#also NOT looking forward to moving the cats but we will cross that bridge when we come to it | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

darktreeroots · 1 year ago

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A Very Normal Gathering

No, that isn’t meant to be irony or anything like that. I wanted to make a Gathering in the “Allseeing Eyes Close” verse and so i’ve spent...oh, the last few hours typing this up

Yellowsight steps onto the Gathering island and just about represses the urge to shake the water out of her long, patterned fur. There was a bridge, formed over generations by former warriors of BroadleafClan but ThinleafClan had gotten to it first and Vaststar wanted to make them look superior. Yellowsight could only hope that Vaststar wouldn’t do that in the middle of leafbare, but she could never be sure. Even during her moon mentored under Vaststar, she still didn’t understand the she-cat. She understood the decisions that she made, but not quite why.

Will I be the same when I become her deputy? Yellowsight thinks to herself, knowing that that future is a long way off. Vaststar is a new leader, at most on her third life and maybe even on her first still. Yellowsight has only been a warrior for a little under a year now—she’s the perfect age to become a well-respected warrior and then be Vaststar’s pick for deputy before she can pass.

Several cats behind them let out irritated hisses for a moment before Yellowsight can hear her mother stomping up to her.

“Yellowsight! You move so fast.” Beefur says, bumbling up to her youngest daughter and pressing her wet muzzle to her head, “And you’re wet. Why don’t you shake it off?”

Ah. So that’s why cats are mad at you this time.

Yellowsight glances to the side and sees Dawndew give her an amused look before turning away. Yellowsight suppresses a sigh in favor of turning back to her mother, who licks her forehead as if she’s a kit a not a full grown warrior. Honeystep and Canaryback seem to have ditched their mother when given the chance so Yellowsight continues on with her because leaving Beefur alone to her own devices was never a good idea.

“I’ll just wait for my pelt to dry. Come on mother,” Yellowsight uses her thick tail to guide her mother’s head, “Before ThinleafClan can cross the bridge.”

“I see no reason not to stay here and chat.” Beefur says, “I want to talk to Sootstorm some more. Moonleap’s has just had her second litter and I want to hear all about it.”

Yellowsight suppresses another sigh, harder this time. Clan bounders meant almost nothing to her mother (other than ‘If I cross these, then Morningstar or Vaststar will yell at me. Maybe Woodstar too) like a medicine cat but sadly she was already a mother. While ThinleafClan might have allowed Waspbloom to become a medicine cat after having kits, BroadleafClan actually obeyed the warrior code and would not allow such a thing.

There was also the point that…Beefur simply didn’t have the intelligence required to become a medicine cat. If she could tell a chub and a pike apart, then she was having a good day. She kept on hanging around with Bloodfur, despite how much the she-cat hated her and made snark remarks about her—because Beefur never ever got what she was actually saying.

It was irritating and sad, but more of the first than the second because Beefur never got it no matter how many times it was explained to her. For StarClan’s sake, Yellowsight had to explain to her mother that calling someone a Fox-heart was not the same thing as calling someone a Wolf-heart as an apprentice! Maybe Yellowsight was brought up with stories of the ancient leaders unlike Beefur, but foxes and wolves were nowhere near the same animal.

Still, despite all of that, Beefur was her mother and she wasn’t cruel. Which meant that, in the absence of her siblings, she had to watch over her mother tonight.

“We can’t just sit here or else how will ThinleafClan get onto the island?” Yellowsight says kindly, pushing her mother forward with her tail, “Come on, let’s keep walking.” Her mother falls in line beside her, chatting aimlessly. They’ve fallen to the back of the Clan, around the elders. Yellowsight chats back with her mother, pushing down her irritation.

She had wanted to stay behind Vaststar and watch her, but here she was, talking to a cat that might as well be her complete opposite.

They walk through the barrier of weeping willows and it never stops feeling as magical as it did the first time. The Gathering island is the only place in clan land that had weeping willows and each one of them circled the island, branches intertwining with each other so that it was impossible to tell when one ended and the other began.

Even her mother fell slight for a moment, arching her back to the leaves could run down her back.

“It’s perfect. Just as always.” Beefur says, blue eyes shining, “I know I’ve already told you, but this island is a big part of why I joined the clans.” Yes, you’ve told me a hundred times before, mom, “The trees and the SkyGrowth—and all the cats here at once! I had never seen so many cats in my life and especially not all at once.”

Yellowsight doesn’t stop her mother from rambling on but does tune her out, scanning the cats already on the island. LaurelClan and MarshClan had already arrived, but she couldn’t see Moonstar anywhere meaning that CloudClan hadn’t yet arrived. MountainClan wasn’t around, but Yellowsight would have been more surprised if they were here.

Beefur sits down. Yellowsight lets out a long sigh and sits with her, waiting for ThinleafClan to make it across the bridge and join them around the SkyGrowth. Yellowsight looks on at the pile of knocked over trees—seasons and seasons ago, apparently that been obvious that it had been three trees that fell into each other and continued growing, relying on each other for their existence.

(A tale that Yellowsight had had to learn from a CloudClan cat, because BroadleafClan, ThinleafClan, MarshClan, and LaurelClan didn’t tell that part of the story, most likely due to the fact that while three Clans existed at first: HillClan, MountainClan, and ForestClan. HillClan changed its name to CloudClan and MountainClan always remained the same but ForestClan did not remain. First, it was split into BroadleafClan and ThinleafClan and then part of ThinleafClan split into MarshClan which would then continue to split into LaurelClan just a few generations ago.)

Either way, the SkyGrowth was a large growth of trees, covered with vines and even a few flowers. Wherever a cat looked at it, the outline would partially cover the moon.

Yellowsight didn’t agree with her mother much, but if she were a rouge, she would also join the clans for them. The world outside the Clans was perilous—the Queen’s land was dangerous enough but beyond that there was no one to go back home to, no one to share a nest with, no one to hunt for you and no one to treat your wounds.

Yellowsight was aware of the people that her mother had lost, her sister and sister’s mate that had been lost, as well as her elder sister. Her elder sister wasn’t confirmed to be dead, however Yellowsight didn’t like her chances. Getting out of Queen’s land, with its packs of wolves and bobcats and even deer who could crush a cat underfoot, was already hard enough. The world was large and even the strongest, fastest, and most cunning could survive out there.

And it was cruel, but Yellowsight could look at her mother and go: maybe if she was taking care of her, then she could make it. But she could also look at her mother and go: maybe, if she was a bit too much like my mother, then she’s already dead. Then she died in the Queen’s land.

Beefur perks up, turning behind her to chat eagerly with Sootstorm as he pads up. The small black and gray tom smiles as he walks up, giving Yellowsight a small nod which she returns.

They don’t quite like each other, but Sootstorm is good friends with her mother and Yellowsight can ignore her distaste with a clan having a deputy such as him. Thankfully, ThinleafClan had a few deputies to make up for what he lacked, but having multiple deputies just for the sake of it was…disappointing.

ThinleafClan, the Clan that decided that they had better ideas than BroadleafClan, and torn them apart and made it so BroadleafClan couldn’t keep their original name; and, then proceeded to be unable to keep itself united once more leading to MarshClan—was the main rival of BroadleafClan and it really felt as if they didn’t deserve it.

They were lazy and sloppy and barely even kept their borders marked. Nevermind that with all their deputies and medicine cats, it was hard to keep track of which cat had power at every given moment.

So, that one Gathering where Sootstorm came up to her and asked if there was a reason she disliked him, she lied and said he didn’t. She doesn’t regret it either.

She waits for the Gathering to start as Beefur chats with Sootstorm about the new litter of cats, firmly rejecting any small talk with ThinleafClan cats (no cats from BroadleafClan wanted to go near them) and only lifting an ear when CloudClan finally arrived. Their camp was the farthest from the island and unlike LaurelClan, who was similarly far, their rivers went in the opposite direction so they would have to fight the current the entire way if they swam.

It still didn’t make her any happier that so much time had been wasted waiting for them, just to mark that there would be even more time wasted until the Gathering started. It may be needlessly cruel, but she wanted to spend this Gathering talking to people and maybe learning why CloudClan was pushing their scent lines up farther.

Instead, she was spending it watching over her mother and she couldn’t be mad at the cats who were responsible: Cardinalback has been dead for seasons now, Honeystep and Canaryback had left her with her mother, and Foxbelly had gotten himself confined to camp. However, she couldn’t redirect all her anger at him because then Vaststar would see and note on it again because she had spoken to Yellowsight about it the month she was her mentor and Yellowsight refused to ever be embarrassed like that again.

So. She cannot blame anyone for this but her mother, but blaming her mother for anything was like blaming prey for being caught: there was not a point to it, and there was no way to change anything. And also it was the best this way, because having a mother like Beefur was better than having parents like Watermist and Shadowtail from MarshClan.

“Cats of all Clans, come surround the SkyGrowth!” Vaststar yowls from the top branch, blue and orange fur outlined with white moonlight, “It is time for the Gathering to begin!

Judging from their positions, Woodstar had been about to start the Gathering himself and was glaring up at her. Pride filled Yellowsight—that was her leader! The leader of the best clan there was!

“Oh, should I go up?” Sootstorm remarks, lazily looking up at his leader, “No one is sick is sick this time.”

“You could stay here and we could keep on talking?” Beefur suggests but Sootstorm shakes his head, certain this time.

“It’s Pinepaw’s first time being deputy and I need to be there for him.”

“He’s been worrying about it for so long.” Says a cat who is probably an apprentice, and is small enough to be but Yellowsight thought she knew all of ThinleafClan’s apprentices. However, she doesn’t know all of their warriors either so…might be an apprentice. Might also be a small warrior who is close to Sootstorm. Maybe Sootstorm, as ThinleafClan’s nursery queen, had helped raise them.

Yellowsight didn’t know, nor did she care. The cat tried to make conversation with her as Sootstorm left but quickly learned that Beefur was more open to conversation.

Good for them, Yellowsight had better things to do.

Sootstorm climbs the SkyGrowth, joining the other four cats that were there under Woodstar and sitting next to a small brown cat that was obviously an apprentice. Their three medicine cats and one medicine cat apprentice (FAR too much if you were to ask Yellowsight) sat on the ground beneath them. BroadleafClan only had Mistmoon as deputy and Clawstem as medicine cat. MarshClan’s Toadstar was sitting up, ending his conversation with his two deputies, Thistlemind and Sedgewhisker and Dewdrop, a medicine cat apprentice was tugging on his mentor’s, Starlingblossom’s tail as her mentor cast Vaststar a dark look.

Moonstar and Conefall of CloudClan were staring forward imperviously outwards, while their medicine cats, Talldapple and Yewflower were doing the same.

Brightstar was yowling down at her deputies because they were hissing at each other. The three-legged cat looked as if she were going to leave them and swat her clanmates. Wishstream, her medicine cat, looked exactly the same.

“PREY.” Vaststar bellows, and stares out until all the Clans go silent and the scabbling between LaurelClan’s deputies end. Brightstar gives her a thankful look and Vaststar nods back, “Prey is running well in BroadleafClan. Greenleaf has been good to us. Barktail has given birth to three healthy kits,” And one which died before Clawstem could save her, but she did good to not mention that, “and we have two new warriors: Clearbrook and Adderflight!”

She stops for a moment for all the Clans to shout out their names. Yellowsight joins in, shouting out louder than even her mother to make up for the half-hearted noise coming from ThinleafClan.

“And, speaking of adders,” Vaststar says with a mrow but Yellowsight feels as if the ground is being pulled out from underneath her, “Just a few days ago, Yellowsight caught and killed a poisonous viper mid air, saving me from a painful death. I congratulated her personally, but feats like that deserve to be admired on a wider scale.” Then Vaststar leans her head back and calls out, “Yellowsight! Yellowsight!”

It takes only a few reputations for every cat to be calling out her name, even ThinleafClan who had been quiet earlier. A few cats even press their muzzles to her in congratulations, but Yellowsight is unable to pull away. Pride fills her, down to the edges of her fur.

Vaststar…is presenting me to all the Clans! She proud of me, she knows that I’m a good warrior, she is looking directly at me and knows that I’m worth it!

(If cats could swoon, Yellowsight would.)

Vaststar waits for everyone to quiet down before she says, “That is all.” And turns to the other leaders, waiting for one of them to step up. Of course it’s Woodstar, puffing out his chest with all of the pride ThinleafClan shouldn’t have.

“Prey would be running better, if my warriors didn’t keep on reporting to me that there BroadleafClan keeps on pushing the border farther and farther into our territory!” Woodstar yowls, turning back to Vaststar who only looks back at him. He doesn’t speak for a few moments, waiting for an excuse that she doesn’t give, “And. Uh.” Woodstar begins, clearly off put by Vaststar’s lack of remorse.

It was just as Vaststar had told her, Of course Woodstar is going to be irritated at us for moving the borders, but he knows that we both share the Solstice festival and that we need honey for it. If they want to fight for it, they can. And we’ll win. But all he’s going to do is get hissy at a Gathering and then do nothing.

“Prey is, prey is running well for ThinleafClan.” Woodstar continues, parroting Vaststar’s words, “And we have a new warrior: Windswipe!” There’s lukewarm cheering that Yellowsight doesn’t add to. Woodstar opens his mouth, closes it, and then opens it once more to say, “And that’s it.”

Brightstar steps forward only for Woodstar to open his mouth again.

“Actually I’m not done. Sorry, Brightstar.” Woodstar says, bowing his head when Brightstar gives him a vicious glare, “We have been noticing a few wolves that are nosing around the territory, past Queen’s land. I could keep this to myself but it could affect all of us if the wolves travel through our territory once more. Again, I apologize Brightstar.”

“I appreciate you giving us such crucial information.” Brightstar says, coming forward once again. She moves with surety, despite her missing leg which had long been covered with fur, “However, I can’t help but wish you had told us without cutting me off.” Woodstar’s tail lowers, “LaurelClan has been doing well. We have no need for more prey or any more water because it has been raining so often. There have been no signs of The Rot.

“Four kits have been born, from two different litters, however due to the inability for my deputies to speak to each other without hissing, I will not be announcing them.”

The Gathering is silent for a moment. Brightstar looks out, impervious to anything, including the leap that she calmly dodges as a deputy—Yellowsight thinks it’s Whirlnose?—misses her with so little space that Yellowsight expected Brightstar to be torn off the branch. As it is, the deputy falls to the ground with a large thud and several cats wince as they step back.

“Treat him when we get back.” Brightstar says to Wishstream, “Other than that, Whitesnap has passed her assessment and been given her warrior name. That is all.”

Whitesnap gets a decent amount of cheering, however LaurelClan is the clan that’s the quietest, still shocked by the efforts that had so soon occurred.

“A disgrace.” Moonstar growls as he steps up. Brightstar shoots him a dark look but doesn’t voice it. Maybe she agrees? “CloudClan has been doing well. Our borders are strong, and we go to sleep with full bellies.” I can see. Just as well as I would see your ribs if you weren’t, prey stealers, “We have been righting a wrong by taking back territory that was wrongfully given to BroadleafClan seasons ago due to Morningstar’s underhanded tactics.”

“Too many seasons ago that you didn’t take it back as soon as I became leader?” Vaststar shoots back immediately, voice so low it bordered on a purr, “Or are you just doing this because you want to push down any dissent? Either way,” Vaststar continues, ignoring Moonstar’s furious look, “I will not be giving that territory back without a fight. Maybe if you had discussed with with me—after all, what does the former cats of ForestClan have to do with former HillClan territory?—but that option is long gone.

“Expect BroadleafClan warriors at the true border soon.” Vaststar replies with a sneer.

Moonstar lashes his tail.

“Remember the truce.”

Moonstar lashes his tail once more before turning back to the Gathering, “That is all.”

There’s a quiet yowl, a cheer for a warrior name but Moonstar yells, “QUIET!” and that singular cat goes quiet again.

“Uh, well, it’s gotten very tense tonight, hasn’t it?” Toadstar says with a quick glance up at the full, uncovered moon, “I’ll try to listen things up a bit, I am a very jokey cat…I wish I could think of a joke right now.”

“All your jokes are bad!” calls out Starlingblossom from the ground. Both his deputies start to mrrow.

Toadstar thinks for a moment, “Yeah, but I’ve never claimed to be a funny cat, only a jokey one.” That does get a chuckle out of some cats, “And sometimes that works in my favor—MarshClan doesn’t have warriors or new kits, however we do have four new apprentices: Turtlepaw, Toothpaw, Songpaw, and Toadpaw. No relation.” There are some more laughs as well as calling out the apprentices names. Yellowsight does join in for it.

“Everyone is nice and happy, thanks to Starlingblossom, and the mud isn’t sticking to our fur. Oh, and we haven’t seen any signs of The Rot either. And, that’s it.”

“Seeing as MountainClan still has not come.” Vaststar says, closing the Gathering because she had been the one to open it, “This marks the end of the Gathering. After the sun rises once more, then we are all enemies.” She pointedly does not look at Moonstar as she jumps off the SkyGrowth, with Mistmoon only a second behind her.

Beefur groans beside her as BroadleafClan begins to peel away, saying goodbye to the cat she had just met before the crowd of cats pulls them away.

Yellowsight looks into the crowd before picking out a red and yellow pelt, “Watch mom.” She hisses to Canaryback before she catches up to Vaststar, walking in line with her as they cross the bridge.

Then Vaststar turns to her and starts speaking and all of Yellowsight’s irritation melts away as she talks to the cat she wishes would always call her name from the SkyGrowth, would always want and watch over her.

#warriors cats ocs #warriors #warriors oc #warrior cats #allseeing eyes close #kitty talking #Yellowsight #Beefur #Vaststar #Woodstar #Moonstar #Sootstorm #Brightstar #Toadstar #Starlingblossom #all the clans (false)

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morgana-ren · 3 years ago

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dis isn’t a kink really but, shigaraki kidnapping you, and you slowly but surely developing stockholm syndrome nd him just being really obsessed over you

Is there any other way it could go, really?

He takes you on a whim; Eyes you on the street and even among the crowd that he uses to cloak himself in plain sight, he finds his eyes plucked upward from the ground and drawn to you. He makes a point to never move without forethought, yet this time he does. You're disappearing into the throng of people and some strange voice in his head bids him to follow.

It's questionable what about you calls to him: It could be the lovely curve of your body, or the face he finds pleasing in the glimpses he manages to catch- the slight sway of your hips as you walk or even the wisps of hair that blow behind you as you trail forward. Perhaps it’s some aura you give off that magnetizes him, pulls him inward like the evening tide. All he knows is it he wants it- wants you.

He may as well be a child chasing a wild butterfly in the wind- Determined to catch it, but entirely unsure of what to do with it when he does.

He’s so terribly fast. So quick and clever you never even see him coming. He stalks his prey with all the cunning and grace of a cat balancing in the trees, waiting to pounce on a nest of unwitting baby birds- silent and salivating in anticipation, yet patient and careful. One look back over your shoulder would have yielded you to the predatory glint in his ruby-red eyes, but the thought, much like the darling little birds that rely on the safety of their home above ground and the aloofness to everything that snatches from below, never crosses your mind.

There’s no real struggle to speak of. Not one worth mentioning. You never stood a chance against him, so small and weak compared against a greater predator. Even without the element of surprise, he could have wrestled you low and rendered you helpless with little effort on his part. Still, the flash of fear across your face when you find him closing in is marvelous.

Kurogiri knows better than to say something when Tomura steps through the portal with an unconscious girl cradled in his arms, and even if he had the mind to, the look bridging madness in the young man’s eyes is enough to ward away any second guesses. The strange list of needed items he rattles off as he ascends the steps to his room sinks the caretaker’s gut- Bring me the ducktape, and the handcuffs, also that bottle of sedatives we keep in the basement. Make sure you lock that damn door, I don’t want her escaping- but as caretaker, it’s not his place to question. Tomura is king here, and what the king wants, the king gets.

You come to trying to wade through the residual ebb and flow of fear that curls up into your throat, adrenaline leaving you quaking and frightened. It’s dark and cold and it smells like a musty dungeon and judging by your surroundings, it might as well be. You don’t know it- and would likely be grateful for the lack of knowledge- but he hasn’t stopped staring at you since he placed you on his bed. Those terrible red eyes- calculating, cold, yet somehow hazy- keep trained on your face until your own eyes flutter open and you’re forced to face the reality of the situation.

He says nothing, but the vulpine smile across his face says plenty. There’s no intention that could be deemed ‘good’ in his prior actions or any of those to come. He wasn’t sure why he took you at the time, but the picture is starting to come together as he watches you squirm on his mattress- hair haloed across his pillow and mind fraught with terror and dreadful anticipation.

You are not a predator- There’s no hidden reserve of strength in your body to overpower him, nor is there enough knowledge of how to wield a weapon against him in the case you should get your hands on one somehow. But what you are is clever, and what you have is enough experience in the realm of spoiled, entitled men to know what’s brewing in his mind.

You cease your struggles, because that’s kindling to the fire for this type. Instead, you allow yourself to relax, meeting his gaze with as much calm collectedness as you can measure and introduce yourself, and ask him to do the same. It throws him off, but he does it, seeming surprised by your manners given the situation. Polite conversation seems awfully out of place in this scenario, but you force it regardless. A glance around the room tells you what you need to know- Gamer, schemer, loner.

It’s not much to work with, but it’s enough.

You file away everything he happens to mention, things he seems to enjoy or revere. Speaking on it when you have knowledge, listening when you don’t. It turns out he’s fairly eager to talk- or to ramble- which makes things easier, and gets his mind off of the darker recesses where it was drifting before. He hates heroes, he likes video games, he hates heroes, he likes to look at you, he hates heroes, society is broken, he hates heroes, he hates heroes.

He’s a villain, and he hates heroes.

It’s good to know the sphere you’re working within, but it brings you no comfort. He’s a villain, and he’s free, which means that heroes have already failed to catch him. That knocks them out of the running to save you. It’s up to you to survive, because he’s clearly unhinged and a few meters from the edge.

You manage to keep him from touching you for the first little while of your captivity, though he does occasionally insist that you kiss him or let him squeeze you from time to time. Mostly it’s a matter of keeping him distracted and interested in other things. Showing you his favorite games, playing along with him and purposefully taking a dive to boost his ego. Letting him talk at you and tell you why heroes are garbage, only to nod your head and pretend like you’re starting to see his point. He’s surprisingly concise for a lunatic, and makes his points well. It’s apparent there’s some deep and bleeding wound there that never healed, stark red and open for the world to see, because the words he says are ones he’s etched into his soul.

He starts to trust you, at least a little. You haven’t tried to run (if you thought you had a chance, you would absolutely bolt but you know his watchdog is ever present down the stairs and the leap is too high from his nailed-shut window) and you’ve yet to fight him. He loosens your bonds, stops finding reasons to threaten you, even relaxes a little. There’s this childlike grin that plays on his chapped mouth when he sees you in the morning, and it’s getting a bit difficult to remember that this man is a terrifying force of nature when all he seems to you (bondage aside) is a young man with too many scars both inside and out.

He makes a point to learn about you. Learn your hobbies, your favorite colors, small memories you have that you hold dear. He brings you gifts- little offerings to earn your affection- and eventually you have your own little corner in his dank room- not dissimilar to a shrine, as if he read a book dedicated to you and highlighted everything he thought pertinent. His mind is a rolodex with an entire category dedicated to you. You wonder, briefly, how long he’s been alone that he’s taken so with a stranger that showed him the barest kindness.

Some nights he stumbles home covered in blood. Some nights its his own. As a civilian, you are horrified, but as a captive, your mind must take another path. He snaps at you, venomous and wild, when you try to patch him up- I’m fine, stop touching it. This is nothing- why are you crying?- until he finally relents and lets you do your best to soothe the ache. He relaxes into your chest when you’ve finished and you stroke his pale hair on sheets covered in blood as he drifts to sleep atop you.

He’s always wanted you in his bed, made you sleep next to him and held you as you faced toward the wall. Come the morning, however, you wake to find yourself burrowed into his chest, your forehead flush against his neck and legs entwined with his. His hands, as always, are carefully pulled away, but yours aren’t.

Months in and he doesn’t come home one night. It’s not unusual for him to leave for small periods of time, but he always tells you when these times will be. He did not, which means that something is wrong. You fret and wring your hands, pacing around and around in circles across his frayed carpet until hours later he swings open the door.

He seems shocked when you throw your arms around his neck before he gets a foot in- I was worried, where were you? Are you okay?- but he hugs you back in earnest, seeming more than happy to return the affection even if he squeezes too tightly around your ribs. There’s a worming tendril in your gut that begins to grow that whispers that your words are not entirely a lie.

Tomura is a man. A man with a girl he keeps in his room like a prized possession behind a glass box. A girl he’s managed to keep his hands off of, which is a testament, he thinks, to his willpower. Still, he craves more, and it becomes more and more apparent the further time drags on, stringing you along with it. He tries to be sly- to hold you closer, inch his hands higher (or lower in some cases) to deepen the kisses he steals from you. The deadline is approaching as surely as the dawn. Tomura is a man and a villain and what you do not give freely, he will simply take.

So you maintain control by giving it.

He is capable of terrible cruelty, but when he takes you, this is not the side he chooses to show. He is rough and hard, because he is still encased in thorns that not even you could sand away, but he is also loving and generous. More than you thought him capable of. Any bruises and cuts you may suffer are ones he takes care of for you afterward, sheepishly apologizing for any harsh names or things he may have said in the heat of passion. Tired and blissful, he curls up inside of you and kisses you tenderly.

“I love you.” And you say it back without the tide of disgust that used to sit heavy on the back of your throat when you did.

What it is to be loved by a man who hates everything. His scornful gaze condemns anyone and everyone around him, softening only when you are near. He is a monster, a madman, and a murderer, but he yields to you and only to you. He will snap and howl and bare his teeth and sharpen his claws but keep you steady behind him when he does so. He would lie kingdoms at your feet, and you know he fully intends to do so.

You cannot say you will not mourn it, but somewhere in this twisted timeline, you would grieve for his loss more. A rock and a hard place that forces you to choose between that which you have held dear and that which holds you. A life without him now is no life at all- he would sooner see you dead than free- and you accept this.

He loves you. And perhaps, in a bittersweet way, you love him too.

#Shigaraki x reader #Shigaraki smut #here you go here is my terrible contribution for the day #nsft #tw kidnapping #tw stockholmish #tw uhhh dubconnish

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imerdwarf · 4 years ago

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Sworn To Secrecy

Requested by @imagine-all-the-fandoms: Hey colleague ❤️ I really love your writing! So I also thought to send you an idea 😊 The reader is Bucky’s girlfriend but just a normal civilian and he keeps it a secret at the compound. One day she visits him but crosses the other Avengers and Sam is immediately flirting with you but Bucky just comes, swoops you in his arms and kisses you. The others are shocked and confused and later that day they finally tell them they’ve been together for a while now and they are all happy for you two? 😊

Pairing: Avenger!Bucky x Civilian!Reader (Modern AU)

Warnings: Absolutely none! Just a lot of fluff 🥰

Author's Notes: Thank you so much my dear friend for sending in this beautiful request, I hope you like it and please let me know if there's anything you want me to change! 💜

Your phone vibrated in the palm of your hand and your smile reached both corners of your eyes when you saw the name light up your screen.

Bucky: I can't wait to see you, how long until you get here?

Your fingers flew quickly over the touch sensitive keyboard to reply back, without any typos might I add.

Y/N: I'm five minutes away. Patience! ;)

The wind blew in your face as you tilted your head upwards and sighed. Your relationship with Bucky Barnes was absolutely not the easiest thing in the world. He had made you sworn to secrecy about it, to protect yourself and him from potential haters and enemies.

You were grateful that you were able to spend a lot of time together when he didn't have month-long missions to go on. The sunny afternoons were spent in your small apartment on the couch watching movies with a blanket draped over the two of you, often accompanied by a hot chocolate made from his secret recipe.

Everything about Bucky screamed safety; his big beefy frame, bulging biceps that he just knew you loved and deliberately bought small sizes to show them off, his thick thighs were a dream for you whenever you draped your legs over them to get comfortable. Nothing about him scared you, not even that matte black and gold Wakandan inspired arm of his. It did wonders when you were burning up with fevers.

You met Bucky by chance at a coffee shop in Brooklyn. It was a cliché moment when you accidentally turned around too quickly and spilled your hot drink over his white shirt. Endless apologies spilled from your lips while Bucky was too busy admiring your beautiful features that your words simply fell on deaf ears. To Bucky, it felt as though time had temporarily stopped ticking, and the only people in the coffee shop at that moment was you and him.

The two of you exchanged numbers with your promises of buying him a brand new shirt to replace the one you ruined. You texted each other every second of every day. The more you talked, the easier and the flirty-er the texts became.

A month after the coffee shop incident, you almost keeled over when he finally asked you to be his girlfriend. He regretted he couldn't take you on a date because of his status, and that never really bothered you.

You didn't date him because he was a popular avenger, with a staggering 100 million followers on his Instagram. For your protection, he couldn't follow you either, but that too didn't bother you. You dated him because you loved his personality and you loved him.

You zig-zagged past the oncoming pedestrians as the tower came into view. Outside of the gates there was already a crowd of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the avengers.

The security guard in the booth next to the gate was trying to reason with the crowd, sadly a building this well known attracted all kinds of attention and tourism. You were told that people from Australia would come to visit.

You approached the guard with a friendly smile. "Good afternoon sir," you greeted politely, pulling some I.D out from your purse.

"Good afternoon! Are you expected here today?" The guard smiled but looked over your shoulder to see the crowd was now taking pictures of the front of the tower. He shooed them away and brought his attention back to you.

"Yes, Sergeant James Barnes is expecting me." The way his name rolled off your tongue was like drops of honey. Smooth and sweet.

The guard checked the list of visitors expected today and hummed with a smile.

"So he is. So what you do is, go to the front desk with your visitor badge and they'll direct you to his floor."

With a quiet thanks and holding on tightly to the badge, you walk through the screeching iron gates. Your shoes crunch underneath the gravel and the wind howls through the trees that gives off extra privacy.

The lady at reception greets you warmly and you relax when you give her your name and show her your visitor badge as directed by the security guard.

"Take the elevator and go to floor 13. Sergeant Barnes is currently in a meeting but he won't be too long." Another thank you passes through your lips as you head off towards the glass and chrome elevator.

The ride up to the 13 floors was agonisingly slow. Classical music filled the emptiness of the elevator. The glass casing gave you a beautiful view overlooking the grounds of the compound. A rose garden of all different shades of roses up the far left of the green garden surrounded by cherry blossoms and hydrangeas. Benches scattered across the grounds that you hoped to one day have the pleasure of sitting on and watch the bumblebees.

This was another reason Bucky loved you so much, you were so passionate and kind against wildlife and nature.

Finally, after god knows how long you've been staring out into the garden daydreaming, the elevator doors ding open and you're greeted with a muscular blond God with a red Cape hung over his back and a creepy wide grin on his face. His scruffy hair made you think he hadn't washed it in a few days.

"I was expecting someone else, but hello!" His voice seemed to boom throughout the space of whatever room this actually was. Some kind of hallway, but you're pretty sure you would hear his voice from all the way from that beautiful garden.

"Uh hello!" You stuttered, taken by surprise that there would be other people here.

"I am Thor, the God of Thunder!" His arms went wide and so did his smile. Your mouth gaped open and closed when you recognised the name. Thor. God of thunder. Of course, you read about these gods and how he ruled Asgard. Or was set to.

"Thor! Of course," you chuckled nervously, stretching your hand out in front of you, "I'm Y/N."

"It's a pleasure to meet you! Please follow me and allow me to introduce you to my mortal friends," you chuckled at that line, and adjusted your sweater.

"Friends, mortals! We have a guest, this is Y/N, A human of Earth." Thor stepped aside and your eyes widened; you were only standing in the same room as the avengers, the same people Bucky spoke so highly of. Thor told you the names of the people in front of you, everyone was there and you wondered where the hell Bucky was.

Tony was the first one to step forward and looked you up and down by moving his tinted glasses to the bridge of his nose. You relaxed when he smiled, but only slightly. You realised they had not asked why some stranger was standing in their living room.

"You know who I am?" Tony asked smugly, his arms folded over his chest.

You nodded, your eyes flickered down his chest, his arc reactor lit up in a bright blue. You almost reached out to touch it but stopped yourself before you could.

"Uh yes. You're Tony I believe?" You blushed under their gazes. Bucky told you they were the best people, but to you they were very intimidating.

"Very good. What brings you to my tower?"

"I'm here to see—"

"Wow! Who is this?" A voice yelled out from behind you. A guy you recognised as Sam, or Falcon, or Birdbrain as Bucky liked to call him.

"Y/N!" Thor answered before you could, the rest of the avengers took a seat on the couch.

"Yeah, hi," a small laugh came out and it made your cheeks heat up when his eyes raked over your form.

"My, my. You are gorgeous!" He kept that grin on his lips as he stepped closer. His over-sprayed cologne was suffocating you. "Beautiful, just perfect, just—"

"Mine!" Bucky yelled from the doorway as he stormed past Sam to get to you. You bit your lip to hide the growing grin and failed, he swooped you up in his arms, your legs instantly wrapped around his waist as he spun the two of you around and kissed you.

Cat calls sounded from the couch and you smiled into the kiss. When you pulled away for air, the expressions on everyone's faces told you they needed and wanted an explanation.

You could only imagine the questions they wanted to ask; how did you know Bucky Barnes? How did a soldier and an assassin manage to keep a relationship so hidden under the eyes of a mind-reader and a super intelligent spy? How did Bucky not slip up to Steve about having a girlfriend? All valid questions of course.

Bucky lowered you back down on your feet and pressed his forehead against yours. Without giving the team an answer, he slipped his hand in yours and pulled you away, leaving the superheroes with confusion etched upon their faces.

Bucky gave you a thorough tour of the tower. He showed you the gym, the kitchen where he made you his favourite sandwich, he even showed you his room. It was painted in a light blue with white curtains and blinds, thick, soft cream carpet covered the floor and his bed was as soft as a cloud. It was a lot more comfortable than your bed, that's for sure.

Later that day, Tony ordered a takeout and invited everyone to the dining room to eat, including you. The way Bucky's hand was slung protectively around your shoulder didn't go amiss by anyone in the room. It was when he finally sat down did the questions start.

"Alright, what's the deal with you two? Is this a prank? Is he paying you darling?" Sam fired off first, pointing his fork at the two of you opposite him.

Bucky glared at him from calling you 'darling', from where you were sat you could hear the heavy breathing. Your hand slipped into your lap and into his, giving his thigh a firm squeeze to keep calm.

"Y/N is not being paid!" Bucky defended, outraged he could even think such a thing.

You cleared your throat and took a sip of water before speaking, "it's true and I understand it's a shock but Bucky is actually my boyfriend and has been for the past couple of months," you smiled, proud of the fact you were in a relationship with this man and it was no longer secret.

"How the hell did that happen?" Tony queried, waving his chopsticks in the air, flabbergasted by the whole situation.

"What, you think I'm not capable of meeting people?" Bucky challenged, not really enjoying the interrogation which was the whole reason he didn't want to say anything at the beginning.

"Well of course I wouldn't be surprised if it was Capsicle here but it's you," Tony snorted.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bucky was yelling and turning red with anger when Nat sought the opportunity to take the heat off the two men.

"So, Y/N. Tell us about yourself."

Tags: @smokeybluebrooke-lyn @pinkdiamond1016

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lepusrufus · 3 years ago

Text

Double edged scalpel ch.4

Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3

Summary: Daniela wingman Dimitrescu

---

Who knew that a door could look so intimidating. The dark wood decorated with golden floral patterns and the Dimitrescu crest in the middle wasn’t unlike most other doors in the castle. This door however had one big difference from the rest: it was the door to Cassandra’s bedroom.

Nicole had crossed paths with Daniela earlier, who wasted no time in placing the duty of fetching the middle sister for dinner upon her. Oh well. She was supposed to meet the brunette anyways. Tomorrow at sundown, Cassandra had said. And that was just after dinner. But the lingering feeling of their lips together, deep in a hidden nook in the garden, left Nicole unsure on what to expect from her.

With a final deep breath, she knocked on the door.

It was silent for a few long seconds. She was about to knock again, sure that Cassandra was still sleeping, but was stopped by a groggy reply that she took as her cue to enter.

“Lady Daniela sent me to let you know dinner will be ready soon.”

Nicole had a split second when she regretted each and every decision that led up to that very moment when she noticed the brunette stirring awake, naked body thankfully covered by soft blankets. Cassandra didn’t seem to mind though, as she yawned and stretched her arms like a lazy cat would.

“That’s a weird way to say Daniela is lazy and sent you to do her job.” She grabbed her watch from the nightstand. “Ugh, it’s early.” It’s 7 p.m.

From where she stood, looking anywhere but at the brunette, Nicole wasn’t sure how to respond. It’s not as if she could’ve said no to Daniela’s request. Or, to be more accurate, order. Apparently Cassandra didn’t wait for a reply, as she got out of bed and shuffled to her dresser, hopefully to put some clothes on. With one of her typical black dresses now on, she tiptoed to the other occupant in the room.

“Modest, are we,” she said, placing her hands on Nicole’s waist, not unlike she did many times before.

“Just trying not to get my eyes gouged out.” Hopefully Cassandra still appreciated her humor.

The brunette slowly spinned the other girl around so she could look in her eyes, as if she were a child inspecting a newly received christmas gift. “Mm...you can keep them. Now come on, spend some time with me since Dani insisted on you waking me up so early.”

Thanks Daniela.

Nicole felt herself get pulled further into the room, barely having time to take in all the trinkets and decor inside before she was tugged down to sit in Cassandra’s lap.

Well… best possible scenario.

This time there was no hesitation when their lips connected, one hand finding its place at the brunette's nape, pulling her close. Cassandra let out a small moan when she felt nails scratch lightly against her scalp, which Nicole took as an opportunity to slip her tongue past black painted lips. They kissed until Cassandra pulled back, opting instead to leave a trail of kisses and black lipstick on her jawline, down her throat, and finally her collarbone. The kisses were getting increasingly more aggressive, with nips at the skin and finally teeth dragging at the crook of Nicole's neck.

Cassandra inhaled deeply but pulled her mouth away from the skin, resting her forehead against that spot instead. When she spoke, her tone was dripping with barely held back desire.

"If you want me to stop, you should go."

Oh no, Nicole didn't just shove her tongue in her god damn mouth for them to stop. Whatever crumble of self preservation was left within her, it got booted out the metaphorical front door of her brain the moment she got pulled into the brunette's lap. The only thing that made her hesitate for a second was whether or not Cassandra could bite someone without actually killing them.

"Do not go near the jugular.”

And Cassandra listened. She dragged her teeth from the neck, down to the shoulder and, after an uncharacteristically gentle kiss to the spot, she sunk her now sharp fangs in the flesh.

Nicole couldn't stop a whimper from escaping past her lips at the sudden jolt of pain. But the sensation of soft lips on her skin and Cassandra's low moan at the taste of her blood made for the perfect mixture of pleasure and pain.

"Cassa- ah," she moaned her name, fingers tangled in black hair which only seemed to spur her on.

The pain steadily faded, leaving behind only a tingling sensation. It stopped her brain from putting together any coherent thought, almost as if being drunk without the actual alcohol. But blood loss instead. Nicole tugged lightly on Cassandra's hair when dizziness started to make itself present. When that did nothing, she pulled with slightly more force.

"Cassandra-" she let out a pained groan, mild panic slipping into her voice.

That made the brunette snap out of it, forcefully pulling herself back and eyeing the bloody mess on Nicole's shoulder. She caught the redhead by the arms for support when she slumped forward slightly, pinching the bridge of her nose with a soft ugh. How much blood can a human lose again? Fourteen percent? And Nicole was also quite small.

Cassandra stretched to grab a tissue from the nightstand and pressed it against the puncture wounds, frowning when Nicole flinched at the pain it caused.

"Uh...are you okay?"

Nicole took a deep breath before replying. "-m good. You should...uh go though. I'll go lay down and-...and meet you after dinner." Then she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment to try to alleviate the dizziness and tried to stand up.

Cassandra grimaced at how wobbly Nicole's movement's were and guided her back down, on the soft mattress. The redhead didn't protest, not that she really could anyways.

"No. Stay here, you're no good if you just fall and crack your skull open against a stairwell."

"But-"

Cassandra ignored her, only pushing her down to rest against one of the many pillows littering the bed. "No buts, this is an order from your lady. Now take a nap or something and I'll fetch you after dinner."

Nicole saw her turn around and exit the room, door shutting with a heavy thump. She felt too dizzy to try and fight back. And after all, why would she? The bed was incredibly soft, almost as if it was cradling her small body, inviting her to fall asleep. She slowly pulled one of the blankets up to her waist and positioned herself in such a way that the tissue wouldn't fall from her shoulder. A short nap was all she needed, then she'd be up by the time dinner was done. It only took shutting her eyes for a few seconds to fall asleep, the haze in her mind receding into comforting nothingness.

---

Hot. She felt so incredibly hot. How could Cassandra sleep amongst all these pillows and blankets in the middle of August?

She groaned and stirred, tissue forgotten and covered in dry blood by now. She turned around, trying to find a colder spot and sighed contently upon finding a cool pillow to bury her face into.

Since when did pillows hum?

Nicole snapped her eyes open and jerked backwards, realizing that the "pillow" was Cassandra's side, who apparently had returned from dinner and was now laying in bed with a book.

"I- I'm sorry! I think I overslept and-"

She was interrupted by a slender finger on her lips.

"Get back here, you're so warm."

Too warm, Nicole almost replied but Cassandra's hand mowed from her lips to trace her jawline and neck. Then,when it got to her nape, she pulled the redhead back on her chest, cheek resting on the cool skin.

Nicole froze for a moment but soon melted into the touch. Presumably one of the perks of being an undead being was never getting too hot. At least temperature-wise. She tentatively snaked an arm around the brunette's waist and, when there was no protest, she shifted her body closer against hers.

Checking the time didn't even occur to Nicole until her eyes fell on one of the windows, noticing it was pitch black beyond the glass.

"Shouldn't we have…" she just vaguely gestured, not even sure what they were supposed to do that day in the dungeons.

"Here's one of the perks of working with me darling: if I don't feel like doing anything then congratulations, you've got yourself a day off. Now why don't you enjoy it hmm."

She emphasized her words by bringing her free hand to Nicole's head, nails lightly scratching the scalp. But Nicole was wide awake, despite the pleasant sensation that elicited a content hum from her.

There were so many things to take in that she hadn't noticed earlier. Just like her study, Cassandra's bedroom was like a collection of glimpses into her. The desk was littered with papers and oddly modern drawing supplies, the kind you would get by entering the art supply store down the road from her college dorm. A mannequin in the corner of the room was wearing a most likely tailor made dress, complete with what looked like a matching sword. The wall she could see was half covered in bookshelves, half in deer antlers or horns of different animals. Some had labels with dates underneath them that were too far to read, but Nicole managed to decipher one that said 08.06.1982.

She didn't want to risk losing her precious head scratches in order to explore the other half of the room, so her eyes settled on the one thing she could see without moving. The book in Cassandra's other hand.

"What're you reading?"

Cassandra sighed, realizing that she was still awake but answered anyway.

"Watership down."

She giggled, still a bit lightheaded. "Bunnies…"

Cassandra rolled her eyes, not quite in the mood to go on a lengthy discourse about the themes of said "bunnies". She opted to change the topic instead, voice oddly soft.

"How's your head?"

"Mmm...dizzy."

"Sleep then."

"My room is too far away."

"Sleep here you dumbass."

Nicole was silent for a few moments, putting together the few coherent thoughts still lingering in her brain. Then, trying not to slur her words due to dizziness and sleepiness alike:

"Isn't that against protocol? Do you even have a protocol?"

"The protocol is that our staff serves my family. Right now you're keeping me warm. There, congratulations on performing your duties. Now go to sleep."

The redhead gave in, too tired to keep on annoying Cassandra. She nuzzled her face closer to the brunette's neck leaving a small peck on her collarbone and closed her eyes. The nails still scratching at her scalp, occasionally moving to run through long auburn locks proved more than efficient at lulling her to sleep. She could swear she felt a soft, almost imperceptible kiss on the top of her head before consciousness fully slipped away from her

#cassandra dimitrescu x maiden #unhinged maiden™ my beloved #fanfic #double edged scalpel #are we finally getting a to move faster #fk yes

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aquamoonchaii · 3 years ago

Text

⍣ genre: fluff

⍣ warnings: heavy cheesiness

⍣ pairing: minho x reader

⍣ word count: 2.3k

⍣ collab: This is for the collab Summer Love - Stray Kids from lovie @bangchan-fairy

⍣ charlie’s notes: hope you guys love the cheesy cheese! this lovely banner was made by the precious @halliney!

⍣ summary: minho is scared of heights. maybe he is a chicken. but he meets another cute chicken that holds his hand.

Summer love is usually about sweet flings that end when school or work starts again. It starts in unexpected places with a smile and an ice cream, or with the adrenaline of meeting new places. Or at least that’s what happened to him.

Luckily, it didn’t go that way for both of you. It didn’t end!

Because it’s your third summer together and he can’t be happier. Even his feline babies love you so much, he has to bite his lips to not scream every single time Dori purrs approaching you and you coo at the kitten so cutely he just- Ugh. It’s no joke he is already searching for the perfect ring so he can propose.

There’s no way in hell he would find another soul like yours that blends so well with his, your sweet self is enough to calm him and make him feel at home, wherever he is. If you could open his heart and his brain, he would be so embarrassed because you would know he would do everything. Anything for you. You just need to say it and he is already thinking how to make it real.

But it’s ok, you won’t. Unless you are a secret cannibal and you kill him to eat his heart.

He chuckles out loud at the thought because he wouldn’t deny you his heart, you already have it anyway so he wouldn’t be upset if you eat it. You would just have to promise you won’t date another boy.

Minho just gets these thoughts as he wakes up from the nap he had holding your hand and here you are, like 10 centimeters away from him holding his hand even when you are not that clingy. The fact you are indeed a girl who isn’t into touch but you let him hug you and cuddle anytime makes him feel so good. So special. His free hand brushes your hair off your beautiful face, he can’t help but feel cheesy this moment so he caresses your cheek lovingly and kisses your forehead.

You stir a bit, but as the heavy sleeper you are, you put a leg on both of his -so he doesn’t escape and eat the last chips you mutter groggily- so he slaps your leg lightly and a small smile is on your face until you surrender again to sleep. Minho suddenly rolls his eyes. Are there people who know these intimate details about you besides him? Like you always put a leg on his body and you can’t open your eyes that easily, is there any chance there would be another guy after him who would know this? He pouts because it's frustrating to feel this way, so freaking protective. About your things, about your habits, about you. You.

Always you.

He feels the softest when you are like this, peacefully sleeping beside him in his oversized shirt and pajama pants that make you look like a homeless man. A homeless man that is going to steal his favorite hoodie, you would say. On these sunny and hot days, he has little bit of time to engulf in his feelings and think how lucky he got. Something he would never in a million years would voice out because Ew, the cringe. Especially when it’s summer. Because he gets small flashbacks about how he met you.

Hiking.

Hiking

Hiking!

What a better way to enjoy this beautiful summer than eating frozen fruits and walking through beautiful places? He originally planned to go to the mountain he enjoys the most, Jirisan but of course it would be too crowded.

So now he is here on a hiking tour. He didn't read the whole tour completely because he didn't want to miss this day and because Changbin wanted to come. And he doesn't like company when hiking or Changbin. Just kidding, he likes him but not when he whines which he would totally do in a long walk.

"Uh, sir? Are you not coming? I'm sorry but you are the last one to pass the bridge and the tour is being delayed right now." Minho bows apologetically and excuses himself saying that he would pay the extra fee to wait for the next group tour because he doesn't feel well. Of course the tour lady noticed him getting paler than a piece of paper when he was told to try sky-biking because it was included in the tour or he could pass that thin bridge that passes through both mountains. There was no other way to reach the beautiful sunset he was looking out for. But it was too high.

It looks dangerous and the vertigo hit right at his face as he is literally frozen right now, ugh.

It's ridiculous he is not going to see the sunset.

But he just can't move right now so he keeps a stern face to save himself the embarrassment and makes everyone laugh -group partners were getting really annoyed but well, Minho is funny- saying that he needed to pee because he was too excited. The female nods and makes a few calls, everyone starts taking pictures and distracting themselves as Minho looks at his phone just to notice his battery is going to die, it doesn't matter as he has a incredible high quality camera who is going to be very disappointed if he doesn't get those damn pictures of the sunset.

"Lee MinHo, right?" He nods and the female explains how this would work. So, this tour needs to keep going and as he is clearly pretty interested in hugging the tree that is right there to hold him, he should wait for the other group tour. It would cost him a lot because the next group tour has the option to stay the night to wait for the beautiful dawn. He agreed still because he wanted them pictures, it didn’t matter if he had to sneak in someone’s tent. “Your client’s code is 1441, please let it know to the next tour guide so he would include you in the other package.”

He buys an extra bottle of iced tea for everyone as he apologizes once more before he says goodbye and apologizes again to the rest of the group tour. Minho takes beautiful pictures as he walks near the damn bridge he doesn't want to cross but he needs to, he has around two hours to enjoy and to prepare himself.

You have to do it MinHo.

You have to.

"Are you sure you are going to hike that mountain? Like really sure?" He remembers Changbin questioning him and MinHo gasped. That asshat knew about the thin bridge.

Whatever, he is already here.

He is distracted with the beautiful little birds that let him take photos of them when he hears noise about a group coming. His moment to shine has come.

He just needs to look forward and not down because he would probably die. Ok, he 's ready. Really ready. Completely ready.

Oof.

"I'm not ready!" What- He is engulfed in his own thoughts of being terrified of heights, he didn't notice the girl that is making a funny scene about being nervous. MinHo approaches the group taking out his headphones and feels a bit better, he is not the only one having a mental breakdown because of the damn bridge. Everyone hypes her up to cross the bridge and cheers, she ties her hair up and gives a step forward and squeals.

"I'm sorry my friends! But I'll need a diaper."

"Uh, excuse me? Is this the second group of the tour to see the dawn?" He approaches the lady who had the little bright flag and after she nods kindly, he gives her his ticket saying his client code was 1441. "Oh yes! Come with us, please. This group usually goes slower so take your time to cross the bridge as you see, there's another client who is a bit nervous."

"I'm not nervous, I just wanted to take more pictures."He says and the lady nods and smiles, the tour guide seems close to the girl laughing anxiously that tries to cross the bridge because she whispers to her something about being a chicken. The girl, undeniable attractive just keeps laughing, voicing out she hopes to not die today. "Huh? Another person that is afraid to cross? Where?"

Damn. They are talking about him. The smile that was on his face dissipates and turns into a serious frown as he tries to appear concentrated to look at some flower. "Guys keep going, I will cross alone and safe! I promise!" MinHo hears the girl say to the group and hurried steps that come closer to him after that. "Hi? Are you the scaredy cat?"

"What?" He quickly turns around and scoffs, she is the scandalous one and she starts with this, pfft. "Are you talking about yourself? I don't remember being the one who squealed."

"Yeah right. Come on! Don't be shy, let's cross together because I'm scared too."

"I'm not scared!"

"Mr. 1441, please. We can be stubborn after crossing this bridge." You stick out your hand at him and he raises an eyebrow. "Are you going to give me a piggyback ride or what? Because Miss Chicken, I am not interested."

"What- Chicken? You are the chicken! Oh, is this a way to ask for my name? I'm Y/N."

"MinHo. But I wasn't asking."

"Me neither, MinHo." You laugh as he doesn't have an answer and you grab his hand. "Let's do this together, it's okay to scream and insult. I do that a lot so I don't mind."

" Wait, wait!" He says as he is dragged by Y/N, the girl who seems eager to cross but is as much as terrified as him or even more. "Why are you so eager if the lady said we can take it easily? You were screaming a second ago!"

"I know but the adrenaline is awesome and someone who understands the frightening feeling will make you feel secure, I promise two chickens make a good team."

"I'm not a chick-" His words die as he is at the start of the bridge, instinctively he holds your hand tightly. He takes a deep breath and looks at you, you smile at him. MinHo wants to run away but something in your secure hold of hand makes him believe.

"So you don't have friends to come with?"

"I do have friends! How can you come to that conclusion just by one look? You also look like a loner." He bickers and you immediately answer. "I am not a loner! The lady guide is my friend, she said this dawn is going to be probably the most beautiful of the year as the weather is awesome."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah! I hope you didn't bring too much stuff because it's hot up there, people don't even bring tents and prefer to talk with everyone and take naps looking at the stars and stuff like that, it's pretty safe too and the tour gives tents if you feel uncomfortable."

"Really?"

"Of course! Is this your first time hiking this mountain?" He nods and as the conversation dies for a moment he remembers he is actually on a freaking bridge that looked too thin to hold him safely so he looks down. He is stepping on plain land.

He crossed the bridge bickering with the woman he is still holding hands with.

Wow.

MinHo bickers a bit more to hold her hand a bit more as she gets distracted easily. Y/N. It is a pretty name.

He smiles.

"So are you going to ask me out or are you ready to let go of my hand?" There is a tiny possibility he would have choked on his idea tea at this statement.

"Wow, that was smooth and pretty direct." He lets go of her hand and she laughs. "I don't date chickens though."

"I don't date chickens either." He scoffed at her attitude, damn. Is there a divinity of summer he can thank for?

After a night of bickering and photos of the incredible dawn, you agreed to give him your number so he would send the pictures he took.

It would be the first of many hiking trips that would turn into summer dates.

You open your eyes finally and your hands search for your phone to see the hour. You slept two hours! Felix said he would call for you to come and eat brownies with MinHo.

"Shouldn't you search for me first?" Your boyfriend sat on the end of the bed eating the last bag of chips making you whine.

"MinHo! Spill my chips!"

"Give me your hand to spill it."

"Ew."

"Tell Felix you are a taken chicken. He is not going to seduce you with brownies, you are more spoiled than anyone could ever think."

"Listen chicken, sweet Australian man is going to invite us both brownies so shut up. Also go tattoo yourself the word taken on your forehead. Girls think my chip robber is single? Tsk." As always, your unexpected statements make him choke, this time on the chips and laughs at your rolling eyes. "Am I spoiled? When? Where?"

MinHo throws himself on you and tickles you until you are kicking him off you, showing him the white blanket as a surrender sign.

"Should we go on a hiking date?" You suddenly ask.

"Why?"

"Why not? Maybe I want to commit murder and take revenge because they were my favorite chips."

"Jirisan?"

"No, the one we met!"

"Huh? Really?" He takes his phone and casually books a tour already for this weekend. "Maybe I should propose to you so you won't kill me."

You both laugh.

But he isn't joking. He also messages the boutique, he would need the ring for this weekend.

REPOSTED.

#skz fic #skz scenario #stray kids scenario #minho scenario #minho fluff #lee know fics #lee know fluff

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kashimos-hajime · 4 years ago

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sawdust and plastic | g.t.

summary: you learn two things from your first real fight with goro. 1) he apologizes through cooking. 2) he hates it when they argue.

WARNINGS: spoilers for the gimme danger main job, swearing, slight angst, theye just communicating pairing: goro takemura x fem!street-kid!v word count: 2.2k

a/n: written with a fem!street-kid v who used to be a corpo kid. also dont yell at me but i rearranged v's apartment so the couch goes on all 3 sides bc comfortable :^) crossposted on ao3! enjoy :)

part of the tales of a two-bit thief series

Sitting down on the couch, you kick up your feet for the first time in what you feel like has been ages. From Jackson Plains to reconnaissance on the Arasaka warehouse, you haven’t eaten shit besides the yakitori Takemura had ordered at that booth which already felt like ages ago. It’d been good—better than the trash you’ve eaten as a kid so you don’t really get picky—but you can’t help but recall the disgust on Takemura’s face when he had taken a single bite.

“Sawdust and plastic.”

You snort, running hands over your face and tilting your head back. Stupid fucking Japanese man with an endearing sense of dry-humour and… zero tolerance for your cheeky smiles.

Then he had to go ahead and bring up Jack.

His words, cold, callous, echo in your skull like a goddamn radio and you squeeze your eyes tight, raking your hands down your face and melting into the couch. No matter how much you wanna stop it, you can’t help hearing it over and over and over.

Grabbing the remote, you’re about to switch on a channel in hopes you catch something that cna take your mind off everything when there’s a knock on your door.

For a moment, you truly debate telling them to fuck off but then, there is a pause.

“V.”

Eyes widening, your body goes rigid at the sound of his voice.

“V, let me in before I look anymore foolish.”

In the back of your head, you tempt the idea of just leaving him out there, pretending like you’ve fallen asleep, but then you get up anyway against your better judgement. You drag your feet over the floor, picking up old takeout boxes you haven’t had time to clean up and tossing clothes into a hamper to make your apartment look more like an organized mess than the dumpster fire you know Takemura will scold you for.

When you reach the door, you let him in without a word and you note the bags he holds on, hoisting them over to your living room counter.

“What’s this?” you question wearily. “Goro, I’m not hungry.”

“I realized I must apologize for my harsh words.” Beginning to pull out the groceries, you walk over and peer inside the bag, frowning. All the stuff inside is cheap synth shit, nothing you haven’t eaten before, but you’re still confused as to what’s going on since you don’t exactly have a kitchen in your place, but then out of one of the thicker bags, Takemura pulls out a big box.

“For saying them?”

“Yes." He sets the box down before continuing with groceries. “Earlier, I told you if I had time and resources, I would cook onigiri.”

“With cod, or grilled salmon. Or umeboshi plums, because they were Saburo’s favourite,” you finish and he sends you a look that could’ve been a smile if his lips had curved more and his eyes meant it. “I remember.” Helping him with the big box, you cut it open and find a rice cooker within. Eyeing the contraption with an arched eyebrow, you can’t help but ask: “Where’d you find this stuff?”

“It was difficult. I had to lower my standards.”

“Lowering standards,” you echo dryly, unable to help your empty smile. “Yeah. We do that a lot in grand ole NC.” He doesn’t seem amused by you even trying to help as you sit down on the couch, twist to watch him work. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”

“I am cooking to apologize. It would not be honourable for you to help me,” he replies shortly and you nod to yourself, turning back around to watch the news. Nothing about a break-in with the floats, nothing at all indicating… anything.

For some reason, it makes you uneasy. The last time you snuck into an Arasaka building, everything went to shit and it made its mark. The lack of visible ripples makes you feel like nothing’s happened at all. Like it’s all been a fever dream, and you and Takemura didn’t sit on that roof for hours, watching the cat, just… talking.

Jesus, you need to get laid.

“Still don’t know why you bother cooking,” you say. Takemura noticeably stiffens and even though you don’t see it, you can almost feel the way he manipulates the air he stands in. He has that power—pure corpo power—and you clench your jaw. “Why waste time on someone so lazy as me?”

“V—"

“Nah, my bad. Arrogant. Hell, you probably see all the takeout around here and think I’m taking some easy route to food.” The bitterness is enough to puncture holes in steel as you stare blankly at the screen. “After all, I dirty my hands for money,” you quote. Your chest tightens as you hear his voice echo in yours, the way he had said it so coldly. Stomach turning, you shake your head. “Not in the name of some fucking principles.”

There’s a silence on his end and you close your eyes, swallowing through the bruising in your throat, a telltale sign you’re holding back tears. Just the mention of Jackie makes you want to spiral and you take a deep breath, trying not to react.

For the first time, you think Johnny might be right.

“Damn right, I am,” a voice says and you open your eyes, gaze fluttering to the side to see Johnny lounging against your couch. You turn around to see Takemura’s moved to the bathroom, probably to clean rice… however the fuck you make onigiri. You don’t know. You’re too tired to care about food, or feelings, or anything. “Never can trust a corpo. They all want one thing.”

“I don’t need to remind you that I was a corpo kid, do I?”

“Not anymore. It’s about principles.” Johnny’s tone is wry and you scowl at him. “What? If there’s one thing you might be able to relate to is that you both have ‘em. His might be wrong as shit, but…”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re gonna forgive him. This guy’s got you wrong, V. You don’t waste time on people like that.”

“I don’t have time to stay angry with him,” you argue. “The fact is, I’m dying and he’s gonna be the only one who can save me.” Johnny sits up straight, leaning on his knees and you sigh, shaking your head. Resting your arm along the back of the couch, you fit your hand to your face, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Fuck.”

“Stop. Don’t do it, V. It’s not worth it,” Johnny warns, standing up and you wrench your gaze up as you shift your feet on the floor and lean forward, burying your face in your hands. “I can feel everything you are feeling, and if I have to deal with your indecisive debates on whether or not it’s worth it to become attached to this corp piece of shit, I’ll kill myself.”

“You’re already dead, Johnny.”

“Let me live a little.” He stands and edges around you as if he were real and you rest your chin in your palms, watching as his holographic imagine crosses you before glitching back into view again across the table. He sits down. “The truth is, you’re gonna have a hell of a problem.”

“I know.”

“So, stop.” Johnny says it like it’s so easy and you chew on your cheek as the faucet turns off and you turn around to see Takemura begin to leave your bathroom. His pale eyes catch yours and you turn around only to see your brain tumour’s gone and left you alone. It’s eerily quiet in your head and you stand, clearing your throat.

Takemura slips the clean rice into the rice cooker before closing it and you cross your arms below your breasts, squeezing yourself tightly. You feel bare in your clothes despite wearing your scuffed jacket. He regards you warily, and then he sighs, gesturing to the couch—a silent ask.

You nod, stepping back and letting him take where you were sitting earlier. You retreat across from him, where Johnny was sitting and he glances around your apartment. You wonder if he’s judging even more of you, but then he looks into his hands, swallowing visibly.

“V—"

“You’re not the only one with principles. Just because I kill for money don't mean I'd do anything for it,” you begin coldly, leaning back and studying him. “And nothing about my life has been easy. When I said you did what you had to do to keep food on the table, that wasn’t me judging you. That was me getting it, alright, Goro?” His eyes meet yours and you arch an eyebrow, scoffing. “Not my problem if you don’t believe me. Yeah, I oppose corps, because they ruined my life, and so many other people’s lives no one can count 'em, but that doesn't mean you're any better than me. You don’t get to make assumptions about me. You never get to make assumptions about Jackie.That is all I have to say.”

He nods, accepting your harsh tone and you bite your tongue, trying not to burn down the bridge anymore than you need to as you prop a foot up against the table. Takemura doesn't say anything for a hot moment and you think you've wasted your time. Your knee jiggles. He doesn't even look at you.

Then: “I must again say that we are both still grieving. We ache to lash out. That is why I said what I said, and why, I presume, you say what you say.” He steeples his fingers and regards you with those eyes, gorgeous in their own right. “I understand what I said was callous. You have been nothing but understanding to my own loss.”

“No shit.”

“And I understand Mr. Welles was your friend.”

“He was like my brother,” you correct icily. “He’s been there for me since the beginning, I—I can’t forgive you saying something like that about him so easily, Goro.”

He dips his head. “I understand. It is why I cook for you. It is how I best express myself." The corner of his mouth tugs up faintly in a mirthless facsimile of a smile before he exhales sharply through his nose, looking at you again. "I confess I have not had time recently to cook, but I will do my best.” Johnny’s link comes to life at the mention and your own stomach squirms silently. “We are in this together, V. I do not wish for you to be angry at me.”

“Don’t do it, V. Don’t take it.”

“Fuck off, Johnny. I’m starving.” Aloud, you say: “I’ll be angry for a while. Just… let me sleep on it and we'll see from there.” He nods and you let your arms fall to your sides as you sit up. “It’s been a long few days, so I just… I just want to not think about anything for a while, you know?”

“I understand.”

He says that a lot, you notice.

“Thank you for apologizing, at least,” you continue grudgingly. “Thanks.” You stand and gesture vaguely around the place. “Make yourself at home. I’m… I’m going to shower and scrub this grime off.” Dried blood, sweat, dirt, et cetera. He nods and stands as well, returning to the tiny cooking station he’s made for himself. You head to your closet, managing to pick out a clean shirt that’s a bit big and a jacket you ripped off a 6th Street goon a few weeks back. You just picked it up from the cleaners.

Heading for the bathroom, you set your crap on the toilet cover before poking your head out. Spotting Takemura sitting in front of the table, carefully sharpening a knife, you wait until he’s noticed you staring and he prompts you silently to ask.

“How’d you even know where I live, anyway?”

He turns his gaze back on the blade.

“Ms. Olszewski marked it in my map, should the need arise.”

“This was a need?” you ask, curiously sardonic. Takemura doesn’t smile back and again, you get that impression he either doesn’t know how or he doesn’t do it often enough to remember. For some reason, that makes you sad. "Could've left it well enough alone. You know that."

“Oh, come on, V,” Johnny murmurs in your ear. “Don’t wax poetics on this guy.”

You ignore him.

“I do not enjoy the thought of a rift between you and I,” admits Takemura. He sets down the knife and sighs, eyes flitting to you briefly. Your hand wraps around the doorframe and you press your lips into a faint frown. "I... I have grown used to you."

You nod despite the words punching into your chest. “I don’t like it when we fight either.” At least, that you don’t have to fight twice to figure out. Your expression eases and your shoulders drop. “I’ll just hop in. Help yourself to whatever you can find. Really.” He accepts your offer with another nod and you close the door. It locks and you press your back against the metal, tipping your head back.

“For the love of—“

“Shut it, Johnny. Just… just give me a second.”

And on one of the rare occassions that he listens to you, Silverhand says nothing about how your heart doesn’t feel like wrought iron anymore.

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theres-an-impulstor-among-us · 4 years ago

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Evil Scar on 3rd life? I really like your writing btw

3rd Life rly is just a place for people to have villain arcs lmfao /hj also thank you, i’m so glad you enjoy my stuff :D

(just a reminder: do not tag this or any of my work as shipping of any kind)

…

“Mrrow.”

Etho chuckles and leans on his pickaxe as his cat, named Pineapple Pizza, sits down on the staircase behind him, looking up at him. “Heyo. What can I do for you? You hungry?”

Pineapple meows again in response.

“Okay, then. Let’s get you some fish.”

Seemingly delighted with his response, Pineapple jumps up onto Etho’s shoulders and curls herself round the back of his neck. Etho grins and tickles her under the chin as he goes back up the stairs of his mine and emerges back in the swamp. His wool bridge stands proud through the middle of the swampy water, looking rather good for a build made of white wool.

Etho roots around in his chest for some fish, but by the time he finds some, he realises that Pineapple has jumped down from his shoulders. Glancing around, he spots a figure moving around in the trees and heads over to investigate.

As he approaches, Scar emerges from behind the tree and spots him. “Ah, Etho! Good to see you.”

Etho blinks, acutely aware of the red heart on Scar’s neck. “Hi, Scar,” he says warily, but still with a friendly tone. “What can I do for you?”

“Oh, I was just in the neighbourhood and I-.”

“Meow.”

Scar breaks off as Pineapple appears between them, sitting down and starting to lick her paw.

“Is this your cat?” Scar asks, bending down and picking Pineapple up.

Etho starts to reach for his cat but stops, as if afraid of spooking a wild animal. “Uh, yes. Yes, that’s Pineapple Pizza, Piney for short. Scar, could you, um… Sorry, but would you mind not picking her up? She doesn’t like being held by anyone who isn’t me.”

“But she’s so cute.” Scar strokes the top of Pineapple’s head. “I’ve been looking for a cat, you know. Haven’t seen any Jellies on this server so I guess this one’ll have to do.”

As Etho stares at him in shock, Scar turns and walks out onto the bridge. Etho falls into step beside him. “Scar, please,” he pleads. “She’s my cat. I can help you find one of your own, but-.”

“No, I like this one. Not only is she adorable but she seems to be in need of a new home.”

“No, please!” Etho’s voice rises. “Scar, please don’t take her from me! Please!”

Scar steps back, still holding Pineapple in his arms. “I’d stay back from me, if I were you. Otherwise you might lose more than just your cat and your extremely flammable bridge.”

“Wh-.”

Before Impulse even finishes his word, Scar turns and strikes his flint and steel, setting the wool bridge on fire.

“NO!” Etho screeches.

He charges forwards and attempts to stamp out the fire but it’s already spreading, and all he succeeds in doing is burning his leg. Stumbling backwards, Etho realises quickly that his bridge is a lost cause. As the flames explode outwards, all he can do is dive over the edge into the swampy water.

He swims to safety and climbs out onto the shore. By the time he turns around, his entire bridge is alight. Abandoning it, he dashes down the swampy banks, searching wildly for any sign of Scar.

But his former friend is long gone, along with his beloved cat.

…

As the sun rises, Etho sits on top of the hill with his knees drawn into his chest, gazing numbly down at where his bridge used to be. All that’s left is two blocks of wool and some fences. He’s shed so many tears tonight that he has nothing left in him.

Everything he loves is gone. His tree, his bridge, and even his beloved cat. He has nothing now. Nothing.

“Etho!” comes Tango’s call from somewhere to his left. “Etho, where are you?”

Etho doesn’t respond.

After a moment, Tango and Impulse emerge from the forest and discover him sitting on the edge of the hill. Neither of them speak; they’ve already heard what happened. News and gossip travels fast on the server.

They sit down on either side of him, neither of them entirely sure what to say.

“How you holding up, buddy?” Impulse asks eventually.

Etho closes his eyes briefly, releasing one stray tear he didn’t know was there. “Why does Scar hate me?” he whispers.

Tango and Impulse exchange a sympathetic look.

“He doesn’t hate you,” Tango begins. “He…”

“He burned down my tree and my bridge, and took my cat away from me. I must have done something to make him hate me.”

“No, buddy.” Impulse puts his arm over Etho’s shoulder. “Scar is… He’s… different than how he used to be. This server has changed him, and I guess it’s changed all of us. Just… him in a different way.”

After a moment, Etho stands up, shaking Impulse’s arm off his shoulder.

Tango and Impulse also simultaneously rise to their feet. “Are you gonna be okay?” Tango asks.

Etho takes his gloves out of his pocket and puts them on. “Eventually.”

“Not sure I like that answer. Etho, don’t push us away, okay? We’ll help you out, we’ll support you. Anything you need.”

“Yeah,” adds Impulse. “Anything.”

“Alright, I appreciate that. I think I just need to be left alone for a while.”

Exchanging another look, Tango and Impulse reluctantly nod. “Okay,” says the former. “You know where we are if you need us.”

Etho waits until they’re out of sight before climbing into his boat and taking off across the swamp. He has somewhere to be.

…

Etho climbs the sandy hill and stands a safe distance away from the small castle at the top. “Scar!” he calls. “Scar, come here!”

He spots Grian dithering just inside the entrance of the house, but before he can call to him, Scar brushes past him and stands in front of him, crossing his arms. “What do you want, Etho?”

“I want my cat back,” Etho responds steadily. “You’ve now burned down two things that meant a lot to me and I couldn’t stop you, so I’m here to fight for the only thing I have left. If you don’t give her back to me, I WILL resort to violence.”

Grian glances sharply at Scar. “That black cat is Etho’s?”

Scar shrugs. “So what if it is? He’s not gonna do anything about it. The rules say that PvP can only begin if a red lifer initiates it. And if I do initiate violence, I promise you, you won’t last long enough to strike me back.”

Etho’s narrowed eyes flicker to Grian, who reluctantly nods. “He’s right. If Scar strikes first, you’re allowed to strike back. But if he doesn’t, you can’t legally touch him.”

Etho curls his hands into fists. “Why are you doing this, Scar? First my tree, then my cat, then my bridge. Why do you delight in taking away everything I care about?”

“You have no idea how delicious it is to take things from people and watch as they slowly come to realise they can’t do a single thing about it,” replies Scar, grinning maliciously. “Maybe if you had a red heart like me, you’d understand.”

“You get how being on red isn’t a GOOD thing, right?” Grian says warily from behind him. “One more death and you’re gone. And Etho could kill you right now, you know. He’d be breaking the rules, but that wouldn’t bring you back from the dead.”

“You shut up, Grian,” snarls Scar. “I didn’t ask for your input.”

Grian flinches and turns away.

Seeing his friend mistreated like that pushes Etho over the edge. Grian is clearly scared of Scar. There’s no reason for him to be, unless Scar isn’t exactly his friend anymore.

Etho grabs Scar’s lapels and shoves him against the wall. Before Scar can even make a noise, Etho shoves his face close to Scar’s and snarls, “WHERE. IS. MY. CAT.”

“I-I put her upstairs in the bedroom,” yelps Scar. “G-Grian, save me! Don’t let him kill me!”

“I’m not gonna kill you.”

Etho shoves Scar aside and barges into the building. Grian wordlessly leads him upstairs to the room in question, where Etho finds Pineapple curled up on the bed. “Piney!”

She opens her eyes and, upon spotting him, jumps down from the bed and circles his feet, rubbing her head against his ankles.

Etho almost cries with relief. “Oh, Piney… I’m so glad you’re okay.”

He picks up Pineapple and lets her lie across his shoulders, before turning to Grian. “You don’t have to stay with him anymore, Grian. I know you said you owe him your first life, but just look at yourself. You’re miserable here with him. Scar’s turned into a bully, and you’re the person he targets when there’s nobody else around. You don’t have to live like this anymore.”

Grian sighs quietly. “Where would I go? I burned all my bridges when I came here with Scar. And would I even be safe from him?”

“Come live with me in the swamp,” Etho urges. “I’ll protect you. He may be on his red life but if he strikes one of us, the other can take him down. I’ll make sure if he strikes either of us, it’ll be me. You’ve been through a lot since Scar’s first death; you deserve your freedom.”

For a moment, Grian doesn’t seem convinced.

Then Scar’s voice yells his name from downstairs and Grian again finds himself flinching.

This clinches it. He can’t spend the rest of his time on the server doing Scar’s bidding, waiting for either Scar or himself to die. That’s no way to live and he knows it.

Finally, he nods. “Okay, I’ll come with you. Th-Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Etho leads the way back downstairs. He finds Scar standing in the doorway, arms crossed again, seemingly having regained his composure. “I heard what you said. Do you really think you can get away with stealing my cat AND my best friend?”

“She’s not your cat,” snaps Etho.

“I’m not your best friend!” Grian bursts out at the same time.

Scar blinks. “Grian, what’d you just say?”

“You’re not my best friend, Scar! Not anymore. Ever since you lost your first life, you’ve been different. And you’ve only gotten worse since you lost your second. I-I can’t live here with you anymore.” Grian’s voice cracks. “I’m sorry.”

Scar’s shocked expression quickly turns into a ferocious glare. “Fine, then! Go, both of you. But don’t expect any mercy from me when I’m ready to start killing people. I’ll be coming for you first.”

Grian freezes.

Etho takes hold of his wrist and skilfully pulls him past Scar and out of the house. “You’ll be okay, Grian,” he says reassuringly. “I promise.” To Scar, he says a simple, “Goodbye.”

Scar turns away as Etho and Grian head down the sandy mountain. “Did that really just happen?” Grian says numbly. “Did I really just abandon Scar?”

“You did,” says Etho warmly, putting his arm over Grian’s shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

Grian takes a deep breath. It’s the same air, but somehow, it tastes fresher. “Good, I think. You?”

Etho smiles as he feels Pineapple rub her head against his cheek. For the first time, he hasn’t let Scar get away with taking something he cares about. It feels great.

“Never better.”

#3rdlifesmp #3rd life smp #goodtimeswithscar #grian #etho #ethoslab #vaunna’s requests

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trashmenofmarvel · 4 years ago

Text

Branded - Chapter 49

Pairing: Demon!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You begin your new normal, and come up with a new plan. Bucky likes it decidedly less than the last one.

(This is a fan AU of Falling’s Just Another Way to Fly by araniaart . Please check out this incredible series for all of your demon Bucky needs.)

Chapter Warnings: Mild explicit content, sexual tension, angst, Bucky being Bucky

AO3

Knowing that Bucky was fine with your extreme changes was comforting, but you weren’t willing to live with it. Not until you tried everything you could. After all, there was your mother to think about, and you weren’t sure she could survive the shock of finding out her daughter was a wizard/pseudo-demon.

After you asked Bucky to contact Strange, you both arrived via portal and went into his office. Before Bucky could get a word in edgewise, you shoved your notepad against Strange’s chest, glaring at him until he read everything you’d written down.

Strange pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“First off,” he muttered, “there’s no need to threaten to tear me limb from limb if I put Sergeant Barnes back into the cryo-chamber. The chamber is beyond repair, and there is no more use for it, anyway. And while I appreciate your honesty in regards to… this latest feeding… as long as you’re not in an enslaved bond, I’m willing to change the terms of the Ancient One’s agreement. So, moving forward, please do not inform me of what the two of you do in privacy.”

Bucky choked from somewhere behind you; in hindsight, you probably should have warned him what you were going to tell Strange.

“And secondly, I will continue your education myself. If,” Strange added with a raised finger, “you agree to remain in the Sanctum for the time being. You are going to be exposing yourself to magical energies, and I want to view the effects they have on your current state firsthand. I will not bend on this point.”

Your tail lashed like a whip, and you were very tempted to reach back and grab it. Now you understood how Bucky must feel when his tail misbehaved.

You also resisted the urge to look back at Bucky with big puppy-eyes in hopes he would convince Strange to let him stay as well. But you didn’t. You needed to prove that you could do this without having your hand held. What happened to you in the demon realm was traumatic, you wouldn’t deny that, but you couldn’t let Bucky coddle you forever, either.

You gave a firm nod while looking Strange in the eye. There was another reason you wanted to be taught to harness whatever was inside you. A reason Strange didn’t need to know. A reason that had everything to do with Helmut Zemo.

The next month you spent in near isolation, only seeing Strange for lessons and glimpsing other sorcerers when you went to the library. When you weren’t in your lessons, that’s where you spent most of your time. Suffice it to say, you’d been fired after not calling in for a full week (you couldn’t really explain that you’d been kidnapped to Siberia), but that worked fine for you. The Sanctum and lessons were quickly becoming your life, and even Bucky didn’t see you as often as he probably liked.

You certainly missed him. Missed his scent and his touch and even just his comforting presence. But you couldn’t let yourself be distracted, not for a single night and not even for Bucky. You were doing this for him and for you.

Unlike before, when you couldn’t even create a spark, under Strange’s guidance you could now create ropes of fire and bursts of light from your hands. You couldn’t create a portal, not since the disastrous moment you accidentally sliced a demon in half, but Strange only patted you on the shoulder and said, “Perhaps it best we leave portals for the more advanced lessons.”

But one area you were excelling at was sensing and harnessing energies. Every night before bed, you turned that focus inward, imagining the demonic energy inside you being expelled back to the realm it came from. According to the laws of magical equilibrium, the alien energy would want to return to its natural state, which apparently was a sort of UV ray that came from the sun of that realm.

You didn’t really understand it when Strange explained it to you—hell, you didn’t have a grasp of most things he said—but you could get the gist of it. And lucky for you, you seemed to have a natural talent for magic now that you were “unblocked,” as he called it.

So when you woke up one morning and most of your demonic features had vanished, you were pleased but not too surprised. You’d thrown yourself into magical studies more than you’d done even in college, and it was showing. If only your mom could see you now.

Or… perhaps not. There were some parts of you that hadn’t changed, and you glared at your horns and tail with a frown. You’d have to start cutting holes in your pants from now on, not to mention learn how to guise yourself in public. A small price to pay for being able to speak again. Demonic Cats: The Musical had taken a curtain call.

Still, you didn’t complain, but nor did you lighten up on your studies. You were searching for something very, very specific in those dusty shelves of the archives, and when you couldn’t find it, you knew only one place to seek your answers.

When it was mid-March and the show outside had melted, most of the sorcerers were either on the rooftop or away from the Sanctum. It was the only chance you’d get, and now that you had a feel for sensing magic, you were confident you could find the vault a second time.

Without a hobgoblin to guide your way, it took you much longer to find the familiar stone staircase spiraling into the depths of the earth. You followed it with more confidence and less fear than the first time even as your heart thudded in your chest. Strange hadn’t told you not to come down here, and technically you were part of the Mystic Arts, so you had every right to explore your new home.

At least, that’s what you told yourself, standing in front of the massive door that guarded the vault. And to your eternal surprise, when you wrapped your hands around the handle and pulled, it opened with a loud groan.

Exhaling, you squeezed through the opening and came to an abrupt stop on the other side, forgetting to take a breath as you stared with wide eyes.

The room was empty.

All of it, gone. The creepy statues and mounted heads. The cabinets full of demonic body parts. You stepped into the middle of the room to confirm what your eyes were telling you. Only the lectern remained, empty and dusty as if the book that used your blood for ink had never been there.

Bracing your hands on your hips, you swore under your breath. Now how the hell were you supposed to—

“I told Strange what you found the last time you were down here.”

You whirled around, your tail sticking straight out and fluffing up to twice its normal thickness.

Bucky stared at you, his tone just as devoid of humor as his sharp eyes.

“So, he had everything moved just in case you went looking for it again.” He strode forward, his boots tapping softly on the stone floor, his guise retained as it usually was when he visited the Sanctum.

The slow, predatory walk had you soon backed away. You weren’t afraid, you were just… slightly intimidated.

“Why are you down here?” Bucky continued to walk toward you.

“I—“ Your voice cracked, something it still did after so long of disuse. “I was… doing research.”

“Yeah?” His voice was flat. “What could you possibly need to know that would require the Book of the Dead?”

Your back hit the edge of the lectern and your stomach fluttered when he didn’t stop in his approach.

“You seem to be doing just fine with Strange’s lessons,” Bucky said, eyes roving over your body, leaving both heat and a chill in its wake. “You managed to change back.”

“Mostly.” You cleared your throat so you wouldn’t sound like a frightened mouse. “Bucky, I… I was going to tell you. I’ve just, been busy.”

“Busy, huh?”

He stepped closer, only a few feet away when he tilted his head.

“If Strange is being so thorough with his lessons, then why hasn’t he taught you how to sense when something is following you?”

With Bucky’s last few steps, his guise melted away, wings half-flaring over his back as his eyes darkened. He loomed over you, bending down to growl in your ear.

“The next demon stalking you might not be so friendly.”

You closed your eyes, fighting yourself, but your shallow breathing and the goosebumps along your skin gave you away. There was definitely something wrong with you. Normal people did not get so hot and bothered from the idea of being hunted down by a demon, even if said demon was your kind-of-boyfriend.

“I assure you, I can take care of myself just fine.” You almost said it without a hitch in your breath, too.

Bucky pulled back, brows raised.

“Want me to show you?” you pressed.

He studied your face for a moment, and then gave a shrug and said, “Sure.”

Your lips twitching was all the warning he got before there was a conjured, fiery rope in your hand, whipping him across the chest and throwing him back several feet. Only his flaring wings kept him upright as he skidded across the floor.

There was a flash of approval, and oh God, excitement in his eyes as he licked his lips. You didn’t know if he was trying to distract you, or if he genuinely wanted to sink his teeth into you.

You wanted to find the answer and see how far you could push him. It was about time you put your skills to use on a real demon, anyway.

When his wings flared and his tail danced in delight behind him, you prepared yourself for Bucky’s attack—and it was good that you did. He crossed the distance between you in a blur, and you barely had time to move your hand in a circle in front of your chest.

An orange, concentric circle formed out of thin air, and it vibrated when Bucky’s human fist collided with it. He was still holding back, but that hit would have probably knocked you out cold.

Okay, you thought, watching him with a tilt of your head. You think you can pull your punches with me?

You shoved your palm against the makeshift shield, and the lines unfolded and wrapped around Bucky’s legs and chest, pulling his limbs together in a series of fiery ropes, and he shouted in surprise as he tumbled to the ground. His wings were useless, caught in the same trap against his back, and you stood over him in triumph.

“Neat little trick you’ve got there,” Bucky commented casually as he tried to wriggle out of his bindings. “Won’t hold me forever.”

“I know.” You smiled, and Bucky gave you his strongest side-eye. Your shit-eating grin only increased in size. “Don’t need it to hold you forever.”

You stood over him, a foot to either side, and you sat on his stomach, straddling him and probably looking like the cat that ate the canary. The tail flickering behind you didn’t help.

Bucky predictably went still, a mixture of interest and exasperation on his face.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” You leaned down and half-laid on top of him, tucking your head into his shoulder. “Just enjoying this strapping young demon I’ve captured.”

“Young?”

“…strapping, then.”

Bucky snorted, and you dug your face deeper into his neck, reveling in his rich, calming smell. You licked him, teasing at first, but then with genuine interest.

“You gonna, uh… let me up?” He shifted under you, which was exactly the wrong thing to do, because now the growing bulge in his jeans was pressed right between your legs.

“Mmmm-no. You said you can get loose, I want to see it.”

But it wasn’t the ropes you were paying attention to when you sucked on his neck. Bucky groaned low in his throat. Both of you had forgotten about the ropes, and Bucky seemed oddly comfortable with them.

An option you might have to explore another time.

“You really want to test these bindings out, huh?” he growled, flexing his muscles as he suddenly strained against them. You nearly purred, appreciating the view of his armored bicep.

“Well, I gotta have something to show for all this training.” You went quiet, then, resting your cheek against his shoulder. “I miss you. I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted.”

“And I miss you, but I’m not going to give you a hard time for this. Not after what you’ve been through.” He turned his head just enough to press his lips to your temple. “Monster misses you too, you know.”

You lifted up, getting a good look at him.

“What? He… he came back?”

“He did. Hours after you moved back into the Sanctum.”

You didn’t know what to say. Monster had been missing ever since you… ever since Zemo shot you. Apparently, he’d been at the Sanctum when you went missing and had been an absolute nightmare to the sorcerers.

And then when the rescue mission failed to bring you back…

“How…” You swallowed. “How is he?”

To your surprise, Bucky rolled his eyes.

“A pain in my ass. He thinks he’s a lapdog. Every time I sit down, he jumps on me, kneading me with his claws like I’m mama cat.”

“Sounds like I’m being replaced,” you said, smiling as you leaned your head on his shoulder again.

“Nah. More like he thinks sucking up to me is gonna get you back sooner. Which… I’m all for that.” He brushed his lips against your hair, but your smile faded at his next words. “You will be coming home eventually… right? Because that place, my place, it’s yours too.”

You sat up again, avoiding his eye. As much as you wanted to take him up on that offer, and you did, so badly…

“Sweetheart?”

“I can’t. Not yet.”

Bucky’s voice was so soft it hurt when he said, “Can I ask why?”

Releasing a breath and closing your eyes, you knew you had to tell him. Otherwise he would just blame himself, and Bucky’s next question confirmed it.

“Is it because of… of Zemo?” He said the name like it was vile poison in his mouth.

“Yes. But not in the way you think,” you added when he blinked up at you in surprise. “It’s not me I’m worried about, Bucky.”

His eyes narrowed, scanning your face once before he looked around the room, as if just remembering where you were.

“Why did you come down here?”

You worried your lip, and Bucky watched the movement with growing suspicious. You didn’t want to tell him, not because you enjoyed keeping secrets—in fact, you had been enjoying the healthy communication between you lately—but Bucky really, really wasn’t going to like it.

“I came down here because I need to answer a question. A question that Zemo himself shed some light on.”

You focused on Bucky’s jacket zipper, fidgeting with it rather than meeting his eye.

“And… what question would that be?”

You took a deep breath. Fuck, here it goes.

“How do you prevent a free demon from being enslaved again?”

Bucky’s brows dipped.

“Okay,” he said slowly. “So you… what, wanted to be trained in magic so you could protect me? That’s… I wouldn’t ask you to do that, but I appreciate the thought. Still not sure why that involves the Necronomicon.”

“There’s more,” you said with a wince at Bucky’s scowl. “It’s not just that, though getting better at magic is part of it.”

“I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“Probably not. No.”

Bucky shifted under you like he was getting more comfortable, but his tone was extremely put-out.

“Let’s hear it, then. How do you prevent a freed demon from being enslaved again?”

“Well, you see…” You fidgeted again. Bucky may have been the one still tied in fire ropes, but you got the sense you were the one being dangled over a pit. “I already know the answer. I’m not sure how to… execute it.”

Bucky frowned.

“Execute what? Sweetheart, you’re starting to talk like a sorcerer, and you know how much I love that.”

You smiled a little, but it quickly faded again.

“All right. I’ll tell you my plan, but please, leave your questions to the end,” you said, trying to keep it lighthearted, but the gears in Bucky’s head were turning at the words my plan. You cleared your throat and continued.

“Now, the thing about free demons is you can’t protect them from being enslaved. Only demons bonded to a master are protected. Zemo said it himself; in fact, it was one of his selling points.”

Bucky scowled but didn’t interrupt you.

“He said if you were bonded to him, he could protect you from any HYDRA shitbags still hanging around. And… unfortunately, he had a point. It’s only a matter of time until someone else stumbles upon an old lab or a journal or whatever, and then they’ll be coming after you. Everyone knows about the Winter Soldier. Even if the world still believes he’s dead, that didn’t stop Zemo.”

Bucky’s scowl had vanished, his expression unreadable as he listened.

“So…” you continued, trying not to sweat. “If you were bonded to someone you trusted, someone who could protect you, that could be one way of doing it—“

“That’s why you’re training so hard?” he asked softly. “You would be willing to put a huge target on your back like that? Having me bonded to you?”

“Well,” you spluttered, face heating. So much for reprimanding Bucky for not keeping his questions until the end. “I wanted to be in the running, at least. I’m not exactly a threat compared to others you could choose from.”

“You mean Steve. I… actually talked to him about it already.” Now it was his turn to look away. “He said he’d be willing to if it’s what I wanted. It’s not what I want, but I still have to consider it.”

Bucky finally looked at you when you neglected to speak, and he rushed to say, “It’s different with a human master, it wouldn’t be like our pact at all. I don’t have to feed on him. It’s more fulfilling if I do feed on my master, but by no means is it necessary. I wouldn’t—I wouldn’t leave you to be with Steve, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

It was exactly what you were thinking, and you were so thrown off course that you floundered. Of course, you’d considered that Steve would be a good candidate, but you hadn’t realized Bucky had already had a discussion.

“Are you considering it?” The sudden lump in your throat made it difficult to speak. “Being bonded to him?”

He gave a soft smile, the kind that always held a bit of sadness.

“I was going to talk to you first, ask you for your input before I decided. Just didn’t get a chance until now. I hope you know I wouldn’t make a decision like that without you. Especially considering what happened last time I kept you in the dark.”

Whatever insecurities and jealousy lingered in your heart evaporated, and you put a hand on his chest, wishing you could express exactly how you felt. How much you loved him and didn’t blame him for any of what happened.

But like so many moments, you found words weren’t enough, and you just had to hope your actions communicated what you felt.

“Whatever you want to do, Bucky, I’ll support you.” You squinted at him and tapped him on the chest. “And what happened to me is not your fault. Zemo was watching us for a long time, and he would have found a way to use me against you eventually. I’m just grateful it turned out the way it did. Could have been a lot worse.”

“A lot worse than you dying and going to the demon realm?”

You folded your hands over your chest.

“I could have died and stayed dead.”

Bucky opened his mouth, hung there for a moment, and then closed it again. You waited for him to continue arguing, and instead, he changed the damn subject.

“You said that could be one way of doing it. There’s other ways?”

Hell, and what a subject change, too. For a moment, you really did consider lying, or at least telling him the other option was off the table if Steve was a choice. He was a safer option—that was without a doubt.

But you couldn’t lie to Bucky, or hold back. Not after everything. So you took a deep breath and pushed on.

“While I came up with that answer, I wasn’t satisfied with you being enslaved again, even if it was to me or Steve. So I tried to search for other solutions. In the archives, on the wizard internet, even Wong’s private stash of books.”

“There’s a wizard internet?”

“Bucky, please.”

“Sorry,” he said, not at all sorry. “Keep going.”

“I wanted to find a way for you to be as free as possible, without the danger of enslavement, and then… I had a thought.” You took a deep breath. “I thought… what if there’s a way to make the human-demon relationship equal?”

“…Come again?”

“The demon-human bond is always a power imbalance, right?” you said, excitement rushing your words. “Either the human enslaves the demon, or the demon owns the human. There’s no partnership. No equal exchange. No symbiosis.”

“Symbiosis.”

“It’s a term in biology.”

“Yes, sweetheart, I know what it means. I don’t think biology is going to help us here.”

“No, you’re right,” you muttered. “Which is why I needed a magical solution in order to create a soul-bound that’s equal from both sides.”

The truth finally hit home. Bucky’s eyes widened.

“No.”

“Bucky—“

“Absolutely fucking not.”

“I haven’t even told you the plan yet!”

“Does it involve you being bonded to me?”

You took a second too long to answer.

“Thought so,” he growled. “No fucking way am I ever doing that to you again.”

“You wouldn’t be! I told you, it would be an equal partnership, not—“

You yelped as the bindings shattered and Bucky rose at the same moment. You would have fallen flat on your ass if he hadn’t grabbed you by the arms and pulled you to your feet.

“Listen to me,” he said, face inches away. “You drop this line of thinking right now. You will not go looking into binding magic, and you will stay far away from anything demonic. Do you hear me? Tell me you understand and you won’t keep looking!”

You glared up at him. The full weight of his anger glared back, his wings rustling as his tail lashed back and forth.

“No.”

He bared his teeth at your refusal, a growl escaping from his throat. You didn’t flinch, though your tail betrayed you as the fur puffed out like a startled cat.

“Snarl all you want, it won’t change my mind.”

“You’re talking about experimental magic.” His gaze grew harder as his claws tightened around your arms. “Magic that Strange himself wouldn’t attempt. What makes you think you could survive, let alone succeed?”

Now it was your turn to bare your teeth, though they were blunted and human again. You almost missed the sharp canines.

“I summoned a portal to the demon realm when I was ten years old. I adapted to that same place, became more demon than human just to survive. I died and came back to life because of demonic magic.”

You met his eye, unblinkingly.

“Who else could do this but me?”

Bucky said nothing, his expression unreadable. You released a breath and let your voice soften.

“The Ancient One was adamant on three things. She wanted me to train with the leader of her order. She said you and I were very important to each other. And she told me that I would have to make a choice. A choice that would affect the both of us.”

You turned your hands so they were placed against his forearms. Bucky still hadn’t moved, but there was something like growing horror in his eyes.

“I know this is what she meant. This feels right. Like I’ve finally found my purpose. This is what I’m meant to do.”

“And what is that?” he asked, slowly, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. And there was another shoe. A big shoe. A shoe he was going to hate, but you wouldn’t hide it from him. It was only a matter of time before he found out, anyway.

“Everyone in the Order has their strengths,” you said. “Wong is the archivist and keeper of knowledge. Strange has an innate understanding of time and prophecy. The Ancient One, according to Strange, had a deep connection to the Dark Dimension.”

“And you?”

You swallowed dryly.

“I have… a strong affinity for magic that comes from the demon realm.”

He jerked away, as if contact with your skin burned him. Before you could stop him, Bucky turned and practically fled from the vault, disappearing out the massive door without looking back.

You released a breath as your tail sank to rest on the dusty floor. The words of the Ancient One rang in your ears, and you wished she hadn’t been right. If Bucky had been on your side, you wouldn’t have cared who else disagreed. But maybe that was the point.

It wasn’t supposed to be easy. No test ever was. You just didn’t appreciate that you still had to prove yourself after all this.

Hadn’t dying and going to Hell been enough?

Your heart as heavy as the stones at your feet, you left the empty vault.

Next Chapter

#bucky barnes x reader #branded #demon!bucky barnes #demon!bucky x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #my writing #my fanfiction

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aalissy · 3 years ago

Text

Locked In

I had a lottt of fun writing this chapter haha <3. I hope you guys like reading it :). Lemme know what you think! I also hope the rest of your week goes well too!!

AO3

Marinette glared at the locked door. She had gone to transform in one of the empty rooms at the school after the latest akuma attack and hadn’t realized that the door would lock behind her. Sighing, she opened up her purse to ask Tikki if she would mind opening it for her when the door suddenly banged open.

It hit her square in the face and Marinette fell to the ground, clenching her eyes shut in pain. Before she could so much as reprimand the person who had hit her or shout that the door would close behind them, she heard him shout, “Plagg, claws out!”

There was a bright flash of green light behind her closed eyelids and she couldn’t help but to open them in shock after hearing those words. Luckily, after she did open her eyes, she only saw the shaded figure of a black cat. Inwardly seething, Marinette groaned out, “Chat Noir?”

Her partner jumped, turning around with a noise that sounded suspiciously like a squeak. A small, amused grin twitched on her lips as he choked out her name, “Marinette! Wh-what are you doing down there?”

She crossed her arms across her chest, giving him a glare as she forced down any ounce of amusement. She had almost figured out his identity. He needed to be more careful. Plus, he had hit her with the door. Nodding her head at the locked entrance, she tsked, “You just swung the door at me.”

Chat sucked in a harsh breath before leaning down, offering his hand. Marinette could practically see his grimace as he murmured, “S-sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“Yeah, obviously not,” she spoke dryly, pulling herself up with his help. She then raised an eyebrow at him. “I hope you don’t have a habit of transforming in front of people?”

He ducked his head and she was certain that there had to be a blush on his cheeks. Chat scratched the back of his neck and then muttered a quiet, “No.”

Marinette snorted softly before shaking her head at him. “Good, because I don’t think Ladybug would like that very much.”

Attempting to ignore her thoughts which were screaming at her about just why Chat was transforming at her school, she opened her mouth to mention the locked door when he cut her off first. “Right, right... listen, Marinette... you didn’t happen to, uh, see anything. Did you?”

Glancing off to the side, she huffed out a quiet sigh. Now was not the time for this. They were currently locked in a room together when an akuma was right outside, wreaking havoc on the rest of Paris. Her purse nudged against her hip impatiently, and Marinette patted it calmly, trying to convey to Tikki that she was still trapped. Meeting what she hoped was his gaze, she spoke seriously, “No, I didn’t, Chat. It was too dark and I had my eyes closed, anyways.”

“Good,” he breathed out in relief before he spoke panickedly, “Wait, Marinette, there’s an akuma outside! We need to go! Ladybug’s probably wondering where I am!”

She couldn’t help the small, knowing smile from forming on her face after he spoke. Ladybug knew exactly where he was. Opening her mouth to remind him about the locked door, she heard a small bang and then a whimper of pain. Wincing, she realized that Chat had figured it out on his own.

“What the,” he muttered, and she heard him wiggle the door handle a few times to no avail.

“It’s locked,” Marinette spoke pointedly, “What did you think I was doing in here anyway? Just standing around?”

“Honestly,” Chat scratched the back of his neck as he turned around to face her. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

She rolled her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes. Her purse once again tapped her side in a silent question and she held it down firmly. The answer was no. It was too risky. Chat had night vision. If he caught a glimpse of Tikki while she was opening the door, it wouldn’t be that difficult for him to put two and two together.

Marinette then opened her eyes, squinting around the room in the hopes of spotting something useful. It was impossible, though, it was too dark for her to see anything of value. Blowing out a breath, she gazed back up at him. “Well, Mr. superhero, do you have any ideas on how to get us out of here?”

“I was thinking of one thing.” Chat held up his hand, forming a shadowed claw in front of her face.

“You can’t just cataclysm the door down,” she waved her arms in exasperation. “What happens if the akuma comes and you’ve lost your one power? We’d both be doomed.”

“Oh,” he put his hand back down, nodding his head. “Yeah, you’re purrobably right.”

Marinette frowned, tapping her foot at him impatiently. He was making puns at a time like this? Didn’t he realize the danger they were in? Pursing her lips, she again glanced around the room. It was once again up to her to solve the mess they were in. Snapping her gaze back to his, she asked, “Chat, can you see anything useful? Like a vent we can escape in or something we can use to break the lock?”

There was a brief moment of silence as he moved his head from side to side, looking for their escape plan. He then spoke cheerfully, pointing at something she couldn’t see. “Yes! There’s a vent right above us!”

“Perfect!” Marinette clapped her hands together and then beckoned him forward. “Now, come here, I’m going to use you as a boost and then get us both out of here.”

“Uh, purrhaps it would be best if I was the one to go through. I can see better than you. And, besides, you could get hurt out there while I’m stuck in here,” Chat said and she was certain that there was a frown between his brows.

Her gaze softened as she realized that he was worried about her. He could be so sweet at times. Unfortunately, though, she had to shake her head slowly at him. “I’m so sorry, kitty, but it has to be me. I couldn’t possibly lift you up to the vent.”

Marinette then felt determination fill her. She would get them both out of here and into that fight. She knew it. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on his arm. “You can trust me, I promise.”

“I do,” Chat spoke quickly and she blinked at the seriousness in his tone. Did he really have that much faith in her? Both as Marinette and Ladybug. “I just... don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Nibbling her lip, she considered his words. She couldn’t exactly promise him that she’d be fine. Squeezing his arm, she then said clearly, “I’ll be safe. I won’t go out unless I know there’s nothing in the hallway.”

Instead of speaking, he simply nodded his head, moving forward so that he was underneath the vent. Taking a deep breath, Marinette then climbed up onto his shoulders, pushing the cover away and pulling herself inside. Almost instantly, she coughed as dust swirled around her.

“If you need anything just shout, purrincess. I swear I’ll cataclysm that door down and get you out of there before the akuma has time to blink,” Chat shouted after her.

Giggling quietly, Marinette then began to crawl. Tikki phased out of her purse when she was far enough away, calling out instructions as she looked for a way out. Together, they worked rather quickly and she soon found herself in the hallway with the locked closet. Opening the door, she beamed over at the superhero, “Ta-da!”

Immediately, Chat wrapped her up in a tight, warm hug, breathing out quietly, “You’re okay.”

“Course I am,” Marinette nibbled her lip before patting his shoulder. “But you need to go. There’s an akuma out there and Ladybug probably needs your help.”

“Right,” he pulled back, giving her a quick nod. “You were absolutely pawsome, by the way, purrincess.”

Rolling her eyes fondly, she didn’t respond, instead giving him a small smile. Chat grinned back before giving her a quick salute, taking off towards the direction of the akuma. Sighing in relief, Marinette scanned her surroundings before opening up her purse. “It’s time for us to go after him. Tikki, spots on!”

#marichatmay2021 #marichatmay #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #marichat #ml #mlb #fic

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danger-xylophones · 4 years ago

Text

The Senator and the Hunter (Cad Bane x reader)

{masterlist}

Warnings: some suggestive dialogue

Notes: Cad Bane fluff! Cad Bane fluff! Cad Bane fluff! Cad Bane fluff! CAD BANE FLUFF!

I wanted this to be gender-neutral but there aren’t any pet names in the Durese language that are gender-neutral.

Can we do away with ‘beautiful’ being used in a feminine sense? I call mountains beautiful and I don’t think they’re ladies. Let beautiful be neutral.

Tags: @lifelikefae Here ya go! :D

…………………...

Swish, swish, swish, the fabric of your pant legs brushing against each other echoed in the tense room inhabited only by you. Your brow hurt from being furrowed for so long, your bottom lip had been worried into oblivion, and your previously expertly styled hair had been mussed as if you’d just rolled out of bed. You were sure that if someone from the speedway looked into your office right now they would see some scowling, pacing hermit who was frustrated at the galaxy and the datapad in their hands. That is if anyone was able to see into the tinted windows of the senate building.

You hadn’t had any clue how long you’d spent on this one bill but guessing 72 standard hours didn’t feel too far off. A part of you wanted to be angry that you’d had to spend so long on the bill proposed by Bail Organa but the other part reasoned that it was a necessity if you wanted your voice to be heard amongst the cacophonous shouting of the other senators. It was an important bill, after all, it was one that would determine whether or not more clones were supposed to be purchased. Still, back and forth you walked: the light, royal blue fabric of your pants following the movements. It was a miracle you hadn’t worn a hole in the rug.

With a tired sigh, you lowered the datapad to tap against your thigh while one hand shot to pinch the bridge of your nose. Your eyes were starting to burn. Maybe it was time to call it quits? tell Bail you would have to vote against him unless the Jedi made significant process in the days leading up to the vote? You didn’t know.

A blaring sound cut through your deliberation, startling you enough to toss the datapad as the room was bathed in red and metal shutters slid down over the large windows. The previously tired sigh took a turn to be frustrated instead. A lockdown was not something you wanted to deal with right now. As calmly as your tired body would allow you moved to your desk to retrieve the small pistol you kept in the top drawer and tucked it into the back pocket of your slacks before moving to the designated hiding place in your office. You had just punched in the code to the small safe room when a thud sounded from behind you. You froze, hand shooting to the pistol in an instant as you hid yourself behind the curtains that concealed the door to the safe room.

The intruder’s steps could still be heard over the annoying blare of the siren which told you they were approaching and doing so swiftly. With a small click, you took the pistol off safety. The intruder froze on the other side of the curtain-the only indicator of where they were being the quiet sound of shifting fabric. Wanting to get the drop on whoever had decided that breaking into the senate building and specifically your office was a good idea, you itched your hand forward to grasp the fabric of the curtains so you could rip it out of the way. There was a click on the other side of the curtain and you launched into action. The deep red fabric was forced out of your way as you raised the pistol high, ready to fire at whoever was standing in your office. What you weren’t expecting was the sight of two familiar pistols being pointed right back at you. You followed the guns up the arms that pointed them till your eyes locked with a set of crimson ones.

“Cad.” You sighed.

“Senator.” He responded, his familiar modulated drawl dancing over your ears. You remained like that for a few seconds, just staring at each other as though daring the other to make a move. Cad would be the first. Without looking away from you, he lowered his pistols and returned them to their holsters before pressing a few buttons on his wrist to turn off the alarm-the red emergency light going away with it although the windows remained shuttered and the door was still probably locked. Still, you followed his lead and put your own weapon back.

“Cad,” you sighed again and stepped towards him, “What were you doing? I could have shot you!” You tried to rebuke him though you knew it would be a futile effort.

“Not with that aim.” Cad replied in a smooth tone, crossing his arms as he did. You mimicked his posture though with an added pout.

“Hey, I’m getting better!” You whinged, earning a disbelieving huff from the bounty hunter. “You didn’t answer my question though. What are you doing here?”

“I felt like paying my senator a visit.” He continued in that smooth, unperturbed tone-as though breaking into the senate building wasn’t a massive violation of Republic law-as he moved back into the main section of your office. You followed behind the bounty hunter with a rather dopey smile on your face despite the situation. You wiped it from your lips though as soon as Bane turned around, determined to keep up the facade.

You cleared your throat. “I wasn’t aware I was representing Duro now.” The reply slipped from you with ease, a stark contrast to the early days with Bane when you would never dare to tease him.

“Don’t get lippy with me, mulk.” Cad narrowed his eyes and took a step closer to you.

“I’ll get lippy with whoever I please, hud.” You sassed right back with hands on your hips as you also took a step forward. If Cad Bane had a nose, your own would be bumping against it. “Especially, if they decide to interrupt me while I’m working.” You raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to challenge you. “I don’t interfere with your work, love, so please don’t interfere with mine.”

“Please,” Cad huffed again though with an added smirk that told you he’d found your attempts at rebuking him amusing, “I was watching ya early, jewel, you clearly needed a distraction.”

Your eyebrow raised a little higher. “Watching me? Charming, Cad.” You shook your head and stepped back to make your way to your desk. “You really know how to make a senator swoon, baniss.” You tried to hide the mirth that permeated your voice with a forceful plop into your seat although you were certain the seasoned bounty hunter could still hear it.

Cad chuckled, the sound so warm and deep that it made your heart flutter, as he leaned over to catch the arms of your chair. “Just the one, izrin.” Cad smirked and dipped his head enough to catch your lips with his. You melted into him, hands sliding up his arms till you could loop them around his neck. Cad groaned and pressed forward, ignoring the somewhat awkward pose he was in as he leaned down to kiss you. It was unbelievable how much you’d missed each other in the brief time apart. You pulled back to catch your breath, smiling as you did so, and nonchalantly plucked Bane’s hat off his head.

“I’m glad you’re back, love, but was all this necessary?” You asked, holding his hat in one hand and using the other to vaguely gesture to the windows. “You couldn’t have sent me a message telling me to meet you somewhere or something less...conspicuous?” You asked as you continued to fiddle with his hat, even going so far as to place it on your head.

Bane watched you carefully as you messed with his most iconic article of clothing. “‘Thought I’d try and impress ya.” He simpered with a shrug.

You rolled your eyes at him-of course he just wanted to show off. “You don’t need to impress me, baniss. You know that, right?”

“I know,” Cad stood up and stretched, fixing the door with a bored stare that had you questioning if he still had it locked, “just felt like it.” There was a pause before he turned back to you and gave you a once over. “You look cute in my hat.” You tilted your head-Cad called you a lot of things: sexy, beautiful, hot, and breathtaking being the primaries when it came to commenting on your appearance but cute was a new one. It prompted you to look up at the brim of the hat.

“Thanks, though I don’t think it really goes with my outfit.” You laughed. You had to look ridiculous clad in dark blue slacks, a white sweater, and your boyfriend’s large, leather wide-brimmed hat.

“Please, you could wear anything and you’d still look good.” The bounty hunter looked away as he said that and you smiled. Cad Bane was hard to read even on a good day but you’d been together long enough to know that the only thing that could make the man nervous was complimenting you. It was a bizarre effect you had on him and one that Cad didn’t always know how to handle. One of the ways he hid it though was by looking away from you. Smirking like the loth-cat that got the cream, you stood up and strode towards him till you could wrap your arms around his waist. He stiffened up before placing his hands over your own.

“Thank you, my love. I’d say the same but I prefer you wearing nothing.” You practically purred into his back, just waiting to hear how he’d follow that up.

“Oh, jewel, those are dangerous words.” He murmured and turned around in your arms to grasp your shoulders. One of his hands came up to grasp your chin. “Anyone could walk in and see us.”

“How’s it dangerous…” You began as you plucked Bane’s hat off your head and placed it back on his. You brought your hands down to grab at the lapels of his coat to pull him down to your height. “If you’re the one controlling the door?” As if on cue, a knock sounded on the metal door and the familiar sound of a clone calling out interrupted you. With a sigh and roll of your eyes you pulled away from Cad and made your way to the door. Before you got to it though, you sent him a pointed look that had the bounty hunter sighing and pressing another button on his wrist to unlock it so you could send the clone on his way. With that taken care of and the metal coverings and lockdown dismissed as a glitch the door slid shut and you were once again left alone with Cad. There was the familiar beep to alert you that the door had locked. As slowly as you could, you spun around to face the room again.

Only to find that Cad had moved to your desk chair just so he could kick his boots up on your desk. “Well, senator. You up for a little danger?”

............................................

Translations-

baniss-handsome

hud-hunter

izrin-beautiful

mulk-speaker, politician

#cad bane x reader #cad bane #cad x reader #star wars #clone wars #tcw #star wars: clone wars

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angstysebfan · 4 years ago

Text

Did I Take A Step Too Far Part 10

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Summary: You and Bucky were best friends, but one night you took your relationship to the next level. You you want to continue moving forward, but Bucky acts like he regrets it, and even tries to move on.

Warnings: angst

You sat nervously waiting for Jeremy to arrive, hating this whole situation. You heard a knock on the door and opened it nervously to see Jeremy with a small smile on your face. You step aside to allow him in your room and close the door. You are 100% certain he can hear your heart pounding.

You motion for him to sit on the bed while you stand in front of him, trying to gain the confidence to speak. He looks at you with a nervous expression, but when he sees your face he sighs and drops his head. “I get it.” he says. You move to sit next to him and open your mouth to speak, but he beats you to it.

“It’s him. It’s Bucky, that’s who you want. I get it. I’m stupid to think you would abandon the guy you love for me.” he says not looking at you. You tentatively put your hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want to lead you on and drag you further into this mess I have made when I know in the end it will be him. I pushed him away so many times and have regretted it, and I just can’t do it again.” you say honestly.

Jeremy looks into your eyes for a moment before kissing your cheek. “I wish you the best, Y/N. God knows you deserve it, and I hope he is everything you want.” He gets up and heads toward the door, but quickly turns and looks at you, “Thank you for doing this in person and not on the phone. I think that would have hurt a lot worse.”

You walk up and hug him, “You deserve an amazing girl, who will love you with every fiber of her being.” you whisper. He nods and leaves the room. You release the breath you were holding and shake the nerves away. One down, now you need to get your man! You wait a few minutes until you are sure Jeremy is gone and head out into the common room where Steve and Sam are.

“Have you guys seen Bucky?” you ask. They both give you a nervous look. “What?” you ask. Steve speaks first, “What was Jeremy doing here?” he asks. You furrow your brows, “I was telling him the truth. I want Bucky, why?” you ask. Both guys smile, but there is something troubling in their expressions.

“He thought you were choosing Jeremy and left about 15 minutes ago.” Sam said giving you a sad smile. You panic for a moment, “Do you know where he is?” you ask looking between both guys. They both shake their head no. You grab your cell phone and call him. It goes to voicemail after a few rings. You try again and again, but he doesn’t answer. You text him and he doesn’t respond. Of all the stupid, idiotic things for him to do, this takes the cake!

Steve tries to calm you down as you walk back and forth in the common room. He calls Bucky also, but gets no answer. Finally you have had enough, you were going to go out and find him. Before you could leave you realize how stupid you were, “FRIDAY, track Sergeant Barnes’ phone please and send the coordinates to my cell phone.” you say to the AI. You walk to the elevator as you get the coordinates.

Bucky is nursing his whiskey sitting at the bar. He can’t help thinking what an idiot he was to think he could actually have a chance with you. There was too much water under the bridge for this to work. He tries to keep to himself, but a beautiful woman comes over the flirt with him. He allows this to happen, seeing as he is single.

After about 20 minutes of talking, he has his arms wrapped around her waist, whispering into her ear about how he wants to meet her in the bathroom. The woman giggles and tells him to meet her in 2 minutes. As she walks away he sees you standing there with your arms crossed.

“Surprise.” you say, clearly annoyed. Bucky downs the rest of his whiskey and stands, as you walk over to him. “What are you doing here Y/N? Come to officially reject me? Well I got the message when Jeremy came over. Don’t worry, I’ll move on, in fact I have to meet someone in the bathroom now.” he says nonchalantly.

You smack him across the face, which makes his eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “I was telling Jeremy I wanted you, you fucking asshole! I was dumping him for you! But go ahead and meet your girl in the bathroom, don’t let me stop you! I can’t believe I actually thought we could finally be together!” you yell before turning and leaving the bar.

You don’t get far before a metal hand grabs your arm to stop you. You open your mouth to protest when you suddenly feel his lips on yours. You fight him and push him away. “What the fuck! You can’t do that when you were just about to have sex with someone else!” You shout. Bucky just looks at you.

“I didn’t do anything with her, I promise. I thought we were over, I’m sorry. I’m fucking stupid, you know that! But I am here, I don’t want that girl, I want this girl.” He said sliding his hands around your waist. You look into his eyes, hurt evident in them.

“Is it ever going to be easy with us? I hate this back and forth all the time!” you say as he pulls you closer and kisses your forehead. “I think it will, now that we are both on the same page and know how each other feels.” he said. You push back slightly, and look up at him.

“You ever do something that this again and I will castrate you!” you say, smirking after. Bucky laughs and pulls you closer looking into your eyes. “I do anything like this again and I will let you castrate me, deal?” he says. You nod and lean in to kiss him again.

Epilogue

You have been dating Bucky for one year, and you have to say, it’s been pretty great. You both learned that communication is key, and that has definitely helped your relationship. You officially move in together and even got a cat, Alpine.

You spend pretty much every day together, hating to be apart. You notice however, over the last few weeks, Bucky has been slightly distant. He has been hiding when on the phone, texting someone all the time, and going out alone for hours on end. You get nervous that he found someone else. Maybe him and Ashley got back together.

You shake it off, knowing Ashley and Jeremy actually got together and have been in a loving relationship together. So was it someone else? You try to tell Nat and Wanda about your feelings, but they tell you that you are probably over reacting. You try to think past it, but you know something is up.

One day Nat suggests you going for a walk to calm down. You had a breakdown in her room about your theory. You walked to Central Park and stroll around for hours. Then you walk along the West Side Highway and walk up the Hudson River. You finally receive text from your boyfriend, hours later asking where you are. You ignore him and keep walking.

When it was finally too dark to continue, you make your way back toward the tower. You feel utterly defeated, the walk doing nothing. When you get up to the residential floors, you notice that all is quiet, which is weird for a Friday night. You head to your shared bedroom, your head hanging low. When you open the door your breath gets caught in your throat.

The room is surrounded by lit candles and roses. Bucky is standing in the middle of the room in jeans and his red henley. Tears flood to your eyes as you stumble into the room to Bucky’s extended hand. He pulls you toward him and holds your left hand as he wipes the tears from your eyes with his flesh hand.

“Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, you are the light and love of my life. I love you more than anything is this world. You have been my best friend for three years, and my best girl for one. I have loved every moment spent with you, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I won’t say I love you to the moon and back because that has an ending. To quote one of your favorite Disney movies, I love you... to infinity and beyond”, because my love for you is never ending.”

You are sobbing as Bucky drops to one knee, taking the black velvet box out of his pocket and opening it up to the most beautiful diamond ring you have ever seen. “My love, my heart, my soul is yours forever. Doll, will you please marry me?” he says as tears start pooling in his eyes.

You choke on the sob, nodding since the words won’t come out. Bucky stands and pulls you into a passionate kiss. When you pull back you just keep chanting, “yes, yes, yes I will marry you.” You hug him tightly, never wanting to let go. You can’t believe you thought the worst again. You and Bucky had a love of a lifetime, and neither of you will ever let it go.

I guess they were right. Some men and women can’t just be friends, which is okay by you in this instance.

Previous Part

That’s it. Ended it major fluffballs! Feedback is appreciated!

Taglist: @jessyballet @captainchrisstan @matsumama @ @fresa-luna @book--butterfly @ilovesupersoldiers @collette04 @pinknerdpanda @bloodyproudpotterhead @wtfevenismypage @dora-the-grownup

Permanent Taglist: @hailmary-yramliah @tuiccim @comedictragedy @cap-n-stuff

#Bucky angst #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes x reader #Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #friends to lovers #Avengers #heartbreak

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x-woozi · 4 years ago

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Sugar, Spice, and Everything.. else?

Part 9: Friday nights

Summary: After a very public embarrassing moment, y/n manages to make a few new friends. Though in trying to make those friends there is a bit of a complication in winning over the group.

A/n: Hi yes the next written out part is here! Please be kind, I’m still getting back into writing again so bear with me. Please enjoy it though!

Profiles

Previous || Next

Series master list

Tag list: @smileyjisung3 @milkywayfelix @scoups-of-sugar @holaaaf @hey-i-really-miss-you

“It's going to be fine. They're just a bunch of goofy guys, totally harmless,” attempting to give yourself a pep talk. “I trust Chan, and those are his friends, so it's going to be okay.” Alright so you were a little nervous, definitely excited but nervous.

Once you were already walking up to the front door you texted Chan to come and open the door. When he finally came out he stood in the doorway leaving it only halfway open to block you from coming in right away.

“Look I’m not saying this is going to be a complete disaster or anything” Chan paused before letting you through the front door. “Just.. be ready,” he moved inside for you to follow behind him. Immediately the smell of cookies filled the air around you. Felix had been busy again and you couldn’t wait to see what he had ready.

You were suddenly greeted with several loud hellos and introductions with smiling faces.

“You’re here!” Felix exclaimed as he came around the corner. “I tried my best to save what I could for you because SOMEONE tried to eat it all” looking directly at the boy with what looked like chocolate still in the corner of his mouth.

“You said you wanted me to taste them??” Jisung flailed his arms trying to defend himself.

“Yeah taste, like try one. Not eat all of them” Felix corrected.

You couldn’t help but laugh at the two. “Han, you were going to have them all for yourself?”

Turning his focus to you, “no no, of course not. How could I? Felix made them for you.”

“Wow, in all my years of knowing you, you’ve never had a problem eating what was mine.” There was a little more than a hint of betrayal in Minho’s voice when he joined.

The boys began to bicker and tease each other, jokingly you hoped. Chan leaned over pulling your attention from the mess “See, what did I tell you? You know, it’s not too late to back out still.”

“What and miss out on all this?” gesturing to the argument in front of you, “You’re just upset because your friends are starting to like me more” you teased sticking your tongue out like the 5 year old you really were.

“Are you trying to say I’m jealous?? Me?? THE Bang Chan??” Now fully facing you, pointing to himself to emphasize.

“Okay Channie whatever you say.” You laugh patting his shoulder.

“Wow, I can’t believe this” there was so much denial coming from Chan as he walked away and sat himself on the couch beside the boy who almost never smiles.

You had sort of forgotten about that part on your way over, mainly just thinking about getting to meet the rest of the guys. After hearing so much about them, though not always good, you were excited to see what they were really like, and when they’re all together.

You knew that Chan was Chan, the brother you always wanted but always focused on his music. Felix truly was personified sunshine with just a little bit of attitude when needed. Jisung was the loud hyperactive squirrel that constantly ate. Seungmin was supposedly the devils spawn at times, but you doubted it. Minho is far too obsessed with his cats. Hyunjin has always been the drama queen, and he sort of looked the part. Jeongin is the youngest and sweetest at times. Last but not least, Changbin. Though he looked rough on the outside and stuck to his small group. You were determined for him to accept you as a friend too.

Following Jisung’s lead, you grabbed some snacks and made your way to the main room to see the boys starting to gather in front of the TV.

“Alrighty boys what’s the plan here?” You asked sitting between Felix and Jisung on the floor just in front of the couch.

“Well we can watch a movie-“ Minho tried to suggest before being interrupted.

“We can play Mario kart!” Jeongin yelled out.

“But how will I eat?” Jisung pouted, real concern showed on his face.

Patting Jisung on the back you teased, “You’re just going to have to learn to multitask Ji.”

“Well some of you get way too competitive with that” Hyunjin added from the other side of the room. “I don’t think it’d be a good idea right now.”

“Someone must not be very good” you mumbled loud enough for everyone else to hear.

Causing a couple muffled laughs from the group. When you looked up at the boys behind, you were unsure if you were seeing this correctly. Was that a small tiny hint of a smile on Changbins face?

Hyunjin became very defensive, “pfft what? Not me. Let’s play.”

Seungmin leaned forward to look past Jeongin on the floor next to him “why have we not met sooner?”

Trying to look back at him past Jisung, “I blame Chan.”

“Yeah well I’m still not sure this was a good idea” Chan crosses him arms just waiting to start the game.

After the game was set up you let the boys decide who they wanted to go against for each race. Their house, their “rules”. Plus you didn’t really care about the matches or winning you were here to have fun and get to know the guys.

It was great, all fun and games until it wasn’t.

Hyunjin had been very correct from the beginning, they were all extremely competitive. To make it worse, they were also very sore losers. It was after the 6th race and your second win you were accused of cheating.

“It wasn’t even back to back?” Trying to defend yourself.

Hyunjin and Minho immediately started arguing to prove that you were. Seungmin Felix and of course Changbin stayed quiet, only scoffing and eye rolls came from them. Chan just sat back and laughed. Jeongin silently supported you from the side. Jisung was nowhere to be seen, but was definitely heard rummaging through the fridge yet again.

“I just got lucky that time” you pleaded.

“Ha luck. Right.” Hyunjin crosses his arms.

“I think you’re just upset you came in last every time” pushing his buttons ever so slightly.

“THE PIZZA IS HERE!!” Jisung yelled, running straight to Chan. “Uh.. Hyung.. Can borrow your wallet for a very unrelated reason..”

You stood up ready to eat, “ugh finally I thought it’d never come!”

The rest of the group stared at the two of you very confused, “when did you order pizza?” Chan asked braking the silence before regretfully handing over the wallet. Jisung happily took it and ran back to pay the delivery person and bring in the food, leaving you to explain alone.

“Ah.. well you see, while everyone was picking their characters and the track and stuff,” you rambled on fiddling with your fingers. “Me and Jisung were just sort of thinking that, you know.. at some point.. maybe, everyone was going to want to eat again, right?”

“Umm you know I made like real food for us to eat too right?” Felix asked.

“Yeah, no of course. I knew that, and it was amazing by the way,” you tried, “but you see umm there’s nothing left so-“

“YOU ATE IT ALL?!” Minho stopped you from continuing. “LIKE ALL OF IT??”

Chan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, “ugh, I knew it. I knew something like this was going to happen. Now I regret SO MUCH” throwing his arms up in defeat.

“Hey it wasn’t just me!! You guys ate it too!!” Pausing for a second, “it’s just.. me and Jisung might have finished it off is all..”

Jeongin chimed in right after trying to be on your side still, “it’s okay you got pizza, and you can’t go wrong with pizza.”

“But really I’m the one that got it,” reminding everyone who is paying as Jisung walked in with the 6 boxes. Chan threw himself back on the couch when he saw how much it was “ugh, why me?”

In the midst of all that you noticed the actual smile growing on Changbins face which turned into laughter at Chan’s reaction to the pizzas.

Well something must be working here, giving yourself a mental pat on the back.

“Well it’s too late now, and I mean I could eat” Seungmin stood from his seat followed by Hyunjin and Jeongin.

“Great,” you smiled walking over to Changbin. “Come on Binnie aren’t you coming?” You said as you tried to pull on his arm to get him up, slightly succeeding. He got up but only after he moved his arm from your grasp.

Muffled snickers came from the boys but quickly hushed when Changbin looked their way.

Wow so easily silenced, what a bunch of babies.

You could see a slight red tint to his cheeks and the tips of his ears and just smiled to yourself, following behind them to the food.

Hyunjin moved to your side. “wow he really let’s you call him that,” he whispered to you in surprise.

Seeing the color fade slightly from Changbins face, “what, you mean Binnie?” You asked “it’s only a little nickname.”

“Yeah well the last time one of us gave him a nickname, he didn’t let it last very long,” Seungmin added before distracting himself, leaving you in your thoughts.

Hmm, maybe I really could be close to winning him over. The only question still is how close?

“That’s because you were calling me a pig!” You were surprised by the outburst not realizing he was now sitting beside Seungmin at the table.

“Don’t worry I’ll only call you Binnie” smiling trying to make it better but really doing the opposite.

Hyunjin, who sat across from him, smiled and said “Yeah me too Bi-“ followed by a loud thud from under the table. “Ah okay never mind.”

This was fun, it was like suddenly having a bunch of brothers. There certainly wasn’t going to be anymore dull moments.

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shadowsfascination · 4 years ago

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Shadamy Swordland ch 6 |

Rouge brushed the dust from her clothes after scolding Shadow about his reckless move, whose attitude remained as indifferent as ever.

“Guys?-” Amy said, trying to get their attention.

“I knew what I was doing!”

“Sure didn’t look the part.”

“Guys, look!” The pink hedgehog shouted. “A floating city…?!”

Shadow and Rouge finally paid attention to her, turning their heads to look at her. Amy walked towards the end of a cliff and bent over to the edge to overlook the place they ended up on. Multiple sandstone paths winded across the skies along floating, vine-clad buildings with spiralling paths around them, leading to the top. Shadow joined her, hooking a finger behind her belt to keep her from a potential fall into the depths he couldn’t see the end of.

“It’s so beautiful… We should have a date here sometime.” Amy dreamily glanced at Shadow.

Rouge whistled, impressed by their discovery. She flew to the closest floating pathway across from the others and created a connecting road between them, closing the gap so they could cross. Amy ran forward to the path and yanked Shadow along with her, who had forgotten he was still hooked on her belt. The male tumbled onto her, his weight pressing on her, making her falter. He quickly unhooked his finger from her belt and curled his arm behind her back to catch her.

“Gotcha. You need to start watching your back more if you still want that date, Rose.”

_____________________________

Meanwhile elsewhere on a floating island above the sky-high ruin befallen floating city the three had set foot on, an echidna picked up the slightest of vibes of a familiar energy. He rested against the stone stairway that led to an altar, his eyes closed as he concentrated on the waves of energy that unexpectedly drifted among the upward winds. He rose and walked towards the bridge that connected the floating island to the city below.

‘Knuckles’, the guardian’s name, attempted to seize some shards of green energy that whirled up to the island, but couldn’t get a hold of it. They flew off in different directions, escaping the grasp of his hands. He doubted for a second.

“No, I’m sure of it. This has to be Chaos Energy!”

The quizzical expression however didn’t leave his face for the gemstones he was guarding were right here with him. They were the only thing he’d ever seen that could produce this type of energy waves. He was more than familiar with the stories of special Mobians possessing a strange power that could either use or produce Chaos Energy, but never saw one before.

“Guess it’s time for me to test out that sacred art skill.”

Every new-born member of the designated guardian family inherited a sacred art skill called ‘vision’ when they’d been given a name. After the naming ceremony, which would secure the bond between the Master Emerald and the future guardian, the skill would develop along with them as they grew up.

The ‘vision’ allowed them to sense Chaos Energy up to a 15 mile radius around them. It also gave them the ability to ‘jump’ into an image, zooming in on it like a telescope. The most important thing about it though was that the guardians could make the entire island temporarily invisible to hide it from outsiders.

Knuckles rapidly blinked three times in a row, activating the skill and zoomed in on the source of the Chaos energy. Taking in three Mobians he saw walking on the floating paths of the Sky Sanctuary he gasped with unease. The black one made him recall something like he recognized him.

“He looks like…-”

He ran back to the altar and quickly scanned the murals on it, his eyes widening at the shocking resemblance of the images and the Mobian strolling on the floating pathways below him. He looked at the black male again.

“It is him! But why? What’s he doing here? I’d better keep an eye on them.”

The guardian decided to track them from the island and casted a spell to turn the island invisible, not letting his curiosity getting the best of him.

___________________________

“So, what will you do when you’ve obtained the emerald, Rouge?” Shadow asked.

“I’ll take it to the man who’s willing to help me, like I told you.”

“What does he plan to do with it?”

‘He’s getting a little too interested in this. I’d better distract him.’ Rouge thought.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to ask so many questions?”

The bat acted overly insulted only to bump into Amy next when she wasn’t paying attention of what was ahead of her. The pink hedgehog had stopped walking without warning and the others immediately understood why. Unmistakably present was the amount of Chaos spores in the air ahead of them, leading upwards. Amy took a step forward.

“Amy!”

“What do you think you’re doing?” Rouge yelled.

“What?! I’m going up there! To that floating island.” Amy pointed upward.

“Floating island?” Shadow questioned.

“Sweetie, I don’t see anything up there. Maybe we should call it a day.”

“How- how can you NOT see it?! It’s right there! Look!”

Seeing the other’s puzzled expressions Amy finally believed they really didn’t see what she in fact saw: a bridge leading to a floating island. That’s where all the chaos energy’s concentrated. How could they not see it? Especially with their sacred arts levels higher than hers.

“It’s really there! I’m telling you it’s real. I’m not crazy, okay!”

Shadow and Rouge first glanced at each other with a kind of concern before shifting their gaze at Amy.

“I don’t rule out that there’s something up there, okay? But let’s call it a day and go back here another time. “ Rouge said.

“Agreed.” Shadow added.

“Fine. I’ll show you when we get back here.”

_______________________________________

After Amy and Shadow parted from Rouge they walked back to the academy in the dark. It had started snowing again and a bleak breeze flared up, dusting up the snow in tiny, cold whirlwinds of powdery snow. Before Shadow waved his student goodbye and paced on to his home, he told her to get a good night of sleep before the sword fight tournament tomorrow. He hoped she wouldn’t be too tired from today’s events. Bending over to the flower pot next to the front door to pick up his keys from underneath it, he suddenly felt someone’s hands on his shoulders.

“You and I need to talk!”

His fellow knight hissed at him while dragging him into the shadows of the alley next to the hedgehog’s house. Blaze yanked Shadow towards her, their metal breastplates clanking at their touch. The cat pulled him up by the little chest-fur that managed to pop out from under his armour, poking a finger in his muzzle. Her eyes fiercely glanced at his own crimson ones.

“Why are you still hanging out with her? On your day-off that is. Don’t you understand how this will add to the already existing rumours?”

He pushed her away and stepped back. “What’s your problem?! It’s dark and no one’s even here.”

“I am. I caught onto it. Someone else might as well.”

“We have been training in the woods today in preparation of the tournament tomorrow. I have nothing to hide apart from my trainee’s excellent swordfight skills, that is.”

“It doesn’t look like that, Shadow! You return in the dark after spending the day together. You’re constantly looking over your shoulder and scanning the place the entire way you’ve been walking with her as if to make sure no one catches onto you two.”

“We’re just trying to avoid causing more rumours. I’m not even the least bit interested in her like that. I don’t care about romance, Blaze.”

“Well, you’re clearly getting along with her. Even if what you say is true, it looks suspicious.”

“See what you wanna see. I don’t care.”

The lavender coloured cat grabbed his shoulders, genuine concern glistering in her eyes.

“Care about it a little more, will you?! As a member of the high order of knights you have a reputation to uphold! We all do. Your actions might affect all of us.”

“No need to remind me. Now stop sticking your nose in my business and worry about your own student. That hyper-annoying blue hedgehog is a real troublemaker.”

Blaze’s face showed a variety of changing expressions at Shadow’s statement. Sonic was an adventurous spirit with an impulsive nature and when he felt it was needed, he turned out to be a true rebel at heart. It often lead Blaze to the board’s office to apologize on behalf of him when Sonic refused to. Her cheeks coloured a bright pink, all much to Shadow’s amusement.

“That’s… beside the point right now! I propose the idea that you two will only train inside the training facilities and domes for a while, so you’d be in si-“.

“Rejected. It’ll disadvantage her in battle. Amy has as much right to develop her fighting style in secret as anyone else.”

“If you truly have nothing to hide, this shouldn’t be a problem.”

He shrugged himself free of her hold.

“This conversation’s over. Good night, Blaze.”

___________________________

“Hey Ames!”

Sonic excitedly waved at his pink friend when spotting her entering the Ruby Dome’s dressing room. He walked up to her, tossing her towel to her. Amy caught it with ease and wiped the sweat from her forehead while gulping down a glass of water.

“Ah, thanks! I needed that. Are you up next?”

“Sure am. How did your matches go?”

“I’ve won every single one of them.” Amy smiled like a victor.

The blue hedgehog gave her a thumb’s up while holding the door open for her to enter the main battlefield in the dome. Shadow and Blaze greeted their students and Amy proudly told her friend and trainer how she’d won all of her matches today. The cat expressed her gleeful surprise about Shadow and Amy’s secluded training session the other day, only to display the suspicion in her jade eyes.

“That’s me! Wish me luck, will you?”

“Good luck, Sonic!”

As Amy watched Sonic enter the battlefield, she saw Shadow enter after him. She’d completely forgotten Shadow competed against the seniors today. Amy knew very well that both Sonic and Shadow were crazily fast and both had outstanding sword and dodging skills. It was still likely for Shadow to win, but every spectator today knew this match ought to be very interesting.

Both hedgehogs had that peculiar look on their faces with a certain grin curling their lips and a certain seriousness in their eyes. Amy couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. She took a seat next to Blaze whom she felt had a similar nervousness over her. Amy said a little prayer in her thoughts that Blaze wouldn’t start questioning her about Shadow. She felt guilty enough already as it was for lying to her.

“Good luck Sonic, you’ll need it” Shadow challenged him.

“Heh, we’ll see about that.”

Sonic’s grin widened and he scratched his nose. They nodded once at the referee, readying themselves at his countdown. The way the hedgehogs’ body language showed the energy inside them made it more than obvious both had long anticipated a match like this. At the sound of the ringing bell the two dashed forward, racing towards their opponent, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Confidently preparing for the incoming impact of their swords clashing against one another, Shadow neared his opponent, effortlessly matching his speed. Searching for an open spot to strike, the two hedgehogs closed in on each other. Sonic’s eyes fixed on Shadow’s sword to block his upcoming strike.

Within the last two or three steps away from him, he felt his heart jolt inside his chest, his eyes drawn to their swords. The spectators screamed enthusiastically behind them. The small piece of emerald on the handgrip of Shadow’s sword flared with light as he dashed forward. The air filled with thousands of tiny turquoise fireflies, which Amy now knew were actually Chaos spores.

“Oh boy… “ Amy squeaked, holding her breath.

“You’ve seen this stuff before?” Blaze asked.

“Errr, yes! It’s some sort of energy.”

The metal swords clanked against each other with tremendous impact when Sonic blocked his opponent’s strike. His sword suddenly blazed like Shadow’s after their touch, creating a large bolt of nasty bright light. Like he had hit the break at once everything just stopped around them, totally frozen in time. He was only able to move his eyes and shifted his gaze from his sword to Shadow. The black hedgehog looked back at him, clearly experiencing the same thing.

In the blink of an eye a small emerald was laid in the handgrip of his sword, blazing as fiercely as Shadow’s. It sent a powerful rush through his body before the frozen world came back alive again. The bolt of light swung them high into the air, smashing them down on the opposite sides of the battlefield with a loud crash. Neither of them moved. Clouds of dust formed above the place the hedgehogs crashed into the ground while the crowd gasped in shock in the stands behind them.

________________________________

END NOTES

Pfff this took me long enough. I’m actually not at all satisfied with this chaper. I feel like it’s a little stiff. Bleh. I just don’t know how to write it differently. This always happens though. Somewhere along the process of writing a story I start to dislike what I write because it lacks decent quality imo... AAAAHH!

Anyway here it is! I still hope the ppl who do read it enjoy it. As always: annoying drammar mishaps/typos or tips and thoughts are welcome. Be friendly though :) Just message me.

I’m also working on a couple of oneshots and drawings. In between now and June I’ll be busy making a portrait of my grandpa who passed away in november (he had covid). I promised my grandma I’ll make her a painting of him for her birthday in june.

@shadamyheadcanons

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thiswasinevitableid · 4 years ago

Note

.. for mermay.. 8, indruck nsfw?

Here you go! Duck’s design is based on a rudderfish.

Authors note: since prompt 8 is “drunk,” drinking is mentioned in this. It’s also implied Indrid is doing some self-destructive behaviors to cope with trauma.

The party is a splendid success, as was the book launch that preceded it. Indrid has done what he does best, lined his pockets and those of his agents and editors, and gotten everyone talking.

“Did you see the one of the pyres?”

“The one of the hurricane aftermath, the look in the girls eyes is so haunting.”

“Personally, I found the jeweled mummies a bit much, but the emergency room shots? Stunning.”

This is why Indrid is sitting on the rocks on his private cove, and will not be going back up to the house until he’s polished off all three of these heavily spiked bottles of eggnog. It’s better than the time he emptied most of a bottle of vanilla vodka, but not by much.

He was tipsy when he snuck out the back door and down the path to the sea. So when the empty bottle rolls away, all he can do is whap at the air close to it and wave as it plonks into the water.

“Oops. Hic, oh, hic, well, what’s one more piece of trash in, hic, a dying world?”

He yelps, knocking his remaining bottles into the sand as the lost one flies through the air towards him. Or he thinks that’s the trajectory; it’s hard to tell. The point is, the bottle is back and he’s clutching his chest like an old man in a silent movie.

“Look, man, I know it’s temptin to just leave trash everywhere, but there are signs up and down this beach sayin not to litter.” A man floats in the water at the foot of the rock, black hair plastered to his forehead and muscular arms crossed over a bare chest.

“It, hic, it was an accident. And I am, hic, in no condition to retrieve anything from the water.”

The man frowns, “shit, if you’re that drunk, you oughta get off the rocks. It’s deep here, you might drown. Go sit on the sand, it’s safer. Warmer too, still holdin heat from the sun.”

“I, I’m fine, hic, don’t, don’t need some wet man babying me.” He stands to prove his point, nearly falls face first into the water, and sits back down, “see, m’fine.”

“Get off the rock.” The man says, sounding for all the world like a cat owner two seconds from grabbing the spray bottle.

“No.” Indrid huffs.

Water splashes his face and he sputters.

The man pulls his hand back, preparing to send another wave at him, “Get.”

“Fuck you”

The splash is much more intense this time and he curses, scrambles sideways, and falls to his knees in the sand.

“That’s better, now I don’t gotta worry about fishin your careless ass outta the water.”

“If, if we are, hic, t-talking careless, you, you shouldn’t say a thing. You’re, hic, swimming in cold water with, without a wetsuit.”

The man shrugs, “Don’t need one.” With that he floats on his back, bringing a dark-scaled tail into view.

“You’re, hic, you’re a merman.” He crawls forward, breathless, “that’s so cool, wanna, gotta photograph you, so handsome, gotta-”

“Nope” The merman swims back into deeper water, “no pictures, those can end real bad for us.”

“But, but you’re so beautiful. If, hic, if pictures are no good, I, I can draw. I draw good, even if no one likes it.”

“Uh, you really wanna sit on a cold beach paintin my picture instead of hangin out at that shindig?” He points up the hill to the brightly lit house.

“No, nonono, hic, don’t, don’t wanna go back up there, s’awful, hic.”

“Awful?” The merman sounds concerned, and in the patchy moonlight he swims close enough that Indrid can see the details of his face, “is someone up there hurtin you?”

“No” He shakes his head, “it, it-”

“Indrid!”

“Damn it.” He mutters as the merman retreat beneath waves. As his guests grow closer he stands, carefully picks up all three bottles, and heads uphill to meet them.

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

Indrid shuffles through the house, head pounding, decides he hates the following people, in this order:

-His agent

-Himself

-Whoever mentioned it was a shame there were no Plata River Bridge photos, causing Indrid to drink a whole martini in order to bite his tongue.

It’s not until his third cup of coffee that he remembers the merman. God, he was really rude to someone who was just trying to keep him from drowning.

Very, very carefully, he makes his way to the beach, sketchbook in one hand and thermos in the other.

“Hello?” He calls across the water. No reply. Of course there isn’t; the merman has the whole ocean to explore, there’s no reason for him to hang around Indrid’s house. He sighs, sits down on a piece of driftwood, and draws. Normally the cold would drive him back indoors, but today it’s bracing, blowing his hangover off of him and down the sand.

“Glad to see you’re in one piece”

Indrid sits bolt upright. The merman waves to him.

“You came back?”

“Yeah? I mean, this is part of my rounds, so I come by here at least once a day. More surprised you’re down here when it’s all cold and grey.”

“I, ah, I wanted to apologize for last night. I was being stubborn and rude.”

“You were, but I was kinda grumpy too. At the end of my shift and all that, but I shouldn’t have splashed you.” He smiles, swims closer, “do you, uh, remember any of the other stuff you said?”

“I have a vague memory of begging to photograph you. Or maybe draw, it’s all very fuzzy.”

“You did. I, uh” the merman’s cheeks turn pink, “you were really, uh, well let’s just say you were excited at the idea of drawin me, so I thought maybe, if you wanted to..”

“Yes” Indrid shifts down into the sand so he can rest his back on the log, “can we do it now? You said you were on rounds, and if you’re working I don’t want to interrupt.”

“I’m done for the day. Should I get on a rock or somethin?”

“Can you come on the sand at all? Oh, ah, it seems you can.” Indrid scoots back as the merman slides gracefully ashore. In the daylight, his tail is a rich green-brown, his hair streaked with grey near his forehead. His eyes, one green and one brown, regard Indrid with curiosity as he turns to a new page.

“You got a name?”

“Indrid. Indrid Cold.”

“Duck Newton. It’s a nickname.” The mer stretches his arms and tail, and were Indrid in a self-flattering frame of mind he’d say he was flexing for him, “I gotta pose?”

“No, as long as you don’t move too much, I should be fine.”

Duck nods, shifts onto his belly with his tail dipped in the surf. Indrid sets his pen to paper, asks Duck what he does for work and when the tunnel vision of his project dissipates, it’s dusk.

“Oh my, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you so long.”

The merman yawns, “S’okay, it was nice talkin with you, and I got to birdwatch some. Can I see?”

Indrid turns the sketchbook. Mis-matched eyes widen.

“Holy fuck. You made me look damn good.”

“I simply captured you as you are.” Indrid feels a blush moving up his cheeks as Duck scoots closer.

“You gonna do this tomorrow? If, uh, if you don’t wanna draw me again, I can bring you some interestin stuff from the water. If, uh, if you want.”

His schedule for tomorrow starts with a phone interview, after which he was planning to sit in a dark living room and watch mindless T.V.

“That sounds lovely. Thank you, Duck.”

The merman beams, waves, and then pushes back into the sea, raising his tail once in farewell.

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

“...now, Juno thinks it’s-holy fuck ‘Drid, was that your stomach?” Duck raises his head from where he’s been sort-of-napping, sort of talking.

“Hmm? Yes, I suppose it was.” He has his watercolors out today, a surprise stretch of sunny days rendering the beach and hillsides in glorious technicolor.

“When did you last eat?”

“..............”

“Oh my fuckin god, ‘Drid, no wonder you look like you’re close to passin out.”

“I’m fine.”

Duck has that look on his face again, the one he got when Indrid admitted to walking the cliff-side trails when he’s coming back from the roadhouse on the edge of town. When Indrid says he hasn’t slept in two days.

The merman says nothing, goes back to reading the book of nature essays Indrid brought him. A buzz cuts through the air and he groans, shuts off the alarm on his phone, “I need to go get ready for that interview.”

“You wanna meet up tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Great. But, uh, seem to remember you promised me some of those cookies you say are the best in the world.”

Indrid smirks, “I suppose I did.”

“I want some. But not for dinner, with dinner. You feel me?” There’s an edge in his drawl, as formidable and unyielding as the nearby cliff-face.

“Alright, I'll bring you some other things to try.” Indrid smiles, suddenly looking forward to a grocery run.

Duck, now in the water, looks over his shoulder, “Good boy.”

Indrid shivers even as heat blooms in his chest.

When sunset graces the beach, Indrid is busy setting out a half dozen take-out containers and many plastic boxes of cookies and fruit.

“Damn” Duck slides and wiggles his way onto the sand by the blanket, “you went all out.”

“You wanted a meal. I brought you one.”

“Sure did.” Duck sniffs the air, taps a carry-out bowl of soup, “what’s this?”

“Umm” Indrid peers at the label, “french onion soup.”

“Can I have it?”

“Of course.”

The merman downs the soup as fast as temperature allows, munches happily on the orange segments Indrid peels and samples the cookies.

“Ahhh” He flops his head into Indrid’s lap, “that hit the spot.”

The human nods, bottle of pineapple soda on his lips. He’s so happy and full.

Wait.

“Duck? Did you suggest this just so I would eat something?”

The face in his lap only looks a little chagrined, “Kinda. I been meanin to suggest this, and today seemed like the right time. And, uh, I know sometimes I have a hard time lookin after myself for me, but if someone else tells me to do it, or I have to do it as part of lookin after them, it’s easier. Thought that might be goin’ on with you. I, uh, I won’t do it again if you don’t want me to.”

“Nono” Indrid sets a hand in his hair, stroking it so Duck rubs his cheek against his thigh, “you’re right. It was easier to do the kind thing for myself when you told me to. Would, ah, would you be willing to do it again.”

Duck meets his eyes, gaze bubbling with something dark and alluring, “Sure thing, ‘Drid.”

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

“Before you go, I wanted to give you this.” Indrid holds out the small camera. Duck, perched on a rock, takes it with a puzzled frown. He adds, “It’s waterproof. You mentioned you wish you could take pictures of the things you see in your home. I couldn’t think of a better time to give you than your trip.”

“Thanks, ‘Drid.” Duck leans forward, rubbing their cheeks together, “you remember your instructions?”

“Yes.” He whimpers when Duck pulls back.

“Good. Want you in good shape when I get home.” Duck’s voice returns to normal, “should be back in a week. I’ll see you then.”

Indrid waves goodbye, keeps waving well past the point where Duck could see him, even if he surfaced. Then he grabs the basket of fresh oysters and heads to the house to call Barclay.

The phone calls and dinners with one of his few friends in town are part of his agreement with Duck. The mer told him he couldn’t meet every night, so maybe Indrid should find other forms of company. He also helpfully supplies Indrid with fresh shellfish that he has no idea how to cook, but his friend the professional chef certainly does. This dovetails nicely with his promise to Duck to eat at least one full meal a day.

It’s not just the strange dynamic they’ve hit upon that’s improving his life; it’s Duck. The merman makes him feel so safe, like someone cares about the real him and not just the him that makes them money or feeds their morbid curiosity. Not to mention he’s even more handsome than Indrid first thought and he spends plenty of nights jerking off to the thought of a cool, strong tail between his legs.

He does well the first five days Duck is gone. Barclay and Dani come over for dinner, he paints and draws prolifically, and he even reads up on whether it’s feasible for him to adopt rats (“those are kinda like otters, right?” “close enough.”). Friday night his agent calls, excitedly reporting that it’ll soon be the fifth anniversary of the Plata River incident and the magazine is getting requests for a feature on it and Indrid will be perfect.

Indrid says he’ll think about it, hangs up, and opens the fridge. He promised Duck he’d only drink if it was with dinner or with friends. He grabs two wine coolers and heads into the living room.

The next day, he’s idly fiddling with the dating app he hasn’t touched since December when a new profile appears. Very good looking, close by, clearly just passing through town, and interested in Indrid. He invites him over, spends the next half hour getting ready, and even cleans the bedroom because well, that’s what he’d do for Duck, he should do it for anyone else he brings over.

Indrid opens the door at the second knock. The guy takes one look at him, shakes his head, and returns to his car.

Indrid downs the remaining wine coolers and goes down to the beach to sulk. He tucks his legs up, pressing his forehead to his knees, and rocks back and forth. He’s nearly sober when a voice drifts across the waves.

“‘Drid?”

He looks up, glasses slipping down his nose, “Duck? You’re, you’re back.”

“Yep. It was fast goin the last ten miles. Brought the camera back, think you gotta be the one to get the pictures off, but I can’t wait to show you all the cool shit we saw.”

“Me neither” He stands and instantly pitches forward, landing on his hands and knees in the shallow water.

“You been drinking?”

“Yes.”

“You and Barclay have a good time?” He’s giving him the benefit of the doubt, giving him an out, and Indrid decides that isn’t what he wants.

“I wasn't with Barclay. I got horrible news last night, and today I tried to get laid and got rejected, and I’m at the point in my life where I nearly called after the guy that he could keep his eyes shut and I’d just blow him so he wouldn’t need to look at or touch me. So yes, Duck, I’ve been drinking.”

Duck’s expression swims between concern and disappointment, then comes to rest on neutral steel, “That ain’t what we agreed.”

“I’m aware. But I don’t care, I don’t” he aims a splash at Duck, “it doesn’t matter, nothing matters, nothing will come of it, same as always.”

The merman cocks an eyebrow, “You really think that? You forgettin I said there’d be consequences if you broke the rules?”

“Oooh, I’m so scared.” Indrid splashes him again.

Duck smiles, reminding him that all his teeth end in points, “Didn’t say anythin about scarin you. You really wanna believe that nothing matters, you can head home. Or” he points to a nearby rock, “you go get on your hands and knees, facin the cliffs.”

Indrid crawls gracelessly to the designated spot. It’s dangerous to turn his back on the ocean, but a gentle voice in his mind reminds him over and over that Duck is here. Duck won’t let him get hurt.

There’s a splash as Duck pulls himself onto the rock. Then a whoosh of air and a sting in the right side of his ass. He yelps, startled, and looks behind him.

“If this ain’t okay, need you to say so now.” Duck’s eyes are wide and hungry, but his hands stay on the grey rock.

“It’s okay.” He can’t believe this is happening, can’t decide if he should tell Duck this is not remotely a punishment.

Another sharp grin, “Eyes front.”

Indrid’s barely obeyed when the next strike comes. Duck is strong and makes no attempt to hide it, hitting him hard enough that his knees jolt forward in the sand. The pain lights him up each time, forces the thing knotted in his chest up towards his throat.

When the blows stop he whimpers, pushing his ass back in hopes of more.

“Don’t worry, ‘Drid, I ain’t done with you by a long shot.” Cold fingers undo his fly, bring his pants and underwear down to his thighs. He’s expecting another hit, wiggles his ass in anticipation.

What he gets are teeth sinking into his skin.

“AH!GOD” He yells loud enough that his throat hurts.

Duck chuckles, “Holler all you want, we both know no one can hear what goes on on this beach, especially with all the wind.” He bites down again, Indrid thrashing and moaning as teeth sink into already reddened skin. Duck growls in reply, savaging the meat of his as and grazing his teeth along his thighs, dangerously close to his balls. He’s already getting hard, the process expedited by warm breath and lips on his body.

He moans embarrassingly loud when Duck shoves his ass apart.

“Damn, you really did get all prepped for that fella. Shame, he didn’t know what he was missin.” The plug hits the sand to his right.

“You, you don’t have to flatter meEEEoh, oh Duckohmygoodness.” His fingers dig into the sand as the merman teases his rim with a flexible tongue. There’s a muffled laugh, but Duck doesn’t respond beyond that, too busy threatening him with a good time as his tongue gives an experimental push.

Then it retreats and he turns his head left and right, delivering quick bites to either cheek before his tongue returns. He alternates between the delicious, teasing licks and painful bites, the shift never coming when Indrid expects and causing him to cry out every time. When the mer releases one side of his ass in order to slap his thighs while he continues licking, kissing, and nipping his way across bruised, sensitive skin, Indrid lets out a strangled sound, the thing in his chest now trapped at the back of his throat.

“You make such cute noises, but they ain’t the ones I’m lookin for. I ain’t stoppin until you apologize.”

Indrid opens his mouth, intending to say something about how this is the wrong way to make him do so.

“I, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please don’t be angry with me, don’t leave, don’t leave me here, I can’t, I, I don’t want to think about it, Duck please, I’m sorry, so sorry” he;s hunched forward, sobbing into the sand, when he realizes he’s fully clothed and Duck isn’t behind him.

“No” he squeaks, “no please don’t go.”

“I ain’t goin anywhere.” Duck slides up the sand next to him, pulls him into his arms, “I’m so sorry darlin, I didn’t mean to make you cry, I took it too far, I ain’t mad, not really” he eases Indrid’s glasses off and sets them out of harms way, “oh darlin, c’mere, it’s okay” salty kisses dot his forehead and green scales pet his legs.

“It’s, hic, it’s not your fault. I, I l-liked it, but this has, hic, been building up for months. Years.” He hides his face in Duck’s chest.

“Years?” Duck grabs Indrid’s sweater from where he cast it off, draping it over the human.

Indrid sniffs, “You know I’m a photographer. But I’ve never told you what I photograph. I, I made my name recording disasters and their aftermath. For a long time I took pride in it; someone has to document those things, so we can’t erase them, so we have to confront them and try to make things better, or try to keep such tragedy from reoccurring. I was so good at recording it I became famous. Wealthy. And I learned that most people like to gawk at horror and then go about their days. I, I tried branching out and...and I ended up with a disaster anyway. A bridge collapse, I chronicled everything from the instant it started to the funerals and it, it was too much. Ever since then I’ve felt trapped by my work. At times, by my life. My agent wants me to go back for the fifth anniversary, he told me so last night.”

“You ain’t goin, right?”

“I don’t think I can.”

Duck nods, rests his chin atop his head, “tell me what you wanna do instead.”

He does. He tells him about his other art, about the pitches for childrens books and the plans for a real vacation, about the life that, for the first time, feels in reach when he speaks about it. By the time he’s done the stars are out and he’s much calmer and clear-headed.

“Did you mean what you said earlier? That, that you thought I was attractive?”

“Every damn word.” Duck rolls them so Indrid is on his back, kisses his cheek, “thought so since that first night. But, uh” his gaze flicks down to Indrid’s crotch, “if you want more proof I’m happy to give it.”

“Please?”

“Get your pants off and lay on your sweater.”

Indrid complies, shivers when Duck guides his shirt up and off.

“Fuuuuck” the mer rubs his hands up and down his torso, “when it warms up, you’re gonna swim out with me so I can get my fill of this while you ride my dick.”

“Yes. Ah, I, I did prep, but it’s been long enough now that lubrication may be an issueOOOh, ooohyes.” He release into the sand as Duck grinds his tail against his cock. The scales feel as lovely now as they do when he pets them, and he wonders if Duck will let him get off by humping his tail one of these days.

“It won’t, trust me. Lemme just--there we go. Open your legs. Heh, eager little thing.”

“I’ve wanted this too long to play coy.”

“Good.”

“Eeep!” Something slick and squirming presses into his ass, “do, do you have tentacles?”

“Kinda? They’re just the tip, for this exact reason. It, uh, it feel okay?” Duck smiles reassuringly and that, combined with the genuine concern in his voice makes Indrid moans and nudge him closer.

“VeryOH, oohgracious” two more tentacles join the first, pulsing and scissoring him open, “how many are there?”

“About eight.”

He moans louder and Duck laughs, pushes his hips forward, “glad you like it, darlin’. Because from where I’m sittin your ass is fuckin amazin and I wanna be as deep in it as I can.”

“Yes, absolutely, pleaseAHHnnn” enough tentacles now that he can’t keep an accurate count, “please use it as you see fit.”

“As I see fit huh? That’s a tricky question. See, sometimes I wanna, fuck, wanna shove the whole thing in you at once and make you scream while I leave my mark on your neck.”

“AHHnnngod” A firmer shaft pushes in, ridges rubbing all the right places as the tentacles continue exploring him.

“Other times, think it’s better to tease you with the tip, maybe make you blow me first and jerk you off until you’re beggin for my dick.”

“Yes, yesyesyesyes”

“But tonight” Duck bottoms out with a groan, “I’m gonna take it nice and slow, show you just how fuckin wonderful you are. How much you mean to me. My Indrid.”

“Yours” Indrid twines his limbs around him, “god, Duck, it feels so good, you’re so good, you always look after me.”

“That I do. Because you deserve it. And” the tentacles find his prostate and he nearly howls as Duck continues, “you deserve to learn how t’be nice to yourself. And I, ahfuck, know that ain’t easy, but I’m gonna be here to help.”

“Yes, ohgod, yes, you’re, you’re so perfect, aaAAAhnI, I’m, close sweetheart, you fill me so well.”

“Damn right. Gonna, nnngh, gonna find every fuckin way to fill you, make you feel fuckin amazin, fuck, that’s it darlin, ohfuckyeah” as he starts spilling into him, Indrid cums with a shout, splattering their stomachs. Duck moans at the sight, wriggles his hips as his shaft continues rippling and pulsing. It turns out mer orgasms are long, so long that Indrid is whimpering from overstimulation by the time Duck pulls out.

A gentle, salt-soaked kiss to his lips, “Lookit you, took it all. You’re so good for me, darlin.”

“Mmmhmm” He doesn’t want to let go, cold, wind, and damp be damned. Duck seems to understand, holds him and whispers sweet promises in his ears until he’s shivering.

“‘Drid, your teeth are chatterin.”

“I kn-know, I s-should g-go home and w-warm up.”

Duck kisses him again, “sooner you go and rest, sooner we can do this again.”

“An excellent p-point.” He stands, blows a shaky kiss towards his future, “see you tomorrow.”

#Indruck #indrid cold/duck newton #mermay fills #mermay

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