#The hallowed long one that's so horrible

[mallyreallylikesjinx]

Like Yanderes ( Jayce, Viktor, Vi and Jinx ) reacting to the reader always being desired by other people, to the point where people flirt with the reader?

Of course, because of the amount of characters I'm doing headcannons <3

TW: Possessive behavior, jealousy, manipulation, violence

ﾟ⚛︎. If we’re talking about season one Jayce I can see him being cool with it, as I generally see him as a more laid-back type of yandere.

ﾟ⚛︎. He’s aware you’re hot, he has eyes. That's not to say he's pissed, but he's pissed inside.

ﾟ⚛︎. "Yeah, my lover is so hot! And they have an amazing personality! I'm just so lucky, aren't I?"

ﾟ⚛︎. Doesn't matter if you're not dating, you're still his. Don't forget that.

ﾟ⚛︎. I think we forget that Jayce is basically the Elon Musk of Piltover, he has money. So I can also see him paying off someone to never talk to you again.

ﾟ⚛︎. Now Jayce in season two is a completely different story.

ﾟ⚛︎. He's already lost pretty much everything to Hextech and he is NOT about to lose you to some random guy.

ﾟ⚛︎. Due to his SLIGHTLY deterred mental state he's not above killing anyone who flirts with you. The giant war hammer isn't just for show after all.

𝜗𝜚. Viktor is a pacifist at heart.

𝜗𝜚. I can't particularly see him hurting anyone who flirts with you, but they are getting a look that can kill a whole Noxian army.

𝜗𝜚. Once the whole flirting fiasco is over he makes sure to guilt you into feeling horrible for even giving the guy the time of day.

ᯓ★ For first time offenders Vi lets a lot of things slide. But she still needs to get the "fuck off" message across. So she'll fully make out with you, no matter where you are.

ᯓ★ Like Jayce she'll throw something in along the lines of "Yeah MY girlfriend is amazing and MINE." And hopefully that's all she has to do.

ᯓ★ If they don't get the message, then she's throwing hands.

ᯓ★ After the fight, that she effortlessly won, she tries to twist it so you think that she's the hero in this situation.

ᯓ★ "Calm down, Y/N. You don't know Zaun like I do. He was going to hurt you. Strangers don't really just come up to people like that down here."

꩜ .ᐟ Completely riots.

꩜ .ᐟ She has trust that you wouldn't leave her for someone else, but she didn't think Vi would leave her either. And look how that turned out.

꩜ .ᐟ To give Jinx some credit, she tries to keep her cool. It's just difficult when that guy is so close to you, and talking so much, and having all your attention. And oh look she shot him! Silly her, right?

꩜ .ᐟ Brushes it off, and if you don't she gets hysterical.

꩜ .ᐟ "'M sorry...'M sorry.." She mutters endlessly, "Forgive me. Please. Don't leave."

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Dead Gentleman's Society - A Vampire!Alfie Solomons/Reader One Shot Story.

Here we go, besties. The next installment for my Vampire Soirée! Enjoy :)

Words - 1,320

Warnings - A little sorrowful, but none otherwise

“I’ll be locking the gates in ten minutes, love.” 

Turning away from the grave, you see the cemetery maintenance man pull up in his little buggy, nodding with a smile. “Okay, thanks. I won’t be long now.” Looking back at the shiny, black marble of her headstone, you sigh, kissing your fingers and placing them against the smooth, cold surface.  

“Love you so much, bubbe.” 

God, how you miss her. The warmth of her hugs, her stories from a joyous life gone by, the aromas from her kitchen, especially the smells of chicken soup and roast lamb filling the air. If there was a quintessential Jewish grandmother archetype, she’d have been the blueprint. It still doesn’t seem real, that you were only there in that kitchen with her just six weeks ago, and now she’s in the ground.  

She might have been eighty-seven, but the good innings commentary never sat well with you at all. Just because somebody lived a long life does not mean the pain their loved ones face is any less poignantly piercing when they come to leave it behind.  

Standing up, you straighten your coat, turning to walk back down to the main path and out of the rear gates of the cemetery, noticing there the same man you’ve witnessed a few times, appearing as soon as the sun goes down, standing beneath the baren weeping willow tree, her luscious, green canopy stolen by the chill of Autumn. He never broaches the cemetery perimeter itself. He always directs his gaze over to the graves along the left of the gate, never flinching, never blinking, but an obvious mourning almost viscerally palpable in his steely blue eyes.  

You always simply walk past him, but on that particular cold, October evening, something prompts you not to.  

“Hi,” you speak, the man taking a few seconds to tear his eyes away from the graves. 

“Mm, ‘ello, love.”  

You linger, tucking your hair behind your ear, following his gaze across the grass that’s beginning to crisp with frost as the temperature drops. “I’ve seen you here a few times, but you’ve never gone in.” 

Lifting his chin, he raises his hand slowly, gesturing between the bars of the gates. “Nah, well, here’s the thing, my darlin’. That place in there, right, it ain’t for the likes of me. Hallowed ground, innit. So, everyone I’ve loved an’ lost, I have to go visit ‘em from out here, don’t I?” 

You did wonder, why he was so pale. “Ahh. You’re a vampire.”  

They’ve been out in the open for a while now, the undead of society. It took a long time for people to settle to the idea, but you’ve never really had any issue with them. Some can be cold, standoffish and temperamental, but you’ve encountered plenty of humans of the same disposition, too. It isn’t a vampire specific, although more often than not, they can be quite aloof.  

“Ain’t scared of me? Most people are, when I tell ‘em what it is that I am,” he finally speaks, eyes touring you a few times, studying you. “Then again, if they ‘ad much sense, people were scared of me when I was alive an’ all.”  

You shake your head, mouth pinching a little. “I don’t fear anyone unless they give me reason to. Unless it’s those lads in hoodies who carry machetes and prowl around Court Oak Road. They scare me,” you confide, the vampire sniffing, his lip curling.  

“Yeah, don’t blame ya, petal. Right horrible little bunch of cunts, they are. Excuse my language.” 

Oh, so he’s quite gentlemanly. You can’t even remember the last time a man excused his swearing in front of you, or even if it’s ever happened before. “S’alright, I cuss my arse off. You’re fine. And yeah, I can imagine for someone like you, the machete lads are right at the bottom of the food chain.” 

His eyes narrow, something a little sinister spreading his mouth into a grin. “When I could eviscerate all of ‘em in the blink of an eye, yeah, darlin’. You could say that.” His shoulders round, the thick, wool coat he wears making his wide frame look even vaster. “I ain’t much in the market for violence, though. Not unless I’ve gotta show someone why they shouldn’t - what’s that term you young people use now – fuck around and find out?” 

“That’s it,” you nod, watching as his eyes fall back onto the graves, the street light just to the side of the curb flickering into life. He looks even paler beneath the halogen glow. “Who’s over there, then? It’s sad, that this is as close to them as you can get.” 

Touching a hand to your shoulder, he turns you, pointing out towards the row of headstones that form a row beside a large tree. “Mother, father, brother, brother, sister, wife, daughter, daughter, son.” His mouth twists, his eyes saddening. “Everyone, they always go on at how great it must be to become a vampire, right, but nah. They don’t tell you how fuckin’ tragic it is to watch everybody you’ve ever loved die, and how that’s the way it’ll be for centuries.” 

You always assumed vampires to be quite unfeeling emotionally for some reason. Such a stance is very much proved wrong by the one who stands there, unable to even properly visit the last resting place of his loved ones. He seems hugely far removed from that assertion, riddled with the sorrow of his existence, seemingly with nobody familial to share it with.  

The sweet charity in you prompts the next words that fall from your lips in an instant, cocking your head as you smile. “I know you vampires only drink blood, but I was going to head to the coffee shop at the top of the hill to warm up a little. You’re welcome to join me, should you need a friend?” 

His eyes soften. Oh, such a sweet little thing, you are. He could get used to such loveliness breathing new life into his existence, only broken in its regime by a thrilling hunt to the death upon a deserving mortal, or a mind-blowing fuck. “I’ll pass it up, love. I don’t do friends.”

“Oh.” You feel embarrassed, the vampire’s mouth curling into a small smile. 

“Don’t take it personally. Humans, you only mean two things to me; a feed or a fuck. Sometimes both at the same time. And I ain’t offering that either.” 

You frown, shaking your head with a soft laugh. “Bloody spoil sport.” 

He isn’t, though. He just sees something shine in you with more luminescence than the rest of the faces he forgets as soon as he leaves them, thousands of meaningless connections left behind over the last century. He shan’t taint it with his perpetual darkness. “You seem like a proper lovely little flower, right, one I could come to grow right fond of. I ain’t gonna let myself, though. Cos’ there ain’t nothing, my darlin’, not even living death, that makes you cold enough to endure the loneliness that everyone else's mortality inevitably leaves you in, innit. Nah.”  

He strokes the apple of your cheek with the back of his finger. “You ain’t becoming another headstone I have to stare at from afar. Too fuckin’ lovely for that.” 

You’re about to tell him that you understand – or at least as much as you’re able – but in a blink he’s gone, leaving you spinning on the spot, searching through the inky darkness of the night for him.  

“Oh, well,” you sigh, “easy come, easy go.”  

You feel sad for him, but also warmed by the fact that even though you can’t see him, you sense that the vampire follows you all the way to the coffee shop before departing properly, just to make sure you arrive safely.  

Trust the only gentleman you’ve met in years to be dead.  

[saintsenara]

Since a previous anon brought it up as a comparison, i would love to read what you have to say about the whole "Snape would be infatuated with fem!Harry if she looked like Lily" take. Personally, I think he'd hardly be able to stand the sight of her

i detest this one whenever it does the rounds.

it always seems to hinge on the idea that it's "canon" that snape would be sexually violent towards a fem!harry who looked like lily - which annoys me because it's a complete misreading of snape's character in order to amp up how negatively the person accusing him wants him to be perceived which simultaneously manages to undermine this aim by suggesting that his actions in the book aren't bad enough, and so he has to become a creep at best and a rapist at worst so that everyone knows he's a properly horrible man...

so i think it's trite. and i also think it's just obviously wrong.

in the books, snape is clearly upset by any aspect of harry’s appearance or personality which reminds him of lily.

there are multiple instances in canon in which harry glares at him and snape quickly looks away, which we are clearly supposed to understand once we have the reveal of snape's motivations at the end of deathly hallows as happening because the sight of anger in lily eyes upsets and ashames him - especially because it stops him from soothing and deflecting his grief over lily-via-her-son by focusing on harry's resemblance to his father and pretending that he's like james alone.

harriet potter, if she walks into potions with long red hair and big green eyes, is getting totally, utterly ignored for seven years. nothing more, nothing less.

[oh-my-bindery]

Drarry: I love that Harry the hero is down for murder. But Draco the guy who comes from a long line of a family of dark magic is the one that hates murder (it's literally canon Draco can not kill anyone for shit) and it gives me so many feels. It's partly because I love healer Draco. But also because Harry is reckless and does not have a lot of self preservation. His idea of justice is like you die by the sword.

Definitely! I draw all my conclusions from canon.

Buckle up bc I went on a rant here

The way Draco is written and what we are shown of his actions and character, we can clearly conclude at least few things:

- Draco is a person who fights with his words, that cut deeper than a knife. He knows what he is doing and wants it to hurt. I believe he does it to feel better about himself.

- Draco can’t kill. He literally can’t kill. Even his wand (that chose him) is one that has the most difficult time turining into Dark Arts. It reflects on his character. He is different from his family.

- Draco is a very sensitive boy as we are told by Moaning Myrtle in HBP. We also get to see him break down and for the first time show his real emotions which is a new thing from him. Harry has never seen him cry. Which leads me to ask, why? All 6 years and no one saw Draco cry before? No one saw him express deeper emotions that his usual proud and snarky / bully mask? It is definitely connected to his family, most likely Lucius, as Narcissa is the one who even though believes in blood purity shit, never takes a Dark Mark, never fights for Voldemort, her main concern is always Draco. She has so much love for him. It is probably why Draco even knows that he can allow himself to cry, even if it’s on his own.

- Moaning Myrtle also tells us that Draco is lonely.

- On Harry Potter wiki and Pottermore (I think) it says that Draco was never able to produce a Patronus spell as he didn’t have a strong enough of a happy memory - well that’s sad seeing as Harry was able to do it with how shit his life was.

Draco is supposed to seemingly be rich, get everything he wants, he has a family that is alive , Mother who loves him SO MUCH, father that would she if anything happened to him (well he failed to protect Draco from the worst and then did nothing after the fact, continued being awful but that’s another rant), Slytherins seem to like him, he has some friends although I’m not even sure he likes them or if they like him (from canon we know that by Deathly Hallows - Crabbe and Goyle hate him. Draco never really liked Blaise (or wasn’t fond of him. He tolerated Pansy and had some trust towards her.)

So even though Draco smilingly has all, he doesn’t have a strong enough of a happy memory.

- Draco is terrified of killing someone, so much so he stops eating, keeps to himself and stops being himself when tasked with killing Dumbledore.

When Harry sees Draco in his Voldy visions - Draco looks terrified and broken when asked to torture Rowle - the sight of how Draco is being pushed into doing those horrible things and how much he could be suffering- canonically makes Harry try to get rid of the visions because he doesn’t want to see Draco torture people or if he refuses/ can’t- see Draco being tortured or killed.

- Draco doesn’t care if he dies. Why? Who knows? But he literally lies to his whole family that are depending on him to identify Harry as Harry Potter at the manor and he just doesn’t. He knows what are the consequences of failing to capture Harry are (probably being killed by Voldemort, him and his family.) and Draco knows it is Harry. If he was cruel and and awful person he would say “yep, that’s Potter” but instead Harry notices that Draco looks just as terrified, hands shaky as Harry was. Draco literally would rather have Harry survive and himself die than other way around. It is SO CANON.

And Harry wise

- Harry is super hot-headed as we know.

I think looking at his reaction when Sirius was killed, he literally sprung from Remus’s arms, shooting, shooting curses after Bellateix. He crucioed her. No, thinking, he just does.

When people whom Harry loves / cares about are killed or harmed Harry has no thoughts just do. Give them hell. He will deal with consequences later - he is bad at the ‘dealing with the consequences bit though. He doesn’t want to be a killer, and hates himself for being capable of it.

When Snape kills Dumbledore, Harry is in SO MUCH RAGE. He goes after Snape and literally uses Sectumsempra on him, knowing what it would do- if not helped Snape literally would die lol.

But when it comes to Draco and Harry almost killing him, knowing about Dracos Dark Mark, him being suspicious all year, being horrible to him all other years - ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE.

He leaves Draco alone even after he find out Draco was going to kill Dumbledore.

In conclusion, Harry would 100% kill for Draco, no questioning it. He wouldn’t feel bad about the person being killed but about the fact that he is capable to killing.

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAu Drabble - Cafe Gossip

I am back with another Drabble <3 It is another kitty one hihi.

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Also. @spotaus You better be ready :D

Timeline wise? about like... 9 months after nightmare got deaged. Guys have been in farmtale for like half a year (so where the gang is it is winter)

*--------------*

Ccino sighs as he tries to find the damn cattoy. He swears Berry hid it somewhere around the cattree. He just knows. He can see Berry staring at him with joy as Ccino searches.

Ccino huffs as he shoots a glare at Berry "Anyone saying you don't like pranks is a filthy liar."

Berry has the nerve to jump down and nuzzle him with a purr before wandering off.

Ccino starts to doubt if the toy is actually here. He sighs and sits down at the base for a moment. Watching as Dream's cat version, Sun, rushes by. Sniffing, searhcing and crying loudly.

Sun makes a lot of noise as he goes and it breaks Ccino's soul.

Sun rushes to another room and a lot of noise comes from it. Well, that doesn't matter really.

It isn't like he gets cross-universe customers anymore anyway.

Ccino used to be a bit of a hotspot for other travelers. They all loved to visit him and eat as his cafe.

But... well.

That changed when he heard people whine about the damage that Nightmare and his gang had done.

And ccino had questioned why they thought they knew better than an actual god whoes job it was to do what he was doing.

That had just been the start. people said he agreed with what they were doing and how. Ccino tries to explain multiple times he doesn't say what happens is right. but he also tried to explain that just that it is stupid to think they knew better if they don't even know their reasons.

Quite a few insults his way later and the customers left.

It continued like that for a while. Now his place is a lot more quiet than it used to be. Ccino doesn't mind however. Honestly? this way at least the special cats cna mvoe around freely without Ccino having to be worried someone will connect the dots.

And people from his own universe still visit anyway so he is good still.

Ccino sighs as he rises to his feet and quickly goes to the counter. he crouches down and opens a cabinet and smiles softly "hey there Noot." he slowly reaches his arm and hand inside.

Noot blinks his one good eye open and sniffs the hand. then he pushes his head into Ccino's hands for pets which he happily gives one of his favourite cats.

Noot purrs loudly and Ccino feels a part of him relaxes. At least Noot didn't seem to get worse and evne the vet agreed.

...

Look maybe he shouldn't have taken a cat that is somehow connected to a very important person in the multiverse but Ccino was panicking!

He was so afraid Noot had been dying and by expansion Nightmare! He got the cat packed up and took him to the vet.

Ccino doesn't think he ever heard Murder, Oreo, Stain or Rust sound that panicked. ever. ccino had felt horrible about taking Noot away form them. The tiny kitten crying had been soulbreaking.

But he needed to be sure. So he took Noot straight to the vet and waited.

After a long examination and some vague lies the vet reassured him that Noot was just an old cat. To make sure the cat was comfortable and to let him rest his body when he felt the need.

ccino had felt such intense relieve he doesn't think anything is going to meassure up to that. ever. He happily took Noot back to the cafe and let him and the others of his little cat gang cuddle as he got to work.

He hallowed out one of the cabinets and made a comfortable little cat den for Noot and any of the cats that followed him around.

Ccino sneaks a look into the cabinet and smiles "alone today?"

Noot just keeps nuzzling his hand.

a sound of something landing. Ccino glances up and sees Murder on top of the counter, staring menacingly at him, which is sightly ruined by the cute kitten he holds in his mouth.

Murder huffs and quickly jumps down and climbs into the little cubby. He lays the kitten right by noot before starting to groom the bigger cat.

Ccino chuckles before rising back to his feet. He leans on his hand as he watches his cafe and keeps an eye on his cats.

Eventually Ccino's eye lights find a pamphlet. He takes it into his hands and rereads it.

It is a message from the Stars. a short explanation that Dream had been in the wrong and making things worse while Nightmare had been helping people.

It felt amazing being right.

Ccino chuckles as he hangs it on the news board before moving back to the counter. His mind thinking back to the one time he met the Stars... It had been ages ago. Back when the Stars patrolled the multiverse for the Crescents. longer than a year ago...

Ccino sighs as he grabs Stain off the counter again. He tried to give the cat a strict look "don't do that. you could get hurt." Stain just makes a little blep as he stares at him.

Ccino chuckles as he puts the cat back to the ground. Stain looks insulted by the very idea of it before huffing and walking off.

He smiles at the cats carefully before stretching his limbs out.

All in all it had been rather quiet today. Some customers had come by and one of the older cats had been adopted. it always warmth his soul to see one of the older gentle cats finally finding their forever home.

The bell rings and Ccino looks up with a smile "Welcome to the Cuddle Cat!" then he sees who it are and freezes.

He never actually met or saw them in person before. His little corner in his nowhere cafe wasn't exactly a big place. it was just a quiet spot people who wandered lost tended to find. It is how most of his cats arrive here too.

So no. He had never truly expected the Stars to just walk in.

The three walk over with purpose and the one with the golden crown smiles brightly. Ccino immediantly knows this is Dream. Mostly because well... it is just the shape of Dream's face is exactly like Nightmare's...

Dream doesn't seem to notice or maybe he assumes his shock is because of awe? Ccino doesn't feel excited. in matter of fact. he feels a bit sick. Wait! What time is it?!

He glances at the clock. okay. okay. it is only 3. that gives him enough time to get these three out before Ngihtmare's normal arrival time.

Oh shit he really is going to lie to the Stars isn't he?! No Ccino. don't panic. Maybe they won't even ask about that stuff?

Dream starts speaking and Ccino focusses back on him. Dream smiles as he speaks "Hello, I am Dream. and these are my teammates Blue and Ink." Blue waves when his name is said and Ink puffs up his chest when he is named. Dream smiles "We are the Stars. we protect the multiverse."

Ccino gives a slow nod "Yeah.. I heard about you guys. euh... welcome to my cafe. it is a cat shelter and cafe in one, if you wish i could tell you a bit about the concept?" when in doubt return to your customer service lines and voice. go full npc.

Drema blinks before looking curiously at the cats. he gives a smaller smile "I would love to hear it.".

Strange. This smile seems more honest to Ccino. Well, not his business.

The cafe however is!

Ccino takes a moment to explain how this place takes in wadnering cats nad helps them heal and socialise until they are ready to be adopted out again. The cafe is to encourage people to relax with some food and drinks to get familiar with the different cats.

At the end Ccino smiles "Would you like to order something?"

Ink grins and looks proud "We are the saviors of the multiverse!" he grins and looks pointedly at the food items "These all look very good! I would love to have some."

Ccino immediatnly feels done with all three of them even as Dream and Blue give Ink disapproving looks. Ccino had 'famous' customers before. Mettaton tries it each time.

Ccino smiles brightly back "Well! Let me know which one you want to buy! The prices are right by the display."

Ink blinks at him wiht two questionmarks in his eyes. Ccino jsut keeps smiling.

Ink frowns before grinning again "We are saviors. It would be very nice to be given thanks."

Ccino tilts his skull "What did you save us from exactly? I don't feel very saved. Not to forget. I don't do special discounts. if you want something you can pay for it."

Ink glares but Blue stops himw ith a shake of his skull. Blue pulls him back and Ccino can hear Blue berate Ink for acting entitled and just because some people gave him stuff deosn't mean everyone has to.

Dream smiles "Sorry for him." he pulls out a wallet and looks through the many different types of money and gold in there "Three chocolate milks and three shortcakes please."

Ccino nods as he gives the price before turning to make the drinks and get the cakes. It only takes a moment to ready the drinks and food and give them over in trade for the money.

Ccino gives them a smile and motions them towards the table as he turns to put the money away.

A moment later and Ccino can't help but feel like he is being watched. He looks over and sees the stars drinking but also quietly talking. Ccino notices the glances shot his way and it makes him a bit nervous.

It isn't like he made it a secret that he didn't allow slander of Ngihtmare nad his gang in here. maybe that protective feeling he had was going to get him into trouble after all. But how could he not? It wasn't his fault that he had found Nightmare sound asleep in the reading chair before, using his tendrils to wrap around himself as all the gang cats laid around him.

Ccino felt justified in his protective feelings.

silence surrounds them as ccino just does what he usually does.check inventory. check the cats. make sure the machines are clean.

The stars take a long time. it is already past four before Ink and Blue leave.

Only Drema walks voer to him with a gentle smile. Ccino raises a brow "Was something wrong with your order?"

Dream blinks and shakes his skulll "no! Not at all! It was amazing! It is just... I wanted to talk."

Ccino frowns and gives a slow nod "Well. It is quiet now so it should be fine. is there something wrong?"

Dream takes a deep sigh "It is... about my brother." his soul freezes and Dream gives a gentle smile "I have heard.. rumours that he visited this place. I wanted to be sure everythign is okay. and if you dind't realise at least warn you!"

Ccino frowns as he turns back to the machine "I have been clear to everyone in here. I don't allow slander."

Dream frowns as he looks unsure "and I admire that! But... it is for your own safety. If my brother visits this place I need to know. especially when he does."

Ccino shoots him a glare "and why woudl you ened that? To control my place? to control who is allowed to come here and go?"

Drema sputters and backs off looking shocked "of course not! It is for safety reasons!"

Ccino huffs as he crosses his arms "Give me the reason. Because no one here has ever been brought into any danger from Nightmare or the crescents. The people who make the most trouble are those who feel entitled to things or information or feel like they have any say in what i do with MY business."

Dream just gapes at him. clearly unsure what to do or say next. a bit of doubt appears on his face as he rubs his arm "I am just trying to help..."

Ccino huffs as he turns abck to the spotless counter to clean nothing "Give it to someone who actually asked for it or wanted it. I don't need anyone spreading hate and rumours in my place."

Dream just stared at him but afterwards he left.

Ccino is still unsure where he had gotten that bravery from. Protective feelings are overpowered honestly.

The Stars never returned.

Of course they didn't. Ccino had made it clear he didn't want them there at least.

It did slow his customers though and it was a shame to see that happen but at least he ddin't have to worry as much.

Well, that was before Ngihtamre disappeared without a trace.

THe bell rigns.

Ccino looks up and says his greeting wiht his normal smile "Welcome to the Cuddly Cat-" and he freezes.

Because that is Dream. Looking nervous and shy as he waves.

Ccino doesn't even think as he glares before speaking "Well if it isn't the god that didn't evne bother to read his own job description."

Ccino expected a lot.

He did not expect Dream to start laughing before smiling happily a she answers "I know right? I made a mess of things... It is just..." he rubs his arm "I heard you have... very special cats and i was hoping to meet them?"

Ccino wants to say no. Tell him to leave.

But...

The pamphlet.

The fact that Dream's cat version had been screaming his little head off searching for Noot.

Ccino sighs as he waves him up "make sure to turn the sign to closed please."

May as well see this mess through.

*--------------*

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[ravenclawhierra]

Reading.

Ominis Gaunt x Reader

Summary: Ominis has had a rough day and he wants to spend some time with you. He asks of you a favor, wishing to spend as much as time with you as possible.

Tags: Insecure reader, fluff, Ominis being a sweetie, FLUFF

Word Count: 2,2k - 1,6k without the Deathly Hallows

It was just… tough. He wanted to rest. He was so tired. So exhausted. His thoughts were nothing but exhausting, honestly. Pushing him to the edge, it was too much. Everyday he'd deal with the same, today however, was worse on him than usual. As much as he was used to this, it'd still come for him - Killing him from the inside.

He had already lost a friend, and he was losing another one. He was grieving. Grieving over something that wasn't even lost. He felt as if it was bound to happen soon, but hoped it wouldn't. As much as he enjoyed the presence of his Angel, it wouldn't feel the same without his friend. Would he be asking for too much? He had hoped not.

Walking along the Hallway, he thought about how he wanted to see you now. Or at least feel you near him. You always helped him cheer up, forget about his horrible thoughts, or simply interrupted them when he's thinking about you. He was already finished with reading his book, he needed to get a new one from the library, he just hoped they would have more books in braille.

He skipped his way to the door and down the stairs of the library, and went ahead to find some more books. He walked along the section with books in braille before hearing two familiar voices. He listened to you and Sebastian speak.

"How long have you been together now? I mean, you still haven't given him a kiss, right?"

"We've been together for 2 weeks now and I know, I want to kiss him but I'm afraid…"

"Afraid of what exactly? He won't bite."

"I don't know, I'm afraid he won't like it, and what if he doesn't really like me either?"

He stepped in before the two of you could continue and you both looked up at Ominis.

"Hello Sebastian, (Y/n)," He greeted you, his voice a bit quiet. You hoped he hadn't heard the two of you talk. To your luck, he seemed as if he only entered the section and had nothing to hear. You sighed a small sigh of relief. You didn't want him to know just how you felt, not because you didn't trust him, but because you just couldn't get yourself to tell him. It was like something was pulling you back. Maybe fear? You just weren't sure.

"Hello Ominis, you can sit next to me if you'd like?" You wanted to state that, but you were just so unsure. Ominis smiled at you and sat next to you. How you hated your voice. You wish you didn't have to talk for him to understand you. But you had to. 

You went to the next page of your book, hoping for something exciting. You loved reading fantasy books, they'd take you to an imaginary world where you could imagine yourself as a better person, and a different person entirely. 

"What are you reading?" Ominis asked, his eyes gleaming with wonder. Oh those beautiful eyes of his. 

"Oh I'm… I'm reading some fantasy book about dragons." Your voice was quiet, shy. He smiled at you. It was nice feeling you close to him, having you talk to him. He was already feeling somewhat better. 

"Uh…" Sebastian sighed, "I just remembered I have detention." 

"Well? Best of you to get going then." Ominis also sighed. It was his third time this week. What is he doing to get in this much trouble? 

"Yes, I know. Have fun you two." Sebastian picked himself and his stuff up, murmuring and walking to wherever he had detention now. 

Well, now it was awkward. For the both of you? You didn't know. You didn't know what to talk about, and Ominis was genuinely quiet usually. You did enjoy his presence though, so it was not too awkward for you. You hoped he felt the same way, because at least it wouldn't be awkward silence you're sitting in. 

"Do you want to take this to the dormitory? My room at least. It would be quieter." Ominis suggested, to which you slightly blushed. You knew he wouldn't do anything funny to you, but it still made you kind of fuzzy on the inside. 

"Sure," You agreed happily, "It would be nice to move from this spot for a bit."

You grabbed your books and picked yourself up, waiting for Ominis to do the same. He got up and used his wand to let him get around. Before taking any steps though, he reached for your hand and pulled you close to him.

"It would be easier for me this way," Your blush was covering your entire face now, thank Godrick he didn't see you now. You had hoped he didn't feel your heat all the way from your hand. 

You slowly made your way to the dormitory with him. You both decided it would be nicer to walk. Floo Powder was there to help, always, but it was nicer just doing everything you two can, slowly. You had more time to talk, more time to laugh, smile. You always forgot about your worries when you were with him. You felt kind of free! Except when it came to telling him about your fear. Which is exactly what's stopping you from telling him.

When he smiles at you, when he laughs at your jokes, when he comforts you, soothes you, all of that. All of that made you feel like you were worthy of love. From none other than him. That was a big deal to you. The day you met him, you felt as if he had something against you, but as he opened up, you started liking him more and more. He did too, though.

However, neither of you could get yourselves to confess, and Sebastian was there to listen to the both of you. Constantly talking about each other. Lucky for the both of you, he couldn't stand it anymore, and made you two go on a date in Three Broomsticks. His plan was a success, as the two of you then started dating. Seriously, how could the two of you be so dense with each other's signals. The world will never know. 

Finally, you had arrived to his room. It was your first time there. One side was clean, the other was a complete mess.

"I'm sorry, I share the room with Sebastian and he keeps not cleaning his room," He smiled at you awkwardly, "He claims he gets around easier with his mess."

You laughed. It was just like him to be like that. Messy room, messy hair. You wondered how the two of them got along so well. 

Ominis sat on his bed, patting on the side next to him, calling out to you to sit next to him. And you complied. Oh no. The silence was there again. How do you go from quiet, to talkative, to quiet again? 

"(Y/n)," Ominis called, "Would you mind doing me a favor?"

"Sure, do you need anything?" You asked, smiling at him. Your heart was pounding.

"I was in the library, looking for books. I couldn't find any." He smiled back at you, shy, "I was wondering if you could read something of yours to me, please?"

Oh my. What a request. You hated your voice. But you couldn't deny this to him. He asked so politely, so nicely. In that sweet voice of his, with those beautiful eyes. 

"O-of course." Your blush was covering your entire body at this point. "Would the Deathly Hallows do?"

"I enjoy that story," Ominis laid down on his bed, checking if you'd lay down with him. "So, please do."

"I'll sit, but I will still read to you." He nodded, closing his eyes and preparing to listen to you. 

"There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure."

You cleared your voice slightly, keeping an eye on Ominis, but he didn't budge.

"And Death spoke to them. He was angry that he had been cheated out of three new victims, for travellers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the three brothers upon their magic and said that each had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him."

Ominis slowly grabbed your free hand, wanting warmth. 

"So the oldest brother, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered the Death! So Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there, and gave it to the oldest brother."

Your hand squeezed his, giving him more warmth. 

"Then the second brother, who was an arrogant man, decided that he wanted to humiliate Death still further, and asked for the power to recall others from Death. So Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and gave it to the second brother, and told him that the stone would have the power to bring back the dead."

The room was getting colder and you wished you could have his warmth around you.

"And then Death asked the third and youngest brother what he would like. The youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers, and he did not trust Death. So he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility."

Ominis slowly massaged your palm with his hand, smiling at you, making you even warmer.

"Then Death stood aside and allowed the three brothers to continue on their way, and they did so, talking with wonder of the adventure they had had, and admiring Death’s gifts. In due course the brothers separated, each for his own destination."

All this time, you were imagining the three of you guys in the story. A perfect trio.

"The first brother travelled on for a week or more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard with whom he had a quarrel. Naturally with the Elder Wand as his weapon, he could not fail to win the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the oldest brother proceeded to an inn, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand he had snatched from Death himself, and of how it made him invincible."

You wondered if Ominis was thinking the same. You took your hand away from him quickly to go to the other page. 

"That very night, another wizard crept upon the oldest brother as he lay, wine-sodden, upon his bed. The thief took the wand and, for good measure, slit the oldest brother’s throat. And so Death took the first brother for his own."

He Immediately went back for your hand.

"Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his own home, where he lived alone. Here he took out the stone that had the power to recall the dead, and turned it thrice in his hand. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry, before her untimely death, appeared at once before him."

You looked at Ominis, hoping he was enjoying your storytelling. 

"Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, killed himself so as truly to join her." 

You focused on finishing the story now.

"And so Death took the second brother for his own.

But though Death searched for the third brother for many years, he was never able to find him. It was only when he had attained a great age that the youngest brother finally took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life."

You closed the book and quietly mumbled a small "That's it." 

You were hoping to get a reaction from him, but he was asleep now. You smiled at him and put the book on his table, right next to the bed.

You joined him now, laying right beside him. He looked so peaceful while asleep. Tell him. 

"It doesn't help now," you whispered, "But I'm scared. I'm not sure of what. I just am." 

"I know you can't hear me now, but I don't want to lose you because of myself. I want to be myself with you. I want you to accept me the way I am. Which is just… Insecure. I'm sorry."

You stared at him. He was so pretty. He was so nice. Understanding. Caring. Friendly. All of that, and he's yours. It was just a blessing to have him. 

You got up for a second, grabbing the blankets which were folded by the foot of his bed, covering the both of you. You cuddled up to him. Simply adoring him. Without much thinking, you pecked his lips.

"I love you, good night."

He wasn't asleep though. And he heard you. He always has heard you. He will always listen to everything you say, he knows how important that is to you. He will return everything you have done for him, tomorrow. Just as the two of you wake up.

[stardust948]

Reunion

TW: past abuse and torture

Katara heard of the waterbender prisons, cruel holes in the ground far from Tui’s life-giving light.

The second the prisons were decommissioned from the newly crowned Firelord still bandaged from the Agni Kai, Katara was there helping the survivors along with her brother and father. They helped organized the people and med stations as Katara helped the healers from the Northern Water Tribe tended to the benders.

It was horrific. If anything, Katara’s former mentor Hama spared her the harsher details. Rows and rows of crude cages with chains hanging from the ceilings. Spider-rats scurried in every direction and the smell was unbearable. Worst yet, were the state of survivors. Withered and hallowed with sunken weak eyes. Burns littering their exposed skin. Digits missing from spider-rats and other vermin.

Heartbreaking wasn’t a strong enough word.

“That’s it. Easy.” Katara said gently while helping a frail woman onto the stretcher.

“Are… we… free… now?” she rasped.

Tears welled up in Katara’s eyes. “Yes. The war is over. We won.”

A small smile formed on the woman’s face. Katara wiped her eyes as she was taken out.

“Is that everyone?”

“K-Katara…?”

She froze. It couldn’t be.

“Mom?”

A strangled cry. “Katara…seal pup.”

“Mom!” Katara ran through the prison checking cell after cell. “Mom! Mom!”

She came to the last one, surrounded by some volunteers prying open the bars. Inside was a strung up figure framed by long tangled brown hair. She looked up with glazed over light blue eyes.  

“My baby…”

“MOM!!!”

She bended water from her pouch then sliced the lock in half. Without missing a beat, Katara did the same with the chains holding up Kya. The woman collapsed into Katara’s arms.

“Mom… you’re alive…” Katara cried tears of disbelief.

“Katara… another dream...”

“No. I’m really here. This is actually happening.” Katara said softly as she helped her out the cell.

After doing a quick check over for any life threatening wounds or infections, and giving her some much needed water, the volunteers gave them privacy.

“Is…Is this real…?”

Katara swallowed. “Yes. We won the war, Mom.”

“We did…?”

“Yeah…we did. I’m taking you home to Dad and Sokka and Gran Gran. They’ll be so thrilled to see you again.”

“Home…” Kya breathed.

Katara picked her up bridal style and carried her out of the horrible place. Despite the overcast clouds, Kya winced and angled her face away. Katara’s heart broke all over again. Six years she had been in that hole without seeing the sky or sun once.

“It’s alright Mom. Everything’s alright now.”

The tents were full with healers rushing everywhere to care for the more critical patients. They were going to have to wait their turn. Katara didn’t mind. She did not want to let go of her mother anytime soon. Moments later, Katara found Hakoda and Sokka at a table going over some layouts of the prison to ensure they rescued everyone.

“Dad! Sokka!”

“Katara what’s…” Hakoda trailed off as his eyes landed on the woman Katara held. “K-Kya…?”

She looked up for the first time since leaving the prison. “Hakoda…”

He was by her side immediately, eyes wide and overflowing. Katara carefully passed her to him as more tears came. Hakoda sank to his knees, bringing Katara with him, as he held his wife close. Kya kissed his tear stained cheek while mumbling softly.

Katara noticed Sokka standing at a distance with his head turned and body shaking. Katara called his name and held out her hand.

“Come on. She’s your mother too.”

Sokka hesitantly accepted and Katara pulled him into the hug. Kya caressed his face.

“Sokka…”  

The dam broke. He leaned in closer as Hakoda wrapped his arms around his children, their family reunited at last.

[perverse-idyll]

@hprecfest 2024 Day One: first fic you read

Ugh, I'm late getting started, but I'll try to catch up. We're talking nearly 20 years ago so I don't remember the exact fic, but these two are contenders for first reads, and they are doozies. I snuck into fandom because I was fascinated by the idea of Snape/Harry. These two brilliant stories are part of the reason they became my OTP for life:

In Between Days by atrata. It's considered a classic now, but it was posted just six months before I fell into fandom. Content warning: it's chan (underage), written in the aftermath of Order of the Phoenix. So no Hallows, no Elder Wand, no Lily reveal. The question of Snape's loyalties and why he changed sides was a much-debated mystery, with a charismatic force of its own. This fic nails a version of Snape that assumes he had self-sufficient, morally interesting reasons for defecting from the Death Eaters. It's a Stockholm syndrome fic, complete with Snape kidnapping Harry and manipulating him to serve a purpose about which Harry knows nothing. The sexual tension is breathtaking, and Snape - my God, what an amazing character in atrata's hands. He's ruthless, hard-assed, viciously intelligent, untrustworthy, seductive, and willing to sacrifice any hope of personal redemption on the altar of necessity. Harry is still grieving Sirius's death, which makes it easier for Snape to wind him in a web of dependence and mutual intensity - where both of them end up caught in the same fevered, unhealthy obsession. Atrata created a portrait of an obsessive Snape long before fandom started harping on about Lily; the result is scorching - and so much more emotionally compelling than canon (for me).

A Bittersweet Potion series by alchemia and bugland. Another classic, probably less well known because it was never re-posted to AO3. Once again, it's chan (underage), and to my great regret it remains unfinished. Nonetheless, it runs to half a million words divided into six books. The initial premise is charming - Harry is granted the ability to shapeshift, and during an early experiment as a cat, he's picked by Snape and more or less adopted. This gives him an unexpected glimpse into his professor's emotional life, suicidal tendencies, and personal torment - and coincides with Harry's sexual awakening. You would not believe how messy it gets, because what starts out fairly lighthearted becomes increasingly complicated and dark and hilarious and disturbing and heartbreaking and sometimes just plain weird. There's nothing else quite like this series. The narrative is first-person POV, mostly Harry with occasional glimpses into Snape's morosely sarcastic interior world. There's rape. There's much ado about rats. The sex scenes are graphic, unsentimental, and magical. The Dark Arts are fascinating but definitely horrible, Voldemort is convincingly intelligent and terrifying, Snape and Harry are both very, very fucked up, and despite it all, it's a love story. It's compelling and tragic and very funny and maddening and inventive. If the fandom gods decreed I could choose one WIP to see magically completed, I wouldn't hesitate a moment: it would be this one.

[imbecominggayer]

How To Reinvent Cliches

Warning: I am going to be talking exclusively about Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows. Luckily, I never watched them or interacted with the fandom. There are no spoilers!

From @stabbyapologist we have our first non-mutual request: "Should I, or should I not, make the oc try to seduce Severus Snape as a bargaining to stay alive so Bellatrix doesn't torture her anymore? Is it interesting or constantly used?"

To address concerns, OC is NOT underage and the story is particularly dark so we won't be talking about anything relating to that.

Again, like I told this person, I can't give character-specific advice. And for the sake of getting more interaction, this post won't only apply to this specific situation :)

Interesting AND Cliche?

I can't say personally whether or not this counts as cliche since I don't read harry potter fanfiction HOWEVER I can say this: Your stories will always include tropes so all you need to do is to reinvent and reuse tropes in an interesting way!

When giving advice on tropes I think this is an important one:

"Think of your story like a closet where the characters are your clothing and the hangers are your tropes"

Tropes are the foundations that shouldn't be physically seen until someone is doing some literary analysis.

To reiterate, what makes a trope lack intrigue is whether or not it's handled with care by the author. If the hanger is just thrown into the closet and is not holding up anything, it's a poorly laid out thing.

You can practically use whatever tropes/hangers you like as long as you are able to disguise them underneath characters and worldbuilding.

If you can make your OC trying to seduce Severus Snape into a natural extension of this character and their circumstances then the development is going to seem natural and logical :)

How To Reinvent Tropes?

There are various different ways of revamping tropes so i'll just run through some common ones!

Change the expected ending. If it isn't required to succeed, having OC fail in seducing Severus Snape would be an unexpected plot development!

Bring It Back Down To Earth. This is when the author understands something to be inherently fucked up and writes it as fucked up. By having your OC acknowledge how horrible and humiliating this situation is, you have not only limited possible romanticization but also changed the trope's aftertaste.

Plot Twist. In general, using tropes as plot twists can definitely work. Since I don't know your story all I can do is spitball. Severus Snape is revealed to be evil? Bellatrix wanted this to happen?

Conclusion:

We covered the fact that tropes can be interesting regardless of their "constantly used" status and we covered some common ways to reinvent tropes!

So @stabbyapologist, have I given you good advice?

[come-on-darling-honey]

stupid and heartbroken. [Embry Call x reader]

 You and Leah Clearwater have something in common, heartbreak and a inclining to stupid decisions. Slowly you and Leah find the secrets of the Reservation that took your best friend, Embry, slowly unravel themselves to you. But not without a little blood, tears, and love.   

word count; 2.5k

PART ONE PART TWO PART THREE

     Chapter three: explanations at Emily’s.

Embry, Bella and I rode in the front of the truck. I sat between them. Bella and Embry made light conversation. Jared was in the back; I could imagine how it felt to have the wind gliding across him. It’d be better than having Embry and Bella stuffed in next to me, my thighs touching Embry’s.

“Drive me home.” I said, my throat dry. I didn’t want to go to Emily’s. I wanted to go home. I didn’t want any part of this. “Or take me to Leah’s.”

Embry’s voice was soft as he told me that Emily’s house was safe and that they needed to explain to me what I saw. Bella assured me too. I didn’t want any part of this. I looked at Embry, he had deep circles under his eyes. His posture frail and his nails had obviously been bitten. He looked horrible, a small part of me was bitter that he deserved to feel like shit. That it wasn’t fair what he did. But an even smaller part of me felt a hallow ache within my heart. That ache grew bigger as we turned into Emily’s. it felt weirdly good to sit next to him, to be within his space, he sat straighter than he had in weeks.

I’d only been to Emily’s a handful of times when I wasn’t close with Leah and went to buy the vegetables she sells. The house was covered in flowers and plants, it was beautiful. Jared went in talking with Bella about something I couldn’t be bothered to listen. I’d decided I would sleep in Bella’s truck and would do nothing about what has just happened, I’ll sleep then Bella will come back and drive me to Leah’s.

“Come on sleepy head.” Embry said, lightly pulling me out of the truck. Clearly aware of my plans to sleep away the issue I was avoiding. I wanted to burrow within myself. Curse Bella for making me come all this way but I felt so perfectly seen in Embry’s arm.

“I really hate you; you know.” I whispered to him, keeping my voice steady and monotone. I wanted to be mean. To hurt him. He sighed and said he knows. I didn’t hate him, it’s like what Leah said. You are angry at what the situation is not the person you love. I was certain she didn’t love Sam anymore. Any crumb of that had been washed away. But she loved Emily, deeply and unequivocally. She was angry at her and had told me she felt physically sick when she last saw her but knows she’s grieving the relationship they had. When all of this first happened, before I’d met Leah, she’d been so angry at what had happened she’d trashed Sam’s place. Turned it upside down. She didn’t regret it though; she’d do it again. She just wished she’d stayed longer to spit in his face. Her mom had told her that she shouldn’t take her anger out like this, the people around Leah expected her to cry. Leah didn’t cry, Leah screamed. I hurt with my words, she hurt with her actions. ‘It’s like they underestimate how I am,’ she’d told me once, laughing about how Jacob’s dad compared the pair of us and how we didn’t cry. She was methodical and cruel; it was addictive to watch.

A soothing voice called my name as I stepped inside, Embry’s arm still wrapped around me. Emily’s long hair framed her face, dark and straight. She had a large scar that dominated her face and arm but was still as beautiful as ever. She hugged me. I was completely stunned, my arms hesitantly wrapped around her. What the fuck. She whizzed back to the kitchen. I stayed to the door. Bella was sat at the table talking to Jared and now Embry who looked back at me.

“Please come sit.” He gestured to the chair beside him. I sat next to Bella instead. Jared winced and Embry looked away, they started talking about wolves and vampires, debating speed and agility. Then Sam came in, complimenting Bella’s ease with this information. I watched as he made a beeline for Emily, kissing her lips and then her scar. He held her waist with such a gentle tenderness I wanted to vomit. Someone called my name again and my eyes moved up to glare at Sam as he spoke, asking how I was feeling. I didn’t respond. Filling the silence Jacob and Paul came in, Paul apologised to Bella and Jacob took Bella outside to explain something. Jared and Paul spoke so loudly I felt as if Sam wouldn’t ask me again. I didn’t want to talk to him. Or be here. I didn’t want to be involved with this [HE(1] shit. My ribs began to tighten, lungs constricted, and it felt like they were filling with salt water again.

“I take it you don’t want to be a part of all this, I get it.” Sam said, his voice strong and stern. I hated that I felt comforted by his presence like he was my older brother.

“I don’t know what this is.” I was surprised at how solid my voice sounded, I was convinced it would be weak and fail me. Sam sat down beside Emily and tried telling me the legends. “I already know the legends.” I interrupted; I expected him to be annoyed at the very least at how rude I was being, but he didn’t he was calm. He looked relived that I’d even stayed here. I could just get up and leave but I didn’t know where Bella was, and I couldn’t just leave her alone.

“Well, they’re all true, and we’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone.” I was about to make a snide comment about no sane person believing me then he added “not even Leah.” The entire kitchen went silent. I guess her name didn’t get mentioned much. “He carefully explained imprinting to me, like he was explaining how to diffuse a bomb as a whole town waited in pained agony. I looked at Embry, his eyes weak. Bile rose in my throat. I looked away, not knowing why I was still here.

Fuck this. My fingers burned as I dug my nails into my palms. I saw Embry move out of the corner of my eye. He shifted in his chair, swallowing something painful. I needed to find Bella and leave, give them a false promise and tell Leah everything, not leave her in the dark like Sam did. I felt drawn to Embry’s side, despite everything, despite myself. I wanted to burrow myself within him, know him better, understand him utterly. Let him give himself to me. As the door opened, I was saved, Bella’s cold hand on my shoulder to let me know she was ready to leave. I got up, quick, abandoning the table. Voices calling my name, Embry’s stood out even though it was the quietest. Maybe I was just too focused on him. I practically ran out of the front door, telling Bella how ‘shitty’ and ‘stupid those shit asses’ were.

“Bella take me to Leah’s.” I could see the apprehension in her face before I looked at her, my gaze still firm on the lush greenery. “Now.” My voice was solid. An old oak tree. Rooted in the grounds of dirt and pain, sweet and bitter. She didn’t protest, sucking in a breath she turned the old truck around heading back into the heart of the reservation, the Clearwater’s. It was late afternoon at this point, the hours went by so fast I barely noticed. Sue was in the front of the house setting up for a family party, one that I’d been invited to of course. As I got out of the truck, I muttered a half-hearted goodbye to Bella, slamming the door a little too hard. I hope she knows I’m not angry with her, but I wouldn’t tell her.

“Go get Leah to come help me.” Sue said as she stopped me for a hug. She smelt like citrus and sandalwood, she smelt like home. My spirits would’ve been lifted if I couldn’t shake the image from my head. Embry sat at that table, slight yet large, eyes dark, pained and never leaving me. Party decorations swarmed the home, some cousin’s birthday or uncle’s anniversary. Leah’s door was shut completely, as usual. But when I opened it, her voice echoed in an angry yell. I walked through and saw her sickly figure. Sweating and panting, red nose and dark eye bags. She was taller somehow, leaner, stronger. She exhaled when she saw me. Not noticing the reclusive way I held myself.

“Thought you were my mom.” She said turning around and grabbing something from the floor. Her pillows and blankets, she must’ve thrown them off as she slept. Her movements were heavy, sluggish. It reminded me of Embry before this all happened. “Pick an outfit for me,” she said, a smile forcing her lips. Leah wouldn’t tell me if she was sick, that I knew. But this would just be the flu. Only the men of the tribe turn when forced to and Leah wasn’t a man, all the sleepovers we’ve had I knew that much. I picked out a T-shirt and baggy jeans, taking one of her dresses to wear myself. As we changed, she started to just look at me.

“what’s wrong?” I laughed.

“I’m so tired.” Her fingers began playing with the duvet as she sat down on her bed, now made. “Like I keep getting so angry it’s like nothing else is even happening. I keep fighting with my mom, more than usual. And..” she trailed off looking out of the window. I sat next to her grabbing her hand and placing it in my lap.

“And?”

“And I can tell you’re hiding something from me.” Shit. How the hell could she tell? If werewolves are real witches are and Leah Clearwater was a mindreading witch. After a few seconds of not saying anything I can’t hold it in anymore, screw Sam Uley. Fuck Embry and fuck all this shit. Leah is the only person who deserves an answer. All I can think about is her, when I eat sleep and breathe all it is, is Leah. How we spoke about the apocalypse and if it ever happened that we’d survive and get a farm, killing anyone in our way for each other.

“I am. I need to tell you now” before I can, before my lungs can bring in air again Sue bursts into the room, talking about family being here and how we both need to get out now, she grabs our wrists and pulls us away. Leah and I look at each other, I with desperation and Leah with a festering anger that is morphing her face. The afternoon air hits me with a welcomed delight. Which is suddenly vomit inducing once I see Sam Uley and his pack of puppies stood around the garden, talking with neighbours or family members of the Clearwater’s.

“I’ll tell you later.” I whisper once Sue lets us go. “I promise.” She doesn’t look like she believes me. I wouldn’t either but I have to tell her.

The sweet afternoon falls into a dark evening slowly and painfully but I stay by Leah’s side throughout, begging for a spare moment where one of the pack aren’t in earshot but those assholes are always fucking near. It’s actually fine when its Quill, at least he entertains us but when it was Embry near I wanted to cry, slouched and frail he stood forcing a choked laugh at Harry Clearwater’s joke. It wasn’t funny. I knew he was watching me, when Leah’s arm went around me, he straightened, it seemed like a spike of jealousy mixed with pure raged flew through him. Leah was so warm, like burning warm but it was freezing, and the dress didn’t offer much for warmth.

“Can I talk to you?” A voice asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was the one I couldn’t stop thinking about, Embry.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you, fuck off.” Leah almost shouted, her voice rumbling from the deepest part of her chest. I assured her it was fine and mustered all my might to stand up, holding my own arms for warmth as I left Leah’s side.

“I’m sorry for how this happened, I didn’t want you to find out. But I did even though I didn’t want to.” He rambled trying to sort through his mind. I couldn’t interrupt him even if I tried. “But I don’t want you to think this is the only reason I like you, that the truth is I’ve felt this way since we were kids and nothing changed it. That I’m sorry I left but if I’d you know, in front of you. I think our situation would be a lot worse.” I think of Emily and the scar across her face and body. He’d felt like this for so long but when did he know. Know that he… and I…

“When.” I demanded, staring into his eyes with a fire so uncontrollable it burned me. “when did you know it was me,” this would be a really bad time to vomit but oh god it was just so much. I could smell the fire and the food, hear everyone talking about different things and feel his breath on me, warm and hot. His hands on my waist and arm. Letting out a shaky breath he told me the one thing that had been crushing me since the day it happened.

“I was there when you were cliff diving, I was phased and watching you, and” he breathed onto me, his forehead pressing against mine. “And I knew then, I’m sorry.” I looked into his eyes, into him. Seeing him for himself for the first time in weeks. It felt as if my head was lighter, a feeling no drug I’d tried could emulate. As our lips connected, moving in a sweet and perfect sync his hand that held my arm moved to the back of my head. We moved closer, his warm body melting into me. My head was fuzzy, light and sweet. Tongues moved in a fluid motion, as one. His warm arms around me, one of mine cupping his cheek the other raking through his hair.

But before we could move apart on our own accords my body was gently thrown behind him, screams and yells followed two seconds later. A tree log was thrown in our direction, Embry deflected it. The lights were a blur as I stood up, his arm around me. Leah was shaking, screaming at her mom, as her body shifted, morphed. Bones snapped and changed, she was a wolf. Large and scared. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She ran into the wood line. Sam, Paul and Jared all ran after her shifting into the woods. Harry Clearwater fell to the ground, hand gripping his chest. We ran over, I pulled Seth away. His eyes were huge and scared he couldn’t look away.

end of chapter three.

 an/ sorry for the late upload! i thought i uploaded this last week! I've been struggling recently but writing this made me feel so much better, i hope it makes someone feel at least the smallest bit better for reading it. Has anyone else watched all of TLOU? Our beloved actor Graham Greene was in it! I'm planning to rewatch the game plays of part two. Leah and the readers friendship is borderline romantic, they care for each other so deeply and intimately it would be hard to ignore it. Asks are open! colourblind is coming. i love you, take care. -em x

[inthewindandinthewater]

A Plain of Stars

A/n- This could be the start of something new, I suppose it could stand on its own but let me know if you'd like a continuation. Give it a little reblog or a comment if you do and I'll try to write more. But as it is this is a one shot with Regulus Black, but it also focuses some on your relationship to Sirius and his departure. Reader is pureblooded and a part of the Abbott family, it is written in second person and there is no use of y/n. Reader wears a dress and is alluded to being female presenting.

Warnings: Light cursing , arranged marriages, and allusions to abuse

Summary: Your parents throw an All Hallows Eve ball each year, one you typically spent running about with Sirius Black. However, after he is disowned your world is flipped on its head.

Chapter 2

⋆⋆⋆☆✦☆☆✭☆☆✦☆☆✭☆☆✦☆⋆⋆⋆

The ball was terribly dull. No- calling it dull would be giving it too much credit. It was mind numbingly, brain meltingly boring. 

Every October your parents held an All Hallows Eve ball, Abbott Manor would be draped in finery- more than usual- and enough food to feed and army would be prepared laid out upon gilded platters and china dishes. Floating candles flew high above the ballroom and a live orchestra played slow, floating music. It was beautiful. And horribly boring. 

It was typical for the list of the 28 pureblood houses- The Sacred 28- to be used as a glorified guest list for events such as these. Your parents were no exception to the rule. It was also typical for a few of them to politely decline the offer. 

This is what was expected of the Noble House of Black, specifically the branch containing one Sirius Black. Sirius had split off from his family a few years ago, after which his father, mother, and younger brother had been declining invitations to balls and dinners. Most assumed it was because these events were little more than networking opportunities, ways for families to present their children as merits or trading stock. 

Since Sirius’ grand escape there hadn’t been much of a reason for them to attend, his brother Regulus had never been a social butterfly. No where near the easy going, suave nature of his brother. Sirius had a way of commanding the room, of stealing the spotlight and reveling in it’s glow. Regulus preferred to traverse the shadows. 

You missed Sirius dearly. He had always kept you entertained, and despite being slightly older than you it was clear he had taken a liking to you over the other children present. After he left you had been all but shunned, the other almost wondered if you would be the next to flee or if you had known about his plans and kept them hidden. 

The truth was, no one had been more blind sided than you. He hadn’t said a word to you, one day he had sent you a letter, typical talk about his day and how his summer had been, and the next he was gone- off to live with the Potters, lost to you forever. 

It was enough to make you bitter, bitter against him, against the Potter boy, and against Gryffindor house as a whole for stealing your only friend. This had resulted in a closer alliance with your own house, specifically with Evan and Pandora Rosier. They understood the situation you were in, and they hadn’t cared about your previous friendship with Sirius. The two were like little sunspots in the shrouded darkness of pureblood society. They were colorful and fun, you’d cursed yourself a little for not becoming friends with them sooner. 

You knew Evan was also friends with Regulus, the two were practically inseparable. So when the Blacks had accepted the invitation, you were not only shocked but also nervous at the prospect of seeing the boy after so long. 

The assumption after Sirius left was that Regulus would become the new heir to the Noble House of Black. But he hadn’t been trained, groomed, the way Sirius had. He didn’t know the intricacies of social networking, and generally how to be an heir. So they’d taken time to teach, to mold him into what they needed him to be. You assumed he was ready now, that this would be his mock debut, his soft opening to being in society… without his brother. 

“My goodness this is horrible” Pandora sighed, taking a swing out of her champagne glass. She stood between you and her brother and the three of you surveyed the area, “I won’t lie, I am not having the best time” Evan looked over at you sympathetically. “It isn’t my ball, so I don’t know why you’re looking at me”, you say, rolling your eyes and taking a sip from your own glass. “Regulus should have arrived by now,” He says, completely ignoring your previous statement and looking down at the gold watch on his wrist. “I wonder what’s keeping him” 

The twins were stunning by all accounts. Pandora was draped in a stunning dark red gown that highlighted her pale skin and blonde hair, she was gilded in fine white gold jewelry and her hair was done in loose waves that reached her mid back. Her brother was fitted in an expertly tailored matte black suit, his blonde curls slicked back just enough to highlight his strong bone structure and piercing blue eyes- two traits the twins overtly shared. 

You on the other hand were in a deep blue, silk gown. The back was low and the silver necklace you wore hung down the column of your spine to accentuate it. Your hair was up, giving you a more refined elegant look with long glittering earrings that hit just above your shoulders. You were the picture of a young heiress. 

“Maybe he won’t show” you offer lazily, trying to feign a lack of interest in the youngest Black’s actions, everyone else had been in such a stir about them without you adding to the pot. “Oh that would be a fantastic look,” Pandora guffawed, “Disown your brother, disappear for a few years, and then be a no-show at the first ball you accept! Well played Regulus!”

“Thank you” a smooth, deep voice from behind you replied. The three of you turned to face the source of the voice, only to be confronted with one Regulus Black. “Although I don’t know what you’re referencing Dora.” He smirks at the look on your faces, ones of awe and slight annoyance you’re sure. “Reggie!” Evan stepped forward and threw an arm around Regulus’s shoulder, “and here we thought you wouldn’t show '' He added, shaking Regulus’s shoulder lightly. Regulus’s smirk stayed firmly on his face, “the two of you ought to know me better” he says. “That’s not fair and you know it, it’s good to see again- outside of school that is” Pandora replied and her usual easy going manor. 

You look at Regulus for a while, not saying anything. Stunned a bit by how he managed to look so much like Sirius yet so different. He’s dressed in a black suit with a white chemise underneath, and his deep blue tie is almost the exact color of your dress. “Abbott, you’ve met Regulus, yeah?” Evans' voice breaks your trance and snaps your eyes away from Regulus to look at him. “Um, yes. I believe we’ve met before” You say, clearing your throat a bit and shaking your thoughts. “Have we?” He questions, “I don’t know that we were properly introduced.” He takes a step toward, taking your hand in his and raising your gloved hand to his lips, pressing a small kiss to the knuckles, “it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, I’ve heard so much” He says, leaving your head spinning and your knees a bit weak. 

It wasn’t unusual for such formal introductions to be used in settings like this, but it was amongst friends. Especially people your age, his parents must have done a number on him you thought. “Yes, of course.” You reply after a beat of silence. 

“You need a drink” Evan announces, looking to his friend and beginning to guide him away. “We’ll be back shortly girls, go gossip about nail polish or hair potion or something.” He teases and he walks away with Regulus in tow. 

You whip around to face Pandora, “what the hell?!” her face mirrors your, one of shock and awe. “Keep your voice down, if your mother heard that word escape you-” She cuts herself off, “has he lost his mind” she quickly switched topic, when Pandora got excited she had a tendency to bounce all over the place. “I don’t know! I don’t know him. Is he usually that- that?” You ask, at a loss for words. Your hand still tingles with the feeling of his lips over your glove. “He isn’t!” She said, “or he wasn’t, I suppose it’s been a while since I really spoke to him. But he used to be so shy! He would have never done that!” You stared at her for a moment, soaking in her words, “So what, he had ‘heir training’ and he’s suddenly putting the moves on me?” You ask. “Oh. Oh” She said, her face dropping in realization, then quickly morphing into a giddy smile. “What.” You say, you know that smile, she knows something. “There were rumors… before Sirius left” She adds the last part in a whisper, not wanting to loudly bring up such a sore topic. “What rumors?” Your eyebrows knit together as you urge her on, leaning towards her a little. “Let me finish and I’ll tell you” She chides and you roll your eyes with a short nod, “Rumors that your parents and his wanted the two of you to… well you know.” Your eyes go wide and you fall completely silent. 

“Hope you haven’t had too much fun without us” Evans' words once again cut through the silence. “Please we only have fun when you aren’t around.” Pandora recovers easily, while you fix your posture and your expression in her wake. “Rude ass” The blonde says, narrowing his eyes at his sister. 

The mention of your name grabs your attention and you come to the realization that it’s Regulus who called. Your eyes find his as you address him silently, “would you care to dance” He says, you remember one thing about Regulus from your youth. He wasn’t a dancer, he avoided it at all costs and he never actively asked anyone to the floor. This was an interesting night for sure. “Why not?” You say, giving him a small smile, which he did his best to return. 

Regulus took your hand and guided you out onto the floor. A new song began and more couples, old and young, flooded in around you. He placed his free hand on your waist and the other held your hand out to the side. Your own hand finds his shoulder as you fall into an easy waltz. 

Despite his aversion to it in his younger years, Regulus is a wonderful dancer. He leads you gently around the room in well practiced steps and you feel at ease with his hand in yours as you follow his movements. Soon the two of you have moved closer to one other, closing a bit of the distance that had settled in the first awkward moments of the dance. Now his hand had moved to you back and you chests were mere millimeters apart. He leans down to whisper in your ear, “you look lovely this evening.” He says softly, almost shy in his tone. You look up to meet his eye, his face is unreadable, but soft. “Thank you, you look quite nice yourself” you manage through your fluster and blushing cheeks. He smiles down at you but says no more as the song comes to a close. The two of you make your way off the dance floor and back over to your friends. 

The rest of the night goes on like normal. Evan and Pandora swapping insults, the four of you making critiques on the attire choices of the other guests and trading gossip about the families both in attendance and absent. But you didn’t miss the way Regulus kept looking over to you, the way he would bend over to whisper certain comments in your ear or brush away a stray hair. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t enjoy the attention. 

Eventually the night came to a close and each of you found your parents for a final parting. You stood at the door with your own parents, bidding goodnight to every guest that passed through the door. As the Blacks approached you felt the familiar stirring in your chest at the sight of their youngest. 

“Thank you for coming, it’s been a pleasure to have you in our home” Your mother says. “Of course, it was a wonderful evening” Walburga replies, giving her a curt smile. Your father shook hands with Orion, and said something you couldn’t quite make out, something that made Orion cut his eyes to you for a brief moment. You’re pulled out of your thoughts by a hand taking yours, “It was lovely to meet you��� Regulus says, squeezing your hand lightly. “Yes” you say, a bit breathless “I hope to see you again, perhaps we’ll see more of one another at school” You add tentatively. “I think we’ll be seeing much more of one another” He says, a smirk that says ‘I know something you don’t’ just ghosting over his features. He drops you hand and makes his exit behind his parents, you can’t help but watch him go and you miss the look your mother gives you father as you do. 

Later that night you find it hard to sleep, too many things to think about. Too much new information to mull over for your mind to allow you rest. What had Pandora meant by telling you about your potential engagement to Sirius? Why had Regulus acted that way toward you? And why did you have the feeling everyone was hiding something from you? Then it dawned on you, a realization that had all the pieces falling into order. Regulus had become Sirius’s replacement in more ways than one; they had taken the spot he’d left and crudely shoved Regulus into it. He wasn’t attempting to be nice or make friends in a new setting. He was trying to make a good impression, trying to woo you. His future wife. 

[dapper-nahrwhale]

Home is the first grave

(a leverage/the librarians crossover where Eliot and Jake are twins)

Chapter 2

[read it here]

When their Mama managed to herd them all in the old car to Sunday church services, the two of them would hide in the back pews together. And only then would Jake light up and talk Eliot’s ear off about whatever century stain glass or old creepy statues or fancy architecture or something else.

Hiding down in those church pews, it was like magic was real and nothing could hurt them.

The morning light glistened through the stained glass, a kaleidoscope of colors bursting on the brick white walls, all telling stories fragile as glass and paper ever could. The columns and pillars are taller than giants towering over them, the high and hallowed architecture singing loud and silent. Statues older than God line the halls, all praying for some kind of saving.

There were stories to be told behind everything.

But any time someone looked at Jake or passed by them, he'd bite his tongue, get all quiet, and look down at his dirty shoes. It was shame or guilt, something ugly and terrible that ate him up from the outside in. The bright smile and life in his eyes shriveled up and died.

It really was one of the most horrible things Eliot ever saw.

He'd never hated their father more in those moments.

Eliot would glare daggers at anyone who did look at Jake, but the damage was done. It was too late already. They'd got him thinking he couldn't, shouldn't, be smart and enjoy his little art things.

Sure, Eliot didn't get the appeal, but he could see clear as day how happy it made Jake. He just wishes Jake could see it.

But the worst thing is, he got it. Why he hid his talents. Why he didn't tell anybody just how smart he was, why he did all this. He understood, it's a small town and you gotta play your part in your own little boxes, if you stepped out of line bad things could come your way if you weren't careful.

Small towns could be your home or your grave, but it had to be something you carry with you. It just depends how close to the chest you play your cards. Community or cruelty. The rumors fly fast and hit hard, and you don't wanna get kicked out of the only place you've known. It's hard to love something so dearly, something that will kick you to the curb the second you don't stick to how it should be. It's hard to leave and it's harder to stay.

Jake saw value and beauty just about everywhere in the world. Eliot just wished he could see it all in himself.

Eliot knew all he was good for was taking a punch, but Jake was so much smarter than all that. He knew all this stuff about art movements, and about different architecture styles, and could recite poetry on the spot. He'd read books about different languages, research history about all sorts of things Eliot didn't have a clue about. It was so impressive and incredible and Jake didn't really think so.

He'd taught himself all kinds of stuff in secret, skipping out on football practice to stay in at the library. Reading all these old books. He could be something so much bigger than this little town if he'd just let himself.

If he'd just let himself take the more advanced classes, he could do some really impressive stuff and get a scholarship into some fancy college and get out of this two pony town.

Eliot knew he didn't have a chance in hell to get out of this town on his own. He knew that.

But Jake wasn't him, he was better than him. He could do what Eliot couldn't. He had a real shot at leaving. And the fact he refused to even think about it, pissed Eliot off more than anything else.

He said he had an obligation to his family, he couldn't just leave them.

An obligation to their dad. He couldn't just leave.

The company's been better. Eliot had heard Pop yelling on the landline downstairs about something or other going wrong. Pop ain't in charge of it yet, but with the way Grandpa's health has been going, it won't be too long now before he is in charge.

And that could only ever spell disaster.

-

He'd always blamed Jake when something went wrong. Never himself.

Said Jake was too weak and cowardly, that Eliot wouldn't always be around to cover for his screw ups. All he was good for was brick dumb muscle.

All he ever did was hide behind Eliot.

It was true, but only because Eliot refused to let them be seen.

Eliot would protect them as much as he physically could, but he couldn't protect them in the other ways.

Jake never took to fighting the way Eliot did. As a release, as a refuge, as a requirement. He was far from bad at it, but he lacked the sort of drive and insight that Eliot had. He didn't want to fight. He didn't need to.

He did it to survive, but he didn't enjoy it. Not to say Eliot did, but he always took pride in a job well done.

Boxing and football and wrestling were some of the sports they'd had their hands in. They were good at them, not great, but good. Jake had always been better at team sports and Eliot had shined solo. How it's always been.

But no matter what they did, it was never good enough for him.

It would never make up for the fact they were disappointments deciding to be different than he wanted them to be.

It was hard not to taste his resentment of them. Especially Jake. As much as he tried, he hadn't yet gotten thick enough skin to ignore all the slights and digs at him.

He'd ignore Hannah, blame Jake for every little thing, and push for Eliot to be just like him.

Living there was suffocating. It would kill them in the end, he knew it would.

-

Jake can smell his mom's chili recipe. The mix of sweet and spicy chili peppers, fresh tomatoes, an absolute insane amount of garlic, and simmering beef.

He hadn't had her chili in years. He can't even remember the last time he'd had it. The memory the smell conjures, chokes him all up.

He misses her more than he ever had. It's a cutting feeling, the yearning for days long past. When life was simple and love was easy. When the worst pain he'd felt was a scraped knee, when summer stretched on forever.

Then he remembered. It's summer. They're staying over at their grandparents house. It's morning. And he can smell his mom's chili.

He stumbles sleepily down the stairs to the kitchen.

The sun is melting down the curtains, the world glows in celebration, in mourning.

It's mourning.

The chatter and clunks from the kitchen as his Grandma and Hannah are crowded around the stove. Hannah's tall enough now that she doesn't need the dusty stool in the corner to see over the counter. And when did that happen, he looked away for a second and she grew up tall. He wonders what else happened to her when he wasn't looking.

The chili has to simmer and cook all day before it's ready. Really it should take a couple days to get the flavors just right, but he can't stand smelling it for that long he thinks.

It smells like longing.

It smells like home.

It's the morning of their Grandpa's funeral.

They don't talk about Eliot’s black eye or how Hannah won't meet their eyes or Jake staring blank at his book under the table.

They never do say things in such words. It's just not what they do, not who they are to bring such things up into the light. Those are reserved for quiet conversations in the dead of night.

They all know what's going on, they know they can't stop it, they know it's bad. They deal by not dealing with it. By pretending it isn't happening. By pretending everything is fine. They're very good at it now, they've had lots of practice over the years.

It festers like an old wound, unchecked and infected.

It always does.

-

It's really a beautiful ceremony. In the church they all grew up in, the one they hadn't been in since their mom died. It hasn't changed much at all. Same fire and brimstone pastor, same tittering old ladies gossiping, same everything.

Well, there's been a few changes in statues and other little things. But the bones of the building always stay the same. It was built like this, all the same.

He doesn't show up. They had been staying with their grandparents since they found the diagnosis earlier in the year. Only so much time was left. And he never showed up at all during it.

It was a strange adjustment. Took some getting used to, but now Eliot dreads going back to live with him.

It was nice to not have to fight so much all the time. To rest, to cook, to laugh.

He's going to miss it like a limb cut off.

It makes him feel like a piece of shit, that he is more torn up about what the aftermath of Pappy's death will be than him actually dying. Anyone seeing him cry would assume such, they wouldn't think he's grieving the wrong thing.

But they won't see him cry. He stands stoic and jaw clenched tight enough to crack, he can't afford to break. Not right now. He's holding Hannah as she's holding back tears and holding Jake's hand as he's holding the pew in front of them and staring at the ceiling.

The potluck afterwards is mostly somber, with a touch of revelry. There's food of all kinds, including the chili from this morning. They eat and tell stories and laugh and cry.

They decide to spend the final night there with their grandma. She had wanted them to come back to help sort through his things in the following week, but said she needed the house to herself for a bit. She sends them off with bread, and vegetables, and tupperwares of chili and soup and everything else.

The other two are fast asleep in the car as Eliot drives them back. It's a 45 minute drive, but he takes it slower than normal, appreciating the cool breeze of the night. The quiet and the winding road back home.

Eliot sees what he had been hoping to avoid. Their father, drunk as a skunk on the front porch. Waiting impatiently.

His cheeks are sunken and his eyes are hollow. And Eliot feels guilty deep down. He shouldn't have left. Look what happened. What he did.

It was his grandad, but it was his dad's dad first.

He shouldn't have left him alone.

“It's your fault you know.” Pop spits out at him as he comes up the porch.

“I know. Come on, go and get some sleep, Pop.” Eliot steps forward to try and get him inside. It's late and he's tired and stuffed too full of feelings and he doesn't want to do this right now.

“Don't tell me what to do, boy.” He shakily points the barrel of the shotgun next to him in Eliot's general direction.

Eliot stops moving. Staring down the gun, his heart thumps fast in his ears.

Eliot gulps down his fear because he wouldn't, “Pop, just. Just come on, let's go inside an-”

He can barely hear the click as he arms it.

Eliot choked on his heart leaping through his throat. He can't move.

“Whater you gonna do about it now?” He laughs. He pointed a loaded gun at him and laughed.

And Eliot is frozen. In fear and terror and confusion and everything.

“You should see the look on your face! You really think I'd waste a bullet on you? Ha.” But the gun is still there.

Well, he hadn't been sure if he'd really shoot or not. He had been praying on not, but he just couldn't be sure.

He had always been an angry drunk man. Eliot wasn't sure how far Pop would go if pushed. He wasn't sure how far he would go if pushed.

And the gun is still there.

Eliot can't move. His father is holding a gun up to his head and he can't do a single damn thing about it.

He doesn't know if he'd really pull the trigger. He might.

He might not.

But he might.

“Quit it Pop.” Eliot whispers, terrified to say anything louder. He can feel tears prickle and jump at his eyes. He can't cry now. He really can't.

“You don' tell me what to do.” He sneers.

“Okay, okay.” He placates, hands turned up, eyes down. He shoved his anger at this deep down. He can't be angry right now.

“From now on, it's gonna be different around here.” He says, like a smug sheriff.

“Okay.” It's getting hard to breathe. It's getting hard to move, to keep still, to live.

“You're gonna give me the respect I deserve, I'm the one that puts a roof over your heads, feeds you, clothes ya keeps you off the damn streets.” He brandishes the gun a bit more wildly at that.

“Okay.” It's all he can say with all his focus on the gun swaying in front of him, appeasing the angry drunk man has never been so difficult.

“Okay, okay, is that all you can say? You're so stupid, you can't come up with anything more clever in that dumb brick of yours, Jakey.” He taunts, stumbling around.

“M’ Eliot, not Jake.” He'd take a gun in the face any day over slander of his brother's name.

“Same fuckin’ difference. Pair of idiots the both of ya. Good for nothin’s.” And finally the gun goes down enough for him to take a swig from a bottle.

Then he goes down, the gun clatters to the floor and the bottle thuds.

Thank God.

Eliot clumsily fumbles with the shotgun in the dim light to disarm it without blowing his head off, eventually getting it.

He takes the bottle and throws it as far as he can in the distance.

Staring down at him, he feels his anger dissipate. He looks so small.

He still fucking held him at gunpoint.

His dad just died.

But he still just held him at gunpoint.

He sighs, and does what he always knew he was going to do.

He picks him up and drags him to bed.

He throws him in the cover and slams the door.

Gathering Hannah and Jake is easier by a long shot. Just shaking them awake in the car and gently telling them to get to bed, and off they go back to sleep.

Later on he's collapsed on his bed and covers his mouth tightly so he doesn't scream.

If it had been Jake or Hannah in front of that gun, he wouldn't even have hesitated to get in front of them and diffused the situation as quickly as possible. But since it was himself, he hesitated.

He hesitated.

He could have died. His dad could have just killed him if he'd said the wrong thing. He almost got himself killed. He's very lucky to be alive right now.

He doesn't know how much longer his luck will hold out for.

It can't be forever.

[major-knighton]

HALLOW-LEE-N movie review Oct 29th : The Skull (1965)

Alright, let's get back in the saddle. This one was kinda relevant to some interests of mine, notably the 18th century. It was also more special effects heavy than most films watched here, but I liked that. It reminded me of the original Star Trek series in its kitschy enterprising.

The intro shows us a guy digging up someone to steal their skull, unfortunately the guy dies a horrible and mysterious death in a cloud of mist while cleaning the skull. Later, the guy's lawyer stabs a woman under the influence of... ✨THE SKULL✨

Jump to present day. During an auction presided by our thrice-returning Michael Gough, our man Maitland (Peter Cushing) and his friend Phillips (Lee) compete for a set of devil statues. Phillips wins, but he can't explain why he wants the statues so badly he's willing to pay much more than they're worth.

At home, Maitland buys a book from his usual contact, Marco. Today Marco brings him a book about the Marquis de Sade, overall terrible human being and shitstain of a century that counted many a terrible people. This book is also bound in human skin, so that's cool.

The next day, Marco comes back with a skull, claiming it's the Marquis's skull and also it's cursed by the same evil spirit that possessed de Sade. Personally I think demons have nothing to do with it and Sade was just a rancid noble who simply was never told it no enough. Anyway.

Maitland isn't sure about buying the skull, because he can't tell if it's genuine. He confides in his buddy Phillips over a game of billiard.

Phillips confirms the skull is real, because it used to belong to him and was stolen. He doesn't want it back though, he says the skill is evil and kept calling to him and even made him buy the devil statues. Maitland decides this is all a bunch of rubbish.

That night, Maitland dreams he's been kidnapped and forced to play Russian roulette. He wakes up in Marco's apartment, and goes him. This does not deter him in the slightest, and he goes back in the morning to buy the skull.

He founds Marco very dead, and makes sure to hide the skull before he calls the cops. The next day, Maitland comes back for the skull. Upon being confronted by the caretaker, he simply pushes him down the stairs to kill him.

At home, Maitland puts the skull up in a glass display case and is happy with himself. Not for long.

The skull compels him to break into Phillips' house to steal the devil statues. Phillips finds him in flagrante delicto, and tells him to just get rid of the damn thing, to which Maitland responds by violently bonking him on the head with the statue.

When Maitland puts the devil statue on his little table, the skull zooms out of its case and comes to rest on the table with the human skin book. Oh yeah, that skull is straight up floating around now.

The skull tries to get Maitland to stab his own wife, but she's wearing a crucifix and therefore he can't. The mirrors in the house are cracking, the paintings are swinging, it's a demon party in there. Maitland ends up locked in his own bedroom, howling for help, while the skull floats towards him until it bites him in the neck strong enough to kill him.

I enjoyed the cinematography of this film, especially the shots from behind the skull's eyesockets. That was creative.

Due to being a direct descendant of the same French peasant girls that the Marquis made his regular victims though, I spent most of the movie less frightened of the sentient skull and more wishing I could trample it under my feet. Ah well.

A creative, visually fun movie even if it verses a bit into cliché. 7/10.

[bytheangell]

Being Human

(Read on AO3, for @malecdiscordserver By The Angel Bingo prompt: haunted house)

“Come on, it’s going to be fun!” Simon insists, tugging Raphael along by the sleeve of his black knit sweater. “How can I believe you when you won’t tell me where we’re going?” Raphael demands, eyebrows raised.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise!” Simon points out.

“Yes, but I don’t mind that. In fact, I would much prefer knowing where you’re dragging me on Hallow-” Raphael begins, but stops when they round a corner and reach the end of a decent-sized line that’s leading up to a house down the block. There are flashing lights and smoke machines set up outside, giving it a much more eerie appearance than any building in the center of Brooklyn has the right to be. Every so often the sounds of screams can be heard echoing out from the house, though no one seems concerned by it.

“No,” Raphael says, shaking his head.

“You don’t even know-” “I know what a haunted house looks like, Simon. And I know they’re absurd.” “Raphael, please. Humor me. This is your first halloween as a-” Simon pauses, lowering his voice what can barely be considered a whisper. “-human.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” Raphael confirms.

“So let me show you how humans celebrate it!”

“I was human before, you know,” Raphael points out.

“Yeah, but that was ages ago,” Simon says, then winces at the pointed look from Raphael. “Sorry. Not that, you know, I’m trying to say you’re old or anything, just-”

“I know, Si,” Raphael cuts off Simon’s rambling. He considers the house in front of him, the eager expressions on the people in line, and the hopeful expression on Simon’s face before relenting with a sigh. “Alright, fine.”

Simon, after all, is Raphael’s biggest weakness at this point. Ever since Raphael became mortal again, Simon’s been on a mission to give Raphael the ‘full human experience’ of everything he’d missed out on in daytime activities, food, and normal traditions that, as a vampire, Raphael either ignored or actively condemned.

When you’re a literal Child of the Night, there isn’t time for haunted houses and trick-or-treating - not when you have a clan of vampires looking for any excuse to try and get away with a little mischief the second you let your guard down. He’s been in charge of others for so long that it’s difficult for him to come to terms with simply living his own life for himself now.

Especially when the time he has left to live feels so horribly limited.

They reach the front of the line and Simon pays the fee for the two of them to go in. It’s mostly what Raphael expected - loud noises and dark rooms with flashes of light timed just right to give glimpses of disturbing props or people in costumes jumping out at you, almost touching but never quite. It’s… better than he expected, if he’s being honest. This is different from the movies, an immersive sense of being on edge that’s quite impressive the longer he’s exposed to it.

Simon clings to Raphael’s arm more than once, pressing close against him and hiding his face at a scare or two, and that’s quite nice, too. It feels good to still be the stoic one, even now. It’s nice to know that even with such a fundamental shift of being human again, Raphael is still, at his core, the same person.

So he reaches out and takes Simon’s hand as they go from room to room, and places himself protectively between Simon and the more predictable scares, and tries to play it cool when he jumps along with Simon once or twice.

“I knew you’d like it!” Simon proudly declares after the first of several physical reactions from Raphael. Raphael’s instinct is to deny it and point out that an instinctive physical reaction that anyone would have means nothing, but he bites down on the words and gives Simon a fond smile instead.

“It’s better than I thought it’d be,” Raphael says, but it’s all he manages before a man with a (hopefully fake) chainsaw comes at him, cutting his words short as Raphael tenses and steps backward, pulling Simon along with him as they flee the room for the next area.

It isn’t until they’re back out into the fresh nighttime air that Raphael has a real chance to say anything about the experience.

“Well,” Raphael says. “You were right.”

“I don’t get to hear that often” Simon says, half-joking. “I’m glad,” he adds more sincerely.

“Me too,” Raphael admits. “You know, I wasn’t sure that retaining humanity was the right decision at first. I’ve known life as a vampire longer than I knew life as a human, even if I was relatively young as far as immortals go. I wasn’t sure I’d know how to go back.”

Simon considers this for a minute, lacing his fingers through Raphael’s as they start to walk back towards the apartment they share. “I don’t think it’s about going back. I think it’s about figuring out how to move forward, just like anyone else.”

“You’re surprisingly insightful when you want to be, you know,” Raphael points out.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Simon says, putting on his ‘fake serious’ face, lips pursing and brows furrowing. “It’ll ruin my comedic side-kick persona.”

“Your secret’s safe with me,” Raphael promises. “Thanks for tonight.” “Does this mean you won’t fight me so much the next time I have a great idea?” Simon asks hopefully.

“Unlikely,” Raphael admits honestly. “But don’t let it stop you from trying.”

“Never,” Simon promises. “Now, let’s see if we can catch the gang at the Hunter’s Moon before they close!”

Raphael doesn’t argue this time, allowing himself to be dragged down the street at a half-run, embracing Simon’s contagious enthusiasm for the night.

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Going To A Haunted House With Obi

Obi Akitaru X FemReader

Rating: T+

Warnings: Haunted house goodies galore filled with splatter filled dreams, suggestive themes

Word Count: 1.7k

(A/N:) Here it is folks my yearly Halloween Obi fic! This just became my own little tradition and I'm not gonna lie I look forward to it every year! I just adore this man! 💜 I can't lie either I enjoyed writing the haunted house part, because I am a sick and twisted person. I'm not sorry. I hope to get some more Halloween goodies posted throughout this month so keep your eyes peeled as I continue to work whenever I can. Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

Halloween was always you and Obi's special night. Date nights were always planned for October 31st and this year you both decided to miss out on the Fire Force's annual Halloween Party and have some much needed alone time. Things had been crazy around the 8th and it was beginning to finally slow when the fateful day finally came around. This year you both had written several different ideas down on strips of paper and placed them in Obi's helmet. You both were to pick one strip of paper apiece and those activities would be done on the date. Obi picked enjoying the downtown Halloween festival and your slip had you both a little nervous as it said 'visit a haunted house.' You both asked Shinra and the crew what house would be the best to visit and every single one of them picked the scariest one that existed in Tokyo. Now you both couldn't back down from the challenge as your crew would think you two cowards. You looked at Obi nervously but he just shrugged his shoulders.

Halloween came around quickly and with the team occupied with celebrating their night in their own fashion, you and Obi were free to enjoy yourselves. The day was chilly, a crisp breeze flowing through the streets. The giggles of children and parents keeping a close eye filled the busier neighborhoods. Obi took your hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm glad we don't have to go to that horrible party like we did last year," you spoke watching a group of children pass by with a struggling parent lagging behind. Obi chuckled squeezing your hand a little tighter. Being captain was a job he loved but it did have it's downsides.

"It wasn't that bad," he replied causing you to pout. "Okay it was bad."

"Keep doing that Obi and all you'll be getting on this hallowed night is tricks," you teased.

"Don't be stingy now," he purred.

You ducked from Obi's searching lips, escaping from his grip to trot down the sidewalk. Despite his large and muscular body, Obi was fast when he wanted to be. It didn't take long for him to catch up and catch you. Picking you up easily and pulling you into his chest, where all you could do was laugh.

Walking a little further you could smell the festival on the breeze. A mix of warm spiced apple cider, caramel apples, and popcorn tickling your nose. You glanced at Obi before giving his hand a squeeze and dragging him a little faster. Surrounded by various booths of food and games it was a Halloween wonderland that you never wanted to end. All the games that had to do with strength, Obi excelled in them. You felt a little bad for the people running the booth as they lost money to the large Fire Force captain. But once that cute fuzzy prize was placed in your arms, you didn't feel all that bad anymore. Before Obi could continue to clean out all the booths from their prizes, you both were ready for some food from the different stalls. Splitting up Obi wanted to grab the food while you went to a different booth for drinks. You were done first so it was up to you to find a table. You were getting nervous as it seemed like everywhere was took up, until a couple just finished up and left a table close to the entrance. You snagged it quickly, setting the drinks and your prizes down.

Obi found you a little later with a feast in tow. How he carried it all on his own was amazing and the food tasted wonderful. With empty food cartons and cups, the sun began to set. The temperature dropped lower causing you to shiver a little at a nippy breeze.

"Ready to go to the haunted house," Obi asked gathering up the trash.

"No," you answered honestly.

"Me either," he laughed. "But it was in the hat and I'm sure you were the one who wrote it down."

"I couldn't think of anything!"

"Don't worry," he whispered in your ear, "I'll protect you."

The haunted house was about a five minute walk from the festival and you both found that the line inside was even closer due to the amount of people waiting. The haunted house didn't open until later that day and unfortunately you both hadn't planned on a big line starting early. Now you got to stand in line and dread going in more as the echoes of screams pierced the night. Obi squeezed your hand as you flinched at every high pitched blood curdling scream. Despite being in line for almost half and hour it felt like a blink and you both were at the entrance. The outside workers with lights in hand waved you both through and shut the door with a loud boom behind you.

The darkness swallowed you both whole and you could feel Obi shivering. So much for protecting you from the ghouls in the house. You both faced Infernals on a daily basis but a haunted house was already proving to be too much and you both just entered. Taking a deep breath Obi stepped forward first keeping a tight grip on your hand, leading you into the eerily lit dark. The first room you entered was splattered with fake blood and severed limbs on chains dangling from the ceiling. Somebody was strapped to the table in a bloody gown, screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Help me! He's going to kill me help me!"

You jumped squeezing tighter to Obi when a large man leapt out from behind a curtain, chainsaw in hand running towards you and Obi. A scream left your throat and you raced from the room dragging Obi with you. Leaving the chainsaw maniac behind, a hallway was between this room and the next. Dolls sitting on the shelves and the only lights were directed on them. Some dolls' hands were waving, some of their heads were spinning. Majority of them were missing eyes, limbs, and only tufts of hair were left on their heads.

"Come play with us," the dolls giggled.

"Come," their voices were growing lower.

"Play," lower.

"With us," they finished in a voice that sounded like it belonged to a creature from the Underworld. It was that moment a ghoulish looking woman raced from behind a secret wall, screaming as blood drained from her empty sockets. You clung to Obi who also held onto you as you both screamed.

Escaping the hallway you made it into the next room. Jail cells surrounded the walls, rusty and dank. You could swear you could smell something cooking. A warden circled around the room, bloody keys jingling on his duty belt while the judge stood beside an electric chair. Zombie prisoners reached between the decrypted bars trying to grab a hold of you and Obi. One snagged the hem of your shirt and tugged roughly, pulling you down on the floor where rotten teeth reached for your neck. You screamed trying to tug yourself from the creature's grip. Obi was at your side yanking you up from the floor as the judge pulled the lever on the electric chair. The inmate screaming as sparks flew. That was the last straw as you both booked it from the room.

"This is not fun," you panted.

"I know when it's coming but it doesn't make it any less terrifying," Obi agreed keeping a better grip on you.

You both were only halfway through the house and there was several more areas to go through. You and Obi screamed and ran your way through a butcher shop, a devilish pet shop full of evil creatures for adoption, and a haunted abandoned school room, before the last obstacle loomed before you both. The Graveyard. There was the glorious glow of the exit light across the graveyard. Looking up at your brave and handsome captain, you both took the first step forward. That triggered the zombie apocalypse. The undead stepped from their foggy places, groaning and screaming at the sight of prey. A few were still stuck in their graves, reaching for your ankles as you stumbled by. Obi kept you upright, his chest heaving at the exertion and complete terror taking over his body. The movies always made zombies look slow, these were everything but. Rotten teeth glistening in the haunted sickly moonlight. It was beginning to feel like an eternity to that precious glow at the end, like a light at the end of a demented tunnel. You stumbled again and Obi took matters into his own hands. In one smooth motion you were lifted up again and pulled into the air. You had a moment of weightlessness until you landed in Obi's arms. He held you tightly gripping you to his well toned chest as his legs churned faster. He had kept his speed slower so you could keep up better, until he no longer had to worry about you tripping and falling. In seconds you both crossed the finished line. The zombies departed going back to their start positions to wait for the next victims through the door.

Though he carried you through the ending you both were panting hard. You looked up at Obi before starting to laugh. Despite still trying to catch his breath he began to laugh too.

"We survived," you joked.

Obi nodded pulling you in for a deep kiss.

Back at the station your friends were waiting for your return. They hounded you both with questions before Obi held out tickets for each one of them. After the torture they had caused making you go to the scariest thing in Tokyo, there was no way they were going to get away with it. Giving them the tickets and shoving them out the fire station door, Obi led you to your shared bedroom. He closed the door firmly turning the lock as his gaze darkened.

"Am I still getting nothing but tricks this evening," he purred nipping at your neck.

"Well you are my hero of the evening," you hummed, threading your fingers through his hair. "And you carrying me through that graveyard was pretty hot. I think you earned yourself a treat."

Obi chuckled, "Happy Halloween."

"Happy Halloween," you replied pulling him down for a sweet kiss.

[yummygender]

Beyond The Timelines

A fix-it Loki series fan fic because WHAT THE FUCK MARVEL?!!

(Warnings: Magical Self-Harm, Sad Loki, Sylvie being an abusive bitch, and Gay se-I mean Lokius)

This starts after the events of the finale because I can.

Loki sat on the throne, alone in the tree of timelines he created. He had a throne…but he never wanted the throne…

‘I ONLY WANTED TO BE YOUR EQUAL!!’

The memories flashed in his head, horrible, horrible memories.

‘We will make you long for something as sweet as pain…’

Loki let his head fall into his knees as he curled into a ball on the throne, sobbing and shaking as his crown fell.

“Mobius…”

His face was red at this point as he wailed like a baby. He didn’t care how he looked. No one was around…he was all alone.

‘…you deserve to be alone and you always will be.’

“MOBIUUSSSSS!!!!”

He snapped as he wailed and screamed, the floor beneath him shaking as his outburst made his magic go haywire and crack the floor below him. The tears continued to fall as he eventually calmed down, only to summon a dagger and repeatedly stab his own arms. Tearing the green fabric as blood began to spill. Loki sobbed and cried out for Mobius as he began to regret everything.

“I WANNA GO BACK!! I WANNA GO HOME!! I WANT MY FRIENDS!!! I WANT MOBIUS!!! MOBIUS!!!!”

His screams and shouts echoed through the hallowed insides of the tree.

“…I want my Mother…”

He sat down on the ground in the fetal position as he sobbed.

‘Am I not your mother?’

“Yes…you’re my only mother…”

Silence echoed through the tree as the timelines continued to glow. It was awful…Loki felt awful. He sat there for what felt like an eternity, occasionally cutting and burning himself as he wiped away his tears. The more he sat there, the worst the memories got. Some were of Sylvie.

‘Love is Hate.’

Memories continued to flood, most of Sylvie being rotten and borderline abusive. Sylvie fighting him, hitting him, spewing insults, and even going as far as to pull his ear and drag him away like he was a child.

“She never loved me…she hated me.”

Loki had never really liked Sylvie, he hated her…but Mobius on the other hand? Oh, how he loved him. His smile, his shimmering eyes, the man was a saint. Loki adored Mobius…he wants him…he needs him. Loki conjured up his favorite memory of his…Mobius and Loki sitting in the little pie room together as they talked.

He continued to think about what happened. How Classic Loki died, how the minute men took him in and all in all…how this started. That elevator…that dreaded elevator. Standing next to Mobius. Loki was always with Mobius…even near the end.

“Mobius…I miss you…”

It was always those two together. Nothing felt better then when he was with Mobius. It felt horrible. He was alone…and he needed Mobius. He wanted Mobius…he craved Mobius. In his head it was nothing but Mobius.

Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius.

Constantly in his head. It drove him crazy as he gripped onto his hair.

Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius, Mobius. Mobius.

Loki began to sob loudly. It hurt. It hurt so badly.

Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius. Mobius.

“STOOOOPPP!!!!”

He continued to sob loudly. He was broken…completely broken.

“Mobius…”

“Hey buddy…”