed, his voice gravelly with sleep as he continued to pet your head.

He brushed your hair back away from your face and your skin tingled where his fingertips met your ear.

“I don’t need you-” You sniffled, but he cut you off.

“Would you relax for once and let me comfort you,” Dean yawned and you turned to glare up at him with red rimmed eyes as he sat next to you on the edge of the bed. “I’m tired. I've been up all night looking for you and I don’t feel like fighting right now. How about we call a truce, just for today?”

You didn’t say anything and just rolled back over, wiping your cheeks clear of tears. Dean took your silence as compliance and his fingers resumed playing with your hair. This time you didn’t protest and unconsciously leaned into his touch, shutting your eyes when the last sob died on your lips. It wasn’t long after that that you fell asleep to his gentle caresses, dreaming of his promises that everything would be alright.

_________________________

A/N: Read part 7 here

_________________________ 
 Dean/Jensen: @akshi8278​ @laycblack​ @thoughts-and-funnies​ @mrsjenniferwinchester​ @crustycheeks​ @kazsrm67​ @sexyvixen7​ @lyarr24​ @suckitands33  @eliwinchester99​ @yvonneeeee​ 

Forever SPN: @hobby27​ 

Don't Say A Word: @lacilou​ @mlovesstories​ @spn730015​ @hunni-bunny​ @ria132love​ @fmstafford  @spideysimpossiblegirl​ @houseforwhores​ @siospins2​ @globetrotter28​ @nt-multi-fandom​ @maggiegirl17​ @iprobablyshipit91​ 

[writing-funsies]

Hi! Im not sure if you are taking requests right now, but if you are, could you maybe write a female reader who has asd and adhd with the monster trio and ace? I think it would be nice to see how they treat them romantically

notes: Yes, I'm taking requests! I leaned more into the adhd aspect of your request as I don't have a lot of experience writing for characters with asd. There's not a lot of use of she/her pronouns, but I did write these with a female reader in mind. Usually, I would only do a max of 3 characters for headcanons, but I couldn't leave out any of these dear boys <3 I hope you like how these turned out! Thank you so much for the request @bumblebreethattisme <3

pairings: monster trio + Ace x reader (separate)

warnings: none

Luffy

Luffy is actually very understanding when it comes down to it

he himself doesn't have a particularly long attention span

so when you're jumping from topic to topic and constantly switching to different activities

he's right there with you

he can keep up quite well

and when you've become hyperfocused on something

well, he kinda gets it when you compare it to his obsession with meat

but he thinks meat is the best

so he still doesn't quite understand your fixation

not the best listener around

though he will try to focus when you're talking about your passions

sorry, but he will ultimately get distracted by something else

he's super sweet

and he loves to drag you along when exploring new islands

but if you find yourself becoming anxious

experiencing sensory overload

just let him know

and he'll quickly take you somewhere quieter

most of the time he's pretty loud 

he's always moving around

playing 

yelling

just making noise

but he'll settle down for you

it's hard for him to sit still

but when you tug at his sleeve or tap on his shoulder

your mouth pulled into a slight frown as you try to stay calm

he knows that it's time to settle down

he'll put his hat on your head

and take you up to the crow's nest

where you two can just relax together

he'll hold back any of his physical affections until you give him the go-ahead

then he'll wrap his arms around you and place a bunch of kisses across your face

Zoro

he kind of sees you as a female version of Luffy

but not in a weird way 

likes to take naps with you

you're like two cats that got caught in a sunbeam

it's just so warm and welcoming and before you know it you've drifted off with your head laying against your beefy boyfriend

you are always getting lost

which doesn't help when you and Zoro go off together to stretch your legs on new islands

you're holding his hand

making mental notes about your surroundings

and marking your own landmarks

when an odd sound catches your attention

it only takes a moment for you to start heading toward the noise

which turns out to be nothing

and now you have no idea what direction you came from

Zoro doesn't mind though

he enjoys just spending time with you

he never gets mad at you for forgetting things

if it were anyone else

he'd yell at them

but he knows you're trying your best

plus he'll just remember all the important stuff for you

doesn't know how to handle your emotions

he's not the most sensitive guy around

but he will sit and listen to you vent

60/40 chance of him falling asleep

he's just a sleepy guy

will apologize if he falls asleep in the middle of you talking

gets very concerned when you zone out

especially if it's while everyone is going over a plan

he'll bump your arm bringing you back to the present

did you get all that

get all of what

*stares*

just stay with me and hit who I hit

*insert cute smile*

okay!

he can't help but find it adorable when you imitate his fighting style

so he'll give you a few pointers

and show you how to properly use a sword

Sanji

the ultimate simp

he just loves you so much

and he finds every little thing you do to be adorable

the most patient man to ever exist

wants to make sure his princess is happy

so he takes special care to help you keep up with your schedule

and gives you little reminders throughout the day

here, drink some water

y/n-swan, my love, it's time for you to take a break

will do your chores for you if you forget

you will never miss another meal again as long as he's around

he's always down to make you new food that you want to try

but he doesn't mind sticking to your favorites

he understands that taste and texture are both extremely important

if he ever makes something that you don't like

he'll make you your own separate dish

and protect it from Luffy

loves it when you sit with him in the kitchen while he cooks or cleans up

this man never makes you feel bad for your habits

no matter how many times you forget something

or if you get lost

or zone out

or just need some alone time

he understands

and he does everything in his power to accommodate you completely

he wants you to be comfortable

everyone deserves to live their lives without unnecessary stress because of circumstances that could easily be adjusted

he would do his own research on your hobbies and fixations so that way he can contribute and show that he is interested in the things you're interested in

would cry if you gifted him anything related to his hobbies

or if you took the time to learn a couple of recipes to surprise him with

Ace

a true gentleman

he loves to listen to you info-dump about your interests

helps you with your chores

he doesn't really have a set routine 

but will happily try his best to stick to one if it helps you 

leaves you little notes posted everywhere

love you

don't forget to help Thatch today

check up on the 12th

a heart with your initials inside

drink this

he grew up with Luffy

so he knows exactly how to handle the hyperactive episodes

it also helps that he goes through them himself

makes sure you have a plate full of foods you'll eat before he starts eating

loves to explore new islands with you

and is happy to let you lead him around

he'll keep track of where you are so you don't have to worry about getting lost

though if y'all do get lost

he'll reassure you that Marco will find you

(and he does)

(every time)

gets so excited every time you give him a little gift

even if it's a rock that reminded you of his eyes

Ace definitely has some type of collection that's just random things he picked up off the ground

so you two always look for stuff together

it becomes a combined collection

which ends up taking over your room

but every item has such a sweet memory behind it

you can't just throw any of it away

keeps up with your conversations easily

and can connect the dots between topics

he loves to play layers of separation

(basically you take two completely random topics and then have to come up with a string of topics to connect the two original topics)

it's always so interesting to see what off-the-wall ideas you come up with

he's such a loving and kind partner

that you could never imagine being with anyone else

[t-wordy-kk]

Keeping My Sanity

Hey everyone!! Here’s the lovely anon’s request for a Strange x sibling!reader!! The Bucky Barnes request should be out within the next couple of weeks at the latest, I’ve been trying to update it when I can. Hope you enjoy!!

(Warnings: slight angst, sibling banter, minor cursing)

Word count: 2,220

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Can you PLEASE, for the love of all things that will help me keep what little sanity I have left, go find something else to do?”

Being a younger sibling had its perks. But, when you were younger by a solid 17 minutes, being younger than your twin brother, who just so happened to be the Sorcerer Supreme himself, Stephen Strange, was no longer as advantageous.

Ever since you were young children, both of you loved being twins with the other, despite how much the other got on your nerves, because you both knew it would be the two of you against the world one day. But nobody knew it would become literal. While Stephen chose to be a neurosurgeon, you went in the completely opposite route once you left high school, choosing to use your love of science and engineering, leading to you working for the Avengers and becoming Bruce and Tony’s main assistant. But, once the Avengers fell through, you reconnected with Stephen and he offered for you to live with him.

“But I want to learn magic. I can already build a working robot from scratch, how cool would it be if I could magic it around too?” You replied, hoping he would give in.

“Y/N, magic is a fine art, you can’t just expect for me to teach you something without spending a major amount of time being able to perfect it. And if you don’t perfect what you learn, there is the everlasting possibility of-”

“Oh I know, the whole ‘the universe will collapse in on itself, blah blah blah, interdimensional beings, blah blah’ spiel. Look, I get it, this is important. But remember hearing about the attack on the tower? Back before you had all of your magician abilities and you were still pulling bullets out of brains?”

When you walked into the lab after arriving at the tower, something seemed off. Even though Tony was still annoying Bruce while he was trying to finish his coffee just like always, something seemed different, and you couldn’t pick up on it.

“There’s our favorite assistant! You seem off Y/N, everything okay?” Tony asked, noting the somewhat blank expression on your face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. What are we working on today, a new suit, some sort of new compound for a new suit? Or am I just getting ahead of you?”

“Well, we were looking at some of the previous mission reports, and-”

Bruce was immediately cut off, the emergency alarm blaring through the lab.

“Tower’s under attack, the med team already got to the exit and they’re out. Team, suit up,” Tony said with a slight hint of panic, sending the message through coms.

“What about me, what should I do?” You asked, your anxiety levels beginning to rise, not helping yourself any. “Am I going to have to fight, Tony please don’t make me fight these guys, I’m so unpre-”

“Y/N, look at me. I need you to breathe, alright? We aren’t making you fight these guys. There’s a safe room that’s attached to every single bedroom through the vents. So you’re going to have to either sneak up there, or crawl through the vents. Take the glasses we finished the other day, JARVIS will project a map for you as long as you’re wearing them. Just keep yourself safe Y/N.” Wrapping you in a quick hug, Tony’s suit began to attach to his body, causing you to jump back in shock as the flight instinct took over your senses. All you knew was to get to safety at this point, not knowing how bad the threat was or how close they were to the lab.

“JARVIS, put the lab in lockdown mode,” You whispered, sneaking through the hallway, trying to see if you could pinpoint where the invasion was occurring just through your fear-induced heightened senses.

“Lab has been secured in lockdown mode. May I help you with anything else Miss L/N?”

“Tell me where I need to go to be safe, please. A-and just call me Y/N, it’s more comforting right now.”

“At the end of this hallway, get into the vent found on your left. The hallways are filled with intruders.”

“B-but I can’t climb around in the vents, much less crawl into one to begin with.”

“I will enable the vents to accommodate you.”

‘Man, Tony thought of everything,” You thought as the vent opened, heavy footsteps beginning to reach your ears. “Shit shit shit, this is crazy.”

Making your way through the vents after hearing the footsteps pass, you encountered a few close calls, but eventually dropped into the safe room. Knowing to simply stay quiet and tucked away, you found a small space to crouch in, making yourself practically invisible if someone were to walk in.

After what seemed like hours, you eventually heard many different types of footsteps approaching your safe space, causing you to impossibly burrow deeper into the small crevice, your breathing and heartbeat silently increasing to the outside world, but sounding like the world crashing down to your ears.

With the opening of the door, it seemed like everything momentarily froze. ‘This is it, this is how I go.’

Hearing a single pair of footsteps, slowly making their way in, the noise growing louder and louder, you tucked your head between your knees, not wanting to see the impending doom awaiting you.

As someone put their hand on your shoulder, you immediately flung out of your little space, trying to get whoever touched you as far away as possible.

“Kiddo, just breathe, it’s just me.”

“T-tony, I was s-so scared,” You sobbed, your tears soaking into his top as he tightly wrapped you in his arms, having taken off the suit moments before he came in.

“I know you were, and I’m so sorry for you having to experience that much panic. Why don’t we call your brother, okay? We’ll get him over here to be with you.”

“Oh, you were so mad at Tony, and that was, in my opinion, the shittiest way of meeting my boss,” You mentioned with a small laugh, slightly shuddering at the thought.

“Well, I’m still not teaching you because I’m always going to be here for you now, it’s as simple as that,” He replied, a slight smirk appearing that you failed to see, since he was invested in a book. He knew he could easily anger you to the point that you would let him be, he could do it ever since you were children.

“But Stepheeeeeen, it could be important one day,” You begged, grabbing the book from his hands.

“Give me that, you brat!”

“Let’s see, how to make your brother teach you magic spells, where could they be?” You sarcastically questioned, dodging his moves to try and retrieve his book away from you. “Oh look, here it is, ingredients call for 1 new brother, let’s see how I can make that happe-”

“Knock it off, you’re being foolish,” Stephen responded, finally grabbing the book out of your hands. “Now, if you would’ve paid any attention to the actual book, you would know that you don’t use ingredients for this type of magic.”

“Then what foreign language do I have to learn to understand this nonsense?”

“None, because, for the last time, I’m not teaching you magic.”

“Ugh, fine! But if I have to fight off evil space demons from Neptune and I’m unprepared, it’s your fault.”

“The demons would go for you first, I’d make sure of it,” He responded, an equal amount of sarcasm practically dripping from both of your mouths as he watched you overdramatically storm down the hallway. Stephen knew you wanted to learn, and he wanted you to be safe, but he also wanted to be your protector, the one to be there for you when you needed to be safe. His mind was in a loop, constantly arguing on whether or not it would truly be a good idea to teach you. But for now, he was going to try his best to hold out and see if you would let it go.

~~~~~~~~~~

As the days passed by, Stephen immediately could tell that there was not a single chance that you were going to let this go. He couldn’t get through a single two-hour period, or even one hour increments of time, without you bringing up him teaching you magic, whether it was subtly said or blatantly, in-his-face obvious.

“Good lord Y/N, what are you going to do next, wait until the world needs saving and then ask once more if I can teach you magic while I’m in the middle of trying to defend the world?”

“If that’s what I have to do for you to actually do it, then I might as well,” You answered innocently, knowing that you were going to hold strong on your side of the sibling debate. He knew you were relentless, but in retrospect, he was the exact same way, and even though he would never say it, he was proud of how stubborn you were, knowing that you likely got it from him in the first place.

“How much longer are you going to keep this up?” He asked with an exasperated sigh, tired of hearing your complaints.

“Until you give in and finally teach me.”

“What if I had a way to make you stop asking, then would you?”

“What would this entail?” You slowly questioned, a look of curiosity plastered on your face while a plan formed in Stephen’s head.

“Remember when you wouldn’t leave me alone when we were children, and even teenagers? And do you remember what I would do to make you leave me alone?”

“I have no recollection of any of this, I was the perfect one growing up,” You answered, a slight blush appearing on your cheeks, the memories flooding your brain from when you were little.

“Stehehephehehen nohohoho,” You laughed, trying to keep a firm hold on the novel you just took out of your brother’s hands, which he was currently in the middle of reading.

“You little brat, why did you take my book?” He asked, digging his slender fingers into your ribs.

“Becahahause I thought ihihit would behehe funNY HEHEHEY NOHOHOHO”

“Just because we’re fifteen, that doesn’t give you the right to try to play pranks on me. Remember, I’m older than you, so I will get back at you.”

“By seheventehen minutes, ihit isn’t that much,” You mentioned as his hands fluttered around your stomach, the giggles continuing to flow through your lips.

“You’re right, but it does allow me to do this.” As he leaned his head towards the center of your stomach, your thrashing became more violent, ending with you wiggling around in a squealing fit as he blew raspberry after raspberry on your stomach.

“STEHEHEHEPHEHEN NAHAHAHAAH”

The most ticklish sensation you ever felt, however, was once he stopped blowing raspberries and began nibbling on your stomach instead.

“STAHAHAHAP IHIHIHIHIT”

“Fine, but you better not take my books anymore.” Helping you off the ground, you gave him a look as you walked away, knowing what would occur if you acted up around him.

“Stephen, don’t you dare,” You slowly said, walking backwards until you bumped into the back of the sofa.

“Don’t what, dear Y/N? I wouldn’t do anything to harm you.” Slowly approaching you, the butterflies in your stomach kept getting faster, knowing what was about to happen.

“You know what.”

“No I truly don’t, but feel free to enlighten me on the subject. What am I not supposed to do now?”

“Tickle me, duh. Wait, I didn-”

“Your wish is my command,” He sarcastically responded, tackling you onto the couch and immediately digging into your sides, just like he would during your teenage years.

“Stehehephen nohoho”

“You asked for it, kiddo.” Moving to your ribs, your laughter became more high pitched, turning into giggles as he reached your underarms. “Ah, I remember what will make you give in, do you?”

“Yehehehes, leheave mehe alohone”

“Hm, I don’t think I can.” And with that, he began to blow raspberries along your stomach, adding nibbles here and there to increase the laughter, especially with his stubble rubbing along your soft skin.

“NAHAHAHAHA OKAHAHAHAY I YIEHEHELD”

“Hey, breathe there, don’t die on me,” Stephen mentioned with a chuckle, highly amused by your disheveled state.

“Sorry for being annoying,” You responded, soft giggles making their way into your words.

“Look at me, Y/N. It’s not that I don’t trust you, because I do. It’s just that this can get really complicated really fast, and it’s even easier to misuse the mystic arts. And it isn’t that I think you would misuse them, it’s just really easy for people to manipulate those who are still learning and make them evil, and I would never want that to happen to you.”

“I know that Stephen, but I promise you that I’ll take the time to learn, I’ll keep my rambunctious tendencies, as you prefer to call them, under control.”

“What if I think about it? Maybe consider the options.”

“Thank you Stephen,” You responded as you wrapped him in a hug. “Maybe one day I’ll be as good as you.”

“Don’t push it.”