#also appreciate the T-Birds immediately starting to dance

[guardians-of-las-vyxen]

Can we talk about episode 4 of Rise of the Pink Ladies and the blame song? Cause that shit is so bouncy that you don’t expect it to hit as deep as it does.

[sallymareeq]

Under the Willow Tree

⚠️18+ [Minors DNI]⚠️

Summary:

"He moved a hand to your face, caressing your smooth cheek, and in that moment the world disappeared." A picnic under the willow tree with your "best friend" Todd. sappy lovey romantic poetic smut ok this will def become a series

Notes:

reader can be any race and weight as long as they are not bald :) comments are highly appreciated

It had been a year since the Welton Henley Hall merge and you had been living on the new west wing of the ‘strictly girls’ boarding houses for a while. Through classes you had finally made friends with boys you found respectable. You had your little group, Neil, Knox, Poppy, Charlie, Meeks and Pitts, Cameron, you and Todd.

You and Poppy had been the first to join Mr Keatings english class and she, being the extrovert she is, immediately connected with the horniest boy in the room, Dalton. Through being dragged along on awkward dates you did get to know Charlie and thankfully also his wingman Neil. Through Neil and Charlie you were introduced to the rest of the poets.

You began forming a connection with all of them, helping Neil rehearse for his plays because you loved to watch him act, working on a radio with Meeks and Pitts, going on walks with Knox to pick flowers, and getting study tips from Cameron.

But the time you cherished the most was the time you spent reading and writing and talking with Todd. Todd, like you, had a shy exterior, you had to be introduced by friends and at first your conversations were awkward and stilted, punctuated by furtive glances and blushed cheeks but eventually you just clicked. Todd soon became your best friend and you each saw a side of each other no one else had.

Late afternoons you would read Whitman under a willow tree in a hidden patch of the forest, sometimes Todd would get up and start dancing and laughing as he read, grabbing you by the hands to spin you around until you both tumbled over. One of Todd's favorite activities though was listening to you sing. Once he found out you could, he spent a week begging you to sing him something, even a little, until you finally agreed, under the condition that you got to play with his smooth, dirty blonde hair.

You had always wondered what it felt like, it always looked so soft and clean. So one warm Saturday afternoon, sitting on a blanket under the willow, Todd slowly lay his head in your skirt as you began to sing. An old gospel song you had learnt in sunday school, years ago,

As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good old way And who shall wear the robe and crown Good Lord, show me the way.

Todds eyelashes fluttered shut as you ran your fingers back through his hair, reveling in its softness,

O brothers let's go down Let's go down, come on down Come on brothers let's go down Down in the river to pray

A soft smile crossed his rosy lips and you began to notice the light dusting of freckles against his alabaster skin.

As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good old way And who shall wear the starry crown Good Lord, show me the way.

You stopped singing as Todd sat up, twisting so you faces were inches apart, his hair was messy, his lips slightly parted and his blue eyes were clouded with love. His hands were either side of you against the tree in an almost protective position and in a slow, dream-like trance you raised your hand to feel his cheek with your thumb. His skin was soft and warm and connecting to it like this stirred something inside you. He continued to breathe, staring longingly into your eyes as you moved your fingers across to his lips, so soft and inviting, his warm breath brushing your fingers. He moved a hand to your face, caressing your smooth cheek, and in that moment the world disappeared. You saw, as if from a bird's-eye view, two young lovers under a willow tree, body’s so close they shared the same air. A boy with his blue sweater, unbuttoned collar peeking out the top and khaki pants. A girl, her hair tied with a bow, wearing the boy's oversized cable knit sweater and a small skirt. You watched for a moment, admiring how perfect they looked together until you heard, or rather felt your name whispered against your lips.

‘Y/N’ the poet breathed ‘can i’ he glanced down at your rosy lips ‘may i kiss you?’

Your lips met fully as you fell into his warmth, he tasted like sunset and home. You lifted your chin as he pulled you in, gently placing a hand on the small of your back, pressing you as close as possible. You arched into him as you deepened the kiss longing to feel more of him, your hands moving from his warm chest to his soft hair. It felt like flying, kissing Todd Anderson, so gentle and yet so firm, so sweet and so lustful, a dance in perfect time. You broke the kiss, only to catch your breath and Todd rested his forehead against yours breathing, his now glossy lips revealing a row of perfect white teeth.

‘Wow’ he sighed

‘Wow’ you looked into his adoring eyes.

And as Todd opened his mouth to speak again a sudden need rushed through your body and you kissed him passionately. He was taken aback for a moment but quickly tightened his grip on your waist, holding your body's flush, together you rose to your knees as you leaned back into his hands. Todd kissed you hungrily, in a way you couldn't expect from him, and as your tongues met you felt yourself grow increasingly aroused at the closeness.

Todd slowly began kissing down your jaw to your neck eliciting soft moans as you began to tug at the hem of his sweater. He leaned back and removed it with a cat-like grin that you had never seen before but that made you want him more than possible. You lifted your arms as he removed your (well his) sweater and began feverishly unbuttoning your tight, white tshirt. His long fingers made quick work of your shirt as he pushed it down your shoulders, still kissing you hotly. He leaned back, hands on your waist, to admire your flawless skin. He ran a light hand over your collar bone as you melted to his touch, his hand traveled down your side, carefully avoiding your breast, to your stomach where he rubbed his thumb over the skin. He looked up at you through his long lashes then down at your low cut, blue floral bra, and more importantly your soft round breasts.

He glanced up again questioningly,

‘Please Todd’ you whispered ‘Touch me’

That confirmation was all he needed to cup his large hand around one of your breasts, kneading it softly and groaning at the feeling. He moved his head down toward them and glanced up a final time before his wet mouth connected with the skin covering your sternum. Slowly he traveled down your cleavage before moving to your left breast leaving small love bites in his wake. You hummed in pleasure as he pulled away the fabric, his hot breath hitting your exposed nipple. He sucked it into his mouth, tongue circling the sensitive skin causing you to whine breathily. Once he was satisfied with the left he moved on to the right still groping the left as he did. Once he had you leaning back on your arms, squirming and moaning his name he pulled away, you whined at the loss of connection until you saw him begin to unbutton his white shirt. You sat up staring longingly as more of his pale, lightly freckled chest was revealed, his muscles were taught and clearly visible, he looked as if he was carved from stone and as he shrugged off his shirt you felt your mouth begin to water. You sat up fully, holding him by the shoulders, cheeks touching as you breathed in his scent, distinctly masculine, like freshly washed sheets or a newly opened book, it filled your chest and stomach and back as you shut your eyes and basked in it. You moved together, not kissing, but breathing, feeling the pull of each other's energy.

You ran your hands down his freckled shoulders observing the rise and fall of his muscles, down his forearms covered in light blonde hairs, to his hands, silky and veined. You brought his hand to your mouth kissing the pads of his fingers and slowly inviting his pointer and middle into your mouth, you licked and sucked sensuously as he stared at the lustful sight. Drawing back, you licked saliva from your lips and continued your exploration. As you began kissing down his chest, feeling his warm skin you caught a glimpse of his bulge, straining against the front of his pants. He lowered himself onto his elbows as you savoured the feeling of his abs on your lips, you felt his hand brush through your hair to your cheek as he lifted your face and looked lovingly into your eyes.

‘hey, you know you don't have to do anything you don't want to right?’ Todd said earnestly

“Little you know” you began to quote as you sensually crawled up his body, ‘the subtle electric fire for your sake playing within me.’ you finished with a soft kiss to his lips.

‘Whitman’ He smiled

‘i fear i am in love’ you mused

‘And i quite the same’ he whispered hot against your lips ‘O to draw you to me, O to be yielded to you, coming naked to me at night,'

'And you to be yielded to me, in defiance of the world’ he spoke as if kissing, moving and breathing and teasing.

‘Your body to me is sweet, clean, loving, strong,’ you spoke kissing his jaw

‘Your eyes are more to me than poems,’ you began traveling back down his neck

‘Your lips do better than play music,’ down his hot chest

‘The lines of your cheeks, the lashes of your eyes, are eloquent to me,’ over the hills and valleys of his toned abdomen

‘This face is flavor’d fruit ready for eating.’ you unbuttoned his trousers

‘You give me the pleasure of your eyes, face, flesh,’ unzipping them slowly

‘You take of my hair, breast, hands, in return,’ kissing his hip bones

‘Our flesh, and even a part of our flesh,’you lock eyes with the sandy haired poet, light eyes now dark with lust,

‘seems more than senses and life.’ he finishes for you as you remove his trousers and boxers in one fluid motion, freeing his throbbing member.

Todd sucked in a breath, cock twitching at the sudden cold as it sprung from his boxers. You stared in awe at his glistening member, already dripping with precum, it was large, more than 6 inches, and erect. You looked up at him unsure.

‘I have never done this before’

‘Its ok’ Todd assured ‘I'll tell you what feels good and what doesn't’

And you trusted him to do so.

You leaned forward, taking the tip into your mouth as you tasted him, warm and slightly salty, but knowing it was Todds made it taste like lust. You lowered, taking as much into your mouth as you could, Todd hummed with pleasure and let out a low moan when you felt the tip hit the back of your throat.

‘Mm yes, perfect’

His praise swallowed you whole as you began acting on instinct, taking what couldn’t fit into your mouth in hand, you began to bob your head up and down, slowly hitting the back of your throat every time. Your mouth filled with saliva and precum, dripping out onto your chin. Todd lovingly used his free arm to hold back your hair as you worked. His head fell back as he continued to groan and whisper your name like a prayer. You felt him guide your head faster and you swirled your tongue slightly causing his hips to buck. This involuntary show of desire caused you to moan around his cock, sending vibration through his body, his lips came together to stifle a moan and he whispered breathlessly.

‘Fuck Y/N im getting close, should i-’

But his words were cut off by a long, drawn out ‘fuck-’ as you took his entire length into your hot, wet mouth. He gripped your hair tightly and you felt his cock twitch as hot salty liquid shot down your throat, you swallowed as much as you could, longing to be filled with his love, and as you pulled back, come and spit dripping from your chin to your breasts, he stared, open mouthed.

‘If I am to have so much, let me have more, Drunken and crazy with love, swing in its plummetless sea.’ he recited

You bashfully wiped your mouth as you sat back on your heels.

‘Oh my- that was perfect’ Todd spoke

His eyes scanned your body

‘i have never bared witness to something so breathtakingly beautiful’ he started, holding you with a loving gentleness, ‘so sweet, so lovely’ he smiled as he began to lay you down,’so kind and fulfilling’ he removed your skirt exposing your matching floral panties, now soaked, ‘and sensual’ he mouthed at your navel, ‘something i want’ he breathed pressing a kiss to your hip bone, ‘something i need’ kissing the other, he moved to face your hot core, leaving wet kisses up your thighs ‘bid away matters of the mind, and think only with your heart’ Your head falls back, mouth open wide as you arch into the feeling of Todd's wet tongue running over your panties, but before you can moan out his name he captures your lips in a wet, sensuous kiss, the friction of his tongue being replaced by his long, capable fingers. He hooks his fingers under the waist of the garment and looks to you for permission before slowly pulling them down.

‘I have never done this before either’ Todd admitted as he leaned forward to kiss you

‘I trust you Todd’ you felt him grow harder at your words.

With newfound confidence he tentatively swiped two fingers through your folds, stopping when he felt you shudder at contact with your sensitive bundle of nerves. He quickly glanced back up at you,

‘Good or bad?’ he questioned,

‘Good… really good’ you breathed as he began to circle your clit.

You stared lovingly into his face as he slowly widened his circles until he stopped at your entrance,

‘Todd’ you said softly,

‘Hm?’ he looked up at you in that Todd way, mouth slightly open, blue eyes innocently questioning, dirty blond hair parted to one side.

‘Im a virgin’ you breathed against his lips,

The thought had never crossed your mind since you came to Welton, Poppy had always talked about sex and how great Charlie was in bed but you had never met anyone you thought you could trust with your body, so open and vulnerable, until you met Todd. With him everything just felt so right, a perfect boy, a handsome man, a lover.

‘I want you to be the one’ you whispered,

He kissed you softly, much slower than before but something felt different, like he had transferred part of his soul with that kiss and just as slowly and with as much care, he pressed his warm finger into you. You both shut your eyes, enjoying the sensation, he groaned at the feeling of you clenching around his long nimble finger, growing almost unbearably hard. You moaned loudly as he curled his finger hitting a spot that sent a rush through you.

‘Please Todd- Please’ you whined biting your lip

‘Please what petal, please what?’ Todd urged, eager to please

‘Faster’ you panted.

Todd was a fast learner as he soon found a pace that had you heaving for breath and begging for more all at once, he slowed slightly but before you could complain he added a second finger, pumping them into your throbbing core.

You bit your lip as a mix of pain and pleasure rocked through your body

‘Is that o-’ you swallowed Todd's question in a kiss that neither of you could ever forget, hot and wet and sweet, your tongues working in harmony, both of you making obscene noises as you felt the knot in your stomach grow tighter.

‘Todd i need you’

‘Im here, i'm here whatever you need’ he breathed still pumping in and out of you

‘I need all of you please’ you whined needily.

‘Ok’ he removed his fingers from your warmth and smoothed your lust onto his already hardened cock.

Kneeling in front of you he teased your entrance with his tip as you gazed dreamily up at his figure, the gold afternoon sun peaking through the branches left his pale skin gleaming with sweat. He looked down at you, laying sprawled on the blanket, had it been only this morning you considered each other friends, no, you had been much more from the moment your eyes met. Love. love was the only word to describe how you felt as Todd leaned his forehead against yours and slowly, slowly pressed his way inside of you. The world disappeared inch by inch as his length filled you up, you felt no pain this time, only an all-encompassing sense of wholeness. Your thoughts, feelings, memories became one as he slowly began thrusting into you, nuzzling into your soft hair and breathing heavily. It was just the two of you, breathing and moaning as you moved closer toward a shared bliss. You sucked at his neck, nibbling on a spot behind his ear that made him let out an almost whimper. He raised the hand that wasn't supporting him to your neck, not to choke but to feel your pulse. The feeling of his strong, smooth hand at your neck sent you reeling as you whispered his name frantically.

‘yes, Todd, Please, I love you, i love you, fuck, fuck’

With every thrust he lightly kissed your face, your cheeks, nose, eyelids, running his fingers through your hair. This moment was nothing like how Poppy had described it, not hot and dirty and rough and loud and forbidden, it was warm and sweet and kind and lovely and true. A moment of connection between two fated souls, under the shade of a willow tree.

The feeling was beyond words, beyond feeling, it was poetic. The passion in his movements pushed you to the edge of what you knew to be true, staring into his deep blue eyes, you knew you were close, you both knew. His movements slowed, becoming more sloppy as you both teetered on the edge of release. Your lips connected as you felt a wave of pleasure crash over you both, the feeling so great you moaned into each other's mouths. You rode out your orgasms, panting between kisses, Todds face buried in your neck. He rolled onto his back and you snuggled into his warm chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“I would quote whitman but right now i can only think of you” he sighed

You giggled as you passed him his pants.

He redressed clumsily as you gathered your clothes and jumpers.

You sat together talking quietly as he buttoned your shirt and you fixed up his hair.

“You're so good to me Todd” you smiled as he fixed your collar.

‘Well i just love you’ he said so casually he even took himself by surprise,

‘Where ever did I find you’ you shook your head smiling contently.

You lay with your head in his lap this time, reading Whitman while he picked the surrounding wildflowers, as you put the book down Todd blushed, he had made you a flower crown. You sat up and turned so he could place it on your head.

He smiled ‘you look like a woodland nymph’

You picked a small white flower- a spring beauty- and stuck it in his still slightly messy hair.

‘You're so very pretty Todd’

As the sun grew orange in the sky you began making your way back to the courtyard, probably looking like a pair of strays, hair full of flowers and clothes a mess, holding hands and smiling blissfully.

[albino-whumpee]

Demon Angel AU: Ritual sacrifice

Will I ever actually work on my WIPS or follow an schedule? Sigh.

Anyhow, a bit more of the AU with the boys for a late @whumptober2020! Sann discovers what did the gods capture a demon for! He´s not very happy about it and the fate of his friend.

CW// blood, ritual sacrifice, deity whump, captivity, pet whump (of sorts), forced to watch, torture, defiant whumpee, manhandling, creepy whumper and noncon touching (non sexual), wing whump, threats of murder, escape attempt and betrayal. Ask to tag!

Taglist: @as-a-matter-of-whump @grizzlie70 @orchidscript @giggle-evil-puppy @rosesareviolentlyread @haro-whumps

He was molded by his god to be perfect. Or their definition of perfect. Six pairs of wings that would allow him to soar through the sky as ordered. Perfectly white and soft for his God´s fingers to run through as he sang along to an ancient song the angel had never listened to but knew word by word.

Kneeling at his God´s feet, and singing to them like the perfect bird toy the demon had told him he was when he had gotten close enough to get a “hey, Angel, are you gonna tell me your name today?” instead of warning snarls. The angel had gotten defensive at first. Offended by the captive´s words when he was so much more to his God. So thankful to have been given the important job to stay by their side to serve them.

“You love flying don´t you?” the demon had told him shifting on his cell with his limbs going black from the friction of chains that cursed his touch.

He had a piece of cloth tied around the edges so it would pacify the pain for a little while, it was too risky to leave it, so the angel had to take it away when he went back to bed to his lord.

The angel bit his lower lip. Remembering his night strolls through the clouds, when he could simply put the three pairs of wings to work for him and him only.

“I do, but-”

“Then if your creator loved you so much they wouldn´t force you to stop. They would love to see you flying in the sky instead of forcing you to stay with them on the ground to show your devotion or whatever”

“It´s to bring honor to them! Besides, It´s my choice to do it or not!” the angel had yelled at him. The demon stood up and stomped his way to the bars of his cell. Until the chain yanked him back and he let out an exasperated groan before turning to watch the puffed out angel.

“Yeah? Is it really a choice when you´re terrified of saying no?” The demon refuted. “Do you even…Do you even know how they will fuck up your wings?”

The angel had frowned at the softening of his voice. He shook his head as the demon sighed.

“Come here, Angel” he said and the angel doubted moving, but ultimately walked towards the demon, curiosity itching to be satisifed. He jumped in horror as the demon pinched his hand with his own claws and black blood pooled on it.

“What are you-!?”

“Shh, I´m ok” he said crouching to take into his hands one of the feathers that had fallen off on one of the angel´s earliest visits. The three feathers hidden in a crack on the wall was his little treasure, but nobody, and most certainly not the Angel needed to know that “I´m not here just to be a party entertainer, Angel” he said dipping the feather in the blood as a sizzling sound crossed the air. The Angel´s heart stopped for a second.

The feather dissolved in less than a few seconds.

“I´m the main ingredient for your ritual. Once they dry me, you will coat your wings bloody black. But after suffering for a few hours, your god will give you wax wings. If you pretty please ask for them, they will give it to you. Just as perfect but absolutely useless”

“H-H-How do you know all this?” The freckled Angel heaved staring at the demon´s grim face.

“Demons disappear all the time you know? Who, besides your god´s soldiers, would take them? The humans? They wish! The Elder told me to avoid capture at all costs but I…” he sighed “I didn´t see them coming from above”

The Angel had never felt so betrayed. He couldn´t even say goodbye to the demon that night. He had wanted to sit next to his god at night, as the demon danced in his injured feet and enjoy along��but he couldn´t. He felt disgusted, afraid, of being forced to be the cause of pain inflicted on the demon. Of his friend. He could try to look away for as long as his god didn´t take his chin and make him watch.

It took guts to make a decision, and it had a cost to save the demon.

At night, his god called for him and he prostrated before them to be informed the ritual would be at dawn.

The Angel should have stayed quiet. Should have shown his excitement just like when they told him he was chosen among all the other angels to become theirs.

But nothing but questions and the need to cry came out.

“What´s wrong, Sann?” they asked him gently wiping the tears off his face. A name was given to him to respond to, but only the giver knew what to call. Only his god could call him Sann.

“My lord, I have a wish for you to answer”

“Ask and I may consider”

“What will happen to the white demon on the dungeons after dawn?” Sann asked with a knot forming on his stomach as the god took their hand away.

“Worried about your own enemy. What a pure little one I made. But don´t fret, it´s only natural for living things, no matter how cursed their existance, to cease. You should know that, Sann” suddenly the finger tracing his jaw didn´t feel like a gentle touch, but a warning. Sann´s wings shivered as his god planted a kiss on his forehead “You´re far more important to me than that funny creature of the underworld, Sann. I expect nothing less but perfection from you and you have relentlessly proved your worth to me. Do it one more time and get ready, my perfect little bird”

Sann knelt in one knee as they walked away to the gardens “Yes, my lord”

The Angel couldn´t focus on the gorgeous scent of the flowers that bathed their body and the brush that groomed their wings, neither on the voices that praised him for getting such a promotion and telling him how beautiful he looked on his ritual gawns. They all had been angels like him, promoted, without any lower angel seeing. He had always wondered about why such secrecy…

“Sister?” She asked the black skinned angel mussing his hair and hummed in reply. Her wings were always shiny and immobil behind her. Always dragging on the ground as she walked behind her own Lady “What are your wings made of?”

At the question he felt a sudden pull back. He let out a pained yelp through gritted teeth.

“Oh my! I´m sorry! I…what kind of question is that, sweetheart?” She said and didn´t speak again until she was finished and pushed him to the next room.

He didn´t miss how she didn´t answer his question.

They never did.

—

It was past midnight when the Angel started with his meditation. He was supposed to last until dawn, but no matter how hard the effect of the tea they had given him, he couldn´t force himself back into that state. Slightly dizzy, he stumbled his way to the window. Just to check how much time he had to get his last flying before the ceremony.

He saw the sky turning that pinkish tone he had soared through in his first flight. Racing the sun to see who could come higher faster. He remembered how the wind felt on his wings, how the currents carried him higher, how the clouds melted without touching, they had never been fluffy cutton, but scurried through his fingers like water.

More than once he had asked despite himself, what were they made of. What was everything even himself made of. Despite been forbidden from questioning the greatest god´s creations, he kept wondering. He wanted to know and appreciate it, not deminish it.

Why was it so wrong to ask?

At the thought a tear spilled off his cheek.

Because the answers may not be as innocent as he thought, he now understood.

It pained him to admit it. It hurt so much to make a coocoon of his wings and touch them in longing. The demon was right. He didn´t want to dissapoint his god, but he also didn´t wanna lose his flight.

He would prefer to fall.

The demon should still be on the dungeon. He could…he could save him. He could take him and.. He needed to…

He suddenly was yanked up by the arm by his sisters and brothers. A procession trapped him until they arrived to the plaza, just a few minutes before dawn.

In explicit detail he was instructed about the ritual´s procedures. Such was his shock that, before he knew it, he was on his knees in front of his god and…

“Control that beast!” the blonde, winged soldier cracked his whip at the demon. Hitting him plain in the face, blood splattered on the floor but the demon kept squirming and growling under the ropes holding him down. His tail tightly bound to one of his legs. He was kneeling with a muzzle over his face and a rope tightening more and more around his exposed, vulnerable neck. The more he moved the more it digged on his skin, black blood ran down in rivulets through the rope and to his wrists. Struggling just made it worse, but his eyes didn´t lose the fight in them. Like a red twilight, his eyes were filled with the omen of blood.

The demon was finally seized with the help of two other soldiers. Holding him in place to stare directly at Sann. His eyes widened as he found the sword on the angel´s hands and Sann understood immediately he bared his fangs in fury, in betrayal and then closed his eyes and stopped struggling.

The soldiers let him go and the demon jerked forward. His forehead barely brushing the Seraphim´s feet in defeat. He saw his eyes and there was no need for words to understand what they meant.

“I trusted you”

The demon lowered his head as Sann began with the first step of the ritual: singing an hymn in honor of the highest god. The creator of all. Even the demon´s elder.

It should be carried on with a dance with the sword on his hand. Gentle steps that got framed with the movements of his wings. The gods and Sann´s god watched his performance delighted.

The ritual dance stopped with Sann bowing at the demon with the sword on his back.

He whispered to the white haired demon then.

“I want to know your name”

The demon´s snort was muffled by the muzzle.

Golden bowls on the sides, so in his sweaty state he had to take them and put them right below the demon. He carefully moved slower, trying to make as much of a curtain as his wings would let him cover in a place filled with gods and soldiers.

“I´m not gonna hurt you” Sann whispered, moving gracefully behind the demon, sword on one hand and grabbing a fist of white hair to uncover the neck. He glared back with a venemous look.

It wasn´t part of the ritual to cut the muzzle off his face with the sword, yet it fell to a sudden silence of the public. To the demon´s amusement.

“I promise” he mouthed to the demon. Eyes were nailed on them in all directions, but the tension seemed to ease and quicken as he set the sword right over the tender skin of his throat.

The demon squinted but his lips twisted up, sensing the honesty of the winged creature.

“Tell me yours, and I will tell you mine”

The angel looked above and took a deep breath where he extended his wings and lifted his sword. Using the sudden roar of cheering to mouth his name at the demon. The sword pointed in a direction without guards.

The joy at the barbarie vanished just as quickly as Sann´s sword cut through the ropes, switching it for horror as the demon ran free. He was not an strong demon, he himself had told him so, yet he pushed the angel off his way and ran with little equilibrium with his tail still bind to one of his legs.

The soldiers were torn between going for the demon or for Sann, which he used to extend his wings and flap the three pairs of wings down, giving him enough power to impulse him up.

He was a fallen.

Sann had fallen and he could sense his god´s ire high up above the clouds.

But, if they had given him a chance to choose, they should´ve been prepared to hear a no.

He turned in the air and plummeted down towards the demon running to one of the borders. Saw him stopping cold and fighting inercia to avoid falling over. Sann extended his arms and curled on his wings to go faster and catch him right when the soldiers were about to reach him. Flying off with a twist and going down and down.

The demon screamed.

“DON´T LET ME FALL DON´T LET ME FALL DON´T LET ME FALL!!!” He panicked as he gripped to the angel´s chest.

“Hold tight!” Sann screamed back, as the muscles on his back protested the strain. They would have to hold on. Until they could lose the fifteen soldiers after them and their arrows.

The cold air pierced his lungs and the demon´s screams were starting to make his ears ring.

He turned through soldiers popping out, but if his calculations were correct, they could get through the barrier into the human world in just a few more meters.

Just a little bit and there would be freedom.

As soon as Sann flew away, his god trembled in fury but quickly collected themself to bark left and right to bring them their bow and a frask of poisoned demon blood.

If Sann refused to be theirs, if Sann had the guts to defy them and decide they wished to fall trying to protect a filthy demon, then Sann had been a failure needed of extermination.

The god prepared themselves. Picked up one of the arrows and submerged it on the frask. Then pulled back and waited. They knew their creation was fond of his wings and his flight, they had taken pride of a creature so devoted they would take what was most precious to him, himself.

“What a pity. But it´s alright, with your flesh, we will create a better version. Just like you surpassed the one before you” they let the arrow go “My sweet little bird”

Sann didn´t sense the arrow, but the demon did.

“Watch out!” He screamed turning Sann by pulling one of his wings. Right out of the arrow´s direction but in turn, it blew up one of his horns making him lose his grip around the angel.

He wasn´t a strong demon, he was not a shape shifter or had herculean strength. He was just a low class demon that was perfect for an angel without any battle training, to handle.

It was strange.

So, so strange to know he was gonna splat on the floor and he couldn´t avoid it, but had an angel rushing to meet him. Hand extended and screaming something he didn´t understand.

He was falling too fast and too hard, he was loosing consciousness, the last he saw were trees getting bigger and closer.

Ah, the human world.

The demon saw the black blood spill above him and made the effort to cover it.

He didn´t want the angel to get burnt with his blood.

In such dire situation his mind wondered back to those gray eyes telling him his name.

Sann…

He hadn´t been able to tell him his name.

He closed his eyes when he saw the angel´s wings expand and frenetically rush down. The last he felt was the angel´s…Sann´s arms wrapping around him. His wings covering them to protect them both as they fell into the woods.

[babyboy-cody]

‘ ‘ chapter | 01 ’ ’

complex desires. ( prologue ) ( masterlist )

SUMMARY: It’s the first week of classes after winter break, but you’re not exactly used to seeing new faces - teachers and students in between.

WARNINGS: explicit language, mentions of mental disorders, anxious thoughts, anxiety attack

WORD COUNT: 2.8k

NOTES: i’m currently writing this chapter while drinking a big ass mug of hot cocoa. also, hunter’s pronouns are they/them! this series is one i’m most excited for. hope you kiddies enjoy <3

It was still early when the clouds gave off their rain to the grass and trees, when the road became alive with more splashes than your eyes could appreciate. Yet together they brought such a soothing sound, a natural melody every bit as beautiful as a mother's soulful hum. You felt each splash that touched your skin, watching as your cardigan become a deeper, more rocky hue. It was as if earlier the street had been a matte photograph, only to be washed as glossy as any magazine page.

Each raindrop is a kaleidoscope, if people could only see more closely. You wonder as you walk how it would be to stop time, to suspend this watery gift and peek through each one. Perhaps it would be fun to sit inside those raindrops and take that gravity propelled ride to the earth, as you imagine it you feel your inner self laughing – a little at the crazy daydream and a little at your own silliness. You see the rain beads upon the cars, upon each leaf and washing your outstretched fingers. Soon they will pull together, forming the puddles, opening up a whole new avenue of rain-related fun. Perhaps it isn't normal to love a rainy day so much, but who cares about normal anyway? You’re pretty sure "normal" is a made up thing.

Upon the umbrella come the playful sounds of dancing drops, and from it's rim comes the sight of their more relaxed cousins, dripping as if their soul purpose was to bring a sense of ease and calm to the day. And as the rain became more intense, it began to soak the bottom of each dark blue jean leg, deepening the denim to a stronger hue, bringing your brown boots to a glossy water-shine, becoming a kind of natural cocoon.

Each raindrop is a doorway into nature's heart, an invitation of sorts, a request for your soul to rejoin creation. In the rain there is a serenity, a sense of peace that offers to resonate with the peaceful elements of the soul. Walking among those drops is your meditation, a way to fully become present in the moment, a way to feel free.

There was a vibration coming to life in the back pocket of your jeans, cutting you out of your peaceful daydream in the rain. You stepped to the side to allow a cyclist to pass by and gave him a brief smile when he nodded his head in thanks. When you pulled out your phone to read the contact, you instantly smiled when seeing Mickey’s name on the screen.

“Okay, first off, hello. Second off, where the hell are you? Me and Hunter – okaayy – Hunter and I have been in the cafeteria since 7:15 in the goddamn morning,” she immediately went off as soon as you put the phone to your ear. “Also, did you take your meds today? My alarm went off as a reminder.”

“First off, hi back, Mick. Second off, it’s been 15 minutes and I’m five minutes away from the school. It’s fine if we don’t have breakfast today just once,” you laughed as you heard her scoff. “And thirdly, yes mom, I did take my meds. I actually have to get another refill for my BPD meds. Thank you for asking.”

“Yeah, yeah. Well, you better hurry. We have the last of your favorite yogurt and Hunter’s close to eating the damn thing,” you heard Mickey laugh as she shushes her significant other. “Also, be careful coming around the usual entrance. The school is doing some bogus construction to add a statue of the principal.”

“You’re shitting me!” You exclaimed, earning a dirty glare from a tiny senior citizen as she slowly walks passed you with her small cane. “What the hell did this prick do to earn that? Also, can you grab me a fruit cup too? I’ve been craving kiwi’s for some odd reason.”

“Well, he’s wicked rich and can basically do anything in this school and get away with it, literally. And there’s no fruit cups today, but there’s a bag of sliced apples and tangerine slices,” Mickey told you as she huffed, which you assume is her getting out of her seat to go back to the assortment of breakfast foods. “Ooh, there’s bagels too. I think they just added these.”

“Jesus Christ, this statue is stupid as hell,” you groaned and stood in front of the half built statue, your principal’s name on a gold plated plaque attached to the marble. “This guy really needs an ego boost, huh? And just tangerine slices then. I’m heading inside.”

“Alright, see you soon, baby doll.” She annoyingly kisses into the phone as you snorted and rolled your eyes at her antics.

Sliding your phone back into your pocket, you stood outside the entrance doors and shook the leftover raindrops from your yellow umbrella before closing it. You inhaled the fresh rain water for one last time before grasping onto the freezing cold and disgustingly wet doorknob and pulling it open to head inside. There was a small litter of students here and there; some reading new announcements on the bulletin board in the main hall; some sitting in the lounging chairs with laptops or textbooks open on their laps; some sitting on the ground with a half empty bottle of water beside their laps and phones in their hands, headphones in their ears. You terribly, annoyingly, and oddly missed this. You missed the bustle of students laughing and running down the halls. You missed it all, even if it has been two weeks.

You hear loud chatter coming from just ahead, so you know you’re about to enter the cafeteria area. Just as you’re about to do so, you stop in your tracks in front of a bulletin board. There were a few posters for new clubs, as well as study groups, upcoming announcements, room changes, and more. But one that really struck out to you was a new story writing group, specifically for writers or English majors. You felt a burst of excitement spread throughout your chest and settle into the pit of your stomach. You made sure to take a quick photo of the sheet beforr moving on into the cafeteria.

Almost immediately, you spotted Hunters straight platinum blonde hair and fiery streaks on one side while the other was icy blue. Sitting in front of them was Mickey, her hair curly and unruly, making you wonder if she rolled out of bed, threw some clothes on, and called it a day. You felt your cheek mucles twitch as your lips pulled up into a bright smile. Hunter was the first to notice you. They looked up at you passed Mickey’s shoulder and smiled so brightly that it made you reciprocate. They adorned bright orange eyeshadow with white eyeliner, making their eyes pop out even more. You loved how they didn’t cake on makeup, they kept it simple, yet so drop dead gorgeous.

“There she is, the man of the hour,” they announced and got up from their seat to pull you in for a warm, tight hug. “I missed you so much. I’m so sorry for not messaging you the entire break. We didn’t have any service whatsoever.” There was a crestfallen look on Hunter’s face and you held their cheeks so they wouldn’t look away.

“Look at me, don’t stress about it, okay? Did you at least have fun?” They nodded with a pout. You grinned and gave their forehead a kiss before pulling them in for another hug.

“Okay, first you’re late. And now you’re stealing my person. I see how it is,” Mickey smirked as you gave her the bird behind Hunter’s back as you both pulled away from the hug. “Hi Y/N.”

“Hi Michelle,” you responded in the same tone as you sat in an empty chair around the table. “Give me my tangerine, please.” She passed you the small cup of tangerine slices with a grin when you began eating them.

“You been eating three times a day?” She asked you, looking at you through her mane of curls rather than pushing her hair away. You shrugged and kept your eyes on the half empty cup in your hands. “Y/N..”

“I’m doing it little by little, Mick. And I’m starting to drink water too,” you blushed and laughed softly when her and Hunter began praising you. Praise was something you weren’t used to, but hearing it every now and then really gave you butterflies. “It’s nothing..”

“Are you kidding me?” Hunter laughed and reached over to lay a hand over yours. “This is amazing. This is progress and we’re both so very proud of you.”

“You’ve come a long way,” Mickey lightly bumped your shoulder with her knuckles as Hunter pulled away. “You should do a meal plan like I did when I had to get my weight back up, so that way you don’t forget to eat three times a day.”

“I don’t know.. I don’t exactly have the funds to buy a lot of groceries. I had to use over $100 of my food stamps cause almost everything in my kitchen was old,” you huffed and popped another tangerine slice into your mouth. “Plus, I’ve been busy with finding a job and paying for my therapy appointments and doing school work, and it’s all so fucking overwhelming.”

The first bell rang, signaling students to begin their walk to class with only a few more minutes to spare. You grabbed your shoulder bag and stood beside Mickey while she held onto Hunter’s hand. The three of you passed by a swarm of students; freshman’s and sophomores running by to get to the lecture halls early; juniors having their books and laptops already out and pressed to their chests; seniors loitering in the halls with their friends. Thankfully, you, Hunter, and Mickey had your first English class together.

“How about this?” Mickey began. “Hunter and I will help pay for your groceries.” She hushed you as you began to lightly protest. “Listen, you already got a lot on your plate. I’d be a really shitty best friend if I allowed you to deal with all that. So every week, we’re gonna swing by your place to drop off some stuff, okay? I’ll create a meal plan for you with your favorites, so that way we’re taking that worry for money off your back.”

“Mick, you don’t have to do that for me. Like I said, I’ll find a way,” you mumbled and shrugged as you walked up the long staircase to head up to the lecture halls. “I couldn’t do that to you guys.”

“Y/N,” Hunter stopped you three in the middle of the hallway. “We care about you and we don’t want you going down that negative route alone. We both have jobs and enough money to cover Mickey and I, and it’ll seriously make me the happiest if you let us do this, please.”

“Two more minutes until class begins,” the voiceover on the speaker spoke.

“Fine,” you sighed, feeling a smile pull your lips as you all continued walking to the English room. “I love you both. And I’m very grateful for you to do this for me.”

“We know,” Mickey told you as she kissed your cheek obnoxiously, causing you to groan and Hunter to laugh. “But in all seriousness, don’t be a stranger to asking, okay?”

You nodded and gave her a reassuring smile as you made your up the steps to your seats in the bottom middle row. Mickey sat in between you and Hunter as more students filled the class. There was light chatter and soft clatter as seats were pulled down and the folding desks were pulled up. You set your bag between your feet, being cautious of not getting it dirty from your boots. Pulling out your spiral notebook that had four sections, you neatly wrote the course name, your name, and the date. Nervously clicking your pen, you tried to block out the noise that had started to get a little too loud. Nibbling on your bottom lip to distract yourself, your feet began tapping on its own while you tapped your pen on your book. Mickey and Hunter were having a conversation of their own, so they didn’t notice the early signs of a small anxiety attack.

An invisible hand clasps over your mouth; an equally ghostly hypodermic of adrenaline pierces your heart, unloading in an instant. You feel your ribs heaving as if bound by ropes, straining to inflate your lungs. Your head is a carousel of fears spinning out of control, each one pushing your mind into blackness. You want to run; you need to freeze. Sounds that were near feel far away, like you’re no longer in the body that sits paralyzed in the cold seat. Your breath comes out in rapid, shallow breaths as you shake your head at yourself.

“No, no, no,” you harshly whisper as your bobbing knee gets almost frantic.

You felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in your abdomen. Tension grew your her face and limbs, your mind replaying the last attack. You held onto the sides of your head, your elbows digging into the hardness of your desk. Your only movement was the trembling of your limbs and salty tears darkening your sleeves. There you stayed, unaware of the numerous eyes watching you until Mickey turned and noticed your frantic state.

“Shit,” she hissed and slung her arm across your desk as the other wrapped around your shoulders. “I’m here, Y/N. It’s okay.. sshhh.. I’m right here.” She noticed a few students staring, to which she narrowed her eyes and snarled, “What the fuck are you looking at, dipshits?!” They immediately looked away after being caught. She turned her attention back on you. “What’s going on, huh?” Her voice was soft and soothing as she smoothed her hand down your hair.

“It-It’s so.. loud,” you hiccuped and covered your face even more when a sob escaped your lips, spit flying onto your hands as you felt your neck, cheeks, and ears heat up out of embarrassment and shame. “I can’t stop it, Mick. I-I can’t!”

Hunter sat on the other side of you, reaching down to get your back, shuffling their hand inside to pull out your earplugs and inhaler. They handed the earplugs fo Mickey while pressing the opening of the inhaler to your lips. “Come on, babe,” they quietly told you and tucked a few strands of hair behind your ears, lightly blowing on your flushed skin to cool it down. “There we go,” they gently said when you took two deep puffs of your inhaler while Mickey made sure your earplugs were snug inside your ears. You felt your lungs open up as the cold, bitter medicine settled on your tongue.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper and shook your head, wiping away the last of your tears. You sniffled and looked at Mickey and Hunter. “I-I don’t know what happened.. it just... happened.”

“It’s always unexplained, but don’t be sorry for something you can’t control, okay?” Mickey told you firmly while making sure you were looking into her eyes. “This doesn’t make you any less of a person.”

Hunter smiled and sat your bag back between your feet before moving to their seat next to Mickey. All the students had settled down, their conversations now a quiet murmur. You felt relieved as you pulled your earplugs out and slid them inside your protective case, making sure the lid was closed tight before shoving it into your bag. Mickey kept an eye on you the entire time, making sure no one triggered you. She sat with an elbow resting on the back her chair with her legs lightly spread.

“You’re man-spreading,” you quietly told her, laughing quietly when she flipped you off.

Suddenly, the metal doors opened and a man hurriedly walks in with an expensive looking leather messenger back over his shoulder. Your lips parted and you sat up straight in your seat when he gave the class a guilty smile. You’ve never seen him in the school. Not even before break. He must’ve been in a different department and just got transferred to the English center. He deeply intrigued you. You noticed the other girls in the class twirling their hair in a cliché way with the tips of their pens between their teeth. He wore all black, and it was so very different compared to what other professors wore. There was no sweater vest or button up shirt. He just wore a comfortable and soft looking black sweater with black jeans and black boots. His dirty blonde - almost brunette - hair was perfectly styled. He looked devastatingly handsome.

“Hello, my name is Professor Shepherd and I’m going to be your English teacher for the rest of the semester. Professor Winifred recently had her baby during winter break and shall be back for the next semester,” he gave another knee-weakening grin as he clapped his hands together. “Shall we get started?”

[hectabdr]

Dragon Raja IV - Chapters 3 & 4 (Abridged)

Hi everyone, continuing with today's chapters, these are centered around Nono and Caesar and their lives after he returned from Japan.

Previous chapters

Chapter 3

Mediterranean Sea, Republic of Malta.

The Island of Frefra is mostly an ecological reserve, there is a white building on top of a natural harbor with luxury yachts and sailing boats. Tourists and locals have always been interested in knowing more about its residents, but the government is very secretive about it. It is well protected against binoculars and often, music can be heard coming from the inside. Girls in white dresses walk around it and they're known as the "Iris girls".

At 5:45 am, a rotating alarm clock started playing a terrible heavy metal song, making its way through fashion magazines and snacks, it ran around the bedroom of Chen Motong, who finally trapped it and took its batteries out.

She slept for another 20 minutes and woke up in a hurry. She had classes to attend. Cooking lessons, Japanese tea ceremonies, British literature and music appreciation, amongst other things. This was the Golden Iris Shuyuan Academy. It was meant to educate Nono on how to live among nobility.

She arrived late at the breakfast table only to realize the other girls were betting on her punctuality. After she accepted Caesar's proposal, he took her to Rome to meet his relatives, some of which were more than 300 years old, they left their cryogenic beds and unexpectedly blessed their marriage (after evaluating her from head to toes). Nono's own family was rich and powerful, known as the Black Prince Group. After both families signed the marriage contract, they agreed to make Nono drop out of Cassell to take a years-long bridal training in the Shuyuan Academy.

During her dancing lessons, a yawning Nono was the only one who couldn't keep up with the rhythm, prompting her teacher to whip her foot.

At her cooking class, she kept eating bits off her dish, leaving almost nothing for the teacher to evaluate.

She managed to succeed on her tea ceremony while her boredom made her toes fight each other behind her back. She was distracted during literature and used her profiling skill to cheat on her analysis of classical music.

She unwillingly started regretting the moment she accepted the marriage proposal, but not because of Caesar, it was all about the life that awaited her. The lessons were relentless and the academy was isolated from the outside world. She didn't sleep enough because she used her Cassell training to sneak out at 10:00 pm to swim by the beach, that was the only time in her day when she felt truly free.

She toyed frequently with her obnoxious alarm clock, it was a gift from her old classmate, Luminous. On her last birthday, he casually carried a backpack with him all day, it was pretty obvious that he was preparing to give her a gift, which he nervously did, and he was the only person who dared to do so, as everyone else felt intimidated by Caesar.

She knew about Luminous's feelings for her. All of the male classmates who liked her could easily fill the whole cafeteria. Luminous was just one of them. She considered herself a passer-by in his life, thinking some girls of his age (like Zero) would be a better match for him. One day he'd mention it as a thing of the past and they would both laugh about it.

She hoped to finish the bridal course in months, but it had already been a year. She brought mostly books but she quickly ran out of things to read.

Suddenly, she realized someone was hiding in her bedroom, right after the cleaning lady left. The intruder took one of her books and a bag from her secret stash of potato chips. She turned off the lights and grabbed a knife, more excited than scared, she searched for the thief.

After finding nothing, she remembered her bathtub, and there he was, asleep with the missing book on his face and a bag of chips in his belly. She punched him in the stomach. A patrolling Nun showed up, concerned, Nono hid the intruder in the tub and pretended to take a bath. If someone found Luminous in her room, they would accuse Nono of having an affair.

The nun searched the whole place with a revolver but couldn't find anyone, before leaving, she had a conversation with Nono about her situation in the academy, specifically her wish to leave. In the lady's words, "Her soul seemed to lag behind her body". Luminous finally understood that she was there to become the perfect bride. When the nun left, Nono scolded him for his presence, she realized he looked different, he was clearly taking care of himself, better dressed, he definitely had a better haircut. He also thought she looked somehow different, more elegant, but exhausted.

His stomach roared, breaking a long awkward silence and she took him out to steal some food for him. They took wine from the cellar, along with some ham and cheese.

-Sister, do you know Johann Chu? -Maybe, was he your boyfriend or did he just owe you money?

Luminous explained his situation to her: he decided to go with the school's psychologist, professor Toyama, who diagnosed him as schizophrenic. Toyama attempted to erase Johann off his memory, but Luminous responded by making a scene and drawing out his desert eagles. He tried to track Johann in everyone else's memories but his missing classmate didn't have many friends.

Anjou couldn't remember him either. Back during Luminous's second year, there was no trial against a Blood Rage user, Frost Gattuso only accused the principal for his terrible administration. The rollercoaster incident happened way after they finished their ride with Shavee. Anjou gave Luminous the location of Chen Motong, telling him to use her profiling ability to find some clues.

However, Nono also believed Luminous had schizophrenia and convinced him to stop his search and look for treatment instead. Luminous lamented his condition and how he couldn't trust the world he lived in anymore, however, despite how enticing it was to forget Johann and go back to the real world, he felt his brother was still out there, waiting to be saved, but everyone forgot about him. Nono couldn't do much for him in his situation.

-Years ago, you were not the president of the Student Union, but a scared boy that I rescued from a theater. Now that you don't trust the world anymore, you came back to me. How many more times do you think I'll be here to save you?

Suddenly, a security guard noticed the candle they lit in the cellar. Nono didn't know how to react, but someone broke a bottle of wine on the guard's head and knocked him down. It was Finger, who informed Luminous that now he was wanted by Cassell, as they thought he was an undercover agent sent by the Dragon Raja.

Apparently, on the same night that Luminous left the college, someone entered the Ice cellar and stole Constantine's skeleton, severely injuring principal Anjou in the process. The only student with such clearance and power was the S-Rank himself.

Agents of the Execution Bureau went looking for Finger in Cuba, so he buried them in a tobacco field, with their heads out, of course.

Nono urged them to understand the seriousness of what it meant to be hunted by the secret party, which essentially made them targets of the whole world. They could leave no traces for Norma to track down. She considered there were three possibilities:

1- Luminous was insane.

2- He was an undercover agent sent by the dragon raja all along.

3- He was the only person in the world who was't hypnotized.

The only being who could be responsible for the third option is the white dragon king. Its skeleton was never recovered. Their only option was to travel with Luminous in secret to track down any trace that Johann might have left in the world before he disappeared.

-I really hope my brother is alive... -True Love! Said Finger and Nono in unison.

Finger then urged them both to leave and "go save the world" but Nono refused to leave. She had a responsibility with her family and with Caesar. As Luminous turned around and started walking, Finger stunned her, urging Luminous to help him carry her outside.

Chapter 4

Caesar Gattuso was sitting down in a church. This was the anniversary of his mother's death, so he wore a suit, drove a Harley Davidson motorcycle on his way there and brought her a bouquet of white flowers.

When he was younger, she bought him a miniature bike, she also loved to see him wearing little suits. Most of Caesar's style was based on her taste, he thought that would please her while she watched him from heaven.

The first time he had been on the Milan cathedral, he was attending her funeral. The ceremony was presided by the pope himself. Knowing of his family's involvement in her death, he poured kerosene on the coffin and lit a fire on the church. The authorities managed to save the historical building and despite of it all, Caesar was still allowed inside every year to mourn Gulweig, (as long as he wasn't carrying any dangerous chemicals).

Parsi Gattuso arrived in a car to give him some urgent news, his wife Chen Motong had gone missing. He brought with himself a letter that she wrote for her fiancé, it expressed Chen's dissatisfaction with her new life, asking him to give her some time.

Caesar immediately realized the poetic letter was fake, since Nono wouldn't bother to express herself in such a way. According to him, Nono would just write "Caesar, I'm leaving" In a napkin and leave it on top of her bed. The letter was probably written by a narcissistic person like Finger.

However, this left him reflecting on Nono's true feelings towards her future, wondering if all he did was capturing a bird (that he initially admired for its freedom) just to lock it in a cage.

Far away in Cassell College, the elders of the Secret Party reunited for an emergency meeting, the first one since 1961. Many famous individuals that once shaped the course of history were in it, still alive after faking their deaths to cover up their slow aging. In the principal's chair, Leonardo Flammel, the vice-principal and a direct descendant of Nicholas Flammel sat down and started the meeting.

He welcomed EVA, Norma's war personality with 140,000 times her processing power, and asked her to project a life-like hologram of Anjou's assassination attempt.

According to the recording, the previous night, the principal intended to access the ice cellar, but he stopped meters before reaching the entrance. He looked behind and said:

-Is that you?

In a fraction of a second, his access card had left his pocket after something cut through it. His entire body started bleeding from multiple cuts to his skin. He had no time to react and tried to use the card as his weapon, since the attacker didn't give him enough time (even using Time Zero) to draw his dragon slaying knife. It was guessed that his opponent could use Time Zero as well, but was more skilled in combat than the principal himself.

The security system identified the situation in time and called the police and medical assistance, otherwise, Anjou would have died. The conversation quickly turned to Luminous's possible involvement in the situation, Flammel had a conversation about it with "Mr. Beowulf", who was also present.

The legendary Beowulf was not an individual but a family of dragon slayers. They had a strong attraction to dragon blood, for them it was almost like drugs to an addict.

They were the most fierce dragon hunters in history, pouring the blood of their prey and drinking it after every successful kill. Their newborns were poisoned with dragon blood and only those who survived the process were considered worthy of living. Their latest descendants were almost dragon-like in appearance, but they were unlikely to turn into death servitors. Whenever that happened, the family killed them immediately.

Considering there's an imminent crisis ahead, the leader of the family showed himself in the table for the first time in a hundred years. That's because he strongly opposed the establishment of Cassell College, since "a true dragon slayer can only be born in the battlefield".

Back in the day, he led the "Action team" of the secret party, which eventually became the Execution Bureau. Initially he was expected to lead it, before he expressed his dissatisfaction with the college. Compared to the Action Team of the old days, the cruel Bureau is almost a charity.

Beowulf immediately started discussing Luminous's background. His parents were apparently in the records of the Execution Bureau, but their achievements are not registered. They never reported themselves and their location is currently unknown.

Caesar Gattuso was responsible for the defeat of Norton, Abdullah for Fenrir and the Gattuso's orbital weapon for the White King. Luminous was present during all of these events, but his actions are not registered either. He theorizes that Luminous is in fact a dragon, taking advantage of the war to slay his fellow kings. Since his use of Yanling was unknown and Time Zero belonged to the King of Sky and wind, the most mysterious of the dragon kings, the elders came to the conclusion that this dragon was none other than Luminous himself.

As soon as Beowulf questioned the absence of Frost Gattuso, Pompeii himself made an entrance by making EVA project his hologram on an empty chair. The man was semi-naked as multiple women applied sunscreen on him, annoying everyone on the room, specially Beowulf. Pompeii focused on the importance of Constantine's skeleton, since everyone else seemed more focused on Anjou's assassination attempt. Those bones contained the power of the king of bronze and fire, who was conformed by twins, so the college kept Constantine's skeleton, while the Gattuso family kept Norton's. In that very moment, Frost was transporting their half of the dragon king to an underground vault in the bank of Rome.

Pompeii linked Frost to the call, who was now 120 meters underground and descending. The vault was heavily protected against Time Zero users.

Just as they were discussing the security measures, the loud sound of an alarm silenced everyone in the room, when the members of the meeting asked about its purpose, they quickly realized that it wasn't coming from Cassell, it came from the elevator in Rome. The intruder was in the vault.

Frost was instructed to forget the original plan and leave with the bones of Norton. His bodyguards quickly mutated into dragon-like creatures to protect him. Corrosive acid and bombs were released as the elevator rose back to the surface, but there was something heating up the place and it was greater than any bomb they detonated.

Every guard stayed behind to guard the doors, hoping to witness the intruder. Finally, one of the doors was blown away. In the fire, there seemed to be dragons and snakes dancing. The mummy-like figure in white robes slowly walked towards Frost, as he exclaimed:

-It that... you? Is it really you? It is you!

EVA instructed him to step back, as he had no chance of winning against this "reaper", Frost took out his phone and transferred control of the vault to EVA before the strange creature reached him. Suddenly, the camera was broken and the visuals lost. The sound of the doors being blown up one by one was heard. Beowulf commanded EVA to close the sole entrance of the vault, which could easily resist ten-million-ton nuclear weapons, (Not enough to contain certain dragons).

Believing this to somehow signal the end of the world, the council awaited quietly. Investors in Rome were ecstatic when the value of gold suddenly increased (Since one third of the monetary gold in the world was just destroyed). EVA used the surrounding cameras to confirm the worst, Frost Gattuso was dead, crystallized by the extreme heat. Their diamond-like statues were left behind and soon collapsed, turning to dust.

The possibility of the resurrection of the black King soon reached their heads, its return would signal the end of humanity.

Caesar soon appeared in the room. He was named the new representative of the Gattuso family, so he ordered EVA to kick his father Pompeii out of the meeting. He defended his education in Cassell in front of Beowulf, saying it made him prouder than his last name ever would. He explained that this dragon was more dangerous than the others due to its ability to understand humans, their organizations and its capability to hide among them. It was more similar to humans than it was to dragons, which was its more terrifying feature.

He impressed Beowulf, specially when he ordered to investigate anyone who had come into contact with his uncle, since he recognized his killer. He then brought up Luminous. EVA explained that his unprecedented progress in combat skills was due to his participation in the Nibelungen project. It allows Luminous to surpass the dragon blood limit without turning into a death servitor. He was an artificial emperor, like Chisei Gen from Japan. Beowulf was enraged, since he considered it was a waste of resources to use Nibelungen on such a weak student instead of picking one of their A-Rank fighters and ordered EVA to put all of her computing power in finding Luminous and Finger. However, EVA found no records of Finger in her database. Everyone concluded that he deleted himself.

Since Luminous already worked for the Executive Department and therefore knew how to hide from them, Caesar proposed to employ a different type of hunter, specifically the ancient creatures that the college kept under the ice cellar, originally intended to be used against the black king. The elders voted in favor, but even Beowulf was frightened by the idea of employing them. Flammel suddenly stood up and contacted Finger, warning him of the impeding threat. Moments later, a veteran knocked him down.

Parsi had noticed a change in Caesar. In years prior, he'd make childish requests, like asking him to empty a restaurant because he wanted to drink tea in peace. It looked like he was never going to grow up. Ever since he came back from Japan, he was far more mature, taking bigger responsibilities and doing most of the work by himself. He asked Caesar about his friendship with Luminous, specifically if he wasn't worried about the beasts hurting him.

-I don't want to harm Luminous, but he made a mistake, he shouldn't have involved Nono.

He seemed extremely silent, stopping in his way out to stare at a decorative kimono, one that he brought from Japan as a souvenir, he was wearing it the day he arrived. He wondered about the weaknesses of the dragons, if Constantine was Norton's, who was Shavee's?

He felt like he was forgetting something.

[twilight0wanderer]

Animorphs Playlist: Rachel

I mentioned in my Marco songs post that I had lists for all the Animorphs and a couple people asked for more, so here we go.

“Woman King” by Iron and Wine

Blackbird claw, raven wing Under the red sunlight

Hundred years, hundred more Someday we may see a Woman king, sword in hand Swing at some evil and bleed

Starting off, just the title of this song screams Rachel to me, and the hits just keep coming.  The whole song (heck, the whole EP) is about female power and presence.  The lyrics blend the violent and peaceful, the stern and sensitive, the mundane and the exceptional, just like Rachel, who refuses to be written off as a beauty queen or a berserker or a top student or a second mother but combines all of those and more into her character.

“Playing With Fire” by Them Lost Boys ft. Lexi Forche

The air is thick with smoke and I can’t breathe All your secrets pouring in and out of me Shut your mouth, lock the door, throw away the key You can’t be messing with me.  Don’t be messing with me!

This one runs on pure emotional association.  The aggressive beats intercut by more contemplative sections, slow builds and sharp drops, and the repeated refrain of “Don’t be messing with me” all sonically and essentially capture Rachel.

“Magus Perde” by Jethro Tull

Tough are the soles that tread the knife's edge Break the circle, stretch the line, call upon the devil Bring the gods, the gods' own fire In the conflict revel

A running theme among many of my choices will be more thematic or emotional connections (as seen in the previous entry).  I could probably articulate the connections given enough time and words, but that would be dissecting the proverbial frog.  Instead I’ll just point out that besides the lyrics listed above (which are pure Rachel Warrior Princess), this song is the closing track to the album Passion Play, and in keeping with the historical origins of the concept is a meditation on life, death, and rebirth.

“Winterborn” by Cruxshadows

Discard regret That in this debt A better world is made That children of a newer day might remember and avoid our fate And in the fury of this darkest hour We will be your light You've asked me for my sacrifice And I am Winterborn

About the only good thing to come out of reading 2/3 of Ghost several years ago (Oh John Ringo, No!) was being introduced to this song.  This is a song about willing sacrifice in defense of others.  More than that, the verses are from the perspective of a higher power providing reassurance and comfort, while the chorus is the statement of the person sacrificing themselves.  The parallels don’t just jump out at you, they club you over the head and go through your pockets for loose change, so I’ll leave it there.

“The March of Cambreadth” by Heather Alexander

Midnight mare and blood red roan Fight to Keep this Land Your Own Sound the horn and call the cry How Many of Them Can We Make Die!

This might be the least nuanced association here: when it comes to fighting, Rachel was the Goddess of War long before Kratos stepped on the scene.  This song is for the part of her that revels in the fight.

“White Flag” by Joseph

I could surrender but I'd Just be pretending, no I'd Rather be dead than live a lie Burn the white flag

While this song also invokes the imagery of war, the intent is broader - refusing to let circumstances force you down, living life whatever the situation is.  Rachel’s ability to live in the moment let her continue to enjoy the parts of her life outside the immediate scope of the war, whether that was appreciating teen idols, laughing at her cousin’s complete lack of chill at a school square dance, or taking time to build her relationship with Tobias.  These aspects faded as the war began to encroach onto everything, but she managed to maintain her life longer than some of the others.

“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo

And she said honey take me dancing But they ended up sleeping in a doorway By the bodegas and the lights on Upper Broadway Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes

This was a late addition, but as I was writing this post I realized that I have a post-war Rachel-Tobias song but nothing for their relationship during the war, and this just jumped out at me.  This song, to me, captures the difference in their initial positions in life and society, and how little they let it matter to them.  They can be just as happy flying together or hanging out in Tobias’ meadow or Rachel’s bedroom as they could be at a dance or the mall or another more traditional venue.  It also captures a sense of her refusal to let him cut her out and their willingness to meet in the middle.

“Bird Song” covered by T-Sisters

If you hear that same sweet song again Will you know why? Anyone who sings a tune so sweet Is passing by Laugh in the sunshine Sing Cry in the dark Fly through the night

Sleep in the stars Don't you cry Dry your eyes on the wind

This is my post-war Rachel and Tobias song, although it could apply equally well to the rest of the Animorphs after her death.  Initially written by Jerry Garcia in memory of Janis Joplin, I picked this particular version because I love the harmonies and it’s three women singing it.  This is another emotional association, no great character examination, just mourning for a dearly loved friend.

“This War” by Sting

And you can see the coming battle You pray the drums will never cease And you may win this war that's coming But would you tolerate the peace?

This song is written as an explicit condemnation of war, but I interpret and apply it here to Rachel’s own mixed feelings about the war, her love for it, and her place in the world without it.  While she’s not financially profiting, she does find herself more at home in battle (especially as the series goes on) and this song - to me - captures her fear that in giving more freedom to that part of herself she’s losing other elements of herself.  I personally believe she would have had a better chance than some might expect had she survived, but we’ll never know.

“Riot” by Three Days Grace

If you feel so filthy, so dirty, so f---ed up If you feel so walked on, so painful, so p---ed off You're not the only one refusing to go down You're not the only one, so get up

This was already on my Marco list, where I said it was my song for him, Rachel, and Tobias.  Whether they’re stirring s#!t with each other because they’re bored or burning down the world because at this point who cares, this is the song for my feral children.

“Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde

I'm a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm And the scars that mark my body, they're silver and gold My blood is a flood of rubies, precious stones It keeps my veins hot, the fire's found a home in me

I’m sure I’m not the first person to connect this song to Rachel.  Katniss is a different person, but as a song for a fighter who still can’t escape their war, it maps onto Rachel pretty well.

God is a DJ by P!nk

I've been the girl, middle finger in the air Unaffected by rumors, the truth, I don't care So open your mouth, stick out your tongue You might as well let go You can't take back what you've done

This song comes back to the joyful nonconformity of Rachel’s character.  She is who she is, and she doesn’t care what you think about it or expect from her.

Marco’s List

[girls-scenarios]

As Long As I’m With You

Idol: Choerry (Loona)

Prompt: A scenario where choerry and their idol s/o having a day off and spending the day together (with a lot of fluff pls) ❣️

Writer: Admin Kiwi

A/N: I was suddenly struck with inspiration for this piece. Hopefully this means I’ll be able to write again for you guys soon. Also, I used Choerry’s real name, Yerim. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

♡ Tip Jar♡

For the first time in a long time, your morning started out pleasantly. Instead of the harsh ringing of your alarm, you woke to the warm sun slipping through the blinds and the sound of birds chirping and dogs barking in a nearby backyard. And, instead of waking up to a big empty bed, you woke up to a warm body curled up beside you, dark hair fanning out across the white pillow. For the first time in a long time, you smiled without looking at the clock, turning away from the window to instead wrap your girlfriend in your arms, enjoying the cozy morning warmth as you took your time to wake up. How long had it been since Yerim had been able to stay over at your apartment? You didn’t know exactly, but it was long enough for you to treasure the moment you had now, knowing that her breaks didn’t come often.

As you blinked the sleep from your eyes and slowly stretched your legs, Yerim stirred, yawning and burying her head against your shoulder to block out the sun. She smelt of your shampoo and her cute, sleepy pout made you smile affectionately as you kissed her forehead.

“Good morning,” you said, voice soft and raspy as you ran your fingers through her hair. She sighed against you and shuffled closer, throwing an arm around your waist in a sleepy hug.

“Good morning,” she muttered before yawning again. “Five more minutes.”

Chuckling, you patted her head. “You can sleep as long as you want. I’ll make some breakfast. What do you want?”

It took her a moment to respond, her eyes still closed. “Bread,” she eventually said, “and coffee. Sweet coffee.”

“I’ll make you some.” Once again, you kissed her forehead, and she smiled sleepily, patting your side before moving back to her pillow as you got out of bed. Half of you wanted to stay in bed with her, but you’d already taken a while to get up, and you wanted to make sure she had a nice breakfast as well. So you resisted the temping bed and shut the blinds a little tighter so that the sun wouldn’t bother her too much before you stumbled off towards the bathroom to wash up.

The morning was clear and bright, showing that summer had arrived, and as you opened the window and peered outside, it struck you that you hadn’t been able to spend time appreciating the nice weather recently. With the warm sun and a cool breeze, the beginning of the summer had been perfect, but you’d been stuck inside working for all of it. As you admired the sun, letting yourself wake up all the way, an idea struck you: it was the perfect day for a picnic by the river. Just the idea made you smile, and you stretched before turning away from the window, already thinking about what to bring and how much Yerim would love the idea as you busied yourself making coffee.

You had just finished pouring the coffee into mugs when Yerim shuffled into the kitchen, looking adorable in her oversize t-shirt and shorts. Her hair was now in a messy ponytail, and she immediately smiled when she spotted the mugs, walking over to take hers from your outstretched hand.

“Thank you,” she said, voice hoarse yet already cheerful as she pressed her shoulder to yours and took a sip. “Ah, it’s delicious as always! You know just how I like it!”

“I know you,” you replied with a smile to match hers, “good morning again.”

“Good morning.” With a giggle, she leaned in to give you a quick kiss. “It feels great not to wake up to an alarm.”

“I know. I woke up feeling so refreshed today. It was nice to wake up next to you too.”

“I was just about to say that!” Taking another sip of her coffee, she turned her attention to the window. “Wow, it’s so beautiful outside today. I was worried that the weather wouldn’t last, but I’m so happy that it did!”

“Me too.” Joining her at the window, you wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It felt domestic, yet weirdly comfortable. Like you’d always done this, and like you never wanted it to be any different. She fit perfectly in your arms. “What do you think about having a picnic by the river? Since it’s so nice out today.”

She beamed, visibly brightening at your suggestion, and your chest swelled with affection, your cheeks hurting from smiling so wide. “That’s a great idea! Oh, we should make food, and we can pick up some sweets from the cafe nearby! I’ve been wanting to try it but I haven’t had the chance with my schedule. It’s been so long since I’ve been on a picnic.” Giggling, she leaned into you. “But it feels so romantic.”

“I know, right?” Her laughter was contagious, so you laughed with her, holding her closer. “Maybe we should dress all cute. Like we’re going on a first date again.”

“Should we act shy and awkward again? I remember I was so nervous on our first date. I blushed so much and then got embarrassed of myself afterwards.”

“I thought it was so cute. But I know I was awkward too.”

“You kept stuttering!”

“Because you’re so beautiful, I kept forgetting what I wanted to say when I looked into your eyes!”

“Oh, stop it!” She laughed again, nudging your shoulder and sipping her coffee once again. “You were so cute back then. But I like the way we are now too. I like you even though you don’t stutter when you look at me anymore.”

“And I like you even though you don’t blush when you see me anymore.”

“Are we just an old couple now?”

“Something like that.” As the two of you laughed, music from chimes somewhere down below drifted up to the window, and Yerim sighed happily.

“I love mornings like this.”

You turned to look at her, admiring the way the sun shone on her bare face, illuminating her dark eyelashes and her soft skin. She’d just woken up and had only washed her face and brushed her teeth, yet she still looked like the most beautiful woman to you. In a world full of rushed mornings, short phone calls, and quick dates, you couldn’t be more thankful to get a day to spend with the girl of your dreams. Of course, you loved every moment with her. But this moment, with just the two of you, coffee, and the morning sun, was even more special.

“I love you,” you said suddenly, and she turned to look at you, a soft smile on her kind lips.

“I love you too, (Y/N),” she replied, amusement in her voice as she tilted her head. “Where did that come from?”

“I don’t know, I guess I’m feeling affectionate today. Is it bad?”

“No, I like it.” She captured your hand in her own as she finished her coffee and finally moved away from the window. The moment was broken, but the feelings of love and affection you felt towards her still lingered, dancing in your chest. “I like today. I get to wake up to you and go on a picnic with you. I’m happy.”

“Good, because I’m happy too.” The two of you smiled, slipping into each other’s arms and leaving the mugs discarded on the counter. For a short while, time stopped, allowing the two of you to sway back and forth without music, enjoying this sweet time together to the fullest. Nothing else in the world mattered in that moment, not even nosy fans. For that moment, the two of you were just regular people in love. “How about we go to a movie after the picnic?”

Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in to kiss you once again, lingering longer against your lips this time. “Anything,” she said, in the twinkling, happy voice that you loved, “as long as I’m with you.”

[shewritestheblues]

the Elevator Bae - 11

***LOST BAE

ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE (1 , 2 , 3) TEN

Erik Stevens x Black OC (Phoenix) 

A/N: the Elevator will be coming back soon, lol. Also, thanks to everyone who has sent me some encouraging words about the fic. I appreciate y'all so much. I promise to give y'all more fic’s soon. 

The days leading up to this one were rough. Five nights ago, Erik had received a text from an old friend. He hadn’t heard from Linda in almost a year. He made it a point to stop doing missions with her when he and Phoenix had gotten serious. Him and Linda had a bit of a steamy past. They were both part of the ghost unit and with the stress of their job, they found  themselves in each other’s bed most nights. Their relationship was never more than just sex but Erik knew when he met Phoenix, he couldn’t risk that. He battled with himself when he read Linda’s text.

Linda: Hey big head. Haven’t heard from you in awhile. There’s a job on the table and I wouldn’t wanna do it with anyone else. Interested?

With a sleeping Phoenix on his chest, Erik contemplated his interest in the job. His eyes moving back and forth between his baby girl’s face and the phone. He could do the job and that’s it. Linda would understand. He thought.

Erik: Wassup. What’s the job?

The three bubbles popped up immediately. He anxiously watched as the bubbles danced on the screen. Phoenix began to stir and he locked his phone thinking maybe the brightness of his screen was bothering her. She turned over and balled up on the other side of the bed. Erik took this moment to get up and slip on some shorts and silently make his way into Phoenix’s kitchen. He leaned against the counter just as his phone vibrated with a message.

Linda: Can you talk?

Erik listened out for any sounds coming from Phoenix’s bedroom.

Silence.

Not bothering to text back, Erik calls Linda.

“Hello?” Linda’s voice was low, like she was whispering.

“One shot kills the bird.” Erik says.

“Two shots to the head.” Linda snickers.

That was always their way of confirming their identity to each other. A smile crept up on Erik’s face. He hadn’t  heard that snicker in awhile. He internally chastised himself for feeling like he may have missed it.

“Wassup, Lin.” She could hear the smile in his words.

“Just killing niggas, Stevens. What about you? You’ve been MIA.”

“Nah, I’ve been working too. Just more lowkey.”

There was a beat of silence between them. Erik opened his mouth to speak when Linda’s soft voice beat him to it.

“Is she nice?” there was a hint of jealousy, but Erik pretended not to notice.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, she is.”

Another moment of silence.

“I’m happy for you, Stevens. You deserve someone nice.”

Erik looked down at his feet. Him and Linda had some good times and it seemed as though right now, all of their memories together were rushing to him. He stayed silent until Linda’s voice picked up again.

“Anyways, uh, yeah. This job is with this underground guy. He goes by Klaue.”

That name was familiar to Erik. His eyes grew big and he stood straight up.

“Klaue?” his voice boomed through the phone and the quiet apartment.

“Yeah. You know him or something?”

“Heard about him.” Erik caught himself and lowered his tone. He tiptoed to the bedroom door and peeked in to see if he had disturbed Phoenix. She was still sleeping soundly. He closed the door again, going back into the kitchen. “He be dealing with some black market shit.” That’s not all he knows about Klaue. Klaue is a name mentioned in his father’s book. He’s well aware of Klaue and his history with Wakanda.

“So, you’re aware of his work. Okay. Well, he’s working out a deal for some vibranium that’s being held in a--”

“I’m in!” Erik cut her off. He didn’t need to hear anything else. Linda didn’t ask questions. She knew better. Erik-- Killmonger  didn’t need to explain. She simply said, “Okay,” and let him know that she’ll keep him posted. They hung up.

Erik stood over the kitchen counter. His thoughts were racing a million miles a minute. This was the opportunity he had been waiting on. He couldn’t miss this one. He nodded with relief and began the quiet walk back into bed. As he inched closer to the bed, he could see movement. Phoenix’s hands were fishing for him. A smirk appeared on his face as he found entertainment in his girl searching for him. He loved it. He grabbed her hand as he found his comfort within the sheets and pulled her to his chest. Her heavy eyes looked up at him for merely a second before they shut again and she let out a deep breath as she sank into his body.

---------

Every night since, Erik would have insomnia. He wanted to tell Phoenix but he promised his last mission from only two weeks ago would be his last one until after her tour. She wanted him to be with her. He couldn’t disappoint her. He battled with the thought of maybe letting this go. He had found a sense of healing and happiness with Phoenix. Did he need to avenge his father’s death in this way? But in the end, he couldn’t help but to believe this was a once in a lifetime chance. The people of Wakanda needed to know the truth. So he stuck with his decision to go but decided against telling Phoenix. A week max and when he’s king, he’ll come for her.

Erik stands in the shower with the water as hot as it can be. With all of these thoughts, sleep wasn’t happening for him. As he is going over his decisions in his mind, crossing his T’s and dotting his I’s, he hears Phoenix come into the bathroom. She assumed he had a night terror and he just went with that. He was protecting her, he thought. She would understand later. She would have to.

Erik stopped Phoenix before she could completely disappear out of the bathroom.

***  He motioned his head for her to come back. “Get in.”

She was hesitant at first but she obliged. She undressed from her boyshorts and his Navy t-shirt that had became her nightly tee. Erik turned the temperature down just a notch so the water wasn’t too hot for her when she stepped in. When she joined him, he moved to the side for the water to meet her body. She watched him as he looked her naked form up and down. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly. She knew something was wrong. She grabbed both sides of his face, making him look her in the eye.

“Talk to me.” she said softly.

“It’s the same shit. It just all seems so real.”

She rubbed his cheek with her thumb. He leaned in to kiss her. They stayed there, letting their lips warm each others. Erik pulled back, licking her touch from his lips. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. Phoenix rested her head on his chest and just let the water run down her back. She listened to his heart beat and noticed that it had started to pick up. She didn’t say anything. He didn’t give her much about his dream but she didn’t want to push him.

“Philly.” his voice was low and raspy and Phoenix could’ve sworn she heard it crack.

“Hm.” His heart is pounding out of his chest now. She could feel it thumping.

“I love you.” This time his voice was just above a whisper. ***

-------

The love they made that night was slow and deep. The intensity was unmatched to any other time between them. Erik would whisper his love into Phoenix’s ear as he made her scream it back to him. Their bodies were covered in bruises and bite marks. Three rounds before their bodies gave out on each other. They ended their sex with Phoenix riding on top of Erik and her body jerked with her last organsm before she callapsed onto him. They never bothered to move, falling asleep still in that position.

That was the only sleep Erik had and when his alarm woke him up just a couple of hours later, he held onto Phoenix’s naked body in a bear hug before kissing her cheek and whispering one last “I love you” in her ear.

-----------

Linda and Erik at just made it to the secret location where they’d meet up with Klaue. It was an abandoned factory building with puddles from leaky pipes everywhere. One room in particular held a table and a few chairs. The two opted to wait there until further notice. Time seem to drag as they waited. But Klaue is a black market criminal. He wouldn’t just show up on time and be ready to go. Erik knew what was going on. The abandoned building was being watched and once Klaue’s people knew it was all clear, he’d show up.

The look in Erik’s eye as he stared at nothing, was familiar to Linda. She perked up at the sight. Killmonger had surfaced. Her eyes almost twinkled and she moved herself closer to him. Sensing her undeniable excitement, Erik looked over to her.

“Welcome back, Kill.” she laughed.

He exhaled a small laugh without any form of a real response.

“I missed you.” her voice sounded distant even though she was sitting right next to him. “Doing all those jobs didn’t feel the same without you.” Linda placed her hand over his hand.

Erik looked at her hand and his eyes trailed up her arm until he reached her face. She looked so sweet. He then remembered the first time he met her. She was the last one introduced to his team in the ghost unit and he remembered thinking, “This girl ain’t gonna last here.” But, she did and she was one of the best. She was number two behind him.

She got up from her seat and made herself at home on Erik’s lap. Erik struggled with what he should do next. He was usually always so focused and prepared but Linda has his brain covered in a cloud of nostalgia. She smiled down at him, holding both sides of his face.

“No one else understands the thrill of the kill like you. I feel crazy when I hit the target and wanna do a happy dance. You were my happy dance partner, baby.”

Erik bit his lip to hold back from saying anything he could regret later. Linda’s soft fingers pulled his lip from between his teeth before smashing her lips into his. A feeling so familiar to them. Linda could feel his member hardening and she moved her hips up to feel more. She pulled back slightly.

“She could never know Kill like I know Kill.” she practically moaned out the words.

“W-What?” Erik pulled back.

“I know you miss this just as much as I do.”

Erik reaches to grab her hands from his face. “C’mon Linda. You need to chill.”

“Is she better than me?” She says, kissing his face between words. “She can’t ride it better than me. Nobody can.”

Erik pinned her arms behind her back, holding her in place.

“What she do ain't none of your concern.”

“That bitch could never take care of you like I did.”

Erik’s movement were quick… too quick. Linda hadn’t realized that he now has a tight grip around her neck. It didn’t hit her until she tried to breathe in. The soul had left his eyes and his grip grew tighter the more she stared into his dark orbs. His nostrils flared and the muscles in his neck popped with anger.

“You better watch your fucking mouth. That bitch knows me better than you or anybody else ever could. You were just something to do when there wasn’t shit else to do. We gon’ get this job done and you gon’ delete my number. Understand?”

Linda clawed at his thick fingers as she fought for air. She nodded her head. He released her neck and Linda coughed and took in deep breaths.

“If you play your role good,” he held her chin, “Daddy might give you a good-bye gift.”

Erik had already made up his mind though. Linda wouldn’t see the end of this mission. She was too close. All this time he thought what they had was just sex, but clearly Linda had been secretly holding on to what they were doing as a sign and he couldn’t let her show back up in his life and ruin what he has now. This was a set up to get him close to her again. She didn’t know about his ties to Wakanda and that was the only reason he was still here. This was his one chance to get there and she wasn’t about to mess that up.

Klaue finally made his grand entrance and grand it was. His groggy laugh could be heard echoing throughout the abandoned building and he had to show off some tricks with his arm. Linda played interested and Erik was just ready to go.

They loaded up into a black van and headed off to the museum.

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

The last thing Erik remembered was the sunset. Iit felt like it was a dream. As he stirred, he was expecting to wake up and roll over on Phoenix. He knew when he did that, he would crush her just enough to wake her and when she did, she’d be going off on him for ‘damn near killing her.’ But to shut her up, he’d just bear hug her and kiss her quiet. That always worked. But when Erik came to, he wasn’t in bed with Phoenix. He wasn’t even in a bed. He was strapped to a table and bright lights hung over him. He could hear talking around him. The voices were speaking Xhosa.

He was still in Wakanda… He was still alive?

He didn’t want to make any sudden moves to startle anyone, so he kept his eyes closed and just listened.

“Kufuneka aqhubeke nokudinwa.” (he needs to stay sedated.) One voice said.

“Kufuneka sithethe naye... ukuqonda.” (we need to talk to him… to understand.) another voice. This one was familiar to him. It was T’Challa.

“There’s nothing to understand. He tried to kill us. He tried to kill you.”

“Yes, Okoye. I know. But there has to be more.” T’Challa looks to Shuri. “No more sedatives.”

Shuri looks over to a monitor near Erik. “Brother.” she sounded concerned… scared.

“Yes, Shuri?”

She pointed to the display of brain waves on the monitor. “He’s awake.”

Erik opened his eyes as a sly grin grew on his face. He looked directly at T’Challa.

“N’jadaka. Welcome back.”

Erik looks down at the restraints around his wrist and back to T’Challa. T’Challa motions for Shuri to let Erik free.

“My King… No.” Okoye says from behind him.

Shuri doesn’t move.

“It’s best to free my wrist now before I get pissed.” Erik says. His voice rusty from not speaking. He doesn’t even know yet how long he’s been there.

T’Challa gives Shuri one last look and she does what he asked of her. Erik sat up with a stretch and rubbed his wrist. He slowly looked up at T’Challa before very swiftly jumping up and pushing him into the nearest wall. Okoye right on Erik’s heels with her spear just barely re-breaking the skin on his cheek. Erik’s snarls at his cousin but T’Challa remained calm.

“Didn’t I tell you to let me die nigga?” Erik finally spoke.

Okoye presses her spear more into Erik’s skin. “Back away now.” She demanded through clenched teeth.

“Okoye, please.” T'Challa said calmly. “We hold no threat, N’jadaka. I saved you because I had to. You are family.”

“He’s not family, brother.” Shuri interjects. “Family doesn’t try to kill family.”

Erik glared at her. He stepped away from T'Challa and began making his way to Shuri. “Oh yeah? So my father wasn’t killed by his own brother? HIS FAMILY?”

Okoye and T'Challa stepped between them.

“That is why I saved you.” T'Challa placed a hand on Erik’s chest. “My father was wrong, N’jadaka. I can’t— I won’t make the same mistake he did. You are royal blood and I want to make this right.”

Erik searches his face for a hint of bullshit but he was met with sincerity. Something he only ever saw in Phoenix.

Phoenix!

Erik held his head down. “How long have I been here?”

“It’s been three weeks since the fight.” Shuri said.

Erik didn’t say anything. He glided back to the table he was just laying on and sat on it. Three weeks. He wasn’t supposed to be gone this long. There’s no way Phoenix would understand this. He left her with no explanation. Erik wasn’t even sure yet if he could trust T’Challa and Shuri. He couldn’t risk Phoenix by sharing that he had her back home. Erik felt defeated. He had lost the thorn. He had lost the fight and now… he was sure that he now lost her.

“FUCK!” he snapped and slamming his fist onto the table.

Okoye and T'Challa shared a look and T'Challa approached Erik. “There is hope for you here, N’jadaka. But, only if you are willing.”

Erik didn’t have any more fight in him at this point. Sure, he was still angry and would jump at the opportunity to punch his cousin right about now, but he was tired. Phoenix warned him that one day he would get tired of fighting. For the first time, he decided to accept it. Phoenix would want him to try. To try to heal, forgive and trust. The same way he did with her. T'Challa could have let him die, but he didn’t. Maybe this was his second chance. He wasn’t sure if he truly deserved it but he would go with the flow.

“Yeah, whatever nigga.” Erik finally says to T’Challa.

Okoye scoffs.

---------

T'Challa, Okoye and two other members of the Dora Milaje escorted Erik to a rehabilitation center just outside the palace. He would be staying there until it was seen fit for him to be released. The first few weeks was an adjustment for Erik. His room was just big enough for him. A bed, a desk and a small, empty bookcase. A window sat just above the desk with a view over the village.

After Erik was settled in, he was introduced to his chosen therapist, Mama Kholo. She was an older woman with deep chocolate skin and long, silver locs. She reminded him of Madea. He was a bit standoff-ish at first but Mama Kholo was warm and understanding. She never forced or pushed him. It took Erik about three weeks to say more than ‘Good Morning’ to her. She would ask how he was doing or how he was feeling and Erik would just stare out of the window.

His silence was finally broken when one day, Mama Kholo came into Erik’s room for his daily session without words. She held three books in her small hands. She came in and kneeled down in front of his bookcase and neatly put the books down. She then walked out and Erik was left looking confused. When she left, he looked at the books. One had a note attached to the inside of its cover. It read,

I read your file, N’jadaka. You are wise beyond your years. But you are not wiser than me.

This book, a psychology book. That made Erik laugh. He sat on his bed with the book in hand and began reading. Mama Kholo didn’t return to his room for four days. Erik had finished all three books. He had thoughts and wanted to share with her. On the fifth day, she returned with three more books. When she stepped into his doorway, she noticed something different about him. He looked eager to see her.

“Good morning, Prince. You look rested this morning.” she smiled.

“Good morning, Mama Kholo. I am.”

She placed the books on the bookcase as she did before and had turned on her heels to leave when Erik calls out to her.

“You can stay.”

Mama Kholo raised an eyebrow. She looks out into the hallway. No one was there.

“You come with me.” she says, holding a small hand out.

Erik shakes his head. She motions for him to come again. He slowly stands and walks out with her. She leads him down the hallway and to an elevator. When the doors open, she steps in but Erik just stands there. Worry on his face as his mind races between if this is a setup and the first time he met Phoenix. He felt conflicted and Mama Kholo could tell.

“N’jadaka, it’s okay.”

He steps into the elevator with her and they go down three floors. He follows her through two large doors with the sign ‘Library’ over them. They go inside and she takes them back into a smaller room. In this room sits a loveseat couch, a lazy boy chair and a table. The table held coffee cups, a tray of muffins and a notepad. Mama Kholo leaves Erik in the doorway to figure out what he wanted to do and she sat in her lazy boy, kicked her feet up and picked out a muffin. Erik eventually sat down on the couch and he just watched as she hummed in satisfaction of her blueberry muffin.

“Did you enjoy your books, N’jadaka?” she asked.

That question lead Erik right into Mama Kholo’s trap. Their talks began has Erik’s review of the three books but she flipped it into how the books related to real life and before Erik knew, he was sharing his experience with the foster care system. By the end of their session, Erik found himself not wanting to leave Mama Kholo. He wanted to share more. The more he shared, the more weight lifted from him. Mama Kholo understood this. She was happy to see him wanting to open up more.

This became their routine. Muffins and coffee… or tea. Sometimes, when things would become overwhelming for Erik, Mama Kholo would just walk around with him. They wouldn’t talk but she’d show him around and allow him to reset. She never pushed him too far. She allowed him to come to her.

One morning before their session, Mama Kholo came into Erik’s room to see him doing pushups. This sparked an idea for her. She suggested that from now on, They would have talking sessions every other day and in between she’d take him to the gym facility located in the center. This really amped up Erik’s desire to express more of the feelings he had been holding inside. He opened up so much more to Mama Kholo. He finally broke his silence about Phoenix.

As they sat out in the courtyard, Erik sipped his tea. He was biting the inside of his cheek when Mama Kholo asked the question.

“Have you ever allowed yourself to love anyone, N’Jadaka?” she asks.

He looked up at her and his eyes answered her question. She gave him a soft smile before taking a bite of her muffin. Erik cleared his throat. “She hates me now.”

“Why do you think such a thing?”

“Because I’m here.” He adjust himself on the bench. “She doesn’t know I’m here. I left and I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want her to worry about me.”

“She didn’t know about your work?” Mama Kholo asked.

“She knew. But this was different. This is Wakanda. She would’ve tried to talk me out of it. I didn’t want that. I waited my whole life to come here. I couldn’t let her stop me from doing that.”

“So… are you saying you know she would have succeeded in changing your mind?”

“Yes. Phoenix likes to look at the bigger picture. She sees the good in everything. Somehow, she found some good in me.”

“You don’t think you have good in you, N’Jadaka?”

Erik sits, looking forward. “Would a person who has good in them do what I’ve done?”

“Well, N’jadaka, I think everyone has good. But I think each person has a different experience in life. Some people have to hide their good to survive. That’s what you did. But, you don’t have to survive anymore. You can come out of hiding and let your good shine through.”

Erik laughs to himself before taking a sip of tea. “You sound just like Phoenix right now.”

A huge smile forms on Mama Kholo’s lips. “Sounds like Ms. Phoenix knows what she’s talking about.”

A beat of silence sits between them. Mama Kholo watches Erik closely. He’s thinking. He drags his hand over his face and rolls his shoulders. Mama Kholo’s alarm rings, signaling that their session is over. Erik stands and helps her up and gathers their muffin box. He follows a step behind her as they make their way back into the center. They go up the elevator to Erik’s floor. As they approach his door, Mama Kholo says her goodbye.

“Mama Kholo.” Erik calls to her. She turns to see that he’s struggling with something.

“What is it, N’jadaka?”

“Uh, can you do me a favor?” he slides his hands into the pockets of his pants.

“Yes?”

“Can you put a word in to T’Challa? Ask him to check on Phoenix? I-- I need to know that she’s okay.”

Mama Kholo nodded with a smile and walked away.

----------

Their next session, Mama Kholo let Erik know that she passed on his message to T’Challa and he agreed to check on Phoenix. Some time had gone by after that. A lot of time. Waiting for an update, Erik began to regress. He wasn’t talking as much. Many of his responses to Mama Kholo were just sounds and grunts. She knew that he needed to know about Phoenix. She meant that much to him.

Mama Kholo visited T’Challa’s office to update him on Erik.

“My King,” she formed an X with her arms. T’Challa did the same and motioned for her to enter his chamber doors. She joined him on a beautiful couch that sat along a large window. She handed him Erik’s files. T’Challa looked through it and was impressed at how much progress Erik has made. His anger levels had decreased significantly. He was doing well and using the techniques that Mama Kholo taught him. Erik was journaling daily and working out had made a huge difference. But, he noticed the most recent notes of how Erik had become distant.

“I see here, Mama Kholo, that he has pulled back. Do you have any idea as to why his progress has stopped?” T’Challa closed the file and placed it on the panther shaped glass table before them.

“Yes, my King. I’ve noticed that since there hasn’t been an update on his friend, Phoenix, N’jadaka hasn’t been himself. I think he needs to know that she’s okay. He’s holding a lot of guilt for leaving her.”

“I do have an update for him. But, I wasn’t sure if he was ready.”

Mama Kholo became concerned. “Is she okay?” she places a hand over her chest, preparing for the worst.

“Yes, yes, Mama Kholo. She’s fine. But,” T’Challa cleared his throat, “She has a child now. I’m not sure how to tell N’jadaka that. If she means that much to him, I’m sure he wouldn’t take well to that.”

“His child?”

“...yes.”

“He deserves to know my King.” Mama Kholo insisted. “And I think that he’s ready.” She stands and T’Challa follows her. He gives her a hug and she makes her exit from his office.

T’Challa calls for Okoye.

“Yes, King?” she asked.

“Have Imani prepare N’jadaka’s chambers. He’s ready.”

“Are you going to tell him about his lady friend?”

T’Challa rubs his beard. He nods. “Yes. Which is why I’ll be bringing him back to America with me on Friday.”

Okoye’s eyes grow big and she immediately goes to challenge King T’Challa but he stops her. “He has made great progress, Okoye. It’s time for us to all move on.”

Okoye nods. She does the Wakandan solute to her king and passes the message to Imani. When she returns, she and T’Challa begin their journey to Erik’s room at the rehabilitation center.

*** The sounds of feet walking across the tile floor and the faint sounds of talking woke Erik up. He kept his eyes closed as he felt the presence of people outside his already open door.

“N’jadaka. I know you are awake.”

Erik opened his eyes and sat up on the bed.

“I have some good news for you. This is your last day here. Mama Kholo has informed me that you’ve made great strides in your rehabilitation. You will be escorted to your palace chambers today.”  ***

Tags: @shaekingshitup​ @purple-apricots​ @abeautifulmindexposed​ @lostennyc​  @tip222u​ @janelledarling​ @lushloaded​ @chaneajoyyy​ @thadelightfulone @raysunshine78 @toniilaney @purpleskiesxhopefuldreams @elaindeereads @lyniya @fd-writes @mygirlrenee @ajspencer1892 @yoyolovesbucky @greatpandagladiator-blog​ @shanyphantom​ 

[nyxfury]

The Big Little Merman (Part 2: The Plan is Afoot)

Rated M for swearing

Pairing: Dramione Fandom: Harry Potter / Little Mermaid

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter or Little Mermaid(Disney) franchise. This is just fanfiction and completely demonetised. Thanks to JKR and Disney for the wonderful sandboxes to let our imaginations run wild. This is also not beta-d so apologies for any mistakes and errors. They are my own.

Summary: Draco Malfoy suddenly finds himself thrust as the leading man in the gender bended wizard play adaptation of a muggle story, The Little Mermaid. How did it come to be this way and who’s slated to play the female lead? (Hint: Hermione)

Link to A03

“Ginevra Molly Weasley Potter!!” fumed Hermione Granger with her shrillest impression of a banshee as she barrelled into the redheads’ office.

“I take it you received your letter.” nodded Ginny, keeping her gaze focused on the document she was working on. With a final flourish of dotting a few more i’s and t’s, she re-slotted her quill in its’ holder, steepled her fingers together and took her sweet time shifting her gaze slowly to look at Hermione. Her expression remained stoic but her eyes held a scheming twinkle. She gestured to the guest chair, inviting Hermione to take a seat. 

Huffing at the redheads’ calm composure, Hermione closed the office door and sat on the opposite chair out of spite. She liked to indulge in being petty when she was in a mood. And she was feeling particularly irritated with the redhead right now.

Ginny rolled her eyes, ignoring the childish behaviour. She was a mother after all and Hermione was acting like her 2 year old son on a tantrum.

“What is the meaning of this?” Hermione clipped, waving the letter in the air in annoyance. Her initial fury deflated a little, simmering into mild anger. She crossed her arms and levelled a glare at the redhead.

“Well, Hermione, I imagine it would’ve been self-explanatory really. You broached the idea, I floated it to my boss, the HR Department head. He loved it, being half-blood himself. And now we’re working on making it a reality.” Ginny explained patronisingly.

“You know what I’m asking Ginny. I suggested the play because I thought it would be a hilarious consequence for the losing team. I never imagined nor wanted to be part of it!” she protested, waving her hands in emphasis. “Now explain why I’m finding myself cast as one of the leading characters and playing opposite Malfoy as his romantic interest!”

“Ah and therein lies your answer.” sing-songed Ginny, suggestively raising her eyebrows up and down.

“Ginny!”, Hermione spouted indignantly.

“Hermione!” mocked Ginny. 

“When will you finally admit that you find the man devastatingly attractive?” the redhead asked, leaning back in her chair and staring pointedly at her friend. She had a suspicion that her friend was carrying a torch for the blond scion. She’s never confronted Hermione about it until she felt sure that it was reciprocated. After observing both of them dance around each other for months, she’s grown impatient that neither was doing anything to pursue the mutual attraction.

Clarity dawned on the brightest witch of their age as she realized Ginny’s true motives. “Ginevra, if this is in any way related to you insisting on dolling me up for the pick up match, or that time you insisted I wear…I swear to Merlin that..that…” she fumbled, suddenly feeling flustered. Her lower abdomen felt like it was tying itself in endless knots. “Argh! Self care my arse.” she uncharacteristically exclaimed in frustration, throwing her arms in the air as she stood and walked towards the only window in the small office. She was feeling a little betrayed. Hermione Granger did not often feel backed into a corner. So she settled on some distance as she contemplated on the newfound perspective, completely missing Ginny’s small triumphant smile.

Finally, progress! A semblance of acknowledgement. Ginny happily sighed, patiently waiting for Hermione to process her emotions.

“I didn’t ask you to play matchmaker.” Hermione declared indignantly after a few beats of silence. The urge to escape the anxiety inducing conversation felt strong and she was on the verge of bolting.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through you and appreciate fine wine.” Ginny quipped.

Hermione stared at her friend. “You’re married.”

“Yes and a few years in matrimony can make life predictable.” Ginny waved her hand dismissively. “So you’re not denying it.” she stated more as a fact than a question.

“If you’ve come to that conclusion then my struggle to understand what this is must’ve been terribly obvious.” she sighed, shoulders slumped as she found her way back to her chair.

“But the self care campaign, Ginny? Really?” Hermione asked incredulously.

“It killed two birds with one stone.” the redhead shrugged, looking smug and unrepentant.

“To be perfectly candid, I don’t know what this is I have with Malfoy. Or that if there even is anything at all.” the brunette confessed. “There’s just been so much going on. He just broke off a long engagement for Merlin’s sake!“ 

“Hermione,” Ginny paused dramatically, “you’re probably the only person in this Universe who considers a year and a half as something recent.” Ginny pointed out. “Also, no one would’ve judge either of you if you started dating right after his engagement dissolved. In fact, half the Wizarding World assumed you’d be married with Malfoy’s babies by now!” the redhead exclaimed.

Hermione responded with a pointed glare.

“Ok, maybe that was a gross exaggeration.” Ginny conceded.

Before the conversation could go on, they were suddenly interrupted by another person barrelling through Ginny’s office in exasperation.

“Ginny, what the hell!?” exclaimed one very flabbergasted husband, waving a missive similar to the one the brunette flourished earlier.

“Alright, I’ve had it with everyone storming into my office today. Have all of you left your manners at home and forgot to knock like a decent person?”, declared the redhead more to herself than anyone in particular.

“Let me guess, you’ve also been casted for the play.” the brunette addressed Harry, who was still standing in askance as the door behind him was left wide open.

Noticing a few onlookers gathering and remembering where they were, Harry closed the door so as not to attract more attention.

“Well, yes. But I don’t understand why since our team won the pick up match! Hermione was supposed to be the only addition outside the losing team.” he huffed.

“Harry James Potter, please tell me that you and your wife aren’t actively trying to meddle in my love life!”, Hermione demanded, arms akimbo.

The bespectacled Auror had the decency to look chagrined as he stared at Ginny, silently begging for rescue as he realized his Freudian slip. The redhead’s only response was a wide-eyed stare, non-verbally replying that he was on his own.

Then there was silence.

Hermione sighed resignedly, “At least tell me that your scheming hasn’t gone beyond you two.” 

The married couple’s silent debate with their staring told her more than enough than she needed to know.

“Oh Merlin, who else is in this ploy and why am I only finding out now?”

~o~ 

“Malfoy, drinks are on you since it’s technically your fault we’re in a pickle right now.” declared Ronald Weasley as he plopped himself on a seat and signalled for a server. 

Draco already expected as much since he initiated the invite. But the gangly redhead chose a table for a larger group than their current party so he felt the need to clarify, “Expecting more company, Weasley?”

“Yeah, I’ve invited Harry and Dean. Apparently, my sister’s gone mental and casted them in the play! They’re out for blood. We’re all on the same team now.” he casually replied after ordering a round for everyone.

Draco is unsurprised by the development. The production will be a charity event after all and it’s only logical to include the Boy Who Died Twice and Lived to ensure that the tickets will sell out. It would also follow that the last member of the Golden Trio be included to complete the ensemble and seal the deal with the sales. Thus, he finds himself curious if she’s been casted as well.

He sipped his firewhiskey, feeling the smooth satisfying warmth of the liquid spread through his system. 

Harry Potter and Dean Thomas arrived and settled themselves. Blaise immediately declared that Potter got what he deserved after being so smug earlier that day. Everyone, excluding Malfoy, went into a heated discussion about the ridiculous stipulations included in the production.

“How can they demand us to be fit and have defined abs to play shirtless Mermen!? I’m an Auror but pushing paper doesn’t require exercise!”, Seamus tearfully exclaimed as he nursed his pint in one hand and his slight but definitely there beer belly in the other.

“Hear hear!”, Thomas chimed in support as he raised his own pint.

The conversation remained rowdy in the background as Draco stayed silent and in deep contemplation. A few more sips of his drink and he felt confident that Granger’s been casted in the play. Slowly, he found his mood shifting from dread to anticipation for the coming weeks.

Blaise never missed a beat and was perceptive enough to notice that the blonde finally put two and two together. Deciding that it was the right moment to sow the seeds, he executed his play.

“Speaking of fit, I noticed that Granger’s been looking really fit recently. Doesn’t she Draco?” he asked the blonde point blank.

Unprepared to be addressed after staying silent for most of the night, Draco decided to just nod in agreement and completely missed Blaise signalling Weasley to take his cue. 

“That she does. I blame you for losing us the match Malfoy but I don’t blame you for getting distracted. She was especially lush during the pick up match.” Weasley unexpectedly mooned.

The blonde felt confused as he bluntly questioned, “Hasn’t that ship sailed years ago, Weasley?”

“It has. But I’ve been re-thinking our relationship recently. I feel like it may be time to try again.” the redhead wolfishly replied as he polished his drink and signalled for another.

Seamus patted Weasley on the back in solidarity as Harry declared his support for the redhead’s declaration; as did everyone else in the table save for the blonde.

Draco never wore his heart on his sleeve but he was unable to mask the brief flash of hostility that overtook his features before schooling it back to nonchalance. The sudden and intense protectiveness he felt over Granger after Weasley’s declaration startled him. In his distraction, he failed to notice the silent triumphant look everyone shared. 

Blaise silently praised himself for a job well done as he watched his friend internally brood.

[bleepblopbloop56]

The Murder in the Dressing Room

Chapter 6: Blood and Tears

Warnings:abusive deceit, murder mention, throwing up, some stalker-like things

Specail thanks to @pathos-logical this fic is litterally our baby im not even kidding, weve both poured alot into this.

Also on ao3

"Logan? Logan, slow down- what are you saying?" Emile had just put Patton to bed after a long day of playing in the park, eating more ice cream than Logan probably would've allowed, and binging cartoons. As long as you kept Patton nearly constantly busy, he wouldn't cry for his dada too often, and overall it seemed like he was having fun. He knew Logan took being separated from Patton about as well as Patton did, so he hadn’t been surprised from the call that came almost as soon as Patton had gone to sleep. He’d expected for Logan to immediately ask about how Patton was doing when he picked up, but instead he'd been greeted with nearly incoherent panic from his brother.

"Logan- Logan, you're scaring me," he cut in, knowing it would get Logan to stop speaking. "Deep breaths, and when you can talk, start again,” he said firmly, not giving him a chance to try to continue. He heard an audible gulp of air over the line. Emile could instinctively tell Logan was still panicking, but there was barely a pause as Logan started to talk again.

"Virgil," Logan choked out "He- he's been murdered, I… I need you to keep Patton for a while longer." He forcefully kept his breathing as steadily as he could, hands shaking. He was standing in the hallway to his apartment, trying to rationalize what he’d seen there.

At first he’d almost thought it was some sick prank, simply because Virgil didn't look like the others did. The first two victims had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest, the crime scenes left a blood-splattered, sickening sight. But Virgil would seem to be merely asleep if it weren’t for the blood trickling from his throat onto Logan's pillow. It wasn't until he had checked for Virgil’s pulse for the fourth time and found nothing there he’d believed he was gone. Touching a body before pictures were taken and a medical examiner was in sight was a big no-no, but he didn't care about any of that. 

"Murdered?" Picani gasped, stepping into his own room away from Patton resting on the couch. "Logan, are you okay?”

Logan rarely took deaths this hard- he had become desensitized after seeing so much of it in his profession. And yet these three murders had stripped away his usual professional sense of detachment from him. Like they hit too close to home to keep a straight face.

Logan sunk to the ground, voice shuddering. "Emile, what would've happened if you didn't take Patton away? What if he was in the house, or if I picked him up from daycare before I came home?" He was rambling now, clutching the phone with both hands to keep it steady. A police officer walked by, and Logan kept his eyes on the ground.

"That didn't happen, Logan. He's safe, he's here with me," Emile said softly. He had known Virgil well, but now wasn't the time to break down in front of his little brother.

"Will you check?" Logan whispered. It was irrational, he knew that Emile would never lie to him and that his kid was safe and sound, but…

Emile paused for a second before softening. "Of course I will, Logan," he whispered, strolling into the living room and looking at the sleeping child snuggling a Tweety Bird plushie nearly as big as he was on Logan’s spare crib. "He's safe, Logan. Everything's going to be fine." 

Logan wanted to say "no it's not," he wanted to say "I haven't heard from Roman in two days and I don't know if he's safe," he wanted to say his life was rapidly dissolving into a bloodbath of innocent lives who had nothing to do with any of the pain and suffering this murderer was causing. But he just stayed silent, sniffling and trying to keep his breathing even.

"I know," he said finally, nodding despite knowing Emile couldn't see him. Remy stuck his head out into the hallway, motioning for him to come in the room before popping back through the doorway. "Emile, I need to go… Tell Patton I love him when he gets up, okay?" 

It wasn't that Roman didn't want to return any of Logan's calls, it was that he couldn't. Successively losing his friend and then his brother, so quickly and in such a gruesome way to boot, had left him practically incapable of leaving bed. He had rented a room in some shitty hotel to avoid having to move in with anyone again, although with his luck whoever the murderer was would just burn down the entire fucking hotel after locking all the doors.

Roman couldn't stop feeling like it was all his fault, and he guessed it was in a way. Someone was after him. He only wished that they'd just kill him and be done with it, not grossly terrorize his friends and family. 

He wished Logan was here. He knew he'd come if he was asked, but he didn't want to make him a target… Roman wished things were back like they used to be. The days when he was the only person who could get Logan to dance around the bedroom in boxers and a t-shirt, music from his phone blaring some slow song Logan didn't recognize. The days he'd sleep over at Logan's and laugh off the glares from his roommate about their lack of shirts. He missed the times like snowball fights outside the apartment and how the snow would get stuck in Logan’s hair and complement the flush on his face.

Roman missed the days before the young man with a scar on his face had tempted him away with the promise of money and love and the perfect life, before Ethan had convinced Roman to leave Logan for him. He'd phrased it like forbidden love, Romeo and Juliet, when really all it was was the biggest mistake of his life. 

He'd tried, he really had, to make it work with Dee. He'd accepted his early proposal. He'd done everything he once did with Logan with Dee and ignored the ache in his heart. Ignored the blackmailing and threats Dee would spit any time he so much as thought about Logan. Ignored how Dee had told Roman to quit his job, to stop talking his to friends, to focus on him and him alone… 

His phone buzzed again. It was probably another message from Logan asking where he was.

He pulled himself up by the headboard and grabbed the half-empty water bottle on the nightstand, chugging it all and tossing it on the floor. He glanced over at his phone just in time to see 3 new messages flashing before fading into darkness. 

Logan: Where are you? How are you feeling after all of this? I know this must be hard on you. 

Logan: Roman? I would appreciate a response soon. Now is not the time to be "playing hard to get," as Remy says.

Logan: Roman, although a text might not be the best way to figuratively "break the news," it seems my roomate Virgil has become the next victim… Please call me when you are able.

Roman felt his bottom lip begin to tremble. Even locking himself away from everyone wouldn't keep them safe. He felt like his entire chest was caving in on himself, that awful feeling of being so anxious and scared he needed to puke rising in his stomach and chest. 

He dropped his phone and ran to the bathroom, nearly bruising his knees as he collapsed in front of the toilet. But the nausea would only come back stronger when Roman saw the next messages he'd just received.

Dee😘😘: *sent a photo* 

Dee😘😘: uh oh! :(

When Roman clicked the notifications with trembling fingers, a photo of Roman and Logan kissing against Logan's car would light up his screen, the bad angle and quality unable to hide how Logan's hands were under Roman's shirt and how Roman was pulling Logan's face into his… 

And Roman's stomach would sink, all the pieces slotting together into one, horrible, picture.

The murder in the dressing room taglist:

@cataclysm-al @theteenagetrickster @intrurality-fusion @katie-the-noble-fangirl @whizzie72 @grayson-22 @i-have-n0-idea-what-im-d0ing @winterwonderland7669 @missieluvsmurder @sign-from-god-complex @dragonindigo245 @angryfanboyscreaming @ninja-wizard101 @sombraookami @crystalistrappedintheinternet @imtooaromanticforthis @why-should-i-tell-youu2 @dragon-hair @satanblessi @spookilyfingergunsoutofexistence @skruffy901 @selectivereality @nonbeenary-enbee @imbasicallyshakespear @cats-vetal-miking-vomit @incoherentfangirl @oofmood @nonbianary-pineapple @royalnerd829 @unicornlogansanders

[shipping-receiving]

Fictober 2019 Day 16: “Listen. No, really listen.”

Rating: T | Word Count: 2607 Fandom: A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones Relationship: Jaime Lannister / Brienne of Tarth Tags: Alternate Universe – Office Notes: Part 1 – Tumblr / AO3 | Part 2 – Tumblr / AO3

(read on AO3)

//////

This is a mistake, Brienne thinks for the hundredth time since she woke up this morning, as she waits for Jaime at the ferry terminal. Why the hells is she bringing him to Tarth? It’s too soon. She still has no clue what exactly is happening between them that would make this too soon, but she just knows it’s too soon.

Fine, so it’s the fourth straight weekend she’s been showing him around the Stormlands. She’d started off with Storm’s End, of course. Brienne isn’t that much of an expert on the castle’s history, beyond what they had to learn in high school, but Renly was a distant descendant of House Baratheon—not that the Great Houses still existed, or held castles—and he had told her a few good stories that had been passed down through generations.

“You’re close to Renly, then,” Jaime had commented, when she told him about her source.

“Oh, I guess so. But we’re just friends.” And then she had winced, because why the fuck did that last part matter?

Jaime just smiled at her appreciatively, like it actually did matter. “Good to know,” he had said. Again with that phrase. But he didn’t say much else after that on the subject. That first weekend, she found that Jaime was talkative, even funny, when he wasn’t just greeting her with her name at her cubicle. But he was also talkative in a way that seemed as if he was trying to avoid having to talk. Really talk. Not that Brienne expected them to really talk this first weekend, even if they had been doing that dance in the office for weeks. In real terms, she was still just his employee.

There were a handful of other great castles left standing around the Stormlands that were all worth visiting, but for the second weekend Brienne had thought it was best to shift gears. She drove them to a charming small town about an hour out of the city, thinking it would be a nice place to spend the day, and it was, mostly. When they found themselves walking through a farmers’ market, however, it had suddenly felt far too domestic. It’s just the second weekend of sightseeing, Gods, not even a second date. They hadn’t even had a first date. Storm’s End didn’t count if there was no written or verbal agreement between both parties on its date-ness. Nothing had even changed, in the office. The dance continued, that was all. Fine, so they were texting more often, and Brienne was extremely glad that she sat with her back to Margaery. That woman had an eagle eye for people who smiled at their phones too much.

Brienne might have brisk walked through that farmers’ market a little too quickly as she thought these thoughts. Jaime was in no such hurry, though, and seemed keen to indulge some kind of latent obsession he had with sampling cheese. At least, she had assumed it was just about sampling cheese. By the time he had reached her at the end of the market, he was carrying six different blocks of cheese in his arms.

The third weekend, Brienne thought she should pick something safe. Safe and undomestic. They could go to the art museum. Art museums are safe. Art museums are educational. Art museums are sometimes even puzzling, but they had interesting objects in them, and they’d be spending all their time looking at those interesting objects, and reading words that described those interesting objects. Except it just so happened that Jaime quite likes art, in a way that Brienne found refreshing. He could speak reverently about sculptures she thought were quite confusing, and even, frankly, hideous. But he also had no qualms about making fun of serious old paintings, especially the ones with more anatomically questionable depictions of the Seven.

Art museums are not safe, Brienne decided. Jaime was opening her mind and making her laugh and Brienne was starting to really feel things inside her. They weren’t even on a date. There was no written or verbal agreement between both parties.

Then, at the end of that afternoon, Jaime had asked her if they could do something different next weekend, experience more of the region’s unspoiled nature, maybe. “Oh, let’s go to Tarth!” she had said, without even thinking. “We can take the first ferry out in the morning, and the last ferry back at night. It’ll be a long day, but doable, I think.”

“Your father still lives on Tarth, doesn’t he?” was Jaime’s first question, and Brienne progressed to a full-blown blush in record time. She hadn’t really thought about that—Jaime said ‘nature’ and she just immediately thought ‘Tarth’—but there was something in Jaime’s voice that told her he was amused at her suggestion.

“... He does,” she replied. “But he’s busy next weekend.” He wasn’t. “And I just saw him last month.” She sees him almost every month, actually, so she was due for another visit. “We don’t have to see him.” That was just making it weirder than it had to be.

“Of course,” Jaime said, and he wasn’t just sounding amused, he was also looking amused. “I was just asking. I’d love to go to Tarth.”

And so they are going to Tarth. Jaime shows up at the ferry terminal just a few minutes past their agreed time. It’s a clear day in the Stormlands, rare even for this time of year, so they sit on the upper deck of the ferry, and can’t speak much above the strong winds of Shipbreaker Bay. Brienne tries her hardest not to formulate any opinions on how the wind is having its way with Jaime’s loose white button-up shirt, although he seems to have forgotten that those first three buttons aren’t just for decoration. He’s rolled his sleeves up past his elbows, and she tries her hardest not to formulate any opinions on his forearms, either.

As they disembark the ferry, they walk past a signboard that says, grandly, WELCOME TO TARTH, and in cursive script below, The Sapphire Isle. Jaime points at it and remarks, “They’ve been calling it that for centuries, haven’t they?”

“Yeah. Maybe even for millennia. It’s for the blue of its waters.”

“It’s not a reference to the eyes, then.”

Brienne looks at him quizzically. “What eyes?”

“Your eyes.” He lifts a finger pointlessly in the direction of her face. “The Tarth eyes. I assume it’s a family trait. They’re very blue.”

“Oh. Um. Thank you?” Why did she thank him? He was just stating a fact. She does have very blue eyes, and they are a Tarth trait. The one trait she’s always been glad she inherited.

“You’re welcome,” Jaime says, anyway, with that half-smile of his.

They spend the rest of the day on the western coast, mostly, where the ruins of Evenfall Hall still stand. The island isn’t particularly big, and it’s easy enough to take the bus along the main roads, and explore the island from there. Her childhood home, where her father still lives, is on the eastern coast, so she can sidestep the intimacy of showing Jaime that part of her life. Her father did turn out to be busy this weekend, anyway, so she doesn’t have to feel so guilty about coming to the island without telling him.

In the late afternoon, Brienne brings Jaime to a secluded meadow in the northwest. It’s close enough to the sea, and they’ll be able to watch the sunset in an hour or so, too. She used to go there as a kid, she tells Jaime, when she wanted to be alone. She doesn’t tell him that it was to get away from the cruelty of the other kids.

They lie in the grass, and look up at the sky. There is an intimacy in this, though it’s not the same intimacy of him seeing her childhood home, of meeting her father. Brienne pushes away the thought that this might be even more intimate than those things.

“Listen, Jaime,” she tells him. It’s what she used to do when she came here as a child. Just close her eyes and listen to everything except her own thoughts.

He does, for a while. “It’s nice,” he says eventually. “It’s quiet.”

Well, those are certainly adjectives. She shouldn’t have expected more from a man who spent most of his life in the city of King’s Landing, with all the noises of the urban environment that people there learn to ignore. “No, really listen,” Brienne urges. “Close your eyes and listen.”

Jaime stays silent for a long time. Finally, he speaks again. “I can hear the grass rustling in the wind. Birds, talking to each other in the trees back there. The waves, that’s distant, but I can hear it, I think. And your breathing.” Brienne’s eyes fly open at the last one, but Jaime just continues. “No traffic. No fingers typing away on keyboards, or pens scratching on paper, or the whirring of copy machines. And coffee machines, I suppose.” She hears the smile in his voice, at that little rhyme.

“No arguments,” he says, the smile disappearing. “No expectations.”

Brienne turns over to lie on her side, facing him. Somehow, those words give her the courage to ask the question that’s been on her mind since the stairwell incident. She’s going to hope he talks. Really talks. She wants him to talk to her. She wants to listen.

“You were supposed to go back to King’s Landing, weren’t you? Why did you decide to stay?”

“Long story,” he says to the sky. “My family—it’s complicated. My father wants me to take over the company, some day, even though my brother is much better at all of this.” Tyrion, if Brienne remembers correctly. Nicknamed the Imp as much for his quick wit as for his height. “My sister isn’t too happy about my father’s decision, not that she wants my brother in the running at all. Just her and her new husband.” Jaime says this bitterly, and Brienne is reminded of that strange intensity she heard in his phone call with Cersei. “She was pushing me for it, at first. She’s my twin, you know, and we used to do everything together. She thought that she’d be able to gain control through me, if my father won’t give it to her.”

He turns toward her now. “I don’t want any of it, Brienne. I’m good at my job—I don’t enjoy it, but I’m good at it, and I’m not sure what else I could do, anyway. But I don’t want control of the entire company.” He picks at the grass between them. “Cersei finally got that in her head. So she went and found someone with more ambition. But my father doesn’t want her husband to inherit the business, even though the man even offered to take the Lannister name.”

Jaime sighs, and he seems to be somewhere quite far away. “It’s a mess, back in King’s Landing, Brienne. I don’t even know how long I can stay in the Stormlands, before my father finds a way to force me back.”

He lies there for a while, still facing her. Then, all of a sudden, he sits up. “I’m sorry,” he says, without looking back. “You probably didn’t want to hear all of that.”

Brienne shifts herself so she’s sitting beside him. “I don’t know if I can give you any advice at all, Jaime. But I’m happy to listen, whenever you need to talk.” She nudges him with her elbow. “I’m not just a tour guide, you know.”

He smiles that half-smile again. “Hey. Can I ask you a question, too?”

“Of course.”

“How did that whole thing get started? About you thinking I look average?”

Not this again. “Why are you so obsessed with that?” Brienne laughs.

“I’m just interested in the backstory, that’s all.” Jaime’s whole demeanour is shifting. Brienne can see the familiar self-confidence return, a bit of that arrogance he saves for the office, though she’s realising now that it might just be something for him to hide behind. “I was surprised to hear it. I happen to think I’m quite good-looking.”

Okay, she was feeling quite sorry for him a minute ago, but now she can’t help but roll her eyes. “Who are you? Who even says that about themselves?”

“Answer the question, Brienne,” he grins.

“Everyone was talking about it, okay?” she groans. “Your looks. All day, every day. It was too much. I was just really annoyed one morning, because of…” She doesn’t really want to get into the details of that morning, actually. “Bottom line, I just didn’t want to hear it anymore. So I said it to shut people up. Then it got out of hand.”

“Because of…?” he probes.

Alright, fine. “I don’t have a chauffeur to get me to work, Jaime. I take a bus, then a train, then the shuttle. I missed all three of those that morning. And then I was all sweaty and gross and I passed you in the hallway and you gave me a look—”

Oh fuck. Brienne had said too much. She hadn’t wanted to talk about the look.

“Oh.” There’s a glimmer of recognition in Jaime’s eye. “I remember that.”

He does? “You do?”

“Yeah. I think so. You were all flustered, I remember, and your hair was a mess.”

Oh great, that’s why he remembers. “Thanks a lot for that.” Brienne hides her head in her knees. “I don’t really need the recap, Jaime.”

“Don’t interrupt while I’m reminiscing, Bridget,” he teases. “I remember it because it was the first time I thought, ‘She has nice eyes.’”

Brienne just starts laughing into her knees out of shock.

“I’m serious!” Jaime insists.

“That was your takeaway?” She lifts her head. “I looked like a disaster, Jaime. I distinctly remember going to the bathroom right after and thinking that I looked like a disaster.”

“As I recall, you were wearing that blue blouse that matches your eyes. They were all wide, and your cheeks were all flushed and it just, I don’t know, made them stand out. I guess that’s why I gave you a look.”

He can’t possibly mean what he’s saying. “You basically said I was ugly at the office party, Jaime,” Brienne reminds him. Or perhaps it’s more of a reminder to herself.

Jaime holds both his hands up in surrender. “Again, I’m very sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” she says, lightly, and nudges him again. “I punched you already.”

“I was drunk, anyway, not that it’s an excuse.” He lies back down on the grass. “Pissed off about my family as usual. And, I think, a little hurt that the tall one with the nice blue eyes thought I only looked average.”

There’s something in those words that makes Brienne want to fly into a panic, even after all the dancing, even after the past four weekends. No, she refuses to jump to any conclusions. It’s a much better option to just—stand up abruptly.

“Where are you going?” Jaime asks from the grass. “Can’t we stay here a while longer?”

Brienne looks at the sky, and sees the sun making its way towards the horizon. She thanks it silently for giving her a reason to walk away from this place, this small patch of meadow where Jaime’s spilled one too many truths for today. She doesn’t want to think of them as truths, really. Not that last part. Not yet.

“Get up, Jaime,” and she offers him her hand. “Or we’re going to miss the sunset.”

[sasukebarmitzvah]

watching every naruto opening and discussing my opinions because im bored liveblog

original

took me a little while to warm up to it idk why maybe because its not as up tempo and its a shonen and i want to get hype but i love it now. love the part where the camera pans around team 7 fighting randos they are babies… also its so funny when sasuke holds out his hand to naruto to help him out of the lake and he jsut fist bumps him. gay boy

Haruka fucking kanata baby!!!!!!!! a fav. like we all know this. i listen to the song just regularly a lot and every time it comes on shuffle im like Oh my god its haruka kanata. read the english translation of the lyrics… sns

this one got stuck in my head for a while lol. i like seeing everyone babie and i like naruto shaking his head at the end to dry off like a dog

DDMnanannaddnnaaaaa naaaaaaaaa nda aaWE ARE FIGHTING DEAMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OOLI OLI OLIOOOOoohh!!!!! very fun very good also a very good time in the show, hello tsunade

**edgy shonen opening where theres something important in front of a chain link fence**

lol skipping 6-9 bc thats the huge chunk of filler which i didnt actually watch most of

shippuden

heros come back is SO GOOD absolutely one of my favs. banger first of all. i love how its actually choreographed and naruto sakura kakashi are like moving to the beat and i love the part where the animation is like pencil sketchy and theyre running and their bodies warp bro its just cool. the part where everyone dramatically reaches for gaara is fun, also love deidaras moment. anyway i shake my ass to this song eveyrday

distance oh god oh fuck. YOU ARE MY FRIEND!!! the sasuke and naruto stuff where they are little baby at the beginning at the end we return to the same place theyre there and like about to stab each other i’m going to scream. i lvoe the song of course. hello sai! i love team 7s little spotlight moments where they get to pose to the music its so cute. why is sasuke snake jesus? DO you remember that long lost DREAM!!!!!!!!!!

BLUE BIRD YA BANGER ok the whole symbolism. when naruto falling next to sasuke rising is positioned like yin and yang lol. when naruto is falling from the sky but then sasuke comes to mind and he springs into action lol. ok random people from the fillers i dont care about. naruto fell in the lake he picks up the bird feather interspersed with a couple shots of sasuke horgh. additional reading: paper bag by fiona apple

closer is one of the ones where im like eh its ok its not my favorite and then it gets to the chorus and my dumb ass is jsut screaming YOU KNOW THE CLOSER YOU GET TO SMETHING THE TOUGHTER IT IS TO REACHIT. the funniest part where narutos moping and thinking of sasuke and then he just perks up and smiles at the camera like. gay boy. like getting to see the asuma fight scenes in this op, also it was so funny seeing him get all the screentime in this op knowing hes about to die like yeah very subtle

SHA LA LA!!!! LOVE IT i love it i love it soooo much first of all banger second of all naruto looking into the water and his reflection is sasuke. lollllll. metaphor m-e-t-a-p-h-o-r the little prechorus bit in the middle gives me chills. love sasuke walking into the purple pool like a smug motherfucker thats my boy. at the end zooming into sasukes pupil zoom out it’s narutos eye oh the poetry..

signs another one of the ones where im like eh whatever its fine but not my fav but by the chorus i am standing on the table freaking out. like fuck jiraiya but this one got me a lil. the lighting and choreography of the sasuke itachi fight bit is sooooo nice and pretty, love getting to see all the new players in the story. baby ame orphans fading to the shot of yahiko as pain.. :(

this one literally makes me cry. i get chills what the fuck. definitely one of my favs. am i a bitch? maybe. i like the song by itself but like the way the rise/general shape of the melody flows with the visuals its like oh god oh fuck. again fuck jiraiya but like the role his character serves as a link between these disparate groups of people and the way thats used in this opening… how it starts and ends with him writing and this is the arc where naruto reads tales of a gutsy ninja and he learns about how he got his name and jiraiya wrote the book and hes WRITING and im going CRAZY!! i’m starting to tear up watching it rn. the shot of konan and the pains in that moment just before they leap forward. Sayonaaaaaaara aa lksasldfkwpoeifjhnuerIELFeuiertekdjsnlfweiourbg kakashis moment is cool in this op. also love to see the girls getting fight scenes in this op cus they sure dont in the actual show LOL anyway yeah im at the part where the melodys just hitting sooo different oh my god naruto frog eyes

DIVERRRRRRR. FAV literally like naruto is drowning. hes drowning and everyone is pushing him up so he can breathe again everyone is fighting to save him and thnen he s ouf ot the water and then he sees sasuke drowning and he JUMPS BACK IN. FOR ONE PERSON EVEN THOUGH ALL THESE OTHER PEOLE were working to help him out he dives back in for SASUKE whos drowning in the eyehole of obitos mask which is cool. ok yeah this is another one where im like tearing up because THe cymbal is em….. the way The movement of the visuals is choreographed with the song is so much. nico TOUCHED the fucking walls.

this one kinda annoys me i dont know why it just wasnt my favorite. love the sasuke and naruto staring at each other intensely moment though, would this be a shippuden opening without that. also the part at the end where sakura holds up her kunai and it like slashes and covers sasuke and naruto… inch resting…

newsongs so weird i love it. like what the hell is going on. why is naruto running like hes from some weird gmod video from 2013. love the LITERAL choreography, everyone dancing to the song like this is a musical. theres just a lot of weird moments which is fun. love sai naruto and sakura making the seal together to shoot lightning. raikage leaping gracefully across the beach

i do not enjoy this one. i just dont. it just feels like we’re bootlicking which of course we are because this is the war arc and everything is a nightmare

i remember seeing the first episode with this opening and i was excited bc its like… great another naruto pining for sasuke one this is what im here for. a light banger. minato manlet monday. ohh right this was the one where gaara sees his dad again and his OH I SEE SASUKEE

Banger! nico did indeed touch the walls again. i like that this one is like visually thematically consistent thru the whole thing, i like the nighttime dimly lit atmosphere with the bursts of brighter colorful lighting, also whenever i see tsunade i freak out. narutos cute at the end

SUCH A BANGER!!! also very cool visual style, appreciate it for that like the last one, its got that pretty consistent aesthetic with the red sky and the high contrast black blocking its fun and cool to watch. did i mention the song is a bit of a banger. obito passing thru the rock is cool too bad hes an idiot

ok from this one there were two lines i remember always seeing in the english sub that made me freak out. and one of them was like “this red hot love burning my heart” and it was over kakashi and obito fighting like damn OK. also the “i put the candle out with my finger” thing sticks in my head idk why. hate that we have the narutos big meaty claws i mean manly hands moment though. omg its hashirama and madara and then it CUTS TO SASUKE AND NARUTO IN THE SAME POSE LOL OK…

SILHOUETTE IS a banger… not as much so as some of the others but its a lot of fun. very colorful op, we got some naruto pining for sasuke, classic. also love the thing where ppl are running and they age as they do and they sort of grow into their present selves, a fun visual bit. the end where narutos like obito be nice now look at all these people behind me who think youre a meanie please be nice :(((((((((

another one with a really good visual principle ugh i love how the style of the show is integrated w the styles of more traditional printmaking its very swexy and nice to look at

LINE uugrgh i love this one, maybe a fav… naruto chasing after the light and sasuke trying so hard to snuff it out as they both reflect on their memories of each other oh god oh fuck… also i love the bits where it just has all the characters in a row like it reminds me of that one post about how in the endgame trailer they had a shot of all the female characters together to be like Girl power!! and someone was like yeah thats them showing u exactly how many women theyre going to disrespect LMAO but yeah i do love this op. also the song itself being slower w/ the triplet tempo is a nice change of pace

blood circulator hee hee… the version of this with naruto and sasuke moments is A Lot but even just the generic first version is fun. the part where narutos like knocked on his face hes sinking into the tar and hes not even trying to save himself hes just staring at sasuke, but then he sees sasuke distressed and he goes bijuu mode immediately like What did u say about my mans? there is some homoeroticism

i really hate everything about this i hate it all. sasuke is cute. thats it. ok first of all why did choji cut his hair his long hair look was so gooooooood. hinata bimboification? i mean if anything it was fun to watch these fillers just cus it was fun to watch kakashi be the hokage but really goofy and also the Crumbs tossed to the kakairus… but yeah i hate everything temari got bimbofied too like ugh please let her be a dyke :( this isnt even me talking necessarily about the opening this is me just being like i hate the naruto ending. LOL SASUKE AND NARUTOS NO HOMO BRO HIGH FIVE AT THE END LOLLLLL

ok im done

[lgbtyrus]

TJ’s Playlist Chapter 4

Story Summary: When Cyrus finds a playlist on TJ’s desktop full of old love songs, he realizes that TJ has never been a scary basketball guy but rather a huge sap. TJ just wished Cyrus could realize that all of those songs remind him of a certain boy who likes chocolate chocolate chip muffins without telling him directly.

With insecurities and fears almost set in stone, it’s hard for TJ to admit that he has a heart aching crush on Cyrus who is trying to avoid just that. Of course, it doesn’t seem like both of them are trying to get over each other when they’re always together.

Ao3 Link | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Words: 2994

They asked me how I knew my true love was true

I of course replied "something here inside cannot be denied"

TJ thought he could feel Cyrus’ heart hammer against him as he rested his chin on top of the short boy, but he painted himself lucky as it was. It was a blissful five seconds. TJ didn’t know why he pulled Cyrus in for that hug, but it felt right. Cyrus had done so much for him already. “Thank you,” TJ mumbled into Cyrus’ hair before pulling away. It became ridiculously hard to make eye contact, so he quickly turned towards the door.

“Yeah,” Cyrus whispered behind him, “that’s what friends are for.” The word friend bit into TJ’s throat, but he knew it was the truth. “I’ll come directly to Mrs. Pierson’s classroom after school, okay?” TJ knew there was no arguing with Cyrus, so he muttered another thanks before they exited the restroom and went back to class. When TJ walked in, nobody stared at him. He was starting to be glad that other people still found him scary. Jonah Beck was the only one who made eye contact with him, and he gave TJ a small nod and smile. TJ just gave a small nod back before sitting back at his desk. Mrs. Pierson immediately continued the lesson as if nothing had happened, and TJ was appreciated of a math teacher for once.

The rest of the day dragged for TJ. He didn’t know if time was moving slow on purpose, and if it was because he just wanted to see Cyrus after school. He knew it’d mostly be a one on one with Mrs. Pierson, but he felt a lot better knowing that Cyrus would be there with him.

When 3PM came, TJ walked into the math class where Cyrus and their teacher were already talking. They were laughing about something until they heard the door click. Mrs. Pierson smiled at him and said, “Hi, TJ. I’m really glad you decided to come.” TJ didn’t say anything and just went towards her and Cyrus. He took a seat next to Cyrus in the desks in from of Mrs. Pierson and noticed there were already papers set out. “Cyrus agreed to help me tutor you,” Mrs. Pierson told him, causing TJ to quickly turn to look at Cyrus. “He’s really good with the subject, and I think he’s the perfect one to help you out.” Cyrus gave a TJ a toothy grin that made TJ smile and shake his head.

For the next hour, Cyrus and TJ went through problems, over and over again. They didn’t get really far in going over the test, but by the end of it, TJ was able to do five of the problems without any help. He had gotten four of those wrong on the test. Cyrus was extremely happy to be able to help out, even if Mrs. Pierson did a lot of the work. TJ was also a lot more comfortable. Something about having a friend help out made everything less stressful and embarrassing.

“Okay, TJ,” Mrs. Pierson told him at four, “a lot of the practice you have to do will have to be at home. I’m not asking for hours every day. At least give yourself half an hour or forty minutes, and if you can’t figure something out, you have to ask. Got it?” TJ simply nodded at her, but she still smiled. “You have dyscalculia, correct?” TJ looked over at Cyrus who gave him a reassuring smile before nodding at her. “It’s fine, TJ. I’m here to help.”

-

TJ and Cyrus were walking home in silence, bird songs filling the air along with the occasional crow screaming. “How do you feel about the tutoring?” Cyrus asked him. “Do you feel okay with me being there?”

“It’s perfect,” TJ told him. “I think I feel a lot better having a friend there, you know?”

“I get you,” Cyrus said back, “I’m glad you don’t feel like I’m intruding.”

“You aren’t,” TJ shook his head, “trust.”

“Good,” Cyrus said. “What days do you work?”

“Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays right now since there’s no basketball. When the season starts, I’m going to work around practices and games if I have to.”

“If you have to?”

“Yeah, well,” TJ ran his fingers through his hair, wondering if he should just come clean. “If my dad finds a job, I shouldn’t have to keep mine. I really like it though, so I wouldn’t mind staying.”

“Oh, so you help around the house right now?” Cyrus asked him.

“Yeah. That’s also why Amber works. She’d quit right now if she could,” TJ laughed.

“I don’t think I can imagine The Spoon without her now,” Cyrus told him.

“Yeah, angry customers are it’s brand now,” TJ let out another snicker. “Anyways, do you want to go eat at The Spoon? My treat.”

“I’ll go, but I can pay,” Cyrus told him as they turned in the direction of The Spoon. The streets were dense, but they saw a familiar face every once in a while.

“Take it as a thank you, alright?” TJ ruffled Cyrus’ hair. “I owe you one.”

“If you insist,” Cyrus grinned, goosebumps running up his arms. “Have you made any new playlists, lately?”

“No,” TJ shook his head. “I just add songs to some.”

“Do you think you know every song in the world?” Cyrus asked him, making TJ smile like a little kid. Cyrus sounded so cute to him, and TJ really just wanted to squeeze him into another hug.

“Well,” TJ bit his lip to hide his smile, “that would mean I know every language in the world. Only knowing one language is a bitter curse.”

“You can still listen to music in different languages,” Cyrus bumped into his shoulder, making TJ smile.

“But I wouldn’t understand it,” TJ bumped back into Cyrus gently.

“So?” Cyrus bumped back into TJ. “You don’t listen to music, you feel it.” TJ let out a small chuckle and instead of bumping back into Cyrus, he put his arm around Cyrus’ shoulder.

“You have a certain way of thinking of things, Underdog,” TJ told him nonchalantly, causing Cyrus to turn red. TJ looked ahead, not noticing the sprawl of crimson on Cyrus’ cheeks. Cyrus didn’t know what to say, but he trusted that that was a compliment. The boys kept walking in silence for a few more minutes before they reached The Spoon. There were already familiar kids in the booths, and TJ waved in a few directions before sitting down with Cyrus in the booth in the corner. Amber was behind the counter, and she eyed them carefully. TJ did everything in his power to not look at her because of what they had talked about Friday night. He knew her like the back of his hand, and she would be talking about this for the next ten years.

“A lot of people know you,” Cyrus noted, telling TJ who was sitting across from him.

“Yeah,” TJ sat back, “perks of playing basketball I guess.”

“How long have you been playing basketball for?”

“As long as I can remember,” TJ smiled. “I remember having one of those little Fisher-Price basketball courts in my earliest memories.”

“What are you earliest memories?” Cyrus asked him, placing his face between his hands on propped up elbows.

“Amber,” TJ found himself nodding in Amber’s direction. To his relief, she was attending another table. “My great-grandpa dancing with Amber and me in a circle. The little basketball court was always around. Amber had this one doll that I threw in the mud once when I was mad at her, and my GG made me hand wash it. I was like four. That��s really my first memory.”

“Your GG sounds like he was a fun guy,” Cyrus told him with a small smile. TJ grinned.

“He was. He was really funny, and he’d try to learn our slang all the time. He always showed me old songs when I went over, and it was usually music I had heard a million times. I didn’t mind though. He was my favorite person. If it weren’t for him, I’d be all basketball and no music.”

“You should send me some of your playlists,” Cyrus told him. “I feel like I’m in a stagnant state with music right now.”

“Yeah, of course,” TJ told him with a grin. “I’ll send you some later.”

“Thanks, can’t wait,” Cyrus said before turning to Amber. She was approaching their table with her small notepad, and she was wearing a smile only TJ recognized. It meant she was going to fuck TJ up.

“Hello, boys,” she smiled at them.

“Hey, Amber,” Cyrus said. “You seem to be in a good mood today.”

“Oh,” she grinned directly at TJ who had sucked in his lips and begun glaring at her. “I am. What will you guys be having?” She took their orders and promised to quickly return with their drinks. They didn’t hold her word on that.

“Did something happen?” Cyrus asked TJ, watching Amber as she left. An annoyed customer stopped her before she could reach the kitchen, causing Cyrus to click his tongue.

“If something did happen, I don’t know about it,” TJ lied. Amber wouldn’t try anything odd with him. Right? She knew how deep he was in the closet. She was the only one that knew. She wouldn’t make it obvious to Cyrus that something was up. All TJ could do was hope and hold in the urge to pull Amber to the side. It’d only make Cyrus more suspicious that something was up.

“Is something wrong?” Cyrus asked TJ. TJ hadn’t noticed he had been furiously tapping his fingers on the table and looking off into the distance.

“Y-yeah,” TJ croaked, “I just have a song stuck in my head. Sorry. Anyways what are Buffy and Andi up to today?”

“Buffy is starting to scout girls for her team early so it won’t be a flop during actual try outs. She held something in the gym today,” Cyrus explained. “Andi is with Jonah at Ultimate practice.”

“Shouldn’t you be there?” TJ raised an eyebrow.

“Be where?” Cyrus asked, confused at what he meant.

“I mean,” TJ mumbled, “you’re always there for your friends at everything. Didn’t you do stuff for Jonah’s ultimate team all the time.”

“Yeah, I did and plan to continue, but like you said yourself, I’m always there for my friends. You needed me there afterschool today, so I was there. Also, Andi and Jonah are still kind of Rocky and I don’t think Buffy would want me around right now.”

TJ was sure that he was red, and he was covering his face, barely mumbling a, “Is she mad at you or something?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cyrus shook his head and gave TJ an unconvincing smile. TJ had an odd suspicion on what it was.

“Is it because you hang out with me?” TJ asked softly, making Cyrus’ eyes go wide. Cyrus quickly shook his head and began avoiding eye contact. Cyrus started to pretend that he was looking for Amber which only made TJ more upset. “Please don’t lie to me, Cyrus. I can take it.”

Cyrus bit his lip before sighing, “Alright, Buffy said that I only talk to them over the phone now and that I’m always with you. She got even more upset when I told her I was going afterschool to help you with math and ditching The Space Otters. She was hoping I’d help ease out the tension Andi and Jonah have.”

“I’m going to be brutally honest, Underdog,” TJ quickly responded, startling Cyrus with his blunt tone. “I think they’re being selfish.” Cyrus stayed silent for a moment, looking TJ in the eye. He looked sad which made TJ feel bad. But Cyrus had a feeling he was right.

“Hello, hello,” Amber said merrily as she placed their drinks on the table. Cyrus and TJ didn’t even look at her, making Amber know she just walked in on something weird. “Food will be up soon,” she told them a little more quietly before walking away.

“Look, Cyrus,” TJ sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I know they’re your best friends, and I have no place telling you anything about people I hardly know. But I think they’re being unreasonable, and you need to call them out on it. You have no business having to fix Andi and Jonah’s relationship issues, especially if it makes you uncomfortable. As for Buffy, I am kind of upset because I thought we were cool. But even if you were to hang out with other people, they have no right getting mad. Although,” TJ frowned, “I think it’s just me.”

“I think,” Cyrus looked down at the table, “I think you’re right. I’m going to talk to my mom about it and then to them. She’s a psychologist, so I think she’ll be able to help me out. But…,” Cyrus looked up at him and smiled, “thank you for being blunt. I think I needed that.”

“Yeah,” TJ admired his smile, “no problem.” They both turned to their drinks and made small talk until Amber brought their food. Luckily for TJ, Cyrus didn’t notice that Amber had made a heart shape out of the baby tators on the plate before he messed up the shape.

They said "someday you'll find all who love are blind"

When your heart's on fire, you must realize smoke gets in your eyes

-

Cyrus got home around six, and he knew his mom wouldn’t have anymore patients for the day. He made his way into her office and found her writing a few things down. She looked up and smiled. “Hi, honey,” she smiled. “How was lunch with the girls?”

“Oh, I didn’t eat with them,” Cyrus told her as he took a seat across from her. “I ate with TJ.”

“Is that that boy where you had the accidental sleepover?” she laughed.

“Yeah,” Cyrus nodded with a grin. “That’s him.”

“Buffy told me he’s not very nice, but if you tend to see the good in everyone, so I trust your judgement.”

“Yeah,” Cyrus looked to the side, “he’s great.” He straightened up in his seat and looked at her, “Actually, mom. He said something that got me thinking, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

“I’m all ears,” she told him softly. Cyrus told her about his situation with the GHC and how Buffy was supposed to be past the entire anti-TJ movement.

“I don’t know what to do,” Cyrus admitted.

“Be honest with them and tell them what you’re feeling,” she told him. “Only Buffy can tell you why she has backed up on her peace treaty with TJ. If I were you, I’d talk to Buffy alone. As for Andi and Jonah, I’m pretty sure they’re both still your friends. TJ is right, though. Their relationship is not your business.” Cyrus smiled and got up to give his mom a hug, thanking her before heading off to his room to shower.

When he got out, he had a text from one of his favorite people.

TJ: Hey Underdog. Have u talked to ur mom yet?

Cyrus: Yeah. Thanks for asking. I’m going to call Buffy and see if she wants to talk tomorrow.

TJ: That’s good. I’ll be cheering for you. If I need to apologize to her for anything let me know. I’ll go spit a few more verses.

Cyrus: I hope that won’t be necessary. It’d be kind of unfair tbh.

TJ: we were chill all summer which makes me wonder if I did something wrong.

Cyrus: Highly doubt it. We just have to wait and see what she says . I’ll ttyl. I’m going to call her

TJ: Have a good night Cy. Let me know if anything.

Cyrus: Good night 😊

Cyrus scrolled up on their conversations and found the picture where they were both sleep before eyeing the new polaroid up on his cork board. He didn’t dare show Andi or Buffy either of those photos. They were really smart, and if they asked him if he liked liked TJ before he could ask the question to himself and have a crisis over it, it’d ruin everything. It would turn into chaos when they asked him, and TJ would suddenly appear, say that that was gross, push him into a mud puddle before leaving.

Cyrus shook his wet hair and dialed Buffy’s number. She answered after three rings, not sounding the happiest. “What, Cyrus? I’m really tired,” she told him, making Cyrus frown.

“I just wanted to know if I could talk to you tomorrow?” Cyrus asked her.

“I don’t know,” she bit back sourly. “I planned to have a meeting with the basketball girls tomorrow and you’ll probably be busy.”

“Buffy,” Cyrus spoke up, his words starting to cut Buffy, “we have to talk tomorrow. I don’t care what we both have going on, that conversation has to happen.” Buffy paused.

“Okay,” Buffy replied, not sounding as angry as before. “I’ll stop by your house at 7. We can walk together. Just us two or?”

“Just us two,” Cyrus told her, feeling a lot better that she had agreed.

“Alright,” she told him and then let out a laugh. “Since when are you assertive?”

“Me?” Cyrus laughed back. “Assertive as what? A leaf?”

“I’m serious, Cyrus,” Buffy told him, “you never talk like that.”

“I just really care about you and our friendship, okay?” Cyrus replied.

“Alright,” she laughed once more before growing silent. “Hey, Cyrus. Before I say goodnight, can I ask you a question, so I can sleep on it with a clear answer. It’s been bugging me.”

“Anything.”

“Do you like TJ? Like, in more than friends”

Anything but that.

Next Chapter

[banshee-cheekbones]

happy fanfic writer’s appreciation day y’all!

I’ve been a part of the Unsolved fandom since November 2017, and I continue to be staggered at just how goddamn talented this fandom is. I’ve read so, so many thousands of words of quality fic, and I wanted to share a few of my faves with you! this list includes Shyan and ot3 fics, along with a few crossovers. 

ao3 and tumblr links are both included whenever possible; please let me know if any links are incorrect or broken and I’ll update them asap. please show these authors some love and appreciation, whether it’s through a kudos, a comment or a reblog! as always, please be certain to read the tags and ratings so you have the best reading experience for yourself. 

and now, with that being said, below the cut are 70ish fics, in alphabetical order, sorted by ship!

Ryan/Sara/Shane

A Perfect Piece of Ass, Like Every Californian by beethechange. 6866 words, rated E. ao3.   “Happy birthday, Shane,” Sara says. “I got you a Ryan.”

Comments: this is just pure, unadultered smut and frankly, we don’t deserve Bee. she’s so good and this is so good.

Civil Discussion by ricky_goldsworth. 1854 words, rated E. ao3. “Sara,” Ryan says, very seriously. “You can have sex anywhere, if you’re determined enough.”

Comments: in real life, I have an impassioned rant ready to go at any given moment about how dumb of an idea shower sex is, but this fic almost changed my mind. it’s that incredible.

Cotton by ricky_goldsworth. 561 words, rated T. ao3. It starts on a Saturday night.

Comments: clothes sharing is my favorite trope of all time, and this was super sweet and perfect.

Daisy Canfield Will Have Her Revenge On Los Angeles by ricky_goldsworth. 5852 words, rated T. ao3.  Once Sara becomes a permanent addition to the True Crime crew, it’s inevitable that she ends up roped into the filming for the next season of Supernatural, too.

Comments: This is the first ot3 fic I ever read and it made me fall in love with them. The dynamic is spot-on, and the way they fall together is very sweet and natural. 

ghoooOOOooost.mov by ElasticElla. 1542 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr.  "Did I tell you Shane and I might’ve caught a ghost on video?”

Comments: not only does this fic have one of the best titles that I’ve ever seen, but I’m a sucker for Ryan being stuck on Sara and Shane, and this fic is a nice twist on that!

hands to the sky (show me that you're mine) by angelsaves. 3631 words, rated E. ao3.   Sara fills in for Shane on a Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural shoot, and she and Ryan totally see a ghost. The only way to keep it from infiltrating their nightmares is, of course, cuddling.

Comments: I love, love this, especially the Ryan/Sara dynamic! 

Ryan/Shane

a breath of myth and mystery by abovetheruins. 8295 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr. At first Shane has no idea what the whole song and dance routine is about. All he sees is the familiar broad span of Ryan's back, the dimples resting just above his ass, the dip of his spine, and miles of bronze skin, until Ryan nudges his hoodie further up the length of his back, wincing as he carefully maneuvers the hem over what Shane realizes aren't actually folds in the fabric but lumps beneath it.

Comments: I’ve never been a huge wing!fic person, but this fic changed my mind. it’s wonderfully written, and there’s some extremely sensual moments that were a delight to read.

(a moment) by thisissirius. 1437 words, rated G. ao3.   Ryan is shivering when they get back to the motel. 

comments: Look, you can never have enough huddling for warmth! this is extremely sweet and fluffy.

and all the birds have flown by anarchetypal. 1575 words, rated M. ao3. Detective Madej knows Ryan Bergara is guilty, but there’s no evidence. Nothing will stick to him. He’s like smoke, and Shane can’t catch him.

Comments: I love a good serial killer au, and this is right up there. the narration is very different and unique, and I dig it.

and i'm puffing my chest, getting red in the face by pissedofsandwich. 6052 words, rated T. ao3.  Or: Shane is definitely not at all jealous of how close Zack and Ryan are getting during the making of Sports Conspiracies. Except that he is.

Comments: I love jealous Shane, and I love Zack Evans, and this fic has a multitude of both. the ending is fantastic.  

Back to You by punk_rock_yuppie. 6168 words, rated T. ao3 & tumblr. Shane wakes up and knows immediately that something is wrong.

Comments: this fic punched me in the heart. it’s a little bit angsty and a little bit bittersweet and extremely good. 

Be Your Teenage Dream Tonight by hapakitsune. 4203 words, rated E. ao3.   Shane wears a cheerleader outfit for #content and things get weird.

Comments: have you ever wondered if there was smut involving That cheerleader outfit? I’m here to tell you that yes, there is, and it is amazing. 

but still let me tell you that i love who you are by BooyahFordhamYacht. 1136 words, rated G. ao3. Or, five voicemails from Ryan that Shane refuses to delete.

Comments: I’m a sucker for 5+1 style fics, and the concept of this one is honestly adorable. 

cat(astrophe) by ElasticElla. 3218 words, rated T. ao3 & tumblr. “She’s hideous. And she doesn’t blink,” Ryan says, and just to spite him, the cat looks up and slowly blinks.

Comments: this fic is absolutely adorable. not only does Ella write the boys super well, but she also perfectly nails the mannerisms of a cat.

City of Angels by carrieonfighting. 2765 words, rated T. ao3.   Alternatively, two dorks skip work and go to the beach and don't even realise it's a date.

Comments: I’m a sucker for little slice of life fics, and this is absolutely wonderful. It also makes me want to move to Los Angeles.  

Coffee by YogurtTime. 2628 words, rated T. ao3 & tumblr. "Sometimes Shane taps a set of fingers against his hip to get him to move; there’s no time for words when you’re clocking eight orders every five minutes between 7 and 10 A.M even if the touch lingers and Ryan feels the touch burn until the end of his shift."

Comments: Look y’all, I’m also sucker for coffee shop AUs and this one is perfect. their dynamic is complicated and feels super natural, and the ending is very soft. 

Collateral Damage by istie. 5801 words, rated E. ao3 & tumblr.  Shane learns to walk in heels for a video - not just walk in them, but murder strut. Ryan doesn't want to admit he's into it, but ... he's really, really into it.

Comments: so y’all know that video about Shane walking in heels? this fic came first. it is hilarious and smutty and perfectly characterized, and comes complete with a cake recipe!

didn't know that i was starving (til i tasted you) by abovetheruins. 5289 words, rated E. ao3.  He was never like this, before. He’d always had the hunger under control, didn’t need to feed often or much at all unless he had gone too long without. Food sustained him just as well, though it never did quite sate that itch, the craving for skin and sweat, breath and heat.

Comments: I didn’t know that I needed incubus Ryan until this fic, but not only is it quite hot, it’s also surprisingly sweet and domestic!

First Anniversary. 1750 words, rated G. ao3. Shane's distracted, it's their first anniversary and Ryan doesn't even seem to remember.

Comments: This fic has been orphaned on ao3, but it’s very sweet, and I love the anniversary gifts! 

first, i have to be alone with you by alvaughn. 2144 words, rated M. ao3. Shane’s surprised Ryan hasn’t noticed.

Comments: Shane discovers Ryan’s choking kink and I am very into it.

From a Kiss to a Thrill by punk_rock_yuppie. 1602 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr.  He’s sculpted and fit and the fact that he can throw Shane around like it’s nothing is just fucking great.

Comments: Did someone say size kink? The dirty talk in this is blistering.

fuck you (Can I Have This Dance?) by punk_rock_yuppie. 2565 words, rated E. ao3 & tumblr.   It starts in a bathroom and ends in Ryan's bed.

Comments: This is smut, pure and simple, folks. Very, very good smut. I won’t be able to listen to a certain Nine Inch Nails song again without thinking of it. 

ghosts can’t pick up power drills (probably) by anarchetypal. 1193 words, rated M. ao3. “What you’re suggesting is that we have sex in the exact spot where a dude was once brutally murdered with a power drill. That is what you’re suggesting to me right now.”

Comments: there is some a+ banter in this, and it’s a good fun fic!

he shoots, he scores by ElasticElla. 2417 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr. If it wasn’t for basketball, he wouldn’t know exactly how good Ryan looks after scoring the winning point.

Comments: this fic was a present for me, and what a marvelous present. Shane fawning over how Ryan looks playing basketball, plus frottage? it’s truly wonderful.

Hold Your Breath, It Gets Better by beethechange. 10297 words, rated E. ao3.  Comments and summary: Essentially, Shane discovers Ryan’s anal beads. Shenanigans ensue. Very well-written, ludicrously hot shenanigans. 

Honey. 2472 words, rated M. ao3.  Alternatively: Ryan Bergara seizes the moment.

Comments: another orphaned fic. One of the tags on this is ‘sensuality’ and honestly, what an accurate tag. The first kiss in this is a+. 

Hot Scary Summer by thewindupbird. 11626 words, rated E. ao3.  The boys hunt some ghosts, make some impulsive choices, and try their best to sort out what it means to get to the heart of this thing.

Comments: The way this author writes kills me. The details, how thoroughly they get into both of their heads, the analysis of their relationship, it’s all so damn good. 

I love your bones (series) by thewindupbird. 32,357 words across three works, rated E. ao3. 

Comments: the precursors to Maelstrom, these fics are bittersweet and beautiful and painful, all in the best way possible.

if we’re gonna do this, we gotta do it now by floatingonthelehigh. 3331 words, rated T. ao3.  Shane gets Ryan to come to an old abandoned house with him. One of them, and you'll never guess who, gets more than a little freaked out. Featuring: pure terror! confessions of love! and a somewhat-terrifying framed photograph of a woman!

Comments: this is such a cute fic, with an exceptionally soft Shane just wanting to be alone with Ryan. it’s so fluffy.

if you believe in magic by abovetheruins. 2908 words, rated E. ao3.  Ryan has this theory – just the one, because it’s the only one that makes sense. Not that it actually does make sense, because… well, it doesn’t. Shane will say that it doesn’t, anyway. He’ll say that it’s ridiculous, that it’s illogical, that the only reason it exists in the first place is because it strokes Ryan’s ego, and hey, he’s not wrong.

Comments: this is a last minute addition, because I read it last night and my brain just kinda shouted hot damn the entire time. 

if you love me, come clean by juniperProse. 765 words, rated T. ao3.   Four times Ryan felt absolutely in love with Shane Madej, and one time he (accidentally) told him so.

Comments: I have a soft heart and fluff makes me happy, so this definitely made me happy.

i’ll hold your hand (but only if you want me to) by cactsu. 4466 words, rated E. ao3. (basically based on the ‘I’m pretending to be your bf because you looked VERY uncomfortable with that person at the bar hitting on you’ prompt)

Comments: Look, I’m a big fan of that trope, so I really enjoyed this!

i'll tell you about the magic (it'll free your soul) (series) by  punk_rock_yuppie. 18260 words across three works, rated E. ao3.  A variety of magical creatures inhabit the earth: werewolves, sirens, and faeries, oh my! The LA Buzzfeed office is chockful of these creatures; here are some of the shenanigans they get up to.

Comments: Features telepath Ryan, demon Shane and some delightful BuzzFeed shenanigans! 

I’m Gonna Keep You in Love with Me (for a While) by beethechange. 21847 words, rated E. ao3.  Comments and summary: Every fandom needs a married in Vegas fic. This is that fic for the Unsolved fandom. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read. Bee writes developing relationships like no one else. 

i’m lost without you by bodhirookes. 7213 words, rated M. ao3.  Ryan's weekend long Star Wars marathon gets interrupted when Shane starts throwing rocks at his window, and it only gets better from there. As in, lots of boys crying and having life-affirming sex and Jake Bergara kicking ass and taking names better.

Comments: There seem to be surprisingly few high school aus in this fandom, but this one is A+. It’s perfectly sweet and nostalgic. 

In These Frozen and Silents Nights by beethechange. 25257 words. ao3 & tumblr. Planning a shoot at a remote cabin in Vermont the week before Christmas wasn't Ryan’s best-ever idea. Taking a leisurely walk in a blizzard wasn't Shane’s. Scrap the ep, there’s a new plan: survive the storm, stay warm, try not to kill each other, and figure some shit out along the way.

Comments: If you love Shyan in general or snowed-in fics in particular, you need to do yourself a favor and read this. The characterization is nothing less than perfect, it made me laugh, it gave me emotions... this fic is essentially perfect. The comment I left on it is embarassingly long and rambling.

it started like this by sky_somedays. 2465 words, rated T. ao3.   Shane thinks that if he can just pin down when it started, maybe he can do something about it. Think himself out of it, somehow. Understand the problem to solve the problem.

Comments: this fic feels like a series of vignettes, documenting some moments in their friendship/relationship, and the writing style is fantastic.

keep you like an oath by spoopyy. 11850 words, not rated. ao3.  "I'm in love with you," Ryan says, desperate.

"No, you're in love with the views."

Comments: Fake relationships and couples getting handcuffed together for 24 hours, with a dash of angst? What’s not to love?

Maelstrom by thewindupbird. 40433 words, rated M. ao3.  Here’s the thing about driving halfway across the country to see someone. You can’t really deny, after that, that you’re pretty much head over heels for them.

Comments: I can’t put my feelings about this fic into proper words. Please just know that it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever read, and that’s including published works. 

Maple Close (series). 5450 words across three fics, rated E. ao3.

Comments: an orphaned series, but the author is absolutely amazing. This series is about Shane and Ryan growing up together, and it’s beautiful, and the nostalgia is utterly magnificent. like childhood friends? how can you go wrong?

Missed by ricky_goldsworth. 547 words, rated T. ao3.  Aren't you tired every day? / 'Cause I run through your brain / Hold me down, keep me safe

Comments: the opening line of this fic is one of the most beautiful sentences I’ve ever read, and the whole thing is utterly gorgeous.

naked love (don’t you dress it up) by abovetheruins. 5107 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr.

Comments and summary: The summary is a bit long for this post, but essentially, Ryan finds out that Shane likes to walk around his apartment naked. Wonderful shenanigans ensure. The fic is truly a delight. 

Netflix by YogurtTime. 958 words, rated M. ao3 & tumblr.  "A lot of people liked great movies. None of those people were Shane."

Comments: The prose in this is super unique, and the way they bond over movies is lovely.

oblivion by rocketshiptospace. 2546 words, rated G. ao3. “So, how long have you and Shane been dating?” Jen asks.

Comments: this is so damn fluffy in the best way possible and features a marvelous cameo from Jen. It’s adorable.

one, two, three by adelaidebabe. 3957 words. ao3. ao3.  Shane's a dancer with a dance competition the next day. Ryan's still a ghost hunter. The theater may or may not be haunted. (It's not.)

Comments: I love dancer!Shane, and we all know that I love meet-cutes, so this is perfect for both of those.

only a week by Hugabug. 663 words, rated G. ao3 & tumblr. How lucky I am, that I have something that makes saying goodbye oh so very painful.

Comments: this fic is so sweet and cute, dear god. Give me all the fluff.

our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations by ElasticElla. 3442 words, rated T. ao3 & tumblr. Live interviewing always carries an inherent risk. A stupid, unnecessary risk if you asked Ryan. May the record show, that it was in fact Shane’s brilliant idea to do a live video q&a.

Comments: I love everything Ella writes, and this is no exception. the kiss towards the end of this fic is amazing and the banter back and forth is so good.

Por Favor, Sweetheart by carrieonfighting. 759 words, rated T. ao3.   Two dorks raise a baby and don't even realise they're doing it together until it's too late. 

Comments: I normally don’t like kid!fic very much but good god, this thing is utterly beautiful. It made me bawl. 

Shut Me Up by YogurtTime. 6274 words, rated E. ao3.  "You never seem to shut up when I'm touching you." Shane and Ryan play a very very terribly executed rendition of the quiet game.

Comments: This fic is incredibly NSFW and is absolutely amazing. And the ending made me burst out into hysterical laughter. 

snowed in. 1424 words, rated E. ao3.

Comments: The ‘being snowed in together’ trope is one of my favorites, and this was actually written for a prompt I left at the kink meme, so I was guaranteed to love it.

the calm before crescendo by abovetheruins. 6731 words, rated M. ao3.  Alternate title: 5 times Shane Madej was flustered by Ryan Bergara, and 1 time he finally did something about it.

Comments: I’m just such a damn sucker for pining Shane. The sequel to this fic (lights and thunder) is also magnificent. 

The Denial Twist by beethechange. 35108 words, rated E. ao3.  Or, the one where Shane and Ryan have some really weird dreams and perhaps, eventually, some sex.

Summary: One of my top five favorites in the fandom. The concept is a+, and this fic made me burst out into cackling laughter multiple times. Truly a delight.

The Devil Went Down to Denton by ricky_goldsworth. 27771 words as of the time of this list, still ongoing. rated M. ao3. A supernatural punk rock story about boys in bands, their immortal souls, and poor decisions made therein.

Comments: I love this fic. It’s got found family, pulp realism, demon Shane and boys in a punk band, and Gray writes Zack so well that I fell in love with him. 

the serial killer ryan quartet (series) by ElasticElla. 10,263 words across four fics, rated E. ao3 & tumblr. 

Comments: this series is exactly what it says on the tin and it is fantastic, but also extremely intense, so please mind the tags!

thin ice by rocketshiptospace. 1529 words, rated G. ao3.  Or, the boys end up frozen and wet after a disasterous shoot in the woods. Shane helps Ryan get warm again.

Comments: I fucking love huddling for warmth, and this is Perfect.

Things That Go Bump in the Night (and 7 till 12 at weekends) by HoopyFrood. 4558 words, rated G. ao3.  Shane works at a Haunted House. Ryan is Ryan. Things go about as well as you'd imagine.

Comments: if y’all like meet-cute fic, then boy do I have the fic for you. this was one of the first fics I read in the fandom and it is adorable.

tongues on electric sockets by ElasticElla. 1702 words, rated T. ao3 & tumblr.   It’s been not-raining over the dog park for eight weeks now. All of the council members say to ignore it, the unknown will fix it when they deign to.

Comments: sort of a WTNV fusion, this fic is super unique and atmospheric and spooky.

Untitled Tumblr Fic by en-sam-malas. 908 words, rated G (I think), tumblr. Written for the prompt Shyan and drunken confessions. 

Comments: Have I ever mentioned how much I love love confessions? This is fluffy and sweet and I adore it.

Untitled Tumblr Fic by en-sam-malas. 714 words, rated G. tumblr. Comments: there’s lots of hand-holding and fluff here, and it made me cry from joy. 

Untitled Tumblr Fic by theawfuledges. 934 words. tumblr. Written for the prompt ‘making out in the forest on the bigfoot hunt because too much beer’.

Comments: look, I just love fics that involve making out, and this is genuinely perfect.

Vampire by YogurtTime. 1022 words, rated E, ao3 & tumblr. "The first time Ryan had kissed him, he’d tasted the murder on Ryan’s tongue."

Comments: I’m a simple person: I love vampire aus, and this is a beautifully gory, perfect one.

waiting here for catastrophe by anarchetypal. 2140 words, rated M. ao3. “Ryan.” Shane breaks off and sits down again, slides his chair closer to Ryan’s, stares him down. “God, fuck, look at me, okay, I did this. I did this, this is my case, this is mine, everything you’re talking about—”

Comments: another serial killer au, this time with a dash of humor! the dialogue in this is on point, and it’s a really interesting variation on the au!

walking in the wind. 2853 words, rated M. ao3. In which Shane and Ryan go on a hundred dates and fall in love along the way.

Comments: I love everything about this fic. The concept is A+ and the ending made me cry in the best possible way.

wasted on you by cursingcursive. 1950 words, rated M. ao3.  there's a reason shane loves when ryan wears his clothes.

Comments: look, I just love clothes sharing so goddamn much. I can’t help it. 

wear it well by ElasticElla. 2171 words, rated T. ao3.  Summary & comments: this is basically a serial killer au with clothes sharing. Obviously I loved it.

what’s the point of this again? by touchinghearts. 9317 words, rated T. ao3.  When Ryan invites Shane back for a holiday week to meet his family during a big reunion, it doesn’t even occur to Shane that it could be a big deal.

Comments: I love family fics, and oh boy does this deliver. Ryan’s family is such a delight in this, and seeing Shane become part of the family made my heart skip a beat. 

YELLOW SQUARE by dejavu. 15915 words, rated M. ao3. (Or; Ryan and Shane spend four nights in one haunted house—four nights twisting closer to either each other, or insanity)

Comments: this fic is absolutely incredible. the suspense is built up really well, the chemistry is incredible, and the first kiss stopped my heart.

you can take off your skin in the cannibal glow by ElasticElla. 3172 words, rated E. ao3 & tumblr.  Ryan refuses to believe it at first, despite the mounting evidence.

Comments: another vampire Ryan fic and per usual, the banter is spot-on.

Ryan/Shane/Zack

i'd love to hold you close, tonight and always by ElasticElla. 1304 words, rated E. ao3 & tumblr.  Or: sometimes Ryan just really needs to get fucked.

Comment: Ella is a gift. the fact I managed to write a coherent comment about this fic is a miracle, because it fried my brain. it continues to fry my brain when I go back and revisit it.

Ryan/Steven

I Stop Breathing when You Smile by punk_rock_yuppie. 2135 words, rated G. ao3 & tumblr. Ryan unwittingly falls in love with Steven's smile.

Comments: I am contractually obliged to fall in love with a rarepair in every fandom I join, and here’s one example. This fic is absolutely fluffy and so damn sweet. 

Ryan/Zack

building up that anticipa- by ElasticElla. 666 words, rated M. ao3.  “What kinda favor would you like then?” Zack asks, eyes dragging down in a way that makes Ryan wanna toss all his morals out the window.

Comments: the frat boy au of my dreams that managed to wreck me in under 700 words. 

Shane/Steven

after the storm (your body feels so warm) by cathect. 1394 words. rated G. ao3.   or, the one where Steven is afraid of thunderstorms.

Comments: I’m in love with this fic and how soft and sweet it is. 

[sweetpxsin]

Soulmate au! Lee Felix

•Requested:Keeyakeeya (from wattpad)

•Member:Lee Felix

•Genre:fluff // soulmate au!

•Plot:Felix and reader meet by chance and he’s all cute and shy (like Chan’s soulmate au)

•A/N: bruhhhh someone tell me what sleep is cause I don’t know what it is anymore 4hrs daily my dudes what’s good(this isn’t even related to the fic I’m sorry) Also I made this a soulmate AU to injure two birds with one stone(don’t kill kids) Also  I just decided to use blue because felix has brown eyes // [ Master list // request box:open // Guide lines ]

•There was multiple ways that connected soulmates

•Some were more common than others

•Like having a flower tattoo that connected you to your soul mate  or having time stop when you both touch for the first time [ wink wonk ;))))) ]

•And there were less common and more rare ones

•The one you so happened to have was one of the more rare ones

•Heterochromia was what connected you to your soulmate

•Basically one of your eyes was your own eye color while the other eye had  another color that perfectly matched with your soulmate

•And when you met your soulmate your eye that had a different color from your own would have a mix of the two colors (look at moodboard for reference; top left corner)

•But what was tricky about this was that specks of your natural eye color would appear on the eye if you were near them, you never knew who your soulmate was till you made full direct eye contact with the other only then your eyes would change simultaneously

•personally you liked the deep blue eye you sported along with your brown eye

•and never wanted to cover it up with a contact lense

•It had caught a lot of attention towards you having growing up with people who predominantly had only one eye color

•Though as you grew old you did have a small insecurity about it because a couple of jerk kids would call you weird

•But it never pushed you to get contacts like some people had done

•Anyways that was the only way you could find out if someone was your soulmate so the chances of you finding him/her was pretty low

•CONSIDERING LITERALLY EVERYONE AROUND YOU HAD ONE EYE COLOR and because some people had natural heterochromia that didn’t attach them to a soulmate

•Ahem...anyways although the chances were so low you didn’t mind whether or not you or you soulmate had found each other because it wasn't’ your dream or main priority in the first place

•You wanted be a producer with your own studio

•matter of fact you had written and produced a couple hot mixtapes with some underground artists

•With that some companies were pretty interested in you but of course you never signed because you didn’t wanna be signed to a contract

•But you did work with them a couple time if you really wanted to because kpop didn’t really mix with your style (think Jake Hill and 3racha)

•So once you got a email from JYP you almost thought it was a joke

•cause like no way would your music style ever mix with his idols styles

•But apparently the email was real and that he wanted you to collab with his newest upcoming group Stray kids

•You had no freaking idea who Stray kids was so you looked them up and decided to give them a try because you actually liked their music

•Once you met up at the jyp building you felt hella out of place because everyone was dressed so nicely while you wore ripped jeans, a graphic hoodie with a denim jacket over it paired with basic vans

•You also felt out of place because the staff just looked at you before whispering to the person next to them rather than just walking  by or greeting you

•but by the time the 3 boys had entered you soon felt back in and place

•they didn’t dress super nice they dressed casually and you liked that

•The whole time you worked with Jisung, Chan and Changbin they were super sweet and never once brought up the difference in your eye color

•okay no that one's  a lie, Jisung did once but it was just to compliment you

•But that’s not the point so far the whole day had managed to be super productive you were able to work on the beats yourself, mixing some of their style with yours

•of course you called them back a couple time to asked them what they thought and you were ecstatic to know they liked it so far

•But somewhere during the time you were working by yourself someone had abruptly opened the door and you had thought it would have been Jisung considering he was rather energetic but when you turned your head you were met with a new face

•”O-Oh I’m sorry I thought Chan was here.”

•And with that he closed the door just as abruptly as he had opened it

•You  decided to just brush it off and go back to your own work

•On the flip side the boy who had abruptly walked in on you was having a mini heart attack as he looked for this beloved leader

•Once he had found Chan he quickly spilled the scenario to him in a rush of  English and Korean

•”Felix calm down I can’t understand you.”

•”I SAID I ACCIDENTLY RAN INTO ONE OF THE PRODUCERS WORKING THINKING YOU WERE IN THERE! YOU SAID YOU WERE WORKING IN THAT ROOM YOU BETRAYED ME HOW COULD YOU!”

•”First of all I was in there and secondly what’s up with you did your contact fall out or something??”

•If there was one thing you should know about Felix was that he appreciated the idea of  soulmates

•and although he totally loved the deep blue his left eye possessed his parents made him cover it with a dark brown contact that matched his own to avoid complications

•Though he still wanted to find his soulmate, so he'd sometimes purposely forgot to wear his contacts because the public eye had ever witnessed him with his blue eye and just assumed it was a contact in itself

•That was one thing he could defiantly thank his parents for

•But to know there was something off about his blue eye made him smile with a warm fuzzy feeling

•quickly grabbing his phone he opened the camera and nearly dropped it seeing the hints of brown that speckled in his once naturally blue eye

•but just as quickly has his heart skipped a beat it had fallen to the pits of his stomach

•how in the world was he supposed to know who he looked in the eye to cause his eye to change

•For all he could know his soulmate could have been covering their eye or had accidentally made eye contact with him when he wasn’t playing much attention to it

•Feeling a sudden drop in Felix’s mood Chan couldn’t help but slightly pity the boy having that he went through almost the same thing

•”Actually the producer we’re working with has a deep blue eye but I’m not sure if their just born with it or it has something to do with soulmates.”

•Immediately Felix perked up at the sound of the  statement and instantly thanked his mother…(I meant chan but I’m keeping that right there…) before slouching once again

•”I  don’t know what they look like.”

•”Dude we’re literally working with them it’s not like your is from a different company”

•”Yeah but what if they’re just born with it?”

•Rolling his eyes Chan left the boy to mope in his own thoughts not knowing how to cheer him up any longer

•With a sigh Felix soon left the building remembering that he was going to head to some new pop up stores with Jisung,  Seungmin, and Jeongin

•By the time him and the other three boys had headed out to the chilly streets of Seoul the idea of soulmates had left this mind

•Especially since the whole time they were just having fun, being goofy while dancing around or randomly singing parodies about how hungry they were, like normal teenagers

•Though in one store while Felix was looking through vinyls he had bumped into another person and once he turned to see them he notice how their once blue eye suddenly had a hint of brown appear in it

•”O-Oh um sorry I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

•”I-It’s alright really.”

•Their voice sounded like music to Felix’s ears and he wanted nothing more than to confront them about their eye

•But it was hard when he had decided to cover his eyes with a contact

•”...u-hm I don’t mean to come off rude by you-”

•”(y/n)!”

•Both of your eyes shot towards the owner of the voice before you quickly excused yourself to catch up with friend  

•Not feeling in the place to stop you he stood there quietly scratching the back of his head

•Despite losing his chance of talking to you, he couldn’t help but smile a little to him

•”(y/n) huh?”

•He barely knew you but he already loved the way your name rolled perfectly off his tongue

•Shaking his head he allowed things to be the way they were and found his friends to  just have fun tonight and worry about confronting you later

•The next day Felix and the other 5 other boys had been called into the studio for recording

•at first Felix didn’t bother to pay attention to new person that was sitting considering he was in a very enthusiastic  conversation with Changbin

•and well because their back was facing him

•But his attention was all theirs once they had turned around to introduce themselves.

•”Hello I’m (Your full name) I hope we can work well together.”

•Your eye was a dead give away and your name only confirmed his thoughts further

•But at that exact moment something came over Felix and he no longer wanted to confront you about it

•”Let’s see...Let’s start with Felix.”

•Getting up with a little bounce he walked towards the door and confidently walked to the mic

•”Shall we try it now?”

•Felix gave you a little nod along with a small thumbs and his heart fluttered upon seeing a small smile appeared on your face before you turned on the music and started recording

•Once you stopped the recording you tilted your head slightly

•”It’s really good but something seems off..”

•You looked at where Felix was and evaluated the space he was in before immediate standing up and entering the recording room to fix his mic to his height

•In that same time Felix took the time to rush a small conversation with you

•”Aye how could a professional like you forget? It’s because I’m super cute right?”

•”No- Wai-t Yes- WAIT NO- not in that way.”

•Your face instantly heated up and you chose to be quiet and quickly fix his mic before scurrying out of the room to finish up his recording

•”Alright let’s try this again.”

•Hitting record you loved the sound of his voice more now that the mic was actually leveled with his height and instantly went into doubling it

•Once Felix was done you went to change the mics height but on the way in Felix was on his way out and managed to mumble a compliment you on your way

•”You look really cool there.”

•Brushing passed him you couldn't help feel your heartbeat acclerate as you fumbled to fix the mix for Hyunjin

•You thought he was just saying but he meant it in all honesty

•The whole time you working he couldn’t take his eyes off you

•Like honestly he was watching talent at it’s best right in front of him

•And when day of recording came to an end he was still amazed with you and the best part was that JYP was letting you work with them this whole album

•And if you’re not getting the hint now it meant Felix had the whole time to subtly flirt with you

•He did exactly that, but not to the point you were uncomfortable

•Besides the whole time he did flirt with you, it’d be something super cute or cheesy

•The members even caught on to what he was doing and even shipped it to the point of small teasing

•Though you only started to thinking about having feelings for Felix when you had to work with him late at night because he was having trouble with one of his parts

•you ended up sitting with him, helping him with the tone he need  to use for the song

•and by the time he had gotten it down it was already late so you told him to go home

•he had left but came back soon with drinks, food and a blanket

•he draped the blanket over you and opened your food and drink for you

•and the whole time he didn’t say a lot but he didn’t need to because his presence was just nice (?)

•I mean you were still young and having to stay alone every night trying to achieve your dream got lonely and dull sometimes

•and the fact he stayed by your side while occasionally asking you if you were okay the whole time you were working made your heart flutter

•and what sealed the deal was when you wrapped up to go back home Felix stood up with you and kissed your forehead while mumbling goodnight before telling you to go home safely

•The next day you couldn’t help but smile back at him as he waved at you with the widest smile

•but in the back of your head you couldn’t help but regret that today would be the last day you’d be working with them

•and in all honesty everything was going really well till Felix started to whine about something

•at first you paid no attention to it thinking the members would help him with what was wrong

•but it got progressively louder to the point you had to turn around to see what was wrong

•and when you turned around you just saw Felix lying on the couch with the boys surrounding himself as he went on about something being in his eye

•and how it really hurt

•since they weren’t really doing anything you stood up to help the poor boy

•when you get to him you noticed how puffy and wet his eyes were from being irritated

•So you went to pull away his hand that was rubbing at his eye

•but when you did your breath caught in your throat

•It took you awhile to notice the huge smile on his face and once you did you couldn't help but mimic his smile

•”you sly little-”

•”I know I’m awesome right.”

•You rolled your eyes and playfully hit the boy despite the amount of joy coursing through your veins that  almost uncontrollable

•Pulling you into a tight hug Felix showered your face in kisses happy to know that the feelings he shared were mutual

•and suddenly today wasn’t as bad as it would have been

•sure it was your last day working with Felix and Stray kids

•But it wasn’t the end of you seeing them

•You never signed with JYP as a producer but you did drop by often if the boys had difficulties, or had been practicing for a while and you wanted to bring them food

•But it just another excuse to see Felix since he was the most precious thing ever

•It didn’t matter how late he would practice he would never miss a day to visit you and stay up late waiting for you to finish  so he could cuddle with you back at your apartment or the dorm

•If you were feeling super unmotivated in your work he’d always be there to bring you up and vise versa

•He had managed to change your own perspective on soulmates and you really grew to admire him

•But besides all that serious stuff the both of you were just super fluff balls together

•If you ever came over just to hangout or with food without fail Felix would always pull you in between his lap with his arms wrapped slowly around your waist

•And if he was just watching you work he’d always get lost in your eyes because he always thought your eye was a pretty shade of blue (even though it was the exact same color..)

•Highkey loves it when he manages to gets you all shy and embarrassed

•But you always manage to make him super soft by composing cute little things for him

•and even taking the time out of your day to teach him how to produce too (and he’d always get lost because he’s too busy staring at you lovingly because he’d love just how much your eyes sparkled when you talked about stuff like this)

•Overall both of you were just super soft for the other

[beaubcxton]

‘And that’s your cue.’ ( Jily )

An au where you try out for auditions and you’re really scared but then this cute guy calms you down and then what? 

A/N: Here’s the au that no one asked for. @youreyesinstarsabove this is for you. There’s hardly any fluff here but if you wait, you shall see. (is that vague enough?) I wrote this in a few hours so dont judge me xxxx

 Lily Evans has not been living her dream. Neither her vision of what constituted a dream and what not. For starters, she still lived with her friend, Marlene and she was reminded of this fact every weekend at night. And there’s the issue with her job. Life would like to say it bit her in the ass when she found out she was working for Severus Snape- the creep who stalked her when they were children. She had taken the job, still because money? In this economy was a rarity.

Life had kicked and laughed at her but she raised a finger- it was her favorite one-, dusted her skirt and strode away. You could say, she was holding life by the balls when she took matters into her own hands.

After her parents died, she had spent hours wondering what to do with the money they left for her.

Petunia had shown up for the funeral and sniffed when she caught sight of Lily’s clothing or rather lack of mourning clothes.

“A shame, Lily. What would our parents say?”

“I think-“  Lily bit out, furious that even the matter of mourning was a competition to her sister. “-that they would be rather happy that I haven’t got a stick in my ass.”

True to her nature, Petunia had balked at her in disgust and swept away, adamant not to be seen involved with her freak of a sister.

She could almost hear the hearty laugh of her father. And suddenly, she knew what she had to do.

So here she was, dressed in a lousy blouse and tight jeans, in a hall where the auditions for a French play’s cast were being held. Only the residue of courage lingered in her as the prospect of what she was about to face wore her. She fans her face- why was it so bloody hot?

“Jenna Mackenly.”

The name sends another jolt to her and she shuts her eyes so she doesn’t have to see her clammed up hands and her shivering legs.

“Hey.”

Jumping, she takes a glance at the man next to her and immediately freezes. Sure, its bloody dark and she can barely see him but to the gods, if he wasn’t fit as hell. Brown eyes blinked at her and his jaw- one that could melt hafnium ( sue her, she’s a nerd)- tilts.  He’s holding a plate of French fries and offers them to her which she declines.

“You nervous?”

She nods.

He takes her silence in stride. Perhaps, he’s used to girls fawning over him and being shitting messes. “You don’t need to worry much. Just look at that- he points to a light behind him- and sing. The judges are a bunch of cranky wankers-“ She huffs a laugh here because they indeed were; Several of them looked almost bored as the poor girl sang shrilly- “so don’t bother looking at them, yeah?”

The advice takes a moment to settle in but once it does, she murmurs out a soft thank you.

“Ah.” His eyes lit up and their close proximity enables her to see the flecks of gold swimming in them. “She speaks.”

“She is Lily Evans.”

“And he is James Potter. Not the judge, I meant me. Ugh, I am so not cool.”

She lets out a giggle. “It’s alright. I’m used to boys being stuttering messes around me.”

Laughter erupts from him and the girl on stage pauses briefly before continuing. “Says the girl who was in awe of me just a few seconds ago.”

“Excuse me if I didn’t know what to say to a stranger.”

He smiles like a wolf. “Well, I’m not a stranger anymore, am I?”

And then, like the wanker he is, he shifts as if he knows she going to gulp when she sees his muscles flex. Chuckling, he deems that the act of teasing her would not go well in his favor and asks, “What are you doing here?”

She cocks an eyebrow at him. “I’m going to sing.”

A blush stains his cheek. “I know that. I meant, why are you here?”

Despite the flow of ridiculous questions, she says, “I always wanted to be a singer. There’s something beautiful about the way you can control your voice and direct it to flow, you know? Music, it’s a piece of art that goes in the ears and straight to your heart, clanging through your blood as it does so. Everyone’s born with a song and ahh, it’s a channel to release your anxiety.”

He hums. “Have you thought of becoming a writer too?”

Again, he offers her the plate. She picks one fry and chews it. “Did you know French fries have actually no French origin?”

Surprised, she says, “I do.” And like the sap she is, she blushes. Quickly getting back on topic: “I work for a magazine, actually.”

“Which one?”

“Echos.”

James immediately recoils. “You work for Snape?”

“Yeah.”

“Ughhh. And here, I thought you were a decent bird.”

She should have rebuked him. She really should have. That’s what a decent employee would do but she hated Snape as much, if not more than he did. It's not unexpected that the public detests Snape. When Severus was a journalist, several protests were his doing as his articles were usually along the lines of ‘NO place for immigrants.’ ‘The possibilities if the blacks are once again oppressed.’ It hurt Lily’s conscience that she had to work for a man like him but her bank account needed it.

Lily shoves him by the shoulder. “Oh shut up. Not all of us are rich, Mr. Posh.”

“Mr. Posh?” He barks a laugh. “That’s a new one.”

“Shush. It’s because of that perfume you’re wearing.” She remarks, rather reluctantly. His odor was rather intoxicating. It was a mixture of ink and cookies but she interrupted when she saw his mouth form an arrogant grin. “What do you work as?”

“Lily Evans.”

Fudge.

James pushes her a little. “You can do this.”

She can do it. She was Lily Evans according to her birth certificate, not Quitter Evans so, hands sweating alongside wobbly knees, she glided through the silence and assumed her position on stage.

“What song are you going to sing for us?’

“Greek Tragedy by the Wombats.”

One of the judges blinked at her and yawned. “Well, go ahead.”

Wanker.

Stand tall, her mother used to say. Chest open, head back, relax and let your voice flow.

So she sang. The stumbling croak soon dissolved into what she hoped was the lull of a nightingale. She closed her eyes when the judges started talking to one another. She kept singing, reminded herself of a time when Petunia and her ran down to breakfast as soon as the scent of maple danced in the air. She thought of the time when she had didn’t give a damn about money and did things because she liked it. And she lingered on James, the man she’d just met who gave her the confidence to find her voice.

“That’s enough.”

Her eyes flew open and she stumbled a little.

“That was great.”

Snapping her head towards the familiar voice, her jaw almost drops.

Of course, of bloody course, James had to be a judge. Internally groaning, she mutters out thanks and stalks off stage.

He catches up with her when she’s about to leave.

“Alright, Evans?”

She offers him a reproachful eye. “I suppose it was too difficult to tell me you were a judge.”

He laughs. “Is that what got your knickers in a twist?”

Scowling, she flushes. “People probably think I was trying to.....seduce you.”

A beat of silence and then he doubles over laughing. In the light, she can fully appreciate his features. He’s better than fit. Too damn tall but his wavy and messy jet black hair make up for it. And, he’s wearing a carry on shirt. The universe hates her, she’s sure.

“Seduce?” He chokes out, finally.

Waving a hand to brush the matter away, she says as a matter of fact, “We all know I'm irresistible.”

Fondness coats his features. “That you are. I doubt you’d like to go out on a date with me, now?”

Cursing whoever bothered to add logic in her vessel, she declines the offer halfheartedly.

James takes the rejection in stride. Kissing her palm, he purrs, “Until next time?”

He smirks as she nods faintly.

 LilyEvans to MarlMc: bring ice cream.

MarlMc: bring it urself

LilyEvans: not fair. I just rejected a hot guy.

MarlMc: strawberry or vanilla?

LilyEvans: chocolate.

MarlMc: that’s not an option

Also youre a dolt.

LilyEvans: it is now.

I know.

 Marlene does not bring chocolate ice cream.

It truly is a sin but nonetheless, a sad Lily needs her ice cream so she sticks her spoon in the salted caramel ice cream. (“It’s a new flavor,” Marlene explained.) (“I was going to get a new flavor.”) (“Stop objectifying the bloke, you sap.”) (“I am not, you cynic.”)

They share ice cream that night and the following one. Marlene calling Lily a dolt after each spoon.

“You’re going to get in.”

“I sang like a crow, Marls.”

“You’ll still get in.”

“I won't. And I don’t care, either.”

Marlene made a hmph sound but if the outcome was a failure, Lily wasn’t going to wallow in her misery. She had learned something as she poured her heart out on that stage. Sometimes, you’ve gotta do things for fun even if you suck at it. Keep trying until you can proudly say, “I lowkey don’t suck. 

Someday, she’d sing in front of people who wanted to listen to her instead of three old men and one fit bloke. Someday.

And when the call came a few days later and some ass said, “You didn’t make the cut, sweetheart” and hung up, she was stung but she shrugged it off and posted a cover of her song on youtube.

  LilyEvans to MarlMc: im going out

MarlMc: u???

On a weekend?

Instead of reading??

Who are you??

LilyEvans: shut up

I have a boy to find

who’s a cute nerd

MarlMc: ashkashdihsndlksa

 “Thank you.” She held the plate of fries in her hand, silently asking herself what the frick she was doing.

Taking a deep breath, she entered the auditorium and looked around. Unlike last time, it was James that made her uneasy and not the stifling heat. His mop of hair was not to be found in the seats and the realization brought a pang to her chest.

“Looking for me?”

Spinning around, she’s faced with a very very close James.  

“James.” She breathes.

“Lily.” He responds, quirking an eyebrow. “Sorry that you didn’t get the part.”

She swallows. “It's okay. I got you some ah, fries.”

He takes the plate from her and inspects the chips, thoughtfully. So much for romantic gestures. 

“What-“

“Wanna go out with me?”

“Sure. You have my number?”

A frown tugs at her lips. “Wait, what?”

“Do you have my number?” He repeats, rather slowly, grinning at her confusion.

“You’re saying yes?”

He mocks a sigh. “Not a bright one, are you Lily?”

“What? I’ll have you know I got a degree in politics and-“

 Laughing, he gently pulls her outside and scribbles his number on her arm, his touch sending goosebumps through her blood.

“Call me?”  He imitates a phone and she lets out a laugh

Brimming with euphoria, she says, “I’ll do more if you’d like.”

And then, he kisses her.

Maybe the universe didn’t hate her after all, She’ll think months later as she rubs her belly and replies to comments on her youtube channel. 

“Hey, Lils?”

“Yeah?”

“They increased Snivellus’s jail time.”

Its bad of her to laugh but she still does. 

“Did you call the guy to fix the bed?”

Her boyfriend huffs and kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll do it myself. I’m James.”

“Exactly why I’m asking.”

Huffing, he turns but she tugs him back.

This time, she kisses him.