#ah this is so long already and i gotta go off and make that post

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

End Game 2

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, age gap, stalking, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Your gaming buddy asks to meet up but it doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Characters: Andy Barber

Note: we're here to boo Andrew.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

“So, you’re coming?” Jacob’s voice quavers with excitement. You can’t imagine how he’d sound if you said no. You hate letting people down, it seems to be all you've ever done.

“Uh, yeah,” you say as you steer around the track; opting for some MarioKart over Minecraft that night, “boss says it’s no problem to get the days off. Just have to make it up after. Is... Is everything still good on your end?” 

“Oh yeah, sure thing,” he assures buoyantly, “I can’t wait. Did you still wanna split the airBnB?” 

“Actually, I got a place to stay for the night then I’ll take the early bus back,” you explain as Princess Peach knocks you off the track, “argh!” 

“Right, that’s good,” he says, “good to know you won’t be stranded out there.” 

“Mhm,” you use your boost to catch up to Peach and get your revenge. You don’t mention that Kara will be with you at the con. You just want to be sure this isn’t something wonky. “It’ll be nice to get out of town. My grandma will probably be happy to have the place to herself.” 

“Yeah,” he scoffs, “what’s her problem anyway?” 

“Just the way she is. She likes her space,” you shrug, “I don’t know, I don’t think she expected to be raising her granddaughter...” 

“Ah, yeah, I guess that would be stressful,” he says, “still, seems like you’re not too bad to be around. Got a job, go to school, all that. Think my dad would love it if I put in half as much effort.” 

“Yeah? You make him sound like a hard ass.” 

“Can be. Lawyer, so kinda his schtick,” he chuckles. 

“Oo, fancy,” you snort. Maybe if either of your parents had been lawyers, you wouldn’t be living off your grandma’s resent.  

“I guess. Never really see him that much...” he grumbles. 

“Hm, well, no winning, is there?” You mutter. 

“Not really,” he sighs and hisses, “ugh, Toad!” 

You chuckle and cross the finish line. A respectable second. You wait for him to finish and stifle a yawn. 

“Tired?” He asks. 

“Little.” 

“Me too, long day,” he groans, “neck’s killing me.” 

“Oh, what’d you do--” 

“You know, I’m-- an idiot. Was messing around on my bike.” 

“Of course,” you snicker, “well, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna sign off. I don’t wanna keep my grandma up and my head’s starting to go.” 

“Sure, I gotta get up early anyway,” he sounds less than enthused. “Good night.” 

“You too.” 

“Tomorrow?” 

“Can’t, work. Day after?” 

“Okay, I’ll make it work,” he confirms, “I’m excited about meeting up. Aren’t you?” 

“Yep,” you try not to show your doubt. You’re still not really sure about everything. 

“Can’t wait,” he rasps and the silt in his tone makes you shiver. 

“Yeah, er, bye then,” you hit end session and take off your headset, your ears tender and a bit sweaty. Even if it is awkward, at least you’ll get to hang with Kara for a bit. You haven’t seen her since grad. 

🎮

You’re already exhausted and you’re not even inside yet. The line for the convention is bustling and your excitement keeps you going as you and Kara gab away and move with the slow crawl. The sun beams down and has you sweating, though you could easily blame that on your nerves too. 

“So, this Jacob... is he cute?” She winks. 

“Kara,” you roll your eyes, “it’s not like that. Really. We just game.” 

“Oh yeah. But do you want it to be more?” She teases. 

“You know I’m not really into all that. I don’t have room for a boyfriend in my life.” 

“So boring. Never change, girlie,” she nudges you playfully. “But really, that’s smart. Calvin is too much. I’m thinking of cutting him loose.” 

“Again?” You squint. 

“Not my fault he keeps coming back,” she giggles. 

You peer around, searching out a familiar face amid the ocean of strangers. You haven’t seen Jacob yet. You’re almost hoping he doesn’t show up. Then again, why wouldn’t he? He paid for you to be here. The reminder of the fact strikes guilt in your chest. 

You pause as your eyes catch another pair, further back in the queue. An older man with a beard. He stands out among the crowd. He wears a tidy button-up where most wear graphic tees or cosplay attire. He stares for a moment before he turns away and looks down, probably at whatever kid dragged him there. 

“Well, what are you going to do if he sees you and falls in love?” Kara asks. 

“Whatever,” you roll your eyes. 

“If he’s a nerd like you, how could he not?” 

“Hey,” you frown. 

“What? You’re like the sexy gamer girl type. Isn’t that what dudes want?” She shrugs. “Let me see his pic again. He’s a skinny little thing. He’d definitely be into you.” 

“Urgh, stop,” you cross your arms. 

“Sorry, I’m only playing. You just seem so nervous, I’m trying to loosen you up.” 

“I know,” you puff, “it’s just... I should’ve just said no. This is stupid. I don’t know why I even agreed.” 

“To get out of that shithole,” she snips. “Why do you think I hauled ass the minute I popped by grad cap on?” 

“Mm, yeah, I just hope... do you think he really wants that? Maybe I gave him the wrong idea. Oh, Kar, I really didn’t mean to lead him on.” 

“No, no, I’m sure it’s nothing you did if he does. I mean, he’s probably a virgin so...” 

“That’s mean,” you pout. 

“What, so are you,” she laughs. 

“Exactly,” you shake your head and drop your arms, a buzz jittering your skirt pocket.  

You look down at yourself as you slide your phone free. That was probably a bold choice but it’s so damn hot out. Besides, your Pikachu tee is loose enough to counteract the denim sheath. You turn the screen up, shading it with your hand as you read. 

‘Sorry, not going to make it. Something came up. 🙁' 

You frown and reread the message. Really? You came all the way here, took time off of work, and he’s flaking? 

“What’s up?” Kara asks as she clicks her manicured nails impatiently and stands on her toes, trying to see past the bodies ahead. 

“He just cancelled,” you mutter and type in your reply. 

‘Oh no. Hope it’s nothing bad. Maybe another time.’ 

You hit send and drop your shoulders. You’re surprised how disappointed you are. More so about the wasted effort than anything. Even if you are a bit relieved, it’s shitty. 

“Ah, bullshit!” Kara sneers, “what the hell? What did he say?” She reaches for your phone and you hold it out of her grasp. “That fucker.” 

“It’s probably not his fault. Shit happens.” 

“Babe, you’re gonna settle for a lot of nonsense if you keep that attitude. I’d be friggin pissed if I was you. He brings you all the way here and now he’s too good for you. I bet he saw some cute girl in line and she smiled at him once so now he’s ditching,” she scowls, “I hate boys.” 

“I’m sure... it’s nothing,” you say glumly as your phone vibes again. 

‘I’m real sorry. I hope you still have a good time. Take lots of pictures.’ 

You don’t respond. You lock your phone and put it back in your pocket. It never feels good to be stood up. Even then. 

“You know what, screw him,” Kara snarls, “let’s go in there and buy you the cutest plushie you can find. Hell, maybe you can find an even cuter guy.” 

“Kar,” you warn her. 

“Fine, just the plushie. Maybe two,” she trills, “forget that loser.” 

🎮

The chaos of the convention wipes away the dark cloud over you. You’re almost thankful that Jacob gave you the opportunity to catch up with Kara. You didn’t realise how much you missed her. It’s perfect day where you can forget about your grandmother and your lame job and everything else. 

You rush around from booth to booth. You look at fanart, handmade figures, and stuffies. You’re mindful of your wallet and how empty it really is. You’ll get one thing and a snack. That’s all you can afford.  

As the hours roll by, your early morning bus ride and time spent standing out in the hot sun catch up to you. You feel your muscles starting to ache and your eyelids turning fuzzy. You yawn as you shuffle behind Kara as she waits in line to get a signature from the one D-list celeb she’s heard of. You’d get one too but it’s way too expensive. 

“Hey,” you rub your cheek, “mind if I sit and wait? I wanna grab a soft pretzel anyway.” 

“Sure,” she agrees easily, “looks like it’s gonna be a while.” 

“Want me to bring you a drink or something?” You offer. 

“Nah, just text me where you are so I can find you,” she says. 

You leave her reluctantly. You’d rather not be wandering alone through the hordes but your feet are killing you and your stomach’s been roaring for the last hour. You stand in line for the pretzel stall and get yours with cinnamon sugar and syrup. Messy but delicious. 

You find a table in the corner and settle in. You put your phone beside the napkin and tear apart the doughy goodness. Your phone lights up with a notification from the merge game you like to play and you see several other icons; missed messages. 

You focus on your snack, savouring each bite, as your eyes drift around the crowded centre. You can barely see some of the booths as hordes cluster around. Some cosplayers bat at each other with toy swords as children fight over the arcade machines. You’re overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity all around. 

You put your head down trying to block out the lights and noise. You feel yourself getting overstimulated. It’s like when you’re in the lecture hall and suddenly you can hear every sniff, sneeze, and keystroke. You close your eyes as you wipe your fingertips on the edge of the napkin, only half-finished your pretzel. 

“Looks good,” a deep voice cuts through the blaring din. 

As you recognise the timbre, your heart squeezes and the world pinpoints at the centre of your skull. You open your eyes and slowly raise your head. You blink dumbly at the unfamiliar man stood in front of you. You think you’ve seen him before, or at least he sticks out from the typical convention attendee. 

It isn’t that he’s too old, there’s lots of older geeks hanging around but they have neckbeards and greasy combovers. His hair is tidy and his beard trimmed close. His clothing also lacks the typical Dorito dust or anime character. You remember, he was outside in the line. 

“Uh, hello?” You utter. 

“Sorry I’m late,” he says as he pulls out the chair across from you. He sits as your insides plunge. You know his voice. 

“Jacob?” You murmur in shock. How? Why? This isn’t the stringy teenager you met online. 

He nods, his jaw tensing, and he crosses an arm over the table, pointing to your half-eaten pretzel, “what’d you get on yours? I can’t decide between sweet or savoury.” 

“Who... are you?” You croak, head spinning as your eyes prick. You knew something was weird. You knew you weren’t talking to Jacob or whoever that boy was in the pictures. 

He takes a breath and lets it out slowly. As his chest deflates, you do too. He’s older than you, bigger than you, and by the looks of him, a lot better off. Why the hell would he be chatting with you? Why would he lie to you? 

“You’re right. I’m not Jacob,” he confesses, the colour draining from his face. He steeples his fingers and considers his next words carefully. You sit back and hug yourself defensively. This is fucked. “My name is Andy, Jacob is my son.” 

“Your son?” You eke out, “why-- why would you lie?” 

He cringes and takes another breath, “he was my son,” he corrects himself, “he... passed.” 

You feel like you’ve been struck. Your mouth falls open, stunned. Not only did he hide behind his son’s photos, but his dead son’s. Oh, god. You feel sick. No, you feel stupid. 

“Look, please, just hear me out. I just—it wasn’t meant to go on this long. When I first lied to you, it was supposed to be that one time. I was... I was lost. I just lost Jacob and I was going through his things. I started playing because I missed him. I wanted to feel like he was still there--” 

“No, no, you got on discord and you started talking to me. As him!” Your voice shakes and your eyes tinge. “That’s not just missing him.” 

“I know, you’re right. I lied but... I got lonely playing by myself so yes, I went onto that discord. You were nice. You didn’t call me a noob or whatever. And... and after work, looking forward to hearing your voice, it got me through a lot of pain. Being alone in that house after so long, I couldn’t cope--” 

“So you lied to me?” You stand and snatch your phone, nauseous to the core, “you manipulated me. How do you know—if you had just been you that I would’ve been any different? If you just wanted to play games, to be friends--” 

“I was scared--” 

“I don’t care if you were scared,” you hiss as you stomp forward. “You’re an adult.” 

He stands and blocks your path. You recoil, put off by his height. He’s a lot bigger on his feet. 

“Please, move or... I’ll scream,” you breathe. 

“You don’t have to do that. Just hear me out,” he pleads. 

“I don’t want to hear anything else from you, Jacob. Or Andy. Or whoever you really are,” you sneer, “move.” 

He shudders and hangs his head. He makes himself seem small as his shoulders round and he backs out of your way. You bite down and march past him.  

You need to get to a bathroom. Now. You’re going to spew up your guts. More important, you need to get yourself together before you go find Kara. She can’t know this happened. It’s too embarrassing. 

[wonderingpanda]

Hallooo!

May I request reader catching the bayboys staring at them? Lovesick, maybe?

I just love the Eugene staring at Rapunzle scene.

Lovesick Stares

Bayverse!Turtles x Reader

Hi! Sorry for not posting in so long, I’ve been really busy the past month. I also want to apologise, there was another Bayverse request in my inbox but I must of accidentally deleted it since I can’t find it anymore. If the person who sent me it wants to re-request it feel free to do so. Now, I decided to not really do headcanons for this one but I wouldn’t call them oneshots either. They’re more like mini-scenarios. Anyway, with that all out the way please enjoy.

Leonardo

I was just in the lair sharpening my katanas when I noticed Y/N sit down next to me. “Mikey becoming too much for you?” “Nah, I’m just tired and don’t feel like skateboarding right now.” They pulled out their phone and began doing something on it but I couldn’t see what. I decided to just focus on my blades since I was losing concentration. After a moment or two I heard the sweet sound of Y/N laughing and turned to see them smiling at some video. I couldn’t help but let my gaze linger for a moment, they were so pretty and calm I couldn’t look away. Y/N must of realised that I had stopped sharpening my swords since they looked over to me curiously. I immediately fixed my eyes on something away from them but I knew it was too late and I’d already been caught. “You do realise you’re staring at mouldy pizza right?” Yup, caught red handed. “Well I mean mouldy pizza can be interesting. Anything can hold a story. You never know this pizza could’ve been through amazing things, lived an incredible life.” “Ah yes an incredible life of slowly dying on a sewer floor.” We laughed together for a moment before Y/N decided to lie their head on my arm and smiled with their eyes glued to their phone. “You know if want to stare at me you can. I do it to you all the time.” “Heh, thanks… wait what?”

Raphael

I swear sometimes my brothers piss me off too much! It was late in the evening and I was beating up a punching bag to let out my rage. I was so focused on hitting the thing that I didn’t realise Y/N had walked in. They leaned against the wall and just looked at me. I stopped what I was doing and turned to face them. “What is it?” “I was just waiting for you to finish up.” “Why? You want to use it?” “I’d appreciate it.” I smirked and stepped aside as Y/N walked up to the punching bag, this was going to be interesting. I was surprised when they began to land pretty tough punches on it. “Wow, who got you so riled up?” They leaned back and rolled their shoulders. “Just an annoying co-worker, don’t worry about it.” They then threw their jacket onto the floor and continued to beat up the punching bag. As they went at it I kept wanting to look at them, their face and arms, eyes, lips… I shook my head and blinked a bit when I saw Y/N staring right back at me. “Is there something you want to tell me or…?” “Uh I think I hear Donnie calling me, I gotta go.” With that, I ran off. All I could do was hope they didn’t read too much into it.

Donatello

I thought it would just be another long night in the lab. I had been spending the night working on a few adjustments to my computers. Some of them were glitching and one had stopped working completely so I was trying to fix them up asap. I figured I’d be alone the whole night since everyone seemed to have already gone to bed but I was proven wrong when I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Agh! Oh Y/N, it’s just you. Wait, Y/N! What are you doing here this late?” “Well I was spending the night studying alone but I got bored, and knowing you I knew you’d still be up and awake in your lab.” “I suppose that makes sense.” I slid my chair to the side slightly and gestured for them to grab the free one I had sitting in the corner. They pulled the chair up next to me and sat down. “Oh, and apologies for not knocking. You didn’t answer before and when I peeked through you seemed so involved in your work that I didn’t want to disturb you too much.” “Not a problem. So, were you wanting to study or join me in my computer repairs.” “I figured I could just study while you do your thing, I was just desperate for some company.” “Understandable. I’ll just get back to this and feel free to ask me if you need any help with your studies.” “Of course. Thank you Donnie.” I grabbed a few of my tools and got back to work as Y/N began researching stuff on their laptop, looking through books and writing notes down. I looked over to them and noticed the way their face scrunched up at certain things, how they seemed so hyper focused on whatever they were typing. They were simply a sight to behold. My thoughts were cut short when Y/N sent me a curious smile. “What?” I figured I must have been staring and gave an awkward laugh, looking away to the computer I was currently fidgeting with. “Nothing.” Soon enough I heard the sound of books closing and felt a heavy weight slump onto my shoulder. “I know I should be heading home right now but I think it’ll be ok if I’m a little late to class tomorrow.” “Goodnight, sleeping beauty.” “Night, turtle boy.”

Michelangelo

I was bored, and I mean really bored. Nothing was happening! Leo and Raph were training together and Donnie was locked up in his lab again. April was busy with Casey, Master Splinter was meditating. I was so close to giving up on everything when a voice filled the air. “Oh guys! Guess what I brought?” I snapped my head around only to find my gorgeous Y/N standing happily with a stack of pizza boxes in their hands. I ran over to them but before I could grab a box they pulled the pizza away from me. “Uh excuse me! You’ll be waiting for your brothers before laying a hand on this pizza.” “Ugh! But everyone else is already busy. I’ll just take a few boxes and be on my way, pretty please?” They gave me a deadpanned look. “Mmm no.” “Well then…” I stepped back and readied myself. “I’ll just have to take it by force.” I lunged at Y/N picking them up and pulling the pizza out of their grasp. “Mikey, put me down!” “Mmm no” “Michelangelo Hamato I swear to god!” They proceeded to grab my face and get close enough to the point their nose touched my snout. “If you don’t put me down safely and hand over that pizza this instant I will beat you up with your own weapons, understood?” I wanted to make some sort of witty comeback but as I looked into their eyes I found myself at a loss for words. I knew they couldn’t really beat me and they knew it too but the determined look on their face was so adorable I wanted to just let them. After a little while I felt something hard flick my forehead. “Ow! What!?” “You zoned out dummy.” “Hey I’m not a dummy! You’re the dummy.” “You sure?” “Uh huh.” “Turn around.” I twisted my head to the side and noticed that all the pizza was gone! I looked back to Y/N only to be met with a fist to the face. But to see their cute face up close it was totally worth it.

I hope this was okay. Again, sorry for not posting in a while. Please have an amazing day/night wherever you are!✨

[toranesu]

ur kafka and blade post had my mind running sm. so i had this rlly nasty thought abt fucking them in some tight space while they're on a mission. like, even if the mission was urgent, who were they to say no to your greediness?

anon i love you for this i would 100% grope blade's ass or stare at kafka's crotch while fighting like hello??? sir, ma'am, i'm gonna need some time to control my cock (i got too into this and made it too long mb 💀)

sub bottom blade + sub bottom kafka x dom top gn reader | cw. semi-public sex, groping, reader is a greedy pervert, polyamory relationship, amab reader but cock can be interpreted as strap, riding, squirting, supposedly a quickie.

"enjoying the view, gorgeous?" she gives you a smug smile, right as she killed off an enemy. of course kafka would be the first to notice it. your eyes glued on her crotch while she shoots those antimatter engions and voidrangers. the way her chest bounces when she moves— isn't she just riling you up on purpose at this point?

you shrug in response and follow blade into the next room. you had been appointed by elio to go on a mission in herta's space station, to invade the control room and find some sort of information, to be exact. you didn't really get any of the details, but said yes anyway cuz why would anyone say no to spending time with their not one, but two sexy lovers.

it has been a while since the three of you last fucked, now that you think of it. no wonder you're so pent up... another enemy shows up, blade's taking care of it. the way his ass is just glaring at you from behind, his perfectly curved waist, his chest— why is it so big? he's gotta be at least a D cup.

the enemy dies and you can't help yourself. before you realize it, your hand lands on blade's ass, squeezing the soft, refined mound of flesh. you didn't mean to! you were going to hold his waist and praise him for his technique... really!

blade flinches at your touch, his face heating up while his body tenses. you- right now, seriously? that's basically what's going on in his mind. he wants to react but, your hand on his ass does feel nice.

"ah? having fun without me? that's mean," kafka approaches, closing and locking the door behind her. "you aren't hogging them for yourself, are you bladie?" she hums, looking at the two of you, precisely with your hand still on blade's ass.

blade flushes and looks at her with a frown, attempting to defend himself. "no i-" you cut him off, pulling kafka by her waist and wrapping kissing her neck (which she willingly exposed to you).

"come on, let me have my fun. we haven't done it in ages. i'm suffering out here, y'know?" you groan, it being slightly muffled by the fact that you're basically smothering yourself in kafka's neck. she smells nice.

blade leans into you, pulling your arm from his ass to around his waist as well. kafka smiles at you, ruffling your hair fondly, "yeah? missed us, didn't you?" fuck, she's always so smug. it's so weakening and so.. arousing. makes you want to put her in her place, doesn't it? she knows it and she loves it.

"we're in a secluded area," blade finally lets out his voice, letting out soft breaths, his hand resting on yours while your arm is around his waist. "everyone must have retreated by now. i want to.." he mumbles, a bit quiet but loud enough for you and kafka to hear.

blade had never been so vocal about his wants and needs, so the fact that he's admitting it at all must mean he's been all pent up too. how cute.

"aw, blade," you coo, letting go of your hand on kafka's waist and putting it on blade's cheek, kissing his lips endearingly. he lets out a low moan at your affection, his hand still on yours.

kafka smiles endearingly at the two of you before sighing loudly, getting in the middle of you. "no more stalling. i've been waiting on this too. i'm waiting for one of you to fuck me already, you know?"

"sorry bladie, you don't mind me going first, right?" kafka lets out a heavy breath, her walls clamping down on you. she's so warm and tight... oh how you missed this.

it's not really efficient to fuck in the storage room of someone else's space station, but you'll take it. you're sitting down leaning against the wall, kafka with her clothes discarded sitting on your dick, tits looking bouncy and magnificent, her eyes half lidded while she bounces on your cock—blade's leaning on your shoulder, your hand on his dick, he's moaning softly as your hand rubs his leaking slit. fuck, this is heavenly.

kafka is having the time of her life. she absolutely adores riding you, your dick reaches the deepest parts of her, brushing against her cervix everytime you thrust inside. she enjoys the way you're under her, moaning as she makes you feel good.

but you only have a limited size of self control, using your other hand to grip kafka's hip and thrust inside her, making her moan loudly in ecstasy. you're deep inside her, the way your dick drags in and out her soaking pussy— ahh, she can't get enough of this.

"fuck, if- if we weren't on an urgent mission i would've loved to eat you out before this, kaf," you breathe out between moans, she's so warm and welcoming, your dick could melt inside her (or maybe she's just a whore).

kafka laughs breathily, holding your shoulder and groaning as she pushes herself down on you. "ah, y-yeah? what makes you think i'd let you?" always so cocky. dumb brat needs to be put in her place.

you kiss blade's cheek before letting go of his weeping cock, both your hands grabbing kafka's hips and slamming her down on you repeatedly. she lets out loud moans, her legs trembling and her toes curling. "what a fucking brat. so cocky when all you want is my dick. aren't you just my whore, princess?" you groan, continuing to fuck into her like a madman.

she can't even make a snarky reply at that point. her whole body is trembling, her tits bouncing, she's squealing and moaning, drool slipping past her mouth. but then your hand reaches to squeeze one of her breasts before pinching her clit— fuck. she throws her head back and squirts all over you, leaving you soaking wet from her fluids.

you groan at the sight and give her a kiss on the lips before pulling out of her, earning a dissapointed sigh as you lean her down on the wall next to you. kafka's had her fun, now you gotta take care of your neglected sweet boy right beside you. blade's panting at the sight, already stretching himself out for you and mewling when he feels your eyes on him.

he's waited all this long and even prepared himself for you! what a good boy. you kiss blade's swollen lips, poor boy must've been biting back his moans to not disturb you and kafka. he's so sweet.

"blade," you coo, brushing the hair out of his face. he lets out a small 'mm' at your voice, letting you hold his hips while he straddles you. he blushes lightly and holds your still hard dick, aligning it with his stretched out hole. he needs you, he needs you bad.

you rub circles on his hip as he steadily sinks himself down on your cock, breathing heavily and scrunching his eyes at the feeling that he oh so craved. he moans when you're fully inside him, leaning his head on your shoulder and letting out heavy breaths, adjusting to your size.

you kiss the top of his head and run your fingers through his hair, your other hand rubbing circles on his hip. "there we go, good boy. doing so good for me, yeah?" you whisper, soothing him as he moans at your words, lightly rolling his hips against yours. "take your time to adjust, move when you're ready, okay?" you remind him. the mission was urgent; sure, as much as this should be a quickie, you can't just force your dick in someone's hole!

after a short while, blade starts moving, rolling his hips against yours steadily before starting to bounce up and down your cock. he whimpers and moans, trying to keep his voice down— unlike someone who couldn't even bother (not like you could either). this takes you back to the first time you had sex with him, he's so shy, so quiet, holding in his voice. it's so so adoring, you think.

you pepper kisses onto blade's chest and collarbone, letting him fuck himself on you while you hold his hips to help steady him. he looks so pretty when he's breathless above you like this— both him and kafka do.

"so pretty, blade," you groan out, nipping his jaw while he continues to bounce on you, matching your thrusts. he really was ethereal... eyes half lidded, mouth parted open. you can't get enough of this.

you gotta end things fast though, the mission's still important. kafka had gotten you close to your climax already so now you're even closer, feeling your dick twitch in blade.

you kiss blade's shoulder softly, fucking into him while your other hand reaches towards his neglected cock. blade mewls as he feels you stroke his dick, getting him close to his own ejaculation. your hips nor his stop thrusting, your hand stroking his dick at the same pace.

"cumming– hng, i'm c-cumming," blade slurrs, nipping onto your shoulder and moaning, his dick twitching in your hold.

you kiss the shell of his ear, whispering, "cum for me, blade." and with that, he releases in your hand, his walls clenching around you tightly as he moans in ecstasy.

"good boy," you kiss blade's sweaty forehead before getting him off of you, sitting him down next to you and palming yourself, chasing your own release.

"hello?? kafka? blade? [name]? where are you? did you get the stuff?" the voice of a familiar hacker reaches your ears.

you curse under your breath, "oh fuck."

[lxmbr]

Luxiem when you propose first! 💍

cw: suggestive in vox and ike's. not proofread

notes: thank you so much anon!! i'm so nervous to post this so i really hope this is up to your expectations! so sorry it took so long to make but i actually had a lot of fun! 🩷

Vox Akuma -

• Vox is a pretty traditional man so i think he'd be a bit bummed at first

• of course he'd say yes

• would probably still propose to you anyway

• he might even try to "1 up" you lol

• you mightve done it at a resturant but nonono he planned for weeks to get something "better"

• he ended up popping the question to you where he first asked you on a date

• he'd ask the other luxiem members to help set up the area with flower petals and candles/whatever you fancy

• VERY CLICHE.

• he does the cheesy prep talk before he finally pops the question

• "would you, (first and last name) make me, Vox Akuma the luckiest demon on earth and join me in ruling my clan?"

• afterwards he'd totally rizz you up to make you forget he just "beat you" in a fake competetion

• after BOTH proposals you know what happens ;)

• in the end he would happily say yes but be very flustered as he didnt expect you to be the one to do so. 

• the fact that you proposed first was both hot AND sweet

• he'd still want to give his go at a proposal too though :)

Mysta Rias -

• This boy- man would SCREAM

• he'd be hella surprised

• after he asesses the situation i think he'd do that cringy white girl thing 

• "OH EM GEE!! NO YOU DIDN'T! YES IF COURSE I WILL BABE!" while jumping and fanning his face with his hands

• after the jokes he'd say yes genuinely and kiss you happily

• "ah babeeee in so surprised but..im so happy" with his  sheepish giggle

• would give you the BIGGEST HUG ™

• since you asked him he'd treat you to dinner that night

• "its on me loves..gotta treat my future wife don't i?~"

• wouldnt. stop. talking. about. it. all. week.

• he might cry a bit but he would hide it for sure. maybe only a tear or two would come out

• would be soooo clingy the rest of the day/night

• "can we shower together??" 

• in the end he wouldnt mind all that much..hes just sooo excited to get to marry you!!

Luca Kaneshiro -

• you decided that day was THE day...but..so did he..

• oops! you both proposed the same day!

• of course the 3 year anniversary would he perfect!! why wouldnt he think of the possibility that you'd do it?!

• when you get on 1 knee he'd look around with a shocked expression and would give his awkward laugh

• "WHAT?!" 

• after your speech he got down on HIS knee ans then proposed to you..at eye level since you were still kneeling 

• everyone around was shocked. the other luxiem members aw-ing and laughing

• another loud one

• he'd call back home, YOUR mom, the waiters and waitresses, the lucubs...EVERYONE

• would also be clingy af 

• couldnt look you in the face from pure shyness but you caught him staring at you multiple times

• he wouldnt stop praising you for your proposal

• "omg that was so good baby i loved it!!"

• never lets go of you, your arms and hands are ALWAYS intertwined 

• gets jealous and possessive easily

• he'd pull you away from everyone..mainly the other guys

• "excuse you IKE. my FIANCE is BUSY with ME." while dragging you toward him and pouting

• no one is ever letting you guys live this down

Ike Eveland -

• he already was calling you his fiance/wife/husband before any of this

• he panicked

• after your proposal he pulled you into a quieter place frantically without answering 

• everyone thought it went bad and they all were upset

• you finally saw how red he was and he apologized and wanted to yell "YES" in your face..but he didnt

• "y-yes..i'd love to marry you min kärlek." 

• wouldnt let go of your hand

• makes sure YOU put the ring on his hand, not him

• when you guys come back out hes holding your hand timidly, making sure to show off the ring

• "GUYSSSS STAWPPP" when everyone cheers

• takes you to your favorite place afterward for food and then books a 5 star hotel

• "come on darling...pack up your things! <3"

• lets just say...yall had a NIGHT

• tries his best to be romantic all night

• surprisingly can play it cool with you after the initial shock unlike luca

• while he might be internally freaking out he could calm you down and rizz you up so. easily.

• absolute baby boy ™

• so. SO. excited to start planning

• "so we can have half of the venue (your fav color) and the other half blue!! and omg i can have- and you can- and can we please-" 

• basically very surprisee and panicked but once he gets you alone he very quickly gets insanely excited 

Shu Yamino -

• he already knew 

• was very nervous and wary around you often since he didnt know when but he knew you would yk?

• of course he didnt say anything, he didnt wanna ruin it

• actually he didnt even tell you he knew

• was actually caught off gaurd when you did it at first

• the rest of the proposal though he was able to keep it cool

• he actually bought you a ring and flowers in preperation

• "i would..love to marry you" as he grabs your hand and slips on your ring while you slip his on

• "ah..ive been waiting for this..im so happy"

• only tells close people such as family, luxiem, and manager-san

• asks staff-san for a week off that same day for a pre-wedding honeymoon

• gets shy whenever you call him your fiance/husband and vise versa

• he adores you and is clearly SO excited

• you caught him searching for weddingspo one night when he was supposed to be working

• buys new flowers every week until the day of the wedding

• lowkey had a dream about it and it made him giddy all day when he woke up

[goatunderthebridge]

Pride & Hysterics || aka, what if Fukunaga saw Yamamoto fall?

I have fukutora on the brain and I've gotta sleep. So, enjoy this short (~1700 words) fic idea that is barely edited and has not been read through more than once. bon appetit ‼

Inspired by this post by @anoant-haikyuu-dump .

Quick tags/info: some fukutora, slight kuroken, mostly yamamoto getting into a stupid situation because of pride, fukunaga finding this hilarious, kenma is done with both of them, and kuroo is in love with kenma.

------

The three of them were standing outside the school gates, having finished their evening volleyball practice. Kenma was sitting on the half-wall, hunched over to block the sunlight from obscuring his phone screen as he flicked through a random game. He was waiting for Kuroo to walk home with him, the boy having been caught in a conversation with Nekomata. Kenma didn’t mind. It gave him time to text Hinata about how he had found the new game in their mutually liked series. However, there was one thing that he disliked about waiting for Kuroo after school and the thing manifested itself in the form of his, sigh. Friends.

“I bet I could jump to that cola can,” Kenma hears Yamamoto say to Fukunaga, a tinge of pride in his voice. Already Kenma could tell that this wasn’t going to end well, not when ‘bet’ and Yamamoto’s pride were ever involved.

Unfortunately for both of them, Fukunaga loved hearing those things put together.

Kenma discreetly glances up through his hair just as Fukunaga turns to Yamamoto, eyes shining. The excitement was practically vibrating off of him as he stared at Yamamoto, as if daring him to do it. Kenma shifts slightly in his seat to see what Yamamoto was talking about, leaning forwards past their backs to see a discarded coca cola can on the pavement around 20 feet away from them. Kenma immediately groans but mentally berates himself for it when two pairs of shining eyes look at him.

“What?” Yamamoto roars, puffing out his chest to Kenma as he stands squarely in front of him, “You don’t think I can do it?”

Kenma rolls his eyes as he looks up at him, hair falling away from his face. “I didn’t say that…”

“But you were thinking it!” Yamamoto says, crossing his arms in front of him.

“No…”

“Well, I’m going to prove you wrong!” Yamamoto announces triumphantly, placing his hands on his hips as he nods to himself, as if affirming the belief that he could somehow jump as far as to that red, crumpled can and all he needed was one disbeliever to motivate him to do it.

Kenma sighs. He hated always being the disbeliever that Yamamoto goaded into motivating him.

Fukunaga rests his head on Yamamoto’s shoulder, peering over him to Kenma. Yamamoto freezes slightly at the touch. It’s almost interesting to Kenma, the way he didn’t even seem to be breathing, if not for the distracting fact that Fukunaga was smiling widely.

“Tigers can leap when pigs fly.” He teases, earning a surprised snort from Kenma.

Yamamoto starts at that, rocking Fukunaga off of his shoulder and spinning to face him with a pointed finger, exclaiming loudly, “I’ll show both of you!”

Fukunaga toes a line in the dust between them – a starting line, it dawned on Yamamoto and Kenma – before he drops into a seat next to Kenma on the wall, folding his hands in his lap. He looks up at Yamamoto expectantly with his wide eyes.

Kenma sighs. This was not going to end well. They’d gotten his pride too involved.

Yamamoto grunts at both of them sitting down and awaiting his spectacular jump. He turns to face his rival – the red can ahead – and judges the distance by eye more thoroughly now. He blinked. It was a long distance to jump, very long, and it almost made his self-confidence falter. But the pride coiling within his chest tightened around his heart and it was then his resolve was fortified. He could make that jump. He was Yamamoto Taketora, for fuck’s sake!

With that, he takes a few step behind him from the starting line, keeping his eyes locked on the red can ahead. All he had to do was gain enough momentum and jump. He could do that, he had the guts. Truly, how hard could it be to do something as simple as jumping?!

Yamamoto takes a deep breath, clenches his hands into fists, and yells as he runs, passing the wide-eyed Fukunaga and disappointed Kenma who watched him with turning heads like spectators to a tennis match. Yamamoto jumps from the starting line, his feet making a loud ‘thud’ as he sprang off of it. And to his credit, he does actually leap, spreading his legs far in the air as he soared. Fukunaga’s mouth opens slightly as Kenma’s eyebrows furrow in disbelief. Yamamoto was actually going to do it. He was using his pride to dismantle the very laws of gravity.

Yamamoto felt weightless. Time seemed to slow down since he had jumped, his legs stretched as far as they would go in perpendicular directions to his body, his arms locked in to his sides like a Super Mario character jumping in those games Kenma liked and beat his ass at every time. He turned his head slightly, catching the surprise on Fukunaga’s face as he flew through the air nearer and nearer to the red can. He felt his ears twinge red as he grinned, slowly.

But then time sped back up and he was dropping to the ground. Yamamoto braced himself for his right foot to hit the ground first, leaning his weight forward. But he noticed his foot continuing to soar past the red can and instantly cheered for himself, yelling so excitedly that he hardly noticed where his foot was landing.

Fukunaga stood up as Yamamoto dropped to the ground and immediately slipped on a banana peel.

His foot slid on it, making him screech like some deranged beast as his body pelters backwards at the momentum with which his body came crashing down to the ground. He falls down, hitting his head on the red can and his back on the pavement loudly, instantly groaning at the fall. Kenma stands up with his phone gripped tightly in his hands, unsure whether to check if Yamamoto was okay or if they should call someone. He looks to Fukunaga to see what they should do and he stills in movements.

Fukunaga’s face was red and contorted in silent laughter. He was gripping his sides with his mouth wide open and his body shaking with his laughing fit. Kenma almost took a step back in shock if it wasn’t for the high-pitched peals of laughter that managed to escape Fukunaga that knocked him back down onto the wall instead. The laughter stole Yamamoto’s attention as he sat up with a groan and looked to the duo, rubbing the back of his head. He froze again when he saw Fukunaga howling with laughter, doubled over now, the laughter filling the air. It struck Yamamoto as he watched in silent shock that he had never heard Fukunaga laugh like that before. He had never seen how Fukunaga’s entire face relaxed as he laughed, nor how pink his cheeks got or how he threw his head back to the sky as if he couldn’t help but let everything within him be entirely moved by the hilarity before him.

And the laughter, Yamamoto had never heard anything like it. It sounded like a mixture of shrieks and gasps and an endless stream of barking laughter as Fukunaga dropped to his knees before shoving a hand to his mouth, desperately stopping his laughter from escaping him as he bowed his head, his body still wracking with silent giggles. Kenma met Yamamoto’s eyes over Fukunaga’s head and it was easy for them to communicate in that moment the single thought passing through both of them:

What the fuck was that?

As Yamamoto stepped towards them, Fukunaga wiped at his eyes and stood back up, mostly composed once Yamamoto was closer to them.

“Are you alright?” Kenma asked, noticing the way it seemed to take actual effort for Yamamoto to drag his eyes off of Fukunaga to look at him.

Yamamoto nodded, rubbing the back of his head still, “Y-yeah. I’m… fine.”

Kenma arched an eyebrow at the redness creeping on to Yamamoto’s face as Fukunaga turned to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Mr Banana Peel, huh?” Fukunaga barely managed to squeak out before laughing again, body shuddering under it as he laughed into his shoulder, hand squeezing Yamamoto’s shoulder.

It was infectious, then. Kenma snorted, instantly turning his head away from the glare Yamamoto sent him. That seemed to shake Yamamoto out from whatever spell Fukunaga’s laughter had on him because he was suddenly roaring.

“HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN IT WAS THERE!? I STILL WON! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!”

It just made Fukunaga laugh harder, dropping back down to his knees and dragging his hand down Yamamoto weakly as he goes, barely able to breathe. Kenma can’t help the laughter that escapes him as Yamamoto goes fully red and practically slams his own face into his hands, yelling incoherently.

“Whoa, what the hell is going on here?” A curious yet amused voice calls out to them.

Kenma turns to see Kuroo strolling towards them, his satchel slung around his shoulder. Kuroo glances at Kenma’s glistening eyes, Fukunaga bent over with laughter on the floor, and a Yamamoto who refused to look at him, instead choosing to cross his arms over his chest and turn his head away from the rest of them.

Kuroo slings an arm over Kenma’s shoulder as he plops down next to him on the wall.

“So?” He asks, looking between the three of them.

It’s Fukunaga who glances up at Kuroo with tears in his eyes, still clutching his sides.

“Tora- Tora is going to quit volleyball,” he says, gasping it out as he slows his laughter.

This makes Kuroo a bit more serious as he furrows his eyebrows at Fukunaga. Kenma bites his lip and turns his face into Kuroo’s chest, preparing himself. But Yamamoto turns to Fukunaga, confusion crossing his face.

“What?” They both say, glancing at each other before back at Fukunaga.

Fukunaga takes a breath, and risks a look up at Yamamoto. A snort escapes him.

“He’s studying to be a clown.”

And then he’s stifling his laughter again into his own hands as Yamamoto reddens and kneels next to Fukunaga, balling his shirt within his fists as he jostles him, half out of anger and half because Fukunaga’s laughter made his intestines curl inside of him and it felt weird because he wanted more of it.

Kuroo watches this display with a raised eyebrow, knowing he’s missing something but equally certain he’d be getting no answers out of the duo before him. He lets Kenma take his attention instead, feeling Kenma curl in closer under his arm, his body shaking with laughter. Kuroo smiles at that and rests his head on Kenma’s, turning to watch Yamamoto shake Fukunaga before him.

God, who knew when the three of them had gotten so close?

[vikingstoner69]

A/N: I live! It's been ages since I actually posted anything and for that I'm sorry! Butttt the good news is I got my kidney and will be posting a lot more! Here is my first post to my one piece fic book and of course it's zoro I'm a whore for this man.

Fandom: one piece (anime)

Paring: Zoro/reader

Title: Reunited

Summery: After two years Zoro and Reader are finally back together.

It has been two long years of hard work and hard training but finally you were back on the island where you would rejoin your crew and him. You had missed zoro badly in those two long years and finally you were so close to finally being with him again. You look around as you make your way to the sunny bringing the things you bought so it wouldn't be that big of a rush when you guys were ready to leave. You grin when you finally make it to the beautiful ship.

"Ah sunny I missed you" you grin with happiness.

"And what about me?" You hear from behind you and your body freezes, you had waited a long time to hear his voice. You turn around and see Zoro standing there with that cocky grin on his handsome face. You drop your bags and rush over to him throwing your arms around his neck and his arms wrapping around you holding you close to his body.

"I missed you so fucking much!" You say your voice cracking with unshed tears. You hear him chuckle as you pull away and he strokes your face before bringing his hand behind your head pulling your face to his where he captured your lips in a deep kiss. You cling to him tightly and he holds you to his chest. You pull back for air and look up at his handsome face. You place your hand lightly on his left cheek and softly stroke it.

“What happened here?” you ask still in his strong arms. Zoro kisses your palm softly and you feel a warm fuzzy feeling In your stomach.

"A little training mishap, noting I can't handle" he smirks, nipping your thumb as you move your hand to place it on his shoulder. You sigh and shake your head.

"I got a few things to put in my room" you grin and pull out of his hold, missing his body against yours already. Zoro says nothing but follows you on the sunny. You walk into your room with a happy grin, happy to finally be back on the ship. You walk over and place your bags on the desk as Zoro closes the door. Zoro walks up behind you placing kisses on your neck making your body shiver.

"I have waited so long to be with you again" he says against your ear before biting the love lightly making you moan. His lands on your hips spin you to face him and your warm hands go to his shoulders. He leans down and kisses you deeply and you moan.

"I missed you so much, these last two years have been so hard without you" you tell him looking up at him. He smiled down at you and without wearing his strong hands left you up your legs wrapping around his waist.

"We gotta lot of time to make up for, how about we get started?" He smirks at you as you cling to him. You lean down and kiss him deeply nipping his lip making him growl as he walks you both to the bed and sits making you straddle him. Zoro was already hard; you could feel him through his pants you moan softly in the kiss. You roll your hips lightly, his hands run down to your ass dragging you against him harder.

"Zoro" you moan as he sucks and bites your neck only stopping long enough to remove your shirt and bra. Zoro wasted no time leaving bites and kisses down your breasts to the hem of your pants.

"No one is here but you an me, I wanna hear those amazing fucking sounds you make for me" he growls undoing and pulling your pants off leaving you naked on the bed under him. Zoro takes a moment to stand and remove his clothes then rejoins you on the bed.

"Zoro!" You moan his name at the spike of pain and pleasure you feel when he bites into your thigh. Zoro looks up at you before he dips his tongue through your wet folds. Your hands tug his hair as he eats you out like it's his last meal. The sound he makes as he eats you out makes your toes curl. You can feel yourself grow closer and closer to cumming.

"Cum for me, I wanna taste it again" he says huskily before sucking on your clit and shoving his tongue inside you making you cry out and cum hard on his face. Zoro groans as he laps at what you give him before pulling back and licking his lips before kissing up your body his body felt amazing ontop of yours.

“I wanna taste you” you moan as he kisses and bites up your stomach leaving marks as he gose till he reaches your neck. Zoro nips your ear and grinds his hard cock into you.

"Next time I can't wait to be inside you any longer" he growls, you look up at him your hands run up his strong arms to his shoulders. Your body aches and your nails sink into his skin as he enters you making you moan loudly.

"Fuck Zoro! You feel so good" you moan your nails raking down his back as he picks up speed. Zoro pounds into you his powerful thrusts slamming the headboard into the wall.

"Fuck your so wet and tight around me" he grunts, you cry out his name as he hits that spot deep inside of you but before you reach your peak Zoro pulls out making you whine at the lose making him chuckle at your neediness. Without much effort zoro flips you on your hands and knees smacking your ass making you moan at the sting and without warning he enters you from behind his hand tangled in your hair pulling you back to meet his thrusts making him go even deeper.

"Oh fuck! Fuck Zoro yes! Fuck me hard" you cry out as he slams into you from behind smacking your ass with each thrust. He grunts as he bottoms out feeling you tighten around him.

"Cum on my cock, soak it like I know you can" he growls, his hand not holding your hair is on your hip fingers digging in leaving marks that will last for days. Zoro's words made you clinch tightly around him closer and closer to your end.

"Zoro!" You cry out as you cum hard squirting all over him and the bed. Zoro's pace gets faster and rougher before he stills and you moan as he fills you with ropes of his hot thick cum. Zoro slowly pulls out and watches as your mixed cum leaks out of your dripping cunt. Zoro smirks as he watches before he lays down on the bed and you lay down with your head on his chest.

"Tired already?" He chuckled, stoking your arm softly and you looked up at him. You smirk before leaning up and kissing him deeply making his cock twitch and you straddle him.

"Oh no baby we are just getting started" you grin leaning down to nip his neck.

"That's my girl"

[q-gorgeous]

The Fenton-Feel Giver

fanfiction

ao3

word count: 1579

This time, instead of making a weapon to hurt ghosts, the Fentons make a weapon that allows them to “get their feelings back”. Problem is, they already have them, so what happens when you take an already emotional ghost teen and amplify it by 10? @Amabsis

rararararararararara

Danny sat at the kitchen table, tiredly eating cereal while Jazz read a book next to him as she ate her eggs. He held his head in his left hand and he was about to nod off when his parents erupted from the door to the lab. 

“Hey, kids! Come look at what we just finished!” His dad bellowed. Danny jumped at the loud sound of his voice. 

“It’s too early for this.” He groaned as he and Jazz forcefully followed their parents downstairs into the lab.” 

“It’s our newest ghost hunting weapon!” Maddie smiled excitedly. 

Danny flinched as his dad brandished his new gun.

“This bad boy will give all these apathetic ectoplasmic post human copies all of their feelings back! They’ll never know what hit them!” 

“Dad, how do you really know that ghosts don’t have feelings?” Jazz asked him, looking between Danny and their dad. “You’ve never had a conversation with a ghost. How can you say you know how their minds work?” 

“How can any ghost have feelings when they’re terrorizing the city all the time? Surely if they had feelings they would think about their actions and how it might be affecting the people around them.” Maddie said.

“Now you’re just putting your prejudice on them!” Jazz planted her hands on her hips. “Not all ghosts go around terrorizing the city all the time!”

“Also the ghosts just think it’s fun. They don’t care how we feel, even with feelings.”

The three of them looked over at Danny. His eyes widened when he realized they heard his comment. 

“See who terrorizes a city for fun?”

“That still doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings!” 

Danny rolled his eyes and stood up. This was ridiculous. He didn’t need to sit here and listen to his family argue about something that he knew was false. 

“Danny-boy! Where are you going? I haven’t even demonstrated it yet!”

He turned around to face his dad. “I gotta go. I have to-”

He gasped out a breath of cold air. And he inwardly groaned.

“Have to, to- go to the library and check out a book I forgot I needed! It’s about a project on Patrocolos!”

“You’re still learning about that guy?” Jack frowned. 

“Long unit.” Danny said as he backed up. “Very important to a lot of different cultures. What a guy.”

“Be back before curfew!” His mom called to him and he turned and dashed his way up the stairs. 

When he hit the top he transformed and flew through the roof and scanned the streets around him. Where was the ghost? 

“I am the Box Ghost!” 

Danny closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning.

“Tremble before me and my boxes of doOoom!” 

Danny flew in the direction that the Box Ghost’s voice was coming from. He came into view and he had a swarm of boxes flying around him.

“Hey, Boxy!” 

The Box Ghost turned around to face him. “Ah, Phantom! I see you’ve heard my war call! You will face my wrath and get boxed!” 

Danny scoffed. “As if. Your wrath is about a centimeter long.” 

“You will regret your words, young halfling! My boxes will leave deep cardboard cuts all over your skin! I will-” 

Danny sucked the Box Ghost into the thermos as he was talking. He yelled as he got sucked in and the sound was cut off when the beam disappeared. Danny capped the thermos as all the boxes fell into the street. 

He heard the screeching of tires below him and looked down. His parent’s van plowed to a stop and they were jumping out. 

“There he is, Jack!” His mom pointed at where he floated up in the sky. 

“This is the perfect time to test our new weapon, Maddie!” 

Danny’s eyes widened. Considering ghosts really did actually have feelings, Danny didn’t know what it would do to him. He didn’t think he wanted to find out either. 

They started shooting at him. His dad had the new weapon they showed off at breakfast this morning. His mom had what looked like a regular ectogun. 

He dodged as many blasts as he could, but they just kept coming. One flew past him and sent him spinning. He went back right side up but it was too late.

“Haha! Taste the Fenton Feel-giver!” 

Danny didn’t have enough time to jump and dodge the blast that his dad shot at him. He put his hands up to block his face when the blast made contact. It sent him hurtling towards the ground. The blast itself didn’t hurt nearly as much as he was expecting but his collision with the ground did and he peeked out from behind his arms to see his dad barely containing his excitement. 

Then his mom walked towards him, brandishing her Fenton bazooka and Danny’s heart started racing.

He covered his head and cowered away from her. 

“Don’t hurt me, Mom!” He shouted. 

“Mom?” Maddie exclaimed. 

“I promise I’m not a monster! Don’t hurt me!” 

Danny scurried backwards away from her. What was happening to him? His heart was racing and he was starting to hyperventilate. 

Maddie lowered her weapon, but she looked unsure about it. 

“Jack?” She turned to face him. 

“He looks just like a child.” Jack whispered. 

“Is he just a child?” Maddie asked him.

Danny looked up at his parents. He could tell by their faces that they weren’t expecting the consequences of actually seeing a ghost’s feelings. That they weren’t expecting him to be so human.

Maddie knelt down to be at eye level with him. She reached a hand forward and Danny fell back trying to get away from it.

“Don’t touch me!”

She pulled her hand back and looked at Jack. 

“Phantom, do you remember your human mother?”

He looked at her. How ironic was this. This was some cosmic irony here.

He wasn’t sure what he should do. So he just nodded. 

“Did she ever hurt you?”

Ectoblast burns. Bazooka blasts. Kicks to the stomach.

“Not on purpose. But she did.” 

Maddie’s felt settled into a sad expression. A tear ran down Danny’s cheek as they stared at each other. She reached towards him to wipe it off but he pulled back and jumped into the air.

“Don’t- don't touch me.”

“Phantom, would you like to come back to our lab with us? We could-” 

His heart rate continued to race and his chest rose and fell too quickly with each breath. Scalpels and dissection tables. Samples and tests and inventions and so many other terrifying things were down in that lab. He couldn’t- No. No no no. 

He felt his transformation rings appearing. He knew that if he was ever too hurt that he transformed back. If he passed out he’d transform back. He didn’t ever think he’d be too emotionally distressed that it would force him to transform back. He couldn’t. Not here. 

He pushed the rings back and they were gone for a moment but they just reappeared a second later.

“Jack, what are those rings? Have you ever seen anything like that before?” 

“No I haven’t. What kind of power could that be?”

He couldn’t keep the transformation rings back anymore. They traveled over his body and he watched as his parents confused expressions morphed into ones of horror. The ring passed over his head and he started falling towards the ground. 

“Danny?” His mom called in shock.

His dad ran forward and caught Danny in the air before he hit the ground. Danny scrambled to get out of his father’s arms and fell, hitting the ground. 

“Don’t touch me!” 

“Danny, how is this possible? How did this-”

“You can’t hurt me! Please!” 

Maddie faltered and took a step away from him. “We would never hurt you.”

Danny shook his head. “You wanted to. You always talk about how you want to hurt me so badly. About all the nasty horrible things you want to do to me.”

“But we never- if we’d known it was you, we would never have said those things.”

Danny looked her in the eyes. “Even if it wasn’t me, I’m still just a kid. It doesn’t matter if it’s me or not.”

Maddie and Jack looked at each other.

“We’ll make this right.” Jack said. “We’ll get you fixed up and-”

“No! You can’t take it! I don’t need to be fixed!”

“Take what?” Maddie asked.

“My core!” 

Maddie’s eyes opened wide. “You have a core?”

“You can’t have it.” 

Maddie shook her head. She looked like she wanted to reach out to him and touch him but she kept her hands firmly at her side where she knelt down. “We don’t want your core.”

“We need to reverse the effects that the Fenton Feel-giver had on you.”

“No experiments?” Danny asked. He looked back and forth between his parents. 

“No experiments.” Jack said.

Danny was still looking between the two of them. His heart rate was starting to slow. 

“You still love me?”

Danny could see the moment his mom’s heart broke. “Of course we do, sweetie.”

Tears welled up in Danny’s eyes and he held out a hand to his mom. She grabbed it and stood up, pulling him with her. 

“It’ll be okay. We’ll get you fixed up and then you can tell us how this all happened.” 

Danny nodded. He took a deep breath. “You still love me.” 

“More than life itself.”

[amazingmsme]

Restless ‘Til We Reach Home

A Lamb in Wolf’s Clothing (ch. 2)

AN: The long awaited second chapter & thunder saga is heeeere! I was getting ready to post it but stopped in my tracks when the thunder saga trailer dropped & realized how close it was & I knew what I had to do. Gotta say, Odysseus is real mean in this one. But hey, at least Hermes is there to balance it out!

Ch. 1 Ch. 3 Ch. 3.5 Ch. 4

Polites felt as though he really needed to clear the air with Odysseus, but where to even start?

The captain was nowhere in sight, so he floated around the deck in search of him. He was still trying to get used to his new way of travel, but he liked to think he was getting the hang of it pretty well.

In the underworld, he couldn't fly. Then again, that was a place made for people like him. It was meant as a bastardized recreation of home, to provide the comfort of solid ground and company.

Polites thought back to Hades, and how despite how horrible he thought he looked, there was always someone around the corner who was worse. He had gotten used to the gruesome sights after a while. And as awful as it was to say, seeing them kept him humble. Because yes, things were bad, but at least he didn't have his entrails dragging behind him. Eurydice was one of the few who looked just as beautiful in death as she did in life.

Eurydice...

He wondered how she was holding up. It'd been hours for him since he'd left, but for her, who knows? Had only seconds passed, leaving her on the bank as she wondered what awaited him? Or had it already been a day, the loneliness beginning to set in? Even with the perspective of the real world, Polites found it difficult to gauge the passage of time down there. So wherever she was, however long it had been, he hoped she was doing well.

The sun was getting lower in the sky, inching towards the horizon. It would be dark soon. For now, the light shifted, reflecting off the clouds in vibrant golds and orangey pinks. It was the first sunset of his new life, signaling an end of an era and a new dawn on its way.

Night fell quickly, enveloping them in a blanket of stars and darkness. Polites looked for the moon in the sky, but it was nowhere to be found. Ah, a new moon.

If you were to ask him, he would say that the moonless sky was just as beautiful as a full moon night. He'd started various debates about it with other soldiers, encouraging them to just hear him out. Of course the full moon is beautiful, he never said it wasn't! The new moon may lack her silvery glow, but doesn't her absence make it all the more beautiful when she comes back? The darkness on nights like these provide the most clarity, offering to you all the stars you could ever wish to see.

Most people thought the night sky was only black, but oh how wrong they were. These are the impatient ones: those who never allow their eyes the time to adjust before they give up, going on about their night. But when you lay back and just allow yourself to study the canvas before you, the work of art will reveal itself with bold blues, greens, purples, and yes, even pinks.

Polites floated on his back, hovering mere inches above the deck as he stared up at the sky. By the Gods, how he'd missed it.

He didn't know he'd been crying until he heard heavy steps coming up the stairs, and he frantically wiped them away. He sat up just in time to see who was approaching.

Odysseus let out a startled yelp when he saw his friend's crumpled form lying on the deck, just as he looked before he died.

"Dear Zeus, you scared the shit out of me. What the hell are you still doing here?" he snapped, keeping his distance.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you, Captain," he said earnestly. "I-I was just watching the stars. It's such a beautiful night..." he mused, gaze turning upwards once more.

"I didn't mean why are you out here. I mean why didn't you go back to where you belong?" Odysseus asked in a harsh growl.

The warm, soft smile that had found his face was gone in an instant, "W-What?"

"If you're really Polites, you should be in the underworld. Isn't that right?" he cocked his head to the side, taking a threatening step forward.

Polites stared at him in complete and utter shock. "Odysseus... Why would you say such a thing?"

"Answer the question."

"I WAS IN THE UNDERWORLD! You were in the underworld! But- we made it out, together-"

"No, you stowed away," he clarified harshly. "There's a difference." He had backed Polites against the rail, continuing to advance until he was so close, their noses were almost touching.

"I-I thought you'd be happy to see me again!" he cried defensively. There was a flash of sadness, of forlorn longing across Odysseus's face, but it was gone in an instant. Polites continued, "I know I sure was... until you opened your mouth."

Odysseus scowled, "If you really are Polites... and I seriously fucking doubt it, then you have no idea what we've all been through since you left. So I don't much care for your holier than thou judgment."

Holier than thou-

"Is that what you think of me?" he asked, genuine hurt laced in his voice. "That I thought I was better than you?" His voice began to tremble, but he fought against it, although his words still came out in a wavering rasp through his weakened vocal cords. "Because I would never think that." He couldn't believe he actually had to tell him this...

Odysseus didn't speak for a long moment. Despite their close proximity, Polites had never felt farther away from his friend.

"I don't know what to think anymore."

Polites shook his head, eyes flying wide open. "No! Odysseus, you know me! You know better than to think that!" Said man rolled his head to the side, glaring at him from the corner of his eyes.

"Do I now?"

"You should..."

Another long stretch of silence. The only sound was the gentle breeze catching in the closed sails, swaying them about and flapping the fabric. Small waves lapped at the hull of the ship, creating a soothing sloshing sound.

"Yeah well, like I said. Things have changed." He inhaled deeply, letting out a long, suffering sigh. "I really wish I could believe you," he said, eyes closed as he addressed him. He shook his head, the movement barely noticeable. "But I just can't."

"But you can!" Polites reached out instinctively to hold his hand, but Odysseus jerked his arm away before he could. And then he noticed the way he was staring at him, as if he was some kind of threat- some kind of monster.

The captain quickly schooled his emotions, taking a moment to himself before addressing Polites.

"So... what made you follow us?" he finally asked. A hopeful smile broke out on the spirit's face. Maybe he could convince him to see the truth through the haze of paranoia.

"Honestly, it wasn't my idea, but my friend down there, she told me I needed to go. A-and I thought... just maybe... you were looking for me," he admitted shyly, staring at the ground. He didn't like the way he could see through his own feet to the deck below.

Odysseus let out a shaky breath. "I knew it..." This was it!

"You really aren't the Polites I knew."

And just like that, the world came crashing down on him. His eyes were welling with tears fast.

"H-ho-how can you even say that?" he asked as he slowly sank to the floor.

"Because Polites wouldn't be so stupid as to think I'd risk the lives of my crew to rescue a dead man!" he screamed, spit flying from his lips with the passion of his outburst.

Polites took a step back: through the railing. He held his hands out in front of him, as if to protect him. But there's nothing to be protected from anymore. Nothing except the newfound cruelty of his old friend.

Tears threatened to spill over, but he blinked them away, shaking his head frantically. "Nonono, you don't really mean that. Y-you're just upset! Odysseus, please tell me you didn't mean it like that," he all but pleaded.

Odysseus opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself short. He tried once more, but all he could muster was a simple, "I'm sorry." He hesitated before turning his back on him, marching off to patrol the ship.

Polites was left floating there, completely heartbroken by his reaction. Never in a million years would he have expected the venom shooting from Odysseus's mouth to be aimed at him of all people.

Polites let himself fade from reality, disappearing completely as he drifted up towards the crows nest. It had always been the most peaceful place on the ship, and tonight was no exception.

He floated on until he reached the top, sitting down in the tightest ball he could manage. He buried his face in his knees as sobs completely wracked his body.

Why would he say such horrible things? He knew he couldn't even begin to fathom how their journey's gone up until now, but it was hard to believe it would prompt such a dramatic change.

But the alternative; the idea that he had never truly know Odysseus, was a far worse thought.

He looked up at the dozens and dozens of stars stretching before him from every which way. He felt as if he were flying, falling up, spiraling out of control towards them. Would he be falling for an eternity? Or would the stars catch him in their net, allowing the darkness to swallow him whole and consume his soul?

How wonderful it must be, turning to stardust.

"Oh Eurydice... you were wrong. I never should've left." His voice was weak and strangled as he spoke, just as it had been in his final moments. He gasped through his sobs, swallowing the snot that rolled down his throat, making him shudder. His whole body shook with convulsions as he cried.

"They don't w-want me a-around anymore. I'm nothing b-but a f-freak to them," he spoke barely above a whisper, frantically wiping away tears and blood. He hung his head low in defeat and shame, "I should've just stayed in Hades with you."

"And she's what? Girlfriend, friend, come on fill me in," an unexpected voice rudely interrupted. Polites screeched in surprise, turning visible once more as he whipped around to meet the intruder. How the hell did someone climb up without a sound?

"If you'd like, I'll even give her a little message from you," the strange man smirked wider, twirling his long curly hair around a finger. Polites gasped and looked down to the man's feet just to be sure, and just as he thought: wings.

"Hermes? I-I'm sorry, but uh, what are you doing here, exactly?" he asked, his previous breakdown quickly replaced with confusion. Something he did not appreciate. He wanted, no needed to cry after all that. But even the Gods wanted him to suffer, it would seem.

"Well excuse you! Taking a page from the captain's book, I take?" he taunted before bursting into a fit of giggles. Polites stiffened and glared at the God.

"No. I'm just trying to mind my own business, can't you do the same?" he huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. Hermes squinted in the dark and gasped when he recognized the man before him.

"You're his little dead friend, aren't you? The one that used to be cute," he clarified in a teasing manner.

Used to be cute... That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Hermes froze, mostly out of fear, when he first saw tears. "Um, what are you doing? Stop that," Hermes ordered, sitting on the edge of the crows nest. Polites looked at him in utter disbelief.

"I'm crying Hermes, what's it look like?" he snapped, and true enough, tears were once again rolling down his cheeks.

"Well, it's not a good look. Nope, doesn't suit you at all, really," he mused, looking the mortal up and down. Polites chewed the inside of his cheek, trying to be patient as he continued to glare.

"Oh really? And what, pray tell, would suit a face like this?" Polites asked bitterly, pointing at himself as he blinked back more tears.

"A smile, for one!" Hermes cheered, plopping down next to Polites and throwing an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close. Polites squirmed and shoved him away angrily.

"Leave me alone! I don't want to smile, okay? There's nothing to smile about! And you know what? Yeah, I'll say it! I was happier in the underworld!" Polites screamed, not caring how loud he was. In fact, he hoped a certain captain with his head up his ass heard him. He hoped the guilt ate him alive.

Polites hated the fact that he didn't really feel that way, that he was self aware enough to know it was just his anger talking. Because once it blows over, he'll be the one wracked with guilt.

Hermes reeled back from his words, a hand flying up to cover his mouth as he gasped in shock.

"Oh Polites, you shouldn't say such a thing! I mean, what if the Gods themselves heard you? Ahahaha!" he threw his head back, cackling at his own joke.

"I don't care anymore! Clearly I don't belong here! I-I should've just stayed..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was such a touché subject," Hermes apologized, seemingly meaning it. Polites remained skeptical. "But I'm truly shocked by your little outburst. You were always the happy one, were you not? So what's changed?"

"Everything!" Polites cried. "Are you blind? How can you not see that everything's gone to shit?"

"Careful now, don't forget who you're talking to," he warned through pursed lips, trying to hide his growing amusement.

Polites sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry Hermes, sir, but I don't really care right now."

Hermes shook his head, a small frown etching its way onto his face. "Oh my, this really is worse than I thought," he muttered to himself, resting a hand on his cheek. Polites couldn't help but roll his eyes and turn away.

"Tell me something I don't know..."

Hermes sighed, staring at the back of his head with pity. "Odysseus can be... stubborn at the best of times. He'll come back around. You just have to show him that same, chipper, adorable Polites he knows and loves," he tried to encourage him.

"But that didn't work..." he said, voice shy and meek.

"Oh! Um, well then... keep at it!" he chirped, slapping a hand on his back.

Polites was more than ready to tell him to get lost, but the touch on his back stole away all of his attention. He turned to meet Hermes face to face, eyes wide in a mix of shock and excitement.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

Polites gestured at him wildly. "You just touched me! I mean like, actually touched me! I thought that was impossible!" Hermes opened his mouth to speak, but he rambled on, "Is that a God thing? Or can-"

"Shh, if you'll let me answer, I'll tell you!" he said before breaking off into giggles. Polites quickly shut up, hanging on his every word.

"It all comes down to intent. And, it works both ways. Here, shake my hand," he explained, offering holding it out for him to take. Polites looked at him skeptically before reaching out.

He tried to grasp his hand in his own, but phased completely through. "This is hopeless!" he whined in defeat. Hermes whistled and smacked him upside the head.

"Ow!" Polites yelped and flinched away, rubbing his head, more for show than anything. Hermes rolled his eyes at the dramatics.

"Oh please, I know that didn't hurt. Quit whining and try again." Polites grumbled under his breath, growing frustrated when he phased through once more.

"Try harder."

"I am!" he growled before taking a grounding breath. He tried again, and this time his hand firmly clasped around Hermes's wrist. A bright smile lit up his face as he met his gaze, "I-I did it!"

"Yeees, congratulations... You can let go now..." he prompted with a smirk.

"Sorry!" he immediately let go, yanking his arm back as if he'd been burned. Hermes chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"You're lucky it's me," he teased, breaking off into even more laughter. Polites couldn't help but giggle along with the infectious sound.

"I guess I am... So uh, t-thanks, for all that. I needed it."

"Desperately so," Hermes agreed. "But I single handedly saved the day, so you're welcome."

Polites snorted, "I wouldn't go that far, but you did make me feel a little better." Hermes cocked his head with an exaggerated pout.

"Aww, just a little? Are you sure about that?" he asked, and before he could answer, Hermes reached up to flutter a few fingers under his chin. Polites scrunched his neck with a barely choked back giggle, and the look he gave the messenger God was priceless. Hermes burst into hysterical giggles, flashing a sly grin his way, "Like I said Polites, it all comes down to intent."

He fished around in his bag, pulling out a gold drachma. "Catch," he said, tossing the coin his way. Polites reached out, snatching it in the air. Hermes gave an impressed grin, nodding in approval. "I expect you to practice. 'Til we meet again, ta-ta!" he waved farewell, hopping up on the edge of the crows nest and stepped off backwards. He swooped up in a backflip, definitely showing off as he flew away.

Polites stared at the coin in his hand, smiling softly. Maybe things would turn out okay.

~~~

Things always seemed better in the morning, Polites told himself. In the light of day, he would have a fresh start, a unique perspective. He just needed everyone else to come to terms with their new normal. So he went about the day like any other, floating down to the deck when the crew was called for breakfast.

He saw the few men spread out across two long mess tables, and he quickly spotted Eurylochus. He smirked and turned invisible, making his way over to him. He waited until he reached for his glass, and Polites placed his hand atop the cup, preventing it from being lifted.

Eurylochus stared at the cup with furrowed brows, giving it another tug. It barely budged under his hold. He looked around the table at the men around him, wondering if they had something to do with this. A few began to take notice and were just as confused as he was.

"Having a bit of trouble this morning?" Elpenor teased from across the table.

"Haha very funny," he said sarcastically, tugging on his glass one more time. Polites didn't fight back, and water splashed right in his friend's face. Anyone seated around Eurylochus had ended up in the splash zone as well.

The men who got drenched cried out angrily while everyone else erupted in wild laughter, and Polites joined them. But his laugh was loud and distinct, and a sound Eurylochus knew all too well.

He froze looked around the room, glaring at thin air. "Polites? Was that you?" he dared to ask. The unruly crowd suddenly grew silent, unsure if they wanted an answer. Then, a fork launched off of a plate, spinning in the air before it clattered to the table. Excited screams and cries broke out as some gathered around the fork, while the rest scattered as far away as possible.

"You think it really is him?"

"He answered us, didn't he?"

"Yeah, but what if it's a trick?"

"You're all playing with fire!

Not everyone was swayed, but it certainly planted the idea in their minds.

Polites liked pulling off these small, ghostly pranks. Mostly because, to him, it felt like magic. Just focus, and you can turn invisible. Focus even harder, and you can make things move. He had his favorite tricks of course: a self rowing oar, a lone mop swabbing the deck, but the funniest thing was when he'd hold something behind someone, only to hide it as soon as they turned around. And his audience seemed more than amused by all of this.

Up until the moment he decides to show his face again. Then it's all hushed whispers and adverted gazes, even from his best friends.

Elpenor frantically looked around his room for his other sandal. It had just been there a second ago, but now only one remained.

"O-okay, very funny. Now give it back," he demanded. He gasped and went stiff when he felt the mattress sink next to him, as if someone sat next to him. The temperature shifted.

"Looking for this?"

Elpenor chanced a glance in his direction. His missing sandal dangled from a mostly transparent hand. He gulped.

"Yes."

He reached for his shoe, but it was yanked out of reach at the last second, and again when he made another grab for it.

"Give it!"

"Then look at me!"

The request took Elpenor off guard. Polites sounded... desperate and sad. He had to look, no matter what the captain said. He wasn't here anyways.

He hesitated, but ultimately caved and looked at Polites. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't this.

Polites was smirking at him, a warm look in his glazed eyes. Yeah, he didn't look the same, but he still looked like himself. A sob caught in Elpenor's throat.

He snatched his sandal without warning, quickly lacing them up before rushing out of the room.

~~~

"I don't get it Eurylochus. Are they really that afraid of me?" Polites asked after five days of strategic avoidance from everyone on board. He took a deep breath, thinking about how he'd answer the question.

"Maybe so." Polites scoffed and looked him up and down.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, deciding to put him on the spot. He stiffened, keeping his gaze trained on the floor, and he didn't speak. Polites deflated, "I knew it."

"Polites, trust me, it isn't like that," he tried in vein to reassure him.

"Oh please. None of you can even look at me," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"Have you even seen yourself?" Eurylochus barked back, going on the defensive immediately. Polites floated a little lower to the ground, bottom lip trembling.

"Polites, wait-"

"No, no, I get it. I wouldn't want me around either."

Eurylochus had to force himself not to roll his eyes at the theatrics on display. This was typical for Odysseus, but Polites?

"I didn't mean it like that."

He looked up at him, and for the first time outside of battle, Eurylochus saw him look truly upset.

"There's not many other ways to take it, Eurylochus..."

Neither dared to speak for a long time. Polites took a shaky breath and finally broke the silence. "I guess I'll be seeing you around. But... you don't have to worry about seeing me," his voice sounded weak and strangled.

"Wait I'm-" Eurylochus spun around to stop his friend, but he was left alone on the deck. "Sorry..." he finished lamely, dropping his arm by his side.

He flinched when a hand squeezed his shoulder, but immediately relaxed after the initial surprise.

"It's okay, really. I-I think it's for the best if no one sees me for a while," he said, and despite being invisible, Eurylochus could hear the emotion in his voice.

"Are you sure?"

"M-mhm. I think if I stay, it'll just make things worse."

Eurylochus stared at the empty space the voice was coming from. "If you say so..." he reluctantly caved.

Barely anyone had seen Polites since. Sure, he made his presence known in other ways, and most of the crew seemed better off for it. But that's what hurt the most: he'd been right. Eurylochus was wracked with guilt, knowing it was their own reactions that drove him away. Even worse still, their captain didn't seem to care at all. In fact, it only seemed to upset him more with every interaction Polites attempted.

He stood behind Odysseus as he steered the ship. The men were gathered below deck for meal time, leaving the two of them alone for a rare moment.

"I know you're there."

"You should go down there. You need to eat too, y'know."

Odysseus couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What, and let you take the wheel?" Polites furrowed his brows.

"Would that really be so bad? I handled her plenty of times!"

"No, the real Polites did!" he snapped. For once, Polites snapped back, refusing to back down.

"I AM THE REAL POLITES!" he screamed, on the verge of tears. Odysseus merely gave him a cold, empty stare.

"Maybe if you were the first one we ran into down there, I could believe you," he admitted in defeat. There was something a softness behind his eyes that hadn't been there before, his shoulders heavy with grief.

"What will it take?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me what it'll take to prove myself," he pleaded.

They stared at each other for a long moment, seconds passing by in silence. "I don't think you can."

Polites refused to let it end like this.

"Your favorite color is red," he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Odysseus froze and turned to face him, a puzzled expression in place. He locked eyes with him and continued, "And your favorite food is Penelope's stew with fresh baked bread."

By now, Odysseus knew what he was trying to do, so he quickly closed his eyes in hopes of drowning him out. "Don't."

"You have a mole on your shoulder that looks like a comet, a-and you like sunsets more than sunrises, and you used to go pick flowers for Penelo-"

"Please, for the love of the Gods, just shut up!" he cut him off harshly. Polites snapped his mouth shut, obeying the command. Odysseus slowly opened his eyes and stared at his friend. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked as tears finally spilled down his cheeks.

"I just want you to believe me," Polites insisted. Odysseus shook his head.

"I told you, I can't-"

"WHAT WILL IT TAKE?" he repeated, voice straining against crushed vocal chords. He was crying, and he didn't care if he was shouting. "You say you can't believe me, but you don't give me a fucking reason! And you won't tell me how I can win your trust back, and I just- I don't know what you want from me."

Odysseus thought long and hard about his answer. "I wish I could tell you."

"Then why don't you?" he pleaded.

Odysseus avoided looking directly at him, choosing instead to stare at a crack in the wall just over his shoulder. It was insulting how he thought Polites wouldn't notice.

"I don't know." Then, as if to add insult to injury, he marched straight ahead, walking right through Polites. It was just another way for Odysseus to assert the fact that he wasn't really "there." To prove to himself that he was right. And that hurt more than it had any right to.

But he was nothing if not persistent. When it became clear that Odysseus wasn't looking for a conversation, he thought maybe a few light hearted pranks were just what he needed to jog his memory, to open his fucking eyes and see that he was right there.

Polites could've sworn he saw him smile when he noticed the way he was making his cape billow behind him. The old Odysseus was still in there somewhere, no matter how hard he may be hiding.

But he was still more than skeptical.

~~~

Odysseus was making his way down to his quarters when he felt someone step on the back of his sandal. He turned around in annoyance, ready to chew out the culprit, but he was alone. He thought nothing of it and continued on his way. Then it happened again.

Odysseus sighed heavily, closing his eyes as he tilted his head back. "That you?" he asked in a disgruntled tone.

"What, can't even say my name?" he sassed in order to hide his true nerves when confronting his friend. He appeared behind him, arms crossed.

"Not sure it's really yours to say," he countered easily, the retort sliding off his tongue with ease. The smile he flashed him was cocky and vindictive; nothing like the way he used to grin at him.

Polites decided to go out on a limb and risk it, "Why are you so adamant it's not me?"

"Because if something's too good to be true, it is. But you know all about that, don't you?" he spat, words laced with poison. No, no, there was no way he was talking about that.

"Captain? What do you mean?"

"Oh I think you know," he said darkly. Polites didn't dare to answer. He only shook his head.

"The sheep, Polites. I'm talking about the sheep."

Polites couldn't believe his ears. He sucked in a sharp, shuttering breath in shock. "A-are you trying to say it's my fault that I was killed?" he asked in complete and utter disbelief.

"... If that's how you wanna take it."

He had no hope of fighting off the tears welling in his eyes.

"H-how can you be so- so cruel? It was a mistake!" he pleaded.

"Yeah? Well that mistake cost you your life! And not just your life! You think you can greet world with open arms, but you just can't. Only the strongest survive. And that's why I'm still here, and you're not."

The tears rolled fat and heavy down his cheeks, drawing clean streaks through the blood and grime smeared on his face.

"I-if that's how you r-really f-feel, then fine! B-be that way!" Polites was a blubbering mess as he tried to speak, and he couldn't stand it. He balled his hands into fists by his sides, squeezing his eyes shut as tight as possible. "Y-you'll never have to see me again, if that's what you really want!" he screamed back, allowing his own hurt and anger to boil out of him.

"Good!" Odysseus snapped, completely exasperated.

Polites was frozen in shock. "I don't even know you anymore..." he whispered, mostly to himself. Odysseus glared harder before he turned his back on him, marching down the hall to his cabin and slammed the door behind him. Polites was left alone in the room, feeling hollow and hurt.

Polites took a shaky breath. Why bother to fight a losing battle?

~~~

If barely anyone had seen Polites in the days prior, then he must have made himself truly scarce after his last confrontation with the captain. The playful, if unexplained, shenanigans were no more, and the crew fell back into their monotonous routine.

But remaining invisible for so long takes its toll, and he needs his moments of peace and quiet. And so, the crew took notice of the man sitting alone in the crows nest, his presence never faltering. At least this way, he can still be of some use to the crew while completely isolating himself.

By now, Polites hadn't moved from the crows nest in over a week. Even his practice with the coin was getting weaker. He sat with his knees pressed to his chest, desperately trying to shove the drachma across the planks. His finger phased through, making no impact on the piece of gold.

"How have you possibly gotten more pathetic than the last time we met?"

Fucking great.

[ihuntvisualmentoo]

World of Magic✨✨

Shaun’s Route

(You’ve chosen his route)

Just like a would in an actual visual novel, you’ll be going through this but you will have a storyline with each character. The route will be separate from the other routes. So each of them won’t be connected at all.

Enjoy the piece of trash I’ve written, cause this gon’ be one long ass post.

\Again

He did it a-fucking -gain

Half naked on top of another random woman, and here you are standing at the front of his bedroom door with a bag of cookies made just for him. It's nothing new honestly. Just a repetitive loop that happens over and over again. The shock isn't even there to show on your face, instead a conniving smile stretches across your face, “Ah, it seems as though I'm interrupting a friendly moment here."

The red head snaps his attention to you, with the most 'worried' expression, “Y-y/n! It's not what it looks like! Honest!”

You give him a blank through your jeweled veil as he tries to take out another sad excuse in his book.

Oh this poor bumbling idiot, he hasn't realized that you're already sick of his shit. You raised a gloved hand at him as a sign to stop talking, at the same time the woman on his bed wraps her arms around his neck from behind pressing his breasts against his back

"Ian, what's wrong? Is she bothering you?" she said in a seductive voice. Red flushes across lan's cheeks, a reaction that used to be for you. The woman glances at you with a smirk. However you couldn't care less.

*You can have him, you thought, less work for me'

You set the cookies on a nearby small table, "I’Il just leave these here then." exiting the room.

"W-wait!" Ian pleaded wanting you to stay and listen, but you didn't live your whole life to put up with this. With a turn on your heel, you walk down the adorned hallways as the palace's maids and butlers slightly bow, not looking back.

Ian Duff, the crown prince bound to be next in line for the throne. And as his fiance you are the soon-to-be queen.

At first, you felt happy.

Happy because you would be with your 'lover' since childhood, and throughout the years were also the times that drifted you from each other. The times when he would shower me with affection, only for it to be for other women that jump into his sheets. While you just sit pretty as a doll that can't say anything about it. It just pisses you off!

You stop at an open window, admiring the royal garden, if you could, you would take off the jewels that covered your eyes but the nagging feeling of attendants nearby would gawk at the sudden sight.

You really needed air, and you're just taking the chance to clear your head. It's just... hard to always handle this problem Leaning at the edge of the window, eyes closed and rubbing your temples, the veil shifting slightly.

"Mew!"

A squeaky little meow makes you jolt. Opening your eyes, you see a gray tiny kitten peeking underneath the veil. She has a small purple envelope tied to her back. Readjusting yourself to look at her properly. You smiled as you curled a finger to scratch her chin. "Hey little Moonpie, got something for your aunty?"Moonpie purrs in response. Distracting the little messenger you take the note and read it.

"Heya kitty!

I got something cool I want you to see. Meet me in the woods tonight?”

You softly chuckle to yourself, “what a dork.”

At least he’s the only guy in your life

At the same time, Moonpie jumps off the window ledge and trots her way into the forest.

Well, looks like you gotta get ready.

_________________

The sound of leaves crunch underneath your boots. The change of attire suitable for exploring out in the woods, knee high boots, white shirt with a vest, a long cloak, and a bag filled with needed supplies. It's also perfect for when you need to blend into a crowd of commoners while out and about.

You scan the area of the meeting spot, you don't see him around. Maybe he's just late?

"Shaun?"

No response

"Shaun wher-"

A pair of large hands weigh on your shoulders, feeling your whole body go stiff.

"Guess who-"

A voice all too familiar to you. You look up to see a dark-skinned man's face looming over you with dreads dipped in blue dye wearing a beast skull on his head with black-purplish fur reaching his back to top it off. "C'mon, I told you to stop that!" you said swatting at him, Shaun avoids your mini assault stepping away from you.

"Hah! What makes you think I'll promise such a thing?" he puts a dramatic hand on his chest. "You're just breaking my heart. How else can I have your undying attention?"

You couldn't but roll your eyes at his little performance. "Ya know, if it wasn't for my little niece i wouldn't even be here." Shaun gives you a raised brow and a shit eating grin. "And you would've still seen me."

He ruffles your hair, "C'mon, we don't wanna be out for too long." suggesting while grabbing a hold of your wrist to guide you to a safe point.

_______________

We stop in front of a small cabin, a very charming in fact one belonging to no other person but Shaun's. The inside of the cabin has already been decorated to his taste. I set my bag at the table full of little projects he's made before as he also takes off the beat skull on his head, tattoos of deciphers on his back. "So what's it you have to show this time?" I asked

Shaun gives a wide grin all that you recognize. “My god, Shaun, I swear if it’s another-” however your words are interrupted. “Okay before you, finish. Lemme just show you.”

he pulls out of glass box in his hands revealing to what looks to be-

“… a… slime?” You tilt your head to the side. Sensing the confusion, Shaun explains.

“It’s an acidic slime! Perfect for this one practice I’m doing.”

“And is it safe?”

….

“….Shaun? It’s safe, right??”

……..

Beads of sweats from on his forehead, nervously shifting his eyes to a very nice wall.

“Shaun are you kidding me right now?!”

“Cmon, it’s not that bad! I made sure myself.” Narrowing his eyes, you move your attention to the slime. Its green color shines in the candle lights, and it’s …rather cute too. “Well if you say so, I trust your judgment.”

Shaun gives a shit eating grin in victory, “See? A professional you can rely on.”

Hmm, to think you became friends with a guy like him.

Thunk!

The sudden sound alerts the duo, and look in the glass box.

“Ahh, shit!!”

The slime melted through the glass and landed on the wooden floor sinking into it in the process. However, it stopped and looked at Shaun. “Uhh, it looks… angry?”

“Y/n, don’t. Move.” ….

The creature stretches into a lengthy height, over towering the idiot.

“Or start running!”

Shaun dodges the slime as it lunges at him. One attack after another items are getting destroyed and small animals running away from the little boxes they were being held in. “Professional my ass! You didn’t make sure it was in the right box!”

“I thought it was slime proof!”

You tried to dodge the next attack, but it grazed you left thigh. On the floor, you yelped in pain, it’s burned through your boot. You take it off as fast as you can before the acid could spread anymore.

Distracted, the slime rushes to the small woman to give one clean hit. Seeing the raised tentacles, you closed your eyes prepared.

….

The sound of a vortex is heard, lid slamming after. The sound of heavy breathing, the sound of heavy footsteps, to a pair of large hands cupping your face. “…You can open them now.”

With your vision returned, the feeling of your chest tightens.

Shaun is inches away from you, looking concerned. His eyes scan you until he spots the few on your leg. “Damn… it really got you bad.”

“What, happened?”

He says that he found another jar for emergencies in his projects. And this time, he made sure it was a very secure one. You let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to know… although”

You sock him in the ribs

The impact made him cough, “Ack! Ow, okay, yeah I deserve that.”

Even though your lives were in danger, it stop you laughing in the aftermath. It was a hellish experience but it’ll be worth the tale later on in the future. “This is nice and all, but I really need some patching up here.”

Shaun nods and lifts you to your feet, he plops you on an untouched table.

The sight of the scar makes him wince. Med kit already in hand, he skillfully fixes the wound. “It’ll need to heal for a couple days,” he implied. “Right now, the slime only paralyzed your leg, it should be fine for you to walk around tomorrow.”

Oh

…

Oh!

That means you won’t be able to return to the palace tonight! If the servants notice you were absent, it’ll trigger a search.

….

At the same time though, you’re not really paid much attention to, the servants would probably not be bothered to report it. Huh? At least your reputation benefits you.

“Guess i’m sleeping over” you stretch out your arms to Shaun, with a tinge of red on his face, he lifts you and takes you around the house to assist with your night.

“…One bed?”

You turn to Shaun, already in sleepwear, he rubs the nape of his neck, trying to cool the blood rushing to his cheeks. “Yeah uh, if it makes you comfortable, I can just sleep on the floor”

You shake your head and disagreement, “No, no. It’s okay. I… honestly prefer that we share.”

A shy smile changes your lips. Repeating to yourself over and over that he’s just a friend.

…right?

*Holds out bowl* Tips and advice, please?

(Oh! Part 2??)

[meanbossart]

Misc. Ask compilation

These aren't all of the asks I want to reply to, just some that I can answer relatively quickly to clean the ol' inbox out before things get out of hand. Thanks for your patience!

HAHAHA THANK YOU FOR PERUSING AROUND and for enjoying my work! I had a... Weird Gale experience my first playthrough which led to his characterization being what it is in my comics. Here's the beat-by-beat of all the shenanigans: https://meanbossart.tumblr.com/post/740827466716807168/alright-i-am-like-90-sure-there-is-one-line-in-a

And here's just some of my personal thoughts on him! https://meanbossart.tumblr.com/post/736193145686114305/can-you-tell-me-more-about-how-you-would-make-gale

I would be lying if I said I'm not conflicted to know my style still bears some remnants of my edgy teen roots (not your fault not noticing it though, you aren't the first and won't be the last) BUT... That comic did mean a lot to me as a youth, so I guess I should be proud 🤷 and honestly it is a little cool that such a thing would survive for so long in what I do, crazy how that works.

LMAO, re: the bottom/top debacle, I was honestly so surprised to see people react to it like it's something novel. If I ever expected to get any push back on the matter, I thought it would be from people assuming DU drow was the top and taking issue with how violent and big he is (and yknow, some people are weirdly protective of Astarion as if he isn't a sneaky murder machine rippling with lean muscle)

Very disheartening to see that mindset still so alive and well among young people, but I guess it just means I gotta draw DU drow throwing more back and Astarion drooling over more ass until the stereotype is forcefully banished out of people's minds!

(more asks below the cut)

"Sleeper agent activation phrase" absolutely took me out, Thank you so much LOL

YEAH I got it pretty late though, Astarion had already told my durge that he was a vampire of his own accord (and the response was, of course, "no duh") I forgot wheter this happened before or after the first romance scene triggered, but I think after.

Since this was after DU drow decided he was gonna fuck him out of pure contrarian spite and was shamelessly laying it extremely thick, He happilly let Astarion drink his blood. Hell, he was probably a little Too Eager - the guy likes pain and he likes letting people he trusts do with his body whatever they will, and while he didn't yet trust Astarion at that point, that event might've very well reminded him of something from his past that planted a seed which would eventually grow into his genuine affection for the guy.

Ah, he definitely got a half-chub as it happened too. I'm sure Astarion noticed it and just walked off rolling his eyes and thinking "eugh of course" lmao.

Hello!!!

Oh man, I grew up fascinated with horror things. I remember from a very young age just looking at the covers and backs of horror movies at the film-rental even though I wasn't allowed to watch them. I was also easily scared but I sought those things out anyway - I think i just enjoyed the visceral reactions it drew out of me and was always curious about most things taboo.

When I got access to the internet that just opened a (very unfortunate) door to all things vile and awful like it did for so many people at that age in time. Though my tastes have changed a lot since then (Less August Underground, more The Devils kind of guy nowadays) my stories and art are just always going to fall into a horror-y category because I just... Don't think there's many better ways to showcase the human experience and emotional range without many of the elements native to the genre, and I'm all about that.

Thank you for your question and your sweet words, have a good week yourself!

I did a little write-up about that over here! https://meanbossart.tumblr.com/post/742508493562593280/i-dont-have-a-particular-question-in-mind-sorry

That's the result of a scene that happens relatively early in the story I'm writing ("A Novel Experience" on Ao3).

{SPOILERS} DU drow accidentally passes out on a blade which puts a relatively deep gash on his hip. Meanwhile, Astarion is weakened and starved after certain events that transpired the prior night. They have a private exchange both in a somewhat hazy-state of mind and Astarion ends up prodding and prying at his wound while feeding, so it's a laceration and bite mark that just scarred over badly.

Elves apparently don't grow body hair so never LOL guess they'll just have to slip&slide up on each other for heat

[eolewyn1010]

Downton Abbey Fashion 16 - post-war service worker fashion

Back to the servants. Although not a whole lot has changed; the maids only get new uniforms in season 3. So we’ll just look at some coats and hats and Daisy’s new dresses instead.

First off, Mrs Hughes has two new dresses. A black one, par for the course, with a lace front (I kind of want to say stomacher because it’s in this deep V) and some white trim around to make it pop a little. This doesn’t look greatly different than her first season dresses, but it’s going more into a streamlined direction; the waistband isn’t doing so much anymore, the chest is not so strongly separated from the waist. The dark blue dress forgoes a waistline entirely, although not necessarily in the best way imo. I don’t know about this fabric patch on her stomach, guys. Would have liked it better if it went princess-style down the entire front. But I do like the red zigzag trim on her neckline plus the lacing on her neck and down from the shoulders. Seems to be mostly decorative.

This coat is a piece of beauty. Well, it’s the loose style of the beginning 1920s, but the pattern woven into or embroidered onto it? Lovely. I’d also like to point out that Mrs Hughes pairs it with a velvet hat – gotta look nice in the court of law.

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

Wooooow, check out O’Brien in her holiday dress. Which is black, like all the others! Joyous! Honestly, I’m almost shocked to see O’Brien go with some fashion, putting on something with a straight-lined, unstructured 1920s cut. It’s also decorated with some lace and beading, and I like the wider sleeves, but all-black with no spot of contrast anywhere seems a little doleful.

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

Next, Anna. We see her walk into the village in this pretty simple black tweed coat that I would steal on the spot. Mainly because I hope these big-ass pocket flaps mean it has big-ass pockets. She also wears this little brown straw hat a few times, and I like the ribbon she got for it – the golden ornaments pop so nicely.

But Anna also has another walking suit. Hey there, pinstripes! This is one of those articles that I haven’t really seen on one of the Crawley girls before, but I can easily imagine is a gift from them. Mainly because I’m not sure why Anna, who never shows overmuch enthusiasm for fashion and marries in the most boring dress-and-coat combo she could find, should spend money on another walking suit when she had a perfectly fine one last season already, but also because of the little velvet additions on the collar.

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

Is Jane wearing Anna’s coat? She might be, but she has her own hat. I like how, despite the elements of it being very simple, basically just a twisted ribbon and this rectangle patch, it looks quite nicely decorated. Work with what you have!

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

I don’t super love Daisy’s new day dress. It’s not much different from her previous, with a similar collar and cuffs on short sleeves, and the checker in and of itself is cute, but the color washes her out a bit. Ah well.

And around Christmas, we finally see her wear something long-sleeved. This grey dress is one she keeps at least into season 3, and a closer look shows that the collar and cuffs are made of a flowered fabric this time, which is cute.

Speaking of flowers, for her bedside wedding to William, Daisy gets prettied up in a blouse with flower print and a very nice beige skirt. This is definitely her best clothes, and I love how she did her hair for the occasion. Much better than the second, anyway… Daisy, darling, why do you wait until the eve of 1920 to try out the Gibson Girl? Big hair won’t be back in fashion for a few decades. I also don’t know about this lilac dress. It’s definitely a change to her everyday look, and the lace collar makes me think it’s also one of her best, but I definitely prefer her wedding look.

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

And because I don’t like this woman enough to give her a category of her own, I’m tacking on Vera Bates. They did Maria Doyle Kennedy dirty, giving her such a bitch to play only to have her kick off one of the more aggravating arcs. But at least her sense of fashion is immaculate. Look at these gorgeous coats! The burgundy one with the buttoned lapels is worn over what seems to be a jacket or waistcoat with some lovely black soutache embroidery, whereas the black coat keeps it simple with some stripes woven in. All the better to brag with these darling golden buttons, the little ruffle tie closure of her blouse, and the fur stola she presumably bought with her hush money.

[decaffedthoughts]

Kinktober Fic 4

Kinks: praise and recording

Other content: felix is called kitty, baby, amd pretty boy, gn reader, slight possessiveness,

Word count: 977

a/n: this will be the last kinktober fic actually posted in october but I definitely plan on finishing the other 4!

The red light flicked on, and you looked up at Felix who was a little more visibly nervous now. Your shoes clacked on the ground as you walked over to him. His hair was already a little messy and his shirt unbuttoned from you hovering over him mere minutes ago. Wide eyes looked up at you as you bent down to whisper in his ear.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to. Say the word, at any time, and I go turn it off. No questions asked."

Felix shakes his head emphatically and pouting. "No! I want to. I'm just a little nervous, it's okay."

"Alright baby, I trust you. Let's do this then." You smirk, and Felix just nods at you. He's too sweet, really.

You crawl around him on the bed, wrapping your limbs around his torso and caging him in. You can feel his heartbeat under your fingers and the way each breath curves his body against yours. When you trail your fingers downward under his waistband you know he's already hard, as you felt it against you those mere minutes ago when you were on top of him. The thought of being filmed must have turned him on more than you expected, because he was now rock hard in your hand.

"Hmmm, such a needy kitty. You excited about cumming for me? And then I get to watch it over and over, as many times as I want."

Felix whines, but doesn't deny that he's excited. You don't think he can, since he absolutely hates lying to you. He refuses to be anything but the sweetest guy you've ever met, it's absurd. In the end, you know it's the recording that really gets him. He's nervous to be on camera, and for this moment to live on for as long as he lets it, because you'll never delete it otherwise.

You get impatient and push down his pants and boxers at the same time, letting them trap his ankles together since you're not going to take the time to take them off. You wrap your fingers around his cock again, and start a rather quick and steady pace. Felix kicks his hips up as soon as you do, and you use your other hand to go across him stomach and pin him down.

"None of that. Let me do the work, pretty boy."

Felix has to take a few conscious breaths but he nods, silently apologizing and letting you do what you want. His face is flushing and his breathing is shallower, which isn't really surprising since you had teased him for so long before.

The louder and more reactive Felix is, the more impatient you get, and you find yourself paying a lot of extra attention to the most sensitive spots. It's a smoother glide now from all the precum he's been leaking on your hands, and it just makes you want to eat him up. You realize you can, and lightly bite down on Felix's neck, making his whole body jump. He settles into it while you suck new marks into his skin. It's been too long since you last did that, and all of them have faded beyond recognition, which is just unacceptable.

"Ah yes, mark me. Wanna be pretty, want people to see them."

You grin and nibble at his neck again. "You want everyone to know you're mine? Cute."

Felix just nods, too caught up in the way your hand feels again. He's so easily overwhelmed by sensation and it's so adorable. He's squirming heavily already, curling his legs up to try and force your hand to keep moving. It's not working because he's too good to actually be trying that hard. You just click your tongue and push his legs down with your other hand.

"Legs down, Lixie. Gotta show off your pretty cock to the camera for me."

He whines but complies, planting his feet down and curling his toes. You continue with your pace and pressure that is not quite enough to make him cum, but enough to draw out all his pretty noises. If you had the time, you'd gladly stay here all day. Unfortunately, that's not the case since you want to catch his pretty face when he cums on camera. Though you do save that idea for later.

"Please! I'm so close, please just let me cum!" Felix finally cries out, more desperate than you can remember him ever being.

It's delicious, having this power over him to do practically whatever you like. And he would listen, because he's so far gone for you, and trusts that you'll be nice, giving him only what's best. You figure since he begged so nicely that you should reward him though.

"Alright baby, but you look right into the camera for me then. That's what this is for, don't spoil it for me."

Felix just nods, dazed, and you know his eyes are unfocused even as he stares straight forward. As promised, you squeeze just a little tighter and move your hand a bit faster. It's a clear struggle for Felix to keep staring forward, but he does it, and you coo mindless praise into his ear. He probably isn't listening anyways. One second he's squirming and whining, the next he's tensed and spilling all over your hand and himself. You don't dare stop your hand yet, and you note how his legs are still down even though you know how Felix curls in on himself when he cums. You don't deserve this man.

A few stuttered breaths sync with the last few spurts of white semen. Felix's body abruptly relaxes and he falls back, leaning his entire body on you. You wrap your arms around him and fall back to lay comfortably.

"Thank you baby, you did so so good."

[cabinofimagines]

Netflix & Chills —(Platonic!Everyone xGN!Reader)

A/N: I DID NOT FORGET TO POST I WAS JUST TOO BUSY TODAY OK? -Danny Warnings: None! Words: 615

"...And that's how I found out Lit still lives here," you finish the story while Jason nods beside you solemnly.

"Man, I didn't know Lit wanted to be an active participant, he would've been a great help when we got stuck fighting—"

You shake your head urgently, the last thing you want is to scare everyone by making them think there are killing automatons threatening to get loose.

"So everyone's got their costumes already?" You ask the group to change the subject.

"Oh, I do," Annabeth smiles proudly.

Percy groans. "She doesn't wanna tell me what she planned and I'm honestly kind of offended that she left me out of it this year."

"Must be something big, then. Calypso made it?"

"Nah, she was busy getting the stuff needed to host here," Leo brushes it off.

"Wasn't that your job?"

"My job was the decorations and snacks. She got the entertainment and chairs job."

"So the hardest part."

"Hardly, Calypso works at a summer camp nearby and she made friends with the music teacher, and he's part of a band or something so she already had half her part done the moment she got it."

"Cool," Reyna sighs and stretches. "But I still think you guys won't outdo Camp Jupiter's week-long celebration."

"Well, unfortunately, we're just three people," you raise a brow. "Camp Jupiter had their entire population helping out."

"Can we please not go there again?" Thalia groans. "Let's watch the movie!"

Jason grabs the TV remote and is about to press play when a loud screeching noise comes from the hallway. You sit up stiffly and lock eyes with Leo, listening intently.

"What was that?" Annabeth frowns.

"The piping," Leo lies promptly.

"Maybe. Probably."

"Hey, guys—"

You and Leo scream before realizing it's Lit again, his sword scratching the hard floor while he struggles to hold it under a bunch of huge fluffy pillows. He stops and looks slightly ashamed.

"Sorry. I just came to bring you these for the people that are seated on the floor."

"Ah, thanks, man!" Leo gets up to help him. "Hey, why don't you stay? There's plenty of room in here and we could use some help eating all this food."

Lit hesitates and you pat his arm. "Sorry we screamed, we're watching scary movies and you caught us off guard."

"I keep doing that," he grumbles, then sighs and shrugs. "Yeah, okay, I don't have anything better to do."

You take Leo to the side while Lit settles between Reyna and Jason.

"Dude, we gotta fix this FNAF situation."

Leo stares at you making a face. "How the hell did you manage to pronounce that?"

"Focus!" You snap your fingers. "The killer robots, Leo!"

"Dude, they're trapped," he dismisses your concern. "I'll take care of it after the party."

You would like to urge him to do it before the place is packed with people, especially if mortals are scheduled to come and entertain, but at the same time, you think that saying it will jinx things, and the last thing you want is to make a mess of things.

"Fine," You look at the pitch-dark hallway to your left with concern, knowing somewhere down the path there is a room welded shut with a dozen murderous robots doing gods know what to themselves. You try not to, but the image of them merging and becoming some kind of cursed Voltron passes through your mind.

"It'll be fine, Y/N, don't worry," Leo winks at you, lightly nudging you forward so you sit down again. When you move, you miss Leo's expression of deep unease as he stares down the same hall you were looking into.

[sickonthedancefloor]

⭐

Director's Cut - All Hands on Deck!

Hi y'all, I got a star! ⭐ So I wanted to cut in on this series I started 2-3 years ago that is taking me forever and a day to write.

I spent weeks watching compilation videos of BTS and finding old blogs with their management and staff team and their two main managers that definitely were going to cameo the most in the series. The biggest issue is because they’re managers and behind the scenes staff, it’s always tricky trying t find a characterization that doesn’t seem too off-putting or bizarre.

Outside of that, watching the entire gang dissolve into madness with everyone catching some sort of weird plague is fun to write even though it’s quite difficult. I’ve always been in the habit of writing these long af fics, instead of shorter, easier to post/easier to digest stories. Part of what takes forever is trying to write such long af pieces, even if they’re unnecessary to be that long.

I do plan on continuing this, probably after screaming when Jin makes it back home.

So this fic is actually titled in my story folder as ‘3amchicken’–which was the original plan, just uncontrolled undercooked chicken disaster and hungry boys without restraint–but it ended up being, what? As

Here’s the original fic beginning:

Honestly, they should have done their research first. It had started as a craving for fried chicken after a night working at the studio, and a bleary-eyed Sejin dropped Jimin and Taehyung off at their dorms with fried chicken from the new-but-slightly-seedy restaurant down the street from the studio. Ever the foodies, the two night-owls were always down for trying new restaurants, especially ones within walking distance from their home or from the studio. “Don’t eat too much too quickly,” manager Sejin warned them. The poor man had been up far too long with them; Jimin felt bad having to wake him up from where he’d fallen asleep in the hall from the practice room, but they didn’t have much of a means home outside of walking, which wasn’t the best option at three in the morning. Sejin unlocked the doors to the dark SUV. “You don’t have heavy assignments tomorrow but I know you’re not going to sleep well if you eat all of that chicken tonight.” His eyes turned to the two large bags the boys held. “It’s not just for us!” Taehyung argued quickly, boxy grin in full force. “We’re gonna share… Most of it, yeah.” Jimin nodded quickly, although he knew he and Taehyung would probably eat a ton of this on their own. They hadn’t eaten since late lunch, and after dancing for even longer than Hoseok that night, they were positively famished. And given the heavy sigh, both boys knew their manager knew they weren’t going to listen. He bid them goodnight and waited for them to enter the building before driving off. Jimin snickered, bumping his shoulder against Taehyung’s as they hurried to the elevators. “Think anyone else is up?” “Suga-hyung definitely is,” answered Taehyung, already reaching into the bag for a biscuit. “I asked if he wanted anything, he just asked for wings.” Fishing his keys from his pocket, Jimin made a face. “Ugh, you buy wings for Suga-hyung but you won’t buy wings for me? What kind of best friend are you?” “The kind that buys chicken with you in the middle of the night. Jimin-ah, it smells so good, we gotta hurry and eat it.” With a laugh, Jimin unlocked the door and let Taehyung in first, slipping off his shoes as he locked the door. The kitchen light was still on, but only the tv shone from the living room. As they carried the bags into the area, Jungkook’s messy bun popped into view. “Chicken!” Yoongi chuckled and gently shoved Jungkook away as he rose, stretching his back. Jungkook, instead, climbed over the back of the couch to join the two 95-liners in the kitchen, helping them lay out the different packages. “Wow, this stuff is so greasy,” he remarked, staring at his hands after touching a box. “And we’re sure this place is credible?” Taehyung shrugged. “Seemed credible to me. I guess it’s just greasy.” “That’s going to hurt your stomach later if you eat too much.” But even with the warning, Yoongi walked over and pulled a potato wedge from one of the boxes, taking a bite. He nodded approvingly. “Tastes good though.”

[emiplayzmc]

...So here's that 2.5k+ word one-shot that I wrote in one afternoon + night

@turntableart it's the guys ever :3 And also @bigshot-furbiestm since you said you wouldn't be opposed to reading it in your RB last night :3

Also posted it on AO3 in case it's easier to read there :D

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"It's Not Too Late to Learn to be Alive Again"

Summary:

Two former and forgotten Addisons rummage around in an alley and end up staying for too long, hiding out in a dumpster from the cold rain.

AKA, I have brainrot about an Addison OC that me and Turn have been talking about and I am. Very much adding them to my list of blorbos.

Drip.  Drop.

Tink.  Splat.

The sound of tiny bits of acid rain hitting every surface of this block in Cyber City for the moment.  Hopefully, it wouldn't get any worse than a light drizzle.

The dull-coloured Addison stands at the end of the alley, blankly staring up at the gridlines at the top of the world, watching the droplets fall down around and onto him.  The acidity by itself couldn't clear the dust and grime on his dull, bluish-green casing, but he could feel and see the streaks trickling across it, making them slightly more metallic-looking again instead of the matte that he'd been reduced to.

Plink.  Tap-tap.  Clack.

He blinks as a drop of cold rain lands on the tip of his nose, scrunching his face briefly as he's brought out of the blank trance-like state he was in.  He swivels his head around to look over his shoulder, watching as items get tossed out of trash bags within a green dumpster at random intervals, hitting the opposite wall of the alleyway with clatters, cracks, and occasional wet slaps - the least appealing of those sounds, in his opinion.  He wonders when his companion will find something they deem suitable to sell or edible enough to use as a consumable.  He emits a low hum and draws his coat a little closer to himself, looking back over the back alley wall to the thin strip of buildings between the city and the Cyber Fields beyond, an occasional red light blinking on the unfinished railway.

Pitter-patter, thup-thup.

…and it sounds like the rain is falling a little harder.  That's wonderful.  He steps off of the crate that he'd used to look over the back wall and approaches the dumpster, lurching back to let a slimy-looking something hit the wall before moving forward again and standing on the tips of his toes to peer in.

He can see the greased back, oily hair of his companion rummaging around in a trash bag, their gears clicking inside them as they mutter to themselves while deliberating over a bottle with its label torn off, containing MAYBE some kind of juice.  Could also be motor oil, it's not easy to tell.  The lid of the dumpster must be blocking the rain from hitting them.  He reaches over the edge and taps the other on their shoulder, finding it the tiniest bit amusing when they startled and nearly dropped the bottle of whatever-it-was.

“WH 4T THE- AH, U!!!  SOMETHING [Turn Left]?”

The gratingly loud, glitched voice of Spamton G. Spamton had become a small comfort to the other in the past few months.  To others, it may have been hard to listen to for more than a few minutes, but to him it was familiar.  It was safe.  Friendly.

The corner of his mouth twists into a frown as he points upward before making a sweeping gesture to the alleyway now growing wet with puddles and slowly thickening curtains of acidic precipitation.  Spamton pokes his head out of the garbage receptacle and immediately hisses when he feels rain hitting the top of his pompadour and face, causing the other to smirk lightly at the reaction.

“[$%#/] RA1N…” Spamton grumbles as he peers out, wiping the already accumulating rain away from his nearly opaque multicoloured glasses, “WE’LL LEAF [And It's Going Going] [Going] [Going] [Going]- …SO0N.  JUST GOTTA F 1ND SOME GRUB!!!”

…He doesn't exactly know why they couldn't root through the garbage can of a bakery that's on the route back to Spamton's shop, but he hesitantly nods and pulls the back of his coat over his head to hide from the rain, leaning against the dumpster and listening to Spamton rifling through the garbage bags a little quicker.

…

The frigid acid rain drums and hisses against the roofs and the concrete in the alley, making muted green puddles around his feet and staining more of his cyan shoes.  He shivers underneath his now-soaked coat, and Spamton still hasn't finished, likely getting too fixated on finding something edible to have noticed he's taking too long or that the rain has started pouring.  He kicks the back of his foot against the dumpster hard, earning him a muted “1 SEC OND.”  He grumbles and shivers again.  He's cold and wet and he'd rather go back and miss eating instead of obsessing over finding something for too long.  His internal heaters got busted and clogged long ago, he shouldn't be outside in this mess.

…

Screw it.

He turns around and yanks open the other lid on the dumpster, scrambling inside despite Spamton's startled noise and shutting both lids above them, pulling his legs up to his chest and shoving a gutted trash bag off to the side, huddling onto the side and flicking on the flashlights in his eyes.

“H 3Y!!!” Spamton protests, the lights in his eyes flickering on as well, both their sets of eyes shining dimly in the dumpster with light turquoise and pink-and-yellow light, “I’M ALM0ST [Done and Done!], Y'D U-”

His questioning dies off as he sees his dull greyish green-blue companion shivering in the corner of the dumpster, his legs pulled up to and hugging his chest and the soaking wet coat pulled tightly around him, even though it's likely making the shivering worse.

“...0 H.  RITE…” Spamton wavered, remembering his friend's condition, “SHOULD H4VE [Leave while you still have the chance]...”

‘Idiot, he told you we should leave and you got hooked on something that could've been taken care of on the way back,’ he thinks to himself, berating.  He can't keep doing that when he has this guy following him around with broken systems… if he's going to insist on trailing Spamton like a lost Tasque just because the White Addison found him shut down in the middle of the street unable to move and fixed him up as best that he could, he might as well make sure they're at least safe.  Not that he's actually grown to care about the nameless Addison at all.

“...H3RE, I-” Spamton moves to kneel on his knees instead of squatting, looking through his corrupted inventory quickly to find the slot with his blanket, pulling it out of the 1s and 0s.  He then reaches forward and attempts to snatch the wet coat off of the other, holding up a surrendering hand when they flinch and pull themselves back farther, confused.”

“U CANT [ Wear all of our latest styles at -] TH4T, YO U’LL [Freeze, criminal scum!],” he grunts out, holding out his hand as if to say ‘ hand it over .’  The other Addison hesitates for a minute, not wanting to give up his coat, but his fans ultimately emit a whirring sigh as he peels it off of himself, balling it up and handing it to Spamton before trying in vain to wipe the wet spots off his stained blue dress shirt underneath.  Spamton tosses the coat into the corner, intending to dry it back at his shop (somehow) when the rain stops and they leave.

Spamton then takes their ratty - but still functional, with no holes or tears - grey blanket and drapes it over the dull Blue's legs, watching as their face morphs into one of surprise before gratefully (and somewhat covetously) pulling it farther over himself, gripping a small part of it to their chest.

‘It won't help much to heat him up, just block a little more cold,’ he muses…

His own internal heaters may not be the best, but they at least function better than the other's.

He shoves the trash bags next to the Addison farther to the side and crawls over to sit next to him, pushing himself close to the other’s body so they can share the heat.  Surprised, the other tilts his head to the side, wondering why all of a sudden Spamton actually… WANTS to be close to him.  Spamton notices the confused expression and scoffs - not in a mean way.

“U L0OK LIKE A- LIKE A- LIKE A- [[- looking like a kicked puppy and down on your luck? ]] SI TING TH3RE SHIV€RING, D0N’T [Expectations, expectations!] TH IS TO BE A REGULAR THING,” he grumbles lightly, gently pulling some of the blanket over himself before opening his inventory again and bringing out his tattered and yellowed pillow, plopping it behind his and the other's backs.  May as well get comfy, they'll likely be here all night.

…

Bonk.

Spamton feels a light thud on his skull, and feels the other pressing even closer to Spamton's body, realizing that he's resting his head on top of Spamton, looking somewhat content for one of the few times since they've been around each other.

“...TH4T DIDN'T T AK LONG,” Spamton snorts amusedly.  The other angles his eyes down at Spamton's face and gives a small smile, nuzzling into his head, which… most people probably wouldn't do, but at the moment, neither of them cared.  Spamton liked feeling like he was needed at the moment, and the nameless Addison loved the warmth, both the literal and metaphorical kind, coming from his companion right now, relishing it.

Spamton sees the unlabelled bottle of liquid from earlier still resting unopened on a pile of trash, and he grabs it, swishing it around in the glass.

“EXP3RI MENTASHUN!!!” Spamton says gleefully, cracking open the bottle just to finally figure out what it is, “[Rock Bottom]’S UPP!!!”  He tips his head back and pours some of the yellow liquid down his throat, clamping his jaw up and down as he tries to discern the… interesting… taste.

“H3RE,” he says, offering the bottle to the Blue, “DUNNO WH4T IT I S, BUTT ITS CONSUMABLE!!!” The other gingerly takes the bottle, eyeing the familiar curved glass of the bottle before taking a small sip… which he immediately regrets, since it burns the whole way down his throat and tastes like someone mixed toothpaste and rotten glass with alcohol that went wrong.  He splutters whatever he can out of his mouth, his face twisted into a grimace.

…it does warm his insides, though.  Probably because it's started eating away at vital fluids that have started leaking everywhere, based on the taste - though that may be a little overdramatic.

…and his reaction to it made Spamton cackle out a glitched and garbled, yet teasing laugh at his reaction.

“HAEHAEHA EHAEH- WH4T, DON'T LIKE THE N3W [Vile! Awful! Downright hideous!] TASTES OF TH E AUTUMN???” Spamton laughs, nudging the other in their torso lightly.  The dull one flicks the arm of Spamton's glasses, sending them askew with a smile, now feeling a lot less miserable and a bit warmer than he was when he climbed into the dumpster, cuddled next to Spamton and his heaters.  He even made him laugh.  He hums softly and lightly bonks the marionette's long nose with the tip of their own nose, attempting to make him laugh again.

“H- H3Y, URE ACTing [Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice], U BUY A SH1NY NEW [ the spark that created life!! ] 0 R SOMTHIN???” Spamton asks, snickering as he reaches up and touches the other's cheek, watching them lean into it like they haven't had such a simple act of touch in decades.

Boop.

He touches their noses together again and nods up and down quickly, pointing a finger at Spamton, and then himself, before pointing at his face and grinning widely.

…Spamton gets the message loud and clear.  Externally, his eyes roll [[HEAVEN ]]wards as if that was a cheesy thing to imply, but internally he's… Actually getting a little emotional.  He hasn't made someone who he may or may not care about smile since…  Well…  not for a long time.

“[Gourmet Wheel of Brie] LINE 2 BUTT ER ME UP,” he says unconvincingly sarcastically, “BUT URE SM1LING FOR 1NCE, SO ILL [ What can I say except ‘you're welcome’? ]!!!”  Spamton reaches his arm up from its position behind his head and claps the other on their shoulder a couple of times fondly.

“S0 GOOD L UCK GETTING Rid of me NOW, BCAUSE URE [Stuck in a ditch? Call-] WITH ME NOW, [Friend Request Accepted], SO I C4N KEEP THAT  GR1N ON YO UR [Beutiful Head]!!!”

…what does it say about the other, when such garbled yet simple words of kindness were enough to nearly well his eyes with tears?  For just the simple act of being with him to make him emotional?

“... th ank you,” he croaks out, the voicebox quality scratchy and sounding alien from disuse, resting his head on Spamton's again.

“D0NT MENTION IT, [Buddy Chum Pal Fr]- [[Stop the presses!!]]” Spamton halts mid-sentence as he snaps his head to fully look at the one sitting beside him, eyes wide behind his glasses as he stares into their blue-green eyes - does he daresay he saw some sort of sparkle in there?  “D ID- DID U JUST [Everybody's raving about our new-]???”

He nods, his small smile stretching a little as he moves his head down to bump his forehead to Spamton's again.

Spamton's face, in return, breaks out into an ear-to-ear, genuine grin as he bumps foreheads back, ecstatic to hear him speak for what may well be the first time since they met.

“I'LL [ -chugalug, chugalug ] 2 TH AT!!!!” Spamton cheers, holding up the still-open bottle of vile fluid and taking a large swig… oh what the Hell?  Just this once he'll try to like it…  The other grabs the bottle and takes a drink from it as well, nearly gagging but managing to keep it down for a few moments before breaking into silent, body-shaking laughter at the fact they just willingly drank that again.

He wonders what he would do - if Trademark License Addison saw his abhorrent alcohol - unfit for a ViroViroKun, the very same that he detested for taking the place of nearly every cheap but decent gas station brand in the store, the very same drink that he expelled from his body into the bathroom sink - in stores a few years ago now being consumed by his future self in a dumpster while giggling over the smallest of things and sharing heat with the former Big Shot himself.

When the entire bottle is drained, Trademark and Spamton lean back against the pillows, the former listening to the drumming of rain on the dumpster lid above them, and to the White Addison yammering on and on about some convoluted make-it-big-again scheme with a tired and tranquil look on his face, until he eventually falls asleep, his head now drooped onto Spamton's shoulder and his arm draped across his torso, gripping him tightly to keep the warmth close to him.  When he finally does notice that the dull, yet so, so bright Blue Addison whom he doesn't even know the name of, has fallen asleep nuzzling him, he feels… content.  Happy, even.  His own arm gently holds Trademark close to himself, as well.

Spamton likes feeling wanted.  Feeling needed.  By someone, for once in years.

…

They could both get used to expecting this to be a regular thing.

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[dansconcepts]

Diner AU - “86 'em!” Pt. 1

I make SO many mistakes at work, it's kinda insane. Because of that energy, I thought it'd be fun (and therapeutic) to delve into some of our wonderful protag!servers' learning journeys and working through bad experiences because we're all human (unless you're not, which is a-okay too @/Kiibo @/AlterEgo). This also became more angsty than I intended (particularly with Shuichi omg). This idea was inspired by @kelperings' doodles for this AU in this post (specifically Hajime walking away because of pickles hAHA). Check it out! She's an icon!

Starting off with an anxious Shuichi having difficulty with making eye contact with customers.

Okay, there's a person at Table 12 ordered the burger and he has to get them fries after, the family at 13 wanted another straw, he has the water for 5, 9's been waiting too long, haven't they? He needs to get their orders soon. 15 wanted the check... Wait, did another person just come in? He has to get to them after too. He's going to need 1, 2- “SHUICHI! Bro, how’s it going?”  -3 menus, he has to get them some water as well. What did the family need again? No, wait, deal with the water first... but he needs to say hi to Kaito, he doesn't want to be rude! “Sorry Kaito!” He quickly blurts out, and it sounds out of breath even to his own ears. “I'm doing great, just got some tables to finish up! Lunch rush, you know?” The detective gnaws at his lip. Straw done, get the cheque, drop off this water... “Oh, my bad bud. I'll be right over here!” Ah, there's someone about to leave, just gotta walk past them, don't make eye contact, you already have too many things to think about right now... the server drifts his gaze downward. Okay, everything's fin- SPLASH! He jolts upward, his gaze meeting widened plum eyes and the noticeable wet spot on his white shirt. “Oh god! Kaito, I'm so sorry!” This is all his fault, if only he looked up more. ” “Hey, it's all good man! I shouldn't have been standing here, it's totally my bad...” At the corner of his eye, he sees the bright apron of his coworker approaching. “Hey, is everything okay?” Komaru asks. He nods. Distantly, she can hear him asking Kaito if he needs some tissues, but he's too focused on the ground and the litany of all your fault, look what you did Shuichi, you can't get anything right. “Shuichi.” A soft voice cuts through. “Hey, it's basically time for your break anyway. Go and take it! I got your tables covered, just be a little more careful, okay?” Komaru says it kindly, but it still hits him like a bullet. He wishes that he had his hat with him. “Of course. I'm really sorry, it won't happen again.” Komaru's white shoes leave his peripherals, meaning she must have walked away. The ends of Kaito's long purple coat remain, though. He feels the familiar slap against his shoulders. “C'mon Shuichi, let's go outside. We can talk there if you want, yeah? It's really all good.” He's been through this before. He needs to step out. Just follow Kaito. He wills his feet to move next to the other's. Feeling the fresh air against his face, no one else in sight, his breath returns to his lungs. He lets himself stay there. In and out. The sky is cloudy today. In and out. The fog in his mind feels less hazy now. In and out. I made a mistake. I feel terrible about it. It impacted people I cared about, which makes everything so much wor-. In and out. Just stick with the facts, Shuichi. I made the mistake because I tried to avoid eye contact, which I still struggle with. In and out. I have improved, but it was what I relied on for a long time, so it's understandable I can get back into that habit. It doesn't mean I've failed myself. It doesn't mean it'll keep happening. You're working through it, you know that. You're okay. I'm okay. No, that's not right. I will be okay. He's certainly feeling a little better, at least. He turns back around the corner, seeing a cross-armed Kaito perched against the wall. Upon his entrance, the astronaut straightens, looking at him expectantly. “Hey Kaito, sorry for giving you such an unpleasant dining experience...” “Are you kidding?! When I said I'm here to support you bro, I meant that in every way.” The corners of Shuichi's mouth lift. “How're you feeling?” “Feeling better. Thanks for being here, Kaito.” He's nestled into a side hug. “Anything for my sidekick!” “Hey, for your meal, it's on the house, okay?” “You don't have to do that!... But I ain't gonna object.”

And a sleep-deprived Shuichi.

Another busy day. Another glass to fill. Caffeine rushes through his veins as he lazily pours the pitcher. When did he last go to sleep? When was Komaeda's rope case? Was that yesterday or two days ago? Genuinely, it's concerning how nonchalant the man was about an attempted kidnapping... At least he helped him figure it out. Hopefully that provides him some peace of mind. “Hey!” Someone yelps. Well, that certainly woke him up. He darts upward to see the furrowed brows on the male customer's face. Did he pour water on him? He checks him, but he's fine. Instead, there's a small puddle formed underneath the glass. “Oh sorry sir, I didn't mean to overfill it-” “Where the hell's your manager!? I'd like to talk to them.” Luckily (or unluckily), Makoto is already within earshot and comes over. Immediately, the man is angrily discussing the origins of the spilled water, and Makoto sends him off to fetch another glass. As he walks away, he hears him quickly following behind. “Hey. While it definitely isn't great, I get mistakes happen. You're going to be more focused though, right?” “Yeah, sorry about that...”

Also:

“Oh Shuichi...” Kaede frowns, gazing at her friend's sleeping form on one of the booths. His position doesn't even look comfortable, but she knows the booths are comfy enough. And he looked so tired earlier... “It’s okay, let him rest.” Makoto chimes over her shoulder. “We're nearly closing anyway.”

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And here's a highly stressed Hajime giving the wrong dish(es) to the wrong table(s).

He places the plate in front of Komaeda, already ready to rush over to the next person because that one asshole is glaring at him for not getting his damn soda, like damn, it hasn't even been that long! “Hajime.” Does he have time for this? “What.” He hisses out, perhaps a little more tersely than he should, but it's Nagito. He's definitely heard him act worse. “Why is there-” The guy shudders, “rice?” Rice? Why the hell would there be rice, he knows he hates that shi- His eyes meet the plate. Fuck, he got the wrong one. He turns, and sure enough, the lady who ordered the fried rice meets his gaze with a confused tilt of her head. She eyes the dish in front of Nagito longingly. “Wrong table, huh? It's okay Hajime, it's really expected of a Res- Hajime? Hajime, why are you already walking away?” Yeah, he's not in the mood for the reminder. The last thing he wants to think about is his exams. Fuck, they're going to be the death of him. He unceremoniously plops Nagito's correct plate in front of him after returning the fried rice and even getting that other guy's soda, just for good measure. “Here you go. Enjoy.” He scowls. The other opens his mouth, but he's already walked away. He darts toward whoever he's supposed to pretend to be civil in front of next, and blond hair enters his vision, a silver-haired girl across from him. Is that who he thinks it is? When he approaches them, Fuyuhiko greets him while Peko nods her head in acknowledgment. Wow. “Hey guys.” He allows a smile to peek through. “Hey. Saw what happened over there with Komaeda.” The blond starts. Ah. Is he seriously about to get a lecture right now? “Yo, no judgment man, can't say I don't get it. Especially since Natsumi told me you guys have exams coming up?” He feels his mood further tank at the reminder. “I'm fine.” He huffs, pursing his lips. Where is he going with this? “Look, I don't want to overstep, or whatever, but like... I know you don't mean your attitude right now, but I don't think that guy knows. He kind of looks like a kicked puppy from here, honestly. And also, you're working. It's unprofessional.” Who cares? He would voice the thought, but, “It is understandable to be angry, Hinata.” Peko says. “Give yourself this moment to collect yourself.” And he listens. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. When he opens them, he nods. He does feel a little better. “Thank you, both of you.” They smile at him before telling him their dishes. After he drops off their order with Rantaro (and he's thankful he's got no other tables to attend to at the moment), he sits himself into Nagito's booth where his eggs sat untouched. Grey eyes glance up at him. “Hajime. I genuinely didn't mean to upset you, but of course I manage to.” He sighs, gritting his teeth. “It wasn't personal, Nagito. I shouldn't have acted that way towards you. I'm just... ugh... I've got some shit on my mind. Exams. Way too much fucking homework. Other stuff.” He braces for the Exams? Seriously? That's what you're acting up over? How pathetic! But of course you're going to be struggling over something so basic. “Oh.” The guy says instead. “Really? I'll try not to be a burden anymore than I have been.” “You-?” don't care? Aren't going to mock me for it? “Your reasoning isn't special, Hajime.” There it is. “It's entirely normal, you know. I know how people act regarding it, and I know how you act. After all, I've been on the receiving end.” Hajime cringes. Their earlier interactions were NOT the best. “So I can't help but feel a little relieved.” Yeah, that's not addressing the actual issue.  “I won't treat you like that again, you know. I-” He ignores the way his cheeks warm. “-respect you. I know other people here don't deserve it either, even if some are assholes.” Like that one guy who said took you look enough because seriously, fuck that guy. “I won't lash you out at you if you don't deserve it.” He pauses. “Until you start acting like a smug asshole again.” Nagito looks down, but he has a smile on his face.

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With Komaru learning there's an etiquette to follow that isn't always told.

Everything's going pretty well! Just another hour and she'll be back at home in her comfy, comfy bed. All she's gotta do is finish up these last remaining tables. She grabs the glass and starts pouring water from the pitcher in her hands. Alright, that's done, onto the next one. “Um, hello?” Their voice, suddenly gaining an edge, cuts in. “Can I have another glass?” She tilts her head. Another glass? “But I just refilled it?” “Yeah, but you touched where I drink. Did you even wash your hands?” Huh? Well, she definitely washes her hands, that's literally a part of her job description. All she did was just grab the glass... what's wrong with that? “I’m sorry?” The server says, both confused and slightly irritated. What is happening? She didn't do anything weird! She does this at home all the time! The customer scoffs. “You should be!” “I-! Well!”. She frowns, but tries to remain upbeat. “I apologize! Let me get you a new glass!” “Could someone who's actually competent get it? Honestly...” Her eye twitches. Seriously? Regardless, she bows her head. “Please excuse me then. And sorry again!” While she's not necessarily running, she does make a beeline to the back. She finds her brother the moment she gets there, currently placing orders on the counter for Rantaro. “Makoto, Makoto, Makoto,” The newer server groans, slumping against the wall like it's free real estate. “I'm so done! What is she even talking about??? Is there something I'm not getting? What did I do wrong?” “Whoa, slow down Komaru. What happened?” “All I did was grab the glass. How else am I supposed to pour the water without spilling it? Should I not be touching the glass at all? I'm a little too clumsy for that...” “How did you grab the glass?” She blinks. How? That's a weird question. At her questioning look, her brother brings a cup and places it in front of her. She mimes holding a pitcher in her other hand as she grabs the cup from near the top, like she usually does. “Ah, that explains it.” Huh? Makoto sighs. “It's a little obvious. It's a hygienic thing for some people. Don't touch where someone would put their lips on the cup. It's safer to just touch the lower half.” “Oh. I didn't know about that...” How was she supposed to know about it though? It's not in anything she's ever read before. Training never brought it up either. It sounds pretty understandable put together like that, even if she personally wouldn't pay it any concern. Komaru huffs. It's not worth thinking too much about it. “Speaking of that, could you go to Table 3 and get her some water? She doesn't want me doing it anymore after that...” The younger Naegi sheepishly grins. “I promise I won't do it again!” “I'll do it if you take 9.” Hazel eyes narrow. “What's wrong with 9?” “Please just do it.” She shrugs. She knows he wouldn't ask if the customers were really weird, so it can't possibly be that bad. “Alrighty, big bro. But you owe me a new manga!” “I'm already doing you a favour!” He yells back, but it's drowned out by her laugh.