#Xavier’s aunt

[nacho475]

Aunt Thorpe (Character Information)

Played By: Emma Stone

Powers: psychic vision

Full Name: Scarlett Thorpe♥️

“Aunt Thorpe (aka Scarlett Thorpe) is the baking class teacher at Nevermore and Xavier’s aunt. She has supernatural powers like his nephew Xavier. She can see things in her visions and she has the power to create love spells to help people feel bonded and she is telekinetic. She helps Xavier when he is nervous and needs advice on how to deal with the scary visions he has especially the Hyde. She loves to have family bonding time with him over the weekends too.”

[thorpefamilyblog]

Xavier’s aunt

[fromdeepspace-withlove]

Let’s put everything else on hold, devote every single affiliated scientific endeavor, every worker that can be useful, and devote our entire world’s resources in order to make the LADS boys real, and exactly as they were.

[tangledbea]

What more background characters would you have liked to see more of? I'd liked to have seen more of Xavier and Faith.

I would classify Xavier and Faith as side characters. Background characters are more like that Black lady we often see in Corona who never has any lines. (Except the sung ones about the kittens in "I've Got This.")

But as for your question, Xavier would be an interesting focus, and, quite frankly, Arianna. She was definitely delegated to side character, rather than secondary character. Willow, too.

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

So today there was this class where the teacher wanted us to learn how to be "empathetic".

Context is that this is the first day of the second semester back and this class is basically giving an environment for us to learn on how to interact with people different from yourself and work together to tackle a problem. (It's mandatory for us students.) So it had a mix of students (age 18-21) from different courses grouped together. We don't know anyone. We won't interact outside of this class.

She also wanted the pre-assigned groups of ppl to get to know each other a little better using this exercise as a team bonding activity.

Continuing on,

The exercise goes like this:

Each person in the group is a part of the family unit (u can be the mom,dad, child, grandparent and even the pet)

You are all living in the same house

Then you draw up what budget looks like for the family in a month.

The thing about this is that this class is happening at the end of a long day. A very long first day back to school, at least for me.

So chaos is waiting to be unleashed from inside of me.

My classmate, who I know is a shit stirrer, was also part of my group. There was also a guy who claimed to be a professional gaslighter during our icebreaker exercises.

It started simple.

My classmate (who we will call C) tells us that he will be the rich grandpa and the rest of us will be his family who is mooching off his wealth.

The two seemingly less chaotic people of the group goes on to take the role of mom and dad. Useless detail to add but the one claiming to be the mom is a guy. (Yay! Fuck traditional gender roles or sth)

In chaos gremlin mode, I claim the title of the aunt (divorced once and secretly gay) and sisters with the mom. The aunt hates the mom because of sibling rivalry and also because the mom was better than her. So the aunt is bitter and jealous and a hater.

Mr. Professional Gaslighter goes on to be the adopted kid taken in by the mom and dad.

Then C shared a google doc so we can use it to draw up the budget.

Clearly, the budget would need some context to explain the expenses so we used that opportunity to expand the backstory of our characters.

Meet Grandpa Xavier Demarcus Ang used to be a criminal and hv connections with the mafia. That explained his wealth. And also on life support.

He adopted 13 year old Nino Mazino as his grandson to be the heir to his empire and teaching the ways of the family business.

Little Nino is suspected of criminal activities, expert gaslighter (has framed the dad for something once)

Then the two Ang daughters:

Calista Ang (my character) the unmarried Aunt. Coporate Slave who does shady deals with shady people (her dad is a mafia boss so obvi she was a little bit in the underground world). Basically a professional hater. Hates her sister. Hates her brother in law. Hates the kid. Greatest desire is to unplug Xavier's life support and get her inheritance.

Cheryl Ang-Tan (Mom) social media influencer by day, taxi driver at night, single on tinder profile with another husband on the side. She is planning to divorce her current husband in 2 months.

Finally:

John Tan (Dad and perhaps the only normal character who should never have gotten involved with the family) office worker who wants to make more money and get promoted.

If you expected us to make a perfectly normal budget plan after making up that whole drama filled backstory, you are dead wrong.

-----

The basic budget plan the teacher wanted us to make:

Accommodation:

Food:

Groceries:

Utilities:

Clothes:

Any other expenses:

-----

The budget we made:

Accommodation: $3500/mon (bc we lived in a 4 bedroom flat and mortgage paid for by Xavier. This is the number they pick don't ask me how they got it.)

Food: $300 per person /month

Groceries: $450/month

Utilities: $550/month (because we want hot showers but Xavier would kill us we ever try to take a bath)

Finally the best part:

Clothes: $4588/ month (bc mommy and aunty love designer clothes)

Under any expense you can think of:

Car gas: $300/month (bc Calista needs a car to get to work and Cheryl is a 'taxi driver' at night)

Hospital bills: $5000/month (bc rmb Xavier is on life support)

-----

So while other groups got their total budget to be around 3~5k /month. Our group got over 15k /month as our total and we were mostly mooching off Xavier's wealth.

Then the teacher revealed the next step of the exercise:

Suddenly, your gross total household income has become $1500 per month. What will you do?

We had to redo our budget.

My suggestion to pull the plug on Xavier was well met and we made the almost unanimous decision to kill off Xavier Demarcus Ang bc his hospital bills were too high and he was dying anyways. We also needed his inheritance to live on. (You were a shit dad, Calista said to her father as he laid on his deathbed)

Then, we found out that Xavier was a spiteful shit that made it so little Nino got his inheritance and no one could access it.

Unfortunately, the family had to downgrade to a 2 bedroom flat bc the rent is cheaper. But that would mean that there was not enough space for 4 people.

The sisters made the decision to kick Nino out into the streets because he was so useless anyways. John was only kept around bc he contributed something(money) to the household.

The once mighty Ang family resorted to a meal a day, quick cold showers once a week and the bare minimun to survive.

The Ang sisters had to make the hardest decision to stop buying designer clothes and they couldn't afford any new ones right now.

(If you are asking why we didn’t sell the car or our expensive clothes, the rule was that we couldn't increase the budget by selling things so there was no point in selling anything)

-----

The new budget:

Accommodation: $150/month

Food: $200

Groceries: $200

Utilities: $200

Clothes: $50

Car gas: $0 (bc we ain't driving anywhere bc the gas price is high and the car remained a relic of pur former glory days)

Public transport fee: $50

Hospital bills: $0

-----

You might be wondering where the empathy part of the exercise it.

Well....

The teacher announced that the student playing the character that would be most affected by the changes in the budget to come up and tell us

What the hardest decision to make was?

What was the easiest decision?

Who was the most affected and how?

Our Answers:

The decision to stop buying designer clothes. And kicking the adopted kid out because he got the inheritance no one can get but no one wants him around anymore. Nino was Xavier's favourite so everyone hated him.

Easiest decision was pulling the plug on Xavier. Dude was dying alr and we couldn't the hospital bills even if we wanted to.

Most affected was Nino. And Mr. Pro Gaslighter gave this whole tragic story of how he was abandoned by the family since Grandpa Xavier was the only one to care about him and with him gone, Nino no longer had his protection. This 13 year old made his way in the world by catching pigeons in the park and making satay out of the birds in order to feed himself or sell them to ppl for a dollar a stick.

Me and C were giggling like mad the entire time.

Hilariously, the teacher went along with the entire thing and ask normal questions like:

"How would your friends feel about your new homeless situation?"

They don't know about it because I haven't been back in school bc the Ang family were sponsoring me and now they aren’t sponsoring me and I can't go to school.

"Where are you sleeping since you were kicked out?"

On a park bench

"How are you feeding yourself?"

I make satays out of the pigeon I catch and sell them for a dollar a stick. Also I steal from the Angs when they are not home. Grandpa taught me a lot of tricks.

-----

With each word coming out of his mouth, everyone was trying not to burst out laughing.

Honestly, I was dying of laughter and holding back tears at the end of it.

The teacher eventually decided to move onto another group because our group had taken too long. I think she was a bit in disbelief of how far we had taken the entire thing.

Our family dynamic had to be the most toxic out of the all of them and filled with drama.

It was shit but oh what glorious shit it was.

[eldritch-bf]

NEW WIP INTRODUCTION

M O O N L I G H T T R I L O G Y

A story about the collision of several stranger’s lives—both their legal daily jobs, and their illegal night jobs—set in the multi-cultural backdrop of the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Family isn’t whose blood you have; family is who you’ve bled for. And there is a lot of bleeding to be done. Romance, intrigue, and betrayal take center stage in this nail-biting trilogy inspired by Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

N E O N M O O N L I G H T

(Book One)

Xavier Campbell

26, he/him, trans, gay, Scottish-Irish; dishwasher at Cocina Ramos by day, enthusiastic corporate terrorist by night; works with Henry Townsend, his 39 yo neighbor reeling from the accidental death of his son by a corporation-caused water pollution outbreak, and together the two of them target various corporations in the twin cities, stealing their money and destroying their corporate offices, aided by Henry’s low-level position in a high-end custodial services company, which grants them access to these businesses after dark; without knowing it, they target businesses secretly owned by Irish Clanns. (Also Henry really wants to fuck him, but won’t admit it.)

Camilo Ramos

26, he/him, cis, bi, Mexican; recent medical school graduate by day, unwilling unlicensed surgeon for the O’Shea Clann by night; aunt runs Cocina Ramos (pretty much the only legitimate business in this story); his family is being extorted by the O’Sheas and is also hiding from the Alcázars, a paramilitary group based in southern Mexico, which his grandfather Rafael accidentally married into decades ago. He drunkenly knocks Xavier to the floor while he is carrying dishes, resulting in him pulling glass out of Xavier’s hands in the employee bathroom of his aunt’s restaurant, in perhaps the most awkward meet-cute to ever happen. Also his mother has been missing for years.

Amelia Ngô

33, she/her, trans, ace, Vietnamese; recent inheritor of Zenith Investments (a mostly legitimate company) after her estranged mother’s (natural) passing by day; new liaison with the Kinney Clann, whose money Zenith Investment moves around (among other things, like buying judges and officials, all of which her mother had been doing for years); she abandons her hopes of a political career, stalled from years of battling entrenched bigotry in the government, and leans completely into the underground, now finally able to accomplish the things she’s always wanted now that she knows how the game is really played: by bribes and extortion.

Saoirse Kinney

20, she/her, cis, gray, Irish; by day: owner and operator of an Irish goods import company; by night: formerly the Kinney family’s “fixer”, currently the Kinney family’s new leader, since her father was apprehended by the Feds; the Kinney Clann is a part of what the Feds call The Syndicate, a decentralized group of Irish criminal families: the Kinneys, the Teagan’s, and the Rooney’s, as well as formerly, the O’Sheas, whom they are now at war with. She’s got a million problems, both outside and inside the Syndicate.

Lorcan O’Shea

16, they/them, nonbinary, pan, Black; HS student by day; spy and sniper for the O’Shea Clann, which they were adopted into after the death of their parents, by night; they are hoping to destroy the Kinneys, Teagans, and Rooneys, whom they have been led to believe were responsible for their parents’ deaths, and they see the current instability in the Kinney Clann as a great opportunity to exploit; unfortunately they are also dealing with development that their friend, Xavier, has recently made themselves the target of both the Syndicate and the O’Sheas.

Farrah Zahir

22, she/her, cis, bi, Somali; social working student by day; extremely experienced unlicensed underground doctor primarily serving immigrants but also criminals by night; her parents ran a similar outfit, providing medical care to any and everyone who came in (including the O’Sheas), which got them killed by the Kinney’s years ago; was adopted by her godfather, Rufus Knox, a diesel engine mechanic and mostly retired leader of the motorcycle gang known as the Barbarians, who was saved from a double-gunshot wound by Farrah’s parents; she and Rufus live together and still have strong influence with the Barbarians.

I’ll make a taglist if anyone is interested in receiving updates on this story; also feel free to slide into my inbox or DMs over it because I have eight million feelings about this story. Please belong for greater visibility <3

[xvysarene]

𝔹𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟

Pairing: LADS Men (All 5) x Fem!Reader Prompt: The moment they realise they want to spend their whole life with you Words: ~1.3k || 200-300 per LI Genre: Fluff, Comfort, Established relationship A/N: Highly recommend giving Urban Zakapa's "Nearness is to love" a listen to capture the mood! I need to be love like this smh

[ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST]

⊱ 𝕏𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕣

Xavier has always wondered why he willingly abandons a good slumber and ignores the sting and soreness in his body just to see your face after every challenging mission.

“𝐷𝘰 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝘵 𝑚𝑒 𝘵𝘰 𝑐𝘰𝘰𝑘 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑠𝘰𝑚𝑒𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒?”

The lines of concern etched on your forehead deepen when he hasn't touched the porridge, all while swiftly checking to ensure you haven’t missed tending to any of his injuries.

He realises then, that you opening the door after the first knock, with a home-cooked meal waiting for him even before the first rays of dawn, is why he always seeks you out first.

This is the person he wants to witness a lifetime of sunrises with, the one he never wants to see weighed down by worry due to his line of work.

Words fail him, so he gathers you in his arms. Revelling in the way your body moulds perfectly against his.

“𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝘵 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑐𝑙𝘰𝑠𝑒.”

“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙,” you chide softly, eyes flicking up to meet his.

The concern in your gaze tugs at something deep within him.

Xavier now understands what it is to be unconditionally loved—to be so genuinely cared for that someone would worry about his well-being above all else.

“𝐼 𝑝𝑟𝘰𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝘵𝘰 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝘰𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝘵 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝘰𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟𝑦𝘵𝑖𝑚𝑒.”

Your eyes soften. “𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑦, 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑑𝘰𝑛'𝘵 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝘰𝑛 𝘵𝘰 ℎ𝘰𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑒.”

The sensation of your fingers threading through his hair is pure heaven, and as you hold him tighter, you express that this embrace requires no further validation.

⊱ ℝ𝕒𝕗𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕝

Bathed in hues of molten gold and fiery amber, Rafayel watches you set up the dining table with his aunt and Thomas, a scene he will cherish until his very last breath.

The laughter of his favourite people mingling with the rhythmic crash of waves is music to his ears.

“𝑅𝑎𝑓, 𝑑𝘰𝑛'𝘵 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝘵 𝑠𝘵𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝘵ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒,” you call out. Tucking your hair behind your ear as the salty breeze whips strands across your face.

If only he could immortalise this scene on canvas, Rafayel muses.

But he knows that a painting would never do justice to fully conveying the true essence of this beauty.

“𝛭𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝘰𝜈𝑒𝑑, 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝘵𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑓𝘰𝑟 𝑎 𝑚𝘰𝑚𝑒𝑛𝘵?” The quiver in his voice doesn’t go amiss by anyone’s notice as he approaches.

Thomas quirks a questioning brow, while his aunt's gaze softens, her smile somehow knowing as she glances between the two of you.

Normally, he would have a response ready as Thomas quips about the champagne warming, but not this time. 

Not when everything else other than you fades into insignificance.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he pulls you in a tight hug as soon as you both are away from prying eyes, burying his face in the crook of your neck.

“𝑇𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒,” his voice barely above a whisper, “ℎ𝘰𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝐼 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑓𝘰𝑟 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓, 𝑓𝘰𝑟𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟?”

You gently draw back and hold his cheeks, adoring the crimson spreading onto his face and ears, before murmuring tenderly against his lips, “𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝜈𝑒.”

At that very moment, it feels as though his heart might combust.

As if every whispered longing he's ever had has come true.

⊱ ℤ𝕒𝕪𝕟𝕖

Perplexed is what Zayne always imagined he would feel—wishing to spend the rest of his life with someone is a huge commitment after all.

But now, his heart overflows with nothing but contentment and peace.

With his glasses and book perch on his lap, he attentively listens as you animatedly vent about one of your coworkers, sitting cross-legged beside him on the bed.

“...𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝘰𝑟𝑟𝑦, 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝘰𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛'𝘵 ℎ𝑎𝜈𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝘰𝑛. 𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝘵 𝑏𝑒 𝘵𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝘵𝘰𝑑𝑎𝑦.”

Zayne frowns, cursing himself as you mistaken his prolonged silence and composed demeanour for indifference.

Setting his stuff aside, he draws you closer, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead as your arms circle around him.

“𝐿𝘰𝜈𝑒, 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝘰𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝘵𝑎𝑙𝑘. 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝘵𝘰𝑝 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝘰𝑢𝑟 𝘵ℎ𝘰𝑢𝑔ℎ𝘵𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝘵ℎ 𝑚𝑒.” 

A small content sigh leaves his lips as you nestle closer to him, the warmth of your embrace seeping into his very soul.

Long fingers gently stroke your hair as you voice out concern about adding to his mounting stress with your words.

“𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑐𝘰𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛,” he murmurs, lips brushing your temple. “𝑌𝘰𝑢𝑟 𝜈𝘰𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝘵 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑎𝘵 ℎ𝘰𝑚𝑒. 𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟𝑦𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝘵𝘵𝑒𝑟, 𝑑𝘰𝑛'𝘵 𝑒𝜈𝑒𝑟 𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝘰𝘵ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒.”

Sometimes he wonders if he truly deserves the depth of love and understanding you provide, a treasure more valuable than any he has ever known.

He is not an easy man to love, yet you wholeheartedly embrace his complexities.

In that quiet moment, with the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtain, he knows with certainty that you occupy a space in his life that no one else can fill.

⊱ 𝕊𝕪𝕝𝕦���

“𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝘰𝑙𝑢𝘵𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑓𝑓𝘰𝘰𝑛!” your voice trembles with fury as you cock your gun at him. “𝑊ℎ𝘰 𝑖𝑛 𝘵ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝘵 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝘰𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝘵𝘰 𝑎 𝘵𝑟𝑎𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑦? 𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑐𝘰𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝜈𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑑!”

Despite having just slain dozens of degenerates and currently staring down the barrel of your gun, Sylus’s head is oddly silent.

The sight of his enemies’ blood staining your clothes, your hair tousling messily from its ponytail, and the blazing intensity in your eyes—every detail captivates him completely.

Fuck him, you’re perfect.

Exasperated by his grin, you continue calling him all the names in the book: reckless idiot, brainless fool, dumbass…

But he’s your idiot.

Sylus watches your eyes widen as he closes the distance between you, your mouth opening to protest, “𝐷𝘰𝑛’𝘵 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑘𝑖—” but before you can finish, he discards your gun aside with alarming speed, lips crashing against yours with a fervour that matches your fury.

It’s not a gentle kiss, it’s an explosion of emotions; a release of all the anger, fear, and love that has been building up.

“𝐼’𝑚 𝑠𝘰𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝘰𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝘰𝑢,” he says breathlessly, resting his forehead against yours.

Strong hands pull you closer, and he smiles, sensing your fury starting to dissipate as you melt into his cocoon. “𝛢𝑠 𝑙𝘰𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝜈𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢, 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝘵ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝘵, 𝑛𝘰 𝘰𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝘵𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒—𝑢𝑠—𝑑𝘰𝑤𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑦.”

When you respond to him with another creative jibe, calling him a “𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘-ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝘰𝑎𝑓”, his deep laughter booms through the room.

No one else can and will challenge him like you do, and he lives for it.

Caught in the back-and-forth of your wit and spirit, craving the spark you kindle within him with every word.

⊱ ℂ𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕓

“𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑏!”

The moment your wide smile graces your features upon spotting him down the store aisle, it robs out all the oxygen in his lungs.

Caleb has always known that this relationship is different from his past ones—the thought of seeing you in his future teasing his brain occasionally.

But when you skip to him, with excitement dancing in your eyes, it hits him that he will give everything just to witness that radiance again.

Every day for the rest of his life.

“𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒!” You slip your hand into his and intertwine your fingers together. “𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝘰𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝘵ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝘵𝑒𝑚 𝘵ℎ𝑒𝑦’𝜈𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝘵 𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝘰 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ.”

He’ll let you lead him to whichever section of the market, and he'll damn well help you get whatever you want, even if it’s questionable whether you need it or not.

Another mini planter for your succulents? Sure, he’ll even buy all of the different designs for you.

When you ask him if he’s alright, noticing his dazed expression, he straight up pulls you into his embrace and kisses the top of your head, murmuring, “𝐼 ℎ𝘰𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢’𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝘵𝘰 𝑔𝑒𝘵 𝘵ℎ𝘰𝑠𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝘵𝑒𝑚𝑠.”

If he is misty-eyed amidst the bustling grocery store, it doesn’t concern him in the least.

You smile up at him in confusion, noticing the sentimental mood in his eyes. Standing on tiptoes, you give him a quick peck and melt in the warmth of his arms, feeling the beat of his heart against your cheek.

No other place feels as secure and comforting as being in each other’s arms.

⤷ ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST

[jinwoosbabyboo]

I have a silly thought that I would like to share with you. Sometimes, I make random noises as a sort of verbal keysmash. Wouldn't it be funny if the verbal keysmashes were somehow Lemurian swear words? Or an old Philos curse?

Gibberish … Maybe?

How I imagine the LADS men reacting to you accidentally saying something in another language. Whole time you just made a random noise and have no clue what they’re even talking about. A/N: Imagine saying "manamana doot dee de dee tee" and they think you just cursed them out in a different language

Zayne

Doorways and staircases really suck sometimes because why did you completely forget what you came in the kitchen for as soon as you walked through the cased opening. You stood there dumbfounded and made a random noise which you could only refer to as a ‘verbal keyboard smash’

Zayne: Where did you learn that? MC: Learn what? Zayne: You just said ‘Forevermore’ in latin MC: I literally made the most random noise my brain could think of Zayne: That was latin clear as day MC: How the hell do you know latin? Zayne: I studied it MC: Why? Zayne: Why not?

From then on Zayne sends you random quotes in latin just to see if you can tell what they say. You keep telling him you never learned latin and have no clue what he’s talking about. After months of him teaching you bits of latin you two have your own little secret language now.

Rafayel

Your brain must've stopped working for a second because here you are opening the oven with your left hand and reaching in with your right hand. The problem? The oven mitt is on your left hand. Just as the tip of your finger is about to hit the edge of that scalding hot cookie sheet you pull your hand back making the most random shocked noise.

Rafayel: What did you just call me? MC: What are you talking about? Rafayel: You just basically called me a barnacle muncher in glubbanese MC: Glubba what?! Rafayel: Who taught you that? MC: Nobody taught me anything what in the blue fuck are you talking about? Rafayel: Are you seeing other Lemurians? MC: I made a random noise Raf get outta my ear with all this

You turned to pull your baked goods out of the oven and set them on the stove. You quickly turned the oven off before turning back to him.

MC: Also aren’t you the only Lemurian left Rafayel: Me and my aunt Talia … wait!

He grips you by the shoulders

Rafayel: Was it her?! I knew it! I'll be back MC: NO! I-

You didn’t get the chance to finish your sentence as he turned on his heels and made a beeline for the front door. You try to stop him from storming out the door, but he was too fast. You stare at the door dumbfounded because you still have no clue what the actual fuck glubbanese is.

Xavier

Xavier was the perfect body pillow to lean against while you read a book. Perhaps you were a little too immersed in your book because when the major plot twist came the most unintelligible string of gibberish came out of your mouth. You felt Xavier stiffen behind you which broke you immersion.

MC: What's wrong? Xavier: Why did you say that? MC: Say what? Xavier: You just said something rather strange in Philosian MC: I said what in philosophy? Xavier: I’d rather not repeat it MC: Xav I literally just made a random noise Xavier: Well that random noise is ‘hairy anus’ in philosian MC: WHAT???

You sat up so fast you somehow managed to fall off the couch hitting your elbow on the coffee table. Xavier pulled you back onto the couch checking to make sure you were okay before you notice the grin he’s trying to hold back. He finds this whole thing hilarious.

MC: Stop laughing! Xavier: I should’ve known you didn’t mean to say that MC: I didn’t say anything I made a random noise Xavier: I’m sure you’ll be more careful next time MC: If Philosian sounds like random throat noises then yea I guess I'll be more careful

Sylus

You were laying on the plush couch in Sylus’ study while he was taking a few business calls. He said he would be done soon however the boredom was getting to you. With absolutely zero thought you blurted out a random noise. You didn’t think much of it until you looked over and saw Sylus starring at you; his brows furrowed and his head cocked. You sat up confused on why he was looking at you as if you’d just called him a no neck bitch or something.

Sylus: Where did you learn that? And when? MC: Learn what? Sylus: You just tried to curse me MC: I didn’t do anything…… Sylus: That was a curse in ancient Philosian MC: That was random gibberish Sylus: …. MC: Fix your face Sylus: Trying to get rid of me sweetie? MC: I’m not trying to do anything! Sylus: Unfortunately for you those curses don’t work on me you’ll have to try something else MC: What in the blue hell do you mean ‘try something else’ I didn’t try anything in the first place!

Ever since you supposedly tried to curse him in a language you’d never heard of he’s constantly teasing you. He checks in from time to time to see if you’ve taught yourself any new spells and you tell him the same thing every time.

MC: Sylus it was a random noise Sylus: Keep telling yourself that Sorceress

[trippinsorrows]

through your eyes + au 3

authors note: well. this got freaky. some smut ahead, folks. this really is starting to feel like a completely different story, low key.

part one // part two // au solana instagram

warnings: smut

taglist: @sayyestoheav3nn @fearlesschimera @cyberdejos2 @annfg8 @trentybenty @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @zoeyybellex3

word count: 4.3k

"I need to talk to you."

Solana should have been talked to someone about this.

But, she's felt torn.

Torn on just who she can talk to about it.

And lack of options hasn't been the issue.

If anything, there's a copious amount of resources and trusted confidants she could go to. Courtesy of her large family, host of cousins, and other good friends.

It's actually easier to start with who would absolutely be the worst person to go to.

And her mom, interestingly enough, is that person. Ironic given how close she is to her madre. One of her best friends, in many ways.

But, not for this. Because Nina will go to Xavier, Solana's dad, and somehow Wes, Solana's brother, will get involved, and it'll just be a whole mess.

Beyond that, there's her cousins. Jade and Anriel will scold the living shit out of her and probably confide in their mom, Solana's aunt Sharmell, out of concern. Aunt Sharmell will go to her husband, Booker, who won't hesitate to literally fly out to Miami just to tell his brother, Xavier, Solana's dad. Thus, the whole damn family knowing.

Then there's her cousin, Roxanne. Roxanne would be great if not for her inability to hold water. And Solana definitely doesn't need her mom's side of the family knowing. They'll kidnap her and force her to live in Mexico for the rest of her life, believing she's gone mad.

Might not be too far off though.

Rhea will just kick her ass for being so 'fawkin stoopid'. Jaida will encourage it, because Jaida encourages all things questionable. But Kayden....Kayden could be the one.

She's also bound to not respond well, but still, someone Solana knows will ultimately keep this between the two of them.

Kayden Carter looks over at Solana with intrigue. With over 15 years of friendship, she knows when her roommate and best friend is truly in a dilemma, that nervous, panicked voice she typically uses present already. This is definitely one of those times.

"Okay." Kayden motions for Solana to sit down on the other end of the sofa, waiting until she does so to ask, "what's going on?"

Solana takes a deep breath, both hating and needing to share this. "You know the event I attended with my family this weekend?" Kayden nods. "I—I met someone there."

At that, Kayden lifts a pierced brow. "Oh?"

Solana looks away, explaining, "I was trying to get away from Ethan and ran into this man by accident, and he ended up helping me out. Pretending to be my date or whatever. It got Ethan to leave me alone, so that was good."

"Forget about Page's annoying ass, what about the man? Is he attractive?"

Solana scoffs. "Very." She's not quite sure how to describe just how fine Roman Reigns is. "But—"

Kayden's expression sours. "He's an asshole, isn't he?"

"Notorious." Though Solana does her best to stay tucked away in her little corner of the world within that's away from the mafia life, she's not stupid nor entirely disconnected. It's common knowledge that Roman is a dick.

And yet....

"But, he was nice to me. He's been nice to me." Kayden's expression shifts into confusion, Solana clarifying, "he—he came to my job this morning."

"Holy shit, he's serious about this." Kayden scoffs and smiles, clearly intrigued by the mystery of it all. "Wait, who is this guy, Sola?"

And now, here comes the part that Solana has been dreading since decided she would confide in Kayden. "It's....it's Roman."

Kayden blinks, not catching on. "Roman who?" And it's just one 'you know' look from Solana that has her eyes widening. "No." Solana closes her eyes. "Please tell me you're kidding." More silence provides the answer she's certain her roommate didn't and doesn't want to hear. "Roman fuckin' Reigns? Solana, have you lost your mind? Do you know who he is?"

Solana leans back into the sofa, murmuring, "of course."

"No, you must not, because this man is the devil himself. He's a monster, Solana. If you heard half the things he's done, you'd be running the opposite way. You'd be on the other side of the goddamn world to get away from him." Kayden continues to freak out, lecturing and chiding Solana for what she clearly feels is a bad call. "I just-I don't understand. Solana, you've always been so against our world. You've essentially lived in seclusion just because you don't want to be a part of it, and now you're entertaining the literal embodiment of said world?"

Solana runs her hands over her face. "It's not—it's not like that."

"Then tell me what it's like, because maybe I'm just confused, but I'm pretty sure you're telling me that you're talking to Roman Reigns?"

That's exactly what she is, but Solana is lost on just how to express that despite everything that's been said about this man, in the two interactions she's had with him, he's been nothing but kind. In his own way, of course.

"He....he hasn't been that way with me," she finds herself defending while also recognizing that it truly is a weak defense. "He's been....nice. He helped me out with Ethan. He came to see me at my job just to ask me out--"

"Wait, he already asked you out?" Kayden looks like she's about to spazz out even more. She shakes her head, taking a second to calm down. "Solana, you're my best friend, and I love you, but he's probably just trying to fuck you. You're gorgeous with a great body, and he obviously sees how innocent you are. It's just a chase."

It makes sense, and Roman more or less confirmed as such with his comment about wanting her with no clothes on. That should be enough evidence for her to find a way to ward off his advances.

But.....

There's this part of her that's absolutely intrigued by him, as he so smugly pointed out. A part of her that wouldn't mind to get to know him more. Even if it makes no damn sense to her.

"I can take care of myself." It doesn't come out as confident and assured as she would like it to be, nor is she entirely certain of her assertion herself, but it's expressed regardless. "I—I can handle this."

Kayden looks just as unsure as Solana feels. "Your family doesn't know, do they?"

"No." Her eyes widen a bit. "No one does, except you now. So please, please don't say anything to anyone." Solana needs to at least figure out just what's going on before she has to face the inevitable backlash from her family and others.

Kayden shakes her head. "You know I got you, girl. Even though I do think you're fuckin' crazy, you've always supported me in my fucked up relationships, so I'll do the same with you." Kayden suddenly gives her that teasing expression, poking her arm. "Besides, it's not like he's ugly, am I right?"

So right.

"I get so nervous around him," Solana whines, laying her head back against the sofa. "He's just so....he comes on so strong."

Kayden smirks, leaning over and playfully nudging. "He wants him some Sola, girl." She laughs as Solana covers her blushing face. "Who could blame him? You're gorgeous, babe."

It's such weird experience. Solana is still trying to heal and learn to love herself again after calling off her engagement, so a man like Roman Reigns coming into her life out of nowhere and being so intent on just....her....it's a lot to digest. Because taking away all of the things about him that make him dangerous and avoidant worthy, he's still, hands down, the most handsome man she's ever seen.

"So where are ya'll going?"

Solana bites down on her bottom lip. "He invited me to WarGames. Said he'll send a car for me."

There's obvious surprise on the face of her best friend. "First date is watching him beat the shit out of other men?" Kayden says aloud, nodding and shrugging. "It tracks." Solana rolls her eyes. "Well, what are you gonna wear?"

She shrugs, truly unsure when she remembers what he said. "Something....something red." Kayden is curious, as Solana shares a version of what Roman said. "He....he asked me to wear red."

Told. He told her to wear red, but Kayden doesn't need to know that part.

Smirking, Kayden nods, impressed almost. "Damn. He already wants you wearing Bloodline colors? First lady type shit." Solana grabs a pillow and throws it Kayden's way, her friend laughing and then gasping. "Holy shit, you have to wear that red dress I got you last year for your birthday!"

The mention of that little piece Solana swore would never see beyond the back of her closet has her eyes widening. "Kayden, no, I can't. That's way too revealing."

"That's the point, duh." Kayden tosses the pillow back and stands up off the sofa, pulling Solana up with her. She then looks over at Dulce who's been sleeping peacefully as her mama stumbles into one of the most questionable decision of her life. "Come on, Dulce. We gotta get mama ready to get dicked down."

"Kayden!"

--------

Solana is a nervous wreck.

She hasn't been this anxiety ridden since taking her NCLEX-RN, and that was a damn near traumatic experience.

This is literally just a date.

Kind of.

Cause she's never actually been on a date before where the man will be preoccupied the whole night.

But, she's also never been on a date with someone like Roman before either. It's just all around a brand new experience that has her so in her head. She's in it during the car ride and especially when she arrives at the Warehouse and is escorted to Roman's locker room.

She nearly has a heart attack when the door is opened and she expects to see him waiting, but it's postponed, God looking out for her, when she sees he's absent.

The security leave her alone without any guidance or clue as to just what she's supposed to do, so Solana takes that time to text Kayden and let her know she's arrived and that she's safe.

For now.

Not wanting to focus too much on the unknown of it all, she takes in his locker room which is much nicer than what's probably necessary. Craft table. Weights section. Sofa. Flat screen TV. A trainers table. The works, essentially.

It makes sense when she thinks about it.

Roman seems like a man who only accepts the finer things in life, if not the finest.

But, it's the section on the craft table with a bottle of wine that keeps snatching her attention.

Drinking is probably the last thing she needs to be doing, but that's exactly what she does.

She quickly grabs the bottle and and a wine glass, filling it up halfway before downing almost all of it. It's the perfect combination of sweet and bitter and hopefully helpful in taking some of this edge off.

"You sure don't disappoint, do you?"

It's a pure stroke of luck that she doesn't drop the glass in her hand at the rumble of his deep voice behind her. But, it's truly a miracle that both the glass and herself don't fall to the ground when she turns around to look at him.

Mio dios.

Roman is standing by the door, his hair down and clearly wet, water droplets sliding down his bare chest, Solana unable to take her eyes off his bulging muscles and the intricate tribal tattoos that somehow add to the magnanimity and beauty of this man. He's wearing black cargo pants tucked into black boots, with the sacred, red ula fala resting around his majestic neck.

Roman Reigns in a suit is one thing.

But Roman Reigns shirtless is something entirely different.

She's almost certain the ground underneath her shakes a bit, also deeply impacted by the god among mere mortal men.

If not for Roman initiating something beyond her embarrassing gawking. she would continue to stare. For a long time. A very long time.

He walks toward her, every step bringing her closer and closer to melting into the ground. This man is a giant. In every sense of the word.

But, it's when he takes his finger under her chin, lifting her head a little and has the audacity to say, "you can do more than just look, if you want" that Solana just about spontaneous combusts on the spot.

He's maybe said a total of 8 to 10 sentences to her in the entire time they've 'known' each other, yet even in the midst of that brevity, he still gives her more of a visceral, bodily reaction than her ex ever did.

"I—" Words are a thing of the past, something she was once capable of but not anymore. The sight of God himself has a tendency to rob anyone of the right to verbalization.

Roman chuckles, his other hand moving to her hip. "You listened."

Solana is certain it's her that's trembling and not the room around her. It takes her a minute to process he's referring to her dress. "You—you said wear red, didn't you?."

"I did." He acknowledges, once again giving her a one over as he bites on his bottom lip. "Good girl."

Oh, fuck.

Solana has to get the hell out of here. The room is freaking in shambles at this point.

Or, maybe that's just her.

She's a stuttering mess trying to communicate with this man. "I—you—probably have to get r—ready."

Roman smiles, and her entire world flutters. "Do I not look ready to you?"

Hardly. This man probably doesn't even know what it's like to be unready. Never experienced that. That's a mortal thing.

"No—I just.....S—sorry."

Similar to their last two interactions, Roman brings his hand to her back and tugs her into him. Solana, once again, places one hand on his chest, not even thinking about the fact that the water from his hair continues to dampen his body.

Until water hits her palm.

Solana is on fire. In all areas. She stammers out, feeling stupid as all the outdoors for stating the obvious. "You're wet...."

His gaze flicks to the space between her legs. "I'd bet you are too."

What the hell?

How is he so.....raw?

She absolutely refuses to move an inch, refuses to cause any kind of movement with her legs that could alert her to the fact that he's probably not wrong.

Not wrong at all.

If only Roman was on the same page.

"You are, aren't you?" His eyes narrow slightly, hand gradually starting to move down from the her back to the sizable swell of her ass. "I bet that pussy dripping for me already."

Solana's eyes shut, her nails clawing against his chest. "R—roman." Her breathing is labored, heart beating a mile per fucking minute, and that only intensifies when he squeezes her ass. Her natural reaction being to arch into him, her breast pressing against his solid body. "Oh my God....."

"God can't do for you what I can, sweetheart."

Blasphemy. Filth. Pure disrespect, and yet her head drops against his chest as he slides his hand to the front of her, wiggling it between her thighs.

Solana means to stop him, means to push him away, but her body seems to have a mind of its own, because she finds herself widening her stance, giving him all the access he needs.

The go ahead.

And he takes full advantage of that, Solana gasping loudly when he moves to cup her through her underwear. Her soaked underwear. "Dripping." He taunts, and it's true. Legs no longer mushed together, she absolutely feels the wetness dripping down, soaking her panties. "I'm taking you out to dinner after the match, but I think we should just skip to dessert right now."

Eyes widening, she gasps again when Roman removes his hand and picks her up, her thighs naturally wrapping around his waist. He carries her over to the trainers table, plopping her down on the edge.

"Lay back."

Her stomach is all kinds of twists and turns. She's not stupid. Far from it. There's only one place this is headed. "I—what?"

Roman, however, looks bored, stating so plainly. "I don't make it a habit to repeat myself, Solana. Even with a pretty thing like you, so do me a favor and just lay back."

If someone told her this is how the night would kick off, she'd call them crazy as all the outdoors. There's no way in hell this man is about to do what she thinks he is.

Is he?

Voicing her thoughts, she struggles with just how to word what is an otherwise simple thing to ask. "Are you...."

His gaze is piercing. "Can I?"

What a fucking question.

Once

Once has she had someone go down on her, and it wasn't even her ex-fiance. It was a guy she dated in college for a few months. To say it was......disappointing would be an understatement.

She didn't even finish.

Back to the borderline crisis at hand, she finds herself oversharing. "My ex. He didn't—he wouldn't....."

"Well, he's a fucking idiot." Roman's cruel but accurate remark is accompanied by his big hand moving up the sides of her dress until its scrunched by her stomach. "Eating pussy is a delicacy."

Her eyes shut again. He's so nasty.

So why is it only making her wetter?

Roman's fingers lightly tugging the waistband of her underwear reminds her of the proposed question.

This is a bad idea. A very bad idea. She doesn't sleep around. Doesn't let random men go down on her, and yet, the minute Roman licks his lips, the decision is almost made for her.

"Y—yes."

That alluring, small smile is back as he moves his hand to her stomach, pushing down just enough to get her in position. "Lay down, and let me show you what it's like to be with a real man."

Sweet baby Jesus.

Solana is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, back flat against the cool table when he goes to pull down her panties, leaving her open and exposed.

She hears Roman make a sound. "Mmm. Pussy just as pretty as I imagined."

Her hands clench at her side. He's thought about this? About her? About her—

"Ahhh." Her back is almost entirely off the table the minute his thick tongue gives one full, sensation stirring lick up her cunt. "Roman...." she moans, hands planted on the table, head thrown back as his cool breath blows against her pussy.

Seconds later, his tongue is back on her, fingers spreading her lips while his tongue teases a languid circle around her clit. "Oh my....."

The sound of his deep chuckle travels from his space between her legs. "I'm gonna make a fucking mess out of you."

And before she can process that, he tugs her by her thighs, diving face first into her cunt. Solana is a mewling, writhing mess as he sucks on her pussy like its the fuel and energy he needs for the fight to come. Laps at her with a hunger and desire that nearly matches her own, because whatever her ex did to her that one time is nothing compared to what he's doing to her right now.

"Shit...." Her body is hot, her nipples hardening by the second, and Solana can't help the way her thighs squeeze against his head, her lower half coiling and twisting from pleasure she's never experienced.

"You like that, don't you?" He hums, voice haughty and knowing. "Like me eating this pretty pussy, don't you, sweetheart?"

Her answer is an obvious one, breathed out over and through heavy pants. "Shit, yes." He sucks on her clit, the slurping sound practically filling the room and egging on her moans.

He pulls away, the absence something that's so much more noticable and painful than it should be. Only for her to arch again when his finger plays around with her nectar that feels like it's spread all over her lower half at this point. "Look how wet you are. I can tell she been neglected." Roman swirls his finger in circles around her clit, thumb applying just the lightest pressure. "Can tell she been needing me."

Solana can't and won't disagree. Not that she could anyway. Logic is very much a thing of the past. The only thing on her mind is ecstasy, and he's giving her more of that than she's ever had in all sexual interactions with all of her ex's put together.

"Goddamn, you taste good." He goes back to licking and sucking on her again, groaning almost. "Would stay down here all night if I could."

Solana nearly comes right then and there.

She wouldn't be opposed.

At all.

He stays with his head between her legs for what feels like inhumanly possible, long enough for that feeling she's only ever been able to give herself starting to rise. Toes curling and stomach twisting, she manages to whine out, "Roman, I—I'm gonna—"

He kisses her clit, coaxing her, guiding her, encouraging her. "I know, baby." She can practically visualize the smirk on his face. "Now be a good girl and come in daddy's mouth."

It's disgusting how that one filthy command manages to evoke her orgasm from her, Solana nearly sitting all the way up as her release shoots through her entire body. Roman continuing to suck on her and lap up every bit of it until there's not a fucking drop left.

Solana's practically lifeless body collapses against the table. Everything below her belly button is numb. Eyes shut, pulse probably in the danger range, she has no ability to do anything other than lay there and recover.

She's never come that hard, that much, that long.

Who is this man?

Solana whimpers a bit when she feels something against her, wiping her. A towel most likely. Strong but surprisingly gentle hands help her body to lift up only for her to fall against a solid chest, her forehead against Roman's shoulder.

She clutches onto him as he kisses her temple. "That's my girl." His girl. His anything. She's whatever he says and more. That's how fucked out he has her. "I'll see you after the match, okay?"

Sure. Fine. Whatever. Her ability to agree to anything was sucked out of her by that dangerous tongue of his, so the most she can do is nod against him.

Roman chuckles and gradually pulls away, Solana gripping on the edge of the table, eyes opening just enough to see that strong, muscular back of his as he walks out the door, closing it behind him.

She isn't sure how long she sits there, dress pulled up, towel covering her bottom half. She just knows that even after sitting for what should be a long enough time, her legs are still wobbly. Even as she moves around the room to look for her underwear only to see they're nowhere to be found, leaving her with one conclusion.

Roman took them with him.

The thought shouldn't make her pussy flutter. It really shouldn't and yet, here she is.

God, what did he do to her?

Swallowing, she does her best to maintain her pride and walks out, guided by the same guard who escorted her to Roman in the first place. He takes her up to what must be VIP seating. It's the perfect view of the celled ring and cages on the side intended for the participants.

Sitting there alone and with nothing else to occupy her mind, Solana's mind starts racing. That shouldn't have happened. She should have stopped him. Should have said no.

Even if she did want it just as much as he seemingly did. Nevertheless, that shouldn't matter. He's him. She's her. They're very different people. She's supposed to have morals and standards. Women who have that don't let men who are practically strangers go down on them.

But, that's exactly what she did, and she feels terrible about it.

"You must be my brother's flavor of the night."

Solana is already nervous as all the outdoors, yet somehow the interruption of her overthinking only serves to exacerbate that anxiety.

But, when she looks over and sees the source, Solana is unsure which is worse: what's said or who said it.

Rosalia Reigns isn't as tall or built as her twin brother. Not at all. A given considering their different sexes, but she's every bit as intimidating as him, and they do share some similar features. Same set of pretty brown eyes. Those full, pink lips and that overall powerful aura.

You know just by looking at her that she's an important person.

And she is. She comes only second to her brother.

Roman

Solana swallows and adjusts her dress as Rosalia gives her a oneover, not even trying to hide her distaste. "H—hi. I'm—"

"I don't care." Rosalia interrupts, a level of venom in her voice. "You'll be an afterthought come tomorrow morning when you join the rest of his whores on the island of forgettables."

Sting.

Solana shouldn't be surprised nor hurt by such cruel words. Rosalia, much like her brother, has never been known for kindness. Regardless, that knowledge doesn't stop the tears from pooling in her eyes.

Cause the words hit way too close to home given what just happened.

Something noticed by the other woman. An equally cruel smile growing on her face. "Aww, did I hurt your feelings?" Her smile deepens as she scoffs, sitting down in her chair. "Yeah, Ro definitely dropped the ball with you. You're dumber and more naive than the other stupid bitches my brother loves to entertain."

A stupid bitch. Any other time, Solana would disagree. She may not verbalize as such, but she would inwardly reject such a thing. But, she can't. She can't because it's true.

She gave Roman exactly what he wanted. Fell into his trap. Another of many nameless, faceless, forgettable conquests.

She's no different or better than any of the other women Roman messes around with.

She's now one of them.

And she feels disgusted with herself.

Not wanting Rosalia to see her cry, or anyone else, Solana mumbles a quiet 'excuse me' and rushes past the smirking woman. She needs to get out of here. Needs to go home.

Needs to never see or speak to Roman Reigns ever again.

This was a mistake. All of it.

And it can never happen again.

[timbit-robin-art]

I am loving your x-men art atm!! It is all so good and so cute!! Especially your chibi versions!! And I am very intrigued by your recent band au too! Logan as the reluctant yet supportive teacher is perfect! I'd love to hear more about that!! Xxxxxxx

More about Mr. Logan? Let’s see.

I think it’s a very funny idea that his backstory is the exact same despite it being an X-Men-less universe. He’s still Weapon X and did military work, it’s just that once he decided he was done with it all, he decided to become a teacher at the private school. You find this out when he’s whisked away for S.H.I.E.L.D shenanigans while the band is doing some mundane activity. Cue everyone trying to get Kurt’s chemistry grade up periodically interrupted by Mr. Logan going through actual hell.

I mentioned before that I think he knows the bass. It’s just a hobby of his, mostly to take his mind off of things, so no one else really knows he can play. Except for one specific alumni;

Mr. Logan actually recommended Rogue to Xavier’s mutant education scholarship after having a chance encounter with her. While she refused to take residency up in the Institute, she eventually gave into Mr. Logan’s urges to at least attend the school. This is the start of their delinquent-child-who-gets-adopted-by-the-gruff-old-man dynamic. Mr. Logan eventually teaches her the bass, and she really takes off with it. I can see her being a part of her own southern fem punk band after she graduates.

(I think it goes without saying that Rogue is the group’s vodka wine aunt that makes her occasional appearance. When Mr. Logan is preoccupied, leave it to Rogue to recklessly drive them to their gigs.)

Also, while we’re talking about the band universe, I think I figured out the eventual 5th member;

Meet Kitty Pryde, the freshmen that joins as their second guitar. She also knows how to play piano, but she prefers the mobility guitar grants her (she cannot stand still when she plays music). She probably met Kurt first in the music room while she was practicing for a piano recital. Though Kurt can recognize the musical talent she has, she can tell her heart isn’t into it. So now there’s a montage of Kurt and Kitty messing around with other instruments. Neither of them really know how to play anything besides piano, they’re just trying to see what feels right for Kitty. And that’s how she finds her interest in guitars.

I think it would actually take a while before she gets used to guitar. Hank would try to teach her, but Kitty’s learning style just doesn’t match well with Hank’s teaching style. So everyone thinks that she’s just not meant to play the guitar until some sort of epiphany happens, and suddenly she can absolutely shred.

She rounds out the group quite well, don’t you think?

[and-claudia]

Professor Howlett (Logan x fem!reader) Kinktober Fic #2

Warnings: Age gap!! Naughty pictures, unprotected sex, student/teacher relationship (reader IS OF AGE), professor kink, the use of the pet name Sweetheart (a lot)

Wordcount: 3000 (i am so sorry)

Kinktober taglist

“Don’t forget, final papers are due tomorrow.” Professor Howlett said, and my heart sank. 

Fuck. I had completely forgotten about the paper. I used to always be on top of my work, but recently, during class, specifically Professor Howlett’s class, my mind had begun to wander. My time was spent thinking about all the different ways I would let him bend me over his desk and have his way with me rather than whatever era he was teaching us about. 

“Yn, hang back for a minute.” He said, beaconing me over to his desk with two fingers. 

“Yes, sir?” I asked, adjusting my books in my arm. 

“Are you okay?” He asked and it went straight to my core the way he said it. 

“Y-yes, sir.” 

“Are you positive? You’ve been… staring off into space lately. Are you sure you have nothing on your mind?” He asked, leaning back in his chair. 

“Yes, sir. I’m fine. Maybe just a little nervous about the paper due tomorrow.” I admitted. 

“Don’t be,” He brushed it off, “I always enjoy reading your papers. I’m sure tomorrow won’t be any different.” He said, and I swear he winked. 

“Well, thank you, sir, I appreciate it.” I said, smiling. 

He nodded and went to leave, “Oh, one more thing, Charles told me I needed a teacher assistant or something next semester. You interested?” 

I smiled, “Yes, I would love to.” 

“Figured you would.” He said with a small smirk. 

I was about to ask him what he meant when someone came into the room. 

“Am I interrupting something?” 

I turned to see Professor Xavier entering the room. 

“No, sir.” 

“No, Charles. I was just speaking to my new teacher assistant for next semester. I think the two of us will make a good team.” 

“I am sure you do, Logan. Yn would mind excusing us, in need to speak with Mr.Howlett?” He said. 

“Of course,” I said, nodding before turning to Mr.Howlett, “I will see you tomorrow.” 

He nodded, and I left. I decided to skip my last class and go straight to my room to work on my paper. However as the hours passed, I couldn’t come up with anything that I liked nor would yield even a decent grade. I was finally brought out of my focus by a knock at the door. 

“It’s unlocked!” I hollered for whoever it was to just come in. 

“I noticed you didn’t come down for dinner.” I jumped when I realized it was Mr.Howlett. 

“Oh, I must have lost track of time…” I said, closing my computer. 

“I figured, here.” He said, setting a plate down on my desk. 

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” I said, smiling at him. 

He nodded before glancing around the room at all the Polaroids I had hanging around the room. 

“You take all these?” He asked. 

“Yeah, I have my aunt’s old camera.” I said. 

“Old? Ouch.” 

“Sorry.” I said with a laugh as I stood. 

I went over to my dresser, where I left the camera sitting, and picked it up. As I walked, I felt eyes on me. I then realized that I had forgotten that I changed once I got to my room earlier and was wearing short shorts and a hoodie only. When I turned around I swear I saw Mr.Howlett’s gaze jump up to my face from where he had been looking lower down my body. 

But he wouldn’t be checking me out like that, right? Sure I was one of the few adult students here, but that’s thing, I was still his student, it would be wrong. 

“Here, this is what I used for them all.” I said, handing it to him to look at. 

He looked it over curiously before carefully handing it back to me. 

“You must have a thing for old things, don’t you?” He said smoothly. 

And while I knew he was talking about the decor in my room, it felt like he was hinting at much more. 

“I guess you could say that.” I said flirtatously, suddenly feeling much bolder. 

“Well, although I would love to stick around for a while, you have a paper to finish, and I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to be in students' dorms after a certain time, if not at all.” He said. 

I almost told him to stay, but I knew I shouldn’t… besides I had something else in mind. After he left, I ate the food he had brought me and then got my room set up. I moved my mirror away from the wall and cleaned it off some before setting out some blankets and pillows on the floor so I wouldn’t have my bare ass on the old wooden floor. Then I got changed into my best pair of panties and matching bra and got to work. Tomorrow, instead of turning in a paper, I would be handing a very special folder to Mr.Howlett. 

I took a few pictures at varying angles and positions with everything on. Then I took off my bra and got some good shots of my tits. I didn’t want to give him everything in these photos, though, I wanted him to have something to look forward to, so I left my panties on as I took one last picture in the mirror of me on my knees, tits out and all the previous photos strewn out in front of me. Then, I collected all of them up, threw my hoodie back on, and worked on putting them in my portfolio to turn in tomorrow. 

As I climbed into bed, I realized just how wet my panties had gotten by the thought of Mr.Howlett looking through my pictures. I slipped them off and decided to let my mind play into the fantasies of what would happen after he sees them tomorrow. When I came on my fingers, it felt amazing, but I knew that it was nothing compared to what Mr.Howlett could make me feel. 

The next day, I felt giddy as I sat through Mr.McCoy’s class. He was rambling on about another math concept I knew I would never use. Once again my mind began to wonder to wander to another teacher of mine. He finally released us and I nearly ran to Mr.Howlett’s class, folder in hand, ready to turn it in. 

“Hello, Mr.Howlett.” I said as I walked in. 

He was sat at his desk and when he glanced at me, he did a double take. I had purposefully wore a low cut blouse, revealing possibly too much clevage for school, but I didn’t care, it was all a part of my game. 

“Hello, Yn. You finish your essay?” He asked, quickly gaining his composure. 

“Right here.” I said, holding it up for him to see. 

He held out his hand, and I happily handed it to him as I went to sit at my desk, which just happened to be directly in front of him. I watched as he opened up the folder and flipped past the cover page. 

“Fuck.” I heard him sigh as he saw the first round of photos, and it made me smirk to myself. 

He flipped the page and glanced over the folder at me, “This is… good.” He said, shifting in his chair. 

“Oh, it gets better.” I said leaning forward in my chair, resting my chin in my hand.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps walking in, and I sat back and pretended to be getting something from my bag. Mr.Howlett shut the folder quickly and swiftly dropped it into one of the drawers on his desk as more of his students walked in. Everyone found their seats and soon the whole class was here. 

“Alright, pretty easy class today. Turn in your essays then you’re free to go.” He said to everyone, not standing up from his desk. 

Everyone was clearly excited as they got their essays out and dropped them on his desk before leaving. Once the last student walked out, he silently stood up and walked over to the door. He shut it and locked it. Then, he walked back to his desk, sat down, and got the folder back out. I watched with anticipation for his next move and was quite surprised when he beaconed me over with his fingers. 

“Pull up a chair.” He said, nodding to the space in front of his desk. 

“I want you to tell me what you were thinking when you took each one of these pictures. No bullshit, either. Understand?” 

I nodded. 

“Use your words.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Good. Let’s start here.” He said, pointing to the first picture. 

It was simple: my face was covered by the camera, but you could see my whole body. The way I had adjusted my lights made a perfect silhouette of my body, every curve on display for him. 

“Well, I was thinking that this is a stupid idea but I had already set everything up, and there was no turning back now. It was late, and there was no way I was writing that paper.” 

He nodded and pointed to the next one, “This one?” 

This one was a close-up of just my tits. You could see the delicate white lace of the bra I wore. 

“My only thought there was, I hope Mr.Howlette likes this color on me.” I said. 

“It’s nice.” 

This continued until he got to the last one, and again, he asked me the same question. 

“At that point, I realized just how wet my panties were at the thought of you looking at all the pictures I took for you.” I said, standing up. 

I began walking around to the other side of his desk. 

“I was fantasizing about all the things you would do to me when you saw them… I must say, a Q and A was not a part of any of them.” I said. 

He had moved away from his desk giving me enough space to turn his chair towards me and straddle his lap. When he didn’t show any signs of rejection, I sat all the way down. 

“One more question. Is this what you’ve been daydreaming about? Turning in a folder of naked pictures of yourself?” He asked, hands instantly going to my waist. 

“Not exactly…” I said, biting my lip slightly. 

“Tell me then. What was so interesting that you couldn’t even focus on your favorite teacher?” He asked, leaning forward. 

“Well… I was thinking of all the ways I would let you have your way with me right here on your desk.” I said. 

“Is that right?” He asked. 

I only nodded and dipped my head down to kiss him. When he did reject the kiss, I knew I was golden. I began grinding down on his lap, and I could feel his erection growing in his jeans. He quickly took over, using his hands on my hips to set the pace of me grinding on him. 

“Get off.” He said, suddenly. 

I quickly scrambled off of him and looked at him with wide eyes, thinking I had done something wrong or that he was second-guessing everything, 

“What? Kinda hard to fuck you on my desk when you're on my lap, sweetheart.” He said with a smirk. 

With that, he lifted me up onto his desk and began kissing me once again. This time, however, his hands began roaming all over my body. I could tell he was being a little hesitant though, never actually touching my breast. So, I took matters into my own hands and began unbuttoning my top. Once it was completely open, I grabbed his hands and put them on my breast. 

“You’ve already seen them; you can touch them.” I said between breaths. 

My hands tangled into his hair as he groped my breast. Small grunts left his mouth as he toyed with them. One of his hands slipped behind me to unclasp my bra, and once it fell away, he took full advantage of his access to my nipples. 

“Fuck- best tits I’ve ever seen, sweetheart.” He groaned against my lips. 

“Please, just fuck me, professor.” I said, breathlessly. 

He stopped once again and pulled away. 

“What did you just call me?” He asked, lips slightly swollen. 

“P-professor.” I said. 

I hadn’t meant to call him that. I knew he wasn’t technically one and that he told us not to call him that at the beginning of the semester. It just kind of slipped out. 

“Fuck, sweetheart, you’re killin’ me.” He groaned. 

His lips found mine again as his hands dropped to the waistband of my skirt. I slightly nodded, telling him I was ready, and lifted myself up so he could slip it off of me along with my underwear. The smooth wood of his desk was cold against my heated core, and it sent a shiver up my spine. 

“Off.” I said, grabbing his belt and pulling him closer by it. 

“You don’t get to make demands here, sweetheart. You’re the student, and I’m the professor. Got it?” He said, pulling away to look at me. 

I nodded. 

He shook, “Use your words.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Good girl.” He said as he went back to kissing me. 

This time, however, only one hand went back to my breast. The other went down to me entrance. He ran his fingers through my folds, collecting the wetness that had already begun to seep out. Then he slowly pressed one of his fingers into my hole. A small whine left my lips. 

“Sh, it’s okay, just getting you ready.” He said gently as he slipped another finger in. 

“Fuck, you’re so tight, sweetheart.” He said. 

He continued pumping his fingers in and out, scissoring them to help stretch me further. 

“Good.” He said, pulling his fingers out before reaching for his belt and undoing it. 

He pulled his jeans and boxers down just enough to free his hard cock. I was staring at it, and I couldn’t care less. 

“Like what you see, sweetheart?” He asked, voice dripping with cockiness. 

Before I could stop myself, I nodded. He laughed lowly at me. 

He grabbed on of my legs and hooked it over his hip and lined himself up at my entrance. 

“Ready?” 

“Yes, sir.” I said, not taking my eyes off his cock. 

I watched in awe as he slowly pushed the tip in. I tensed up slightly at the stretch. 

“Sh, sweetheart, gotta relax.” He said gently as he pushed further in. 

I watched for as long as I could before my head dropped back and he slid the rest of the way in. A moan left my lips, adittedly a bit louder than I expected. 

“Damn sweetheart, it’s like you want the school to know the teacher’s pet is getting her tight pussy fucked by her favorite professor.” He said as he pulled back and began to set a stead pace thrusting deep in to me. One of hias hands was gripping my hop, holding me in place. And the other dropped down between us to rub tight circles on my clit. 

“Fuck.” I said, breath hitching as me walls scqueesed around him. 

He let out a small growl as he continued to pound into me. My mind was fuzzy and the only thing I could focus on was the feeling of his cock hitting that sweet spot deep inside of me and his rough calloused fingers working my clit. 

“Fuck, I’m close…” I said. 

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Come for me.” He said, surprigly soft and that was all it took for the tension to snap and my walls clamped down on his cock as I came. He hissed as my nails dug into his shoulders, through his shirt and I moaned. 

“Where do you want it, sweetheart? Not lasting much longer the way you’re gripping me.” He said, clearly restraining himself. 

“In. Please. I’m on the pill.” I said, still riding my high. 

He thrusted one last time, and released thick, hot ropes of cum deep inside of me. He thrusted a few more times lazily before stilling. Then, he gently pulled me forward to rest against him, cock still burried deep inside of me. 

“Fuck sweetheart… I’m in trouble now… how will I ever keep my hands off of my teaching assistant next semester?” 

“Don’t.” I said simply, closing my eyes as I rested against his strong chest. 

We stayed like this for a few more minutes before he sighed and slowly began pulling out of me. A small whine left my lips. 

“Sh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I got another class coming in soon. But if you come see me tonight I’ll make you feel even better than you feel now.” He said. 

I sighed but hopped down off his desk and grabbing my clothes off the floor. 

“I’ll hold you to that, Mr.Howlett.” I said, slipping my skirt on, but keeping my panties balled up in my hand. 

“Logan is fine… except in class, or during sex.” He said with a smirk. 

“Okay, Logan…” I said with a smll smile. 

By now he had pulled his pants back up and put his belt back on. I wrapped my arms around him and reached up to kiss him one last time. 

“I’m going to go clean up.” I said, stuffing my panties into his pocket. 

He knew what was I was doing and just smirked at me. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked towards the door. I glanced back at him and he sent me a wink before I opened the door and walked out. To my surprise Prodessor X was rolling up. 

“Hello, Yn.” 

“Hello.” 

“Is Mr.Howlett in there?” He asked. 

“Yeah.” I said stepping to the side so he could go in. 

“Logan, a word.” I heard him say seriously causing my eyes to widen as I sped up my pace and hurried away and back to my room to shower. 

Kinktober taglist

@comicbookslut @mariaxman @howlingco

[cometcrystal]

xavier fred and amanda when their rich lesbian aunts stacy and vanessa pull up in the driveway with a ferrari full of presents

[whoopsyeahokay]

October Sun

summary: Simon hadn't planned on committing expulsion-worthy crime at 10am on a Thursday. In fact, he hadn't planned on committing expulsion-worthy crime ever. In his defense, though, his best friend's ghost had been emphatic about getting into Mr. Anderson's phone, and it'd been the only course of action he could think of to prove she could rely on him. Simon had regretted it as soon as it'd happened. Fuck my life, I guess.

pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader

warnings: panic attacks. eventual smutty smut smut. and mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.

bon reading, frens

___________________________💀

OCTOBER SUN pt.17

Simon found you at your locker at the tail-end of lunch, trading sketchbooks for your copy of Frankenstein and your English binder. Mathilda stood beside you, merrily outlining her upcoming interview with an administrator from some posh, East Coast art academy.

You smiled and nodded in the appropriate places; giggled when Mathilda commented on something Hana had said at lunch. However, Simon noted, you weren't offering a lot in the way of conversation.

Mathilda clocked Simon first, lengthened her short frame as much as she could—spine straight, shoulders back, chin up—and leveled him with a look that could boil water. It took him a second to remember they shared History. That she'd been in Ms. Fields' class when Simon had accused Xavier of hurting Maddie and had forced the contents of Xavier's backpack to spill in front of an audience.

He wanted to pretend her hostility toward him didn't sting—because it didn't, right? They weren't friends. Mathilda hadn't shown anything but superficial interest in him since Xavier and Maddie became XavierandMaddie. To her, Simon was Maddie's plus-one. The guy Maddie took everywhere she went. Linus' security blanket in human form.

Of course, that reality only existed if Simon completely disregarded that it'd been Mathilda who'd always asked after Simon; had extended every invitation to join them for group events. She'd driven Simon home on multiple occasions, even when it'd made more sense that Hana and Lucas would have since they shared a neighborhood.

Shit, maybe he and Mathilda were friends? He'd never considered it before. How you and Mathilda and—aw crap that's right: Eli—had made significant efforts to get to know Simon. Had welcomed him into the fold of pre-established friendship and encouraged him to carve out his own place within it.

And to show his appreciation, Simon had lunged after Xavier like a vendetta with claws.

Simon waved at Mathilda weakly, eyes darting away from hers when she doubled down and fiercened her glower. Despite his height advantage, Simon considered running to the Philippines to stay with his aunt. He'd request a room with reinforced steel walls and a couple of security guards outside the door, just in case.

Did Mathilda have her passport? He should ask.

"I'm gonna head to Media," Mathilda announced before you were even aware of Simon's presence. "I'll see you in Bio." She flipped her long, purple-black hair, deliberately whipping Simon in the face with the ends as she swanned by.

"Later gator," You replied, offhand, shutting your locker and, "Oh, hey," catching Simon as he slunk into the space Mathilda had vacanted.

Simon watched Mathilda warily until she disappeared into the stream of students. Partly because he felt a weird kind of fucked up for not having sooner recognized the olive branch of friendship Mathilda had been brandishing, but mostly because he was batshit terrified she'd reappear just to punch him in the nuts.

Needing a second opinion, he blurted, "Are Mathilda and I friends?"

You startled, spluttering around an answer before reminding him, "Didn't you go with her and Eli to Comiccon when everyone else bailed?"

Holy shit. With everything going on, Simon had genuinely forgotten about that adventure. Xavier was 'too cool'. Maddie and Nicole hadn't been interested, you'd been visiting your dad in England and, well, he didn't know why Hana and Lucas had backed out, but Simon had been given Lucas' ticket. Told to treat it like a months-late birthday present.

Mathilda knew when his birthday was.

Simon groaned and hit the back of his head on the locker he leaned against. "I fucked up."

"You really didn't think she thought of you as her friend?"

"No comment." Simon pinched the bridge of his nose. Watched stars explode behind his eyes when he rubbed his lids with the pads of his thumb and forefinger.

After a short lull, you asked, "You know we're friends, right?"

"Yes?" Simon replied, the upward lilt of punctuation prompting a sour expression to your face.

"You're an idiot."

Simon readjusted so he was tilted on his shoulder, putting every ounce of apology he had in him behind his next words, "I'm sorry. I just...I figured you guys let me hang out because Maddie and I are a package deal."

Were, a voice not unlike Maddie's unhelpfully corrected, we were a package deal.

"I repeat: You're an idiot." But you said it with humor, giving Simon a crooked smile and a harmless whack to the arm. "Look, none of us pretend we're as close to you as you are to Maddie, but, Si, that doesn't mean we wouldn't help you hide a—" Body.

Simon saw the instant your brain caught up to your mouth and suddenly you curled into yourself; crossed your arms and ducked your chin into your chest.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Hey, it's okay." For the first time in a long time (perhaps the first time ever), Simon reached out to you, put a hand on your shoulder, and squeezed. "I get it." Quiet, touched, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And don't worry," You assured him, "Tilly won't hold it against you forever. Once we expose Mr. A and clear Xavier's name, she'll forget what you did to him."

"If you say so," Simon muttered. Belatedly, he registered, "Mr. A?" He hadn't heard anyone refer to Mr. Anderson as Mr. A and, as far as he knew, the only teachers to earn a friendly nickname from their senior classmates were Mrs. Bloom, the Drama teacher, and Mr. Fitzgerald, the band director. Bloomageddon and Fitz-G respectively.

You carried on as if Simon hadn't said anything, "Speaking of clearing Zav's name, I have an idea. But we'll have to do it after school when he's busy with Booster Club."

Simon remembered then why he'd sought you out, shifting to curl a hand around the phone in his sweater pocket.

"His fingerprints have to be all over that money," You explained in a stage whisper, "If we can get it to the police, they'll have to arrest him." You nudged closer when Simon didn't say anything, somehow reading him like a picture book, "Or...you have a different plan?"

Taking a fortifying breath, Simon volunteered, "I'm gonna show you something, and you can't freak out."

Dubious, "Oh-kay~."

He leaned closer, gently turned you so there was a little cave of privacy between both your bodies and the lockers. You glanced around, checking for possible eavesdroppers, before giving Simon your full attention and, damn, being on the receiving end made Simon's pulse quicken a little.

He shoved the thought aside before it could gain any ground, unwilling to make room within himself for anything that didn't directly impact locating Maddie's body.

"You can trust me, Simon."

"I know," He said, though he still needed a moment to build the confidence to show you what he'd done.

Although you'd already proven you were in this with him, willing to drown in the same dark pool of questions to resolve Maddie's murder. Although you'd obviously spent time and energy constructing a plan that, upon hearing it, Simon had to concede was a lot smarter than what he'd done. Although you'd admitted you and he were friends and you'd help him cover up a crime at the drop of a hat...

Simon was scared. Scared that he'd done the wrong thing; that he'd get expelled; that he'd hallucinated his best friend and had stolen someone's property because, oh fuck, he had a brain tumor or dormant schizophrenia or—

"Breathe." You ordered, hand flattened over Simon's heart, taking long, deep breaths of your own for Simon to mimic.

And, oh God, you'd lifted his hand from his pocket as he'd been spiraling, pressed it to your chest so he could feel the steadiness of your heartbeat under his palm. Placed safely above inappropriate, warm skin and hard bone, rising and falling slowly as you talked in a calming rhythm.

He sucked in a shuddery breath, then another, and another, lungs finally expanding to accommodate the air he so desperately needed. It took another minute for the spots in his vision to recede, another minute after that for embarrassment to flush under his skin like a sunburn.

"Sorry." He gasped, taking his hand back and returning it to his pocket. "I..."

"Stop thinking, Simon." You said in an aloe-vera tone, the sound of it cooling the hot prickle of humiliation before it calcified. "Are you okay?"

You'd asked him that almost every day since the APEX. Hell, just last night you'd made sure he was okay to drive home after your sister had called you in for dinner.

"Yeah." He said, not sure how much he meant it, but decidedly averse to unpacking his trauma in a semi-crowded hallway. "Thanks for..." What? "For that." He ended lamely and cast his gaze to his feet.

With a distinct note of sadness, you admitted, "Xavier spent a year helping me...breathe."

And Simon was grateful that you phrased it that way, suddenly drained and unable to receive another frank overture of support.

"So, what am I not freaking out about?"

Simon could kiss you, seriously. "Right, yeah." He made sure no one was watching when he pulled out Mr. Anderson's phone and held it between you and him.

You raised an eyebrow, "You want me not to freak out about your phone?"

"Not mine," Simon murmured, "Mr. Anderson's. I grabbed it off his desk this morning."

Without missing a beat, "Is it locked?"

Simon almost did kiss you then, a fizzy cocktail of so damn grateful and so damn pleased that you didn't immediately chew his head off and spit it out in front of Principal Hartman.

"Yeah. And I don't have the code. But if we can find out who he was talking to last night—"

"—We might find out what happened to Maddie." You finished, nodding like it was the simplest thing in the world. "Alright. I bet there's a YouTube tutorial for hacking into phones." Simon hadn't thought of that.

"I'll look into it. I've got a free period 'til sixth, I'll see what I can find."

"Good." You stared at the phone, eyes narrowing, "You turned it off, right?"

"No..?" Simon said as he stuffed the phone back in his pocket.

Alarmed, "Simon, if he has that Find My Phone app, he's going to catch you! You could get expelled! You need to turn it off now!"

That was another excellent point Simon hadn't thought of.

"Alright, I read you loud and clear, Major Tom, I'm turning it off." He appeased and pulled the phone out again.

"I swear to God, Simon, if you get expelled and leave me alone in this giant pile of shit, I'm gonna end up going after him with a—" You stopped before you revealed what manner of weapon you'd use, diverting yourself to, "With the threat of bodily harm."

Simon looked you up and down, uncertain how effective that would be.

"Fine." You yielded, "I'd sic Tilly on him."

Simon snorted, the image as horrifying as it was awesome. He briefly wondered if you and he shouldn't recruit Mathilda to the investigation. She was tenacious and clever and probably knew a thing or two since her mother was a big-shot lawyer who commuted to the city every morning to prosecute criminals.

"Why wasn't that our first plan?" He joked and then returned his attention to the phone.

Just as he was about to press the button to turn the damn thing off, a throat cleared behind him, followed by an unsettlingly pacified voice.

"Simon Elroy?"

Ms. Chung. The grief counselor.

Fuck his whole life, front to back.

He quickly hid the phone in his pocket and spun around, forgot that you and he had been stood particularly close until he heard you grunt, his backpack knocking you in the chest.

"Um, yes?" He answered politely while inside he cursed that he couldn't plead for you not to leave him alone with her.

"Can I have a word, please?" Ms. Chung asked, the inferred privately directed over his shoulder at you. Her open expression didn't falter, even as Simon began to stumble over a half-baked excuse. "This will only take a moment," She assured and took a meaningful step closer.

You came around and bumped Simon's shoulder with yours. Friendly, casual, except that your gaze was fixed on Ms. Chung. Something unpleasant churned beneath the public face of respect you gave her, and if Simon didn't know better, he'd think she'd committed some sort of offense against you.

Ms. Chung, on the other hand, seemed unperturbed, returning your odd standoffishness with a serene, Woodstock smile.

Had you already been to see her?

At last, "I'll see you in Psych," you said and excused yourself, leaving Simon woefully alone for Ms. Chung to poke, prod, pry his feelings out of him one by one.

It was fine. He was fine. He'd let her say her piece, tell her what she wanted to hear to get her off his back and be on his way.

Ms. Chung's eyes glittered and her smile grew teeth.

Simon audibly gulped.

💀___________________________

PART SIXTEEN - PART EIGHTEEN

also available on AO3!

MASTERLIST

[lunawagner]

Couples of Linkon High School

Freshmen: Rafayel x MC

MC is the class president, with Rafayel as her deputy. He calls out, "Miss Class President!" throughout the day.

MC has good grades, —not the top student, but definitely in the top ten.

Of course, Rafayel draws and doodles during classes. But his grades are not bad either thanks to his drive to outperform his possible rivals in love.

His notebooks are filled with sketches of MC.

MC teaches math to Rafayel and Rafayel teaches English to MC.

They are both bad at physics and spend class time drawing short comics together. However, if nobody listens and the teacher seems down, they would listen and nod along even though they don't understand a word.

The chemistry teacher is unsure if they like or fear Rafayel.

Overall, teachers love them 'cause they treat their teachers as real people and genuinely care about them.

Sometimes they lock their pinky fingers under the desk and keep them that way until the class is over, even though they both get a bit embarrassed.

Rafayel is determined not to kiss her on the lips until both become adults.

Their music teacher is Rafayel's aunt. MC loves her classes and is learning to play piano. Rafayel always complains but still can play at least one decent piece on every instrument you have in the music room.

The art teacher is Thomas. He and Rafayel always argue as Rafayel doesn’t want his art to be just another mass product produced for exhibitions and competitions

MC grew up in a government institution. Although she doesn't remember, she met Rafayel when he was placed there after losing his parents. His relatives quickly took him in, but MC looked out for him, saving him from the bigger kids who tried to bully him. Eventually, they became friends.

MC is tomboy-ish and can't process her emotions properly.

MC's fashion sense is minimal, so Rafayel goes to shopping with her on weekends. Thanks to that they have some matching couple clothes.

Sophomores: Xavier x MC

They have average grades but excel in sports, making them the school's hidden assets in tournaments.

The school coach would love to have them join every team if he could.

Xavier is popular among other boys and has a considerable number of fans.

They nap together during lunch breaks.

They are members of the literature club and student librarians. So they regularly visit the library to read books or organize shelves and help others.

Literature teacher loves them.

Xavier tends to sleep through STEM classes, so MC shares her notes with him later in exchange for snacks or chocolate milk.

When Xavier gets bored during lectures or breaks, he secretly plays with MC's hair.

Despite skipping classes for extracurricular activities, they absorb information quickly, allowing them to pull all-nighters before exams and still perform well.

Some boys claim they got beaten up in the dark when they went down to the basement. Everyone's suspicious of Sylus, but it’s actually Xavier who’s taking care of anyone who messes with MC.

They hang out with a large friend group that includes Tara, Jenna, Jeremiah, and Bella.

Tara enjoys styling MC’s and Bella’s hair with cute hairpins to see how Xavier and Jeremiah will react.

Xavier wears one of MC's hair ties as a bracelet, believing it brings him luck.

They use all of their stationery together, so their pencils and erasers frequently end up in each other’s pencil cases.

MC's dad is a police officer and her mom is a nurse. Xavier's parents are both politicians.

Xavier doesn't get along with his own father but they are on good terms with MC's dad. They play board games, go fishing, or jog on weekends. MC doesn't have the foggiest idea of how it happened.

Juniors: Zayne x MC

Zayne is the top student and MC is right behind him in second place.

People often think MC is just an airhead who gets good grades just because she’s dating Zayne.

But while she is cheerful and active, she’s also super diligent. She pays attention in class, reviews her notes, and makes new ones before exams to make sure she’s on top of things.

She doesn't want to fall behind Zayne and secretly worries about how he would react in case she fails and gets bad grades.

All the teachers are fond of them with some even treating them like their own kids.

MC’s family trusts Zayne more than they trust her, so they’re quicker to say yes to events if they know Zayne will be there with her.

MC has a cute habit of drawing little hearts on the random pages of Zayne's textbooks. Once Zayne noticed it, he started drawing jasmine flowers on hers.

They tend to avoid skinship at school, except for the times MC is sick. During those times, Zayne stays close to her all day, ensuring she is hydrated and consuming warm drinks. He hugs MC and lets her rest on his chest, and he holds her hand during classes.

Seniors: Sylus x MC

One word: Trouble

But no they're not your typical troublemaker brats. They are also top-notch in nearly every class, so teachers don't know what to do with them.

At first, they were pretty low-key about their relationship, keeping it a secret. But once they went public, they became all about PDA with Sylus' hand always around MC's waist whenever they managed to take a break from holding hands.

Science teachers would love to exempt Sylus from taking their classes so that he can never ever set foot in their labs.

Chemistry, physics, and biology teachers change their way when they see Sylus in corridors, lest he ask them about things that would lead to a global catastrophe.

The music teacher gets goosebumps whenever they see Sylus.

Most of the girls don't like MC and there is always gossip and slander surrounding her. But for some, she is like a protective big sis.

MC and Sylus's families have been business partners since the time of MC's grandma.

Sylus' family makes huge donations to the school, so the administration is unusually lenient with him.

They play truant regularly. For what? Nobody knows.

It’s hard for others to actually mess with MC. But, when they do, Luke and Kieran are quick to pull pranks on them even before MC or Sylus can react.

Luke and Kieran look so similar that teachers often can’t figure out who’s at fault. Their innocent expressions after causing trouble don’t make things any easier.

Sylus and MC are chosen school representatives. They are intimidating and cunning so it is easier for them to negotiate with and win over teachers and the local student union.

People come to them with problems to be solved. MC is willing to help them without any immediate material return but Sylus always turns it into a business deal with specific terms.

MC doesn't have many close friends, but she occasionally lunches with the MCs of Xavier, Zayne, and Rafayel.

[love-and-deepspace-polycule]

These are random poly relationship headcannons. I include MC, but I don't give many (if any) headcannons for MC due to the nature of the game being MC=you. These are just silly HCs I thought of randomly. Hopefully you enjoy. I do occasionally swear in my Headcannons or make minor pop culture references. I also don't consider gender when using a gendered descriptor to get a silly point across (for example, Sylus is a wine Aunt. Aunt refers to a female individual, but used to portray a stereotype even though referring to a man). I think that really covers my headcannon style.

The bed sleeping order from left to right if sharing a bed together + sleep HC:

(yes I know this would be an unrealistically large bed. I don't care, I think it's fun.)

- Sylus. He gets the least amount of sleep so he gets an end cap, goes to bed late and gets up early. Has insomnia. Sleeps on his back. Snore king. Like full logs, deforestation, attack of the ents.

- Xavier. Sleeps next to Sylus because he sleeps like a rock, nothing can wake him up so Sylus moving in and out of bed will not disturb him, but his job does have him wake up fairly early so he gets second in. Stomach sleeper. Will drool. Has one leg out of the blanket at all times. Will always have the weirdest looking sleeping position. Can sometimes lightly snore.

- Rafayel. In the middle. He sleeps in the most due to having an independent work schedule (although he really doesn't sleep in late). He is also a fairly light sleeper so he has to be in the middle away from Sylus and Zayne who will get in and out of bed frequently and early. Has an eye mask and ear plugs. Our light sleeper king with his sensory deprivation measures. Side or back sleeper. Will roll around a while until REM sleep hits. Will drool if getting that GOOD deep sleep.

- MC. Has to get up at a decent hour like Xavier due to also being a hunter. Which makes you next!

- Zayne. Similar to Sylus he goes to bed late and gets up early. Not an insomniac like Sylus, but he just has a job that keeps him busy. He will be a little more gental getting in and out of bed as to not disturb MC. Side sleeper (faces away from the others). Sometimes back sleeper. Heavy breather, but not quite a snore.

[rafayelsbelovedbride]

Society resting on the misery of the unfortunate.

Since the themes of sacrificing a certain someone for the greater good is the main focus for the stories of the LIs, I can’t help but to analyze their reactions as the ones who walk away from Omelas.

For Xavier, it is very obvious. The moment he found out the truth, he walked away. He walked away from Philos, but also from the MC too. No matter how much he’s trying to find a solution, he still left her behind, although to save her. Maybe, that was not the plan, maybe he underestimated the time he would need, or maybe overestimated other people’s patience. Of course, there were unforeseen circumstances too. Xavier only tried to abandon the land that put him and her into this position, he tried to find a new place and elope too, but he still ended up abandoning her too. Queen MC is still not safe, she feels abandoned, she feels left alone, and she still has no idea what is going to happen to her. In Xavier’s case, he walked away from Philos, but his actions have not solved any of the problems. It’s been hundreds of years since he was gone, but Philos is still there, thriving. And MC is still the child in the basement.

For Rafayel, his circumstances are pretty similar to Xavier's. While Lemuria and Earth are described as two different worlds, they still share the same planet. So, what if the reason for Earth’s long existence was due to Lemurians constantly feeding the Earth’s core with sacrifices. Sea gods are described as the beings that keep the flames of Lemuria alight. And when one sea god dies, it has to be replaced with a new one to keep the Lemuria in its place. But, I find it hard to believe this is the entire truth. The sea gods are not really described as actual gods, but more like sacrifices. Rafayel was a child that was found next to the flames with its power within himself. But, was he the sea god, or was he declared as the sea god? Rafayel is raised as the sea god by the elders (whom he doesn’t really like), his aunt, and his teacher. But I struggle to find the proof that he is not being manipulated, especially by the elders. And I wonder, were there other ‘most devoted followers’ that had to give their heart to the sea god. Did the previous sea god, which was a whale, receive a human’s heart too? Or is Rafayel being considered as the last sea god because finally the Lemurians found a permanent solution to their problems about the earth’s core. And that is the same solution as the one that the king of Philos showed Xavier. Either Rafayel takes her heart and becomes the perfect sacrifice with the aether core now in his heart as the sea god, or they put MC into the abyss without her memories to die and reincarnate over and over again.

But Rafayel believes that he is the sea god. He believes in the stories that was maybe just made up by the elders. He thinks he needs his most devoted follower’s heart and not the aether core. He thinks he has to be the god that can protect the Lemuria and be trusted by the Lemurians. But he fails. He fails the duty that was the only reason for his existence. This is where Xavier’s and Rafayel’s stories differ. Xavier sees this duty as something that was pushed into his way without his consent, and Rafayel sees it as the reason for his existence. And that’s why Xavier is more resentful towards Philos, but Rafayel has this resentment towards MC. Rafayel is the sea god, he should not be swayed by some mortal. He should not be manipulated, he should prioritize his responsibilities towards Lemuria, and Lemuria only. But he fails. Every single time. And he feels guilty. Guilty because he is witnessing all of his kind, all those innocent Lemurians being massacred by the humans because he chose a human over Lemuria’s existence, because he lied.

But Rafayel’s choice does not only affect the Lemuria. The disappearance of the Lemurians only accelerates the death of the planet, not just Lemuria but as a whole. Maybe Lemurians, with their little, immortalized Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells, (LCMECs) were keeping the earth’s core intact every time they died. And that’s why sending people to Philos’s core worked, because humans found immortality through these same cells that they were researching. Maybe that’s what ‘returning into the sea when they die’ was supposed to represent. Maybe the Seamoon Ceremony was about this. Maybe the Lemurians, the elders wanted to transfer this responsibility that Lemurians had shouldered for centuries without humans knowing to a human. A human that can die a thousand deaths, and die a thousand deaths again.

But Rafayel ruined it. Now; the Earth died, Rafayel died, Lemurians died, and Philos is repeating the same mistakes again. Rafayel chose to walk away from Lemuria with MC by his side, but this decision only killed him along with everyone while MC was still bound by this fate.

And in Sylus’s case, the way he keeps emphasizing they are the same, true kindred spirits, somehow suggests that he is also the same child in misery in the basement alongside MC. We’re still waiting for his myths, so it may be a little early to talk about his version of the story, but I’m going to do it anyway.  Maybe before people discovered MC’s existence, or maybe even before she came into existence, there was Sylus, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Maybe in another world, he died a thousand deaths, and died a thousand more all over again. But unlike MC, he remembers everything. He remembers all his life, all his loss and all of the people who made him into this monster. So, he is not the perfect sacrifice. A perfect sacrifice should not resent, a perfect sacrifice should not turn into a monster, a perfect sacrifice should give up their life with a smile, and a perfect sacrifice should be the perfect victim. A perfect sacrifice should not remember the atrocities that were committed against her. So, maybe just when Sylus thought he freed himself from this fate, he saw that he was only replaced. They now have the perfect sacrifice in the palm of their blood-soaked hands.

Now, how can he walk away from the little soul that was sentenced to become the same monster he became? He can’t, and he won’t. He would rather chase the MC to the end of the world, only to remind her what these people put her through. If MC cannot be angry, he will be in her stead. If MC cannot resent, he will resent. If MC has no reason to fight, he will give it to her. If MC cannot own her memories, he will keep all of them safe in his head. He will always be there to remind her, she can escape her fate. So maybe now, Sylus too became the perfect sacrifice, as he willingly embraces this fate and he willingly takes her place. And maybe he hopes that one day after he is reborn again, he will find MC when she remembers, when the cycle is broken. But he is always left disappointed. She does not remember, so she must have died again, she must have been sacrificed again without him being able to prevent. He is angry, because no matter how many times he takes her place, she is still not safe. He is angry because he cannot escape this destiny.

And then we have Zayne. The one who sees MC’s destiny, the one who sees the never-ending cycle. The Master of Fate who can control how long a human is allowed to live. And maybe, also the one who can end it all. I wonder why MC was considered as a variable who will be resented by people even though she has no intention to harm. Because we see that this was true, she was resented by Lemurians, and maybe also by the people of Philos. Every time she refuses to die, she will harm people. Maybe that’s why the old man asked Master of Fate to get rid of the variable, so that the cycle wouldn’t even start. But Zayne defied fate, he gave MC an even longer life instead. And he was punished for it.

Master of Fate was given a solution; if the child in the basement never exists, then this ethical dilemma would also cease to exist with it. But of course, he could not accept this solution. He could not let MC die. Maybe he made this choice because he was sure he could protect MC from all the consequences of this decision. But, he loses his memories. With the punishment he receives, Astra locks his memories. He can only remember MC when it is already too late. He is destined to either helplessly watch MC die or die before he can help her. Zayne is the one who made MC the perfect sacrifice, and he is the one who is destined to live with this regret.