#Teacher told me to get some water. Thanks I guess.

[coffee-dere]

Thinking about that one time my vision just kinda.. gave up on me in the middle of class

[geddyqueer]

wip wednesday wednesday

finally remembered how to write! wahoo! thanks @screamlet for the tag; passing this on to @dharmaavocado @setmeatopthepyre @liminalmemories21 @alchemistc @beanarie @rcmclachlan and anyone else who wants to play. here's some more of my 8x11 fix it wip, no crying in baseball:

"Damn, Kinard," Donato says as he rolls into work the next morning. "You lose a fight?"

After a couple tylenol and a cold shower his face doesn't feel that bad, but he was right—black eye, bruise smearing over the bridge of his nose, and a rough night of sleep because he kept rolling over onto the wrong side. "I'm fine," he says. "I got hit in the face by a softball thrown by a thirteen year old."

She winces. "I thought you were doing better after the breakup, you know? Not—not going out and getting in bar fights, or whatever."

"I didn't get in a bar fight. I got hit in the face by a softball thrown by a thirteen year old," he says, as if that's somehow better.

As if on cue Richardson pokes his head in through the door. "Kinard, there's a woman out here who wants to apologize for her daughter hitting you in the face with a—Jesus! You get in a bar fight?"

Tommy pushes past him and heads out into the main hangar. "Hey," he says, offering the woman standing there awkwardly clutching her bag his hand. "Tommy Kinard."

"Oh my gosh," she says as she takes in his face. "I'm so sorry. Emma has terrible aim."

"But she has a ton of power," he says. "She just needs practice. Anyway, no harm, no foul."

"It actually looks like quite a bit of harm," she says. "I'm Tracy. I'm supposed to be their Scout leader but they've all given up on Scouts and decided they want to do softball instead and while I support everything they want to do, I honestly have no idea how softball works."

"It's like baseball, but the ball is bigger," Tommy says. "And they pitch underhand. And there's usually only seven innings."

"Right," Tracy says. Behind her Tommy can see most of the rest of the Harbor crew inching closer, ears first. "I don't know anything about baseball, either. And we were going to have their math teacher do it, but he had to bow out last minute. Scheduling, you know. It's state testing season. And then, well, another parent was going to give it a try, but she was in a horrible accident at Trader Joe's—"

"Sparkling water lady," Tommy says, nodding. "We transported her, actually. Crazy what those pallets can do when they tip."

"Oh, it's awful," Tracy agrees. "So finally we asked another girl's cousin, she's in college locally, but I guess there were some issues with her social life, and now the girls have no one."

"Right. The girls mentioned that."

Tracy nods, pursing her lips. The rest of A-shift has moved in so close there's no way to plausibly deny they're listening. Tommy braces himself. "Did you really volunteer? Or was my kid lying? Because we would be thrilled to have a firefighter as our coach. Especially one who knows how the game works."

"Not just a firefighter but a firefighter pilot," Richardson cuts in.

"Oh!"

"Yeah, he got a medal for valor and innovative thinking last year," Donato adds.

"Oh, wow," Tracy says. Tommy feels his face heating up.

From behind him Melton comes and puts a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Ma'am, if you were to ask me which of my crew I would trust most to take charge in an emergency, or to fly a helicopter through hurricane conditions, or to lead a group of high school girls—"

"Middle school," Tracy corrects.

"—middle school girls to a softball tournament, well, I would choose this man for all three."

"Sir," Tommy says, but Melton ignores him and guides Tracy over to his office.

"Now, being a dad, I know a little about the machinations of the community sports world myself, and I know how hard it is to get things scheduled…"

The door shuts behind them, and Donato and Richardson and every other fucking joker in this hangar pounce on him like cats on a sickly tired mouse.

"I told you," he says, pointing at his eye. "Softball thrown by a tween."

"Hey, man, whatever it takes to get you out of this funk," Richardson says. "Glad you've got a hobby."

"I have a million hobbies," Tommy protests. "And I'm not in a funk!"

Everyone fidgets a little.

"…am I in a funk?"

Donato nods. "So it's, you know, really good to see you doing something that'll make you happy," she says.

Tommy presses the heels of his hands into his eyes, yelping when he remembers the giant fucking bruise on his face. Someone pats his back reassuringly.

[star-suh]

College Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

Huang Guanheng x Male Reader x Kim Matthew

cw: there are obsessive behaviour undertones from hendery towards the reader.

—

yn was running late towards his art classes, “fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck…” he murmured –concerned– when he was some blocks away from the entrance he stopped to pull out a bottle of water of his backpack, unknowingly a little box of tacks fell to the floor, “ah shit today's my lucky day” yn said sarcastically, then suddenly someone in a bike passes through all the scattered tacks, some of them stabbed the front wheel of it, “what the fuck?” the guy gets off the bike to see what happened, finding out that the tacks were the cause of the damage on his wheel. he looks back looking at a yn who tries to act cool, acting as if the other guy wasn't talking to him.

“hey you, your fucking tacks damage my wheels, you need to pay the repairs”, “sorry sorry we'll talk later i'm running late please” yn tries to run away but the guy stopped him, grabbing him by his wrist. “guess what, i'm running late too and it's your fucking fault”.

“aww come on man. i'll give you my phone, you write your number there and i call you later”, the guy did as he was told, “see ya later then” yn waved and resumed his running. the guy stood there, a smirk appearing on his face “such a fool ynnie” he then remembered he was running late to his class too and started to run too.

yn opens the door and goes straight towards his art teacher “nice mr. ln once again late to the class”, “sorry mr. kim something happened on my way here. may i go to the bathroom i don't wanna be here all sweaty and sticky”, “sure but don't take too long, also you have a mark for coming late”, yn turns on his heels leaving the room, mr. kim's eyes never leave yn's clothed ass. the door creaks open again, “guess today is coming-late-to-the-class-day huh?”, “sorry mr. kim won't happen again”, “yeah right mr. huang, go take a seat, you have a mark for coming late too”.

the art class when like any other class, yn forgot about the problem he caused with his tacks earlier this day so he just walked towards his home as if nothing happened.

the next day yn walked towards college again when someone approached him, it was the same guy of yesterday, he cursed mentally at himself remembering how he didn't call him. “you bastard you didn't called me yesterday”, he was wearing a sleeveless shirt, his sweaty forehead and arms –covered in bulging veins– the sight making yn drift off and not listen to whatever the guy said, “hey are you listening to me?” he said, annoyed, “aishh what the fuck is wrong with you, first you damage my bike and now you want to get away without doing something to fix it” he sighs, “i'm going late again today and he'sgonna put another mark to me, it's your fault.. with my bike i would've come in time for classes”. the guilt catching up to yn, the feeling gnawing at him, “let's go to your class, i'll talk to your teacher and take responsibility for it, don't worry”. the guy looked towards the sky with eyes closed muttering a quiet thanks, “let's go” yn led the path towards the entrance with the guy following him, a creepy smirk never leaving his face unless yn looked towards him.

“it's here” the guy signaled, “wait, it's the same class as me, do you study with me?” one of yn's eyebrows raised while he stared dumbfounded at the guy, “took you long enough ynnie” disappointment laced on his voice. yn couldn't believe how he didn't realized that the guy was also on his class, “oh!” is the only thing coming out of his mouth, the guilt being unbearable now, how can he be so absorbed into his own world that he couldn't even recognize his own classmate, “man i suck”.

the next couple of days yn tried to make it up to hendery, how he liked to be called by his friends, at first he was renuent but little by little he started to let go his non-existent grudge towards the other guy. huang was happy, how everything was going according to his plan, if yn hadn't let that box of tacks fall from his backpack maybe all this wouldn't happened, he was lucky was all he could thought that day before going at the maximum speed he could over the tacks, knowing they would damage his wheel, “great sacrifices comes with great rewards” he murmurs.

“hi hendery, i just talked with mr. matthew about those days you came late to the classes so he can erase those marks, after all it wasn't your fault at all” hendery nodded, “hmm i see, so what did he say?”. “he told me to go talk to him after classes”, “i see” hendery scratched his chin with his thumb and pointer fingers, an idea popping into his mind sensing why mr. matthew would want to talk with him alone. “i'll accompany you then”...

the duo was alone in a classroom, everyone else around already leaving the building except three people, hendery knew he has to act quick so he started to put his head on yn's shoulder –something that catches him off guard– then with his finger he starts to draw little patterns on yn's arms, then going up until it reaches his chest, “you see. after all, it wasn't that bad with that stupid accident. we became closer to each other so i guess i can confess you something now” his face getting dangerously near yn's sensitive neck, his hot breath made him tickle, “there's this boy i can not stop thinking about. he's so pretty, so intelligent, so cute, i wanna eat him” he starts to leave little kisses on the other's neck, “any guess who's that guy who's been running around my mind 24/7, driving me so crazy?” the kisses became licks, “mme-me…??” yn asks nervously. then the licks turned into a bite, “bingo!”

hendery’s left hand slids under yn's shirt and assaults one of yn’s nipples while the other is ruffling his hair, “i'm loving those cute sounds you make” hendery adds, still kissing yn's neck –already littered with little hickeys– “stop, or they're gonna see us” yn says worried that someone would walk past the classroom and see them committing profanities on university ground, “no one’s here. everyone left already” he reassures, “also how can we stop when i'm like this for you yn look” he pulls out his dick, springing free from his underwear with a thick strand of precum connecting the tip with the underwear, “look how wet i am for you, take responsibility ynnie” hendery guided one of yn’s hands to grab and stroke his aching cock, “that's it, keep doing that pretty”.

“now, don't be shy, give it a kiss” hendery guides yn's head towards his dick. they were sitting on the teacher's desk so hendery made yn go under it, “see now they only would see me and won't think something weird is happening, happy now?”, yn nodded, mouth full of dick, it poking inside one of his cheeks and then pulling it out with a pop sound, as if it was a lollipop yn continued sucking it until the ring of a phone took them out of their moment of pleasure.

“hello?” hendery answered, “mr. huang? why are you answering mr. ln's phone?” on the other side was teacher kim, “why do you need him” hendery struggled to form the sentence due to how good yn was giving him head, ‘fuck’ he mouthed and gave an approving sign to yn to keep doing that. “i was going to talk about your late marks, he wanted me to erase them”, “yeah” hendery furrowed his eyebrows and his lips pouted, nodding and caressing yn's flushed cheek. “so where is he?” mr. kim asked on the phone, “he's b-busy now” hendery answered. “i can imagine it” the older said and hendery could almost see the smirk on the other side of the line, “r-really?” hendery asked, curious. “yeah” the older said, his voice becoming low and seductive, hendery was turned on, his dick growing bigger inside yn's mouth, “so what do you wanna do about it?” hendery wanted to rail mr. kim more, “what i was going to do anyway with him but now with you included i guess”, he hung up, “who was that?” yn asked to which hendery answered calmly with a “we have company”.

mr. kim was sitting on the desk, letting loose his tie that rested above his big chest, his shirt was open letting the pair of students touch his abs, they discarded his slacks that were now on the floor while the duo sucked in his dick and heavy balls. the pair of tongues tracing each vein, they even tried to kiss with mr. kim's dick in between their mouths, their tongues touching with each other's while leaving the dick all slobbery.

hendery fucked yn's mouth while mr. kim railed his ass, his powerful thrust making him gag onto the younger's cock, “mr. yn you don't have any idea how much i wanted your ass, is even more perfect with no clothes on” he spanked it, yn moans vibrating onto hendery's cock, “shit” he mutters, "your nasty mr. kim who would've thought”, the man smirked, i'll shape this ass to be a good cocksleeve, it won't forget the shape of my cock” he blurted out, “won't forget mine too” hendery adds looking defiantly towards his teacher, the older does the same looking at hendery above the frame of his glasses, “sure”.

“stop arguing and just fuck me okay?” yn pressured them both to do him, an idea appearing on mr. kim's mind. he leaned on the desk with yn straddling him, bouncing up and down his fat cock, the bottom putting his hands on mr. kim's big tits, his big muscular arms pressing them against each other, making them look firm and suckable, veins and sweat beads decorated his pecs, fuck!! what a sight. hendery spat one last time on his cock then aligned it against yn's already stuffed hole and introduced it gently at first, yn managed to take it all without any struggle, it seems that mr. kim did a good job stretching him out, after all he's hung and thick so it was no surprise. both cocks pummeled into him in unison, a back and forth that didn't leave yn unstuffed. his insides engulfing all the inches, his hole can't get enough of it, he feels like he's made for this, a cockslut if you want.

the constant sensation of both cocks sliding against each other plus yn's tightness made them cum at the spot, loads and loads of sperm being spurted inside.

hendery pulls out and grabs his backpack, “what are you doing?” mr. kim asks, “looking for wipes to clean us all” the younger answered. “don't, come here” mr. kim sucked hendery clean, “you know how to work that mouth mr. kim huh?” the man smirked, proud of his skills, he then pulled out of yn and did the same to him, milking his dick dry, swallowing every single drop, at the same time hendery was returning the favor, sucking clean mr. kim's cock.

after getting clean and dressed mr. kim assured them that he would erase both marks for both students and that he didn't wanted this to come late ever again to his art classes. “don't worry mr. kim we won't” hendery ensures but then yn speaks, “if we have to do this to erase those late marks i might be coming late more often” he winks at his teacher waiting for a response, the man laughs, “if you want my cock just ask for it, will always be there for cockwhores like you” he closes the door and leaves. “do your cock will always be there ready for me too hendery?” he flutters his eyelashes to his classmate who embarrassed looked the other way, “yeah sure”, “then let's go, i want more” yn said grabbing hendery by his bulge, that grew and became hot in yn’s hand.

[stormz369]

☕💖 Can I Get Your Number? ☕💖 Ch 25

Jason Todd x (f)Chubby!Reader

written with a female reader in mind, first person pov, no use of Y/N, will probably get NSFW later, let me know if there's anything else I should tag this with!

warnings/labels: it's time for a training montage! minor injury, guns briefly mentioned wc: 2.1k

Chapter Selection

“I can’t believe we’re doing this…” Jason grumbled softly, starting his bike.

“I told you; you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. Bruce said he'd send a car for me.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, gently squeezing.

“Absolutely not. If you’re joining Thursday training sessions, I’m going with you.” We flew down the street, Jason’s voice continuing in the speaker in my helmet; “I just don’t understand why you want to do this at all…”

“Training with more people will give me a more well-rounded experience. And while you are a very good teacher, you’re also my boyfriend. Somehow I feel like Bruce will be a harsher critic of my abilities.”

“And that’s a good thing??” He took a sharp turn toward the wealthy side of town.

“When we’re talking about possible life and death situations, yes. And I don’t really want you to have to be harsh with me, so why don’t we make that Bruce’s responsibility, since that relationship is already tense anyway?”

Jason sighed softly, gently squeezing my hands. “... I guess. … He can be a … tough teacher though. If he’s too hard on you, you don’t have to take it.”

“I know, baby. And he knows I’m not looking to be added to the patrol schedule, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Jason grumbled more, but continued driving to Wayne Manor. We parked in a large garage, and he led me to an elevator. After pressing several buttons we were headed down to the Batcave, where the entire Wayne family met us.

Damian spied us first, walking over. “Sister?”

“Hey kiddo! You gonna help train me?” I grinned, holding my hand out to him. He hesitantly squeezed my hand once, dropping it quickly.

“... I thought Father was attempting to make a joke when he said you were joining our training sessions…” he frowned deeply.

“Nope, no joke. … Is that a problem?” I raised an eyebrow.

“... I suppose not. … You will spar with me.” He gestured for me to follow him toward some mats.

Jason cried after us; “hey! Be gentle, demon brat. She's still new to this stuff.”

“I am not a fool, Todd. I am not expecting her to be a black belt.” Damian nodded; “stretches first.”

I took a seat and pulled my shoes off before stepping onto the mat, doing our usual pre-workout stretches. Eventually Bruce came over, watching us with vague interest on his face. “Alright, let's see what we have to work with.”

I nodded, and Damian and I put on some padding. We bowed to each other, and began. He started out slowly, letting me get in the flow of things. The others watched, periodically calling out instructions and encouragements. After a while I caught a glimpse of Jason in the corner of my eye, chewing on his lip, and Damian took that moment to sweep my leg out from under me.

“Oof!” I grunted softly as I landed on my back, blinking a bit.

“Don't get distracted. Your opponent will use that moment to their advantage.”

I nodded, accepting Damian's offered hand to get back up. “Go again?”

He nodded, and we went again, and again, and again. Every time, I ended up on my back, and he had another note for me. “Don't watch my face, watch my shoulders.” “If you aren't willing to hurt me, you will never win.” “Follow through, or none of this will matter.” “Focus on your footing; you're off balance.” “Breath with your attacks.”

Eventually, Jason stepped forward. “That's enough, take five.”

I nodded, letting him help me up, and bowed to Damian again. “Thanks for training me, Damian.”

He nodded, smiling a little, and bowed back. “You're not entirely hopeless, considering you're a civilian. If you take this seriously, you'll be a proper martial artist in no time.”

I grinned, nodding, and Jason led me to the side, getting me some water. “How do you feel?”

“I feel fine, baby! Damian is an excellent sparring partner.”

He frowned a bit, massaging my shoulders. “I dunno, some of those throws were unnecessarily rough…”

“Jace, do you think the next mugger I run into is going to be more gentle with me than that?”

He sighed, kissing my neck. “... No. … I just don't like watching you get knocked around.”

“I know, you're so protective of me~ it's sweet, but we gotta power through this part so I can get good.”

He sighed, holding me close. We watched the others pair up for more intensive sparring practices, and Bruce came over. “You did well out there. I want you to work on your balance for a while, Jason can walk you through that. And you should do at least an hour a day of simple exercises; stretching, strength training, and balance training.”

I nodded. “Got it. Thanks Bruce…”

He nodded, pointing out the equipment he recommended I use today, and went back to observing the others. Jason eventually led me over to the equipment, and we started working on my balance.

After weeks of gym days with Jason and BatFam training sessions, I really expected to see myself slimming down a bit. But when I looked in the mirror, I was still soft and curvy. My arm and leg muscles were more pronounced, and I was certain my core muscles were getting stronger too, but my tummy was still round and squishy. It didn't bother me, and Jason seemed rather pleased to not be losing my softness; he tended to nuzzle against my chest and stomach at night, like a big cuddly teddy bear.

Seeing my training progress wasn't making him any less protective either; every time I stepped onto the mat with one of his siblings I could hear him growling at them. It didn't deter Damian, or the girls, but Dick and Tim were particularly hesitant to give me a proper training session. They mostly stuck to helping me with warm ups, and shouting suggestions from the sidelines.

All of the bats were master martial artists, but each had their own preferred fighting styles. Damian taught me to fake out my opponent, and had a proclivity for taking out the leg. Stephanie preferred to mix up her fighting style, keeping her opponents off guard. Cass taught me to anticipate an opponent's moves, watching for the slightest movements that might tell me how to take them down. When Dick and I sparred, he mostly stuck to the basics, not wanting to risk injuring me in front of Jason. Tim mostly helped me work on my blocks and defensive strategy. Bruce stuck to observing and instructing, never actually entering the ring with me. And with the lot of them training me in various martial arts, Jason turned our gym days into gym-and-range days; we would do some stretches and basic core-building, and then we went to the shooting range to work on my aim.

One day before training, Damian had me kneel. Once I was on my knees, he held out a yellow sash with little black bats on it, saying something in a language I didn't know.

I took it, smiling softly; “what's this?”

“Your yellow bat-belt. You've leveled up in your training. Put it on.”

I grinned, nodding, and tied it around my waist; “yes, Sensei.”

Damian smiled at that, nodding once. Once he was happy with how the belt was tied, he led me to the mats for our sparring session. Tim snorted softly, watching from the side.

“What's with the belt? You know the mish-mash of martial arts she's learning wouldn't count at a proper school, right?”

Damian glowered at him; “she has leveled up in the School of the Bat. That is what matters here.”

“Well how come the rest of us don't get bat-belts then?” Tim smirked a bit; “you gotta make them for everyone, Damian!”

“You would not like a physical indicator of what level I deem you to be at, Drake.” Damian smirked at his indignant noises, and turned to me. We bowed and started our sparring session.

In our fourth spar of the day, I landed my first ever hit. One second Damian was in front of me, fists up, and the next he was sprawled out on the floor in front of me, looking up at me in shock.

“Oh my god, Damian! Are you ok??” I fell to my knees next to him as he sat up slowly.

“... I'm fine. … Well done, sister.” He smirked a bit; “now do it again.”

I could hear the smirk in Jason's voice as he called out; “way to go, babe! Kick the demon brat's ass!”

“Language.” Bruce frowned at him, and I helped Damian up.

“Sorry, B. Let's try that again,” he cleared his throat, putting on the most happy-go-lucky voice he could manage; “holy guacamole, bat-babe! Gee golly, can ya do it again, pretty girl?” 

Dick wrinkled his nose, groaning softly. “Dear god, I forgot you used to talk like that. Never do that again.”

“Agreed.” I laughed softly, sticking my tongue out at him; “that was horrible!”

He chuckled, winking at me. Damian frowned, snapping at us; “Enough! No flirting during training! Sister, let's go again.”

My head was ringing. Hands grabbed me, and I was carefully brought into a seated position. I blinked slowly, touching the back of my head gently. No blood. That was good…

“-idn't mean to! Fuck!”

“Well you did! So back off, Grayson!” Damian spoke sharply next to me. His small hands held the sides of my face, making me look at him; “... No dilation, that's good.”

I blinked slowly, frowning. “Wha- … what happened?”

Jason held me against his chest, frowning deeply. “You don't remember, baby?”

I started to shake my head, but the pounding in my head put a stop to that. “Ohhh fuck … ow…”

“Shit …” Dick whined softly from somewhere behind Damian. “Shit, I … I'm so sorry! I swear, I didn't mean to!”

“Dick, just shut up.” Jason growled, holding me closer. He carefully lifted me, holding me against his chest as he carried me toward a long bench.

“She's probably got a concussion. Don't let her sleep.” Tim frowned, bringing an ice pack.

Jason took it, carefully pressing it to my head. “Yeah, no shit…”

“What happened?”

“Dick threw you off the mat.” Jason growled softly, holding me close. “You're done for the day. Time to rest.”

“Ugh… ok. … Rest sounds good…” I frowned, closing my eyes.

Dick hesitantly mumbled my name; “I'm so sorry!”

“It's all good, Dick. I'm not dying.” I groaned softly, leaning against Jason.

Jay growled softly. “It's not all good. I told you to be careful. I told you not to hurt her!”

I shushed him softly, leaning in more. “No yelling…”

He sighed softly, kissing my forehead. “Sorry, baby girl…”

Bruce checked my eyes, frowning a bit. “... Nothing else she can do today. Take her home, have her take a few days off.”

Jay grunted his agreement and the next thing I knew, I was in his arms again, being carried to the elevator. Damian ran after us, bringing my bag along. I smiled softly, reaching down to stroke his hair. “Thanks, kiddo…”

He leaned in to my touch for a second before pulling back; “I'll come over tomorrow after school to check on you.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Damian.” He smiled a little at that, setting my bag in the car. Jason got me situated, making sure I was buckled, before getting in and driving me home.

“Fucking Dick…” he grumbled softly.

“Relax, baby. It's just a minor concussion. I'll be fine tomorrow.” I smiled softly, watching the scenery.

“Should never have happened…’’

“It was an accident, they happen. Don't be too harsh with him.” 

He sighed, resting a hand on my knee. “... This ok?”

I smiled softly and nodded, turning toward him; “Yeah, that's ok.”

He smiled a little and gently stroked my knee with his thumb; “when we get in, you're gonna rest on the couch. I'll get you some water, and aspirin, and I'll make something light for dinner.”

“Ok. Thanks, Jay~” I sighed softly, closing my eyes for a second.

“Don't sleep, now. You gotta stay awake for a while.”

“Ok, I'll stay awake.” I slowly opened my eyes, blinking a bit. “... So bright though…”

Jason pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his center console and passed them to me. I grinned, kissing his hand, and put them on. “Much better. … Takin' such good care'a me…”

He chuckled softly. “Anything you need, doll. Always.”

Next ->

Divider by: @saradika-graphics

Taglist (open): @jawdropforkpop @krys0210 @snowy-violet @superthoughts @wordsfromshona @mystic60 @iwannabealocalcryptid @morstuavitamea-a @frosty--giants @arisa191 @prized-jules @phoenix666stuff @dinonuggysandhuggus @anuttellaa @whore-of-many-hot-men @cottage-worm @v1ckycheesue @roastyyytoastyyy @sarakmec @thestarcatcher7297 @stupidlyunhinged

[reallchristine]

ENERGY ─ chapter two

pairing: logan howlett x !f!reader

Set during x-men (2000) and X2

warnings: angst, hurt, violence, bad grammar?😭, basically the plot of the first movie!

previous chapter <- -> next chapter

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ─── ─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ─── ─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

You stand, unable to move as you watch your younger sister lying against the bedroom wall you shared. She utters your name in shock, clutching her chest in pain.

“No, no, no...” You shake your head as your mumbles turn into shouts, watching your sister struggle to breathe.

“Please!” You cry, choking on your sobs as you try to break the unforeseen barrier.

Trying to fix what you’ve done.

But it’s too late.

You jolt awake, sweating and gasping for air. You look around, only to be met with the darkness of your bedroom.

The memories of the accident haunt your dreams. You tried burying the thought of what happened in the past, but it follows you, acting as a reminder of what you’ve done.

Starting to calm down, you slide out of your blankets, put on the slippers that are on the floor beside your bed, and make your way out of your room and down the steps. You enter the hall and finally through the doorway of the kitchen.

You pour yourself a cup of water and sit on the stool, gulping down the water as you try not to think about the recurring dreams that wake you up at night. Instead, you think about the information Jean told you before you headed to bed.

She wanted to give you an update on what they found after Logan’s x-ray. Apparently, his bones were bonded with adamantium metal, and he was able to withstand the process because of his mutation, recalling what Jean had told you.

Before you can continue with your thoughts, you look up to see Logan entering the kitchen.

“Hi,” you say, greeting him with a timid smile.

“Hey.” he replies, as he starts to look around the kitchen.

“Uhm, are you looking for something?” you ask, watching him open the fridge and then close it right after. He turns to you, “Got any beer?”

“This is a school,” you say, staring at him.

“So, no?”

“No.” You reply, shaking your head as you find yourself amused by his odd question.

“If you want something to drink, there’s soda in that cupboard,” you tell him, pointing to its location. He walks up to it, opens the small cupboard door, and reaches for a soda.

“Thanks,” he says, twisting the bottle cap open as he takes a seat across from you. “So, you’re a teacher at this school?” he asks, striking up a conversation.

“Yup, I teach chemistry,” you reply.

“Chemistry, huh,” he says while taking a swig of his drink. He asks another question, “And how’s that working out for ya?”

“Surprisingly well,” you respond with a shrug, pausing as you continue. “I mean, I enjoy science, and I like being able to work with kids, so it’s nice.”

“Looks like that’s going nicely for you,” he says with a bit of humor in his tone.

“I guess you could say that,” you answer, moving off the stool you were sitting on to put away the now-empty cup.

“Anyways, I should be heading back to bed.” you tell him, walking towards the kitchen door.

“Me too,” he replies, letting out a sigh and throwing away his empty bottle, following you.

You both make your way up the stairs heading to your separate rooms.

“Goodnight, Logan.” you say with a sleepy smile.

“‘Night,” he replies, watching you enter your room before he enters his.

You return to your blankets to get some more rest, checking the clock on your nightstand before shutting your eyes: 1:02 a.m.

Turning in bed, you quickly sit up, awakened by the sound of someone screaming.

You run out of your room to see a crowd forming in front of Logan’s bedroom. You rush into the room only to find Rogue using her powers on Logan.

“Everyone back to your rooms!” you say, some kids doing as you asked while others continue to stay.

The others rush into the room after you. Ororo now stands by your side as Scott switches on the lights.

Rogue lets go of Logan as he falls to the ground. “It was an accident.” she says, quickly turning to you and walking away.

The morning after the events of last night leaves you drained. Pinching the bridge of your nose, you prepare to set up the classroom for a new lesson.

Students start coming into your class once the bell rings, sitting at their designated seats. The last of your students to walk through the door is Rogue.

You smile at her when she enters. Rogue quickly takes a seat at her desk as you begin your lesson.

As your students finish the last bit of their notes, the bell rings, indicating the end of class. They pack up quickly, saying goodbye as they leave your class.

“Rogue!” you call as she turns to you, stopping just before the door. “I wanted to ask how you’re doing?”

“I’m fine,” she answers timidly.

“I know what happened last night wasn’t your fault,” you pause, “It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

She stares at you.

“Look, I know how it feels to be scared of your mutation,” you tell her.

“No, you don’t,” she replies, shaking her head.

“Trust me, I do,” you say, raising your hand between the two of you as you start forming a small ball of energy in your hand. “I wasn’t able to control my mutation before, and honestly, I’m scared that sometimes I still can’t,” you tell her as the ball of energy slowly disappears.

You continue, “But this place, this school, it helped me. It gave me opportunities I thought I could never have in this cruel world.”

“Which is why I don’t want you to think you’re less than anyone here. You have the same opportunities as everyone else at this school. You deserve to thrive,” you tell her with a smile.

“Thank you.” she says, returning the smile.

“Of course, Rogue-” you say.

“Marie.” she corrects quickly.

“I’m always here if you need me, Marie.” you say to her. She smiles and walks out of your class as the bell rings for your next class.

As the school day finally finishes, you start to clean up the papers left on your desk.

“Y/n!” Ororo says, bursting into your classroom.

“Ororo? What is it?” you ask, confused.

“It’s Rogue. She ran away,” she tells you.

“What?! I just talked to her earlier,” you say.

“Charles found her at a train station. Logan’s already on his way there. Scott and I are going to follow. You should come,” she tells you.

“Alright. But my mutation—”

“You’re going to be fine,” she reassures you. You nod at her as you both walk out of your class.

When you arrive at the station, you walk up to the front desk with Ororo while Scott look’s around.

“She’s about 17, um, my height, and has brown hair,” she tells the man at the ticket booth. You stand close behind her as she continues to speak, when you suddenly hear large footsteps approaching the both of you.

You turn around only to be met with Sabertooth.

“Ororo—” you say before you are grabbed into a chokehold and smashed against the glass.

“Scream for me,” he says.

Ororo, who was caught off guard, tries to use her powers but is suddenly knocked out by Sabertooth, who grabs her and throws her against the wall before dropping you to the floor.

Scott rushes toward you both, pushing people out of the way, only to be stopped when his visor is grabbed, making him shoot a hole in the roof of the station.

You hastily get up with a groan, your neck and head throbbing as you start to build up energy in your hands, stretching your arms and creating a blast of energy.

You fire it toward Sabertooth as he breaks through the wall, hitting the ground from the blast.

You run toward Ororo, who is slowly getting up from the ground. “Are you okay?!” you ask, helping her up.

“Yeah,” she responds, rubbing her head and taking your hand.

“Come on, let’s get Scott,” you say, holding her up while your eyes scan the area for Scott.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ─── ─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

a/n ── this still needs to be proof read! But omg was I struggling to write this chapter😭 I’ve been so busy the past month so forgive me for that😣 I haven’t set a schedule yet for this series but I’ll let u guys know! Also some of the @ are not working for the taglist so just message me if you want to be added!

🏷️: @cxptainbuck @thecraziestcrayon @marvelgirlie-4 @ravenslvt @malfoys-demigod @byhuenii @avatarobsessedgirly @kinokomoonshine

[inellz]

「 ✦ academic rivals ✦ 」

quackity x reader

── .✦ a little help w ai — first tumblr post !:)

── .✦ synopsis ; You and Quackity or known as Alexis, had been academic rivals ever since the start of high school. however, a school field trip during your sophomore year changed everything.

You’d been academic rivals with Alexis since the very first day of high school. The two of you shared nearly every class, constantly fighting for the top spot. Whether it was stealing the teacher’s questions, comparing test scores, or arguing over who had the better project, the competition between you was fierce.

If there was one thing you were sure about, it was that Alex was insufferable.

And yet, somehow, the school field trip during your sophomore year changed everything.

The trip was to the local nature reserve, a lush green sanctuary filled with trails, streams, and wildlife. The goal was to collect data and samples for your biology project. You were excited… until you saw the seating arrangement for the bus.

Your name was right next to his.

“No way,” you muttered, staring at the paper.

“Looks like we’re stuck together,” Quackity said, appearing behind you with his trademark smirk. “Try not to get too jealous of my field notes.”

You rolled your eyes. “Try not to copy mine.”

The two of you boarded the bus, sitting side by side for the first time ever. At first, the tension was thick. He had his earbuds in, and you were pretending to be interested in the scenery outside. But eventually, the silence became unbearable.

“Hey,” he said suddenly, pulling out one of his earbuds. “Do you think we’re gonna see anything cool today? Like frogs or something?”

You glanced at him, surprised he was trying to make conversation. “I mean, maybe. They did say there’s a stream nearby.”

“Cool. Frogs are, like, underrated,” he said, leaning back in his seat.

You blinked, caught off guard by his casual statement. “You think frogs are underrated?”

“Yeah. They’re chill. What, you don’t agree?”

“I mean, I guess?” you replied, a laugh escaping your lips. “I’ve never thought about it that much.”

From there, the conversation snowballed. You started talking about biology, then transitioned to random topics like favorite snacks, movies, and the most embarrassing moments you’d had in class. By the time the bus pulled up to the nature reserve, you realized you were actually enjoying talking to him.

The day at the reserve was surprisingly fun. You and Quackity were paired up for most of the activities, collecting water samples and jotting down observations.

At one point, while sitting on a rock by the stream, he hesitated before saying, “Can I tell you something? Like… something no one else knows?”

You raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t some elaborate plan to distract me from getting better notes, is it?”

“No, I’m serious,” he said, his tone softer than usual.

“Alright,” you said, leaning in slightly. “What is it?”

He glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby before whispering, “I have a Twitch channel.”

Your eyes widened. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s kind of a secret. I haven’t told anyone at school. I don’t know… I guess I’m just scared people will think it’s dumb.”

You stared at him, surprised by his vulnerability. “Why would anyone think it’s dumb? That’s actually really cool.”

“You think so?” he asked, his eyes lighting up.

“Yeah,” you said with a small smile. “I mean, I’d probably make fun of you if you were bad at it, but—“

“Wow, thanks,” he interrupted, laughing.

“But seriously,” you continued, “it’s awesome. You should be proud of it.”

For the rest of the trip, you found yourself seeing Quackity in a new light. He wasn’t just your rival anymore—he was someone who shared the same passion for learning, someone who could make you laugh, someone who wasn’t afraid to show a more vulnerable side.

By the time the bus ride back started, the two of you were laughing so much that the teacher had to shush you.

“Didn’t think I’d ever say this,” he said as the bus pulled into the school parking lot, “but I had fun today. With you.”

“Same,” you admitted, your cheeks warming.

From that day on, things between you and Quackity were different. You still competed in class, but the rivalry felt less intense, more playful. And every now and then, you’d catch him sneaking a glance your way, his smirk replaced with a softer expression.

It didn’t take long for you to realize that somewhere between the frogs, the stream, and that secret Twitch confession, you’d started to like him. And judging by the way he stuck around after school to talk to you more often, you had a feeling he felt the same.

[angel-kyo]

Pay it no mind

Part XXIV

In which reader confesses their feelings to Gojo, but it seems these are not returned (maybe?).

Warnings: reader is on the receiving end of rejection (kinda), and the fact that I'm obsessed with unrequited love is a warning itself. Drinking is mentioned, and there is a bit of cussing. I'll admit Satoru does not look good in this one, neither does reader honestly, but thanks for bearing with me.

Previous: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part IV, Part XV, Part XVI, Part XVII, Part XVIII, Part XIX, Part XX, Part XXI, Part XXII, Part XXIII

----------------------

Ping.

Satoru heard the notification sound from your phone, which had been left unattended on the table in the teacher’s lounge, but he did not pay attention to it.

Ping.

You had gone to the restroom, and he was watching videos on his phone. In fact, he had found a funny video to show you when you came back.

Ping.

Whoever it was probably had a lot to say though.

Ping.

Satoru took his eyes off his phone and looked at yours.

It started ringing, then stopped.

Could that be something urgent? Satoru knew how to unlock your phone; you had showed him. You could access his phone too, although none of your ever used each other’s phone without asking first, but if it was urgent, he should maybe take a look.

He grabbed it.

4 new messages. 1 missed call.

Haruki: I did not want to say anything before, but I’m sorry if I weirded you out last night when I called you. Haruki: I was emotional and talked too much. Haruki: The whole thing with my father makes me drink more than I should and do things I should probably not do, and it’s… well, you know. Haruki: But I don’t regret it at all.

Satoru thought he did not need to read that. It looked like Ikeda had some family issues he vented to you about.

However, even if he did not want to, he could almost sympathize with the guy.

“Is that my phone?” you asked, reappearing before Gojo.

He stretched his arm out so you would take the phone he was still holding. “It was ringing.”

A moment later, your words confirmed what Gojo thought. “It’s Haruki… His father has been bugging him for money, but he does not really want to see him again.”

Gojo recalled you had told him something about how complicated his relationship with his father was.

I guess it makes sense he wants a friend to call, someone who will listen to him.

Not that he could make peace with you being that friend just yet, but he knew better than to say that aloud, so he hummed in response.

“Must be tough for him.”

***

Now that he looked back on it, that had happened two weeks ago, the morning he had returned to Japan only to find out that you would be clocking in late that day.

He had wondered what your friend could have said to "weird you out". What was the thing he did not regret? Why had you left the room to give him a call after that?

Satoru had tried, really tried to live with the fact that Ikeda was your friend, a friend that might have called you being wasted out of his mind to complain about the awful father he had. That was the explanation he had given to himself.

He never imagined you would have gone out to drink with the guy, maybe even spent the night with him, and then what? Eaten breakfast at his place just before clocking in at work to greet your obliviously hopeful best friend, if he could still consider himself as such, as if nothing had happened?

To think Satoru, overworked and sleep deprived as he had been after that trip, had wanted to get back to work immediately to see you...

He felt stupid.

“Are you okay?” Satoru heard you ask hesitantly.

He took his eyes off his reflection to briefly look at you. “What are you doing here?” he asked, moving to wash his hands for the third time.

You watched him hold his hands underneath the water stream, not really moving them.

So he still does that.

When he was younger, Satoru sometimes did that as a ritual to calm himself when he felt anxious. You could not remember the last time he had done it in front of you.

“You did not come back to the table, and Shoko said you looked pale when you left.”

And I’m afraid I know why.

“If you want me to call her to check in on you, I’m sure I can convince her to come into the men’s restrooms.”

Satoru knew those words were only meant to try and walk around the elephant in the room, or should he say the elephant that was sitting back at the table?

He grabbed a paper towel. “I’m fine. You should go back.”

You were standing from a distance but still saw his jaw tighten. “Aren’t you coming back?”

“What for?” he asked, throwing the used paper sheet into the bin.

“They already served the dessert, and…”

“What am I doing here, [name]?” Satoru’s eyes connected with yours.

What do you mean? You asked to come.

That is what you were going to tell him, but he did not let you.

“Is it true?” he asked, eyebrows furrowing, the ghost of an expression he almost never showed to you. “That night you went drinking with him, where did you sleep?”

Now that was a tricky question.

“At his place, but…”

Satoru’s face contorted into a broken smile and the forced laugh that escaped his mouth echoed through the empty stalls. “Of course.”

“Let me expla-”

“And? Was the breakfast worth it?” His venomous tone was not something you were used to.

You frowned. Was he really implying that? Did he really think that was the kind of person you were?

“I get that what he said sounded weird, but that’s… I can’t believe you’re asking that.”

“I can’t believe you’re not answering,” he replied dryly.

You took a step closer. “Satoru, what do you think happened between him and me?”

“I have no fucking idea.” The sternness of his words made you take that step back. “Because you did not even mention going out with him while I was gone, let alone that you spent the night at his place. Oh, but I’m sure that whatever happened he does not regret it at all, because that’s what he told you, isn’t it?”

What was he talking about now?

“What do you mean? Why would you say…?”

“Is that my phone?”

“It was ringing.”

The realization left you stunned. “You read our conversation?”

You were not expecting that. Knowing that Satoru was nosy at times was one thing. That he had actually violated your privacy and read a conversation from your phone without telling you was another one.

“Can you believe I almost felt bad for him? But why should I? He has you to comfort him in his oh-so-many hardships. What a lucky bastard...”

“Gojo, stop right there.”

He wanted to. Satoru really wanted to stop talking now before saying anything that would hurt you both, but he did not think he could. He had held it in for too long.

“No, don't Gojo-me. You did not tell me to stop before.” His eyes were burning blue.

The blue part of a flame is the hottest spot.

You could not remember who had told you that, but for the first time, it made sense, because it felt like Satoru was burning you under his gaze.

“No, scratch that... You told me to stop once, and I was foolish enough to think you needed time, that I was rushing you, but that was not it, was it? You had already made up your mind. You just did not have the guts to tell me.”

This was a side of Satoru that you were not sure of how to handle; your arguments were never like this; they could be ugly, yes, but it was never him yelling and reproaching while looking this agitated. He usually kept his emotions in check; you just lacked the experience seeing him like this.

What was that thing Suguru said once? That those who felt deeply will love you and hate you the same? That their love and their wrath was equally dangerous, or something like that?

Satoru’s agitated breath was all you could hear for a second, but then, as if regaining strength, he continued. “Tell me, did you ever think of him when you kissed me?”

Even before he finished the question, you had started shaking your head. "Of course not! Satoru, just let me explain. It’s not what you think, and I’ve never…”

“Now you are talking!” He advanced quickly towards you. “Yes, please, [name], please do explain what’s going on.” He was not exactly yelling, but he had raised his voice again, more than in any other argument you could recall, but it suddenly dropped. “What’s this? You play house with me Monday through Friday and fuck him on the weekends?”

“We are not playing house,” You were trying to avoid shouting, but it still came out sharper than you had intended.

“But you are fucking him.”

“I’m not!” That was it, you could not avoid shouting at him anymore. “Stop, just shut up. You know it’s not like that. He’s my friend, and you…”

“Then answer me, what are we playing at? Because I’m also your friend, right?! But looks like that’s all I’ll ever be, the friend that has to sit back and watch the person he loves fall in love with someone else. What a freaking great game, but guess what? I don’t want to play anymore.”

He had it all wrong and that irked you that he did not want to listen, but at the same time, it was breaking your heart to hear him. Was that how he had felt all this time?

You tried to touch his face to wipe away the tear that was about to fall down, but he pulled back. “Don’t… Don’t touch me. Just pick. It's him or me.”

What?

One look at your expression, and Satoru understood why he had put off asking you for a definitive response for so long. Maybe, deep down, he knew you could not pick him; he was flawed, he was selfish, he was always too late.

When you were younger, you had not been able to pick his friendship over Ikeda’s. This was just the same, was it not?

No, this hurts much worse.

“Satoru, I…” you started saying, but he shook his head and interrupted you…

“You seriously can’t, can you? You know… You were right, I’m selfish” he pointed to the door, “I’m nothing like Mr. Perfection out there, with the magazine face, corporate job, and just mundane problems..."

At some point, Satoru had given in and tried to get some intel on who the great Haruki, who had had you head over heels, was, but what he had found was just an average man that was perfect in everyone's eyes. In a way, that was worse than finding dirt on him.

"He may be a fucking saint, and I’m selfish all you want, but you…” the finger that had been pointing outside was now pointing at you “You are cruel beyond repair, and I’m an idiot for falling in love with you.”

He had lowered his voice, but the atmosphere could be cut with a knife, and his words certainly sliced it through.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” a young man, a waiter called behind you. “I’m afraid your… Umm… conversation is preventing some customers from coming in. May I ask that you continue this somewhere else?”

----------------------

Note: No notes today, just my love.

Thanks for reading!

Next: Part XXV

@mavs-stuff @witchbybirth @crookedlyaddictedone-blog @tqd4455 @maybe-a-bi-witch @mo0nforme @maliakealoha @zacatecanaaaa @blushhpeachh @astriarose @missesgojosatoru @ba-ks @sukunasleftkneecap @songbirdlully @cole-silas @heijihattorisgf @chokesonspit @hersheyzzz @smolbeanzzz @luciledreamz @avidreadee123 @moonmalice @ratscandaler @sadmonke @allie-jay @username23345 @spin-garden @ashehateaccount @kayzens @blehtotheblehtothebleh @stellasloth @bloopsstuff @cheesemachine44 @tetsuski @rosellerinfrost @catowru @bi-narystars @wondermilka @fortunatelyfurrygiver @shrxui

[fantasy-relax]

Ineffable Plan

Bela Dimitrescu x g¡p reader

Part 5

You didn't know what hurt more your head or your stomach, a full day of work without even having breakfast was killing you and you oversaw directing more than carrying the bricks.

What the hell those maids have in their heads to blow up the wall?

And where the hell did they get the dynamite?

If you found them, you would shove a brick up their a-

*BAM*

A pat on the back send you to the ground

“Oh shit, sorry,” Relia helped you to stand up “what a day huh?”

“Ugh” You responded showing unmatched wisdom.

“Hahaha be glad that at least you're going to have a delicious dinner, Thea is…”

The words of the Master carpenter went in one ear and out the other, was it rude? Yes. Did you have the energy to care? No.

Maybe after eating.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

“Why did you decide to stay in the castle after your contract ended?”

You were supposed to be more subtle, but your brain didn't cooperate with you, in the kitchen there were only you, Relia and chef Dorothea, the others had already retired to their rooms.

“With your experience you could help the village with constructions and repairs, fences have been created to protect against the Lycans but they are easily destroyed, it really needs experienced labor I’m sure that even the most stubborn man would have to listen to you”

To your surprise Relia burst out laughing which offended you a little, it took her a few seconds to calm down and the offense you felt vanished when you noticed the melancholy in her eyes despite her smile.

“Everything comes back” seeing your continued confusion “Years ago I asked my predecessor and teacher, Daria, the same question when I found out that she was going to give up her body and blood voluntarily instead of living in the village”

What? voluntarily?

Dorothea, who was heating water on the stove, answered your questions.

“The meat I receive to serve the Ladies doesn’t only come from intruders who enter Dimitrescu’s territory or maids who break the rules too many times, if it were to be like that it would be too little to feed the whole family for the entire year.”

Now that you think about it, the deaths of the workers are few compared to the rumors, in the four months you’ve been here at most there have been 6 or 7, which is almost nothing compared to the dozens that are spoken of in the town. The maids disappear for two or three days before returning to work, paler and more obedient; and in the worst cases without a finger or two, but they come back.

“The blood mostly comes from the donor maids, they receive better food, better pay and some protection in exchange for their services.” The chef came over and poured three cups of tea, you thanked her. “When they die their body will be served or buried, they have the last word as a sign of respect for their work to House Dimitrescu” Dorothea put down the pot to sit next to Relia “Daria chose to live in the castle as a donor until the end of her days”

“And she decided to be buried, she designed her coffin, and I built it, was the most elegant one in her family’s plot even in death she wanted to make it clear how much she had triumphed over those fucking bastards” Relia replied with a proud smile.

“I guess she didn’t get along with her family” You said adding a sugar cube to your cup.

“They were the ones who manipulated her into coming to the castle in the first place” The carpenter said with hatred in her voice “and when the contract ended, she returned only to be attacked for not continuing to work to pay off the debts they had gotten themselves into after spending everything she sent them; when she returned, she no longer sent them a penny.” Relia took a sip of her tea. “At least that’s what she told me when I asked her the same question”

“And what was your reason for staying?” The tea didn’t help keep the sleep away.

“My parents are dead, and I was never close to the rest of my family. I don’t think they’ll accept me with open arms. Most likely they’ll force me to marry or throw me out on the street, master carpenter or not. Besides…” Relia took the chef’s hand to kiss her palm. “I’d miss my wife too much.”

Her what?!

Dorothea smiled fondly and kissed her wife’s cheek.

“I could say the same.”

You had really dissociated yourself from the conversation with Relia in the hallway.

With more information than you expected to obtain, you say goodbye to the couple to go rest.

------------------------------------------------------------

Greta congratulate you for your good work on the repairs and informed you that due to the incident your request would have to wait, which you accept without complaint. After all, the conversation with Relia and Dorothea revealed more details than you imagined.

Although life in the village was hard, it never crossed your mind that someone would choose to live in the castle or donate their blood willingly. The rumors were terrifying, coupled with the fact that the women who went to work at the castle rarely returned, and if they did, they were scarred or with fewer body parts. It was hard to believe that someone would choose to live with monsters instead of returning home.

Monsters. Were the Dimitrescu really monsters?

You had witnessed firsthand that they were capable of feeling and acting like any other human.

So, what made the Dimitrescu monsters?

Were they monsters because of their violence?

The most common punishment you've seen inflicted on your fellow girls is being whipped on the hands, ankles, or back after breaking something while cleaning or when something went missing in the rooms they cleaned. But that was done in the village too, parents disciplining troublesome children or thieves being punished.

You'd been lucky enough not to witness any deaths, but you hadn't been spared the cleanup that followed, blood and sometimes bits of flesh left on the floor and walls, which needed to be cleaned up quickly before it dried and soaked into the carpet and wallpaper.

Were they monsters for their indifference to suffering and death?

While in the village the Lycans were the number one killers, sometimes fights between the inhabitants reached a point where blood was spilled in such quantity that death from wounds was to be expected, drunks and gamblers were the most hated in the village if they found their death at the hands of the collectors or in a fight people turned their faces away, giving condolences out of obligation to the family and continued with their lives living with the murderer among them. There were men who had killed their wives or children after having beaten them savagely, some were hated but tolerated and others were welcomed with open arms; there were also cases of healthy men who died from a sudden illness (Poison) despite the care (Different poison) of their wives.

Cruelty and violence existed both in the village and in the castle.

Were they monsters because of their diet?

One of your neighbors couldn't drink milk without suffering from stomach pain for days, a child died from eating a nut that made his throat swell, the tailor couldn't eat chicken because it gave her rashes, there were several people who couldn't have a normal diet and had to adapt.

Is it the same for the Dimitrescu?

Was human flesh and blood the only thing they could consume?

Their body was not the same as a human's, it was to be expected that their diet won’t be the same.

Were they monsters because they were cannibals?

One of the elders had told you that decades ago the harvests were horrible and the winter atrocious, the food shortage was such that many had no other option than to eat the flesh of their neighbors to survive. Grandparents letting themselves die so that their children and grandchildren could eat, teenagers tearfully devouring the organs of their siblings who couldn't bear the cold, man eating man.

And this act was considered necessary.

Wasn't it necessary for them too?

Were they monsters because of their different anatomy?

That won’t make you a monster too?

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Two weeks had passed since the incident and thanks to it you had forged a friendship not only with Relia and her team, but also with Dorothea and her kitchen staff; it was great to have someone to talk to; while you were fond of Daniela you didn't forget that she was from a different world than yours there were things she couldn't understand not out of malice but out of simple ignorance.

Since her confession you haven't spoken to her due to the staff rotation that caused the "dismissal" of the maids involved in the explosion.

You still had no idea where they got the dynamite from.

Greta's voice calling you took you out of your thoughts.

"Greta, what do you ne-" The older girl grabbed you by the shoulders with a frantic look.

Deja vu.

"You know how to read, write and basic math, right?" You nodded with slight fear to which she sighed in relief. “Come with me.”

“I haven't finished cleaning yet.”

“I’ll send someone, this is more important, hurry up.”

You left your bucket and rag to follow her.

--------------------------------------------------------------

You had seen Jenica a few times in the hallway, the woman always walked in a hurry with papers and folders in her hand. Like Greta, she was always busy and had a professional demeanor.

“January, quadrant E, row three, produced a quantity of…”

Compared to that image, the woman in front of you looked like she was one step away from jumping off the roof.

The desk, the coffee table, the chairs, the couch and even the bed were full of papers, folders and books; in the middle of everything was Jenica reading a book while frantically writing in a notebook.

You turned to look at Greta for answers that she was quick to give you.

“Someone broke into her office today to start a fire, thanks to Zina passing by at a good time the fire was quickly extinguished, the filing cabinet protected the documents however some of this year’s files were outside for review, some just need to be transcribed but most have to be recalculated and as you can see…” Greta pointed at the poor woman who acted more like a crazy old woman mumbling in the street than a scholar. “It’s a lot of work for Jenica, Lady Dimitrescu is in a meeting with the Lords and Lady Bela is reviewing the other documents to see if anything is missing”

First an explosion now a fire, what was going on?

“Do you think you can help her?” The head maid took one of the papers placed on the table to hand it to you, the letters were barely visible, but you could understand it.

“Yes, I worked as an accountant at my mother’s bakery and at the town bar, this is pretty similar.” Despite the bad reputation that alcohol and consequently the bar had, Darius was a smart and honorable man when his poor eyesight worsened her hired you to take care of the bar’s accounts and teach his son Leonard how to do it, who luckily for you was just like his father.

Upon hearing your answer Greta nodded before touching Jenica’s shoulder who let out a surprised squeal.

“Don’t do that, you’re going to give me a heart attack!”

“What will give me a heart attack is the aberrant amount of coffee you drink, I brought someone to help you.”

Jenica turned to look at you and to demonstrate your skill you read what the paper in your hand said. In a moment the woman stood up, removed a stack of books from the sofa and moved another from the table.

“Perfect!” She said as she pushed you towards the empty seat and then placed a notebook and pencil in your hands, she took a huge book from her desk and placed it in front of you “Take care of transcribing this, when you finish, pass it to me to redo the calculations for the report”

“Wouldn’t it be faster if I did it?” The maniacal smile she put on told you that you should have kept quiet.

Jenica took a stack of papers and put them on the floor next to you.

“Don’t worry if you make a mistake, we have plenty of paper”

Sometimes it’s better to be ignorant.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jenica had only given you ten minutes to go eat in the kitchen and to go to the bathroom.

Two hours had passed since the clock struck its twelfth bell and one since Jenica left to deliver the documents they had managed to finish to Lady Bela.

Without her permission to leave you had no choice but to wait for her to return, the room was still full of paper, there was still a lot to do, but your brain couldn't handle it anymore, no matter how many times you read the book the letters floated without meaning.

Concentrated and tired you didn't notice the door open until a familiar voice echoed in the room.

"What do we have here?"

The adrenaline woke you up enough to realize two things:

1. Lady Dimitrescu had returned from her meeting.

2. Jenica's room was off limits.

"It seems that a little mouse is snooping around where it shouldn't."

"Lady Dimitrescu I j-just-

The distinctive sound of her claws being unsheathed caused you to choke on your words, your tongue weighed like lead in your mouth and cold sweat ran down your palms.

A thought repeated itself to the rhythm of your accelerated heartbeat.

*I'm sorry mom, I love you*

[funnyjb]

Don’t leave me

………………………………….

Saturday night is my favorite night! You know why? Because I get to spend time with Joe. Joe and I have been together ever since Sophomore year. I met him when I was in eighth grade. I just recently moved to Athens and wasn’t really happy about moving. My first day of eighth grade I was so nervous. I walked into my advisory classroom and saw my fellow classmates chatting with their friend groups. The only person I saw sitting alone was Joe. Turns out he had none of his friends in that class, but he was the type of person to talk to anyone and make friends in a second, but Joe just sat alone looking at a SpongeBob comic book. Our teacher Mrs Wood welcomed me in to the class and told me to find a spot to sit so we could put on morning announcements in a few minutes. The only seat open was the one next to Joe. I walked over and sat in the seat. He didn’t even look up, he just looked over at his comic. After I put my bag on the floor and looked around the classroom I noticed Joe still hadn’t noticed someone was sitting next to him. I guess he was real deep into his comic. After a couple seconds I finally worked up the courage to say hi.

“Hi.”- you smiled

Joe looked up from his comic

“Oh, hi! Sorry I didn’t notice you there. I was deep into my comic! I’m Joe by the way,Joe burrow.”- joe smiled

“It’s ok! I’m y/n, y/n L/n!”- you smiled

“It’s nice to meet you y/n!”- joe

“It’s nice to meet you too! What are you reading that’s so good you couldn’t look up?”- you chuckle

“Oh, it’s a SpongeBob comic book! I knew it’s a little childish but don’t judge!”- joe

“Hey, I’m not judging”- you threw your hands up

“I think it’s kinda cool! I like SpongeBob too, but never really read the comics.”- you

“Really? You can look at it to if you want?”- joe

“You sure?”- you

“Yeah!”- joe

“Ok, thanks!”- you

Joe moved the book more towards me.

Ever since then we have been best friends, but we found out we both had feelings for each other the start of sophomore year we decided to start dating! It’s been amazing being joes girlfriend. He’s so lovely, loyal, funny, kind, and really cute! He just gets me and makes me laugh really hard! But ever since a couple weeks ago we have been having some little arguments, but today was the worst argument we have ever had.

“So did you?”- joe said

“Did I what, Joe?”- you said grabbing a glass of water

“Did you make a move on him?”- joe

“What? Are you crazy? No, he came on me, Joey.”- you

“Well it didn’t look like it.”- joe

“Joe, what is wrong with you? I would never do something like that. I’m so deeply in love with you it hurts and you think I would go hit on one of your friends?”- you raised your voice

“Well he was eyeing you all night and flirting with you. Then he try’s to make a move on you.”- joe raised his voice

“YEAH! And I shoved him off!”- you

I was furious that he even thought this. I know Joe has some trust issues but he really thinks I would do this to him. Never.

“I can’t believe you right now. I love you, Joe and only you. I would never go and make out with someone. I’m not a cheater Joe, it crazy that you think are thinking like that of me.”- you

I was so done with this conversation I decided to walk out. I hate having arguments. Especially if it’s with someone I love.

“Y/n, where are you going?”- joe yelled

“HOME!”- you

We decided to spend the night at joes because his parents weren’t in town for the weekend. We wanted to go to one of our friends parties then come back to his place.

“Y/n, come back!”- joe started running after you after you slammed the door and started walking

Thunder roared in the distance then just a second later it started to rain.

“Oh great.”- you said sarcastically

I stared fast walking as fast as I could in a dress and converse in the rain.

“STOP, Y/N!”- joe

He frappes my arm and pulled me towards him.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking in the moment, ok? I got jealous that he was flirting with you then got furious when he tried to kiss you. I took it out on you and I’m sorry. I know you will never do something like that. I shouldn’t have doubted you or accused you of something like that. You are an amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, and insanely gorgeous girlfriend. I am truly sorry. It was a shitty thing to do and again, I’m sorry.”- joe

I pulled him in for a kiss. His bleached blond hair was wet. His clothes were soaked and he was out of breath from running and talking.

“It’s ok Joe. I know you have a hard time trusting people, but you shouldn’t have thought that I would do something like that, ever! Ok?”- you

“Yeah, I’m truly sorry.”- joe said almost on the verge of tears

“It’s ok, it’s ok, I forgive you.”- you gave him a reassuring smile

He then pulled me in for a kiss.

“I love you.”- joe

“I love you too.”- you

“Let’s go inside and dry up.”- joe

“Yeah.”- you laugh

He gives me one last kiss on the forehead and we walk back.

………………………………….

Request: @elly-grace 🩷🩷

Thx for the idea!!!

[original-bookshelf]

More Redacted Roleplay Incorrect Quotes (Friend Edition)

Mads: Seriously, Allan, how many people would you have killed if we’d asked you to? imp!Allan: That’s not important Mads: I DISAGREE.

imp! Jay: I wanna be an enforcer! imp! Allan, an enforcer: What the fuck do you want this shit for? I kill people, all right? Their blood is on my hands! Every night, when I go to sleep, I see their FUCKING faces staring at me! Their families weep, and I FEEL NOTHING! I’M DEAD INSIDE! imp! Jay: Man, I want some of that in my life! imp! Allan: Wow, great work on the Halloween decorations. Where did you get the fake skeletons? Mads: Fake?

Allan: Working sucks. Allan: I want to be a malewife where my only responsibilities are being sexy and cute. Kidnapper: I have one of your friends. Pidge: Which one? I have seven. Kidnapper: The loud, annoying, rowdy one who never shuts up. Pidge: Which one? I have seven. Ryn, distantly: HEY!!! Ryn: Help! I’m drowning! Pidge: Calm down. We’re only in six feet of water! Ryn: NOT ALL OF US ARE TALL! Salem: We have fun, don’t we, Pidge? Pidge: I have never been more stressed out in my entire life. Salem: My favorite thing about big dogs is that when you push them over, they're all like "Oh, I'm lying down now! Someone might scratch my stomach! I might nap! Endless possibilities!" Pidge: …whereas, when you push little dogs over, they're all like, "Vengeance! Death before dishonor!" Allan: A mosquito tried to bite me and I slapped it and killed it. Allan: And I started thinking. Allan: Like, it was just trying to get food. Allan: What if I went to the fridge and it just slammed the door shut and snapped my neck? Aria: Are you ok? Aria: No, I don't want to talk about physics! I don't know anything about the laws of physics because they are hard and boring. I simply would like them to behave in a way that is most convenient to ME and MY LIFE! Is that really asking too much? Allan: Yes, as a matter of fact, it is! Aria: Well, guess what? Science is stupid bullshit!! Allan: You take that back!!! Aria: No. Magic is awesome. Science blows. The end. Allan: Hey Aria, can you give me the opposite of these words? Allan: Always, Coming, From, Take, Me, Down. Aria: Never, Going, To, Give, You- Aria: The fucking satisfaction. Allan: Thank you for not saying "I told you so." Pidge: When you’re as right as I am, you don’t have to say it. Pidge: What are your three best qualities? Allan: I’m hot, I have soft hair, and sometimes I cry because I love my friends. Allan, talking to Pidge: They're trying to lure me into a false sense of security! Well, joke’s on them! I’ve never been secure in my life! And I’m not about to start now! Pidge: nudges Allan at 3am Pretty fucked up that we depict the moon as a girl and the sun as a boy. They're just floating rocks in space. Allan? Wake up, Allan! Listen! They're sexless! Allan: The sun isn't a rock, go back to sleep. Pidge: The universe is cold and unfeeling. The only constant is chaos. Allan: Was that place out of chocolate-chip pancakes again? Pidge: How would you rate your pain? Aria: 0/10. Would not recommend. Salem, to Pidge: You wanna fight? All right, let’s take this outside. The stars are so bright tonight and the moon looks so nice. Here, hold my hand— Salem: I’ve never smoked marijuana. I ate a brownie once at a party. It was intense. It was kind of indescribable. I felt like I was floating. Turns out there was no pot in the brownie. It was just an insanely good brownie. Salem: Can I offer you a nice stick in this trying time? Ryn : Name a more iconic duo than my crippling fear of abandonment and my anxiety. I’ll wait. Pidge: You and me! Ryn : tearing up Ok. fool!Pidge: on the phone Just snap his kneecaps and he’ll talk, I’m at a parent teacher conference. fool!Pidge: Anyways, you said Ryn is enjoying finger painting! That's great. Maddie: You're violent. Ryn: Yeah but I'm also short and that's adorable. Pidge: Hey, wanna help me commit arson? Maddie: What the hell!? Pidge: Oh, sorry, my bad. Pidge, whispering: Wanna help me commit arson? Maddie, whispering: Of course. What do you need?

[jocelynscrazyideas]

Ballet class | Nico Hischier x Fem reader

summary: Nico comes in early to ballet. Yes ballet, he’s getting help to learn how to take stress off his joints, and so is his fellow teammates. I- Dani help him correct his stretching exercises, and his skating.

Warnings: Fluff, (no smut), kinda small 😁👍

~~~

I’m helping out in the NHL for some skating techniques. No, I have never actually been good at skating. Yes, I am a pro ballet student- I actually graduated from premie class about a year ago.

It’s been studied that hockey players, even the good players need skating lessons. I mean, doesn’t everyone? As an instructor in Pilates, and a ballet teacher, I am supposed to help the athletes gain muscular endurance in muscle groups that are rarely thought off.

“Hey, I’m Nico.” I very tall brown eyed man says as he skates, my way. I am in the middle of the rink waiting for my class to start.

It’s 11:24 AM. Class doesn’t start until til 12:30. Maybe he’s here for extra help?

I know I stayed I’m not good at skating, but I can kayak pretty well, my dad was a coach for a little league back home in Arizona.

“Oh. Nice, I’m Dani.” I respond, almost forgetting that I have to answer back. I haven’t talked to a handsome, very beautiful man in like 3 years. Damn, I must be dry.

“Oh haha. I was wondering if I could get extra help? I haven’t tried ballet before and I thought it would be pretty difficult. Especially for a 25 year old.” Nico said, and his eyes trail down to my outfit.

I’m wearing a brown bodysuit, when I mean a body suit I mean the ones that end up being a thong in the back and look like a very small one piece swimsuit. Over the brown bodysuit I have a black vest, and black leggings on. I have white leg warmers on because I am truly freezing.

“If you’re cold, I have the perfect warmup for you!” Nico says as he eyes my mouth shivering.im literally chattering and shaking as we speak.

“You’re beautiful.” Nico says as he helps me back up to the normal flooring as we exit the rink. Wiw, straight to the point.

“Uhh, well thanks, you’re a pretty handsome man yourself.” I say back. Ugh. I sound like a grandma.

Boring.

“You excited for the Nico Hischier warmup?”

“I guess so.” I say as I look up towards his beautiful eyes. They are so brown, they glisten in the light though, and they remind me of honey when they glimmer down at me. It’s like they are full of love.

I’m hooked.

Nico ends with warming me up with some runs, abdomen teaser, and a water break. Now I’m out of breath it’s time for stretching. I told him to show me how he normally stretches before a game. It’s was truly horrendous. He was showing me things that would tear tendons if he wasn’t so flexible in his hip flexors.

“Okay, okay, okay. I’m let’s start on our feet shall we?” I say trying to build him a better routine.

“Alrighty.” He says as he swoops his hair back and he ties his shoe. He rests his hands on his hips, and I could tell he was looking at my ass. I get it. I do have a very plump, and full ass, but I don’t even know this guy.

I bend down about half way, my hips are aligned, my arms are behind my back, I’m stretching my hips to let the stress out of the muscles, tendons, and places that don’t get worked the most.

He follows what I’m doing. I bend a knee and I tune to the right side. I’m in a lunge and I put the back leg down. I push myself into the ground. This stretches my hips, and a little of my quads.

“Ow. Ow!” Nico whimpers from behind me. He seems to be pushing himself to far.

“You need to go at your own pace.” I say trying to correct his mistake.

“No. No, this is how far I can go.” Nico insists to go farther. I get up from my lunge and stand behind him. His hips are stressed, he needs to let them looose in order to skate faster, and even be able to feel more loose when he skates.

“No. I can help you, that’s why I’m here.” I voiced.

I grab my hands, and swing them to his hips, he is in his very low lunge and I pick him up a little bit. I twist him to the right and his pelvis is aligned with his shoulders, perfect.

“I feel better. I can feel a stretch and I think I can breathe now.” Nico announced.

I know, this is my job, I know how to fix it.

“Perfect!” I exclaim, letting him know that I am here for him to lean on.

We finish the stretching and the warmups. Now, it’s time for skating. He skates pretty fast, but his too curvy in his feet, I can tell.

“Let’s do a little ballet first?” I mentioned, it’s not an option, we are doing ballet before we skate.

“Okay, whatever you think I need… angel.” Nico announced, and in a very confidently way. He winked at me.

Um.. yes!!!

I taught him to hold his core, and the posture. He obviously doesn’t need the posture portion but the engagement of his core is necessary.

“Slate time?” Nico exclaims, he’s ready. I think I’m ready now too? I lace up my skates and he’s already on the ice.

He skates back, and kneels down. He’s tiring my skates back up.

It’s 12:30. Class started. All the guys come flooding in knowing that I can see their lunch all over their fingers. I told them, 12:30 on the dot. Not before and not later, exactly at 12:30.

“Oh! Hey Nico, and-” Jesper starts but…

“-Dani.” Nico finishes.

“Okay, skates on? Let’s head on the ice!” I say in eager. Nico steps on first and he grabs a hold of my hand, he’s helping me in the ice.

“Oh, you have tension.” Jack says, letting everyone know that Nico thinks I’m just a pretty girl.

Nico skates with me to the middle and the boys are still doing drills that I told them to do a minute ago.

He pulls me in closer to him, I can feel the warmth of his anatomy. His heart is pounding, not only can I feel it I can hear it. That’s how close we are. I feel like I’m on his chest, it doesn’t look like it, but it feels like it.

“You’re a pretty girl.” Nico says as he reaches for his phone. He hands his phone to me and I put in my number.

Class ends, I’m sure I taught everyone how to skate in a safer way. I also think I have them a pre game stretching lesson.

Nico texts me a picture of us, he must of swiped it from when I was talking to the other devils.

God, he’s a really pretty man.

[potatoesenpaii]

I've had a day today can I get some Gareth comforting reader after a panic attack? Pretty please?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Breathe in...Breathe out...Breathe in...It was easy, right? That's all you had to do, so why wasn't it calming you down? Your chest felt heavy, your eyes blurred with water while you clutched your shirt. Make it stop, why won't it stop ?!

You didn't even heard the footsteps rushing in the empty class where you were hiding. The junior hands uncertain if he should initiate contact while you were overwhelmed, but you didn't seemed able to calm yourself down as you usually do.

He took the choice to move behind you, forcing you to scoot forward so he would sit down on his lap and his back press against the wall.

"You're okay...I got you, i got you" he whispered, resting his hand over yours that clutched the fabric of your shirt while his other arm wrapped around your waist and his chin on your shoulder.

Your breathing was still hard, but you did felt it was getting easier to breathe. So you tried again, breathe in...breathe out...You smiled when you sensed his chest doing the same against your back. Breathing with you as a reminder that you weren't alone.

"Thank you" you whispered, letting your body lightly slump against him and giving a better position to wrap his arms around you.

"Why didn't you find me?" He asked innocently, not really thinking that you couldn't find him in the halls of the school and that made you way worst in terms of anxiety.

"I tried" You sighed, your temple pressed against his cheek.

"Sorry" He sighed back, moving his chin on top of your head to let him look around the class. "What class is this?"

"I don't know? Science ?" You looked around with him, not a teacher in sight nor a student.

"Guess it makes sense it's empty then" He shrugged, wishing it would remain empty long enough to stay like you two were.

"Aren't you curious what i was panicked about?" You asked, confused of where his mind went.

"Nah, you would've told me if it was that bad" He wasn't wrong, you would have told him.

"You suck at this" You smiled, that's when he got proud of himself and started poking your side to make you laugh.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tag list : @1lostsoul0fishbowl @week-old-tiramisu

Masterlist

[odyssean-flower]

the winding path of fate chapter 13 sneak peak

(this is the second half of the first part. I want to rewrite the first half. tbh i'm thinking of posting the first part of chapter 13 since it is relatively long. ngl i feel like i put too many events in a single chapter sometimes. will put up a poll tomorrow when i finish the rewrites.)

With the new day and the cozy safety of your room, the events of last night seemed like they happened a lifetime ago. The fear had mostly subsided, leaving mortification and regret in its wake, especially as everyone was acting so considerate towards you. Looking back, you had no idea what you were thinking, and you realized once again just how lucky you had been.

Your ankle’s swelling had gone down considerably the next day, but it still hurt whenever you put even the slightest bit of pressure on it, so you spent most of the day in bed, reading books, drawing, or staring out the window at the gray sky. Your knee didn’t hurt quite as much either, but you still had to change the dressing regularly. You weren’t without company, though, as Marie sat with you in your room often, bringing you food and helping you put away your newly bought clothes in your closet. She had been horrified when you came home last night, injured. “Oh, Madame, you should have asked someone to get me!” she had lamented. “The streets at night are no place for a young lady to walk by herself!”

Marie wasn’t the only visitor to your room. The Melusines, including those who hadn’t gone shopping with you, also came to see you throughout the day. You supposed that Neuvillette told them about you, for they all brought you cakes and other desserts as get-well presents (you also suspected that they also reported back to Neuvillette about your condition, for when you mentioned to one Melusine how you would like to drink some Fonta, your wish was granted by the next Melusine who visited. However, she also heartily recommended that you drink water from Snezhnaya instead, which held a coolness that was good against swelling, and if you wished, you could ask Marie to fetch a bottle of it for you from Monsieur Neuvillette’s personal stash. She also added that you need not hesitate to ask, as he had more than one bottle. Perhaps all Melusines shared his specific tastes in water, but you didn’t quite believe that was the case).

Rhemia and the other Melusines who had been with you yesterday had been the most distressed upon seeing you bedridden. “I’ll stick to you like glue from now on, Madame! No criminal will escape my sights!” Rhemia had declared, and her sisters nodded vigorously in agreement.

“There really is no need for that,” you tried to decline her offer. Privately, you thought that there wasn’t much a Melusine could do against muggers anyways. “The whole incident only happened because I was careless and in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’ll be much more careful next time, so I doubt it will happen again. Just because I’m Neuvillette’s wife, it doesn’t mean that I deserve special treatment or anything of the sort. And if he put you up to this, then—”

Rhemia blinked at you in confusion. “But this has nothing to do with Monsieur Neuvillette. Not entirely, anyways.”

“It doesn’t?” Now you were confused.

“Nope! I’d do this for all the people important to me! Oh, but I guess you’re more than that, since you’re married to Monsieur Neuvillette! That would make you our mother, I suppose.”

“Um…” There was the m-word again. You considered correcting Rhemia, but she continued on, seemingly not noticing your discomfort.

“You’re always so kind and patient with us, just like Monsieur Neuvillette. You greet us whenever you see us, and you always ask us about our days and listen to our troubles. Oh, and Madame, you’re such a good teacher too! I’ve gotten so much better at drawing humans thanks to your lessons!” Rhemia turned to her friends. “Am I right?”

Her friends nodded enthusiastically. They began recounting all the times you’ve spent with them.

“I’m glad to hear that you all think of me as your friend,” you said after they finished, a little embarrassed but also pleased. You hadn’t expected them to remember so much about you. But you felt a little guilty as well. At first, you decided to become friendly with the Melusines because everyone knew that Neuvillette treasured them greatly and you wanted to be in his good graces so that he wouldn’t have any reason to kick you out. They had always been the ones to come up to you first, especially in the first few weeks after your marriage, and while you didn’t consider yourself to be a particularly friendly and warm person, even you weren’t heartless enough to be cold to such a cheerful race of creatures.

“It’s not just us! I’m sure all the Melusines in the Court of Fontaine feel the same way. You’re just as important to us as Monsieur Neuvillette.”

“Oh…” Looking at their bright, earnest faces, you didn’t know what to say. Your eyes suddenly became misty. Before this marriage, you hadn’t really given much mind to Melusines. They were just the public servants you would occasionally pass by on the street. But now that you were connected to them through Neuvillette, you were belatedly learning just how wonderful they were.

“Thank you,” you said at last, patting each of them on the head. Your hand still stung a little from last night, but you ignored it. “It means a lot to me that you think so highly of me. Truly. Still, you don’t need to follow me around. If I ever need help, I promise that I will come straight to you. And…I hope that you would all come to the sunflower viewing party we’re holding here next month.”

“Of course, Madame! We wouldn’t miss it for anything!” the Melusines chirped in unison.

By evening, the deluge of visitors had finally ended. You sank into your pillows, feeling exhausted. You weren’t used to having so many people fuss over you. It was unfamiliar territory, one that you weren’t quite sure how to navigate.

Still, as you gazed at the teetering pile of confectionary boxes covered in Melusine stickers on your bedside table and remembered all the get-well wishes you received, a rush of warmth flooded your heart. How did I get so lucky? You wondered. Perhaps even after I leave Neuvillette, we can still be friends…

As you were lost in your thoughts, Marie came into your room again.

“Oh, Madame, I completely forgot to give you this because of everything that happened yesterday. It appears to be from your family.”

Marie handed you an envelope made of thick, creamy paper. You recognized the stationery as the kind used by your father for formal correspondences, and the address written in familiar, flowery cursive on the front was indeed that of your family’s house.

“Ah, that would be from my sister,” you said, tearing the envelope open and taking out the contents. The enveloped contained two cards made of similarly thick paper. They both had an elaborately drawn border of Lumidouce Bells and Rainbow Roses and had an invitation written in the center. This was new.

You are cordially invited

To a celebration

Honoring

Justine’s nineteenth birthday

Semi-formal attire requested (Floral themed outfits are preferred)

P.S. Sister, please tell me if Monsieur Neuvillette has any allergies or requires any accommodations!

“Ugh…” you groaned, putting your palm over your face. “I still haven’t gotten her a present yet!”

That had been the cause of this trouble in the first place, and yet you hadn’t even accomplished your goal in the end.

While we’re on this topic, shouldn’t she have sent the invitations much earlier if she wanted people to RSVP? It’s just like her to do things last minute! And why is she acting like it’s already decided that Neuvillette’s coming?

“Marie, could you please fetch me my pen and paper?” you asked the housekeeper. After you received them, you began to write a reply to tell Justine that while you were coming, Neuvillette definitely wasn’t. But just as you got to that last part, you paused. The idea of the Chief Justice attending a teenage girl’s birthday party all the way out in the countryside was absurd, of course. You tried to picture him sitting at your family’s worn dining table, singing “Happy Birthday” eating the butterscotch cake your housekeeper always made for birthdays, all the while fending off the barrage of questions from your family and friends. I can’t imagine it! It’s just too ridiculous!

It would be better if he didn’t have too much contact with your family, in order to avoid them asking too many questions, and to make the eventual divorce go smoothly.

He rarely even attended the far more glamorous functions of high society, so something like this would be out of the question. His answer would go without asking.

Or would it?

You didn’t really know why you were entertaining the idea. Perhaps being with Neuvillette these past few months had greatly inflated your sense of self-importance—but then again, you thought that the two of you had gotten close enough where asking him wouldn’t be so preposterous. You were friends, and wouldn’t it be ruder to not at least extend an invitation to a friend? Wasn’t the act of asking in itself greatly appreciated?

And…there was a little part of you that would like to show him around your hometown. It was pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and all you could see for miles around were fields of wildflowers and mountains—a common sight in Fontaine—but there were a few spots that you had fond memories of. Since Neuvillette showed you his favorite places, it was only right to repay the favor, even if none of your favorite spots were as exciting as the giant willow tree or Merusea Village.

Recent events, including the latest incident, had taught you the folly of making assumptions, even for seemingly inconsequential things like this. Just because you thought

The worst thing he could say is no, you reasoned to yourself. And it’s not the end of the world if he does. Sure, Justine will be disappointed, but everyone knows how busy and reclusive Neuvillette is, so she’ll understand if he declines.

As if on cue, you heard the front door open downstairs. Neuvillette had returned home. After a brief conversation with Marie, the sound of his heels briskly ascending the stairs and heading in the direction of your room until it stopped in front of your door. There was a soft knock.

“Madame, may I come in?”

“Yes,” you called out, and Neuvillette opened the door and stepped inside your room. He was about to close the door behind him, but then he looked at you. A thought seemed to cross his mind, and he left the door ajar.

Um, why is he just standing there? You stared at him, confused when he didn’t take a seat right away. He simply stared at you, his gaze a mix of worry, uncertainty, and something else. For a second, you wondered if he was that caught off guard by your dishevelled appearance that was a result of staying in bed all day. It took you a minute to realize that he was waiting for you to ask him to sit down. Really, this man… I thought we’re past such formalities.

“You can pull up a chair,” you said, nodding towards the cushioned chairs in the center of the room. He complied, clasping his hands in his lap after settling in his seat and leaning towards you slightly. He stared at you intently, as if afraid that you would disappear before his eyes. You squirmed uncomfortably, suddenly very aware of the fact that you were wearing only your rumpled nightgown and that you were lying in bed. You surreptitiously pulled your covers up to your chest.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever had a man who isn’t my father in my room, you mused, though you were also aware that this wasn’t really the occasion to think about such things. Well, I guess it technically isn’t the first time, since he carried me back here when I fell asleep in his study that one time. First time that I was conscious, then.

Thankfully, Neuvillette broke the silence and (once again) prevented your thoughts from going in strange directions.

“The robbers will be tried in court shortly,” he said. “It will be a short, simple trial, considering the number of witnesses at the scene. I will not be presiding over it, however.”

“I see,” you nodded. “I’m very glad to hear that.”

Despite that, his brow remained creased with worry. “How are you feeling, Madame? Should I take you to the hospital after all?” he asked.

“No, that really won’t be necessary,” you shook your head vigorously. “It’s only a bad sprain. I’ll probably be able to walk again tomorrow.”

“It is highly unwise to rush your recovery. What will happen if you worsen your injury? The meeting with Furina can be postponed—”

“Don’t postpone it,” you said, leaning over to grab his sleeve and stared into his eyes. “The sooner we get this over with, the better. I’ll drag myself up the steps of the Palais if I have to.”

Neuvillette looked like he wanted to argue, but he swallowed back whatever he was going to say. “There’s no need to exert yourself in such a way,” he said at last. “I would be happy to carry you into my office, if you should ask.”

“Carry me into your office, huh?” you leaned back against your pillow with a smile. You sometimes wondered if Neuvillette realized how unintentionally funny he could be. “Wouldn’t that give people the wrong idea?”

“You do have a point. Then, I propose that we arrive at my office early in the morning, before the Palais employees come into work.”

“How about instead of carrying me, I borrow your cane?”

Neuvillette seemed to be pondering your words seriously. “But that would also run into the problem of rousing people’s suspicions. Someone might wonder why my cane is in your possession.”

You turned your head away to smother your laugh.

“It seems that the Melusines have made their visits,” Neuvillette said, looking at the tower of boxes on your bedside table.

“Yes, they were all very sweet. Although, I’m not sure how they expect me to eat all these…” You liked dessert and all, but not to this extent. Perhaps you could bring some of them back home with you to share with your family and friends.

“Clorinde also asked me to pass on her well wishes to you. She was very sorry to hear what happened.”

“I see. Please thank her for me, and tell her not to blame herself for my foolishness.”

“I will do that,” Neuvillette nodded, then was silent for a moment. His solemn gaze as he looked at you made it seem like you were diagnosed with some terminal illness rather than merely spraining your ankle badly and hitting your knee against the ground.

“Neuvillette?” you called out his name in hopes of getting rid of that grave look in his eyes. It made your chest feel heavy.

“Ah, by the way, I consulted with a friend of mine about your injury. She made this drink for you,” Neuvillette brandished a green, ridiculously adorable cup from out of nowhere. It reminded of you of the cups toddlers drank juice out of. “She says that it will help your body recover quicker.”

“A friend of yours?” you repeated, your interest piqued. While Neuvillette would happily talk to you about the Melusines for hours on end and occasionally talk about his (human) acquaintances, you had never heard him call anyone his friend before.

“Yes. She is the head nurse the Fortress of Meropide’s infirmary, and one of the kindest and considerate people I know. I hope the two of you can meet one day.”

“That’s high praise coming from you,” you said, making a mental note of this mysterious friend. “Why don’t we invite her to the sunflower viewing as well?”

“What a wonderful idea. I shall do just that,” he said, then held out the cup to you. “Now, Madame, you should drink this.”

“Alright,” you took a sip of the drink and nearly spat it out. “Bleakness” was the only way to describe the taste. It almost made you want to get out of bed and walk so that the pain could distract you from the torture of your tastebuds. For a heartbeat, you wondered if Neuvillette was trying to poison you. “A-Are you sure this is h-healthy?”

“Of course,” Neuvillette said, looking baffled by your question. “I’ve drank it on numerous occasions, and I’ve always found myself quite refreshed and invigorated afterwards. I asked Sigewinne to make it taste more palatable for you, as I’m aware that her concoctions are not for everyone. She truly hopes it makes you feel better.”

This is palatable? You thought. Did I do something to this Sigewinne person? Whoever she was, she shared the same incomprehensible sense of taste as Neuvillette.

Speaking of Neuvillette, he was looking at you expectantly. Oh Archons, is he expecting me to finish it in front of him? Just as you were trying to come up with an excuse to not drink it, those efforts were dashed by his next words. “Is it not to your liking?” he said quietly. You were vaguely aware that it had started raining outside.

“I…um…” you didn’t know what to say or where to look. You suddenly had the impression that a large puppy was at your bedside, staring at you with sad eyes. Gah, he must be doing this on purpose! Either that, or he must really be fond of that friend of his. “Well, when it comes to medicine, it’s not really a matter of liking it or not liking it, right? A-And since you’ve gone to the trouble of asking your friend to make this for me, it would be rude of me to not drink it, right?” You sounded like you were trying to convince yourself.

“If you do not like it, then you do not need to force yourself—”

“No, no, I mean, I’ve taken plenty of bitter medicine when I was little, and I survived. This will be no different,” you brought the straw up to your mouth and held your breath. Let’s just get this over quickly, you thought, then emptied the cup in one go. Fortunately, there wasn’t much to drink. However, the lumpy texture was still a struggle to swallow. You felt as though you had just eaten concrete.

“That was…certainly something I’ve never drank before,” you managed, flopping back onto your pillows to recover. You opened a box of lemon tarts and shoved one into your mouth to get rid of the taste. Honestly, you wanted to drink some Fonta instead, but decided that it might be a bit uncouth. Of course, some might say that it was unladylike to eat cake in bed in the first place, but you doubted those people ever had the misfortune of having to drink that so-called “healthy drink.” “Please thank your friend for me.”

Neuvillette nodded, watching you as you ate a second, then a third tart. Lemon wasn’t your favorite flavor, but anything would do right now. YYou offered one to him, but he politely declined. His gaze dropped to the papers in your lap. “…Were you writing a letter to someone?” he asked.

“Oh!” you had almost forgotten about that. “My sister Justine sent us invitations to her birthday party. It’s a bit short notice, but it’s in a few days.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard you mention it before,” Neuvillette took a pause, as if he had only just taken in the entirety of your words. “Did you say ‘invitations’?”

“Yes,” you nodded. Your hands suddenly felt sweaty. What were you so nervous about? “Since we’re, you know, husband and wife, it’s only natural that invitations would be sent to the both of us. Funny thing is, Justine thinks you’re already coming and has asked me if you require any accommodations, but of course you haven’t given any answer as to whether or not you’ll be attending the party. I-I know that you usually don’t attend public functions, but birthdays parties in our party don’t tend to be very extravagant affairs. It’s usually just a small gathering of close friends and relatives. We can even make everyone sign a contract of confidentiality, if you want. You don’t have to bring any gifts either. I think your presence will be a gift in itself for my sister, haha…”

Oh no, I’m rambling again…why do I keep doing this in front of him? You toyed with the edge of your comforter, suddenly too nervous to look at his expression. Would there be a look of disgust there? Why would there be? Your brain argued back. You haven’t asked anything offensive!

Finally, you dared to sneak a peek. He was staring at your face, as though scrutinizing it for answers to a difficult question.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” you said, thinking that he must be trying to find a way to let you down gently.

“…Do you want me to attend?” he said at last.

You hadn’t expected that question. “What do you mean?” you frowned.

“What I mean is…would it please you—would it make you happy if I attended your sister’s party?”

Ah, so the answer is no, then, you thought. That was expected.

“Well, it’s not my party, so my opinion doesn’t matter,” you said slowly. “Justine would like for you to come, but there is no obligation on your part to say yes. If you like, I can make up some excuse about your absence to tell everyone.”

“But your opinion does matter quite a lot to me,” Neuvillette said. He was oddly insistent about this. “I would like to hear what you think.”

“As I said, it’s not my party. It will not affect me one way or another should you choose to come or not,” Realizing that you might be sounding too harsh, you softened your next words. “It’s okay to say no. I’m sure everyone will understand if you can’t come.”

Neuvillette stared at you for a long while, his eyes unreadable. You could hear the rain pounding against your window, and you turned your head to it. The sky was a dark, leaden gray. It’s been raining pretty frequently these days, hasn’t it? You thought distantly.

“Unfortunately, I have a trial to oversee on that day,” he said. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him clench and unclench his fists. You wondered why he didn’t mention the trial earlier. “I do not think it would be wise for me to attend, in any case. It would be a needless distraction.”

“Alright then. I’ll tell my sister you can’t attend,” you said lightly, then turned your attention to your unfinished letter. You picked up your pen and began to write. Focusing your mind on producing the words helped distract from the tumult of emotions within you—emotions that you didn’t know quite what to make of. Was it relief you felt, or disappointment? Relief for what? Disappointment about what? You couldn’t tell at all.

In any case, it’s over and done with, you told yourself firmly, signing the letter with a flourish. Maybe too big of a flourish. I’ll post this first thing in the morning—that is, if I can walk by then.

You glanced up to see Neuvillette still sitting there. He was drinking from his cup, but he was watching you over the rim. You had long gotten used to him studying you like you were some kind of strange specimen, but it was still awkward, especially in this silence. Your room, which had always felt needlessly spacious to you, suddenly felt very small.

Just as you were debating whether or not to fake a sleepy yawn and ask him to leave, he spoke again.

“You haven’t yet bought a birthday present for your sister, yes?”

“That’s right,” you replied, wondering what he was getting at.

“I won’t have any time tomorrow, but I do have an hour or two to spare after our meeting with Furina. We shall go pick out a present together then.”

You gaped at him. “Are you serious?”

“Why would I not be? It is customary for married couples to give presents as a pair, is it not?”

“I…suppose so,” you said. Neuvillette was so hard to grasp sometimes. Sometimes, he was clear as a fresh water spring. Other times, like now, you had the sense that you were staring into the sea, unable to see all the way to its bottom.

“Then it is settled,” he said with a note of satisfaction in his voice, then leaned forward and cupped your cheek. It happened so quickly that you didn’t even have a chance to react. “W-Wha…” was all you could manage to stammer out. There was only a millimeter of space between your faces. Your heart sped up a little when his gaze moved to your lips. His thumb moved to the corner of your lip and brushed against it. It took you a moment to realize that he had flicked off a cake crumb.

“I still have some work to finish, so I’m afraid I’ll have to take my leave now,” he informed you, removing his hand from your cheek. Despite that, you could still feel the smooth silk of his glove and the latent strength in his long fingers. “Please rest and get well soon, Madame.”

You could only nod as you gazed up at him. He stared into your eyes for a moment longer before turning on his heel and leaving your room. It was only when you heard his footsteps recede to the other side of the house that you realized that it was no longer raining.

[cainluvr69]

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 16

Previous Chapter

Shino: Heath. Has Vespa told you anything?

Heath: Yeah. I think I…sort of have an idea of what happened at the bottom of the sea now. Vespa, this is the dragon, right?

Vespa: …! …!

Heath: And these are the mermaids… And this is Balthazar, the tyrant that trapped the mermaids?

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: I get it. So this Balthazar guy locked up half of the mermaids. The sea dragon was originally your friend, but when Balthazar showed up, he allied himself with that guy instead.

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: (So we gotta exterminate a Northern wizard and a dragon. Time for me to make a name for myself. I can't wait to get out there.) (…is what I'd like to say, but our teacher isn't acting like himself, and none of the Northern wizards are around.) (Which means our firepower amounts to me, Arthur, and Nero…and Cain, I guess?) (If things don't go well, I've got a feeling the battle is going to end up hinging on me…) (I'll go to the wizards' market in a bit to make sure I've got everything in order first… What will we need to take on the ocean?) (Lennox… His magic is weak, but he's still strong. He's probably fine, but…) (There's also Shylock and the twins to think about…)

Heathcliff: Is there a particular reason you only drew Balthazar's face and nothing else about him?

Shino: Isn't she just slacking off? I'll draw the body.

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: Ow, hey! What are you getting mad about? I'm not just gonna scribble something.

Faust: Has Vespa told you what happened?

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust! Yes, I've got all the important parts.

Faust: Good. Summarize the highlights for me. We're going to go consult with Figaro.

Heathcliff: Alright. Shino, Vespa, I'm going to be leaving for a bit.

Shino: Gotcha.

Vespa: …

Shino: …Hey. You've been staring at Heath this whole time.

Vespa: …

Shino: You can't do that.

Vespa: …?

Shino: Heath's nice, and he's beautiful. I completely understand falling for him… But he's the son of a big-name noble. One day, he's gonna be the lord of a castle even bigger than this one. Weirdos like us can't be traipsing along after him.

Vespa: …

Shino: … …Yeah, I didn't think you were gonna say anything. It's fine if you like Heath. I'll be cheering for you.

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: Now what are you drawing. This is…me?

Vespa: …!

Shino: And this is you?

Vespa: …!

Shino: And this is… Ahaha. What's this supposed to say? Both you…and I… Aren't weird…

Vespa: …!

Shino: Both you and I…and Heath… Are you trying to say he doesn't think we are, either…?

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: …You're right, Vespa. Thank you…

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: The people in the castle are all in a tizzy, too…

Borda Castle Servant: Princess… I mean, my lord! The island residents are approaching the castle. The area around the gate is in chaos. Are we to receive them or turn them away?

Dianne: I know! Give me some time!

Borda Castle Servant: You said that earlier as well… Lady Dianne…! …Ahh…

Nero: What's up? She's the current lord of the castle, ain't she?

Borda Castle Servant: Th…this is, well… You see, Lord Sage's Wizard, the Merchants' Guild and the island residents are frightened by the ongoing incidents, and have come to call upon the castle for aid… They are awaiting the lord's answer, but she has yet to decide what to do…

Nero: …The residents are worried, too. Make 'em wait too long and that worry is gonna turn into panic.

Borda Castle Servant: As you say, sir… Perhaps the role of lord is too much for the princess who used to be called cry-baby Dianne…

Nero: Cry-baby Dianne?

Borda Castle Servant: My apologies. There's no need for me to be regaling our guests with stories like this. Sigh…

Claudia: I'm sorry she's causing you so much trouble. I'll speak with Dianne.

Nero: Good plan. Ask her about these mysterious disappearances, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: Figaro.

Figaro: Faust…

Faust: We know the person controlling Lennox's body. The Northern wizard, Balthazar. It's probable that he appeared in the waters here around the same time as <the Great Calamity> started drawing closer. He's taken over the mermaid society here and kidnapped residents of the island. He's using a sea dragon for his purposes, too. It seems like he's also got an unhappy past with Shylock, and… Figaro?

Figaro: …Yeah, I'm listening.

Faust: You are aware that he's taken over Lennox, right? Your friend. I plan on heading to the bottom of the ocean. I have no illusions about being able to defeat a dragon, but I'm not just going to let Leno's head get taken.

Figaro: Yeah, true…

Faust: …"Yeah, true"?

Figaro: Ah, no! I'm really listening to what you're saying. I'm just thinking about things…

Faust: … …No, I'm sorry. I know that what's happened to Snow is weighing on you, too.

Figaro: Faust… I'm sure you're just as upset about your dear servant being taken.

Faust: Of course I am. I plan on tearing the culprit limb from limb. Not that Lennox is my servant anymore… But there's still no one with as pure a soul as his. Aren't you angry about what's being done to him?

Figaro: …

Faust: Figaro?

Figaro: Well…

Faust: Lord Figaro.

Figaro: Yes.

Faust: Look me in the eyes.

Figaro: Okay…

Faust: Why aren't you looking at me? What aren't you telling me?

Figaro: …

Faust: (…He always possessed such a sense of dignity in the past, but now, it's possible for him to look this weak…) (I wonder if I just never noticed before.)

Figaro: …It's my fault.

Faust: Your fault…?

Figaro: Well, it's my and Oz's fault. We stole Balthazar's territory and drove him West. That was when he turned into a thorn in Shylock's side. And now, he's causing problems for Lennox…

Faust: …

Figaro: I'm sorry he got wrapped up in all of this.

Faust: Then you do know Balthazar. Like what kinds of magic he can use?

Figaro: Only what he used centuries ago.

Faust: Then tell me. You can't leave Snow's side until morning, right?

Figaro: Hold on… This is a Northern wizard we're talking about. One that's got a dragon in tow. Are you planning on fighting a dragon?

Faust: Lennox and Shylock are in danger. I'd be happier if we had the Northern wizards backing us up on this, but…

Figaro: …What to do… This is because I crossed the line with Mithra…

Faust: Crossed the line? About what?

Figaro: …

Faust: …Why aren't you saying anything? Why didn't you immediately tell us everything you know about Balthazar? Do you not want to save Leno? Is there more you're keeping quiet about?

Figaro: I do want to help him! It's just… I've been…running away from something I should've been facing. From who I used to be.

Faust: … I'm still running. Thank you for speaking with me.

Figaro: …You're not going to keep yelling at me?

Faust: The Northern way of living is different from my own. As someone who's never lived that prideful way of life, I have no place to blame you for how you lived. But…

Figaro: But?

Faust: I also spoke with Rutile and Mitile. They're beside themselves over Lennox. If you're going to apologize to anyone, apologize to them.

Figaro: You're right…

Faust: I will bring back Lennox… I'll bring back your friend. No matter what methods I have to use to do so.

Figaro: Faust, wait. If you're planning on going alone, I'm going to stop you. You need to cool down and go with the others.

Faust: …I'm perfectly calm.

Figaro: You absolutely are not. Ever since we reunited you've been willing to mouth off and tell me you'll kill me or curse me…

Faust: I… I'm deeply sorry about that.

Figaro: But you really meant it when you said you want to rip him apart. The blood's rushed to your head.

Faust: …

Figaro: Lennox isn't only yours anymore. He's everyone's comrade. Everyone wants to save him, no matter how dangerous it is. Rely on your comrades and students. I'll talk to Mitile and Rutile, too. I'll tell them I'm sorry for being why all of this is happening. And I'll ask them to help me, too.

Faust: … …Alright. Thank you for the advice.

Figaro: I'm the one who should be thanking you. Faust… I don't have a very good impression of the ocean. Be sure to keep your guard up.

Faust: I will. But, Lord Figaro. Have you ever looked at the ocean after a storm has passed? The moonlight makes a path on the water. I'm sure that path will guide us to victory.

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: What's wrong, Oz? Why are you gathering the Central wizards? Do you have a plan for rescuing Shylock and Lennox?

Oz: … I have something I wish to tell you all.

Arthur: …

Oz: There was once a Northern wizard who held quarrel with me, named Balthazar. I had thought I had turned him to stone, but I failed to finish the job. Balthazar has used Lennox's body to spirit Shylock away, to the ocean floor. I have heard there are a dragon and many mermaids also under Balthazar's command. I should have been able to bring this to an end by my own hand. But as it stands, I presently cannot use magic.

Cain: Even with the Sage around?

Oz: …The Sage called the dragon their friend.

Riquet: The one that was flying in the sky? So it really wasn't a bad dragon after all.

Arthur: A bad dragon?

Riquet: The townspeople were afraid that the dragon was going to attack the island. But if it's a friend of Master Sage, then it's a good dragon, yes?

Oz: This is not a matter of good or evil. The dragon very nearly killed Snow. Snow and White killed the dragon's brother.

Riquet: …Oh, no…

Oz: But the Sage called the dragon their friend. I will not force them to harm their friend.

Arthur: Lord Oz…

Oz: You also called the rabbits I caught for your dinner your friends, and wept for them…

Arthur: I didn't think you'd want to talk about…the past, Lord Oz…

Oz: …I never said I wanted to. There are many things that I wish I could forget, or that I had never known in the first place. However… I cannot feign ignorance if all of you are to be caught up in it. Arthur, Cain, Riquet. I am sorry for involving you.

Arthur: Lord Oz…

Oz: Arthur, Cain. I intend to free Lennox and Shylock from Balthazar's control. Will you aid me in this?

Arthur: Yes!

Cain: Of course. Let's all work hard together! Oz… I never imagined that you of all people would ask us to help you. It's an honor. Thank you.

Oz: You are a person I can rely on. Riquet. You will stay here, in the castle.

Riquet: But…

Oz: Figaro and Snow will be remaining here. I believe Mitile will do the same. Are you aware of the events that have been occurring on Borda Island?

Riquet: Yes… A pillar of fire rose up from the edge of a mountain at the southernmost part of the island. Mitile, Rutile, and I all saw it. The townspeople were trembling with fear.

Oz: It is possible that Borda Island will become a target while we are at the bottom of the sea. As Figaro needs to continue Snow's treatment, he alone remaining behind will not be enough.

Riquet: …I understand. So we need to protect the townspeople if anything happens, right?

Oz: Will you?

Riquet: Yes.

Oz: Ordinarily, I would not be asking such a thing of a wizard as young as you. But I have faith in you. Are you nervous, Riquet?

Riquet: A bit… But it's fine. I will help you. Thank you for talking properly with us. If you are willing to speak so openly and need my strength… Then I will always, always give it to you. If you can say "I'm sorry" and "thank you" properly… Then I will accomplish any task you place before me, no matter how difficult.

Oz: Riquet…

Riquet: After all, that's what I'm here for.

Oz: …I'm sorry.

Riquet: You're supposed to say "thank you" here. Come on, say it.

Oz: Thank you.

Riquet: Ehehe. Prince Arthur, Cain, please do your very best and save Lennox and Shylock. I'll be cheering you on from here!

Arthur: Yeah!

Cain: Just leave it to us!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mitile: …Leno was captured by an evil wizard…?

Figaro: Yes… His body has been taken over. Shylock was spirited away by the same person, and we don't know where he is right now.

Rutile: Oh no… How could this happen to him…

Figaro: I kind of…well, some stuff went on between me and the wizard in question back in the day. He hates me for it. And Leno and Shylock got caught up in all of this because of it, too.

Mitile: How could anyone hate you, Dr. Figaro… He must be a really terrible wizard. You only do good things, Dr. Figaro, unlike those Northern wizards. Even if your jokes go a little too far sometimes…

Figaro: Yeah… …No… I was in the wrong this time. I'm pretty sure I was. It's no wonder he hates me, really.

Mitile: Really…?

Figaro: Yeah…

Mitile: …

Rutile: …Is it not possible to apologize and try to make up with him? A relationship crumbling because of arguments is always a tragedy, so if it's possible…

Figaro: Yeah… I feel like it might just piss him off even more, but the next time I see him, I'll try to apologize…

Rutile: …I'm sorry. I don't even know the details of what happened between the two of you, and yet I still tried to butt in…

Figaro: It's fine. Thank you for trying to come up with a solution instead of getting mad at me. Mitile, I want you to stay here. Rutile, do you think you could go with the Eastern wizards? I think Faust is going to be looking for Leno. I'd like for you to help him out.

Rutile: Of course. I'll do my best to make sure we get Leno back safe and sound.

Figaro: Thanks. …I'm sorry. I'm causing problems not only for Lennox, but for you two, too.

Mitile: No… It's fine.

Figaro: Mitile…

Mitile: It's like, how can I put it… You've never really let us do much for you…

Rutile: Now that you mention it…

Mitile: So getting to actually do something for you is making me a little happy.

Figaro: …

Mitile: If I meet this wizard, I'll be sure to tell him all about all your good parts, Dr. Figaro. Maybe he'll get angry about it, but… I want to tell him about how kind you are, about how many patients you've saved… That's how I feel, at least.

Figaro: …Mitile… …Goodness, really… Really, why did I do those things before we ever met…

✦✧☾✧✦

Rustica: Murr.

Murr: Rustica, Chloe.

Chloe: Are you still mad?

Murr: Huh? Me, mad? Was I angry?

Rustica: Yes, you were. In fact, I was quite startled to see you angry, Murr. And so I fell for you even more.

Murr: Ahaha! I love the two of you, too.

Chloe: I love all of you, too! I don't know if we can beat that Northern wizard and a dragon, but we're still always going to be Western wizards. That's what Shylock taught me. Passion is what's most important for Western wizards. And my heart has been repeating something to me, over and over, as passionately as it can. "There's no way we're letting Shylock get taken like that." So, we've just gotta go and get him. I'm scared… And I might try to run away, but…

Rustica: That's just fine.

Chloe: Yeah…! I believe in everyone.

Rustica: If you've got that settled, then it's time for us to talk strategy with Master Sage.

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: How did the strategy meeting go, Mr. Faust?

Faust: We're going to save Lennox and Shylock. We're also going to look for the cintamani stone of medicine to neutralize the poison in Snow. The stone in question was given to Melissa, the Western witch who wanted to find the end of the ocean, though…

Shino: Hey, Heath, isn't that…

Heathcliff: Yeah, it's pretty similar to what Vespa told us, I think…

Nero: What d'ya mean? Lemme see what she drew.

Heathcliff: Here… I'm pretty sure this is a drawing of a sunken ship… Balthazar is making the mermaids search for somewhere similar to this drawing.

Shino: Isn't that backwards? One of the mermaids must have found this place, and Balthazar wants to know where it is, too.

Faust: Which means their side is also looking for the cintamani stone…?

Nero: Hey, miss mermaid. Do you know where this is?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Her right hand!

Faust: You know where it is?!

Shino: I wonder. She seems so confident that maybe she doesn't. Earlier she said she could draw a crab, but it didn't look like one at all… Ow, hey, don't bite me!

Heathcliff: (She reminds me so much of Shino…)

Nero: (She's super Shino-like…)

Faust: (How very Shino of her…) Can you lead us to this location?

Vespa: …? …!

Shino: She's tilting her head while raising her hand.

Faust: Nero does the same thing when he's making a guess during lessons.

Nero: Then you really don't know where it is?

Heathcliff: What she does know will make our search a lot easier than trying to comb the entire sea when we don't have any landmarks to guide us. Can you lead us anyways, Vespa?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Thank you.

Faust: Nero, what's the status update on Claudia and Dianne?

Nero: Well, I wanted to talk to Dianne, but she shut herself up in her office.

Faust: I see…

Nero: As for Claudia, she's helpin' out with whatever she can. She says it's 'cause she's Dianne's aunt.

Faust: Nero. Do you think you could stay in the castle, too?

Nero: With Riquet and Mitile?

Faust: Yeah. To be honest, losing you as part of our firepower will hurt, but… According to Rutile, things are pretty on edge on the island. There's also the chance that Balthazar might attack the island. Snow and Figaro will both still be on the island, but they're not going to be able to do anything if something happens.

Nero: … Sure. I getcha. I have stuff I wanna ask Claudia anyways.

Faust: Thank you. Look after Riquet and Mitile.

Nero: Yeah.

Heathcliff: …I'd feel a lot better if we had the Northern wizards here too, given the state of things…

Shino: They're so impulsive. I heard they got in an argument…

Nero: … No… They'll come. They know when they're needed.

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: …

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: …

✦✧☾✧✦

Bradley: …

Next Chapter

[wesslan]

20 questions for writers

thank you @adelfie for the tag<3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

18! (and one hidden). i did not think it was that many??? thought it was 10 tops, lol

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

272,860

3. What fandoms do you write for?

batman, used to write some dsmp, but now im kinda eeh about it. i also (for some godforsaken reason) have a harry potter WIP thats been sitting in my docs for like two years that i kinda wanna finish, kinda not (jk r*wling suck my dick challenge)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

cards on the table

when in gotham: don’t drink the water

robin radio

o bury me not on the lone prairie

and their dreams they dreamed awake

5. Do you respond to comments?

i try!!!! the number overwhelms me sometimes, but i try to answer when i have the energy! :,)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

oh god, i mean… i pretty much only write happy/hopeful endings🤠 mayyyybe ‘you have (1) new message’? its not all the way angsty but it’s kind of?? angsty??

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

gee whizz buddy see above and take your pick, really

8. Do you get hate on fics?

i have gotten one (1) hate comment and i treasured it dearly until the person that posted it deleted it😭 other than that, nawt really. some people give unsolicited advice/critique, but thats about it

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

nope. not really my thing

10. Do you write crossovers?

again, not really my thing.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not that i know of! sure hope it stays that way

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

yesss!!! so cool! they asked permission, and now my fic exists in a whole other language!!!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

no, and i think i’d be really awful at it. i cant say no to stuff, i cant keep deadlines, and i dont enjoy people being in the kitchen when i cook, so to speak

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

BAYBEY!! you KNOW i was a klance shipper first and a human second when i was like? 14? now tho? i’m shipping myself with sixteen hours of sleep and financial freedom. but also, deep in my heart,,,, charlie and carlisle from twilight. you could have been so beautiful.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will?

man at this point, who knows what i’ll finish. maybe instant repeater ‘99. i LOVE the concept and the world building. but also i kinda left the fandom,,,

16. What are your writing strengths?

people (including my interactive storytelling teacher) have told me im good at writing distinct characters/realistic dialogue! so i guess that! :,D

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

CONSISTENCY. finishing things. ending up hating what i’ve written like 3 months after it’s done.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in a fic?

well,,, that’s what i always do. english is another language to me! cop out answer, lmao. but other than that, i guess i could be persuaded to write a few lines in spanish here and there. did study it for 7 years, after all.

overall, i thinks it pretty cool! as long as there is an ez translation somewhere, easy to understand without a translation, or if it’s not done in a way that bi/multilinguals absolutely would not speak B)

19. First fandom you wrote for?

oh god. percy jackson. it’s still out there somewhere. i forgot my username and password so i’ll prolly never find it (thank god) but yeah. it was solangelo bc i was closeted and emo.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

probably ‘mothman is real and he wants to kill me’. i had a lot of fun with it! i also really like ‘*cocks gun* manor’s haunted’ just because i based it off of the haunting of hill house which is like, one of the best books ever.

that was fun!!! thanks again for the tag! <3 i’m tagging whoever wants to do this, and also (no pressure) @quotidian-oblivion

puss å kram, skumbanan!!❤️

[teatitty]

Hold on I have meta I want to do about Aizawa's choice of alcoholic beverage when he's with Hizashi [gin tonic] versus when he's meeting with Yagi [strong beer] and how that correlates to his comfort levels

So let's just give some background first and compare this to Hizashi: in the Drama CD, Aizawa meets up with Hizashi in a private room believing this to be a "just the two of us" situation and, after asking Hizashi what he's drinking [a strong beer], he orders them both food and drink. He gets Hizashi another beer but orders himself a gin tonic and gin tonics are drinks that you can make as heavy or light as you wish, depending how much gin you put in in relation to the tonic water

Unfortunately we're not told how strong he takes this drink, but we can assume he had it fairly light considering the scene I'm about to get into and the fact that this was just a simple out of work meetup [it was actually a ploy to get to him to talk to All Might more but we're not here for that]

In his second drinking scene, however, we have to go to the light novel,s wherein Aizawa is the one to plan the outing. We know he's drinking strong beer throughout the night here because of the official illustration in that chapter, and we also know he and Yagi haven't been sat together for very long before Hizashi calls Aizawa's phone, finds out where they are, and joins them - at which point Yagi infamously points out that Aizawa immediately relaxes upon seeing his husband friend

We also know from this LN that not only was Aizawa quite drunk from the start of that scene, thanks to Hizashi's private talk with Yagi in the bathrooms, but that Hizashi seemingly has the highest alcoholic tolerance of the teacher faculty, since he not only survived one of Nemuri's deadly cocktails [it only took him out for about a minute at most and in the Drama CD there's implications he didn't actually pass out drunk but was simply feigning sleep] but he's also been drinking beer with everyone else and yet is still sober enough to have a fully coherent convo with Yagi in which he tells him about everyone else's drinking habits

So we know from these two scenes that Hizashi likes to drink strong beer, but is known to drink other beverages since Aizawa asks him in the CD about his drink of choice before ordering for him. What these scenes also tell us, however, is this: Aizawa's preferred drink is a gin tonic. He only touches beer when he's meeting with All Might privately, and since we can assume he showed up first, we can also assume he was drinking prior to Yagi's arrival, and given that Hizashi tells us he was already drunk during that first threeway conversation they have, it's easy to guess that he was drinking beer specifically to get himself drunk enough to make it through what he wanted to say to Yagi

Compare this to when he ordered himself the gin tonic [and a shitton of food] when he was in a much more relaxed setting with only himself and Hizashi, and the little meta I'm getting at becomes really simple! Aizawa's drink of choice when he's relaxed and with friends is a gin tonic, because you can control the strength of the drink to be as weak as you desire, but when he's dealing with what is - to him - an unpleasant social interaction, he chooses strong beer to give himself drunk courage so he doesn't just up and rudely leave [which he tried to do in the CD before Hizashi stopped him lol]

Which to me is just a really cute character trait and hella fucking relatable. I, too, would prefer to get drunk when dealing with unpleasant social interactions than go through the whole thing sober if I could