#Twig I am so so so sorry I sat on this for so long

[blastoqueen]

Sunrise.

Chapter 6

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Noa x Mae (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)

Content warnings: None

Comments: English is not my first language. This is my last chapter before going back to Med School :(

“How are Noa… and you?” Anaya asked, a little scared to make the female angry or uncomfortable, he knew it was a sensible topic and that the more-than-just-a-friendship thing between them was long time dead.

“Fine” Soona said “He is my friend… like you”

The curiosity was killing Anaya, so he pushed the limits a little bit.

“I know you… were… too close” the male avoided eye contact.

His friend just stood there, not making any movements or showing any emotions.

“Can I be… honest with you, Anaya?”

“Yes! Of course”

Soona inhaled.

“I hoped Noa would see me as… something more… than just his friend” even though her words were sad, her face only showed serenity “He took me… to see the world… once we were… free from Proximus. However… I knew he didn’t… love me that much”

“Oh no, no, no, no, Soona” the male said, he reached to his friend and hugged her tight “He loves you… very much. I do too”

The smaller ape laughed a little, hugging her friend back. When they let go, she continued.

“But you know… what I mean” Anaya looked at the floor, feeling sad for her “And then Mae came back… I didn’t… trust her. And when she… left again I begged… Noa to let her go. He didn’t, but I learned to… forgive. Mae is good and she… is my friend”

He wanted to tell her about the night Mae and Noa were out to see the lighting dancers, but he promised not to tell anyone, so he stayed silent. All he could do was take Soona’s hand in his and act like a true friend.

-----------

“Is this another secret spot you wanted to show me?” Mae said. She and the ape were doing a light climbing in a destroyed three-story building covered in leaves.

“No. I want to teach you how to be strong�� Noa said, grabbing a branch and pushing himself up.

“I am strong” Mae said, panting.

“When you came to the village you were a twig”

“Sorry for being held captive in a quarantine bunker”

“No excuses”

They were only halfway through when Mae stopped, hugging a big branch with both arms, closing her eyes and exhaling.

“Mae?” the male came closer to the human, hanging only from one arm and feet.

He put his other hand on top of Mae´s head, gently caressing her hair.

“What is wrong?”

“I just… need a minute”

“I´m bringing you to the village”

“No! No, I can. I just need to rest a little bit”

“Mae”

“I can do it”

The Echo reached another branch, but quickly slipped, Noa held her by the waist, while all her limbs hung loose.

The ape took her to the ground and Mae sat immediately.

“Sorry, but the sun and the height…”

“It's okey”

“Tomorrow we can try again”

“Sure”

Noa was a little devastated, he felt anger at himself. He wanted to pretend Mae was the same as him, or maybe that she could be like him, but they were so different in many aspects. He used to think maybe she was weak even among her own, but he had seen her killed Trevathan…

Maybe it was time to accept the reality. They were different.

Why was he trying to make them both seem equal?

“So that it wouldn’t be so weird to have these feelings”

“Let´s go to the village. And then you… can teach me how to read” Noa said.

Mae looked up and made a strange face, the ape was taken back at that.

“I… no”

No?

“Oh. I just thought… you could teach me some things from your… people” he felt shy, embarrassed, suddenly, his hands became awkward.

“I can´t teach you more things” Mae murmured “Sorry”

“Is that… forbidden?”

“For me, yeah, it is”

“For you?” Noa sat besides her “Is someone forbidding you?”

“No, Noa. I am forbidding myself… from teaching you”

He was getting more confused every time, maybe the girl was really tired…

Right when he was about to offer they return to the village, the Echo spoke.

“I can´t teach the apes. It´s dangerous”

“What?”

Mae refused to look him in the eyes.

“I can not believe you” Noa sighed, he got up and stared at the human “Dangerous? Why would it be dangerous?”

“It is, Noa!” Mae said exasperated, she stood up and almost fall back, Noa resisted the urge to catch her “You are already… evolving. Remember what Proximus said? Those weapons in the bunker would have help the apes to evolve and we don´t want that! Weapons and guns are not the only way your kind can evolve, Noa, knowledge can do that too”

“So you will not share it. Because you are scared that we become… better than you humans. Is that so, Mae?”

“Yes” her face showed security.

Noa walked towards the human and stood in front of her. They were almost the same heigh, both pair of eyes watching each other intensely.

“You are so fake” the ape chuckle “Every time I think you had change… you just prove me wrong. You pretend and lie and steal. Are all humans… like you, Mae? Or are you just a rotten apple among them?”

“Shut up! You stupid animal!” Mae yelled furious, pushing the ape with both hands, only moving him a little.

“How does it feel, Mae? Watching me… evolve”

“You will never know how it feels to be completely human” the human started to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks, anger in her eyes.

“I don’t want to be human” Noa said “And I don’t need you to help me... evolve. I fixed the electric spear… without help and without you, remember?”

“Your time is over, Noa. I delivered the key, got that? The book that could make humans speak again. It´s only a matter of time before the humans reunite and be strong again, it will be our planet again”

“The things with us, princess, is that we don’t claim the planet. We… live here, but it is not ours!”

“You wouldn’t understand”

“No? Am I too dumb, Mae?”

“You didn’t see the world with us in it”

“And you did? How old are you, Mae? Because… I am sure that you never saw the world… either”

“You are being too... cruel” Noa could see the pain in her eyes, the puffy face and red cheeks. The tiredness.

Did he cross the line?

“Let´s go to the village” Noa said, lowering his voice but keeping the cold tone in it.

“I´ll go by myself. I know were it is” Mae started to walk when the ape grabbed her arm. Why did he keep doing that?

“No. We are going together”

“After all that… what makes you think I want your company?”

“I don’t care if you want it or not. I am not… leaving you”

“Whatever” she said with disdain, pushing him away from her.

They started walking putting some distance between them. The ape could hear Mae´s sobs.

Were they going to be able to forgive each other for the words said today?

"Would I ever forgive myself for making her cry?"

[certifiedwhore4slashers]

Manipulative

pairing: coriolanus snow x f!reader, past oc x f!reader.

summary: he’s fallen way too deep, and he knows that.

a/n: i am in no way romanticizing nor defending his actions, he sucks as a person, this is for funsies, keep that in mind. remember he’s literally responsible for mass murders of children. also this idea is cliche ik ik. but, if you want more I will do more with original ideas.

reader has somewhat long hair, BUT no other descriptions of the reader. and I don’t usually do that. just for this post:)

warnings: yandere themes, toxicity, manipulative behavior(manipulation) obsession, possessiveness, no fluff, implied/referenced murder, slight blood, narcissistic tendencies, delusion, unhealed trauma, implied stalking, mild violence.

The meadow was where you’d often go. Ever since the games, it was a stress reliever, humming some songs or even just listening to the birds chirp.

After Coriolanus was sent to be a peacekeeper, You were sent home. District 12 was your home. You sat down on the cold rock. You were more of an creative artist than musician. Sometimes you wrote songs, and sometimes you wrote poems or just stories.

But you didn’t feel like doing anything today, just admiring the breeze in front of you. You were fairly zoned out when you hear a twig snap, and turn around.

You sigh of relief.”Sorry. Still have those instincts from the games.” You rushed over, not doing much. Still in disbelief he really was there.

You didn’t expect him to be here. But here he was. “It leaves quite the impression, He chuckled. It was a long embrace, and you say,”You found me. Quite surprised.”

“You figured I would, He teased. “Not this fast, and really it was hope, You tease right back, lips on his, it was passionate and sweet, ideal for a reunion.

“The sun’s hot, come in the shade, You offer. He had some ice, now melted and offered it.”Here. For you.” “Thank you, You reply.

You were very thirsty. The moment the water hit your tongue you were in heaven. “This must be the only cold thing in November, he joked.

You laugh in response.”So, Coriolanus Snow, What are you doing in the Meadow?” You were half joking. You never were fully serious. At least until it came to your feelings for him.

“Spending some time with my girl, He replies. The word My, a possessive tone, You notice. But brush it off.

“It’s unbelievable, You admit.”Truly. But I was surprised they brought me back. I swore It was all me.” “But it wasn’t, he points out. You look at him.”Clearly they didn’t believe me.”

His lips were on yours again, long and passionate. You two hadn’t seen each other since the games ended.

“Well, It was hard to believe for me too, He admits.”Tell me what happened after.” It was difficult to recall everything. The games were a nightmare. Especially the Arena. And Mayfair.

As the two of you share the water, You couldn’t help but wonder as he told stories, exchanging them, if something was wrong.

“Poor Jessup, You say sympathetically.”He didn’t deserve that. It was you, though, wasn’t it? The one who killed Bobbin?”

“I had to, Coriolanus replied.”He tried to kill me.” “I’m not saying what you did was wrong, but I suppose killing is for survival in the Arena, You reply. Snow only nodded.

“I heard the others brag, You say.”So I know. I thought the worst happened. You know, that you were dead.”

Heading back up beside him, You still couldn’t believe he was here. Whatever relationship you had, seemed to grow.

“What have you been up to? He asks, curiously.”It’s been a while.” “It has, you laugh.”And truly, not much. A few performances here and then. At the Hob, Maude Ivory’s an amazing singer like Lucy Gray.”

For a mere moment, You were in complete bliss. And that night was a normal evening for the Covey. Your parents were killed, well, your adoptive parents. They took you in, then Maude Ivory came along, your younger sister.

You became a part of the Covey. Until of course, their murders. But you had her, at least. “You want one? A peacekeeper asks, referring to liquor.”You might need it for your performance.”

“Sure, You grin, taking a swig, not making a reaction to the bitterness of it.”You’re right. I might need it.” Lucy Gray was a beautiful singer, but tonight, let you perform.

“Are you sure? I’m not the songbird, You tease. “I’m sure, and Maude Ivory wanted you to, She sweetly says. Your cousin was always the songbird.

“Besides, I think he’d like to hear you sing, Lucy Gray smirked. You knew who she was referring to. Truly the one who knew of your relationship, but by accident.

You wore a yellow dress, not too short but not too long either, and sunflowers in your hair. You wanted to have a good impression.

You tease her,”I think he’d like to hear you.” But you went up there, guitar in hand. A talent that you and Lucy Gray both had. It was the genes, you swore.

But you amazed the crowd as you sang. You were no Songbird. But you had some talent. And the whole time your eyes were on him.

It made him feel more special, in a way. Like the only person could make you feel this happy was him. Him. You were his, at least in his eyes.

But you did a wonderful performance. You mostly did instruments and stood in the background. You didn’t sing much.

Even though you were aware he was there, you went on, even with butterflies in your stomach. It was later that evening that things went downhill.

You said goodbye, even to Coriolanus, saying,”I shouldn’t be out so late anyway. But I promise, straight tomorrow. I’m sure you have peacekeeper things to do, anyway.”

He smiles.”It’s alright. You must be tired from that performance.” You laugh, then nod, quickly kissing him, then moving along.

You didn’t notice that he followed you. He was quite literally, obsessed. Especially after hearing your sweet voice. Since finding your home in the Seam, it wasn’t hard to follow you, and pretend he was there for something else.

Sometimes, he’d meet you there. Other times, didn’t even know he was there watching. He’d call it protectiveness. But it was really a sense of possessiveness over you.

That’s what it really was.

He heard your voice in your room, you sang to yourself. You sang a love song. That wasn’t hard to understand.

He had a sense of jealousy. It was clear the lyrics wasn’t about him. A past one, maybe. It wasn’t Billy Taupe. He had Lucy Gray. So who could you mentioned?

He was bloodthirsty. Or at least, had a taste for violence. He’d never say it or admit it. It was like he was a rebel. And he hated rebels.

But that didn’t stop him from feeling this way. As you danced and sang a little. Coriolanus defended his behavior, he was being protective of you. That nobody would hurt you.

He had fallen way too deep. And he was aware. You might feel the same about him, just as equally obsessed as he was. But that night, he wasn’t looking for trouble. Not much, anyway.

Someone stood beside him, admiring your singing. “Peacekeeper, huh? The male laughed. Coriolanus turns.”Yeah. Punishment. Not a choice.”

“She’s always been a singer, the male explained.”didn’t have much faith.” He wanted to know how the male knew that.

“How do you know? Coriolanus asked, curiously. “She wrote that song about me, the male bragged and seemed proud.”One of these days she’ll get back together with me.”

You never mentioned your ex lover much. Only that he hurt you, and that he was still infatuated. You were right about that.

“She isn’t interested, Coriolanus says, coldly. His fists clenched, along with his jaw, both from the rage he was feeling.

Maybe it was his narcissistic tendencies that were showing. A feeling of shame. A feeling that, he was superior than the male standing in front of him. He’d do so much better.

And with that, he swung. He could’ve shot him. But it was the easy way. And he didn’t deserve the easy way. His blood thirst took over a little, and like Bobbin, didn’t know how far his strength would go.

He stands back, his knuckles bleeding and blood on his uniform he’d have to explain later. Maybe it was a mistake coming to visit you. Your singing had stopped.

He pants. What had he done? Standing over the body, Coriolanus realized what he truly had done. And what could he do? He didn’t want a career as a peacekeeper; but his future would be damaged even further. He had to do something.

The Lake.

It brought him good memories. Swimming alongside you and the covey. But he’d have to hide the body somewhere.

It took a lot of his strength; but didn’t wear him out to drag him to the lake. It wouldn’t be too hard hiding evidence. His body would eventually disappear and Coriolanus doubted anybody cared about him. You didn’t anymore.

And he just watched. After the blood washed off, He walked away. He left the Seam. He'd come back. But You'd be aware of it.

Morning came, and peacekeepers came knocking at your door. The whole morning was a mess. When you did eventually meet up with Coriolanus, you decided on telling him about it.

“Did you know? She asked.”I’m assuming every peacekeeper knew. The guy I used to go out with was murdered. Found in the lake.”

“We were informed today, but I wasn’t the one who found it, He lies. He did not like lying, but he had to. He held a tight grip on you.

And he wasn’t letting you go.

[druidwolf21]

Space wolf Christmas

Traditions

Space wolf Ulryk / F reader

Just having a bit of short sweet fun with my boy

No content warning just fluff fluff fluff, a tiiiinny little bit of angst, a little bit of smoochin but it's all cute!

I was going to save this till xmas eve, but mobile Tumblr sucks so here it is now!!!

Tags: @beckyninja @lemon-russ @moodymisty @thisuserislilsilly @jaghatai-khock @cosmic-cryptid-from-beyond @astrohymn @kitty-chan33 @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan @echo-of-damnation @laura-naruto-fan1998 @yurihasurunbara

"what in the name of Russ are you doing?"

You spun on your heels, smiling as Ulryk stepped into his quarters, eyebrow cocked as he looked down at you amused.

"it's a tree" you hummed, rocking on your feet as you turned back to the fir, placing another small carving amongst its branches. "You know, normally bigger than this? Tends to grow outside?" You squeaked and laughed as his large hand swiped at you, dancing backwards from his grasp.

'i know that, Astín, I want to know what it's doing here" he huffed, flicking his braid back over his shoulder as he sat on his bunk and began twisting off his leather boots. "I am Vlka fenryka, not a bloody gardener" finally slipping both shoes off, he began to wrestle out of the thick layers of fur that encumbered him. You rolled your eyes and stepped over, helping tug the hide over his head and dropping it in a pile at his feet. Now sat in a grey sleeveless tunic and fur lined trousers, the Astartes turned his full attention back to you, glacial eyes glittering in the candle light.

You flushed under his gaze and returned to the small tree sat on the desk, placing a final carving amongst its fragile needles. "It's only for a few days in the season. The thralls have something small in their quarters, I thought you'd enjoy it too" you heard the groan of metal and soft footsteps as he stood, looming behind you as he watched you work. Heat crept up your neck as you felt him reach past your arm and his large finger tapping a small wooden wolf that snarled in the branches. "Did you- not do this? When you were younger, I mean?"

His finger paused against the carving, before flicking at the thin twigs and pulling back. "I don't know, I can't remember" you turned to look up at him, watching as his gaze softened slightly as he looked over the different baubles in the tree. Carved animals, snowflakes and little flagons, each balancing precariously in the evergreen boughs. "I think, on fenris, there was a tree in the Aett but-" he shook his head and dropped his hand to his side. "That was a long time ago"

You wrapped your arms around his waist, drawing his attention down to you with a soft squeeze. Ulryks brow creased in a frown as he saw tears pricking your eyes and he cocked his head in confusion.

"that's so sad" you whispered, butting your head gently against his stomach "you don't remember anything?" You felt him shift and strong warm hands gripped your shoulders, pulling you back as he knelt down. "Are you... upset?" You dug the heel of your palms into your eyes, wiping away tears before they fell "It's just sad, all of the serfs have memories they share about the holidays, but yours are all gone" you chuckled weakly as you tapped a finger against his head "probably replaced with thoughts of stomping around in your ruddy great boots making more mess for me to clean"

He continued to watch you, his bright blue gaze emotionless as you shuffled under the intensity before caving. The scar across his cheek warped his lip slightly as his jaw twitched. "Sorry, that was- obviously your duty is more important than- I just meant-" stuttering over your words until the wolf stopped you with a squeeze on your shoulders and a huff.

"kærr, we make new memories this year" he ran a calloused thumb across your cheek with surprising softness before coughing and rising to his feet. "If it's that important to you" you smiled at his gruff attempt at disinterest as he went back to fiddling with the tiny fir sapling. "What else do the thralls do? Besides drag fire hazards into their dormitories"

You squealed and span, running to a small box left at the foot of his bed. Tearing it open you produced a wreath of woven evergreens and ivy, red berries and silver beads interwoven in the vines. "We weave these at the start of winter, the wolf priests of fenris do it too! But theirs are much bigger" you hummed as you hung it on a nail embedded into the steel wall, stepping back to view it before nodding, satisfied. "They also set fire to theirs, we just hang ours"

Ulryk watched you potter about, nodding as you spoke, your blue grey tunic peppered with fallen pine needles as you set about hanging conifer boughs about his room. He breathed deeply, smelling fresh mint and forest sap mixing with your faint sweet perfume. He allowed it to envelop him, almost tasting the faint spice of nutmeg that mingled with the woody scent. The smell twisted in his mind, tangling into a deep memory that was just too far out of reach. He was wretched from his thoughts by a soft hand tapping his arm.

"this is a jul log" you chattered, holding up a thick branch to show him. He cast his eye along it's length, admiring the carved runes painted glittering silver embedded along its length. "It brings good luck, well, supposed to" you handed it to him, the oak suddenly looking small in his massive hand. Ulryk looked at the wood, twisting it slightly as the dim light of the fire reflected off the metallic inscription. "What do I do with it? Burn it?" You shrugged "Some people do, but I spent a while making this for you, so I'd rather you keep it" looking around, he settled on the mantle piece, resting the log above the wrought iron fire place.

He spun back and watched as you fished one last thing from the box. "Will you help me?" You raised your hand in the air, gesturing towards the top of his door. You blushed and giggled as he swept you up in one strong movement, his strong hands wrapping easily around your waist and lifting you to his shoulder. He closed his eyes as your small fingers tangling through his hair to balance as you leant over to hang the small bundle.

"what is this?" He queried, gently setting you down below the verdant leaves now hanging above you. You swept your hair behind your ear, the flash of a small bead glinting in your hair caught his attention for a moment before he noticed the red across your face deepening.

"well, it's just a silly thing, but you umm, well, when you meet someone under the mistletoe, you kiss"

Ulryk's face hardened and he took a knee, grasping your arms firmly "kiss? Have you stood with someone under this mistle toe?" You gasped at the sudden change, hurt and confusion slowly creeping to his face as he stared you down. "No Ulryk, I haven't" you soothed, trying not to laugh at the pout that had etched its way across his handsome face. "There's no mistletoe in the serf quarters, if that's what you're thinking" you wriggled yourself free and wrapped your arms around his neck, his breath hot on your face as you leant forward "I got this, just for you"

His hands found your hair and back as he pulled you to him, his dry lips finding your own in a soft kiss as he held you. The taste of smoke and mjord was like honey on your tongue as his warmth enveloped you. Your thin fingers tangled into his braid as you broke the kiss to press your forehead against his.

"kærasta, I like this holiday" he muttered, leaning in to chase your lips again. You lost yourself in the feel of his body against yours, his hand combing your hair as he held you close, feeling like you were melting into his touch. The world was quiet as his hardened exterior dissolved under your soft kisses, the crackle of the fire and soft whisper of a breeze through the sprigs of winter growth broke the silence as you finally pulled back, sucking air back into your lungs that you didn't know you needed.

'i like it too" you whispered, stroking a line along his jaw.

"but you better take it down when you go, I don't want to kiss grimnar should he come knocking, I doubt he tastes as sweet as you, sweetling"

[omgrachwrites]

The Night We Met (Chapter Two)

Pairing: Mattheo Riddle x Potter!Reader

Summary: Over the summer you connected with the boy who is quite literally your twin's mortal enemy. Things start to fall apart in the darkness of the autumn.

Warnings: fluff, swearing, angst, everyone lives au, takes place in 6th year, James being the best dad ever

A/N: I am so sorry this took so long to come out! But thank you all so much for the support for this fic, I love you all! xxx

Chapter Two

The guilt you felt in your stomach was so unbearable that you ended up leaving the pub early, making excuses to your friends and ignoring Harry’s suspicious looks. It wasn’t until much later in the evening that your dad knocked on your door and when you let him in he sat himself on the edge of your bed.

“Y/N, what’s wrong darling?”

You looked at James with tears in your eyes, “dad,” you sniffled, “Mattheo is hurt and it’s all my fault.”

James sighed as he wrapped his arms around you, “it’s not your fault sweetheart. I know that he was here last night, you know, he could have stayed.”

You shook your head as tears fell down your cheeks, “I didn’t want to put him or anyone in any danger, I need to see if he’s okay.”

“I’ll take you.”

You scoffed at your dad’s words and took one look at his face and you realised that he was being deadly serious, he wasn’t joking, “are you insane?! What if he’s there?”

James shrugged, like the notion of his enemy wanting to kill him didn’t phase him at all, “then we’ll be careful, but I am not letting you go alone, not there.”

You let out a watery laugh as you swiped your hand over your eyes, “I love you, dad.”

“I love you too sweetie.”

You were driving through the lower part of the village when James spoke up, “wait, isn’t that him?”

Your eyes followed where your dad was pointing and you felt a jolt, your heart dropped and it wasn’t at the sight of Mattheo’s beautiful broken face, it was the sight of Pansy Parkinson’s hands all over him. You saw her smile as her fingers threaded through his hair and your heart was at the bottom of your stomach when you watched him smile back.

James made to get out of the car but you stopped him with a hand on his wrist, “dad, please don’t.”

James sighed as he glanced back at your face and pressed a kiss against your forehead, “should we just get some ice cream and go home?”

You shook your head, “I’d rather just go home actually, I’m sorry that I made you drive all the way out here for nothing, dad.”

James shook his head, “you didn’t make me do anything, sweetheart. I was happy to do it,” he glanced at Mattheo once more before biting his lip ad starting up the car again, “you know that he’s not good enough for you right?”

You smiled at your dad as he pulled the car away and you took one last look at Mattheo from the window.

When you were upset, James wanted to spend as much time with you as possible but you really just wanted to be alone. It took some convincing but James finally allowed you to take a walk by yourself to clear your head. You knew why he was so protective but it irritated you sometimes, of course you would never tell him that.

You blinked tears out of your eyes as you stared at the little stream that rushed through the clearing in the woods. A twig snapping made you jump and you instinctively clutched at your wand and drew it, ready to defend yourself if it came to that. You relaxed when he came into view, running a hand through his hair.

“Y/N,” Mattheo sighed as he came to sit next to you on the cool grass, “what are you doing here? It’s so late.”

You looked up at the brown eyes that regarded you with so much warmth, he certainly didn’t have his father’s eyes, that was for sure. They were so different to the cold eyes that beheld you at the start of summer.

“I’m so sorry,” you finally whispered, allowing your tears to fall.

Mattheo sighed as he wrapped an arm around your shoulders and kissed the top of your head, you could smell cigarette smoke as you clutched at his shirt, “maybe it’s for the best, Y/N.”

You sniffled and pulled back to look at his handsome face, “what do you mean?”

Mattheo scoffed as he took his arm from your shoulders and turned away from you, “don’t play coy with me, it’s insulting. I know whatever is going on between us has an expiry date. I mean it’s obvious, you and your brother are the golden children of Hogwarts, the heroes, there can never be a place for me and you to be truly together. We need to face the facts, Y/N we’re no good. You’re destined to have a great long life and I’m destined for the Dark Arts.”

It hurt you to hear him speak like this, so blatant and cruel, “it doesn’t have to be that way between us.”

“Y/N,” he wiped your tears away with his thumbs, “it was always supposed to be this way, it was fun and it provided us with a good distraction. This was doomed from the start, Y/N.”

Your resolve crumbled as you stared into his eyes and you realised there was no point in fighting for him if he wasn’t going to fight for you, “maybe we shouldn’t have even started this Theo,” you sniffled and pulled away from him.

“Let me walk you back?” he offered.

“No,” you whispered, “no, I actually just want to be left alone.”

As soon as you walked through the front door, James was waiting for you, “it’s over,” you wiped your eyes with the back of your hand, “I’m sorry for putting everyone in danger.”

James shook his head and pulled you into a hug, “you’ve got nothing to apologise for, I just want you to be happy.”

You forced a smile at your dad and kissed his cheek, “night, dad.”

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

The last few days of summer went by in a blur and soon you were saying goodbye to your parents as you left for school. You knew that Harry was nervous about going back to Hogwarts after what had happened at the Ministry. You knew he would get through it though, he always did.

“Are you going to be trying out for the Quidditch team this year, Y/N?” Hermione grinned as she looked up at you from the book that she was reading.

You laughed and mockingly glanced over at your brother who was in deep conversation with Ron, “as long as my brother does the right thing and puts me on the team,” you laughed before shaking your head “I would never expect him to just put me on the team, I’m not too sure this year, I was thinking about trying out but maybe I’ll leave it,” you shrugged.

Hermione nodded with a smile before she regarded you with warm brown eyes, “have you been okay? It’s just recently, you’ve seemed a little sad and distracted.”

You bit your lip, Hermione was your best friend but you just couldn’t bring yourself to tell her the full story, not yet anyway, you shrugged and gave her the cliff notes version, “I was seeing someone and it didn’t work out, we were just too different I guess.”

Hermione nodded and didn’t press further, instead she looked over at Harry who was beginning to rise from his seat, “Harry? Where are you going?”

“Um,” he mumbled as he looked at you with wide eyes and you had to hold a laugh in, it looked like he hadn’t bet on getting caught, “I’ve just got to check something,” he quickly stuffed something into his pocket and you narrowed your eyes. He left the compartment before anyone could question him further.

“What’s going on?” you asked Ron, “what is he hiding?”

Ron frowned as he looked over at you, “it’s nothing, you know that he’d never keep anything important from you.”

Did you know that? It seemed as though you weren’t the only one keeping secrets over the summer. By the time the train was pulling into Hogsmeade Station, Harry still wasn’t back and your friends had somehow convinced you to meet up with him back at the castle.

As you were walking up to the carriages that pulled themselves, you heard a voice call out to you, “oi, Potter! Where’s your loony brother?”

You whirled around and found yourself face to face with Mattheo, there was a sly sneer on his face and his eyes were hard and cold, “fuck you, Riddle.” He was going to play this game? Fine. “What the fuck is your problem?” you snarled beneath your breath so the others wouldn’t hear you.

“I- “his eyes darkened and his face hardened. He shook his head and stormed past you, knocking his shoulder against yours as he did so.

“Merlin, he’s a creep,” Ron muttered as he and Hermione caught up with you, “are you okay?”

You smiled up at the tall boy, “yeah Ron, I’m fine. Thank you.” What the hell did you even see in Mattheo?

The sorting ceremony was over and you were enjoying the glorious feast when the doors flew open. Snape stormed in, his cloak billowing behind him, Harry came in after him and your heart jolted as Hermione gasped and Ron muttered something beneath his breath. Your twin’s face was swollen and bloody, you had an idea who had done this to him. You glanced over your shoulder to glare over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy had a sneer on his face as his eyes followed Harry and Mattheo grinned as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice.

“What happened to your face?” Hermione whispered.

Harry shook his head, aware of all the nosy students staring at him, “not now, later,” he tried to smile, presumably trying not to split his lip open again before he looked at you, “does my face look normal?”

“Hmm,” you squinted at him and tilted your head, “yeah, apart from your massive nose.”

Harry laughed before wincing in pain, “you’re a prick, Y/N.”

You laughed as you drained the rest of your pumpkin juice, you couldn’t wait to get to bed so you were very thankful when Dumbledore dismissed everyone. You couldn’t help but notice Pansy walk off with Malfoy, not even giving Mattheo a backwards glance.

“Scared her off already have you?” you remarked, sidling up to Mattheo.

He frowned at you as he walked up the stairs, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” he hissed shaking his head, “I didn’t have anything to do with what happened to your brother by the way,” he nodded as Harry walked past with his eyes fixed on the marauders map.

You sighed as you folded your arms, glancing up at Mattheo’s fading bruises, “I’m sorry that he hurt you, I didn’t think he actually would.”

Mattheo scoffed, “you knew what would happen, you just didn’t care.”

“Of course I cared.”

Mattheo shook his head, “I honestly can’t be arsed talking about this let’s just treat each other like we usually would, like this summer never happened.”

“What, like we hate each other?”

“No,” he replied, “like we don’t even know each other. Because we don’t, not really, you were just some pretty girl that I enjoyed kissing over the summer, that’s all.”

Your mouth opened but no sound came out as you watched him walk in the direction of the dungeons.

“What was that about?” Hermione asked, making you jump and look at her guiltily.

“Oh you know, just same old shit,” you laughed and Hermione nodded but she didn’t look terribly convinced. You would have to be careful or you would be giving yourself away.

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

Taglist; @primscat @thelifeofsecretpenguins @ehwhatever26 @siriuslycaptainofthedawntreader @nevillescomslut @hannahnikohl @5-seconds-of-animals @sanjanapm @abbiesxox @kaverichauhan @cat-loves-music @elijahslover @torresbarnes @ikyourwonderingwhyinameditthis @scream4melove @

[mrsmiagreer]

Favorite Redacted quotes but the list gets longer everytime I find a new one

“And the energizer bunny…Takes a tumble” -Milo

“Is this why you put up with my memes and shit? Because i gotta big dick and a great ass??” - Guy

“WHAT ECHO?!” — ALL OF REDACTED aka echo

“Do you love me?” — Imp!Damien

“Keep his name out of your FUCKING mouth” -Sam

“Laying in comfortable silence, hands roaming lazily betwixt our supine bodies, tracing gentle patterns across supple skin…Yes that was all about my eyes😂” — Guy

“This isn’t like a dog or something. Like normal wolves are big. Shifter wolves are even bigger…and i’m on the bigger end of that too” -David

“Is David being a total groomzilla about your side? Oop— Heard that-” Asher

“But I bet I’d lay down for it” — Vincent

“Make it two” —Sam

“Great deal on a large sausage” —Guy

“Will you marry me, Angel?” —David

“….Isn’t that right??” “Heyyy no tickling!!” — Gavin and Caelum

“No not just yes…say the words…say the whole thing” —Vincent

“Ohh— You are getting close! Hi! Hi baby….I love youuu” —Guy

“We are NOT matching. I am wearing my work clothes, YOU’RE wearing contraband” — David

“someone please get the gentleman a door prize”— Blake

“I was thinking a little less nature documentary and little more battle bots you know like i want you to just fucking SNAP me like a twig😭” -Guy

“No! You can’t tell me I taste good >:(” — Lasko

“Who are you and what have you done with my lover??” — Guy

“I know baby I know” — Milo

“Staaapppp you’re being rude… Yes RUDE you heard me!” —Guy

“…..do it— hmmmMmMmMmm okay okay….That had a little less finesse than i’m used to” —Milo

“You know what wordplay reminds me of? Tounge twisters!! And you know what tongue twisters remind me of? Tongue kissing!! Let’s explore that topic shall we?” —Guy

“The goal is healin me, you can’t be hittin me at the same time” —Milo

“Show me that wagon ya draggin sexy uehh” -Guy

“Who’s that bitch we hate?” — Asher

“Any hole is a goal” — Guy

“Just move your ass…..hmm i didn’t mean to move it quite like that but you’ll get no complaints outta me” —David

“My mouth is good for a lot more than just…talkin” —Milo

“It’s our bedroom….It’s our bed” —Geordi

“Hey Baaaaabyy” —Ollie

“I’ve sat with these feelings long enough to know how to manage them I promise” —Blake

“Call me that one more time and you won’t be able to walk tomorrow” —David

“I cant be another mistake…because it’ll break me” —Blake

“I’m sure seeing him is like….like those healing classes. A nice diversion😊” —President Moore

“Milo…play nice” — Imp!Asher

“You don’t have to order anyone to do it…Just take volunteers” — Imp!Milo

“I just set my fucking curtains on fire” -Damien

“Who taught you how to do healing magic?? A construction worker with a jackhammer?!” —Milo

“You’re taking me so fucking good” —Milo

“I’m trying to get off of you…I don’t wanna crush you” —David

“Awe yeah i often walk into work with shotgun shells in my fucking brief case” —Milo

“I cant read your mind baby” — Vincent

“Welcome home my love. How was your day?” -Gavin

“Park it on me Sweetheart” — Milo

“That does not feel like searching for a key Lovely” —Vincent

“Do i need to set this stuff down or are you gonna behave?” —Vincent

“Yeah, no thinking about work today. Or we’ll come over there and kick your ass” —Milo

“Hey…sorry i’m late” —Blake

“Do I look like i care??” —Blake

“I’m a grown ass man” —Milo

“I DON’T whimper…” —Damien

“You know what we do to…Bad Boyss around here—💀💀💀” —Guy

“Did I really just get drive by kink shamed??!” —Asher

“Awweee poor baby” —Asher

“Keep it in your pants you two. I already mopped this morning😒” —David

“…boop” —Sam

“I don’t want this for you baby” —Milo

“Boot Licker” —Milo

“I’ll always find you” —Avior

“Wexler, Greer is causing problems at the west entrance” — That One Guard😭

“That wasn’t rhetorical. Answer me” —Imp!Damien

“I love you more than human words can convey” —Gavin

“Yes baby” —Gavin

“Ruth Holland are you here? Hello? Hello?” —Milo

“Fuck, bounce on my fucking dick” — Guy

“Moan. They moaned. You moaned.” — Geordi

“Pfftttt hahaha- Okay— WuHwuhWwaA—” — Guy

“This isn’t happening!!” — Ivan

“I don’t like you, and I’m not going to” — Alexis

“Hold still i’ll grab you one of mine” — Milo

“Bad. Worse. Better.” — Vincent

“Go kick that ass….champ? Oh God-” — Lasko

“No can do baby” -Huxley

“I’m just fucking with you” — Sam Collins

“I needa stop saying fuck. Fuck. Sorry. And i needa stop saying sorry. fuck. sorry. FUCK i mean FUCK so— oh fuck😭 Oh my god i am such an idiot” — Lasko

“I wanna touch” — Stranger/Caller/John..?

“Fuck! Fuck me—” — Lasko Moore

“Can I cum on you?” — Milo Greer

“I am not gonna have ants runnin round my house cause of you😭” — Sam Collins

“It is not funny, you FUCK” — Milo Greer

“I’ll spank your ass brat. Not like it’d be the first time. Or the last.” — Milo Greer

“You’ll be safe” — Blake

“Well of course it’s gaudy. I made it” — Gavin

“Shit Darlin. You really weren’t gonna say anything about this?” — Sam Collins

“It’s all good” — Huxley

“I hate to make a guy lose his fuckin’ noodles” — Milo Greer

“Where do you want these fangs baby?” — Sam Collins

“Do you have any idea just how much energy is coming off of you right now?” — Fool!Gavin

“Sorry” —Fool!James

“I gotta go faster before i start…fucking…crying or something😭” — Asher

“Moan for me baby” — Milo Rebane

“I’m still so hard omg…I think I can cum again” —Asher

“Because we’re going on a hike, baby” — Damien

“You want my body, you want my cooperation, then you let me have this. you let me have them” — Blake

“Blink twice if you need help buddy” — Asher Talbot

(I will be updating this list when i find/remember new ones😊)

[jojomiwbvb6]

Hedonist - Part 1

Author's Note: Part 1 in maybe a 3 part series? Original writing, some fluffiness.

Warnings: references to smut, marijuana usage

“Hello everybody,” our monotone college professor groans, setting his coffee thermos down on the desk and his bag falling from his shoulder, haphazardly to the floor. He turns to the class with a bored face. “I trust you all have read your fundamentals on the subject we will be going over today?”

Lots of droned voices echoed in the room, spacious but only full of 20 or less students in our 10 am class, full of ‘yes’s’ and ‘uh-huh’s’. 

“Alright, good. Because today you’ll be needing to know your P’s and Q’s for this subject,” he drawled. “We will be discussing how to compress and noise gate in your mixes using Logic Pro.”

Whoops and tones of unsureness echoed through the room.

“As an announcement before we begin, I would like to announce that we–” the Professor was cut off by a loud thud and a bang as the door swung open and smacked the concrete wall next to it. In the doorway you stood, as if in some scene of a soap family comedy, awkwardly perched and cringing at yourself as everyone stared at you.

Other students cringed, feeling second-hand embarrassment for you; while others just snickered and whispered to their friends that you were a dumbass. 

“I’m sorry I’m late,” you managed to say under your breath as you walked to a random seat in the third isle. You felt eyes on you from all directions as the class went silent, waiting for you to finally sit down so the class can begin. 

“And which one are you?” The professor asks, glaring at you, but trying to hide it. 

“Um, Y/N,” you croak. You hear a snicker or two from nearby, but you didn’t care enough to bother with them. 

“Okay…” He stares at a sheet of paper, dragging his pen back and forth as he read. “Ah. There you are. Y/N. Okay, people, attendance is all straight now. As I was saying, there are a few new faces among us this period.”

You looked around, noticing your previous classmates from classes before and new ones that you haven’t seen. It all depended on student’s schedules and the degree they were taking. As you looked, you noticed a couple new girls. One with tattoos and one who looked like she could be someone’s middle aged mother. There was a boy fresh out of high school, built like a twig. In the back corner of the room, two rows from you, your eyes landed on a man with long, brown, luscious hair, and tattoos of beautiful work that could go on for miles. He was looking down at his journal. When he looked up, he tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear and your breath caught hard in your throat when he looked forward, not noticing you. He was so…

“Y/N?” The teacher spoke to you, snapping you out of your gaze. 

“I’m sorry, what?” You squeaked, embarrassed that you had been gawking at the new kid, and you hoped that you weren’t staring that hard and that nobody noticed.

A tone of disapproval twinged in the professor’s voice.

“Y/N. I expect full attention spans this month,” He eyeballed you in your desk with a raised eyebrow. “And that goes for everyone. Now, Y/N, the question was…”

You answered the question correctly, and as time went on, you and the class took notes. Once finished with the lecture and notes, you were all dismissed for a break.

You wandered out to the hallway and decided to get a Coke from the vending machine. You thought about that mysterious, beautiful man sitting so close to you in class. Who was he? Why was he so fine? 

Grabbing your drink from the bottom of the machine, your mind is blank as you walk back to the classroom. Your professor is working on his laptop at his desk, not minding you at all when you walk past back towards your seat. You look up, butterflies awakening in your stomach as you try to sneak a peek at that new guy to see if he’s in his seat. He isn’t, and you slightly slunk to your desk in disappointment and sat down, opening your coke and sipping it. 

Break is almost up and students start to come back in. They come in groups in intervals, but after a second of silence, just one comes back in. It’s him, the new guy. He looks at his feet as he comes in, holding a tea in his hand. As he walks down his aisle, he looks up, glancing around habitually. His eyes land on you and you hold your breath without realizing it. Other students are coming back into the room and the professor sits up, getting ready to start up class again.

The new guy just blinks, but locks eyes with you for a second or two before sitting down and you look away so you don’t look too long. 

The professor clears his throat, standing from his desk. 

“Alright,” he announces, letting everyone get situated into their desks and their journals ready. “You all know what materials you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance, and you may begin your projects whenever you’re ready.”

You looked over at the new kid again, and to your surprise, he was already looking at you. His eyes fluttered to the front of the room quickly. Your breath shuddered. Wow, he is… nice looking.

The professor finished his instructions, letting us sit in our respective seats and work. 

You felt your face burn as if you were being watched. You fought back a little blush, knowing that you were being looked at just as you had been looking. You smirked to yourself in your desk at the thought.

You heard rustling, and out of the corner of your eye, you saw him stand and walk to the professor. You couldn’t understand what was being said, but you could tell he had a tenor voice. It was like hearing the devil speak, tempting you to eat his fruit from the tree. You saw him nod as if his question was answered to his satisfaction.

He walked back towards the desk, and you reverted your eyes back to your MacBook to avoid any evidence that you were watching. You then guilitly stole a glance up at him as he sat back down, but he already caught you. He glanced deeply at you for a second as he was sitting back down. He looked away as you did.

An hour more into the class, stealing glances to find one of you already looking happened more than it should have. You smiled at him politely a few times so it didn’t look like you were a weirdo, playing some of them off as ‘accidents’. When you began catching him, he began to have a small smirk playing on his face. This livened your body like nothing else, your mind going berzerk and your stomach fluttering wildly.

You didn’t even know this man! What if he was some weirdo or a crackhead? A serial killer?! Hey, Y/N, what about rational thinking? Naw! Let’s drool!

Half an hour goes by, you taking a break from sneaking glances as you concentrated and tried not to look weird. With your headphones in concentrating on the sounds you were correcting for the assignment, you didn’t hear the little “hey” and the awkward throat-clearing sound next to you.

You felt a finger tap your arm in an unsure way. Slightly startled, you turned to look at who was poking and why they were poking. Your breath hitched, embarrassingly and audibly so, when you looked into the new kid’s warm brown eyes and small smug smile playing on his face. You popped a headphone off an ear and paused your audio clip, hanging on a cliffhanger of just waiting to hear what this dude’s voice sounded like, hoping it would be anything like the face to match. 

Oh, it was. Silky smooth words rolled off his tongue, even if they were normal. You had to mentally slap yourself to really understand what he said, so you didn’t process blah blah blah while you eargasmed instead. 

“Hey, um, sorry, angel. I forgot to pack my MIDI cable before I left the house,” he referred to the board sitting next to his Mac, lifeless without its hookup. “I see you’re not currently using yours, would you be okay with me using it for the rest of class?” 

You nodded slowly. You felt like you looked like a fat cow with a gaping mouth, even if you looked totally normal. You dug in your bag and found what he requested and you handed it to him. 

He shot you a wide smile and you felt like your brains would fall all over the floor. “Thank you. You’re an angel.”

Oh my god. You turned away, closing your eyes and squeezing your thighs together. You regained your focus and resumed your assignment. 

Another 10 minute break was announced, but you wanted to get your assignment done and over with so you didn’t have to worry about anything when class was dismissed. You didn’t look at the new kid.

A note slid onto the corner of your desk, and when you looked up, you noticed the new kid had walked past down your aisle instead of his. You noticed that as he walked out the door, he caught your glance with a little smile playing on his mouth. 

Your heart now pounded in your chest. Do I open this? Should I?

You snatched it and breathed shallowly, swallowing hard. You slowly unfolded it, worried about what it was going to say. 

In neat handwriting, it said “Noah Sebastian / 223-6636 / text me if you need anything”.

On god, you about passed out. Your mind began to race. You told yourself to calm down–maybe this was just if you needed homework help; nothing too crazy! Right? Right. 

The daring part of you tore open your notebook before he got back. You tore off a section, and scribbled “(Y/N) / (Y/P/N) / I might :)” Folding it, your heart pounded out of your ribcage when you stood, walked to his desk, and tucked it under his laptop just enough for him to see and returned to your desk casually.

At this rate, you thought you might need to get off when you got home.

The new kid–Noah–returned to his seat to work, not looking at you but you at him for a moment. He had a blank look on his face, revealing no sign that he left a note. You watched carefully to see if he had noticed the note, and he did. You looked away quickly, afraid and a little embarrassed by your immediate play. 

He unfolded the paper slowly, smirk building into his cheek lines. You bit your lip, looking again. You watched as he saved his number into his phone quickly. He didn’t text you, but looked up to sneak a glance at you– but you were looking too long.

He narrowed his eyes, but you could tell he wasn’t mad. Noah’s eyes sparkled when he looked you up and down, letting you drink in the fact that he was eyeballing you and you were letting him. The smirk he already had became very apparent now and he let you see it. There was no douchebag in that smirk like every other frat boy who ever tried to speak to you.

“Okay, people. Class is over. Go home, enjoy your life. I’ll see you this Friday. Now go away so I can teach more brats before I go home.” Your teacher chided through tired eyes.

You and Noah stole one more short glance before packing up your things and leaving the room. You walked out, not looking again or even speaking to him out of shyness.

When you exited the building, you didn’t see Noah perched against the brick wall as he smoked a joint secretively. Or tried to, if you didn’t smell it first. “Hey, Y/N,” he said casually.

You looked around, not recognizing who or where the voice was. You notice Noah, sunglasses perched on his nose and he smiled at you. Ugh, wow.

He offered you a hit off the joint and you accepted. He watched you take a hit and smiled proudly. “And she likes to smoke,” he chided to himself. You offered him a smile at his words, liking his acknowledgement. You inhaled deep, exhaling to the side. “Taking it like a champ, too,” he nodded as he watched, another smirk playing on his face.

His words made her stomach hot. “You should see when I really smoke,” she said, making light conversation, not trying to show how he just teased her during their first time talking.

“Oh yeah?” he dared. “How much do you smoke? Really, like don’t pussy out on me. Give me all your details. I bet you can’t dab.”

“Bitch,” you chided at him playfully. “I can dab. I dabbed so hard I didn’t breathe for almost a minute.”

“Fuckin’ riot,” he said. “We gotta smoke.”

“Aren’t we?”

They giggled together.

“Naw, angel. This is just a quickie.”

Fucking hell, he did it again.

“So…” you began, trying to pretend that you were completely fine and not squirming in your pants. “When did you start here? Why haven’t I seen you?”

“Oh, I do online courses sometimes. Decided taking this class in person would be better. I’m on the road a lot.”

“‘On the road’? What do you mean?” You asked curiously.

“I’m in a band called Bad Omens,” he says to me. “I tour. I sing. Pretty cool shit, if I say so myself.”

“That’s amazing, I’m hoping to do some work with bands myself.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

There was a moment of silence between you both as he took a hit. Breathing out the smoke, he nodded and said quietly, “Awesome…” as if he were ticking off a checklist.

When the joint burned down to the filter and you both made a little less small talk, you said your goodbyes for the day and you hoped you would see him on Friday’s class.

[ruewrote]

𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.

PAIRING: jacob custos x fem!reader WARNINGS: jacob's bear trap injury, strong language GENRE: angst / fluff SONG INSPIRATION: start a riot by BANNERS WORD COUNT: 1k

navigation | ask | the quarry masterlist

out of all the horror movies that you'd watch about vampires, zombies and werewolves you never thought you'd ever be in one of your own.

especially not in the summer camp that you'd grown to love over the years.

now desperately trying to find your fellow work friends, hoping that they'd gotten to safety. you silently prayed that you would too as you made your way through the thick forest to the main lodge.

the emergency fire axe felt heavy in your hand, your skin covered in dried mud and blooming bruises. fuck this night, fuck everything.

every little sound terrifying you, not realizing how loud everything used to be until now. whether that be the crunch of twigs underneath your boots or the whoosh of the wind.

"ah fuck! ah shit!" someone whimpered in pain, moving closer as you readied the axe, moving through the trees to find jacob and an old guy with a sniper rifle with his back to you.

"look if you could just--" jacob begged, but soon stopped when you knocked the hunter out with the back of your axe.

"holy shit!" your breath staggered as you dropped to your knees, inspecting the bear trap that had clamped itself around jacobs ankle, surprised that he was even conscious. oh right , adrenaline.

"oh my god, am i happy to see you right now!" he shouts, but is quickly cut off with your hand tightly covering his mouth.

"you've got to be quiet. something is out here with us, i’m not quite sure what, but i've also got to try and pry this open. whatever you do, you've got to be silent. we can't attract more attention to ourselves, okay?" you whisper, earning a timid nod from him.

removing your hand you get to work, glad to have accidentally watched that documentary a while back you were able to press the two spring levers, making it fall open.

you were quick to grab him before he lost his balance, helping him stand, wrapping his arm around your shoulders for support and yours firmly wrapped around his waist. making a slight mental note to ask why he was practically naked later.

helping him back to the lodge for some sort of first aid. the two of you walking in tandem, your grip on him tightening as he wobbled trying to hold back his groans. you reached up for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. jacob giving you a tight but appreciative smile in return.

your legs ache when you finally reach the building, carefully sitting jacob down on the bench in the kitchen, grabbing the first aid kit out of the cupboard, a fresh glass of water and the paper towels off of the rack.

"i’m not even going to sugarcoat this, this is gonna hurt like a bitch. but i promise i'm gonna try to be as careful as i can, okay?" you uttered and he nodded.

you began to unbuckle your belt, unlooping it before holding it out to him, jacob grabbed a hold of it confused, "to bite down on, worst case,"

not caring if it was dirty or not he bit down on it, letting out a sigh you picked up the glass of water, pouring it around the wound, using a piece of the tissue to swipe away the dirt. briefly looking up to see his hands squeeze the wood underneath him.

wincing for him, you opened a disinfectant wipe wasting no time to swipe it around his injury, making him let out a whine. stopping for a second to place your hand over his.

causing him to look down at you with tears in his eyes, your heart breaking for him. "i know, i'm so sorry. all i gotta do is wrap it up. it shouldn't hurt too bad,"

and so you did, your belt now back to holding up your shorts as you looked through the pantry for any sort of food. making sure that jacob stayed sat down even though he wanted to help.

"a-ha!" you announced, grabbing the unopened box of cereal bars, returning to jacob. "how long do you think they've been in there?" he joked.

"after tonight i think the last thing we have to worry about is expiration dates, but of course i checked and they're okay, actually relatively new so we're good."

handing him one then another for yourself, shoving the rest in your backpack. retrieving the oversized hoodie offering it to him.

"quick question, where are your clothes?"

"me and emma went swimming in the lake for old times sake, until we heard abi scream. well at least i did, emma kinda disappeared after that." his words coming out huffed as he pulled the clothing over his head.

you looked down and started playing with your hands, trying to hide the hurt on your face. of course he was with her! what were you expecting? the whole summer you had been crushing on him, having to stay quiet about it because of her.

"oh. well i'm sure she's okay, she's...strong ya know?" you offered him a small smile.

"thank you by the way," he started, your eyebrows furrowed. "with saving me back there and you patching me up. i swear i was about to die!"

he playfully knocked his shoulder into yours, looking at him concerned, "don't joke like that. i-i don't think i could handle that... losing you i mean." a frown now replaced your smile from just thinking about it.

"hey, hey. i'm not going anywhere, well not if i have a say in it anyways." he leans into you, making you look back up at him.

the way his eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips, made your breath hitch as he leaned closer, lips almost touching when you heard a girl's scream.

"emma?" jacob jumps up and limps out of the lodge, leaving you sitting there alone feeling your heartache and the tears sting in your eyes.

who were you kidding yourself? he'd always pick her.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ♡

© ruewrote 2024.

[gamblingcaffeineaddict]

A/N: ayyyy I’m back with part two of my previous fic i spend all my days trying to forget her face. Dialogue might get confusing, sorry 😭😭

she’s so hard to erase, i don’t think she can be replaced

warning for angst and a bittersweet ending. you die at the end. please read part 1 for context!

The moon bathed the alchemy commission in its silver light as the doctor sat alone on its worn down docks. Waves gently crashed onto the pillars supporting the harbor below. How did I even get here? They thought.

Their feet took them to the deserted commission after a heart wrenching encounter with a ghost of their past. Specifically speaking, a woman resembling someone long gone.

Jingliu… The doctor looked up into the starry sky to the full moon hanging above. Even centuries later, they felt a pang in their chest. I can’t help but think of you every time I gaze at a full moon like this.

The strange woman from earlier… even if it was Jingliu, she didn’t seem to recognize them. She spoke no words and her facial expression didn’t change. In fact, there was no sign of familiarity at all. She didn’t even chase after [Name] as they walked away hurriedly with tears threatening to fall from their eyes.

The doctor regrets that they never actually became close with Jingliu. At the time, keeping their distance seemed right and logical, but now the pain of loss has subsided. All that’s left is wistful regret and longing. If they had been closer, would Jingliu have remembered them? [Name] didn’t realize they were crying again until they felt warm tears slide down their cheeks.

A snap of a twig cuts the silence, causing [Name]’s head to whip around at the sudden sound. A Mara-struck soldier has creeped up behind them. Their blade was held above their head to make a fatal blow. Before the doctor could react, they heard the all too familiar whistling of a blade, and the monster was cut in two. The monster crumbled to dust, revealing a blindfolded woman with her sword in hand.

Speechless, [Name] sat there with their eyes wide and lips slightly agape. Of all the people to save them, it had to be her.

“…Jingliu.” They spoke softly. There was no denying it now, it had to be her. Why else would she be here saving them right now? Hope flared in [Name]’s chest that Jingliu could remember them, even if it was just the slightest bit. But their hopes were quickly crushed the moment she spoke.

“So you know who I am,” Jingliu responded in a monotone voice. She still gripped tightly onto her sword, a sign that she was still on her guard.

I guess that was to be expected. The doctor smiled sadly. After all, I am but a mere stranger to her.

“You could say that.” [Name] was half expecting Jingliu to hold her sword against their throat and demand answers, but instead she sheathes her sword and simply sits beside them on the dock a few inches away.

“It’s been centuries since I last set foot openly on the Luofu,” Jingliu says. “Most people do not remember me, or do not dare utter my name. You say it as if you knew me personally. You don’t shy away from the taboo surrounding me.”

The doctor lets out a dry laugh and looks into the distance. “Of course not. I did know you personally for a good few hundred years. Although we weren’t close, I know you aren’t as bad as people label you to be.”

Jingliu remains silent. [Name] feels her eyes linger on their melancholic expression through the black fabric over her gaze.

“When I bumped into you earlier, I felt a strange sadness tug at my heart.”

[Name] suddenly turns towards her. Sadness? So something might be left after all…

“Is there anything else you feel?” The doctor poked.

“…” Jingliu pauses briefly. “There is… regret, though I am not sure why.”

Regret? But what did she have to regret with me? It piqued the doctor’s interest even more. “Can you remember more? Anything at all? You shouldn’t have anything to regret with me.”

Now it’s Jingliu’s turn to let out a dry laugh. “How can you be so sure? You said so yourself that we weren’t close. How do you know I wasn’t hiding something from you?”

As she said those words, a memory flashed in her mind, hitting her like lightning.

The memory was overall blurry, but Jingliu knew where she was. She was transported to a warm day near the training grounds of the Cloud Knights. The sky is blue and cloudless, with the ocsssional starskiff sailing through the sky. The sun is warm and the breeze is gentle on her skin. She could immediately tell that this memory took place during a simpler time in her life.

Jingliu was resting under a tree, leisurely chatting away with someone beside her. Instinctively, she knew their name. [Name].

[Name] was happily chatting about something that happened earlier that day. Their smile was captivating to Jingliu. It warmed her heart and felt more radiant than the sun hanging high in the sky. Their laughter was melodic and made her chest flutter.

She felt at ease with [Name]. There was no “Sword Champion,” no “Master,” no “Transcendent Flash,” but simply “Jingliu.” With [Name], Jingliu could relax from her duties and breathe easy for a while; It felt different than when she was with the High Cloud Quintet.

A thought came to her on that warm day. It flashed in her mind for a mere second, but it made her realize something. Jingliu simply thought, “I wonder what it would be like to see their smile everyday for the rest of my life.” Then it clicked.

Am I…in love with [Name]?

The realization filled her with excitement. Her heart felt like it would burst with butterflies. But that also filled her with a dreadful uneasiness.

For once, her goals and desires clashed with each other. To grow stronger to rival the heavens, or to stay for her love on the Xianzhou? Her heart argued one side, and her rationality took the other.

Ultimately, Jingliu decided that this crush of hers cannot get in the way of her goal. She made up her mind to cast her silly feelings aside, but that didn’t stop her from longing for their affections every single day until she became mara-struck. Then… she forgot everything about [Name].

Ah.

No wonder she regrets.

Jingliu regrets even more now. She regrets forgetting [Name] entirely.

Jingliu clenched the side of her head in pain as the memory ended. She felt like she was suffocating under the tides of these old, forgotten emotions overwhelming her at once.

“Jingliu?! Are you okay?!” [Name] reached out their hand but stopped short of coming into contact with her. The same feelings that kept their distance from the swordswoman long ago made them hesitate.

When Jingliu’s breathing resumed to normal and her painful headache subsided, she looked up at [Name]. Because she recovered her memories, the Mara struck and her blindfold dissipated. [Name] could clearly see into her pained crimson eyes for the first time in centuries. Jingliu spoke in a quiet voice, “…how is it possible that we weren’t close?”

“We always kept our relationship professional.” [Name] averted Jingliu’s gaze, looking back to the calm moonlit sea in front of them.

“But… I remember talking with you. I remember falling in love with you.”

Time seemed to stop once again as those words fell from Jingliu’s lips. There was no way, absolutely no way, that all this time she liked [Name] back. No, she loved them back the same way they have for all these lonely years.

So all that pain [Name] shouldered out of thinking Jingliu wouldn’t ever spare a glance at them like that, was for naught? Maybe it was foolish of them to blot the idea out right away instead of even confessing first. [Name] could feel their heart starting to bleed from this old, self-inflicted wound they’ve made onto themselves.

But a part of what [Name] thought about Jingliu not prioritizing romance must be true, or else she would’ve confessed her feelings at some point.

“…I’m sorry that I claim to love you but have also forgotten you.”

Jingliu’s apology brings [Name] out of their thoughts. She wasn’t ever the person to coward away, so she looked straight into [Name]’s eyes. But vulnerability and sincere remorse was present in her voice. [Name] shook their head. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I understand. After all, I kept my distance from you purposefully, because I didn’t think you’d feel the same way.”

Jingliu’s eyes widened. “The same way? Then you mean you loved me too?”

“Very much,” [Name] placed their hand on top of Jingliu’s. “I have loved you for all these years, even after you were long gone.”

“I think about you every night when I look at the moon. I think about you when I watch Jing Yuan train his apprentice, because I used to watch you train him in the same way. I think about you when I tend to patients who’ve hurt themselves in battle. I never forgot you for a moment.”

It feels like a stab to Jingliu’s heart to know that [Name] always thought of her. They both loved each other yet… she just forgot everything. It fills her with guilt. She also thinks that maybe she shouldn’t have simply wished for [Name] to make a move first.

“Our circumstances are very different now,” [Name] continued. “Even if we do love each other still, we can’t be together. I’m sure you know that too.”

“It won’t be long until I’m Mara-struck myself. I’ve been living for a long time now,” they smiled with sad acceptance. “It’s better for us if we both moved on.”

Silence. Jingliu knows in her heart that it’s the cruel truth. Truly, they were both scared of the consequences of their feelings, and they paid the price with guilt and years of painful longing.

“Before we say goodbye, allow me one last thing.”

Jingliu gently cupped [Name]’s cheek and pulled them for a soft, tender kiss. It felt as if all of her unspoken emotions were finally being shared after ages of being hidden away, tucked into the deepest corners of her heart. [Name] returned her sentiment by kissing her back with the same passion. They’ve waited all this time for such a simple, fleeting act.

They pulled away reluctantly, still feeling the warmth of each other’s lips. They stayed close in tranquil silence, basking in the last few moments they had with each other.

“Goodbye, my love.”

The Transcendent Flash was gone as swiftly as she came. There was no trace of her ever being there besides the relief in the heart of the doctor who now sat alone at the docks.

There wasn’t a need to really hold on much longer. The build up of memories started taking its toll on [Name], and now that their final wish has been fulfilled, they can rest.

It is said that the doctor lived out the rest of their years happy and light of burden. They succumbed to the Mara peacefully without losing the rest of their sanity to becoming a monster.

One day, they hope to reunite with their lover in the stars when her goal too, is fulfilled.

title is from “forget her” by girl in red.

[trashyswitch]

Day 31: Aftercare

Twig and Torbek are spending some time brushing out Torbek's fur. When Torbek shows Twig that he doesn't know how to brush hair properly, Twig proudly shows him the ropes...Only for the brushing to reveal a little adorable secret about Torbek that he rarely ever tells...

Last one!! Thank you so much for the support this Tickletober! I greatly appreciate all the love and care. It's been an amazing tickletober (Despite it taking ages to write it), and I hope you've all enjoyed the many fandoms I've written for once again. Some of the fandoms were older fandoms I hadn't touched in ages, and some of the fandoms were new ones that kept me invested this month. So again, thank you for all the support. I greatly appreciate it!! I could not have done it without you all. <3 <3

Twig was helping Torbek brush his hair out. He had long, super matted bugbear hair, and often struggled to take care of it. Though Twig would often help him, Torbek wouldn’t take care of his fur unless Twig offered to help him. 

“Here we go.” Twig said to herself as she finished brushing Torbek’s back. 

Torbek was currently working on brushing his ear fur to the best of his ability. Despite having super long arms, Torbek is not the most flexible bugbear out there. Yes, he was athletically inclined…but he’s not very flexible…especially in his arms. So brushing all the fur on his ears? Surprisingly difficult for him. 

“How are you doing with your ears?” Twig finally spoke up. 

“This is hard.” Torbek admitted, brushing his fur super aggressively. “The tangles are making torbek veeeery aaangryyy.” Torbek grumbled, visibly struggling. 

“Do you want me to help you?” Twig asked him, gesturing to the red brush in her hand. 

“Nooo, Torbek is fiiiine.” Torbek muttered, still struggling with his fur. 

“Torbek, you’re hurting yourself!” Twig reacted, watching him with shock. “Are you trying to pull all your fur out?” She asked genuinely. 

“So whaaat?” Torbek responded. “Torbek deseerrves thiiiis…” He mumbled, still grumbling and struggling with his fur. 

“Torbek, look at the brush.” She told him. 

Torbek sighed and pulled his brush through one last time, before looking at the hairbrush. To his shock, Torbek’s brush bristles were practically drowning in his bugbear fur. Torbek sighed and observed all the fur he lost by trying to brush out his fur. 

“Torbek…That’s so much fur…” Twig petted his head. “You don’t need to brush your fur so hard.” 

“But Twiiiig…the faster and the harder Torbek brushes, the faster Torbek’s hair gets untangled.” Torbek tried to explain. 

“Torbek…” Twig started very gently petting his head. “Brushing your hair isn’t just about getting the tangles out. Brushing your hair is supposed to be about taking your time. It’s also about doing it right.” Twig explained, removing some of Torbek’s fur from the blue hairbrush. “Now:” She gently grabbed his ear and started to gently work at the fur. “The key to brushing is to start brushing from the bottom, and working your way up.” She explained. 

Torbek tried to protest, but found himself relaxing as Twig started gently brushing the fur at the end of his ears. Twig made her way through the fur carefully, making sure to gently separate the knots with her fingers before going back to using the brush. 

Torbek sat there, and took the brushing. “I’m sooorry Twig…Torbek doesn’t knoooow how to bruuuush very weeelll…” Torbek admitted. 

“Well, it’s been a while since you last brushed your hair.” Twig admitted. “So naturally, it’s gonna get pretty tangled the longer you go without brushing.” She continued. 

“Torbek is-” The bugbear jumped as he felt the hairbrush gently sweeped across the underside of his ear. “Torbek i-is n-nervous-” He widened his eyes slightly and covered his mouth. 

Twig immediately stopped. “Sorry Torbek! Am I hurting you?” Twig asked him. 

Torbek shook his head. “N-No, y-you’re nooot.” Torbek tried to respond. “T-Torbek can ha-handle it.” He admitted. 

Twig looked a little surprised at first. “You sure?” She asked. 

Torbek nodded. “Y-Yeah, Torbek is sure.” He responded. 

“Alright.” Twig started gently brushing the underside of his ear again, making sure to go down to the root of the fur. But she kept occasionally stopping and observing Torbek’s reactions. 

Torbek was jumping, and making slight grunting noises as she brushed his inner ear. It sounded like it was hurting him, but…Twig kept reminding herself of what he said: ‘Torbek can handle it’. But this only brought more questions. What was it that Torbek needed to handle? 

Fearing she may have been hurting him, Twig adjusted her brushing to make it more gentle. With this done, she began to hope that this would help Torbek relax more. 

But to her complete surprise, his jumps had become more frequent. Almost like the softer brushing was…bothering him more? But why? Why would the gentle brushing make him more jumpy? She couldn’t understand. 

“T-Twig?” Torbek finally called. 

“Yeah?” Twig responded. 

“T-Torbek ihis-” Torbek jumped again, and closed one eye. “Ihit feeheels funny.” Torbek admitted. 

“Funny?” Twig asked, smiling a bit. “Is that why you’re laughing?” She asked. Despite her smile, Twig had absolutely no idea what she was doing to him. And Torbek was almost perplexed by this! Has Twig never heard of tickling before?! 

Twig could feel his composure slowly breaking. “K-Kkkhhh-” Torbek snickered, biting his finger almost helplessly. “T-Twihihig?” Torbek finally let out. 

“Awww…Are you gonna tell me what’s making you laugh?” Twig asked him, leaning in to look at him from the side. “Or are you just in a really good mood?” Twig asked him. Despite the questions, Twig still didn’t understand what was going on. But that was about to change as Torbek finally broke down. 

“Hehehehahaha! Hahahaha- Stohop ihihit!” Torbek shook his head and grabbed his sensitive ear, holding it down beside himself like a nervous girl with long hair. “Twihig…That ticklllles.” Torbek admitted. 

Twig widened her eyes. “Oh, my bad! I didn’t know!” She admitted, feeling somewhat embarrassed herself. “Do you need a break?” She asked. 

Torbek shook his head. “N-No…” He mumbled. 

Twig looked at Torbek. “Are you sure?” She asked, gently grabbing Torbek’s shoulder. 

Torbek awkwardly nodded his head. “T-Torbek is suuure.” He told her. “C-Can you b-brush Torbek again?” He asked. 

“Where?” She asked. 

“The-” Torbek let go of his ear. “The ear. Inner ear.” He admitted. 

“You…Want me to keep going?” She asked. 

Torbek hung his head, embarrassed. “Y-Yeah…P-Pleeeease?” Torbek asked very politely. 

Twig looked shocked. “So…If you don’t mind me asking…you like getting brushed?” Twig asked. 

Torbek could feel a warm blush filling his dark, matted facial fur. “Y-Yeah…T-Torbek doesn’t miiiind being tickled…A-As long as…It’s s-someone I’m cooomfortable wiiiiith.” Torbek 

“That’s not what-” Twig dropped it, chuckling a little bit at his little confession. She smiled brightly to herself as she gently brought her little finger up to his ear. “You said this tickles?” She started scratching the end of his inner ear. 

Torbek jumped almost immediately, and squeezed his eyes shut. “Hehehehe- C-Cahaharefuhul!” Torbek muttered. 

“Careful?” Twig smirked a little as it finally began to sink in for her. “Why should I be careful now?” Twig asked. “You said you like it!” 

Torbek yelped and jumped, giggling in his raspy, low voice. It sounded more like a raspy bellow, rather than a giggle. “T-Tohorbek is ticklihihihish…” He admitted. 

“I can see that.” Twig teased as she moved her fingers closer to the middle of his bare ear skin. “What if-” 

“Noho dohohon’t-!” Torbek yelped. 

“-I tickle…Up-” Twig just kept talking and scratching her evil little finger. 

Torbek squawked and pulled his shoulders up. “T-Twihihig!” 

“Here!” Twig snuck all 5 of her fingers against the low inner ear, right near the ear canal. Though his ear canal is usually super dirty, Twig had just gotten Torbek to scrub his ear. And though there were one or two little spots he missed, his inner ear was relatively clean…meaning Twig could tickle his ear as she pleases. 

“T-Twiiihiiig! Hahahahaha! Thihihis ihihis meeheheeheean!” Torbek whined. 

“Oh, my bad.” She told him, stopping immediately. She lowered her fingers, presumably stopping…

…Only for her smile to return as she lifted up her red hairbrush. “Would you prefer I use the brush?” She asked in a rather cheeky tone. 

Torbek widened his eyes. “W-What?!” he looked down, and caught a glimpse of Twig grabbing the hairbrush. “W-Wait NO!” Torbek suddenly screeched and threw his head back as the blasted brush scratched from the bottom of his ear, to the tip. “TwihiHIHIG NAHAHAHA! HAHAhahaha! P-Plehehehease!” Torbek yelled. 

“Please what?” Twig asked with a giggle. “What’s the plea for?” She asked with a not-so-innocent look. 

“T-Tohohorbehek has hahahad ehenohohough nohohow!” Torbek tried to tell her. 

“Awww…Just a little more?” She asked. 

Torbek looked at Twig, almost surprised. “W-Wahahaha?” Torbek tried to respond. 

“A little more? Then I’ll stop, I promise.” Twig told him almost eagerly. 

It was unbelievably easy for Torbek to notice how happy Twig was in that moment. She looked like she was about to burst! It was almost like Twig was having more fun than Torbek was! What are the chances?! 

“T-Twig is really happyyyy…” Torbek admitted. 

“I am! This is my new favorite thing about you!” Twig declared rather bluntly. It was like she didn’t even care who she was saying it to! Torbek was sure that if it were up to her, the whole world would know that Torbek is ticklish. And…Hearing that, made Torbek blush…But, it wasn’t a bad blush, per say. More…a good blush. Like, an appreciative blush. A blush he wouldn’t mind showing off to the group. 

Maybe one day…But for now, Twig continued to look after him, planting little tickles in between her caretaking. In a way, the tickling was incorporated into his plan of care really well. Twig knew he liked it, and Torbek was more than comfortable trusting Twig. So, Torbek let her play around with him. And once or twice, Torbek gave a few little pokes at her! 

It was all in good fun. And they both wouldn’t have it any other way. 

[galebrainrot2024]

Enemies to Lovers Part 32

Long time no see - had a bit of the real life blues, we are slowly getting our creativity back. I hope everyone is doing well out there and thank you for being patient with me!

Part 31 | Master List | Ao3

The next morning, Gale woke to the sound of twigs snapping outside of his tent. He was teetering between sleep and consciousness, the nights events playing and replaying in his mind. He could taste forgiveness, the imagery of their lives shared as one. It was bitter sweet, knowing his time left was finite if they found no alternative to destroying the Absolute.  

He stood, knees creaking with the stiffness of sleep. “Oof,” he grunted and stretched. Despite the inevitability of age, Gale was still surprised when his joints betrayed him, when his bones felt brittle and weary with toil. The orb had ravaged more than his gifts and his body felt more like a bag of bones than anything of use. He wasn’t that old, not in the scheme of things anyway but the orb had aged his organs beyond what was reasonable. 

“Oh good, you’re up,” he heard a voice echo from outside. Karlach. 

“Instead of lingering outside like a stray, come join me.” The flaps of the tent ushered open and Karlach stood, flames licking. She fell to her knees and inhaled a shake breath before a sob choked out. Gale was then behind her, hand landing on her shoulders. “Easy,” he cooed, deftly maneuvering his wrist so that a mage hand brought forward a cuppa. 

“I was just a kid,” she wept, the anger from the night before giving way to the true emotion: grief. “I was just a kid when that piece of shit sold me to Zariel. It was my heart. My life. And now he’s at the center of this crock of shit,” she slammed her fist into the dirt, creating a small crater. 

Gale sat silently, rubbing her shoulders. It was a moment before he offered: “Are you in need of sage words from a dusty wizard or a moment of pure indulgence and release?” Gale comforted his mother this way many times before and learned rather early that people were not always keen on solutions despite his eagerness to offer them. Often, their only desire was to be heard and understood. 

She snorted, shaking her head and her voice broke. “I’m just so… angry. I’m so angry that my life was determined by that witless snake and there’s nothing I can do about it other than mash his face into the dirt.” Karlach’s eyes fluttered shut and she took a deep breath before standing. “Thanks the Gods Wyll was there last night when the fires were burning hot.” 

Gale rubbed the back of his neck as his brow furrowed, “I’m sorry I wasn’t -“ 

“Don’t be, I don’t mind spending a bit of one-on-one time with the Blade of Avernus.” She gave a wink.

Gale let out a short puff of air, “Over Dammon so soon?” 

Karlach shrugged, “I’m a woman of need, and after decades without human touch, I’d say I am more than permitted to have my share of fun.” 

“No quarrel from me,” he said, holding up both of his palms in truce. “If you’re happy, I’m happy.” 

“Despite it all, I am, yeah.” She said, taking him by the shoulders and giving him a bit of a shake. “As long as you don’t blow yourself up, I’d say I’m over the moon.” 

**** 

The group agreed that based on their brief exploration of moonrise, their first task neeeded to be finding where the Tieflings and the Duke were held captive. 

Astarion, ever the contrarian, bemoaned the rescue. “Why must we help everyone we come across? All I wanted was to get rid of this tadpole.” 

“You’re free to leave,” Gale quipped. Astarion bared his fangs. 

“Cut the shit, both of you, my Gods.” Karlach groaned over breakfast. 

Tav avoided him most of the morning, though in a different way than she did before. Gale noted the stolen glances she shot towards him, her face flushing whenever he caught her eye. 

He thought about how often he spent studying the back of her head at Blackstaff, how he would memorize the colors in her hair, the texture, how it would tuck over her ears. He had never seen hair like it, so full and alive.

There was a memory that stuck out to him, one where they were reviewing the merits of necromancy. It was not an art Gale was interested in and it repulsed him. Bringing back anyone or anything from the dead as ghouls rather than re-connecting soul to body was appalling to him. 

Tav was sat beside him in class, sketching the under dark. His head was resting in his hand and he tried coyly to peak at her paper without her noticing. She did and covered her paper, scowling at him. 

“You’re a wonderful artist,” he whispered to her, hoping to gain some grace. He remembered how her face softened, how she moved her arm to show him more. 

“This is a Myconid Colony,” she whispered excitedly, her eyes bold and bright. They were perhaps thirteen at the time and he was bewitched by her until their professor called attention to them. 

“Mr. Dekarios whatever you and Tav are engaged in must be far more interesting than Necromancy, so why don’t you come up and share with the class?” 

His body froze, his face beet red and Tav stood, taking the fall. “Gladly,” she said and skipped to the front of the room detailing her drawing and telling fantastical stories of the under dark that had the entire class memorized, including their professor. 

It was one of the first moments Gale realized how enamored he was by her. 

“Gale?” He started and turned, gripping his chest, pulled from the memory. 

“Sorry.. lost in thought.” He cleared his throat, “Whatever I can do for you, consider it most enthusiastically done.” He shook, the adrenaline still pumping through his veins like fire, and ran a hand through his hair. Not even the Absolute could strike such fear into his heart as the unknown of her. 

“Are you ready?” Tav cocked her head to the side, twirling her staff in one hand before taping him on the shoulder with it playfully sending a jolt of shocking grasp through him that made his hair stand on end a bit.  

** 

Once in Moonrise, they followed a trail of blood to the dungeons of the Tower and came upon someone they did not expect. 

Minthara. 

Two guards were interrogating her as she gripped her head and cried out in pain. 

The last time they saw Minthara she was prepared to slaughter every Tiefling in the grove. Gale was surprised to see her alive, he was sure they killed her. Now, she stood terrified and fighting for her life like a caged animal. “Are you sure this is in our best interest?” Gale hissed, his back up against Tav’s as they both harnessed the Weave, holding the two guards in place. 

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” She retorted, a cheeky grin etched on her face. “Besides, we can use her brute force.” 

** 

They took out the two cultists within a few moments. They were unable to break free of the enchantment, allowing Karlach to eviscerate them in one fell swoop. All things considered, silently too as no additional forces came to the guard’s aid. 

Minthara’s eyes narrowed before her face softened as the artifact shielded her mind. “Why help me?” 

“Would you rather the alternative?” Tav said.  

“No.” She said, matter of factly. She shook her head and looked helpless, a strange emotion for such a force to wear. “No.” 

***

“Do you remember anything?” Tav asked Minthara as they sat around camp and broke bread together. 

“I remember everything.” She said somberly, setting her bowl down. Halsin and Wyll were suspicious of Minthara, understandably so. Most were surprised Tav allowed her to join their camp, but Gale knew Tav’s interest in the underdark’s races trumped any fear that may have lingered in her heart. “I was the Absolute’s dagger. I remember every throat that it held me to, and every drop of blood it forced me to spill.” Gale shuddered and he heard her snort in disdain. “I take no responsibility for the lives I took. I did nothing in the Absolute’s name - I was merely a weapon that it wielded.”

“Convenient,” Wyll muttered and Karlach elbowed him. 

They let the silence hang until she continued. He was surprised by how forthcoming she was, by how… amenable she was under the protection of the artifact. 

“The tadpole… the absolute…. They work together like a drug. I did not feel compelled to act against my will. I felt ecstatic to serve. Every action seemed a deliberate choice - the best choice… even though I could no more have resisted its commands than flesh can resist decay. Even rational minds like ours cannot reject such a powerful influence… The absolute can make the impossible seem inevitable.” 

Karlach let out a heavy sigh. “This whole thing gets more grim by the moment,” she poked at her strew and set it on the ground before leaning forward to rest her arms on her thighs. 

Gale interjected. “I suppose I’ll ask the lingering question…What do you know of Ketheric, about his power?” 

Minthara continued, “I have lived long enough to know that few things in this world are impossible. Kethric’s power is a rare thing - I have never seen its like. I fought at his side once, shortly after my… conversation. Before the battle, he was everything a general should be - a charismatic leader with a brilliant, strategic mind. And when the fighting began, he led his troops from the front and cut through the enemy like a scythe through stalks. Blows and arrows rained down on him, and before long his face was a mask of blood but he did not fall - he did not even falter.” She paused, the note of admiration in her voice not lost on him. “When we won that day, Kethric’s armor was bent and shattered, but his flesh was unmarked.” 

“How can that be?” Gale murmured, the seeds of doubt planting themselves in his mind. Perhaps the orb was the only chance for the survival of all. 

Except him. 

“I do not know. Perhaps the answers lurk in Balthazar’s chambers. Someone who has mastery over the dead may well be able to help the living cheat it. We should ransack his chambers and see what secrets he keeps for the great general.” 

“There was nothing of the sort that we found,” he said, handing her a fresh canteen that she drank eagerly. “Though, another peruse couldn’t hurt.” 

***

The next morning, Gale rose to see Tav deep in conversation with Halsin. “She looks awfully cozy…” he muttered beneath his breath, the familiar tinge of jealousy stoking him. 

Gale groaned, rolling his eyes as he turned away from them. The burly meat-man had finally begun to contribute to their party beyond his basic wisdom and ability to summon endless berries. 

Gale, for one, was tired of berries and conjuring them was hardly impressive. Karlach snickered. “You’re terrible at hiding your jealousy mate. You might want to get that checked out, before you turn the same color as Lae’zel.” 

“Tsk,” Lae’zel huffed, “He should be so lucky.” 

Tav’s laughter echoed through the morning air and sent envy trickling down the nape of his neck. “Tav is welcome to enjoy the company of whomever she pleases. Even if it is an ancient, empty-headed Druid.” 

Karlach laughed. “Easy, solider.”  

“A savvy move, recruiting Halsin to our cause.” Gale tried to sound sincere when Tav joined them, but the inflection of his voice betrayed his true feeling. “While I’m adept at most forms of Weave manipulation, druidic magic is not my area of expertise. He will make for a most useful option to have in reserve.” 

[llaberration]

I.S.M.I - Chapter Four

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Please note before reading! This chapter contains the first real horror elements of the book that I have mentioned will occur before. It contains some pretty heavy descriptions of corpsey bits and some fairly macabre content. Nothing graphic or gratuitous, just heavy.

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It was evening by the time they began to near their destination. The building seemed to materialise out of nowhere as they approached, nauseatingly out of place where it sat. They had to offroad for quite some time to actually reach the registered location, but it was very clear when they arrived that they were in the right place. It loomed out of the trees as though it had just been plopped there out of nothingness, a large, perfectly flat parking lot, lit with mismatched, strangely colourful street lights spread out before a hideously inharmonious looking building. It was like a mall that was already architecturally 'a little artistic' had been crossed with a children's softplay zone, and the resulting building was a little strange to say the least. Beside the parking lot, set up among the surrounding trees and lit with generator fed floodlights was the ISMI response camp. It was a large grey tent, with two smaller ones on either side, and two or three large institute vehicles. Two armed, armoured guards were set on the side watching the mall, and one of them waved a friendly hand at Hal as the vehicle approached. “Oh boy the lads are gonna be happy to see you,” he said, checking Hal's ID out of sheer obligation. “You're always a morale booster.”

Hal chuckled at this, “Only because I'm still alive.”

“Gives us all hope,” replied the man with a toothy grin. “Who are the others?”

“Newbies,” said Hal offering their Ids, “Put with me for training.”

“Well they're lucky, couldn't have a better teacher.”

“He tried to feed us to an Ent two days ago,” muttered Kaplain.

“What, Bovis? Aw he's just a big ol moody bag of twigs.”

“It... was educational,” said Sayer, as the man shone a light on him to check him against the ID before handing them back.

“Well you go on in. Boss is in the mess tent, in a foul mood too after the incident with team two so...”

“Who did you lose?”

“Our best tech guy.”

“Ah, I see. Well, we'll go in and see what we can do,” Hal gave the man a wave and drove to park up beside the other vehicles.

“People seem to have a lot of respect for you,” said Kaplain, glancing at Hal.

“I'm inspirational because I have survived since long before we had all our safety measures and procedures. Call it luck if you want. But the troops find it a morale boost to see folks like myself and Director Brown still alive all this time into working with the institute.” He booted the door open and climbed out. “Come on then. Let's get stuck in.”

In the mess tent, the largest of the three, they found several big, burly guards eating their way through reheated dinner packages, making conversation. At the back, one out of place figure sat shoulder to shoulder with the guards, a slightly more delicate form among the muscled men and women of the exploration teams.

“Doctor Green,” greeted Hal with a warm smile, “I am so sorry to interrupt your dinner, but it was a long drive.”

“Oh Hal!” exclaimed the individual, squeezing their way out of their sitting space to greet him with a hearty handshake. “Am I glad to see you!” without even looking they reached back to their food tray and slapped a straying guard's hand away from the single packaged cookie that sat beside it. “We needed someone with a bit of... caution to lead the next exploration.” The doctor, youngish for their rank in the ISMI, was a well respected researcher for the team.

“So I read,” said Hal with a nod, “When are we expecting to schedule that?”

“We're going in at 0800 tomorrow, give time for the sun to come up properly and keep everything firmly in daylight now,” glittering blue eyes set below short, pixie cut black hair showed genuine concern as the doctor replied.

“Understandable, does it become more active at night?”

“Unknown. But the brightly coloured street lights unsettle everyone, and the place doesn't look lit inside at night, so we agreed, between us, not to breach after dark unless absolutely necessary.”

“Have you considered just... burning it down?” asked Hal, a smile twisting his lips.

“That is your answer for everything. Who are your friends?”

“Newbies,” said Hal, “This is Creek Kaplain and Neil Sayer,” he gestured to each one, and Green gave each a polite handshake. “They're shadowing me for training.”

“Well, they couldn't have a better teacher. Is the responsibility getting to you? You look like shit.”

“You know, I have been hearing that a lot this week,” said Hal, scratching his chin. “But I always look like this.”

“Well you could use a shave,” said the doctor.

“Yeah and you're not looking so hot either,” replied Hal, his words without venom as he gestured to the doctor's tired eyes. “Apparently things haven't been going well?”

“No, we've lost two already... and we know of at least a few missing civilians in this area, as well as two police officers who came to investigate before we arrived. Come on through to the ops tent, we'll go over what we have.” The doctor snatched up their cookie from the straying hand once more attempting to make off with it, and headed out of the tent, Hal and the other two following.

In the Ops tent, the steady hum of computers and scanning devices dominated the space. Several science staff, easily recognised by their ISMI branded labcoats, were working at the machines. Green went and sat down behind a laptop, starting it up. “We sent in two teams so far. The first team were in there for just over an hour, they mapped most of the south side of the structure's lower floor, identified multiple Ignotuscientific regions, and marked them. One of the things they discovered was an arcade, the prizes in which seemed to be made up of people's possessions,” they tapped on the keyboard a few times, bringing up a file of still images and opening one that revealed a screenshot pulled from a bodycam feed. It was a pacemaker, smeared with dry, browned blood, sitting in a 2p drop machine. There were also a few watches and one set of false teeth set up on the coins as though someone would want to try and win them.

Sayer looked immediately ill at the image, and Hal, seeing the colour draining from his colleague, squeezed the young man's shoulder, “take a deep breath, hold it, it'll help the nausea,”

“The entire arcade was like that, but there was no sign of organic remains. The first team entered the south west side of the mall, you can see from the outside this area is constructed like a giant softplay area, with slides, huge soft mats, climbing areas and trampolines. However it is scaled so that anyone can use it rather than just children.” The doctor brought up the image, and they could all see it was exactly as described. Huge colourful tubes ran around the entire area forming slides, massive tubs of brightly coloured plastic balls or foam, climbing nets, assault courses... it actually looked like a lot of fun. “It was here that Agent Deacon accidentally mis-stepped, falling into one of the ball pits. Only an arm and a foot were visible after they fell in. When the others went to retrieve him, they pulled out one empty glove and one empty boot. Extensive searching produced no further results. He was gone. His bodycam feed and his life sign tracker went dead, and we have seen no sign of him since. I immediately pulled the team out and called it a day. The following day a second team went in, better equipped, better prepared. They mapped the rest of the lower floor, and began to ascend to the upper floor, which appeared to be a 'higher class' of space as they described it. The prizes in the arcades looked more expensive, plush seating scattered around, paddling pools, water features... as weird as the lower floor but... more expensive.

They were heading towards what we suspect to be the epicentre of the building...” they brought up another image, this one a drone picture of the top of the mall showing a large glass dome at the centre of the building. “We have no idea what's in there, but we knew it was on the upper floor at the centre of the structure. The second team were making their way through towards it when Henderson accidentally slipped in a pool of water from one of the many pools on the upper floor and fell over a handrail. He never hit the ground below, and disappeared before the team could get to the bannister. It seems, by all accounts, that it's not a simple case of 'nobody is looking at them' when they disappear, but more a case of them being removed from anyone's line of sight... otherwise the individuals at the back of each group would have disappeared almost instantly. The key seems to be not leaving the eyeline of people and cameras.” Green sighed, shaking their head, “It's horrible, but we would like to send in one more team to finish mapping the structure and find out what's in that central point, just in case there's anyone alive in there. That's where you come in.”

“What measures do you plan for the safety of the team?”

“Larger team, more people, more eyes. Bound together in groups of three or four. Equipped with multiple cameras, light sources, night vision capable goggles and simple beepers to tell them when to blink in an offset pattern, this will ensure there are eyes on everyone at all times. We will be sending several drones as well, being observed by multiple staff out here, to ensure even greater visual coverage. The route is already mapped for the most part, barring the last short distance. The reason I am glad you are here for this is because you're a level headed investigator with no eye to get-in-get-out-get-home mentality. Hurrying has cost us the last two agents. Let's not risk another.”

“Okay, good plan. Have you done thermal scans? Searched for signs of life?”

“There are no big enough lifeforms within the building for our scans to pick up. Which is strange because it has listed opening hours on the front door, during which the doors are opened up and the lights on. Outside those hours, it locks down, the lights go out, everything shuts off. There's no staff to do any of this but it gets done somehow.”

Hal rubbed his chin, “Any results on what the place is made of?”

“Initial testing of samples gathered are a little odd. We're waiting for the labs to do proper testing, but though the structure looks, feels and behaves like concrete, when examined under a microscope it looks different. Almost organic. The water from the paddling areas is purer than it should be, very clean, very safe. The carpets look normal, the paint on the walls the walls looks normal... yet none of it is made of exactly what it should be made of. Even the items put down as prizes aren't quite right somehow...”

“Hm?”

“In the arcade, one of the agents picked up a coin that had fallen into a prize slot and brought that back for us. The coin, a 2002 two penny coin, is made of metal but it's not typical copper plated steel, but iron... stained iron.”

“Okay...”

“On a whim, I ran a test on it and it tested positive for blood.”

“Are you saying the coin itself is made from...”

“Yep. It seems likely that the coin has been concentrated from the iron in the blood of a person.”

“Wait...” Hal squinted as he considered this, “a grown man has like... an optimistic maximum of a gram of iron in his body... a 2p coin is at least what... seven grams?”

“Copper is a little heavier than iron so I would estimate about six to six and a half with iron but... that's just splitting hairs at this point.”

“This place is basically eating people and distributing bits of them as prizes,” even Kaplain looked a bit green as he said this.

“Yeah... after this last entry to ensure there are no survivors it's likely that we are going to either seal it up or look at the possibility of destroying this place because we have an orgy of evidence that it is responsible for a lot of death,” Green shook their head in distaste.

Hal set his jaw a little grimly, and gave a nod. “I will likely be recommending no more entries into the building if we establish that there are no survivors inside.”

The doctor nodded, “You should grab some food in the mess tent and get some sleep. There's enough bunks for everyone in the accommodation tent. They're as uncomfortable as you'd expect but better than nothing.”

Hal nodded, looking at the two men with him. “You two go grab some scran, I'd like to watch through the walkthrough footage before bed.”

“No problem,” said the doctor, starting to go through the laptop for the recorded footage files.

After about ten minutes, Hal was surprised when the two men rejoined him, holding trays of food, and Kaplain dropped one beside him. “You need food as well,” grunted the ex-policeman, sitting down on one of the flimsy folding chairs in the tent. “Might be beneficial if we all watch the walkthrough.”

Hal blinked a little bit, an urge to get defensive ringing in his ear, courtesy of the angry whisperer, but, just like Doc, he knew Creek meant well, so he bit his tongue on the reply and gave an awkward grin instead. “Alright then, but nobody is allowed to get sick while we're watching.”

“Agreed,” said the two men, and they settled in to watch.

The night passed quickly. Hal did manage to force himself to get a broken four hours of sleep, repeatedly disturbed by his god parasite throwing him nightmares, but not too bad by his normal standards. He couldn't help though, as he lay in the uncomfortable bunk, recalling the warmth of the werewolf's belly. How it had formed to him. How quiet the world had seemed without the scraping scratching of the god's voice against his ear all the time.

The next morning, he forced down some of the lukewarm porridge from the mess tent before taking Kaplain and Sayer aside. He sensed their unease and wanted them to have a last little pep talk before this all went ahead. He didn't want them going in with doubts. “Don't worry. We're going to get through this just fine. Just remember, the only danger here is if everyone breaks eyeline with you. Stay close to me, stay in the middle of the group.” He felt Kaplain's eyes on him, knowing the ex policeman had a more hardened, realistic view of things, but if he told Sayer that now, he risked putting him in a frightened mindset, and they just could not afford that so close to entering a dangerous site.

They were kitted out in full gear. Cameras, weapons, lightweight but tough protective vests, and helmets that carried additional torches and pull down night vision goggles. In their ears were fitted two way radios with an added beeper that would let them know when it was their turn to blink. Occasional deviation from the pattern was unlikely to end in disaster but heavily dissuaded by Green as they were briefed on their route.

Before Hal knew it, they were heading towards the mall, now lit up brightly inside. The eerie, empty parking lot made the entire place feel... less than real, and the inspector had to take a few slow breaths and focus to quiet the angry, distracting whispers of the god telling him the tortures that awaited him within. He knew it was all lies, it was always lies.

As they opened the front door, it was like stepping into another world. The entire ambience of the space changed abruptly from outside, like they had stepped through an airlock. The temperature was comfortable and warm, the air humid but not unusually so, it smelled... strange, like bowling allies and quazar arenas he visited as a child. Hal scrunched his face a little as he got his first proper, in person look at the front lobby of the mall. It was mostly tiled floors as he would expect, but it was punctuated by an expansive, sprawling crazy golf course. It stretched as far as the eye could see along the main hallway and off down the branching walkways. An unstaffed counter at the front offered tickets, club and ball rental, and guaranteed prizes for all participants.

“It's something huh,” said one of the agents beside Hal, who was steering Sayer directly in front of him.

“It reminds me of places I went to as a kid but... rolled into one...” said Hal.

“Yeah, wait til you see upstairs,” replied the man, gruffly.

As planned, the group moved smoothly and quietly along the front lobby, following their route to the main staircase located directly ahead of them. The carpeting on this staircase was black, with brightly coloured orange and green lazer star patterns. This place was like the nineties had become a building...

As they ascended the stairs, the smell changed to another familiar one... it smelt like swimming pool. Warm and damp and a bit chemical.

On this upper floor, the ground was tiled white and blue, and at the sides of every walkway, as they had been told, was a network of paddling pools and waterways, trickling merrily, and Hal had to admit, whatever was left of an inner child in him would have loved to play here. The water looked clean and inviting, and as he bent down to take a sample of it, relaying his actions to the rest of the team so that they could ensure they watched him as he did so, he noticed it was warm and pleasant to the touch. He tucked the phial away for analysis and carried on the route.

Drones buzzed around them, recording their surroundings but always keeping several cameras on the groups, who were tied in groups of three, but sticking together as a full twelve. The three-man buddy system was only to fully come into play in the event of separation.

They stepped carefully, and any time Hal felt someone was trying to increase the pace of the group he would issue a soft and gentle reminder that care was the order of the day, and force them to focus on their task of moving slow and steady towards their goal. The group seemed to remain in reasonable spirits with Hal's gentle commands and reminders, though there was a slightly sombre silence as they passed by the tantalising doors of an arcade which appeared fully equipped with every arcade game Hal could possibly think of, both in terms of digital and physical games. Really it was an impressive sight, and he did feel an urge to go and look around... but a glimpse of the prize counter snuffed out that urge immediately.

Soon, they began approaching the central point, word from outside confirming that the drones mapped the centre to be dead ahead and on their level. Hal could see it long before they arrived, and reported back as such. Before him lay an elaborate circle of floor length glass panelled walls, gilded with swirls of red and gold. A massive pair of glass doors sat open, ready to welcome them into what a glittering sign announced to be 'the prize room.' Outside, sat a ruleboard that they all paused to take a look at.

THE FUNTOPIA WONDERMALL!

The building that is a game!

RULES!

1.Always stay in sight of your friends.

2. If you go out of sight, you lose.

3. If you lose, we get to keep you.

4. If you reach the prize room without losing, you get to claim a prize!

(One per player!)

TRY HARD MODE!

By winning any of the mini-games within the mall you activate hard mode and get to claim a SECOND prize upon reaching the prize room!

Play as many times as you want and have a super happy fun stay!

“Shouldn't they... post that at the start of the mall?” whispered Sayer.

“More wins for them this way I would wager...” muttered Hal, pressing forwards.

The instant they reached the door, Hal felt bile rising in his throat. They had certainly found the answer to the question of what happened to the organic parts of the people who 'lost' their challenge at the wondermall. Displayed proudly in the 'prize room' in gold edged cabinets were the 'grandest' of prizes. Normal-ish things like gold jewellery, expensive technology and rare trinkets... but also an assortment of items that had visibly been constructed from human remains. A leather coat visibly made of skin, a novelty drip timer filled with blood, a flute made of a carved human femur. There was what looked to be art made of spread out human nervous systems preserved under glass or resin of some kind, and over a dozen grinning, painted skulls.

Hal stared around, pressing a hand over his mouth as he tried to take in what he was seeing. Someone beside him vomited loudly and he still didn't stop staring. He was only snapped out of it when one of the drones crashed into a pillar, and that told Hal in no uncertain terms that the pilot had gotten a good view of what was inside. “I think. We can conclude,” he took an awkward swallow to finish his sentence as blood rushed in his ears. “There are no survivors of this place, and we can seal it. Are there any objections?”

“No.” The response was unanimous, from both his earpiece and the team around him. As one, they turned, and began to leave. Hal saw Sayer's hands shaking, and gently put a hand on the young man's shoulder. “Deep breath in and out,” he reminded softly, “then another in, and hold it.” He had seen plenty of ISMI's as bad as this before, but it never got any easier to face them. This one would certainly go down in the record books for its sense of... presentation.

As they made their way back through, everyone was still on high alert. Maybe more so now that they had seen where the losers ended up. They were passing the games arcade on the upper floor, when by sheer chance, something drew Hal's eye, and he ordered a stop. “I see movement.”

The group, as one, ceased walking, guns raising on all sides, and the captain of the group moved up beside Hal to follow his gaze. Indeed, there was movement inside the arcade. It was... barely noticeable but it was there. It wasn't one of the flashing lights or game screens but it was organic movement, something alive.

It was inside a claw machine in the centre of the arcade.

“Team has spotted movement, possible life in the arcade. Green. This is your mission. Can we go in? Advise.”

“Negative Hal. There's no sign of life in the thermal scans.”

“You said no large life signs. This is something small. Suggest two groups go in to investigate.”

“Are you certain it's alive?”

“Yes.” Hal didn't know how he knew but something... about the movement... he sensed life somehow.

“Then break off. Take B team with you. C and D team remain in place. C team continue to observe A and B. D team continue to observe surroundings.”

Hal nodded, and began to lead the way into the arcade, his vision fixed on the movement ahead. As he drew closer, the nature of what he was looking at began to take shape, and he tasted bile at the back of his throat once more. The claw machine was filled with neatly packaged 'prizes,' lined up in straight rows were plastic cylinders with holes in the lids... and in each one was a tiny... little... skeleton. In different stages of decay... but essentially all skeletal except for one, the most recent addition. There at the front, kneeling, but waving frantically at them, was a uniformed man, missing one boot and one glove. Tiny. Perfect in every detail. Very much alive.

Hal sensed a tensing of muscle and a sharp intake of breath beside him, and he reached out pre-emptively to grab the captain's arm. “I see him too. Don't you dare dash over there. We're going slow. We're going careful.”

“That's Deacon,” hissed the captain. “He's alive...”

“Let's get a better look before we decide that.”

They continued to the machine. It appeared, for every other detail, to be a normal prize crane. It was painted bright green-yellow and proclaimed in colourful writing that anyone could try their luck for £1.

Soon, the group stood before it, staring down at the tiny man... probably six or seven inches tall, he looked mostly unharmed, but utterly panicked. No wonder if he'd been in there, all alone, with only rows of tiny skeletons for company. It seemed that the place kept some of its prizes alive, for a while anyway.

“Who has £1?” asked Hal.

“You can't win at this... nobody can win at crane games... they're fixed... you should just let me shoot it out...” the captain was clearly worried about his man, fondling the gun across his chest.

“We don't know how the place would respond to that, we've seen what it does to people who play by the rules, I dread to think what it would do with cheaters...” replied Hal, his tone firm. “Vandalism might lock the mall down for all we know, with us inside.” Hal smiled an awkward, half smile. “Besides... trust me... I can win at crane games. But I will need to focus, and then I will need a moment afterwards so... everyone please be quiet.”

Someone dropped a £1 coin into his hand, and he stepped to the control panel, taking a slow breath, and letting himself connect with the god. The whispering in his ears became a roar as the entity gained full communication with him, and his eyes glittered with specks of bright colour, masked by the reflection of the glowing lights of the game as he dropped the coin into the slot and took hold of his tormentor's power to play... and cheat... and win.

The force controlling his hands as he moved the crane was both his own, and not. The gentle hand of fate, drawn to the god's power, guided his grasp on the lever to position it perfectly. It looked off... as though the drop would not hit the correct tube, and just over the fierce and furious roar deafening him, he could hear the captain telling him he was doing it wrong. Fortunately, Kaplain, who sensed the need for concentration, stepped in and hushed the man as Hal, blood pounding in his ears, pressed the button to drop the crane. As it fell, the side of one of its grabbers glanced off the case beside Deacon's, flicking it perfectly into position, so when it began to rise, it lifted the case with it. The tiny man stumbled, and the case almost fell with the shift of weight... but not quite. The crane carried its burden agonisingly slowly to the prize collection opening and dropped it, and finally Hal exhaled, letting go of the breath he had taken to commence this. He felt his body go weak for a moment, and used the control panel to hold himself upright as he forced the god back, fighting it to the back of his mind once again. He snorted as he felt sharp pain, and felt something wet trickle down his upper lip. His nose was bleeding. Sure he could use the god's power, but it didn't come free.

Pinching his nose, he swiftly reached into the collection point, grabbing the cylinder and drawing it out.

“Goddamn, what the fuck was that?” asked Kaplain, looking at Hal as the man lifted his prize.

Hal shook his head, “long story. Stress nosebleeds...”

“You don't seem like the type...” said the ex-policeman.

“Now isn't the time.” Insisted the guard captain, “Let's go.”

Hal nodded to the captain. “I have your man, let's get out of here,” he tucked the cylinder into the sample collection pouch at his side, and they began to move once more.

Suddenly, as they reached the door, the lighting in the mall changed, swiftly switching to red, and a sweet, honeyed voice spoke out on a previously unheard loudspeaker. “Game success detected. We're so happy for you. Hard mode activated.”

“Hard mode...?” Hal had completely forgotten the ruleboard...

There was a crash as a ceiling tile dropped among the group outside the arcade, causing one man to stumble and almost fall over the bannister. Fortunately the buddy system worked for him and one of his companions grabbed him to yank him back on balance.

“The mall is attacking us. Let's go. Quick but safe, stick with your buddies, keep them close, they're your lifeline.” Hal's voice was quick and authoritative. “Move.” He put his arms out, wrapping one around Sayer's waist, the other linked with Kaplain's arm, and the three began to walk steadily but quickly.

The others followed their example, “Don't focus on the tiles,” shouted the captain as another one dropped among his group, “They're a distraction to make you fall or jump away from the group.” A moment later the lights began to flicker through the mall, flashing erratically on and off, and everyone turned their torch beams on to attempt to mitigate the confusion a little.

“The door is your only goal,” Hal squeezed Sayer close to him, but the young man was not freaking out, surprisingly, his arms were glittering and glowing along the scars as he looked half-upwards, and when a ceiling tile dropped at them, he was ready, shooting it down with a burst of energy. Hal grinned. There we go. That was the good instincts he had known were in the youngster somewhere.

The four groups regathered into one, and ignoring the dropping tiles and the odd collapsing pillar, they systematically made their way back down to the ground floor. The ground was shaking, the tiles coming loose in many places, but every time someone's progress faltered, their buddy stepped in to steady them. Hal gritted his teeth, blood still trickling from his nose, the tang of it making him feel ill, but he kept his focus. The god felt closer to him now... angrier than ever. Taking his power ran down their mutual clock, Hal knew that, but he didn't regret his decision.

They reached the door, Hal pushed the other groups out before theirs, then stepped out through the opening as well into cold, fresh air. Behind them, all noise of the collapsing ceased like it had been put on pause. They all looked back... and the mall looked undisturbed. No damage, no fallen tiles or collapsed pillars, not a speck of dust out of place.

Hal yanked off his helmet and stumbled off to lean against the wall, gasping great breaths of air, suddenly dizzy. A final gush of blood spurted from his nose and then it stopped as abruptly as it had started. The god only had the strength to punish him for a little while... but he sensed he had run down their time a bit. A moment of power had been exchanged for days of the god's remaining life. Not that there was a downside to that for Hal... for him it was a win-win apart from the resulting pain.

“You okay?” Kaplain came and gently put a hand on his back, and Hal nodded.

“Yeah... I get stress nosebleeds... weak blood vessels...” he gestured at his nose. “That crane part was pretty damn stressful...”

“You... do not at all seem like the type to get stress nosebleeds...”

“Never did until a couple of years back,” said Hal, technically not lying. “It's fine. I'm fine. Everyone good?” he wiped his nose and mouth and turned to look at the group.

Three... six... nine... and his made twelve. Everyone alive. Good. He might just sleep tonight.

“Is everyone okay?!” Green's voice came over their headsets, and Hal straightened up.

“Everyone out and alive Doctor,” he confirmed. “returning to basecamp now.”

He untied himself from the ropes and went to help the other men back onto their respective feet, slapping the captain on the back. “Good job in there,” he grinned, “Helped me keep everyone calm when I needed it.”

“I fucking doubted you there for a minute Agent O'dwyer...” said the captain, shaking his head, “But here you only went and got us all out alive, as well as Deacon. He still with us?”

Hal opened his specimen pouch, and indeed, a frightened little face peered out. “I'll keep him close for now. This will need to be kept under wraps as much as possible until the situation has been assessed.”

The captain nodded. “But he's alive. Thanks to you.”

Hal smiled dryly, thinking to himself how this was not actually true. It was thanks to the god... but that was a moral battle he had to have with himself. Instead he gave the older man a pat on the back and began heading across the parking lot, glancing back to ensure all of the others were with them, glad to be moving away from the sickening building.

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<< First || Previous || Masterlist || Next >> So, things getting a bit more intense in this chapter. I did try to make it clear that this story would have some horror elements, so here we saw the first of them. And also got our hands on a lil tiny guy! Oh boy. Time for some wholesome micro content. In a horror story. No way that could go wrong.

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

WIP Monday Because I Said So

The other night in the Catnip Crew discord, in a bestie's playthrough, Rolan ended up having not an Elixir of Battlemage's Power thrown at him but Elixir of the Colossus. That serves as inspiration for my first time in a long time plus size reader fic...

Elixir…where are you? Over here? Over there?

You thought frantically as Gale cast Chain Lightning, destroying the second of Lorroakan’s myrmidons.

“Great job, Gale!” You shouted, hand still desperately trying to find an Elixir of Battlemage’s Power for Rolan, the object of your very much still secret affection.

GOT IT!

You threw the bottle at Rolan, and it landed perfectly.

“What the—”

Uh oh.

You then stared in horror as the bottle was not, in fact, an Elixir of Battlemage’s Power.

I gave Rolan Elixir of the Colossus, so now he’s huge.

Literally very big.

I wonder if his—

“Hey!” Shadowheart growled at you, preparing to fire the Blood of Lathander. “Focus, will you!”

Right.

Focus.

Focus on freeing Rolan.

Focus on Dame Aylin kicking this guy’s ass.

Do not focus on Rolan being fucking gigantic.

I want to climb him like a tree.

NO.

After Dame Aylin snapped him like a dry twig and your comrades departed through the portal, you stood with Rolan, a sheepish grin on your face. “I am so sorry about the elixir. I honestly thought it was Battlemage’s Power.”

Rolan sighed. “It’s alright. I know you were only trying to help. However, it makes what I…must say more difficult.” He pulled at his collar and gestured so awkwardly but so adorably to the book throne. “I think that might be the only chair I can fit in tonight. Perhaps. It would be easier…I…”

Oh no. I’ve ruined what’s supposed to be a wonderful rest of his day because I’m an idiot. “I really am sorry.” You whispered, staring at the floor. You blinked back a few tears but could not stop more from falling.

“My dear, please don’t cry.” He was now on his knees in front of you, reaching for your face. “Allow me…” Barely touching your blushing cheek, he wiped away a tear. “As you said, it was an honest mistake. Come here.” Rolan sat on the floor and patted his lap. “Come here, allow me to…”

[titanicfreija]

last solstice bit

Targe

Zavala considered the cottage and fireplace within, but decided against it. Instead, he built the fire just out of sight of the graves. Something felt rude about being too close.

The comms pinged at him, and he allowed the link. "I asked for privacy," he said, hoping it was someone that didn't know. If they did, he would have to be firm, and he wasn't in the mood.

Caiatl's voice carried a note of apology when she said, "I know." More solidly, she said, "I would ask to join you."

The Commander considered it.

"I understand the telling of stories of past heroics to be part of this tradition," she said. "I would like to hear yours about your Targe."

The loss of his Light, she treated as a disability to work with, and he had. She had been treading delicately around the loss of his Ghost because she knew she could not understand.

So to hear the request surprised him until he remembered last year. It rarely came up, but the way she talked about Ghosts and Guardians changed since she befriended the one. 'Your Targe'. He was sure she'd similarly call him Targe's, were he alive.

"You may," he sighed.

"Thank you."

He waited for a while, sure she was still there. "Caiatl."

"Zavala."

"Thank you."

She didn't respond immediately, and eventually managed, "It is my honor to celebrate your belated Ghost with you."

~

"I considered asking to meet your Targe. I am sorry I did not." The giant woman sat on the massive rock nearby as Zavala constructed the small pyre.

"I considered offering an introduction," Zavala replied. "I am also sorry I didn't. You would have liked him." A smile stole the corner of his mouth. "You would team up to chide me for worrying, or avoiding paperwork. He would side against me often. Always into the right course of action, as much as he could determine it to be."

He glanced back to see Caiatl sitting at half-attention, helmet still on. Respecting the ritual.

To his surprise, he heard more feet touch down nearby, and he looked to see Ikora. "Caiatl had the manners to ask for an invitation," he teased.

"Are you asking me to leave?" she replied, placing a hand on his shoulder before she ventured into the trees to gather her own firewood. "I also want to celebrate Targe."

The bittersweet joy stung his heart and stole the corners of his lips. "I thank you," he said honestly.

Fire felt different without the Light. Zavala had always been a Striker, and yet the distance never felt so long. It took a few moments of white smoke to eventually take, the environment being wet even without rain. He didn't realize his memory of this place was so gray; possibly aged, possibly clouded by pain. The dead grass and twigs stubbornly singed and ashed without a flame, until Zavala worried he would have to ask for help.

Finally, the pyre took true light, orange flame flickering as it grew.

He turned back to the stone hosting his audience, surprised to see Saladin appearing close by and stepping forth with a bundle of sticks and herbs tied together. They briefly exchanged a glance and a nod. Zavala almost missed him passing another to Caiatl, who didn't know the tradition yet.

He didn't have a speech prepared. He didn't expect an audience. He didn't know why not; why he would think he would be the only one with stories of Targe, or that Saladin wouldn't come to pay respects. It felt silly now, and disrespectful of everything Targe did that wasn't resurrecting him. He could hear his memory of Safiya telling so many of Targe's advocacy and appeals. Those were certainly some of his heroic moments to share.

He watched the fire burn for a minute as he collected thoughts. He would begin at the beginning, he supposed....

"I remember meeting Targe. He found me in a crashed ship, and told me that I was destined for greatness...."

[billycorn]

All Our Days

@sincerely-sofie I am sorry for this one. I know it is not the vibes, but I offer it nonetheless

Kip sat on the beach, watching the sun dip below the horizon. It's orange and golden rays bounced off the water, turning the ocean into a sea of fire.

Fire.

Tears sprung to his eyes, but Kip fought them back, and smiled. "Hey, Twig. Sorry it's been so long since I visited. I've been really busy with guild work. I've helped a lot people. I think you'd be really proud."

Laughing to himself, Kip gave up on withholding his tears. Instead, they flowed freely down his cheeks. He looked to the sky and smiled despite the ache in his chest. "I really miss you."

"Kip, who are you talking to?"

His head swivelling, Kip found Marill watching him, concern in the little boy's eyes.

Clearing his throat, Kip wiped away the tears. "Nobody." Kip couldn't help but notice that Azurill was missing, it was strange, seeing the pair split apart. "Where's Azurill?"

"He's playing with some friends." Marill toddled over and sat beside Kip.

"Feeling a little lonely?"

Marill nodded. "I'm not used to being alone."

Smiling, Kip gently rubbed Marill's back. "It's no fun being alone, is it?"

Marill cautiously glanced up at Kip, the boy wanting to ask something, but not sure if he should.

Turning his gaze back on the sunset, Kip sighed heavily. "Exploring with Twig was the best! She always had my back, and she would pack extra snacks." Kip paused, throwing his head back and laughing heartily. "And she told the worst jokes!"

"You really miss her."

Kip nodded slowly. "Remember when Drowzee took Azurill? You were really scared, huh?"

Marill frowned. "I don't want to feel like that ever again."

"I feel like that all the time."

Kip meant to keep speaking, but couldn't get the words out. Memories came rushing back; memories of their first expedition, of Fogbound Lake and the Dark Future, memories of Temporal Tower and everything that came after it. He hadn't been sleeping well since then. Most nights he would awake in a cold sweat, with no memory of a nightmare, just a sense of loss and an echoing truth; 'You are not the Hero of this story.' He would roll over, find her bed empty, and lose her all over again.

Tears sprung back to Kip's eyes. "I feel like that all the time, so I try to remember, when we started as an exploration team, I would get nervous and struggle to sleep sometimes. I never said anything, but Twig knew and on those nights she would sing a lullaby. Long ago, before we met, I dreamed about you. The peace you'd bring. The songs we'd sing. The way you'd make things new. Then one day, you arrived. I heard your angel cry. Helpless, small, and perfect, Welcome to your life. And on that day, I made a vow. Whispered and True. No matter what, no matter how, I made this promise to you. I will cling, I will clutch, I'll hold onto you, I won't turn away. I won't leave, I won't go, I will stay with you all our days."

Marill looked at Kip, confused. "She lied?"

Kip nodded, biting his lip. "Yeah, she's a jerk."

"Who's a jerk?"

Convinced he was hearing things, Kip laughed bitterly and shook his head. "Sometimes I can still hear her singing it."

"Stop telling everyone I'm dead!"

His mouth forming a thin smile, Kip turned slowly and there, right there, was Twig.

His lips quivering, Kip barreled into Twig, knocking her flat. "You kept your promise."

Laughing through her tears, Twig squeezed Kip in a mighty hug. "I'll always find my way home."

Here's a link to the lullaby if anyone wants to listen to it.

[eunoiaastralwings]

The Loss of True Familiarity

-ˋˏ ༻❁ characters erestor x lúthriel (my oc)

-ˋˏ ༻❁ fandom tolkien- the lord the rings/the hobbit

-ˋˏ ༻❁ summary Lú misses Dior and earns for comfort. – here you are @batsyforyou sorry for the angst.

Lúthriel sat on the outside steps towards her room – watching Elrond’s twins play amongst themselves in the yard not too far away from where she was sat.

Her eyes watched them play and tease – Elladan teasing Elrohir on how easily he was able to beat him in their latest round, due to Elrohir’s clumsiness – but Lúthriel’s mind was far away; their voices and sounds of the birds in her garden alone with the light breeze were drowned out as remembered a familiar scene. . . 

“Hi clumsy.”

The teasing voice of her twin reached her ears followed by his laughter.

“Not funny, Dior!”

Lúthriel grunted at him as she tried pull away the pieces of leaves and twigs off her black, silvery tinted hair from the light. 

Once again, she had lost concentration within her magic – where she was intended draw the leaves and twigs into the hair, it suddenly snapped and it came flying towards, knowing her off her feet in the process too.

There had been too many occurrences so far and hence she had received the name ‘clumsy’ from her own twin. 

It was all too funny for Dior to watch the number of times Lúthriel had caused havoc with her powers – going as far as hanging their father upside down on a tree because of her vines and even once accidentally hitting their grandfather in the head with a branch.

“What? Are you going to hang me upside down from a tree as well? – or whack me in the head with a branch?”

Dior laughed as he helped Lúthriel back on her feet.

“Or would it be the time you brought the forest inside-”

“Do not tempt me to do all those things to you!”

Lúthriel glared – her two different colored eyes sharp as her face scowled. Then– sighed and looked down at her hands, wondering when she would finally learn to control her magic and emotions. 

She hated having strong emotions that triggered her magic freely.

“Stop worrying, Lú. . .”

Dior said – he covered her hands with his hands, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“You will learn – I have seen how massively you have progressed so far and I am so proud of you, twin. . . ”

Lúthriel rolled her eyes with a little laugh as she raised an eyebrow.

“And yet– I still have you calling me clumsy.”

“Well, of course, I will – I am the only one allowed to do so!”

He laughed – ending with a gentle smile, holding a little seriousness too.

“You worry too much, that is the problem. Look at you – you are far different from the first time I called you clumsy.”

Dior smirked – teasing his twin to a never end as he remembered her of the times she skip along the forest singing, forgetting she harnessed magic that followed freely among her fingertips – which got herself into many accidents, tripping over new roots or plants she accidentally created – including inside their home. It was funny – but now a familiar– sight to see flowers and all sorts of plants that symbolize her emotions growing on the walls of their home.

“So will you stop calling me clumsy once I learn to control my magic?”

Lúthriel crossed her armed – as they began walking homewards, both silently understanding it was enough training for one day.

“Never, Clumsy!”

Lúthriel’s eyes gathered tears that the memory and she released a shaky breath. Seeing her great nephew’s twins brought back too many memories for her – all them containing one person in parties, the twin she lost a long time ago – it was her unhealing wound.

“Lúthriel, you have missed today’s counsel, dearest.”

Erestor said – himself climbing up the steps towards where she sat.

He failed to see the tears in her eyes until he came closed. With his eyes scowling he slowly crouched in front of his lover – his forehead beginning to crease at the sight.

The wilting flowers beside her were enough proof that the emotion that reached her heart.

Erestor’s eyes closely followed her gaze towards the twins that carelessly tossed their swords at what they called trained. 

Did not take long for Erestor to figure out what was plaguing his beloved and slowly he turned back to her.

“You should-”

“I remember a time like this one. . .”

But Lúthriel had begun speaking before he could finish – it was something that greatly annoyed, if it were anyone else that is. But Lúthriel had her reasons for cutting him off – her valuing thoughts and enchanting voice were enough to melt that annoyance away.

It was not like Lúthriel cut him off to say anything meaningless – he considered each of her thoughts and words utterly valuable, no matter how clumsy she sometimes seemed to him at times. 

Erestor did not speak – he waited, patiently, for her to continue, still crouched on the steps in front of her. He learned it was always best to let her speak her mind – rather than caging it away like she had been for the longest time, it was dangerous – especially considering she was part maia and her magic relied strongly on emotions she carried.

Forcing her emotions down and bottling them up was never good – he learnt that many times, painfully so. . .and how she would be sick with her mind. . .madly. . .

“My powers. . .I could easily lose my control over them and. . .my twin would tease me endlessly for it. Dior was always there. . .trying to make me feel better at every little mishap. He knew I needed to be distracted from it, otherwise, I would worry too much. . .”

Erestor’s eyes quickly snapped down to her half-star necklace as she spoke of her long lost twin - remembering how she had comforted Elrond when losing Elros, she was the only one who knew how it felt for him.

“Twins have a special bond, you know. . .”

It was then her tears spilled - and she bit down on her bottom lip trying to keep her sobs in as she ripped her gaze away from Elladan and Elrohir.

Erestor still did not speak - but his hand carefully reached forward and cupped the side of her face, gently wiping away her tears.

“We would be able to feel each other’s emotions. . .we would know when the other is feeling sad or unhappy. . .”

Lúthriel looked up at Erestor, her eyes overflowing with tears - one that looked like a tidal wave, the other looking like a drowning forest. . .

“I actually. . .felt him dying. . .”

She sobbed and Erestor’s eyes softened, his heart aching at her words and quickly he pulled her trembling body close to him - resting her head on his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her.

Lúthriel sobbed into his shoulder - wetting his robes with her tears, but Erestor could not care less at that moment.

“I felt him die. . .”

She repeated.

“Lúthriel. . .”

Erestor did not know what to say - he gritted his teeth, feeling angry at himself for not being able to deliver and comfort her with words. It did not matter for the amount of knowledge he held - he failed in giving. Elrond, being his friend, had taught him to then give her comfort through his actions, but even then he was struggling to do so.

“I lost a part of myself. . .when I felt him die. . .”

Lúthriel sobbed, her hands fisting his robes as she held on to her lover desperately. Erestor never had the chance to meet Dior, but had a burning anger inside of him because of the fact Dior had chosen to be a mortal - when Lúthriel had no such choice. . .

But he must have had his reasons to do so. . .

However - when he could forgive him for that. . .he could never forgive Dior for seeing Lúthriel as a traitor before his dying moments for having different beliefs, leaving her forever scarred with every thing he had told her before he had died. . .words he could not take back. . .ever. . .

“He was my twin!”

“I know. . .”

It was all Erestor could say as he pulled her closer to him.

He cursed all known magic for giving her powers that prevented her from reaching mortality - even though deep down it had hurt him knowing he would possibly have never met her, if she had chosen to do so. . .

But it would mean she would be suffering every day like this. . .Erestor wanted that for her. . .

Perhaps that was why he freely let her roam around the library, leaving books in the wrong places and allowing her to tease him for his scowls and empty threats and insults so she would laugh more freely than cry in his arms like this. 

Erestor let out a deep sigh - he had come to scold her for missing the counsel this morning, but now knowing where her thoughts had been, he could not find himself to do so.

Then - easily, he slid arm over her back and under her knees to lift her up.

Normally Lúthriel wouldn’t approve of him for doing so - even though she secretly liked it - it was only embarrassing for her, especially if someone were to see it. But right now she did not have the energy to do so and was rather desperate to be comforted by her lover.

It was unlikely for Erestor to stay away from his library for long periods of hours, but right now his lover needed him and he was willing to spend the rest of the evening with Lúthriel cuddled to his side as they took turns in reading - until the flowers outside would stop wilting and return to their original beauty. . .

[museywrites]

Xiantober 2023 - Day 7: Biker!Xian

Word Count: 957 Pairing: Wangxian Tags: Biker Wei Ying, Bunny keeper Lan Zhan

The rev of his bike gave Wei Ying the greatest feeling in the world. It stood for so much. For an escape, for speed, for freedom. There was nothing he loved more than hitting the long winding roads leading out of the city in the middle of the night, enjoying the way the wind whipped around him. 

A way to just get away from his life, from his problems. 

Tonight was one such night. Riding through the dark, barely lit streets that he knew like the back of his hand. It was liberating. It was home. 

He had gotten in trouble at work again, and he just wanted to get away. So, as soon as he had the chance, he hopped on his bike and drove out of the city. Was he going a little too fast? 

Yes. 

Was he prepared for someone to be counting in the middle of the street in the middle of nowhere? 

No. 

So when his headlight reflected off of the pure white and pale blue of someone’s clothes in the middle of the street, Wei Ying had to slam on the breaks, his bike swerving off of the road and into the bushes. With the impact, Wei Ying flew over the handlebars and straight into a thick, dense pile of underbrush. 

The man from the road stood quickly, holding something small in his hands ands he hurried over. “Are you okay?!” 

“Am I okay?! What the hell were you doing in the middle of the road, in the middle of the night?!” Wei Ying sat up, completely covered in twigs and leaves. He had lucked out, that was for sure. He could have ended up with broken bones or worse. Thankfully he just had a sore shoulder. 

“I am so sorry. My rabbit got out of his hutch and I was chasing him. I had just managed to grab him when you showed up.” The man explained, carefully lifting the small white bundle of fluff in his arms.

Wei Ying wanted to scold him, but he couldn’t really blame him. He himself would have done the same if he had a pet. So instead, he just sighed and pulled his helmet off, letting his messy hair fall into place as he finally looked up at the man. 

Gorgeous dark hair, shimmering golden eyes, perfect, jade skin. He was stunning. 

“Are you certain you’re alright?” He asked once more when Wei Ying didn’t answer, holding his rabbit a little closer. 

He sighed before nodding and rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah… I’m fine…” He forced himself up and shifted over to grab his bike, making sure the vehicle was okay and undamaged. “It was partially my fault anyways, I shouldn’t have been speeding.” His shoulders sagged in relief when he saw his motorcycle was unharmed. 

“Still, please allow me to make it up to you. My home is not far from here, you can come for a cup of tea? I’m sure that accident rattled your nerves, and you can make sure you have no injuries.” 

Wei Ying was about to decline, but something told him he should agree, so he did. 

The man, Lan Zhan, as Wei Ying learned his name to be, led him back to his home not far from the road. It was a cozy little thing surrounded by woods with a large fenced-in area that was for a few fuzz balls. 

Lan Zhan explained that he had moved out here after inheriting the home from his late mother, and the large yard that came with it was perfect for raising rabbits, which he was quite fond of. Wei Ying had never been overly fond of the little fuzz balls, but after seeing the way Lan Zhan interacted with them, he decided they were quite cute. 

Or maybe it was Lan Zhan, but he wasn’t going to admit that yet. 

He was served tea and Lan Zhan insisted he removed his jacket so he could check for any injuries, and Wei Ying couldn’t deny that those strong, careful fingers gliding over his arms and back felt nice. 

Though the lingering touches were gone far too soon as Lan Zhan deemed him clear of any physical, external injuries. 

The pair sat for several hours, talking about everything and anything as the time ticked by without either noticing. They lost themselves in each other’s company, learning about one another as if that was the only thing that mattered. 

Wei Ying had been reluctant to leave that night, but he promised to visit soon. 

And he did.

Every weekend he would drive his motorcycle to that cozy house in the middle of nowhere and sit with Lan Zhan for hours. 

Every weekend turned to every other day, and every other day turned into Wei Ying staying there more often than not. 

When Lan Zhan was comfortable enough, Wei Ying took him for a drive on his bike and he loved the way Lan Zhan took to the feeling of the wind in his hair, though he very quietly reminded Wei Ying to be careful. 

Eventually, Wei Ying’s riding became minimal. He no longer needed an escape from the hellish life of the city as he moved in with Lan Zhan, spending most days curled up against Lan Zhan’s broad chest or working as a free-lance coder from the cozy comfort of their middle-of-nowhere home. 

They still took rides occasionally, but they were much less stress-relief and more for the joy of the moment. 

Wei Ying knew he would be forever grateful for that late night ride through those winding roads where he nearly crashed into the most gorgeous man in the world. 

They still laugh about it to this day.